Honda to move Accord production to Indiana as part of EV shift

                WASHINGTON: Honda Motor Co's US unit said on Tuesday it would move production of its Accord sedan to Indiana in 2025 after assembling the model in Marysville, Ohio for more than 40 years, as part of its shift to electric vehicle (EV) production.

Marysville will be Honda's first US auto plant to transition to making EVs.

The move comes after Honda and South Korea's LG Energy Solution Ltd, in October announced they would build planned US$4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant at a site near Jeffersonville, Ohio and broke ground earlier this month.

The battery plant, to be completed by the end of 2024, will cover more than 2 million square feet and aims for about 40 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of annual production capacity.

Honda said last year it was separately investing US$700 million to retool three Ohio plants for electric vehicle production by 2026, including Marysville.

Marysville will begin preparing for EV production as early as January by consolidating its two production lines to one to enable it to begin building the EV infrastructure, the company said.

Honda began assembling the Accord at its Marysville in November 1982, making it the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the United States. It has since produced more than 12.5 million Accords at the Ohio plant.

In 1989, the Accord was the first Japanese model to hold the title of best-selling US car, with 362,700 vehicles sold.

In recent years, Americans have been moving away from sedans to sport utility and crossover vehicles. Honda sold 154,600 Accords in the US last year, down 24% from 2021.

Honda said Accord production will be transferred to its Indiana auto plant, which builds the Civic Hatchback and CR-V.

Honda's transmission plant in Georgia will dedicate one production line to e-axle production - a key EV component - and its Anna, Ohio engine plant will shift production of some engine components to a Honda engine plant in Alabama to prepare for production of battery cases for EV models, the company said.


July 29 - Aug 4: RON97 petrol up by 1 sen to RM2.74 per litre

                PETALING JAYA: The retail prices of RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged from July 29 to Aug 4, while RON97 petrol will increase to RM2.74 per litre, up 1 sen from RM2.73 previously.

The RON95 petrol and diesel prices are at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively.

The prices are based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism.


Nikola says open to working with Hyundai on hydrogen tech

                SEOUL: US electric commercial truck maker Nikola said it is open to working with Hyundai Motor on hydrogen technology, following a media report it had reached out to the Korean automaker.

In an interview with South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo published on Sunday, Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corp, said he would like to cooperate with Hyundai. He said he had twice made proposals to Hyundai that were rejected.

Hyundai, along with Toyota Motor Corp are among the few automakers championing hydrogen technology.

“Trevor has immense respect for Hyundai and views Hyundai amongst the leaders in hydrogen around the world,” said Nikola spokesman Nicole Rose.

“Trevor has, and will continue to be, open to collaborate if they ever choose to do so,” Rose said. She did not address queries on whether Nikola had made proposals to Hyundai.

A person familiar with Hyundai said that there are no current cooperation talks between the two companies. “If Nikola makes an official offer, Hyundai can consider the proposal,” the person said.

He said that Hyundai wants to sell its hydrogen systems to other automakers, but at the same time, Nikola could become a potential competitor to Hyundai’s commercial truck business.

“It would be a complicated relationship,” he said, declining to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Hyundai declined to comment.

Hyundai Motor in July shipped the first 10 units of the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty truck, to Switzerland, with a goal to roll out a total of 1,600 units by 2025.

In late 2018, Hyundai Motor Group said it would drastically boost its annual fuel-cell systems production capacity to 700,000 units by 2030, including 200,000 units to be sold to outside customers, including other automakers and manufacturers of drones, vessels and forklifts.

Hyundai has partnered with Audi on hydrogen vehicle technology.

Nikola has said it plans to start producing its battery electric trucks in 2021, followed by its fuel cell electric trucks in 2023.


New Honda CR-V introduced in the States, includes turbo mill

                DETROIT: Honda has pulled the wraps off the all-new, fifth-generation CR-V, America’s best-selling SUV over the past 20 years.

The completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 CR-V, going on sale this winter, boasts bold new styling, a more premium interior, the model’s first-ever turbocharged engine and a host of new features and technologies aimed at maintaining CR-V’s status as the outright benchmark in the highly popular compact SUV segment. American car buyers have purchased nearly 4 million CR-Vs since its US launch in 1997.

The new CR-V styling heads in a fresh new direction with an aggressive attitude, thanks to crisp and sharp front-end design elements, aggressive stylized headlights surrounded by a wing-shaped LED DRL array on all trims, and wide, muscular fenders. The long hood, longer wheelbase, short rear overhang and dual exhausts give the new CR-V a more sophisticated and athletic presence.

The CR-V’s new windswept front end appearance includes signature Honda LED headlights (Touring trim), a Honda-first Active Shutter Grille that lowers aerodynamic drag, uprated aluminum alloy wheels (sizes 17 to 18 inches depending on trim) and narrower A-pillars for improved visibility. Adding convenience is a Honda-first available Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate, which allows opening and closing the tailgate with a foot activated sensor under the rear of the vehicle.

Available Auto High Beam with High Beam Support (HSS) headlights, chrome garnishes, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof rails and numerous Genuine Honda Accessories also expand the options list.

The 2017 CR-V in EX and higher trims will feature CR-V’s first ever turbocharged engine, a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.5-litre DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder powerplant rated at 190hp and delivering refined and responsive performance across the engine’s full operating range.

Combined with the CR-V’s more aerodynamic body, the new turbocharged powerplant will garner the highest EPA fuel economy ratings in the compact SUV class. CR-V LX trims will be powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, direct-injected i-VTEC engine, and both engines will be mated to a smooth shifting and sporty continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Shift control logic. Detailed specifications, including EPA ratings, will be provided closer to launch.

The all-new body and chassis design in the 2017 CR-V provides more agile and confident handling, greater refinement, additional ground clearance and superior overall versatility. Its front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension utilize specially tuned low-friction dampers, with both FWD and AWD models including tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars that promote quick turn-in and flatter cornering. Dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) also contributes to the CR-V’s direct and satisfying steering feel.

The 2017 CR-V also raises the bar for interior refinement, utility and premium features in the compact SUV class. The more spacious cabin, with top-in-class interior space and the best rear seat legroom in its class, features upgraded materials throughout, including a new soft-touch instrument panel and more intricately stitched seats. A colour TFT driver information interface (DII) centre meter display adds to the new design aesthetic.

The CR-V offers the latest in-vehicle connectivity and audio performance with a new generation of advanced technologies. Available features include a 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio interface with Android operating system that now features a physical volume knob as well as an available new Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ developed in cooperation with the experts at Garmin.

The CR-V ’s Display Audio system is compatible with the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms, giving customers seamless integration of key smartphone features and functions, including smartphone-powered GPS navigation and voice-controlled search capabilities.

Some of the key new comfort and convenience features available on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment and 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats.

The refreshed 2015 CR-V debuted the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. The 2017 CR-V further expands the application of Honda Sensing as standard equipment on EX and higher trims, expected to account for upwards of 75 percent of CR-V sales.

Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS).

Additional new driver-assistive technologies include the available Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam (HSS) headlights.

The CR-V uses Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure to enhance safety.

The new CR-V will be produced at three plants in North America – in East Liberty, Ohio; Alliston, Ontario, Canada; and, for the first time, in Greensburg, Indiana using domestic and globally sourced parts. Engines for the new CR-V will be manufactured in Anna, Ohio and in Alliston, Ontario, with the CVT being produced in Russells Point, Ohio.

2017_CR_V_specs___features_PRELIMINARY_10.7.16-1.pdfAlternative link


Fast chargers signal imminent arrival of Toyota's first all-electric vehicle

                PETALING JAYA: A year ago, these structures were absent from the UMW Toyota Motor headquarters in Shah Alam.

But the fast chargers were freshly installed and were spotted recently near the Toyota distributor's main entrance. Three fast chargers and a chargEV AC charger were lined up and a number of parking bays were demarcated. That can only mean one thing.

UMW Toyota Motor will soon start selling pure electric cars. Toyota is late to the game but it eventually came around to doing it when it saw the EV momentum picking up on the global front.

It's an open secret what that first Toyota electric vehicle for Malaysia is going to be. Tip: it will be an SUV — a bodystyle that is popular in many parts of the world.

Thailand has traditionally been a leading indicator into what Toyota models will come to Malaysia as they are usually the first to launch models there.

 The bZ4x was displayed at the Bangkok Motor Show in March.

The trend continues as it has been widely reported that Thailand would start selling the bZ4x towards the end of 2022. The electric SUV was showcased at the 2022 Bangkok Motor Show in March.

If history is any indication, the electric SUV would roll its way into Malaysia in early 2023 at the latest.

The bZ4x comes in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations with a range of 500km and 460km respectively.

Like the Subaru Solterra EV, the bZ4x is built upon the new e-TNGA platform for EVs.

Toyota had previously claimed its  battery electric vehicle series' batteries, starting with the ones in bZ4x, would retain more than 90% of their capacity after a decade.

Its batteries, developed with Panasonic Corp, contain a special coolant that does not conduct electricity easily. Battery packs are also structured to keep the cells and coolant separated in case of a leak.

Whether the bZ4x's first recall would delay the rollout of the BEV remains to be seen.

In June, Japan's largest automaker recalled 2,700 bZ4Xs globally after discovering that there was a risk the car's wheels could come loose. It said earlier this month the defect had been fixed and production would restart.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K. had also disclosed recently that the company would introduce electric vehicles not just for Toyota but Lexus as well  in the near future.

“You can see many foreign brands introducing EVs in Malaysia.

“We are slightly slow (in the rollout) but we already have the technology,” he said, adding that the company was taking the introduction of the EV line-up introduction in its stride to build customer confidence and avoid mistakes.


Transport Ministry to issue new approval letters through SMILE

Trucks ferrying goods in Port Klang. — Bloomberg

PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will issue new approval letters to allow logistics companies registered under SMILE (Logistics Industry Information System) to operate during the first phase of the total lockdown as the previous approval letters are null and void.

The ministry said in a statement today the new approval letters are now available for download at application.mot.gov.my/.

SMILE is reserved for logistics and commercial transportation sector companies which includes air and maritime transportation, courier services and warehousing during the movement control order period.

On the standard operating procedures (SOPs) during lockdown, the ministry said only two people, including the driver, were allowed at one time in private vehicles regardless of capacity.

However, three people including the driver were allowed at one time in the event of medical needs, such as hospital visits with a doctor’s letter or vaccination as validated with the MySejahtera application, or for security reasons, it said.

For public transportation, the ministry said all operators of land and sea public transportation were allowed to operate at 50% of passenger capacity.

However, passenger airlines were exempted from this requirement due to the already low passenger levels, it added.

"All operators are allowed to determine their respective optimum service frequencies to prevent crowding on terminals, platforms, and stations, and ensure full compliance to National Security Council and the Health Ministry standard operating procedures, ” it said.

For the logistics sector, the ministry said companies related to land, sea and air transportation and handling of goods including e-commerce businesses were allowed to operate at optimum levels.

Vehicle workshops and tyre shops, which are not under the ministry’s purview but related to transport and logistics sectors, were also allowed to operate, it added.


Ford trials robot charging station designed to give disabled drivers a helping hand

                COLOGNE: For most of us, filling a car with fuel, or charging an electric vehicle is a simple task. But for disabled drivers, people with reduced mobility and older people it can be a significant challenge.

Now, Ford has developed a prototype robot charging station that drivers operate via their smartphone from inside their electric vehicle. The technology could enable disabled drivers to stay in the car while charging, or they could leave the car while the robot does all the work.

Disabled drivers have already identified ease of charging as a key purchase consideration for electric vehicles.

Ford is testing the robot charging station as part of a research project to develop hands-free charging solutions for electric vehicles and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles.

Following initial lab testing, Ford researchers are now putting the robot charging station to the test in real-life situations.

Once activated, the station cover slides open and the charging arm extends towards the inlet with the help of a tiny camera. For the trial, drivers were able to monitor the charge status via the FordPass app.

After charging, the arm retracts back into place.

In future, the robot charging station, custom-made by Dortmund University, in Germany, could be installed at disabled parking spaces, in car parks or at private homes.

Further applications could include fast and efficient charging of company fleets. The technology could also support more powerful charging to charge vehicles in a much shorter time.

Looking ahead, the process could become fully automated, with minimal or no driver involvement. The driver would simply send the vehicle to the charging station, with the infrastructure ensuring it reaches and returns from its destination autonomously.

This research project complements Ford’s commitment to electrification. A follow-up project with the charging network provider IONITY will look to further improve the robot charging station.

Ford is also researching into robot charging solutions in combination with Automated Valet Parking, as demonstrated at IAA in Munich, Germany, last year.

Ford’s fast-growing Blue Oval Charging Network provides customers with access to a network of over 300,000 chargers across Europe. To help drivers find charging stations and pay for charging, Ford Charge Assist can be accessed using the touchscreen of Ford’s SYNC 4 connectivity and entertainment system.

For commercial vehicle customers, Ford Pro Charging offers bespoke charging solutions incorporating charging equipment, ongoing maintenance and management software that help reduce time-consuming paperwork and charge schedule planning.

Ford recently joined 27 companies in a petition to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035 and called for targets to grow electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe to keep pace with electric vehicle growth rates.


Growing family sizes might reshape car manufacturer safety thinking

                PARIS: It's difficult for vehicle manufacturers to react as quickly as they might like to changing trends and demographics as vehicles take such a long time to develop and bring to market. But it seems Peugeot is ahead of the curve right now when it comes to the family-friendly credentials of its all-new 5008 SUV.

And it's because the new 5008 is one of the only vehicles of its type to cater for the growing size of families by having three ISOFIX anchor points for child seats across the second-row seats.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the ISOFIX safety standard, which was first introduced by the European Union.

Being able to fit three child seats across the second-row seats of the 5008 could provide growing families with greater peace of mind, as well as giving Peugeot a competitive advantage in the market.

The rising number of larger families has helped contribute to the increased demand for larger, versatile family vehicles capable of accommodating growing numbers of young children.

"The modularity of the final design of the 5008 SUV helps brings ease and comfort to the lives of young, active families," said Peugeot's marketing director Mark Pickles.


Waze directions from DJ Khaled

PETALING JAYA: He’s known for sharing his words of wisdom online, but from today DJ Khaled is bringing his life hacks direct to Waze users: as its newest celebrity voice.The everyday driving platform bringing together drivers to outsmart traffic together, and Deezer, the global music streaming service, have announced the voice will be available globally on Waze from today until the end of June, to celebrate the launch of DJ Khaled’s new album Father of Asahd.The DJ Khaled voice - made exclusively available on Waze by Deezer - is running throughout all of June and will accompany users on their “journey for greatness.” Along the way they’ll enjoy their rides with words of advice including “Stay focused”, “Don’t play yourself” and “The top’s off the maybach!”“Bless up Deezer and Waze for guiding millions of drivers across the world on their path to success!! So excited for FAN LUV to be able to get my voice on Waze! Don’t forget, FATHER OF ASAHD is out now!” said DJ Khaled.“We are beyond excited to launch the DJ Khaled voice in partnership with our friends at Deezer,” said Adam Fried, Head of Global Partnerships at Waze.  “DJ Khaled has one of the most recognizable voices in the industry and is beloved by many of our 115+ million users around the world, so we can’t think of anyone better to safely and entertainingly guide Waze drivers on their journeys.”Waze and Deezer began working together in late 2018, when the popular music streaming app became a Waze Audio Player partner: an embedded audio player giving drivers an easy way to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, news and more - all while safely navigating.DJ Khaled’s available on Waze for a limited time, so update your voice today in Settings > Voice Directions > DJ Khaled and listen to Father of Asahd on May 17th.
Malaysian Wazers can also enjoy the Leona Chin voice option launched on May 6 which has the renowned Motorsport darling help them navigate around the country with road safety reminders.

Read the story here.


Spyker C8 Preliator heads for North American debut

AMSTERDAM: The Spyker C8 Preliator is getting more exposure at the upcoming New York International Automobile Show. It was first shown at the just-ended Geneva Motor Show.

Spyker will produce just 50 units of the C8 Preliator worldwide.

By mounting a supercharger to the Audi V8 engine, Spyker has improved the performance of the C8 Preliator significantly as compared to its predecessor. The 525-hp engine allows the 1.4-ton car to go from 0 to 100kph in 3.7s.

The 2-door mid-engine sports car features a highly detailed design, bespoke materials and aviation-inspired elements. Spyker's third-generation sports car features design cues from jet propulsion aircraft, highlighting the turbine blade, NACA duct air inlets and little wings, ailerons, to improve the car's aerodynamic performance.

The "Preliator" name, which means "fighter" or "warrior" in Latin, pays tribute to the company's aviation heritage: "Fighters" are warplanes as made by Spyker between 1914 and 1918. But even more so, "Preliator" symbolises the uphill battles Spyker faced and won in the past couple of years.

"Historically, Spyker has sold half of its production in the US, with a very large number of cars sold through the company's first US dealer, Manhattan Motor Cars," said Spyker's founder and chief executive officer Victor R. Muller.


Vehicle sales up 9% in October

                PETALING JAYA: Total vehicle sales rose 9% to 52,584 units last month from 48,282 units in the previous corresponding period last year, buoyed by year-end promotional campaigns.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said in a statement that November’s total sales was, however, 2.4% or 1,286 units lower compared with October 2019.

Year-to-date November vehicle sales was flattish at 549,445 units compared with 550,410 units in the previous corresponding period.

On its projection for December, the MAA said sales were expected to be maintained at the same level as November’s.

READ MORE: Fewer vehicles sold in November

It said the continuation of aggressive year-end promotional campaigns, especially by a number of players that have their financial year ending on Dec 31, is expected to sustain sales for the month.

Kenanga Research, in a recent report, said it expected November vehicle sales to remain strong.

“Sales volume for November 2019 is expected to be maintained around October 2019 level on year-end promotions.

“Overall, car sales will be supported by the higher delivery of new models, including the all new Perodua Aruz, Honda HR-V facelift, Toyota Vios, Toyota Yaris, Proton X70, face-lifted Proton Persona, Iriz, and Saga and face-lifted Nissan X-Trail as well as maiden delivery of the face-lifted CX-5 and all-new Mazda CX-8.”

Earlier this month, national carmaker Proton announced that year-on-year car sales doubled to 9,643 units in November, driven by strong demand for its Saga model.

It said cumulative volume for the year stood at 89,476 units as at November, which marked a 50.1% growth in total year-on-year numbers. The car company’s market share also grew at an estimated 16.2% for the year.

Proton said November was the third consecutive month that it had sold more than 4,000 units of the Saga, having delivered 4,091 units in November.

The strong sales have been reflected in the financial performance of Proton’s parent company, DRB-HICOM BHD, which recorded a net profit of RM40.08mil for its third quarter ended Sept 30, compared with a net loss of RM11.42mil in the previous corresponding period.

Kenanga Research said it is maintaining its 2019 total industry volume (TIV) sales target at 600,000 units.

“We maintain our 2019 TIV target at 600,000 units in line with MAA’s target.

“We believe the absence of sales-boosting event such as the one-off 2018 tax holiday will be offset by exciting new launches and we have also factored in possible delays in new car launches given the backlog of pricing approvals from the authorities (three-to-five months) and tepid purchasing power.”

The MAA has maintained its 600,000 units TIV forecast for this year in light of the economic uncertainties that are expected to remain for the rest of the year.

In July, MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said consumers and businesses were expected to remain cautious going into the second half of the year, adding that this would only spur aggressive promotional campaigns by local car companies.


Alfa Romeo sells for over €16 million at Paris auction

This 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta sold for nearly €17mil.
PARIS: The Rétromobile 2019 by Artcurial Motorcars auction totalled just over €42 million (RM193mil) over three days.

From Feb 8-10, three sales — cars, motorcycles, F1 drivers' helmets and race suits — were held as part of the Rétromobile vintage and classic car show here.

Auction house Artcurial announced a total of €42,304,574 for these sales, up 31% on the 2018 edition and setting 10 new records.

The sale saw three models fetch over €1 million (RM4.6mil) and 43 fetch over €100,000 (RM460,000).

The star of the sale was a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta, which sold for no less than €16,745,600 (RM77mil), becoming the third most expensive pre-war car ever to sell at auction. It was bought by an American private collector.

A rare Serenissima Spyder fetched €4.2 million (RM19.3mil), setting a new world record for this model. A magnificent 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss Edition sold for just over €2.6 million (RM12mil), again setting a new record for the model.

After Friday's car sale, Saturday saw Artcurial auction an exceptional collection of 90 MV Agusta motorcycles, considered one of the world's finest private collections of classic motorcycles. Finally, on Sunday, an ensemble of Formula 1 drivers' helmets and race suits went under the hammer.


Toyota Sienta gets new accessories and features

                SHAH ALAM: The 2018 Toyota Sienta compact MPV is only available as 1.5V variant and now comes with additional accessories and features at no price change.

The Compact MPV is now equipped with an upgraded 6.9-inch DVD-AVX system that comes with Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI, SD Card Input as well as a Reverse Camera.

Customers can upgrade to the optional 7-inch touchscreen DVD-AVN system that comes with the GPS-based navigation system which includes the locations of Toyota sales and aftersales outlets in Malaysia.

New for the Sienta is the optional Panoramic View Monitor that helps in parking the vehicle.

Cameras around the vehicle capture the side and front views, enabling the driver to spot any obstacles or hazards which may not be visible from inside or in the rear view mirrors.

The Sienta is now equipped with a USB charging port in the second row to give convenience to its passengers.

With the inclusion of a trunk mat in the rear cargo area, there is a better protection for the floor.

It can be easily taken out for cleaning whenever needed.

All Toyota models come with a 5-year warranty and unlimited mileage (except for Toyota Hilux with maximum mileage of 150,000km).

The warranty is transferable to the next owner (terms and conditions apply).


Mitsubishi boutique showroom opens in Bangsar

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mitsubishi showroom in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, has been designated as a boutique showroom by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.

Operated by Kah Classic Auto, the unique showroom is the first of its kind for Mitsubishi.

The showroom has a modern diamond-shaped exterior, vogue interior design and chic furnishing to cater for the trendy residents of Bangsar.

The attractive, posh interior also features an unique and stylish Ralliart merchandise display.

Among the vehicles displayed in boutique showroom are the newly launched locally assembled seven-seater Outlander 2.0 sports utility vehicle and the Triton VGT AT GL variant.

The Outlander 2.0, offered with an introductory price of RM139,988 (on-the-road inclusive GST without insurance), comes with a suite of features that includes seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, active stability and traction control (ASTC), hill start assist and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard.

The Triton VGT AT GL, meanwhile, is the one of the most affordable Triton VGT Automatic variant priced at RM103,800.


Volvo wants to get rid of physical car key

                GOTHENBURG: In its first appearance at Mobile World Congress, taking place in Barcelona Feb 22-25, Volvo will be attempting to unlock the smartphone's potential and in doing so, do away with car keys.

Bundling an app as part of a new car's features is not in itself groundbreaking. Most premium marques offer drivers remote access to things like a car's location, fuel reserves and the ability to lock, unlock or start the car or set the climate control via their phone.

But from 2017, Volvo will be offering its cars key-free and it's not a gimmick.

"We are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. New technology has to make our customers' lives easier and save them time," said Henrik Green, Vice President Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.

Instead, by using an app and a Bluetooth connection for locking, unlocking and starting a car, Volvo believes it can also unlock new features and services. "Mobility needs are evolving and so are our customers' expectation to access cars in an uncomplicated way," explains Green.

Car firms have started looking beyond the business of making cars and to the future of personal mobility and how to deliver services in a cleaner, greener way.

For example, Ford will be showcasing its FordPass platform at this year's MWC. It allows users to rent cars and to plan journeys that use public and private transport.

GM is partnering with Lyft to offer ride-sharing to its customers. But with Volvo's digital key, it is aiming to turn consumers' cars into an ad-hoc ride-sharing pool.

"Our innovative digital key technology has the potential to completely change how a Volvo can be accessed and shared. Instead of sitting idle in a parking lot the entire day, cars could be used more often and efficiently by whoever the owner wishes," said Green.

Owners could grant one-time access to their car to others or borrow another car when on business or vacationing in another country for instance. Volvo has already launched a service in its native Sweden where its customers can give their car's location as a delivery address for parcels and packages, and a digital key for all is a logical next step.

But how many more steps is anyone's guess. "There are obviously many permutations when it comes to how this shared key technology can be used," said Martin Rosenqvist, Volvo's New Car Director, Special Products. "We look forward to seeing how else this technology might be used in the future and we welcome any and all ideas."


Rimac Nevera completes final winter tests ahead of first customer deliveries

                ZAGREB: The Rimac Nevera has completed two intensive weeks of winter testing at Pirelli’s Sottozero Centre near the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

With daytime temperatures unusually warm, the Rimac team spent the time testing at night when temperatures were at their most extreme, fine-tuning systems like the ABS, ESP and torque-vectoring ahead of the delivery of the first production cars.

Having already undergone years of simulation and testing, the 1,914hp all-electric Rimac Nevera has already passed US and EU homologation tests and is due to be delivered to customers throughout the world within the next couple of months.

But to ensure every control system functions perfectly in all conditions, the Rimac team headed to Sweden to validate results they had previously achieved on the road and in climatic chambers.

It also provided an ideal opportunity to test out the Nevera on its recommended winter tyres – Pirelli P Zero Winter.

The tyre is distinguished by a specific marking on the sidewall that testifies to the joint development work carried out by Pirelli in partnership with Rimac. The Nevera’s standard "summer" tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

“For us, this cold weather testing process was an opportunity to put the final 0.1% of polish on the Nevera, ensuring it’s perfect as soon as our owners begin to receive them in just a couple of months," said Rimac Group CEO Mate Rimac.

"Even after two weeks spent at temperatures of about -15°C (5°F), and a fairly demanding testing regime, our validation prototype performed at 100% throughout, so we know that all our core systems can perform reliably even in extreme conditions.

“What we also wanted to develop was a car that could be driven and enjoyed equally by someone who isn’t the most experienced driver right up to a seasoned racer."

Designed, engineered, and built in-house at Rimac Automobili, the Nevera is limited to just 150 units.

Made possible by its 120 kWh, 6960-cell battery delivering 1914 hp and 2360 Nm of torque, Nevera achieves a top speed of 412kph, a 0-100kph time of 1.85 seconds, and a 0-161kph time of 4.3 seconds.

It has been independently verified as the fastest accelerating production car in the world.


CES plays host to Toyota's P4 automated driving test vehicle

                LAS VEGAS: Next week, the bright lights of Las Vegas will shine brightly on the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) when it unveils its TRI-P4 automated driving test vehicle on Jan 7 at this year's Consumer Electronic Show.

The P4 is based on the all-new fifth-generation Lexus LS flagship sedan and will be used in TRI's two-track Guardian and Chauffeur automated driving system development.

"Our Chauffeur development is focused on full autonomy, where the human is essentially removed from the driving equation, either completely in all environments, or within a restricted driving domain," said TRI automated driving senior vice president Ryan Eustice.

"Guardian, on the other hand, is being designed to amplify human performance behind the wheel, not replace it. The introduction of the new P4 platform will help us accelerate the development of both tracks when it joins our fleet this spring."

The P4 benefits from Lexus' new generation of chassis and steering control technology, which provides greater agility and allows for more responsive and smoother maneuvers during automated driving.

The test vehicle adds two additional cameras to improve situational awareness on the sides and two new imaging sensors ― one facing forward and one pointed to the rear, specifically designed for autonomous vehicles.

The imaging sensors feature new chip technology with high dynamic range.

The radar system has been optimized to improve the field of view, especially for close range detection around the vehicle perimeter.

The LIDAR sensing system with eight scanning heads carries over from the previous test model, Platform 3.0, and morphs into the new vehicle design.

The test vehicle is now a much smarter one than its predecessor.

With greater computing power, its systems can operate more machine learning algorithms in parallel for faster learning.

It can process sensor inputs faster and react more quickly to the surrounding environment.

All computing system power is now drawn from the vehicle's hybrid battery with the 12V battery now serving only as a backup.

The computer box in the trunk, which serves as the "brain" of the automated driving system, has been reimagined.

It is now tucked vertically against the rear seat transom, folding down to access the circuitry.

This frees up the entire floor of the trunk for hauling cargo.

"We took a holistic approach to integrating autonomous componentry into the design of the new LS," said CALTY Design Research senior lead designer Scott Roller.

"The result is a fluid surface embracing advanced technology loosely inspired by science fiction in the graphic separations between form and function."

TMNA R&D's Prototype Development Center will begin fabricating P4 vehicles from stock models from the second quarter.


VW offers 6-year warranty to win back US customers

Atlas.
NEW YORK: Volkswagen AG is trying to win back American customers after its diesel emission scandal with SUV warranties that it said will be the longest in the United States.

Ahead of the New York auto show, the world's largest automaker said Tuesday it will offer a six-year, 72,000 mile (115,872km) warranty on its new 2018 Atlas and 2018 Tiguan sport utility vehicles that go on sale later this year.

"This warranty further addresses the needs of American buyers head-on," said Volkswagen Group of American chief executive Hinrich Woebcken.

VW said most other major rivals offer a 36,000 mile (57,936km), three-year warranty on similar SUVs. The longest warranty is now offered by Hyundai Motor Co and its Kia Motors Corp affiliate. That warranty extends 60,000 miles (96,560km) or five years. The powertrain warranty is 100,000 miles (160934km), but it only lasts five years or 60,000 miles if transferred.

 Tiguan.

The German automaker has been struggling to recover since it admitted in 2015 the company installed secret software that allowed vehicles to cheat emissions tests for six years.

The new VW warranty is twice as long as the current three-year 36,000-mile warranty on the Tiguan. The Atlas is a new model.

VW brand US sales this year are up 10 percent this year, but fell 8 percent in 2016 to 323,000 vehicles after falling 5 percent in 2015. The automaker halted all US diesel sales in late 2015.

"The American people are full of forgiveness. All you have to do is say you are sorry and give them a deal," said Jackson, who heads the largest US new car dealership chain. VW has "to give a price that reflects that you are asking for forgiveness."

In March, Volkswagen pleaded guilty as part of a settlement over the automaker's diesel emissions scandal.

In total, VW has agreed to spend up to US$25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers and offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting US vehicles.

In a related development, Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz USA chief said the German automaker has not decided whether to resume selling diesel vehicles in the United States. The German automaker has not received approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency to sell 2017 model diesel vehicles.

Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, told reporters at the New York auto show, that the company's engineers are in talks with EPA over the diesel vehicles. He said he was not aware of the status of those talks.

Before the EPA declined to approve 2017 model diesel sales, Mercedes-Benz diesels accounted for just 2-3 percent of US sales, Exler said. "No decision made one way or the other," on the future of diesel sales, he added.

Exler said the automaker plans a big boost in electric vehicles, adding 10 new EVs by 2025 worldwide, including 7 or 8 coming to the United States. "That's going to be the big focus going forward," he said.


UK drivers face higher petrol prices as troops deployed

A tanker driver watching as fuel is pumped from his tanker into storage tanks at a BP petrol station in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire on Sept 25. — AFP
LONDON: UK drivers head into a second working week of fuel shortages, with the threat of higher prices adding to pressure as the government deploys army personnel to ease the crunch.

The Royal Automobile Club warned last week that average prices could hit 143 pence (RM7.93) per litre of petrol in the coming weeks, up from the 137 pence (RM7.77).

FairFuelUK, a consumer advocacy group, said Sunday prices had risen by 4 to 5 pence since Thursday, a jump not justified by an increase in crude prices.

They see a litre averaging 150 pence by the end of October, the highest on record.

Cristian Jaramillo, a worker at a London petrol station, says he’s already had to raise prices this week.

"They’ve been rising quite fast actually. I think last week I did it once and probably some of my colleagues” did too.

The government has struggled to show it has a grip on the crisis, with images of petrol queues threatening to undermine confidence in the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party as it holds its annual conference in Manchester.

The situation prompted Johnson, who led the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union, to temporarily ease visa restrictions for foreign truck drivers and free up 200 members of the military to help with fuel deliveries, starting today.

 British soldiers arriving at the BP Plc fuel terminal in Hemel Hempstead, UK, today. — Bloomberg

While there were some signs of improvement over the weekend, queues remained common in London and the Southeast, with some stations still out of petrol.

Shell’s UK twitter feed was filled with comments from motorists desperate to find petrol or complaining about price increases.

On Sunday morning about one in five petrol stations in the Southeast, which includes London, were out of fuel, the Petrol Retailers Association told the BBC.

That was closer to 6% in the Midlands, northern England and Scotland, the association said. The PRA wasn’t immediately available to comment on the price issue.

A worker at a Shell station in London on Sunday morning said that some independent stations are putting prices up by as much as 10 pence a litre.

Sunday was his busiest day since the crisis started and he expected to run out of fuel in the afternoon.

Johnson on Sunday defended his government’s handling of the situation in an interview with the BBC, saying fuel supply issues were "abating” and that the truck driver shortage wasn’t just a UK issue.

"What you have got at the moment is a shortage of lorry drivers, of truck drivers that is affecting the whole world,” he said.

For the UK, he said, pulling "the big lever marked ‘uncontrolled immigration,’” wasn’t the way forward.

His government has been stung by criticism that it failed to prepare for supply shortages and disruption, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic but which ministers grudgingly concede is caused in part by the UK’s split from its biggest trading partner.

The crisis so far hasn’t seriously eroded support for the Conservatives, but that could change.

The government was forced to announce tax increases to pay for its pandemic relief, which threaten to sour the mood of voters at time when prices for many goods are already rising and supply issues threaten to disrupt the Christmas holiday season.

In August UK inflation hit 3.2%, its highest level in over 9 years, making it increasingly likely that the Bank of England’s year-end 4% forecast will be reached.


SEAT springs a surprise with new electric scooter

                BERLIN: Volkswagen-owned Spanish car company SEAT has come up with a nifty new electric scooter in a move that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

SEAT said the fully-electric motorcycle equivalent to a 125 cc scooter will be unveiled together with technical details at the Barcelona Smart City Expo World Congress on Nov 19.

It is all part of a new urban micro-mobility strategy by Spain's sole car maker, which is now focusing on offering various sustainable solutions for cities while still making cars.

Past electrics from SEAT includes the SEAT Minimo concept car as well as the SEAT eXS Kickscooter powered by Segway, which was presented at the 2018 Smart City Expo.

SEAT has never built a motorcycle before and it will develop the model together with Barcelona-based electric motorcycle maker Silence. The scooter will then go on sale to both private customers and sharing fleets.

"We are taking a further step in our urban micro-mobility strategy by confirming the launch of the first eScooter in the history of the brand," said SEAT president Luca de Meo.

Barcelona has the most motorcycles per capita in Europe and also has a long-standing affinity with two-wheeled vehicles, said SEAT which is based at Martorel in Barcelona province.


Tesla plans to ramp up to pre-lockdown output in Shanghai  by today

China-made Model 3s rolling off the Tesla plant in Shanghai in this file pic. — Reuters

SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc plans to restore production at its Shanghai plant to the level at which it had operated before the city's Covid-19 lockdown by today, a day later than its most recent recovery plan, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Tesla will more than double its daily output to 2,600 electric vehicles at its Shanghai plant from today, according to the memo detailing the plan. That compares to around 1,000 EVs produced on Monday, according to the memo, and would bring Tesla's weekly output to nearly 16,000 units, the memo showed.

Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bringing production back to pre-lockdown levels has been a challenge for Tesla at the Shanghai plant, known as Gigafactory 3, because of problems stemming from the city's strict controls imposed from March on the movement of people and goods to curb the spread of Covid-19 during a recent outbreak.

Just over two weeks ago, Tesla had planned to have returned to pre-lockdown production levels by May 16, but then delayed that target by a week, Reuters reported.

Among the challenges for Tesla - and other manufacturers around Shanghai - have been insufficient workers, shipping obstacles and restricted supplies of parts, including wire harnesses.

Tesla was able to resume partial production on April 19 under what Chinese officials describe as a "closed-loop" control to prevent the spread of the virus. Companies in Shanghai are only allowed to reopen if they can operate under such an arrangement, which requires workers to be isolated.

Shanghai reopened a small part of the world's longest subway system on Sunday after closing some lines for almost two months, as the city paved the way for a more complete lifting of its Covid-19 lockdown this week. read more

The city government is asking local authorities to speed up approvals of certificates needed by workers to return to factories from this week.

The Shanghai shutdown has been costly for Tesla. The automaker sold only 1,512 EVs in China in April, down from 65,754 the previous month.

Before the lockdown, Tesla had run three shifts at the Shanghai plant. The factory, which makes Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, reopened on April 19 after a 22-day closure, its longest since the site opened in late 2019.


Autobacs Seven and Kit Loong Tayaria sign joint venture agreement

                KUALA LUMPUR: Autobacs Seven (AB7) - one of Japan's largest suppliers of aftermarket automotive parts and services - including tyre-related services and car accessories has acquired a 20% stake in local tyre distribution and retail company Kit Loong Tayaria (KLT).

The strategic partnership between the two companies will allow KLT - a passenger car tyre division of Kit Loong Tyre Group and authorised distributor of Pirelli, Kumho, Corsa and Jinyu tyre brands in Malaysia, to tap into AB7's expertise in automotive parts.

This includes services and retailing, and will allow KLT to gain access to a vast range of some 30,000 different types of products as well as share best retailing practices between the companies.

"The purpose of our partnership is to develop (KLT) more and strengthen our Tayaria Alliance outlets," said KLT chief executive officer Jacob Chen.

 From left: Chen with Autobacs Seven senior executive - overseas business Yugo Horii.

The current aim for KLT is to increase sales, enhance their many outlets services and further expand the reach of the business with the help of AB7 - a company that is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is one of the biggest suppliers and retailers of aftermarket automotive parts and services in Japan.

"We currently have more than 80 Tayaria Alliance outlets, and our target is to achieve 120 outlets as soon as possible. Partnering with AB7 will enable us to achieve our target faster," he added.

As for AB7, the company currently has over 500 chain outlets throughout Japan, including five here in Malaysia since 2012, and has plans to open an additional four more before the end of the second quarter of 2017.


Volvo Cars to design and develop electric motors

SHANGHAI: Volvo Cars is making significant investments that allow for the in-house design and development of electric motors for the next generation of Volvo models, as the company continues to move towards becoming a fully electric car maker.The company today opened a brand-new electric motor lab in Shanghai, China, the latest addition to its global network of facilities for the development and testing of electric car components.
The lab comes in addition to ongoing e-motor development in Gothenburg, Sweden, and state-of-the-art battery labs in China and Sweden.
Bringing the development of electric motors in-house will allow Volvo Cars engineers to further optimise electric motors and the entire electric driveline in new Volvos. This approach will allow engineers to make further gains in terms of energy efficiency and overall performance.“Through in-house design and development, we can fine-tune our e-motors to ever better levels,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars.
“By constantly improving their overall performance levels in terms of energy efficiency and comfort, we create an electric driving experience that is unique to Volvo.”
E-motors enable hallmark features that electric cars are known for, such as instant acceleration and so-called One Pedal Driving, whereby drivers use the accelerator pedal both for acceleration and deceleration, depending on whether they push in or lift their foot off the pedal.The newly opened electric motor lab in Shanghai became operational last month. It will mainly focus on electric motor development for use in fully electric and hybrid cars based on Volvo Cars’ forthcoming SPA 2 modular vehicle architecture.


Malaysians go online to condemn those flouting Covid-19 SOPs on the road

A screengrab from the LLM traffic cam at the Bentong toll plaza earlier Saturday.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have taken to social media to condemn those who are continuing to act against movement control order rules.

This comes after a high number of vehicles were spotted by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) en route to the East Coast on Saturday.

The government had also warned people against visiting a list of premises with a high risk of spreading Covid-19 infections under the Hotspot Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE).

On this, Facebook user Danny Csk said those who are travelling without a permit should be issued compounds by the authorities, adding that the collection would help contribute to the economy.

"Ok ma, high summon collection and can help the economy a bit. Many citizens want to donate to Malaysia. PDRM, please fine them and make them U-turn for those travelling illegally without (a) permit," he said.

Asyraf Maizad Ramesh Zakir criticised those rushing out of the city, which defeats the purpose of the MCO.

"Typical Malaysian mentality. Whenever a place is imposed with an MCO, all will suddenly decide to go out of town and potentially bring the virus with them," he said.

Selvamani Murthy urged that all Malaysians comply with Covid-19 precautions to lift the burden on frontliners.

"In most scenarios, the main factor behind the spike in Covid-19 cases in hard-hit nations is people not following Covid-appropriate behaviour

"This is a serious reminder for all of us, transmission of the virus can be easily rekindled once people increase their activities and contact with each other," he said.

Even with vaccinations, Selvamani said people need to continue to stay diligent and adhere to Covid-19 precautions at all times.

"Just stay at home as much as possible! Protect yourself by cutting the chance of infecting and getting infected! Stay united to fight Covid-19," she said.

Ken Chung expressed his sympathy with frontliners who had to be away from their family and put up with the stubborn attitudes of Malaysians, adding that this is causing the number of Covid-19 cases to rise.

"Stubborn! Pity the frontliners; doctors, nurses, police officers, soldiers and others. You think they don't miss their family members," he said.

Twitter user @gabbiePetrova said it was sad to see the low level of awareness among Malaysians and warned that the pandemic will be out of control if stern action is not taken.

"It is sad to see the awareness level among rakyat is extremely low, and MCO 3.0 seems meaningless. This pandemic is about to lose control soon, shouldn't the government do something like speed up the vaccination progress and tighten the SOP," she said.


Proton gears up for X70 local assembly as trial runs start in Tanjung Malim

                TANJUNG MALIM: Proton has started test runs at its plant here in preparation for the local assembly of its X70 SUV.

Final trim, paint and assembly lines are still being worked out as Proton engineers and production workers begin semi-automated test runs to gain experience in assembling the company’s first SUV.

Proton aims to start the production of the X70 in the second half of this year as the commissioning of its new RM1.2 billion plant here draws near. The X70 is based on the Geely Boyue.

 Miao Wei (second from right) posing with executives from Proton, DRB-Hicom and business partners. Among those present are (from left) Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar and Li Shufu.

This was revealed at a signing ceremony of a joint venture agreement between Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, Altel Communications Sdn Bhd and ECarX (Hubei) Technology Co. Ltd, China.

Present to witness the ceremony was Zhejiang Geely Holding Group chairman Li Shufu and China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei, who was here as part of a working visit to Malaysia.

The new joint venture company will help Proton in the area of digital technology
and car connectivity systems, which are one of the key drivers for future car sales.

As of today, the X70, Iriz, Persona and Exora have joined the ranks of Proton models with connectivity features that offer a wide range of functional applications for car buyers.


Bosch seeks to put brakes on inner city car pollution

                STUTTGART: Leading global automotive supplier Bosch has developed a new type of brake that can cut air pollution as well as road accidents.

It's not quite re-inventing the wheel, but it is re-inventing the thing that stops it — the brake disc.

It's called the iDisc. It's taken years to develop and now that it's ready, it's set to go into production at the end of November for use by an as yet unnamed major car company.

And what makes it special is dust, or more precisely, a lack thereof. Although even the cleanest new gasoline or diesel-powered car emits pollution into the air, in urban areas, such as busy inner-city areas, particulate pollution generated by vehicles is most likely to come from brake and tyre wear or from the road surface itself breaking down over time.

German government figures suggest that brakes and tyres are responsible for 32% of a car's particulate emissions when driving around town — if that car is running mass-market cast-iron disc brakes.

In terms of automotive safety alone, it's hard to emphasize just how revolutionary disc brakes have been since they first started appearing on road cars in the mid-to-late 1950s. Born on the track and adapted from the braking systems used to slow jet aircraft upon landing, discs allowed cars to "stop on a dime" and as a result have been instrumental in saving just as many lives as the introduction of seatbelts.

But now, they could be inadvertently damaging people's health thanks to dust and rust particulates.

What Bosch subsidiary Buderus Guss has done to fix this problem — the company claims a 90% reduction in brake dust compared with standard disc brakes — is to take a cast iron disc and put it through several treatments. The disc's friction ring (where the caliper will grip the rotor to bring the car to a halt) is given a heat and a rust treatment and then given a tungsten-carbide coating.

The result is a disc that costs more than a standard cast iron disc but significantly less than the carbon ceramic discs found on the likes of Ferraris and Porsches. "The iDisc has everything it takes to replace the conventional cast iron brake disc and become the new standard in the brake disc market," said Gerhard Pfeifer, managing director of Buderus Guss. "Given the continued particulate pollution debate in many countries and large cities around the world, there is nothing standing in the way of its breakthrough."

And that goes for the move from gasoline to electric power and for the move from driven cars to autonomous vehicles. Regardless of what's powering a vehicle or whether there is a person or an algorithm behind the wheel, it is still going to need disc brakes to stop.


Subaru Forester kicks up some Thai dirt

Thailand, popularly known as the “land of smiles”, would be our destination where a group of motoring journalists from around the South East Asian (SEA) region would convene before being introduced to the recently facelifted Subaru Forester. This particular compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) had its SEA debut during the 37th Bangkok International Motor Show (2016), which means that the likes of the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and the Mitsubishi ASX need to take heed. Firstly, the Forester gets two 2.0-litre flat-four engine flavours – a 150PS / 198Nm naturally aspirated (NA) one that's found in the entry-level 2.0i and mid-range 2.0i-P (Premium), while the 2.0 XT gets a more potent 241PS and 350Nm turbocharged mill. But for this excursion, it's the 2.0i-P costing RM9,540 more than 2.0i, but RM57,240-less than the 2.0 XT at RM153,700 on-the-road including GST that we'll be looking at. With the 2.0i-P being the middle child, it gets additional kit over the standard 2.0i, but not all the bells and whistles of the 2.0 XT. The additionals include steering-responsive automatic-levelling LED headlamps, automatic wipers, SI Drive, electric-powered front seats with driver-side memory function, dual-zone climate controls, PIN-code access and keyless entry with push-start button. Other additional items include centre-mounted multi-info colour display, height-adjustable powered tail-gate, aluminium pedals, steering-wheel cruise control function, paddle-shifters, exhaust mufflers, front fog lamps and LED wing mirrors.However, it misses out on the panoramic roof, Alcantara upholstery, Harmann Kardon sound system, Siri eyes free with voice recognition command and twin-tipped exhaust mufflers as well as that turbocharged boxer flat-four engine in the 2.0 XT. Our drive took us from Bangkok city down the western coast off the Gulf of Thailand to a remote destination around the coastal district of Hua Hin, which used to be a quiet fishing village during the 1920s, and somehow grew in popularity as a favourite destination for local Bangkok residents. During the drive, the Forester 2.0i-P at highway speeds pleasantly revealed a quiet cabin thanks to the provision of thicker windows to quell the wind noise coming off the large wing mirrors. And the addition of sound proofing materials around the base of the chassis and wheel arches that house the 17-inch wheels with 225/60 series tyres added to that effect. Such a combination provided for a relatively more peaceful interior as the revised coils and dampers of the suspension system soaked up the uneven sections of Thailand's country roads by mitigating noise, vibration and harshness levels impressively well. In essence, the Forester has itself a quiet comfortable drive.Furthermore, the cabin's leather-wrapped power adjustable seats felt plush and there was a good amount of thigh and lumbar support, which came with the convenience of driver-side memory function. To complete the experience was the electric power steering system's light and effortless feel that develops a nice heft once the Forester gets up to highway speeds. In terms of engine performance, powering off the line from standstill or putting the power down from a rolling start was dulled by the apparent lack of abruptness - leaving the Forester 2.0i-P to be perceived as more prey than predator, but at least when it comes to braking, it'll come biting as hard as the foot demands. We stopped off at Udom Potchana for lunch, where the group would split into two, with the first half (us) headed for the decommissioned Pran Buri South Airfield Hard Surface where a slalom and Moose test course awaited and the other half convened at the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park for some “dirt-time”. At the decommissioned airfield, the Forester's road-holding abilities while on Continental ContiMaxContact MC5 tyres should be commended and as long as there's some throttle input around the bends. It'll also need to getting used to when it comes to its degree of suspension travel, but it'll be able to take sudden directional changes well while the rear-end keeps up without loosing much of its footing. To maintain the Forester's poise through the slalom, drivers need to go against initial reactions and keep feathering the throttle rather than lifting the foot off and by doing so, it brings about the onset of understeer. So long as there's throttle input, it's all about feathering it and then steering the Forester in the intended direction and then wait for it to comply – so timing is tantamount. The Forester's front-rear weight balance will feel more front-hefty under heavy braking and that's only natural with a set of soft comfort-oriented suspension, but the low centre-of-gravity seemed to allow us to man-handle it through the slalom before jinking it through the Moose test rather compliantly. At our second venue, it was time to get this Japanese compact SUV well and truly soiled by literally throwing the Forester through a short course of loose dirt. The 2.0-litre boxer-four engine isn't going to kick the dirt sky-high with its tyres under full throttle.It's just too calm and collected for that at low engine-speeds and the driver really needs to keep the engine revving high to put down the brunt of the engine's power. But that's just going to take too much fun out of the drive, but once we disengaged the vehicle dynamics control (VDC) programme, the level of driver-engagement simply took to the skies and the rear-end seemed to enjoy loosing its footing. In such loose dirt, the difference with having VDC engaged is that the Forester will want to make the turn as quickly as possible depending on the amount of steering input, but without VDC it'll require some finesse to make it turn and will require the combination of steering input and throttle – more steering input and throttle gets it turning more, and that means more driver engagement. We admit the Forester isn't a particularly good-looking car, picking up where it's predecessor left-off more like it, and the 2.0-litre NA engine may not seem like the most exhilarating to drive with. However, owning one does have its promise of spaciousness, four-wheel traction, handling, a commanding view, nearly a pick-up truck's ride-height at 220mm and 505 (1,564 expanded) litres of cargo space.


New Proton boss may come from Geely

                PETALING JAYA: Will Proton get a new CEO from Geely?

It's plausible since Geely has bought a big chunk of Proton, 49.9% of the company to be precise. Word from the grapevine says that the man to head Proton could be Li Chunrong, who joined Geely just last month from Dongfeng Honda Engine Co. One source even said Li's appointment as Proton chief is a done deal.
 Could Li be the man for the job?
Geely and Proton are staying mum for now. We will just have to wait for the official statement whether this "most interesting development" is true - or not.

Whatever the case, the new man at the helm will be keeping a keen eye on rolling out Proton’s first SUV in the second half of 2018.

The SUV is based on the Geely Boyue. One of two variants likely to be offered will be a turbocharged version.

The Boyue, introduced in China last year, is powered by a choice of powertrain options: an older 2.0L naturally aspirated engine with 161hp paired with a 6-speed manual and a 1.8L Turbo Direct Injection engine (181hp) mated to a dual clutch automatic transmission. A 2.4-litre non-turbo mill is offered in the Middle East instead of the 1.8T.

 The Boyue will be the base to introduce Proton's first SUV in 2018.


Two million vehicles hit the road

                KUALA LUMPUR: An estimated two million vehicles are on the road for the Christmas rush and long weekend, according to forecast by PLUS Malaysia Bhd, concessionaire for the North South Expressway and several other major expressways.

Most of the major highways were busy yesterday, with many people taking advantage of the long weekend to travel back to their hometowns and holiday destinations.

Traffic, especially southbound, has started to build up with a mixture of those returning after a work week and those going on holiday during the long weekend.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim reminded road users to drive safely and adhere to traffic rules.

“I know many are eager to go back to their hometowns, especially those celebrating Christmas.

“However, it is important to prioritise safety above all else while travelling,” said Comm Azmi, who also advised the public to ensure that their vehicles were well maintained.

“The driver should have enough rest before driving a long distance. If you feel tired, stop and rest before resuming your journey.

“The ultimate goal is to reach the destination safely so that all can be with their loved ones this holiday season,” he added.

PLUS Malaysia chief operating officer Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi advised road users to ensure that they were physically and mentally prepared for travelling, especially in view of the challenging weather conditions, and to make sure their Touch ‘n Go and ewallets had enough balance to avoid delays at toll plazas.

“PLUS also shared a travel time advisory to help highway users plan their journey.

“Travellers from the Klang Valley heading either north or south are advised to enter the highway before 10am, while those heading to the east are advised to do so between noon and 4pm,” he said.

Zakaria said those heading to the Klang Valley from other states were advised to enter the highway before 10am.

“The advisory focuses on traffic distribution and is aimed at reducing congestion on the highway, most notably at major stretches, toll plazas and rest areas during the festive period. It can be obtained from www.plus.com.my or any of its social media platforms,” he said.

Meanwhile, sales manager Aurora Ayala said she was looking forward to Christmas.

“Instead of going back to my hometown in Kuching, I plan to celebrate Christmas with my family members in Kuala Lumpur.

“It has been a long year and I am looking forward to relaxing and doing some travelling to other states. Hopefully, the traffic will not be so bad,” she added.

Ayala said it was not the place that made Christmas special but who one chose to spend it with, adding: “Spending time with my family and loved ones this Christmas is important to me. We will celebrate with good food and music, and hopefully good traffic too.”

Graphic designer Mandy Khoo said she was definitely looking forward to the last long weekend of the year.

“I’m planning to spend time with my loved ones, husband and family. I will definitely treat myself to a nice meal and take some time to pursue hobbies like running,” she said

Given the expected surge of vehicles on the road, Khoo said she would refrain from travelling.

“Even on weekdays, there are so many people on the road and in malls. This long weekend will be no exception, perhaps even worse,” she said, adding that everyone needed a break from long hours at work.

Executive Logan Hisham said the long weekend was the perfect time to bring his family for travels.

“It is the school holidays too, so travelling with my family is a must. However, I am concerned about driving as the weather has not been good,” said the father of two boys.

Logan hoped that the traffic would be light as getting stuck in congestion is not the way to spend the holiday.

“I’m planning to bring my family from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Logan said he and his family had just returned from the east coast on Thursday and narrowly avoided a heavy downpour as they were arriving in Johor Baru.

“So, we are hoping we’ll have similar luck for the Kuala Lumpur trip. We have many family members staying in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur whom we haven’t seen for quite some time,” he added.


How cool is that? A book that shows you how to build your own 'engine coffee table'

                LONDON: It's Monday morning and time to get off the beaten track.

For the car nut, a book by Gergely Bajzáth could possibly be just the tonic to pep up the day.

The man has written a book "How to Build your own Engine Coffee Table’, and as the title suggests, he wants to share his methods and tips with you, so that you can make one of your own!

This is possibly the first book on engine tables ever published. And since April 1 is a few days away, no, this is no early April Fool's prank. Amazon lists the 48-page paperback by Veloce Publishing at US$16.64 (RM67) and it is available for pre-order ahead of its publication on May 3.

Bajzáth has made a good number of engine coffee tables, and constantly enjoys positive feedback and comments about his work.

Whether in your living room, workshop, den, man cave, or girl shed, an engine coffee table is a great talking point, and is almost guaranteed to become the main topic of conversation when friends visit.

This book shows you everything you need to know to create your own furniture centrepiece. From the best choice of engine base, to instructions on design and fabrication for appearance and safety. Hand-painted finishes are covered, and a dedicated section shows how to safely plan, prepare, and fit a glass top for a serviceable, and safe, end result.

Bajzath was born in Hungary in the 70s. A petrolhead since his youth, he studied steel construction after leaving school, and went on to work in the construction industry in Germany, before arriving in Britain in 2005.

Experienced in metal fabrications, he started to make engine coffee tables in 2011, and has now made in excess of 50 different types, including other types of car furniture. After a few articles about his tables were published, the Saatchi Gallery bought and placed one of his V12 tables in its Saatchi Store in London.


Goodyear releases 110,000km long-life DuraPlus 2 tyre

                KUALA LUMPUR: Goodyear Malaysia has released its second-generation Assurance DuraPlus 2 tyre that boasts of 110,000km durability without compromising on safety and performance thanks to its TredLife Technology.

"This tyre features some of our latest advancements, for example, an innovative tread pattern and re-formulated compound to offer extended tread life, optimum grip, and minimal road noise for absolute peace-of-mind,” said Goodyear Malaysia managing director Alex Ng.

The DuraPlus 2 is now available at all Goodyear AutoCare centres across Malaysia, with sizes ranging from 13 to 16-inch and retails from RM136 to RM293.

The tyre mileage projection was tested by Goodyear Testing Division in sizes 185/65R14 and 205/55R16 on roads in Thailand, although the company also declared that actual mileage may vary due to road conditions, type of terrain, vehicle, tyre pressure and maintenance, climate and driving styles among others.

The new tyre boasts of a new-designed tread and cavity shape coupled with a re-formulated long-lasting compound.

The tread pattern now comes with a symmetrical-design with a larger tread width that allows for a larger contact patch with the road at any given time, and also a higher level of flexibility to rotate in the event of irregular wear.

Additionally, an enhanced cavity shape helps to provide a more squarish and balanced footprint to evenly distribute contact pressure, leading to extended mileage.

Narrow lateral grooves along the side of the tyres, on the other hand, assist in reducing road noise caused by air pumping.

Noise is further reduced with the use of rubber strips between the ply and liner to physically dampen any vibrations.

Through an enhanced compound formula, the tyre’s tensile strength and wear resistance have been significantly improved to ensure high mileage performance.

The use of this compound is not only presented throughout the tread but also along the sidewall to offer long-term resistance against damage caused by environmental factors.

Furthermore, the tyre uses a minimum of two layers of high modulus, low shrinkage ply material in the sidewall which helps to ensure strong resistance to external impacts.

“The new Assurance DuraPlus 2 features TredLife Technology, which is essentially a combination of the symmetrical tread pattern, improved compound and 2-ply construction throughout the tyre. These elements increase the overall durability of the tyre, to deliver unmatched mileage tread life, which is important in a country like Malaysia that has a variety of road conditions,” said Goodyear Malaysia product manager Benjamin Chong.


Tesla heads to court over allegations of racism on factory floor

Owen Diaz and his son Demetric in Oakland, California, in 2018. — Bloomberg

SAN FRANCISCO: Roughly 10,000 people work at Tesla’s auto plant in Fremont, California. The Bay area is a diverse region of the country, and Tesla’s factory floor reflects this.

For years, Tesla has been dogged by allegations of racism at the Fremont plant, particularly as it pertains to black workers.

The case of Owen Diaz, a contract worker who sued Tesla alleging a pattern of racial discrimination, is about to provide a rare window into those allegations: his case is going to trial in federal court next week.

The vast majority of Tesla employees sign arbitration agreements that make it nearly impossible for them to get their day in court.

But not everyone who works at Tesla is a direct employee. Some, like Diaz, are contract workers hired via staffing agencies and don’t sign arbitration agreements.

Along with racial slurs, Diaz claims co-workers told him to “go back to Africa” and drew racist caricatures in bathroom stalls and on bales of cardboard.

Jury selection begins today and opening arguments are set for Sept 29 before US district judge William Orrick.

The proceeding will subject greater scrutiny to the culture at Tesla’s factory and the treatment of subcontracted staff who have played key roles in making the company the most valuable automaker in the world. It’s also an important case for contract workers more broadly.

Tesla’s issues predate the rise of "Black Lives Matter" and the murder of George Floyd.

In November 2017, a black former worker named Marcus Vaughn alleged that employees and supervisors at the Fremont plant regularly used racial slurs and that the plant was a “hotbed” of racism.

Tesla posted a lengthy blog post responding to that lawsuit that included an email Musk sent to employees in May 2017. Some considered it tone deaf; others applauded its frankness.

“In fairness, if someone is a jerk to you, but sincerely apologises, it is important to be thick-skinned and accept that apology,” Musk wrote.

“If you are part of a less-represented group, you don’t get a free pass on being a jerk yourself. We have had a few cases at Tesla where someone in a less-represented group was actually given a job or promoted over more-qualified highly represented candidates and then decided to sue Tesla for millions of dollars because they felt they weren’t promoted enough. That obviously is not cool.”

Vaughn’s case is moving forward in state court in Oakland, California.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that Tesla paid more than US$1 million to Melvin Berry, a black former employee who won a ruling that Tesla failed to stop his supervisors from calling him the “N-word” at the Fremont plant.

The public disclosure of this award was unusual because the case never went to court; it was handled in arbitration. Arbitrator Elaine Rushing found Tesla liable for harassment because it was perpetuated by Berry’s supervisors.

Judge Orrick has rejected Tesla’s effort to dismiss the claims in the Diaz case, and the fact that it’s actually gotten to trial is uncommon.

While Tesla is by no means the only automaker that has had issues with racism in its plants, shareholders who’ve already taken interest in its handling of these matters are likely to keep watching closely.


California to ban sale of new gasoline cars from 2035

Newsom signing the executive order on the bonnet of an electric car on Wednesday. — AP
WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES: California plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks starting in 2035 as the top U.S. auto market shifts to electric vehicles to reduce climate-warming emissions, governor Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday.

The move is the most significant yet by a US state aimed at ending the use of fossil fuel-burning internal combustion engines, and clashes with the pro-fossil fuel policies of President Donald Trump’s White House.

Newsom declared earlier this month he would step up the state’s already aggressive efforts to combat climate change amid a record wildfire season.

“We are marking a new course,” the Democratic governor told a news conference in Sacramento while standing in front of electric cars produced by automakers that support California’s efforts to reduce vehicle emissions.

Newsom signed his executive order on the bonnet of a prototype red electric Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The country’s most-populous state is committing to a “firm goal” to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 and was encouraging other states to take similar action, Newsom said.

California has a broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050, but in recent years transportation-sector emissions have increased.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will turn Newsom’s goal into a legally binding requirement by writing regulations to mandate that 100% of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks are zero-emission by 2035. The board also plans to mandate by 2045 that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be zero-emission where feasible.

California accounts for about 11% of all US vehicle sales, and many states choose to adopt its green vehicle mandates.

Newsom characterised the move as an economic opportunity that would create jobs and boost US auto manufacturers.

“If you are an American manufacturer, how can you compete globally unless you are in that business? Unless you are pushing the boundaries of innovation?” he said.

Trump has sought to bar California from requiring the sale of electric vehicles, while Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden has pledged to spend billions to speed their adoption.

‘Won’t stand for it’

In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere called the move “alarming” and said it would destroy jobs and raise consumer costs. “President Trump won’t stand for it,” he said.

The Republican president’s economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, said the measure was “very extreme” and he did not see others taking similar action. “I don’t think we should be taking any steps to get rid of fossil fuels, he told a White House briefing, “and by the way, there should be consumer choice for all automobiles.”

Biden spokesman Matt Hill said electric vehicles could “create a million good-paying union jobs, dominate a fast-growing market worldwide, and meet the demands of the climate crisis.” But he added that Biden “thinks of it in terms of incentives and investments, not bans.”

California said it was joining 15 countries that have made similar pledges, including Britain.

California’s clean vehicle goals have not always come to pass and in some cases have been pushed back or reworked.

Newsom’s executive order sets a “goal” of no gasoline-powered passenger vehicles after 2035 and does not prevent Californians from owning gasoline-powered cars or selling them on the used car market.

Environmental groups praised the governor’s action on clean vehicles, but automakers were skeptical.

A group representing major automakers including General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG said “neither mandates nor bans build successful markets.” It noted that electrified vehicles accounted for less than 10% of new-vehicle sales in California, which is still the best in the United States.

Newsom also said he wanted the state legislature to ban new permits allowing use of hydraulic fracturing technology for oil and gas drilling by 2024. Environmental groups had hoped he would ban all new drilling permits in the state.

California and nearly two dozen other US states have sued the Trump administration, which has rolled back Obama-era vehicle emissions standards and sought to undo California’s authority to set strict car pollution rules.

If the Trump administration order that seeks to bar California from requiring a rising number of electric vehicles is upheld, legal experts say it would prevent the 2035 mandate.

The administration has been waging a multi-pronged battle to counter California’s efforts to fight climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses from vehicles.


Porsche attracting younger buyers with subscription plan

                DETROIT: Anyone who's not yet bought into the growing trend for leasing a new vehicle may already be even further behind the times than they might have imagined as subscription services are quickly starting to gain traction with consumers and manufacturers.

Volvo's new Polestar 1 performance model is going to be made available exclusively on a subscription basis, but Porsche is even further ahead with a pilot scheme in Atlanta already proving to be hugely successful. Not only are buyers signing up to Porsche Passport subscription service, it's also attracting new and younger buyers to the brand.

Klaus Zellmer, the CEO of Porsche Cars North America, told the Automotive News World Congress here on Wednesday, "They are much younger than our average customer." Zellmer added, "78 percent of members in Porsche Passport have not owned a Porsche before, currently do not own a Porsche. So the conquest rate is close to 80 percent."

The majority of customers who have signed up to the scheme have gone for the top-tier plan, which does cost US$3,000 per month but allows members access to all 22 available Porsche models. A less expensive US$2,000 per month option is available, but that reduces the vehicle choices available to the customer.

Porsche originally announced the pilot of Porsche Passport in October of last year, and the first group of around 50 subscribers to sign up began taking delivery of their cars in November.

As well as huge potential for expanding the subscription plan, Porsche is also anticipating further changes to the way its vehicles are purchased in future. The company expects that by as soon as 2025, around 30 percent of all its sales will be made online.

Although Porsche is ahead of the curve a little with its subscription pilot, its success hasn't gone unnoticed and its big German luxury rivals BMW and Mercedes are already planning their own subscription scheme pilots in America.

Mercedes is committed to a pilot in a US market this year to help it decide whether a subscription model has a long-term future for the brand. Meanwhile, BMW of North America CEO Bernhard Kuhnt said in an interview in Detroit, that BMW is "most likely" going to test a subscription model at some point this year in a single market in the US.


Mother and wife on weekdays, Desmodonna on weekends

                Three cats. Four kids. A sprawling house in Subang Jaya. Life for hijab-wearing suburban mum Nurulalis Aidil Akhbar seems ordinary ... until the weekend rolls around.

Come Saturdays and Sundays, the 40-year-old shimmies into leather, slips on a pair of aviators and hops onto a bike that’s more than four times her weight and at least twice her size.

She’s now Kiki: motorsports enthusiast; president of Desmodonna Malaysia, a women-only Ducati club; and a star on the racetracks.
Tearing down the highway in a blaze of smoke, horsepower and oil, Kiki leaves Nurulalis behind.

Her destination varies according to the whims of her gang – one day, it could be Port Dickson, the next, Tanjung Malim. (It doesn’t really matter when you’re having a good time).

“My friends and I would go there for breakfast and be back just in time to see our kids wake up,” she says, adding that her husband, who once had his own reservations about the sport, now joins in the fun.

Kiki’s rebellious streak grew from a woeful episode in her life, when she attended an interview with the country’s national carrier only to watch helplessly as they incinerated her dreams of becoming a pilot to ash.

She still recalls the moment with great clarity: “They said, sorry, we’re not ready to accept girls. And that was that.”

Armed with a useless degree in flying, Kiki felt frustrated.

And very angry.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity however, she decided to take the advice of a good friend to heart: “He said, ‘you can’t change certain things, but that shouldn’t stop you from continuing to do the things that give you the drive in life’.”

Thanks to him, she got her first bike, a second-hand Honda CVR600F2, which she bought off a colleague for RM20,000.

“I didn’t know how to ride a bike then. For the first month, I just sat around admiring it.”

Needless to say, Kiki was hooked the moment she revved the engine.
Not only that, motorsports also proved to be an ideal hobby for a budding sports journalist.

That was in 1997.

 Kiki and her Ducati Hypermotard

Since then, her appetite for excitement has grown exponentially, so much so that she also began racing competitively.

When not at work, reporting live from the tracks for RTM, Kiki would be on it, fearlessly eyeing a podium finish.

“Circuit racing, autocross, gymkhana ... you name it, I’ve competed in it,” says Kiki, who outclassed her male opponents several times in rallies (Since female competitors were a rarity back then, there was no women-only category).

Sponsorship soon began to pour in – Kiki certainly is a marketer’s dream, with looks and an attitude to match her results.

At the end of the day, however, it’s the big bikes that gets her adrenaline coursing.

For many avid riders, nothing could adequately describe the feeling one gets from gliding down the road, five feet off the ground with the sun shining and the warm wind blowing.

“It’s not the same as being in a car,” explains Kiki, now a proud owner of three motorcycles: a Triumph, a Vespa, and her favourite, a tricked-out Ducati Diavel with AL15 emblazoned on its front. “It’s a lot more exhilarating.”

Her eyes still sparkles when she recounts a particular ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the formidable 1,000 Corners stretch.

This 300-odd kilometre road, with its vertigo-inducing curves and sharp bends that slices through the bucolic Thai countryside, is among the nation’s biggest drawcards for thrill-seeking motorcyclists.

“It’s one of the craziest, most difficult things I’ve done,” says Kiki.

“I went with a group of pro riders and it took us 12 days. By the sixth day, I was exhausted and ready to quit. But I pushed on anyway; to do that, you have to have willpower and discipline.”

Not everyone made it – two men in Kiki’s group wound up in the hospital instead of the finish line.

With her petite frame and an eldest son now 20, Kiki makes an unlikely crusader for gender equity in her sport.

But four months ago, she founded Desmodonna Malaysia in an effort to promote riding – especially safe riding – among women.

Membership is automatic – you become part of the group once you buy a Ducati – but there are only 37 members throughout the country.
For now, the club functions as an outlet for the girls to meet up regularly and share their passion.

“We talk about everything, from motorcycles to nail polish,” reveals Kiki.

Desmodonna isn’t unique. But while a number of clubs like it have mushroomed across Malaysia of late, female riders are still considered a novelty.

So what’s stopping Malaysian women from riding?

“My dad’s not happy with my hobby,” says 37-year-old Sophia Ahmad.
Sophia, who became a Desmodonna member after splurging on a Ducati Monster, says she’s been fond of bikes since she was young.

 Kiki and her Ducati Diavel

But like so many women who are learning to ride in their 30s, 40s, and beyond, Sophia has confronted personal challenges, cultural expectations and societal stereotypes to embrace the freedom that comes with motorcycling.

She admits: “My older brother loves motorcycles too and my dad is fully supportive of his hobby, going so far as to buy him riding gears and stuff.”

When Sophia revealed that she, too, would like to ride, her father remarked, “Ladies don’t ride bikes.”

“My husband was shocked,” says Norcilla Omar, referring to the first time she expressed an interest in riding. The 42-year-old had been a “good pillion rider” all her life until recently.

She made a life-altering decision two years ago, after receiving an epiphany at a Harley Davidson gathering in Milwaukee.

“I was at the back of my husband, who was riding, when I saw two ladies on their bikes. It never occurred to me that I could ride in front, on my own bike, until then. Now I’m making up for lost time.”

Embracing the power

Sadly, motorcycle riding has been wrongly stigmatised as a masculine activity that embodied power and aggression not just in Malaysia but in many other countries.

Equally challenging were those thunderous machines, objects of awe and terror to women who fear they cannot handle all that metal.

And it doesn’t help that those who could are often viewed as tomboys or even hussies; however, Kiki, Sophia and Norcilla – all mothers who take their roles as seriously as the next woman – are living proof that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

As a result, many have encountered their fair share of harassment on the streets, ranging from harmless honks and waves to more intimidating road bullies.

The good news? This landscape is changing.

Owner of seven bikes Dui Redzuan says the public is increasingly accepting of female riders.

An avid motorcyclist for the past 20 years (“Everyone drove a Kancil to college; I was the only one with a Kawasaki Kips”), Dui – whose husband doesn’t ride – says the fairer sex preferred to conceal themselves on the road to avoid attracting attention.

Nowadays, however, “the public is more respectful”.

 Kiki and the Desmodonna

“There are a lot of us now,” she says.

And according to Shifting The Balance Of Power: Why More Women Are Riding Motorcycles And How That’s Driving Change, from lifestlye blog Fix.com, women’s impact on this sport is evident in their entry into leadership positions in the industry.

Take Maggie McNally-Bradshaw, an IT Specialist for New York State, who, in February 2013, became the first woman to lead the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) board in the association’s 89-year history after being unanimously elected chair of the AMA board of directors.

Riding can be empowering; women are discovering that motorcycles can be a safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation, and that if they can master their bike, they can master anything.

“We’re conquering a machine that intimidates even some men,” Sophia points out matter-of-factly.

As such, several manufacturers, particularly the Japanese, have developed models that are lighter, easier to handle and more comfortable, with lower seats, smaller frames and prettier colours, to appeal to them.

The question then is not if, but when, Malaysian women will be able to muster up the courage to take over the handlebars.

Kiki sums it up perfectly: “I think, these days, the only thing that’s preventing a girl from riding a bike is herself.”

Meanwhile, she’s already in the midst of planning for her next overland trip.

“I want to do a ride with my husbands and kids,” says Kiki. “At the end of the day, we’re all women. And as a woman, when you experience something special, you want to share it with your family.”

 Kiki's friends and their motorbikes for International Women's Day


Toyota launches global street music campaign

                TOKYO: Toyota is launching a global street music initiative called "Feeling the Street" to identify some of the world’s best buskers.

The winning band will get a chance to  travel to New Zealand for a nine-day tour across the country that will culminate in a live performance on stage.

The contest is open to all street musicians over the next nine weeks.

Visitors to the site (www.feelingthestreet.com). can choose their favourite performers and help to decide which six individuals they would like to see in a Global Street Band.

There are three phases to the competition:

> Phase 1: Enter and vote - Musicians can enter by submitting an original video where they show their skills, playing an original song on their street corner. A global online audience will then vote by throwing money in the hats of the musicians they like most.

> Phase 2: Pick your band - The audience will be able to pick a combination of the six favourite artists they would most like to see come together. Phase 2 runs from May until June.

> Phase 3: Taking the Global Street Band on the Road - The winning participants will tour New Zealnd and perform live on stage. Six audience winners will also be selected as 'Roadies' to travel with the band. Phase 3 runs from June 13 - 20.


Govt to face bumpy road ahead, say highway operators

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government has to navigate a tough terrain to lower or abolish toll charges altogether, say highway concessionaires.

An official with one of the largest highway operators said while the government could prevent them from increasing toll charges and offer compensation, there were no clauses in their agreement to reduce or abolish toll charges.

“The move would be a tough business decision to make.

“Highway concessionaires have loans to service and other bills to pay, and the government cannot force them to reduce or abolish these rates without proper compensation,” the official said.

“The question now is: Does the country have enough money to compensate the operators as the amount may run into billions?”

The official said while highway operators could offer discounts on toll charges, like those given during festive seasons, the move could not be sustained on a long-term basis.

READ MORE: Toll charges expected to be abolished in stages

“The negotiation to get highway operators to reduce or abolish their rates could be a tedious and painful one,” said the official.

Reducing toll charges on certain highways and abolishing it on others had caused the government billions of ringgit in compensation over the past few months.

On Dec 12 last year, the government froze toll rate hikes for 21 highways and paid an estimated RM972mil in compensation.

The abolition of toll charges for motorcyclists along the Penang Bridge, the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge in Penang as well as the Second Link in Johor cost the federal government a total of RM20mil annually, effective from Jan 1 this year.

The government also agreed to freeze toll hikes for Class 5 vehicles and buses on eight highways.

That move cost the government RM1.68mil in compensation annually.

At the end of last year, Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd received RM1.325bil from the government as settlement for ending the concession for the Johor Baru Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway.

A 2010 study by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit estimated overall costs to take over all highways in the country to be RM383.3bil.

That total comprised costs to take over the highway concessionaires (RM45.2bil) and costs to abolish toll collection (RM338.1bil).


VW building new EV battery system factory in China

                BEIJING: Volkswagen AG said it is building a new electric vehicle (EV) battery system factory in eastern China's Hefei city which will start production in 2023.

The German automaker is building a factory for electric vehicles under a majority-owned venture with JAC in the Hefei city. It also holds a stake in the EV battery maker Gotion which is also based in Hefei.

It said it would invest more than €140 million (RM687mil) in the battery plant by 2025. The factory's initial capacity will be 150,000 to 180,000 battery systems a year for local EV production.

Volkswagen rolled out five ID. series electric models in China, the world's biggest car market, this year. It sold around 7,000 such vehicles there last month and aims to deliver 80,000 to 100,000 units in total this year.

Reuters reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter, that Volkswagen is in talks to tighten its grip on the Hefei venture, sparking tensions with its other Chinese partners who fear they could be sidelined.