Volkswagen's next Golf R could get 400bhp, that's 90 horses more

The current Golf R has 310bhp.
WOLFSBURG: The next-generation Golf R could be set to push the limits a little further, upping horsepower from the current 310bhp to around 400bhp, according to Volkswagen's sales and marketing chief, Jürgen Stackmann, speaking to Auto Express.

Speaking about the upcoming Golf R, Jürgen Stackmann said "The R brand is going extreme. The role of R is that it can go beyond the rational; nobody needs a compact car with 400bhp, but is there a place (for it)? Certainly, and that's the turf of R."

Indeed, 400bhp looks like it could be the new norm for sporty hatchbacks since, as well as Volkswagen's Golf R, Ford's Focus RS and the Mercedes AMG CLA 45 are also upgrading towards similar levels of power.

Full tech specs for the Golf R are yet to be revealed, even though it's likely that the new version's 400bhp powertrain will feature the firm's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. As well as the Golf, the Volkswagen T-Roc and Tiguan are also expected to land in sporty "R" models.

In May 2018, the manufacturer presented its most powerful Golf GTI yet, with a 290bhp turbo engine and a top speed of 264kph.

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Facelifted Perodua Bezza sedan expected at end-2019, 5-seater SUV in 2020

                PETALING JAYA: Perodua is looking to launch a facelifted Bezza sedan at end-2019 and a 5-seater SUV (sport utility vehicle) in the second half of 2020, according to a recent AmInvest Research report on automotive group MBM Resources Bhd which has a 20% stake in Perodua.

The 5-seater SUV is said to be a smaller version of the Aruz, which has seven seats.

The AmInvest Research report also said the updated Axia compact car will be introduced in September.

READ MORE:
2019 updated Perodua Axia: RM24K to RM43K - new VSC and ASA safety tech
2019 updated Perodua Axia opens for bookings: From RM24K to RM43K

There are no details about the facelifted Bezza sedan, but motor industry observers expect that like the updated Axia, more Bezza variants will be fitted with safety features like VSC (vehicle stability control) and TRC (traction control).

Presently, only the top-grade 1.3-litre Bezza Advance variant has VSC and TRC.

It's also highly possible that the top-grade Bezza variant - like the top-grade Aruz and Axia variants - will get an upgraded version of the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) active safety suite, called ASA 2.0 which adds pedestrian detection (up to 50kph), Pre-Collision Warning to 100kph and Pre-Collision Braking to 80kph, Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control.


Bentley Mulliner celebrates 1,000 bespoke projects and personal commissions

                LONDON: Bentley Mulliner is celebrating its 1,000th bespoke commission since its own dedicated design team was formed in 2014, when the increasing demand for personalised vehicles was recognised.

The 1,000th bespoke project is for a European customer who wanted two specific interior features to extend the personalisation of their Bentley.

The first request was the application of Olive Ash - a veneer associated with the heritage of Mulsanne - to the interior of a Bentayga. The second was to introduce a contrast twin stitch to the upper areas of the seats and door trims adding further contrast to the interior.

Seven years earlier, the first project was a small limited edition of 15 vehicles which focused on increased levels of passenger comfort - the Flying Spur Serenity.

The seats and headrests were altered and as part of the broader redesign a new and unique diamond quilting throughout the cabin was introduced to create a bespoke feel. This unique textured leather formed the inspiration of the diamond design that can be seen in the current Continental GT Mulliner today.

The work of the Mulliner Design team spans the entire Bentley model range over that time – from jet-fighter inspired Continentals, to Mulsannes that celebrated its 6¾-litre V8 engine, and even a Bentayga that had different interior trim specifications between the driver and passenger sides.

The 1,000 bespoke projects since 2014 range from personalised, bespoke treadplates all the way to completely unique and Coachbuilt projects like the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, and include regional and global commissions, limited series and even race cars designs.

The specialist team is part of the Bentley Design department and they are made up of designers and digital artists.


Mara spent RM70mil to help automotive entrepreneurs

Mahdzir (centre) taking a closer look at a car engine after launching the Alor Star event on Sunday. — Bernama
ALOR STAR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has spent about RM70 million through the Mara Integrated Smart Auto initiative to help entrepreneurs in the automotive field expand their enterprises since it was first introduced in 2013.

Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said so far, 48 automotive entrepreneurs nationwide had benefited from the programme, which offered a maximum funding limit of RM1mil.

"Mara’s complete ecosystem in developing the automotive industry starts with technical education and vocational training, which provides automotive programmes at various levels up to the provision of entrepreneurship facilities, training, financing assistance and advisory services.

"In fact, a special financing scheme for automotive entrepreneurs through Mara Integrated Smart Auto is also provided specifically for entrepreneurs to help them expand their businesses and upgrade their workshops," he told reporters after launching a business service centre here on Sunday.

He said several special programmes were also developed to further strengthen entrepreneurs in the field, including the Mara-Petronas Automotive Entrepreneur Development programme, the Auto Glass Expert programme and various entrepreneurship courses.

Mahdzir said the automotive sector was one of the vocational fields that attracted many people as it aims to produce a professional and skilled workforce, and guide individuals who were interested in becoming automotive entrepreneurs.


2015 facelifted Camry launched in Thailand

                BANGKOK: The revised Toyota Camry 2015 was launched recently in Thailand.

Six variants are offered, consisting of two 2.0-litre grades and four 2.5-litre grades.

The top three grades are 2.5-litre hybrids.

Price tags range from Thai Baht 1.32 million (RM148,309) for the Camry 2.0G, to Thai Baht 1.9 million (RM213,514) for the Camry 2.5 Hybrid Premium.

The non-hybrid Camry has a 6-speed automatic gearbox with Sequential Shift, while the hybrids get the E-CVT (electronic continuously variable transmission).

The revised Camry gets a new 2.0-litre engine with VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) and D-4S fuel injection system.

This new 2.0-litre engine has 167ps at 6,500rpm and 199Nm at 4,600rpm.

Features in the Camry hybrids include projector-beam headlights, new LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way powered front seats, and a Qi wireless charger for smartphones.

The top two Camry hybrid grades also get a DVD player with touchscreen, in-car navigator as well as 10 JBL premium speakers.

"The Toyota Camry is a highly successful model, with its total global sales of more than 14 million units. The Camry Hybrid has been well received by our valued customers, expressing their complete confidence in the quality and performance of the Toyota’s full hybrid system," said Toyota Motor Thailand president Kyoichi Tanada.


China's CATL to provide EV batteries for Honda starting in 2024

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co said today that Chinese battery giant CATL would supply batteries for seven years for its electric vehicles (EV) in China.

The Japanese automaker said the Chinese firm would provide 123 GWh worth of batteries starting in 2024 through 2030 for the Honda's e:N Series.

The announcement is part of the two companies' deepening cooperation. They said in 2020 they would develop battery technologies and research a battery recycling business.

Honda said at that time it would launch its first EV with a CATL battery in China in 2022 and would expand the partnership with stable EV battery supply globally in the future.

The automaker is seeking to expand its presence in the fast-growing, battery-driven car segment in China, the world's largest auto market.

It unveiled the second model of its new China-only EV lineup in November as part of its effort to roll out the e:N Series.

For the United States, Honda said in August it would build a new US$4.4 billion lithium-ion battery plant there with South Korean battery supplier LG Energy Solution Ltd.


Hot Rocket Racing Club revs up for sim racing

                PETALING JAYA: Motorsports outfit Hot Rocket Racing Club has teamed up with RaceRoom Asia to enter the sim racing world and cultivate Malaysia’s talents in the gaming segment.

In conjunction with the partnership, a "Race all you want" session was held for all Hot Rocket members at RaceRoom's premises in Ara Damansara here recently.

The partnership aims to cultivate the sim racing scene in Malaysia by holding monthly sim races at RaceRoom and offering free training to all members of Hot Rocket.

Simulated racing, commonly known as "sim racing", has brought the average person to race on world-class tracks in the virtual world.

It is a fast growing segment in the gaming industry that attempts to accurately simulate auto racing. The global gaming simulator market size was estimated at US$4 billion (RM19bil) in 2019 and is expected to reach nearly US$10 billion (RM47.3bil) in 2027.

“Hot Rocket hopes to scout out local talents and bring them out on the competitive route," said Hot Rocket Racing Club founder/president Terry Kuan.

"To be competitive in sim racing, a driver must understand all aspects of car handling with real-world variables such as fuel usage, damage, tyre wear and grip, and suspension settings. Participants who perform at an exceptional level will be selected for our driver development program to train with our other partner Axle Sports and coached by Alex Yoong himself.

“We plan to incubate these talents and prepare them for high profile races and the highest performing drivers will be sponsored to represent the Hot Rocket Race Team. We hope to inspire and cultivate young Malaysians to reach their highest potential and bring the colours of our country’s flag to the world’s stage."

The cost of getting into Sim Racing is fairly low compared to real-life motor racing.

The average expenditure of a race car driver in race events at Sepang F1 circuit could cost up to RM100,000 a year alone.

The cost of car repairs, modifications, track practice, fuel, tyres, race applications and mechanics makes the sports beyond the reach of the average Malaysian.

However, a beginner’s setup to sim racing only requires a computer/ game console, sim rig, TV screen and an Internet connection to take part in official races all over the world.

Each of the RM150,000 RaceRoom Racing Motion Simulator comprised a Thinkvision 44-inch curved monitor; a Simecube direct drive steering base
Ascher Martin Steering wheel; a 3motion ‘Silentforce’ 3dof G-force motion simulator; a load cell (pressure sensor) brake and accelerator pedals; and RaceRoom Racing Experience EVO software.

RaceRoom, a partner in Hot Rocket’s sim racing division, is the premier free-to-play racing simulation software based in Germany. Jason Chong is the sole distributor of RaceRoom software & hardware for the whole of Asia. He is also a business partner with Klaus Wohlfarth, the founder of RaceRoom Entertainment AG.

For more information about Hot Rocket Racing Club, go to www.hotrocketracingclub.com


2015 Geneva Motor Show girls strut out

                GENEVA: What’s an auto show without girls?

And exhibitors at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show agree, with many having babes to “garnish” the cars and the stands.

Some were not just eye candy but knew enough of the products on display to answer queries from visitors.

While the girls were lovely, they were also careful not to show too much skin as had happened in some shows in Asia. Their jobs are, after all, to parlay the exhibits as the main attractions and not themselves.

We present to you a selection of the ladies from the Geneva Motor Show, which runs from March 5-15.


Will the Dodge Viper return from the grave in 2020?

2017 Dodge Viper Snakeskin Edition GTC.
DETROIT: It's been less than a year now since Dodge ended production of its iconic Viper sports car, but the sensational beast is coming back from the dead already according to Car and Driver.

The Viper will return in 2020 on the 30th anniversary of its original debut, but V8 engines ares set to be under the hood instead of the traditional V10.

The publication is reporting that the new lineup will start with a relatively sensible 550hp naturally aspirated engine, but the range is expected to have a 700bhp V8 at its pinnacle shared with future versions of the brand's Challenger and Charger Hellcat models.

Another interesting new direction will be the all-new V8s being made of aluminium when they replace the Hemi units now being used across FCA products.

What's not up for debate or change is the front-engine, rear-wheel drive format of the car, and its distinctive shape and styling is also expected to closely mirror Vipers of the past. But less engine power means weight-saving will have to be a priority to achieve the right levels of performance, so aluminium is likely to be used for the spaceframe and carbon-fibre for the bodywork.

 2017 Dodge Viper VoooDoo II Edition ACR.

However, as the Viper's production facility was retired from service last year with the Viper itself, the building of the car could be done by an outside contractor.

A coupe will be the first body style to be launched but a convertible will inevitably follow sometime later, and after that the most powerful versions are likely to appear in a hardcore form along similar lines to 2016's Viper ACR.

To appeal to a wider potential audience than some of the current expensive US supercars, a price in the region of US$90,000 (RM359,000) is being suggested for the next Viper.

A move to re-introduce the low-volume Viper seems out of line with the general approach of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' CEO Sergio Marchionne, which is all about streamlining the group's portfolio where less profitable models have been.

In the past, Marchionne has spoken enthusiastically about using outside builders for less profitable models prior to axing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200. So, maybe FCA has already got a partner lined up for the Viper and that could explain the swift about-face on what is still likely to be quite a niche car.


Perodua Total Protect motor insurance

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua and its insurance panel have launched a “Perodua Total Protect” motor insurance programme which provides full coverage of the sum insured for the first five years of the vehicle’s age.

“In the event of a total loss or theft the customer is entitled for the full sum insured and not based on market value at the time of the loss,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Zahari Husin.

Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh was also present at the official launch.

The “Perodua Total Protect” offers 10 years’ coverage on excess, loading and betterment.

This means that the insurance panel which under this programme will waive any additional or excess and betterment charges up to 10 years.

In addition, this programme also give advanced Auto Assist free towing service coverage that includes a 24/7 coverage assist; terms and conditions apply.

“Those requiring assistance under the Perodua Total Protect programme are welcomed to call our toll free number and we will dispatch a team to you,” said Zahari.

This version of auto assist also offers roadside assistance for example to help change a flat tyre or jump start a battery.

Another advance feature under the Auto Assist is the emergency evacuation services whereby the Auto Assist team will offer medical evacuation from accident scene to any hospital or medical facility nearby.

The Auto Assist member or its authorised driver is also eligible for emergency medical services under the programme.

The Auto Assist team will also contact members of the family or loved ones as a complementary service when utilising the emergency evacuation services.

When waiting for repairs, the Perodua Total Protect also offers alternative transport assistance by providing discounts for car rental services of up to 30% and even free hotel accommodations for accident cases.

The Perodua Total Protect programme also include flood damage reimbursement, covers loss of personal belonging due to vehicle break-in or in case the vehicle is stolen and even non-insurance accident repair claim.

The programme also cover bereavement expenses and the coverage of this programme also extends in Singapore and parts of Thailand. Terms and condition apply.

Perodua also introduced “GAP-RTI” coverage whereby a new Perodua vehicle buyer would be able to insure the full vehicle price for up to 5 years.

In other words, with this policy, a new Perodua owner is able to claim the original purchase price of the vehicle in the event the vehicle is written off due to an accident.

“With this programme, our customers are also guaranteed genuine parts when repairing their Perodua vehicles at our authorised after sales facilities,” said Zahari.


Tuning company AMG celebrates 50 years of German muscle

The AMG 300 SEL 6.8 aka 'Red Pig' put AMG's name on the map.
AFFALTERBACH (Germany): Hans-Werner Aufrecht had always dreamed of building racing engines, so when his employer Mercedes-Benz decided to quit competitive racing, the bottom fell out of the engineer's life.

That was in 1964, and just three years later, Aufrecht founded the legendary tuning company AMG in Affalterbach, Germany. Fifty years later, the now wholly owned performance arm of the three-pointed star has taken on a life of its own.

From tuned saloons to supercars, AMG stands for the most muscle-bound of fast German cars. Ridiculously powerful, with power domes on the bonnet and often flared wheel-arches, AMG-version saloons, roadsters and SUVs have hand-built engines that emanate a menacing rumble.

Back to 1967, when Aufrecht decided to head out on his own and founded an engineering office in the little town of Burgstall together with associate Erhard Melcher.

The business carried the name AMG, which stood for Aufrecht, Melcher and Aufrecht's home town of Grossaspach. Since then, the initials have become a synonym for speed.

In 1971, AMG came up with the barge-like AMG 300 SEL 6.8, a beefed-up saloon with a huge engine which became a race-winning machine. Nicknamed the "red pig," this crimson behemoth won a class victory in the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in 1971. It also put AMG's name on the map.

What made this car special was the huge V8 engine with up to six litres of capacity and a new cylinder head designed by the engineers. From 1986, this power unit also found its way into the luxury S-Class limousine and later the smaller E-Class saloon.

The massive engine had to be squeezed into the space occupied by the much less powerful original motor. Thirty years ago, this car offered tarmac-shattering performance, with a top speed of up to 340 kilometres per hour. This blew even Lamborghinis and Ferraris into the weeds.

The success of the 300 SEL 6.8 had a downside for the tuners since it prompted Mercedes-Benz to unveil its own go-faster machine, the 500 E from 1992. The vehicle cost 335,000 German marks at the time, or 20 times as much as a humble VW Golf.

Several hundred AMG 300 SELs were sold, although the model is now more or less unobtainable - that is, unless a buyer has millions to spend.

What is sad for fans is good for the brand, says Tobias Moers, who inked a cooperation deal with Mercedes-Benz in 1990 before the brand was taken over completely in 1999. Today, he is chairman of AMG.

Mercedes-Benz now offers more than 20 AMG versions of its range, from the compact A-Class through to the top-line S-Class - including exclusive models with six, eight or 12-cylinder power plants.

Down the years, AMG has moved away from gilding Mercedes-Benz products towards making its own cars from the ground up and in cooperation with other manufacturers.

AMG motors are painstakingly assembled in line with the principle of "one man, one engine" while a recent tie-up with McLaren spawned the SLR and the gull-winged SLS, and will continue with the current GT.

Next year should see the advent of the GT4, a four-seat grand tourer which will try to lure customers away from the Porsche Panamera and top-notch models from BMW.

To mark its 50th birthday, AMG is presenting another coup at the Frankfurt Car Show in September. Moers calls the new model a hypercar and on paper it looks to be worthy competition for the world's ultimate street-legal cars from Bugatti and Ferrari.

The new AMG petrol-electric hybrid will be capable of speeds in excess of 350kph using a power-plant which churns out more than 1,000 horsepower, says Moers. Prices will start at 2.8 million euros (RM14mil).

The new Formula One-inspired car is codenamed "Project One" and according to motoring pundits it will feature a high-revving V6 engine of the type used in the Mercedes-Benz Formula One cars. Project One also has an electric motor at each wheel.

The ingenious next big thing from AMG is bound to cause a stir in Frankfurt - and, as usual with such exclusive machinery, it will be hard for even well-heeled customers to lay their hands on one of the 275 examples scheduled to go on sale in 2019.

 The Mercedes-AMG hypercar is set for a 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show reveal.


Hubject and Daimler pilot a solution for charging electric vehicles

                BERLIN: Drivers of electric vehicles previously needed to have the right charging card or smartphone app to gain access to public charging stations.

To simplify this process, the Berlin-based emobility specialist Hubject has developed a solution, which enables customers to access charging stations by means of a digital certificate: Plug&Charge via the international standard ISO 15118.

The automotive manufacturer Daimler and Hubject have now concluded the pilot phase of the innovative system in cooperation with the charging point operator ebee smart technologies.

With the new smart EQ fortwo/forfour, Daimler now has the first electric vehicle in series production that supports Plug&Charge.

With this system, Hubject and Daimler provide a future-oriented response to the development of a convenient approach in relation to emobility, as even payment is made automatically.

“Together with Daimler, we are drawing closer to our vision: simple charging and payment for electric vehicles for everybody. Everywhere. Charging with Plug&Charge via ISO 15118 is our next step on the way towards a fully automated, customer-friendly charging experience,” remarks Hubject CEO Christian Hahn.

In addition to the shareholders of Hubject, all market players worldwide across all industries can now join Hubject’s ISO 15118 ecosystem.

The ISO 15118 standard also describes further types of applications such as the future integration of electric vehicles in the energy grid (smart charging), thus laying the foundations for a secure, sustainable charging infrastructure.


'Uncle Tom' hits the road with Perodua Bezza - VIDEO

                PETALING JAYA: CarSifu's 'Uncle Tom' is back again.

He's our go-to guy on all things Bezza. He has been there from the start covering the preview drive of Perodua's hottest product, its launch and also its first-day showroom debut where he outlined in a short video clip what the prospective buyer can expect from the Bezza.

Competition is good and we have always believe in that. As Proton gets set to issue its retort with a flurry of launches starting this month, CarSifu thought it fitting and a hoot to wrap up our extensive coverage of the Bezza with this latest video clip that shows the driving impressions of the Perodua sedan on public roads. By none other than Uncle Tom, of course. But he will be happy all the same if you just call him Thomas.

In the latest video, our man gives further insights on the car that has earned praise from the public — and brickbats. Well, that's the market reality every time anyone tries to sell a product to everyone.

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Perodua Bezza priced from RM37,300 to RM50,800
Bezza name used in 2010 for Perodua concept car


Porsche could build flying taxis, says sales chief

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen’s sports car maker Porsche could develop a flying passenger vehicle to compete with rivals in a possible market for urban air taxis and ride-sharing services, Porsche sales chief Detlev von Platen told a German magazine.

“That would really make sense. If I drive from (the Porsche plant in) Zuffenhausen to Stuttgart airport, I need at least half an hour, if I’m lucky. Flying would take only three and a half minutes,” Automobilwoche quoted von Platen as saying.

Porsche R&D chief Michael Steiner affirmed von Platen's statement, saying later at the Geneva auto show that it could take up to a decade to finalise technology before they could launch flying cars in real traffic.

 The Volocopter by Daimler.

Porsche would join a raft of companies working on designs for flying cars in anticipation of a shift in the transport market away from conventional cars to self-driving vehicles shared via ride-hailing apps.

Volkswagen’s auto designer Italdesign and Airbus at last year’s Geneva auto show presented a two-seater flying car, called Pop.Up, designed to avoid gridlock on city roads.

The magazine said that under Porsche’s plans, passengers would be able to have some control over the flying vehicle themselves but would not need a pilot licence because many of the car’s functions would be automated.

Potential competitors to a flying vehicle made by Porsche would be German start-ups Volocopter, backed by Daimler , Lilium Jet and eVolo, as well as US-based Terrafugia and California-based Joby Aviation.


Jaguar set for all-electric future under turnaround plan

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover laid out plans to electrify its lineup under a new chief executive officer, with its namesake luxury-car brand ditching combustion engines just four years from now.

JLR, owned by India’s Tata Motors Ltd, will invest about £2.5 billion (RM14bil) a year into electrification and related technologies, the company said Monday.

The Land Rover line will get its first fully electric model in 2024, and by the following year, all Jaguars will be entirely powered by batteries.

“We have the technology, we know how to do it,” CEO Thierry Bollore, the former Renault SA chief who joined the British carmaker in September, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

Bollore’s shift is poised to be challenging for the carmaker, which was grappling with Brexit, stricter emissions rules and a dip in exports to China even before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

JLR has limited experience making EVs, and while it introduced plug-in hybrid variants of models including the Range Rover Sport and new Defender, its only fully electric vehicle - the I-Pace SUV - has struggled to find a mass following.

“Automakers are getting more aggressive with their EV timelines, but some will be harder to meet than others,” said Colin McKerracher, an analyst with BloombergNEF.

“Battery prices still need to fall further for mass-market brands to make the jump, but premium brands can get there sooner due to higher average purchase prices.”

Plant risk

Phasing out combustion-engine models could spell trouble for Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant in England, which employs almost 2,000 people making Jaguar XE and XF sedans as well as the F-Type sports car.

The company is exploring ways to “repurpose” the site after the models are phased out and plans to “substantially reduce and rationalise” its non-manufacturing infrastructure in the UK.

JLR may move activities including its high-end special-vehicle operations to Castle Bromwich, Bollore said in the interview. The company will also consider buying EV batteries produced in the UK to meet local-content rules, he said.

Labour pledges

The UK labour union Unite said it welcomes JLR’s strategy revamp but is supporting the company only if it sticks to pledges that it won’t shutter plants or fire workers.

JLR’s push away from the internal combustion engine is the latest seismic automotive shift driven by stricter emissions rules.

Carmakers from German giant Volkswagen AG to Jaguar’s smaller rival Lotus Cars have announced plans to electrify their offerings as governments around the world increase aid for battery-powered vehicles and put in place rules restricting gasoline cars.

JLR failed to comply with Europe’s tougher carbon-dioxide rules last year and set aside £35 million (RM196mil) to pay for the resulting fines. The UK, its home market, will ban sales of gasoline and diesel cars from 2030, putting further pressure on legacy carmakers.

JLR will introduce six fully electric Land Rover variants in the next five years. By 2030, it expects all of its Jaguar models and 60% of Land Rovers sold to be zero-emissions vehicles.


JPJ to introduce quality road tax stickers in 2023, says Loke

The proof. The windscreen of a motorist's car showing a clear photocopy affixed above the original road tax sticker, which has lost all details except for the serial number (hidden for privacy reasons).
PETALING JAYA: Poor quality road tax stickers will be a thing of the past soon, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said the road tax system would be overhauled and the changes would be introduced this year.

Many motorists have complained that the current road tax stickers are flimsy and prone to fading fast. A CarSifu writer found out that the printed information on his sticker had disappeared in less than four months of use.

Others have also complained that the stickers do not come clean from the windshield when removed, leaving glue residues behind.

Among the main agenda of the JPJ in 2023 is to digitalise core services to the people such as vehicle and driver licensing in addition to strengthening the enforcement of traffic laws, Loke said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

"Any implementation of new initiatives will be carefully planned and I will make an announcement when full preparations have been made.

"Our main agenda is to make things easier for the people and I don't want to see people standing in long queues at the JPJ offices which inconvenience them."

Loke made the statement after meeting the top management of the Road Transport Department on the same day.


Jan 16-22: Fuel prices up three to five sen per litre

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices will increase across the board from Jan 16 to Jan 22, says the Finance Ministry.

It said that RON97 petrol would be priced at RM2.19 per litre, up by five sen from RM2.14 per litre previously.

The price of RON95 will also increase by five sen from RM1.84 per litre to RM1.89 per litre, while the price of diesel will increase by three sen from RM2.02 per litre to RM2.05 per litre.


Four Awas cameras for ‘killer stretch’ near Menora Tunnel

                IPOH: The “killer stretch” near the Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway, near here, will be installed with four new Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) cameras, says Datuk Shaharuddin Khalid.

The Road Transport Department director-general said two cameras each would be installed at both routes heading north and south, courtesy of PLUS Malaysia Bhd.

“The speed limit at this part of the expressway has always been 70kph, and when the cameras are installed, it will create more awareness and discipline among motorists,” said Shaharuddin.

“The cameras will be installed at the particular area near the Menora Tunnel steep slopes and sharp bends as well as the downhill stretch,” he told a press conference after visiting the department’s Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre located at the old Jelapang toll plaza yesterday.

Shaharuddin said there were currently 18 such cameras installed from the north to south stretch of the expressway.

“We are hoping that the additional four cameras near the tunnel will be installed by this year, as the area has always been a ‘hotspot’ for accidents.

“Once the cameras are installed, we really hope the number of accidents along the stretch will reduce, as our job is not only to issue summonses,” he said.

Shaharuddin said the centre, operational since July 1 with the cooperation of PLUS, would monitor all enforcement activities involving four zones along the expressway.

He said 13 officers would be stationed at the centre, with an overall manpower of 82 people at the four zones located at the Gunung Semanggol RnR (rest and recreational area) (northern zone), Dengkil RnR (central zone), Pagoh RnR (southern zone) and Paka RnR (east coast zone).

“The centre in Jelapang, being the main centre, will focus on several issues such as enforcement, monitoring of overloaded commercial vehicles, those using the emergency lane, traffic congestion, the need to remove any dangerous objects on the expressway, accidents, faulty vehicles, and any other emergencies.

“PLUS had on May 23 presented the department with 10 Honda CRVs for monitoring purposes by the centre and the four zones,” he said.

“At the same time, the department has also provided 10 Proton Inspira vehicles for the enforcement teams involved in patrolling the expressway.”

PLUS’ operations excellence head Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz said hopefully, the cameras could be installed by the end of the year.

“With the cameras in place, they will help enhance enforcement activities, as accidents often occur at this stretch of the expressway due to its hilly and downhill terrain,” he said.


Nissan unmasks the Stig

LONDON: Some say he eats a whole Micra for breakfast every day. Some say his bed is a GT-R chassis and he sleeps sideways. All we know is that he’s called Paul Eames, and he is Nissan’s very own tame racing driver.As car fans around the world prepare for the eagerly anticipated new series of hit BBC TV show Top Gear, Nissan has removed the helmet of its top European test driver for the first time to reveal his identity.Paul plays a key role in the team charged with making sure every new vehicle Nissan develops is dynamically the best it can be for EU roads. As one of only four expert drivers outside Japan who’s earned Nissan’s ultimate driving qualification, Paul completes countless laps of the company’s various test tracks around the world.With 20 years of experience at Nissan, Paul knows instinctively if a new car’s chassis is optimised for the best balance between performance and passenger comfort. While he undoubtedly has super-human skills behind the wheel, he also has a talent for putting himself in the mind of the customer.Paul explained: “With the new GT-R, which goes on sale this summer, the objective was to make it as exciting, grippy and stable as possible when being driven to extremes, because that’s what a GT-R owner wants.”But the rules are very different when developing best-selling models such as the Nissan Juke or Qashqai crossovers. “These cars need  to be as agile, stable and safe as possible, but at the same time deliver comfort and suppleness for the people who will buy them,” said Paul, who began his automotive career in the mid-Eighties as a technician.Paul’s job isn’t just about shaving tenths of a second off lap times… although he’s very good at that. It’s more about replicating how Nissan customers will actually drive their cars in the real world.“I drive at different speeds, in different positions on the road, up and down kerbs, across rutted tracks, on motorways and in heavy stop/start congestion. For Nissan, it’s all about the quality of the driving experience. Only then can I really evaluate the true dynamic performance of a car and make sure it’s right for the customer.”Paul’s job is a massively complex one because Nissan develops cars for markets all across Europe, and road surfaces vary in terms of construction, camber and quality of surface. What works dynamically in one country might not work in another. As a result, he travels all over the continent – from cold-weather testing near the Arctic Circle to hot-weather testing in Spain.He is currently working closely with Nissan’s Autonomous Drive engineers, refining the technology for customers across Europe. Nissan is already establishing itself as a global leader in the emerging technology, with ProPilot (single-lane autonomous driving) set to debut on the Nissan Qashqai next year.“Autonomous Drive is about giving the driver more control; about keeping the enjoyable elements of driving and taking away some of the less enjoyable parts, as well as enhancing customer safety. This technology is hugely exciting for me and the Nissan Europe engineering team as we’re at the cutting edge of huge change in the automotive industry.”


Petronas launches new Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) has launched the new Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive which has been proven to deliver a smoother ride and superior fuel economy.

Pro-Drive is a combination of reformulated higher quality base diesel from Petronas’ refinery and uniquely formulated chemistries designed for the advance common-rail diesel engine.

Petronas partnered with IVECO, an Italian industrial vehicle manufacturing company, to devise a winning formula for the Petronas De Rooy IVECO team competing in the Dakar Rally.

 From left, Fadzil Zahari; Kamal Adli; manging director and chief executive officer of Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Datuk Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus; Fizo Omar and head of marketing, retail business division at Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Abang Jimmy Abang Mordian.

“Petronas’ involvement in the Dakar Rally has provided us a platform to study the requirements of the latest high performance common-rail direct-injection diesel-powered vehicles and continously improve our products to meet even the most extreme driving conditions.

“The launch of the Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive reflects our commitment to this continous improvement, and benefit our cutomers,” said PDB managing director and chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus at the launch event.

Also present was PDB head of marketing, retail business division, Abang Jimmy Abang Mordian and local celebrities, Fizo Omar, Kamal Adli and Fadzil Zahari.

The new diesel is currently available at 58 selected Petronas stations and expansion plans are underway to increase the availability to 155 stations in the near future.

For more information, visit www.mymesra.com.my


Johor Sultan drives Dr M to airport in classic Proton Saga

                JOHOR BARU: It was a drive down memory lane when Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar took the wheel of a first-generation Proton Saga and drove Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to the Senai International Airport here today.

The vehicle was presented to the Ruler's father about 34 years ago.

Sultan Ibrahim personally drove Dr Mahathir about 25km from Istana Bukit Serene to the Senai International Airport after their 90-minute meeting.

The sky-blue coloured car, bearing the number plate Proton 1, was presented by Dr Mahathir to the late Sultan Iskandar, when he was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on July 9 1985.

At the airport, the Prime Minister told reporters that that 34-year-old car with a manual transmission was still in good running condition and was an endorsement of Proton. The car had clocked 32,000km to date, Dr Mahathir said, adding that he was able to offer the car as a gift because of its affordable price of RM17,000 then.

Dr Mahathir had earlier arrived for a meeting with Sultan Ibrahim at the palace at 4pm.

According to a source from the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting was held following a request by Sultan Ibrahim a few weeks ago.

This was the first time that Dr Mahathir and Sultan Ibrahim met in Johor after Pakatan Harapan won in GE14.

Dr Mahathir, who is chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, said the last time he met Sultan Ibrahim was almost 20 years ago when he stepped down as the fourth prime minister in 2003.


No diesel in new Volvo S60

                GOTHENBURG: The new Volvo S60 sedan – to be launched later this spring – will be the first Volvo to be produced without a diesel engine, highlighting Volvo Cars’ commitment to a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine.

All new Volvo models launched from 2019 will be available as either a mild petrol hybrid, plug-in petrol hybrid or battery electric vehicle. This is the most comprehensive electrification strategy in the car industry and Volvo Cars was the first traditional car maker to commit to all-out electrification in July 2017.

“Our future is electric and we will no longer develop a new generation of diesel engines,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “We will phase out cars with only an internal combustion engine, with petrol hybrid versions as a transitional option as we move towards full electrification. The new S60 represents the next step in that commitment.”

 The current S60.

Last month, Volvo Cars reinforced its electrification strategy by stating that it aims for fully electric cars to make up 50 per cent of its global sales by 2025. The announcement was made at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, positioning it as a big player in China, the world’s leading market for electrified cars.

The new S60, a premium mid-size sports saloon, is based on Volvo’s in-house-developed Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which also underpins the company’s award-winning new 90 series and 60 series cars. The S60’s estate sibling, the V60, was launched earlier this year in Stockholm.

The new S60 will initially be available with a range of four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engines as well as with two petrol plug-in hybrid versions. Mild-hybrid versions will follow next year.

Production of the new S60 will start this autumn at Volvo Cars’ brand-new manufacturing facility outside Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston plant will be the only manufacturing location for the new S60, meaning American-built S60s will be sold in the US market as well as overseas through exports.

 The South Carolina plant in the United States.


Electric highways: Europe testing network for battery-powered trucks

                FRANKFURT: The power lines running over Germany's A5 motorway look a bit bizarre. But the electric drive project on this busy road could be a trend-setter for less climate-damaging freight traffic on roads across Europe.

Formally opened in May, Germany's first "eHighway" is designed to provide continuous electrical power to hybrid trucks. On the busy A5 motorway in the central state of Hesse, 5km of power masts have been installed on the right lane in both directions.

It's one of the first in the world, following similar stretches of highway in the US and Sweden, while Italy also plans to introduce its own electric highway.

"Clearly, we need a system that runs throughout Europe," said Achim Reusswig from Hesse's local transport authorities.

While it's normal to see these kinds of overhead lines used by trains and trams in cities, seeing it on a motorway takes some getting used to.

But the idea is certainly quite convincing. If a compatible battery-powered truck enters the road, the cables connect up and begin recharging the batteries while powering the truck's engine.

This means the truck can then later continue driving with a fully-charged battery. When the batteries finally run out on a normal, primitive stretch of road without continuous electric power, a hybrid engine with diesel kicks in.

By 2022, five trucking companies want to participate in this first test. The goal is to test whether this overhead power line technology is suitable for transporting goods by road in a climate and noise-friendly manner.

It's only the first such highway in Germany, and further tests will be carried out in other German states.

Costing around a million euros (RM4.7mil) per kilometre, this isn't the cheapest initial investment, however. If it proves successful, Transport Ministry officials estimate estimates it could cost a billion euros (RM4.7bil) to lay the necessary 1,000km of track needed to power trucks travelling through Germany.

"We must invest in innovative solutions" in an attempt to manage pollution and excessive traffic, German lawmaker Rita Schwarzeluehr-Sutter - a senior official in the Environment Ministry - said.

The Environment Ministry has already financed the test project with a budget of 14.6 million euros (RM69mil).

Schwarzeluehr-Sutter said a further 15 million euros (RM70mil) would flow into the project by 2022 for collecting and processing data that could be relevant for rolling out the system throughout Germany.


Polestar 2 greets winter solstice with advanced lighting technology

                GOTHENBURG: The Polestar 2 features highly advanced lighting technology which contribute to its premium offer.

The electric performance fastback brings new technology to the compact premium electric segment.

Pixel LED headlights, fitted as standard at launch, feature active high beam technology as well as a "welcome sequence" that activates when the vehicle is unlocked.

A total of 84 individual LED pixels form a matrix in each lamp and each LED is controlled individually, allowing the headlights to shade out their light in the path of up to five leading or oncoming vehicles when in motion.

The functionality allows the driver to leave their lights on high beam, enabling maximum forward visibility at all times without dazzling other road users, and without having to think about switching between modes.

Front fog lights with cornering support utilise energy efficient LED technology and activate automatically at low speeds according to steering or turn signal input, further enhancing visibility when manoeuvring the vehicle.

At the rear of Polestar 2, the signature rear lighting features 288 LEDs in a distinctive full-width wrap-around light bar, featuring unique welcome and farewell lighting sequences.

The rear light bar includes adaptive lighting technology. In daylight, the brightness is increased to ensure optimal visibility of the light signature. At night, the LEDs automatically dim to prevent drivers behind Polestar 2 from being dazzled.

“When you drive Polestar 2, especially in the dark, you really understand how much this technology increases safety,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

“LED lighting also allows for creativity, and the light signatures we have designed are unmistakable. They are distinctive and people will know you are driving a Polestar.”


New Proton Iriz available in 4 variants from RM43,800 to RM58,800

                33SUBANG JAYA: The new 2017 Iriz is now on sale. It come in four variants – the 1.3L Standard (MT & CVT), 1.3L Executive CVT and 1.6L Premium CVT, priced from RM43,800 to RM58,800.

It is offered in two new colours, Ruby Red and Carnelian Brown, apart from the existing Iriz colours, Graphite Grey, Atlantic Blue and Cotton White.

“When we launched the new Persona in August 2016 with much improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) and better fuel efficiency, many people asked us if similar treatment could be applied to the Iriz since both the Iriz and Persona are based on the same platform as the Iriz. We responded positively and was working on improving the Iriz since. And today, we have delivered on our promise. The Iriz now has been more refined and improved,” said Proton CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali.

“The refinements made to the Iriz include improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), we have also added the Eco-Drive Assist Indicator as well as refinement in the ECU calibration that provides linear response for improved driveability. The 1.3L Executive variant also receives an upgrade in the form of push-start button which was previously only fitted in the 1.6L variant. We also created differentiation in the form of 2-tone exterior colours for the 1.6L Premium variant where the roof, spoiler and side mirrors are black. As for the interior, we have further improved it with red stitching to the leather wrap steering and seats making the Iriz look sleeker, sportier and more stylish,” he added.

“Despite these improvements and refinements, there is no compromise on the safety standard and security features of the Iriz which is renowned for its excellent safety features and its Hot Pressed Forming (HPF) steel structure. It has 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating for all variants, equipped with comprehensive active and passive safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill-Hold Assist, ISOFIX and top tether, as well as 6 airbags for the Premium variant.

For its class, the new Iriz is the most affordable 5-star Asean NCAP car in the region,” said Ahmad Fuaad.

"Since it was first brought to the market in September 2014, we have sold more than 45,000 units of the Proton Iriz, making it the second best-selling Proton car since its inception, after the legendary Saga."

READ ALSO:
Proton Iriz improved, to launch soon


Volvo unveils 360c concept in race to autonomy

GOTHENBURG: Volvo says it's now imagining a world where driverless vehicles could be used replace short-haul air travel, and to illustrate its vision the Swedish automaker has now unveiled a fully autonomous concept, the 360c.

The company has been issuing some cryptic teasers recently, but now it has taken the big step of revealing the 360c concept in full. Volvo's head of corporate strategy, Mårten Levenstam, says the concept is designed to offer "a glimpse at how autonomous drive technology will change the world as we know it." He then goes on to add: "The possibilities are mind-boggling."

A lot of futuristic concepts lately have started to shy away from full autonomy, possibly as a result of a number of recent studies indicating public perception is a long way from fully embracing the idea of completely driverless vehicles. However, Volvo isn't holding back with the 360c, which it says: "reimagines how people travel, how they engage with friends, family and contacts, and how they can recapture time while travelling."

To further illustrate how Volvo is going all-in with the driverless theme with this one, the 360c is what's described as a Level 5 autonomous vehicle. That means it is designed to require no human input whatsoever, and even abandons the traditional two and three rows of passenger seating adopted by current models as they have to accommodate a position for a human driver. Instead, the 360c can be configured in any number of imaginative ways, which could include it being configured as a mobile bedroom, office, living room or entertainment space. It really does leave up to the imagination what the considerable cabin space could be used for.

Levenstam adds: "We regard the 360c as a conversation starter, with more ideas and answers to come as we learn more. Yet we believe fully autonomous drive has the potential to fundamentally change our society in many ways. It will have a profound impact on how people travel, how we design our cities and how we use infrastructure."

Although fully autonomous and having the potential to be used in ways almost impossible for current vehicles needing a driver, the 360c still looks how we expect a vehicle to look. There's a distinct front fascia with what appears to be a headlight arrangement, and the rear has the back wheels pushed right to the corner and a spoiler-type fins that integrate into the beltline and roof.

Part of the vision is that vehicles like the 360c could travel at night and journeys of around 320km could be quicker than an equivalent flight. With a business class-style cabin and a flat bed, they could certainly be more comfortable than a flight, but whether it could really be quicker is open for debate.


Bugatti supercar now cheaper to run, but upkeep still mind-boggling

                HAMBURG/CHICAGO: Only a few people can afford the Bugatti Chiron, and even if they can buy one they will find that the costs of running and maintaining this super sports car are astronomical.

With a price tag of at least US$3 million (RM12.7mil), the Chiron is one of the most expensive cars in the world to buy in the first place, so owners should not be too surprised by hefty workshop bills.

A new engine still costs US$856,000 (RM3.6mil), although it seems Bugatti has tried to make the everyday running its current model cheaper, according to YouTuber and supercar enthusiast Steve Hamilton.

Hamilton looked into what a Chiron costs if you drive it for 10 years.

The short answer is: a good deal of money. But Hamilton, who owns a lurid pink and chrome version seen on his video, said Bugatti "has done a really great job of making it more affordable."

Using information from an official Bugatti dealer in Chicago, Hamilton said the minor annual service costs US$11,500 (RM49,000) and the major service, which is due every four years, costs US$34,000 (RM145,000).

It makes sense to buy an additional bumper-to-bumper warranty from Bugatti, for which the manufacturer charges a mind-boggling US$204,000 (RM866,000) for the four-year carefree package.

Things get very prices if an owner has no warranty. Lose the Chiron ignition key for instance and you will be faced with a bill for US$13,500.

Parts that wear out regularly such as brake pads, discs and tyres are expensive too. A pair of brake discs costs US$18,300, the brake pads cost between US$4,000 and US$6,700.

Bugatti recommends changing the tyres every five years. According Hamilton, a set costs US$8,450. This assumes that you don't drive the Chiron at over 400 km/h, because that increases wear drastically.

Tyre-maker Michelin says the tyres rotate up to 4,100 times per minute at top speed so ones rated for the highest speeds cost more.

An oil change for the older Veyron costs usually range from US$20,000 to US$25,000, according to US-based Bugatti service partner Broward.

Bugatti oil changes are much more complicated than for the your average car, since several parts need to be removed to reach the drain plugs and refill the oil to the correct level.

To refill the motor oil, the vehicle’s grille needs to be uninstalled, along with the bumper liners, rear deck, and rear brakes. Such an involved process often takes several hours and is definitely not a DIY job.


BHPetrol presents prizes to winners

                PETALING JAYA: Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) awarded prizes to its contest winners for ‘Merdeka Pam, Beli & Menang’ contest.

The contest which ran from Aug 15 to Oct 15, received an overwhelming participation from customers.

The promotion was held in conjunction with the 62nd Merdeka Celebration and to reward customers for their support to BHPetrol.

BHPetrol retail operations manager Aziz Majid presented the prizes to the winners on Wednesday.

The contest offers cash prizes and eCard points worth up to RM500,000 to 74 lucky customers.

Six Grand Prize winners walked away with RM62,000 cash and 62,000 ePoints each, while six Special Prize winners went home with RM6,200 cash and 10,000 ePoints.

Sixty two Consolation Prize winners got RM1,000 cash and 5,000 ePoints each.

“Based on the huge number of entries that we received, I am sure this promotion has attracted many loyal and new customers to pump our best Infiniti fuels. We hope the winners are happy with their winning prizes and continue to visit BHPetrol stations," Aziz said.

Customers who made minimum RM40 purchase on fuels and shop items were eligible to participate in the contest.

They were required to answer two questions and submit the entry forms at participating service stations.

Customers who are members of BHPetrol eCard loyalty programme were also entitled to win extra bonus ePoints.

The full winners’ list is posted at www.bhpetrol.com.my.


New Toyota models to drive UMW earnings

                PETALING JAYA: UMW Holdings Bhd is expected to see positive earnings growth in 2019, driven by the launch of new Toyota models and strong sales of Perodua vehicles.

In a report yesterday, the CGS-CIMB research house said UMW expects to deliver sales volume of 75,000 units in 2019, which is equivalent to a 12.7% year-on-year increase.

It said the company will be launching the new Toyota Vios, Hilux, C-HR and Rush, adding that it will also be introducing the Yaris, which is a new B-segment model.

“Meanwhile, we expect another strong year for Perodua in 2019, driven by the new Aruz sport-utility vehicle and Myvi. Aruz received 5,700 bookings in the first three weeks of 2019.

Overall, Perodua targets sales of 231,000 units in 2019.”

UMW, via UMW Corp Sdn Bhd, has a 38% stake in Perodua.

READ MORE:
Toyota Supra and Yaris coming to Malaysia in 2019
Facelifted Toyota Vios launched from RM77K
Perodua Aruz launched, two variants from RM73K

In spite of the attractive growth prospects, CGS CIMB said UMW will be affected by depreciation expense from its Bukit Raja plant and higher coupon payment related to its RM1.1bil perpetual sukuk issued in April 2018.

“The group recognised RM35.4mil coupon payment in the fourth quarter of 2018. UMW will incur RM70mil annual coupon payment for the sukuk in 2019.

UMW returned to the black in its financial year ended Dec 31, 2018, registering a net profit of RM341.66mil compared with a net loss of RM640.61mil in the previous corresponding period, due to improved performance in three core segments and the reversal of provisions that weighed down its previous year’s earnings.

Revenue meanwhile increased to RM11.31bil from RM11.07bil.

CGSCIMB said Toyota sales volume in the fourth quarter of 2018 slid 38% quarter-on-quarter.

“In addition, UMW also stop production of passenger cars at its Shah Alam plant in November and December as the group was in the midst of transferring operations to the new plant in Bukit Raja.

“The group also declared 2.5 sen final dividend per share in the fourth quarter of 2018, below our expectation of 10 sen.”

The research house added that automotive revenue fell by 0.3% year-on-year, partly due to lower sales volume from Toyota.

“However, UMW benefited from a favourable foreign exchange movement and stronger demand following the “tax holiday” period in June to August last year.

Overall, UMW’s core net profit surged from RM316mil in 2017 to RM510mil in 2018.”

“We maintain our ‘hold’ rating with a higher RM6.36 target price, still based on 14-times 2020 price-to-earnings ratio, in line with its historical mean.”


HARMAN devises onion-like security system to check car hacking

                NEW YORK: Automotive electronics giant HARMAN is pioneering the new field of automotive cyber security, as the prospect of cyber attacks on vehicles becomes an increasingly serious one.

More and more users are embracing the “connected car” and, in theory at least, any form of wireless link – even via a separate mobile phone or tablet – could provide the conduit that hackers need to launch an attack.

“A few years ago the concept of automotive cyber security was largely confined to industry experts,” said HARMAN’s Asaf Atzmon, Director, Business Development and Marketing, Automotive Cyber Security. “Now it’s a topic that consumers are asking about. According to a recent survey, in some countries as many as 59 per cent of buyers are actively concerned about the prospect of car hacking.”

There seems to be a unique brand of fear associated with the idea of car hacking. One minute you’re driving down the road merrily listening to Radio 4 and the next someone remotely hijacks your car. Brakes jammed on in the middle of the motorway; headlights disabled in the dead of night; stereo suddenly playing Justin Bieber. None of it bears thinking about.

Of course, the reality is rather different. To date, there hasn’t been a single instance of malicious car hacking – the examples that have made the headlines all involved engineers or researchers experimenting under controlled conditions. In most cases it also required a cable to be physically plugged into the car.

HARMAN has devised a 5+1 security framework which consists of a series of layers that protects the car’s head unit from being compromised and used as a portal into the in-vehicle network (something which could jeopardise safety critical systems).

It can be thought of like the layers of an onion:

> At the deepest level, a secure hardware platform provides a safe place to store cryptographic keys and execute highly-sensitive operations in a secured manner.

> Safety-critical functions are isolated from the infotainment system using what’s known as a hypervisor. This concept – originally developed for supercomputers – allows two completely separate operating systems to run off the same hardware. It makes it extremely difficult for an infection on one side of the system to spread to the other.

> The next level controls access to the memory, storage and peripherals. It essentially determines who has access to what. If, for instance, your CD player suddenly wants to control the brakes it’s a good indication that something is wrong.

> Next comes the sandbox function. This keeps newly downloaded applications separate from the core system so they can be disabled and removed if they’re found to be harmful.

> The fifth level is the network protection system. This controls the flow of information into and out of the car, looking for any signs of intrusion. Working on two levels, ECUSHIELD turns the vehicle’s ECU into an Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS) system and smart firewall to protect critical communications within the car. It continuously monitors the vehicle to provide real-time detection of malicious communications and prevents them from reaching the vehicle’s critical systems.

Meanwhile, TCUSHIELD protects infotainment and telematics systems. Also using IDS/IPS technology, it integrates with existing telematics units and uses highly advanced algorithms to protect both internal and external networks so a vehicle can operate safely while still monitoring and reporting to an external control centre. This level has the ability to spot patterns and uncover a threat, even if the threat is attempting to disguise itself as a legitimate function such as a software update.

> The final ‘plus one’ level is the ability to install over-the-air (OTA) updates to various systems within the car such as the navigation, engine management and infotainment systems. By keeping the software up to date, it helps to ensure that the car is protected at all times.

All these elements combine to produce a virtually impenetrable shield around the safety-critical functions and those which may contain personal data, such as credit card information.

HARMAN said it is working with a number of car makers to employ this technology on future models.

“Ultimately, it’s all about eliminating the risk of intrusion,” said Atzmon. “The car industry will need to reassure consumers that their connected cars are safe. By 2020 it’s expected there will be nearly a quarter of a billion of them on the world’s roads. This number will continue to grow but only if the car industry can provide the protection that those consumers have to come to expect from their other electronic devices.”


BMW vehicles will support Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay in 2020

                MUNICH: A few years after adding Apple CarPlay support to BMW vehicles in 2017, the company announced on Wednesday that Android Auto integration, too, will be arriving in July 2020.

BMW began offering Apple CarPlay as an optional connectivity tool that gave iPhone users the ability to pair up their device with the car's built-in display.

However, Android users were limited to using BMW's native infotainment and navigation tools which, while intelligent and practical, may feel unfamiliar to the Google or Samsung smartphone user.

This week, BMW announced that support for Android's CarPlay equivalent will be coming to BMW vehicles in 2020. Android phone owners will be able to wirelessly connect their device to their car to use it in a safe way while driving.

They will be able to use Android Auto to "enjoy access to useful information like suggested destinations and upcoming appointments just when it is needed" as well as enjoy their music, messaging apps, the Google Assistant and other on-device media.

With the service natively integrated into BMW's digital cockpit system, all content will be sensibly distributed between the central screen and the Head Up Display.

A BMW equipped with Android Auto will be on display at the upcoming 2020 CES technology conference in Las Vegas which runs from Jan 7-10. The service will roll out to all vehicles powered by the BMW Operating System 7.0 in July of 2020.


Mercedes-Benz eyes more direct sales amid earnings pressure

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz Group warned today of lower earnings this year amid economic uncertainty, and said it would look to sell more vehicles directly in major markets such as Britain and Germany as it continues to target high margins on flat volume.

The premium automaker expects a lower adjusted return of 12%-14% on sales for its cars division in 2023 and group earnings slightly below 2022, even though sales at the Mercedes-Benz Cars business are expected at the same level.

It pointed to sluggish demand in Europe, a slow rebound from coronavirus restrictions in China, high energy and raw material costs and inflationary pressures to justify the forecast, adding prospects were better in the United States.

Sales of top-end vehicles, whose high margins have so far enabled the carmaker to keep profits up despite rising costs, are still expected to rise slightly on last year.

The German company's forecast chimes with warnings across the industry of a challenging year ahead, with Germany's autos association predicting car sales this year will hit around 74 million vehicles globally, up 4% from last year but still 8% below pre-pandemic levels.

Mercedes-Benz's top priority is balancing price and volume after most earnings growth last year came from net pricing increases, Chief Financial Officer Harald Wilhelm said, adding: "We remain on the prudent side."

Mercedes-Benz pledged in 2020 to cut fixed costs, capital expenditure and research and development spending by more than 20% by 2025 from 2019 levels, a target it is still on track to meet despite inflation, Wilhelm said.

The carmaker is "quietly" turning to a direct sales model in various European markets including Britain and intended to do so in Germany as well, chief executive Ola Kaellenius said, adding: "You turn yourself from a wholesaler into a retailer. It changes your whole attitude in how you run the business."

Selling directly saves costs for the company and removes concerns for customers that they could get a better price at another dealer, he added.

Asked how the company would defend its market share in China in the transition to electric vehicles (EV), Kaellenius said the premium EV market in the country was still in its infancy and advocated "strategic patience".

Mercedes-Benz hit its forecast for a 13%-15% adjusted return on sales in the cars division, reporting a 14.6% margin for 2022 and a 28% rise in earnings across the group to 20.5 billion euros (RM97bil).

"Given the rising input cost, we are encouraged Mercedes is putting value over volume and planning with flat volumes in 2023 to protect pricing," Bernstein Research analyst Daniel Roeska.


European sales of Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet begin

                STUTTGART: Merecedes-Benz has begun European sales of its new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet.

The two-door models can now be ordered at prices starting from 101,655.75 euros (RM506,000) and will be in European showrooms from the end of January 2018.

At market launch, the S 63 4MATIC+ Coupé will be available for six months in the form of an exclusive Yellow Night Edition starting at 202,121.50 euros (RM1mil). This special model painted in a choice of selenite grey magno or night black magno is distinguishable by a yellow trim strip on the exterior mirror housings.

 The S-Class Coupé interior.

The exclusive impression is reinforced by 7-spoke light-alloy wheels in black with high-sheen rim flanges as well as the yellow-painted brake callipers of the AMG high-performance compound ceramic braking system, which is standard equipment on the Edition.

The special character of the Yellow Night Edition is further underlined by the Aerodynamics package, with a larger front splitter in high-gloss black (in carbon fibre in the Carbon Fibre package) and a spoiler lip on the boot lid in high-gloss black (in carbon fibre in the Carbon Fibre package) as well as wrapped AMG racing stripes on the sides of the vehicle.

The interior also features yellow accents. They decorate the AMG sports seats at the front and the rear seats, the AMG Performance steering wheel with 12 o'clock marking, the instrument panel, the beltlines, the door centre panels, the armrests, the central console at the front and rear and the floor mats. The Edition emblem in the steering wheel bezel draws attention to the special equipment. AMG matt carbon fibre/black piano lacquer trim parts round off the look.

The Exclusive Package is fitted as standard on board. This includes upholstery in exclusive nappa leather with a layout in a typical AMG diamond pattern and perforated areas, the upper dashboard section, centre armrest, front and rear armrests and door centre panels in nappa leather with contrasting topstitching, AMG badges in the front and rear seat backrests, illuminated AMG entry sills and special AMG floor mats.

As members of the large and successful S-Class family, the Coupé and Cabriolet benefit from the same extensive innovations that were only recently introduced on the Sedan. These include new or functionally considerably extended driving assistance systems, the modern control and display concept with Widescreen Cockpit and the new generation of steering wheels, integrated ENERGIZING comfort control and the latest infotainment generation.

In combination with the standard LED Intelligent Light System, unique headlamps with a total of 47 Swarovski crystals are available. Seventeen angular crystals form the flare-shaped daytime running lamps, while 30 round crystals make up the turn indicator lamps.

 Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC+ Coupé Yellow Night Edition.

Exclusive to both of the two-door models and part of the standard equipment specification are OLED tail lamps ("organic light emitting diode"). With this technology, wafer-thin layers of organic materials are printed onto a glass plate and caused to illuminate. Locking and unlocking the vehicle is additionally emphasised by an animated dynamic light sequence with subsequent dimming-up of the tail lights.

Numerous new or comprehensively revised assist systems are bundled together in the optional Driving Assistance package (standard on Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupé and Cabriolet). Active Distance Control DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now provide even more comfortable support for the driver to keep a safe distance and steer.

The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of bends or junctions. This is complemented by Evasive Steering Assist, a considerably improved Active Lane Keeping Assist and also the additional functions of the Active Emergency Stop Assist. Also included in the Driving Assistance package is PRE-SAFE PLUS, which additionally takes into account dangerous situations caused by traffic following behind, such as a rear impact.

The new S-Class Cabriolet is optionally available with the automatic AIRCAP draught shield system (standard on Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet). This can be extended at the touch of a button to reduce turbulence in the interior. AIRCAP consists of two components: a wind deflector with a grid in the windscreen frame that is extendible by seven centimetres and an extensible draught-stop behind the rear seats with convex contours and stainless steel trim elements. Also optionally available is a draught stop.

Another optionally available feature is AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This extends the convertible season by enabling comfortable open-top driving even at low outside temperatures. With this patented neck-level heating system, warmed air circulates around the head and neck areas of the occupants from the head restraints.

An innovation in terms of interior comfort and well-being is ENERGIZING comfort control with six programmes that combine different comfort functions into a harmonious package. This enhances physical comfort and performance while driving and during a break. ENERGIZING comfort control is available in combination with the AIR-BALANCE package and the new extended ambient lighting with 64 colours and 10 colour worlds.

All S-Class Coupés and Cabriolets come standard with the latest-generation COMAND Online infotainment system as well as the Smartphone Integration package. This allows the use of Apple's smartphone-based infotainment system CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. If a corresponding smartphone is connected by USB, the customer can, if desired, switch to the CarPlay or Android Auto interface.


Avis order creates Europe's largest fleet of Nissan EVs

                COPENHAGEN: Nissan and Avis Denmark have signed a deal to create the largest fleet of Nissan electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe, with a new order of 401 Nissan e-NV200 vans and 60 units of the electric LEAF.

In 2014, Avis ordered 400 LEAF electric cars and after placing them through its leasing scheme has added the e-NV200 electric light commercial and passenger vehicle variants to its offering. To meet demand in the Danish market, the company has ordered 60 more LEAF, bringing its total EV fleet to 861 vehicles.

"We had great success already with the LEAF in Denmark and we leased all of the units we purchased from Nissan quickly, which has led to us ordering more," said Avis Denmark managing director Kasper Gjedsted.

"To follow up that success we have decided to add the e-NV200 vehicle to broaden our offering and appeal to new types of customers."

Nissan is the world's largest maker of electric vehicles with the LEAF claiming its spot as the best-selling EV in Europe and globally in 2014.

Last year, Nissan added the e-NV200 passenger and light commercial vehicle to the range, combining the generous space of the NV200 van with the zero-emission powertrain of the LEAF.


Mitsubishi Triton Phantom edition launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck is now offered with a Phantom edition that is limited to 200 units.

Based on the top-grade Triton VGT Adventure variant, the Phantom edition is priced at priced at RM115,680.76 with a three-year or first 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

Buyers can choose either a two-year free maintenance with RM2,000 cash rebate package, or a free labour with RM4,000 cash rebate deal.

The Triton Phantom edition has an all-black look with 17-inch matte black alloy rims, matte black grille, sports bar with full box and matte black rear bumper.

It also has a front bumper extender, xenon HID headlamps with day time running (DRL) lights and special Phantom body stickers and decals, as well as Phantom black leather seats.

Meanwhile, a video of professional driver Leona Chin doing a drift stunt on the Triton Phantom has garnered more than four million views.

The Triton Phantom has first-in-class features such as push-start button, keyless operation, tilt and telescopic steering and paddle shifters.

Other features include a 4WD selector, touch screen audio system with reverse camera, automatic headlamps and wipers, and dual zone climate control.

The Triton VGT has a powerful 2.5-litre diesel engine, with 178ps at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2,000rpm as well as a five-speed automatic transmission.

Built in Thailand, the new Triton is offered in five variants, and priced from RM68,576 for the 4x2 unit with manual transmission.

Features that are standard across the range include dual airbags, a collapsible steering column and anti-intrusion brake pedal, which is made to fold away during an accident.


Caltex customer drives away with new Mercedes-Benz GLC

PETALING JAYA: Chan Kow Chai has won a Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Exclusive Line in the "Tap & Go with Mastercard Contactless at Caltex”.
Expressing joy at his good fortune, Chan of Selangor said "winning a brand new car is definitely something I did not expect but it has indeed made my journey a truly memorable one."

The contest was jointly held by Mastercard and Chevron Malaysia Limited.

Throughout the “Tap & Go with Mastercard Contactless at Caltex” contest, over 131 prizes (30x Honda BeAT and 100x Mastercard cards with RM 1,000 prepaid) were given away to lucky cardholders who fuelled their vehicles using a Mastercard card.

“As the first-ever fuel provider in Malaysia to provide contactless payment technology at outdoor payment terminals at our service stations, we are certain this service will guarantee our consumer’s satisfaction by providing convenience and saving them time,” said Chevron Malaysia country chairman Shahid Ahmed.

“Mastercard would like to congratulate all winners and thank them for choosing contactless when making payments at Caltex. With the collaboration, Mastercard can continue to deliver on the commitment to reduce cash and increase e-payments by positioning contactless as a safe, convenient and swift way to pay for everyday purchases," said Mastercard country manager (Malaysia & Brunei) Perry Ong.


BMW's electric SUV iX3 with 460-km range set for January launch

                MUNICH: With the new iX3, BMW is preparing to launch its second fully electric car, this time a no-fumes spin-off of the X3 SUV - and one that looks almost identical.

BMW has announced plans to roll out its latest electric in January 2021 and has set the base price in its home market at €66,300 (RM326,000). In contrast to the i3 - BMW's only fully electric car so far - the iX3 isn't an entirely new kind of car, but merely an existing SUV converted to run on batteries.

Recognisable from the outside mainly by a new radiator grille and a blue trim, the iX3 has 286hp from a rear-wheel drive.

It's powered by an 80-kWh rechargeable battery, which is designed to provide a range of up to 460km in the WLTP cycle.

Charging with up to 150kW, the iX3 can draw enough power for 100km in just 10 minutes and reaches a battery level of 84 per cent after 34 minutes.

According to BMW, the engine accelerates with up to 400Nm of torque from a standstill to 100kph in 6.4 seconds and is electronically limited to 180kph.

Significantly more compact than before, the batteries on board make for between 510 and 1,560 litres of luggage space.

This won't be the last electric from BMW we'll hear of in the coming months, and the company has also announced other EVs, such as the i4 in 2021 based on the new 4 Series and, later, the iNext.


VW to take on Tesla X in China from 2021 with electric SUV

                SHANGHAI: Volkswagen plans to build a fully electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) for China from 2021, taking on the Chinese market leader Tesla’s Model X as the German carmaker ramps up production of zero emissions vehicles.

The planned new SUV is the latest move in Volkswagen’s aggressive growth strategy in China, where electric cars are given preferential treatment by authorities.

VW said its ID ROOMZZ, which it presented in Shanghai on Sunday, will have three rows of seats and an operating range of up to 450km. The concept car is capable of a “level 4 autonomous driving”, VW said.

VW chief executive Herbert Diess said the ID ROOMZ will be the flagship electric car to be launched by Volkswagen in China.

“We plan to produce more than 22 million electric cars in the next 10 years,” Diess said, adding that around half of VW’s engineers were working on products destined for China.

Diess said the ID ROOMZ would eventually be rolled out to other markets.

To enhance the VW Group’s research and development capabilities, Volkswagen and its premium brand Audi will combine their R&D operations in China.

VW brand’s head of e-mobility Thomas Ulbrich said the carmaker will start ramping up production of 33 electric cars by mid-2023, using VW Group’s modular electric car (MEB) platform to build electric cars for the Skoda, Seat, Audi and VW brands.

Ulbrich said VW Group is converting 16 factories worldwide to enable mass production of electric vehicles, of which eight plants will be making VW branded cars.

Separately, Volkswagen rival Daimler AG’s chief executive Dieter Zetsche at an event in Shanghai on Monday unveiled what he called a concept for a compact Mercedes GLB, saying the automaker plans to add the new SUV to its lineup later this year.

Zetsche promised the unveiling of a production version of the GLB with seating for seven by this summer.

The announcement from Zetsche comes as Mercedes has declared 2019 the “year of the SUV”, reflecting the growing popularity of such vehicles in the world’s largest car market.


Nissan to recall all new cars sold in Japan in last 3 years

                YOKOHAMA: The Nissan crisis in Japan has escalated with the car maker recalling all 1.2 million new passenger cars it sold there over the past three years after discovering final vehicle inspections were not performed by authorised technicians.

The recall is the second major misconduct incident involving a Japanese automaker in as many years, after Mitsubishi Motors Corp admitted in April 2016 it had falsified the fuel economy for some of its domestic market models.

Nissan, Japan’s second-biggest carmaker, said it would recall 1.21 million passenger vehicles produced for the domestic market between October 2014 and September 2017, including top sellers the Serena minivan and the Note compact hatchback.

It added all recalled vehicles would undergo re-inspections for final checks on issues including steering radius and braking and acceleration capabilities, at a cost of around 25 billion yen (RM940mil).

“We must take the registration framework and procedures seriously, regardless of how busy we may be or how short-staffed we may be,” CEO Hiroto Saikawa told reporters at a media conference.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers.”

Saikawa added the company was investigating how and why the inspections took place, a process expected to take around a month. A third party will participate in an internal investigation into the matter, he said.

The recall includes all of the 386,000 passenger vehicles Nissan sold in Japan in 2016. It excludes Nissan-branded mini-vehicles, which are produced by Mitsubishi Motors.

Passenger car sales in Japan account for roughly 10 percent of Nissan’s global sales.

The announcement expands the scope of a problem reported last week, when Nissan initially said it would suspend the registration of 60,000 vehicles over unauthorized inspections.

“This could turn out to be a serious issue depending on whether the misconduct was intentional or a simple oversight,” said Takeshi Miyao, managing director of consultancy Carnorama.

 The Note.

“At the very least, it could have a big impact on Nissan’s brand image, given that it prides itself for selling quality products.”

Nissan exported around 560,000 vehicles produced in Japan last year to North America, Europe and other markets. Spokesman Nick Maxfield said there was no difference in quality between cars made in Japan for the domestic market and those made for export.

Auto dealers must register all such vehicles with Japan’s government before delivery, with owners renewing the registrations of passenger vehicles every three years.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Friday it has asked Nissan to report measures to prevent a recurrence of the issue by the end of October.


DC fast charging station installed at Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara, open to public

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia today introduced a DC (direct current) fast charging station at Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara here for public users, the first of many to be installed at BMW i dealers across the country.

Leading up to the arrival of the BMW i fleet, the German automaker said it is committed to accelerating availability of chargers in Malaysia, along with DC rapid chargers for quick on-the-go charging at selected dealerships nationwide.

As indicated in the photo, the 180kW charging station is able to charge two electric cars at the same time, using Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors. It would take around 30 mins to charge from empty to 80%.

"We partnered with GreenTech Malaysia from the get-go to ensure a functioning ecosystem for electromobility to thrive in, and are continuing to deliver on that commitment alongside our network of dedicated dealers – not just for BMW and MINI owners, but for electric vehicle owners in Malaysia," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser.

BMW Group Malaysia has been working on electrified mobility in the country since 2015, the year in which BMW i was first introduced locally. Since then, it has delivered over 21,000 electrified BMW and MINI to customers.


Parkopedia debuts indoor mapping services for automotive navigation use

                LONDON: Parkopedia has announced the launch of the production version of its indoor mapping technology for in-vehicle navigation use. Indoor maps are based on high-definition 3D models of indoor parking facilities, where GPS signal is typically restricted.

Indoor parking facilities currently present many challenges for drivers.

These include navigation system blackouts, finding a vehicle within large parking facilities, and locating vital services such as EV charging stations, a key area of focus for car manufacturers in their pursuit of delivering premium driver experiences for new EV owners.

Parkopedia’s indoor mapping technology can be used to deliver the following key use cases:

> In-vehicle indoor navigation - no GPS dead zones
> Precise indoor positioning - locate your vehicle
> Automated Valet Parking - self-parking cars require indoor maps

As the automotive industry embraces a connected future, indoor mapping technology will deliver further key benefits to users. For drivers, this would mean never being lost again within parking facilities and enabling end-to-end, uninterrupted navigation to available parking spaces, independent of GPS availability. In addition, vehicle indoor positioning without GPS is a fundamental step in enabling autonomous parking.

Finding EV chargers is still a significant pain point in the automotive industry as drivers transition to electric vehicles.

Ensuring fast and easy access to public charging points is essential for automakers looking to persuade drivers to switch to electric vehicles.

The largest concern with drivers is around range anxiety and where to find available charge points.

Many chargers are hidden away in remote areas of parking facilities, with unclear signage and no navigation option to access these locations, only amplifying the issue.

To address this, Parkopedia has developed "as built" indoor maps based on current layouts, as opposed to "as designed" when EV chargers and other services were not featured in the original plans.

This gives drivers the most accurate and fresh view of parking spaces and EV chargers, enabling seamless navigation regardless of GPS availability or on-site signage.

Parkopedia’s indoor mapping solution supports common industry mapping formats required to deliver an end-to-end navigation user experience.

For self-driving cars that will go on sale in the near future, indoor maps will enable Automated Valet Parking, which will be one of the first use cases due to high driver demand, slower driving speeds and controlled environments inside parking facilities.

Parkopedia has already mapped key parking facilities across Europe, with coverage increasing daily. In the coming months, Parkopedia will expand this coverage into new regions to cater to growing OEM and driver demands.


Fiat boss Marchionne dies at 66

Marchionne was known for his perseverance, hard negotiating skills and candour. - Reuters
MILAN: Former Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne has died after a 14-year career in which he helped to rescue the carmaker, the news arriving today moments before the group reported a surprisingly heavy fall in profit.

The announcement of the death of Marchionne, one of the auto industry’s most tenacious and respected CEOs, drew tributes from rivals and tears from his closest colleagues, a collective grief that overshadowed a big sell-off in Fiat Chrysler shares.

He had fallen gravely ill after what the company had described as shoulder surgery in a Zurich hospital. He was replaced as chief executive last weekend after Fiat Chrysler (FCA) said his condition had worsened.

FCA’s scheduled second-quarter earnings presentation, led by Marchionne’s successor and former lieutenant Mike Manley, began this afternoon with a minute’s silence.

As eulogies flooded in, FCA shares fell up to 10 percent as investors digested an unexpected 35 percent fall in net profit, well below market forecasts.

“Unfortunately, what we feared has come to pass. Sergio Marchionne, man and friend, is gone,” FCA chairman John Elkann, scion of the controlling Agnelli family, said in a statement.

 Elkann and Marchionne in a file pic.

Marchionne rescued Fiat and Chrysler from bankruptcy after taking the wheel of the Italian carmaker in 2004 and he multiplied Fiat’s value 11 times through 14 years of canny dealmaking. He was due to step down at FCA in April next year.

“The best way to honour his memory is to build on the legacy he left us, continuing to develop the human values of responsibility and openness of which he was the most ardent champion,” Elkann added.

On Saturday, FCA named Jeep division head Manley, 54, as head of the world’s seventh-largest carmaker, saying the Briton would execute a strategy that Marchionne had outlined in June.

FCA has said Manley will work to ensure a “strong and independent” future for the group.

On Saturday, Marchionne was also replaced as chairman and CEO of Ferrari and chairman of tractor maker CNH Industrial, both spun off from FCA.

Underlining the task facing Manley, FCA cut its full-year earnings outlook after the weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings. It blamed the result on a weaker performance in China, a market that represents one of new CEO’s immediate headaches.

“The biggest challenges we face and frankly we’re going to continue to face ... are all focused in China,” Manley said.

FCA has yet to make any significant inroads in China.

In Marchionne’s June plan, FCA pledged to boost production of sport utility vehicles and invest in electric and hybrid cars to double operating profit by 2022. It unveiled bold targets for Jeep, FCA’s profit engine.

The future appears less clear at Ferrari, which Marchionne had been due to lead until 2021.

Tributes arrived from industry figures and politicians worldwide, praising his perseverance, hard negotiating skills and candour.

Marchionne resurrected one of Italy’s biggest corporate names and revitalised Chrysler, succeeding where the US company’s two previous owners - Mercedes parent Daimler and private equity group Cerberus - both failed.

“Sergio Marchionne was one of the most respected leaders in the industry whose creativity and bold determination helped to restore Chrysler to financial health and grow Fiat Chrysler into a profitable global automaker,” said Ford Motor Co executive chairman Bill Ford Jr.

Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche in a post on Linkedin said, “The auto industry has lost a real giant. And many of us have lost a very dear friend: Sergio Marchionne.”

Marchionne flattened an inflexible hierarchy, replacing layers of middle management with a meritocratic leadership style. He slashed costs by reducing the number of vehicle architectures and creating joint ventures to pool development and plant costs.

A tough negotiator known for getting his way, in 2005 Marchionne forced GM to pay Fiat US$2 billion not to exercise an option to sell its auto division to the US carmaker - a move that may not have helped his later merger overtures.

Marchionne’s track record with operational turnarounds was a little more patchy than his dealmaking.

Profitability in Europe is only now gradually recovering, and Alfa Romeo has yet to turn a profit.

In North America, however, Marchionne was quick to end production of unprofitable sedans and retool plants to build pricier SUVs and trucks, a move since emulated by Ford and GM.


Aug 15-21: Fuel prices all up

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices will rise across the board from Aug 15 to Aug 21.

The Finance Ministry said that RON97 petrol would be priced at RM1.98 per litre, up five sen from RM1.93 previously.

The price of RON95 petrol will also increase by five sen from RM1.63 per litre to RM1.68 per litre, while the price of diesel will go up by three sen from RM1.79 per litre to RM1.82 per litre.
The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5,2019 under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).

Under this system, fuel prices are announced every Friday and remain in force for one week.


Driver who blocked ambulance claims medical distress for committing offence

                PETALING JAYA: The driver of a Perodua Myvi who was caught obstructing an ambulance on the emergency lane of the Federal Highway claimed that he was rushing to pick up his medicine left in his taxi.

The 54-year-old taxi driver, who surrendered to police on Wednesday, told officers that his medication for diabetes and heart condition was in his stalled taxi at Glenmarie.

Selangor traffic chief Supt Kamaludin Mohamad said the man did not take the medication for more than 24 hours.

“He was unaware that an ambulance was behind his Myvi, and only noticed it when he looked into the rearview mirror. He tried to give way to the ambulance but he could not,” he explained.

The man was fined for abusing the emergency lane.

Photographs and videoclips of his actions on the highway were uploaded on social media.

The car had its left indicator on, refusing to give way to the ambulance as others abusing the emergency lane moved aside. The Myvi then braked suddenly, almost causing the ambulance to collide with it.

In an unrelated case, two police reports have been lodged against a Myvi driver who allegedly insulted a Road Transport Department (JPJ) officer after he was caught driving on the emergency lane at the North-South Expressway.

The driver was issued a notice in Perak at around 4.25pm on Jan 27.

However, he allegedly tried to bribe the officer. The offer was rebuffed and the driver accepted the notice and drove away.

Later that night, the same officer who was at the PLUS office in Tapah, received a screenshot of the driver’s WeChat message that was shared on a WhatsApp group chat. The driver apparently published photos of his encounter with the officer earlier, accompanied by vulgarities directed at the PLUS personnel.

In the comment section, the Myvi driver claimed that he used the emergency lane because he was rushing back for the Chinese New Year reunion dinner.

Peninsula JPJ Officers Union president Hamzah Masri confirmed the incident.

The JPJ officer lodged the first report in Perak on Jan 28, while the union filed another in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

JPJ deputy director-general (management) Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman urged JPJ officers to file a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if they were offered bribes by traffic offenders.


Ford makes U-turn, now says wants to make own EV batteries

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co has reversed course and is now considering making its own battery cells as sales volumes of electric vehicles rise around the world, the automaker's top executive said.

“We are discussing (battery) cell manufacturing,” Ford’s chief executive officer Jim Farley said Friday at the Reuters Automotive Summit teleconference. “I think that’s natural as (EV) volume grows.”

As recently as last July, then-CEO Jim Hackett said there was “no advantage” to Ford making its own battery cells.

In the meantime, other automakers, including General Motors Co and Tesla Inc, are investing billions of dollars in their own battery cell manufacturing plants to supplement production from suppliers.

Industry analysts have presented sometimes conflicting views on whether battery cell manufacturers will be able to keep up with an anticipated acceleration of demand for electric vehicles through 2025 and beyond.

While Ford's publicly announced electric vehicle production plans so far have remained relatively modest, GM and Hyundai Motor Co have said they plan to be building and selling one million electric vehicles a year by 2025, and Volkswagen AG  has targeted annual sales of 3 million EVs then for all its global brands.