Toyota Capital Malaysia introduces Kinto One car subscription plan

                SHAH ALAM: Kinto One, a car subscription-based programme which is available in the Americas, major countries of Asia with a strong presence in Europe, has arrived in Malaysia.

Introduced locally by Toyota Capital Malaysia, Kinto One allows a new medium to owning and driving a car without all the hassles associated with the traditionally popular hire purchase facility.

Originating from the Japanese word kinto-un, which means "flying nimbus", the programme comes with a fixed monthly subscription that covers registration of the vehicle, annual comprehensive insurance and road tax, periodic maintenance as well as preventive maintenance.

Subscription period comes in either two years or three years and once the subscription period is completed, the customer is to just simply return the car to Toyota Malaysia and everything else will be taken care of, thus freeing customers from the worry of residual value of the car and how to dispose of it.

Toyota Capital Malaysia president Thomas Chai said: “Kinto One is the direct translation of a strategic partnership between Toyota Capital Malaysia and UMW Toyota Motor and is a distinctly curated respond to the new generation lifestyle seeking for mobility.

READ MORE: BMW joins Audi, Mercedes-Benz to end its Netflix-For-Cars programmes

"It is about the shift of consumer behavior from car ownership to car usership. It is about Toyota’s vision of Mobility for All.”

He said customers would get the most value of their car at the same price throughout the contract period, particularly when all the scheduled periodic and preventive maintenance costs are included.

"This simply means customers really do not have to pay for anything else; be it oil change and all the labor cost associated to servicing the car and not even tyres nor battery change among many others. Everything is all truly inclusive," he said.

Chai also said Kinto One customers should be very well comforted as the complete range of services and maintenance would be handled by authorised Toyota dealers with genuine parts and the customers would also be covered under comprehensive takaful insurance coverage with 24-hour emergency assistance.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said Kinto One is new and revolutionary, and aims to cater to the newer generation of car owners seeking for freedom and mobility through its all-inclusive fixed monthly subscription plan.

Kinto One is exclusively available online at www.kinto-my.com where customers can view the car models available, decide on which subscription plan that suits them and apply online.

Current models include Toyota Vios, Yaris, Corolla, Innova, Fortuner and Camry with many more models coming soon, including Lexus cars.


Chevrolet Colorado Sport and Cruze Sport launched

                PETALING JAYA: The Chevrolet Colorado Sport and Cruze Sport are new variants introduced locally and  are now open for booking.

The  Colorado Sport is based on the Colorado LTZ Muscle which boasts a 2.8L four-cylinder DOHC Duramax diesel engine which delivers 200PS at 3600 rpm and a best in class 500Nm of torque at 2000rpm, making the Colorado Sport the most powerful in its segment.

 Chevrolet Colorado Sport.

The updated Colorado Sport edition comes with a rugged and aerodynamic styling which includes stylish frontbumper guard, side fender, door visor, rear roll bar, and 18 inch alloy wheels. The interior comes with premium full leather seats and leather door trims and reverse camera too.

The new variant offers superior handling with fully adjustable suspension. The sports suspension improves ride comfort and on-road handling while the lowered height adds to the overall aggressive look.

 The interior of the Colorado Sport.

The Chevrolet Colorado Sport is priced at RM138,967 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance and road tax. It comes with a warranty package of 3 years or 100,000km (whichever comes first).

The Chevrolet Cruze Sport boasts a new stylish and sleek design which includes a new front fascia, aerodynamic design body kit, added door visor and alloy light weight wheels.

The Cruze Sport interior includes premium leather seats, LED door still plate and added foot rest.

 Chevrolet Cruze Sport.

The new Cruze edition comes with a multi information display with personalised settings – conveniently displayed contacts, music, provides connectivity for Bluetooth and USB applications. It also utilises advanced technology with its remote keyless entry and Passive Entry Push Start (PEPS) that makes for greater convenience.

Under the bonnet, the Cruze Sport is powered by the 1.8L Ecotec DCVCP – a powerful and efficient engine of 140PS and 167Nm of torque with double continuous variable cam phasing technology for smooth and efficient driving experience plus improved fuel optimization.

The Chevrolet Cruze Sport is priced at RM122,868 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance and road tax. It comes with a warranty package of 5 years or 200,000km (whichever comes first).

 Cruze Sport interior.

“The introduction of the Chevrolet Colorado Sport and Chevrolet Cruze Sport adds a fresh new styling and performance twist to the models. The new sport models offer customers a distinctive ownership experience and styling option. As an added incentive, we are offering enticing cash rebates and a chance to watch the Manchester United vs. Chelsea game live in Old Trafford for those who purchase the cars,” said Naza Quest vice president 1, Thoo Ai Wuen.

Each of the model are also available in lower-priced variants. There's a Colorado LTZ  at RMRM113,782 and a Cruze LT at RM108,812.

Chevrolet is offering cash rebates of RM12,500 for Cruze Sport and RM6,000 for Colorado Sport . The cash rebate campaign ends while stocks last. Both Colorado and Cruze Sport editions will be showcased to the public at the upcoming One Utama Auto Fair, Highstreet Zone from Dec 2 to 6, 2015.

Chevrolet in Malaysia is offering customers who register any model from now to December 10, 2015, a chance to participate in the ‘Manchester United For Life’ contest.

The Grand Prize is a2 VIP Hospitality match tickets to watch the Manchester United vs. Chelsea game at Old Trafford on Dec 28, 2015. The package also includes 2 air flight tickets and 5 days/4nights’ hotel accommodation.


Dr M quits as Proton chairman, exits Lotus as well

                KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has resigned as Proton Holdings chairman. He has also stepped down as chairman of Group Lotus plc, a wholly-owned Proton subsidiary.

The resignation came into effect on Wednesday, a media release on Dr Mahathir’s blog, chedet.cc, said.

A letter of resignation has been sent to Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad, Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar on Wednesday.

“Dr Mahathir has also relinquished his post as the chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Petronas, also effective Mar 30, 2016. His decision has been communicated to UTP Rector Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim,” the statement said.

Apart from the two positions, Dr Mahathir has also resigned as adviser to the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) and the Tioman Island Development Authority (Tida).

The Chief Secretary to the Government has been informed of these resignations.

In a press release, Proton thanked Dr Mahathir for his contributions to the company over the years.

“We respect his wish to step down; we would like to register our utmost appreciation for his valuable contribution, commitment and dedication for his role as chairman since 2014 as well as an advisor since 2003. We would like to express our gratitude and recognise Tun Dr Mahathir’s role as the creator of the national car company,” the company said.

On March 11, Dr Mahathir was axed as Petronas adviser following a unanimous decision by the Cabinet.

The reason given was that as Dr Mahathir no longer supports the current leadership, he should no longer hold any position related to the Government.

The termination came after Dr Mahathir’s continued attacks against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and upon launching the “citizen’s declaration” with Opposition leaders.

Dr Mahathir quit Umno on Feb 29, citing a loss of faith in the party.


New variant added to refreshed Proton Exora

                SHAH ALAM: Proton has refreshed the Exora and the model now comes with a new variant - the Exora Super Premium (SP) which replaces the Prime variant.

"We are introducing the SP that not only provides you with a powerful turbo boost to the 1.6L engine, it also boasts an extra handsome look to the family MPV," said Proton CEO Abdul Harith Abdullah.

"We are also introducing a new look to the existing variants of Proton Exora which are sportier with upgraded features to the exterior."

The Premium and Super Premium variants have upgraded safety and are reinforced with more safety features such as side airbags, which means the Exora now comes equipped with four airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) and daytime running lights.

The refreshed Exora gets mod cons such as font and rear power windows, reverse camera and rear-view mirror with image across all variants.

The Premium and SP variants meanwhile come with auto cruise feature, audio switches on its steering wheel and a DVD player.

Enhancements to the MPV include steering wheel with leather wrap for better grip, new finishing to the centre console for a sharper look, ergonomic leather seats in the higher variant for extra comfortable driving, rear air-cond vents for better cabin comfort and rear smoked combi-lamps styled after sports cars.

Proton said it has managed to offer these enhancements by cutting the sticker price by as much as 5.8% or RM4,710 for selected variants.

The Exora is open for booking nationwide and test drive units are available at all showrooms now.

Test-drive units are the Premium version while the Super Premium variant can be viewed at selected Proton showrooms.

Seven colours are available: Solid White, Elegant Brown, Cocoa Grey, Genetic Silver and Tranquility Black while Luxury Blue and Indiana Grey are two new colours introduced for the new Exora models.

"We have sold a total of 128,824 units of the Exora to the public since we launched  it in 2009. The model is not only a popular choice in Malaysia but also in neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia as well," said Harith.

Proton expects to sell 2,000 units of the Exora a month. The MPV comes with a three-year warranty or 100,000km, whichever comes first.


What could be expected from Tesla Model 3

                LOS ANGELES: Tesla is getting ready for its biggest-ever unveiling: the Model 3, the US$35,000 sedan designed to take electric cars mainstream. As the fateful date approaches, the company has been dropping hints about what to expect from a project that has been a decade in the making.

Roomy, Like an Audi A4
The Model 3 will be about 20 percent smaller than the Model S, or roughly the size of an Audi A4, said Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk. The A4 is a five-seater that feels a bit roomier than some of its rivals in the compact luxury category. (The Model 3 will compete with BMW's 3 series in the class of entry luxury cars). Backseat riders might gain some leg room because an electric drive-train obviates the need for a transmission tunnel, the hump in the middle of the floor. There's also no engine in an electric car, and Tesla likes to use that empty space for a “frunk"-front trunk-for extra storage. Will that feature survive in the smaller Model 3?

READ MORE:
First drive of Model 3 via PersicopeWatch live stream of Model 3 launchReady to Ride
The Model 3 is now the company's top priority and is "going to be probably the most profound car that we make,” according to Musk. At this week's event, a working prototype will be ready onsite to take reporters for “a quick spin,” according to invitations sent out March 15. Musk had previously indicated he might not show the full car, which won't officially go on sale until late 2017. It will be interesting to see how “finished” the prototype is and determine how much is still being worked out.

A Mini Model S?
The biggest unknown about the Model 3 is its look. Will it have the distinctive oval front end of the Model S or the tight- lipped mouth of the Model X? What about those huge windshields? Tesla may have given a clue with the invitations, which feature pictures of the Model S, the Model X, and a silhouette in place of the Model 3. As some Tesla watchers have pointed out, the silhouette is a perfect match for the Model S. So was the image just a Photoshop trick, or will the Model 3 look very much like a shorter version of the Model S? When asked via e-mail if the company would like to clarify, a Tesla spokesperson simply replied: “Ha.”

Reservation for 3
Tesla is reportedly already taking reservations from employees looking to buy the Model 3 and will offer the rest of us the same chance at its showrooms on the morning of March 31, before the unveiling. Online reservations at the newly acquired domain Tesla.com begin at the start of the event-8:30 p.m. West Coast time. A deposit of US$1,000 is required up front, but it's refundable at any time.

Get in Line
Even if Tesla's late 2017 delivery goal is successful-a big if, given the company's record of missing deadlines-it could still be a while before production ramps up. Whenever deliveries start, reservations from previous Tesla owners and those buying highly optioned versions of the car will be first in line. Early adopters of the Model 3 queued up outside of showrooms around the world on Thursday to put down money on a vehicle that none of them have yet seen. Some fans even camped overnight to be first in line for the privilege of paying the US$1,000 deposit. In response to the outpouring of interest-and money, Musk promised a surprise to those who waited in line.

No Signature Series
Unlike Tesla's premium luxury cars, the Model 3 won't come in a souped-up Signature Series. Don't worry, though. The carmaker will still be happy to take your money for upgrades, possibly including a bigger battery, all-wheel drive, autopilot, and ludicrous speed. In February, Musk expressed regret over how a hefty US$140,000 Signature Series price tag became associated with the Model X SUV before the rollout of the US$80,000 base version. Tesla has been careful to brand the new Model 3 as a US$35,000 car and will want to keep it that way, even if the average bill ends up closer to US$50,000.

Free Range
Tesla promises a range of at least 200 miles per charge. If it offers the same 60 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery pack planned for the 2017 Chevy Bolt, its range could beat that mile- marker considerably, based on the Model 3's small size and the performance of other, larger Teslas. It's even conceivable that Tesla could meet its 200-mile goal with a cheaper 50 kWh pack. On the flip side, upgrades could allow for batteries as big as the 90 kWh pack currently available on the Model S.

There Will Only Be One (For Now).
Despite some speculation to the contrary, only one car is to be unveiled this week: the Model 3 sedan. Rumors circulated that Tesla might also announce a crossover vehicle, but the company says this event will focus exclusively on the Model 3. The Model 3's skateboard chassis will be used for additional models later, beginning with the popular crossover class, according to the company. (One person not likely to be seen at the Model 3 unveiling: Tesla's former chief spokesman, Ricardo Reyes. He left the company just two weeks before the unveiling; neither Reyes nor the company has offered an explanation.)

All-New Platform
This will be Tesla's third auto platform: the Roadster, the Model S and X, and now the Model 3. To make the Model 3 affordable and adaptable, Tesla had to start from the ground up. “For better or worse, most of Model 3 has to be new,” Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel said in October. “It's a new battery architecture, it's a new motor technology, brand new vehicle structure. It's a lot of work.” Straubel, Musk, and Jason Wheeler, Telsa's new chief financial officer, have stressed how much the Model 3 has been designed for ease of manufacturing in order to move quickly and cheaply into mass production numbers. Question: How much of the car will be made of lightweight aluminum vs. cheaper steel?

About Those New Batteries
The new battery's composition will particularly interest electric vehicle watchers because it accounts for a third of each car's price tag. Any significant improvements in cost or energy density could help push the entire industry forward. In a February earnings call, Musk assured investors that Tesla's massive battery factory in Nevada is on schedule and will be producing both battery cells and finished packs by the end of this year. “You shouldn't worry about the Gigafactory as a constraint,” Musk said.

At What Price?
The basic Model 3 will cost US$35,000 before government incentives, which in the US range from US$7,500 to more than US$13,000, depending on the state. Tesla's federal incentives will begin to phase out when the company reaches 200,000 in cumulative US sales-probably in 2018, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That could reduce the chance of anyone getting their hands on a Tesla for less than US$30,000, as initial deliveries will be for pricier versions of the car.

Expect Fewer Whistles
In addition to being “a slightly smaller version of the Model S," Musk said in Hong Kong in January, "it won’t have quite as many bells and whistles.” Will the company keep its standard 17-inch dashboard touchscreen? Brake assist? Cupholders? What new tricks might Tesla have up its sleeve? New Factories, Coming Soon
In addition to the flagship Fremont Factory in California, which the company has been building at a rapid clip, and the battery Gigafactory in Nevada, Tesla aims to open additional Model 3 factories in China and Europe as soon as 2018.

Autonomous-Ready
The Model 3 will probably come equipped with sensors for autonomous driving, even if Tesla will require additional fees to activate them. In January, Musk predicted that in 10 to 15 years, all new cars will be autonomous. He also said that roughly a third of people will forgo car ownership in favor of shared car services such as Uber, or the Tesla equivalent.

Long Warranty
The Model 3 will have a warranty similar to that for the Model S, including an eight-year, infinite-mile, transferable warranty on the battery pack and drive unit, Musk said on Twitter in August 2014. That's important because Consumer Reports dinged the company last year for reports of excessive drivetrain problems.

Don’t Call It the Model III
The car's logo may be three parallel bars, but don’t call it the Model III, Musk told followers on Twitter. The bars should be horizontal, similar to the stylized “E” in the Tesla logo. That's no mistake: Musk originally wanted to call it the Model E, which would spell out “SEX” with his full lineup of Model names. He had to settle for “Model 3” because Ford wouldn’t give up the trademark it owns.

Reason for Scepticism
The Model S is now the best-selling large luxury vehicle in the US With the Model 3, Tesla will be competing in a much larger, better-established category. No matter how much some electric car enthusiasts care about reducing pollution, good intentions don't sell category-winning cars. The Model 3 will need to compete on its merits: drivability, reliability, safety, cost, convenience, comfort, and style. Tesla has a good record, but so does its new class of peers.


Hyundai Motor fourth-quarter profit jumps 57% on demand for SUVs and Genesis

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co today posted a 57% jump in quarterly profit on strong demand for high-margin SUVs and its premium Genesis cars, but results came in slightly below expectations due to the impact of a strong South Korean won.

Hyundai, which together with affiliate Kia Corp is among the world’s top 10 automakers, reported a net profit of 1.3 trillion won (RM4.8bil) for the fourth quarter ended December, versus 804 billion won a year earlier.

That fell short of the 1.5 trillion won (RM5.5bil) average of 16 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv.

 Genesis G80.

Revenue rose 5% to 29.2 trillion won (RM10.7bil), Hyundai said in a regulatory filing.

“Hyundai had a good fourth quarter, especially in the United States, where higher average-selling-price cars such as SUVs saw increasing demand as consumers shun public transit because of COVID-19 and low gasoline prices,” said Lee Han-joon, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities.

“Holiday deals helped as well.”

Hyundai also saw solid demand for its cars last year in emerging markets such as India, despite the pandemic, but delivered a loss in the October quarter as it provisioned for a big engine-quality related bill.

Demand for its vehicles from car-rental companies that purchase in bulk are however still tepid, analysts said, although sales of its luxury cars remain a bright spot.

 Genesis GV70.

Hyundai is making a big push into electric vehicles (EVs) and has said it will introduce an EV-only platform in early 2021 that will use its own battery technology to cut production time and costs.

Analysts expect a boost to its EV sales this year despite a global recall of Kona Electric due to fires.

Recent news that Hyundai was discussing an electric car and battery tie-up with Apple Inc pushed up the automaker’s shares by the most in more than three decades.

Hyundai shares, up over a third this month, were down 2.3% as of 0519 GMT versus the broader KOSPI’s 3% fall.

 Hyundai Ioniq 5 teaser.


Nissan prices the GT-R Nismo to compete

                TOKYO: When Nissan's supercar goes on sale this fall it will challenge a Porsche 911 Turbo S in terms of performance, practicality and price.

The GT-R has always been an incredible driving experience regardless of specification level or levels of engine tune. But with the latest generation, the car is finally a complete package in terms of styling, handling and, crucially for cars in the US$174,990 price bracket - because that's how much the Nismo model will cost - interior quality.

The 3.8-litre hand-built twin turbo engine sitting under the reinforced hood (strengthened for extra structural rigidity and better handling) can output 600hp and 650Nm of torque, which is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed dual clutch sequential transmission. All of which makes it, according to Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc "Our most exclusive and fastest road-going GT-R ever."

Just how fast exactly is yet to be revealed but Nissan is aiming to announce those figures alongside a new record Nürburgring lap time. After all, the famed circuit is where the Nismo model was conceived and developed.

As well as more horsepower and torque than any other GT-R model currently on sale, the Nismo comes with carbon fibre front and rear bumpers plus carbon fiber side sills and a hand-made dry carbon rear spoiler.

The exhaust is formed from lightweight titanium, there's lightweight independent suspension all around but with added roll stiffness, and the body itself has been given extra adhesive bonding on top of spot welding for optimal rigidity - an absolute necessity when cornering at the speeds and with the force that a GT-R can - it's not called Godzilla for nothing.

However, this time round the fastest GT-R is also the most comfortable. The simplified dashboard - Nissan has cleared away 16 switches and knobs of clutter to leave just 11 to cut distraction - is wrapped in Alcantara suede.

The sports steering wheel is also trimmed in the same material and gets the red 12 o'clock mark so that it's easy to tell how far the wheel is twisted round at any moment.

The centre console gets a bigger, clearer 8-inch touchscreen, while the seats are Recaro racing seats and are finished in black leather with red accents.


Bentley to get new boss from Feb 1

Hallmark.
LONDON: A Sept 22 report of a management change in Bentley was finally confirmed by the company itself this month.

Adrian Hallmark will be the new chairman and CEO of Bentley, replacing Wolfgang Dürheimer, who retires from the company.

Hallmark starts his new role on Feb 1.

The management change was first reported last month by Germany’s Manager Magazin.

Hallmark’s appointment marks one of four senior leadership changes at Bentley with new board members for engineering; sales and marketing; and people, digitalisation and IT.

Hallmark, 55, joins Bentley from Jaguar Land Rover, where he has held the role of global strategy director. He has more than 18 years of automotive board level experience from the US, Europe and Asia with Porsche, Volkswagen, SAAB and Bentley Motors.

During his time at Bentley, he was a board member for sales, marketing and PR and played a key role in the introduction of the Continental GT in 2003.

Dürheimer, 59, will continue to take a key role advising Volkswagen Group motorsport.


JPJ to resume full counter operations from May 18, says Wee

Cash payments would only be allowed between 8am and 11am while payments via debit or credit cards will be accepted between 8am and 4pm on weekends. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will resume full counter operations, including those at Pos Malaysia branches, on May 18 (Monday), says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

"At the moment, JPJ personnel nationwide are making final preparations for full operations to get under way, including ensuring that safety and health requirements are fulfilled," he said in a statement issued today.

He added that JPJ was also co-ordinating with banks to ensure that its services will return to normal next week.

Dr Wee noted that prior to this, JPJ had been opening its counters in phases following the Government's decision to open up the economy under the conditional movement control order (MCO) for specific matters until May 17.

"JPJ will also operate seven days a week to allow backlogged matters to be settled as soon as possible to avoid congestion of existing individual and commercial clients.

"This operation will continue until an order to stop is issued later," he added.

He said JPJ will operate between 8am and 4pm on working days and between 8am and 1pm on weekends, adding that the 8am to 1pm operating time would apply for several states which off days fall on Friday and Saturday.

He added that cash payments for all matters at JPJ branches would only be allowed between 8am and 11am while non-cash payments or e-payments via debit or credit cards will be accepted between 8am and 4pm on weekends.

Dr Wee reminded the public that private vehicle owners are still subject to the exemption from renewal of driving licences and motorcycle licences under the MCO on condition that they are covered by valid insurance.

He said JPJ counters would close for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations from May 23 to 26 and will resume operations on May 27.

He reminded the public and JPJ personnel to adhere to the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.


Aston Martin is delivering something rare these days: good news

                LONDON: A triple-digit sales increase this year hasn’t managed to bail it out of multimillion-dollar profit losses, but for the first time in a long time, Aston Martin might be on the upswing.

On Aug 24, financial regulators announced they’d found no wrongdoing after allegations of insider trading between Aston Martin Lagonda and Daimler AG.

The investigation by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (known as BaFin) had examined the purchase of a stake in Aston Martin by Mercedes-Benz’s Formula One boss, which was suspicious because of the relationship between the two brands.

Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes, owns a minority stake in Aston Martin.

It was another recent victory for the storied British automaker, after a long list of fails and flails.

The company has a long tradition of habitual mismanagement over its 108-year history, which led to seven bankruptcies, the last of which was in 1974, and a close call as recently as 2014.

Just a few years ago, its product portfolio alternated between boring and garish (the Aston Martin DB11 Volante circa 2018, for one). And who can forget the abysmal IPO, when shares fell 6.5% on the day of their debut and plummeted 75% soon after?

The company’s association with James Bond only goes so far-it sells fewer than 5,000 vehicles globally each year, a tiny fraction of the many hundreds of thousands sold by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche AG. In 2020, Aston Martin sold 4,150 vehicles worldwide, down 32% from 2019.

But this year is already stronger. In July, the company announced a 224% sales increase for the first half of 2021.

The company sold 2,901 vehicles worldwide in the first half of 2021, more than half of them the US$189,000 DBX SUV.

Aston Martin says it’s on pace to sell 6,000 vehicles by the end of 2021.

"It’s a complicated journey,” CEO Tobias Moers said during an interview Aug 14 in Carmel, Calif. "But it was really a vicious year.”

Since taking the helm in August 2020, the taciturn German has tabled the planned-for rejuvenation of the house of Lagonda; closed the paint shop in Gaydon, England, in favour of carting cars back and forth to Wales; managed a deeply slashed workforce; scuttled plans for a V6 engine for the Valhalla and Vanquish; and switched planned production of the US$3 million Valkyrie hypercar from a big bespoke space back to the main factory.

"It was very reasonable to do,” he said in the curt way that gives Germans who grew up in the Black Forest the reputation for being tough.

Workers "who see a Vantage and a Valkyrie beside them-it gives them more energy.” And it may be the bitter tonic the pride of Warwickshire needs.

 Moers.Gaining momentum

Things at Aston Martin started to improve when Canadian fashion billionaire Lawrence Stroll bought a 16.7% stake in the company last year.

In August 2020, Stroll hired former Mercedes-AMG boss and two-decade Daimler veteran Moers as his top deputy; he in turn convinced some of his best lieutenants from AMG to join him.

A 2013 technology-sharing agreement with 5% shareholder Mercedes-Benz got supercharged to 20% when Stroll bought in.

On March 3, Stroll told Bloomberg TV that the brand’s sports cars were sold out until September and order intake for the new DBX is ahead of expectations.

Coronavirus helped too, Moers said. "It helped us stay focused. We didn’t have any distractions. We just stayed 14 hours a day, 14 hours a day. It’s a different perspective on a pandemic, I know, and it sounds strange, but it is the truth.”

Not there yet

Analysts noticed. In January, Citigroup’s head of European automotive research upgraded Aston Martin to Buy from Neutral.

By July, Goldman Sachs number crunchers were telling buyers that Aston Martin was "seeing the payback from hard work last year.”

A July 28 market report from Deutsche Bank saw "Aston Martin ticking the boxes on what’s needed to build a track record and taking it one step at a time to deliver on the full-year targets.”

In August, Gillian Davis, an automotive analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, also found Aston Martin on the right track to eventually compete financially with the likes of Ferrari SpA and Porsche.

"Only a few brands are capable of selling high-margin US$1 million-plus-priced limited-edition supercars, and that club includes Aston Martin,” she wrote.

Michael Dean, the senior European automotive analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, was more reticent to offer a glowing endorsement, criticising the less-than-revolutionary technology in the DBX and noting that the company needs to provide more detail and milestones on how it’s going to achieve its new financial targets.

But, he said, the addition of Moers and his team is like "night and day” compared to previous management.

"They certainly aren’t out of the woods, and running down inventory and shifting to a demand-driven model was painful,” he said in an email.

"They need a total revamp of the sports car range, which will take another couple of years. And in the meantime [that] makes them even more reliant on DBX and limited-edition models.”

Aston’s free cash flow is expected to stay negative in 2021 despite turning positive in the first quarter.

But if the company follows its plan, it will be free-cash-flow positive by 2023, Dean said.

Planning for profitability

That plan involves an expanded product portfolio with at least two incoming mid-engine sports cars-the Valhalla supercar and Vanquish sports car. (These stand apart from Aston’s traditional, front-engined sports cars, such as the DBS, DB11, and Vantage.)

There’s also an EV lineup, developed through its partnership with Mercedes, and a multimillion-dollar investment to upgrade the infotainment systems for each of the new models.

Earlier this summer, the company unveiled the Moers-ordered revamped production version of its 950-horsepower Valhalla. The plug-in hybrid supercar will go into production in 2023. The price is expected to exceed US$700,000.

There will also be more-powerful new engine variants for the most essential part of Aston Martin’s portfolio, the DBX.

'By the first quarter of 2022, Moers says, Aston Martin will debut DBX engine variants, including a hybrid and a high-performance version that would theoretically compete against the best-selling Lamborghini Urus.

He even insists the Valkyrie will start deliveries by the end of 2021-after two years of delays. "It’s always a journey to change a culture,” Moers says.

"We are more open-minded. We have to be a bit more competitive, but we have a chance.”


BMW goes black with X5, X6 and X7

                MUNICH: BMW has spinned new variations of its X5, X6 and X7.

This time, the three models have gone decidedly black. The Munich automaker is offering up the X5 and X6 Black Vermilion editions. For the flagship X7 SUV, there's something called X7 edition in Frozen Black metallic.

The X5 and X6 colour scheme is more "shouty" while that in the X7 is more discreet.

The three models have been dependable moneyspinners for BMW even in the dark days of Covid-19.

In 2020 alone and with almost 250,000 units sold worldwide, the trio from Spartanburg, USA, contributed decisively towards the success of the brand. Around every eighth newly delivered BMW model was an X5, X6 or X7.

All three edition models go on sale with all engines available for each of their original models. They can be ordered with immediate effect, with the market launch beginning in August.

Prices in Germany start at €93,200 for the X5 Black Vermilion, €100,700 for the X6 Black Vermilion and €108,700 for the X7 in Frozen Black metallic (each including 19% sales tax).

BMW X5 and X6 Black Vermilion edition

The central focus of the Black Vermilion edition is the interplay between the colours black and red. For example, the BMW double kidney grille with model-specific red bars creates a contrast to the BMW Individual special paint finish Frozen Black metallic.

On the X6 Black Vermilion this visual highlight is expressed in combination with its kidney grille Iconic Glow. The M headlights Shadow Line with BMW laser light, including accented lighting with blue X signature, complete the distinctive look of the front end.

Moreover, the M Sport Package comprises, among other things, specific front and rear aprons as well as the M high-gloss Shadow Line with extended options. Behind the Orbit Grey matt, 22-inch, double-spoke 742 M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres designed exclusively for these edition models, red high-gloss M Sport brake callipers stand out.

In the interior of both models, the roof is lined by M Alcantara Anthracite material. An Edition logo on the cupholder cover in BMW Individual black piano finish emphasises the limited model’s exclusiveness.

The glass application Crafted Clarity on the iDrive Controller, the automatic gear selector and Start/Stop button, as well as the BMW Individual precious wood interior trim Fineline Black with aluminium inlays provide additional sophisticated accents.

Driver and front seat passenger travel in comfort seats offering a multitude of adjustment options. The BMW Individual full leather trim Merino Black is additionally enhanced by edition-specific red contrast stitching for both the driver’s seat and front passenger seat.

Inside the X5 Black Vermilion, the red accents are also to be found on the rear seats. Likewise, the edging on both the front and rear floor mats is finished in red. Sun-protective glass with more deeply tinted rear windows beyond the B-pillar enhances passenger privacy whilst blending in with the exterior design.

BMW X7 edition in Frozen Black metallic

Like the Black Vermilion editions, the X7 edition also has the BMW Individual special paint finish Frozen Black metallic, dispensing, however, with details in contrasting colour.

The BMW M Sport brake callipers of the edition-specific, 22-inch BMW Individual Y-spoke 758 I alloy wheels in Orbit Grey matt are finished in high gloss black.

Combined with the M Sport Package and the M High Gloss Shadow Line with extended options, it is this colour restraint in particular that make the 5.15-metre long and over 2-metre wide seven-seater look more impressive.

The interior of the X7 edition in Frozen Black metallic provides for an elegantly discreet atmosphere thanks to the M Alcantara Anthracite roof liner, the glass application Crafted Clarity and sun-protection glass.


Subaru XV Eyesight GT Edition: Sportier and safer

THE Subaru XV has evolved subtly since its launch here in 2017 and for 2022, the latest edition model comes with a pair of ‘eyes’ to see better and avoid any possible collisions.

This refers to the cameras located at the top section of the front windscreen that come into play in three scenarios – averting possible collisions, keeping lane discipline and adaptive cruise control with lead vehicle start alert.

During our week-long acquaintance with the ‘Eyesight’ Driver Assistant Technology in the new XV GT Edition, our impressions were mainly on the collision aspect.

We turned off the Lane Departure warning system as the beeps that sounded when we strayed from our lane, mostly unintentionally on light traffic roads, could drive us and our passengers up the wall.

Since we drove the XV GT Edition mostly in urban areas and the occasional highway cruises, we didn’t use the Cruise Control functions, which we weren’t fond of using in the first place.

The Eyesight technology mostly came into play with warning beeps when we approached the vehicle in front a bit too quickly and would apply the brakes if we didn’t ease off the accelerator or hit the brakes.

We experienced the brakes being applied strongly once when we approached the toll gate and the vehicle in front using the Smart Tag lane didn’t move off quick enough.

Likewise, at much slower speeds in urban areas, should it detect an item in front, mainly pedestrians, it would activate the beeps initially.

And when we thought we could get away by inching forward without braking in anticipation of the pedestrian moving away quickly, the Eyesight system applied the brakes hard.

It might have been applied momentarily to avoid a ‘collision’ with car or human, but that instant could have been vital should things go wrong.

Another area of electronics being applied is the parking brake that has seen to a cleaner central console layout.

In the place of the pull and release parking brake lever, there is now an innocuous button for that as well as the button for the new dual-function X-mode item for getting out of mudholes.

Other than that, we enjoyed the ride comfort that XV GT Edition provided with its well-tuned suspension, this being the independently sprung design with MacPherson struts and double wishbone.

As we drove over our daily patches of potholes, rutted surfaces, speedbumps and rumble strips, the suspension soaked up the impacts and harshness well to give even more premium cars a run for the money.

Yet, when we took the XV GT Edition through the sharper bends along the various routes we often used, its stable dynamics with minimal body lean led us to explore its limits further the next time.

We were still exploring that aspect of this XV GT Edition after six days and this strong dynamic factor could be attributed to Subaru’s foray in world rallying events not too longer ago.

Its experience in tuning suspension for performance and comfort was probably honed through its involvement in the highest level of motor sports.

If we had to knock the XV GT Edition, it has to be the unexpectedly higher level of road noise that was noticeable when we approached speeds of 80kph and above.

While this road roar might be cancelled out somewhat by the wind noise on highways, it was still something that offset its pleasant image somewhat.

Other positives are its lively Boxer engine; Subaru appears to be the only carmaker that still retains this unusual engine – twin opposed cylinder layout that we used to label as the hammerhead shark in the old days.

It runs smoothly enough and the 2.0-litre Boxer engine has ample power to offer – 156PS and 196Nm of torque – with transmission options to tap this output.

The Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) with seven-speed manual mode channels power to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

We could either leave the CVT in D(rive) mode or push the lever to Manual mode and use the steering wheel paddle shifters.

Or we could leave it in D and choose either ‘I’ (for Intelligent) or ‘S’ (for Sport) via the respective button on the steering wheel; this is the new SI-DRIVE (Subaru Intelligent Drive).

Sport mode had the engine running higher by about 400rpm to tap on a higher power curve so that the pick-up-and-go would be quicker.

We were more comfortable leaving the powertrain in ‘I’ mode as it functioned best in letting us pick up the speed quickly when we wanted to while keeping the fuel consumption low and manageable.

Getting comfortable in the driver’s seat is made easier with the new eight-way electronically adjustable feature with memory function.

We also liked the Superview Around Recognition Three Sixty System, exclusive to the GT Edition, that shows the position of vehicle in tight areas; helped in manoeuvring the vehicle confidently.

The XV body profile has remained much the same since its entry here in 2017 but the new GT Edition should appeal to those hungry for a sporty orientation.

It comes with a sleek body kit that includes a distinct front under spoiler, front bumper garnish, side skirts, rear underspoiler, roof spoiler and sporty GT Edition 17-inch wheels.

The interior gets GT Edition leather seats with different colour stitching for the respective areas, perhaps to break the monotony.

That would, of course, mean a higher price of RM146,788 on-the-road without insurance while the more down-to-earth XV is RM7,000 cheaper.

SPECIFICATIONSEngine: 1,995cc, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder boxer twin-opposed
Maximum power: 156PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 196Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Lineartronic CVT with seven-speed manual mode, all-wheel drive
Features: Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function; Eyesight Driver Assist Technology, Dual-function X-Mode, reverse auto-tilt door mirrors, auto vehicle hold, SI-Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive), steering responsive headlamps, rear seat reminder
Price: RM146,788 (OTR without insurance, with sales tax exemption)


Tesla Model 3 gains ‘Summon' self-parking feature

                SAN FRANCISCO: The latest upgrade to the Tesla Model 3 is a self-parking system called "Summon," and it's being delivered to cars in an over-the-air update.

As is the usual way of Tesla announcing things these days, the news was broken in a tweet on Tesla's Twitter feed saying: "Summon [is] now available in Model 3."

Summon is an autonomous-drive feature that allows the car to park itself without anyone having to be inside the car at all. This system means the car can slide into a garage space only a small amount wider than the car itself, with no need to worry about whether you can squeeze yourself in or out.

Not only that, the system can also operate the garage door as it parks itself and powers down, or when its owner calls it out of its parking space.

The Model S and Model X have actually had this incredible feature for a while now, but Model 3 owners don't have to take their car in to have it upgraded as it can be carried out using over-the-air software updates when the car is connected to the internet.

Updates such as this can take up to two hours to install, depending on the strength of the connection and the size of the update.

But if you're about to set off on an important journey in your Model 3 and see an update is ready to be installed you might want to wait until later as for safety reasons, the car won't drive while an update is being installed.


Renault cedes power at Nissan for uncertain benefits

                PARIS: Renault and Nissan hailed a new deal announced on Monday as a major step in reviving their two decade alliance.

But for the French car group the benefits of the revamp are for now unclear and potentially quite limited, three industry sources said.

The deal, months in the making and still subject to board approvals, will see Renault reduce its stake in Nissan to 15% from around 43%.

For Nissan, the advantages are clear: the Japanese carmaker gets much freer rein to do what it wants, and it is no longer in an alliance of unequal partners as capital ownership is rebalanced.

That said, its stock could be weighed down as the bulk of Renault's current stake - worth some 3.8 billion euros (RM17.5bil) and moved to a trust - is sold off.

The deal sees Nissan commit to invest in Renault's flagship Ampere electric vehicle unit, which was the French group's key goal.

But Nissan's participation in Ampere is fairly conditional, joint projects at this stage are vague, and the Japanese carmaker acquiring voting rights on its 15% stake in Renault - something it didn't have before - means the French group will have to share decision-making more.

Sources have said the alliance is considering around five common projects, a relatively small number compared to the list of 10 to 15 proposed last year by Renault chief executive Luca de Meo to his Japanese partner.

"Beyond the financial aspect, there is currently not much concrete on the benefits of the deal for Renault," one of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

"It is interesting for Renault to see Nissan enter Ampere, if only for financing projects. It is also interesting to see the focus on Latin America and India, again for scale effect. But no figures are given, it remains very vague."

Shares in Renault dropped after the deal was announced.

Gregoire Laverne of Cesga asset management, a Renault shareholder, said the market needed to know more. "And in a way it (the deal) marks the failure of the first version of the alliance," he said.

More details will be unveiled in London on Feb 6, sources close to the matter said.

'Conditional'

The Renault-Nissan alliance, which also includes junior partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp, was deeply strained by the 2018 ouster of its architect and former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, amid financial scandal. Ghosn has denied wrongdoing.

The real test of the new deal, the sources said, will be Ampere.

An early mover in electric cars, Renault has fallen behind newer, more agile rivals such as Tesla.

It is counting on Ampere, which it will separate from its traditional internal combustion engine business and list on the stock market for a valuation of as much as 10 billion euros, to present itself as a pure electric player and get back into the race.

"If Nissan puts money and resources into engineering - technologies and teams - that would be a pretty good sign, the alliance will at least partially continue, but for now it's only conditional," a second industry source said.

The operational projects to relaunch the partnership were barely sketched out on Monday.

The companies highlighted Latin America, India and Europe - where they already have factories and joint production - as areas where they were considering projects related to markets, vehicles and technologies.

"With Nissan recovering its voting rights at Renault, it means that the alliance is now strictly limited to the goodwill of the Japanese side," the second source said.

Analysts seeking less complexity from Renault were disappointed in November when de Meo said he would split the French carmaker into five autonomous businesses.

And Renault has announced plans to strengthen ties with China's Geely Automobile Holdings, which will take a big stake in Renault's combustion engine unit, Qualcomm and Google.

Nissan, which sources have said is wary of sharing its technology with too many outsiders, may find the new set-up too much of an open relationship.

After rising more than 20% since the start of the year, Renault's shares were down over 3% in afternoon trading.

Ion-Marc Valahu at Clairinvest, also a Renault shareholder, said that "had to do with the fact that Renault did not give an update on their when will they sell their stake (in Nissan) and how the different divisions within Renault will be implemented."


New Jeep Wrangler at CES 2018

                LAS VEGAS: There's no hiding how important the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has become to vehicle manufacturers as all-electric and driverless vehicle technology continues to develop at breakneck pace.

However, visitors to this year's show might be surprised to see one of the oldest and most enduring vehicle designs in the world on display this time around, the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler. To non-enthusiasts, the new Wrangler probably looks just like the Wrangler always has looked. But it's at CES 2018 to show off a raft of cutting-edge technology it has onboard to bring the legendary vehicle right up to date.

Four vehicles are being displayed at the show to showcase advanced technology features that include the Uconnect fourth-generation system with an 8.4-inch display, 4G LTE connected services, and an all-new, never-before-seen Jeep Adventure Reality app that debuts for 2018 Wrangler. The new Uconnect system now has enhanced processing power, multi-touch gestures, vivid imagery, sharper graphics and the ability to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

FCA Global's Head of Jeep Brand, Mike Manley, explained, "The all-new Jeep Wrangler is developed and engineered with more safety features and advanced technology than ever before, and we are proud to showcase our commitment to meet consumers' increasing desire for unique and innovative vehicle connectivity. Our award-winning Uconnect systems are designed to provide consumers with a variety of conveniently connected services and features that deliver the ultimate driving experience, and that evolves both on- and off-road with Jeep Wrangler."

The four new Wrangler models on display at the show will be a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, a pair of Jeep Wrangler Rubicon models, and a Mopar-modified Jeep Wrangler Sport that's been uniquely customised with a number of Jeep Performance Parts and accessories from Mopar.

Jeep's Adventure Reality app is at its heart an online configuration tool that lets you "build" your own Wrangler. It lets users choose two or four doors, trim levels, colors, wheels etc., but it's the augmented reality aspect that lets you see the vehicle on your own driveway or even in your living room that really sets the app apart from being just another configurator.


Lightyear One long-range solar EV unveiled

                ROTTERDAM: Dutch firm Lightyear has unveiled its eagerly awaited and highly original EV prototype. This fully electric sedan stands out from competitors with its in-built solar charging system, which should, in theory, ensure boosted range, reaching over 700km.

The Lightyear One has four independently driven wheels, each with its own in-wheel motor. The manufacturer isn't giving away much about power just yet, simply announcing the car's (modest) 0-100kph acceleration in 10 seconds.

This EV's particular strong point is its promised range of over 700km. With its in-built solar cells, the car can partially recharge while driving. Lightyear also claims that the EV can be charged with up to 400km of range overnight from an ordinary 230V domestic power socket.

While this prototype looks particularly tempting on paper, its price could put off all but its most avid supporters. Indeed, the Lightyear One is priced at €149,000 (RM699,000), with deliveries of the "Pioneer Edition," limited to 500 units, expected in 2021.

Note that this isn't the first project of the kind since the German manufacturer, Sono Motors, already has its Sion electric MPV up for order, also capable of partially recharging via solar energy. The vehicle's 250km range is much more limited, but the price tag is considerably more affordable, at €25,500 (RM120,000).

Lightyear is based in Helmond, 130km south-east of Rotterdam.


Coronavirus vs transport: Mobility startups react to fear of germs

                BERLIN: From germ-ridden scooter handlebars to coughing Uber passengers: The urban mobility movement is already responding to fears that their modes of transport could help spread the coronavirus in cities.

Users of electric scooter share-ride offer Voi are being urged to wear gloves and refrain from handshakes when greeting fellow riders in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber are meanwhile both calling on drivers and riders to disinfect their cars and keep them clean.

The transport sector is among those to be severely hit by the rapid spread of the coronavirus, which has halted production at factories, help up supply chains and led to some of the world's biggest auto industry events being cancelled.

Fears that taxi drivers would be particularly at risk of infection rose after a driver in Taiwan became the first in the country to die of the virus in mid-February, despite having no history of overseas travel.

Lyft has said it would provide funds to any driver confirmed to have the Covid-19 lung disease caused by the virus, while Uber is offering payment to cover the 14 days of required quarantine for individuals with the virus, according to US media.

Car rental companies from Daimler's Car2Go and BMW DriveNow to Hertz and Sixt have yet to announce concrete measures against coronavirus, but many customers will likely be wary of which hands were at the wheel before them.

Scooter startup Voi said it does not currently operate in any high-risk coronavirus region, but that its move was part of increased safety measures.

"We are [...] reaching out to our riders and advising them to wear gloves when riding shared scooters and to undertake additional safety precautions such as using alcohol based hand sanitisers and greeting fellow riders with a smile instead of a handshake."

The company said its staff were not allowed to travel to risk areas, and it urged users to follow advice from the World Health Organisation.


Triumph Bonneville lineup updated new Tiger 800 variants added from RM56,900

Triumph Tiger 800 XRx

BUKIT TINGGI: Triumph Motorcycles, which is officially imported by Motoradic and distributed by Fast Bikes in Malaysia, has updated its Bonneville lineup with the Bobber Black and Speedmaster while expanding its Tiger 800 range to include six new model variants.

In terms of pricing (inclusive of GST), both Bonneville Bobber Black and Speedmaster have been priced at RM79,900. Similarly priced, the new Tiger 800 range starts with the road-focused XR which arrives with an introductory price of RM56,900 for the next six months before getting upped to RM59,900 in September.

Next on the Tiger 800's price list is the mid-range XRx and XRx Low (low-riding version) which gets priced at RM69,900, XCx off-road variant at RM74,900, range-topping XRT at RM77,900 and the fully-loaded XCa at RM81,900. All Triumph bikes in Malaysia come with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black

The single-seater Bobber Black's standard features include a 16-inch front wheel (-3.0-inch reduction from the outgoing Bobber's 19 inch wheel) as well as larger 47mm (+6mm) Showa front forks, full LED headlights with daytime running lights and a single-button cruise control.

“The Bonneville Bobber is a bike that appeals to just about anyone, and is perfectly suited for those who prefer a touch of classic bobber styling. And now the Bobber Black is set to complement the Bonneville Bobber package with its bold custom style, elegant engineering and more importantly, a thrilling hot rod ride and sound,” said Fast Bikes CEO Datuk Razak al-Malique.

The Bonneville Speedmaster - known for its laid-back riding position, comes with swept back beach bars, twin and single seat, set forward foot pegs, 16-inch wire-spoked wheels and a larger 12-litre fuel tank for increased range to make it the ideal long distance cruiser.

 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

Powering the Speedmaster is a 1,200cc parallel-twin engine with 77PS at 6,100rpm and 106Nm at 4,000rpm, and is managed by a six-speed manual gearbox.

“The Bonneville Speedmaster provides a level of comfort, practicality and versatility to the otherwise very capable Bonneville family. It is perfectly suited to those who want a dash of classic styling to their touring machine, or for those who wish to add pillion versatility to their ride. The Speedmaster brings a new dimension to the Bonneville family with a more classic British custom cruiser laid back style,” said Datuk Razak.

Moving on to the Tiger 800 range, the off-roader XCx and road-going XRx have both experienced up to 200 upgrades which includes its chassis and 800cc three-cylinder engine for a more responsive ride, while providing 95PS at 9,500rpm and 79Nm at 8,050rpm.

 Triumph Tiger 800 XRT and XCA

The manual gearbox has also been reworked and features a shorter first gear ratio to enhance off-road traction, low-speed manoeuvrability and improved acceleration.

Both the XCx and the XRx offer six riding modes of Road, Rain, Off-Road, Sport, Rider (custom) and now includes Off Road Pro and have been fitted with a new adjustable full-colour TFT instrument cluster, LED lighting, updated cruise control, five-position adjustable screen, high-end Brembo front brakes, suspension configurations, handlebar-mounted switch cubes with backlit buttons and new premium bodywork.

Also included is ABS, traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, heated seats and grips on some models, power sockets and a two-position adjustable saddle - 840 to 860mm for the XCx and 810 to 830mm for the XRx.

 Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

“The Triumph Tiger 800 XCx and XRx have come to be some of the most successful adventure bikes in their respective segments and now have been updated to offer even more technology - improving on the now infamous Tiger triple engine spirit,” he added.

The new models were introduced in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang and was attended by some 350 guests from the Triumph motorcycle club that's officially known as the RatPack.

 Triumph Tiger 800 XCA Triumph Tiger 800 XCA

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black
 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Speedmaster
 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
 Triumph Tiger XRx


Striemo scooter designed to remain stable on the road in every situation

                TOKYO: Honda recently launched a new startup called Striemo, specialising in electric micro-mobility solutions.

Its first product is an original three-wheeled scooter named Striemo, with a design that promises stability in balance and riding in all situations.

This device - halfway between the classic scooter and a Segway - has been designed to limit as much as possible the risk of falling, whatever the speed or the type of surface covered.

This is thanks, in particular, to its three-wheel structure and in-built balance-assist system, allowing the user to spontaneously maintain his balance more easily.

It has been designed in such a way that the centre of gravity is calculated to a tenth of a millimetre.

The Striemo has three riding modes, with top speeds ranging from 6kph to 25kph. Its removable battery slides easily into the handlebar tube of the scooter. It is fully charged in just 3.5 hours and offers a comfortable range of about 30km.

This scooter, which promises to be particularly safe, should be available in Japan by the end of the year before arriving in Europe in 2023.

Its price has not yet been announced.


Auto sector expected to bounce back

                PETALING JAYA: The prospects of the domestic automotive sector are positive, underpinned by strong outstanding bookings, demand support from the tax holiday and record low interest rates.

This will be further enhanced by the recovery in domestic consumption as employment and household income conditions improve.

MIDF Research is projecting a plus 13% year-on-year (y-o-y) recovery in 2022 total industry volume (TIV) to 575,000 units.

This is assuming the absence of any further pandemic-induced lockdowns and on the back of strong outstanding orders, notwithstanding potential short-term weakness immediately post-sales tax holiday expiry in June 2022.

Its 2022 TIV projection is at the lower end of the pre-pandemic range to reflect the on-going chip shortage situation and potential intermittent supply chain disruptions.

It said an additional six-month tax holiday is estimated to raise its forecast to about 595,000-605,000 units (plus 17%-19% y-o-y).

The potential upward revision to its projection echoes that of the Malaysian Automotive Associations (MAA’s), which is indicating potential upside to its current 2022 TIV target of 600,000 (plus 18% y-o-y) should the tax holiday be extended.

It said MAA will be submitting an appeal to the Finance Ministry to further extend the sales tax exemption for new vehicles.

This is in light of the on-going supply shortage situation which has impacted the industry’s production ability to meet the extended order backlog.

Should this appeal be successful, it would be an incremental positive catalyst for the auto sector, which could render further upside to projections, it said.

CGS-CIMB Research expects sales volume to improve from March 2022 onwards. Its channel checks with automakers revealed that industry demand remained strong.

It said, for example, Proton had over 60,000 bookings registered as of February 2022 while UMW-Toyota had more than 30,000 backlog orders.

Total industry volume grew 7.7% month-on-month from 43,448 in January 2022 to 43,722 units in February 2022 led to higher sales in the passenger vehicles segment, which climbed 15.3% mom.

CGS-CIMB Research has a “neutral’’ stand on the sector while MIDF Research has a “positive” stand.

CGS-CIMB Research said the sector trades at 14.7 times 2022 price-to-earnings ratio (P/E), slightly ahead of its target sector P/E of 14 times.


Mercedes hypes up 1.6-litre hypercar's credentials, top speed over 350kph

                STUTTGART: Mercedes is continuing to tease the upcoming reveal of its fastest production car in history with new images and statistics.

On Friday, Mercedes' parent company Daimler Benz, published yet another cryptic picture of the car, currently called the Mercedes-AMG Project One, and finally confirmed the car's projected top speed.

The hypercar, which borrows heavily from current Formula 1 technology, will be capable of hitting a top speed exceeding 350kph.

It has also confirmed that the car's engine will develop in excess of 1,000hp.

That particular figure may not sound so impressive in an age of hypercars from the likes of Koenigsegg and Bugatti that boast upwards of 1,500hp on tap. But whereas they use a 5-litre V8 and an 8-litre W16 engine respectively to deliver so much power, the Mercedes AMG has a tiny, 1.6-litre engine mounted centrally within its chassis.

However, it's no ordinary 1.6-litre; it's a very high revving turbocharged engine based on the V6 powerplants used in the company's Formula 1 racing cars (don't forget Mercedes is the current world F1 champion) and one that uses a host of hybrid and energy recovery systems to deliver its power.

The car can capture energy lost through braking and energy lost as heat through the exhaust system and send it back to the car's four wheels via four electric motors.

This combination of electric motors, two of which drive the front wheels independently to ensure sublime handling, also means that - like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder - it will be a hypercar that can offer emissions-free electric-only power over short distances making it strangely suitable for city driving, even if it was developed on the race track.

The Mercedes-AMG Project One is rumoured to cost US$3 million and every example is already spoken for, even though the car will not be revealed in full until Mercedes' traditional pre-show press evening in Frankfurt on Sept 11.


EU agrees 2030 emissions-cutting goal of 55%

                BRUSSELS: European Union leaders have agreed to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 per cent% by the end of the decade, compared to 1990 levels - a big step up from the current goal.

"Europe is the leader in the fight against climate change," European Council president Charles Michel tweeted. "We decided to cut our greenhouse gas emissions of at least 55% by 2030."

The deal struck by the 27 members of the bloc came after more than 10 hours of negotiations that lasted into Friday morning.

A face-to-face summit between the premiers had started on Thursday afternoon, and sealed decisions on the EU's long-term budget and recovery fund, the coronavirus, and sanctions against Turkey. But the climate goals turned out to be the most contentious issue.

The increase from the present 40% reduction target was proposed by the European Commission in September, and encountered resistance in some EU states, like coal-reliant Poland.

Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal. The new goal "puts us on a clear path towards climate neutrality in 2050," she said.

But making it reality will require major overhauls in the energy and transport sectors as well as a huge push to renovate buildings. Huge investments will be required.

One of the main sticking points is how these targets should be set between the member states. Poland argued that emissions reductions should be relative to a country's gross domestic product per capita, essentially lowering the targets for lower-income countries, and that it would need more financial support to achieve emissions reductions.

Environmental organisations criticised the new goal.

Non-profit group Oxfam said the new target "still falls short of what is needed and what is fair."

"The EU must take urgent practical steps to deliver above and beyond this target," the organisation said.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Climate Action Network welcomed the agreement but said it didn't go far enough.

"But given the profound existential threat we are facing, EU leaders cannot allow overly high emissions to continue for another decade and will need to go beyond the agreed target. Science is clear that at least 65% emission cuts is the way forward," director Wendel Trio said.

So far the EU has cut 22% of its emissions compared to 1990, a recent commission study found.

The European Parliament, which itself is pushing for a slightly higher goal, must still approve the new target.


Oversized rear wing helps VW electric racing car tackle Pikes Peak

                WOLFSBURG: In preparation for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2018, the Volkswagen Motorsport team engineered the aerodynamics of the I.D. R Pikes Peak—the brand’s first fully-electric racing car—specifically to tackle the most famous hill climb in the world.

The goal at the race, which takes place on June 24th in Colorado Springs, CO, is to break the record in the class for electric prototypes, which currently stands at 8:57.118 minutes.

“The start line is located at an altitude just above 9,000 feet, with the finish at 14,115 feet above sea level. The low air pressure up there means that the aerodynamic conditions are different to those at a racetrack on flat land,” explains François-Xavier Demaison, Technical Director at Volkswagen Motorsport and the man responsible for developing the I.D. R Pikes Peak as project manager.

Unlike other racing disciplines though, the Pikes Peak race features relatively open regulations, giving the engineers far more leeway to design the chassis and rear wing of the racecar.

During the winding 12.4-mile drive to the summit of Pikes Peak, a top speed of around 155 mph is reached—relatively low for a prototype like the I.D. R, as it could theoretically go far faster.

“For this reason, we concentrated mainly on achieving optimal cornering speeds. The entire chassis is designed to generate as much downforce as possible, without causing too much aerodynamic drag,” says Demaison.

The most visually striking result of this strategy is the oversized rear wing on the I.D. R Pikes Peak. “The altitude on Pikes Peak means that the air we are driving through is on average 35 percent thinner. As a result, we lose 35 percent of our downforce compared to a racetrack at sea level. The huge rear wing allows us to compensate for some of this lost downforce,” explains Willy Rampf, technical consultant to the project with years of Formula 1 experience. “The imaginative aerodynamic development means that we will still achieve maximum downforce greater than the weight of the car during the hill climb.”

With its two electric engines, which together generate 500 kW (671 horsepower), the I.D. R avoids the cooling issues that face combustion-engined vehicles.

The first test run on the original route is planned for the end of May.


Ford developing robot luggage trolley for cars

                DETROIT: Getting heavy loads around the city with a car is all well and good. But there's no car that can help you bring your luggage right into your home or the airport check-in counter. Or is there?

Ford engineer Kilian Vas has come up with the Carr-E, a robotic trolley that will help people shift loads of up to 130kg at 20kph.

According to the the manufacturer, the device is the size of a wheel rim and fits in a car's spare wheel recess. Powered by two electric motors, it weighs around 10kg, can carry luggage for 15km and be charged within 30 minutes.

Equipped with LED lights, the Carr-E is designed to cope with curbs, pedestrian zones and city parks, as well as office floors and halls.

The Carr-E can be also used as a hoverboard and steered by balance.

When used as a trolley for heavy loads, it can be steered via smartphone app. Alternatively, users can turn on an automatic mode, which makes the luggage carrier simply follow the smartphone around.

Accidents are avoided by the same kind of parking sensors that are found in cars. And should anyone try to steal the load, weight sensors will sound an alarm.

Still in the prototype stage, Ford is currently looking into mass production.


F1: Korean Grand Prix axed from 2015 calendar

                SEOUL: The Korean Grand Prix, dogged by years of financial problems, has been dropped from the 2015 Formula One calendar, organisers confirmed today.

The sports governing body, the FIA, dropped the Yeongam race from the final version of this year’s schedule published on its website late on Tuesday, reducing the season to 20 races.

“We have repeatedly conveyed our position to F1 organisers that we are unable to return to the race this year,” said a Korean Grand Prix official.

The Korean event in the southern county of Yeongam made its debut in 2010 under a deal intended to last until 2016 with a five-year renewal option.

But it haemorrhaged money heavily from the outset and having accumulated losses of 190 billion won (RM608mil) over four years, it was dropped from the 2014 schedule.

“Due to lack of financial support from either the central government or the provincial government, we have no option but to abandon this year’s event as well,” said the official.

“South Korea has still a very thin fan base and local businesses are not so eager to sponsor auto races”, he added.


Selangor police all out to nab interstate travel offenders

                PETALING JAYA: Enforcement teams will check vehicles parked outside homes in housing areas and villages during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to track down those who travel interstate without authorisation.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said teams consisting of police and armed forces personnel will check registration numbers of vehicles, especially if there are many vehicles parked outside a home or residential area.

"We will cross-check the registration numbers with our list and see whether the vehicles and its owners are permitted for interstate travel.

"If we discover that there are those who flouted the ban on interstate travel, we will detain the vehicle owner, who is usually the head of family," he said when contacted today.

Comm Noor Azam said police will take stern action against the culprits, as the time for warnings was over.

"Action will be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967.

"No more warning or advice, we will detain those who flout the conditional movement control order (MCO) by travelling interstate without permission," he said.

He was commenting on Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador's announcement that the police and the military will "visit" houses during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

"This will be one of the measures taken by the authorities to track down those suspected of making unauthorised interstate balik kampung trips to celebrate with their families.

"We are taking the ban on interstate travel, especially for the purpose of celebrating Hari Raya, seriously," the IGP had said.

Comm Noor Azam said Selangor police will be ready to carry out the duty in tracking down those who travel interstate without authorisation.

"I have informed all police personnel involved in the operation.

"On top of that, we also conducted roadblocks at strategic locations to detect those attempting to sneak pass authorities to balik kampung.

"Those who don't have the necessary approval for interstate travel will be told to turn back," he added.

Comm Noor Azam also reminded Muslims in Selangor to limit their gatherings on the first day of Hari Raya to not more than 20 people.

"It is best to only celebrate with our immediate family members or have small-scale celebrations.

"Honour the sacrifices of the frontliners who braved the sun and storm in the fight against the virus by complying with the regulations of the conditional MCO, especially the ban on balik kampung interstate travel for Hari Raya," he said.

The ultimate goal is to break the virus's chain of infection, Comm Noor Azam said.

"I hope the public give their full cooperation with the authorities as the fight (against the spread of the virus) is not over yet," he added.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia expects another record year

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM) expects the second half of 2017 to remain positive and is optimistic it is on track for yet another record year.

MBM president and chief executive officer Dr Claus Weidner said the carmaker rounded up the first half of 2017 with a solid performance across-the-board, with sales of 5,913 units, driven by strong demand for the locally-produced Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

"With our customer-centric strategy and strong locally-produced products, MBM should be on track for another record year in 2017," he told reporters during a briefing on the company's first-half performance in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

He said the company was optimistic sales in 2017 would surpass last year's record of 11,779 cars.

"We ended 1H with a new best-ever month in June, further extending our lead in the premium segment with market share of 2.3 per cent," he said.

MBM sales and marketing vice-president, Mark Raine, said the Mercedes-Benz C-Class model topped the first-half sales with 2,075 units sold, closely followed by the E-Class (1,358 units), SUVs (1,233 units), compact cars (739 units) and S-Class (230 units), while sales of Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars totalled 268 units.

The company had launched three models during the first half - the completely knocked-down (CKD) E-Class, the GLA facelift and the AMG line-up.

The much-awaited final launch for this year would be the locally-assembled E-Class 'plug-in-hybrid', slated for the third quarter, and is expected to be the main driver for MBM's race to achieve another record year in 2017.

To-date, MBM has 31 dealerships nationwide and is the leading car financier in the country with over RM2 billion service portfolio, financing four of 10 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold.


Proton partners car e-bidding platforms myTukar, MUV and Carsome

                SHAH ALAM: National carmaker Proton has formalised strategic partnerships with myTukar, MUV and Carsome to refine the disposal process of trade-in cars for customers.

By collaborating with the e-bidding companies (EBCs), Proton says this can enable customers to send their vehicles for auction through a user-friendly online platform.

This reduces the need for customers to visit multiple dealerships or negotiate with potential buyers, saving them valuable time and effort. (From left): MyTukar founder and chairman Fong Hon Sum, CEO Derrick Eng, Proton Edar Head of Used Car Management Wan Ahmad Fadzli and Roslan.

Through a fair and open auction system, customers will be able to receive competitive trade-in values for their vehicles.

The transparent pricing model ensures that customers can make informed decisions during the trade-in process while the payment and ownership transfer processes are expedited to minimize any potential delays or complications.

 (From left) MUV Marketplace Sdn Bhd founder Nicholas Tan, mCars Sdn Bhd CEO Andy Teh, Wan Ahmad and Roslan

"We believe this transforms the trade-in experience for our customers. By leveraging on their expertise in e-commerce and auction platforms, the EBCs offer our customers a seamless and reliable solution for disposing of their trade-in cars, while also receiving competitive trade-in values," said Roslan Abdullah, deputy CEO of Proton.

As sales volume continues to rise, the need to offer customers a better way to trade in and dispose of their old cars has become apparent.

These partnerships are expected to provide customers with a range of benefits, including enhanced convenience, trustworthiness, competitive trade-in values, transparency in pricing, secure payment and ownership transfer, daily auctions, faster disposal, and comprehensive inspections. Carsome group CEO and co-founder Eric Cheng, Carsome country managing director Chris Ang, Wan Ahmad and Roslan.“Over the last five years, Proton has increased the number of models offered and updated our current line-up, while improving product quality and introducing connectivity technology in our models. Consumer confidence has increased due to these efforts as well as improvements made at the dealership level. Working with EBCs will help to enhance these efforts as well as the trade-in value of our models while helping to facilitate customers who intend to upgrade their vehicles,” added Roslan.

“Proton is the first OEM to form strategic partnerships with EBCs and we think this will help pave the way for faster and more transparent trade-in transactions for customers and in turn help drive new car sales. Additionally, by using open platforms, the resale value for our models can be established helping to build consumer confidence and giving a more accurate ownership picture to buyers,” he said.


This retro car radio delivers modern features in a clunky 90s design

                BERLIN: An old car tends to come with an old radio, and, despite the welcome retro aesthetic, the sound and feature set will probably be less than impressive.

That's where one veteran electronics brand comes in with a range of retro radios ready for older (and new) cars.

Some 35 years since Blaupunkt, one of the big car speaker manufacturers, stopped production, the German company has rebooted and begun reissuing its classic speaker models with modern features paired with original designs.

For anyone with a 90s ride parked in the garage - or just a thing for 90s visuals - their newest product is a car radio with a classic and clunky 90s look.

The Frankfurt RCM 82 DAB is based on the brand's 1992 model of the same name, but things leave the 90s pretty quickly once you start to look at the features.

Behind a slot where you'd expect to put your old cassette tapes, there are ports for USB, AUX and micro-SD. The radio also supports all common radio modes from FM to DAB+, and there's even Bluetooth audio.

The original cassette deck would have been found in 90s Ford Escorts, VW Golfs and Porsche 911s. While it will certainly look great today next to a retro Nokia phone, the price of €500 is steep enough for something with such dated looks.

Selling from Germany, Blaupunkt also offers a modern car radio with a look and feel straight from the 80s, the Bremen SQR46 DAB+, also with DAB+, as well as Bluetooth and connections for a USB stick and SD card.

At around €450 (RM2,117), it's also not a bargain.

Meanwhile Blaupunkt is keeping alive the cult of globe speakers, something that you were likely to see in a Volkswagen Golf Mk1, a Ford Capri or an Opel Manta in the 70s or 80s.

Blaupunkt is targeting classic car owners who have always wanted to screw the circular speakers onto the boot lid, or whose original LAZ 6525 model stopped working a while ago.

The Globe Speaker, as the reissue is known, is equipped with a 3.5-inch full-range speaker. The manufacturer gives a power rating of 25 watts and frequency response of 100 to 20,000 Hertz; by comparison, the original's peak power was 10 watts.

The price is around US$45 (RM214), which is quite modest compared to the amount that classic car owners users usually invest in old-school equipment for their rides - perhaps it's time to bring the spherical speakers to newer-looking cars as well.


Almost half million summonses issued for beating red light in KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly half a million summonses were issued by the Kuala Lumpur traffic police to road users in the federal capital for beating the red light last year.

Kuala Lumpur traffic police chief, ACP Mohd Nadzri Hussain said of the 491,479 summonses, 78 per cent were caught committing the offence by the Red Light Surveillance Camera System (RLSC) installed at 17 hotspot junctions in the city while the rest were detected directly by traffic policemen on duty.

"Summonses for the same violation from January to March this year increased by 29 per cent when 142,039 summonses were recorded, compared to 110,021 during the same period last year," he told Bernama Monday.

He said there were 51 accidents due to beating the red light last year while from January to March this year, there were 11 accidents with one death reported.

Mohd Nadzri said 240 traffic policemen were on duty to control the traffic in the federal capital daily, with focus during peak hours from 6am to 10am and from 5pm to 9pm.

"We are also monitoring accident-prone spots and will recommend to (the federal police headquarters in) Bukit Aman to install more RLSC cameras there," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said the proposal to increase the number of RLSC cameras was the best initiative to discipline road users and encourage them to obey the traffic light.

He said studies by Miros in several countries using technological applications such as countdown timers had been proven to reduce traffic offences by between 40 and 90 per cent as they keep drivers calm while waiting for their turn.


MAA revises downward car sales forecast for 2018

                PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has revised downward its 2018 total industry volume (TIV) forecast by 5,000 units to 585,000 units as the reintroduction of the sales and service tax (SST) on Sept 1 is expected to place a huge damper on vehicle sales.

This is in spite of the three-month “tax holiday” following the zero-rating of the goods and services tax (GST) from June 1, which resulted in an unprecedented surge in demand for cars.

MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said car prices are expected to increase post-SST and impact the demand for vehicles.

“We do expect car prices to go up, as there will be a 10% tax imposition. This is higher than the GST’s 6%. In fact, when the GST was introduced (in 2015), car prices did come down a little,” she said at the association’s second bi-annual media briefing.

Apart from the SST, Aishah said stringent hire-purchase loan approvals would also have an impact on car sales.

An analyst with a local bank-backed brokerage said the sales momentum would slow down post-SST for one simple reason – because cars are more expensive.

“This will be apparent, especially among the middle-to-lower income group, as the savings being offered during the current tax holiday is substantial for them.”

He noted that Perodua is offering GST rebates of RM2,172 for a 1.0-litre Axia SE (auto) and RM3,114 for the best-selling 1.5-litre Myvi Advance.

“Savings of RM2,000 to RM3,000 is a lot for someone that can only afford a car below RM30,000 or RM40,000. Naturally, they would want to buy a car when prices are at their lowest.

“The loan rejection rate is also higher for this group of individuals,” he said, adding that it would be harder to apply for a loan when prices are higher.

Demand for cars surged following the zero-rating of the GST by the new Pakatan Harapan government from June 1. Many automobile companies announced zero-rated GST prices, which led to substantial savings for car buyers.

This tax holiday period is, however, set to end with the reintroduction of the SST in September.

On Monday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the provision of services would be taxed at 6% under the reintroduced SST, while the sale of goods would incur a 10% tax. Under the proposed SST bill, goods will be taxed at 10%, while the provision of services will be taxed at 6%.

Total vehicle sales increased 28% to 64,502 units last month, compared with 50,273 units a year earlier, bolstered by the reduction in car prices due to the zero-rated GST and Hari Raya-related campaigns and promotions.

On a month-on-month basis, vehicle sales jumped 50% from 42,983 units in May. In June, total vehicle sales grew to 289,714 units compared with 284,453 units in the previous corresponding period.

Many car companies were quick to announce their zero-rated GST prices and savings for car buyers, following the announcement by the new Pakatan Harapan government back in May that it was reducing the 6% GST to 0%.

“The TIV in May was very much lower compared with the same month a year earlier. This was due to the election and then the subsequent announcement on the GST being zero-rated,” said Aishah. “Following the announcement, many customers decided to hold back on the purchase and registration of vehicles.”

On expectations for July, Aishah said sales are anticipated to be on the same level as that of June, bolstered by zero-rated GST prices.

Total sales hit an all-time high of 666,674 units in 2015, then dropped almost 15% in 2016 before contracting further last year to 576,635 units.


Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign by Edaran Tan Chong Motor

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) today launched its eco campaign - Nissan Nurtures Nature – in conjunction with World Environment Day on 5th June 2018.

Featuring a series of fun and engaging eco-friendly activities, Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign aims to gather customers and their families, business partners, non-profit organizations, as well as employees to join hands in creating positive and meaningful changes to the environment and communities.

“Nissan Nurtures Nature campaign is our commitment in raising the awareness of living harmoniously with nature. We wish to inspire a change in lifestyle that eventually contributes towards a sustainable community and environment. It is our responsibility to preserve this beautiful planet for our children and for future generations, and we want to do it together with our stakeholders,” said Christopher Tan, sales and marketing director of ETCM.

Operationally, Tan Chong Group incorporates environmental best practices into its vehicle assembly processes and service workshops.

A solar panel system installed in the Serendah assembly plant, as well as water treatment, waste segregation and tree planting exercises are just some of the green measures implemented in line with the company's commitment to preserve the environment.

 Solar panels at Tan Chong Motor's Serendah plant.

Also, a stringent production waste management process through contractors registered with the Department of Environment (DOE) to recycle engine oil into lubricant oil for heavy duty machineries are also practised in both the Serendah assembly plant and TCEAS service workshops.

Through this campaign, ETCM hopes to create awareness on minimizing the environmental impact by cultivating a more sustainable way of living.

Nissan Nurtures Nature will see activities that are centered around the 3R environmental philosophy: Reduce, Recycle and Reconnect:

 Reduce – Herbs planting activity; grow your own herbs, bring more green into homes to reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and produce more Oxygen (O2).

 Recycle – Transform waste into useable items; a showcase of using a used tyre that can be creatively made into a rustic furniture.

 Reconnect – Retreat to nature allowing its serenity to refresh, rejuvenate and re-energize the body and mind.

A series of Eco Talk by the Eco-Activists Guardian of Mother Earth, Ecoknights and Poptani Asia, will be introduced to educate owners and customers on why and how one can play a role in contributing back to the environment.

The first series of the Nissan Nurtures Nature Campaign will be held on 23 and 24 June 2018 alongside the Nissan Test Drive Carnival, exclusively at ETCM Glenmarie, ETCM Bayan Lepas and ETCM Batu Pahat.

Nissan owners who wish to attend the Eco Talk sessions may contact ETCM’s Customer Relations Department at 03-4047 8788 or send an email request to crd@tanchonggroup.com.

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Honda Jazz hits its 100,000 buyer milestone in Malaysia

                SEREMBAN: Honda Malaysia has celebrated another milestone by delivering the 100,000th unit of the Jazz at an official handover ceremony held at Ban Lee Heng Motor Sdn Bhd.

The 100,000th Jazz buyer in Malaysia, known only as Kelvin, said, "I was looking for a compact car for my daily commute. The Jazz impressed me and my wife with its spaciousness and drivability."

Kelvin received a “Protection Package” from Honda Malaysia, consisting of Ultra Body Coating, Ultra Window Coating, and Wheel Lock Nut which was tested and approved by Honda Access in Japan, an authorised genuine brand for Honda Accessories.

This “Protection Package”  will be available at all Honda Malaysia dealerships starting July 1.

Kelvin also received a free Mugen accessory package from Honda Malaysia.

“We celebrated the 130,000th customer for Civic last month and with the Jazz today, we have recorded another important milestone. We want to thank all 100,000 Jazz customers for their unwavering support in making this milestone possible. The trust and belief in our brand has allowed us to serve all our customers better and made it possible for us to maintain our leadership position as No.1 in Non-National Segment and No.2 in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV) as of May 2019,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama.

 Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama (centre) with president and chief operating officer Sarly Adle Sarkum (left), congratulating Kelvin, who is the 100,000th owner of the Jazz in Malaysia.

The 2nd Generation Jazz which was first introduced in 2003 in Malaysia as Completely Built-Up (CBU) unit sold close to 18,000 units, setting a benchmark in the compact hatchback segment.

Honda Malaysia rolled out the first Completely Knock-Down (CKD) Jazz Hybrid and Jazz Petrol in year 2012 and 2013 respectively, and recorded total sales of over 80,000 CKD units and became the most sought after model in its segment.

The current 3rd Generation Jazz alone made waves in 2014 and achieved total sales of over 75,000 units as of May 2019.

The Jazz has led the compact hatchback in Non-National segment with a 62% market share as of May 2019.

The Jazz Petrol is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) that was developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology, offering owners an excellent drivability with fuel efficiency and optimal performance.

The Jazz Hybrid is equipped with a new 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine combining 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Integrated High Power Motor to promote excellent acceleration.

Malaysia is the only country outside Japan to offer the Jazz Hybrid with Sport Hybrid i-DCD system.

With its design concept of “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum”, the Jazz delivers a compact and highly efficient package by maximising the space for ultimate comfort of its occupants.

The Jazz’s iconic ULTRA seats are a unique feature whereby customers can maximise the space through four different modes - Utility, Long, Tall and Refresh.

Underscoring the practical features are its 5-Star ASEAN NCAP safety features.

Safety features such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) are standard on the Jazz E, V and Hybrid variants.


Sharp signs licensing deal with Daimler after winning patent lawsuit

                TOKYO: Japan's Sharp Corp said today it has signed a licensing agreement with Daimler as it settled a patent infringement lawsuit against the German automaker over in-vehicle mobile communications technology.

The Japanese electronics firm won the patent dispute in a ruling last month by a German court that allowed Sharp to enforce a sales ban against Daimler under certain conditions.

Sharp has over 6,000 patents covering 3G/4G/5G technologies.

READ MORE: Once a handset superpower, Nokia still commands a potent weapon


New Land Rover Defender honours its lineage with 75th Limited Edition

                LONDON: The Defender is marking 75 years of Land Rover with the new Defender 75th Limited Edition.

Available in 90 or 110 body styles, the Defender 75th Limited Edition has an exclusive exterior design theme with unique detailing, finished in iconic Grasmere Green paint with complementing wheels and interior finishes.

The limited edition is selling in the UK from £85,995 (RM448,000) for the 90, and £89,995 (RM469,000) for the 110.

The exterior finish introduces Grasmere Green to the Defender line-up for the first time – a hue reserved exclusively for the 75th Limited Edition – with 20-inch alloy wheels also in Grasmere Green with matching centre caps and All-Terrain tyres. Completing the exterior enhancements are a unique 75 Years graphic, Ceres Silver bumpers and Privacy Glass.

Defender’s interior has received similar treatment, with the Cross Car Beam finished in Grasmere Green Powder Coat and laser-etched 75 Years detailing on Cross Car Beam end caps. The seats are finished in Resist Ebony, with the hockey stick on the centre console featuring Robustec material – the most robust fabric available on Defender.

The 75th Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with comprehensive standard equipment. Kit includes 3D surround camera, configurable terrain response, meridian sound system, matrix led front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, head-up display and wireless device charger with signal booster.

All 75th Limited Edition models also feature a folding fabric roof or the option of a sliding panoramic roof with roof rails, while superior comfort is provided by 14-way driver and passenger heated electric memory seats, heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control. All vehicles have been pre-configured to include highly desirable options including the Towing Pack, headlamp power wash, electrically adjustable steering column, Secure Tracker Pro and domestic plug socket.

Powertrain choices include the powerful and efficient P400e plug-in Electric Hybrid (PHEV) on 110 models, in addition to and the powerful D300 Ingenium diesel utilising Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to optimise power delivery and fuel economy by harnessing energy normally lost under deceleration and braking.

The uniqueness of the 75th Limited Edition ensures its place as a highly collectible Defender, revealed alongside a new range of Land Rover lifestyle goods celebrating this historic moment.

The Lifestyle Collection shares the Grasmere Green colour theme and features a comprehensive range of goods including a minimalist unique watch featuring two straps, a functional backpack and clothing with unique 75 Years graphics and detail.

In 1948 the Series I Defender was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Land Rover is marking the anniversary with the Defender 75th Limited Edition.