BMW makes M4 even faster

                SHANGHAI: The BMW M4 CS (Club Sport) is not only the latest limited edition performance car from BMW it also heralds the launch of a new sub-brand of M cars tuned for the track but without compromising their road manners.

Launched officially at the 2017 Auto Shanghai on Wednesday, the car's vital statistics - 460hp, 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds, 280kph top speed - means it slots into the range above the standard M4 and the Competition Package M4 but below the now sold-out collector's edition M4 GTS.

But to make it fit into the range in that particular position, BMW hasn't simply re-chipped the engine and added some more aggressive aerodynamics. The car uses the same straight-six, three-litre block found in all M cars.

And while it has some clever engine technology such as variable valve and variable camshaft timing, and charge air cooling for the twin turbos, much of the added performance is down to good old-fashioned weight-saving measures.

"This car breaks the '4-second-barrier' - needing just 3.9 seconds from naught to a hundred [kph]. To reach that speed, lightweight construction was essential: many parts are made from carbon fibre,” said BMW's global head of sales and branding Dr Ian Robertson.

This is why there is also prodigious use of forged aluminium, particularly for suspension components, and why the hood and roof are made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic.

However, the company has drawn the line when it comes to the cabin. The door panels may be made from compacted natural fibres and boast a woolen rather than metal pull-handle, but BMW didn't want to sacrifice too much else in the way of everyday creature comforts.

So there's climate control, a premium sound system tuned to cope with the extra engine noise this car will make, and generous levels of leather and Alcantara trim, even if much of it adorns lightweight carbon fiber racing seats.

All of these touches, plus the fact that it sits on specially designed light-alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard (they're semi-slick but 100% road legal), also mean that the M4 CS can lap the Nurburgring in seven minutes and 38 seconds.

In other words, this is as fast as the M4 can go, before it stops being a road legal car and becomes a dedicated racer. What's more, it also means that the next generation of M cars, from the M2 to the M6 are set to get the CS treatment, too.


Prolintas suspends work at highway site where slab fell onto car

The badly-damaged car after the concrete slab fell onto it, crushing in the roof. — Images from Facebook.com/Info Roadblock JPJ/Polis
KUALA LUMPUR: Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas), has issued a stop-work order following the incident in which a parapet wall slab from the ongoing highway construction fell and crushed a car along the Middle Ring Road 2(MRR2) in Bandar Tasik Selatan here on Saturday.

The developer of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) said in a statement that it will cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation into the incident

"The SUKE Emergency Response Team (ERT) is already at the scene to control traffic and remove the parapet wall and the car involved (in the incident).

"Any inconvenience caused is much regretted and SUKE will ensure that all aspects of safety are prioritised and improved from time to time, ” the statement read.

A woman escaped death with an injured left hand when the concrete slab fell and crushed her car at about 5.45pm.

The Government has decided to weigh in on the dangerous incident. The Federal Territory and Putrajaya Department of Occupational Safety and Health would probe the incident.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim said the team would find out why the incident took place and whether there were any breaches under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.


First drive in Mitsubishi Attrage

Never judge a book by its cover - this is the best way to describe the Mitsubishi Attrage.

While not immediately obvious, the compact wonder is based on the eco-friendly Mirage hatchback.

Both share the same 1.2L three-cylinder MIVEC unit that generates 78PS and 100Nm of torque, but changes in the sheet metal, exterior and interior work well to differentiate the two models.

Despite the added weight from a boot, the Attrage has the same 21km/L (4.7L/100km) fuel consumption claim as the Mirage, which would raise many eyebrows.

On paper, many would be quick to dismiss such specs.

Mitsubishi knows this and thus organised a Shah Alam - Ipoh - Penang test drive for the local media.

The drive consisted of an eco-challenge and handling on twisty roads.

A total of 10 Attrages were provided, in every specification available – base variant GL, standard GS and range-topping SE.

The eco-challenge kicked off from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s office, which witnessed possibly the slowest media drive I have ever participated.

Everyone was trying their level best to outdo one another for the best fuel economy figures.

Mitsubishi took certain measures however, to ensure that the test was as real-world as possible – air conditioning temperature was fixed while climate control buttons and fuel filler caps were taped-up to prevent tampering (orcheating!).

A time limit was also set in order to prevent us from driving too slowly – a penalty in fuel economy would be imposed if a participant reaches the destination after the time given.

Given such restrictions, the best option was to keep the revs low and coast whenever possible.

Some cars even resorted to folding up their wing mirrors and “drafting” behind large lorries!

My car was the last to reach Ipoh, but thankfully, it was just 10 minutes before the timelimit.

It was worth noting that the compact size and nimbleness of the Attrage helped us manoeuvre through lunch-hour traffic in Ipoh with ease.

After lunch, we drove to Penang through on twisty roads, where we got to push the car to its limits.

For a compact running on a 1.2L three-pot, the Attrage packed quite a decent punch.

In fact, it felt (almost) like a 1.5L car.

However, it’s still a small-engined car, so there was a lot of engine wailing as we floored the accelerator around the bends.

Surprisingly, however, the car managed to cling onto the corners well.

Sure, there was some body roll, but there were no screeching tyres when tackling road bends.

Now, the Attrage is not a sports car.

It is meant to be a comfortable city car, and in this aspect, it does rather well.

The soft-sprung suspension absorbs rough surfaces well and handles easily at sane speeds.

The low weight of the vehicle also contributes to its nimbleness and excellent fuel economy.

Weighing 905kg (875kg for the manual), the Attrage is a featherweight among cars of its class.

Of course, there is a downside to such low weight – at very high speeds, the car requires drivers with nerves of steel.

Keep within the speed limits and the car handles just fine.

With all the spirited driving, before we knew it, we were crossing the Penang Bridge and driving into the Pearl of the Orient.

Our rest stop for the night was the lovely Eastern & Oriental Hotel, located beside the gorgeous Penang coastline.

The overall fuel consumption figures were good – I achieved 21.43km/L, slightly better than Mitsubishi’s 21km/L claim.

The best result achieved was a whopping 24.7km/L!

These are pretty impressive numbers, especially considering that the Attrage is not a hybrid vehicle.

The Attrage is available in three spec levels – GL (manual), GL and SE (both with continuously variable transmission).

Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD (electronic brake distribution), 15-inch alloys and fog lamps are standard across the range, while the GS adds remote trunk release, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as keyless entry and push start.

The range-topping SE adds a touch of luxury with leather seats, double-din touch-screen audio head unit, LED daytime running lights, security window tinting, and full bodykit.

The Attrage is an attractive choice for those seeking a comfortable and economical city runabout.

With prices starting at RM60,980 (OTR with insurance) for the GL spec, one wonders if Mitsubishi has plans for local assembly especially seeing how competitive the B-segment is these days.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia chief executive officer Tetsuya Oda said the local assembly for the Attrage and Mirage is possible.


PM says it again: Third national car project is good for the country

                PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that the move to create a new national car brand will intensify the development of the automotive industry in the country.

He said this at the launch of the April 11-14 Malaysia Autoshow, organised by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute.

The project would be funded by the private sector.

Last October, the government said it had received 21 proposals from both local and foreign firms for the third car project.

In November, the project blueprint was drafted and presented to Dr Mahathir and it was announced that over 50 local vendors had applied to be part of the supply chain in the car project.


BMW goes one step further: Change car colour with the power of the mind

                MUNICH: In a recent demonstration, German automaker BMW showed that it was possible to change the pattern and color of a car's bodywork directly by human thought.

If, for the moment, this remains experimental, it's a technical feat that potentially opens up many new possibilities.

In January, BMW caused a sensation when it unveiled its BMW iX Flow concept at CES 2022 in Las Vegas.

The concept features an innovative technology that changes the colour of the car's bodywork at the touch of a button.

With this vehicle, the German carmaker brings the bodywork to life thanks to a special custom wrap comprising several million microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair.

When stimulated by electrical signals, they bring different coloured pigments to the surface, sometimes black and sometimes white.

This technique can be used to display different patterns, in addition to completely changing the colour of the car's bodywork.

Now, the German carmaker's engineers have gone even further. With the help of a startup called brainboost, they recently staged a demo at the firm's Munich plant showing how human brain activity could be used to change the colour pattern of a car's bodywork.

To do this, they literally connected the car to the brains of human "guinea pigs" using an electroencephalograph (EEG).

This records the electrical activity of the brain, which was in turn reflected in the colour patterns featured on the car's bodywork.

The higher the level of brain activity, the more the different colour patterns on the BMW iX Flow reacted and changed. Then, as brain activity decreased, the changes in patterns on the iX Flow became calmer and more rhythmical.

The technology is still a long way from finding a practical application, but these tests could pave the way for all kinds of new possibilities and potential interactions between the human brain and machines (even if that does involve wearing a helmet).

If this type of technology were to develop, it could allow drivers to personalise the colour of their car to suit their moods, with a simple press of a button or, perhaps one day, by the power of their mind.


Car owners in Japan to be responsible for self-driving accidents, says govt panel

                TOKYO: The owner of a self-driving vehicle will be responsible, in principle, if the automobile is involved in an accident, according to a report by an expert panel of Japan's transport ministry released on Tuesday.

However, if a vehicles system clearly malfunctions, the automaker will bear the responsibility, it said. The report covers how liability insurance should function for such accidents.

Progress is needed in a variety of areas if self-driving cars are to be a realistic form of transportation. These include how to provide compensation when accidents occur, setting rules under the Road Traffic Law and other legislation, and creating vehicle safety standards.

The panel has started work on creating rules for the liability insurance all vehicle owners must purchase.
The report states that as a rule, if an accident occurs during high-level automatic driving when the vehicle, not a person, is in control, the owner will still be considered responsible for the incident.

If there is a problem with the vehicle, the manufacturers responsibility may be scrutinised. However, many analysts feel that amid the current state of affairs, it would be difficult to prove that a vehicle was defective. Therefore, the report stated that priority would be given to providing restitution to the victim, making the owner bear the responsibility, in principle.

The report also said self-driving vehicles need to be equipped with devices that record driving data, so the cause of an accident can be analyzed quickly.

Liability insurance would be covered by the insurance fees paid by owners of self-driving vehicles. A framework will be created so that the insurance company can seek compensation if the manufacturer is later found to be responsible.

If an accident is caused by the hacking of a self-driving system, it would be treated like an accident caused by a stolen car, with the government providing restitution. The owner would not be held responsible.

To pay the victims of accidents caused by hacking, the government would use some of the fees paid for liability insurance.

However, the owner would be held responsible if the vehicle was not equipped with sufficient security measures to ensure safe driving.

Further, if a driver of a self-driving vehicle is injured or killed by an accident the vehicle itself caused, it would be dealt with under voluntary insurance, as is done now. Liability insurance is only meant to cover damage to others, such as pedestrians.

This report is only meant to cover up to what is called Level 4 self-driving, which occurs under certain conditions, such as on expressways. It is to be applied during a transitional period from around 2020 to 2025.

The report stated that careful consideration was needed regarding whether owners would also be held responsible for Level 5, or complete, self-driving. Technological developments and the degree of introduction would be taken into consideration in making this decision.

Critics have said the government has been slow to create systems for self-driving vehicles, such as deciding where the responsibility for accidents lies.

Germany has moved more quickly, enacting legislation that makes vehicle owners responsible for accidents, and with major insurance companies and automakers working together on compensation for victims.

The Japanese government plans to release an outline by the end of the fiscal year on creating a system to enable self-driving, including the rules from the latest report. — The Japan News


VW uses latest 3D printing process for production

                CHICAGO/WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is the first car maker using the latest 3D printing technology in mass production.

The “HP Metal Jet” processes, simplifies and speeds up metallic 3D printing.

The biggest advantage: productivity improves 50 times compared to other 3D printing methods and depending on the component.

The new 3D printing process is an additive process in which parts are produced layer by layer using a powder and binder. The component is then “baked” into a metallic component in the so-called sintering process. This differs from previous processes in which powder is melted by means of a laser.

Together with printer maker HP and component maker GKN Powder Metallurgy, Volkswagen is pressing ahead with the development of the technology for mass production. The partners presented the new process for the first time at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago.

A Volkswagen vehicle is made from 6,000 to 8,000 different parts. Previous 3D printing processes can, however, only be used for the special production of individual parts or prototypes.

The additive 3D Metal Jet technology from HP enable the production of a large number of parts using 3D printing for the first time – without having to develop and manufacture the corresponding tools.

This significantly reduces the time required to manufacture parts. As a result, the process is now also interesting for the production of large quantities in a short period of time.

In collaboration with HP and GKN, Volkswagen is further developing the technology so that design elements can be printed in a small series at first.

This will be the prerequisite, to be able to produce individualised design parts such as tailgate lettering, special gear knobs or keys with personalised lettering for customers without a great deal of effort.

“A complete vehicle will probably not be manufactured by a 3D printer any time soon, but the number and size of parts from the 3D printer will increase significantly,” said Volkswagen Technology Planning and Development head Dr Martin Goede.

“Our goal is to integrate printed structural parts into the next generation of vehicles as quickly as possible. In the long term, we expect a continuous increase in unit numbers, part sizes and technical requirements – right up to soccer-size parts of over 100,000 units per year.”


Hyundai Tucson 1.6 turbo GDi takes on VW Tiguan 1.4 HL

                By RIZAL JOHAN and JAY WONG
carsifu@thestar.com.my

Which turbocharged SUV meets your needs? On one side is South Korea's Hyundai Tucson. On the other is Germany’s Volkswagen Tiguan. We do the legwork.

Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) that come with smaller, turbo-charged engines are pretty much in vogue lately and if you are in the market for one, you will be spoilt for choice especially below the RM180K range.

With stylish looks, high riding position and car-like ride comfort and features with plenty of room at the rear, it’s a no-brainer why demand for SUVs are on the rise year after year.

Japanese marques are the favourites among Malaysians, but there are other choices out there which we feel are worthy of attention.

As such, CarSifu brought out the Hyundai Tucson and the Volkswagen Tiguan in this head-to-head to highlight the pros and cons these turbo-charged SUVs have to offer and, in the end, pick a winner.

Both models offer a lot of value with their unique styling, long-list of equipment, safeties and space.

With turbocharged engines, performance is assured and you would probably end up driving faster than you should.

They also have their own design aesthetics to win you over, so read on and find out which one we fancied.

Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo GDiThis third-generation Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo GDi SUV received a significant update to its powertrain last year in the form of two variants: a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel engine priced RM145,688 and RM155,788 (on-the-road without insurance).

Previously, the Tucson came with the Nu 2.0 MPi engine.

Other than that, both variants share the same exterior and interior design, equipment and safety features.

The smaller displacement turbo-charged Tucson comes across as a big, bold SUV thanks to its commanding front fascia with chunky grille slats, chrome trims and huge LED headlamps.

The body is sporty though, with its athletic stance, sharp, slanted creases and pronounced wheel-arches that it makes a statement when it hits the road.

The 1.6L turbo-charged petrol mill powers the car along without any fuss.

We enjoyed the response of the steering which is sharp and makes it feel like you are driving a small car despite its size.

The turbo engine spews out 177PS at 5,500rpm and 265Nm of torque from a low 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm.

The seven-speed dual clutch transmission works fast with buttery-smooth gear shifts.

The Tucson's road-handling capabilities was impressive too as it kept body-roll to a minimum thanks to its suspension - McPherson strut in the front and multi-link in the rear - and its Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system hugs the turns and corners nicely.

It also soaks up the harshness of certain road surfaces very well giving you and your occupants a pleasant ride.

Another plus is the addition of the Down-Hill Brake Control which automatically brakes for you when the car is descending a steep slope.

It also comes with Hill-start Assist which is always a welcome feature as you don’t have to worry about the car rolling back.

The Tucson scores higher in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) control compared to the diesel variant as it produces significantly less engine noise thus providing a much quieter cabin.

The cabin is roomy with a wheelbase of 2,670mm providing enough leg and head room for rear passengers.

It’s also comfortable with seats wrapped in leather and rear air-conditioning vents. Also, the driver’s seat is eight-way powered with lumbar support.

There is also ample luggage space at 488 litres and the rear seats fold down with a 60:40 configuration offering even more room should the need arise.

The dashboard is well laid out with a flush Android-based Audio Visual Navigator screen and a series of buttons and dials to operate the entertainment system and climate control.

The legible instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT LCD offers loads of driver information and down the centre of the dashboard is the gear lever, two cupholders, two 12V charging points, USB and AUX jacks and buttons for Auto Hold, Drive Mode, Downhill Brake Control, Front Parking Sensor and electronic parking brake.

It’s a clear and simple layout which makes it easy to understand and operate without much fuss.

The only negative here is the feel of the plastics itself which is slightly lacking compared to the competition.

The Tucson is flush with safety features with six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), rear and front view camera and safe driver recorder.

For the money, the Tucson offers a lot of kit including keyless entry, push start button, LED headlamps and park assist system among many others.

The Tucson lacks nothing in terms of features, safety and drivability. Although it does seem to sip more fuel, even in Eco mode (there are three Drive Modes to choose from including Normal and Sports) but we feel it is far from being a deal-breaker.

Ultimately, the deciding factor here is the Tucson’s looks and whether it speaks to you.

Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 HLThe arrival of the second generation Volkswagen Tiguan mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) back in April 2017 marked a sense of polished maturity over its predecessor.

Priced at RM169,578 on-the-road with GST for the range-topping Highline (HL) variant, the Tiguan 1.4 HL simply offers more in terms of size, cabin space, comfort, style, sophistication and all-round practicality.

Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with paddle shifters and a wet clutch, that produces 150PS and 250Nm of torque, it surprisingly doesn’t drink as much as we’d thought considering how large it looks.

In fact, the new Tiguan is a light sipper and even if the right foot is made of lead, it simply doesn’t drink like a horse.

In the looks department, the Tiguan loses some of its roundness from its predecessor and adds on some sharper angles for a more charismatic presence that seems to bode well for many - although it arguably does tend to resemble a Bavarian SAV from the side profile.

The front grille’s horizontal slats merge well with the automatic headlights with ‘Leaving Home’ function and daytime running lights, not to mention the creases on the bonnet and shoulders give it a little more charisma and ‘flow’.

The rear LED light cluster is the one that sets it apart from the previous model.

But although this SUV does roll on 18-inch wheels with 235/55 series tyres, the wheel wells do seem to swallow them up rather much - even more so if it were wearing the smaller 17-inch set with 215/65 series rubbers on the Comfortline variant.

Inside, the cabin is typically Volkswagen, but the main point is that it has far more soft-touch sophistication over the outgoing model, thanks to the included combination of piano-black and polished aluminium accents here and there to remain understated and not too ‘grabby’ for attention.

The combination of the Active Info Display (AID), 8.0-inch touchscreen display and Vienna leather-fabric upholstered seats helps to elevate the Tiguan up there with the upmarket bunch.

Getting the Highline variant also means that your key-twisting days have ended with its Keyless Access system (or for so long as you keep driving vehicles with keyless entry and a push-start button).

The only gripe is the lack of a hands-free boot operating system to indulge this driver even more, but at least it’s a one-touch unlock system that can be activated from inside the cabin and at the rear.

The cabin is rather airy with plenty of shoulder-room for this “meaty” writer at 79kg with a “manly” stature of 1.75m.

The same could be said about the rear seats that comes with plenty of leg room and a fold-out tray if required.

Beyond that, the 615-litre boot space simply astonishes and although the boot-opening is accommodating for larger items, it’s also a little inconveniently raised off the ground.

Strapping in and getting the engine to turn over with the push-start button brings the AID and 8.0-inch touchscreens to life.

Rolling off from standstill is smooth and gunning the throttle gets the Tiguan hustling with little effort.

The ride has a firm feel to it and is rather communicative thanks to the large wheel and tyre combination.

The seats are adequately plush and also have a good amount of thigh support, while the high ride-height helps contribute to that commanding view and the cabin has dialled in a good amount of ergonomics.

Despite the Tiguan’s size, it feels surprisingly nimble and man-handling the steering wheel equates to a controlled amount of pitch and roll that isn’t excessive enough to cause panic in average drivers.

Comfort levels are rather subjective, but in our opinion, the cabin’s Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) control is commendable.

Although we said that the Tiguan felt communicative at first, it might feel a little sedate for those who prefer a more spirited engagement at highway speeds in that the driver may know about the notes and nuances of the road’s surface, but won’t really feel it very much for better comfort levels.

In stop-go traffic, the Tiguan is smooth - just lift the foot off the brake and let it creep forward, and it definitely won’t have any difficulties getting it up to speed with a century sprint time of just under nine seconds and a top speed of almost 200kph.

The Tiguan, in its entirety, is a handsome all-round performer, and carriage when taking on everyday duties, which makes this SUV a popular option for ownership.

VERDICT
So the Tucson trumps the Tiguan in terms of pricing by some RM20,000, but when it comes to preferences - there is always a debate to see which writer gets the VW key fob.

Disagreements aside as to who gets to drive, we are in agreement that these two SUVs are similar when it comes to ride and comfort levels.

There’s also no argument about their respective on-road performance either.

Both feel peppy, nimble, effortless and smooth from the get-go, but it’s the Tucson that takes the “hill” with its performance figures - and longer equipment list, over the Tiguan.

But after being in both SUVs, it becomes clear that the Tucson and Tiguan get the “quantity” and “quality” labels respectively.

Compared to the Tiguan’s overall offerings, the Tucson - while being priced at RM145,688, reigns supreme in terms of providing more for its customers, which includes handsfree tailgate operation, adaptive cruise control, front view camera, bigger 1,591cc displacement and more power at 177PS (+27PS) and 265Nm (+15Nm).

Although the Tiguan is a little down on its equipment list and up on its price at RM169,578, the design of its sheet metal seems more attractive and its interior cabin more inviting.

Sure, the Tucson may have a reverse camera, but it’s the Tiguan that provides a larger screen and clearer camera for better viewing, not to mention, the Tiguan’s overall cabin fit and finish has more of an upmarket feel than the Tucson’s swathe of plastics.

Nonetheless, both SUVs are able to trade blows rather well, but it also became apparent that after half a day of car-swapping, cruising and gunning the throttle, one of these turbocharged SUVs has a bit of a drinking problem...and it wasn’t the German.

Somehow, the Tucson had managed to reduce its 62-litre fuel tank by half, while the Tiguan had gone through almost a quarter of it’s estimated 60-litre tank.

Nonetheless, the Tucson is a value-for-money package in that there are certain features that are usually found in more premium makes such as the hands-free tailgate operation.

And while the Tiguan costs RM24,000 more and lacks a few bells and whistles, its overall fit and finish, premium interior and exterior aesthetics as well as better fuel consumption are enough to ace this shootout.

SPECIFICATIONS - Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo GD-iPrice: RM145,688 (on-the-road without insurance)
Warranty: Five years or 300,000kmEngine: 1,591cc, Gamma turbo direct injectionMaximum power: 177PS at 5,500rpmMaximum torque: 265Nm from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpmTransmission: Seven-speed dual clutchFuel consumption: 7.6l/100km (combined cycle)Features: Six airbags, keyless entry, smart key with start stop button, 8-way driver power seat, LED headlamps with static bending light, LED daytime running lights, three drive modes (normal, sports and eco), leather seats, auto cruise control, auto brake hold, smart power tailgate system, leather wrapped steering wheels with controls, audio visual navigation, AUX, USB, Bluetooth connectivity, park assist system, 17-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), brake assist system (BAS), hill-start assist control (HAC), downhill brake control (DBC), rear and front view camera, safe driver recorder.

SPECIFICATIONS - Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI HighlinePrice: RM168,578 (on-the-road with GST without insurance)
Warranty: Five years manufacturer’s warranty with three-year free maintenance and five years roadside assist
Engine: 1,395cc, direct injection turbochargedMaximum power: 150PS from 5,000rpm to 6,000rpmMaximum torque: 250Nm from 1,500rpm to 3,500rpmTransmission: Six-speed DSG with paddle shiftersFuel consumption: 6.7l/100km (combined cycle)Features: Six airbags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist, electronic stability control, hill hold control, intelligent crash response system, multi-collision brake system, active bonnet pedestrian protection, LEDs for front, rear and daytime running lights with ‘Leaving Home’ function, cornering lights, park distance control, auto-dimming rear view mirror, cooled glovebox, drawer under passenger seat, electromechanical parking brake with auto hold function, folding table with cup holders, rear air vents, active info display, powered tailgate, three-zone climate controls, cruise control with speed limiter, 12-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar support, keyless entry with push-start button, reverse camera, 18-inch wheels with 235/55 series tyres, ‘Vienna’ combination leather upholstery, 8.0-inch touchscreen display radio ‘Discover Media’ with Navigation, USB and iPod interface, SD card slot, AUX-IN, Bluetooth connectivity, eight speakers and App-Connect.


Perodua's Tweckbot is on a safety push for Aidil Adha and Merdeka

From left: Hulu Selangor District Council corporate communications officer Junainah Abdullah, Perodua Sales transformation director JH Rozman Jaafar, Hulu Selangor District Council Shukri Mohamad Hamin and Perodua Global Manufacturing president Rozunan Che Pa during the 'Fly the Jalur Gemilang' Campaign.

RAWANG: Perodua is continuing its road safety push with its Tweckbot complimentary mobile vehicle inspection service this Aidil Adha and Merdeka.

“Tweckbot aims to promote the importance of checking one’s vehicle regularly, to service them at authorised Perodua service centres and to only use genuine Perodua products and parts, all in the name of safety,” said Perodua president and CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Tweckbot is a 50-point inspection service that includes engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrics.

The inspection service will next be deployed at the PLUS Highway Rawang rest area (Northbound) from Aug 24 to 25 (10.00am to 5.00pm) for those planning for the long drive home during festive periods.

Customers who inspect their vehicle with Tweckbot will receive a 20% discount voucher that's redeemable for parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre.

Perodua recently participated in the launch of the Hulu Selangor District Council’s ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ programme at the Kuala Kubu Bharu Mini Stadium, where Tweckbot inspected a total of 60 customer vehicles throughout the day.

The local carmaker's booth engaged visitors with various activities designed to spread the message of safety and had on display its GearUp Isofix child seats as well as many other internal and external safety initiatives.

“Safety is a mindset first and foremost, and as a People First company, Perodua will do all it can to promote this mindset amongst its employees, customers and the general public. We believe safety is everyone’s right,” added Zainal.

Since the inception of Tweckbot in 2011, over 8,000 vehicles have been inspected.


Thai car sales slump to 15-month low on Covid-19 outbreak curbs

                BANGKOK: Thailand's domestic car sales tumbled 38.8% in August from a year earlier as stricter coronavirus containment measures hit economic activity, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has announced.

However, the curbs, imposed in July and August, have been eased from this month, which the FTI said should boost car sales later this year.

In August, sales dropped to 42,176 vehicles, the lowest level in 15 months, after July's 11.6% year-on-year fall to 52,442 units, the FTI said.

A microchips shortage also slowed car production, it said.

Thailand is a regional vehicle production and export base for the world's top carmakers, including Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan.

The FTI is maintaining its targets for domestic car sales of 750,000 units and auto exports of 800,000 to 850,000 cars this year.

A motor expo in December will also help boost sales this year, Surapong Paisitpattanapong, a spokesperson for FTI's automotive industry division told a briefing.

"After the lockdown relaxation, clients began to visit showrooms. Auto centres are back to normal," he said.

"Consumer confidence is important. If government measures can build people's confidence, spending will return," he added.

In August, car exports rose 3.78% from a year earlier to 59,571 units, a four-month low, due to delayed production of some models caused by semiconductors and parts shortages as well as outbreaks at some factories.

"If the shortages and the Covid-19 situation ease later this year, our export target should be met," Surapong said.


CKD Mazda cars to get seats from APM joint venture

                SHAH ALAM: Mazda cars such as the CX-5 sport utility vehicle (SUV) will be getting seating systems from a joint venture between APM Automotive Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Auto Parts Holdings Sdn Bhd and Delta Kogyo Co Ltd.

The joint venture company, APM Delta Seating Systems Sdn Bhd, will also be supplying seating systems components for Mazda vehicles assembled in Malaysia which might be exported into other Asean countries.

APM Delta Seating Systems will also look into exporting completely knocked down (CKD”) seats, seat frames and components to other Asean countries.

The production plant for this joint venture will be in Kulim, Kedah and is due to be completed by February 2017.

The joint venture, initiated through a programme by Mazda and Malaysia Automotive Institute four years ago, is in support of Malaysia’s Northern Corridor Economic Region which aims to boost economic growth in the Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Auto Parts Holdings focuses on design, manufacture and sales of automotive components and systems.
Meanwhile, Delta Kogyo which is a manufacturer of seat assembly, slide adjuster, recliner, height adjuster, shifter, sun visor and door checkers, is based in Japan.

Delta Kogyo, a Japanese corporation, has been one of APM Group’s technical partners in Malaysia for over 4 years and also has operations in China, Thailand, Myanmar North America and Mexico.


Pros and cons of using apps that help plan a long electric car trip

                BERLIN: Enter your destination, plan stops for charging, and drive off. In theory, it should be easy to go for a long trip in an electric car, especially if you use an app to help plan your route.

"This can work very well in practice, especially if the trip follows main traffic routes such as highways," says automotive and mobility reporter Luca Leicht.

However, it’s not always so simple. Depending on the system used to plan a route, information about charging points may be missing from the navigation system or range data may be inaccurate because the car’s power consumption is incorrectly calculated.

According to Leicht, this is especially true when planning with mobility apps, such as those provided by charging providers.

"While these apps give the user a good overview of where the provider's charging points are located, they quickly reach their limits when it comes to route guidance and accuracy," he says.

Apps don’t know everything

Alternative routes, for example, are often not taken into account, nor is the current traffic situation. In addition, most mobility apps don’t know the actual power consumption of the car.

"This is currently a major disadvantage of navigation apps for electric drivers," says automotive industry reporter Hannes Rügheimer.

"So far, there are no uniform standards for accessing the necessary vehicle data such as battery level and other parameters."

He says it’s hoped that eventually vehicle manufacturers will make the relevant data available, for example via future versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Until that happens, users can in most cases store some of their vehicle data in the apps, which allows route planning to have some idea of the vehicle’s power consumption.

"For example, you can enter the charge level when you leave, the maximum or typical speed at which you drive, and other values," explains Rügheimer. The app then tries to calculate the power consumption based on this.

The selection of data that can be stored varies greatly from app to app. While some only allow you to select the vehicle type, apps such as A Better Routeplanner, ElectricRoutes or EV Navigation take into account a wide variety of settings and data, including road conditions, weather data and vehicle weight.

Onboard systems are better

But app calculations have limitations. "An integrated navigation system usually has an advantage here," according to Leicht.

This is because the system usually knows the state of charge (SoC) very precisely and in some cases can also take into account influences such as the weather, temperature and topography.

As well, none of the apps have information on all of the available charging stations. That applies to integrated navigation systems too. It therefore makes sense to have a two-track approach.

"If you use the onboard navigation system, you should have an app as a backup, or vice versa," advises mobility reporter Jörg Maltzan.

However, even having a large selection of charging points on the route is no guarantee that you will actually be able to fill up with electricity when you get to one of them.

For that reason it's definitely a good idea to plan your route before you start driving, Rügheimer advises.

To avoid running out of power, a minimum charging level should also be entered in the respective navigation system.

"In many onboard systems and nav apps, it can be stored that the SoC must never fall below 20%," Leicht explains. This is a good level for electric car newcomers.

Experienced e-car drivers, on the other hand, can reduce the minimum SoC to between 5 and 10%. "This still leaves enough reserve in case a charging station is occupied or consumption is higher than planned," Leicht says.


Toyota to unveil next-generation Mirai Concept at 2019 Tokyo Motor Show

TOKYO: Toyota announced that it will preview the next generation of its groundbreaking, zero-emission Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

"Mirai Concept," a final-stage development model of the second-generation Mirai will be on view at "Future Expo" from Oct 24 until Nov 4 at Megaweb.

The totally re-designed Mirai reflects a major step forward for FCEVs and the potential of a hydrogen society, boasting significantly greater range, improved driving performance, and an elegant, sporty design that offers increased passenger room and comfort.

"We have worked to make a car that customers will want to drive all the time, a car that has an emotional and attractive design and the kind of dynamic and responsive performance that can bring a smile to the driver's face," said Yoshikazu Tanaka, Chief Engineer of the Mirai.

"I want customers to say 'I chose the Mirai because I simply wanted this car, and it just happens to be an FCEV.' We will continue our development work focusing on that feeling, and we hope that with the new Mirai we will be a leader in helping to realize a hydrogen energy society."

Launched in 2014, the first-generation Toyota Mirai proved the global potential of hydrogen to power clean and sustainable mobility, combining a driving range with refueling time equivalent to conventional vehicles and emissions of nothing but water.

Since then, approximately 10,000 Mirai have been sold globally, helping pave the way towards a hydrogen society that will reduce emissions, diversify energy sources, and generate global economic growth.

Scheduled for launch starting in late 2020, initially in Japan, North America and Europe, the second-generation Mirai is much more than an eco-car, marking a new stage for FCEV technology.

Improvements in fuel cell system performance and increased hydrogen storage capacity mean the new Mirai will target a 30% increase in driving range.

The vehicle has also been totally redesigned based on Toyota's premium rear-wheel drive TNGA platform to combine greater agility and driving performance with a sleek and elegant exterior design.


VW warns Korean battery row could lead to 'catastrophic' supply disruption

An artist's impression of SK Innovation's EV battery site in Georgia, United States.
SEOUL: Volkswagen and Ford said a US legal row between South Korean battery makers could disrupt supplies of the key electric vehicle parts and cost US jobs during the Covid-19 outbreak, according to documents submitted to a US trade panel.

The two automakers asked the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) to allow SK Innovation to manufacture batteries at its proposed US factory in Georgia for use in Ford’s fully electric F-150 and other electric cars, the statements seen by Reuters showed.

Last year, South Korean battery maker LG Chem sued small rival SK Innovation over alleged trade secret theft in the United States, seeking to bar SK from producing battery cells in the US and importing the components necessary to make the cells.

“Any remedial orders should seek to avoid collateral damage to SKI’s existing customers,” Volkswagen said in its public interest comments to the ITC in May.

“To avoid a catastrophic supply disruption,” the commission should allow SK Innovation to manufacture EV batteries in the US facility, Volkswagen said in the May statement.

Ford said that LG Chem’s assertion that it can replace SK Innovation as a supplier is not “credible” given EV battery supply shortages and the long development period required for EVs.

LG Chem declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

SK Innovation is building its first battery plant in Georgia to serve Volkswagen’s EV base in neighbouring Tennessee starting 2022. SK Innovation also plans to add a second US plant to supply Ford’s electric pickup trucks and other models.

“The risk to such US jobs is especially unacceptable in light of current economic conditions caused by Covid-19,” Ford said in its public interest comments to the ITC.

This year, the ITC preliminarily ruled in favour of LG Chem, dealing a blow to SK Innovation. The ITC is set to make a final ruling in the case on Oct 5.


Supercars of Obiang son on the block at Swiss auction

A McLaren P1 Coupe (2014) belonging to Teodoro Obiang at the auction preview of Bonhams at the Bonmont Golf & Country Club in Cheserex near Geneva. — Reuters
CHESEREX (Switzerland): A collection of luxury cars confiscated by Geneva authorities from a son of the president of Equatorial Guinea is estimated to fetch 18.5 million Swiss francs (RM78mil) this weekend, Bonhams auction house said on Friday.

Swiss prosecutors said in February that they had closed an inquiry into Teodoro Nguema Obiang for money-laundering and misappropriation of public assets with an arrangement to sell the cars to fund social programs in the former Spanish colony.

Twenty-six Ferraris, Lamborginis, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces owned by the vice president and former agriculture minister known as Teodorin are displayed at Bonmont golf and country club in the Swiss village of Cheserex, 30km from Geneva, ahead of Sunday’s sale.

In all, 75 prestige cars, mostly post-war, will be on the block at a 12th-Century abbey where telephone banks await bidders.

“We do have a collection of cars from the state of Geneva. It’s a great setting,” said James Knight, group chairman of Bonhams Motoring Department who will conduct the auction.

Billed as the “Supercar Collection”, the Obiang cars do not have a minimum reserve price and have drawn interest from collectors in Europe, the United States, Middle East, and Far East, he said.

Teodorin is the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the west African state for four decades. Rights groups have labeled his administration one the world’s most corrupt.

A white 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, with the initials TNO painted on the hood and "gull wing" doors, is the star lot, valued at 5.2 million to 6.2 million Swiss francs (up to RM26mil).

One of only nine made, it has 325km on the clock, and was being inspected by a potential German bidder kneeling in the grass.

“It is the first time such a car is being offered at public auction,” Knight said. “Buyers want a car to have had few owners, a service handbook and a low odometer reading.”

All but one of the 26 cars from the Obiang collection will be subject to import tax if they remain in Switzerland, Knight said. “They didn’t have Swiss tax paid and are not Swiss-registered,” he said.

A 1956 Aston Martin Lagonda, owned by Claude Nobs, the late founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, is also on offer.

The Rolling Stones, Petula Clark, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury are among performers to have ridden in the raspberry vintage vehicle, the catalogue said.


BMW's releases for 2015

                MUNICH: BMW Group is hard at work with a number of happenings planned throughout 2015, which includes new model launches as well as more engine and equipment options being made available, starting from March onwards.

The Munich-based company’s intention is to equip more of its model ranges with its BMW TwinPower Technology across the BMW 2, 3 and 4 Series range to help further improve their efficiency.

In March, the German sports-executive carmaker intends to launch the BMW 5 Series Edition Sport, which will feature the latest 189bhp four-cylinder diesel engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard and the xDrive all-wheel drive system for the BMW 520d xDrive Sedan and the BMW 520d xDrive Touring.

The Edition Sport will be made available for all model variants - except for M Performance vehicles, the M550d xDrive Sedan and the M550d xDrive Touring.

The items included within the Edition Sport includes a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, LED fog lamps, the BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line and new 18-inch double-spoke light alloy wheels – and can be mixed with the M Sport Package.

Colours for the BMW 5 Series Sedan and 5 Series Touring will include Mediterranean Blue metallic and Mineral Grey metallic while the 5-Series Gran Turismo will be made available in Kashmir Silver metallic in the near future.

The current 2-Series Coupe will be further expanded with the introduction of the Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport alternatives.

As for the 2-Series, it will be provided with the options of being equipped with the latest generation Professional navigation system as well as an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

The transmission will be mated to the company’s latest TwinPower Turbo engine – a new 134bhp and 220Nm 1.5L three-cylinder petrol engine for the BMW 218i Coupe and Convertible, while they roll on new light alloy wheels.

Additionally, the BMW 220d Coupe will be provided with the company’s xDrive intelligent four-wheel drive system to go along with its eight-speed Steptronic transmission, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100kph in 6.9sec.At the entry level, the BMW 214d Active Tourer will have a new 94bhp and 220Nm three-cylinder diesel engine that allows it to accelerate to 100kph in 12.9sec, while average fuel consumption is rated between 3.9 and 3.8L/100km and CO2 emissions between 104 and 99g/km.

The Travel Package will be added to the list of options for the 2-Series Active Tourer and will include items such as a longitudinal rear seat adjustment, roof rails, tables attached to the backrests of driver seat and front-seat passenger seat as well as a luggage compartment net.

Moving on to the 3-Series range, the BMW 316d Sedan and Touring will be powered in future by a new 114bhp/270Nm (+10Nm) 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engine with the option of mating it with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

From March onwards, it will also see the premiering of the entry-level BMW 418d Coupe while a 148bhp/320Nm 2.0L diesel engine for the 420d Coupe and Gran Coupe, with more engine options finding its way into the 4-Series range.

However, the BMW 420d Coupe, 420d xDrive Coupe, 420d Gran Coupe and 420d xDrive Gran Coupe will later receive a more powerful and efficient 188bhp/400Nm 2.0L diesel engine, with the option of mating it to a an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

In addition to the new engine, a newly designed exhaust system and tailpipes will also be featured on the 4-Series and while the 418d Coupe has a 75mm cross section exhaust tailpipe, the other 4-Series models powered by a 188bhp diesel engine will be equipped with 70mm diameter twin-flow tailpipes.

The BMW M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible will receive an exclusive touch via options provided by BMW Individual to further configure the exterior and interior.

From March 2015, there will be a choice of new BMW Individual body colours that includes a range of matt colours that are variants of Frozen Black metallic, Frozen Silver metallic, Frozen Red metallic and Frozen Brilliant White metallic.

In the near future, the BMW M4 Coupe, it will be made available with BMW’s Individual leather upholstery Merino fine grain.

Colour options include Opal White, Amaro Brown, Golden Brown, Cohiba Brown, Nutmeg and the standard all-leather black upholstery, while contrasting seams can be had in Sakhir Orange, Yellow, Blue or Silverstone.

Additionally, the M4 can also be ordered with a colour-matched leather-covered BMW Individual instrument panel.

Finally, the latest BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will have its standard equipment options expanded to include lifestyle products from the Pure Impulse Experience programme.

The products include the Carpo Carum Grey interior design with natural leather elements combined with partially perforated leather surfaces in the light colour of Carum Grey and specific BMW i Blue accents found on the seatbelt straps, mats and seat’s double stitches.

The instrument panel, centre console and doors can be clad with Amido metallic surfaces, while the future foresees the i8 receiving a leather engine cover and black-painted brake callipers.


Chip shortage to hit about 100,000 Mazda vehicles in 2021

                HIROSHIMA: Mazda Motor Corp said it expects a semiconductor crunch to affect around 100,000 of the Japanese automaker's vehicles globally during the fiscal year.

However, Mazda will fully leverage available inventory to minimize the hit to about 70,000 wholesale units, it said in a statement on Friday.

The worldwide shift to remote work and learning during the pandemic had boosted demand for laptops and other gadgets, exacerbating a global chip shortage.

The shortfall will cost automakers US$110 billion in lost revenues this year, up from a prior estimate of US$61 billion, consulting firm AlixPartners said, forecasting the crisis will hit the production of 3.9 million vehicles.

Automobiles depend on chips for everything from computer management of engines for better fuel economy to driver-assistance features such as emergency braking.


No, you can't do that: CIMB seeks to stop PLUS RFID

                KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, the parent company of Touch ‘n” Go Sdn Bhd, is seeking to stop highway operator PLUS Malaysia Bhd from launching its own toll payment collection system.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, CIMB said it has filed and served a notice of arbitration dated Dec 17 on PLUS.

The company claimed that PLUS has breached the obligations it owed to CIMB and CIMB SI 1 Sdn Bhd by starting and launching its own PLUS radio frequency identification (RFID) system.

“The company and CIMB SI 1 are, amongst others, seeking an injunction to restrain PLUS from engaging in further business of the PLUS RFID system together with damages, interests and costs,” it said.

Last month, PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the company will introduce PLUS RFID open payment system at the Penang Bridge, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway and the Jitra toll plaza.

He said the PLUS RFID project is aligned with the government’s innitiave to modernise the toll industry. PLUS FRID is an open payment system that offers drivers the flexibility to pay toll via debit and credit cards.


Samsung Electronics to form auto team in search of growth driver

                SEOUL: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd  said on Wednesday it will create a team to develop automotive-related businesses, as it searches for a new profit driver while struggles at its smartphone division deepen.

Samsung, in a statement, said the team will work outside of existing divisions to grow sales of car components, with initial focus on in-car entertainment, satellite navigation and autonomous driving technologies. The team will also work with other technology arms of the Samsung Group.

Investors and analysts have increasingly called on Samsung to leverage its strength in fields such as chips and displays to tap demand from carmakers seeking increasingly sophisticated technologies for their vehicles.

Meanwhile, market estimates suggest profit from smartphones - Samsung's former cashcow - is set fall in 2015 for the second consecutive year, putting pressure on the manufacturer to find new profit drivers.

US patent filings data compiled by Thomson Reuters IP & Sciences showed increasing efforts by the world's top smartphone maker and its affiliates to push into the rapidly growing market for automotive components, software and services that is worth around US$500 billion.

Samsung Electronics and affiliates such as battery producer Samsung SDI Co Ltd and electronic components maker Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd can become major forces in automotive technology by combining offerings into a single platform, investors and analysts said.

But they point out that it could take several years before Samsung Electronics sees meaningful earnings contribution from car-related sales. Product cycles in the car industry often last several years and require more rigorous safety standards than consumer electronics.

SK Securities analyst Kim Young-woo said while Samsung Electronics is moving in the right direction, Samsung Group as a whole needs to combine key component-making operations under a single umbrella in order to succeed.

"Now that Samsung Electronics rolled up its sleeves, there needs to be a move to consolidate all the different parts into one," Kim said.


Suzuki to make 'flying cars' with SkyDrive

                TOKYO: Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp said today it had reached an agreement with SkyDrive Inc to make "flying cars".

The companies will use a Suzuki Group factory in central Japan to make electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and aim to begin production by around spring next year, Suzuki said in a statement.

SkyDrive will establish a wholly owned subsidiary to make the aircraft and Suzuki will help with preparations for the manufacturing, including securing talent, the automaker said.

Headquartered in the city of Toyota in central Japan, SkyDrive has trading house Itochu Corp, tech firm NEC Corp and a unit of energy company Eneos Holdings Inc among its main shareholders.

The two companies signed a deal in March last year to team up in research, development and marketing of flying cars.


Germany goal to reach target of 1 million electric cars delayed by two years

                BERLIN: Germany will likely have to delay its target of having 1 million electric vehicles on the road by two years to 2022, according to a government-sponsored report.

“Considering the current market dynamics, the 1 million target will likely shift to 2022,” the report by the German National Platform for Electric Mobility, which was submitted to Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, said.

New registrations of electrical vehicles more than doubled in Germany last year, the fastest growth in the world, and there were 131,000 such vehicles registered by the end of 2017, according to the report.

Sales were helped by the launch of a German subsidy scheme in 2016 worth about 1 billion euros (RM4.8bil), partly financed by the German car industry, to boost electric car usage.

However, many consumers have been discouraged by the cost of the cars, their limited driving ranges and the lack of charging points.

Germany’s coalition government plans to ease the tax burden on drivers of electric vehicles, provide at least an additional 100,000 charge points across the country and subsidize car-sharing to push a shift to greener transport.

“We certainly had a delayed start (to electric mobility), but now we are catching up,” Germany’s Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said on Wednesday, adding he saw no need for further incentive schemes.

Germany is also lobbying carmakers to band together to set up production of solid state battery cells in the country to compete with Asian rivals.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, who is also talking with other EU members about promoting production of solid state battery cells, said in Brussels on Tuesday that late-stage talks on the matter would be held in Berlin in November. However, he could not provide details until questions over EU aid and anti-trust rules had been resolved.

“In a few years, Europe will have a competitive battery cell sector that can survive without state aid,” he said after meeting EU Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.

Battery cells are a key battleground in the automotive industry as it shifts to electric mobility.

Currently the industry sources its requirements from Asian manufacturers such as China’s CATL, which plans to build its first European production site in Germany.


Nio to make power products for Europe at its first overseas plant

                SHANGHAI: Chinese electric car maker Nio plans to open its first overseas plant in September to make power products for the European market as it accelerates expansion abroad.

The plant, in Pest, Hungary, will develop and make power products such as battery-swapping stations to serve European users, Nio said in a statement late on Friday.

Nio will speed up construction of battery swapping stations in Europe with a view to expanding sales of its cars in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark in the second half of this year.

The company is also partnering with oil giant Shell PLC to build battery swapping stations globally, starting with China and Europe this year, according to a Nio statement today. Shell will open its charging network in Europe to Nio users, it added.

Nio started shipping its ES8s to Norway in 2021 and has opened a showroom in Oslo.

The company has been touting its after-sales services with city-centre showrooms and battery service networks as important competitive advantages.

Nio has said it planned to establish 4,000 battery swapping stations worldwide, a quarter of them outside China.

More Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startups and battery makers are increasing their presence in global markets where EV and energy storage demand is taking off.

Chinese battery maker Gotion High Tech Co said in June it planned to locate a third of its production capacity outside China by 2025 with construction of its first overseas battery plant, in Gottingen, Germany, to begin by the end of the year.


Portuguese lithium, fuel of Europe's electric vehicle revolution?

                LISBON: Portugal next year could approve lithium mining that will reduce Europe's dependence on outside sources for a key ingredient in the frenetic global race to decarbonise the auto industry.

The southern European nation is thought to have the continent's largest lithium reserves. Alongside nickel and cobalt, lithium has become a prized raw material as it is a vital element in the production of electric vehicle batteries.

Demand is soaring as manufacturers scramble to produce low-emission fleets and governments seek to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the battle against climate change.

Portugal's environment regulator will deliver its verdict on the approval of a major new lithium mine in the north of the country in early 2022.

With lithium mostly mined in Australia and South America while China dominates the supply chain, the regulator's decision could bolster Europe's independent supplies of the coveted resource.

'White gold rush'

China - simultaneously viewed as an economic rival and partner in many Western capitals - controls more than 40 percent of world lithium production and almost 60 percent of global lithium refining capacity.

That could change if a deal between Portuguese oil firm Galp Energia and Swedish electric battery maker Northvolt bears fruit.

The two companies earlier this month sealed a deal to set up one of Europe's largest lithium refineries in northern Portugal.

Costing an estimated 700 million euros ($787 million), the facility would process enough ore to produce batteries for around 700,000 electric vehicles per year by 2026.

But Galp and Northvolt intend to secure lithium supplies from British mining firm Savannah, which says it holds one of Western Europe's largest lithium deposits in northeastern Portugal but must await the regulator's decision next year.

Savannah says the deposit could provide enough lithium for up to 600,000 electric vehicles per year for ten years.

Portuguese company Lusorecursos this year also submitted an environmental impact study to open a second mine in a neighbouring municipality that would have its own refining facility.

A "white gold rush" for lithium in Portugal follows Canadian group Rock Tech Lithium's decision to invest 470 million euros in a German lithium plant from 2024.

Environment Minister Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes welcomed the mining sector's buoyancy and said the government founded its industrial strategy on Portugal's natural resources.

But a much-delayed tender for prospecting rights for eight other potential deposits will only begin after legislative elections on January 30, he added.

Soaring demand

Europe's dependence on outside sources for lithium comes amid growing demand partly fuelled by an auto industry scrambling to decarbonise.

According to the World Economic Forum, the global auto industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire European Union.

The International Energy Agency estimates that global demand for lithium will increase by 42 percent between 2020 and 2040.

This demand is driving technological innovation to increase extraction capacity.

Chemicals company Bondalti - a subsidiary of Portugal's historic corporate giant Mello - this month announced it had teamed up with Australian firms to test a new refining technology which would treat lithium extracted from South American brine.

Future developments could even see lithium extracted from Portugal's granite-rich northeast and add to a European lithium bonanza.

'Enormous slag heaps'

While lithium may help decarbonise the automotive industry, its extraction and refining are not without an environmental impact, and the projects have generated plenty of concern.

"The exploitation of lithium cannot become a national enterprise that would allow us to extract in any way or at any price," said Nuno Forner of environmental NGO Zero.

Forner did not rule out the environment regulator reaching a "surprise" verdict but expected it to approve Savannah's project under certain conditions.

In Covas do Barroso, a remote northern municipality famed for its beef where Savannah's mine is to be sunk, the project has caused consternation.

"We already know that it's the political and economic powers who decide," Nelson Gomes, president of a local pressure group, told AFP.

He predicted the mine would "destroy agricultural land, re-route streams and create enormous slag heaps" and vowed to "do everything" to stop it.

Savannah chief executive David Archer said the company had planned 238 measures to "eliminate or minimise" the project's impact involving investment of around 15 million euros.


Could sand be an alternative to lithium when it comes to green energy storage?

                PARIS: Is sand the material that could one day replace lithium in batteries for renewable energy technologies? Such is the idea of a team of Finnish engineers who have developed a new kind of battery.

The Finnish company Polar Night Energy, located in Kankaanpää in the west of the country, has developed a battery based principally on sand.

This new type of battery is actually a large steel tank installed in a power plant and filled with construction sand. It could potentially save 169.8 megatons of CO2e per year by 2030 (or between 56.6 megatons and 283.1 megatons of CO2e per year), according to Mission Innovation, a global clean energy initiative.

Strictly speaking, this battery will not be able to produce electricity, since it will only be used to store heat produced from surplus solar and wind energy during the summer. This heat can then be discharged and used to heat homes, business premises or municipal buildings, starting from next winter.

The sand stores heat at about 500°C, making it possible to heat houses in winter when energy is more expensive. This offers a means of limiting energy costs — ecologically, politically and economically — especially since one third of energy consumed in Finland comes from Russia.

Before May 14, 2022 (when Russia halted energy deliveries to the Nordic country), around 10% of Finland's electricity supply came from Russia.

The device developed by Polar Night Energy also has the advantage of offering an alternative to lithium, a rare metal used in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines (as well as smartphones and electric cars), the extraction of which raises major ecological and social concerns. Moreover, lithium is a rare metal, and the threat of a shortage looms in the coming years.

Seen from this angle, the use of sand to store energy seems opportune. But the quantity of sand used in the Polar Night Energy battery is not negligible, since more than 100 tonnes are poured into the tank used for this purpose.

Naturally created by the erosion of rocks near water sources (oceans, seas, rivers, etc.), sand is the second most exploited natural resource after water, according to a UN report published in April.

But, unlike water, few official regulations are in place to ensure a reasonable use of sand.

This is a real social and environmental problem, since this resource is subject to major trafficking and illegal extraction, generating conflicts and causing insecurity for the inhabitants in some countries, as is the case in India or Morocco.


China to scrap foreign auto ownership limits by 2022

Cars parked at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in this file pic. — Reuters
BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China will scrap foreign ownership caps on local auto companies by 2022 and will remove restrictions on new-energy vehicle ventures this year, a major shift that will open the market wider to carmakers from Nissan to Tesla Inc.

The country will remove limits on firms making fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2018, commercial vehicle firms in 2020 and the wider passenger vehicle market by 2022, China’s state planner said in a statement.

The move, which comes amid a trade standoff between Washington and Beijing, signals the end of a rule put in place in 1994 in the world’s largest auto market limiting foreign carmakers to owning a 50 percent share of any local venture.

The policy was implemented to help support domestic carmakers compete against more advance international rivals.

Analysts said the main beneficiaries, at least in the short-term, would be carmakers focused on new-energy vehicles, including US electric carmaker Tesla, which has been seeking to set up a wholly owned plant in Shanghai.

Tesla chief Elon Musk said last month China’s tough auto rules for foreign firms created an uneven playing field as scores of local and international companies compete for a slice of China’s fast-growing market for “green” cars.

Tesla was not immediately available to comment today.

The looser rules would likely raise pressure on domestic carmakers, potentially hitting local names like Warren Buffett-backed BYD Co Ltd.

Traditional automakers will need to wait longer for any direct impact and may even see more risks than opportunities in ditching their joint venture structures, said James Chao, Asia-Pacific chief at consultancy IHS Markit.

“Foreign companies may already be in a box (in China),” said Chao, adding the joint venture structure was now so ingrained many might not want to change it.

“While getting a bigger share could be advantageous in terms of boosting profits, they may actually be already too dependent on their Chinese partners to sever those ties.”

A senior General Motors Co executive said last week that even without ownership caps the US carmaker would not cut ties with local partner SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, adding GM would not be as successful in China on its own. The person asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

GM said last week the firm’s “growth in China is a result of working with our trusted joint venture partners”.

Japan’s Nissan Motor Co Ltd said in a statement it would “monitor how any specific policies develop and will plan accordingly”.

Honda Motor Co Ltd said its China business had grown on the back of strong local tie-ups. “At the moment, we have no plans to change our capital relationship,” a Honda spokesman said.

China will also scrap foreign ownership limits in the ship and aircraft manufacturing industries in 2018, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

Airbus SE and Boeing Co did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

The highly symbolic moves in autos come after President Xi Jinping said last week the country would scrap ownership limits “as soon as possible”, exciting global auto brands even as China and the United States spar over trade tariffs.

China - which said the easing of autos rules is unrelated to its trade dispute with the United States - is keen to portray itself as open for business. Its ties with the world’s largest economy though are becoming increasingly fraught.


Opinion: Europe Is the auto industry’s one bright spot, thanks to EVs

                NEW YORK: The global auto industry has more than US$2 trillion in annual revenue and employs millions of people in dozens of countries. It’s also shrinking-at least in terms of what it delivers to customers.

The number of vehicles sold last year, 78 million, was down for the second year in a row, and came in more than 8% below 2017’s peak.

This year, sales in China, the world’s largest auto market, were down 80% from a year earlier in February, when many people were barricaded at home due to the threat of Covid-19. Growth seems unlikely to pick up this year.

The China Passenger Car Association said last month that nation-wide sales for the year could be down 5% from 2019.

There is a warm spot in this cold market, however: electric vehicles. automakers sold 2.1 million plug-in hybrid and purely electric vehicles last year, up 9% from 1.9 million in 2018.

My BloombergNEF colleagues expect EV sales to grow another 14% this year, to 2.4 million vehicles. Last year’s passenger electric vehicle market was bigger than South Korea’s passenger vehicle market, significantly bigger than Mexico’s auto market, and twice the size of Thailand’s market.

The projected level of growth for next year would make the global EV market bigger than the French auto market, the second-largest in Europe after Germany.The EV market has always skewed towards a number of key countries and regions.

In 2013 and 2014, Tesla’s sales in the U.S. made North America by far the largest market. Europe was the largest EV market in 2015; since then, Asia Pacific (and China in particular) has been the main driver of global sales.

My colleagues still expect China to be the largest EV market this year, but Europe should see the most growth. BloombergNEF projects a 50% increase in sales on the Continent in 2020, to more than 800,000.

What’s driving those sales (pun intended)? First and most importantly, strict fuel economy regulations. Europe’s mandatory fleet-wide fuel efficiency targets are low enough that, assuming total European auto sales remain steady this year at around 15 million, they’ll have to sell at least 608,000 pure electric vehicles or 906,000 plug-in hybrids in order to meet them, according to a BNEF estimate.

Also important is the fact that Europeans will have many new models to choose from this year and next. By 2021, Europe will have 175 EV models on the market, 50% more than in North America. Some, like the VW ID.3, the Peugeot e-208, the Volvo XC40, the Opel Corsa-e, and the Skoda Vision, have the potential for high-volume sales given their competitive price points.

Then there’s BMW, which is bringing its i4 sedan to market in 2021.

Oliver Sachgau and Christoph Rauwald of Bloomberg News said it well in their story on the announcement: the i4 "ditches the quirky design” of BMW’s earlier i3 in favour of something both sleeker and more mainstream. It’s electric; it’s a BMW; it’s not that complicated. A pretty tidy sales pitch, no? — NATHANIEL BULLARD


US auto industry to begin reopening plants in recovery from pandemic

Ford F-150 trucks on display at a car dealership in Peoria, Illinois. — Bloomberg
DETROIT: The US auto industry is slowly returning to life, with vehicle assembly plants scheduled to reopen on Monday and suppliers gearing up in support as the sector that employs nearly 1 million people seeks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) all have been preparing for weeks to reopen their North American factories in a push to restart work in an industry that accounts for about 6% of US economic activity.

For the automakers and their suppliers, many of which began reopening their plants last week, the restart is critical to ending the cash drain caused by a two-month shutdown that was forced on them by Covid-19. The emphasis will be on getting assembly lines again producing such profitable vehicles as the Chevrolet Suburban SUV, Ford F-150 pickup truck and Jeep Wrangler SUV.

“Ultimately, we’re in this together. Because if we don’t build trucks, Ford Motor Company is gone,” said Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862, which represents more than 14,000 hourly workers at Ford’s two Kentucky assembly plants.

President Donald Trump on Thursday will tour a Ford plant in Michigan that has been repurposed to make ventilators and personal protective equipment, according to the White House.

The Kentucky Truck Plant, which builds the larger Super Duty pickups as well as the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, will restart with two shifts, Dunn said, while the nearby Louisville Assembly Plant, which builds the Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs, resumes with only one shift.

A Ford spokesman said plants that were running on three shifts before the shutdown will reopen with two, and those that were operating with two shifts will restart with one.

GM is reopening a number of plants on one shift on Monday, including 1,600 hourly workers making heavy-duty pickup trucks in Flint, Michigan, and 1,600 workers manufacturing pickups in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The reopening will be a closely watched test of whether workers across a range of industries can return to factories in large numbers without a resurgence of infections.

Auto companies have rolled out a series of safety measures to protect workers, including the use of temperature monitors for those entering plants, personal protective equipment such as face masks and shields, revamped and deep-cleaned factory floors that emphasize social distancing and more.

The UAW’s Dunn said one question will be how many workers punch in at his local’s production facilities on Monday given a lack of daycare in Kentucky, where schools are closed, as well as fear among those with underlying health conditions who are at greater risk of infection. He said Ford has been hiring temporary workers to cover for any absenteeism.

Another issue automakers will have to watch closely is the financial health of suppliers. As most suppliers get paid on average 45 days after they deliver parts, some will struggle to stay afloat as the industry slowly reopens.

“Once you are up and running safely, the financial liquidity issue becomes a very significant concern for many suppliers,” said Julie Fream, president of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.


Lotus opens brand centre in Piccadilly

                LONDON: Group Lotus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM, has newly refitted its Lotus Brand Centre in Piccadilly – an upmarket area within London, England.

The company’s new centre looks to provide an opportunity for patrons to learn more about Lotus, allowing them to get closer to the company’s pure and lightweight sports cars.

Two of the company’s best-selling models - the Elise 220 Cup and the Exige S, take centre stage, while the new and fastest production Lotus Evora 400 will be displayed later in the year.

The main area of the new Lotus store is dedicated to a fully interactive Lotus sports car configurator where customers can chose the specifications of their new Lotus, take a look at examples of the latest range of Lotus cars, the iconic Elise and stunning Exige.

Customers are then referred to the nearest 179 dealers located internationally, including the latest and recently opened Lotus dealership in South Kensington, London, for a test drive.

“With this new Brand Centre concept, we will further introduce our exciting cars and illustrious brand to more fans and potential customers of Lotus,” said Group Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales.

He added that there’s no better place, outside of the company’s Norfolk headquarters, to learn about the brand that comes with the ‘legendary Lotus benchmark handling’.

The Lotus Piccadilly Store is located on the north side of Piccadilly Circus with two entrances on Regent Street and Glasshouse Street.


New launches to drive auto sector earnings in 2023

                KUALA LUMPUR: With expectations that total industry volume (TIV) in the domestic auto sector will abate in 2023, automakers will have to leverage new model launches to lift sales figures.

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research said in a note it expects order backlogs to tail off in 1H23 following the end of sales and service tax (SST) exemption deliveries in end March 2023.

"OEMs with new model launches in 2022-2023 will be better positioned to attract consumers in order to sustain sales volume into 2H23.

"Exciting new models expected in 2023 include Perodua's new sedan, the Aruz and Axia facelifts; Proton's new sedan/MPV/SUV; Honda's new CR-V, the new WR-V and BR-V; and Toyota's new Vios, new Yaris and new EV model," it said in a sector update.

Subsequently, the research house expects TIV to recover towards end-2023 due to normalising demand and more aggressive year-end sales.

In its projection for 2023 TIV, HLIB projects 630,000 units, which represents a 10% year-on-year drop due to the ending of SST exemptions.

Other factors affecting sales include the higher interest rate as a continued hike in overnight policy rate in 2023 to 3.25% from 1.75% in early 2022 may affect consumer sentiment in buying a new car.

HLIB expects the ringgit to appreciate further against the US dollar from the current level of 4.4 to average 4.34 in 2023 while the Japanese yen will remain at an average of 3.33.

It said the stronger ringgit will lower the effective input costs for imported completely built-up (CBU) cars, completely knocked-down (CKD) packs and raw materials, and subsequently improve original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) margins.

It identified OEMs that have major exposure towards the US dollar to include Toyota (UMW) and Nissan (Tan Chong Motor), while for the Japanese yen, this includes Honda (DRB-Hicom) and Mazda (Bermaz Auto).

HLIB expects earnings for the sector to drop in 2023 due to lower sales volume and higher operating costs, although DRB-Hicom is the exception due to Proton's sales growth.

"Our top picks are DRB-Hicom (BUY, target price: RM2.24) and MBM Resources (BUY, target price: RM5) for their strong leverage onto the national OEMs, ie Proton and Perodua, which have more sustainable sales volume and potential export growth in the longer term," it said.


May 4-10: Fuel prices unchanged

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged for the period from May 4-10.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement today, said that RON97 petrol remains at RM3.35 per litre, RON95 (RM2.05) and diesel (RM2.15).

The weekly retail prices of the products were set based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Maserati unveils new Grecale SUV, full electric version expected next year

                MILAN: Maserati took the wraps off its new Grecale sports utility vehicle (SUV) today, marking another step in the promised expansion of the automaker's range as part of a turnaround strategy.

Initially planned for November last year, the launch of the new model had been delayed due to a global chip shortage.

Maserati, the luxury brand of Stellantis, said the Grecale would be available in the second half of this year in three versions, two 300- and 330-horse-powered four-cylinder mild hybrids, as well as a high performance 530-horse powered petrol V6 capable of a top speed of 285kph.

Chief executive Davide Grasso has said deliveries would start in the summer for the EMEA region and will follow right after in the United States.

With a length of 4.859 meters and a starting selling price ranging from around €74,000 to €111,000 (RM351,000-RM526,000), the Grecale will compete with models including Porsche's Cayenne and Macan, Mercedes' GLE, BMW's X5 and Land Rover's Discovery.

A full-electric version of the car will be available next year, widening the pool of potential competitors to Tesla.

Taking its name from a wind, like its elder sister Maserati Levante, the Grecale will be produced in Stellantis' Cassino plant, in central Italy.

Maserati aims to offer a so-called "Folgore" full-electric version of each model - including the over €200,000 (RM947,000) super sport car MC20 - by 2025 and to be entirely full-electric by 2030.

Its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) will be the new GranTurismo, due to debut before the Grecale in 2023.

SPECIFICATIONS


Roslan Abdullah is Proton Edar CEO

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton has appointed Roslan Abdullah as its vice-president for sales and marketing and chief executive officer of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd.

The appointments take effect today. Roslan succeeds Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa.

Proton Edar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton involved in the distribution of cars and providing sales and aftersales services.

Prior to the Proton appointment, Roslan oversaw operations of DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd. He was formerly Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer.

He goes to Proton with nearly 30 years of experience in the automotive sector covering finance, operations and sales.

Roslan is an accountancy graduate from Britain's University of Brighton.

DRB-HIcom has a stake in both Proton and Honda Malaysia.


Zero-emission mobility with the BMW Motorrad Concept Link

                CERNOBBIO, ITALY: The BMW Motorrad Concept Link is the BMW Group's vision of zero-emission urban mobility on two wheels.

Presented at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017, and inspired by the BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100, the design study has a low-slung, stretched body and the flat seat, and a front trim in Liquid Metal Titanium that contrasts with the semi-matt black body.

"The technical realities of electric drive – such as the flat energy packs in the underfloor and the compact drive on the rear wheel – allowed us to create a highly distinctive design,” explains Alexander Buckan, Head of Vehicle Design at BMW Motorrad.

Due to its low overall height, getting on is easy from the side or even from the back.

A reverse gear ensures that it is easy to manoeuvre, making it ideal to park in tight city spaces.

The seat bench can be adjusted lengthwise to suit every preference.

In the centre section, underneath the seat bench, a luggage compartment offers versatile storage opportunities.

The rider can access this quickly and easily at all times using a sliding door.

The side panels stretch across the vehicles side like little wings allowing views of the technical elements like drive unit, cooling ribs, single-sided swing arm, spring strut and tooth belt.

At the same time, they help improve aerodynamic air flow.

The classic instrument cluster has been dropped.

Instead speed, navigation and battery information is projected onto the windshield directly into the rider’s field of vision.

Secondary information is displayed on the large-surface panel, which matches the design perfectly and is located below the handlebars.

The touch sensitive surface of the large-size panel displays and controls extensive infotainment, connectivity and routing information.

Freely programmable, touch-enabled buttons on the handlebars allow the rider to access preferred and frequently used functions without having to remove his hands from the handlebars.


Lamborghini presents Moleskine Special Edition 2021

                MILAN: Two Italian companies catering to the luxury segment have come together again to produce a special edition.

It's not a car this time but a notebook. The names need no introduction. One is Lamborghini; the other Moleskine.

Both companies agreed to hire artist Emiliano Ponzi to come up with the Moleskine Special Edition 2021 because they like his graphic style.

Ponzi expresses himself through his works with bold, textured artwork that employs repetition, a judicious use of line, strong graphic compositions, and the use of conceptual metaphors to define and communicate a theme.

His illustrations are featured in top tier publications, books, newspapers and advertisements for clients such as The New York Times, Le Monde, The New Yorker, Louis Vuitton, MoMA NY, Cartier and Der Spiegel.

For the Lamborghini-Moleskine project, Ponzi crafted a narrative about a journey with a Lamborghini Huracán EVO that starts in an urban context, meanders through a naturalistic setting, and culminates at sunset with the illustration that we see on the cover.

The Lamborghini provides the colour in both dream journeys and real ones, in the context of open spaces and urban settings.

The Moleskine notebook for Automobili Lamborghini, Special Edition 2021, is available from Lamborghini dealers, the boutique in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and the e-commerce channel Lamborghinistore.com, which lists it at US$45 (RM186).

Both companies have worked together over the years and their collaborations had spawned many customisations of the famous notebook, both for the annual edition and for a number of Lamborghini events.


KL City Hall scraps new parking charges for TTDI

                KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall, following public outcry over the new parking charges in Kuala Lumpur, had scrapped the newly introduced rate at Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) area.

The move comes with immediate effect.

The new parking fee was imposed in TTDI and several other areas in Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning.

The revision was made following a meeting between City Hall and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor this morning.

“After taking in the views of all parties, City Hall had decided to revert the parking charges at TTDI since it is a residential township," said Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz.

Star Metro on Monday reported that City Hall had increased their parking charges in the central business district (CBD) by 150%.

The affected areas are Bukit Bintang, Bukit Damansara, Sri Hartamas, Desa Hartamas, Solaris Mont Kiara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar where 75% to 100% parking spaces are taken up during peak hours.

The hourly parking charges in the CBD has been increased from 80sen an hour to RM2 for the first hour.

The rates have been raised to RM3 for the second hour and RM3 for the subsequent hours.

Motorists who parked from 7.30 am to 6pm would have to fork out as much as RM32 a day for parking charges under the new rate.

The new parking charges will be enforced in stages from now to Aug 1 depending on its locality.

Rates will also eventually go up by next month in zones outside the city where the parking charges are currently 50 sen per hour.


VW working hard to quickly find Piech successor, says CEO

                HANOVER: Volkswagen aims to quickly find a successor to Ferdinand Piech who quit as chairman week before last, after 13 years in the position, following a damaging public leadership dispute with chief executive Martin Winterkorn, the CEO said.

"The executive committee and the supervisory board are working hard to swiftly resolve the remaining issues with regard to the composition of the supervisory bodies in the best possible manner," Winterkorn said at the carmaker's annual shareholder meeting today.

Winterkorn, who was backed in the showdown with Piech by VW's works council and stakeholder Lower Saxony, said the group had "clarity" on future strategy despite the turbulences and rushed to thank Piech for his achievements.

"It is good that we have returned to calmer waters," the CEO said. "We can concentrate fully on our business."

Earlier today, VW announced the creation of a truck holding to bundle its heavy-duty commercial vehicle brands MAN and Scania.


Kia among highest in brand value

                SEOUL: Kia Motors has been ranked among the highest valued brands in the world once again, according to Interbrand’s 2017 ‘Best Global Brands’ report.

The latest study, released today, has confirmed that Kia’s brand value has grown 6% in the last 12 months to US$6.68bil (RM28.19bil).

Interbrand global director of brand valuation Mike Rocha said the Korean carmaker's continued efforts to evolve and redefine itself were critical to the sustained growth in its brand value.

“The launch of the Stinger – Kia’s new and exciting fastback sports sedan, and the opening of ‘Beat 360’ – a new sensory brand experience centre in Seoul, fill me with high expectations of a bright future for the company,” he said.

For the second year running, Kia has been named the world’s 69th most valuable brand in the report, its latest valuation representing a 645% increase in the value of the brand since 2007.

Now the 11th most valuable automotive brand, the company is ranked ahead of dozens of ‘household name’ consumer brands, as well as a host of volume, premium and luxury car manufacturers.

“This welcome rise in Kia’s brand value is a clear reflection of Kia’s continuous dedication to our customers,” Kia Motors senior vice-president of the corporate marketing division Charles Suh said.

“This result provides us with further motivation to continue our mission to become the most desirable automotive brand in the eyes of consumers,” he added.


More graduates from Mazda Apprenticeship Programme

                SHAH ALAM: Bermaz Motor, the exclusive distributor of Mazda cars, recently held a convocation ceremony for 163 graduates of its human capital development programme.

The graduates consist of 51 from Mazda Apprenticeship Programme (MAP), 15 from Body and Paint Programme, 69 from Mazda Master Technician, and 28 from Mazda Master Senior Service Advisor.

Since the MAP's inception in 2010, Bermaz Motor has invested more than RM10mil in the human capital development programme.

The graduates are awarded with the Malaysia Skill Certificate (Level 3, K-Worker), Diploma from the Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited (IMIAL-UK) and Mazda Masters Level F.

Graduates will also continue to pursue higher levels in the Mazda Masters training programme.

 Shell Lubricants Malaysia marketing manager Alex Lim (left) and Bermaz Motor chief executive officer Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh, at a ceremony to mark Shell Malaysia Trading's support of the Mazda Apprenticeship Programme (MAP) via a contribution of RM50,000 annually for the next five years.

The MAP is sanctioned by the Department of Skill Development (DSD), under the Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia, Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited (IMIAL), UK and Mazda Motor Corporation as one of the Accreditation Centre on Motor Vehicle Mechanic Training provider.

The MAP utilises the Motor Vehicle Mechanic syllabus, endorsed by DSD, IMIAL as well as Mazda Master Programme inspired by Mazda Motor Corp of Japan.

The MAP is an automotive skills training programme for school leavers with SPM/SPV.

Selected candidates are entitled to full scholarships provided by Bermaz Motor and guaranteed employment by the company for a minimum of three years.

Throughout the duration of the programme, the trainees receive monthly allowances.

Graduates will be employed by Bermaz Motor as technicians in Mazda’s after-sales service centres in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd will support the MAP by contributing RM50,000 annually for the next five years.

Over the years, Shell has been supporting various marketing initiatives and training programs organised by Bermaz Motor.

Shell Malaysia has been the preferred lubricants partner for Bermaz Motor since it started operations in 2008.