Aiming high with Mazda CX-30

                The new Mazda CX-30 compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) drives into a segment already populated heavily by the 1.8-litre petrol-powered Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR.

However, like the C-HR (imported from Thailand), the CX-30 is imported from Japan which means it doesn't get the tax breaks given for locally assembled cars.

This means hefty price tags for the three CX-30 variants which are priced at RM143,059 (entry-level 2.0-litre petrol); RM164,059 (High grade 2.0-litre petrol) and RM172,943.60 (High grade 1.8-litre diesel).

Compare this to the CX-30's locally assembled big brother CX-5 2.0-litre petrol variants which have more accessible prices of RM137,379.20 (Mid grade) and RM154,379.20 (High grade).

Features and technology
The high prices aside, the CX-30 comes standard with an array of premium goodies including LED automatic headlights, a colour heads-up display to display driving data for the driver, electronic parking brake, automatic wipers, a nice eight-speaker audio system and a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, besides an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For safety, seven airbags are standard and the High grade variants get extra premium stuff like Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Keep Assist System (LAS), Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) for front and rear, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).

On our CX-30 High grade petrol test drive unit, these technologies meant we could can automatically follow and brake, and maintain a safe distance from the car in front (without our right foot on the pedals).

We kept our hands on the steering wheel, bearing in mind that the driver's assistance systems have limitations. With LAS switched on, you will find the steering wheel resisting your efforts to move into the adjacent lane, if you don't signal.

LAS also helps prevent unintentional lane changes by steering the car back towards the center of the lane. The reverse camera with RCTA is really useful as you are warned of approaching traffic when backing out of a parking spot.

We also like the space-saving electric parking brake which allows the Auto Hold function (less fatigue for the right foot in lengthy stop-start traffic as Auto Hold keeps the brake applied until you step on the accelerator pedal).
Interior and practicality

The cabin has an attractive premium ambiance with high quality leather upholstery, soft touch materials and shiny chrome surfaces. There's a powered sunroof if you want more sunlight.

Storage options here are adequate, including four door bins, two cup holders in front and a deep centre console storage box (between the front seats).

There are two USB ports, including one (together with a 12V socket) located in the deep centre console storage box, which also doubles as a centre armrest.

Still, the 8.8-inch full-colour infotainment display is not a touchscreen and you have to use the Commander Control's rotary dial and buttons (below the gear shifter) to control the Navigation and infotainment system.

We did find the infotainment controls somewhat cumbersome compared with some of the touchscreen systems we have tried out.

Perhaps it's time Mazda look more into providing a more user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system. For navigation, you will need a Mazda navigation SD card.

We had no complaints regarding rear headroom and legroom, which we felt is adequate for 1.7-metre adults. Rear air-conditioning vents help to keep rear occupants cool and having is powered rear liftgate is certainly convenient.

Also, the CX-30 has ample rear cargo room at 430 litres (compared with the HR-V's 437 litres and the C-HR's 388 litres).

The Drive
The CX-30 shares its platform and powertrain with the Mazda3, and you will find a familiar 2.0-litre 162hp/213Nm engine here.

All variants in Malaysia are front-wheel drive, with a SkyActiv Drive six-speed automatic transmission.

Running on Thai-produced Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 premium high performance tyres sized 215/55 R18, the drive quality is quiet and refined, with smooth and steady acceleration.

There are no turbocharged thrills here, but a Sport drive mode, engaged via a switch next to the gear lever, allows you to get a more aggressive throttle response and keeps the transmission in a lower gear.

For more involved driving, the paddle shifters come in handy. On the highway, when driving at 80kph, we noted that the tachometer needle was at a low 1,500rpm. At 90kph, the needle was at 1,750rpm and at 110kph, the needle hovered around 2,100rpm.

The front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension tuning provides a balance between sportiness and comfort, and we didn't find the ride quality to be overly firm on bumpy and poorly maintained roads.

The CX-30 has G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology, which helps with cornering control and the SUV is really impressive when taking corners and tight road curves, as we hardly felt body roll.
Verdict
The CX-30 provides eminently smooth, comfortable and completely fuss-free motoring. The leather-clad interior has an upscale look, and the plush seats and top-notch sound insulation combined with the eight-speaker audio sound system deliver a cocoon that you would not mind spending lots of time inside.

It's not a sports oriented compact SUV; the power delivery is smooth but not eager, and the handling is competent and it feels very planted in taking corners.

The CX-30 has a solid build and neat handling, and is quite well-equipped with a long list of comfort, safety and driver's assistance features. It's just too bad that the high selling price means this good-looking compact SUV will appeal only to a very niche buying segment who would not mind paying the extra premium for a machine they really like.
SPECIFICATIONS Mazda CX-30 High grade 2.0LEngine: 1,998cc, SkyAvtic-G direct-injection, four-cylinder petrol
Maximum power: 162hp at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 213Nm of torque at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift
Rear luggage capacity: 430 litres
Fuel tank: 51 litres
Kerb weight: 1,453kg
Features: Electric sliding glass sunroof, powered tailgate, and front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, LED automatic headlights and rear light clusters (Signature Illumination), LED daytime running lights, keyless entry system, colour heads-up display, automatic wipers, push-start button, electronic parking brake, cruise control, one-touch power windows with anti-pinch function, engine start-stop system, free-standing 8.8-inch full-colour infotainment display, multi-function Commander Control rotary knob, voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror, dual-zone climate controls, rear air-conditioning vents, 10-way powered driver's seat (two memory slots)
 Safety features: Seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, traction control, emergency stop signal, hill-start assist, auto-hold function, adaptive front-lighting system, high-beam control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, driver attention alert, front and rear smart brake support and dynamic cruise control
Warranty: 5-year warranty or 100,000km (whichever is first), five-year free maintenance package including labour, parts and lubricants
Price: RM164,059 (on-the-road without insurance)


Ford and BMW lead US$130mil investing round in solid-state battery startup

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co and BMW AG are leading a US$130 million funding round in a solid-state battery startup, Solid Power, as carmakers push to lower the cost of electric vehicles by investing in the development of affordable but powerful rechargeable batteries, the companies said on Monday.

The Series B investment round, which includes venture capital firm Volta Energy Technologies, allows Solid Power to expand in-house manufacturing capabilities and positions the battery maker to eventually supply future EVs, possibly by the end of the decade according to BMW battery cell technology chief Peter Lamp. Solid Power declined to say at what level the funding round values the company.

"The partnerships and the capital that comes along with it are really going to put us on a good footing to execute on our road map, which simply speaking is qualifying this technology for vehicle use and getting them into vehicles in the not-too-distant future," Solid Power chief executive and co-founder Doug Campbell said in an interview.

Carmakers are racing to develop EVs amid tightening CO2 emission standards in Europe and China.

Solid-state battery technology involves a high-capacity energy storage device that improves on lithium-ion batteries, replacing the liquid or gel-form electrolyte with a solid, conductive material. Among other benefits, the new technology offers more energy density and better safety due to a lack of flammable components. Solid Power has said its technology can deliver 50% more energy density than current lithium-ion batteries.

However, solid-state battery technology is more expensive than lithium-ion cell technology. It also must prove it can operate and remain durable in the real world, and must increase its scale to meet industry demand.

Monday's announcement marks the second investment in Solid Power for Ford and Volta Energy. Both participated in the US$26 million Series A round in 2018 that included Hyundai Motor Co and Samsung Electronics.

"We've been working with more than a dozen different startups in this space and we've been most impressed with the progress that Solid Power has made," Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's chief product platform and operations officer, said.

Solid Power, based near Denver, raised US$5 million in convertible debt from BMW iVentures earlier this year. Its partnership with the German automaker began in 2016.

Following the latest investments, Ford and BMW will own equal, unidentified stakes in Solid Power, which was established in 2012 as a spinout from the University of Colorado Boulder, Campbell said.

Ford is pushing to electrify key models in its lineup, including the Transit van late this year and F-150 pickup mid-2022, and already sells the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV. It previously said it will invest US$22 billion in electrification through 2025.

By the end of 2021, BMW aims to have five fully electric models available across the BMW and MINI brands, and it said by 2023 it will have fully electric models available for almost all of its market segments.

Toyota Motor Corp, which has called the technology a "game changer," plans to introduce solid-state batteries on an electrified platform by 2025.

Another solid-state battery startup is Volkswagen-backed QuantumScape, which aims to introduce its battery in 2024. It went public last year through a reverse merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Campbell declined to say whether Solid Power is exploring going public with a SPAC.


BMW CE 04 electric scooter zips in, official price in March

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Motorrad Malaysia today previewed the new BMW CE 04 electric scooter, electrifying its two-wheel range here for the first time. The two-wheeler was introduced alongside the facelifted 3 Series, the updated MINI Electric and the BMW K 1600 B motorcycle.

The CE 04 official pricing would be announced in March, with tentative pricing in the RM60,000 range. The scooter does not require a Class B licence to use.

A culmination of 50 years of electromobility and almost 30 years of urban mobility, the CE 04 features an innovative electric drive that promises an abundance of power and range.

A low placement of the energy storage unit enhances handling and ensures an overall smooth and pleasant ride.

LED lighting units have been implemented for the adaptive headlamp in both high beam and low beam, the rear light, as well as the turn indicators.

The liquid cooled electric motor is mounted in the lower frame between the battery and the rear wheel, contributing to the low centre of gravity.

The CE 04’s motor generates a maximum output of 31 kW (42PS) and 62Nm of torque, allowing for stop-and-go acceleration from 0 to 50kph in just 2.6 seconds. Top speed is 120 kph.

A 60.6 Ah (8.9 kWh) lithium-ion battery provides a maximum range of 130km. The battery is charged using the integrated charging device, which can be done at any regular household power socket, wallbox or public charging station.

When completely flat, fully charging the battery to maximum capacity takes 4 hours and 20 minutes, assuming the standard output of 2.3 kW.

With quick charging, assuming an output of up to 6.9 kW, this can be reduced to 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The CE 04 features four riding modes: “ECO”, “Rain” and “Road”, as well as the “Dynamic” riding mode that is available as an ex works option. It is also equipped with the latest generation of BMW Motorrad Integral ABS Pro.

Additionally, the CE 04 comes fitted with a 10.25-inch TFT colour display with Integrated Map Navigation, as well as extensive connectivity powered by the BMW Motorrad Connected App.

With the app, riders will have access to arrow navigation, as well as vehicle status and statistics. Other than that, the screen makes it possible to display a navigation
map in the instrument cluster, with no additional display needed, and can be operated via the multi-controller.

For added convenience, USB port, storage compartment with USB chargers, 12V socket, lighted helmet storage compartment, lighted flexcase, keyless ride functionality and reversing aid are included as standard.


Vietnam's VinFast starts operations in North America and Europe

                HANOI: Vietnam's first domestic car manufacturer, Vinfast, said today it has started operations in North America and Europe, joining a crowded field of players seeking to woo customers with smart electric cars.

VinFast, a unit of Vietnam's largest conglomerate Vingroup JSC, became the country's first fully fledged domestic car manufacturer when its gasoline-powered models built under its own badge hit the streets in 2019.

The company said in a statement it considered the United States, Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands its key markets in its international business expansion plan.

Two electric car models VF e35 and VF e36 will be officially launched in March next year, the statement added.

VinFast sold about 30,000 vehicles last year and has forecast sales of more than 45,000 for 2021.

It flagged in April that it would consider an initial public offering in the United States or merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company.


Top tips to help keep your car more secure

                LONDON: Car theft remains a significant problem all over the world, and thieves have been changing tactics in recent years, with many now increasingly targeting ‘keyless’ cars by exposing their often-weak security.

There are several things you can do to make your car more secure and to deter thieves. Let’s take a look.

Think about where you park the car

Where you park your car can often play a significant part in the likelihood of a thief taking a chance on your vehicle. When you’re out and about, try and choose the safest place possible to leave your vehicle. Well-lit places are an immediate deterrent while choosing a car park that has CCTV will help put off criminals. You can use the Park Mark website to help you find facilities approved for safety and security.

Parking when you get home is also important. If you have a very visible driveway, it will make crooks notice your vehicle in less time. If you have the option of parking your vehicle around the back of your house, that’s a great idea. Similarly, you could look at installing a parking bollard in front of your vehicle to reduce the likelihood of it being taken.

Where you put your keys is important

It goes without saying but as soon as you get out of your car, you should always lock and secure it, and never be tempted to leave it running – such as when defrosting it on a cold winter’s morning. It’s scenarios like these that opportunist thieves will act on.

After this, you need to think about where you put your keys. Never put them somewhere that’s easily in sight, and try and put them as far away from the car as possible.

Faraday pouch for keyless cars

If you have a keyless car, you should invest in a faraday pouch or box. Available from only around £5, you put your keys inside and then seal the pouch or box, which should stop any ‘keyless’ signals from being emitted, which crooks can use a device to connect with to unlock and start the car even without the keys.

These pouches are a must for any keyless car owner, and don’t forget to put both sets in too. Just be aware that over time these pouches can fade and end up not blocking the signals – you can check by having the keys in the pouch while standing next to the vehicle and seeing if it opens.

Look at steering locks

A physical deterrent is another great idea to help keep your vehicle safer, and one of the best is a steering lock. They might have been well used many years ago, but in a day and age of keyless cars, they’ve made a comeback.

Not only will these hopefully deter thieves in the first place, but they will add time to the job of stealing the car. If you drive a particularly desirable car that’s fitted with keyless entry or start, it’s worth buying.

Install ‘ghost’ immobilisers and trackers

Another deterrent that’s a good idea is an immobiliser. All new cars these days have them but you can add another step by fitting a ‘ghost’ immobiliser. This is where a certain button or number sequence needs to be entered into the car for it to start. It means that even if someone has your keys, they won’t be able to start the vehicle without knowing this pin code.

But should the worst happen, that’s where a vehicle tracker will come in. When installed into the vehicle, you’ll be able to see where the car has been taken, and be able to work with the police to hopefully recover the vehicle. Trackers can sometimes be removed by thieves, however.

Take out any valuables

Even if thieves aren't set out to steal the car itself, it’s a good idea to try and protect the vehicle from being broken into.

The easiest step you can do is to take out any valuables that will put criminals off breaking in. It’s worth putting any bags or boxes on show (even if of little worth) into the boot or out of sight, just in case someone breaks in thinking it’s items of value.

Never put yourself in danger

While there are a number of actions you can take to help to protect your car, there’s one thing you should never do, and that’s putting yourself in danger.

Some car thieves will be part of organised crime networks, and will not be afraid of using violence to steal your car. It’s not worth risking your life or health, or any other members of your household, in trying to protect your vehicle. As long as your car is fully insured with an accurate current valuation, it’s not worth putting yourself in danger for some metal that can be replaced. - PA Media


BMW Group plans Additive Manufacturing Campus

                MUNICH: The BMW Group will invest more than 10 million euros in a new Additive Manufacturing Campus.

Located in Oberschleissheim, just north of Munich, the facility is due to open in early 2019 and will concentrate the full spectrum of the BMW Group’s 3D printing expertise at a single location.

Udo Hänle, Head of Production Integration and Pilot Plant: “This will allow us to test new technologies early on and continue developing our pioneering role.”

Jens Ertel, Head of the BMW Group’s Additive Manufacturing Center and the future campus director, adds: “The team there will evaluate new and existing technologies in both plastics and metals printing and develop them to series maturity.”

 Tool production with stereo-lithography.

Much of the work carried out there will focus on parts manufacturing for prototype construction, series production and customised solutions.

The Additive Manufacturing Campus will also act as an interdisciplinary training and project area, for instance for development engineers.

Located in an existing building with a footprint of over 6,000 square metres, it will accommodate up to 80 associates and over 30 industrial systems for metals and plastics.

Most recently, additive manufacturing was used to generate parts for the BMW i8 Roadster.

Jens Ertel: “With the BMW i8 Roadster, the BMW Group became the first carmaker to 3D-print a production run of several thousand metal parts. The component concerned is a fixture in the tonneau cover for the soft-top.”

Made of aluminium alloy, the printed item is lighter than the normal injection-moulded equivalent but significantly more rigid.

 MINI Yours Customised - Online configuration.

Additive manufacturing is also gaining importance for customised components.

The new MINI Yours Customised programme, for example, allows customers to design certain components themselves. Indicator inlays and dashboard trim strips, for instance, can be 3D-printed to their precise specifications.

Decentralising manufacturing – production follows the market

The BMW Group expects that, with time, it will become possible to produce components directly where they are ultimately needed – an idea that harbours tremendous potential.

Jens Ertel: “We are already using additive manufacturing to make prototype components on location in Spartanburg (US), Shenyang (China) and Rayong (Thailand)."


Chinese electric start-up Byton gives a glimpse of its second car

                NANJING: Hot on the heels of its electric SUV concept car, the Chinese electric car start-up Byton has offered a sneak peek of its much-awaited second model.

The large saloon is due to hit the streets in China in 2020 and will make its way to the rest of the world soon afterwards, the company announced at the CES Asia electronics trade fair in Shanghai.

The new concept car, which features a long hood and a steep tail, measures just under five metres in length and has a purely electric-powered engine. It also has sensors on its roof and sides to offer the possibility of autonomous driving, which, according to Byton CEO Carsten Breitfeld, remains a key priority for the company.

Byton has yet to offer any data on the technical specs for the newly unveiled model. Even so, the drive options are not expected to differ much from the SUV model.

As such, there will likely be electric motors with 71 or 95 kWh, making for a range between 400 and 520 kilometres, and an 80-per-cent electric charge in 30 minutes at a fast-charging station. Likewise, the SUV’s price tag of less than 46,500 dollars is probably a useful guide for the saloon.

With its second car, Byton has also introduced its own company nomenclature. As a digital-oriented brand, it relies on digital terminology and will launch its models under the name "Byte". The saloon will be known as the K-byte, while the SUV should hit markets as the M-byte, the manufacturer says.


New VW eGolf offers more power and more range

                WOLFSBURG: VW has announced that the latest-generation plug-in electric Golf will come with an EPA-estimated range of 200km when it goes on sale in the United States this spring.

That's a 50% improvement on the outgoing model yet as well as going further, the new Golf should be able to get there more quickly thanks to a revised electric motor that offers 134hp (up from 115hp in the old model).

Despite a more potent motor, the car can go further on a single charge because of improved and more efficient battery chemistry. And even though 200km is still some way off the range of a Chevrolet Bolt or a Tesla, VW's latest car will come with a 7.2 kW on-board charger as standard in higher trim specification models and this will allow the battery to recharge completely in under six hours at a 240-volt charging station.

With the optional DC charger the car can top up its batteries by 80% in under an hour at a DC fast-charging station.


Tesla delays initial production of Cybertruck to early 2023, says source

The delay is believed to be because Tesla is changing features and functions of the electric pickup to make a compelling product as competition heats up in the segment. — AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc aims to start initial production of its much-anticipated Cybertruck by the end of the first quarter of 2023, pushing back its plan to begin production late this year, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The person said the delay comes as Tesla is changing features and functions of the electric pickup to make a compelling product as competition heats up in the segment.

Tesla is expected to make limited production of the Cybertruck in the first quarter of 2023 before increasing output, the source said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tesla, the world's top electric car maker, makes electric sedans and sport utility vehicles but has missed out on the pickup truck segment, which is profitable and hugely popular in America.

Ford Motor Co and Rivian Automotive are ahead of Tesla in launching electric pickups.

Ford said early this month it will nearly double annual production capacity for its red-hot F-150 Lightning electric pickup to 150,000 vehicles ahead of its arrival this spring at US dealers.

Ford's market value breached US$100 billion for the first time on Thursday when Tesla shares fell 6.7% and Rivian slumped 7.1%.
CEO Elon Musk, who unveiled the futuristic vehicle in 2019, had already delayed its production from late 2021 to late 2022.

Musk has said he will provide an updated product road map on Tesla's Jan 26 earnings call.

"Oh man, this year has been such a supply chain nightmare & it's not over!," he tweeted in late November, when asked about the Cybertruck.

Tesla recently removed a reference to its production schedule from its Cybertruck order website. Last month, the website said, "You will be able to complete your configuration as production nears in 2022." Now "in 2022" has been omitted.

Tesla plans to produce the Cybertruck at its factory in Texas, which is expected to start production of Model Y cars early this year.


Mitsubishi Red Peak Adventure

KUALA LUMPUR: The Mitsubishi Red Peak Adventure 2015 which will see Mitsubishi 4x4 vehicles perform amazing feats on a specially outfitted obstacle track – the first-of-its-kind in Malaysia.

The all-new Mitsubishi Triton pick-up, Pajero Sport SUV and ASX Compact SUV will be put through their paces on a wide range of obstacles including a 45-degree, 25-feet tall “sky” ramp that points upwards to the sky – an extreme test for any 4x4 vehicle.

The giant ramp will no doubt challenge the capabilities of both man and machine while offering a bird’s eye view of the surroundings.

Other challenges include the roller ramp test that will see the 4x4 vehicles “drive through” the Red Peak Challenge truck, side traverse, uneven ramp test as well as a the new staircase ramp test.

The Mitsubishi Red Peak Adventure will make its debut on August 15 in Malacca and roll on to Johor Baru later this month.

Admission is free and visitors book any Mitsubishi vehicles during the Mitsubishi Red Peak Adventure will receive the special edition all-new Triton umbrella, while the first 100 who test drive any Mitsubishi model will receive free KFC vouchers (while stock lasts).

That’s not all; kids who take part in a special sand art competition also stand a chance to win a bicycle.

There will also be lucky draw prizes to be won, with grand prize of RM 888!


PLUS to close all reload lanes from Aug 29 to Sept 4

                KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has announced the nationwide closure of all 134 reload lanes from Aug 29 to Sept 4 to allow for the smooth operations of toll plazas during the National Day and Hari Raya Haji holidays.

PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail in a statement here Tuesday said the closure of the reload lanes was necessary to prevent traffic congestion due to cash reload transactions.

"Based on our observation and study, the temporary closure of reload lanes during the previous festive season had lessened traffic congestion at toll plazas. Thus, we will continue to use the same approach during the coming and future festive seasons," he said.

As an alternative, motorists can carry out reload transactions at automated teller machines, convenience stores and petrol stations, among others.

Previously, PLUS had closed its reload lanes during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New year celebrations.


Rolls-Royce to unveil new SUV at exclusive events

                LONDON: Anyone who thinks a handful of carmakers are going to hold out and resist the temptation to start building SUVs to take advantage of the current global popularity of all things SUV had better think again.

After Bentley came up with the Bentayga and now even Lamborghini has the Urus, Rolls-Royce is the latest company not traditionally associated with the high-riding format to confirm it's going to be unveiling its own super-luxury SUV to potential customers.

Starting in the summer, Automotive News reports that the British luxury car maker is going to be holding "closed-room" events where the new SUV, currently codenamed Cullinan, will be shown to potential buyers.

The new model isn't exactly a secret as camouflaged versions have already been spotted and photographed undergoing testing at the Nurburgring in Germany, where engineers have been relentlessly working to ensure the new model is "effortless to drive everywhere."

When it eventually goes on sale, it's expected the Cullinan will push the global sales of Rolls-Royce through the 5,000 units per year threshold. In 2016, the company sold 4,011 cars around the world, which was its second-best result ever, but that figure dropped to a disappointing 3,362 units last year.

Unlike the Bentayga, which is built on a platform shared with the Audi Q7 and Lamborghini Urus, among others, the Cullinan will be built on the bespoke aluminum platform that is also being used for the new Phantom. The new SUV is also expected to share the company's twin-turbo V-12 engine with the Phantom, which in that application currently develops 563hp.

In typical Rolls-Royce style, the luxury brand is refraining from using such common terms as crossover or SUV to describe Project Cullinan, and is instead calling it an "all-terrain, high-sided vehicle."

Of course, they're not fooling anyone with such terminology, so expect the new Rolls-Royce SUV to be unveiled to the world in the late summer, with sales starting close to the end of 2018 and deliveries starting in 2019.


Johor wants a third link bridge with Singapore within 3-4 years

                ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor plans to build a third link bridge in Sungai Rengit in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi district, to ease the traffic congestions at the Johor Causeway and the Second Link Crossing.

Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said the bridge would link the southeast part of Johor with Pulau Ubin in Singapore.

He said the state government was in talks with a company which had shown a strong interest in undertaking the project.

"If everything goes as planned, we could see the bridge taking place within the next three to four years," said Osman.

Osman said the project could be implemented under the Private Public Cooperative Unit (Ukas) of the Prime Minister's Department.

"We need to get approval from the Federal Government on the project, and we will also talk with Singapore on the third link bridge," he said.

Osman said the Sungai Rengit-Pulau Ubin route was suitable as it was shorter in terms of the length for the bridge, which would be at about 3km.

He said the plan was that from Pulau Ubin, there would be an undersea tunnel for motorists to reach the Singapore mainland.

Osman said among the components for the third bridge would be common immigration checkpoints for both Malaysia and Singapore instead of separate checkpoints like at the Johor Causeway in Johor Baru and the Second Link Crossing in Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah.

He said the project would further boost development and economic activities in Pengerang, on top of the on-going multi-billion ringgit integrated petrochemical complex.

"We want to spread development to other parts of Johor and not only within Iskandar Malaysia," added Osman.


Rapid KL to charge RM4 for parking at new LRT stations

                KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid KL will start motorists for parking at the new light rail transit (LRT) stations RM4 per entry from Monday, Aug 15 after the expiry of the free promotions.

It said today the fees will be imposed at the “Park n Ride” facilities at the stations at Ara Damansara, Glenmarie, USJ21, Alam Megah, Subang Alam and Putra Heights.

“Parking at motorcycle bays and bicycle racks at these facilities, however, remains free of charge,” said Rapid KL spokesman Lim Jin Aun.

Constructed under the LRT Line Extension Project (LEP), the park and ride facilities were opened on June 30 when the new stations were opened.

“Free parking was offered since June 30 as part of Rapid KL’s initiatives to promote usage of the LRT services for commuters especially among the residents in the neighbourhood. This promotion ends on Aug 14,” added Lim.

Lim, who is the head of group communications and strategic marketing for Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, advised the public to park only at designated areas within the “Park n Ride” areas.

He advised motorists not to park along the side of the road and road shoulders as they could not only affect traffic flow but the vehicles could also be issued summonses or risk being towed away.


Volkswagen in Malaysia dangles attractive savings as business reopens

                KUALA LUMPUR: To celebrate the reopening of business in line with the Government’s National Recovery Plan (NRP), Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering exclusive deals with savings up to RM10,000.

The deals include one-year free insurance, RM3,500 online rebate, and additional savings of up to RM6,500 for the Passat Elegance.

 Passat Elegance.

The Passat R-Line comes with 1-year free petrol, RM3,500 online rebate, and additional savings of RM5,500.

 Passat R-Line.

The Tiguan Allspace Highline is offered with a RM3,500 online rebate and additional RM2,000 savings.

 Tiguan Allspace.

With 0% sales tax available for all models, it is more affordable to purchase a Volkswagen now.

Volkswagen vehicle production in Malaysia is currently not affected by the global shortage of semiconductors, and there is no waiting period for any models as there are available units at dealerships.

In addition, all Volkswagen dealerships have resumed operations and showrooms are now open to individuals who have completed their vaccinations, and in strict adherence to latest set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) released by the Government and #SafeHands measures.

As an added safety precaution, only fully-vaccinated sales consultants will serve customers.

 Arteon R-Line 4Motion.

Test drive is also allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals and all models in the Volkswagen line-up are available for test drive, including the recently launched Arteon R-Line 4Motion.

In conjunction with the upcoming Malaysia Day long weekend, Volkswagen dealerships will be hosting a virtual showroom event from Sept 16h to 19.

Customers may tune in to the respective dealership’s social media channels to learn about the models and latest offers.

For more information, please contact the preferred Volkswagen dealership at https://www.volkswagen.com.my/dealer-locator.


Lamborghini Aventador may go hybrid route

                DETROIT: Nobody needs to be a super-sleuth these days to guess the direction a motor manufacturer is going to be going in over the next few years. If it doesn't have an SUV in its lineup it soon will have, and no matter what type of automaker it is, electrification is also going to figure in future plans.

Lamborghini has already gone down the SUV route with the stunning Urus, and it appears hybridisation is next on the Italian supercar manufacturer's list of things to do, possibly with a future version of the legendary Aventador.

Speaking to Motor Authority at the Detroit Auto Show last week, Lamborghini's head of research and development, Maurizio Reggiani, said "we must decide what will be the future of the super sports car in terms of electric contribution."

Some may assume the problem with developing an electrified powertrain for a car like the Aventador would be getting the kind of performance required for such a model, but the likes of the Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 have shown performance isn't an issue for hybrid supercars.

No, the problem is the weight of batteries, which is a particular problem for the Aventador as it already weighs in at a whopping 1,853kg. In fact, weight is already such an issue with the Aventador that even a dual-clutch gearbox, which would seem like a must-have for a next-generation Aventador, isn't going to be approved until it justifies the extra weight it brings over the present single-clutch unit.

The Aventador already uses lightweight carbon-fiber for its bodywork, so the developers can't drop a whole load of weight by changing what the car is made from.

Even so, it's really just a matter of when rather than if hybridisation comes to Lamborghini, and it's much the same story with turbocharging. Reggiani has already admitted that turbos will get bolted on "sooner or later," which Lamborghini's commercial officer Federico Foschini also confirmed last year. The Urus will almost certainly be getting a hybrid powertrain soon, and a next-generation Huracan is likely to go hybrid in 2022.

As Euro 6 emissions aren't getting less stringent anytime soon, it's only a matter of time before the Lamborghini flagship has to adopt at least some level of electrification.


Upcoming electric Hummer set for Oct 20 debut, can move diagonally like a crab

                DETROIT: GMC has confirmed that the electric Hummer will make its world debut on Oct 20.

Its planned debut on May 20 was postponed to Oct 20 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

To mark the annoucement, GMC released a teaser video about the vehicle's "Crab" mode.

The Crab Mode feature is enabled by the GMC HUMMER EV’s four-wheel steering capability, allowing it to move in a diagonal direction – functionality that is tailor-made for off-roading customers.

The Hummer would be available in truck or SUV body styles. GM may also adapt the new Hummer as US military transport vehicles.

Customer reservations for the Hummer would be available through GMC.com on Oct 20. GMC said deliveries are set to start in fall 2021.

It would announce details about how to watch the Hummer debut closer to the date.


VW ditches natural gas to focus on electric cars

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen on Monday said it will stop developing natural gas-fuelled cars as the German auto giant bets on electric cars in the battle to woo climate-conscious drivers.

The VW group sold just 110,000 cars powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) worldwide last year, not enough to justify further investment, VW's head of development Frank Welsch told the Handelsblatt financial daily.

Although production of existing models powered by the alternative energy won't be halted right away, "there will be no successors to these cars," Welsch said.

"It never really resonated with customers," he added.

The exit from CNG will allow VW to focus more strongly on zero-emissions electric vehicles, Welsch said, which the company expects to go mainstream in the coming years.

Like rival carmakers, Volkswagen is investing billions in e-cars as the auto industry shifts to cleaner engines to comply with tougher emissions regulations.

"If we are serious about the mobility shift and environmental targets, then we must focus on battery-powered electric engines. Everything else is a waste (of efforts)", Welsch told Handelsblatt.

The 12-brand VW group, which includes Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and Audi, has set itself the goal of selling 32 million electric and hybrid vehicles by 2029.


Ex-MINI design chief hiring to energise Borgward

                STUTTGART: Borgward has snapped up former MINI design chief Anders Warming (pic).

Warming, a 16-year veteran at the BMW group, left MINI last month and will start his new job from 2017.

The 43-year-old Dane spent the last six years as MINI design chief in Munich. Design will be a cornestone of Borgward products as it sets an ambitious target of producing three new models each year. It aims to sell 1.6 million cars a year by 2025.

To pave the way for Warming's entry, Borgward has specially created a Board of Management position for Design.

“The creation of a separate Board of Management position for Design underscores design’s importance for Borgward,” said Ulrich Walker, Chairman of the Board of Borgward Group AG, in Stuttgart on Friday. “I’m very delighted that we can fill this position with such an extraordinary and experienced designer as Anders Warming.”

Borgward was started in 1890 in Bremen but closed down in 1963 due to financial difficulties. The German brand was revived last year by founder Carl Borgward's grandson, Christian Borgward and a partner, Karlheinz Knöss.

At present, it has the BX5 and BX7 prototype SUVs and a PROJEKT BX6 TS show car to its name. The company receives investment funding from Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton.


The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the most opulent of the S-Class family, combining the perfection of the S-Class with the exclusivity of Maybach.

Individuality is elevated to new heights with such features as the grille with its vertical struts, optional two-tone paintwork and a selection of 20-inch wheels exclusive to the Maybach.

Presenting an interior experience second to none, unrivalled craftsmanship on the most exclusive materials comes to the fore with Maybach Exclusive black nappa leather upholstery with a choice of copper, gold or platinum-coloured topstitching while optional trim inserts appear in beautiful design flowing lines Magnolia wood.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is offered in V8-powered S 560 and V12-powered S 650 formats, priced from RM1.4mil with further individualisation and personalisation available upon request.

READ MORE:
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches a slew of S-Class cars


Tesla expected to nearly double vehicle lineup in 2019

                SAN FRANCISCO: Among the new models expected to be launched by Tesla this year are the Model Y, the Tesla Pickup, and the Tesla Semi.

Right now, Tesla has several vehicle projects in the works. If we're lucky, we'll see three new models go into production and hit the consumer market this year.

Model Y

The Tesla Model Y, which is based on the Model 3 platform but in crossover form, is expected to be released in March 2019 with production beginning in 2020. So far, company CEO Elon Musk and Tesla have revealed two teaser images of the crossover, said that the model will have no leather, and announced that it will have three rows of seating.

Tesla Pickup

The Tesla pickup is prioritized behind the Model Y, so we may not see the final product this year at all; however, Musk tweeted in December that they "might have a prototype to unveil next year." In an interview with Recode, Musk described the truck as being "a really futuristic-like cyberpunk, 'Blade Runner' pickup truck," that's "gonna be awesome...gonna be amazing." We can only hope that a vehicle as highly anticipated by Musk as this truck is will live up to its quickly growing expectations.

Tesla Semi

The Tesla Semi is a vehicle that we've already seen on the streets undergoing testing, but we don't yet know what the production schedule looks like. If production of the truck which Tesla describes as "badass" and the "safest truck ever" does make it into 2019, it will likely be at the very end of the year.


22 US states join California to take Trump to court over auto emissions rules

                WASHINGTON: A group of 23 states on Friday sued to block the Trump administration from undoing California’s authority to set strict car pollution rules, one of the biggest US battles over climate change.

On the day that young people around the world staged protests demanding action on climate, the lawsuit in US District Court here was the first round in a legal battle that many expect will outlast Trump’s presidency.

“Mr President, we’ll see you in court,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

The legal fight pits a Democratic majority state that has become the US environmental champion against a Republican president who wants to boost the economy by cutting regulation. The debate already is playing out ahead of the presidential election next year.

“Trump’s latest move is bad for our air. Bad for our health. Bad for our economy,” said California governor Gavin Newsom.

For decades, California has played a national role in influencing what Americans drive. The state’s vehicle emissions rules, more stringent than the Trump EPA’s rules, are followed by a dozen other states that account for more than 40% of US vehicle sales.

Trump has said looser tailpipe emissions rules would make vehicles cheaper. Environmentalists argue Trump’s rules will hasten climate change, and that emissions rules improve fuel economy, lowering consumer costs.

Friday’s lawsuit takes aim at a determination unveiled Thursday by the US Transportation Department and its agency the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency concluded that federal law preempts state and local regulation of vehicle fuel economy, including California’s rules.

The states, led by California and joined by the District of Columbia, Los Angeles and New York City, sued the Transportation Department seeking a court order blocking the determination.

The states suing include New York, Michigan, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Washington State and Massachusetts.

The Transportation Department declined to comment.

The legal challenge does not address a parallel decision by the US Environmental Protection Agency to revoke a 2013 waiver California received under the Clean Air Act to set emissions standards. That does not take effect until late November.

Becerra said the Transportation Department’s determination was unlawful, and that the administration misread federal law and ignored the intent of Congress.

“The administration insists on attacking the authority of California and other states to tackle air pollution and protect public health,” Becerra said.

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

In August, the Justice Department launched an antitrust probe of Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Honda Motor Co that struck a voluntary agreement with California to vehicle reduce emissions.

The Obama-era rules called for a fleetwide fuel efficiency average of 46.7 miles per gallon by 2025, with average annual increases of about 5%, compared with 37 mpg by 2026 under the Trump administration’s preferred option to freeze requirements.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said Thursday the administration will finalise revisions in the coming weeks.

“No state has the authority to opt out of the nation’s rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country,” she said.

The administration contends that its proposed rule would have a minimal effect on climate, boosting global temperatures by just 3/1000th of a degree Celsius by 2100.


Edaran Tan Chong Motor comes to aid of non-governmental organisations

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, has shored up its support and relief efforts towards helping vulnerable communities affected by the recent devastating floods.

The monies, partly contributed by ETCM’s “Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive” campaign’s accumulated amount of RM12,841; would be used for post-flood recovery efforts, including buying of necessities, food, personal hygiene items as well as cleaning and repairing housing areas damaged by severe flooding.

Of the proceeds, RM10,000 will be channelled to Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah while Rumah SVP Klang and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Klang Utama Caring Home will each receive RM5,000.

Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah in Puchong is a charitable children’s home which houses orphans and children of low-income families. The home currently houses 65 boys and girls aged between three - 16 years old.

Ruman SVP Klang houses abandoned, underprivileged and children of single parents. It cares for eleven (11) boys under the age of 12 years old.

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Klang Utama Caring Home houses 43 orphans between the ages of 18 months - 24 years old currently.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (TCMH) Group CEO Daniel Ho said there are so many heartbreaking stories on the struggle that Malaysians are going through.

“We are deeply saddened to see floodwaters submerge houses and cars and hope our gestures will help to relieve the burden of those affected during this difficult time,” he said.

ETCM together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis (TCEAS) had also deployed the Nissan Flood Relief Assistance programme that offers 20% discount on parts and labour charges, a special upholstery restoration prices and an Easy Payment Plan (EPP) up to 12 months on total bill; to help alleviate financial burden for Nissan owners whose vehicles are affected.

ETCM also loaned a total of six vehicles to NGOs and MITI.

Out of these, five units of Navara 4WD of which two units each to International Trade and Industry Ministry MITI’s #MITI prihatin programme in Ulu Langat and Mercy Malaysia as well as one unit to The HOPE Branch (Pertubuhan Harapan Amal Harith Iskander).

One Serena MPV is also loaned to Mercy Malaysia.

These units were loaned out to support the flood relief efforts and vaccination programme.


Pow! Ford cranks out its most powerful NA engine (video)

                DETROIT: Ford has announced the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going engine in its history. The all-new Ford 5.2-litre flat-plane crankshaft V8 will produce 526hp and 582Nm of torque in Shelby GT350 Mustang and Shelby GT350R Mustang – an engine unique to the two models set to go on sale this fall.

The all-new 5.2-litre V8 is not only Ford’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever, but also its most efficient in terms of specific output. Without turbocharging or supercharging, the flat-plane crankshaft V8 produces 102 horsepower per litre of displacement. The new engine is also the highest-revving V8 in Ford history – with a redline of 8,250 rpm.

“The Shelby GT350 program began with a clear objective – create the most balanced, nimble and exhilarating production Mustang yet,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Every change we made to this car was driven by the functional requirements of a powerful, responsive powerplant. The high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.2-litre flat-plane V8 delivers on every target we set – high horsepower, broad torque curve, aggressive throttle response and light weight.”

Unlike traditional V8 engines, the all-new 5.2-litre uses a flat-plane crankshaft more typically found in a Ferrari sports car or in racing applications. The design of this new engine for the Shelby GT350 was optimised using computer-aided engineering and fully digital performance simulations. Millions of intake, cam and exhaust configurations were iterated before arriving at the optimal combination.

Traditional cross-plane crankshaft V8 engines attach the piston-carrying connecting rods to the crankshaft at 90-degree intervals, creating a “cross” of counterweights when viewed down the axis of the crankshaft. In the all-new Ford 5.2-litre V8, the connecting rods attach to the flat-plane crankshaft at aligned 180-degree intervals – creating what looks like a flat line of counterweights when viewed down the axis of the crankshaft.

Beyond a change in the characteristic sound of an American V8, the flat-plane crankshaft helps improve cylinder exhaust-pulse separation by allowing a firing order that alternates ignition events between the V8’s two cylinder banks. This can vastly improve engine breathing, and subsequently allow the engine to make more power.

The result in the new 5.2-litre V8 which comes with a uniquely exotic, delicious engine note. Even more impressive is the track-tuned flexibility of the engine’s exceptionally wide powerband. It produces 90 percent of peak torque from 3,450 rpm through 7,000 rpm, and features a racetrack-friendly spread of nearly 3,000 rpm between its torque and horsepower peaks.

In both Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R, the all-new 5.2-litre will be paired with a six-speed manual transmission as its only gearbox option. The Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual is specifically engineered for less mass and high-rpm application in the new Shelby Mustangs. The six-speed features a lightweight, die-cast aluminum case and clutch housing for increased overall powertrain stiffness. Gear cross-sections, the dual-mass flywheel and dual-disc clutch are all optimised for an overall reduction in inertia and weight.

Further reducing engine weight is a unique new aluminum engine block featuring Ford’s patented plasma transferred wire arc cylinder-liner technology. This process eliminates typical heavy iron cylinder liners with an electroplate coating. The forged-steel flat-plane crankshaft is “gun drilled” to reduce total engine weight and to improve bay-to-bay cylinder breathing. A lightweight, high-capacity composite oil pan contains baffling designed for sustained high-speed cornering and hard braking.

“A new Mustang as exceptional as the Shelby GT350 deserves an equally extraordinary engine,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. “The all-new naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V8 perfectly fits the balanced dynamics of the Shelby GT350, and we believe this new engine will become a performance legend.”


Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 up for grabs with Tap and Go campaign at Caltex fuel stations

From left: Perry and Shahid during the launch of the Tap & Go campaign at a Caltex fuel station.
KUALA LUMPUR: Chevron and Mastercard are running a Tap & Go campaign that allows Mastercard holders who utilise the contactless payment facilities at Caltex service stations to be in the running for a Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Exclusive Line.

“With Mastercard’s support, being at the forefront of the evolving payment technology remains a priority and we constantly put effort and attention to delivering top-of-the-line products and value-added benefits to meet our customers' growing demands,” said Chevron Malaysia Limited country chairman Shahid Ahmed.

The campaign runs from now until Aug 31 and to be in the running, cardholders will need to purchase any Caltex products (Premium95, Premium97, Diesel, and Power Diesel Euro5) or Mart convenience store items via contactless transaction. No minimum spend is required.

There will be also be 131 giveaway premium prizes that includes 30 units of Honda BeAT and 100 units of Mastercard cards with a prepaid value of RM1,000.

"Mastercard’s partnership with Chevron and Caltex underscore its commitment to collaborate with merchant partners to promote greater adoption of contactless payments and elevate the overall cardholder payment experience,” said Mastercard country manager (Malaysia and Brunei) Perry Ong.

For more information log on to www.caltex.com.my or https://www.facebook.com/Caltex.Malaysia/.


Proton to get RM1.8bil financing from China bank for local and regional expansion

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton has secured RM1.88bil in banking facilities from China Construction Bank to fund expansion around the region, it said in a statement late Friday.

The loans are earmarked for Proton’s growth plans to be the number one automotive brand in Malaysia and number three in Asean by 2027, the company said.

“Expansion to foreign markets is critical for sales growth while obtaining financing allows the company to invest in the many projects required to turn Proton into a truly global automotive brand,” chairman Syed Faisal Albar said in the statement.

 Proton closing the Pakistani deal in Beijing.

In August, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd which owns 49.9 percent of Proton, had agreed to extend its existing partnership with the carmaker to upgrade its line-up of cars and help expand Proton’s presence in China and other international markets.

Proton said it also exchanged documents with Pakistan’s Alhaj Automobile in Beijing, where Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is attending the Belt and Road Forum.

Proton signed a licensing and technical assistance agreement with Alhaj to build a plant in Karachi with an initial investment of US$30mil, to assemble and distribute Proton cars for the Pakistani market.

 Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong greeting Dr Mahathir in Beijing.


Land Rover teases Range Rover SV Coupe with interior shot

                LONDON: Land Rover has announced that it will introduce the world’s first full-size luxury SUV coupe with the addition of the Range Rover SV Coupe that'll make its debut at this year's Geneva International Motor Show as part of the Jaguar Land Rover press conference.

Only 999 vehicles will be produced worldwide and the only leak from the British SUV-maker is an image of the interior to give readers an idea of the cabin's look and feel. And that's all anyone is getting from now to Mar 6, when the company will reveal more details.

"The Range Rover SV Coupe is a highly compelling design with peerless refinement and uncompromised sophistication from its breathtaking exterior proportions to its sumptuous, beautifully appointed, interior. This is a vehicle that will resonate on an emotional level,” said Land Rover chief design officer Gerry McGovern.

Further informations provided by the company points to the coupe being hand-assembled at its Special Vehicles (SV) Technical Centre in Rytonon-Dunshire in Warwickshire in the United Kingdom.

"Land Rover created the luxury SUV sector with Range Rover almost 50 years ago. In launching the new Range Rover SV Coupe, we will offer clients an alluring combination of peerless luxury and rarity. Unveiling this special vehicle at Geneva International Motor Show in March, during Land Rover’s 70th Anniversary year, will be a defining moment for Land Rover, the Range Rover portfolio and Special Vehicle Operations,” said Land Rover Special Operations managing director John Edwards.


2016 LA Auto Show: Lamborghini Huracán RWD Spyder doubles the fun

                LOS ANGELES: The latest addition to the Lamborghini range is a no-nonsense supercar - from its naming conventions to its performance.

Called simply the Huracán rear-wheel drive Spyder and revealed at the LA Auto Show, such a choice of moniker ensures that there can be absolutely no doubt what the car is, or what it will offer - 572bhp going exclusively to the rear wheels and a roof that goes up and down.

Since Audi's takeover, Lamborghinis have been produced predominantly with all-wheel drive to help keep their ferocious power in check. And it's a decision that on the whole has worked for the better. Lamborghini is setting a new annual sales record every single year.

Offering 100% more traction, plus a raft of cutting-edge stability systems has made it possible to make these cars faster and faster without fear of endangering the lives of clients (every car in the current range goes beyond 200mph), there are always going to be those that suggest that Audi is actually being a bit of a spoilsport by adding such controls.

So, in a continuing nod to its most dedicated fans that started in 2009 with the Gallardo Balboni, the company has started offering its compact V10 supercar in a rear-wheel-drive-only set-up.

However, this latest model is the first to offer rear wheel drive and a drop top.

"This is a Lamborghini for those with a passion for life and the purest driving experience on the open road," said chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali. "It offers the lifestyle appeal of open-air motoring with the pure thrill of rear-wheel drive engineering."

Indeed, decoupling the drivetrain from the front wheels offers the purist the tail-out Lamborghini experience of old and also saves over 30kg in weight.

However, to ensure that the corners of drivers' mouths stay pointing up rather than down, power from that V10 has been dialed down from 600 to 572bhp.

To further avoid public embarrassment, the external aerodynamics have been tweaked to keep the nose planted to the ground at higher speeds, a new set of tyres have been developed, and the steering has been recalibrated.

But even with these extra safety-focused features, the new Lamborghini will be able to go from 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds and beyond 320kph flat out.


HJC Helmets introduces three European ECE 22.06-certified helmets

                KUALA LUMPUR: HJC Helmets Malaysia unveiled three new models that meet the protection level under the latest ECE22.06 certification at KTM Premium Kuala Lumpur last week.

The helmets were the C10, i71, and i20 models.

The entry-level C10 full-face helmet uses Advanced Polycarbonate and offers exceptional impact resistance and lightweight comfort.

The C10 features a Double D Ring buckle and Coolmax breathable fabric paddings to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.

 C10.

Available sizes are from 3XS to 2XL, making C10 suitable for riders of all ages.

HJC prioritizes ventilation in the C10, incorporating the Advanced Channeling Ventilation System (ACS).

In addition, the C10 boasts a 10mm improved visor viewport, providing riders with an enhanced viewing angle.

Speaker slots are also included to support the intercom system.

The C10 is available in plain colours at RM519 and graphic designs at RM609.

 i71.

The i71 is a sport-touring helmet with an Advanced Polycarbonate shell for excellent protection.

Aside from an enlarged top and exhaust vents to improve ventilation, the i71 also features a new Push and Eject (PE) visor lock that prevents accidental flipping and ensures rider safety.

The anti-fog-coated inner sun visor adds viewing comfort.

The i71 is a second-generation Smart HJC-compatible helmet and is priced at RM1,109 for plain colour and RM1,289 for graphic design.

 i20.

Meanwhile, the i20 is an open-face helmet inspired by street fighter tradition and is also crafted with an Advanced Polycarbonate shell.

It comes with a detachable chin bar,  smoked and clear visors with anti-fog-coating, and speaker pockets.

The i20 is priced at RM979 for plain colours and RM1,149 for graphic options.

All helmet models are offered a comprehensive three-year warranty from the date of purchase, providing customers with peace of mind.


UK car output falls to lowest July level since 1950s

                LONDON: British car output fell to its lowest July level since 1956 as a global shortage of semi-conductor chips and staff having to self-isolate due to Covi-19 hit the sector, a trade industry body said today.

Volumes dropped by an annual 37.6% to 53,438 vehicles last month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which also blamed the timing of summer factory shutdowns.

As cases rose last month, hundreds of thousands of people were being "pinged" by the National Health Service's contact-tracing app and instructed to self-isolate, although it has since been tweaked to reduce the numbers contacted.

"While the impact of the ‘pingdemic’ will lessen as self-isolation rules change, the worldwide shortage of semi-conductors shows little sign of abating," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.


China car sales plunge 38% in January as subsidies, tax cut end

                SHANGHAI/BEIJING: China's passenger car sales slumped 38% in January, reversing a 2.4% gain in the previous month, industry data showed on Wednesday, as demand weakened after a tax cut on combustion engine cars and subsidies on electric vehicles (EV) expired.

Sales of new energy cars that include pure battery EVs and plug-in hybrids also fell 6.3% in January after a blistering 90% growth in 2022, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said.

"New energy car sales in January didn't meet our expectation, with a rare year-on-year decline in a single month sales," said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of CPCA in an online briefing on Wednesday.

He said the Lunar New Year and the end of EV subsidies were among the factors leading to the decline.

Chinese people celebrated a full week of the Lunar New Year holiday in the month, making it a quieter January compared with the previous years.

Despite signs of easing demand in the world's largest car market, China's central government did not extend a 50% purchase tax cut on combustion engine vehicles when it expired at the end of December.

It also decided to end a more than decade-long national subsidy for EV purchases, forcing automakers including Tesla to deepen discounts to defend their market shares.

China's auto market is more reliant on various incentives from local governments to encourage purchases.

Shanghai extended a 10,000-yuan (RM6,369) rebate for those who exchange their combustion-engined cars for electric ones, while cities of Zhengzhou, Wuxi, Shenyang and Beijing issued coupons for auto consumption.

Tesla sold 66,951 China-made EVs in January. That was up 18% from December and 10% higher from a year earlier.

Its market share in China's battery electric car sector rose to 12.5% in January from 9% in December, according to a Reuters calculation.

The U.S. company was the second best-selling EV maker in China last month after BYD Co Ltd, which shipped 150,164 cars, the CPCA said.

New energy vehicles accounted for a quarter of the total 1.3 million car sales in the month, CPCA data showed, down sharply from 35% in November 2022.


Cummins, Tata Motors team up for hydrogen-powered engines

                BENGALURU: US-listed Cummins Inc said on Monday it has signed an agreement with Indian automaker Tata Motors to develop hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, fuel cells and battery electric vehicle systems for commercial vehicles in India.

Several automakers, including Tata Motors, are aggressively shifting towards greener forms of energy for their vehicles as they try to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, with India targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

India will be one of the first markets to receive Cummins' hydrogen engines, the company said.

Tata, one of India's largest electric-vehicle makers launched the country' first sub-US$10,000 electric car in September.


Proton aftersales service competition a win-win for technicians and customers

                SUBANG JAYA:  Proton's 2018 Aftersales Service Competition showcases the skills and quality of work of the national automaker's technicians and mechanics in handling customers’ cars.

“We want to provide a platform for our people to gather under one roof so they can get to make new friends from other outlets and share their knowledge. We believe that a comprehensive network amongst peers helps to enhance the technical know-how and problem-solving skills of any worker”, said Azharuddin Abdullah, director of after sales management of Proton.

“Our technicians and mechanics have an opportunity to showcase their skills and quality of work in handling customers’ cars. They may come from different regions to compete against one another, however, we also hope the competition brings them together to form their own peer support group.”

Pre-qualifying rounds for the Competition were held in five regions starting from July 20.

During a two-day event, participants were tested on their theoretical and practical abilities as they were given an engine overhaul task where they were required to dismantle and reassemble a Proton VVT engine within a 3-hour time limit.

They were judged based on their speed, accuracy and troubleshooting competencies throughout the process.

The top three participants at the regional level will compete in the final at Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) Shah Alam on September 27 - 30.

Six finalists will win cash prizes and a trip to Shanghai, China where they will visit Geely Headquarters and the Geely Research Centre.

Azharuddin said, “The competition will encourage our technicians to be more competitive, hence helping them to sharpen their skills. Ultimately, this assists to build the quality of after sales services and take it to a higher level to be on par with global standards.”

“After sales service personnel is the key to a great customer experience. We are continuously improving our after sales service process. One of the initiatives we have taken is making proactive service appointment by calling our customers to make service appointments at their time of convenience,” he added.

“Exceptional after sales service is the key to retain our existing customers as well as attracting new ones. When we provide good quality services to them, we are able to increase customer loyalty and benefit from them spreading the news via word-of-mouth. Technicians or mechanics play an important role in ensuring this happens,” Azharuddin added.


Honda hastens EV shift in US with mass market, upscale SUVs

                CHICAGO: Honda Motor Co. took a step closer towards a goal of electrifying its US lineup by naming an upcoming all-electric model and adding a battery-powered sport-utility vehicle to its upscale Acura brand.

The Japanese automaker, which last year partnered with General Motors Co. to develop electric vehicles, said today its new Honda Prologue and an accompanying Acura model will debut in 2024.

The two SUVs are part of the company’s global move to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles completely by 2040 and represent an effort to accelerate the arrival of EVs in Honda’s US showrooms.

They are the vanguard of a series of all-electric models Honda plans to roll out in North America and will be powered by GM’s Ultium battery. Honda declined to say where the SUVs will be built or provide any description of their design or features.

The Prologue will compete as a mainstay model with sales volume rising to the level of its popular gas-powered Passport and Pilot SUVs —between 40,000 and 140,000 vehicles a year, Dave Gardner, executive vice president of Honda’s US subsidiary, told reporters at a briefing. “We’re not envisioning this to be a slow ramp-up. Once we get going, we’re going to get going.”

Honda’s decision to speed up its electrification in the US was influenced in part by President Joe Biden’s efforts to spur adoption of EVs, including his administration’s US$174 billion plan to transform the auto industry by building out charging infrastructure.

“The Biden administration has been kind of a — let’s not call it a tipping point — but certainly has pointed us in this direction,” Gardner said.

Other carmakers, including GM and Volkswagen AG, also have embraced an all-electric future, hastening a shift away from the internal combustion engine that has dominated the auto industry for decades.

By 2030, non-EV cars will account for less than half of overall light vehicle registrations in Europe, China and the US — the world’s largest auto markets, according to Ernst & Young LLP.

Japanese archrival Toyota Motor Corp. has taken a go-slow approach to full electrification but has stepped up plans for introducing EVs to the US market.

Toyota said earlier this year it will start sales of a pair of all-electric vehicles in 2022 — two years ahead of Honda. The bZ4X crossover and an as-yet-unnamed Lexus model will be built on the same platform.

While Honda introduced its first mass-produced EV to the European and Japanese markets last year, the Prologue will be the first dedicated battery-electric model sold in the US.

Toshihiro Mibe, who took over as CEO in April, has made electrification a hallmark of his tenure as Honda seeks to compete with a wave of EVs from established rivals and newcomers alike.

Honda previously sold a battery-powered version of its Clarity sedan in North America from 2017 but limited the model’s distribution to residents of California and Oregon. The EV version of the Clarity was discontinued in 2020.


Toyota stays top non-national auto brand in 2022

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor has maintained its position as the top-selling brand (non-national) with 101,035 vehicle sold in 2022.

The total volume sold by the company consisted of 100,042 Toyota vehicles and 993 Lexus vehicles.

Compared to the total sales of 72,394 (Toyota + Lexus) units in 2021, the increase was 40% which was achieved despite challenging market conditions as well as supply chain issues which affected the auto industry globally and locally.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said the company is delighted to have been able to put smiles and deliver happiness to so many of its customers across the nation, and thank each and every one of them for their support.

 Corolla Cross HEV.

“I also wish to express our appreciation to all our staff, dealers and business partners who overcame a challenging year. Together, we will continue to keep our customers happy and ensure that quality and service will always remain at the highest levels,” he said.

UMW Toyota Motor posted strong sales last year in the domestic C-Segment SUV category with 17,208 units of the Corolla Cross sold, the Hilux dominating the pick-up truck segment with 27,198 unit sold, while the Hiace (390 units) and Fortuner (3,432 units) holding strong to come up top in the One-Tonne Van and Light Duty Wagon segments respectively.

Customer Service Operations also surpassed 1.25 million vehicles, a nod to the exceptional level of after sales service that UMW Toyota Motor is known for under its Extra Mile initiatives to deliver the best sales and after-sales service.

 Hilux.

UMW Toyota Motor also launched several new models in 2022, among them the Corolla Cross Hybrid that was the first ever Toyota model with Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) technology assembled in Malaysia at the state-of-the-art Toyota plant in Selangor.

HEV technology is one of the technologies in the diverse portfolio of powertrain choices Toyota offers in its multipath-way approach towards carbon neutrality.

"We will continue to evaluate different options and introduce them as appropriate. For now, we believe HEVs are the most suitable for Malaysians and will add a second HEV model in 2023,” said Ravindran.

The company is also taking a longer-term view and has been evaluating battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).

Toyota and Lexus BEV models are already available and are being considered for introduction in Malaysia soon as the journey to zero emissions continues.

“Rest assured that with our multipath approach, no customer will be left behind as we will always ensure that there is a suitable and accessible mobility solution for everyone,” Ravindran added.

 Vios GR-S.

UMW Toyota Motor will also continue to promote the Gazoo Racing (GR) motorsports branding and offer exciting GR models and introduce parts and merchandise through the exclusive GR Garages.

The regular GR festivals have not only given owners a chance to enjoy racing and motorsports but also enable Toyota to make even better street cars and deliver fun-to-drive experiences.

The GR brand has already been recognised for its sporty and high-performance products over a broad spectrum of models from the Vios GR-S to the Supra.

The company will also unveil a New Agency Retail Model this year, focused on a customer-centric goal to deliver maximum ownership satisfaction.

 Supra.

Toyota and Lexus customers will enjoy a hassle and worry-free vehicle purchasing experience as a new sales process through premier agents provides absolute trust and confidence through fair and transparent pricing.

“We understand the many frustrations and pain-points of purchasing a new vehicle and have re-designed a sales process that is driven to be more customer centric. Our customers will no longer have to haggle or shop around for the ‘best price’. The vehicle purchase process will become easy and more welcoming,” said Ravindran.

With UMW Toyota Motor going the ‘Extra Mile’, the company said ‘everyone is assured of an ownership experience that is second to none with greater mobility offered through various services available’.

To facilitate optimal customer interactions online, the Toyota Malaysia website has been upgraded with new user-friendly features and a modern interface, enhanced by data-driven personalisation.

From the time a customer makes an enquiry online or at the showroom of an authorized dealership, every process in the interaction is focused on meeting the customer’s needs precisely.

Toyota Financial Packages offer vehicle financing choices to fit a range of needs and lifestyles, including low rates for lower carbon vehicles, 100% Islamic loans and even a car subscription plan.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Insurance Package covers vehicles of all ages as well as Toyota Service Savers with money-saving holistic maintenance plans.

Furthermore, customers will also be rewarded for their expenses through the Toyota Loyal-T programme, enabling them to earn points for purchases, servicing or repairs, and even for vehicle insurance renewals.

“Our customers drive how we develop new ways of doing business. We recognise that our customers are continuously evolving and because of this, our business will evolve as well to deliver happiness and mobility for all,” said Ravindran.

For more information, visit https://www.toyota.com.my or call the Toyota freephone line 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Winter testing for upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLC generation

                ARJEPLOG (Sweden): Mercedes-Benz is testing its next generation GLC sports utility vehicle at the icy conditions of Lapland.

The demanding test site in Arjeplog, Sweden, with snowy and icy roads, piercing winds and temperatures down to -30 Celcius, provides the perfect opportunity.

The winter testing is an essential and allows the German carmaker to check the effects of extreme cold on handling, ergonomics, thermal management and interior comfort, thus guaranteeing the results of the "digital development work" in actual driving operations.

A test centre set up specially for winter tests include hill climbs with gradients of up to 20%, test tracks with varying coefficients of friction, a handling course and skid pads on almost sheer ice.

If the GLC passes everything successfully, the start of the production tests is confirmed.

In a parallel process, cars produced locally in China are tested so that they, too, achieve the high Mercedes‑Benz quality standard.

From infotainment and a digitalised interior through to Airmatic and rear axle steering, the new GLC will get modern petrol and diesel engines that are 100% electrified.

As a plug-in hybrid, the new model will be able to cover well over 100km in pure electric mode and even travel off-road without CO2 emissions.


Perak police receive 44 Honda Civic 1.8 to boost service

                IPOH: The Perak police has received a fleet of 44 Honda Civic 1.8 to beef up its patrolling duties.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Razarudin Husain said the new cars are to improve its performance to provide better services to the public.

Comm Razarudin said the distribution of the new cars to the state police was based on the needs of the respective district police contingents.

“Prior to this, we have received 244 cars that are still in use. We now have 288 units.

“Some 180 cars, or 75%, are in use at all times, ” he said after launching and flagging off the new cars at the Federal Reserve Unit headquarters here today.

“With the additional cars, we can create an effective omnipresence and lower the fear of crime.

“It also gives the police confidence and increase the element of fear on criminals,” he added.

Among the district police contingents to get the new cars include Ipoh, Hilir Perak, Taiping, Manjung, Batu Gajah, Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, Tapah, Kampar, Perak Tengah, Sungai Siput and Kerian.

Comm Razarudin said plans are also in place to replace the Proton Inspira with Proton X70 at some districts.

“We’ve planned for the three districts, Gerik, Pengkalan Hulu and Selama, to each receive one X70 in the future as part of the second phase.

“This is based on the suitability of these vehicles on the terrain in the respective areas, ” he said.


Join Art of Speed 2023 at MAEPS on July 29 and 30

Art Of Seed Malaysia 2023 festival director Asep Ahmad Iskandar at a briefing.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's premier Kustom Counter Culture event, Art of Speed 2023, will take place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) on July 29-30.

Under the theme "Raikan Beza Mu," Art of Speed 2023 (AOS 2023) will offer a plethora of activities for fans and visitors.

International guests from the custom community and media, including popular personalities like Shige Suganuma, Emi Suganuma, "Sunny" Yano & Michi "NATQQ" from MOONEYES, Wild Road Choppers and Cosmic Chopper City from Japan, Cycle Zombies, Geoff from Return of CafÈ Racer and V-Twin Visionary from the US.

Meanwhile, ThunderCircus will feature thrilling stunt shows, a gathering of motorcycle groups, and riders from Malaysia and the region.

The first official Hot Wheels Collector Convention in Southeast Asia will also debut, showcasing diorama displays, a skate school, and a swap and sell event. Notable Hot Wheels designers will be present, and a record-breaking attempt for the largest Hot Wheels formation in Malaysia will take place.

Mattel and Proton Holdings Bhd will collaborate to create the first-ever Hot Wheels Saga, commemorating Hot Wheels' 40th anniversary in Malaysia.

Additionally, children can participate in the Hot Wheels x Proton Kids Design Competition, with the winning design featured on a special edition Proton Saga blister card.

The event will host the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, NEAT Fest displaying modified cars, and Hail Vintage showcasing music-themed vintage collectibles.

Visitors can enjoy an automotive flea market, product launches, a bike test ride zone, and the popular SoundCircus Festival (SCF).

The 10 bands lined up for SoundCircus Festival include Superman Is Dead from Bali Indonesia, No Good, Plague of Happiness, MC16, Skudap Skudip, Dum Dum Tak, Krusty, Restraint, Naratu, and Armpunk Sindicate.

One lucky draw winner will receive a fully customized 1979 Toyota Celica with air ride suspension courtesy of Art of Speed Malaysia (AOSM).

Bro Asia, a local e-devices manufacturer, is the title presenter for AOS 2023.

Weekend passes for AOS 2023 can be purchased online or at the venue for RM35, while children below 12 enter for free.

The Speed Lane pass, priced at RM60, grants early access and is valid for both days.

OKU (disabled) pass holders will also enjoy free entry.

Art of Speed will also be giving away a Honda e-DAX motorcycle to one lucky online ticket purchaser, applicable for both AOS and SCF tickets. AOS and SCF tickets can be purchased via the official website www.artofspeedmy.com.


Mitsubishi offers Raya 2016 deals

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is offering rebates for the upcoming Raya celebrations.

Those who book and register a new Mitsubishi from today until July 31, will enjoy cash rebates up to RM8,000 and free warranty for up to five years.

The all-new Outlander is priced at RM168,600 and offered with a one-year free service program and 5-years or 100,000km warranty.

The Triton VGT Adventure is priced at RM116,053 and offered with cash rebates up to RM7,500 and 3-years or 100,000km warranty.

The Mitsubishi ASX Compact SUV is offered with cash rebates up to RM8,000 and 5-years warranty with unlimited mileage.

The Mitsubishi ASX is priced at 105,744.31 for the 2WD-GL variant, RM115,468.71 for the 2WD variant and RM129,010.43 for the 4WD variant.

Existing Mitsubishi customers can take advantage of MMM’s Servis Raya Sama-Sama Ceria before the "balik kampung" journey.

Customers who service their Mitsubishi car with an invoice of RM400 and above at any authorised Mitsubishi Motors service centres can also enjoy a free labour service.

In addition, customers who service their vehicle will also receive a set of exclusive Mitsubishi oil drum replica tissue holder cum coin box (valid from June 15 to July 31, 2016 while stocks last).

Mitsubishi’s free maintenance package offers complimentary maintenance on parts lubricants and labour costs.

Some of the free maintenance parts that are included are engine oil, oil filter, fuel filters, air cleaner, brake fluid, coolant, differential oil and transmission oil (based on the recommended scheduled service).

Customers who take a loan with Maybank will enjoy special interest rate from as low as 1.8% per annum and monthly installment of RM561 (applicable to selected Mitsubishi models only).

In conjunction with the Raya celebrations, Mitsubishi Motors will also be having an exclusive Bazaar Ramadhan stop-over from 6 June to 31 July.

There will be free kurma distribution and exclusive Mitsubishi Motors merchandise to be won.

For the list of Bazaar Ramadhan stop-overs, log on to http://mitsubishi-motors.com.my/roadshow


Buy a Nissan, win a home

                KUALA LUMPUR: Nissan customers will stand a chance to win a new service apartment with two carparks in Edaran Tan Chong Motor's (ETCM) latest 'Buy Car Win Home' contest.

The 2+1 room apartment at The ERA in Duta North, Kuala Lumpur (worth RM665,000) by JKG Land Berhad can be had by registering a Nissan vehicle from Dec 1, 2018 to Dec 31, 2019.

Also, ETCM is offering attractive rebates of up to RM12,000 for selected Nissan models.

In conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, ETCM has added a new Imperial Red colour for the Nissan Serena 2.0-litre S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star and features a two-tone theme with distinctive black floating roof, rear spoiler and side door mirrors.

The Serena is capable of offering a fuel economy of around 14.2km per litre and comes with features such as Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Door, Dual Back Door, seven USB ports, Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD), and Smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay.

Additionally, ETCM continues the introduction of Nissan X-Trail X-Tremer in Passion Red and two additional colours of Brilliant White as well as Tungsten Silver with blacked-out components that include a black silhouette roof, roof rails, rear spoiler, door mirrors and gloss black five-spoke 17-inch alloys.

The X-Trail X-Tremer also comes with an X-Face cladding, chrome rear bumper protector and luxurious black Nappa leather seats.

The new Imperial Red Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid and X-Trail X-Tremer will make its appearance at the upcoming 2019 Nissan Test Drive Carnival at selected showrooms over two weekends from Jan 5 to 13 from 10.00am to 8.00pm:

NISSAN TEST DRIVE CARNIVAL*Jan 5 to 6 (10.00am to 8.00pm)
- ETCM Bayan Lepas
- ETCM Petaling Jaya
- ETCM Cheras
- ETCM Johor Jaya
- ETCM Seremban
- ETCM Kuantan
- ETCM Kota Kinabalu
- ETCM Kuching

* Jan 11 to 12 (10.00am to 8.00pm)
- ETCM AEON Kota Baru

* Jan 11 to 13 (10.00am to 8.00pm)
- ETCM Butterworth
- ETCM Ipoh
- ETCM Sitiawan
- ETCM Glenmarie
- ETCM Jalan Raja Laut
- ETCM Semabok
- ETCM Muar
- ETCM Sandakan
- ETCM Miri

NISSAN NATIONWIDE ROADSHOW
* Melawati Mall, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur (Jan 3 to 6)
* Ipoh Parade, Ipoh, Perak (Jan 4 to 6)
* AEON Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Jan 7 to 13)
* AEON Tebrau, Johor Bahru, Johor (Jan 8 to 13)
* Queensbay Mall, Penang (Jan 9 to 13)
* One Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor (Jan 9 to 13)
* East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang (Jan 10 to 13)
* Kluang Mall, Kluang, Johor (Jan 11 to 13)
* Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Jan 11 to 13)
* Vivacity Megamall, Kuching, Sarawak (Jan 18 to 20)

For more information, log on to www.nissan.com.my or call Nissan Customer Care
Centre at 1800-88-3838.


Aluminum in tussle  with steel over electric vehicle market

Steel rolls are seen outside the ArcelorMittal Dofasco plant in Hamilton, Ontario. - Reuters
LONDON: When electric carmaker Tesla Inc. launched its first mass market model last summer, it sent a shockwave through the aluminum industry by largely shifting to steel and away from the lighter weight metal it had used in its first two luxury models.

The switch by Elon Musk’s Tesla to the heavier-but-cheaper metal highlights how steel is fighting back against aluminum, which had widely been expected to be the bigger beneficiary of the electric vehicle revolution.

Aluminum had been seen as the key to offsetting the weight of batteries in order to extend the range of electric vehicles, crucial to increased consumer acceptance.

But as makers of battery-powered cars look to tap into bigger markets with cheaper vehicles - and embrace technological developments in batteries and components - many are increasingly looking to steel to cut costs. The price of Tesla’s mass-market orientated Model 3 is around half of the £70,000 (RM384,000) luxury Model S.

“Before the aim was ‘Let’s get the [electric vehicles] developed’, now it’s ‘Let’s get them developed at the right price point,’” says Mauro Erriquez, a partner at McKinsey & Company in Germany who specialises in the auto sector.

 A worker polishing steel pipes at a China factory. - Reuters

It is the latest tussle in a decades-long battle between steel and aluminum for market share among automakers, seeking to cut the weight of vehicles to help slash emissions and meet tough government pollution standards.

Steel is also winning back some market share among gasoline vehicles, such as the Audi A8. The latest model abandoned its heavy use of aluminum and shifted to a mix of steel, aluminum, magnesium and carbon fibre.

The competition between the metals has intensified amid rapidly growing demand for battery-powered cars.

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are due to surge to 30 percent of the global auto market by 2030, according to metal consultants CRU, up from 4 percent of the 86 million vehicles sold last year.

In China, the world’s largest auto market, sales of new energy vehicles are due to grow by 40 percent this year to top 1 million vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Tesla declined to comment, but in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission last month it said it designed the Model 3 “with a mix of materials to be lightweight and safe while also increasing cost-effectiveness for this mass-market vehicle”.

 The e-Golf.

Other makers of mass market electric vehicles that have also chosen steel over aluminum include Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s LEAF, the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle, and Volkswagen’s e-Golf.

The e-Golf has 129 kg of aluminum and the LEAF uses 171 kg while Tesla’s luxury Model S contains 661 kg of the metal, according to A2mac1 Automotive Benchmarking. A detailed breakdown was not available for the Tesla 3.

Aluminum is still expected to benefit greatly from the electric vehicle revolution, however, especially from hybrids because they have two engines.

Both the combustion engine block and transmission are typically made of aluminum while the metal is also often used for housing the battery and motor in electric vehicles, according to auto metals specialist AluMag in Germany.

And, because it is expected to be years before pure electric vehicles become widely used - in part due to the lack of power charging networks - the growth of hybrids in the interim is expected to benefit aluminum.

According to CRU Consultant Eoin Dinsmore, demand for aluminum from electric and hybrid vehicles is forecast to increase ten times to nearly 10 million tonnes by 2030.

 The electric London Black Cab.

Aluminum was used in the first electric London black cab, which launched last year, spurring the reopening of a UK aluminum plant in Wales owned by Norway’s aluminum producer Norsk Hydro.

“We chose aluminum as a material as it is nearly three times lighter than steel in its raw form, and it absorbs twice as much energy in a crash,” said Chris Staunton, chief engineer of body structures for the firm that developed the taxi for the London Electric Vehicle Company (0175.HK).

Both Staunton’s firm and the London Electric Vehicle Company are owned by China’s Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd 0175.HK>.

But aluminum remains more expensive than steel. Benchmark aluminum futures CMAL3 on the London Metal Exchange are around US$2,050 per ton, more than three times the cost of LME steel rebar SRRc1 at US$585 a ton.

The price gap between the types of aluminum and steel used in autos was not as wide, but still represented significant savings by using steel, industry experts said.

Meanwhile, stronger and cheaper batteries for electric vehicles as well as developments in the components that generate power and overall structural design have lessened the need for aluminum to cut weight to extend the range.

Since 2010, the cost of batteries have tumbled to as low as US$114 per kilowatt hour from US$1,000/kwh and are expected to drop further in coming years, according to AluMag.

“I think car makers are finding that as battery costs fall they can achieve their range requirement with an all-steel solution,” said George Coates, technical director for WorldAutoSteel, the automotive arm of the World Steel Association.

Improvements in the powertrain - the main components in a car that generate power - have also had a big impact.

 Nissan LEAF.

The 2017 model of the Nissan LEAF extended its range by nearly 50 percent to 172km compared to the 2011 version mainly by improving the powertrain, consolidating four separate systems into one, said McKinsey’s Erriquez.

At the same time, the steel industry has developed Advanced High Strength Steel products, which are stronger and lighter than normal steel, and importantly, cheaper than aluminum.

“(Steel) companies like ThyssenKrupp and ArcelorMittal, they’re not going to just give up this market share. There will be a battle for the material,” said Jost Gaertner, partner at AluMag.

Future models will likely contain a complex mix of materials, including various grades of steel, aluminum, carbon fibre, magnesium and plastics, automakers and consultants said.

 BMW uses carbon fibre and other materials to make its i3 and i5 at its Leipzig plant.

BMW, which used large amounts of costly aluminum and carbon fibre in its i3 and i8, said it was not planning to increase the use of those materials in future electric models.

“There is no ‘one material fits all’ solution” for future electric vehicles, the German carmaker said in an email.

“We will continue to employ each material in a way and in a quantity which brings in its specific advantages.”


Aug 10-16: RON97 petrol price dips to RM2.49


Johor plans to ease traffic at CIQ

Hasni (left) and Tee (second from right) conducting an official visit to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: Creating more lanes and opening up those allocated for heavy vehicles to cars – these are Johor’s plans to ease traffic at the highly-congested Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex.

The state wants to introduce flexible traffic flow in the area since it is undoubtedly Malaysia’s busiest entry and exit point.

Johor Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohamed said this must be addressed with good planning.

Among the suggestions, he said, was creating more lanes for vehicles to enter the complex to ease traffic congestion in the city area, especially during peak hours on weekends.

An average of 154,000 vehicles use the CIQ daily while the number doubles during weekends or public holidays.

Now, the Immigration Department has 77 counters for cars (39 for entry and 38 for exit), 100 counters for motorcycles (50 entry and 50 exit), 11 lorry counters (six for entry and five for exit).

The state government, Hasni said, also wanted to open up the heavier vehicle lanes to smaller vehicles in the weekends to ease congestion.

“The Federal Government’s decision to reduce levy rates from RM200 to RM50 at the Second Link near Gelang Patah for commercial and heavy vehicles means there will more such vehicles at the Second Link.

“This also means there will be a massive reduction for such mode of transport at the CIQ,” he told reporters after an official visit to the CIQ together with Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

Hasni pointed out that the state government would further discuss the matter before forwarding its views to several ministries.

“About 65% of tourist arrivals in the country go through the CIQ Complex,” he said.

“There must be a smoother traffic flow between Malaysia and Singapore.

“JKR (Public Works Department), together with the Highway Planning Unit and the Malaysian Highway Authority are looking at the traffic flow at the CIQ,” he said.

Hasni noted that there were 22 agencies involved at the CIQ alone and that only one agency – the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore – involved at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

“That is a big challenge for us and I hope that with the understanding between Malaysia and Singapore, it will inspire greater cooperation among the 22 agencies to help us come up with faster travel time between both sides,” he said.