Growing love for electric SUVs tripled India’s lagging EV sales

                NEW DELHI: Electric passenger vehicle sales in India tripled last year as demand for affordable, compact sports utility vehicles surged, according to a report by BloombergNEF.

The advent of ride-sharing startups such as BluSmart Mobility, Lithium Urban Technologies and Evera, which operate all-electric fleets, has also boosted demand, according to the report published on Wednesday.

Smaller SUVs are becoming popular as they easily maneuver through India’s potholed roads and bad traffic, while offering aspirational buyers a status symbol.

Compact electric SUVs are built on small-car platforms, making them more cost-effective than larger equivalents that require bigger and costlier battery packs.

Still, India is lagging behind nations like China and the US in adopting electric transport. Most local carmakers have been hesitant to make the switch because electric cars are costlier than internal combustion engine vehicles, while lack of public charging stations also deter buyers.

Electric vehicle sales in India stood at 49,800 last year, accounting for just 1.3% of 3.8 million passenger vehicles sold, according to the report.

That has created room for foreign carmakers to expand in India’s nascent EV market. Warren Buffett-backed BYD Co. seeks to capture 40% of India’s EV market by 2030, while SAIC Motor Corp. is planning to launch three EVs by the end of 2024.

Homegrown manufacturers are trying to catch up by increasing investments in EVs. Tata Motors Ltd., which dominates the local EV market, plans to invest US$2.2 billion, while the nation’s biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has committed US$1.2 billion.

Many state-run companies and government departments floated tenders for building 593 charging stations on highways and expressways last year, according to the report. The build-out of chargers will alleviate range anxiety in consumers making inter-city trips and encourage the use of electric buses.


SsangYong launches updated Turismo MPV

The updated SsangYong Turismo MPV.
SEOUL: Remember SsangYong, the South Korean manufacturer that was building affordable SUVs before the world decided SUVs were what everyone needed, and before Hyundai and Kia became the seriously dominant automotive force from that part of the world?

And for that matter, how many of us remember when these pseudo-minivans were the first choice in vehicles for families on the move? Well, SsangYong has been upping its game in recent times to re-establish itself in the market, and its Turismo MPV is the latest model to benefit from a notable update.

The Turismo only entered the market in 2013, which wasn't the greatest timing as that's when SUVs of all sizes and in all price brackets started to become the dominant vehicle style with the world's vehicle-buying public.

This is actually the second time the Turismo has been updated since it was introduced, but this time the update is intended to bring the large seven-seater more in line with the Korean automaker's latest models, such as the new Rexton SUV and the Musso pickup truck.

At the front of the MPV is where the most noticeable change has taken place and includes a new headlight design with integrated LED daytime running lights, a revised front apron, new grille, and a new hood.

Although those changes give a significantly different look to the vehicle at the front, the rest of the interior and exterior is basically aesthetically unchanged from the 2015 facelifted model.

Most of the features we'd expect to find in such a family-friendly vehicle are present in the latest Turismo, such as seven comfortable seats and plenty of leg and cargo space. There's plenty of technology as well, including an updated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a reversing camera.

Powering all versions of the updated Turismo is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 176 bhp and the 400Nm of torque required for getting a vehicle of this size around when it has to cope with a full complement of passengers and cargo.

A seven-speed automatic gearbox is also standard, and the top-of-the-range ELX even gets selectable all-wheel drive, which although common in SUVs still isn't common in vehicles of this type.


First plug-in hybrid for BMW

                MUNICH: The first plug-in hybrid production car from the BMW core brand is the X5 xDrive40e.

This plug-in hybrid SAV (sports activity vehicle) has permanent all-wheel drive and the BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology, and is equipped as standard with Adaptive Suspension Package Comfort including rear air suspension and Dynamic Damper Control.

With a total system output of 313hp from a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption of 3.3 to 3.4 litres per 100km.

A lithium-ion battery powers the electric motor integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

It can be recharged by connecting to any standard domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox, as well as at public charging stations.

To save space, the high-voltage battery is housed underneath the luggage compartment floor.

In the AUTO eDrive basic setting, the X5 xDrive40e has a full torque of 250Nm that is on tap from standstill.

The X5 xDrive40e completes the sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.8 seconds.

Alternatively, the MAX eDrive mode can be engaged, enabling the X5 xDrive40e to run purely on electric power for up to 31km, with a limited maximum speed of 120kph.

An intelligent energy management function can be used in conjunction with the Navigation system Professional which is fitted as standard in the X5 xDrive40e.


National cars back in vogue from MAA figures

                PETALING JAYA: National car sales are on the rise again, judging from the Malaysian Automotive Association’s latest total industry volume (TIV) figures.

According to Affin Hwang Capital Research, both the national car makes of Proton and Perodua saw their combined market share rising to an eight-year high of 60.9% in January 2020.

“Perodua remains the envy of its peers, as it continues to retain its leadership position in the industry, with a 41% January 2020 market share from 42.3% a year ago, ” it said.

For Proton, meanwhile, the brand’s car sales volume rose 24% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 8,500 units on higher demand for the updated 2019 models of the Saga, Iriz, Persona and Exora, it said.

“The stronger January 2020 performance saw its market share for the month rise to 19.9%, its highest since March 2014 at 20.9%, ” Affin Hwang said.

It noted that most Japanese car brands saw a slump in the period’s sales volume, including Honda (-19.4% y-o-y), Nissan (-45.9% y-o-y) and Mazda (-31.5% y-o-y), which has a current backlog of about 1,300 units.

Toyota has seen its sales volume rising by 16% y-o-y on a low base effect, it said.

“We believe the downtrend is gaining pace in the domestic automotive market, where sales of cheaper national brands with refreshed line-ups have continuously outpaced the pricier Japanese cars, ” the research house said.

For luxury marques such as Mercedes-Benz, its January 2020 sales plunged to only 645 units (-39% y-o-y), the lowest sales volume since the September 2018 volume just after the tax-free period between June and August 2018.

Meanwhile, MIDF Research said that there could be some sort of weakness in underlying demand with the weakened TIV figures, which contracted 12% y-o-y to 42,652 units in January 2020.

It also said that this should be largely due to a shorter working month, given the Chinese New Year festivities falling on Jan 25 this year compared to Feb 5 last year.

Both MIDF Research and Affin Hwang Research have maintained their neutral stance on the industry.


Exciting new launch venues are replacing those mid-city auto shows

HAMBURG: Delicate vintage classics from the pre-war years, sporty coupes featuring art-deco design and race cars with legendary victories under their belt - every year, only the most deserving of collectibles make it to the Pebble Beach Golf Club.

California’s world-famed Concours d'Elegance on the club lawns is a magnet for car buffs. So before the classic car show gets going on the golf course, automakers on the outside are getting ready to bring their finest innovations into the spotlight.

By picking this moment for the world premiere of its ultra-luxurious Maybach concept car, Mercedes this year illustrated a broader trend: as manufacturers’ model ranges become increasingly fragmented, they need to do more launches. At the same time, visitor interest in the old-style car expos in city exhibition centres continues to decline.

As a result, automakers are opting for increasingly outlandish premieres to attract media buzz around their latest models.

The Earl of March, who lives in southern England, can explain a thing or two about this very phenomenon. Each year in early summer, he hosts the Festival of Speed, as well as a "Moving Motorshow", on his estate in Goodwood.

Alongside renowned race cars, many new cars arrive at his property to take part in the legendary Hill Climb - just this year, for example, the Mercedes AMG GT R super sports car or the new Bugatti Chiron made appearances.

These maiden journeys, watched by over 200,000 spectators, are so popular among manufacturers, that some of them even send camouflaged prototypes onto the track in order to bring them more attention.

"You have to see cars as they drive, you must hear and smell them, not simply watch," says Lord March.

The fact that classic events like October’s Paris Motor Show have suffered a loss in overall interest is partly a homemade problem, suggests automobile-industry economist Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer.

"The excitement at these fairs is limited," says the professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

While electronics trade fairs like the CES, held every January in Las Vegas, deal with the most pertinent themes of the present time, such as the automated driving and digitisation, conventional auto shows only feature "four wheels at a time."

"You could do that 20 years ago," says Dudenhoeffer, "but these days you need bright ideas to generate excitement."

In its search for alternatives, the automotive industry has gotten exceedingly creative, making appearances at events like Berlin Fashion Week. Meanwhile, no furniture fair in Milan can take place without at least one four-wheeled concept design on display.

This year featured, for example, the Toyota Setsuna, while 2013 saw the debut of the Renault Twin’Z, the precursor to the Twingo.

With this in mind, manufacturers are increasingly looking to have their own "static premieres" at supposedly hip event locations.

The new Porsche Panamera in Berlin’s Motorwerk, the Mercedes S Class at Airbus hangars in Hamburg or the recent MINI or Rolls-Royce concept cars at the Roundhouse in London, to name a few - if you can’t find a matching event for the premiere, it seems you just need to create one.

For those who want to reach out to more than just a few select guests, journalists or analysts, getting involved in fan festivals can always bring around large audiences.

Take VW, which unveils new sporty innovations at its own GTI gathering in southern Austria, or Smart, which first showed off its new convertible model at the "Smart Times" customer gathering in Budapest.

This practice actually has a long tradition that dates back to the Motorama shows of the 1950s.

According to company archives in Detroit, General Motors used to travel across the United States with its own car circus. At one guest performance at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, for example, the show brought out more than 600,000 people.

Even the yearly spectacle at Pebble Beach is nothing new, explains Marcus Herfort, who hosts a Classic Days event every year at Schloss Dyck, a palace in Germany.

The Concours d'Elegance was itself launched in the early days of the car, "and featured dancers and gourmet food in a special setting, primarily to prompt a desire to buy among those who actually already owned enough cars."


On the move with BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid

                It’s a near eerie silence, with only the faint buffeting of air while being flanked by the blurred view of Bavaria’s scenery zipping by to indicate motion as the new 7 Series (G12) glided in electric mode along the highway on a sunny day in Munich, Germany.

We peeled off the highway and began to ‘swish’ by barn-like buildings while the engine remained asleep under the hood.

Unbelieveable would be more apt to describe this feeling while repeatedly confirming that the engine was still inactive at 0rpm on the tacometer while at speeds of over 100kph.

Even then, there was still a comfortable amount of gusto coming from the electric motor while seated within the plush confines of the new 740Le.

Aside from the luxurious cabin, the new seven has undoubtedly been gifted with the best of technologies and handling prowess that the Munich-based carmaker has to offer.

This has moved the outgoing 7 Series (F01) aside in order for the sixth generation 7 Series (G11) to rise.

In and around Munich’s quaint countryside, it wasn’t difficult to imagine that this was once home to beer-making monks and also the birthplace of Oktoberfest.

But instead of beer, we were to sample Bavaria’s finest flagship automotive offering - the long-wheelbase 740Le (G12) iPerformance plug-in hybrid that comes with a 3,210mm wheelbase and measuring 5,298mm-long, 1,902mm-wide and 1,479mm-tall.

With gentle curves accented by a few sharp creases along its hood and shoulders, the 740Le looked “well-fed” and burly enough to tip the 3.0-tonne mark on the weighing scale.

But does it?

“Nein!” (No!). In fact, its kerb weight is somewhere between 1,795kg and 2,255kg (depending on variant) thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials - particularly carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), to help it remain somewhat lean.

Still, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder B48B20 engine managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission for the rear wheels did sound a little lacking.

But, when the combustion engine’s 255hp / 400Nm and the electric motor’s 111hp / 250Nm combined their efforts, there’s now 326hp and 500Nm of fun.

The performance figures are impressive and, for the sake of science, we stomped on the throttle to experience its 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds, which did well to suck us into our backrest. Unfortunately we couldn’t go on to the electronically limited top speed of 250kph - due to the tight confines of country roads.

In emissions-free mode, the electric motor can get the car cruising up to 140kph and after charging the empty 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery for 200 minutes to full, there’s a chance of squeezing out 48km of range from it.

The rear of the cabin looked tremendously inviting, hence the starting point.

Without doubt, the cabin provides for a first-class experience with its uber plush leather upholstery and the powered rear seats for dialing in that perfect seating position.

There’s also a personal set of climate controls for added rear comfort.

Knee-room at the back is more than generous with a large personal-screen mounted directly in front and a tablet residing in the centre armrest, just aft of the cup holders and above the seat’s controls.

Everything is simply within easy reach.

On the flip side, driving the G12 hybrid will have one enjoying the supple ride it offers or the strange amount of nimble agility that’s been tuned into this particular ‘Panzer-wagen’ that can go from gentleman to ruffian with a simple twitch of the ankle.

It’s capable of gently ushering passengers up to highway speeds or simply sucking them into their respective backrests and it won’t allow for more than four to cram into the cabin.

The length of this car isn’t so much felt, but its breadth is quite pronounced, with plenty of shoulder room while trying to limit the hands experiencing more of the luxurious materials - it’s an experience not to be missed out on.

The brakes have a comfortable yet firm initial bite and the transmission shifts are smooth, quick and decisive in managing the engine and electric motors - both of which operate like butter on warm toast and yet are somehow devilishly responsive.

Not to mention, the suspension will take a serious amount of beating before occupants realise what’s happening, yet there’s still a considerable amount of road feel coming back to the driver.

READ MORE:
G12 BMW 730Li tested
F02 BMW 730Li tested in 2014
It’s April 2017, and BMW 740Le has arrived in Malaysia

Both engine and electric motors do a good job of providing individually when asked, but it’s the combination of the two that really excites the emotions.

The new 7 series is much like a jumbo jet, cruising at an altitude of around 200mm, with first-class personal seating facilities, and as large as it may look, it really lacks those cumbersome handling traits associated with a large vehicle.

Instead, it’ll behave more like a nimble jet, so when it comes to deciding whether to take the driver’s seat or be seated, it might be best left to a coin toss.


New York moves to cap Uber, app-ride vehicles

                NEW YORK: New York's city council on Wednesday dealt a blow to Uber and other car-for-hire companies, passing a bill to cap the number of vehicles they operate and impose minimum pay standards on drivers.

It makes New York the first major US city to limit the number of app-based rides and to impose pay rules, with authorities under pressure to act over pollution and worsening congestion.

The financial capital of 8.5 million is the biggest app-ride market in the United States, where public transport woes and astronomical parking costs have helped fuel years of untamed growth by the likes of Lyft and Uber.

But that growth has brought New York's iconic yellow cabs to their knees and since December, six yellow-cab drivers have committed suicide.

Those deaths have been linked to desperation over plummeting income. The increased competition has slashed the value of yellow cab taxi licenses from more than US$1 million in 2014 to less than US$200,000 today.

The bill stipulates a 12-month cap on all new for-hire-vehicle licenses, unless they are wheelchair accessible, as well as minimum pay requirements for app drivers - regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

The TLC, which regulates taxis and is a powerful force in New York politics, commissioned a study recently in a bid to underscore the chaos and push city authorities into taking action.

That report recommended a guaranteed income of US$17.22 an hour for drivers — the city's $15 minimum wage is due to come into effect at the end of 2018 — plus a supplement to mitigate against rest time.

Uber hit back Wednesday, saying the 12-month pause would threaten one of the city's "few reliable transportation options" — a swipe at a burgeoning subway crisis — "while doing nothing to fix the subways or ease congestion."

"Uber will do whatever it takes to keep up with growing demand and we will not stop working with city and state leaders... to pass real solutions like comprehensive congestion pricing," a spokesman said.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio, a progressive Democrat, vowed to sign the bill into law, claiming that it would "stop the influx of cars contributing to the congestion grinding our streets to a halt."

"More than 100,000 workers and their families will see an immediate benefit from this legislation," de Blasio said.

It comes after the city was forced to shelve plans in 2015 to cap the number of vehicles operated by Uber, after the multibillion-dollar corporation fought tooth and nail against the legislation in a slick ad campaign.

The Independent Drivers Guild, which represents more than 65,000 app-based drivers such as those from Lyft and Uber, on Wednesday celebrated.

"Workers and New York leaders made history today. It's not easy taking on Silicon Valley behemoths, but we kept on fighting for what we know is right and today the workers prevailed," said executive director Ryan Price.

Most drivers in New York work full time and are often immigrants without higher education. They get into heavy debt to buy their vehicle license and have little other means of generating income.

Around 85 percent earn substantially less than the equivalent of a $15-an-hour minimum wage, according to the TLC-commissioned study.

Around 80,000 drivers work for at least one of the big four app-based companies in New York, compared to 13,500 yellow cab drivers, it found.

Last year, London's transport authority stripped Uber of its licence over safety concerns, but the company appealed the decision and was allowed to continue operating while the case was heard.

In June, a British judge overturned the earlier decision and granted the ride-hailing app a 15-month permit.


India's auto show set to feature electric cars, scooters

                NEW DELHI: Electric cars, scooters and trucks are expected to take centre stage at India's biennial car show which kicks off today on the outskirts of the capital after a year-long postponement because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Firms from Hyundai Motor to SAIC Motor, BYD and Tata Motors are set to focus on electric cars at the Jan 13-18 Auto Expo.

Meanwhile Suzuki Motor Corp's India unit Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Motor are expected to showcase other technologies as well, in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The clean vehicle push comes at a time when the Indian government is looking to cut emissions and pollution in major cities while also reducing its oil import bill. India is offering companies millions of dollars in incentives to build electric vehicles (EVs) and their parts locally.

India is set to become the world's third-largest market for light vehicles including passenger cars, displacing Japan in 2022, according to a forecast by S&P Global Mobility before numbers for the year are finalised. Industry-wide sales grew an estimated 23% in India to 4.4 million vehicles in 2022.

Electric models make up less than 1% of total car sales in the country, and the sector is gaining momentum, but the market share remains far short of the government's lofty target of 30% by 2030.

Electric-two wheelers have been leading EV sales charts in India, accounting for 62% of the EVs sold in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, according to industry data.

Electric scooter sales are set to make up more than 5% of total scooter and motorbike sales in India in the current fiscal year, analysts estimate.

As well as established industry names, the auto show will also feature electric mobility start-ups including Greaves Cotton, Matter Motorworks, Tork Motors and Omega Seiki Mobility, expected to showcase e-scooters, "last-mile" delivery vehicles and people carriers.


BHPetrol support for CNY road safety campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: BHPetrol conducted a road safety campaign together with Road Safety Department Malaysia (JKJR), in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year festive season at a service station in Cheras recently.

Free motorcycle helmets and goodie bags packed with snacks, drinks and mandarin oranges were given to BHPetrol customers at the service station located near Taman Midah, Kuala Lumpur.

Customers were also given angpow packets filled with BHPetrol vouchers.

The event was officiated by BHPetrol acting CEO Azizul Azily Ahmad and JKJR deputy director general Wong Yau Duenn, who provided various road safety tips.

"To all our customers especially those who are celebrating, we wish you a prosperous Chinese New Year and "Gong Xi Fa Chai". Be safe in whatever you do and enjoy the festive season with your loved ones. Please stop by BHPetrol stations to refuel your tank with Infiniti fuels for extra mileage or buy refreshments from BHPetromart during your journeys," said Azizul.


Miros mulls new plan to lower motorcycle fatalities

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) is working together with the Ministry of Transport to come up with a 10-year plan to lower the number of fatalities involving motorcycle riders in road accidents in the country.

Its director of road user behaviour, Azhar Hamzah said motorcycle accidents accounted for 20 per cent of the more than 500,000 crashes reported every year.

"In the past 20 years, over 60 per cent of fatalities in road accidents were motorcycle riders with 45 per cent of the victims in the 16 to 30 years age group.

"In motorcycle crashes, riders play the most important role regardless of the environment and the vehicle they are riding," he said in a roundtable session entitled "Crash, Boom, Bang #RogerAllianz" organised by Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd.

Azhar noted that motorcycle accidents occurred mainly on primary roads with 66 per cent happening on straight road sections, 27.5 per cent on angular or side collisions, 28 per cent involving cars and 25 per cent in a single vehicle crash.

Meanwhile, Allianz General's chief executive officer, Sean Wang said the company is stepping up its services by offering roadside assistance to riders for its Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) or Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive) (below 250cc) policyholders.

"Motorcycle riders are categorised as the underserved segment when it comes to the insurance market in Malaysia. Riders have long waited for better on-the-road service, something the insurer was eager to take on.

"This segment of business is not really a big one as compared to the total auto insurance in the industry and we want to step up to offer comprehensive services to motorcycle riders," he said.

Wang said the service is complimentary to all its policyholder and would be carried out by the Allianz Road Rangers service.


EV battery makers race to develop cheaper cell materials, skirting China

                LONDON: US and European startups are racing to develop new batteries using two abundant, cheap materials — sodium and sulfur — that could reduce China's battery dominance, ease looming supply bottlenecks and lead to mass-market electric vehicles (EVs).

Today's EVs run on lithium ion batteries — mostly made with lithium, cobalt, manganese and high-grade nickel, whose prices have soared. Western producers are struggling to catch up with their Asian rivals, and carmakers expect supply bottlenecks to hit car production around the middle of the decade.

The EVs of the future — those arriving after 2025 — could shift to sodium ion or lithium sulfur battery cells that could be up to two-thirds cheaper than today's lithium ion cells.

But their promise hinges on potential breakthroughs in electrochemistry by such startups as Berlin-based Theion and UK-based Faradion, as well as Lyten in the United States.

Newer battery chemistries have problems to be overcome. Sodium ion batteries don't yet store enough energy, while sulfur cells tend to corrode quickly and don't last long.

Still, more than a dozen start-ups have attracted millions of dollars in investment, as well as government grants, to develop new kinds of batteries.

For now, China dominates battery production, including the mining and refining of raw materials.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a UK-based consultancy, estimates China currently has 75% of the world's cobalt refining capacity and 59% of its lithium processing capacity.

"We're still dependent on a material supply chain from China," said James Quinn, chief executive of British sodium ion battery startup Faradion, which received more than US$1 million in government grants from Innovate UK before it was bought by Indian conglomerate Reliance last year for US$117 million.

"If you look at the global geopolitical implications of that, it's a challenge for energy security, economic security and national security."

Asian battery giants are also working on new chemistries. China's CATL has said it plans to begin producing sodium ion cells in 2023. Korea's LG Energy Solution aims to start making lithium sulfur cells by 2025.

Inside the battery

The single most expensive element of an EV battery is the cathode, which accounts for up to a third of the cost of a battery cell.

Most EV batteries today use one of two types of cathodes: Nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) or lithium iron phosphate (LFP). NCM cathodes are capable of storing more energy, but use costly materials (nickel, cobalt). LFP cathodes typically don't hold as much energy, but they are safer and tend to be less expensive because they use materials that are more abundant.

The cost of key cathode materials such as nickel and cobalt has skyrocketed over the past two years.

That's why so many companies are hoping to substitute cheaper, more abundant materials such as sodium and sulfur, if their technical limitations can be overcome.

"Sodium ion definitely has a place, especially for stationary storage and low-end vehicles in cost-sensitive markets such as China, India, Africa and South America," says consultant Prabhakar Patil, a former LG Chem executive.

"The introduction cost for lithium sulfur is likely to be higher — even though it has the potential to be the lowest cost — making consumer electronics the initial application,” Patil said.

Michigan-based Amandarry and British startup AMTE Power (AMTE.L) are developing sodium ion batteries using sodium chloride — basically table salt — as the main cathode ingredient. They do not need lithium, cobalt or nickel — the three most expensive battery ingredients.

Jeff Pratt, managing director of the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre - a state-funded £130 million factory that rents out its production lines to startups to test battery chemistries - said he is trying to fit a sodium ion startup's cells into a packed production schedule because it is "strategically important" to Britain's hopes of being at the forefront of developing new, better batteries.

US firms Lyten and Conamix, Germany's Theion and Norway's Morrow are developing lithium sulfur cathodes that still need lithium in smaller quantities, but not nickel or cobalt.

By using ubiquitous cathode materials — sulfur is widely used in fertilizer, so is cheap like salt — these startups claim battery costs could be slashed by up to two thirds, potentially making EVs affordable beyond the middle class.

Current EV battery packs typically range in cost from US$10,000-US$12,000.

"If we can hit the targets we've identified with some of the world's largest automakers, then we're off to the races," Conamix CEO Charlotte Hamilton said.

On the road

The battery startups say they are talking to major automakers, some of whom are actively testing new batteries that could be on the road in mass-market EVs before the end of the decade. The car companies are keen to keep their options open.

"Over time, more (battery) chemistries will come out," said Linda Zhang, chief engineer on Ford's F150 Lightning electric pickup truck. "It would be silly not to take advantage of those chemistries."

At Tesla's 2020 Battery Day, CEO Elon Musk said a "three-tiered approach" to lithium ion batteries using different materials would be needed to build "truly affordable" EVs — mainly with iron-based LFP battery cells — as well as larger, more powerful and expensive EVs using nickel-based NCM or NCA cells with cobalt or aluminum cathode material.

Battery developers hope they can add sodium ion and lithium sulfur batteries to the range open to the auto industry.

Duncan Williams, managing director of advisory Nomura Greentech, said recent discoveries are closing the gap on issues like energy density and cycle life, "so we would expect to see both of these alternatives taking market share in the future."

Michigan-based Amandarry is already producing sodium ion cells at its plant in Haining, China, so those cells won't qualify for incentives under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.

The company say it will also build a plant in North America.

Partner Amy Chen says Amandarry's first transportation application will likely be electric two-wheelers.

Aside from a cost advantage, Chen says Amandarry's batteries can charge really fast — 80% in 15 minutes.

AMTE Power CEO Kevin Brundish said the company is initially launching with batteries for stationary energy storage systems, such as those used by grid operators, where energy density is less important.

Faradion's Quinn said the company's batteries are also already competitive with LFP cells and it has formed a joint venture for energy storage with agribusiness giant ICM Australia.

Quinn said at relatively low scale Faradion's batteries should be a third less expensive than iron-based LFP batteries.

He said Faradion has had discussions with "most every major automotive company."

"Within the next three to five years, you'll see (our batteries) on the road."

'No-brainer'

Sulfur is a "wicked hard chemistry" to make work in batteries, says Celina Mikolajczak, chief battery technical officer at California-based startup Lyten, which has attracted $47.5 million from investors, according to investment website PitchBook.

But, she said, it is "the chemistry of the future, the chemistry that makes batteries mass market."

Ulrich Ehmes, CEO of Theion — ancient Greek for sulfur — says the problem with sulfur is that it is so corrosive that it kills a battery after 30 charges.

But he said the Berlin-based company, which is backed by a handful of angel and private investors, has developed a way to treat and coat a lithium sulfur electrode that should make it last an EV's lifetime.

Theion expects to begin supplying batteries later this year to power pumps in commercial rockets during launch. Ehmes said the company plans to begin sending test cells to vehicle manufacturers in 2024, with the first production EV applications expected around 2027.

Theion believes its lithium sulfur cathodes could store three times more energy than standard NCM cells, charge ultra fast and cut battery cell costs by two-thirds, to about $34 per kilowatt-hour.

"It's cheap, it's high energy density so it seems to be a no-brainer," Ehmes said.

Tony Harper, director of the Faraday Battery Challenge, the British government's program that invests in fostering new battery technologies, said the automotive industry is increasingly worried about supplies of lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel, so new chemistries are vital.

"This will take up the strain of what we thought would be a very, very difficult situation," Harper said.


2020 Porsche Macan GTS announced

                ATLANTA: Porsche completes the Macan series with a distinctly sporty model: the new Macan GTS and launches with a powerful engine, performance-oriented chassis, characteristic design and enhanced equipment.

The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 375hp – an increase of 15hp compared with the predecessor model – and is combined with the newly adapted PDK dual-clutch transmission.

The maximum torque of 383 lb-ft is available over a wide range from 1,750 to 5,000rpm.

The Macan GTS can accelerate from zero to 60mph in 4.7 seconds, or to the same speed in 4.5 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package, and on to a top track speed of 162mph.

Among other things, the new Porsche compact SUV family has earned the abbreviation GTS, which stands for “Gran Turismo Sport”, due to its outstanding driving dynamics.

Adaptive air suspension, which is standard equipment on this model, can lower the chassis by 10 millimeters. Combined with the standard 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels and the generously sized cast iron brakes (360 x 36 millimeters at the front, 330 x 22 millimeters at the rear), the new Macan GTS impresses with the agility and responsiveness of a true sports car.

As an option, deceleration can be further improved by means of the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) with tungsten carbide coating (390 x 38 millimeters at the front, 356 x 28 millimeter at the rear) or the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) measuring 396 x 38 millimeters at the front and 370 x 30 millimeters at the rear.


Petron Malaysia and MyKasih team up to help the needy

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petron Malaysia teamed up with MyKasih Foundation for the “PetronMyKasih Jom Derma” donation programme to give Petron Miles (PMiles) cardholders a chance to donate their points for a good cause.

From May 7 until Aug 31, each P-Miles point donated will be converted into cash and vested into MyKasih Foundation.

Through the Foundation, B40 families can purchase groceries and other necessities from more than 250 retail store partners including Mydin, Tesco, Giant, Econsave, The Store, Aeon, 99 Speedmart, and TF Value Mart.

Every 500 PMiles points donated will be converted into RM5, while every 1000 PMiles points into RM10.

Customers may donate in multiples of RM5 or RM10 at all Petron service stations through the sales counter.

Petron Malaysia Head of Retail and Commercial Business Choong Kum Choy the programme would help alleviate the hardship faced by B40 families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Working together with MyKasih Foundation, we will be providing our customers the opportunity to help by donating their PMiles points to those in need.

"Our PMiles card is more than just a loyalty card that provides members with attractive rewards; it also now allows members to share their points with needy families from as low as 500 P-Miles points, which converts to a gift of RM5,” he said.

“Using the PMiles card to contribute is easy and convenient as our customers can do so whenever they are at our stations. And for the benefit of those who contribute, the donations will be issued with tax-exempt receipts from MyKasih,” added Choong.

MyKasih Foundation is a Government-approved charitable organisation which was incepted in 2009.

It has channelled RM280mil worth of aid to more than 300,000 low-income households and students nationwide.

For details on Petron Miles Points Donation programme, visit www.petronmiles.com.my.


Mercedes beats Tesla to hands-free driving on the Autobahn

                STUTTGART: Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz won regulatory approval to deploy a hands-free driving system in Germany ahead of Tesla Inc., gaining an edge in the race to offer higher levels of automation in one of the world’s most competitive car markets.

The automaker got the green light to sell its Drive Pilot package for use on stretches of the country’s Autobahn network at a speed of up to 60kph, Mercedes said.

The system was approved for Level 3 autonomous driving, a notch higher than Tesla’s Level 2 Autopilot system, and will allow a drivers to take their hands off the wheel in slow-moving traffic.

“Drive Pilot enables the driver to turn away from the traffic and focus on certain secondary activities,” the luxury-car maker said in a statement. “For example, to communicate with colleagues via the in-car office, to write emails, to surf the Internet or to relax and watch a film.”

Tesla, Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo and others have been chasing self-driving technology for years. A fully autonomous vehicle would be highly attractive to premium customers, allowing drivers to work or use entertainment systems while on journeys.

Mercedes got permission for the system only in Germany, but said it’s aiming for regulatory approval in other jurisdictions as well. Drive Pilot will be an option for the S-Class and EQS models from around the middle of next year. The automaker hasn’t decided how much it will charge for the system, which has approval to be used on around 13,000km of Germany’s highway network.

Tesla has run into trouble in Europe’s biggest car market with its driver-assistance technology after a German court rebuffed the company’s promotion of Autopilot last year, saying the carmaker has misled consumers about what the system can do.

Chief executive officer Elon Musk has long offered optimistic views on the capabilities of his cars, even going so far as to start charging customers thousands of dollars for a “Full Self Driving” feature in 2016.

Years later, Tesla still requires users of its Autopilot system to be fully attentive and ready to take over driving at any time.

Mercedes isn’t the first automaker to market Level 3 technology in a production car. Honda Motor Co. in 2020 received approval from Japanese regulators for such a system in its Legend model, although only deployed it in a limited production run.


New Volvo cars caps top speed at 180kph

                LONDON: Every new Volvo car now comes with a limited top speed of 180kph, as Volvo Cars delivers on its promise made last year to introduce such a limitation and goes beyond regulation and legislation to help close the remaining gap to zero serious injuries and fatalities in traffic.

As well as the speed cap, every Volvo car will now also come with a Care Key, which allows Volvo drivers to set additional limitations on the car’s top speed, for example before lending their car to other family members or to younger and inexperienced drivers.

Together, the 180kph speed limitation and Care Key send a strong signal about the dangers of speeding, underlining Volvo Cars' position as a worldwide leader in safety.

“We believe that a car maker has a responsibility to help improve traffic safety,” said Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

“Our speed limiting technology, and the dialogue that it initiated, fits that thinking. The speed cap and Care Key help people reflect and realise that speeding is dangerous, while also providing extra peace of mind and supporting better driver behaviour.”

READ MORE:
Will Volvo's 180kph limit on all cars really matter to drivers?
Volvo models across Europe to warn each other of slippery roads and hazards


India Cabinet approves raising levy on luxury cars, SUVs

                NEW DELHI: India’s Cabinet today approved raising the maximum levy on large cars, luxury cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, adding that a panel of federal and state finance chiefs will decide on the timing of the increase.

The levy is part of a nationwide goods and services tax (GST) launched last month to replace a multitude of provincial and national levies in the biggest tax reform in 70 years.

Under the new sales tax, vehicles are mainly taxed at 18 percent or 28 percent with an additional levy of 15 percent on some types of cars.

The Cabinet passed an executive order, or ordinance, to raise the maximum levy to 25 percent from 15 percent, which could make large luxury cars and SUVs more expensive.

“The ordinance is only an enabling law. This does not mean the cess will automatically increase,” Jaitley said.

He said the GST council, comprising federal and state chiefs, will be “entitled” to take a decision on whether to increase the cess within the permissible limit of 25 percent.

Any increase in taxes will affect luxury carmakers in India such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors, as well as automakers such as Toyota Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki that sell SUVs.


Fuel happy with Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4M

                KUALA LUMPUR: Petron Malaysia recently took customers and media partners on a 350km road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Nusajaya, Johor for a hands-on experience in the power and efficiency of the Blaze 100 Euro 4M petrol.

Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4M is the first and only petrol in the Malaysia market with a Research Octane Number (RON) of 100, delivering optimum and fuel-efficient performance.

Powered by this high-octane petrol, enthusiasts from Porsche Club Malaysia and Lotus Cars Club Malaysia also joined the trip.

About 60 drivers, with many of them in Volkswagen Passat sedans loaned by Volkswagen Group Malaysia, participated in the drive to Puteri Harbour.

"We wanted our customers to feel the thrill of driving vehicles fueled by Blaze 100. From their reactions, our product exceeded expectations," said Petron Malaysia head of retail Faridah Ali.

"Since its launch in January, we have received strong and positive feedback from our customers who have switched to Blaze 100. Due to the higher demand, we have increased the number of service stations carrying our superior petrol from the initial eight to 40 stations," added Faridah.

Blaze 100 contains a Tri-Active formula that promises better power, engine protection and fuel economy.

While high performance cars have the most to gain from using the RON 100 petrol, ordinary cars will still register a noticeable improvement in engine performance as well as cleaner engine because of the fuel’s higher additive dosage and better fuel economy.

With its high octane of RON 100, drivers experienced reduced 'engine knocking' resulting in optimum performance, better engine responsiveness and acceleration.

Blaze 100 also has an advanced fully synthetic detergent additive, which cleans engines better.

"Blaze 100 embodies the Petron experience - innovation, responsiveness and great performance," said Faridah.

Blaze 100 is produced at Petron Port Dickson Refinery, and meets Euro 4M specifications for reduced emissions and better air quality.


Daimler to pay Nokia patent fees, ending German legal spat

The agreement with Daimler announced jointly today marks the latest win for Nokia. — AFP
STUTTGART: Daimler has agreed to pay Nokia for using its patents, ending a row that highlighted a battle between tech and car companies over royalties for key technologies.

Nokia, which makes €1.4 billion (RM7bil) in licensing revenues every year, and carmaker Daimler had sued each other in German courts in recent years, with mixed results.

Tech firms want automakers to pay royalties for technologies used in navigation systems, vehicle communications and self-driving cars, but the latter say their suppliers should pay instead, which could reduce the fees for patent holders.

The agreement announced jointly today marks the latest win for Nokia which in April struck a deal with China's Lenovo under which the world's biggest PC maker would make a net balancing payment to the Finnish telecoms equipment maker and resolve all pending litigation.

That followed a deal with Samsung the previous month in which the South Korean company agreed to make royalty payments for its technologies related to video standards.

Nokia and Daimler did not disclose the terms of their patent licencing deal, but said they would halt litigation. The German carmaker has to date never paid Nokia for using its patents.

"We welcome the settlement, from an economic point of view and because we avoid lengthy ... disputes," a Daimler spokesman said.

The deal is good news for Nokia, said Danske Bank analyst Mads Rosendal.

"The revenue stream is not likely to be material but at the very least it will be very stable and high margin. Also, ending of the dispute should save a fair amount of legal costs going forward. Slightly credit positive for Nokia, in our view," he said.

The end of the dispute means a German court's request last year to the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice, Europe's highest, for guidance on the issue will be moot.

However, German car parts maker Continental, which together with Daimler, Bury Technologies, Valeo and Thales-owned Gemalto complained about Nokia's patent fees to EU antitrust regulators in 2019, said it was not dropping its complaint nor legal fight in the United States.

It urged the European Commission to set out a binding patent licensing framework.

"It must ... define this framework otherwise European companies will face an insurmountable competitive disadvantage in the future market of the Internet of Things compared to Asian and American market participants," Continental board member and head of its vehicle networking and information business unit Helmut Matschi said in a statement.

Audi, Bentley, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Rolls Royce, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen and Volvo already pay patent fees to Nokia.


Pagani plans electric version of upcoming hypercar

The Pagani Zonda C12 and Huayra Roadster.
GENEVA: Italian hypercar maker Horacio Pagani revealed that his firm is working on its first electric model.

For its successor to the Pagani Huayra, the automaker is developing a new vehicle codenamed C10, which isn't expected to see the light of day before 2021, he told Road & Track.

According to Pagani, the forthcoming model would come in two versions — one with a "traditional" V12 twin-turbo engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG, and the other would be fully electric.

Pagani sees electric as a new challenge — one which will no doubt prove expensive, but which will also respond to a certain demand. A hybrid version of the vehicle does not appear to be on the cards. All the model needs now is a name.

Currently present at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, the manufacturer is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Zonda C12. Pagani is expected to present a Roadster version of its Huayra BC later this year.


Perodua Tweckbot is back

                RAWANG: The Perodua Tweckbot is back to offer its free 50-point safety check to all Perodua vehicles at selected locations in conjunction with the upcoming Ramadan and Aidil Fitri celebrations.

For Pre Hari Raya, Tweckbot vehicles will be stationed at the Mesra Mall, Kerteh, Terengganu between 10am and 6pm, from May 26-28. For post Hari Raya, Tweckbot will be available in the central region after Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebration. However, the dates, time and location will be announced later. Customers should track Perodua's  Facebook and Twitter account for updates.

The 50-points safety check which will take about 10 to 15 minutes includes an engine check, transmission check, coolant system, brake system check, power steering system check, clutch system check, tyre check, suspension system check, electrical system check and engine diagnosis.

A 20% discount for parts and accessories will be given to all car owners who return to Perodua service branches and dealers. Another 10% will be given for customers who are Perodua Circle members. However, the Tweckbot team only carries out vehicle inspection, after which its team members would offer advice if the vehicle needs to be serviced or is due for repairs.

The Tweckbot programme, introduced in 2011, has been an annual event for Perodua whereby it engages its customers via social media to offer free safety inspections.

Perodua also urged customers to sign up for its loyalty programme UFirst, which now comes with an app for customers to gain access to promotions from Perodua’s partners and the Perodua Smart Assist emergency assistance.


ChargePoint gives Europe equal billing in electric car grid plan

                LISBON: ChargePoint, which operates one of the world’s largest charging station grids for electric vehicles, expects to split a major expansion plan equally between Europe and its home market the United States, its chief executive said.

The company said in September it was aiming for 2.5 million charging points globally by 2025 and CEO Pasquale Romano said at the Web Summit conference in Lisbon last week that the increase was likely to be evenly split between Europe and the United States.

Europe is seen as potentially moving more quickly to electric vehicle adoption than the United States after President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris climate agreement.

The 11-year-old firm, partly owned by German car makers BMW and Daimler, started selling in Europe in March and has reached around 1,000 points, out of a total of 60,000, which are mostly in the United States.

Growth in Europe will benefit from the phasing in of diesel car bans in parts of Europe in the 2020s, Romano said. As bans are phased in, diesel cars are likely to be swapped for electric vehicles, he said.

Norway, which is already a big market for electric cars and the single-biggest for Tesla cars, will ban all combustion-engine car sales from 2025. Big cities in Germany are planning diesel bans while Denmark and Britain plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the next two decades.

Silicon Valley-based ChargePoint supplies charging hardware and software. It has raised US$125 million to expand in Europe, where it will compete against companies such as French utility Engie, Germany’s Innogy and E.ON, which are aiming at creating electric vehicle infrastructure.

ChargePoint does not own any re-charging stations but rather functions like an Airbnb or Uber to create a network of locations and schedule bookings at available charging points.

Romano would not put a figure on the company’s current sales but said “revenue growth is absolutely better than 50 percent year-over-year, we don’t see that slowing down at all.”

He said an initial public offering would be the “logical outcome” for the company but said there was no formal timeline for that.

Some auto industry experts have predicted that the world’s car fleet is set to start declining in coming decades because of congestion in many cities, prompting car sharing and greater use of public transport.

Romano said that did not worry him as ChargePoint was looking at markets for both individual car owners and fleets, such as bus companies in cities.

“As long as we are playing in both (markets), it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The funny thing is we are in a rising tide (of EV adoption) in a ultimately receding ocean (of car ownership),” he said.


GoCar reduces rates for GoEV car sharing

                PETALING JAYA: GoCar Malaysia, a leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, has made its GoEV electric car-sharing service even more affordable with the implementation of newly revised rates.

Hourly rates have been reduced by close to 30%, while bookings for 30 days and above now cost almost 50% less.

The price reduction is in line with GoCar’s ongoing efforts to expand the EV driving experience in mainstream Malaysia by making GoEV more accessible to the general public.

Available for Round Trip bookings, the hourly rate for GoEV Share is now RM17.90 (down from RM24.90 per hour).

GoCar has also reduced the daily rates to RM179 from the previous RM249 per day.

Rates for longer-term bookings of 30 days and above are even more attractive at RM120 per day compared to RM232 per day before the rate adjustments.

To increase the availability of GoEV within the Klang Valley, GoCar has added two new zones – IOI City Mall (Level P1, between pillars F7 and F8) and 1 Mont Kiara (Zone C5, Level P3, Bay 162-164).

Other current locations include the GoCar Petaling Jaya Hub, GoCar Lot92 Cuba Beli Chow Kit, Avenue K KLCC, ERL Station KL Sentral, The LINC KL Jalan Tun Razak, MidValley Megamall, MyTown Cheras, Nissan/Renault ETCM Glenmarie and 163 Retail Park Mont Kiara.

While EVs have been gaining popularity in recent years, one common concern that persists in hindering the mass adoption of EVs is range anxiety.

In reality, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) on a single full charge can travel more than 200km, which is sufficient for daily urban driving in Malaysia.

With GoEV, users can have peace of mind while experiencing EV driving in the city for the following reasons:

> Sufficient range for city driving
The GoEV fleet mainly comprises the fully-electric Nissan Leaf, which comes with a 40kWh battery that enables a maximum travel distance of 311km 1 on a single charge.

> Power back with regenerative braking
The Leaf’s electric 320Nm motor delivers quick acceleration (0-100kph in 7.9 seconds) and, more importantly, comes with regenerative braking to recharge the battery and enhance the driving range.

> Enhanced range with e-Pedal
Drivers can also boost the intensity of regenerative braking by employing the one-pedal, e-Pedal system. Additionally, shifting into B-mode when going downhill further boosts the
regenerative braking feature.

> Free AC charging with complimentary chargEV card
Each GoEV vehicle comes with a chargEV card (located at the sun visor), courtesy of GoCar. As such, GoEV users do not need to sign up and pay for the annual chargEV membership to enjoy free usage of chargEV’s AC chargers. Use of the fast DC chargers (CHAdeMO and CCS2), however, is chargeable based on chargEV’s rates.

> Worry-free charging compatibility
While the Nissan Leaf comes with a Type 1 connector, most AC chargers in Malaysia are fitted with Type 2 charging outlets. To address compatibility issues, GoCar provides a Type-2 to Type-1 EV adaptor, which can be found with the Leaf’s charging cable in the boot of each GoEV vehicle.

> Convenient viewing of GoEV and JomCharge charging stations on one app
Following the integration with the JomCharge mobile platform, GoEV users can now view charger locations and availability on both the GoEV and JomCharge platforms directly via the GoCar mobile app. JomCharge is one of the largest DC networks in the country, located along the North-South Expressway.


All Puspakom centres in Selangor closed except Sungai Besar branch

                SHAH ALAM: All Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) branches in Selangor and other inspection centres including the mobile services in the Klang Valley, will remain closed until July 16, except for the Sungai Besar branch.

Puspakom said on Monday the Seremban branch would also be closed until July 22 as the district comes under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for two weeks from July 9.

"For customers who have made an appointment at Puspakom branches involved in the closure, the appointment fee will be refunded automatically," it said.

It also said that all Puspakom inspection centres nationwide, including mobile services, located outside EMCO areas, are operating as usual.

It added that there would be no walk-in inspections and only customers who had made an appointment would be allowed at the centres, based on the date, time and place that had been selected.

Those present during the inspection are also advised to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as scan the MySejahtera application before entering the premises.

All changes relating to Puspakom's operations, are based on the latest government announcements and the public can follow Puspakom's Facebook account or visit www.puspakom.com.my for the latest information.


Biggest Ducati Panigale Gathering In Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ducati in Malaysia set a new record for the biggest gathering and convoy of 300 Ducati Panigale motorcycles at a ride from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan last week.

 Michael flagging off the convoy.

The ride was flagged off by Dennis Michael, Head of Company at Next Bike which is the distributor of Ducati bikes in Malaysia.

 Pirro chatting with a fan.

The Panigale riders also got a surprise visit by #DucatiLenovoTeam rider Michele Pirro who dropped by to meet the riders at the flag-off.


First batch of all-electric Volvo XC40 delivered to 65 buyers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia delivered the first batch of Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric to its Malaysian buyers on Saturday.

A total of 65 owners received their respective units of the electric XC40, marking Volvo Car Malaysia’s next milestone as the company moves into an all-electric future.

To-date, Volvo Car Malaysia has received over 300 orders of the locally-assembled XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and expects to deliver 100 units of the EV to their new owners by the end of the month.

 Yong San Jin (right) and his family taking delivery of the electric XC40 at Federal Auto Cars Glenmarie.

The electric XC40 comes with two electric motors, one on each axle, to deliver a combined output of 300kW (408hp) and 660Nm of torque with an all-wheel drive capability.

The electric XC40 is also the quickest EV of its segment and can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and towards a top speed of 180kph.

 C.K. Koay gives the bevvy of the electric XC40 the thumbs-up before collecting his very own unit from Sime Darby Swedish Auto.

Its 78kWh lithium-ion battery, of which 75kWh is usable, promises a driving range of 418km.

Offered at a hassle-free price of RM262,459, customers can submit an order request online on the company’s official website at www.volvocars.com/my.

 Yap Ching Shin (right) and his family with their electric XC40 in Denim Blue at Ingress Swede Automobile.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is available in five colour options of Black Stone, Crystal White Pearl, Denim Blue, Glacier Silver and Sage Green.

For more information, contact any Volvo car authorised dealer near you or follow Volvo Car Malaysia on Facebook http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-FB and Instagram at http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-IG.


Toyota human support robot for mobility issues trialled for home use

                LONDON: One of the first home trials of a robot assistant to aid someone with mobility issues has been carried out by Toyota.

The firm's Human Support Robot (HSR) - which can fetch objects, open doors and interact with humans - was used at the home of Anthony Walsh, who lived with motor neurone disease (MND) in England.

Walsh died shortly after the trial, but after discussions with his family, details of the trial have been released to respect his wish to raise awareness of the disease and the work of charity the MND Association.

The HSR was used as a service robot around the home, and thanks to a folding arm and a range of sensors and cameras can perform practical tasks for people with mobility issues.

During its time at the Walsh household in Southgate, north London, it helped bring items from the fridge, pass the TV remote and even sang in Walsh's voice, which had been recorded in advance.

Speaking at the time of the home trial, he said: "We're just getting the first taste of what the future might hold and what technology is out there that might be manipulated to help people in my condition, particularly those who maybe don't have the same support network as I do.

"I think there could be a place where this robot could be there to help people in different ways with their day-to-day life.

"It gives you back a little bit of your independence, albeit you're still relying on something else.

"This robot would actually free up time for other people to not always be at your beck and call and to have some of their own time back. It can relieve a lot of stress in the family situation."

The trial was the result of work between Toyota Motor Europe, Toyota GB, the MND Association and King's College London.

Currently, the robot is manually controlled, but robotics experts at King's College London have said they hope to make it autonomous in the future.

Oya Celiktutan, a lecturer in robotics at the department of engineering at King's, said the researchers were also working on making the robot more able to learn from the humans around it.

"One of the problems we are focusing on is how to make robots learn continuously without forgetting their past knowledge," she said.

"For instance, how we can make the HSR robot learn which is their user's favourite mug and then bring their tea in it.

"We are also working on algorithms to make the robot learn new tasks simply by watching humans, such as potentially preparing and giving medication."

Mark Van Loock, technology manager at Toyota Motor Europe said the trial had provided "useful insights into how this type of robot could help people in the future."


Vietnam's first homegrown car to be delivered in days

                HANOI: Vietnam's homegrown carmaker VinFast will deliver its first cars on June 17, the company said Friday as it showcased a factory in one of Asia's fastest growing economies.

VinFast said it will supply a domestic market that is rapidly expanding thanks to a mushrooming middle class with a growing appetite for cars - though it will face stiff competition from well-established players like Toyota and Ford.

The carmaker is a subsidiary of Vietnam's largest private conglomerate, Vingroup, which is owned by the country's richest man, a press-shy billionaire who started his career selling dried noodles in Ukraine.

It is seeking to tap into national pride with vehicles that include sedan and SUV models, along with e-scooters and even electric buses.

"In less than 72 hours, the first Vietnamese branded cars will officially be driven on the streets of Vietnam," said Vingroup director general Nguyen Viet Quanghe.

Quang - speaking at the sprawling factory in Haiphong where rows of red, white and grey cars were being assembled - said the company has received orders for 10,000 cars and "tens of thousands" of e-scooters.

Vietnam's Prime Minister said he hoped the vehicles would help Vietnam become a household name - alongside auto-making heavyweights Japan and Germany.

"Vietnamese are able to do what the world can," Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

Vietnam's fast-growing economy has largely been buoyed by cheaply manufactured goods like sneakers, T-shirts and computer processors.

GDP growth hit 7.1 percent last year, and the World Bank says annual growth is expected to reach 6.6 percent later this year.

The country has said it hopes to move into value-added and high-tech manufacturing like more developed neighbours like South Korea and Japan.

Vietnam currently assembles foreign-branded cars for a growing domestic market: auto sales are up 22 percent year-on-year over the past five months, according to Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

The cradle-to-grave Vingroup empire includes housing, resorts, farms, schools, hospitals, shopping malls and smartphones.

CEO Vuong is worth an estimated US$7.7 billion, according to Forbes.


Big Bike Pitstop roadshow now in Ipoh

                IPOH: The much-awaited Big Bike Pitstop roadshow, which is popular in Kuala Lumpur, is in Perak's state capital now.

From now till October, bike enthusiasts in Ipoh will be able to test ride the latest models of the Harley-Davidson, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Royal Enfield.

During the six months campaign in Ipoh, Big Bike Pitstop roadshow promises great deals for all available motorcycle brands at the event.

 Rumaizi astride a Royal Enfield motorcycle. With him are Goh (right), Didi Group general manager Juan Chow Wee (second from left) and other attendees.

Big Bike Pitstop roadshow was officiated by Ipoh mayor Datuk Bandar Rumaizi Baharin together with the Didi Group managing director Goh Kian Sin.

In conjunction with the roadshow, Royal Enfield 2022 models were unveiled - lnterceptor, Continental GT, Himalayan - along with the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory.

Goh said the company hoped to work with the Perak state government to explore the possibility of creating a biker hub in Ipoh similar to The Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya.

The Gasket Alley lifestyle motorcycle hub was created by Didi, which is the sole distributor and importer for Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Zero Engineering, and Royal Enfield.


Singapore's Tribecar and charging operator team up for green mobility

Goh (left) and Lee in front of Tribecar vehicles at a Charge+ EV charging station.

SINGAPORE: Singapore's largest car-sharing platform Tribecar and regional electric vehicle charging operator Charge+ are working together to spur the growth of electric cars in the republic.

Charge+ is on track to grow its EV charging network to 1,000 charging points by the end of 2022. This rollout includes fast chargers, which at a power rating of 120kW, are the fastest public charging network in Singapore.

In addition, Charge+ is the only EV charging company in Singapore today that has comprehensive EV charging operations across public housing, condominiums, shopping malls and office buildings. This pervasiveness brings added convenience to Tribecar users and eliminates range anxiety arising from renting an EV.

Present to announce the partnership were Tribecar co-founder Adrian Lee and Charge+ CEO Goh Chee Kiong.

Tribecar members are expected to enjoy attractive charging rates from Charge+. In addition, Tribecar's EVs in mileage-based categories will be deployed next to Charge+ charging points located in the carparks of many public housing towns. This allows for the ease of charging the vehicles when the vehicle is not on the move.

The cooperation will also see Tribecar promoting the use of Charge+ charging points to its users.

An immediate benefit of an electric fleet for Tribecar users is that they get to enjoy savings on energy costs.

As compared to an ICE vehicle, they get to save at least 50% per km in fuel costs when they opt to pay for their own fuel.

With Charge+, Tribecar hopes to promote the ease of using an EV charging point, right in the middle of the heartlands where their vehicles have always been deployed.

Tribecar and Charge+ apps are available for download via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.


Land Rover gets into Tiger conservation

                LONDON: Land Rover has announced its support for a conservative project to help protect the Bengal tiger.

Of the 2,200 Bengal tigers in India, at least 350 are in the Satpuda Hills of Madhya.

There are currently seven Tiger Reserves connected by forest corridors within the Satpuda Hills, making this the largest block of tiger habitat in India.

Last month, Land Rover continued its collaboration with the Born Free Foundation to launch a book that tracks tigers across the Indian landscape.

This book, ‘Tracking the Tiger’, has been written and crafted by respected auto journalist and wildlife lover Narayan (Bob) Rupani and celebrates the beauty of India’s wildlife with an authentic 50-day journey around the country’s tiger reserves.

The Born Free Foundation, in partnership with Oxford University’s WildCRU, is restructuring existing projects into a network of Partners operating across the landscape, funding their specific needs and developing better communication between them.

This ensures limited resources are maximised and targeted to protect wildlife and meet the most urgent needs of the people that live close to tigers.

This collaborative approach was implemented by a highly-motivated team of Indian conservationists who are responsible for carrying out SLTP’s various activities.

These include the promotion of the needs of Bengal tigers by focusing on healthcare.

“This incredible project allows us to cement our strong relationship with the Born Free Foundation to help protect the Bengal tigers and their surrounding communities," said Jaguar Land Rover global brand experience director Mark Cameron.


EVs to overtake gas guzzlers in India by 2030, says Mahindra

                MUMBAI: Electric-vehicle sales should overtake gas guzzlers in India by the end of the decade as prices become more aligned and infrastructure and technology improves, hopefully with help from the government, according to Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., one of the country’s biggest automakers.

While authorities can assist in terms of cost parity for EVs, in India it’s “difficult for the government to justify subsidising cars for the rich,” Mahindra deputy managing director Anish Shah said in an interview with Bloomberg Television broadcast today.

“We have to find technology advances faster.”

The government will have to play a significant role in developing infrastructure for EVs, he said, adding that the technology side - charging times and driving ranges - is “moving fairly rapidly already.”

“In three to five years’ time, we will have modern electric platforms in India” and cars with internal combustion engines will start to be phased out, Shah said. “2030 is what we see as a tipping point where electric will overtake ICE (internal combustion engines) in terms of sales.”

READ MORE:SsangYong Motor files for receivership as it misses loan repayment

India’s Hero MotoCorp Ltd., the world’s biggest maker of motorcycles and scooters by volume, also thinks electric “is the way forward,” chairman Pawan Munjal said in a separate interview with Bloomberg TV today.

Hero’s research and development centres in Jaipur and Germany are working “very vigorously” to make electric scooters and motorcycles, while the company is also developing a three-wheeler and has invested in Bengaluru-based electric-scooter startup Ather Energy.

Mahindra is still focusing on larger sports utility vehicles and pickup trucks, a “reasonably large segment to drive scale,” Shah said.

The company’s new Thar SUV is proving popular, with a nine-month waiting list, according to Shah. “A changing dynamic we are seeing of consumers wanting to go out with nature a lot more and that positions our SUVs very well.”

Mahindra reported its first quarterly loss in nearly two decades last year as an economic slowdown in India squeezed purchasing power.

Rural India was resilient thanks to demand for farm vehicles and equipment, and Shah said this was likely to continue being a growth area for the company.

Mahindra has a 43% market share of India’s tractor market and sees “a lot of opportunity for growth” in the farm implements business, which is still nascent in the country, Shah said. Its unlisted entities are well positioned to expand, in areas including used cars, rural housing finance and supply-chain consulting, he said.


eHailing industry may face driver shortage

                PETALING JAYA: The eHailing industry may be hit with a shortage of drivers after the July deadline to comply with the new regulations as these companies foresee between 20% and 50% of their drivers quitting.

The Star spoke to several eHailing companies who said they expect part-time drivers to quit working as the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence application process is cumbersome and expensive.

“Drivers dropping out is definitely going to happen, that is undeniable,” Mula Kuala Lumpur branch manager Kumeran Sagathevan said. “We are expecting a minimum of a 20% dropout rate,” he said.

Starting April 1, eHailing drivers must apply for the PSV licence at driving institutes or eHailing operator (EHO) centres that are approved by the Road Transport Department.

Drivers have to undergo a six-hour training session at driving centres and pay up to RM200 for the PSV licence.

The estimated cost to complete the requirements is RM800.

Drivers have until July 12 to complete the licensing requirements, after which the Transport Ministry will take action on unlicensed eHailing drivers.

Kumeran said while full-time drivers will comply with the regulations, part-time drivers will likely stop driving.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke previously said that Malaysia has around 200,000 eHailing drivers, three-quarters of whom are part-time drivers.

“The part-timers do not want the hassle of applying for the licence, they like the simplicity of becoming a driver where you can just turn on the app and start driving.

“When you impose regulations like this, eHailing is not exactly eHailing anymore.

“The bulk of the part-time drivers will look at other sources for revenue,” Kumeran said, adding that the company is helping its drivers meet the licensing and cost requirements.

Carriage For Her CEO Nick Smith anticipates a 30% to 40% dropout rate from its pool of female drivers.

“Many of our drivers haven’t made up their mind on whether to apply for the licence or not.

“Many are still adopting a wait-and-see attitude,” he said.

“I think in the short term if they (the authorities) are strict on enforcing the PSV regulations, the eHailing industry will take a big hit for a few months,” Smith added.

He said the regulations will affect the fares of some eHailing companies as it will increase the company’s expenditure.

For example, Carriage For Her is paying RM100 per driver to register them for the licence, though the company has no plans to increase its price at the moment, he said.

Grab Drivers Malaysia Association president Arif Asyraf Ali expects a whopping 50% dropout rate.

“Some drivers think the regulation is a good mechanism and may continue, some think it is too much trouble to go through,” he said.

Arif said with fewer drivers on the road, an increasing number of consumers and riders may find it difficult to find a driver and the demand may drive up the fare.

He added that drivers are ready to comply with the requirements within the three-month time frame, but face uncertainty as information on the application processes from the ministry remains unclear.


BMW teases M3 sports seat, manual transmission.  And that grille again...

                MUNICH: In the latest images of the M3 sedan posted on Instagram, BMW is teasing the new bucket seats and the six-speed manual transmission.

The car is seen in Isle of Man Green paintwork, that's accentuated by the greenish tint to the swirling smoke.

M is known for making great seats so the ones shown here certainly look the part with high shoulder bolsters, pass-throughs behind the neck and fixed headrests. Adding to the cool factor is an illuminated M badge on the seat. By the way, the lit badge will be available for the M3 sedan and related M4 coupe.

What will polarise M fans and prospects are the new grille that's a drastic departure from tradition. Despite the controversial design, BMW's M division will no doubt have segments of its clientele who will shut up and pay top dollar for the pleasure of driving such high performance cars. More so with a stick shift that will prove enticing.

Expect the rear-wheel driven M3 and M4 to get a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight six with 473hp. This is the same mill used in the X3 M and X4 M apparently. The M3 will get all-wheel drive for the first time. A 503hp Competition variant will join the team and fitted with an 8-speed auto.

Both cars will make their world premiere on Sept 23.


Startup Aehra shows off plans for gull-winged SUV

                BERLIN: The American-Italian electric mobility startup Aehra has announced plans to launch a luxury SUV and saloon in 2025, teasing an unconventional appearance marked by four gull-wing doors that open outwards like the petals of a flower.

The first prototype of the SUV will be presented at the end of October, the manufacturer announced, publishing the first teaser pictures of the SUV with a streamlined design language.

The all-wheel drive car looks set to be much flatter than potential competitors and has a coupé-styled rear. Most striking of all, there are to be four gullwing doors that open upwards in opposite directions.

The technical details confirmed so far include a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque chassis to reduce vehicle weight. The range will be more than 800km, putting it among the highest in electric mobility.

Prices have not yet been finalised, but could be in the range of €160,000 and €180,000 (between RM709,000 and RM798,000).

The prototype of the second model is to follow in early 2023.

According to Aehra, production of both models will start in the first quarter of 2025, with delivery to the first customers planned for mid-2025.


Renault's top executives to join key Nissan alliance talks via video, say sources

De Meo (left) and Senard. — Reuters
PARIS/TOKYO: Renault's chairman and CEO will not travel to Japan for a board meeting on how to reshape the French carmaker's alliance with Nissanthis week but instead join it via video call, two sources close to the matter said today.

An alliance board meeting is scheduled for Jan 26 in Japan, but the presence of Renault CEO Luca de Meo and chairman Jean-Dominique Senard was not deemed to be necessary because talks about the future of the partnership are progressing well, the sources said.

Renault is looking for Nissan to invest in an electric-vehicle business it will carve out of its operations, while Nissan wants Renault to sell most of its roughly 43% stake in Nissan to put the 23-year alliance on a more equal footing.

An announcement on a deal between the two sides, which have been negotiating for months, could come as a early as Feb 1, a source said last week.

Renault has consistently declined to comment publicly about the talks with its Japanese partner, while a spokesman for Nissan declined to comment.


Renesas says it will take at least a month to restart fire-damaged chip line

Carmakers will start to feel a supply pinch in about a month, according to Renesas. — Reuters
TOKYO: Japan’s Renesas Electronics, a key automotive semiconductor supplier, said on Sunday that production at a fire-damaged plant will take at least a month to restart, potentially worsening a chip shortage that is disrupting car production.

About two-thirds of production on the advanced 300mm wafer line affected by Friday’s fire is automotive chips, CEO Hidetoshi Shibata told an online briefing.

“It comes at a time when there isn’t excess production capacity,” he said.

Carmakers are already struggling with a global chip shortage caused by a Covid-19-driven boom in consumer electronics and an unexpected strong rebound in auto sales. Makers such as Ford Motor Co , Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co have had to trim production plans as a result.

Carmakers will start to feel a supply pinch in about a month, according to Renesas.

The chipmaker said it along with automakers and their key suppliers are looking for ways to minimize the impact of the stoppage, Shibata said.

A Toyota Motor Corp spokesman said the world’s largest carmaker is currently assessing the situation.

The fire at the Naka chip plant in northeast Japan destroyed 11 machines, or 2% of the manufacturing equipment, and sent smoke billowing through the clean room where even small particles of dust can damage wafers during the sensitive fabrication process.

Renesas may not be able to replace all the destroyed equipment within a month, Shibata said, meaning that a return to full production could take longer.

The company, he added, may be able to rely on other plants to replace around two-thirds of the lost production, which is worth around 17 billion yen (RM640mil) a month.

The latest disruption at the Naka plants comes after production stopped for a few days last month as an earthquake cut power and back up generators failed to start.

In 2011, Renesas had to close the facility for three months following the deadly earthquake that devastated Japan’s north-eastern coast.


State of Emergency: What it means to you

Muhyiddin. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah proclaimed a state of emergency nationwide from today until Aug 1 to contain further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In televised speech later, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin explained what the proclamation of a state of Emergency involved.
Here are the salient points:

> The state of Emergency is needed to contain the spread of Covid-19

>  Government will continue to function

> The Emergency proclamation is not a military coup, no curfew is involved

>  The Federal government administration machinery will not be affected

>  The Yang di-Pertuan Agong can enact ordinances to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and facilitate medical services

>  Economic activities will go on, subject to standard operating procedures

>  Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission will continue to play a role as a market facilitator

>  No general, state or by-elections will be held

>  Parliament will not meet

>  General election will only be held when an independent panel agrees that the pandemic over and is safe to proceed

>  All politicians need to stand in solidarity with the people to prevent Covid-19

>  People should remain calm and trust the government

>  Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disrupt the government's handling of Covid-19 and the country's economy

>  The Perikatan government will continue to defend the independence of the judiciary

>  Malaysia is still open for business


Kia unveils new logo and global brand slogan

                SEOUL: Kia has revealed its new corporate logo and global brand slogan that aim to signify the automaker's transformation and all-new brand purpose.

More details on the new global brand slogan, "Movement that inspires' would be revealed on Jan 16. It would cover Kia's new brand strategy, including brand purpose and philosophy as well as application to Kia's future product line-up.

The event can be viewed on the Kia Global YouTube channel.

The introduction of the new logo represents Kia's ambitions to establish a leadership position in the future mobility industry by revamping nearly all facets of its business.

The rhythmical, unbroken line of the logo conveys Kia's commitment to bringing moments of inspiration, while its symmetry is said to show confidence. The rising gestures of the logo embody Kia's rising ambitions for the brand, and what it has to offer customers.

"Kia's new logo represents the company's commitment to becoming an icon for change and innovation," said Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song.

"The automotive industry is experiencing a period of rapid transformation, and Kia is proactively shaping and adapting to these changes. Our new logo represents our desire to inspire customers as their mobility needs evolve, and for our employees to rise to the challenges we face in a fast-changing industry."

The new logo was unveiled during a record-breaking pyrotechnic display in the skies above Incheon.

The event saw 303 "pyrodrones" launching hundreds of fireworks in a synchronised artistic display, setting a new Guinness World Record for "Most unmanned aerial vehicles launching fireworks simultaneously".


New Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan concept to be unveiled at Shanghai auto show

                STUTTGART: Come April 19, Mercedes-Benz will preview its concept of a new A-Class sedan at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show.

Series production of the new A-Class sedan is expected in 2018 and no, it will not be just a China-only car. It will be a global car and is likely to be introduced to Malaysians as well.

At present, Mercedes-Benz's small-car line-up are the A-Class hatchback, CLA sedan and wagon, GLA crossover and B-Class MPV.

The new sedan will be sold alongside the CLA, which will take on a different look in the next revision to differentiate itself further as it is also based on the A-Class platform.

Mercedes is keen to roll out the new A-Class sedan in a move to woo buyers who would otherwise go for the upcoming BMW 1 Series sedan and the Audi A3 sedan. Just as with the CLA, the new A-Class sedan is also aimed at offering a Mercedes at a lower price point to the C-Class, which has grown bigger and more expensive over the years.

So if you don't want the CLA, there's this new small sedan option as well. More choices to the people.


Aston Martin rides into the halls of Valhalla

                NEW YORK: Formerly identified by its codename AM-RB 003, Aston Martin’s latest mid-engined hypercar collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Adrian Newey has been officially named the Aston Martin Valhalla.

Named after the warrior’s paradise celebrated in ancient Norse mythology, Valhalla follows Valkyrie on Aston Martin’s journey into the highest echelons of road car performance.

Employing lightweight construction methods and radical aerodynamics pioneered in Valkyrie, Valhalla will be propelled by a combination of high-efficiency, high-output turbocharged V6 petrol engine and battery-electric hybrid system.

Just 500 Coupe examples of the all-carbon fibre hypercar will be built.

In continuing the fine tradition of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars, Valhalla can trace its lineage back to 1951, when the Vantage designation was given to high performance variants of the then current model, the DB2. Though actual Vantage badging was never applied, the name stuck.

The first time the Vantage name appeared was on the flanks of the DB5. Still it remained a name reserved for the most potent model derivatives until 2005, when the Vantage became a model line in its own right.

Fourteen years later that acclaimed family of V8 and V12-powered models is remembered as the most successful in Aston Martin’s history. Since then the all-new generation of turbocharged Vantage has fast forged a reputation as the most dynamically focussed series production Aston Martin ever.

Together with the recently announced Vanquish Vision Concept, Valhalla continues this proud, seven decade old ‘V’ car naming strategy, providing an evocative and powerful moniker fit for one of the world’s most compelling ultra-high performance cars.

Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Palmer said: “Aston Martin model names always attract a lot of attention. They do so because they invariably capture an emotion or tell a story. In following the Valkyrie we knew the Aston Martin Valhalla needed to make a strong statement of its own, yet also offer continuity and a clear connection.

"Norse mythology contains such powerful language and rich storytelling it felt only right that the AM-RB 003 should follow the Valkyrie’s theme. For those fortunate enough to own one I’m sure they will recognise and appreciate the name’s connotations of glory and happiness, for there can be few more hallowed places than the driver’s seat of an Aston Martin Valhalla.”


Could the new BMW Z4 be bound for Pebble Beach reveal?

                NEW YORK: BMW is keeping the media on tenterhooks with a mysterious invite to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California, on Aug 23, to witness the world premiere of an unnamed model.

"The identity of the world premiere model will be revealed closer to the time of the press conference," it said in a statement on Wednesday. "Suffice to say this new model will certainly be an emotional addition to the BMW range."

We can hazard a guess and it would be the Z4 roadster, a model that's as emotive as its bodystyle and performance suggest.The Z4 is being co-developed with Toyota,  which aims to revive the Supra sports car through the partnership.

Last month, we wrote about the Z4 undergoing the last trials in France, so we all know the launch of the production series is near. Already some members of the Western media had tried out the pre-production car in the south of France. One pundit said the new Z4 promises a big jump in performance compared to the previous E89 model.

The Z4 will come in 4- and 6-cylinder engine variants, with the sportiest being the Z4 M40i. It will get a new, more powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine, a lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, a newly developed front axle, M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres, an M sports brake system and an electronically controlled lock in the rear axle differential.

Aside from the launch of the unnamed model at the concours, BMW will also present the North American premiere of the all new M850i Coupe and the North American premiere of the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe first shown at the Geneva Auto Show in May 2018.


Platinum White Pearl colour for Honda Civic and BR-V

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has introduced a new colour option of Platinum White Pearl for two the Civic sedan and BR-V crossover.

The new colour, which replaces White Orchid Pearl, was first made available on Honda Malaysia's Odyssey and the 10th Generation Accord.

The new colour further complements the elegance and stylishness of the Civic as well as the attractiveness and sportiness of the BR-V.

To-date, these two models are dominating its respective segment with substantial contribution to the total Honda Malaysia’s overall sales.

Honda Malaysia managing director and Chief Executive Officer Toichi Ishiyama said:

“White Orchid Pearl is a popular colour among Honda customers, accounting for 38% and 25% of the total sales for the 10th Generation Civic and BR-V respectively.

"When we introduced the Platinum White Pearl colour in the Accord early this year, we saw good market acceptance with this colour accounting for 33% of the sales of the model.

"We are extending this colour to the C-segment sedan leader and the refreshed 7-seater crossover in response to customer feedback.

"The glossy finish of the new Platinum White Pearl not only highlights the elegant look of the cars, it also accentuates the bodyline for a sleek and smooth exterior.

"Honda Malaysia will continue to actively monitor market demand as we strive to offer the best products for Honda customers,” he said.


EVs are less than 5% of Bermaz Auto's revenue

                PETALING JAYA: Bermaz Auto’s electric vehicle (EV) segment has contributed less than 5% to the group’s revenue and that is not going to change anytime soon.

Bermaz Auto chief executive officer Datuk Francis Lee Kok Chuan said adoption rate for EVs in the country is slow and although local sales have quadrupled, the figure is derived from a very low base of 100 to 200 units.

“It is difficult for EVs to take off in Malaysia given the automotive’s expensive pricing, short driving range and the lack of charging infrastructure in the country.

“Even with the support of the government in terms of tax incentives, EVs are still largely out of reach for many Malaysians.

“For us, out of the 300 units of Kia EV6 that we brought in, about two-thirds were sold. We have also sold about 15 units of the Mazda MX-30,” said Lee.

However, Bermaz Auto is unperturbed by its poor EV sales as the bulk of its revenue continues to come from convention combustion cars which are doing well despite bearish sentiments.

“For the next six to eight months, things should be good, seeing the backlog orders that we have,” said Lee.

He is optimistic of the quarters ahead as the profit growth in its latest quarter was high because of the low base from which the company came from. “The rise in profits should continue to be sustained in the coming quarters.

“This increase will be coming from a very low profit base that was due to the lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic last year,” he told StarBizWeek.

“We are still somewhat insulated from the brunt of inflation as the government has provided subsidies for basic necessities including petrol.

“There is talk among economists that interest rates may be coming down in the second half of next year which will augur well for the automotive industry,” he said.

Other catalysts include a high volume of backlog orders and new product launches.

Bermaz has about 10,000 unfulfilled orders that are mostly contributed by the sales and service tax (SST) exemption which was supposed to have ended on June 30, 2022, according to Lee.

While the weakening yen against the ringgit has aided Bermaz’s completely built up (CBU) car import business from the Philippines, the group is mostly an indirect beneficiary of this foreign exchange movement.

“We buy cars from Japan and Thailand using the yen.

“However, due to the global chip shortage and supply chain issues, we were not able to import any cars from these countries.

“Instead, we have been making purchases for CKD models from our associate, Mazda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, where we are billed in the ringgit.

“Mazda Malaysia buys CKD kits to be assembled in our Inokom plant in yen.

“Therefore the weakening yen benefits them.

“Nevertheless, this will allow Mazda Malaysia to continue to invest in our manufacturing plant and we benefit in this way. It is also a good thing that we are not exposed to the volatility of the yen,” he said.

The ongoing semiconductor shortage and supply chain disruptions have also affected the group’s production capacity.

“Our plant is operating slightly below its capacity due to the headwinds. But we project that when new CKD kits are made available in the coming months, our production will ramp up,” said Lee.

He said demand for cars is good.

“There will always be people who want to buy cars every month, attributable to new graduates going into the workforce, coupled with the car replacement cycle of every four to five years.

“Hence, the average volume of cars manufactured in the industry can hover around 45,000 to 50,000 units a month, and 550,000 to 600,000 units a year,” he added.


Hyundai eyes autonomous cars for the masses

                LAS VEGAS: Hyundai’s Ioniq draws little attention as it manoeuvres the streets of Las Vegas.

The mid-sized sedan is one of a number of autonomous cars roaming the city’s streets during the high-tech Consumer Electronics.

The South Korean automaker wants to stand out by being ordinary: making a self-driving car for the average consumer.

”The autonomous Ioniq concept is a normal car, not a science project,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Hyundai North America, during a demonstration for AFP.

”We believe in democratising this technology.”

Hyundai’s unremarkable car stands in contrast to others being shown at the huge tech show, which include a number of pricey models with more horsepower and luxury features.

Many automakers are planning for autonomous vehicles but O’Brien says Hyundai “can deliver at an affordable price point” for the average consumer.

In the demonstration, the Ioniq was able to use its turn signal, change lanes, stop at a red light and yield to pedestrians.

In one instance, it began to accelerate with a green light but then suddenly braked.

Vehicle technology manager Andre Ravinowich said the sudden shift came because “the car in front started moving, but braked” and the Ioniq acted to avoid getting too close.

Engineers are working to refine the algorithms which govern these kinds of decisions, based on data collected from sensors in the car and other information.

Hyundai and other automakers are using a technology called LIDAR, or light detection and ranging, for remote sensing of vehicles, pedestrians and other things in the environment.

Ravinowich said there are still a few hurdles before autonomous driving becomes mainstream.

”Technology-wise it’s not too far away, we’re closer than a lot of people think,” he said.

But he said that it will also depend on government regulations and infrastructure which is compatible with the new electronics.

”A lot of regulations need to change, infrastructures need to be in place,” he said.

The tests show the system is not perfect. When the Ioniq was behind an idled truck, the operator behind the wheel (as a safety precaution) had to manually use a turn signal to indicate a lane change to overtake the truck.

”It’s still something we need to work on,” Ravinowich said.

Hyundai has offered no date for when it would have an autonomous vehicle ready but some others have set a target for around 2020.