Britain proposes unlimited fines for car emissions cheaters

                LONDON: Carmakers that try to cheat vehicle emissions tests could face unlimited fines and criminal charges under proposals set out on Thursday by the British government.

The announcement is aimed at addressing criticism that the government was toothless in dealing with Volkswagen after a scandal that affected 1.2 million cars in Britain.

The German carmaker admitted in 2015 to using software to cheat diesel emission tests in the United States and has since paid out compensation to U.S. motorists, but has refused to do so in Europe, arguing the software was not illegal there.

“We continue to take the unacceptable actions of Volkswagen extremely seriously, and we are framing new measures to crack down on emissions cheats in future,” said junior transport minister Jesse Norman in a statement.

“Those who cheat should be held to proper account in this country, legally and financially, for their actions.”

Under the proposals, companies could face criminal charges and fines for selling new vehicles that contain software designed to deceive British emissions tests.

If implemented, any changes could not be applied retrospectively.

The new rules could also be extended to importers of vehicles found to cheat emissions standards.

The proposals will be put forward in a government consultation, giving the auto industry and other interested parties a chance to give their views before any policy is formed.

The consultation will also look at the need for more rigorous tests on fuel economy claims, improving the environmental performance of specialist and modified vehicles, and stricter rules for the sale of stock vehicles that do not meet current emissions standards.

The head of British car industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the government already had powers to enforce the law and check vehicles.

“There are already severe penalties for any manufacturer involved in any kind of misconduct in the type approval process conducted here in the UK and the government is now looking to extend this to all vehicles wherever they have been approved,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

In a separate development, German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday federal officials would work with German cities facing particularly high air pollution to rapidly develop specific solutions to cut emissions while avoiding driving bans on diesel cars.

Merkel told reporters after a meeting with state government leaders that the primary goal was to avoid driving bans, citing the potential cumulative effect of a series of measures such as changes aimed at lowering emissions by taxi and bus fleets.

She said officials would also continue to look at potential retrofits of diesel cars, but expressed scepticism about how quickly those could be implemented. “I don’t expect quick solutions for millions of cars,” she said.


Cause for celebration as over 10 million Toyota Land Cruiser Series sold

Land Cruiser 40 Series cars continue to be used today, more than 50 years after they were made.

TOYOTA CITY: Toyota has announced that cumulative global sales of its Land Cruiser series have surpassed 10 million units. According to Toyota data, cumulative sales stood at 10 million units as of Aug 31.

The Land Cruiser is Toyota's longest-selling car. It launched on Aug 1, 1951, as the Toyota "Jeep BJ," and production has continued for 68 years.

Full-scale exports of the Land Cruiser began with the 20 Series, which was introduced in November 1955, four years after the launch of the first-generation car.

Since then, Toyota has consistently developed versions that cater to customer needs, without sacrificing the reliability, durability, and drivability on poor roads that served as the basis of development concepts on which the Land Cruiser is based.

 The Jeep BJ.

The Land Cruiser has, for this reason, continued to receive the support of customers around the world. In the beginning, fewer than 100 units were exported per year; by 1965, 10 years after full-scale exports started, that figure had surpassed 10,000 units per year. At present, the Land Cruiser is sold in 170 countries and regions worldwide, with annual global sales standing at 400,000 units.

The Land Cruiser contributed significantly to increased trust in the Toyota brand around the world, and created a foothold for the company to expand its exports. Due to its outstanding reliability and durability, there are regions where Land Cruiser 40 Series vehicles continue to be used today, some 50 years after they were manufactured.

The 10 million Land Cruisers sold over the course of the past 68 years have been used on a variety of different roads, and they have contributed to the refinement of Toyota cars.

 2015 '200' Series minor change. 2017 Prado '150' Series minor change.


HERE's new service predicts where you'll find a free charging point

                LAS VEGAS: When my electric car runs out of battery, will the next charging station be free? Digital mapping service HERE wants to answer this question with a new smart prediction technology.

The navigation company's prediction model, presented at the technology trade fair CES (Jan 5 -8), uses the positions of almost 90% of the worldwide publicly available charging stations and correlates the locations with sensor data from vehicles.

Together with historical data on traffic, weather updates and the current time and day of the week, it can calculate the probability that a particular charging station will be free when you need it.

The aim is to enable better route planning for drivers and help them spend less time waiting when charging on the road. In practice, drivers will be able to stop and charge earlier if they know there's likely queues at a later charging point.

The system, called Charge Point Occupancy Prediction, is innovative, according to HERE, because in addition to the available supply, the real demand of users is also taken into account, as well as variables such as weather, time and day of the week.

The prediction complements the already available HERE EV Charge Points service used by car manufacturers worldwide.


New Mercedes C-Class brings on the 'wow!'

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes C-Class, due for release this summer, is turning out to be a smaller version of the S-Class boasting luxury and technological features taken from the flagship model.

"With the latest generation MBUX, rear-axle steering and comprehensive electrification, our most successful model range will once again raise the bar as the most sophisticated offering in its segment," said Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG CEO Ola Källenius.

"The letters C and S sit at opposite ends of the alphabet. However, in our portfolio they’re now moving closer together."

Bigger and better

With a length of 4751 mm and a width of 1820 mm, the Saloon and Estate models are considerably larger than their predecessors. The wheelbase has increased by 25mm to 2865mm.

Both the front and rear passengers benefit from the increased exterior dimensions. The cabin has grown slightly bigger with more elbow-room overall and more headroom and kneeroom in the rear. Making for a sporty flair, the dashboard and central display are slightly tilted towards the driver.

The good drag coefficient of the preceding models (Saloon: Cd 0.24, Estate: Cd 0.27) has been preserved despite the larger exterior dimensions.

Visually, the W206 C-Class appears to be in motion at a standstill, thanks to the combination of short front overhang, long wheelbase and rear overhang.

The sporty bonnet with power domes accentuates this urge of forward motion. The windscreen and passenger cell have been moved to the rear for these classic proportions known in the industry as "cab-backward design".

The new C-Class is equipped with LED High Performance headlamps as standard. The DIGITAL LIGHT system from the S-Class is available as an option. This revolutionary headlamp technology allows new functions, e.g. the projection of guide lines or warning symbols onto the road ahead.

The dashboard is divided into an upper and a lower section: into a wing-like section with new, flattened round vents reminiscent of aircraft engine nacelles, and into an opulent expanse of trim.

The driver area features a high-resolution LCD screen. It is free-standing, and appears to float in front of the wing profile and the expanse of trim. This sets the driver display apart from traditional cockpits with classic round dials. Customers have a choice between a 10.25-inch (26.0 cm) or a 12.3-inch (31.2 cm) version.

Like the new S-Class, the new C-Class is equipped with the second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), making the interior more digital and intelligent. Software updates are made over-the-air.

The look of the screens can be individualised with three display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service). Full-screen navigation is possible as in the S-Class.

Electrified powertrains and 100km range

Thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing, the C-Class sets new standards in efficiency. The engine range has only four-cylinder units from the current modular FAME (Family of Modular Engines) engine family.

In addition to turbocharging, both the diesel and the petrol engines now have an integrated starter-generator (ISG) for intelligent assistance at low engine speeds as a mild hybrid of the second generation. This ensures outstanding power delivery. The ISG uses a 48 volt on-board electrical system that ensures functions such as gliding, boosting or energy recovery, and makes significant fuel savings possible.

Fourth-generation plug-in hybrids will follow soon after the launch.

With an electric output of 95kW (129hp) and an all-electric range of around 100km (WLTP), the plug-in hybrid C-Class will operate in all-electric mode in many cases - and on many days without using the combustion engine at all.

The mill is the two-litre variant of the ultra-modern M 254 four-cylinder engine. The complete package is not only very efficient, but also decidedly sporty. Diesel plug-in hybrid Saloon and Estate models will follow.

The 9G-TRONIC transmission was developed further for adapting the ISG, and is installed in all C-Class models.

The key components of the new, dynamically configured suspension are a new four-link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear mounted to a subframe. The new suspension provides the basis for a high level of suspension, ride and noise comfort, agile handling and driving fun.

The new C-Class is optionally also available with continuously adjustable damping and a sport suspension. Air suspension at the rear is standard for both the Saloon and Estate models of the plug-in hybrids.

Smarter assistants

Compared to the previous C-Class series, the latest generation of the Driving Assistance Package has additional and advanced functions. These reduce driver workload in day-to-day situations, for more comfortable and safe driving.
The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" becomes more interactive and capable of learning by activating online services in the Mercedes me App.

A party trick is that domestic equipment and household appliances can be controlled using the "Hey Mercedes" voice assistant of MBUX. Thanks to the Smart Home function, they can be networked with the vehicle and controlled remotely.

Apart from DIGITAL LIGHT, rear wheel steering, Augmented Video and colour head-up display are available as options.

The new C-Class will be produced at Mercedes plants in Bremen (Germany), Beijing (China) and East London (South Africa).

The first car under the C-Class designation was introduced in May 1993. All in all, over 10.5 million Mercedes-Benz cars in this category have been delivered to customers since 1982.

An Estate C-Class is also offered as two out of every three C-Class cars sold in Germany are of this body type.

According to C-Class chief engineer Christian Früh, "you don't (really) need any more car than this."

"If we go through the vehicle in detail, we find superb innovations and features for every taste wherever we look. And in the end, that's what distinguishes the C-Class."


Slow moving traffic on several highways, says PLUS

Heavy traffic at KM279.4 Southbound of the North-South Expressway near Ipoh earlier today. - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on several major highways was reported to be slow moving on Wednesday (Feb 2) afternoon as holidaymakers begin returning home after the Chinese New Year celebration.

A PLUS Malaysia Bhd spokesman, when contacted, said traffic was slow moving from Sungai Petani, Kedah, heading to Bertam, Penang, and from Juru to Bukit Tambun.

"It is the same from Bidor to Sungkai; Tambun to Gua Tempurung; and Nilai to the Seremban rest and service area,” he said.

From the south, slow traffic was also reported from Yong Peng to Pagoh; Bukit Gambir to Tangkak; and Ayer Keroh heading to Port Dickson due to the increasing traffic.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman said traffic was slow moving from the Bentong Toll Plaza heading to Bukit Tinggi and from the Gombak layby to the Gombak Toll Plaza.

However, traffic flow on the East Coast Expressway (LPT) 1 and LPT 2 in both directions was found to be smooth so far.

The public can get the latest traffic information through the Plusline toll-free line at 1-800-88-0000 and PLUS Twitter account at www.twitter.com/plustrafik or LLM line at 1-800-88-7752 and its Twitter account www.twitter.com/llminfotrafik.


Crash test dummies sacrifice lives for car safety

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: Clad in a blue t-shirt and shorts, the average-size "man" is belted into a luxury Tesla Model S for a very short ride with a very abrupt end.

The collision sounded like an explosion and left the pristine electric car destroyed, glass and debris scattered around the sad remains.

The "man" -- a technology-packed, 80kg crash test dummy -- was the victim of a single-car crash at 65kph into a solid wall.

But the destruction is for the greater good. The dummy's sensors send a vast array of data to show how he fared.

They tell how hard and how fast his head and body hit the steering wheel; the extent to which airbags cushioned the blow; how well the seatbelt worked; and whether any other body parts suffered injuries.

The results are used by automakers to make safer vehicles, and the process has dramatically reduced the number of deaths in traffic accidents.

But contemporary driving habits are challenging traditional efforts to keep the death rate on a downward trajectory.

In 2015, traffic deaths showed the biggest increase since 1966, and were up even more in the first half of 2016, climbing by over 10 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Distracted driving, including texting or talking on a cell phone while driving, accounted for over 3,000 deaths in 2014, with over 400,000 injured, NHTSA said.

Automakers need to figure out how to avoid accidents resulting from things like driver inattention, said Joseph Noland, senior vice president of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Carmakers are adding features like electronic stability control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.

"These technologies are coming very, very quickly, and our studies show that many of them are very effective," Noland told AFP.

But testing those new technologies is "really going to be a challenge for us," he said.

Of the new technology features, IIHS so far only tests the automatic emergency braking.

IIHS, which is funded by the insurance industry, and NHTSA, a federal agency, are the only organizations in the United States that conduct crash tests.

With a budget of just over $5 million for the 80 high-speed crashes it conducts each year, IIHS estimates its test programs have contributed to a dramatic decline in death rates: fatalities were cut by more than half between 1990 and 2012, to just 65 for every one million vehicles from 143.

"We look at the types of crashes that are injuring and killing real people right now on the roads, and then we develop tests to replicate that."

The test that was used for the Tesla Model S, was a "small overlap" crash test first introduced in 2012 to simulate a crash into a pole or a tree. IIHS says many automakers have struggled with it.

The Tesla Model S did not receive the top rating of "good" in the initial test late last year, so the company requested a retest. Manufacturers have to earn good ratings in all five crash tests to be considered an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

In last year's test, the driver crashed into the steering wheel hard, because the seatbelt spooled out too far, IIHS said. Tesla made changes to the design for vehicles built after October in an effort to address the problems.

For the tests, IIHS technicians send the car down a 1,400-foot (430-meter) tunnel pulled by a cable, a system similar to a ski lift, and just before impact, it is released from its tether.

To the casual observer, the Tesla crash looked terrifying, but the IIHS analysis will not be available for a week or two, at which point it will be clear whether Tesla was able to address the flaw and get a coveted top rating.

Jack R. Nerad, vice president at car reviewer Kelley Blue Book, told AFP the safety ratings are key for automakers because consumers gravitate towards the safer vehicles.

"They have changed car design very, very significantly. From the second they first hit the computer screen, the ratings are very important."

Car enthusiasts would be driven to tears by the carnage on display at the IIHS testing centre in rural central Virginia, two hours south of Washington, in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are smashed cars, trucks and SUVs lined up throughout the building, including a classic 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air, which was smashed into a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Suffice to say the Bel Air is nice to look at but not safe to drive.

The institute works with other national testing organizations through the Global New Car Assessment Program to try to drive design changes worldwide.

The need for safety improvements in other countries was dramatically demonstrated when IIHS in October crashed a Mexican-made Nissan Tsuru -- essentially the same as the 1992 US-made Nissan Sentra -- into a 2016 Nissan Versa, a top safety pick.

The result for the Tsuru driver, with no airbags or modern structural improvements, was devastating. Days before the test was to take place, Nissan announced it was suspending production of that model, one frequently used by Mexican taxi drivers.


Ford starts rolling off 350hp Focus RS made in Germany

DETROIT: With US sales of Ford’s performance cars outpacing the overall industry, production kickoff for the company’s long-anticipated, 350-horsepower hot hatch couldn’t come at a better time. The first all-new Focus RS has rolled off the line in Saarlouis, Germany.

The Focus RS is one of 12 new performance vehicles Ford will bring to customers globally through 2020. Developed by a team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the US, the model is powered by a specially engineered version of Ford’s new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering maximum power of 350 PS, and will sprint from 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds, making the high-performance hatchback the fastest accelerating Ford RS model ever.

The RS pioneers innovative Ford Performance All Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring for a new level of handling, grip and cornering speed. Selectable Drive Modes – including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts – and Launch Control feature on the RS model for the first time.

Since order books first opened in September, customers have already placed more than 3,100 orders, and a further 250,000 people have configured a Focus RS on Ford websites.

The arrival of Focus RS in the United States this spring adds to a potent hot hatch lineup. Ford’s Focus ST and Fiesta ST both have enjoyed critical acclaim and success. Sales of the Focus ST increased 9 percent last year while Fiesta ST saw a gain of 4 percent.

The Ford Performance US lineup is set to grow by three models in 2016. Focus RS will be joined by F-150 Raptor this fall and the all-new Ford GT supercar that goes into production late this year. Along with Focus ST and Fiesta ST, the lineup already includes the Mustang, Shelby GT350 and GT350R, which debuted late last year.


Mitsubishi teases new concept for Geneva show

TOKYO:  A new Mitsubishi concept car will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The compact concept car is  a "declaration of intent" for Mitsubishi's future directions.

It is envisioned as a 2WD plug-in hybrid electric crossover.

The new SUV concept was designed to achieve top-of-class reduced CO2 emissions through its light, compact, and high-performance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system.

The concept car's exterior will express "the powerful driving of a dynamic urban crossover with a high-output electric motor, through a refined, athletic form factor characterised by edgy side character lines."

Not much else is known of the car at this stage although it's believed to be positioned below the Outlander PHEV SUV

Meanwhile, organisers of the 85th Geneva show have announced its theme as "A future-oriented attitude: powerful, fast and dynamic”. The show is scheduled to run from March 5-15.


France to cut highway speed limits as auto deaths rise

                PARIS: The French government said Tuesday it would lower the speed limit on two-lane highways to 80kph from 90kph, hoping to reverse an alarming rise in road deaths in recent years.

Several previous governments had toyed with the idea as a means of reducing highway deaths, which reached nearly 3,500 in 2016, but backed off in the face of widespread public opposition.

About 55 percent of those deaths - 1,911 victims - occurred on the 400,000 kilometres of so-called ”secondary” roads across France, two-lane routes with no separating guardrail.

”Excessive or inappropriate” speed was involved in 32 percent of those fatal accidents, which far exceeded those in urban areas. The government says the lower speed limit could save 350 to 400 lives a year.

”Unsafe roads are not inevitable,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said after a meeting of the government’s road safety council, adding that road accidents had killed 105 people in France over the recent year-end holidays.

”Lowering speeds reduces the number of accidents, as well as the severity of these accidents,” he said.

The government has compared the 80kph limit, which goes into effect July 1, to the laws enacted since 1973 requiring the use of seat belts, and the installation of automatic speed radars in 2002.

Those laws also drew the ire of thousands of drivers, but contributed to nearly four decades of declines in automobile deaths in France, which reached a historic low of 3,268 in 2013.

But in 2014 the toll began rising steadily once again.

The trend looks set to continue for 2017, with deaths up 0.9 percent for the first 11 months of the year compared with 2016.

”There are 3,500 deaths and 70,000 injured each year, 70,000! After decades of progress, the toll is getting worse,” Philippe had told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday. ”If saving lives means being unpopular, I’m willing to be.”

In 2012, the government of former president Francois Hollande announced a plan to lower the number of automobile deaths to under 2,000 a year by 2020, and in 2015 began a test of the lower speed limit on about 80km of highways.

The test was completed last July, and while the government has said it did not lead to more traffic jams, it has not released the results in terms of accident mortality.

Opponents say speed isn’t the problem, but rather the dangerous behaviour of many drivers.

”There’s no reason to change speed limits- cars are getting better, as is road quality,” said Daniel Quero, president of the 40 Million Drivers advocacy group.

Signs already warn drivers to slow to 70kph in dangerous sections, Quero said, calling the government’s plan ”one more penalising measure”.

According to Harris Interactive poll released Tuesday for RMC and Atlantico, 59 percent of respondents said they were against the lower limit and 83 percent said they thought the main goal was to increase revenue from speeding fines.

But Philippe said any surplus revenue from speeding tickets would go toward care for victims of automobile accidents.

The government also plans to crack down on the use of cellphones while driving, an offence that currently results in a 135-euro fine (RM647) and the loss of three points from the 12-point driver’s licence.

Police can now suspend a licence if the driver is found to have broken other laws while using a phone which could ”endanger his own security or that of someone else.”


Alternative to the car: Commuting with a speed pedelec

                MUNICH: With fuel prices currently going through the roof, Europeans might want to consider making the work commute with an S-pedelec rather than a car.

These powerful e-bikes or speed pedelecs are faster than standard pedelecs and have a longer range.

A standard pedelec typically has a power output of around 250W or less and a top speed of 25kph, whereas an S-pedelec can have as much as 4,000W and a top speed of 45kph.

But before buying an S-pedelec, one should check the laws that apply in the country of residence.

In the European Union, for example, they are technically classified as mopeds and users need a driving licence, a helmet, and insurance to ride one.

However, these rules are not applied consistently across the 27-member bloc. Depending on the country, one may also not be allowed to use them on bike paths.

Long distances without much effort

S-pedelecs are well suited for commuting distances of up to 20km one-way, according to German motoring organisation ADAC. It carried out a joint test of S-pedelecs with Swiss partner club TCS.

Such a distance can be covered without excessive physical exertion. Batteries with a range of 50km or more are advisable so that there’s enough power for the return journey.

Those who want to cover longer distances will need charging breaks. One practical consideration is whether the e-bike allows for the removal of the battery for more convenient charging.

Fast e-bikes not cheap

A decent S-pedelec in Europe is priced over €4,000 (around RM19,000). ADAC and TCS tested nine models, eight of which cost between €4,200 and €7,090 (up to RM33,000).

The tested bikes weighed between 26 and 31 kilos and managed between 38km and 54km on a single battery charge.

The winner was the Charger3 Mix Touring HS 2022 from Riese & Müller with a price starting at €5,699 (RM27,000). That was followed by the ST3 from Stromer (from €7,090) and the Turbo Vado 6.0 2021 from Specialised (from €5,500/RM26,000).

The two cheapest models in the test were the Kathmandu 45 625 Wh Men from Cube and the Upstreet 5 7.10 HS from Flyer, both rated good and with starting prices of €4,199 (around RM20,000).

However, S-pedelecs aren’t for everyone. If a person doesn't need a long range or high speed he is better off with a cheaper, less powerful e-bike. A precise analysis of each user's riding profile and bike use helps when making a decision.


Honda reveals production Honda E ahead of Frankfurt debut

                TOKYO: Honda has published official images of the mass production version of the all-electric Honda E compact city car and revealed its technical specs - from a standstill, this tiny vehicle can make it to 100kph in about 8 seconds.

The "first official images" of the Honda E - a series of pictures closely resembling those of the prototype version. Nevertheless, we now know exactly what the company plans to reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

The electric motor is available in two configurations: one with a power output of 100 kW and another with an output of 113 kW. The more powerful option offers owners a range up to 220km and a 0-to-100kph acceleration time of about 8 seconds.

In terms of tech, the Honda E has a full-width digital dashboard complete with two 12.3-inch LCD touchscreen displays which make up the core of the vehicle's connected infotainment system. According to the company, the tech heavy cabin was designed as such to "seamlessly integrate with the owner's modern urban lifestyle."

Honda has also equipped the vehicle with its in-house personal voice assistant that's capable of natural conversation and understanding an individual's voice better and better over time.

The Honda E will make its official debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show which runs from Sept 12-22. Interested customers can reserve a Honda E online today.

While electric cars have been displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show for years now, until recently, most of the models that were shown off were merely concepts representing the future of the industry.

At this year's show, not only will a handful 100% electric vehicle concepts be unveiled, but also a slew of production models. The following are some EVs expected to make an appearance at Frankfurt this year with commercial launches taking place in the near future.

Volkswagen ID.3

Last Friday, Volkswagen announced that the wraps will finally be taken off the ID.3, VW's first fully electric model based on the MEB platform.

MINI Electric (MINI Cooper SE)

Earlier this year, BMW announced that MINI's first production EV, the MINI Electric (also known as the MINI Cooper SE) will be making its debut at this year's car show. The model is set to represent the brand's electric future.

2020 Smart EQ ForTwo and ForFour

Daimler will use this year's Frankfurt Motor Show to debut a facelifted EQ ForTwo and ForFour, the last pair of vehicles to launch before the 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and Geely is finalized later this year.

Porsche Taycan

Porsche's first fully electric production sportscar, the Porsche Taycan, is slated to make its public debut next week after having made its world premiere on Wednesday. The launch of such a model is a landmark occasion for the company representing its official transition towards battery-powered cars.

EV concepts

Among the production EVs that will be on display will be a collection of electric concepts including the Hyundai 45 EV, Cupra Tavascan, and Audi AI:Trail Quattro.


Private viewing treat for Ferrari VIP guests

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Italia took its customers and prospective customers on a unique journey through the Ferrari universe with an event at the Ferrari Malaysia showroom here last week.

The three-day socially-distanced private viewing allowed an immersive experience, offering specially invited guests a glimpse of the brand’s full range and connecting them to the heart of Ferrari in Maranello via the latest technological innovation.

Guests were taken on a virtual tour aided by tablets and augmented reality (AR) gear on six different exploration zones and were introduced to the entire line-up of Prancing Horses that is currently available worldwide.

They were led by a member of the Ferrari Malaysia team or a ‘journey presenter’ as they make their way through each zone, all the while enjoying an augmented reality experience and informative audio guide.

The tour began with a close-up view of the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo and introduction to Ferrari’s DNA – its racing spirit, innovation and technology, commitment to craftsmanship, passion for performance and distinct design elements.

The next zone displayed the latest models available: the SF90 Spider, the Portofino M, and the Roma, providing a virtual presentation of Ferrari’s full range.

The personalisation zone took them to the Atelier, where guests were encouraged to get creative and have a taste of what it felt like to customise their own Ferrari, looking through a broad selection of materials and putting their designer skills to the test with the car configurator.

In the community area and lounge, guests were treated to the 360 Factory Experience – a view of the Maranello factory, and made use of the MyFerrari app.

This area is dedicated to Ferrari’s world of sporting experiences and activities that owners get to indulge in as part of the Ferrari family, showcasing the Corse Clienti, Passione Ferrari, Esperienza Ferrari and Calvacade events, among others.

The next zone upstairs highlighted Ferrari Approved, a certification scheme that puts used Ferraris through a 190-point check by the brand’s  technicians.

Ferrari Approved cars were on display for guests to view, while they also learnt about the Ferrari Genuine (Out-Of-Range) accessories and kits that are made to give Ferrari owners the ability to make their Prancing Horse unique.

The tour ended with a look at the brand’s aftersales services and maintenance programmes such as Genuine Maintenance, MainPower and Ferrari Premium.

Here there is also a classic model on display, a nod to the brand’s elegance of the past and guests learnt about the Officina Classiche, the marque’s classic Ferrari inspection and maintenance service.

Also showcased in this zone was a collection of Ferrari Genuine (In-Range) accessories.


Isuzu M’sia appoints new COO of Commercial Vehicle

Murata (third from left), Nakumura (fourth from left) and other Isuzu officials.UPDATE: Shunsuke Okazoe succeeded Koji Nakamura from April 1, 2022.

KUALA LUMPUR: Isuzu Malaysia has appointed Atsunori Murata as the new chief operating officer (COO) in charge of Commercial Vehicle Division operations.

Isuzu Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Koji Nakamura said Murata has held diverse leadership roles in Isuzu Motors and his experience in sales and business development, product planning and operations would be beneficial to Isuzu Malaysia.

Murata has been with Isuzu Motors since 1998 and had served in overseas markets such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries and the United Nations.

He was also been seconded to Isuzu Trucks South Africa in 2010 and Isuzu Sub Saharan Africa in 2015.

Upon his return to Isuzu Motors Japan, Murata was tasked as the chief co-ordinator for Tokyo Motor Show 2017.

“I am thrilled to join Isuzu’s Malaysian operations and will do my best to bring the company to the next level in the local automotive industry,” he said.

Aside from Murata, other new faces who recently joined the local operations are After Sales Division Chief Operating Officer Ryo Kakogawa, After Sales Division senior advisor Katsushi Shimauchi and Parts Operations advisor Yuji Shinya.


Tesla supplier Panasonic eyes 20% jump in battery density by 2030

                TOKYO: Panasonic Energy Co, a major Tesla supplier, is working on new technology to increase battery energy density by a fifth by 2030, says the Japanese company's chief technology officer.

That gain, if achieved, could boost the driving range of a Model Y, for example, by over 100km with the same size battery pack.

Alternatively, it could allow manufacturers to create roomier and possibly lighter electric vehicles (EVs) while keeping driving range unchanged.

As more automakers roll out EV models, investors are looking for evidence that Tesla and established battery suppliers like Panasonic can keep their lead in the industry.

The battery system is the most expensive element of an EV and improved performance and lower costs are seen as key to sustaining gains in global sales.

Panasonic Energy, a core Panasonic Holdings unit, plans to achieve those gains by using a new mix of additives to allow individual cells to run at a higher voltage without damaging the batteries' performance, Shoichiro Watanabe said in an interview.

"The race among battery makers has been to come up with more potent and effective additives," he said.

His comments outline for the first time the company's behind-the-scenes work in improving battery efficiency beyond the most cutting-edge battery technology Panasonic has made available for Tesla today.

A 20% boost in energy density - essentially the battery’s ability to store energy in a given volume - would likely translate to an energy density of 900 watt-hours per litre (wh/l) for Panasonic's most advanced cell compared to 750 wh/l today.

Watanabe said Panasonic planned to achieve that gain over several years but did not say when it would begin to roll out the new chemistry.

A new larger-format 4680 battery, already being produced by Tesla, is expected to lower production costs and improve range compared to the current-generation 2170 battery, the automaker has said.

A Panasonic spokesman declined to comment on whether the company’s new battery technology would be incorporated into the 4680 or the 2170 or both.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.

Less degradation

Panasonic, Tesla's first battery supplier, plans to start mass-producing 4680 batteries in Japan during the financial year starting April 2023 and is reviewing sites for production in the United States. Tesla plans to use 4680 batteries to power new Texas-built Model Y cars.

Panasonic has developed a way to slow a battery’s degradation at a higher voltage that includes the use of new, more potent additives to the battery’s electrolyte, said Watanabe who is also Panasonic Energy’s executive vice president.

Higher voltages allow for increased ability to store energy but even small increases have also tended to drive outsized declines in battery performance.

"Improving energy density by 20% is entirely possible” if Panasonic can deliver on the improvements described, Shirley Meng, a professor at the University of Chicago and chief scientist for the US Argonne National Laboratory’s centre for battery science.

"I am optimistic about this goal as the research has shown promising data on all those areas.”

The Argonne National Laboratory works with a number of battery manufacturers.

Panasonic’s rivals, which include CATL , LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI , are also working on technologies that promise to deliver batteries that charge faster, run longer and cost less.

Panasonic’s current battery cell for Tesla uses a voltage of 4.2 volts, and Watanabe said a boost to 4.3 or 4.4 volts was possible with a new mix of additives to the electrolyte, the chemical soup that separates the negative and positive charged electrodes.

"If we can get that to 4.5 or 4.6 volts, I think the whole world view in terms of what’s possible for EVs would change,” Watanabe said.

Panasonic has also developed ways to prevent what engineers call "microcracking,” small cracks that develop in the positive electrode when a battery is charged and discharged, shortening its useful life.

One protective measure includes use of so-called "single-crystal materials” for the battery’s positive electrode, he said.

In addition, Panasonic is working to replace more of the graphite used in battery’s negative electrodes with silicon-based materials to improve that part of the cell, although the trade-off there is the higher cost of silicon, Watanabe said.

"It’s difficult to balance, but raising the energy density of batteries requires raising the potential of both electrodes,” he said.


Formula 1 champion Vettel to leave Ferrari team at end-season

Vettel at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi last December. — AFP
MARANELLO: Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel will leave Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the season after failing to bring home a championship in five years with the Italian team.

The four-time Formula One champion and the team "decided not to extend” the current contract, Scuderia Ferrari said on its website. The news was reported earlier in the auto racing media.

Vettel, 32, was last year outperformed by younger teammate Charles Leclerc, an F1 rookie. The current season has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now expected to kick off in July with the Austrian Grand Prix.

Vettel, a German national, was signed by former Ferrari and Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne for the 2015 season in a bid to get Ferrari back on top in the prestigious Formula One circuit. Ferrari, which hasn’t won the F1 title in over a decade, hasn’t named a replacement for Vettel.

The delay to the racing season partly drove Ferrari’s decision to cut its profit targets for 2020. With the likelihood of fewer races, in many cases possibly without fans, sponsorship and other income will likely take a hit, chief executive officer Louis Camilleri said May 4.


Chevrolet reveals 2018 Equinox ahead of its LA debut

                DETROIT: Chevrolet has overhauled its most popular SUVs both inside and out with an emphasis on safety and connectivity

When the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox goes on sale it will do so with sharper exterior lines, a raft of turbocharged powertrains and even a special teen driving mode that parents can use to curb their kids' bad driving habits before they develop.

"The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a modern SUV sized and designed to meet the needs of the compact SUV customer," said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and brand chief, Global Chevrolet.

With 2 million sales and counting, the original Equinox has been an outstanding hit for Chevrolet - only the Silverado pickup is more popular.

Therefore, the company is focusing on features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and systems that help owners drive with even greater peace of mind to keep the car appealing to customers.

For example, as well as the teen driver setting, the car will come with a rear seat reminder so that parents don't forget their children are in the back; autonomous emergency braking; blind spot monitoring; and a lane keep assist feature with lane departure warning.

The 2016 LA Auto Show opens its doors to the public from Nov 18.


China's Byton autonomous EV to debut at CES 2018

                NANJING: Electric vehicles and driverless vehicles are obviously going to change the entire global automotive industry over the coming years, but there's a change happening alongside that's perhaps just as big, or maybe even bigger.

As well as all the traditional manufacturers working on their own electric and driverless vehicles, a whole raft of startup companies are also getting in on the act. One such company is Nanjing-based Byton, which is going to be unveiling its first autonomous EV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Jan 7.

Byton is one of a number of companies launched last year in China, which have research and development facilities located in Santa Clara, California. Although autonomous cars require advanced sensors and software, electric vehicles are not as complex, specialised or expensive to develop and manufacture as regular vehicles, which is why many new companies are getting on board the trend.

Although Byton hasn't released images of the whole vehicle, which it describes as a "next generation smart device," it has given us a few glimpses of what to expect as well as some details about the car's technology.

The most obvious difference from this and a traditional car from has been revealed so far is the huge screen that spans the entire top of the dashboard, which the company refers to as the "Shared Experience Display."

It's designed for all the car's passengers to consume content together while the car takes care of those driving duties, and has a gesture control interface so any passenger can operate the shared display. The steering wheel also has its own separate screen, and there's a Byton Life Cloud Platform that lets passengers access their own personal apps and data while in the car.

Facial recognition is the preferred method for unlocking the car, and there will be some very cool illuminated panels on the outside of the vehicle that can be switched between different display modes, depending on the situation.

Although we don't even know what style of vehicle the Byton will be, looking at the company's website it does appear to be something along the lines of a crossover. The company says it will start building the car in China in 2019, with sales likely to start in the US and Europe sometime in 2020.


Tips from pest control experts: How to keep cockroaches away from your car

                SINGAPORE: A 61-year-old woman was so shocked to see a cockroach in her car that she lost control of the wheel.

The red Mazda crashed into the base of an overhead bridge staircase and its front bumper was heavily damaged in the accident last Friday (Jan 26). The woman, however, got away with minor injuries.

Netizens were quick to share previous sightings of cockroaches in their own vehicles. Many of them have also offered ways to keep these pesky insects at bay, including using fresh pandan leaves.

The Straits Times asks pest control experts to share some tips and debunk the myths:

1. Avoid eating in the car

Cockroaches are food-lovers. And leaving food residue or crumbs around are enough to attract them to your vehicles, according to pest control firm Rentokil Singapore.

If eating in the car is something that cannot be avoided, especially for those with children, then it is important to do a thorough clean-up afterwards.

The critters are also attracted to humid environments, so any spills in the car should be wiped away immediately.

2. Clean and de-clutter the car regularly

Cleaning the car regularly is the best way to stave off cockroaches. Some areas that are often neglected and can trap food particles include carpets, in between car seats and the sides of the door.
Besides wiping the surfaces, pest control experts advise motorists to thoroughly vacuum and disinfect their vehicles.

In addition, cockroaches tend to hide and breed in cluttered areas, such as the boot of the car.
Keep items in the boot stored in a hard plastic container with a tight lid to keep them out.

As cockroaches may be transported from other items, such as shopping bags, into the vehicle, it is crucial to do a quick check on the items before placing in the car, said pest control firm PestBusters.

3. Avoid parking near drains or rubbish bins

Car owners should refrain from parking near areas where cockroaches thrive, such as drainage openings, sewage drains and rubbish bins. Air conditioning vents in vehicles are one of the main entry points for cockroaches.

Before leaving the car, ensure that windows, doors and air conditioning vents are tightly shut.

4. Be careful when using insecticides

Insecticides work as a quick-fire way to get rid of cockroaches, but they have to be used with care and as a last resort, pest control firm Rentokil Singapore said.

Do not stay inside the car when using insecticides, as the chemical can be flammable. It is also toxic to humans and pets. On the other hand, insecticide gels tend to dry up due to the air conditioning in the vehicle and may not be as effective.

PestBusters advised car owners to place cockroach traps under the car seats if there has been a cockroach sighting.

5. Dried-up pandan leaves do not repel cockroaches

Many Singaporeans believe that the scent of fresh pandan leaves provides a natural cockroach repellent.

It is common to see car owners here leaving a bundle of pandan leaves in the boot of their vehicle or at the back of the seat.

Rentokil Singapore's medical entomologist, Dr Chan Hiang Hao, addressed this belief on the company's website.

"Cockroaches may avoid it, but they are not killed. Moreover, should these fresh leaves dry up, they could become a food source for cockroaches and other pests," he said. Besides, doing so does not help to address the root cause of a cockroach infestation, PestBusters added.

6. Cockroach sightings in the day could mean a serious infestation problem

The most serious case encountered by PestBusters involved cockroach sightings and activities recorded even during the day.

"Cockroaches were seen on the seats, at the side of the doors, on the floor mat, and even in the engine area," a spokesman said, adding that they were "literally everywhere".

The spokesman added that cockroaches mostly hunt for food in the night, and if they are seen during the day, "the infestation level is beyond imagination".

Over the past two years, about five to 10 per cent of inquiries received by the firm were related to cockroaches in cars.


Partial lane closure of NKVE for seven months from March 30

                PETALING JAYA: There will be a partial lane closure of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) for seven months effective March 30 from 10pm to 5am daily.

This is to facilitate PLUS Malaysia Berhad's (PLUS) upgrading works of a Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) bridge at KM11.25 between the Shah Alam and Subang exchange.

According to PLUS, the works to be carried out at night with the support of Malaysian Highway Authority and KTMB are expected to complete on Nov 2.

"Staggered lane closures will be activated at night between KM10.5 and KM11.3 of the NKVE. The lanes will be reopened fully to users from 5am to ensure there is no disturbance to traffic flow especially for road users during peak hours," said PLUS senior general manager Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz at a press conference today.

He added the KTM bridge would be elevated from the present 4.5m to 5.4m to enable more heavy vehicles to pass through the stretch. There would be no traffic disruption during festive seasons.

"Works will not be carried out for around 10 days during, before and after the Hari Raya celebration," said Mohd Yusuf during a press conference held at Persada PLUS here.

Road users are advised to plan their trip using the PLUS app to receive latest traffic updates and follow traffic signs and instructions by PLUS during the construction period.


Renault to make full F1 return in 2016

                PARIS: Renault will return to Formula One as a constructor next year after signing key contracts on Thursday to acquire the struggling Lotus team.

Announcing the move, a big boost for the sport after months of uncertainty, the French carmaker's chief executive Carlos Ghosn said he wanted the team to be competitive by 2019.

"Renault had two options: come back 100 percent or leave completely," he said in a statement. "After detailed analysis, I made my decision: Renault will be present in Formula One from 2016."

Renault signed a letter of intent in September to take a controlling stake in British-based Lotus, the team it previously owned but sold in late 2009 after a race fixing scandal involving the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

 Carlos Ghosn.

Lotus, who employ some 480 staff at their factory in Prime Minister David Cameron's constituency near Oxford, have struggled financially and were facing legal action and possible administration over unpaid taxes.

They had been due back in the London High Court next Monday.

Ghosn said work was under way to implement as quickly as possible the agreement concerning the acquisition, and key contracts had been signed on Thursday.

"Lotus appeared the best team to partner. We've known each other for 15 years and we were world champions together in 2005 and 2006," the statement said.

The team, which also won world championships with Michael Schumacher under the Benetton guise in 1994 and 1995 before becoming Renault, were renamed Lotus in 2011.

Sponsored mainly by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, with Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado confirmed for next season alongside British rookie Jolyon Palmer, Lotus finished fourth overall in 2013 but slumped to eighth in 2014 with just 10 points.

They ended the 2015 season that finished last weekend a respectable sixth, despite minimal investment and frequent financial obstacles in their way.

Bailiffs impounded their cars after the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa and they were locked out of their paddock hospitality in Japan due to unpaid bills.

"Our ambition is to win even if it will take time," Ghosn said. He told Le Figaro newspaper he expected the team to be competitive within three years.

Getting back into Formula One would give the group crucial exposure to emerging markets, notably Brazil, its second market, and Russia, where it is looking to win back market share, he said.

"In the world there are 450 million annual television spectators," he said. "That's very important and Renault will be the only generic make present in Formula One with its own team."

Renault have provided engines this season to Red Bull, with whom they won four championships in a row between 2010 and 2013,and sister team Toro Rosso.

That relationship has been stretched to breaking point this year due to Renault's failure to match the performance of dominant champions Mercedes in the new V6 turbo hybrid era.

Neither team was mentioned in the statement although Ghosn told Le Figaro talks were ongoing with Red Bull to provide it with an engine for next season. Toro Rosso are set to switch to Ferrari power.


What's the best way to minimise Proton's losses?

                PETALING JAYA: DRB-Hicom Bhd set tongues wagging last week when news came out that it was considering selling off its entire stake in national carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd to external investors.

The news clearly piqued investor interest, which resulted in the company’s shares hitting a seven-month high last Monday. The stock peaked at RM1.24 per share before paring down the gains to close at RM1.16.

While the news of the 100% disposal were quickly dismissed by DRB-Hicom, the writing on the wall was clear from the brief share price hike... do away with Proton.

Proton has been a drain on DRB-Hicom’s earnings. The diversified conglomerate recorded a net loss of RM790.76mil for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2016 from a net profit of RM89.8mil in the corresponding quarter of last year on the back of the poor performance of automobile manufacturer Proton’s lower vehicle sales, volatility in foreign exchange rates and weak consumer sentiment.

So, the question is, why not just do away with Proton and cut your losses?

Well, it’s not that easy, said one industry observer who chose to remain anonymous: “Proton was not just created to be a car company – it was started to improve the engineering capabilities of the country. After more than three decades, that objective has not changed.”

He pointed out that after all these years, the Government was still committed to maintaining that goal.

“The RM1.5bil conditional soft loan granted to Proton came with conditions – among them being that it has to identify a strategic and renowned partner that will assist in research and development for it to become a global player within a year.

“What’s going on now, with the loan, is that it is just a continuation of what the Government wants to see happen to Proton.”

Another industry observer points out that it is “not in our nature to dispose off something of national value.”

“If you look at our national airlines, Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS), it was bleeding, but we did not sell it to external or even foreign investors. What we did was restructure it.

“The same would be for Proton. At most, we would see a restructuring or a strategic partner. It just wouldn’t make sense to sell it off, otherwise, the idea of a national carmaker would be nullified. It would just end up being a business entity of a foreign company.”

He said selling off the entire stake in Proton would defeat the primary objective of setting up the car company in the first place – which was to uplift the country’s engineering capacity.

Still, that was over 30 years ago. Surely, Proton’s creators imagined it being a thriving, successful car company and not an ailing one today.

Proton has been losing market share year after year. According to statistics by the Malaysian Automotive Association, its market share dropped to 13% on sales of 35,727 units in the first half of 2016, compared with a market share of 15.6% and 50,205 units sold in the previous corresponding period.

According to its audited financial statement for financial year 2015, the company’s net loss widened to RM646.3mil from RM461.6mil previously. Its distribution cost of RM260.7mil was more than its gross profit of RM147.9mil in 2015.

Indeed, the argument for DRB-Hicom to dispose of its 100% stake in Proton cannot be any more compelling.

But Proton has always been more than just a car company, said one industry observer.

“Just like the situation with MAS, the Government is not known to just sell loss-making companies to foreign entities – especially when that entity has national value.

“Both MAS and Proton are symbols of our nation’s pride – and we don’t just sell off our pride.”

Another industry observer, who reckoned that Proton should be sold off to minimise, if not reduce, DRB-Hicom’s losses, pointed out that there were historical incidences of automotive companies achieving success after being sold to foreign entities.

“A classic case in point is when British brand, Mini, was taken over by German giant BMW. Today, Mini is still carrying on under British and German management.

“We saw German technology and know-how being injected into British heritage. Something like this could work for Proton. It won’t necessarily lose its identity as everyone fears.”

Many car companies have been consolidated over the course of history – such as General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Holden, HSV, Opel, Vauxhall, Wuling, Baojun, Jie Fang, and Ravon); and Volkswagen (Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat and koda).

However, an analyst said Proton had not exactly had a “rich heritage” the likes of giants such as Mini or even Bentley.

“Those are iconic marques that go back a long way and has had a lot of value to be built on. Unlike those brands, which have global markets, Proton is, by and large, a domestic brand. Yes, Proton cars are sold overseas but their numbers are small.”

“What Proton needs is a foreign takeover that can help it transform into a global brand. However, I don’t see that happening for now.”

Among Proton’s export destinations are the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Cyprus, Mauritius and the Middle East.

As maintained by DRB-Hicom, the company has no intention of selling off Proton. In dispersing the disposal rumours, DRB-Hicom clarified that it remained committed to holding a substantial and strategic stake in Proton and remained confident of the carmaker’s turnaround.

“It must be highlighted that as part of the requirement of the RM1.5bil loan granted by the Government, Proton is currently undertaking a request for proposal exercise seeking a partner for Proton which can provide a strategic, operational and cultural fit on a permanent basis, with the intention of growing its automotive business.

“This exercise is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017 and its implementation is being overseen by the Task Force Committee formed by the Government to monitor the turnaround of Proton,” DRB-Hicom said in a filing with the stock exchange last Monday.

The loan in question was provided to Proton as part of a conditional share subscription agreement that was announced in June as a cash injection for the loss-making carmaker.

Under the arrangement, the Government agreed to subscribe to 1.25 billion new redeemable convertible cumulative preference shares (RCCPS) at an issue price of RM1 each.

Should the RCCPS be fully converted, the Government would end up owning a 79.28% stake in Proton. This potential outcome could prove to be a stumbling block should DRB-Hicom choose to arrange a deal with outside investors.

As part of the RCCPS subscription agreement, Proton is currently seeking a strategic partner who will assist in research and development to restore its competitiveness in Malaysia’s automotive industry.

According to the agreement, parties involved in the agreement will seek alternative solutions should Proton be unable to find a partner by June next year.

In its report, RHB Research Institute noted that efforts to rehabilitate Proton “are gathering pace.”

“A number of potential strategic investors have been invited to submit proposals that could involve equity participation.”

READ MORE:
Proton Persona to launch in August, followed by Saga and MPV
First drive of Proton Persona
First drive of Proton Perdana to Malacca
More Proton service centres adopt 7-day operations

It adds that “newsflow” will be positive in the next several months, with four new product launches scheduled.

“While the market has reacted positively to the recent launch of the Perodua Bezza sedan, Proton will launch a slew of new product offerings beginning with the Persona sedan later this month.”

This will be quickly followed by the Saga (A/B segment sedan) in September and a multi-purpose vehicle in October (the first product of the joint venture with Suzuki).

“A sports utility vehicle based on the Suzuki Vitara is scheduled in the first quarter of 2017. These new product offerings will freshen Proton’s model line-up and appeal to a wider range of potential customers,” says RHB.

Also looking up for Proton is that its loss-making, wholly-owned subsidiary Group Lotus plc is on track for a turnaround.

According to reports, citing chief executive Jean-Marc Gales, Lotus is on course to make profit in its next financial year for the first time in its 68-year history.


Win a special edition EMEL Renault Captur

PETALING JAYA: TC Euro Cars, the local Renault franchise holder will be giving away an exclusive edition Renault Captur as the grand prize in its tie-up with local fashion label EMEL in the Colourfulraya Contest 2018.

The Captur in Ivory body colour and diamond black roof, will feature an exclusive one-of-a-kind decal livery that reflects the EMEL Raya 2018 Collection theme of Chantily lace.

Aside from the special edition Captur grand prize, other items to be won are 300 Panasonic Beauty appliances and 100 EMEL baju raya and vouchers, making for over RM200,000 worth of prizes in total.

The contest runs from March 29 to May 15, and is open to those aged 18 and above.

To enter, visit www.colourfulraya.com and fill up and an electronic form.

Participants can also visit participating retail partners Avenue K, Melawati Mall and Parkson in Pavilion, KLCC and Bangi and scan the relevant QR code to get the form.

No purchase is necessary and winners will be selected through six weekly draws with 66 prizes to be given each week.

Final draw will be made on May 16 with the prize giving scheduled on May 25.

TC Euro Cars CEO Kuan Kim Luen said the company was excited with the tie-up with EMEL to give away the special edition Captur in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya celebration.

“One lucky winner is going to celebrate a more colourful raya in style this year,” he said at the contest launch.

Priced at RM109,000 without insurance, the locally assembled Captur crossover comes with a fuel-efficient 1.2-litre turbocharged engine that delivers the performance of a normally aspirated 1.8-litre engine.


Lotus reveals ‘blueprint’ for electric sports cars

                HETHEL (UK): Just weeks after Lotus confirmed it will be launching a new family of EV performance cars, it has given a world premiere to the innovative new lightweight chassis technology that will underpin the electric sports car in the range.

The new structure has been developed through Project LEVA (Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture), announced last October by Lotus.

Project LEVA is a research programme that’s accelerating the development of all-new lightweight structures for next-generation battery electric vehicles.

Lotus said today it now has the "blueprint" for the next generation of electric sports cars, for future Lotus products and for the Lotus Engineering consultancy to commercialise.

The rear structure is 37% lighter than it is on the Emira V6, it added.

The Project LEVA lightweight chassis technology is being shown at the Low Carbon Vehicle event staged by Cenex, the UK’s Low Carbon and Fuel Cells Centre of Excellence, at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, UK, on Sept 22-23.

The new EV architecture is fully adaptable to provide a platform for a range of EVs with variable layouts, wheelbase lengths, battery sizes and configurations, said Lotus.

All three layouts feature a common lightweight die-cast rear sub-frame with multiple interchangeable components. It means a single vehicle architecture can accommodate two different types of battery configurations:

> ‘Chest’ layout, where the modules are stacked vertically behind the two seats. A chest layout is a ‘mid-mounted power pack’, ideal for sports car / hypercar vehicle types where a low overall ride height and low centre of gravity are required, and as seen on the Lotus Evija pure electric hypercar.

> ‘Slab’ layout, where the modules are integrated horizontally under the cabin. This is most suitable for vehicles where a higher ride height and a taller overall profile is required. It is often referred to as a "skateboard power pack" layout.

The innovative new subframe features cylindrical battery cells for high energy density, with the option of a single or twin electronic drive unit (EDU) to support. Cold cure, spot bonding and advanced weld processes mean reduced environmental impact during assembly.

This unique degree of flexibility and modularity in wheelbase and propulsion solutions will be the start for a wide variety of electric vehicle applications. These could be for the eagerly anticipated Lotus electric sports car – scheduled for launch in 2026 – as well as for third-party clients through Lotus Engineering.

Funding for the project came in part from the Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator programme (ARMD). Awarded by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the programme is delivered on behalf of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) by Cenex.

Today’s announcement is the latest in a series detailing Lotus’ transition to an all-electric brand:

The next stage of the project is for Lotus to continue development of the all-electric vehicles which will be built on the new architecture.

Project LEVA is led by engineer Richard Rackham, Lotus vehicle concepts chief.


Over 100 police summonses issued in op on non-compliant number plates

                SHAH ALAM: Over 100 summonses were issued by police in a traffic operation against number plates that do not comply with the law.

In a statement today, Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said that an operation was launched on Feb 18 at Dataran Kemerdekaan here.

The operation was part of a nationwide crackdown on number plate non-compliance, he said.

"As a result of the operation, as many as 285 summonses were issued for various traffic infractions, whereas 94 summons were issued for offences regarding number plates," he said.

Most offences involving number plates were custom "fancy" number plates that did not conform to the set regulations.

"A total of 81 motorcycles were also seized for various reasons, including riders who used them without a licence," he said.


Fiat Chrysler prepares to produce plug-in hybrid Jeep Renegade

                MILAN: Fiat Chrysler (FCA) said on Monday it had kicked-off preparations for the production of a plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Renegade as the carmaker pushes ahead with its electrification drive to meet tougher emissions rules.

The world’s seventh-largest carmaker said in June it would invest 9 billion euros (RM43bil) in electric and hybrid cars over the next five years to become fully compliant with emissions regulations across regions.

It also pledged to phase out diesel engines in European passenger cars by 2021.

The Jeep Renegade plug-in hybrid, expected in the market in early 2020, will be produced at FCA’s Melfi plant in southern Italy, which is already churning out the combustion engine version of the model and the Fiat 500X crossover, FCA said.

More than 200 million euros (RM955mil) will be spent on the new engine, the company said, adding workers would be re-trained for the new technology and the plant modernised.

By 2022, FCA plans to offer a total of 12 electric propulsion systems, including battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and full hybrids, it said, adding 30 different models would be equipped with one or more of these systems.

Former FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne had long refused to embrace electrification, saying he would only do so if selling battery-powered cars could be done at a profit.

He even urged customers not to buy FCA’s Fiat 500e, its only battery-powered model, because he was losing money on each sold. But Tesla’s success and the need to comply with tougher emissions rules forced Marchionne to commit to what he used to refer to as “most painful” spending.

Marchionne died unexpectedly in July after succumbing to complications from surgery, but his successor, Mike Manley, vowed to continue the strategy laid out in June.


Tesla battery supplier LG Chem forecasts record third-quarter profit

                SEOUL: South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd, an electric vehicle (EV) battery supplier for Tesla and a petrochemicals maker, said on Monday its third-quarter operating profit likely jumped to a record high, beating analysts’ estimates.

The company did not elaborate on the reasons for its upbeat outlook but analysts attributed it to orders from Tesla and the coronavirus pandemic that lifted demand for home appliances — one of the applications for petrochemicals products.

LG Chem estimated that its operating profit jumped 159% to 902 billion won (RM3.2bil) in the quarter ended September, above the 746 billion won (RM2.6bil) analyst forecast by Refinitiv SmartEstimate.

Revenue likely rose 9% to 7.5 trillion won (RM27bil) from a year earlier, the company said.

The firm is expected to release detailed earnings later this month.

LG Chem, along with China’s CATL, supplies batteries for Tesla’s electric cars made in Shanghai. Tesla posted record quarterly deliveries in the third quarter.

Analysts expect LG Chem’s battery business to remain profitable in the third quarter and its mainstay petrochemicals business to post solid profits.

Despite the rosy outlook, LG Chem shares fell 2.3% over concerns of fire risks associated with its battery cells for Hyundai Motor’s Kona electric vehicles.

LG Chem said faulty battery cells were not the cause of fires in Kona EVs, and the exact cause had not been determined.

Tesla’s long-term plan to produce its own cells have hurt LG Chem shares, which had rallied this year due to EV expectations.

LG Chem shares also have been under pressure after it said last month that it plans to separate its battery business as an independent unit.


Subaru teases new Impreza ahead of New York

                TOKYO: The 2016 New York Auto Show has been chosen as the location for the global debut of an all-new production ready Subaru.

The Impreza is legendary for its blend of practicality and all-wheel-drive performance and although it's lost its way in recent years, company bosses are promising that the new car will right some of these recent wrongs.

In a statement accompanying the teaser image, company bosses said that the Impreza "has been completely redesigned inside and out, from upgraded in-car technology and a more spacious interior to its sleek new body design."

However, one thing that is remaining untouched is its active all-wheel drive system although it is expected to be mated to a more efficient yet equally potent boxer engine.

The new car will be revealed on March 23 during Subaru's press conference ahead of the New York Auto Show's official public opening on March 25.


Singapore's EV registrations growing, issue of hogging of chargers being tackled

With the new wave of EV registrations in Singapore, there are now some 3,600 electric cars and around 2,500 charging points. - The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE: New electric vehicle (EV) registrations continue to grow in the first quarter of the year and are now at 8.1 per cent of all new car registrations.

This is more than double of last year's annual figure, which was an increase of almost 20-fold compared with 2020.

With the new wave of EV registrations, there are now some 3,600 electric cars in Singapore and around 2,500 charging points, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor today.

She gave this update at the Singapore Green Plan Conversation on Energy Reset, which was held online this morning.

Introduced in 2021, the forum aims to explore solutions to build a sustainable nation as Singapore pushes to lower carbon emissions.

Dr Khor said in her address: "There is great potential for Singapore to decarbonise its energy sector over the next decade. For the transport sector, one needle mover will be transiting from a fuel-based vehicle population to an electricity-based one."

While the uptick in registration figures was an early sign of a shift to EVs, she added that the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority (LTA) were looking into existing regulations to help EV users.

They include a review of parking regulations in public carparks to ensure that EV spaces are used only for charging.

In LTA's latest EV charging point tender launched on Friday, Dr Khor said every HDB carpark will have several charging points available to the public by 2025.

She added that operators are encouraged to propose solutions to incentivise users to remove their vehicle once they are done charging.

She said some EV charging operators are planning to impose idle fees for EVs that hog a parking spot after charging is complete.

Said Dr Khor: "Such behaviour is not beneficial to everyone. It means the charging network will be less efficient, and charging costs will be higher for all."

She urged motorists to use chargers responsibly and to plan when to charge their cars based on their schedule so the car does not need to stay parked for too long.

Charging should also be done in moderation and it is not necessary to keep an EV's battery full all the time, she added.

The forum was held amid a nationwide effort to adopt sustainable energy options and phase out petrol and diesel cars here by 2040.

The movement was given a boost last year with a slew of government incentives, a wider selection of models and the arrival of US carmaker Tesla.

The incentives rolled out as part of the 2030 Green Plan include the EV Early Adoption Incentive scheme and enhancements to the Vehicular Emissions Scheme, which together shave up to S$45,000 off the upfront cost of buying an EV.

The authorities also doubled the number of charging stations it aims to build here by 2030 — from an earlier target of 28,000 to 60,000.

But some car buyers are still wary of EVs as they are generally more expensive than traditional cars, noted Dr Khor, adding that there is a lack of electric models across the whole passenger vehicle spectrum.

The most affordable EV models here generally cost above S$110,000, compared with standard cars with an internal combustion engine that can be bought for about S$80,000. — The Straits Times


New airbag design in Acura TLX wins Popular Science award

LOS ANGELES: The innovative multi-chamber front passenger airbag technology, co-developed by Honda R&D Americas and safety systems supplier Autoliv, in the all-new 2021 Acura TLX sport sedan has been awarded as a 2020 “Best of What’s New” for 2020 by Popular Science.

It was further distinguished as their “Grand Award” winner among all of the year’s automotive entrants.

Representing a major leap forward in airbag design, it is the world’s first passenger front airbag intended to address the recently recognized issue of severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions.

The all-new Acura MDX three-row luxury SUV, set to go on sale early next year, will also feature this award-winning technology as standard equipment.

The new airbag is designed to help reduce head and neck injuries by better controlling the front passenger’s head in certain types of crashes.

The airbag can better manage lateral collision forces that may cause an occupant’s head to rotate severely at high velocity, or to slide off a conventional passenger airbag, increasing the chance of serious injury.

Compared to a single inflatable chamber of conventional airbag systems, the new passenger airbag consists of four major components: three inflated compartments (a center chamber and two outward-projecting side chambers that create a wide base across the dash) and an uninflated “sail panel” that stretches between the two side chambers.

The “sail panel” is designed to initially catch and decelerate the occupant’s head with less force prior to contacting the lower chamber, while directing it inward between the two inflated chambers to cradle and help protect the front seat passenger’s head.

This groundbreaking new airbag design is now being offered to other automakers to enhance the safety performance of their future products.


Make your Nissan X-Trail look sporty with new Impul kit

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced a new sporty Tuned by Impul kit for the X-Trail.

Priced at RM11,000, the kit includes an Impul Aerokit consisting of a two-tone front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and a rear roof-mounted spoiler.

Also included is a gloss black V-shaped grille cladding as well as 18-inch Impul Aura SX-50 wheels fitted with Continental ContiMaxContact MC6 tyres which hide the Impul sports springs.

To round it all off, the interior now gets wrapped in maroon Nappa leather - in particular the seats, dashboard, knee pads and armrest.

However, the company says that the kit can be purchased individually with the Aerokit costing (RM5,600) while the wheels and tyres will cost RM5,800 and RM2,800 respectively.

Changing to the gloss black V-shaped grille cladding will cost RM700.

Swapping out to the sports springs will set buyers back RM1,100 and finally fitting the rear spoiler will be another RM800.

Buying these items individually will require buyers to spend an additional RM6,800 at RM16,800.

The kit can also be specced with the X-Trail as standard from the factory and is available for the base 2.0L 2WD (RM139,630), 2.0L 2WD MID (RM150,643), 2.5L 4WD (RM157,731) and range-topping 2.0L Hybrid (RM167,451).

Prices mentioned are on-the-road without insurance and have already factored in the current sales tax exemption.

The X-Trail will be accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty whereas the accessories will come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first).

For those looking to catch a glimpse of the X-Trail Tuned by Impul can do so at selected Nissan showrooms from July 18 to 19 from 10.00am to 8.00pm.

The X-trail in mention can be viewed at ETCM's Jalan Raja Laut, Petaling Jaya, Mahkota Cheras, Klang, Butterworth, Bayan Lepas, Ipoh, Johor Jaya, Kuantan and Kota Baru showrooms.

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


Nissan reveals Le Mans Challenger

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan has revealed a glimpse of its Le Mans challenger – the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO – during the commercial break for Super Bowl XLIX.

The Nissan GT-R LM NISMO will take on the best in the world in the race to glory at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

In a bold move, the Japanese manufacturer has interpreted the sport's technical regulations in an innovative way, producing a front-engined, front wheel drive car that is powered by a V6 3-litre twin turbo petrol engine and a kinetic energy recovery system.

"It gave us great pride to reveal the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO during the Superbowl," said "The combination of the Super Bowl and the Le Mans 24 Hours – two of the most watched sporting events in the world – presented us with a unique opportunity to showcase our most ambitious motorsport programme in recent times.

"The GT-R is our flagship road car," said Nissan global head of marketing and brand strategy Roel de Vries.

"This, the ultimate GT-R, continues a sporting bloodline that goes back three decades with NISMO, the motorsport and performance arm of Nissan. Le Mans drives innovation so success on the track will lead to greater innovation in our road car range. We are the new kids at Le Mans; our opponents are the best in the world but we are ready."

The new car will contest the LM P1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the highest category in world sports car racing.

Starting at Silverstone, UK on 12 April the series travels around the world to Spa in Belgium, onto the Le Mans 24 Hours and Germany's Nurburgring, before going global with races in the US, Japan, China and the Middle East.

The FIA World Endurance Championship is the ultimate proving ground for automotive companies as technological gains on the track can carry through to road cars.

Racing car engineers are facing the same challenges as road car engineers as the spotlight falls on energy efficiency.

With more technical freedom than Formula 1, the LM P1 engineers have ample opportunity to innovate.

"This is innovation that excites," said NISMO president Shoichi Miyatani.

"Sustainability is at the top of our agenda and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area. Our record at Le Mans is third place overall so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans."


Nissan plans big cuts to go small after first loss in 11 years

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co outlined a new plan today to become a smaller, more efficient carmaker after the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated a slide in profitability that culminated in its first annual loss in 11 years.

Under a new four-year plan, the Japanese manufacturer will slash its production capacity and model range by about a fifth to help cut 300 billion yen (RM12bil) off its fixed costs.

It will shut plants in Spain and Indonesia, leave the South Korean market and pull its Datsun brand from Russia as part of a strategy unveiled on Wednesday to share production globally with its partners Renault and Mitsubishi Motors.

“I will make every effort to return Nissan to a growth path,” Nissan chief executive Makoto Uchida said, adding that the company had learned from its past mistakes of chasing global market share at all costs.

“We must admit failures and take corrective actions,” he said, adding that starting with top-level managers, the company had to break its inward-looking culture which has stymied efforts to deepen cooperation with France’s Renault.

Uchida said improving cash flow was Nissan’s biggest challenge, though the company expects to have positive free cash flow in the second half of its financial year, compared with a negative 641 billion yen (RM25.9bil) in the year to March 31.

With 1.1 trillion yen (RM44.5bil) in net cash in its automotive business, untapped credit lines of up to 1.3 trillion yen (RM52.5bil) and about 700 billion yen (RM28.3bil) in new funding since April, the automaker said it had ample cash to cushion the blow from the coronavirus.

However, Uchida and chief financial officer Stephen Ma acknowledged that more funding might be needed if the pandemic continues to weigh on sales in the coming months.

“We have plenty of liquidity at least for these few months,” Ma told reporters. “As things progress we will look at all the possible options, and we are open to pursue other avenues.”

Nissan declined to give any forecasts for its current financial year which started in April due to the uncertainty created by the pandemic. It also declined to give details on how many jobs it was cutting as part of its recovery plan.

Nissan’s rivals, such as the world’s biggest carmakers Toyota and Volkswagen, will not give it much breathing room as they use their stronger balance sheets and products to strengthen their positions in China and Europe.

In the United States, consumers are shifting to sports-utility vehicles and large pickups that are the speciality of the Detroit automakers, as well as Tesla’s high-tech electric vehicles.

Profit slump

In what is Nissan’s second recovery plan in less than a year, Uchida, who took over as chief executive in December, pledged a return to profitability with a core operating profit margin above 5% and a sustainable global market share of 6%.

Nissan posted an annual operating loss of 40.5 billion yen (RM1.6bil) for the year to March 31, its worst performance since 2008/09 and the fourth straight year its profit has fallen. It sold 4.9 million vehicles last year, down 11% from last year.

Sales in its key North American market fell 15% as Nissan struggles to recover in the United States, where aggressive discounting has clobbered margins and tarnished its brand image.

“I don’t want my brand, I don’t want Nissan, to be considered cheap,” Uchida said, adding that he would push to restore the quality of sales, particularly in the United States.

He also said that he was “not giving up” on Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury brand whose sales have plummeted in recent years as development and manufacturing costs ballooned.

Rebuilding both the Nissan and Infiniti brands could take time, he said, as the coronavirus situation in the United States was taking “a bit more time than we thought” to improve.

Even before the spread of the novel coronavirus, Nissan’s slumping profits had forced it to row back on an aggressive expansion plan pursued by ousted leader Carlos Ghosn. The pandemic has only piled on the urgency to downsize.

Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors said on Wednesday they would work more closely on developing and producing cars to reduce costs and ensure their alliance’s continued existence.

Renault is due to announce its own restructuring plans on Friday which are expected to include job cuts despite resistance from the French government.

Spain said today that the closure of Nissan’s plant in Barcelona could cost the company as much as €1 billion (RM4.8bil) and that investing in the factory would be a cheaper alternative.

Protesting workers burned tyres and blocked the entrance to the Barcelona factory following the announcement.


Good try: Germany takes stab at setting 130kph speed limit on autobahns

                BERLIN: Germany may be about to put the brakes on the autobahn.

Lawmakers in the country’s upper house of parliament will vote today on a proposal to introduce a speed limit of 130kph on motorways. The measure is designed to curb emissions and reduce road-accident fatalities.

Opposition from politicians, drivers’ clubs and the auto industry mean the measure is unlikely to pass. However, the fact that politicians are even discussing the demise of the long-cherished right to drive at unlimited speeds shows how important environmental concerns have become.

Germany opened Europe’s first car-only freeway in 1921 and the country prides itself on its high-performance cars that often zip along the autobahn at upwards of 190kph.

The Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, the CSU, has been lobbying hard against speed limits. As a result, a bill last year to introduce a nationwide speed limit failed to get enough votes in the lower house of parliament. Bavaria is home to the BMW and Audi brands.

The country already has restrictions on more than 30% of its 13,000km of autobahns. Extending that to all motorways could prove a step too far.


Big brands are working on standard for downloadable digital car key

                SEATTLE: It may not be long before physical car keys are a thing of the past, replaced by tech on our mobile devices, however with these new Digital Keys comes great responsibility, which is why big brands are working together in a Car Connectivity Consortium to develop a standardised solution.

Considering technology is always finding ways to lighten our pockets and purses of bank or fidelity cards, it's no surprise that car keys could be the next to go.

Car Connectivity Consortium, “an organisation focused on enabling seamless mobile device-to-vehicle connectivity” has just announced the publication of Digital Key Release 1.0 specification in order to provide a standardised authentication protocol between a vehicle and a smart device.

This essentially provides some ground rules, or a “robust ecosystem” as the company puts it, of what needs to be implemented with the Digital Key, such as a smart device being able to lock and unlock the vehicle when in the proximity, as well as start the engine once inside. There will need to be user authentication, provisioning, revocation and the ability to share peer-to-peer.

These guidelines are not only for vehicle manufacturers to know what features to offer their customers but also other industries that are involved or affected. Device vendors will need to work alongside car brands, while integrated solutions for smart home and transportation apps are also part of the ecosystem. Rental companies and car sharing services will have new ways to manage vehicles, opening up opportunities as well as potential problems to solve.

Among the CCC charter member companies are major brands like Apple, Audi, BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung, and Volkswagen, while core members include Alps Electric, Continental Automotive GmbH, DENSO, Gemalto, NXP, and Qualcomm Incorporated.

The consortium notes that given the extensive interest from automotive and smartphone manufacturers as well as the supplier ecosystem, CCC has begun work on the Digital Key Release 2.0 specification with expected delivery set for Q1 2019.

Audi, a member of the consortium, already has a mobile key function in the form of the Audi connect key on mobile device, while other brands have plans to put such a system in place in the near future.


Ford demands US salaried employees disclose Covid-19 vaccination status

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co on Tuesday became the second Detroit automaker to ask US salaried employees to reveal their vaccination status against Covid-19 in a bid to comply with wider federal guidelines.

Ford said salaried employees were required to submit their vaccination status against Covid-19 by Oct 8 but the process was voluntary for its hourly employees represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.

The automaker's move comes as the Biden administration pursues sweeping measures to increase vaccination coverage in the United States, while pushing large employers to have their workers inoculated or tested weekly. read more

Separately, chief executive Jim Farley said in a CNBC interview that the company's leadership team was vaccinated against Covid-19 and that Ford was conducting a survey to know how many employees had been vaccinated.

"When it comes to the larger population of Ford, we want people to get vaccinated," Farley said, adding the company would work with UAW, which had so far resisted the effort to make vaccinations compulsory.

UAW represented about 58,000 hourly employees in the United States, as per the company's latest annual filing.

Larger rival General Motors Co (GM.N) in August had asked for vaccination status of its salaried employees. read more

Chip shortage

Farley, in the CNBC interview, also said the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage would probably last through the end of next year.

He said things were getting better but Ford was still unable to meet demand for its vehicles.

"We are improving our shipments to dealers now and our inventories are going very fast," said Farley, who took over the automaker's reins last year.

Ford's production was hit in the second quarter due to a fire at a plant owned by automobile chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp in March. Farley said the facility was up to speed now.


Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroën reveal jointly developed MPVs

PARIS: PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota Motor Europe (TME) reveal today the new Citroën Spacetourer, Peugeot Traveller, and Toyota Proace. They will be available in MPV versions for private use and in shuttle versions for business use.

Both companies also confirm the continuation of their co-operation agreement signed in 2012.

The three vehicles will be launched in the first half of 2016 and will be present on the respective stands of the three brands at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016.

“We are delighted to present today these three new vehicles, the result of the co-operation with Toyota Motor Europe. This agreement has enabled us to develop a new and efficient vehicle platform, offering our customers around the world modern products which are particularly competitive in their segment,” said Patrice Lucas, PSA Peugeot Citroën Head of Programme and Strategy.

“We’re very pleased that the collaboration we started in 2012 with PSA Peugeot Citroën is now delivering a brand new generation Toyota Proace,” said TME president and CEO Johan van Zyl. “Both teams worked very hard together and at individual brand level and I am confident that our distinctive new van with all its variants will strengthen the Toyota light commercial vehicle offer in Europe. The new Proace will complement the range of solid and durable vehicles customers are expecting from Toyota.”

Since 2013, the first Proace vehicles were based on the current generation Peugeot Expert and Citroën Dispatch vehicles. It was agreed in 2012 that the companies would work together on next generation vehicles and that the collaboration would last beyond 2020.

The aim of the collaboration is for both companies to be able to offer a competitive product in the mid-size, light commercial vehicle, shuttle and Combi segments and benefit from development and production cost optimisation. The vehicles are produced at PSA Peugeot Citroën’s plant of Sevelnord, in Valenciennes, France.

Toyota Motor Europe shared in the development and industrial investment costs for the new vehicles.

The vehicles share all technical features, powertrains and equipment and propose a distinctive styling rooted in each of the brand’s design language.


Perodua Tweckbot safety programme returns

                PETALING JAYA: The free 50-point safety check for Perodua vehicles – the Tweckbot - is back for its sixth year to give peace of mind for its customers, especially those making a long trip after celebrating this Chinese New Year with family and loved ones at their respective hometowns.

“We hope our customers would take advantage of our Tweckbot programme in ensuring their vehicle’s roadworthiness before leaving their respective hometowns,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh.

Aminar said that for this post-Chinese New Year check, the Perodua Tweckbot will be stationed at the Giant Muar Mall, Johor from Feb 19 to 21, 2016.

Each 50-point inspection will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.

Perodua also had a pre-Chinese New Year Tweckbot check at the Giant Subang Jaya Mall between 10am and 6pm, between Jan 29 and 31, 2016 which saw 123 Perodua vehicles inspected.

“This programme is our continued commitment towards giving our customers peace of mind by offering quality workmanship in all our products and services.

“We encourage our customers to follow our Facebook and twitter account to be alerted on the time and location of this convenience because here at Perodua – You Matter Most,” Aminar said.

The 50-points safety check includes an engine check, transmission check, coolant system (include coolant level as well as fan and temperature), brake system check (include brake fluid and brake pad wear), power steering system check, clutch system check, tyre check, suspension system check, electrical system check (include battery, lights and wiper checks) and engine diagnosis.

A 20% discount for parts and accessories will be given to all those vehicles that return to our service branches and dealers. (Terms and conditions apply)

The Tweckbot was originally an initiative by Perodua to engage its customers via social media namely Facebook and twitter back in 2011. However, the platform expanded to include official media outlets for greater reach.

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.