Tesla to start delivering Model 3 to China buyers in March

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc said it plans to start delivering Model 3 cars to customers in China in March, cementing a time frame that the US electric vehicle (EV) maker’s chief executive, Elon Musk, tweeted about late last year.

The California-based firm, which aims to accelerate Chinese sales that have been hit hard by the impact of trade tension between Washington and Beijing, said in a statement the starting price for a Model 3 in China would be 499,000 yuan (RM299,000).

Tesla cut prices for its Model 3 last month, the third time in the last two months for the firm to adjust prices in China.

In November, Tesla cut the prices of its Model X and Model S in China by 12 to 26 percent.

Gigafactory

Tesla has opened a tender process to build a US$2 billion plant in Shanghai - dubbed a Gigafactory - and at least one contractor has started buying materials, Reuters reported earlier last month.

The automaker has said it aims to initially produce about 3,000 Model 3 vehicles per week at the plant and localise its manufacturing and supply chain.

The factory, Tesla’s first in China, marks a major bet by the EV maker as it looks to bolster its presence in the world’s biggest auto market where it faces rising competition from a swathe of domestic rivals, while its earnings have been hit by increased tariffs on US imports.


California chides GM and Toyota for backing Trump on fuel rules

                WASHINGTON: California’s top environmental official criticised General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. for backing the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the state’s authority to regulate auto emissions, saying she hoped car companies had learned by now to work with the powerful agency.

The tough rules California has implemented and enforced for years already have had an impact on automakers, Mary Nichols, the chairman of the state’s Air Resources Board, said Tuesday at the BNEF Summit in San Francisco. She believes the regulator deserves some credit for the industry’s plans to field more electric vehicles in the near future.
 Nichols.
"We’ve had something to do with that here in California, and I’m pleased with that,” Nichols said. "In the case of General Motors and Toyota, just to name a couple of names, to have them not understand that California had actually helped them in all this in so many ways is disappointing.”

GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and several other carmakers filed legal motions last fall that sided with President Donald Trump’s administration in the court battle over its rule to strip California of the authority to set its own tailpipe-emissions standards.

The skirmish is a key aspect of the White House’s move to dismantle tougher fuel economy rules set by the Obama administration.

The clash with California also has fractured the industry. On California’s side are four automakers including ford Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., which last summer agreed to meet rules that would be a compromise between Obama’s standards and Trump’s plans.

The dust-up led Nichols to skip her annual visit to the auto industry’s major vehicle show in Los Angeles last fall. She and other environmental officials usually tour the event and talk to executives about their latest technologies.

"I was feeling a little bit like I didn’t want to hang out and sort of have jolly conversations with the companies that were also suing us,” Nichols said.


Facelifted Porsche Panamera arrives, price starts from RM1.03mil

                PETALING JAYA: The second-generation Porsche Panamera has undergone a refresh and it's now available in Malaysia.

Pricing for the new Panamera starts from RM1,026,735 with SST exemption.

The car had its local virtual premiere last night.

The core features of the sports car has been enhanced even further, and covers an even wider spectrum, linking the performance of a sports car with the comfort of an exclusive saloon. Noticeable improvements have been made to driving comfort and cornering stability by optimising all the chassis systems.

The new Panamera now comes with the previously optional Sport Design front end with striking air intake grilles, larger side air intakes with adapted single-bar front light layout.

The revamped light strip at the rear  runs seamlessly over the luggage compartment lid with an adapted contour. It provides a continuous and flowing connection between the two newly designed LED tail light clusters in line with the Porsche brand identity.

For the first time, sports tyres are available for the four-door, four seater sports car for sporty driving on the road. They have been specially designed for the Panamera with softer rubber mixtures and optimised profile to enhance lateral performance.

The Panamera is also equipped with Porsche Connect for the first time in Malaysia, offering an expanded suite of intelligent services and apps that connect car to owner via a smartphone.

The sporty ambience is echoed in the interior of the new Panamera.

The cabin now has a flatter dashboard, an ascending centre console, a new analogue counter in the centre of the instrument cluster and a newly desiged multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Derived from the 911 Carrera models, the new steering wheel is driver focused and allows the driver quick access to key functions of the car. With visual cut-outs, the steering wheel evokes the lightweight steering wheels found in racing cars.

Front row gets comfort seats with 8-way electric adjustment.

The Panamera offers an extensive range of innovative light and assistance systems, such as the now standard Lane Keeping Assist with road sign recognition as well as Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, LED matrix headlights including PDLS Plus, Park Assist including Surround View and head-up display.

Featuring the familiar 2.9 litre V6 biturbo engine, the new Panamera generates an output of 243 kW (330 PS) and a maximum torque of 450 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100kph in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 270kph, allowing a combined experience of sitting in an exclusive saloon and a sports car for four.

The coasting function of the eight-speed PDK which is activated in normal driving mode and already part of predecessor models, have also been improved, further enhancing driving comfort and efficiency.

The adaptive shock absorbers, electronic roll stabilisation, steering system and revamped engine and axle mounts have all been optimised, with the objective to make the middle ground between sporty driving and comfort as expansive as possible.

Equipped with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the front, and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the rear, with single-piece brake calipers enclosed, the brake system in the new Panamera is lighter yet highly resistant to deformation. The pedal travel is tight, the pressure point precise and the braking distance short.

An improved tyre generation is used for the new Panamera. The new 20 and 21-inch tyres increase the bandwidth between comfort and sportiness while simultaneously offering a lower rolling resistance.

Three new 20 and 21-inch wheels have been added to the wheel range, so that a total of 10 different designs are now available, including the Exclusive Design 21-inch alloy wheels.

Facelifted Porsche Panamera Specifications (pdf)


Aston Martin Vulcan customers get special delivery in Abu Dhabi

                YAS MARINA (Abu Dhabi): The first owners of the Aston Martin Vulcan travelled to Abu Dhabi last week to receive world-class tuition from an elite team of racing drivers, led by Aston Martin Racing works’ driver Darren Turner.

The customers in Abu Dhabi received tuition in the V12 Vantage S road car and the Vantage GT4 race car, before heading out onto the iconic Formula 1 circuit in their own Aston Martin Vulcan, powered by a potent 7.0-litre V12 engine.

Passenger-side tuition was given on every lap and the customer’s skills were tested throughout the day and into the night so they could fully experience the car in different atmospheric conditions.

Aston Martin Director of Special Projects and Motorsport David King commented: “Aston Martin Vulcan is a very special car and that is why we have developed a unique ownership programme. This includes specialist training so customers can drive it in the way it was intended. It has been great to see the first customer’s reactions after unleashing their very own Aston Martin Vulcan on the Grand Prix circuit here in Abu Dhabi.”

Just 24 Aston Martin Vulcans will be built in total and all 24 customers will receive world-class tuition so they are able to make the most of their 820bhp supercar.

Aston Martin Racing works’ driver and high performance development driver Turner said: “The priority for all of us on the team was to produce a car that provides immense enjoyment for the customers. Judging by the reactions we have seen this week that goal has been achieved and surpassed.

The guys here this week have all been in the car as my passenger at recent events, but this was the first time they got to see and drive their very own Aston Martin Vulcan.I predict many fun track days ahead for these guys!”


Third national car project still awaiting investors, says PM

                KUALA LUMPUR: Investment by the private sector is being sought for the third national car project, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed during the launch of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020.

"We are waiting for investors. This time around, the government does not intend to invest. We are inviting investors with foresight and new technologies which will make the new national car competitive," said Mahathir in a press conference.

He also said that the third national car is in development and already has a prototype which has yet to be exhibited to the public.

"We already have a prototype but not exhibited to the public... We have the capacity, but we need investment. The government is not going to invest, so we are asking the private sector to invest and produce cars that are not meant only for Malaysia, but also for other countries," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Dr Mahathir said the proposed new Malaysian Vehicle Project (MVP) will emphasise on research and development (R&D) and incorporation of the latest technologies in order to be competitive in both domestic and global markets.

"New technology clusters as well as new expert workforce, especially in the field of automotive engineering would be developed consequently. The new MVP is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development through its support for both the upstream and downstream industries – creating the demand of other related materials, such as, high-grade steel, plastics, rubber and petrochemical products, which will stimulate further growth of these sub-sectors," he said.

It was previously reported last October that DreamEdge Sdn Bhd, the anchor company to drive the third national car project, is aiming to unveil its first prototype in March 2020.

Japan's Daihatsu Motor is providing technology support for the project but will not have a stake in the business.

DreamEdge is an engineering services company catering to various industries such as automotive, rail, electronics, energy, defence, precision equipment and tooling design.

DreamEdge founder and CEO Khairil Adri Adnan had said the first model would be a C-segment sedan using hybrid technology.


Road signs for 'Jalan Samy Vellu' to be up soon

                IPOH: Works to install "Jalan Tun Dr S Samy Vellu" road signs in Sungai Siput are now being planned, says Perak Public Works Department (JKR) director Hamdan Ali.

He said that JKR's Kuala Kangsar branch is coordinating the effort with the Kuala Kangsar municipal council as well as a non-governmental organisation.

Hamdan added that a 9.35km stretch of the Ipoh-Butterworth trunk road will be named after the former MIC president.

It runs from the Kinta-Kuala Kangsar border until the junction at Taman Makmur in Sungai Siput.

"The new name was gazetted on Dec 15.

"An application to name a road after Samy Vellu was actually submitted to JKR by S Kalimuthu from the Sungai Siput MIC parliamentary office on Jan 25 last year," he said when contacted today.

Samy Vellu passed away aged 86 on Sept 15 last year.

He was the MIC president from 1979 to 2010 and Sungai Siput MP from 1974 to 2008 and served as the works minister from 1983 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 2008.


Govt urged to extend tax incentives for imported BEVs

                PETALING JAYA: The government is urged to extend tax incentives for imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for a longer period, as this would allow automotive companies more time to meet the strong demand for the latest green vehicle models with zero-emission technologies.

“There is not enough time to launch some new BEV models this year, due to post-pandemic production issues.

“We hope that the imported BEV tax incentives can be extended for a longer time period, in order for us to meet the strong demand for such green or more environmentally friendly vehicles,” said Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

He said this when asked about the company’s wishlist for the revised Budget 2023, which is due to be tabled on Feb 24.

Syed Ahmad was speaking at the launch of the new fifth-generation Range Rover luxury sport-utility vehicle (SUV) at Sime Darby Motors City, Ara Damansara, today.

“Customer response to the Range Rover L460 has exceeded our expectations,” said Syed Ahmad.

At present, duty exemptions for BEVs will last until Dec 31, 2025 for locally assembled models, but only until the end of 2023 for imported or completely-built-up vehicles.

In Budget 2023, there was a proposal to extend import and excise duty exemptions for imported BEVs by a year to Dec 31, 2024.

In November 2022, there were news reports that Jaguar Land Rover was reducing vehicle output in the UK until spring 2023, due to global chip shortages.


Over 100 BMW M cars to go on show in KL on Dec 18

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia is closing out 2021 with a showcase of M cars at the newly opened Pavillion Bukit Jalil here on Dec 18.

Over 100 M cars coming from all corners of Malaysia will take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to mark the 50th anniversary of M in 2022.

The showcase was made possible with the co-operation of BMW M Owners Club.

The M cars are the most powerful BMW has to offer.

The sub-brand began with BMW's first racing project, the 3.0 CSL – a homologation specially built to make the vehicle eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. Only 1,265 were ever produced.

As part of the Christmas-giving spirit, children from vulnerable communities, housed by Rumah Charis, will also be invited to take part in a special gifting activity hosted by the members of the BMW M Owners Club.

The M car display will be open to the public, with participation for the drive open to all.

The event will take place from 10am to 3pm on Dec 18. Pavilion Bukit Jalil is located at Pusat Bandar, 2, Persiaran Jalil Utama, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Follow the "Chasing Christmas BMW M Owners Drive" at the club’s Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/mownersmy/


Korea’s battery makers embrace LFP cells as China strides ahead

                SEOUL: South Korea’s battery giants have to date mainly focused on nickel cells and largely neglected research into iron-based cells, which China favours, citing their poorer performance at low temperatures.

Recent technology developments at Chinese rivals, however, is changing that perception.

Korea’s three key battery makers — LG Energy Solution Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and SK On Co. — are leaning into so-called lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery technology as fast as they can, according to Byoungwoo Kang, a professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology who conducts research with Korean cell firms.

The most “passionate” player appears to be SK On, Kang said, as it tries to boost its market share.

SK On showcased its pilot product for LFP batteries at the InterBattery conference here in March, the first Korean company to do so. The product can enhance energy density at a low temperature, according to the company.

“SK On has succeeded in applying the technologies around making high-nickel battery electrodes and materials to LFP batteries,” Hwang Jae-youn, a vice president at SK On who’s in charge of technology competitiveness, said in an emailed response to Hyperdrive.

“SK On is trying to respond to various demands from customers and boost global competitiveness through diversifying portfolios.”

LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI also both said in their latest earnings calls that they’re developing LFP cells for EVs. LG plans to build an LFP plant in Arizona for energy storage systems while Samsung joined a Korean government-led project to make LFP batteries by 2026.

While LFP batteries are cheaper and considered safer than nickel batteries (they don’t contain nickel, cobalt and magnesium, resulting in lower manufacturing costs), they’ve got a lower energy density in cold climates, hampering the driving range for electric cars during winter. Korean battery companies have historically shunned the technology for that reason.

But that attitude has changed in recent months as Chinese battery makers make various efforts to overcome those inherent weaknesses.

One innovative method employed by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., the world’s largest battery maker, is a so-called “blending technology,” mixing nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries (NCM) and lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate (LMFP) to boost energy density, according to an April 27 report from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.

The technology is expected to be applied to a new battery called M3P, the report said.

“CATL’s blending technology surprised Korean rivals,” Kang said. “The technology seems to increase driving range to around 400km on a single charge.”

At a seminar on next-generation electric-car battery technology in Seoul last month, the most popular topic of conversation was LFP. An official from LG Energy said the company was in talks with various carmakers to supply LFP cells. Cathode maker Ecopro BM Co., a supplier to Samsung SDI and Ford Motor Co., unveiled plans for a LFP pilot line by the end of 2023.

Carmakers for their part are embracing LFP cells in order to offer electric cars at a cheaper price.

Ford in February announced a 35-gigawatt-hour LFP battery plant in Michigan in partnership with CATL, the first plant in the US for LFPs. Tesla Inc. meanwhile produces vehicles powered by LFP batteries at its plant in Shanghai, while Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Volkswagen AG and Rivian Automotive Inc. have pledged to use LFPs for some of their vehicles.

Chinese battery makers could use loopholes in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to win tax credits and enter the US market, said Park Chul-Wan, a professor at Seojeong College who’s an advisor to the Korean presidential office on its net-zero policy.

Some conditions — including the fact iron is not classified as a critical mineral by the IRA — may give Chinese companies the wriggle room to find a way through the US law, he said.

“Korean battery makers have no next-generation battery technology that near commercialisation, while CATL and BYD are both writing a new history for LFP battery technology,” Park said, with reference to the Chinese automaker that only makes pure electric and hybrid cars and has its own Blade battery technology.

The global combined market share of LG Energy, Samsung SDI and SK On dropped to just under 25% as of the end of March, from almost 30% in 2021, according to SNE Research. The shares of CATL and BYD jumped to 51.2% from 35.2% during the same period.

According to James Oh, vice president at SNE Research, Korean battery makers will have to build separate plants for LFP cells due to their different production process.

Iron batteries can’t be produced at the same facilities as nickel batteries, which even use magnet sweepers to remove any trace of iron in the manufacturing process, he said.

Still, despite the challenges, Korean battery makers aren’t out of the game yet.

“Korean companies will be able to make LFP batteries in the end,” said Yongwook Lee, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities Co. “The question is whether they’ll have the cost competitiveness of Chinese rivals.”


No turning back for Honda on electrification

                Electrification is the path Honda has set itself on and there’s no turning back.

By 2020, the Japanese marque will introduce its full EV car, the Honda e in Europe and becoming less dependent on combustion-only vehicles with its hybrid powertrains.

During the recent Tokyo Motor Show 2019, members of the media were taken to the Twin Ring Motegi racetrack at Tochigi Prefecture to test drive Honda’s hybrid vehicles as well as experience the capabilities of the Honda Sensing safety system.

As luck would have it, Japan was seized with a small typhoon on the day of the test drives.

It was no cause for major concern though as the activities went on as planned with the exception of some of the Honda Sensing activities.

However, it was replaced with another very fun activity instead - driving the new Honda N-Box. But more on that later.

 Honda N Box

It rained relentlessly the whole day and kept getting stronger towards the evening.

The test area was an open carpark which had been laid out with cones to form a circuit with a lot of short, sharp and long bends and corners culminating in a long straight towards the end.

The first car we tested was the Honda Insight EX variant, the top-of the-range Insight sold in Japan at the moment.

The Insight looks much more regal and sleek with its bold grille with horizontal slats and fastback design and the size of the car is comparable to the current Civic.

It was under the hood which made the Insight stand out as it comes with a Sport Hybrid i-MMD (intelligent Multi Mode Drive) powertrain consisting of a 1.5L turbo engine coupled with an electric two-motor hybrid system mated to an E-CVT transmission.

The electric motor produced 131PS and 267Nm of torque while the combustion engine outputs 109PS and 134Nm of torque.

The interior of the Insight was plush and premium with a design we have yet to see in our models here in Malaysia.

 Honda Insight

The instrument cluster was fully digital and there was no gear lever to set the car to drive. It had been replaced instead with a series of buttons.

So with a push of a button we were off. It was noticeably quiet and all one could hear was the rain beating down on the car with the monotonous swish of the windscreen wipers.

The Insight proved to be responsive with plenty of torque. It was also sharp in its steering and nimble enough for a sedan.

We had three laps around the coned-circuit and we opened the accelerator and there was a sporty but muted exhaust note.

It was hard to tell with the noise the rain was making.

Even under wet conditions, the car performed admirably and the hybrid system is definitely welcome for its quietness and excess torque.

 Honda Insight

The next was the Honda CR-V HYBRID EX Masterpiece, a top specced variant in Japan as well.

Unlike the Insight, this was an SUV with 4WD while the former was only two-wheel drive. This CR-V also had the Sport Hybrid i-MMD powertrain but with a bigger displacement for the combustion engine - a 2.0L turbo engine which outputs 145PS and 175Nm of torque.

The twin-electric motor on the other hand, pushes out 184PS and 315Nm of torque.

The difference in power was immediately noticeable. A slight tap to the accelerator and off it went enthusiastically. With such twisting force and grunt, the CR-V also had brakes with a lot of bite which was exactly what a car with this power needs.

The CR-V also handled very well around the track although it was float-y at the sharper turns and bends but that is to be expected for such a tall car.

Also, the interior of the CR-V was also exceptional with wood trim, soft-touch material, comfort and high-level of quietness.

 Honda CR-V HYBRID EX Masterpiece

These were the only two cars that showcased Honda’s advancement into its hybrid drive system.

The final car, which was not part of the original test drive, was the new N-Box which features a 660cc engine. It’s a popular Kei car in Japan for its spaciousness (I could fully stretch my arms above my head), functionality and small size.

It only has 64PS and 104Nm of torque but was the most fun around the circuit because of its low center of gravity.

Despite its small engine, it didn’t feel underpowered and the car handled like a dream and all the media present were just having a good time throwing this car about.

Finally, as the rain got heavier and the day darker we had one final test and that was a short but eye-opening nonetheless about the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) as part of the Honda Sensing suite.

Here, we got behind the wheel of the Insight, turned on the ACC and it would follow the car in front without having to press the accelerator.

This system worked so well (and mind you it was dark and pouring it) that if the car in front was slowing down, the Insight would slow down with it to a full stop and continue again when the car in front began moving again.

This is a very useful application and I can see how it will work very well for those caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. This means you would only have to steer without ever having to press the accelerator or brakes.

Of course, you would still need the patience to get through the traffic jam.

It was obvious to me that Honda was not just showing-off its hybrid and electric technology and advances in vehicle safety. It is developing these technologies holistically to improve the quality of life for those who use its vehicles and reducing emissions for a cleaner, safer and more thoughtful future for all of us.

 Honda Insight Honda Insight


New cars vulnerable to hacks that could leave thousands dead, says report

                LOS ANGELES: A consumer advocacy group has warned that automakers are rolling out new vehicles increasingly vulnerable to hackers, which could result in thousands of deaths in the event of a mass cyberattack.

In a new report entitled Kill Switch: Why Connected Cars Can Be Killing Machines And How To Turn Them Off,  Los Angeles-based Consumer Watchdog said cars connected to the Internet are quickly becoming the norm but constitute a national security threat.

"The troubling issue for industry technologies is that these vehicles' safety-critical systems are being linked to the Internet without adequate security and with no way to disconnect them in the event of a fleet-wide hack," the report said.

It said industry executives were aware of the risk but were nonetheless pushing ahead in deploying the technology in new vehicles, putting corporate profit ahead of safety.

The report was based on a five-month study with the help of more than 20 whistleblowers from within the car industry.

The group of car industry technologists and experts speculated that a fleet-wide hack at rush hour could leave about 3,000 people dead.

'Dangerous design'

"You can control all sorts of aspects of your car from your smartphone, including starting the engine, starting the air conditioning, checking on its location," said one of the whistleblowers, who were not identified.

"Well, if you can do it with your smartphone anybody else can over the Internet."

The report recommends all connected vehicles be equipped with an Internet kill switch and that all new designs should completely isolate safety-critical systems from internet-connected infotainment systems or other networks.

"Connecting safety-critical systems to the internet is inherently dangerous design," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog.

"American car makers need to end the practice or Congress must step in to protect our transportation system and our national security."

Representatives from several of the car companies mentioned in the report, including GM, Toyota and Ford, could not immediately be reached for comment.

But Gloria Bergquist, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the leading advocacy group for the auto industry, suggested the report was aimed at creating hype ahead of a cybersecurity event in Las Vegas.

"Today, cybersecurity is a priority to every industry using computer systems, including automobiles," she said in a statement to AFP.

"Automakers are taking many protective actions, including designing vehicles from the start with security features and adding cybersecurity measures to new and redesigned models."

Bergquist added that consumers must also be vigilant to avoid falling prey to hackers.

"Consumers should exercise good cyber hygiene in all they do, including properly pairing a phone to a car, deleting phone data from rental cars (if paired), and being active in doing the maintenance and updates as requested for phones and vehicles," she said.

READ MORE:
HARMAN way to check car hacking
US calls on automakers to make cyber security a priority


US automakers to extend shutdown into April, say sources

                WASHINGTON: Detroit’s Big Three automakers plan to extend a current shutdown of vehicle production in North America into April as the coronavirus pandemic continues, people briefed on the matter said Tuesday.

The automakers had said on March 18 they would halt production until at least March 30.

Ford Motor Co said in a statement Tuesday it was “not planning to restart our plants in the US, Canada and Mexico on Monday, March 30 as originally hoped.”

Two people briefed on the matter said Ford does not plan to restart production until at least April 6 but warned it could be further delayed into April.

General Motors Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV also do not plan to resume production on March 30, three people briefed on the matter said. It was unclear when they may resume production or if some plants could restart before others.

GM declined to comment Tuesday but said last week when it announced the shutdown it would last “until at least March 30. Production status will be reevaluated week-to-week after that.”

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an order on Monday barring non-essential businesses from operating until April 13. A spokesman for Whitmer was unable to clarify on Tuesday whether auto production is considered essential or not.

Michigan has barred vehicle sales by auto dealers under the order, but dealerships and other facilities can make repairs.

United Auto Workers president Rory Gamble said in a letter to union members on Tuesday that Fiat Chrysler had told the union that it would comply with the Michigan governor’s order and had “no plans to reopen on March 30.”

Fiat Chrysler declined to comment on the UAW letter. The UAW also said two Fiat Chrysler union members — one in Indiana and one in Michigan — have died after contracting the virus.

Gamble’s letter said the union is “waiting to hear from GM and are demanding that they put our members’ safety first and adhere to government and health officials’ recommendations to stay-at-home.”

A group representing major US and foreign automakers warned in a letter to US lawmakers with other industry groups on Monday that “auto industry analysts are expecting sales to be down by as much as 40% in March compared to 2019.” The letter said 95% of North American auto plants are currently closed.


Skoda to make SUV named Kodiaq

                MLADÁ BOLESLAV: Skoda is the latest name to enter the SUV segment and it plans to launch a large SUV named Kodiaq in early 2017.

The model name refers to the Kodiak bear that lives on a remote island off the southern coast of Alaska.  Its spelling is derived from the language of the indigenous people – the Alutiiq.

Škoda will kick off the new SUV campaign with the introduction of the Kodiak when it makes its public debut in the second half of 2016.

At 4.70 metres long, Skoda's new SUV is said to be able to seat seven people comfortably and is touted to offer "remarkable performance on and off the beaten track".  The power of the Kodiaq is also suggested in its design – distinctive, muscular lines representing a dynamic, robust and strong appearence.

The Kodiaq advertising campaign will run with the tagline of "Discover new ground", which is expected to attract new consumer groups in the fast-growing SUV segment. The SUV will make its public debut in the second half of 2016.


First Nissan 3S centre in Negri Sembilan

                SEREMBAN: Seremban Victory Credit Sdn Bhd, an authorised dealer of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) today officially launched its Nissan 3S dealership in Seremban.

The ceremony was officiated by Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia, who was accompanied by Christopher Tan, sales and marketing director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, and Trevor Tham, director of Seremban Victory Credit Sdn Bhd.

“We are pleased to present you the new Seremban Victory Nissan 3S Centre, with an improved, larger, and more accessible 3S centre to fulfil the needs of the Seremban community. With the additional facilities, we will be able to provide our customers with a complete Nissan experience all under one roof”, said Tham.

The new Seremban Victory Nissan 3S Centre covers a total build-up area of 12,000 square feet.

With an investment of RM10 million, it has the capacity to display up to 8 Nissan models in the showroom, and 13 service bays which are capable of accommodating 40 vehicles a day.

A 1-stop for insurance and hire purchase services, as well as indoor air conditioned new vehicle delivery bay, WI-FI equipped customer waiting lounge and a kids’ playroom are some of the facilities that customers can enjoy at the new Nissan 3S Centre.

“As the state capital of Negri Sembilan, Seremban’s economic and human capital growth has been steadily growing. It is crucial for us to make our presence even stronger here in Seremban, and support Nissan owners with a Nissan 3S Centre that complies with Nissan’s Global Retail Standards”, said Tan.

Operation hours for the Seremban Victory Nissan 3S Centre are from 9am to 6pm every Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

The service centre is open from 8am to 5pm every Monday to Saturday.

For appointment, customers can call the Seremban Victory Credit Sdn Bhd at 06-720 2666 or 06-720 2888.

For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or contact Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800-88-3838.


Driving Honda City in Langkawi

A little over a month.That’s how long it has been since Honda Malaysia launched the latest City sedan, now in its fourth generation, and orders have already crossed over 11,000 units.It looks like the City’s popularity has not waned among Malaysians and Honda Malaysia, too, went to extensive lengths to make sure the new City struck a chord with the locals.Judging by the numbers alone, the City still retains its title as Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model.This must-have-car now comes in four variants – S, S+, E and V – selling as low as RM75,800 and members of the media were treated to a mid-week getaway to the island of Langkawi where we got a chance to try out the car.Before we get onto the nuts and bolts of the new City, I have to inform you that I own the pre-facelift, third-generation City and this was the perfect opportunity to compare the two cars.Even when I was in Langkawi, I had already been asked about it: “Which is the better car?”This may sound like I’m sitting on the fence, but honestly, both cars are good and completely different from one another.The new City is definitely an evolution from its previous generation. It’s now lighter, more spacious with improved fuel-efficiency and look, while still retaining the silhouette from the last City, has more pronounced creases on the hood and sides with a bolder front fascia.It has a completely new transmission system, the in-house developed continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the top variant comes with six-airbags and vehicle stability assist (VSA).Incidentally, the top-of-the-range V variant complete with Modulo body kit was the car I was driving most of the time in Langkawi. But I also managed to get behind the wheel of the S+ variant.The features differentiate all the four different variants.The V has all the bells and whistles like cruise control, smart entry and push-start button, rear air-conditioning vents, touch panel climate control, eight-speaker sound system, seven-inch touchscreen display and 16-inch wheels among others.All variants include the 1.5L, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, SOHC i-VTEC engine which outputs 120PS at 6,600rpm and produces a maximum torque of 145Nm at 4,600rpm.We stayed at a resort in Kuah town and on the first night on the island, I decided to take the V variant out and find a good coffee place.On the recommendation of my co-driver, we headed north to Datai Bay where The Loaf Bakery & Bistro was located.We obviously took the longer route to get there passing through villages and dark, windy hill-roads. On top of it, it was raining so the roads were wet, but the car offered a smooth, comfortable and relaxing ride.I wasn’t bothered by the CVT transmission which usually has a tendency to drone once you get up to speed, but that wasn’t the case here. Amazingly, the cabin is so well insulated that almost all external noise was blocked off.The car handled itself well on those windy stretches that it seemed like an effortless drive.Inside, the centre console of the V variant does have that wow factor with the seven-inch display, the touch panel for auto climate control are like the capacitive buttons found on smartphones and the blue-and-white hues of the instrument panel is a nice touch.But even without these features like on the S+ variant which is just a step above the entry level S variant, the car still drives and performs just as well as the V.And this is the true test of a really good car. You can strip out all the eye-catching stuff away and what you are left with is the drive and if that works, you have a winner.The only complaint I have with the new City is that the rear view is slightly constricted due to the rear parcel shelf which is high.But this is due to the fact that the new City has boot space of 536L! Oh, and the rear passenger space is comparable to that of the Honda Accord.The new Honda City has definitely grown up compared to the third-generation City I own.At the time when I bought my City, I was still playing Need For Speed: Most Wanted so I appreciated the paddle shifters that came with it and the exhaust note flooding the cabin space was exhilarating.The fourth-generation City has done away with both and since I’ve done some growing up myself, I didn’t really miss it.And if you think Honda is going down the boring route, away from its racing DNA to appeal to the masses, you probably haven’t heard that they are developing a new successor to the S2000 roadster.


All-new Mitsubishi Outlander premiered online

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) has premiered online its fully redesigned Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Sales will commence in Japan on Dec 16, followed by Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2022 and North America in the second half of 2022.

The new Outlander, which is sold under the Airtrek nameplate in Japan, is based on the concept of "I-Fu-Do-Do" or authentic and majestic in Japanese.

It gets an evolved Dynamic Shield design for a new generation with a sense of presence.

From the side, the large-diameter 20-inch wheels along with the muscular fender flares and D-pillars are inspired by the vertical tail of airplanes and a floating roof to conjure an image of powerful yet crisp road performance.

The rear side of the new Outlander features tailgate design comprised of a hexagon motif, and the horizontally themed tail lights.

The Outlander now gets a large capacity 20kWh drive battery that increased the all-electric range to 87km (in WLTC mode) and allowed greater usage of air conditioner while reducing recharging frequency.

With 40% increased in output to the front and rear motors, and drive battery, the new model can keep driving in EV mode and avoid starting the engine as much as possible even when the accelerator is pressed hard.

In addition, fuel tank has also been increased to extend total driving range when combining EV mode with hybrid driving.

The power drive unit for the front motor is newly equipped with a booster function which bolsters driving force by raising the supply of voltage to the front motor while simultaneously improving electricity consumption by raising the efficiency of the generator.

Combining the rear motor with the control unit also allowed enough floor space to install a third row of seats, enabling a seven-passenger seating layout.

Installing the control unit on the outside of the passenger compartment has also helped to shut out high-frequency noise for superior quietness.

The accelerator pedal alone can exert proper braking force with no need to switch to the brake pedal when decelerating, so drivers can concentrate on steering as well as reducing fatigue caused by switching pedals.

The S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) integrated vehicle dynamics control system, based on a twin-motor 4WD system with one drive motor in front and another in the rear, has a new brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) function for the rear wheels.

This allows the system to distribute the driving force to the front and rear wheels optimally according to road and driving conditions, while torque vectoring by controlling the brakes on the left and right wheels is also possible for the front and rear wheels.

This makes it possible to extract the maximum performance from all four tyres in a more balanced manner, delivering handling true to the driver's intention and high operating stability.

Seven drive modes can be selected depending on road surface conditions and driving style.

Normal is the basic mode, optimised for normal driving on paved roads.

Tarmac mode provides brisk acceleration response and high-cornering performance on dry paved surfaces.

Gravel mode provides balanced operability and road handling ability on unpaved or wet paved roads.

Snow mode delivers stable vehicle behavior on snowy and other slippery roads.

Mud mode optimises tyre slippage according to vehicle speed for superior road handling on muddy roads and deep trenches of snow, while also providing better ability to escape when stuck.

Power mode, which can be used according to driving style, delivers powerful acceleration when needed.

Eco mode gives priority to fuel economy and environmentally friendly driving.

The Outlander's newly developed platform and highly rigid structure of RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body design also achieves a high level of safety and steering stability.

In addition to the evolved MI-Pilot7 single-lane driver assistance technology for highways, the Outlander also comes with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Navi-link utilises map data to automatically adjust vehicle speed as needed according to curves, forks, and other circumstances on expressways.

Available are 10 body colors including the vivid, crystalline, high brightness Diamond Color series of Red Diamond, White Diamond, and the new Black Diamond.


Chevrolet awards winner with trip to Old Trafford

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the official importer and distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, awarded the winner of the second installation of its ‘Manchester United for Life -
Spend and Win 2016’ contest.

The grand prize winner gets an all-expense paid trip for two to watch the Manchester United versus Everton game, live at Old Trafford on April 3.

A special prize-giving ceremony was held at Chevrolet's Shah Alam headquarters where Syed Ahmad Faiz Bin Syed Yusoff Fadzil, a proud owner of a new Chevrolet Colorado purchased from Chevy Line Sdn Bhd, Johor Bahru, was presented with the grand prize.

The winner also gets two return flight tickets to Manchester and two five-days three-nights hotel
accommodation.

 Thoo (L) with grand prize winner Syed

The company is also running the Chevrolet Sustenance Campaign across all its dealerships nationwide with attractive cash rebates of up to RM12,500 for the Orlando, RM11,000 for the Cruze and RM3,000 for the Colorado.

Also, Chevrolet owners can earn up to RM1,000 when they refer someone to drive home a brand new Chevrolet with the ongoing ‘Family & Friends Referral’ program.

Alternatively till June 30, Chevrolet owners can also opt to upgrade their current Chevrolet with the ‘Loyalty Reward’ program, where every upgrade entitles them to enjoy a monthly tactical rebate, complimentary parts and services and a three-year Chevy Assist membership.

“The Chevrolet brand is recognized worldwide for its safety and reliability – qualities every car owner appreciates. Our entire Chevrolet range features a winning combination of exceptional safety, practical style and function,” said Naza Quest vice president 1 Thoo Ai Wuen.

For more information log on to www.chevrolet.com.my or call 1-800-2-CHEVY (24389).


Pentland Green Aston Martin DBS Superleggera in KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur presents the customized version of the DBS Superleggera in the inimitable Pentland Green priced from RM1.45mil.

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is also available from the base price of RM1.22mil. All prices excluding duties and taxes.

Green has always been the legendary British Racing Colour and has been evident in history, most famously in 1959 with the DBR1 winning at Le Mans in green livery.

The influence on material finishes of this customization is reflected by the Pentland Green exterior paint which is the same paint colour for the one-off, Aston Martin Victor.

This combined with the earthy copper tan leather, sahara tan stitching and alcantara , forms a complimentary classic combination.

This edition also includes bronze brake calipers and 21in 10 twin spoke forged wheels in gloss black diamond turned.

The Satin Silver Jewellery Pack further enhance the touch of luxurious for the interior.

For more details, visit Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur.


Automotive sector expected to be stronger in 2H19

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s automotive sector is expected to be stronger in the second half of this year (2H19).

Maybank IB Research in its note today said the environment remained conducive as it expects stronger volume in the second half of the year.

"We expect average monthly sales of 52,300 units in the second half of 2019 (2H19) to meet our 2019 target of 610,000 units as in 1H19 it averaged 49,400 per month. Seasonal strength in the second half, alongside full half-year contribution from major launches from 1H19, are expected to contribute to a stronger 2H19," it said.

As for margins, higher advertisement and promotion expenses in 2H19 could be offset by the recent strength in the ringgit.

In 1H19, Proton saw the highest volume gain of 16,400 units year-on-year (YoY) in gaining 5.3 percentage points (ppts), while Honda recorded the largest volume drop of 7,100 units YoY, easing 2.8 ppts in market share during the same period.

In terms of production, Honda has scaled down substantially, dropping its volume to just 3,900 units in June 2019, a drop of 54 per cent month-on-month, which would signal a contraction in sales in the coming months due to stiff competition from both Proton as well as Toyota.

Affin Hwang Capital in its research note said the total industry sales volume (TIV) will moderate in the third quarter 2019, as consumers were seen taking attractive Hari Raya deals last month.

On a positive note, it said that there was unwavering support for the national car makers, with Proton standing out as the champion, leading to a bumpy road for foreign car brands in June.

"The six-month TIV of 296,300, up two per cent YoY, is within expectations and constituting 49 per cent of the 2019 forecast," it added.

Kenanga Investment Bank concurred with Affin Hwang’s sentiment that the sector would remain moderate due to pre-festive sales in May.

"Only Proton recorded positive YoY growth backed by its popular X70 and supported by the face-lifted Proton Iriz, Persona and Exora," it said.


New Lexus LS 500 F Sport to debut in New York

                NEW YORK: Following the recent debut of the LS 500 in Detroit and the LS 500h in Geneva, the new Lexus LS F Sport will make its world debut in New York ahead of the upcoming 2017 New York International Auto Show.

The all-new LS is based on an extended version of the brand's premium global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L) platform ― the stiffest that Lexus has ever developed ― which offers enhanced handling, ride smoothness and cabin quietness.

F Sport models will capitalise on the platform's responsiveness and agility to present the most engaging LS driving experience yet, and will be available on the LS 500 and LS 500h.

The 2018 LS 500 F Sport will be on display starting April 12th at the Lexus booth in the Javits Convention Center for the 2017 New York International Auto Show.


Baidu launches autonomous driving platform that can park cars itself

                LAS VEGAS: Baidu announced Apollo 3.5, the company's newest and most advanced autonomous driving platform capable of performing in complex urban and suburban situations at CES 2019.

Baidu is developing its autonomous driving platform with a bit of a different approach compared to other industry leaders like Tesla or NVIDIA: the company's most recent software platform is open source and allegedly the first one capable of "complex" driving.

Baidu is starting 2019 with a big boost to its autonomous vehicle ambitions. It's launching Apollo 3.5, an updated self-driving platform it claims is the first.

To kick off CES 2019, Baidu announced that Apollo 3.5 can manage "unprotected turns, speed bumps, clear zones, side passes, narrow lanes, and autonomous parking;" one can only hope that parallel parking is included in that final category. Udelv, an autonomous delivery van company, will be utilizing the platform this year in up to 100 test vehicles across the US.

Additionally, the company shared the news that it has created Baidu Apollo Enterprise, which is a customizable suite of intelligent driving products targeted at enterprises. International automotive brands, including Ford, Great Wall, and Hyundai Kia — which are already collaborators with Baidu — will be able to select from five offered products: autonomous highway driving solutions, autonomous valet parking solutions, fully autonomous minibus driving solutions, intelligent map data service platform and vehicle AI system DuerOS for Apollo — which can turn any device with a microphone and speaker into a smart device.

Finally, staying in line with its open source theme for CES, Baidu announced that it has open sourced the code for its V2X solutions. This software is Baidu's basis for the communication between intelligent vehicles and intelligent roadways. This year, 100 robo-taxis are scheduled to operate with this solution in south-central China over 209km of city roads.

The intention behind opening this technology up to the public is that it will become more accessible, as Baidu smart vehicles will struggle to be autonomous without being properly connected to intelligent roadways. The more present these solutions are on the street, the more safely and successfully autonomous traffic will operate. The company is off to a good start by integrating the technology into vehicles manufactured by major automotive companies like Ford and Great Wall.


Audi PB18 e-tron show car world premiere at Pebble Beach

                INGOLSTADT: Audi will reveal a world first during the 2018 Pebble Beach Car Week in California – a supercar concept car with electric drive.

Pebble Beach Car Week, held every August in and around the Californian coastal city of Monterey, has long been considered the world’s most important forum for lovers of exquisite automobiles. Interest is not limited to vintage cars but instead includes leading-edge design study concept cars and visionary technology.

The abbreviated name for the Audi premiere – Audi PB18 e-tron – refers to the Pebble Beach venue and the year of the debut. It likewise recalls the LeMans-series winner Audi R18 e-tron, whose technology inspired the solutions for various details. The styling of the PB 18 e-tron was developed at the new Malibu Design Loft.

The PB18 e-tron will be unveiled on Aug 23 on the Laguna Seca racetrack. The concept car will then be shown at the legendary vehicle presentation “The Quail” on Aug 24m. Audi will present the concept car once more in Laguna Seca on Aug 25.

And the concept car can be seen for the final time on Aug 26, at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. In parallel to the show car world premiere, Audi is also showing an extensive range of vintage cars and performance vehicles.


Think long and hard before starting another national car project, analysts urge PM

                PETALING JAYA: A feasibility study on the need for a new national car project should be conducted before embarking on the costly project, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association.

“A thorough study should be done before starting a new national car project. We have been down this road before, and not many countries have national car projects,” said president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

“Proton and Perodua are here and very much relevant in the national context. If there is a new national car project, it must be a level playing field. It cannot be a situation where one car company accrues all the advantages or benefits.”

Aishah’s comments were echoed by many market analysts who questioned the need to start a new national car project.

They raised their doubts after it was reported yesterday that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government was considering launching a new national car, as his brainchild “Proton” was no longer considered a national car after it was sold to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd.

READ MORE:
Malaysians react to Dr M's move to set up new national car company
Dr M explains why he wants new national car project
Go electric with next national car, say some Malaysians

Speaking during a dialogue at the 24th Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo, Japan, Dr Mahathir said the government’s plan was to work with an Asian country, such as Thailand, South Korea or Japan, as a partner to roll out the new national car, citing their expertise in manufacturing automobiles. A fresh study on the feasibility for a new national car should be conducted, but market analysts are negative on the proposal.

Sceptical of the move, analysts told StarBiz that the government would need to conduct a study to assess the viability and practicality of Dr Mahathir’s ambition before starting another national car.

“No solid details have been given out yet, but we are quite apprehensive of the idea of having another national car in Malaysia,” an analyst with a local bank said.

“We think the move will cause anxiety among industry players, who have seen their margins being squeezed over the years,” he added.

The analyst pointed out that Malaysia’s automotive industry was already very competitive, and a high level of investments in research and development would be required to produce a car that could withstand the stiff competition.

“If the new national car were to go down the road of building budget and low-tech cars for the masses, then the government might have to ‘protect’ it by imposing taxes or tariffs on other brands,” the analyst explained.

“This will burden some consumers who prefer other car brands, as they would have to pay more,” he added.

Another analyst concurred, noting that the fast-changing trends in the automotive industry could raise questions about the viability of having another new national car.

“The auto industry is going into electric and self-driving vehicles. So, this raises doubts about whether the new national carmaker would have the relevant expertise to venture into this trend of the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, an analyst with a foreign brokerage, said the local market was too small to ensure the success of a new national car.

“Currently, the industry growth is already not so ‘fantastic’ for automakers. So, we think it will be quite tough for the new national car to achieve a breakthrough, particularly if it is only targeting the local market,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she noted, if the government was determined to launch the project, the business should be given to the private sector to manage.

“If it were run by the government or government-linked companies, it would likely lead to accusations of favouritism, protectionism, cronyism and rent-seeking... the Proton saga was enough to give us all a lesson on this,” the analyst with a local brokerage said.

Proton was Dr Mahathir’s brainchild during his 22-year premiership from 1981 to 2003. Launched in 1983, Proton was Malaysia’s first national car.

However, despite billions of ringgit in grants and subsidies pumped into the car maker over the years, it had failed to perform. Poor brand perception resulted in lagging sales and losses over the years and this led to Geely acquiring a 49.9% stake in Proton Holdings Bhd in September last year.

The takeover by Geely, which owns Volvo, was a welcomed move and considered long overdue by some analysts. They viewed it as an opportunity to turn around the company and help it regain market leadership.

However, Dr Mahathir reportedly said many local businesses suffered after Proton was sold to Geely.

In contrast to Proton’s fate, Malaysia’s second national car manufacturer, Perodua, has performed well and has been a success for the national car programme, thanks to its well-managed manufacturing and sales organisation and disciplined workforce.

Perodua is leading the automotive segment in the country with a 41% market share.


Tesla taps Asian partners to address 4680 battery concerns

                SHANGHAI: It's crunch time at Tesla Inc, where Elon Musk is looking to crack the code for making better, cheaper batteries.

The electric-vehicle maker is recruiting Chinese and Korean materials suppliers to help lower the cost and boost the energy of its newest battery cells, even as the company struggles with battery-related performance and production issues that have helped delay the launch of its futuristic Cybertruck, according to people familiar with the plans.

Tesla has tapped China's Ningbo Ronbay New Energy and Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing to help trim materials costs as it ramps up production of 4680 battery cells in the United States, according to the sources, who asked not to be named.

The details of these arrangements have not previously been reported.

If the Austin, Texas-based EV maker is able to work out the performance and process kinks and meet its ambitious production targets, the 4680 ultimately could be the linchpin - rather than choke point - in CEO Musk's dream of building 20 million vehicles annually by 2030.

Neither Tesla nor Musk could be reached for comment.

As part of its efforts, Tesla also has signed a deal with Korea's L&F Co to supply high-nickel cathodes that could increase the energy density of its 4680 cells, one of the sources said.

The automaker aims to augment its own output with 4680 cells from Korea's LG Energy Solution and Japan's Panasonic - an insurance policy to secure future EV production, two of the sources said. LG and Panasonic are expected to supply cells for Cybertruck, one of the sources said.

A shortage of batteries means "the factories stall," Musk told investors in early March.

The new battery is expected to play a key role in the launch late this year of the edgy, stainless-steel Cybertruck, the company's first new model in more than three years.

Tesla had considered three battery options to ensure that launch is not delayed again: smaller 2170 cells used widely in other Tesla models, 4680 cells and less-expensive lithium iron phosphate cells, but the EV maker favored waiting until the 4680 cells are ready, the sources said.

Details about Tesla's Cybertruck battery strategy, including use of 4680 cells and consideration of other options, have not been reported.

In 2022, Musk said he did not expect 4680 batteries would be a "limiting factor for Cybertruck or anything else."

The Tesla-designed 4680 cell - so named for its external dimensions (46mm diameter, 80mm length) - is crucial to future production plans. Tesla intends to make versions at factories in Texas, California, Nevada and Berlin for use in vehicles from Model Y to Cybertruck, the sources said.

But Tesla is still struggling to ramp up the first wave of production, Musk acknowledged at Tesla's investor day on March 1.

'Tesla impact underestimated'

Despite the immediate problems, some analysts remain optimistic Tesla will resolve these issues.

"While execution risk remains and many details are unknown, Tesla's impact on the global battery industry may still be underestimated," Morgan Stanley said after investor day.

Musk first announced the new cell at Battery Day in September 2020. At that event, he promised a 50% reduction in cell cost through a series of innovations, from a larger cell size to a new "dry" electrode coating process that could dramatically reduce the size and cost of a battery factory while boosting cell performance.

Repeated delays in moving the new cell from the initial prototype phase to full-scale production also have pushed back introduction of the long-awaited Cybertruck, which was designed to take advantage of the cell's potential improvement in energy density and power - advances that have yet to materialize.

But it will take time for suppliers to ramp up production.

Panasonic is running a pilot 4680 production line at its Wakayama factory in Japan, and plans to start volume production later in the fiscal year that ends in March 2024.

Shoichiro Watanabe, chief technology officer of Panasonic Energy, last month said the company's new Kansas battery plant will focus initially on 2170 cells, but it will eventually shift 4680 production to North America.

Last year, LG said it planned to open a new 4680 production line at its Ochang plant in Korea in the second half of 2023.

Tesla's first-generation 4680 cells, built at its Fremont, California, factory, failed to hit an energy density target, people involved say.

The automaker so far has been able to dry-coat the anode - the negative electrode - but is still having issues with dry-coating the cathode, where the most significant gains are expected to be made, the sources said.

Tesla's attempt to ramp up production of the dry coating process has thus far resulted in enough batteries only for about 50,000 vehicles annually, Musk and company executives have said.

In 2020, Musk said Tesla would have enough 4680 capacity in-house to supply 1.3 million Model Ys.

While executives said it seems likely Tesla will be able to increase 4680 output five-fold by year-end, the company is hedging.

Musk is betting if Tesla ends up with too many batteries this year, that is a good problem to have. It can use those for the energy storage systems it sells to utilities and consumers.

Tesla also has been installing first-generation 4680 cells with "wet" cathodes in so-called structural packs in Texas-built Model Ys. A majority of those vehicles use the older 2170 cells.

Tesla plans to use a cathode with more than 90% nickel in the next generation of 4680 cells, two sources said. L&F is expected to be one of the suppliers of that high-nickel cathode, another source said.


Jaguar Land Rover to unveil three new models in NY

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover has a lot of new product coming through at the moment, and three new models from the luxury British manufacturer are set to share the spotlight at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

The Range Rover SV Coupe, the world's first full-size luxury SUV coupe, made its global debut in Geneva recently, so New York will be the first time this very limited edition flagship model will be seen on American soil.

Another model making its US debut at the show is the long-awaited all-electric Jaguar I-Pace, which is the first foray into the world of all-electric vehicles for the British brand.

While those two have already been unveiled recently in Geneva, the company will giving a global reveal in New York to the new Jaguar F-Pace SVR, which will be the quickest version yet of the award-winning SUV.

 Range Rover SVR Coupe.

The F-Pace had the honour of being named the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) last year in the overall and design categories for 2017, and has also won a number of other global awards since its launch as Jaguar's first SUV. The all new F-Pace SVR is engineered in the UK by the company's Special Vehicle Operations unit.

It's now 50 years since Land Rover first gave the world the Range Rover, and the SV Coupe will be the quickest and most powerful variant to date as well as the first version to return to a two-door format since the original. This new flagship model is to be limited to just 999 examples worldwide and is intended to set new standards for materials and craftsmanship while also offering buyers extensive options for personalizing their SVR Coupe.

The Jaguar I-Pace is the battery electric model the manufacturer claims the world has been waiting for. As well as adopting the SUV body style the world appears to love so much at the moment, the I-Pace also boasts a state-of-the-art 90 kWh lithium-ion battery delivering a range of up to 480 km on a single charge. The battery unit will also be capable of being recharged from depleted to 80 percent of a full charge in as little as 40 minutes using DC charging (150kW).

Jaguar Land Rover is committed to investing more than £4 billion (RM22bil) in the coming year on new product creation and further capital expenditure, and from as soon as 2020 every new Jaguar Land Rover vehicle will be electrified to some extent.


Head for the hills with Hennessey's overland Mammoth pick-up

                NEW YORK: Some will know Hennessy as the maker of a potent cognac, but it's also the moniker of the US tuning shop behind the V8 Mammoth pick-up which is not for the faint-hearted.

The macho 1000 TRX behemoth has been enhanced by Hennessy with over-landing equipment for adventure-oriented owners who want to spend a few days tackling rugged terrain.

The makers say their post-apocalypse TRX offers 1,012 horsepower of four-wheel-drive, go-anywhere performance combined with "everything needed to be comfortable in the remote backwoods".

The colossal pick-up starts out life as a standard Dodge Ram 1500 TRX before Hennessey beefs it up.

Asked once how this vehicle came into being, John Hennessey, founder of the tuner, once said enigmatically: "Because we can".

The tailored Overland Edition utilizes a robust TRX bed rack as its foundation, topped by a hard-shell rooftop tent that takes only minutes to set up.

A generous retractable awning provides shade and shelter, while auxiliary fuel tanks and a pressurized water reservoir are also mounted on the rack to increase range and utility.

The Mammoth 1000 TRX features a 6.2-litre V8 engine enhanced with Hennessey's high-flow 2.65L supercharger.


New Proton 3S outlet opens in Seremban

                SEREMBAN: Setia Auto Drive Sdn Bhd has officially opened its doors in Seremban as a Proton 3S (sales, service and spare parts) dealer outlet which features the automaker’s new Corporate Identity (CI) colours.

The event was jointly officiated by Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton and Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, chief minister of Negeri Sembilan.

The RM3 million Setia Auto Drive outlet is in the Galla Industrial Park, surrounded by factories and shop lots.

It is strategically accessible from the PLUS highway which is only a 5-minute drive from the Plaza Toll Bandar Ainsdale and the Seremban-Labu exit.

Amenities in the outlet include free Wi-Fi, a laptop charging area and a comfortable customer lounge.

To serve customers better, they have 6 bays, 6 service hoists, 9 dedicated sales staff and 8 service staff.

 Plague signing by Dr Li Chunrong (CEO of Proton) and Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (chief minister of Negeri Sembilan)

“It used to be that people shy away from the Proton brand, but now, people are talking differently. For me, to be part of the brand is most fulfilling. Apart from it being a national car, it gives me great pride that the new models from Proton will be able to benefit and enhance customers lives with better safety features and up to-date technology”, said Datuk Yap Kat Boon, director of Setia Auto Drive Sdn Bhd.

To date, Proton has a total of 79 outlets nationwide with 3S/4S status to ensure customers enjoy optimal sales and service experience.

“At Proton, customers remain our main priority. We want them to walk in to any Proton outlet and enjoy a substantial level of customer satisfaction,” said Dr Li.

Dr Li added, “The outlet upgrading has allowed existing and new customers to see Proton differently. This feat was made possible by the concerted effort from all, from our dealers, vendors and staff. I am even happier to announce that we have shifted our position from the number 3 spot, to claim the number 2 spot for the first time in 37 months. My hope is for us to maintain this position till end of the year.”

For May 2019, Proton car buyers can enjoy great savings of up to RM4,000 for the Iriz and Ertiga; RM3,800 for the Saga, and many more deals on selected Proton models.

In April 2019, Proton sales saw an increase of 14.1% compared to March 2019, and 75.0% compared to April 2018.

In April 2019, Proton recorded 7,011 units of sales, contributed by models such as the Persona, Iriz, Saga and the X70.

Overall sales growth has increased by 50.2% from January 2019 – April 2019, versus the same period last year.

The X70 has been the most popular, most influential SUV in the country currently with over 27,000 units of bookings and 11,133 units delivered to customers nationwide.

The recently launched 2019 Iriz and Persona on 23 April have also contributed to a total of over 4,000 unit of bookings from an active 2-month period of prelaunch activities.


Classic Ford Mustangs remodelled into fashionable watches

COLOGNE: It could be the ultimate present for the petrol head in your life – a handmade watch, lovingly crafted from components that in a previous existence were used in classic Ford Mustangs.

The idea is the brainchild of Christian Mygh and Jonathan Kamstrup, who together scour salvage yards around the world for models, each of which can be transformed into hundreds of unique timepieces, costing from US$1,495 (RM6,098).

For the true Mustang enthusiast, REC Watches, based in Denmark, will even create an entirely new watch from parts donated by customers, including World Champion Drifter and professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin Jr., who wears a watch that includes carbon fibre bodywork from his 700-horsepower World Drift Series Ford Mustang RTR.

“Most people would just see a pile of metal, a ghost of a Mustang. We see something completely different – the soul of a car and a story that needs to be told,” said co-founder Mygh. “I’m not cutting up Mustangs. I’m bringing Mustangs that are beyond repair back to life as a watch.”

To ensure these stories continue to be told, REC Watches trace the history of each vehicle; talking to previous owners, collecting stories and images from the car’s past lives, and incorporating them into a bespoke video.

Each finished design incorporates the vehicle identification number, year of production and classic Mustang design cues. A power dial designed to look like a fuel gauge shows remaining battery life, and the hands, date, and dial numbers are all influenced by the iconic car’s dashboard. On one trip to Sweden, the team struck gold with a rare 1966 Raven Black model that has become the basis for their limited edition P51-04 collection of 250 watches.

Named after a World War II fighter plane and launched in 1964, Mustang’s radical styling and aggressive performance made it an instant classic. Its superstar status was cemented by a starring role in the 1968 action movie “Bullitt” with Steve McQueen, as well as a string of songs and films focused on, or incorporating the groundbreaking car.

The modern-day Ford Mustang keeps the excitement alive with exhilarating high-performance from the 450 PS 5.0-litre V8 engine and the 286hp 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit.


Nissan Kicks compact SUV for Malaysia: launch in 2H18/2019

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Nissan Kicks compact crossover is slated for a Malaysian launch, and will rival the likes of the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR.

A Kenanga Research report said Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd will launch new vehicles in 2019 or earlier (second half of 2018), which may include the Nissan Kicks, all-new Serena Hybrid and all-new Leaf.

Size-wise, the Kicks has a length of 4,295mm; width of 1,760mm; height of 1,590mm and wheelbase of 2,610mm.

In China, the Kicks has a 1.5-litre engine mated to a Xtronic CVT gearbox.

Based on the V platform of the Nissan Almera, the Kicks went on sale in China in July 2017 at a starting price of 99,800 yuan (RM61,855).

The Kicks features Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlights and tail lights, a “floating” roof sitting on top of the glass house, and unique two-tone exterior colour combinations.

The D-shaped steering wheel and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels give the car a sporty feel.

In China, premium safety features in the Kicks can include Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention and Cross Traffic Alert.

The production Nissan Kicks retains the basic design cues taken from the Kicks Concept – first shown at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in 2014.

The Brazilian-market Kicks, launched in July 2016, has a revised version of a Nissan 1.6-litre HR16DE petrol engine, which develops 114PS and a maximum torque of 152Nm.

In the United States, the Kicks is also powered by 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS).

This engine is rated at 125hp and 156Nm of torque.

 The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.


Ineos Automotive gets new CEO

                LONDON: Ineos Automotive has appointed Lynn Calder as CEO of Ineos Automotive.

Lynn takes up her new role with immediate effect after six years in the Ineos Group, including multiple CEO roles. She was formerly in private equity.

Lynn’s appointment completes a new, strengthened leadership team for Ineos Automotive marking the transition from engineering project to commercial business.

Hans-Peter Pessler – formerly a senior executive from Magna Steyr in Austria that made the G-Wagon for Mercedes – takes up a new permanent role as COO of Ineos Automotive, responsible for all engineering and operations.

Phillippe Steyer remains as President of Ineos Automotive SAS, responsible for manufacturing, Safety, Health and Environmental management and supply chain.

“It’s an exciting time to be taking the reins,” said Lynn.

“The team and the Grenadier itself have come a long way, and yet we’re still only at the beginning of creating a global automotive business. I love a challenge, and with bold plans for the future, I’m looking forward to the adventure ahead.”

Order books for the Grenadier are now open and production has started. To find out more about Grenadier prices, technical specifications and options, visit www.Ineosgrenadier.com.


July 27-Aug 2: RON97 petrol price down 11 sen to RM2.56


SUV supremacy battle: 2017 Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P vs Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS

                These two mid-sized SUVs are able to stand toe-to-toe and trade blow-for-blow, but which comes out the winner?

Carsifu takes a closer look at two of the most popular mid-sized Japanese SUVs; both their latest versions were launched in Malaysia this year.

The second-generation Mazda CX-5 was launched in October, three months after the fifth-generation Honda CR-V was launched in July.

Pitted against each other here are the top-grade turbocharged Honda CR-V 1.5-litre TC-P (two-wheel drive) priced at RM167,700 and the naturally aspirated Mazda CX-5 2.5-litre GLS petrol (two-wheel drive) priced at RM160,996.70.

In terms of annual road tax, the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 here will cost you RM120 and RM830 respectively.

As for the after-sales, both SUVs have attractive packages.

Honda offers a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and free labour service up to 5 times within 100,000km or 5 years (whichever is first).

All new Mazda vehicles (except the BT-50 pick-up truck) registered from Feb 1, 2017 enjoy a five-year or 100,000km (whichever is first) manufacturing warranty and three-year or 60,000km free maintenance after-sales package.

In terms of power, it is a close call with the CR-V producing 193ps at 5,600rpm and 243Nm from 2,000 to 5,000rpm from its 1.5-litre turbocharged DOHC VTEC engine with Electronic Fuel Injection, while the the 2.5-litre CX-5 is the more torquey machine by dishing out 192hp at 6,000rpm and 257Nm at 3,250rpm from its naturally aspirated 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G DOHC VVT engine with Direct Injection.

The CR-V uses a fuel-efficient Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) while the CX-5 has a 6-speed automatic gearbox which provides a smooth, sporty driving feel.

Both SUVs claim nearly similar petrol consumption data, with the turbocharged CR-V rated at 7.0 litres per 100km, and the CX-5 2.5L GLS rated at 7.1 litres per 100km.

In terms of cargo space with rear seats down, the CX-5 has more room (1,342 litres) compared with the CR-V (1,084 litres).

However, it's a different scenario with all seats up - the CR-V trumps here (522 litres) compared with the CX-5 (442 litres).

Regarding ground clearance, the difference is quite negligible with the CR-V (sits 198mm from the ground), compared with the CX-5 (193mm).

Honda CR-V 1.5-litre TC-P

This is the top-grade CR-V 1.5 TC-P (two-wheel drive) which took top honours at the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2017, by taking the “Car of the Year” title.

The top-grade CR-V also won the Best SUV/Crossover - Mid-size 4X2 as well as the Most Well-Specced Mid-size SUV/Crossover categories.

Award judges were impressed by its power, sedan-like handling, interior spaciousness and practicality, and comfort and high-end safety features.

The exterior has a sporty and premium look, especially with a LED package for the automatic headlights, daytime running lights, front fog lights and rear tail lights.

As for the black-themed cabin, it has an upmarket ambience with nice Combi synthetic/leather upholstery and smooth, polished wood garnish.

The front powered seats, 8-speaker audio sytem, Honda LaneWatch rear view camera (activates when you flip the turn indicator stalk to signal a left turn), 4 USB ports (shared between front and rear occupants), space saving Auto Brake Hold switch - these are just some of the premium features we enjoyed in the this flagship CR-V.

Another nice touch is the powered tailgate where you can push/hold a rear control button for height-adjustability.

There is a lot of leg and head room for 1.7-metre adults like us, and rear seats can fold flat to create a massive amount of cargo space.

As for the ride quality, the new CR-V is shod with Toyo Proxes R45 tyres sized 235/60 R18, and is quite agile when tackling road bends at speed.

It felt quite planted when we did some spirited driving on twisty roads.

On poorly maintained, potholed-filled roads, the CR-V absorbs road irregularities well enough to minimise occupant discomfort.

The electric power steering is responsive and accurate, and does not feel too numb.

Cabin insulation is decent, although there is loud engine noise penetration when we stepped hard on the accelerator pedal.

Regarding performance, there is some turbo lag, but this is easily overlooked as power delivery from the CVT gearbox is quite predictable and linear once it gets going.

You get the maximum 243Nm of torque from as low as 2,000rpm - so there is ample low-end twist.

We also enjoyed the abundant punch from the 193ps 1.5-litre DOHC VTEC turbocharged powertrain, which came in handy for quick sprints and overtaking manoeuvres on the motorway.

Now, to recap, Honda Sensing consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Features like ACC and LKAS are easily activated via steering wheel buttons, and yes, the technologies do work to an extent - you can keep your hands and feet off the steering wheel and pedals, and the CR-V will follow the car in front and basically, drive and brake itself.

Of course, there are limitations to the technologies (for example, white lane markings might not be clear) and the driver should always be alert and ever-ready to take control.

In a nutshell, the new CR-V continues to be the competent, feature-packed and versatile SUV that sets high standards in its segment.

READ MORE:
- Bookings open for 2017 Honda CR-V; bigger, safer and more powerful
- 2017 turbocharged Honda CR-V is a better drive: Putrajaya slalom

Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS

Draped in Deep Crystal Blue and priced on-the-road with GST at RM160,997, the range-topping (petrol-powered category) CX-5 2.5 GLS mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) is nothing short of a sure-footed drive.

It good looks was recently tweaked, that’s more befitting of a ‘sporty aggressor’ thanks to its new front and rear lights that take on a slimmer angled appearance and is accompanied by a larger front grille, newly designed front bumper with a lower lip and now with G-Vectoring Control (GVC).

What GVC does - the system manages torque delivery in order to help keep the car a tad more stable when attacking twisted roads without being intrusive - a feat that took Mazda engineers a good eight years to develop.

Inside, the cabin feels cosy although the seats do feel rather on the rump and back, but there’s a good amount of bolstering going for both, which suggests a rather sportiness about it.

Combine that with some dark grey polished wood grain accents, there’s now some mature sophistication about it, while control buttons have been nicely spaced out and intuitively litter the cabin.

The only obvious gripe about it is that the dashboard climbs rather high with the rather upright centre dash and while the climate controls have been placed rather low, just fore of the gear knob, those who are unfamiliar will find it hard to visually identify them for use.

With a ride-height of 193mm (8mm-higher than its 2.0-litre petrol siblings) drivers will notice themselves feeling rather perched and upright when behind the wheel for that commanding all-round view.

This is accompanied by an ergonomic feeling when the hand seems to naturally fall atop the joystick-style gear selector when helming this mid-sized SUV.

The 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine produces 192hp and 257Nm of torque - allowing it to reach a commendable top speed of 197kph and depending on how the driver feels, throttle response can be either smooth or peppy.

Sport mode certainly brings about more pep from the engine and helps it feel free and willing to rev towards its 6,000rpm red-line, but regardless of engine speed, gearshifts are always buttery smooth.

Its road-holding abilities initially felt similar to its predecessor, but the more it was driven, the crisper and sharper it seemed - naturally it became rather hard to relinquish possession of this SUV.

Shod with 19-inch wheels with 225/55 series tyres, this 1,588kg (kerb) SUV is communicative and well-balanced over uneven roads, which was certainly a welcome surprise for this writer.

Thanks to the well-tuned dampers, the CX-5 feels authoritative when it comes to road-holding duties and is most appreciated when at speed.

Also, rocking side-to-side motion is well mitigated for that sure-footed drive to further bolster confidence levels.

As quick and sure-footed as it can be, the experience isn’t able to come to full-circle without the inclusion of paddle shifters.

At least the gear selector properly allows for down-shifts to occur by pushing it forward when in manual mode - a definite thumbs-up from this writer.

Considering this SUV’s road-holding abilities that seems rather akin to European makes, the brakes have kept its Japanese roots with a lazy response upon tapping it.

Prodding it deeper will get a firmer bite.

Aside from that, this SUV’s on-road abilities cannot be ignored.

READ MORE:
- Mazda CX-5 officially launched; 5 variants with GVC
- Full specs of Mazda CX-5
CONCLUSION:
These two SUVs would appeal to two very different camps.

The Honda CR-V looks futuristic, both on the outside and inside and has high levels of overall practicality. It has the Honda Sensing safety umbrella which reigns supreme.

However, the Mazda CX-5 is the one to look up to when it comes to road-holding abilities.

Mazda vehicles have always been known to provide nice handling and with the recent inclusion of GVC, it just makes the vehicle that much better.

Its surefootedness also helped to provide more reassurance when behind the wheel.

The CX-5’s outlook comes with a combination of understated sporty sophistication, which is accompanied by a touch of aggression from its sharpened front and rear lights, while a cosy sophisticated and ergonomic cabin waits for occupants.

On the road, both CarSifu writers do crave for the CX-5’s handling finesse and stability at speed when going over uneven sections of road around the Klang Valley.

But prod the brakes and the CR-V’s bite has the more direct ‘European’ feel to it, while the CX-5 requires a deeper pedal travel for that to happen.

In terms of safety equipment and overall practicality, the CR-V obviously takes the overall win.

But due to the CX-5’s road-handling abilities, we somehow keep finding ourselves reaching for its key fob.

Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS 2WDEngine: 2,488cc SkyActiv-G DOHV 16-Valve with VVT and Sport mode (compression ratio 14:1)
Max Power: 192hp at 6,000rpm
Max Torque: 257Nm at 3,250Nm
Gearbox: SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic with manual shift

Top Speed: 196kph
Boot capacity: 442 litres
Fuel tank: 56 litres
Kerb weight: 1,588kg.

Features: Six airbags, anti-lock braking system, dynamic stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, traction control, emergency stop signal, speed-sensing auto lock, walk away lock, auto-hold function, hill-start assist, automatic LED adaptive front-lighting system headlights, blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, smart city brake alert, i-Stop idling technology, G-Vectoring Control, LED daytime running lights, LED rear light cluster, automatic wipers, keyless entry with push-start button, automatic dimming rear view mirror, electronic parking brake, dual-zone automatic climate controls, retractable cargo cover, 10-way power adjustable driver seat, leather seats, 7.0-inch full colour touchscreen display, MZD Connect Infotainment System with voice command, multifunction Commander Control dial, 6-speaker sound system with navigation, reverse camera, AUX-jack, four USB ports (2-front and 2-rear), CD/MP3/radio, Bluetooth connectivity, 19-inch wheels with 225/55 series tyres, spare: 17-inch 185/80 series tyre.

Price (OTR w/ GST): RM160,597 (Metallic paint + RM400)
Warranty: 5 years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) with 3 years or 60,000km (whichever comes first) free maintenance.

Photo Gallery: Mazda CX-5 2.5 GLS 2WDHonda CR-V 1.5 TC-PEngine: 1,498cc 4-cylinder, DOHC VTEC Turbo
Max Power: 193ps at 5,600rpm
Max Torque: 243Nm from 2,000 to 5,000rpm
Gearbox: Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)

Acceleration (0-100kph): 8.8 seconds
Top Speed: 200kph
Boot capacity: 522 litres
Fuel tank: 57 litres
Kerb weight: 1,549kg.

Features: Six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Agile Handle Assist (AHA), Auto Brake Hold, 4-corner front and reverse sensors, Hill Start Assist, Multi-Angle rear view camera, Honda LaneWatch camera, Combi leather seats, wood interior garnish, eight-way powered front seats with lumbar support, four-way powered front passenger seat, keyless entry with push-start button, walk away auto lock, paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, 7-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, voice recognition, 8 speakers, automatic highbeam, active cornering lights, programmable powered tailgate, Honda LaneWatch Camera, Honda Sensing system (forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation system and adaptive cruise
control with low-speed follow), 235/60 R18 tyres and full-size spare tyre

Price (OTR w/ GST): RM167,700
Warranty: 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage and free labour service up to 5 times within 100,000km or 5 years (whichever is first)

Photo Gallery: Honda CR-V 1.5 TC-P


Aviation authority confirms application to test passenger drone

                PETALING JAYA: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia confirmed that an application to test a passenger drone prototype in the vicinity of the Subang airport was submitted a few days prior to the proposed test flight on Nov 21, but no authorisation was given.

“The (first) flight demonstration conducted earlier was also not authorised, and the matter is still pending investigation, ” said a spokesman from the aviation authority in response to queries from The Star on the widely talked demonstration for the “flying car”, a matter championed by Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof.

On matters governing flights of unmanned aircraft, the aviation authority said the regulation posted on its website was current.

“We’d just like to emphasise that the Civil Aviation Authority is focused solely on the safety of civil aviation,” said the spokesman, who declined to comment on Redzuan’s statements that its refusal to grant permission was “stifling innovation” in the country.

While policymakers try to sort out whether the passenger drone is just a mere drone, a helicopter or a hybrid, it is worthwhile checking the aviation authority website if you intend to pilot drones in Malaysian airspace.

As a rule, drones cannot be flown in Classes A, B, C or G airspace, within an aerodrome traffic zone, at heights exceeding 122m (400ft) above the ground, unless authorisation from the CAAM director-general has been obtained.

Classes A, B and C airspace refer to controlled airspace in and around airports (at various heights), while Class G covers uncontrolled airspace which may still have their peculiar requirements.

Generally, authorisation is not needed if the pilot intends to fly a small drone, though he or she must be fully “satisfied that the flight can safely be made”, that unbroken direct contact be maintained so that the drone can be controlled well enough to avoid other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures.

However, authorisation is needed if such flights are intended to be made within Classes A, B, C or G airspace, within an aerodrome traffic zone, or at heights exceeding 122m.

Currently, the aviation authority has divided unmanned aircraft systems into three categories: small unmanned aircraft system (having a mass of not more than 20kg, without fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight); small unmanned surveillance aircraft (aircraft equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition); and unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg.

READ MORE: 'Flying car' test flight closed to press, says minister

All forms of commercial aerial work, such as the provision of specialised services in agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, aerial advertisement and other similar activities, require authorisation.

Applications for these kinds of permission start from RM250 for a small drone and go all the way up to RM1,000 for larger units.

Authorisation is also required in any of the following circumstances:

> Within 150m of any designated area, which is defined as an area for residential, commercial, industrial or recreational purposes;

> Over any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons;

> Within 150m of any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons;

> Within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft;

> Within 50m of any person; and

> Within 30m of any person during take-off or landing.

Penalties for infringement can be severe, with an individual liable for a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.

In cases where the offender is a company, the fine can go up to RM100,000.

The Malaysia Unmanned Drones Activist Society weighed in on the subject, saying the growing popularity of drones must be met with clearer regulations and more extensive training courses for new pilots.

Its executive secretary, William Alvisse, said there was an urgent need to update drone laws, urging for more clarity between the commercial, academic and recreational drone operators.

“Each area is operating in different ways and hopefully, there will be more detailed rules and less ambivalence in the industry and community to adhere to, ” he said.

“Sometimes, the ambiguity causes uncertainty and leaves too much room for interpretation.”


Miros wants motorcycles to get MyMAP safety ratings

                KAJANG: Motorcycle makers in the country have been urged to take part in the Malaysia Motorcycle Assessment Programme (MyMAP) to raise safety, thereby reducing the percentage of motorcycle accidents in Malaysia.

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Datuk Suret Singh said through MyMAP, the motorcycle models involved would receive a star rating depending on the assessment of the safety aspects and in accordance with the criteria set.

"We call on all manufacturers to join this programme because our vision is for all Malaysian-made kapcai motorcycles to make the anti-lock braking system (ABS) one of the requirements (for motorcycles) in Malaysia," he said after the launch of MyMAP on Monday.

MyMAP is a programme organised by Miros in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of automotive, Robotics and IoT (MARii).

He said the four criteria that would be evaluated for a motorcycle model for the rating were compliance with the rules of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), comformity of production (COP), safety feature technology and support programmes.

Miros director-general Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said the star rating for a model would take a month and the rating could drop if there were no ABS components on the motorcycle.

"The main feature of a safe motorcycle is to have ABS. Five stars is the best rating.

"We hope that one day, all motorcycles will be equipped with ABS. With the help of technology such as ABS, we can reduce the number of deaths involving motorcyclists," he said.

The launch of MyMAP also saw the SYM VF3I 185 motorcycle, made by Mforce and equipped with ABS, become the first model to be awarded a five-star rating under the programme.