Bentley will have to fight to make next cars in post-Brexit UK

                LONDON: Bentley Motors believes it can maintain its presence in Britain and avoid further job cuts in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but making future products at home will be harder to justify.

The luxury-car manufacturer must make production decisions with its parent, Volkswagen AG, which has facilities all over Europe, Adrian Hallmark, Bentley’s chief executive officer, told Bloomberg Television.

Bentley models made now in Crewe, England will continue to be built there, but future programmes could go elsewhere.

“Every time we launch a product — even though we’re a 100-year-old company based in Crewe for over 80 years — we have to fight to keep the products in Crewe,” the CEO said.

“And our competitiveness, our flexibility in terms of cost structure and our relationship with our colleagues and workforce, these are key factors.”

While Bentley announced plans in June to cut 1,000 jobs in the UK, Hallmark said there’s no immediate risk of further reductions to the workforce if UK and European Union negotiators fail to reach a trade agreement before the Brexit transition period ends on Dec 31.

The carmaker has stocked up on components to create a buffer against possible disruption at ports and will have to raise prices in the EU if taxes increase on parts and duties are put on its vehicles.

“It doesn’t risk the existence of the company, it doesn’t risk our establishment in the UK, but it does definitely dent our profitability,” Hallmark said.


Updated Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain unveiled from RM147,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: Isuzu Malaysia has unveiled its updated D-Max X-Terrain flagship variant, featuring more convenience equipment now.

On-the-road without insurance prices for the 3.0-litre 4X4 twin cabin pick-up truck are slightly higher at RM146,938 for Peninsular Malaysia, RM148,561 (Sabah) and RM148,330 (Sarawak).

 360˚ Around-View Monitor.

Among the new enhancements are a 360˚ Around-View Monitor, Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, exclusive lighted scuff plates and LED welcome lights.

The X-Terrain comes with two new colour of Silky Pearl White and Onyx Black to complement the existing Valencia Orange.

 360˚ Around-View Monitor in 3D mode.

Aside from providing a bird’s eye view when reverse gear is selected, the Around-View Monitor also features a selectable 3D guide in the nine-inch central display to aid in tight parking spaces.

The Qi wireless charging pad enables convenient charging of smartphones, while the lighted scuff plates for all four doors provided the X-Terrain with a classy appearance in addition to protecting door sills from scratches.

 Qi wireless charging pad.

The LED welcome lights under the vehicle, a popular customer requested item, illuminate the surrounding foot areas when the doors of the X-Terrain are unlocked.

Isuzu Malaysia chief executive officer Shunsuke Okazoe said the new-generation D-Max remained the company's source of pride as it bridged the gap between how pick-up trucks should perform and what customers desired.

 Lighted scuff plates.

“The flagship D-Max X-Terrain in particular sought to ensure customers enjoyed some truly standout features that make their motoring safer and more pleasurable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Kenkichi Sogo said the X-Terrain's inspiring safety, comfort and go-anywhere, do-anything versatility has led to a gradual migration of saloon car owners.

 LED welcome lights.

“I believe that with these new added features and colour choices, the D-Max X-Terrain will continue to appeal to many more who will be tempted to convert,” he said.

The rugged vehicle is available for booking immediately at all authorised Isuzu showrooms with deliveries to begin in mid-July.

 In Onyx Black.

The model won five local ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year’ titles since its debut a year ago and has proven to be as one of the most capable, versatile and sophisticated trucks in the market today.

For details, visit pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my or https://www.facebook.com/ISUZU.DMax.Malaysia/.

Price List Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain (PM) - effective 17 June


New Perodua Aruz SUV opens for booking, priced between RM72K–RM77K

PETALING JAYA: Perodua Aruz, the national carmaker’s much-awaited three-row seven-seater Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), is now open for booking with estimated prices of between RM72,200 and RM77,200 (on-the-road without insurance).

Two variants of the Aruz are on offer, the 1.5 X and 1.5 Advance, and comes with five colour options – Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Electric Blue, Granite Grey and the new Amazon Green.

Safety-wise, the Perodua Aruz scored a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating with features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), ISOFIX and six airbags, all of which are standard across the range.

Furthermore, the 1.5 Advance variant now comes with an upgraded version of the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) active safety suite, called ASA 2.0.

ASA 2.0 adds pedestrian detection (up to 50kph) to the safety suite and increases the operational speeds of Pre-Collision Warning to 100kph and Pre-Collision Braking to 80kph. The safety suite continues to incorporate Front Departure Alert
and Pedal Misoperation Control.

ASA is a driver assistance system that helps to reduce the risk of collisions but is by no means a substitute for safe driving so always be alert and cautious behind the wheel.

The Perodua Aruz’s efficient powertrain, built in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, consists of an aluminium-block 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i and an electronically-controlled automatic transmission (E-AT).

With Eco Idle to give a best-in-class rated fuel efficiency of 15.6km/l, allowing it to be government-certified as an Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV).

The Aruz features bold LED headlamps with follow-me-home function (auto lights on Advance variant), 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels and a ground clearance of 220mm.

Smart Entry with Push Start/Stop Button is also standard, while the Advance variant adds fog lamps and roof rails for extra style points.

The interior is at once functional, stylish and practical, with the Perodua-developed anti-snatch hook to deter handbag thieves and fold-away utility hooks on the backs of the front seats.

All variants get a touch-screen radio with reverse camera display, digital air-con with two memory settings, air vents for the rear passengers and a built-in toll card reader.

The second row is split 60:40 while the third row is split 50:50. Both rows can slide, fold and tumble, yielding a multitude of seating and loading configurations to suit every occasion and lifestyle. There are charging ports in all three rows.

Interior equipment exclusive to the Advance variant are leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with call-receive controls, plus an integrated driving video recorder. The top variant also gets HDMI, Smart Link, Bluetooth and navigation added to its touch-screen system.

“The Perodua Aruz is perfect for families and those with active, aspirational lifestyles. The elevated driving position affords great visibility all round, while the abundance of space and flexible seating layouts make the vehicle extremely versatile and adaptable to any activity you wish to undertake,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad adding that the vehicle comes with a five-year/150,000km warranty (whichever comes first).

Zainal also said that the monthly sales target for the Aruz is around 2,500 units or 31,200 units by the end of 2019.

“The Perodua Aruz will appear in showrooms very soon, but don’t wait – book now to elevate your life in an instant and start 2019 riding high!” said Zainal.


Seven BHPetrol stations selling Euro5 diesel

UPDATE
Two more BHPetrol stations in the Klang Valley have started selling Infiniti Euro5 diesel. They are the outlets at Pulau Indah and Mutiara Damansara. There are seven stations selling the higher-grade diesel as of Aug 11.(For latest info on BHPetrol stations offering Infiniti Euro5, log on to the BHPetrol site.)

KUALA LUMPUR: Following the high demand for Euro5 grade diesel launched by BHPetrol in the Klang Valley Thursday, the company has fast-tracked the availability of the ultra-clean diesel grade to two more stations on Friday.

BHPetrol stations near the Subang airport road and Jalan Genting Klang are now offering Infiniti Euro5 diesel.

Euro5 was launched at the BHPetrol’s station along the Sungai Besi-Seremban toll road Thursday.

The company plans to have at least 10 stations in the Klang Valley offering Infiniti Euro 5 by the end of the month.
BHPetrol is the first company in Malaysia to offer Euro5 grade diesel in Johor last November.

It also became the first to offer Euro5 grade in the Klang Valley Thursday.

Priced at RM2.05 per litre, which is 10 sen higher compared with Euro2M grade diesel, the Infiniti Euro5 diesel results in better improved air quality due to its significantly lower sulphur content.

Euro5 diesel has only 10ppm (parts per million) of sulphur content compared with 500ppm for the Euro2M grade.

“We have plans to launch Euro5 grade diesel in other parts of the West Coast in the near future. Perhaps, Negri Sembilan and Malacca are next,” said BHPetrol managing director Tan Kim Thiam.

BHPetrol retail and sales director James Khoo said dynamometer tests showed that vehicles using Euro 5 instead of Euro 2M diesel have improved performance.

“For example, based on our tests, the 2.5-litre Nissan Navara pick-up showed higher 14hp and 38Nm of torque, while the BMW 520d had an extra 4hp and 15Nm of torque,” he said.


China's Geely in talks to take stake in Aston Martin

                LONDON: China’s Geely Automobile Holding is in talks with Aston Martin management and investors about taking a stake in the luxury carmaker, according to a source close to the discussions and a report by the Financial Times.

The Chinese group is conducting due diligence on the 107-year-old British business, the cars of which are the drive of choice for fictional British secret agent James Bond, the FT reported, citing four people familiar with the discussions.

News of Geely’s interest comes a month after Aston Martin confirmed it was in early talks with potential investors as it launched a review of its funding.

A stake sale could help to boost Aston’s prospects after it reported a loss in the third quarter and warned this week that 2019 profit would be almost halved from the previous year because of weak European markets.

Geely sees potential savings on technologies and vehicle platforms with integration between between Aston Martin and its own Lotus brand, the source close to the discussions told Reuters. Geely also owns Volvo and a stake in Germany’s Daimler and Malaysia's Proton.

An Aston Martin spokesman declined to comment on whether the company is in talks with Geely, saying only that talks with potential investors are ongoing.

A spokesman for Geely Europe declined to comment.

Daimler, which owns a 5% stake in Aston Martin and supplies the carmaker with Mercedes-AMG engines, supports efforts by the British carmaker to secure its long-term future, the source said.

Daimler declined to comment.

Geely chairman Li Shufu owns a 9.69% stake in Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, which runs the Smart city car brand with Geely as a joint venture out of China.

Media reports in December said that Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, owner of Formula One team Racing Point, was preparing a bid for a large stake in Aston Martin.


It’s too early to focus on electric cars only, says Toyota

                TOKYO: Toyota's lineup over the next 30 years will contain a myriad of options beyond just electric vehicles, executives at an annual shareholder meeting said today.

"It's too early to concentrate on one option," said director Shigeki Terashi, responding to an investor's question about why the world's biggest carmaker is taking a different electrification route than Honda Motor Co. which is targeting all electric vehicle sales by 2040.

Terashi, speaking from Toyota's headquarters in Aichi prefecture, said that in the years leading up to 2050, different options including hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles need to compete against each other so that the company is left with the best options.

Compared with a number of auto majors including General Motors Co. that aim to exclusively offer EVs in two decades' time, Toyota is sticking firmly to its stance that non-electric cars will also play a lasting role in global auto markets.

"Some people love battery-electric vehicles but others don't see the current technologies as convenient," Toyota's chief technology officer Masahiko Maeda said. "In the end what matters is what customers choose."

Toyota's logic behind taking a slower approach to EVs extends beyond just forecasts of consumer demand.

According to some studies, the materials needed to make EVs and batteries could account for a larger share of total emissions than those from tailpipes.

The Japanese automaker says it will work to streamline its production processes to lower the cost of producing EVs and other vehicles in tandem.

When looking at reducing carbon emissions, there's one school of thought that says we should focus on battery-electric vehicles, Terashi said. Including production, use and scrapping-related emissions, "we're choosing to look at the whole lifecycle."


50 million Toyota Corollas sold worldwide

                PETALING JAYA: The Toyota Corolla has achieved a feat few models could. To date, 50 million Corollas have been sold globally.

Out of that number, some 300,000 units have been sold in Malaysia.

The Corolla made its debut in November 1966 in Japan as a 1-litre compact 5-seater sedan, and within two years, doubled its annual production from 480,000 to 1.1 million vehicles. The introduction of the Corolla was a catalyst for mass car ownership in Japan, and the rest of Asia.

There was no looking back, and its sales grew from strength to strength over the past 55 years.

Now in its 12th generation, it is Toyota’s most recognised model and one of the world’s top-selling cars. It is available in more than 150 countries.

Toyota had designed the Corolla to be a global model from the start. The company's vision was to have it locally assembled in many countries and transfer technology in the process.

Malaysia was an example.

In 1965, when Malaysia invited foreign car makers to assemble their products in Malaysia, Toyota was among the first to respond with the Corolla.

For the local assembly of the Corolla, Toyota approached Champion Motors which had set up a huge assembly plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. Owned by the Inchcape Group then, the Champion Motors plant – which would later be renamed as Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB) – assembled a number of other brands under contract as well.

In its early years, ASSB had the highest output in the country and with positive response to the Corolla when it was introduced in 1968, the model began to account for an ever increasing percentage of vehicles coming out from ASSB.

Other Toyota models were added as the years went by and the popularity of Toyota among Malaysians made it the No.1 brand by the 1970s, with the Corolla as the bestselling model in the country.

Most generations of the Corolla have been assembled in Malaysia while from 2008, the model has been imported in CBU form from Thailand.

Different variants have offered added choice to customers. While the sedan was the most popular, there was also a stationwagon which could be used by small businesses for good deliveries. The Corolla Liftback also offered a sporty and versatile option, its performance highlighted in local rallies.

The car was aimed at a broad spectrum of users but more importantly, especially as it was an entry-level model, it was priced affordably.

It became the type of car that people wanted to drive for a long time. It was proven to be reliable, durable as well as economical – factors which helped to make Toyota a household name among Malaysians.

As expectations of Malaysian customer grew, so too did the Corolla evolve to meet those expectations. Even though it was originally an entry-level model, it was expected to have higher quality with a more premium feel, more advanced technology and be good value for money.

This saw the introduction of the ninth generation with the concept of "New Century Value" with "Altis" being added to its name to emphasise the step up in quality, luxury and even size.

This all-new model boosted the popularity of the Corolla in Malaysia as it set new standards. Annual sales of subsequent generations rose even more.

In the decade between 2010 and 2020, the Corolla accounted for 6% of total sales of Toyota vehicles in the country with the 10th generation – sold between 2006 and 2013 – becoming the bestselling generation to date in Malaysia. Around 40,000 units were sold in the time the model was in the market.

“The success of the model was due to it being a new standard of automotive excellence in this class of cars, offering customers a dynamic and advanced sedan with luxurious styling. There were also higher levels of safety and the model was friendlier to the environment,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.

While each new generation saw many new customers joining the Toyota family, there were also many who were not just loyal Toyota customers but specifically loyal to the Corolla.

A total of 63% traded in their old model (or upgraded) for a new one when it was launched, believing that they would still get the best value for money, reliability, durability and good resale value.

Almost a third of Corolla customers also bought one as an additional car for the household. If they did not sell it off, it would remain in the family for a long period, passed down to the children.

The Corolla also created a "cult" of its own with younger generations of motorists buying the older models, especially the fourth generation (KE70). That the cars were still in good conditions after decades was testimony to the durability that engineers built into the cars and the quality of local assembly.

Every generation of the Corolla has brought with it new technologies in various areas, improving performance, fuel efficiency, safety and comfort. In some models, the technology was pioneering in the Corolla’s class if not in the Malaysian market. In more recent times, besides TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture), the Corolla has also come with more advanced safety features and better connectivity.

UMW Toyota Motor also strengthened aftersales to ensure good customer experience. It was the first car company in Malaysia to set up a division to focus on customer care and manage customer relations.

Since the 1980s, Toyota has boasted of having one of the best aftersales services in Malaysia.

In the 55 years that the Corolla has been around, it has remained popular.

But the original design has evolved over the generations to meet changing tastes and lifestyles of Malaysian customers.

An example is the introduction of the Corolla Cross last year, in response to the surge in popularity of SUVs. This is the first time such a bodystyle has been offered for the all-time bestselling car model in the world.

The introduction of the Corolla Cross in the Malaysian market has also enabled UMW Toyota Motor to provide enhanced safety features which customers expect.

“The Corolla is a global, high quality vehicle that transcends class, as it has always been. In more than 50 years and over 12 generations, it has brought joy of ownership to tens of thousands of customers throughout Malaysia,” said UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.


Images of Kia K5 for Korea emerge

                PETALING JAYA: Kia Motors has published exterior images of the all-new Kia K5 sedan, released in Korean market specification.

The new Kia K5 brings with it a sporty, modern and bold character. The front of the car is characterized by Kia’s imposing new ‘Tiger Nose Evolution’, a wide, three-dimensional design which integrates the grille and headlamps more organically than previous iterations of the K5.

Above the grille, the deeply-contoured hood and characteristic lower bumper, emphasizing the smooth lines on the front of the car and enhancing the K5’s on-road presence.

The profile of the K5 displays a greater sense of muscularity than its predecessor, with the body narrowing slightly at the midpoint between wheel arches.

The all-new K5 is longer and wider than its predecessor. The length of the new model has been extended by 50mm to 4,905mm and the width by 25mm to 1,860mm. The wheelbase is extended to 2,850mm providing a stable driving character. A 20mm drop in height to 1,445mm creates a low-slung sporty profile.

The back of the K5 has a new rear-combination lamp design which provides a sporty silhouette mirrored by the three-dimensional design of the K5’s subtle rear wing.


Japan wants manufacturing back from China, but breaking up supply chains is hard to do

Honda plant in Wuhan. — Reuters
TOKYO: When Japanese firm Iris Ohyama agreed in April to begin producing much-needed face masks in Japan, it marked a win for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who wants to bring manufacturing back from China.

Spooked by coronavirus-induced factory shutdowns in China, Abe’s government has earmarked US$2 billion to help companies shift production home.

The policy, part of a massive stimulus package to cope with the pandemic, has even been termed by some bureaucrats as a matter of national security.

“We have become dependent on China,” Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters last week. “We need to make supply chains more robust and diverse, broadening our supply sources and increasing domestic production.”

Japanese production of masks, for which domestic demand has skyrocketed, makes sense. But Iris Ohyama, which until this month had only made face masks in China, is so far the only large firm known to be taking advantage of the subsidies.

Many other Japanese firms say shifting output back home is simply impractical and uneconomical. They need to be physically present in China because much of what they are making is ultimately for the Chinese consumer, and to meet the demands of ‘just-in-time’ production which prioritises short delivery times for efficient manufacturing.

“The parts we make are so big that we need to be near our customers to control our costs,” said Chikara Haruta, a spokesman at Yorozu Corp, which makes suspension and other auto components.

Its plant in Wuhan, China is located just seven kilometres from a Honda Motor Co Ltd assembly factory.

For Japan’s car makers, reliance on Chinese suppliers in the world’s biggest auto market is also just good business.

“Even if we wanted to, it would be difficult to lower our exposure to China-made parts,” an executive at a Japanese automaker told Reuters, declining to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to media.

He added that over the past decade, Chinese suppliers had upped their game and now provide a vast range of quality, low-cost parts.

Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Honda also have at least three R&D centres each in China, and their suppliers are following suit.

“Where the software is developed dictates where the hardware is developed and made,” said an official at a Japanese parts supplier, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“The new government incentive is misguided if it only focuses on bringing manufacturing back, while overlooking R&D functions.”

Overly dependent?

Japanese politicians have increasingly fretted over Japan’s dependence on China as a production hub.

Since the early 2000s as Chinese labour costs rose, there has been talk of a “China Plus One” strategy — a policy of managing risk by locating plants and facilities in China and one other Asian nation.

It gained more traction in 2012 when bilateral tensions flared and many Japanese firms have sought to diversify with operations in Southeast Asia.

The near total shutdown of China’s factories in February as the world’s No. 2 economy sought to stamp out the coronavirus has, however, rammed Japan’s China dependence home.

The government’s 220 billion yen (US$2 billion) allocation is the first time it has offered subsidies for bringing back manufacturing. It is also offering 23.5 billion yen to Japanese firms to strengthen and diversify supply chains in Southeast Asia.

Japanese firms had at least 7,400 affiliates in China as of March 2018, according to a trade ministry survey, up 60% from 2008. In the same year, Japanese manufacturing affiliates in China sold US$252 billion in goods, with 73% of that sold in China and 17% exported back home, a separate survey by the ministry shows.

Choosing China

Electronics makers too say they would struggle to sever ties with China’s supply chains.

Nidec Corp, which produces motors for electronic goods, even said in April it needed to improve its supply chain in China. It was unable to procure supplies of a basic part this year which it had believed was sourced locally but was in fact being shipped from Europe.

“We need to strengthen sourcing capabilities at our Chinese plants. We should be producing these sorts of parts in-house,” CEO Shigenobu Nagamori told reporters.

Japan Display Inc and chipmaker Rohm Co Ltd say potential shifts to full automation for labour-intensive back-end processes done overseas could lead to new assembly lines being built at home where more advanced manufacturing takes place.

But for many others, China remains the cheaper option.

Display panel and television maker Sharp Corp produces ultra-thin panel cells in Japan, which are shipped to China where backlights, connectors and other parts are added - a process that requires constant manual testing and machinery adjustments.

“The back-end process has long been done in China because it’s labour intensive,” said a spokesman at Sharp, which was acquired by Taiwan’s Foxconn in 2016.

“It would be expensive to bring it back home.”


Tesla will soon enable autopilot mode and offer alternative charging method

                SAN FRANCISCO: The innovative American car manufacturer Tesla has become the gold standard in the world of electric cars. According to Autoblog, only a select few Model S owners will be able to test the brand's autopilot function to start.

With the help of a camera, radar and an ultrasound sensor, the autopilot function includes automatic alignment behind other vehicles in all directions, a programmed adherence to speed limits and an emergency brake.

In the future, all owners of the Tesla Model S will benefit from the technology via a systems update. For the moment however, Tesla is a long way from presenting an entirely autonomous electric car, which seems to be Apple's current objective.

The car manufacturer has also worked hard on its charging poles and presented a surprising prototype over the summer. The charger moves like an automated snake and automatically plugs itself into the vehicle without any human intervention. The motor brand would like to favor this sort of solution in the future rather than opting for the induction charging method, tested in particular by Volvo. The latter method involves transferring energy using an electromagnetic field in order to charge electric cars wirelessly.

A pioneer of the electric car, Tesla revealed the Roadster, its first model, in 2008. The Model S line, currently available, is the fastest 100percent electric sedan in the world.

By the end of 2015, Tesla will add the Model X to its growing catalogue. The highly anticipated electric SUV will be equipped with three rows of seats. In 2017, the vehicle will be joined by the Model 3, an affordable and compact sedan model that will also be available in a crossover version. The vehicle could benefit from over 200 miles of autonomy as well as other numerous driving aids.


Hyundai banks on 'Sensuous Sportiness' in new design direction

GENEVA: Hyundai Motor today unveiled the ’Le Fil Rouge’ concept car at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, marking a new beginning for Hyundai design and providing a glimpse of its future design direction.

As its name implies, ‘Le Fil Rouge’ (English translation: common thread) is a reflection of Hyundai’s belief that the brand’s past, present and future designs are all connected.

“‘Le Fil Rouge’ is a re-interpretation of Hyundai’s design DNA that originated from the brand’s historical Hyundai Coupe Concept in 1974,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President and head of Hyundai Design Center. “Building on our long history of creating distinctive and sporty character in vehicles, we will open a new era for Hyundai design.”

“Our goal is to build a beloved brand by creating vehicles with heightened emotional value to reshape the landscape of car design. This is the foundation of our concept,” added Sang-yup Lee, Head of Hyundai Styling.

The new concept is an introduction to the brand’s latest approach in design: the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ theme will be embodied by all future Hyundai vehicles, ranging from sedans to SUVs. The goal of this new theme is to bring instinctive beauty, creating emotional value and desirability in Hyundai vehicles. The design mission is defined by the harmony between four elements: proportion, architecture, styling and technology.

Hyundai explains the four elements as follows:

Proportion

‘Le Fil Rouge’ creates a proportional character based on the golden-ratio – a common mathematical ratio found in nature – which enabled Hyundai designers to create an aesthetically pleasing, natural-looking composition that embodies charisma. Proportional uniqueness is achieved through a long wheel base, large wheels and short overhangs. A respectful dash-to-axle – the distance from front wheel center to base of windshield – provides a comfortable driving position, whilst a higher beltline completes the overall look.

Architecture

With ‘Le Fil Rouge’, Hyundai took a new approach called ‘Light Architecture’, to integrate a progressive identity into the brand’s design heritage. Light Architecture generates a dynamic look and forward motion effect for the vehicle. The front and the rear pillars as well as the roof are seamlessly blended into the overarching silhouette of the car - as though the car is drawn with a single line.

The exterior and interior are smoothly merged by the ‘Tube Architecture’, keeping the exterior’s sensuous and sporty character consistent inside the vehicle. The Tube Architecture’s principle is to create the same emotional value inside and outside the vehicle, while also allowing for a lightweight profile.

The interior design differentiates between the needs of both the driver and passengers. The front passenger seat maximises comfort even on long-distance trips with more ample leg room, while the driver’s seat is designed to add to the fun on driving with optimised ergonomics. A wrap-around architecture emphasises depth, creating a calm, spacious and comfortable travel environment for everyone in the car.

Styling

Another goal of the team was to create a vehicle that is instantly recognisable as a Hyundai from a distance. This was achieved by creating a sensuous tension on the side through a harmonious blend of layered crisp lines and pure volumes. Concave and convex forms are carefully orchestrated to provide a sexy character. The concept’s distinctive ambience is also recognisable with a wide, layered front hood, combined with a further enhanced Cascading Grille. The next level of the Cascading Grille comes with a three-dimensional treatment, featuring parametric jewels inside, which gives the vehicle a commanding presence.

Technology

A core design principle for Hyundai designers was to create a design that enables a seamless experience of function. Inspired by aircraft ventilation, a two-way air ventilation system blows air over the curved surface of lightweight tube architecture. Revitalised wood and high-tech fabrics are used extensively throughout and sculpted into exquisite, sensuous forms. This evokes natural beauty with an emotional touch to add an airy feel to vehicle. Meanwhile, a panoramic floating display coupled with haptic technology sits in front of the driver, providing access to intuitive controls for climate control and other vehicle configurations.


Electrifying PHEV slugfest: Volvo S90 T8 vs Mercedes-Benz E 350 e

By THOMAS HUONG and RIZAL JOHAN

Plug-in hybrids in the premium and luxury segment are more popular nowadays, due to more accessible price tags as a result of tax incentives designed to spur local assembly of EEVs (energy efficient vehicles).

We take a closer look at the new arrivals in this segment, namely the Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD (Inscription trim priced at RM368,888) and Mercedes-Benz E 350 e (AMG Line trim priced at RM395,888).

Both plug-in hybrids use lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged by plugging to a charging station or wall socket.

With the E 350 e, the 6.2kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged from 10 percent to 100 percent in about one hour and 45 minutes with the 230V 16A 3.7kW single-phase wallbox (RM7,000) or about two-and-a-half hours with a 230V 13A 3.0kW wall socket.

With the S90 T8 Twin Engine, its 10.4kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in about four hours, by plugging into the mains supply.

So, what this means is if you want to maximise your petrol savings, you just need to allocate three to four hours to fully charge the cars' lithium-ion battery.

As for travel distance in all-electric mode, the Volvo wins here with 50km compared with 33km in the Mercedes-Benz.

In terms of fuel consumption (combined cycle), the Volvo is slightly better at 2.0 litres per 100km compared with 2.1 litres per 100km on the 2.1 litres per 100km.

Of course, with everyday driving, this low fuel use is quite impossible to achieve.

Meanwhile, in terms of power and performance, the Volvo trumps the Mercedes-Benz again.

Both are 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-powered cars with electric motors, but the Volvo's turbo and supercharged powertrain produces 407hp and 640Nm, compared with 281hp and 550Nm on the Mercedes-Benz.

The 0 – 100kph sprint figures speak for themselves: the S90 T8 Twin Engine does it in 4.8 seconds, while the E 350 e takes 6.2 seconds.

This is despite the S90 T8 Twin Engine being the heavier car with a 2,039kg kerb weight, compared with 1,925kg for the E 350 e.

That's a significant difference of 114kg.

Concerning boot space, the Volvo is the superior car again, with 500 litres versus 400 litres on the Mercedes-Benz.

This is due to Volvo putting the lithium-ion battery in the S90's tunnel, which lowers the centre of gravity for the car and improves handling, and also frees up precious cargo space.

On the E 350 e, the lithium-ion battery is stashed in the boot, resulting in a terraced boot floor and reducing usable storage space to 400 litres (compared with 540 litres on a conventional E 250).

However, fitting the lithium-ion battery along the S90’s centreline resulted in a lack of storage space in the storage compartment, under the centre arm rest between the front seats.

This is not the case with the E 350 e, where there is a deep and spacious storage compartment in the centre console, between the front seats.

Mercedes-Benz E 350 e (AMG Line) plug-in hybrid

To put the fuel saving technology on the E 350 e to the test, we decided to do a Kuala Kumpur - Ipoh drive.

Using the portable charger supplied and a house socket, we charged the E 350 e overnight.

There was only the driver in the car, and with judicious use of the hybrid driving modes on the Mercedes-Benz, we recorded petrol consumption of 5.8 litres per 100km on a 211km drive from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, using the North–South Expressway.

Based on the car's trip meter, we drove at an average speed of 86kph and the non-stop journey took 2 hours and 26 minutes.

Like the C 350 e, the E 350 e has four operating modes namely, Charge (uses combustion engine to help recharge battery while driving), E-save (uses combustion engine when driving), E-mode (uses electric motor when driving), and Hybrid (uses combustion and electric motor when driving).

To conserve fuel, E-mode was used as much as possible, and Hybrid mode when battery charge is low.

Transmission mode was kept in Economy, and the air-conditioning was used the entire journey.

To summarise, we used less than 12 litres of petrol in getting to Ipoh, from Kuala Lumpur on a very relaxing, comfortable drive.

Our test drive unit has the AMG Line trim, which comes with 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, a sporty interior with metal weave trim, and AMG sports steering wheel.

Nice stuff here also include multi-beam LED headlights, Nappa leather upholstery, a surround view camera system, front sports seats, and the panoramic sliding glass roof.

An analogue clock in the lower part of the centre dashboard lends a nice classic touch.

However, there is no touchscreen here. Instead, you have two displays each with 12.3-inch screen which merge visually to form a wide-screen cockpit.

Infotainment, navigation and communication options are controlled via a touchpad on the centre console, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel (which respond to finger swipes), or the COMAND controller (rotary pushbutton) or direct buttons and switches.

The Burmester surround sound system is superb, and we found an SD card reader and two USB ports integrated with the deep storage compartment in the centre console.

Running on German-produced Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tyres sized 245/40 R19 (front) and 275/35 R19 (rear), the E 350 e is outstandingly quiet and refined on the road, and comfort level is high thanks to the Air Body Control air suspension with continuously adjustable damping.

Volvo S90 T8 twin engine AWD Inscription

I started missing the Volvo S90 T8 Inscription variant as soon as I swapped cars with my colleague.

Not that the Mercedes Benz E 350 e AMG Line lacked anything.

It just gave me a clearer picture of how two manufacturers take different approaches to define luxury.

I find that the Volvo uses subtlety to reveal its sense of style and design. Especially when you’re inside, the cabin greets you with its fine craftsmanship and materials; wrapped in fine black Nappa leather and open-pore Walnut wood trim.

It’s such a comfortable and elegant space that I felt my worries simply melt away which I attribute to the organic materials especially the wood trim.

The Volvo sets itself apart with its keyless technology as it adds a sense of ‘bling’ at the centre console.

You start the car by twisting the jewel-inspired knurled knob and to engage the gear, you pull on the illuminated crystal shaft and finally, there’s another knurled roller to change the drive mode.

The plush cabin is a relaxing atmosphere and at the same time, there is a sense of refinement and quality which matches its price-point at RM368,888.

And just as cool is the exterior. It’s distinctly different in its class with its long, low and sleek apperance than other continental marques.

The front fascia looks stylish with its concave, vertical-slatted grille coupled with the strikingly designed Thor’s Hammer LED headlights.

With the petrol engine powering the front wheels and the electric motor to drive the rear, you get on-demand all-wheel drive.

Driving the Volvo is simply a joy as it pulls away smoothly and effortlessly.

The ride is comfortable as the suspension absorbs all the harshness one can encounter on the road yet it is still firm and confident when you lay the power down.

It is also jam packed with safety features which are easily accessible through the large vertical touchscreen on the centre dash or the controls on the steering wheel.

The equipment includes automatic braking functionality, collision avoidance and mitigation, a 360 degree surround view camera, blind spot information with cross traffic alert and lane keeping aid among others.

The Volvo also has Pilot Assist with Steering Support (up to 130kph) - a semi-autonomous mode which maintains the car between the lane's side markings using steering assistance as well as to maintain an even speed, combined with a preselected time interval to the vehicle ahead.

This provides a more relaxed driving experience on long highway travels.

VERDICT

Here, the Mercedes-Benz is priced RM27,000 higher than the Volvo, and for the extra money, the German executive saloon has kit like a Burmester surround sound system (13 speakers, 9-channel DSP amplifier and 640 watts) and a class-leading Air Body Control air suspension with continuously adjustable damping for improved ride comfort and driving dynamics.

On the S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD in Inscription trim, you get a high performance audio (10 speakers, 6-channel and 330W) system which delivers very clear and enjoyable sound quality.

It is worth noting that the S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD also comes in a Inscription Plus trim level, priced at RM388,888.

The extra RM20,000 for the Inscription Plus trim gets you a Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound (19 speakers, 12-channel and 1,400W) system and Active Chassis with 2-Corner (rear) air suspension.

On the Volvo, this electronically controlled dampener system (Four-C) automatically keeps the rear at the correct level, irrespective of load and adapts to the road and driving conditions.

 Panoramic sliding roof on the Mercedes-Benz E 350 e.

Standard kit on the Volvo is all-wheel-drive (AWD) which sends power to all four wheels, when more traction is needed (such as on sandy, muddy or wet surfaces).

Also worth noting is the Mercedes-Benz has a panoramic sliding sunroof, while the Volvo doesn't have a sunroof.

In terms of after-sales, Mercedes-Benz offers a 4-years (with unlimited mileage) warranty on the E 350 e, while Volvo provides a 5-years or 120,000km (whichever is first) warranty on the S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either the Mercedes-Benz and the Volvo as both offer exceptional value at this price point.

It will all come down to your own individual taste in aesthetics and how much weight the badge carries as a luxury sedan.

However, for us, the winner here is clearly the Volvo S90 T8 Inscription.

On paper alone, the Volvo has all the right numbers when it comes to power, price and equipment.

Beyond that however, Volvo is a relatively new kid in the luxury block and they simply nailed it with the S90.

It’s no easy feat to go up against the three-pointed star which has a long history of building great luxury sedans such as the E Class.

There is however, no denying how serious Volvo is bringing the game to the German marque.

Its sense of luxury and design is refreshing and Volvo’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is not only unique and innovative but gives you more power without compromising luggage space.

The Semi Autonomous Drive feature in the S90 is simply amazing; on a night drive along the North–South Expressway, we kept our right foot off the accelerator and brake pedals; set the cruise control speed to 100kph, and just let the car slow, brake (based on the speed and actions of the vehicle in front) and accelerate itself - our right foot certainly got a lot of rest.

Driving the Volvo S90 is simply a joy. On top of it, the amount of safety features included in the S90 is outstanding.
The luxury market just got a lot more competitive with Volvo.

Mercedes-Benz E 350 e (AMG Line) plug-in hybrid

Engine: 1,991cc four in-line, petrol, turbocharger
System output (with electric motor): 281hp and 550Nm
Transmission: 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 2.1 litres per 100km
Features: Airbags, Active Brake Assist, Pre-Safe system, air suspension, interior motion sensor, tyre pressure monitoring system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, panoramic sliding sunroof, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, Surround View Camera system
Price: RM395,888 on-the-road without insurance (inclusive of GST);
Warranty: 4-years, with unlimited mileage

Photo Gallery: Mercedes-Benz E 350 e (AMG Line)Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD (Inscription) plug-in hybrid

Engine: 1,969cc 4-cylinder turbo and supercharged
System output (with electric motor): 407hp and 640Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 2.0 litres per 100km
Features:Airbags; Engine Start-Stop; Hill Start Assist (HSA); Hill Descent Control (HDC); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); City Safety - Collision Avoidance with Intersection Support; Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection; Front and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation Support; Run-off Road Mitigation; Pilot Assist with Steering Support (up to 130kph) - Semi-autonomous Drive; Lane Keeping Aid (LKA); Blind Spot Information System (BLIS); Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring
System (iTPMS); Run-off Road Protection with Road Edge Detection; Integrated 2-stage Booster Cushions Outer Rear Seats; Keyless Entry and Drive; Park Assist Pilot, Parallel and Perpendicular; 360-degree Surround View Camera
Price: RM368,888 on-the-road without insurance (inclusive of GST);
Warranty: 5-years or 120,000km (whichever is first)

Photo Gallery: Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD (Inscription)


Xpeng aims to cut costs with new vehicle manufacturing platform

                SHANGHAI: China's electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng unveiled on Sunday a new platform it developed in-house for making vehicles, which it said will reduce the development and manufacturing costs for its company's upcoming models.

The Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0 will help Xpeng to reduce costs of powertrain systems including batteries by 25% and those of intelligent driving system by 50% by the end of 2024, Brian Gu, Xpeng's president, told reporters here on Sunday.

He said that these cost reductions would give Xpeng an edge against its rivals in an increasingly competitive market.

"Since early this year..., a number of players have been launching aggressive price cuts," said Gu.

"The focus on the capability of offering attractive products at affordable prices becomes even more important."

Xpeng will build its G6 SUV, which will debut at the Shanghai auto show starting on Tuesday, as the first model to be built on the SEPA 2.0, according to the company.

The architecture includes front and rear integrated aluminum die casting technologies and integrating battery packs into the car body, which will improve the manufacturing efficiency and reduce the weight of the vehicles, the company added.

Xpeng's rival Tesla uses massive casting machines, also known as gigapresses, to make large single pieces of vehicle underbodies. It has since 2020 been manufacturing its Model Y with a single-piece rear casting part and in 2022 started using a front-casting part in its Texas plant.

In January, Tesla cut prices globally including China to spur demand while Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in March that demand at scale was limited by affordability.

More than 40 auto brands in China have followed Tesla and joined what analysts called a price war, slashing prices of their best-selling models to defend market share.

Xpeng's chief executive He Xiaopeng also said on Sunday that an automaker needs to achieve annual sales of 3 million units globally to get a chance to survive beyond a decade.

Xpeng's car sales slumped nearly 50% in the first quarter of the year, underperforming the overall EV segment in China.


It's Xmas season: How to drive the tree home

                BERLIN: When it comes time to pick up a Christmas tree, you need to be ready for the reality that it might not fit into your car's boot, especially if you drive a notchback.

No matter how you get it home, if you're not prepared, there'll be a risk of damaging at least three things: the tree, your car and other cars.

When buying: Make sure you pick up a tree that is - or can be - wrapped up tight with net around it (most tree sellers will offer this). This will make it much more compact for loading and unloading, while also protecting the branches.

Before setting off, you'll want to bring some old blankets, ratchet straps and a red light (or something to point out the tip of the tree if it sticks out the back).

When stowing in the boot: If you can manage it into your boot, remember to remove any unnecessary items from the boot and footwell.

After the rear seat has been folded down for more space, try wrapping the tree in blankets or felt. Otherwise you'll soon find fir needles, splinters of wood and tree resin have ruined your interior.

With the trunk pointing forwards, pack the tree into the car until the trunk is resting against the back of the passenger seat. Make sure to wrap a towel around the trunk beforehand to avoid scratches and damage to the backrest. If you can, it's also best to fasten the tree onto hooks in the boot.

Under no circumstances should the trunk be poking forward through the two front seats or come anywhere near the dashboard. Otherwise, you'll find it difficult to drive and your safety will be reduced in the event of a crash.

The police will likely want a word with you if the tree conceals any rear lights or your number plate.

If this tree is headed on a journey of more than 100km, you should avoid letting it stick out the back more than 1.50 metres, while for shorter distances up to 3 metres is safe, the ADAC says.

When attaching on the roof: For all trees - be it a new shrub for the garden or a Christmas fir - roof transport is only recommended for cars that have a roof rack onto which the tree can be tied with straps.

A tree weighing just 30 kilos will have a weight of 750 kilos in an collision at 50kph, according to the safety experts at Europe's largest car club, ADAC.

Drivers should also make sure that any branches do not protrude over the sides of their vehicle and again, a tree held together with a net is best.

Load it on with the trunk facing forwards and, if you want to avoid scratches on the roof, put a blanket underneath the tree.

Covering the tree with a tarp can protect it from the wind and keep it from drying out.


Tesla's Elon Musk becomes 'Daddy DotCom' on Twitter

Musk has a history of being playful with his Twitter account. — Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Silicon Valley billionaire Elon Musk tweeted here late on Sunday that he had "just deleted" his Twitter account, while also changing his Twitter display name to "Daddy DotCom".

June 16 was Father’s Day in the United States and the Tesla Inc chief has a history of being playful with his Twitter account, one of corporate America’s most-watched.

In February, Musk briefly changed his display name to “Elon Tusk” and added an elephant tag to his account.

Musk has previously been accused by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for disclosing misleading corporate information about Tesla on Twitter.

Under a settlement with the regulator, he is required to have a securities lawyer to review tweets that have material information about the company before publishing.


Abarth goes electric with 'better than petrol' version of Fiat's 500

                ROME: Abarth has revealed its first electric model with the new 500e – a hotter version of Fiat’s 500 EV.

Set to be sold alongside petrol versions of the Abarth 595, this 500e signals a new era for the brand and is its first new model in more than half a decade.

Based on the electric Fiat 500, the 500e "performs better than petrol" thanks to improved weight distribution, better torque and a wider wheelbase, says Fiat. Power increases from 116 bhp on the Fiat to 153 bhp here, although the 42 kWh battery remains. No range figure has been given, but expect slightly less than the 320km that Fiat claims for its electric 500.

Accelerating from 0-100kph takes 7.0 seconds, with Abarth saying it can pick up speed faster around town and can overtake more quickly than petrol versions.

There are three driving modes depending on how you want to get around – Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track – while Abarth says it has engineered an ‘immersive sound experience for those who want to drive electric without giving up on the famous and unmistakable Abarth roar’.

Known as a "Sound Generator", it aims to replicate the noise of a petrol engine, but it can be turned off if drivers don’t want it.

Abarth has also given the model a much more aggressive design than the standard Fiat 500, including dedicated bumpers, side skirts and a rear diffuser insert. Bespoke alloy wheels are also fitted, along with a new Abarth logo.

Like existing models from the Italian firm, the 500e will be offered as a hatchback and a convertible, with Abarth creating a launch edition model known as the "Scorpionissima".

Limited to 1,949 units to mark the year the firm was founded, the model is available in Acid Green or Poison Blue paint. It also comes with exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, a fixed glass roof and rear privacy glass.

Alcantara is used for the seats, dashboard and steering wheel, while the standard equipment includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, heated front seats and a JBL sound system.

Abarth is yet to announce pricing, although since an electric Fiat 500 starts from £30,645, it’s likely to come in close to £35,000 (RM191,000).

The 500e is expected to arrive in Europe by June 2023. Eurozone pricing has been given as €43,000 (RM202,000) for the coupé and €46,000 (RM216,000) for the cabrio. — PA Media


Toyota halts all self-driving e-Palettes after Olympic village accident

                TOKYO: Toyota said today it had suspended all self-driving e-Palette transportation pods at the Tokyo Paralympic Games village, a day after one of the vehicles collided with and injured a visually impaired pedestrian.

In a YouTube video, Toyota chief executive Akio Toyoda apologised for the incident and said he offered to meet the person but was unable to do so.

“A vehicle is stronger than a person, so I was obviously worried about how they were,” he said, answering questions about the incident.

Toyoda said the accident showed the difficulty for the self-driving vehicle to operate in the special circumstances of the village during the Paralympics with people there who are visually impaired or have other disabilities.

“It shows that autonomous vehicles are not yet realistic for normal roads,” he said.

The vehicle had stopped at a T-junction and was about to turn under manual control of the operator, who was using the vehicle's joystick control, when the vehicle hit the athlete going at around 1kph or 2kph, Toyoda said.

He said Paralympic officials had told him that the athlete, who remained conscious, was taken to the athlete village medical centre for treatment and he was able to walk back to his residence after that.

The athlete is due to compete on Saturday at 1030 local time, Toyoda said.

The e-Palette, a fully autonomous battery-electric vehicle, was adapted specifically for use during the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, with large doors and electric ramps to allow groups of athletes to board quickly.

The company said it was cooperating with a local police probe to determine the cause of the accident, adding that it would also conduct its own investigation.

In its statement, the Japanese automaker said it would continue to coordinate closely with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to prevent any further incidents.

Paralympic Games organisers were not immediately available for comment.

The 2020 Paralympic Games began on Tuesday in Tokyo, even as Japan struggles with its worst Covid-19 outbreak, with record daily cases and an overwhelmed medical system.


Hyundai Motorsport to go electric

                FRANKFURT: Hyundai Motorsport has begun work on its first electric race car.

The car, which has been designed and built at Hyundai Motorsport’s headquarters in Alzenau, Germany, will break cover for the first time on September 10 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

The move to electric continues the growth of Hyundai Motorsport, which has become well established in rallying and circuit racing since its inception in 2012.

The multiple rally-winning WRC team, now in its sixth season, is currently leading a closely fought Manufacturers’ Championship.

The company also boasts a successful Customer Racing division, established in September 2015, which has developed the competitive i20 R5, i30 N TCR and Veloster N TCR cars that have between them claimed victories and championships in motorsport series around the world.

The first glimpses of the new car can be seen in videos published on Hyundai Motorsport’s Social Media channels, offering a hint of what is to come at the official reveal next month.

Mirroring the move towards hybrid technology and electrification in the automotive industry, motorsport has also ventured into new territory in recent years with the introduction of electric and hybrid series and regulations.

This exciting new chapter promises to showcase Hyundai’s high-performance capabilities, its green technology credentials and its unwavering passion for motorsport.

“A new era is dawning at Hyundai Motorsport. For many months, our team in Alzenau has been working hard on an exciting electric vehicle and soon we will be able to share the fruits of these labours,” Andrea Adamo, Team Director said.


Moscow urges locals not to drive ahead of World Cup

St Basil's cathedral (left) and the Spasskaya tower (right) stand on the city skyline in Moscow. —Bloomberg
MOSCOW: Moscow authorities are pleading with locals not to drive in the run-up to Thursday's World Cup opening match to avoid causing gridlock in the city.

The Russian capital of 12 million people is creaking at the seams as it starts receiving hundreds of thousands visitors for the month-long football final.

Fans from the 32 participating nations will almost all either be based here or fly in and out of the sprawling and chronically congested megalopolis to the other 11 host venues.

Moscow officials had insisted for months that they had planned everything out to make sure the city functioned like clockwork once the games begin. They sounded less confident on Tuesday.

The city's transportation department said some of Moscow's busiest roads will have to be closed off to general traffic to make way for dignitaries arriving for the opening ceremony.

"Due to the high number of events and the arrival of important guests, additional road restrictions are possible — especially in the city centre," the transportation department said.

The city said traffic cops will also be stopping traffic to make room for various FIFA delegations and busses shuttling in fans from Moscow's four airports.

"We strongly urge city residents to use city transport and to leave their cars at home in the coming days," said the transportation department. "This will make your trips easier to plan."

Russia has inherited the Soviet-era practice of shutting down roads travelled by senior officials or visiting foreign dignitaries.

Parts of Moscow crawls to a halt during morning and evening rush hour when President Vladimir Putin is sped to and from work.

The roads are usually closed from the point of Putin's departure outside Moscow to that of his arrival at the Kremlin as an extra precaution.


Mercedes cars to face more emissions tests in Germany

                FRANKFURT: Germany has found no signs so far that Mercedes-Benz used illegal software to manipulate diesel emissions but a new round of tests is being conducted, the transport ministry said.

The Transport Ministry summoned officials from Daimler, which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, to a meeting last Thursday to explain why some vehicles showed high levels of emissions under certain driving conditions.

Engine management systems and software have come under scrutiny ever since Volkswagen admitted in Sept. 2015 that it had installed programs which cheat diesel emissions tests.

"It was agreed that Mercedes vehicles will be tested by the KBA," a ministry spokesman said on Friday, adding that Daimler had been cooperative and had reiterated its vehicles conform with emissions regulations.

German magazine Der Spiegel on Friday said, without citing sources, that officials from the KBA, Germany's vehicle certification authority, believe Mercedes-Benz may have diesel cars equipped with illegal cheating software.

Upon being asked about the report in Der Spiegel, Daimler said that based on the information it had at its disposal, it would fight allegations about using an illegal software defeat device with all legal means.

Upon being asked about whether KBA had found a defeat device in Mercedes cars, a KBA spokesman on Friday said, "We need to wait for the results of investigation to be published."

KBA reports to Germany's transport ministry.

Der Spiegel said that Germany's Transport Ministry had threatened Mercedes with recalling vehicles equipped with OM642 and OM651 engines. Daimler said it could not comment on the contents of the meeting but denied there had been a threat of a forced recall.

Germany's Transport Ministry also said KBA had not threatened Daimler with a recall.

In April last year, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said carmakers including Mercedes would voluntarily recall 630,000 diesel vehicles to change engine and emissions management software.

At the time, Dobrindt said regulators on the lookout for illegal emissions cheating software had found carmakers exploited a legal loophole to reduce emissions filtering systems.

Under certain circumstances, carmakers are allowed to throttle back emissions management systems to protect the engine. Cars which start up when it is very cold outside run the risk of having condensation build up in their catalytic converters and engines causing rust.


Hennessey turns out a superfast pickup truck

                HOUSTON: The HPE VelociRaptor 700 can hit 100kph in around five seconds, has over 700hp going to all four wheels and will be strictly limited to 25 examples, one for each year that Hennessey performance has been in business

Good news for anyone that loves muscle cars but missed out on snapping up one of Hennessey Performance's 25 very special birthday edition Mustangs. And that's because the tuning and customisation company famous for its 435kph Venom GT hypercar, has decided to prolong its 25th anniversary celebrations with another seriously fast, seriously limited edition car.

However, this time the Texan tuners have turned their attention from America's favourite muscle car to the country's favourite vehicle, period - the Ford pickup truck.

The VelociRaptor 700 25th anniversary edition as it will be called, starts out life as an unassuming Ford F-150 pickup. However, when Hennessey's finished with it, the vehicle has 704bhp on tap and is capable of roaring from 0-100kph in just 4.9 seconds.

This blistering turn of speed is down to the addition of a 2.9-litre supercharger system but to ensure that after beating everything off the line in its initial drag race that the engine doesn't promptly melt, Hennessey has overhauled everything from the fuel injectors to the exhaust system as well as improving the intercooler and engine breathing.

It's this attention to detail, plus the three-year warranty that the company offers on all its customised cars that sets it apart from a host of competitors - and it's the reason why the company is celebrating 25 years in business.

The truck's upgrades continue with custom 20-inch wheels and the option of on- or off-road tires, special Hennessey front and rear bumpers and integrated LED bar lights plus the company's own off-road suspension upgrade.

The double-cab pickup also gets "Hennessey" embroidered leather seats and special interior badging as well as special chassis and VIN numbers denoting its status.

And, of course no limited edition - just 25 will be built - would be complete without a custom exterior paint finish, badges and celebratory graphics.


Centodieci: Bugatti's most potent supercar unveiled with price to match

                SAN FRANCISCO: Bugatti unveiled on Friday the Centodieci, its most powerful supercar yet, an all-white coupe that complements Bugatti’s US$12.5 million (RM52mil), jet-black La Voiture Noire.

Ten Centodieci coupes will be hand-built in Molsheim, France, with deliveries starting in 2021. Prices start at US$8.9 million (RM37mil), plus tax. And yes, customers can have their Centodieci painted in the colour of their choice.

As with many luxury car manufacturers these days, the 110-year-old French brand chose the Quail Gathering during Monterey Car Week for the world debut, rather than a traditional auto show.

And given the current climate, where cars from the 1980s and ’90s are heating up the collectors’ market, its new model is refreshingly retro and very on point. “We’re demonstrating a powerful contrast with the La Voiture Noire, the black car just presented in March,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Bugatti’s president, in a statement.

He was present in Monterey, 190km south of here, to unveil the Centodieci.

On the outside, Centodieci, meaning the number 110 in Italian, takes cues from the EB110 supercar that was developed in the late 1980s and debuted in 1991.

It was inspired by the Bauhaus style and was extremely wedge-shaped—almost to the point of looking two-dimensional from some angles—and is the next step in the company’s stated strategy of building highly unique, even one-off cars for the world’s wealthiest car collectors.

Inside, it has a 8.0-litre W16 engine and a whopping 1,600hp at full thrust. It’s also fast, as you might expect, with a sprint time of zero to 100kph in 2.4 seconds, faster than the Chiron. (It’s 20kg lighter than the Chiron, too.) Top speed is electronically controlled to 380kph.

The design is a divergence from the scooped, sculpted bodies of the Veyron and Chiron.

Instead of the dominant “Bugatti” line that curves from their backs and swooshes to the front, Centodieci has an almost completely flat roofline that blends into a mechanical rear spoiler—edges along its sides as crisply pressed as an envelope—and what look like 22-inch wheels have seven angled rectangular blades on them.

The rear end has a single ventilation hole and eight rear lights, four matte black exhaust tailpipes stacked two-by-two on top of each other, and a performance diffuser to improve downforce.

Towards the rear fender are five round air inserts set in the shape of a diamond.

These were inspired by the ones also present in the EB110 Super Sport—along with an additional air inlet near the oil cooler, they’re used to help regulate the temperature of the engine.


MBPJ orders sewerage project developer to fix roads

                PETALING JAYA: It is a new year but motorists in Petaling Jaya still have to put up with the same old problem of terrible road condition.

Roads in numerous parts of the city are uneven at best, and potholed and dangerous to motorcyclists at worst. While some are because of ongoing public works projects, others are the result of bad patch-up job by contractors hired by utility companies.

Commuters and other road users who traverse the city’s roads, including Jalan Kemajuan, have long complained about the poor condition of the roads in those areas.

However, relief is partly at hand as the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has issued a temporary stop-work order to the PJ North sewerage system project developer Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd.

MBPJ Engineering Department director Ismail Shafie said the developer was informed to address all the problems caused by the project to the affected roads.

“Roads that were damaged by the project which resulted in uneven surfaces must be repaired.

“The stop-work order will only be lifted once the council is satisfied with the repair work,” he said.

The project is mostly taking place in Section 14, Sea Park and Sungai Way.

Residents and road users are irked by the damage caused to the road surface since the project started in October 2013. The extensive project, which consists of installing underground sewerage pipes, had also led to slower traffic flow and worse congestion at the affected areas such as Jalan Kemajuan.

A Mangkubumi spokesman said the problems would be rectified fast.

“However, work cannot be completely halted at certain project site because to do so could endanger motorists. We need a few days to finish up some of the important works.

“In the meantime, we are working on the repair works and hope it will be completed within 10 days.” he said.

The spokesman said once the repairs were done, MBPJ would be invited for a site inspection.

The project involves the designing and building of sewerage works at the Penchala Pantai North sewerage treatment area and upgrading of the 40-year-old system in north Petaling Jaya.

Upgrading works consisted of the rationalisation and decommissioning of 119 multi-point sewerage treatment plants, including communal septic tanks in some areas.

Five new pump houses will be built at various parts of the pipeline to channel the sewage flow into the Pantai Regional Sewerage Treatment Plant 2 (STP).

The project is under the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

Mangkubumi is responsible for the laying of 36km of new sewer pipelines via pipe jacking and open-cut methods in PJ North.

They will also upgrade pipes in Sections 11 to 19, 20 (Taman Paramount), 21 (Sea Park), 22, 51A, SS2, SS9 and SS9A and SS1 Kampung Tunku.

Once the project is completed, those areas will be connected to the Pantai Regional STP2, with a 1.4 million population equivalent capacity via the Petaling Jaya main sewerage system.

With the decommissioning of the 119 STPs, it is expected that some of these areas will become green areas in the future, while reducing the pollution in Sungai Penchala.

Other benefits include reducing the malodour for residents, especially for those living near the STPs.


BMW gives its iX3 electric SUV a facelift

                MUNICH: Before BMW launches two more electric models - the i4 and iX - the German carmaker is taking time to focus on the iX3, giving the SUV a brand-new face and outfitting it with updated equipment.

One thing that's not changing is the electric drive. Not to mention the price - anyone who wants to wait until autumn to drive the new model off the lot will have to pay at least €67,300, only €1,000 more than at market launch a year ago.

According to the manufacturer, the updated version will be recognisable on the street thanks to a significantly larger BMW kidney at the front, as well as flatter headlines and 3-D-designed LED rear lights. Inside, however, a larger infotainment screen and newly arranged centre console will be the only noticeable changes.

Under the bonnet, the iX3 still features 286hp for the rear wheels and a 80 kWh-battery pack that BMW says can provide up to 460km of range. The iX3 can rev from standstill to 100kph in 6.4 seconds, according to the manufacturer.

The car will electronically hit the brakes at speeds of 180kph.


May 12-18: At RM4.31 per litre, RON97 petrol price reaches all-time high

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol has reached an all-time high with a 37 sen increase from RM3.94 to RM4.31 per litre.

Prices for RON95 petrol and diesel, however, will remain unchanged for the week from May 12 to 18.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement, said the new price is based on the weekly retail price of petroleum products in accordance with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


KIA Go-Xtra 2017 campaign awards winners

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza KIA Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has awarded the winners of their annual Kia customer loyalty program – the Kia Go-Xtra 6th Edition 2017.

One grand prize, one second prize and five consolation prizes were awarded to the winners of the campaign at a special prize-giving ceremony at Red Cube, Rawang, Selangor.

The grand prize for the Kia Go-Xtra 2017 campaign went to Darren Yam Kok Wing from Petaling Jaya, who won himself an all-expenses paid five days four nights trip to Seoul, Korea for two persons, a Garmin Vivosmart HR smartwatch and RM500 Kia service vouchers – all worth over RM8,000.

Meanwhile, the second prize went to Nazaruddin Kassim, from Johor Baru, who also won himself an all-expenses paid five days four nights trip to Seoul for two persons and a Garmin Vivosmart HR Smartwatch.

Five other consolation prizes of a Garmin Vivosmart HR+ smartwatch worth RM848 each were given out to Lee Kian Aik, Mohd Zahari Bin Rupiat, Oon Chooi Huat, Simon Siew and Wong Loo Xuan.

To participate in the Kia Go-Xtra 2017 campaign, customers who serviced their Kia vehicles at authorised service centres over the period from June 1 to July 31 were eligible to submit an entry and vie for the grand prize.

During the campaign period, customers enjoyed a 30% discount for Brake Pads and Selected service items and another 10% discount on air conditioner service, valid for all Kia models.

“The campaign gives us the opportunity to reward a few lucky winners to explore the rich culture of Korea through the heart of its capital city, Seoul," said Naza Kia Malaysia after sales division head Norazmi Mohd Taib.

This is the sixth consecutive year Naza Kia Malaysia has held the Kia Go-Xtra campaign to reward their existing customers for their continuous support.


China lays out self-driving rules in global race, says China Daily

Baidu's Apollo autonomous cars are seen during a public road test for self-driving vehicles in Beijing on March 22. - Reuters
SHANGHAI: China has laid out national guidelines for testing self-driving cars as it looks to keep pace with the United States in a global race to develop autonomous vehicles, the China Daily newspaper reported today, citing the country’s industry ministry.

The rules lay out requirements that vehicles must first be tested in non-public zones, that road tests can only be on designated streets and that a qualified person must always sit in the driver’s position, ready to take over control.

China is making a major push into autonomous smart vehicles, keen to have its own national champions in self-driving to compete with global leaders such as Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google parent Alphabet Inc, and Tesla Inc.

Xin Guobin, the country’s vice industry minister, said China would slip behind rivals like the United States if it did not “firmly seize” initiative in the sector, which he called a key plank of Beijing “Made in China 2025” push.

“We will accelerate to build a strong manufacturing country, a strong country in science and technology with strong networks and transportation,” he said in comments posed on the Ministry of Industry of Information Technology website.

Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai have previously announced local guidelines for self-driving tests, while Internet giant Baidu Inc already has approval to test self-driving vehicles on city streets.

In the wake of two high-profile crashes in the United States involving Uber Technologies and Tesla, MIIT vice minister Xin said China would emphasise safety as the “top priority” in testing for autonomous vehicles.

“To ensure the safety of road tests, we will not only not only require that road tests take place on prescribed streets, but also that the test driver sits in the driver position throughout, monitoring the car and the surrounding environment and ready to take control of the car at any time,” he added.

“This is a lesson that we have learned from the accidents faced by Uber and Tesla.”

Fatal crashes last month involving the two US firms have raised scrutiny on self-driving globally and ramped up pressure on the industry to prove its software and sensors are safe.

Xin added China should also push forward other technologies needed to support smart vehicles, including next-generation 5G communications networks and intelligent roads.


Mazda overhauls China car joint venture with Changan, FAW

                TOKYO/BEIJING: Mazda Motor Corp said today it and two Chinese partners have agreed to form a new venture in which it will have a 47.5% stake.

State-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile will also hold 47.5% of the new joint venture, Changan Mazda Automobile Co Ltd (CMA). FAW will own the remaining 5%.

"The three companies aim to use every strategic and managerial opportunity in the new joint investment company and strive to make its business and management system optimal to adapt to the needs of the expanding Chinese market," Mazda said in a statement.

In China, the world's biggest car market, Mazda's sales lag far behind other Japanese automakers.

It sold 214,574 vehicles in China last year, down from 227,750 units in 2019. Toyota Motor, Honda Motor and Nissan Motor all sold over one million cars in China in 2020.


Nissan email trail casts new light on takedown of Carlos Ghosn

There’s now some evidence to support Ghosn's claim that he was set up. — Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Carlos Ghosn always said he was set up.

Now there’s some evidence to support his claim.

According to people familiar with what happened and previously unreported internal correspondence, the campaign by top Nissan executives to dethrone one of the most celebrated leaders in the automotive industry started almost a year before Ghosn’s arrest in late 2018 for alleged financial misconduct.

The effort was motivated in part by opposition to the former chairman’s push for greater integration between the Japanese carmaker and long-time alliance partner Renault SA, the new information reveals.

While Nissan has long maintained that the decision to oust Ghosn turned on allegations of under-reporting his income and other financial transgressions levelled by Tokyo prosecutors, the documents and recollections of people familiar with what transpired show that a powerful group of insiders viewed his detention and prosecution as an opportunity to revamp the global automaker’s relationship with top shareholder Renault on terms more favourable to Nissan.

READ MORE: Fugitive Ghosn promises new revelations in upcoming book

A chain of email correspondence dating back to February 2018, corroborated by people who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information, paints a picture of a methodical campaign to remove a powerful executive.

The information comes to light as another former Nissan executive and the company itself face a looming trial in Tokyo, and as Japan seeks the extradition of Ghosn, 66, who fled to Lebanon in a daring escape last year.

Alarmed by Ghosn’s pledge in early 2018 to make the alliance between the companies irreversible, senior managers at the Japanese automaker discussed their concern at how the chairman of both Nissan and Renault was taking steps toward further convergence, according to people familiar with discussions at the time.

At the centre of those discussions was Hari Nada, who ran Nissan’s chief executive’s office and later struck a co-operation agreement with prosecutors to testify against Ghosn.

Nissan should act to "neutralise his initiatives before it’s too late,” Nada wrote in mid-2018 to Hitoshi Kawaguchi, a senior manager at Nissan responsible for government relations, according to the correspondence.
Ghosn has said he’s innocent of the four charges of financial misconduct and breach of trust. Considered an international fugitive by Japan, Ghosn declined to comment via a representative for this story.

Lavanya Wadgaonkar, a spokesman for Nissan, also declined to comment for this story.

Nada didn’t respond to an email and voicemail seeking comment, while Kawaguchi, who left Nissan in December, declined to comment, as did the Tokyo prosecutor’s office and a representative for Renault.


Audi not selling Ducati after all

                INGOLSTADT: Audi has abandoned plans to sell its Italian motorcycle brand Ducati, its chief executive Rupert Stadler said, in a sign of confidence that the carmaker expects to be able to carry the costs of its transformation.

Steps to reduce costs by 10 billion euros, cut red tape and deepen ties with fellow Volkswagen-owned brand Porsche are “gradually increasing our financial and organisational leeway for the strategic realignment,” chief executive Rupert Stadler told reporters.

There is therefore no economic need to sell Ducati, Stadler said. Volkswagen asked banks to evaluate options for Ducati and transmissions maker Renk earlier this year as it seeks to become more nimble in its shift towards electric and self-driving cars following its diesel emissions cheating scandal.

“I can assure you that Ducati belongs to the Audi family,” said Stadler. “Ducati is the perfect implementation of our premium philosophy in the world of motorbikes.”

The plans had already stalled in the summer when VW’s powerful labor unions, backed by the controlling Porsche-Piech families, opposed the logic and need for asset sales given the group’s financial resilience.

Investors and potential Ducati buyers, however, expect that VW could change its mind again and eventually opt to sell the asset which they say has least strategic importance to VW.

“For Volkswagen’s powerful works council it could be an easy bargaining chip they could offer to push through something completely different,” a person close to the matter said.

Investors have long favoured divestments to simplify VW’s group structure and to strengthen its management’s ability to push through structural changes against the unions’ wishes.

Audi, which owns Ducati and Italian supercar maker Lamborghini, last month reported higher operating profit and revenue for the first nine months, helped by growing auto demand in the higher-margin western European and U.S. markets.

While pushing the costly shift to zero-emissions and autonomous technologies, holding on to the profitable Ducati division and the lucrative Lamborghini brand has become more important, Stadler said.

“Looking after a premium bouquet is as difficult as the work of a gardener,” Stadler said. “Therefore I am pleased with every new flower, with every promising new branch,” he added, predicting Lamborghini’s sales would double on the back of its new sport-utility vehicle.

Separately, Stadler said Audi will spend nearly half a billion euros over the next eight years on training staff for the digital age, with steps to develop as well as hire experts such as automotive app-designers and car robotics specialists.

To rein in costs, Audi wants to keep headcount stable, at least over the next 2-3 years, even as it plans to have more than 20 electrified vehicles on the market by 2025 and pushes into digitised mobility services, the CEO said.

With two-thirds of Audi’s 60 or so models by 2025 still slated to be combustion-engine cars, tightening carbon dioxide (CO2) rules will pose the “biggest risk” in coming years, he said, adding that Audi would face 1 billion euros of fines if its average fleet CO2 emissions exceeds EU limits by no more than eleven grammes per kilometres.

Audi has overhauled its whistleblower system to allow domestic and international staff to flag illegal conduct more easily and it has set up a permanent investigation office.

Audi plans early next year to dissolve a task force set up to monitor fixes for 850,000 diesel-fuelled cars that the automaker said in July needed updates with emissions-control software to help avoid potential driving bans.

“It’s a sign that we can slowly shift from crisis mode back into standard operation,” Stadler said, predicting the check-ups to be completed by the end of the first quarter.


Tesla 2020 deliveries beat estimates, but fall just short of Musk's target

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc on Saturday reported better-than-expected 2020 vehicle deliveries, driven by a steady rise in electric vehicle adoption, but narrowly missed its ambitious full-year goal during a punishing year for the global auto industry.

The company delivered 499,550 vehicles during 2020, above Wall Street estimates of 481,261 vehicles, according to Refinitiv data - but 450 units shy of CEO Elon Musk’s target.

Musk tweeted here he was "proud of the Tesla team for achieving this major milestone."

“At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of surviving at all,” he said.

On Twitter, congratulations from supporters and bullish investors poured in, lauding the electric vehicle maker for its stellar year, which has defied wider auto industry trends of slumping sales, quarterly losses and global supply chain disruptions.

Tesla’s share price has risen more than 700% over the last year, the company has reported five consecutive quarterly profits and in December it was included in the S&P 500 index.

But some online investor accounts criticised Tesla for saying it had achieved its guidance.

Tesla at the start of 2020 said it would “comfortably exceed 500,000 units” for the year, a target it has left unchanged despite the pandemic. Chief financial officer Zachary Kirkhorn in October said Tesla was “aiming to achieve (its) original 2020 guidance.”

Tesla has pinned hopes on new markets such as Europe and Asia, with competition intensifying in its home turf as legacy automakers double down on their investments in the booming EV space.

Tesla's delivery push has been supported by its new Shanghai factory, the only plant currently producing vehicles outside California. The carmaker said here Model Y production in Shanghai has begun, with deliveries expected shortly.

Palo Alto, California-based Tesla said it delivered 180,570 vehicles during the fourth quarter, a quarterly record for the electric carmaker, beating estimates of 163,628 vehicles.


Global chip shortage making a dent in Malaysian auto sector

                PETALING JAYA: The combination of rising raw material prices and chip shortage, which is having an impact on global car prices, could affect the Malaysian automotive industry if the situation worsens.

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said local automotive players are feeling the ripple effects of this global phenomenon.

“The global chip shortage has impacted deliveries from overseas and local chip suppliers leading to a backlog on deliveries by three to four months.

“Depending on the percentage increase in rising material costs, if local automotive original equipment manufacturers cannot absorb the costs, they may have to pass them to potential buyers, ” she told StarBiz.

RHB Investment Bank Bhd head of regional equity research Alexander Chia said the global chip shortage and rising material costs situation would have an impact on local car companies if the situation persists.

“For completely-knocked-down models, small changes will be absorbed by the price buffer along with foreign exchange changes.

“But the new cost structure will be updated into the prices of new models, ” he said.

In spite of the potential impact on the local car industry, Aishah, however, said the situation will be mitigated by the vehicle sales tax holiday, which has been extended until the end of the year.

“The extension of the sales tax holiday will help to cushion the price increase, ” she said.

Chia also concurred that the sales tax exemption would alleviate the impact on consumers.

“I would say local consumer-sentiment and purchasing power will have a bigger influence on car demand, ” he said.

Under the vehicle tax exemption, locally-assembled cars are exempted from sales tax while for imported cars, the sales tax has been reduced from 10% to 5%.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw a surge in demand for personal electronic items such as cell phones and laptops, which eventually led to a shortage of chips worldwide as production could not keep up with demand.

A recent Forbes article cautioned that the automotive industry may have to bear with the global chip shortage until 2023.

“As demand for new cars and sport utility vehicles recovered from the lengthy shutdown, it turned out that other industries like gaming had been thriving during the enforced lockdown, which confined people to their homes and stopped car use and car buying.

“Semiconductor makers were happy to switch production to these new domestic customers, but when auto demand turned around, chip supply couldn’t suddenly be switched back on.

"With many new cars using more high-tech components, this required bigger and more sophisticated electronics and you have a perfect storm of supply aggravation for the industry, ” Forbes said in a report earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg, in an opinion piece late last month, noted that global auto giants such as Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co are preparing to produce far fewer vehicles this year because of the worsening chip shortage.

“No doubt, carmakers could digest the rising cost of production a bit longer by reducing incentives and discounts they have used to lure buyers. But that’s already been happening in the world’s largest auto markets, the United States and China, and you can’t trim back enticements forever.

“Companies have few options to offset creeping manufacturing expenses. With prices already high, consumers aren’t going to be as liberal with their wallets.”

On the local front, total vehicle sales in Malaysia doubled to 46, 663 units in May, as sales in the previous corresponding period were drastically affected by the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).

However, sales volume for May 2021 was 19% lower than April 2021, according to data by the MAA. This was due to the implementation of the MCO 3.0 in early May, coupled with a shorter working month due to the Hari Raya festive holidays as well as the shortage of computer chips which affected the sales of some models.

Year-to-date May, total vehicle sales stood at 245, 932 units compared with 128, 790 units in the previous corresponding period.

The MAA expected minimal sales for June 2021. Sales for the month will come from units that were registered (but not invoiced) in May and carried forward into June.

The association added that the lockdown would also affect sales for June, as showrooms are not be allowed to operate and most government agencies such as the Road Transport Department, Puspakom, Land Public Transport Agency and Malaysian Peninsular Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board are either closed or working with minimal workforce.

The MAA projected total industry volume to grow 8% to 570, 000 this year, on the back of the renewed sales tax exemption and stronger economic recovery. It is scheduled to hold its second bi-annual meeting next month.


BMW 8 Series Convertible joins coupe version on production line

                MUNICH: Four months after production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé ramped up in Dingolfing, the 8 Series family is joined by the convertible version.

Earlier this week, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing began series production of the new 8 Series Convertible, which will be built alongside the 5 Series and 7 Series on a single assembly line. The lead plant in Dingolfing, 105km northeast of here, caters to BMW's upper luxury-class segment.

A recap of the 8 Series Convertible which we highlighted to you in an earlier post.

The four-seater gets a classical soft-top, that is multi-layered and stands out with its weight-minimising design and noise damping.

A black soft-top is standard, with an Anthracite Silver effect variant available as an option. The soft-top opens and closes fully automatically in 15 seconds.

A petrol and diesel engine will be available when the new 8 Series Convertible goes on sale in March 2019.

The 4.4-litre V8 engine in the M850i xDrive Convertible has been redeveloped to deliver a performance topping out at 530hp and a torque of 750Nm.

The 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel power unit in the 840d xDrive Convertible generates a maximum output of 320 hp and a maximum torque of 680 Nm.

Both engine variants comply with the Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard. Power transmission is achieved through the eight-speed Steptronic sport gearbox and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.


GM and Honda announce fuel cell venture in Michigan

                DETROIT: General Motors and Honda announced plans Monday for the first "mass production" of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that could be used in future vehicles.

The two companies, which have collaborated on the technology since 2013, will launch the Fuel Cell System Manufacturing venture in an existing GM battery facility in Brownstown, Michigan, south of Detroit, the US auto capital.

Production is expected to begin around 2020 and the venture will create nearly 100 new jobs, the companies said in a statement.

GM and Honda will invest US$85 million each in the technology. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on hydrogen made from a renewable source such as wind and biomass. The only emissions from these engines is water vapor.

"Over the past three years, engineers from Honda and GM have been working as one team with each company providing know-how from its unique expertise to create a compact and low-cost next-gen fuel cell system," said Toshiaki Mikoshiba, chief operating officer for Honda in North American.

Fuel cell technology has been under study for some 20 years as an alternative to the combustion engine. However, the technology so far has not made economic sense, in part because of a lack of infrastructure to recharge vehicles with hydrogen.

Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president for global product development said, "The combination of two leaders in fuel cell innovation is an exciting development in bringing fuel cells closer to the mainstream of propulsion applications."


China’s CATL extends lead as world’s top EV battery maker

                SEOUL: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.’s share of the electric-vehicle battery market continues to grow, according to the latest data from Seoul-based SNE Research, which show the Chinese company accounted for 37.1% of global sales in the first 11 months of 2022.

CATL sold a total of 165.7 gigawatt-hours of batteries in the January-November period, almost three times as much as second-placed BYD Co., another Chinese battery maker.

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution slipped to third, SNE said in a report published today.

CATL’s market share was about 35% in the first 10 months of last year. The Fujian-based company supplies carmakers including Volkswagen AG, Geely automobile Holdings Ltd., Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Inc., which delivered fewer EVs than expected last quarter, despite offering some price cuts.

Total sales of EV batteries climbed 70% to 57.2 GWh in November from a year earlier, driven by EV sales growth in major markets, especially China, according to SNE.

China’s retail sales of new-energy vehicles, which include pure battery electric cars and hybrids, rose 58% in November to 598,000 units, the Passenger Car Association said last month.


Nissan teases updated GT-R for New York show

                NEW YORK: Nissan has issued a teaser of its GT-R supercar for the 2016 New York International Auto Show, which starts March 23.

It is likely the Nissan GT-R supercar will get updates for the 2017 model.

Powered by a potent 545hp VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine with torque rated at 628Nm, the GT-R one of the most striking supercars in the market today.

The VR38DETT V6 is backed by an advanced paddle-shifted sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which features separate wet clutches for the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears.

It also features Hill Start Assist for easy starts on uphill inclines.

High performance differential oil, used in GT-R motorsports competition, is standard.

The Nissan GT-R's unique Premium Midship platform enables the use of the world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which optimises weight distribution and handling capability.

The rear drive-biased system can vary torque split from 0:100 to 50:50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration, steering angles, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate.


Tom Cruise's BMW X7 stolen while he was out filming 'MI:7' in UK

Tom was in Birmingham to shoot a segment of MI:7. — Photo courtesy of Birmingham police
LONDON: BMWs are among the top 10 most stolen cars in the UK. So it comes as little surprise that a BMW X7 was stolen recently.

However, the posh SUV received a little more media attention than most as it belonged to actor Tom Cruise.

He was in Birmingham earlier this month to film the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible action series when his X7 was stolen from the hotel he was staying at.

Police eventually recovered the SUV from a nearby town. But all of Tom's luggage and belongings left in the vehicle were gone. The items stolen from the X7 were valued at thousands of dollars.

UK media reports said most vehicles have been stolen by hacking the keyless entry system on drivers’ key fobs.

One of Hollywood's most bankable stars has a reputation for performing many of his own stunts, breaking his ankle during one dramatic leap for the previous Mission: Impossible - Fallout.

At 59, Tom has not shown any signs of taking it easy with doing some of the dangerous stunts.

In fact, in the latest MI, he is relishing the prospect of performing his most dangerous stunt yet — a motorcycle jump off a cliff into a base jump in Norway.

"I've wanted to do this since I was a little kid," he had said.

Mission: Impossible 7 is scheduled to hit the big screen on May 27, 2022.