Kia finally reveals new K900 flagship sedan

                SEOUL: It's hard to say if it's a case of optimism, confidence or stubbornness, but Kia has finally unveiled the all-new second-generation of its full-size luxury saloon, the K900.

Despite extremely modest sales of the first-generation in the U.S., where the car was co-designed at Kia's design studio in Irvine, California, the South Korean manufacturer has gone ahead with a complete redesign of its flagship saloon.

The K900 was first introduced in Korea back in 2012, where it was the first Kia saloon to adopt a rear-wheel drivetrain that was developed in-house by its own engineers. In some respects the luxury saloon has helped to elevate Kia's brand value in a number of key markets around the world, particularly Korea and North America.

But the new version has a long, long way to go before it starts to worry the models it was designed to rival, such as the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and the Audi A8. This is considerably more than a generational redesign or a major refresh though, and that's because the only thing this new model carries over from the first-generation of the K900 is its name.

"The K900 is a flagship luxury saloon at the pinnacle of our product line-up, showcasing Kia's finest technology and design capabilities. We strongly believe that the K900 will elevate every aspect of the Kia brand to a new level," said Kia Motors Corporation president and CEO Han-Woo Park.

Four different engines will be available under the bonnet of the new K900, although some will only be offered in select markets.

Three of the powerplants will be V6s and the fourth will be a V8. The V6s will be made up of a naturally-aspirated 3.3-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) and a 3.8-litre GDI, and a variation of the turbocharged 3.3-litre T-GDI that's currently getting a lot of love under the bonnet of the acclaimed Kia Stinger. The final member of the engine quartet is a 5.0-litre V8 GDI, the most powerful engine Kia has ever seen fit to produce.

The new K900 will soon be on sale in the company's domestic market of South Korea, the Middle East and the United States, and will then become available in other markets in due course.


New BMW M2 breaks cover with plenty of power and poise

                MUNICH: Mean, powerful and politically incorrect - the final combustion-powered coupe from BMW's M performance division is a classic powerhouse with rear-wheel drive and great handling.

Amid all the upheaval in the industry, the Munich maker presents what division boss Frank van Meel has called "the gateway drug" for petrol-heads addicted to the firm's range of uprated M cars.

The M2 has a wide, edgy look thanks to the prominent front air ducts and the model slots in below the M3 and M4 to lock horns with the Porsche 718 Cayman and cheaper versions of Renault's Alpine A110.

The two-door M2 has a more aggressive design treatment than previous incarnations which fits in well with BMW's current "in-your-face" image seen on saloons and SUVs.

For prices starting at €72,800 (RM331,000) in its home market, the M2 delivers 460hp or 338kW from its turbocharged engine.

The straight six engine can send the M2 streaking from 0 to 100kph in 4.1 seconds (with an automatic gearbox) and on to an electronically-pegged 285kph. The manual gearbox issue is a tad slower off the mark.

Frugal fuel consumption is not uppermost in an M2-driver's mind, so the distinctly un-green official average figure of 9.7 litres per 100 km should be acceptable to most buyers. CO2 emissions are 218 g/km.

The M2 gets three distinct driving modes: Road, sport and track and comes with a taut chassis. The package adds up to spirited road performance and track fun for those who want it.

A firmed-up and even sportier version of the new M2 is in the pipeline, UK car mag Autocar has reported.

SPECIFICATIONS


Lexus launches LC500 Convertible at RM1.35mil

                PETALING JAYA: Lexus Malaysia has officially introduced a new stablemate for the LC500 Coupe with a Convertible variant for the Malaysian market.

“The new LC500 Convertible brings with it specific attributes that can only be associated with open-top driving,” said Lexus Malaysia deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.

“Armed with dynamic performance and handling as well as a sexy silhouette, the new model not only elevates the sensorial experience for the driver but also allows them to feel more closely connected to the car, the road and their surroundings,” he added.

Deliveries for the LC500 has been scheduled to begin in early February 2021 and has been priced on-the-road with sales and service tax but without insurance at RM1.35mil.

This is accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and five-year free service (up to 100,000km whichever comes first).

The LC500 Convertible is offered in 11 colour options namely White Nova Glass Flake, Deep Blue Mica, Sonic Silver, Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic, Naples Yellow Contrast Layering, Blazing Carnelian Contrast Layering, Radiant Red Contrast Layering, Black, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Dark Gray Mica and Sonic Titanium with roof coloured options of black and beige.

For interior colours, the cabin can be had in Flare Red, Black or Ocher.

Drawing inspiration from the LC-LF concept car, the LC500 comes fitted with a pair of tri-beam LED projector headlights that flank the signature Spindle Grille

The rear also features LEDs for its light clusters and its third brake light that's been integrated into the edge of the boot lid.

For "bling", the LC500 rolls on 21-inch lightweight forged alloys that's been given a black two-tone polished finish.

Being a convertible, Lexus has gone to great lengths to ensure the integrity of its structural rigidity has been maintained with the employment of structural bracing, reinforcement of welding points and the use of body adhesive joints.

The Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) is said to have been optimally tuned and provides up to 650 different levels of damping force.

This convertible uses a 5.0-litre (4,969cc) naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE V8 engine with port and direct injection to produce 470hp at 7,100rpm and 540Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.

Power for the rear wheels is managed by a 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission with Artificial Intelligence Shift Control (AISC).

The AISC is said to help predict a driver's intention and selects the appropriate gear for the best driving experience.

Despite weighing 90kg more than its coupe stablemate, sprinting from 0 to 100kph takes just 4.9 (+0.5) seconds and can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 270kph.

The powered roof tucks itself away into the 149-litre boot in 15 seconds (closes in 16 seconds) and can be operated up to 50kph.

The roof's four-layered material uses three layers of fabric with a final insulating material to dampen out noise, vibrations and harshness.

A tonneau cover has also been incorporated to cover the roof storage space - helping to neaten the LC500's appearance when the roof is down.

Inside, the 2+2 driver-centric cabin features eight-way powered sports seats that have been wrapped in semi-aniline leather.

The front seats can be heated during cold mornings or ventilated during a hot day.

To further boost ergonomics, a Takumi-designed gear knob has been included.

While an 8.0-inch Digital Combination Meter stares back at the driver who incidentally has a Heads-up Display for added safety and convenience.

Entertainment comes from a large 10.3-inch high-resolution split-screen multimedia display that provides access to audio and climate controls.

Also included are a voice-activated navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Android Screen Mirroring.

Sound emanates from a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound System.

With the brand's "Omotenashi" (Japanese hospitality that brings together integrity, commitment and entertainment), the sound system will automatically adjust the acoustics based on the ambient sounds.

In short, a rich audio experience can be expected regardless of whether the roof is up or down.

The combination of a unique beltline and rear moulding helps to reduce wind noise from entering the cabin.

The effect is further enhanced by a transparent wind deflector, located behind the rear seats, which help to reduce wind buffetting up to 60kph.

For safety, the LC500 comes equipped with six airbags as well as the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) which is a suite of advanced safety systems as standard.

This includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Active roll bars are also included which will swiftly deploy when a roll-over is detected and until then, they remain hidden from sight.

“The arrival of the new LC500 Convertible demonstrates Lexus Malaysia’s commitment in delivering the very best in performance, luxury and exclusivity, which discerning drivers crave for in today’s automotive market,” said Lexus Malaysia president Ravindran K.


VW deepens cloud computing partnership with Microsoft

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess (left) and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will step up their companies' partnership in catering to electric cars.
FRANKFURT: Volkswagen said on Wednesday it had struck a deal with Microsoft to co-operate on cloud computing in China and the United States, as part of its drive to offer connected vehicle services across the globe.

By allowing vehicles to tap Microsoft’s remote computer processors via the so-called cloud, Volkswagen can offer its customers personalised on-board media streaming, and make suggestions for parking and charging.

Volkswagen will use its Automotive Cloud as the core of its vehicle and service data operations for its new ID electric cars which are due to hit showrooms in 2020, said the carmaker.


Intel's Mobileye, Volkswagen plan Israel's first autonomous ride-hailing service

                BANGALORE: Volkswagen and Intel Corp’s Mobileye are planning to roll out Israel’s first ride-hailing service using self-driving cars starting early next year.

The two companies are forming a joint venture with Israeli car importer Champion Motors, under which Volkswagen will provide the electric vehicles and Mobileye its autonomous driving technology, the companies said in a statement on Monday.

The service, called “Mobility-as-a-Service”, is expected to be commercialised by 2022, with Champion Motors running the fleet operations and control centre.

The Israeli government, which has accepted the proposal, will also support it by sharing required infrastructure and traffic data, the companies said.

Automakers are teaming up with tech companies to gain a headstart in driverless technology, which is expected to upend the transportation industry.

Honda Motor Co Ltd announced an investment of US$2.75 billion in General Motors Co’s Cruise self-driving vehicle unit, to jointly develop autonomous vehicles for deployment in ride services fleets around the world.


Dealers see buoyant used car market

                KUALA LUMPUR: Used car sales are expected to resume their upward trajectory in 2023, as the cautious economic outlook will see more customers opting for cheaper or pre-owned vehicles.

Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia (FMCCAM) president Datuk Tony Khor said sentiment this year will be weighed by inflationary pressures, interest rate hikes and slower economic growth.

“When the market is up, the sales of new cars will also pick up. At the same time, it will spur the used car segment,” he told StarBiz.

Khor added that when the market is down, there will still be a pick-up in used car sales.

“This is because people turn cautious and are more likely to downgrade to cheaper cars or pre-owned vehicles, which are more affordable than new ones.”

On a year-on-year basis, Khor said he expects used car sales to grow 10% in 2023.

“Since the pandemic, people have also generally been more comfortable driving their own cars rather than travelling via public transport due to health-related concerns about being in crowds.”

Khor added that transactions will also be buoyed by online platforms, which will expedite the buying-and-selling process for used cars.

According to Khor, 2022 was a stellar year for the used car industry, especially since the sales of new vehicles hit a record high of 720,658 units.

“As more people purchase new cars, the more they will need to trade in their old vehicles,” he said.

He added that around 65% of new car buyers will trade in their old cars.

So far this year, Khor said sales of used cars have been steady.

According to the latest Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) statistics, sales of new vehicles rose 39% to 62,649 units last month, against 45,062 units in the previous corresponding period due to delivery of backlog orders.

Year-to-date February sales volume improved to 112,128 units against 86,595 units during the same period in 2022.

Sales of passenger vehicles rose to 55,555 units in February 2023, compared with 40,119 units in February 2022.

Meanwhile, sales of commercial vehicles increased to 7,094 units during the month under review from 4,943 units previously, according to MAA.

On the outlook for March 2023, MAA said sales volume is expected to be higher than February 2023, spurred by a delivery rush by companies with their financial year ending on March 31, 2023, Hari Raya festive season promotional campaigns and fulfillment of bookings made during the sales exemption period.

RHB Research, in a recent report, also said it expects the month-on-month sales of new vehicles to be stronger in March.

“Sales of vehicles in March will be especially high, given the month has historically been very strong.

“This is because it is the fiscal year-end for many Japanese principals such as Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Daihatsu.

“March will also be the final month for carmakers to deliver the sales and service tax (SST)-exempt orders.”

The vehicle sales tax exemption was announced in June 2020, under the short-term economic recovery plan or Penjana.

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

The tax holiday was supposed to end in December 2020 but was extended to June 30, 2021, and then again until the end of that year.

During the tabling of Budget 2022, the government announced that the SST exemption would be extended one more time until June 30, 2022.

The multiple extensions were mainly due to the repeated lockdowns over the past two years, which disrupted business operations and prevented car buyers from being able to fully enjoy the benefits of the tax holiday.

However, buyers who had booked their vehicles during the tax holiday period have until March 31, 2023 to register their vehicles with the Road Transport Department.

While total industry volume in April will likely soften month-on-month against a high base, RHB Research believes that sales should nevertheless remain robust as carmakers continue to deliver on customers’ orders, which are still healthy even in the absence of the SST exemption.

“With strong orders on hand and with supply chain constraints largely resolved, we think that the auto companies have earnings visibility for 2023.

“As input costs will likely remain steady from the fourth quarter of 2022 levels and gradually decline (with falling raw material costs and easing supply tightness), the orders should translate to deliveries and into earnings,” said the research house.


Hamilton warns he will keep racing until he turns grey

Hamilton showing a helmet of Michael Schumacher after he won the Eifel Formula One Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring racetrack in Nuerburg, Germany, on Sunday. Hamilton received the helmet as a gift from Michael Schumacher's son Mick.— AP
NÜRBURGRING: Lewis Hamilton issued a clear warning to his rivals after his record-equalling 91st career win at the Eifel Grand Prix when he said he wants to keep chasing records until he turns grey.

The runaway series leader and six-time world champion equalled Michael Schumacher's total of wins and moved closer to levelling him on seven drivers' titles with his victory at the Nurburgring on Sunday.

It was his first win at the circuit for Mercedes and the team's first triumph at the historic venue since Juan-Manuel Fangio's victory in 1954.

"Of course, I can set goals and I will continue to charge on and see what is possible," said Hamilton.

"I love the sport — the smell of it, the whole aura and atmosphere it creates — and it is going to be difficult to let it go.

"While I am older now than these guys, I feel as young as them in spirit. That will change when I start seeking grey hairs, but for now I am good."

Hamilton achieved his landmark win after 260 races while Schumacher, whose 21-year-old racer son Mick gave him one of his father's helmets to mark his achievement, raced in 246.

The German won his 91st race 14 years ago at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who grew up watching Schumacher win races during his and Ferrari's domination, can move one clear of that total if he wins the inaugural Formula One race at the Portimao circuit in Portugal on October 25.

"I could never fathom equalling his records and it is beyond my wildest dreams to be here now — I feel humbled by the moment," said Hamilton.

"Michael is, and always will be, a legend of the sport."


Why you might prefer driving in Denmark than in UAE

                LONDON: According to new research, driving a car in Denmark or Finland is much less stressful than taking the wheel in the United Arab Emirates.

The latter country is reportedly home to the world's most stressful driving experience, due to congested roads and a particularly high rate of fatal accidents.

It's not surprising Malaysia has also earned itself a place alongside the UAE, being ranked No. 8 on the list. As Malaysian motorists know, they have their share of reckless drivers/riders, road rage and fatal accidents, many of which have been documented and gone viral with the ubiquitous use of smartphones and dashcams.

The ranking, published by Confused.com — an insurance and financial services comparison platform — shows that the level of driving stress varies greatly from country to country.

Drivers have every reason to be stressed when driving in the United Arab Emirates, as it has the most congested roads (the country has the equivalent of more than 550 cars per kilometre of road), not to mention the most fatal accidents per 100,000 inhabitants.

The research also reveals that Hong Kong has the highest number of speed cameras per kilometre, while Zimbabwe has the worst quality of road infrastructure.

The United Arab Emirates is followed by Bulgaria and Turkey on the podium of countries where driving a car can be particularly stressful.

At the other end of the scale, countries where it is least stressful to drive include Denmark, Finland and Japan.

Top 10 most stressful countries to drive a car in

1. United Arab Emirates
2. Bulgaria
3. Turkey
4. Italy
5. Hong Kong
6. Czech Republic
7. Belgium
8. Malaysia
9. Brazil
10. Argentina

Top 10 least stressful countries to drive a car in

1. Denmark
2. Finland
3. Japan
4. Spain
5. Saudi Arabia
6. Australia
7. USA
8. Sweden
9. Hungary
10. Slovakia

Confused.com drew on a number of different sources for this study, from the World Health Organisation to the World Economic Forum, in order to rank 49 countries according to four different factors: the quality of the roads, the number of speed cameras, the number of fatal accidents per capita and the number of cars per kilometre of road.

A score, out of 100, then determines how "stressful" the roads are in each country.


Renault, Google expand ties in automotive software

                PARIS: Renault and Google said today that they are expanding their partnership in software services for future Renault vehicles, adding that Google will become the preferred cloud supplier to the French automaker.

The partnership with Google will also help Renault accelerate its "end-to-end digital transformation, from the design of the car to its market launch through its production," Renault chief executive Luca de Meo said in a statement.

Automakers and technology companies including Sony, Apple and Google, have been working to develop ways to build future cars into platforms more like smartphones, with billable services where key updates are wireless.


Ferrari gives GT bestseller a makeover with new Portofino M

                MILAN: Ferrari rolled out the Portofino M, a modified version of its top-selling gran tourer, on Wednesday as the Italian sportscar maker pursues a rapid turn over of new models despite the coronavirus crisis.

The new car, the first to be launched since Ferrari shut its operations for seven weeks during a Covid-19 lockdown, was launched online, with video presentations outlining its restyling and technical innovations.

The Portofino M convertible grand tourer (GT) features a redesigned powertrain, eight-speed gearbox and a five-position Manettino switch that includes a race mode.

Ferrari, best known for its high performance sportscars, is now aiming to increase sales of GTs, which are designed to be comfortable on longer road trips.

It has said previously that about 40% of total sales could come from GT models by 2022, up from 32%.

The Portofino M’s 3855cc engine belongs to the V8 turbo family voted “International Engine of the Year” on four consecutive occasions (2016-2019).

The power unit can punch out 620 cv at 7,500 rpm, 20 cv more than the Portofino. To achieve these performance levels, Ferrari engineers used new cam profiles to increase valve lift and optimise combustion chamber filling.

A speed sensor was also added to the turbocharger assembly to measure the turbine revolutions. This in turn allowed the maximum revolutions per minute of the turbine to be increased by 5,000 rpm.

Lastly, to comply with pollution emissions standards, a Gasoline Particulate Filter has been included in the exhaust system. The GPF allows the car to comply with the strictest European anti-pollution standards (Euro-6D) without compromising driving pleasure.

Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, told a virtual news conference that deliveries of the Portofino M would start in Europe from the second quarter of next year, with a starting price in Italy of around 206,000 euros (RM1mil) - just above the standard Portofino.

After a record five new models last year - including the SF90 Stradale, Ferrari’s first hybrid car in series production - the Portofino M is the seventh in a pipeline of 15 models promised in Ferrari’s 2018-2022 plan.

“We’re planning another launch before the end of the year and the remaining (seven) in the next two years. Despite some delays that occurred to our product development because of the closing down of the factories we’re maintaining the plan as originally presented,” Galliera said.

The carmaker, controlled by Exor, the holding company of Italy's Agnelli family, has also pledged that 60% of its cars sold by 2022 would be hybrid.

A full-electric model, however, is not expected until after 2025, as the battery technology requires more development and the group needs to prepare customers more used to roaring engines than a quiet drive.

  TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS


Anticipation revs up about new launches ahead of Intermot 2016

                COLOGNE: From BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Honda to KTM, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha, all of the world's biggest motorcycle makers have confirmed that they will be at this year's Intermot international motorcycle show when it opens its doors to the public here from Oct 6.

However, even as the biennial event's press day looms, most companies are continuing to remain tight-lipped about what exactly they'll be showing off on their stands and how many, if any bikes on show will be world premieres.

All except Ducati that is, who on Friday confirmed Intermot as the venue for the world-wide reveal of the new SuperSport.

Ducati's sporting chance
Described as a sports bike that is suitable for everyday use the SuperSport promises to be more accessible to ride than a host of the marque's other models, but without being anything other than a true Ducati. So expect a 900+cc bike with around 100bhp but one that delivers that power evenly.

Other than Ducati, a few brands have a started video teaser campaigns about what they might be bringing.

Honda fires back into life
Honda is teasing six new or vastly upgraded bikes for the year ahead, but the one destined for this year's show and the one that is guaranteed to get everyone whipped up into the biggest frenzy is the Fireblade.

Although it's had several mid-life tweaks, the existing CBR1000RR (to give it its technical name) hasn't been properly overhauled since 2008 and in that time it's fallen way down the sports bike pecking order. All the more concerning as it was once the 1000cc benchmark.

Honda promises that the new bike will keep the same basic styling as the current model but that that's all the two bikes will have in common. The 2017 Fireblade will boast new suspension, chassis and engine, plus, for the first time, electronic aids. When they're all combined they will close the gap between the CBR1000RR and bikes such as the BMW S1000RR, the Ducati 1299 Panigale and the Yamaha R1.

Yamaha races into the middle ground
Like the Fireblade, the Yamaha R6 is a sports bike with an inline four-cylinder engine and is also a model in serious need of a refresh. Video teasers suggest the 2017 model is tipped to make an Intermot debut complete with technological aids lifted from its bigger brother, the R1, while keeping its distinctive 600cc engine.

In recent years, buyers have been drawn to either big capacity or beginners' sports bikes, ignoring those mid-capacity models that fall smack in the middle, like the R6. However, if Yamaha gets the recipe right and offers something with its own character and personality, the new R6 could well be as big a hit as the 1998 original.

BMW's capacity for creativity
When BMW, a company that focuses almost exclusively on bikes with big 800-1200cc blocks, unveiled the G310 R - a single cylinder 310cc roadster - last November, it caused a huge stir. Not because it was a clear attempt to appeal to customers in Africa, Asia and South America (even though it is), but because despite being the smallest capacity bike from the company in 68 years, it's really good.

However, the R is just the start and the big money is on BMW bringing one if not two new bikes, with the same 310cc engine to Intermot this year, one focused more on racing and the other quite possibly in adventure bike guise.

Whatever the big bike makers have planned, there isn't long to wait. The first press conferences for this year's event take place on Oct 4 and the full show complete with stunt arena and custom bike build off competition will open to the general public on Oct 6.

 The upcoming Ducati Monster.


Hyundai whips up buzz on Elantra N

                SEOUL: Hyundai today revealed its sensational new Elantra N model through a collection of photos and video ahead of its 2021 launch.

As a high-performance model of the seventh-generation compact sedan, Elantra N will complete the Elantra lineup, offering high-performance N-specific features.

It is currently undergoing final development, including validation at Nürburgring.

“Elantra N is an outstanding addition to the N brand lineup in that it offers pulse-pounding performance in a practical four-door package,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.

In addition to Elantra N, Hyundai plans to expand its N lineup with i20 N and Kona N in 2021.


Tesla's in-car cameras raise privacy concerns, says Consumer Reports

Tesla's driver-facing camera or cabin camera is located above the rearview mirror in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. — Photos from Consumer Reports
SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc’s use of in-car cameras to record and transmit video footage of passengers to develop self-driving technology raises privacy concerns, influential US magazine Consumer Reports said on Tuesday.

Consumer Reports said the usage potentially undermines the safety benefits of driver monitoring, which is to alert drivers when they are not paying attention to the road.

“If Tesla has the ability to determine if the driver isn’t paying attention, it needs to warn the driver in the moment, like other automakers already do,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ auto test centre.

Automakers such as Ford Motor and General Motors, whose monitoring systems do not record or transmit data or video, use infrared technology to identify drivers’ eye movements or head position to warn them if they are exhibiting signs of impairment or distraction, the magazine said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Palo Alto, California-based carmaker’s internal cameras are also a point of contention in China, where the military banned Tesla cars from entering its complexes, citing security concerns.

Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk said last week his company would be shut down if its cars were used to spy.


MINI concocts a Multitone Roof

                MUNICH: These days, contrast roofs are becoming a thing. MINI wants to go beyond that and set a new trend with its Multitone Roof.

As the name suggests, the roof is not just one single colour but a gradient of three colours.

For the first time, an innovative wet-on-wet painting process is being used at the MINI plant in Oxford, UK, to create a three-colour design for the vehicle roof.

The first model to get the new roof colouring is the MINI Cooper SE.

For the first time, the Multitone Roof is offered as part of the MINI Electric Collection for the British premium brand's all-electric model, which was presented alongside the world premiere of the latest new edition of MINI's small car models.

In the meantime, the Multitone Roof, which is unique worldwide in the mass production of automobiles, is available as an optional extra for both the MINI 3-door and MINI 5-door as well as for the MINI Clubman.

The visual highlight of the new design feature is the flowing gradient between the three colour tones selected for the Multitone Roof. From the dark San Marino Blue in the front section of the vehicle's roof, the colour scheme gently transitions to the lighter shade of Pearly Aqua, then just as smoothly to Jet Black in the rear section.

The unique aesthetic created by this colour gradient is also easily recognisable in conjunction with the optional panoramic glass roof as well as the optional roof rails.

The colour scheme of the Multitone Roof is available in combination with all exterior colours with the exception of the Chili Red uni and British Racing Green metallic variants as well as the Indian Summer Red metallic available for the MINI Clubman.

With the contrasting paint for the roof, the characteristic three-part division of the MINI body is emphasised. The horizontal structure of vehicle body, glass passenger cell and roof is a design principle typical of the brand.

The design of the roof becomes an expression of personal style. Depending on the model variant, contrasting paint finishes in white, black and silver are offered as optional equipment ex works.

A red-painted roof is also available for the John Cooper Works models. In addition, the MINI Original Accessories range includes roof decors in various designs - from the Union Jack to the Checkered Flag design - for retrofitting.

The expansion of the range of contrasting paint finishes to include the Multitone Roof is made possible by the introduction of a new type of painting technique at the MINI plant in Oxford.

There, the light colour Pearly Aqua is first applied to the roof of the correspondingly configured vehicles. In further steps, San Marino Blue is applied to the front of the roof and Jet Black to the rear, creating the flowing colour gradients characteristic of the Multitone Roof.

The innovative painting process is fully integrated into the automated production process. Nevertheless, slight deviations in the colour pattern occur due to changing environmental conditions, so that each MINI with a Multitone Roof is already given the character of a unique specimen by the painting process at the factory.


Honda inks deal with Maybank on financial services

                KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank has signed an agreement with Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd that would allow the bank to provide a range of financial services to Honda clients and dealers.

In a statement today, Maybank said the agreement, the first of its kind among car companies in Malaysia, covered the entire supply chain, from car manufacturing, distribution, retailing and after sale services for its suppliers, dealers and customers in Malaysia.

Maybanks Head of Community Financial Services, Hamirullah Boorhan, said the tie-up would benefit Honda dealers as they would enjoy convenient physical, electronic and mobile access to the banking products and services.

It would provide access to floor stocking financing, hire purchase, credit card merchants, cash management, Distributor-Supplier Financing packages, MaxiPlan, personal and business insurance coverage and access to online banking services to Honda clients.

With their banking and financing needs being taken care of by Maybank, we are sure that the dealers can then focus on business development and sales, leading to better overall efficiency and profitability, he said.

The partnership also covers joint efforts to establish larger business extensions and elevate operational efficiencies for Honda customers and its network for faster delivery of business solutions.

He added that Maybank has seen strong growth in its automobile financing franchise over the years with a growth rate of 10.3 per cent, double the industry growth of 4.4 per cent last year.

This was achieved by maintaining superior asset quality with its impaired loans ratio being the lowest in the industry, he said.


Ducati launches Cares sanitisation programme

                BOLOGNA: Ducati has launched the Ducati Cares programme, which consists of sanitisation and social distancing measures at dealerships.

Several measures such as indications on safe distances, disinfectants, masks and other precautions will be implemented.

"It is now clear to everyone that the virus won’t disappear from our lives any time soon, we will have to learn to deal with it, putting in place all possible actions to protect ourselves, allowing us to return to live our lives again", said Francesco Milicia, vice president of global sales and after sales.

"We have developed the Ducati Cares programme to support our dealer network all over the world. It will allow our dealers to welcome our customers in the safest and most practical way."

Customers can also interact with the dealer via chat or video call, book a test ride, configure a new motorcycle (also available via a QR Code in the price quotation) and buy Ebikes, apparel, sportswear and merchandising via the online store on shop.ducati.com.

Customers can also also register through MyDucati: the dedicated online section on Ducati.com, in order to retrieve previously saved motorcycle configurations to share them with friends and Customers will also soon also be able to manage dealership appointments directly from the portal.


Renault sees new model push as softening sales decline

                PARIS: Renault posted a 6.7% decline in first-half vehicle sales amid a global auto slowdown, but said a forthcoming product offensive would begin to help soften the blow in key markets.

Sales fell to 1.94 million light vehicles in January-June from 2.08 million a year earlier, the company said in a statement today. The slump was outpaced by a 7.1 percent global market contraction, it added.

The sales announcement comes amid gathering gloom for the global auto industry, with major markets in decline and trade barriers looming. It also comes a day after domestic rival PSA recorded a 12.8% slump in deliveries.

“Renault maintained its market share in the first half of the year in a market that was in sharp decline,” the carmaker said, adding that it had held its ground with “no new products”.

The rollout of a new Clio mini will help lift sales in the second half, sales chief Olivier Murguet told reporters, bolstered by an updated Zoe electric car. Global sales of battery-powered models rose 42.9% in the first half.

While the core Renault brand’s sales fell 11.5% in the first half, lower-cost brands showed gains, with Dacia up 4.5% and the Russian Lada marque advancing 6.8%.

Group sales were flat in a declining European market but down 27.7% in the sales region spanning Africa, the Middle East and India, — largely as a result of Renault’s 2018 withdrawal from Iran under threat of U.S. sanctions.

Deliveries fell 5.2 percent in the Eurasia region including Russia, and 3.9% in the Americas, where Renault sees the Brazilian market rebounding 8% this year.

The global market will show a new decline of about 3% this year, Renault said, with Russia down a further 2-3% and Europe stable, assuming that a hard Brexit is averted.

Renault is scheduled to publish full first-half results on July 26.


'Black boxes' are coming to cars in Europe, but what are they recording?

                BRUSSELS: The European Union intends to have all new cars fitted with new data recording systems similar to the famous "black boxes" used on aircraft.

The idea is to gain access to a set of specific technical data relating to the seconds preceding collisions, of varying degrees of severity.

This applies to all categories of cars (passenger cars and utility vehicles), but not yet to two-wheeled motor vehicles. Note that only law enforcement officials will be authorised to access this data, when necessary, and not insurance companies.

The data involved notably includes the vehicle's speed, braking, steering wheel angle, its incline on the road, and whether the vehicle's various safety systems were in operation, starting with seatbelts.

The system will also make it possible to identify the precise type of vehicle and to provide feedback to manufacturers about incidents of concern.

All data is promised to be anonymized, in that the data will not include the vehicle identification number or any other information that could identify the vehicle owner. And, unlike aircraft black box flight recorders, no cockpit conversations will be recorded!

This system cannot be switched off and will operate continuously as soon as the vehicle is in motion. However, recorded data will be constantly overwritten with new data, except for the seconds prior to and following collisions.

Similar systems are already in place in the United States, South Korea, Japan and Switzerland.


US auto safety agency probes 12th Tesla crash tied to possible Autopilot use

                WASHINGTON: The US auto safety agency said it will investigate a 12th Tesla crash that may be tied to the vehicle’s advanced Autopilot driver assistance system after a Tesla Model 3 rear-ended a parked police car in Connecticut on Saturday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration special crash investigation program will investigate the Dec 7 crash of a 2018 Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut, the agency confirmed on Friday.

Autopilot has been engaged in at least three fatal US Tesla crashes since 2016.

The agency’s special crash investigation team has inspected 12 crashes involving Tesla vehicles where it was believed Autopilot was engaged at the time of the incident.

To date, the agency has completed reports on two of them: a 2016 fatal crash in Florida in which Autopilot was engaged and a prior crash where Autopilot was ruled out as a factor.


Chinese EV competition hots up as BYD offers discounts

BYD vehicles displayed at a car dealership in Shanghai. — Reuters
BEIJING: China's BYD, the world's leading seller of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids, on Thursday announced discounts on some models, intensifying competition in the biggest auto market.

The discounts will be for buyers who place orders for the Song Plus and Seal models between March 10 and March 31, the company said on its social media account.

In return for an 88 yuan (RM58) deposit, buyers for a Seal EV can get 8,888 yuan (RM5,768) deducted from the price, while for Song Plus models, the discount is 6,888 yuan (RM4,475).

BYD, with its Dynasty and Ocean series electrified models, was China's best-selling passenger car brand in February, outselling Volkswagen for the second time in four months, retail sales data from China Merchants Bank International showed.

It sold 34,621 Song Plus SUVs and 14,372 Seal sedans in the first two months, according to China Passenger Car Association.

BYD's new discounts follow price cuts announced by Tesla in early January.

The car association data showed Tesla sold 39,710 Model Ys and 21,056 Model 3s in January and February combined.


BMW unveils K 1600 B, a 6-cylinder touring bike

                LOS ANGELES: A new high-performance touring motorcycle that references American bagger style design has been unveiled by German manufacturer BMW Motorrad.

Based on a previous 6-cylinder sports tourer, the K 1600 GT, the K 1600 B incorporates a completely remodelled rear section, a lowered passenger seat, and effective wind and weather protection among its features, BMW said in a statement.

Electronic suspension, assists for reverse gear as well as up and down shifts, fixed side cases and a folding rear mudguard are also included.

The Shift Assist Pro means that riders can shift up and down without using the clutch in most cases; an Intelligent Emergency Call option for Europe ensures "the fastest possible assistance in the event of an accident or in situations of emergency and danger can save people's lives - something that particularly affects motorcyclists," BMW advises.

A 6-cylinder engine posts 160hp, 118kW output at 7,750rpm, with a maximum torque of 178Nm at 2,250rpm.

Price and date for the K 1600 B have not yet been announced.


US EV charging network more robust but provider differences remain

                DETROIT: The US public charging network for electric vehicles is becoming more robust, but significant differences in reliability and performance remain between providers, an industry ranking by engineering consulting firm umlaut found.

The group tested chargers by Volkswagen's Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo, Blink Charging, EVconnect, Greenlots and Tesla's Superchargers across seven US states in September.

Electrify America reached the highest score in the ranking, followed by Tesla's Supercharger and ChargePoint, said umlaut, which was acquired by Accenture in October.

The ranking considered the technical performance of chargers, as well as the charging station environment, such as lighting, roofing and nearby amenities. It also took into account the performance of charging networks' apps, which car owners use to look for nearby chargers and make payments.

"Across all categories we see the system becoming more mature and stable", said Hakan Ekman, one of the study's authors. umlaut conducted a similar ranking in 2020 in California.

The group used a Tesla Model 3 and a Ford Mach-E for its 2021 tests, but did not consider the vehicles' performance in their rankings.

The build-out of public charging stations is seen as crucial to support a growing fleet of EVs on US roads. While 80% of current US EV owners charge their car at home, a robust charging network is considered a prerequisite to making consumers comfortable with EVs and increasing their share. read more

Last year, EVs accounted for around 2% of all new car sales, a share carmakers vow to increase to at least 40% by 2030.


Hyundai Motor's Q2 profit at eight-year high on weak won, strong demand

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co turned in its best quarterly profit in eight years today as a weak won lifted the value of its earnings abroad and demand stayed strong for the South Korean automaker's high-margin sport-utility vehicles (SUVs).

Although a chip shortage is easing, one of the world's biggest automakers, including affiliate Kia Corp , pointed to challenges such as demand crimped by inflation, higher marketing costs amid tougher competition and supply woes.

Net profit rose to 2.8 trillion won (RM9.5bil) for the April-June period from 1.8 trillion a year earlier, beating an average analyst forecast of 2.2 trillion from Refinitiv SmartEstimate.

"A robust sales mix of SUV and Genesis luxury models, reduced incentives from a lower level of inventory, and a favourable foreign exchange environment helped lift revenue in the second quarter," the firm said in a statement.

That came despite a sales slowdown in an adverse economic environment, it added.

The easing of a global chip shortage helped Hyundai resume overtime and weekend shifts at domestic plants, to make up for vehicle production lost because of a nationwide trucker strike in June, said analysts. read more

The company kept its full-year revenue and margin guidance, saying it expected a gradual recovery from the chip and component shortage that led to a fall of 5.3% in second-quarter sales on the year.

Hyundai said it planned to step up vehicle production in the second half to meet consumer demand, though it still expects some supply chain disruptions and fluctuations in the cost of raw materials.

However, inflation and associated economic downturns pose some risks to demand in the second half as consumers lose buying power and interest rates rise, investor relations chief Zayong Koo said on an earnings call.

Hyundai shares closed flat, versus a rise of 0.9% in the benchmark KOSPI.

"Rising interest rates translate into higher borrowing costs for consumers," said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at Daol Investment & Securities.

"With record-high inflation in major economies, financing the purchase of cars would become even more expensive, which essentially is not a good market condition for automakers."

However, higher interest rates will probably take months to crimp car demand as supplies were still tight amid pent-up demand from the coronavirus pandemic, he added.

Hyundai also faces a rising wages bill after a domestic union deal that raises each workers' annual pay by 9%, in a bid to avert strikes and production losses in its biggest manufacturing base.

The deal came days after Hyundai said it would invest about 2 trillion won to build a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) factory, its first new car plant in South Korea in nearly three decades.

In May, Hyundai said it would invest more than US$10 billion in the United States by 2025, including US$5.5 billion in the state of Georgia to build electric vehicle and battery facilities.


Toyota makes hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty free

                LAS VEGAS: Toyota is opening the door to the hydrogen future, making available thousands of hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty free.

Announced at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, this Toyota initiative will spur development and introduction of innovative fuel cell technologies around the world.

Toyota will invite royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 fuel cell related patents held globally, including critical technologies developed for the new Toyota Mirai.

The list includes approximately 1,970 patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290 associated with high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 related to fuel cell system software control and 70 patents related to hydrogen production and supply.

“At Toyota, we believe that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen,” said Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc.

“The first generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, launched between 2015 and 2020, will be critical, requiring a concerted effort and unconventional collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers. By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively and economically.”

Toyota has a long history of opening its intellectual properties through collaboration, and was instrumental in facilitating the widespread adoption of hybrid vehicles by licensing related patents.

Today’s announcement represents the first time that Toyota has made its patents available free of charge and reflects the company’s aggressive support for developing a hydrogen-based society.

This Toyota initiative builds on previous commitments, including substantial financial support for the development of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure in California and the northeastern United States.

In May 2014, Toyota announced a US$7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fueling stations across California.

In November 2014, Toyota announced a collaboration with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The hydrogen fuel cell patents will be made available to automakers who will produce and sell fuel cell vehicles, as well as to fuel cell parts suppliers and energy companies who establish and operate fueling stations, through the initial market introduction period, anticipated to last until 2020.

Companies working to develop and introduce fuel cell busses and industrial equipment, such as forklifts, are also covered. Requests from parts suppliers and companies looking to adapt fuel cell technology outside of the transportation sector will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Today’s announcement covers only fuel cell-related patents wholly owned by Toyota.

Patents related to fuel cell vehicles will be available for royalty-free licenses until the end of 2020.

Patents for hydrogen production and supply will remain open for an unlimited duration.

As part of licensing agreements, Toyota will request, but will not require, that other companies share their fuel cell-related patents with Toyota for similar royalty-free use.

Companies interested in Toyota’s fuel cell-related patents will negotiate individual contracts with Toyota.


Here's your chance to get free Puspakom inspection

                SHAH ALAM: For those who have missed this announcement last week, here's a free service for your own safety. The Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) is offering free inspection services nationwide for vehicles in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri except for centres in Shah Alam, Taman Bukit Maluri, Mak Mandin and Kota Baru.

Its chief executive officer, Mohammed Shukor Ismail, said the inspection was to ensure that vehicles would be in good condition and safe to use on the road.

"During the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season last year, 1,500 private vehicle owners had benefitted from this service. We aim to check over 2,500 vehicles this year.

"This inspection is to ensure the roadworthiness of a vehicle as well as to enable the owners to identify any problems that might pose a danger to driver, passenger and other road users," he said in a statement here today.

He said the vehicle inspection would cover a comprehensive 25-level check including emission test, side slip test, suspension, tinted glass and brake.

He added that vehicle owners could visit Puspakom branches from 8am to 5pm daily (according to branch operating hours) without having to wait or make prior appointment.

The free inspection offer has been in force since June 22.

For further information, customers can call its toll free line at 1-800-88-6927 or surf its website at www.puspakom.com.my.


MINI USA announces limited edition rooftops

 Rich Tu and his work (above).

MUNICH: MINI USA has recently announced a limited edition rooftop collection created in partnership with three artists.

Available for a limited period of time in the United States, the individual pieces commissioned especially for this purpose will transform the MINI rooftops into works of art and will also go on display as murals in Brooklyn, New York, New York’s SoHo neighbourhood and Portland, Oregon.

As part of this project, MINI USA will be making a donation to the American Immigration Council to support its mission.

The works of art were created by artists Rich Tu, Shane Griffin and Shawna X.

They were selected by MINI to reflect their individuals’ diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences growing up in the United States.

 Shane Griffin.

Rich Tu is an artist and designer based in Brooklyn. He is a first-generation Filipino American who is particularly interested in culture and the future.

Striking colours, inherent movement and images full of detail are the prevailing features of his highly personal works. His work is entitled “Hiraya”, which is derived from an old Filipino word meaning “fruit of hopes, dreams and aspirations”.

Shane Griffin, also known as "Grif", is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary visual artist and director who is originally from Dublin and now based in New York.

Grif has worked with many pop culture icons, including Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Wiz Khalifa. Mainly drawing on surrealism and abstraction, Grif’s work spans the entire spectrum of print, sculpture, animation and live-action film. Shane’s work is entitled “ChromaFlow”.

Shawna X is an independent artist and visual director with roots in Portland who lives in New York. She is known for her vivid, impassioned and graphic style of visual design in digital, spatial and motion spaces.

 Shawna X.

X is a reference to her Chinese name Xiayun (Sia-yoon, the word for the shrub Ruta montana). Shawna’s work is entitled “Roads we travel” and is a visual expression of the paths that bring us together.

“MINI is all about self-expression, and the rooftops convey this in its purest form,” said Mike Peyton, Vice President, MINI of the Americas.

The collaboration is part of the MINI brand campaign BIG LOVE that features the motto: “We’re all different, but pretty good together.”

Now sold in 109 countries all over the world, the MINI was designed in 1959 by Alec Issigonis, a British engineer with Greek roots. The car is driven with great pride by people who have made the brand their own in a unique way.


Navistar to work with GM, others on hydrogen fuel-cell commercial trucks

                DETROIT: Truck maker Navistar International Corp said on Wednesday it will collaborate with US automaker General Motors Co and others to develop a hydrogen fuel-cell powered commercial truck and supporting fueling network.

Navistar is one of several companies globally, including Tesla Inc, Nikola Corp, Daimler AG and Hyundai Motor Co that are developing zero-carbon long-haul trucks. Moves by regulators to phase out internal combustion engines have energised a race to develop commercial vehicles powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.

Navistar said it plans to offer its International RH Series fuel-cell truck - powered by GM fuel cells - in model year 2024. The target driving range is more than 800km, with a hydrogen fueling time of less than 15 minutes. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Hydrogen fuel company OneH2, in which Navistar will take a undisclosed minority stake, will supply a fuelling solution and incorporate more than 2,000 of the trucks into existing customer fleets. In addition, J.B. Hunt Transport Services will be the first customer to use the truck.

“Hydrogen fuel cells offer great promise for heavy-duty trucks in applications requiring a higher density of energy, fast refueling and additional range,” Navistar Chief Executive Persio Lisboa said.

Hydrogen backers say it is cleaner than other carbon-cutting technologies because water and heat are the only byproducts and it can be made from numerous sources, including methane, coal, water, and even garbage. Fuel cell vehicles remain a niche technology, as there are not many fueling stations and potential customers also worry about resale values and the risk of hydrogen explosions.

For long-haul transport, proponents say hydrogen-powered trucks have an advantage over electric rivals as they have a greater range and require less time to charge. But they are expensive so their uptake and mass production has been slow.

Last November, Illinois-based Navistar and engine maker Cummins said they would work together on a fuel-cell Class 8 truck. Navistar is also developing battery electric trucks.

Also that month, Volkswagen AG’s truck unit Traton SE agreed to pay $3.7 billion for the outstanding shares of Navistar it doesn’t already own. That deal is expected to close in mid-2021.

Wednesday’s deal comes less than two months after GM announced a non-binding agreement to supply fuel cells to startup Nikola. GM said that deal is not affected by the Navistar agreement.

Under its agreement with Nikola, which must be finalized by year end, GM will supply its fuel-cell system for Nikola’s Class 7 and 8 commercial semi-trucks

Nikola expects to begin testing prototypes of its fuel-cell trucks by year end, and will break ground on its first commercial hydrogen station in the second quarter.

Nikola has also said it will launch its Tre electric semi-truck with CNH Industrial in the fourth quarter.

South Korea’s Hyundai in December said it was launching a brand dedicated to its hydrogen fuel-cell system, and last year delivered its first H2 Xcient fuel-cell trucks to customers.

Japan’s Toyota has said a demonstration version off its heavy-duty fuel-cell truck, developed with subsidiary Hino Motor Co, would be ready in the first half of 2021.

Germany’s Daimler last June established a separate fuel-cell business unit, and previously announced a team-up with Volvo Trucks to develop fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles.

Tesla is aiming to compete for commercial customers with its electric Semi truck, which it expects to begin selling this year.


Proton has big plans for Lotus in China

                KUALA LUMPUR: Lotus aims to make inroads into China through a joint venture  that would hasten the development of its cars there, leveraging on the incentives offered by the Fujian provincial government.

Lotus parent Proton recently signed the agreement with Lotus Group International Limited and Chinese company Goldstar Heavy Industrial Co. Ltd.

Proton CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said the agreement would see the formation of a new joint venture company that would undertake research and development (R&D) activities in the use of efficient and advanced technology.

"The joint venture company will then produce and sell Lotus branded passenger cars as well as provide after sales services in China."

China has become the most promising export market for Lotus cars. Lotus announced earlier this month a 55% increase in car sales to 2,008 units for its 2014/15 financial year, compared to the previous year, with 36 new dealers appointed during the period.

Lotus said it was the best result it had achieved since 2008/09. Key global markets were China (+186%), France (+177%) and Germany (+130%), while Japan (+103%) remains the company’s largest export market.

Lotus will continue to produce its sports cars its headquarters in Hethel, England. It makes the Evora, Exige and Elise.

Proton has worked with Goldstar before in 2002 but the deal to produce Proton cars in China fell through, resulting in a suit by the Chinese partner against Proton for breach of contract. The dispute was finally settled through arbitration.


Engine parts makers must cross 'valley of death' to reach EV era

                LONDON: Auto engine parts makers eyeing the promising electric-vehicle market are dealing with a severe case of delayed gratification.

Until EVs truly take off, engine parts makers face a perilous few years where they must invest heavily in new machinery, while struggling with falling sales of fossil-fuel cars.

Evtec Aluminium, a small supplier with two plants in England, is a case in point. It barely survived.

Within the last decade in the European Union - when Britain was still a member - diesel was the green fuel of the future.

Carmakers, including Evtec's main customer Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), invested tens of billions of dollars in new diesel models and production capacity.

Suppliers followed suit. Evtec, then known as Liberty Aluminium, invested tens of millions of pounds in new machines, some of which sit idle but are still being paid off.

Then the EU, spurred on in part by Volkswagen's "Dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, swiftly abandoned diesel in favour of EVs and now plans to effectively ban combustion-engine car sales by 2035.

"We went in thinking diesel is the future," said Evtec's business director, Brett Parker, on a tour of the company's half-empty foundry in Kidderminster in England's Midlands, the historical heart of Britain's car industry.

"We backed the wrong horse, unfortunately."

Evtec was saved last year when a group led by investor David Roberts bought it.

Roberts says Evtec's foundry in Kidderminster is Britain's most modern - vast machines here pump molten aluminium heated to around 660 degrees Celsius into castings to make complex shapes - and stands to benefit as UK carmakers look to build EVs that need aluminium parts.

"For me it was a no-brainer to invest in that business," Roberts said.

As recently as 2015, diesel made up nearly 52% of EU car sales. After Dieselgate and the shift in favor of EVs, diesel fell to 19.6% of EU sales in 2021 and has fallen further this year. In Britain, diesel car sales halved to just 8.2% in 2021.

Petrol car sales in the EU declined to around 40% in 2021 from over 45% in 2015 and will fall further as Europe goes electric.

Major engine parts suppliers like Vitesco Technologies Group AG and Schaeffler are already investing in transitioning to electric, but smaller players like Evtec - for which tracking data is not widely available - must adapt or die.

"Engine parts makers are ground zero for the most amount of pain in this transition because they have the least amount of portability into EV world," said Mark Wakefield, global co-leader of consultancy AlixPartners' automotive and industrial practice.

Some major carmakers have warned of huge job losses, as EV motors have only a third of the parts of a combustion engine and require less labour.

Fewer parts also mean fewer suppliers.

Engine parts suppliers must either transform into an EV-focused business, or diversify into other industries making parts for anything from heavy equipment to hair dryers.

Or go out of business.

"People have to realise this transition comes at a cost," Evtec investor Roberts said.

"We all have our own valley of death to get to EVs, but for some suppliers it will be so much harder."

'Can't grow without money'

Declining combustion-engine car sales have already cost jobs.

World No. 4 carmaker Stellantis NV, for instance, is shifting its plant in Tremery, France - long the world's largest diesel engine plant - over to EV motors.

Tremery employs 2,400 people now, down from 3,000 in 2019. Many others will not be replaced when they retire.

German supplier Bosch is transforming its plant in Rodez in southern France away from diesel injectors to new products including hydrogen fuel cells, cutting 750 of 1,250 jobs.

Auto industry consultant Bernd Bohr said larger, deep-pocketed suppliers will likely be the "last man standing" for delivering a particular part.

"A lot of companies are fighting for a piece of a smaller and smaller cake and the question is, who's getting that volume?" he said.

Powertrain supplier Vitesco is focused on combustion engines, but by 2030 the company expects EVs will account for 70% of sales.

In January, the German supplier will split its business into two main divisions, one focused on EV components and the other on higher-value diesel technology to bring in cash as that business winds down.

"We have to generate the necessary funds so we can invest in the future," Vitesco CEO Andreas Wolf said. "I can't grow without money."

A third division will include leftover business to be shut down or sold off, Wolf said.

Parts supplier Schaeffler expects its future EV business will be smaller than today's combustion-engine sales, so the German company is focused on diversifying its customer base.

For instance, the ball bearings Schaeffler sells to carmakers could be sold to other industries.

'Others will drop out'

Smaller suppliers are already struggling with soaring raw material and energy costs, plus the need to invest in greener products to meet carmakers' climate goals.

Funding new equipment for EV parts could be tough.

Evtec's investor Roberts said the company has around 330 million pounds' worth ($363.8 million) of business lined up for EV parts for JLR over a seven-year contract, plus around another 250 million pounds with other carmakers.

But because of long auto industry lead times, the models in those contracts will not start production for two to three years.

Evtec must spend up to 70 million pounds for new tools and machines for those contracts, of which Roberts will pay half, long before any revenue comes in.

Evtec also has support from JLR, which considers it a strategic supplier.

"Our suppliers play a pivotal role in our transformation," a JLR spokesperson said. "We are working closely with them during the automotive industry's transition ... to electrification."

AlixPartners estimates carmakers have committed US$526 billion to go electric and if they do not proactively address supplier problems they could end up spending another US$70 billion to fix them.

Suppliers making key components could get rescued, but carmakers cannot afford too many bailouts, Wakefield said.

Evtec's Parker said with an investor backing its transition, in the short term the company is looking to "plug the gaps" in revenue.

Earlier this year, when an Israeli supplier folded, Evtec took over some of its business.

As suppliers struggle after two years of pandemic, supply shocks and inflation, Parker expects more such opportunities.

"If you can hang on long enough, others will potentially drop out," Parker said.

"Then you've got more chance of picking up business."


Magna buying Veoneer Active Safety to bolster self-driving tech

TORONTO: Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc said it had agreed to buy Veoneer Active Safety business from investment firm SSW Partners for US$1.53 billion in cash to bolster its portfolio of self-driving technology.

A push to incorporate assistive-driving capabilities to bolster safety features in cars has led to greater adoption of self-driving technology with auto suppliers vying to meet the requirements.

However, fully self-driving systems still face regulatory scrutiny among safety concerns.

Earlier this year, Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG shuttered its self-driving startup Argo AI underscoring the growing realisation that automated vehicles may be even further away from mass deployment than industry executives predicted back in 2019.

Magna Electronics, which develops technologies for automated driving and vehicle electrification, and Veoneer is projected to have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sales of about US$1.8 billion in 2022, about US$3 billion in 2024.

Veoneer Active Safety sales are projected to be about US$1.1 billion in 2022 and increase to about US$1.9 billion in 2024.

Veoneer Active Safety systems provides early warnings to alert drivers to prevent accidents by using features such as autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot detection.

The deal is expected to add to Magna's sensor and full systems capabilities, including radar, camera and driver monitoring, and add 2,200 engineers for systems, software and sensor development.

Magna had tried to buy Veoneer last year but was trumped by SSW and Qualcomm who were vying for the company's expertise in making ADAS.

The deal is expected to close near mid-year 2023.


Sleek VW Scirocco coupe gets the axe

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen's sleek Scirocco two-seater coupe is the latest victim of an efficiency drive triggered by the diesel-emissions scandal, which has cost the German company enormous sums of money.

Volkswagen has shut down the website on its homepage used by customers to configure the Scirocco, which was named after a desert wind.

VW told Germany's leading car gazette Autobild that the coupe is no longer being produced.

Volkswagen says demand for two-door coupes has slumped to just over 2,000 examples a year of the Scirocco and there is no successor in the pipeline. By comparison, VW sells around 240,000 a year of the evergreen Golf hatchback.

VW intends to concentrate on sports utilities and electric cars, and the sporty Scirocco no longer fits in with the company's plans.

The current version of the Scirocco dates back to 2008, when it revived a name carried by a same-badged model made from 1974 to 1981. A facelifted version of the first Scirocco was sold until 1992.

VW also recently scrapped the tin-top version of the New Beetle and only the drophead remains in the catalogue.


Seetroën S19 limited edition anti-travel sickness glasses

PARIS: The launch of the Seetroën glasses in July 2018 attracted plenty of attention, with over 20 million web views and sales of 15,000 units in the space of a few months.

Following this success, Citroën is launching a limited edition model of the anti-travel sickness glasses: Seetroën S19.

As with the initial model, Seetroën S19 glasses were developed with the start-up company Boarding Ring and the design studio 5.5.

The new, smarter glasses feature transparency technology, with a shade that matches the blue liquid recreating the horizon line to resolve a conflict of the senses.

With more and more time spent reading on smartphones and tablets, travel sickness affects children and adults alike, and not just in cars but boats, buses and other means of transport.

The “Inspired by You” innovation from the French marque, designed for greater well-being, will be launched at VivaTech.

Both Seetroën models can be worn by adults and children aged ten and over, which is when the inner ear finishes growing. The glasses do not contain lenses, so they can be shared with all travelling companions. Users simply put them on for 10 to 12 minutes when the initial symptoms appear.

Seetroën S19 is a limited edition with only 1,919 units produced, in honour of the brand’s centenary year.

The glasses will be available in the following countries: UK, France, Portugal, Benelux, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.


Tesla tells China car cameras not activated outside North America

                SHANGHAI: Cameras in Tesla cars are not activated outside of North America, the US automaker said on its Chinese social media page today, seeking to assuage security concerns in the world’s biggest car market.

Tesla faces scrutiny in China where the military in March banned Tesla cars from entering its complexes, citing security concerns over cameras in its vehicles, sources told Reuters.

“Even in the United States, car owners can freely choose whether to turn on its (the camera system’s) use. Tesla is equipped with a network security system with world-leading security levels to ensure user privacy protection,” the electric carmaker wrote on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media site.

At a virtual forum in Beijing in March, held not long after reports of the ban surfaced, Tesla founder Elon Musk emphasised the company’s business motivations for protecting user privacy.

“There’s a very strong incentive for us to be very confidential with any information,” Musk said.

“If Tesla used cars to spy in China or anywhere, we will get shut down.”

China is a key battleground for electric vehicles. In 2020 Tesla sold 30% of its global total in the country.


Nov 4-10: RON97 petrol up 9 sen

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price of RON97 petrol will increase by nine sen per litre, to RM3.06, from Nov 4 to Nov 10, according to the Finance Ministry.

In a statement today, it said the retail price of RON95 petrol and diesel would remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively over the same period.

"The government has maintained the retail price of RON95 petrol at the ceiling price of RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre even though the actual market price for both products has increased above the ceiling price set," it said.


Hyundai shows off  'respectful' luxury concept coupe

                LOS ANGELES:  Hyundai Motor America has previewed the “Vision G” Concept Coupe, the South Korean car maker's inspiration for its family of future premium products that promise luxury, performance and style.

“The concept was designed with coordinated input from Hyundai design studios around the world, but was led by our team here in the US,” said Peter Schreyer, Hyundai’s president and chief design officer. “The design is our interpretation of the idea that Hyundai breathes into all of its vehicles – a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don’t need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues.”

The exterior styling of the concept,  previewed to the media at  the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is highlighted by a long hood, high-beltline and a cabin that presents a slingshot-like appearance.

The underlying idea of respectful luxury flows into the interior, underscored by elegant lines and finishes.

The heart of “Vision G” is the award-winning 5.0-litre Tau V8 engine producing 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 519Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The Tau V8 engine family has been named to Ward’s prestigious Ten Best Engines list three times. With high-pressure direct injection for impressive power, low emissions and superb efficiency, this latest version of the Tau V8 benefits from an optimised intake runner length, enhanced timing chain for reduced friction and NVH, low-torque exhaust manifold, increased compression ratio and upgraded multiple-injection mapping. These enhancements combine to produce a flatter torque curve at lower rpm for even better driveability.

“Vision G” will next be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Aug 16.


Levy and toll charges at Johor-Singapore Second Link reduced

                PUTRAJAYA: The levy for commercial vehicles and toll charges at the Johor-Singapore Second Link will be reduced from Feb 13.

Outbound and inbound commercial vehicles will pay only RM50.

This is significantly lower than the existing rate of RM200 for outbound commercial vehicles and RM100 for commercial vehicles entering Johor from Singapore.

The Prime Minister's Office in a statement on Friday also said that toll charges at the Second Link would also be reduced.

"This is among the measures taken to reduce congestion at the Causeway. With this move we expect traffic to ease by 40%," it said.

Toll charges at the Second Link will be reduced between 47% and 82% depending on the vehicle class.

The new rates are applicable during off peak hours between 10am and 3pm and 11pm and 5am.

From Feb 13, private vehicles will be charged RM4 (from RM7.50 currently) and taxis RM3 (RM5.70) while buses will have to pay RM4.50 (from RM9.10).

Whereas toll charges for commercial vehicles in Classes 2 and 3 will be reduced from RM17.10 and RM34.30 respectively to RM4.50 and RM6.10, like on the Causeway.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he hopes that the reduction in the toll and levy will help spur tourism and bring in more tourists from Singapore.

He said he hoped that the move would also help ease the traffic congestion at the Johor Causeway.

"We are not sure about how much it will help to ease traffic jams but there will be a reduction," he added.

Najib said that easing congestion at the Johor Causeway would also help Malaysians working in Singapore as some have to wake up as early as 3.30am to avoid the jams.

He added that a high level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would also look at other proposals to ease congestion at the Causeway.


Rolls-Royce celebrates 112 years of the Spirit of Ecstasy

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the 112th anniversary of its Spirit of Ecstasy mascot on Monday.

It was first registered as intellectual property of Rolls-Royce on Feb 6, 1911. Ever since she has been universally recognised.

She’s changed with the passage of time. At various points in her long life she’s adopted different stances, sometimes stood slightly taller or shorter, and allowed the wind to sculpt her flowing garments in subtly altered forms.

She celebrates her anniversary in her most streamlined and athletic guise, having been specially recreated in 2022 for the marque’s all-electric Spectre, the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever.

Today, she more closely resembles the original drawings made in 1911 by her creator, the illustrator and sculptor Charles Sykes, than she’s ever done.

The origins of the Spirit of Ecstasy are the substance of legend and myth, as well as recorded fact, with some details still veiled in mystery and intrigue. Her backstory involves many of the foundational characters in Rolls-Royce’s own history, including the marque's first managing director, Claude Johnson.

To Rolls-Royce customers and fans around the world, she personifies ambition, achievement, excellence and success.


Emissions scandal: Ex-Audi boss admits role in fraud by negligence in German court

Stadler is expected to get a suspended prison sentence of 1.5-2 years and a fine of 1.1 million euros. — Reuters
MUNICH: Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler accepted his role in committing fraud by negligence in the diesel emissions scandal, according to a statement made in German court today, having agreed early in May to a deal which would get him a suspended sentence.

The former CEO has been on trial for fraud since 2020 over his role in the scandal after parent group Volkswagen and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests. Stadler had previously rejected the allegations.

Stadler's defence lawyer Ulrike Thole-Grolle read a statement to the court, saying the defendant did not know that vehicles had been manipulated and buyers had been harmed, but he recognised it was a possibility and accepted that.

"I understand that for my part, there was a need for more care," said the lawyer on Stadler's behalf.

Asked by the judge whether the words were his own, Stadler replied: "Yes".

The statement had been widely expected after the judge said earlier this month that Stadler would face a suspended prison sentence of 1.5-2 years and a fine of 1.1 million euros if he were to confess to a charge of fraud by negligence.

The verdict is expected in June.

The trial is one of the most prominent court proceedings in the aftermath of the diesel scandal at Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi. Revelations that millions of emissions tests had been manipulated emerged in September 2015.


Electric Hyundai Kona sets record 1,026km range, but it's unrealistic

                FRANKFURT: Hyundai has announced a new endurance record for a production model of its Kona electric car.

A Kona was able to last a total of 1,026 km on the Lausitzring track in Germany. It's also worth noting that two other Konas also exceeded the 1000-km mark during the test.

With a 64 kWh battery, that translates into power consumption of 6.24 kWh/100 km, which is also a record figure.

To achieve such performance, the three production Kona models were driven for nearly 35 hours around the track at a constant speed of between 29kph and 31kph, without using any air conditioning — a type of technology which is particularly draining in terms of energy.

The factory-spec Konas used in this mission ordinarily demonstrate a range of 484km for a single charge.


All-new Subaru WRX to debut at 2021 NY auto show

                NEW YORK: Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the all-new 2022 WRX will debut at the New York International Auto Show on Aug 19.

Design cues are likely to come from the latest Levorg wagon. As is the trend now, the WRX will get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

What we also know of the new WRX is that it would come packing a tuned version of the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-4 used in the three-row Ascent SUV. That mill makes 260hp and 376Nm of torque, which is 8hp less and 26Nm more than the current 2.0-litre turbo-4 seen in the current WRX.

Subaru is expected to junk the ageing turbocharged 2.5-litre flat-4 found in the current WRX STI. In its place could be an uprated version of the 2.4-litre flat-4 that wuld be boosted to 400hp and 489Nm.

Expect the new WRX to feature all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox. A variant with CVT is also likely to be offered.

The auto manufacturer will be streaming the world premiere of the completely redesigned 2022 WRX live.


Technology now trumps brand loyalty for car buyers

                LOS ANGELES: Consumers have started placing such a high premium on in-car technology that they're prepared to switch brands in order to get the features they want.

According to a new KS&R survey commissioned by Autotrader in the US and published to coincide with the LA Auto Show, almost two thirds of consumers in the market for a new set of wheels would be willing to consider a different marque if the standard of technology on offer in their preferred car was lacking.

In fact, nine out of 10 drivers who are getting ready to buy a new car in the coming months have already started researching carmakers' latest tech offerings, particularly in terms of entertainment and driver aids.

"In-vehicle technology ranks increasingly higher for consumers as they consider must-have and desired features in their car shopping," said Michelle Krebs, Autotrader senior analyst. "That puts automakers under intense pressure to anticipate and offer the technologies consumers desire, or they risk losing them to a brand that delivers."

Over half - 59% - of the 1,012 US vehicle owners surveyed said that cruise control was a must-have feature on their next car, while 59% singled out diagnostic alerts and 49% integrated USB charging ports.

Carmakers are increasingly focusing on infotainment, hand-free systems, web connectivity and mirroring actions that exist on smartphones.

And while over half of respondents (53%) said they believed a car can be judged as being a luxury or non-luxury by the quality of its infotainment system and the choice of technologies on offer, the Autotrader study is the latest of many recent surveys to highlight that consumers clearly have doubts about the benefits of systems that simply offer an alternative to the apps and features that are already on their smartphones.

For example, 67% thought that access to music streaming via the dashboard would be a "nice to have" feature (up from 12% in last year's study) and 61% said they wish their current car had a wi-fi hotspot (just 16% in 2014). However, 39% said they prefer using the navigation system on their smartphone to the ones integrated into cars.

Therefore, the fact that 57% said that carmakers should focus on better in-car smartphone integration shouldn't come as a surprise.


Toyota, Nissan and Honda to work together on hydrogen stations

                TOKYO: Toyota, Nissan and Honda have agreed to work together to help accelerate the development of hydrogen station infrastructure for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).

Specific measures to be undertaken by the three manufacturers will be determined at a later date.

Following the formulation of its Strategic Road Map for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in June 2014, Japan has highlighted the importance of developing hydrogen station infrastructure as quickly as possible in order to popularise FCVs.

To quicken the pace, the government plans to subsidise the installation of hydrogen stations.


Over 720,000 m-cycle riders buy into value of Allianz Motorcycle Plus

                KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad said it has issued more than 720,000 Allianz Motorcycle Plus policies since the product was launched in April last year.

The number of policies sold were for the period from May last year to May this year.

Allianz General chief sales officer Horst Habbig said Allianz Motorcycle Plus offers "extra protection at no extra cost."

Allianz Motorcycle Plus offers base protection that covers losses or damages to a person's motorcycle due to accident, fire, and theft; third party death and bodily injuries; and third party property losses or damages. It is available as a comprehensive policy and Third Party Only policy.

In choosing comprehensive coverage, riders will be eligible for an Accident Cover of RM5,000 (for death or permanent disablement), Hospital Income of RM50 a day (up to 60 days), and the All Special Perils Full Sum-Insured Protection (covering flood, landslides or any natural disasters).

Those who choose the Third Party Only coverage will be entitled to an Accident Cover of RM5,000 (for death or permanent disablement) and Hospital Income of RM50 a day (up to 60 days), all with no additional premium required.

To buy Allianz Motorcycle Plus, visit quote.allianz.com.my/onlinequote/, or learn more about the product at allianz.com.my/motorcycle-plus.

For breakdown or road accident assistance, call 15500 (Accident Assist Call Centre), a 24-hour free service provided by the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM).


Autonomous cars good news for tourists, but not for the industry

                LONDON: The focus of most urban autonomous car concepts centres on how it will make commuting and the practicalities of everyday life simpler, speedier and safer.

However, researchers are now analysing how autonomous travel could revolutionise the tourism industry, changing the way we travel, but also how the services inside the industry function.

Writing in the Annals of Tourism Research, academics from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford suggested ways in which Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) could affect urban tourism.

Among some of the potential benefits were the expected rise of autonomous taxis, reduced traffic congestion and emissions, improved foreign car hire processes, and reduced parking requirements.

READ MORE: Study gives crash course in driverless ethics

However, the growth of AVs is far from a win-win for the industry. For restaurants and hotels, it represents new competition in the form of AV dining cars and passengers sleeping in their moving vehicles.

Likewise, AVs may reduce demand for train travel, coach tours, public transport and driven taxis - all of which would result in future job losses.

Professor Cohen, Head of Tourism and Transport at Surrey's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, was cautious about effect of autonomous travel could have on the industry.

"AVs could congest urban attractions, hop-on hop-off city bus tours may go out of business altogether, motorways between cities could fill at night with slow-moving AVs carrying sleeping occupants while commercial sex in moving AVs becomes a growing phenomenon."

So while the AV revolution may make travel better than ever for the tourist, it means uncertain times ahead for those already working inside of the industry.


Renesas to provide chips for Toyota's self-driving cars

                DETROIT: Renesas Electronics Corp said on Tuesday it will provide semiconductors for self-driving cars that Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp plans to bring to market in 2020.

Automakers are racing to be the first to market with commercially viable self-driving vehicles.

Renesas said it will provide a chip to Toyota - the R-Car system-on-chip - that will serve as an “electronic brain” or as advanced driver-assistance systems. The company will provide a separate chip for automotive control.

The first chip will provide “highly accurate intelligence on the vehicle’s position within its environment” and will also make “real-time decisions on vehicle control and active safety maneuvers based on sensor data,” Renesas said.

The second chip, called RH850, will “control driving, steering, and braking functions based on the judgments” made by the R-Car system-on-chip.

Fully self-driving vehicles are expected to hit the market in a limited form by around 2020. US automakers General Motors Co and rival Ford Motor Co have both publicly stated that they aim to have fully self-driving cars on sale by 2021.

Renesas’ chips will be used with an engine control unit that will be provided by Denso Corp, Toyota’s largest supplier.

“We are partnering with Denso and Renesas, who bring superior technology and expertise to this project, with the aim to accelerate the development of autonomous-driving vehicles and encourage early adoption,” said Toyota executive general manager Ken Koibuchi,


Automakers wooing tech enthusiasts to revive electric car sales

                LAS VEGAS: Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co are expected to disclose new details of their electric vehicle strategies at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, highlighting efforts to stoke consumer enthusiasm for battery-powered cars to match growing regulatory demands to build them.

Herbert Diess, head of the Volkswagen brand, is expected to reveal at CES on Tuesday a prototype electric vehicle offering "affordable long-distance electric mobility," the company said.

VW watchers expect it will be a variant of a microbus - linking the German automaker's plans to launch 20 battery-powered or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2020 to a beloved model from the past.

VW's redoubled bet on electrification is part of an effort to repair damage done by revelations that it sold millions of diesel vehicles worldwide that used software to cheat emissions tests and run dirty on the road.

GM chief executive Mary Barra, scheduled to give a CES address on Wednesday afternoon, is expected to promote GM's vehicle electrification efforts. Barra is expected to show a production version of the Chevrolet Bolt electric car, which GM has said will offer a 320-km range and sell alongside a new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid starting next year.

However, beyond technology enthusiasts represented by CES attendees, demand for hybrid and electric vehicles is slumping thanks to cheap gasoline.

US sales of hybrid and all plug-in electric vehicles through the first 11 months of 2015 totalled 452,338, down 16 percent from the same period in 2014, according to data reported by the Electric Drive Transportation Association, a trade group.

Plug-in vehicles accounted for less than 1 percent of the market during the first 11 months of 2015. Still, regulators around the world are pushing manufacturers to sell more electric cars to curb greenhouse emissions.

California and several other US states want automakers to hit certain electric vehicle sales quotas or risk restrictions on more profitable trucks and sport utility vehicles. Cities in Europe and Asia are considering limiting petroleum-powered vehicle access.

China's interest in electric cars is encouraging Chinese investor groups to back challengers to global automakers and Silicon Valley's Tesla Motors Inc. One of them, Faraday Future, said it will reveal its electric luxury car at CES on Monday evening. Faraday says it has plans to invest US$1 billion in a factory near Las Vegas.