Polestar sees global vehicle sales growing tenfold by 2025, says CEO

Polestar 3.
GOTHENBURG: Polestar, the premium electric vehicle maker owned by China's Geely and Volvo Cars, expects sales to hit 29,000 this year and to grow tenfold by 2025 as it rolls out new vehicles starting with an SUV next year, its chief executive said.

The Polestar 3 SUV, which will be built at Volvo Cars' plant in South Carolina starting in the second half of 2022, is an "important step for our company," Thomas Ingenlath said in an interview ahead of a series of events Polestar is hosting with investors to discuss company strategy.

"We are not a virtual company waiting to build factories and sell cars; we are an actual company already building and selling cars around the world," he said.

Polestar launched in 2017 with the low-volume halo Polestar 1 hybrid performance car. It now sells the fully electric Polestar 2 car, and on Thursday, released a teaser image of the Polestar 3.

 Polestar 5.

In September, the EV maker announced a deal to go public through a reverse merger with special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Gores Guggenheim at a valuation of US$20 billion. That deal is expected to close in the first half of 2022.

Polestar, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, expects global sales to hit 29,000 this year, and with plans to launch a new vehicle annually for the next three years, it expects to sell 290,000 units by 2025, Ingenlath said.

The Polestar 4 SUV coupe is scheduled to follow in 2023 and the Polestar 5 four-door GT in 2024. The company expects 40% of sales in the medium term to come from Europe and 30% each from North America and Asia.

Polestar expects revenue of US$1.6 billion this year, double that amount next year, and is targeting US$17 billion in 2025, according to Ingenlath.

Part of that push will be the addition of over-the-air updates for its vehicles, starting with a performance upgrade for the Polestar 2 that sells for about 1,000 euros and gives a 68-horsepower boost in performance. The company also expects to add self-driving capability on the highway for the Polestar 3 around mid-decade.


GM CEO calls self-driving unit layoffs 'prudent,' still sees 'huge opportunity'

                DETROIT: General Motors Co’s top executive says layoffs announced last Thursday at the company’s self-driving Cruise unit were “prudent” but insisted that she sees a “huge opportunity” for its vehicles to move both people and packages.

“We see a huge opportunity to move people and that same vehicle is very applicable to package delivery,” chief executive officer Mary Barra said at a Bank of America investor conference on Friday. “We’ll continue to aggressively work on both.”

According to an internal email partially read to Reuters on Thursday, about 8% of Cruise staff would be cut, which amounts to more than 140 people.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused funding to dry up in the autonomous driving industry.

Speaking to Bank of America, Barra repeated previous statements that GM remains “unwavering in our commitment to Cruise.”

 Lidar map image of a US highway.

“I think what you saw them do was just a very prudent action,” she said. “The tightening they just did was in non-technical areas” to focus more on developing self-driving technology.

Earlier Friday GM’s chief financial officer said vehicle sales for the No. 1 US automaker and the US auto sector were improving as the sector recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Early days, but we’re seeing some positive signs in the first two weeks of May on the retail side,” CFO Dhivya Suryadevara said during a webcast of a Goldman Sachs investor conference.

A GM spokesman confirmed she was speaking about both GM and industry demand.

Auto sales globally, including in the United States, were hurt as the Covid-19 virus shut down dealers, but markets have begun to reopen. GM is set to reopen “a majority of our operations” next week, Suryadevara said.

GM tracks vehicle sales on a daily basis and is in constant contact with its US dealers, tracking things like changes in preference including the growing market share for pickup trucks, she said.

As for the restart scheduled for this Monday, some industry officials have worried that delays in Mexico could lead to US assembly plants shutting back down due to a shortage of parts from south of the US border.

“The situation will be fluid leading up to the restart,” she said. “It is clearly an interconnected system across US, Mexico and Canada that we’re working with all the governments and the stakeholders to bring confidence on the way we’re restarting and our safety protocols as well.”


Car 'graveyard' a monument to the power of China's record floods

This aerial photo taken on Aug 10 shows vehicles damaged by floods in July at a parking lot, some of which will be discarded, in Zhengzhou. — AFP
BEIJING: Endless rows of mud-caked vehicles damaged by deadly floods last month sit abandoned in a parking lot in Zhengzhou, an unwitting memorial to the power of the disaster that hit Henan province.

The region is rebuilding after the deadliest floods in a decade wreaked havoc across the province mid-July, killing over 300 people and damaging thousands of cars and buildings.

"We were forced to abandon our vehicles and leave when the waters rose," a Zhengzhou resident surnamed Wang said.

At least 238,000 damaged vehicles have been sent to 'graveyards' like the one in the outskirts of Zhengzhou, head of Henan's insurance regulator Ma Chao told state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday.

 Close-up of some of the damaged vehicles, with one obviously having been submerged in the recent floodwaters. — AFP

Record downpours dumped a year's worth of rain on Zhengzhou — the capital of Henan province and the epicentre of the flooding — in just three days, with over 290 people killed.

Dozens of people died while trapped in flooded subway carriages, underground car parks and tunnels.

The floods also triggered record insurance claims worth US$1.7 billion after thousands of cars and buildings were damaged, insurer Goldman Sachs said in a July report.

The local government last week said economic losses due to the floods have ballooned to over US$20.65 billion and promised swift compensation.

But critics say the process has been painfully slow.

Resident Wang, who lost his car, added: "Now getting compensation has become a real headache with dozens of forms to fill in."

A landmark UN study released Monday warned that northern China was prone to more freak weather events, including heavy floods and punishing droughts, due to climate change.


2015 Alfa Romeo 4C is a Playboy Magazine top pick

                AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN: With its race-inspired performance and advanced technologies wrapped by seductive curves that can only be handcrafted in Italy, Playboy magazine named the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C “2015 Car of the Year – Sports Cars and Convertibles.”

The annual award from Playboy represents a hand-picked list of their favorite vehicles in 2015.

“The gorgeous Italian exchange student you loved in high school isn’t coming back, but the stunning Alfa Romeo 4C is now here after years of being away,” said William K. Gock – Automotive Writer, Playboy.

“This lightweight carbon-fiber-framed pistol uses flowing body curves, highly stylized alloy wheels and a monstrous engine roar to announce Alfa’s grand return. Behind the wheel it’s obvious the 4C is a machine built for high-speed cornering, not casual trips to the corner store, which is more than enough to earn our esteem.”

As part of the “2015 Car of the Year” selection process, William K. Gock spent time test-driving countless cars for Playboy and worked with the publication’s editors on the final list of winners.

“Playboy’s best sports car award speaks to the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C’s seductive styling, race-inspired performance and how hot it is in the marketplace,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo North America.

“With its sexy, head-turning mid-engine Italian design, each 4C represents more than 100-years of Alfa Romeo racing knowhow and Formula 1 inspired technologies – a combination we’re excited to offer North American enthusiasts and at a fraction of the price of other carbon fiber chassis supercars.”

The Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe and Playboy’s “2015 Car of the Year” story can be found in the magazine’s special January/February 2015 double issue on newsstands now, or online: http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-2015-cars-of-the-year


VW now world's No. 1 carmaker

                MUNICH/TOKYO: But staying on top will be a challenge for the German maker of the Golf and Polo, as deliveries are falling in China, destination of a third of its global sales, making it overly reliant on relatively stagnant western European demand.

"The hunt for scale only makes sense if it boosts synergies, something VW hasn't really been able to achieve," said Stefan Bratzel, head of the Center of Automotive Management think-tank. "Dependence on China is VW's weak spot and managing such a large group inevitably poses problems."

VW has been pushing for greater scale under Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn's eight-year reign, propelled by adding brands and factories and roaring sales in China.

The German group on July 17 reported 5.04 million deliveries in the first half year. By comparison, Toyota said on Tuesday it sold 5.02 million cars between January and June, a 1.5 percent decline on year-ago levels.

Toyota, due to announce first-half earnings next Tuesday, said sales were dragged down by a slowdown in emerging markets and increased taxes on mini vehicles in Japan.

VW's rapid expansion has masked underperformance in the United States and Brazil, where it has been slow to upgrade models and adjust its offerings to market trends, analysts say.

Although boosting market share and brand awareness, VW's race for volume has triggered a costly proliferation of models and equipment, especially in its core passenger-car brand where profit margins have languished amid growing inefficiencies.

With over 310 models and nearly 120 factories worldwide, VW's size may be turning into a disadvantage, forming the backdrop to a leadership crisis in April when ex-chairman Ferdinand Piech was ousted after publicly criticizing CEO Winterkorn.

VW's top management has since been trying to regain the initiative, though other top players, notably its unions and stakeholder Lower Saxony, are seeking to influence the course of its move to a leaner structure as VW is pushing 5 billion euros of cost savings in its core division.

Wolfsburg-based VW last year started shifting its focus to boosting earnings quality to help fund growing technology needs and plant upgrades.

VW has a goal of "moderately" raising deliveries from last year's record 10.14 million cars. The group will publish first-half results on Wednesday.


Daimler agrees to US diesel settlements worth nearly US$3b

                WASHINGTON/BERLIN: Daimler said today it has reached agreements costing nearly US$3 billion to settle civil investigations by US regulators and lawsuits from vehicle owners stemming from a long-running probe into software to cheat diesel emissions tests.

The settlements in principle address civil and environmental claims tied to 250,000 US diesel passenger cars and vans in the United States and include claims from the Environmental Protection Agency, Justice Department, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Attorney General’s Office.

The German carmaker said it expects the costs of the settlements with US authorities will total US$1.5 billion, settling with owners will cost about US$700 million and “further expenses of a mid three-digit-million EUR (euro) amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements.”

A spokesman for CARB confirmed the settlement “will reach US$1.5 billion and affects 250,000 vehicles nationwide.” The agency said it would disclose more details after binding consent decrees with the US government agencies are filed with a US district court, currently anticipated for mid-September.

The maker of Mercedes-Benz cars said it expects an impact on its free cash flow over the next three years as a result, with the main impact within the next 12 months.

Daimler said previously it was the subject of a US Justice Department criminal investigation but the status of that probe was not addressed today.

Diesel vehicles have come under scrutiny in the United States since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 US vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in 2019 reached a settlement worth about US$800 million to resolve claims by regulators and owners that it used illegal software that produced false results on diesel-emissions tests, but still faces an ongoing criminal probe.

In total, Volkswagen agreed to pay more than US$25 billion in the United States for claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers. VW also ended sales of diesel passenger vehicles in the United States.


Set your personal touches with Ducati Scrambler configurator

                BOLOGNA: The new Ducati Scrambler configurator is now online at: configurator.scramblerducati.com. The platform allows for the personalisation, at any time and even via a mobile device, of all six versions of the new bike.

From the Scrambler Icon, to the Sixty2, from the Urban Enduro, to the Full Throttle, the Classic and the Flack Track Pro, all of the bikes in the Scrambler range can be viewed and made unique and distinctive.

The Scrambler configurator is one of the many projects falling under the Ducati Brand Unit that promotes “self-expression”, the concept that characterises the Scrambler universe. All such projects are designed to give room to creativity, expanding the brand using unconventional and increasingly innovative channels.

In terms of motorcycle personalisation, the new Ducati Scrambler configurator offers the possibility to choose from more than 60 accessories: original tank covers and three different Scrambler logos; Racing accessories to emphasise the bike’s sports spirit; six different seats; Enduro accessories for an increasingly complete experience even when off-road; and much more. All of the images available in the configurator are provided in hi-definition for true-to-life representation.

The platform offers 11 views of the bike, including side, three-quarter, rear, front, from above and from the riding position. Even the setting can be personalised. The Ducati Scrambler configurator can also be used to choose a trendy and practical garment from the latest apparel collection dedicated to the brand. In order to ensure safety, comfort and style, Scrambler garments include jackets, trousers, gloves, shows, t-shirts, glasses and even helmets and goggles, all useful and fun accessories.

There is also the "Hop on your motorbike" option, an additional function that lets the customer share a configuration with his/her closest Ducati Scrambler dealer and receive useful feedback in real time. The configurator also allows for sharing via social media.


New Shell Rimula for fleet and transport operators

PETALING JAYA: Shell Malaysia has introduced the newly reformulated Shell Rimula R6 LM fully synthetic and R5 LE synthetic technology heavy duty diesel engine oils (HDDEOs) with the latest American Petroleum Institute (API) CK-4 engine oil specification in the Malaysian market.The availability of the latest API CK-4-compliant HDDEOs is good news for the highly competitive fleet and transportation sectors where companies are under pressure to achieve high standards of reliability and safety while minimising total operating costs.The new API CK-4 Shell Rimula R6 LM flagship product combines a fully synthetic base oil with PurePlus technology and Adaptive Additive Technology.Both Shell Rimula R6 LM and R5 LE demonstrated excellent oxidation and sludge deposit control to prevent oil thickening and harmful deposits in all areas of the engine, resulting in cleaner pistons.They also offer superior viscosity and shear stability for better engine wear protection even at high temperatures and pressure.“Today’s engines operate at higher temperatures and need a new generation of high-performing diesel engine oils to protect them. New API CK-4 Shell Rimula engine oils are designed to help deliver efficient engine operation and excellent wear protection,” said Marketing General Manager – Malaysia/Singapore, Shell Lubricants, May Tan.Shell Rimula’s API CK-4 oils replace CJ-4 oils, and are backwards compatible to all current vehicles, providing benefits for both newer and older engine technologies. For operators who operate both newer and older vehicles, this helps simplify lubrication procedures.


From Sept 1 - service tax at 6%, sale of goods at 10%

                KUALA LUMPUR: The provision of services will be taxed at 6% under the reintroduced sales and services tax (SST), while the sale of goods will incur a 10% tax, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said that the SST would be implemented on Sept 1 after the necessary laws are passed in the current Parliament session.

“Following the zero-rating of the goods and services tax (GST), the federal government is expecting to lose RM21bil in revenue per year.

“In contrast, the reintroduction of the SST, rising crude oil prices and the dividends from the government-linked companies would bring in an extra RM15bil in revenue for the federal government in 2018,” Lim said in his speech at the National Tax Conference yesterday.

“And this is the same rate that had been imposed previously. To fill up the gap left by the GST, the Ministry of Finance has identified RM10bil worth of expenditure savings,” he added.

He said that with the reintroduction of the SST, the government would be able to claw back RM21bil a year, but there would still be a shortfall of another RM21bil.

“This is where we need to do a little bit of belt-tightening by cutting down on expenditures, inefficiencies and of course through savings,” he said.

He said that the projected tax collection in direct taxes previously by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) of RM134bil, which is almost an additional 10% from the RM123bil in 2017, could be challenging and that the growth in collection was possible because of the removal of the high-handed and rough methods that had been employed by the previous government.

“Whether we can achieve this target or not would depend on whether we can instil confidence among the public that the LHDN is implementing a fair tax regime,” he said.

Lim said that he hoped the people and companies operating here would, in turn, give due support to this process by duly paying their taxes.

“While taxes fund the development and administration of the country, they also serve to reduce inequality that exists in our society.

“And while we impose taxes, we also do not want to tax you to death, but we hope that you are able to pay these taxes to help us save the country.

“If we can resolve this problem of tax evasion and tax avoidance, this would go a long way,” he said.

Lim said that the Finance Ministry had instructed the LHDN to immediately cease high-handed rough tactics to recover taxes that were unpaid.

“They were employed by the previous government and this cannot continue. We know that the previous government needed money to cover up its financial scandals. So, it used very strong methods, especially office raids accompanied by security people armed with guns and weapons.

“I do not think this is necessary because we are not dealing with people like Jho Low,” Lim said.

He said the government would rely on the courts to decide on such matters instead.

“If businesses are accused of not paying taxes, I am sure our existing laws are sufficient and adequate enough to cover them. This also does not mean that the government won’t go after those who do not pay their taxes; we will still do this, but in accordance with the law. I hope that in turn, Malaysians can comply,” Lim said.

“If, for example, say there are some companies that cannot pay up this year but would like to (defer) payment to the following year, the taxman can be flexible. Ia boleh dibincang, tetapi dengan bersih bukan di bawah kaunter

(It can be discussed in a clean manner in the absence of any corrupt elements).

“I must emphasise the word bersih (clean) here and this is very important. Discussions must happen in the LHDN office during office hours and not at some place outside during strange hours,” he added.

Lim said he hoped that with the installation of the new government that has pledged transparency in the way tax money is used, people, in turn, would willingly pay their taxes without any qualms or doubts.

“Tax money will be used for public purposes for the benefit of the people.

“Generally, it has been proven that if people believe that the government is using the obtained tax money for the right purposes, they are willing to pay more and we hope that we can instil this confidence among the taxpayers,” he said.


BMW X7 among 40 new and revised models coming

                MUNICH: Spyshots of the X7 have been floating online for quite a while, and BMW confirmed its largest off-roader is set for a rollout and will soon compete directly with the full-size Range Rover.

The 7-seat X7 will be the biggest new launch for BMW but it will be one of many coming in the next 24 months. "We intend to launch more than 40 new and revised models of our three premium brands on the market during 2017 and 2018," said group chairman Harald Krüger at BMW Group's annual accounts press conference on Tuesday.

 A render of the X7 and (below) a spy shot of the SUV undergoing winter testing. - Images from autobild

BMW sales in 2016 topped 2 million for the first time and this jump in sales is SUV-driven. One in three BMWs sold last year (644,992) was of the X- variety. There's also surging demand for the new flagship 7 Series since its launch in 2016. Therefore, the company is combining these two trends in the X7.

"With the X7, we will continue to expand our portfolio and strengthen our presence in this segment," said the company's head of finance Dr Nicolas Peter.

At the press conference, the company said 2016 was its biggest in its 100-year history for car sales and outlined its plans to expand its range to capitalise on the growing demand for e-mobility.

In total the group's three automotive brands -- BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini -- racked up 2,367,603 sales over the last financial year, enough to ensure it can still call itself the world's leading premium carmaker.

The company also confirmed that it will be extending its hybrid range and to reiterate its commitment to selling 100,000 hybrid or full electric cars over the next 12 months.

"In 2016, electrified vehicles accounted for around 2.6% of our Group sales. But in certain EU countries, electrified cars already make up over 20%," said Krüger.

The first ever hybrid Mini, the Clubman, will be coming this summer to help stimulate interest in electrified models, and Krüger also confirmed that a drop-top version of its eco-friendly hybrid sportscar, the i8 roadster will be coming in early 2018. But form 2019 onwards, the company will be ramping up its investment in plug-in EV cars. "Demand for pure battery electric cars is also growing," said Krüger.

"With our Strategy, we have decided that: The fully electric drivetrain will be integrated into our core brands, with: an all-electric Mini in 2019, and an all-electric BMW X3 in 2020."

Like VW and Mercedes, BMW believes that by 2025, electric cars could account for up to 25% of total sales but qualified it by saying "only if infrastructure and regulations keep pace with technological breakthroughs."

BMW cars powered by hydrogen are also in the pipeline, with the first such cars to be ready in 2021. "We are also working on fuel cells. These are particularly well-suited to larger model series and long distances. We plan to produce a low volume series in 2021, and we will be able to offer vehicles with fuel cells from 2025," said Krüger.


Vehicle sales to pick up momentum this month

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian vehicle sales are expected to start picking up from this month, driven by easing economic activity restrictions in key states like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

CGS-CIMB Research in a report yesterday said it is maintaining its 500,000 units total industry volume (TIV) sales forecast for 2021, which is in line with the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) target for this year.

“Our 500,000 TIV forecast implies a 5.6% year-on-year decline in 2021 due to sales volume falling 3% and 10% year-on-year for national and non-national brands, respectively.

“While we foresee improving TIV in August and September due to the reopening of the auto sector, we still expect TIV in the third quarter of this year to contract by 7% quarter-on-quarter and 41% year-on-year.”

With the reopening of economic activities, including sales and production of motor vehicles under phase one of the National Recovery Plan from Aug 16, especially for key states like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Kenanga Research said it expects car sales to recover.

It added that sales would also be boosted by the growing number of back-logged bookings for popular models.

“We keep our 2021 TIV target at 460,000 units, tracking behind MAA’s 2021 TIV target of 500,000 units.

“We expect a stronger recovery next year, with a 2022 TIV target of 600,000 units, closely in line with MAA’s TIV target of 605,000 units.”

Kenanga Research said its 2022 TIV growth will be driven by the expected recovery in the economy post lockdown and the assumption that herd immunity would be achieved by then.

By then, the research house said the resulting relaxation of standard operating procedures toward revitalising local travel should push demand for passenger vehicles, especially the affordable national marques.

“Additionally, a few automakers have assured commitment to absorb the sales tax exemption beyond December 2021,” it said.

The government announced a vehicle sales tax exemption in June 2020 under the short-term economic recovery plan (Penjana). The exemption was initially supposed to last until the end of last year.

However, it has since been extended until Dec 31, 2021.

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

Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank said it expects supply chain issues to plague recovery in the second half of 2021, which could directly impact sales volumes.

“Finished goods inventory is likely to continue declining in the following months.

“Distributors with enough finished inventory can continue to fulfil new orders, but those with long waiting lists will likely be unable to do so.

“The sales tax exemption should cushion the loss of sales during the full lockdown and keep demand buoyed, coupled with the low interest rate environment amidst the production bottleneck,” it said.


Limited edition Jaguar F-Type in town

                PETALING JAYA: The limited edition Jaguar F-Type Project 7 supercar will be making its first-ever appearance in Malaysia during the Asia Klasika Motor Festival 2015 at Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside this weekend, from Oct 2 – 4, 2015.

The stunning hand-built roadster, the most powerful production Jaguar ever built, will be a star attraction at the 6th Malaysia International Vintage and Classic Car Concours, which is a key part of the festival.

At the event, Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JLRM) and its authorised dealer SISMA Auto will also be showcasing three other Jaguar models – the XJ, XF and F-Type – as part of the British marque’s 80th Anniversary celebrations this year.

“The surprise maiden appearance is a special treat for Jaguar fans and motoring fans in Malaysia as the F-Type Project 7 is one of the most coveted supercars today, with production limited to just 250 units globally,” said JLRM Managing Director Tuan Syed Mudzhar Syed Ali .

F-Type Project 7 is not only the most focused derivative of the award-winning F-Type range, but also the fastest production Jaguar ever built.  It is also the first Jaguar performance vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations team.

Its distinctive roadster body pays tribute to one of the most famous and iconic racing Jaguars: the three-time Le Mans winning D-type, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2014. F-Type Project 7’s name pays homage to Jaguar’s seven outright Le Mans wins. It is fully road-legal, with a removable roof and 196-litre stowage space.

The supercar’s power comes from Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, now in 575PS/680Nm form, enabling the all-aluminium-bodied car – which weighs 1585kg – to achieve acceleration from 0-100kph in 3.9-seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 300kph.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through Jaguar’s eight-speed Quickshift transmission and second generation Electronic Active Differential (EAD). Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes are fitted as standard on F-Type Project 7, offering powerful, consistent, fade-free braking. Another standard feature is Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) which, working in conjunction with the EAD, enables extremely precise handling.

Bespoke carbon-fibre aerodynamic aids and a unique suspension set-up enable F-Type Project 7 to deliver a truly engaging driving experience.

Key design elements include the D-type-inspired fairing behind the driver’s head, shorter windshield, new front bumper, and downforce-increasing aerodynamic modifications – including a carbon-fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and adjustable rear spoiler.

However, the single-seater concept has been transformed into a two-seater, with rollover hoops for both driver and passenger now integrated into the design.


2016: The year that carmakers moved into mobility

                PARIS: From Ford and GM to BMW and VW, 2016 has been as much about trying to solve consumers' mobility issues as it has been about trying to sell people new cars. And as technological innovations continue to come thick and fast and urban areas become even more crowded, this could well prove to be the shape of automotive things to come with car companies reinventing themselves as transport service providers.

In September, when Ford set out its future business plan, President and CEO, Mark Fields said: "The world is moving from simply owning vehicles to owning and sharing them. That's why we are expanding to sell more vehicles and provide transportation services at the same time."

And the Blue Oval is by no means alone. From Mercedes-Benz and BMW to Audi and Toyota, 2016 signalled a concerted effort to move simply from building cars to solving consumers' mobility issues.

In October international Daimler-owned car-sharing company car2go celebrated attracting its 2 millionth member, eight years after its launch, and GM has spent most of the past 12 months investing in existing ride sharing services like Lyft or buying up the assets of failed ventures.

Yet as a percentage of the average person's salary a new car has never been cheaper to own, so why are the world's biggest carmakers looking to change their business model?

The simple answer, according to Bosch, is people living in urban environments are falling out of love with the idea of car-ownership. Of being stuck in traffic, of never being able to find a parking space plus the fact that public transport systems are increasingly efficient and connected - planning a route is now no more difficult than launching a smartphone app.

And, as a result "The car as we know it will soon be history," said Bosch CEO Dr Volkmar Denner. "Today you use the Internet to book a hotel room; in the future you'll arrange your mobility online as well."

And if carmakers don't move quickly to address this change in behavior then any number of tech startups could instead. "Cities globally are dealing with increased congestion, a growing middle class and environmental issues - all of which can be alleviated by developing mobility solutions fine-tuned to the unique challenges of each location," said Jim Hackett, chairman, Ford Smart Mobility LLC.

Over the next five years, the global market for connected mobility is expected to grow by 25% annually. With every year that passes the technology underpinning it will get more powerful, more intuitive and more connected. This in turn will open the doors to even more potential services.

Take parcel deliveries for instance. Smart and Volvo are both already testing services where couriers can deliver a package to a person's car, using their phone to unlock the vehicle and send a ‘package arrived' message. "Alongside the home and the office, the car will become the third living environment," explains Denner.

The car is becoming a major hub within the Internet of things: BMWs can now communicate with Amazon's Echo home assistant and any Mercedes with the right options can remotely tell a Nest thermostat that its owner's stuck in traffic so the heating doesn't need to come on yet.

And as they connect to the IoT, they will also connect with the wider transport infrastructure, public and private. "In a few years, mobility will be seamlessly connected," said Denner.

And at that point, the concept of a privately owned car could be usurped by the idea of a publicly shared vehicle that's yours when you need it.


New 'collaborative parking' technology being tested

                LONDON: According to a study commissioned by Ford, drivers can spend the equivalent of more than a whole day each year searching for a parking space. However, the stress of searching for that elusive empty space in busy car parks could soon be a thing of the past, and that's because of a new "collaborative parking" technology which is currently being tested on the streets and in the car parks of Milton Keynes in Britain.

Ford is working with Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) and others to develop "collaborative parking" and other vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies as part of UK Autodrive, which is a £20 million (RM111mil) government-sponsored programme aimed at taking self-driving and connected-car technologies from test tracks to the real world.

As parking spaces in towns and cities across Europe continue to become increasingly difficult to locate, it's hoped technology such as this could help to reduce driver stress as well as congestion.

A demonstration has just been held in Milton Keynes where two parking-related technologies were showcased. The first of them identifies where available parking spaces are in a car park and keeps the driver informed of their availability. So, as the car enters a car park, a continuously updated heat map shows the availability of parking spaces in the facility.

The parking space information is updated in real time by data collected from other connected cars in the same car park, so it shows parking spaces as they fill up and become vacant. Jaguar Land Rover demonstrated an even more advanced technology in a prototype autonomous Range Rover Sport, which goes a big step further by identifying an available parking space and then driving to it and parking in it by itself.

Christian Ress, the supervisor of Automated Driving Europe for Ford Research and Advanced Engineering explained: "We understand how much wasted time and unnecessary stress is caused by searching for parking spaces in towns and cities. With our research into 'collaborative parking', we see an opportunity to hand that time back to drivers, helping them enjoy happier, healthier and more efficient journeys."


The road not taken: South Korea's self-driving professor

Han sitting in his 21-year-old self-driving car in front of his office in Yongin, south of Seoul. — AFP

SEOUL: Decades before the race to build a self-driving car became a multi-billion-dollar contest between tech giants such as Tesla and Google, a South Korean professor built an autonomous vehicle and test-drove it across the country - only for his research to be consigned to the scrapheap.

Han Min-hong, now 79, successfully tested his self-driving car on the roads of Seoul in 1993 - a decade before Elon Musk even founded Tesla.

Two years later, it drove 300km from the capital to the southern port of Busan, on the most heavily-travelled expressway in South Korea.

Footage from the period shows the car barrelling down a highway, with no one behind the wheel. A 386-chip-powered desktop computer, complete with monitor and keyboard, is placed on the passenger seat. Han is sitting in the back, waving at the camera.

"It felt extraordinary," said the affable inventor.

"The workload was very heavy," but he and his team "had an enormous passion as it was something others hadn't done yet, something that hadn't come out in the world yet".

At the time, South Korea was more focused on heavy industry, such as steel and shipbuilding, with the average Korean not yet familiar with cellphones.

The country was yet to become the tech powerhouse it is today, and was still pursuing imitation rather than innovation. On one occasion, Han was told: "Why develop a new technology when you can always pay for it?"

Han's projects were seen as dangerous. He was once asked how much he was paying for his life insurance, he said, and whether his wife was aware of "these crazy activities of yours?"

But Han was so convinced of his cars' safety that he rarely wore a seat belt - and has never had life insurance.

Even so, unable to see much investment potential, the government eventually cut funding to his research at Korea University.

Now, Musk's electric car firm is a US$600-billion behemoth, while Han's Chumdancha is a small company in Yongin, south of Seoul, where he and one other employee still develop specialist warning systems for autonomous vehicles.

Musk is a "tremendous and outstanding" person, Han said. "He came up with his own, firm vision based on what others were doing, and that is really incredible."

But Han's invention could have paved the way for South Korea to dominate the industry, he added regretfully.

Raj Rajkumar, an engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, who reviewed the 1990s footage for AFP, said it "appears to be on par with some of the best work on autonomous vehicles during that period".

"The professor and a colleague are not even in the driver's seat - very bold, confident but very risky thing to do," he added.

"It is unfortunate that funding for that project was cut. In hindsight, that was certainly not a wise decision."

Musk challenge

Korea University describes Han as "a pioneer and hero in the global field of artificial intelligence", who is known for developing the South's first automotive navigation system and a mini-helicopter seen as a precursor to modern-day drones, as well as his autonomous vehicle work.

He is seen in the South as a genius ahead of his time - the 1990s footage has been viewed more than 1.5 million times since it was posted to YouTube in February.

Self-driving vehicles are a major technological battleground for today's automakers, with technology giants like Google parent Alphabet spending billions of dollars in a market that is supposed to fuel vehicle sales.

Tesla said last year it was "very close" to achieving Level 5 autonomous driving technology - which indicates essentially total autonomy.

But Han insists the American firm's current offerings are effectively comparable to his 1990s work.

"As Tesla is regarded as the best car in the world, if there is a chance, I would like to compare our technology to theirs."

He suggested a challenge on the Bugak Skyway, a twisting, narrow road that runs over a mountain in northern Seoul.

"Of course Tesla's invested a lot of money in testing, so it might be much better when it comes to sophistication," he told AFP. "But there shouldn't be much difference when it comes down to basic functionality."

Even so, Han believes there are limits to what self-driving technology can achieve, and that true autonomy is beyond reach.

Neural networks do not have the flexibility of humans when faced with a novel situation that is not in their programming, he said, predicting that self-driving vehicles will largely be used to transport goods rather than people.

"Computers and humans are not the same," he added.


Infiniti Q60 Sports coupe bows to the world

                LAS VEGAS: With up to 400hp in performance, the Q60 premium sports coupe is touted by Infiniti to have a combination of expressive design with exhilarating performance and dynamics.

The new Q60 sports coupe is due to go on sale in selected markets in the second half of 2016 with a choice of two engine variants (both equipped with active grille shutter) are are both mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

At the entry-level is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which is good for 208bhp at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,500rpm and sends power to the rear wheels.

However, the range-topping all-new 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo powerplant (derived from Nissan’s ‘VR’ powertrain family) delivers 400bhp at 6,400rpm and 475Nm of torque from 1,600 to 5,200rpm for its rear-biased intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

Dimensionally, the Q60 has a wheelbase of 2,850mm and comes in measuring 4,683mm-long, 1,850mm-wide and 1,385mm-high and has a 0.28 drag coefficient.

Visually, it maintains its double-arch grille that separates the eye-like LED headlights with light guide technology and the crescent-shaped C-pillars that arc forward.

While rolling on standard 19-inch aluminium alloy wheels (optional 20-inch wheels), the adjustable dynamic digital suspension (only for 3.0-litre V6), takes care of and enhances ride comfort that’s accentuated by the second-generation customisable direct adaptive steering system.

And to adapt to the driver’s mood is the drive mode selector that provides six available options of Customise, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport, and Sport+.

Inside, the cabin possesses a driver-centric layout that immerses the driver in an audio haven via the 13-speaker, Bose Performance Series sound system that’s matched with the car’s acoustic glass and noise cancelling technology,

Furthermore, it also comes equipped as standard with the InTuition central control infotainment system that’s been upgraded with a faster processor – allowing occupants to personalise the interior environment according to preferences, with fully adjustable temperature, seating positions, audio-visual settings, navigation and others.

The active and passive safety technologies include around view monitor, intelligent cruise control with distance control assist, forward emergency braking with pedestrian braking system, lane departure prevention, blind spot intervention and backup collision intervention.

“The new Q60 will ensure Infiniti’s position as a leader in the segment. Premium customers around the globe love a sports coupe that offers power, performance and prestige – and the Q60 delivers on all three fronts,” said Infiniti Vice President product strategy Francois Bancon.


2017 Detroit auto show: All-new VW Tiguan introduced

                DETROIT: The all-new 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan unveiled at the North American International Auto Show kicks off a big year for the Volkswagen brand in America.

Engineered specifically to meet the needs of American customers, the all-new Tiguan builds on the current vehicle’s fun to drive character and adds a more sophisticated and spacious interior, flexible seating and high-tech infotainment and driver assistance features.

The Tiguan is based on Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture. Compared with the current model, the new Tiguan has far more interior space; at 185.2 inches long, the 2018 model is a stunning 10.7 inches longer than the current version and has up to 57% more cargo capacity.

The 109.9-inch wheelbase—4.4 inches longer than the new Tiguan sold in Europe—provides both sliding second-row seats and an optional third row.

On the outside, the all-new Tiguan adopts a wider, lower stance, while the exterior design of sharper, stronger character lines, and LED lighting has already garnered several European design awards.

The exterior design also enhances the Tiguan’s utility, from a 26-degree approach angle for off-roading to a lower lift-in height for the tailgate.

The Tiguan’s interior has been rethought and refreshed; even the cloth seats of entry models now feature a rhombus pattern that offers a premium look.

The Tiguan now features the optional Volkswagen Digital Cockpit display, offering drivers a reconfigurable display of key data and the ability to position navigation data front and center for easy viewing.

The available Volkswagen Car-Net system provides a suite of connected vehicle services, including standard App-Connect technology that offers compatible smartphone integration with the three major platforms—Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.  The new Tiguan also offers an available Fender Premium Audio System.

A rearview camera comes standard and available features include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), upgraded for use in stop and go traffic; Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) with Pedestrian Monitoring; Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; and Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane should the vehicle start drifting into another lane without using the turn signal.

In addition, the 2018 Tiguan offers a combination of both passive and active safety systems that are engineered to meet or exceed current crash regulations. These systems include the class exclusive Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.

A new palate of exterior and interior colors combine with key available comfort options such as eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The second-row bench can slide seven inches fore and aft and be split 40:20:40. The third-row seats will come standard on front-wheel-drive models and be optional on all-wheel-drive versions.

An available panoramic sunroof lightens the entire interior space, while the foot-activated power liftgate makes the cargo space more accessible than ever.

The new Tiguan will be powered by an updated version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct injection TSI engine, making 184hp and 299Nm, driving the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.


5 appealing features in Renault Clio GT Line

                While not as fiery as its high performance Clio R.S. sibling, the Clio GT Line is not without its fair share of goodies.

1. Turbocharged 1.2-litre engine
This Renault Turbo Control Efficiency or TCe 120 engine comes in a small four-cylinder set-up which delivers performance similar to a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre mill.

2. Sporty and stylish seats
The two-tone fabric upholstery is well-bolstered, firm and comfortable on a nearly 300km drive from Petaling Jaya to Port Dickson.

3. Head-turning looks
There are many Renault Sport design cues and it certainly stands out on the road, especially with its bold frontal styling.

4. Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC)
This six-speed dual dry clutch automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, and helps to provide fuel efficiency of up to 5.2 litres per 100km.

5. Integrated rear door handles
They are cleverly concealed close to the rear quarter windows, and compliment the sleek curves and coupe-like profile of the car.


Mitsubishi to close US auto plant after failing to find buyer

                TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors said today it would close its sole production plant in the United States as the Japanese automaker cuts losses on dwindling sales in North America and a strong US dollar, which has stymied returns.

Mitsubishi Motors confirmed a report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper today, which said that the automaker was unable to find a buyer for its factory in Normal, Illinois, and take on its workers.

"We have given up looking for an automaker to buy the plant, but we are looking for possible buyers from other industries," a Mitsubishi Motors spokesman said.

The spokesman however refused comment on the report's claim that Mitsubishi Motors expected to book an extraordinary loss of between 20 billion yen and 30 billion yen (US$169.52 million to US$254.28 million) in the fiscal year ending in March due to costs related to the closure.

Once a production hub for Mitsubishi's Outlander Sport SUV model, the plant ended vehicle production in November, laying off 1,000 workers.

The automaker said the plant would continue to make car parts until the end of May, at which point its remaining 250 workers would be made redundant.

Last year, the automaker said it would centre production in Japan, Southeast Asia and Russia, after closing its plant in the Netherlands in 2012.


Pasir Gudang council replaces five official cars with EVs

                PASIR GUDANG: In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) has replaced five of its official cars with electric vehicles (EVs).

Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the move was part of the council's long-term plan to turn the district into a modern and environment-friendly place.

"At the moment, we have ordered five cars and we are also looking into getting other vehicles such as electric vans.

"We will increase the number of EVs from time to time as part of our effort to reduce carbon footprint in Pasir Gudang while also ensuring that the district would never again experience another Sungai Kim Kim incident," he said.

He was referring to the March 2019 incident in the district when toxic water pollution affected over 6,000 people.

Asman Shah was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Pasir Gudang public participation and publicity programme for its draft local plan here today.

He noted that MBPG was the first local authority in Johor to take this approach.

"The plan to use EVs has been mooted since during the Covid-19 pandemic but it had to be delayed as there were some restrictions in the delivery of the vehicles.

"Currently, there are three EV charging stations in Pasir Gudang and we hope that more could be set up around the district soon.

"This could also help to attract more investors from Singapore to the district in line with the island republic's move towards having all cars in the country running on clean energy," he said.

Also present at the event was Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state secretary Tan Sri Datuk Dr Azmi Rohani and state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.

Mohd Jafni said the state government welcomed the use of EVs and was looking into using more of these vehicles in the future.

"We need to move towards that as our neighbour Singapore is already taking proactive measures to limit the use of vehicles running on diesel while encouraging the use of EVs.

"In order to benefit from Singapore's economy, we need to be at par with them.

"At the moment, we have several EV charging stations in the Iskandar Puteri, Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang areas but we need more," he said.


German highway company says 3,000 bridges in bad shape

Generic image of a bridge for illustration purpose only.
BERLIN: German federal highway company Autobahn GmbH has called for more money for the renovation of ailing highway bridges.

"Around 3,000 bridges are in an inadequate and insufficient condition," the managing director of Autobahn GmbH, Stephan Krenz, told the Sunday edition of Die Welt newspaper.

That is more than 10 per cent of the total of about 27,000 highway bridges.
Krenz demanded additional funds as well as a change in planning law.

"We need significantly more money for the renovation of highway bridges."

So far, about 1 billion euros (1.18 billion dollars) per year is available, he said.

"We have to become much faster - for that we need a simplified building law for new replacements," said the highway boss.

According to Krenz, the dilapidated infrastructure runs through the entire country.

"The assessment of the condition of bridges has so far been a matter for the federal states - it has been handled differently," he said.

Overall, there is an east-west divide, he said. In the east, many bridges are newer, in the west, the condition is often worse.

Since January, the highway company has been responsible for the planning, construction and operation of all highways in Germany.

The highways had previously belonged to the federal government, while construction and operation were the responsibility of the 16 federal states.

With the new set-up, construction companies are to have the same contact person, tenders and rules are to be standardised, and projects are to be planned from a single source.

Autobahn GmbH is responsible for a highway network measuring 13,000km.


Ford to close all its factories in Brazil

                SAO PAULO: Ford said Monday losses exacerbated by the coronavirus epidemic would see it close its three factories in Brazil, where it has operated for a century, terminating some 5,000 jobs.

Losses continued despite progress made in phasing out unprofitable products, which included exiting the heavy truck business, cutting costs and launching new products, a company statement said.

A "sustained unfavourable economic environment and the additional burden of the pandemic made it clear that much more was necessary to create a sustainable and profitable future," added Ford's South America head Lyle Watters.

The Covid-10 pandemic, said the company, "amplifies persistent industry idle capacity and slow sales that have resulted in years of significant losses."

Ford said production will cease at its Camacari and Taubate plants immediately, with only manufacturing of some parts continuing for a few months.

The Troller plant in Horizonte will operate until the fourth quarter.

Ford said it would end sales of EcoSport, Ka and T4 once inventories are sold.

"With more than a century in South America and Brazil, we know these are very difficult, but necessary, actions to create a healthy and sustainable business," said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.

By closing its Brazil factories, the company was moving to a "lean, asset-light business model," he added.

Ford would continue serving South America with cars sourced from Argentina, Uruguay, and other markets, it said.

New vehicle sales in Brazil retreated by more than 26 percent in 2020 due to the health crisis, the Fenabrave automotive federation said last week. Car sales dropped 28.57 percent and that of buses by 33 percent.

The closures will incur one-off charges of about $4.1 billion, said Ford.


MINIfest 2023 returns: July 22 @ Sentul Depot

                KUALA LUMPUR: The MINIfest 2023 will feature a lineup of MINI showcases, exclusive test-drives, vibrant live painting, live entertainment and engaging workshops.

The festival will be held on July 22 (Saturday) from 11am to 9pm, at Tiffin at the Yard @ Sentul Depot, Sentul West, Jalan Stracha, Kuala Lumpur.

Exclusive door gifts will be given to the first 200 pre-registered attendees only, while the subsequent 300 pre-registered attendees will receive unique food and beverage vouchers.

To pre-register for ease of access, visit www.mini.my/en_MY/home/happenings/minifest-2023.

Register for the event and stand a chance to win a cascade of prizes, through a series of lucky draws throughout the day.

The test drive programme will run from 11am till 7pm, providing MINIacs the chance to take an electrifying cruise in the MINI Countryman and the MINI Electric.

Activities to get your adrenaline pumping include the MINI Slingshot that will grant you a glimpse of MINIfest at a magnificent angle, as well as an assortment of well-loved carnival games.

The festival also boasts a range of brand partners, including car boot vendors, offering a plethora of products.

In collaboration with Modle.play, MINI Malaysia has two exciting workshops, alongside a charming kids play area adorned with wooden playsets.

The first workshop will empower young minds to construct a Remarkable Battery Powered MINI from scratch, while the second workshop encourages them to design personalised MINI keychains or jewellery.

MINIacs will also be able to witness the history of the MINI brand at the MINI Garage.

This exhibition will take visitors through the legacy of MINI vehicles, portrayed through the display of the MINI Classic, the MINI 3-Door R53, the MINI 3-Door R56, the MINI Coupe R58, the MINI Countryman R60 and the MINI Paceman JCW R61.

Featuring 12 renowned food vendors from Tiffin at the Yard, the festival will exclusively feature a special assortment of MINI-themed delectable delights.


SmartTag supply back on track

                PETALING JAYA: Motorist Sasha Lee was frustrated when it took almost two months for her to order and purchase a SmartTag device.

“It’s ridiculous that it took so long. I tried visiting Touch ‘n Go (TnG) kiosks in petrol stations and enquiring at the TnG hubs and PLUS Malaysia Bhd office, but to no avail.

“It took me several attempts before I was able to buy two units online,” she said.

The Klang Valley-based business executive said she needed to use the SmartTag as her work often required her to use tolled routes and using the device would have saved her time from queuing at toll plazas.

Lee paid about RM132 per unit, including shipping charges, for the SmartTag purchased via an e-commerce site.

She added that a colleague had seen SmartTag units being sold at a night market in Petaling Jaya, though he was unable to verify if the devices were genuine.

A check online revealed that SmartTags were available on several e-commerce sites.

It was only recently that StarMetro called the TnG customer service number to be informed of the availability of the SmartTag.

At that point, the customer service attendant said 200 units were available for walk-in purchases at the TnG hubs or online via e-commerce site Lazada, through the seller Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd.

The attendant also said the SmartTag was out of stock for several months due to high demand during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season and because of the migration to the electronic payment system.

The official retail price for one Smart Tag unit is RM127.20 (not including TnG card).

Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd marketing & communication corporate sales head Aina Abdullah said the company was aware of consumers’ concerns over the availability of the SmartTag and took a serious view of the complaints.

She said the SmartTag stocks were back on track and was available for purchase at the following locations — online via Lazada, TnG hubs in Bangsar South and Nu Sentral Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur, and Wisma Nufri in Johor, TnG mobile sales units, and selected petrol stations.

“We advise the public to only purchase their SmartTAG device or other TnG products from our authorised dealers or merchants in order to ensure the originality of its source,” said Aina.

The Malaysian Highway Authority announced in July that only electronic toll collection (ETC) payments would be accepted at all 177 toll plazas nationwide from Aug 14.

ETC payment included TnG, SmartTag, PLUSMiles and MyKad equipped with TnG chips. The ETC system was reportedly 300% faster than the manual cash payment system.

ETC transactions via TnG took six seconds and SmartTag three seconds, compared to 15 seconds for manual transactions.


Ladies of Gaikindo Indonesian Motorshow

                The Gaikindo Indonesian International Motor Show that's currently being held at the newly opened Indonesian Convention Centre houses many automotive brands with many looking to attract prospective buyers and fans alike.

But such wheels will always depend on lovely fair ladies to help bring out the unique characteristics of each vehicle, and meanwhile, they'll help everyone feel warmly welcomed with their pretty smiles.


Toyota rolls out Total-Care Service for Grab cars in Singapore

                SINGAPORE: Toyota Motor Corp (TMC) has developed a world-first Total-Care Service specially for ride-hailing companies.

Singapore will see the first service roll-out, offering the Total-Care Service for 1,500 Toyota vehicles owned by Grab.

In June 2018, Toyota invested US$1 billion into Grab to advance mobility services in the region.

Working with ride-hailing companies, like Grab, Toyota can leverage onboard telematics data through a shared information platform to provide services such as fleet management, automotive insurance and vehicle maintenance packages to extend the life of ride-hailing vehicles, and enhance the driving experience for the end user.

Through this Total-Care Service, Grab is able to provide its driver-partners with more cost-efficient and timely maintenance services.

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (TMAP) and Grab will offer this service to Grab-owned Toyota vehicles across Southeast Asia in phases.

In addition, both companies will work to increase the share of Toyota vehicles in Grab’s fleet in the region by 25% by 2020.

Through the Total-Care Service, driving data is collected by Toyota’s in-vehicle data-transmission device, TransLog, and sent to the Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), an information infrastructure developed by TMC for vehicle connectivity.

Grab, Toyota and its local dealers will use such vehicle data collaboratively to achieve a safer and more secure ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia.

For example, using vehicle data, Grab will be able to provide its driver-partners with support and advice for safety as needed.

In addition, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, a Toyota’s affiliated insurance company, will offer telematics-based automotive insurance to GrabRentals, allowing for safer driving and insurance premium reduction.

In the area of vehicle maintenance, based on driving and vehicle condition data, maintenance schedule for each vehicle will be optimized.

Furthermore, Intensive Care Stall (ICS) has been implemented at Borneo Motors (Singapore) (BMS), the authorized dealer of Toyota in Singapore.

Making use of Toyota Production System (TPS) knowhow, ICS achieves ultra- efficient maintenance service which will reduce vehicle downtime and maintenance cost.


Kelantan denies using special PM allocation to buy luxury cars

                PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan government has denied that it used the special one-off RM400mil allocation from the Prime Minister to buy luxury cars for the Mentri Besar and his executive councillors.

The decision to change the fleet of official cars was made in 2018, well before the state was awarded the special allocation, the Mentri Besar's office said in a statement today.

"The wild allegations that have gone viral are ill-intended and defamatory."

The Mentri Besar's office pointed out that Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah had announced on Sept 12, 2018, that they would be replacing the fleet of old official cars in stages, starting with the state secretary's car, because the existing cars were between 10 and 12 years old.

The statement was issued, after photograph of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class bearing the Mentri Besar's registration plate DV 1 went viral.

"Tuanku Al Sultan Kelantan had presented to the previous Mentri Besar, the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the official car bearing the registration number DV 1.

READ MORE:
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New Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 450 L debuts at RM700K

"The state government decided to replace the Mentri Besar's official car, as it is more than 10 years old. But the DV 1 registration number was retained upon seeking consent from Tuanku Al Sultan Kelantan," the statement read.

One report, quoting an unnamed state official, said Kelantan bought the black S 450 L AMG Line last year at over RM600,000. The retail price of the luxury car is nearly RM700,000.

The entry level S-Class was launched in Malaysia in August 2018 and is locally assembled. This refreshed sixth-generation model replaces the S 400 h hybrid and offers more power and torque as well as being faster than its predecessor.

The long wheebase S-Class gets a 3.0 litre bi-turbo V6 petrol mill that produces 362hp at 5,500-6,000 rpm and 500Nm from 1,800-4,000rpm. It sprints from 0-100kph in 5.4s, with top speed capped at 250kph.

A 9-speed automatic transmission relays power to the rear wheels of the W222 S-Class.


Alfa Romeo introduces Stelvio Veloce Ti

                MILAN: Alfa Romeo will introduce in 2021 the new Veloce Ti to the Stelvio line-up for the first time.

With a wide range of equipment and cutting-edge technology as standard, its styling evokes the Quadrifoglio version highlighting the performance and dynamics of this SUV, now with new and more efficient engines, in line with E6d-final regulations.

The acronym ‘Ti’, for ‘Turismo Internazionale’, has always been applied to models with typically Italian elegance, while ‘Veloce’ expresses the speed of the best-performing versions. When put together, they combine the sportiness of Stelvio Veloce with an even more captivating style.

The Stelvio Veloce Ti features a new rear bumper with a specific diffuser, body coloured body kit and optional new 21-inch five-hole alloy wheels with a dark finish, making their debut here before they become available on other trim levels.

The interior echoes the Quadrifoglio versions with aluminium gearshift paddles, sporty seats in leather and Alcantara, black headlining and real carbon fibre accents. Dark tones are also featured in the window surrounds, tinted windows and the exterior badging.

The Stelvio Veloce Ti comes fitted with the 280hp 2.0-litre Turbo petrol engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive. Its four cylinders are built entirely of aluminum, with a carbon fibre drive shaft.

New MY21 range

Alongside the introduction of the Stelvio Veloce Ti, MY21 will see the Giulia and Stelvio ranges updated with Euro 6d-final compliant engines, as well as seeing a full suite of Alfa Connect Services available across the range.

Some of the packs now available include:

> My Assistant offers an SOS call function, so in the My Remote allows remote control of the car’s functions (opening/closing doors or flashing the lights) via smartphone, communication with Amazon Alexa and Google Home assistants, vehicle location, control of certain parameters (speed and area) and notifications if these are not respected
> My Assistant offers an SOS call function, so in the My Car monitors the health of the car at all times
> My Navigation allows customer to remotely search for destinations and Points of Interest (POI), as well as real-time alerts on traffic and speedcams, while Send & Go can send a destination directly from a smartphone or web portal to the car
> My Wi-Fi shares the internet connection between multiple devices on board, up to a maximum of eight
> My Theft Assistance alerts the owner if theft is attempted


Kia sets up Purple M to create mobility concepts

                SEOUL: Purple M is a new joint venture created in partnership between Kia Motors and CODE42.ai, a Korean technology firm pioneering the transition to autonomous Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS).

Through this new start-up, Kia and CODE42.ai plan to create new concepts for mobility services and realise a shared goal of leading innovation in future mobility.

The ‘M’ in ‘Purple M’ stands for ‘mobility’; the purple in the start-up’s name symbolises its desire to challenge convention and reimagine transportation for the future.

In order to respond flexibly to the rapidly reorganising mobility service industry, ‘Purple M’ will benefit from a true start-up culture.

The company places rapid decision-making, a culture of horizontal communication, and challenging the status quo among its key operational values.

The new start-up is expected to provide a model for collaboration between larger, well-established firms and smaller, younger companies in Korea, as the country seeks to establish a new start-up ecosystem to encourage technological innovation.

The combination of Kia's global footprint and mobility expertise with CODE42.ai's IT technology is expected to create a range of synergies for developing new TaaS services for customers.

‘Purple M’ will use CODE42.ai’s proprietary Urban Mobility Operating System (UMOS), a comprehensive mobility platform which integrates autonomous vehicle and air transportation services including e-hailing, fleet management, demand-responsive shuttle and smart logistics.

"With the newly established ‘Purple M’, Kia will be reborn as a leader for the era of e-mobility," said Ho Sung Song, CEO and President of Kia. “CODE42.ai is a leading Korean company in the field of future innovation technology, and is the best partner for successfully promoting a differentiated e-mobility service business."

Also, ‘Purple M’ aims to establish a comprehensive and flexible e-mobility service platform, and lead the development of a sustainable EV ecosystem by deploying EVs.

‘Purple M’ will establish collaborative partnerships with specialist providers to develop a flexible e-mobility infrastructure and offer a wide range of services to a broad customer base.

In particular, ‘Purple M’ aims to contribute to the revitalisation of Korea’s domestic mobility industry by cooperating with various mobility market players, while presenting new standards for mobility business models in the post-coronavirus era.


Finnish car maker touts world's most powerful electric supercar

                HELSINKI: Toroidon, a brand new manufacturer out of Finland, has announced an all-electric concept with 1000kW, or the equivalent of 1,341hp.

The Toroidion 1MW Concept will be unveiled in a world premiere at Top Marques Monaco, the luxury car show set to take place from April 16 to 19.

Described as equally suited to the track and the open road, the Toroidion 1MW Concept was hand-assembled in Finland using artisanal techniques and high-tech materials.

In terms of pure power, according to the manufacturer's claims, the Toroidion 1MW Concept would rank between the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse (1,200hp) and the Koenigsegg One1 (1,400hp). Among all-electric vehicles, however, it is slated to be by far the most powerful ever made.

Top Marques Monaco will showcase around 60 supercars and customized vehicles, including the Evantra by Mazzanti and the Lamborghini Aventador by Hamann Motorsport. Clients will even have the option of testing these vehicles on a private section of a Formula 1 track before making their purchases.

The star of this 2015 edition is expected to be the AeroMobil 3.0, a car with the ability to transform into a two-seater plane. The latest iteration of this exceptional Slovakian vehicle, which has top speeds of 160km/h on land and 200km/h in the air, will be unveiled to the public at the exclusive Monaco car show.


Vespa Primavera 50th Anniversary Edition debuts at RM16,300

                KUALA LUMPUR: The local Vespa distributor has announced the arrival of the 50th Anniversary Edition Primavera

The Primavera 50th Anniversary Edition starts at RM16,300 (on-the-road without insurance).

The special edition scooter is equipped with a 150cc engine, a modern four-stroke engines that promises high performance and fuel efficiency.

It gets 12-inch aluminium alloy wheels with a new five-spoke design, and it's the largest in Vespa's history.

Vespa claims the bigger wheels provides greater stability, improves safety, and strengthens traction on various surfaces including slippery road conditions.

Headlamp and tail-lamp now use LEDs. The scooter comes in a choice of light blue and matte brown colours with co-ordinated saddles. Other new features in the scooter is a "tie" on the front and the chrome crest on the front mudguard.

Introduced in 1968, the Primavera is the first version of the iconic Vespa scooters and was a market success because of its small size and nimble performance.

A wide range of accessories are available to customise the scooter or improve riding comfort. They include a top box, fly screen and electronic anti-theft devices.

Distributor Naza Premira Sdn Bhd is also offering a financing package in collaboration with AEON Credit, where the special edition scooter as well as the Primavera, Sprint and GTS models can be bought based on a loan with a 6.0% interest rate per annum. AEON Credit offers a one-year extended warranty and financing of up to 90%. The Naza Premira-AEON Credit promotion is valid from now until March 31, 2019 and is available at selected authorised Vespa dealers nationwide.


BMW M5 MotoGP safety car: Bangsar Village II on Oct 31

                PETALING JAYA: Prior to the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Nov 2 to 4 at Sepang F1 circuit, the BMW M5 MotoGP safety car with BMW M performance parts will make appearances across Kuala Lumpur on a convoy with the BMW M5, BMW 530i M Sport, BMW S 1000 RR, and the BMW S 1000 RR safety bike.

The convoy will make a pit stop at Bangsar Village II, where a meet-and-greet session with BMW M MotoGP expert and three-time World Champion, Loris Capirossi will take place.

Fans can also participate in the BMW S 1000 RR Safety Bike puzzle challenge and stand a chance to win main grandstand tickets to the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The pit stop at Bangsar Village II, 2, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, will be at noon on Oct 31.

Be sure to check out BMW Malaysia’s Facebook page, as additional main grandstand tickets are also up for grabs.

Thus, for the 20th consecutive season, BMW M GmBH returns to the racetrack at the 2018 MotoGP World Championship to lead the world’s best motorcycle riders with its fleet of vehicles at the front.

Every season, BMW M GmBH creates new highlights with its safety car. The latest models and impressive technical innovation are what makes the BMW M MotoGP safety cars of the past, present and future so special.


Toyota looks to Daihatsu to crack Indian small car market

                NEW DELHI: Toyota Motor Corp will start talks this week with its affiliate Daihatsu Motor to build and sell small cars in India, where it has so far struggled to crack the cheaper end of the market.

The Japanese carmaker aims to double its share of India's passenger vehicle market to 10 percent by 2025 and Daihatsu's small cars will be key to achieving this goal, a company executive said.

The launch of Daihatsu cars in India could help Toyota increase its share of the entry-level, no-frills car sector, that accounts for about two-thirds of total sales in the country and is dominated by rivals such as Maruti Suzuki (MRTI.NS), Hyundai (005380.KS) and Honda (7267.T).

"To fight in the small car market we need more support from Daihatsu ... Toyota by ourselves cannot develop it," Kyoichi Tanada, Toyota's CEO of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa told Reuters in an interview.

The comments by the world's biggest carmaker are a tacit admission that it has failed to win over India's cost-conscious car buyers more than two decades after it started selling cars in Asia's third-largest economy.

 Employees working at the assembly line of Toyota Etios cars inside the plant of Toyota Kirloskar Motor in Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India. - Reuters

A decision on when Daihatsu cars will be brought to India will likely to be taken before the end of this year, Tanada said in an interview at India's biggest motoring event on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi.

Toyota is to buy its remaining stake in Daihatsu as part of its push into compact cars for emerging markets such as India, which is expected to expand to become the world's third-largest car market by 2020 from fifth place now.

"In a market like India there is still need for small cars. As soon as possible I would like to introduce that small car," Tanada said.

He said Toyota would also need to consider the Indian government's policy on safety and environmental issues before deciding which models to launch and when.

Toyota launched its first no-frills car, the Etios sedan, in 2010 and, a year later, the Liva hatchback. In trying to control costs and keep the price low, the company was criticized for compromising on quality and finish.

Sales did not take off as expected, hurting plant utilization levels. Toyota will propose to Daihatsu to use part of the carmakers plant in southern India to build vehicles rather than setting up its own facility, Tanada said, adding that Toyota can spare about half, or 100,000 units a year, of manufacturing capacity.

Another challenge for Toyota will be low awareness about the Daihatsu brand in India.

To save spending on creating brand awareness and setting up a separate sales network, Tanada says it could consider selling Daihatsu cars under the Toyota brand. To avoid diluting its premium brand image in India, Toyota could look at a sales and dealership strategy similar to rival Maruti Suzuki, which sells its premium models through a separate network of dealerships called Nexa.

Suzuki Motor Corp, that controls Maruti Suzuki, said its position in India and other markets is under serious threat from Toyota's buyout of Daihatsu.


403 held over unpaid traffic summonses

                PETALING JAYA: A total of 403 people have been detained nationwide after the second day of the Ops Warta crackdown on traffic offenders with unpaid summonses.

Bukit Aman traffic chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said another 1,125 people with warrants of arrest against them had surrendered themselves since the start of the operation.

He said only two percent of the 1.59 million arrest warrants for traffic offenders were resolved before the start of Ops Warta.

A total of 217,048 summonses were also settled.

In Penang, a Penang Island City Council employee became the first person in the state to be charged in court with failing to settle his summonses.

The 26-year-old was ordered to pay a RM1,500 fine but was granted a discount of RM300 for 10 traffic offences.

He paid the RM1,200 fine.

The man was earlier arrested by police during a roadblock along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway yesterday morning.

He was among 16 people who were taken straight to court yesterday after being held at roadblocks and workplaces for having outstanding traffic summonses.

State police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi said they were among 58 people picked up. The other 42 were released on police bail.

In Kampar, a foreigner was among five people with outstanding summonses arrested in Kampar.

Perak deputy traffic chief Deputy Supt Mahiri Hussein said two traffic offenders were arrested at a roadblock near Tasek, Ipoh, in the afternoon.

Md Shah Idullah, 30, from Bangladesh, was fined RM1,500 for three outstanding summonses.

In Kota Kinabalu, a bank executive was arrested at his office in Jalan Gaya and three others were detained at three roadblocks in the city.

City police chief Assist Comm M. Chandra said the four, aged between 25 and 55, would be taken to court on May 25, adding that four men who had arrest warrants against them surrendered to police.


Singer evolves restoration of air-cooled Porsche 911s

                LOS ANGELES: Singer, a California-based luxury specialist that restores air-cooled Porsche 911s, has evolved the Dynamics & Lightweighting Study (DLS) to incorporate turbocharging (DLS Turbo).

The Singer Group restores and reimagines 1989 to 1994 Porsche 911s, based on the 964 chassis at the direction of its clients.

Rob Dickinson, executive chairman and founder, Singer Group, said, "“The results of turbocharging our advanced 4-valve, high-revving DLS engine have been quite spectacular and combining it with all we have learned about lightweighting and vehicle dynamics has provided the perfect canvas to honor the Type 934/5 and its vital role in the genesis of the 911 as a racing car.”

Mazen Fawaz, CEO, Singer Group, said, "Our Dynamics & Lightweighting Study heralded a new era at Singer and facilitated enormous maturation of our operations in California and the United Kingdom. We’ve collaborated with some of the most famous names in the automotive world, including Bosch and Michelin as we continue our mission to set ourselves ever higher standards. We will continue to serve our creative and passionate client base with exciting new ideas like DLS Turbo.“

As with all Singer’s restoration and modification services, the engine from the owner’s Type 964 Porsche 911, is the starting point.

The engine is disassembled down to the engine block before being restored using high performance components and modifications to optimize performance.

The unique, 3.8L, 4-valves per cylinder flat-six uses twin turbochargers, with electric wastegates, air-to-water intercooling and a horizontally mounted, electrically powered fan.

This evolution of the engine developed for DLS restorations enables power outputs over 700 HP at more than 9000 rpm.

Meanwhile, the restoration process begins when the owner of a Type 964 Porsche 911 sends their car to Singer with the request to carry out a personalized restoration.

Originally manufactured by Porsche between 1989 and 1994, these sports cars have been enjoyed for thirty years.

The owner’s car is carefully disassembled. The interior is removed, as is the exterior bodywork and all mechanical components, until the steel monocoque (chassis) is revealed.

The chassis is painstakingly assessed, cleaned, strengthened, and prepared so that it is in optimal condition for the next stages of the restoration.

The car in Blood Orange has been specified by its owner to emphasize track performance, featuring a high-downforce rear wing with adjustable upper element and a track-oriented front fascia with larger splitter.


Police report lodged against racist video targeting Transport Ministry, says Wee

                PETALING JAYA: A police report has been lodged against a three-minute video accusing the Transport Ministry of amending laws on drink-driving to target Indians.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong confirmed that his private secretary Ong Cher Chin lodged a report at the Putrajaya police station at 11.35am today against lies about amendments to the Road Transport Act.

"It is hoped that PDRM (the police) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will investigate this matter and take stern action against those behind the video which spread false news which contained racial slants that could disrupt harmony in the country," Dr Wee said in a Facebook post the same day that included a photograph of Ong's police report.

In his report, Ong said he learned of the matter at his office in Putrajaya at 8am on Thursday from a post on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's Facebook regarding a viral video circulated via Whatsapp on the amendments to the law.

"The video is clearly a lie and racist, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Transport Ministry, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and also MCA," Ong added.

He said it was generally known that the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2020, which carries heavier penalties for traffic offences, particularly related to Sections 41 to 45, came into effect on Oct 23.


Ares releases details and images of Panther V10 supercar

                MODENA: Though it seems like expensive supercars with staggering performance tags are mostly produced by the usual suspects of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, and Bugatti, there are in fact hundreds of small companies producing supercars all around the world.

ARES Design is one of the better-known ones. It has revealed more details of its custom-built supercar, along with a set of images of the Panther wearing that ubiquitous black-and-white camouflage.

The ARES Panther is based on a Lamborghini Huracan, but although the underpinnings are those of a Huracan, the real inspiration for the car is actually the De Tomaso Pantera.

Though the car is under camouflage in the photos, the carbon-fibre body of the Panther bears more than a passing resemblance to the De Tomaso, especially the long front overhang, sharp nose, and those fabulous pop-up lights.

Even though the Panther retains the Lambo's engine and gearbox, ARES Design has done more than a little tweaking to it. For a start, the capacity has been increased from the usual 5.2-litres to 5.6, and it now produces 641hp and 560Nm of torque. (The standard Huracan engine produces 573hp and 540Nm of torque.) The gearbox is still the seven-speed dual-clutch unit from the Huracan, but even that has had its software revised.

ARES Design was founded in 2015 by ex-Lotus CEO Danny Bahar, and it operates out of a facility located here.

Speaking of the new Panther, Bahar said: "This is a really exciting moment for us. Within just six months of announcing the Panther project we have our test car on the road and are ready to present to the world our expression of a car that I dreamt of as a kid. The ARES Panther will be the perfect blend of old school charm and charisma, underpinned with an iconic modern chassis, and clothed in full carbon."

Creating "future classics that reflect the essence of iconic cars" is the main aim of the ARES Design team. Every Panther takes as long as 24 weeks to build.

The Panther is due to go on sale later this year with prices starting from in the region of €515,000 (RM2.4mil).


NZ proposes discounts for cleaner cars, slaps new fee on gas guzzlers

                WELLINGTON: New Zealand said today that it plans to slash prices for electric, hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles and penalise gas guzzling cars with a new fee, as it looks to make greener cars more affordable.

The plans, however, were criticised by environmentalists who said the penalty would only apply to new cars and newly imported used cars, and the sums were not significant enough to stop New Zealanders from buying polluting cars.

The government is proposing discounts of up to NZ$8,000 (around RM22,000) for zero-emission new vehicles and a fee of up to NZ$3,000 (RM8,240) for new vehicles that emit in excess 250 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (CO2/km). The scheme would begin in 2021.

New Zealand also imports many used vehicles, where the highest available discount would be NZ$2,600 (RM7,200) for zero-emissions and the highest fee would be NZ$1,500 (RM4,200). The policies would not apply to vehicles already registered when on-sold.

“The cars, utes and vans we use every day are also the fastest growing source of harmful climate pollution and account for nearly 70 percent of our transport emissions,” said Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.

“Most Kiwis want to buy a car that’s good for the environment, but tell us the upfront cost and limited choice makes it a challenge,” Genter said.

The government also said it plans to set annual emissions targets for new vehicles, which would be phased in gradually, with an aim of reaching a target of 105g CO2/km in 2025.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Labour-led coalition in New Zealand has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, Amanda Larsson, welcomed the proposal to make cleaner cars affordable but questioned if the fees for high-emitting vehicles were high enough to be a disincentive.

“It’s disappointing to see the maximum fee for highly polluting vehicles capped at NZ$3,000. Would this make someone buying a more than NZ$100,000 (RM275,000) gas guzzler reconsider?” asked Larsson.

Governments around the world have been encouraging automakers to sell more electric vehicles.

Almost half of new cars sold in Norway in the first six months of 2019 were powered by fully electric engines, as the Nordic nation leads the global ranking in electric vehicle sales.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which includes hybrids when counting electric cars, has said the global electric car fleet exceeded 5.1 million in 2018, up 2 million from the previous year.


Come to BMW Shorties Film Festival in Bangsar on Dec 16

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia is celebrating over a decade of discovering and supporting short films and digital content as well as emerging talent with its first ever BMW Shorties Film Festival on Saturday.

The festival will include performances from top Malaysian bands, some expert help in film and photography, specially designed merchandises up for grabs and a showcase of all past BMW Shorties winning films including the finalists for this year’s BMW Shorties!

Open to the public, workshops and tutorials by camera professionals from Canon will be held where every film producer’s quintessential gear, the ever-so-rare Canon EOS C300 MK2 camera will be featured.

Additionally, EFXCO Training and Certification Centre will be making an appearance to share skilful tips on visual effects, animation and graphic design with Adobe, Unity and Nuke.

Not forgetting the fun-filled Virtual Reality interactive session with VR Lab.

The festival calls upon all collectors of limited-edition items to make an appearance as special edition BMW Shorties Pantun Pins will be up for grabs!

Attendees can collect all four specially designed BMW Shorties Pantun Pins by going through the challenges set during the festival.

Feeding the hunger pangs of festival-goers, BMW Shorties have brought in not only one but two famous home-grown foodtrucks, Curbside Cantina and The Mothership who are set to serve up a storm for a small price.

Members of the public are set to be blown away with the delectable food from the Mexican and Italian-Western-Asian inspired food trucks.

BMW Shorties understands that a festival is not a festival without live music.

With special live performances by Jumero, Kaya, and Azmyl Yunor & Orkes Padu, guests will be sure to move their feet and hands to the beating sound of the drums.

The festival will open from 10am-10pm at APW, Bangsar, here.


Stranded cyclists being saved by Germany's new bike rescue service

                BERLIN: Breakdown rescue services are traditionally meant for car owners, but this may change in many parts where commuters are switching from four to two wheels following a bicycle boom during the pandemic.

Europe's largest car club, Germany's ADAC, is the latest to have begun offering a rescue service for cyclists, and says it has deployed help to some 2,500 stranded bikers in the first three months since launching bike breakdown coverage for the first time in June.

Similar services exist in other countries, and while Britain's long-standing ETA service offers repairs and a taxi home guarantee for £24 (RM124) a year, other mobility insurers like Australia's Bicycle Network offer bike rescues as part of broader policies.

In 11 German cities, from Hamburg to Munich, breakdown technicians now also arrive by pedelec with a trailer carrying everything they need for bike repairs.

Countries like Italy, Japan and the US have all witnessed a large rise in the number of cyclists since the spread of the coronavirus spurred more to commute in the fresh air and the increased numbers of remote workers reduced the numbers of cars on roads.

Germany, too, witnessed a rise in cyclist numbers, as municipal planners in cities moved to convert lanes of traffic into protected bicycle lanes to promote zero-emissions commutes.

Germany's new rescue service, available for classic bike and pedelec owners, is designed to help cyclists in all breakdown scenarios, although ADAC says the majority (roughly three in four) of calls are due to flat tyres. A small minority of breakdowns are due to problems with the chain, brakes and gears.

In 95% of all cases, bike repair specialists were able to help, the ADAC spokesman for the states of Hesse and Thuringia, Cornelius Blanke said on Wednesday, three months after the service launched.

The service's team of breakdown assistants, which until now have predominantly been rescuing car drivers, have also been specially trained to work on bicycles and now have the necessary equipment in their vehicles.


Stop causing traffic jams with your erratic driving

                BERLIN: It's always easier to blame the driver in the car in front of you. But if you fail to keep your driving on consistent and predictable, you too will be contributing a build-up on the motorway.

According to road safety experts, sudden flashes of speed, sudden braking and constant switching between the lanes is the "poison" that kills the smooth flow of traffic.

The Auto Club Europa has appealed to drivers to uphold the most basic of driving rules, such as not holding up traffic on the overtaking lane.

Unnecessarily moving into the outside lane when driving slow halves the capacity of the highway and could contribute to further congestion.

This is even more true if you're driving a more sluggish vehicle - such as a car with a caravan trailer. In this case, you should do your part to avoid the outside lane, especially when leaving a traffic jam.

This is because when you are driving in a traffic jam and things start moving quicker again, it is best to gradually raise your speed so that the pile up of cars behind you can separate

Just keep in mind, however, that speeding does not help to make up for lost time. Strong braking and acceleration manoeuvres can also cause new stagnation in traffic flow - so-called "phantom traffic jams" - creating congestion from nothing.


Kawasaki developing motorcycles with onboard AI

                TOKYO: Kawasaki is set to start developing new motorcycles with onboard artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The firm aims to develop machines that becomes one with their rider, capable of growing and evolving in step with each other in all situations.

As yet, the project is only in its early stages, and the Japanese manufacturer remains vague in its presentation of the concept, merely stating that several technologies will work together to deliver results. These technologies include an Emotion Generation Engine linked to a Natural Language Dialogue System.

According to Kawasaki, the system will be able to analyze the rider's intentions and emotional state based on the words they speak. This will enable the rider and the motorcycle to communicate, interact and share understanding, in the aim of boosting safety and rider comfort. This could involve flagging up technical problems on the bike or improving performances.

The system will also be web-connected for continuous access to Kawasaki's bank of analytical chassis and running data, stored in a cloud-based data center, or for access to reference data on the internet. This will allow the system to give riders coherent answers to their questions, while improving overall enjoyment and riding experience.

Over time, this two-way communication will help the motorcycle develop a unique "personality" linked to the behavior and habits of the rider. Kawasaki hopes the new system will enhance the riding experience with a bike that adapts naturally and automatically to riding styles.

Kawasaki's upcoming motorcycles using this onboard AI technology will be branded "Rideology," the name given to the firm's rider-centric development philosophy. The manufacturer aims to deliver products that offer both power and subtlety, which are fun to ride and rewarding to control.

The next step for motorcycle technology could be self-driving bikes. At the 2015 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, Yamaha presented a prototype ("MotoBot Ver. 1") capable of reaching 100kph on its own, when driving in a straight line.