BMW 545e xDrive heads new 5 Series line-up

                MUNICH: BMW is expanding the 5 Series line-up to include five plug-in hybrid models by this November, with the 545e as the range-topper.

With an increase from two to five models featuring innovative plug-in hybrid drive, the new 5 Series offers the largest range of PHEVs within one BMW Group model series.

July 2020 saw the launch of the 530e Sedan and 530e xDrive Sedan. Come November, the 545e xDrive Sedan, 530e Touring and 530e xDrive Touring versions will arrive.

Let's talk more about the range-topper.

The all-wheel drive 545e features a synchronous electric motor delivering a maximum power output of 80 kW/109 hp, which is combined with an efficient straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and 210 kW/286 hp, together generating an overall system output of 290 kW/394 hp.

Power is distributed as required to all four wheels via an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and intelligent BMW xDrive four-wheel drive. Maximum system torque is 600Nm and top speed is reached at 250kph, whilst a speed of 140kph is possible in purely electric operation.

From a standstill, the 545e accelerates to 100kph in 4.7 seconds, making it the most dynamic of all BMW six-cylinder plug-in hybrids.

Thanks to intelligently controlled interaction between both drive systems, the 545e combines the best of two worlds. It facilitates purely electric driving in urban traffic and efficient commuting between home and the workplace, and also excels through dynamic performance and comfortable long-distance travel.

With a purely electric range of 54–57km and an average fuel consumption of 2.4–2.1 litres/100 km, the 545e combines driving dynamics and a high level of long-distance ride comfort with efficient use of resources.

The latest plug-in hybrid model is fitted with a 400V lithium-ion battery which is positioned under the rear seat in order to save space. With a luggage volume of 410 litres, the transport capacity of the 545e is only slightly smaller than of those model variants which are fitted with a conventional engine.

In order to make optimum use of the combination of the straight six-cylinder engine featuring ultra-smooth running characteristics and eDrive technology in all driving situations, the 545e supports the driver in numerous ways in terms of energy management. Various driving modes, some of which can be individualised in their operation, are selected by pressing the corresponding button on the centre console.

The HYBRID mode is the default setting, which ensures a balanced set-up and an intelligent interaction between combustion engine and electric motor.

It is also possible to select ELECTRIC mode as the standard setting via the iDrive menu. In HYBRID mode, the electric motor is predominantly used. The combustion engine only kicks in at higher speeds or under intensive load conditions.

Since the system is linked to the navigation system, the interaction between combustion engine and electric motor can be adapted more precisely to the route profile, topography and other driving situations in an anticipatory manner.

The electric range is increased by recuperation in overrun and braking phases. The energy supply saved in this way can then be used specifically for locally emission-free driving through urban areas and the arrival at the defined destination.

By pressing the HYBRID button twice, an efficiency-optimised version of this operating mode (HYBRID ECO PRO) is activated.

The coasting function on the overrun, among other things, contributes to a further reduction in consumption. The navigation and sensor data-supported control system also optimises the effectiveness of braking energy recovery. When approaching a junction or a vehicle driving ahead, for example, adaptive recuperation kicks in during deceleration.

In SPORT mode, the electric motor supports the straight six-cylinder petrol engine when the overall system output of 290 kW/394 hp is fully needed. The set-up is designed for dynamic performance, and the gearshift program is sporty.

The ELECTRIC mode, on the other hand, enables locally purely emission-free driving up to 57km and up to 140kph.

Special sounds for 545e

The new “ready to drive sound” produced by the 545e xDrive is the result of the collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer and is designed to trigger "joyful anticipation" of the electric drive when the driver enters the vehicle and presses the Start/Stop button.

A distinctive sound created especially for electrified BMW models is used for the purpose of acoustic pedestrian protection, emitted via a speaker system. The sound design in the low speed range of up to 30 kph radiates a vibrant acoustic presence, though without impairing the acoustic comfort of vehicle occupants.

BMW's “Active Sound Design” emulates engine sounds that are directed to the cabin via the car audio system.

BMW is also offering digital services that boost the attractiveness of electric driving even further.

The BMW eDrive Zone service facilitates the automatic switching over of the drive system to purely electric mode when entering an urban low-emission zone and similar inner-city areas. In addition, local emission-free driving with a BMW plug-in hybrid model is rewarded through the globally unique loyalty programme BMW Points.

Apart from filling stations, the navigation system also displays public charging points. When selecting a charging station, the driver is also provided with a forecast on its occupation status as well as recommendations for nearby restaurants or cafés. Moreover, BMW enables BMW Charging customers to reserve an enabled charging station for a limited period of time.


Ford gives away clues about its upcoming Puma electric crossover

                LONDON: Ford has given away further clues about its upcoming electric Puma, including powertrain details and charging times.

The firm has recently revealed its new E-Transit Courier electric van, with Ford confirming that this new commercial vehicle shares the same B2E platform as the Puma. Similar technology is also used on the outgoing Fiesta.

The Puma and upcoming Transit Courier will be produced at the same factory in Craiova, Turkey, with the plant having the capacity to produce up to 272,000 cars per year. The next-generation small van will take over from the Ecosport, which was discontinued in December 2022.

Ford has said it is only developing a ‘single powertrain’ for the E-Transit Courier, meaning it’s highly likely that this will be the only setup offered in the upcoming electric Puma, of which a name is yet to be announced.

It uses a front-mounted electric motor producing 134bhp and 290Nm of torque, though Ford is being tight-lipped on its range and battery size until final testing has been carried out. It will, however, be able to charge at up to 100kW, allowing for a 10 to 80% charge to take place in around 35 minutes.

As a result, it’s expected the Puma EV will have a battery size of around 55kWh, likely giving a range of up to 400km.

Ford introduced the Puma crossover in late 2019, launching it with mild-hybrid powertrains. It has gone on to become the firm’s most popular car in Europe.

The electric Puma is set to join Ford’s growing EV range in 2024, which includes the Mustang Mach-E, which is already on sale, as well as the recently-revealed Explorer. There will also be three electric Ford vans on sale by the end of next year. —PA Media


March 2-8: Fuel prices remain unchanged

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged for the period from March 2-8.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement today, said that RON97 petrol remains at RM3.35 per litre, RON95 (RM2.05) and diesel (RM2.15).

The weekly retail prices of the products were set based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Forget about getting the MINI 1499 GT

                LONDON: This is one MINI that won't be sold outside Britain. The new MINI 1499 GT, available to order now, is a nod to one of the best known sporty classic Minis of all time, the 1275 GT.

The 1499 GT will be built in a limited production run of 1,499 cars between November 2017 and February 2018. On-the-road pricing starts at £16,990 (RM95,200).

Available to order now, the 1499 GT recalls the entertaining drive, distinctive styling and low running costs of the 1969 original, which was one of the most affordable performance cars of its day.

The 1275 GT badging reflected the increased engine capacity over the standard 998cc Mini. The MINI 1499 GT treads a similar path for 2017. With 102 hp on tap and 0-100kph in 10.1 seconds courtesy of its lively Twin Power Turbo three-cylinder engine, the 1499 GT is said to suit drivers seeking an entertaining drive and unique vehicle.

There will be a choice of two colours, Pepper White or Midnight Black. In Midnight Black, the car gets distinctive gold 1499 GT side stripes. Pepper White models feature the same distinctive graphics, but in black.

Additional exterior features include the MINI John Cooper Works Sport Pack, featuring 17” Track Spoke alloy wheels in Black, dark tinted windows and white indicator lenses. The styling pack includes distinctive John Cooper Works front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a split level spoiler and John Cooper Works door entry plates.

Interior features include John Cooper Works Sports seats in Dinamica and leather and JCW badges, a JCW steering wheel in perforated leather with Chilli Red stitching and multi-function controls, cruise control, a Visual Boost radio with MINI Connected smartphone compatibility and Piano Black interior trim, along with Carbon Black interior details and an Anthracite headlining.

A sports suspension completes the MINI 1499 GT package, which also includes all of the standard equipment found on the MINI One Hatch. This includes features such as independent rear suspension, a six-speed manual gearbox with sports-car inspired rev matching technology, air conditioning and all-round disc brakes.


VW joins electric car price war as global rivalry heats up

                WOLFSBURG: A new version of Volkswagen's flagship ID.3 electric car model will go on sale from the end of March for just under 40,000 euros (RM192,000), the VW brand announced this week.

That is a 3,000-euro (RM14,408) markdown from the current ID.3 price tag, putting it on par with US rival Tesla's popular Model Y.

Industry insiders see the move as a direct response to several rounds of price-cutting by the Elon Musk-owned company in recent months, including discounts of up to 20 percent in Europe and the United States.

In Germany, Tesla's sales soared by more than 900 percent year-on-year in January as a result, making it the top-selling e-car in the country that month.

Although the 10-brand VW group was Europe's leading e-car manufacturer in 2022 with 352,000 vehicles sold, Tesla's audacious markdowns have forced the German firm's hand, said industry analyst Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer.

"Volkswagen sees how big the threat is from Tesla," he said.

The automaker will have "no choice" but to enter "a price war" to defend its place in the hotly contested market for battery-powered vehicles, even if that means profit margins take a hit for a while.

VW group CEO Oliver Blume has so far ruled out a general price drop on all electric cars.

But Musk is not VW's only headache. In China, the world's largest car market, the industry's electrification has shifted into higher gear and VW is rapidly falling behind domestic competitors.

China challenge

The Asian giant currently accounts for some 40 percent of VW group sales, mostly vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines, giving it a market share in China of 16 percent.

But in the electric car segment, the Volkswagen brand has eked out a market share of just 2.4 percent, trailing Tesla at 7.8 percent and China's BYD at 16 percent.

A slew of other Chinese automakers such as Wuling, GAC and Chery are also outperforming VW, according to data compiled by the financial daily Handelsblatt.

Fellow German carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW are faring no better in China, their e-models holding a market share of less than one percent each.

"In the world's largest car market, German manufacturers have so far lagged behind local brands," industry expert Stefan Bratzel said in his annual report on electromobility.

Of the more than five million electric vehicles sold in China in 2022, VW accounted for just 155,700.

Traffic jam entertainment

"The times when German traditional carmakers could take their market shares (in China) for granted are gone," said Gregor Sebastian, an analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies.

"In Germany, driving performance remains a key factor" when customers choose a new car, he said.

"But in China, where many people spend a lot of their driving time stuck in traffic jams and highly value new technologies, the car's interaction with the smartphone and overall connectivity is more important," he added.

VW's China chief Ralf Brandstaetter said the group needed to make cars "in China, for China" if it wanted to boost e-sales there -- and do so faster.

"The Chinese develop a new car in two and a half years. VW takes just under four years to do that," he recently said in Germany's Sueddeutsche newspaper.

With VW expecting China to make major strides in autonomous driving in the near future, the German group last year said it was teaming up with Chinese AI chip specialist Horizon Robotics to accelerate the development of smart-driving technologies.

And even with all the changes sweeping the industry, the reputation of German carmakers remains a trump card in China, said Sebastian.

"The competition is tough," he said. "But German carmakers like Volkswagen have over 80 years' experience building cars for different markets and customers, that will give them an advantage."

READ MORE: VW to preview entry level-EV on March 15


Proton rewards Grab drivers

                SUBANG JAYA: Driver-partners from Grab, Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s leading Online-to-Offline (O2O) platform were rewarded for their performance in the final of the Proton Wealth on Wheels (WOW) challenge held on Aug 9.

The challenge, a joint collaboration between the local carmaker and Grab, was open to Grab driver-partners using a Proton Iriz, Persona or Saga.

The best performers of each category (Iris, Persona, Saga) were selected out of the initial 2,181 participants who used the least amount of fuel from a single tank and were recruited from July 10 to 29, with the first 1,000 being rewarded with a RM30 car service voucher from Proton.

Out of the best performers, it was Tun Kamalul Zaman, driving a Proton Persona, who used 25 litres of petrol and earned RM353 for the day.

As for Lim Poh Aik (Proton Saga) and Long Mun Fai (Proton Iriz), both drivers consumed just 16 litres of petrol and earned RM168 and RM158 for the day respectively.

Tun Kamalul ZamanLim Poh Aik Long Mun Fai

The top performers for each category during the final were also rewarded with a grand prize of RM6,888 worth of Proton car sales vouchers along with special incentives from Grab.

All finalists will also be treated to invites to the launch of Proton's first ever SUV and exclusive test drive events.

The qualifying period ran from Aug 1 to 5 and all participants were given five days to drive within the Klang Valley to earn as much as possible.

The best performers in each category (Iriz, Persona and Saga) were then selected to compete in the final, which flagged off from Proton Centre of Excellence.

All Grab driver-partners who participated in the Final round were awarded with RM500 worth of Proton Sales Voucher each, which is redeemable for new car purchase.

Each participant were then directed to the nearest petrol station and had their fuel tank topped up and sealed before setting off at 9am to earn as much as possible.

Before returning at 5pm, participants headed to the nearest petrol station towards COE where their fuel consumption was calculated.

“As Malaysia’s first car company, PROTON played a major role in putting Malaysians on the road. We would like to do something similar to help the ride sharing industry grow and hopefully with the PROTON Wealth on Wheels event and our other promotional activities we will attract more driver-partners to our cars,” said PROTON Edar chief executive officer Abdul Rashid Musa.


Aprilia Shiver 900 introduced

                KUALA LUMPUR: The much anticipated Aprilia Shiver 900 is in Malaysia now.

The sports naked bike is the first new Aprilia model to be launched by current official distributor of Aprilia motorcycles, Didi Resources Sdn Bhd.

The Shiver 900 was unveiled by company director Goh Kian Sin and general manager Juan Chow Wee at a recent Chinese New Year dinner gathering for the media and its business partners.

 Goh (left) and Juan with the new Aprilia Shiver 900.

Speaking at the launch, Goh said the previous Shiver model was positively received by Malaysian enthusiasts and the company believed the latest incarnation in the form of Shiver 900 would also be well received.

“We have given our commitment since taking over the Aprilia distributorship to deliver more value in terms of lifestyle activation, aftersales and parts centres nationwide,” Goh said.

The Shiver 900, featuring a 896cc engine with 95.2hp and 90Nm of torque, is a non-conventional sports naked bike which is bound to attract the younger audience.

This new model, fully imported from Italy, also offers ride-by-wire throttle and three riding modes of sport, touring and rain.

It also has traction control with three levels of settings and dual-channel ABS.

Priced at RM67,680 (before SST), the Shiver 900 can be viewed at The Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya; Welly World Cycle Sungai Buloh and Sheng Fatt Sdn Bhd Penang.


X70  a game-changer model for Proton

                PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd’s X70 sport-utility vehicle (SUV), which is set to be launched later this year, could just be the game-changer model that the struggling national car company has been waiting for to help turn it around.

Response to the model has been promising, having received some 5,000 bookings within a week of being made available to the public – a good sign for a company that has, for years now, been striving hard to rebuild its brand loyalty and regain consumer confidence in its products.

“The emergence of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd as a foreign strategic partner was a milestone for Proton and will help provide the national carmaker with the turnaround opportunities it has been needing all these years,” said an industry observer.

Geely completed its acquisition of a 49.9% stake in Proton in September 2017. Vehicles engineered with Volvo technology, such as its GC9 sedan and the Boyue SUV (the platform on which the X70 is based on) have been a hit in China, the world’s biggest auto market.

Geely reported a 54% jump in net income for the six months through June this year, surpassing its top-three Japanese rivals Nissan, Honda and Toyota to become the third-largest carmaker in China.

China-based vehicles have, for a long time, been getting a “bad rap” from customers and industry observers due to their quality.

However, in recent years, the demand for Chinese makes has been on the rise.

“Having models with Volvo-engineered technology has helped Geely grow by leaps and bounds,” said an analyst.

“With proven technology and European-like features, their models have been a hit in China; and it’s no surprise why the model will be a hit here as well,” he said, adding that the X70 could also pave the way for future Proton models.

Another analyst said having a rebadged vehicle would also bode well for Proton, especially for parent company DRB-Hicom Bhd, which has a 50.1% stake in the national carmaker.

“By having a rebadged vehicle, Proton will no longer have to incur huge development costs in developing new models, as the cost will be incurred mostly by Geely. This will definitely help boost the national carmaker’s bottom line.

“Building a model from the ground up is more expensive and if it doesn’t do well, you will struggle to recoup your development cost.”

Building a brand new model could cost north of RM700mil for Proton – but less than half of that when collaborating with a partner, he said.

Reducing costs will certainly benefit DRB-Hicom, which is eager to turn around Proton.

Last month, DRB-Hicom announced that it is expected to make a gain of RM735.4mil from its proposed sale of Alam Flora Sdn Bhd to Malakoff Corp Bhd’s unit.

DRB-Hicom said part of the proceeds from the proposed disposal would be used to repay its borrowings, as well as help turn around Proton.

For its first quarter ended June 30, 2018, DRB-Hicom suffered a net loss of RM66.60mil compared with a net loss of RM182.79mil in the previous corresponding period. Revenue dipped to RM2.65bil from RM3.13bil a year earlier.

The company said its earnings were affected largely due to lower sales of vehicles by Proton and certain other automotive companies.

In its notes accompanying its first-quarter results, DRB-Hicom, nevertheless, said it is optimistic about the prospects for its current financial year.

“The group’s automotive sector is expected to pick up momentum with the impending Proton SUV to be launched by the end of 2018. New product launches from other marques, as well as promotional activities, will act as catalysts to drive the sales volume further,” it said.

READ MORE:
Proton X70 SUV previewed
2018 Geely Boyue: Track thrills in Beijing
Geely Boyue SUV made in high-tech Baoji plant
2018 Proton SUV: Facelifted Geely Boyue gets more premium features
Geely Auto: Carsifu visits Geely's Shanghai facilties
Geely group's remarkable rise via tech takeovers
2017 Geely Boyue: Quick test drive in Ningbo


Proton promotions and safety campaign for Hari Raya

PETALING JAYA: Proton has just announced its festive Hari Raya promotions and customary free 20-point safety inspection for Proton owners at all its authorised service outlets nationwide.The festive promotions include exciting savings on purchases for customers and current Proton owners. Customers interested to purchase new cars during the festive season will enjoy savings up to RM3,000 on selected 2016 Proton models, with monthly installments from as low as RM367 for a Proton Saga.Proton is also organising a free safety check campaign as part of its initiative to promote vehicle safety awareness to its customers. Commenting on the campaign which has been a regular feature during festive celebrations, chief executive officer of Proton Edar, Rohime Shafie said, “We have been conducting these safety checks for the past three years as Proton has always put priority on safety especially during peak seasons like holidays and other celebrations.“This is especially crucial in supporting the government's call to reduce road accidents during festive seasons and school holidays. The safety check include inspection of the brake system, suspension, tyres, battery, wiper blades, belts, lighting and also fluid levels such as engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and wiper washer. In addition, we are also offering various discounts on selected parts such as absorbers, brake, clutch and timing belt.”In addition to the discounts offered for selected parts, Proton will also be offering a special discount on labour charges for customers who send their cars to Proton authorised service centres. The service campaign runs from June 1 till July 31, 2016 and both promotions will be available at all Proton outlets nationwide.For the busy city folk, Proton will continue its tradition to be stationed at various petrol stations nationwide one week before Hari Raya so that customers are able to get their cars checked on their way to their destinations. The exact locations of the petrol stations will be announced later.In addition, there is also the Pick-up and Delivery service available to those who are unable to send their cars before the festive holidays at high traffic areas of the Klang Valley, such as Mutiara Damansara, Setapak, Bukit Maluri and Section 13, Petaling Jaya. This is to encourage customers within the 5km radius of the service outlets to have their cars picked up and serviced by these outlets. Customers are advised to call these service centres directly for appointments. This service is on a first come first serve basis.For full details on the latest promotions and financing offers please visit the website or call our Proton Customer Care line at 1-800-888-398.


Toyota Raize hybrid passes in-house collision test, says Daihatsu

                TOKYO: A safety test done by Daihatsu on the Toyota Raize hybrid SUV (sport utility vehicle) on May 24, specifically a driver's seat side collision test, delivered results that meet regulatory safety standards.

In a statement on May 26 (Friday), the Japanese automaker said the test, to confirm the safety of a vehicle when it collides with a utility pole from the side, was done at the Daihatsu Shiga Technical Centre.

The test involved a situation where the side of a vehicle was crashed into a utility-type pole at a speed of 32 km/h, and results were dependent on factors such as the occupant impact (injury value) meeting legal standards, whether the door does not dislodge or release, and if the amount of fuel leakage is below a certain value.

The Japanese automaker stressed that the test conducted was a Daihatsu in-house test and has not been confirmed by the certification authority.

The voluntary in-house collision test was done, following Daihatsu's statement on May 19 that it had found wrongdoing in the certification procedures for the side impact collision tests (UN-R135) of the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize hybrids for the Japan market.

Shipments and sales of those vehicles were suspended as of the same day.

Daihatsu said the necessary procedures for shipment and sales resumption of the Toyota Raize will be implemented, such as conducting tests in the presence of certification authorities and confirming other certification items in consultation with authorities.

In a statement, Toyota Motor Corp said it is working with all companies within the group, to re-examine its past governance structure, including its own, and has begun a thorough review.

"We view this case not as an individual or workplace issue, but rather a company-wide issue where an individual or workplace was forced to commit a wrongdoing. Together with Daihatsu, we are committed to listening to the voices of those on the front lines and carefully responding to the situation," said the group.


Toyota Eco Youth 22/23 edition receives sustainable innovations

                SHAH ALAM: The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) 2022/2023 edition concluded on a high note with the Education Ministry and UMW Toyota Motor representatives attending the closing ceremony and exhibition at Concorde Hotel here.

Themed ‘Championing Mobility’, the TEY programme targeted at secondary school students is among UMW Toyota Motor’s ongoing efforts to cultivate awareness and a sense of responsibility for people and the planet by encouraging the youth to take climate action through the development of sustainable innovations.

A total of 16 teams nationwide participated in the programme to vie for a cash prize pool of up to RM71,500 with their innovative solutions on display for the keen eye of judges to deliberate and score.

The top five teams to impress the judges at TEY 2022/2023 include:

> Maktab Tentera Diraja (Mtd) - HEXA-HOLD A hexabrick system made from recycled HDPE, LDPE plastic that aims to reduce/prevent soil erosion and soil movement.

> Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College (Team Synergy) - Expand-a-bagAn expandable bag made with reused plastic and fabric in order to create a more sustainable community.

> SMK Kemumin, Kota Baru - Terra SaviourA belt made from used clothes to reduce the waste of clothes in our community

> SMK Taman Bunga Raya 1 - TWEPS A system that works as an early prevention for wildfire by detecting the increase of temperature and carbon dioxide gas, followed by an alert sent to the nearby forest and fire department.

> SBP Integrasi Rawang - In-FleCT An automatic incinerator that will not release smoke and dangerous air particles, and converts burning products into a fertiliser

The winning team received RM20,000 in cash, followed by RM15,000 for second place; RM 10,000 for third place; RM7,000 for fourth place and RM5,000 for fifth place.

The Most Supportive Teacher was rewarded with RM2,000 and RM1,000 each was offered to the top three Agent Ms while RM2,000 was offered for Best Community Engagement.

The 2022/2023 edition of the TEY programme themed 'Championing Mobility' saw the 16 teams develop sustainable solutions in four C.A.S.E categories – Clothing, Apps, Smart Tools and Eco-Friendly Vehicles with a focus on ‘Mobility For All’ to create a positive impact on society through new mobility services in line with Toyota's Global Vision.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ravindran K said the Toyota Eco Youth programme first began 21 years ago.

“As a brand committed to zero CO2 emissions by 2050, we aim to inspire and help pave the way for bright young minds to be changemakers towards a more sustainable future.”

Ravindran said the winners of the Toyota Eco Youth 2022/2023 edition had shown what young Malaysian minds were capable of given the right opportunities.

“Move Your World is our realisation of a future mobility society as we transition from being an automobile company to a mobility company by enriching the lives of the communities we operate in.

“To that end, the Toyota Eco You programme aims to create a positive ripple effect in society by moving our youth to take climate action through innovative solutions that benefit the people and planet."

Education Ministry's Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division deputy director Dr Norisah Suhaili said UMW Toyota Motor has been leading the way and moving from merely creating awareness to taking climate action in pursuit of environmental preservation in line with Malaysia’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2050.

“This is something all Malaysians need to emulate moving forward,” she said.


Mitsubishi Triton achieves record sales in 2019

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, announced an increase in sales for its Triton pickup truck.

Despite experiencing a 21% downsizing in the market segment, the company's Triton in 2019 (Jan - Dec) recorded 5,792 units sold to mark a 2.4% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2018.

Despite the shrink in market demand, the Triton was the only model that successfully achieved positive growth to expand its overall sales.

This made the Triton the number one sales growth pick-up truck in Malaysia and has managed to improve its market share by 3.8% to 16.5% from January-December 2019.

Since the introduction of the new Triton in Jan 2019 and has thus far managed to contribute a sizeable 71.2% of MMM’s overall business.

The latest Triton was launched with an updated iteration of the "Dynamic Shield" design concept as well as receiving a boost in its quality and safety features.

Subsequently, in November 2019, the company upgraded the range-topping Triton Adventure X and Triton AT Premium with more accessories available at all MMM authorized dealers.

The company also launched the new Triton Quest and limited edition Triton Knight to complete the Triton line-up.

The Mitsubishi Triton is still the only pick-up offering up to 200,000km or a five-year warranty where customers get to travel more with added peace of mind.

“MMM will continue to provide the best-handling pick-up truck from our flagship model, the Triton Adventure X to the Triton Quest 4x2 in order to meet our customer’s daily work and leisure requirements. We are confident of achieving our Triton sales target and that MMM will provide top-notch customer service to all its customers,” said MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi.

Adding to that, Shinnishi indicated that the company also managed to rank number one in the J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (CSI) Mass Market Study for the second consecutive year over the last five years.

In terms of Sales, MMM is ranked in the top two within the 2019 J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study. - JAY WONG


Toyota Gazoo Racing rolls out all-new GR86

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has started selling the all-new GR86 at GR Garage and Toyota dealers in Japan on Oct 28.

The price range is 2,799,000 yen to 3,512,000 yen (RM102,000 to RM128,000).

The GR86 was jointly developed with Subaru.

In September 2019, Toyota and Subaru entered into a new business and capital alliance, and have promoted their goal of making ever-better cars in new fields, such as by jointly developing the new Toyota bZ4X battery electric vehicle (BEV).

But the two companies also said they would continue to jointly build sports cars that deliver the excitement, thrill, and joy of driving.

The GR86 shares the same base as the Subaru BRZ. However, Toyota focused on delivering the unique driving feel of a GR vehicle, with intuitive handling and instinctive responsiveness, linear response, and outstanding agility at the upper limits of performance.

While carrying on the tradition of the 86 and engaging in friendly rivalry with Subaru's BRZ development team, TGR sought to develop a vehicle that would realise a GR-like evolution.

According to Toyota, the new GR86 had been designed with outstanding driving feel that is both direct and satisfying.

Exterior

With fender tops that extend horizontally to the beltline, the GR86 silhouette highlights its appeal as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

Its low, horizontal underbody and narrow cabin rear combine to underline the breadth of the vehicle and its low centre of gravity, and hint at its intuitive responsiveness.

The front of the vehicle features the GR-specific Functional MATRIX Grille, which fuses performance and emotionality. To mark its evolution from the 86 to the GR86, the GR86 logo has also been redesigned.

Interior

The GR86 operating system-which includes the horizontally-accented instrument panel and various switches-is optimally located to enable the driver to focus on driving.

Equipped with a BOXER Meter, comprising a 7-inch colour screen and LCD meters, the car's opening animation sequence is inspired by the piston movements of the GR86's horizontally opposed engine.

The meter display embodies the GR86's sports performance, changing according to which driving mode is engaged.

NORMAL mode shows the current speed in large numbers inside a circular tachometer; in Sports mode (available on AT grades only), the edges and rings of the tachometer gauge turn red; TRACK mode takes inspiration from racing car displays, and shows engine speed in large numbers.

The GR86 seats deliver a sensation of being at one with the vehicle. The lightweight front seats use independent pads used to support the body, and, in order to withstand the lateral and longitudinal g-forces generated during aggressive sports driving, they are covered in an extremely grippy material.

Bigger engine

Sporting a lightweight, compact engine with a low centre-of-gravity in line with previous iterations, the GR86 increases its displacement size from 2.0 to 2.4L.

The engine delivers superior driving performance as a consequence, achieving 0-100kph acceleration in just 6.3 seconds-down from the 7.4 seconds of the previous model.

Engine responsiveness has also been enhanced, providing smooth, stress-free sensations from low to high rpms.

The GR86 is equipped with D-4S, a dedicated twin injector that optimally controls two types of injection according to driving conditions: direct injection, which directly injects fuel into the combustion chamber, and the more common port injection, which directly injects fuel into the intake port.

D-4S combines with a horizontally opposed engine that incorporates variable valve timing, to deliver improved intake and exhaust efficiency.

Improvements in many aspects

The dimensions of the new GR86 are almost identical to the previous model. However, by limiting both the overall height and hip-point of the vehicle, and by positioning the seats further towards its centre, the car realises a lower centre-of-gravity and enhanced turning performance.

Users can expect to experience a real sense of speed when accelerating, and feel as if the car is an extension of their bodies.

Body rigidity has been improved, with the goal of offering pleasurable handling in all speed ranges-from urban driving to the upper limits of performance. Lateral bending has been improved by 60% and torsional rigidity has been enhanced by 50%, delivering nimble handling through high-speed corners and guaranteeing outstanding steering stability.

The GR86 has been thoroughly lightened through increased use of high-tensile steel plates, and the adoption of an aluminum engine hood, engine underbody, roof, and front fenders.

The GR86 is fitted with front air outlets developed via motorsports feedback, as well as with side sill spoilers and a ducktail rear spoiler.

As a result of repeated performance evaluations via both actual driving and wind tunnel facilities, the car promises superb front-end road-holding and rear-end stability with outstandingly responsive and steady handling.

The GR86 is equipped with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology (AT grades only). Featuring pre-collision braking technologies that help avoid collisions and mitigate damage, the system provides support for safe everyday driving.

Stand out with GR PARTS

TGR has prepared a selection of custom GR PARTS to maximise the appeal of the GR86. From everyday driving to sports driving, a wide-ranging parts line-up enables all customers to personalise their GR86.

To mark its launch, TGR will exhibit the new GR86 at FUJI 86 STYLE with BRZ 2021 (86 Style), hosted by Fuji International Speedway Co., Ltd.

The event would allow fans to drive the new GR86 and compare its ride with the BRZ, while other activities are planned to enable visitors to experience the driving feel of the GR86. Also, the event will be streamed live on TGR's official YouTube channel.

The new GR86 is now available via the KINTO ONE car subscription service. For the first time in KINTO ONE's history, customers would be permitted to modify the GR86 (except for illegal modifications and other exclusions).

The car would be available from 21,450 yen (RM782) per month (including tax).


Audi to unveil all-electric off-road concept car at Frankfurt Motor Show

                INGOLSTADT: Audi will be taking to the International Motor Show in Frankfurt this September to introduce its 100-percent electric off-road concept car to the world.

The vehicle, codenamed AI:TRAIL quattro, is the fourth in a series of concepts unveiled by Audi following the AICON and ELAINE (which were both unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017) and the AI:ME.

The four designs will be reunited at the German manufacturer's stand this year.

No other details have been shared by Audi about the new all-electric buggy. The shape of the chassis, rear-hinged rear doors and imposing wheels seen in the first image recall the Citroen 19_19 Concept unveiled by the French manufacturer last May at Viva Technology in Paris.

Besides the new concept car, Audi will take advantage of the Frankfurt show to demo the next generations of its RS 6 Avant as well as the redesigned Q7 and SQ7.

The 68th Frankfurt Motor Show runs from Sept 12-22.


Mercedes issues camouflaged images of EQC

Mercedes-Benz EQC teaser image.
 STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz is the latest big-name car manufacturer to take action to circumvent spy shots being leaked of its upcoming models by releasing a set of images of the EQC electric crossover prototype undergoing testing in Spain.

The EQC will be the company's first standalone all-electric vehicle, but it will have some catching up to do as it will arrive on the market after rivals such as the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and the Audi E-tron.

Audi has employed similar tactics to promote the E-tron, which is now seeing the EQC's progress and development being put into the public domain with striking new camouflage and the accompanying social media hashtag: #switchtoEQ.

Mercedes says it has nearly 200 EQC prototypes that have been built during the development process. These particular images were taken during summer weather testing of the car. The area of Spain where the testing was carried out can reach more than 49 degrees centigrade during the summer, which provides the engineering team with the opportunity to test important systems such as the air conditioning, battery cooling systems and charge times.

As well as Spain, Mercedes intends to test further prototypes in Germany, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Dubai, South Africa, the United States and China.

The vehicle itself is heavily based on the current GLC-Class. The EQC is set to be the first model from the new EQ sub-brand to be offered for sale on the market, but although it's based on the GLC-Class it's expected to have its own unique front and rear styling to differentiate it from the GLC.

No specs are known at the moment, but the performance and range should be in the same ballpark as the likes of the new Jaguar i-Pace and the Tesla Model X.

A full reveal is due next year with the first EQCs set to arrive on the roads in 2020.


2015 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific at Sepang

                SEPANG: The first round of the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge ended recently at the Sepang International Circuit under scorching hot weather conditions.

The 21 drivers in the field once again showcased top-notch driving thrills, with exciting overtaking manoeuvres.

Polesitter Steve Wyatt from Australia once again stood proudly on top of the podium steps, winning first overall and in his Trofeo Pirelli class.

In second position was Indonesian David Tjiptobiantoro, who moved up to the higher classification from Coppa Shell this year.

Following in third place was Renaldi Hutasoit, also from Indonesia.

In the Pirelli AM class, it was a really tight call among the top three contenders, featuring a three way fight between Xu Wei from China, Ziad Ghandour from Lebanon and Voravud Bhirombhakdi from Thailand.

Xu eventually emerged the victor, followed by Ghandour who finished second, and Bhirombhakdi in third position.

Meanwhile, in the Coppa Shell class, Xing Yan Bing from China was all smiles as he finished on top of the podium.

The next round of the Asia Pacific Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will take place on April 24 - 26 in Fuji, Japan.


Volvo XC60 wins 2018 Japan Car of the Year

                TOKYO: In a monumental battle for the country’s most coveted car trophy, the Volvo XC60 comes from behind to capture the Car of the Year Japan award.

In a nail-biting vote-counting ceremony that saw the lead change three times between the Volvo XC60, BMW 5-Series and Toyota
Camry, the Swedish crossover pulled away in the closing moments to poll 294 votes and clinch the 2018 Japan Car of the Year.

The XC60 finished some 52 votes clear of the strong finishing 5-Series and 62 ahead of the closest Japanese competitor, Toyota’s Camry.

Accepting the trophy in front of 60 Car of the Year jurors and over 200 industry colleagues, Volvo Japan CEO Takayuki Kimura said, “This is the first time in Japan COTY’s 38-year history that Volvo has won an award.”

 Takayuki Kimura, Volvo Cars Japan CEO shows off his Japan COTY trophy.

The Suzuki Swift finished in 4th place, ahead of the Honda N-Box, Lexus LC, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Mazda CX-5, Citroen C3 and VW Tiguan.

In the special award categories, Toyota picked up a hat-trick of trophies; one for Best Innovation for its Prius PHEV while the Lexus LC captured the Emotional Award.

Then, in this, its 20th anniversary since launching the Prius hybrid, Toyota picked up the COTY steering committee’s ‘Special Achievement Award’ for the brand’s 10 millionth hybrid sale, a trophy Toyota executive chairman and first-gen Prius chief engineer Takeshi Uchiyamada was proud to receive.

The Honda N-Box won the Small Mobility Award for being judged the best vehicle in Japan’s unique 660cc class category.

In the second biggest surprise of the day (after the Volvo win), a second Special Achievement Award was presented to racer Takuma Sato for his unforgettable victory in this year’s Indy 500, making him the first Japanese to win the legendary race.

 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 Sensus centre display updates The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60 The new Volvo XC60


New Mitsubishi 3S centre opens in Petaling Jaya

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, together with authorised dealer Ingress Motors Centre (IMC), has opened a new Mitsubishi Motors 3S Centre (Sales, Service & Spare parts) here.

The new 3S Centre at No 13, Jalan 225, Section 51A, is IMC’s fourth Mitsubishi Motors showroom in Malaysia with the first three in Puchong,
Bangi and Shah Alam respectively.

Including the new showroom in Petaling Jaya, all four of IMC’s showrooms incorporates Mitsubishi Motors’ new corporate brand; represented by its global tagline ‘Drive Your Ambition’.

The MMM corporate mark is a powerful statement of Mitsubishi Motors commitment to the values and aspirations of its drivers.

MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi said MMM and IMC have been business partners since 2013.

"Within seven years, IMC has establish four out of 14 MMM showrooms within Klang Valley. This goes to show IMC’s commitment to further strengthen the Mitsubishi’s brand presence in Malaysia,” he said.

He said the opening of this new showroom is in-line with putting Mitsubishi customers at the forefront and as its utmost priority.

"It is our aim to serve our customers better in terms of sales and aftersales in the central region,” he said.

Also speaking at the new centre launch, Ingress Motors Centre Auto Dealership Division president Rabian Abdul Rahman said:

"I strongly believe that the opening of our new showroom in PJ will pave the way for new Mitsubishi customers.

"There is an enormous market potential here in view of the huge population and promising growth of not less than 1.25% per annum with at least 60% of mid to high income households.”

The centre was built on an investment of RM1.25mil and has a built-up area of over 34,000 sq ft.

It houses a comfortable customer lounge with WiFi and showroom space to display up to four cars.

Its service centre also comes with a fully-equipped workshop with 12 service bays ready to serve every Mitsubishi vehicle.

MMM is now represented by 52 showrooms (out of which 46 are 3S Centres) and 52 service outlets throughout Malaysia.

In East Malaysia, MMM is represented by 14 showrooms (7 in Sarawak and 7 in Sabah).

The Triton 4x4 pick-up truck are imported as CBU (Completely Built-Up) units from Thailand while the ASX Compact SUV and Outlander are locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia.


Emissions rules and electric shift to spur car engines M&A

                FRANKFURT/DETROIT: A growing understanding in the car industry of the value of combustion engine technology able to meet new anti-pollution requirements is likely to fuel a wave of consolidation in the next two years, industry executives and bankers say.

Mergers and acquisitions have been stuck in a rut since Volkswagen was caught cheating pollution tests in 2015, triggering a global tightening of emissions regulations that depressed the value of petrol and diesel technologies.

But the market is beginning to separate companies capable of meeting new emissions standards from those struggling to do so, which could close the gap in price expectations between buyers and sellers over the next 12-24 months, industry experts say.

The auto industry has all but stopped developing next-generation combustion engines as limited resources are directed towards building electric and self-driving cars.

However, electric vehicles are still a niche product, accounting for only 1.26 million - or 1.5 percent - of the 86 million cars sold worldwide last year, and analysts forecast it will be the middle of the next decade before a tipping point comes when electric cars overtake combustion-engined variants.

That means there will still be demand for emissions-compliant combustion engines and so manufacturers and suppliers able to offer that are likely to see valuations recover, said Reinhard Kuehn, co-head of European Automotive at Deutsche Bank.

“At the same time, suppliers that struggle with this will remain a hard sell,” Kuehn said.

Meanwhile, as production capacity of petrol and diesel engines is cut back, the impetus for mergers among suppliers should increase, bankers believe.

Germany’s Volkswagen, one of the largest manufacturers of petrol and diesel engines, has said it will develop its final generation of combustion engines by 2026, while US rival Ford last month said it would close two engine factories in Europe.

“The profit pool of companies with combustion engine-related technology – once the envy of the industry – is shrinking with the rise of electric vehicles and the digitization of the industry,” Goldman Sachs managing director Axel Hoefer said. “You would expect someone to come in and consolidate to benefit from economies of scale.”

Volkswagen is now warning its suppliers to prepare industry-wide solutions for winding down combustion-engine manufacturing as it ramps up mass production of electric vehicles.

The company is retooling 16 factories to build electric vehicles and plans to start producing 33 different electric cars under the Skoda, Audi, VW and Seat brands by mid-2023, transforming the industry’s supply chain.

“It makes no sense to have factories running at only 40% capacity,” Stefan Sommer, Volkswagen’s procurement head, told Reuters. “The auto industry is obliged to develop structures to consolidate combustion engine assets, to decide where to bundle certain activities.”

“If we end up with uncontrolled insolvencies, it will be a problem for the industry,” he said.

Mismatch

There are more than 120 plants making combustion engine components in Europe, according to consulting firm AlixPartners.

German auto industry association VDA says 436,000 jobs are tied to building petrol and diesel engines in Germany alone.

Demand for compliant combustion engine assets has already triggered consolidation among carmakers themselves - PSA Group’s takeover of General Motors’ Opel business in 2017 was driven by that issue.

“With emissions regulation getting more stringent, particularly in Europe, some manufacturers are getting left behind in terms of their ability to develop compliant engines,” Franciscus van Meel, BMW’s head of vehicle development, told Reuters.

Until recently, deals have still proved difficult to do because of lingering disagreements over valuations. US group Dana late in 2018 launched the sale of its European head gasket business, a key component for combustion engines, people close to the matter said.

With the help of Bank of America it invited suitors to bid, but pulled the auction several weeks later due to muted interest. The sale of Germany’s closely-held Ifa Group, a maker of shafts mainly used in combustion engine-powered cars, was announced a year ago, but never got over the finishing line. Among the few suitors was China’s Wanxiang, but differences on pricing proved insurmountable, people close to the talks said.

“The main problem is that buyers’ and sellers’ price expectations don’t match,” KPMG partner Juergen Schlangenotto said.

“A seller typically says: I have a robust order book and good margins so I want a valuation of 6 times EBITDA (annual core earnings), while a buyer says there’s no long-term growth so I am paying 4 times.”

A fresh test of interest in combustion engine assets will be the sale of engine parts and gear box parts maker Tekfor. Private equity owner KKR is in talks with a Chinese buyer, according to people close to the matter.

James Kamsickas, CEO of US drivetrain supplier Dana, believes internal combustion engine (ICE) demand could persist for many years.

“People are overbaking a little bit on how much the internal combustion engine is just going to go away,” he said.

“If anything, I’m a very strong advocate that it’s going to be a world of hybridisation for the next 15 years. Last time I checked, that still requires an ICE.”


2018 Paris Motor Show: Six spectacular concept cars on display

                PARIS: Like any auto show worth its salt, the 2018 Paris Motor Show has plenty of concept cars on display, some of which are forerunners to upcoming models, and some of which offer a glimpse into the future of mobility. Here are six concept cars on show at the Paris event.

BMW iX3
BMW is showing off the iX3 on its Paris stand. This concept car is a forerunner to the firm's all-electric X3, coming in 2020. This first fully electric SUV from BMW is all the more eagerly awaited since it is expected to offer a range of over 400km.

Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid
Citroën is giving visitors a look at the future plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) of its C5 Aircross, landing in 2020 and presented in Paris as a concept car. This model combines a 180-horsepower PureTech gasoline engine with an 80kW motor (equivalent to 109 horsepower) and an EAT8 automatic gearbox. In all-electric mode, range is expected to max out at 50km for a top speed of no more than 135km/h.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow
If there's one show car that's sure to make an impression in Paris, it's the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow, directly inspired by the 1937 W125 Silver Arrow which set several speed records in its day. The German manufacturer has equipped its latest concept car with a 550kW electric motor (equivalent to around 750 horsepower) and has a theoretical range of 400km.

Peugeot e-Legend
One of the stars of the 2018 Paris Motor Show is without a doubt the Peugeot e-Legend, a concept car with retro styling -- in homage to the 504 -- but loaded with cutting-edge technology. This autonomous, electric and connected vehicle integrates its own voice-controlled personal assistant, performing functions such as switching driving modes or managing playlists for in-car listening. Note that a petition has even been launched on the internet to turn this concept into a production model one day.

Renault EZ-Ultimo
Renault unveiled the EZ-Ultimo in a global premiere in Paris. This new concept is an electric and fully autonomous "robot vehicle." Available on-demand, the EZ-Ultimo could be used to provide premium tourism experiences, for example. This self-driving vehicle boasts a refined "mobile lounge" interior, extending the premium experience of a hotel, resort or airline while allowing passengers to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

Smart forease
The unmissable smart forease is an open-top concept directly derived from the firm's smart EQ fortwo cabrio production model. Here, the vehicle is all about essentials, with features including a shortened windshield offering minimal resistance to headwinds. On the inside, two round screens replace the traditional central air vents on the dashboard. This concept car is fully electric, which will soon be the norm for smart (in Europe, at least).

The Paris Motor Show runs through Oct 14.


European automakers tell governments they must help sell electric cars

                FRANKFURT: Europe’s carmakers are telling governments they must help build electric car charging points and provide consumer subsidies to boost sales of battery-powered vehicles and assist the industry in meeting stringent new emissions rules.

German carmakers are accelerating plans to launch electric vehicles, under pressure from a European Union mandate to deliver a 37.5% cut in carbon dioxide emissions between 2021 and 2030, on top of a 40% cut in emissions between 2007 and 2021.

Industry executives warned at this week’s Frankfurt auto show that the EU rules could be disastrous for profits and jobs because mainstream customers were not buying electric vehicles. Instead, consumers are opting for larger sport utility vehicles.

“Our industry is eager to move as fast as possible toward zero-emission mobility. But this transition is a shared responsibility,” said PSA Group chief executive Carlos Tavares, who is also president of European auto industry association ACEA. “It requires a 360 degrees approach.”

“Governments across the EU need to match the increasing pace at which we are launching these cars by dramatically stepping up investments in infrastructure. Moreover, they also have to put in place sustainable purchase incentives that are consistent across the EU,” Tavares said.


Uber names Melbourne as first non-US city for flying car programme

                SAN FRANCISCO: Uber on Tuesday selected Melbourne, Australia, as the first non-US city for its aerial ridesharing service that is expected to launch in 2023, as it unveiled new partners for the ambitious initiative.

Melbourne was named the third official pilot city for Uber Air, joining Dallas and Los Angeles. Test flights are to start in 2020 with commercial operations planned for 2023.

The news came at the Uber Elevate Summit in Washington, where the California-based ride-hailing giant offered new details on its vision for flying taxis as a way to ease traffic congestion and improve urban mobility.

"Australian governments have adopted a forward-looking approach to ridesharing and future transport technology," said Susan Anderson, Uber's manager for the region that includes Australia.

"This, coupled with Melbourne's unique demographic and geospatial factors, and culture of innovation and technology, makes Melbourne the perfect third launch city for Uber Air. We will see other Australian cities following soon after."

Since first announcing its plan for shared aerial transport, Uber has been adding new partners and details for the initiative.

This week, Uber announced it was adding new aircraft partners to the program, including Pennsylvania-based Jaunt Air Mobility, which will produce a rotor- and fixed-wing light aircraft.

Uber also revealed and air taxi cabin design in collaboration with French engineering group Safran.

"Together with Safran Cabin, we've designed for the first time in history, a bespoke aircraft cabin that is truly mission-driven for aerial ridesharing on Uber Air," said John Badalamenti, Uber Elevate's head of design.

Uber also displayed the concept Bell Nexus flying quadcopter vehicle unveiled this year, expected to be part of the Uber fleet, and new designs for its "skyports" that will make up the network for the aircraft.

The Uber Air service is designed to work in tandem with Uber's car service as a "multimodal" option that helps speed passengers to their destinations.

The aerial option will be included on the Uber smartphone app that will include ground and air transportation and pool travelers into one aircraft.

Uber last week announced a first step towards the aerial rideshare programme, a helicopter service to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport from lower Manhattan.

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said earlier Tuesday that the helicopters will eventually be replaced "by a generation of electrically powered vertical takeoff and landing vehicles."

Khosrowshahi said Uber's large user base can help stimulate demand for aerial ridesharing.

"We want to get the industry moving and designing these vehicles so that they can be available for urban transportation," he said in an on-stage interview sponsored by the Economic Club of Washington.

He added that "we want a pricing of this service that will be available for the masses versus just the elites."

Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate, told the conference the electric aircraft are "surprisingly efficient" and similar in cost to the standard UberX car service.

"It will be something like US$6 per seat mile," Allison said. "We think we can do better than the price of UberX."


2020 Alfa Romeo F1 car completes tests in new livery

                BOLOGNA: The Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN team came to the test track in Fiorano last Friday to see the 2020 Formula 1 car in action for the first time.

The team’s 2020 contender, the new C39 driven by Kimi Räikkönen, sported a black and dark grey snakeskin livery as it completed its first successful outing during the shakedown at Fiorano.

The C39 snaked around the Fiorano Circuit for 33 laps, with Kimi displaying increasing confidence with every lap completed, a positive first session of on-track work ahead of the 2020 season.

In designing the livery, the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo took its inspiration from one of the brand’s dominant icon, the heraldic "Biscione".

The snakeskin pattern camouflages the cars appearance, disguising it until the official launch on Feb 19 in Barcelona.

The car was also adorned with a heart shaped Alfa Romeo logo, a homage to Saint Valentine, while the top of the monocoque also displayed a tribute to the Sauber Group employees and their work creating the 2020 car.


Acquiring highways would save govt RM5.3bil in compensation, says minister

                PETALING JAYA: The government has indeed made a RM6.2bil bid to take over four highway concessionaires – a deal that would save taxpayers RM5.3bil in compensation to the concessionaires, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested on Feb 23 to take over four concessionaires of tolled highways under the interests of Gamuda Bhd.

"The four are Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (Sprint), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (Kesas) and Smart Tunnel (Smart).

"The success of this bid depends on due diligence, the support of the shareholders and creditors of the concessionaires, and the final decision of the Cabinet," said Lim in a statement on Saturday (June 22).

Lim was responding to news reports that the government had made a huge offer to take over Litrak and three other toll concessionaires.

READ MORE: Congestion charge to replace highway toll, free usage from 11pm-5am

The government had earlier in February this year announced its intention to acquire the four highways as part of its election promise.

Litrak, in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday, announced that the company had received a RM2.47bil takeover offer from the government.

Lim further said that the takeover of the tolled highways would be financed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) company under the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), a corporate body under MOF.

"This is the first step of the government to lessen the burden of the highway users and fulfil the promises of Pakatan Harapan," said Lim.

He explained that the takeover would directly save taxpayers RM5.3bil in the form of compensation to the concessionaires to keep current toll rates until the concessions expire.

"The compensation need not be paid after the highways are taken over by the government. This means the government can allocate an extra budget of RM5.3bil to assist the people in the coming years.

"The SPV will bear the RM6.2bil with issued bonds. The congestion charges are enough to service the debts, including operational and maintenance costs without having to depend on allocations from the MOF," said Lim.


Mitsubishi Motors to relocate US base to same state where Nissan is

                LOS ANGELES: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. will relocate its headquarters from Cypress, near here to Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.

This move will begin in August, and be completed by the end of 2019. It had been based in California since 1988.

Mitsubishi's move highlights efforts taken across the entire global landscape of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to bring the companies closer together in key areas including procurement, development and cost efficiencies.

The company chose Franklin as its new home because it allows Mitsubishi to focus on company-wide revamp and take advantage of the area's technology skillset, as well as realising cost savings through proximity to sister company, Nissan.

Mitsubishi has seen six straight years of annual sales gains. The last two years, with over 100,000 unit sales, have seen Mitsubishi retaining its "fastest-growing Asian brand" title for the second year.

The company was the most-improved brand in the entire J.D. Power and Associates' 2018 Customer Satisfaction Index.

At present, it has over 360 dealer partners in the United States. It would be adding 34 more.


The 140 series Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now a classic

                STUTTGART: A particularly appealing and now rare classic 140 model series Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021.

Consequently, the first 140 model series S-Class vehicles will be eligible for registration as classic cars in Germany.

A classic car expertise is available providing the general condition of the vehicle is good – this will classify the vehicles as historic, cultural assets. Owners will also benefit from tax breaks.

The classic car boom rolls on in Germany. For many years, the number of vehicles bearing the sought-after classic car number plate has been continuously on the up in Germany by around ten per cent annually.

With around a quarter of all vehicles that have been registered as classics, Mercedes-Benz is at the top of the registration statistics.

On 1 January 2020, 595,046 motor vehicles had been registered as classics in Germany, most of which are in sound condition.

Monitoring organisations’ statistics show that the number of defects determined during statutory vehicle inspections on classic vehicles drops with an increase in vehicle age.

An increasing pool of vehicles actually reaches what classic car aficionados consider the crucial age of thirty years, not least as a result of continuously improving anti-corrosion measures.

The model series 140 S-Class, presented in 1991, was a great success in many respects. Criticism in Germany thirty years ago about its external dimensions has long been forgotten and has been put into perspective over time: many of today’s vehicles are not smaller or lighter.

For instance, looking at Mercedes-Benz customers in the USA or Asia, it becomes obvious how differently vehicles are accepted on different markets: in 1991, customers on the aforementioned markets were thrilled by this S-Class.

This Mercedes-Benz impressed with its design, a host of innovations and superior spaciousness and driving comfort.

As the characteristic trademark, the radiator grille was reinterpreted for this S-Class, while its traditional shape was maintained, just like with 129 model series SL vehicles.

It marked the first time that the outline of the “integrated radiator” – with its significantly narrower chrome frame – had been organically integrated into the bonnet.

For the first time the Mercedes star was no longer installed on the radiator grille, but had been fitted slightly further back on the bonnet.

600 SE and 600 SEL with twelve-cylinder engine

In 1991, a twelve-cylinder engine marked the highlight in terms of output: the new M 120 6.0-litre V12 engine development was the first series-production twelve-cylinder engine in a Mercedes-Benz passenger car.

It generated an output of 408hp and a torque of 580Nm. Just like its two V8 counterparts with 4.2 litres (286hp) and 5.0 litres of displacement (320hp), as well as the 3.2-litre six-cylinder variant (231hp), this vehicle boasted four-valve technology and adjustable inlet camshafts.

From October 1992, the 300 SE 2.8 (193hp) and 300 SD Turbodiesel (150hp) rounded off the range with two more affordable and efficient variants. The 300 SD (from 1993 known as S 350 Turbodiesel) is driven by a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine featuring an exhaust turbocharger.

It marks the first S-Class diesel model available not only in the USA, but also in Europe. Engine and powertrain management were also a completely new development, with the innovation being that all control modules communicated via a shared data channel. In March 1994, Mercedes-Benz showcased the S-Class facelift at the Geneva Motor Show.

This generation of the S-Class also introduced groundbreaking safety innovations in automotive engineering: the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which became standard equipment for the V12 models in 1995 and optional for the V8 models – the system was also available for six-cylinder models from the following year.

A further active safety innovation made its global debut alongside the Electronic Stability Program: Brake Assist System (BAS), a standard feature in all 129 and 140 model series vehicles from December 1996.

The 140 model series Mercedes-Benz S-Class was produced until September 1998. A total of 406,532 saloons, 28,101 units of which featured a diesel engine, were produced.


Kia's all-new all-electric EV6 to get 500-km range, roomy interior

                FRANKFURT: Kia is getting ready to launch its first dedicated electric car, a crossover with a high-range, fast-charging setup designed for more than urban commutes.

The EV6 is the Korean automaker's first electric car to be designed as an electric from the ground up. Until now, Kia's electrics have mostly been rejigged petrols and diesels.

In terms of looks, the EV6 is styled as a sporty crossover with some estate leanings. With its 4.68 metres in length and 2.90-metre wheelbase, it's set to be unusually spacious on the inside.

Together with the Hyundai Ioniq5, the EV6 is based on a new group platform and is scheduled to go on sale in the second half of 2021. Kia has not yet named a price, but given the pricing for the sister model at Hyundai, the EV6 is unlikely to be available for less than US$45,000 (RM187,000).

From the start, the EV6 will be available in four performance levels. With rear-wheel drive alone it will have 170 horsepower, and as a four-wheel drive with two engines it will have 235, 325 or 585 hp. This means it can reach speeds of up to 260kph.

Kia also offers two battery options and lets you pick between 58 or 77.4 kWh. This should enable standard ranges of up to 510km.

Because the batteries use 800-volt technology, the EV6 can draw the power for 100km in just 5 minutes at a fast charging station, and it can also charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just over a quarter of an hour.


Daimler awards €1,000 to German employees for Covid-19 hardship

                FRANKFURT: Daimler said today it will pay German employees a €1,000 (RM4,880) “corona bonus” to help compensate for personal and economic burdens such as having to wear a mask and working from home.

“Due to the corona(virus), 2020 was a particularly challenging year. During this extraordinary time the company could always count on the flexibility and willingness of our workforce,” Daimler’s personnel chief Wilfried Porth said in a statement.

Around 160,000 employees in Germany are eligible for the bonus, the Stuttgart-based carmaker, which also owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, said.


Renault targets lower production costs with French electric car hub

                PARIS: French carmaker Renault  said today it will combine three of its plants in northern France to form an electric car hub with lower production costs, which aims to turn out 400,000 vehicles a year by 2025.

Renault said creating the single plant, known as Renault ElectriCity, would lead to the creation of 700 jobs spread across the various sites, which currently employ nearly 5,000 people, by 2025. read more

The company, which is looking to produce fewer and more profitable cars under boss Luca de Meo, faces strong competition in the electric car market, an area in which it had an early lead but where bigger rival Volkswagen is catching up.

Its French plan to create a new legal entity and combine the workforce from the three sites has backing from all the company's unions, Renault said, and will entail further labour negotiations as it overhauls previous work agreements.

Talks will include reviewing gaps between some older contracts for 35-hour weeks that were paid at 39 hours and newer ones without that status, said Luciano Biondo, the head of the new industrial hub.

Changes such as these "will contribute to reaching the necessary competitiveness to produce B segment cars in France", Biondo said, referring to smaller passenger vehicles.

Of the three plants affected, Douai is a car assembly site, Maubeuge a commercial vehicles assembly plant and the Ruitz site, which manufactures gear boxes, will be assigned a new electrical components manufacturing role, Renault said.

It will shrink the size of some of the factories and also aims to produce some its future electric models, like the Megane and next generation R5, on one assembly line.

Loss-making Renault has been looking to slash costs, including through redundancies, as it tries to lift its profitability under De Meo.

Electric cars are still more expensive to produce than traditional ones, adding to the cost equation. Renault wanted to nudge manufacturing costs to between 3% and 4% of the cars' selling price, but was still far from these levels, Biondo said.


Airbiquity's OTAmatic Vehicle Configurator helps automakers manage over-the-air updates

                SEATTLE: Airbiquity, the global leader of connected vehicle services, today launched its OTAmatic Vehicle Configurator, a tool for defining and managing connected vehicle software.

The OTAmatic Vehicle Configurator gives automakers insight into the exact hardware and software configurations within a vehicle, manage known combinations of electronic control units (ECUs) and software versions in vehicles, and meet emerging government compliance requirements for type certified vehicle systems.

In recent years, the number of vehicle ECUs receiving software updates via over-the-air (OTA) technology has been steadily increasing, making it difficult for automakers to track and manage software configurations across their fleets.

As these ECUs receive OTA software updates over time, different software permutations will appear in the field as not all vehicles will be updated at the same time.

This results in a multitude of software combinations which need to be tracked and managed by the automaker for vehicle maintenance and regulatory compliance.

"At Airbiquity, we're constantly assessing the challenges automakers face and applying our software technology and expertise to address them," said Keefe Leung, Vice President of Product Management at Airbiquity.

"Automakers need to actively understand and manage their connected vehicle software. Our Vehicle Configurator is a powerful tool to bridge disparate pieces of software information based on the context provided by automakers while also delivering automation that integrates to their existing processes."


Serena S-Hybrid: More bang for your bucks now

                The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid had been well received since its launch late last year and Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) sold almost 4,000 vehicles during that time span.

Its attractive price of under RM150,000 for an imported mid-size multi-purpose vehicle, made possible with special tax exemptions for hybrid vehicles, added significantly to its appeal.

To carry the momentum forward when it came time to introduce the facelift model, ETCM has followed through with a locally assembled Serena S-Hybrid and laid claim to being the only country outside of Japan to introduce this Nissan model under this arrangement.

It is due to this special arrangement that the latest Serena S-Hybrid only has about 15% local content but more importantly, it gets to enjoy the special Efficient Energy Vehicle (EEV) incentive, thereby enjoying an even more attractive price range.

The Serena S-Hybrid Highway Star model is now priced at about RM135,035 on-the-road without insurance, a reduction of more than RM10,000.

And if you want a more exclusive version, the Premium Highway Star model is available for almost RM10,000 more (or about the same price as the imported model but with more features).

This Premium model comes with roof spoiler and door visors for a sportier look as well as V-Kool Elite Security, Armorcoat and Solar Gard tinting.

The interior is upgraded with combination leather seats, a 6.5-inch multimedia navigator with rear view camera, DVD player, iPod connectivity, and a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD panel.

These items can also be bought separately for the standard Highway Star model if the customer doesn’t want the entire package.

The Serena S-Hybrid facelift comes with a redesigned three-dimensional chrome plated front grille, a ‘first-in-class’ LED (light emitting diodes) headlamps and signature lamps; restyled front bumper design with fog lamps; rear LED combination lamps now with a distinctive S-shaped line; new side mouldings and fresh 16-inch chrome alloy wheels.

An important addition to the Serena S-Hybrid facelift model is the spare tyre, albeit a space-saving unit, that is located under the floorboard and accessed from the front passenger side.

It might be an unusual place for the spare tyre but Nissan engineers had deemed that spot as the best place for it as the other areas are fully utilised to maximise interior space or taken up for the location of other items.

This spare tyre addition is done due to the concerns raised by customers of the previous model who didn’t feel comfortable driving without such an item, although a tyre kit was provided to address punctures and allow the driver to get to the nearest tyre shop to have the problem fixed.

ETCM has invested RM60mil for the Serena S-Hybrid assembly line at its Serendah plant in Rawang, with the anticipation of the EEV incentive being extended beyond 2016.

Its Marketing and Product Planning director Tan Keng Meng expects the Serena S-Hybrid sales to improve by about 50%, from an average monthly volume of 200 to 300.

Having drove the imported Serena S-Hybrid at the beginning of the year and with the impression still fresh in the mind, our re-acquaintance gave an insight on its ‘long legs’ in the Petaling Jaya to Malacca media drive that ETCM had arranged.

We had four on board and the drive to Malacca took in a mix of largely highways and some B-grade roads, while the return leg was purely highways.

The interior has been left mostly unchanged from the previous model and there was no question of the merit in the spacious and highly flexible interior: the two rows of seats (middle and third row) could be configured in 14 ways, along with the sliding centre console, to accommodate accordingly.

As we had the luxury of space in the eight-seater interior to find the best way to travel comfortably, we were certainly glad for the flexible provision and even took a nap for part of the journey.

Ride was up to mark over the bumpy B-grade roads as the independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link torsion beam rear did a decent job of absorbing the impacts over road bumps and dips without tossing us rear folks around.

A salient feature was the good air flow around the aerodynamically efficient body, especially around the door mirrors, roof and sides, even above 110kph on highways.

We didn’t hear much of the air turbulence and the four of us could carry a conversation without raising our voices.

The Serena S-Hybrid (or smart hybrid) isn’t a hybrid with a large battery but it does come with an additional secondary battery and an electric (ECO) motor with generator to aid initial acceleration and recharge the batteries on board.

The latter is done during deceleration and braking, similar to that in full hybrid cars, and other fuel saving items include the automatic idle engine stop function on coming to a stop.

The engine is restarted in 0.3 second after lifting your feet off the brake pedal, which was quick enough for us to get moving again.

This feature can be switched off via a button on the dashboard if you don’t feel comfortable with the auto stop-and-start operation.

The 2.0-litre direct injection engine continues its job of moving the 1,699kg (kerb) Serena S-Hybrid MPV at a decent pace: the 147PS and 210Nm of torque was mostly enjoyed at a leisurely drive.

The XTronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) with Adaptive Shift Control might be a little noisy when you want to pick up speed quickly but once you are at cruising speeds, the engine purred nicely along at low revs that should return good fuel mileage.

As we were rather robust with the accelerator while taking turns to drive the Serena S-Hybrid, we had to refill on the return journey as we didn’t want to be stranded by pushing our luck based on the computed mileage distance provided.

At the end of the day, the Serena S-Hybrid gave us the interior space and comfort to enjoy the ride while its quiet cruising and good body aerodynamics were other positives.

For its attractive price, the Serena S-Hybrid should continue to woo the family man with a need for a comfortable and spacious MPV.


Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ and CLA 45 S 4Matic+ updated

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has replaced the limited period run Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ Edition 1 with the updated A 45 S 4Matic+ that gets its own distinctive AMG grille and other features.

It is equipped with AMG high performance brake system red-painted brake calipers with black AMG lettering and now 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels that are aerodynamically optimized and painted in matt black.

The exterior of the vehicle features the AMG Night package, as its previous model, with striking design features in black and high-gloss black.

Among the highlights are the AMG front splitter and trim, AMG side sill panels with inserts, beltline trim strip and window line trim strip, exterior mirror housing, AMG rear aero foil and two round tailpipe trim elements at the rear apron in high-gloss black.

On the inside, the characteristic of AMG elements are also added for sportiness, among them the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre, AMG Performance seats and designo seatbelts in red.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic+ is now equipped with Head Up Display that projects key driving information closer to the driver’s natural line of sight.

With an output of up to 421hp, these cars are equipped with the the 2.0-litre engine is currently the world's most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder manufactured for series' production.

These compact sports cars absolve the sprint from zero to 100kph in record time with the A 45 S 4MATIC+ requiring only 3.9 seconds while the CLA 45 S 4Matic+ needing 4 seconds.

Both also have a top speed of 270kph.

The A 45 S is priced RM5,593 less than the Edition 1 at RM437,673 (OTR including 50% SST exemption but without insurance), while the CLA 45 S is priced around RM20,000 more at RM453,374.19.


New Proton Persona debuts, priced from RM46,800 - VIDEOS

                SHAH ALAM: The second-generation Proton Persona was launched today, priced (on-the-road including GST and insurance) from RM46,800 to RM59,800.

Using an elongated Proton Iriz platform, the new Persona is available in three trims, namely Standard, Executive and Premium (with and without body kit) variants and comes with six colour choices of Cotton White, Fire Red, Sterling Silver, Graphite Grey, Quartz Black and Carnelian Brown (new).

READ MORE: Proton Persona test drive

The entry-level Standard is offered with a choice of a five-speed manual (RM46,800) or  a continuously variable transmission (CVT ) RM49,800) and is followed by the mid-range Executive (RM55,800) before topping out with the Premium (RM59,800) - both  available with CVT only.

The Persona comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Those who buy the car by Sept 30 are entitled to a three-year free service package (parts and labour included).

The new Persona reuses the same 1.6-litre VVT engine as before and gets mated to either a five-speed manual (Standard only) or CVT as before, but Proton said the engine's been further refined for improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels as well as fuel economy.

The 1,597cc engine is capable of producing 107hp at 5,750rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4,000rpm - fuel economy is rated as low as 5.6 (manual) and 6.1 litres per 100km (manual) thanks to the inclusion of an ECO Drive Assist system to help reduce consumption levels.

The Persona rolls on standard 15-inch wheels with 185/55 series tyres that obscure the disc (front) and drum (rear) brakes, while the MacPherson struts (front) and a torsion beam axle (rear) suspension gives it 155mm of ground clearance and takes care of ride and handling duties.

With the Iriz now sharing its platform with the Persona, it naturally has the same wheelbase at 2,555mm, but has been modified to stand 482mm-longer at 4,387mm, 2mm-wider at 1,722mm and 4mm-taller at 1,554mm.

The outgoing Persona, launched in 2007, came weighing in from 1,170 to 1,190kg and has a wheelbase of 2,600mm, while measuring 4,477mm-long, 1,725mm-wide and 1,438mm-tall.

Today, the Persona's standard equipment across all variants include rear fog lamps, front and rear proximity sensors, driver seat height adjuster and Eco Drive Assist.

The Persona gets a five-star Asean NCAP crash-test rating, while standard safety equipment includes two airbags (six for the Premium variant),  anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-hold assist, Isofix anchor points, dual pre-tensioner seat belts and reverse camera exclusively for the Premium.

With 510 litres of boot space, the company also touts its cabin as being spacious with seven cup-holders and two (Standard variant only) or four USB ports,  while having ergonomically-designed seats and console layout in order to provide a comfortable ride for all occupants

Persona Standard
- Weight (kerb): 1,155kg (CVT - 1,175kg)
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, matt black finish
- Fabric upholstery
- Two-speaker sound system with radio/CD/mp3 playback, 2 x USB ports/AUX jack/ Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.

Persona Executive
- Weight (kerb): 1,195kg
- Front fog lamps
- Follow me home lamp
- Rear spoiler
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, titanium chrome finish
- Upholstery: Fabric
- Four-speaker sound system with radio/CD/mp3 playback, 4 x USB ports/AUX jack/ Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Rear seat 60:40 split folding
- Remote trunk release

Persona Premium
- Weight (kerb): 1,210kg
- Front fog lamps
- Follow me home lamp
- Automatic headlights
- Automatic electric folding mirrors
- Optional body kit available
- Rear spoiler
- Keyless entry
- Push-start button
- Interior colour: Dual-tone, titanium chrome finish
- Leather upholstery
- Four-speaker touchscreen sound system with navigation, radio/CD/DVD/mp3 playback, 4 x USB ports/AUX jack/Wifi enabled and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Rear seat 60:40 split folding
- Remote trunk release

Proton expects to sell between 3,000 units and 4,000 units of the new Persona per month, to which chief executive officer Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said that the company expects to break even on investments for the model within the next two to three years.

"Based on the recent media preview, feedback for the car has been positive," he said at a press conference following the launch.

He said that the car will compete in the B-segment category - the same segment where the Perodua Bezza occupies - and would not cannibalise sales of its Saga model, which the company plans to launch next month.

Since the launch of the original model in 2007, some 250,000 units have been sold both locally and internationally.


China's BYD ends combustion engine cars to focus on electric

                BEIJING: China's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD Co Ltd said that as of last month it stopped making combustion engine vehicles and now produces electric and hybrid cars only.

"In the future, BYD will focus on pure electric and plug-in hybrids in the automobile sector," the company said in a statement filed to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Sunday.

BYD's move is in response to Beijing's pledge to boost green energy consumption to bring carbon emissions to a peak by 2030.

BYD is among six carmakers - the others being Volvo, Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover - to have signed up to a global campaign to phase out combustion engine vehicles by 2040.

BYD sold 104,878 units of new energy vehicles (NEV) in March, surging from just 24,218 units in the same month a year earlier, and marking its highest monthly sales ever. Last month's sales comprised 53,664 pure EV and 50,674 plug-in hybrid cars and 540 commercial NEV cars.

The company also said in the statement that it will continue providing comprehensive services and supplies of spare parts throughout the life cycle to existing fuel vehicle customers.


Audi e-tron SUV the first pure battery-electric vehicle to earn a 2019 Top Safety Pick+

                WASHINGTON: The 2019 Audi e-tron SUV, the first fully electric Audi model, has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2019 “Top Safety Pick+” award, the nonprofit’s highest designation.

A true midsize luxury SUV built for everyday use, the e-tron is the first pure battery-electric vehicle to earn the 2019 distinction.

In developing the e-tron, engineers designed a battery pack with performance, longevity and safety in mind. The battery pack is housed in a frame with an internal honeycomb structure separating battery cell modules specifically to help dissipate energy. The 95 kWh battery pack is also sandwiched between protective covers on both its top and bottom, with coolant running underneath the battery pack to help maintain optimal thermal efficiency.

Through IIHS’s evaluations, the e-tron body and structure excelled in safety performance, earning the top “Good” rating in six areas of crashworthiness performance: small front overlap collision evaluations on both the driver and passenger sides, moderate front overlap, side impact, roof strength and head restraints and seat performance.

The e-tron also earned a “Good” rating with its standard Matrix Design LED headlights and “Superior” with standard automatic emergency braking as part of Audi pre sense front. Using a front-mounted camera, the e-tron can help initiate braking at speeds of up to 83kph for detected pedestrians and bicyclists and can bring a vehicle to a full stop when travelling at speeds under 40kph.

Additionally, the e-tron comes with standard Audi pre sense basic, which can help prepare the vehicle for impact by partially closing the side windows and sunroof and pre-tensioning the front safety belts.

The e-tron went on sale last spring nationwide and joins the 2019 Audi A3, A4, A6 and Audi Q8 as recipients of 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards when equipped with specific headlights and/or optional equipment.


US court papers signal Takata to plead guilty Feb 27

                WASHINGTON: Japan's Takata Corp is set to plead guilty Feb 27 in federal court in Detroit to a single felony count of wire fraud to resolve a US Justice Department investigation into ruptures of its air bag inflators linked to at least 16 deaths worldwide, according to a court filing Tuesday.

Last month, the auto parts firm agreed to the guilty plea as part of a US$1 billion settlement in the world's largest ever recall.

US prosecutors also charged three former senior Takata executives in Japan with falsifying test results to conceal the inflator defect linked the recall of about 100 million air bag inflators worldwide.

Takata has agreed to pay a US$25 million fine, US$125 million in a victim compensation fund, including for future incidents, and US$850 million to compensate automakers for massive recall costs, the Justice Department said. The auto parts supplier will be required to make significant reforms and be on probation and under the oversight of an independent monitor for three years.

Last month, three senior Takata executives in the United States left the company, including Kevin Kennedy, who was president of Takata North America. Kennedy confirmed his departure in a posting on the employment networking website LinkedIn but did not return emails.

Reuters reported Monday that Key Safety Systems (KSS) Inc has been selected to lead its turnaround, fanning concern that a court-led restructuring was on the cards.

The Nikkei business daily, which first reported the news of KSS's selection, said automakers would support the pick on condition Takata pursue a court-mediated turnaround in both Japan and the United States, a move that could wipe out shareholders' equity.

In a statement late on Saturday, Takata denied that it had selected KSS as its sponsor or a court-led restructuring as the way forward.


New diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz

                STUTTGART: The first all-aluminium four-cylinder diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its world premiere in the new E-Class E 220.

The new diesel unit OM 654 marks the debut of a ground-breaking family of engines from Mercedes-Benz.

It is more economical, powerful, lightweight and compact.

It delivers around 13 per cent lower fuel consumption and higher power (192hp instead of 168hp).

This modular family of engines will find broad application across the entire range of Mercedes-Benz cars and vans.

There are plans for several output variants as well as longitudinal and transverse installation in vehicles with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive.

"The new family of engines embodies over 80 years of Mercedes-Benz diesel know-how. The new premium diesels are more efficient and powerful, lighter and more compact - and they are designed to meet all future global emissions standards," says Dr Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management.


Minimise your risks with flood insurance

                KUALA LUMPUR: As motorists in Penang and Kedah counted the painful cost of having their cars overhauled after the floods, there is now a need for more awareness of flood coverage as a rider (add-on) to the usual comprehensive car insurance. Although instances of vehicles being caught in such an occurrence are becoming more and more frequent, few people are insured against it.

According to Maybank Ageas Holding’s chief executive officer Kamaludin Ahmad, less than one out of 100 vehicle owners five years ago would buy flood coverage for their vehicles.

Since then, the company’s subsidiaries Etiqa Insurance Berhad and Etiqa Takaful Berhad have recorded an increase, to three or four policies per 100 owners.

“Still, it’s a small take-up because most people think this sort of damage will never happen to them,” said Kamaludin.

READ MORE:
Stuck on a flooded road? 5 things you should do next
7 steps to safe driving in rainy weather
Nissan and VW next batch of car brands to help flood victims

“When you buy flood coverage, you have to pay 0.5% of the value of the car. So if the car is valued at RM100,000, the usual premium for the comprehensive coverage is RM1,800.

“The 0.5% is another RM500, which to the car owner, is more than 20% of the basic premium, so people tend to skip that,” said Kamaludin.

With the local insurance industry’s liberalisation earlier this year, companies have since issued more affordable products which help cover flood damage, especially as more and more incidents crop-up.

“We came up with a more specific coverage for flood and storm damage, which includes cars being damaged by trees due to the storm, at 0.25%, to help better protect consumers,” said Kamaludin.

AmGeneral Insurance’s CEO Derek Roberts said only 2% of policy holders with AmGeneral’s subsidiary Kurnia Insurance were holding flood coverage.

“It’s basically cost-consciousness, flood cover is expensive. But we have seen increasing customer awareness on flood damage and better acceptance,” said Roberts.

Likewise, Kurnia has also issued its own policy which provides partial cover for vehicles since mid-October this year, following the market’s liberalisation.

“Agents also need to be clear on the extent of their customers’ policy coverage,” said Roberts.


Motorists with expired driving licence can still use their vehicle during MCO

                PETALING JAYA: Private vehicle owners with an expired driving licence can still drive their vehicle during the movement control order, provided that the vehicle’s insurance is still valid, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said a similar exemption from March 25 to Sept 20 last year will be granted for drivers whose driving licence are expiring during the MCO.

“To alleviate public concerns regarding the expiration of their licences and to comply with the health standard operating procedures to prevent crowding in public places, the ministry will reintroduce the exemption in response to the first MCO.

“I have granted exemptions to all private vehicle owners from renewing their Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM) and Competent Driving Licences (CDL) from Feb 1 to March 31, ” he said in a statement today.

He said that anyone who has an expired driving licence can still use their vehicles, on the condition that the vehicle has valid insurance coverage.

Holders of expired LKM and CDL license, he added, must renew their license within 30 days after the exemption period which is until April 30.

Dr Wee noted that the exemption does not apply to holders of the goods driving licence (GDL) and the public service vehicle (PSV) licence, as their renewal services are permitted under the essential services law during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Renewal for these services can be done at all Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) offices in Sabah and Sarawak throughout the MCO period.

“All Puspakom inspection centres are also open for the relevant services, ” he said, adding that members of the public should stay safe on the roads by driving responsibly and complying with all travel SOPs.