Rolls-Royce expands further in Japan

                TOKYO: During a visit to Japan, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös, announced plans to expand its network in the region by adding a sixth dealership by the first half of 2017 in Hiroshima, Japan.

“Japan is the fourth largest single market for Rolls-Royce worldwide and we are confident of another strong year in 2016.

"Wraith, the powerful fastback coupé launched in 2013, is now our most popular model amongst Japanese customers, confirming that our new, more dynamic and contemporary design direction has been well received.

"Likewise, Dawn has been a phenomenal success and Japan constitutes our largest market in Asia for this model, with two thirds of customers new to Rolls-Royce. I could not think of a better time to strengthen our dealer network,” said Müller-Ötvös

In 2013, the Osaka showroom joined Tokyo and Yokohama as the third home for Rolls-Royce in Japan.

In July 2016, the marque’s first Central Japan dealership opened its doors in the business powerhouse of Nagoya, followed soon after by the first Kyushu dealership in the thriving city of Fukuoka, which opened to customers in an interim capacity in September 2016.

And so, Hiroshima will be the first location for Rolls‑Royce in the Chugoku region.

Year to date, to the end of August, Rolls-Royce sales in Japan are up 23% over the same period of 2015.

The seventh generation Rolls-Royce Phantom, for which production will end this year, has also had a strong year in thew land of the rising sun.

The eigth generation Rolls-Royce Phantom is due to arrive in 2018.


Lamborghini Urus SUV racks up higher brand visibility

Ortenzi on the Urus mystic: 'When you drive the Urus, you feel it’s a Lamborghini first before you feel it is an SUV'.
The introduction of the Lamborghini SUV from the storied Italian sports car maker marks a new offering unlike any other at the moment.

IN the newly refurbished showroom of Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, we caught up with Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific chief executive officer Matteo Ortenzi, who was there to open the centre and spoke about what Lamborghini calls its Super Sport Utility Vehicle, the Urus.

Why is this called a super SUV, you ask?

This is because the Urus boasts a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, which spews out 650hp and 850Nm of torque and achieves a jaw-dropping top speed of 305kph. It also does 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds.

The Urus was launched in Malaysia earlier this year in March and had already received up to 30 pre-orders for this SUV priced just under RM1mil before duties.

We asked Ortenzi about the response of the Urus in Malaysia.

“It’s very, very positive. We have a good order collection. We were expecting the car to be successful. In Malaysia, as in other markets, it’s going beyond our expectation,” he said.

There is no doubt that the premium SUV market is crowded as many other marques have their own offerings in this segment as well. Ortenzi points out, however, that the Urus is in a unique position.

“For us, what we intend to do and what we did was to create a new segment. If you look at the price positioning and the product offer with the content we are able to provide, it’s something new.

“The strange point of the Urus is that when you drive it, you feel that it’s a Lamborghini before you feel it is an SUV. And that is because of the performance, the emotion, the sound of the engine ... this is something that is not expected from an SUV and this is what differentiates us from the rest.”

Other than the 4.0-litre V8, will there be different engine options to come for the Urus?

“At the moment, we see the V8 as the right engine for the short to mid-term period because it has the perfect combination of torque and power we can put in this body type.

“So when we see other kinds of technology, such as hybridisation, why not? If in the future it is able to provide the right level of performance, the right level of emotion in the car then the thing to do is work towards hybrid technology.”

Now that Lamborghini has already offered a mid-sized SUV, are there plans to release a compact-sized SUV?

“Lamborghini took an enormous step with the Urus so we were preparing the company and we are doubling the sales compared to when we just offered the sports cars.

“And we know we need a bit of time to assess. We can go towards a compact size or other solutions but we have not yet decided. The market this year is changing so fast. I think this is the most interesting period in the automotive industry in recent years because of the electrification trend, the digitalisation.

“it could be a bit arrogant to say now that you are sure what can happen in the next five to six years.”


New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class debuts: More exclusive than ever

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was unveiled on Thursday.

It builds upon the recently presented Mercedes-Benz flagship model with the exclusivity and tradition of Maybach.

The 18cm longer wheelbase compared to the long variant of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class enlarge rear passenger space, which is entrirely the whole point of this model's existence.

Thanks to Executive Seats as standard and the Chauffeur package, the rear section becomes a comfortable working or resting area.

They are complemented by exclusive details such as large areas of trim on the rear of the front seats and between the two rear passengers.

In a number of markets, sales of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will start before the end of this year. Germany will follow in spring 2021.

Price of the flagship model starts from US$173,000 (RM710,000) but can quickly add up to more than US$250,000 (over RM1mil) once options are added.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (length/width/height: 5469/1921/1510 millimetres) is a classic three-box saloon. Distinguishing features at the front include the distinctive bonnet with a chromed fin and the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille.

This is highly recognisable by its vertical, three-dimensional trim strips. The word mark MAYBACH is elegantly integrated into the chrome surround of the grille. The rear doors are wider than those of the brother models, and the C-pillars feature a fixed quarterlight.

Exclusivity is emphasised by the Maybach brand logo on the C-pillar. On request, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be equipped with electrically operated comfort rear doors.

The exclusive appearance of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be enhanced by a two-tone paint finish with a dividing line which is applied by hand to the highest quality standards.

This is available as optional equipment, as is the DIGITAL LIGHT headlamp technology. This allows new functions, e.g. the projection of guidelines or warning symbols onto the road ahead.

In each headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT has a light module with three powerful LEDs with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors.

The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is based on the completely new interior design of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The sculptured look of the dashboard, centre console and armrests appears to float above an expansive interior landscape.

Up to five display screens are available. Included as standard is a 12.8-inch OLED central display as a high-tech control centre. A 12.3-inch 3D driver display with three-dimensional representation of other road users and pronounced depth and shade effects is available on request.

The distinctive look of the driver display in display mode Exclusive underlines the special status of the Mercedes-Maybach: The surrounds of the dial instruments are in the brand colour rosé gold.

This colour is also used for the active ambience lighting (optional equipment), i.e. the animated LED light band with intelligent comfort and safety functions. With rosé gold white and amethyst glow, the active ambience lighting now has two new colour themes. The "Welcome Rear" entry display welcomes passengers with a special light show. Adaptive rear lighting has its premiere in the Mercedes-Maybach.

This follows the wishes of the occupants in several respects: as well as the brightness, the size and position of the light spot can be adjusted. There is also a wide adjustment range between precise working light and relaxing lounge light.

There is plenty of classic luxury on board, too: new features include the large areas of trim on the front seats.

High-quality wood surrounds encase the rear of the front seat backrests. If the First-Class Rear is specified, a similarly striking area of trim is positioned between the two rear passengers.

A clear indication that the owner of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will typically be found seated in the rear are the Executive seats on the left and right plus the Chauffeur package as standard equipment. The occupant is able to adjust the seat surface and backrest of the Executive seat independently.

Using the footrest on the front seat and the electrically extending legrest creates a continuous, comfortable reclining surface for a pleasant sleeping position.

The adjustment travel of the legrest has been extended by 50mm compared to the preceding series. The massage function of the calfrest as part of the Seating Comfort package Rear is another new feature. The neck/shoulder heating in the rear is another comfort feature.

The infotainment system MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) is even more personal and intuitive to use.

The second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) introduced in 2018 has its debut in the new S-Class. The unique feature of MBUX is its networking with a wide range of vehicle systems and sensor data. Brilliant displays on up to five large screens, in part with OLED technology, make the control of vehicle and comfort functions even easier.

The possibilities for personalisation and intuitive operation have become more extensive. On request, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can also be equipped with MBUX Interior Assist in the rear.

MBUX Interior Assist recognises numerous occupant intentions. It recognises eye-direction, hand gestures and the body language of the occupants, so as to assist with automatic vehicle functions as the situation requires.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is also able to recognise movements and gestures by the rear occupants with the help of 3D laser cameras in the roof liner.

For example, the belt extender for the outer rear seats automatically offers up the seat belt when MBUX Interior Assist recognises the occupant's intention to reach for the belt by hand movements. The exit warning function has also been extended, and is able to register that a rear passenger intends to leave the vehicle.

The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is based on the completely new interior design of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The sculptured look of the dashboard, centre console and armrests appears to float above an expansive interior landscape.

Up to five display screens are available. Included as standard is a 12.8-inch OLED central display as a high-tech control centre. A 12.3-inch 3D driver display with three-dimensional representation of other road users and pronounced depth and shade effects is available on request.

The distinctive look of the driver display in display mode Exclusive underlines the special status of the Mercedes-Maybach: The surrounds of the dial instruments are in the brand colour rosé gold.

This colour is also used for the active ambience lighting (optional equipment), i.e. the animated LED light band with intelligent comfort and safety functions.

With rosé gold white and amethyst glow, the active ambience lighting now has two new colour themes. The "Welcome Rear" entry display welcomes passengers with a special light show. Adaptive rear lighting has its premiere in the Mercedes-Maybach.

This follows the wishes of the occupants in several respects: as well as the brightness, the size and position of the light spot can be adjusted. There is also a wide adjustment range between precise working light and relaxing lounge light.

There is plenty of classic luxury on board, too: new features include the large areas of trim on the front seats. High-quality wood surrounds encase the rear of the front seat backrests. If the First-Class Rear is specified, a similarly striking area of trim is positioned between the two rear passengers.

The engines of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class come from the Mercedes-Benz portfolio and are in part electrically assisted.

Electrification is by an integrated second-generation starter-generator (ISG). This provides a boost of up to 15 kW, facilitates efficient "gliding" when driving at constant speed, makes the start/stop experience even more comfortable and makes the drive system more efficient overall. All-wheel drive is standard equipment.

The 9G-TRONIC transmission was developed further and adapted for the ISG. The electric motor, the power electronics and the transmission cooler have now moved into or onto the transmission.

In conjunction with ISG it was possible to eliminate the entire two-piece belt drive, as an electric refrigerant compressor is used. This means that even when the engine is not running (start/stop and gliding phases), the interior can be efficiently and comfortably climatised.

An exhaust system with a petrol particulate filter configured for the engine variant is used to clean the exhaust gases. Pressure and temperature sensors, as well as the latest oxygen sensors, ensure efficient exhaust treatment throughout the characteristic map.

The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard equipment. Using DYNAMIC SELECT, the driver is able to individually modify the characteristics of the powertrain, ESP, the suspension and the steering. The selection is made using a control at the lower end of the central display. DYNAMIC SELECT has a dedicated MAYBACH driving mode which focuses entirely on ride comfort.

Optional rear-axle steering improves manoeuvrability in urban areas. This reduces the turning circle by up to two metres. Customers have a choice between two variants: 4.5° and 10° rear-axle steering. Instead of 13.4 metres, the turning circle is then 12.4 or 11.4 metres.

The optional, fully active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension on a 48 V basis uses a stereo camera to scan the road ahead, and smooths out undulations. It also gives additional protection in the event of a lateral collision, as it raises the vehicle level.

It can reduce the loads acting on the occupants because it directs the impact forces towards particularly resistant structures in the lower area of the vehicle

The new luxury saloon further enhances the very good NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness) performance of the new S-Class generation.

The extended NVH measures mainly benefit the rear section. Additional absorbent foam is installed in the area of the rear wheel arches, for example.

The additional, fixed quarterlights in the C-pillars have thicker laminated glass, as they are in close proximity to the heads of rear passengers. Noise-optimised tyres with foam absorbers are available on request.

Active road noise compensation is used by the company for the first time. The system reduces unwanted low-frequency noises using counter-phased sound waves. The bass speakers of the Burmester 4D surround sound system are used for sound reproduction.

Particular attention has always been paid to safety in the rear section.

During severe frontal collisions, the innovative rear airbag included as standard can considerably reduce the loads acting on the heads and necks of seat belt wearing occupants on the outer rear seats.

In the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, passengers in the rear of a saloon car have the benefit of an automatic belt extender for the first time. It is an indirect invitation to fasten the belt, and also makes the process more convenient. The belt extender is integrated into the adjustable backrest of the Executive seat.

In day-to-day driving, new and extended assistance systems relieve driver stress as the situation requires when adapting the vehicle speed, controlling distance, steering and lane-changing. This enables the driver to stay alert for longer, and reach the destination more safely and comfortably. When danger threatens, driving assistance systems can respond according to the situation and mitigate the severity of possible collisions, or even avoid them.

With the DRIVE PILOT, conditionally automated driving at Mercedes-Benz is expected to enter series production from the second half of 2021.

On suitable highway sections and where traffic density is high, the DRIVE PILOT can offer to take over the driving, initially up to the legally permitted speed of 60kph.

Since the market launch in 2015, around 60,000 examples of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class have been delivered worldwide. In 2019, with around 12,000 units, more Mercedes-Maybach S-Class cars were sold than ever before.

The growth rate in China was in double figures. Alongside China, the main sales markets in recent years have been Russia, South Korea, the United States and Germany.


New VW Polo GTI R5 rally car to ship out to first 15 customers by H2

                WOLFSBURG (Germany): Volkswagen has announced that the first 15 customers for the new Polo GTI R5 rally car will get them in the second half of this year.

Three cars will be sent to Austria and the Baumschlager Rallye & Racing GmbH team run by Austria rally champion Raimund Baumschlager, who won the 2017 Austrian Rally Championship with a Polo R WRC. Three cars have also been sold to teams from Belgium: two to BMA and one Polo GTI R5 to THX Racing.

The longest journey – almost 11,000km – will be undertaken by three Polo GTI R5s, as they are shipped to Paraguay. Miguel Carrizosa/DIESA S.A., a Volkswagen importer in Paraguay, will run the cars at national events there.

Two Polo GTI R5s will be on their way to the Printsport Oy team in the home of rallying, Finland. Printsport has succesfully implemented projects with young and talented drivers like Esapekka Lappi, Ole Christian Veiby and Jari Huttunen.

They have Lukasz Pieniazek from Poland and Emil Lindholm, son of multiple Finnish champion Sebastian Lindholm, in their team. A further two Polo GTI R5s will be run by the HK Racing team in Italy. One rally GTI will also be sent to Portugal. And a GTI R5 has also been sold to Sweden and Kristoffersson Motorsport.

Each cars is assembled by hand in Hannover, and production is on course for customer delivery, said Volkswagen Motorsport sales and distribution head Juliane Gründl.

Like the production model, the Polo GTI R5 has a powerful straight four-cylinder turbo engine with direct fuel injection, mounted transversely in front of the front axle. The capacity of the rally car is limited to 1.6 litres, in accordance with regulations. This is enough to generate an impressive 272hp and maximum torque of 400Nm.

A close-stepped, sequential, five-speed racing gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive achieve outstanding acceleration on any surface – whether asphalt, gravel or snow. Weighing just 1,230kg, the rally GTI accelerates from 0 to 100kph in just 4.1 seconds.

The four-door, steel chassis, which serves as the basis for the assembly, is made at the plant in Pamplona, Spain. In accordance with FIA regulations, it is strengthened with a roll cage and other safety components. The Polo GTI R5 will be homologated in the summer of 2018.

In 2012, the International Automobile Federation FIA passed the R5 regulations for a new generation of rally cars, aimed mainly at customer teams, talented youngsters and privateers. Since then, more than 400 cars have been produced by five different manufacturers and have been in action in national and international championships worldwide.


2020 Perodua Bezza launched from RM34,580 to RM49,980

                KUALA LUMPUR: One week into the new year and the first car to launch in Malaysia is the 2020 edition of the Perodua Bezza sedan which comes in four variants - 1.0 G MT, 1.0 G AT, 1.3 X and 1.3 AV - and is priced at RM34,580, RM36,580, RM43,980 and RM49,980 respectively.

All prices are on-the-road without insurance.

The 2020 Perodua Bezza has updated its looks and has added the Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) suite  to the topped specced 1.3 litre AV variant.

 Perodua chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin (right) at the launch of the new Perodua Bezza at Sentul Depot. Looking on is Perodua president and CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad (2nd from left) and Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd President, Masanori Takahashi. AZMAN GHANI / The Star

The 2020 Perodua Bezza now comes with LED headlamps and two-tone sideskirts as standard.

Other updates include an angular and imposing front bumper, a restyled rear bumper and 15-inch 10-spoke wheels for the X and AV variants.

Inside, white-illuminated gauges are present on the instrument cluster, while keyless entry and push start as well as front corner sensors, are offered on the X and AV variants. The AV variant also gets a reverse camera and leather seats.

All variants get power-adjustable side mirrors and reverse sensors while the AV variant adds a reverse camera and its side mirrors are retractable.

Safety-wise, the X and AV variants get vehicle stability control (VSC). All variants get dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

Under the hood is the familiar 1.0 litre three-cylinder VVT-i engine which produces 67hp and 91Nm of torque while the 1.3 litre offers 94hp and 121Nm of torque.

The 1.0L is available in either a five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmission while the 1.3L comes with auto transmission only.

There are also two new colours for the 202 Bezza - Garnet Red (exclusive to X and AV variants) and Granite Grey. The other colours include Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ocean Blue and Sugar Brown.

The 2020 Perodua Bezza comes with a five-year/150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).

“The 2020 Perodua Bezza is the result of our many engagements with our valued customers. The improvements we have made are centred around the ideas of smart design, smart drive and smart safety,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Also present Also present at the launch was Perodua Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin and Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd President Masanori Takahashi among others.

Perodua expected to deliver some 5,600 units of the 2020 Bezza by the end of this month and has a sales target of 4,000 units per month.


Cycle & Carriage launches upgraded dealership in Johor Baru

                JOHOR BARU: Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) has launched its upgraded Mercedes-Benz dealership here.

Cycle & Carriage Johor Baru is the largest Mercedes dealership in the southern region, with a built-up area of 142,000 square feet over a land area of 224,000 square feet.

The facility is able to service 850 cars a month from 35 work bays.

The dealership or "Autohaus" features state-of-the-art technology and presents a contemporary retail experience.

Every customer is welcomed with a personal touch of hospitality by a Star Assistant. Customers are then invited to explore the Mercedes products across various touchpoints supported by digital tools.

The new retail experience allows for more face-time interactions between customers and the service team.

Designed with a large open space and supplemented with custom daylight-emitting spotlights allows the customer to experience the true colours of the cars, all arranged in an arc to maximise visibility of every model displayed. Various seating and discussion locations in open, semi-private or private areas help facilitate individual consultations, whether it’s for sales or service. It also has a well-stocked hospitality lounge and a merchandise area.

Cycle & Carriage Johor Baru is the only accredited and authorised Mercedes-Benz Certified Body & Paint Centre in the southern region, equipped with the latest automotive innovation and technologies, as well as expertise to conduct structural repairs on Mercedes-Benz vehicles

The dealership also offers a vehicle handover service to new buyers and "Drop & Go" as well as "Door-to-Door" servicing when their cars are sent in for maintenance.

Present at the launch of the upgraded dealership were Mercedes-Benz Malaysia CEO Dr Claus Weidner, Cycle & Carriage CEO Wilfrid Foo and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales & marketing vice-president Michael Jopp.

The dealership is located at No. 102, Batu 5 1/2, Jalan Skudai, Tampoi, 81200 Johor Baru. For appointments, call 1800-22-8000.

In a related development, CCB's largest shareholder Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd (Jardine CCL) has extended its unconditional voluntary takeover offer to take the company private.

The deadline had been extended to May 12 from April 28 at 5pm.

As at 5pm today, Jardine CCL held 74.085 million ordinary shares representing 73.53 per cent of the 100.745 million total issued and paid-up capital of CCB, the largest Mercedes dealer in Malaysia. The offer price is RM2.40 per offer share.

Cycle & Carriage has been losing money in the past two financial years.

 Foo (centre), with Weidner (right) and Jopp launching the dealership. Customers are made to feel special when their cars are handed over to them.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia looking to a better 2021 performance

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is optimistic of achieving a stronger performance this year as it plans to roll out a slew of new models and measures to drive sales and become even more customer-centric.

Its president and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner, said the Covid-19 pandemic which had sparked a series of lockdowns that spilled over to 2021 had taken its toll on the local automotive industry.

"The pandemic had also accelerated our move towards digitisation in order to stay connected with our customers and dealer partners," he told local media via a livestream conference today.

He also said that as a leading premium car company, Mercedes-Benz had to be agile and quick in adopting new measures.

For example, the company's introduction of a virtual showroom had enabled its customers to remain safe and abide by Covid-19 SOPs while enabling them to view and configure the cars they fancy and even book a test drive from anywhere in the country.

 Dr Weidner.

Dr Weidner said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia would continue to develop its sub-brands such as AMG, G-Class, EQ and Maybach that had been gaining wider public interest.

On whether Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles would be sold in Malaysia, Dr Weidner said the company was open to the idea but said the Government and other relevant stakeholders should first develop a roadmap and spur the development of an EV infrastructure through various incentives and regulations.

He also said that Malaysian consumers' acceptance of electric vehicles should also be studied and gauged to assess the feasibility of selling such cars.

Dr Weidner said the lockdown in the first half of 2020 had caused the company to lose two months of car sales as well as delayed production and delivery of cars to customers.

"However, the company was able to catch up in the second half of the year and made sure customers' expectations were met," he said, adding that the lifting of the lockdown and introduction sales tax exemption at the second half of 2020 helped buyers return to the showrooms.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president of sales and marketing Michael Jopp said although Mercedes-Benz customers could be attended to through digital means, face-to-face interaction was still vital to offer the best ownership experience.

He said that while customers could learn much about new models and their specifications through digital channels, test drives can only be conducted in person.

 Jopp.

Jopp said 2021 is expected to be exciting for the company as it would be launching a new range of compact cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

"Compact cars are the introduction point into the Mercedes-Benz brand for many new customers, while SUVs are getting more popular and everyone is shifting towards them," he said.

Jopp also said the Mercedes-Benz pre-owned vehicle unit was gaining traction with customers as its vehicles still come with a high level of quality despite being lower priced compared to a brand new vehicle.


Nordic nations set pace in electric planes after green-cars push

                OSLO: The Nordic region’s pace-setting push into green transport is set to extend from cars to the air-travel market.

Iceland this month signalled plans to move towards carbon-free domestic flights by the end of the decade, while Sweden’s Heart Aerospace aims to deliver an electric plane specifically designed to ply routes linking remote Scandinavian settlements within six years.

Co-ordinating the region’s initiatives is the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation, founded last year and tying together airport authorities and five airlines including Finnair Oyj, Icelandair Group and SAS AB, alongside Heart and other technology innovators.

The emphasis on cleaner flights follows Norway’s strides towards banishing the combustion engine, with more than half the cars sold there now electric.

“We have an opportunity here to show the world what’s possible, and also to give the industries in our countries the opportunity to be front-runners and build this market,” said Maria Fiskerud, the NEA’s project manager and former adviser to the Swedish government on aviation biofuels.

The group has received 12 million kronor ($1.4 million) in combined funding from its members and the governments of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Greenland.

Iceland’s plan to embrace electric planes is being led by its parliament’s environment and transport committee, which has asked the government to establish a group of experts to lay the groundwork for environmentally friendly domestic services by 2030.

While Norway’s success in encouraging electric autos has been driven by generous tax incentives and concern about the economy’s reliance on oil production, the region’s focus on greener aviation is more directly rooted in the unique nature of a market characterised by flights between sparsely populated areas with limited surface transport links.

Iceland’s compact size makes it particularly well-suited to first-generation electric aircraft, which will be limited in passenger capacity by the weight of batteries needed to get even a small number of people off the ground.

Fiskerud said Icelandic domestic trips offer the perfect testbed, since “routes are all within an hour’s reach.”

The greater size of Sweden, for example, might be too much of a stretch for early models so that a pledge to render its domestic market fossil-free by 2030 is likely to require a mix of electric planes, sustainable jet fuel and possibly hybrid technology, she said.

Icelandair Chief Commercial Officer Jens Thordarson said he’s enthusiastic about the application of electric technology, especially in light of the island’s abundant geothermal and hydro-power green-energy resources. The carrier’s domestic arm Air Iceland Connect currently uses three 37-seat Q200 turboprops and two 70 seat Q400s from Bombardier Inc., now De Havilland Canada.

“We’re still a long way away from being able to have electric long-distance flights,” he said in an interview.

“However many projects are under way for developing aircraft for shorter distances. Being able to use electric planes for domestic flights would change the business.”

Thordarson said a plane carrying about 20 people using locally sourced electricity could even be cheaper to operate than kerosene-powered models, opening up the prospect of increased frequencies with fewer passengers than existing services in order to keep down takeoff weights.

Heart, based in Gothenburg, plans to win certification for its ES-19 regional plane by 2026, according to the company’s website.

The model, named for its 19-seat capacity, will have a range of about 400km and feature a conventional wing and propellers. It will be able to operate from a runway as short as 800 metres.

Thordarson said it may take two or three years beyond certification to establish the reliability of electric planes for commercial services and for them to enter mass production.

Airport infrastructure will also need to be adapted to provide adequate access to charging, and the reduced performance of batteries in cold climates must also be addressed, he said.

Government support may be required, paralleling that provided for eco-friendly vehicles. Norway, which aims to turn domestic flights all-electric by 2040, is looking at making subsidies for individual routes conditional on switching away from fossil fuels, or offering tax incentives for electric services.

The Nordic region’s combination of ready access to renewable electricity, high relative wealth and geography favoring smaller planes will provide a litmus test for the viability of carbon-free flying more generally, Fiskerud said.

“This is a good part of the world to start working with electric aviation,” she said. “If we can‘t do this here then it is difficult to see where it can be done.”


BMW i8 wins International Engine of the Year Award for the fourth time

                MUNICH: The plug-in hybrid drive system in the BMW i8 has won its category in the world’s leading engine competition for the fourth year in succession.

The drive system powering the BMW i8 has won its class – for units with 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre displacement – in the International Engine of the Year Award for the fourth time in a row.

The i8’s drive solution came onto the market in 2014 and has topped its category in the prestigious competition every year since.

In its first year on sale, it also earned the best new engine and overall awards. The plug-in-hybrid drive system’s latest success in the award – this is the fourth year in succession it has emerged victorious in one or more of the categories – demonstrates once again how far it remains ahead of the curve.

The BMW i8 is the sports car of the future and has been the world’s highest-selling PHEV sports car ever since its market launch in 2014.

The BMW i3 and i8 stand at opposite ends of the BMW Group model spectrum as an expression of what is reasonably achievable today. And now their technology is being rolled out across BMW’s core models.


CATL unveils condensed battery planned to power planes

                SHANGHAI: China's CATL said today it was working with partners to develop electric passenger planes as they unveiled a condensed matter battery it said was strong enough to power such an aircraft.

The world's biggest maker of batteries for electric vehicles made the announcement at the Shanghai auto show and said it would also launch a version for cars that would go into mass production this year.

"The launch of this cutting-edge technology breaks the limits that have long restricted the development of the battery sector and will open up a new scenario of electrification centring on a high level of safety and light weight," the company said in a news release.

CATL said the condensed battery has an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg. In comparison, its current Qilin Li-ion battery, which began mass production in March 2022, provides an energy density of 255 Wh/kg, good for up to 1,000km of range. The Qilin battery is used on multiple BEVs such as ZEEKR, AITO and Li Auto.

CATL did not specify who its airline partners were but said it was practising aviation-level standards and testing in accordance with industry requirements.

"We believe that condensed batteries will have a positive and far-reaching impact on achieving carbon neutrality," CATL's chief scientist Wu Kai told a media conference.

The company announced on Tuesday that its core operations would be carbon neutral by 2025, with the rest following in 2035.

Its Yibin factory in the south-western province of Sichuan was certified as the world's first zero-carbon battery factory last year.

"We think carbon neutrality is a good thing for the whole of human society," said a CATL specialist.

The specialist said he thought other Chinese companies would soon follow suit and that China itself has pledged to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.

China is by far the largest emitter, responsible for roughly a quarter of all current carbon pollution.


Perodua rewards with 500 free vehicle inspections in safety campaign

                RAWANG: Perodua today announced its first giveback or reward for its "Muhibah di Jalan Raya" road safety campaign after receiving more than 500 pledges from the public.

The 500 pledges received from the public unlocked the first reward from Perodua, in which 500 Perodua customers are given free inspections at any of their 182 service centres nationwide. On top of this, the top 10 most creative posts each month will also receive gifts from Perodua

The campaign is a long term road safety programme that aims at promoting a safer and friendlier road usage by encouraging users to upload their individual pledges as their commitment and contribution for better road safety.

“We believe one of the main causes of road accidents is driver attitude, and we want to influence that attitude by promoting a community of online users who wants to see positive change on our roads,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

The campaign welcomes road users to pledge by uploading a picture or video of themselves with the “OK” sign; their Instagram or/and Facebook with the hashtag #muhibahdijalanraya.

In return for these pledges, Perodua will give back to the community at large.

Aminar said that the Perodua Muhibah campaign was launched with the staff at Perodua headquarters in conjunction with the "balik kampung" season during the Chinese New Year celebration in February.

Perodua will also continue the Perodua Tweckbot programme, a Perodua 50-point vehicle inspection at the Giant Hypermarket in Section 13, Shah Alam from May 19-21.

The 50-point safety check includes an engine check, transmission check, coolant system (include coolant level, fan and temperature), brake system check (include brake fluid and brake pad wear) power steering system check, clutch system check, tyre check, suspension check, electrical system check (include battery, lights and water checks) and engine diagnosis.

In addition to the free 50-point safety check, Perodua will also offer a 20% discount on parts and accessories to its customers who take part in the programme (terms and conditions apply).

Since 2011, Perodua has inspected over 4,300 vehicles nationwide under the Perodua Tweckbot banner.


2023 updated Nissan LEAF: refined and practical daily drive

                AFTER nearly 300km and two nights spent with the 2023 updated Nissan LEAF battery electric vehicle (BEV), our main takeaways are that it’s a smooth and refined machine, and with overnight charging, a BEV can be a practical choice if your daily driving distance is not more than 270km.

Of course, its driving range would be extended, if you can charge the BEV during the work day at the office or public charging facilities.

To recharge the 40kWh lithium-ion battery, we only used the portable Type 2 cable and plugged it into a 3-point electrical socket at home.

This would take 12 hours for a full charge (from 0%), compared with seven hours with AC charging from a wallbox (6.6kW) or an hour via fast DC charging (50kW).

Our first day with the all-electric five-door five-seater hatchback saw us driving almost 110km, over highways and roads in residential areas.

We reached home after dinner, with the battery charge at 45% and the remaining travel range at 112km.

The next morning, after charging for over eight hours, the battery charge was 93% and the remaining travel range showed 238km.

Our second day with the LEAF saw us driving 123km, with a battery charge at 40% and 108km of remaining travel range when we reached home at night.

Being heavy-footed drivers, we drove in D mode most of the time, except when we wanted to experience the B or Eco modes.

That was why our energy usage was high.

Light-footed and less impatient drivers can increase the driving range via Eco Mode (reduce accelerator response) or B-mode (more regenerative braking).

Meanwhile, the e-Pedal instantly retards the speed of the car, once you ease off the accelerator pedal.

Using e-Pedal also results in more regenerative braking and charges the LEAF’s battery, while nearly eliminating stepping on the brake pedal as the car comes to a smooth, complete stop if you lift off your foot from the accelerator pedal.

As with any BEV, the LEAF is nearly silent to drive, and here, road and wind noise is more evident with the audio system switched off.

The acceleration is brisk thanks to instant torque delivery, despite the C-segment hatchback’s heavy 1,580kg kerb weight.

Shod with Dunlop Enasave EC300 in 215/50 R17 size, the LEAF handles competently with little body roll in road corners or bends, although the electric steering feels somewhat detached.

Ride comfort is good, and road imperfections are well soaked up.

The steering only offers tilt-up or down adjustment.

The cabin has a cosy and classy feel, with snug and comfortable leather-suede seats, smooth plastic surfaces and chrome inner door handles.

For 1.7-metre people, rear headroom is adequate and legroom is ample.

There’s a new eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also new is a rear-view mirror which provides a rear digital camera view, with the flick of a switch.

This is an extra safety feature, as the LEAF also has an around-view monitor which provides a virtual 360-degree bird’s eye view of the car.

External updates like a black Aero front grille, flanked by LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, a redesigned front bumper and rear Aero spoiler, and new five-spoke 17-inch alloy rims, as well as a two-tone exterior with the Super Black roof, give the 2023 LEAF a sharper and more stylish look compared with the previous edition.

This updated LEAF also has new advanced safety features and a five-star safety rating from JNCAP (Japan New Car Assessment Programme).

The lane departure warning activates with the steering wheel vibrating, and an audible audio warning (horn blaring sound).

Imported from Japan, the LEAF is among the best-selling BEVs in the world, with over 600,000 units delivered.

It’s also worth noting that Nissan says there are zero battery recalls and no major battery-related incidents in 13 years of LEAF production.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) highlights that maintenance costs are low at around RM300 per year, with 20,000km scheduled service intervals.

ETCM also offers the option of a LEAF subscription plan, where no downpayment is needed and monthly subscription is RM1,800 for a three-year contract.

At the end of the contract, LEAF customers can choose another Nissan model or discontinue the subscription plan.

Also, for a limited period, ETCM is giving LEAF buyers a free 12-month JomCharge membership (worth RM600) for recharging their car at public chargers (107 units AC Type 2 chargers and 30 units DC CHAdeMO quick chargers with 600 credits nationwide) as well as free Ice Cool tinting worth RM2,200.

For customers on the LEAF subscription plan, there is a 50% discount on Ice Cool tinting and a RM300 subsidy for a 12-month JomCharge membership.

Another privilege for new LEAF owners from ETCM is free usage of selected Nissan models for 23 days each year, during the first three years of ownership, which would be handy for certain trips.

The selected models are the X-Trail sport utility vehicle, Serena multi-purpose vehicle and Navara pick-up.

SPECIFICATIONS2023 Nissan LEAF faceliftMotor: AC Synchronous electric motor, single-speed reduction
Maximum power: 150PS (110Kw)
Maximum torque: 320Nm
Battery: 40kWh lithium-ion
Range: Up to 311km (based on NEDC)
Charger type: Type 2 (AC) up to 6.6kW/ CHAdeMO (DC) up to 50kW
Standard charge: AC 3-pin, 3.6kW (Type 2), 12 hours
Wallbox AC charging: 6.6kW (Type 2), 7 hours
Quick Charging: DC, 50kW, 0 to 100%, 1 hour
Features: All-round disc brakes, electric parking brake, LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights, 4 audio speakers, 8-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, USB port, Bluetooh and voice recognition, 6 airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill start assist, regenerative braking system, mixed leather/suede seats, 60/40 split folding rear seats, automatic air-conditioning, 17-inch wheels, cruise control
Extra safety features: Lane intervention and lane departure warning, High beam assist, Driver alertness (for drowsiness), Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, Ride control (adjusts engine torque) and Trace control (brakes each wheel individually), Intelligent rear view mirror (digital camera feed), Around view monitor and Moving object detection
Acceleration (0-100kph): 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 155kph (electronically limited)
Boot capacity: 435 litres, expandable to 1,176 litres with rear 60/40 backrests folded
Price: RM168,888 (with tax exemptions and free road tax, excluding insurance)
Warranty: Three-year or 100,000km (whichever is first), and eight-year or 160,000km warranty on the lithium-ion battery


Operators working on reopening SMART Tunnel after Monday downpour

                PETALING JAYA: The operators of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) in Kuala Lumpur are working to reopen the tunnel as soon as possible.

Following heavy rain in the city on Monday, the 4km storm drainage and road structure was closed at 6.30pm to alleviate potential flooding problems.

“The closure was important to prevent loss and and disaster in the coverage area of SMART Tunnel, ” they said in a statement today.

It said that with the activation of the flood operation system, the areas around Masjid Jamek, Lebuh Ampang, Dataran Merdeka and Pasar Seni were saved from flooding.

 File pic of the tunnel when it is opened to traffic.

It urged users to be patient as they were in the process of pumping out the water from the tunnel. This would then be followed by a tunnel-cleaning process.

“Once the cleaning work is completed, the mechanical and electrical inspection will be carried out with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) to ensure that all equipment is in good condition and safe before being reopened for users, ” it said, adding that users would be informed once the tunnel was operational again.

They said that 1.3 million cubic meters of water was drained through the system this time.

They added that the status of the tunnel would be updated at its website www.smarttunnel.com.my, its twitter page @smarttunnel or “Smart Tunnel” Facebook page.

Users can also call their helpline at 1-300-88-7188.


Volkswagen diesel owners in US face lost value and limbo

                SAN FRANCISCO: As the resale value of their diesel cars drops, US Volkswagen owners are stuck, unwilling to sell their polluting vehicles at a loss but lacking information on what fixes may be in store.

A month after Volkswagen admitted to regulators that its diesel cars were rigged to cheat on US emissions tests, no concrete answers are forthcoming on how the company will compensate owners, nor how dealers should deal with them.

The German automaker has said it will begin fixing the first of the nearly 500,000 non-compliant Golfs, Jettas and Passats from model years 2009-2015 in January, but earlier models will require hardware changes and could take longer.

"I'm kind of resigned to the waiting period but it's frustrating, as I feel like I'm in limbo," said a San Francisco Golf owner, Janet Kornblum.

"Obviously I can't sell the car as it is and I don't really want to. But I have no idea what's going to happen."

Auto industry consultant Edmunds.com said on Monday the price of used VW diesel vehicles sold at auction by dealers to other dealers dropped 6.5 percent, based on Sept. 1-Oct 9 data.

The average price of these cars fell to US$10,586 after Sept 18, the day the scandal broke, from US$11,319, Edmunds.com said.

"The drop reflects a lot of the uncertainty and speculation that's out there," said Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell.

That contrasts with healthy US used-car prices, which were 7.6 percent higher year-over-year in the second quarter.

Volkswagen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As lawmakers and regulators seek answers on how the cheating by the world's second-largest carmaker occurred and how it will make amends, Volkswagen's reputation has suffered, reflected in fewer online searches.

Car-buying website TrueCar found a 57 percent drop in searches for VW diesel cars since the scandal broke on Sept 18. The overall brand was itself affected, with total searches for all Volkswagen vehicles down 9 percent.

Swapalease.com said VW lease transfers have dropped 50 percent thus far in October, including gas and diesel engines.

On the TDIClub.com online forum, one owner trying to sell his 2013 diesel Passat for US$14,400 on Sept 18 was told by another member: "No one here will buy an 'affected' TDI until the VW fix is implemented, and that fix, whatever it is, may take a year to happen."


Feb 13-19: Fuel prices up

                PETALING JAYA: The fuel prices will increase across the board between the period of Feb 13 and 19.

The Finance Ministry said both the retail prices for RON97 and RON95 will increase by three sen each, from RM2.23 per litre to RM2.26 per litre, and RM1.93 per litre to RM1.96 per litre, respectively.

Meanwhile, the retail price of diesel will increase by four sen from RM2.11 per litre to RM2.15 per litre.

"The government will continue to monitor the trends of global crude oil prices and take appropriate measures to ensure the continued welfare and well-being of the people," the ministry said in a statement on Friday (Feb 12).

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5,2019, under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had also recently said that the price for RON95 petrol and diesel has been capped at RM2.05 per litre and RM2.15 per litre respectively, following the rise of global crude oil prices.

Zafrul said the newly announced price cap for RON95 and diesel is lower compared to the price cap implemented by the previous Pakatan Harapan government in 2019, which is RM2.08 per litre for RON95 and RM2.18 per litre for diesel.

"The government will cover the difference between the actual market price and the weekly retail price that is set weekly through the subsidy allocation," he said.


New Kawasaki Ninja 250 arrives

                SERDANG: The new Ninja 250 has joined the local Kawasaki line-up during its unveiling at the Art of Speed 2018, held over the weekend at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

Priced at RM23,071, the new 2018 sports model comes in two colour schemes of Passion Red/Metallic Flat Spark Black and Pearl Solar Yellow/Pearl Storm Grey/Ebony.

This six-speed machine is powered by a 249cc engine delivering 39hp and 23.5Nm of torque.

This parallel twin engine is 5kW (6.7hp) more powerful than that used in the previous 2017 Ninja 250.

Compared with the 2017 Ninja 250, the new model is also lighter, faster and torquier.

However, the 2018 Ninja has a smaller tank which is 14 litres compared to the previous model which offered a 17-litre tank.

Kawasaki also claims that the new Ninja 250 has the largest brake disc in its class.

Ample stopping power is assured by a 310mm semi-floating front disc and a 220mm rear disc.

For a better riding pleasure, the front suspension is entrusted to a 41mm telescopic fork and at the rear is a gas-charged shock with adjustable preload.

This 167kg bike is equipped with a simple cockpit that is very visible.

The design features a large analogue tachometer, gear position indicator and multi-function LCD screen.

The 2018 Ninja 250 will be available in all local authorised Kawasaki dealers from the middle of August.


KLIMS'18: Preview Citroën C3 Aircross, explore Grand C4 Spacetourer

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Euro Motors previewed the new Citroën C3 Aircross to the Malaysian public for the first time at KLIMS 2018.

A new-generation SUV, the C3 Aircross’ unique styling with a robust SUV design commands attention.

Powered by a Puretech Turbo engine under the hood, the SUV delivers 112 PS and 205Nm of torque. With more performance, the vehicle is also more fuel-efficient at 900km on a single tank. In addition, the boot space is exceptional for its segment at 410 litres in capacity.

Citroën’s booth features a fun and vibrant display reflective of the brand’s global identity.

Visitors to the booth stand a chance to be prominently featured on their special "media wall" when they pose and snap a photo with the C3 Aircross.

Also making a presence is the newly-launched Grand C4 Spacetourer 7-seater MPV.

Designed with space, versatility and innovation in mind, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is a feature-packed 7-seater MPV.

The MPV’s enhanced design, unique experience of comfort and latest-generation technologies presents a modern, user-friendly and family-oriented drive that allows drivers and passengers to travel in style and comfort.


Renault and Plug Power to develop fuel-cell commercial vehicles

                PARIS: French carmaker Renault and US hydrogen specialist Plug Power have joined forces to develop hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles (LCV), they said on Tuesday.

The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a France-based 50-50 joint venture by the end of June, targeting a more than 30% share of the fuel cell-powered LCV market in Europe, a joint statement said.

The joint venture will combine Renault’s vehicle manufacturing capabilities with the fuel cell and hydrogen system manufacturing knowledge of Plug Power, establishing a fuel cell stack and system manufacturing centre in France for integration into LCV platforms.

The centre will also provide hydrogen refuelling systems.

Plug Power, which has a market value of more than US$25 billion, says it has deployed over 40,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, more than anyone else in the world, and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen.

Renault, with a market value of over US$13 billion, sold close to 3.8 million vehicles in 134 countries in 2019. It has 40 manufacturing sites, and employs more than 180,000 people.


Stellantis production stoppages in France linked to Continental, say sources

                PARIS: Production stoppages at two Stellantis auto plants in France stem from shortages in components from German supplier Continental, two sources close to Stellantis said on Friday.

Continental was unable to deliver its connected navigation and entertainment systems to a Citroen plant in Rennes, one of the sources said. The other said a Peugeot plant in Sochaux was halted because Continental had not delivered touch screens.

Continental declined to comment.

French business paper La Tribune first reported the news on Friday morning.

A Stellantis spokesman said the group would not comment on individual suppliers and reiterated that current stoppages at both plants were related to bottlenecks in semiconductor supply.

Stellantis said on Wednesday that both plants would be stopped until next week.

The group will also stop operations at its Melfi plant in southern Italy from late June 28 to July 2 due to a "structural" shortage of semiconductors. read more

The sources could not say at what point in the supply chain disruptions began, whether it was an issue with Continental's production or because of another supplier's problems.


Tesla amps up fight with Rivian, cites battery secrets theft

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc. escalated its trade secrets fight with Rivian Automotive Inc., accusing the maker of electric pickups of continuing to poach its employees and stealing "highly proprietary” battery technology.

The world’s leading electric-vehicle maker says the lawsuit it filed 14 months ago against Rivian hasn’t stopped the startup from raiding its staff and looting its intellectual property.

That includes one instance this summer where Tesla defectors were "caught red-handed” stealing the core technology for its next-generation batteries, "the most essential element for any electric vehicle,” according to a court filing last month.

"Now apparently under pressure from investors after nearly a dozen years without producing a single commercial vehicle, Rivian has intensified its unlawful efforts,” Tesla said.

Rivian declined to comment.

The latest twist comes as Rivian is planning an initial public offering. The Irvine, California-based company is seeking a roughly US$80 billion valuation, Bloomberg reported in August.

A California state court judge in San Jose allowed Tesla last week to add its new allegations to the pending case, along with three more of its former employees as defendants.

Rivian had objected, arguing the claims are unsupported by the facts and that dramatically expanding the scope of the litigation will delay resolving it.

Rivian already lost its initial request for dismissal of Tesla’s claims back in March.

Widening the case

Superior Court Judge Peter Manoukian reasoned in a Sept 28 ruling that it’s efficient to broaden the case at this juncture - while making clear he’s not blessing the merits of Tesla’s claims.

"Here, defendants contend that Tesla has not alleged plausible facts to support its contention that defendants acquired confidential battery information,” he wrote. "That contention has some appeal to it.”

Rivian says Tesla dragged its feet since initially filing suit in July 2020 and hasn’t sufficiently specified the trade secrets it claimed were stolen, nor how the data at issue is distinct from what’s already public knowledge.

"For several of its trade secrets it has provided so little detail that Rivian is unable to ascertain what Tesla is claiming as its intellectual property, let alone whether what it is claiming is or could be secret,” Rivian said in a filing.

The case is Tesla Inc. v. Rivian automotive Inc., 20CV368472, California Superior Court, Santa Clara County (San Jose).


VW ID.7 wrapped in special camouflage to debut at CES 2023

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen has announced more details of its new electric sedan ID.7 ahead of its world premiere at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.

The ID.7 is the company's first fully electric sedan based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).  The car, now in near-production stage,  will be clad in smart camouflage, which uses unique technology and multi-layered paintwork to create light effects on parts of the vehicle.

This is an interactive feature and signals the next step in the digitalisation of the future flagship model of Volkswagen’s EV family.

The ID.7 is widely believed to be the replacement model for the slightly shorter Arteon, which will be axed from 2024. The series production version of the ID.7 will be ready for launch in second quarter of 2023.

The ID. AERO concept vehicle that was initially presented in China already provided a preview of the new model, which has an aerodynamic design and is able to achieve a manufacturer’s estimated range of up to 700km for European models based on a simulated WLTP cycle.

“With the new ID.7, we are extending our electric model range into the upper segments. The sedan will offer top-class technology and quality. The ID.7 is one of 10 new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026. Our goal? To deliver suitable products for our customers in every single segment,” said Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schäfer.

A host of innovations come as standard in the ID.7: the new display concept; the augmented reality head-up display; a 15-inch screen; digitally controlled air vents; and illuminated touch sliders

The new air conditioning system has intelligent vents and offers a number of functions.

For instance, the ID.7 can detect when the driver is approaching with their key and can start to cool the interior on hot summer days or heat the interior on cold days before the driver gets into the vehicle.

Newly designed “Smart Air Vents” control the flow of air and move dynamically to distribute the air over large areas as quickly as possible.

If there are passengers in the car, the air can be directed straight to the body or ventilate the interior indirectly.

These functions are visible at all times on the new large display and can be activated and saved individually for each user.

Special requests can be activated using voice commands. If the user says “Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold!”, the ID.7 responds by starting the steering wheel heating function. At the same time, warm air is directed towards the driver’s hands.

At the CES in Las Vegas, VW will show the ID.7 in a special way.

The camouflaged sedan features a digital design with unique paintwork, which lights up the ID.7 interactively.

No fewer than 40 layers of paint have been applied, some of which are conductive while others have insulating properties.

A total of 22 areas of the vehicle can be controlled separately and are electrified below the top layer of paint (electroluminescence) so that they light up.

If all this is connected to a sound system, the rhythm is visualised by illumination of individual areas.

The QR codes on the hood and on both sides provide an interface between the physical and digital worlds.

The entire camouflage also takes the QR code theme further and thus hides the contours of the final production vehicle.

The ID.7 follows the design language of Volkswagen’s fully electric vehicle family.

The characteristic features of the sedan include the aerodynamic front section and roof, which are designed to both help to reduce energy consumption and increase the range.

Air intakes located in the front end guide the air flowing through them down the sides of the vehicle to the rear, forming an air curtain, which calms the air flow at the sides of the vehicle.

The roof has a dramatic coupe-like slope to the rear and thus contributes to the very good drag coefficient.

Like all other models in the VW electric family, the ID.7 is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture. The advantage of the short overhangs and long 116.9-inch wheelbase is an especially spacious interior that feels more like a luxury sedan’s.

With the ID.7 sedan, Volkswagen is expanding its successful fully electric vehicle family into the premium part of the mass-market segment and advancing its electric mobility campaign with the ACCELERATE strategy.

Volkswagen has already reached a first milestone: Since the first ID.3 models were handed over to customers in September 2020, Volkswagen has delivered more than 500,000 MEB vehicles worldwide through its subsidiaries—around a year earlier than planned and despite the ongoing difficulties in the supply chain.

After the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6 (Chinese-market only) models and the new ID. Buzz, the ID.7 will be the sixth model in the company’s EV family and is Volkswagen’s second global car to be based on the MEB after the ID.4.

The electric sedan would go on sale in China, Europe and North America. The ID.7 for the European market will be produced at the Volkswagen Emden plant, making it the second MEB vehicle produced there, after the ID.4.


2018 Geneva Motor Show: Car makers are showing brand-new sides

                GENEVA: Next week, Switzerland will be the centre of the car world. While automakers have become increasingly picky as to when and where they show their latest wares, they continue to land unfailingly at the Geneva Motor Show, which this year will runs from March 8-18 at the city’s Palexpo centre.

And whereas the Los Angeles and New York car shows have focused heavily on “mobility”-autonomous driving, electric- and hybrid energy, pod-like creations that aren’t exactly cars-Geneva remains the premier venue for debuting exciting, expensive automobiles that consumers will actually want to drive, regardless of price or efficiency.

This is the place to test brand identity-or come up with a new one. Exhibits A and B: Volvo’s new performance line, Polestar, will show off a sexy coupe, and Jaguar will expand its excellent sedan fleet with a sporty wagon. Even the typically off-road-focused Range Rover will show a four-person “coupe” hand-built from its special operations division.

 McLaren Senna.

“Geneva is a grand vision show,” says Michael Harley, the managing editor of Kelley Blue Book. “There’s a lot of news, a lot of buzz, a lot of excitement. The fashion world has Paris. The car world has Geneva.”

Whether it’s a glitzy halo car, a concept model, or a limited-edition product, brands choose the event to showcase the cars they most want to be known for in the coming year.

Generally, extreme supercars generate the most hype for brands, and-for the fan boys-at this show. For 2018, McLaren will show the 789-horsepower Senna, its most powerful road-legal car to date. (The company has already sold all 500 units of the US$1 million supercar: “That’s the thing with Geneva,” Harley points out wryly. “By the time they hit the stand, many of the cars are already sold-out. Deliveries start later this spring.)

Hennessey will bring the even-more-expensive US$1.6 million Venom F5 from Hennessey Special Vehicles. This one is primed to break records: It weighs less than 1,400kg and has more than 1,600hp. The company debuted it to a select group at the SEMA show in Vegas months ago, but this will be its launch on the international scene.

The target top speed, say company officials, is more than 483kph. Rival Bugatti will bring its 2019 Chiron, the US$2.6 million coupe, with a new options package that includes additional colors, trimmings, and carbon-fiber accents. (Can you feel the hype? Mechanically, the Chiron is the same car underneath as it was last year, but at least it’s not yet sold-out, so you still have a chance to own one.)

Bugatti and Hennessey, who each make far fewer than 1,000 cars worldwide annually, will also face a new contender to that top-speed title: an obscure company called Corbellati. The family-owned brand has announced it will show a 1,800-horsepower V8 “Missile” hypercar that will be able to touch 500kph.

It’s easy to say things on a piece of paper without having to back them up in the real world, so scepticism should remain high about that claim. Then again, that’s exactly what the Geneva show is for. And if Corbellati does pull off 500, it’ll have the other two beat.

Elsewhere in this elite peer group, Ferrari will show a special-edition 710-hp 488 it’s calling the Pista; this is Ferrari’s most powerful V8 to date. Pista means “track” in Italian, which is fitting: The lightweight coupe goes from zero to 100kph in 2.85 seconds, while its top speed is 340kph. Lamborghini is trying to build excitement around what it’s bringing, which will be a major update to an existing model, although a spokesperson declines to disclose specifics. And Aston Martin will bring the all-new Vantage, along with the DB11 Volante and Coupe.

 Corbellati.Missile.

Along with such six- and seven-figure flash, the luxury brands with higher production figures-and slightly more affordable price points-will also bring plenty of treats.

BMW will show a first-ever-seen concept vehicle, probably the M8 Grand Coupe. (This is similar to the shark-like 8-Series it showed in Frankfurt last year.) It’s also debuting a next-generation X4 crossover, which was re-developed in partnership with Toyota.

For its part, Toyota will be showing a successor to the classic Supra sports car that the Japanese automaker produced from 1978-2002. (Toyota has yet to confirm what it will call the car.)

Mercedes is bringing the new production version of the AMG GT, an exciting four-door spin on its signature AMG GT coupe. (Here, we have it again-a company testing how far it can push the boundaries: “Coupe” used to refer only to two-door vehicles.) The show will also be the first time we see the AMG G63, the newest iteration of Mercedes’s rugged G Wagen, as well as a totally new C Class sedan and station wagon.

 Audi A6.

A direct competitor to the Mercedes E-Class and BMW’s 5-Series, Audi’s forthcoming A6 sedan will be lighter and better-tuned than the current car, with styling cues from the handsome A8 and A7 models.

Porsche will show its aggressive new 911 GT3, a US$187,500, 523-horsepower coupe that is 0.1 seconds to 60mph faster than the previous model. (The new one can hit that mark in three seconds flat.)

As mentioned above, Jaguar’s new XF “sport brake” should offer competition to such things as the E-Class wagon from Mercedes, the Panamera from Porsche, and Audi’s famous wagon variants as well. Sister company Land Rover will show the SV Coupe from Range Rover, a limited-edition, four-seat vehicle with just two passenger doors, hand-built by Rover’s “Special Vehicle Operations” unit.

And if the production-ready, 600-horsepower Polestar 1 coupe looks as good as the images leaked back in October, even Jaguar’s always-sexy, US$60,000 F-Type may have a new challenger for the title of sexiest, most affordable sports car on the market.

Not surprisingly, it’s the SUVs that will showcase the latest electric technologies; for all its gas-guzzling supercar glitz, Geneva isn’t exempt from the pressure towards hybridisation and electrification that is changing the automotive industry. And SUVs do continue to be the most profitable segment of the automotive market at the moment. To wit: Jaguar has a sure show-stopper with its new I-Pace electric SUV, aimed directly at Tesla’s Model X, the current electric SUV darling.

Hyundai will premiere a battery-powered version of its small Kona crossover, while Lexus will show the production version of the UX it showed in 2016 in Paris. Lexus hasn’t disclosed what engine variants it’ll offer with the small crossover vehicle, but since it’s based on the same platform that underpins the Prius, a hybrid version is likely.

There has even been speculation that Bentley will show a hybrid version of the Bentayga SUV, which would be the first of its kind for the brand.

If that’s true, it will be the perfect combination for the car world’s most prestigious, moneyed show: big, bold, expensive-and with an eye towards the future.


Carmakers are tricking out fronts with LEDs – but are they safe?

                FRANKFURT: Is this London or Athens? Anyone who encounters a new Rolls-Royce Ghost after dark might be reminded of the night skyline of the Greek capital.

Since Roller ushered in the latest version of its luxury sedan last year, the temple-shaped radiator grille has been lavishly illuminated with LED technology. It shines out like the famous Acropolis above the Greek city.

The luxury maker is in the vanguard of a current trend, says Frank Huber, who is responsible for the lighting division at German supplier Hella. "We clearly sense that manufacturers are looking more than ever for innovative lighting solutions to give their vehicles a unique character."

BMW kicked this off two years ago with the third edition of the X6, whose options list now includes an "Iconic Glow." As previously seen only on show cars, design studies and wildly-tuned vehicles without approval for road use, the Bavarians have fitted more than a dozen LEDs in the chrome frame around the radiator grille.

The light cascades down the chrome bars like a waterfall, the manufacturer explains. Additional LEDs in the frame provide a shimmer that makes the X6 unmistakable even at night without irritating oncoming traffic, says BMW.

Striking the right balance between glow and glare is not always easy: Rolls-Royce engineers report that the Ghost with its 20 LEDs in the radiator initially shone brighter than they would have liked. It wasn't until the firm opted to brush the back of the polished metal grille bars to reduce the reflections that they were satisfied with the appearance.

Today, such light effects are no longer the privilege of premium brands. When the Enyaq arrives later in 2021 as the first fully electric Skoda based on the Wolfsburg electric car modular system, it will also be available with a fully illuminated grille.

In doing so, the Czechs are actually killing three birds with one stone, explains design chief Oliver Stefani. "We're paying homage to the Bohemian crystal glass tradition, we're achieving a high level of recognisability, and we're showing at first glance that the Enyaq is something new and very special." Of course, "grille" is a misnomer since the car has no radiator connected to a combustion engine.

The Czechs are not alone. Other electric cars display light signatures stretching across the width of the vehicle.

Volkswagen's electrics from the Golf GTE to the new ID4 and Mercedes-Benz EQ models are distinguishable from their combustion siblings by a LED strip that runs across the front and connects the headlights. This means the new EQA will not be confused at night with a new GLA.

Designers like Mercedes stylist Gorden Wagener would be happy to install even more lights and he gazes enviously at world markets where, for example, the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed bonnet star is illuminated as a matter of course.

Wagener has experimented with hundreds of stars flickering behind the blackened grille of the Vision EQS study. "Regulatory authorities have been giving us very tight specifications here in terms of visibility and safety," he laments.

This is a good thing, says Hans-Georg Marmit of the German mobility safety organization Kues: "A multitude of different light source and a brighter front increase the risk of dazzling oncoming traffic."

Marmit is no fan either of retrofit LED lighting solutions available from accessory companies via mail order or on the internet. He also warns of possible consequences when cars are submitted for a roadworthiness test.

"If you install a system which has no type approval the vehicle inspector might declare is illegal and switch it off for good." In the United States police are apt to pull over cars with tricked out coloured lights which are not permissible in many federal states.


Beethoven's 5th plays at Montreal airport 'drive-in'

MONTREAL: Music lovers streamed into an airport parking lot, socially distancing in cars to listen to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra play Beethoven, Ravel and Mozart in between flights taking off.

"I normally spend a lot of time either in front of an orchestra or in front of an airport. So we combined the two, it's kinda special," conductor Jacques Lacombe told AFP during an interview Wednesday evening, shortly before the performance.

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is used to playing outdoors - in parks, outside retirement homes, even at the city's Olympic stadium every summer.

But at the end of an airport runway, facing a crowd seated behind car windshields? Not so much.

"This is a first in my career," said the conductor, who directs the Mulhouse Symphony Orchestra in eastern France but regularly collaborates with the MSO.

The MSO, one of two major symphonies in Montreal alongside the Orchestre Metropolitain, had not performed in public since March due to the pandemic.

For its eagerly anticipated Covid-era debut, it opted for a drive-in show - a first in Canada according to organisers.

More than 520 carefully spaced cars, their headlights off, packed into a massive parking lot at the Trudeau International Airport west of Montreal in front of a small stage where around 50 musicians performed, each well-spaced from the other.

'Beauty is missing'

The performance was broadcast on a dedicated FM channel, allowing the music-loving motorists to listen to the concert on their car radio. Two giant screens allowed the back rows to see the stage.

In lieu of applause the audience honked car horns and flashed headlights.

Every now and then a jetliner took off behind the stage, drowning out a delicate tune from Mozart's The Magic Flute, or the opening notes of the adagio from Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Most of the spectators said they were not bothered by the disruption.

"Airplanes are wow, it's perfect," said Michele Lesieur, a Montreal nurse who came in her small Toyota.

The last concert she went to was all the way at the beginning of the year. "I missed that a lot," she said. "Beauty is missing right now."

For Lesieur there was only one downside: a very large SUV parked in front of her. "If I had known, I would have paid a little more for better seats," she said.

Ticket prices ranged from C$100-C$500 (RM313-RM1,565) per car, helping support the symphony after it was forced to cancel dozens of concerts due to restrictions on large public gatherings.

'A message of hope'

Yuni Lavoie, a 20-year-old student, and three friends opted for cheap seats, parking their car in the very last row.

"We can't see the stage, there's a car with a roof rack right in front of us," said the young music lover.

But for the price, she didn't mind too much. "We're going to listen on the car radio, it's going to be fun."

A few hundred metres away, in the first row at the foot of the stage, Rachel and her husband had a breathtaking view of the orchestra. Their ticket was a gift from their children for their 60th wedding anniversary, she explained. "We're happy!"

Spectator Jacques Lacombe found Beethoven's 5th "metaphorical" for the Covid-19 era, particularly in Montreal, the Canadian city hardest hit by infections.

"It is a symphony where man fights against his destiny, it begins in turmoil and oppression and ends with a kind of liberation, jubilation and victory," he explained.

"I hope that this evening's message is a message of hope, that we will return to a certain normality."


Three miles up: Team sets altitude record with Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo

                ATLANTA: A Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo has entered the Guinness World Record books after setting a new benchmark for the greatest altitude change ever achieved by an electric car – 4,842.967 metres, or just over three miles.

J.F. Musial and his team are usually behind the camera, creating automotive films and TV shows.

They’re also close friends and travel addicts – always exploring and scouting new locations, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

Now, this interest has taken them to new heights – literally.

Motivated by curiosity, they’ve driven the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo on a record-breaking journey from deep underground to the top of a mountain.

In a little over a day, they navigated from the lowest point they could access in America by car, to one of the highest – a vertical distance of nearly five kilometres – travelling more than 2,250 kilometres between the two, pausing only for both humans and the car to momentarily re-charge.

The feat involved driving the Porsche from Eagle Mine in Michigan to Pikes Peak in Colorado. The nickel and copper mine is located 540.8 metres below sea level. while the summit of Pikes Peak is 4,302 metres from sea level.

In total, three groups of drivers working in tandem took on the driving duties. They conducted the whole attempt by the book, with separate, sealed GPS devices monitoring their route and altitude throughout – along with an analogue altimeter and witness logs to satisfy the strict Guinness World Records requirements.

The journey was among the most demanding the car and team had ever experienced. It would take them across six states, and would ascend 4,842.967 metres, or just over three miles, without ever leaving the ground.

The oxygen available to them at the start of the journey fell by 40 per cent by the time they reached the top of the mountain. Along the way they encountered sun, rain, snow and ice, fatigue and the ever present threat that the mountain road – and the path to their record – could close due to the weather conditions.

Their achievement has been recognised by Guinness World Records – setting a new benchmark for the greatest altitude change ever achieved by an electric car.


Ducati pumps up Diavel luxury

                BOLOGNA: The ultra-luxurious version of the Ducati Diavel will finally be available as of May 2015, for 28,990 euros (around RM113,000).

Graced with a handcrafted artisanal finish, the Diavel Titanium combines titanium, carbon fiber and even Alcantara.

The defining features of the Diavel Titanium, first unveiled at the 2014 Milan Motorcycle Show, are its titanium broad tank and headlamp covers, carbon fiber air intakes, dark chrome finish on the frame and a hand-stitched seat made of Alcantara.

The engine is a latest generation Testastretta 11#176; Dual Spark engine unleashing 162 horses. It's worth mentioning that its profile is meant to evoke the silhouette of a sprinter in the starting blocks.

The 17-litre tank is the central piece of the Diavel Titanium. Its long and flowing lines sweep from the headlamp to the back chassis, passing by the seat, to create a beautiful profile. In the front, a display screen indicates the riding mode selected (Sport, Touring or Urban), the current gear and even total and/or day mileage.

The Diavel Titanium features unique, machine-finished wheels forged from lightweight aluminum to give it an urban and stylish look. The bike only weighs 205kg dry.

Production of the Ducati Diavel Titanium is limited to 500 worldwide, each one numbered.

The Diavel Dark and Diavel carbon are still available for 18,490 (RM72,000) and 21,990 euros (RM86,000) respectively.


Bugatti speakers built by Tidal Audio

                PARIS: Germany's Tidal Audio is developing home speakers for Bugatti owners or fans.

The partnership between the two companies begins with the “Royale” range of speakers that lead the way for luxury in the home audio sector.

Two designs are available: Monocoque and Duotone.

One can select between piano finishes or avant-garde colour and material combinations. Each “Royale” loudspeaker pair can be customised with carbon fibre, fabrics, leather, polished stainless steel, dark aluminum or precious metal surfaces.

The front of the speakers show the Bugatti logo plaque, finished in polished stainless steel and curved to accommodate the shape of the unit up to the brand’s qualities for personalisation and performance.

Every set of speakers by Tidal for Bugatti is subject to a bespoke ordering process, allowing the customer to share his precise vision of the best audio system in the world. And the plaque at the backside reads "Tidal for Bugatti".

The “Royale” is deploying four subwoofer drivers per speaker and a 3-way front unit with a midrange-driver and tweeter with diamond diaphragms.

The diamond diaphragm tweeter can be also found in Bugatti cars.

The Royale is an active speaker, housing extremely powerful amplifier channels. The matching music controller allows the speaker to connect to all kinds of sources, including music streaming services and TV and can be controlled with smart devices.

The start of the partnership manifests itself in the "Edition Noir" and "Edition Blanc", each limited to only 15 pairs.

No prices were announced.


VW Touareg is 20 years old, special-edition model revealed

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is celebrating 20 years of the Touareg with the Touareg “EDITION 20”.

This special-edition model will join the premium SUV model family from mid-June 2022 and features a particularly extensive range of exclusive equipment – including an extremely expressive exterior design and an elegant leather package in the interior.

Since its market launch in 2002, VW has sold over one million units of the SUV worldwide.

The special-edition model is available to order now, with prices starting from €77,530/RM366,000 (for V6 TDI with 170 kW/231 PS).

Modern optional features such as Travel Assist and the Innovision Cockpit with 15” infotainment system display (standard in the Touareg “EDITION 20”) ensure even greater comfort and maximum connectivity.

Technologically sophisticated running gear innovations such as the optional air suspension and roll compensation increase the vehicle dynamics and make the Touareg much easier to handle than its size might suggest.

The distinguishing features of the new special-edition model include the new paintwork in Meloe Blue as well as the high-gloss polished 20-inch Bogota wheels, which are only available for the anniversary model.

The expressive exterior design is rounded off by darkened side and rear windows, LED tail lights with cherry red tint, and an “EDITION 20” badge on the B-pillar. The wheel arches and diffuser additionally have a Black Glossy paint finish.

When getting into the vehicle, the driver and occupants are welcomed by illuminated sill panel trim with the “EDITION 20” logo. High-quality black Savona leather seats with distinctive diamond stitching and seams in the contrasting colour Ceramique, a light beige, underline the stylish overall impression.

The sporty character is highlighted by red accents: double seams (piping) in Ceramique/Red can be found on the dash panel, steering wheel and door inner sides. The leather-covered selector lever for the automatic gearbox features the “EDITION 20” logo.

The new Touareg “EDITION 20” is offered with four drive variants:

> 170 kW (231 PS) 3.0 V6 TDI with 500Nm torque
> 210 kW (286 PS) 3.0 V6 TDI with 600Nm torque
> 250 kW (340 PS) 3.0 V6 TSI with 450Nm torque
> Plug-in hybrid V6 TSI with 280 kW (381 PS) system power and 600Nm torque

All four engines transmit their power to an eight-speed gearbox with all-wheel drive system. This makes it possible to tow braked trailers with a weight of up to 3.5 tonnes.


VW plans to sell electric Tesla rival for less than US$23,000, says source

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen intends to sell electric cars for less than 20,000 euros (RM95,000) and protect German jobs by converting three factories to make Tesla rivals, a source familiar with the plans said.

VW and other carmakers are struggling to adapt quickly enough to stringent rules introduced after the carmaker was found to have cheated diesel emissions tests, with its chief executive Herbert Diess warning last month that Germany’s auto industry faces extinction.

Plans for VW’s electric car, known as “MEB entry” and with a production volume of 200,000 vehicles, are due to be discussed at a supervisory board meeting on Nov 16, the source said.

Another vehicle, the I.D. Aero, will be built in a plant currently making the VW Passat, a mid-sized sedan, the source said.

The Wolfsburg-based carmaker, which declined to comment on the plans, is also expected to discuss far-reaching alliances with battery cell maker SK Innovation and rival Ford, the source said.

The Nov 16 strategy meeting will discuss Volkswagen’s transformation plan to shift from being Europe’s largest maker of combustion engine vehicles into a mass producer of electric cars, another source familiar with the deliberations said.

VW’s strategy shift comes as cities start to ban diesel engine vehicles, forcing carmakers to think of new ways to safeguard 600,000 German industrial jobs, of which 436,000 are at car companies and their suppliers.

An electric van, the ID Buzz, is due to be built at VW’s plant in Hannover, where its T6 Van is made, the source said.

To free up production capacity for electric cars in Hannover, VW’s transporter vans could be produced at a Ford plant in Turkey, if German labor unions, who hold half the seats on VW’s board of directors, agree, the source added.

Exploratory talks

VW and Ford are in “exploratory talks” about an alliance to develop self-driving and electric vehicles and to complement each other’s global production and sales footprints, Reuters reported last month.

Ford has strong sales and profits in the United States thanks to its exposure to the lucrative pickup truck segment, while Volkswagen dominates the market for passenger cars in Europe.

The companies are considering cooperation deals in the areas of commercial, electric and autonomous vehicles, although a final agreement will unlikely be announced at the November 16 strategy meeting at Volkswagen, the second source said.

The details of a cooperation deal with Ford may take until the end of the year to be finalised, the second source said. The German carmaker will mainly focus on debating the merits of converting its VW factories in Emden, Zwickau and Hanover, which all build combustion-engined cars, to electric ones under the plans being discussed by the board of directors, the source said.

Carmakers in Germany agreed on Thursday to spend up to 3,000 euros (RM14,210) per vehicle to add more efficient exhaust filtering systems to cut diesel emissions, but failed to prevent bans on diesel vehicles by Cologne and Bonn.

EU lawmakers have agreed to seek a 35 percent cut in car emissions by 2030 after a UN report called for dramatic steps to slow global warming. Diess said to cut average fleet emissions of carbon dioxide in Europe by 30 percent by 2030, VW needs to raise its share offully electric vehicles to 30 percent of new car sales.

The shift from combustion engines to electric cars would also cost 14,000 jobs at VW by 2020 as it takes less time to build an electric car than a conventional one and because jobs will shift overseas to battery manufacturers.

In Europe there are about 126 plants making combustion engines, employing 112,000 people. The largest such plant in Europe is VW’s in Kassel.


GM could reap billions by building combustion trucks and SUVs through 2035

                DETROIT: General Motors has signalled in a series of recent announcements on plant retoolings that it plans to keep its largest and most profitable combustion trucks and SUVs in production longer than expected - another 10 to 12 years, according to analysts and suppliers.

This should enable the automaker to reap tens of billions of dollars in additional profit, according to Reuters estimates, before it shifts completely to zero-emission electric vehicles in 2035.

GM in November 2021 said it would switch to an all-electric fleet by 2035. It never said when exactly it would stop producing gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs, though suppliers and analysts expected it would be well before 2035.

The longer timeline for churning out combustion trucks and SUVs, and the potential to harvest $50 billion or more in profit over that period, is the real news behind GM's announcements this past week that it will spend nearly $3 billion to retool and upgrade several North American plants. Details on the timing and potential profit have not previously been disclosed.

GM told Reuters on Monday that it does not comment on future product plans.

The US automaker over the past week announced investments in five plants in the United States and Canada, without providing details on products or timing, other than to say the plants will continue to build full-size internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The GM plants include two in Flint, Michigan, and one plant each in Arlington, Texas; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Oshawa, Ontario.

GM's strong signal that it intends to keep full-size ICE vehicles in production “for years to come,” as one executive said last week, should be well-received by investors and the United Auto Workers. GM and the union will begin negotiating a new multi-year labor agreement this summer.

The future of combustion vehicle-related jobs is a central concern for the union.

GM executives have made it clear that ICE vehicles will play a critical role in the company's portfolio for the foreseeable future.

In April, chief financial officer Paul Jacobson told investors: “We're strategically transitioning the business, while at the same time leveraging our important ICE portfolio with new and refreshed products, driving continued robust demand for our vehicles.”

GM executives also have acknowledged it could be years before the company's new EVs begin to attract enough customers to match the profit from petroleum-fueled Chevrolet Silverado pickups and Cadillac Escalade SUVs.

Projected profit

Ford Motor faces a similar situation. CEO Jim Farley in May said the company's electric vehicles may not reach cost parity with Ford's combustion vehicles until the second and third generations of EVs arrive between 2025 and 2030, and has indicated Ford's combustion trucks could remain in production well beyond then.

In the meantime, profit from ICE vehicles continues to roll in.

Last year, GM’s average per-vehicle earnings before interest and taxes on all of its trucks and SUVs was US$10,678, as calculated by Benchmark auto analyst Michael Ward, based on GM’s SEC filings.

Using that metric, GM stands to earn up to US$7.5 billion a year in pretax profit on its full-size combustion trucks and SUVs, based on AutoForecast Solutions’ estimates for production at the Flint, Fort Wayne, Arlington and Oshawa plants through 2035.

The Arlington plant, which is now scheduled to build GM’s full-size combustion SUVs like the Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon through 2034, is “the most profitable auto plant in the world,” according to Ward.

“Arlington produced 345,000 units in 2022, and by our estimate generated about US$25 billion in revenue and US$4 billion in EBIT – or about 30% of total company EBIT,” Ward told Reuters.

Flint and Oshawa are expected to build a combined 360,000 heavy-duty pickups a year through 2035, according to AutoForecast Solutions (AFS). Using GM’s EBIT data as calculated by Ward and Benchmark, those two plants could generate US$3.8 billion a year in pretax profit.

GM does not disclose its wholesale prices to dealers or its gross margins. A 2024 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Ultimate retails for up to US$107,000 and more, while a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV V-Series can fetch US$160,000 or more, according to GM dealers’ internet ads.

Suppliers have been told that GM plans to begin production of its redesigned Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups in mid-2027 in Flint, with the updated Silverado HD going into Oshawa at the same time.

GM plans to run its heavy-duty combustion pickups at both plants until 2035, according to AFS, which provides data and analysis to vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

GM scrapped an earlier plan to build electric versions of its heavy-duty pickups, according to AFS.

Meanwhile, the company is preparing to launch the next-generation Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL at Arlington in early 2028, AFS said.

The automaker will gradually reduce annual production of its big SUVs in Arlington as it begins to introduce new electric companions, starting around mid-decade.

By 2030, AFS forecasts Arlington production could drop to around 200,000 vehicles, which could still produce at least US$2 billion in pretax earnings.


April 2023 vehicle sales register 19% yearly drop

                PETALING JAYA: Total vehicle sales slipped 19% year-on-year to 46,583 units last month, mainly due to the end of the sales tax exemption period and shorter working month following the festive Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

In a statement yesterday, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said total industry volume (TIV) in April receded by 41% month-on-month after the industry all-time high of 78,849 units achieved in March 2023.

“However, the overall total vehicle registration for January to April 2023 (at 239,183 units) is still 10% higher, compared with 217,452 units achieved during the similar corresponding period in 2022.

“Similarly, lower production was recorded in April 2023 (at 41,160 units), compared with 76,069 units in March 2022,” the association said.

An analyst from a local bank-backed brokerage said the TIV performance for April was within expectations.

“Compared with March, TIV performance for April was lower and to be expected, as many customers rushed to fulfill their bookings before the end of the sales exemption period, which expired on March 31.

“Additionally, TIV in March was also spurred by the rush for deliveries by companies with their financial year ending March 31, as well as Hari Raya-related promotional campaigns,” he added.

On the TIV outlook for this month, MAA said it expects a slight recovery in vehicle sales.

“This is due to easing supply chain issues, as well as the much longer working month (compared with April),” it said.

In a report earlier this month, MAA president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain told StarBiz that the outlook for the second quarter of 2023 will be positively supported by a stable economic outlook.

Moving forward, he said the sustainability of the market performance will depend on Malaysia’s economic indicators, which in turn will impact market buying sentiment.

Post the tax exemption period, Mohd Shamsor said MAA members will still continue with campaigns and provide value-added services to improve demand, while also providing more options to customers.

Additionally, he said the government’s incentive on electrified vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles, will boost the automotive industry.

For 2023, MAA forecasts TIV to decline 9.8% year-on-year to 650,000 units in 2023, owing to the ongoing supply constraints and weakening consumer confidence on the back of rising interest rates.

In a recent report, Kenanga Research said it is maintaining its 2023 TIV projection of 720,000 units, which will match the record level achieved in 2022.

“Our optimism is underpinned by strong consumer confidence that will be supported by a stable economy and a healthy job market.”

The research house also expects TIV in 2023 to be buoyed by attractive new models and stable new car prices, thanks to the deferment of new excise duty regulations.

“Our projection is about 11% higher than the 650,000 units projected by MAA,” it said.