Hybrid blues: China policies force Toyota into electric U-turn

                SHANGHAI: The automotive industry's seemingly inexorable drive towards electric cars - and especially Chinese polices pushing new energy vehicles - has forced Toyota, the world's No.2 automaker by sales, into what one executive calls an "agonising" strategy U-turn.

Until recently, Toyota was one of the industry's major hold-outs against full electrification, and planned to more or less skip all-electric battery cars and turn instead to hydrogen as a mainstream alternative to gasoline-fuelled cars.

In 2013, Toyota chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, father of the gasoline-electric hybrid Prius, said the hydrogen car was a "practical alternative" to the traditional combustion engine, and if there was any use for the electric vehicle (EV),it was "only as a neighbourhood errands car".

Fast-forward to late last year, and Toyota said it had begun developing a long-range all-electric battery car, which industry experts say should hit the market around 2020. The Japanese firm has put its president, Akio Toyoda, in charge of a new unit called the EV Business Planning Department.

One Toyota executive, who did not want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the strategy about-turn was "agonising" and "heart-wrenching".

Toyota had for some time predicted conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids would be a medium-term bridge to hydrogen-powered cars of the future.

In late 2014, Toyota launched the Mirai, a hydrogen fuel-cell car, selling in Japan for 7.24 million yen (US$66,636) before subsidies and rebates. The model retails in the United States at US$57,700 before subsidies.

The game-changer for Toyota is China - the world's biggest market and one where tough policies to push cleaner energy cars have challenged global automakers.

Latest draft proposals from Chinese policymakers, released in September, require 8 percent of automakers' sales to be battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by next year, rising to 10 percent in 2019 and 12 percent in 2020.

After some industry push back, the scale and pace of those plans may shift, but Toyota and other automakers don't see much changing fundamentally in China's drive to electrification by around 2020.

"Those mandates are tough to the point it could wreck our fundamental business case," said another Toyota executive.

Toyota is particularly exercised by China's proposed policy move to categorise conventional hybrids, like the Prius, as gasoline-fueled cars. That would mean conventional hybrids would not generate what China calls new-energy vehicle (NEV)credits, which automakers could use to meet strict fuel economy rules.

Under the proposals, each hybrid an automaker would sell inChina would set them back by one NEV credit point. "The Prius and other hybrid cars are central to our green car strategy," said one of the Toyota executives.

"But in China's view, the Prius is no more than a gasoline car. We have no choice but to get over our EV allergy and come up with an electric car."

Hiroji Onishi, the head of Toyota's China business, said on Tuesday ahead of this week's Shanghai auto show that the Japanese firm would start selling plug-in electric hybrid cars in China next year, and aimed to sell an all-electric battery car in China, but gave no time frame.

At a briefing on Wednesday, Onishi said this wouldn't mean Toyota will de-emphasise sales of conventional gas-electric hybrid cars in China.

Because automakers in China are expected to have to meet stringent fuel-economy requirements in addition to new energy vehicle quotas in coming years, Toyota will try to sell more conventional hybrids in an effort to meet fuel economy requirements, he said.

Toyota sold close to 300,000 vehicles in China in January-March, up 1.7 percent on the same period a year ago.


New Land Rover Defender as support vehicles in Dakar Rally 2021

                LONDON: Land Rover’s most capable and durable 4x4 is taking on the ultimate all-terrain challenge with two Defender 110 support vehicles destined for the Dakar Rally 2021.

The Jan 3-15 rally is one of the toughest sporting events in the world and the production-spec models will support ambitious new Dakar Rally and Prodrive-backed team, Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) throughout the 7,646km race in Saudi Arabia.

The pair of Defender 110 4x4s will have to negotiate extreme conditions, traversing desert dunes, mud, camel grass and rocks as they carry vital supplies, crew and equipment for the team and drivers.

BRX’s driver lineup includes nine-time World Rally Champion, Sébastien Loeb, from France, and two-time Dakar Rally winner, Nani Roma, from Spain.

The showroom-standard models will also provide essential support for crew members, who will camp, eat and sleep in the P400 models across 12 gruelling stages of desert driving.

The Indus Silver models are powered by Land Rover’s 400PS straight-six Ingenium petrol engine, featuring Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology, and are fitted with the Explorer Pack, which includes an Expedition Roof Rack, Raised Air Intake, Wheel Arch Protection and Exterior Side-Mounted Gear Carrier.

In addition, a Deployable Roof Ladder provides easy access to a roof box, which will help BRX carry all the necessary kit.

The role of support vehicle will see crew members test the Defender’s expedition credentials to the extremes.

With a maximum payload of up to 900kg and maximum dynamic roof load of 168kg, each of the vehicles will be loaded with equipment and supplies, while advanced Terrain Response 2 technology, including world-first Configurable Terrain Response, will allow the drivers to fine-tune the vehicle to suit both their driving preferences and the challenging conditions.

World-leading motorsport experts, Prodrive, are behind BRX and Team Principal, Paul Howorth, said: “The crew need to know our support vehicles will be able to carry all of the necessary kit and be relied upon to get to the next service location, whatever the conditions.

"The new Defender provides a unique combination of all-terrain performance, rugged practicality and comfort – a crucial combination for the unpredictable Dakar conditions and after long days behind the wheel.”

Following its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019, the Defender has won 28 international awards.

Land Rover has also introduced its range of in-line six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines, featuring mild hybrid technology, and its advanced P400e plug-in hybrid powertrain, which provides an all-electric range of up to 43km and CO2 emissions of 74g/km.

The Defender is available in 90, 110 and practical Hard Top commercial derivatives.


The magic is in the mix: Why tyres matter more with electric cars

                BERLIN: Though they come in many shapes and sizes, EVs (electric vehicles) like the Renault Zoe, the BMW i3 and the Kia Soul, usually have one thing in common: narrow tyres.

The idea behind such "asphalt cutting discs" is that, with a large diameter and narrow tread, the tyres are low-friction and help get the cars as many kilometres as possible with just one battery charge.

"Cars like the i3 are designed for optimum range, and these narrow tyres have a considerably lower rolling and air resistance," explained Volker Blandow from inspecting agency Tuv Sud.

Of course, there are exceptions, with the sporty Tesla S, coming with 245mm width tyres.

"The car has a large battery with enormous acceleration values "of from 0-100kph in under three seconds, but they can only be put on the road with wider tyes," says Blandow.

In the end, whether wide or narrow, the requirements for e-car tyres are quite particular.

"They need a high load capacity to cope with a higher weight as e-cars simply weigh more due to their battery," explains Hans-Juergen Drechsler of Germany's Federal Association of Tyre Trade and Vulcanization (BRV).

In addition, electric cars have higher torque, which is why specially designed, more durable tyres are preferred.

In principle, however, every e-car tyre can also be used for a combustion car and vice versa, according to Drechsler, despite the tailored design.

In the end, the decisive factor is the rubber compound used as it also influences the rolling resistance and, ultimately, the mileage of the tyre.

"Range is a crucial issue for e-cars, so these tyres are energy-efficient and have different driving characteristics than tyres for SUVs or sports coupes," says Klaus Engelhart from tyre manufacturer Continental.

For example, for tyres with particularly good adhesion values, some kind of compromise on rolling resistance must be expected.

In addition, the profile and tyre size also play an important role in energy consumption.

The large diameters of EV tyres - a minimum of at least 19 inches - is also, according to Drechsler, necessary for the braking system to support the extra weight.

In the end, it is a matter of having the right mix for tyre manufacturers.

"A very important component of the tyre compound is the acidic salt Silica, which allows tyres to roll off with less friction," explains Engelhart.

Tyre management is a perpetual a conflict of objectives as a tyre can never be the best in all disciplines at the same time. A compromise is always necessary.

"Driving range is more important in the end than the last bit of ride comfort," says Blandow.

A common misconception is also that a thinner tyre means less control on the road.

However, because EV have the advantage that their drive technology allows for precise power distribution, systems such as electronic stability control work even more efficiently.

Anyone opting for an EV-specific tyre must invest 10 to 20 per cent more, according to the BRV. However, this can pay off quickly, because the optimized low-rolling-resistance tyres also last much longer than normal tyres would on an EV.

"An electric car can get up to 15 per cent more range with optimal tyres, while with petrol car it can be 5 to 10 per cent," says Blandow.


Cyclists in car frames protest 'absurdity' of vehicles hogging roads

                LONDON: Cyclists wearing frames shaped like cars are taking to the streets of London to demonstrate that vehicles are "hogging" roads.

Micromobility firm Dott is carrying out the stunt in Hammersmith, west London, this week.

It estimated that reducing the number of cars used in the capital by 20,000 - equivalent to less than 1% - would free up 88km of roads and create enough space for 80,000 bikes.

Dott has been one of three operators involved in a trial of rental e-scooters here since June 2021.

It began offering rental e-bikes in the city in March.

Dott co-founder and chief executive Henri Moissinac said: "Our latest project highlights the absurdity of single drivers hogging the capital's roads, when other forms of transport are openly available and so much better for both the individual and the community.

"It's time we reimagined how we travel across our cities, which is why we're here to unlock London with clean rides for everyone." — PA Media


Bumpy ride for auto business, including UMW and Tan Chong

                PETALING JAYA: With the slowdown in the global economy and weakening of the ringgit, 2015 has been a relatively challenging year for most auto companies.

The slowdown in sales has resulted in many auto players feeling the pinch – which translated into a tight squeeze on margins and thus making the hike in car prices inevitable.

According to an analyst from a bank-backed brokerage, the unfavourable exchange rate will have a large impact on UMW Holdings Bhd and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd next year.

“These players have rather high-denominated US dollar costs, primarily because of the import of completely-built-up vehicles, completely-knocked-down kits and other parts and components that will squeeze margins.”

For its third quarter ended Sept 30, 2015, UMW’s automotive segment recorded lower revenue of RM2.60bil compared with RM2.64bil in the previous year’s corresponding quarter.

The company attributed the lower revenue to stiff competition following new model launches by other players in the market and weak consumer sentiment.

It said the weakening ringgit and higher campaign and promotion expenses had also affected its the current quarter profit for the segment.

According to MIDF Research, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), of which UMW has a stake, was impacted by start-up cost at its new engine plant and an 8% year-on-year appreciation of the yen in the third quarter of 2015, despite a 12% year-on-year rise in invoiced sales.

An analyst said he expected the outlook to be challenging for UMW.

“The unfavourable exchange rate will continue to result in higher costs of imported components and impact margins. Weak consumer sentiment will have an impact on sales,” he says.

UMW’s joint venture, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, had acknowledged earlier this year that prices of the Toyota and Lexus models are slated to rise in 2016.

According to reports, Perodua has only increased the price of its entry-level Axia model by RM990.

MIDF said it was revising UMW’s 2015 and 2016 earnings by 28% and 35% respectively.

“Every 1% change in our US dollar assumption impacts the company’s 2016 earnings by 6%.” The research house has also adjusted down Perodua earnings by between 22% and 29% to factor in the stronger yen. It trimmed Toyota’s total industry volume by up to 9%, given the underperformance so far.

For its third quarter ending Sept 30, Tan Chong’s net profit jumped to RM29.18mil from RM1.87mil in the previous corresponding period while revenue increased to RM1.37bil from RM1.15bil a year earlier.

In its notes accompanying its third quarter results, the company said despite the earnings increase, it acknowledged that the declining ringgit against the dollar would have an impact on its bottom line.

In a report earlier this year, Kenanga Research said that for every 1% fluctuation in the dollar, Tan Chong’s bottom line could be affected by 6%. The company had not indicated if it would be raising prices next year.

Proton Holdings Bhd, which is owned by DRB-Hicom Bhd, announced it is considering increasing its car prices starting January due to the weaker ringgit.

An industry observer said an increase in price could result in more consumers opting for Perodua vehicles.

“Proton has come a long way. However, brand issues are still on the back of the mind of many buyers, who usually prefer to opt for Perodua cars when it comes to deciding between the two brands.

“Perodua has a proven track record and also a sound technical partner in Daihatsu,” he says, adding that whether or not costs would rise for Proton would depend largely on the localisation rate of its cars.

“However, Proton is seen to continue losing market share resulting in the automotive division dragging down earnings.”

Analysts were, however, optimistic about the outlook for Berjaya Auto Bhd, which distributes Mazda vehicles.

BAuto chief executive officer Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh had said that the prices of Mazda vehicles were not likely to increase, as the cars were bought in yen, which has been stable against the ringgit.

According to Kenanga Research in a report, 50% of its total costs is exposed to the yen.

“With the monetary stimulus programme implemented by Bank of Japan, we expect the yen to stay soft.”


Starting with spare parts, 3D printing poised to transform car sector

                BERLIN: A broken plastic lever or worn-out cog for the windscreen wiper motor: Certain spare parts are either hard to find or not available at all. The only thing that helps is a custom-made product.

However, components in small quantities usually cost more and might require the use of a special tool that itself would have to be made. The situation is different for parts from 3D printers or direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), also known as additive manufacturing.

"Printed parts are profitable for small quantities or even a single piece, as there are no expensive initial costs for the tool," says Philip Kalaydjiev, founder of a start-up for printed car parts.

"Customers usually send us an old spare part, often one that's faulty, worn-out or mirror-inverted, and we produce a digital 3D scan for printing later on," explains Kalaydjiev. Customers include vintage car collectors, amateur mechanics, professional garages and dealers who need spare parts manufactured in large quantities.

Parts can be printed in rubber, plastic, tool steel, stainless steel and aluminium alloys. "Spare parts made of one material are easy to print - even sleeves or thread can be cut into the material afterwards. But with hybrid components made from different materials, a printer reaches its limits. Not everything can be produced yet," explains Kalaydjiev. The strength can be controlled by the thickness of the layers and the material quality so that the result is equivalent to parts made by conventional manufacturing processes.

The price per part depends on the geometry of the component and the volume. "The more complex a part is, the more time-consuming it is to create the 3D model. The thicker the part is, the more material is applied, with the printing taking longer," explains Kalaydjiev.

Printed parts are well-suited for geometrically complex parts with radii, grids or holes, says Dirk Baehre, a professor of manufacturing technology. "For very precise components, such as in the powertrain, 3D printing reaches it limit. Unless manufacturers have classified and approved this form of production, printed parts must not be used in load-bearing and safety-relevant areas," he explains.

However, Baehre considers 3D plastic printing to be very interesting in both the hobby and private sectors: "It can be used to print small objects, decorations or repairs that are not relevant to safety."

Manufacturers such as BMW, Bugatti, Mini, McLaren, Porsche and Seat already use components made by 3D printers for new cars. Porsche, for example, produces pistons, while Bugatti produces exhaust trims. BMW recently invested 15 million euros in a new campus for 3D printing.

Jan Dannenberg from consultancy firm Berylls Strategy Advisors also sees several advantages to 3D print production: "It's economical to produce components up to around 500 units using 3D printing because no separate moulds or tools have to be made for this. It's only at higher volumes that conventional processes such as injection moulding or aluminium casting have a cost advantage."

Printed parts are therefore often used for prototypes or small batches, explains Dannenberg. In addition, different geometrics and features can be integrated, which offer high stability in a small space and thus a high load with low material usage.

According to Dannenberg, however, only the next generation of 3D printers will be able to print faster, more economically for high volumes, and larger components. Only then will production, which is still rather unusual today, become the standard - and not just for an old, worn-down interior mirror or a faded dashboard.


53 'cloned' vehicles confiscated in joint operation

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ), with the cooperation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confiscated 153 cloned cars worth more than RM13 million in an operation conducted for the past five months.

In the operation, 10 individuals were detained, including three who were middlemen in the syndicate.

According to JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad, most of the vehicles were luxury cars including MINI Coopers, Lexus, BMW and Mazda which were smuggled in from Singapore to be sold locally at prices ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000.

"All the cars were confiscated in Terengganu and were categorised as scrap vehicles in the original country. They were smuggled in and they use the same number plates as the original cars of the same make and colour in Malaysia. What differentiates them are only the chassis and engine numbers.

"We believe the smuggled cars either used the number plates of cars which were still used and valid on the road or used the number plates of cars which are categorised as 'total loss'," he told reporters here on Tuesday.

Ismail said the "cloned" cars would then be sold on cash terms after an agreement has been reached with the buyer.

"The value losses suffered by the government due to such activities is estimated at more than RM7 million. We believe there will be more arrests after this and we will continue our operations on a bigger scale," he said.

He said as a long-term solution, the JPJ had developed an integrated system with the insurance companies, to be implemented from June 1.

"The insurance companies are required to register cars which have been declared 'total loss'. This system will ensure that cars which are considered 'total loss' could not be re-registered and the road tax renewed, and so on," he said.

Ismail urged the public who owned "cloned" cars to surrender them to the JPJ or MACC as possession of such vehicles is an offence under the MACC Act and the JPJ Act.

He said it was dangerous to use such cars because there would be no insurance coverage for the vehicle as the documents were false and if owners personally surrendered the vehicles, the department would consider a penalty compared to if the vehicle was detained by enforcement officers.

Meanwhile, MACC's Intelligence Division director Datuk Azam Baki said the modus operandi of the  syndicate was to sell the vehicles openly through the Internet.

"Based on intelligence work with the JPJ, it was found that they are now more daringly advertising the sales of such cars on the Internet...and when asked, they would admit that these cars were smuggled and they could prepare the necessary documents to allow car owners to escape enforcement.

"The buyer must be fully aware that the vehicle is illegal since he cannot buy a luxury car at such a cheap price. If found, both the buyer and seller can be charged," he said.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the JPJ said the department would not compromise if any officers were found to be colluding with such syndicates.


Carsome's data centre of excellence to boost business

                KUALA LUMPUR: Carsome has set up a data centre of excellence (COE) to revolutionise the used car industry through digitalisation.

The Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform said the use of data would allow Carsome to power its business at all stages while supporting strategic decisions.

The combination of auction and market data, and machine learning (ML) model backs Carsome’s proprietary vehicle pricing optimisation and inventory support system.

Carsome Co-founder and Group CEO Eric Cheng said company had amassed a wealth of data after six years in business, where data of hundreds of cars pass through Carsome’s platforms every single day.

“By setting up our data COE, we are on full throttle in implementing data science solutions, along with data-driven insights to increase operational efficiency," he said.

 Cheng.

Internally, data digitalizes workflows and processes by improving internal products with artificial intelligence (AI) and ML capabilities.

To underscore the importance of a data-driven business, Carsome has appointed former Head of Data at iflix and subsequently WeTV iflix (part of Tencent Holdings which acquired iflix), Piyush Palkar as its Chief Data Officer (CDO).

Palkar, a construction engineer by qualification but ventured into data since varsity days, brings along vast experience in data and analytics across banking, energy, media and entertainment, and retail.

“We will leverage on data to improve customer experience via personalization, customer segmentation and propensity models,” Palkar said.

 Palkar.

For used car dealers, the most apparent is ML-powered auction optimisation, which provides personalised recommendations when bidding for cars.

Dealers on Carsome’s platform will find the most relevant cars curated and ready to bid on for them before they even start browsing.

This allows them to make more bids that increase the likelihood of winning.

For consumers, they benefit greatly from Carsome’s pricing engine, from which car sellers can gain data-backed proposed reserve pricing when selling their cars through Carsome.

Data helps them get the best selling price based on market movements and subsequently increasing the chances of their cars being sold via bidding.


VW names North American CEO to run its US unit

                WASHINGTON: Volkswagen AG said it was tapping Hinrich J. Woebcken, who just took over on April 1 as the head of its new North American region, to serve as president and chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America.

In March, VW said its top US executive, Michael Horn, was stepping down immediately nearly six months after the German automaker admitted to installing software to allow 580,000 US diesel vehicles to emit excess emissions.

Woebcken, a former BMW executive who ran global purchasing among other jobs, started working at VW in March when he was named on a temporary basis to fill Horn's job. Woebcken's appointment as the head of VW's North American region was announced in January, but it did not be come effective until April 1.

Volkswagen remains in talks with US regulators in an effort to reach a settlement in the diesel emissions scandal ahead of an April 21 court deadline.

Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Brand, told employees Friday about the company's strategy for its newly established Volkswagen North American Region.

"The establishment of the North American Region provides the US, Mexico and Canada more freedom and more responsibility than ever before," Diess said in a statement.

Volkswagen said the new region will help it react better to customer and market demands. Diess told employees the company is committed to bringing new SUVs to market to appeal to US consumers.


Guess what? Govt may buy more toll highways

 New Pantai Expressway.
PETALING JAYA: The government is expected to acquire more toll highways in the future, especially those with matured traffic flows and shorter remaining concession years, according to a research house.

UOBKayHian said this was because the takeover bid price and interest expense would be slightly lower compared to those with longer remaining concession years.

“We can expect more toll acquisitions to occur in the near term as the government has highlighted that it would use a similar model (to that of the Gamuda and Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd (Litrak) toll highways) to acquire the concessions of other toll highways in the future, including inter-city highways,” it said in a report.

The research house pointed out that among inter-city toll highways with matured traffic and short remaining concession years are the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) which matures in 2030, the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH) in 2029 and the Guthrie Corridor Expressway in 2036.

As of November last year, there were two concessions that end in 10 years, 16 other concessions between 11 and 20 years and 11 others beyond the next 20 years.

“Interestingly, some industry observers do not expect such an acquisition model to materialise for long remaining concession years, as the bid price is much higher for the government.

“They are also saying that the government may potentially save its operation and maintenance (O&M) costs via the removal of toll booths and other means of cost optimisation for its O&M,” said UOBKayHian.

The NPE is owned and maintained by New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of IJM Corp Bhd, while AKLEH and the Guthrie Corridor Expressway come under Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas), which is wholly owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB).

IJM Corp dipped 2.07% to close at RM2.36 with 7.21 million shares being traded yesterday.

On Saturday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the government had made a RM6.2bil bid to take over four concessions of toll highways, which could save taxpayers RM5.3bil in compensation to the concessionaires.

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

Gamuda Bhd has a significant stake in all four highways, while the concessionaire for LDP is Litrak. Gamuda owns a 43.6% stake in Litrak, a 50% stake in Sprint, a 70% stake in Kesas and a 50% stake in Smart.

 Guthrie Corridor Expressway.

The takeover of the toll highways would be financed through a special-purpose vehicle under the Minister of Finance Inc, a corporate body under the Finance Ministry (MoF).

There will be flexible congestion charges during peak hours, which will be capped to the present toll rates once the government takes over the concession.

But it is yet to be ascertained if the proposed takeover would go through, as the matter will only be decided by the Cabinet after taking into account the studies and suggestions from the Works Ministry.

On the same day following Lim’s announcement, Works Minister Baru Bian said the report would only be presented to the Cabinet next month, among which were to suggest reasonable options that could be accepted by all stakeholders to minimise the financial burden of the government and ensure that the operations and maintenance standards of the highways are not affected.

Shareholders in Gamuda and Litrak seem to have differing opinions on the proposed acquisition of the toll highways by the government. Litrak was the second top gainer on Bursa Malaysia yesterday, rising 16.63% to RM4.91, its highest since Sept 7 last year, with 3.71 million shares being done.

Gamuda emerged as the fifth top loser on the local bourse after dipping 6.79% to RM3.57 with 33.62 million shares being traded.

The LDP received the highest offer at RM2.47bil, followed by Sprint at RM1.98bil, Kesas at RM1.38bil and Smart at RM369mil.

Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd (KPS) managing director and group CEO Ahmad Fariz Hassan said the proposed acquisition of Sprint was a positive development and a profitable divestment.

“Monetising the non-core asset would position us a step closer to moving in the intended direction and ensuring the strategic business alignment at the group level,” he said.

KPS owns 20% in Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, RHB Research Institute said the government’s move to acquire four toll highways has been deemed positive for all stakeholders, as it fairly compensates the concessionaires and will inevitably lead to long-term savings for the country.

Its report yesterday stated that the offer is well-balanced and not too burdensome to the government’s financial position.

“Indirect stakeholders, being the one million daily road users, in our estimate, comprising 48% of urban toll-road users, would benefit from a lower cost of transportation (RM180mil savings annually estimated by the MoF).

“Capital market participants, meanwhile, could benefit from improved market confidence through a display of market integrity, namely, the safeguarding of contractual obligations between the government and the private sector.”

The research house added that the deal would lead to long-term savings for the government despite incurring more debt.

“The government stands to save RM5.2bil in compensation payments for absorbing the cost of deferring toll rate hikes for the remainder of the concession periods.

“In addition, a soon-to-be implemented congestion charge acts as a sustainable source of funding for bond financing and operations and maintenance costs. Politically, the government will move forward in fulfilling one of its election promises.”

In an environment of tapering traffic growth as a result of new public transportation, Maybank Investment Bank Research said the MoF’s cash offer represented an attractive exit option for Litrak.

“We believe the LDP and Sprint concessions are unlikely to be extended beyond August 2030 (for LDP) and December 2034 (for Sprint), capping the upside to valuations. We had previously accorded a 20% discount to our discounted cash-flow valuations, imputing uncertainty of the takeover.”

Gamuda received an offer from the MoF to acquire its toll highway stakes for an equity value of RM2.36bil. Affin Hwang Capital said the offer price was 16% below its discounted cash-flow valuation of RM2.8bil.

“We were surprised by the low valuation of Kesas and Smart. However, we understand that the offer price is within Gamuda’s internal valuation and hence the offer would likely be accepted.

“Assuming the offer is accepted by Gamuda and the deal is completed by the Dec 31, 2019 deadline, we cut our core earnings per share by 16% to 28% in 2020 and 2021, reflecting the loss in toll highway earnings contribution post-disposal, partly offset by interest income on the RM2.36bil cash proceeds.”


2018 Geneva Motor Show: what we know so far

                GENEVA: Although the Geneva Motor Show is still a few weeks away from getting underway on March 8, most of the major companies exhibiting have already revealed much of what they're going to be showcasing. So, here's an early preview of what to look out for at this year's show.

As we already have relatively new versions of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, it leaves the Audi A6 as the oldest of the three biggest names in the executive sedan segment. The new A6 will therefore be making its debut in Geneva, which is likely to look a lot like a scaled-down A8.

A significantly more exciting Audi model to be revealed will be the production version of the E-tron electric SUV, which will face considerable competition from the Jaguar E-Pace that will also be unveiled in its production form in Geneva.

 Audi E-tron concept.

It seems as though BMW has been developing a new 8 Series for an eternity, and the teasing continues with a concept version of an M8 flagship making an appearance. And although the current X4 crossover has only been with us since as recently as 2014, BMW will be showing a new generation of the X4 as the closely related X3 has already been overhauled.

Ferrari is always a brand people will flock to see at any motor show, and although not confirmed officially, a hardcore version of the 488 GTB is expected to be making an appearance, possibly badged as a GTO or Speciale.

The facelifted version of the Ford Edge for the US market has only recently been revealed in Detroit, but a European model is also on the way and is set for a reveal in Geneva. Ford will also be showing a facelifted version of the Ka+ and Ka+ Active, but Geneva may come a little too soon for the extremely important new-generation of the Focus to be unveiled.

Hyundai has a couple of exciting models to look forward to in the shape of the Kona Electric crossover and the all-new fourth-generation version of the Santa Fe.

The South Korean automaker's sister company, Kia, will also be unveiling its next-generation Ceed, which is expected to look a lot like the Forte sedan that made its debut at the Detroit show recently.

The new Mercedes A-Class has already been unveiled, but this new, more upscale version of the luxury compact hatch will be making its public debut in Geneva, where it will star alongside the new AMG-GT four-door coupe and a refreshed 2019 C-Class.

Performance EVs are going to be a big feature of this year's Geneva Motor Show, with the likes of the Rimac Concept Two and the Polestar 1 sure to grab a lot of attention.

Other models to look out for include a new Range Rover SV coupe, the Lexus UX compact crossover, Skoda Vision X, and the self-proclaimed 'world's first commercial flying car,' the Pal-V Liberty.


BMW reveals 2 Series Gran Tourer

                MUNICH: Meet the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F46), a premium compact model that offers up to seven seats for young families.

The new 2 Series Gran Tourer comes in measuring 4,556mm-long, 1,800mm-wide and 1,608mm-high with 645 - 805 litres of boot space or 1,905 litres with the rear-seat backrests folded down at the press of a button.

Additionally, BMW says that its new GT is able to accommodate up to three child seats on the second row alone and the third row of seats can be completely lowered into the loading floor.

The front-seat backrests features fold out tables attached.

BMW is providing five turbocharged engines in either three or five cylinder configuration with 116bhp to 192bhp and an optional all-wheel drive.

The combined fuel consumption is rated from 3.9-6.4 litres per 100km and combined carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are at 104-149g/km.

First to be made available will be the BMW 220d xDrive Gran Tourer all-wheel drive variant.

Features include the BMW ConnectedDrive, head-up display and traffic jam assistant that helps the driver accelerate, brake and stay in lane and the new “myKIDIO” app will debut in the 2 Series Gran Tourer for young passengers during long journeys.

The app will feature films, series, audio books and audio plays – on tablets such as the Apple iPad to keep rear passengers entertained and can be controlled via the iDrive controller and control display.

Additionally, children are also able to view information about the journey that includes time of arrival, speed and outside temperature through the BMW Kids Cockpit.

The other four variants include the Advantage model that offers other features such as dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear-parking sensors, cruise control with braking function and a multifunctional steering wheel.

The Sport Line model will include light-alloy wheels and sports seats, while the Luxury Line gets more chrome applications, select light-alloys and leather appointments.

Lastly, the M Sport model comes with a choice of the M aerodynamics package, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, M leather steering wheel and M Sport seats, among others.


Geebee is a cross between scooter and motorcycle

                PARIS: While soft mobility is becoming more and more popular in big cities, the Geebee is a strange kind of vehicle that is shaking up the sector.

A sort of hybrid mix between a dirt bike and a kick scooter, it is billed as being particularly stable and robust.

Concept Geebee is a Quebec-based manufacturer that has, for a few years, been offering vehicles halfway between a scooter and a motorcycle.

If the concept comes from Canada, the vehicles are assembled in France. The manufacturer took advantage of the recent Autonomy trade show here to present its latest model.

This electric vehicle range is presented as a sustainable, agile and safe mobility solution. The Geebee is designed not to exceed 25kph (in France) and has a range of 50km to 60km depending on use.

Its removable battery can be fully recharged from any domestic socket in just four hours. As an option, it is possible to choose off-road tyres, to install a basket at the front or turn signals, or to customise most of the vehicle's features (rims, battery, basket).

But its main assets are its stability and its ability to cover various types of terrain, including bumpy ground.

This is why the Geebee is as practical in the city as in the country. While it can obviously be used by individuals needing to get about, it is also particularly well suited to the surveillance of construction sites, industrial sites or even agricultural sites.

The next step for Concept Geebee should be the development of a version equipped with a trailer, in order to compete with conventional electric cargo bikes.


6 apps to remote control your car via the Apple Watch

                MUNICH: Volkswagen, Mercedes and Volvo have joined BMW, Porsche and Tesla on the growing list of car companies that are offering apps compatible with the Apple Watch and that allow you to remote control some features of your car.

BMW iRemote
This application is destined exclusively for BMW i3 (a 100 percent electric city car) and BMW i8 (a sport hybrid) owners. It allows them to control the level of their battery, but also to check that the doors are properly locked and to regulate the temperature inside the cabin.

Porsche Car Connect
Porche's Car Connect offers practically the same features. Notably, there is access to driving statistics and to battery-charging status for hybrid vehicles, but it also allows you to know if the doors, windows and roof are properly closed and locked.

Tesla Remote S
Famous electric car manufacturer Tesla is offering its own app for the Apple Watch, one that allows you to find your car, monitor its autonomy status remotely, to initiate climate control and the car's horn and lights, but also to lock and unlock the doors.
The app is waiting for approval from the Apple team.

Volkswagen Car-Net
Finalised in the US, this app allows you to find your car and activate climate control remotely, but also to monitor autonomy status. It is only compatible with cars already equipped with the Car-Net system.
This app is available only on the US Apple Store at the moment.

Mercedes MB Companion
The German manufacturer has announced its new app compatible with future C and S Class cars, known as the "MB Companion" and very different from those mentioned thus far. This is an app specialized in navigation that communicates with the car's multimedia system to guide the driver.
The app is expected later in 2015.

Volvo On Call
Volvo is readying to launch a version of its On Call app compatible with the Apple Watch in order for its clients to be able to manage different controls related to their car, such as finding it or locking it, but also to preheat or cool the car, check the gas tank levels, mileage or the date of the next maintenance appointment.
The app will soon be updated for compatibility with the Apple Watch.


Honda introduces Odyssey hybrid in Japan

TOKYO: The Honda Odyssey has gone hybrid - at least in Japan.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. started selling an affordably-priced hybrid version as well as the newly refreshed gasoline-powered version of the Honda Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute premium minivans today at dealerships across Japan.

A new addition to the Odyssey lineup, the hybrid version realises both excellent fuel economy and high-quality driving in the Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute which have been well-received for their spacious cabin, stately styling and exhilarating yet stable driving experience.

The newly-added Odyssey Hybrid and Odyssey Hybrid Absolute are the first Honda premium minivan models equipped with the Honda-developed powertrain Sport Hybrid i-MMD and attain class-topping fuel economy of 26.0 km/l.

For system efficiency, Honda developed a new motor that features an innovative winding method and structure. This newly-developed motor is 23% smaller and lighter than the previous version and yet realises high torque and high output. Honda said that by compactly emplacing the lithium-ion battery underneath the floor of the first-row seats, these hybrid models achieve high  fuel economy and performance without sacrificing occupant comfort.

The conventional Odyssey uses a 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine linked to a continuously variable transmission, while the hybrid gets a 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine mated with the i-MMD system.

For the petrol-powered Odyssey, each version promises comfort features such a large-sized armrest for the driver’s seat and a full automatic air-conditioning unit that adopts Plasmacluster technology.

In addition, the Honda SENSING suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies is now standard for all grades.

Prices range from 2.8 million yen (RM98,000) to 4 million yen (RM142,000) for the hybrid with the full trim.


How to tell if used electric car's battery is worn out

                BERLIN: If you’re considering buying a used electric car, there are some things to bear in mind, in particular regarding the battery.

Given the limited charging infrastructure in most parts of the world, you don’t want to end up with a worn-out battery that won’t hold a decent charge.

That's why the health status of the battery is most important, and older used cars with very low mileage can be risky, according to specialists.

If the electric car you're looking at was used only sparingly as a second car, it was probably often connected to the charger for long periods even when fully charged. This is something that damages the battery.

Running the battery until it’s completely empty also damages it in the long run.

For that reason you should ask the car owner about their charging behaviour and driving style before you buy.

It helps if the charging limit was activated. This allows the recharging of the battery to be capped at a predefined level — the default setting is often 80 per cent.

If that hasn’t happened, it’s an indication that the battery has often been charged to its limit. As a result, it will be worn down more than necessary, according to the experts at German car industry mag Auto Motor und Sport.

This is particularly important for electric cars that have been driven a lot over long distances and which have often been charged at a fast charger. Slow charging takes less of a toll on the battery.

However, you may be lucky enough to find a second-hand electric car that has already had its battery replaced with a new one.

That happens when the battery falls below a certain capacity and the manufacturer is obliged by warranty to replace it.


Weekly fuel price announcements stay

                PUTRAJAYA: The ceiling prices for petrol and diesel will continue to be announced every week, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

However, he said the new formula to determine the fuel prices aimed at stabilising the national oil industry was still being studied.

Hamzah said he had met with oil industry players to discuss the formula to ensure that it would not be a disadvantage to any party.

"There are people who want the announcement to be made from weekly to monthly. No, the system that we have right now will remain," he told a press conference after the ministry's monthly assembly here today.

Last Friday, he said a new formula to fix fuel prices would be announced to prevent petrol station operators from suffering losses if prices continue to fall under the current method.

Hamzah said the Government wanted a win-win formula for all parties, including consumers who would also be affected if petrol station operators went bankrupt.

"Currently, the average distance of a petrol station from another is about 25km, so if one shuts down, it will be difficult for consumers who will need to go far to refuel," he said.

There are 3,500 petrol stations operating nationwide.


Tesla Autopilot stirs US alarm as ‘disaster waiting to happen’

                LONDON: Derrick Monet and his wife, Jenna, were driving on an Indiana highway in 2019 when their Tesla Model 3 sedan operating on Autopilot crashed into a parked fire truck. Derrick, then 25, sustained spine, neck, shoulder, rib and leg fractures. Jenna, 23, died at the hospital.

The incident was one of a dozen in the last four years in which Teslas using this driver-assistance system collided with first-responder vehicles, raising questions about the safety of technology the world’s most valuable car company considers one of its crown jewels.

Now, US regulators are applying greater scrutiny to Autopilot than ever before. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has the authority to force recalls, has opened two formal defect investigations that could ultimately lead Tesla Inc to have to retrofit cars and restrict use of Autopilot in situations it still can’t safely handle.

A clampdown on Autopilot could tarnish Tesla’s reputation with consumers and spook investors whose belief in the company’s self-driving bona fides have helped make Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk the world’s wealthiest person. It could damage confidence in technology other auto and software companies are spending billions to develop in hope of reversing a troubling trend of soaring US traffic fatalities.

It also could also bring long-simmering tensions between Washington and Tesla to a boil. The iconoclastic Musk has already derided NHTSA as the “fun police” and chafed at US President Joe Biden’s unwillingness to lavish the pioneering company with praise. He’s not shy about lambasting lawmakers and regulators on Twitter, the social media platform he has offered to purchase for US$43bil (RM182.94bil).

Tesla, which reports earnings later this week, has lately had an aura of invincibility. As larger rivals were hobbled by the global chip shortage and other pandemic disruptions, the electric-car maker managed to substantially increase production. A modestly funded, slow-moving government agency is one of few obstacles threatening to throw it off course.

Musk and Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. "Making our vehicles safer is foundational to our company culture and how we innovate new technologies,” Rohan Patel, Tesla’s senior director of public policy and business development, wrote in a March letter to lawmakers.

A crackdown from NHTSA would follow repeated pleas from the National Transportation Safety Board, the independent accident-investigation agency, to tighten oversight of automated vehicles.

The NTSB, which doesn’t have the power to compel carmakers to follow its
recommendations, has suggested Tesla embrace automated-driving system safeguards that General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co have adopted for their systems. Tesla hasn’t responded to the NTSB’s guidance and instead continued its riskier approach.

"We essentially have the Wild West on our roads right now,” Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the NTSB, said in an interview. She describes Tesla’s deployment of features marketed as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving as artificial-intelligence experiments using untrained operators of 5,000-pound vehicles. "It is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Light touch

Musk has taken advantage of a light-touch approach in the US to regulating self-driving technology. Within days of Tesla releasing a software update that enabled Autopilot in October 2015, YouTubers posted videos of themselves ignoring the company’s warnings against taking their hands off the wheel. One nearly auto-steered off the road; the other almost veered into an oncoming car.

Two months before a Tesla driver in Florida died when his Model S on Autopilot plowed into an 18-wheel trailer in May 2016, NHTSA said existing laws in the country posed few barriers to driver-assistance systems. Then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said weeks after the crash that NHTSA would release guidelines, rather than rules, for the technology. Congress hasn't enacted any laws specifically addressing oversight of vehicle automation.

Musk alluded to this regulatory permissiveness in March when he was asked when Europeans will get to test Full Self-Driving, or FSD, a set of beta features available in the US. Contrary to the name, FSD doesn’t render Tesla cars capable of driving themselves.

"In the US, things are legal by default,” Musk said. "In Europe, they’re illegal by default. So we have to get approval beforehand, whereas in the US, you can kind of do it on your own cognizance, more or less.”

Tesla’s approach to automated-driving features contrasts with that of legacy automakers GM and Ford, whose systems use cameras behind the steering wheel to monitor whether drivers are paying attention. The companies also restrict use of the systems to highways their engineers have mapped and tested out before deploying the technology to drivers.

"Tesla sticks out like a sore thumb,” said David Friedman, who was deputy and acting administrator of NHTSA from 2013 to 2015. "And it has for years.”

NHTSA has repeatedly reminded the public – including in comments provided for this story – that no commercially available vehicle can drive itself. The agency has opened 31 special investigations into crashes involving driver-assistance systems, 24 of which involved Teslas. But the company keeps hawking FSD - and charges US$12,000 (RM50,826) for it.

There’s growing discomfort with this state of play in Washington.

"I really dislike a lot of what Tesla has done, and at the top of the list in bright, bold letters, is Elon Musk’s habit of making false public claims, and using his podium in a way that creates safety risks,” Heidi King, a deputy and acting administrator of NHTSA during the Trump administration, said in an interview.

"We all admire his visionary attributes,” King said of Musk. "But visionary exaggerations about a consumer product can be very, very dangerous.”

Growing scrutiny

King was one of several acting heads of NHTSA during what has been a five-year leadership vacuum. The last Senate-confirmed administrator left the post in January 2017. A vote to permanently place Biden’s pick to run the agency, Steve Cliff, in the position is being held up indefinitely.

Impermanent leadership – along with a tight budget and modest headcount – may have prolonged Autopilot’s free ride. But a series of moves NHTSA has made over the last 10 months suggest it may not last much longer:

Former safety officials are encouraged by the growing scrutiny on Autopilot, seeing it as long overdue. They are calling for NHTSA to put its recall authority to use and seek additional powers and resources from Congress that would allow it to modernise safety standards.

"NHTSA is empowered with robust tools and authorities to protect the public, to investigate potential safety issues, and to compel recalls when we find evidence of noncompliance or an unreasonable risk to safety,” a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement. "NHTSA has collected data and conducted research, developed test procedures and measured their effectiveness, which are all necessary requirements before a safety standard can be developed.”

Two Democratic Senators – Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal – have called for the Federal Trade Commission to probe whether Tesla has deceptively marketed Autopilot and FSD. FTC Chair Lina Khan told the lawmakers in September she couldn’t reveal information regarding any non-public investigations.

Recall options

In the event NHTSA determines from either of its investigations there are defects pertaining to Autopilot, it can order Tesla to conduct recalls. Those could take a variety of different forms, because Tesla is permitted by law to choose how exactly it responds to such an order.

Addressing a defect could be as simple as beaming an over-the-air update to Tesla cars using their Internet connection, much in the way smartphones receive software updates. Tesla has already carried out several recalls this way, and could update Autopilot's software to keep the system from operating in certain domains it's not yet able to safely navigate.

But pricier fixes may end up being needed. One example: Tesla could determine it needs to install cameras behind its steering wheel to monitor whether drivers are paying attention while using its systems, as other automakers do.

While the company has put cabin-facing cameras in its cars for years, they’re positioned over the rear-view mirror, rather than directly in front of the driver. Musk has said the cameras are meant for a robotaxi service that doesn’t yet exist.

It’s unlikely Tesla would opt for the most expensive outcome of all: replacing vehicles entirely. But a third option for manufacturers to remedy vehicles they’re forced to recall is to issue refunds, which also would be costly. Tesla has steadily increased the price of FSD, and used to charge thousands of dollars for Autopilot before making it a standard feature in 2019.

Tesla will have had it coming if NHTSA does take action on Autopilot, according to Friedman.

"The NTSB has been pointing out since that 2016 crash – where the Tesla literally couldn’t see the broadside of an 18-wheeler – that there are serious concerns,” Friedman, who is now vice president of advocacy for Consumer Reports, said in an interview. "How is it that an automated vehicle can’t safely manoeuvre around an emergency vehicle? That’s literally one of the first things you learn in driver’s ed: if there’s an emergency vehicle, you don’t run into it.”

Taking the mantle

When NHTSA first investigated more than five years ago whether Autopilot was defective, it found that the driver of the Tesla Model S that crashed into a trailer in Florida had ignored his Tesla’s warnings to maintain control. In a report stating it found no defect and was closing its probe, NHTSA said Tesla supplied data that showed Tesla vehicles’ crash rate dropped almost 40% after installation of Autosteer, an Autopilot feature.

Two years later, a data-analysis company issued a report calling that finding into question. Quality Control Systems, a firm that sued the Transportation Department to obtain the mileage and crash figures NHTSA studied, found the data was incomplete and criticised the company and regulator for making "tenuous” safety claims.

"NHTSA never, ever, ever, should have just taken Tesla at their word,” Friedman said. "It’s NHTSA’s responsibility to do high-quality analysis, and dot their i’s and cross their t’s. In this case, it doesn’t look like they did either.”

An agency spokesperson said NHTSA made no claim in its report regarding the effectiveness of Autosteer, and that it lacked critical information to do so.

NHTSA will have a fresh advantage in its latest probes of Autopilot: Now that other companies have followed Tesla to market with automated-driving features, the agency has other systems to compare against.

Friedman likens the situation to decades ago, when it wasn’t unusual for carmakers to put gas tanks behind or hovering over the rear axle. When manufacturers started moving tanks inboard, and Ford didn’t with its Pinto model – rendering the car prone to catching fire – the agency deemed the design an unreasonable safety risk.

"Only NHTSA knows their intentions relative to this,” Friedman said of the agency’s Autopilot investigations. "But it is certainly great to see NHTSA spending more time doing its core job when it comes to putting safety first.”


Waze keeps you hook on it

                PETALING JAYA: Waze has new features that will anticipate and respond to users’ specific needs, enabling them to go on safer, less-stressful trips.

The new features include Trip Suggestions which provide a visual overview of everything a driver needs to know minutes or hours before leaving, such as the time the trip will take and the traffic along the way.

Recent Locations show drivers the destinations they recently drove to. They are conveniently displayed “front and center” when drivers open the Waze app.

Waze users viewing their upcoming journey each month on the Live Map using its real-time data will now be able to save their itinerary directly to their Waze app on their Android or iOS device with a single click.

Location badges now appear under the search bar to help surface locations offering drive-through or curbside pickup even faster.

Lane Guidance tells drivers which lane to be in, when merging or exiting a stretch of freeway or highway.

ETA calculations in areas where there are fewer drivers have been improved.

Last but not least, drivers can activate the Batman experience on Waze by selecting the iconic voice of Batman (Kevin Conroy) or The Riddler (Wally Wingert) to guide them.

This feature is available globally in English, Spanish and Portuguese until Oct 31, 2020.


Carmakers and repair shops clash as automation disrupts US aftermarket

                DETROIT: The rapid rise of crash-avoidance technology has set carmakers and repair shops on course for a collision that could determine who controls the US$800bil (RM3.34tril) auto aftermarket in the digital age.

Given the unprecedented sophistication of the systems, which include lane-keeping assistance, automatic braking and blind spot detection, many automakers say only parts and repairs from their authorised dealers can ensure safety.

This has drawn fire from the independent repair shops and suppliers that currently dominate the aftermarket. They say they can produce parts and fix cars at a fraction of the cost to drivers but are being locked out.

Subaru, to take one car company, tells customers any problems caused by substitute replacement parts for its EyeSight system are not covered under its warranty: "Protect yourself and your investment by keeping your car 100% Subaru."

It is not alone is issuing such guidance. A Reuters review of automaker positions on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) repair and calibration showed that Nissan, its luxury division Infiniti and Volvo also say parts and repairs from unauthorised dealers will affect their warranties.

Some companies such as General Motors and Honda, meanwhile, say original parts and authorised installation and repairs are important to ensure safety, but stop short of warranty warnings.

The aftermarket dispute is escalating in the United States. Independent repair shops and parts makers have asked the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency responsible for consumer protection, and state lawmakers to intervene.

They want carmakers to be prohibited from making warranties conditional on original ADAS parts or service, bringing the new tech in line with rules on traditional auto equipment, and want access to the latest diagnostic data from vehicle software.

"The auto industry is creating the false narrative that you can either have safety or you can have repairability," said Paul McCarthy, president of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association of independent suppliers.

The car industry, however, argues the level of sophistication of the new technology changes the aftermarket game. The Auto Alliance, a US trade group representing automakers, says they provide the required training and information, but that shops often lack the resources or expertise.

"Technology is allowing for great advancements in safety, so it is incumbent on technicians to stay current," a spokesman said.

The FTC, which is still soliciting industry views and public comments on the repair issue, declined to comment.

Regardless of the rights and wrongs, the rise of automated driving software is set to reshape the sector, and there's much to fight over: the aftermarket auto repair industry is worth US$390bil (RM1.63tril) a year in the United States, and more than double that globally, according to trade groups and analysts.

Whoever wins will be in pole position to benefit from the anticipated self-driving car revolution, for which ADAS features are considered a precursor.

Complex and costly

Currently only 10% of all cars on US roads are equipped with ADAS, but that number is expected to grow rapidly, with carmakers pledging to outfit almost every new vehicle with forward collision warning and city-speed automatic emergency braking by 2020.

Cornering the aftermarket would give automakers – currently battling falling sales – a shot in the arm. But this would be potentially devastating for the network of independent "mom and pop" shops that carry out most US repairs and employ millions of people.

The new systems contain cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors built into bumpers, fenders, mirrors and windshields, which make fixing vehicles after even minor collisions more complicated and expensive than ever.

Edward Salamy, executive director of the Automotive Body Parts Association, said independent suppliers could produce ADAS parts for 25% to 50% of the price charged by automakers.

Aftermarket windshields, on average, are roughly US$420 cheaper than original ones, according to data from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Reuters interviews with 11 US repair shop owners.

However some automakers warn cheaper parts could represent safety risks. They say sensors have to be calibrated, a costly process requiring space, level ground, specific lighting and manufacturer-made scanning tools to access software.

Industry experts say consumers are largely unaware of the risks from improper repairs.

A survey among 500 consumers who had their ADAS-equipped cars repaired over the past two years found that 15% concluded their advanced safety systems had not been properly repaired, with the technology not working or acting differently, according to Kyle Schmitt, managing director of insurance business intelligence at research firm J.D. Power.

The rate of perceived problems with repairs was around four times higher at independent shops versus dealers.

In one such example, tests by the IIHS showed non-authorised aftermarket windshields could prevent sensors working properly.

Data discord

Aftermarket trade groups are also framing the issue as a matter of safety. They say drivers might put off having costly but necessary repairs, and argue dealerships lack the capacity to service the growing number of ADAS-equipped cars.

In an April letter to the FTC, the MEMA said at least 30 million cars on US roads had ADAS-related repair restrictions from manufacturers preventing aftermarket players fixing them.

Without using manufacturer-made scanning tools, repair shops are unable to interpret and fix 20% to 30% of ADAS diagnostic trouble codes, often meaning they have to send cars to dealerships, according to the 11 shop owners.

However those tools and access to repair data cost up to US$100,000 (RM418,030), a prohibitive sum for many stores, the shop owners said. The figure is not disputed by the auto industry.

Allstate Corp, a US auto insurance giant, agreed with some of these concerns.

Richard Beckwith, senior manager at Allstate's Tech-Cor research and collision repair center, said automakers did not provide sufficient data on ADAS. He called on the car industry to make information more readily available to small stores.

Opportunity knocks

Four automotive lawyers told Reuters that ADAS liability is largely a grey area too, as technology overtakes legal precedent, and there has been no open litigation over malfunctioning ADAS post-repair to date.

"The theory would be that the manufacturer has a reasonable defence if it makes repair guidance clear, but it's always going to depend on the case and there are a lot of potential scenarios down the pike," said Washington-based Jackie Glassman, partner at King & Spalding.

Some companies spy a business opportunity.

New US entrants, like Smart Express and asTech, have invested in manufacturer-approved scanning and calibration tools and are offering mobile services, dispatching workers in high tech-brimming vans to local repair shops.

Jeff Evanson, the chief operating officer of Smart Express and former vice president of global investor relations at Tesla Inc, said he was convinced aftermarket tools and components would not live up to the safety requirements in an increasingly self-driving industry.

"While the auto industry has not thought through the problem it's created, the complexity of these systems and the risks of hacking mean automakers have to lock down the repair information to make sure vehicles stay safe and secure," he added.


Honda updates legendary Gold Wing for digital age

                TOKYO: The 2018 edition of Honda's legendary top-comfort tourer brings the Gold Wing into the digital age with new functions that will particularly please iPhone users. Apple's CarPlay technology now comes as standard, as well as the SmartKey keyless ignition system and Bluetooth connectivity.

On the market since 1975, the Honda Gold Wing remains an icon of its genre all over the world. For this GL1800 Gold Wing 2018 edition, the Japanese manufacturer has trimmed down the bike, losing more than 48kg depending on the model. The contours have also been revisited for a more compact design.

Rider comfort is synonymous with a slew of functions to improve the on-road experience. For example, the bike's windscreen can be electronically height-adjusted and tilted for better wind protection in adverse conditions. A cruise control mode and a new throttle-by-wire system help keep the pace leisurely, especially when sticking to speed limits. The fly-by-wire throttle also brings four riding modes: Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain.

 The first Gold Wing.was the 1975 GL1000 Gold Wing,

As for the engine, the Japanese brand has overhauled its six-cylinder powerhouse, making it lighter and more compact while theoretically maintaining its characteristic power. The engine is also placed further forward on the chassis, making more space for the rider. Seen on some of its other bikes, including the Forza scooter, Honda has added an "Idling Stop" system to the GL1800 Gold Wing 2018, cutting the engine when the bike stops for more than three seconds to help save fuel and protect the environment.

The somewhat voluminous Gold Wing also has Hill Start Assist (HSA), a function more frequently found in latest-generation cars, for a helping hand on inclines.

Plus, for maximum maneuverability, the 2018 edition has a "Walking Mode" to crawl the bike forward at a speed of 1.8kph and backward at a speed of 1.2kph, which is ideal for reverse parking, for example.

Available from April 2018, the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing 2018 comes in Standard and Tour versions. Standard models (Gold Wing and Gold Wing DCT) include saddlebags whereas Tour models (Gold Wing Tour, Gold Wing Tour DCT, Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag) comes with saddlebags and top case.


New Jaguar XF arrives from RM498,000

                PETALING JAYA: Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has unveiled the new Jaguar XF luxury sedan that comes with exterior and interior updates.

Priced from RM498,800 (with 10% SST and excluding road tax, registration and insurance), the XF will be available in the R-Dynamic version.

The front now features a new grille that facilitates lower air intake, all-LED headlights with the ‘Double J’ signature and a sleek rear bumper for a refined and modern appearance.

Inside the comfortable and luxurious all-new interior, the cockpit has been styled to be driver focused, more dynamic and bold.

Also new is a wider 11.4-inch curved glass HD touchscreen that is 48% larger and three times brighter compared with the centre display unit in the previous edition for greater clarity.

Featuring the latest Pivi Pro infotainment technology as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, users can access a simplified menu structure that streamlines access to common tasks from the home screen in two taps or less.

Other features include segment-first Active Road Noise Cancellation technology that is built into the Meridian Sound system.

In addition, there are the Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adjusts the throttle according to the distance to the vehicles ahead, and a Driver Condition Monitor ensures that the driver is fit to operate the vehicle safely.

Powering the rear-wheel drive XF is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder 250PS Ingenium petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The car can accelerate from zero to 100kph within 7.1 seconds.

Sime Darby Motors Malaysia Retail and Distribution managing director Jeffrey Gan said the company strived to offer world-class vehicles that suit the diverse needs and preferences of Malaysians.

“In line with this, the Jaguar XF is a mid-size luxury sedan that is best in its class, renowned for its superb performance. With continued robust growth in the luxury car market, we are confident that the latest model is a highly attractive option,” he said.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz said the new Jaguar XF continues to redefine modern luxury as performance is at the heart of its DNA.

“With its inspiring design, intuitive state-of-the-art technology and engaging dynamics, we are pleased to raise the bar once again to elevate the driving experience of our vehicles for customers,” he said.


Ford hits production issue on F-150 trucks due to missing door handles

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co is facing another production snag building its popular F-150 pickup trucks due to missing door handles, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The automaker is working to resolve the issue, the source said on Wednesday, adding that some vehicles have been parked until the proper handle can be installed while some shipments are being held.

"While a supplier part shortage is affecting some of our North American plants, we expect to make up all of the production that is impacted," the automaker said.

Ford temporarily halted factory work at three plants over the weekend where it makes both gasoline and electric versions of the F-150 pickup truck, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.

In February, the automaker halted production of its electric truck F-150 Lightning after a battery fire. The production restarted in March.

Ford on Tuesday posted robust first-quarter revenue and profit, thanks to strong demand for trucks and SUVs. The automaker is sticking with plans to boost Lightning production to a rate of 150,000 vehicles a year by the end of this year.


JPJ to replace all lost, damaged documents for free

                PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will provide replacement documents at no charge for those affected by the recent floods in the country.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the documents included driving licences, road tax discs and vehicle ownership certificates.

“The replacements can be made for free for flood victims. They have to lodge a police report (for the lost documents). But, they don’t have to rush. After they are done handling their own affairs, we will give them a time period where they can come to the JPJ branches,” he said during a press conference after the inaugural Kuala Lumpur International Logistics and Transport (KiLAT) Excellence Awards ceremony today.

The award is the first award for the Malaysian Transport Industry jointly organised by the Transport Ministry and EPL Exhibition Sdn Bhd.

Dr Wee added that a mobile JPJ unit would be at affected flood areas and it would be more convenient for those affected to replace their documents.


BMW XM Label Red arrives at RM1.6mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has launched the XM Label Red plug-in hybrid sports activity vehicle (SAV), which is the most powerful production vehicle ever built by the Munich premium automaker.

It is priced at RM1,615,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package, as well as sales and service tax (on the road, without insurance).

Duty free price in Langkawi is RM939,800.

With the Straight Line financing plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the XM Label Red can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM18,707 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a seven-year tenure).

The XM Label Red come with over 50 free colour customisation options, available for preview with the BMW Individual Visualizer.

Hans de Visser, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “With the BMW XM Label Red, we are presenting to our customers here – the most powerful BMW production vehicle ever built! We are confident that this new SAV will not only turn heads on the road, but also shift perspective on electrified performance-oriented vehicles in Malaysia.”

The XM Label Red combines the M Hybrid system with a 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine to deliver 748hp.

With a peak torque of 1,000Nm, it accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

The M Hybrid system offers a pure electric range of up to 83km (WLTP).

There are two new colour options for the accent strip in either Toronto Red or Shadowline – both complemented by a red outline on the ‘XM’ model designation located by the front door.

There are also two new wheel options - either the bicolour 22-inch M light alloy wheels with red accents matched with the Toronto Red accent strip, or the bicolour black accent 23-inch M light alloy wheels in style Star Spoke matched with the Shadowline accent strip.

The striking bicolour motif continues inside, with upholstery that features a diamond-shaped texture and red stitching.

The red accent also extends to the instrument panel, door trim, as well as the centre console.


Free RFID tag install offer: It all ends today

                PETALING JAYA: Right, folk. There's only a few hours left today to go out there to install RFID tags on your car for free. It's a case of "first come, first served" while tag stock lasts.

Only 16 fitment centres still have stock of the RFID tags, with 14 in the Klang Valley and two in Johor Baru (see list below).

The Touch 'n Go (TnG) free offer, originally slated to end on Feb 14, was brought forward to today. TnG had announced abruptly on Monday that the free offer had to be cut short because it said the last three days had to be reserved for "system maintenance."

Taken at face value, it would appear that TnG's terse statement meant that they needed to reconfigure their computer network and billing system to start charging people for the service from Feb 15. So there goes the chance to get something useful free for the latecomers.

For those who fail to get the RFID tag, start getting used to paying RM35 from Feb 15.

READ MORE: Malaysians rush to install RFID tags on cars ahead of free offer expiry


Yusmanida Auto opens new RM11 million Perodua 3S centre

                SUNGAI BULOH: A new Perodua 3S centre has officially opened in Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh.

Owned and operated by authorised dealer Yusmanida Auto Sdn Bhd, the outlet occupies a built-up area of 16,000 sq ft on a total land area of 45,000 sq ft, and is staffed by a total of 65 employees including 30 sales advisors and 12 service advisors.

The opening of the outlet was officiated by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

Also in attendance were Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) CEO Datuk Madani Sahari, Jeram State assemblyman Datuk Amiruddin Setro and Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin.

“Yusmanida Auto has been a Perodua dealer since 2003, previously operating a sales outlet on Jalan Meru, Klang,” said Perodua president and CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.

“Over the past 15 years, Yusmanida Auto has built a strong working relationship with Perodua based on trust and a common desire to give our customers the best they deserve,” Datuk (Dr) Aminar added.

Yusmanida Auto Sdn Bhd managing director Sarizal Yusman Yusoff said that the RM11 million 3S outlet began construction in August 2016.

Building completed in April 2017 ahead of the start of operations in September 2017.

“We have always been happy and proud to be working with the nation’s top-selling carmaker.

“We hope that with the expansion of our offerings to include service and spare parts, and in a new location, we will be able to offer a more complete and one-stop Perodua Experience to customers and residents in the vicinity, in line with Perodua’s Transformation 2.0 initiative,” said Sarizal.

“Customer comfort, convenience and satisfaction is our utmost priority. Our service centre is capable of servicing up to six cars at any one time, minimising waiting periods. Customers can relax in our spacious and inviting lounge area that includes three TV sets, a mini library, children’s play area, vending machines and beverage-making facilities,” he added.

“We would like to thank Perodua for all their support and guidance in empowering entrepreneurs like us,” said Sarizal.

Yusmanida Auto’s new Perodua 3S centre is located at Wisma Yusmanida, Lot 28808, Persiaran E1/1, Seri Pristana, 47000 Saujana Utama, Sungai Buloh.

Perodua now has a total of 186 sales and 183 service outlets in Malaysia, as well as 24 Body & Paint outlets.


BMW Group Malaysia upskills with EV technician certification

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia shines a spotlight on its highly skilled experts in the field of electric mobility from the BMW High Voltage Expert (HVE) certification programme.

Led by the BMW Group Regional Training Centre, the internationally recognised programme to further develop the local electric vehicle (EV) workforce in Malaysia is a one-of-a-kind programme for the premium automaker outside Munich, Germany.

In their latest video on sustainability, the premium automaker shares the inspiring stories of people behind the BMW Group’s toughest certification, highlighting the critical role of EV technicians in driving the widespread adoption of EVs in Malaysia.

Part 1 of the video showcases what it takes to become a HVE in Malaysia while Part 2 of the series demonstrates how BMW Group Malaysia is upskilling the local EV workforce with the BMW HVE certification programme.

Hans de Visser, managing director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “At the BMW Group, we recognise that service and repair are important points of consideration for many customers of our EV portfolio, many of which have shared concerns with the lack of technical know-how in Malaysia that dampens their interest to make the switch to EVs. We took it upon ourselves to develop an extensive network of charging infrastructure nationwide and introduced the HVE certification here to also complement the uptake of electromobility in the past few years.”

He added, “We hope these videos capture that spirit and goes on to inspire other local technicians to also upskill to meet the rising tide of electromobility in Malaysia.”

The latest video by BMW Group Malaysia aims to pivot traditionally held stereotypes of automotive technicians as blue-collared workers to one that recognises the high level of knowledge and technical skills required in the field of IT and electrical systems to excel in this profession.

Careers in the automotive field, especially for technicians equipped with EV capabilities, is the future – and this is exemplified through the stories of three newly certified HVEs from the BMW  dealership network, along with the highly-skilled trainers from the BMW Group Regional Training Centre.

Conducted at the BMW Group Regional Training Centre in Malaysia, the HVE programme allows for the servicing and repair of the most advanced BMW i vehicles worldwide.

In the same vein of developing the EV ecosystem in Malaysia, the premium automaker has also made over 1,000 charging facilities available in its network thus far.

Access to over 400 of these facilities provided are through partnerships with ChargEV and Yinson Greentech, while the partnership with JomCharge enables access to over 100 charging facilities, Gentari with over 150 facilities as well as 160 facilities from new partners such as Shell Recharge with ParkEasy, ChargeN’Go, ChargeSini, Go To-U and FlexiParking.

Over 100 BMW i and MINI charging facilities are also available at most authorised dealerships, as well as partnering venues across the country.


Perodua packs ABS into Axia G and charges RM1,500 more

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua’s Axia G variant will come equipped with anti-lock braking system from next month as part of the company’s commitment towards enhancing its product line-up’s safety features.

In line with the safety enhancement, Perodua is also increasing its price for the Axia G by RM1,500.

“For our customers who have booked their Axia G between Oct 1 and Dec 10 but have yet to receive their vehicle, Perodua will offer a RM500 Perodua voucher as a token,” Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

“Booking made from Dec 11 onwards will be subjected to the new price and delivery will be from January onwards,” he said.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for supporting Perodua,” Aminar added.


Talk time with AMG's Tobias Moers

CarSifu was among a panel of Malaysian motoring writers who sat down for a chat with the man responsible for making the AMG brand the success it is today. Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers explains the brand, the products and the strategy behind them during our stopover at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Q: Did the SLS Electric Drive influence the development of the 1,000+hp hyper car?Moers: Yeah, what you see in that SLS is an electric performance car. It was part of the definition of Project ONE to use all our expertise and competencies that we can gain out of our electric drive programme.

Q: Why are the new AMGs with the Panamericana grille so 'angry-looking'?Moers: I think it’s not angry. Call it presence. Call it a differentiator. We now have that bespoke purposeful look for AMG cars. Part of AMG performance cars’ identity in future will be that Panamericana grille. To identify an AMG is easily done by the grille.

Q: Besides working with Aston Martin, are there any plans by Mercedes-AMG to tie up with Asian car makers such as those from Japan and China?Moers: We are a supplier of engines and electronics to Aston Martin. That’s it.

But never say never.  We have been approached by others but we are not able to do so. We do have limited capacity and people, and we are focused on our projects. AMG is 100% linked to Mercedes-Benz, so whatever we do will have to be in line with the mother company.

Q: AMG is going electric in a big way. How will it affect the brand especially the big engine sound that electric motors lack?Moers: Sound is an important asset to the brand and our customers. We will have to get use to electrified cars. We are working on the sound as part of our current R&D. I won’t go into details now.

 The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV and Coupe.Q Will AMG build its own SUV?Moers: Nope. We are part of Mercedes-Benz. We do have SUVs such as the GLC and GLE. There’s no room for anything more.

Q: Are there any plans for a more extreme version of the A 45 AMG beyond the 381hp we saw in the facelift? How much more can the engine be pushed?Moers: Not that engine. It’s the end of the road for that engine. Expect a little bit more (performance) with the next generation.

Q: The Project ONE will be produced in limited numbers. Do you have people badgering you to make more?Moers: We are producing only 275 units. Ya, it is done! We are 4 times overbooked with the 275 numbers. We promised our customers the Project ONE would be a limited run. This is something that would dilute a brand if we don’t stick to our promises.

We don’t have a clear understanding who will get the first one. By 2019, we hope to roll one out per day from the factory. We have a long production time that guides us into 2020. Each car will have different colours and come bespoke to customer demands.

Q: Will powertrain electrification spell the end of V8 engines?Moers: No, why should it? A combination of electric motors and engine is going to be the key for future performance. We have to work on electrification.V8 engines will not be retired.

Q: AMG is big now. How much more can the brand grow without diluting it?Moers: If you do it wrong, you are right that the brand could be diluted. You have to be sustainable with the product you bring to market.

I’m an absolute product aficionado. I believe a product is the key. A product is supportive of the brand, then the brand is going to be stronger and stronger and stronger. The combination of product and brand is going to be the key.

For example, we could have easily tweaked the C43 – modify a bit of the engine and gearbox, put a badge on the trunk and full stop. Easily done! And it works for sure for two to three years. But it won’t be sustainable.

So instead,we put more effort into the C43. We did a new front axle and modified everything in the rear axle. We introduced three levels of ESP functionalities. Everything is done in-house. The guys who worked on the chassis calibration, suspension, ride and handling of the C63 are the same guys also doing the C43 as well.

This is, in my perspective, the AMG brand and product strategy. If you stick to that, there’s no risk of diluting the brand.

Come to think of it, the entry performance 43 works pretty great (chuckle). We have sold more performance (cars) than ever. We see customers coming from other brands buying a 43, maybe, because they think the 63 is too much. After one year, they stepped up to the 63s. So there’s no cannibalisation in our portfolio. We monitor that quite well. If you have a strategy, you have to question that strategy all the time.

The entry performance in the C Class works quite well through the 43s and 63s. There’s a good chance of an entry performance version as well in the compact generation.

 The E400 4MATIC AMG Line.Q: Nearly every model in a Mercedes-Benz showroom today is offered with an AMG Line. Isn’t this diluting the AMG brand?Moers: Absolutely not. The line equipment has been so successful for years and nothing (bad) has happened. The brand is stronger than ever.

We set up a strategy in 2014, and have positioned the brand quite well.

I have a clear understanding of what the brand stands for. When I started out as a CEO, I was aware the brand was not at the level I would like it to be. We are still not there. You have to be aware about everything. You should not have dreams about what the brand is. You have to be really focused.

Q What’s your daily car in 2017?  You mentioned using the AMG GT S and the GLE 63 AMG coupe in 2015.Moers: This year, it’s a C Class coupe. A 63 coupe. It’s black, all black. Black rims, black, black, black. If I do have more time, it’s the GT R.

Q: At the entry level, you have the 3.0-litre V6 43 and the flagship is a 1.6-litre electrified car. Do AMG customers wonder about this apparent mismatch?Moers: No! Nothing. We had 100 customers over for Project ONE with us the other day and they were so enthusiastic. The engine displacement is just a number and not an indication of performance.

Q: Any updates on the AMG GT Black Series?Moers: The Black Series is always part of the second life cycle of a car. It’s not there yet. We still have another three years to go.

Q: AMG celebrated its 50th year in 2017. Where do you see AMG going in the next 50?Moers: I don’t know. What you can project is the next five years. You don’t have a chance to have a 10-year strategy; you have to have scenarios. We look forward to the brand being still there. Being very successful. Maybe driving electric.

READ MORE:
Behold the Mercedes-AMG Project One: the world's first road-legal Formula One racing car
Pick up a Mercedes-AMG GT R from RM1.7 million
First drive of Mercedes-AMG GT R — and other GT cars
Mercedes-AMG GT-R sets Nürburgring record
Five trends at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show


Nissan to make official on-track Formula E debut

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan will make its official on-track debut and begina new brand partnership with Royal Dutch Shell PLC when the ABB FIA Formula E championship stages its pre-season test this week.

The Nissan e.dams team will conduct three days of testing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain,alongside the other 10 teams competing in the upcoming season of the all-electric racing championship.

As the first Japanese company to enter Formula E, Nissan will draw on its track record of selling more than 365,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles since introducing the model in 2010.

The company has used its experience building electric vehicles for the road to develop the all-new powertrain for its Formula E race car, which featuresa bespoke electric motor, inverterand gearbox.

“Formula E represents the performance side of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – our vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society,” said Roel de Vries, Nissan’s global head of brand and marketing.

“As the world leader in delivering electric cars to consumers, we’re eager to work with a renowned energy company like Shell to promote zero-emission mobility through this championship.”

The 2015-16 Formula E champion, Sebastien Buemi, and fellow racer Alex Albon will drive for the Nissan e.dams team during this week’s test and the upcoming season, which begins Dec 15.

“Nissan is bringing a lot of EV knowledge to the championship, and e.dams has been a strong contender in Formula E from the start,” Buemi said. “Hopefully, we'll be very successful.”

Season five also marks the debut of a new race format and a new generation of cars for the Formula E series.


                LONDON: The Mercedes-Benz SLC Final Edition goes on sale in the UK with three petrol variants.

In the UK, pricing for the SLC Final Edition range starts from £37,120 (RM205,000) for the 200 Final Edition and progresses on with the 200 Final Edition Premium, 300 Final Edition and finally ending with the AMG SLC 43 Final Edition at £49,855 (RM275,000).

The special model is based on the AMG Line which, as standard, includes AMG Styling bumpers at the front and rear, a sport suspension that lowers the car 10mm (de-selectable) as well as larger cross-drilled brakes and front callipers sporting the “Mercedes-Benz” logotype.

Inside, there's two-tone Nappa leather in black/silver pearl with alpaca grey topstitching on the seats, door trim and door centre panels among other areas.

The carbon-fibre look leather inserts can be found on the head restraints and the upper section of the seatbacks.

Other standard appointments of the Final Edition include black floor mats with embroidered logo, Airscarf neck-level heating, seat heating, and the Memory package for the seats, steering column and exterior mirrors.

Furthermore, the package includes lumbar support (four-way) for the driver and front passenger.

Available in an exclusive Sun Yellow paint job, the SLC 200 Final Edition (including the Premium variant) uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, producing 184hp and 300Nm, and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission - a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox is available as an optional extra.

The same engine powers the SLC 300 Final Edition, but produces 245hp and 370Nm and gets managed by a 9G-TRONIC automatic as standard.

Other standard fitments include smartphone integration (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Garmin satellite navigation, Parktronic, Memory package for power-adjustable seats and steering column), and a Harmon Kardon sound system (AMG 43 only).

For an additional £3,795 (RM21,000), the 200 Final Edition Premium adds on the likes of a reverse camera, Comand Online infotainment system, Mirror package, panoramic roof, LED Intelligent Light System and a wind deflector.

As for the range-topping AMG 43, it uses a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine generating 390hp and 520Nm of torque and with the 9G-TRONIC, it can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 4.7 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.


Every hour counts: Why bird poo on your car constitutes an emergency

File pic of a parked car and scooter covered in bird droppings in Rome. — Reuters
BERLIN: While bird droppings on your car might seem like a minor, everyday annoyance, failure to act quickly and remove the stains could result in long-term problems.

"Every hour counts," says car care specialist Christian Petzoldt. "Otherwise there can be irreparable damage to the paint surface."

On a surface without good paint preservation, discolouring on the paint may start to appear after just two hours, and, if more time passes, the damage to the paint can go even deeper.

However, depending on the depth of the damage, a professional can restore the paintwork back to its previous state by grinding and polishing the surface.

Too slow a reaction in dealing with the droppings would otherwise require the affected part to be be repainted.

Even some tree resins and insect remains can attack a car's paintwork after a long exposure time.

That is why the advice of car care specialists like Petzoldt is always to act fast.

If the stains are still very fresh, rinsing them down with some running water can go a long way in preserving your paint.

"Most of the time, there is a small, calcareous hard edge because the flat edge of the faeces dries faster and faster," says Petzoldt.

It's possible to remove such an edge by dabbing damp tissue paper on the affected area.

However, to avoid deep scratches on the paintwork, never wipe off such remains, advises Petzoldt. "Use the paper carefully, do not push it back and forth."

If the tissue fails to do the trick, then only prolonged soaking with a wet cloth will remove the residue.

The small particles that remain should be taken off just as carefully, with a soft microfibre cloth.

For those whose cars are the frequent targets of the birds above, being prepared can be the best remedy.

"A bottle with water — maybe with some soap — or a detailer (a special spray cleaner for car surfaces) and a soft microfibre cloth are good to keep in the boot," advises Petzoldt.


NTT Data teaming up with Toyota for overseas connected-cars push

                TOKYO: Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.’s data subsidiary is joining forces with Toyota Motor Corp. to develop connected cars that can collect and share data.

NTT Data Corp. will actively consider mergers and acquisitions to accelerate a push into overseas markets, Yo Honma, the networking and data subsidiary’s chief executive officer, said in an interview.

Honma sees the company spending as much as 400 billion yen (RM13.2bil) for deals over the next four years.

Toyota and other Japanese carmakers have been ramping up efforts to develop electric vehicles and connected cars, which can communicate with each other and outside networks to improve autonomous driving, performance and in-car features.

New connected-car sales are on track to reach 94.8 million units globally in 2035, almost tripling from 2020, according to researcher Fuji Keizai Group.

"We’ll be planning a global roll-out after discussing with Toyota, once we have a product that is good enough to draw global attention,” Honma, 66, said. NTT Data will consider raising money from capital markets as needed, he added.

The company hasn’t issued new shares since 1998.

Telecoms giant NTT currently owns about 54% of NTT Data, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Last month, NTT unveiled plans to transfer its overseas business unit to NTT Data.

The move effectively brings all of the telecommunication group’s overseas activities under one umbrella.

Woven Planet Holdings, Toyota’s advanced technology firm, has been on an acquisition spree since it was established last year to bolster its ranks of software engineers.

The next-generation research unit said in September it will acquire Silicon Valley startup Renovo as a means to speed up its launch of a software platform for cars.

The latest move builds on a partnership between NTT and Toyota after they first formed a consortium five years ago to develop a connected-car ecosystem.

NTT Data’s strength is in collecting data in a secure way and analysing using artificial intelligence, Honma said.