Volvo Cars Tech Moment: Volvo Concept Recharge and other highlights

                GOTHENBURG: The Volvo Concept Recharge is a manifesto for the next generation of all-electric Volvos.

The concept car follows the principle of "less but better".

For example, by removing the complexity of the internal combustion engine, the designers have been able to evolve the car's proportions to increase interior space while also improving aerodynamic efficiency. The result is a car that offers genuinely better solutions to support a sustainable family life.

Volvo’s first generation of electric cars shares a floor with combustion engine-powered cars, which requires a balance in proportions and space to be able to accommodate both a battery pack and an internal combustion engine.

The next generation of Volvo’s fully electric cars – the first of which is the company’s first SUV on a completely new electric-only technology base – will feature flat floors, as previewed in the Concept Recharge.

By removing the engine and replacing it with a full battery pack under the flat floor, the designers have extended the wheelbase and the wheel size of the car. The result is shorter overhangs, as well as a lot more interior space including a large storage area between the front seats.

In the Concept Recharge these advancements have led designers to reposition the seats, optimise the roof profile and lower the hood of the car while retaining the high eye point beloved by drivers of cars like the Volvo XC40, XC60 and XC90. This approach creates efficiency gains in aerodynamics compared to a typical SUV, which improves range.

This concept car also introduces a new Volvo design language. Continuing the theme of 'less but better', all unnecessary elements have been removed and what remains is treated with a high-precision, flush execution.

READ MORE: Volvo to focus on range and fast charging

The traditional grille has been replaced with a shield-like structure, supported by a new interpretation of Volvo Cars’ Thor’s Hammer headlight design. These include the latest HD technology-enabled pure graphic which open at night to reveal the main lamp units.

Signature vertical rear lamps connect to the brand’s strong design heritage, but are reimagined with a set of wings that extend at higher cruising speeds to further improve overall aerodynamics.

“Our Concept Recharge represents a manifesto for the all-electric future of Volvo Cars, as well as a new type of vehicle,” said Robin Page, head of design. “It displays new and modern proportions that go hand-in-hand with increased versatility and shows what technology can enable in terms of design.”

The Volvo design language also takes a new form inside the Concept Recharge. The flat floor provides more space and a better seating position for all those inside the car.

A large, 15-inch standing touch screen is the centre of a new and improved user experience for the company’s next-generation connected infotainment system. Designed to be logical and intuitive to use, technology helps provide a serene and calm experience.

The latest infotainment technology goes hand in hand with those other hallmarks of Scandinavian design: clean lines and extensive use of sustainable and natural materials inside the cabin.

“Inside the Concept Recharge, we create a truly Scandinavian living room feeling,” said Page.

“The interior integrates our latest user experience technology with beautiful, sustainable and natural materials. Each part of the interior is like a piece of art and could stand alone as individual furniture in a room. We use the latest technologies but not for their own sake. We always focus on the benefits that technologies can bring.”

Finally, the Concept Recharge also reflects Volvo Cars’ safety ambitions in coming years. A LiDAR sensor, built by technology company Luminar and a critical part of Volvo Cars’ plan for forthcoming safe autonomous drive technology, is placed in an optimal position on the roof to collect data on the environment around the car.

OTHER KEY POINTS> Software goes in-house, with help from Google

Volvo Cars will take software development in-house as a car’s appeal increasingly becomes more defined by software-driven functions and features, rather than traditional automotive attributes.

It will continue work with Google for next generation safe and connected user experience

The next generation of Volvo Cars’ approach to user experience is part of the VolvoCars.OS, an umbrella of the various operating systems in electric Volvos across the car and the cloud, and starts with Android Automotive OS and a new in-car display approach.

Volvo Cars and Google are together building a user experience for simplicity to optimise safety. The user experience design is built on a clear split of information for the driver, according to the level of relevance while behind the wheel.

Future Volvo cars will also come with a large, centralised touch screen that provides rich content, easy-to-see information and responsive interaction. The principle is that everything customers need should always be easily accessible, either by touch or by voice command. No immediate needs or information are buried deep inside menus, many clicks away.

> Improved safety with real-time data from customer cars

For its next generation of cars, Volvo Cars is looking towards processing data from customer cars in real time, if customers choose to share data and help Volvo Cars make its cars safer.

By allowing customers to choose and be a part of improving safety levels and traffic safety in this way, Volvo Cars can make continuous and much faster improvements to its cars, constantly improving safety levels. This data would include continuous inputs on the car’s environment from sensors such as the high-resolution LiDAR delivered by technology company Luminar.

Volvo Cars engineers would be able to validate and verify autonomous drive (AD) features quicker, to promote a safe roll-out of AD technology. Verified updates to existing systems and new features can be rolled out rapidly through over-the-air-updates, increasing the safety of Volvo cars step by step.

The first car to benefit from this new approach to safety development is the company’s first SUV on a completely new electric-only technology base.

To process the real-time traffic data they will collect, Volvo Cars and Zenseact are investing in a data factory that will contain more than 200 PebiBytes (225 million gigabytes) of data within the next few years. By using artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, data can be crunched at record times.

Customers will be able to choose whether this data is collected about them, and all collected data will be aggregated with adequate safeguards for customer privacy.


Malaysian watchdog steps up probe into Singapore’s Grab

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is advancing an anti-monopoly investigation into Singapore-based Grab Holdings Inc., ramping up a broader government push to bring greater competition to its economy.

Malaysia Competition Commission chief executive officer Iskandar Ismail said last Thursday the anti-monopoly watchdog was stepping up the probe into the ride-hailing startup, which was first announced last year by the country’s transport ministry. He declined to elaborate on specific steps the commission was taking.

The investigation follows multiple complaints starting from last year accusing Grab of monopolistic practices after it bought Uber Technologies Inc’s South-East Asian operations. Representatives for Grab didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment.

Grab’s rival Gojek is planning to enter the market with motorcycles, and its top management met with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur in August.

Mahathir’s keen to lower the cost of living for Malaysians, a key pledge that led to his return to power in 2018. His government is trying to expose state-linked companies to competition and introduce open tenders, ordering Telekom Malaysia Bhd to share its high-speed broadband cable network with other operators. It’s also considering to allow consumers choose power suppliers other than state-owned Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

Greater competition could enhance Malaysia’s standing as a business destination. "It sends a signal to foreign investors wanting to enter Malaysia that it’s going to be a fair playing field without unfair advantages to favored companies because of political connections or other reasons,” said Alex Holmes, Asia economist at Capital Economics.

As part of a government effort to stamp out wastage in public spending, Iskandar said the commission is looking into a few companies pitching for state contracts for possible bid-rigging practices. In March, it said eight companies formed cartels to manipulate bids on tenders involving information technology services for a state-linked institution. That was its first bid-rigging case in state procurement since the body’s establishment in 2011.

Iskandar said his commission is fielding more requests from state agencies and private companies wanting to learn how to detect bid-rigging and other anti-competitive practices, and is receiving broad government support.

"Our minister gives us a lot of room,” Iskandar added, referring to Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Saifuddin Nasution. "He just says, ‘Go do your job and we will support you all the way’.”


Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV conquers Nürburgring

AUBURN HILLS (Michigan): The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has claimed the title of world's fastest production SUV, setting a new benchmark lap time at Germany's legendary Nürburgring.

Earlier this month, a Stelvio Quadrifoglio lapped the 12.9-mile Nordschleife (north loop) in a record 7 minutes 51.7 seconds. This new benchmark time is a full eight seconds faster than the previous production SUV record.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio record was established by Fabio Francia, the same Alfa Romeo driver who also set the track record for the fastest four-door sedan in the world on the Nürburgring with the Giulia Quadrifoglio in a time of just 7 minutes 32 seconds.

“We specifically engineered and designed the Stelvio Quadrifoglio to set world-class benchmarks and it did not disappoint with a world-record Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo. “We’re proud to now hold two Nürburgring lap time records with the Giulia Quadrifoglio as the fastest four-door production sedan and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio as the fastest production SUV.”

Infused with Italian passion, craftsmanship and innovation, the all-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is designed to conquer the winding road for which it is named.

The heart and soul of this ultra-high-performance SUV is an all-aluminum, direct-injection, 2.9-liter 24-valve twin-turbo intercooled V-6 engine, delivering a best-in-class 505hp and 443lb-ft of torque, and a standard Q4 all-wheel-drive system.

In addition to best-in-class horsepower, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio features segment-leading V-6 torque and the most horsepower per liter in its class.

Designed to optimize the all-new lightweight Alfa Romeo architecture, the all-aluminum 2.9-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine features a compact 90-degree layout and was holistically designed for a low center of gravity within the chassis. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio also features a class-exclusive carbon fiber driveshaft and the most direct steering available.

Advanced technology features unique to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio include a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race mode, torque vectoring differential, Quadrifoglio-tuned adaptive suspension, Quadrifoglio instrument cluster with 200 miles per hour (mph) speedometer and cylinder deactivation system to maximize fuel efficiency.


Daimler risks fine as German prosecutors launch new probe

                BERLIN: German prosecutors have launched a probe into Daimler for allegedly failing to prevent diesel emissions cheating, possibly resulting in a fine for the carmaker, as its legal woes mount up over the affair.

German carmakers, among the global leaders in diesel technology, have been caught in the crosshairs of courts and regulators around the globe after Volkswagen in 2015 admitted to using engine control devices to cheat U.S. diesel emission tests.

Germany’s transport ministry said last June that 774,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Europe had been found to contain unauthorised defeat devices resulting in higher emissions. It ordered Daimler to recall more than 200,000 cars in Germany.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are also investigating emissions of Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles.

Prosecutors in Stuttgart, where Daimler is headquartered, launched an investigation into individual employees of the company some two years ago, which is still ongoing.

“We have now also initiated proceedings against Daimler as a company,” a prosecution spokesman said, adding the company may have neglected its supervisory duties.

Last June, the Stuttgart prosecutors said they were considering probes against Daimler, VW’s Porsche unit and automotive supplier Bosch over potential emissions cheating.

Earlier this month, they launched proceedings against auto supplier Robert Bosch for providing Volkswagen with engine management software that the carmaker used to cheat vehicle emissions tests in 2015.

It was unclear what level of fine Daimler could face. A spokesman for the company said Daimler was cooperating fully.

Volkswagen in June was fined one billion euros for diesel emissions cheating, one of the highest ever fines imposed by German authorities.


Honda Malaysia Malacca plant achieves 600,000th unit rollout

                MALACCA: Honda Malaysia reached a historical milestone with the production of the 600,000th vehicle unit in its plant in Pegoh, Malacca today.

In the same event, Honda Malaysia also took delight in its 100,000 sales units achievement for the current financial year ( April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017) despite the challenging market situation over the past year.

These achievements mark a successful and strong first quarter of 2017 for the company which is renowned for industry-setting benchmarks.

The 600,000th unit production was achieved within a span of 14 years since Honda Malaysia started local assembly in its plant in Pegoh, Malacca.

The 600,000th vehicle was the new City, the B-segment car leader for two years in a row.

The new City was launched on March 2 and recorded close to 3,000 units booked within a month of its launch, 50% more than the monthly target of 2,000 units.

Honda Malaysia has two production lines in the Malacca plant - the No.1 Line which started operations in 2003 and the No.2 Line that began operations in 2014.

Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Katsuto Hayashi said the addition of the No.2 Line in 2014 had enabled Honda Malaysia to grow at an accelerated rate.

“We achieved 300,000 production units in just three years as compared to 11 years taken earlier to reach the first 300,000 units.

“I believe this was achieved through good strategy and strong challenging spirit from the Honda family.

“With this readily-available facility in Malacca Plant, Honda Malaysia has the spare capacity to fulfill bookings from customers as well as produce the best products for Malaysians,” said Hayashi who delivered his speech in Bahasa Malaysia.

Both No.1 and No.2 Lines produce seven models to cater to wider customer needs as compared to when the plant first started with just four models, the CR-V, City, Civic and Accord. The seven current models assembled at the plant are the Accord, City, Civic, CR-V, Jazz, HR-V and BR-V.

 A Honda HR-V being produced on Line 2 in the Honda Malaysia plant in Pegoh, Malacca.

Equipped with advanced technologies, the Malacca plant was built with flexible production capacity that can produce multiple models at the same time in order to meet market demand.

These specially designed production lines and strategic planning have enabled Honda Malaysia to shorten the waiting period for customers when there is a surge in the bookings for certain models.

The waiting period for the BR-V is only one to two months despite the bookings being close to 10,000 units, which is 12 times of its monthly sales target.

 Honda BR-V

The waiting period for other Honda models is also similar with the BR-V’s.

Some of the latest technologies applied in the plant include the automated Smart Welding Machine to produce high rigidity body frame utilising high quality material as well as the international standard painting facility comprising Spray Robots and Under Body Coating which improve the quality of body paint and ensure precise coating thickness.

Meanwhile, the custom-built 2.1km Test Course puts every vehicle that comes out of the production line through rigorous testing to check that it passes the quality and standard, benchmarking the Malaysian roads.

 Cars being tested on a 2.1km Test Course in Honda Malaysia's plant in Pegoh, Malacca before being approved for delivery.

Honda Malaysia spares no effort to ensure that only vehicles that are of the highest global quality standard bear the Honda logo.

These achievements and hard work of its 100% local associates are indeed the pride of Honda Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia attributed their good market acceptance and accelerated growth to the support and cooperation received from numerous parties, especially the Government, members of the media, Honda Assembly, Honda dealers, suppliers, partners and all Honda associates.

In thanking all their stakeholders, Hayashi said, “We thank each and every one for their continuous support. Honda Malaysia will continue to serve our Malaysian customers with quality products as well as excellent after sales service that exceed customers’ expectations.”

 From left: Roslan, Abe, Kuraishi, Yamane, Hayashi and Suematsu.

Also present at event were Honda Motor Co Ltd executive vice-president, executive officer and representative director Seiji Kuraishi, and Honda Motor regional operations (Asia and Oceania) chief operating officer and Asian Honda Motor president and CEO Noriaki Abe.

Kuraishi, who was the second Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer in 2002 to 2005, was appreciative of Honda Malaysia’s contribution.
He said Honda Malaysia’s growth is due to the efforts and understanding of Honda’s philosophy, vision and way of thinking by the local associates.

Kuraishi said some of the young associates whom he hired over 10 years ago are now managing the company by playing important roles with passion.

He commended Honda Malaysia for attaining No.1 in Non-National segment and No.2 in overall total industry volume (TIV) and expressed gratitude to all Honda dealers and sales associates.

He praised Honda Malaysia for taking top spot as the country that achieved the highest market share among Honda automobile operations globally for the first two months of 2017.

 Honda VIPs celebrating the 600,000th production unit with all local stakeholders.

In the meantime, Abe who has been keeping track of Honda Malaysia’s rapid growth over the years commended the internal and external “Team Honda” for the accomplishments and expressed gratitude to all involved.

He congratulated Honda Malaysia on the success of the all-new BR-V which took the No.1 position in the MPV and utility segment in February 2017, outselling the national MPVs. Abe said, “I am glad to see Honda cars being well accepted by Malaysians. This is part of Honda’s strategy in Asia to continue to bring the Joy of Buying to the people in this region.”

Earlier this year, Honda Malaysia introduced the BR-V, a model that was developed in Asia exclusively for Asian countries.

Since its introduction in January, Honda Malaysia has achieved almost 10,000 booking units and more than 5,200 registrations.


Mazda sheds more light on new CX-90

                LOS ANGELES: Mazda is reeling out more teasers of the CX-90 ahead of its Jan 31 world premiere.

The most recent was a video teaser revealing the exterior and the face of the CX-90, which looks similar to that of the CX-60. And we are also given a glimpse of the interior that is still masked in shadow.

The video covered the performance of the new large size SUV and suggests it will come with sporty performance as a result of its front-engine, rear-wheel drive and Kinematic Posture Control system taken from the MX-5 Miata.

An earlier teaser video on Jan 17 revealed that the three-row SUV would be powered by a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six petrol engine producing 340hp 500Nm of torque

Mazda had said this mass production gasoline engine would have the highest horsepower and torque it has ever developed.

It also promised the CX-90 would be an engaging driving experience with a rewarding exhaust note, while also featuring a mild-hybrid system for efficiency.


VW recalls 700,000 SUVs over short circuit risk

                WOLFSBURG: German auto behemoth Volkswagen said Monday it was recalling 700,000 SUVs around the world, warning that lights built into their sunroofs risk short-circuiting if they become wet.

The fault affects cars belonging to the current generation of the Tiguan and Touran models manufactured before July 5 this year, a spokesman for the firm told news agency dpa.

Heat from a short-circuit could damage the roof and in extreme cases start a fire, German industry magazine Kfz-Betrieb reported.

The spokesman said VW was still working on a fix but hoped to complete testing "soon" so that customers can bring in their vehicles for repair.

In the meantime, car owners can continue using their vehicles unless they notice signs of a short circuit, including the ambient lighting not working or singe marks appearing.

In late July, the group said it might be forced to recall 124,000 Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche electric cars over carcinogenic cadmium used in their batteries.


Malaysia ranked No. 6 on the world’s top car theft list

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is said to be ranked as one of the top 10 countries in the world with the highest number of vehicle thefts.

An average of 60 vehicles get stolen everyday from all over the country, said the General Insurance Association of Malaysia’s (PIAM) chief executive officer Mark Lim.

He said for the first half of 2016, the industry incurred claims amounting to RM2.41bil. “This equates to a staggering RM13.2mil per day payout in motor claims for property damage, bodily injury and vehicle theft,” he added. The nation, he said, ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for vehicle thefts, although there had been a drop in cases for the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year.

“The total number of stolen vehicles for all classes in the first half of this year was 11,796 vehicles compared with 12,412 for the same period in 2015. This represents a 5% reduction in the number of vehicle thefts,” Lim said when releasing the industry’s half-year report here yesterday.

According to reports, Malaysia was ranked sixth globally for auto theft last year. In the first quarter of 2015, a total of 4,539 private vehicles, 7,122 motorcycles and 751 commercial vehicles were reported stolen by the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia (Vtrec). A total of 4,472 private vehicles, 6,502 motorcycles and 821 commercial vehicles were stolen during the same period this year.

Among the top 10 car models preferred by car thieves in 2014 were the Proton Wira (1,268), Toyota Hilux (762), Proton Iswara (717), Proton Waja (694), Perodua Kancil (638), Perodua Myvi (477), Proton Saga (414), Proton Satria (273), Toyota Vios (252) and Proton Perdana (243).

In 2015, the top 10 cars stolen were the Proton Wira (1,214), Toyota Hilux (595), Proton Iswara (552), Perodua Kancil (550), Proton Waja (538), Perodua Myvi (379), Proton Saga (318), Proton Satria (238), Nissan Vanette (208) and Honda Civic (200).

PIAM chairman Antony Lee said the general insurance industry recorded a moderate growth rate of 3% for the first six months of this year, with gross written premiums of RM9.34bil compared to RM9.07 for the same period last year.

As this statistical details were published, another car theft took place in Johor Baru. In the latest development, police are looking for two men over their alleged attempt to steal a BMW and accidentally abducting a six-year-old passenger in Taman Melodies, Johor Baru.

The boy was dropped off at the Danga Bay's playground around midnight Sunday (Aug 21) before members of the public found him and handed him to the police. The car was found abandoned and in good condition except for a minor dent on its back.


BMW brings electromobility to Sarawak with iX and DC fast charger

                KUCHING: BMW Group Malaysia and Regas Group announced on Monday the arrival of the iX and an i charging facility at Regas Premium Auto Kuching.

The DC fast charger is one of only two in Sarawak.

The RM357,000 electric SUV is on display at the dealership until March 2.

BMW started deploying DC fast chargers last December with the first one installed at Auto Bavaria in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

BMW's 180kW fast charger comes standard with twin Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors to charge two cars at once.

BMW said the fast charger is able to charge a car from an indicative zero charge to 80% in 30 mins depending on model and battery capacity. If two cars are plugged in to the charger at the same time, each would be charged at 90kW and would take longer to reach 80%.


Continental touts Conti360º as helping fleet operators reduce costs

                KUALA LUMPUR: Continental Tyres is offering commercial fleet operators its Conti360º solutions, saying the suite of solutions could help them better manage vehicle tyres efficiently while reducing fuel and mileage costs.

Commercial vehicle operators face multiple challenges in managing large sized fleets.

They constantly need to ensure their vehicles are in good order, operational costs are minimised and timely delivery of goods.

With tyres specifically, proper tyre inflation will result in the best fuel consumption, optimum mileage and operators realising better casing value.

A survey conducted by Continental in Malaysia showed that 20% of fleet tyres were severely underinflated while 38% were moderately underinflated.

This could lead to tyre damage; loss of mileage and fuel; and an increased risk of tyre failure while on the road. Continental further estimates a vehicle that travelled 100,000km with only 10% underinflated tyres could increase fuel and mileage costs alone by up to RM3,100 annually.

Conti360º offers three services and solutions for fleet operators to address these challenges

According to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, one of the top five reasons for crash occurrence in heavy commercial vehicles were tyre-related issues.

Continental’s Conti360º solutions is a suite of solutions designed to help commercial fleet operators navigate the complexity of tyre management so they can focus on their core business.

The three offerings - Core Services, Advanced Services and Digital Solutions - cover a variety of services and solutions including training, on-site support, and real-time tyre monitoring to help fleet managers operate more efficiently.

“Though tyres contribute only 5% to a fleet’s costs, they do influence around 50% of the fleet’s operational costs through fuel consumption, repairs & maintenance and administration," said Winson Khoo Han Kee, National Sales Manager of Trucks and Tyres at Continental Tyre Malaysia.
 Somorova.
"Conti360º is designed specifically to minimise these costs with three distinct services & solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our customers depending on their fleet size and operating conditions.

"Customers who implemented Conti360º solutions have realised savings in the form of reduced fuel expenses by up to 3%, and increased tyre mileage by 20% while seeing significant increase in vehicle and driver safety.”

Continental Tyre Malaysia managing director Andrea Somorova said Conti360º would help fleet operators maximise their investments on tyres while deriving benefit from long-term aftersales technical support and performance monitoring.

"Conti360º solutions is the next step in fleet management operations."


What to watch for when replacing a stop-start battery

                BERLIN: Replacing a car battery is not so straightforward when you drive a vehicle with a stop-start system.

Expert Vincenzo Luca, from Germany's Tuv Sued, a leading technical inspection association, offers his advice.

First, a conventional flooded battery will not last long in a stop-start car, which uses a beefed-up version of the regular power pack to cope with around 17,500 starts a year - compared to 750 for a regular car.

Batteries for stop-start applications also offer superior vibration resistance and improved fast-charge capacity. They also work better in a low state of charge.

Stop-start means the engine automatically fires back the engine when the brake pedal is released or the accelerator depressed.

Fitting a conventional battery to a car with stop-start will lead to faults and possible damage to the entire electrical system.

People who replace the battery themselves report oddball malfunctions afterwards, like electrically operated windows failing to function.

It's best to have a dealer or workshop install a stop-start battery. They will have the diagnostic equipment needed to reset the car's active energy management system.

Reprogramming tools can be purchased, but doing it yourself is only recommended for experienced hobby mechanics.

One of the main dangers when changing the battery is short-circuiting the plus and minus terminals by incorrectly fitting the power cables. This can leads to burns and other injuries.

The car's handbook contains details on the right battery to buy, which is important since often only a few types will fit properly.

Make sure the capacity and voltage levels are the same as those of the old battery.


Modenas to debut re-badged Kawasaki Ninja 250

                KUALA LUMPUR: Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional (Modenas) has officially partnered with Kawasaki to debut a new motorcycle based on the Ninja 250 that is also sold in Japan as well as North America.

The special edition bike was previewed during the launch of the National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020) and looks to be launched sometime in the second half of this year.

Seen cloaked in black with the "Modenas" type font at the head of the bike, it comes powered by a familiar 249cc twin-cylinder Euro 4 engine with eight valves and dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) that feeds from a 14-litre fuel tank.

Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox - complemented by an assist and slipper clutch, to manage the output which is assumed to remain the same 38.2hp at 12,500rpm and 23.5Nm of torque at 10,000rpm.

The rider's instrument cluster consists of a combination of a digital-speedometer, analogue tachometer and gear indicator.

In the brakes department, the 164kg (wet) bike is equipped with anti-lock braking system as standard for its front 310mm single semi-floating disc with two-piston calliper residing at the bottom of the 41mm telescopic front forks.

The rear gets a 220mm single-disc brake with two-piston calliper.

Other features include re-designed radiator fan cover, air intakes and ergonomics and a rear-LED light taken from the Kawasaki ZX-10R.


Nissan to spend US$18b over 5 years in electrification push

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co announced it will spend 2 trillion yen (RM75bil) over the next five years to accelerate vehicle electrification, aiming to catch up with rivals in one of the fastest growth areas for the automobile industry.

This is the first time Japan's No.3 automaker, one of the world's first mass-market electric vehicle (EV) makers with its Leaf model more than a decade ago, is unveiling a comprehensive electrification plan called  Nissan Ambition 2030.

Nissan will be spending twice as much as it did in the previous 10 years for a share of the EV market as rivals, including Toyota Motor Corp and newer entrants such as Tesla Inc, move ahead with their electric-car plans.

Nissan said today it will introduce 23 electrified vehicles by 2030, including 15 electric vehicles (EVs), and wants to reduce lithium-ion battery costs by 65% within eight years. It also plans to introduce potentially game-changing all solid-state batteries by March 2029.

Those commitments, chief executive Makoto Uchida said, would make EVs affordable to more drivers.

"We will advance our effort to democratise electrification," he said in an online presentation.

Some analysts were unimpressed with Nissan's plan, noting it was already behind rivals in the electrification game.

Masayuki Otani, senior analyst at Securities Japan Ltd, also said auto stocks were falling on Monday because of market concerns about a new coronavirus variant and the impact it could have on production plans.

"Nissan's long term vision comes at a time when the market is perhaps not receptive to it. It can be said that it represents a huge increase in investment, it feels cautious," he said.

Shares of Nissan fell as much as 5.1% on Monday, underperforming its major rivals. They were down 3.8% in afternoon trading.

At the UN climate summit in Glasgow this month, major car makers, including General Motors and Ford Motor Co, signed a declaration that committed them to phase out fossil fuel vehicles by 2040.

Nissan, however, has not committed to abandoning gasoline vehicles. It said today half of its vehicles mix will be electrified by 2030, including EVs and its e-Power hybrids.

As it readies to compete for the growing demand for EVs, Nissan in July pledged US$1.4 billion with its Chinese partner Envision AESC to build a giant battery plant in Britain that will power 100,000 vehicles a year including a new crossover model.

Rivals, including Toyota, which also declined to sign the Glasgow pledge, are also ramping up their battery production.

The world's biggest automaker by production volume plans to have 15 battery electric vehicle (BEV) models globally by 2025 and will spend US$13.5 billion by 2030 to develop cheaper, more powerful EV batteries and their supply system.

Toyota said it is aiming to introduce solid-state batteries by the mid-2020s.

Those power packs are attractive to automakers because they are more energy dense and less prone to catching fire than liquid lithium-ion power packs. They are, however, prone to cracking and currently are more expensive to produce.

Nissan said its goal is to bring the cost of solid state batteries down to US$75 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2028 and further cut it to US$65 per kWh in the future to make them competitive with gasoline vehicles.


Porsche 718 Cayman SportDesign Series is a RM625k limited edition

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the authorised importer of the Porsche in Malaysia, has expanded its 718 Cayman (launch) model to include a new limited edition SportDesign Series.

The limited edition model builds upon on the 718 Cayman (review) as its base and has been priced from RM625,000, which includes all options mentioned as well as applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance. It is covered by a four-year warranty with a free maintenance package.

Additionally, it can be had in three colours of Racing Yellow, Guards Red and Carrara White Metallic - and each are limited to five units per colour. That’s right, only 15 units will be made available in Malaysia.

The SportDesign Series is currently available for viewing at all Porsche Centres in Malaysia with its full suite of options provided as standard on top of the SportDesign Package.

For exterior differentiation, it has been subtly slapped with a newly designed front spoiler and rear apron, while the door handles and centrally positioned tailpipes for the standard sports exhaust system receive a gloss black finish.

While rolling on a set of 20-inch lightweight forged one-piece wheels of either Carrera S (gloss black) or Carrera Sport design, the headlights uses the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+) to improve low-light visibility and the rear has been fitted with a pair of three-dimensional tail lights.

Inside, gloss-finished carbon fibre accents the dark interior with the front 14-way powered memory-foamed seats, with dual memory functions for the driver, upholstered in black leather.

A 505-watt, 10-speaker Bose surround sound system has been included as standard for audio entertainment.

Be it for road or track-going duties, this 718 has been fitted as standard with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system that allows for a 10mm-drop in ride-height and sharper handling characteristics.

Lastly, the Sport Chrono Package and a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK - Porsche double-clutch transmission) has been fitted and that means 0 to 100kph sprints can be achieved in under 5.0 seconds thanks to the 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four engine with 300PS and 380Nm of torque that can reach a top speed of 275kph.

“The 718 Cayman SportDesign Series is aimed particularly at drivers who appreciate a vehicle that is suitable for everyday use but do not want to sacrifice sportiness,” said SDAP chief executive officer Christopher Hunter.


Drunk drivers’ cars are being sent to Ukraine by Latvia

                RIGA: Cars seized by Latvian authorities as part of drunk-driving violations are being shipped to Ukraine in an act of solidarity with the war-battered country.

Authorities in the Baltic nation, which began confiscating cars from motorists driving under the influence of alcohol in November, transported eight vehicles this week, the state revenue service said.

They’ll be used for the Ukrainian military and hospitals. As many as 200 more are awaiting transportation, it said.

The auto deliveries are the latest gesture of support from the nation of 1.9 million, which has been among the staunchest European Union member states backing Kyiv.

Latvians have launched crowd funding campaigns for generators, chainsaws — and even drones — as the military ships missiles and ammunition.

“I believe that every activity in support - big or small - brings us closer to victory in this senseless war,” Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens said in a statement this week on the decision to hand over the cars.

The Baltic region, which views its five decades under Soviet rule as an illegitimate occupation, has seen a steady surge of support for Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion began over a year ago.

The seized autos are being moved by a non-government organization, Agendum, which has been delivering donated cars for over a year.

Motorists who have a blood-alcohol level of three times the legal limit risk having their cars seized. Latvia’s state revenue service showed a photo of cars on a transport prepared for delivery.

“The first car began their journey to Ukraine — and will no longer be driven by their former owners, drunks drivers,” the agency said on Twitter.


Subaru unveils updated BRZ

                TOKYO: Subaru has unveiled a facelifted version of its BRZ rear-wheel drive sports car that also features a new suspension setup. The new version of the car is initially for its Japanese home market, but the rest of the global markets will get the refreshed BRZ soon.

Considering the BRZ has been around pretty much unchanged for a period of some six years now, this update is mild to say the least.

The suspension tweaks see the dampers getting retuned for the 2019 model year, which is designed to make the car that's already renowned for its impressive driving characteristics even better to drive than it is already.

As for the exterior styling enhancements, the most obvious change is the addition of a pair of fins at the rear to improve the aerodynamics of the BRZ, reduce turbulence, and cut the amount of wind noise the car generates.

Although the Subaru's interior remains largely unchanged, the RA Racing version of the BRZ that's offered in select markets gets a new seatbelt design and a revised roll cage.

As most enthusiasts know, the BRZ is almost the twin of the Toyota 86.

It's not been revealed if the Toyota will be getting the same changes as the Subaru for 2019.

What we do know of the Toyota version of the car is there will be a TRD Special Edition, which adds a number of performance enhancing components to the already attractive recipe. These include Sachs dampers, four-pot Brembo callipers giving plenty of grip on 12.8-inch discs at the front, two-piston callipers over the 12.4-inch discs at the back, and a set of unique wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Of course, if those enhancements sound more than a little familiar it's because a similar set of goodies can already be found on higher-specification versions of the Subaru BRZ.

Even though driving enthusiasts are almost unanimous in their praise of the way the BRZ and 86 drive and handle, the two manufacturers appear willing to add all sorts of enhancements other than the much-requested more powerful engine. They keep saying the cars don't sell in enough numbers to justify the cost of such a major upgrade. A drop-top version of either would also be a welcome addition, but it looks as though that's not going to happen anytime soon either.


A slew of electric truck plans may deliver the goods for China’s EV ambitions

                BEIJING: Having just broken ground for a new factory in the southern Chinese province of Hunan, the head of electric car startup Singulato Motors has grand plans: build up to 50,000 electric vans per year and ride the crest of a wave for e-truck demand in China.

For a growing number of automakers operating in the world’s biggest vehicle market, it’s time to invest in electric vans and trucks. They’re convinced by increasingly stringent restrictions aimed at reining in pollution, generous subsidies as well as robust demand for light-duty trucks as e-commerce flourishes.

“We think China’s about to see an electric commercial vehicle revolution,” Singulato co-founder Shen Haiyin told Reuters in an interview. ”In many ways, the EV future might arrive faster with commercial vehicles than passenger EVs.”

Singulato, which is due to launch its first electric car by the middle of next year, hopes to open the e-truck plant by 2020 and quickly ramp up annual output to 50,000. Shen envisions two main models that would appeal to e-commerce and logistics firms: a small intra-city delivery van the size of the Ford Transit or the Toyota HiAce, and a delivery truck under 2 tonnes.

Growing momentum for e-trucks could prove to be a tipping point for the electric vehicle, first in China and eventually worldwide - encouraging the mass adoption that Tesla Inc and other EV makers are aiming to give rise to with passenger cars.

“It’s a new game,” said Bill Russo, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility Ltd and a former Chrysler executive.

 File pic of Singulato's co-founder and CEO Shen Haiyin attending the launching ceremony of electric SUV Singulato iS6 in Beijing in 2017. - Reuters

“The advantages of electric vehicles become apparent when vehicles are deployed into transportation and logistics services fleets.” Impediments that come with electric vehicles, such as the high cost of the battery and cumbersome charging needs, could with a truck fleet be erased to make the total cost of operation cheaper than gasoline or diesel.

Batteries could be designed smaller since routes would be predictable, charging stations and schedules could be deployed more strategically and as trucks are often operated around the clock, economies of scale could be achieved, Russo said.

Foton, part of Beijing-based BAIC Group and China’s biggest maker of light-duty trucks under 6 tonnes, is also looking at expanding further into electric delivery vans, people with knowledge of the matter said.

In August, a group of Foton officials gathered in a small spartan office in low-rise building near Tokyo’s posh Ginza district. Eager to develop a compelling mini delivery e-van, they had come to seek advice from a highly regarded engineer, now retired from a Japanese automaker.

The officials, who believed that Japan’s minicar technology could offer a good base for a low-cost van, wanted his input on how to design one that could be sold for as little as 50,000 yuan ($7,225), according to two people who were at the meeting.

“That was a second visit since late last year,” said one of the two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ”They’re serious,” he said.

A representative for Foton declined to comment. Foton has some electric commercial vehicles on the market but volumes are still tiny with around 800 sold last year.

Boxy and practical

While electric trucks may not grab the public imagination in the same way Tesla’s electric vehicles have done, their advent has long been advocated by many auto experts.

Sceptical of the merits of the industry’s rush into long-range passenger cars, they believe battery electric technology, because of its heavy weight and the limits on driving ranges, has a more natural home in short-haul trucks.

That’s particularly so for intra-city delivery vans and trucks plying routes that are pre-determined or at least predictable.

Last year, the number of electric light-duty commercial vehicles - both all-electric and plug-in hybrids - sold in China was roughly 200,000, about 6 percent of the market for trucks under 6 tonnes.

Nissan Motor Co, one of the first global automakers in China to develop an e-truck line-up through its venture with Dongfeng Group, believes that demand for light-duty e-trucks will quadruple in four to five years. Its joint venture, Dongfeng Motor Co Ltd, is aiming to lift its electric commercial vehicle sales six times to 90,000 by 2022.
Nissan’s partner Renault SA is also on the case.

Its new venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd plans to launch three electric delivery vans in two years, starting next year.

 An autonomous electric truck jointly developed by Tianjin Port, Sinotruck and TrunkTech moves a container during a trial operation at a port in Tianjin, China, in April 2018.  - Reuters

Warren Buffet-backed BYD and Geely also have some electric trucks and vans on the market, although volumes are still quite small.

Growth in e-trucks fits hand in glove with efforts by Beijing and Chinese local authorities to promote electric vehicles - both to jump-start a domestic auto industry that lags global rivals in internal combustion engine technology and to combat smog - a constant source of public discontent.

Subsidies, up to 100,000 yuan from the central government alone, are helping to propel the shift. Nissan’s most popular electric commercial vehicle, the Dongfeng D94 van, is eligible for combined subsidies of up to about 80,000 yuan from the central government and regional authorities, knocking roughly a third off its purchase price.

Nearly two dozen cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have put in place restrictions on fossil-fueled trucks coming into city centres. Beijing for instance last year banned heavier trucks from entering the city centre between 6 a.m and 11 p.m. and next year will place further limits on diesel and some other commercial vehicles.

“We’re betting on the e-truck because pretty soon only e-truck and e-vans will be allowed to enter city-centres,” a Nissan China executive said, declining to identified as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter. ”


VW says ‘serious breach’ led to delay in tracking down stolen car carrying toddler

                CHICAGO: Volkswagen acknowledged on Feb 24 that a representative of its roadside assistance program made a “serious breach” after declining to provide police with the GPS location of a car carrying an abducted toddler.

Lake County sheriff’s detectives trying to locate the car on Feb 23 after the child’s mother had been carjacked, and then run over with her own vehicle, were told by Volkswagen’s Car-Net service that the company would not provide the car’s location until Car-Net was paid a US$150 (RM672) fee to reactivate the service, sheriff’s office deputy chief Chris Covelli said.

The child was located unhurt a short time later, Covelli said. But the delay with Car-Net cost police critical time in their investigation of the ongoing abduction, he said.

“Volkswagen has a procedure in place with a third-party provider for Car-Net Support Services involving emergency requests from law enforcement. They have executed this process successfully in previous incidents,” VW spokesman Mark Gillies said in an email on Feb 24.

“Unfortunately, in this instance, there was a serious breach of the process,” he said. “We are addressing the situation with the parties involved.”

The email did not address why the mistake happened.

The sheriff’s office said the victim, 34, and her two children had arrived at her residence in the 16000 block of Illinois Route 137 near Libertyville around 3.30pm on Thursday (Feb 23). She brought one of her children into her house, and then returned for her two-year-old son.

As she came back outside, a BMW sedan pulled into her driveway, a man exited the passenger side and attempted to enter the woman’s 2021 VW Atlas SUV. She and the man struggled before he battered her, and knocked her to the ground.

“There was no regard for her or her child, even though she was screaming that her child was in the car,” Covelli said.

The man drove off in the Atlas, running over the woman – who is pregnant – in the process, authorities said. Although she suffered broken extremities, she was able to call 911, authorities said, and relay information about the stolen vehicle.

A sheriff’s detective, knowing that the vehicle is equipped with the Car-Net system, contacted the company for emergency location assistance, but was told that Car-Net could not help until someone paid US$150 (RM672) to reactivate the lapsed account, Covelli said.

About 16 minutes after police arrived at the victim’s house, the BMW and the stolen car drove into a parking lot at a business in the 2200 block of Lakeside Drive in Waukegan, where the child was turned out of the SUV.

Fortunately, a woman inside the business witnessed what happened and quickly retrieved the child and kept him safe until police arrived, Covelli said. Around the same time, a relative of the woman was authorising payment to Car-Net to reactivate the account.

The delay – “16 minutes of hell,” Covelli said – rendered the company’s information “worthless” in finding the child.

The mother was scheduled to undergo a medical procedure Friday for broken bones, and was in stable condition, officials said.

“She sustained very serious injuries, and was able to do a great job of articulating to dispatchers what had happened, and what they needed to know,” Covelli said.

Police recovered the stolen car in a parking lot near Illinois Route 43 and Casimir Pulaski Drive in Waukegan.

Police are looking for the BMW used by the carjackers. It is a white 2000s model with a black bumper and a loud exhaust, and was reported stolen this week from a car dealership. – Lake County News-Sun/Tribune News Service


Volkswagen to discuss CEO contract extension today, say sources

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen's supervisory board will discuss today whether to extend the contract of chief executive Herbert Diess, say two people familiar with the matter.

The meeting, at which the sources said the board could decide in favour of a two-year extension for Diess until 2025, is taking place only days ahead of Volkswagen's strategy day scheduled for July 13.

A fresh contract would come shortly after Diess' long-term opponent Bernd Osterloh stepped down as works council head and took a management position at Volkswagen's truck unit Traton.

Diess, whose current contract runs until April 2023, had asked for an early extension towards the end of last year to get more backing for his efforts to reform Europe's top carmaker, but ran into opposition from powerful labour leaders, including Osterloh.

No firm decision has been taken and there is no guarantee that the supervisory board will reach an agreement at its meeting on Friday, the people said, adding several details still had to be hammered out.

A spokesperson for Volkswagen's supervisory board declined to comment.

An extension would give Diess the mandate to fulfil Volkswagen's declared ambition to become the world's largest electric vehicle maker by the middle of the decade and overtake key rival Tesla .

Diess, a former BMW executive, joined Volkswagen's management board in July 2015 before becoming CEO in April 2018 and has been the key driver behind the group's effort to transform itself.


Japan says Mazda, Suzuki, Yamaha Motor carried out improper testing

                TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp, Suzuki Motor Corp and Yamaha Motor Co conducted improper fuel economy and emissions tests on their vehicles, Japan’s transport ministry said today.

The report is the latest episode in a growing list of data falsifications in Japan that has tarnished the image of the country’s manufacturing industry, known for high-quality, efficient production.

The findings were the results of internal investigations ordered at Japanese auto makers by the ministry after improper testing at Subaru Corp and Nissan Motor Co.

Representatives for Mazda and Suzuki confirmed they submitted reports regarding improper testing to the ministry but declined further comment. Yamaha Motor confirmed it carried out inappropriate testing.

“Regarding the emissions inspections... it is a fact that there were improper actions,” a Yamaha spokesman said. “We sincerely apologise.”

In July this year, Nissan admitted it had improperly measured exhaust emissions and fuel economy for 19 vehicle models sold in Japan.

Kobe Steel, Mitsubishi Materials Corp and Toray Industries - all key suppliers of motor parts to global manufacturers - admitted to product data fabrication last year.

Many of the automakers, already hit by lacklustre sales, have also been under pressure from US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on imported vehicles.


Ministers to continue using Proton Perdana cars

                PUTRAJAYA: Ministers and deputy ministers will continue to use Proton Perdana as their official vehicles after all.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the decision was made after it was discovered that there was adequate supply of Perdana cars, despite initially being told that there was not enough.

“The government wanted to maintain Perdana as the official car. But we were told there was not enough.

"So, we were given a second option.

“Now we have information that there are enough Perdana cars for ministers and deputy ministers. So, we will be sticking with Perdana, ” said Lim at a press conference after his ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Lim said the contract for the supply of government official cars was currently being finalised, and an announcement would be made at a later date.

It was earlier reported that the government was in the midst of appointing a new company to procure official cars for senior government officers, including ministers.

The appointment of the new company follows the end of a 25-year concession with Spanco Sdn Bhd in 2019.

It was reported that the deal would have seen 32 units of Toyota Vellfire for ministers and 3,000 Honda Accords for senior government officials to replace the Proton Perdana and Toyota Camry cars currently being used.

The news sparked plenty of public debate, with many questioning the need for the government to buy more expensive foreign cars for official use.


TomTom wants drivers for Life in a Car movie

                LONDON: TomTom is calling on drivers around the world to get involved in a short film celebrating life on the road.

From the everyday to the extraordinary, TomTom wants drivers to capture and share their favourite driving experiences for the chance to star in the film, called Life in a Car.

The film will be made entirely from footage shot by real drivers, and will be directed by Natalia Andreadis, who worked on Ridley Scott’s award-winning crowd-sourced movie, Life in a Day.

It will premiere in September this year.

Andreadis said: “Life in a Car will bring drivers around the globe together, as they share the stories of their lives during their daily drives. I love working with real people, and real experiences, and can’t wait to see all the wonderful videos that drivers will share with us.”

People can get involved in the project by submitting their footage via a specially developed app for smartphones, or by uploading their films to a Facebook app.

The submission period runs until 15 August.


2017 Geneva Motor Show: Subaru XV

                GENEVA: Subaru has unveiled the all-new XV at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.

For the first re-design since launch in 2012, XV is built on Subaru’s completely revamped Subaru Global Platform architecture, significantly enhancing the body and chassis rigidity and strength.

Regarding the exterior, the wide and low stance provides a sporty impression and adds to the Subaru family look, from the hexagonal grille to the hawk-eye headlights.

The body-hugging seats have been revised for improved quality and feature grey trim to enhance XV’s character.

In the centre of the instrument panel is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system, with smartphone connectivity.

The new platform dramatically increases rigidity throughout the body and chassis (70 to 100 per cent increase over present models).

 Image source: AFP

Body roll of the vehicle has been reduced by 50 per cent compared to present models.

The steering gear ratio has been modified from 14:1 to 13:1 compared to the previous model, offering superior drivability.

The new XV comes with Active Torque Vectoring to enhance turning and steering performance, Electronic parking brake for more convenience, and All-Wheel Drive control.

In addition to Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, new XV is equipped with X-MODE.

X-MODE is designed to increase drivability by optimising integrated control of the engine, All-Wheel Drive system and brakes to provide additional control when tyres slip and lose traction on a slippery road surface, including when descending hills.

About 80 per cent of the parts on the FB series 2.0-litre Direct Injection Boxer engine have been revamped compared to previous naturally aspirated engines.

The new engine is lighter, delivering more power and improved fuel economy.

The improved Lineartronic greatly enhances ratio coverage and lightness to boost acceleration performance and fuel economy.

As well as employing full auto-step shift control, the Subaru XV features a 7-speed manual mode function for a more engaging driving experience.

EyeSight, Subaru’s innovative and highly acclaimed driver assist technology, delivers extremely reliable preventive safety and assists drivers through features such as Pre-Collision Braking Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist function.

The new High Beam Assist employs a monocular camera, automatically switching from high to low beam as per road conditions.

Steering Responsive Headlights move the beam right or left whilst cornering or at junctions to illuminate the direction of travel.

The Subaru XV uses two headlight controls for the first time, dramatically improving night-time visibility and the recognition capabilities of EyeSight.

The Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection has been fitted, offering blind spot detection, lane change assistance and reversing assistance to enhance all-round preventive safety.


China debut for Nissan Max-Out convertible concept

                SHANGHAI: At Auto Shanghai 2023, Nissan premiered two concepts - the Max-Out convertible sports car, which made its China debut, and the Arizon SUV, which made its global debut.

The Max-Out all-electric convertible concept was first revealed in 2021 as a digital concept representing the future of Nissan Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term vision to meet consumer, environmental and societal needs in a truly sustainable manner.

Nissan says the Max-Out is a design exploration in “being one with the car”, and embodies the Japanese automaker's new artistic stage and movement toward an increasingly digitized future, as expressed by its unique parabolic hologram wheels.

The sleek sports car has an aerodynamic shape, ultra-low center of gravity and e-4ORCE electric all-wheel-drive system.

The cabin’s ultra-wide display screen resembles the Max-Out’s distinctive exterior lamps.


Bezza factor buoys optimism about Perodua’s 2016-18 sales potential

                KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank IB Research is raising the sales forecasts of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) for the calendar year (CY) 2016 to 2018 due to the automaker’s successful launch of its latest model - Perodua Bezza.

Towards this end, the research house said today it was raising 2016, 2017 and 2018 sales forecasts for Perodua to 225,000, 250,000 and 240,000 units from 220,000, 217,000 and 205,000 respectively.

With this higher sales projections, the research outfit added it would also lift Perodua Bezza’s beneficiaries earnings forecast for financial year 2016 - 2018 like UMW Holdings Bhd, MBM Resources Bhd and Pecca Group Bhd by 1%-12%.

“In terms of exposure to Perodua, we believe that MBM is the largest with Perodua being a 22.6%-owned associate which accounts for 80%-85% of MBM’s bottomline. We estimate about 10-11% of Perodua cars sold in Malaysia are via MBM’s DMM Sales , auto parts supplies (i.e. seatbelts, airbags and wheels) via Hirotako and OMI, both under MBM.

“Pecca benefits as the sole supplier of leather car seat covers to the automaker while UMW sees positive exposure from its 38%-stake in Perodua itself,’’ it noted.

Maybank IB said MBM is now a buy with a higher target price (TP) of RM2.70, while Pecca/UMW remain as buy/sell with higher TPs of RM1.95/4.65 respectively.

Perodua expects to sell close to 8,000 units of Bezza per month in 2016, 38,000 units for the remaining five months of this year. Conservatively, the research house has raised the sales volume
forecasts for this model to 30,000, 84,000, 70,000 units from 15,000, 30,000 and 25,000 in CY16/17/18.

However, the brokerage’s total CY16/17/18 Perodua vehicle sales forecasts are only raised by 2%-17% as it account for some cannibalisation in the Myvi model as well as slower sales of the dated-Alza model.

Built in Perodua’s new plant (75% automation) in Serendah, the Bezza is 95% localized (thus, only 5% of parts are subject to forex fluctuation) and qualified as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) for its fuel efficiency (21-22km/litre of petrol; more than 700km per full tank).

For the top range 1.3L advance variant, the car would also be equipped with features comparable to entry-level Japanese/continental sedan models (i.e vehicle stability control, brake sssist, traction control, hill start assist).

Coupled with other attractive features, this competitively-priced Bezza model is a threat to Proton’s sedan offerings. Saga, Iriz and Persona combine, made up about 70,000-75,000 units of Proton’s 102,000 sales in 2015, Maybank IB said.


Genesis GV80: First images of the SUV

                SEOUL: Genesis has shared the first official images of the GV80, the first sport-utility vehicle for the brand.

The much-anticipated, three-row (available) GV80 will become the fourth model in the Genesis lineup, joining the G70, G80 and G90 sedans.

Like its sedan siblings, GV80 will be based on a rear-wheel-drive platform unique to the Genesis brand; all-wheel drive will be optional.

The “V” in the GV80 marque represents versatility that only a Genesis SUV can offer.

“Over the last four years, Genesis established itself as a respected luxury brand with superior vehicle quality and a lineup of class-leading sedans with charismatic and discriminating style,” said William Lee, Executive Vice President and Global Head of the Genesis Brand.

“With the launch of GV80, Genesis will elevate expectations for excellence within the luxury SUV market.”

The first images of GV80, which will be supplemented in coming weeks by engineering details, provide a complete picture of the first SUV created by Genesis Design.

The interior and exterior styling of GV80, a development of the GV80 Concept introduced at the 2017 New York auto show, was a collaboration between Genesis Design studios located in South Korea, the United States and Germany.

“GV80 allows us to expand our definition of Athletic Elegance design language to a new typology, while retaining sublime proportionality and sophistication of form,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President, Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.

Signature Genesis design elements are immediately visible on GV80, from every vantage point.

Surrounded by the high-tech Quad Lamps, the Crest Grille emphasizes gravitas consistent with the positioning of GV80.

The Parabolic Line runs smoothly along the side with precise execution, accentuated by power lines above each wheel emphasizing stance and presence.

Sang Yup Lee, Senior Vice President, Head of Genesis Design added “The Quad Lamp, our design signature, introduces an unmistakable visual impression completely unique to Genesis.”

The G-Matrix pattern that appears in light fixtures throughout the exterior, as well the design of the wheels, is inspired by beautiful orchids seen when diamonds are illuminated by light.

The interior of GV80 focuses on the beauty of open space, characteristic of the elegant South Korean architectural aesthetic.

Minimalism is in the details, with a commanding driving position surrounded by high mounted control surfaces.

The slim air vents stretch across the front to highlight the width of the cabin featuring minimal physical buttons with the new touch screen climate control.

The center console is equipped with a jewel-like, rotating electronic gear selector, providing an exquisite balance of simplicity and glamor.

Set to launch globally in 2020, GV80 will commence sales in the home market of South Korea in January.


AP policy for used cars stays for now

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Government still retains the approved permit (AP) policy for the import of used cars, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.

He said the abolishment of the policy was still being studied as it was a rather complex exercise.

“At the moment, the policy still applies. We have yet to resolve a few things,” he told reporters after the breaking of fast with students hosted by the International Trade and Industry and Ministry here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mustapa said the Government had identified the export of vehicle components as a potential sector that could contribute to the growth of the country’s automotive industry, instead of exporting vehicles.

“As the Malaysian market is relatively mature, it is quite difficult for us to achieve a 10% growth.

“We feel that there is greater potential in exporting automotive components as several Malaysian companies had already succeeded in doing that,” he said.

Two deputy international trade and industry ministers, namely Senator Datuk Lee Chee Leong and Datuk Hamim Samuri were present.

At the event, Mustapa presented Aidilfitri gifts to 30 students from quran memorisation schools, Maahad Tahfiz Darul Muhibbin and Maahad Tahfiz Sains Fatimah Al Zahrah.


Autonomous cars — still many questions to answer

                DETROIT: Autonomous driving is generating talk at this year's Detroit Auto Show after being a star at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The technology has generated plenty of excitement, but still faces myriad questions before it can be widely adopted.

Where does the technology stand?

Hundreds of fully autonomous cars have been built and put on roads in various countries around the world, but these vehicles are not for sale to the general public. Rather, carmakers and other companies developing the technology are testing these vehicles at low speeds in restricted areas.

Do today's cars employ any autonomous technology?

Some carmakers, especially higher-end brands including Audi, Mercedes, Tesla and Volvo, have installed autonomous features in a limited way to cars now on the market.

Some cars can park themselves or permit the driver to take his or her hands off the steering wheel under certain, narrowly-defined conditions, such as during a traffic jam or riding on the highway.

Models have installed autonomous braking systems and computer programs to maintain a safe distance from other cars, as well as to change lanes and pass other cars.

How does autonomous driving function?

Autonomous cars take readings from three different types of sensors cameras, radar and a scanner. This triple data set provides "great certainty" as to dangers from pedestrians or nearby objects, said Guillaume Devauchelle, director of innovation at French auto equipment company Valeo.

"There must be less than one in a billion chance of a mistake," he added.

But technologists face numerous complexities on roads -- especially in urban settings, where there is a constant and unpredictable throng of pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles. Snow and other bad weather can also pose difficulties for sensors.

The industry is still far from a solving all the riddles that would allow people "to legally watch a movie" in a fully autonomous car, said Rebecca Lindland, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

"I think we're just a long way off from really having that in any widespread application," she said.

Where do regulators stand on autonomous cars?

The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, an international treaty, requires the driver to always maintain control of his vehicle. But the agreement has been amended to permit testing of autonomous vehicles.

For now, autonomous shuttles and taxis testing the technology on the public roads must have an operator who can immediately take control of the vehicle. But regulators are expected to permit more exemptions in the near-future, especially for "clearly defined tests over a carefully-prescribed geographic area," Devauchelle said.

General Motors unveiled Friday an autonomous car model with no steering wheel or pedals and said it was seeking approval from US regulators to test the vehicle as part of its strategy to introduce the cars to US roads in 2019.

How fast will it grow?

Autonomous features in cars sold at retail are limited at this point only to some luxury vehicles, but are expected to gradually become more widely adopted.

Shuttles and robotic taxis are also still very niche, but will grow strongly in 2018, analysts said. Much more wide adoption by taxis or ride-sharing companies like Uber or Lyft could become a big market in major cities such as Paris, New York City or mega-cities in Asia and is not seen as being that far off.

Autonomous technology could also be adopted for postal deliveries and in public transport.

The auto industry is preparing for autonomous driving to become a significant puzzle piece in the 2020s.

How will insurers treat autonomous vehicles?

In some ways, the insurance of autonomous vehicles is fairly straightforward, said Francois Nedey, a member of the executive committee at Allianz France. In the case of a claim against a shuttle, the operator is responsible, although he could also take action against a manufacturer if the vehicle is defective.

With cars, the driver is considered responsible, but an insurer could go after the manufacturer if an autonomous vehicle is dysfunctional.

As autonomous cars become more widespread, "we will need to modify the rules" so that the "vehicle is considered responsible by default," Nedey said.

For now, autonomous shuttles and taxis testing the technology on the public roads must have an operator who can immediately take control of the vehicle.


Haval reaches Batam, Indonesia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Go Auto, the sole distributor for Haval vehicles in Malaysia, has extended its reach into Batam, Indonesia.

The models that have been introduced in Batam are the H1, H2 and H8 with almost 100 bookings having been recorded so far.

According to Go Auto CEO Ahmad Azam Sulaiman, the company is optimistic that the numbers will increase after its official launch and have targeted to sell 400 units in Batam for the remainder of this year.

The company’s plan is to turn Malaysia into a Haval Sports Utility Vehicle assembling hub with Energy Efficient Vehicle status for export to other Asean markets,

From left: Azam, Makmur Andalan Indonesia (MAI) director Sudry Aliyanto, Nusa Jaya Mobilindo director Acun and Kota Batam Industrial and Trading Department chief Zarefriadi.

“We also have demands coming in from Singapore which we think is fascinating. It’s not due to market value but more on the brand itself. Haval’s arrival in Singapore will be a benchmark for the brand in Asean”, said Azam.

After Cambodia, Brunei and Batam, the company now plans to expand into Vietnam, Philippines and Myanmar from now towards the end of 2018.


VW plans to use new 3D printing process in vehicle production

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is pressing ahead with the use of innovative 3D printers in car production.

For the first time, the newest process – known as binder jetting – is being used to manufacture components at the company’s main plant here.

Whereas conventional 3D printing uses a laser to build a component layer by layer from metallic powder, the binder jetting process uses an adhesive.

The resulting metallic component is then heated and shaped. Using the binder jetting component reduces costs and increases productivity – for example, the components weigh only half as much as those made from sheet steel.

Volkswagen is currently the only car maker using this 3D printing technology in the production process.

“Despite the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re continuing to work on innovation,” said Christian Vollmer, member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Production and Logistics.

“Together with our partners, we aim to make 3D printing even more efficient in the years ahead and suitable for production-line use.”

To achieve this innovative advance, Volkswagen has invested an amount in the mid-double-digit million euro range over the past five years. In addition, the company has entered into a software partnership with Siemens and expanded its existing collaboration with printer manufacturer HP Inc.

With the first full-scale use of binder jetting, they intend to acquire important experience and learn, for example, which components can be produced economically and quickly in the future or how additive manufacturing can support the digital transformation of production at Volkswagen.

HP is providing the high-tech printers needed and Siemens the special software for additive manufacturing. One key process step that has been worked on jointly by Siemens and VW is optimising the positioning of components in the build chamber. Known as nesting, this technique makes it possible to produce twice as many parts per print session.

From summer, the three companies intend to establish a joint expert team at the high- tech 3D printing centre which opened here at the end of 2018 and enables the manufacture of complex automotive components using 3D printing. The centre also trains employees in the use of these technologies.

By 2025, the aim is to produce up to 100,000 components by 3D printing here each year. The first components made using the binder jetting process have gone to Osnabrück for certification: components for the A pillar of the T-Roc convertible. These weigh almost 50 percent less than conventional components made from sheet steel.

This reduction alone makes the process especially interesting for automotive production applications. Volkswagen has already successfully conducted crash tests on 3D-printed metallic vehicle components. Until now, the production of larger volumes was not cost-effective enough. However, the new technology and the collaboration will now make production-line use economically viable.

Volkswagen has been using 3D printing for 25 years, starting in technical development with the goal of accelerating vehicle development and reducing costs.

Today, there are 13 units at the Wolfsburg plant using various printing processes to manufacture both plastic and metal components. Typical examples are plastic components for prototypes such as centre consoles, door cladding, instrument panels and bumpers. Printed metal components include intake manifolds, radiators, brackets and support elements. Over the past 25 years, more than one million components have been produced.


Cars coming to Malaysia in 2018

                PETALING JAYA: The new year is just around the corner and with it brings new and exciting models to look out for in the Malaysian market. First up is the much anticipated SUV from national carmaker Proton based on the Geely Boyue.

Proton SUV
It is expected to make its debut in the second half of 2018 and two variants are likely to be offered, including a turbocharged version.

The Boyue sold in China is powered by a choice of powertrain options: a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine with 161hp paired with a 6-speed manual and a 1.8L Turbo Direct Injection engine (181hp) mated to a dual clutch automatic transmission. READ MOREKia Picanto

The all-new Kia Picanto, which made its global debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, is confirmed to arrive soon. It might just be the first new launch of the year.

Created in collaboration by Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany, it boasts a high-tech cabin featuring a "floating" 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. New in-car technologies and connectivity features including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a wireless smartphone charger.

With 255l of boot space, the new Picanto has the largest boot capacity of any A-segment car. It's also the first car in its class to offer Autonomous Emergency Braking. A performance-inspired GT-Line model is available for the first time. Engine options are 1.0- and 1.25-litre petrol engines as well as a new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol direct injection mill making 99hp. READ MOREBMW M5 x-Drive

If it's a fire-breathing chariot you are after, then the new BMW M5 x-Drive is your weapon of choice.

The new 4.4-litre V8 block spews an unforgiving 600hp and 750Nm of torque which gets you from 0 to 100kph in just 3.4 seconds.

Watch this space for the latest news of the official release and price. READ MORERange Rover Velar

This luxury SUV will be coming to Malaysia in the second quarter of 2018.

In Britain, it is offered in seven variants no less. There is a choice between the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines with outputs ranging from 178hp to 375hp.  All variants use an 8-speed automatic transmission. Malaysian customers are likely to get the top specifications to justify the high asking prices. A diesel and petrol variant would do nicely to kick off the Malaysian debut.

The Velar is now open for booking at all Land Rover showrooms nationwide. READ MOREToyota Harrier

The new Toyota Harrier will come in two variants - Harrier 2.0T Luxury and Harrier 2.0T Premium - with a starting price of RM238,000 (on-the-road without insurance).

The Harrier, imported from Japan, and distributed by UMW Toyota Motor will offer the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with D-4ST and VVT-iW technology variant.

Bookings is open at all authorised showrooms. READ MOREToyota C-HR

The stylish, compact crossover is another highly anticipated model from Toyota. So far, all we know is that its due to launch next year and is offered in the 1.8 litre Dual VVT-i engine mated to a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with sequential shifter.

It comes with a range of safety features including Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Other features include side mirror puddle lights, follow-me-home headlights and a premium interior. READ MOREVolvo XC60

Celebrate the new year with a bang and grab yourself the new Volvo XC60 which is due to be launched in early 2018. The compact SUV from the Swedish marque continues to offer its award-winning T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid engine delivering 407hp and acceleration from 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds.

It's not surprising then that the new XC60 is one of the safest cars ever made, and comes loaded with new technologies. READ MOREMINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4

Who wants an electrified MINI? Well, the wait could be over as it is set to arrive in 2018.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle comes with a 3-cylinder petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor, producing an output of 224hp.

It boasts a 0-100kph time of just 6.9 seconds. READ MOREHyundai KONA

Hyundai has a ace up its sleeve with its all-new KONA compact crossover. It's anticipated to make its Malaysian debut in 2018 and what we know so far is speculative but it's already launched in Britain.

Over there, the KONA comes in two variants: two turbocharged, small-displacement petrol powertrains with high low-end torque and excellent fuel efficiency in the form of a 1.0-litre T-GDI with a 6-speed manual transmission (MT) and 120PS and a high-power 1.6-litre T-GDI with 177PS and Hyundai’s self-developed 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) and four-wheel drive.

We're betting the larger 1.6L variant may be making its way here. READ MORE

On a related note, we reckoned some car companies would use the KL International Motor Show as a platform to introduce new models in the last quarter of 2018. Yes, the show is making a comeback after an absence of five years. More details to follow when we have them.


BMW X3 and X4 get new power units

                MUNICH: Additional model variants of the BMW X3 and the BMW X4 will be available from August 2018 onwards.

The BMW X3 line-up will be expanded to include a second BMW M Performance automobile.

With the premiere of the BMW X3 M40d, the number of engines available to choose from for the Sports Activity Vehicle in the premium mid-range segment increases to seven.

What is more, this newcomer is now the second BMW M Performance model in the series.

In the BMW X3 M40d, an in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine generates a peak output of 326hp and a maximum torque of 680Nm already available at 1,750 rpm thanks to multi-stage turbocharging and common rail direct injection with piezo injectors, accelerating the car from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

 2019 BMW X3 M40d.

Meanwhile, the BMW X4 will also be available with an additional in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine as of August 2018.

The power unit in the new BMW X4 xDrive30d generates a peak output of 265hp and a maximum torque of 620Nm.

It takes the car just 5.8 seconds to accelerate from standing to 100 km/h.

All new model variants of the BMW X3 and the BMW X4 are fitted as standard with an 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission.


Nissan dealer in PJ first to adopt new retail concept

                PETALING JAYA: A Nissan showroom in Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara is the first in Malaysia to introduce a new Nissan Retail Concept (NRC) to improve customer services.

It has a new exterior with its iconic red Nissan tablet signage, and facilities such as a café-styled modern customer lounge, free Wi-Fi connectivity, and a fun kids’ corner.

The showroom covers a total built-up area of 6,556 square feet and has ample customer parking, a fleet of test drive vehicles and displays up to five Nissan models.

The new showroom operated by Nikaijaya Resource (KL) Sdn Bhd is located at 923A, Jalan Melor, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, approximately 700m after Damansara Toll Plaza on the left.

“The Nissan Retail Concept (NRC) adapts to the latest ways of our business environment and it represents our commitment in providing our customers with a high quality experience from the minute they arrive. We continue to expand and enhance our customer touch points to ensure a greater coverage and accessibility for our customers in order to meet the growing demand of our Nissan brand,” said Christopher Tan, sales and marketing director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM).

Operation hours for Nikaijaya Resource (KL) Nissan showroom are:

Monday – Friday: 9.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am – 6.00pm
Sunday and Public Holiday: 9.30am – 5pm

Join the Nissan Test Drive Carnival at this new showroom from 19 - 20 October 2019 to experience the new Nissan LEAF, the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, receive attractive deals on a range of Nissan models and enjoy fun-filled activities for the whole family.

Nikaijaya Resource (KL) Sdn Bhd Nissan showroom can be contacted at 03-7733 8388.

Meanwhile, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd continuously seeks passionate and dedicated partners to join Nissan’s commitment to Malaysia.

Interested Dealer Investors are invited to contact ETCM’s Dealer Office at dealer@tanchonggroup.com or call 03-4047 8621 to register their interest in being a new Nissan dealer.


Tan Chong Expres Auto Service takes top Nissan regional award

                PETALING JAYA: Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn Bhd (TCEAS) recently emerged as Champion in the Nissan Service Advisor Excellence Competency (NISAC) Award Asia Regional Contest held in Thailand.

 Ernest Chong Ruichen.

from Nissan Kuching 3S Centre, who took national honours in the NISAC National Contest held in April 2018, was chosen to represent Malaysia for the regional competition.

Being the youngest contestant, Chong tops the Service Advisor contest, beating other more experienced contestants from Hong Kong, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Brunei and Sri Lanka. He was commended for his extraordinary soft skills, Nissan Sales and Service Way handling standards and customer’s centric mindset.

Nissan Service Advisor Excellence Competency (NISAC) Award Asia Regional Contest is a regional competition organised by Nissan Motor Co Ltd. (NML), aimed to recognise and award the best-skilled service advisor from After-Sales and Service divisions.

“We are extremely proud of Ernest Chong’s achievement as the champion of NISAC. Being the youngest achiever, he will be a role model in setting quality service standards to many other Nissan service advisors here in Malaysia. We will continue to improve the skills and capabilities of our service specialists, and consistently provide our customers with the highest after-sales and service support”, said Head of After-Sales, TCEAS, Michael Yao Tsu-Wei.

In other news, TCEAS together with Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) would like to re-emphasize on the Takata airbag inflator replacement service campaign.

Customers with affected Nissan vehicles are advised to call the nearest TCEAS outlet for Takata airbag inflator replacement appointment.

Selected TCEAS outlets have extended its operation hours and now open 365 days, making it easier for customers to service their vehicles on weekends, as well as to alleviate the capacities for the replacement activity.

All labour and replacement parts for this replacement service campaign will be at no cost to owners.

Customers may call Nissan Customer Care Centre at the toll-free line: 1800-88-3838 for further clarification or visit www.nissan.com.my (click on ‘Owners’ tab followed by ‘Recall Campaign’) to find out if your Nissan vehicle is involved in this recall campaign.


Toyota and Kinto aim to make car subscription 'personal and fun'

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota and Kinto Co. Ltd  announced today that they are working together to make car subscription more personal and satisfying through individualisation services and products.

For starters, the two companies are offering through Kinto, the new GR Yaris "Morizo Selection", a product that can be updated with the latest software tailored to each customer.

By pairing racing-based updates and personalisation with the Kinto service to introduce the latest software to customers' cars even after such cars have been delivered, Toyota and Kinto intend to take on the challenge of evolving cars in a way that is in tune with their changing taste.

Toyota said the new strategy would allow customers to enjoy their cars even more. It aims to rapidly expand the delivery of such subscription cars and services across Japan.

Kinto is a monthly car subscription service set up in 2019 as a joint venture between Toyota and the Sumitomo group. Kinto is part of Toyota’s gameplan to evolve into a mobility company by providing a wide range of transport-related services around the world.

A key trait of the Kinto service is its ability to continue providing added value even after a subscription contract has been signed.

Toyota said there would be timely software updates from spring 2022 that would be in line with technological innovations and the optimisation of basic vehicle performance in terms of driving, turning, and stopping. Toyota said some services may be an extra charge option beyond the monthly subscription fee. More details would follow in spring 2022.

The cars would mostly be supplied by GR Garage shops at various vehicle sales outlets in Japan.

As for the GR Yaris "Morizo Selection" car, it is based on the RZ "High performance" version of the GR Yaris, accented by Morizo and ROOKIE Racing motifs.

They include Morizo emblem on the windshield;  Rookie Racing-inspired colour scheme in seat stitching, coil springs, and shock absorbers; plus Rookie Racing logo as wheel decoration and on door switch bases.

The car is available in three exterior body colours of Platinum White Pearl Mica, Emotional Red II, and Precious Black Pearl.

Fees for the GR Yaris "Morizo Selection" start at 54,340 yen (RM2,050) per month with a three-year Kinto contract.


No car price hike, govt still in talks, says Guan Eng

                KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng denies that car prices will increase, as the government has yet to reach an agreement with regards to the restructuring of excise duties.

He said the changes — if any — would not affect the current excise duty rate.

"Should there be any changes, it must be made gradually and not abruptly. We are holding discussions regarding the matter to ensure transparency (in terms of reporting) so that we can continue to meet our obligations to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)," he said.

READ MORE: Lower car prices in the offing?

Speaking to reporters after the launching the Budget 2020: Government Guarantee Schemes for SMEs by Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Bhd (SJPP) here today, he urged the public to wait for an official announcement from the government and not to take any speculation in the market as the final say.

Lim said this when he was asked to comment on news report of a potential hike in the prices of locally assembled vehicles following the possible restructuring of automotive duties.

According to the reports, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance are in talks to determine the revised rates for excise duty policy involving locally assembled vehicles.


Special promotions for Ford owners in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, has promotions for Ford owners in the upcoming Thaipusam and Chinese New Year festivities.

“We know that there will be a lot of long-distance travel during this festive season as many Malaysians return to their hometowns to spend time with their families. We are pleased to offer these promotions and service discounts, as part of our commitment to ensuring Ford owners get home safely,” said SDAC managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

Valid from now until 5 February 2019, the Ford Festive campaign includes a free 27-point vehicle inspection by Ford-certified technicians.

Customers can also enjoy discounts of up to 20 percent on selected parts and selected packages.

Only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are used.

Additionally, further savings of up to 10 percent on labour fees for lubricant, brake and timing belt packages are offered.

During this period, any customer who spends a minimum of RM350 in a single receipt at any authorised Ford dealer will receive an exclusive Ford gift.

All walk-in customers will also receive free Chinese New Year packets, while stocks last.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Hindu customers a blessed Thaipusam and our Chinese customers ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’,” added Muzri.

Customers can book their service appointments online via the official SDAC-Ford website: www.sdacford.com.my or through the Ford Malaysia MY App.

Alternatively, customers can call their nearest Ford authorised service centre to make an appointment.

Simply access the ‘locate a dealer’ tab on the website for more information about preferred locations with the relevant contact information.


Scania delivers first batch of new truck generation to Infinity Logistics & Transport

                SHAH ALAM: Scania handed over the first batch of 60 Scania New Truck Generation (NTG) to Infinity Logistics & Transport Sdn Bhd (Infinity) to aid the company's growth.

Infinity CEO Datuk Chan Kong Yew received the vehicles from Scania Southeast Asia sales director Daniel Tan.

The 60 NTGs are 30 units of P360A 4X2NZ and 30 units of G410A 6X2NZ.

The NTGs are designed and engineered to give Scania truck owners better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions as it is equipped with advanced powertrain and aerodynamic solutions.

They give more than 3% fuel economy when coupled with Scania Contracted Services and Data-driven Services.

Furthermore, the Opticruise gearbox gives the NTGs a pre-set default Economy mode for even more fuel efficiency.

In addition, NTGs alsofeature a comfortable adjustable driver seat that is placed closer to the door and an ergonomic dashboard with a 5-inch touchscreen.

The NTGs also come with a large windscreen with extended view that allows clear visibility from the different angles for the drivers to operate more comfortably and safer.

Also included are Electronic Braking System (EBS) for responsive emergency braking.

 (From left) Chan, Infinity Logistics & Transport chairman Tan Sri Nelson Tan Jyh Yaong and Tan checking the interior of the NTG.

Infinity also subscribed to Scania Maintenance service that is proactive to avoid time-consuming and costly problems from occurring to maximise uptime and lower operating costs.

Scania Maintenance also gives predictable costs, so that Infinity can focus its time and energy on its business, worry-free.

By individually optimising the different modules in its service plan, Scania ensures via the maintenance contract that downtime is planned and only occurs when absolutely necessary.

Chan said Infinity is in this business to ensure profits to shareholders as well as taking care of the environment that the company operated in.

Tan said the NTGs would strengthen Infinity’s fleet and enable fulfilment of its objective to run a sustainable operation in-line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.


Audi's Schot would like to be long-term CEO, says mag

Schot was promoted to interim CEO in June after incumbent Rupert Stadler was arrested. — Reuters
BERLIN/FRANKFURT: The interim CEO of VW’s Audi unit, Bram Schot, laid claim to the top job for the long term, amid uncertainty when a prospective new hire from BMW, who has been seen as Audi CEO-designate, can join Volkswagen.

“I would be available as Audi chief in the long run and would like that very much,” Schot said in an interview published by Manager Magazin today.

The sales executive was promoted to interim CEO in June after incumbent Rupert Stadler was arrested for his alleged role in bringing diesel cars with devices to cheat emission tests to European markets.

In July, Volkswagen recruited BMW engine development and purchasing expert Markus Duesmann, who has been seen as a potential successor to Stadler, as VW looks to shake off the scandal.

But Duesmann’s current BMW term runs until September next year and he is contractually banned from working for a competitor such as VW for one year thereafter. An earlier release would be subject to negotiations with BMW.

Manager Magazin quoted unspecified sources as saying BMW was not willing to make concessions.

Schot also said in the interview that Audi’s supervisory board had not imposed any restrictions on him and that he was making decisions for the company for the short, medium and long term.

The feedback he receives from co-workers is positive, the magazine quoted Schot as saying, adding: “They don’t give me the feeling that I am seen as an interim solution.”


Michelin plans to make its tyres 100% sustainable by 2050

                PARIS: Tyre-maker Michelin has announced that all of its tyres will be made from sustainable materials by 2050.

To achieve this, Michelin plans to draw on the expertise of its R&D department, while also forming partnerships with innovative startups.

The idea of sustainable tyres has been gaining ground for several years at Michelin, with projects such as the firm's VISION concept tyre, an airless, connected, rechargeable and entyrely sustainable solution introduced in 2017.

Currently, just 30% of the components used in manufacturing Michelin tyres are made from natural, recycled or otherwise sustainable raw materials.

And the challenge of achieving 100% sustainability is considerable, since a tyre comprises more than 200 ingredients, from natural rubber and synthetic rubber to metal, fibers, carbon black and silica.

It is the Michelin research and development department that will be responsible for finding the magic recipe for making the firm's tyres 100% sustainable in the next 30 years, while continuing to ensure comfort and safety.

By joining forces with specialist startups, Michelin also soon hopes to start recycling polystyrene and recovering carbon black or pyrolysis oil from used tyres.

The firm recently partnered with the Swedish company, Enviro to build a first tyre recycling plant in Chile, coming in 2023.

Enviro has patented technology for recovering carbon black, pyrolysis oil, steel, gas and other new, high-quality reusable materials from scrap tyres.

Eventually, the aim is to recycle each end-of-life tyre in its entyrety. Located near Antofagasta in Chile, the plant should be able to recycle around 30,000 tons of tyres per year.