Auto group tries to block EPA from finalising vehicle rules

                WASHINGTON: A major auto trade group is making a last-ditch effort to block the US Environmental Protection Agency from finalising tough fuel economy standards through the 2025 model year.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group representing General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp , Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG, late Monday urged congressional negotiators to include language in a short-term budget resolution that would bar the Obama administration from finalising the rules before it leaves office next month.

"EPA's sudden and controversial move to propose auto regulations eight months early - even after Congress warned agencies about taking such steps while political appointees were packing their bags - calls out for congressional action to pause this rulemaking until a thoughtful policy review can occur," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the group. An EPA spokesman declined to comment on Monday.

Automakers face an uphill battle getting the language attached to the funding bill, which could be made public as early as Tuesday. Even if Congress approves the rider, President Barack Obama would get to decide whether to sign or veto any funding bill.

Automakers had appealed to President-elect Donald Trump last month, who has been critical of Obama's climate change policies, to review the rules requiring them to nearly double fleet-wide fuel efficiency by 2025, saying they impose significant costs and are out of step with consumer preferences.

The EPA under law had to decide by April 2018 whether to modify the 2022-2025 model year vehicle emission rules requiring average fleet-wide efficiency of more than 50mpg (4.7l/100km).

Instead, the agency said last week it will end the public comment period by Dec 30, and could move to lock in the rules after then and before the Obama administration leaves office on Jan 20.

If finalised, the Trump administration could seek to overturn the decision, but environmental groups would likely sue. Several environmental groups last week praised the EPA action.

The agency said last week it concluded after a lengthy review that automakers can meet the 2025 standards.
Janet McCabe, EPA acting assistant administrator, told reporters last week the technical record could "arguably support strengthening the 2022 through 2025 standards," but the EPA believes it "is not the time to introduce uncertainty by changing the standard."


April vehicle sales down 8.8% from March

                KUALA LUMPUR: Total industry vehicle (TIV) sales in April fell by 8.8% to 49,964 units from March, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said.

The trade body said on Friday the decline in April sales compared with those of March were due to the rush for deliveries by companies which had their financial year ending on March 31, 2019.

“Consumers were also adopting a wait-and-see attitude, that is waiting for the Hari Raya festive season promotions,” it said.

However, when compared with a year ago, April vehicle sales rose by 6.2% from 47,047 units.

Vehicles sold in April comprised of 45,334 passenger vehicles and the remaining 4,630 were commercial vehicles.

Year-to-date, the TIV sales rose by 5.9% to 193,028 units from 182,157 units in the previous corresponding period.

The MAA data aso showed production picked up in April, rising to 52,806 units of which 48,877 were passenger vehicles and the remainng 3,209 were commercial vehicles.

However, MAA was upbeat on the outlook for May as it expected higher sales compared with April due to the festive season promotional campaigns.


Jaguar I-PACE is European Car of the Year 2019

                GENEVA: The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE has been voted "Car of the Year" at the European Car of the Year Awards 2019. This is the first time a Jaguar has won the coveted prize.

The European Car of the Year jury comprises 60 motoring journalists from 23 countries, and the award recognises technical innovation, design, performance, efficiency and value for money.

Designed and developed in the UK, the I-PACE has registered sales success globally, with more than 8,000 customer deliveries to date – 75 per cent of them in Europe.

The I-PACE is engineered to take full advantage of its electric powertrain and bespoke aluminium architecture, offering sports car performance and SUV practicality.

Charging is made easy for customers using the Jaguar public charging service, accessed via a dedicated app or using an RFID key. With tailor-made charging packages and tariffs compiled into a simple monthly bill, it gives I-PACE customers access to more than 85,000 charging points throughout Europe.

“For our first electric vehicle to also be the first Jaguar to win European Car of the Year gives us a huge sense of pride," said Jaguar Land Rover CEO Prof Dr Ralf Speth.

“I-PACE was designed and engineered in the UK from a clean sheet of paper. It is the most technologically advanced battery electric vehicle."


CES 2019: For auto tech, 'user experience' becomes the key

                LAS VEGAS: Technology firms tackling the challenge of autonomous driving are focusing on the "user experience" of vehicles that are increasingly becoming an extension of people's digital life.

Carmakers and tech firms are refining the systems for self-driving navigation and safety. But with full autonomy still likely years away, there is a growing interest in making cars a place to live, work, communicate and enjoy the ride.

At the Consumer Electronics Show this week, exhibitors were showcasing technology for comfort, safety, entertainment and personalisation.

Byton, the China-based electric carmaker expected to launch its first vehicles late this year, showed its M-Byte SUV with a 48-inch display panel, covering the width of the dash, where riders can watch movies, check messages and get other information — although the full array of services won't be offered while someone is driving.

The Byton car will use facial recognition to customise the experience for drivers and passengers, with personalised music and recommendations.

The car would know who is inside and how long they have been travelling, and in one example cited by the company, make recommendations for restaurants along a particular route.

"The car could become the most important device in your digital life," said Carsten Breitfeld, co-founder and chief executive of Byton.

Byton will offer the potential for partial autonomy, allowing riders to focus on other things such as watching movies, shopping with a voice assistant or browsing the internet.

The vehicle will work through voice, touch, gestures or facial recognition.

"It's all about the customer experience," Carsten told a media event at the Las Vegas show, while noting that more of the enhanced features will be used when the car is in autonomous mode or stationary.

Empathy and emotion

Gawain Morrison, co-founder of the British-based artificial intelligence startup Sensum, said the human factor is becoming more important in the automobile sector.

"A lot of the technology up to now has been about moving from point A to point B," he said.

"The next generation is about how to interact with the humans. They need an understanding about the human state at any point in the journey."

Sensum and its auto-supplier partner Valeo showed what it called "empathic mobility tech" which can measure occupants' emotional state and physiological comfort, and adjust its environmental settings accordingly.

The South Korean automaker Kia dubbed its system "'Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving," or READ with an emotional AI-based cabin which analyzes a driver's emotional state by monitoring facial expressions, heart rate and electrodermal activity.

"The system enables continuous communication between driver and vehicle through the unspoken language of 'feeling', thereby providing an optimal, human-sense oriented space for the driver in real-time," said Albert Biermann, president and head of research for Kia parent Hyundai.

Warnings for drowsiness

German auto equipment maker Continental was showing its monitoring system which can detect if a driver is distracted or drowsy, in line with recommendations from the European Union.

"You may get a visual warning, or the seat will vibrate, or the steering wheel will vibrate," said Continental executive Heinz Abel. "This is part of an effort to guide your attention back to the road."

Several equipment makers were showcasing what they called the "cockpit of the future" which could be available for conventional vehicles and adapted for autonomous mode.

Visteon, a former Ford unit which makes automotive equipment, displayed its electronic control unit which integrates the driving and manages other system such as information and entertainment.

Upton Bowden, the head of new technology for Visteon, said equipment makers will be offering a "transitional cockpit" which helps people understand what is happening in autonomous mode.

 The M-Byte with its 48-inch screen.

"You want the occupants to trust the system," said Bowden.

"When you get into an automated vehicle you have no knowledge of that system, so you have some level of discomfort."

The key to overcoming mistrust, he said, is to offer more transparency: "We can give you a real-time digital picture of what's going on by taking the data and transforming it into a graphical user experience."

Bowden said these systems can be especially useful for autonomous rideshare vehicles, allowing personalization of the experience through cloud-based technology.

"It would recognize who you were and handle payment through facial recognition," he said.

"It can instantly pair to your cloud account and bring in your favorite radio stations and other information."


VW wants to make more electric cars in China

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen on Wednesday said it signed a cooperation agreement with SAIC Motor Corporation to boost production, research and development of electric cars in China.

VW said it has agreed to expand the main plant of the Chinese joint venture SVW in Anting.

Over the next four years, Volkswagen plans to localise more than 15 different electric vehicle models in China, including plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, the company said.

Research activities in the field of fuel cells and plug-in hybrid vehicles are to be intensified as well.

It was also agreed that a new C-segment model of the Volkswagen brand would be produced at the Anting plant, to the west of Shanghai, from 2016.

VW said that within the next four years, a new electric vehicle model based on Volkswagen’s Chinese bestseller, the Lavida, is due to roll off the production line at the Anting plant.

These agreements form part of the total investment of 22 billion euros (US$25 billion) in China planned by the Volkswagen Group together with its joint ventures by 2019.

Together with its joint ventures Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen, the Volkswagen Group delivered a total of 3.7 million vehicles in China in 2014, representing an increase of 12.4 percent over the previous year.

The Volkswagen Group has 29 vehicle and component production locations in China.


Jaguar F-Type Checkered Flag Limited Edition announced

                NEW YORK: Jaguar has announced the addition of a new F-Type Checkered Flag Limited Edition model for its US market to celebrate the brand’s sports car heritage that dates back to the reveal of the XK 120 in 1948.

Based on the Jaguar F-TYPE R-Dynamic Coupe and Convertible with a four- or six-cylinder engine, the limited edition model features subtle visual enhancements to the exterior and to the driver-focused “1+1” cabin.

Highlights include a Black Contrast roof on the Coupe and a Windsor Leather interior featuring Performance seats with embossed headrests, a Dark Brushed Aluminum centre console trim finisher and – in recognition of the Jaguar brand’s motorsport successes – a steering wheel with a discrete Checkered Flag logo and red leather band to mark the 12 o’clock position.

The exterior of the F-TYPE is enhanced by the Exterior Black Design Pack, equipped as standard on the limited edition, which benefits from extended side sills to subtly increase visual width.

This gives the car an even greater presence and poise along with the exclusive 20-inch Gloss Black wheels that have been complemented by the red finish of the brake calipers.

The model’s Ebony Windsor Leather interior is offered with contrast stitching in a choice of Red or Cirrus and the slimline Performance seats, with optional heated and cooling functionality while featuring headrests embossed with the Checkered Flag branding.

In place of the Delta aluminum centre console trim, typically equipped on F-TYPE R-Dynamic models, the limited edition features a Dark Brushed Aluminum finisher to complement the leather upholstery.

The standard Jaguar InControl Touch Pro infotainment system features a Meridian audio system, a suite of connected services including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto within the 10-inch touchscreen.

Power comes from either a 296hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine or a 380hp 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine that have been paired to an eight-speed Quickshift transmission.

Both are said to offer an outstanding balance of responsiveness and power as well as a visceral soundtrack to reflect the driver-focused character of the Jaguar F-Type.

“In creating the Checkered Flag Limited Edition we’ve focused on details which enhance the presence of the F-TYPE and promise of performance – and in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast, Jaguar sports cars,” said Jaguar director of design Ian Callum


12 highway concessionaires yes to open toll payment system, says Nanta

                PETALING JAYA: A total of 12 highway concessionaires have agreed to implement an open toll payment system that will start this September, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said it would involve the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE); Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP); Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersion Scheme Expressway (SPRINT); Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas); SMART tunnel and Maju Expressway (MEX).

The open toll payment system will also be implemented at the Sungai Besi Expressway; New Pantai Expressway (NPE); Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh); Guthrie Corridor Highway; Penang Bridge and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE).

"So far, these are the highway concessionaires that have agreed to implement the open payment system, negotiation is still underway with the others and we hope that more will come forward to participate," he said after visiting the Traffic Monitoring Centre (TMC) at Menara Korporat, Persada PLUS in Subang today.

Nanta said discussions with the highway concessionaires took a long time because it was important to examine the security risks that would be incurred by credit or debit card users for toll payment.

"We want to make sure that all the security issues do not occur, so we cannot rush the implementation," he said.

The open toll payment system is a government initiative to provide payment options for users besides paying using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Touch n Go cards and SmartTag.

On efforts to upgrade the routes of several highways, Nanta said works were being implemented including the widening of Johor’s Pasir Gudang and Sedenak highway routes, involving an allocation of RM525 million under Budget 2023.

"Preliminary works have been done and we leave it to PLUS to implement it fully," he added.


Skoda smashes sales records

                PRAGUE: Škoda is almost non-existent in Malaysia but it's going great guns elsewhere. The marque has achieved record sales in 2014  - breaking the one million deliveries milestone for the first time in its 120-year history.

 The Fabia Monte Carlo.

Global deliveries increased by 12.7% to 1,037,200 vehicles from 920,800 in 2013, while Škoda's worldwide market share rose to 1.4%. It also posted record financial results, with sales revenue increasing 13.9% to 11.8 billion euros, and operating profit increasing 56.5% to 817 million euros.

Last year saw Skoda starting its most comprehensive model campaign of all time. It debuted the new Fabia and Superb earlier this year with more launches to come over 2015 such as Octavia RS 230, Fabia Monte Carlo and special editions of the Fabia, Rapid, Octavia and Yeti series..

Škoda plans to increase their global sales to at least 1.5 million vehicles within the next few years.

“The year 2014 was another good year for Škoda,” said Škoda CEO Dr Winfried Vahland.

“By delivering more than one million vehicles for the first time in a single year, we have sustainably established ourselves as a volume manufacturer on the international markets with our modern model range. It is on this basis that our brand will be persuing our growth strategy.”

 The Fabia Monte Carlo.


2018 updated Volkswagen Golf GTI: RM239,990

                KUALA LUMPUR: The 2018 updated Volkswagen Golf GTI is available for bookings, and is priced at RM239,990.

The new car is sold with 5-year manufacturer's warranty, 3-years free maintenance, and 5 years of roadside assistance.

The iconic Golf GTI is the ultimate hot hatch, and has a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged engine that is paired with a 6-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG).

Output is an impressive 230PS with torque of 350Nm between 1,500 to 4,600rpm.

Recognised the world over, the first Golf GTI invented the hot hatch category when it was launched.

No surprise then that it was awarded as the “Most Influential Car of All Time” by UK motoring magazine Autocar UK.

The Golf GTI will be on display at AEON Bandar Dato Onn in Johor Bahru, on the 27th March till 1st April, 2018.

2018 updated Golf GTI (RM239,990)

• 2.0-litre TSI 230PS turbocharged direct injection petrol 4-cylinder engine
• DSG 6-speed direct shift gearbox
• ‘Milton Keynes’ alloy wheels 7.5J X 18-inch
• tyres 225/40 R18
• Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) with Driving Mode Selection
• ‘GTI’ 'Vienna' perforated leather seat upholstery
• 12.3-inch high definition Active Info Display
• 8-inch touchscreen ‘Discover Media’ Navigation infotainment system
• USB and iPod/iPhone interface
• SD card slot, AUX-IN, Bluetooth, 8 speakers
• App-Connect smartphone connectivity (MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)
• 12-ways powered driver seat with memory, and powered lumbar support
• Full LED headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights
• LED daytime running lights
• Dynamic Light Assist (DLA) advanced light beam control
• Full LED taillights with dynamic indicators
• Proactive Occupant Protection System (front seatbelts)
• 7 Airbags

MORE photos: 2018 updated Golf GTI


Catch VW ID. Buzz's world premiere on March 9

                HANOVER: Come March 9, Volkswagen is staging a double world premiere: the all-electric Bulli concept of 2017 will be simultaneously taking off emission-free as the ID. Buzz (5-seater) and Buzz Cargo (van).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is currently going through the final phase of trials of the ID. Buzz prototypes.

The pre-production fleet is touring Europe, marking the final test runs under everyday conditions between Barcelona, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Hannover.

Kai Grünitz, Head of Vehicle Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: “Before we start full production of the ID. Buzz, these final trials with vehicles practically matching the ultimate full-production specification provide us with indispensable input for the final fine-tuning.”

The ID. Buzz prototypes are now only slightly disguised. It is becoming noticeable that the designers have transferred the styling of the 2017 concept car to the 2022 full-production version – the similarities are striking.

Both ID. Buzz versions also draw on the stylistic elements of the legendary T1, the original Bulli. Those elements include extremely short vehicle body overhangs, maximum utilisation of space on a minimal footprint, the classic division of the vehicle body design into an upper and lower level, plus the unmistakable face with its V-shape. And just like the original Bulli, the ID. Buzz too has rear-wheel drive.

The new model line is based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB).

Both ID. Buzz versions are launching this year with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery providing gross energy content of 82 kWh (net: 77 kWh). The battery supplies a 150 kW electric motor, which is integrated in the rear axle, which it also drives.

The top speed is electronically limited at 145kph. Official figures for range are not yet available.

Thanks to the space-saving MEB concept, the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo promise good utilisation of space. The five-seater ID. Buzz takes up to 1,121 litres of luggage even with all seats occupied. The maximum load capacity of the ID. Buzz Cargo, fitted with a partition wall, is over 3.9 m3.

The model line will in future offer the "Plug & Charge" function. Using this function, the ID. Buzz authenticates itself at many providers’ (DC) quick-charging stations via the charging connector, exchanging all necessary data with it in this way – a much more convenient arrangement.

And there is going to be another new feature: bidirectional charging. This technology opens up a whole new spectrum of possibilities. One example: It will from now on be possible to store excess power from a home’s own solar panels in the ID. Buzz and to feed it back into the home in the evening in order to be independent even without the sun.


WATCH: Wacky Mini-Trac once roamed Antartica

The Mini-Trac had a brief stint in Antartica in 1965. — Image from BMC Experience via Youtube/Calum G
PETALING JAYA: An Australian engineer and fabricator crossed the Mk 1 Mini and a Swedish Snow Trac ST4 to create one of the most bizarre cars ever to roll across Antartica.

The embedded video tells the fascinating history of polar transportation and for a brief moment in time, the Mini-Trac's role in it.

The clip, created by YouTuber Calum Gillies, with help from various contributors, was posted up on Jan 23.

The 1950s and 60s were a period of intense exploration of the southern continent by various countries. The expeditions required large and small track machineries that had to be reliable in the face of a hostile environment.

In the early 1960s, the Australian National Antartic Research Expeditions (now known simply as Australian Antarctic Program) was looking for a smaller and cheaper snowmobile to complement its fleet of complex and heavy duty machinery for transport and day-to-day activities in the frigid land.

The long and short of it was that Australian engineer and fabricator Terry O'Hare proposed the Mini-Trac and refined its design before it was shipped for polar duty in 1965.

The standard 848cc Mini engine was deemed underpowered and was swapped with the 1,098cc mill from the BMC Morris 1100. This resulted in the Mini-Trac producing 50bhp and 81Nm of torque.

O'Hare sought to use as many of the parts of the Mini as possible. The four seats were retained while a heater was installed. However, the steering wheel was replaced by two vertical levers for turning left or right. Braking was still done using standard Mini drum brakes operated hydraulically at the rear wheels only.

Only one unit was ever sent to Antarctica. As the smallest and admittedly the most stylish track vehicle there, it was described as being capable and smooth to drive by users. However, it was plagued by clutch issues and returned to Australia before the year was out.

Only three were ever built and they have since faded into the annals of history.


Egypt village turns a profit on used tyres

A labourer standing before piles of stacked tyres as a horse-drawn cart carrying wooden beams passes by, at a rubber recycling workshop in the village of Mit al-Harun in Egypt's central Nile delta Gharbia Governorate. — AFP
CAIRO: Residents of the Egyptian village of Mit al-Harun have for decades eked out a living by recycling old tyres into baskets, landscaping materials and alternative fuels.

From early morning, workers covered in soot and dust can be seen sharpening their knives to cut huge tyres stockpiled on the village's roadsides.

"The entire village works on recycling damaged tyres," said 35-year-old Abdelwahab Mohamed outside of his workshop.

"We inherited it from our fathers and grandfathers."

The small Nile Delta village, some 70km north of here, has gained a reputation as Egypt's top rubber recycling hub.

Dealers collect used tyres from across the country, delivering them to Mit al-Harun in huge trucks.

Mohamed said prices per tyre go up to around 70 Egyptian pounds (RM18).

"We cut the tyres here and pull out material including wire rings, which are collected by steel and iron factories to be recycled," he said.

"Tyre rubber is often chopped into small pieces to be used by cement factories as an energy source" — an alternative to low-grade mazut fuel oil.

Other parts are recycled into mulch for playgrounds, he added.

Mohamed said his work has grown unstable over the years, especially since the 2011 uprising that unseated longtime dictator Hosni Mubara and triggered years of political and economic turmoil.

"There are days with plenty of work and others with little to none," he said.

At another workshop, 43-year-old Mostafa Azab fashions baskets out of tyres from trucks, tractors and industrial vehicles.

"We cut the tyre in half, then we split its inner layers using a winch, before shaping them into baskets and hammering nails around the edges to make them hold," said Azab.

The heavy-duty baskets are often used by farmers, gardeners and labourers, he said.

Azab's workshop, with a handful of workers, processes up to 10 tyres per day, producing between 80-120 baskets.

Azab's brother, Haitham, said the job was "exhausting".

"It requires physical strength to carry around the heavy tyres," he said.

"If we had the option of a more stable occupation, we would have quit this one. But this is our only source of income."


Isuzu is Malaysia's preferred commercial vehicle

From left: Isuzu Malaysia's chief operating officer (commercial vehicle division) Mikio Tsukui and Nakamura.

PETALING JAYA: Isuzu Malaysia has managed to retain its top spot as the most preferred commercial vehicle operator in Malaysia for the fourth year running.

“A successful company must have good business vision. Heading into 2018, our strategy is to ensure that customer satisfaction always comes first," said Isuzu Malaysia chief executive officer Koji Nakamura.

Despite a slight decline in Total Industry Volume (TIV), the company managed to improved its commercial vehicle market share to 37.1% from 36.3% in 2016.

The ELF Light Duty truck lead sales figures with 5,237 units sold according to the Malaysian Automotive Association's overall sales figures.

Furthermore, it also captured an additional 13% share in the pick-up segment and increased its sales of after-sales parts by 20%.

“Being number one for the fourth consecutive year verifies the excellent quality of our products, in addition to first-rate services offered at our Sales and Service centres located nationwide.

"The ability to maintain this ranking also proves Isuzu’s reliability in providing time-saving and cost-efficient logistics to suit any business needs,” added Nakamura.

For more information, log on to www.isuzu.net.my or call 1-300- 88-1133.


Perak receives proposal for new highway that bypasses Menora Tunnel

                IPOH: The Perak government has received a proposal for the construction of a highway from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar which bypasses the Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway which could reduce the number of accidents in the state.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state government supports the private sector project involving a 64km route from Gopeng exit to Siputeh linked to Kuala Kangsar, which has also received the green light from the Cabinet.

"The distance using this road is slightly longer but it will take less time without going through the hill. The state government supports the proposal as it is a private finance initiative (PFI) and will not use government funds.

"In one year, the company has succeeded in meeting the Public Works Department and the Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) for further discussion.

"The company has received approval from the government in April and will take two years for land acquisition as well as to obtain a financier," he said when met by reporters at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association (PPPKM) here today.

Saarani said it is hoped the project will reduce accidents at the hotspot as the proposed route is flat and could ease traffic congestion.

In an accident on Wednesday night, five Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah students were killed when their car burst into flames after an accident involving two other lorries at KM245.2 of the North-South Expressway northbound near Kuala Kangsar.

Earlier, Saarani approved an allocation of RM250,000 to PPPKM to enable the association improve the business of its members.

"As hawkers were affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, I approved an allocation of RM200,000 to PPPKM, in which RM40,000 is for the parent association here and RM10,000 to each of 16 districts as well as an additional RM50,000 is provided in the hope they can manage it better, " he said.


Japan offers ramen discounts if elderly drivers give up licences as accident rate spikes

                TOKYO: Elderly drivers in Japan's Aichi prefecture are being offered ramen discounts to give up their drivers' licences, as the country sees a sharp rise in accidents involving older motorists.

Elderly drivers who surrender their licences will qualify for discounts on ramen noodles at 176 outlets of the popular Sugakiya restaurant chain, in a scheme rolled out last week.

Those who give up their permits will receive a certificate from police which they can present when ordering the noodles to see the price reduced from 590 yen (RM23) to 500 yen (RM19), an Aichi police spokesman told Agence France-Presse.

According to the national police agency, the number of accidents involving drivers aged 75 years and above has risen from 7.4 per cent to 12.8 per cent in the last decade, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

On Nov 12, an 83-year-old woman killed two pedestrians by accidentally accelerating. In October, an 87-year-old truck driver killed a boy, 6, who was going to school.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for more action to address accident rates caused by drivers in the over-75 age group.

More than a quarter of Japan's 127 million people are 65 years old or older, with the proportion projected to rise to 40 per cent by 2060, The Guardian reported.

From March next year, revisions to the country's Road Traffic Law will be put into effect, said an SCMP report.

Drivers who are 75 or older must get a certificate of competence to drive if standard cognitive ability check-ups, conducted every three years, show that their memory or judgment is impaired.


Royal Enfield's big bike could test Harley's India dominance

                NEW DELHI: Harley-Davidson Inc’s pole position in India’s fast growing big-bike category is set to face a sweeping test when Indian-owned Royal Enfield launches its first heavyweight bike today.

The world’s biggest bike and scooter market with 18 million in the year to last March, India accounts for less than 2 percent of Harley’s global sales but is now a production location for its popular Street 750 bike and a promising generator of growth as US demand slows.

Harley was the first major player in the country’s big bike market — defined as those with engines above 601cc — and controls 60 percent of a segment that has almost tripled in size since 2014 and is expected to double again in the next 4-5 years.

With the arrival of Royal Enfield, however, it faces a locally-owned distribution network that dwarfs Harley’s roughly 30 outlets by a multiple of 24.

Were Enfield to ship even 10 of its new big bikes to each of its about 700 locations, it could double Harley’s 3,700 in annual sales.

A day before the new bike’s launch, Royal Enfield on Monday unveiled a 650cc twin engine, putting it on track to compete squarely with the Street 750.

India-based industry analysts and commentators say that Harley’s distribution network in India must be expanded if it is to deal with the new competition and rising demand from the country’s 1 billion plus consumers.

“Having outlet numbers in the mid twenties is clearly a thin distribution spread,” SBICAP Securities analyst Mahantesh Sabarad said.

“India has over 30 10-million-plus cities and each such city needs 2-3 dealerships to cater to a budding market of bike enthusiasts.”

Asked about the new bike last month, Harley chief executive Matthew Levatich said he would not dismiss a competitor’s strengths but that he had faith in Harley’s brand and would not be changing strategy.

Popular enthusiasm for commuting bikes in India’s densely populated city streets provides a far larger rider base than in western markets where Harley sells most of its bikes.

Harley plans to increase its network but is cautious about undermining its premium brand and has had problems with complaints about bike servicing in India in the past.

“The specific plans and the rate at which we (expand) is a function of finding a big enough market area and a really competent dealer that can make the investments to have the brand experience that we want to have for riders,” Levatich said.

“So that’s part of the formula, which will naturally make it probably slower and less dense than most of our competitors will do. But that’s our strategy and we are sticking to it.”

Royal Enfield’s new bike - to be unveiled in Milan on Tuesday - is expected to retail at around rupees 300,000 (RM19,613) compared to Harley’s Street 750 at more than 500,000 rupees (RM32,603).

Other Harley executives said they feel confident that it will remain a brand Indians will look up to.

“When it comes to wooing those riders from Royal Enfield to Harley Davidson, we have a track record of that now since we have been in India,” said Marc McAllister, Harley’s managing director for international markets.


Ministry aims to attract RM20bil in EV investments

                KUALA LUMPUR: The International Trade and Industry Ministry aims to attract RM20bil in investments in electric vehicles (EV) by 2025.

Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the ministry is also targeting investments to rise to RM40bil by 2030.

“We need to look at the EV ecosystem and the supply chain as a whole and we will also discuss efforts to further strengthen the EV industry through further discussions with the task force,” he said after witnessing the memorandum of agreement signing ceremony between Artroniq Bhd and US-based Beno Inc yesterday.


WATCH: Refreshed Proton Persona and Iriz teaser

                PETALING JAYA: Proton today posted up the first teaser video of the upcoming Persona and Iriz.

It comes following the recent launch of the X70 Special Edition, of which only 2,000 units would be produced.

You can catch the virtual launch of the new Persona and Iriz on Proton's Facebook page at 11am on Aug 5.

The teaser will probably be part of a three-part series in the run-up to the launch.

Expect the usual cosmetic tweaks to both the exterior and interior. Smart tech, as seen in other recent models would filter down to the Persona and Iriz. The two cars now feature a revidsed infotainment screen as the teaser video showed.

Both models are likely to retain the CVT albeit retuned for better response.


VW and Italy's Enel launch joint venture for high-speed charging

                BERLIN: Volkswagen and Italy's Enel have formed a joint venture to build 3,000 high-speed charging points across Italy for electric vehicles (EVs), investing 100 million euros (RM469mil) each, Volkswagen said on Tuesday.

The charging points will be accessible to drivers of cars made by all manufacturers at 500 locations by the end of 2023, and will have a capacity of up to 350 kW.

By the end of 2022, the carmaker and its partners will have installed 4,300 of a planned 18,000 fast-charging points in Europe, 3,700 of a planned 10,000 in the United States and 8,000 of a planned 17,000 in China.

That comes to 16,000 fast-charging stations globally, around a third of its goal of 45,000 by 2025.

Volkswagen operates partnerships in Europe with BP and Spain's Iberdrola and is a shareholder in fast-charging venture Ionity with rival carmakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Hyundai.

By ensuring there are enough charging points - and enough power - for EVs, Europe's biggest carmaker hopes to convince drivers worried about battery ranges that they can ditch their fossil fuel cars for good.

Europe requires at least 3.4 million charging points by 2030, up from an estimated 375,000 available at the end of 2021, according to a McKinsey study for the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Renewable electricity must also be distributed across the charging grid at convenient times, coming to a cumulative cost of around 240 billion euros, according to the study.

"The main challenge is making the energy available when it is needed," Volkswagen board member Thomas Schmall said on Tuesday's press call. "Energy storage will play a key role."

Volkswagen will also roll out bidirectional charging, where cars can send energy from their batteries back into the grid, across most of its cars by mid-next year, Schmall added.


Chinese EV company NIO launches ES8 crossover

                SHANGHAI: Chinese company NIO has provided more details of the ES8 electric vehicle, which was first unveiled earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show. The ES8 is an all-electric crossover, and it's the second road-going model from NIO, who some will already know for its Nurburgring-record breaking EP9 hypercar.

The ES8 is a radical departure from the EP9 because it's a practical seven-seat crossover, but thanks to its twin electric motors it could still be fairly entertaining to drive. That's because they produce an extremely impressive 644hp and around 843Nm of torque driving all four wheels.

The ES8 also has a lightweight aluminum structure, which undoubtedly contributes to its estimated 0 to 100kph time of 4.4 seconds. NIO's latest model also boasts an air suspension setup and four-piston Brembo brakes, which can bring it back to a standstill from that 100kph in as little as 39 metres.

Of course, the performance of an EV is interesting, but the main statistic any prospective buyer is likely to see as most important is the range on a single battery charge, which NIO claims to be around 354km on the European test cycle.

Electric car makers are increasingly looking for innovative ways of extending the range of electric vehicles to make them more practical, and NIO is advocating a battery-swap system for the ES8. The company claims a battery can be swapped in just three minutes, and it's looking to have 1,100 swapping stations by 2020.

The ES8 will go on sale in China first, and buyers there can now pre-order them for the equivalent of about US$67,700 (RM276,000). But by signing up for a battery rental programme costing the equivalent of US$120 (RM489) per month, buyers can get a discount off the asking price of around US$15,000 (around RM62,000). NIO says it intends to offer the ES8 for sale in the US in the future, but did not say when that will be.


Puspakom ready to inspect cars from Grab and other e-hailers

                PETALING JAYA: Puspakom assures the e-hailing industry that it is prepared to inspect e-hailing vehicles nationwide.

The computerised vehicle inspection company said its existing vehicle inspection capacity, operation system, comprehensive infrastructure and extensive inspection network nationwide was ready to undertake the task.

It said it had 56 permanent inspection centres, as well as a fleet of mobile inspection units and over 30 vehicle inspection visiting sites.

According to Puspakom, it had discussed with the authorities on e-hailing vehicle inspection-related matters after the Transport Ministry announced the regulation of e-hailing services.

The company also corrected the estimation made by Grab that it would take up to 20 months to complete the inspection of vehicles involved in e-hailing in the country.

Puspakom chief executive officer Shukor Ismail said not all e-hailing vehicles were required to undergo the routine inspection.

“Some reports quoted say there are hundreds of thousands e-hailing drivers in the market, but not all e-hailing vehicles must undergo routine inspection – only those vehicles more than three years old are required to perform a routine inspection once every 12 months.

“In other words, the total number of vehicles that need to perform the required inspection could be less than the total number of the vehicles in the market,” he said in a statement.

Shukor added that the introduction of MyPuspakom, an online reservation and payment system, had made it easier for vehicle owners to make an appointment.

“Our customers can make an appointment online at www.mypuspakom.com.my or via the MyPuspakom app before they visit their preferred inspection centre.

“Our customers can come for inspections at the scheduled date and time, reducing their time waiting at the centres.

“We are committed to completing an inspection within an hour from the time the vehicle checks in,” he said.

Shukor also said Puspakom had engaged with some e-hailing operators to offer their mobile inspection services, where Puspakom's vehicle inspectors could go to the location of the vehicle to be inspected.

“This provides flexibility to any party that wants to have their vehicle inspected – they can come to our centres nationwide or we can go to them,” he added.

Shukor said Puspakom would also organise activities, including briefing sessions with e-hailing operators and drivers, to assist them in understanding the inspection issue better.


Toyota GR Corolla sales in Japan starts with lottery sales

                TOKYO:  Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) will start selling the GR Corolla in Japan in early 2023. But customers can't just walk into showrooms to buy them.

They have to buy lotteries to stand a chance to acquire the cars. The lotteries began selling last Friday and would be offered until Dec 19 for the GR Corolla RZ and Dec 18 for GR Corolla Morizo Edition.

When the GR Corolla RZ was unveiled on June 1, TGR announced that the model would go on sale through Toyota vehicle dealers throughout Japan.

However, continuing Covid-19 infections and the semiconductor shortage prompted a switch to an online purchasing lottery for an initial 500 units, with additional sales to be considered while monitoring the production situation.

For the GR Corolla Morizo Edition, which is a two-seater model with enhanced driving performance, purchasing lottery applications for 70 units can be made at GR Garage locations across Japan.

The GR Corolla was developed by putting into practice the concept of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, emphasising honing cars to win races and making them commercially available.

TGR said it would continue to evolve the GR Corolla by reflecting the knowledge that it gains in its continued participation in motorsports.

Both versions share a strengthened version of the 1.6-litre in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine found in the GR Yaris, with more-robust pistons for handling high levels of torque and output coupled with a centrally located muffler for improved exhaust efficiency.

Both cars can achieve a maximum output of 300hp.

The GR-FOUR 4WD system, which is also featured on the GR Yaris, has been optimized through the development of a hydrogen-engine Corolla to match the specifications of the GR Corolla.

The high-speed stability of a long wheelbase has been inherited by adopting the basic body framework of the Toyota Corolla Sport, and a wider track commands a high level of cornering performance.

The GR Corolla RZ has a five-door, five-passenger layout to achieve a balance between daily usability and driving pleasure.

The GR Corolla Morizo Edition is sportier. This is attained thorough various measures such as weight reduction by making the car a two-seater. It also gains more torque and optimized transmission gear ratios, combined with improved cornering execution through the use of monotube shock absorbers and fitment of high-performance tyres.

TGR is selling the GR Corolla RZ at 5,250,000 yen (RM172,000) and the GR Corolla Morizo Edition at 7,150,000 yen (RM234,000).

(set subtitles/CC to English for automatic translation)


Alfa Romeo bringing flurry of special editions to Geneva

Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia Nurburgring Editions.
TURIN: Although Alfa Romeo doesn't actually have any new models to show off at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the evocative Italian manufacturer is keeping up its increasingly high profile by bringing a flurry of special editions to the show.

On display will be special editions of the Giulia, Stelvio and 4C, although which markets they'll be made available for sale in remains unclear at this point.

The new takes on the Stelvio and Giulia are the Nurburgring Editions, which are actually based on the Quadrifoglio versions of both cars, and they're being produced to celebrate their respective titles as the fastest production SUV and four-door sedan around the legendary German racetrack.

Both cars are finished in an exclusive Circuito Grey paint colour, with carbon detailing adorning the grille and door mirrors of both models. Black alloy wheels cover carbon ceramic brakes that are part of the standard equipment, and the special treatment then continues inside the cabin.

 The 4C Italia.

Inside the Nurburgring Editions there are carbon-shelled Sparco sports seats trimmed with some red contrast stitching, and other features include carbon rim inserts, a numbered build plaque and a leather/Alcantara steering wheel. And on the non-aesthetic side of things, a Harmon Kardon audio system is included to complete the impressive package.

Standard versions of the Stelvio will soon be available with some new option packs, and a version will be on show in Geneva featuring a leather-trimmed dashboard and door panels. A new performance pack is being introduced too, which is set to include the manufacturer's adaptive suspension, aluminium paddle shifters and a locking rear differential.

The 4C sports car is also getting the special edition treatment with a 4C Competizione and a 4C Italia special. The Competizione is based on a standard model with the addition of Vesuvio Grey paintwork, a carbon roof, carbon tipped rear spoiler, grey alloy wheels, an Akrapovic exhaust system, red brake callipers, and some red stitching and microfibre trim on the inside.

Finally, the 4C Italia special will be a 4C Spider in Misano Blue paint with yellow brake callipers, as well as some new 'Spider Italia' decals behind each of the doors. The 4C Italia also gets the Akrapovic exhaust, but this time the contrast stitching in the cabin is yellow and there's also an Alpine premium audio system included.


Raise minimum age for motorcycle licence to 21, CAP urges govt

                GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) wants the government to increase the minimum age limit for Malaysians to apply for motorcycle licence to 21, from 16 currently.

Its president, SM Mohamed Idris, said the reason being that motorcyclists were the most vulnerable road users because of the instability of the machine.

Motorcycles are killer machines, he said, adding that they are 17 times more vulnerable to accidents than cars because of their two-wheel design.

"Each year, there are an average of 465,000 road accidents resulting in nearly 7,000 deaths and 60 per cent or 4,200 of the deaths are contributed by motorcyclists, with 40 per cent of them between 16 and 25 years of age," he told a press conference here today.

Parents, he said, should not allow their children to ride motorcycles without a licence.

He said stricter training should be imposed by driving schools before students could be issued with licence.

Students should be taught defensive riding skills, he added.


Hino Malaysia hits 100K sales

PETALING JAYA: Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM) celebrated another milestone by delivering the 100,000th unit Hino truck to its customer, Ikhasas Resources Sdn Bhd (Ikhasas Resources) at an official handover ceremony during the Hino Chinese New Year Open House held at HMSM Headquarters here.
With more than a 40-year presence here in Malaysia, the 100,000 units of sales in Malaysia has proven that Hino is a trusted brand in the Malaysian market as well as proving the products aligned to customer’s satisfaction, trust and confidence.

“Since our establishment in Malaysia in 1977, HMSM has grown and reached the accumulated sales of 100,000 units. We are motivated to know that we have stood as part of the logistics and distribution industry in Malaysia to delivering the goods with our passion ‘Transporting Every Happiness’. Thank you to all our esteemed customers for the continuous support and trust with the Hino brand,” said Managing Director of HMSM, Atsushi Uchiyama. Atsushi Uchiyama, Managing Director Hino Malaysia (right) presented the appreciation gift to Datuk Roslan Zainal, Group Executive Director, Ikhasas Resources Berhad.

The 100,000th unit truck, the Hino 500 Series- model FM2PN1D, with drive configuration 6x4, is the ideal medium-heavy duty truck for operators.

HMSM is on track to give the best support to the customer through its Total Support activities that include the after-sales components, services, and spare parts.

Just last year, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) released vehicle sales data by brand and HMSM ranked No.1 in the Overall Truck and bolted 37.0% market share in Malaysia.

In the bus segment, HMSM clenched more than half of the market share in Malaysia with 61.9%. Throughout the year 2019, HMSM has successfully achieved sales of 5, 520 units sold with a market share of 38.1% and was as No. 1 in Overall Truck and Bus.


Ford challenges fashion designers

                KUALA LUMPUR: The winners of The Redress Forum: Ford Design Challenge are Veronica Lee from Malaysia and Amandah Andersson from Sweden.

Held in January, the event in Hong Kong challenged emerging designers to create fashion pieces with sustainable materials used in Ford vehicles and textile waste.

The design challenge was organised by Ford Motor Company in collaboration with sustainable fashion charity organisation Redress with the purpose of highlighting the importance and impact of adopting sustainable design thinking and materials in the fashion and automotive industries.

 The collection of garments created from Ford recycled seat fabrics at the Redress Forum: Ford Design Challenge.

At the design challenge, 10 emerging designers from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Denmark transformed sustainable seat fabrics from Ford vehicles into a couture design.

This was done through the creative process of ‘up-cycling’, which converts wasted and abandoned materials into something new and of higher quality.

The 10 designers taking part were The EcoChic Design Award 2014/15 finalists.

The winning piece, created entirely from an earthy color palette of Ford seat fabrics by the designers, was inspired by the bamboo scaffolding at the Hong Kong Legislative Council.

“We scored the foam on the reverse side of the seat fabric, revealing colour and texture reminiscent of the stone walls of the legislature,” said Andersson.

The award winning, architecturally inspired outfit was handcrafted in three hours.

Emily Lai, manager, Color and Materials Design, Ford Asia Pacific said, “We would like to congratulate these budding designers for successfully rising to this challenging task of creating fashion out of a technical material like car seat fabric.”

“The opportunity to work with recycled seat fabrics was an exciting experience. I never expected plastic bottles could be transformed into appealing materials and eventually into such an unexpected garment,” said Lee, a recent graduate in fashion design from the Raffles Design Institute in Singapore.

Ford’s sponsorship of The EcoChic Design Award 2014/15 is in line with the company’s long-standing and growing commitment to sustainability.


Would you go it alone in the Electra Meccanica Solo?

                VANCOUVER: The Electra Meccanica Solo offers a 160km range between recharges, emissions-free motoring, an 129kph top speed and a 0-100kph time of just eight seconds. However, even though it costs just US$15,500 (RM65,000) and offers the same luggage space as a Mercedes C-Class, it could struggle to attract interest.

The vehicle uses aerospace technology in its lightweight composite chassis. Its battery can recharge fully in just three hours when plugged into a 220V charger. It has electric windows, Bluetooth connectivity and a reversing camera as standard and air conditioning is an optional extra. And while all of these things will be thoroughly welcomed by the average consumer; its exterior styling could put many off.

The Canadian-built car has two doors but only three wheels and one seat, hence the name “Solo”. And, because the third wheel is at the rear and the body tapers around it, the car's appearance is polarising.

The logic behind the car's styling is absolutely sound. The overwhelming majority of car journeys are made by a driver alone, the rest of the car is usually empty. So ditching all of the unnecessary weight of extra seating, etc means that even a small battery pack can make a big difference in terms of range.

And as the average US commute is short on distance but long on time, the Solo's battery is more than enough to get most people to and from work every day.

"We believe the Solo will become the commuter vehicle of choice for the masses. The vehicle is non-polluting, very economical to operate and people will have a heck of a good time driving it too," said Electra Meccanica COO, Henry Reisner.

Unfortunately, as studies show, this logic does not come into the equation when buying a car. People are most likely to be attracted to a car because of reliability, followed by styling and comfort. According to the most recent JD Power data, reputation, and ride and handling are also further up the list than price.

Nevertheless, even though it might not be able to compete with a traditional car's X-factor, new Electra Meccanica Solo could well appeal to those that might otherwise be contemplating a motorbike for the daily commute.

The Electra Meccanica Solo is available to order now.


LG Innotek unveils fastest automotive Wi-Fi 6E module

                SEOUL: LG Innotek has the unveiled the world’s first automotive Wi-Fi 6E module with next-generation Wi-Fi technology.

Automotive Wi-Fi 6E modules are near-field wireless communication components connecting in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, which control driving information and multimedia content, to internal smart devices and external routers.

With the next-generation Wi-Fi 6E (6th Generation Extended) technology using 6GHz bandwidth, the module boasts data transmission speeds approximately three times faster than the existing Wi-Fi 5.

The module is mounted on multiple components of a vehicle, including the audio video navigation (AVN)system and smart antenna.

A passenger can enjoy movies, games, and more on the in-vehicle display or audio system by wirelessly connecting it to a smartphone.

The module also allows easier software updates of the automotive navigation system and such.

While Wi-Fi 6E was not suitable for cars due to its limited communication performance caused by the compact vehicle interior, LG Innotek has successfully developed the world’s first Wi-Fi 6E module with advanced Radio Frequency (RF) and antenna technology while minimising communications interference.

This new product has a data transmission speed of 1.2 Giga bit per second, which is three times faster than the existing Wi-Fi 5 modules.

It only takes 2 milliseconds to connect to the network, which is seven times faster than the current speed.

This is why there is no buffering for high-resolution videos.

LG Innotek is executing promotional activities targeting global automotive components suppliers in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

The company expects to commercialize the product in 2022. It especially plans to do joint promotions with Germany’s Infineon Technologies, which supplies Wi-Fi 6E automotive chipsets.


Ferrari Roma: The technical details

                MARANELLO: The new Ferrari Roma shows off a signature Italian styling that is a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of 1950s and ‘60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name, Roma.

Stylistically, the Roma is characterised by clean and symbiotic forms. Its harmonious proportions and elegantly balanced volumes are very much in line with the Ferrari mid-front-engined grand touring tradition of which the 250 GT Berlinetta lusso and 250 GT 2+2 are the most iconic examples, and from which the car takes its inspiration.

To guarantee best-in-class performance whilst still retaining the stylistic purity of its bloodline, Ferrari’s engineers developed several leading-edge technologies, most notably a mobile rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen designed to retain the car’s formal elegance when retracted and guarantee the downforce essential for the Ferrari Roma’s extraordinary performance by automatically deploying at high speeds.

The Prancing Horse’s coupé sports a V8 turbo engine that punches out 620 cv at 7,500 rpm, making it the most powerful in its segment.

A member of the V8 family that has won the International Engine of the Year four years in a row, it features Variable Boost Management for instantaneous throttle response. With the adoption of Gasoline Particulate Filters, meticulous attention was also focused on the sound of the exhaust system which has been completely redesigned, removing the silencers and introducing new bypass valves.

The car’s new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is more compact and 6 kg lighter than its 7-speed predecessor. As well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also more comfortable in town and during stop & start driving situations.

The Roma’s chassis benefits from the modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models. Both bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies.

Ferrrari said 70% of Roma components are entirely new. The mid-front-engined Roma has the best weight/power ratio in its segment (2.37 kg/cv) which enhances handling dynamics and responsiveness.

The Roma features Ferrari’s cutting-edge vehicle dynamics systems, the most notable example being the Side Slip Control 6.0 (a first on a Ferrari GT car) with 5- position manettino and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer which controls yaw angle by hydraulically adjusting brake pressure at the callipers.

The Roma gets matrix LED adaptive headlights while the wraparound rear screen incorporates an active aero device, complemented by the twin taillight assembly.

For the Ferrari Roma’s cabin, the Ferrari Styling Centre designers developed a new formal approach that involved the creation of two separate cells, one each for driver and passenger, in an evolution of the dual cockpit concept that embraces the entire cabin rather than just the dashboard as was previously the case.

The crafting of the interior took its lead from the complete redesign of the HMI. This resulted in a major leap forward, starting with the new steering wheel designed using the “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy with all the car’s main commands actioned by haptic controls, ensuring the driver doesn’t have to move their hands from the wheel.

The 16” digital instrument cluster provides all the necessary information, while the central display with an 8.4” vertical screen and a new passenger display are exceptionally intuitive and user-friendly.

The new Ferrari key with “Comfort Access” function allows the driver to open the car by touching a button next to the new flush handle in the door.

Optional gear are the Ferrari advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which includes adaptive cruise control.


Volkswagen icons stars in Uniqlo’s latest UT collection

                KUALA LUMPUR: Three of Volkswagen’s icons have claimed a starring role in Uniqlo’s latest T-shirts (UT) Collection for men.

Launched under ‘The BRANDS’ range, eight quirky designs featuring the classic Beetle, the cool Kombi and the renowned Golf GTI are up for grabs.

All three models are legendary in their own right. The classic Bug is endearing and loveable, and was in its time during the ‘flower power’ hippie movement of the 60s and 70s.

The wanderlust-inciting Kombi was (and still is) the carriage of choice for surfers and free-loving spirits looking for their next adventure.

And the Golf GTI is such an iconic sports compact that, though constantly refined over the years, continue to maintain its crown as the hot hatch to own.

For the Uniqlo brand, the T-shirt is a direct expression of individuality, and the company selectively curates authentic cultural content that transcends time and genre from around the world for its popular UT Collection.

Volkswagen’s rich heritage which spans over 80 years, combined with a strong product line-up of various models that have stood the test of time was, naturally the perfect choice for the partnership.

The range will certainly appeal to Volkswagen fans wanting to wear their love for the brand on their sleeve, and resonates with the spirit of Volkswagen as the ‘People’s Car’, as now everyone can truly own a piece of Volkswagen.

The Brands featuring Volkswagen range under the UT Collection is currently available at all Uniqlo stores in Malaysia, and retails at RM39.90.


Perodua and Proton set to recoup market shares

                PETALING JAYA: Strong demand for smaller cars is likely to help national carmakers Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) and Proton Holdings Bhd to win back lost market shares while keeping total industry sales volume at record high, said AmResearch.

It predicted Perodua sales to rise 6%, boosted by its Axia, with Proton is expected to register a growth of 21%, driven by the Iriz model.

Proton and Perodua sold 115,783 units and 195,579 units respectively last year.

“Overall, we estimate national car market share to recover to 51% this year after slipping to 47% in 2014,” AmResearch said in a note.

The research house said it expected Mazda to lead sales growth among the key non-national makes this year, given its aggressive new model launches.

AmResearch noted that there would be four Mazda launches in 2015.

“Toyota sales could ease slightly, given a lack of major volume model launches and competition. Toyota’s key launches this year will likely be the facelift Camry and the completely-knocked-down (CKD) Camry hybrid, both in the D-segment.

“Nissan launched the new X-Trail in January 2015 and the Almera facelift in late 2014.”

AmResearch expects total industry volume (TIV) to rise 3.6% to 690,724 units this year.

According to data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), TIV in 2014 rose 1.6% to 666,465 units. MAA expects this year’s sales to reach 680,000 units.

TIV grew 1% year-on-year to 50,602 units in January from 50,273 units in the previous corresponding period.

CIMB Research in an earlier report, however, said that foreign brands were expected to continue outselling local cars this year.

“After grabbing the lead from the national brands in 2015, we believe the foreign brands will continue to be dominant in sales volume in 2015.

“This is mainly due to the narrowing gap between the prices for foreign and national cars, as increased localisation of the foreign brands drive their prices down.”

The research house noted also that under the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2014, auto makers will be able to benefit from the Industrial Adjustment Fund, which incentivised the localisation of their production.

“They will be able to claim back the amount that they have spent on localising their production in terms of reduced excise duty. We expect that, as the foreign brands increase their localisation, the price gap between the foreign brands and the national brands to be narrowed even further.”

Because of this, CIMB said it believed the national carmakers would find it hard to regain their dominant position in the domestic market.

“However, due to the new models launched by Proton and Perodua, we expect their shares of the market to show some improvement in 2015 and close the difference in sales volume with their foreign counterparts.”


Infiniti Q30 begins production

                HONG KONG: Infiniti started production today of the Q30 compact SUV in Sunderland, Britain as the first vehicle officially rolls off the assembly line.

The first batches are due to be exported to the United States and China.

Infiniti’s first compact model,the Q30, is also the brand’s first vehicle to be manufactured in Europe. As part of its global growth plan, Infiniti vehicles are now built in five plants in four countries on three continents.

The Q30 has received the maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

Occupant protection scored highly in the rigorous test program with an 84 per cent rating for adult safety. As well as a driver knee airbag, the Q30 has driver-, passenger-, front hip-thorax side and front-to-rear curtain airbags.

A varied range of powertrain options are available. In the base model, a 1.6-litre engine, with either 120hp or 154hp will be joined by diesel options that include 1.5-litre and 2.2-litre engines, both four cylinder, with 107hp and 168hp power outputs, respectively.

Also available are  a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 208hp.

Gearbox is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual.

The British plant also produces the Q30 and QX30 alongside the Nissan Qashqai, Note and Juke and the electric LEAF.

Nissan chief performance officer Trevor Mann joined Infiniti president Roland Krueger and the 6,700-strong workforce in Sunderland to mark the latest milestone.


VW confirms arrival of Arteon Shooting Brake

Arteon R-Line..
WOLFSBURG: With so much attention being focused at the moment on the VW Group's plans for electrification and all new EVs and hybrids, it can be easy to overlook the fact there's still a sizeable market for cars that are considerably more traditional in appearance and substance.

Volkswagen hasn't forgotten though, and that's because the German auto giant has just confirmed there will soon be an estate (or wagon) version of its flagship Arteon to tempt those buyers who need a little more room in the trunk than the sedan offers.

Although a release date hasn't been confirmed as yet, the shooting brake version of the Arteon has now been signed off on, and we've also been told the Arteon will go on sale in the United States and China later in the year.

Once again, swimming against the electrification tide, this larger and more spacious version of the Arteon could also see the introduction of a more powerful petrol engine option. The UK publication Auto Express was reporting last year that bosses at Volkswagen were considering launching a new V-6 in the Arteon.

 Arteon in Elegance trim.

VW's head of product line for medium and full size cars, Dr. Elmar-Marius Licharz, told the magazine: "I would like to make an [Arteon] shooting brake – these plans are underway but it's not yet final. If we build a six-cylinder engine – we are discussing it for the Arteon, we have built one already in a prototype vehicle – it will be one which you can also use in the Atlas and vice versa."

At the moment, there isn't a single vehicle in the entire VW Group on sale in Europe based on the extremely flexible MQB chassis that's available with a six-cylinder engine. If the company now decides to go ahead with the development of a six-cylinder powerplant for the Arteon it would be a first for the platform.

It would also take the car in an opposite direction to the one the likes of Volvo are now going in, which has now shunned the idea of using anything bigger than four-cylinder engines entirely.

Volkswagen is, however, going in the same direction as the likes of Volvo by repositioning itself as a more premium brand than it's been perceived as in the past. VW is looking to leave more mainstream duties to the likes of SEAT and Skoda in the VW Group, while the Volkswagen brand moves closer to Audi.


Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric: Taking charge

CAR brands have been racing to roll out their electric vehicles (EVs) for the local market since the incentives under Budget 2022 were announced late last year.

The industry norm is to introduce a fully-imported model first to gauge market response and acceptance before starting a locally-assembled version later.

Volvo Car Malaysia bucked the trend and took charge last week by launching its locally-assembled XC40 Recharge Pure Electric without going through the fully-imported route.

Aside from being the first brand to offer a locally assembled EV, Volvo is also turning Malaysia into its EV production hub for the Asean region with line-ups of right- and left-hand drive models.

Sharing the same underpinnings with the conventional XC40 sports utility vehicle, the electric XC40 is stylish and comes with LED head and tail lights, ‘Thor’s hammer’ daytime running lights, and roof with wing mirrors in gloss black.

However, the electric XC40 gets a close-off front grille and does not have exhaust pipes.

Inside, an aluminium decor styling with dark leather/nubuck combination upholstery serves up a luxurious and sporty ambiance.

Taking centre stage is an Android-powered infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen that offers access to Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store, while the instrument panel is also an electronic screen type.

Powering the EV are two electric motors, one each at the front and rear axles, that deliver a combined output of 408hp (300kW) and 660Nm of torque for an all-wheel drive capability.

The electric XC40 can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and towards a top speed of 180kph, making it the quickest EV of its segment.

It uses a 400V system and the lithium-ion battery comes with a capacity of 78kWh of which 75kWh is usable.

The high-voltage battery is charged through a CCS 2 port and promises a driving range up to 418km on a single charge.

An 11kW AC charger can top up the battery from 0 to 100% in around seven hours, while a 150kW DC-type will power up from 10% to 80% in 33 minutes.

Wheels are the alloy type and 19-inch Pirelli P Zero Elect tyres, specially made for electric vehicles, are used with 235/50 size for front wheels and 255/45 size at the rear.

Meanwhile, the electric XC40's Advanced Driver Assistance System has been upgraded over those used in the petrol and plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants.

Detection devices include a front-looking radar with two rear side radars, one front-looking camera with four 360-degree around view cameras and 12 ultrasonic proximity sensors.

Key smart features include active cruise control, City Safety, blind spot information system, lane keeping aid and cross traffic alert among others.

Also included are airbags, anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control.

The electric XC40 also comes with a wireless charging pad for smartphones, Harman Kardon sound system, rear air conditioner vents and handsfree rear power tailgate.

Aside from a 414-litre trunk, the electric XC40 also comes with a 31-litre frunk (front trunk).

Compared with the regular XC40, the electric XC40 does not have a push-start button.

Just get inside with the key fob and the EV "wakes up."

Stepping on the brake pedal and setting the gear shift to D are all that needed to get the electric XC40 moving.

Its massive amount of instant torque rockets the electric XC40 forward with a near whiplash-inducing takeoff if the accelerator is slammed down.

Unlike vehicles with internal combustion engine that break off power momentarily for gear upshifts, the acceleration rush of the electric XC40 is one continuous smooth surge.

Except for some tyre noises when driven on coarse surfaces, the electric XC40 runs quietly without any hints of harshness even when at high speeds.

Despite its small size, the electric XC40 comes with a heavy battery pack and the vehicle tips the scales over two tonnes.

Although ride comfort is good, we could feel the weight of the electric XC40 pushing downwards especially when driving fast on undulating stretches.

The battery pack located below the floor also lowered the EV's centre of gravity for reduced body roll when we drove the EV on windy stretches towards Gohtong Jaya.

Also available is the one-pedal drive mode where the driver can slow down the vehicle by easing off the accelerator to trigger more aggressive regenerative braking so normal braking is not required.

However, this mode requires some practice to get the ideal pedal control as lifting off too quickly may cause the EV to slow down abruptly and spoil an otherwise smooth drive.

The electric steering is effortless and nicely weighted for quick response although it can be set to be firmer for more feel.

In our one-day drive from Shah Alam to Gohtong Jaya back covering some 200km which includes high-speed driving and hill runs, we used up 59% of the battery charge which is still acceptable.

We probably would have used less energy if we drove more conscientiously as well as not let the electric XC40 idle too long with the air-conditioner running at full blast during video shooting and photography.

The electric XC40 amps up the notion that electromobility for daily commutes and interstate drives is practical, more so with new fast charging stations being set up nationwide.

Standard warranty is five years with unlimited mileage and the battery has a separate warranty of eight years and a mileage cap of 160,000km.

The price of the electric XC40 will be announced on April 4 where it will be available in Volvo showrooms nationwide as well as for online purchase.


Perodua rebuts blog post

                PETALING JAYA: Perodua has rebutted a blog posting that accused the Myvi and Alza models of posing high safety risk.

In his blog posting on March 10, 2015, blogger Wolf Vaupel claimed that the self-illuminating instrument cluster in the Myvi and Alza were “deadly”.

According to Vaupel’s blog, the self-illuminating instrument panel confuses drivers into thinking that the headlights are on.

In a statement, Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said based on inquiries made to both the authorities and insurance companies, there is no such linkage concerning a self-illuminating instrument cluster and road collisions at night.

“In addition, the self-illuminating instrument cluster is featured on other international brands. We are perplexed on why Vaupel’s attacks are only directed at Perodua,” said Aminar.

The Perodua statement also pointed out that Vaupel had claimed that the self-illuminating feature was against international regulations, but had failed to provide any evidence about this.

Perodua also said while it welcomed customers who shared their views and grievances, “however, we do not tolerate unfounded allegations and will take the necessary action to protect our rights.”


Ford extends warranty on 560,000 Focus, Fiesta models in US

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said today it was extending warranty on clutch and related hardware in 560,000 Focus and Fiesta (pic) cars that were reported to have had problems with their six-speed automatic transmission.

The company said it would reimburse any repair charges to customers of its cars built between 2014 and 2016, and offer other owners another chance to get a software update to fix the issue.

The clutch warranty would be extended from five years/60,000 miles to seven years/100,000 miles. The warranty on the transmission control computer is extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

The announcement means warranty coverage for these vehicles is the same as those that has been in place since July 2014 for older Focus and Fiesta cars.

The problems with the cars’ automatic transmission DPS6 - made to improve the vehicle’s fuel economy - include a degree of vibration when the transmission is operated at low speed, and a potential for the transmission to default to neutral.

“Ford understands and regrets that many customers have been inconvenienced and frustrated by the performance of the DPS6 transmission,” said Dave Filipe, vice president of powertrain engineering at Ford.

The company declined to reveal how much it would cost to offer the extended warranties.


Volkswagen holding nationwide CNY open house on Feb 16

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is throwing a nationwide Chinese New Year (CNY) open house at all authorised dealerships — and drum up some sales in the process.

The open house will take place on Feb 16 from 11am to 5pm. Visitors can expect to enjoy some food, “yee sang” and mini activities for their families.

At the same time, potential prospects can also test-drive Volkswagen models. Volkswagen is offering CNY savings of up to RM20,000 on its cars as well as ongoing aftersales offers for existing customers.

Volkswagen is also offering a battery and tyre promotion at this time.

Volkswagen owners will receive a free battery check and if a battery change is recommended, enjoy 20% discount on new batteries starting from RM365 depending on model. The promotion ends Feb 28.

There is also a tyre promotion where Continental tyres are available from as low as RM184 and comes with free installation, balancing and alignment.

All Volkswagen models come with 3 years’ free maintenance, 5 years’ manufacturer’s warranty and 5 years’ roadside assistance.


World premiere of new Lexus LM luxury MPV at Auto Shanghai 2023

                SHANGHAI: At Auto Shanghai 2023, Lexus celebrated the world premiere of the all-new Lexus LM luxury flagship MPV which is billed as reinterpreting chauffeur-driven personal mobility.

Beginning with China, the second-generation LM will be launched in over 60 countries worldwide, including for the first time in Europe and Japan.

Powertrain options are either a 2.4-litre inline 4-cylinder turbo hybrid with eAxle, or a 2.5-litre inline 4-cylinder hybrid with front-wheel drive or E-Four all-wheel drive.

Lexus' high-output electronic axle (eAxle) fully integrates the motor, transaxle and inverter within a compact unit to benefit cruising range.

Torsional rigidity is 50% higher than that of the current model.

For better ride quality, Lexus for the first time combines an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) actuator and a frequency-sensitive piston valve in the shock absorber.

Also, for the first time in a Lexus vehicle, a "Rear Comfort" drive mode enables an emphasis on rear-seat comfort.

The dampening force characteristics of the AVS are set to prioritise rear-seat comfort.

For the new LM, special attention was paid to noise reduction, and the layered structure of the roof headlining was made non-sound-absorbent.

In addition to the three-row 6- and 7-seat configurations, the new LM is available as a 4-seat model where a partition separates the front and rear seats.

The upper portion houses a retractable glass window with dimming function, and below is a large 48-inch widescreen display.

A refrigerator and storage spaces are located under the display.

The rear seats feature independent seats exclusive to the 4-seater model.

Also, an e-Latch system that has an "easy closer" on the front doors is another Lexus first.

Quiet and smooth operation supports door closing from a partially-open state.

Both the front and sliding doors have Safe Exit Assist (with Door Open Control), which detects vehicles and bicycles approaching from behind, providing a warning notification and preventing the doors from opening.


Japan start-up to offer fleet service using China's Geely EVs

                TOKYO: A Japanese battery start-up said today it would launch a commercial fleet service using electric vehicles from China's Geely Holding Group, joining a growing field of services aimed at helping companies reduce their carbon footprint.

Yokohama-based 3DOM Inc, a university-led venture set up in 2014 to develop separators for batteries, said it would offer the carbon neutral EV service through subscription or lease so that users could avoid high purchase costs.

Companies are under increasing pressure from investors and the public to reduce their carbon footprint, and Chinese automakers have led the way in Japan through their relatively low-cost battery electric vehicles.

Leading Japanese delivery firm Sagawa Express Co plans to start replacing all 7,200 of its commercial mini-vehicles with EVs supplied by Guangxi Automobile Group this year. Another firm, SBS Holdings, has plans to use electric trucks produced by Dongfeng Motor group.

3DOM said the electricity that would power Geely's light commercial van would be produced from wind power and other green sources in partnership with utilities. The running cost for the service to lease the vans would be on a par with a gasoline-powered fleet, it said.

3DOM said the fleet would comprise about 7,500 vehicles and several companies including delivery services and supermarket operators were considering its service. It did not elaborate.

Among Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi Motors Corp provides EVs for the postal service, while Toyota Motor Corp has a trial service with convenience store operators to use its fuel-cell hydrogen electric vehicles.


Musk boosts his brand, and NBCUniversal’s, on ‘Saturday Night Live’

Musk opened his monologue by telling an audience in more than 100 countries he is 'the first person with Asperger's' to host SNL. — Reuters
NEW YORK: Billionaire Elon Musk dropped a surprise early in his hotly anticipated turn as host of “Saturday Night Live,” saying in his monologue that he “is the first person with Asperger’s” to host the show, before clowning through skits for the first global livestream of the NBCUniversal comedy show.

Musk, one of the world's richest individuals, opened his monologue by telling an audience in more than 100 countries he is "the first person with Asperger's to host SNL. At least the first to admit it."

The billionaire made light of his tendency to speak in a monotone, adding "I'm pretty good at running human in emulation mode."

Asperger syndrome is a condition on the autism spectrum that is associated with difficulty in social interaction, and sometimes is referred to as high functioning autism.

Comedian and Saturday Night Live alumni Dan Aykroyd has spoken in interviews about being diagnosed with a mild form of Asperger's. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 2003.

Many had wondered how Musk would handle himself during a live comedy show. The answer was that he, and the show's writers, sought to soften the rough edges of Musk's public persona. Throughout the show, Musk gently poked fun at himself, including his penchant for provocative tweets and the time he smoked a joint on a podcast.

"To anyone I’ve offended I just want to say, I reinvented electric cars and I'm sending people to Mars on a rocket ship. Did you think I would be a chill, normal dude?"

Musk's mother, Maye, joined him on stage and the two made a joke about Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency Musk has touted.

Cryptocurrency jokes popped up throughout the show. In one sketch, Musk was cast as a bow-tie wearing cryptocurrency expert on the show's Weekend Update segment. Dogecoin and other digital currencies had surged in price ahead of Musk's SNL appearance.

Dogecoin fell during the show and was last down about 12% from late Friday at around US$0.53. It hit a record high Thursday above US$0.73.

Musk was most convincing playing a version of himself as head of SpaceX dealing with an emergency on a Martian colony. The crisis had a happy ending, until it didn't.

In the end, Musk will keep his day jobs. Still, the "Saturday Night Live" appearance offered plenty of synergies with his real gigs as "technoking" and chief executive of Tesla Inc, head of rocket launch company SpaceX and even chief of the Boring Company, a tunnel construction venture.

Musk got days of attention across all forms of media ahead of the show, and shared the spotlight with a prototype of Tesla's futuristic Cybertruck that Tesla brought to Manhattan on Friday. Video of the hulking, angular pickup prowling Manhattan streets blew up on social media.

During the show, a Tesla supercharger made an incongruous cameo appearance in a skit set in an old West saloon. Musk played a gunslinger who had developed an electric horse, and advocated tunneling through the earth to escape a shootout.

Musk often boasts that Tesla doesn't spend billions on advertising the way established automakers do. He doesn't have to so long as he has access to platforms like Twitter or "Saturday Night Live."

Musk’s appearance also boosted NBCUniversal. The media company used Musk’s global celebrity - and the controversy surrounding his appearance on a stage normally reserved for film stars or professional comedians - to get attention for launching the “Saturday Night Live” franchise beyond the confines of broadcast television.

The company said Saturday’s show was streamed live via Alphabet Inc’s YouTube to more than 100 countries.


Limited period New Year campaign for Subaru Forester and XV

                KUALA LUMPUR: TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, has unveiled a special New Year package and promotion for both the Subaru Forester and the XV models.

Under the promotion which is available for a limited period, a new Forester comes with rebates worth more than RM36,999.

The Forester is priced from RM163,788 and comes in five variants of:

> Forester 2.0i-L GT Lite Edition
> Forester 2.0i-S
> Forester 2.0i-S Eyesight
> Forester 2.0i-S Eyesight GT Edition

The extraordinary SUV comes with more than 100 safety features including:
• Seven airbags
• Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame
• X-Mode
• Ground clearance of 220mm
• Auto-retracting Safety Pedals

The New Year package for the Forester is only available for selected model year units in Horizon Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Jasper Green Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica and Sepia Bronze Metallic.

 XV GT Edition.

Meanwhile, the XV is offered with a special promotion worth up to RM10,000,

The newly-launched XV priced from RM139,788, is available in two variants:
> XV 2.0i-P with EyeSight
> XV GT Edition with EyeSight

The new XV comes with a redesigned 17-inch wheels, SI-Drive and Dual-Function X-Mode, a new front bumper and grille and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function.

The new XV 2.0i-P EyeSight and the new XV 2.0i-P EyeSight GT Edition come in six colours – Crystal Black Silica, Magnetite Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl, Pure White and Cool Grey Khaki.

All new Subaru vehicles including the Forester and XV comes with a 3-year free service and a 5-year comprehensive warranty.

Both the Forester and XV is equipped with the four Subaru Core Technologies; Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Boxer Engine, Subaru Global Platform, and the award-winning EyeSight Advanced Driver Assist Technology.

Visit Subaru showrooms nationwide to find out more about this promotion.

Flood Assistance
In view of the on-going flood situation affecting major states across Malaysia, TC Subaru is reaching out to Subaru owners affected by the disaster to assist them during these challenging times.

All authorised Subaru service centres nationwide will be offering flood-affected Subaru owners a 25% discount on all parts till Jan 31.


March 10-16: RON97 petrol up 30 sen

                PETALING JAYA: The retail prices of RON97 petrol is up 30 sen per litre while RON95 and diesel remain unchanged from March 10-16, says the Finance Ministry.

In a tweet on Wednesday (March 9), the Finance Ministry said that the price of RON97 petrol will be RM3.75 per litre.

RON95 petrol remains at RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre.


New Range Rover Velar debuts

                LONDON: Land Rover has launched the new Range Rover Velar.

It is available to order now, priced from £54,045 (RM278,000) in the UK.

A new grille combines with the characteristic floating roof, unbroken waistline and flush deployable door handles that define the world’s most desirable luxury SUV family.

New super-slim Pixel LED headlights provide a technical, jewel-like appearance and optimised visibility while the exterior is enhanced by a new lower rear bumper and dark accents.

The Velar pioneered Range Rover’s reductive design philosophy and it takes this approach to a new level inside. The new single floating 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen is integrated into the centre console, providing immediate and intuitive control of all key vehicle functions1.

A full suite of technologies promotes passenger comfort and wellbeing, making the mid-size luxury SUV even more desirable. The Velar also offers the quietest vehicle in its class for road noise, thanks to refinement technologies including the pioneering Active Road Noise Cancellation system.

The plug-in electric hybrid Velar is more capable and flexible than ever, with a greater pure-electric driving range of up to 64km, thanks to a larger 19.2kWh battery pack, while the choice of highly advanced petrol and diesel engines feature mild hybrid technology for assured refinement and fuel efficiency.

Clients can choose from Velar S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE and Autobiography.

The new Velar was first unveiled to the world on the official Range Rover TikTok channel on Feb 1.

Already one of the most popular vehicles on TikTok with over 5.2 billion views of #RangeRover, the channel features exclusive insight into the modern luxury brand.

The P400e electric hybrid provides the best of all worlds, combining a 105kW electric motor with an Ingenium petrol engine.

The balance of electric-only driving and petrol performance means the Velar P400e is suited for short urban trips and longer journeys. It has an expected real-world range of up to 51km - enough to ensure the average daily distance driven in a Velar could be done with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer journeys, the plug-in hybrid powertrain provides a combined real-world 684km of petrol and electric range.

Using electric power alone, it can drive for up to 64km, while overall CO2 emissions are 38g/km on the WLTP cycle, with fuel consumption of 1.6l/100km (176mpg). The electric-only range has increased by over 20 per cent from the previous 53km, thanks to its larger 19.2kW battery.10

With a combined 404PS and 640Nm of torque from its 300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and 105kW electric motor, the P400e is capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in 5.4 seconds, with a 209kph top speed. It can also travel on electric power alone up to 140kph.

The P400e is one of few plug-in electric hybrid vehicles capable of rapid DC charging, with a 0-80 per cent charge possible in as little as 30 minutes away from home using a 50kW charger. At home, it can charge from 0-100 per cent using a 7kW AC charger in around two and a half hours.

The latest generation of Ingenium petrol and diesel engines are available with 48-volt MHEV technology for enhanced efficiency and power delivery, using a Belt integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) to harvest energy usually lost under deceleration.

It is stored in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery beneath the rear loadspace. It can redeploy the energy to assist when accelerating, while also delivering a more refined and responsive start-stop system.

The 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium petrol engine is available in two power outputs. The P340 delivers 340PS and 480Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds. The more powerful P400 delivers 400PS and 550Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds with CO2 from 219g/km.10

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder now features a new smoother-shifting automatic eight-speed transmission. TheP250 provides 250PS and 365Nm of torque, with 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds, CO2 emissions from 211g/km and fuel consumption up to 9.3l/100km.

The 3.0-litre straight-six D300 diesel engine produces 300PS and 650Nm of torque to deliver powerful performance, with acceleration from 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds. Series sequential turbos and an advanced after-treatment system are fitted, with CO2 emissions from 188g/km and fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km.

The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder D200 Ingenium diesel engine produces 204PS with CO2 emissions from 168g/km and fuel consumption of up to 6.4l/100km.


JLR taps Everstream Analytics' AI to dodge supply chain problems

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said today it has partnered with supply chain mapping and risk analytics firm Everstream Analytics, which will embed artificial intelligence into the British luxury carmaker's system to help avert future global supply issues.

The new AI technology, JLR said, will allow it to monitor its supply chain in real-time and protect the production of its current models and next generation of electric vehicles (EVs).

JLR, a unit of India's Tata Motors said Everstream's technology has already enabled it to avoid disruption at global freight ports to deliver vehicles to clients.

"Through our collaboration with Everstream Analytics, we are harnessing the power of AI to proactively manage risks before they cause disruption to production," JLR's executive director for industrial operations Barbara Bergmeier said in a statement.

It said the technology uses a combination of AI, predictive analytics, machine-learning and human intuition to plot emerging incidents, such as natural disasters, strikes, data breaches and export issues on a global map.

In a post-pandemic world full of supply chain snarls, a growing group of startups and established logistics firms have created a multi-billion dollar industry to apply AI and machine learning to help businesses minimise disruption.

JLR was hit particularly hard by a global shortage of semiconductor chips that forced major carmakers to curtail production of certain models.

The carmaker has returned to profitability in the last two quarters and in the most recent quarter accounted for two thirds of Tata's total revenue.


Slow-moving traffic on several highways leading to KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic flow on several highways and main roads leading to Kuala Lumpur was reported to be slow-moving Monday evening (July 11) as people returned to the city from their hometowns after the Hari Raya Aidiladha weekend.

A survey on the Malaysian Highway Authority's (LLM) Twitter as of 4.45pm today found high-volume and slow-moving traffic of 25km at the intersection of Karak to Lentang and 8.8km from Batu 12 to the Gombak toll plaza.

Traffic was also reported to be slow-moving at Pedas Linggi to the intersection to Port Dickson; Simpang Ampat to Pedas Linggi; Ayer Keroh Bridge Restaurant to Simpang Ampat; as well as Pagoh to the Bukit Gambir rest and service area (R&R).

Traffic was also reported to be slow for 1.8km before the Menora tunnel southbound, Permatang Pauh to Prai and Kuala Kangsar to the Sungai Perak R&R.

LLM has advised road users especially in the east to follow the North-South Expressway travel time schedule, whether travelling out or back to the Klang Valley in conjunction with the holidays.

The public can obtain the latest traffic updates via the toll-free Plusline line 1-800-88-0000 and the Twitter page at www.twitter.com/plustrafik or the LLM line at 1-800-88-7752 as well as the Twitter page at www.twitter. com/LLMinfotrafik.