Israeli startup sees electricity paving road to the future

                TEL AVIV: Oren Ezer insists that the road to the electric-vehicle future will be paved with ... well ... asphalt, just like today’s highways.

But beneath the surface, Ezer says, will be conductive coils that can wirelessly charge battery-powered cars, buses, and trucks, offering a fix for the biggest hurdle in the emerging EV industry: range anxiety.

ElectReon Wireless Ltd., the company Ezer co-founded in 2013, has lined 6km of roads in Israel and Sweden to prove the viability of the idea, and it’s working on similar projects in Germany and Italy.

ElectReon uses 1.2-metre-long coils buried fist deep in the road to deliver power to vehicles.

To test the technology, ElectReon equipped a bus with three receivers under the chassis to pick up the charge on the go, using induction technology similar to plug-free phone-charging mats. The layer of asphalt zeros out the chance of passersby getting electrocuted, Ezer says.

“There are no pyrotechnics,” he says while riding the bus on the 2-km stretch of a road in northern Tel Aviv where the technology is installed in 100-metre-long sections spaced about 200 meters apart.

“You get on the road. You get your charge. You keep moving.”

The potential for such systems is huge as electric vehicles accounted for less than 5% of new car sales globally last year—and 2% in the U.S.—in large part because would-be buyers fret about the hassles of refueling.

US president Joe Biden wants to build 500,000 charging stations across the US by 2030 at a cost of US$15 billion.

Germany, which is testing electric highways around Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Stuttgart, expects as many as 10 million electric vehicles on its roads by the end of the decade, about 20 times the current figure.

Sweden, aiming for zero net emissions by 2045, plans to build 2,400km of electric roads by 2037.

ElectReon is facing some formidable rivals. Germany’s Siemens AG has developed catenaries—the spring-loaded systems atop many trains—that attach to wires strung above roads to give trucks a boost.

French transport giant Alstom SA is among multiple companies that are working on street-level rails that deliver power through a sliding contact below the vehicle, which proponents say is safe because the systems are activated in short bursts or only when cars drive over them.

But when Sweden wanted to test the idea on a 2.5-mile shuttle bus route to the airport on Gotland Island two years ago, it chose ElectReon, largely because any unsightly equipment is hidden beneath the pavement.

The Swedish Transport Administration says ElectReon’s system in Gotland costs about €1 million per kilometre, slightly more than half the price of a catenary network.

But ElectReon’s coils deliver about a quarter of the electricity—energy travels more efficiently when the power source is in direct contact with the battery—so the company would require more infrastructure to achieve the same level of charging.

The ElectReon system “is easy to deploy and has almost no visible parts and hopefully also low maintenance costs,” says Jan Pettersson, director of strategic development at the Swedish Transport Administration. But reaching Sweden’s climate goals will require “a whole palette of solutions,” including fast-charging stations or heavy trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which promise much longer ranges, he says.

ElectReon has increased the amount of energy it can transfer, to 25 kilowatt hours per receiver—almost 10 times what it was a few years ago—and it aims to hit 45 kWh by next year.

At the current rate, the average city bus could run a full day on two hours of charging, says Ezer. It’s testing the technology with Renault on the compact electric Zoe and on buses and trucks with Volkswagen, Jeep, and China’s Higer.

ElectReon is nearing deals with two other car manufacturers that it aims to conclude by December, and it expects to begin highway projects in Germany and Italy in the coming months. “There’s an almost limitless market,” Ezer says.

Sceptics say the technology risks being rendered obsolete by improvements in battery performance. Volvo Group AG, which recently teamed up with Daimler Truck AG on hydrogen-fuel-cell trucks after passing on an electric roads partnership with Alstom, says such systems would cost taxpayers 10 times as much as fixed charging stations.

The “costs, benefits and uncertainties clearly speak against a large-scale electric road investment,” says Claes Eliasson, a senior vice president at Volvo.

Ezer maintains that the viability of his system isn’t threatened by better batteries. ElectReon’s on-the-go charging would allow vehicles to have much smaller power reservoirs, which means an electric bus using the technology could cost significantly less than one with a full-size battery.

Similar math applies to private cars, according to Martin Gustavsson, project coordinator at Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory. “It’s become more and more apparent that with electric roads,” Gustavsson says, “cars could drive very long distances without large, heavy, and expensive batteries.”


US theft claims soar for Hyundai, Kia vehicles, non-profit group says

                WASHINGTON: US theft claims were nearly twice as common for Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp vehicles compared with all other manufacturers among 2015 through 2019 model-year vehicles, a non-profit group said today.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Highway Loss Data Institute said many 2015-19 model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles do not have electronic immobilisers, which prevent people from breaking in and bypassing the ignition.

The feature is standard equipment on nearly all vehicles made by other manufacturers during that time-frame, IIHS said.

Hyundai and Kia both said their vehicles meet US motor vehicle standards but said their vehicles were being targeted in a "coordinated effort" by social media users. Hyundai said engine immobilisers became standard on all vehicles produced after Nov 1, 2021, while Kia said it added immobilisers in all vehicles during the 2022 model year.

Hyundai said that, starting Oct 1, it will make available for purchase at dealerships a security kit that targets the method of entry thieves are using to access these vehicles.

Kia said: "Criminals are seeking vehicles solely equipped with a steel key and 'turn-to-start' ignition system. The majority of Kia vehicles in the United States are equipped with a key fob and 'push-button-to-start' system, making them more difficult to steal."

The insurance group said immobilisers were standard on 62% of models from other manufacturers in model year 2000, rising to 96% by 2015. But they were standard on only 26% of 2015 model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles, it said.

The group said that, after social media attention in Wisconsin in 2021, overall losses from Hyundai and Kia thefts — the amount paid on theft claims per insured vehicle year — soared to more than 30 times the 2019 level.


This is Toyota Supra brochure — not!

                LOS ANGELES: Rumours about the return of the Toyota Supra have recently gained greater traction on the Internet, which has been replete  with renderings and speculations as to its styling cues, features, engine options and where it will be built. The latest info came from a Serbian website that claimed to have an official catalogue of the Supra. It turned out it wasn't but there were still useful details to be gleaned from it.

So, what is the real deal about the "king's arrival"? Well, no one is absolutely sure for now, only that it is a joint-venture between Toyota and BMW. Both companies began working together on the sports car project in 2014.

Rumour-mongers are saying Toyota might have it built at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria - where the BMW Z4 was assembled,. Magna Steyr is the contract assembler for BMW, producing its X3 and the G30 5 Series.

This in turn has led many observers to believe the next Supra (fixed-roof) will give rise to the Z4's replacement - the Z5 (G29) roadster with a foldable roof.

The commonality between the two cars is that they will be both rear-wheel drive, with perhaps an all-wheel drive system available as an option.

What both companies will bring to the table should be BMW's inline six-cylinder engine and carbon fibre expertise, while Toyota will offer its four-cylinder petrol engines and electric motor technology.

The Serbian website's report of the official" Supra brochure was quickly debunked by a reader of Motor1.com, which had carried a story about the Serbian source. The reader said it was actually a supplement to a Japanese magazine Holiday Auto, and did not come from Toyota.

The Serbian site said the document revealed the new car would have several variants, with much of its styling cues coming from the Toyota FT-1 concept that debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Furthermore, it should also weigh in from 1,350 to 1,430kg, roll on 18 or 19-inch wheels and have a wheelbase of 2,470mm while measuring 4,380mm-long, 1,830mm-wide and 1,280mm tall, it said.

Apparently, there's going to be two engine options from BMW, starting with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged mill with 192hp and 320Nm of torque. Another version will get the same engine with a different tune of 252hp and 400Nm.

As for the range-topping variant, it could be powered by an inline six-cylinder 3.0-litre powerplant that develops 340hp and 450Nm.

But, if the Supra is to make its return next year, the Japanese carmaker is likely to unveil it at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in October, the LA Auto Show in November or the 2018 Detroit Auto Show next January. In any case, it now boils down to the wait.

TOYOTA FT-1 Concept


VW shows how mobile charging robot can make EV charging hassle-free

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen Group Components is giving the world a first glimpse of the prototypes of its mobile charging robot.

This is one of the charging concepts that the Volkswagen business unit hopes will expand the charging infrastructure over the next few years.

Its task: fully autonomous charging of vehicles in restricted parking areas, like underground car parks.

“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is and remains a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” said Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Components’ CEO.

The charging robot – started via an app or Car-to-X communication – operates totally autonomously.

It independently steers the vehicle to be charged and communicates with it: from opening the charging socket flap to connecting the plug and decoupling it.

The entire charging process takes place without any human involvement.

To charge several vehicles at the same time, the mobile robot moves a trailer, essentially a mobile energy storage unit, to the vehicle, connects it up and then uses this energy storage unit to charge the battery of the electric vehicle.

The energy storage unit stays with the vehicle during the charging process.

In the meantime, the robot charges other electric vehicles. Once the charging service has ended, the robot independently collects the mobile energy storage unit and takes it back to the central charging station.

Volkswagen Group Components is currently working on a complete DC charging family.

The flexible quick-charging station will be launched onto the market in early 2021.

For several weeks now, the DC wallbox has been trialled at different company’s German production sites.

The mobile charging robot has successfully reached prototype status and will now be comprehensively further developed.

One of the prerequisites for market maturity is Car-to-X communication to facilitate the autonomous charging process.


Poor driving habits lead to unhappy drivers, says expert

                PETALING JAYA: Poor driving habits is one reason why many drivers are unhappy on the road, says a traffic consultant.

Goh Bok Yen said those with bad driving skills caused other motorists to also drive badly.

Soon, everyone gets frustrated and safety takes a back seat, he said.

He said the comfort and happiness of drivers played a vital role when it comes to road safety.

“But we do not have a culture of good driving habits. So even if you have the best roads in the world, driving is still stressful,” Goh said.

And don’t think that you are immune if you’re a good driver in a luxury car, according to him.

He said if other motorists are driving badly or haphazardly, you will still lose your cool no matter how comfortable or feature filled your car is.

He said the other factors are traffic conditions and construction work on or alongside the roads.

“These can also irritate and frustrate drivers,” added Goh.

A Global Driver Satisfaction Index (GDSI) showed that drivers here are among the unhappiest in the world despite Malaysia having some of the best roads.

The index was compiled from Waze, a traffic and navigation app for smartphones, which recorded feedback from 50 million users in 32 countries.

Malaysia was 23rd in the ranking for driving safety; Argentina was in the top spot. Also, Malaysians ranked the road systems here as good as those in Britain.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) believes that bad driving habits are linked to a driver’s attitude and personality.

Director of the Road User Behavioural Change Research Centre at Miros, Dr Low Suet Fin, said the Government has spent a lot of money educating road users on safety to help reduce accidents.

“But human behaviour is difficult to tackle, it can be changed through education but this takes a long time,” she said.

Federal traffic chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said many motorists need to change their attitude.

“We have drivers who are selfish, unwilling to signal when changing lanes and there are some who won’t give way to other motorists,” he said.

“They must be courteous to each other. How else will we change for the better?” he added.

In Johor Baru, Malaysian Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said motorists should be able to handle driving-related stress.

“Stress management is part of the curriculum at driving schools,” he said after a ceremony to hand out Corporate Integrity Pledge certificates yesterday.


Goodyear designs tyre for Lancia concept

                TURIN: Customisation, aerodynamics, and design lie at the heart of the latest collaboration between Goodyear and the reborn Lancia brand.

Goodyear was selected to produce a bespoke tyre for the automaker's new concept vehicle, Lancia Pu+Ra HPE.

The Lancia concept is the first vehicle of the new Lancia era, a 100% electric concept car that represents the vision of the brand in terms of design, interior home feeling, sustainability, electrification and technology.

Goodyear developed a unique concept tyre for the vehicle which includes a customised tyre sidewall design, providing a seamless integration of the vehicle’s rim with the tyre, adding to the luxurious and premium look of the concept vehicle.

The tyre sidewall provides a very high aerodynamic performance level, enhancing energy efficiency. It also has a specific construction to withstand instant electric car torque.

Laurent Colantonio, Goodyear senior director technology consumer EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) said, “This year Goodyear celebrates its 125th anniversary, so this is a fantastic moment to partner with Lancia for the re-birth of their iconic brand.

“We are thrilled to have worked on this concept tyre which made us think outside of the box regarding customisation, aerodynamics, and design.

“It was essential to marry our technical expertise with Lancia’s so we could produce a seamless tyre and rim combination which enhanced energy efficiency while remaining aesthetically pleasing.”


SOCAR promo for frontliners

                PETALING JAYA: Car-sharing app SOCAR Mobility Malaysia has launched the Healthcare Heroes Support Promo specifically for frontliners by offering 70% off for every booking and free petrol for 20km travel for each hour booked.

The booking is capped at RM100 while the free petrol is capped at 240km for 12 hours booking.

There is a variety of car models to choose from including Perodua Axia, Honda City, Honda Jazz, Toyota Vios, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Rush among others.

The promotion is running in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh.

Medical personnel can fill out the form in this link to verify their eligibility.

Successful applicants would be notified via email and the promo code will be automatically available on their “My Coupon” page in the app.

There are a total of 212 SOCAR zones located within a walking distance of major hospitals and clinics including Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Sungai Buloh and Hospital Shah Alam.

To find out more about these SOCAR zones, please refer to this list.

Users can also have the car delivered to their doorstep for free via the SOCAR-2-YOU delivery service within the coverage areas.

Those with group requests (more than 10) are urged to email the SOCAR team at hello@socar.my with the email subject #kitajagakita for enquiries.

Download the SOCAR app on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.


BMW-led FastCharge group aims to make EV charging quick, safe and convenient

                MUNICH: BMW is among car makers looking to introduce more electrified and electric cars into the market but a number of technical hurdles remain to be overcome.

BMW, which has been leading a consortium of companies in the three-year FastCharge research project since July 2016, is studying how to shorten charging times and the associated infrastructure and to build the respective prototypes

The charging time of electric vehicles depends mainly on current and voltage: the higher the voltage and amperage, the faster the battery can be filled. However, in real life application, these factors cannot be increased at will. This is why the FastCharge project focuses on the study of the technical and physical limits of all components and systems involved in charging, both in the vehicle and the infrastructure.

The anticipated charging capacity is up to 450 kilowatts, three times the maximum charging capacity available at stations today. A voltage of 900 volts and an amplitude of 500 amperes for a projected charging time of under 15 minutes pose major challenges on all components involved.

Researchers are looking at ways to cool down charging cables, plugs and vehicle power sockets during the charging process, allowing for the use of more flexible cables with smaller diameters that can be handled like today’s fuel hoses.

FastCharge is adopting the plugs and standards of the Combined Charging System (CCS), which has stood the test of everyday operations in today’s series-production electric cars. This would mean that vehicles with lower current and voltage demands can easily be serviced at the fast-charging stations too.

The collaborative project is studying all aspects of fast charging in practical application, aiming to introduce and manufacture the required technologies on an industrial scale as well as coming up with an automated registration and billing process for customers.

The consortium hopes to introduce a working prototype early next year and help promote market acceptance of electric cars.

Other participants in the BMW-led project are Allego GmbH, Phoenix Contact E-Mobility GmbH, Porsche AG and Siemens AG. The German government is supporting the FastCharge project with € 7.8 million grant, with the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Organization overseeing compliance with the grant requirements.


Daimler recalls 1.29 million US vehicles for software issue

                WASHINGTON: Daimler AG’s US unit Mercedes-Benz USA said Saturday it is recalling 1.29 million vehicles sold since 2016 because software may fail to communicate correct vehicle location in the event of a crash.

The recall covers some 2016-2021 model year CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles, according to a filing with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The German automaker plans to issue a software update that will be installed by dealers or over-the-air.

Mercedes-Benz USA said Saturday it is neither aware of any case of material damage nor personal injury in connection with the issue.

The automaker said “a temporary collapse of the communication module’s power supply caused by a crash might lead to the vehicle’s position during a potential emergency call being incorrect.” Mercedes-Benz added that “other functions of the automatic and manual emergency call function remain fully operational.”

Mercedes-Benz in Europe in October 2019 launched an investigation based on a report from the Mercedes-Benz eCall centre of a single instance in the European market where the automatic eCall system relayed a wrong vehicle position.

After a lengthy investigation reviewing various software combinations of the communication module, the company’s research showed additional similar events where the vehicle position transmitted was wrong.


Nissan releases another teaser of the new Z sportscar

PETALING JAYA: The new Nissan Z has been teased again before its official launch on Sept 16 and showed off new headlights and taillights and the rear placement of the Z badge.

For those who caught it, the design of the taillights pays homage to the 300ZX which made its debut in the early 1990s.

Have a look at the sketch which was previously posted.

The new Z is set to look more modern than the 370Z which came out in 2009.

While there's no specifications yet, the new Z could be powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine with a six-speed transmission. Whether it comes in manual or automatic or both we'll just have to wait and see which won't be long now..

The new Nissan Z is expected to go on sale in 2021.


Road vigilante wants action against drivers

                PETALING JAYA: Hisyam Salleh had thought nothing of breaking the law to drive on emergency lanes ... until a friend’s relative died on the road due to illegal use of the lane.

“The victim had to stop his car on the emergency lane because of a tyre problem. He opened the car door but was hit by another car from behind at the lane,” recalled the 33-year-old media practitioner.

Hisyam said he was concerned to see other motorists continue to drive on emergency lanes at highways. “One day on my way to Kedah, I saw so many drivers using the emergency lane. Even a patrol car could do nothing,” he lamented. Hisyam refuses to be “helpless” about the situation.

Since March, he has been snapping photos of vehicles using emergency lanes and posting them on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Facebook page. Based on his observations, the father of one listed three “hotspots” where emergency lanes at highways were being abused – a bottleneck before Bidor, before the Jawi toll in Penang and another before Changkat Jering.

Hisyam said he made it a point to ensure that the errant drivers knew he was snapping photographs. “I only take photos when my wife is driving and I don’t intend to be discreet about it. I want them to see that their bad behaviour is caught on camera,” he added.

Despite his efforts, the assistant news editor with a local Malay daily said he had yet to receive any query from the JPJ, except for the automated “thank you”. “I am not sure what their priority is. We can’t wait until somebody dies again for us to learn from this.”

In response, JPJ said the photo evidence of people abusing emergency lanes will be acted upon.

Its enforcement director Datuk V. Valluvan Veloo, responding to complaints that the JPJ was dragging its feet on the issue, said specific officers were tasked to handle such complaints online.

He said under the law, even motorcyclists were barred from using emergency lanes. “But we want evidence on cars and lorries as these are more dangerous,” he said.

Valluvan said the JPJ had received good response from the public after the first appeal for photo evidence was made in May. “We find the initiative to be very effective as our enforcement officers cannot be anywhere and everywhere,” he said, adding that 1,300 photographs of vehicles using emergency lanes were sent in from May 22.

Valluvan said complaints from the respective states were channelled to the JPJ headquarters which “will respond to each one”.

“We are constantly monitoring it and when we have enough evidence, we will bring the offenders to court,” he added. Valluvan, however, cautioned that only passengers were allowed to snap photos, saying drivers were barred from doing so.

 Selfish drivers abusing the use of an emergency lane and blocking an ambulance .

It was reported last month that vehicles travelling on the emergency lane at the 228th kilometre of the North-South Expressway had hindered an ambulance from reaching an accident site.

After viewing a video recording of the vehicles on the emergency lane, JPJ issued 91 notices to the vehicle owners concerned who were given 14 days to appear at the JPJ office. It is learnt that it took the ambulance about an hour before it could reach the accident scene involving two motorcyclists. Both died from their injuries.

Meanwhile, police will crack down hard against the illegal use of emergency lanes during the coming balik kampung rush. Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the lanes were meant for emergency purposes.

“Motorists who drive on emergency lanes do not understand that they are obstructing personnel from reaching the scene as fast as possible. We will act against anyone caught using emergency lanes with the maximum RM300 fine imposed,’’ he added.


Waze now features 'Toll Prices' in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Waze has been updated and now include a "Toll Prices" feature in Malaysia, which will enable users to view and compare toll prices when they are driving along tolled routes.

It is one of its most requested features for Waze.

Waze, which announced the feature today, said it would help drivers make better planning decisions by giving them visibility of prices ahead of time, enabling them to compare prices of different routes and ETAs (estimated time of arrivals) to choose their preferred option.

The feature, which is compatible with high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, is automatically enabled and users will see a Toll tag on the route if it includes a toll road. Drivers with a toll pass can also select this in the Waze app, which will be taken into account when routes are being generated.

READ MORE:Meet Waze map editor Paul Kok. He's a Level 6 guy

Waze said the hyperlocal feature was made possible due to the work of its volunteer community of over 30,000 monthly active map editors. It said six volunteers in particular from the local Waze community who helped build the latest feature for Waze were (listing by nicknames) Kadyus, Kweeheng, Rickylo103, EpailXi, Izuaniz and Lutfi_bihar. They collected and entered the toll price information.

"Until now, Waze was trying to reduce your time spent in traffic — now, we’re also helping our users save as much money as possible by giving them the absolute best choice of routes, based both on ETA and potential costs of tolls along the way," said Waze product manager Moriah Royz.

"We look forward to continue working with our community to make this feature available in all markets.”


Indonesia says investment talks with Tesla still ongoing

                JAKARTA: Negotiations between Indonesia and Tesla are still ongoing, a senior minister said today, following a report that the US automaker is nearing a preliminary deal to build production facilities with a capacity of one million units.

Luhut Pandjaitan, who has been leading the talks with Tesla, declined to disclose further details, citing a non-disclosure agreement.

Bloomberg News also reported that the Indonesia talks include plans for production facilities and to facilitate the company's supply chain, citing people familiar with the matter.

"I can't comment, we're still talking," Luhut told Reuters, adding that he had just recently held another round of talks with Tesla.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Chief executive Elon Musk tweeted on Wednesday, "Please be cautious about writing articles citing 'unnamed sources', as they are frequently false," in a comment on a tweet referencing the report.

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has long courted the US company to build facilities to produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries and electric cars. President Joko Widodo met with Musk to discuss a potential deal last year.

Indonesia's nickel ore can be processed for use in EV batteries and the country is keen to develop a downstream industry at home leveraging its rich nickel reserves, after banning ore exports since 2020.

Musk last month said Tesla was close to picking the location of its new "Gigafactory" following media reports that it could announce a new factory in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon as soon as December.

Tesla currently makes its electric cars in China's Shanghai, Germany's Berlin, and Austin and Fremont in the United States.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has managed to attract other automakers to invest in EV production.

Hyundai Motor Co and SGMW Motor Indonesia, part of a joint venture of SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, General Motors Co and Wuling Motors Holdings have built assembly facilities in the South-East Asian country.

Indonesian authorities have said Japanese firms Toyota Motor Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp have pledged investments in EV production.

Companies that have invested or expressed interest in investing in EV battery making include South Korean's LG Energy Solution, China's Contemporary Amperex Technology, Taiwan's Foxconn and Germany's BASF, Indonesia's investment ministry said.

Jakarta plans to incentivise EV purchases to make them more affordable this year and encourage sales, government officials have said.


Thousands of Daimler employees trim hours to save jobs

                FRANKFURT: Thousands of Daimler employees have agreed to cut their hours and give up bonuses this year to save jobs amid the coronavirus crisis, the German carmaker said Tuesday.

The Mercedes-Benz manufacturer was already grappling with a painful restructuring set to include a major jobs cull before the pandemic sent car sales plummeting.

Daimler said in a statement it had reached a deal with German unions that would see administrative employees and staff in other non-factory areas such as logistics, work two hours less a week and take a corresponding pay cut for one year from Oct 1.

Daimler, which employs nearly 300,000 people worldwide, did not say how many employees in Germany would be affected by the deal.

Daimler's German workers have also agreed to forego their annual profit-sharing bonus this year, which amounted to almost €600 (around RM3,000) per person in 2019, the statement added.

"We want to thank the workforce for their important, temporary contribution to overcoming this crisis together," Daimler personnel chief Wilfried Porth said.

Workers' representative Michael Brecht called the agreement "a clear contribution to securing jobs and stabilising our financial situation".

Daimler announced in 2019 that at least 10,000 jobs would be culled as part of the group's efforts to save €1.4 billion by 2022, mainly through voluntary redundancies and early retirement schemes.

But German media have reported that number could climb as high as 20,000 as Daimler, like other automakers, faces fallout from weeks of coronavirus lockdowns that halted production lines and kept dealerships closed.

The group posted last week a loss of nearly €2 billion in the second quarter of 2020 owing to the pandemic's impact.

Although sales began to recover as countries eased lockdown measures, Daimler chief executive Ola Kallenius warned that the coming "months and years will be a challenge".


Mercedes-Benz S 580 e price announced at RM699,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced the price of its S 580 e flagship luxury sedan at RM698,744.

The on-the-road price is includes sales tax exemption but without insurance.

The locally-assembled plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was launched on Dec 15 last year with its price then still pending government approval.

The S 580 e is bigger, has a longer wheelbase and gets more innovations compared with the previous S 560 e.

Its hybrid powertrain is a combination of a 9G-Tronic transmission coupled to a 3.0-litre inline-6 turbocharged engine delivering 367hp and 500Nm of torque and an electric motor producing 110kW and 440Nm of torque.

A 0-100kph sprint can be achieved in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 250kph, while having an all-electric driving range of 100km.

In addition to air suspension, the S 580 e also comes with the second generation of the MBUX NTG 7 system and up to five large screens.

Among them are a 12.8-inch OLED centre display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument panel.

READ: https://www.carsifu.my/news/all-new-mercedes-benz-s-580-e-introduced-price-to-be-confirmed-soon


Audi A8 gets electrified powertrain

                MILTON KEYNES: The all-new Audi A8 range which makes its debut next month will be the first in the brand’s history to feature an electrified drivetrain as standard, representing another important milestone on the e-mobility pathway.

The combustion engines powering the next generation of the flagship luxury saloon will be equipped with mild hybrid technology based around a 48-volt electrical system which features as the primary electrical system for the first time.

The technology will work in favour of the running refinement and performance that are so crucial at this level, and also in the interest of greater efficiency.

The mild hybrid drive comprises two main components: first, the watercooled 48-volt belt alternator starter (BAS), which complements the conventional pinion starter.

The latter is only required for cold starts in the new Audi A8. Then there is the lithium-ion battery in the luggage compartment to act as the energy accumulator for the MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle) with a 10 Ah charge carrier capacity and a 48-volt system.

The advantage of the BAS becomes particularly clear when the driver approaches a red traffic signal or a roundabout.

If the traffic signal turns green during braking while the vehicle is coasting to a stop or if a gap appears for the driver to move into, and the driver releases the brake, the combustion engine is started immediately.

The car accelerates without any delay. This is all thanks to the belt alternator starter, which is permanently connected to the combustion engine.

The new drive combines efficiency with comfort in a very special way: The fourth-generation A8 can enter the noiseless coasting mode within the speed range of 34mph to 99mph, and can then coast with zero emissions for up to 40 seconds with the engine off altogether.

As soon as the driver depresses the throttle pedal again, the BAS prompts a swift, very smooth restart. In addition, start/stop operation is actually active from 14mph.

The convenient start/stop function in the new Audi A8 differs markedly from previous systems.

The high-connectivity luxury saloon can distinguish between different traffic situations. When the road ahead is clear, the BAS starts the combustion engine conveniently and promptly, letting the Audi A8 drive off swiftly.

After long standstill phases and if the customer wants to turn up the air conditioning, the combustion engine is started extra-smoothly and quietly.

There is the new feature of predictive convenient starting: As soon as the vehicle in front of the Audi A8 moves, the engine starts even if the brake is still pressed. In this scenario the control strategy concludes that the driver will fall in with the flow of traffic.

To achieve the high standard of efficiency, the new Audi A8 comes with sophisticated powertrain management: It processes both route data and information from its highly networked set of sensors, which include the front camera.

The powertrain management uses this equipment to decide whether the A8 is in coasting or recuperation mode. It recovers energy not just from brake applications or when coasting; the Audi A8 also does so if it is in danger of getting too close to a preceding vehicle while coasting.

All these measures are beneficial not just to comfort, but also at the fuel pumps: In the A8, the mild hybrid drive reduces fuel consumption during customer operation by up to 0.7 litres per 100km.


New trend? High-profile car club starts selling e-bikes

                BERLIN: Germany's huge ADAC motoring organisation, which is one of the world's largest, plans to start selling electric bicycles and scooters.

In response to changing mobility needs, the club said it was time for the organisation to diversify and drop its long-standing "fixation" with the automobile.

The ADAC, which has 20 million paying members, is launching the pilot project in co-operation with the Rydies urban micro-mobility start-up.

Under the scheme "We are electrifying Germany", the club will sell new and used electric scooters until March 2020 before launching its own subscription scheme for members who want to lease an electric two-wheeler.

Vehicles available include e-bikes from Van Moof and Greenstorm along with electric-powered scooters from Sweden's Vaessla and retro-styled Kitos.

The ADAC leasing contract includes maintenance, repairs and insurance.

Car clubs need to cater for the whole range of mobility if they are to hold on to customers, experts say. E-bikes and electric scooters appeal to young and old members alike, many of whom have a private car as well.

Some car clubs arouind the world, like the Royal Automobile Club in Perth, western Australia, already offer discounts to members who buy an e-bike.


Mercedes-Benz starts production of new A-Class

                STUTTGART: The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the first of eight models of the new compact car generation to roll off the production line at the lead plant in Rastatt, Germany.

Markus Schäfer, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars (production & supply chain) said: “Mercedes-Benz Cars starts an unprecedented ramp-up cascade with the A-Class. In our global production network, we can ramp-up the production of our vehicles in proven top quality and supply the global market even faster. Using modern industry 4.0 technologies our plants are becoming even more flexible and efficient.”

The start of the new A-Class at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, 90 km west of Stuttgart in Germany, is the trigger for the production of the new generation of compact cars in five plants on three continents.

The new A-Class is the first model of the fourth generation of compact cars and replaces the predecessor model produced since 2012.

The compact car family currently consists of five models: A-, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA.

In the future, there will be eight models.

Note: CarSifu is currently in Eastern Europe to test-drive the new A-Class.


Moto Guzzi set for local return and new models

                PETALING JAYA: Moto Guzzi will make a local comeback with a new official distributor and the opening of a 3S flagship store next month.

The outlet in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, will also be the headquarters for Motto Guzzi Malaysia.

Moto Guzzi is a distinguished and legendary brand owned by the Piaggio Group; the largest European manufacturer of two-wheeled motor vehicles. The group is also one of the world’s largest two-wheeler maker.

Two Moto Guzzi models is expected to be introduced for a start - the classic inspired V7 and V9.

In conjunction with the comeback, Piaggio Asia Pacific would be organising an exclusive Media and Customer Day.

Moto Guzzi customers will be able to get an idea into Moto Guzzi Malaysia’s upcoming plans and model rollout.

In order to participate in this event, Moto Guzzi customers can onto https://www.facebook.com/motoguzziMY/ to register their interest.

More details on the model launching and 3S flagship store opening will be announced soon.


BMW deal to hike stake in China JV unaffected by Brilliance parent's debt issues

                BEIJING/HONG KONG: BMW said today there was no indication that its deal to hike its stake in its main China joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive would be impacted by the debt issues of the latter's parent.

BMW said in 2018 that it would pay €3.6 billion (RM17.6bil) in 2022 for a further 25% stake in the joint venture with China joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, adding to its existing 50% holding and giving it control of BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA).

However, investors have raised doubts over whether the deal will proceed as creditors of Brilliance’s parent, Huachen Automotive Group, have applied to a court asking for a restructuring of the company.

“For the BMW Group, there is no indication that the validity of these contracts would be limited by the current situation,” a BMW representative told Reuters via an emailed statement today.

“The BMW Group and the operating business of the joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA) are not directly affected by the payment difficulties of the Chinese Brilliance Group (official name: Huachen Automotive Group Holdings Company Ltd.).”


Toyota cars get highest safety ratings in Japan

                TOKYO: The Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, RAV4, and Raize have received the highest rank awards in the 2019 safety performance assessment by JNCAP (Japan New Car Assessment Program).

The Alphard/Vellfire and RAV4 received the highest rank in preventive safety performance.

Both the RAV4 and Raize also received five stars (the highest rank) in collision safety performance.

JNCAP revises its testing methods and assessment standards meticulously, every year, taking into account actual traffic accidents that have occurred in Japan and the necessity of establishing countermeasures.

As for the preventive safety performance evaluation, JNCAP added the autonomous emergency braking system that detects pedestrians under streetlamps at night in the list of items for assessment in 2018, in consideration of the fact that, in Japan, pedestrian fatalities from road accidents frequently occur at night.

Also in its 2019 assessment, the autonomous emergency braking system for pedestrians at night without lighting was added in the list of evaluation items.

The Alphard/Vellfire and RAV4 equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense (a pre-collision safety system that detects pedestrians at night) received the highest rank in JNCAP's assessment of preventive safety performance.

JNCAP has also revised its collision safety performance evaluation criteria that better reflects the conditions of an aging population, and adopted new crash test dummies that more accurately represent the human body.

Against this backdrop, RAV4 and Raize, equipped with the latest collision safety body and occupant restraint system, received five stars, the top ranking in the collision safety performance evaluation.


Big auto insurer AmGeneral up for sale again, say sources

                KUALA LUMPUR: The owners of AmGeneral Insurance Bhd., Malaysia’s second-biggest auto insurer, have restarted a sale process and are seeking as much as US$1 billion (RM4.3bil) for the company, people with knowledge of the matter said.

AmGeneral is the second-biggest auto insurer in Malaysia and insures one in six cars in the country, according to its website. It ranks in the top five in overall market share for general insurance, as of the first half of 2018, the website said.

Kuala Lumpur-listed AMMB Holdings Bhd. and Insurance Australia Group Ltd., invited potential suitors to submit non-binding bids for the Malaysian insurer by the end of this month, according to the people, who asked not to be named as the information is private.

AMMB controls 51% of AmGeneral, while IAG owns the remaining balance.
AMMB and IAG explored the disposal of AmGeneral in 2017 and shortlisted Allianz Malaysia Bhd. last year, Bloomberg News previously reported.

But the deal fell through after failing to get approval from Bank Negara Malaysia, the country’s central bank, one of the people said.

The central bank declined to comment on the matter. The owners began a new sale process in recent weeks, the person said.

Details of the potential deal could change, and AmGeneral’s owners could decide to hold on to their stakes, the people said.

A representative for AmGeneral and AMMB declined to comment. A representative for IAG said the company’s focus is on its core Australian and New Zealand businesses, and is exploring options for its remaining Asian general insurance interests, including divestments when appropriate.

AmGeneral has more than two million customers and a network of 7,000 agents and dealers marketing products under the AmAssurance and Kurnia brands. AmGeneral underwrote RM1.5 billion of gross premiums and earned RM220 million in net income in the financial year ended March 2019, according to the insurer’s latest available annual results.


Statement from Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

                PETALING JAYA: Honda has confirmed that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in a crash on Sept 24, 2016 in Malaysia.

The crash resulted in the tragic death of the driver. No official cause of death has been yet determined.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of the driver during this difficult time.

Honda has confirmed during an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2009 Honda City on Sept 24, 2016 in Johor state.

The vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian Product Recall announced on July 10, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag.

A notification letter was sent out to the owner related to the recall and our records indicate that the recall repair was never completed.

The vehicle involved in this crash has also been included in the Takata single stage (SPI) passenger’s front airbag inflator recall announced on June 23, 2016.

Honda has confirmed that the passenger’s airbag inflator did not rupture while it deployed and functioned in a proper manner in this crash.

Honda is communicating with the authorities and representative of the driver’s family.

Out of respect for the family, Honda will not provide any personal information.

Honda Malaysia has enforced its notification activities on Takata front airbag inflator recalls via press releases, advertisements, inclusion in roadshows, personal calls and SMS, as well as direct mails, to keep customers informed and urge affected customers to do the replacements.

The details of the activities include:

- Mailed more than 735,400 letters to affected customers

- Advertised campaigns and issued press releases to notify the public

- Created a notice on the company’s website, made VIN (chasis number) search of affected vehicles available on the website     (www.honda.com.my)

- Conducted “outreach campaigns” at all on-ground activities and roadshows

- Sent email to more than 35,800 affected customers

- Blasted more than 730,000 SMS to affected customers

- Shared information about the recall in Honda’s ‘With Dreams’ magazine

- Made phone calls to more than 54,000 affected customers

The company has also been increasing its activities for airbag inflator replacement enhancement, which include improving stock availability, and increasing service capacity via Service Central Hubs, Mobile Hubs and prioritising replacement activities at dealerships.

As announced in Aug 2016, Honda Malaysia have secured 100% of Takata driver front airbag inflators and as of Sept 27, 2016, Honda Malaysia have completed more than 157,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator which translates to 60% completion ratio.

For the City model, Honda Malaysia has completed about 33,600 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator, with a 66% completion ratio.

As at Sept 27, 2016, the Northern (Penang), Southern (Johor) and Central (Selangor) as well as Mobile Hubs have completed more than 10,800 replacements of Takata front airbag inflators in affected Honda vehicles since August 2016.

This contributed to the total number of Takata front airbag inflator replacements completed at more than 211,000 units or 54% completion ratio.


Volkswagen Malaysia centres to stay open during MCO

                KUALA LUMPUR: All authorised dealerships and service centres of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia are operational nationwide during the current movement control order (MCO).

To provide customers with peace of mind, Volkswagen has placed a high priority on stringent hygiene processes which includes the sanitising of premises and vehicles, proper safety screenings, MySejahtera app check-ins and temperature checks.

For owners, Volkswagen service centres nationwide all follow strict guidelines under the ‘Safe Hands’ initiative, which includes contactless vehicle acceptance, video walkthroughs, sanitisation before and after service, cashless payments with e-invoicing and contactless car pickup.

Owners are advised to book their service appointments online.

For the convenience to those who prefer staying at home, the Volkswagen eShowroom is open 24 hours, offering exclusive online savings along with the current Chinese New Year rebates.

Home delivery service is complimentary for deliveries within a 20km radius from the preferred dealership.

The Roadside Assistance service remains operational, with the toll-free number 1800-88-2389 available in the event of an emergency.

The Volkswagen Customer Care team is also reachable at the toll-free number 1-800-18-8947 or via direct message on official Volkswagen social media channels.

Volkswagen continues to stand with all Malaysians during this challenging period and urge the community to stay home and to do their part in overcoming and preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

For details, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.


VW invests in EU-backed energy transformation fund

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen is expanding its green strategy by investing in an EU-backed fund to jointly back technology firms in the field of energy transformation.

The carmaker, which has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, said today it had entered a strategic partnership with EIT InnoEnergy and will become a shareholder in the EU-backed venture.

The move is in line with other steps by Volkswagen, which in September unveiled plans to set up its own 300 million euro venture capital fund to invest in decarbonisation projects and start-ups in the field.

"The idea is simply ... to use InnoEnergy as an additional way to find interesting enterprises and support them in scaling up their business models," said Jens Wiese, Volkswagen's head of group M&A, investment advisory and partnerships.

VW aims to become the world's largest seller of electric vehicles by the middle of the decade and has outlined plans to build six large battery cell factories with partners in Europe by the end of the decade.

EIT InnoEnergy has already invested 560 million euros and holds stakes in about 300 groups, including Swedish battery cell maker Northvolt, steel venture H2 Green Steel, and lithium miner Vulcan Energy Resources.

Supported by the EU's European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), EIT InnoEnergy funds start-ups and companies that are active in the energy transition towards decarbonisation and away from fossil fuels.

Volkswagen did not disclose the value of the investment or the size of the stake in EIT InnoEnergy, whose owners also include Schneider Electric, TotalEnergies, Engie and EDF.

Volkswagen holds a fifth of Northvolt and, via its trucks unit Scania, has also invested in H2 Green Steel, whose backers include Mercedes-Benz, Spotify founder Daniel Ek, and Northvolt co-founder Vargas Holding.


Not a single car was sold in Shanghai last month

                SHANGHAI: For evidence of just how tight Shanghai’s lockdown has been, consider this: not a single car was sold in the city last month.

The majority of the city’s 25 million residents were mostly confined to their homes or residential compounds in April as part of a sweeping lockdown to stamp out the nation’s worst Covid outbreak since the virus emerged in Wuhan more than two years ago.

Almost all dealerships in the city were closed during the month, the Shanghai Automobile Sales Association said in a statement Monday, when it highlighted the zero sales figure.

In April last year, 26,311 vehicles were sold in the city, according to the association, which represents about 300 companies.

Nationwide, car sales fell the most in two years in April, down almost 36% from a year earlier to 1.06 million units, China Passenger Car Association data released last week showed.

The financial hub is finally on the verge of reaching a goal of three days of zero community transmission of Covid-19, which officials have said is required to start easing the harshest elements of the city’s six-week lockdown.

Around 980,000 people remain under the strictest form of lockdown, unable to leave their apartments, while many outside those zones say they’re still confined to residential compounds as authorities seek to meet the zero-spread target.

Passenger throughput at the city’s Pudong International Airport plunged about 99% from a year earlier in April, figures released Monday showed.


BMW China plans to put WeChat in cars without relying on Tencent

                SHANGHAI: BMW AG is working to integrate Tencent Holdings' popular WeChat messaging app into its cars in China and is planning to do it in a way that would not require the Internet giant to make changes to its software, its China R&D chief said.

As the battle in the world's largest car market increasingly shifts to technology add-ons, auto executives say customers are clamouring for the app in their vehicles. WeChat, with about half a billion active monthly users, currently does not come pre-installed in cars in China.

Ford Motor Co has said it is in talks to have Tencent Holdings Ltd tailor WeChat to be used in its cars.

But BMW plans to develop a method that would circumvent the need for Tencent to make tweaks as the Chinese company had not been that receptive, Rene Wies, who oversees BMW China's R&D centre, told Reuters.

"Tencent is currently not as open as one would maybe expect, and they are in a competitive environment trying to bring new features so making any changes to the software for the car industry is not on their focus," he said in brief comments at an event held in conjunction with Shanghai autoshow.

"We have to find ways of integrating it intelligently without them having to change it." A Tencent spokeswoman declined to comment immediately.

Wies said it would likely take a year before the app, which BMW plans to have controlled by voice commands, is introduced in its cars, although that could be cut to half a year or less if Tencent was more open to tweaks.

Other automakers are also eyeing apps and online services.

In August, General Motors Co and Tencent launched a platform for GM owners to use WeChat to find a nearby dealership or send the location of their car to a friend.

Nissan Motor Co has also said it wants the app in its cars at some point. Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, is also researching how to include apps and services from Tencent and rivals Baidu Inc and Alibaba Group Holding in its cars.


Gordon Murray's T.50 supercar hits test track for first time

                LONDON: Gordon Murray Automotive’s T.50 supercar has had its first development test drive, marking a major milestone for the world’s "most driver-centric supercar."

The XP2 prototype with limited revs was driven for the first time at the Top Gear test track in Dunsfold, Surrey, UK and just metres from where the T.50 will begin full production in 2022. Its first test drive was personally undertaken by Prof Gordon Murray.

“The XP2 prototype is currently running at considerably less revs than its 12,100rpm limit, yet the T.50 felt fantastic on my first drive," said Murray.

"The car was responsive, agile and rewarding to drive. It was a fantastic experience to be sitting in the centre of the car once again with great all-round visibility and I can see how much the owners will enjoy this experience.

"Obviously, there’s still a lot of development miles to be completed and many more prototypes to build. But the trajectory of the T.50 development is where we want it to be.”

Murray claimed the supercar would be the most driver-centric supercar ever built. It would be powered by the world’s highest-revving, lightest, naturally aspirated road car V12 engine, developing 654hp.

It weighs 986kg, a third lighter than most typical supercars and is said to feature the most advanced and effective aerodynamics ever seen on a road car. Only 100 units would be made. First customer deliveries are set to begin in 2022.


Mazda CX-8 preview at MAEPS in Serdang: April 11 - 14

                SERDANG: Those interested in the Mazda CX-8 can view the car at the Malaysia Autoshow at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from April 11 till 14.

The Mazda CX-8 sport utility vehicle (SUV) can come in four variants (main differences are petrol or diesel powertrains, fabric or leather upholstery, and six and seven-seat layouts).

The locally assembled CX-8, which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2019, is likely to be priced in the RM200,000 region.

To recap, the CX-8 with a 2.5-litre petrol engine with direct injection makes 192hp at 6,000 rpm and 257Nm of torque at 3,250rpm.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel CX-8 shares the same powerful powertrain with the Mazda6 diesel sedan, and makes a 188hp at 4,500rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.

ALSO READ:Mazda CX-8 teased: To be assembled in Kulim; circa RM200K


JPJ to parents: Bike gift to children should include licence and helmet

                KANGAR: Parents who want to give their school-going children a motorcycle as a gift should include driving licence and crash helmet in the package, said Perlis Road Transport Department (RTD) director Fatimah Mohamed Ali Piah.

She said parents play an important role in raising their children's awareness on becoming courteous and responsible road users.

“We know many parents today give motorcycles to their children to encourage them to study hard and get good results in their examination, but in doing so, parents should not forget the need to tell their children to be courteous road users," she said recently.

She said it would be better for parents to include the B2 driving licence and a helmet with the motorcycle in the gift package for their children’s safety when riding the machine to school.

She said the department held regular talks on road safety in schools, especially in secondary schools, and advised students to get a driving licence before they could ride motorcycles on their own.

“Parents play an important role in raising their children’s awareness on the need to get a licence before they can be allowed to ride a motorcycle, as they (parents) could also be issued the summon if their children are caught breaking the rules,” she added.

Perlis police chief Datuk Surina Saad said the state police, through its Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, continuously organised advocacy programmes for schoolchildren, teachers and parents on road safety.


Mercedes-Benz teases facelifted GLA

                STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Benz GLA is due for a mid-life refresh and the model is set for a Detroit auto show debut on Jan 9.

Mercedes-Benz has released a teaser image that shows a tweaked front that has revised grille, bumper and new fog lights. The rear and the cabin are expected to see a raft of changes in order to qualify as a facelifted model.

It won't be surprising if new bodycolours and new alloy wheel designs are part of the mix.

The GLA is powered by four-cylinder 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines with turbocharging and direct injection, with ECO start/stop function as standard. Outputs range from 108hp to 360hp for the AMG variant. There's a choice of petrol and diesel GLAs and all-wheel drive is optionally available.

The GLA is the first Mercedes-Benz SUV to get 4MATIC all-wheel drive, with fully variable torque distribution.


2019 Honda Brio: World premiere in Jakarta

                JAKARTA: The new second generation Honda Brio had a world premiere at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2018.

Powered by 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine,  the new Brio will be produced in Indonesia and emphasises a dynamic and sporty design and provide more spacious and functional cabin and luggage space.

In his speech, Asian Honda Motor Co Ltd president and CEO Masayuki Igarashi said, " Indonesia is one of the most important automobile and motorcycle markets for Honda within Asia and Oceania region and on a global scale, recording the largest automobile sales for Honda in the region. This achievement was made possible with models developed locally such as Honda Brio, Honda Brio Satya, Honda Mobilio, and Honda BR-V."

It should be noted that the popular BR-V seven-seater crossover SUV is based on the versatile A-segment Brio platform that has spawned a hatch, a sedan, and an MPV.


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Listen to Canto — the sound of Nissan EVs

                TOKYO: Not only did Nissan debut a new concept vehicle at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – it also surprised the crowd with the introduction of "Canto," the future sound of Nissan's electrified vehicles.

"Canto" is derived from Latin for "I sing." The sound varies in tone and pitch depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating or backing up. The sound is activated at speeds of up to 20kph to 30 kph, depending on marketplace requirements.

Nissan created "Canto" with the goal of developing an alert sound as the priority. However, it is also designed to enrich the aural environment of the typical city street with a distinct Nissan flair. The level of the sound will be clearly audible, without being overly disturbing to pedestrians, residents and passengers.

Nissan has been a pioneer in the vehicle sound arena since 2010, with its "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians" system.

"An important element of Nissan Intelligent Mobility is how the vehicle integrates with society, and a crucial component of that is sound," said Daniele Schillaci, executive vice president for global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and the battery business.

"‘Canto' has been developed to help with pedestrian safety, as well as to provide a distinct Nissan sound – one that is energising and confident, authentic to our brand and representing our unique position in the electrified marketplace."

Nissan Intelligent Mobility is the company's approach to changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated with society.


How to make cars safer for women? Use crash-test dummies that resemble them

A dummy made in the likeness of an average woman. — Image from VTI
STOCKHOLM: Decades of technological advances and regulatory changes have helped make car passengers safer in collisions. But women are still 73% more likely to be severely injured or die in a frontal crash than men and three times as likely to experience injuries such as a broken bones or concussions. Swedish engineer Astrid Linder is trying to eliminate the disparity by developing the first crash-test dummy prototype modeled on an average-size woman.

“The injury statistics show that the gap between men and women isn’t decreasing despite the great improvements in crash safety,” says Linder, an adjunct professor in injury prevention at Sweden’s Chalmers University and research director of traffic safety at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute.

She and her team in November wrapped up a 4½-year project funded by the European Commission and Volvo Car AB to create and test the dummy in a laboratory in Linköping, Sweden. It has the proportions of a female body, weighs 62kg  and is 166cm tall. The team accounted for differences in joint stiffness and strength between men and women and put particular focus on the motion of the spine, neck and shoulders to replicate as much as possible how a woman’s body would interact with a car seat in a crash.

Regulations in the US and the European Union require only that automakers use dummies that resemble a male weighing 75.5kg. The rules are part of the problem, says Linder, because they don’t give companies incentives to take the rest of the population into account.

“Frankly, women should be angry,” says Christopher O’Connor, chief executive officer of Humanetics Group, the Farmington Hills, Michigan-based industry leader in crash-test dummy manufacturing, which has supplied automakers globally since the 1960s.  A car “should be safe regardless if you’re a male or a woman in every seating position.”

Humanetics is working on newer dummies it hopes will become standard. It has a female dummy called the THOR-5F with 150 precision measuring sensors designed to address those parts of the body where women have increased vulnerability to injury.

O’Connor says it’s a big improvement from previous female dummies, which were basically just scaled down versions of the male models. THOR-5F is designed to resemble a smaller woman, at the fifth percentile of the female population. Even without a regulatory requirement for carmakers to use such a dummy, the company has sold a few dozen to auto manufacturers and leading laboratories, he says.

Volvo is interested in Linder’s dummy and the THOR-5F, but both require a lot of work before the company would consider making any purchases, says Lotta Jakobsson, senior technical specialist of injury prevention at Volvo.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulator in the US is working with Humanetics to improve the durability of THOR-5F’s chest, which is too soft, says Jakobsson. The first prototype of THOR-5F was presented several years ago, and it’ll be at least another year before it could be ready for purchase, she says.

“We will buy the dummies when they are good enough,” she says. “Until then, we prefer to work virtually,” she says, referring to computer simulations. “It’s a very big investment to buy a dummy.”

The cost of a Humanetics THOR device is typically about US$1 million (RM4.4mil), though it can vary a lot depending on the data acquisition system used, says Barney Loehnis, chief marketing officer of Humanetics.

While computer simulation can help accelerate automobile product development and enable a wider range of occupant sizes to be evaluated, engineers require physical tests to see how the steel, seat-belt webbing and air-bag explosions operate in reality, Loehnis says.

“Physical testing will always be required to validate simulation models and design,” he says.

It’s encouraging that protecting car occupants has moved “beyond that of a midsize male,” says Jessica Jermakian, head of vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit financed by the US insurance industry. But simply putting a female dummy in the driver seat won’t automatically result in safety improvements for women, she says.

“We need to think more holistically,” Jermakian says.

“We need to think of ways of how we can reduce speeding, ways to prevent crashes all together, ways that we can remove that incompatibility between larger and smaller cars.”

Research published last year by IIHS found that much of the heightened risk for women in crashes is related to the types of vehicles women drive and the circumstances of the collisions rather than physical differences.

Women tend to drive cars that are smaller and lighter, and they’re more likely than men to be driving the struck vehicle in side-impact and front-into-rear crashes, according to IIHS.

Linder isn’t deterred by the challenge of moving her female dummy from a prototype to a certified tool with physiological traits that resemble a woman’s mobility patterns to provide more accurate crash test results.

That process could involve years of tests and research. She says she’s “going to do what a researcher does. Try to get new funding and continue.”


Lexus ES 250 Luxury:  Strut out differently

                With a global accumulative sales of 2.3 million units since its first generation was introduced in 1989, the ES line-up continues to forge ahead by building on its strengths of driving refinement and high levels of comfort.

The ES is also Lexus' best selling sedan model. In its seventh generation now, the ES now features more emotive styling, interior space and a slew of smart driving technologies while maintaining a high degree of posh to take on European competitors.

Two variants are available in Malaysia of which the top-of-the-line ES 250 Luxury comes with an on-the-road without insurance price RM332,888. The ES 250 Luxury counts the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S90 among its rivals.

 Exterior

With a long-stretched low-slung coupe-like bodystyle with four doors, the ES 250 Luxury exudes a more appealing profile when set against mid-sized luxury sedans that still cling on to the traditional three-box design.

Wheelbase for this new generation is longer by 50mm which provides for more interior space while at the same time resulted in shorter front and rear overhangs for sportier proportions.

The instantly recognisible identity of Lexus cars - the spindle grille - has been given more prominence and features satin vertical slats for added level of assertiveness and presence.

Combined with the slim three-beam LED headlights with arrowhead LED daytime running lights and low bonnet, the ES 250 Luxury has a front that stands out even for non-motoring persons.

At the rear, wraparound 3D full LED lights with L-shaped elements and a long chrome strip completes the classy appearance.

Interior

The dashboard look sophisticated with its driver-centric sway along with the 12.3-inch centre display and 7-inch full digital Optitron meter.

The multi-function steering wheel, meanwhile, is leather wrapped and gets wood inserts as clear indication towards an upmarket intention.

The ES 250 Luxury also gets semi-aniline leather seats, soft touch materials on the dashboard and the usual touchpoints along with black Shimamoku wood and metallic trimming to crank up the lux factor.

Compared with leather seats in most European rivals', the ES 250 Luxury's are arguably the most comfortable which gave the feel of sitting on an expensive sofa.

Driver's seat comes with 10-way power adjustment which includes extendable cushion length to give better thigh support.

Interestingly, the rear seats are equipped with power-adjustable back rests with 8 degree of recline, a feature is usually seen in bigger and more expensive luxury sedans.

Although the low roofline profile may eat into headroom, the ES 250 Luxury is not claustrophobic as there is still enough space between the occupants' head and the ceiling liner.

Other high-end features include a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, heads-up display which is the largest if its class, infotainment system with touchpad control, three-zone climate control, blind sport warning, panoramic all-round view camera system, satelite navigation and Qi wireless smartphone charging.

The Drive

Powering the ES 250 Luxury is a 2.5-litre non-turbocharged 4-cylinder block which delivers 204hp and 247Nm of torque mated to an 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission.

Lexus says the engine, which employs a series of advanced technologies such as variable capacity oil pump and valve timing by electric motor, is among the best in the world for thermal efficiency of its class, promising lower fuel consumption and more reponsiveness.

Being non-turbo, power delivery is immediate and silky smooth with very little engine noise or exhaust roar intrusion into the cabin. Even at high speeds, the interior remains whisper quiet as good aerodynamics,  acoustic glass and noise insulation materials work nicely to keep unwanted sounds muffled.

Gear shifting is seamless and the ES 250 Luxury does the 0-100kph run in 9.1 seconds with a top speed of 210kph.

While the suspension is supple and easily soaks up bumps from potholes without transferring the shocks to the passengers, it is still firm enough to keep body roll in check during fast cornering. Steering is also more precise and accurate with the electric steering motor being placed at the rack instead of the steering column in the previous generation ES.

The Drive Mode Select controller consisting of Normal, Eco and Sport is located just above the instrument cluster, giving the driver a good line-of-sight on the road while choosing his preferred drive mode.

With semi-autonomous driving features becoming common in luxury cars, the ES 250 Luxury gets the latest Lexus Safety System+ which includes radar-based Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Tracing and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go function.

In addition, the ES 250 Luxury also gets the Active Cornering Assist that reduces understeer during hard cornering by applying braking force on the inside wheels to get the car back into its driving line.

Verdict

Offered with an array of smart driving features in a refined and elegant package, the ES 250 Luxury makes a compelling case against established continental rivals. Its warranty of five years with unlimited mileage should be enough to present owners with peace-of-mind and consider the switch over.

SPECIFICATIONS Lexus ES 250 LuxuryEngine: 2,487cc, 4-cylinder in-line, 16 valves, VVT-iE (intake), VVTi (exhaust)
Maximum power: 204hp at 6,600rpm
Maximum torque: 247Nm at 5,500rpm
Transmission: Direct Shift 8-speed automatic
Features: Ten airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, 18-inch wheels, Lexus Safety System+    with front Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist with Steering Control, Vehicle Stability Control System with Traction Control and Hill-Start Assist Control, Panoramic View Monitor with Side Clearance View, Cornering View and See-through View, Blind Spot Monitor, 12.3-inch display, sat-nav, Qi wireless smartphone charging, Heads Up Display, 10-way power adjustment driver seat, remote TouchPad Controller, semi-aniline upholstery, and Pioneer 10-speaker system
Acceleration (0-100kph): 9.1 seconds
Top speed: 210kph
Price (on-the-road without insurance): RM332,888


Scania Ecolution Solution helps reduce carbon footprint

                PENANG: Scania and Mun Loon Paper Converting Sdn Bhd (Mun Loon) have signed an Ecolution Agreement for three Scania G360 A4X2NA prime movers with 7 years of Repair & Maintenance and Hire Purchase.

The signing was held at Mun Loon’s printing facility between Scania Southeast Asia solution services director Thor Brenden and Mun Loon executive director Loh Ka Hoong.

The agreement allows Mun Loon to join the ranks of sustainable partners who are taking a step further into reducing their carbon footprint towards a greener future for the environment.

The Fleet Management System Control 10 with the Scania Ecolution partnership gives Mun Loon a lot more of both information and insights.

 Loh (left) and Brenden.

From core necessities like real time positioning of the Scania G360 via vehicle performance, environmental reports, service planning and defect reporting all the way to driver evaluation which will help Mun Loon to quickly identify potential vehicle usage improvements.

This will help reduce wear and tear caused by harsh braking, idling time, speeding, while increasing coasting resulting in the ultimate reduction of fuel consumption and reduction of CO2.

The R&M contract that was signed will give Mun Loon worry-free operation due to predictable costs for seven years.

Mun Loon will be able to focus on its business by fully utilising the Scania G360 with planned downtime giving maximum uptime due to precise scheduling for repairs and maintenance with
readily available parts, eliminating disruptions in its daily operations.

Safety comes standard with the Scania G360 that are fitted with technologically advanced Electronic Braking System (EBS) and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and are also complemented with the Daytime Running Light (DRL) for better visibility for surrounding vehicles when on the road.

 Loh with the G360.

The adjustable seat that is close to the door, ergonomic dashboard, and large windscreen with extended view make it easier for the driver to operate in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Scania G360s are backed by Scania Credit’s Hire Purchase that give Mun Loon a comprehensive logistical solution for a total peace-of-mind.

Loh said jobs are increasing since the company got the Scania G360s and the increased frequency had enabled a quicker return in investment.

“The fit-for-purpose solution of these Scania trucks help me find the perfect balance of uptime,
payload and fuel efficiency for my long-haul cargo deliveries all along the route from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Johor Baru.

“Moving forward, I am glad that we also signed the Scania Ecolution agreement and take responsibility in doing whatever we can as transport operators to reduce our carbon footprint and save our environment,” Loh said.

Brenden said Mun Loon would escalate its sustainability practices which would increase its profit-taking figures even more with the Scania Ecolution Agreement.

“Hence, the plan to set up a support facility in Port Klang backed by more Scania trucks is a viable one, especially with full support from Scania’s aftersales services.

“We look forward to a strong sustainable partnership with Mun Loon now and into the future,” he said.


Toyota to use artificial intelligence in search for new batteries

                DETROIT: Toyota will use artificial intelligence in new research to speed up the discovery of advanced battery materials and fuel-cell catalysts to power electric and other emission-free vehicles, the company said today.

Toyota will invest around US$35 million in its North American research arm, the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and will involve collaboration with a number of US academic institutions including the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and British material sciences company Ilika Plc.

 Toyota executive technical advisor and TRI CEO Dr Gill Pratt.

Automakers have been investing heavily in developing new batteries and fuel cells to increase the range of electric vehicles. China in particular is banking on the heavy use of electric vehicles in the future.

Brian Storey, the lead TRI researcher for the new programme, said artificial intelligence will be used to identify new possible materials for batteries and fuel and run computer tests to narrow down the field for simulation tests by researchers.

Storey said the research will pursue a replacement for platinum as a fuel-cell catalyst.

"We don't have a ton of platinum on this planet and it costs a lot money," he said. "Platinum is a great catalyst, but is there another compound out there that uses little platinum or no platinum at all?"


BMW Motorrad Malaysia introduces warranty extensions

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Motorrad Malaysia wants to "Make Life a Ride" by introducing their extended warranty coverage programmes for its motorcycles as well as a five-year warranty extension for its helmets.

The German motorcycle builder has extended its warranty coverage to July 1 for its motorcycles and parts that had warranties set to expire between March 18 and June 1 and reiterates that all warranty terms and conditions remain unchanged.

For owners that may have encountered battery issues following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, the company also announced a special campaign to offer customers a special revised price range for selected Motorrad batteries and chargers from now until July 10.

Moreover, the existing two-year warranty for all helmets in the BMW Motorrad product range has been extended to five years starting from Jan 1 and applies to helmets materials and manufacturing defects.

The helmet warranty excludes BMW Motorrad communication systems, damage caused by an accident, improper treatment, and inappropriate installation of third party equipment systems and accessories.

Usual wear and tear scratches on the visor, sun visor, helmet shell or plastic parts are not covered by the warranty.

“As we move into the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), motorcycle fans and enthusiasts can get back to convoy riding to Make Life a Ride. In doing so, we at BMW Motorrad Malaysia are ensuring that riders received the complete premium ownership experience, tailoring our premium services to fit every situation and need, especially the times we are in. We are excited to welcome our motorcycle enthusiasts back on the road with a special range of programmes for warranty, batteries and helmets,” said BMW Motorrad Malaysia head Owen Riley.

For more information, log on to www.bmw-motorrad.com.my.


Harley bikes may get costlier worldwide to cope with inflation

                MILWAUKEE: Harley-Davidson Inc says it is exploring imposing surcharges on its motorbikes worldwide next year in a bid to cope with inflationary pressures, even as it reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue.

So far, Harley's surcharges were applicable only in the United States, its biggest market, where the company raised them to 3.5% in the third quarter from 2% in the second to offset some higher raw material costs.

Many companies, including consumer products giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble, have also passed on higher costs to customers.

Harley's main raw materials include steel, whose prices have surged in the United States this year. In some cases, the company also sources parts from a single supplier, potentially making it vulnerable to supply chain pressures.

Despite surcharges, customers queued up for Harley's motorbikes such as its Pan America 1250 model in the quarter as demand for socially distanced recreational outdoor activity remained high, which led to inventory shortages at dealers.

"We are working to align supply with demand," chief financial officer Gina Goetter said during a conference call with analysts on Wednesday.

Goetter's comments mark another turning point in the company's fortunes, whose sales have risen for three consecutive quarters after falling for two years.

Shares of Harley were up 8.4%, on course for their best day in nearly six months.

The Milwaukee-based company reset its strategy in 2020 to focus on selling its high-margin Touring, and large Cruiser and Trike bikes to older and wealthier customers in markets like the United States and Europe. That bet appears to be paying off.

Retail sales in the United States rose 1.2% to 31,699 units in the third quarter from a year earlier.

Sales from motorcycles and related products jumped 20.4% to $1.16 billion, beating estimates of $1.14 billion.

Excluding items, profit was $1.18 per share, above expectations of 70 cents.


Mitsubishi tops after-sales service satisfaction in Malaysia again

                KUALA LUMPUR: In the J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Customer Service Index (Mass Market) Study, Mitsubishi ranks highest in overall satisfaction with a score of 791.

Toyota ranks second with a score of 788 and Mazda ranks third with a score of 785.

The study is based on responses from 2,644 vehicle owners, who received delivery of their new vehicle between February 2016 and June 2018 and took their vehicle for service to an authorized dealer or service centre between February 2018 and June 2019.

The study was fielded from February through June 2019.

Now in its 17th year, the study covers owners who bought their vehicle in the past 12-36 months and serviced it at least once in the past 12 months at an authorised service centre.

The study measures overall service satisfaction among owners who took their vehicle to an authorised service centre by examining dealership performance in five factors (in order of importance): service quality (25%); vehicle pick-up (21%); service initiation (20%); service facility (17%); and service advisor (16%).

“As sales trends are flattening, dealers are putting in more effort to enhance customer service experience,” said E-Ling Cheah, country manager for Malaysia at J.D. Power.

PDF version


Metallica's James Hetfield to publish new book about classic cars

                LOS ANGELES: The co-founder of Metallica will open the doors of his garage in "Reclaimed Rust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," which will hit bookstores on July 28.

Hetfield teased the forthcoming release of the 192-page hardbound book in an announcement video, in which the 56-year-old musician invites fans to dive under the hood of his collection of classic cars.

The collection notably features a 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, a 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster and a 1956 Ford F-110, all of which have been restored and customised by Hetfield over the years.

Throughout "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," the metal legend documents his lifelong passion for restoring and customising "classic cars into magnificent pieces of automotive art."

"This was another eBay or autobuyer online find. I think it's pretty clear by now that on tour especially I spent a lot of time looking and searching for cool cars and projects to take on, and this immediately fell into that category," Hetfield says of his purple 1956 Ford F-100 pick-up truck, which is affectionately named "Str8edge."

The coffee table book also features dynamic photographs by acclaimed automotive photographer Scott Williamson at Photodesign Studios, who was specially commissioned to bring the custom-built cars to life.

Aside from being featured in "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield," Hetfield's collection of cars is currently on view at the legendary Petersen Automotive museum in Los Angeles.

The exhibition, titled "Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection," features automobiles, guitars, memorabilia and photos from the archives of the Metallica frontman.

Available in bookstores this summer, "Reclaimed Rhust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield" is not Hetfield's first venture into the book industry.

The American musician joined forces with his Metallica bandmates for the children's book "The ABCs of Metallica," in which each letter of the alphabet highlights a moment along their musical journey from "Garage Days" to "Master of Puppets."


Ford boosts investment plan for EVs and self driving vehicles, reports loss

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co on Thursday more than doubled the amount of money it plans to invest on electric and autonomous vehicles, to US$29 billion, even as it posted a fourth-quarter net loss of US$2.8 billion.

The No. 2 US automaker also said the global semiconductor chip shortage could lead to a 10% to 20% loss in first-quarter production, resulting in a potential hit to operating earnings of US$1 billion to US$2.5 billion.

But its shares gained 1.5% in after-hours trading as the fourth-quarter operating results and 2021 profit forecast were above Wall Street’s expectations.

“If EVs continue to quickly gain favour, especially with commercial customers, we want to be clear that we will not cede ground to anyone,” chief financial officer John Lawler told reporters on a conference call.

Ford said it was “doubling down” on connected electric vehicles and said it will invest US$22 billion in electrification through 2025, nearly twice what it had previously committed to EVs. Ford also said it would invest US$7 billion in self-driving, or autonomous, technology development over 10 years through 2025 – US$5 billion of that from 2021 onward.

“We are accelerating all our plans,” chief executive Jim Farley said, including increasing battery capacity and adding more electric vehicles in its future portfolio.

He said on a conference call with analysts that the US$22 billion investment does not include potential investment in battery production, whether through at Ford itself or via a joint venture. He added that Ford will have more announcements soon around its EV partnerships.

Farley said last fall Ford was considering making its own battery cells as sales volumes of electric vehicles rise globally.

Ford previously committed to invest US$11.5 billion in electrification, including gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, through 2022. That included the launch of the Mustang Mach-E EV crossover, and electric versions of the F-150 pickup and Transit van.

A Ford spokesman said the US$22 billion includes hybrid vehicles, but the commitment is “overwhelmingly” on EVs.

General Motors Co has said it will spend US$27 billion by 2023 on electric and autonomous vehicles, a total that does not include hybrids. It said it plans to offer 30 EVs globally by 2025 and is targeting topping annual sales of 1 million EVs in the United States and China by 2025.

Asked whether Ford would match GM’s announcement that it aspires to stop selling gasoline-powered light vehicles by 2035, Lawler told reporters Ford is focused on selling high-volume EVs now, a possible reference to GM’s initial EV product launches being lower-volume, higher priced models.

For 2020, Ford reported a net loss of US$1.3 billion. It had previously said it expected a full-year profit of between US$600 million and US$1.1 billion.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company projected operating earnings would climb to US$8 billion to US$9 billion in 2021, compared with US$2.8 billion last year. Credit Suisse analyst Dan Levy said in a research note the forecast was above Wall Street consensus expectations for US$6.9 billion.

The forecast includes a US$900 million non-cash gain on Rivian, the electric vehicle startup in which Ford has invested, but does not include the effect of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. Farley said the Rivian investment was strategic despite Ford previously shelving a vehicle based on a Rivian platform.

In COVID-19 pandemic-ravaged 2020, Ford’s total revenue fell to US$127 billion, from US$156 billion in 2019.

Ford ended the quarter with nearly US$31 billion in cash and US$47 billion of liquidity, compared with almost US$30 billion and more than US$45 billion respectively in the prior quarter.


Aston Martin shows off 592hp Vanquish S

                LONDON: Aston Martin has turned up the heat on its ultimate Super GT to create the new Vanquish S. It has sharper styling and is more powerful now.

With the second generation Vanquish’s evolution to S specification, careful attention has been paid to the engine, chassis and aerodynamics to create a machine honed to deliver more thrills and more performance.

Central to this is the naturally-aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine, which now produces up to 592hp (up from 565hp) and enjoys sensational throttle response, thanks to a revised, freer-breathing intake system. These larger volume inlet manifolds allow a greater volume of air to flow into the engine at high revs, creating a relentless power delivery and a stronger feel all the way to the redline.

Building on this increased intensity, the calibration of the 8-speed Touchtronic III transmission has been revised to deliver faster gearshifts and greater refinement at low speeds for a greater sense of precision and immediacy.

Likewise, the suspension, damper internals, spring rates and anti-roll bar bushes have also been re-tuned to give the Vanquish S a keener edge in the more sporting suspension modes, without compromising its ability to deliver supple ride quality on demand.

Visually the Vanquish S can be readily distinguished by a new aerodynamic package. Fashioned from exposed carbon fibre, this revised front splitter and rear diffuser combine to deliver a meaningful reduction in frontal lift with a minimal penalty in additional drag. Combined with visually striking new quad exhaust outlets the Vanquish S has more aggressive appearance, entirely fitting for Aston Martin’s most overtly sporting GT production model.

This look can be further enhanced with a range of new options. These include carbon fibre bonnet louvres, new forged 5-spoke diamond turned wheels and a choice of striking painted graphics packs. A new Vanquish S badge sits proudly on the tailgate as the perfect piece of jewellery.

Inside, the Vanquish S can be further personalised with a choice of new ‘Filograph’ quilted leather and the use of new materials and finishes, such as the Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre fascia panel. Sumptuous Bridge of Weir Caithness leather offers an added touch of luxury and tactility, while Vanquish S embroidery on the headrests provides a crafted finishing detail.

Vanquish S is available in both Coupe and Volante and recommended retail price starts from £199,950 (RM1.09mil) in Britain. Deliveries will start next month.


KLIMS'18: Lexus ES and LS+ Concept among exhibits revealed

                KUALA LUMPUR: Besides the UX, Lexus is also showcasing at KLIMS'18 the seventh-generation Lexus ES executive sedan, which has an all-new design features an elegant, sharp and graceful outlook.

Its design accentuates the Lexus design language with the Spindle Grille. An all-new drivetrain that matches a new 2.5-litre powerplant mated to a direct-shift 8-speed automatic transmission (yet another Lexus first) offers linear and quiet acceleration.

For the driver, there's a highly-intuitive information system providing all the driving parameters through a large 12.3-inch EMVdisplay and a 7-inch TFT full digital combination meter.

A heads-up display - the largest in its class - reduces the amount of eye movement required thereby making driving safer.

Rear passengers in the ES will be able to luxuriate in a new power reclining seat whilecontrols for the sunshade, audio system and air-conditioning are available at the touch of a button on the panel built into the central armrest.

The ES is also equipped with the Lexus Safety System+, Lexus' state-of-the-art active safety system that combines various high-tech features that aims to prevent or minimize the severity of an accident.

LS+ Concept

The automated-driving capable LS+ Concept vehicle was first unveiled to the world at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show in 2017.

The LS+ Concept shows the future image of the "LS" flagship sedan. With its advanced yet dignified styling and automated driving technologies planned for application in 2020, the LS+ Concept was developed as a model that embodies the future of driving.

The LS+ Concept indicates the direction of next-generation Lexus design based on Lexus’ L-finesse design philosophy.

The LS+ Concept sports a boldly evolved Spindle Grille, with a large grille shutter that contributes to both improved cooling and enhanced aerodynamic performance, partly laser-lit headlamps, rear combination lamps, and electronic side mirrors.

Lexus envisions a world where everyone can enjoy safe, smooth and untethered mobility through automated driving technologies. To make this dream a reality, Lexus is researching the possibility of using automated driving from entrance ramp to exit ramp on motor-vehicle-only roadways using "Highway Teammate" automated driving technologies, featured in the LS+ Concept.

On motor-vehicle-only roadways, through appropriate recognition, judgment and operation by onboard systems in response to actual traffic conditions, these technologies allow drivers to enjoy automated merging, lane changes and diverging, as well as keep a vehicle in its lane and maintain vehicle-to-vehicle distance.

The LS+ Concept can communicate with a data centre to update its systems’ software, allowing new functions to be added.


Cadillac Lyriq EV first of new naming convention for brand

                DETROIT: The Cadillac Lyriq, which will be the first fully electric Cadillac production vehicle, is due to debut in concept form in August.

According to a report by GMauthority, the Lyriq name is part of a new Cadillac naming structure that will see all vehicle names end in “iq.”

The GMauthority report quoted Cadillac’s head of global brand strategy, Phil Dauchy, as saying the “iq” names will replace the CT# and XT# nomenclature used on current cars and crossovers powered by internal combustion engines and are intended to signal a change  of course at Cadillac – that being from ICE to EV.

The Lyriq name also came about because Cadillac is the most mentioned brand in songs, said Dauchy.

The “iq” suffix name is also applied to the brand's upcoming flagship luxury sedan Celestiq.