Prius sales are falling, but hybrids are more popular than ever

                DETROIT: The Toyota Prius, once revered as the greenest car on the road, has fallen on hard times.

Sales are on a six-year losing streak, and now the previously preeminent eco-mobile has fallen behind the Ford Fusion hybrid — a model its parent company plans to pull the plug on in a couple years.

"The Prius is the model that got us to where we are today; it led the charge to electrification, but now it’s facing so much competition,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting for researcher LMC Automotive. "The Fusion is having a little bit of a last hurrah to send it off on a higher note.”

Monthly sales released Monday provided further evidence of Prius’s slide. Sales dropped 24% in the month, bringing the model’s year-to-date decline to 39%. The automaker attributed the steep drop-off to a manufacturing changeover for an updated version that began in January.

The Prius ceding leadership of the US hybrid market would have been unimaginable in the early part of the century, when Hollywood celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz embraced the little larva-shaped car, and squadrons of them ferried stars to the Oscars. More than 4.4 million have been sold worldwide since the model’s introduction two decades ago.

But sales peaked in the US in 2012, and its descent roughly follows the rise of Tesla Inc.’s sleek fully electric cars including the more mass market Model 3 sedan. "It’s a competitive business,” Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Corp.’s executive vice president for US sales, said in an interview. "There are some people who trade in their Prius for a Model 3 — I’m well aware of that. But it’s still a very small part of the market.”

While Tesla may have usurped the Prius as the it-car among the glitterati, Toyota and Ford Motor Co. are finding new life for hybrid powertrains by installing them in models with broader appeal: sport utility vehicles and trucks.

The RAV4 small SUV is now among Toyota’s top-selling hybrids. Ford is rolling out gas-electric versions of its Escape and Explorer sport utility vehicles this year and its top-selling F-150 pickup truck next year. Both companies are pitching these as "no compromise” vehicles. That’s automaker-speak for: Don’t worry about finding a place to charge your car and waiting while the battery is replenished.

Gas-electric technology remains cheaper than fully electric powertrains. This is especially the case with so-called mild hybrids that give mostly gasoline-powered cars quick electric-power boosts.

"When Prius started, it needed to really change the conversation, but now hybrids are part of the landscape,” said Stephanie Brinley, principal auto analyst for researcher IHS Markit. "The need Prius had to stand out no longer exists. Hybrids are just part of Toyota’s lineup, and most models offer them in an affordable way.”

Analysts expect hybrids to outpace electric cars in the US through at least the middle of the next decade.

By 2025, hybrids will represent 15% of the US market, up from 2.7% last year, according to LMC Automotive. Fully electric vehicles will grow to 4.5% from 1.2% in 2018. IHS Markit predicts hybrids will command 22% of US sales by 2025, while wholly battery-powered vehicles will be 7%.

"We see continued and even increasing demand for hybrids on our vehicles,” said Mark Grueber, Ford’s consumer-marketing manager. "As we see the overall market moving from sedans to utilities and trucks, our focus is going to be on offering hybrids on those body styles.”

The pocketbook pitch that helped Toyota propel sales of the Prius in the early 2000s, as US gas prices soared above US$4, no longer works so well. With US pump prices averaging just US$2.82 a gallon, fuel economy ranks low on car buyers’ list of priorities.

So automakers are selling other attributes. Toyota is hawking a new all-wheel-drive version of the Prius in the snowy Northeast, and is tuning its RAV4 hybrid with extra electric zip to make it more fun to drive. Ford boasts that its hybrid Explorer can tow a boat and that its hybrid F-150 can operate as a mobile generator, powering tools and tailgate parties.

So far, adding all-wheel drive to the Prius hasn’t reversed its slide. The automaker says it will take time, following the manufacturing changeover that started this year.

"It’s a very, very slow ramp up,” said Sam De La Garza, Toyota’s senior manager of small-car marketing, who plans big promotions for the Prius in the fall. "We need an adequate number of inventory in order to really start to blast the airwaves.”

Perhaps the Prius’s greatest accomplishment — making hybrid technology mainstream — is now its greatest encumbrance. Toyota is finding customers are more interested in this propulsion system on its standard models, such as the Corolla and Camry sedans and RAV4 and Highlander SUVs. Buying a hybrid just because it’s a hybrid is no longer novel.

"A hybrid doesn’t have to look like a science experiment anymore,” Schuster said. "And to an extent, the Prius still does.”

As the gas-electric market has matured, price has become a selling point. The new Escape hybrid starts at US$28,255, just US$700 above the Fusion hybrid.

And Ford is now offering lease deals on the Fusion that actually make it cheaper than the gasoline version: US$223 a month, with US$3,700 down, while the gas-powered equivalent is US$314 a month with US$3,500 down, according to LMC Automotive.


MyCC weighing options on PIAM appeal over workshop arrangement

                PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) is weighing its options, which includes filing a judicial review, regarding the recent decision by the Competitions Appeal Tribunal to allow an appeal by the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and its 22 members against the commission’s decision two years ago.

MyCC had found that the association and the insurers had infringed the Competition Act 2010 in relation to the arrangement between PIAM and the Federation of Automobile Workshops Owners’ Association of Malaysia on the minimum hourly labour rates and spare part prices of six commonly used types of vehicles.

These vehicles are Proton, Perodua, Naza, Nissan, Toyota and Honda.

The three-member tribunal, in unanimously allowing the appeal on Sept 2, found that it was inaccurate to state the parts trade discounts and labour rates were determined by insurers.

However, in a statement yesterday, MyCC chief executive officer Iskandar Ismail said, “The decision by the tribunal may create ambiguity on how the law in relation to anti-competitive agreements made through associations is interpreted.”

MyCC pointed out that recent media articles on the case did not do justice to the decision of the tribunal, as they did not depict a complete picture of the decision.

The commission noted that in 2017 and again in 2020, both the central bank and PIAM had asserted that the infringing agreement were made based on a directive by the central bank.

“This was a defence that was put strongly by the insurers before the tribunal, which was supported by the central bank,” said MyCC, which also emphasised that the tribunal held that MyCC, by its nature and function as a quasi-judicial body, was empowered to interpret a provision of law whether it was relevant or otherwise.

“The mere fact that the outcome of the interpretation of the law affects another regulator’s power could not preclude MyCC from exercising its duties,” added MyCC.

The commission also pointed out that the tribunal ruled that the letters issued by the central bank, which were relied on heavily by PIAM and the insurers, could be construed as a directive.

“The tribunal ruled that the letters are merely letters urging the parties to resolve the commercial dispute, expedite negotiation and reach an agreement on the issues raised,” said MyCC.


Ex-CEO of MaRii claims trial to RM5mil bribery charge

Mohamad Madani outside the Sessions Court premises today. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: A former chief executive officer of an automotive institute claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of soliciting a bribe of RM5mil to help a company secure a training and work placement programme.

Datuk Mohamad Madani Sahari, 56, was alleged to have solicited the bribe from a 37-year-old man as an incentive to secure the RM24mil programme from Syarikat A2Z Technology Sdn Bhd which is a subsidiary company of Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii).

The offence was allegedly committed at A2Z Technology Sdn Bhd office, Solaris Dutamas here, between 11am and 3pm, in May 2021.

The charge framed under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same act, provides imprisonment of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000 whichever is higher, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How urged the RM300,000 bail imposed on the accused by the Shah Alam Sessions Court earlier, be tied to the case today.

"The accused will be charged again in the same court with money laundering on May 10 and in the Alor Setar Sessions Court on May 24 and we will apply for the cases to be tried together at the Sessions Court here," he said.

Counsel Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed who represented Mohamad Madani agreed that the bail be tied to the earlier case.

Judge Suzana Hussin allowed the prosecution's application and set June 9 for mention of the case.

On April 14, Mohamad Madani was charged in the Shah Alam Sessions Court with accepting a bribe of RM5mil from an individual through a bank account as a reward for helping a company secure a contract worth RM12mil.


New VW Golf R soon to break cover

                WOLFSBURG: A teaser of some sort has surfaced regarding the Volkswagen Golf R (Mk8) and its official debut.

On Nov 4, both the Golf R as well as the T-Roc R (VW's potent little crossover) will be making their respective official premiers.

Of course, the Golf R should be powered by a more potent 2.0-litre turbocharged four-potter than its other Golf stablemates.

The engine should provide some 316hp and 420Nm of torque that's managed by nothing less than a DSG dual-clutch transmission.

Following its launch, sale for this hot hatch will likely begin in Europe during the first quarter of 2021 followed by the rest of the world.


Maserati to enter Formula E electric championship in 2023

                LONDON: Maserati, Formula One winners with Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s, will compete in Formula E from 2023 as the first Italian brand to enter the electric world championship.

Chief executive Davide Grasso hailed a "back to the future" first step for a 107-year-old company famed for fast luxury cars and keen to re-establish its sporting credentials.

The Modena-based marque is part of Stellantis, formed last year by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA, and has already announced that all its models will have electric versions by 2025.

Grasso told reporters Maserati had been working for a year with Formula E on plans for a return to the racetrack for the first time since 2010 when it competed in the GT1 sportscar championship.

Formula E chairman Alejandro Agag said the announcement was "probably one of the greatest days in the history of the championship.

"To have a brand as iconic as Maserati, with the racing heritage... come into the electric revolution that we are pushing is really an incredible moment for Formula E."

The FIA-sanctioned city-based series will be starting its ninth season next year with a third generation (Gen3) car billed as the world's most efficient and capable of reaching speeds of 320kph.

Nissan, Jaguar, Porsche, Mahindra, Stellantis-owned DS and China's Nio are the manufacturers so far signed up for 2023, when a US$13 million cost cap will be in place. McLaren also have an option.

Grasso promised details soon on how Maserati would participate.

"Formula E will be our technological laboratory to accelerate the development of high-efficiency electrified powertrains and intelligent software for our road sports cars," said Stellantis' motorsport head Jean-Marc Finot.

Grasso said racing was key to the rebuilding of Maserati, and other steps would follow.

An eventual return to Formula One, where Stellantis is active with the Sauber-operated Alfa Romeo team, was not excluded.

Formula E lost BMW and Audi last season, and Mercedes will be leaving at the end of this year, but Agag said it remained as relevant as ever to manufacturers.

"It's great to have an Italian team," he added. "It's taken a few years but I think it couldn't be a better brand than Maserati.

"We have already a great race in Rome and a great partner on the broadcasting side with Mediaset and Sky but now we have an Italian team."

A source said Audi will make a decision on whether to enter Formula One towards the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter of this year.

The subject will be discussed at a supervisory council meeting at the end of February but a decision will not be made until later, the source said, declining to be named.

Sources told Reuters at the end of last year that the deciding factor for Volkswagen on whether or not to enter F1 was whether it follows through on its plans to switch to synthetic fuels by 2026.


Have a Regera? Autoskin it! - VIDEO

                STOCKHOLM: For the Regera owner who wants to show off his pride and joy, Koenigsegg has just the thing for him.

It's called Autoskin, a remote control option that allows the owner of the car to open and close the front luggage door, the rear engine cover door and both passenger and driver doors remotely. It is also a means to have practical, hands-free access to all areas of the car.

The system uses lightweight hydraulics, soft-close mechanisms and proximity sensors to operate the doors in fluid and safe motion that is as practical as it is beautiful. Almost Transformer-like, you could say.

“People often comment on our cars looking spectacular when all the doors of the vehicle are open,” said founder/CEO Christian von Koenigsegg at the company's headquarters in Angelholm, 544km south-west of here. “Our new Autoskin system enhances this, adding a new level of beauty, practicality and sophistication to the hypercar."

The distinctive key that will come with the Regera includes control buttons that allow the owner to control each door individually. The remote also includes a button for "Show Mode", which will open all doors and raise the rear spoiler on the Regera all at the same time.

The Autoskin system adds less than 5kg in weight. Koenigsegg has not disclosed pricing for the Autoskin feature but whatever it is, Regera owners are unlikely to quibble over it.


VW makes interior of ID. models even more sustainable

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen is making the all-electric ID. family even more sustainable – including the choice of materials for the interior.

During the course of this year, the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and upcoming ID.7 will receive selected innovations that were first used in mass production in the ID. Buzz.

As one example of this, VW uses Seaqual yarn as a seat cover material. This is made from 10 per cent collected marine debris and 90 per cent recycled PES yarn. The CO2 emissions from production are almost one third lower than for conventional cover materials.

“Through the widespread use of recycled materials and the animal-leather-free interior in our ID. models, we are further improving the eco-balance of our vehicles - with high demands on haptical and long-term quality. The feedback from our customers confirms that we will continue to expand these sustainable approaches in the future," said Silke Bagschik, Head of Product Line E-Mobility.

Volkswagen already uses a large number of new materials in the interior of the ID. Buzz, and these will now be introduced in the other models of the ID. family step-by-step.

For example, alternative materials made of ocean plastic or old PET bottles (to be exact, 63 size 500 ml bottles) are used in numerous places in the interior of the new Volkswagen bus.

In seat covers with ArtVelours Eco, the recycling share is 71 per cent. In addition, the surfaces of the headliner and floor covering in the ID. Buzz are made completely from recycled polyester.

Recycled plastics can also be found in the insulating layer of the carpet. The same applies to components such as the underbody cladding and the wheel housing liners.

In addition, Volkswagen no longer uses chrome for trim parts on the doors, instrument panel and steering wheel clip of the ID. Buzz because the production of chrome harms the environment.

The chrome has been replaced by a liquid paint with chrome look that has a bio-based binder.

Depending on requirements, components can be made using only a small share of recycled materials or completely from them.

In the interior, the reused materials must always offer the same characteristics as conventional ones. This applies to both their look and feel as well as to their durability and longevity.

By 2030, Volkswagen is aiming to cut carbon emissions per vehicle by 40 per cent, and the company plans to have a climate-neutral balance by 2050 at the latest.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Third-gen 1.2-litre Suzuki Swift eco-car

                BANGKOK: The new 2018 1.2-litre Suzuki Swift eco-car was a highlight at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show, with prices ranging from 499,000 to 629,000 baht (RM61,766 to RM77,857).

Launched in February this year, the third-generation Swift, developed for Thailand's eco-car programme, has a new 1.2-litre Dualjet engine generating 83hp (61 kW) and maximum torque of 108Nm.

Paired with a CVT automatic transmission, the new Swift can achieve 23km per litre.

Suzuki’s new safety platform, Heartect has helped to reduce vehicle weight by 65kg compared to the previous model.

TCS or traction control is standard, and features also include idling start-stop technology.

The new Suzuki Swift has 6 airbags in the top grade model.


Mercedes-Maybach debuts its first plug-in hybrid model

                STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e is the brand's first plug-in hybrid.

The S 580 e opens up an even more impressive experience of silence.

In purely electric driving mode, the already exceptionally quiet interior becomes even quieter. The saloon glides along almost silently and with zero local emissions.

Electric-specific features are discreetly integrated with typical Maybach expertise – such as the concealed charging socket on the left side of the vehicle and blue colour accents in the headlights or the battery charging state in the instrument panel.

The basis of the hybrid drive is an inline six-cylinder engine from the current Mercedes-Benz petrol engine generation, combining 270 kW/367 hp with low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

A combined system output of 375 kW/510 hp and maximum torque of 750 Nm guarantees superior driving performance.

The electric motor’s maximum torque of 440Nm is available immediately from the first engine revolution, resulting in rapid acceleration and dynamic handling. The S 580 e accelerates from 0-100 kph in 5.1 seconds.

An 11 kW charger is fitted as standard for three-phase charging from the AC mains.

A 60 kW DC charger for fast charging with direct current is available as an option. Even when the battery is almost completely empty, a full charge can be achieved in around 30 minutes using the latter.

It has an electric range of up to 100km (WLTP).

“With our first plug-in hybrid model, we are combining the luxury experience typical of Maybach with emission-free local driving when in electric driving mode," said Mercedes-Maybach head Daniel Lescow.

"The S 580 e represents a pivotal step in the transformation of our heritage brand into an electric future. We will present our first fully electric model as early as 2023.”

The current Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has seen steadily growing demand since its market launch in 2021.

The S 580 e is initially available in China, followed by Thailand, Europe and other countries.


Iveco to partner with Hyundai on fuel cells for hydrogen buses in Europe

                TURIN: Truck and bus maker Iveco Group said today it would partner with Hyundai Motor's HTWO to equip its future hydrogen-powered buses in Europe with fuel-cell systems designed by the South Korean group hydrogen mobility brand.

The two groups earlier this year signed a preliminary deal to explore collaboration on shared vehicle technology, joint sourcing and mutual supply.

Iveco did not provide financial terms of the collaboration.

The head of Iveco's bus business unit Domenico Nucera said the company planned to produce more than 3,000 zero- and low-emission buses in the coming years, starting from 2023, in its plant in the city of Foggia, in southern Italy.

"If the market feedback is positive, our aim is to proceed with an annual rate of 1,000 units," he said.

Iveco has earmarked R&D investments for around 450 million euros in Italy for this year.

The group also said today it had signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based shared mobility company Via, for possible future cooperation in public transport and digital services for buses.

Iveco is controlled by Exor, the holding company of Italy's Agnelli family, which in 2020 bought a 9% stake in Via Transportation, a US-based shared mobility company.

Separately, Iveco has decided to exit its joint venture in Russia after considering the move for months, as a consequence of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, chief executive Gerrit Marx said today.

Iveco has a 33% stake in the AMT truck assembly joint venture with a local partner. Earlier this year, Marx said Iveco had started assessing whether to exit the JV and that, in the meantime, it had suspended its participation in the JV's activities.

"The decision has been taken, we have transferred our stake to our (former) local partner, we're out," Marx said during a company presentation in Turin.

The AMT joint venture was formed in 1994 and had a plan to produce between 600-700 trucks this year.

"After years of cooperation, the transfer will take some time," Marx said. Asked about the financial terms of the transaction, he replied "It's not a matter of finance here".


Dyson's failed EV unveiled after project scrapped in October

The Dyson EV prototype. — Dyson via The Times
LONDON: Back in 2017, Dyson told the world that the company had its very own EV in the works; the car was slated to hit the market in 2020. Alas, just a few months before the new year in October 2019, the company publicly announced that the project was discontinued, stating that the "fantastic electric car" was not "commercially viable."

Accompanying this ultimatum was just a diagram of the mysterious car; not a single photograph of the real deal was published over the three years Dyson worked on it.

Over the weekend, The Times published an exclusive interview with James Dyson about Dyson's EV project and how much this failed Tesla competitor cost him and his company.

The EV, codenamed N526, was set to be an SUV with seven seats and a 965km range, about twice as much as Tesla's Model X. In 4.8 seconds, the N526 would have been able to sprint from 0 to 100kph, and its top speed was set to be 210kph.

Dyson himself has ridden in the prototype car, explaining that among the high-tech features and innovatively designed interior components, there was a heads-up display which "floats in front of your face like a hologram."

Some 500 Dyson employees were dedicated to developing this doomed project, and Dyson had invested £500 million (RM2.6bil) of his own money to make this plan a reality.

Though Dyson EVs were not commercially viable, Sir James Dyson is considering sharing the company's EV tech — particularly the highly-efficient solid state batteries — with other automotive companies in the future.


Tata considers India, Europe for EV battery plants

                NEW DELHI: Tata group is considering setting up plants in India and Europe to produce battery cells for electric vehicles (EV), the chief financial officer of its auto unit said in an interview.

With total sales of 50,000 electric cars to date, India's Tata Motors dominates the country's EV market and has outlined plans to launch 10 electric models by March 2026.

The company expects electric models to make up a quarter of its total sales by 2025 from around 8% now.

Localising cell manufacturing for EV batteries is key to increasing local components in electric cars and will help the automaker develop a local supply chain too, Tata Motors' P.B. Balaji said on the sidelines of India's Auto Expo car show in Greater Noida, in Utter Pradesh.

Tata is evaluating two production bases, the other one is in Europe, so that the battery cell needs of its luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover - which has a manufacturing facility there - can also be met.

Balaji said the investment in cell manufacturing will be made by its parent company Tata Sons but did not elaborate on the quantum or timeline.

"We should announce it sooner rather than later," he said.

India's car market, set to become the third-largest in the world, is tiny compared to its population, with electric models making up just 1% of total car sales of about 3.8 million last year, but the government wants to grow this to 30% by 2030.

Tata expects its EV business to be cash flow positive by 2025 while the company is also focused on boosting profitability of the business, Balaji said.

Tata's new models will include a wider driving range and higher price points as Tata Motors looks to cement its lead at a time when rivals such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Warren Buffet-backed BYD and SAIC Motor's MG Motors have lined up EV launches.


Heidfeld to join Pininfarina as hypercar designs revealed

                NEW YORK: The launch of a new luxury electric hypercar by Automobili Pininfarina gathered pace in New York today, with the reveal of three new images presenting design intent for the new PF0 hypercar.

The PF0 is expected to deliver staggering performance for a road car: a stated ambition to accelerate to 100kph in less than two seconds, break the 402kph top speed barrier, and provide a potential zero emissions range of over 480km.

As a special guest of Mahindra Racing at this weekend’s Formula E street race here, Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke also announced plans to bring on board ex-Formula 1 racing driver Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld will be part of the team developing the PF0 vehicle dynamics programme from the beginning of 2019, prior to the all-electric hypercar’s on-sale date of late-2020.

“PF0 is borne from the 50 year old dream of Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, to see a stand-alone Pininfarina-branded range of cars that are both beautiful and technologically advanced. PF0 will deliver enormous power and driver thrills in abundance," said Perschke.

Automobili Pininfarina was officially launched in Rome in April this year, where it announced its plan to sustainably develop and produce fully-electric ultra-luxury cars in low volumes.

North America is likely to be Automobili Pininfarina’s largest market for sales given the keen interest in both electric-power and Pininfarina-designed cars, and so the new business is now talking to prospective retailer partners.

“Pininfarina has an unprecedented heritage of delivering cars that are both beautiful to look at and technically innovative," said Automobili Pininfarina design director Luca Borgogno.


Ora Good Cat EV opens for booking ahead of November launch

Seen here is Hanafi (second from right) with the Good Cat.
KUALA LUMPUR: Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia announced that booking for the highly anticipated Ora Good Cat starts today.

A special early bird voucher of RM1,000 was given to customers who had pre-booked the Good Cat at the Malaysia Motor Show here from Nov 11-13 in conjunction with an 11.11 sales.

Jason Cheong, a 27-year-old ICT project manager from Shah Alam, was the lucky draw winner who walked home with a grand prize of a car purchase voucher worth RM28,888.

Among those present to mark the pre-booking ceremony of the Good Cat on Nov 12 were Ministry of International Trade and Industry senior director for industry development division Datuk Hanafi Sakri; Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute chairman Datuk Phang Ah Tong; and GWM Asean head of sales & network development Denny Liu.

The Good Cat will be launched later this month and is expected to be available in several variants with indicative pricing from RM150,000 to RM180,000.

GWM organised a media drive of the Good Cat last month. The fully imported Chinese car received generally positive reviews.

 Cheong (second from left) receiving the RM28,888 voucher from Liu.

The Good Cat, with its distinctively retro-futuristic design, has unique cat-eye shaped headlamps that includes intelligent LED headlamp systems.

Along with an integrated intelligent parking system that assists with three modes of automatic parking, the car is equipped with four high definition 360-degree cameras and active safety system that can detect and avoid large vehicles within its proximity.

Depending on variant, the range is up to 500km (NEDC). Real-world test results have shown the actual range to be closer to 420km.

To enhance comfort and project a premium aura,  the Good Cat is equipped with, among others, a two-tone design interior, a 7-inch instrument display, a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, full electric panoramic sunroof, driver massage seat and wireless charger.

As part of aftersales support, GWM said it would provide 24-hour roadside assistance service and assured that spare parts would be readily available from a parts warehouse it has set up in Shah Alam.

Customers can test-drive the car at designated locations that are listed at the GWM website www.gwm.com.my.

For enquiries, contact the GWM call centre at 1800-18-2882 or email support@gwm.com.my.


Ford Explorer PHEV scales new heights in Norway

                OSLO: Vertigo sufferers should look away now, because Ford has scaled new heights with an ambitious sport climbing challenge that involved a Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid atop the tallest free-standing climbing tower in the world.

Inspired by the adventurous "explorers are never done" concept that embodies Ford's electrified, go-anywhere, seven-seat SUV, the automaker invited Norway's climbers to ascend the 47-metre OVER climbing tower on July 31, and set the fastest time to win a free, two-year lease on the vehicle.

For the Explore New Heights challenge — designed to celebrate the spirit of adventure and determination that drives Ford's active lifestyle customers — the company created a special platform to support the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid at the top of the tower's hair-raising overhang in Lillesand, southern Norway.

The project took six months of planning, including detailed investigation by engineers and architects to ensure the tower could safely support the additional weight of the platform and SUV.

Ford also worked with champion climber Martin Mobraten to create a challenging route from the ground to the vehicle that would encourage competitors to discover new limits. Tough obstacles and spectacular jumps were designed to test even the most experienced climbers.

The Explorer Plug-In Hybrid will remain in place on the OVER tower until Aug 27, and visitors with a good head for heights will be able to claim a free limited-edition T-shirt 1 and photo opportunity — even if they use the stairs.

OVER opened in June 2021. Measuring 47 metres tall, its peak is so high that it is possible from the top to see halfway across the Skagerrak strait to neighbouring Denmark.

The tower's main structure is built from solid wood and there are 44 metres of aluminium climbing surfaces on all four sides.

For an even greater challenge, Ford worked with OVER and Martin Mobraten to extend the climbing surface beyond the observation deck to the very top of the tower — meaning finalists had to scale the full height of the tower to reach the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid and set a time.

Fourteen elite climbers competed in the short-course qualifying round, with the top six finishers taking on the final challenge. The winner was 21-year-old Leo Ketil Boe, from Bergen, who completed the daunting climb in 3 minutes, 33 seconds to win the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid lease and a 1/100 scale, 3D-printed, replica OVER tower trophy.

Ford's most-powerful hybrid in Europe combines an EcoBoost petrol engine, 13.6 kWh battery and electric motor for 457 PS and 825 Nm of torque, resulting in 6.0-second 0-100 kph acceleration, the ability to tow up to 2,500 kg and 42 km (WLTP) driving range using pure-electric power alone. 2

It features an intelligent all-wheel drive and a Terrain Management System with seven Drive Modes to help the SUV make light work of surfaces from smooth motorways to rock trails, mud, snow and sand.


Prosecutors seize Ghosn's wife's passport and mobile, says his lawyer

Ghosn and wife Carole in this file pic. — AFP
TOKYO: Tokyo prosecutors confiscated the passport and mobile phone of Carlos Ghosn’s wife, Carole, when they arrested the former Nissan boss this morning, his lawyer said, adding that the defence team would “strongly appeal” the latest arrest.

“Ghosn’s wife happened to be with him when he was arrested, so they confiscated her passport and her mobile,” said Junichiro Hironaka, who heads Ghosn’s Japanese defence team.

“His wife is not a suspect ... this is unforgivable,” he told a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.

Early today, prosecutors arrested Ghosn again on suspicion of trying to enrich himself at the automaker’s expense, in a highly unusual move for someone who has been released on bail.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said Ghosn was given consular help following his appeal.

“I am innocent. It’s hard, I have to admit it, and I call on the French government to defend me, and to defend my rights as a citizen,” Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, said in an interview aired today with French TV stations TF1 and LCI.

In a statement from a US-based spokesman, Ghosn said the arrest was an “outrageous and arbitrary” attempt to silence him by unidentified people at Nissan.”Why arrest me except to try to break me? I will not be broken,” he said in the statement.


Zero-rated GST: Save up to RM21,899 with Infiniti

                PETALING JAYA: Infiniti Malaysia today announced the new prices for Infiniti models, which will take effect from 1 June 2018 with the implementation of the zero-rated GST.

The zero-rated GST prices will remain in effect until the implementation of the sales and services tax (SST) in-line with government’s official announcement.

The table below lists on-the-road (OTR) prices of Infiniti models, with and without GST and its savings respectively.

For more information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com.my. Follow Infiniti on Facebook, or visit Infiniti Center Kuala Lumpur located at The ICON, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur for test drives which are open daily from 10am to 7pm or call 03-2162 3223.


Tampered odometer on your used car: What can you do?

                KUALA LUMPUR: Tampered odometers to show low or decent mileage on a car are not unheard of among used car dealers.

A reader of The Star came across such a vehicle recently when he was looking at buying a used 2014 pick-up truck from a dealer in Kuala Lumpur.

The pick-up truck as advertised with a 70,000km mileage but upon checking the vehicle's service records with the auto distributor, the mileage was recorded as RM104,000 in 2017.

When contacted by Carsifu.my, an automotive specialist said special tools are needed to reset the electronic odometer, unlike the older analog odometer which can be reset by using an electric drill.

"There are enough crooked used car dealers out there, for some enterprising freelancers to invest in these special tools and offer their services. Besides used cars, re-setting the odometer is also done for re-conditioned cars in order to raise mileage for valuation for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, following which the mileage is lowered when the car is ready for sale," he said.

Carsifu.my also checked with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) and a spokesperson said victims of such unscrupulous car dealers can file complaints with any branches of the ministry.

The ministry will then investigate the complaint and the vehicle's records before making decisions on the action to be taken.

The victims can also file for redress at the Consumer Claims Tribunal, where the total amount claimed does not exceed RM25,000.


Change is needed in esports for women to feel welcome, says Vitality boss

An esport participant. Maurer says esports need to create an environment that is welcoming for women. — Image from f1esports.com
LONDON: Female representation in esports is in a ‘terrible state’ and attitudes must change for women gamers to feel more welcome, according to Team Vitality co-founder and chief executive Nicolas Maurer.

The Frenchman, whose esports company ranks in the top three in Europe and partners Renault in the Formula One esports pro series, said audiences needed to be educated and gender stereotypes confronted.

No woman driver has competed in a real Formula One race since 1976 and no female gamer has yet featured in the virtual series, whose third season ends at London’s Gfinity Arena next week.

Across all esports games on average, according to Maurer, women make up about 20% of the audience while even fewer participate.

“One of the big challenges, and a very interesting area of development for esports, is the number of women being pro, which is close to zero right now,” the Frenchman told Reuters at an event to showcase Vitality’s partnership with Renault.

“A terrible state, we have to admit.”

Vitality, the leading esports outfit in France and among the top three in Europe, also has teams competing in competitions such as League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite and Hearthstone.

Maurer said the challenge for “everyone involved in the ecosystem” was how to create the right structure for women to rise through the ranks and become professional.

“There are a lot of women playing video games but they are not climbing because they lack role models, we have a culture where they don’t always feel welcome,” he said.

Asked about the chances of a female racer taking on the men in Formula One esports, he replied: “We are all waiting for that to happen, but for that to happen we need again to create the right structure.”

“We need also to create an environment that is very welcoming for women,” he added, suggesting esports academies would help.

“And in three or four years time we see a woman at the top level. That’s what I want to see.”

Maurer suggested the situation was a consequence of video games originally being designed and marketed with boys in mind, but things were improving.

“It’s completely changing and now its way more varied. But still that’s where we come from. And also I think we need to educate our audiences that sometimes can be harsh to women,” he added.

“When you see women in a mixed team, sometimes if the team is not succeeding people will say ‘Ah, it’s because of the women.’

“So there is a lot of bias, a lot of things to overcome to make sure women feel welcome in our ecosystem. That’s something we are working on actively. We need to get to the point where we have a lot of women there, 50-50.”

Global esports revenues are expected to hit US$1.1 billion in 2019, up 27% on last year and driven by income from advertising, sponsorship and media rights, according to gaming industry analytics firm Newzoo.


Three Peugeot world premieres at Geneva

                PARIS: Peugeot will have three world premieres at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show 2016 (March 3 to 13) – the refreshed 2008 compact SUV, Traveller MPV and Traveller i-Lab VIP shuttle.

The 2008 is Peugeot 's most successful international product, with production ramped up to 515,000 vehicles worldwide – in Europe as well as Brazil and China.

For 2016, the 2008 is updated with a new Ultimate Red colour, and a new GT Line trim which adds a sports theme to the red/black treatment.

On the 2008, there is the Grip Control traction control system as well as a Mirror Screen that uses MirrorLink and Apple Carplay technology.

It also gets a reversing camera, with Active City Brake and Park Assist.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot Traveller MPV will make a remarkable entry into the Combispace and VIP Shuttle sector, with multiple configurations up to 9 seats.

The Traveller's new base is adapted from the EMP2 modular platform, and its Euro6 BlueHDi engines offer up to 180hp and 400Nm.

With the Traveller i-Lab, Peugeot presents its vision of the future for business customer travel.

For on-board guests, there are four individual seats that are arranged opposite one another around a giant 32-inch touch tablet, with the capacitive touchscreen and supported by an arch.

Also, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, induction charging docks or virtual reality headset can be provided.

For the driver, the Traveller i-Lab has road sign reading and driver inattention monitoring devices, as well as a new-generation Peugeot connected 3D navigation which optimises journeys according to the traffic and the passenger's agenda.


Bentley owners begin driving their own cars

CREWE: In a major shift for one of the world's most luxurious carmakers, Bentley says the latest version of its Flying Spur is designed for owners who want to actually drive the car with their own two hands.

Hiring a chauffeur used to be customary for owners of Bentley limousines, but the maker says it is now catering for a younger clientele by fitting a twin-turbocharged V8 engine into the grand tourer to make it more of a driver's car.

"Research from the last 10 years shows a significant shift in the usage of the Flying Spur from chauffeur-driven owners," said Bentley.

"The Flying Spur V8 offers a more driver-centric experience via increased agility and a more characterful engine note, whilst benefiting from increased range between fuel stops and a reduction in CO2 emissions."

The Flying Spur V8 is 100kg lighter than the standard version which has a silky-smooth and silent V12 motor, "making the vehicle feel more agile and responsive with a distinctive personality of its own," said Engineering Board member, Dr Matthias Rabe.

The V8 Flying Spur is exciting to drive with 542 horsepower on tap and a top speed of 318kph. Acceleration from a standing start to 100kph is accomplished in 4.1 seconds.

Performance like this comes at the expense of fuel frugality but the V8 Flying Spur can save petrol by shutting down four of its eight cylinders under light-load conditions, when the engine speed is below 3,000 rpm.

The company said the change is imperceptible to the occupants – with deactivation times of around 20 milliseconds. That is around a tenth of the time it takes to blink.

What idle chauffeurs will make of the new V8 Flying Spur is hard to say although they will still be required to polish the coachwork, open the doors for clients and generally be on hand in case the owner is not in a self-driving mood.


Over 2,000 JPJ personnel to ensure road safety during CNY

                PUTRAJAYA: A total of 2,200 Road Transport Department (JPJ) personnel will be assigned to ensure road safety during the Chinese New Year festive season, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said during the implementation of the Chinese New Year operation between Jan 25 and Feb 8, JPJ personnel would travel on express buses disguised as passengers to monitor drivers.

Dr Wee also said that JPJ personnel would also conduct monitoring activities at 14 locations along major expressways and special ops for motorcycles nationwide.

He added that voluntary vehicle inspection by Puspakom and awareness programmes will also be held to educate motorists.

Dr Wee then said that there were 23,208 road accidents with 230 deaths reported during Ops Selamat in 2020, adding the figures recorded within two weeks of the campaign were worrying.

He called on motorists to abide by road regulations and practice safe driving so that accidents can be avoided, especially during the festive seasons.

Dr Wee also said that a new Road Safety Plan has been launched with the aim of reducing road fatalities from some 6,000 deaths in 2019 by 50% in eight years' time.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said this was in line with the target and resolution set by the United Nations on improving global road safety.

He said the top item on the list was creating better advocacy and awareness so that road users know their responsibilities and adopt better discipline on the road.

"Even with enforcement, it is the awareness of one's responsibility as a motorist that can help bring down the death toll. That is why the plan will go big on creating awareness among road users," he said after launching the Road Safety Plan 2022-2030 and the Chinese New Year road safety campaign here today.

Dr Wee said the plan also entailed advocacy programmes for road users through, among others, media campaigns, voluntary vehicle inspection by Puspakom and collaboration with the private sector.

He noted that there were 23,208 road accidents with 230 deaths reported during Ops Selamat in 2020.

"This number of deaths which occurred within two weeks is worrying, This is an indication that road safety literacy among road users has yet to reach a satisfactory level. That is why we will have more advocacy


Naza Autoberfest this weekend

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Motor Trading (NW Motors), a subsidiary of the Naza Group and Malaysia’s largest vehicle importer, presents an all weekend-long ‘Autoberfest’ event this Oct 6th and 7th, 2018 at the Naza Automall Petaling Jaya where more than 300 new arrivals of various makes and models offered at lowest prices await.

Browse and test drive top-grade automobiles from brands such as Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, MINI, Mercedes-Benz and many more from MPVs to sedans that will fulfill every car owner’s dream.

Also valid this weekend only, customers will be offered a limited-time interest rate from as low as 2.28% from Naza Automall’s exclusive banking partner, Maybank.

For that added peace of mind while parents seek out their dream car at the Naza Automall, there will be a dedicated Kids Corner to keep children preoccupied and entertained.

NW Motors is offering their lowest prices ever – and available only at ‘Autoberfest’.

Head to Naza Automall Petaling Jaya this weekend for a splendid opportunity to drive home a new car.

Naza Automall Petaling Jaya is open daily from 9am to 7pm. For customer enquiries kindly call 03-7953 2888 during business hours.


RON95 and RON97 petrol price down while diesel up

PETALING JAYA: RON95 petrol will be priced at RM2.16 per litre - down three sen from RM2.19 - while RON97 petrol  is at RM2.46 per litre, down three sen from RM2.49.

Euro 2M diesel will cost RM2.12 per litre, up two sen from RM2.10 this week.

The new prices will be in effect from 12.01am on Sept 28 until Oct 4 as announced by RTM1.


Mick Schumacher online shop opening

                DORTMUND: MBA-Sport has announced the opening of the official Mick Schumacher Online Shop, accessible at www.mickschumachershop.com.

Following numerous calls from Mick's fans the shop was created for access to his collection and prized memorabilia from his career to date.

Mick follows in the huge footsteps of his legendary father, Michael, and has already made a name for himself on the road to Formula 1.

The 21-year-old will begin a second year in Formula 2 with Prema Racing, within the framework of the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA), with the aim of competing in Formula 1 in the future.

The German has already completed F1-tests for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo 2019 as well as demo runs in his father's Benetton B194 in Spa 2017 and the Ferrari F2004 in Hockenheim last year.

Many of these moments have been immortalised with products from his collection and will be available in the official Mick Schumacher Shop, designed in collaboration with the MBA-Sport production team.

Mick Schumacher: "I am happy to present mickschumachershop.com as part of our joint journey in motorsport. It’s great to have a new platform for my entire collection, documenting my way in motorsports so far. I thank everyone for making that possible and look forward to the next chapter together.”

Markus Schell, CEO of MBA-Sport: "It is a pleasure to see Mick Schumacher grow up as an up-and-coming motorsport icon and to develop his collection alongside that of his father Michael. We are big Mick Schumacher fans and follow his career with great interest, while we would like to offer his growing fan base an attractive online shop portal with his collection and many collectables.”


Farmer builds his own 'Lamborghini'

PETALING JAYA: If you can't afford the real thing, build one that looks like it.

That seems to be the premise of this farmer in Asia who decided to build his own "Lamborghini" that uses a motorcycle engine for motivation.

The Gallardo lookalike comes complete with skeletal scissor doors, retractable hard top, an adjustable height suspension, a movable spoiler, LED fog lights, projector headlights and taillights.

While it won't win prizes for performance, it certainly will for fabrication ingenuity. From the looks of it, it's also a labour of love for a farmer who happens to be a Lambo fan.

The surroundings in which the clip was taken and the chatter suggest the farmer is in Thailand.


BMW grabs stake in US startup that turns CO2 in air to petrol

                SAN FRANCISCO: BMW has the hots for a company that claims it can remove carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into zero-net carbon petrol.

So much so it is investing US$12.5mil (RM53.4mil) in the Californian start-up via its subsidiary BMW i Ventures.

Prometheus Fuels said it would sell the petrol at gas stations, at a price that competes with fossil fuels, starting as early as this year.

"The ability to create gasoline (petrol) from air, cost competitively with fossil fuels, is a game changer,” said BMW i Ventures partner Greg Smithies.

“The average car stays on the road for over eight years; meaning that even if the whole world switched to buying 100% electric cars tomorrow, it would still take almost a decade for today’s internal combustion engines to be off the road. Clearly we aren’t switching to 100% electric vehicles tomorrow, so that’s not fast enough.

"By creating carbon-neutral gasoline from CO2 captured from the air, Prometheus Fuels allows the climate impact of today’s internal combustion engines to be massively reduced immediately.”

Replacing all fuels made from oil and gas with zero-net-carbon fuels can reduce 25% of global carbon emissions, making this one of the largest levers the world has in the fight against climate change.

Founded by Rob McGinnis, a Yale Engineering PhD with multiple successful startups under his belt, Prometheus launched from Y Combinator in early 2019. The company’s mission is to eliminate the need for fossil fuels by removing CO2 from the air and turning it into petrol that can immediately be used in standard vehicles with no modifications.


BMW i experts jumped ship to join Chinese EV startup, say sources

                SHENZHEN: A Chinese electric-vehicle company backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd and Foxconn Technology Group has hired a team of managers from BMW AG’s i sub brand, according to people familiar with the matter.

Dirk Abendroth, Benoit Jacob and Henrik Wenders will join Future Mobility Corp. as vice presidents of software and connectivity, design, and marketing, respectively, according to the people, who declined to be identified before the information is made public. The executives will join Carsten Breitfeld, the former project manager for BMW’s i8 plug-in sports car hired to be Future Mobility’s chief executive officer.

Future Mobility, which also counts dealership group China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding Ltd as a shareholder, is one of several electric vehicle startups getting backed by technology companies in China as the government seeks more innovation within its auto industry.

Policy makers have also earmarked new-energy vehicles, the government’s term for plug-in and fully-electric autos, as a strategic, emerging industry for support.

Michael Rebstock, a spokesman for BMW, declined to comment. A representative for Future Mobility, and Canny Lo, a spokesman for Tencent, didn’t immediately respond to e-mailed requests for comment about the hires. Abendroth and Wenders said in e-mails that that they’re joining Future Mobility, while Benoit didn’t immediately reply.

Chinese electric-vehicle startups are driving competition for experienced auto industry executives and Silicon Valley talent as they seek to produce connected, highly automated vehicles.

NextEV Inc, started by Chinese Internet entrepreneur William Li, appointed Padmasree Warrior, Cisco Systems Inc.’s former technology chief, to lead its US operations. Faraday Future Inc, the electric-car startup backed by billionaire Jia Yueting, hired Porter Harris from Space Exploration Technologies before he left to the company.

Future Mobility has previously said it plans to create a “premium brand with Chinese roots and a global reach.” Besides Breitfeld, the company has hired Daniel Kirchert, the former head of Infiniti China, as chief operations officer.

The company will base research and development in Shenzhen, where it’s headquartered, and have R&D units in Europe and Silicon Valley to focus on powertrain and autonomous driving, respectively, according to the people. Future Mobility also plans to have a plant in China assembling autonomous electric vehicles.

Tencent is Asia’s biggest Internet company, while Foxconn is a key assembly of iPhones, iPads and other Apple Inc. products.


Should car makers cede cabin controls to Apple and Google?

                LONDON: As car makers look for new ways to differentiate their products, they must think carefully before allowing tech giants Apple and Google to dominate their customers’ experiences, says British vehicle connectivity pioneer VNC Automotive.

With electric vehicles gaining in popularity, opportunities for car manufacturers to create distinguishing features and engineer-in character are diminishing. Component and platform sharing is critical to an EV’s commercial viability, but also limits individualisation.

As a result, OEMs have resorted to devising more immersive and connected experiences for their customers to create brand loyalty.

However, that work is at risk of being undermined by Silicon Valley, following news that Apple intends to use its CarPlay interface to extend its reach within cars and take control of HVAC systems, seat controls and even instrument clusters.

“While Apple’s advances appear to be a good thing on the face of it – giving car companies access to ready-built systems that customers are already familiar with – this could be the slippery slope that cuts vehicle manufacturers out of the in-car experience altogether,” said VNC Automotive CEO Tom Blackie.

The expansion of functionality would allow iPhone users to control much of their car’s features from within the CarPlay interface, and the more entrenched Apple’s devices become in their daily lives, the less likely they are to leave the Cupertino ecosystem.

But it isn’t just Apple making moves to conquer the car.

New models from the likes of Renault and Volvo have adopted Google’s Android Automotive OS, relinquishing control of nearly all digital surfaces in the car and giving the tech giant unprecedented access to their customer’s lives.

While that raises privacy and security concerns that are unlikely to trouble the younger audience the car industry is vying for, there’s a risk that some buyers may feel alienated by the choice of one platform over another.

There’s a risk, too, that a car’s features may become inaccessible to its owner if they refuse to upgrade to the latest handset, or that functionality a car was equipped with when new suddenly disappears should Google decide to withdraw support.

Critics might say VNC Automotive has a vested interest in discouraging car makers from working with Apple and Google as it sells car connectivity and telematics software, and its technology is currently in use in over 35 million vehicles, across 20 of the world’s largest automotive OEMs, including VW Group, Toyota, Honda and Peugeot.

It develops and supplies software across the automotive ecosystem to equipment suppliers such as Bosch, Panasonic, Clarion, Pioneer and device vendors such as Sony, HTC, LG, and Huawei.

Blackie reasoned that “the car makers we work with are keen to ensure backwards compatibility across devices and throughout the lifespan of the vehicle.

"With the average age of cars on British roads now higher than ever at 8.4 years, compared to barely two years for a typical smartphone, these are durations Silicon Valley just isn’t used to."


Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE: High speed thrills

                Believe it or not, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE is able to clock 0 to 100kph in just below 4 seconds. And I am a living witness to it.

This is the fastest bike I have ever ridden. If you are afraid of high speed biking, don’t even bother trying out the Ninja H2 SX SE.

Riding the Ninja H2 SX SE and not pushing it beyond 200kph is a sin. The H2 SX is categorised as a touring motorcycle.

However, the sitting position on this bike is more aggressive than any other touring bike.

The riding position for the Ninja H2 SX SE was designed with both sport riding and comfort in mind.

Under the H2 SX line-up, there are three different variants - the base SX followed by SX SE and the finally SX SE+. The engine and tuning remain the same across the platform.

The Ninja H2 SX SE's riding position offers a more relaxed bend for both the elbows and knees.

Realising high-speed performance with an upright riding position is difficult to achieve, the bike was given superb wind protection and a riding position more comfortable than that of the Ninja ZX-14R.

The position is good for both in-town riding and long touring, while still enabling the rider to enjoy sporty riding on the hills.

The suspension delivers a combination of ride comfort and sport performance ideal for street riding and touring.

Both front and rear suspension are fully adjustable, allowing me to get my desired riding style and conditions.

Also, a remote rear preload adjuster allowed the bike to accommodate a passenger and/or luggage.

This 988cc supercharged in-line-four made me realise how it feels to have a powerful motorcycle at my disposal.

It is true what they say that with great powers comes great responsibilities.

This bike comes with a full-fairing bodywork which contributes to both wind protection and the Ninja sporty looks.

A must mention here is the instrument panel. The advanced, high-tech design of the instrumentation contributes to the Ninja H2 SX SE flagship-level quality.

The analogue-style tachometer is complemented by a full digital screen and Kawasaki’s first use of a high-grade full colour two selectable display modes (Touring, Sport) allowed me to prioritise the information that I want to see depending on the kind of the setting I was on.

On the highway, I decided to twist the throttle gently. Every twist of the throttle launches me off like a missile.

On the Karak Highway towards Genting Highland, I could go way beyond the legal speed limit effortlessly after three upward gear shifts without realising it. I dropped my speed to the legal limit as I was on public road.

The gear change and the clutch play were seamless and smooth. Every upward or downward gear shift was blissful.

This bike has been designed to deliver power in a more linear manner for better low and mid-range performance.

Despite a long distance ride on a hot day. I did not feel any heat around my leg area.

The heat management on this bike was awesome and Kawasaki claims that the design of the frame on the machine allows the hot air pass through quickly rather than lingering around the engine area.

I also experienced a bit of the wind hitting my helmet at high speed, thus making my head bob a little.

But few of my other friends who rode this bike, never had a problem like this. The SE variant has a bigger screen compared to the base model.

The Ninja H2 SX SE comes with fully loaded with array of rider’s aid. Few might complain that it is complicated. But believe me, it took me about 10-15 minutes to understand how to work these aids.

Among the rider’s aids are the Kawasaki Traction Control which has three levels and followed by three power modes – Full (max power), Middle (75% of max, milder throttle response) and Low (50% of max, mildest throttle response).

I preferred the Middle power because I was in control of the machine compared to the Full. Full is meant to be on the tracks and apt for speed demons.

Not to forget the cornering lights and launch control are switchable and even engine braking are adjustable. During my ride to Lumut on the backroads of Bidor, I rain into heavy rain. The bike did well in all the corners and bad roads.

In every corner the bike was planted, the rear slide was under control. And the minute the bike was out of the slide, the rear wheel regained enough power to exit the corner as I turned on the throttle.

This whole experience was awesome... you can’t see but you can feel Kawasaki’s technology at work here to keep me safe. This bike has been dubbed as one of the fastest sports tourers on the streets.

With such reputation, one will be very careful managing this beast. But the reality is this machine is nimble and easy to use. One must get used to the abundance of power it can offer.

Priced at RM128,686 (without SST), this bike is not only for those who are fond of high speeds but to those who thrive on speed.
This is one bike that feels at home around corners as well as straight roads.

SPECIFICATIONSKawasaki Ninja H2 SX SEEngine: 998cc, liquid-cooled, supercharged in-line four
Maximum power: 200hp at 11,000rpm
Maximum torque: 137Nm at 9,500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Front suspension: 43mm USD fork, fully adjustable, 4.7-in travel
Rear suspension: Uni-Trak single shock, fully adjustable, 5.5-in. travel
Front braking system: Dual 320mm semi-floating discs with 4-piston monoblock calipers, ABS
Rear braking system: Single 250mm disc with 2-piston calipers, ABS
Fuel capacity: 19 litres
Range: 331km
Wet Weight: 260kg
Features: Electronic cruise control, Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC), MU-based Kawasaki Corner Management Function (KCMF), Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) and; Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System (KIBS), ABS, LED cornering lights and Kawasaki Quick– Shift.
Price: RM128,686 (without SST)


Lexus debuts ES 300h with cameras instead of side-view mirrors in Europe

                TOKYO: Launched in Japan in 2018, the side-view camera system developed by Lexus is now coming to Europe. It will shortly be unveiled on the Lexus ES 300h at the Geneva Motor Show, which runs from March 5-15.

The idea of the new system is to replace standard side-view mirrors with compact high-definition cameras that relay real-time video to 5-inch monitors attached to the dashboard at the base of the windshield pillars.

The system provides an enhanced view that eliminates blind spots, and the video is automatically optimised in response to difficult conditions, such as night driving, or rain or snow. In Europe, the digital side-view mirrors will be exclusively available on the ES 300h luxury hybrid sedan.

The engineers at Lexus have developed a user-friendly interface that enables drivers to adjust, among other things, the orientation and the brightness images provided by the cameras, which automatically retract when the vehicle is parked. The cameras are also smaller than traditional side-view mirrors, which means that they generate less wind noise, reduce the vehicle's drag coefficient, and obtrude less in the driver's field of vision when cornering or maneuvering.

Housed in aerodynamic casings to reduce their exposure to dust and rain, the cameras are equipped with built-in heaters to prevent freezing or misting, they also have luminescence sensors that automatically reduce the glare from the headlamps of other automobiles.

Inside the vehicle, the system adds reference guidelines to the video on the monitors, which help the driver correctly position the vehicle when parking, and to judge safe distances when highway driving.

Other manufacturers are also developing similar side-view camera systems, most notably Audi, which is offering "virtual mirrors" on its e-tron.

Finally, Lexus has announced that it will be bringing three European premieres to the Geneva Motor Show, most notably the brand's first all-electric production model, the UX 300e.


COE premium for large cars hits new high again in Singapore

                SINGAPORE: Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices rose in all categories except for smaller cars today, with the premium for larger and more powerful cars notching a new record high for the second consecutive time.

The only category of COE to fall was the one for cars with engines up to 1,600cc and 130bhp, as well as fully electric vehicles (EVs) with up to 110 kilowatts of power. Premiums fell from S$87,889 to S$86,000, a decrease of 2.1 per cent.

In the category for larger and more powerful cars and EVs, the COE price increased by 0.9 per cent from the previous record of S$112,001 to S$113,000.

Commercial vehicle COE price also went up. It ended at S$64,989 - up 10 per cent, from S$59,090. This was the biggest mover among the categories.

Motorcycle COE premiums increased by 1.8 per cent, from S$11,101 to S$11,301.

Prices for the Open COE, which can be used to register any type of vehicles other than motorcycles, went up from S$112,001 to S$113,299, a rise of 1.2 per cent.


Auto sales seen to speed up in 2022

                PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian automotive industry is poised for a stronger recovery in 2022, backed by the steady vehicle sales momentum that has been picking up since the reopening of the economy.

Kenanga Research in a report yesterday said it was maintaining its 2021 total industry volume (TIV) target of 505,000 units and expects total vehicle sales to grow by 19% to 600,000 units in 2022.

With the reopening of economic activities, further driven by the sales tax exemption until the middle of next year, the research house said it expects buoyant recovery in car sales.

Kenanga Research said this would be spurred further by the growing number of backlogged bookings for popular models.

“We expect a stronger recovery next year with our TIV target at 600,000 units, which is closely in line with the Malaysian Automotive Association’s sales target of 605,000 units.”
It felt that 2022 TIV growth will be driven by the sales tax exemption and the expected recovery in the economy post-lockdown

Kenanga Research said the improved outlook should push demand for passenger vehicles, especially the affordable range of national marques.

“Nevertheless, for certain models, the recovery in car production could be limited by the ongoing global constraint in semiconductor chip supply,” it said.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw a surge in the demand for personal electronic items such as cell phones and laptops, which eventually led to a shortage of chips worldwide as production could not keep up with demand.

Some cars need more than 3,000 chips per vehicle. Even if one of the chips is unavailable, the production of that vehicle cannot be completed.

Meanwhile, the vehicle sales tax exemption was announced in June last year under the short-term economic recovery plan or Penjana.

Under the exemption, locally-assembled cars are fully exempted from the sales tax, while for imported cars, the sales tax has been reduced from 10% to 5%.

The tax holiday was initially supposed to last until the end of last year. However, it was extended to June 30, 2021; and then again until the end of the year.

In Budget 2022 in October, the government announced that the tax exemption would be extended once more until June 30, this year.

Meanwhile, the TIV for last month grew 2% year-on-year to 58,742 units.

Kenanga Research noted that automakers continued to ramp up car production, boosted by year-end promotional campaigns despite having to endure computer chip shortage issues.

“Automakers are currently diverting their chip supply towards popular models to meet backlogged demand, which stretches up to six months for certain models.

“Sales this month are expected to continue recording strong numbers on ramped-up production for companies with their financial year ending in December 2021.”


Legendary cars reinvented in floating form

                PARIS: The Floating Motors startup presents an ambitious project that involves reinventing some of the car world's automotive icons as floating vehicles.

This innovative concept is the work of designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini, who plans to make car designs like the Fiat 500 and the Mini Cooper take to the water as small boats, catamarans or hydrofoils.

Instead of wheels, the startup offers the choice between two floating systems, a catamaran version with two hulls or a hydrofoil with wings allowing the vessel to "fly" on water.

For the moment, five models have been created by the company, based on cult vehicles such as the Fiat 500 (Dolce) or the Mini Cooper (Mini Mare). And Floating Motors isn't ruling out any options for its upcoming projects, with even the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL or the famous Volkswagen Kombi bus.

In theory, each model will have a different engine power, depending on the specifications of the car in question.

At present, the choice is between a conventional combustion engine and an all-electric motor, with power ranging from 20 to 270 hp among the first scheduled models.

For the moment, this is still all at project stage. Each vehicle would require eight to 12 months of preparation. Prices are from US$30,000 to US$220,000.


Toyota and Lexus prices to go up from January 2016

                SHAH ALAM: It was bound to happen. Car makers can only absorb costs up to a point before they have to raise prices amidst a weakening ringgit.

Toyota/Lexus distributor UMW Toyota Motor announced today that it will be increasing the prices of cars under both brands effective next January. The price increase will vary between 4% and 16% across all models.

Details of the price increases will be available soon.

The company said it was left with no other choice but to pass on some cost to the consumers to offset rising input costs due to the strengthening of the US dollar against the Malaysian currency.

Year-to-date, the ringgit has depreciated by almost 20% to the US dollar, thus increasing cost of operations for UMW Toyota.

“Since the beginning of this year, the fluctuation of the ringgit has affected our business as some of our parts and components are imported, resulting in an increase in overall cost of production," said UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ismet Suki.

"We have implemented cost-efficiency measures and reviewed our operations across the supply chain to mitigate the weaker ringgit," he added.

“The company would have implemented necessary measures to minimise forex losses impact and address the fluctuation of ringgit if it dropped gradually. Unfortunately, the sudden and huge fluctuation of ringgit within a short period, has given great impact to our operations.  Hence, the company will have to increase the prices of Toyota and Lexus vehicles effective January 2016. The increase is inevitable as there is no clear indication on when the ringgit will rebound.”

Market analysts said they expect UMW Toyota Motor's move to raise car prices would erode sales.

“We believe cost-conscious potential car buyers will opt for cheaper alternatives when making their purchasing decisions,” said CIMB Equities Research.

Other car makers might also increase prices  - either quietly or with a public announcement.

BMW Group Malaysia last month had said that the company may adjust upwards the selling prices of its cars next year if the ringgit continues to weaken against the euro.

Its managing director and chief executive officer, Alan Harris, had said that importers would face financial pressure when the local currencies were devalued.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd said it will maintain prices over the short-and medium-term, while Ford said it would not raise the prices of its pick-up trucks.

Meanwhile, DRB-Hicom Bhd’s group managing director Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil had said last week that the company had no immediate plans to increase the prices of cars under its stable, which includes Proton.


Car sales expected to see mild recovery in 2017

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysian car sales are expected to recover in 2017 with a forecast growth of 1.8%, according to BMI Research.

The research house is expecting a mild recovery in passenger car sales next year as economic activity in Malaysia gradually picks up, and the negative effects of the goods and services tax (GST) subside.

“The stabilising inflationary outlook and accommodative monetary policy will further contribute to the recovery, which will help bolster private consumption and support growth in the new car market,” said BMI Research, which is a unit of Fitch.

The research house said the main driver of a recovery in new car sales will be a rise in economic activity, driven by the stabilisation in oil prices.

It said its oil and gas team expects that oil prices will pick up in the years ahead, and forecasts Brent to average at US$55 per barrel in 2017, up from an estimated US$45.5 per barrel this year.

As Malaysia is a substantial net exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), making up about 7% of the GDP, BMI Research expects the recovery in oil prices to translate into a 4.7% expansion in real GDP growth in 2017, up from an estimated 4.1% in 2016.

“We expect this rise in economic growth will lead to an uptick in consumer confidence in 2017 and, as a consequence, a gradual rise in spending on big-ticket items such as new car purchases,” it said in a report yesterday.

It added that the combination of a stable inflationary environment and accommodative monetary policy will ease pressure on household and business budgets and help improve consumer’s ability to afford vehicle financing.

“Finally, we believe that the negative effects of the GST will subside in 2017 and this will in turn support an uptick in discretionary spending.

“We expect the effects of the GST will have worked its way through the economy by 2017, with consumers pricing it into their purchase decisions, thereby aiding the recovery in car sales in the year ahead,” BMI Research said.


Porsche family seeks redemption with IPO after tearful defeat

Wolfgang Porsche (seen here) is the cousin of the late Ferdinand Piech.
FRANKFURT: More than a decade after the billionaire Porsche clan waved goodbye to their crown jewel, the family is set to claw back more direct influence over the sports-car maker as parent Volkswagen AG pushes ahead with one of Europe’s biggest initial public offerings.

The share sale, targeted to value Porsche at as much as €85 billion (RM379bil) — roughly the same as its parent — could deliver some €10.6 billion (RM47bil) in proceeds to VW.

The Porsche family, still led by some of the personalities who lost control of the iconic carmaker back in 2009 following a takeover attempt of VW that went wrong, will emerge with a blocking minority.

It’s a comeback of sorts for the Porsche heirs left badly bruised following the sports-car maker’s audacious bid to swallow its much bigger rival.

The two companies share a common history, both in terms of engineering heritage and the founding families.

Wolfgang Porsche, who remains the doyen of the family, is the cousin of the late Ferdinand Piech, a longtime VW executive who built the carmaker into the multi-brand behemoth it is today.

The Porsche and Piech family’s stake in their namesake holding company is worth about US$10.5 billion, and they have received at least US$2.9 billion within the past decade through dividends, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Back in 2005, Porsche set out to quietly acquire shares in Volkswagen, a company at the time 15 times its size, with a plan to eventually gain complete control.

But as the financial crisis devastated markets worldwide, Porsche Holding in 2009 was forced to abandon the bid, and VW turned around and gobbled up Porsche.

 Ferdinand Piech.Defeated but defiant

The prolonged battle culminated in a staff meeting in the pouring rain in July 2009, where Porsche management and family owners conceded defeat.

In a teary-eyed speech, Wolfgang Porsche nevertheless remained steadfast, vowing that "the Porsche legend lives and will never perish.”

What followed was a complex deal whereby Porsche then gradually integrated into VW’s sprawling stable of brands alongside Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley.

The family emerged as anchor shareholder in the parent company.

The family’s heritage harks back to Wolfgang Porsche’s grandfather, Ferdinand Porsche, who created the VW People Car that later became the Beetle.

Ferdinand Porsche’s son Ferry Porsche established the sports-car operations. The first vehicle to bear the Porsche name was registered in 1948, which was the 356 "No.1” Roadster.

The clan today counts several dozen descendants, though few play an active role in the business, dabbling instead in careers ranging from medicine to film to e-commerce.

Many live in Austria in the Alpine region of Zell am See, where Wolfgang Porsche likes to retreat to the Schuettgut hunting lodge and family members cruise along the winding roads in vintage cars.

Spin-outs of sports-car brands have worked for other members of the world’s ultra-wealthy.

Ferrari NV’s stock has surged about 265% since the carmaker listed on the New York Stock Exchange, giving Piero Ferrari — son of the company’s founder, Enzo — a net worth today of roughly US$4.1 billion, according to Bloomberg’s wealth index.

"Having relinquished control in the past, you now have the next generation of family members coming through who’ve previously cut their teeth in different parts of Volkswagen’s empire and see huge potential for unlocking shareholder value via a Porsche AG IPO,” said Michael Dean, senior European autos analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

"You have to remember this is effectively a family business,” Dean said.

 Ferdinand Piëch (left) and Ferry Porsche.Convoluted structure

The listed Porsche will have a dual share structure similar to Volkswagen with voting and non-voting shares.

Porsche’s planned small free float and limited managerial independence — Porsche head Oliver Blume will carry on as chief executive officer of VW — has triggered governance concerns similar to criticism levelled at VW’s convoluted structure.

VW is selling 12.5% of total share capital, split into 25% of non-voting preference stock offered to outside investors, and 25% plus one share of common shares to Porsche SE. For the family company to fund the multi-billion-euro purchase, VW will pay out a special dividend.

The new setup will give the family the power to veto major strategic decisions at Porsche; since the takeover by VW, the brand has sometimes had to go along with moves that ended up being against its interests, such as a plan to build EVs with Audi at a plant in Hanover.

Still, the two companies will remain closely linked to one another - and to the German state of Lower Saxony, another major VW shareholder and home to VW’s largest factory.

"It’s proceeding in the typical VW way: Real independence is nowhere in sight,” said Ingo Speich, who heads sustainability and corporate governance at Deka Investment.

"The aim is for the owning family to buy ordinary shares in Porsche and continue to call the shots.”


Hyundai develops world-first fingerprint tech for cars, Santa Fe to get it first

                SEOUL: The Hyundai Santa Fe SUV model to be released in select markets in the first quarter of 2019 will be the first model to get a world-first smart fingerprint technology that allows drivers to not only unlock doors but also start the vehicle.

To unlock the vehicle, the driver needs to place a finger on the sensor located on the door handle. The encrypted fingerprint information will be identified and delivered to the fingerprint controller inside the vehicle. The driver can also easily start the vehicle by touching the ignition that is also equipped with a fingerprint scanning sensor.

The technology also provides a customised driving environment. Matching information of driver preference with fingerprint data, the vehicle automatically adjusts seating positions, connected car features, and side-view mirror angles according to the driver.

“In the future, Hyundai Motor plans to further expand the application of the technology to allow the adjustment of temperature, steering wheel position, and many other features which will be tailored to driver’s preferences” said Hyundai president and research head Albert Biermann.

Hyundai also addressed the security issues on the smart fingerprint technology. With capacitance recognition, which detects differentials in the electricity level in various parts of the fingertip, the fingerprint technology efficiently prevents forgeries and faked fingerprints.

The technology’s chance of misrecognising another person’s finger print as the driver’s is only 1 in 50,000 making it five times more effective than conventional vehicle keys, including smart keys. Moreover, through real-time learning of fingerprints supported by "dynamic update" system, the fingerprint system can continually improve its success rate.

Hyundai will apply the fingerprint technology in select markets and gradually expand to other markets.


Mitsubishi upgrades ASX

                KUALA LUMPUR:  Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has upgraded the ASX, and a third variant was introduced, priced the lowest of the lot at RM104, 791.87.

The ASX 2WD GL joins ASX 2WD and 4WD, which are priced at RM 112,571.39 and RM125, 040.67 respectively (without insurance, GST inclusive for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia).

The compact SUV now comes with refreshed exterior features for 4WD and 2WD incorporating Daytime Running Lights and Shark Fin Antenna. The ASX 4WD now comes with seven airbags including Dual, Side, Curtains and Knee Airbags and two-toned 17” alloy rims.

Inside, the top two ASX variants (4WD and 2WD) comes with Touch Screen, USB, Bluetooth, Navigation, Virtual Acoustic Positioning System (VAPS) which provides surround sound stage audio, new center console design and piano black door switch panel.

The ASX is powered by a 2.0-litre MIVEC engine with an output of 150 PS and 197 Nm of torque. The enhanced INVECS-III CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) with Sports Mode now allows better acceleration and fuel efficiency.

The ASX also comes with a new colour called Sporty Blue. Other colours include Titanium Grey, Cool Silver and Solid White. The SUV comes with 5-year warranty package.


Triumph Motorcycles Penang launched

                PENANG: After opening new stores in Baru Caves and Petaling Jaya on Monday and Tuesday respectively, Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia continued the expansion momentum with the third outlet in Penang today.

Triumph Motorcycles Penang is operated by dealer partner GB Motorcycles, a premium motorcycle specialist.

Didi Automotives is the importer and distributor of Triumph motorcycles in Malaysia.

In a statement, Triumph said the motorcycle maker was honoured to welcome GB Motorcycles as an esteemed business partner.

"Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences perfectly align with Triumph Motorcycles' values and aspirations.

"Together, we embark on a shared mission to provide riders in Penang with unparalleled service and access to the finest motorcycles in the world," the company said.

At the launch, Triumph also unveiled the highly anticipated new Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition naked sports bike.

This dynamic addition to the Street Triple line-up embodies the perfect synergy between exhilarating performance and the rich racing heritage of Moto2.

Limited to just 765 units per race-inspired colour scheme, the 2023 Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition showcases the highest specification ever seen in a Street Triple model.

Its unique clip-on handlebars and Öhlins fully adjustable forks ensure riders get an engaged and focused ride whether on the road or track.

Embodying the spirit of Moto2 racing, the 2023 Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition features carbon-fibre bodywork that not only enhances its aerodynamic prowess but also adds a touch of sophistication.

The official Moto2 branding proudly displayed on the bike further highlights its racing pedigree.

Each unit is individually numbered on the top yoke, emphasizing its limited-edition status and making every owner a part of an exclusive community of enthusiasts.


In-car parking info ranked most valuable connected car feature by drivers globally

                LONDON: Determining parking space availability near destinations is now the top requested in-car connected service for drivers around the world, according to the latest Connected Features Interest Survey Report carried out by TechInsights.

The report, completed in Q4 2022, assessed 28 connected features, with 4,990 drivers in China, the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Italy asked to rank their interest in each service to gauge demand.

Driving-related functionality, such as assessing the availability of parking spaces near a destination, traffic alerts and being able to pay for parking, fuel and tolls from the car are amongst the most desirable features globally.

In-car parking information was ranked the most valuable feature cited by Chinese drivers, with European motorists saying it is their second priority, only 1% behind the top-rated choice, and American respondents placed it at 67%, just 3% behind their top priority, traffic information.

Drivers in China and Western Europe are increasingly concerned about whether they will be able to find parking at their destination.

Additionally, those with larger vehicles have a higher preference to reserve spaces at their destination. The survey results show drivers’ increasing expectation for parking to be seamlessly integrated into the in-car navigation process.

Meanwhile, the survey data highlights how in-car payments have gone from being predominantly used by early adopters, to a highly desirable function, with a probability of choice for 56% of global respondents and ranking just 12% behind the top global priority.

The rising demand for in-vehicle payments covers services such as parking, fuel, tolls and food across all age groups and technology engagement levels.

The results show drivers gaining increased confidence using these services due to the reduction in perceived complexity and valuing the heightened convenience and removal of physical contact required.

This survey shows that it’s not just early adopters who want this type of technology in their cars; having in-car connected services that help with finding a parking space was not only the top priority for late adopters in Europe but also for the youngest drivers aged 18-24 years old.

Parking space information ranked similarly high in the US, with 18-24 year-olds and 35-44 year-olds citing it as their top priority - notably 6 places above alerts such as traffic for younger drivers.

Figures from China show that the ability to make in-car payments has changed from being a “nice-to-have” to a “highly desirable” established feature for many young drivers - with double-digit year-on-year growth expected in this market from 2022 to 2030 - recognising that motorists have an increased level of trust in making payments from their vehicles and a desire for maximum convenience and a seamless user experience.

The survey also highlights how fashionable new features such as in-car games, email or social media integrations and calendar management, which are now available in an increasing range of cars, are typically seen as far less desirable than those that are journey-related.

Commenting on the survey results, Duncan Licence, Chief Product Officer at Parkopedia, said: “As our roads get busier and drivers’ lives become more hectic, we are not surprised to see demand for journey-related connected features that make driving safer and more convenient, continuing to rise.

"However, the challenge now for OEMs is to prioritise the most in-demand services and provide a holistic driving experience with the seamless integration of navigation and parking services to take the stress out of their drivers’ journeys.

"This latest survey shows that many automakers are still lagging behind their customers’ expectations when it comes to delivering the right services, with select OEMs electing to withhold certain connected car features as a cost-saving.

"However, the data and feedback globally shows that many drivers are likely to avoid certain vehicles or brands if their data, mapping and in-car payment services do not meet today’s expectations.”


BMW M5 drifts to twin records

                ATLANTA: You have seen how aircraft refuel in mid-air. Now, BMW is showing how this is done on land without the car having to break for a refuelling stop.

BMW driving instructor Johan Schwartz drifted a new F90 M5 374.2km around a skid pad at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina, last month to set a new record for the “Greatest Distance Vehicle Drift”. The arduous task took eight hours of continuous drifting to achieve. For that to happen, the M5 had to be refuelled in mid-drift a few times during its record-setting mission.

Schwartz was the same guy who drifted a stock 2013 M5 sedan for 82.5km at the same venue on May 11, 2013. It would have been easier to add a bigger fuel tank to the M5 but that would have also added weight to a nearly 1.9-tonne car.

BMW enlisted the help of Detroit Speed, a North Carolina automotive fabricator, who designed a custom dry break fuel system capable of refuelling the M5 on the go.

There was also a second record set that day on Dec 11 when BMW earned the world’s longest “Twin-Vehicle Drift” (water-assisted), with two M5s drifting 79.3km over an hour. The other car was helmed by BMW Performance Center chief driving instructor Matt Mullins.

Watch the spectacular Guinness World records in the video above.

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Mobileye and ZF team on advanced safety systems for Toyota

                STUTTGART: Intel Corp’s Mobileye and German supplier ZF said Tuesday they will jointly develop advanced safety systems for future Toyota Motor Corp vehicles.

Mobileye will provide its camera-based system-on-a-chip, which ZF will integrate with its latest automotive radar system, the companies said.

The technologies will enhance a range of automated safety functions, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, on highways as well as some secondary roads.

The new systems will be rolled out in a variety of Toyota cars, trucks and utility vehicles over the next few years, according to Mobileye and ZF executives.

So-called advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with vision and radar sensors are an intermediate step toward fully automated self-driving systems.

The new systems that are being developed for Toyota can be further upgraded with additional sensors and technologies such as laser-based lidar and dynamic mapping, according to Mobileye executive vice president Erez Dagan.

Mobileye supplies camera-based vision systems, including its latest EyeQ4, to most of the world’s leading automakers. ZF supplies cameras and radar, including its new Gen 21 mid-range radar.

Toyota meanwhile is deep into development of fully automated systems with a variety of partners, including Pony, Apex, Aurora and Luminar.


Proton to launch Honda HR-V rival and Preve replacement in 2019

                PETALING JAYA: Proton plans to launch a compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) next year to rival the Honda HR-V and a sedan to replace the 1.6-litre turbocharged Proton Preve, according to veteran automotive journalist Yamin Vong.

At the 2018 Beijing Auto Show in April, Geely is expected to unveil a B-segment crossover that could rival the HR-V and be the base for the second Proton SUV.

Vong also said Proton will launch its first EV (elecric vehicle) in 2020, thanks to Proton stakeholder Zhejiang Geely which has decided the national automaker will get the latest relevant vehicle models. Proton's first EV is likely to be the Geely Emgrand mid-sized sedan that can travel 400km on a single charge, said Vong in a March 20 Facebook posting.

To recap, in June 2017, the Geely Group struck a deal with DRB-Hicom Bhd under which the former will acquire a 49.9 per cent stake in national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd for RM460.3mil.

READ MORE:
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Geely’s popular Boyue sports utility vehicle (SUV) will be used as Proton’s first SUV model, and plans are under way for a fourth-quarter launch.

It looks like Proton's future roll-outs will not be at loggerheads with Perodua's as it focuses on streamlining its line-up.

Meanwhile, Vong's post also stated that Proton has been on a hiring spree over the past few months, and it has recruited high-performance sales and marketing people from Honda Malaysia, Tan Chong Motor Holdings, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors and UMW Toyota Motor.

The new hires are said to include Alex Tan, formerly the central region sales manager for Tan Chong Motor and Lau Yit Mun, formerly the managing director of Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia.

 Geely Boyue.

Vong also said even a retired deputy chairman of UMW Toyota Motor has been co-opted in an advisory capacity to Proton.

Regarding the Proton dealer network, Vong says the current 220 dealer outlets is expected to be halved in the coming years via natural attrition, as Proton focuses on 3S and 4S outlets.

The 4S outlets offer sales, service and spare parts, as well as body and paint facilities.

Vong also cited an automotive industry veteran who will invest in two Proton dealerships, who said dealers will get "very generous incentives and three types of commission schemes."

 The Geely Emgrand GS is an A-segment vehicle that is an indicator of how the Chinese car maker packages an SUV.


Tesla held talks with India on auto incentives, battery making, says source

                NEW DELHI: Tesla Inc has held discussions with Indian officials about domestic incentives being offered to car and battery manufacturers, said a person with direct knowledge of the talks, as the automaker looks anew at entering the Indian market.

The US electric car maker has proposed setting up a factory in India to build electric vehicles, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Plans to locally manufacture EV batteries are also being discussed, said the person with direct knowledge.

Tesla is "still testing the waters and trying to understand the local policies," said the person, who declined to be named as the talks were private.

The automaker did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The recent discussions represent a shift in stance for Tesla.

Late last year, it was focused on seeking lower import taxes on cars, which can be as much as 100%, and talks with the Indian government became deadlocked.

India is keen for Tesla to build vehicles locally but the company argued it wanted to export first so that it could test the strength of demand.

According to the person with direct knowledge of the matter, recent talks have touched on India's taxes on imported cars but have mainly centred on how Tesla could make use of a government scheme, the source said.

The government has set aside around US$6 billion (RM27.2bil) under a program to boost EV sales and manufacturing.

Under the scheme, automakers and battery manufacturers can get certain cashback incentives for selling and exporting locally made vehicles and parts.

"It appears Tesla has come with a different heart and head this time to take advantage of the auto boom (in India)...Tesla can negotiate on things like taxes better if it first sets up a plant," said Mohan Shukla of New Delhi-based public policy advisory, White Dolphin Media.

Outside the United States, Tesla also has a plant in Shanghai - its largest factory worldwide - and a plant in Brandenburg, Germany.

India is the world's third-largest automobile market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has set an ambitious target of having EVs account for 30% of India's total car sales by 2030 from around 1% today.

While Tata Motors leads EV sales in India, China's BYD, Stellantis and Hyundai Motor also have models on the market.