Vietnam's VinFast targets US market in 'preposterously hard' gamble

                HAI PHONG: Having conquered most industries at home, optimistic chiefs at conglomerate Vingroup are setting their sights much higher as they ramp up plans to sell the first ever Vietnamese car in the mighty US market.

The pivot is a bold move by chairman Pham Nhat Vuong — Vietnam's richest man — who started out selling dried noodles in the former Soviet Union before amassing his US$5 billion fortune in a range of sectors including real estate, tourism and education.

His firm's auto unit VinFast already has electric vehicles (EVs) on the streets of Hanoi, though the attraction of the lucrative United States market is too good to ignore.

However, the firm admits that competing in the crowded and difficult US market, which is dominated by Tesla, will be a huge but worthwhile task.

"If we can make it there, we can make it anywhere," CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy told AFP from the factory site where the finishing touches were being made to the VF8, a mid-size SUV with a sleek design by Italy's Pininfarina, which worked with Ferrari for decades.

But, she added, "we want to show people who might not have the correct understanding of Vietnam that Vietnam today is quite different to Vietnam during the war, or even to Vietnam 10 years ago".

While the aim of getting Americans driving its cars by Christmas may seem a huge ask, Vingroup — Vietnam's biggest private firm — has a track record of delivering.

Within two years, Pham transformed a muddy patch of swampland near the northern port city of Haiphong into a state-of-the-art factory — complete with 1,200 robots, German, Japanese and Swedish machinery, and a global team from auto giants including BMW and General Motors.

Public scepticism

The company has already invested heavily in its American dream.

In July, VinFast opened six showrooms in California, including a flagship store at one of the trendiest malls in upmarket Santa Monica, though for now it is only taking orders as vehicles are not yet available.

It plans 30 in total by the end of the year, while it has also broken ground on a US$2 billion electric vehicle and battery plant in North Carolina that it says will produce 150,000 cars a year when it is fully up and running.

The factory aims to create more than 7,000 new jobs, prompting US President Joe Biden himself to tweet the announcement back in March.

"I always joke that he is the best salesperson we have," says Thuy.

But the American public will likely be far more sceptical, said Karl Brauer, a Los Angeles-based analyst with iSeeCars.com, a vehicle comparison site.

"It's been typical for it to take a couple of decades for brand new automakers to the US market to become ingrained," he said, referencing South Korea's Hyundai and Kia, which struggled through the 90s and early 2000s.

They are now among the most popular car makers in the United States.

Americans' perception may be "this is some unheard-of-brand I've never had any experience with, and I'm not sure I have any faith in the quality", he added.

Push into Europe

To hook customers, VinFast is pushing a highly unusual monthly battery-leasing model for the two cars headed to the United States — the VF8 and VF9 — lowering the cost of the upfront payment to US$42,000 and US$57,500 respectively. Tesla's SUVs start at around US$65,000.

Once the battery life goes down to 70 percent, VinFast replaces it for free, and aims to repurpose or recycle the old one.

"The theory behind that is we're giving you a vehicle that is priced similarly to an internal combustion engine vehicle," Thuy explained.

The scale of VinFast's ambition, which extends to Europe, where they plan to open the first of 20 showrooms by the end of the year, has stunned many in the business.

"It is preposterously hard to build a car and sell it, at least to a global audience, as seems to be the ambitions of VinFast," said Matthew Degen, senior editor at Kelley Blue Book, a car shopping and research site.

"It usually takes years and years to get a car from a design on paper into something that's in your hands and you're actually driving it."

However, VinFast developed three cars in just 21 months.

And although the regular car market is already saturated, he says, there may be a "brief window" for them to make their mark in the still developing electric vehicle sector.

For Brauer, VinFast's success will largely come down to millennials.

They will "have trouble with people over 50 years old... but younger consumers in this country are getting more and more open to new vehicles".


SsangYong Tivoli unveiled in Korea

                SEOUL: SsangYong wants in on the rapidly expanding compact SUV market with its Tivoli, which offers a fusion of great design with sensible practicality and class-leading safety to attract the style-conscious customer who seeks form and function.

The SsangYong Tivoli (named after a town near Rome) is to be the first new model to be launched following the merger of SsangYong and Mahindra & Mahindra.

After 42 months of development and 350-nil Korean Won, the Tivoli is presented while measuring 4,195mm-long, 1,795mm-wide and 1,590mm-tall.

A six-speed transmission can be had in either manual (1,270kg kerb weight) or an automatic (1,300kg kerb weight) and will be mated to the 1.6L (1,597cc) e-Xgi160 petrol (Euro 6) engine - producing 124bhp at 6,000rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,600rpm.

In addition, SsangYong says its Tivoli’s powertrain has been put to the test by exposing it to negative 42-degrees Celsius winter conditions as well as over 50-degrees Celsius desert conditions and brake tests at altitudes of up to 4,000m-high.

For the first time in Korea, an aluminium bed plate with high press die-casting to the bottom section of the cylinder block to increase engine strength and durability has been applied.

The Tivoli seems to take on much of the Korando’s design properties – young, powerful and robust, which was inspired by contemporary city architecture, while the car’s lines reflects the fluidity found in nature.

The front features a slim-line grille through to the headlights, which the company links the inspiration to a bird’s wings in flight, while the front bumper possesses a dynamic air intake.

Finally, the Korean-made compact SUV is garnished with a chrome line that flows from around the rear door, across the front door and around the rear of the bonnet – while it rolls on 16 (205/60 tyres) or 18-inch (215/45 tyres) diamond cut alloy wheels.

Inside, SsangYong describes its cabin as stylish and contemporary with an ergonomically designed heated leather-wrapped D-shaped sports steering wheel for the driver’s comfort.

Helping in legibility are the two cylindrical-shaped instrument clusters enhance with the added function of changing its illumination to red, blue, sky-blue, yellow, white or black.

Three interior trim colours are being offered in black, beige or red (for a sportier ambiance.

The boot is able to accommodate up to 423 litres (enough for three full-sized golf bags, and the second row of seats can also be folded flat to expand the cargo space.

The Tivoli possesses the Smart Steer system, which offers three different steering modes - Normal, Comfort and Sport, along with an electronic power steering system to minimise power consumption.

Furthmore, the Tivoli rides on McPherson struts and springs for the front wheels, while the rear is equipped with torsion beam suspension with rear mounted springs

For safety, the Tivoli is built with 40% of its body using Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS).

To minimise collision impact, 10 major areas on the car are strengthened using the ‘hot press forming’ process, where the strength of the steel is increased to 1500Mpa compared to plain steel that’s rated at 590Mpa.

Additional active safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), LED daytime running lights, and a tyre pressure monitoring system, seven airbags and two seat belts with a pre-tensioner system,

A High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable is required to be connected from your preferred device to 7-inch display screen (also linked with a rear view camera), and is able to playback multimedia files such as MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC and APE, via its six-speaker system

For luxury amenities, the Tivoli is equipped with a dual zone climate control, which can be set to three different modes as well as a memory function.

There’s a smart key entry and locking facility, and a six-sensor (two front and four rear) park-assist system to aid safe and convenient parking.

Additional standard convenience features include a luggage screen, one-touch automatic windscreen wash/wipe, and automatic hazard warning light activation.

This is also includes a safety sunroof, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlight activation, and ECM interior rear view mirror.

Styling details include items such as carbon-look exterior door mirrors, alloy pedals, and LED illuminated door kick-plates.

While the specifications and equipments mentioned are for the Korean market, the Tivoli's international launch has been earmarked for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March with sales beginning in the UK at the same time.


Fewer China-built Teslas registered as competition builds

Tesla's China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its factory in Shanghai in January. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: Registrations of locally made Tesla Inc. vehicles in China fell in July from the previous month as competition intensified in the world’s largest electric-car market.

In July, 11,456 China-built Teslas were registered in the country, according to data from state-backed China automotive Information Net. That’s a 24% decrease from June. Tesla doesn’t report monthly sales numbers for China.

The world’s most-valuable carmaker is ramping up output after starting deliveries from its multibillion-dollar Shanghai plant around the beginning of the year.

China is a crucial part of Elon Musk’s plan to expand beyond the U.S., and long-term success will require keeping local contenders such as NIO Inc. and global giants BMW AG and Volkswagen AG at bay.

Rising sales in China are a major contributor to the Palo Alto, California-based company’s soaring market capitalization, which surged past Toyota Motor Corp. in July. China’s car market is recovering from a two-year slump, helped by a reopening of showrooms and an improving economy.

Yet competitors are stepping up product introductions. NIO’s deliveries more than quadrupled in July to 3,533 vehicles, and the company is preparing to launch a new crossover coupe, followed by a sedan. BMW and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG are bringing out electric models.

Cars built at Tesla’s Shanghai plant — its first outside the US — have made up the vast majority of Tesla registrations in China since opening. The company is building Model 3 sedans at the site and also preparing to assemble Model Y compact SUVs there.


60% of electric vehicles globally to depend on made-in-Indonesia batteries, says Jokowi

                JAKARTA: As many as 60% of the electric vehicles (EVs) in the world will depend on the battery ecosystem that is being built in an integrated manner in Indonesia, the country's president Joko Widodo has said.

Speaking at a business forum here on Dec 2, Widodo, popularly referred to as Jokowi, said Indonesia has abundant resources, such as nickel, copper, bauxite, and tin, that are needed to create an EV battery ecosystem.

According to him, Indonesia only lacks lithium. However, the country has expressed interest in cooperating with Australia for obtaining lithium supplies to support its EV battery ecosystem.

If the EV battery ecosystem is built in Indonesia, investment will also come in abundance because electric motorcycles and cars will replace conventional vehicles in the future, he said.

Previously, a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency's said research and exploration of lithium need to be undertaken to support the development and production of batteries for domestic EVs. - Vietnam News


Govt helping B40 group get driving licences

                PETALING JAYA: More people from the low income group will be able to get their driving licences easily with the Bantuan Lesen Memandu Keluarga Malaysia (BLKM) programme.

The programme, which was first launched in March in Bera, Pahang, was officially introduced in the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency in Johor by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong on Saturday.

“This programme under the Road Transport Department (JPJ) was created to reduce the burden of Keluarga Malaysia, especially the B40 category (low income group), when it comes to owning a valid driving licence,” said Dr Wee in a Facebook post after launching the event.

In his speech, Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, reminded everyone to always put road safety first.

“I also highlighted road accident statistics, which involve a high number of motorcyclists.

“I hope programmes such as the BLKM will be able to help the Malaysian Family, particularly the B40 group, to obtain driving licences easily so that they can go about their daily activities, including youths who are working in the gig economy to generate income,” Dr Wee, who is also MCA president, added.

BLKM was launched in Bera on March 13 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Those present at the launch in Ayer Hitam were Yong Peng assemblyman and Johor state exco member Ling Tian Soon, Johor JPJ director Azmi Zainal Adnan, Batu Pahat JPJ branch head Zulhilmi Zaidie, and Dinamik community driving institute managing director Andrew Wong Ming Chieh.

Under the programme, those who wish to obtain a B2 motorcycle licence will only need to pay RM250, which includes a brief course.

The amount is far cheaper than the usual fee of around RM750.


Maxis partners BHPetrol for digital transformation of retail stations

From left: Fardzi, Azizul, Goh and Featherstone.
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd has been selected by Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) to be part of BHPetrol’s wide-scale digitalisation exercise to improve customer experience at their retail stations.

Under the collaboration, Maxis as a network provider will deploy its managed SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) to power BHPetrol’s outdoor payment terminals at every petrol pump and point of sale systems at all its retail stations in Peninsular Malaysia.

To date, Maxis’ SD-WAN has already been rolled out to more than 240 locations, with implementation at other stations expected to be completed by year-end.

“This important partnership enables Maxis to offer our unique capabilities and experience in providing next-generation networking technologies. We look forward to working together to support BHPetrol’s digital transformation efforts," Maxis chief executive officer Goh Seow Eng said in a statement.

Meanwhile, BHPetrol chief executive officer Azizul Azily Ahmad said the strategic partnership is aligned with its commitment to harness the power of digitalisation in accelerating its growth.

“We are confident that this partnership will enable us to foster greater innovation, improve operations, and importantly, elevate the overall customer experience at BHPetrol," he said.

In conjunction with the collaboration, both Maxis and BHPetrol are offering exclusive cash rebates to Maxis and Hotlink users until June 30. To take advantage of these deals, users simply need to download them from the Maxis or Hotlink app and redeem them at participating BHPetrol stations.

Also present at the partnership announcement were BHPetrol chief operating officer Fardzi Shah Razali and Maxis acting chief enterprise business officer Claire Featherstone.


Quirky French 2CV car still enjoys cult status after 70 years

                PARIS: The Citroen 2CV was not designed to become one of the world's most famous cars - it had greatness thrust upon it.

Conceived as a rugged replacement for the rural horse-drawn cart, this humble, utilitarian car was only supposed to carry two peasants, a sack of potatoes and a cask of wine or beer.

Instead the oddball canvas-roofed vehicle caught on quickly in both town and country areas and soon became a cult symbol of thrift and later anti-establishment sentiment. A 2CV even starred in a James Bond film.

Mechanical simplicity and ease of maintenance were key attractions along with that roof which could be pulled back on sunny days for the genuine cabriolet feeling.

By the time the 2CV was dropped from the range in 1990 after a 42-year production run, around 5.1 million of the car had been built, including the boxy van versions which were a common sight in France.

At one point demand so outstripped supply that there was a five year waiting list.

Citroen unveiled the car at the Paris Salon in October 1948 and never looked back. The original rippled bonnet and sides later gave way to a smoother look but the car remained more or less the same as prototypes shown before World War II.

The 2CV was an automotive milestone just like the Volkswagen Beetle and the chubby Fiat 500. Although it was unfortunately prone to rusting, surviving examples now change hand for substantial sums of money providing they are original and well looked-after.

So what is the 2CV like to drive? Well, forget modern comforts like power-assisted steering, electric windows and air-conditioning.

This car is a no-frills totem of French practicality with nothing but the basic equipment needed to tackle the worst of rutted roads. It was also cheap to buy.

Of all the cars turned out in France, the 2CV stands the most for the Gallic way of life, says Stephan Joest of the Amicale Citroen Internationale (ACI), an umbrella association for Citroen clubs around the world.

The doors are far too small for grown-ups and the softly-sprung seats remind driver and passengers of a Hollywood swing.

The dashboard is about the size of a plastic lunch box and the puny 600cc engine splutters into life before settling into a characteristic whine.

Acceleration to a heady top speed of 116kph was leisurely, prompting some critics to quip that progress should be measured in days rather than seconds.

Changing gear meant grappling with a rod topped by what looks like a black billiard ball. The shift protrudes from the dashboard.

Countless colour variations were produced down the years, including the handsome Charleston version. It featured an eye-catching burgundy and black paint job with styling touches that harked back to the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Cared-for 2CVs have risen in value enormously in recent years and buyers should expect to pay between US$12,000 to US$18,000 (up to RM73,000) for a good example.


Here's the lowdown on the Volkswagen ID, ahead of its pre-order launch

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen's first all-electric car, the ID, is set to be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, which runs from Sept 12 to 22. Pre-orders for the model will start on May 8.

Volkswagen's first all-electric production model will also be the first to be based on the MEB (Modular Elektro Baukasten) platform, which the VW group will also use as a base for other projects, such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Seat el-Born. The model is expected to arrive in three versions with varying battery capacities (48, 62 and 84 kWh), providing ranges between 330km and 550km.

The ID will be able to recognise and greet its drivers as they approach the vehicle by flashing its "Matrix" LED headlights. The EV will also be equipped with its own voice-activated assistant which allows the driver to operate its various integrated technologies.

Security-wise, Volkswagen has implemented technologies that will let the ID alert the driver of potential collisions, whether with another vehicle or another road user.

The Volkswagen ID will be a version of the concept of the same name that was shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It was, at the time, the make's first all-electric concept (several have followed suit since), which had the distinction of offering a record-breaking 600-kilometer range and a "lounge-style" interior.

Pre-orders for the Volkswagen ID will start on May 8, 2019, while the car will make its grand debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Delivery dates are set for early 2020. Price-wise, the lower-end versions should retail at about €30,000 (RM140,000), without the environmental bonus.


Audi teams up with Capgemini in digital transformation

(From left) Capgemini head of market unit automotive Henrik Ljungström and Audi chief information officer Frank Loydl.
INGOLSTADT: German carmaker Audi announced that it and Capgemini have officially launched their joint venture -  dubbed XL2, with the sole aim of supporting the automotive industry in digital transformation tasks.

The new company, headquartered Heilbronn, Germany - close to Audi’s production site in Neckarsulm, will help to provide digital technology and consulting services.

This includes, in particular, the fields of SAP Business Suite 4 SAP HANA (SAP S/4HANA) and cloud services for Enterprise Resource Planning which Audi and the entire Volkswagen Group will fully exploit.

 Capgemini and Audi launch new Joint Venture XL2.

For the next five years, the new company (XL2) will look to expand its business while focusing on consulting and technology services for cloud and SAP S/4HANA which also includes industry solutions such as SAP Leonardo.

SAP Leonardo is a new digital innovation system from SAP that delivers software and microservices that enable customers to leverage future-facing technologies like the Internet of Things, machine learning, blockchain, analytics and Big Data.

The new company will help to enable end-to-end digital manufacturing, covering all central processes, including production planning, logistics, finance, maintenance, quality and materials management - including projects for Audi.

The first focus areas are SAP projects for production and master data management, as well as development in the context of cloud-based applications while looking into addressing the rapidly changing requirements of digital transformation in the automotive sector.


Switzerland's new energy asset: hydro plant with capacity to charge 400,000 car batteries

                FINHAUT (Switzerland): Switzerland is adding a much needed cog in the wheel to its energy supply with an underground hydropower plant that says it has capacity to store enough electricity to charge 400,000 car batteries simultaneously.

Developers of the 2.2 billion Swiss franc (RM10.3bil) Nant de Drance plant in the canton of Valais, which came online in July, say the facility operates like a giant battery.

Its six turbines tucked in a cavern 600 metres below ground between the Emosson and Vieux Emosson reservoirs have capacity of 900 MW, making it one of the most powerful pumped storage plants in Europe.

During peak demand, Nant de Drance produces electricity from hydropower. But when output from sources such as wind and solar exceeds demand, the plant stores the surplus electricity by pumping water into the higher Vieux Emosson reservoir.

"In doing so, there are losses like any storage, but the yield is very good. We have about 80% efficiency over the complete cycle," director Alain Sauthier told Reuters on a tour this week.

The plant, which has taken 14 years to build, will be officially opened next month.

It takes less than five minutes to switch from full pumping mode to full power generation. At 360 cubic metres per second, the volume of water passing through its turbines corresponds to the summertime flow of the Rhone river through Geneva.

"The amount of energy that can actually be stored in this facility is simply gigantic, about 20 gigawatt hours," Sauthier said. "This means that with a full tank in Vieux Emosson, you can recharge 400,000 electric car batteries simultaneously."

Typically the plant pumps water into storage in the afternoon, at night and on weekends, then generates power in the morning and evening when prices are higher, Sauthier said.

"I would say it's not only important for Switzerland, it's also an important plant at European level because it will contribute to the stability of the network in Europe and to the security of supply in Europe," he said.

That is no mean feat at a time Switzerland faces rolling four-hour regional blackouts should Europe's energy crisis lead to winter power shortages.


Listening to music while driving can be distracting and disruptive, says UK study

                LONDON: Motorists who listen to music while driving could be disrupting the harmony on Britain’s roads, according to latest research.

A survey of 1,004 motorists, commissioned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has revealed that two-thirds (69 per cent) of motorists believe that having loud music on while driving can be distracting.

The survey also revealed that (36 per cent) of motorists believe that listening to music while driving has an impact on how fast they drive. Meanwhile, two thirds (62 per cent) of respondents said that they turn off music when confused or stressed.

Despite drivers reporting such issues, nearly nine-in-10 (89 per cent) of survey respondents stated they listen to music while driving – meaning potentially millions of UK motorists’ ability to drive is being negatively impacted by music.

The findings come in the wake of the Department for Transport’s recent findings which revealed that distracted drivers were a contributing factor in 16,333 road incidents in 2021, with 3,700 of these distractions coming from inside of the vehicle.

Furthermore, speeding was found to kill or seriously injure 22,130 road users on Britain’s roads, in 2021 alone.


Lada back with 4x4 Vision concept

                MOSCOW: Though many in the West may have assumed that Russian carmaker Lada disappeared from the automotive market a number of years ago, Lada never actually went away - and judging by the Vision 4X4 concept it's just unveiled at the Moscow motor show, it could be set for a big comeback.

Despite disappearing from countries like France, the UK, Netherlands, Sweden and the like several years ago, Lada still sells its vehicles in 34 countries around the world.

As well as its native Russia, the former Soviet company currently operates in some parts of the Middle East, South America, and much of Eastern Europe. It also has a presence in Germany, Turkey and Tunisia.

Of course, the box on wheels that was the Riva - which many of us still associate with Lada - is now long gone. Nowadays the company produces cars including the Granta and Vista sedans and the Xray crossover, among other models.

One model that had survived largely unchanged from the days of the Riva was the Niva 4X4, which was later renamed as the Vaz-212. It was a no-nonsense off-roader along similar lines to the Land Rover Defender, but nowhere near as revered or iconic as the legendary British four-wheel drive.

The 4X4 Vision concept is therefore sort of Lada's new take on the old Niva, which the company's British chief designer, Steve Mattin, says has been designed to showcase Lada's "philosophy of the ultimate off-road vehicle." Although the concept isn't intended to be a direct replacement for the current 4X4, it is being described as a "vision of what the future could look like from Lada."

Without knowing anything about a potential powertrain or the capability of a possible production version, it has to be said the styling is unlike anything many would have previously have expected from Lada.

Although Lada is still the most popular brand in its home country, it has been coming under increasing pressure from the likes of Kia recently, and its market share has been falling. If the 4X4 Vision concept is an illustration of what's to come in the company's recovery plan, the future for Lada is looking very interesting.


How to secure your car on a slope

                BERLIN: When you park your car on a slope what's the best way of preventing it from rolling downhill? We have some advice from a safety expert.

Whether it's for a short time, overnight or for a long time: If you park your vehicle on a slope, you must secure it properly. The danger if it rolls away is a serious one.

"That can lead to serious or, in the worst case, fatal injuries," says Markus Egelhaaf, an accident researcher with Dekra, an auto expert organisation in Germany.

In addition to the danger that an uncontrolled rolling vehicle poses to others, any attempt to bring the vehicle to a stop involve great risks. Trying to stop the roll using your body weight carries the danger that the car will crush or roll over you.

Attempting to pull the parking brake by first opening the driver's door is equally hazardous, Egelhaaf says. In that case the open door may trap you and pull you under the front wheel.

Egelhaaf advises that to prevent the risk of rolling, "you should engage the lowest gear that counteracts the slope direction, i.e. first gear or reverse gear." In automatic vehicles, the selector lever should be set to P.

Of course the parking brake should always be firmly applied as well. Another tip is to turn the front wheels into the kerb or the edge of the road in the direction that the car would roll.

In the case of trailers, wedging the wheels can be used as an additional safeguard to supplement the car's brakes. However, don't forget the wedges when you go to drive away.


Volkswagen wants kids to Buckle Up

                PETALING JAYA: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) kicked-off the Buckle Up YouTube animation series for children.

As part of the brand’s social responsibility here in Malaysia, the entertaining series aims to educate the younger generation on the importance of road and car safety.

The Buckle Up series brings online the much-loved Volkswagen mascot, who is a familiar face and adored by children at roadshows and events.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLAwcXmW-wlQfxeTmoN3eA7uovar7VwB

Specifically targeting children aged between three to seven years old, the content is communicated in a fun and entertaining way and covers topics such as how to cross the road, understanding traffic lights and the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

“As a responsible brand, we are socially accountable to our stakeholders and the public - at the same time not forgetting the little ones. It is never too early for us to teach children how to keep safe, and we believe that in the long run, this will help them develop the right attitude and behaviour on the road. Of course, with children being more internet-savvy, the perfect avenue to communicate this is online” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research reported that road accidents are the fourth common cause of death in Malaysia, and more than 1,500 children under the age of 10 have died in road accidents from 2007 to 2017.

Last year, Malaysia had the third-highest fatality from road accidents in Asia, behind Thailand and Vietnam.


Cadillac XT6 takes on BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE

                DETROIT: Cadillac is filling a big hole in its model line-up with a handsome SUV designed to take on successful German luxury crossover metal such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The wraps came off the new utility just ahead of this week's Detroit motor show (January 14-27). The XT6 marks a new look for Cadillac featuring slim, horizontal headlamps.

The new model will go on sale in the United States this summer and reach Europe in 2020. It comes as a sports or premium model.

Analysts said the XT6 is a key element in the strategy of General Motors subsidiary Cadillac to reframe the brand's after sales dipped at the end of 2018.

The XT6 slots into the range as the little brother of the giant Escalade and like that model it can be bought with three rows of seats for up to seven passengers inside. The third row folds into the floor at the flick of switch.

The 5.5-metre XT6 gets a powerful 3.6-litre engine and can be ordered with either front-wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive. It is shod as standard with 20-inch wheels.

No performance or fuel consumption figures have yet been released.

The top model gets innovative night vision technology and both versions are built around a suite of driver assistance systems. There is a high level of connectivity with two USB ports in every row, 15-watt wireless charging and 4G LTE


Honda Thailand rolls out new Jazz RS

                BANGKOK: Malaysians will have to wait awhile as the Thais get the facelifted Honda Jazz from this week, with an "RS" version being introduced for the first time

The RS variant features a sporty design. It comes with a newly-designed front grille with an RS emblem, a more dynamic look with an RS-style front bumper with fog lights and rear bumper, new black side mirrors, and newly-designed seat covers with orange stitching. It is available in a new Phoenix Orange body colour.

The RS badge is also used in the Mobilio and Civic models.

The new Jazz is available in six variants and in a choice of six colours, with prices ranging from 555,000 baht to 754,000 baht (between RM70,000 and RM95,000).

You may recall Honda Malaysia saying last Saturday that the new Jazz is now open for bookings. The vehicle will be available in petrol and hybrid versions and are expected to start selling in Malaysia by June. The hybrid, known as Sport Hybrid, is expected to be ready for delivery from the third quarter.

Malaysia is the only country outside of Japan to introduce the new hybrid.

In its third-generation mid-life update, the Jazz gets a newly-designed front grille and front and rear bumper; and new LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

The interior promises plenty of space and comfort, with Ultra Seats with four adjustment modes for versatile rear storage. Additional features include a Multi Information Display (MID); air-conditioning with touchscreen control panel; one-push ignition; a 6.8-inch touchscreen display audio system compatible with a wireless phone connection; audio and video connection through a HDMI cable; and a multi-function steering wheel.

The new Honda Jazz is powered by a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 117hp and 146Nm of torque at 4,700rpm. The cheapest variant gets a 5-speed manual while the five others are fitted with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), developed based on Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology.

Depending on variant, the hatchback is equipped with a 7-speed paddle shift and cruise control system. The engine is E85 compatible and comes with an ECO Assist system to help reduce fuel consumption.


Ford concludes third safe driver programme

                PETALING JAYA: Ford and its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), recently hosted its third safe driver training this year to corporate partners and members of the public through Ford’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme.

The training sessions were hosted at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) where more than 60 licensed drivers – including corporate partners and Ford customers participated in two half-day workshops.

The Ford Driving Skills for Life programme aims to educate licensed drivers of all ages on how to drive safely through practical, hands on experiences which is provided free-or-charge, helping them become safer, more aware drivers.

The DSFL workshops address various driver risks, such as dealing with unexpected scenarios, speed and space management, as well as raise awareness on distracted driving caused by mobile phone use or drowsiness.

“Ford is committed to helping raise awareness of road safety and educating drivers on safe driving practices and techniques. We are proud to continue this very practical programme in Malaysia to help raise public awareness on safe driving and driver safety,” said Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion, Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

An emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or medication was also incorporated in every training session. This included having participants wear specially designed goggles that help simulate the experience of driving while movement, coordination and alertness are impaired.


Idris Elba teams up with Ford for launch of 100%-electric SUV

                DETROIT: British actor Idris Elba, who recently played the villain in "Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw," will promote an all-electric SUV which will soon be unveiled by Ford. According to the American automaker, the new vehicle will be directly inspired by its Mustang range.

The decision to call on the London-born star was not a random decision. Idris Elba has a long personal history with the Ford Motor Company: "Most people don't know this, but I worked at Ford as a young guy. My dad also worked at Ford. It's practically in my blood. So working on this project and getting behind the wheel of a car that takes us all towards the future feels like things are coming full circle, but with more exhilaration and tech.”

Let's not forget that this is not the first time that the actor has promoted a new car. In 2015, he went on a mini-tour of Europe to praise the merits of the Jaguar XE.

Ford's new all-electric vehicle is due to be unveiled on Nov 17, before being exhibited for the first time at the LA Auto Show, which will run from Nov 22 to Dec 2.

As it stands, very few details have been disclosed about the mysterious new SUV. Ford has only published a sketch of the future vehicle, which it claims will have a maximum range of around 600km, which would, for example, place it ahead of the Tesla Model Y (540km announced for its premium version).

As for aesthetics, the design and the outline of the new SUV are expected to highlight inspiration derived from Ford's Mustang line.

However, the lack of details has not stopped a fan forum from creating a render of the upcoming car, which has been rumored to be called the Mach E.

The render was based on leaked CAD drawings , showing the electric SUV’s body shape.

The leaked CAD images were first announced by an Instagram account called “allcarnews” that purportedly had access to them.

 The render of the SUV that is rumoured to be named Mach E.


Several Kuala Lumpur major roads flooded

                PETALING JAYA: Several major roads in Kuala Lumpur are inundated after a downpour that started at around 3pm on Monday.

The Integrated Transport Information System (Itis) shared several photos on social media showing the affected locations.
 Among them were Jalan Semantan, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Segambut, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Travers, Jalan Ampang, the area around Menara DBKL 1 in Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim and Jalan Pudu.
“It is raining heavily in the city centre. Motorists are advised to exercise caution when driving,” Itis said on its Facebook page.
 The images showed heavy traffic in Jalan Pudu, Jalan Maharajalela and Jalan Tun Razak, while a flash flood was shown in Jalan Segambut.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia issues recall

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, has requested for owners of Mitsubishi Lancer and Outlander, imported from Japan and the locally-assembled ASX to replace the engine control relay of their vehicles.

The overall affected cars are estimated at 5,000 units and the affected cars include:

> ASX compact SUV - March 2015 – November 2016
> Lancer sedan - December 2014 – February 2016
> Outlander SUV - December 2015 – June 2016

The relay protects the engine’s ECU from any sudden surge of voltage. If it is not replaced, the internal parts of the relay may fail and subsequently affect the engine’s ECU function.

Separately, MMM will also be conducting a field fix campaign to replace the passenger side airbag inflator for 115 units of Pajero Exceed manufactured from March 2010 – July 2012.

Some of the passenger side airbag may release metal fragments when deployed causing injuries to the driver. This exercise is part of the Takata airbag recall campaign worldwide.

“Safety is our utmost priority thus MMM is taking this initiative to assure customer’s safety and regrets the inconvenience caused to the affected customers,” said MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi.

MMM will issue notification letters to all affected Mitsubishi owners and the full cost of the replacement will be borne by the company.

MMM kindly request all affected customers to make an appointment at any of the Mitsubishi Motors authorized service centres for the replacement of the above.

For the list of service centres and further information, please visit: www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my or contact our Customer Careline at 1800 18 8161 (9 am – 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays excluding public holidays).


Thailand expects to produce over 2 million cars and trucks this year

                BANGKOK: Thailand expects to produce 2.15 million cars and trucks this year, an increase of 14.36% compared to last year, said Thailand Automotive Industry Club.

Its deputy chairman, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, said the production included 1.2 million units for export, an increase of 6.94% from last year's 1.12 million units.

"The production target for domestic market is 950,000 units, up 25.35% from last year's 757,853 units," he said at a monthly press conference here on Tuesday.

He said car and truck production in February rose by 2.79% year-on-year (yoy) to 178,351 units, comprising export at 110,922 units (up 20.97% yoy) and for domestic market at 67,429 units (down 17.58% yoy).

The production for the period January-February was 344,751 units, a 2.56% increased compared with the same period of last year, he said.

"For the period, production for export was 217,200 units, an increase of 17.36%, while production for domestic market dropped 15.57% to  127,551 units," he said.

Surapong said the sale volume for export expanded by 11.32% to 108,173 units in February, mainly due to the recovery in the Australian market and increased export of eco-cars to Europe.

Also, export to the markets in the northern, central and southern America  expanded, he said.

In terms of value, export in February rose by 3.21% to 47.558 billion baht, but when included engine, car and spare parts the export contracted by 0.31% to 67.231 billion baht compared with the same month last year.

In the January-February period, export stood at 200,613 units, an increase of 12.58% and its value rose 6.25% to 88.10 billion baht, compared with the same period of last year, he said.

Surapong said the total export value including engine, car parts, spare parts increased by 2.48% to 126.513 billion baht.

In the domestic, the sale volume in February dropped 10.8% year- on-year to 63,946 units, attributed mainly due to a lack of recovery in Thailand's economy, lower prices of agricultural products, slowdown in private and government investment, lower than targetted government budget disbursement as well as the strict requirements for loan from the financial institutions.

Overall, the sale for the January-February in the domestic market fell 11.8% 11.8% year-on-year to 123,669 units.


Two new colours for limited edition Lexus ES 250 Luxury variant

SHAH ALAM: Two new colours are now available for the limited edition Lexus ES 250 Luxury variant – Deep Blue Mica and Sleek Ecru Metallic. The two colours are only available on 50 cars (25 cars of each colour).

The limited edition Lexus ES 250 also comes with a new matte finished Bamboo interior trim, which complements the Topaz Brown interior colour scheme.

The limited edition Lexus ES 250 is powered by a 2AR-FE 2.5-litre petrol engine with Dual VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). This 4-cylinder engine also features ACIS-III, a variable acoustic induction system which uses two valves to create effect of 3 long air intake to create high intake pressure in the combustion system for higher torque.

With a compression ratio of 10.4:1, the engine produces 135 kW/181 hp at 6,000 rpm and 235 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm.

The limited edition Lexus ES 250 with the new colours are available at no extra charge and have the same retail price as the luxury variant of the ES 250 from RM293,900.


Proton's 9,600 employees will keep their jobs after Geely tie-up

                KUALA LUMPUR: Some 9,600 Proton employees are assured of keeping their jobs following Proton's strategic tie-up with China's automobile giant Geely.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said that Proton is currently undergoing a transformation programme.

“The company's 9,600 will not lose their jobs following the strategic tie-up.

“In fact, there are plans to increase the number of employees to 20,000 in the coming decade,” he said when answering a question by Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ahmad added that some 230 Proton vendors, which employ 50,000 workers, will also be maintained and upgraded.

He said that 300 distributors under Proton would also benefit from the tie-up with Geely.

“This is based on the projection of annual sales of 500,000 Proton units by the next 10 years,” he added.

Ahmad said that Proton would focus on producing fuel-efficient vehicles with the goal of penetrating the global market.

DRB-Hicom signed an agreement with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd in June.

The agreement involved the sale of 49.9% of equity to Geely, which saw Dr Li Chunrong appointed as Proton's chief executive director on Oct 1.


You've five years for turnaround, Govt tells Proton

                PETALING JAYA: The Government has given the management of the national car company, Proton Holdings Bhd, five years to improve its financials, and has described it as crucial for it to get a strategic partner for a turnaround.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that Proton needed to repay the RM1.5bil that was injected into the company with cumulative dividends of 4% per annum in the next five years.

“It is therefore crucial for Proton to find a strategic partner and implement its turnaround plan that would be closely monitored by a task force,” he said in a statement yesterday, clarifying the reasons why the Government had to step in with a cash injection for the ailing national car manufacturer.

In justifying the reason for the cash assistance, Mustapa said that the Government chose to subscribe for preference shares because it was the fastest route to address Proton’s financial problems.

“The company is in dire need of liquidity to pay its vendors,” he said.

Last week, the Government completed an exercise that saw Proton receiving a total of RM1.5bil in cash assistance. It included Proton, the company, issuing RM1.25bil worth of redeemable convertible cumulative preference shares (RCCPS) that the Government subscribed through GovCo Holdings Bhd.

As of March 31 last year, Proton’s total long-term borrowings stood at RM847mil.

Should the Government propose to give a loan or a subordinated loan to Proton, the company’s existing lenders’ consent would be required and the process will take a long time, further delaying the crisis faced by the Proton vendors.

There is also the possibility that existing lenders would request for the early retirement of their loans.

Nevertheless, the financial assistance, according to Mustapa, has its punitive terms and features.

The first is that should Proton decide to convert the RCCPS, the conversion price has been set at 87 sen per share and the Government will receive 87 sen per share. This is about 46% below Proton’s current net tangible asset per share of RM1.86.

Additionally, there is a non-dilution clause where the Government is protected should Proton secure dilutive financing below the agreed conversion price of 87 sen.

Also, there will be no dividend or shareholders advance being declared or paid by Proton as long as the RCCPS is still outstanding.

Having said that, Mustapa reiterated that the Government’s role is neither to turn around Proton nor take over its management, but instead, to assist it in ensuring the conditions imposed for the financial assistance are met.

“The Government has agreed to approve the soft loan of RM1.5bil to ensure that Proton remains sustainable as a national carmaker, providing jobs for 12,000 direct employees and another 50,000 employees along the local automotive supply chain,” he said.

Coming back to the crucial issue of strategic partnership, Proton in the past had held alliance talks with several global car companies, including Volkswagen group and General Motors, but none had materialised.

It was reported that the Cabinet in 2007 had shot down the plan to have Volkswagen enter as Proton’s strategic partner.

The latest is Proton’s proposal of a long-term strategic collaboration and partnership with Suzuki Motor Corp of Japan, where both had signed a memorandum of understanding and licence agreement about a year ago.

The deal was said to encompass the four main areas of products, technology, people and market, but is still work in progress,

Last month, there was also news reports speculating that Proton was in talks with two French companies, Groupe PSA (formerly known as PSA Peugeot Citroën) and Renault SA.


EVs can become key economic contributor in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has an opportunity to develop its electric vehicle (EV) industry and turn it into a significant economic contributor, according to economists.

Malaysia University of Science and Technology professor Geoffrey Williams said the Malaysian automotive industry does have the potential to make a massive contribution to the economy through sales, employment, supply-chain and training for high-skilled people.

“The EV side will become an important contribution to this over time but it may be slow to replace conventional vehicles because of subsidies on petrol.

“Nonetheless it will certainly become a pillar of automotive products in the future,” he told StarBiz.

In a Facebook post earlier this month, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said Malaysia is committed to developing the EV industry and eventually making it a potential major pillar of the economy.

With the national EV policies, Wee said Malaysia is in the midst of developing the EV industry to be in line with worldwide trends.

“The EV industry is really not confined to merely selling vehicles. There is a huge ecosystem to be developed and tapped on including standards setting, charging facilities, and other high tech pursuits.

“As Transport Minister, I encourage more investments in our rail industry, particularly in the related technology sub-sectors and upgrading the skills of our local talent,” he said.

While agreeing with Wee’s comments, Williams however said Malaysia must learn from past mistakes on ineffective management in the automotive sector and a reliance on subsidies.

“But it can also learn from past and current successes especially in joint-ventures, such as UMW’s hugely successful long-term relationship with Toyota and the newer but very successful Geely-Proton tie up.

“Also, good design like the X50 and X70 are essential as well as value for money and quality. Malaysian car companies can provide this and make it a success. They have already shown it.”

Williams added that Malaysia must focus on developing an EV industry that can eventually have a global presence.

“Because the Malaysian market is relatively small, a successful EV offer must focus on exports into Asean and beyond. Otherwise return on investment will be difficult and slow to achieve.”

Renato Lima-de-Oliveira, an assistant professor of business and society at Asia School of Business and a fellow of the Centre for Market Education, said it is “totally possible” for Malaysia to occupy a “prominent position” in the EV industry.

“Malaysia is a global manufacturing hub, deeply integrated into global value chains. However, there are many challenges.”

Lima-de-Oliveira noted that countries in Europe and China have pursued an aggressive strategy to develop local infrastructure for EVs and manufacturing capacity.

“In South-East Asia, Thailand is well positioned to advance given their relatively robust auto manufacturing park, large market size and recent incentives, including import duties reductions for battery EVs.

“EV sales in Thailand in 2021 were close to 12,841, while sales in Malaysia were only 274 for the same year. Malaysia will need to catch up fast to reap the opportunities of this emerging industry.”

Sales of EVs in Malaysia are expected to pick up this year, as the introduction of new models at more competitive prices is anticipated to spur buying interest.

At Budget 2022, which was tabled in October last year, the government announced that it would provide full exemptions on import and excise duties and sales tax, as well as road tax (up to 100%) for EVs.

Individual income tax relief of up to RM2,500 will also be given on the costs of buying, installing, leasing or repayments of EV charging facilities.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), a total of 508,911 vehicles were sold in 2021. Of this, only 274 units comprised EVs. While no projection has been given, MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said at the association’s first bi-annual media conference in January that sales of EVs for 2022 “will be a lot higher,” especially in light of the tax exemption.

Additionally, the tax exemption on EVs has also stimulated interests of original equipment manufacturers to invest in Malaysia.

In January this year, it was reported that Melaka will be receiving an investment totalling RM1bil by bumiputra company, Fieldman EV Sdn Bhd, to develop Malaysia’s first electric car assembly plant. The company had also obtained exclusive rights to distribute EVs in Malaysia and the South-East Asian regional market for right-hand drive vehicles from China’s Changan Automobile Corp.

Despite having lower running costs and being more environmentally friendly, demand for EVs has never been too popular in Malaysia compared with cars with internal combustion engines (petrol and diesel).

Generally, the main deterrence for purchasing EVs or even hybrid vehicles (which are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor) has always been due to the relatively high purchase price and poor understanding of their technology.

However, many are confident that the implementation of the duty waiver will spur the demand for EVs.

A similar situation was seen with hybrid cars, a decade earlier.

In October 2010, during the tabling of Budget 2011, the government granted full excise duty exemptions on hybrid cars below 2,000cc until Dec 31, 2011. The move resulted in a big drop in prices for the cars and fuelled the demand for such vehicles.

With only a handful of hybrid vehicles available in the market at the time, the biggest beneficiaries of the duty exemptions were UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd and Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which saw an immediate surge in sales of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrid vehicles, respectively.

According to MAA statistics, total hybrid vehicles jumped over 2,000% to 8,334 units in 2011 from 328 units a year earlier as a result of the duty exemptions.

Honda recorded a surge in hybrid vehicle sales to 4,596 units from 129 units in 2010, while Toyota sold 2,457 units versus 198 units previously. Lexus sold 1,267 units compared with just one unit previously.

Lima-de-Oliveira said the successful penetration of more EVs has happened through a combination of policies.

“Typically, the traditional carrots and sticks.”

“These include tax rebates for consumers, licensing restrictions for conventional internal combustion engines, emission reduction mandates for car manufacturers to give them a strong incentive to sell EVs and a robust deployment of charging infrastructure.

Lima-de-Oliveira emphasised that having a good network of charging stations would also create confidence in drivers and help avoid range-anxiety issues.

“However, I would call attention to one critical factor that makes EVs less attractive in Malaysia, namely gasoline subsidies. If you do the math, considering how subsidised gasoline is in Malaysia, it is still attractive to buy a conventional vehicle rather than an EV.”

Lima-de-Oliveira, who teaches an energy and sustainability course at the ASB, said one of the assignments is to compare a Tesla S (which has a battery capacity of 100 kilowatt-hour) and a Perodua Myvi 1.3L (which has a fuel tank capacity of 40 litres) using current local electricity and gasoline prices.

“We calculate the efficiency, distance they can drive in one charge and cost of running. In general, EVs are close to three times more efficient in converting energy into mobility, have low maintenance costs over the long run, but are more expensive to buy.

“But in markets that have a high share of EVs like Norway and Sweden, consumers immediately save on fuel because gasoline is so much more expensive.”

Lima-de-Oliveira noted that this is not the case in Malaysia.

“If you want to transform consumer behaviour to switch to EVs, low gasoline price is a limiting factor. Of course, increasing gasoline prices is always a politically sensitive policy with its own challenges and pushback. But it has been part of the package of greening our mobility options,” he said.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), worldwide EV sales hit 6.6 million in 2021, accounting for almost 9% of the global market. Total EV sales in 2021 almost doubled from the previous year.

“In China, the world’s fastest-growing EV market, sales doubled in each month of 2021 compared with a year earlier. Overall in 2021, more EVs were sold in China than throughout the world in 2020.”

The WEF added that Europe experienced 70% market growth, selling 2.3 million EVs and hybrid EVs in 2021, while US sales more than doubled to beyond half a million vehicles.

“The numbers look positive for continued market growth across major markets, but the road ahead for electric vehicles may contain some hidden bumps.

“Auto manufacturers must contend with looming supply-side challenges, including increasing bulk material costs. Steel prices doubled in 2021, with aluminium prices spiking by up to 70% and copper up by more than a third,” it said.

While these additional costs impacted both conventional and EV production, the WEF said EVs also faced specific price challenges associated with battery manufacture, including year-on-year increases for essential materials like lithium carbon (up by 150%), graphite (up by 15%) and nickel (up by 25%).

“While there may be a lag before material price hikes hit consumers, the trend is a cause for concern when it comes to market growth.

“Another challenge facing the industry is a global shortage of microchips, which has slowed and at times halted production of cars and other products. It’s a shortage that particularly impacts EVs, as their electronic components mean they need 2.3 times more microchips than cars with an internal combustion engine.”


VW takes part in 11.11 Sale with Passat and Tiguan Allspace

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled the Volkswagen 11.11 Sale featuring the Passat Elegance and the recently launched all-new Tiguan Allspace Highline.

The 11.11 online sale is hosted on Volkswagen Malaysia’s and Volkswagen dealers Facebook pages, and invites customers to like one or both car models to unlock exclusive 11.11 rebates.

The Volkswagen 11.11 online rebates are unveiled today, and customers can place their booking on the Volkswagen eShowroom on the Nov 11 to redeem the rebates.

The Passat Elegance comes with total savings of RM11,000 which includes RM5,500 online savings and 1-year free insurance worth RM5,500.

Meanwhile, the Tiguan Allspace Highline is offered with total savings of RM4,749 which includes a free accessories package and online savings of RM3,500.

The first 11 buyers to buy the two models via the Volkswagen eShowroom will receive a free Lego Volkswagen Campervan worth RM499 and other Volkswagen merchandise.

Owners are not left out in great deals either – those who book their service appointments online on Nov 11 will receive an exclusive Volkswagen merchandise pack worth more than RM160.

This is applicable for service and repair appointments from Nov 13 to 30.

The online service booking feature is available on both desktop and mobile and simplifies the booking process where the customer just needs to select their preferred dealership, date and time, and key in their vehicle details.

An aftersales representative will be in touch to confirm the appointment booking.

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


Third national car project set to start by 2020, says minister

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government is set to launch the national car project 3.0 by 2020 as envisioned by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the current government believed that the move could revitalise the national automotive industry.

“We will attempt to revive and grow the industry due to its tremendous potential. Besides, auto component manufacturing is also one of the sectors that drives small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he told reporters on the sidelines of the TOC Automotive College Convocation Ceremony here, today.

Earlier in his speech, Mohd Redzuan said the government needed the support of the industry, as well as the knowledge, skills and talents of graduates to succeed in the dream.

“In the past, we tried to grow the automotive industry by creating our own car, but obviously, we need to work on the timeline.

“This had put a lot of challenges that we see today where Proton has been compromised,” he said.

Hence, Mohd Redzuan said the government will refine and improve from “what and where" had gone "wrong” (in Proton).

Dr Mahathir re-affirmed his aspiration of building the third national car project during his visit to Japan in June after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election on May 9.

The Prime Minister was reported as saying that the government was looking at building national car 3.0 after Proton and Perodua.

This was because his brainchild, Proton, had forged a strategic partnership with China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (Geely) in May last year.

Mohd Redzuan said the government could also be the facilitator for automotive graduates to undergo job training in Japan.

“We are more than happy to facilitate and we have automotive counterparts in Japan who are willing to accept our graduates for job training there,” he said, adding that the move could help the local automotive industry thrive and become more resilient, especially in the car component manufacturing sector.

The automotive sector contributed four per cent to the country’s gross domestic product in 2017.


German brands are the world's most 'Instagrammed' cars

                LONDON: BMW, Audi and Mercedes are the car manufacturers whose models are the most popular on Instagram.

Photos depicting models from these brands are the most numerous on the network, in proportion to their sales figures, with the Audi Q8 topping the bill as the most popular car on Instagram.

The Q8 is the car that people like to share the most on Instagram, with some 224,079 photos posted for some 36,157 sales registered worldwide - an average of more than six photos shared per car sold.

It's based on this ratio that online insurance comparison site Confused.com has established its ranking.

All models combined, BMW - which counts more than 60 million photos accompanied by the hashtag #BMW - proves to be the most popular automotive brand on Instagram.

Top 20 most Instagrammed car brands in the world

1. BMW
2. Audi
3. Mercedes
4. Subaru
5. Lexus
6. Dodge
7. Honda
8. Land Rover
9. Tesla
10. Volvo
11. Opel
12. Ford
13. Mazda
14. Chevrolet
15. Nissan
16. Toyota
17. Volkswagen
18. Kia
19. Fiat
20. Renault

Top 20 most Instagrammed car models in the world

1. Audi Q8
2. Land Rover Defender
3. Range Rover Sport
4. Dodge Challenger
5. Toyota Land Cruiser
6. Mini Clubman
7. Audi Q3
8. Audi A7
9. Dodge Charger
10. Kia Stinger
11. Acura RSX
12. Audi Q7
13. BMW X4
14. Ford Ranger
15. Audi TT
16. BMW i3
17. BMW X5
18. Peugeot 5008
19. BMW 6 Series
20. Chevrolet Corvette
To compile these rankings, Confused.com took into account just over 200 of the most popular car models and counted the number of hashtags about each of them.

This number was then divided by the number of worldwide sales to highlight the relationship between the shared images and the cars on the road.

Note that some brands, which do not share this data, were excluded from the study. Instagram hashtag data for car brands is correct as of Aug 17.


Envision sees cost of electric cars at parity by 2025-2026

                LONDON: The cost of making electric cars will reach parity with internal combustion cars by around 2025/26, the head of Envision Racing forecast on Tuesday, a step expected to accelerate the industry's transition to cleaner, greener vehicles.

Sylvain Filippi, managing director of Envision Racing, said it would soon become more expensive to make traditional cars than their electric counterparts, given the cost of making internal combustion vehicles is increasing.

"In 2025/2026 ... you'll start to see parity on the supply side, in developed countries," Filippi said during an interview at the Reuters IMPACT climate conference on Tuesday, adding sticker price parity meant the total cost of ownership would be lower.

"That's the tipping point. When that happens and we can manufacture these cars at scale, then the floodgates will open," Filippi said.

"At that stage, buying an internal combustion car will be a very bad idea because the original value of these cars will be nothing. It will became a really bad asset and I think the transition will accelerate really rapidly."

Electric vehicle (EV) sales could reach 33% globally by 2028 and 54% by 2035, as demand accelerates in most major markets, according to a study released earlier this year by consultant AlixPartners.

EVs accounted for less than 8% of global sales last year, and just under 10% in the first quarter of 2022.

To support that demand, automakers and suppliers now expect to invest at least US$526 billion on EVs and batteries from 2022-2026, according to AlixPartners, more than double the five-year EV investment forecast of US$234 billion from 2020-2024.


Third-generation Porsche Cayenne (E3) previewed

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the official importer of Porsche vehicles in the country, has previewed the latest Cayenne (E3) sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Following the Cayenne's (E3) global debut last year in Stuttgart, Germany, the full-sized SUV is now available for pre-order and is expected to arrive towards the end of this year while the company keeps tight-lipped on its price for the moment.

At the very least, we've been informed that there will be two variants available starting with the entry-level Cayenne that will have 340hp (+40hp) on tap from its 3.0-litre turbocharged engine.

The range-topping Cayenne S will be sporting a more potent 440hp (+20hp) 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 - allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in under 5.0 seconds if equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

The Cayenne will be some 65kg-lighter than its predecessor due to the extensive use of aluminium for its chassis and body panels and manage power delivery to its active all-wheel drive system with a new eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox.

The Cayenne will also be rolling on 21-inch wheels that wear (for the first time) mixed tyres and have rear-axle steering as well as Porsche 4D Chassis Control, three-chamber air suspension and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) - an electronic roll stabilisation system.

The braking system will feature the German sportscar builder's latest braking technology - Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB), which replaces its long-standing Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system.

The PSCB maintains use of the common cast iron disc brake system which has a mirror-like finish thanks to the tungsten carbide coating that prevents it from rusting and significantly reducing the occurrence of brake dust.

Inside, the cabin mirrors the Panamera's and the SUV will also receive the Porsche Advance Cockpit display for its instrument cluster.

"The new Cayenne is now more precise, elegant, athletic and expressive. The new Cayenne has also been digitalised and networked throughout by providing another level of digital connectivity to the cockpit. This includes versatility, quality and new cutting edge driver assistance systems that offer both driver and passengers extraordinary comfort. This is how the Cayenne makes the Porsche experience even more fascinating but remains as a genuine sports car for five," said SDAP chief executive officer Arnt Bayer.

Autodesk VRED Professional 2016 SP4
Date: 2017/07/19 10:45:34
Simulation time: 19.437
System time: 1.0189e+06
Frame: 0


Lordstown Motors appoints auto sector veteran Daniel Ninivaggi as CEO

                DETROIT: Lordstown Motors Corp appointed Daniel Ninivaggi as CEO today, handing over the reins of the electric-truck maker to the former employee of investor Carl Icahn at a time it is facing intense regulatory scrutiny and production challenges.

Shares of the company jumped more than 6% in premarket trading after the announcement.

The company's founder and largest shareholder Steve Burns resigned as chief executive officer in June following the board's conclusions from an internal investigation into claims made by short-seller Hindenburg Research.

The company, which previously warned it needs to raise additional funding, is hiring industry veteran Ninivaggi, who has also overseen Icahn Enterprises' automotive aftermarket service network and parts distribution businesses.
 Ninivaggi .
Ninivaggi, who serves as the chairman for autoparts maker Garrett Motion Inc, has also been a director at companies including Motorola Mobility, Navistar International and Hertz Global Holdings.

Last month, Lordstown said a hedge fund had committed to buying up to US$400 million of the startup's shares over a three-year period. Executives said that the firm was exploring other financing options, including debt.

Lordstown, which hung the "open for business" sign on its northeastern Ohio plant earlier this month, has struggled with the launch of its Endurance pickup truck.

Lordstown still faces a lot of scrutiny from federal prosecutors in Manhattan and officials with the US Securities and Exchange Commission related to its merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and statements it previously made about preorders for its vehicles.


Chery sees new global exports record and growing sales in Latin America

                Despite a global chip shortage restricting production capacity, Chinese automaker Chery Group saw its exports hitting a new record of 237,901 units in the first 11 months of 2021 (a 137.6% jump versus the same period last year).

In a statement, the automaker headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui province said this year, its exports are expected to exceed 250,000 units.

In November, Chery exported 24,942 units (up 85.5% from the same period last year), and it was the seventh time this year that the group exceeded monthly exports of 20,000 vehicles.

In the first 11 months of 2021, the group sold 849,912 cars (up 38.3% from the same period last year).

The group attributed its fast growing sales to its continuous efforts to improve product technology and quality, as well as increasing global brand recognition.

Chery is also rapidly making inroads into Latin America, and in Brazil, according to data from Fenabrave (National Motor Vehicle Distribution Federation), Chery ranked among the top 10 in automobile sales for seven consecutive months with sales of 3,683 units in November.

In Brazil, from January to November 2021, Chery sold 36,048 units, with a market share of 2.03% spearheaded by strong sales for its Tiggo 5X (Tiggo 4 Pro), Tiggo 3X (Tiggo 2 Pro) and Tiggo 8 in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

Also, since its launch in Brazil in October this year, the Chery Arizzo 6 Pro mid-sized sedan has won two industry authoritative awards in Brazil.

In November, the Chery Arrizo 6 Pro was awarded the "Best Medium Passenger Car" in the 7th Carsughi L'Auto Preferita competition in Brazil.

In December, the Arrizo 6 Pro won the "1.2-1.6L Best Car" award in the 23rd ABIAUTO (Brazilian Association of Automobile Publishers) competition.

Meanwhile, in Chile, according to data from ANAC (Asociació n Nacional Autoriz de Chile AG), Chery’s sales increased by 216% year-on-year in
November, surpassing Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen, and its market share reached 7%, ranking third among all automobile brands.

In Chile, Chery's cumulative sales from January to November increased by 305% year-on-year spearheaded by the popularity of its Tiggo 2 series, which continues to be the sales leader in the SUV segment.

In Ecuador, according to data from AEADE (Asociación de Empresas Automotrices del Ecuador), Chery's cumulative sales from January to November ranked first among Chinese automobile brands, with a year-on-year increase of 147%, surpassing Renault and Nissan.

At end-November 2021, Chery held an offline conference in Ecuador, at which models such as Tiggo 7 Pro Deluxe Edition and Tiggo 2 Pro were launched.


New Mercedes-Benz G-Class breaks cover

                STUTTGART: The latest G-Class unveiled by Mercedes-Benz may have had its exterior mildly altered, but its interior, ride quality and handling traits that have been heavily revised.

The G 500 uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with 422hp and 610Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,750rpm, which sends power to all four wheels via a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox.

Even though it now weighs 170kg less than its predecessor, it is still quite the guzzler with a fuel economy of 11.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions at 263g per kilometre.

As standard, the new G-Class has been equipped with an electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering system, which allows Parking Assist to be finally installed.

Even though the new G-Class boasts of predominantly aluminium construction, its 'A' and 'B' pillars use high-strength steel for load-bearing purposes, which helped to increase the frame's torsional rigidity by up to 55%, from 6,537 to 10,162 Nm/deg.

Out and about, the G-Class has a ground clearance of 270mm to the front axle. It's also has a slope climbing ability of up to 100% on suitable surfaces.

Improvements to it include increasing its ground clearance between axles to 241mm (+6mm), a maximum fording depth of 700mm (+100mm) when driving through water and mud and a maximum tilt angle of 35-degrees (+7-degrees).

The the front, the maximum angle of approach is now 31-degrees (+1-degree) while the rear's angle of departure remains at 30-degrees. Furthermore, it now has a break-over angle of 26-degrees (+1-degree).

A strut tower brace, known as a suspension bridge, now connects the two front strut towers to help increase torsional rigidity at the front of the ladder-type frame thanks to the use of independent suspension.

At the rear, there's now a new rigid axle that's controlled by four trailing arms on each side and a Panhard rod to help add greater comfort to road driving.

In terrain, the rear spring has a jounce of 82mm and a rebound of 142mm, while having a ground clearance of 241mm to the rear axle gear.

Now, DYNAMIC SELECT is available which, depending on the chosen mode via a rocker switch, and provides five driving modes of Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual and G-Mode.

The new G-Mode, which can activate independently of the chosen drive mode as soon as one of the three differential locks have been activated or the LOW RANGE off-road reduction gear has been engaged.

This off-road mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic to avoid unnecessary gear shifts.

Inside, the cabin has undergone a 'modernisation process' while retaining its classic good looks with the help of two 12.3-inch displays for its Widescreen Cockpit that has three different displays of Classic, Sport and Progressive.

There's also haptic impulses and audible feedback from the on-board speakers, where drivers can use the touchpad with controller on the centre console without being distracted.

The input options are rounded off by shortcut keys in front of the controller for frequently used operating tasks, and by the optional control panel for the driving assistance systems above the rotary light switch.

Over its predecessor, cabin space has been improved with +38mm for front legroom, +150mm for rear legroom, +38mm front shoulder room, +27mm rear shoulder room, +68mm front elbow room and +56mm rear elbow room.


Call to build highway that bypasses Brunei gains new impetus

Vehicles lining up at the Miri border checkpoint to cross from Sarawak to Sabah via Brunei.
MIRI: The Federal Government and Sarawak government have been urged to start building a new highway linking northern Borneo and bypassing Brunei, following the sultanate’s move to impose new travel charges on those crossing into its borders.

In making the call, Progressive Democratic Party secretary-general Datuk Nelson Balang Rining told StarMetro that Brunei’s decision to impose land entry and exit fees of B$3 (RM9.2) per foreign traveller is too expensive.

“The decision by Brunei to start imposing the new charges (starting Aug 1) is going to hurt Malaysians badly.

“Business people and residents in the districts of Miri, Limbang and Lawas who commute through Brunei daily for business and social purposes will be affected by this latest travel charges, ” said Balang, who is former Ba Kelalan assemblyman.

He pointed out that every person entering or passing through Brunei will be charged B$3 each at their checkpoints.

“That is almost RM10 per person. A family of five in a car will have to pay close to RM50 per entry.

“From Miri to Limbang to Lawas and to Sabah, we have to pass through numerous border checkpoints.

“Just imagine the charges we have to fork out, ” he said, adding that the new rate was too expensive.

Brunei previously charged B$3 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers, but this has now changed.

“Now the travel charges are counted by the number of persons in a vehicle, ” he said.

Balang said the Federal and state governments had repeatedly said that a new highway would be built bypassing Brunei, adding that it was time to make this project a top priority.

“If this new highway bypassing Brunei can be realised, it will save Malaysians so much travel expenses, ” he said.

Passing through Brunei is the only land route available connecting Miri and Limbang and onwards to Lawas and Sabah.

Talks on building a direct land route from Miri to Limbang to Lawas, to connect Sarawak to Sabah while bypassing Brunei, had been bandied about since the 1980s but had not progressed further.


Honda’s Mibe says plan for new EVs in US, Japan from 2025

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co. plans to launch one new mid- to large-sized electric vehicle in North America and four EV models in Japan from 2025, chief executive officer Toshihiro Mibe said, as the Japanese automaker seeks to only sell electric cars globally by 2040.

Japan’s second largest carmaker will also collaborate with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on the procurement of chips, aiming to smooth over any supply disruptions after past dearths forced Honda to cut back on production, Mibe said at a media briefing here today.

Honda also aims to make its factory in Saitama its first carbon neural plant by fiscal 2026, he added.

Tokyo-based Honda is seeking to catch up with global peers that are outrunning it in the race to switch to cleaner cars. The automaker, which also makes a deal of money from selling motorbikes, has teamed up with Sony Group Corp. to develop EVs and earlier this year broke ground on a new US$4.4 billion lithium-ion battery plant in rural Ohio in the US.

Mibe said today that at this month’s Shanghai auto show, China’s premier car event, Honda realised “things are moving forward more than we expected.” China is moving ahead in the technology of autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, he said.

In China specifically, Honda plans to introduce 10 EV models by 2027. It revealed prototypes of three EVs at the Shanghai show that are expected to go on sale in 2024.

Via the introduction of those new e:N Series models, Honda is hoping to have electric cars represent 100% of sales in China by 2035, ahead of its global target.

Honda also plans to develop an operating system for EVs in North America in conjunction with General Motors Co., Mibe said Wednesday, and is strengthening collaboration with Hitachi Astemo Ltd. for autonomous driving.


Chevrolet's latest special edition SUV hopes to stop people in their Trax

                DETROIT: The 2016 Trax Midnight Edition aims to give the hugely popular compact crossover a darker edge. Set to go on sale in February, the Midnight Edition boasts a black paint job, black exterior moldings and black wheels. Even the door handles and license plate frame have been given a touch of darkness.

Inside, it's a similar story but with gray piping offering a contrast against the shadows. Under the hood, there's a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine sending power to the front wheels as standard - larger displacements and all-wheel-drive are options -- while connectivity options include a 4G/LTE wi-fi hotspot.

Whether as the Chevrolet Trax in the US or as the Opel Mokka in Europe, the compact crossover is proving hugely successful regardless of the badge adorning the front grille. "The small SUV segment is the fastest growing in the industry," said Betsy Flegg, senior marketing manager, Chevrolet Crossovers.

Industry figures forecast that as 2015 comes to a close, in the US alone, SUV and crossover sales will represent more than 5 million vehicles for the first time in history.

It's a similar story in Asia and Europe, and that number is only going one way - upwards. This is largely because as the segment grows in popularity, so do carmakers' attempts to make the vehicles appealing to an even larger number of people who had been happy with a more traditionally styled sedan, hatchback or station wagon.

The Trax is a case in point, clocking up sales of 57,707 in Chevrolet form from January to November and giving it a 20percent market share in the process. "Introduced just a year ago, the Trax has quickly become an important vehicle for Chevrolet, bringing in new, younger and more female buyers to the brand," said Flegg.

And as it grows in popularity, so does the need to provide special editions to help it stand out, not only from the competition, but from other Trax already on the road.

The 2016 Trax Midnight Edition will cost US$26,625 (RM115,000) when it goes on sale in the US in February.


Mercedes-Benz finalises plan for regional after-sales logistics centre in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz has finalised the planning for a regional after-sales logistics centre in Malaysia.

In a statement on Friday, the auto giant said the centre will be in Senai Airport City, Johor Baru.

Mercedes-Benz signed a long-term lease agreement for the location, where start of operations planned for the beginning of 2024.

“For the development of the new building Mercedes-Benz has found a partner in the developer Tiong Nam Logistics Solutions Sdn Bhd. The company will be in the lead for developing the location and the owner of the new warehouse,” it said.

Vice president global service & parts operations Thomas Schulz said: “With our planned after-sales logistics centre, Mercedes-Benz is committed and will invest to strengthen our foothold in Malaysia.

“We have found excellent conditions and great support in cooperation with MIDA and the related ministries. Located strategically in Johor Baru, this new After-Sales Logistics Center will enable us to reaffirm our position as a global and regional distribution hub whilst creating new jobs for the region.

“Both our customers and our dealer networks will enjoy a good service and high-quality standards through this new infrastructure,” Schulz said.

The new distribution centre will then become a part of the global Daimler AG after-sales supply chain network and will serve as a distribution site for spare parts in the Asia Pacific region and other countries.

It will take care of the importation, the storage as well as the regional management of spare part and accessories distribution.

The warehouse size of the planned location will be approximately 1,000,000 square feet. The building management system of the new warehouse will be equipped with the latest storage and material-handling systems.

The new established company “Mercedes Benz Parts Logistics Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd”, a 100% subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG, will operate the after-sales logistics centre in Malaysia.


Singaporeans get to see Audi e-tron 50 and e-tron Sportback 50 in person

                SINGAPORE: Audi Singapore has announced its new car showcase – the Audi e-tron Hub – which will be on display at Audi Centre Singapore from Jan 14 to Feb 18.

The exhibition debuts the new models of the brand’s premium electric car range – the new e-tron 50 and e-tron Sportback 50.

In addition to the two new models on display, the Audi e-tron Hub showcases the latest state-of-the-art features and charging technologies relating to Audi e-tron models through a wide range of engaging and immersive activities.

Visitors can also view the e-tron an AR (augmented reality) experience. They can learn about the various inner workings and parts of the Audi e-tron, complete with visual information provided through the AR glasses.

In another immersive visit, visitors can step into the technical world of the e-tron through a VR (virtual reality) setup, where they will be able to virtually practice various maintenance activities for the electric car. They can even get hands-on with e-tron maintenance and have the opportunity to virtually assemble the e-tron’s battery pack.

At the Audi e-tron Hub, Audi will also be showcasing its new partnership with SP Group that will provide e-tron owners with a seamless charging experience. Visitors can check out the array of charging privileges that they will get to enjoy as an e-tron owner.

“(The year) 2021 is a big year for electric mobility in Singapore. The country is moving fast with big commitments to expand the charging infrastructure and generous incentives for consumers to go electric," said Audi Singapore managing director Markus Schuster.

"We kick off the year with the arrival of the first two derivatives to the Audi e-tron – namely, the e-tron 50 and the e-tron Sportback 50. We want to share the knowledge associated with the electric vehicle technology. This is why we have the Audi e-tron Hub, our latest digital-physical concept where visitors can pick-up the know-how and, of course, experience the cars for themselves.”


Masuko to step down as Mitsubishi Motors CEO, Kato to succeed him

Masuko will remain as chairman. — Reuters
TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors Corp CEO Osamu Masuko will step down on June 21 and be replaced by Takao Kato, who is president of its operations in Indonesia.

Masuko will retain his role as chairman of the board, Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement last week, adding that Masuko and Kato will hold a press conference on May 20 to discuss the changes.

Japan’s sixth-largest automaker, in which Nissan Motor Co holds a controlling stake, said this month it expects profit to fall to 90.0 billion yen (US$821 million) in the year to March as it navigates slowing demand for cars, global trade frictions and the need to develop new technologies.

Mitsubishi’s partners Nissan and France’s Renault are meanwhile grappling with the fallout from the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, the group’s former chairman, who is facing charges of financial misconduct in Japan.

Ghosn has denied all charges against him.


Handbrakes are on the way out

                BERLIN: One of the mainstays of car interiors - the handbrake - seems to be coming to a rolling stop as manufacturers begin to phase out manual braking systems.

According to a study by online marketplace CarGurus, just 37 per cent of new cars on sale in Britain have been fitted with the traditional manual parking brake, with the rest of the industry choosing electronic systems.

Premium makers such as Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover are among those who have ditched handbrakes, with only two mainstream manufacturers still offering manually-operated parking brakes on entire model ranges.

 The electronic parking brake in the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI.

“It’s official, the death of the handbrake is coming as manufacturers switch to electronic parking brakes in huge numbers," said Chris Knapman, editor at CarGurus UK.

An electronic parking brake replaces the traditional mechanical lever with a switch that, when engaged, activates a pair of small motors which lock the rear brakes.

The main advantages of such a system is that it offers a stronger hold on the car that can be more conveniently operated than the traditional handbrake.

“Within the next few years, we expect the number of cars on sale with traditional handbrakes to decline further, likely only to be found on a select number of niche models," said Knapman.


Toyota sets sights on old-car upgrades in zero-emissions drive

                CHIBA: In an eye-catching bid to show that cars can be clean while appealing to old-school petrolheads, Toyota Motor showcased today zero-emission versions of its 1980s sports range, which still boasts a strong global fan base.

At the three-day Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 for customised cars in Chiba, east of Tokyo, the Japanese automaker unveiled two cars of the AE86 generation, one modified as a battery-electric vehicle and the other as a hydrogen-engine model.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda said remodelling existing cars needed to be explored as an option to achieve a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. In Japan, only one in about 20 cars on the road are new, and older ones are mainly powered at least partly by gasoline.

"It's important to leave a choice for cars that are already loved or owned by someone," Toyoda, a self-confessed car-lover and race-car driver, said at the event.

A relative newcomer to the mass EV market, Toyota has plans to invest US$70 billion to electrify its vehicles and produce more batteries, and aims to sell at least 3.5 million battery electric models (BEVs) in 2030.


BlackBerry's ‘Jarvis' scans connected and autonomous cars for software flaws

An example of an onboard system developed by BlackBerry for Land Rover.
DETROIT: At the Detroit motor show, BlackBerry CEO, John Chen, unveiled the firm's new cybersecurity software, Jarvis, designed to analyse the many software systems used in connected and autonomous cars to identify potential security vulnerabilities.

Jarvis aims to analyse all of the complex IT systems onboard connected and autonomous vehicles with speed and reliability. In initial testing, carried out with Jaguar Land Rover, Jarvis was able to evaluate the security of a vehicle's software systems in just a few minutes - a task that can usually take up to 30 days! If a flaw is detected, Jarvis immediately sends an alert with an accompanying recommendation.

BlackBerry is initially aiming this cloud-based solution at automakers. However, ultimately, Jarvis could find use in other sectors, such as the aerospace or healthcare industries. Note that Jarvis was unveiled just a few days after BlackBerry demoed the latest update to its QNX operating system, also used in the automotive industry, at CES in Las Vegas.

Coincidentally - or not - Jarvis also happens to be the name of the artificial intelligence developed by Tony Stark in the "Iron Man" adventures (where J.A.R.V.I.S. stands for "Just A Rather Very Intelligent System").


Volvo launches locally-assembled XC90 T8 Twin Engine

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia, while celebrating its 50th anniversary, launched its locally-assembled XC90 T8 Twin Engine sports utility vehicle (SUV) and became the pioneer car company to roll out the first Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to be assembled on Malaysian soil.

The SUV rolls out of the Volvo Car Manufacturing Malaysia plant in Shah Alam, which was once known as Swedish Motor Assemblies that produced the 144S five decades ago and comes priced at RM404,888 on-the-road with GST without insurance and comes along with a five-year warranty and five exterior colours of Ice White, Onyx Black, Saville Grey, Twilight Bronze and Bright Silver.

There are no omissions from the fully-imported XC90 in terms of trim, finish, equipment and size which means it still has a wheelbase of 2,984mm, measures 4,950mm-long, 2,140mm-wide and 1,776mm-tall, while rolling on 20-inch wheels with 275/45 series tyres.

Under the hood, there’s still 2.0-litre (1,969cc) turbocharged and supercharged aluminium engine producing 320hp at 5,700rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2,200 to 5,400rpm that’s managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission before reaching the front wheels.

An electric motor with a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery (fully charged in 3.5 hours via a 240 Volt supply with a 10 ampere fuse.

The motor produces 87hp at 7,000rpm and 240Nm of torque from 0 to 3,000rpm supplements the petrol engine, which brings the XC90’s combined output to 407hp and 640Nm of torque and can be operated on pure electric mode at the push of a button for up to 43km without taking a sip from its 50-litre fuel tank.

In terms of performance, it’ll get up to 100kph from standstill in 5.6 seconds and onwards to a limited top speed of 230kph, while fuel efficiency has been rated at 2.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle and emits just 49g of CO2 per kilometre.

The 2,343kg (kerb) SUV has a drag coefficient of 0.33 to cut through the wind, while the electroically controlled five-mode air-suspension for its front double wishbone and rear integral axle takes care of pitch, roll, bumps and undulations from the road.

It also gets equipped with a distinctive T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” for its daytime running lights, a tablet-like touch screen control console, voice control, digital instrument cluster, heads-up display and access to cloud-based applications via an all-new in-car button-free control system.

The interior gets four-zone climate controls, CleanZone air purification system, Nappa leather seats, powered front seats with memory, panoramic roof, hand-crafted wood accents, crystal glass gear lever from Swedish glassmaker Orrefors as well as diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control.

Other than the usual safety equipment such as seven airbags, antilock braking system, electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assistance, the XC90 gets fitted with ‘run-off road protection package’ that tightens the safety belts to hold passengers in place should the vehicle find itself airborne after veering off the road.

Also, an ‘auto brake at intersection’ capability has been added, which automatically applies the brakes if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car and is similar to the City Safety system which also engages the auto brake function if it detects that the SUV (during day or night time) will collide with a vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian at the front of the car.

Last but not least, it the XC90 comes with adaptive cruise control with pilot assist, 360-degree surround view and park assist pilot. blind spot information, rear collision warning, distance alert, lane keeping aid, driver alert control, and road sign information.

“To date, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine is the most technologically-advanced model ever developed by Volvo Cars. It features a class-leading plug-in hybrid electric powertrain, several world-first safety innovations, and intelligent driver-assist technologies,” said Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland.