Car or bus? How the pandemic is changing our mobility preferences

                HANOVER: Even well after the pandemic subsides, people are still likely to go by car rather than bus, train or sharing services, according to an international survey that shows cars regaining their status as the preferred mode of transport.

Participants in the survey said their own car is likely to remain the preferred means of transport for them even after the pandemic, while public transport and ride-sharing services being less accepted.

Some 2,600 consumers in the US, China and Germany told pollsters from the consultancy PwC Strategy that when it comes to the daily commute, individual mobility would still be increasingly important, even after pandemic restrictions are lifted.

In Germany, some 31 per cent of respondents said they would use their cars more often than in the past. Nothing will change for 45 per cent of those polled, while 24 per cent said they would scale back the use of their cars.

As the pandemic rages on, some are mulling alternative transport options, with 33 per cent of respondents considering cycling, and 32 per cent opting to walk.

Some 64 per cent of respondents said they were less willing to take public transport, however. Willingness to use cabs and services such as Uber was down 76 per cent, car-sharing services by 77 per cent and other sharing services down by 79 per cent.

People in the US and China felt the same way - and said they were even more likely to use cars in the future than respondents in Germany.

In China, though, people still felt they would be more willing to use car-sharing services.

It's too early to say that the pandemic will change everything, according to Christoph Stuermer, an industry expert at PwC. But the pandemic will have an impact on people's mobility choices, he added.

One big reason for that is fear of infection from sharing a space with other passengers.

More than half of German respondents said basically they were open to using public transport but that it would need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly or fares should be reduced.

Respondents in the US and China felt the same way - willing to opt for public transport under the same conditions.

The trouble is that this reduced preparedness to take local public transport because of the virus could lead to higher carbon emissions, environmentalists say.

And some are thinking of buying a new car - 21 per cent of respondents in Germany, 44 per cent in the US and 76 per cent in China.

There was great interest in subscription models in China, with 65 per cent willing to consider this, compared to only 8 per cent in Germany.

The consultants also polled people on technology trends such as electric mobility, networking and autonomous driving.

Only in China - especially among younger people - are electric or hybrid engines the most popular type of drive.

In Germany and particularly in the US, petrol and diesel engines are still the most popular.

Everybody wanted more internet in their cars, however, partly due to increased demand for digital services amid the pandemic. So far, though, consumers have been reluctant to spend much money in this area.

When it comes to autonomous driving, Chinese customers were more open to this than Germans and Americans - but the latter said maybe, if the technology associated with risks is limited to low speeds.

Overall, autonomous driving tech is developing much more slowly than many manufacturers expected.


Proton kicks off its first promo for 2016, chance to win Suprima S

SUBANG JAYA: Proton has launched a nationwide promotional campaign offering a Suprima S as the top prize in a "Test Drive & Win" contest.

The ìItís in the driveî campaign from Jan 23 to March 31 marks the start of nationwide roadshows by its distribution arm, Proton Edar, at selected public locations and shopping centres. The first roadshow was held over the weekend at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam.

The contest also offers participants a chance to win weekly prizes, which include a 42î LCD TV, mobile phones and iPad minis worth a total of RM150,000. The top prize is open to customers who have booked their car during this campaign.

To boost car sales during the campaign, Proton is offering a 2.8% interest rate for all cars and a graduate scheme with monthly instalments from RM258 a month. Proton owners who wish to replace or buy another Proton will get a rebate of up to RM3,000.

For the Chinese New Year season, Proton is offering a free 30-point safety inspection and cheaper prices for service packages. Customers are eligible for 30% off all Proton merchandise during the campaign period.

For details, go to the Proton site.


June 6 to 12: Fuel prices up again


Maserati unveils Levante Trofeo and GTS with new Tricolore livery

                ROME: The Maserati Levante Trofeo and GTS, equipped with the powerful V8 engine, are the stars of the renewal project, and are now displaying a very special livery dedicated to Italy.

A "Tricolore" band of green, white and red stripes, applied by the skilled operatives of the Modena Plant’s Paint Shop, run over the bonnet and on the roof of the car, underlining its "Made in Italy" excellence.

From July, five cars – three Levante Trofeo and two Levante GTS - with this special Italian livery will be on display in the main cities of within Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA market).

Subsequently, the livery will be available on all models of the current Maserati range in all international markets.

The Levante - named after the wind that blows across the Mediterranean is Maserati's first performance sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The GTS variant features a more potent 3.8-litre (3,798cc) twin-turbo 90-degree V8 engine that's been sourced from Ferrari - producing 530PS at 6,250rpm and 730Nm of torque from 2,500 to 5,000rpm.

With an eight-speed automatic, the 2,170kg (kerb) GTS is able to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 4.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 291kph.

The Levante Trofeo is the more potent variant of this Italian SUV with the same Ferrari-sourced engine producing 603PS at 6,250rpm and 730Nm of torque from 2,500 to 5,000rpm.

Sprinting from 0 to 100kph takes 3.9 seconds and top speed now resides at 304kh - thanks to an eight-speed ZF gearbox and the Q4 all-wheel-drive system with a limited-slip differential (LSD).


Tesla Model Y SUV likely to be made in Fremont, says Musk

                SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk said that Tesla Inc.’s current "default plan” is to produce the Model Y sport utility vehicle at its sole auto plant in Fremont, California.

The electric automaker makes the Model S, Model X and Model 3 in Fremont, but produces battery packs and drive units at its gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. It has been weighing the pros and cons of each location, including space constraints and labour costs due to the Bay Area’s high cost of living.

Musk made the remarks during "Ride the Lightning,” an hour-long podcast hosted by Model 3 owner Ryan McCaffrey. The company’s website says that Model Y production is expected to begin in late 2020 for North America, and in early 2021 for Europe and China.

"Right now our default plan actually is to produce the Y at Fremont,” Musk said. "I was sceptical about whether this made sense at first but my team convinced me the fastest way to get to volume production is to do the Y at Fremont.”

Musk first unveiled the Model Y crossover SUV at an event in March that lacked the high-powered wattage of previous reveals. American consumers are increasingly ditching sedans for SUVs, and the Model Y will be made on the same platform as the Model 3.

"I intentionally didn’t go all out with the Model Y reveal because I didn’t want to convince people to buy a Y instead of a 3,” said Musk. "If everyone just decided to buy a Y instead of a 3 there would be no customers and there wouldn’t be a Y.”

The podcast was recorded on the evening of May 29 at the company’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The hour-long episode touched on Tesla’s design history and decisions, the auto industry’s progress on electrification, the push toward full autonomy, and various features on Tesla’s cars from the panoramic windshield to software updates.

Musk also spoke on the forthcoming electric pickup.

"It won’t look like a normal truck. It’s going to be pretty sci-fi,” said Musk. "It’s going to be a truck that is more capable than other trucks. It will be a better truck than an equivalent F-150 in terms of truck-like functionality. That’s the aspiration.”


Daimler lifts profit forecast as China snaps up luxury cars

                FRANKFURT: Daimler raised its profit outlook for 2020 on Friday after a record 24% jump in Chinese demand for its Mercedes-Benz cars boosted margins in the third quarter, though it warned that a spike in Covid-19 infections made forecasting hard.

Earlier this week, Daimler’s chief executive said there was anecdotal evidence that wealthy Chinese families unable to splash out on expensive European holidays during the pandemic were buying luxury goods at home instead.

Benefiting from higher prices and a fall in fixed costs, the adjusted return on sales by its Mercedes-Benz cars and vans division rose to 9.4% in the quarter ending Sept. 30 from 7% a year earlier, rebounding from minus 1.5% in the second quarter.

The German car and truck maker said it now expected full-year earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to match last year’s levels, whereas it had previously forecast a drop in earnings. In 2019, EBIT came in at 10.3 billion euros.

A spike in Covid-19 infection rates in recent days has not hit visits to its showrooms, orders or sales, the carmaker said, but it warned that its outlook was based on the assumption that conditions would continue to normalise.

Daimler shares climbed following the results and were trading 2% higher at 0900 GMT.

In the third quarter, Daimler’s adjusted EBIT rose to 3.48 billion euros (US$4.1 billion) from 3.14 billion a year earlier.

Margins recovered despite a jump in sales of less profitable plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) to 45,000 cars.

Sales of low-emission cars are expected to accelerate in the fourth quarter with deliveries in the triple-digit thousands, Daimler said, adding that the vehicles were all sold at a profit and would help it meet European emissions goals.

“We appreciate the fact the Mercedes can deliver very high margins whilst selling an increasing number of electrified vehicles. This should calm down some of the fears concerning alleged material profitability erosion from EVs,” Arndt Ellinghorst, analyst at Bernstein Research, said on Friday.

To help offset lower profits from hybrid and electric cars, Daimler cut costs, with 2,000 staff agreeing to voluntary redundancy, the carmaker said.

The company said it was also continuing to seek solutions for divisions that are losing money, such as its ride-hailing joint venture with BMW. Uber has offered more than 1 billion euros to buy it, Germany's Manager Magazin said on Wednesday.

Deliveries of Mercedes-Benz cars and vans were down 4% in the quarter as the pandemic continued to weigh on demand, prompting Daimler to reiterate that it expects overall sales and revenue in 2020 to be significantly lower than last year.

A spike in infection rates in Germany has made further predictions about the outlook “increasingly difficult”, chief financial officer Harald Wilhelm told reporters on a call to discuss the quarterly results.


Vehicle prices to drop 30% by 2018, says minister

                KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicle prices will decrease by 30 per cent by 2018, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina in a written reply said the government remained committed to gradually reduce vehicle prices by 20 to 30% as pledged in the Barisan Nasional's manifesto during the 13th general election.

"As such various measures have been taken including providing incentives and reducing excise duty for car manufacturing companies involved in local value-added automotive parts.

"The incentives provided have produced results as total price reduction (vehicle prices) recorded in 2013 was 3%, followed by seven per cent in 2014 and 2.7 % in 2015," she said.

She was replying to a question from Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who wanted the government to declare the status of the government's promise pertaining to the reduction of national car prices and toll rates as pledged during the 13th general election.

Commenting on toll rates, Azalina who is also Pengerang Member of Parliament, said since 2008 the government had begun negotiating with highway concessionaires in an effort to reduce toll rates which were a financial burden to road users.

The negotiations were aimed at finding the best mechanism in achieving a 'win-win' situation for all parties namely the government, concessionaires, investors and road users.

"Through the negotiations, we have among others, managed to postpone highway toll hike since the last eight years, from 2008 until October 14 last year, abolish toll collection, manage early closure of eight highway toll plazas and reduce toll rates which involved three highway concessionaires" she said.

In addition toll rates for highways under PLUS Malaysia Berhad and Kumpulan ANIH Berhad were restructured, certain clauses in the concession agreement were improved and the clause provided for toll revision mechanism was no longer allowed automatically, she added.


Toyota global vehicle output rises 44.3% in Aug to record for month

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today its global vehicle production grew at a record pace for the month of August, as the sector recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic and production capacity increased, mainly overseas.

The announcement offers a bit of relief for the Japanese automaker, which has been under scrutiny over whether it can stick to its annual production target of 9.7 million vehicles, even as China dials back pandemic restrictions and chip shortages are showing some signs of easing.

Vehicle production soared 44.3% in August year-on-year, the first increase since March. The world's largest automaker by sales produced 766,683 vehicles worldwide last month, above its target of around 700,000 and above year-ago output of 531,448.

Output increased mainly overseas, with domestic production up 5.6% year-on-year and overseas production jumping by 65.1% from a year ago, also a record rise for the month of August.

Toyota was able to secure more semiconductor components than anticipated primarily in Asia, a region where there is also strong demand from consumers, as chips shortage eased, a spokesperson said.

Still, Toyota said the outlook remained uncertain due to the global chips shortage and Covid-19 outbreaks.

Last week, the company said it plans to produce about 800,000 vehicles worldwide in October, about 100,000 short of its average monthly production plan, due to semiconductor shortages.

"The industry as a whole is experiencing ups and downs," said Koichi Sugimoto, a senior analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. "It doesn't mean that it's no good at all, but it doesn't mean that it is on a steady rise either. The situation is still unpredictable."

Production in the first five months of the current fiscal year that started in April is now 6.7% short of the company's initial plans, as opposed to 10.3% last month, according to Reuters calculation based on company data.

Overseas sales also hit a record for the month of August, driven by a rebound from a decline in sales last year due to coronavirus outbreaks in China and the rest of Asia.

Overseas sales rose by 8.9% in August year-on-year to 694,272 vehicles, while in Japan they fell by 25.8% to 82,775 vehicles because parts supply shortage and Covid-19 outbreaks disrupted production.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda is set to attend the US national dealers convention today in Las Vegas, marking his first in-person appearance before US dealers since the pandemic.

Toyota's US production numbers went up by 11.9% in August year-on-year, the first increase since March, thanks to increases in production capacity and the fact that shortages of semiconductors and other components forced suspensions at US factories last year.

Its US sales, on the other hand, fell 9.8% last month.


Lamborghini Centenario debuts at Goodwood 2017

                ROME: The Lamborghini Centenario made its public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the supercar class.

Going ‘up the hill’, the €1.75mil (RM8.6mil) Centenario coupe, of which only 20 examples will be made for the world, has a 0-100kph acceleration of just 2.8 seconds before arriving at a top speed of 350kph.

The V12 770hp super sports car was unveiled in 2016, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birth.

All Centenario coupé models, together with the 20 roadsters, have already been sold with first deliveries under way.

Also making its first public appearance in the UK is the V10 Lamborghini Huracán Performante, launched earlier this year and holder of the production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

It ran the ‘green hell’ with a sub-seven minute lap time of 6min and 52.01 seconds with Lamborghini test driver Marco Mapelli behind the wheel.

The next generation Lamborghini Aventador S, of which first customer deliveries have just commenced, completes the dynamic trio, all distinctive for their naturally-aspirated engine sound as they run ‘up the hill’.

With its new aerodynamic design; redeveloped chassis and suspension; increased power of 740hp; improved performance; and new driving dynamics including rear-wheel steering, the prowess of the new Aventador S is denominated in the ‘S’.

A unique configuration for the Aventador S has been created by Lamborghini’s Ad Personam department together with Lamborghini Centro Stile.

The car is displayed on Lamborghini’s stand next to Ristorante 1963.

The Lamborghini Ad Personam allows for owner customization of Lamborghini models to include virtually any external and internal color and trim, and this Ad Personam Aventador S emphasizes the sportiness of the iconic super car.

The one-off model’s exterior is in matt Grigio Acheso and accented with a matt orange livery from front bumper to rear diffuser, highlighting the car’s lines.

The full exterior carbon fibre package in gloss finish includes the roof in visible carbon fiber.

The Aventador S is finished with Dianthus wheels in gloss black, orange calipers and a matt black exhaust pipe.

The interior in Alcantara Nero Ade features seat inserts and stitching on the steering wheel in orange Arancio Leonis, reflecting the exterior colour ways.

A special plate ‘Opera Unica’ signifies the car’s unique specification.


VW picks up five awards at this year's Automotive Brand Contest

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen  (VW) dominated this year's Automotive Brand Contest by winning five awards within the automotive design segment.

The contest is the only independent, international design competition for automotive brands.

The German carmaker's ID.3 (not yet available for sale) electric vehicle was named “Best of Best” in the “Exterior Volume Brand” and “Interior Volume Brand” categories.

The new eighth-generation VW Golf, launched in late 2019, received awards in the “Exterior Volume Brand” and “Interior Volume Brand” categories.

As for the seventh model within the "ID." family, the ID. SPACE VIZZION concept car, it was deemed the winner in the "Concepts" category for its aerodynamic design and spacious interior.

The Automotive Brand Contest was established in 2011 with an interdisciplinary panel consisting of members working in media, design, industrial companies, higher education institutions and architecture.

The official awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Frankfurt, Germany in the third quarter this year.


GM unveils technology to help avoid child heatstroke deaths

                DETROIT:  This is certainly one feature irresponsible Malaysian parents could find useful.

General Motors Co said on Tuesday it will introduce a new safety system to remind drivers to check for children in the rear seats, and that it could eventually develop features to detect forgotten children.

The Detroit automaker showed off its 2017 Acadia SUV that includes what it says is an industry-first feature that will alert drivers who had opened the back door at the start of a trip to check the back seat once they get to their destination.

"Too many children are inadvertently left behind in vehicles, often with tragic results. It's hard to fathom but it does happen, leading to dozens of fatal heatstrokes in children under 14 every year," said GM product planning chief Mark Reuss.

The system "does not detect the presence of a child in the back seat but as a simple extra reminder to look in the rear seat on the way out of the vehicle regardless of what may be there," Reuss said.

He also said that the Acadia is one of the most popular GM vehicles for buyers with children.

While the new GM system won't be able to sense if a child has been left behind, Reuss said GM could eventually add that capability.

Reuss said GM "has some pretty sophisticated anti-theft motion deterrent systems" and it is possible the automaker could add technologies to detect a child left in a parked vehicle.

The move comes as GM looks to bolster its safety reputation after it recalled a record-setting 30.4 million vehicles in 2014 in North America. GM paid a US$900 million US Justice Department fine in September to end an investigation into ignition switch defects linked to 124 deaths and 275 injuries.

In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has no plans to require automakers to add in-vehicle technology that would alert those who leave young children behind in hot cars.

NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind said in July that if automakers "develop (systems), and they work, and they’re effective, we don’t need to get into it."

Between 1998 and 2014, there were an average of 38 US deaths a year in hot cars, according to San Jose State University.

Around half were children accidentally left in hot cars, 29 percent were children playing in unattended cars and 18 percent were intentionally left behind. That means a technological fix would likely address only about half of the total deaths.


A small miracle: Mazda's first passenger car, the R360, turns 60

                FRANKFURT: Japanese car maker Mazda released its first car 60 years ago. Travel in the R360 today and you'll fell like a midget among giants. Yet this simple small car is not to be so easily dismissed. In its day it was both unconventional and successful.

As a company, Mazda has been around since 1920, but it started out as a cork maker before moving into machine parts, motorcycles, and auto rickshaws.

After the war it started making three-wheeled trucks and vans, and then in 1960 produced its first passenger car, the R360.

The R360 belonged to Japan's class of kei cars, lightweight small cars aimed at making driving affordable for the masses. Radically limited in size and engine displacement, the kei cars were cheaper to tax.

Even with these limitations, the R360 was cleverly designed and broke many conventions. Just 2.98 metres long and 1.29 metres wide, the two-door car still managed to offer four seats.

The bonnet, tailgate and seat frames were made of light metal, the windscreen of acrylic rather than glass. The vehicle body was a frameless monocoque and many of the engine parts were made of magnesium.

These weight-saving measures meant that the car weighed just 380 kilos.

However, the car was hopelessly underpowered even by the standards of the day. The two-cylinder engine had a power output of just 12 kW / 16 HP and with a top speed of just 85 km/h, the car wasn't really suited for anything beyond city driving.

Even so, the car was a big success for Mazda, achieving a market share of 60 per cent in the kei class, according to company spokesperson Jochen Muenzinger. Around 65,000 R360s had been built by 1969.

The quirky little car that Mazda started out with is largely forgotten today, but it still has its fans such as Walter Frey and his two sons Joachim and Markus. Together they run Europe's only Mazda museum in Augsburg, Germany.

They imported an R360 from Australia in pre-internet days and it finally reached Germany after numerous incidents and detours along the way.

The Freys lovingly restored the car and believe it is probably the only one of its kind in Europe today. As well as that, it's still road-worthy.

Travelling in one today is a slightly unsettling experience as every other vehicle on the road is so much larger.

The little coupe can feel like a toy car as you work the tiny pedals, somehow steer with your knees up against the steering wheel, and try not to break off the spindly gear lever when changing gears.

Looking out the windscreen, even a Smart microcar seems as threatening as a luxury SUV and if you find yourself in between two trucks it's hard not to feel anxious.

As common at home as Fiat 500s used to be in Italy, outside Japan the R360 has always been an exotic. Only die-hard fans know the car and spare parts are hard to source today. The driving experience is also something of an acquired taste.

As Joachim Frey says, “What good is it if you catch everyone's eyes at a classic car meeting, but always arrive last and are overlooked in the parking lot?"


German Chancellor rules out autobahn speed limit to mitigate crises

                BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled out the introduction of a speed limit on the country's motorways to tackle the energy and climate crises - a controversial topic in the country housing Europe's largest car industry.

"This government has not agreed on that and that is why it is not coming," Scholz said on public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, in a question-and-answer session with members of the public.

The Social Democrat heads up a government coalition with the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats.

Asked about things Scholz would personally do to support the fight against climate change, the chancellor said: "That's a question that always makes me a little uncomfortable."

Although he had deliberately chosen an electricity supplier that provided him with CO2-neutral electricity, his carbon footprint as a leader required to travel the world was "terrible," Scholz said.

"And I don't think I should beat about the bush and pretend that I am really someone who is very exemplary when it comes to CO2 emissions," he said.

Germany is famous for its speed-limit-free autobahns.

Experts say that a speed limit of 130kph would significantly reduce the country's carbon emissions as well as vastly reducing reliance on Russian energy imports.


Toyota Vios Challenge 2018 race series (Kuala Terengganu) Round 1 - Day 1

                KUALA TERENGGANU: Against the backdrop of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, Round 1 of the second season of the Toyota Vios Challenge got off to a dramatic start around the 1.65km street circuit during the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival.

In the Promotional Class, it was actress Diana Danielle (15) who had an uncontested Race 1 session after qualifying in pole position to take her first chequered flag after 20 laps with a fastest lap time of 1min 18.963sec and a total time of 30min 35.617sec.

The actress finished 2.412 seconds ahead of compatriot Akim Ahmad (46) in second and was followed by Janna Nick (18), who started ninth on the grid, to finish ecstatically 4.305sec after the leader in third.

Although qualifying in second, television host Nabil Ahmad’s (83) race ended on the 17th lap when he carried too much speed and understeered hard into the wall.

The Sporting Class saw beatboxer Shawn Lee (6) tasting his first win after getting promoted from the Promotional Class - together with Shukri Yahaya (24), who qualified in second, but hit the wall four corners into the first lap and lost a wheel.

Shukri managed to limp the car back to the pits to rejoin the race two laps down and subsequently finished last.

Shawn crossed the finish line after 28min 29.308sec to complete the full 22 laps with a fastest lap time of 1min 16.759sec, as Brendon Lim Boon Yew (86) arrived 8.348sec later to clinch second place with Kenneth Koh Keik Lun (28) in tow to take third place just 20.673sec behind.

As for newcomer and the category's youngest driver, 14-year old Hayden Haikal (11) managed to bring the car home in ninth, the same position he started in, after completing the full 22 laps in 29mins 40.847sec and a fastest lap of 1min 18.479sec.

The more experienced and professional Super Sporting Class had William Ho (39) clocking the 22-lap race with the fastest overall lap time of 1min 16.032sec to finish at the top after 28min 22.634sec.

He was joined by Boy Wong (21) 1.097sec later to take second place and Kenny Lee Wan Yuen (38) 2.026sec.

William, who initially qualified in second, was able to get off the line quicker at the start of the race to wrangle the lead from pole sitter Kenny.

As Kenny chased down William with the hope of regaining the lead, he was momentarily distracted by an issue concerning the overhead starting lights and subsequently slowed down in uncertainty to allow Wong by into second.

Day 2 will start with each category's top half finishers switching positions, putting Diana Danielle down in fifth position for the Promotional Class while Wany Hasrita gets the opportunity to lead the pack.

Also, Shawn Lee will be starting down in eighth position as Patrick Tam takes the lead for the Sporting Class while William Ho gets sent down to sixth place and Syafiq Ali is placed at the top for the Super Sporting Class.

The starting order of each class will also be reversed with the Super Sporting Class becoming the first category to start the races, followed by Sporting and Promotional Class categories later.


Chance to win CNY cash bonuses with Mitsubishi ASX, Outlander and Triton

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is offering cash bonuses, a contest and cash prizes to those who test drive a Mitsubishi for the Chinese New Year (CNY).

From now until Feb 14, the company is offering cash bonuses of up to RM20,000 for all variants of the mid-sized ASX sport utility vehicle (SUV), which includes the 2WD, 4WD and Adventure that are priced (on-the-road with GST) at RM119,100, RM134,300 and 123,988 respectively.

All ASX variants come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

A cash bonus of up to RM8,000 is attached to the Triton VGT Adventure X (RM126,990), VGT AT Premium (RM116,300), VGT AT GL (RM103,800), VGT MT (RM107,600) and Quest (RM77,390).

All Triton variants come with a five-year or 200,000km warranty except for the Quest which has a five-year or 100,000km warranty instead.

The larger Outlander SUV 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre SUV offers a cash bonus of up to RM4,000. The vehicle comes with a five year-unlimited mileage warranty.

An Xperience Mitsubishi contest is being held for those who test drive any Mitsubishi vehicle at any authorised showroom.

Contestants will need to take a video after the test drive to describe their experience and upload it onto their Facebook or Instagram page with the hashtag #Mitsubishi4me and ensure their account is public to stand a chance to win RM10,000.

Also, a New Year New Ride test drive campaign will find a lucky person who test drives a Mitsubishi vehicle on certain dates to stand a chance at winning a RM888 cash prize or Ralliart merchandise. Those making a booking during an event day will receive a Ralliart dry bag and CNY cash packets.

The test drives are to be erformed on:-
- Jan 27 (10.00am to 6.00pm) at Evatrend Sdn Bhd in Setapak
- Jan 28 (10.00am to 6.00pm) at Target Orion Star Sdn Bhd in Klang
- Feb 3 (10.00am to 6.00pm) at Ingress Motor Centre Puchong
- Feb 4 (10.00am to 6.00pm) at Target orion Star Sdn Bhd in Balakong
- Feb 10 (10.00am to 6.00pm) at EON Auto Mart Sdn Bhd in Glenmarie


CKD BMW X7 arrives at RM674K

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia today introduced the locally assembled variant of the X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence.

It is priced at RM673,323.61, offering a big savings of RM188,523 from the CBU unit. Price is on the road, without insurance and without Sales and Services Tax until June 30. The 740Le xDrive M Sport was launched alongside the X7 today and is priced at RM591,503.05.

Both models are the latest additions to BMW Malaysia’s extensive portfolio of locally assembled cars in Kulim, Kedah. They are also the first cars rolled out under the watch of newly appointed BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser.

The locally assembled X7 retains its bold design. The massive front with the imposing kidney grille and slender BMW Laserlight headlights lends road presence to the vehicle. The headlights can illuminate up to 600 metres ahead. The front also comes with LED fog lights and high-beam assistant.

From the side, the near-vertical shoulder line visually elongates the X7 from the front to rear – with large windows and a long flowing roofline that hints at a spacious interior. The CKD X7 gets 21-inch light alloy wheels wrapped with run-flat tyres and has a fully-electric tailgate with Comfort Access function, and two large, rectangular tailpipes.

The 7-seat  X7 is driven by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line turbocharged petrol engine producing peak power of 340hp and peak torque of 450Nm. This results in a century sprint in 6.1 seconds. Official combined fuel consumption is 9.5l/100km.

Power is directed to all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.The X7 comes standard with two-axle air suspension. Working wit the DSC system, the vehicle load registered by the air suspension sensors can be factored into braking modulation.

Like the imported variant, the locally assembled version is offered with Executive Drive Pro with active roll stabilisation.

The cabin features luxuriously looking “Crafted Clarity” handmade diamond-cut trim elements and a range of standard equipment including a sport leather steering wheel and electrically adjustable Comfort seats.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with BMW Operating System 7.0 combines the fully digital, user-configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster with an equally large central Control Display with touchscreen functionality. The X7 is also fitted with the voice-controlled BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, BMW Gesture Control and BMW Head-Up Display.

Other highlights include the Sky Lounge panoramic roof, soft-close doors, Welcome Light Carpet feature, five-zone air conditioning, BMW Digital Key, wireless charging, a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 16 speakers and electric roller blinds for side windows. The Rear Entertainment Professional system is also available for the locally assembled variant.

With backrests folded down, luggage space can be expanded up to 2,120 litres.

As is expected from a higher-end BMW model, the X7 is loaded with various electronic driving aids to make driving safer, convenient and easier.

Standard kit are Reversing Assistant and Driving Assistant that includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning and Front Collision Warning with brake intervention.

Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and all-wheel steering further enhances safety and comfort on the go.

Five colour choices are offered with selected interior complements.

Black Sapphire and Sophisto Grey come in Cognac Leather Vernasca upholstery with Black design perforations, while Phytonic Blue and Manhattan Metallic exteriors come complete with an all-Black design-perforated Leather Vernasca interior. Leather Vernasca in Coffee with Black design perforations comes exclusively with the Mineral White body colour.

“After the extensive introduction of many high-profile locally assembled vehicles in the past year – including the 218i Gran Coupé, the 330e M Sport, and the M340i xDrive – this move to localise the assembly of one of our largest models in the X range further demonstrates our longstanding confidence in Malaysia’s potential as a regional hub for the luxury automobile segment,” said de Visser.

Like the 740Le, the new X7 will show up at BMW dealerships nationwide from May 8. Online bookings will only open from May 11.

SPECIFICATIONS: CKD BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence


Anticipating heavy traffic, PLUS to activate 'smartlane' zones on NSE this weekend

                KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Bhd will be activating the "smartlane" zones for smoother traffic flow in conjunction with the end of the school holidays and the Labour Day holiday from April 29 to May 1.

PLUS chief operating officer Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said the smartlane has been regularly activated at two routes namely from the northbound Port Dickson intersection at KM259 to the Seremban intersection (KM263) and the Senai intersection (KM19) to Kulai intersection (KM27) throughout the festive period.

He said the implementation of the smartlane at the two stretches in the southern region had received positive feedback from highway users as it has helped in reducing congestion.

"Once the SmartLane is activated, highway users will be allowed to temporarily enter and utilise the emergency lane at selected areas and will be redirected back to the normal lanes to continue their journey.

"However, they must not use the road shoulder or emergency lane at other locations where no smartlane is activated,” he said in a statement today.

Additionally, Zakaria said PLUS has also identified other locations for smartlane activation, namely the northbound route from Gua Tempurung (KM306.7) to Gopeng (KM297), Slim River (KM367.3) to Sungkai (KM354.1) and Rawang (KM439.9) to Sungai Buaya (KM435.5).

However, he noted that the smartlane activation at these locations can only be implemented upon the police’s approval based on the current traffic conditions.

"The smartlane locations can be identified through special 'SmartLane' signage as well as the presence of traffic controllers stationed at the designated locations.

"Highway users are also advised to refer to the PLUS social media page via Facebook and PLUSTrafik Twitter,” he said.

The smartlane is implemented by PLUS in collaboration with the police, the Road Transport Department and the Malaysian Highway Authority.


Chevrolet parts centre opens in Shah Alam

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Quest Sdn Bhd marked another milestone with its new parts centre that was recently opened at the Chevrolet Malaysia headquarters in Shah Alam.

With a space of 10,000sq ft, Naza Quest will hold up to more than RM5.5mil worth of Chevrolet spare parts in stock comprising over 55 thousand line items.

The parts centre will cater to all existing Chevrolet owners in the country which amount around 24,000 units as at end 2014. The new parts centre is expected to shorten delivery time of parts to all Chevrolet 3S centres and spare part dealers nationwide.

With an increase in sales expected for 2015 and beyond, the centre will be able to address the concern of parts availability which will lead to greater customer confidence in the Chevrolet brand.

“With our parts sales growing between 25% and 30% in the past years and expected growth rate to sustain in the next few years, we see the need and potential for the setting-up of this new facility,” said vice president 1 of Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, Thoo Ai Wuen.

“The opening of this centre is very much in line with our intention to grow the brand and to achieve a higher level of customer satisfaction in after sales support," she added.

Also present at the launch was vice president 1, special group function, chairman’s office, Naza World Corporate Services, Chris Lee; and head of after sales, Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, Suhaini Misnan.

The parts centre is also expected to carry additional parts in the coming months as Naza Quest seek to introduce more models to enhance its current models line up in Malaysia.


WATCH: Honda designer sheds light on new interior design philosophy

                LOS ANGELES: In a video released on Monday, Honda showcased a new interior design philosophy that will shape the interior design of future Honda models. Johnathan Norman, Creative Lead for Honda Interior Design in the US, provides insight into the new philosophy behind the interior design direction.

Inspired by the classic human-centered designs of early Honda vehicles, the brand's new simplicity and "something" philosophy helps enhance the driving experience by eliminating complexity and advancing the user experience through thoughtful and pleasing design elements.

The new design philosophy features a renewed focus on Honda's classic "Man Maximum/Machine Minimum" approach that maximises cabin space, while minimising space required for mechanical components.

"Simplicity in design requires not only a strong philosophy, but a discipline towards the user experience," said Norman. "We've heard from designers working for other brands who say they were inspired by the simple, human-centered design of old Hondas. Well, so are we!"

For Honda, this means interior design is about the people inside the vehicle, leading to interiors free of visual clutter with a focus on thin pillars, a low cowl and a large greenhouse for excellent visibility, enabling the driver and occupants to see the road and the environment around them.

The "and something" is the personality and character of the design meant to invoke a positive emotional response from the driver and passengers, expressed through design details such as the careful knurling of a knob or charm of a material.

Norman notes the "simplicity" philosophy will be the design language of Honda, while the "and something" is the personality and appeal unique to each model.

"We are pursuing this design language with the new Hondas we're designing in the studio now," he said.

"It's our 'simple' approach to design with the 'and something' that will help differentiate each product and make your future Honda vehicles something you want to drive and are excited to use."


Celebrating 40 years of Audi quattro

                SINGAPORE: Exactly 40 years ago, the company with the four rings presented the Audi quattro and, in doing so, took its first step into the premium segment.

Traditional items on the event calendar include the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Classic Days at Schloss Dyck, the Eifel Rallye in Daun and Donau Classic, where the quattro models are the limelight as part of this special anniversary year.

This year's program of events will kick off at the Bremen Classic Motorshow (Jan 31 to Feb 2). The historical department within AUDI AG will also be flying the flag at the GP Ice Race (Feb 1 and 2) in Zell am See where an Audi quattro Rallye S1 will be drifted across the frozen lake.

The big starting point in the annual program is traditionally the "Techno Classica" classic vehicle show in Essen (Mar 25 to 29). Audi Tradition will be present in hall 4 of the historical automobile show, where Audi's theme this year will be "40 years of quattro – everyday all-wheel drive". The focus of this exhibition will be various former quattro models.

At the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1980, an all-wheel-drive, sporty Coupé caused a massive stir.

The Audi quattro was the first high-performance vehicle to be offered with all-wheel drive – a drive system concept which was previously only reserved for use in trucks and off-roaders.

The idea for this four-wheel-drive passenger car arose in the winter of 1976/77 during test drives for the VW Iltis off-roader which was being developed by Audi for the German army. The excellent driving characteristics of this off-road vehicle on ice and in snow led engineers to the idea of installing the all-wheel-drive system of the VW Iltis in a series-production Audi 80.

The subsequent tests were especially impressive. And the result was a sporty Audi Coupé by the name of quattro. Its 200hp of power came from a more powerful variant of the 2.2-litre five-cylinder turbo engine presented in Fall 1979.

The Audi quattro made its motorsport debut at the beginning of 1981 at the Jänner Rallye in Austria. The all-wheel-drive powerhouse from Ingolstadt revolutionized the international rally and racing scene from that point on.


Heavy traffic flow towards Klang Valley

                KUALA LUMPUR: Heavy traffic flow has been reported on major highways heading towards the Klang Valley as of 9pm today, as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday draws to an end, with no unusual congestion detected so far.

However, there was expected to be an increase in vehicles on highways by midnight following the provision of free toll on the North-South Expressway and East Coast Highway (LPT) from May 7 to 11.59 pm on May 8.

"So far, there has not been any unusual congestion but traffic flow tonight is not as heavy in comparison to vehicle movements over the past two or three days.

"However, we expect more (people) to begin their journey back to their respective homes especially heading towards the Klang Valley beginning later at midnight (due to the free toll)," said a Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman when contacted by Bernama.

He advised road users to follow the Travel Time Advisory (TTA) schedule to avoid congestion on the the highways.

Meanwhile, LLM’s Twitter feed reported 4.4km of heavy traffic northbound of the North-South Expressway at Bukit Berapit heading towards the Bukit Gantang rest and recreation (R&R) area and 12km of heavy traffic from Juro Auto City to Permatang Pauh.

Vehicle movement was also reported to be slow southbound of the North-South Expressway southbound from Bukit Berapit to Sungai Perak for 18.2km; Ipoh Utara to Ipoh Selatan (25km); Tapah to Bidor (4.5km); and from Bidor to Sungkai (26.3km).


Musk says solving Tesla Model Y production issues top priority

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk told employees the electric-car maker is having issues boosting output of its new Model Y crossover and said he’ll be walking the assembly line on a weekly basis to troubleshoot production snafus.

“We are doing reasonably well with S, X and 3, but there are production and supply chain ramp challenges with Model Y, as is always the case for new products,” Musk wrote in an internal email sent Saturday and seen by Bloomberg News.

Representatives for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Business Insider reported on the email earlier.

Musk has predicted the Model Y will eventually surpass the Model 3 sedan as Tesla’s top-volume vehicle and could outsell all current cars in the lineup combined. Tesla shares rose 7.3% on Monday to close at US$949.92, a record high.


Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV at RM348,888

                PETALING JAYA: Volvo Car Malaysia’s latest locally assembled S90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) in Inscription trim is now open for orders with a special introductory price of RM348,888 (on-the-road with GST without insurance).

Produced in Volvo Cars’ Shah Alam facility, the S90 T8 Twin Engine will complement both the V90 and S90 T6 R-Design and introduce the Inscription trim level, the most luxurious trim level available for Malaysia, to the S90 model range.

“The S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription is our expression of luxury, performance and class-leading technologies and with an absolutely competitive price, it will be the best offer within the Premium D-E Segment in Malaysia,” said Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland.

Volvo’s unique take on hybrid powertrains will see the S90 T8 Twin Engine deliver uncompromising power, handling and efficiency without sacrificing the characteristics of a premium sedan.

Stegland said Volvo’s approach to PHEVs is a totally different from what is currently available in the market; by placing the hybrid battery in the tunnel, it does not only lower the centre of gravity and improve handling, it also leaves precious cargo space in the sedan unaffected.

The T8 Twin Engine powertrain outputs a total of 407hp and 640Nm of torque is managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission which results in a 0- 100kph sprint of 4.8 seconds.

With the front wheels powered by the petrol engine and the rear wheels independently propelled by an electrical motor, power delivery will be instantaneous.

The complete specifications of the vehicle will be released during the official launch of the S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription.

The locally assembled S90 T8 Twin Engine will also follow the way of the XC90 T8 Twin Engine and will be exported to select markets in the region.

With its capability to assemble electrified Volvos, the Malaysian production plant has secured its place within Volvo’s global electrification strategy which will eventually see all Volvo models launched with some level of hybridisation.


Vietnam's VinFast earns top Asean NCAP ratings

The Lux SA2.0.
SINGAPORE: Vietnam’s first major car maker VinFast has received regional vote of confidence on three flagship car models from the Asean safety rating organisation.

Asean NCAP granted the highest safety certification of 5-stars to two of VinFast’s cars, the Lux SA2.0 SUV and the Lux A2.0 sedan, while its city car, the Fadil, was awarded a 4-star rating.

The company is projecting production of 500,000 cars per year by 2025.

“VinFast is committed to bringing world-class automotive products to local and international consumers,” said VinFast deputy general director Tran Le Phuong.

 The Lux A2.0.

“The Asean NCAP results validate VinFast’s commitment to always putting quality first as we continue to create automotive products that are innovative, affordable and safe.”

As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Vietnam has been serving mainly as an assembly location for foreign automotive brands.

VinFast said it aims to reshape the automotive industry in Vietnam by providing customers with high-quality locally made vehicles. The company is also addressing the growing demand for high-quality and affordable cars among Vietnam’s growing middle class.

 Fadil.

Vietnam’s Industrial Policy and Strategy Institute projects that domestic car sales will grow 22% annually from 2019 to 2025 — a significant development for a market that has a current 4-5% car ownership rate.

VinFast made its international debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2018. It will be the title sponsor of the first-ever Formula 1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020.


Getting under the hood of Amazon’s auto ambitions

An employee is seen in one of the corridors at the new Amazon warehouse on the outskirts of Mexico City. — Reuters
DETROIT: Amazon.com Inc is expanding its transportation prowess to do virtually everything short of building a car.

While Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has said little publicly about the company’s ambitions in the sector, the strategy is aimed at leveraging Amazon’s strengths in logistics, cloud computing and digital services together with new interests in related fields from robotics to manufacturing, according to more than two dozen people, including Amazon executives and industry executives familiar with the strategy, and a Reuters analysis of Amazon’s patent activity.

With these new investments and alliances up and down the auto supply chain - and by hiring key auto industry veterans and amassing a robust patent portfolio - Amazon is positioning itself to challenge corporate customers and partners ranging from United Parcel Service Inc to Uber Technologies Inc.

Businesses such as Amazon Web Services and Fulfillment by Amazon started as internal efforts to cut costs and improve efficiency in serving consumers, and later expanded to corporate customers. However, companies working closely with Amazon also risk losing business to the online retailer as its transportation expertise grows, according to some analysts and industry insiders.

Corporate customers “should be very scared” of Amazon’s move into the dashboard, said John Ellis, a transportation consultant and former global technologist at Ford Motor Co. As consumers pay less attention to horsepower and more to streaming content and services, he expects more consumers “won’t really care whether you’re in a Ford or a Chrysler or a Chevrolet or a BMW.”

Ned Curic, a former Toyota Motor Corp executive recruited by Amazon to oversee Alexa Auto in 2017, said in a written response to Reuters that the company is “always looking for ways to more closely integrate Amazon services if we think it’ll bring value to the customer.”

Patent push

A Reuters analysis of more than 5,000 patents granted to Amazon from December 2016 through May 2019 by the US Patent and Trademark Office indicates at least 210 of those patents cover transportation-related topics from drones to automated ground vehicles. The auto-related patent push outpaced tech rivals Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google, whose sister company Waymo is a self-driving pioneer.

Amazon was granted several patents that involve the transport of passengers, including a 2017 patent to provide an on-demand transportation service through a network of self-driving vehicles - a potential competitor to Uber, Lyft Inc and Waymo, as well as major auto customers such as Volkswagen, Ford and General Motors Co.

Patents do not always evolve into specific businesses and processes, Amazon said.

“Like many companies, we file a number of forward-looking patent applications that explore the full possibilities of new technology. Patents take multiple years to receive and do not necessarily reflect current developments to products and services,” an Amazon spokesman said in a statement.

The patent push comes with a boost in Amazon’s transportation-related investments. Since February, it has joined other major investors in providing nearly US$2 billion in funding to three high-profile startups: electric truck maker Rivian Automotive, self-driving systems developer Aurora and food delivery firm Deliveroo.

In the past two years, Amazon has built out its transportation ecosystem further with the acquisition of three startups — Dispatch, Canvas and Tapzo — while investing hundreds of millions of dollars in at least nine others, including Shuttl, an Indian company developing an app to help commuters find seats on buses.

Amazon’s business partners in the sector include automotive suppliers such as Aptiv, Panasonic Corp and Nvidia Corp, big transportation providers such as Uber and Avis, and self-driving heavy truck startups Embark and China’s TuSimple.

'Industrial cloud'

The company, through its US$33 billion Amazon Web Services unit, also is rapidly expanding its business with corporate customers, notably through two major cloud-based initiatives this year with Ford and VW.

The strategic alliance with VW, which includes German supplier Siemens AG, aims to create an “industrial cloud” to digitally connect the automaker’s far-flung manufacturing operations - 122 plants worldwide - and up to 30,000 supplier factories, according to Jonathan Allen, head of professional services in AWS’ global automotive practice.

Volkswagen in March said AWS cloud-based services, including machine learning and data analytics, would help the automaker to “increase plant efficiency and uptime, improve production flexibility and increase vehicle quality.”

AWS has been one of Amazon’s fastest-growing, highest-margin businesses and provides a platform for corporate customers - from BMW and Toyota to Avis and Formula One - to manage, analyze and in some cases monetize data.

Gavin Sherry, CEO of Ford’s Autonomic web services subsidiary, said the No. 2 US automaker can learn a lot from Amazon, which is working with Autonomic and Ford to build a cloud-based platform for the transportation industry.

“They have the relationships, credibility and know-how that we will need in order to fulfill our vision,” he said.

 The updated Amazon Alexa Plus is on display in Seattle. Amazon weaves its Alexa digital assistant into more services and devices as it unveiles new products powered by artificial intelligence. — AFPAlexa + logistics

Alexa, Amazon’s digital assistant, is taking a leading role in the company’s drive to get inside cars.

Amazon is collaborating with a number of automakers to embed Alexa in vehicles, and has made deals with GM, Ford, Volvo and Honda Motor Co Ltd to allow online orders to be delivered to owners’ cars.

“Our goal is to bring Alexa to as many vehicles as possible, either through direct integrations with automakers or through automotive accessories with Alexa built in,” Curic said.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Curic added, including “bringing Alexa to more vehicles and accessories, building new Alexa features for the car and launching our own automotive product, Echo Auto.”

Beyond Alexa Auto, much of Amazon’s focus has one clear theme: cutting the cost of transporting packages, mainly through the company’s Prime and Prime Air delivery and freight services.

It has strengthened those capabilities with the addition of Amazon delivery vans and cargo planes. Its investments in Rivian, which has designed a flexible electric truck architecture, and Aurora, which is developing a software “driver” for autonomous vehicles, point to eventual development of self-driving, electric delivery vehicles, analysts said.

Amazon, which spent more than $8 billion in shipping costs last quarter, is building out the entire logistics infrastructure through the automation of its warehouses, long-haul truck shipments and last-mile deliveries with Scout robots and aerial drones, according to public records.

Electric vehicles are also now a part of Amazon’s strategy for connecting homes to its network. Amazon is supplying home charging systems for Audi’s e-tron mid-sized electric SUV - a deal that could be a step toward managing vehicle fleets, said Roland Berger partner Stephan Keese.

Data privacy

One frequently mentioned concern - common to Amazon, Google and Apple - is the security and privacy of data collected from vehicles and their occupants.

Curic said voice data collected by Alexa from consumers is used by Amazon “to deliver and improve our services.”

Data gathered through Amazon Web Services “is absolutely secure and confidential,” said Curic. “No customer, including Amazon’s Consumer business, has access to any other AWS customer’s data.”

Allen said AWS is working with corporate customers to provide advanced data analytics and build services that could generate revenue from the data and enhance the customer experience.

“That’s going to lead to monetisation” of data by those companies, said Allen.


iPhone maker gets into electric cars via Fiat venture

The logo of Foxconn, the trading name of Hon Hai Precision Industry, is seen on top of the company's building in Taipei. — Reuters
TAIPEI: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., the main assembler of Apple Inc.’s iPhones, will establish a joint venture with Fiat Chrysler automobiles NV to develop and make electric vehicles in China.

Hon Hai and its subsidiaries will hold 50% of the venture and Fiat Chrysler the rest, the Taiwanese company said in an exchange filing. While the two companies have yet to sign a formal agreement, they plan to target the Chinese market first and consider exporting cars later.

They aim to ink the agreement in the first quarter, according to a person familiar with the matter, and Hon Hai’s Hong Kong-listed unit FIT Hon Teng will also be involved. Fiat Chrysler declined to comment beyond the filing.

Hon Hai, the primary listed vehicle for Terry Gou’s Foxconn Technology Group, seeks to diversify from its role as the assembler of a swath of the world’s electronics from Macbooks to Sony Playstations.

The company aims to employ its expertise in precision manufacturing and supply chain management to grow the automotive business to 10% of revenue in the long run, said chairman Young Liu.

"Hon Hai will be responsible for design, components and supply chain management,” he said in a text message, adding that the company will not get into car assembly.

Hon Hai and Fiat Chrysler are focusing on the Chinese market because of sheer volume, the executive said. While consumers in the country buy more electric vehicles than anywhere else in the world, sales have slumped since the government pared back subsidies amid a broader market downturn in demand.

READ MORE: Foxconn may be about to prove Elon Musk wrong

Hon Hai relies on Apple for about half of sales. Past attempts to diversify its product lines haven’t been entirely successful. The company has tried to invest in a number of electric-vehicle ventures but none has borne fruit. Hon Hai, which competes globally with the likes of Flex Ltd. and Jabil Inc., may now be counting on transferring years of consumer electronics production experience to an automotive arena that’s increasingly going high-tech.

"As autos get more and more electrified and more and more digital components replace mechanical ones — especially with EVs but also just traditional vehicles — there’s scope for a real opportunity here,” said Matthew Kanterman, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. "Vertical expertise is key in auto, and so a deal like FCA — if it proves successful — can help unlock doors for Hon Hai as that would be a strong reference account.”

While Hon Hai has limited automotive experience, it does bring enormous supply-chain understanding to the table, said Michael Dunne, chief executive officer of consultant ZoZo Go. Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk told shareholders in 2014 that Foxconn was supplying some components to the electric-vehicle pioneer.

From Fiat Chrysler’s perspective, the automaker has struggled to crack the Chinese market for years, and tightening fuel-economy standards and electric-vehicle mandates make the task even more challenging. Its market share in the world’s largest car market was less than 1% in 2018, well behind Ford Motor Co.’s 2.3% and General Motors Co.’s 13.8%.

Chief executive officer Mike Manley is trying to reboot Fiat Chrysler’s money-losing Chinese operations. He restructured the automaker’s decade-old joint venture with Guangzhou automobile Group in April, calling the shakeup an attempt to "more rapidly respond to changes in the Chinese market.”


VUHL 05RR marks world debut at Goodwood

LONDON: The Mexican super car VUHL 05RR will make its world debut at Goodwood this weekend.

The previous incarnation of the 05 wowed the crowds at the Festival of Speed two years ago with F1 racer Esteban Gutierrez at the wheel. With reduced weight and 25 percent more power under his right foot, British GP2 challenger and Manor Racing F1 reserve driver Jordan King plans to go even faster today.

Road-registered but track-focused, the VUHL 05RR comes with full carbon fibre bodywork and a hybrid aluminium-carbon monocoque to trim its already low weight by over 10 percent to 640kg dry. Its highly efficient 2.3l Ecoboost engine, with 6-speed sequential gearbox, produces 385hp, marking a gain of 100bhp over the original VUHL 05. The resulting 600bhp-per-tonne statistic is greater than the Ferrari F12 tdf, McLaren P1 and Bugatti Veyron.

Zero to 100kph arrives in 2.7 seconds and it keeps climbing to 160mph. A lowered centre of gravity of 50mm and high speed steering rack result in the ultimate race car for the road.

Jordan King said: “There’s usually a big difference between what people consider a supercar and what is a proper racing car. I’m really excited to drive the Vuhl 05RR because it has the perfect recipe: lightweight to the core, huge power-to-weight, and it looks incredible. Goodwood is going to be a tonne of fun.”

Iker Echeverria, VUHL Technical Director: “We’ve upgraded this car in every area to make it faster, more engaging and more aggressive.”

VUHL cars are sold in Britain through Bespoke Performance based in Ware, Hertfordshire.


Porsche starts 2015 with two world premieres

                DETROIT: The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS and Cayenne Turbo S are celebrating their world premieres at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

For the first time, the 911 Targa 4 GTS combines the successful GTS idea with the classic targa concept.

The new 911 Targa 4 GTS marks the 50th anniversary of the 911 Targa, with Porsche offering this very popular model in the more powerful and dynamic GTS version for the first time.

 Porsche AG chairman Matthias Muller with the 911 Targa 4 GTS, at the Detroit auto show 2015.

The 911 Targa 4 GTS has all-wheel drive and a rollover protection bar; it also delivers open-air fun with a targa top that stows fully automatically.

Contributing to a boost in dynamic performance are the 430 hp GTS engine together with the standard Sport Chrono package, PASM chassis, 20-inch wheels and a sport exhaust system.

This lets the Targa 4 GTS reach a top speed of over 300km/h with a PDK transmission, and the stopwatch records 4.3 seconds for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h.

Meanwhile, the new Cayenne Turbo S is primarily distinguished by its new engine charging concept with turbochargers integrated in the exhaust manifolds.

This increases the power of the Cayenne Turbo S to 570hp, which is 20hp more than the previous model.

The car's maximum torque was increased by 50Nm to 800Nm.

It can turn a lap of the North Loop of the Nurburgring in 7:59.74 minutes.

The Cayenne sets a new record for SUVs here, and it also proves that every Porsche is a genuine sports car – even in this vehicle segment.

The Cayenne Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds – which is 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model.

Its top speed is now 284 km/h.

Its standard Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB) include 420 mm front brake discs and, for the first time, ten-piston calipers.

The active roll stabilization system, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) proactively reduces side tilt when driving through curves early on.

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) increases dynamic handling and stability by making specific brake interventions at the right or left rear wheel – this noticeably improves steering into curves and steering precision.

The active hang-on all-wheel drive system Porsche Traction Management (PTM) permanently drives the rear wheels while offering fully variable power distribution to the front wheels.

Standard features of the Cayenne Turbo S reflect the top level of this model.

They include 21-inch wheels in distinctive 911 Turbo design with black painted edges, LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), full-leather interior with Porsche logo embossed on all head restraints as well as interior carbon accents.
 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.


European car sales up 9% in April, VW returns to growth

                BRUSSELS: European car sales rose 9 percent in April, industry data showed on Friday, with nearly all auto manufacturers recording sales increases and Volkswagen's namesake brand back to growth despite its diesel emissions scandal.

New passenger car registrations in the European Union and European Free Trade Association increased to 1.3 million vehicles last month, according to the Brussels-based Association of European Carmakers (ACEA).

"The EU passenger car market posted strong results again, marking the 32nd consecutive month of growth," the industry group said in a statement.

"This is the highest result in volume terms since April 2008, just before the economic crisis hit the automotive industry."

European car sales returned to annual growth in 2014 after a six-year slump during which registrations fell to their lowest in decades. Demand has been growing each month since as an improvement in consumer confidence, retail incentives and new product launches lured customers back to the showrooms.

Last month's growth was mainly driven by German carmakers Daimler and BMW, rising 21.6 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively, thanks to the popularity of their Mercedes and MINI brands, and by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Registrations from the FCA stable jumped 13.6 percent, boosted by strong sales of Jeeps, with European registrations of the SUV brand rising 21.8 percent in April.

Overall group sales at Volkswagen, Europe's biggest carmaker, rose 5.3 percent and demand for its core brand was back in growth, rising 2.6 percent in April after dipping 1.6 percent the previous month.

However, the group's market share in the region slipped to 25.4 percent from 26.2 percent as it continued to pay the price of its diesel emissions test-rigging scandal.

Other mass market brands grew, but at a single-digit rate, with deliveries from France's PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault up 5.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, and those from US group Ford rising 4 percent.

Registrations from the Opel Group, the European division of General Motors, grew 6.6 percent.

All five major national markets recorded sales increases last month, led by Spain, where registrations jumped 21.2 percent, followed by Italy, where sales were up 11.5 percent.

In the first four months of the year, European registrations increased 8.3 percent to 5.25 million vehicles, ACEA added.


IGEM 2016 shows green technology pays

                KUALA LUMPUR: The 7th International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2016), which was held from Oct 5-8 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, proved to be a record-breaking event as it generated RM2.2bil in business leads.

IGEM 2016 was organised by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) and co-organised by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) - the organisation charged with the development and promotion of green technology as a strategic engine for socio-economic growth in Malaysia.

“IGEM 2016 has been the most succesful IGEM yet. Despite current global economic uncertainties, it is encouraging to see companies prioritising investment in green technology.

"IGEM 2016 also played a critical role in forging strategic partnerships, sharing industry knowledge and cultivating greater awareness on the importance of adopting green technology,” said Group Chief Executive Officer of GreenTech Malaysia, Ahmad Hadri Haris.

 (From left) Green Catalyst vice president Mohamed Azrin Mohamed Ali, Ahmad, BMW Group Malaysia head of corporate communication Sashi Ambi, BMW Group Malaysia head of aftersales, Stefan Sloboda and BMW Group Malaysia head of marketing, Natasha Karim at the signing ceremony of the 7th International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM). The agreement marked BMW Group Malaysia and GreenTech Malaysia’s official partnership that offers the carmaker’s new plug-in hybrid vehicle customers in the country the access to the ChargeNow mobility services via the ChargEV platform. -Filepic

IGEM 2016 also cemented its position as ASEAN’s largest green technology business and innovation platform.

GreenTech Malaysia also forged six partnerships worth over an estimated RM130mil during IGEM 2016 with BMW Malaysia, Petronas Dagangan Berhad and the organiser of the International Electric Vehicle Expo, Asia School of Business, Malaysian Mensa Society and a memorandum of understanding with the Johor Port Authority (JPA).

“In realising the success of IGEM 2016, GreenTech Malaysia has various parties to thank including KeTTHA, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as well as our friends from the media,” said Ahmad during GreenTech Malaysia’s Media Appreciation Brunch event held at TPC Kuala Lumpur recently.

It was also announced that IGEM 2017 will be held between Oct 11 to 13, 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

For more information or to register your interest for IGEM 2017, visit www.igem.my.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia announces record sales for 2017

                PUCHONG: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) scored another record year in 2017 by achieving an all-time high sales record of 12,045 vehicles sold, which translates into an overall 2.3% growth compared to 2016.

“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia enjoyed a remarkable year in 2017 as a result of our customer centric strategy. We’re very proud of our achievements in 2017.

"Moving into 2018, we are confident of the growth potential in the Malaysian automotive market and will continue to invest substantially in developing key areas including talent, technology, production and service.

“This is the strategy behind maintaining our position as the No. 1 premium brand in Malaysia,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.

“We are delighted to have delivered a record-breaking 12,045 Mercedes-Benz Cars to customers in Malaysia and by this confirming our position as the leading premium brand. Our locally produced vehicles, especially the new E-Class and the GLC have been our growth drivers.

 Dr Weidner (third from left), together with (from left) Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, Managing Director, Mike Ponnaz; Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, After Sales, Heinrich Schromm; and Raine, at the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia 2017 full year performance press conference.

"We are thankful that our customers have put their confidence in our premium products. With our innovative mobility solutions, digitalisation initiatives as well as upcoming product highlights, we are confident of continuing on this success path,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Sales & Marketing, Vice President, Mark Raine.

For FY2017, MBM’s sales was driven by the locally produced limousines which recorded 7,041 units sold.

This was followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz SUVs with 2,599 units sold, spurred by the introduction of the locally produced Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and GLC 250. Growth within this segment is expected to continue.

The Mercedes-Benz compact cars recorded a total of 2,031 units sold, while the aspirational Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars, also known as the brand shapers, recorded a total of 374 units sold.

The exceptional demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia was achievable through the 17 product launches that excited fans throughout 2017.

One of the key highlights during the year included celebrating 50 years with AMG.

MBM marked the celebration by launching six new 43 series models namely, the Mercedes-Benz E 43 4MATIC, SLC 43, C 43 4MATIC, C 43 4MATIC Coupe, GLC 43 4MATIC, GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe and later, the AMG GT R.

 Nicol posing with an AMG GLA 45 during a driving experience in Sepang last year.

Meanwhile, Datuk Nicol David joins the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia family as a passionate enthusiast of Mercedes-Benz cars and lifestyle.

With her sporting success, excellence in her field, commendable social engagement, charismatic personality and unassailable determination, David perfectly represents the values upheld by Mercedes-Benz, indeed the foundation of the brand and all it stands for.

“I am excited to be collaborating with Mercedes-Benz as a brand ambassador. The values of the brand mirror my own, I accept nothing but the best of myself and always strive for excellence without compromise.

"The Mercedes-Benz GLA has to be my favourite, being the perfect combination of practical, dynamic and great to look at. It’s perfect for my active lifestyle and can take all my squash gear with ease, not to mention convenient for zipping through the city,” said David.


Subaru spins a record with BRZ

                BIRMINGHAM: Subaru has proven the agility and precision handling of its rear-wheel drive BRZ sportscar by securing the Guinness World Record for the ‘Tightest 360° spin’.

The record was secured at the Autosport International Show here over the weekend, with the BRZ driven by former world record holder Alastair Moffat.

In order for Moffat to have full control over the car throughout the manoeuvre, the traction control was switched off and ABS disengaged. He was keen to try the attempt in the BRZ, given its combination of lightweight, rear wheel drive and highly controllable chassis.

“The Subaru BRZ was the perfect car in which to do it; light, highly manoeuvrable and easy to control. It’s great to have another record to my name”.

With rear-wheel drive and a Torsen limited slip differential fitted as standard, the BRZ is sold in Britain from £22,495 (RM141,000).

Moffatt broke the previous  2.5-metre Guinness World Record, which was achieved in 2014, by flicking the BRZ into a 360° spin between two obstacles in Autosport International’s Live Action Arena.

Moffatt has previous experience setting daring Guinness World Records, including ‘Tightest Reverse Parallel Park’ and ‘Tightest Parallel Park’, the latter established at the 2015 Autosport show.

The 4.24-metre-long Subaru BRZ is renowned for its low centre of gravity – lower than many high-end supercars – and naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre ‘Boxer’ engine, making the BRZ one of the most exciting and engaging cars on the road


GoCar now available at 100 Shell stations

                KUALA LUMPUR: GoCar Malaysia, the local car-sharing platform, has announced that its service is now available at 100 Shell stations across Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang.

Both companies also announced that they will be rewarding its customers from Oct 16 to Dec 15 with a 50% discount off GoCar bookings (capped at RM30 with a minimum spend of RM5 for all items excluding Touch 'n Go reload, mobile reload and tobacco).

Additionally, customers can redeem one can of Coca-Cola at RM1.50 upon picking up a GoCar at a Shell station.

Meanwhile, GoCar customers will have the convenience of fuelling up as well as access to food and beverages within the station's Shell Select store.

GoCar's fleet consists of sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles as well as pickup trucks.

Customers who book a GoCar via the app can appreciate the convenience of vehicle maintenance and basic insurance included in the rates.

The GoCar app can be downloaded via App Store (for iOS users) or Google Play Store (for Android users).

"Through this partnership, we can provide further convenience to our users, who can now enjoy the offering at Shell stations - from the quality fuels to the food and beverages," said GoCar Malaysia CEO Alan Cheah.

 Cheah at the event.

For more information on the promotion and the list of Shell stations with GoCar service, log on to http://bit.ly/gocar-shell-partnership.


Volkswagen Vento launched - VIDEO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Malaysia has unveiled the Vento (wind in Italian and Portugese) sedan, effectively the Polo Sedan's replacement, and now comes priced from RM80,655 (on-the-road without insurance).

The locally-assembled Vento is availble in three trims - the entry-level Trendline (RM80,655), mid-range Comfortline (RM87,655) and the range-topping Highline (RM94,620), along with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage and a RM2,000 rebate for the first 500 customers.

After deciding to have the Vento in Candy White, Flash Red, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel Grey or Deep Black, there are two engine choices to pick from to power the front wheels.

Both Trendline and Comfortline get a familiar 1.6-litre (1,598cc) multi-point injection engine producing 105PS at 5,250rpm and 153Nm of torque at 3,800rpm while mated to a six-speed automatic, whereas the Highline gets a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox mated to the more potent 1.2-litre (1,197cc) turbocharged TSI engine with 105PS at 5,000rpm and 175Nm (23Nm more) from 1,550 to 4,100rpm.

Dimensionally, the Vento and its 454-litre boot hasn't changed from its predecessor - the Polo Sedan, at 4,384mm-long, 1,699mm-wide and 1,465mm-tall.

While rolling on 15-inch 'Riverside" wheels with 185/60 series tyres that partially hide the front disc and rear drum brakes, the Vento's hood, grille, front bumper, fog lamps and rear light-cluster have received a redesign. Additionally, its VW-badge has been repositioned lower, while chrome accents have been placed on the boot lid, grille.

As standard, the Vento Trendline comes with a urethane steering wheel for the speed senstive electronic power steering system, halogen headlight, 'Clouds' fabric seat upholstery, intelligent crash response system and a four-speaker 220G sound system with USB, SD Card slot and AUX-in to name a few.

In terms of safety, it gets two airbags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist, ISOFIX anchor points and anti-pinch for all four one-touch up and down power windows.

 The Vento Highline interior.

In the Comfortline, there's now four airbags, and adds on fog lamps with a chrome surround - also on the front air vent, a centre/driver arm rest, automatic climate controls, cruise control, interior chrome accents and rear air conditioning vents before wrapping the multi-function steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake lever in leather.

Also, entertainment will now come from a 320G head unit, which adds on an iPod interface and Bluetooth connectivity.

 1.2-litre TSI engine in the Vento Highline

As for the range-topping Vento Highline, it now rolls on 16-inch 'Syenit' wheels with 215/45 series tyres and its fabric seats are now in 'Cable' design, while its safety features adds on electronic stability control and hill hold control.

“We are pleased to introduce the Volkswagen Vento to the local market. As the latest Volkswagen model to be assembled locally with our partner, DRB-Hicom, the Vento plays a vital role in our strategy to making our cars more accessible and affordable to Malaysians," said Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Armin Keller.


What to look for in a car that needs to fit a pram

                BERLIN: Children, toys, shopping and pram: A decent family car will need to be able to easily handle all of this. If you're buying a car that's supposed to fit a pram, there are a few things you'll need to look out for.

There are family-friendly cars in all classes, and yet not all big cars are a good choice for families. You car should only be as big as absolutely necessary, for both cost and environmental reasons.

A familiar route with everyday situations, such as doing a shopping run, is a useful approach for the test drive. You might also consider taking the pram with you to see how easy it is stow away in practice.

If your pram is on the smaller side and folds up compactly, then you'll probably be able to fit it in the boot of a small hatchback. But if you're thinking of taking the pram with you along with luggage or lots of shopping, then this may soon get cramped.

To ensure that a large pram has room in the car, buyers should generally pay attention to certain dimensions. For example, the interior width in the boot should be at least 95cm, and 62cm for the height, according to the ADAC experts.

In addition to the volume of the boot, the height of the loading sill, which should be no more than 70cm high, is also decisive when it comes to how practical the car is for loading. Unfortunately you won't always find this measurement in the vehicle documents.


Jamie Oliver cooks up a custom SUV

                LONDON: Britain's best-known celebrity chef has commissioned Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department to build him a family 4x4 that doubles as a mobile kitchen.

And the result is a luxury Land Rover Discovery that can seat and happily feed seven even if they're fussy eaters. Land Rover has somehow managed to integrate a toaster into the driver's seat arm rest, develop butter churners and an ice cream maker that attach to and are powered by the car's wheels, as well as a rotisserie that is powered by the car's engine and can be fitted into the car's front grille.

There's a barbecue, pasta maker and gas cooktop and they've even managed to make enough space in the engine bay to fit a slow cooker alongside the motor.

"I gave Land Rover a massive challenge to create the ultimate kitchen on wheels. I dreamt big and asked for a lot, and what they've done has blown my mind," said Jamie Oliver.

"I didn't think they'd actually be able to put a slow-cooker next to the engine and an olive oil dispenser in the boot, but they did. The result is an amazing Discovery, tailored perfectly for me and the family - we love it. This unique creation means we can take our culinary adventures to the next level."

As well as gadgets and utensils, there's a dining table and work counter that slide out of the tailgate, a herb garden and spice rack mounted behind the rear window, and a cinema screen plus projector for entertaining the kids while they're waiting for their food to cook.

David Fairbairn, Head of Bespoke at SVO, said: "As a team, we never imagined we would be asked to produce wheels that churn butter so it has been great fun working alongside Jamie to bring his vision to life. He really wanted to push the boundaries of what was possible with this versatile vehicle and the team fully embraced the challenge."

And to prove that the car really can deliver, both as a family runaround and a mobile kitchen, Jamie has made a three-part series about the build process, the first instalment of which has gone live on his Youtube channel.


Updated Mazda MX-5 RF at RM260K: More power and connectivity

                SHAH ALAM: The Mazda MX-5 RF (hardtop) has been updated with better features and more power.

Imported from Japan, it is priced at RM260,354 (six-speed auto) and RM259,154 (six-speed manual) on-the-road without insurance, and comes with 5-years manufacturer warranty or 100,000km (whichever is first) as well as 5-years free maintenance or 100,000km (whichever is first) including labour, parts and lubricants.

The MX-5’s Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre engine now produces 181hp at 7,000 rpm – a 17 percent improvement – and 205Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a richer torque curve throughout the rev range.

The MX-5 aims to be quicker, more responsive and more engaging to drive.

It now receives Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard - accessible via its Mazda Connect Infotainment display.

Other upgrades include black metallic 17-inch wheels and a new telescopic steering wheel (42mm of travel).

The colour line-up includes Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Jet Black, Snowflake White Pearl, Eternal Blue, Ceramic Metallic and Artic White.


Porsche starts fast charging park using 800-volt tech at Berlin dealership

                BERLIN: The first Porsche fast charging park located at the Berlin-Adlershof Technology Park was recently connected to the grid.

Four customer parking spaces at the dealership are equipped with the Porsche charging infrastructure. Two of these spaces feature the new 800-volt charging technology developed by Porsche Engineering Services GmbH as a pioneer of the “Porsche Turbo Charging” concept.

The Porsche Taycan will be the first series-production vehicle to feature the 800-volt technology, and is due to arrive on the market in 2019.

DC fast-charging stations for electric cars normally operate at a voltage of around 400 volts. Depending on the charging power in kW, the charging time for a range of 400km is currently between 40 and 80 minutes. Increasing the voltage level to 800 volts significantly reduces the charging time to less than 20 minutes for the same range.

The spaces at Berlin-Adlershof are now available for fast charging vehicles equipped with a Combined Charging System connector.

Construction of the 800-volt charging infrastructure at the Berlin-Adlershof site was implemented as a pilot project for testing the innovative technology and gathering experience with a view to integrating a fast charging park at other Porsche Centres.

The charging park is available for charging all electric vehicles for free during normal opening hours at the Porsche Centre Berlin-Adlershof. The Porsche Centre is able to provide detailed information about the charging process.


Left lane of Federal Highway from KL to PJ to close for 15 days

                KUALA LUMPUR: The left lane of the Federal Highway from Kuala Lumpur city centre to Petaling Jaya will be closed from tomorrow until June 9 from 10pm to 6am.

Lebuhraya Duke Fasa 3 Sdn Bhd said the closure was to enable works to launch and instal temporary beams for the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway.

In a statement on Friday, it said during this period, motorists from the city centre who wish to head to Petaling Jaya, can use the remaining lanes.

The "Emergency Response Team" team from the expressway will be mobilised to monitor the situation and to ease traffic.

"The concession company, Lebuhraya Duke Fasa 3, is advising all road users to drive carefully in the areas affected by construction and to adhere to traffic officers as well as the traffic signages placed at the construction site.

"Lebuhraya Duke Fasa 3 apologises for all convenience caused to road users during the construction,” said the statement.

For further information, surf the official DUKE website at http://www.duke.com.my/ or its Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/Setiawangsa-Pantai-Expressway-DUKE-3-591351874373751/ or call DUKE hotline at 03-62513100.


China tech giant Baidu partners with Geely and Toyota

A Baidu Inc official speaking during the Baidu Developers Conference in Beijing earlier this month. — Bloomberg
BEIJING: China’s top search engine operator Baidu Inc has joined hands with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp to cooperate on areas related to artificial intelligence (AI) amid a push for self-driving cars.

Under their partnership, Geely and Toyota have joined Apollo, an autonomous driving platform by Baidu.

Baidu will provide Apollo Minibus, a software product for autonomous bus vehicles, to Toyota’s e-Palette vehicles in the future, and will work with the automaker to explore more uses of autonomous driving technologies, said Li Zhenyu, vice president of Baidu who is in charge of its intelligent driving unit.

With Geely, Baidu will cooperate in AI applications such as intelligent connectivity and smart mobility, Baidu CEO Robin Li and Geely Chairman Li Shufu said at Baidu Create 2019, a yearly gathering where the company shows its advances in AI.

Global automakers, large technology companies and startups are all engaged in self-driving efforts, but experts say it will be years before systems are ready to be rolled out.

China, the world’s largest auto market, is at the forefront of this push for automation and is keen to have its own players to compete with global leaders such as Tesla and Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google parent Alphabet.

Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, have previously announced local guidelines for self-driving tests.

Baidu already has approval to test self-driving vehicles on some city streets.


Crowdfunded crash helmet Skully crashes out

2018 Update: The Skully smart helmet has returned as the Skully Fenix AR. GasGas, boutique motorcycle brand, has acquired the rights to restart the helmet project under a new venture called Skully Technologies. It is selling the helmet in various sizes from US$1,899 (RM7,934).

SAN FRANCISCO: The Skully AR Motorcycle helmet that won tech awards, wowed the crowds at a host of motorcycle shows, and attracted millions of dollars in orders via a record-breaking Indiegogo campaign, is officially dead.

The company, founded by brothers Marcus and Mitch Weller with the goal of creating a crash helmet with an integrated rear-view camera and a head-up display for navigation and smartphone alerts was inspired by a motorcycle accident in 2011. Marcus Weller was on his bike when he looked up to double-check a road sign, and in doing so failed to see that car in front had come to a complete halt.

However, five years on, despite huge fanfare from the tech press and several demos at a host of high-profile motorcycle shows around the world, not to mention a record-breaking Indiegogo campaign that saw the company secure US$2.4mil (RM9.7mil) in advance orders — Skully officially filed for bankruptcy before shipping a single completed US$1,400 (RM5,646) helmet to even a single customer.

In an official statement the company said that it had run out of capital despite the management team's best efforts and that because it is planning to file Chapter 7, rather than Chapter 11, bankruptcy, only secured creditors will stand a good chance of getting any money back.

"Our team is devastated and deeply saddened that our valued partners, vendors, employees and customers have been negatively affected by what has transpired. We realise there are many unanswered questions and that this is a very upsetting situation. We are truly sorry," the company said.

According to thenextweb.com, a former Skully employee has claimed in a lawsuit filed here that the Weller brothers had used the Kickstarter money to fund a lavish lifestyle that included visits to strip clubs. The suit by Isabelle Faithhauer also said the brothers had used the money to buy properties, sports cars and motorcycles.

In a related development. Fusar, a company that makes Bluetooth headsets and camera systems that bikers can fit to their existing crash helmets, is offering anyone who gave Skully money for a helmet the same dollar amount of Fusar store credit.

"Where I come from, you stop to help when you see another rider go down," said Fusar CEO Ryan Shearman in an open letter to all Skully customers. "You understood the value of what they set out to build and your faith in the technology has helped change the course of the industry forever. Being a first-mover always has its costs and risks, but I hate to see that burden fall on the shoulders of customers."

The only catch is that anyone who takes Shearman up on his offer won't be able to recoup the entire US$1,400 in a single shopping spree.


Chip supply crunch likely to hit China's auto output in Q1 2021, says industry body

                BEIJING/SHANGHAI: A shortage of certain auto chips may start to have a big impact on car production at some Chinese companies in the first quarter next year, a senior industry executive said today, which may cast a shadow over the global auto sector's recovery.

Automobiles have become increasingly dependent on chips — many of them made in Europe — for everything from computer management of engines for better fuel economy to driver-assistance features such as emergency braking.

But German auto suppliers Continental, Bosch and Volkswagen, the world's largest carmaker, warned last week that a global shortage of semiconductor components could impact production in China, which has seen demand sharply rebound after bringing the Covid-19 pandemic largely under control.

Li Shaohua, deputy secretary general at the China Association of automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), told its official publication AutoReview that according to their investigation, production at some companies will have "relatively big impact" in the first three months of 2021.

But CAAM does not expect the chip supply shortage to have that too large an impact on the industry's whole year output, he said, without elaborating further on the impact on volumes or financials.

The supply shortage is caused by inadequate global investment into chip manufacturing, rising demand for chips from electronic devices, and production slowdowns in Europe and South-East Asia due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Li said.

He added that as companies in the supply chain are adding inventories of key chips and related materials and capacity of chip making is still not enough, it was inevitable that chips price will increase.

Global automotive production slowed down earlier this year due to strict lockdowns to curb the pandemic, but it has come roaring back, especially in China, as consumers prefer to travel in private vehicles than taking public transport.