Shell Malaysia dishes up more 125th anniversary collectibles

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with its 125th anniversary in Malaysia, Shell has launched a collection of limited edition Shell Heritage Canisters.

Available nationwide from Sept 18 to Oct 31, this special collection illustrates the various designs of Shell stations and pumps – from the 1920s until the 1980s.

“Shell has fuelled Malaysia’s progress, as well as the journeys of countless Malaysians on the road. We have come a long way and the designs of our stations and pumps have followed to suit changing times.

“We wanted to provide our customers a chance to bring home a small piece of our history through these limited edition collectibles. We hope the designs evoke a sense of nostalgia, and inspire Malaysians to continuously improve for the future,” said Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. retail marketing head Ben Mahmud.

The canisters are available in two sizes of mini and big. Customers who spend a minimum of RM40 on any Shell fuel are entitled to purchase the big canisters at RM12.90 each, which come with complimentary fridge magnets, while those who purchase Shell Select items worth at least RM6 or any Shell Select promotion, are entitled to purchase the mini canisters at RM7.90 each. A new design is released each week, and will be available at Shell stations nationwide while stocks last.

In addition to the canisters, a Limited Edition Shell Tanker and Helix Car Care Kit with designs depicting vintage Shell motor oil canisters are also available. For a minimum of RM40 on any Shell fuel from Oct 16 to 22, customers are entitled to buy the Limited Edition Shell Tanker at RM12.90 each, while a purchase of Shell Helix HX5 3L/4L entitles customers to purchase the Helix Car Care Kits at RM12.90 each.

With the purchase of the premium Shell Helix Ultra or HX7 (4L), customers will be entitled to get a complimentary Helix Car Care Kit, while stocks last.


NW Motors starts year-end promo of reconditioned luxury cars

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Motor Trading, now known as NW Motors, is organising a big year-end sales drive.

The “Buy Now to Save More” campaign is aimed to offer better value for money for Malaysians who are looking for luxury vehicles.

The campaign will run for three days starting today to Sunday at all NW Motors showrooms nationwide. The outlets are located in Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Juru, Seremban, Kuantan, Johor Baru and here.

As the country's top importer of reconditioned luxury vehicles with more than 40 years experience, NW Motors is also able to help customers apply for speedy loans from its in-house Naza World panel.


BMW announces new engines for Z4 roadster ahead of Paris Motor Show

                MUNICH: Just weeks after its premiere in the US, BMW's Z4 sports car is already getting four new engines, the Bavarian maker announced ahead of its trip to the Paris Motor Show.

Alongside the two-seater M40i, which is powered by a 3-litre inline 6-cylinder engine with 340hp, BMW says there'll also be Z4 30i, as well as a Z4 20i, both 2.0 litre four-pot engines with 258hp and 197hp respectively.

BMW had earlier announced that it was finally bringing back its Z4 sports car after a two year-hiatus, with the roadster seemingly undergoing a serious diet while it was away.

The new generation of the convertible is said to be almost 50kg lighter than its previous model, largely due to a redesigned roof.

A conventional soft top replaces the retractable hardtop that had been a feature on the Z4 for the past two generations, while narrow LED headlights and a greatly reduced interior space also come with the modified design.

On top of that, a head-up display, which projects information such as speed onto the windscreen, is available in the Z4 - a first for the roadster vehicle market.

The two-seater Z4 M40i, which is powered by a 3-litre inline 6-cylinder engine with 340hp, goes from 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250kph. BMW puts fuel consumption at 7.1 litres and CO2 emissions at 162 g/km.

Even the less powerful 30i and 20i models can sprint to 100kph in 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 240kph.

The BMW Z4 M40i is expected to go on sale in spring 2019, retailing for 70,000 euros (RM339,000).


Honda relocates northern hub for Takata airbag replacement scheme

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia's Northern Service Central Hub for Takata front airbag inflator replacement has been relocated to mainland Penang since Oct 20.

In the meantime, the operations of the Hub at the current location in Penang Island will end on Oct 28.

In a statement, Honda Malaysia said the relocation of the Northern Service Central Hub is to ease accessibility for affected customers, especially those who are residing in mainland Penang .

Meanwhile, the locations of the Central and Southern Service Hubs will be maintained.

All three Northern, Central and Southern Service Central Hubs will operate daily and close only during public holidays.

These Service Central Hubs are open from 8:00 am to 5:50 pm on weekdays and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.

The Hubs will operate until 31 December 2016.

Mobile Hub Extension

Honda Malaysia will continue to provide more convenience for customers by providing on-the-spot replacement activities to replace their affected Takata front airbag inflators.

Honda Malaysia is extending operations of the Mobile Hubs to selected shopping malls in the Central Region from October to December 2016.

These Mobile Hubs are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The stock availability for Takata driver front airbag inflators is at 100 per cent.

Affected customers can also replace the affected Takata driver front airbag inflators at Honda Family Road Trip venues.

Customers can log on to www.honda.com.my to find out more on the venues of the Honda Family Road Trip.

Parts for Takata passenger front airbag inflators are gradually arriving and are expected to be at 55% by end of December 2016.

Letters to notify on stock availability will be sent to affected customers and Honda Malaysia encourages customers to check the stock availability of the Takata front airbag inflators at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my.

Owners of Honda vehicles affected by the airbag inflator product recall are advised to get their vehicles checked and parts replaced at any authorized Honda dealers, Service Central Hubs or Mobile Hubs as soon as possible.

Customers of affected Honda vehicles can replace Takata driver and passenger (based on parts availability) front airbag inflators by making an appointment with any Honda authorised dealers.

Honda Malaysia also encourage customers to call the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020 to make an appointment with Service Central Hub.

Honda customers can check their vehicles recall status either by logging on to www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


Kedah police receive 30 units of Toyota Hilux

One of the police-specified Hilux that has been handed over to Kedah police. — Bernama
ALOR STAR: The Kedah police have received a fleet of 30 new Toyota Hilux GS-Cargo Single Cab 2.4 worth over RM4 million to replace the ageing vehicles they have been using.

Bukit Aman Logistic and Technology Department director Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said the vehicles are for the use of the state police.

"Overall, we receive 400 units of Toyota Hilux nationwide. Kedah has received 30 vehicles, where 28 of them are for the Kedah Contingent, and one each for the Langkawi Police Training Centre as well as the Langkawi Region One Marine Police Force Operation Base.

"The vehicles will be used in assignments such as roadblocks, transporting bodies and goods. They are also equipped with additional accessories, including digital recorder and first aid kits," he said after handing over the vehicles at the Kedah contingent police headquarters, here, on Sunday.

Of the 27,307 vehicles that are in the police fleet nationwide, 18,279 are due for replacement and would be phased out in stages, said Mazlan.


What Bentley is planning for the ultra-luxury 2021 Bentayga

                LONDON: With 20,000 units built in just five years, the Bentayga has become the most successful Bentley model to date. Now, the British exclusive carmaker is taking its off-roader to a new level of luxury.

In the second half of 2020, Bentley will roll out the 2021 Bentayga with a new design, upgraded interior and more space on the back seats.

The updates might seem unusually understated for a brand that usually conjures up images of pure excess.

But don't forget you'll still have the choice of getting a Bentayga with elite extras, and the brand has previously offered its crossover with a diamond-studded Breitling watch and screens on the backrests, not to mention plenty more ultra-luxury in the engine department.

You'll spot the new Bentayga from the outside by a larger, more angled grille and a new rear design with rear lights in the boot lid and a license plate built into the bumper.

Inside, there are, among other things, new seats that will allow up to 10 cm more legroom in the rear, a redesigned cockpit with modernized screens, more connectivity thanks to a built-in SIM card, and a wider choice of colours and veneers.

Nothing changes under the hood, however. The Bentayga starts with a four-litre V8 petrol engine with 550 horsepower that can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 4.5 seconds. The top speed is 290 kph and fuel consumption is put at 11.6 litres (265 g/km CO2).

For those who find the V8 "slow", there's also the prospect of a W12 Speed with 12-cylinder engine in the near future.

And for anyone who wants to spend as much as a quarter of a million dollars on one of these cars, they can ease their conscience by reducing their CO2 emissions with a plug-in hybrid, which will again be an option shortly after its market launch. Bentley hasn't announced prices or launch dates yet.


New Rolls-Royce Ghost in UK showrooms

                LONDON: The first new Rolls-Royce Ghosts have arrived in UK showrooms following a highly successful home-market debut.

After final inspection at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, the motor cars were dispatched to the marque’s eight home-market dealerships; Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Essex, London, Leeds and Sunningdale.

“From the creation of the first Goodwood Ghost in 2009, this less formal, more dynamic expression of the marque has drawn an entirely new generation of British entrepreneurs to Rolls-Royce.

"We are proud to bring them the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet. Ghost will continue to underpin the marque’s success in its home market by standing as the ultimate reward for the men and women who drive Britain's vibrant culture of entrepreneurship,” said Julian Jenkins, Regional Director, UK, Europe, Russia and Central Asia.

 London's landmark Shard building in the background.

The new Ghost is the result of exhaustive dialogue with the marque’s customers. Many demanded a car that rejected unnecessary branding, affectation or obtrusive technology.

In response to this, the marque’s designers immersed themselves in spaces that reflected a minimalist approach to statement design.

London played a particularly important role in defining the new Ghost’s design direction.

The capital’s landmark Shard building informed the reductive approach to aesthetic form that came to be internally known as ‘Post Opulence’.

Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winning architect Renzo Piano, the building is widely praised for its monolithic yet simple forms delivered by highly complex engineering processes.

This echoes Ghost’s design and development process, where the client requirement for simplicity was delivered.

First customer deliveries for Ghost and Ghost Extended will commence in Q4 2020.


Volvo 262 Coupé turns 40

                GOTHENBURG: Once upon a time, Volvo turned to Italians to design 'em a coupe. The Volvo 262C was the result.

The Volvo 262 Coupé sold significantly better than expected, despite costing more than twice as much as the basic model in the 200 series. Its existence was instiagted by the need at the time to cater to the United States, Volvo's biggest market.

The two-door coupé, based on the Volvo 164, debuted at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show with heavily slanting windscreen pillars and the roof lowered by 60mm. To get the car to be perceived as sleeker, the rear spare wheel pods had been removed - the remainder of the body was identical.

What really made the 262C into what it was could be found in the passenger compartment. This offered an extravagance of leather and hardwood. The seats, headrests, door sides - even the curve handles had been upholstered in leather.

When the Volvo 1800ES was discontinued in 1973, there was no natural successor to the role of top range sports model. Volvo’s CEO Pehr G. Gyllenhammar saw this as a problem. It was especially important that there was a model of this kind in Volvo’s biggest export market in the USA and a luxury coupé seemed more right at the time than another sports car.

Volvo’s chief designer Jan Wilsgaard did sketches for the shapes of the prestige car, but no clay model was ever built. Instead, he used a Volvo 164 that had been used to test new interiors. It was taken to the Italian designer Sergio Coggiola’s company in the Italian city of Turin, where the four-door body was rebuilt into a two-door body with a lower roof.

The roof was clad with vinyl and the wide C-pillar adorned with three crowns - Sweden’s heraldic national symbol. The three crowns were replaced by slightly larger ones on the production car, which is one of the very few differences between it and the prototype - except the obvious one that it was based on a 164.

The engine in the 262C was initially a 2.7 litre, 141hp V6. It was shared with all the other body versions in the 260 series and had been developed together with Peugeot and Renault. Manufacturing took place in Douvrin in France under the auspices of the Société Franco-Suédoise de Moteurs-PRV company. Volvo’s engine designation was B27E and thanks to engine blocks and cylinder heads made from aluminium, it weighed less than 150kg.

Such a niche product, built in small numbers, didn’t fit into the Volvo plant in Gothenburg. Instead, final assembly took place at the Italian Carozzeria Bertone, who also built the 264TE limo. Kits were sent to Turin where the bodies were modified, painted and assembled into finished cars. A small badge on the lower edge of the front windscreen showed that Bertone had built the car.

For the first few years, the 262 was only available in silver metallic with a black vinyl roof. From 1979, it was also available in gold metallic without a vinyl roof. That year, all saloon models in the 200 series also received a new rear with a boot that went down at the rear edge. The tail lights were also new and went around the body corners. In 1980, black and light blue metallic and silver metallic with vinyl roof was phased out. In the United States, the model was sold under the name of the Volvo Coupé from 1980.

The Volvo 264 was presented in the autumn of 1974, and two years later it was time for Volvo’s first six-cylinder estate: the 265. But that was far from the end of it - at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1977, perhaps the most unexpected model version saw the light of day.

The model year that stands out the most was also its last. In 1981, the 200 series underwent a major update with new, more slender bumpers and a new headlight set up. The B27E became a B28E as the engine gained in terms of cylinder volume and had another 14hp added to it. The new colour combination was a two-tone paint job in gold and nougat.

The aim was to manufacture 800 units per year, but expectations for demand had been set far too low. Apart from in 1977 when production started late in the year, and the final model year, production figures were more than double the forecast. When the final cars were sold in 1981, they were already considered to be collectibles. In total, 6,622 cars were built between 1977 and 1981.

It was only in 1985 that the successor to the 262C was presented, Volvo 780. The collaboration with Bertone continued, but the 780 was both designed and built in Italy.


Tesla Model S gears up for racing

                BIRMINGHAM: It was bound to happen. A race-prepared Tesla Model S, which is set to contest the Electric GT Championship, the world’s first 100% zero-emissions GT championship, was demonstrated for the first time in front of crowds in Autosport International’s Live Action Arena in Birmingham last week.

The annual Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC Arena is a popular fixture on the motorsport calendar and gave prominent billing to the EGT Championship’s Tesla Model S in the Live Action Arena, where it became the first electric-powered race car to participate.

For the race, the stock P100D interior was reduced to the bare necessities with some hardware fiddling to make the car 500kg lighter. As part of the conversion, a roll cage was added and the brakes and suspension were upgraded.

The championship, which aims to create a sustainable future to protect the next generations, was showcased opposite tyre partners Pirelli, and starred in several Live Action Arena performances until the show’s close last Sunday.

The 2011 LMP2 Le Mans 24 Hours winner and EGT Drivers’ Club’s newest member, Olivier Lombard, was at the wheel of the Model S in Thursday’s performance, giving fans a taste of what they could expect from the 778bhp/995Nm electric motor. The Tesla can sprint from 0-100kph in a Ferrari-beating 2.1s to reach a top speed of 250kph.

“Driving the EGT Model S was a lot of fun and it’s awesome to see what the future of GT racing looks like,” said Lombard.

The EGT Championship will consist of 20 international drivers, both male and female, racing for 10 professional teams in identical Tesla Model S machines equipped with the latest OMP safety equipment and running on bespoke Pirelli tyres.

EGT will visit seven classic European circuits in its inaugural season, including Paul Ricard, Barcelona, Assen and the Nürburgring, before staging three non-championship races in the Americas.


BMW 3 Series sedan gets new engine variants; many 2019 updates for other models

                MUNICH: The new BMW 3 Series sedan gets more powertrain choices from July 2019, when a straight-six petrol engine and BMW xDrive model, another three all-wheel-drive variants and a plug-in hybrid model are added to the line-up.

Spearheading the model range is the new BMW M340i xDrive sedan with a 374hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, intelligent all-wheel drive, an M Sport differential and bespoke chassis technology and which can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.

Also, intelligent all-wheel drive will be available in the 320i, 330i and 330d xDrive sedans.

 The Z4.

There will be a new 330e plug-in hybrid sedan with a four-cylinder petrol engine and electric drive unit that produces 292hp when the newly developed XtraBoost mode is engaged.

This enables the 330e sedan to reach 100 km/h from rest in 5.9 seconds, and it is also capable of a maximum electric range from 59 to 66 kilometres.

M Sport suspension will also be available for the new 3 Series sedan (with the exception of the M Sport model) from July 2019, as will Adaptive M suspension.

Meanwhille, the 5 Series range gets updated with the M550i xDrive sedan fitted with the latest updated eight-cylinder engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology, which develops 530hp plus peak torque of 750Nm.

The eight-cylinder teams up with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, intelligent all-wheel drive.

From July 2019, the BMW 8 Series Coupe and BMW 8 Series Convertible will also be offered with a new six-cylinder in-line-petrol engine developing 340 hp.

It teams up with rear-wheel drive in the new 840i coupe and convertible, and with intelligent all-wheel drive in the new 840i xDrive coupe and convertible.

As for the BMW X5, it will get a new entry-level engine in the form of a two-litre four-cylinder diesel engine fitted in the new X5 xDrive25d, which develops 231p and peak torque of 450Nm with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

This diesel engine teams up with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

There's also the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid which packs a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and an electric motor, that together generates system output of 394hp and accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 5.6 seconds.

The new X5 xDrive45e can drive up to 80km on electric power alone.

Meanwhile, the BMW X2 will come as standard from July 2019 with LED headlights and LED front foglamps.

Also, the 197hp four-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive20i will be partnered by a six-speed manual gearbox as standard from July 2019, with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission optionally available.

From summer 2019, all plug-in hybrid models will have acoustic protection for pedestrians as standard.

When driving on electric power, an unmistakable sound is produced.


Rare XL-Bentleys come up for sale after years in storage

                LONDON: Five stretched Bentley Mulliner limousines have been put up for sale by the luxury maker six years after they were delivered and went straight into storage in the United Arab Emirates.

The opulent Mulliner Mulsanne Grand Limousines were handbuilt at the Crewe factory in 2015 and have not turned a wheel since being shipped to their destination.

The British marque said interested parties can now buy the bespoke, time-capsule limos. Bentley is tight-lipped about prices but customers can expect to pay at least US$500,000 (RM2.1mil) to own one.

The headline feature is a rear cabin with four separate seats, including two rear-facing ones so that passengers in the back can talk face-to-face.

Other fine touches include micro-climate-air-conditioning, a drinks cabinet, bottle chiller and crystal champagne flutes and tumblers.

Between the two cockpit seats and the four rear seats is an electrochromic "smart glass" divider which can be switched from transparent to opaque within seconds to ensure complete privacy.

Bentley stopped making the Mulsanne in 2020, which makes the five cars special. The range-topping XL version is 1 metre longer than the standard issue and has an extra 79mm of headroom in the rear.

The cars are available in a range of colours, including red, black two-tone silver and blue. There was no word on who first ordered the machines, but the maker says the cars were never registered.


Toyota acquires Lyft's self-driving unit for US$500m

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for US$500 million, in a move that underlines the Japanese automaker’s ambitions in that technology.

The acquisition, announced today, was carried out by Woven Planet Holdings, a Toyota subsidiary that began business in January and focuses on innovations and investment in projects such as "smart cities,” robotics and automated driving.

The Woven Planet project will bring together engineers and researchers in mobility services, as well as the software and sensor assets and automated driving systems to further develop the technology, according to Toyota.

"This deal will be key in weaving together the people, resources, and infrastructure that will help us to transform the world we live in through mobility technologies that can bring about a happier, safer future for us all,” said Woven Planet Chief Executive James Kuffner.

Woven Planet and Lyft also signed commercial agreements to use the Lyft system and fleet data to speed up the commercializsation of the technology.

Toyota also said the deal will mean Woven Planet will have Tokyo, Palo Alto, California, and London as its location sites.

A centerpiece of Woven Planet is the Woven City, which held a ground-breaking ceremony in Japan recently, to build a community showcasing intelligent homes, autonomous vehicles and other mobility products, where people, including Toyota workers, will live.

"Woven Planet is driving towards its mission to combine the innovative culture of Silicon Valley with world-renowned Japanese craftsmanship to create the mobility solutions of the future,” said George Kellerman, who oversees investments at Woven Planet.

All the world’s top automakers are working on technology that makes vehicles smarter, cleaner and more connected. Lyft, founded in 2012, offers a rideshare and rental network.

Also today, Toyota announced it will work with Japanese automakers Suzuki Motor Corp., which makes small cars, Subaru Corp., Daihatsu Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. on next-generation vehicle communications devices.

Despite the economic slowdown from the coronavirus pandemic, Toyota has been relatively resilient and continues to invest in clean emissions technology, including electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrids, robotics and other innovation.

But the advent of such technology in the auto sector can be a threat to old-timers like Toyota because newcomers can emerge leaders in a totally new game.

"Who will be the economic winners in all of this? Auto companies around the world are girding themselves for the disruption ahead,” Daniel Yergin, IHS Markit Vice Chairman, wrote in a recent commentary.

"Toyota is rebranding itself as a ‘mobility company.’ Volkswagen goes farther, now billing itself as a ‘software-driven mobility provider.’ But the big beneficiaries could well be companies that don’t yet exist.”


Most advanced Nissan Navara yet previewed ahead of April 16 launch

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Nissan Navara is refreshed for 2021 and Edaran Tan Chong Motor today gave the local media a first glimpse of the new pick-up truck.

Prices and variant line-up would be revealed at its launch on April 16. Order-taking would also start then.

The two trucks on display are one of the higher trim level variants called Navara PRO-4X to highlight their more rugged, stylish and  tech-laden features.

As in the past, this model continues to be imported from Thailand.

The Navara carries on Nissan's 80 years pick-up heritage. Famously known as the "Mother Trucker" in Malaysia, the radically redesigned Navara PRO-4X comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver assisted features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara ever.

The new Navara PRO-4X comes with a distinctive and aggressive styling, with an imposing new large black front "interlock" grille with "Navara" stamped on top, black fender flares, door handles, door mirrors, roof rails and side steps accented by new 17-inch black wheels with All-Terrain Tyres.

It also takes the design up another notch with lively hints inspired by the colour of magma (orange) on the front bumper and fender flares.

A new Red Nissan wordmark on black emblem is applied to the new front grille,tailgate and wheel caps.

The Navara PRO-4X also features a segment-first all-new quad LED projector headlamps and C-shaped daytime running lights to modernise it.

From the rear, LED tail lamps with C-shaped LED signature and "Navara" stamped on the tailgate complete the new look on the outside.

Inside, the Navara PRO-4X has a significantly improved quietness, thanks to the use of noise isolation acoustic laminated glass for the front windscreen and front windows.

Additionally, the front occupants will find it more convenient and driver-oriented with a full colour 7-inch digital display(ADAD)meter, new Sporty 3-spoke Steering Leather Wheel and 8-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display, Audio with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto ready system.

Further complementing the standard Zero-Gravity Inspired Leather Front Seats, the rear seats are now even more comfortable for passengers via the new seat cushion with thigh support and curved backrest for optimal support.

Passengers can now also use the new rear armrest with built-in Cup Holders to store beverages or smartphones.

For added convenience, the Navara PRO-4X comes with 4 USB ports (3x USB-A ports and 1x USB-C port) in the cabin.

The new Navara PRO-4X features Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies create a 360-degree safety shield for the vehicle, helping to protect the driver and passengers from potential risks and delivering peace-of-mind during both work and play.

For the first time, the Navara PRO-4X features the Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) WITH Off-Road Mode, made to confirm surrounding obstacles at low speed when in four-wheel drive (4LO mode), empowering enthusiasts to take on the toughest terrains with confidence.

The Intelligent Predictive Forward Collision Warning-which monitors the second vehicle ahead as well as the vehicle directly in front to reduce the risk of multi-car accidents, and the Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking-which activates the brakes to avoid collisions, reducing the stress of driving in traffic or on busy streets, is standard on the Navara PRO-4X.

Other safety features include Intelligent Drlver Alertness; High Beam Assist; Lane Departure Warning; Blind Spot Warning Rear Cross Traffic Alert; and Intelligent Moving Object Detection.

The engine is a carryover. The high output YD25 in-line 4-cylinder DOHC Intercooler Turbo-diesel engine makes 190PS/187hp at 3,600rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. The engine is matched with a 7-speed auto transmission with manual mode.

A new electronic locking rear differential system that locks both the rear wheels so they rotate at the same speed, enables the vehicle to free itself when it is bogged down in sand or mud, or even when one wheel is off the ground in an off-road adventure.

Additionally, a new Trailer Sway Assist system helps maintain the vehicle driving direction by controlling braking force when the vehicle encounters a swaying situation while pulling a trailer.

The new rear multilink suspension with dual-rate coil springs reduces body toss motion regardless of loading condition, enhances vehicle stability, ride comfort and road handling on par with SUVs.

A strengthened rear axle and an increased truck bed volume make the Navara PRO4X the ultimate worksite and off-road partner, ready to take on more challenges while still offering abundant room and comfort.

The Navara PR0-4X is equipped with a new Tailgate Assist that helps to lighten the opening and closing of the tailgate and the new Integrated Rear Bumper Step makes bed access easier.

Moreover, the new Utili-Track Channel system with 2 channels and 4 heavy duty forged aluminium cleats that lock anywhere along the channel, is able to firmly secure even the trickiest load faster and easier.

For pick-up owners, one of the most essential qualities is payload, and the Navara PRO-4X comes with an increased payload up to 1.1 ton.

Colours available for the  Navara PRO-4X  are  Stealth Grey, Pearl White, Burning Red and Black Star.


HERE wooing app makers

                CHICAGO: HERE, the automotive industry-owned mapping and location services company is launching a new set of tools that will let any developer easily build and launch an app that needs location-specific features.

It means that if a small company or individual wants to build an on-demand delivery business or launch a ride-hailing feature, for example, they can now turn to HERE instead of Google Maps.

"Congestion, roadworks and bad addressing are a constant headache for companies operating in a complex market where every single minute makes a difference. Our new toolkit brings together a set of advanced location capabilities to help developers address these challenges and make their app stand above the rest," said Leon van de Pas, Head of Internet of Things at HERE.

If developers choose to simply use the full suite of HERE tools and host their service within the company's existing consumer app, they can literally bring their app from idea to reality in a matter of days. All of the complex calculations, from figuring out where a delivery point or a customer really is, to navigating the most efficient route and building in contingencies for traffic flows, is taken care of.

Once part of Nokia, HERE was bought by BMW, Audi and Daimler in 2015 in an attempt to put space between the auto industry and Google's mapping and location services. Over the past 18 months Intel has also come on board and the company has started developing next generation 3D maps that will be crucial for autonomous vehicles.

However, cars are just one element and the company wants to expand into all aspects of location and mobility, making connections between internet-enabled things as we enter a future of smart homes, connected cars and on-demand services.

This wider view is also why car companies from Audi and VW to BMW and Ford are starting to reposition themselves as mobility service providers as much as car builders. VW expects to have 100 million customers by 2025 that are patrons of its connected services and apps rather than VW group car drivers.

Even connected cars being built today are opening up 10 times as many potential revenues streams for carmakers than other vehicles that don't have latest-generation infotainment or web services on board.

Therefore the launch of this new developer kit should be seen as a very big first step towards this long-term goal.


New Toyota dealership opens in Rawang

                SHAH ALAM: A new Toyota dealership has sprung up in Rawang to cater in the northern part of Selangor, Rawang, and its nearby areas.

The new 3S centre offers sales and service, spare parts as well as body and paint services.

UMW Toyotsu Motors (not to be confused with distributor UMW Toyota Motor), which has been a Toyota dealer for 10 years, has invested RM34mil on a 2.5-acre of land with a built-up area of 71,000 square feet.

 Present at the opening ceremony are (from right) Chew, Ismet, Takeyama, Hattori, Yanai, Kitagawa and Nakano Group's Satoshi Hattori.

The 3S centre can display up to five vehicles at a time, while it can service up to 75 vehicles daily. A customer lounge comes with complimentary WiFi Internet facilities.

Present at the opening ceremony were Takashi Hattori of Toyota Tsusho Corporation Japan; Hitoshi Kitagawa of Toyota Tsusho Malaysia; Akio Takeyama and Datuk Ismet Suki of UMW Toyota Motor; Chew Chee Loon and Norio Yanai of UMW Toyotsu Motors.

UMW Toyota Motor has a network of 97 sales and aftersales outlets nationwide.

To send your Toyota for service at the latest outlet, call 03-6092 8252 to make an appointment.


Chevron Malaysia launches Caltex Rewards programme

                PETALING JAYA: Chevron Malaysia, the company which markets Caltex fuels and lubricants in the country, launched its Caltex Rewards loyalty programme.

The programme, available across all Caltex service stations nationwide, offers both a functional and seamless user experience regardless of whether through the company's CaltexGo mobile app, website or in-store.

The rewards available have been selected from the company's partners including Family Mart, Lotus's and Grab among others.

Points can be used to obtain fuel discounts and redemption vouchers to name a few and will be valid for a period of two years.

For the moment, new members who sign in via the mobile app or website will receive 500 welcome points (RM5) upon completing their registration.

For every litre of fuel bought, the programme will reward members with two Caltex Reward points which can be used to get discounts on fuel purchases.

Users can also look forward to a birthday bonus of 500 Caltex Reward points.

 Gilbert.

"The programme allows motorists to earn points every time they refuel regardless of the amount," said Chevron Malaysia country chairman Dean Gilbert, adding that the points can be redeemed immediately.

The CaltexGo mobile app is available for free via Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store.

For more information, log on to www.chevron.com.


Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive launched in Sarawak

PETALING JAYA: In line with the increasing demand for better quality diesel in the region, Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) extended its enhanced Petronas Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive to Sarawak, starting with Bintulu and Miri. Officiated by the Minister of Utilities, Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the new generation sulphur-free diesel, which was introduced in November last year in the Peninsular, is proven to deliver smoother drive and superior fuel economy with cleaner emission. The superior quality of the new diesel is achieved through Pro-Drive, a combination of reformulated higher quality base diesel from Petronas ’ refinery and uniquely formulated chemistries designed for today’s advance common-rail diesel engine.The Pro-Drivetechnology is made available from Petronas’ continuous learnings from its partnership with IVECO, an Italian industrial vehicle manufacturing company, to formulate a winning formula for Petronas De Rooy IVECO team competing in the Dakar Rally.The Rally is known to be the world’s toughest and most demanding off-road endurance race and the team’s victory in the 2016 edition is testament to the fuel technology that goes into the Petronas Dynamic Diesel with Pro-Drive.Petronas’ Vice President of Downstream Marketing, Datuk Seri Hj Syed Zainal Abidin said, “With this launch, we are availing the new diesel at nine selected Petronas stations in Bintulu and Miri by end of March, and are looking into increasing the availability to over 20 stations across Sarawak by this year.”Following the introduction in Sarawak, the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive is now available at selected 68 Petronas Stations including Peninsular Malaysia.For more information about the new fuel and availability, visit www.mymesra.com.my


Budget 2022: Subsidy for child car seats is to save lives, says Wee

                PETALING JAYA: The 50% subsidy for the B40 group to buy child car seats is to reduce road fatalities involving children, says the Transport Ministry.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, said the incentive, announced in Budget 2022, shows the government's concern towards safety on the roads for children.

"In 2019, 19% of road accidents in the country involved children. Of this total, some 1,276 cases ended in fatalities.

"Due to this, RM30mil has been allocated in Budget 2022 to allow 188,000 recipients from the B40 group to enjoy 50% rebate or up to RM150 incentive to buy child restraint systems (CRS).

"This rebate will definitely ease the burden of the B40 group to buy CRS and at the same time, ensure the safety of children who are the nation's future assets," said Dr Wee on Friday (Oct 29).

Dr Wee said the Transport Ministry had been allocated RM5.58bil in Budget 2022, of which RM1.527bil is for its operating expenditure and RM4.053bil for development costs.

He also praised the continuation of the MyRail5 initiative, where students and the disabled can enjoy unlimited KTM services for RM5 a month.

"This initiative will help reduce the burden of students and the disabled affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, this will encourage more people to use public transport," he said.

Dr Wee said the RM115mil allocation to implement the RM50 unlimited train and bus pass initiative, as well as RM80mil for the Stage Bus Assistance Fund, shows the government's commitment towards public transportation.

On the road tax exemption for energy efficient vehicles (EEV), Dr Wee said the move is in line with the National Transport Policy, which supports the green vehicle initiative.


Proton signs agreement to return to South African market

                SUBANG JAYA: National car maker Proton has entered into an agreement to appoint CMH Group as the distributor for Proton vehicles in South Africa.

The signing, which was held virtually, will see the first shipment of fully imported (CBU) models go on sale in September, with the Proton X50 and X70 leading the charge.

 (From left) Proton senior director of corporate strategy Yusri Yusuf, deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah, Xu and International Distribution head Lau Yit Mun.

This will be followed by the Proton Saga, which is making a return to the nation 10-years after sales ended in 2012.

Proton is confident about its sales prospects in South Africa, projecting strong sales this year, and targeting to more than double its volume in 2023.

For the first quarter of this year, total export sales have increased by 175% over the same period from 2021.

 X70.

That number is expected to increase as the company takes aim at growing export sales by more than 300% by the end of the year.

In 2010, Proton exported 29,833 units to several overseas markets.

This dwindled to only 248 units in 2017 though volumes are seeing a gradual upturn.

Last year, 3,018 Proton vehicles were sold overseas, which is more than double of the 1508 units exported in 2020.

 X50.

For 2022, the company’s International Sales Department is targeting to grow export sales exponentially and are targeting 10,000 units.

Such growth is powered by not only entering new markets but also growing assembly (KD) operations overseas.

Currently, Proton has assembly operations in Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh with Sri Lanka set to begin in the second half of 2022.

The company currently exports cars to 13 overseas markets prior to the addition of South Africa.

As a percentage of Malaysia’s overall vehicle exports, Proton’s numbers are becoming increasingly prominent.

From 12.8% of total exports in 2019, the number grew to 30.2% in 2020 and hit 60.9% in 2021, making the brand the number one vehicle exporter and showcasing how its exports continue to grow despite difficult market conditions caused by Covid-19.

Proton International Sales director Steven Xu said the company's long-term growth goals required exports to play a major role as TIV in Malaysia is expected to remain flat.

“We are exploiting the strength of our new products, our brand and even the links Malaysia has with other countries to establish a foothold in many new markets.

“This is then bolstered by establishing KD operations where possible, which also helps to grow local economies,” Xu said.

He also said Proton's model range has improved and expanded with the addition of the Proton X50 and X70, both jointly developed with partner Geely.

The sales success enjoyed in Malaysia by the X50 and X70 has been largely replicated in other markets, helping to establish the brand, and paving the way for more models to be exported.

“Our new model range offers advanced features that are on par with many competitors from other brands and in many of our markets, the X50 and Proton X70 sit near the top of their class in terms of specifications yet are sold at prices equivalent to or less than their direct rivals,” he said.


Tokyo Motor Show 2019: Mazda MX-30 all-electric crossover

                TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corporation has unveiled its MX-30, the Japanese carmaker's first mass-production electric vehicle (EV) at this year's 46th Tokyo Motor Show.

The newly-added EV to the stable is the automaker's third new-generation model that will first be unleashed upon the European market and from what they see - will be what they're getting.

There's no mention of its performance figures for this crossover as yet, but it there is mention of a 35.5kWh battery powering up the 143hp (106kW) electric motor and it will be good for up to 210km.

Additionally, the Japanese carmaker has purposefully designed the MX-30 to provide "Jinba-ittai" (horse and rider as one)  driving pleasure in order to enhance the relationship between people and cars.

Inside, the cabin is ultimately environmentally friendly with materials that include cork - sourced from unfelled trees, for the centre console tray

Also, there are recycled plastics used for the door cards as well as other recycled materials to make the interior's fabrics.

While the overall design provides for an "open" concept thanks to the B-pillars having been omitted and the inclusion of suicide doors first seen on the RX-8.

Mazda says that the driving experience from its e-SkyActiv powertrain will provide a combination of "outstanding response with smooth dynamic behaviour to achieve performance that drivers can enjoy naturally".


Skoda joins in-car voice assistant movement with launch of ‘Laura'

                PRAGUE: Long after Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri found their way into vehicles and automobile manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz started creating their own in-house renditions, Czech car company Skoda this week premiered its own digital assistant, named ‘Laura.'

Laura is set to debut in the Kamiq SUV and Scala hatchback.

This online-based voice assistant responds to "Okay, Laura" and, according to the company, "understands natural speech" — no need to follow designated command formats.

It comes as part of the brand's range-topping Amundsen infotainment system. Laura understands six languages as well as difficult dialects to make the human-software interaction more conversational. When the assistant detects that the driver or a passenger is making a command, any music or content playing over the speakers will automatically lower.

In addition to controlling elements offered with the infotainment system like navigation and music, Laura can take dictation for a text message. In the future, Skoda plans for Laura to be able to engage in "a kind of digital small talk."

Though the company has plans to expand the digital assistant to other models in their portfolio, Laura is currently only available for the Kamiq and Scala.


Toyota boss bows out on news outlet he trusts — his own

                TOKYO: When the head of Toyota announced on Thursday he would step down as CEO, Akio Toyoda opted for the news outlet he sees as the fairest source of information on the automaker's environmental record: his own.

For the last three years, the 66-year-old has built up the Toyota Times, hiring Japanese journalists and ramping up coverage of the company to counter what he sees as persistent misinformation and unfair criticism.

Streamed live on the Toyota website, Thursday's sometimes stilted broadcast underscored how Toyoda has tried to change the conversation around the company his grandfather founded and his apparent frustration at failing to do so.

The carmaker's approach has not been "understood or appreciated by those who focus on the short term", Toyoda said in a swipe at critics, before eventually turning to Lexus boss Koji Sato who will take the reins from him from April 1.

Toyoda, who will stay on as chairman, said he felt he had become "part of an older generation" when it comes to the challenge of electrification and connectivity for vehicles.

Both Toyoda and the company have come under fire for what activists and green investors see as a reluctance to embrace battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Toyota says it wants to offer a range of options on the journey to zero emissions and that hybrid technology makes more sense in markets that aren't ready for costly batteries.

It estimates a billion people don't have access to electricity to power vehicles, and is committed to selling globally.

"What I find unfortunate is that the media often thrives on conflict, setting BEVs against hybrids, for example," Toyoda said on the Toyota Times recently. "But the fact is that Toyota operates globally with a full line-up."

Traditional media

Attempts by Toyota, one of Japan's largest advertisers, to bypass traditional media are part of a global trend by large corporations, with Elon Musk dismantling Tesla's PR department in favour of communicating via social media.

Thursday's broadcast was also awkward by turns: Sato, the incoming CEO, was not introduced until nearly 25 minutes in.

A video clip showed him and Toyoda speeding around a race track and laughing as their vehicle accelerated.

After almost an hour of scripted presentations and banter, the Toyota Times host turned to questions from reporters.

While Toyoda himself has become a much more accomplished public speaker over the years, the broadcast came over as "unfriendly and self-indulgent", said Akio Yamaguchi, who runs crisis communications consultancy AccessEast.

Toyoda has increasingly appeared to eschew traditional media as the company fell out of favour with environmentalists who once lauded its green technology.

He also traced his distrust of the media to the critical coverage he faced during a vehicle recall crisis that began in 2009, just when he was taking over.

At a 2010 congressional hearing in Washington he went through a three-hour grilling by sometimes visibly irritated US lawmakers.

He remained stoic throughout, but afterwards broke into tears when speaking to dealers and employees.

He felt an "intense" loneliness and "abandoned" he recalled in a Japanese magazine interview in late 2021.

The Toyota Times also exclusively publishes the closely watched results of the company's spring wage negotiations with its union.

Other interviewers favoured by Toyoda include Matsuko Deluxe, a TV personality.

One well known actor served as editor-in-chief until an allegation of sexual assault forced the automaker to pull a major advertising campaign.

When a self-driving vehicle hit a pedestrian at the Tokyo Paralympic Games village in 2021, Toyoda took to a live feed on the Instagram page of Toyota Times to explain, where he was interviewed by one of his journalists.

Other reporters were not able to ask questions.


HondaTouch app introduced for Malaysians

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has introduced its latest digital feature - the HondaTouch application (app) that's been touted to offer feature-packed convenience.

The app, which is available for download for free via Apple App Store and Google Play Store, looks to provide added convenience for customers, dealers and the company with 10 distinct features.

The app is seen as a platform to ease an owner’s ability to access their vehicle and its information at their fingertips.

The ten distinct features include Service Appointment Booking, Service Appointment Reminder, Real-Time Service Status Tracking, Service History, and Find Your Nearest Dealer.

Through a complete dealer listing in the application, Honda owners can also directly make service appointments with their preferred dealers for added convenience.

Dealers will be alerted, and confirmation of appointments will be sent to the owners via the application.

A pop-up notification will appear on their smartphones as a reminder to the owners.

Owners can also keep tabs on all information regarding their vehicle(s) such as service appointment reminder, service status tracking and vehicle service history.

An important feature of the app is its one-stop feature for Emergency Assistance.

In the event of a breakdown or accident, owners can contact the roadside assistance service through the application for immediate assistance.

Owners will be able to receive notifications such as reminders for their insurance renewal through the app.

The app can be registered by non-Honda customers who can receive promotions, events and updates (just like an owner) from the company.

A new car pre-booking feature has been added to the app - the first digital pre-booking platform for Honda Malaysia.

This hassle-free feature enables customers to place a booking for their preferred model via the app without having to visit a dealership.

Lastly, both Honda and non-Honda customers can use the Contact Us feature in the application make inquire about their vehicle, services, promotions or any activities by Honda Malaysia.

“It is our mission to offer the best in our customer service and to achieve excellent customer satisfaction. With the new HondaTouch application, our customers can now stay connected and updated with Honda Malaysia through all ten distinct features from anywhere they are and at any time. This is the ultimate freedom and convenience of car ownership that we wish to offer our valued customers,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama.

For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my or call toll free 1-800-88-2020.


Mazda discussing ending production in Russia, says Nikkei

                TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp is discussing ending production of its vehicles at a joint venture plant in Vladivostok, eastern Russia, the Nikkei newspaper reported today.

The Japanese automaker, which sold 30,000 cars in Russia last year, said in March that exports of parts to the plant were going to end and production would cease when stocks ran out. It operates the plant with Russian automaker Sollers.

Mazda has not made a decision about ending car sales and maintenance operations in Russia, the newspaper said. There was no timeframe for stopping production at the Vladivostok plant.

A Mazda spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Mazda's rival, Toyota Motor Corp, said on Friday that it had decided to end vehicle production in Russia due to the interruption in supplies of key materials and parts.

Many factories in Russia have suspended production and furloughed workers due to shortages of high-tech equipment because of sanctions and an exodus of Western manufacturers since Moscow sent armed forces into Ukraine on Feb 24.


Porsche flags €20bil electric, software push

                STUTTGART: Porsche AG will spend more than €20 billion (RM102bil) in the coming years to equip models including its planned new Cayenne sport utility vehicle with top-line electric and digital technology to bolster returns.

The manufacturer is shifting to battery technology while making sure margins won’t sink, chief executive officer Oliver Blume said Wednesday at Porsche’s first annual general meeting since going public last year.

The company is targeting returns of more than 20% in the long term, compared with 18% last year.

The 911 maker remains Volkswagen AG’s main cash cow as efforts to improve profitability at the parent’s mass-market brands are slow to materialise.

Porsche has gained some independence from the cumbersome processes of Europe’s biggest carmaker since listing and is now implementing dozens of measures - from building its own software to developing high-performance batteries - to defend returns.

"We’re taking a fresh look at everything: from the product range and pricing to the cost structure,” Blume, who also leads VW, said in a speech.

The CEO has been critical of problems at VW’s software unit Cariad that delayed the launch of key models including Porsche’s electric Macan.

He has appointed Sajjad Khan, Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s former technology chief, to oversee the luxury-car maker’s software efforts and is pushing to hire more than 1,000 electrification and tech workers.

Porsche also struck a partnership with Mobileye Global Inc. on autonomous driving this year and took control of Cellforce, a venture that’s working on high-performance battery cells.

Since listing, Porsche has become Europe’s most valuable carmaker.

At Wednesday’s AGM, investors warned of its heavy reliance on combustion cars. While the company’s first electric car, the Taycan, has been a success, there are no plans to add a plug to the lucrative 911.

"No other German automaker has a more consistent sporty focus and thus an enormously high dependence on the internal combustion engine than Porsche,” Ingo Speich, head of sustainability and corporate governance at Deka Investment, said in a speech.

Climate activists also staged protests outside the meeting site here, criticising the brand’s role in rising CO2 emissions and founder Ferdinand Porsche’s Nazi sympathies.


Bugatti delivers first Chiron to US customer

                SAN FRANCISCO: This is the first Bugatti Chiron delivery to a US customer.

Presented to its new owner at the just-ended Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2017, the first US Chiron is an eyecatcher with its yellow and black colour scheme.

The front of the vehicle is patented in bright yellow and the rear in black “Nocturne”. The “Classique” wheels, the Bugatti horseshoe emblem and the trim part of the prominent side line are also painted yellow.

The distinctive two-tone colour scheme is continued by the full leather equipment of the interior. Yellow leather is used on the insides of the seats, the armrest on the centre console, the door trims and the C-shaped dividing line in the passenger compartment in contrast to the rest of the interior, which features “Beluga Black” leather.

The Chiron is sold in the US at nearly US$3mil (RM12.9mil).

The Chiron series is limited to 500 vehicles. More than half of the total series has already been sold worldwide.

Next to Europe, the US is a key market for the super expensive Bugattis. We are told almost 30% of all the orders received for the Chiron came from North America, which includes Canada.


British plan to ban petrol and diesel cars creeps forward to 2032

                LONDON: Britain's deadline for killing off vehicles powered by fossil fuels keeps moving earlier — and could now be just 12 years away.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Wednesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government is seeking to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2032 to meet its goal for net zero emissions by the middle of the century.

That’s three years earlier than the 2035 date Johnson announced last week, and eight years earlier than the 2040 deadline announced just two-and-a-half years ago.

"The Prime Minister last week has said we would like to do that by 2035 at the latest,” Shapps told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have said 2035 or even 2032.”

The consultation document will include an option for 2032, he said. That’s likely to fuel concerns from British automakers, who’ve already warned that the 2035 date will hamper sales. They say the new policy must come with a package of fiscal incentives, policies and investment.

Johnson’s new push includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles that accounted for more than 13,000 sales during January. Including a tripling of battery-only sales to 4,054 cars, alternative vehicles accounted for about 12% of the market during the month, the highest on record.

The government hopes the ban will drive sales of battery-powered vehicles, which will not only cut pollution but also create a market that will help attract manufacturers to Johnson’s Conservative Party manifesto pledge to build the Britain’s first battery gigafactory.


Volvo C40 Recharge scores a five-star Euro NCAP rating

                KUALA LUMPUR: Said to be slated for Volvo Car Malaysia's electric vehicle (EV) line-up, the Volvo C40 Recharge has been awarded a five-star safety rating in the 2022 Euro NCAP tests.

This stylish EV joins its siblings in the Volvo Cars line-up as one of the safest cars on the road today.

The rating continues Volvo Cars’ five-star streak in Euro NCAP testing, as all tested Volvo models on sale today received five stars in their respective Euro NCAP assessments.

The C40 Recharge scored especially well on occupant safety and driver assist systems, helped by one of the most extensive standard safety offers in its segment.

Among many other scenarios, these safety technologies help drivers detect and avoid collisions, remain in their lane and reduce the impact of accidentally running off the road.

Volvo Cars Safety Centre head Malin Ekholm said the company always aimed to be a leader in safety.

“That means we adhere to strict safety standards in all of our cars, many of which we helped establish over time. No matter which Volvo you choose, you and your loved ones will drive one of the safest cars on the market,” Ekholm said.

Launched in 2021, the C40 Recharge is Volvo Cars’ second fully electric model after the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.

In coming years, Volvo Cars plans to roll out a whole new family of pure electric cars, one of the industry’s most ambitious electrification plans.

Volvo Cars was the first established car maker to commit to all-out electrification and aims to sell only pure electric cars by 2030.

Already by 2025, it aims for half of its global volume to consist of pure electric cars.

Reflecting Volvo Cars’ ambition to be an industry leader in safety, the upcoming generation of Volvo models also aim to set new standards in safety.


China’s electric-car boom is fuelling a war for talent

                HONG KONG: This writer recently caught up with two friends who are both joining Chinese electric-vehicle makers from foreign firms — lured by the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, and fat paychecks.

That in itself is a big change from years past, when a job at a foreign-owned automaker was seen as more prestigious and better paid than domestic firms, especially as homegrown EV makers like Nio teetered on the brink of collapse in their start-up phase.

But with demand surging — EV sales are forecast to more than double to 3 million units this year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers — and the likes of Nio and Xpeng on firmer footing, joining a Chinese automaker is now seen as a good career move.

The number of jobs in the new-energy vehicle sector surged 95% in the first half of 2021 from a year earlier, and the average salary jumped almost 10% according to recruitment firm Liepin. Experts on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and smart-cockpit design are most in demand.

An offer letter circulating on Chinese social media from electronics titan Xiaomi — which is pouring $10 billion into plans to start making EVs, and recently bought self-driving startup Deepmotion — highlights what the jobs scene looks like for people with the right skills.

A snapshot of the employment contract for a senior engineer in the company’s auto unit shows an annual salary of 600,000 yuan (RM390,000) — more than five times China’s average income — and about 1 million yuan in stock options.

One, a woman in her 40s, joined a Chinese EV maker earlier this year after more than a decade at a US automaker, where she thought she would have worked until retirement.

Along with the better pay and stock options, being part of a more dynamic workplace culture and helping build a successful future for the company are providing plenty of job satisfaction, even with the extra overtime she’s been pulling, she told me.

Another, a man in his late 20s who is joining an established Chinese carmaker, doubled his pay when he made the switch. While initially reluctant to change jobs, he was also persuaded by the increased responsibilities and bigger potential the new role brings.

The change is also occurring in the C-suite. Alain Visser, a veteran of General Motors and Ford is now running Lynk & Co., which is trying to upend the traditional model of car ownership with a subscription service.

Asked about the main difference between his old jobs and his new role at the unit of Chinese auto giant Geely, Visser said it was the pace of change, and how quickly things get done.

“I dare to say, with all respect for Ford and General Motors, it was all very much the same,” he said. “The big difference at Geely for me is speed. It’s incredible.”

“The drive to make things happen, I have never seen. What it takes months to decide at other car companies I have worked for takes days at Geely. I think the speed here is insane. I don’t think I could ever go back to my previous career,” Visser said.

The feeling is the same among those switching to EV roles — adding a brain drain as yet another threat traditional automakers are facing as the shift to an electric driving future powers ahead.


Car wash operators can open for business from Feb 5

                PUTRAJAYA: Car wash services are among three business activities that have been given the green light to operate from Feb 5.

The other two are pasar malam (night market traders) and hair salons.

However, the operators and their customers must abide by strict standard operating procedure, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister (Security) said that the decision was made after discussions with health authorities and the relevant ministries and agencies.

He said the Health Ministry had evaluated the risks of allowing these businesses to resume, including determining if there were clusters that had emerged from these sectors.

"After discussing this and after finding that there were no clusters resulting from these activities, the National Security Council has agreed to allow these three activities to resume," he said today.


Say goodbye to the Mercedes-Benz taxi as vans take over

                BERLIN: It's the end of an era for taxi users in Germany and a host of other countries now that Mercedes-Benz has announced it will no longer offer the taxi version of the E-Class after the model change next year.

The ivory E-class taxis are a common sight in Germany and taxis with a three-pointed star on the bonnet have also been on the ranks for years in Portugal, Morocco and Singapore. Older W124 versions also still soldier on.

A symbol of luxury and comfort, the E-class taxi is a cut above the humdrum Dacias and Asian-made vehicles used by many cab operators.

Although the E-class taxi models are more simply-equipped versions of the private cars sold globally, many people from the United States and Asia are amazed to see the upmarket "Merc" limousine used as humble taxis.

Drivers revere the E-class for its simplicity and durability and many of the cabs rack up huge mileages.

The Stuttgart maker has written to taxi customers to announce the upcoming demise of the E-class, the German business paper Wirtschaftswoche reports. The taxi version of the B-Class is also being dropped.

The German Taxi and Rental Car Association is clearly upset and it wrote to Mercedes-Bent boss Ola Källenius to complain.

It said the deletion of the E-Class as a taxi was "catastrophic" and warned that it would "lead to a serious disruption of the relationship between the trade and Mercedes-Benz."

Demand for the taxi versions of the cars has slumped in recent years, Mercedes-Benz told the Spiegel news magazine. It would focus in future on van-based taxi products.

"Our market research has show that there is more demand for roomy, multi-functional vehicles with up to seven seats and easier passenger access," it said.

Mercedes has been supplying cars for use as taxis for 100 years and began working closely with cab operators from the 1930s, offering cheap purchase schemes and short delivery times.


Toyota in project to turn US city into a connected vehicle test environment

                DETROIT:  Toyota has teamed up with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute to turn the streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan, into the world’s largest operational, real-world deployment of connected vehicles and infrastructure.

The Ann Arbor Connected Vehicle Test Environment (AACVTE) is a real-world implementation of connected vehicle safety technologies being used by everyday drivers in Ann Arbor and around Southeast Michigan. AACVTE will build on existing model deployment in Ann Arbor, including an upgraded and expanded test environment, making it the standard for a nation-wide implementation.

Connected vehicle safety technology allows vehicles to communicate wirelessly with other similarly equipped vehicles, and to communicate wirelessly with portions of the infrastructure – such as traffic signals.

This research will elevate university's research institute and US Department of Transportation (US DOT) real-world exploration of connected vehicle technology. The current limitation of connected vehicle testing outside of a closed circuit test tracks is the lack of connected vehicles. In order to move autonomous driving towards reality, testing requires more cars, more drivers and more day-to-day miles travelled than any combination of research facilities could support. The AACVTE begins to solve this problem.

Ann Arbor is already the largest dedicated short range communication test bed in the world, and the Michigan state government is keen to expand deployment throughout the state.


20,000 Proton X50s booked in two weeks

                SUBANG JAYA: If you ask Proton how the X50 booking is shaping up, it will tell you it's downright fabulous.

The automaker registered 20,000 bookings in a mere two weeks after the compact SUV's rollout from the plant on Sept 15.

The public response has exceeded Proton's expectations.

“Proton would like to thank all its customers for the tremendous interest shown in the Proton X50. We are pushing to ensure fulfilment over the last three months of 2020, while continuing to emphasise product quality,” said Proton Edar CEO Roslan Abdullah.

The new model will be launched in the coming weeks.

Overall, Proton's positive sales momentum carried over from August to September as it posted a fourth consecutive month of positive year-on-year growth.

With 11,935 units sold, the second highest for 2020, sales for September grew by 4.9% over August and 33.6% over the same month in 2019.

READ MORE: First drive of Proton X50

Total sales for the year now stand at 73,607 units, 4.3% ahead of last year and equivalent to an estimated 21.6% market share, placing the company second in Malaysia’s automotive sales table.

Similar to August, three Proton models continue to lead sales in their respective classes. The X70 continues to dominate the SUV market overall and posted its second best sales month of 2020 with 2,849 units sold.

The Persona and Exora also remain as the best-selling models in their class with both models now expected to end the year as cumulative sales leaders.

“With Total-Industry-Volume (TIV) exceeding 50,000 units for a third month in a row, Malaysia’s automotive market has achieved a measure of stability post-MCO. At Proton, we are relieved and confident as our results are showing consistency, as we have beat our monthly sales numbers from the previous year. This is a clear indicator of a return to a sustainable sales volume,” said Roslan.


New asphalt aims to make Parisian streets quieter and cooler

Generic image of roadworks. The surface of the new asphalt for Paris is designed to refresh the air by retaining water. — Image from Wirtgen Group
PARIS: During the hot summer months, traffic in major cities can cause both noise pollution and increased urban heat. The French capital is now looking at an innovative way of combating the problem.

Paris is testing a new type of asphalt that should halve the noise level of cars on roads and reduce the ambient temperature by up to 2 degrees Celsius, the Paris City Council says. The surface of the asphalt is designed to refresh the air by retaining water.

Initially, the new asphalt will be tested on three road sections, each 250 metres long, where traffic noise and accumulated heat in summer is a particular problem. As in other European cities, noise and the urban climate pose a challenge to the French capital.

The "Life Cool & Low Noise Asphalt" project will receive 2.3 million euros (RM11mil) in funding, partly from the European Union. The new road surface is to cost, at most, 10% more than conventional asphalt.

According to the German Asphalt Association, the use of low-noise asphalt is not new, but it has so far been limited to motorways.

The coarse-pored asphalt used up to now is not suitable for inner-city use for various reasons. For one, it is only at higher speeds that the rolling noises, which are reduced by the new asphalt, drown out the engine noise of the cars. In addition, dirt settles in the pores of this type of asphalt in city centres.


Volkswagen Golf GTE Sport to get a showing at Worthersee

                WOLFSBURG: With a keen eye on the future, Volkswagen – the inventor of the GTI, will present its 395bhp Golf GTE Sport as a concept before 200,000 visitors at Lake Worthersee in Austria.

The GTE Sport is essentially a two-door, two-seater hot hatch that measures 4,127mm-long, 1,869mm-wide and 1,235mm-tall.

A 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine powers the concept, with an electric motor each mounted on the front and rear axle for a total output of 396bhp and allowing it to reach 100kph from standstill in 4.3sec and onwards to top speed of 280kph.

It uses a six-speed DSG gearbox to manage power delivery to the all-wheel-drive system, while LEDs take care of illumination from the headlights to the daytime running lights.

It predominantly wants to drive under full electric power and the body is made predominantly of carbon fibre with doors that open upwards at an angle – a la BMW i8.

The GTE wants to be driven predominantly in E-Mode – full electric vehicle mode, hybrid mode with regenerative braking and a combination of petrol and electric assisted propulsion.

And then there’s GTE-mode, where the full potency of the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is unleashed to all four wheels with the electric motors acting as a boost function.

Most uniquely, the GTE Sport possess an electric prop-shaft that helps in redistributing electrical charge by using one of the two electric motors as a generator to recharge the battery when it is low.

Inside, the passenger and driver sections for the two-seater with five-point seatbelts is literally segregated, with the driver getting an aggressively-designed three tier instrument display and an obviously driver-centric race-inspired cockpit area.


Here comes the new Audi A7 Sportback

                INGOLSTADT: Audi has a completely new slant on the concept of the five-door coupé for the executive class - the first A7 Sportback in which the brand successfully combined the svelte lines of a classic grand tourer with the reality-ready attributes of Saloon and Avant models is about to give way to its successor.

Fluent in the new Audi design language, conversant with the brand’s latest technological advances and comfortable with articulating its most recent drivetrain developments, the 2018 A7 evolves and finesses every facet of the Sportback theme without losing sight of the hallmarks behind its original appeal.

The exterior design of the A7 Sportback is an expression of the new design language that Audi introduced with the prologue study and that made its production debut in the new Audi A8.

With large surfaces, sharp edges and taut, athletic lines, the A7 conveys dynamism and progressiveness from every perspective.

The cabin fuses design and technology in a unique way. The interior of the new Audi A7 Sportback has been conceived according to a reduced, clean design language, with an emphasis on horizontal lines and a sleek instrument panel creating a feeling of airy spaciousness.

The centre console is oriented toward the driver, underscoring the Grand Tourer’s stated aim of combining progressive design, intuitive functionality and sophistication with inherent driver appeal. All colours, upholstery materials and inlays reflect the new aesthetic.

The interior architecture melds seamlessly with Audi’s new MMI touch response operating concept. It replaces the rotary pushbutton and the conventional buttons and controls of the previous model with two large, high-resolution touch displays.

The driver controls the infotainment system from the upper display. Mounted on the asymmetric console of the centre tunnel, the 8.6-inch lower display provides access to the climate control system, comfort functions and text input. Drivers can rest their wrist on the automatic transmission’s wide selector lever knob.

Audi offers an optional head-up display that projects important information onto the windscreen. MMI navigation plus – the highest level infotainment system - also includes the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with its rendered dials and 12.3-inch display.

The top MMI navigation plus package will be available with a choice of two sound system upgrades, the most sophisticated being Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System capable of delivering advanced 3D sound.

All A7 Sportback models will be equipped with a new mild hybrid system (MHEV) for greater comfort and efficiency.

With the V6 engines, this uses a 48-volt primary electrical system. A belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery and achieves a recuperation performance of up to 12 kW when braking. At speeds of between 34 and 99mph, the large coupé can coast in freewheeling mode with the engine deactivated and then restart comfortably via the BAS.

The new Audi A7 Sportback will initially launch with the 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol engine. The super-refined V6 turbo produces 340PS and 500Nm, propelling the elegant five-door coupé from 0 to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.

In the NEDC, the entry version of the Audi A7 55 TFSI returns up to 41.5mpg, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 154 grams. The 3.0 TFSI is paired with a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, and its output is proficiently managed by the latest iteration of the quattro drivetrain using the efficient ultra technology that activates rear-wheel drive as needed.

The A7 Sportback combines the best of all worlds for business and recreational use. It offers the design of a Coupé, the space of a Saloon and the versatility of an Avant. The interior concept of the A7 Sportback impresses with more space and more comfortable seating – and that despite having a dynamic roofline.

Compared with the previous model, interior length has increased by 21mm, resulting in more rear knee room. Rear passengers also enjoy more head room. The loading width has also increased compared with the previous model and now measures 1,050mm.

Topping the range of all-new seats are the multi-adjustable, customised contour front seats with ventilation and massage. The three-seat rear bench (standard in the UK) offers plenty of space and comfort. New high-tech options make life with the Audi A7 Sportback even more comfortable and convenient.


Pack up, let's fly away: Jetpack touted for police, military use

This jetpack can fly a pilot for 12 minutes and is being considered for use by police officers and emergency responders.
BERLIN: Like flying cars and houses on the moon, jetpacks have, ironically, been a cliched symbol of the future for decades.

However, one Californian company is aiming to make science fiction a reality after developing the first fully-certified jetpack.

JetPack Aviation's JB11 jetpack takes its first ever European flight this summer, with the company's founder aiming to make it a more mainstream mode of transport.

"The reality is that more people have walked on the moon than have flown a jetpack," says lead JB11 pilot and JetPack Aviation Chief Executive David Mayman.

The JB11 is the only jetpack to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, and is capable of speeds of up to 322kph at heights of more than 3,050 metres.

Mayman's company has a contract with the US Navy Special Forces and is using this as a platform to make the jetpack a staple of the emergency and military services.

“We’re currently in talks with government agencies around the world to use the technology for everything from police, medical and first responder use to military insertion and extraction,” said Mayman.

For those of us interested in the JB11 for more recreational purposes, there are Top Gun Experience Center days at its Southern California base, where visitors can try out a personal flight.

While there are future plans to bring similar events to Europe and Asia, those outside of the US will have to make do with being spectators, at least for the time being.

The JB11 will make its maiden flight in Europe at the FOS Future Lab during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, running from July 12-15 in West Sussex, England.


Sept 30-Oct 6: RON97 petrol up 1 sen

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively until Oct 6, the Finance Ministry (MoF) said on Wednesday (Sept 29).

In a statement, it said, however, the retail price of RON97 petrol will increase by one sen per litre to RM2.76 from Sept 30 until Oct 6.

MoF said the prices were set based on the weekly retail prices of petroleum products using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism.


Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary roadster starts arriving in US

Blum (left) is now the proud owner of the special edition MX-5 Miata.
LOS ANGELES: You may recall Mazda planning a limited run of 3,000 Mazda MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary models to cvelebrate 30 years of the model.

As the US is the MX-5 Miata's biggest market, a limited allotment has been set aside for them. And American fans have quickly placed their pre-orders hoping to own a piece of history for themselves.

One of those passionate fans securing a celebratory roadster is Gerald Blum of St. Petersburg, Florida. He was one of the first to take delivery of the anniversary roadster in the US.

This will be the 13th Mazda the Blum family has owned, starting with a first-generation 1978 Mazda RX-7 that was the 249th unit produced. Blum is a regular at Tyrone Square Mazda dealership in Florida, having bought seven other Mazda vehicles from them.

According to Blum, it was a “no brainer” to pre-order the anniversary vehicle to go next to his Soul Red Crystal 2016 MX-5 Miata Club.

“What I love most about Mazda is the experience of driving the car,” Blum said. “As a diehard Mazda enthusiast, I’m thrilled to be among the first to get the new MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary and cannot take my eyes off the brilliant Racing Orange paint scheme. Orange is the new red!”

Its striking Racing Orange paint scheme and unique, non-sequential serialised “30th Anniversary” badging commemorates the 30-year anniversary.

The US$34,995 (RM147,000) special edition MX-5 Miata is equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine rated to deliver 181hp and 206Nm of torque. It is offered in both soft top and RF models, and builds upon the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring, which added many new features including a newly refined powertrain, delivering a 17 percent increase over the previous model year.

The exclusive Racing Orange exterior paint colour pays homage to the yellow MX-5 Miata Club Racer that also debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Racing Orange is meant to represent sunrise and anticipation, while staying true to the characteristics of a pure sports car.

The roof on RF is painted Racing Orange, while the soft top will feature a black cloth top.

The theme continues to the interior with orange interior louvers and orange piping on the heated RECARO sports seats. The seats in this special edition are wrapped in Alcantara, which is also found in the door inserts and lower instrument panel.

Other highlights include RAYS ZE40 17-inch Dark Gunmetal forged alloy wheels and orange Brembo front brake calipers.

All of these features help to further enhance the customer’s sense of exclusivity and pride of ownership.


F4 and Petron out on the track

                IT had been some months since getting behind the wheel of a Formula 4 (F4) car.

It was still possible to vividly reminisce about the race car’s on-track behaviour and how I was more perched on top of the seat while behind the wheel due to an improper seat-size session.

This time it was not to be a repeat thanks to the efforts of Petron Malaysia, which happens to be the official fuel and engine oil partner of F4 South East Asia, with its Petron Blaze 100 petrol (RON 100) and fully-synthetic Petron Blaze racing engine oil.

Prior to the start of the season, the fuel and lubricants maker from the Philippines held a track day for motoring journalists to have a solo session in the single-seater F4 race car around the venerable Sepang International Circuit.

As temperatures soared past 35-degrees Celsius, the sun was litterally burning the backs of those who ventured out into the open - no thanks to the clear blue skies.

With everyone’s sweat glands having opened its flood gates, I was almost ‘swimming’ in a racing suit while being capped off with a helmet.

The repeated clambering in and out of the car to fine tune my seat fitting only exasperated the situation.

After a quick run-through about the steering wheel’s controls, flipping two switches and a quick push of a button brings the 180hp 2.0-litre water and air-cooled naturally-aspirated F4RSEA Renault engine to life.

Quickly, one of the pit crew members finally points directly at me and shows the direction to take.

Mashing my left foot against the extremely stiff clutch, I pull on the left paddle-shifter to shift the six-speed Sequential Sadev gearbox into first. My calf muscle struggles to slowly balance it out without stalling the engine.

A light blip of the accelerator pedal and I’m finally rolling down the pitlane with the speed limiter engaged and a mixture of feelings.

On the one hand I’m glad to be finally catching some ventilation yet on the other, I’m worried as to how I’d do throughout the entire session.

Coming out of the pit lane exit, my vision remains blurry, courtesy of the engine and exhausts’ vibrations.

I disengage the limiter and my head is immediately pinned against the back as I floor the throttle towards the tight ‘S’ corners of turns one and two.

After getting hard on the brakes, the slick Hankook tyres haven’t gotten enough heat in them, making it hard to tuck the nose into the corner.

After going through the first right-hander, as soon as I took the next off-cambered left at roughly 60kph, the rear-end suddenly snaps out sending me into a 270-degree spin.

Thankfully, staying on the brakes kept me away from the barriers.

Clearly the tyres were still too cold and after getting back on track, it was time to warm things up - ala Formula One style.

Keeping the car in third gear, the left foot maintained some pressure on the brake pedal to heat it up for better bite, while the left foot kept constant on the throttle as I ‘jinked’ the car left and right to put some heat into the tyres.

Coming out of turn 15, the last corner of the track, it’s hard on the accelerator to mark the official start of my 40-ish minute-long stint while getting sun-baked in the “Blaze”-ing heat. Excuse the pun.

Mid-way through, my (advised) 100m braking-point was getting closer to the 50m mark after getting a little more accustomed to the car’s behaviour in terms of performance, braking and cornering.

My lap times were also slowly improving as I began to tear through the corners faster than what I had initially experienced all those months before.

During the stint, the air temperature began to fall as droplets of rain began tapping against my helmet, which partially marred my vision.

The slick tyres were now begging for more heat as the track temperature began cooling off too due to its damp state.

The rain also rendered the red and white curbs ‘off-limits’ due to their new slippery nature.

Soon after, having built a good rhythm out on the track, it was time for the chequered flag to come down as I flash by at almost 200kph down the start-straight - signalling the end of my session after clocking an average of two minute 33 seconds.

Finally, after making it back into the pits, the rain began to come down hard as I quickly rid myself of the racing suit, gloves, balaclava, helmet and shoes.

It was straight into the cool air-conditioned room where I allowed to have any excess heat robbed of me while I sank my teeth into a succulent red apple.

After having fought with the non-powered steering wheel to man-handle the car and keep it stable - whether in a straight line or snaking through the bends, the palms of my hands were starting to twitch from the effects.

Not to mention, the outside of my knees were also starting to see signs of bruising. It was from all those slight tapping against the inside of the cockpit while shooting through the corners.

As the rain subsided, it was time to head home and the drive back was a slow and sombre one.

Not even the radio was turned on with all of my driving aggression having been ‘exorcised’ from my system.

The mere presence of silence was strangely calming as my mind began to wonder about how my lap times could have been improved.

The possibilities of going up against younger drivers just didn’t seem feasible, although I do have the advantage of having better mechanical grip from the tyres thanks to my weight.

But the mere fact that these drivers are probably about half my weight (and age) just made it seem even more daunting.

So although it is very likely that I am simply too far from being competitive - where power-to-weight ratios are crucial, being in the F4 race series is simply an essential part of gaining some crucial ‘racing exposure’ for any young aspiring future would-be top-gunners in the world of motor racing.

Such championships such as this is often used by young 15 to 19 year-old karters as their first step to advancing themselves into formula racers or even other racing categories that include LMP1, GT1 as well as F1.

Nonetheless, the opportunity to have properly driven a F4 race car was simply a priceless experience - albeit again, and a definite tick for one of the boxes.


Petrol prices unchanged for March, diesel up 5 sen

                KUALA LUMPUR: Good news for petrol car users as the Government has maintained pricing for RON95 and RON97 at RM2.30 and RM2.60 per litre respectively for March.

However, diesel car owners will have to pay an additional 5 sen per litre more in March.

EURO 2M diesel will experience a 5 sen increase to RM2.20 in March.

Similarly, EURO 5 diesel, costing RM2.25 in February, will be increased by 5 sen to RM2.30 per litre.

2017 Fuel Price Tracker (RM)Fuel TypePETROLDIESELRON95 RON97 Euro 2MEuro 5MarchRM2.30RM2.60RM2.20RM2.30FebruaryRM2.30RM2.60RM2.15RM2.25JanuaryRM2.10RM2.40RM2.05RM2.15


Hygiene the cardinal rule for drivers

Taxi driver Cheang Yoke Yoon providing hand sanitiser to a passenger before beginning the trip from KL Sentral. — AZMAN GHANI / The Star

PETALING JAYA: As hygiene and cleanliness are now the top priorities for commuters and passengers in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, offers of professional sanitisation services for taxi and e-hailing vehicles have mushroomed.

However, while some taxi and e-hailing drivers have engaged professional companies to disinfect their cars, others prefer to do so with cleaning products that can be found at home.

An example of the former is MUDAcare, a firm which is providing sanitisation services to PICKnGO – a taxi and car hailing service.

Selected taxis will be sprayed with a solution that is designed to kill viruses, bacteria and mould.

According to the company, the solution does not only destroy micro-organisms but can last on surfaces for up to six months.

Malaysia E-hailing Drivers Association (Mehda) president Daryl Chong said a number of professional sanitisation services targeted towards drivers have emerged since the outbreak occurred.

“A lot of these sanitisation services or companies providing these side services have mushroomed in the past two or three months,” he said.

The prices are quite low, he said, adding that they can go as low as about RM10 to RM15 for a one-time disinfection.

He, however, said that some e-hailing drivers were reluctant to use such services as the costs could add up to a sizable sum if they were to disinfect their vehicles frequently.

“If you do it every day, that’s about RM70 a week.

“There was a company that offered commercial sanitisation services to our members but sad to say, the take-up rate was quite low and disappointing,” he added.

Instead, he said, some e-hailing drivers opt to use solutions such as disinfectant liquid to scrub their cars.

“The more hardworking drivers that I know would do so every day, stopping their vehicles during lunchtime and disinfect the most commonly touched spots in the car such as the handle, the seats and the air conditioner vent.

“Some, however, just use a damp cloth to clean the car.

“Most drivers do have disinfectant to clean their cars but it’s a matter of how diligent and frequent they are in doing so,” Chong said.

Association of Malaysia Taxi Drivers, Rental Cars, Premium Executive Limo (Perjiwa) chairman Zailani Isaisuludin said there must be specific guidelines for how taxis and e-hailing drivers should disinfect their vehicles.

“Many taxi drivers know they must wear masks and they have to use hand sanitiser. Some are using Dettol as a cleaning agent for the interior of their cars.

“The government must come up with a guideline on the use of these public vehicles, taking into account (how to clean) the doors, the handles, etc,” he added.

The standard operating procedure (SOP) published on the National Security Council’s website showed that taxi and e-hailing drivers are to disinfect their vehicles at the end of each operating day.

The guidelines, updated on July 30, also encouraged these vehicle drivers to disinfect after every trip as is suitable.


Future family car: Renault shares glimpse of next-gen Kangoo

                PARIS: Renault has released an image of what the next-generation, electrified Kangoo compact van should look like when it rolls into showrooms from 2020.

The utilitarian family car presents a less boxy shape to the world, with sculpted flanks and more rounded contours. A signature glass front grille and white LED light strip link the front headlamps and surround the brand logo.

The Kangoo ZE concept is an all-electric vehicle, but Renault has revealed little about the power-train installed or others to be offered.

Expect the next Kangoo to also feature the mild petrol-electric power-train from the Clio along with a range of combustion engines. The current Kangoo ZE has a 44-kW electric motor paired to a 33-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The smooth new shape shown on the Kangoo ZE retains the van-like sliding doors for easy access and vertically-divided rear doors.

The concept features side-mounted cameras in place of conventional wing mirrors and is finished in the same green-grey colour as the EZ-Pro Concept shown at last year's Hanover commercial vehicle show.


Motorists make the most of discounts on police summonses

                GEORGE TOWN: Like their counterparts in the Klang Valley, hundreds of motorists crowded the police summons counters in Penang to take advantage of the discount period.

Some came as early as 7am yesterday to beat the queue that formed when a 50% discount was given on traffic fines to mark the PDRM Solidarity 2nd Bridge Fun Ride/Run 2019.

There was a long queue on the third floor of Queensbay Mall here, with people busy checking and paying summonses at counters manned by seven police personnel.

Singaram Arjunan, 59, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, settled 13 summonses accumulated over the past two years by him and his brother-in-law.

“I had only five, mostly because my car was used by my daughter at a public university in Kedah, while the rest belonged to my brother-in-law.

“He was admitted to a private hospital for a treatment and while visiting him, I heard of the 50% discount and decided to pay mine and also his, ” Singaram said at the mall.

Allan Yap, 37, settled 12 summonses amounting to RM1,300.

“Six belonged to me while the other six were my brother’s. My brother is staying on the mainland and it’s a working day for him.

A Penang police contingent headquarters spokesman said they had to stop the queue at 3pm to facilitate the payments before the counter closed at 4pm.

“Those who could not pay today will have to come back as we will be open from 9am to 4pm, ” he said.

In the Klang Valley, thousands of Malaysians had queued up on Christmas eve and yesterday outside a key traffic police station in Kuala Lumpur to clear their summonses.

Calling the event Meet Customer Day, Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement department chief Zulkefly Yahya said 24 counters were opened at the Jalan Tun HS Lee traffic police station to reduce waiting time.

Still, comments and pictures on social media revealed long queues and unhappy customers.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Zulkefly told Malay Mail online news on Tuesday: "Although the period is only open to KL folks however our officer will attend to whoever shows up and intends to clear off their summonses."

The counters opened at 8.30am and closed at 4pm.

Malaysian police and other agencies such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall regularly offer discounts for offences to members of the public to entice them to pay up.

While such moves often boost their coffers, members of the public tend to hoard these tickets until steep discount windows are announced. – The Star and Straits Times/Asia News Network


Mercedes-Benz offers top E 300 AMG Line for RM459K

                PETALING JAYA: If you want the best E-Class that Mercedes-Benz has to offer, the E 300 AMG Line is it.

The fourth variant in the E-Class range is now available for sale at RM458,888. The other variants are the E 200 and E 250 in Avantgarde trim and the E 250 in Exclusive trim. All feature a 2.0-litre engine with output varying from 184hp in the E 200 to 245hp in the E 300.

The E 300 gets AMG bodystyling and 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels and lowered suspension. The cabin also gets a new look. AMG features include the multifunction sports steering wheel with flattened bottom section, sports seats with horizontal quilting on the seat cushions and sporty backrest contour and AMG sports pedals.

The E 300 comes with LED headlamps, with each equipped with 84 individually activated LEDs rather than 24 for brighter and precise illumination without dazzling other road users. The head-up display shows the driver key information without the driver having to take their eyes off the road traffic conditions.

The car's COMAND Online comprises a 12.3-inch high-resolution media display. Its highlights, alongside the double display, include the touch-sensitive Touch Controls on the steering wheel and the new, intelligent graphic design of the Multifunction Telephony. It allows mobile phones to be charged and, at the same time, connected to the vehicle's exterior aerial without cables or a telephone holder.

The E 300 is offered with available 640W Burmester surround sound system packaged with 13 speakers and a 9‑channel DSP amplifier.

Also included are Parking Pilot and surround vision, which projects images in full HD on the car’s widescreen cockpit to help the driver in parking and manoeuvring.