Fuel prices up across the board from May 16-22

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices have bucked the downward trend of late and will rise across the board from May 16 to 22.

The Finance Ministry said that RON97 petrol will be priced at RM1.61 per litre, up by six sen from RM1.55.

The price of RON95 and diesel will increase by six sen and five sen respectively.

RON95 petrol will be priced at to RM1.31 per litre, up from RM1.25 per litre; while diesel will be priced at RM1.45 per litre, up from RM1.40 per litre previously.

Fuel prices had gone down drastically in the past few months due to the oversupply of crude oil in the market.

The Ministry said that the higher fuel prices were due to the increase in refined product prices in line with the rise in global crude oil prices.

“The government will continue to monitor the impact of the global crude oil price change and take appropriate measures to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the people," the ministry said in a statement Friday (May 15).

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism was reintroduced on Jan 5, 2019 under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).

Under this system, fuel prices are announced every Friday and remain in force for one week.


BMW Malaysia and dealer Seong Hoe Premium Motors treats film festival VIPs to 740Le xDrive ride

                MELAKA: BMW Group Malaysia and Seong Hoe Premium Motors provided an official fleet of six BMW 740Le xDrive M Sport to the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) for the 32nd Malaysian Film Festival held here recently.

The top five nominees of each category were treated to a special chauffeur ride in the hybrid luxury sedans from the BMW 7 Series portfolio, offering them an exclusive experience of electrified opulence.

Globally, the BMW Group is no stranger to the filmmaking scene, having been a patron of the arts for over 80 years.

From the 1935 German film ‘Die Katz’ im Sack’ to the recent Marvel Studios production, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the premium automaker continues to find new ways to champion the creative industry worldwide.

On a local level, the BMW Shorties has served as an influential platform by BMW Group Malaysia to encourage and support the creative expressions of emerging Malaysian filmmakers and digital content creators for the last 16 years.

Over 1,000 entries have been submitted to the BMW Shorties for its annual short film competition since 2006, many of which have been screened at prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, New York, Rotterdam, Oberhausen, Rome, Clermont-Ferrand and more.

To learn more about Seong Hoe Premium Motors, visit www.bmw-seonghoe.com.my.

For more information on the BMW Shorties, visit www.bmwshorties.com.my and follow the BMW Shorties’ official Instagram account at @BMWShorties.


The new Porsche 718 Cayman

STUTTGART: The fourth, redeveloped generation of the mid-engine sport coupé has a more striking, athletic and efficient appearance. Just a few weeks after the debut of the new 718 Boxster, the new 718 Cayman is extending the new model series.

The same new four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging as in the 718 Boxster are being deployed in the 718 Cayman.

As a result, coupé and roadster have an identical engine output for the first time. The entry-level version starts with 221 kW (300 hp) from two litres of displacement.

The S model delivers 257 kW (350 hp) with a displacement of 2.5 litres. This represents 18 kW (25 hp) more power compared to the predecessor models with an NEDC fuel consumption of 8.1 to 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The tremendous torque of the new engines in the 718 Cayman promises driving fun and agility even at low revs.
The two-litre engine of the 718 Cayman achieves a torque of up to 380 Nm (plus 90 Nm), which is available between 1,950 rpm and 4,500 rpm.

The 2.5-litre engine of the 718 Cayman S features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG), a technology hitherto used exclusively in the 911 Turbo.

In the 718 Cayman S, the VTG charger additionally has a wastegate for the first time. It delivers up to 420 Nm (an extra 50 Nm) to the crankshaft at engine speeds between 1,900 and 4,500 rpm.

For the driver this means even better torque in all engine speed ranges. The 718 Cayman with PDK and optional Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The 718 Cayman S completes this sprint in 4.2 seconds. The top speed of the 718 Cayman is 275 km/h, and the 718 Cayman S can reach a speed of 285 km/h.

Lateral rigidity and wheel tracking have been improved in the completely retuned chassis of the 718 Cayman; springs and stabilisers have been designed to be firmer and the tuning of the shock absorbers has been revised.

The new 718 Cayman has been further developed as comprehensively in its design as in its technology. The taut proportions, prominent air intakes at the front and sides and low side profile underscore the boost in dynamics.

The nose has a much sharper profile, which gives the front end a wider and more masculine appearance. The ultra-slim front lights above the air intakes, which contain the parking lights and indicators, further reinforce this impression.

Rounding off the front end of the 718 Cayman, are the significantly larger cooling air intakes and bi-xenon headlights in their new design with integrated LED daytime running lights.

Inside, revisions are visible for both the 718 Cayman and the 718 Boxster. The upper part of the dash panel including air vents is new.

The new sport steering wheel in the 918 Spyder design as well as the extensive connectivity options have now been added to the 718 cockpit along with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) as a standard feature.

Mobile phone preparation, audio interfaces and the 150-watt Sound Package Plus are all part of this standard. Options are available to extend the PCM. The Connect module, for example, includes special extensions for smartphones, such as the USB port and Apple CarPlay.

The 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S is scheduled to be launched in Malaysia by end 2016.


New VW Amarok to arrive in 2022

                HANNOVER: The new Volkswagen Amarok will be launched on the global market in 2022 with a whole host of new features.

These include numerous driver assistance systems that are new in this segment and will make daily driving much more comfortable for future Amarok customers.

The new development with numerous convenience functions will give the new truck even better off-road characteristics than previous generations, thanks to higher ground clearance.

Like before, the new Amarok comes with a turbodiesel V6 engine.

The exterior is now even more defined and promises plenty of towing power and torque. And the premium character of the interior has also been further enhanced.

The comfort, operating concept, connectivity and ambience in the completely new interior ensure that the new Amarok raises the benchmark for pick-ups in the global one-ton B-segment to a whole new level.

A Euro pallet fits between the wheel housings again – and loads can be safely secured.

The exterior of the new Amarok has grown in length by 10cm to 5.35 metres and its body will also be wider than the current version. This is manifested, for example, in more legroom in the second row.

The Amarok has been in series production since 2010.

Its name is derived from the language of North American Inuit and means "wolf".

The second generation that comes with a V6 diesel as standard has been around since 2016.

More than 815,000 vehicles were sold in 12 years. Developed by teams in Australia and Europe, the latest version of premium pick-up will be produced in Silverton in South Africa in future.


Mercedes-Benz teams up with Luminar on self-driving tech

                SAN FRANCISCO: Mercedes-Benz will partner with self-driving sensor maker Luminar Technologies Inc to enable fully automated driving on highways for its next-generation vehicles, Luminar's founder said.

Automakers from Tesla to GM and Volvo have set their eyes on introducing autonomous vehicles, although regulatory and technological challenges remain.

Tech firms such as Alphabet's Waymo and Cruise also are developing self-driving taxis or trucks for commercial use such as ride-hailing and delivery services.

Vehicle autonomy "is really going mainstream with Mercedes," Luminar CEO Austin Russell told Reuters, without disclosing a timeframe for putting the technology in Mercedes' vehicles.

He said the two would develop "true" autonomy capabilities, including improved safety capabilities such as automatic braking.

General Motors Co is working with its majority-owned Cruise self-driving unit to introduce a personal autonomous vehicle by as early as mid-decade, chief executive Mary Barra said this month.

"If you want to be able to get to truly autonomous capabilities in a consumer vehicle, and you have to industrialise hardware, software, all of these systems that come into pla5y. That by the way, is completely different than the work that the robo-taxi companies have been working on," Russell said.

He said it is a challenge to mass produce lidars and make sure they are robust enough to meet stringent requirements from automakers.

"It is a completely different kind of business of going from a science and technology business to automotive corporation."

Lidars, which use laser light pulses to measure the distance between the sensor and the target object, are widely seen as essential to achieving full autonomous driving. But Tesla has shunned the sensor, saying it is expensive and unnecessary.

Volvo Cars and Luminar said earlier this month that they will put a hands-free driving system in an upcoming electric sport utility vehicle.


Mercedes-Benz electrifies off-road adventures

                STUTTGART: The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4x4² shows that electrification can be enjoyed off-road as well as on public roads.

This is thanks to a small team of dedicated developers who created this drivable technology platform on the basis of an EQC 400 4MATIC.

Some of the technical highlights include the multi-link portal axles as well as the production of a powerful sound in the interior and exterior.

The headlamps turn into "lampspeakers", because they also function as a loudspeaker at the same time.

Mercedes-Benz wants to test the limits with this vehicle, and show that e-mobility is not just urban commutes, but also conceivable off-road as well.

The one-off was developed by a cross-departmental team under development engineer Jürgen Eberle which has already put the E 400 All-Terrain 4x4² on its studded wheels.

"Our aim is to combine modern luxury and sustainability with emotional appeal. The EQC 4x4² shows how enjoyable sustainable mobility can be.

"This is where electromobility high-tech and an intriguing customer experience are transferred to the mountains, thanks to MBUX and over-the-air updates. To put it succinctly, electric, progressive luxury goes offroad," says Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO.

"This drivable study clearly shows that alongside a passion for e-mobility, we at Mercedes-Benz lay a strong claim to leadership in this sector and will heighten the emotional appeal of this even further in the future."

Its capabilities include driving through sand in desert regions and on beaches, on rocky terrain and through mountain streams. It also allows trailer operation and installation of a roof-rack.

At 293mm, the EQC 4x4² rides more than twice as high as a production EQC (140mm).

The fording depth is increased by 15cm, to 40cm. The tremendous ground clearance is made possible by the conversion to portal axles: unlike conventional axles, the wheels are not at the height of the axle centre, but are instead situated much lower down on the axle hubs owing to the portal gears.

Or conversely, the entire vehicle moves up. The 4x4² suspension is attached to the same body mounting points as the standard suspension.

Just as impressive are the approach and departure angles – 31.8 degrees at the front and 33 degrees at the rear.

The reprogrammed Off-Road drive programs take advantage of the high-performance logic of the current GLC models.

For example, using targeted brake interventions, this enables an improved torque curve when starting on loose ground.

In combination with the tyres in size 285/50 R 20, this results in an impressive sure-footedness in terrain. The striking visual appearance is rounded off by the matt metallic gun-metal grey car film and the black wheel arch flares.

The EQC 4x4² is already the third model of the 4x4² family from Mercedes-Benz. The G 500 4x4² was actually built in series production from September 2015.

And in 2017, with the E 400 All-Terrain 4x4² study, Mercedes-Benz showed many an SUV its limitations when off-road.


Mercedes-Benz luxury boutique opens at Hap Seng Autohaus KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: If you like all things Mercedes-Benz, then you have to pay a visit to the Hap Seng Star Kuala Lumpur Autohaus as it features the Luxury Lifestyle Boutique, the first Autohaus in Malaysia to feature exclusive Mercedes-Benz design collection and accessories as well as showrooms and delivery bays.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd officially launched the Hap Seng Kuala Lumpur Autohaus recently which costs RM3.5mil.

Situated at the heart of Kuala Lumpur on Jalan P.Ramlee, the Hap Seng Star Kuala Lumpur Autohaus is managed by 20 personnel, and covers an area of 29,300 sq ft and handles everything related to vehicle sales.

It also has a private lounge on Level 2, with a view of the bustling Jalan Sultan Ismail. Go up a floor and a café on Level 3 is available for customers to enjoy.

The ground floor is where the Mercedes-Benz Luxury accessories and collection boutique is situated and offers a range of accessories, including business and casual wear, sunglasses, watches, belts, wallets, and cufflinks.

And if you've made your purchase of a Mercedes-Benz or Mercedes-AMG vehicle, the spacious delivery bays, measured over 2,000 sq ft offer the customer a unique vehicle handover experience.

“With this investment in the first new Mercedes-Benz retail brand presence in the heart of KL City Centre and the
first Mercedes-Benz accessories and collection boutique in Malaysia, we aim to create the best experience for our customers throughout their ownership journey.

"Hap Seng Star embraces the Mercedes-Benz spirit of innovation, luxury, and world-class service, delivered by experienced personnel with in-depth product knowledge and exceptional service skills,” said Group Chief Operating Officer of Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad and Chief Executive of Hap Seng Group Automotive Division, Harald Behrend.

“The new Autohaus by Hap Seng Star reaffirms Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s commitment to create a fascinating brand experience at every point in the customer journey.

"Our aim is to connect our customers not just with a car, but also a lifestyle experience that encourages a sense of joy, luxury and exclusivity,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Dr Claus Weidner.

Hap Seng currently operates Autohaus in 11 locations, including Kuala Lumpur, Kinrara, Balakong, Jalan Ipoh, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Melaka, and Iskandar in Peninsular Malaysia. In Sabah and Sarawak, Hap Seng is present in Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu.


Audi has a bright idea for the LA Auto Show

                WASHINGTON, D.C.: Audi is aiming to create an exclusive light show for this year's LA Auto Show with the official unveiling of the Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition supercar.

To mark the US government's legalisation of laser beam headlamps, Audi will be celebrating later this month with a very special version of its flagship 550hp all-wheel-drive supercar.

Packed to the brim with every possible optional extra and creature comfort the company currently offers - including laser headlamps - the R8 V10 plus exclusive edition will be limited to just 25 numbered examples once it has made its LA Auto Show debut.

Each model will be finished in special Quantum Grey paint with Solar Orange highlights. The car will sit on gloss black 20-inch alloys, and exposed carbon fiber front and rear spoilers, side air vents and mirror housings.

If those details aren't enough to make this R8 stand out from others, the car projects the ‘R8' logo on the ground as a guiding light for walking to and from the car and when the doors are opened, the door sills also light up with the legend "one of 25".

Inside the cabin is trimmed in leather and even the luggage compartment is dressed in Alcantara. Carbon shell sports seats are standard, as is an extra rear luggage shelf and a 12 o'clock marker on the sports steering wheel in Solar Orange.

However, it's the laser lights that Audi really wants owners to focus on. One of the biggest safety innovations of recent years, the laser headlamp can illuminate the road ahead like no other lighting system currently in production. The beam is wider, more focused and whiter than LED or bi-xenon systems and can project much further into the distance.

Developed and marketed aggressively by Audi and BMW it has become as much a status symbol and source of bragging rights as the cars to which said lights are fitted. But not in the US, where until now, the laser light has been outlawed pending government testing and approval.

Yet, even though Audi can now offer its North American clients laser lighting, its matrix LED lighting systems are still unavailable.

The 2016 LA Auto Show opens its doors to the public on Nov 18.


Patent outlines purpose of dormant Tesla Model 3 camera

                SAN FRANCISCO: Inside the Tesla Model 3, owners can find a small camera facing back towards the cabin integrated into the connecting bridge of the rearview mirror. So far, this device has yet to serve a purpose; in fact, it's completely inactive.

Not long after the model was first launched in 2017, Tesla confirmed that the camera will only become active with a future software update. Two years later in 2019, this feature is still dormant. Earlier this month, however, a patent was published describing how the device will be used.

 The camera will be switched on with a future software upgrade. — Image source: Electrek.co

While it was previously expected that the camera will serve as part of the vehicle's autonomous driving system — and company CEO Elon Musk did confirm that it will be, in part — the patent revealed that it will also be part of an upcoming "personalisation system."

Based on the "spatial location of occupant's body parts" as recognised by the camera, the vehicle will be able to identify individual people and automatically personalise their in-car experiences.

Among the adjustments that could potentially be made once a person is recognized include tailoring the driver seat position, modifying the mirror directions, and setting the radio, music, and driving mode to their preferences.

At present, the Tesla Model 3 can already make these changes based on the driver's profile selection, but enabling a camera to identify people would speed up the process.


Art lovers can drive their cars into this Van Gogh show in Canada

People sitting in their cars as they experience a drive-in immersive Vincent Van Gogh art exhibit in Toronto. — AFP

TORONTO: While some museums have had to cancel or postpone long-planned exhibits because of the coronavirus, organisers of a Van Gogh show here had a novel idea: offering art lovers a drive-in option.

"Of course, because of Covid, we had to think creatively," said Corey Ross, a co-producer of the exhibit, which was initially slated to start in May and was delayed by the pandemic.

As Canada's largest city gradually comes out of lockdown, the exhibit began last week with two viewing areas in a huge Toronto warehouse: one area with social distancing circles on the ground for those who prefer taking in their art on foot, and another for people in cars that drive right into the building.

Viewing art from inside a car provides a safe experience for people who are physically fragile, fearful of the virus or vulnerable. And it is a unique experience, said Ross.

"You've never had an experience like this in your car," said Ross. "The feeling is almost as if the car is floating through the art."

The show was set up in collaboration with the creators of Van Gogh, Starry Night, a hugely popular exhibit presented last year at l'Atelier des Lumieres in Paris.

 The warehouse has space for up to about 10 cars at a time, parking in designated spots. — AFPCruising in a Plymouth

The Toronto show features a similar, digital concept: works by the Dutch painter are projected in high definition on walls and floors.

The warehouse has space for up to about 10 cars at a time, parking in designated spots.

Car engines stay off during the projection of the artworks, which is accompanied with music. The paintings are positioned so people can see them through their windshields.

Some people take photos with their kids in their lap as they spend 35 minutes in the bold, intense world of Van Gogh.

Jessica Counti, 17, came with her family for the first drive-in edition last Friday to celebrate her sister's birthday.

"It's just a really immersive experience that you can't really get in a regular art gallery. So I really appreciate that, even though we can't walk around art pieces," she said.

Another visitor, Patrick Corcoran, took in the show from the steering wheel of his vintage 1950 Plymouth.

"The whole thing of sitting in your car and being out and enjoying the art - it was comfortable, it was safe. With all the stuff that's going on in the world with the Covid, it was an experience. It was great."

Ross said the idea is turning out to be a hit but will just be temporary.

"If you're a car enthusiast, it's a very special moment," he said.

"But I think overall as soon as there's an opportunity for the public to go back to experiencing art in the way that we love to, in groups, beside other people, where you can talk and see strangers and see how they react and be part of a community, I think we will go back to that," Ross said.

The art hall for cars is booked almost solid through its end on Aug 9.

The show will remain open to pedestrians through September.


German police raid Porsche execs in diesel probe

Policemen entering a building of Porsche in Stuttgart today. They carried out raids on properties linked to two top Porsche executives and one ex-employee of the luxury carmaker as part of a fraud probe linked to the diesel emissions cheating scandal, prosecutors. — AFP
FRANKFURT: German police today carried out raids on properties linked to two top Porsche executives and one ex-employee of the luxury carmaker as part of a fraud probe linked to the diesel emissions cheating scandal, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors from Stuttgart and Munich were joined by some 160 police officers in a search of “10 sites” in the states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria, the Stuttgart prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

The three unnamed individuals are under investigation for suspected fraud and false advertising stemming from the manipulation of exhaust treatment in diesel vehicles manufactured by Porsche.

”The three accused consist of one member of Porsche’s executive board and one senior manager. The third accused no longer works for Porsche,” prosecutors said.

Porsche confirmed the raids in a statement to AFP, adding that searches were taking place at the company’s offices in the southwestern city of Stuttgart, as well as at Audi offices in Ingolstadt. Both luxury brands are owned by parent company Volkswagen.

”Audi AG and Porsche AG are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities,” a Porsche spokesman said.

It is the first Porsche’s offices have been searched over the diesel cheating controversy, while raids have in the past taken place at VW and Audi.

Prosecutors declined to give further details about the raids, which come less than a week after the Volkswagen group replaced its CEO — former Porsche boss Matthias Mueller — in a bid to turn the page on the “dieselgate” scandal.

Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to using so-called “defeat device” software to cheat regulatory pollution tests in some 11 million cars worldwide, mainly in its own-brand VW cars but also in those made by Audi, Porsche, Skoda and Seat.

Mueller, who led Porsche between 2010 and 2015, took the helm of the VW group in the turbulent days after the scandal broke.

But he too came into prosecutors’ sights as the group plunged into a sea of legal challenges at home and abroad that have already cost the auto giant over 25 billion euros (RM120bil) in fines, buybacks and compensation.

Stuttgart prosecutors said last year they were investigating Mueller over market manipulation, suspecting he failed to share information about the diesel cheating scandal quickly enough with shareholders.

Last Friday, Mueller was replaced as CEO by VW brand chief Herbert Diess, who has vowed to steer the company out of the crisis by pushing on with much-needed reforms and continue a shift towards electric cars and sustainable mobility.


Sign up for Touch ‘n Go eWallet and get RM30 free

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Touch ‘n Go eWallet is one of three service providers that have been selected to participate in the RM450mil Government’s e-Tunai Rakyat programme, an initiative announced by the Ministry of Finance under Budget 2020.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd said today that the other two were GrabPay and Boost. The three companies are Malaysia’s largest and collectively provide a base for the rollout of e-Tunai Rakyat.

However, Touch ‘n Go eWallet is the largest of the trio. It has 110,000 merchant acceptance points across F&B, petrol stations, movies, flights, utilities and groceries. Users can also make payments for mobile reloads, in-app purchases like street parking and toll payment on selected toll highways via unique features such as PayDirect and RFID.

Under the e-Tunai Rakyat programme, Malaysians above 18 years old who earn less than RM100,000 annually will be entitled to receive RM30 per person through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

The campaign will start on Jan 15, 2020 and will run for two months until March 14. Claims can be made and fully used within the timeframe.

The Touch ‘n Go eWallet aims to make it easy to make cashless payments, said TNG Digital Sdn Bhd CEO Ignatius Ong.

"Parallel to educating consumers, the Touch ‘n Go eWallet encourages local businesses to advocate for the cashless way forward in shaping a thriving Malaysian economy."


Renault Rafale makes world premiere

                PARIS: Renault has unveiled the Rafale SUV coupe, its first production vehicle entirely designed according to the new visual language that Gilles Vidal has brought in as design chief.

The all new Renault Rafale 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid will reach markets in spring 2024. It will be built at the company's Palencia plant in Spain.

“The all new Renault Rafale is central in the Renaulution, symbolises our move upmarket," said Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive.

"With its captivating coupe SUV design crafted for intense experiences, it provides unprecedented driving pleasure with its hybrid powertrains and a standard-setting chassis brimming with passion and know-how from Renault engineers.”

The Rafale is built on the Alliance’s modular CMF-CD platform, which offers unparalleled possibilities for technological content, across the running gear, powertrains and technological equipment.

Its 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid petrol powertrain, combined with its multimode automatic transmission, put its range among the longest and its CO2 emissions among the lowest in its segment. It will soon feature a new high-performance variant E-Tech 4x4 300hp.

The Rafale also features advanced connectivity and a 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid powertrain and uses recycled materials.

Its full hybrid powertrain has a “series-parallel” architecture. It comprises a 3-cylinder 1.2 litre turbocharged 130hp petrol engine delivering 205Nm of torque, and two electric motors.

The main electric motor delivers 70hp/50kW and 205Nm. It is powered by a 2kWh/400V lithium-ion battery for full-electric driving. The secondary electric motor is a 33hp/25kW and 50Nm High-voltage Starter Generator (HSG) that starts the engine and powers gear changes in the clutchless dog box.

With its all-electric ignition and energy regeneration system that kicks in automatically when the car slows down or is braked, it can be driven in electric mode 80% of the time in cities and use 40% less fuel than with an equivalent internal-combustion engine as a result of this E-Tech full hybrid powertrain. The driver is said to get the whole electric driving experience and none of the charging constraints.

Charging is managed automatically by the smart gearbox, which taps into the engine and motors to top up the battery. The driver, however, can override the smart gearbox with a choice of four regenerative braking levels, using the paddles on the steering wheel.

The multimode automatic dog box derived from Formula 1 technology combines the main electric motor’s two ratios and the engine’s four ratios, allowing for 15 possible ways of combining the motors.

The smart multimode box automatically selects the powertrain’s mode, which can be all-electric, all-combustion, dynamic hybrid (the engine and motors move the wheels together), e-drive (the motor moves the wheels and the engine charges the battery) or regeneration (the motor taps into the kinetic energy).

Inside, the Rafale features the brand-new Solarbay darkening glass roof plus new interface graphics on the two OpenR screens.

The OpenR digital cockpit – which was introduced in the Megane E-Tech - is made up of two adjacent tiles arranged into an L shape: a horizontal TFT 321 sq. cm. 12.3 inch diagonal display on the dashboard (1920 x 720 pixels, landscape format) and a vertical 453 sq. cm. 12 inch diagonal touchscreen in the middle of the console (1250 x 1562 pixels, portrait format).

OpenR is positioned to be easy to see and reach, so the driver can enjoy the multimedia system without taking his eyes off the road. The navigation experience enhanced by the Google ecosystem has been extensively tried and tested and has emerged as a benchmark in its field.

The Rafale gets a 9.3-inch head-up display that shows the car’s speed, active driver assistance systems, speeding warning and driving directions.

Additionally, the sporty seats have reinforced sides and are wrapped in Alcantara (it is the first 61% recycled Alcantara interior).

To pamper back-seat passengers, the rear centre armrest is designed for multimedia devices. It has two USB power outlets, storage space for tablets and smartphones, and two foldout screen stands for comfortable viewing.

The 1,470 mm by 1,117 mm Solarbay panoramic glass roof was developed by Saint-Gobain and the Rafale is the first car in the world to use this iteration of it. Its AmpliSky technology replaces standard screens with a full active system that darkens each of its segments on demand, using electric fields to displace molecules.

It provides maximum protection from the sun in seconds, offering sequential darkening of the nine segments across the glass surface. This smart glass roof can be voice-controlled via Google Assistant and has a switch by the ceiling light to control it manually.

The driver and passengers can choose between four roof settings: all light, all dark, light in the front and dark behind, and the reverse. It is more practical than a standard sunshade because the passengers in the back can let the sunlight in even if the people in the front prefer not to.

Boot volume is 647 litres.

Coming later will be a more powerful 300hp Rafale that will be enhanced with a substantially upgraded hybrid powertrain.

Optimising a variety of features will help to reach 300hp, but most of the boost will come from two technical adjustments. The first is an additional electric motor on the rear axle, that will move the wheels directly, making the all new Rafale a 4-wheel-drive coupe-SUV. Then it will be a plug-in hybrid, so the driver can use the all new Rafale in full-electric mode for everyday outings.

This high-performance E-Tech 4x4 300 hp version of the Rafale will come with a chassis fine-tuned for intelligent new-generation undercarriage management.

Rafale is a French word that derives from natural energy: wind, and is also an aeronautical reference. Aviation has played an important part in Renault’s history: the Caudron-Renault Rafale, which flew at a record-breaking 445kph in 1934, is one example.


Maserati Ghibli Hybrid debuts, priced from RM428K

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Italia-Maserati announced today that the first electrified vehicle in Maserati’s history – the new Ghibli Hybrid is now available in Malaysia in two variants.

The new Ghibli Hybrid is priced from RM427,800 and RM456,800 for the GranSport trim (before local duties and taxes), and inclusive of full specifications and options.

The price includes 3 years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus free maintenance of 3 years/60,000km whichever comes first (inclusive of Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 Years/60,000
km).

With the arrival of the new Ghibli Hybrid in Malaysia, it expands the Maserati range, making it more competitive.

Over 100,000 units of the Ghibli have been produced globally since its launch in 2013.

“The Ghibli Hybrid will retain the unmistakable sound that has always distinguished every Maserati,
said Naza Corporation Holdings group chief executive officer for automotive Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan.

This new Ghibli Hybrid is easily recognisable with the new design of both exterior and interior.

The common denominator of the restyling, developed by the Centro Stile Maserati, is the blue colour, which is universally adopted as the symbol of clean mobility. It was chosen to identify all cars with hybrid technology.

The blue colour characterises the three iconic side air ducts, the brake callipers and the thunderbolt in the oval that encloses the Trident on the rear pillar. The same blue colour reappears inside the car, particularly on the embroidered seams of the seats.

The new Ghibli Hybrid also introduces new stylistic content, making it more elegant, starting from the new front grille, with bars redesigned to represent a tuning fork, and which also evokes the Trident symbol itself.

There are also significant changes at the rear of the car, where the light clusters have been completely restyled, with a boomerang-like profile inspired by the 3200 GT and the Alfieri concept car.

Maserati has chosen a hybrid solution focused primarily on improving performance, while also reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions.

The hybrid technology exploits the kinetic energy of the car accumulates when in motion, recovering it and transforming it into electricity during deceleration and braking, then storing it in a battery.

The powertrain has been revised by Maserati Innovation Lab in Modena, to achieve greater torque. It combines a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48-volt alternator and an additional electric supercharger (e-Booster), supported by a battery.

This solution is unique in its segment as it enables the turbocharger and e-booster to deliver even more power.

It is the first in a new generation of powertrains, with an optimised trade-off between performance, efficiency and driving pleasure.

The battery is mounted in the rear of the car, with benefits in terms of improved weight distribution.

Even with all the new electrical bits and pieces, the new Ghibli Hybrid weighs about 80kg less than the V6 diesel variant.

The hybrid powerplant generates 330hp and 450Nm of torque from just 2,250rpm. Top speed is 255kph and acceleration from 0 to 100kph takes 5.7 seconds.

The exhaust includes specially designed resonators to provide the iconic Maserati sound.

The new Ghibli Hybrid is also available in GranSport trim.

The exterior features an updated front grille with a more aggressive and sportier Black Piano; Nerissimo package and 20” wheels.

On the interior, sculpted sport seats are upholstered with a premium full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather, like no other leather used in the automotive industry.

It is processed to develop unique character throughout
the years with dark blue contrast stitching and the Trident embroidered on the headrests.

The dashboard’s wood trim is finished in carbon twill high-gloss, with premium Alcantara roof lining.

For those who demand the finest hi-fi equipment and a concert hall sound experience, Maserati offers for all
models in Malaysia, the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround Sound System with 15 speakers, a 1,280 W
amplifier with QuantumLogic Surround.

The introduction of the active Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) package in the Ghibli Hybrid range makes the car even safer in a variety of traffic conditions.

Contact Naza Italia - Maserati showroom at 03 7956 8599 or 1700 81 5051 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor for an
exclusive viewing.


Prasarana to carry out van-hailing service with Kumpool

                KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and transportation company, Kumpool, are conducting a pilot van-hailing service project between residential homes and public transport stations.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the public can use the service provided at a reasonable fare of RM1 for each use.

"We are ready to add this service to other stations in existing networks," he said during the question and answer session in response to a supplementary question from Datuk R. Ramanan (PH-Sungai Buloh) on the government's efforts to encourage more optimal and comprehensive use of public transport.

It is learned that the van-hailing service operates in the Wangsa Maju area here and Alam Megah, in Shah Alam in Selangor.

Loke said the Transport Ministry was also discussing with e-hailing companies to introduce the concept of "ride sharing" to allow their drivers to pick up more than one passenger.

"This will directly lower the fare rate for e-hailing users," he added.


BMW recalling 1.03 million vehicles worldwide on engine fire risk

                WASHINGTON: BMW will recall 1.03 million worldwide over potential fire risks, the German automaker said on Wednesday, its third recall over the issue since 2017.

The new recall involves numerous vehicles built between 2006 and 2013, including some 1 Series, 3 Series, X3, 5 Series, X5 and Z4 models, because the heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV) may short-circuit and in extremely rare cases could increase the risk of a fire.

The new recall includes 917,106 vehicles in the United States, 98,000 in Canada, and 18,000 in South Korea, BMW said.

It supersedes and expands BMW's recalls in 2017 and 2019 that involved 740,000 and 184,000 US vehicles, respectively.

Many vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need a new fix, which is currently being developed, BMW said, adding that the remedy and sufficient inventory of parts are expected by mid-2022.

BMW said some vehicles previously recalled are not covered by the new recall because they were produced with an improved PCV valve heater design.

The new recall was prompted by a series of fire reports in BMW vehicles previously recalled that had been repaired. BMW said its investigation showed supplier production issues could lead to PCV valve heater damage in the field.

The automaker said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the latest recall.

It said owners do not need to stop driving pending the recall fix, but should stop driving if they see smoke from the area near the engine compartment, or smell smoke or a plastic burning odour.


Study predicts slow, steady rise of electric vehicles to 2030

                DETROIT: Pure electric vehicles will not begin to gain serious traction in most global markets until after 2025 and will likely account for only 14 percent of total global vehicle production by 2030, according to a study released on Thursday by Boston Consulting Group.

By then, the study’s authors said, improved battery technology, lower costs and government mandates will drive greater consumer demand for EVs, which this year will account for less than 1 percent of the nearly 100 million vehicles sold worldwide and only 6 percent by 2025.

“Eventually, we’ll reach a point where we don’t need incentives anymore” to boost EV sales, said Xavier Mosquet, BCG senior partner and lead author of the study. By 2030, Mosquet said, EV demand will be driven by market forces, not regulation.

Republicans in the US House of Representatives have already proposed eliminating one of the biggest EV incentives, a US$7,500 tax credit, which could hurt automakers like General Motors Co, Tesla Inc and Nissan Motor Co that are selling large numbers of those vehicles.

BCG expects battery costs to fall rapidly after 2020, to as low as $80 per kilowatt-hour by 2025, compared with about US$150 today and more than US$650 in 2010.

Total operating costs also will drop, BCG said, until the cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle over 10 years will fall below that of a comparable combustion-engine vehicles by 2021.

In addition, more stringent environmental targets in many countries will push vehicle manufacturers to add some form of electrification, including hybrid electric-gasoline powertrains, to reduce exhaust emissions after 2020.

Even as costs drop and more advanced technology is introduced over the next 12 years, BCG said it expects 86 percent of new vehicles to continue using some form of combustion engine by 2030.

Mosquet said a gradual shift to ride sharing in big cities and larger metropolitan areas, especially in the United States, will drive demand for EVs, in large part because the shared vehicles will accumulate miles more rapidly and thus narrow the gap in operating costs with combustion-engine vehicles.

Likewise, a shift to self-driving vehicles, particularly in ride-sharing fleets, will boost EV demand after 2025. The cost per mile for a battery-powered self-driving vehicle could drop as low as 74 cents by 2030, making such vehicles less expensive than those with combustion engines, BCG said.


China’s Geely buys shares in Germany’s Daimler, say sources

Employees working along a Geely assembly line in Cixi, Zhejiang province in this file photo. — Reuters
FRANKFURT/BEIJING: Chinese carmaker Geely has bought shares in German car and truck maker Daimler , two people familiar with the matter said, as the Chinese owner of Volvo cars seeks to strike an alliance over electric cars technology.

The size of the stake is unclear but likely to be below 3 percent, as that level would require Geely to make a regulatory disclosure in Germany.

It was also unclear whether Geely, which owns London taxi manufacturer LEVC as well as stakes in Volvo trucks and Lotus sportscars, had sought to buy more Daimler shares.

In November, sources said Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, had turned down an offer from Geely to take a stake of up to 5 percent via a discounted share placement.

At the time, Daimler declined to issue new shares because it did not want to see existing stockholders diluted, sources with knowledge of the talks said.

Now sources say Geely has decided to build a stake by buying existing shares. “Geely has opted mainly to show their seriousness and to impress on Daimler folks that they are not going away,” one of the sources, who declined to be named, said. A spokesman for Geely declined to comment.

Daimler on Tuesday reiterated it would welcome interest from long-term shareholders and added any significant changes to its shareholder structure would be published on its website.

Speaking at an event in Duisburg, Germany, Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said on Tuesday he had no information about Geely’s purchases of Daimler shares.

“I haven’t seen the chairman of Geely at least for a year,” Zetsche told Reuters after presenting Daimler’s New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.

People with knowledge of Geely’s thinking have said the company is keen to access Daimler’s electric car battery technology and wants to establish an electric car joint venture in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province.

Carmakers in China have come under pressure to ramp up production of battery electric and hybrid vehicles ahead of tough new quotas to be imposed by Beijing, which wants to reduce urban smog and lower the country’s reliance on oil.

Geely hopes Daimler will see the mutual benefits of a partnership to scale up production of electric car components, as China tightens the screws on combustion-only vehicles, a second source familiar with the matter said.

Daimler executives have said they see no need to take on another industrial partner in China because there is significant capacity for expansion in a venture jointly run with China’s BAIC Motor Corp.

Daimler executives have also seen the problems encountered by rival Audi in China, which sought to establish a relationship with SAIC, but alienated its existing dealers who were dependent on Audi’s Chinese partner FAW , leading to lost sales.


Michelle Rodriguez takes Jaguar F-TYPE SVR to 323kph

                NEVADA: The new Jaguar F-TYPE SVR, the fastest series production Jaguar vehicle ever, has been put through its first high speed test drive with Hollywood actress Michelle Rodriguez at the wheel.

On a closed highway in the Nevada desert, home to the world renowned Silver State Classic Challenge road race, the actress pushed the F-TYPE SVR Coupe to its top speed with the speedometer indicating 323kph - a personal top speed for the star, who is better known for her tough chick role in the Fast and Furious blockbuster hit. She will reprise her role as Letty Ortiz in the upcoming sequel Fast 8, due out in 2017.

Michelle Rodriguez said: "Driving this car was insane! I've now broken my personal speed record in the beautiful Jaguar F-TYPE SVR. Reaching 323kph felt amazing, the car drove really smoothly, all my corrections were minimal, I was super focused, and it really reacted in all the right ways. I don't think I'd ever go this fast without a professional driver seated next to me, but oh man, it was an incredible feeling."

"I've always wondered what it was like to travel faster than my top speed of 225kph and, outside of the Autobahn, it's impossible for me to do it safely anywhere else and safety is most important to me."

Developed by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to be lighter, quicker, faster and more powerful while remaining useable day-to-day, the F-TYPE SVR elevates the F-TYPE model range as the ultimate Jaguar sports car.

The F-TYPE SVR is the first Jaguar SVR and fastest F-TYPE ever.

Acceleration from 0-100kph takes just 3.5 seconds.


Audi A1 Citycarver: A small car that looks like an SUV but isn't

                INGOLSTADT: The endless tide of SUVs is beginning to reach beyond large and mid-sized cars, with even the smallest Audi now available in off-road optics.

Audi has turned its A1 into a small car on stilts: Starting in November, the four rings will be selling an entry-level model as a boosted-up A1 Citycarver that looks like an SUV, just far away.

With prices in Europe starting at €22,100, Audi's latest is poised to compete with other small off-road cars like the VW T-Cross or the Peugeot 2008.

For €2,000 more than the conventional Sportback, you get a five-door wannabe SUV with around 5 cm more ground clearance and a modified SUV-like front.

The Citycarver's design also hints at an underride guard, while coming in contrasting body colours and decorative elements in the interior. Audi has been showing this car off in a garish orange that makes it look like it's wearing a hiking jacket, but you can have the car in other shades.

Under the bonnet, you can choose between two three-pot petrol engines, both with a 1-litre capacity. Depending on the model, the Citycarver has 95 or 116hp and can reach top speeds of up to 198kph.

A closer look at the engine shows why this car isn't really a compact SUV and being sold as a Q1: There's no all-wheel drive, something you'd expect to see on an off-roader.

Audi puts fuel consumption values at between 5.1 and 5.4 litres, corresponding to CO2 values of 117 to 122 g/km.


Mazda CX-3

                Going by its popularity worldwide, the Mazda CX-3 mini sport utility vehicle (SUV) looks set to be a winner in Malaysia and compete strongly against the likes of the Honda HR-V.

The CX-3 is expected to be offered with a 2.0-litre engine and priced from RM120,000 to RM130,000.

Featuring the “Kodo – Soul of Motion” styling, the CX-3 features a compact rear-leaning cabin, bold face, large wheels, side mouldings and high beltline.

READ ALSO: New cars coming in second half of 2015

Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design philosophy aims to capture the moment just before an athlete or animal launches into motion.

Mazda had unveiled its CX-3 at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Like all new Mazda models, the CX-3 has a driver-oriented interior with symmetrical pedals, optimally positioned gauges and controls, and top-class front shoulder and legroom.

Rear combination lamps stretch from the body into the liftgate with a shape echoing the headlamps.

Its 350-litre rear cargo room can be expanded to 1,260 litres with the rear seats folded.

Interior includes a free-standing seven-inch touchscreen display as well as a rotary commander on centre console designed to enable driver operation without taking their eyes off the road.

Features can also include Mazda’s MZD Connect smartphone connectivity system, with a seven-speaker Bose premium audio system and rear parking camera.

Drivers would like the lightweight electric power-assisted steering system, and the enhanced high-speed stability and comfort which are partly due to a refined MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension.

Its SkyActiv chassis combines SUV advantages such as extra ground clearance and rough road capabilities with easy city driving.

For further information on Mazda models, go to the local Mazda website.


CIMB launches CIMB Auto Dealer App for used car financing

                KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd have launched the CIMB Auto Dealer App, a mobile application that enables automotive (auto) loan/financing approval within one minute upon full submission of required documents.

In a statement, the bank said the app is the first auto financing platform of its kind in Malaysia, empowering car dealers by enabling fast, secure and seamless digital application submissions and processing for auto financing.

CIMB said with the CIMB Auto Dealer App, car dealers nationwide can submit financing applications anytime and anywhere, with a real-time submission tracking feature that updates dealers on the status at every stage of the process.

“This digital financing solution is introduced to ease customers’ car purchasing journey and decision-making. It also aims to simplify and expedite the auto financing submission process for car dealers, enabling them to allocate more resources towards customer support and sales.

“The app’s one-minute approval time for eligible applicants is the fastest in the market today,” it said.

CIMB said 15 Carsome Experience Centers are already using the app to support Carsome’s customers on their vehicle financing needs.

CIMB Group consumer banking CEO Samir Gupta said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Carsome, a leader in the region’s automotive e-commerce space, for the initial rollout of our CIMB Auto Dealer App. We look forward to working closely with Carsome and supporting their customers’ auto financing needs through this seamless digital auto financing solution.”

“With the success of this partnership, we look forward to onboarding other car dealers nationwide to make the auto financing process more convenient and transparent with a fully-digital process and real-time status tracking.

“The app reflects our commitment to continuously improve and simplify the banking experience for our customers and partners through digital innovation, in line with our focus on customer centricity under our Forward23+ strategic plan,” he said.

The CIMB Auto Dealer App is the latest addition to the CIMB InstaApproval series. The series includes, among others, CIMB’s 1-Minute Auto Financing InstaApproval for selected auto dealers and 1-Minute Home Financing InstaApproval which were launched in 2018.


Daimler claims another autonomous driving world-first

                STUTTGART: Having succeeded in bringing the world's first self-driving truck to public roads, luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz and its parent company Daimler can now claim another self-driving world first, this time with buses.

The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot has driven autonomously for the first time on a 20km route in Amsterdam, stopping at bus stops with centimeter accuracy, autonomously obeying traffic lights, hitting speeds of up to 70kph, avoiding pedestrians, following bends and negotiating tunnels.

Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Daimler Trucks & Buses: "With our Highway Pilot, we showed nearly two years ago that autonomous driving will make long-distance truck transport safer and more efficient. We are now putting this technology into our city buses with CityPilot."

Although a driver was on board for the duration of the journey, the bus was capable of taking the strain due to the company's CityPilot technology, which communicates with sensors and markings integrated into a specially prepared bus lane, which, Daimler claims is the fastest, simplest and most cost effective way of adapting existing highway stretches for use by semi-autonomous vehicles.

"It allows us to drive partially autonomously on specially marked bus lanes. This makes public transport safer, more efficient and more productive. More people can travel from A to B quickly, punctually and in comfort. To the benefit of all: bus operators, bus drivers and passengers," said Dr Bernhard.

As well as self-driving innovation, the record-setting bus also offers passengers a glimpse of how interiors are set to evolve to meet changing mobility demands. Inside the bus, space is divided into two, a central space for those traveling short distances balanced by larger spaces modelled on the idea of a public square, packed with natural light for those travelling further with park-inspired bench seating. All tickets are electronic with the bus automatically "validating" passengers as they board or alight again.

And in an age of hyper-connectivity, two huge 43-inch monitors display all necessary information regarding the route alongside points of interest, news headlines and other potentially useful or rich information for those on board.

Following this initial success, Mercedes is now aiming to bring this tech to market before decade's end.


Electric cars racing at 270kph are test labs for SUVs

                MELBOURNE: Not every advance in electric-vehicle technology takes place inside the sterile calm of a research laboratory.

BMW AG, Volkswagen AG’s Audi and a Silicon Valley-based battery maker are helping push the boundaries by racing electric-powered cars through Saudi Arabia, New York, London and Seoul at speeds topping 270kph.

Breakthroughs made by competitors in Formula E, which started its sixth season over the weekend, are being incorporated into family SUVs and sedans — and even India’s electric rickshaws — as manufacturers seek to improve and extend their electric lineups while nations gradually phase out gas guzzlers. More powerful batteries and better motors, energy-management software and braking systems are all being transferred from the racetrack to the showroom.

"What we are doing in Formula E is highly relevant back on the road,” said Dilbagh Gill, chief executive officer and team principal of India’s Mahindra Racing, the motorsport unit of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. "We are able to come in and help them immediately in improving the product.”

Formula E, which began in 2014 with an "E-Prix” in Beijing, has 12 teams, almost all of which involve automakers producing or developing battery-powered vehicles for consumers — such as Nissan Motor Co. and Tata Motors Ltd.’s Jaguar brand.

Volkswagen’s Porsche and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz brand are new participants in the 14-race season that opened Friday in Saudi Arabia. The schedule runs through July, concluding with the two-day London E-Prix.

Briton Alexander Sims, racing with BMW i Andretti Motorsport, won Saturday’s race on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Envision Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird won Friday’s opening race.

Last season’s champion was DS Techeetah, the Chinese-owned team of PSA Group’s DS Automobiles. Its DS E-Tense FE20 machine can accelerate from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds.

DS Automobiles is taking the powertrain -- parts including the motor and inverter -- from its Formula E entry and putting it inside a concept car called the DS X E-Tense. It also will use the same operating software across its planned range of electric passenger vehicles.

PSA Group, also home to the Peugeot and Citroen brands, is targeting a fully electrified fleet by 2025.

"The cars that win in Formula E are the most energy efficient, which is largely driven by software,” Paris-based DS Automobiles said. "Everything we do in Formula E with algorithms and software we try to replicate in series production.”

Rules intended to limit costs for teams and keep the series competitive mean racers use a standardised lithium-ion battery manufactured by a unit of Newark, California-based Lucid Motors Inc.

During the first four seasons of Formula E, drivers needed to change cars in the middle of a race — leaping from one cockpit into another — because the power packs couldn’t complete a whole event, which typically lasts about 45 minutes.

Lucid’s batteries, introduced last season, eliminate the need for that switch.

"The real reason we are doing this is to demonstrate that we have world-class technology, which will find its way into our forthcoming road car,” said chief executive officer Peter Rawlinson, previously chief engineer of Tesla Inc.’s Model S.

The company plans to start producing its Lucid Air sedan in Arizona next year, boasting of a range topping 643km and a speed exceeding 320kph.

Lucid’s Formula E batteries pack in more energy than alternatives that are commercially available for regular cars, said James Frith, a London-based analyst for BloombergNEF.

"If Lucid can transfer this technology to commercial electric vehicles, it could give them a real advantage,” he said.

Another key focus for Mahindra, DS Techeetah, Audi and the others is finding the best way to slow a car down.

Since most vehicles lose energy as heat when a driver hits the brakes and causes friction, electric race cars use regenerative braking systems. In effect, a car’s motor goes into reverse to both slow the wheels and act as a generator to send power back into the battery.

The technology helps to boost driving range, meaning passenger cars could use smaller batteries, said Allan McNish, team principal of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.

"Regenerating energy is going to be a key factor for the development of road cars,” said McNish, an ex-Formula 1 driver and a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

For Nissan, the technology transfer goes both ways, Azusa Momose, a spokeswoman, said. Racing engineers working with the Nissan e.dams team are drawing on the company’s experience developing the electric Leaf hatchback.

"They share the same DNA,” Momose said in an email. Formula E cars are at the leading edge of energy management and powertrain development, she said.

Yet not all the gains are connected with technology or software.

Mumbai-based Mahindra will share racers’ cockpit tips with India’s auto rickshaw drivers to help them extend their battery’s range between refills. India is home to about 1.5 million battery-powered, three-wheeled rickshaws. Mahindra is among the manufacturers of electric versions.

"As soon as they improve range, their earning capacity improves,” Gill said.

Putting high-speed EVs onto circuits using regular city streets is considered another major benefit to the racing series, lifting the profile of the battery-powered sector in key consumer markets. Formula E races last season drew more than 400,000 spectators and a cumulative TV audience of 411 million people, the series said in September.

Last season’s racers zipped along Brooklyn’s Clinton Wharf and Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. This season, competitors will loop around the National Monument in Jakarta, and, in the UK., teams will tackle a circuit that weaves inside the ExCeL London exhibition centre and then back outside onto the city’s Royal Docks.

"You are racing in the heart of cities, and that’s where electric vehicles will be driven,” McNish said. "You are effectively taking your product to the people.”
—


Kia creates vehicle maintenance and safety video series

                LONDON: Leaving your vehicle unused for extended periods of time can lead to a number of unexpected issues.

Kia Motors (UK) Ltd have created a series of four short animation videos giving guidance on what safety and maintenance procedures to follow with their cars on a regular basis.

Episode one features information on brakes and what to expect when they have been inactive for a several days.

Episode two gives clarity on how to maintain optimum car battery health, whilst the third instalment of the series focuses on exterior safety checks including lights and tyre pressures.

Finally episode four explains what to do ‘under the bonnet’ in regards to ensuring essential fluid levels are checked and maintained.

This series will be released in a staggered approach over the following days, with episode one and two already available on the Kia media site – www.kiapressoffice.com.

The series will be publicised on Kia UK and Kia UK PR’s social media channels, and hosted on the Kia UK customer website.


Toyota RAV4 order-taking starts,  tentative pricing from RM197K

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor has announced that order taking for the Toyota RAV4 has begun.

From June 10 onwards, the winner of the 2019 Japan Car of the Year award will be available for order and comes in two variants - a 2.0 and 2.5-litre variant.

The RAV4 is estimated to be priced on-the-road without insurance at RM196,500 and RM215,700 respectively due to the recent revision on the sales tax exemption by the Government.

The RAV4 has been completely redesigned and has been touted to offer a safe, secure, comfortable, and convenient drive experience with the power and sophistication of a premium Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The fifth-generation RAV4 has been developed with Dynamic Force Engine that's been coupled with the use of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.

In terms of kit, the company says that this SUV comes with Toyota Safety Sense features that include other systems such as Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) for All Speed as well as Automatic High Beam (AHB) and a Kick Sensor Power Back Door (powered tailgate with hands-free operation) among others.

For more information log on to toyota.com.my.


Mahindra to focus on SUVs, electric after ending Ford JV talks

                NEW DELHI: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd will focus on developing its core portfolio of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and their electric version, a senior executive said today after the company ended joint venture talks with Ford Motor Co.

Anish Shah, the deputy managing director, said Mahindra will focus mainly on large SUVs for its core India market in the short term and move to electric in the medium term, as it charts a new strategy for its automotive business.

“We are going back to our core,” said Shah, who will take over as managing director from April.

“We are going to look ahead at how we can accelerate our investment in electric and really start moving to the new age. We clearly hold the ambition to be a global brand and there again the electric journey is an important one,” Shah said.

Mahindra’s high-end electric vehicle Pininfarina Battista is a starting point, Shah said, adding that the automaker would look at developing more electric platforms in India to build SUVs for the local and export markets.

Mahindra and Ford late on Thursday called off their automotive joint venture due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted them to reassess their capital allocation priorities.

The two companies had plans to jointly develop vehicles for manufacture in India for local sales and export to dozens of emerging markets under the Ford badge.

However, Mahindra was not convinced the venture would generate returns needed to justify the higher investment it would have to make in a post-pandemic world.

Shah told reporters Mahindra had initially planned to invest about 30 billion rupees (US$410.68 million) in the venture, half of which would have been equity.

Now, Mahindra plans to invest the money in electric vehicles, he said, adding it is open to collaborating with Ford in the future, including in EVs.

The review is part of a broader restructuring at Mahindra under which the company is exiting several loss-making businesses, including its South Korean unit Ssangyong Motor, to focus on profits and cash flow.

Mahindra said today it is close to agreeing a deal with a potential investor for its majority stake in Ssangyong, which has been placed in receivership. Its total investment in the SUV-maker is US$264 million and the extent of the write-off would depend on what deal is agreed, Shah said.

The automaker last year also pulled the plug on its US electric scooter unit GenZe and aviation business GippsAero. Its other global subsidiaries include Peugeot Motorcycles.

Mahindra sold close to 190,000 passenger vehicles in India in the last fiscal year ended March 31, giving it close to 7% share of the market, industry data shows.


Prolintas concession agreements open to public

                PETALING JAYA: Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) released details of the concession agreements of three expressways under its management namely Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) and the Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam (LKSA).

“We want to be clear and transparent about the details of the agreements so that road users get an accurate picture of the expressways managed by Prolintas instead of relying on rumours and hearsay from third parties,” explained Group Chief Executive, Prolintas, Datuk Ir. Zainudin A Kadir.

“Of particular interest to road users are the details of the road user charges which we have strived to keep as low as possible for all the expressways under our management. While the concession agreements have provided provisions for increases in road user charges we have maintained road user charges at RM1.50 for AKLEH and RM1.20 for LKSA at the Seri Muda toll plaza from day one and only made a slight increase from RM1.00 to RM1.40 for GCE in 2007,” Zainudin added.

In the case of AKLEH, road user charges were supposed to have increased to RM2.50 in 2008 and then to RM3.50 in 2015 for Class 1 Vehicles. To maintain charges at RM1.50, PROLINTAS has been compensated RM119.2 million to date based on the difference between actual toll collected and toll that would have been collected if the increases were put in place.

“Whatever compensation that has been collected has been channelled back into upgrading works. AKLEH’s expansion from an existing two-lane dual carriageway into a three-lane dual carriageway from KM4.6 to KM6.0 was required of us in the concession agreement if traffic exceeded 93,600 vehicles per day. This upgrade alone cost us RM120 million,” said general manager of AKLEH, Engku Mohd Fauzi Engku Hatim.

“We will try our best to continue to upgrade and maintain our expressways and hope that road user charges are kept low so that as many people as possible can benefit from shorter distances and faster travel times to their destinations comfortably and safely,” said Zainudin.

Details of the concession agreements are available to the public at the Ministry of Works Malaysia, Block B, 6th Floor, Kompleks Kerja Raya, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50580 Kuala Lumpur.


Proton to boost solar power adoption with appointment of second photovoltaic supplier

Lee (second from left) showing the appointment document with Shamsul. With them are Roslan (left) and Industrial Labs co-founder and director Fairus Sakiman (right).

SUBANG JAYA: Proton Edar's wholly-owned subsidiary Proton Global Services Sdn Bhd (PGS) has appointed Industrial Laboratories Sdn Bhd (Industrial Labs) as its second solar photovoltaic (PV) system supplier to expand the adoption of solar power in its network of dealers and vendors.

The appointment is part of the national car maker’s energy sustainability initiatives as it seeks to lower its carbon emissions to boost ESG scores.

Aside from having a presence in a diverse range of business activities, PGS also executes energy optimisation and sustainable energy solutions for Proton.

Industrial Labs is a major supplier and service provider of renewable energy solutions in Malaysia with experience throughout Southeast Asia.

PGS chief executive officer Lee Yeet Chuan said new energy is one of the core business activities for the company aside from promoting and implementing the use of solar energy to its dealers and vendors.

“We have also overseen the installation of a solar farm at Proton’s plant in Tanjung Malim capable of producing 12MWp and generating potential energy bill savings of up to RM3.5mil per year for Proton for 25 years.

“With the addition of Industrial Labs as our second PV system supplier, we are looking to accelerate the adoption of solar power in the Proton network of dealers and vendors in 2023 to further reduce carbon emissions for the company,” said Lee.

Industrial Labs co-founder and director Shamsul Azhar Zainuddin, who sign on behalf of his company, said there were wider objectives that could be advanced with increased adoption of solar energy.

“The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt last year outlined steps that needed to be taken to ensure global temperature increases are minimised compared to pre-industrial levels.

“Decarbonising energy production is one of the initiatives being promoted, which is why we are delighted to work together with PGS as promoting clean and renewable energy like solar is a step in the right direction,” he said.

At a national level, Malaysia has committed to be a carbon neutral nation by 2050, and manufacturers such as Proton will play a pivotal role to help reduce the country’s carbon emission levels.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said all corporate entities must look at ways to improve their scores as ESG parameters were gaining more prominence each year.

“Beyond the score card however, Proton has a responsibility as a national automotive brand to play an active role to help Malaysia reach its carbon neutral goal by 2050, which is why we will continue to promote more green initiatives within the company and to our ecosystem for the foreseeable future,” said Roslan.


Another chance to buy a new Ford GT on the horizon

2018 Ford GT '67 Heritage Edition.
DETROIT: If you're one of those disappointed people who missed out on buying one of the latest-generation models of the Ford GT so far, another opportunity has just opened up.

Instead of resorting to the inflated secondary market, the order books are now open for the 2019 GT, which will be the third out of four model years of the current Ford GT after Ford extended the production run to 2020.

Of course, as with the previous two models years, there isn't exactly a glut of them as there are only 250 build slots for the 2019 model year.

Buyers will also have to jump through the same hoops as previously before Ford will agree to sell them one. On the plus side, those who have applied before and been turned down are not barred from re-applying. Those who haven't been approved previously are said to be welcome to update their applications and try again, along with new customers of course.

 2017 Ford GT.

If you're not familiar with the application process, it involves answering survey questions and then showing your Ford connections and any Ford collection you may already have.

And if you really, really want to secure one of the slots there's also the option to submit a publicly accessible 60-second video showing what Ford is referring to as "Your Style."

When the first batch of GTs was offered for sale 6,506 prospective buyers with US$450,000 (RM1.8mil) to spend applied by trying to prove they would be the ultimate Ford ambassador. Needless to say, there were some real "must-see" videos among those applications.

Unfortunately, despite such a limited production run, the company tasked with supplying the cars is behind on the overall build schedule. Multimatic required more time than expected to reach the point where it could produce the promised one car per day, and that meant only 138 of the 250 for the 2017 model year were built.

Ford is still committed to an overall production run over the four model years of 1,000 units, so although delivery times are being delayed, all deliveries will be made, eventually.


Auto suppliers feel the green squeeze as carmakers get clean

                LONDON: The auto industry's drive to a greener and cleaner future is a treacherous road for companies in its beleaguered supply chain. Only the strong and the shrewd may survive.

Many auto suppliers, already squeezed by rampant inflation and energy prices, say they have little choice but to shoulder the extra costs of making their components sustainable to meet carmakers' environmental targets.

"If you don't, you're not going to have a business in five or six years supplying major carmakers," said Shane Kirrane, commercial director at Autins Group, which has plants in Britain, Sweden and Germany that make acoustic and thermal insulation for cars.

All major carmakers have committed to green targets, seeking to purge dirtier materials from their supply chains to satisfy regulators and investors as they transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

BMW, for instance, expects all of its battery and many of its steel and aluminium providers to produce materials made using renewable energy, while Volvo is targeting 25% recyclable plastic in its cars by 2025.

Many suppliers are consequently making large investments to green up their acts, from developing recyclable parts to hooking up their businesses to renewable energy, according to interviews with more than a dozen industry players.

At the same time, many say they have little leeway to raise the prices they charge big automakers, which are themselves laser-focused on costs as they shell out tens of billions of dollars to reinvent themselves for a lower-carbon era.

"We use the term disruptive all the time, but it's much more than just disruptive," said Joe McCabe, CEO of researcher AutoForecast Solutions.

"We're going to see a real big shakeout the next five, 10 years in the auto supply chain."

Philadelphia-based AutoForecast compiles auto industry production estimates and advises suppliers on whether the requests-for-quotes (RFQs) they receive from carmakers are based on realistic assumptions for vehicle production volumes.

"Suppliers are being asked to develop new technologies to support EVs and invest in a greener supply chain with (high) volumes we don't believe are obtainable based on the actual RFQs," McCabe added.

"But carmakers are also telling suppliers: 'If you want to be part of this new green revolution, give me the best price possible so I don't go to your competition'."

'A monumental task'

Carmakers are often reluctant to discuss contractual relationships with suppliers.

Mercedes-Benz, which aims to extensively use recyclable material and "green" steel made using renewable energy in its cars, said it was fully aware that going to zero emissions was "a monumental task" for suppliers.

It said that it planned to reach this goal collaboratively, including providing training to suppliers or shared research and development.

Volkswagen, targeting a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions for its vehicles including their supply chain, said it has a collaborative relationship with suppliers, citing a joint programme it created to tackle rising energy prices, without providing details.

Going green is costly for even the biggest suppliers, such as American Swiss connector maker TE Connectivity, according to its chief technology officer Ralf Klaedtke.

The company, which is worth about US$39 billion (RM180bil), launched its own sustainability drive in 2020 and is working on recyclable products with carmakers including Volkswagen, Volvo and BMW.

"For smaller suppliers, the challenge is even more severe," Klaedtke said.

"The suppliers that don't qualify for sustainability will be ruled out of the procurement process."

For Britain's Autins, which had revenue of about £23 million (RM114mil) for the fiscal year ending September 2021, one part of the green solution is to shift to 100% renewable energy later this year, according to CEO Gareth Kaminski-Cook, speaking at the company's plant in Tamworth, central England.

He said this would cost his company several thousands of pounds more per year - the cost of building out infrastructure to connect renewable energy to the grid is passed on to business customers. Eventually, though, those bills will come down.

The publicly-traded company has also been pursuing its own green targets to satisfy shareholders.

Autins, whose customers include Volkswagen and Jaguar Land Rover, has invested about £50,000 (RM247,000) in developing a recyclable insulation material that should be ready around the end of 2022, Kaminski-Cook added.

'Killed our margins'

Plastic and rubber component maker Sigit, with annual revenue of around US$200 million, spent €10 million (RM44.3mil) in 2019-20 on a research centre in Turin that has developed a recyclable thermoplastic composite bracket 90% lighter than the previous metal part.

CEO Emanuele Buscaglione said supply-chain problems that began during the pandemic plus soaring costs had "killed our margins" and "created the perfect storm" for the industry.

The Swiss-Italian company spent three years developing the bracket and now has its first contract, for vans made by Stellantis, the world's No. 4 carmaker, Buscaglione added.

"We are trying to concentrate the few resources we have available on innovation," said the CEO. He added, though, that Sigit's carmaker customers had been unwilling to pay any more for new, greener products so far, even the luxury brands.

The challenge of passing on added costs to customers is "anything but trivial," Buscaglione says.

Suppliers are also feeling the strain in Germany, Europe's biggest car market.

M. Busch, which makes cast-iron parts including brake discs and gearboxes in North-Rhine Westphalia, wants to shift from burning coke to "biocoke" made from organic waste, use renewable energy and replace gas for melting the metal with hydrogen, owner Andreas Guell said.

But the organic waste is hard to find, there is not enough hydrogen fuelling infrastructure to meet his needs while renewable energy is still expensive compared with conventional power, he added.

Guell says carmakers only want to work with suppliers who use green energy, leaving him in a tight spot.

German aluminium supplier Gerd Roeders, the owner of G.A. Roeders, which provides material for Volkswagen and Continental, wants to shift to a hydrogen-and-gas mix from just gas, but says government and carmaker support is needed to build green infrastructure.

"To be innovative, the supplier industry needs money," Roeders said.

"We feel a bit stuck."


New test track will boost production of safer vehicles in Asean, says Wee

                SEPANG: The new one-kilometre long Technology Test Track (MT3) by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) will help spearhead the production of safer vehicles in the Asean region, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the establishment of a centre of excellence for active and passive safety research on vehicles is a key area in the Malaysian Road Safety Plan 2022-2030.

The construction of the MT3 test circuit will be a pioneer for various tests of active and passive safety systems on vehicles in Malaysia, as well as in South-East Asia.

“Hopefully, the development of this test track can attract private parties and other agencies to work with Miros in ensuring that vehicles produced can meet safety specifications.

“This is to ensure that vehicles on the market are 5-star vehicles and safe to use,” said Dr Wee in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Miros MT3 track here.

Located near the Sepang International Circuit, the Miros MT3 is targeted for completion by the end of 2022.

Miros chairman Professor Dr Wong Shaw Voon said the test track will be up and running next year.

Wong said tests that can be conducted on the test track include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

He added that the MT3 circuit is also designed to offer collision test services to manufacturers of road furniture such as road barriers and crash cushion, so they can evaluate if their products comply with standards.

“Currently, crash tests on street furniture can only be done in other countries, and that involves high costs.

“This crash test facility in MT3 will encourage local producers to produce more cost-effective products and indirectly help the growth of the local street furniture production,” said Wong.


GM to make next-generation Chevrolet Cruze in Mexico

                MEXICO CITY/DETROIT:  General Motors Co will build its next-generation Chevrolet Cruze compact in Mexico, the company said on Monday, as automakers look to expand in the Latin American nation to take advantage of low labour costs and free trade agreements.

GM will invest US$350 million to produce the Cruze at its plant in Coahuila, as part of the US$5 billion investment in its Mexican plants announced last year.

GM will continue manufacturing the model in Lordstown, Ohio. GM so far has identified only three plants that will make the next-generation Cruze, including in China.

A GM spokesman in the United States said the company's assembly plant in Gunsan, South Korea, will continue building the current Cruze model to meet demand in domestic and export markets.

As part of a new wage deal last summer, GM agreed to build the next-generation Cruze in Korea starting in 2017, in about-face for the automaker.

GM executives have voiced concerns about what they said were higher labor costs in Korea, where the automaker has run into problems with its workers. A

Automakers are looking to move to Mexico for its low labour costs and access to the US market. Toyota is finalising plans for its first passenger car assembly plant in Mexico, people familiar with the matter previously said. Volkswagen recently announced a US$1 billion investment in its Puebla plant.

It is the first time the Cruze will be made in Mexico, a GM spokesman in Mexico said, and production will be mainly for the domestic market. The Cruze is currently imported to Mexico from GM's plant in South Korea, she said.

A GM Korea spokesman said the move would not have a major impact on the production of next-generation Cruze, as export volume from Korea to Mexico are small.


Pomen App to the rescue

                KUALA LUMPUR: Pomen App is a 24/7 car assistance ecosystem app that aims to help drivers when their car breaks down.

Founded in January 2018 and launched in October 2018, Pomen App’s main focus is to provide reassurance, reliable service and safety to female drivers who find themselves stranded due to car failure.

Pomen App’s key features is that a single profile can be created to include all members of a family within the app. This would ensure that each person can constantly be updated on the status of their loved ones who are experiencing emergencies.

The app also allows drivers to track Pomen App service providers in real time.

With real-time tracking, flat-rate pricing without hidden additional costs and free membership, Pomen App not only provides safeguards against the risks of unlicensed workshop representatives, elevated service costs and unreliable repairs.

“We’ve built a user-friendly platform while keeping the safety of families on the road in mind. Mothers driving alone to fetch their kids or parents driving long distances with young children in the car can breathe easier knowing that if a breakdown happens, a reliable mechanic is only a tap away on Pomen App,” said Syed Zulhilmi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of  Pomen Autodata Sdn Bhd.

According to Nazmi Najib, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Pomen Autodata Sdn Bhd, users have 24 hour access to consultation during a breakdown as the app shares its application programming interface (API) with other platforms throughout the day.

Users who are looking for assistance such as battery jumpstart services, tyre replacements and vehicular maintenance services will have access to all workshop merchants and other platform partners.

To ensure quality services, Pomen App has a rigorous merchant selection process. Last year, Pomen App collaborated with Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii), registering more than 100 workshops which have been successfully certified by MARii’s Workshop Transformation Program (WTP).

Pomen App is currently available in the Klang Valley, Ipoh, Kedah, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

To find more about Pomen App, kindly visit www.pomenapp.com. Pomen App is available for download in both Google Playstore and Apple Appstore.


This is what the Kia EV6 looks like

                SEOUL: Kia has revealed the first images of the exterior and interior design of EV6, its first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV), ahead of the car’s world premiere this month.

EV6 was designed under the brand’s new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity.

At the centre of the design philosophy is a new visual identity evoking positive forces and natural energy, with contrasting combinations of sharp stylistic elements and sculptural shapes.

Boasting a distinctive crossover-inspired design and based on the brand’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated BEV to be influenced by the new design philosophy, which embodies Kia’s shifting focus towards electrification.

Kia senior vice-president and head of Global Design Centre Karim Habib said its first dedicated Kia EV is a showcase of human-centered, progressive design and electrified power.

"We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market.

“With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”

The Opposites United design philosophy makes its debut on EV6, and will inform the design of all future Kia models.

The philosophy is based on five key design pillars: ‘Bold for Nature’, ‘Joy for Reason’, ‘Power to Progress’, ‘Technology for Life’, and ‘Tension for Serenity’.

Bold for Nature is based on interaction with nature, informed by the details, shapes and proportions found both in the natural and human worlds.

Joy for Reason focuses on the feel and ambience of Kia’s future vehicles. Future designs will fuse the emotional with the rational, creating vehicles that influence the mood of passengers, by relaxing and inspiring.

Power to Progress builds on the brand’s current design strengths. By drawing on and developing the skills and expertise learned throughout Kia’s recent era of design-led transformation, the designs and layouts of the brand’s future products will continue to evolve.

Technology for Life embraces new technologies and innovations to foster positive interactions between humans and machines. The brand’s future vehicles will adopt a next-generation in-car user experience (UX) through design, innovation and advancements in lighting, feel and in-car connectivity – to help customers engage with their cars.

Tension for Serenity evokes the tension between opposing forces and creative contrasts, and recognises the design equilibrium that comes from two opposing forces. It delivers striking design concepts that use sharp, highly technical details to create surface tension – and realize a harmonized, future-oriented design vision.


Who's next? Chinese EVs drive Stellantis' Jeep off the road

                LONDON/MILAN: The bankruptcy of Stellantis' Jeep joint venture in China could spell trouble for other global automakers whose output has plunged over the last five years in the world's largest car market, as domestic players rapidly overtake.

The first joint venture failure by a foreign brand in the electric vehicle (EV) era, the Oct 31 bankruptcy filing marks a turning point in that Chinese carmakers are beginning to surpass the long-dominant international brands in giving consumers what they want.

"I do not expect Stellantis to be an isolated case," said Marco Santino, a partner at management consultants Oliver Wyman.

"Probably almost all of the western carmakers will have to review the industrial logic of their presence in China."

A spokesman for Stellantis said Jeep would operate through an "asset light" strategy in China, importing vehicles via a distribution model that is profitable for its Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands.

"Jeep remains fully committed to its existing and future customers in China," the spokesman said, adding Stellantis' dealer network in China remains fully operational.

Some elements of the Jeep joint venture's failure are particular to Stellantis - and the former car groups that feature among its 14 brands. But data compiled for Reuters by consultancy LMC Automotive expose a problem shared by a number of other global carmakers: plummeting Chinese plant usage.

The fewer cars a plant produces, the more likely it is to be loss-making.

The Jeep failure in China happened less than two years after Stellantis was formed by the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler.

In the run-up to the deal, Chief Executive Carlos Tavares had said no carmaker could afford not to be in China and the expectation was the two companies would together be better equipped to make headway there.

But Stellantis earlier this year said it would end its venture with local partner Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), just months after saying it would raise its stake to 75% from 50%.

The U-turn leaves the world's No. 3 carmaker by sales with only limited Peugeot and Citroen production in China, which it has said could also be shut down, although it has yet to decide on that.

'Deeply shocked'

Tavares, the carmaker's outspoken Portuguese CEO, has complained "political influence is growing by the day" in China and has accused Stellantis' joint-venture partner GAC of not acting in good faith.

GAC has said it was "deeply shocked" by critical comments from Stellantis.

According to LMC data, Stellantis' estimated full-year capacity utilisation at its Chinese assembly plants will fall to 13% in 2022 from 43% in 2017.

Other mainstream brands, including Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, have also seen plant usage fall by anything from over 30 to more than 50 percentage points in the last five years.

Some - especially premium brands Mercedes and BMW - have seen far smaller declines.

At the same time, global carmakers' sales in China have dropped as local rivals have taken off because the Chinese automakers embraced EVs and consumer-centric in-car software far more quickly.

"The last five years, (China's) market has decidedly changed from foreign companies having a right to win because of their foreign-ness to where there is a far more level playing field," said Bill Russo, head of consultancy Automobility Ltd in Shanghai and a former Chrysler executive.

"Chinese companies actually have an early mover advantage because they embraced electrification faster than the foreign companies were willing to," he added.

While fully-electric cars make up an average of 5% of models foreign carmakers sell in China, they account for 30% of Chinese carmakers' models, according to LMC data.

Competition hots up in Europe

Some Chinese rivals like BYD that have more EV models in their line-ups, are also aiming to grow in Europe.

This means that as the global giants Volkswagen, Ford and GM work to bring more EV models to market, they face stiff competition from younger Chinese rivals that have adapted quickly to shifting consumer tastes.

"They're miles behind compared to the (Chinese) domestics," said Justin Cox, LMC's director of global production.

They must also overcome an image that is rooted in combustion-engine era technology.

GM is counting on a broad range of EVs to rebuild profits from its Chinese operations - which fell by 44% to US$477 million in the first nine months of this year - to US$2 billion by 2030.

"I wouldn't jump to conclusions about China based on 2022," chief financial officer Paul Jacobson told reporters earlier this month. "We still feel good about where we are going there."

Volkswagen said in a statement that China has been in a "special situation" due to the pandemic, the global semiconductor shortage and the "accelerated transformation towards electric mobility" that has affected production capacities across the industry.

"Volkswagen continuously assesses these special factors and adjusts its production planning at an early stage if necessary," the carmaker said.

Ford said it was working to overcome the production challenges posed by Covid-19 and the semiconductor shortage.

Smart phones on wheels?

The Jeep brand was originally brought to China by American Motors Corp before being taken over by Chrysler in 1987. It sold the same lone Jeep Cherokee model for 20 years.

Automobility's Russo said that over the years, Chrysler, Fiat and Peugeot - which are all part of Stellantis, and all had their own Chinese joint ventures - had struggled before they became part of the same car group.

"These are companies that really never quite figured out the formula that leads to success in China," Russo said.

Michael Dunne, CEO of California-based consultancy ZoZo Go and a former GM executive, said that as domestic carmakers rise in China, international brands will find it harder to obtain local licences and will not have the same access to loans from state-owned banks.

"Stellantis is a canary in the coal mine," Dunne said. "Forever, the foreign brands were the favoured sons in China."

"No longer."

As the formula for success in China has changed, consumers want EVs akin to smartphones on wheels where the emphasis is on connectivity and apps rather than performance - to the extent that EV makers like Nio have a built-in selfie camera in some models to appeal to younger buyers.

So far Mercedes and BMW have held their appeal, partly because they retain a good image as aspirational brands in China, but also because Chinese carmakers have yet to turn their attention to producing luxury EVs.

LMC's Cox said other international brands could possibly claw their way back to higher market share in China, but it would take time and a lot of investment in new products.

"Once a brand's damaged or at least looks stuffy or old-fashioned or not appealing, then it's very difficult to hit some home runs," Cox said.

"Some of the companies with a clearly mainstream positioning may find it very difficult to come back."


Mercedes-Benz releases video of EQA electric car

                STUTTGART: Mercedes has been showing off a small electric car concept, the EQA, in a new video that takes us on a drive with an Italian landscape as the backdrop.

Manufacturers like Mercedes may generate a lot of attention and excitement around electrified cars with models with Formula One-like performance and price tags to match, but it's small, affordable electric cars that are going to matter most in the real world.

Despite being renowned for producing some ultra luxurious, ultra high-end cars, Mercedes also knows a thing or two about appealing to a wide audience with the likes of the A-Class and C-Class. It's therefore applying that expertise to producing a small electric car, the EQA, which has now made an appearance in a new video.

Unfortunately, Mercedes leaves us in no doubt about whether this is or isn't a production-ready model as at the end of the video it refers to the car as the "Concept EQA." The video may show the compact EV tearing up the Sicilian countryside and Mercedes does have advanced plans to launch such a vehicle, but it won't be exactly like this one.

What's obvious is this is an electrified version of the A-Class, although it's been dressed up in a more futuristic style to fit with its advanced electric powertrain. EQ is a new model designation designed to differentiate the company's upcoming all-electric models from the rest of the portfolio, which as well as this compact Tesla Model 3 competitor will also include an EQC crossover and an EQS that will be an electric take on the top of the range S-Class.

Mercedes intends to have no fewer than 10 models in its EQ range by 2022, and although they will be based on existing models such as the C-Class, E-Class etc., they will have a distinct styling that will mark them out as different to models using combustion engines.

The 10 new EVs Mercedes has in the pipeline are just part of a staggering 50 electrified models it plans to be offering by 2022. As well as the EVs, the 50 will also include plug-in hybrids, models with 48-volt electrical systems and even hydrogen fuel cells.

When the EQA made its debut last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show it was said to capable of getting from 0-100Kph in as little as 5 seconds and would have a maximum range on a single charge of around 400km.