New Audi S5 Sportback revealed

                INGOLSTADT: Sharing the stage in Paris will be Audi's S5 Sportback that uses a new 354PS turbocharged V6 TFSI engine.

The S5 will get to 100kph from standstill in 4.7 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

This is in thanks to the marriage of an 8-speed tiptronic transmission mated to the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 354PS and 500Nm from 1,370 to 4,500rpm and comes equipped with quattro (naturally) as standard.

There are slight differences to the less brawny A5 Sportback and can be seen in the bumper, air inlets and side sills.

Many of the S-specific styling additions are painted in graduated tones of matt grey. Aluminium inlays accentuate the design inside, while the exterior mirror housings shine in an aluminium look.

The rear bumper integrates a black honeycomb grille, aluminium diffuser trim and the signature four tailpipes. A spoiler lip in body colour adorns the separating edge of the luggage compartment lid.

Furthermore, the S5 sits on specially tuned S sport suspension, while an optional sport differential can be had that's now 1kg lighter and uses two superposition gears to distribute torque between the rear wheels.

During fast driving, the sport differential literally pushes the car into the curve to negate understeer by directing most of the torque to the outside wheel.


MINI Electric updated for 2023, priced from RM199K

                KUALA LUMPUR: The MINI Electric has been updated for 2023 and is now priced at RM199,164. It was launched today along with the refreshed BMW 3 Series.

The latest MINI now arrives in Nanuq White exterior colour with panaromic sunroof and has a seat heating feature.

As before, the three-door hatch comes with standard adaptive LED headlights, 17-inch Electric Power Spoke wheel with run-flat tyres, mirror caps in yellow/black and roof in black. Interior finishing includes Carbon Black leatherette and Anthracite headliner.

The car is powered by a asynchronous electric motor developed by the BMW Group – a front-axle electric engine capable of 135kW/184hp, as well as a 12-module T-shaped battery unit with a net capacity of 28.9kWh.

It shares a peak torque of 270Nm with its predecessor, and emits zero carbon emissions locally while consuming 17.6 –15.2kWh per 100km of travel.It offers a maximum speed of 150kph and a driving range of up to 232km (WLTP).

It can also make the century sprint in 7.3 seconds. It continues to offer a range of charging capabilities, whether at home or at a public charging facilities.

When recharging at a DC charging station, the MINI Electric - also known as Cooper SE - requires only 36 minutes to go from 0 to 80% charge.


A third of drivers are choosing the same colour: white

                FRANKFURT: When it comes to choosing a colour of paint for their car, buyers, especially in Europe, continue to favour white.

Almost every third driver (29 per cent) is choosing white, according to statistics in a report put together by BASF, a chemical giant that supplies nearly all leading manufacturers with their car paint.

The overall picture shows hardly any changes compared to the previous year when it comes to colour choices. Almost one in five go for black (19 per cent), with almost as many ordering grey paint for their new cars (18 per cent). Fourth place goes to silver, at 12 per cent.

The least popular colours, meanwhile, are beige and green, chosen by just 1 per cent of drivers each.

As such, achromatic paints account for the vast majority, at almost 80 per cent in total. The next-most popular colour is blue, chosen by 10 per cent of buyers.

Despite the major talking points of horsepower and acceleration speed, BASF say the choice of colour remains one of the most relevant purchasing criteria for drivers.

"For most end-consumers, buying a new car still tends to be an emotional undertaking, thus exterior and interior design are extremely important," the chemical experts said.


Updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class revealed ahead of Geneva

                STUTTGART: The S-Class is literally receiving a fresh coat of luxury paint and Mercedes-Maybach can't wait until Geneva to show it off.

Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz may be a household name, but its ultra-luxury sub-brand Mercedes-Maybach aspires to be a name among palaces, with its exclusive S-Class sedan.

‘Inspired by a pinstripe suit' were the words used by the brand to describe the most prominent new feature — the vertical grille made up of fine louvres. This design feature was first premiered by the company with its Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 in 2016.

Continuing with the Mercedes-Maybach theme, the S-Class will come with a two-tone exterior paint finish and there will be 9 different colour combinations available. However, the double clear coat will be the other new option for dark colours to “create a brilliant surface finish with a piano lacquer effect and a special impression of depth.”

This big four-door sedan will roll around on new 20-inch multi-spoke wheels; in fact there are three exclusive options to choose from, one of which is similar to the 20-hole design as seen on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Cabriolet.

As for customising the inside, buyers will be given two new options, armagnac brown/black and savanna beige/black, with options of different metallic coloured stitching for the leather upholstery.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is sold with the choice between two petrol engines. The S560 has a turbocharged V8 with 469hp, which is also available in 4MATIC four-wheel drive. The S650 has a turbocharged V12 with 630hp.

Car enthusiasts will first get to see the latest Mercedes-Maybach S-Class with their own eyes at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6 - March 13), and sales will begin in April.


Lexus unveils its smallest SUV — the LBX

                TOKYO/MILAN: The Lexus LBX SUV made its world premiere in Milan today.

Presented to the media by chief branding officer Simon Humphries and Lexus president Takashi Watanabe, the smallest Lexus SUV yet will be introduced to Europe, Japan and selected markets worldwide from Q4 2023.

LBX stands for "Lexus Breakthrough X(cross)-over".

The new model, derived from the Toyota Yaris Cross, came about at the behest of Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda who sought to introduce a compact model to sophisticated customers that "redefines the conventional notion of luxury cars and to go beyond the constraints of compact size to deliver a high-quality driving experience and design".

The LBX is based on a specially developed GA-B platform. According to Lexus, the vehicle styling is derived from a "Premium Casual" design philosophy that enhances its presence and refinement.

The exterior showcases dynamic proportions and a confident stance, complemented by Lexus' latest "Unified Spindle" front fascia design.

For the interior, attention was placed on a premium design to ensure the highest quality. The goal, says Lexus, was to craft an inviting and serene space fostering a seamless connection between the driver and car.

LBX customers will be able to customise the car as it will be offered with five bespoke design themes.

"Bespoke Build," a personalised ordering system would allow customers to select interior colours, seat materials, embroidery patterns, and more, enabling them to create their unique vehicle from 330,000 potential combinations.

The LBX measures 4,190mm long, 1,560mm tall and 1,825mm wide.

With a 2,580mm wheelbase, it has an 80mm shorter wheelbase and is 15mm narrower than the UX.

It gets a hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a nickel metal hydride battery pack.

The LBX will be available in front- and all-wheel drive but Lexus has yet to reveal outputs.

The LBX features a new 12.3-inch full LCD display meter, a 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Lexus Safety System + and Lexus Teammate advanced driver assistance technology.


Alibaba Cloud roped in to build smart traffic system

Alibaba Cloud general manager Kenny Tan presenting the smart traffic solution.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s smart traffic system controller Sena Traffic Systems (Sena) will be collaborating with Alibaba Cloud to build a smart traffic management system in Malaysia.

Using cloud empowered smart technologies, the system will digitally transform the traffic management infrastructure in a city and has the potential to reduce travel time by 12%, says Alibaba.

Alibaba Cloud will provide its City Brain solution, cloud computing resources and talent development programmes through the collaboration. Meanwhile, Sena will be responsible for the design and development of traffic light systems, and implementation of its patented algorithm for the city traffic light system.

“The smart traffic solution will constantly learn and adapt to changing traffic environments, making the traffic management system a smart learning platform and no longer just an analytic tool,

At the announcement of the collaboration, the companies showcased the capabilities that are essential for traffic management, including incident detection, congestion detection, vehicle counting, vehicle classification, traffic light optimisation and traffic simulation.

“Sena built Malaysia’s first smart traffic lights system and operated our smart traffic R&D lab. With our collaboration with Alibaba Cloud, Sena will have an even better and more complete solution to solve traffic congestion in urban landscapes.

“We are eager to move rapidly beyond our current development plans for smart traffic and are already looking at exploring developments in several intelligent digital platforms for urban management systems such as street furniture controllers, IoT and smart city enterprise management together with Alibaba Cloud,” says Sena managing director Datuk Tan Boon Hock.

The collaboration represents the latest initiative by Alibaba Cloud to continue to empower local technology partners in Malaysia. Alibaba Cloud set up its first local data centre in Malaysia in 2017 to provide enterprises and SMEs a local choice to build their businesses and run their applications on a secure cloud platform.

To further support Malaysian enterprises, Alibaba Cloud set up its second local data centre and its first cloud based Anti-DDoS Scrubbing Center in Malaysia last year to offer customers protection against DDoS attacks and further enhances the infrastructure needed to support Malaysia’s digital economy.


US states vow to fight Trump rollback on auto emissions

Traffic moving across the Brooklyn Bridge on Thursday in New York City. Trump's fuel-efficiency rollback is likely to spark legal challenges from California and other states. — AFP
DETROIT/WASHINGTON: California and 18 other US states promised on Thursday to fight a Trump administration proposal to weaken fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks and force states into line, arguing the United States has an obligation to protect the environment for future generations.

The administration billed the proposed rollback from Obama-era fuel efficiency standards as a way to help car companies and lower vehicle prices for consumers, but critics said the plan would accelerate climate change and increase fuel prices. By seeking to strip California of its authority to set its own strict vehicle emissions standards, the proposal also opens new questions about the limits of federal powers over states.

The 19 states, and Washington D.C, announced they would sue to halt the proposed rollback, touching off what will likely be a heated legal showdown, possibly making it to the Supreme Court. It could also become a polarising issue in elections in November.

“The Trump Administration has launched a brazen attack, no matter how it is cloaked, on our nation’s Clean Car Standards,” said California’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra. California “will use every legal tool at its disposal” to defend strict standards, he said in a statement.

Many US states have adopted California’s emission rules, and together they make up about one third of the US auto market - making the stakes for the autos industry enormous.

The administration said the proposed rollback would mean billions of dollars in regulatory savings for car manufacturers. But the industry is pushing for a negotiated settlement between states and the administration to lift uncertainty over the kinds of cars and trucks it will need to produce for the American market in the coming years.

The proposal to roll back anti-pollution efforts is in line with President Donald Trump’s decision last year to abandon the 2015 Paris Agreement, under which countries agreed to take steps to mitigate global warming.

It also dovetails with the Republican president’s broader effort to unwind green regulation, much of it enacted by Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration.

The proposal from the US Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency would freeze fuel efficiency standards at 2020 levels through 2026, and require dramatically fewer electric vehicles as more people continue to drive gasoline-powered vehicles.

The administration said the freeze would boost US oil consumption by about 500,000 barrels of oil a day by the 2030s, and argued it would prevent up to 1,000 traffic fatalities per year by reducing the price of new vehicles and so prompting people to buy newer, safer vehicles more quickly.

“Unless the Obama administration’s punishing standards are changed, consumer choice will be limited and the cost of vehicles will skyrocket, said Republican Senator John Barrasso. “Americans shouldn’t be denied the ability to purchase a car or truck that meets their needs.”

Environmental groups criticized the assertion about reducing crash deaths, and said the proposal would drive up gasoline prices, increase asthma-inducing smog, and reverse one of the most significant steps Washington has taken to curb climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The clean car standards are already saving our families billions at the pump, supporting nearly 300,000 American jobs, and cleaning up dangerous tailpipe pollution,” said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We need to speed up that progress, not slide backward.”

The administration must gather feedback on the proposal before it is finalized, a process that could take months and that could be further delayed by lawsuits.

The Transportation Department says the proposal would shrink regulatory costs for automakers by US$319 billion through 2029, reducing by more than US$60 billion what General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV each would have been expected to spend to comply with the Obama-era rules. Toyota Motor Corp would save US$34 billion and Volkswagen AG US$20 billion.

General Motors said in a statement that it wants to work “with all parties to achieve one national 50-state programme,” adding it was committed to “continually improving fuel economy and our commitment to an all-electric future.”

The administration also contends that hiking US oil consumption by 2 to 3 percent over forecast levels would have a minimal impact on the environment, boosting global average temperature by just “3/1000th of a degree Celsius by 2100.” Trump’s decision to challenge California’s authority to regulate vehicle emissions upends decades of federal policy that allowed the most populous and richest US state to combat air pollution that particularly afflicts Los Angeles.

The Trump administration proposal said California’s zero emission vehicle rules, adopted by nine other states, are “technologically infeasible.”

“California will fight this stupidity in every conceivable way possible,” governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Democrats hope to make any rollback of the emissions rules a key part of November’s midterm elections, when they will try to regain control of one or both chambers of Congress. Republicans in states with links to the auto industry may counter that the administration is working to ensure automakers can make more profitable, larger vehicles, including fuel-thirsty pickups and SUVs.

Some middle ground might be possible. Acting EPA chief Andrew Wheeler said on Wednesday he would welcome a deal between the industry and states. Bill Wehrum, an assistant EPA administrator, told reporters on Thursday that many things had changed, including a drop in fuel prices, since the efficiency rules were last set six years ago. He said gas prices are “at historically low levels and that changes driving habits, that changes the kind of cars and trucks that people want to buy.”

Federal and California officials would soon meet about the proposal, Wehrum said, adding, “All of us want one national program. We are going to try to work it out.”

Becerra said California is “ready and willing” to talk with Trump administration regulators, but that previous talks have not been fruitful.


Big Bike Warehouse throws discounts and goodies from Dec 9-11

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Big Bike Warehouse sales is back again for its third edition from Dec 9-11.

Popular motorcycle brands in the likes of Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa will be available at one location offering great packages and year-end deals.

The warehouse sale will be held from 10am to 6pm at the courtyard of Pacific Towers, Section 16, Petaling Jaya.

Aside from motorcycles there are also accessories galore from Zeus, HJC, Astone, Hypergear, iPhone and many more.

During the Big Bike Warehouse weekend, all bikes above 250cc will get the special offer of Bike Warrior Road Side Assistance for two years.


Ex-MINI exec appointed Rolls-Royce Motor Asia-Pacific regional director

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that Irene Nikkein has been appointed regional director for the Asia-Pacific region, based in Singapore.

Nikkein joins Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from her previous role at MINI Japan as head of brand communication and product management.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and MINI are part pf the BMW Group.

Nikkein's experience includes almost 15 years in senior positions within BMW Group Asia, including roles as BMW regional experiential and sponsorship manager and MINI regional marketing manager.

"Irene has an exceptional track record and her broad experience, combined with extensive regional knowledge, makes her ideally suited to this important role,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sales and brand director Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer.

Nikkein, an Indonesian, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Major in Marketing) with Distinction from RMIT University in Singapore.


MINI achieves 3-million model milestone

                LONDON: Just 15 years after its relaunch as a premium compact car, MINI’s Oxford UK production facility is celebrating a very impressive achievement.

"Since we began building MINIs back in 2001, the car has proved to be hugely popular with customers right around the world," said BMW board member Oliver Zipse. "The passion and commitment that everyone here at the plant has for building a high-quality product is central to that success."

When BMW bought the rights to the MINI brand, many worried that the resulting car would be all style and no content.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. The new MINI has all the driving hallmarks of the original but with the build quality and finishing one would expect from a premium German car company.

Today over 80% of all MINIs built in Britain are for export, with the car finding fans in over 110 countries around the world.


New BMW M5 stars in Need for Speed No Limits

MUNICH: Millions of gamers worldwide can look forward to an exciting new addition to Need for Speed No Limits and starting this weekend, the new BMW M5 will be available for the highly successful smartphone racing game.

The high-performance sedan is an exclusive feature of the latest “Xtreme Racing Championship”; between Feb 2 – 9, players will be able register for the championship.

After registration, they have seven days to drive the BMW M5 in a series of competitive races to test their skills. Winners will be able to permanently unlock the model.

BMW is already part of the game, with the BMW M3 Coupé (1999), the BMW M4 Coupé (2014) and the BMW M2 Coupé (2015).

The new BMW M5 Sedan will now join this trio. It will be integrated into the game’s app icon and also features in the game trailer.


Another Caltex station for Shah Alam

                PETALING JAYA: Chevron Malaysia Limited, which carries the retail brand Caltex, officiated the opening of its latest service station, Caltex Denai Alam, Shah Alam.

To celebrate the grand opening, motorists at the launch event opening were treated with a complimentary 7-Eleven Slurpee and McCafe’s premium blend cappuccino coffee as a token of appreciation for being part of Chevron’s milestone.

Motorists who pumped a minimum of RM50 worth of Caltex fuel were also given the chance to win mystery prizes.

“Chevron is all about serving the people of Malaysia. We understand the changing needs of customers and we continuously strive to improve our products and services to meet the changing demands of the market. The launch today addresses our approach to provide motorists with a delightful and convenient one-stop experience,” said Chevron Malaysia Country Chairman, Shahid Ahmed, when officiating the station opening at Shah Alam.

The synergy between the partnerships of the two significant brands is expected to boost the overall customer experience. Moving forward, customers can expect to see more tie-ups with such brands incorporated into the Caltex stations, contributing towards Chevron Malaysia’s network expansion.

Also present at the opening of Denai Alam’s Caltex station were  Operations Consultant of McDonald’s Malaysia Fadlinizal Abd Ghafar and Executive Director of 7-Eleven Malaysia, Tan U-Ming.

Customers who visit the Denai Alam station until Oct 14 2015 will be able to redeem 3x BPoints on their Caltex JourneyTM Card and BCard on their petrol purchase.


Citroen bankroll home Tour de France hopes with sponsorship deal

                PARIS: Car giant Citroen has stepped into French cycling's Covid-19 economic breach, providing sponsorship for a delighted AG2R World Tour team, now known as Citroen-AG2R.

The deal means Citroen's name will reach hundreds of millions of television viewers in 190 countries over the three weeks of the Tour de France.

After a 36-year wait, breathless French fans hope Citroen's millions can build a new wave of domestic success and produce the first home Tour de France win since Bernard Hinault took his fifth title back in 1985.

The renamed team made its debut on Sunday in the Grand Prix La Marseillaise, a second-tier one-day race, where Aurelien Paret-Peintre carried the new team's shirt to its first victory.

Citroen and AG2R have splashed out on a €23 million (RM113mil) annual budget for 2021, seven million more than in 2020.

"We will bring in one or two Grand Tour contenders," team boss Vincent Lavenu insisted.

This sparked enthusiastic speculation on social media that French hero and world champion Julian Alaphilippe and the climber Thibaut Pinot could join the team in the future.

Cycling teams raise all their money through sponsorship, as road races are free to the general public, while any prize money goes mainly to the winning rider.

"This isn't a short-term project," Citroen said as they joined a sport where sponsorship agreements can run for a decade.

The deal means that, in uncertain economic times, Citroen-AG2R can "raise our performance levels over the years to come," said Lavenu.

The sponsor is excited at the partnership, with the company's top executive presenting the deal.
"Citroen adores the nobility of popular folklore," the car manufacturer's CEO Vincent Cobee declared.

Cycling is seen as a blue collar sport in France, where in pre-Covid-19 times around 15 million roadside fans would witness the 21-day Tour every July, with much of the rest of the nation generally aware of the race's holiday-time progress on its storied slog around the country.

Citroen will forever be associated with its iconic but economical "people's car", the canvas-topped Citroen 2CV with its rippled bonnet and protruding headlights, that sold in millions to first time buyers in the rural market from 1948.

Citroen also boasted the upmarket DS, which was launched in 1955 and epitomised French style in foreign markets. French president Emmanuel Macron uses a modern SUV version.

Citroen has had little historic involvement with cycling, unlike the other two big French carmakers, Peugeot, its parent company since 1975, and Renault.

"This is a logical move for Citroen," Cobee said.

The deal comes a little too late for any star recruits for this season after the departure of the team's top rider Romain Bardet, who twice made the podium of the Tour de France and who will certainly be a contender for the Olympic title in a much awaited Mount Fuji road race at the Tokyo Games.

Recent recruits for Lavenu's team include Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet and former winner of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Bob Jungels, essentially one-day racers.

"We wanted riders who respect our values," Lavenu said.

"Our immediate aim now is to climb up the world rankings, win some of the big one day races and a few Tour de France stages."

"But this is a long term project," Lavenu said.


Uber, gig economy companies see California win as national model

A sign marking a pick-up point for Lyft and Uber users at San Diego State University in San Diego. — Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Gig economy companies want to turn California voters’ decision to make ride-service drivers contractors into a model for the nation, as several states consider requiring drivers from Uber, Lyft and rival services be treated as employees with higher compensation.

Voters in California on Tuesday approved a ballot proposal by Uber Technologies Inc, Lyft Inc and its allies that cements app-based food delivery and ride-hailing drivers’ status as independent contractors, rather than employees.

Uber’s shares rose 12%, while Lyft jumped 9%. The companies, along with DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates, poured more than $205 million into the campaign.

According to California figures, 58% supported the measure. The results are incomplete and must still be certified.

The ballot measure, known as Proposition 22, carves an exception for ride and delivery companies in a controversial state labour law and offers gig workers some healthcare, minimum pay and other benefits. The state had said gig workers would have to be treated as employees under the law.

“Now, we’re looking ahead and across the country, ready to champion new benefits structures that are portable, proportional, and flexible,” DoorDash chief executive officer Tony Xu said in a statement.

Uber, which is scheduled to report third-quarter results after the bell today, in an email to California customers on Wednesday said the vote paved the way for a more secure future for app-based workers.

“We’ll continue to advocate for drivers everywhere, because we agree that they deserve better,” the email said.

Uber, Lyft and others have long advocated for what they consider a “third way” in employment law by fusing contractor status with limited benefits. Labour groups have dismissed the proposal as creating a new underclass of workers with fewer rights and protections.
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Trend-setting California passed the first state law requiring companies that control how workers do their jobs to classify those workers as employees, and others have followed.

Democratic states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon and Illinois have introduced similar laws or launched audits against gig companies and Massachusetts in July sued Uber and Lyft over allegedly misclassifying their drivers.

Massachusetts’ attorney general said the state’s case against Uber and Lyft would continue.

The question of whether gig workers should be treated as employees has also become a national issue in U.S. politics and the presidential campaign, dividing Democrats and Republicans.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has voiced strong support for California’s labor law, while the U.S. Labor Department under President Donald Trump has published a rule that would make it easier to classify workers as independent contractors.

Lyft’s Chief Policy Officer Anthony Foxx in a statement on Wednesday said Lyft stood ready to work with all interested parties, including drivers, labor unions and policymakers, to build a stronger safety net for gig workers.

Stephen Ju, a Credit Suisse analyst, in a note on Wednesday said Proposition 22’s success may stunt other regional efforts to change classification.

Reclassifying drivers in California could have amounted to more than $392 million each for Uber and Lyft in annual employee-related costs, a Reuters calculation showed.

The companies warned they could cut 80% of drivers, double prices and even leave California, their home market, if they lost.


5 quick tips to spot counterfeit parts

File pic of imitation car parts seized in Malacca.
PETALING JAYA: Fake auto parts are a scourge worldwide. Not only do such illicit trade cause genuine auto parts makers to lose money, the use of such parts is a danger to public safety.

To minimise the danger from unwittingly bnying and using such fake parts, car owners should either service their cars with authorised dealerships or trusted third-party workshops.

A new graphic illustrates five of the tell-tale signs of a counterfeit auto part.

Since counterfeit auto parts continue to be a problem, the team at GMB North America created this infographic to help protect both customers and retailers from potential safety and financial risks.

This chart offers a quick visual aid to help keep inferior aftermarket parts out of a retailer’s inventory, which prevents counterfeit part installation on customer’s vehicles.

The graphic features these at-a-glance tips for spotting a counterfeit part:

> Parts that arrive in cheap, flimsy packaging. Check the printing on the box and inside materials. Actual auto parts are usually shipped with care and in high quality boxes.

> Real brand parts often have the part number printed on the box. If the number is absent or slapped on with a sticker, it may be a fake part.

> Look closely at the printing on both the package and the instructions. If there are typos or misspellings, inspect the part carefully. It may be a counterfeit.

> Instructions are incomplete or incorrect. Fake auto parts may come with instructions that are missing a step or a diagram.

> Compare it to the part you’re replacing. Do the fasteners match? Does the material feel like the same weight? An authentic part should match almost exactly, if not perfectly.

> A counterfeit part is designed to replicate a legitimate auto part, so the infringement of intellectual property is another negative effect of this trend. If you suspect you've received counterfeit parts, file a report with the relevant authorities in your respective country.

“In addition to causing financial issues, counterfeit parts can be unsafe,” said GMB marketing manager Sarah Porter. “Buying and selling counterfeit parts and stealing intellectual property are crimes and do have victims. We hope this graphic reminds everyone what to look out for.”


Police start taking delivery of Honda Civic 1.8S

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia announced that it is handing over 425 units of the new Civic 1.8S to the police force to be used as mobile patrol and enforcement vehicles.

The initial batch of 30 cars were presented to the police in Putrajaya today. The rest would be handed over in stages from July.

Bernama quoted the Home Ministry as saying that each car would be fitted with support equipment such as RMPNeT communication apparatus, dashcam and mobile digital video recorder.

The Civics are being leased by government fleet concessionaire Spanco Sdn Bhd for five years.

The handover was supposed to be in March but had to be delayed because of the movement control order.

"We are pleased that the Royal Malaysia Police have chosen the best-selling model in C-segment, the new Civic, to assist them in their daily tasks, enforcements and administrative duties for the country,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama.

The company did not reveal the value of the government contract.

The Civic is one of Honda’s key models. The locally assembled, model was launched as a facelift model in February 2020, and touts D-segment features in a C-segment model.

 Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin gets a feel of the Civic patrol car, with Abdul Hamid next to him. — Bernama

It is powered by a 1.8L i-VTEC engine mated to a Continuous Variable Transmission. The entry-level Civic 1.8S offers peak output of 141PS and maximum torque of 174Nm.

Honda Malaysia said the Civic’s Energy Efficient Vehicle certified engine delivers a mix of performance and high fuel economy, qualities that are deemed suitable for a patrol and enforcement vehicle.

Asean NCAP has awarded the Civic a five-star safety rating. It is equipped with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist with Agile Handle Assist, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Anti-Lock Braking System, Brake Assist and Auto Brake Hold.

The Civic is also available with a 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged engine equipped with the Honda Sensing safety suite.

The police force is sourcing vehicles from other car companies as well to upgrade its ageing fleet that includes Proton Wira and Waja.

Besides the Civic, the police would get an additional 850 vehicles in the coming months. They include the Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8E, Proton X70 1.8 as well as transport lorries and motorcycles.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the new vehicles would replace the old and unsafe patrol cars as well as reduce the high cost involved in maintaining the obsolete fleet.

"These new vehicles are badly needed now. We’ve had to use the old vehicles for a long time so, with the new vehicles available, we can improve our services to the public,” he told Bernama.


Bank Muamalat offers new step-up financing scheme with EON and myTukar

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd has launched Muamalat Step Up Auto Financing-i, a tiered vehicle financing scheme, offering affordable-to-own car financing with lower instalments for the first three years, to assist customers reduce the early financing cash flow burden, and own their dream vehicle.

This offer is exclusive for the entire range of Proton and Mitsubishi cars under the Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd network only.

Aimed at offering affordable auto financial solutions to all market segments, be it to younger customers for their first car, those who need to change their car, or simply those who want to purchase another car, the Muamalat Step Up Auto Financing-i is the solution to achieve their needs.

Even better value is assured for customers, as in a collaboration with myTukar, they can resell the vehicles to the used car specialists at the end of the three-year tenure at a price agreed at the beginning of the ownership.

Bank Muamalat is the first bank to introduce a vehicle financing package that allows customers to enjoy lower and flexible monthly payments with a guaranteed buy-back value.

The unique programme means, depending on the tenure, monthly instalments under the Muamalat Step Up Auto Financing-i can be up to 33% lower compared to conventional financing.

The scheme is offered for financing periods of five, seven and nine years.

Bank Muamalat president and chief executive officer Khairul Kamarudin said that the Muamalat Step Up Auto Financing-i is a Muamalat-i Vehicle Financing (MVF-i) under the Shariah concept of Murabahah Purchase Orderer (MPO).

“It is different from a conventional vehicle financing plan which requires the customer to pay the same monthly instalments throughout the financing period. The lower instalments offered can help customers reduce their cash flow burden, and provide savings and additional cash for investment and other purposes,” said Khairul.

After three years of ownership, customers can choose to either continue monthly payments at a new instalment rate, or exchange and resell the vehicle for a new unit through myTukar, which offers a guaranteed high resale value.

Customers have the option to trade in their car, upgrade to a newer one or receive cash-back for their car.

The scheme was made possible through a joint effort between Bank Muamalat, EON and myTukar.

“We are thrilled to be working with EON and myTukar to offer financing solutions to our customers. Our vision has always been to create an end-to-end integrated on-line vehicle ecosystem; our partnership brings us one step closer, as we are able to make auto financing more affordable,” said Khairul.

EON chief executive officer Akkbar Danial said that the launch of such an innovative financing scheme would be able to meet the needs of customers who want more value and solutions to meet their financial needs.

“In line with EON’s direction to lead and become an excellent automotive service provider, we believe the collaboration will further improve our market share.

“Being the largest Mitsubishi and Proton network operators nationwide, EON is able to offer a variety of cars from the two renowned brands to our customers through all EON branches. EON is offering two Mitsubishi models and six Proton models for customers to choose and participate in this scheme,” said Akkbar.

Chief financial officer of Carro which is the parent company of myTukar, Ernest Chew, said myTukar is honoured to embark on the first-of-its-kind partnership would play a major role in DRB-HICOM and Bank Mualamat’s end-to-end engagement, and therefore support their whole new car upgrade eco-system by creating a seamless car transfer channel in the form of step-up loan tenure.

“Customers who are not keen on the buy-back option at the end of the third year can come to myTukar anytime and we will offer them a competitive market rate. This bank partnership is a huge validation of our proprietary A.I-enabled vehicle residual value pricing algorithm - which we already actively deploy for our financing activities,” added Chew.

Customers can obtain more information on the services and financing offered by Bank Muamalat at www.muamalat.com.my or by calling the Customer Service Centre at 03-2600 5500.


Lamborghini Huracan gets its own digital stamp

                ROME: Automobili Lamborghini together with Bitstamps launched a digital stamp via an App designed to create and collect digital stamps.

The first collaboration is dedicated to Lamborghini's Huracan EVO RWD Spyder, the model the Italian sports car maker unveiled in early May, following the company’s reopening after the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic forced a temporary closure.

The stamp is part of a themed series dedicated to the history of the Italian company and over 20 of its most iconic cars - The Automobili Lamborghini Collection.

The Huracán EVO RWD Spyder stamp is available from today by downloading the Bitstamps App and will be issued in a limited and numbered edition of 20,000 pieces.

Each stamp is a “single” digital object: its history and uniqueness are guaranteed by Blockchain technology. The stamp can be purchased, collected, or resold exactly like a paper stamp.

Within their collection album, Lamborghini fans will be able to admire their stamps, check the progress of their collection and the stamps not yet acquired, decide whether to give them as a gift by sending them with an e-card or resell them on the Marketplace that will open in the next few months.

The Bitstamps App can be downloaded from Google Play Store, Apple App Store and at Bitstamps app.


Driving Dreams with the Porsche Taycan

                KUALA LUMPUR: An all-female group recently embarked on a long-distance journey across Malaysia in two Porsche Taycans.

The all-female driving adventure, organised by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), saw the group set off on their Taycan trip across the North-South Expressway, through seven states and parallel trunk roads, accompanied by picturesque greenery landscapes and iconic landmarks.

Race driver Leona Chin, fashion designer Celest Thoi, restauranteur Jen Tang, jewelry designer Yinn Ooi, and content creator Beng Lim undertook the 12-hour, emission-free expedition from Johor Bahru to Penang, in the flagship Taycan Turbo S and the adventure-ready Taycan Cross Turismo.

Following software updates announced in 2022, electric range for the Taycan is boosted through the intelligent decoupling of the front electric motor, in combination with other energy-optimising upgrades.

After setting off from Johor, the group cruised along the long, straight roads of the initial stretch of the North-South Expressway.

While experiencing the smooth ride of the Taycan, the group enjoyed their favourite road trip playlists through the Porsche Communication Management system, which seamlessly integrates Apple Music and Spotify.

The first stop of the trip took place at Shell Recharge Pagoh. Here, the group had their first experience of the Porsche-Shell High Performance Charging (HPC) network, with charging stations strategically located for smooth electric journeys along Malaysia’s North-South Expressway and beyond into Singapore and Thailand.

This makes it the longest EV-ready highway route in all of Southeast Asia.

As the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars, the Taycan features a charging time from 5 to 80 percent SoC (State of Charge) in just 22.5 minutes under ideal conditions.

With just 10 minutes at a fast charger, more than 100km of range can easily be gained.

The road trip saw the group entering the Titiwangsa mountain range, also known as the “spine of peninsular Malaysia.”

The Porsche Connect app and Apple CarPlay guided the group through navigated routes.

Meanwhile, the former Straits Settlement of Melaka was an ideal stop, with its enchanting historical architecture and renowned Peranakan cuisine.

The two Taycans navigated through traffic to Jonker Street via Ayer Keroh, as they were eventually rewarded for their willingness to brave the narrow Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock with elusive parking spaces in front of Casa Del Rio Melaka.

Other attractions like the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum, Chee Mansion and Malaqa House Museum were not to be missed.

It was soon time to depart from the “Venice of the East,” for a quick stop at Shell Seremban and back on the North-South highway for the longest single stretch of the journey – past Kuala Lumpur all the way up to Perak in the North.

The group made their way through Negeri Sembilan to the bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur.

In the Taycan Cross Turismo, the passengers took in the views of the Twin Towers and other skyscrapers through the panoramic roof.

After passing by the renowned Ipoh signage by the highway, the cars made their final charging stop at Shell Simpang Pulai.

The journey drew to an end as both the Taycans crossed the iconic Penang Bridge under the night sky, with the Andaman Sea shimmering under the lights of the bridge.

It was a fitting end to the cross-country journey in the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Cross Turismo.


Future cars won't lose value as fast as they do these days, says Renault

                BARCELONA: Renault reckons that future cars are going to lose value more slowly than at present, thanks to digitalisation.

"The cost of the car may initially be higher, but the fact that new features are added over time can make the underlying value go up rather than down as is the case today," Renault manager Thierry Cammal said on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The MWC tech conference runs until March 3 and is the first major edition of the industry’s most important gathering in three years.

Cammal leads the Software Labs at the French carmaker, which develops technologies for future vehicles.

The transition to electric mobility and connected vehicles requires "that we completely change the architecture of the car," he says.

That means there will be just a few centralised control units rather than several that are scattered about, among other changes. Renault is working with technology companies including Google and chip maker Qualcomm in this area.

Cammall also says it's important for the manufacturer to retain control "over critical elements of the software."


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches B 200 Progressive Line: RM240k

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the new B 200 Progressive Line priced at RM239,888 on the road without insurance.

Powered by a 1.33-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 163hp and maximum torque of 250Nm, it can acceleration from 0-100kph in 8.2 seconds.

It gets a Progressive Line exterior, which sports a radiator grille with silver-painted twin louvre and chrome insert, front apron with chrome insert, side sill panels and 18-inch 5-twin spoke light-alloy wheels.

Its interior features a wrap-around cabin with Artico leather upholstery in black, and a centre console with touch-based control and input system that comes with a black panel look similar to the E-Class.

The ambient lighting with 64 colours and 10 colour worlds is unique in this segment, allows individual adjustments to suit the mood.

The new B-Class is also the second car model after the A-Class to feature the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system.

This comes with touch screen control as well as a high-resolution Widescreen cockpit, navigation display with Augmented Reality technology plus intelligent plus voice control with natural speech recognition, which is activated by saying “Hey Mercedes”.

Driving assistance systems include Blind Spot Assist – radar sensors that monitor the areas directly alongside and behind the car, and helps warn the driver when there are objects detected while changing lanes.

It also has Active Brake Assist, which can help mitigate the severity of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead.

Mercedes-Benz B 200 Progressive LineRM239,888 on the road without insuranceTransmission & Technology

1.33-litre Inline-4 Turbocharged Petrol
163hp at 5,500rpm
350Nm at 1,620 – 4,000rpm
7G-DCT
Comfort suspension
DYNAMIC SELECT

Exterior Features

18-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
Electrically folding and adjustable exterior mirrors
LED headlamps
Progressive Line exterior

Comfort & Interior Features

Ambient Lighting
ARTICO leather black
Automatically dimming mirrors
Black open-pore linden wood trim
Comfort seats
Cruise control
Double cup holder
Electric adjustable front seats with memory function
Leather multifunction sports steering wheel
Progressive Line interior
THERMATIC automatic climate control

Safety & Assistance Package

Active Brake Assist
Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC
Anti-theft Alarm System
Blind Spot Assist
HANDS-FREE ACCESS
KEYLESS-GO
Kneebag
PRE-SAFE® System
Reversing Camera
TIREFIT
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Multimedia System

All-digital instrument display
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
MBUX multimedia system
Media display
Mercedes-Benz emergency call system
Smartphone integration package
Touchpad


5 hot hatches duke it out

                PETALING JAYA: Comparison tests are usually lapped up by many car fans. There's always an unquenchable thirst to find out which car in a particular segment is better in looks, kit and performance. Such information sate the need to know and go some ways to help potential buyers decide on what cars to put their money on.

With that in mind, UK auto website CarWow has rustled up 5 hot hatches (the two words never fail to draw attention, we tell you!) to show who is king of the sprint.

They are the Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R, Mercedes-AMG A 45, Audi RS3 and Ford Focus RS. As hot hatches, they are blessed with huge power on tap and all-wheel drive is typically the solution to keep them under the driver's control. All the cars on test have all-wheel drive except the Civic Type R, which is a front-wheel drive car.

On the Malaysian side, CarSifu has driven the Civic Type R, Golf R as well as the AMG A 45 in a shootout.

Go watch the CarWow video and find out who packs the biggest wow factor.


Honda and Sony's partnership could give rise to a new electric automaker

                TOKYO: Earlier this year, Sony showcased its vision of tomorrow's electric mobility with its Vision-S 01 and Vision-S 02 concepts.

In March, the two Japanese companies announced the creation of a joint venture dedicated to the production of electric cars. It now appears that this entity could launch as a completely separate, independent company, which could give rise to a whole new car brand.

As part of this new brand, Honda and Sony would share roles and pool expertise.

Unsurprisingly, Honda is likely to be in charge of the production of the car platform and engine, while Sony would develop all the driving aids and associated software. The goal is to have a first vehicle on the market by 2025.

For the moment, the only 100% electric model released by the Japanese car-maker is a small city car called the Honda e.

In 2023, an SUV should follow - a variation of the e:Ny1 concept. In this respect, Honda appears to be behind many of its competitors when it comes to all-electric vehicles.

At the start of the year, Sony presented a new SUV concept car at the CES consumer technology show in Las Vegas, following a first prototype that is still being tested on the road.

This Vision-S 02 is a seven-seater SUV equipped with numerous LiDAR (laser scanning) sensors, the car's internal system is capable of analysing its immediate environment in real time and offering autonomous driving possibilities in certain situations.

Sony also announces that this vehicle can receive remote updates to quickly gain functionality and improve safety. These are all assets that should enable this joint venture to develop a first car that is competitive in terms of autonomous driving.

Sony will also be able to contribute its expertise as an entertainment specialist, for example by developing speakers directly integrated into the seats for truly immersive audio experiences.

At CES, Sony even suggested that it might one day be possible to play PlayStation games on board, on the various screens available to passengers, via a remote connection to a home console.

On paper, this alliance could represent a credible Japanese alternative to Tesla.


Selected Mercedes-Benz cars recalled

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is doing a recall for a limited batch of E-Class (model Series 212) and CLS-Class (model Series 218).In a statement, the automaker said this was due to Daimler AG discovering an issue with the rubber seal of the engine compartment in certain E-Class and CLS-Class vehicles.Rectification work will start in mid-March, and each session is expected to take less than an hour.“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia adheres to the highest standards of safety, and will attend to all affected vehicles promptly," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland Folger.For details, call 1-800-88-1133 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.


BMW to retire V12 M760Li flagship

                MUNICH: BMW will end production of its V12 M760Li flagship sedan by late 2020, according to German automotive site BimmerToday,

The most powerful 7 Series variant is due to wrap up production around the final quarter of the year.

The reason for the M760Li's demise is likely due to the increasingly stringent emissions standard in Europe.

The M760Li's twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 produces 577hp and 850Nm mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can sprint from standstill to 100kph in 3.8 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 250kph.

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse has confirmed that the next-generation top-of-the-range 7 Series sedan will be a full electric variant.


Kah Classic Auto offering attractive rebates on Mitsubishi models

                PETALING JAYA: Mitsubishi dealer Kah Classic Auto Sdn Bhd is promising great deals on new cars especially for civil servants in its March promotion.

Civil servants will receive a RM2,000 rebate on any model they choose.

The promotion touts free maintenance, rebates of up to RM9,000 to the public, rebates of up to RM2,000 for customers who have bought a Mitsubishi car before as well as other gifts it is willing to throw in to sweeten the deal.

Among the models on promotion are the Attrage at RM66,250.33, Triton at RM79,052.44 and Lancer at RM114,406.03.

The dealer also said it is clearing old stock at “unbelievable prices”.

Kah Classic Auto Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Oriental Holdings Bhd, has been a Mitsubishi dealer since 2014 and operates three outlets in the Klang Valley.

Another Oriental subsidiary, Kah Motor, sells Honda cars.


Enhanced VW Passat driven

Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI Engine: 1,798cc 4-cylinder petrol, direct injection, turbochargedMaximum power: 160PS at 5,000 to 6,200rpmMaximum torque: 250Nm at 1,500 to 4,200rpmTransmission: 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG)Acceleration (0 to 100kph): 8.5 secondsStandard features: Dual front airbags, curtain airbags, dual front side airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake assist, ISOFIX child seat anchor, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-hold control, flat tyre indicator, "Rest Assist" drowsiness detection system, park distance control (front and rear), cruise control, front head restraintsNett selling price without insurance: RM169,888
The Passat is among Volkswagen’s most popular models in Malaysia, with more than 6,000 imported and locally assembled units sold since 2011.

It is also among the most successful cars in the world, with over 23 million units sold since 1973.So, you might want to ask; why are we reviewing the seventh-generation Passat which had its global launch nearly four years ago?The reason is simple - Volkswagen Group Malaysia offered us a three-day loan of the locally assembled Passat, which now comes with enhanced connectivity, security and comfort features.This 1.8-litre turbocharged D-segment executive sedan now offers Bluetooth, telephone connectivity and audio streaming as well as 12-way adjustable electric front seats and memory function for driver’s seat.The enhanced Passat which is assembled in Pekan, Pahang also has an anti-theft alarm system with electronic immobiliser, and electric folding exterior mirrors.While there are no reverse camera and in-car GPS navigation system here, we don’t think this is a deal breaker as the Passat has a barnful of premium comfort and safety features.These include rear air-conditioning vents, leather upholstery, a “Press and Drive” engine start function, rain sensor for wipers, and automatic bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.We were also impressed by the clarity and depth of the sound reproduction from the eight-speaker MP3-capable audio system, connected to a touch-screen display and six CD changer set-up.An analogue clock, located below the central air-conditioning vents, imparts a dash of old-school charm to a dark themed interior.We also liked the space-saving electronic parking brake switch, with an auto hold function which is a boon on congested roads and in stop-and-go traffic as it reduces muscle work for the driver’s left arm and right leg.When the car is braked to a standstill, the auto hold function keeps the brakes applied until the driver steps on the accelerator again.The Passat has lots of storage options including a deep centre storage box, cup holders and door bins, as well as a cavernous 565-litre boot.It has a 2,712mm wheelbase and we also found more than adequate leg and head room for 1.7-metre adults.Regarding its ride and handling, the Passat has a familiar dynamic performance that reminded us of why we love driving turbocharged Volkswagen cars armed with the famous dual-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG).The automatic DSG provides silky smooth and lightning quick gearshifts, and together with the powerful 1.8-litre TSI engine, we found a punchy drive with fluid acceleration when we stepped hard on the accelerator pedal.The DSG has a Sport or “S” mode for more driving enjoyment, while drivers can also use the steering paddle shifters, for quick gear up and down-shifts.While the Passat is not a sports car, it has a pleasing “steer, point and shoot” quality that its Korean and Japanese rivals are unable to match. At the same time, the Passat has a refined and quiet ride quality as noise intrusion into the cabin is low, and the gruff exhaust note is well-muted even when we approached the RPM redline.Although the MacPherson-type front and four-link rear suspension set-up is typically European-firm, it is well-sorted out.We had no complaints from our rear occupants regarding ride comfort on rough and bumpy roads.We noted that the RPM needle was at 2,200 to 2,300rpm when the car is moving at 110kph.At 80kph, the RPM needle was at 1,600 to 1,700rpm.In summary, the Passat can be a spirited drive when one is in a hurry, but without the rough, gruff noise and bumpy ride quality that are typical of sport-oriented cars.We feel that the Passat is a premium executive car that certainly represents the sophisticated level of engineering, design and packaging that has helped the Volkswagen Group as it vies for the coveted title of being the world’s top automaker in terms of sales volume.According to Volkswagen, the Passat is rated with a fuel consumption of 7 litres per 100km on a combined cycle.However, we doubt Passat owners can achieve this fuel efficiency as drivers would always be tempted to engage the car’s dynamic performance qualities.

In our opinion, the Passat is an impressive express for comfortable long-distance journeys, with a refined and premium executive car ambience in the cabin, as well as eager pulling power and composed agility.


Honda to roll out US-specific HR-V for 2022

A teaser image of the upcoming Vezel that will be launched in Japan next month.
LOS ANGELES: The next-generation Honda HR-V for the US will look different from the ones sold in Japan, Malaysia and other regions.

The second-generation B-segment SUV has been around for the past seven years and is ripe for a big change. The HR-V is marketed as the Vezel in Japan and China. In fact, the third-generation HR-V/Vezel will make its world premiere in Japan on Feb 18.

According to American Honda Motor Co., Inc, the new HR-V for North America will be designed to meet the particular needs of US customers and would arrive as a 2022 model. The automaker will release further details on the SUV closer to the US launch.

The HR-V shares the same platform as the Fit/Jazz.

Honda had said before that it is positioning the HR-V to replace the Fit/Jazz and do away with the Civic Coupe, and MT Accord after the 2020 model year, emphasing that the new HR-V would become the "new gateway model for the Honda brand, offering significant utility, performance, and value."

 The current HR-V sold in the United States.


The ins and outs of buying a new car online

                BERLIN: Buying things online has become ever more natural for almost all products - with a few notable exceptions, such as cars.

People still tend to head to showrooms and dealerships when buying a new set of wheels, preferring first to sit in the vehicle, or take it for a spin.

These days, although online sales are booming across the board, car-buying is mostly an analogue activity - but the coronavirus may change all that, says Hans-Georg Marmit, who works for KUES, a technical service provider specialising in cars.

Car dealerships are shut as part of the broad measures to stop the virus from spreading, which has created a new sense of urgency, driving change in sales methods faster than might otherwise have taken place.

"It's even more important to further develop digital services and pull out all the stops," says Thomas Peckruhn, vice president of the Central Association of the German Automotive Industry.

New brands such as Byton, Nio and Lynk&Co are planning innovative sales models with virtual show rooms and sales contracts, while traditional brands, hampered by complex contractual relationships with their dealers, are moving less quickly.

You can see offers for new cars on the websites of car producers such as Porsche, and you can get plenty of good and innovative advice through chats or video conferencing, but usually, you're back at the local dealership when it comes to completing the sale.

"For us, that's still the final stage," says Juergen Keller, who heads Hyundai Germany, as he opened the first online showroom where eight advisors present new cars each day.

But even though the last step is in real life, most buyers start the process of finding a new car online, says Arthur Kipferler who works for Berylls, a strategic consultancy in Munich.

"For almost every car that's sold, buyers have almost always started their research online."

In Germany, every eighth car is bought online. "That trend is rapidly gaining pace, even if it has yet to become a boom. But digital sales channels are definitely starting to matter more," he says.

More platforms in Germany are seeking to take advantage of that trend, Kipferler says, reeling off the names of 16 providers such as CarWow, Autohaus24.de or MeinAuto.de who are rushing to fill the gap in the market. Nine are currently only selling brand new vehicles, whereas the others sell used cars too.

These sales are often very straightforward and transparent, according to Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, an automotive expert working for St Gallen University. Customers use a tool on the website and put the car they are want together so it is suited to their individual needs. They have access to all the information they need about discounts, too, he says.

The order is then channelled to the brand dealership. They send the buyer a contract and deliver the car once the papers are signed and the payment completed. Customers can save some money, too, says Dudenhoeffer, who assesses the prices each month. "Buying online can mean discounts of up to 20 per cent on the 30 most frequently- sold cars."

Alongside the newcomers, established dealers are also playing their part, says Kipferler, with many offering some form of online sales. Customers can use their online services to find out about stock vehicles, one-day registrations, models returned recently that have barely been used and lease cars that have been returned.

Many have also sold cars using email. "So if you want to buy a car and don't want to - or can't go to - a car dealership, it's possible to buy cars from regular dealers without physical contact and without using any of these new platforms."

In the United States, dealers are stepping on the gas to press ahead with contactless car buying, too. North American digital sales platform Roadster is among the leaders of the pack.

"As the threat of Covid-19 disrupts people’s lives and livelihoods everywhere, we at Roadster find ourselves in a unique position to help dealers adapt quickly and keep their digital doors wide open," the company says on its website.

For dealers who do not have online transaction capabilities already and would like to offer customers “contactless car buying” during this pandemic, Roadster is temporarily discounting its Express Storefront’s online commerce tools.

As businesses around the world have been forced to close temporarily, this trend is expected to gain momentum amid the pandemic. Most dealers are working from home at present anyway, and are keen to answer every query as quickly as possible, Kipferler says.

There are dangers, too, according to Marmit, naming hidden fees and scams as examples. "Platforms are intermediaries, not dealers. A platform receives commission from a dealer when a car is sold. If customers get a bill as well, "then watch out, it is probably a scam."


2017 Geneva Motor Show: Alpine A110 has Porsche firmly in its sights

The Alpine A 110 on display at the 2017 Geneva show. — Reuters
GENEVA: A week ago, Alpine finally showed the world what the new A110 is going to look like when it officially goes on sale later this year and now, following its full reveal at the Geneva motor show, we know if the car is all show and no go.

Thankfully, it appears that the performance figures, like the exterior design, have been worth the wait.

The low-slung car - it stands just 1.25 metres high and is just 4.17 metres long - has a four-cylinder turbocharged engine sitting smack in its centre. So as well as a relatively even weight distribution (44% over the front and 56% over the rear axles), it should be able to kiss the apex and hold the racing line going in and out of every racing circuit corner or country road bend.

From the start, Alpine's owner, Renault has been suggesting that the new car - the first full Alpine of any description to hit the road for over two decades - has been built with the Porsche Cayman rather than the Ford Focus RS in its sights, so the presence of a little 1.8-litre engine calling the shots might at first sound like the company is being overly optimistic.

However that little unit has a maximum output of 252hp and 320Nm of torque. And, once the car's weight - just 1080kg - has been factored in, that optimism starts to sound like realism.

As well as a power-to-weight ratio of 233hp per tonne, the car is capable of going from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds. So, faster than a Cayman and thanks to a specially developed Getrag seven-speed DCT gearbox, it has an extra gear, too.

But best of all is that the first new Alpine has managed to offer all of this performance without diluting its aesthetic. Taking the original 1960s A110 as its starting point, the new car is a modern interpretation - think current generation Mustang - with unbroken lines thanks to clever underfloor aerodynamics rather than recourse to front splitters and huge rear fins to generate downforce.

The company hasn't scrimped on the interior either, going for aluminum, leather and carbon fiber to dress the cockpit rather than textured plastics and rubber. And when the price is factored in - the car will retail for a suggested €58,500 (RM275,000) once the dealer network is established - the new Alpine is shaping up to be a bit of a steal.


Rolls-Royce rides ongoing luxury demand to sales record in 2022

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce today reported record sales last year despite an average price tag of around US$534,000 for its luxury cars and a drop in Chinese demand, with orders stretching into 2023.

The British carmaker, which began as Rolls-Royce in Manchester, England nearly 120 years ago and is now owned by Germany's BMW, said that it sold 6,021 cars in 2022, up from 5,586 in 2021, which was also a record year.

Rolls-Royce's sales were led by the Americas, with the US remaining its top market with around 35% of sales. In China, the carmaker's second-largest market, coronavirus-related lockdowns led to a "single-digit drop" in sales.

But CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said in an online presentation that this decrease was offset by growth in other markets.

"Our order book stretches far into 2023 for all models," Müller-Ötvös said. "We haven't seen any slowdown in orders."

Rolls-Royce said that pre-orders for its fully-electric Spectre, due to go on sale at the end of 2023, had exceeded all of its expectations.

The CEO told reporters that the growth anticipated for 2023 came despite Rolls-Royce halting sales in Russia, which typically accounted for 250 to 300 units per year, in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine last February.

Müller-Ötvös said the luxury brand's bespoke, customised approach had lead to "ever more imaginative, personal and technically demanding" orders from customers.


Audi shows off E-Tron interior

                INGOLSTADT: After plenty of show appearances and teaser images of the exterior of E-Tron electric SUV, Audi has last week released a new set of images showing off the E-Tron's futuristic interior.

From what can be seen, the images appear to be of a production-ready model because there's nothing that's obviously concept, or "out there" about the cabin. Having said that, there's no getting away from the fact it's very futuristic.

The most obvious standout feature is the cockpit that's dominated by a pair of large screens on the dash and in the instrument cluster, much like the recently released Q8 flagship SUV.

Because this is an overtly luxurious model and not just the latest in a long line of electrified SUV crossovers, the audio system is supplied by the legendary Danish hi-fi manufacturer Bang & Olufsen.

The system boasts a 705-watt power amplifier and a staggering 16 speakers located throughout the cabin. However, it's hard to say how high-fidelity the sound will actually be as owners will probably be using the system to stream low-res mp3s through Bluetooth from a smartphone.

As well as the two large screens, a couple of additional seven-inch screens can also be seen near where the wing mirrors would normally be situated. These are to show what would normally be seen in the wing mirrors as they've been deleted here and replaced by a pair of rear facing cameras.

Omitting traditional wing mirrors isn't just an aesthetic trait or even being technological for the sake of it. In fact, the idea is to help the active aerodynamics which, along with the air suspension system that can lower the vehicle at speed, reduce the E-Tron's drag coefficient to as low as 0.25.

The two rearview screens offer three different views for motorways, street corners and for parking, which Audi wants to point out makes the E-tron the first mass-production car to have such a feature.

The official launch of the car was due to be in Brussels on Aug 30, but that has been cancelled so the full reveal will come a little later in the year in the US.


Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT: Ride safe and fast

                THE Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT is an exciting addition to the sport touring motorcycle market.

The GSX-S1000 GT exhibits a sleek and aggressive design, staying true to Suzuki's sporty DNA.

Meanwhile, the bike's aerodynamic fairings and sharp lines give it an imposing presence on the road.

The quality of materials and fit and finish are top-notch, making it visually appealing.

The overall design strikes a balance between sportiness and practicality, making it suitable for long-distance touring.

The GSX-S1000 GT boasts a powerful 999cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, inline-four engine that generates 136hp and 106Nm of torque.

Mated to a six-speed transmission, the engine delivers linear power with no surprises, allowing for effortless control at all speeds.

One of the highlights of the GSX-S1000 GT is its touring-focused ergonomics.

The upright riding position, spacious seat, and well-positioned handlebar offer a comfortable set-up for extended journeys.

Although non-adjustable, the windscreen still provides good wind protection and thus reduces rider fatigue during highway riding.

The overall ergonomics strike a fine balance between sporty aggression and touring comfort, making it suitable for riders seeking a versatile machine.

Technological advancements are another standout feature of the GSX-S1000 GT.

Equipped with a full-colour TFT display, this motorcycle provides riders with essential information, including speed, engine rev, gear position and fuel level.

The display is easily readable, even in bright sunlight, ensuring optimal visibility at all times.

The bike also features ride-by-wire throttle control, enabling precise control over the engine output.

It also comes with cruise control to further enhance long-distance rides.

The GSX-S1000 GT comes with 25.7 litre hard panniers on each side.

The panniers, which are easy to open, close, lock, remove and reinstall, are perfect for a weekend getaway and big enough to fit a full-face helmet.

Besides that, the bike is fitted with a USB port to charge a smartphone.

The GSX-S1000 GT excels in challenging corners and twisty roads, exhibited particularly during my ride in Kuala Klawang.

Its stable and balanced feel, coupled with its nimble and agile nature, make it exceptionally easy to navigate tight turns and twisty roads.

The adjustable suspension allows riders to fine-tune to their preferences, further enhancing the riding experience.

The powerful engine offers strong acceleration out of corners, adding to the thrill and excitement of riding twisty roads.

On highways, the GSX-S1000 GT provides a smooth and comfortable ride, reflecting its touring-focused design.

The ergonomics, including the comfortable seat and well-positioned handlebars, cater to long-distance riding, allowing riders to embark on extended journeys without discomfort.

In terms of performance, the combination of a six-speed transmission and slipper clutch elevates this motorcycle to a whole new level.

It effortlessly delivers smooth and controlled power, maintaining a seamless performance across various speeds.

Meanwhile, the GSX-S1000 GT's braking system is top-notch.

Equipped with dual 310mm discs in the front and a single 260mm disc in the rear, both featuring Brembo callipers, the bike offers a powerful braking system that delivers ample stopping power and excellent control.

The brakes are highly responsive, providing riders with precise feedback and allowing for optimal control.

During my review, one of my riding companions took the opportunity to test out the bike.

As we were cruising along the backroads of Gombak, a bird suddenly flew into the windshield of the bike, forcing my friend to execute an emergency brake.

Witnessing this incident from behind, I was startled. It's worth noting that we were riding after a heavy downpour, with leaves covering the ground.

However, thanks to the remarkable traction control and ABS, the situation was swiftly brought under control.

Exhaling in relief, I couldn't help but acknowledge how narrowly he escaped that potentially dangerous situation.

The suspension of this motorcycle deserves special mention due to its remarkable adaptability to diverse riding conditions.

During my journey from Bentong to Kuala Lumpur via the Karak highway, it delivered an incredibly smooth and comfortable ride.

Moreover, when I took the old Gombak backroad to Bentong, riding through Janda Baik's uneven and rough roads, the motorcycle proved its capability to handle such challenging terrains with ease.

Its exceptional versatility makes it an ideal choice for riders who frequently encounter a wide range of riding conditions.

The suspension is designed to strike a balance between comfort and performance.

It prevents excessive body roll and diving during hard braking while remaining compliant enough to absorb bumps and rough surfaces.

The adjustability of the suspension allows riders to fine-tune the settings to their preferences, enabling them to achieve the perfect balance between comfort and performance.

This is particularly valuable for sport touring motorcycles like the GSX-S1000 GT, which are designed for extended periods of riding.

In conclusion, the RM85,700 GSX-S1000 GT stands out as an exceptional sport touring motorcycle that excels in power, handling, technology and comfort.

Its superb balance of features makes it a perfect choice for riders seeking a machine capable of handling long trips while providing an engaging and thrilling riding experience.

Its overall quality and performance make it a compelling option for those willing to invest in premium craftsmanship and superior performance.

SPECIFICATIONSSuzuki GSX-S1000 GTEngine: 999cc, liquid-cooled, 16v, inline-four
Maxiumum power: 136hp at 10,200rpm
Maximum torque: 106NM at 9,300rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front KYB 43mm USD forks, fully adjustable; rear single shock, adjustable for preload and rebound damping
Brakes: Front 2X310mm discs, Brembo four-piston radial calliper, ABS; rear 240mm disc, single-piston calliper, ABS
Features: Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) with three selectable ride modes, Traction Control (TC), Electronic Cruise Control (CC), and a bi-directional Quick Shift system (QS) and Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS)
Fuel capacity: 19 litres
Wet weight: 226kg
Price: RM85,700 (without registration, road tax and insurance)


Chery replaces Eastar with Maxime MPV

                PUCHONG: The new Chery Maxime seven-seater MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) represents the Chinese automaker's new drive for further growth in Malaysia.

"Following our popular Eastar MPV, the Maxime is a second-generation vehicle that has a focus on enhanced quality. In the past three years, Chery's focus has been more on improving product quality and after-sales services, rather than new product launches," said Chery Automobile (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Zhang Guibing.

"We want to build a solid foundation for Chery's growth," added Zhang, who is also Chery International vice president, at the recent launch of the Maxime at Superhub Auto Sdn Bhd car showroom in IOI Business Park, Puchong.

Also present was Superhub Auto chairman Datuk Lee Leck Cheng.

The locally assembled Maxime, which replaces the Eastar MPV, is priced at RM86,800 on-the-road with insurance and has a a five-year or 150,000km warranty.

Buyers can add RM7,000 for a premium package consisting of leather seats, body kit and Safetint IR-8060 window tint film.

Also, the first 200 buyers of the Maxime can enjoy a two-year free vehicle maintenance package.

The Maxime is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol DVVT (dual variable valve timing) engine that delivers 136hp at 5,750rpm and 182Nm at 4,300 to 4,500rpm.

This is an upgraded version of the Acteco engine in the Eastar, which was developed by Austrian powertrain technology firm AVL.

 Chery Automobile (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Zhang Guibing (left) and Superhub Auto chairman Datuk Lee Leck Cheng, with the new Chery Maxime seven-seater MPV.

Transmission is a 7-speed CVT (continuously variable transmission) with manual mode, and the Maxime has a wheelbase of 2,800mm and a kerb weight of 1,590kg.

According to Chery, the Maxime has a fuel consumption of 7.7 litres per 100km when driven at constant speed of 90kph.

It has all-round disc brakes, cruise control, MP3 and USB-capable audio system, DRLs (daytime running lights) amd 205/55 R16 tyres.

Safety and security features include dual front airbags, pre-tensioner safety belt, ISOFIX child seat points, a reverse sensor, ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) as well as anti-theft and engine immobiliser.


Will Tesla share its self-driving system with other car makers?

                SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk has indicated that Autopilot, Tesla's autonomous driving technology, could at some point be distributed to other automakers, although he did not give any names (or dates) for such an eventuality.

If other car makers want to obtain a license for using Autopilot in their cars, Tesla isn't against it. But it remains to be seen with whom such an agreement would be, and at what price.

With the "Full Self Driving option" currently costing the consumer US$10,000, the bill could indeed be high for another brand and it could be a risky move.

In any case, most of the major car makers have been developing their own autonomous or at least assisted driving systems for years. However, newcomers to the market could turn to Tesla and its technology, which now has a significant track record.

This statement by Elon Musk at a recent conference on artificial intelligenc also echoes the success and numerous partnerships forged in recent years by Waymo, the subsidiary of Alphabet, which also owns Google.

With a technology that is also advanced, Waymo already works with Ford, Renault-Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Daimler.

Autopilot is composed of an arsenal of ultrasonic sensors, radars and cameras, as well as regularly updated software. It allows the vehicle to navigate autonomously and safely in certain situations, keeping in mind that the driver can of course take control at any time.

Soon, the system will even be able to distinguish turn signal lights, but also hazard lights, flashing lights of police cars or ambulances as well as certain hand gestures of other road users, starting with cyclists.

The idea of sharing Autopilot may come as a surprise, but Tesla is increasingly moving towards an open approach.

This year, the carmaker announced that it would soon open up access to some of its Superchargers to all electric cars.

A first trial will take place in Norway in 2022. Germany and other European countries could follow and thus considerably increase the size of the EV fast charging network available to all.

The latest generation of Superchargers supports flows of up to 250kW per car. At this rate, a Model 3 can expect to recover up to 120km of charge in 5 minutes, with a full charge taking less than 20 minutes.


Daimler buys into flying taxi firm Volocopter

                FRANKFURT: Germany's Volocopter said it has received 25 million euros (RM127mil) in funding to develop an electric flying taxi, with car and truck maker Daimler among the firms providing fresh cash.

Daimler joined a consortium which includes technology investor Lukasz Gadowski, who sits on the supervisory board of Delivery Hero, and others, Volocopter said today.

Volocopter said it is developing a five-seat vertical take off and landing (VTOL) electric vehicle aimed at the taxi market and plans to carry out initial demonstrations in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Potential competitors to Volocopter include German start-ups Lilium Jet and eVolo, as well as US-based Terrafugia and California-based Joby Aviation. Commercial aircraft and helicopter manufacturer Airbus is also developing a single-seat "flying car."


Aston Martin unveils DBS Superleggera

                LONDON: Aston Martin has unveiled its new GT, the DBS Superleggera, replacing the Vanquish S in the carmaker's current line-up.

The DBS Superleggera is built on the same architecture as the DB11 but has clear and visible design differences, notably at the headlights, taillights and grille.

This new car uses the same V12 engine as the DB11, boosted here to 725hp and matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, promising prime performance with a top speed on the track of up to 340kph and 0-100kph acceleration in just 3.4 seconds.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q3 2018 at a price of around €280,000 (RM1.3mil). It remains to be seen whether James Bond will take the wheel of this new Aston Martin Super-GT in his latest movie adventure, set to start filming this year.


BP to power London’s largest car service going all-electric

                LONDON: BP Plc’s electric-vehicle charging business is partnering with Addison Lee, London’s largest car and courier service, to keep its drivers from running out of battery range.

Addison Lee’s fleet of EVs — which is expected to be 1,000 strong by the end of the year — will get enhanced access to BP Pulse’s more than 3,000 charging points, the companies said in a statement Thursday.

BP’s network includes hubs at Gatwick Airport and a car park in central London along the western edge of Hyde Park.

Partnerships with fleets of cars that are on roads for hours at a time are crucial to the economics of charging operators’ business in the still-early stages of EV adoption.

Drivers for Addison Lee and Uber Technologies Inc. — BP Pulse’s first fleet customer — will be regular day-to-day customers as the company invests as much as £1 billion (RM5.2bil) in the UK’s EV charging infrastructure.

Addison Lee announced plans last year to fully electrify its fleet by 2023.

It has 450 Volkswagen ID.4 sport utility vehicles operating across London and plans to more than double the size of its EV fleet by year-end.


Maxus V80: A promise of versatile performance

                PETALING JAYA: You might have noticed a huge and tall, solid-looking high roof panel van on the road, plastered with the Massimo Bread logo or used as an ambulance.

That’s the Weststar Maxus V80 commercial van which has been plying trade as a dependable workhorse, or a transporter in critical situations for medical services on Malaysian roads since 2011.

“We have put over 3,000 units on the road in the last seven years. Our clients include Massimo Bread (bakery brand by The Italian Baker Sdn Bhd), the medical sector and government bodies like the Ministry of Defence where performance and reliability are critical,” said Weststar Group executive director Datuk Vikram Menon during a recent interview at Weststar Maxus Glenmarie in Shah Alam.

“They give us a lot of feedback - so we understand how the components are performing, failure rate, etc. Over the years, the V80 has been refined and improved, and undergone two facelifts to be the ultimate solid, efficient and superior workhorse.”

Weststar Maxus Sdn Bhd is the sole distributor in Malaysia for the Weststar Maxus V80 van and the G10, a 10-seater premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) priced at RM152,488 onwards.

The Maxus V80 is priced without insurance at RM110,888 (panel van) and RM130,888 (window van - 12 seater) and RM131,888 (window van - 15 seater).

The warranty is 100,000km or 3 years (whichever comes first) and an attractive after-sales package is a 4-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) free service program and maintenance package (free parts, free lubricants, free labour).

A 5-year or 150,000km (whichever is first) free service and maintenance package is also offered to those who buy 3 units or more.

“These after-sales packages provide business owners with better peace of mind as they can calculate their financing, depreciation and maintenance costs. No nasty surprises or bill shocks,” said Vikram.

The cost-competitive Maxus V80 is fully customisable and caters to a wide array of service and business needs, including ambulances, food and coffee trucks, mobile libraries, delivery vans, tour buses, and mobile offices or sales showrooms.

Among its growing list of A-list clients are DHL, Federal Express, Eco Coach Travel and Tours, and the Ministry of Health.

It offers a very roomy cabin, with lots of interior standing room (at 1,710mm) and measures 5,700mm (length); 2,345mm (height); 1,998mm (width) and 3,850mm (wheelbase).

There’s plenty of grunt from the 4-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine courtesy of Italian diesel engine maker VM Motori, featuring a Bosch common rail direct fuel injection system, that makes 136PS at 3,800rpm and 330Nm at 1,800 to 2,600rpm.

Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the Maxus V80’s fuel consumption is rated at 8.9 to 9.4 litres per 100km (depending on van type and customisation).

Engineered in Britain, featuring components from global automotive specialists, the V80 is loaded with high quality features for business owners.

Billed as the ultimate transporter with the tagline “Built To Work”, the V80 comes standard with an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, lots of storage spaces, front power windows, cruise control, MP3 head unit with Bluetooth, daytime running lights, a side impact protection system and a single sliding door, 16-inch wheels, all-round disc brakes, as well as safety features such as anti lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), brake assist, reverse parking sensors and dual airbags.
 Vikram
The suspension and steering were tuned in Britain by automotive testing specialist Horiba Mira.

Vikram emphasised that the V80 panel van is a strong alternative to a one- or 1.5-tonne truck.

“The panel van has the height, more length and also has more volume (compared with a 1 tonne truck). Also, the side exterior panels are a great platform to advertise or to brand their businesses or products. A good example are the Massimo Bread vans,” said Vikram.

He also pointed out that the V80 is very versatile and can easily be custom-fitted.

“The panel van can be customised to be an ambulance or a mobile office. It is used as a JPJ (Road Transport Department) mobile office, and also mobile units for Lembaga Tabung Haji and also, mobile medical clinics.”

“Or if you want a coffee truck or a vehicle to be fitted out for rackings and chequered panels, or you need a delivery truck. The versatility of the V80 connects very well with business owners and service providers, who do not want the cost of setting up a retail outlet or restaurant where renovation costs are high and you have fixed overheads.”

As for ambulance services, Vikram said the company offers pre-set designs including fully integrated ambulance units with all the needed equipment.

“Of course, medical clients also have their own specifications and requirements, and they sit down with our engineering team.”

Vikram also highlighted the size of the V80.

“Compared with its rivals, it is larger in terms of length, height and obviously, it provides more legroom. So, it is suitable as a tour or schoolbus or if you need a 15-people mover. That added space is a competitive edge for us.”

He also spoke about the reliability and performance of the VM Motori engine and five-speed manual gearbox.
“The V80 can take harsh and high frequency or high mileage driving conditions. Also, the engine is mounted in the bonnet, compared with many commercial vans where the engine is actually under the driver’s seat. This means much more comfort for the driver - compared with commercial vans where the engine is discharging heat under the seat.”

Built as a efficient mover of goods, the V80’s rear doors open up to 255 degrees.

“Even in tight and narrow parking spaces, you can still open the doors and unload your goods. The V80 was been built by understanding business needs.”

The V80 was first produced by the British Leyland DAF Vans (LDV) group in Birmingham, England.

LDV has a strong heritage as one of Europe’s top selling van brands, supplying vehicles for Britain’s Royal Mail.

In 2010, LDV became part of SAIC Motor Corp when the Shanghai-based automaker acquired the commercial division of British Motor Corp.

Subsequently, LDV was re-branded as Maxus in selected markets including Malaysia where SAIC Motor has a partnership with the Weststar Group.

SAIC Motor Corp is the leading automaker in China, thanks to its joint ventures with Volkswagen and General Motors.

In 2016, SAIC Motor sold a staggering 6.49 million vehicles which made it the seventh largest vehicle manufacturer in the world.

“The V80 has been much improved and refined over the years, and features components from renowned OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) - Bosch, Delphi, ZF, Sachs, Continental. In Malaysia, we assemble it at the Berjaya Assembly Sdn Bhd plant in Tampoi, Johor.”

Vikram also noted this was an exciting time for the Maxus brand in Malaysia, with annual sales consistently at around 1,000 units.

“In 2019, we plan to launch the Maxus T60 pick-up truck. That would further increase our presence on the road.”


Mazda MX-5 hits million mark

                LONDON: Mazda has produced the one-millionth MX-5. This landmark car was built at Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima on the Apr 22.

The one millionth MX-5 rolled down the line 27 years after Mazda began manufacturing this iconic roadster, which still holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time.

“From the first generation through to today’s fourth-generation model, the reason we have been able to continue selling the MX-5 all these years is due to the strong support of fans around the world,” said Mazda Motor Corporation Representative Director, President and CEO Masamichi Kogai.

“Mazda was founded in Hiroshima 96 years ago, and as we move toward our centennial year we will continue offering customers the joy of driving with this model, which has become a symbol of our brand. Mazda aims to create a special bond with customers and become a ‘one-and-only’ brand they will choose again and again.”

To celebrate the history of the MX-5 and to thank fans and owners the world over, the one- millionth car will appear at fan events around the globe, including the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Joining the one-millionth MX-5 in Sussex this summer will be the Mazda MX-5 Speedster and Spyder concept cars. Having wowed sports car fans at the 2015 SEMA Tuning Show in Las Vegas, the Goodwood Festival of Speed will be the first time these unique MX-5 based concepts will be seen outside of North America.

Accentuating the MX-5’s lightweight fun-to-drive ethos, the Speedster and Spyder take this doctrine even further with their focus on open air driving and minimalist design.

Inspired by vintage roadsters these design concepts each offer are a unique take on the award-winning all-new Mazda MX-5. Pared back to the bare essentials, the Speedster has a wind deflector in place of a windscreen, and with carbon fibre doors and seats, tips the scales at just 943kg.

With custom 16-inch RAYS alloy wheels and 30mm lower suspension, this racy MX-5 concept will be taking to the famous Goodwood hill in the First Glance run. Featuring a clever bikini top roof, stunning Mercury Silver paint and a full-grain leather interior, the Spyder emphasises the joy and style of open-air motoring and will be on show for MX-5 fans at Goodwood to enjoy.

Even better, in addition to seeing this trio of special MX-5s, attendees at the Moving Motor Show will be able to experience the World Car of the Year winning all-new Mazda MX-5 on the legendary Goodwood hillclimb on Thursday, June 23.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director “The MX-5 sits at the heart of Mazda’s brand and it embodies all that is great about our cars. Its fun to drive character has strengthened the bond between Mazda and its customers for more than a quarter of a century. The production of the one-millionth MX-5 is a landmark and it’s great that we can celebrate this with MX-5 owners and fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”

 Mazda MX-5 through the years.


VinFast parts ways with four top executives as it readies expansion

                HANOI: Four senior executives at Vietnam's VinFast have left the electric vehicle startup as it prepares to launch its first overseas model and roll out a network of showrooms in the United States and Europe, the company said.

The recent round of departures comes as VinFast prepares to start construction of a US$4-billion factory in North Carolina, open its first showrooms in California, moves towards a potential initial public offering of shares and seeks financing from the US government.

The executives who have left are Emmanuel Bret, deputy chief executive officer for global sales; Franck Euvrard, deputy CEO for product development; Hong Bae, deputy CEO for vehicle technology development and Bruno Tavares, who had been chief finance officer, the company said.

A spokesman for VinFast, a unit of conglomerate Vingroup(VIC.HM), said it had "ended labour contracts" with the four with their consent. It said two of the executives, whom it did not name, had resigned for personal reasons.

"All of them agreed to end their contracts in legal terms," the company said in a statement to Reuters. "Adjustment in human resources is a common business practice around the world. VinFast is no exception."

Bret, a former BMW executive, had joined VinFast in January in Hanoi and was charged with rolling out the company’s planned overseas sales network. He was among the executives who represented VinFast at the New York Auto Show in April when it showed off prototypes of its VF8 and VF9 electric SUVs.

Euvrard, who joined VinFast in January from Tata Technologies, had been charged with developing VinFast’s all EV product line-up.

Hong Bae, a veteran of Samsung Electronics, Faraday Future and Fisker, joined VinFast last July.

None of the executives could be reached for comment.

Betting on US market

A memo from the office of VinFast chief executive Le Thi Thu Thuy seen by Reuters said all of the executives had been released from employment for a range of causes related to the quality of their work.

A company spokesman said that memo had not been properly reviewed and had been withdrawn.

Huy Chieu, a former GM engineer, who joined VinFast in November last year had been promoted to lead its EV development efforts after leading the work on the VF8, a separate memo seen by Reuters said. The same memo said the company had chief engineers for two planned, future models that have not made it to prototype, the VF5 and VF6.

VinFast confirmed that the appointments detailed in the memo had taken place. Chieu could not be reached for comment.

Thuy took over as VinFast CEO in December after the resignation of German executive Michael Lohscheller, who quit as CEO of the Stellantis brand Opel to lead VinFast. Lohscheller resigned for personal reasons, the company said.

VinFast has had three CEOs since its founding in 2017.

VinFast, which began production in 2019, is betting big on the U.S. market, where it hopes to compete with legacy automakers and startups with two all-electric SUVs and a battery leasing model that will reduce the purchase price.

VinFast has promised to create 7,500 jobs at its planned plant in North Carolina, where it will build the battery-powered VF8 and the larger and more expensive VF9.

It plans to begin exporting the two electric vehicles to the United States later this year from its existing plant in Vietnam.