Nissan uses 19th century tech to reduce smartphone distraction while driving

                LONDON: Victorian invention, 21st century application. Nissan GB has adopted a technology that’s almost 200 years old to create a concept solution for reducing smartphone distraction at the wheel.

The beauty of the design is its simplicity. The Nissan Signal Shield is a prototype compartment within the arm rest of a Nissan Juke that is lined with a Faraday cage, an invention dating back to the 1830s.

Once a mobile device is placed in the compartment and the lid closed, the Nissan Signal Shield creates a "silent zone", blocking all of the phone’s incoming and outgoing cellular, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.

The concept is designed to give drivers a choice about whether to eliminate the distractions caused by the millions of text messages, social media notifications and app alerts that are "pushed" to smartphones each day.

A growing problem, the number of drivers admitting to handling their phone in the car has increased from 8% in 2014 to 31% in 2016, according to the RAC.

Users are becoming habitually more tempted to check text messages and notifications as they appear on their phone’s screen, even if they are driving. Nissan’s own research found almost one in five drivers (18%) admitted to having texted behind the wheel.

The Nissan Signal Shield concept provides optional connectivity, giving drivers the choice between being able to contact and be contacted from the road, or creating a ‘phone-free’ space and time. It means a digital detox and a drive that’s free of incoming distractions.

If drivers want to listen to music or podcasts stored on their smartphone, they can still connect to the car’s entertainment system via the USB or auxiliary ports. The device will maintain wired connectivity even when in the Nissan Signal Shield compartment.

To restore the phone’s wireless connections, drivers just need to open the arm rest to reveal the compartment – which can be done without taking eyes off the road or touching the phone itself – and the phone can reconnect with the mobile network and the car’s Bluetooth system.

The innovation works on the principle of the Faraday cage, an enclosure made of a conductive material, such as wire mesh, which blocks electromagnetic fields. It is named after the pioneering English scientist Michael Faraday, who invented it in the 1830s.


Tesla to build Shanghai factory to make Megapack batteries, says Xinhua

                SHANGHAI: Tesla Inc will build a factory in Shanghai to make the Megapack energy storage product, Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported on Sunday.

Elon Musk's automaker will break ground on the plant in the third quarter and start production in the second quarter of 2024, Xinhua reported from a signing ceremony here.

Complementing a huge existing Shanghai plant making electric vehicles, the new factory will initially produce 10,000 Megapack units a year, equal to around 40 gigawatt hours of energy storage, to be sold globally, Xinhua said.

With the new Shanghai plant, Tesla will take advantage of China's world leading battery supply chain to ramp up output and lower costs of its Megapack lithium-ion battery units to meet rising demand of energy storage globally as the world shifts to use more renewable energy.

Tesla generates most of its money from its electric car business, but Musk has committed to grow its solar energy and battery business to roughly the same size.

Chinese battery giant CATL has also been deepening its collaborations with clients including Tesla in energy storage battery supplies, which its Chairman Robin Zeng expected to have a larger market than batteries powering electric vehicles (EV).

Tesla currently has a Megafactory in Lathrop, California, capable of manufacturing 10,000 Megapacks per year.

The company began producing Model 3 cars in Shanghai in 2019 and now is capable of producing 22,000 units of cars per week.

Tesla planned to expand the Gigafactory Shanghai, its most productive automaking plant, to add an annual capacity of 450,000 units, Reuters reported last May.

The US company, however, had grappled with rising inventory in Shanghai as demand started weakening in the third quarter, leading to aggressive price cuts in its major markets globally in January.

EV sales growth in China, the world's largest auto market, has slowed to 20.8% in the first two months of 2023, from 150% in the same period a year ago.


Malaysia needs 180,000 auto workers until 2020, says PM

                PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia needs about 180,000 workers to fill vacancies in the automotive industry from now until 2020.

From 2000 until 2014, a total of 550,000 workers were involved in the automotive industry, one of the main contributors to the national revenue and the economy.

"In 2014 alone, some 21,000 people were involved in the automotive industry and about 180,000 workers more are needed until 2020.

"Apart from providing employment, the automotive industry is also a contributor to the stable national revenue. Human capital is very important as we strive to master technology," he said when opening Pekan Gegar AutoRia at Taman Tasik Sultan Abu Bakar here, Saturday.

In an effort to increase the number of workers in the automotive industry, the government would focus on Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) to produce more high skilled workers.

This was the essence of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) tabled two days ago.

The automotive industry should explore environmentally friendly high technology to produce Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV).

Najib said Gegar Autoria recognised the role of Pekan as Malaysia's hub for the automotive industry which has brought benefits to the people of Pekan.

"The Pekan landscape has changed with the existence of automotive factories such as Isuzu, Hicom, Mercedes and Volkswagen.

"The establishment of the International College of Automotive (ICAM) provides learning facilities to students taking courses in the automotive industry.

"Thousands of jobs have been created with the opening of these factories and locals no longer have to look for automotive jobs in the Klang Valley," he said.

At the ceremony, Najib also launched MAI Aftermarket Apps, an intelligent automation based on the cloud computing designed for workshop operators and vehicle distributors.


2016 Paris Motor Show: Honda revs up excitement with new Type R - VIDEO

PARIS: Behold the first surprise of the Paris Motor Show, the new Honda Civic Type R.

The hot hatch version of any new car usually takes at least a year to appear but Honda has thrown away the rule book and on Thursday unveiled what it promises is the hottest Civic hatchback in history alongside the reveal of the standard 10-generation Civic.

"We promised the most ambitious, sportiest Civic lineup ever and we're delivering on that promise with each new Civic," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The current generation Type R has only been on sale for a year and is one of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars in history to lap the Nurburgring.

This new model, shown in Paris in prototype form with massive flared carbon fiber side skirts, carbon fiber diffuser and spoilers and three tailpipes, will pick up where the existing Type R will leave off. Thanks to a huge hood scoop, side air intakes and 20-inch alloys, even standing still it already looks faster.

However, the biggest surprise is that this will be the first truly international Type R.

By bringing its hottest hot hatch to America, Honda is following Ford's lead with the Focus RS.

"For the first time ever in America, Honda fans and enthusiasts will have access to the ultimate in Civic performance in the form of the new Type R," Conrad said.

So, after the Paris Motor Show is finished, this car is heading to the US and will make its American debut at SEMA 2016 in Las Vegas this November.

The production version of the Type R will be going into production in 2017 and expect its rollout to coincide with another attempt at the front-wheel-drive Nurburgring lap record.


Nissan Teana sets safety benchmark

                KAJANG: In urging automakers to offer safer cars, Asean NCAP's crash tests will use only entry-level or cheapest car variants from January 1, 2017.

This will be a departure from the current practise where different car models are tested and graded, including the most highly equipped or expensive variants.

"We want to push automakers to have better safety equipment and features in all their cars, especially the cheapest models," said Asean NCAP secretary-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.

Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asia) is a collaboration, set up in December 2011, between the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Global NCAP.

It aims to elevate vehicle safety standards, and raise consumer awareness.

It has a vehicle safety rating scheme with two separate assessments, namely Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) by star-rating and Child Occupant Protection (COP) by percentage-based rating.

At a recent media briefing at the MIROS office in Kajang, Khairil said Asean NCAP's annual funding of about RM1 million comes from the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society, which is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

"The money is to buy cars for crash testing, and other operational expenses."

According to Khairil, Asean NCAP has crashed 40 cars in the last four years, out of which 10 cars were bought and the balance, provided by automakers.

"This means we have covered 10% of the estimated 400 car models in the region," he said.

 Asean NCAP secretary-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.

Regarding the purchase of cars for crash tests at a facility in Malacca, Khairil recalled an amusing case.

"Of course, we do not hide the reason in buying the car - which is to crash it. However, there was one case where the sale was cancelled. Our cheque was returned, after we told them we were going to crash their car."

Khairil also noted that in recent years, many automakers in the region have been more generous with vehicle safety features and innovations.

"For example, late last year, the third-generation Nissan Teana was the first car to score full points in the AOP. The Teana was also the first car to score a maximum five-star rating in COP, with 88% compliance."

The Teana model which was crash tested in Malacca was a 2.0XL variant, provided by Nissan Thailand.

It should be noted that all three Malaysian-assembled Teana variants share similar safety features, including six SRS airbags, VDC (vehicle dynamic control) and TCS (traction control system), as well as AUC (active understeer control), ABS (anti-locking braking system), EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), BA (brake assist) and HSA (hill start assist).

Other safety features include a LED high mounted rear stop lamp, ISOFIX child seat points, front seat belts with load limiters and pre-tensioners, and three-point ELRs (emergency locking restraints).

Khairil recalled that he was shocked at the Teana's crash test results.

"It is very tough to score maximum points, even for some premium European brands."

The Teana obtained the full 16 points for AOP, due partly to its VDC technology, also known as ESC (electronic stability control) which is a standard fit on all Asean variants.

Under Asean NCAP's scoring system, only cars fitted with ESC and SBR (seatbelt reminder) will be considered for a five-star rating.

Cars that scored in the five-star range but missing either ESC or SBR, or both, will be relegated to a four-star rating.


Volvo S90 and V90 get top safety ratings from Euro NCAP

                BRUSSELS: Volvo Cars has cemented its position amongst the leaders of automotive safety innovation with its new S90 sedan and V90 wagon by being the first car maker to score a full six points in the Autonomous Emergency Braking for Pedestrians (AEB Pedestrian) in Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) tests, and an overall 5 Star rating for both cars.

The S90 and V90 results surpass the best overall score of any model tested last year and now make Euro NCAP’s top-3 best-ever performing cars all Volvos.

The result follows in the footsteps of the XC90, which was the first car from any manufacturer to score full points in the Euro NCAP Autonomous Emergency Braking Car to Car rear-end tests (AEB City and AEB Interurban).

The S90 and V90 performed as expected in the 2017 testing cycle, achieving a full 5 stars, thanks in large part to the high level of standard safety equipment in the new cars.

“We work hard to ensure that our cars fulfil all safety requirements and pass all testing procedures that the ratings agencies develop. Our main focus is, and always has been, real-life safety. Autonomous Emergency Braking systems, such as our City Safety offer also represent a clear step forwards on our journey toward fully autonomous cars, which we see as a key element to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries,” said Malin Ekholm, director of the Volvo Car Safety Centre at Volvo Cars Group.

Volvo’s success in the Autonomous Emergency Braking tests are a result of the advanced City Safety system which is standard in all new Volvo cars.

City Safety works by identifying potential hazards on the road ahead, such as vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in certain situations, day and night.

The AEB Pedestrian tests by Euro NCAP are designed to check performance of pedestrian detection systems using three road crossing scenarios, all of which would result in a fatal collision if the AEB system did not intervene.

The tests represent common and critical situations that frequently result in pedestrian casualties in the real world:

An adult runs into the road from the driver side of the vehicle
An adult walks into the road from the passenger side of the vehicle (two tests are carried out for this scenario)
A child runs from between two parked cars into the road from the passenger side of the vehicle

Volvo Cars has a long held vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by the year 2020.


Lexus, Infiniti luxury car brands test ways to fight Tesla, German rivals

                DETROIT: Japanese luxury auto brands Lexus and Infiniti are using the Detroit auto show to test new ways to regain momentum against Germany’s prestige automakers and Silicon Valley’s Tesla Inc.

Toyota Motor Corp’s Lexus brand unveiled at Detroit its ”LF-1 Limitless” concept SUV model, signalling that Lexus may start to focus more on SUVs than its traditional large sedans.

The LF-1 proposed a blend of an aggressive, sleek profile with a system called ”Chauffeur mode” which allows the driver to take hands off the wheel and let the SUV handle most of the driving.

The LF-1’s also previews a futuristic navigation technology that anticipates where the driver is going based on driving habits and history, and provides hotel recommendations or other concierge services.

 The LF-1 Limitless concept SUV.

"We don't want to be the 'race car' brand; we don't want to be the 'quiet ride' brand. We want to be the brand which is emotionally connected with the customer,” said Cooper Ericksen, vice president of US marketing for Lexus.

The Japanese luxury brands are fighting to gain ground in the US luxury market as Volkswagen AG’s Audi brand and Mercedes-Benz have expanded sales, and Tesla has provided a fresh alternative to the established brands.

Last year the Lexus brand suffered a 7.6 percent slide in US sales last year. At Honda Motor Co Ltd’s Acura luxury brand, 2017 sales fell 3.9 percent from 2016. Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s Infiniti pushed up sales by 11.3 percent, mainly by selling almost twice as many sport utility vehicles as cars.

However, Infiniti’s total 2017 sales of 153,415 vehicles put it behind the leading Germany luxury car brands, as well as Acura, Lexus and General Motors Co’s Cadillac brand.

 Infiniti QX50.

Lexus, Infiniti and Acura launched in the US market in the late 1980s and took advantage of quality problems at Audi and a lack of innovation at the then-leading luxury brands in the market, General Motors Co’s Cadillac and Ford Motor Co’s Lincoln brand.

Now, the structure of the US luxury vehicle market has changed. Four brands - Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, BMW AG, Volkswagen’s Audi brand and Lexus dominate sales in the US luxury market.

Tesla, meanwhile, has gathered more than 400,000 orders for its Model 3 sedan, which is just starting to reach customers as the automaker tries to iron out production problems.

In Detroit, Infiniti showed a future sedan powered by a high efficiency petrol engine. While the prototype is not electric, its exterior might appeal to customers of the Tesla Model S.

“We don’t look at Tesla and try to do the same idea of luxury, but there has been a natural evolution of luxury,” Infiniti’s executive design director Karim Habib said at the North American International Auto Show earlier this week.


First car-sharing service powered by hydrogen to start in Munich

MUNICH: The BeeZero  car sharing service here is the first in the world to use hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars, allowing users to clock 600km on a single tank.

Fifty Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell will power the new BeeZero car sharing programme by The Linde Group launching this summer here.

The BeeZero car sharing service will be run on a zone-based model. The fleet of ix35 fuel cell cars will be available in Munich’s city centre and also in the areas of Schwabing, Haidhausen, Au and Glockenbachviertel. As with conventional car sharing services, the cars can be easily booked online or via a smartphone app.

The Hyundai ix35 fuel cell  can travel about 600km on a single tank, making it ideal for longer journeys too, to the Bavarian lakes or the mountains for example, and not just for short trips in the city. Linde said the hydrogen fuel for BeeZero is sourced from sustainable production processes, making it carbon neutral.

The ix35 fuel cell  is the world's first mass-produced and commercially available fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Currently there are more than 250 ix35 fuel cell SUVs on European roads in 13 countries. That is more than all FCEVs from every other manufacturer combined. And with the IONIQ, to be launched this year, Hyundai introduces the world’s first car to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains in a single body type.

“We expect to gain valuable information from day-to-day fleet operations which we will use to further develop our hydrogen technologies and to help expand the hydrogen infrastructure,” said Dr Christian Bruch, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. “BeeZero synergises two mobility trends that are gaining a lot of ground at the moment - car sharing and zero emissions - and will bring the benefits of fuel cell technology to a wider group of potential users.”

https://www.youtube.com/user/linde


Goodbye, Hennessey Venom GT

                HOUSTON: After one prototype, six hardtops, six open-top spyders and three world records, production of America's fastest car is officially coming to an end. So, to mark the occasion, the Houston, Texas-based company is building a last, commemorative model called, rather fittingly "The Final Edition."

It boasts a glacier blue external paint finish with white racing stripes. However, beyond the external detailing, the car remains "stock." It has the same 1451hp force-fed 7-litre V8 engine that propelled it to into the Guinness Book of World Records and into an ongoing dispute with Bugatti.

"We've attained some pretty incredible achievements with the Venom GT," said company CEO, John Hennessey. "It was always my dream to build the fastest car and we did just that."

In January 2013, the hardtop set a Guinness World Record for the fastest accelerating 2-seat sports car by accelerating from 0-300kph in 13.61 seconds.

Then, in February 2014, it hit 434kph on the Space Shuttle's Landing runway at the Kennedy Space Center. That feat made it briefly the fastest street-legal production car in the world, beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's record 431.072kph by 3kph.

However, Bugatti pointed out that it's only a record when there are two runs and the average taken (the Venom had done just one pass). And that a car can only be deemed a production car if more than 30 examples are built or plan to be built.

Hennessey in turn pointed out that the Bugatti's speed limiter had been removed for the record attempt and that the production model Super Sport's top speed is actually capped at 415kph. As a result, the record was briefly suspended but Guinness eventually decided in Bugatti's favour.

Indeed, a statement on Bugatti's website reads "The Super Sport fulfilled the strict requirements of Guinness World Records and set a new world speed record for road cars of 431.072 kph. Despite numerous attempts to dethrone the Super Sport from its status as the fastest production supercar, the Bugatti remains unbeaten to this day."

Nevertheless, Hennessey had the last laugh. When his team took the open-top Spyder to the United States Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California, they did everything by the book and set a new record for the world's fastest open top car - 427.4kph, 17.7kph faster than the Bugatti's open top Grand Sport Vitesse. But of course, Bugatti can still claim that its convertible is the world's fastest open-top production car as it built 150 examples compared with Hennessey's six.

And although it will be sad to see the Venom go, it's also a chance to get excited about its replacement, the F5, which promises to pick up where the outgoing model left off.

The Venom GT Final Edition is already sold and fetched a US$1.2mil (RM5.3mil) premium.


Volkswagen emissions scandal headed for Hollywood

                NEW YORK: The Volkswagen AG scandal over diesel emission tests is headed for Hollywood.

US movie studio Paramount Picture and actor Leonardo DiCaprio's production company have acquired movie rights to a book proposal by New York Times journalist Jack Ewing about the clean diesel scandal, the biggest crisis in Volkswagen's 78-year history, Paramount and New York literary agency Marly Rusoff and Associates said on Monday.

Publishing rights for the as-yet-untitled book sold earlier this month for six figures to the Norton publishing house, Marly Rusoff said. The book is expected to investigate how a "more, better, faster" ethos fuelled one of the greatest frauds in corporate history.

Europe's largest automaker has admitted rigging diesel emissions tests in the United States, and Germany's transport minister says it also manipulated them in Europe.

The scandal has wiped more than a third off the German company's share price, forced out its long-time CEO and prompted investigations around the world.

DiCaprio, producer and star of The Wolf of Wall Street through his Appian Way production company, is also one of Hollywood's leading environmental campaigners.

No stars or directors are attached to the movie at this stage.

Meanwhile, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has warned that a rushed and overly tough change to European emissions tests in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal could make diesel vehicles so expensive that manufacturers have to stop selling them.

"The automobile industry agrees with the need for emissions to more closely reflect real-world conditions, and has been calling for proposals for years," it said in a statement.

"However, it is important to proceed in a way which allows manufacturers to plan and implement the necessary changes, without jeopardising the role of diesel as one of the key pillars for fulfilling future CO2 targets."

Diesel vehicles have been encouraged in some European markets because they can produce less carbon dioxide - a major greenhouse gas - than gasoline vehicles. However, they can also produce higher levels of nitrous oxides (NOx), which are harmful to human health.

The European Commission has been ratcheting up pressure on carmakers to agree to faster, deeper diesel emissions cuts, counting on public anger after Volkswagen admitted cheating in U.S. emissions tests.

European government officials met in Brussels last week in an attempt to unlock a stalemate over plans to introduce real-world measurements of NOx emissions rather than rely on easily manipulated lab tests.

Real-world NOx testing is due to begin early next year, with its results coming into play in late 2017.


In Geneva, BMW reveals a gran coupe concept that's more sport than sedan

                33GENEVA: As expected, BMW has debuted the concept version of its M8 Gran Coupe at the auto show here.

True to form with many of the debuts this week at the Geneva show, an event that most prizes hype and design over actual driving machines, the M8 Gran Coupe is a purely conceptual exercise.

It’s meant to indicate the direction that BMW will go with its high-end 8 Series line: The company has said the 8 Series will take over the 7 Series as the new flagship family for the brand; the M8 Gran Coupe falls in the centre of that group.

“It’s about extending the BMW range,” said BMW head of design Adrian Von Hooydonk. “This is the next step in BMW design language. We are not talking about engine power or performance figures, but I can say this vehicle will be very hungry for the road.”

What we do know about the new car is that it looks shark-like in the best way, and it looks fast. The side-profile is chiselled and tight, with a long wheelbase front to rear and a short overhang on the front wheels. It will have four doors, even though it’s called a coupe, and a substantial spoiler that lies flush with the tail and is framed by thin tail lamps.

The front end retains the signature BMW kidney grille, this time done in gold with pointed ends, and large carbon-fibre air intakes. The opaque headlights are yellow, a reference to the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race that BMW will enter later this year.

As for engine properties, BMW declined to comment. But if the M8 Gran Coupe is anything like the M5, it could have a 4.4-litre V8 engine that gets as much as 650hp.

Based on the level of performance that BMW’s M line produces, the M8 Gran Coupe will likely be the fastest sedan BMW has produced. Expect it to go up against the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s new AMG GT Coupe, the high-performance four-door that also seats four. Pricing for both are expected to fall in the six-figure range.

Consumers will have to wait awhile before acting on the hype, though. BMW says the 8-Series Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe will start production sometime in 2019, which puts US deliveries closer to early 2020.


Yamaha MT-07 now locally assembled

                SUNGAI BULOH: The MT-07 is now locally assembled, making it the third big Yamaha bike to be locally built at the Hong Leong Yamaha Motor plant here.

Yamaha is promoting the MT-07 as a versatile naked bike designed to bring fun, affordability and enjoyment back to the streets, from its deep torque through to the agile chassis.

The MT-07 has a 4 stroke, 689cc liquid cooled, 2-cylinder engine with fuel injection.

Equipped with a compact and lightweight chassis for agility and easy handling, the MT-07 is touted as an economical bike to use.

It’s priced at RM35,296 and is available at selected authorised Yamaha dealerships nationwide starting from mid-June. It is available in violet or yellow colours.

The other big bikes from Yamaha that are locally assembled are the XJ series (XJ6, XJ6 Diversion, XJ6 Diversion F) and the MT-09.


New Honda Civic Type R heads for Nürburgring testing

                LOS ANGELES: Honda teased the development of the next Civic Type R with the release of photos showing the prototype Type R about to undergo Nürburgring testing.

The all-new Civic Type R will be introduced in 2022. Price is estimated to be be from under US$40,000 (RM168,000).

It's based on the 11th-generation Civic hatchback.

The photos show the new Type R shod on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tyres wrapped around 10-spoke black wheels. It's also equipped with red Brembo brake calipers along with a big rear wing and three exhaust tips.

Although the powertrain was not revealed, it's believed the new Type R will retain the turbocharged 2.0-litre as its predecessor but with more output and torque. So we can expect more than 306hp and 400Nm that the current Type R offers.


All-new Mazda MX-5 struts in

PETALING JAYA: The new Mazda MX-5 is here but you have to wait in line if you want the legendary little roadster because all five units brought in for the launch today have been snapped up.

Plus the huge worldwide demand for the sports car isn't helping.

The all-new fourth-generation MX-5 is lighter, more rigid, more powerful, yet more fuel efficient, faster and safer than before.

The much-storied  roadster is the sixth model in Mazda's line-up of new-generation vehicles that feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

In developing this lightweight two-seater rear-wheel drive sports car, Mazda's goal was to deliver pure Jinba-ittai driving fun, and development engineers went to great lengths to appeal, on a deeper level, to the senses and the sensations through which people enjoy cars.

The curb weight of the RM226,376.32 (OTR with insurance) roadster has been reduced by over 100kg compared to the previous model by increasing the use of aluminum and ultra-high tensile steel from 58 percent to 71 percent and adopting a body structure that is both lighter and more rigid. The roadster weighs between 990kg and 1,080kg.

From the car's low, short front overhang to its compact cabin that positions the occupants in the centre, the MX-5 features beautiful proportions.

A low and wide trapezoidal form makes the vehicle appear as though it is firmly gripping the road and conveys an image of stability and agility.

The body panels wrap around to extend right into the door trim, dissolving the visual boundaries between the vehicle's interior and exterior and creating an open-feeling interior design.

READ ALSO:

MX-5 production begins
Special edition sold out in 10 mins
We drove the last MX-5 in 2009

Headlights and tail lights are LED-based and the car comes with a keyless entry system.

Leather seats fit snugly. In addition to 50:50 front-rear weight distribution, a lowered yaw inertia moment achieved by moving the engine rearward and adopting aluminum parts at the front and rear ends of the body, as well as a lower centre of gravity achieved by lowering the engine's mounting position and seating position, combine to realise a light driving feel.

The 6-speed automatic transmission features wider slip control and lockup ranges for a more direct feel and adds a blipping function and Drive Selection for sporty and meaty performance. Local purists won't  have to wait too long as Bermaz Motor is expected to bring in a manual version as well.

The MX-5 uses a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine and its four cylinders produce 158hp at 6,000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

Another engine option is a SKYACTIV-G 1.5-litre direct injection petrol engine but according to Bermaz Motor managing director Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh, it would not be offered locally because of the Malaysian mentality, which continues to equate performance with displacement.

"A sports car with a 1.5-litre engine is a no-no in this country unless it's supercharged or turbocharged."

In a first for Mazda, the steering employs dual pinion electric power steering assist. It delivers highly rigid steering characteristics and provides direct feedback from the road surface.

The cockpit promises an ideal sports car driving position with high visibility, pedals that are centered to the driver's body and controls laid out for maximum operability.

The canopy features a highly weather-resistant construction and can be opened and closed easily with one hand while the driver remains seated and the cabin is quieter when the top is up. It's not motorised to shave off weight.

Mazda said that even with the soft top down, the cabin won't be noisy as the flow of wind inside is controlled to ensure pleasant and comfortable open-top driving. A lightweight, automated fully retractable hard top is in the pipeline and this version will certainly cost more because of its intricate mechanism.

While staying true to its purpose as two-seater sports car, Mazda strived to make the roadster a practical day-to-day vehicle. Examples of these efforts include easy-to-use storage compartments, removable drink-holders and a trunk that can accommodate two carry-on-sized suitcases.

A nine-speaker sound system (Bose AudioPilot) was developed jointly with Bose to deliver high-quality sound even when the top is down. Speakers installed in the headrest ensure audio come through crisp and clear.

The Mazda Connect car connectivity system is standard equipment, linking a smartphone to enable various functions including hands-free telephone and SMS text messaging.

While navigation is provided, power seats and reverse camera are not available for the Malaysian market.

The i-stop idling stop system and i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system are standard equipment.

Apart form having four airbags, other safety kit are High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning System and adaptive headlights.

In addition, an Active Bonnet causes the bonnet to pop up in the event of the vehicle striking a pedestrian, creating a shock-absorbing space between the bonnet and items in the engine bay.

The MX-5 was introduced as a lightweight, affordable sports car. As a two-seater roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, proven mechanicals and sound technology, and a fuss-free but distinctive styling, the compact car weighed merely 940kg.

Badged as the MX-5 Miata in North America and as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, the MX-5 went on to become the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car in history, as validated by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000, with total production of 531,890 units. Nearly a million MX-5s have been sold around the world by July 2014.

Mazda president and CEO Masamichi Kogai once said: "We launched the original roadster in 1989 as the Eunos Roadster and for over a quarter of a century the model has been admired for its affordable price, exhilarating open-top feel and its Jinba-ittai fun-to-drive, which today has become a symbol of the Mazda brand.

"Written in the catalogue made for the original model were the words, 'A car that will make anyone happy.' I feel strongly now that these words were pointing the way, not just for the roadster, but for the entire Mazda brand. These days, Mazda is aiming to get closer to our customers and enrich their lives through a variety of touch points. By providing driving pleasure and satisfied smiles, we want to make a particular kind of connection with our customers and become for them a one-and-only brand that they will choose again and again.

"By delivering driving pleasure and satisfaction to even more customers, this all-new roadster will help to raise the value of the Mazda brand."


UMW upbeat on achieving car sales target

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Holdings Bhd is confident of achieving its automotive sales target for this year.

UMW president and group chief executive officer Badrul Feisal Abdul Rahim told reporters on the sidelines of its EGM today that the sales would be driven by the launch of new vehicle models, as well as ongoing popularity of its existing ones.

UMW is the exclusive distributor of Toyota and the major shareholder in Perodua.

According to reports, for Toyota, the group is targeting more than a 12% growth in sales to 75,000 units compared to the 66,562 units sold in 2018, driven by its first batch of the all-new Vios and locally assembled Yaris hatchback.

Meanwhile, Perodua has revised upwards its sales target for this year to 235,000 units from 231,000 cars previously, underpinned by sustained healthy demand for all its models.

Separately, shareholders approved the sale of land by UMW for RM287.7mil at its EGM.

On Nov 30 last year, UMW announced that it was selling industrial leasehold land measuring 38.803 acres in Shah Alam, Selangor to Strategic Sonata Sdn Bhd (SSSB).

Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) had on June 13 entered into a share subscription agreement with SSSB for a 30% stake acquisition in the latter.

PNB, by virtue of it being the investment manager of Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd, collectively holds a 59.62% equity interest in UMW as at May 31.


Celebrate gifting with Bentley

                PETALING JAYA: Bentley Kuala Lumpur celebrates the spirit of gifting by extending a 20% discount on all items in the Bentley Collection.

The Bentley Collection is a series of carefully crafted luxury products, each with its unique identity that embodies the essence of the Bentley marque – unparalleled craftsmanship of the very best quality luxury materials with incredible attention to detail.

The Bentley Collection consists of brilliantly designed gifts for the fabulous woman, the sophisticated man, for passionate motorsport fans, for Bentley owners and enthusiasts.

As Bentley is approaching its Centenary, “The Spirit of Bentley: Be Extraordinary” coffee table book of the Bentley Collection, was also specially developed to celebrate Bentley’s extraordinary owners and the values they share, examining just what defines the Bentley spirit and those who share it through a Grand Tour of Britain.

The book is accompanied by stunning photography by Aline Coquelle of the kind luxury publishing house Assouline is renowned; the perfect gift for Bentley aficionados of any age.

Discover the Bentley Collection from now until Dec 31, 2018, and enjoy a 20% off all items as a gesture from Bentley Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the spirit of gifting this festive season.

Bentley Kuala Lumpur is located at Lot 1.1, Ground Floor, Tower 2 Etiqa Twins, 11 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur and open from Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 3pm (closed on Sundays).

For more information, please call 03-2162 2033.


Plenty of new cars at Germany's top show — despite missing names

                FRANKFURT: Munich will soon be at a centre of the automotive world when the southern German city hosts the international IAA Mobility Show from Sept 7-12.

The trade exhibition has shrugged off the past by moving south from its decades-old Frankfurt location. It now aims to grab a wider audience as a window on modern mobility including bicycles and scooters.

The concept is new too and instead of mainly static displays there are multiple venues spread around the city’s handsome squares and other urban spaces.

New models naturally still dominate the first major public European car show since the world has been gripped by the coronavirus pandemic.

First off, there will be a raft of fresh electric cars. A combination of official announcements and behind-the-scenes gossip indicate that more than a dozen new electrified models will break cover in Munich.

> BMW has the biggest exhibition hall stand and will use its Bavarian home advantage to launch the low-slung i4 electric saloon and the futuristic, upmarket iX5 SUV. A hydrogen version of the iX5 will also be on show.

> Mercedes-Benz hopes its electric EQS flagship and the compact EQB SUV with up to seven seats will wow real-life visitors for the first time. It is also fielding the EQE as an electrified alternative to the fuel-sipping E-Class executive saloon.

> Volkswagen has already teased the sporty ID 5 GTX which weighs in as a rakish electric coupe SUV. It is largely based on the straight-backed ID 4.

> Korean makers Hyundai and Kia are presenting technically-allied but completely different approaches as shown by the sleek Ioniq 5 and crossover-styled EV6. Both cars are based on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

> Renault will use Munich as a launch pad for the new Megane EVision small SUV which ushers in a range of pure-electrics from the French brand. No petrol or diesel engines are planned for the new models.

SEAT is staying away from the show but the boldy-styled electric Tavascan SUV concept from spin-off brand Cupra should delight fans. Meanwhile Audi promises a glimpse of the Grandsphere luxury liner which previews the A8 limousine successor.

A concept showcasing the new electric-only Smart SUV should also attract much attention. “We have basically re-invented the brand,” said Mercedes-Benz design chief Gordon Wagener.

Details are still sketchy but the look and feel of the Chinese-built, five-door car is similar to the MINI Countryman and radically different from any Smart that went before. Sales are set to begin in 2022.

Petrol-heads will be catered for in Munich and BMW will launch the new 2 Series coupe complete with a rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive options.

Volkswagen will also be showing off two models with fuel nozzles.

The Taigo is a more aggressive-looking version of the brand's T-Cross aimed at lifestyle buyers while the new edition of the evergreen Multivan is now based on the Golf platform.

VW said the people-carrier gets more space inside, enhanced connectivity and new driver assistance systems. The Multivan will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid for the first time.

The car industry association VDA, which is organising the fair, hopes the new IAA concept will secure its future but the event is off the radar for many carmakers.

Famous brands like Ferrari and Maserati are not showing and visitors will search in vain for Frankfurt regulars like Toyota, Peugeot and Fiat. Even Germany’s Opel is not taking part this year.

This has little to do with a lack of new product in the pipeline since plenty of premieres from IAA stay-aways are due later this year.

The new Stellantis Group, which brackets Peugeot/PSA with FiatChrysler and includes Opel, is holding back three debuts, the new Opel Astra, a revamped Peugeot 308 and the elegant DS4.

"Why should we share the limelight in Munich with many other brands?" said outgoing Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. The marque will unveil the next-gen Astra at home in Ruesselsheim - exactly one week before the IAA gets under way.

Toyota is also saving its new Yaris compact SUV for later along with Nissan whose battery-powered Ariya is waiting in the wings.

It seems many makers have been deterred from attending by dwindling IAA crowds in recent years. The success of digital premieres during the pandemic has also contributed.


Driving Honda BR-V in Bangkok

                A Chao Phraya river cruise with dinner onboard and live entertainment thrown in was a memorable way to remember Bangkok by.

And that came about because Honda Malaysia wanted CarSifu to drive the BR-V and tell the public all about it. We are happy to oblige.

Some of you would have seen the BR-V previewed at an autoshow in the Klang Valley last month.

Honda is pretty stoked about its first 7-seat crossover and wanted us to get a feel of the vehicle that was conceived in Thailand as an Asean project. The BR-V is now on sale in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India as well.

As an entry crossover, the vehicle is positioned below the HR-V, which was one of Honda’s bestsellers at launch nearly two years ago. The Japanese car maker is banking on the BR-V to get it off to a flying start in 2017 as it will be introduced as a locally assembled model in January.

The Thailand media drive comprised a short drive to a bear-themed cafe in Bangkok on the first day followed by a 200km+ run the next day between the Thai capital and Ratchaburi, a scenic provincial town that boasts natural and cultural attractions – the most popular being the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

The seven-people carrying capacity of the BR-V is obviously its selling point and Honda is confident it would draw buyers with big families or those aspiring to upgrade from lesser brands.

While the HR-V is derived from the Jazz platform, the BR-V is based on the versatile A-segment Brio platform that has spawned a hatch, a sedan, an MPV and now a crossover.

To cater for 7 people comfortably, the BR-V is longer and taller but narrower than the HR-V. The front and rear have been altered to give the BRV a crossover look and stance but the side profile is still reflective of the Brio-based Mobilio MPV.

Plastic body cladding around wheel arches, a raised ground clearance, bigger alloy wheels and roof rails are added to make a convincing case for a crossover. To keep cost and pricing down, the front wheels get ventilated discs while the back get drum brakes. The steering column is also only adjustable for height but not reach.

The dashboard looks respectable and an infotainment touchscreen and Start/Stop button keep it in tune with the times. Hard plastic abounds but the cabin does not look low-rent.

The Thai-specced 7-seat BR-V has full leather seats, and a basic 5-seat BR-V is also available. But the 5-seater will not be coming to Malaysia.

For those of average-size, there was little to complain about the space, and third-row passengers are able to get more legroom by sliding the mid-row seats forward.

Bulkier adults in the last two rows will find space to be snug. Third-row passenger comfort has also been given due consideration by the Honda designers with a ceiling mounted air-cond blowers in mid-row to shunt cold air to the BR-V’s nether regions.

In addition, third-row passengers get two of seven cupholders in the cabin and side armrests. Both rows are also notable for having backrests that are reclinable. In the second row, this makes up for the lack of thigh support.

In normal driving, the BR-V showed itself to be a pleasant vehicle to handle with enough urge from the 1.5-litre engine to pull it along at a brisk pace.

Steering is light and the vehicle is manoeuvrable through the notorious Bangkok jams. The engine’s 118hp/145Nm and CVT setup offer linear power delivery to the front axle with sufficient pickup when overtaking traffic.

For passengers and driver alike, the cabin is calm and collected but can get a bit noisy in S-mode. A pliant suspension helps absorb most bumps and ruts on roads. Body roll is noticeable in such a long vehicle when taking corners.

Overall, the BR-V comes across as a crossover that emphasises comfort and practicality while striving to be economical in the process.

That should comply with mainstream demands for an affordable people carrier that looks presentable performing the deed.


Hyundai Mobis developed new 'lighting and moving grille'

                SEOUL: Hyundai Mobis says it has developed "lighting grille" technology, which implements an LED lighting function in the front grille of the car.

This helps determines the first impression, and also integrate the other new "grille integral active air flap" technology. These are new technologies that have not yet been mass-produced worldwide.

They are rated as the outcomes of differentiated R&D efforts in response to the trending change for electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles.

The core of the new grille technology consists of the "lighting grille" and the "moving grille."

Over the years, the automotive grille has been regarded as a vent for cooling the engine and as a design element that determines the first impression of the vehicle. However, as electric vehicles have been becoming more popular in recent years, the existing grille is being transformed to have different uses including lighting systems, sound systems and displays.

For starters, Hyundai Mobis' "lighting grille" is a technology that can use the entire front grille of the car as a lighting device. It is characterised by being able to implement various scenarios such as the autonomous driving mode, the EV charging mode, the welcome light function, the sound beat display, and an emergency warning light display.

The "lighting grille" can be used as a means of communicating with other vehicles or pedestrians and it can also create strong and unique design effects depending on how the lighting patterns are applied.

Hyundai Mobis completed development of the technology earlier this year, and it is now testing its reliability for commercialisation purposes. It plans to start mass-production in 2023.

The "moving grille" technology automatically controls the outside air to cool the engine as the grille moves and provides the lighting function as well.

Unlike the existing method (built-in), as this has been developed as a grille integral type (external), it is expected to not only improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust gas, but also confer a sense of luxury in the exterior design of the vehicle.

The built-in air flap, located inside the automotive grille, detects changes in the temperature of the coolant and blocks the inflow of outside air by lowering the flap if cooling is not necessary.

If this device is applied to a vehicle, it can improve fuel efficiency as it reduces air resistance (if outside air is blocked) and reduce the emission of pollutants through the exhaust gas by improving the cooling efficiency inside the engine bay.

The advantage of the grille integral (external) air flap is that it can implement differentiated design patterns through its lighting while also enhancing the eco-friendly effect.

"We are making constant efforts to develop new technologies that can meet customer needs in response to the changes in future car trends," said Lee Woo-il, head of the Module Lab of Hyundai Mobis.

"We will preempt the global market with innovative products that combine a high level of technology readiness with emotional quality."

Hyundai Mobis also developed a virtual engine sound system using the automotive grille as a global first last year. If this technology is applied to vehicles, it can be used not only for the virtual engine sound, but also as the turn signal sound, the electric vehicle charging alarm sound, and speakers for playing music while camping.

Hyundai Mobis is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor.


Perodua celebrates CNY with Selayang Hospital's child patients

                PETALING JAYA: Perodua visited Selayang Hospital last Saturday, bringing the spirit of Chinese New Year to its pediatric ward as the national carmaker’s 10 volunteers and UFirst mascot Ari distributed angpows and hampers containing string bags and stationery to some 80 child patients, who were also treated to a delicious lunch.

“Delivering on Perodua’s long-term charity commitment with Selayang Hospital’s paediatric ward, we hope our humble contributions managed to evoke the spirit of Chinese New Year in both the children and hardworking staff, who will not be celebrating at home this year.

“Last Chinese New Year, we presented the pediatric ward with three ambu bags (handheld breathing apparatus) and distributed hampers to all the children. We keep in constant touch with Selayang Hospital to learn what they need and want.

“We have loads of activities planned for the children over the next few years, including puppet and clown performances, colouring and sing-alongs. Our volunteers will also help to maintain and improve the children’s play area by buying more toys and books as well as decorating and cleaning it,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Perodua also gave the pediatric ward three pulse oximeters (oxygen measurement device) and six portable screens worth RM12,000 in all. Perodua Executive Chief Engineer Albert Ngu presented the items on behalf of the carmaker to the hospital’s Paediatric Department Head Dr Selva Kumar.


Proton Edar also sees top-level changes

                SUBANG JAYA: We will be seeing many more strategic changes in troubled Proton in the coming days amid plummeting sales. And the latest is the appointment of Rohime Shafie as the replacement CEO for its distribution arm Proton Edar following the resignation of Norzahid Mohd Zahudi.

Rohime, an accountant by training, had previously served in various leadership roles in DRB-Hicom, Honda Malaysia and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd.

He has had 28 years of experience in finance and in the automotive industry.

READ MORE:Follow these terms to get aid, Govt tells ProtonDr M on why he quit Proton

Proton chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said he was confident Rohime’s appointment would help boost sales and market share as well as improve customer satisfaction.

Proton has seen some shakeup in recent weeks with the shock resignation of Proton chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which led to a government lifeline of RM1.5bil being granted to the national car maker to keep it afloat. Ahmad Fuaad himself has only been the CEO for Proton since the start of this month.

The Government had demanded that Proton find a strategic foreign partner as one of several pre-conditions to getting the soft loan. Proton was also required to come up with a new business model that is competitive and sustainable and to move away from over dependence on government handouts.

Proton’s share in the domestic automotive market, which once peaked at 74% in 1993, is now hovering at 15%. It is gearing up to launch a new Perdana soon amid strong headwinds.


Johor football players present Aston Martin gift to TMJ

                PETALING JAYA: Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim received a luxury car as a special gift in conjunction with the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club's success in winning its tenth trophy.

"Johor Darul Ta'zim players and coaching staff surprised HRH The Crown Prince of Johor with a custom Aston Martin with a Johor concept (red and blue)," read a post on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S features a red and blue theme – the colours of the Johor flag. It has 4.7-litre V8 engine producing  430hp and 490Nm of torque with a 0-100kph  sprint time of 4.8s. It has a top speed of 305kph.

This version of the Vantage has been around since 2014 and has been succeeded by the 2018 Vantage that's based on the new architecture shared with the DB11.

JDT kicked off the 2018 Malaysian Super League football season by defeating Kedah 2-1 in the Charity Shield match on Feb 3.


BMW agrees to pay nearly RM3bil subsidies to China dealers

                SHANGHAI/FRANKFURT: BMW will pay 5.1 billion yuan (RM2.9bil) to auto dealers who pressured Europe's top luxury carmaker to share the cost of overstocked showrooms in the world's largest car market, BMW's main Chinese dealership group said today.

Car sales growth in China, the world's largest auto market, was expected to halve to seven percent in 2014, bringing demands for compensation from dealer groups which had bought vehicles on expectations of rapid growth.

BMW declined to provide details of the deal or confirm the subsidy amount, but Chinese dealers and analysts were upbeat that an agreement had been struck.

"This is the biggest such subsidy we've had in China... because last year, dealers had the highest level of stockpile," said Song Tao, deputy secretary general of the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), which had represented the dealers in the negotiations.

"I'm glad the negotiations ended with champagne," Song said in a phone interview.

Other foreign automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp are also negotiating with their dealers in China, who have complained to the government that they are obliged to buy too much stock, leading to large losses in a slowing market.

BMW started subsidising its dealers in 2012 due to falling retail prices, with the payout in 2013 around 3 billion yuan, according to a senior executive at a China-based BMW dealership who declined to be identified.

For BMW, China remains the key battleground for retaining the crown of being the largest luxury auto maker by sales.

Rivals have been forced to recalibrate their China sales amid an economic slowdown and moves by local authorities to clamp down on foreign brands with anti-trust fines and investigations.

BMW reiterated it is sticking to its full-year target of selling more than 2 million cars worldwide, saying it still sees China as a growth market which is "normalising" from a growth spurt in the past few years.

"Many automotive dealers in China had experienced pressures and challenges from the market in the second half of 2014," BMW said in a statement.

The Munich-based car maker maintained its lead over rivals Audi and Mercedes, strong sales in China helping it to report record November deliveries.


Continental keen on solid-state batteries

                FRANKFURT: German automotive supplier Continental is considering investing in battery production to compete with Asian and U.S. manufacturers, Chief Executive Elmar Degenhart told trade weekly Automobilwoche in an interview published on Saturday.

“We could well imagine getting into the production of innovative batteries,” he said. “That also goes for producing battery cells.”

Degenhart said, however, that Continental would not invest in the lithium-ion batteries that are currently in use, but rather in the next generation of solid-state batteries, which might go into production in 2024 or 2025.

“We need a technology leap in energy density and costs,” he said. “Such solid-state cells can manage without liquid electrolyte and so are far less flammable.”

Although European carmakers assemble battery packs for electric cars, the region has no significant player in battery cells - the essential building blocks for the batteries that are now mostly made in Asia.

The market is dominated by Japanese firms Panasonic and NEC, Korea’s LG and Samsung and China’s BYD and CATL, as well as US manufacturer Tesla.

Degenhart said he would aim for a consortium to share the cost, which he estimated at 3 billion euros (RM14.6bil) for a plant that could supply around 500,000 electric cars a year.

The European Union last month hosted automotive, chemical and engineering executives to discuss developing battery manufacturing in the bloc, and said EU funding could support the creation of such a consortium.

Degenhart said it would make sense to build three plants, one in Europe, one in America and one in Asia to be close to customers in each region.

He added that Germany would be out of the question as a location due to its high electricity prices, pointing out that LG and Samsung were building smaller battery factories in Poland and Hungary, where electricity was 50 percent cheaper.


China weighs further cuts in electric-car subsidies

A sign is painted on a parking space for electric cars inside a car park in Hong Kong. — Reuters
BEIJING: China is considering a further reduction in electric-vehicle subsidies next year as the government pushes automakers to innovate rather than rely on fiscal policy to spur demand for alternative-energy cars, people familiar with the plan said.

The average purchase incentive per electric vehicle may be lowered by more than a third from the 2018 levels, said the people, who asked not to be identified disclosing information that isn’t public. Vehicles may be required to be able to go at least 200km on a single charge to be eligible for incentives, up from 150km currently, said the people. The plan is still under discussion and subject to changes, they said.

 A woman standing behind a Baojun E100 electric vehicle in Liuzhou, Guangxi province, China. — Bloomberg

The government is scaling back subsidies to place more emphasis on the need for technological improvements to ensure the industry’s long-term success. As part of new rules that went into effect on Feb 12, China lowered subsidies by varying degrees for EVs with a driving range of less than 300km. At the same time, the incentive for those that have a range of 400km and beyond was raised to 50,000 yuan (around RM30,000).

The National Development and Reform Commission, an auto industry policy maker, didn’t immediately respond to a fax seeking comment.

Subsidies have been key to making electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids more affordable in China, helping the market surpass the US as the world’s biggest in 2015. The central government spent 6.64 billion yuan (RM4bil)last year funding consumers’ purchases of such autos, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

On top of what the federal government spends, Chinese cities and provinces separately offer incentives to make electric cars more appealing to buyers.


Harley-Davidson Petaling Jaya wins Best After Sales in Asia award

                PETALING JAYA: Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (H-D PJ) has once again secured its spot as "The Best Dealer After Sales, Quarter Two 2021" in Asia-Pacific.

The award highlights the competency of H-D PJ's technicians in providing the best after sales services.

Other Harley-Davidson dealers from Asia Emerging Markets are from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Philippines.

H-D PJ had also won the Dealer After Sales Award in the previous quarter.

Goh Brothers Group chairman Goh Kian Sin said H-D PJ would continue to strive to be the best and offer all its H-D customers the ultimate ownership experience regardless of the age of their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

"Our motto has always been 'Let us win your trust' from the incorporation our dealership since 2017," he said.

The current dealership is under the supervision of Lau Chye Wang as Dealer Principal and the After Sales is led by Ahmad Fikeri.

Goh said H-D PJ has shown its top-notch after sales service by winning the After Sales award for the second time in the second quarter of 2021 among the Asia-Pacific dealers.

"This is something that we can be proud of as we make Malaysia stand out on globally," Goh said.

Operated by Goh Brothers Motorcycles Sdn Bhd, the H-D PJ centre is located at The Gasket Alley in Section 13, Petaling Jaya.


US telecoms, traffic agencies clash on plan to use some auto safety spectrum for Wi-Fi

                WASHINGTON: The US telecommunications regulator voted on Thursday to advance a plan to split a key spectrum block set aside for auto safety to accommodate the burgeoning number of wireless devices, but the Transportation Secretary warned that doing so could lead to “thousands more deaths” in traffic accidents.

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday 5-0 to advance the plan to split a block of the 5.9 GHz spectrum band that was reserved in 1999 for automakers to develop technology to allow vehicles to talk to each other, but has so far gone largely unused.

FCC chairman Ajit Pai said the proposal was a “balanced approach” that “maximises the value of the band for the American people. And it would do far more for both automotive safety and Wi-Fi than the status quo.”

But US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao warned the FCC decision could result in “thousands more deaths annually on road and millions more injuries than would be the case otherwise.”

Major cable, telecom and content companies back the FCC proposal to open most of the spectrum band to Wi-Fi use.

But nearly all automakers oppose the proposal. Instead, they favour using the spectrum for developing technology to allow vehicles to exchange data about location, speed and direction.

A statement from two auto industry trade groups said the FCC plan “risks lives, slows innovation and runs counter to what the commission has heard from safety and technical experts.”

Such technology is currently offered on just one vehicle: a General Motors Co Cadillac CTS. Government studies have suggested the technology, if widely adopted among US vehicles, could prevent at least 600,000 crashes annually.

Comcast Corp said the vote will “ensure the Wi-Fi capacity our customers rely on will continue to match the capabilities of our world-class broadband networks.”

In December 2016, the Transportation Department proposed requiring all future vehicles to use dedicated short range communications (DSRC) to communicate with each other, but the Trump administration has not acted on the proposal.

GM said it was “disappointed” by the FCC vote. It urged the agency to work with the Transportation Department “to preserve adequate spectrum required for these lifesaving technologies to operate without interference and at scale.”

Some automakers including Ford Motor Co back the plan to shift auto safety spectrum away from DSRC to a newer technology called Cellular Vehicle to Everything (C-V2X) as long as it is established that the Wi-Fi block will not interfere with the safety applications.


Lamborghini goes TikTok

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini is wooing the so-called Generation Z and Millennials by opening a TikTok account, making it the first company in the luxury sports car industry to join the short video sharing platform.

The content design and development will also draw on the contribution of some creators, and Lamborghini's TikTok channel will be the place where young people can learn about the brand in a more “fun” way, though always in keeping with its positioning as an innovative and elegant brand.

Lamborghini has a strong presence on the main social networks. To date, Instagram is Lamborghini's most successful social network, where in just one year its followers have grown from 23 million to 28 million, ranking it at the top of the list of the most popular luxury super sports car brands on this social media platform.

On Facebook Lamborghini has 12.9 million followers, and on YouTube the number of enthusiasts has grown from 1.1 million to the current 1.6 million.

Its TikTok foray seems to have hit the right note. its first-ever TikTok video drew 3 million views and 27% engagement over the weekend.


Peugeot outlets extend opening hours

                KUALA LUMPUR: With the festive season coming, Nasim Sdn Bhd is offering extended hours at all Peugeot outlets nationwide.

From Feb 2 till Feb 17, all Peugeot outlets nationwide will have operating hours extended till 8pm for weekdays and 5pm for Saturdays.

The current operating hours are 8am to 5.30pm for weekdays and 8am to 1pm for Saturday.

“This initiative, which runs in tandem with the festive season, will provide our customers with more flexibility when it comes to servicing their cars,” said Nasim chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George.

The extended hours service campaign is for standard servicing while all customers who send their car in during this period will receive a free 30-point check-up and exclusive gifts.

For details, call the Peugeot Careline at 1-800-88-6292.

There are 35 Peugeot outlets nationwide with the latest outlet, Peugeot Taiping launched in early February.

All Peugeot models come with five-year warranty with unlimited mileage together with Nasim’s 24-hour Peugeot Assistance service, complimentary access to the Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership.


Get real: 2016 will not be the year of driverless cars

                STUTTGART: Tesla may have pushed out the ability to abdicate driving responsibility while highway cruising via little more than an over-the-air software update and Audi is currently prepping a sedan to dazzle the crowds at the International CES this January with its autonomous capabilities.

But one thing is clear, 2016 will not be the year that self-driving cars become a real-world reality.

In fact, according to Bosch, we're still a decade away. "Automated driving will come step by step," begins Gerhard Steiger, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division. Cars will go from being able to change lanes unaided to avoiding obstacles and by 2020 they will be able to cope with navigating the highway. However, "Fully automated driving will not be ready before 2025," says Steiger.

One of the reasons why the demonstrations of technology have been so impressive yet still seem to be at the conceptual stage is testing. "Using current methods, a highway pilot has to complete several million kilometres' worth of testing before it can be released for production," says Steiger.

Finding real-world situations to do this testing can also be extremely challenging beyond the US. As well as dedicated test facilities, a number of states can license car companies to develop their autonomous tech on the road. It's how Google has managed to clock up over 1 million test miles and why both Ford and Kia in December secured licenses in California and Nevada respectively.

And it is for this reason that 2016 could still be a watershed year for autonomous driving as in April, the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is being amended. This will make it easier for self-driving technologies to be tested in the wild as long as a human driver is on board and ready to take over. "A change also appears to be in the pipeline when it comes to vehicle registration laws. An informal United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) working group is taking a look at Regulation R79, which currently only allows automatic intervention in steering at speeds of up to 10kph" adds Steiger.

However, even with this legal obstacle removed, cars will need to be better connected and have access to more detailed digital maps before any further progress is made. And that is where the immediate focus will be. "Highly automated vehicles rely on environmental information - information that goes beyond what sensors can gather. For instance, they need real-time traffic data on congestion and accidents. This can be achieved only by connecting the vehicle to a server," Steiger explains.

The Toyota Crown is currently the world's only connected mass-produced car, but by 2025, connectivity will be a standard feature on all new cars.

As for navigation, Google's head start in autonomous driving technology is due in part to its maps but in December Nokia's comparable Here service was bought by BMW, Daimler and Audi, and Bosch has been working in partnership with TomTom on the challenge of creating maps for autonomous cars.

"The maps are already being used in the automated vehicles we are testing on public roads," explains Steiger, "Only with high-precision maps will automated driving on freeways be possible from 2020."


Three-cylinder, 1.0-litre VW engine that makes 268hp

                WOLFSBURG: Call it the little engine that could. Volkswagen last week announced a series of new engines, one of which is the intriguing 1.0-litre  three-cylinder TSI engine that is capable of spewing out 268hp and 270Nm of torque.

It's based on the Polo WRC's rally engine, and produces such impressive output/torque, thanks to a monoscroll turbocharger and e-booster (a form of electric turbocharging to improve dynamic torque build-up in smaller engines).

It's also a reflection that VW believes there is still plenty of life left in the internal combustion engine.

"A nice example of just how much potential combustion engines still have in them", said Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Volkswagen management board member for development at the annual International Vienna Motor Symposium, which is held by the Austrian Society of Automotive Engineers.

 The incredible 1.0-litre mill from Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen Group uses a wide range of powertrains  – ranging from petrol and diesel engines to natural gas vehicles, plug-in hybrids, purely electric cars and potentially  fuel cell cars.

At the other extreme is the new 6.0 litre W12TSI for the Volkswagen Group's premium models such as Audi and Bentley.  The  W12 TSI is said to be the most economical 12-cylinder engine in the luxury car segment.  It produces 608 PS at 6,000rpm) and a maximum torque of 900Nm from 1,500 to 4,500rpm, while dumping CO2 emissions of less than 250g/km into the air. Depending on the vehicle model, the 6.0l 12-cylinder engine delivers acceleration values of 0 to 100kph in less than four seconds and top speeds of over 300kph.

"High-efficiency TDI and TSI/TFSI engines – ideally in combination with DSG – will remain indispensable for the foreseeable future," said Dr Neußer.

"The reduction of CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines is pure high-tech nowadays. Examples of this are our high rpm diesel as well as the high-performance three-cylinder TSI engine.”

VW also announced a new coating technique called "laser roughening", which is expected to boost engine performance by reducing internal friction.  Describing it as "an important innovation in manufacturing technology" to be used in large-scale production in future, Dr. Neußer said laser roughening not only reduces tool wear to zero, but also achieves consistent results and can be used for all materials.

Dr Neußer pointed out at the May 7-8 symposium that customers have come to expect digitalisation in buying cars, presenting car makers with the greatest challenge, "because infotainment, assistance systems and networking have come to be at least as important to many customers as the engine performance."

"The Golf R Touch concept car has everything on board that characterises the cockpit of the future: full connectivity thanks to the integration of apps, smartphones, tablets and smart watches, as well as large touchscreens and, last but not least, gesture control, which opens the sunroof at a wave of the hand. Over and above this, we are also pushing the envelope when it comes to automatic or piloted driving and are working on new business models and a range of digital services relating to our cars."

 The 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine.


Genesis to get own dealer network in US

                LOS ANGELES: The Genesis brand in the United States will have a separate dealer network from Hyundai's.

Selected Hyundai dealers who have signed on to the Genesis Participation Agreement would get fiorst crack to apply for the Genesis franchise. Genesis is the luxury brand of Hyundai.

Hyundai Motor America and Genesis Motor America said Genesis would focus this year on building the network to around 100 retailers. While the new network would conduct business from temporary and/or shared facilities for now, new Genesis standalone facilities will be set up over the next three years to enhance the overall ownership experience.

“Establishing a right-sized Genesis retailer network, as our product portfolio grows, will ensure the Genesis brand can succeed and thrive long-term within the luxury automotive market,” said Genesis Motor America general manager Erwin Raphael.

Last year, Genesis Motor America reported year-to-date sales of 20,594 G80, G80 Sport and G90 vehicles. Genesis was named the highest ranking premium nameplate for Initial Quality and 2nd highest premium nameplate in product APEAL by J.D. Power.


Tesla approaches milestone of world’s most valuable carmaker

                TOKYO: The surge in Tesla Inc.’s shares so far this month moved Elon Musk’s company even closer to displacing Toyota Motor Corp. as the world’s most valuable carmaker.

With a market capitalisation of more than US$190 billion, Tesla still has some distance to close to reach Toyota’s US$210 billion valuation, which includes treasury shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

A rally of about another 11% in Tesla shares could see it claim the crown if Toyota holds steady, with Tesla already up 23% since the beginning of June.

Tesla’s valuation comes despite a gulf in the scale of the two automakers. The Palo Alto, California-based maker of electric cars produced 103,000 vehicles in the first quarter, or about 4% of the almost 2.4 million made by Toyota.

Tesla climbed another 9% Wednesday to close above US$1,000 for the first time as Musk, the chief executive officer, told employees it was “time to go all out” and put its Semi truck into volume production.

Wedbush Securities Inc. touted the “massive” opportunity for the company in China, with Tesla appearing to be on track to reach 100,000 deliveries from its Shanghai factory in the first year.

Tesla became the world’s second-most valuable automaker in January, when it surpassed Volkswagen AG. It’s now worth more than twice the German rival, which said Wednesday it will meet an end-of-summer deadline to start delivering its flagship ID.3 electric car.

Tesla’s recent rally has also been boosted by hype surrounding newly listed Nikola Corp., a battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell truck maker.

Toyota, meanwhile, forecasts an 80% plunge in profit this year and expects it could take until the first half of next year before the auto market recovers to pre-pandemic levels. Shares in Toyota are down about 10% so far this year, trading about 17% lower than the record high hit in 2015.

Despite pioneering interest in fuel-efficient vehicles with the Prius hybrid, Toyota was late to shift to EVs, betting first on hydrogen fuel cells. The company is now changing course with a series of high-profile investments in EVs, self-driving cars and futuristic cities.

“My true mission is to completely redesign Toyota into a mobility company,” Akio Toyoda, CEO and grandson of the automaker’s founder, said last year.


Naza kicks off Merdeka promos across its stable of brands

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Automotive Group is offering Merdeka special deals for its Kia, Peugeot, Citroen and Ducati customers.

Take a Journey with Kia

Naza Kia Malaysia presents the ‘Fuel your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia’ special Merdeka offers where 62 lucky customers stand to be rewarded with RM620 worth of petrol vouchers.

Register any Kia car from 15th August to 30th September 2019 to win the petrol vouchers.

Drive Home a Peugeot

Nasim Sdn Bhd is offering a special RM161,888 deal for the Peugeot 5008 SUV in August and September 2019.

The 7-seater Peugeot 5008 SUV has clinched coveted international and local automotive awards, and boasts a clever blend of an MPV’s practicality with the dynamic appeal of an SUV.

Make a Grand Entrance with Citroën

Naza Euro Motors is offering the Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer, an affordably-priced premium MPV at only RM139,888 valid from now until 30th September 2019.

Celebrate Merdeka with Ducati

Valid from Aug 16-Sept 30, buy a Ducati Panigale V4S with value-add Rizoma and Ducati Performance Accessories worth RM6,000 while customers who purchase the Multistrada 1260 S also stand to receive 50% rebate for the Termignoni Racing Full System Exhaust originally valued at RM14,000.

Every purchase of the Scrambler Mach 2.0 will be entitled to value-add Termignoni Slip-on exhaust worth RM7,000 and Scrambler LED Turn Indicators worth RM1,800 both free.

New purchases of the Scrambler Classic will also entitle customers to a free Termignoni Racing Full System Exhaust worth RM14,000.

The flagship boutique at Ducati Petaling Jaya is also offering up to 50% rebate for Ducati and Scrambler apparel.

Existing customers enjoy rewards too through the Ducati Service Campaign, which offers complimentary 21-Point Bike Inspection worth RM180, 25% savings on Desmo Service Package and up to 20% rebate on Maintenance Parts during the duration of the Merdeka campaign.


McLaren's superfast Speedtail a private jet for the road

                LONDON: Designed to streak around racetracks but also whisk millionaires to the opera, McLaren's latest high speed creation is the fastest car to ever emerge from the bespoke British maker.

Most drivers will only ever see the rear lights of the Speedtail which is McLaren’s first ever Hyper-GT and its most aerodynamically efficient car ever.

The 1,050-horsepower V8 hybrid power-train catapults the elongated creation to 403kph with jaw-dropping acceleration on the way. From a standing start the 300kph mark comes up after just 12.8 seconds.

The Speedtail is limited to 106 examples, all of which are spoken for.

Not all the technical details of this private jet for the road have been revealed but with a price tag of around 2.1 million euros (RM10mil), owners can expect plenty of superlatives.

The wing mirrors have been replaced by cameras, the screen darkens at the touch of button to counteract dazzling sunlight and a mass of carbon fibre fittings keeps down the weight.

The company sees the car as a worthy successor to the legendary F1 from 1993 and the Speedtail boasts the same three-abreast front seat configuration with the driver in the middle.

McLaren, based in the English town of Woking near London, said the Speedtail will be ready to roll in late 2019 or early 2020.


Mforce Bike Holdings is new Benelli distributor in Malaysia

                PENANG: Italian superbike brand Benelli has officially appointed Mforce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd as the new distributor of Benelli motorcycles in Malaysia effective on Feb 1, 2017.

Mforce Bike Holdings will be the assembler, distributor and providing after-sales service and spare parts for all Benelli products sold in Malaysian market.

MForce Bike Holdings is also the distributor for SYM motorcycles in Malaysia,

MForce Bike Holdings national sales manager Asri Ahmad said all current Benelli owners will continue to enjoy the benefits and value-added services provided by the company.

Mforce service centers will provide after-sales service to all Benelli’s motorcycles sold from March onwards.

 Benelli TRK 502.

New product launches in pipeline include the Leoncino 500, 302R, and TRK 502.

Apart from the superbike series, Mforce Bike Holdings plans to introduce Benelli’s first ever moped in April 2017.

The 150cc super moped is equipped with 6 speed, water cooled, and fuel injection engine.

This new model was rigorously tested for 20,000km.

Benelli motorcycle clubs are urged to contact Mforce Bike Holdings headquarters at 04 - 554 1777 (Paul) for registration, and invitations to  Benelli’s events.


BMW to test ONE's advanced battery in its iX electric SUV

                DETROIT: BMW will install and test a long-range battery developed by Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) in the German automaker's iX electric SUV, the companies said today.

ONE's Gemini battery will incorporate two types of battery cells, including one with advanced chemistry that can store more energy and enable vehicle range of 965km or more between charges, the battery maker said. The prototype vehicle is expected to be completed by year-end, ONE said.

The Gemini battery aims to reduce the use of such traditional EV battery materials as cobalt, nickel, graphite and lithium, according to Mujeeb Ijaz, ONE founder and chief executive.

Ijaz said ONE is testing different electrode chemistries in Gemini, while evaluating the potential tradeoffs in cost, energy and sustainability.

ONE might offer a production version of the battery in three different sizes and prices, Ijaz said, including a low-end version that would cost the same as today's conventional nickel- and cobalt-based batteries, "if not a little lower."

Ijaz said ONE is discussing similar prototype testing of its Gemini battery with other companies.

In March, BMW's corporate venture arm led a US$65 million funding round in ONE. Other investors in that round included Coatue Management, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Assembly Ventures, Flex and Volta Energy Technologies. read more

In December, ONE said an early prototype of the Gemini battery, retrofitted in a Tesla Model S sedan, delivered more than 1,200km of range, well in excess of the best production electric vehicles on the market. read more

Since its founding in 2020, ONE has focused development on a long-range battery that uses safer and more sustainable materials, while packing more energy into a smaller, less expensive package.

In a statement, BMW executive Juergen Hildinger said the automaker is exploring opportunities "to integrate ONE's battery technologies into models of our future BEV (battery electric vehicle) product lineup."


Open payment system at five highways for a start, says Nanta

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government decided to kick off the open toll payment system at only five highways to ensure that the system can function properly before it is expanded to other highways.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said although several more concession companies had shown interest to participate in the open payment system, the government did not want to be too ambitious and hasty in implementing it.

"Most importantly, the proposed system is to be tested first before it is fully implemented. This is to avoid any problems in the future that will inconvenience users,” he said via his official Facebook today.

Recently, Nanta announced that the open payment system, which allows users to pay tolls using debit and credit cards, would be implemented by this September at five highways.

They are the Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya), New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) and Penang Bridge.

Nanta said a team from the ministry’s Development and Privatisation Division had been working on the proposed open payment system since 2022.

He said this project took time to be implemented as it had to go through many processes, including refining and clarifying various technical, legal and financial aspects with the relevant parties.

Nanta said the implementation of the open payment system and related matters came under the jurisdiction of the ministry.

"Therefore, I urge all parties to wait for announcements from the ministry regarding the list of alignments and highways that are ready to implement this open payment system to avoid confusion, misunderstanding and problems among users in the future.

"It will be determined after all engagement, technical, legal and financial processes have been agreed to by all the parties involved,” he added.


Geely billionaire owner said to eye bigger Aston Martin stake

                LONDON: Chinese billionaire Li Shufu is considering boosting his stake in Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc over time to foster collaboration with the struggling luxury carmaker, according to people familiar with the matter.

Li, whose Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. acquired a 7.6% stake in the quintessentially British brand last month, is interested in raising that shareholding close to 10% in the future, the people said, asking not to be identified as discussions are private.

Such a move could pave the way for more sharing of technology and electrification know-how.

Geely’s considerations are early stage and it could opt to stay at the current shareholding level, the people said.

Any attempt to gain too much control could run into opposition from existing shareholders including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll.

Geely currently has no plans to raise its stake in Aston Martin, the company said in a statement. A representative for Aston Martin declined to comment.

Once touted as a peer to Ferrari NV, Aston Martin has suffered a number of setbacks since its initial public offering in 2018.

With dwindling cash and rising debt, the manufacturer sought a rescue in 2020 from Stroll, who injected cash and forged closer ties with Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

At the time of the investment on Sept 30, Geely said it saw potential opportunities to collaborate with Aston Martin.

A move on the manufacturer synonymous with James Bond films may precipitate Geely seeking to tap into the carmaker’s brand appeal and expand into new markets.

Geely, which owns Volvo Car AB and a plethora of shareholdings in major automotive companies including Mercedes, also took control of British roadster maker Lotus in 2017.

Earlier this year, Lotus unveiled an electric SUV that will be built in China and spearhead a broader model lineup with a plan to boost production to 150,000 cars, up from fewer than 2,000.

In July, Aston Martin said it had rejected a proposal by Geely and Investindustrial for an equity investment of as much as £1.3 billion (RM6.9bil).

Since then, its shares have slumped almost 40%.

While working on its turnaround, Aston Martin has seen key models delayed, leading to further measures to prop up the company.

This included a £654 million capital raise to improve its balance sheet, bringing in Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

"Aston Martin is a strategic top brand” and Geely should be able to utilize the relationship to further penetrate Europe or leverage its technology, Kelvin Lau, an analyst at Daiwa Capital Markets, said.


Europe in danger of losing EV battery race, says Court of Auditors

                BRUSSELS: Europe is in danger of losing the race to become a global battery powerhouse as access to raw materials remains a major roadblock along with rising costs and fierce competition, a report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said on Monday.

The report warned that the European Union may fail to meet climate goals as those efforts rely heavily on the uptake of electric vehicles run on batteries made up of a cocktail of metals ranging from cobalt to nickel and lithium.

The ECA, the EU's independent external auditor, said nearly one in five new cars registered in the bloc in 2021 had an electrical plug. Demand is set to jump with about 30 million zero-emission vehicles expected to hit European roads by 2030, and the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2035.

However, the EU's strategy has not taken into account the bloc's ability to meet this new battery demand.

"The EU aspires to become a global battery powerhouse to ensure its economic sovereignty but will it succeed? The odds are not looking good," Annemie Turtelboom, who led the ECA audit, told reporters.

"We are facing the risk that either the EU will miss its emissions goals for 2035 or that it will reach this target through imported batteries...which would harm European industry and come at very high prices from third countries."

The EU's supply of raw materials is highly concentrated in a few countries with geo-political risks that could result in shortages. For five key materials, the EU's import reliance was on average 78%, the ECA said.

"The EU must not end up in the same dependent position with batteries as it did with natural gas from Russia," Turtelboom said.

Some two-thirds of the world's cobalt is sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 40% of natural graphite is from China and the EU is entirely dependent on imports of refined lithium. China accounts for 76% of global battery production capacity.

Extraction in Europe will take too long. Portugal, which holds the bloc's largest lithium reserves, does not expect production to start until 2026.

Further, the ECA said the EU lags on cost-competitiveness in part due to high energy prices while the EU Commission's data remains outdated and incomplete, and public funding remains uncoordinated leading to overlaps.


Germophobes shunning public transit give carmakers a bit of hope

                NEW YORK: When Jason Rogers’ Buick Rendezvous blew its exhaust system and became undrivable last year, the cable-and-internet salesman and weekend songwriter decided he’d just take the bus to downtown Nashville from his home 10 miles south.

That 45-minute commute worked until the coronavirus hit U.S. cities starting in February.

Then, Rogers said, he started renting cars by the week to avoid catching Covid-19 on the bus and bringing it home to his two children. With rental rates costing him US$1,200 (RM5,239) a month, the single father says he’s now looking to buy a car and stay off public transit.

“I have no interest in getting on the bus or a ride-sharing system unless I’m in a hazmat suit,” Rogers said in a phone interview. “I’m very much erring on the side of caution. I know where the car has been and who has been in it.”

Welcome to newly germophobic America, where people are avoiding other humans and anything they might have touched, including steering wheels, bus railings and car armrests.

The precautions Rogers and others are taking are a glimmer of hope for carmakers and dealers who need depressed vehicle sales to bounce back. They also could prolong the crisis for the sharing economy by leaving public transit providers and companies including Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc reeling from a long-lasting dearth of riders.

The auto industry is already seeing a couple of positive signs in this regard.

In the first two weeks of April, Cars.com’s unique visitors bounced back from late-March doldrums.

According to a recent survey by the vehicle-shopping website, 20% of people searching for a car said they don’t own one and had been using public transit or ride hailing.

They might buy a set of wheels to be safer from a pandemic that could linger well into the year, Cars.com chief executive officer alex Vetter said.

Avoiding public transit

“Covid-19 has pushed more people who don’t own a car to consider purchasing one,” Vetter said by phone.

“The primary reason given was to avoid public transit and because of a lack of trust in ride sharing.”

Fear of catching the coronavirus isn’t the only reason that shared transportation has taken a plunge. Many people are sheltering in place not only out of caution, but due to government-ordered closures of non-essential businesses.

Shutdowns have kept millions of workers at home and hammered public-transit systems, which are now carrying 70% fewer riders than usual, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Uber said in March that it has seen a similar drop and the company scrapped its earnings forecast. Lyft also said its ridership is way down and withdrew guidance.

READ MORE: Biggest India carmaker sees personal vehicles making a comeback

“Until there’s a vaccine or some kind of antibody that gets developed, people are going to be very concerned about their health,” Tom Doll, CEO of Subaru Corp.’s US sales unit, told Bloomberg Television. “So these ride sharing-type businesses that have come up could face a little bit of headwinds when the economy finally comes back up.”

Lyft, which has spent almost US$1.5 million (RM6.6mil) on cleaning supplies and protective equipment and distributed sanitising products to drivers across the country, is following US health guidelines and communicating them to drivers to protect themselves and riders, a spokesman said. Uber didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Any bump in car-buying from virus-averse commuters will only mitigate the damage being done to US vehicle sales that IHS Markit sees falling 27% this year to just 12.5 million cars and trucks.

But slowing or perhaps even reversing the gradual migration from individual car ownership to shared rides could have longer-term ramifications. General Motors Co. announced this week it will permanently shut down its car-sharing service Maven.

“We definitely do see a return to what I’ll call personal transportation and trust,” Scott Keogh, Volkswagen’s US CEO, said by phone. He predicts a shift in consumer mindset to: “I know where this car has been; I know it’s mine.”

Shifting back

Still, Keogh said he doesn’t think Uber and Lyft were taking many sales from carmakers to begin with.

“Will it lead to massive growth? That I don’t see,” he said. “But I definitely see a reset. If the trend was sharing everything and the car as personal transportation is 20th Century - I don’t see that.”

Vehicle sales could rebound in the US as they have in China once government shutdowns are lifted. Even in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, sales have bounced back with some consumers opting for the safety of their own car rather than China’s public transit systems.

Vetter said Cars.com shopper visits rose 10% from the first week of April to the second week. J.D. Power reported Wednesday that retail sales are slowly recovering from being off almost 60% in the last full week of March to a still-steep but less-dismal decline of 48% in the third week of April.

With automakers offering zero-percent financing deals and other big discounts, “new cars are showing a big resurgence,” Vetter said.

As for Rogers, he sees so many deals for both new and used models that he’s looking at some luxury vehicles like a Range Rover Evoque or Lincoln MKZ hybrid.

“Everything I’m looking at seems to be about 10% cheaper than it was,” Rogers said. “I don’t need to be fanned by palms and fed grapes, but I do want a good sound system.”


Hovercops: Dubai police training officers on flying bikes

                DUBAI: While its common for police forces across the world to try and use the latest technologies to help the fight against crime, Dubai's finest have raised more than a few eyebrows with their latest efforts.

Dubai Police revealed in a tweet that hoverbike training has already begun for some of its officers.

The hoverbike - known as an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle - runs on four upward-facing propellors that extend out from the main, motorbike-like cockpit that the pilot sits on.

Capable of speeds up to 96kph, Dubai Police showed off a video of the Hoversurf S3 taking-off and landing vertically.

Police won't be out on lengthy patrols with this new gadget, however. Hoversurf says its hoverbike has a pilot flight time of just 10 to 25 minutes before needing 2.5 hours to recharge. Its 30-kW motors and 3-bladed carbon-fibre propellers let the rider comfortably hover around 5 metres above the ground.

Brigadier Khalid Alrazooqi, general director of the Dubai Police's artificial intelligence department told US broadcaster CNN that the eVTOL would be used as a first responder unit in hard-to-reach areas.

"Currently we have two crews already training (to pilot the hoverbike) and we're increasing the number," said Alrazooqi.

Despite this, you will still have to wait a little while longer before you see such a vehicle patrolling your streets anytime soon, with Dubai Police aiming to have the eVTOL hoverbikes in action by 2020.