Volvo among luxury brands tapping Thai social commerce via Line chat app

                BANGKOK: Auto and luxury fashion brands in Thailand have turned to selling their products on Japanese chat app Line amid the coronavirus pandemic, tapping the country’s growing appetite for social commerce, a top executive said on Thursday.

Brands like Volvo, Louis Vuitton and Chanel were among those that opened official accounts on the messaging app, which outranks Facebook’s WhatsApp and Rakuten’s Viber in Thailand, aiming to connect with users during a Covid-19 lockdown.

“The luxury category was forced to adapt because their stores were closed,” said Line Thailand chief commercial officer, Norasit Sitivechvichit.

Thailand earlier this year imposed a nationwide curfew and closed malls for nearly two months to contain infections.

“During the pandemic, sellers became very active,” Norasit said, adding that others sold cosmetics and fast-moving consumer goods.

Line, which charges sellers for sending messages and live streaming, said its monthly active users in Thailand grew from 44 million to 47 million this year, its second largest market after Japan.

Volvo successfully sold cars on the platform after launching in May and studying customer data, its Thailand head of marketing and digitalisation, Jean-David Harel, said.

“We have an understanding of which models they own today, which interest they have and when they plan to change their existing car,” he said.

Social commerce is widely popular in Thailand, where merchants sell directly to customers through social media like Line and Facebook’s Instagram.

Line last year introduced a feature for merchants to organise inventory and online store fronts, which now has over 50,000 users.

Another tool to support sellers with customer relationship and data management is slated to launch next year.

E-commerce platform, JD Central would also launch services for sellers.

Line will soon introduce “MyRestaurant” with its food delivery app, Line Man Wongai, to support restaurants, Norasit said. The company also has video-on-demand products.


Audi to phase out combustion engines in 10-15 years, says weekly

                BERLIN: Volkswagen’s premium carmaker Audi aims to phase out combustion engines and offer only electric cars in 10 to 15 years, at the latest, German weekly WirtschaftsWoche reported, citing no sources.

The company is currently working on a concrete time plan and expects to have target dates in the coming months for the phase-out at individual plants, it said.

It cited Audi chief executive Markus Duesmann as saying in an interview that “protection of the environment and economic success go together well”.


New Isuzu D-Max 4X2 automatic introduced at RM101,000

                PETALING JAYA: Isuzu Malaysia has unveiled a new 4X2 automatic variant of the Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck that promises a lower entry price, easier maintenance costs and higher levels of fuel economy.

Based on the latest third-generation D-Max, the new D-Max Auto Plus 4x2 1.9L is priced at RM100,999 on-the-road without insurance.

The high-rider variant is available for booking immediately with deliveries beginning early November.

The D-Max Auto Plus gets similar specifications as the D-Max Standard 4x4 1.9L Auto variant, starting with the new 1.9-litre RZ4E-TC, that produces a healthy 150PS at 3,600rpm and 350Nm of torque available from between 1,800 – 2,600rpm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

 Sogo with the D-Max Auto Plus.

The D-Max Auto Plus gets the bold and dynamic looks of the current D-Max and comes with a matte grey grille, Bi-LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs, and inset fog lamps integrated into the flanks of the bumper.

Inside, the instrument panel is an e-LUMAX display that is both pleasing to read in all lighting conditions, while the centre console features a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system with six-speakers that supports USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, MirrorLink, Miracast, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Seats come with woven-texture fabric that are both hard-wearing and easy to clean.

In addition to a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating, making it one of the safest pick-up trucks on the market today, the D-Max Auto Plus also gets features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Brake Override System (BOS).

The reverse camera is aided by four reverse sensors embedded into the integrated rear bumper, while wheels are the 17-inch alloy-type shod with 255/65 R17 HT radials for excellent ride and durability.

Available body colours are Splash White Solid, Mercury Silver Metallic, Onyx Black Mica, Sapphire Blue Mica and Valencia Orange Metallic.

Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Kenkichi Sogo said the new D-Max variant would be the sole 4X2 offering in its class that comes with an automatic transmission.

“In these challenging times, the new D-Max Auto Plus 4x2 1.9L brings a new level of relief by offering affordability and capability in a well-appointed and stylish package,” he said.

For details, visit pickuptruck.isuzu.net.my.


What the hail! What to do if you are caught in a hailstorm

                PETALING JAYA: What should you do if you are caught in a hailstorm? Although it's rare, hailstones do happen in Malaysia, what with the unpredictable climate and global warming caused by human activities.

Hailstorms can strike at any time of the year, with little notice, and will create treacherous driving conditions immediately. A car’s grip on the road and a driver's ability to see are reduced, leading to a tendency to lose control of the car.

If you are caught in a hailstorm, pull over to a safe place so that the likelihood of the hail breaking the windscreen is reduced. Whenever possible, park under a bridge or canopy to minimise damage to your car. If you do decide to pull over, stay in your car. Hail falls at high speeds and can cause injuries.

Should you and your vehicle be unable to find shelter from a bridge or any protective structure, park your car angled so that the hail will hit the front as the windscreen is reinforced and will be better able to withstand the pelting from a hailstorm. Glass in the side windows and rear screen are not as strong and would be damaged more easily.

On June 3, the Klang Valley was hit by a hailstorm. The Malaysian Meteorological Department recorded 60.2mm of rainfall between 4pm and 7pm in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor during the freak storm. Strong winds of up to 46.8kph was also recorded at 5pm.

According to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, hailstorms in Malaysia are not uncommon but they are usually localised and last less than 20 minutes.

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report indicated that moisture availability in the atmosphere increases as global warming intensifies. With the availability of both heat and moisture in a future warmer climate, there may be a higher likelihood in the increase of storm frequency and intensity in bigger cities.

The word "hail" (frozen rain) together with its German and Dutch relative "hagel", comes from the prehistoric West Germanic word "hagalaz", which is related to the Greek word "kákhlex", which means "pebble".

Hailstones consist mostly of water ice and measure between 5mm and 15cm in diameter. Hail is different from sleet because sleet falls in cold weather while hailstones grow much bigger when surface temperatures are higher.

Hail has the potential to damage millions of dollars worth of property and crop damage. The costliest hailstorm happened in April 2001, from eastern Kansas to southwest Illinois. Property damage exceeded US$2.4bil.

Tennis ball-sized hail fell on Munich and surrounding areas on July 12, 1984. It was the greatest loss event in the history of the German insurance industry: 200,000 cars were damaged and the storm cost an estimated US$142mil. For years afterwards, people jokingly referred to those cars whose bodywork was not repaired as "Munich Design".

> Tips adapted from GEM Motoring Assist


VW set to unveil most powerful GTI in pre-production form

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen's new 290PS Golf GTI TCR in pre-production form will be the highlight at the upcoming GTI meeting tomorrow (May 9) at Reifnitz am Wörthersee.

The GTI TCR, that will be officially introduced towards the end of this year, is based on the 350PS Golf GTI TCR touring car.

A seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission manages the turbocharged engine that produces 290PS from 5,000 to 6,800rpm and 370Nm from 1,600 to 4,300rpm for the front axle with a differential lock as standard.

Although its century sprint (0-100kph) time has yet to be officially announced, the company assures that it is able to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. Disengaging the limiter will have it increase to 264kph.

This makes the new GTI TCR the fastest Golf and generally the fastest Volkswagen licensed for use on public roads.

Last year, 7,300 cars and roughly 125,000 visitors converged on the town in Austrian for the GTI world and the figures are expected to increase this year.


Ferrari and Amazon's AWS enter agreement on data

                MILAN: Ferrari and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have entered an agreement to make Amazon's cloud computing unit the luxury carmaker's cloud storage, machine learning, and artificial intelligence provider, AWS said today.

The deal will help Ferrari streamline design and testing of its cars, and allow its Scuderia Ferrari Formula One racing team to launch a digital fan engagement platform, AWS said in a statement.

"Together, the companies will accelerate the pace of innovation across the entire Ferrari organisation", including their road cars department, GT Competitions, the Ferrari Challenge, and the Formula One team, it added.

Ferrari will rely on AWS's advanced analytics, machine learning, compute, storage, and database capabilities "to rapidly achieve insights into car design and performance on the road and track," AWS said.

Ferrari said in a separate statement that the engagement platform it will have with AWS was aimed to increasingly connect Formula One fans with the daily life of its racing team and its drivers, "through personalisation tools, exclusive content and interactive applications".

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

As part of the partnership, the AWS logo will appear on Scuderia Ferrari's cars and drivers' apparel starting from the French Grand Prix this weekend, AWS said.


More value with updated Hyundai Elantra

                SHAH ALAM: The facelifted Hyundai Elantra has 14 new improvements and sharper looks.

It is slightly longer compared with its predecessor, and has newly-designed front bumper, radiator grille, fog lamps as well as redesigned alloy-wheels and rear combination lamps.

There are four variants, and prices are RM85,888 (1.6 Elegance), RM95,676 (1.6 Executive), RM100,546 (1.6 Premium) and RM114,984.40 (1.8 Premium).

The Premium variants get LED light guide and projection headlamps, and six airbags.

Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre Executive and both Premium variants also get an upgraded 3.4-inch OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, Flex Steer system, rear air-conditioning vents and MirrorLink audio visual receiver.

"Apart from maintaining the great features of the previous Elantra, we have fitted additional advanced features into the facelifted model,” said Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) managing director Lau Yit Mun.

The Elantra also has safety features like an ultra-high tensile strength body, ESC (electronic stability control), ABS (anti-lock braking system), VSM (vehicle stability management) and HAC (hill-start assist control).

It is available in Creamy White, Carbon Grey, Phantom Black, Sleek Silver and Tomato Red.

From March 5 to April 5, 2015, customers who buy the Elantra 1.8 Premium will be offered a free three-year service or 60,000km (with 10,000km service interval), whichever comes first.

HSDM offers a 5-year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) warranty on all its new passenger vehicles.

A 24-hour road assist service is also available.


Europe car sales plunge 26% in worst January total on record

                FRANKFURT: Car sales in Europe slumped to a record low for January as coronavirus lockdowns again shook the continent’s biggest markets.

New-vehicle registrations plunged 26% to 842,835, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said today, cutting short a reprieve of smaller declines toward the end of last year.

Spain led the drops among major markets with a 52% fall, while sales in Germany fell by almost a third.

Shuttered showrooms and hesitant consumers are plaguing automakers which also are fighting production outages due to a worldwide shortage of semiconductors.

Many manufacturers’ earnings are being rescued by resurgent demand from China, with Volkswagen AG and BMW AG among those posting better-than-expected preliminary earnings.

Carmaker stocks were mostly lower in early European trade. In Frankfurt, BMW fell as much as 0.8% and Volkswagen dropped as much as 1%. Stellantis NV, formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group, fell 1.1% in Milan.

"In one line: Hit by one-off factors, but fundamentals don’t look good,” said Claus Vistesen, economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics Ltd. He expects more stringent credit standards, a worsening job market and uncertainty over the strength of the economic recovery to cap sales during the first half of this year.

The opposing direction in two key markets — Europe’s decline in January almost matched China’s rebound — will affect carmakers differently. Volkswagen dominates in the world’s biggest car market, which is also the most important region for BMW and Daimler, while Europe is the sales focus for Stellantis and French manufacturer Renault SA.

Among the continent’s biggest carmakers, sales for VW fell 28% while Renault’s were down 23%. Luxury automakers fared better, with registrations dropping 18% for Daimler AG and 17% for BMW.


2021 World Car Person of the Year: The top 5 finalists

Pratap Bose of Tata Motors.
TORONTO: The top five finalists for the 2021 World Car Person of the Year award were announced on March 2.

Ninety-three World Car Awards (WCA) jurors from 28 countries collectively voted for the finalists by secret ballot. KMPG tabulated the vote results.

To be eligible, award candidates must have made a significant contribution to the global automotive industry during the period Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2020.

That contribution could include a significant impact to their brand or company, for example, or a significant safety, engineering, design or technical advancement.

The top five finalists are, in alphabetical order:

PRATAP BOSE (Tata Motors)
Pratap Bose is Tata's vice-president, Global Design. In that role the Royal College of Art graduate brings an international perspective to India's leading automotive conglomerate as he now leads three design centres around the world: in India, Italy, and the UK. His multi-national experience and truly global perspective are raising Tata's design presence, both within and beyond India, and gaining recognition for its daring, forward-looking design strategy.

LUC DONCKERWOLKE (Hyundai Motor Group)
Luc Donckerwolke has returned to Hyundai, where he has created a successful design strategy for the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands. His leadership style is supportive and empowering and his enthusiasm for cars and mobility solutions is unbridled. As Chief Creative Officer for the Hyundai Group, Luc Donckerwolke is the driving design force behind the Genesis luxury brand and its sophisticated style, particularly the G80 and GV80.

EUISUN CHUNG (Hyundai Motor Group)
Euisun Chung is the chairman of Hyundai Motor Group and grandson of the founder of Hyundai. As such, he has lead the rise of Hyundai-Kia into the ranks of the global top five automakers. He has brought together an "all-star" team of designers starting with Peter Schryer and continuing with Luc Donckerwolke, Sang Yup Lee, Simon Loasby, and Karim Habib. Hyundai and Kia under his supervision have became serious competitors in the electrification race, with major strides in hybrid, fuel-cell, and EV technology.

TOMIKO TAKEUCHI (Mazda Motor Corporation)
Breaking barriers and "glass-ceilings" for women in a male-dominated industry, Tomiko Takeuchi is Mazda's first-ever female chief engineer and program manager, of the MX-30. She is also Mazda's first female development and evaluation test driver, just one of the skill sets, along with her background in innovation and design, that enabled her to expertly lead 1,000 employees around the globe involved in the creation and debut of the MX-30 - Mazda's first-ever fully electric vehicle.

AKIO TOYODA (Toyota Motor Corporation)
Akio Toyoda, the charismatic president/CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, has spent years successfully remaking his company. Toyota was the world's largest automaker by sales volume and still profitable in 2020, despite Covid-19, protecting jobs worldwide. He has maintained Toyota's pace of steady development for the CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) era and has initiated construction of the Woven City, an exciting real-life prototype city of the future. All while actively participating in motorsports as a driver.

Previous World Car Person of the Year recipients were Carlos Tavares, CEO of PSA Group (2020), the late Sergio Marchionne, CEO, FCA; Chairman, CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO, Ferrari (2019) and Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO, Volvo Car Group (2018).

The World Car Person of the Year award is just one of six awards handed out annually by the World Car Awards. The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognise, reward and inspire excellence, leadership and innovation in a rapidly changing automotive industry.

Also on March 2, the World Car Finals countdown excitement began with the announcement of the Top Ten and Top Five finalists in five World Car Awards categories as tabulated by KPMG.

A jury of 93 automotive journalists from around the world selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work.

The 2021 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) winner would be selected from the following Top Ten finalists chosen from an initial list of 24 contenders:

Audi A3
BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe
BMW 4-Series
Honda-e
Kia K5 / Optima
Kia Sorento
Mazda MX-30
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Toyota Yaris
Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 World Urban Car will be chosen from these top five finalists:

Honda Jazz / Fit
Honda-e
Hyundai i10 / Grand i10
Hyundai i20
Toyota Yaris

The 2021 World Luxury Car top five finalists are:

Aston Martin DBX
BMW X6
Land Rover Defender
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Polestar 2

The 2021 World Performance Car top five finalists are:

Audi RS Q8
BMW M2 CS
BMW X5 M / X6 M
Porsche 911 Turbo
Toyota GR Yaris

All cars competing in these four categories are eligible for the 2021 World Car Design of the Year award.

The World Car Finals’ excitement will continue to build on March 30 when the Top Three in the World are announced followed by the declaration of the winners in all five categories on April 20.

This year marks the 16th year of the World Car Awards partnership with the New York International Auto Show. The 2022 awards season and the 18th edition of the Road to the World Car Awards journey will begin on Aug 19 at the New York show in the newly renovated Jacob Javits Center.

A new highlight of the 2022 World Car Awards program will be the debut of the World Electric Vehicle of the Year award. This new award is intended to recognize, support and celebrate the global transition to electrically-powered vehicles that is now under way and the efforts of automakers around the world in developing these climate-conscious vehicles.


More EEVs mean more techy technicians needed

                KUALA LUMPUR: More automotive workers must be trained in maintaining energy-efficient vehicles (EEV) in Malaysia as such cars become more popular, says the Institute of the Motor Industry.

The British-based institute said it is working with its local training partners to bridge the skills gaps as the needs of the industry evolve from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work.

EEV is not just about hybrid and electric cars. It include cars with more efficient internal combustion engines for both petrol and diesel, as well as those with different materials, components and fuel that can make the vehicle more energy efficient, said the senior manager for the institute's South-East Asian branch, Matthew Stuart.

Since 2014, the institute has been working with the Malaysian government to train students in community colleges, with a focus on electric and hybrid vehicles, in line with the nation’s aim to be a regional EEV hub. The professional body now has 24 approved training centres in Malaysia, comprising a mix of automotive companies and community colleges, including the Kepala Batas Community College’s Technology Centre for Hybrid and Electric Vehicle and the Pekan Community College.

The Kepala Batas college, for example, has trained over 230 EEV candidates so far.

According to the Malaysia Automotive Human Capital Roadmap, the national EEV venture is expected to create 187,000 new jobs by 2020. EEV-trained workers are also able to command better salaries.


Austria to file legal challenge against German highway toll

                VIENNA: Austria said today it would file a legal challenge against plans by Germany to introduce a road toll for foreign-registered cars using German highways.

Cross-border traffic between the two countries is common and a frequently used route connecting the city of Salzburg to the west of Austria passes through a part of Germany.

"We are taking legal action in Luxembourg," Austrian Transport Minister Joerg Leichtfried told reporters, apparently referring to the seat of the European Court of Justice, the European Union's top court.

"Italians have to pay, the French have to pay, Austrians have to pay - only Germans don't. I believe that is discriminatory and against European law."

Leichtfried's comments came hours after the toll plan, which the European Commission approved in January after adjustments were made, cleared Germany's upper house of parliament.

Austria's legal action, though not fundamentally affecting its ties with Germany, marks an ugly episode at a time when the EU is trying to project unity as it gears up for negotiations with Britain over its departure from the bloc.

The toll will cost vehicles up to 130 euros (RM616) a year, which German drivers will be able to recover through tax deductions.

It will take effect as soon as President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signs it into law, likely in coming days. However, it is expected to take around two years to build the payment


German students build car that can hit 130kph on solar power

                AACHEN (Germany): Students in Germany have developed a solar-powered car that can reach speeds of up to 130kph and with a battery range that rivals Tesla's Model S.

The students from the western-German city of Aachen want their flat electric racer to take part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 3,022km route across Australia in October.

While solar power is often cited as a vital means of shifting energy supplies away from reliance on climate-changing fossil fuels, solar has so far made little impact on the automotive industry.

Dutch start-up Lightyear announced plans to build a "car you don't have to charge for months" with a partially solar-powered electric car, before filing for bankruptcy in early 2023.

In the German student project called the Sun Chariot, the fourth such electric car built by the university team, large solar cells are mounted on the white-painted racing car.

"The battery lasts for 600 kilometres," says Clemens Odendahl, who is responsible for project's marketing. The 51 participating students from RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences developed the vehicle in one and a half years.

Students from 15 degree programmes were involved, including prospective mechanical engineers, industrial engineers and electrical engineers. The flat vehicle has a very narrow driver's cabin and is shaped like an arrow.


VW-owners get two-year extended goodwill programme

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced the introduction of its Customer Care Goodwill - adding two years' of goodwill coverage to the standard five-year manufacturer's warranty.

The programme not only covers other selected Volkswagen components that have passed the five-year mark, but also the German automaker's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) for vehicles produced till December 2013 with a mileage of up to 200,000km.

Under the programme, the company will provide another two years for parts coverage (from time of part's replacement) if the owner is willing to share part of the labour charges.

For example, if a VW-owner agrees to share the cost of replacing a failed DSG within the goodwill period, it means that the gearbox's parts and labour will receive a two-year warranty from the time of replacement.

As per Volkswagen standard parts warranty, parts that are replaced and paid for at an authorized Volkswagen Service Centre receive a 2-year warranty - excluding wear and tear.

The same applies to other selected parts, but will be on a case-by-case basis and will be further clarified at the respective authorized Volkswagen Service Centre using the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the company's online system.

To qualify for the “VPCM Customer Care Goodwill” on DSG and other components, customers must have a full service history at any authorised Volkswagen Service Centre.

Although a parts exchange program on selected items is currently available for customers, the company will soon announce the introduction of an Economy Package meant for specific models older than five years at its authorized dealer partners.

"With the introduction of the ‘VPCM Customer Care Goodwill’, we hope to further enhance the overall ownership experience and give existing customers better protection and peace of mind. The goal is to build trust and confidence with our customers as we continue to strengthen our brand presence and share in the Malaysian market,” said VPCM managing director Florian Steiner.

On Sept 1, the company announced its five-year manufacturer warranty for all its cars.


Artist Jeff Koons creating a special edition of BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

                MUNICH: American artist Jeff Koons will create a special edition of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, which will be unveiled in Los Angeles in February 2022.

This isn't the first time the artist has been working with the German manufacturer: back in 2010, Koons brought his own unique touch to the decoration of a M3 GT2 which participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year.

This special edition will illustrate Koons' vision of the car of the future.

 Koons.

The multi-layered paintjob alone on the 8X Jeff Koons will require no less than 285 hours of work per car, which is why only two cars will be produced per week.

Its design will combine 11 different exterior colours ranging from blue to silver, yellow and black.

The interior features high-end materials, fine leather and a cup holder cover bearing an edition badge with the artist's engraved signature. It will have its world premiere at the Frieze Fair in Los Angeles in February 2022.

BMW has a long history with artists, through its Art Cars concept, which began in 1975.

In all, some 20 artists have taken part in the project, including Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Ernst Fuchs, Matazo Kayama, David Hockney and, more recently, graffiti artist Leonard McGurr, aka Futura 2000.

As for the 8 Series, a restyled version is expected in 2022.


MINI to bring stylish new Coupe to 2018 LA Auto Show

                NEW YORK: BMW Group has announced that a new black and crimson MINI John Cooper Works will be on show at the LA Auto Show on Nov 28.

The Knights Edition MINI JCW is making its North American debut in LA next week, bridging the gap between the classic Cooper model and the ultra-sporty JCW GP - a 2017 concept model recently confirmed for production and 2020 launch. Accompanying the stylish model will be four additional variations of the Coupe to "highlight the brand's focus on individualisation and customisation."

The MINI John Cooper Works Knights Edition is essentially a gussied up JCW Hardtop featuring Midnight Black and Melting Silver components enhanced with separately available accessories.

The exterior is further spruced up with vibrantly red side stripes making it a bit flashier than your typical hatchback, and it's either this way or the highway: The Knights Edition will be exclusively available in this design and colour scheme starting in the first quarter of 2019.

If the Knights Edition doesn't reach your standard of sportiness, lucky for you the high-performance MINI JCW GP concept model that was showcased last year featuring an aggressively styled spoiler and angry red trim was confirmed for production. That model will launch in 2020.

The other models that will be on display at the MINI booth in LA include the Countryman Yin Yang Edition, the Clubman Starlight Edition, the International Orange Edition, and the Cooper S E Countryman PHEV special edition.

As usual, these Coupes are vibrantly yet stylishly designed to appeal to the chic urban commuter and can be further tailored to drivers with the new MINI Yours Customized offering, an offering "taking individualization to a new level, using innovative 3D printing and laser letting in production for the first time."

All models will be on display at the LA Auto Show on Nov 28.


Promos and freebies galore at 2017 CarSifu Auto Show

                KUALA LUMPUR: With the 2017 CarSifu Auto Show going into full swing, there are plenty of promotions and freebies to go around from now until Oct 29.

Many of the car brands are offering incentives to attract potential buyers.

For instance, those who book a Proton vehicle get a free hamper and new bookings for a Nissan will be given a free Star Wars bag.

Also, for the duration of the show, Honda is providing free exclusive merchandise for the first 12 visitors who fill out a short questionnaire about the Japanese carmaker’s ‘Honda Sensing’ system. This will be held every two hours, starting from 11am with the last session at 9pm.

The Japanese carmaker is providing cash rebates of up to RM15,000 till the end of the month.

This includes the recently launched CR-V - a mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV), that now has a special RM4,000 rebate from now to the end of the show.

Isuzu is also providing rebates of up to RM9,000, starting at RM4,000 for its MU-X SUV and RM7,000 for its D-MAX Z Prestige pickup truck.

With the Renault Koleos 4WD SUV having a RM4,000 rebate, the Captur crossover has a special RM2,000 rebate for the show and is added on to its current RM5,000 rebate and five-year free service package.

Those booking an Infiniti Q50 executive sedan will have three rebate packages to choose from, starting at RM20,000 with a five-year free service package.

The second option is a RM30,000 rebate with a three-year free service package, while the last option is a RM40,000 rebate.

Lastly, signing for BHPetrol’s free eCard loyalty programme card will receive a free petrol voucher

Those who book a car at the show stand a chance to win Sharp TV sets and ionisers. Free GSC popcorn will also be given out to the first 200 daily visitors from tomorrow until the end of the show.

The auto show, happening at Mid Valley Megamall, is open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily until Sunday. The five-day car show extravaganza is organised by Star Media Group and carsifu.my.

Thirteen brands are featured at the show namely Peugeot, Mazda, Toyota, Isuzu, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Infiniti, Kia, Renault, Citroen and Proton.

Some of the cars on display were winners at the Oct 5 CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards.

Boustead Petroleum Marketing and Silverstone Marketing are the Star Media Group partners in the awards and the auto show.


For BP, car chargers to overtake pumps in profitability race

                LONDON: BP says its fast electric vehicle chargers are on the cusp of becoming more profitable than filling up a petrol car.

The milestone will mark a significant moment for BP which wants to shift away from oil and expand operations in power markets and around electric vehicles (EV).

EV charging has for years been a loss-making business as a whole for BP and rivals as they invest heavily in its expansion.

The division is not expected to turn profitable before 2025 but on a margin basis, BP's fast battery charging points, which can replenish a battery within minutes, are nearing levels they see from filling up with petrol.

"If I think about a tank of fuel versus a fast charge, we are nearing a place where the business fundamentals on the fast charge are better than they are on the fuel," said BP's head of customers and products Emma Delaney.

Strong and rising demand for rapid battery chargers in Britain and Europe, has already brought profit margins close to those for traditional petrol filling, she said.

Delaney did not disclose profit and loss for EV charging or when overall profit from the business could eclipse traditional fuel.

In 2020 BP reported gross margins for retail fuel sales of US$3.5 billion. Its customers and products division made US$2.6 billion in net profit in the first nine months of 2021, around 17% of the company's total profit.

The company also said that electricity sales for EV charging grew 45% in the third quarter of 2021 from the previous quarter.

According to consultancy Thunder Said Energy, the traditional fuel retail margin at petrol stations is about 17 cents per gallon, roughly 0.4 cents per kilowatt hour.

London-based BP plans to grow its EV charging business in the coming years to 70,000 charging points by 2030 from 11,000 now.

Like rivals including Royal Dutch Shell, BP's retail business, which includes fuel sales and convenience stores, is highly profitable and central in its energy transition strategy.

"Overall, we see a huge opportunity in fast charging for consumers and businesses, as well as fleet services more generally - that's where we see the growth, and where we see the margins," Delaney said.

Shell aims to have 500,000 charging points globally by 2025. On Thursday it opened its first ultra-fast EV charging station in London, which can charge 80% of a car battery in 10 minutes.

While rivals like Shell are investing in a range of charging technologies including tens of thousands of slower, low voltage, on-street charging points in Britain and elsewhere, BP is focusing on fast and ultra-fast charging technology.

"We've made a choice to really go after high speed, on the go charging - rather than slow lamppost charging for example," Delaney said.

Fast charging, defined as more than 50 kilowatt, and super-fast charging at more than 150 kilowatt, are however expensive to install as they require large investment in heavy-duty power infrastructure.

"Historically, many operators have struggled to make money out of EV charging, that's been like the worst kept secret in the industry," said Adrian Del Maestro, director at PwC Strategy&.

The drive to expand EV charging points also aims at keeping a strong stream of customers at BP's petrol stations and their adjacent convenience stores.

"There has been a land grab by charge point operators, including the oil majors, to buy real estate and build infrastructure, with a view to generating growth revenues in the future," Del Maestro said.


Bike-hailing pilot project to take off in January

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bike-hailing companies such as Indonesia’s Gojek and local start-up Dego Ride will be allowed to begin operations under a pilot project this coming January, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

The companies will be allowed to offer rides under a six-month Proof of Concept (POC) pilot project to assess the system, while awaiting laws to be passed to regulate bike-hailing.

"Among the conditions of the POC is that will be confined to the Klang Valley.

"Other conditions are that the riders must be not less than 18 years old, and they can only ferry one passenger at a time, who are not less than 18 years old," he said when answering a question raised by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) during Minister's Question Time in Dewan Rakyat today.

He added that the riders and their motorcycles must be clearly identifiable during the POC period.

The bike-hailing motorcycles must also not be more than five years old with riders and passengers insured.

"The POC will also allow the government and companies involved to gather data, assess the availability and demand levels and other services related to bike-hailing," he added.

To ensure safety, he said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police would be involved in enforcing laws based on the Road Transport Act.

Loke said the government was implementing the pilot project as it would would take time for the relevant laws on bike-hailing to be drafted, tabled and passed by Parliament.

On Nov 1, the government announced that it would allow bike-hailing services as a means to improve on the last mile connectivity for public transportation system.


Lotus E-R9: Design study reveals electric race car for 2030

                LONDON: Lotus has unveiled the E-R9, a dramatic new design study for a next-generation pure electric endurance racer that could be on the starting grid of circuits around the world for the 2030 season.

Finished in striking black and gold – a clear nod to Lotus’ pioneering motorsport heritage that led to 13 Formula 1 championship titles – the EV features a sleek fighter jet-style canopy centrally mounted in a delta-wing upper body. Innovations include advanced active aerodynamics with "morphing" body panels and vertically mounted control surfaces to assist with high-speed cornering.

The E-R9 has been developed by Lotus Engineering, the globally renowned consultancy division of the business which delivers projects for external clients. The car has been created as a technology showcase of its philosophy, capability and innovative spirit in the fields of advanced electrified powertrains and aerodynamics.

E-R stands for Endurance Racer, while 9 is the car’s competition number carefully chosen in tribute to Lotus’ racing past. It was in a Lotus Mark IX that the race team made its debut appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with company founder Colin Chapman among the drivers competing. The year was 1955, meaning the E-R9 race car concept – if raced in 2030 – would be in celebration of the Mark IX’s 75th anniversary.

The E-R9 was developed by the engineering team of Richard Hill, chief aerodynamicist at Lotus, and Louis Kerr, principal platform engineer on the Lotus Evija pure electric hypercar as well as technical director, GT, Geely Group Motorsports International. Visually it was brought to life by the Lotus Design team, led by Russell Carr, Design Director for Lotus.

Chief among the car’s aero innovations are its "morphing" body panels. Located across the delta-wing profile, this adaptability – where active surfaces can change their shape and attitude to the air flow either at the press of a button by the driver or automatically according to performance sensor inputs – would deliver minimum drag on the straights and maximum downforce in the corners.

Vertical control surfaces at the rear would generate aerodynamic forces to help the car change direction, without the limitations of grip at the tyre contact patch. The result is a racer that’s partly driven like a car and partly flown like a fighter jet.

The E-R9 features an advanced electric drivetrain powering each wheel independently, a system enhanced with torque-vectoring. It builds on technology already integrated on the Evija pure electric hypercar, though for the E-R9 would be fully adjustable by the driver on the move.

Kerr said: “Battery energy density and power density are developing significantly year on year. Before 2030, we’ll have mixed cell chemistry batteries that give the best of both worlds, as well as the ability to ‘hot-swap’ batteries during pitstops.”


Lamborghini Huracán STO: Street legal and track ready

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini has unveiled the Huracán STO, a street-homologated super sports car.

The Huracán STO is the result of motorsports know-how drawn from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO racecars.

With its V10 naturally aspirated 640hp powerplant producing 565Nm at 6,500 rpm, the rear-wheel drive Huracán STO delivers exhilarating acceleration of 0-100 kph in 3.0 seconds, 0-200kph in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 310kph.

First customer deliveries will take place in spring 2021, with suggested retail price in Europe of €249,412 (RM1.2mil).

Three ANIMA driving modes

The Huracán STO has three new driving modes: STO, Trofeo and Pioggia.

The default STO mode is for road driving and fun on curving roads. Every aspect of the Lamborghini Veicolo Dinamica Integrata (LDVI) vehicle dynamics system is optimised for all road conditions and coupled with a road-oriented suspension setting.

The fully active ESC can be switched off for maximum driving fun while still supporting the driver.

In Trofeo mode, all systems are optimised for dry asphalt and the fastest lap times on track. The LDVI assures maximum performance through dedicated torque vectoring and performance traction control strategies for both straight sprints, in ESC ON mode, as well for lap timing, in ESC OFF. The new Brake Temperature Monitoring (BTM) estimation algorithm allows the driver to constantly check the braking system’s temperature, and to manage wear of the system during its life cycle.

Pioggia (rain) mode optimises traction control, torque vectoring, rear-wheel steering and the ABS on wet asphalt. Traction control and the braking system are calibrated to minimise loss of grip and engine torque cut, with the LDVI system employing precise estimation to deliver only the torque needed in wet situations. The torque vectoring reflects the low adhesion conditions and ensures better cornering, while the suspension is calibrated to maximize grip and improve load transfer.

Exterior

The Huracán STO sports an entirely new exterior design to optimise airflow.

The front bonnet, fenders and the front bumper are comprised of one single component: the ‘cofango’ created by Lamborghini engineers combines the ‘cofano’ (hood) and ‘parafango’ (fender) including the front bumper, inspired by the Lamborghini Miura and more recent Sesto Elemento. It is not only lightweight, but also a timesaving access feature in motorsports.

New air ducts on the front bonnet increase the airflow through the central radiator to improve engine cooling as well as helping generate downforce. The cofango also incorporates a new front splitter, directing airflow to the newly designed underbody of the car and to the rear diffuser.

The cofango is shaped to push the airflow on top of the front fenders, which incorporate louvers to maximize airflow exiting from the wheelhouse, reducing pressure inside and increasing the front downforce. The side profile of the cofango directs airflow around the front wheels, reducing drag.

A new rear fender derived from the Super Trofeo EVO achieves both reduction of the front area of the car and consequently the drag, while increasing rear downforce and the car’s overall aerodynamic efficiency. A NACA air intake integrated into the STO’s rear fender serves as an engine air intake, with the shortened duct allowing a 30% decrease in static pressure losses.

The revised rear hood design features an integrated air scoop to improve air-cooling at the rear underhood. Dedicated air deflectors, integrated in the rear bonnet’s frame, manage the significant incoming airflow from the snorkel according to the temperature regulation needs of the engine and exhaust outlet.

An integrated "shark fin" on the rear bonnet improves the dynamic abilities of the STO, particularly when cornering.

A single slotted wing with double airfoil allows the front part of the airfoil to rotate into three positions to enhance rear downforce.

New front brake cooling ducts are dedicated to cooling the discs and calipers of the new CCM-R brakes, working in conjunction with the cofango air-louvers that dispel hot air from the front wheelhouses. Additional air intakes including on the underbody, and optimised nolders, are located at the rear.

The Huracán STO uses carbon fibre in more than 75% of its exterior panels, benefiting from complex structures produced as a single component for increased integrity while also reducing weight via less fixing points.

At a dry weight of 1,339 kg, the Huracán STO’s weight is reduced by 43 kg compared to the already lightweight Huracán Performante.

The Huracán STO incorporates a windscreen 20% lighter than the Huracán Performante, and features magnesium rims for the highest strength-to-weight ratio, saving further weight over aluminum alloys with the same load factor.

The magnesium rims are fitted with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tyres, available in two versions: one road-focused, the other more track oriented.

Interior

The interior of the Huracán STO reflects the lightweight persona of the exterior: extensive use of carbon fiber features throughout the cockpit, including sport seats in full carbon fibre; an Alcantara interior with Lamborghini’s Carbonskin; carpets removed and replaced by floor mats in carbon fiber; and the fully carbon fiber lightweight door panels with a door latch as opener.

A rear arch with four-point seatbelts and a newly designed front trunk for helmet storage, underline the Huracán STO’s racing DNA. The rear arch, developed in cooperation with Akrapovic, is made from high-grade titanium alloys. It is 40% lighter than conventional stainless-steel rear arches.

New Human Machine Interface (HMI) graphics feature on the Huracán’s touch screen, which manages the car’s functions including drive mode indicator, the LDVI system, tyre pressures and brake temperatures. A fully connected telemetry system allows pilots driving their Huracán STO on racetracks to monitor and record their performance and to analyse the data via the Lamborghini UNICA app.

Owners of the Huracán STO can fully personalise both the exterior and interior of their race car-on-the-road via a Ad Personam personalization program, with limitless paint and trim combinations as well as race-style vinyls.

The concept of a personalised livery is inherent in the design of the Huracán STO, just as Huracán Super Trofeo race cars line up in their unique colours and designs on the starting grid. The launch livery comes in what Lamborghini calls Blu Laufey and Arancio California.


Airbus Pop.Up is a flying car with a twist

                GENEVA: Here's a zany idea from Airbus. It has introduced Pop.Up at the Geneva Motor Show, touting it as a modular vehicle that can travel on land and in the air.

It is the first modular, fully electric, zero emission concept vehicle system designed to relieve traffic jams in crowded megacities.

The feasible concept is the result of Italdesign and Airbus’ joint work on how to tackle the mobility challenges in the future.

With traffic jams projected to hugely increase by 2030, the companies decided to combine their engineering expertise to tackle how to best achieve a sustainable, modular and multimodal urban mobility system. Hence, the Pop.Up concept.

The Pop.Up vehicle combines the flexibility of a small two seater ground vehicle with the freedom and speed of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air vehicle, thus bridging the automotive and aerospace domains.

Pop.Up’s modus operandi is simple: passengers plan their journey and book their trip via an easy-to-use app. The system automatically suggests the best transport solution - according to user knowledge, timing, traffic congestion, costs, ridesharing demands - joining either the air or ground module or other means of transportation to the passenger capsule, and following passengers’ preferences and needs.

At the heart of the concept is a capsule: designed to accommodate passengers. This high-tech, monocoque carbon-fibre cocoon measures 2.6 metres long, 1.4 metres high, and 1.5 metres wide. The capsule transforms itself into a city car by simply coupling to the ground module, which features a carbon-fibre chassis and is battery powered.

For megacity journeys with high congested traffic, the capsule disconnects from the ground module and is carried by a 5 by 4.4 metre air module propelled by eight counter-rotating rotors. In this configuration, Pop.Up becomes a urban self-piloted air vehicle, taking advantage of the third dimension to get from A to B efficiently whilst avoiding traffic congestion on the ground.

Once passengers reach their destination, the air and ground modules with the capsule autonomously return to dedicated recharge stations to wait for their next customers.

Thanks to the possibility of combining the capsule also with other means of public transportation, the Pop.Up offers a seamless travel experience. The user can stay for the entire journey in the same capsule without worrying about switching between different travel modes and enjoy the entire commute time, with real time interaction between the capsule and the surrounding urban environment and communities.

Airbus is toying with a number of radical concepts in an attempt to solve urban jams. "Adding the third dimension to seamless multi-modal transportation networks will without a doubt improve the way we live and how we get from A to B,” said Mathias Thomsen, General Manager for Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, on the occasion of the unveil.

“Successfully designing and implementing solutions that will work both in the air and on the ground requires a joint reflection on the part of both aerospace and automotive sectors, alongside collaboration with local government bodies for infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Italdesign, with its long track record of exceptional vehicle design was an exciting partner for Airbus for this unique concept project.”

“Italdesign is a service company, created to provide services and mobility solutions to interested parties worldwide. It is deeply rooted in our DNA to search for future state-of-the-art solutions,” said Italdesign CEO Jörg Astalosch. “Today, automobiles are part of a much wider eco-system: if you want to design the urban vehicle of the future, the traditional car cannot alone be the solution for megacities, you also have to think about sustainable and intelligent infrastructure, apps, integration, power systems, urban planning, social aspects, and so on.

"In the next years ground transportation will move to the next level and from being shared, connected and autonomous it will also go multimodal and moving into the third dimension” said Astalosch. “We found in Airbus the perfect partner who shares this modern vision for the future of megacities to develop a sustainable multi-modal vision of megacity transportation.”

READ MORE:
Pal-V launches first commercial flying car, priced from RM1.4mil


Lamborghini tests most hardcore Aventador ever at Nurburgring

The Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce.
SANT'AGATA BOLOGNES (Italy): As startup electric car companies continue to produce prototypes boasting outrageous amounts of horsepower and torque, more traditional big-name performance car manufacturers are starting to fall behind in the power stakes.

It remains to be seen how the fight between electric and petrol performance vehicles pans out over time, but for the moment Lamborghini has been seen fighting back by testing what's set to be the most powerful road-going Lambo to-date at the Nurburgring, the Aventador Super Veloce Jota (SVJ).

Although official images have yet to be unveiled, the bodywork performance enhancements are probably going to make this one look like the most outrageous-looking Lamborghini ever too. There are going to be scoops, vents, spoilers, a massive rear diffuser, and an equally massive spoiler, which are designed to make the most of what's expected to be as much as 800bhp on tap with the finished car.

Lamborghini has been accused by some observers of going a little soft in terms of the design and styling of its cars in recent times, which probably isn't unfair criticism when we think of the likes of the Countach and Diablo of years gone by. However, the Aventador Super Veloce Jota seems as though it's going to be every bit as muscular and flashy as those illustrious predecessors.

Under the hood will be a 6.5-litre V-12 engine, and 800bhp shouldn't be too much to expect from it as the current Aventador SV already produces some 730 bhp. The SVJ will also benefit from tweaks to its chassis to help it handle the extra power, and turn it into the kind of performance such a car deserves.

The J (Jota) part of the name of the new Lamborghini flagship model has always been reserved in the past for the company's most overtly aggressive and exclusive models. It's only been used twice before for a Miura and a Diablo, so it's something pretty special for the Aventador to get the Jota treatment.

It's not been confirmed when the production model will be officially unveiled yet, but the smart money suggests the second half of this year which could point to the Paris Motor Show in early October.


Use of drones improves enforcement of demerit system, says JPJ

Lokman (second from right) piloting the drone at the Ainsdale toll plaza while Hanif (second from left) looks on. – Bernama

SEREMBAN: The use of drones will help improve the enforcement of the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) Demerit Points System for Traffic Offences (Kejara) to reduce traffic offences.

JPJ senior director (enforcement) Datuk Lokman Jamaan said this would also help ensure road users comply with road regulations and laws thus achieving the goal of halving the accident rate by 2030.

He said from January 2022 to April 5, a total of 146,261 demerit points were imposed on motorists with 1,935 licence holders receiving warnings, first-time suspensions (412), second-time suspensions (75), third time suspensions (seven) while the licence of six probationary driver's license holders (PDL) were revoked.

"Among the offences subject to demerit points are overtaking on double lines, using mobile phones while driving and beating red lights. Drones will be deployed to detect the offences involved and immediate action will be taken.

"The demerit system will have a big impact because the licences of offenders will be suspended or withdrawn, apart from confiscating the vehicle if they are still using it without a licence," he told reporters after the drone enforcement operation which was also attended by state JPJ director Hanif Yusabra Yusof here on Friday (April 21).

He said enforcement using drones will continue and efforts would be made at the same time to improve the ability of personnel operating them.

According to him, there are 15 drones used in six states including Negri Sembilan, Melaka and JPJ headquarters while the other states are in the process of obtaining licences.

Meanwhile, Lokman said JPJ would intensify monitoring in 129 hot spots identified as frequent accident areas throughout the country this festive season.

"Its use to detect traffic offenders is very effective. Road users will feel that they are being watched and instill the 'perception of being caught'. It does not interfere with the flow of traffic but can still monitor traffic violations," he said.

Hanif Yusabra also said that during a two-day road enforcement operation in Negri Sembilan, a total of 61 notices for offences were detected through drones.


US tyre industry harmed by Korea, Taiwan, Thailand tyre imports, says trade panel

                WASHINGTON: The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) said on Wednesday that US manufacturers are "materially injured" by imports of passenger vehicle and light truck tyres from South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

The ITC also found subsidised passenger tyres from Vietnam injure domestic manufacturers.

The US Commerce Department as a result of the order "will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, and a countervailing duty order on imports of these products from Vietnam," the ITC said.

The Commerce Department declined to comment.

The ITC also found imports of tyre products from Vietnam sold in the United States at less than fair value "are negligible and voted to terminate the antidumping duty investigation concerning Vietnam."

In 2020, the Commerce Department opened investigations into vehicle tyre imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam in response to petitions filed by the United Steelworkers (USW) representing workers at US tyre plants.

The union praised the ITC determination.

"We’re grateful that the ITC affirmed what USW members see every day: a deliberate effort to undercut our domestic industry and overtake our market,” USW International president Tom Conway said in a statement.

Kevin Johnsen, who chairs the USW’s Rubber/Plastics Industry Conference, said that the current system is "clearly broken." He added: "Before we can get remedies, we must demonstrate harm in the form of lost jobs and reduced market share. By that time, American workers are already suffering."

The union won orders on imported vehicle tyres from China in 2015, and Chinese imports have since shrunk dramatically, allowing the domestic industry to invest in new capacity, the union said last year.

The United States imported US$4.4 billion in tyres from the four nations in 2020. The USW said previously tyre imports from the four countries had risen nearly 20% since 2017, reaching 85.3 million tyres in 2019.

The USW represents workers at Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, Sumitomo and Yokohama tyre plants in Ohio, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kansas, Indiana, Virginia, New York and Alabama.


Meridian to introduce ‘EbM’ services at CES 2023

                LONDON: British audio specialist Meridian has launched a new commercial offering focused on its go-to-market activities in audio engineering consultancy and technology licensing services.

Known as "EbM" (Engineered by Meridian), EbM offers global businesses and premium brands with unique audio technologies and over 45 years of audio know-how that can enhance the audio performance of their products and user experience for their customers.

EbM offers a range of specialised services and unique technology products which create new and different opportunities for B2B partnership and growth.

“Our knowledge of psychoacoustics, combined with an understanding of the challenges posed by different listening environments, are amongst the most important reasons customers choose to work with us," said Meridian EbM sales director Paul Andrews.

EbM’s bespoke services can be tailored to any listening application and include: engineering services and consultancy; proprietary DSP technology licensing; third-party technology licenses; audio tuning consultancy and service; marketing services and consultancy; and brand licensing.

Meridian will be introducing EbM to new and prospective customers at CES in January 2023, where they will hold discussions about how EbM can support their requirements.

The team will also be demonstrating Meridian’s all-new Vibrohaptic Audio technology which integrates into a car seat in order to emulate a more natural and visceral listening experience within the vehicle, or any given environment (eg gaming chair, airline seat).

This new technology generates tactile signals from the audio content that are transmitted through the seat to create a more exciting, engaging and realistic listening experience.


Shanghai surprises in order from Volvo, Mercedes, Qoros and more

                SHANGHAI: As an automotive market that's still emerging, the biennial Shanghai show is one that is guaranteed to have a strong showing from all of the major car companies and even one or two global debuts.

For example, Volvo began the year by announcing it is to turn its back on motor shows in order to promote its cars in a better, more cost-effective manner.

However, for the Shanghai show it's making a very big exception. For this is the venue where the company will be unveiling the XC90 Excellence, the SUV it hopes can challenge everything from the Range Rover SVAutobiography to the Mercedes S-Class in the luxury sector.

Citroen has very quickly established itself and its premium DS brands in China and for this year's show it is also debuting a new SUV concept. The AirCross is unmistakably a Citroen and promises that the company has recaptured the quirkiness and individuality that once made it a trend setter.

Rather than a car, MINI will be showcasing a set of augmented reality glasses it has developed in partnership with Qualcomm that offer a projected head up display and will even let the wearer see through the car's doors and roof pillars while driving to avoid accidents and obstacles.

Mercedes has already unveiled two new SUVs this year but it can't stop itself and will be showing off the GLC concept, a coupe-shaped off-roader that's clearly lined up to compete directly with BMW's own X4 SUV.

Lexus is teasing a facelifted ES sedan for the event. The entry-level luxury model in its expanding fleet, expect the car to keep much of what is already on the 2012 model but packaged with a sharper nose, more pronounced spindle grille and the same LED running light set-up that made its debut on the RX crossover at the New York auto show earlier in April.

Local company Qoros has announced that it too is going to go with a conceptual SUV as its Shanghai show car which is understood to use the same underpinnings as its existing Qoros 3 mid-size sedan and hatchback models.

However, despite lots of media coverage both inside and beyond Asia the start-up company that aimed to take on elite European brands with a homegrown alternative, Qoros is understood to be struggling to compete with some sources putting total sales for 2014 as low as 7,000 cars.

Auto Shanghai 2015 is hosted at the National Exhibition and Convention Center April 22 - 29.


Govt urged to subsidise school bus operators

                PETALING JAYA: The government should provide subsidised or free bus services for schoolchildren instead of free city buses that are mainly used by foreign workers or tourists, say bus operators and a transport activist.

This comes in the wake of reports of school bus operators planning to increase fares for the new school term starting January.

Currently, school bus fares are not regulated, which means any increase will be dependent on negotiations between parents and operators, said Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators Association president Amali Munif Rahmat.

He said school bus fares had been based on the market price since the deregulation of this sector in 2015, with different areas or operators having different rates.

"If there is an increase, we leave it to both parties to decide. If the operators are running at a loss, then they have to adjust it accordingly.

"If there are operators who can sustain the business, based on their calculations, they can do without an increase.

"The association can only give them guidelines on how to fix the price,” he told The Star in response to news about the proposed increase.

He said in Kuala Lumpur alone, there were more than 20 different rates for school buses.

Amali Munif said operators were faced with a multitude of cost pressures, starting with the implementation of the minimum wage of RM1,500.

"Previously, we had a basic salary with allowance and incentives,” he added.

He said they also had to deal with price increases for spare parts, all of which were imported because buses were not locally made.

"As legal operators, we have to pay for the compulsory vehicle inspection (Puspakom), insurance, and so on, and we cannot compete with the illegal (operators)," he added.

He said if the government could subsidise stage coaches, there was no reason why it could not do the same for school buses.

He added that since the Covid-19 outbreak, the association did not have the exact number of operators, but the Road Transport Department should be able to track this number based on those who renew their road tax.

"At present, yes, we don’t have enough buses and drivers, and this is because about half of operators were unable to sustain their business and switched to being lorry drivers, which gives a more stable income,” he said.

Earlier, Malaysia land transport activist Kamaruddin Hussain said it was high time the Transport Ministry came up with a win-win solution on the issue.

He suggested the ministry stop free bus services for tourists or foreigners, and provide subsidies or special assistance to school bus operators.

"This will help school bus operators cover their operating costs during school holidays.

"Referring to the issue of school bus fares that is currently being debated in the media, we would like to remind parents to be considerate towards school bus operators who have to bear monthly operating costs without any exceptions or reductions.

"The Transport Ministry should play an important role in coming up with a win-win solution, instead of letting this issue drag on,” he added.


Apple receives permit in California to test self-driving cars

The Apple logo is seen on the facade of the Apple Store in Paris. - Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc has secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, the state Department of Motor Vehicles said on Friday.

Apple joins a growing list of traditional carmakers, technology companies, and small start ups to test drive cars in California - all vying to be the first to bring self-driving cars to the masses.

Companies that have been issued permits also include Alphabet Inc's Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Tesla Motors Inc and General Motors Co.

Many companies have said the first cars will launch in 2020 but some experts believe it may take much longer due to regulatory challenges.

After a five-page letter last November from Steve Kenner, Apple's director of product integrity, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the company was under increased speculation that they would enter into the competitive self-driving space.

"The company is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation," Kenner wrote.

Apple executives have been coy about their interest in cars. chief executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems.

Apple was not immediately available for comment.


2019 Chevy Camaro sports new face

                DETROIT: The current sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is going to be entering its third year on sale with the onset of the 2019 model, so it's naturally time for one of those mild, mid-cycle facelifts. This kind of update is usually very minor, especially with a car as important as the Camaro is to Chevrolet.

That's certainly how it is with the mechanicals, although there is the addition of a new model, but the exterior has somewhat surprisingly been given a fairly major overhaul.

Like the 2018 model year, the four-cylinder and V-6 powered models have a look that's distinct from the SS V8. However, instead of the changes being kept to things like the lower-grille, the entire front fascia is different this time.

The V8 has been given the bulk of the major surgery with a massive black grille that now dominates the front of the Camaro. Perhaps not surprisingly, it does boast a remarkable resemblance to latest look of Bumblebee from the most recent "Transformers" movies.

The grille features the "Flowtie" right in the middle for extra airflow, and the hood is now adorned by a functional air extractor. Four- and six-cylinder variants keep the updates on the conservative end of the design spectrum, with the upper and lower grilles kept separate and with the badge remaining in the middle of the top one.

They now have a much more sculpted look, and the headlights flow seamlessly into the grille with all versions. The changes to the rear are much less drastic and are kept to reshaped taillights and a slightly adjusted rear bumper.

A new 1LE variant has been added to the extensive Camaro family for 2019, and in this case Chevy is giving the treatment to the turbo-four. The 1LE will effectively have the same FE3 suspension as the V-6 1LE and SS.

This new variant also gets engine, transmission and differential coolers, as well as launch control, a no-lift shift function and electronic sound enhancement utilizing recordings of the actual engine. And just as with every other 1LE model, it gets a matte black hood and accents.

As well as the new look, the SS also gets the 10-speed automatic gearbox from the ZL1, launch control and line-lock like the Mustang already has, and the rear-view mirror display that's now such a well-known feature in modern Cadillacs.

Pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed, but the new Camaro will be on sale from the end of this year.


EU court rules Mercedes-Benz owes drivers compensation if illegal defeat devices caused damage

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz must pay compensation for unauthorised so-called defeat devices in diesel cars if the buyer suffers damages, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled today.

It is up to German courts to decide whether the software in question qualifies as a defeat device and whether its use is justified, the court said in a statement.

However, if a defeat device is found to be illegal and the buyer of a vehicle with such a device has suffered damages as a result of the purchase, the carmaker is obliged to provide them with compensation, it added, with member states responsible for upholding that right.

Defeat devices are mechanisms or software that can change vehicle emissions levels, leading to disputes over whether manufacturers use them to mask the true pollution levels of their vehicles.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman said in response to the ruling that it remained to be seen how national courts would apply the European court's decision to federal law.

It added that Mercedes-Benz vehicles that were recalled and underwent a software update could still be used without restriction.

The case was brought to a court in Ravensburg, Germany by the purchaser of a used Mercedes whose exhaust gas recirculation system operated within a certain temperature range but reduced recirculation in lower temperatures, leading to increased nitrogen oxide emissions.

Germany's federal court had previously rejected the plaintiff's claim to damages, arguing that the carmaker could only be charged as such if the damage was intentional.

But an advisor to the ECJ said last June that owners of vehicles equipped with such devices were entitled to compensation in both cases of intention and negligence.

In a ruling involving Volkswagen's use of similar devices, the ECJ said last July that if a device was designed to avoid serious engine damage which could cause an accident, it may not be illegal - but even then, the defeat device would be illegal if it operated most of the year under normal driving conditions.

The German federal court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for May 8 to discuss the implications of the ECJ's rulings on German liability law.


Audi looks to universities for autonomous driving solutions

A 1:18 scale model Audi used in the Audi Autonomous Driving Cup competition.
INGOLSTADT: Audi will be hosting the third edition of the Audi Autonomous Driving Cup here on Nov 15-16. It's a competition that pits eight teams from eight different universities against each other for a cash prize.

Each team starts off with the same 1:18 scale model Audi packed with sensing equipment provided by Audi. "The setup of the sensor system and central computer beneath the model cars' bodywork is essentially the same as in a production automobile," explained Dr. Florian, Head of Software Development Tools and Methods at Audi Electronics.

However, where each car is unique is in the software that brings all the information from the various sensors together in order to achieve autonomous diving capabilities. In each case, it has been created by one of the competing teams.

Therefore, the object of the competition is to see which model car can complete a lap of Audi's test course, which includes parking and reversing maneuvers in the quickest time without bumping into objects, failing to stop at junctions, failing to identify temporary traffic lights, or traveling too close to the vehicle in front as the course will be a miniature version of a real urban environment complete with other traffic and road users, including pedestrians.

There is no question that the automotive industry is at a crossroads. However, the problem isn't so much whether to turn right or left or plough straight ahead, it's the fact that technically speaking, it's travelling down two parallel roads at the same time; one leads towards electrification and the end of the internal combustion engine and the other towards full automation where every person riding in a vehicle is a passenger.

But what both routes have in common is that car companies don't have the inherent skills to navigate them on their own, without help from others, whether it's start-up companies, suppliers, perceived smaller competitors, individual developers, or, in the case of Audi's competition, the students that could go on to become stars of AI, cloud computing, robotics, data science and software architecture.

Although the top prize in this year's competition is a check for €10,000 (RM49,000), that's just the start. Winning team members will also be offered internships and placements in the hopes of earning full-time positions with the company.


Bentley won't launch fully electric car until at least 2025

                LONDON: Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark says consumers shouldn't expect to see an all-electric Bentley until 2025 or later.

"(The year) 2025 is the earliest we can get a credible battery-electric Bentley (on the road)." As of right now, the company is still in the process of determining where these EVs can potentially be developed — in existing or in brand-new facilities," he told Automotive News Europe.

Hallmark said the first EVs will have to be new vehicles, though they won't necessarily have to have a brand-new name plate.

He claimed that simply swapping out a combustion engine for batteries would significantly compromise vehicle performance; therefore, which segment the electric model will be in is still up in the air.

Considering that Bentley is owned by Volkswagen, it's possible that the model could be built upon one of the company's existing battery-friendly platforms.

As EV fanatics await the Bentley rendition, they can opt for the brand's one and only hybrid model, the Bentayga SUV. Though it still has a V6 under the hood, it's a bit greener than the other models in the Bentley portfolio.


No safety issues with 2023 Vios, says UMW Toyota Motor

                SHAH ALAM: Sales of the new 2023 Toyota Vios will continue as there are no issues with the safety standards and quality of the vehicle, says UMW Toyota Motor.

In a statement, UMW Toyota Motor president Datuk Ravindran K said, "We would like to assure you that the all-new Toyota Vios model complies with all safety regulations and there is no compromise to the quality of the vehicles.”

This follows the statement released by Daihatsu Co Ltd on April 28, 2023 highlighting a procedural irregularity on the testing of four models, one of which includes the new Toyota Vios.

Subsequent testing has validated that the vehicle meets the UN-R95 certification and there is no need for the Toyota Vios to be recalled as sales of the vehicle continues without disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for any distress caused to our customers and we wish to assure everyone of the safety and quality of our vehicles. Our commitment to our customers’ safety has always been and remains our topmost in our priority”, he added.


Mercedes-Benz poised to clinch premium sales crown for 2019

                FRANKFURT: Daimler sold 2.34 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in 2019 for a ninth consecutive year of record sales, it said on Thursday, putting the German carmaker in pole position to retain the title of biggest-selling premium car brand.

Stuttgart-based Daimler claimed it had retained the title of best-selling luxury car brand. However, rival BMW, the brands of which include MINI and Rolls-Royce, has yet to give a breakdown of its global sales.

As a carmaking group, BMW sold 2.52 million vehicles last year to beat Daimler’s 2.46 million Mercedes-Benz and Smart vehicles over the same period.

Mercedes-Benz said it posted sales records in Germany, China and the United States thanks to strong demand for its sports utility vehicles and high-end limousines.

Daimler said Mercedes-Benz sales rose 6.2% in China, where local customers ordered the top-end Maybach Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine at a rate of more than 700 vehicles a month.

Volkswagen’s premium arm Audi said it had sold 1.84 million cars last year, up 1.8% year on year, thanks to a 4.1% jump in Chinese sales including Hong Kong.

Audi said it sold 19,500 electric e-tron models in Europe last year while Daimler declined to provide a figure for how many electric Mercedes-Benz EQC models it delivered to customers.


China's Geely 2017 net profit soars amid global push

Li
SHANGHAI: Chinese carmaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd, whose chairman recently took a US$9 billion stake in Germany's Daimler AG, said today its profits more than doubled in 2017, driven by strong domestic sales of popular SUVs.

The automaker, based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, said in a stock exchange filing that 2017 net profit rose 108 percent to 10.6 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) from 5.1 billion yuan in 2016, slightly beating a forecast of 10 billion yuan from analysts polled by Reuters.

The carmaker saw revenue rise 73 percent to 92.8 billion yuan from a year earlier.

Geely chairman Li Shufu has been making a major global push. He owns Volvo Cars and has built up stakes in truckmaker AB Volvo, Malaysian automaker Proton, flying car start-up Terrafugia and the maker of London's iconic black cabs.

The Daimler deal, which makes Li the largest shareholder in the owner of Mercedes-Benz, is part of an effort to strengthen Geely's technological muscle amid a shake-up of the global auto market by autonomous driving, electric vehicles and car-sharing.

Li, sometimes compared to US auto icon Henry Ford, founded unlisted parent Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 1986, which was at the time focused on refrigerators. He moved into motorcycle manufacturing in the 1990s before switching to cars in 1997.


BMW Excellence Club Membership Programme begins

                CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia has introduced its new BMW Excellence Club Membership Programme for new and existing owners of the latest 7 Series.

“When we introduced the All-New BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology earlier this year, we shared on the idea of the Peak of Living Luxury. This idea centres on experiencing the world of exclusivity with personalized and crafted modern luxury focused on innovation and sophistication beyond Sheer Driving Pleasure," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Han Sang Yun.

The exclusive membership and customer loyalty program provides a host of exclusive privileges, which includes tailored concierge programs, bespoke private events, exclusive valet service at some of the renowned addresses nationwide, priority appointment scheduling at élite establishments as well as access to premium hospitality lounges.

"With the new BMW Excellence Club programme, we are able to share these one-of-a-kind tailor made experiences with our BMW 7 Series owners,” added Han.

The company also recently hosted a few of their customers in a series of unique events, which included flying seven couples over the Kuala Lumpur skyline at dusk in a helicopter for a specially curated evening experience at Mono Kuala Lumpur as well as provide an experience of the senses with premium partner Hugo Boss.

“The New BMW Excellence Club programme complements and raises the benchmark to
the existing industry leading BMW WhiteCard and BMW BlackCard programme which is provided to all BMW and MINI customers respectively. The programs are still currently the benchmark in the industry for access to premium experiences nationwide.”


Tesla China rival Nio ups competition with ET7 electric sedan,  150 kWh solid state battery coming

                SHANGHAI: Chinese electric-car maker Nio Inc. is pitting itself further against market leader Tesla Inc., unveiling its first sedan in direct competition with the US company’s most popular model and other international rivals.

The all-electric sedan ET7, released by Nio founder and chief executive officer William Li at a company event in Chengdu on Saturday evening, will start at 448,000 yuan (RM279,000) before government subsidies.

That compares with 265,740 yuan (RM166,000) for an entry-level Tesla Model 3, built in China. Deliveries will start from the first quarter of 2022.

Nio also launched a bigger volume battery pack that can improve driving range, an upgraded autopilot system and the second iteration of its battery-swap station, a concept whereby people can change the battery in their vehicle rather than re-charge it. Nio targets reaching 500 power swap stations by the end of 2021.

Initially, the ET7 will be fitted with 70 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs. But towards the end of 2022, it will be offered with a groundbreaking 150 kWh solid state battery, which allows for a range of over 1,000km NEDC.

The 150 kWh solid state battery has an ultra-high energy density of 360 Wh/kg. CATL is believed to be the supplier and it is designed to be swappable and upgradable for every NIO model.

Nio is coming off a stellar 2020. In the early months of last year, the automaker looked to be running out of cash having spent heavily on marketing and splashy showrooms for its ES8 and ES6 electric SUVs. But in April, it received a US$1 billion investment from entities led by the municipal government of Hefei and in July, a US$1.5 billion credit line from Chinese banks.

Its New York-listed shares finished the year up 1,112% and the company has begun reporting gross positive margins, having delivered 43,728 vehicles in 2020.

Li, speaking in Shanghai prior to this weekend’s event, listed Nio’s main rivals as automakers like BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz or Audi AG. While Tesla “maintains its ambition to become a Volkswagen or Ford in electric-vehicle manufacturing, we will insist on producing premium cars,” he said.

Notwithstanding, Nio’s new sedan will go head-to-head with Tesla’s best-selling Model 3, of which more than 120,000 were sold in China last year.

The Palo Alto, California-based company also started selling its roomier China-made Model Y SUV on Jan 1, which starts from 339,900 yuan (RM212,000). Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the Model Y has the potential to outsell all other vehicles it makes.

In an interview after the launch in Chengdu, Li said he sees the ET7 more as a rival to Tesla’s Model S if comparisons are to be made.

Nio is working on another sedan, too. Its one-two sedan punch follows three SUV models since 2018.

There almost certainly will be room for them all. Car ownership in China lags other developing nations, with about 173 out of every 1,000 people having an automobile versus 433 in Malaysia and 373 in Russia. In the US and Australia, it is 837 and 747, respectively, McKinsey & Co. data show.

Auto sales in Asia’s biggest economy rose for a fifth straight month in November, led by demand for EVs. China, a “linchpin of growth for the EV market,” according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, is expected to maintain its world-leading position.

At the moment, Nio only sells its cars in China. But the company has said it plans to enter the European market as early as the second half.


Proton-Perodua SUV race heats up

The X70 is a bigger SUV and is in a different segment from the Aruz..
PETALING JAYA: The competition between Proton and Perodua is set to intensify as both companies will be pulling out all the stops to boost margins and regain market share with their first sport-utility vehicle (SUV).

Additionally, both national carmakers have unique goals to achieve with their SUVs, according to AmInvestment Bank Research.

“Perodua will focus on sales while Proton will focus on improving consumer perception. Proton will rely on the SUV to test the various operational reforms and processes that are being introduced to win back consumer confidence,” the research house said in a recent report.

“We believe that the X70 requires a strong success story in the home market before expanding regionally. Perodua will follow suit and target the more affluent segment where the financing options are said to be more secure.

“Both players are looking to position themselves on more formidable ground by reducing their dependence on volume over time.”

According to data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Perodua sold the most vehicles in 2017 with 204,887 units, but its market share dropped marginally year-on-year to 35.5% from 35.7% in 2016.

Proton, the third highest-selling car company, sold a total of 70,991 vehicles in 2017, with market share dropping to 12.3% that year from 12.5% in 2016. Both Perodua and Proton’s market shares have been taking a beating over the years due to stiff competition from non-national makes.

Bookings for the Proton X70 had exceeded 15,000 units since September. They climbed up to an average of 200 to 300 per day since the vehicle was launched on Dec 12. The model is the first collaboration between Proton and Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Last week, Perodua announced that bookings were opened for its Aruz SUV. The company is confident of selling an average of 2,500 units monthly or 31,200 units by end-2019.

An industry observer said the introduction of the SUVs would offer variety and help complement both companies’ existing product range. “It’s a step in the right direction for the national carmakers. However, it cannot be a one-product strategy, as the SUV segment is small compared with the passenger car segment – which is where the volume is.”

Meanwhile, AmInvestment Bank Research is projecting a total industry volume (TIV) growth of 2% to 600,000 units for 2019. “A slate of new models that coincide with the pre-Chinese New Year buying will generate excitement at the beginning of the year in an otherwise mellow market.”

The research house noted that growth in 2019 would depend on the performance of volume-oriented players, namely, Perodua, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda.

“Of these, we note that Mazda has had a stupendous year (as its monthly sales rebounded to an average of 1,300 units per month from only 811 in 2017), followed by Perodua (benefiting from the late entry of the Myvi in December 2017), while Honda, Toyota and Nissan are set to round up a decent year that largely leaned on the tax holiday.”

Kenanga Research, meanwhile, expected TIV growth to be flat at 590,000 units.

“We believe that the absence of a one-off 2018 tax holiday will be netted-off by interesting new launches in 2019, which includes the Perodua SUV Aruz, Toyota Vios, Toyota Yaris Hatchback (tentative) and competitive models by Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Proton.”

TIV hit an all-time high of 666,674 units in 2015, then dropped almost 15% in 2016 before contracting further last year to 576,635 units.

For 2018, MAA expected TIV to hit 585,000 units. The association will announce last year’s TIV numbers later this month.


VW Arteon Art Car auction raises RM133,200 for charity

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and Wei-Ling Gallery have managed to successfully raise RM133,200 from the charity auction of Arteon art cars.

The auction was held at W Kuala Lumpur hotel to celebrate the launch of the new Arteon R Line.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA) after a minimum token of appreciation has been presented to each of the 13 Malaysian artists for their contribution.

The collaboration provided an opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts to own diecast scale models of the Arteon which were transformed by artists into unique one-of-a-kind artworks.

The Arteon is Volkswagen’s flagship model and the range-topping Arteon R-Line variant is currently priced on-the-road without insurance with sales tax exemption (until Dec 31) at RM220,043.

The Arteon R-Line is covered by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty which includes three years of free maintenance and five years of roadside assistance.

The Arteon project was an extension of the recent “18@8 Turning Points” exhibition by Wei-Ling Gallery and was curated with the idea to explore the 13 artists’ pasts.

“It was truly heartening to see Art and Arteon come together at the auction, and to witness how much the bidders recognised the value of owning such collectible art pieces. Their enthusiasm stemmed from their desire to contribute to charity, in this case, breast cancer awareness and support,” said VPCM  managing director Erik Winter.


Suzuki to set up new global research company in India

                GANDHINAGAR (India): Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp will set up a new global research and development company in India and continue to invest in the country aggressively, its president, Toshihiro Suzuki, said today.

The new company, a wholly owned unit of Suzuki Japan, would help the Japanese carmaker strengthen its R&D competitiveness and capabilities not only for India but also for global markets, Suzuki said during an event in Gandhinagar, the capital of the western state of Gujarat.

"India has become one of the most important countries for Suzuki Group," he said at the event attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, adding that Suzuki would keep investing in India.

Commemorating 40 years of Suzuki in India, Modi laid the foundation stones of two major projects - a Suzuki electric vehicle battery plant in Gujarat and a Maruti Suzuki car-making facility in the northern state of Haryana.

Suzuki is the majority owner of Maruti, which dominates India's car market with its small, low-cost vehicles. But the company faces growing competition as buyers shift to bigger cars such as sports-utility vehicles (SUVs) and regulators demand safer and greener cars, pushing up costs.

For Suzuki, India is one of the biggest markets in terms of revenues and profit and one where it has so far invested 650 billion rupees ($8.1 billion) to support Maruti and ensure it maintains its leadership position.

More than 60% of Suzuki Group's 2.8 million automobiles produced all over the world last year were made in India, company president Suzuki said today.

Suzuki started producing cars in Gujarat in 2017 for Maruti and for export to countries including Latin America and Africa.

In March, the Japanese carmaker said it plans to invest 104.4 billion rupees (RM5.8bil) in its India factory to produce electric vehicles (EVs) starting 2025 and batteries a year later. The plant has an annual capacity of 750,000 cars.


EU to toughen emissions test for plug-in hybrids, say sources

                BERLIN: The European Union plans to toughen its method for measuring carbon dioxide emissions from plug-in hybrid cars, two sources familiar with the matter said, after criticism that current tests yield results up to four times below real-world emissions.

The new methodology could mean some carmakers, who in 2021 sold almost as many plug-in hybrids in Europe as they did battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), would need to sell more BEVs in order to meet EU emissions targets and avoid sizeable fines.

The revised test is likely to be enforced from around 2025, the sources said.

Data from fuel consumption meters - which under EU law must be built into new cars from 2021 - will be incorporated into the test, they said. This will show a more realistic picture of how much hybrid cars still rely on their internal combustion engine over the electric battery.

"The utility factor will be changed," Petr Dolejsi, sustainable transport director of the European Automobile Manafacturers' Association (ACEA) told Reuters, referring to the average estimate of how far a hybrid drives in electric mode.

"We are starting to collect the data from the vehicles...it is an ongoing process."

A European Commission official said an amendment to its Euro 6 pollutant emission implementing rules revising the testing approach - called the Worldwide Light Vehicles Testing Procedure (WLTP) - to determine utility factors based on real-life data from fuel consumption meters was under discussion, but they were not in a position to give further details.

The amendment would next be discussed by the Motor Vehicle Working Group, consisting of stakeholders from industry, the government and consumer associations, on Feb 9, the official said, with a decision expected this year.

Changing the test to better reflect real-world emissions backs the growing consensus among environmental groups and regulators that plug-in hybrids are not as green as once thought, and should not be treated equally to battery-electric vehicles when designing policy to encourage electrification.

Reality versus theory

Carmakers, still recovering their image after the 2015 Dieselgate scandal in which some used illegal software to cheat emissions tests, often release the results of their emissions tests at the start of the year.

The official figures are not published by the European Commission until later.

Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Renault have said that they met their 2021 targets, bolstered by record electric vehicle sales.

Under the WLTP test implemented last year, carmakers pay inspectors to oversee them run a standardised test for all their vehicle types - from internal combustion engine to hybrid to battery-electric. This is done in their labs to come up with a figure for average carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre.

Targets for 2021 were around 95g CO2/km, varying slightly as each carmaker's target is adjusted dependent on the average weight of their vehicles.

The WLTP testing process was designed based on actual data about how and where people tend to drive, from the distance and speed to road type - a significant improvement to the previous test which was based exclusively on theoretical models.

But studies by environmental think-tanks such as the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT) show that even the WLTP test is far from reality, particularly for hybrid cars, which rely on the combustion engine about twice as much as test results show.

The ICCT studies used actual emissions data from over 100,000 plug-in hybrids from sources like company car databases or consumer fuel-tracking websites.

Reasons for the ICCT outcome include the fact that plug-in hybrids are charged less often and have a shorter all-electric range than the test assumes.

The real-world deviation is even higher for company cars, likely because drivers have less of an incentive to charge the vehicle - a cheaper option than refuelling - if they are not themselves paying the price.

While the EU had voted to make it mandatory for carmakers to build fuel consumption meters into their cars from 2021, it was not yet clear whether this data would be incorporated into the emissions tests.

"Emissions have still been falling every year, and that's a real success," Peter Mock, Europe managing director of the ICCT, said.

"But the big problem is the hybrids - that's what's deceptive."