GKN eDrive tech powering 13 more car models

                LONDON: GKN Automotive is strengthening its eDrive technology leadership as 13 more electrified models from 10 leading global brands enter the market, powered by its systems.

The new platforms span four major global automotive manufacturers and range from premium four-wheel drive SUVs to an iconic electric city car.

The technologies on these models include GKN Automotive’s compact three-in-one eDrive systems. These systems bring together advances in electric motors, transmission, traction inverters, software and controls.

The milestone comes a year after the announcement that GKN Automotive has over one million eAxles on the road and is the result of collaboration with the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to fully integrate advanced eDrive systems into electric and hybrid cars.

The first car using GKN Automotive eDrive technology was put into production over 20 years ago.


Audi Centre Setia Alam reopens

KUALA LUMPUR: PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) and its dealer partner Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd today announced the reopening of Audi Centre Setia Alam.

Four storeys high, the 4S facility houses multiple functions under one roof – sales, service, spare parts, and body and paint.

Audi Centre Setia Alam occupies 60,000sq ft of space.

Based on the Audi Terminal architectural concept, the design is contemporary, with a warm and inviting ambience.

Furthermore, the finishes, furniture, and lighting add a modern touch to provide a timeless interior design.

The showroom can accommodate 12 display units, and its dedicated sales staff is present to see to customer needs.

The double-storey Service Centre, meanwhile, houses 17 bays capable of servicing 34 cars a day and is manned by experienced and trained aftersales staff.

PHSAM managing director Erik Winter said customer satisfaction is at the forefront of everything the company does.

“This makes delivering an unforgettable ownership experience a priority for us. For this, it is important to work together with our dealer partners to ensure constant improvements in retail and aftersales for Audi owners. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Goh Brothers Motor on this expansion, and I wish them the very best,” he said.

Goh Brothers Motor managing director Goh Kian Sin said the group was delighted to seal its Audi presence in Klang Valley with the Setia Alam facility.

“Goh Brothers Motor is synonymous with the Audi brand in the northern region with Audi Centre Juru. With Audi Centre Setia Alam, we would like to reiterate our commitment to our business, and Audi owners can rest assured that we will continue to strengthen the customer experience for them,“ he said.

For the convenience of customers, the Audi Centre is equipped with facilities such as a customer lounge with Wi-Fi connection and a refreshed sales delivery area (for personal experience).

Those servicing their Audi vehicles are also welcome to enjoy the pick-up and delivery service made
available.

To celebrate the occasion, Audi Centre Setia Alam invites owners who have not visited the service centre in the past six months to a complimentary 20-point safety diagnostic and health check.

Worth RM300, the offer is valid till Aug 31.

Official Audi cars are supported with three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty and five years roadside assistance.

Audi Centre Setia Alam is located at 22A, Persiaran Setia Dagang, Setia Alam, Selangor.

Sales operations are from Monday to Sunday, (8:30am–5:30pm), while aftersales services are open from Monday to Saturday (8:30am–5:30pm).

The Audi Centre is closed on public holidays.

For more information, customers may call 03-33626555.


Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Polestar valued at US$20b in SPAC deal

                LONDON: Polestar, the electric-vehicle maker backed by Volvo Car Group and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, agreed to go public through a merger with a blank-check company at a roughly US$20 billion enterprise valuation.

The automaker founded four years ago by Sweden’s Volvo and its Chinese owner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. will combine with special purpose acquisition company Gores Guggenheim Inc., according to a statement.

Roughly US$1.05 billion of proceeds will help Polestar bring three new models to market within the next three years.

Unlike other auto upstarts that have debuted via SPAC deal, Polestar has models on the market and access to an established carmaker’s production network.

The transaction with Gores Guggenheim is a coup for Volvo and Geely chairman Eric Li Shufu, who set up the brand with an eye towards enticing external investors as EVs begin to take off.

Polestar is betting it can better sustain its valuation than others that have sought to ride Tesla Inc.’s coattails.

“This is not a startup that’s all alone out there,” Polestar chief executive officer Thomas Ingenlath said in an interview. “Our speed of growth and our capability is linked to us having the access to the manufacturing footprint of the Volvo group.”

Volvo announced separately that it will invest as much as US$600 million more in Polestar in connection with the Gores Guggenheim combination, giving it a close to 50% holding. Ingenlath declined to comment on how big a stake Geely’s Li and DiCaprio have in the company.

Polestar is targeting 29,000 vehicle sales this year and 290,000 deliveries for 2025, when it expects to make a roughly 9% margin on earnings before interest and taxes. It’s operating in 14 markets now and planning to be in 30 by the end of 2023.

READ MORE: How Geely's Li Shufu plans to tackle TeslaCars coming

The Gothenburg, Sweden-based company’s second vehicle and first all-electric car, the Polestar 2, started production in March at Geely’s factory in Luqiao, China.

In June, the company announced that the Polestar 3 - an SUV - will be built in Volvo’s lone US assembly plant near Charleston, South Carolina. That model will start at about US$75,000 and be followed by a coupe version that tops out around that price, Ingenlath said.

Polestar is working on a third model, a sedan called the Precept, at its UK research-and-development center.

Gores Guggenheim, led by chairman Alec Gores and chief executive officer Mark Stone, is sponsored by affiliates of Gores Group and Guggenheim Capital. It raised US$800 million in a March initial public offering and expects to close the deal with Polestar in the first half of next year.

Gores was involved in an earlier SPAC deal with automotive lidar maker Luminar Technologies Inc. late last year.

 DiCaprio in a scene from 'Inception'. — Warner Bros Pictures


Geely's EV brand Zeekr jumps on the 'gigapress' bandwagon

SHANGHAI: Geely's EV brand Zeekr is the latest to join a growing list of automakers that have turned to the "gigapress" die casting technique pioneered by Tesla to slash the cost of electric cars.

Zeekr's manufacturing technology chief Jiang Kehong said the Chinese carmaker had started using massive aluminium die casts to make a large rear underbody section of its Zeekr 009 six-seat, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

He said the technique had helped Zeekr eliminate almost 800 welding points, cut defects, made the car lighter, and boosted its structural stiffness, in turn improving the ride of the MPV which went on sale in China this year.

"In the future, Zeekr will use giga-casting technology on more models," Jiang said.

Zeekr's shift to the gigapress technique comes at the same time Chinese rival Xpeng has adopted a new vehicle platform technology that also mimics the way Tesla designs and manufactures electric cars.

Metal and plastic die casting has long been used in manufacturing, but its application to large aluminium underbodies in carmaking is relatively new.

The newest and biggest press made by IDRA has a clamping force of over 9,000 tons. It can punch out the front and rear underbodies which support the car's outer skin and provide a platform for suspension components.

The front and rear sections are then connected with large under-floor battery packs to form a three-piece EV chassis.

The use of the heavy casting machines, dubbed "gigapresses" by Tesla, has helped simplify manufacturing and cut costs by up to 40% in some areas, according to Riccardo Ferrario, general manager of IDRA, based in Brescia near Milan.

'Mega-casting'

Other automakers turning to large die casting include General Motors, which is using the technology to help design its Cadillac Celestiq electric saloon.

Individuals close to Toyota have told Reuters the Japanese automaker is considering the possibility of deploying a version of the giga-casting technology to produce EVs.

Sweden's Volvo Cars, meanwhile, which is majority-owned by Zeekr's parent Geely, announced a plan last year to invest in new EV manufacturing know-how, including "mega-casting" at its assembly plant in Torslanda, Sweden.

According to Zeekr's Jiang, the automaker started looking into the technology in 2020 and gets its giant presses from LK, the Chinese company that bought IDRA in 2008.

He said Zeekr's machines have a pressing power of 7,200 tons and they help pump out the 009's large underbody section, which is 1.4 m long and 1.6 m wide.

One risk in using giga-casting is the so-called repairability of vehicles. With body sections cast into single pieces, that could make them harder to repair if damaged in an accident — even a low-speed fender-bender or rear-end crash.

With most cars that might call only for the replacement of a fender or a bumper. In the case of a giga-cast vehicle it could entail a significant repair, including a possible replacement of the car's entire front or rear section.

Giga-concerns

Because of those concerns, some automakers such as GM are looking to embrace what engineers describe as smaller-scale giga-castings.

In designing the Cadillac Celestiq's underbody frame, GM is using what it describes as "mega precision sand casting" technology, which has cost and design flexibility advantages in low-volume applications, GM officials said.

The GM car's entire lower structure combines six fairly large castings including front and rear structures connected to two 8 ft long (2.5 m) castings, which are adhesively bonded and spot-welded into a single floor pan.

"While we are preparing a complete service plan for the Celestiq, at this point we plan to continue to be able to repair castings using our current proven repair procedures used on the Corvette," a GM spokesperson said, referring to another GM car that uses large castings.

Similarly, Toyota has begun looking at the possibility of turning to what some company insiders call "small portions" giga-casting technology which divides vehicle bodies into smaller castings, a Toyota source said.

The strategy is to address not only concerns about vehicle repairability but to cope with a wider range of vehicles in size and shape that Toyota sells globally, the person said.

To cope with the repairability issue, Zeekr will be able to change select parts of the larger die cast section in the event of a collision, rather than having to replace the whole thing.

"That should help reduce the repair cost after an accident,” the Zeekr executive said. "We believe customers should not pay extra for our technology innovation."


Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R turns more extreme

                PARIS: Renault is unleashing a more extreme version of its Mégane R.S. Trophy-R that took the title of the fastest front-wheel-drive production car after lapping the infamous Nurburgring 3.7 seconds faster than the Civic Type R at 7mins 40.1sec. Alons y!

How extreme? For starters, the French carmaker says that it will be 130kg lighter than the standard Megane R.S. Trophy and there will a total of 500 examples to be made with just 30 right-hand drive models headed for the UK.

Although prices have yet to be announced, ordering taking will begin in August with UK deliveries expected to begin in October.

Additionally, its suspension will be entirely redesigned to be lighter and will be supported by standard Ohlins adjustable dampers to raise the aggressive handling characteristics even further.

For grip, the front axle will have a little more negative camber and the wheels will be shod with Renault Sport-developed Bridgestone S007 tyres that should have the senses shouting Oh mon dieu!

Under the carbon composite hood with a NACA duct hides a six-speed manual gearbox (because it's lighter than the dual-clutch EDC) that manages the 300PS turbocharged 1.8-litre engine which will let its presence known via a specially made lightweight titanium Akrapovič exhaust system.

To help it suck itself to the ground, the underbody has been fitted with an improved underbody fairing and carbon rear diffuser and that alone already indicates how much faster it is. Sacré bleu!

Traction around corners is obviously tantamount so there will be a Torsen limited slip differential, but to keep the excess speeds in check, it will be fitted with larger front brakes with four-piston callipers from Brembo.

But if that isn't extreme enough, then the optional carbon-ceramic front brakes and carbon wheels should do the trick, which is why the interior features Sabelt composite front seats with an optional six-point racing harness to hold its driver in place.


Kia enables over-the-air software updates across full model line-up in Europe

                LONDON: Owners of the latest Kia models sold in Europe can now benefit from the latest infotainment features more quickly and easily, thanks to new over-the-air (OTA) functionality.

Available for all Kia models equipped with Kia Connect from MY22 onwards, OTA capability ensures the customer’s satellite navigation unit can receive map and related software updates wirelessly.

This means that customers no longer need to download updates manually from the official Kia Navigation Updates portal, nor visit a Kia dealership to have technicians install updates on their behalf.

OTA update technology provides the latest UK and European maps, interface improvements and bug fixes.

Kia’s first OTA update campaign – due to finish at the end of February – offers a range of specific enhancements, including a rollout of the EV6’s "Eco" menu to all other Kia electric models, improved voice recognition, and improved 3D map visualisation.

Owners of MY22 or 23 Kia vehicles with Kia Connect can enable their vehicles for OTA updates retrospectively by installing the latest software version from the Kia Navigation Updates website (https://update.kia.com/EU/E1).

Once OTA updates are activated, owners will be notified when an update becomes available via a pop-up notification on the in-car infotainment system, asking them to authorise the download and installation. When the process is over, they will be offered to scan a QR code to find out about the changes.

OTA updates deliver additional comfort for customers and will also save them time, as the navigation and infotainment systems are automatically kept up to date with no action required.


Energy-efficient vehicle manufacturing gets priority in 12MP

                KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says the government will give priority to the development of an energy-efficient vehicle manufacturing industry to support environmentally friendly mobility initiatives as part of efforts to become a carbon-neutral nation by 2050.

To ensure coordinated and comprehensive climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a national adaptation plan will be introduced, Ismail Sabri said.

The government also welcomes private sector initiatives towards achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.

He said this while tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) 2021-2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ismail Sabri said efforts to accelerate the growth of the country’s green economy, enhancement of energy sustainability and transformation of the water sector should remain at the core of the country's socio-economic development.

In this regard, the government will take into account environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in its decision-making process, he said.

To support this effort, Ismail Sabri said economic instruments such as carbon pricing and carbon tax will be introduced, while details of other measures for carbon reduction will be announced once the low-carbon long-term development strategy study is finalised by the end of 2022.

"The government has given a commitment to no longer build new coal-fired power plants. I realise this requires a concerted effort as well as a high level of green commitment and investment.

"However, I am confident that with the involvement of the Malaysian Family spirit, this aspiration is not an empty dream and this commitment will ensure that Malaysia is at par with the efforts of other countries to achieve global goals in tackling climate change and enhancing the country's competitiveness," he said.

Currently, Malaysia contributes less than 0.7 percent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.

The government will continue to fulfil its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases emissions intensity per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 in line with the aspiration of becoming a low-carbon country.

The prime minister said a comprehensive National Energy Policy will be introduced to outline the strategic long-term direction in supporting the nation’s carbon neutral aspiration.

He added that cleaner electricity generation will be implemented through the operation of several gas power plants in Peninsular Malaysia to replace coal-fired power plants.

Laws related to energy efficiency and conservation will be introduced to regulate energy consumption by high-intensity consumers in the industrial and commercial sectors, said Ismail Sabri.

By 2025, renewable energy generation from solar, biomass and biogas is targeted to increase to 31 per cent of total installed capacity.

A cyclical economic model will be implemented under the 12MP to reduce pollution, waste generation and dependence on natural resources.

The concept of producer responsibility will be intensified to enhance the implementation of sustainable consumption and production.

Additionally, green investment will continue to be encouraged, including for projects under public-private and government-linked companies partnerships, he said.

The development of resilient green cities will continue to be intensified, and a total of 120 cities are targeted to achieve sustainable city status.

To this end, the implementation of the Green City Action Plan initiative and a multi-dimensional public data analytics system will be introduced.

In the government's efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, the prime minister said civil society organisations (CSOs) would be recognised as development partners.

"For this purpose, the role of the CSO will be institutionalised in various governance mechanisms, especially in the implementation and monitoring of development programmes at the grassroots level to achieve the 2030 agenda," he added.


To get people to wear masks, try comparing them to seatbelts and helmets

                NEW YORK: Is there anything the US government can say to get people to wear masks during a pandemic? There’s one message that had some positive effect, at least in Illinois.

A recent survey of more than than 2,000 state residents offered respondents five different messages and gauged whether they made people more or less likely to wear a mask in public, as compared to a control group that saw no message.

Comparing masks to helmets and seatbelts was the only message that had a positive impact on people’s decisions.

The finding adds evidence to the argument that linking masks to safety measures already widely adopted — and legally enforced — could increase compliance with mask mandates. It may also reflect hard-won progress in persuading more Americans to buckle their seatbelts in the first place.

Wearing a mask in most public places has been mandatory in Illinois since May 1.

In August, Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker introduced new emergency rules to penalise businesses that fail to enforce mask-wearing, and even made it a felony to attack a retail-worker enforcing such a rule.

Despite all that, only 66% of Illinois residents said they “always” wore a mask when leaving their homes in the last week, the survey by Civis Analytics found. The survey, conducted during the week of June 22, informed a new US$5 million campaign to persuade more people to wear masks.

“We wanted to make sure that whatever dollars we were putting forward on this mask campaign would be used most effectively to get the message across, to convince people, and to do it with a focus on areas where it might be needed more,” Pritzker said in an interview.

About 92% of respondents who were shown the message that compared masks to helmets and seatbelts were likely to wear a mask, compared to 89% of the respondents in the control group.

A 3 percentage point increase may not seem like much, but Civis says messages like these tend to have a lower effect for issues that people have already been highly exposed to. “People have heard so much about it that their opinions are strongly held,” Crystal Son, health care analytics director at Civis, said in an email. “Given the saturation of messaging around Covid and masks, a 3 [percentage point] treatment effect is both statistically significant and meaningful.”

The sample “comparison” message that was tested featured a Facebook-style post with three image panels: “seatbelt before driving,” with a photo of a buckle and latch; “helmet before game,” with a photo of a football helmet; and “mask before going out,” with a photo of a mask.

The other messages failed to have a persuasive effect among the sample tested, and two of them made people less likely to want to wear a mask, although Civis said those negative responses fell within the margin of error and should be seen as having neutral effects.

The worst-performing message showed the World Health Organisation finding that masks may reduce Covid-19 spread by 85% and included text that began, “The science is clear.” That strategy led to a 3 percentage point decrease in mask-wearing likelihood as compared to the control group.

The other message with a negative effect showed images of people wearing masks with text over it that read, “If it gets us out, we’re all in,” with smaller text explaining that wearing a mask lets people get out of the house. Messages invoking a potential second wave of coronavirus and the risk of infecting elderly family members had neutral effects.


Last day CarSifu auto show at 1Utama Shopping Centre

                PETALING JAYA: It’s the final day of the CarSifu Auto Show, with the five-day show coming to a close by 10pm at the Highstreet concourse area of the 1Utama Shopping Centre.

BMW, Citroen, Isuzu, Kia, MINI and Peugeot have put up their popular range of cars on display, allowing car shoppers plenty of opportunities and time to get up close with their prospective buys.

BMW is showing off its X1 SDrive sport activity vehicle (SAV) as well as the ultra eco-friendly plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) - the 330e Sport.

At Citroen’s stand, there are the new sporty DS5 and C4 Picasso multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

Isuzu has its limited edition seven-seater mu-X Type S sports utility vehicle (SUV) as well as the D-Max Z-Prestige and its V-Cross pickup truck variants.

Kia is showcasing its newly-launched stylish eight-seater Grand Carnival MPV alongside the mid-sized Sportage SUV and Cerato.

Meanwhile, MINI have the trend-setting Clubman S and 3 Door S models.

Peugeot has on display its new 208 Puretech turbocharged hatchback, the new 2008 SUV and the 408 executive sedan at its booth.

The auto show will also have three Sharp high definition televisions and 10 Sharp car ion generators to be won.

Just book a car at the auto show and stand a chance to win these fabulous prizes worth a total of RM19,000.

The key prize is the Sharp Aquos 65-inch full HD television worth RM6,699 followed by the Aquos 60-inch full HD priced at RM3,999 and the Aquos 50-inch full HD costing RM2,799.

The Sharp car ion generator, worth RM559, is designed to fit into a car’s cup holder and comes with a car power adapter.


Honda Thailand debuts Brio and Brio Amaze

BANGKOK: Honda Thailand has introduced the facelifted Brio hatch and Brio Amaze sedan.

A refreshed interior and exterior added to these versions give a sleeker look coupled with a  range of advanced technology that promises better comfort and safety.

The new Brio and Brio Amaze have spruced–up, sleeker exteriors, complemented by a redesigned front grille, an all-new sportier front bumper, and new alloy wheels. The revamped interior features a new console, Steering Audio Switch, Auto-air Conditioner system, Bluetooth Connector, and a USB Connector to create a premium feel.

Features added to the Brio Amaze include projector head lights with led position, front fog lights and a sport-design rear spoiler. It also comes with Multi Information Display (MID), Honda Smart Key System, and One Push Start Ignition. All variants are equipped with safety features including an intelligent i-SRS for the driver and a SRS airbag system for the passenger, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and an alarm security system.

As eco-cars, the Brio and Brio Amaze, are powered by a 1.2 litre, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 90-hp SOHC i-VTEC engine, with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which is part of “Earth Dreams Technology” that adds some measure of agility to high fuel efficiency.

The Brio V CVT is priced at 495,000 baht (RM56,000) and the Brio Amaze is available in two variants, which are the V CVT, priced at 517,000 baht (RM59,000), and the SV CVT, priced at 577,000 baht (RM66,000). The Brio and Brio Amaze come in three colours including Crystal Black Pearl, White Taffeta, and a new Lunar Silver Metallic colour.

To push sales, Honda is offering Thai customers a special interest rate on their car loans. Customers will receive free maintenance checks and spare parts from 10,000km to 50,000km.


New old cars: Why manufacturers are rebuilding replicas of classics

                LONDON: The Jaguar C-Type is supposed to be over 70 years old and yet has hardly a kilometre on the clock.

It's cramped inside and when driving it you need all your senses to keep it on the track. But if you take a quick look around, you'll start to wonder about this car.

Fresh leather, smooth glossy paint, and a ridiculously low mileage — there's nothing to suggest that we're driving a million-dollar classic car around a test track. The C-Type looks like a car from 1953 and yet it’s new. So what’s going on?

The solution to the riddle

What's racing through the summer in the British Midlands is the first C-Type from the so-called Continuation Series. With this series, the British car maker is reviving some of its famous models.

"We use the latest techniques to rebuild the cars according to old plans with original materials," says Jaguar Classic manager David Foster. "If there is a demand from collectors and there is business in it for us, then a project like this has good chances."

Jaguar started with the lightweight version of the E-Type from 1963, followed by the XKSS from 1957 and then the D-Type, which made Jaguar the series winner at Le Mans from 1955 to 1957.

Prices for these "new" classics range from £1.2 to £1.75 million plus taxes. That’s a lot of money, but still a lot less than an original model would cost.

In the case of the C-Type, for example, Foster estimates the price difference to be as much as six million pounds.

And a lot of work goes into them — up to 10,000 man-hours to build each individual vehicle, and that's not even counting the two or three years spent in the archives and in construction.

Classics being revived across the industry

Other car makers have also got in on the act. Bentley has rebuilt a dozen of the supercharged “Blower” Bentleys with which driver Tim Birkin competed at Le Mans in the late 1920s.

This summer, 12 examples of the Speed-Six that took victory at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 were announced.

In 2017, Aston Martin recreated the 1960s DB4GT for £1.5 million each and then followed it up with 19 examples of the DB4GT Zagato.

It was expensive fun for those who wanted one, because it was only available in a double pack with a current DBS Zagato, it cost over €8 million.

The highlight of this development was the DB5 from the James Bond film “Goldfinger,” which the British reissued for the 25th anniversary of the 007 series.

Like in the film, the car has rotating license plates, (fake) machine guns behind the headlights, and a bullet-proof shield to cover the back window.

It’s not just British car manufacturers that are rebuilding their classic cars. Italian sports car maker Lamborghini spent 25,000 man-hours rebuilding the prototype of the first Countach.

However, according to Lamborghini's Alessandro Farmeschi, there was one crucial difference: unlike Jaguar & Co, the original Countach was a one-off that was destroyed in a crash test.

Is it about history or money?

There’s nothing wrong with these replicas, says classic car specialist Frank Wilke of Classic Analytics.

Firstly, the manufacturers make no secret of the year of manufacture and secondly, unlike outside companies, they literally have every right to make such replicas. They can also achieve maximum authenticity.

Even so, Wilke considers it to be mainly a money-making exercise with the manufacturers cannibalising their own history for cash. But the people who buy them probably don’t care.

"Because, first of all, they save a lot of money in the process, if the original is ever offered for sale at all,” he says. "And secondly, they usually get the better car.”

Jaguar's Foster thinks the practice is justified on economic grounds: "We're not a club, we're a business and we have to make a profit.”

Bentley’s Mike Sayer also sees benefits: "Projects like this allow us to develop new skills to maintain, protect, and preserve historic Bentleys — both originals and continuations. To keep these special cars ready for use for the future."


India plans to exempt electric vehicles from registration fee

A boy preparing to recharge his electric scooter outside his home in Ahmedabad, India, on Dec 30, 2018. — Reuters
NEW DELHI: India has issued draft rules to exempt electric vehicles from paying registration fee, the government said in a statement on Wednesday, as it looks to cut its dependence on fossil fuels.

The Indian government has been pushing to boost the adoption of electric vehicles, as it tries to bring down its oil imports and curb pollution so it can meet its commitments as part of the 2015 Paris climate change treaty.

The proposed exemption will apply to all categories of electronic vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, autorickshaws and cars, the government added.


Lamborghini HK starts selling Huracan Avio

HONG KONG: The aviation-themed Lamborghini Huracan Avio is now availabler for booking here. It's a limited edition car based on the LP 610-4 model and only 250 units are available worldwide.

The special edition's name, colours and materials pay tribute to the world of aviation and aeronautics. Priced at nearly HK$4.5mil (RM2.4mil), it comes in a standard body colour of Grigio Falco with a pearlescent finish. If that's not good enough, optional colours with a matte finish are offered - Grigio Vulcano (dark gray), Blu Grifo (blue), Verde Turbine (green) and Grigio Nibbio (light grey).

The Huracán Avio has all the technical specifications that have made the Huracán a success: aspirated 610 HP, 5.2 litre, V10 engine; 7-speed gearbox with double clutch; hybrid chassis in aluminum and carbon fibre; a power/weight ratio of only 2.33 kilograms per hp and breathtaking performance: 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds and a maximum speed of over 325kph.

The interior gets some mild revisions.“L63” logos and white stitching differentiate the Avio from the regular Huracan. Upholstery is also different; seats are covered in a combination black leather with Alcantara that have laser-engraved hexagonal motif.

It comes with new 2016 model year technical features including "cylinder on demand" in combination with "stop start", and a new electronically controlled set-up for further improved driving behaviour.


Covid-19: Audi to hold concert to support efforts against pandemic

                INGOLSTADT: As a sign of solidarity, Audi is taking the opportunity to organise a live streaming concert for all on April 14 at 7.00pm (British Summer Time).

Featuring star violinist and artistic director of the Audi Summer Concerts, Lisa Batiashvili - together with other renowned musicians, the concert will be streamed live from the German carmaker's press shop in the context of its international #AudiTogether campaign.

The concert can be viewed on www.audi.com, https://www.youtube.com/user/Audi, Facebook page @Audi.AG an on Twitter @AudiOffical, www.audimedia.tv and using the Audi MediaTV-App via Smart TV.

Afterwards, the concert will be available as a recording on www.audimedia.tv.

Munich-based Batiashvili will be accompanied on stage by oboist and conductor François Leleux, cellist Maximilian Hornung, violinist Sarah Christian and solo viola player Jano Lisboa.

The programme - presented by Alexander Mazza, will consist of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The press shop, where the concert will be held, is where the brand's bodywork components for its vehicles are produced and was also the venue for previously held concerts in 2012 and 2015.

This time, the concert will have a small group of musicians who will sit directly between the huge presses – without a stage and audience, with only the cameras to capture the moment.

Additionally, the brand with the "four rings" is donating 5.0mil euros to support Germany's and the international humanitarian cause against the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

“In times of social distancing, music is the balm for the soul more than ever. To be separated spatially, and at the same time to be united in experiencing a concert of this kind, reinforces the sense of community. I would like to thank the musicians warmly for making this event possible for our employees, customers and Audi fans,” said Audi AG board member for human resources and organisation Dr Sabine Maaßen.

Once the concert ends, the process of disinfection will begin before production restarts.


YouTube releases most viewed 360 ads of 2016 so far

                SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube has released a list of the most popular ads that use 360 video with Gigi Hadid's collaboration with BMW taking the top spot.

The commercial "Eyes on Gigi Hadid" employs the tried-and-true marketing strategy of putting a beautiful young model beside its cars and engages the viewer to toggle left, right, backwards and forwards in the 360 video that features five speeding BMWs.

The video has racked up more than 5.27 million views since being uploaded April 18.

YouTube's 360 videos offer virtual reality experiences that allows viewers to watch videos from different angles.

The list of top ads represents the top viewed videos of 2016 so far and collectively represents 20 million views.

Brands represented include food, car and sports brands.

Here are the top 10 YouTube Ads Leaderboard: 360 Special Edition, which was unveiled at the international ad festival in France, Cannes Lions:

1. The BMW M2 - Eyes on Gigi Hadid (360° Video)

2. McDonald's: Angry Birds 360 Takeover

3. Discover the 360° world that inspired Filled Cupcake Flavored Oreo Cookies

4. [아이오닉(IONIQ)] 아이오닉 360 VR 영상

5. The 2016 Honda Civic - 360-Degree Music Video Feat. Moses Sumney

6. Nike Football Sunar: Devre Arasi Konuşmasi 360

7. A Walk in Their Shoes | 360 VR Film | AT&T | TOMS

8. Samsung 360° Snowboard & Freeski Experience

9. XFINITY | 360° NASCAR Virtual Reality Experience

10. Jumeirah Inside - 360° YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU8wpH_Lfhmvzdf1_zFHU9WcDBhnYOLdn


SUKE may turn single wide lane ramp into two lanes

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) operators and consultants are reviewing the design to convert the ramp down to the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga) at PGA/Jalan Medan Masria's traffic light into two lanes.

According to a Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) statement, two lanes would help to reduce the queue period and will result in more vehicles being released from the ramp quickly.

"The review will be done together with the concession company of Cheras-Kajang Expressway (CKE) to review the overall traffic light's configuration including one nearby Maktab PDRM (Kuala Lumpur Royal Malaysia Police College) that is also under its jurisdiction,” the statement said.

Additionally, two units of no-right turn signages expected to be installed this week are to be placed 200m from the junction to CKE and one at the said junction, to prevent traffic backlog.

The new slip road, 400m from the St Francis of Assisi Church at 7th mile of Jalan Cheras to Jalan Medan Maria, is partially completed.

The balance 200m in length is expected to be completed by the end of February 2023, according to the statement.


Munich replaces Frankfurt as host of next German motor show

                BERLIN: Munich will host the next edition of Germany's biggest car show IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung), its organiser VDA said Tuesday, as the industry scrambles to rebrand the fair after a poor showing in 2019.

Frankfurt was home to the bi-annual show for almost seven decades, but last year's edition was marked by the absence of several international carmakers, a sharp drop in visitors and prominent anti-car demonstrations staged by ecologists.

"Munich should be the site for an IAA with a fundamentally new concept," the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said in a statement.

Seven cities had put forward their candidacies, including Berlin and Hamburg, but Munich - the home of BMW - prevailed with its quaint "city centre, and highly attractive spaces as event locations".

"As a technology and strong industrial location and as home to numerous high-tech groups, start-ups and research institutes as well as innovative companies in the automotive industry, Munich is an excellent partner for the reorientation of the IAA," said the VDA.

The IAA is held every two years, alternating with a car show in Paris. And like similar events in Geneva and Detroit, organisers have found it increasingly hard to attract exhibitors.

Auto shows are very expensive, and manufacturers are increasingly baulking at the cost, particularly at a time when they are having to plough huge amounts into the development of electric vehicles and other future modes of transport.


Driving with a caravan for the first time? Here's what to watch for

                BERLIN: Practice makes perfect. That holds especially true for driving with a trailer attached, with newbies encouraged to precisely plan out their next road trip and to drive with the utmost caution.

Germany's ADAC compares driving a car with a caravan attached to steering a "small truck trailer" and advises against sporty driving.

Caravan newbies should keep in mind, for example, that passing another car takes longer because the tow vehicle has to make more of an effort than usual when it comes to accelerating and braking.

Besides anticipatory driving, it's also important to accelerate slowly and to brake softly, advises the German automobile club.

Crosswinds are more noticeable with a caravan, as there's more surface area for the wind to strike - this is especially important for unprotected stretches such as over a bridge, or when overtaking a truck or bus. If the caravan starts lurching, the only way that you can guarantee stability is to step on the brakes, says the ADAC.

When planning their routes, caravan drivers should use detours whenever possible, instead of taking long, steep passages - these are difficult for even the most experienced drivers, says the ADAC.


Petrol prices drop further, diesel prices unchanged

                PETALING JAYA: Petrol prices are down for the fourth week of June, while diesel prices stay the same.

RON95 is down by seven sen from RM1.98 per litre to RM1.91, the price of RON97 is down by seven sen from RM2.24 per litre to RM2.17 per litre and the price of diesel remains unchanged at RM1.88 per litre.
The new prices will be in effect starting June 22 until June 28.

The prices were announced on RTM1 and posted on the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry's Twitter account on Wednesday evening.

The weekly fuel pricing mechanism came into effect in April this year.

Prices of petrol and diesel had been placed on a managed monthly float system since Dec 1 2014 following the removal of fuel subsidies.


New aerokit for Porsche 911 Turbo

                ATLANTA (United States): Porsche Exclusive is now offering an Aerokit for the Porsche 911 Turbo models.

This performance package includes a new, distinctive front spoiler and a completely redesigned rear deck lid that has a fixed rear spoiler with side winglets while maintaining the automatically adjusting rear wing.

The expressive front spoiler with side fins and the striking rear fascia add even more character and sportiness to the car's traditional 911 Turbo silhouette.

Along with an attractive look, aerodynamic function was also a top priority during development.

The “Aerokit Turbo” underwent extensive wind tunnel testing and test drives on the test circuit at the Porsche Development Center in Weissach, Germany.

The key goal in its development was to improve driving dynamics by further increasing downforce, while preserving the same coefficient of drag as the standard equipment.

This ensured the proper integration of the flow-optimized Aerokit into the harmoniously balanced overall concept of the high-performance 911 Turbo models.

For example, the aerodynamic components of the "Aerokit Turbo" generate even more downforce at the front and rear axles, which increase driving stability, particularly at high speeds.

Customers can order one of two versions of the "Aerokit Turbo" – in the car's body color or in high-gloss black.

In addition to the Aerokit add-ons, the standard side skirts and rear fascia are also painted.

In the black version, the air intake cover on the rear lid is also painted black to match the retractable rear wing.

The Aerokit will be available on all 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S models worldwide via Porsche Exclusive, or it can be retrofitted by Porsche Tequipment.


Iconic Opel Manta recreated as all-electric Manta GSe ElektroMOD

                FRANKFURT: Vauxhall’s sister brand Opel has brought back the iconic Manta as a one-off all-electric special to celebrate the coupé’s 50th anniversary.

The new Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD reflects the growing trend of transforming classic cars like the Manta into so-called “RestoMods” with modern components and powertrains.

The all-electric Manta GSe is the first electric RestoMod by Opel and combines the classic style of the iconic Manta with the latest electric powertrain for sustainable motoring.

The four-cylinder engine under the black bonnet has been replaced by an electric motor with 108kW (147PS) and 225Nm of torque.

The Manta GSe also comes with the original four-speed gearbox, allowing drivers to manually change gears, or alternatively, engage the fourth gear and drive automatically.

With a 31kWh lithium-ion battery, the Manta GSe has a range of around 200km, and like the current Vauxhall electric range, features regenerative braking to improve range.

Charging takes place through a 9kW on-board charger with a full charge taking just under four hours to complete.

As a one-off special the Manta GSe ElektroMOD has not been subject to WLTP type-approval testing.

The Manta GSe features Vauxhall’s latest design elements, with the brand’s Vizor-styled front end evident immediately.

The Manta GSe comes with a Pixel-Vizor front end that stretches across the entire width of the front, with the Pixel technology allowing it to issue messages, such as “I am on a zero e-mission”, followed by the silhouette of a manta ray gliding over the Pixel-Vizor.

The front end also features LED daylight running lights, while the iconic circular rear lights come with a striking three-dimensional LED design.

The yellow paintwork is contrasted by the signature black bonnet, with the wheel arches housing specially designed 17-inch Ronal alloy wheels with 195/40 R17 tyres at the front, and 205/40 R17 tyres at the rear.

The rear proudly displays the "Manta" in the new Vauxhall lettering, while the chrome fender trims found in the original Manta have now disappeared.

As expected of a modern RestoMod, the interior of the Manta GSe features the latest Vauxhall digital technology. The classic round instruments have been replaced by the Vauxhall Pure Panel, with two driver oriented 12-inch and 10-inch digital displays. The sound system has also been modernised with a new unit from the legendary Marshall brand.

The sports seats come with a yellow centre line and offer improved comfort and support over the originals. The steering wheel is a Petri three-spoke wheel reworked by Opel, and feature a yellow marker in the 12 o’clock position for an added sporty touch.

In addition, surfaces in the cockpit and door panels are now matt grey, which matches the neo-classic’s other yellow and black coloured elements.

The ceiling of the passenger compartment is lined with fine Alcantara® and completes the stylish ambience of the new Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD.

Both Vauxhall and Opel have pledged to offer an electrified variant across their entire model line-up by 2024.


Peugeot reveals new i-Cockpit design

                PARIS: Peugeot has revealed its vision of tomorrow's driving environment with the unveiling of its innovative i-Cockpit that comes with improved comfort and safety with advanced sensory engagement.

The French carmaker's new interior design will be the direction for future models with advanced ergonomics, head-up digital instrument displays and interactive touchscreen technology.

It will feature a new more compact steering wheel, provide greater field of vision, free up more leg room.

The company says that the driver's arms are now closer when holding the steering wheel, reducing the breadth of movement required during manoeuvres, thus making the car more responsive and agile for the driver, with an improved, more relaxed driving position.

The new design further builds on the elevated instrument cluster of the current generation i-Cockpit with a new 12.3-inch high-resolution digital screen replacing the previous analogue display.

It is positioned in the driver’s line of sight and the large screen clearly displays all critical information to drivers within the field of view, enabling more information to be read easier and quicker. This removes the need for drivers to look away from the road, enhancing driving safety.

The company's designers have also developed a bespoke futuristic graphics for drivers and passengers to help further enhance their ‘in-cabin’ experience with a fully customisable display with animations and transitions.

Passengers will also note the new tablet-like 8.0-inch touchscreen in the centre of the instrument panel, which has been further simplified and with increased responsiveness, while featuring 3D navigation on both information screens and real-time traffic information from Tom Tom Traffic.

Other features include voice recognition and commands that allow for hands-free automatic text message management reading, drafting and sending messages as well as Apple CarPlay, Mirrorlink and Android Auto technologies.

Rear seated passengers will note the lack of buttons, choice of high-grade materials, multi-point massage seats and in-built fragrance diffuser with two atmospheric settings such as ‘Boost’ and ‘Relax’.


Man in dangerous motorcycle stunt surrenders himself to police

                KUALA LUMPUR: A man who was caught on a viral video riding a motorcycle with his feet on the handlebar and a packet of drinks in his hand in Jalan Kuching here recently is now in remand.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya said the 36-year-old man surrendered himself at Jalan Bandar traffic police station here on Sunday.

He said the suspect also tested positive for drugs.

"The case is investigated under Section 15(1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ” he said in a brief statement today.


Naza Eastern Motors appointed as Suzuki distributor in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Naza Eastern Motors Sdn Bhd has been appointed the distributor of new Suzuki cars in Malaysia.

The first Suzuki model is set to be launched in Malaysia in April.

In a statement, Naza said the appointment allowed Naza Eastern Motors to sell and provide after-sales service for new generation Suzuki vehicles only.

Naza Corp Holdings group executive chairman/CEO SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said: “It brings us great honour to be able to work with a Japanese automotive giant that successfully captured the hearts of Malaysian consumers during its years in the Malaysian market.

“The team at Naza Eastern Motors is committed to ensure we build on the strong reputation Suzuki has established by providing quality products that are reliable, desirable and cheerful,” he said.

Suzuki Motor Corporation senior managing officer, executive general manager, global automobile marketing Kinji Saito said Suzuki was delighted to return to the Malaysian market with the Naza Group as its distributor.

“Our experience with the Malaysian market has been delightful due to the huge acceptance from our customers, and we greatly appreciate the continued trust for Suzuki. We are looking forward to introducing our latest award-winning cars to these loyal Suzuki fans,” he said.

Suzuki’s first flagship 3S showroom will be located in Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya. Inspired by the Suzuki “Way of Life!” motto, the showroom boasts more than 3,000sqft of space and will welcome customers with a bright and vibrant environment along with some interactive points.


Chile plans to nationalise its vast lithium industry

A view of a brine pool of a lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama desert, Chile. — Reuters
SANTIAGO: Chile's President Gabriel Boric said on Thursday he would nationalise the country's lithium industry, the world's second largest producer of the metal essential in electric vehicle batteries, to boost its economy and protect its environment.

The shock move in the country with the world's largest lithium reserves would in time transfer control of Chile's vast lithium operations from industry giants SQM and Albemarle to a separate state-owned company.

It poses a fresh challenge to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers scrambling to secure battery materials, as more countries look to protect their natural resources. Mexico nationalised its lithium deposits last year, and Indonesia banned exports of nickel ore, a key battery material, in 2020.

Mexico is also working with governments of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile to create a lithium association so the countries, which together account for more than half the world's reserves, can share their expertise to exploit the mineral.

"This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy. We can't afford to waste it," Boric said in an address televised nationwide.

Future lithium contracts would only be issued as public-private partnerships with state control, he said.

An attempt last year to overhaul mining rights faced fierce opposition from the mining sector and was voted down.

The government would not terminate current contracts, but hoped companies would be open to state participation before they expire, he said, without naming Albemarle and SQM, the world's No.1 and No.2 lithium producers respectively.

SQM's contract is set to expire in 2030 and Albemarle's in 2043.

SQM, formally called Sociedad Quimica Y Minera de Chile, and Albemarle supply Tesla Inc, LG Energy Solution Ltd and other EV and battery manufacturers.

Albemarle said the announcement would have "no material impact on our business" and it would continue talks on investing in further growth and using new technologies in Chile.

SQM and China's Tianqi Lithium Corp, the second largest shareholder of SQM, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

South Korean battery maker SK On, which has a long-term supply contract with SQM, said it would monitor the development and respond with a long-term view.

The announcement by Chile helped spark a lithium price rally in Asia in volatile trade on Friday, as it eased market concerns over excess supply triggered by a sharp slowdown this year in EV sales in China, the world's biggest auto market.

The most-traded lithium carbonate futures on the Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange in China jumped 11% after falling nearly 11% earlier on Friday. Spot lithium prices have plunged more than 70% from a November peak.

"When or if battery makers renew their contracts with lithium firms in Chile, contract conditions would likely become more difficult than what they saw in the past when there was no state involvement," said Cho Hyunryul, an analyst at Samsung Securities.

The move is likely to spur a shift in future investment in lithium to other countries including Australia, the world's biggest producer, analysts said.

"Policy stability is very important for any mining project ... Mining-friendly jurisdictions like Australia would be places where incremental funds get invested," said Harsh Bardia, an analyst at National Australia Bank's private wealth arm JBWere.

Boric said state-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, will be tasked to find the best way forward for a state-owned lithium company and he would seek approval from Congress for the plan in the second half of the year.

Congress has been a check on many of Boric's more ambitious proposals and shelved a proposed tax reform bill in early March.

Codelco and state miner Enami will be given exploration and extraction contracts in areas where there are now private projects before the national lithium company is formed.

A division will be dedicated to advancing technology to minimize environmental impacts, including favoring direct lithium extraction over evaporation ponds.

Privately held Summit Nanotech Corp, which is developing direct lithium extraction technology, welcomed the announcement.

Boric said the country would look to protect biodiversity and share mining benefits with indigenous and surrounding communities.

"Today we present a national lithium strategy that's technically solid and ambitious," the president said, adding it would build "a Chile that distributes wealth we all generate in a more just way".


2018 Detroit Auto Show: Nissan Xmotion concept

                DETROIT: The Nissan Xmotion concept is a three-row concept SUV which signals the future of the automaker's design direction.

Making its world debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the six-passenger, three-row Nissan Xmotion (pronounced "cross motion") concept fuses Japanese culture and traditional craftsmanship with American-style utility.

"In the Xmotion concept, we explored the more rugged and powerful side of Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Bold and powerful forms and proportions are, upon closer inspection, contrasted with aspects of traditional Japanese craftsmanship expressed in a contemporary way," said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global design at Nissan Motor Co Ltd.

The visual simplicity of the Xmotion concept exterior is contrasted by the rugged, metal-crafted wheels and all-terrain tire design.

Like the rest of vehicle, the mechanical tool-inspired wheels and all-terrain tires coexist as one piece, with the tire tread physically laminated over the 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Additional exterior features include a retractable "rooftop box" and a unique tail light design inspired by Japanese woodwork.

With its long wheelbase, with wheels and tires pushed out to the extremes of the corners, the Xmotion concept allows for the creation of a fresh, "4+2" passenger layout.

Featuring three rows of side-by-side individual seats, it's designed to provide a perfect space for a young couple, another couple and two children or pets in the third row.

Inside, the Xmotion concept's crafted interior design symbolizes a Japanese landscape, honoring Nissan's roots while incorporating advanced graphic user interfaces and autonomous driving technologies.

The interior itself was created with the imagery of a river on the floor, with the center console acting as a bridge.

The console, the core of the interior design, uses a traditional Japanese architectural wood joinery technique, kanawa tsugi, found in the carpentry used to build religious temples and shrines.

The Xmotion concept's instrument panel design is a modern interpretation of traditional kigumi wood joinery.

By using the kigumi structure in the instrument panel and console, the vehicle's interior suggests a robust bone structure, creating a sense of strength and trust.

The interior includes a total of seven digital screen portions.

Three main displays and left and right end displays span the width of the instrument panel.

There's also a "digital room mirror" in the ceiling and a center console display.

The displays and infotainment system can be controlled by gestures and eye movements.

Intuitive controls and a voice command system allow drivers to focus on driving.


BMW bets fuss over its heated-seat subscriptions will pass

                BERLIN: The auto industry is having its horse armour moment.

BMW has taken flak for weeks after starting to sell owners in certain markets subscriptions to heat their seats.

The backlash has been reminiscent of the initial recoiling in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, when Maryland-based developer Bethesda began squeezing more money out of customers who’d bought the latest version of The Elder Scrolls, one if its most popular series.

Gamers were nonplussed about paying US$2.50 (around RM12) to put unprotective shields on their player’s equine. The phrase horse armour became shorthand for useless or overpriced downloadable content.

Controversial as this was, gamers bought and bought some more. Today, micro-transactions are a staple of the gaming industry, generating billions of dollars of extra revenue and profit.

BMW is betting the maelstrom over its heated-seat subscriptions shall pass.

Some of the fuss had to do with a database mistake in South Korea, where seat-heating is standard in new BMWs and therefore wouldn’t need unlocking.

Drivers there who got the offer to subscribe to the functionality anyway were understandably fuming.

The company apologised, quickly fixed the issue and has clarified that customers in other markets who’ve paid for seat-heating when buying their BMWs won’t have to repay for it.

The automaker will, however, stick with its strategy to offer certain services reliant on hardware built into its vehicles for a fee, a spokesman said.

In the UK, for example, owners can pay £15 (RM81) to warm their bottoms for one month, £150 (RM807) for a year or £250 (RM1,344) for three years. Unlimited seat-heating costs £350 (RM1,882).

BMW sees these sorts of services becoming serious revenue generators, eyeing some €5 billion (RM23bil) in sales this decade from its digital offerings.

And it isn’t alone.

Over-the-air software updates for cars that were pioneered by Tesla years ago hold the promise of a financial relationship with customers extending beyond the point of sale.

Stellantis is targeting €20 billion (RM91bil) of extra revenue from software-driven features in its vehicles by the end of the decade. Volkswagen has been on a software-talent hiring binge and has a pay-as-you-go model in mind.

BMW says its micro-transaction strategy offers greater flexibility.

Customers can activate a feature like seat-heating only during the winter, or upgrade a used BMW that didn’t have the functionality when it was first purchased.

Drivers can also test out offerings in its ConnectedDrive store before deciding to buy them either temporarily or for good. In the future, the carmaker envisions allowing customers to unlock entertainment or higher drivetrain performance, even just for single trips.

"We know from our customers that their mobility demands are not as static as they used to be,” BMW spokesman Torsten Julich said.

That may be so, but the bad press BMW has gotten nevertheless shows the perils of presenting new digital services without careful explanation.

The company has been through this before, getting grief for briefly offering Apple’s CarPlay on a subscription basis in 2019 before backing off. It was skewered last year merely for evaluating the heated seat as a service idea, then went ahead with it anyway.

Tesla hasn’t been perfect, having charged hefty amounts for driver-assistance features that haven’t lived up to their billing. But the electric-car maker has gotten a lot right in this domain.

Owners routinely turn on their car to find it was updated for free since they last slipped into the driver’s seat.

Some of these features have been silly — fart noises, for example — but others have seriously enhanced performance.

When Amazon increases the price of a Prime membership, it largely doesn’t faze consumers because the company is constantly adding new movies, music, e-books and more.

It’s clear BMW and its peers have more to learn about what customers are willing to pay for, and what they should get for free after having made what is typically a consumer’s the second-most costly purchase, after a home.


German court halts criminal proceedings against ex-VW CEO Winterkorn

File pic of Winterkorn. — AFP
BERLIN: A German court in Braunschweig, Germany, said today it had halted criminal proceedings against former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn for alleged market manipulation as part of the carmaker’s emissions scandal.

The court said it had decided to discontinue the proceedings as the expected sentence in another case, in which Winterkorn faces charges for his role in allowing diesel cars with excessive pollution levels to hit the road, was higher.

“In this context, the conviction for market manipulation would not lead to a significant increase in the overall sentence,” the court said in a statement.

The court opened proceedings in September examining whether Winterkorn was guilty of failing to inform investors adequately about the extent of the emissions fraud.


Bermaz warns of tough year ahead after weak Q1

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Motors Bhd, the distributor of Mazda cars in Malaysia, sees a challenging year ahead for the company after a steep drop in quarterly profits in the three months ended July 31.

"Although the sales tax reliefs and aggressive promotional campaigns by the Group have produced encouraging results for the Malaysian operations, the group is nevertheless still cautious of the post Covid-19 pandemic impacts on the overall Malaysian economy and expects the automotive sector to remain challenging in 2020," it said.

"Hence, any launch of new and/or new facelifts Mazda models will be dependent on market sentiments and the evolving economic conditions going forward," Bermaz said in a statement today.

The company announced today an 81% drop in first quarter net profit to RM9.2mil compared with RM50.5mil made a year ago.

Revenue declined to RM449mil from RM535mil previously.

The decline in profit was largely due to lower profit contribution from the domestic operations, and share of loss contribution from one of its associated companies, Mazda Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

"The lower profit contribution from the domestic operations was mainly attributed to lower unit sales and lower gross margin arising from aggressive promotional campaigns such as the free 6 years warranty and 6 years free maintenance to boost sales," it said.

"The negative contribution from MMSB was mainly due to the significant drop in unit sales with minimal orders from both the domestic and export markets during the Movement Control Order (MCO) and CMCO periods."


White House rumoured to be moving forward to strip California of vehicle authority

                WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle greenhouse gas standards and declare that states are pre-empted from setting their own vehicle rules, three people briefed on the matter said on Thursday.

President Donald Trump met with senior officials on Thursday at the White House to discuss the administration’s plan to divide its August 2018 proposal to rollback Obama era standards through 2025 and revoke California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act to set state requirements for vehicles, the people said.

The meeting included Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and acting Office and Management and Budget director Russell Vought, the sources said.

The White House and the agencies declined to comment.

On Tuesday, Wheeler told reporters the administration had not made a final decision to divide the rule into two parts.

Following the meeting, sources said the administration plans to move ahead in coming weeks to divide the final regulation and finalize first the portion dealing with preempting states before issuing the new yearly standards.

The EPA in August 2018 proposed revoking a waiver granted to California in 2013 under the Clean Air Act as part of the Trump administration’s plan to roll back Obama-era fuel economy standards.

Under Trump, federal regulators backed freezing emissions requirements for new cars and trucks at 2020 levels through 2026. Administration officials say its final regulation will include a modest boost in annual efficiency requirements but far less than what the Obama administration set in 2012.

The Obama-era rules called for a fleetwide fuel efficiency average of 46.7 mpg by 2025, with average annual increases of about 5%, compared with 37 mpg by 2026 under the Trump administration’s preferred option to freeze requirements.

Last week, Reuters and other news outlets reported the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether the decision of four automakers in July to reach a voluntary agreement with California to adopt state emissions standards violated antitrust law.

Ford Motor Co, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG and Honda Motor Co struck a deal to adopt standards that were lower than Obama-era rules but higher than the Trump administration’s 2018 proposal.

California and other states had vowed to enforce stricter Obama-era emissions standards, after Trump proposed rolling back the federal rules. Automakers worry that court battles between state and federal governments could create years of uncertainty.


Lexus LS flagship sedan to debut in Detroit

                DETROIT: The all-new, fifth-generation Lexus LS flagship sedan will make its world debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show or Detroit Auto Show next month.

The introduction of the LS 400 in 1989 in Detroit made automotive history.

Not only did the vehicle make its mark by offering the drive performance, quietness, and luxury that consumers expected from a premium vehicle, its unveiling heralded the birth of the Lexus brand.

Now, 28 years later, the all-new LS sedan will boast a bold new look with a coupe-like silhouette without compromising roominess, visionary technology, and will be built on an extended version of the company's all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L) premium rear-wheel drive platform ― shared with the LC ― for a more dynamic experience on the road.


Volkswagen to pay €237mil for Audi buyout

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen will pay a 48% premium to buy out the minority shareholders of premium division Audi, Audi said on Tuesday.

Volkswagen, which already holds 99.64% of Audi, announced the squeeze-out plans in February.

“Volkswagen AG announced and specified that it has set the cash settlement to be paid to the minority shareholders in return for the transfer of their shares at €1,551.53 (RM7,481) per Audi AG share,” the carmaker said.

This compares with a share price of €1,050 (RM5,063) apiece on Tuesday and amounts to a purchase price of €237 million (RM1.14bil) for the 152,749 outstanding Audi shares, according to Refinitiv data.

The transfer will be passed at Audi’s next annual general meeting, which the carmaker said is expected to take place in July or August.


Seven-Eleven and Toyota working towards reducing emissions

                TOKYO: Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. (Seven-Eleven) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today details of a joint project to reduce CO2 emissions.

Seven-Eleven and Toyota entered into a basic agreement in August 2017 regarding considerations toward energy conservation and carbon dioxide emission reduction in store distribution and operation.

Toyota has been investigating the use of newly developed fuel cell trucks and fuel cell generators, and the project will be implemented in stages starting in 2019.

The project aims to introduce technologies and systems developed by Toyota in Seven-Eleven store operation and distribution, reducing CO2 emissions.

Stationary fuel cell generators (FC generators) and rechargeable batteries will be introduced at stores, managed centrally by building energy management systems (BEMS), raising the proportion of renewable energy and electric power derived from hydrogen used.

A newly developed small fuel cell truck (small FC truck) will be introduced in the distribution process, aiming to achieve zero emissions of substances of concern including CO2.


BMW reveals details of 8 Series Concept

                MUNICH: The BMW 8 Series Coupe is coming and the Concept 8 Series is a foretaste of what to expect.

The study car, to be unveiled at Italian concourse Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este today, will serve as a preview of the actual car, slated for launch in 2018.

BMW touts the 8 Series Coupe as setting new benchmarks in the luxury coupe segment, also populated by the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.

The exterior displays new design ideas and form-building techniques for a driver’s car. The design provides a new interpretation of the iconic BMW styling cues, with a new approach to the use of forms that are reflected in the car’s surfacing. A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car’s volumes are sculpted to evoke power.

Expansive surfaces set within a sporting outline define the flanks. The silhouette of the concept car spreads low and powerfully over the road. The interplay of a long bonnet and flowing roofline bring allure to the car’s flanks, while the striking upward sweep of the concept’s trailing edge provides a crisp finish to the car’s rearward flow and adds another sporting flourish.

Within the car’s silhouette, the clean yet dramatic arrangement of surfaces and forms catches the eye and creates a crisp, modern look. The sharply drawn lines coursing over taut volumes represent a visual promise of the dynamic driving experience that awaits.

A look at the details reveals two expressively styled character lines providing the border for surfacing that appears to be formed by air rushing out of the Air Breathers. Further back, the eye is guided to the pronounced flaring above the rear wheels. The flanks as a whole draw attention to a new aspect of BMW’s expertise in the execution of surfaces.

Skilfully moulded line sources and flowing highlights accentuate the athletic contours of the concept car. The car gets a special exterior paint finish Barcelona Grey Liquid – a greyish-blue with iridescent pigments – shows off the surfacing to optimum effect. Large (21-inch) light-alloy wheels feature a sporty and exclusive multi-spoke design and aero elements, generate visual depth and set the seal of the compelling appearance of the car when viewed in profile.

A large kidney grille, slim twin headlights and large air intakes form a striking, sporty front-end graphic. The classic BMW template has a fresh interpretation here, taking the company’s design language in a different direction. For example, the two kidneys are very low to the road and spread broadly across the front end.

Taking inspiration from BMW coupes of years past, the kidneys are brought together by an unbroken frame to form a single large element. The grille widens as it extends downwards, emphasising the dynamic character of the concept car. Bringing a focused look to the front end are slim laser headlights.

The large side air intakes in the front apron intensify the car’s wide, sporting stance on the road, underlined by carbon-fibre element between them.

Emotional surfacing also dominates at the rear of the car, creating a low, highly sculpted tail. The rear is defined by the interplay between volumes and lines, which extend around from the flanks and shape the rear section of the car. The powerful wheel arches hint at the car’s dynamic talents and advertise its rear-wheel drive. And the tapering of the passenger cell and the car’s wide track shine a spotlight on this area of the car.

The slim, stretched-out rear lights extend far into the sides of the car and provide a connection between the rear and flanks. The lights themselves take the form of L-shaped blades and project out from the rear. They emphasise the width of the car and its muscular stance on the road, and their slender form gives the rear a sporty and modern flavour.

The dark, stylised carbon-fibre diffuser in the lower section of the rear apron adds extra lightness and a sportier feel to the rear graphic. Large, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes frame the rear section and point to the dynamic driving experience to come.

The interior focuses on the essential: the task of driving. Once behind the wheel, the driver is wrapped in the tightly enclosed ambience typical of sports cars. The surfaces and lines all gravitate forwards and underscore the dynamic driving experience. The grouping of functions into control clusters, e.g. in the centre stack, the centre console and the doors, gives the interior a clear graphic structure.

Among the standout design elements in the interior are the fluid transition from the instrument panel into the doors and the sporty, enveloping feel of the interior. This impression is magnified by the smooth connection between the centre console and instrument panel, which together form the nucleus of the interior. The high centre console and the instrument panel’s low visual focus add further emphasis to the snug and sporty feeling of space.

The interior of the BMW Concept 8 Series explores the contrasts between emotion and engineering, dynamic flair and luxury; its form suggests supreme sportiness, while exquisite materials exude exclusivity and high-grade design.

For example, all of the driver’s contact points with the car are brimming with sporting accents. The exclusive sports seats are slim in design, the carbon-fibre shell providing the basic structure and the finest leather making them the perfect place to sit. The steering wheel continues along similar lines, its hand-polished aluminium spokes arrowing forward purposefully, and the red-anodised shift paddles bring the race track to mind. The contrast of aluminium and dark leather on the gripping surfaces emphasises this luxurious sense of sportiness.

Merino leather in Dark Brown and Fjord White lends the interior a high-quality ambience. Accent surfaces in carbon fibre and hand-polished aluminium create deliberate contrasts and radiate a sporty and technical feel. Plus, a faceted ground gearshift lever and the iDrive Controller made from Swarovski glass with a smoky quartz look treat the interior to some modern and classy finishing touches.

“The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine,” said BMW Group Design senior vice president Adrian van Hooydonk. “It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it’s a slice of pure automotive fascination.”


Trump threatens German carmakers with 35% US import tariff

The BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
FRANKFURT/BERLIN: US President-elect Donald Trump warned German car companies he would impose a border tax of 35 percent on vehicles imported to the US market, a plan that drew sharp rebukes from Berlin.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, published on Monday, Trump criticised BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen for failing to produce more cars on US soil.

"If you want to build cars in the world, then I wish you all the best. You can build cars for the United States, but for every car that comes to the USA, you will pay 35 percent tax," Trump said in remarks translated into German.

"I would tell BMW that if you are building a factory in Mexico and plan to sell cars to the USA, without a 35 percent tax, then you can forget that," Trump said.

Under pressure to deliver on campaign promises to revive US industrial jobs, Trump has turned his fire on carmakers that use low-cost Mexican plants to serve the US market. He has also warned Japan's Toyota it could be subject to a "big border tax" if it builds its Corolla cars for the US market at a planned factory in Mexico.

All three German carmakers have invested heavily in Mexico, but also pointed out on Monday that they manufacture in the United States as well.

BMW executive Peter Schwarzenbauer told reporters the company was sticking to plans to invest around US$1 billion in a new plant in Mexico, which is due to go into production in 2019 and create at least 1,500 jobs.

 Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance in September 2015 broke ground for their joint-venture manufacturing complex COMPAS in Aguascalientes in central Mexico.

"The president's powers are considerable. He can legally impose tariffs of up to 15 percent for 150 days. Trump is not constrained by Congress," said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade at Switzerland's University of St Gallen.

"Even if foreign companies object and seek to challenge the legality of tariffs, it will take at least 18 months to get decided. Corporate strategies will be disrupted by then."

While investing in Mexico, German carmakers have quadrupled light vehicle production in the United States over the past seven years to 850,000 units, more than half of which are exported from there, Germany's VDA automotive industry association said.

"In the long term, the United States would be shooting itself in the foot by imposing tariffs or other trade barriers," VDA president Matthias Wissmann said in a statement.

German carmakers employ about 33,000 workers in the United States and German automotive suppliers about 77,000 more, the VDA said.

Speaking in tabloid newspaper Bild, German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that rather than trying to penalise German carmakers, the United States should instead respond by building better and more desirable cars.

Norbert Roettgen, head of Germany's foreign affairs committee, said Berlin needed to take Trump's comments seriously. "He seems to be absolutely focused on short-term job interests and security interests ... not that he is looking for free trade so much, but more for protection," he said.

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz and BMW already have sizeable factories in the United States where they build higher-margin sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for export to Asia and Europe.

Around 65 percent of BMW's production from its factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina is exported overseas. BMW builds the X3, X4, X5 and X6 models in the United States.

"It is surprising that Trump singles out the carmaker that exports more vehicles from the United States than any other manufacturer," Evercore ISI analysts said.

A BMW spokeswoman said the planned plant in the central Mexican city of San Luis Potosi would build the BMW 3 Series from 2019, with the output intended for the world market. The plant would be an addition to existing 3 Series production facilities in Germany and China.

In June last year, BMW broke ground on the plant, pledging to invest US$2.2 billion in Mexico by 2019 for annual production of 150,000 cars.

Daimler has said it plans to begin assembling Mercedes-Benz vehicles in 2018 from a US$1 billion facility shared with Renault-Nissan in Aguascalientes in Mexico. A spokesman for Daimler declined to comment on Trump's remarks.

Last year, VW's Audi division inaugurated a US$1.3 billion production facility with 150,000 vehicle production capacity near Puebla, Mexico. Audi said it would build electric and petrol Q5 SUVs in Mexico.

Audi declined to comment on Monday. VW also declined to comment on Trump's remarks but noted it was investing another US$900 million in its US plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Trump called Germany a great car producer, saying Mercedes-Benz cars were a frequent sight in New York, but claimed there was not enough reciprocity. Germans were not buying Chevrolets at the same rate, he said, calling the business relationship an unfair one-way street.


Hyundai makes U-turn on Genesis retail network

The 2018 Genesis G70.
LOS ANGELES: Hyundai has just changed its mind about who will be retailing its Genesis luxury offshoot brand – again.

Depending on your point of view, a business making a U-turn on a major policy can either be seen as a sign of a company ready to adjust to a quick-moving market, or as a signal that it's not entirely clear about its approach. It remains to be seen which applies to the South Korean brand.

As recently as January it was announced Genesis would be launching an entirely separate retail network made up of around a hundred retail stores in 48 different markets, and these sites would be concentrated in urban areas thought to be particularly friendly to a luxury brand.

In the chosen markets, Hyundai's elite-level dealers would be given the first opportunity to acquire a Genesis franchise. This would have inevitably resulted in the vast majority of Hyundai dealers losing their right to supply Genesis product as they wouldn't be invited to join the proposed new network.

Last week however, Genesis General Manager Erwin Raphael assured Hyundai's dealer council that the opportunity to sell the brand would now be offered to all Hyundai dealers in the United States, in what appears to be a reversal.

 The G90.

This shift in policy doesn't mean that all Hyundai dealers will be able to sell Genesis models by any means though. Genesis is no longer confining itself to the 48-market plan, and a spokesman for the company also admitted the Genesis network may be made up of more than the originally planned 100 stores. It now appears all Hyundai dealerships will be able to apply to become Genesis dealerships.

Any Hyundai dealers who remain or now become Genesis dealers will have to agree to and sign new or separate franchise agreements. What does remain of the previous plan is that all Genesis dealers will have to have retail and service facilities separate to those for Hyundai.

It's certainly not uncommon for manufacturers to do this sort of thing. Ford only allows certain selected European dealers to sell the Mustang since its introduction in 2016 who have separate showrooms.

Hyundai obviously wants to differentiate its luxury Genesis brand from its mass-market Hyundai models by not allowing them to be sold alongside each other in the same facility. But going too far risks a lack of exposure for its new models, which don't currently have the prestige of rival brands such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.

In Europe, Genesis is still a model sold by dealers as part of the Hyundai brand. As sales have been modest, it remains to be seen if Genesis is ever launched as a separate brand in Europe.


Lotus launches new e-commerce site for parts, accessories and merchandise

                LONDON: Lotus has unveiled a new online retail platform, offering thousands of parts, accessories and consumables for sale.

The items available to buy stretches back to 1981 and the era of the Esprit and Excel, to the more recent Elise, Exige and Evora. All components are either original from period or made to OEM specifications.

Lotus estimates that up to 70% of its cars are still on the road worldwide, with many being used regularly.

The e-commerce site was set up to support such owners and help them keep their cars running.

Lotus said to ensure that the right part is selected, a comprehensive search tool is located on the landing page, including the Lotus model, year, driveline and trim level. Further assistance can be found via the official Lotus parts manuals, also available for purchase on the platform.

In addition, the site includes the full range of contemporary Lotus lifestyle merchandise, clothing and accessories. Legacy items, such as period keyrings and car covers for older Lotus cars, are also available.

Aimed initially at UK customers, they can either collect from, or choose direct delivery from, their local retailer agent.


China's BAIC buys 5% stake in Daimler to boost partnership

Xu Heyi.
FRANKFURT: Daimler AG’s Chinese partner for over a decade, Beijing Automotive Group Co., is buying a 2.5 billion euros stake in the Mercedes-Benz maker, cementing ties between the two companies and extending China’s influence at one of Germany’s top industrial icons.

Beijing municipal government-backed BAIC has acquired a 2.5% holding and the right for an additional 2.5% stake.

Together with Daimler’s biggest shareholder - Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.’s billionaire owner Li Shufu - the transaction would take Chinese ownership in the world’s biggest luxury-car maker to almost 15 percent.

"This step reinforces our successful partnership and is a signal of trust in the strategy and future potential of our company,” Daimler chief executive officer Ola Kallenius said.

Daimler shares rose as much as 4% in Frankfurt trading, after declining 15% in the past 12 months.

The company has come under pressure from four profit warnings in just over a year after markets weakened and the carmaker increased provisions for charges including for fallout from investigations into alleged tampering of diesel emissions in its vehicles.

A state-backed Chinese shareholder at one of Germany’s top automotive companies could stir concerns about influence amid a raging trade war that has left global shipments of cars at the mercy of tit-for-tat tariff measures.

China and the US are the two largest markets for Daimler’s main Mercedes-Benz cars unit.

BAIC’s transaction also leaves opens the question whether Daimler and BAIC would re-organise their joint venture in China after restrictions for foreign investors in the world’s largest auto market eased.

"Despite all joy about long-term anchor shareholders: we still want to see the Mercedes star and not the Chinese dragon on the hood,” Ingo Speich from Deka Investment GmbH said at Daimler’s annual meeting in May.

Deka, which represents some 9 million Daimler shares, is against granting BAIC or Geely a seat on the company’s supervisory board due to potential conflict of interest.

Mixed results

Chinese investments in German companies have had a mixed record.

HNA Group Co. plans to divest its stake in Deutsche Bank AG after becoming the ailing bank’s top investor, marking the unwinding of one of the most high-profile investments made during a multi-year acquisition spree.

Last year, Germany blocked a Chinese investor from buying machine tool manufacturer Leifeld Metal Spinning AG after a public backlash over acquisitions by Chinese corporations -- such as the Midea Group’s purchase of robot maker Kuka AG in 2016.

"It has been our intention to strengthen our alliance with Daimler through an investment,” said Heyi Xu, chairman of BAIC. "This step reinforces our alignment with, and strong support for, Daimler’s management and strategy.”

China’s carmakers are taking steps to expand globally to lessen their reliance on their home market, which is slumping for the first time in a generation.

For BAIC, maintaining ties with Daimler is strategically important as its joint venture with Hyundai Motor Co. has been struggling and its own domestic brands are burning cash as the trade spat with the US is weighing on demand for new vehicles.

Cooperation with Western brands gives the Chinese companies potential access to technical expertise and instant credibility as they seek to win over consumers in Europe and the US.

"Run by politically-minded management, BAIC is comfortably the lowest quality company under our coverage,” Sanford Bernstein analyst Robin Zhu said in a recent note to clients. With growth slowing and margins squeezed "we’d expect the company’s problems to look increasingly exposed,” he said.

While BAIC is a government-controlled entity, it’s supervised by the Beijing branch of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and doesn’t belong to a group of central state-owned enterprises.

Geely ties

Daimler is exploring additional cooperation projects with Geely, former CEO Dieter Zetsche said at the company’s annual general meeting in May and sought to allay concerns about potential conflicts with BAIC.

His successor Kallenius told reporters that month he welcomes long-term shareholders who back Daimler’s strategy.
Geely declined to comment on the deal, saying the Chinese company is committed to a long-term investment in Daimler.

Li has sought to harvest synergies from his investments, which include Sweden’s Volvo Cars to improve Geely’s product lineup and move to higher-end models. Geely formed a joint venture with Daimler to transform the German company’s diminutive Smart into an all-electric brand based in China.

Since 2003, BAIC and Daimler have set up a number of cooperations in China, including the joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Company that produces premium cars in the world’s biggest car market, as well as separate entities that make vans and trucks.

Passenger-car sales will probably drop 5% in 2019 in China, researcher LMC Automotive estimated last month as it lowered its outlook for the market for the coming years.

German auto-parts maker Continental AG cut its profit forecast Monday. While China’s car retail sales rose in June - the first increase in a year - the gains were helped by heavy discounting and a sustained recovery is far from certain as trade tensions simmer and the economy sputters.


China's elevated bus that travels over cars completes first road test

                BEIJING: This is a brilliant idea if it works reliably and economically. The transit elevated bus, TEB-1, is 22 metres long, the width of two traffic lanes, and is designed to travel over cars that are less than half its height.

Though the congestion-beating concept vehicle defies convention, a first road test took place on Tuesday in Qinhuangdao, north China, according to state press agency Xinhua News Agency.

The city-based road test took place under controlled conditions; it evaluated braking, drag, and power consumption, Xinhua said.

The TEB was first introduced at the Beijing International High-Tech Expo in 2010, with a scale model demonstrated at the same event earlier this year.

As an electric-powered, lane-straddling vehicle, the TEB-1 runs on fixed rails but is intended to ease traffic congestion by allowing other, smaller vehicles to pass underneath it and vice versa.


Hyundai confident on flying cars, steps up plans for full lineup

The Hyundai S-A1 electric Urban Air Mobility concept.
SEOUL: South Korea’s biggest automaker is stepping up its pursuit of flying cars, planning a full lineup of aerial vehicles that it envisages zigzagging city skies within a decade.

Hyundai Motor Group is developing models that will carry five or six people within metropolitan areas and a bigger version to fly between cities, Jaiwon Shin, head of its urban air mobility unit, said in an interview. The company expects to enter the market in 2028, he said.

“People who are always stuck in traffic on the road will realise how convenient it is to move via aerial vehicles,” said Shin, 61. “That is when we will see demand explode.”

Unfazed by regulatory and safety hurdles, a slew of planemakers, auto manufacturers and startups are seeking to disrupt the transport industry with flying cars and parcel-hauling drones.

Morgan Stanley analysts, in their most bullish estimates, predict such technology could lead to a US$2.9 trillion industry by 2040 - and even their most pessimistic view pegs the value at US$615 billion.

Hyundai showcased its flying-car concept, developed with Uber Technologies Inc., at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early this year. The company sees pilots from service providers such as Uber initially flying the vehicles, before they become autonomous around 2035.

Over the coming years, the industry and regulators need to tackle questions such as what kind of a pilot license is required and how to eliminate or minimise the probability of accidents. New rules and infrastructure is required to ensure the vehicles don’t interfere with plane and helicopter traffic.

Shin said some flying cars may debut as early as 2023, but Hyundai is targeting 2028, when more infrastructure has been built and public awareness is higher.

To attract early customers, Hyundai is trying to reduce the vehicles’ cost and noise level, while keeping safety as a key focus, he said.

Besides people carriers, Hyundai is working on a variant meant for hauling goods, with a capacity of as much as 300 kilos, Shin said. The company hasn’t decided where to build or first introduce its aerial vehicles.

Airbus SE, Boeing Co. and startups such as Lilium are among the competition. Vahana, the self-piloting air taxi developed by A3, Airbus’s tech-centric Silicon Valley outpost, completed its first test flight in 2018 and Boeing’s prototype made its maiden flight in January last year.

XPeng Inc., a Chinese electric-car maker, last month unveiled a prototype that can carry two people and levitate at up to 25 metres.

Hyundai benefits from having a global sales network and units that can provide services and help build out infrastructure for an aerial-vehicle ecosystem, Shin said. The group’s businesses include carmaking, auto parts, construction, and logistics.

“Having all these resources available will help open markets for us,” Shin said. “We’re different from other developers that look at only one aspect of the business.”

Automakers also have an edge over planemakers because of their mass-production expertise, Shin said.

Typically, Airbus and Boeing each deliver fewer than 1,000 aircraft a year, while carmakers can make millions. Production of aerial vehicles is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands, he said.

“We don’t want to be the first to the market,” Shin said. “We want to be the first with the right product.”


Waymo to set up pseudo city for testing autonomous vehicles

                SAN FRANCISCO: Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Google's parent company Alphabet, plans to reproduce real-world city driving conditions in an artificial environment built in Ohio, USA.

This fake city will be used to test autonomous vehicles - driverless cars and trucks - in a variety of urban scenarios.

The project is being built in collaboration with the Transportation Research Center (TRC) on a site situated near East Liberty, Ohio. As well as carrying out driving simulations adapted to the city and the road, Waymo also plans to use the new facility to test its vehicles in all kinds of weather conditions, including snow.

The new site will take the form of a veritable technology campus, and it won't be Waymo's only one. The Alphabet subsidiary is also in the final stages of building another site, for research and development, in Menlo Park, California.

Waymo (which started out as a Google Lab X venture) has been working on autonomous mobility for more than 10 years. Currently, the company is testing self-driving vehicles (cars, taxis and trucks) in the states where this is authorized - namely Arizona, as well as California and Nevada.

Waymo has already put self-driving taxis on the streets of Phoenix, with the reassuring result of no serious accidents in two years, just 18 minor incidents, most caused by third parties (other vehicles, pedestrians).