New KIA Sportage 2.0 EX launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza KIA Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has a new variant of the petrol-powered Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle (SUV) - meet the Sportage 2.0 EX that's priced at RM129,888 (on-the-road without insurance).

The new variant now goes on sale alongside the Sportage GT Diesel AWD, while the Sportage GT Petrol 2WD and Sportage KX has been discontinued with immediate effect.

Accompanying the new variant is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as five colour choices of Cherry Black, Mercury Blue, Fiery Red, Snow White Pearl and Mineral Silver.

The Kia Sportage 2.0 EX now dons a fresh new design with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensor and auto folding side mirrors with side repeater, headlamps with LED daytime running lights and Kia’s hallmark Tiger-nose grille by Peter Schreyer.

The sporty SUV comes with keyless entry, push start button, fully-automatic climate controls, a new and larger 7.0-inch (+2.0-inches) touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as an auto-dimming Electrochromic rear view mirror.

In terms of safety, there's six airbags, anti-lock brake system, electronic stability control, vehicle stability control and hill-start assist control - all within an Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) body structure that helped it achieve a full five-star rating from the Eupoean New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).


China's recyclers eye looming electric vehicle battery mountain

Batteries for electric vehicles are manufactured at a factory in Dongguan, China September 20, 2017. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: After years of dismantling discarded televisions and laptops, a Shanghai recycling plant is readying itself for a new wave of waste: piles of exhausted batteries from the surge of electric vehicles hitting China’s streets.

The plant has secured licenses and is undergoing upgrades to handle a fast-growing mountain of battery waste, said Li Yingzhe, a manager at the facility, run by the state-owned Shanghai Jinqiao Group. “We believe there will be so much growth in the number of electric vehicles in the future,” he said.

Shanghai Jinqiao will be entering a market that includes Chinese companies like Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium and GEM Co. Ltd, whose share prices have risen as they invest in battery recycling facilities of their own. That confidence comes even as companies face considerable hurdles launching battery recycling businesses, including high operating costs.

The growth of China’s electric vehicle industry - and the ambitions of recycling companies - is underpinned by a government drive to eventually phase out gasoline-burning cars, part of a broader effort to improve urban air quality and ease a reliance on overseas oil.

 Batteries for electric vehicles at the Dongguan plant. - Reuters

Led by companies like BYD and Geely, sales of electric vehicles in China reached 507,000 in 2016, up 53 percent over the previous year. The government is targeting sales of 2 million a year by 2020 and 7 million five years later, amounting to a fifth of total car production by 2025.

According to the International Energy Agency, China accounted for more than 40 percent of global electric car sales in 2016, followed by the European Union and the United States. It also overtook the United States as the market with the greatest number of electric vehicles.

Production in China of the lithium batteries that power those cars has also soared. In the first eight months of 2017, Chinese manufacturers produced 6.7 billion batteries, up 51 percent from the year-earlier period, according to industry ministry data.

All that activity could put China in pole position for dominating the global electric car industry, as well as related businesses like batteries and recycling.

China began promoting electric vehicles in 2009, and as the first of those cars reach the end of their lifespan, lithium battery waste could be as much as 170,000 tonnes next year, industry experts estimate. The figure is likely to keep multiplying in tandem with car sales.

Dealing with all that waste poses huge problems for China. Lithium batteries are not yet classified as hazardous waste and are therefore not subject to stringent disposal controls. Battery waste includes heavy metals like cobalt and nickel, as well as toxic residues that could end up in waterways and the soil if not handled properly.

Despite the challenges, battery waste also represents a significant opportunity for the country’s growing recycling industry.

The China Automobile Innovation Centre, an industry think tank, estimates the recycling market could be worth 31 billion yuan (RM19.8bil) by 2023.

Wang Chuanfu, president of BYD Co Ltd, China’s leading electric carmaker, last month described the lithium, copper and cobalt extracted from spent batteries as “treasures”.

Larger companies with high-tech recycling operations are already reaping the benefits, including Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium , Sinolink Securities, a local brokerage, said in a note to investors. The company’s share price has surged more than 200 percent this year.

Sinolink also cited GEM , a self-proclaimed “urban miner” that runs China’s largest automated battery dismantling facility in Shenzhen. GEM’s shares have risen more than 60 percent since January.

Still, the industry faces numerous obstacles. Recycling lithium batteries can be prohibitively expensive for many companies. And the industry has yet to agree on the standardization necessary to handle spent batteries more profitably and in big numbers.

Some executives also say China is not doing enough to encourage the industry with subsidies and enforce existing environmental regulations.

“Speeding up the recycling of lithium batteries is a matter of urgency, and has become a major issue for the development of the new energy vehicle industry,” Zhang Tianren, chairman of the battery maker Tianneng Power, wrote in a proposal submitted to China’s parliament in March.

The commercial viability of the sector has been undermined by soaring waste treatment costs, as well as high taxes, Tianwei’s Zhang said.

In his paper, Zhang cited one recycling company as saying that the value of materials extracted from one tonne of lithium-iron-phospate battery waste stood at 8,110 yuan (RM5,174), but the cost of recycling them would be 8,540 yuan (RM5,448).

Automating the recycling process in China was another major challenge due to a lack of standardized product designs, said Zhang.

Automation was also being held back by poor equipment and technology, especially among smaller producers, Xiao Hai, chief engineer with the Shenzhen-based Clou Electronics, a company that develops new energy products, said at an energy conference in August.

The government, meanwhile, is trying to transform the country’s recycling system into a high-tech regulated industry.

Large-scale battery makers are being pressed to establish their own recycling facilities, and polluting backyard recyclers have been forced to close.

China’s industry ministry last year urged the sector to introduce standardized designs and raise technology to “international” levels by 2020. It plans to publish comprehensive new battery recycling rules before the end of the year.

But Tianneng’s Zhang said regulators were not enforcing policies and penalizing unqualified companies.

“Because policies are not enforced and there is no clear incentive mechanism, lithium battery recycling is not profitable,” he said.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which regulates electric cars, did not respond to faxed requests for comment. The Ministry of Environmental Protection also did not respond.

Battery companies have for the moment been bearing much of the cost of recycling. While carmakers are technically liable for recycling batteries, in practice they sign deals with suppliers to recycle batteries on their behalf.

Green Cheng, chief executive of Shenzhen Cham Battery Technology Co. Ltd, said that recycling was a strain on the resources of battery makers.

Shenzhen Cham churns out 300,000 lithium batteries a day at its factory in Dongguan, in southern China, and lists Geely, the automaker, among its partners. The company has to pay a recycling company to dispose of batteries.

“If manufacturers like us are going to be responsible, then the government definitely needs to provide funds to support us,” he said.


Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ arrives from RM999K

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with Mercedes-AMG 50 years anniversary and the last Formula 1 race in Sepang, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia presents the most powerful E-Class of all time - the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+.

Priced on-the-road with GST without insurance at RM998,888, the performance-oriented executive sedan's front end now features a new radiator grille with twin louvres in silver chrome, vertical black struts, "AMG" lettering and a front splitter for the jet wing-inspired front apron.

So far two units have been brought into the country and both have already been spoken for...about six months ago.

For the first time, this bruiser of an E-Class comes with powerdomes that flank the hood and is inset between the flared wings and bumper much like a coupe's.

The front axle is also 27mm-wider than standard for the enlarged wheel arches to accommodate the wider track and 20-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels with 265/35 (front) and 295/30 (rear) tyres.

Also, two louvres in the outer cooling-air intakes help direct air towards the wheel arch coolers.

Just aft of the front wheels are the arrow-shaped wing signet in silver chrome bearing the three-dimensional "V8 BITURBO 4MATIC" lettering.

At the rear there's a lip spoiler for the 540-litre boot, a faux-diffuser insert and gloss-black finishing for the selectable sports exhaust system. Get the Night Package and a trim strip will be added to the rear apron.

Thanks to the 'S' in its nomenclature, the 4.0-litre (3,982cc) bi-turbo V8 engine with dynamic engine mounts pumps out 612hp from 5,750 to 6,500rpm and 850Nm from 2,500 to 4,500rpm. The non-S variant only has 571hp and 750Nm on tap.

The engine also comes with the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system, ECO start-stop functionality and gliding mode to help it achieve a 8.8-litres per 100km and 199g of CO2 per kilometre on the combined cycle.

The 1,955kg (kerb) sedan gets from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph (300kph with AMG Driver’s package) while riding on an air suspension with harder springs.

Stopping power comes from its 36mm disc brakes to slow things down, but for more effective deceleration, there's an optional 39mm (front) and 32mm (rear) AMG Carbon Ceramic brake system available as well.

To help accentuate driving pleasure, the body's shell has been reinforced with four additional strut mounts.

Inside, the cabin with Trapezium-grain aluminium accents get front sports seats with optimised lateral support and AMG badge in the seat backrests.

The seats are wrapped in a black Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre or full Nappa leather in brown or macchiato colours, before being matched on the door's centre panels regardless of choice.

As an optional extra, the AMG Performance seats with integral head restraints can also be had.

There's also a Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottom three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with paddle shifters and a speed-sensitive steering system as well as the AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu which includes a Race Timer and AMG start-up display.

The steering also possesses a crystal grey 12 o'clock marking with contrast topstitching for better visibility, an AMG crest on the front head restraints and IWC-designed analogue clock.

The dials take on a chequered-flag look and a widescreen multifunction display with two monitors are prominently displayed on the dashboard as standard.

An optional AMG Track Pace app is available to supplement the Racetimer, which enables drivers to analyse their track performance thanks to the Comand Online infotainment system providing all necessary vehicle data – including speed, gear, steering angle, time, position and temperature to the app in real time.

For choice, drivers get to pick four drive modes of Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. In Sport, Sport Plus or Race modes, the driver can engage launch control by fully pressing the brake and accelerator.

For further personalisation options, there's the AMG Performance Studio which makes available the Night Package that includes wheel options and two Carbon-fibre packages for the exterior.

The interior features AMG Performance seats in black Nappa leather with yellow top stitching and is colour-matched to the AMG Performance sports steering wheel, door armrests, centre console, AMG floor mats and IWC-designed analogue clock with yellow top stitching or accents.

The sports steering wheel in black DINAMICA microfibre will feature the 'Edition 1' lettering and a 12 o'clock marking in black while carbon-fibre inserts further accent the cabin.

"As the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz Dream Car Collection, the E 63 S takes driving performance into a new level, offering our customers a striking design with an undisputed and refined power delivery of a V8 twin-turbo engine from Affalterbach,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president of sales & marketing passenger cars Mark Raine.


Go ‘old school’ to protect your car

                PETALING JAYA: Car thieves used to pick locks to steal cars. Not anymore.

They have gone high-tech, hijacking keyless cars remotely.

And the best form of security now, even for the most modern car, could very well be the old-fashioned steering, gear, or pedal lock.

Car thieves now use devices that can hack into the vehicle’s system and steal any keyless car in just minutes, says the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (VTREC).

Checks by The Star found that the device is easy as it is cheap, easy to use, and available online or at electronics stores.

“Criminals use the device to steal cars within few minutes and they don’t need to display aggression or come into physical contact with the owner.

“It makes car theft so easy,” said VTREC coordinator Mas Tina Abdul Hamid.

There are two types of devices: the first one is a simple frequency monitoring software, while the second is a jammer.

“The first one reads the transmission (frequency) between a remote key and a vehicle. The device can steal the (transmission) programme, thus allowing it to unlock the door,” she said.

The second method is pretty much the same, but it uses a hacking device that mimics the remote key and decrypts the code to unlock a particular vehicle.

Mas Tina said most drivers lose their cars in areas that are secluded, poorly-lit with low traffic, and roadsides.

These areas are chosen because there will be fewer or no eyewitnesses, while the darkness also helps the thieves pull off their heist unnoticed.

“We are now educating people to at least install a steering lock, gear lock, or any sort of old-school mechanical lock, including manual and pedal locks.

“It is better if you are able to put multiple locks. Some thieves don’t have the expertise for all kinds of locks, so if they manage to open one lock, there will be others.

“Normally they don’t want to spend too much time on any particular car, so they will go for other cars instead,” she said.


Driverless Nissan LEAF completes record 370km journey in Britain

                LONDON: A Nissan car has completed a 370km journey autonomously in Britain, the longest and most complex such trip in the country as carmakers race to develop driverless technologies which are revolutionising travel.

Britain has been wooing developers of autonomous vehicles, hoping to grab a slice of an industry it estimates could be worth around £900bil (RM4.84tril) worldwide in 2035.

The Nissan LEAF vehicle undertook the 370km journey from the Japanese carmaker's European technical centre in Cranfield, southern England, to its Sunderland factory in the north east, alongside conventional road users.

It included roads with no or minimal markings, junctions, roundabouts and motorways, using advanced positioning technology helped by GPS, radar and light detection and ranging equipment, allowing vehicles to navigate roads and obstacles.

"The... project allowed us to develop an autonomous vehicle that can tackle challenges encountered on UK roads that are unique to this part of the world, such as complex roundabouts and high-speed country lanes with no road markings, white lines or kerbs," said Nissan Technical Centre Project Manager Bob Bateman.

The project, known as HumanDrive and led by Nissan as part of a consortium, also received government funding.

Nissan has previously said Britain’s flexible approach to testing autonomous vehicles helped it pick London for its first European tests in 2017 when a driverless vehicle travelled up to 50mph (80.5kph).

But the advancement of self-driving cars around the world has been hampered by safety concerns and problems regarding insurance liability.

"Safely completing the longest autonomous drive in Britain is an incredible achievement for Nissan and the HumanDrive consortium, and a huge step towards the rollout of driverless cars on UK streets," said junior business minister Nadhim Zahawi.


Harley Davidson showcases LiveWire electric bike

                LAS VEGAS: Harley-Davidson, the company that has defined the motorcycle industry for the past 115 years, showcased its next generation of two-wheeled transportation, LiveWire, at the Consumer Electronics Show here.

LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, and the most connected motorcycle experience ever, will be available for delivery later this year.

The LiveWire motorcycle represents the future of Harley-Davidson, bringing high-performance electric propulsion, evocative design, and cellular connectivity to today’s rider.

The first of a new portfolio of motorcycles that provides an all new two-wheel experience, the LiveWire motorcycle delivers thrilling acceleration, agile handling, premium materials and finishes, and a full suite of electronic rider aids and interfaces for a completely connected experience.

The performance of the LiveWire motorcycle will deliver an exhilarating ride for seasoned motorcyclists, while its clutch-free design also makes the experience for new riders easier than ever.

Features include amazing acceleration from 0 to 100kph in under 3.5 seconds. The instant torque provided by the H-D Revelation electric powertrain can produce 100% of its rated torque the instant the throttle is twisted, and 100% of that torque is always available.

Twist-and-go ease of use as electric power requires no clutch and no gear shifting, greatly simplifying operation for new riders. All riders will appreciate the braking effect of the power regeneration mode as it adds charge to the battery, especially in stop-and-go urban traffic.

The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with H-D Connect, which pairs motorcycle riders with their bikes through an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit coupled with connectivity and cloud services using the latest version of the Harley- Davidson App. This technology makes the LiveWire motorcycle the first North American mass-market cellular-connected electric motorcycle.

Performance and range optimized for the urban street-rider with the ability to travel an estimated 110 miles of urban roads on a single charge.

The LiveWire motorcycle chassis is designed to deliver agile handling for confident control on urban streets and a thrilling ride on curving backroads. The H-D Revelation powertrain sits low in the motorcycle to lower the center of gravity and help the motorcycle handle well at all speeds and make it easier to control when stopped.

The motorcycle also features premium technology - Electronic Chassis Control is standard and features a cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System and Traction Control. The systems are fully electronic and utilize the latest inertial measurement unit and ABS sensor technology.

The LiveWire motorcycle features the H-D Revelation electric powertrain which produces minimal vibration, heat, and noise, all of which enhance rider comfort.

The LiveWire model is designed to produce a new signature Harley-Davidson sound as it accelerates and gains speed.

“We’re at a historic juncture of the evolution of transportation, and Harley-Davidson is at the forefront,” said Harley-Davidson CEO, Matt Levatich.

“Innovation that moves the body and soul has always been at the heart of our brand, and this next chapter in our history is about creating products and opportunities for existing and aspiring riders of all ages and walks of life.”


2016 New York Auto Show: Infiniti QX70 Limited debuts

                NEW YORK: Infiniti announced that the new 2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited, a specially equipped version of the iconic QX70 performance crossover, will make its world debut this week at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.

Available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, it is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide beginning in summer 2016. The QX70 Limited is the second in the Infiniti lineup, joining the 2016 QX80 Limited.

"The QX70 Limited offers a range of premium exterior and interior treatments, adding an extra touch of exclusivity to the dramatically styled crossover," said Randy Parker, vice president, Infiniti Americas.

"The QX70 has always been a popular model in the greater New York area so it’s fitting that visitors to the New York International Auto Show will be the very first to see this beautiful new QX70 Limited model."

The Limited model’s exterior enhancements begin with a unique front fascia, LED daytime running lights replacing the standard QX70 fog lights and a new grille design (coming on all 2017 QX70 models).

Other changes include body-color side air vents, dark-finish outside mirror housings, dark finish rear combination lamps and a stainless steel rear bumper protector. Capping off the exterior are a rear hatch-mounted "Limited" badge and unique 21x9.5-inch multi-spoke premium paint-finished aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with 265/45R21 V-rated all-season tires.

Inside, the QX70 Limited features a special high-contrast Graphite and Stone-colored interior treatment. Among the transformative interior elements are a dark-color headliner, special open pore wood trim with aluminum flake trim on the console, deep pillow quilting on the center console and aluminum-trimmed pedals.

The seats themselves include high-contrast leather appointments with Graphite outside sections and Stone inserts. The seats include deep pillow quilting and Stone color stitching and piping. The steering wheel and shifter boot also feature Stone color stitching. Climate-controlled (heating and cooling) front seats are standard with the QX70 Limited.

Like all Infiniti QX70s, the new QX70 Limited will be powered by a 325hp 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift). The engine is matched with a 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). Its array of available advanced technology systems will include an Around View® Monitor system with Moving Objection Detection (MOD), Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).


BMW serves up 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre

                MUNICH: The 7 Series has been around for 40 years and BMW thought it would be fitting to come out with a 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre (German for "years").

The 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre, with exclusive exterior and interior design features, will be making its world debut at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Only 200 units will be made and tailored to individual customer specifications at the BMW Dingolfing plant, which has been operating since 1977.

The edition models will be on offer from October 2017 with either a standard or a long wheelbase in conjunction with all six, eight and twelve-cylinder engines available for the 7 Series (combined fuel consumption: 12.8 – 2.1 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 294 – 49 g/km) as well as with optional intelligent four-wheel drive technology BMW xDrive and in the BMW iPerformance Automobile version with a plug-in hybrid drive system.

Available in a choice of Frozen Silver metallic or Petrol Mica metallic, the car is kitted with M Aerodynamics Package, the BMW high-gloss Shadow Line and 20-inch BMW Individual light alloy wheels in a V spoke design. The edition signet is affixed to the B pillar coverings, on the door sills and the instrument panel on the front seat passenger side.

The BMW Individual full leather trim Merino fine grain in Smoke White/Cohiba or Smoke White/Black with hand woven piping in Smoke White is paired with the BMW Individual Alcantara Smoke White roof liner.

All 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre versions are fitted with comfort seats in front and at the rear. BMW Individual interior trim strips are offered either in a black piano lacquer finish or in wood finish depending on the upholstery colour.

All options from the range of special equipment for the 7 Series are available for an upgraded configuration according to the customer’s personal preferences

As the flagship model, the 7 Series has pioneered the Check Control System (1977), the first 12-cylinder engine in a German post-war automobile (1987), the first integral navigation system in a European production vehicle (1994), the iDrive operating concept, the BMW Online mobility service including E-mail account (2001) and unrestricted Internet usage inside a vehicle (2008).


Mercedes-Benz EQC all-electric SUV previewed at RM600K (est)

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia gave local members of the media a preview of the all-electric EQC in left-hand drive form following the launch of its flagship S 560 e plugin hybrid and the showcasing of the C 300 e plugin hybrid electric vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic (all-wheel-driven) electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) is the German carmaker's legitimate attempt at providing Malaysian consumers with an emissions-free mobility option.

The EQC's order-books will likely open sometime in 2020 for this fully-imported electric SUV from Stuttgart, Germany, while priced somewhere in the RM600,000 range.

Based on the GLC, the EQC gets fitted with two electric motors - one fitted to the front and another to the rear axle, that will provide 402hp/765Nm performance for all four wheels.

However, it does differ dimensionally with a 2,873mm (+3mm) wheelbase and measuring in at 4,761mm-long (+105mm), 2,096mm-wide (+206mm) and 1,624mm-tall (-15mm) to help its sheet metal achieve a lower (and better) drag coefficient of 0.29Cd.

While the EQC will run predominantly in front-wheel drive mode, the rear electric motor is called to serve when extra performance is needed by flooring the throttle.

When that happens, this 2,495kg (kerb) electric SUV will sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 180kph while a 652kg 80kWh lithium-ion battery (made up of two 48-cell and four 72-cell modules) provides all the necessary electrical 'juice'.

The company claims that the EQC will be able to travel up to 417km before taking 11 hours to recharge via a dedicated Wallbox and if a DC Combined Charging Socket fast-charger is used, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes.

As standard, the EQC comes fitted with Multibeam LED headlights that are connected to each other via a LED band that runs across the entire front end, just above the three-pointed star' badge at the centre of the newly-designed grille. Likewise, the rear-end is similarly styled with a red LED band.

This emission-free SUV gets equipped with five driving modes of Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport and Individual (a customisable option) as well as paddle-shifters behind the multi-function steering wheel that manages the degree of energy recuperation back to the battery when taking the foot off the throttle.

Inside, the cabin gets fitted with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system as well as a 10.25-inch instrument cluster display for the driver and another for that acts as a touchscreen display at the centre of the dashboard.

The system is accompanied by Liguatronic voice control that comes with the "Hey Mercedes" activation phrase as well as an optimised navigation system that takes into account the remaining range and available charging stations.

Owners will be able to make use of the EQC's pre-entry climate control system that's able to adjust the temperate condition of the cabin prior to a journey via the MBUX system, the 'Mercedes me' smartphone application or simply allow it to automatically activate by unlocking the EQC for five minutes.

For safety, the previewed EQC was 'tricked' out with the advanced Driving Assistance package which includes an adaptive cruise control system with automatic restarts, an active steering assistant with active lane change assistant and active emergency stop assistant.

Additionally, it also came with active brake assistant, evasive steering assistance, active lane keeping assist, active blind spot assist, pedestrian warning system and Pre-Safe Plus which initiates preventive occupant protection measures if a rear-end collision is detected.


Nexcel plug & play oil system targets 10 million vehicles annually by 2030

                LONDON: British company Nexcel is working to launch the Nexcel-equipped vehicle within the next five years and its ambition is to supply over 10 million vehicle systems annually by 2030.

Nexcel offers an active oil management system by the same name that comprises a removable, self-contained, sealed oil cell that includes bespoke engine oil and filter for each vehicle, enabling a fast and efficient oil and filter change without the need for any tools, lifts, or specialist equipment.

The core design of the components between the dock and the cell have been standardised, but the cell body design is intended to be adapted for the requirements of each vehicle design.

The oil connections are self-aligning to ensure a high-pressure seal is achieved, and the electrical connections between cell and dock are now wireless. The number of electronic components of the plug & play oil system has been reduced and where possible concentrated in the dock, so they remain part of the vehicle rather than the cell.

READ MORE: Castrol signs on

The company’s technology has reached a key stage in its development process and Nexcel is in on-going work with seven global vehicle manufacturers regarding integration into future vehicle programmes.

A two-year programme of vehicle and rig testing has resulted in a highly optimised design that is able to contribute towards emissions reduction, hybrid packaging improvement, service simplification and life cycle sustainability.

“We now have a modular technology using standard components that will allow Nexcel to be easily scaled for a wide range of vehicle programmes and automotive production.”

“Nexcel’s technology has been further developed at our research centre with testing conducted by specialists including Penso, DuPont and Millbrook,” says Brian Fitzsimons, Nexcel’s technical director.

Nexcel, a BP group innovation business, is showcasing the programme readiness of its active oil management system at the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan Annual Congress in Yokohama. from May 22-24. BP also owns the Castrol range of industrial and automotive lubricants.


Scandal-riddled Ghosn exits, Renault to name new leaders

                PARIS: Renault’s board was meeting today to appoint new leadership, after chairman and chief executive Carlos Ghosn resigned in the wake of a financial scandal that has rocked the French carmaker and its alliance with Japan’s Nissan.

The French government, Renault’s biggest shareholder, confirmed the board was being asked to name outgoing Michelin boss Jean-Dominique Senard as chairman and Ghosn’s deputy Thierry Bollore as chief executive.

Senard and Bollore “will be presented this morning to the board of directors”, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said before the meeting began at 0900 GMT.

The widely expected appointments may begin to resolve a Renault-Nissan leadership crisis that erupted after Ghosn’s Nov 19 arrest in Japan and swift dismissal as Nissan chairman.

They also mark a clear end to one of the auto industry’s most feted careers, two decades after Ghosn was despatched by former Renault CEO Louis Schweitzer to rescue newly acquired Nissan from near-bankruptcy - a feat he pulled off in two years.

After 14 years as Renault CEO and a decade as chairman, Ghosn formally resigned from both roles on the eve of the board meeting, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.

Ghosn’s arrest and indictment for financial misconduct has strained the Renault-Nissan relationship, threatening the future of the industrial partnership he transformed into a global carmaking giant over two decades.

For two months, the tensions deepened as Renault and the French government stuck by Ghosn despite the revelation he had arranged to be paid tens of millions of dollars in additional income, unbeknownst to shareholders.

Ghosn has been charged with failing to disclose more than US$80 million in additional compensation for 2010-18 that he had agreed to be paid later. Nissan director Greg Kelly and the Japanese company itself have also been indicted.

Both men deny the deferred pay was illegal or required disclosure, while not contesting the agreements’ existence. Ghosn has denied a separate breach of trust charge over personal investment losses he temporarily transferred to Nissan in 2008.

Ghosn finally agreed in recent days to step down from Renault, Reuters reported on Tuesday - but only after the French government called for leadership change and his bail requests were rejected by the Japanese courts.

Senard, 65, faces the immediate task of soothing relations with Nissan, which is 43.4 percent-owned by Renault but the larger partner by sales.

Following Ghosn’s arrest, Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa had sought to weaken Renault’s control and resisted its attempts to nominate new directors to the Japanese carmaker’s board.

Subaru halts Japan car output on defective part, shares slide
In a possible sign of detente on Thursday, Nissan called an April shareholder meeting to appoint a Renault-nominated board member and formally terminate Ghosn and Kelly’s directorships. It remains unclear whether Renault, as Nissan’s parent, will also name its next chairman.

Nissan currently owns a 15 percent non-voting stake in its French parent and 34 percent in Mitsubishi Motors, a third major partner in their manufacturing alliance.

Once its new management is settled, French officials want the alliance to resume work on a new ownership structure to cement the partnership - which Ghosn had been mandated to explore when his Renault contract was renewed last year.

Nissan is wary of any such move. In an interview last week, Saikawa acknowledged shareholders’ concerns that the current structure undervalues their investments, but added that altering it was “really not the current priority”.


Genesis GV80 SUV gets new noise control tech

                LOS ANGELES: Hyundai has co-developed with Harman a new Road-Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system that reduces unwanted noise by up to 50 percent.

The Genesis GV80 SUV will be the first vehicle to feature this new noise cancellation technology.

Genesis is Hyundai's luxury brand while Harman International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Billed as the world’s first active road noise cancellation system for a production vehicle, the RANC system reduces the in-cabin noise level by cancelling out unwanted sound originating from the tyres and road surfaces while driving.

The technology is based on Harman’s HALOsonic suite of noise management technologies, and actively reduces noise in real-time by emitting soundwaves inverted to the incoming noise..

The RANC control processor uses reference signals received from acceleration sensors placed strategically along the suspension and chassis to predict noise transferred into the cabin and to generate an anti-noise wave in real-time.

Compute time and signal transfer speed are optimized to allow for an analysis of the intruding noise and the generation of the anti-noise within milliseconds, thereby preventing the noise from reaching the occupants’ ears.

Error microphones constantly monitor the system performance in each seat location to ensure a more pleasant ride for all vehicle occupants.


VW looking at whether more vehicles have cheat software

                BERLIN: Volkswagen is looking into whether more vehicles contain software capable of cheating diesel emissions tests, it said on Thursday, potentially increasing the cost and disruption of a scandal that has rocked Europe's biggest carmaker.

The German company said it was examining older versions of its latest EA 288 diesel engines to see if they contained software that allowed vehicles to know when they were being tested and temporarily reduce toxic emissions to pass tests.

However, it later added the two main versions of the engine - the Euro 5 and Euro 6 - did not include the banned software, reducing the chances of a big increase in the number of affected vehicles.

In neither of its statements did Volkswagen say which variants of the EA 288 engine it was examining, nor how many vehicles might be affected. Spokespeople were not immediately available to comment.

Almost five weeks after it admitted to rigging US diesel emissions tests, Volkswagen is struggling to get to the bottom of a scandal that has wiped about a third off its stock market value, forced out its long-time chief executive and rocked both the global car industry and the German establishment.
Related Coverage

The more vehicles that include illegal software, the higher the costs Volkswagen could face for refitting them, as well as for potential regulatory fines and lawsuits.

The company said last month that banned software could be in up to 11 million vehicles worldwide fitted with its older EA 189 diesel engine.

US regulators have said they are also investigating Volkswagen's "generation 3" vehicles in the United States, which contain the latest EA 288 diesel engine.

However, that affects a relatively small number of vehicles, whereas problems with the EA 288 in Europe could potentially be much bigger, analysts said.

Diesel vehicles account for around half of auto sales in Europe compared with a small fraction in the United States. Volkswagen also makes about 40 percent of its sales in Europe.

The company has come under fire from lawmakers, analysts and customers for its handling of the biggest business crisis in its 78-year history.
Related Coverage

"The way this is all coming out ... is amazing," said Bernstein analyst Max Warburton. "Perhaps they can change their advertising slogan from 'Das Auto' to 'Das Motor: Engines so complicat?ed even we don't understand how they work!'" he said.

Volkswagen said last week it would recall and refit 8.5 million vehicles in the European Union. It added on Wednesday that about 3 million of those would need hardware changes - a more costly upgrade than the software changes needed for the other affected vehicles.


Partnership with Suzuki expected to boost Proton sales, says MAA

                KUALA LUMPUR: The partnership with Japanese carmaker, Suzuki Motor Corp, will help boost Proton Holdings Bhd's sales, said Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

She said MAA would like to see Proton survive and do well.

"The company's comeback will also be good for Malaysia's car sector," she said after announcing My Auto Fest 2016, a three-day car event which was scheduled to be take place on May.

She said Proton was set to launch new models in the middle of this year.

Proton signed a partnership deal with Suzuki earlier this year and it included plans to jointly develop new models and production by year-end.

 The new Perdana will be launched this year.

Proton, established in 1983, has been hit hard due to various quality related issues coupled with the lack of export markets.

Aishah believed that Proton's sales would eventually pick up and in turn revive the number of vendors for the national car once it has fixed issues on getting the right products with its partnership with Suzuki.

She said My Auto Fest 2016 aimed to mitigate the lower sales volume recorded in the first two months of 2016.

As at February, Aishah said, the number of vehicles sold stood at 82,465 units compared with 100,992 units in February last year.

"The slightly lower sales were mainly due to consumer confidence that remained fragile amid the economic uncertainty and the weakening of the ringgit," she said.

She said they were also attributed to difficulty in securing finance for new car purchases due to banks' reluctance in extending loans to car buyers.


California can set rules on electric vehicles, emissions, says US EPA

                WASHINGTON: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday restored California's ability to set its own zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and tailpipe emissions limits, reversing a 2019 decision by then-President Donald Trump.

The agency said it was finalising a decision to reinstate a waiver under the Clear Air Act to California that was first awarded in 2013.

"With today’s action, we reinstate an approach that for years has helped advance clean technologies and cut air pollution for people not just in California, but for the US as a whole," EPA administrator Michael Regan said.

The EPA is also rejecting a Trump-era decision to prohibit other states from adopting the California tailpipe emission standards.

California governor Gavin Newsom said the move remedies the Trump administration's "groundless attack on a critical program that is based on California's decades of experience setting emissions standards as authorised by law."

The California Air Resources Board said on Tuesday it plans to significantly increase electric vehicle requirements by 2030 as the state moves to phase out the sale of gasoline-powered, light-duty vehicles by 2035.

President Joe Biden has set a goal of 50% of new-vehicle sales being electric or plug-in electric, but has not endorsed a date to phase out gasoline-vehicle sales.

In a draft document in December, the California regulator said it aimed to reach 61% of new sales as zero-emission models by 2030. A revised proposal, which is still under staff review, would aim for 68% new zero-emission vehicles in 2030, 76% in 2031, and 100% in 2035, a board spokesman told Reuters.

Sixteen states, including New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the District of Columbia, have adopted California's tailpipe emissions rules and 13 are following its zero-emission vehicle rules.

Environmental groups praised the action.

Biden noted on Wednesday that General Motors in November 2020 withdrew its support for Trump's effort to bar California emissions rules.

GM said Wednesday it shares California’s greenhouse gas emission "reduction goals and vision for an all-electric future" and would study the waiver.

In December, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration separately rescinded Trump's action seeking to bar California from setting vehicle rules conflicting with US authority to set Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.

The EPA in December finalised new vehicle emissions rules restoring targets undone by Trump and requiring a 28.3% reduction in vehicle emissions through 2026.


Woman detained over damage to neighbour’s car after parking spat

                AMPANG: A spat over parking in Taman Sri Keramat led to the arrest of a 56-year-old woman, who had allegedly damaged her neighbour's car.

Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the 36-year-old female victim noticed that her car's door and side mirror were damaged at about 1pm on Monday.

"She had parked the car in front of her home the previous night. The victim asked her neighbour whether she had damaged her car. However, the neighbour only asked the victim who allowed her to park her car at the location," he said when contacted today.

Both women argued with each other but the victim did not want to worsen the situation so she went inside her home, he said.

ACP Mohamad Farouk added that at about 9pm on Tuesday, the victim was woken up by her mother, who told her that the neighbour had pressed the house's bell multiple times.

"The mother claimed that the neighbour admitted to damaging the victim's car as she had parked on a piece of land belonging to her," he said.

ACP Mohamad Farouk said the 56-year-old neighbour was later detained.

"The incident occurred as the suspect claimed the victim had parked on her land, which was quite near her flower plants. However, checks revealed that the piece of land belonged to the local authority," he added.

ACP Mohamad Farouk said both parties have been neighbours for nearly 30 years.

"We are investigating under Section 427 of the Penal Code. The suspect denied that she was responsible for the damage to the victim's car," he said.


2019 Pirelli calendar: Scotsman is new pixman

Watson is shooting the 2019 Pirelli calendar.
MILAN: The Scottish fashion photographer, Albert Watson, has been chosen to shoot the 2019 Pirelli Calendar, also known as "The Cal." The Italian tyre maker is soon to reveal the cast and the theme of this latest edition.

The Pirelli group took to Instagram to reveal the portrait and fashion photographer, Albert Watson, as the photographer of the next edition of its famous calendar. The Italian tyre giant didn't give much away about the upcoming edition, other than that it was shot in April around the United States.

Internationally renowned photographer Watson, rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with his many magazine covers, notably for Vogue and Rolling Stone. He has also shot portraits of celebrities, from Alfred Hitchcock to Steve Jobs to supermodel Kate Moss.

Published for the first time in 1964, the Pirelli Calendar, released in a limited number, has achieved cult status over the years.

A prestigious gig for models, actresses and other selected guest stars, "The Cal" also showcases the work of influential photographers each year. Peter Lindbergh, Bruce Weber, Karl Lagerfeld, Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz have all worked on at least one edition of the calendar.

Watson takes over from Tim Walker, who shot the 2018 Pirelli Calendar.

Watch the Watson video teaser.


Toll rate review next year, 5% seen

                KUALA LUMPUR: Toll rates under the biggest highway operator in the country – PLUS Malaysia Bhd – will be up for review next year.

However, instead of a 10% rate hike, the quantum that is being looked at is about 5%, said sources.

Nevertheless, the final decision on the toll rates proposed by PLUS would depend on the Government. The source also dismissed any possibility of a toll rate hike this year.

“For sure there will be no toll rate hike this year as stated in the concession agreement when PLUS Expressways Bhd (PEB) was privatised at the end of 2011. And the toll for Penang Bridge will remain the same,” the source said.

The possibility of a toll rate hike had hogged the headlines last month but PLUS’ head of corporate communications, Mohd Nizam Ismail, was reported to have said that it was a matter discussed in the social media and did not involve the highway operator.

Toll rates have not been increased for the past 10 years but highway operators have been compensated by the Government for their reduced income for keeping the rates unchanged. For instance, an operator such as PLUS is entitled to a 10% hike every three years.

When PEB was privatised by UEM Group Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund, there was a revised concession agreement.

Under the revised agreement, PLUS agreed to waive RM6.2bil of compensation claims due from the Government then. The revised concession agreement also allowed for scheduled toll hikes of 5% every three years (1.7% per annum) from 2016. The earlier concession agreement had allowed for 10% every three years, taking into account inflation.

PLUS operates and maintains almost 1,000km of expressways, stretching from the border of Thailand in the north to the border of Singapore in the south, namely the North-South Expressway, New Klang Valley Expressway, Federal Highway Route 2, Elite Highway, Linkedua (Malaysia-Singapore Second Link), Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway and the Penang Bridge.

According to the Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia, there are currently 20 highways out of 31 that are due for a toll rate hike as per their respective concessions, but the Government has yet to make a decision.

Toll rate hikes are specifically under the purview of the Public Works Department and the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Meanwhile, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin was quoted in a news report that 17 expressway operators would receive compensation this year.

It is understood that the Government is expected to pay RM558.7mil to compensate toll concessionaires following a decision not to raise toll rates at 20 highways. The Works Ministry has approved the payment of RM458mil so far.

Apart from highways, the light rail transit (LRT) and monorail fares, which have not been revised for 12 years, had been speculated for a hike earlier this year, but this was brushed off by the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).

The commission said it had no intention of increasing the fares of the LRT and Putra monorail line as yet, and that the current fare would be maintained until Spad makes a final decision on the matter.


Waymo to temporarily suspend driving operations in San Francisco amid US polls

                SAN FRANCISCO: Self-driving tech company Waymo is temporarily suspending driving operations in San Francisco on Tuesday and Wednesday for safety reasons amid the ongoing U.S. elections, the company said.

“Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our team in mind, we are temporarily suspending driving operations in San Francisco on 11/3 and 11/4,” a spokesman for Waymo, a unit of Alphabet Inc’s, said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

The Verge news website reported earlier today that Waymo was moving its fleet to Mountain View, where it will be parked in a “secured location.” It cited an email from Transdev, Waymo’s fleet operations vendor.

The decision was made “out of an abundance of caution ahead of some of the planned protests around the general election,” Chris Cheung, general manager at Transdev North America, wrote in the email.

Business owners in some cities had feared that civil unrest could break out, especially if the election’s outcome were delayed. Tensions had flared around the country in the run-up to Election Day.

Separately, self-driving car maker Cruise said that everyone at the company including drivers, were given off on Election Day to vote.


Honda HR-V Hybrid: Refined drive and impressive fuel sipper

                The Honda HR-V is the most popular compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) in Malaysia, and there are very good reasons for its strong appeal.

These include a sporty design, a powerful yet fuel economical 1.8-litre engine, an impressively spacious interior and a best-in-class boot space.

Earlier this year, Honda Malaysia launched the facelifted HR-V and included a 1.5-litre Sport Hybrid i-DCD variant which became the third model in the company’s line-up with such a powertrain after the City Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid.

It is worth noting that Malaysia is the only country outside of Japan officially selling Honda cars with the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system.

The HR-V Hybrid is priced at RM120,800 on-the-road without insurance which is quite competitive compared with its non-hybrid siblings - RM108,800 (E grade); RM118,800 (V grade) and RM124,800 (RS grade).

Looks

To keep its price competitive despite the more costly Sport Hybrid i-DCD powertrain, Honda decided that the HR-V hybrid would share similar features with the entry-level E variant.

These include halogen headlights with manual levelling, bulb type front fog lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

In the rear, you get LED tail lights. The only noticeable exterior difference is the “Hybrid” emblems on the sides and rear.

Like the entry-level E variant, the HR-V hybrid gets dark mix leather/fabric seats and a 6.8-inch touchscreen audio system with four speakers, and HDMI and USB ports.

There’s a space age looking gear shifter (similar to that in the City Hybrid and Jazz Hybrid) and nice chromed interior door handles, and some leather upholstery on the doors.

The HR-V is renowned for its class-leading interior space and while the Hybrid variant has a bit less boot space (33 litres less with seats up/41 litres less with seats down), there is still abundant space for luggage and moving big items.

With the seats up, the HR-V Hybrid still has class-leading boot space at 404 litres compared with rivals.

The reduced boot space is due to the lithium-ion battery under the boot area.

This also means there is no temporary spare tyre like the other HR-V variants, and the HR-V Hybrid instead comes with a temporary tyre repair kit.

The rear Ultra seats can also be tipped up for moving tall items.

Another space saver is the electric parking brake with Automatic Brake Hold function.

Drive

The SUV starts silently and there is a slight whining sound, as we drive gently away from the parking bay only on battery power.

The full-electric drive mode is limited to perhaps two or three minutes at gentle speeds, and the switch to petrol engine power is quite seamless without any unpleasant judder.

The 1.5-litre direct injection hybrid powertrain delivers has a combined system power of 152PS and 190Nm of torque, more power compared with the 1.8-litre non-hybrid HR-V E variants that output 142PS and 172Nm.

As such, the extra weight here (43kg heavier in kerb weight compared with the HR-V E grade), thanks to the hybrid powertrain, is not significant.

The seven-speed dual clutch transmission here is a smooth and fluid shifter, and there is no jerkiness even in slow moving or stop-start traffic.

Compared with the non-hybrid variant, we find the HR-V Hybrid to offer a more refined and smoother drive.

On the highway, the interior is quiet and there is little intrusion from wind, tyre and engine noise.

The SUV, fitted with grippy Continental UltraContact UC6 tyres sized 215/55 R17, also handles capably in the corners and winding roads.

There’s also a Sport mode here for better acceleration and paddle shifters for sporty-minded drivers.

Honda claims the HR-V Hybrid can achieve fuel consumption (combined cycle) of 4.4 litres per 100km or 22.73km per litre.

This is compared with the non-hybrid HR-V’s claimed fuel consumption of 6.5 litres per 100km or 15.4km per litre.

Safety

Standard on all HR-V variants are six airbags, front and rear disc brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Rear Seat ISOFIX points, and a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera.
Verdict

Honda Malaysia provides a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, and free labour service up to 5 times within 100,000km or 5 years (whichever is first).

There’s also an 8-year warranty for the lithium-ion battery, with unlimited mileage.

The lithium-ion battery is said to be designed to last the lifespan of the car which is defined as 200,000km.

The lithium-ion battery costs RM7,134 but Honda Malaysia says a 15% discount is available to chop the price down to RM6,064.

A comparison with the entry-level HR-V E grade is in order here, as it shares similar features with the HR-V Hybrid.

You pay RM12,000 more and sacrifice a temporary spare tyre and a little boot space.

And if you are a high mileage driver or plan to keep the SUV more than eight years, you need to factor in the eventual replacement cost of the lithium-ion battery.

Still, the HR-V Hybrid offers a more refined and powerful yet much more fuel economical powertrain.

You get plenty of power on demand, and pay fewer visits to the petrol station.
SPECIFICATIONSHonda HR-V 1.5L HybridEngine: 1,496cc four cylinders, 16-valve, direct injection DOHC i-VTEC
Engine maximum power: 132ps at 6,600rpm
Engine maximum torque: 156Nm at 4,600rpm
Combined hybrid system output: 152ps and 190Nm
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch
Features: Halogen automatic headlights with manual levelling, Daytime Running Lights, Front Fog Lights, LED rear lights, Smart Entry with Push Start Button, powered wing mirrors, Cruise Control, paddle shifters, automatic Air Conditioning, Half Leather upholstery, Electric Parking Brake, 6.8-inch Display Audio, HDMI Port, USB port, 4 audio speakers,
Safety features: 6 airbags, all-round disc brakes, Automatic Brake Hold (ABH), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Rear Seat ISOFIX points, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
Fuel consumption (combined): 4.4 litres per 100km
Price (on the road, without insurance): RM120,800


Automakers warm up to friendly hackers at cybersecurity conference

                LAS VEGAS: At a conference where hackers can try their hand at picking locks and discover cyber vulnerabilities in a makeshift hospital, they can also endeavour to break into the control units of cars and take over driving functions.

Those efforts at the DEF CON security convention here last weekend was sponsored by carmakers and suppliers that have increasingly recognised the need to collaborate with so-called white hat hackers - cyber experts who specialise in discovering vulnerabilities to help organisations.

Attendees who visited the car hacking site had to escape a vehicle by deciphering the code to open its trunk, control its radio volume and speed, and lock the doors through their computers.

“A big part of it is redefining the term ‘hacker’ away from that of a criminal to make automakers understand that we’re here to make their systems more secure,” said Sam Houston, senior community manager at Bugcrowd, which recruits researchers for so called bug bounty programs at Tesla Inc, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and other automakers.

Volkswagen AG, Fiat Chrysler and suppliers Aptiv PLC and NXP Semiconductors NV were among the sponsors of this year’s car hacking village - as some have done at previous DEF CON conventions.

Known for its sprawling resorts and casinos, Las Vegas once a year becomes the gathering place for tens of thousands of cybersecurity enthusiasts who attend DEF CON and the preceding corporate Black Hat conference.

Weaving their way through revellers at Blackjack tables and beauty salons promising non-surgical face lifts, DEF CON expects at least 25,000 attendees by the end of the weekend.

At DEF CON, the largely male participants are not registered by name to protect their privacy and attendees need to pay in cash to receive a blinking badge featuring an exposed circuit board that allows them to complete tasks.

The conference provides a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to learn about car hacking, a resource-intense research field that requires specialised knowledge and lots of preparation.

“Automotive provides a great challenge because the systems are distinct from other security areas,” said Craig Smith, a security researcher who, together with Robert Leale, founded the car hacking village in 2015.

Leale and Smith said they witnessed a steady annual growth in participants.

More connections and technological features in modern vehicles also increasingly attract security professionals from other research areas, said Aaron Cornelius, senior researcher at cybersecurity company Grimm. Cornelius was supervising a station where participants could try to hack into the control units of a 2012 Ford Focus.

Assaf Harel, chief scientist of Karamba Security, an Israeli company that provides automotive security technology and works with car manufacturers and suppliers including Denso Corp and Alpine Electronics Inc, said the hacking community has opened the auto industry’s eyes.

“Carmakers have been discovering new issues with their traditional architectures thanks to white hat hackers, which highlighted security needs for carmakers and suppliers alike,” said Harel, who operated a station where hackers could try to modify a model traffic light.


Infiniti reveals Q30 interior

HONG KONG: Infiniti is giving the world a sneak peek of the Q30 interior ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month.

Infiniti said the interior of the Q30 takes the expressive forms and curves of the exterior and turns them into "an individuality that embraces the driver and passengers".

Infiniti interior designers have selected top quality materials and processes to create a premium modern ambience. One tactile detail is the Dinamica suede-like material from Italy. Used increasingly in the high-fashion industry, it now lines the roof and support pillars of the Q30 cabin.

Driver and passenger seating have been constructed for enhanced comfort and support with an elevated hip-point, aiding the in-control sense that combines well with Q30’s sharp dynamics on city streets or country roads.

“With the Q30, we are entering a new segment for Infiniti and broadening the offer to our customers. This vehicle is a vital part of our strategy to be a top tier global manufacturer of premium cars,” said Infiniti president Roland Krueger.

The Infiniti Q30 will be officially unveiled at Infiniti’s press conference in Frankfurt on Sept 15.


US lets Huawei buy auto chips, say sources

                WASHINGTON: US officials have approved licence applications worth hundreds of millions of dollars for China's blacklisted telecom company Huawei to buy chips for its growing auto component business, two people familiar with the matter said.

Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, has been hobbled by trade restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on the sale of chips and other components used in its network gear and smartphones businesses.

The Biden administration has been reinforcing the hard line on exports to Huawei, denying licenses to sell chips to Huawei for use in or with 5G devices.

But in recent weeks and months, people familiar with the application process said the US has granted licences allowing suppliers to sell chips to Huawei for such vehicle components as video screens and sensors. The approvals come as Huawei switches its business towards items that are less susceptible to US trade bans.

Auto chips are generally not considered sophisticated, lowering the bar for approval. One person close to the licence approvals said the government is granting licences for chips in vehicles that may have other components with 5G capability.

Asked about the automotive licences, a US Department of Commerce spokesman said the government continues to consistently apply licensing policies "to restrict Huawei's access to commodities, software, or technology for activities that could harm US national security and foreign policy interests."

The Commerce Department is prohibited from disclosing licence approvals or denials, the person added.

A Huawei spokesman declined to comment on the licences, but said: "We are positioning ourselves as a new component provider for intelligent connected vehicles, and our aim is to help car OEMs (manufacturers) build better vehicles."

Citing threats to US national security and foreign policy interests, the US has gone to great lengths to slow the growth of Huawei's key communications-related business.

After placing Huawei on a US Commerce Department trade blacklist in 2019, which banned sales of US goods and technology to the company without special licenses, the US last year ratcheted up restrictions to limit the sale of chips made abroad with US equipment. It also campaigned to get allies to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks over spying concerns. Huawei has denied the allegations.

Huawei reported its biggest ever revenue drop in the first half of 2021, after the US restrictions drove it to sell a chunk of its once-dominant handset business and before new growth areas have fully matured.

Underscoring the shift into smart cars, the company's rotating chairman Eric Xu announced pacts with three state-owned Chinese carmakers, including BAIC Group, to supply "Huawei Inside", a smart vehicle operating system, at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year.

In another sign of Huawei's ambition in the space, after suppliers have received licences authorising the sale of tens of millions of dollars of chips to Huawei, the company has requested they apply again and request higher values such as one or two billion, one source said. Licences are generally good for four years.

Richard Barnett, chief marketing officer at a global electronics consultancy called Supply Frame, said Huawei is in the "early innings" of trying to invest in the US$5 trillion automotive market that has large potential growth both inside and outside of China.

"Cars and trucks are now computers on wheels," said Barnett, "That convergence is what's driving Huawei's strategic focus to be a bigger player in that area."


Renault's Senard says it does not need to merge with Nissan

                PARIS: Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard said today that there was no need for a merger with its partners Nissan and Mitsubishi.

“We do not need a merger to be efficient,” Senard said at a news conference.

“I bet very well that in a few years time, given what we are doing now, this alliance is going to be the most powerful combination of companies in the world,” he said.

READ MORE: Renault-Nissan announce plan to deepen cooperation to ensure group's survival


Audi to experiment with portable quick-charging hub

                INGOLSTADT: Audi plans to test a charging hub with quick-charging stations in the second half of the year.

The concept calls for high-power charging (HPC) stations that can be reserved in advance to provide a high level of planing security. A lounge area nearby will provide an attractive, premium place to pass the time.

The brand plans to roll out over 20 fully electric models by 2025; their success depends on the availability of charging infrastructure. Its answer to that is the charging hub.

Cubes form the foundation of the Audi charging hub. The flexible container cubes fulfill various technical requirements and house charging pillars as well as used lithium ion batteries for energy storage.

The use of second life modules from disassembled development vehicles doesn’t just give the battery cells a new, sustainable purpose – it also provides a great benefit in their suitability as ancillary storage for direct current. This makes complex infrastructure with high-voltage lines and expensive transformers unnecessary.

Thanks to this huge interim storage – roughly 2.45 Mwh – the six charging stations, which have a charging output of up to 300 kW, only need a standard 400 volt high-voltage hook-up.

That makes output starting at 11 kW per cube sufficient to be able to fill the three storage modules with a total capacity of 2.45 MWh continually and to charge them overnight.

Photovoltaic modules on the roof provide additional green energy. This not only makes it easier to selection possible locations, it also reduces the planning time required and the costs while also saving resources. In addition, the modular concept provides maximum flexibility and scalability.

The hub can be transported, installed and adapted to the individual location quickly – largely independent of local network capacities.

“A flexible high-performing HPC charging park like this does not require much from the local electricity grid and uses a sustainable battery concept," said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development of Audi AG.

"Our customers benefit in numerous ways: from the ability to make exclusive reservations, a lounge area and short waiting times thanks to high-performance charging. This is consistent with the premium concept.”

It takes less than 30 minutes, or the time needed for a coffee break, to charge an electric Audi.

The Audi e-tron GT, for example, reaches a charging capacity of up to 270 kW. That allows it to charge enough energy for up to 100 kilometers in about five minutes, with a charge from 5 to 80 percent taking roughly 23 minutes under ideal conditions.

The plan for the pilot phase also calls for drivers of other brand cars to be able to use charging stations that are open and not reserved as well as parts of the lounge.


Volvo's next SUV will have a new self-driving system

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo is moving up a gear in terms of autonomous driving with what looks, on paper, like a real alternative to Tesla's Autopilot.

Currently in testing phase, Ride Pilot will allow drivers to save time, which they can devote to other activities, such as entertainment (listening to music, podcasts), work, reading or writing, etc. Because here, the car drives itself.

To achieve such results, Volvo collaborated with Luminar on the LiDAR side and with Zenseact on the software side.

In addition to LiDAR, the system relies on five radars, eight cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors positioned all around the car.

And Volvo isn't going to waste any time in offering the system to its customers, as Ride Pilot will be available on the next generation of the brand's all-electric SUV, due to be unveiled this year.

Provided, of course, that its on-road usage is approved. Ride Pilot should then be offered as an optional, subscription-based package.

For its next generation of vehicles, Volvo has also announced plans to carry out system and software updates remotely (over-the-air), as is already the case with Tesla and as it will increasingly be the case with Ford and Mercedes-Benz.

This can boost a vehicle's security and functionality, without ever having to visit a dealership.


2020 12th-gen Toyota Corolla Altis launched in Thailand

                BANGKOK: The 2020 12th-generation Toyota Corolla Altis has been launched in Thailand.

The range uses CVT automatic transmissions and includes three 1.8-litre hybrid variants (Entry, Mid and High) priced at 939,000 baht (RM129,109); 989,000 baht (RM135,984) and 1,099,000 baht (RM151,108) respectively.

There are also three non-hybrid variants (1.6-litre Limo and 1.6-litre G, and a 1.8-litre GR-Sport) priced at 829,000 baht (RM113,984); 869,000 baht (RM119,484) and 999,000 baht (RM137,359) respectively.

"The Corolla has carried the Toyota’s heritage for over 50 years. The 1st generation Corolla began production in Japan from 1966. It set a fire on the motorization in Japan, becoming the top-selling vehicle within three years, and quickly spread to all over the world with the volume exceeding 47 million units by now. It has been calculated that one Corolla is sold about every 15 seconds in worldwide market of over 150 countries, as the best-selling car for Toyota globally," said Michinobu Sugata, president of Toyota Motor Thailand.

"In Thailand, the first Corolla was launched in 1966 as well. For over the half century, Corolla has been able to maintain its popularity as Thai’s most trusted passenger car with the accumulated sales of over 800,000 units."

Toyota calls the exterior design concept “Shooting Robust” which stands out with sharp, sleek and solid sweeping lines while the interior has a “Clean & Wide” concept that offers spaciousness.

The new Altis features a MacPherson Strut front suspension and a double wishbone rear.

It is underpinned by the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) which brings enhanced body rigidity, and a lower center of gravity for better balance, stability and handling.

The hybrid variants are fitted with the 2ZR-FXE 1.8 L engine with electric motor and E-CVT transmission, as well as the 4th-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive which can achieve fuel efficiency of more than 23km per litre.

The new Altis is also the first full-hybrid EV (electric vehicle) in its class in Thailand, and can run in electric-only mode for short distances.

The three non-hybrid Altis variants use 7-speed SUPER CVT-i gearboxes with Sequential Shift.

Meanwhile, the 1.8-litre GR-Sport variant was developed under the “Gazoo Racing Sport” concept and comes with special aero packages.

Depending on variant, features on the 2020 Corolla Altis can include automatic LED Projector Headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Rear Lamps, 17-Inch Alloy Wheels, Smart Entry - automatic door unlock system, Head Up Display, Push Start ignition, Touchscreen 8-inch support Apple CarPlay with Navigator applicable with T-CONNECT, Automatic Air Conditioning System, Nanoe Air Purifying System, auto dimming rear view mirror, Auto Brake Hold and Electric Parking Brake, Rear air vents and Rear sunshade.

Meanwhile, safety features dependng on variant on the 2020 Corolla Altis include Back Guide Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Hill-start Assist Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Back Sonar, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Traction Control System, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and 7 SRS Airbags.

The flagship variant also gets Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist.

2020 Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid

2020 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8-litre GR-Sport


Ford staff urge end to police car production, CEO says no

                DETROIT: Some Ford Motor employees have called for the automaker to stop making police cars, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, according to a report by Jalopnik.

CEO Jim Hackett has rejected the idea, and said that while the company supports racial diversity and inclusion, there is no conflict between doing these things and continuing to make police cars.

Ford claims it commands nearly two-thirds of police vehicle sales in the United States.

Last year, Ford said its line-up of police cars include the Police Interceptor Utility, Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, F-150 Police Responder, Expedition SSV, F-150 SSV, Transit PTV and SSV Plug-In Hybrid Sedan.

Three powertrain options for the latest Police Interceptor Utility include a standard 3.3-liter hybrid, plus available 3.0-liter EcoBoost and 3.3-litre V6 engines.

All are powered by a new 10-speed automatic transmission and feature standard full-time Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and deep snow/sand traction control mode.

Ford Police Interceptors remain the only vehicles in the world engineered to meet Ford’s stringent 120kph rear-impact crash standard.

The federal standard for such testing is 80kph.

Additionally, safety cell construction directs collision force around the occupant compartment, and features advanced ultra-high-strength boron steel, crumple zones that absorb and dissipate crash energy, and SPACE architecture that provides structural reinforcement and side-impact protection.

Police Interceptor Utility is tested for enhanced police durability, including improved cooling, specially tuned braking system, front-door tethers, and police-purposed steel wheels, tires and hubcaps that are designed to withstand the rigors of a chase.

In 1950, Ford became the first manufacturer to offer a police package vehicle.

The Interceptor name debuted on the optional 110-horsepower flathead V8 engine for 1951.

By 1961, 58 percent of police vehicles in use in the 50 largest U.S. cities were Ford models.

The Crown Victoria name was given to the Police Interceptor in 1983.

Its available police package featuring an optional 5.8-liter high-output V8.

Ford discontinued the once-ubiquitous V8-equipped Crown Victoria in 2011, and since then, its new Police Interceptors – most notably, Police Interceptor Utility – have continued to refortify law enforcement fleets.

In 2017, Ford Police Interceptor Utility alone accounted for more than half of all police vehicle sales in the United States, outselling all other police vehicles combined.


Nissan 4x4 mission

                First, the bad news.

The Nissan Terra, a seven-seater sports utility vehicle (SUV) which shares the same ladder frame as the Navara, is not going to be launched in Malaysia.

I'm going to give you a moment to let that settle in and get over it.

Now, this is the first time, I have joined an international drive event which took place in my home country of Malaysia.

All-in-all, 78 journalists from South-East Asia, with a majority of them from Thailand, embarked over a 2,000km journey across Malaysia in three stages.

For this huge undertaking, the journalists and journeys were broken up into three groups.

The vehicles were driven into Malaysia via Hat Yai to the Sadao border crossing and entered Malaysia at Kedah.

The vehicles and Thai media would drive back to their homeland using the same route that it had entered earlier.

CarSifu joined the third and final leg of the 'Go Anywhere' drive which kicked-off in Kuantan, Pahang going north to Kuala Terengganu and then into Kelantan and we made our way west to Penang via the old east-west highway.

This involved traveling almost 700km.

The journey involved driving through modern highways, coastal roads, and mountain roads as we crossed the Titiwangsa mountain range into Perak and reached our destination in Penang.

We had the opportunity to drive the 4X4 vehicles chosen for this drive which consisted of the X-Trail, Navara and Terra and into more challenging off-road terrain in Chendering, Terengganu.

This off-road excursion showed just how robust the Nissan vehicles are as we took it through mud and rocky terrain including river crossings. For this part of the journey I was driving the third-generation facelifted X-Trail SUV which features a 4WD 2.5-litre engine which produces 171PS and 233Nm of torque.

On this terrain, it is no match for the Navara and Terra but nevertheless, it can handle its own when off-roading.

One has to go slower and be a little more careful because its ground clearance is only 210mm.

It has the Hill Descent Control feature which brakes automatically when you are going down a steep incline which is useful. Looks-wise, it is sportier with its roof-rails and it has added safety features such as Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and mitigation with the Intelligent Emergency Braking.

Meanwhile, the Navara 4X4 has the biggest engine in this group with the 2.5-litre in-line 4-cylinder turbodiesel producing 190hp and 450Nm of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Interestingly enough, the seven-seater Terra has a slightly smaller 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine but produces the same output as the Navara.

As both the Terra and Navara have ladder-frame chassis, they feel the same behind the wheel.

The difference between these two models is their functionality.

One is a utilitarian pick-up while the other is more towards a people mover.

Both the Terra and Navara however are versatile in all terrains.

While climbing up the windy roads making our way to the Royal Belum Forest Reserve where we stopped for lunch at the Belum Rainforest Resort, I was commanding the Terra and was impressed with its handling, power and comfort.

After lunch, I changed to the Navara and drove it all the way to Penang.

This pick-up truck, even without carrying any load in the rear, oozes confidence as it proved to be balanced and was just as fun driving on the mountain roads and highways.

Driving through Penang city traffic in the Navara was hassle-free and some Penang drivers are not intimidated with a pick-up and will cut you off regardless.

In the end, this group of 4X4 Nissan models from our neighbouring country has been built and specified for comfort, safety, convenience and the capability to literally, 'Go Anywhere'.


Volkswagen Tebrau 3S Centre Launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and WN Motorworld Sdn Bhd today officially opened the doors to the new Volkswagen Tebrau 3S (Sales, Service and Spare parts) Centre in Johor Bahru.

The new centre operates daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm, with aftersales services available from Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:30pm, but is closed on Public Holidays.

A total of RM1.5mil was invested by WN Motorworld to upgrade its previous facility to help support both sales and aftersales services around the areas of Tebrau, Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Pasir Gudang and locations around the Iskandar developments.

Spanning over roughly 13,123 square feet, the new centre is able to display up to eight cars, while the service centre has seven service bays.

This outlet is also equipped with the latest diagnostics and service tools, and other aftersales equipment as approved by Volkswagen Germany.

Further enhancing the facilities of the new Centre is the customer lounge, which is equipped with television, complimentary Wi-Fi connection and a café serving light refreshments for waiting customers.

“We recognise the importance of a strong connection with our Volkswagen owners, and we are continuously working with our dealer partners to ensure that this translates to an improved overall ownership experience," said VPCM managing director Erik Winter.

For those in the area, the new centre will be hosting an Open House at their showroom from Mar 4 to 5 and from Mar 18 to 19 with fun activities for the whole family such as test drives and a kids colouring contests.


BMW M850i xDrive Coupe launched, yours for RM1.1mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the new 8 Series BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also known as The 8 priced at RM1.1mil, the newest member to the premium automaker’s portfolio of luxury vehicles developed on the race track to achieve supreme agility, precision, and poise.

The introduction of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also marks the premiere of a new V8 engine. The latest generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder unit has been radically revised and optimised.

Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology which generates a top speed of 250kph.

The V8 engine is paired with the latest-generation 8-speed Steptronic Sports Transmission with increased ratio spread, new transmission management and optimised hydraulic control produce sportier gear shifts.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe delivers a maximum output of 530hp between 5,500rpm – 6,000rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available over a wide rev range from 1,800rpm to 4,600rpm.

It can do the century sprint in 3.7 seconds and posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100km.

The exterior design of The 8 demonstrates a modern form of sporting appeal with the car’s low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive ‘double-bubble’ contouring, a long wheelbase and wide track widths are the defining visual elements of The 8’s proportions.

The trademark hexagonal kidney grille with its elements framed by a single-piece surround. The 8 comes standard with the BMW Laserlight – the slimmest headlights of any BMW model to date.

The BMW M performance model with appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the model name. It comes standard with an additional front spoiler to minimise the lift that occurs at the front axle at high speeds.

The standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive coupe also includes 20” M light-alloy wheels in y-spoke style 728 M with mixed tyres.

The modern and minimalistic exterior design language is continued inside the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, with all control elements are clearly arranged. In addition to multifunction seats and the M leather steering wheel, the M Sport package include an anthracite BMW Individual headliner, M pedals, M driver’s footrest and special floor mats to inject the cabin with distinctly sporty flair.

The newly developed sports seats are upholstered as standard in Merino leather. The fulled leather trim for the door shoulders and instrument panel is also standard. The rear backrest can be split 50:50 as standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional in The 8 offers the latest-generation display and control concept consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3” as well as a 10.25” Control Display which run on the new BMW Operating System 7.0.

Further components of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional include an adaptive navigation system, a hard-drive based multimedia system with 20GB of memory, two USB ports, Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces.

Making its debut in The 8 is the "co-driver" – BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”.

It also comes with active cruise control with Stop & Go Function and Driving Assistant Professional as a standard. The driver assistance includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Pedestrian Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning (front and rear), Emergency Stop Assistant, steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection and Evasion Aid which now reacts to pedestrians.

Also for the first time, The 8 features the BMW Digital Key which employs Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the new luxury sports car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone.

The 8 offers colour selections of Carbon Black metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Sonic Speed Blue metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic, Sunset Orange metallic and Mineral White, matched with Black, Cognac or Ivory White BMW Individual Merino full leather trim sports seat.

Owners of The 8 can also experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program; BMW 2-Year/24 Month Tyre Warranty Program for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services; BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline; The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App - BMW White Card and BMW Service Online.

“At the BMW Group, we’ve always had our sights on the future, and the First Generation BMW 8 Series is testimony to that. First introduced in 1989, the luxurious sports coupe was bold and ahead of its time in terms of performance, innovation and luxury.

"It was the first BMW vehicle to introduce electronic drive-by-wire throttle, Dynamic Stability Control and Integral Active Steering with the use of multi-link rear axle technology. Three decades on, we have taken the future-looking legacy of the BMW 8 Series and we are bringing this luxurious sports coupe into the modern era to set standards for the future,” said Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl.

The 8 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from Friday, Mar 15, 2019. Alternatively, visit www.bmwbethefirst.com.my to pre-book.

LOOK UP: BMW M850i SPECIFICATIONS


Renault shifts to all-electric cars for China

                PARIS: French automaker Renault said today that it would start building only electric vehicles for China's huge passenger car market, dropping conventional internal combustion engines as well as its joint venture with local manufacturer Dongfeng.

The strategy shift comes after years of sluggish sales in China, where Renault hoped its 50-50 venture with Dongfeng, announced in 2013 and focused on a factory in Wuhan, would allow it to make inroads quickly.

But the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan forced the factory to shutter, just as Renault was wrestling with slowing growth worldwide and a cashflow squeeze that has prompted ratings agencies to cut its credit ratings to "junk" status.

"We are opening a new chapter in China. We will concentrate on electric vehicles and light commercial vehicles, the two main drivers for future clean mobility," Renault chairman for China operations, Francois Provost, said in a statement.

The automaker will transfer its stake in the DRAC venture to Dongfeng, which will stop marketing the Renault brand. No financial details of the transaction were disclosed.

To bolster its all-electric push, Renault said it will "reinforce" its eGT venture, also formed with Dongfeng as well as Renault's Japanese alliance partner Nissan, to further development of its City K-ZE model, a low-cost crossover vehicle that Renault plans to launch in Europe next year.

Renault said its other Chinese venture, Jiangxi Jiangling Group Electric Vehicle Co., aimed to have four core models for the Chinese market by 2022.

It said 860,000 electric vehicles were sold in China last year, making it the largest market in the world — though they were still just a small fraction of the 25 million vehicles of all types bought.
Renault sold just 180,000 cars, both traditional and electric, in China in 2019, down from 217,000 the previous year, and representing less than one percent of the overall market.

It said electric vehicles are forecast to account for 25 percent of the Chinese market by the end of this decade.

Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard said this month that he hoped to get up to €5 billion (RM23.7bil) in loans guaranteed by the French state to help the automaker weather the coronavirus crisis, which has seen sales nearly grind to a halt in affected markets.


Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life price adjusted to RM159,990

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has adjusted the retail price of the Tiguan Allspace Life to start from RM159,990.

The variant was first introduced in August at a price starting from RM172,990.

The price saving of RM13,000 takes immediate effect and is applicable for deliveries from January 2023 onwards.

As the entry-level model of the series, the Allspace Life is packed with the right features to make it a modern SUV.

The vehicle comes with a spacious interior and a seven-seat configurations that offer up to 1,775 litre of
class-leading boot space.

The Allspace Life shares the same sharp and dynamic look as its siblings, including a sleeker front grille with the signature Volkswagen illuminated light strip between full LED headlamps.

Power comes from a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged engine that delivers 150PS and 250NM of torque and is paired to a six-speed DSG transmission.

This combination ensures a pleasurable driving experience while providing an efficient fuel consumption of approximately 7.7l/100km.

The Allspace Life is supported with three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty and five years roadside assistance.


Proton sold 10,380 units in September

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton sales stood at 10,380 units in September, allowing it to remain in second place in terms of automotive sales in the country.

In a statement, it said the market share for the month is expected to be at 23.9 per cent, based on an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 43,500 units.

"Year-to-date (YTD) market share currently stands at 23 per cent, compared to last year’s closing figure of 20.7 per cent.

"Proton's performance in September was powered by sales of Proton Saga, with 3,907 units of the A-segment sedan sold last month - an achievement that not only leads its segment but also allowed the company’s evergreen model to snatch the top spot in the individual sales rankings," it said.

Proton noted that sales of its sport utility vehicles (SUV) remained strong with both models leading their respective segments, as 2,431 units of the X50 were delivered in September, while the X70 continued to lead its class with 1,577 units.

"Overall, 27,312 units of SUVs have now been sold by the company in 2021, which accounts for 37.4 per cent of the overall YTD sales of 73,017 units," it added.

READ MORE: Perodua deliveries up by 102% in September

Meanwhile, the company said its newly launched Iriz and Persona posted strong sales for the first month.

"With production affected by a shortage of components, Proton still managed to deliver 1,440 units of the Persona and 749 units of the Iriz, which features a new Active variant," it said.

Proton Edar's chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said the situation is slowly improving, but noted that the shortage of chips and other components is a real issue that will not change in the near term.

"We must exercise caution when trying to forecast sales as production volumes remain subject to change.

"Sales were strong for Proton in September, so we are happy with the results. While we could have sold more than the 10,380 units achieved, some context should be given to our performance as Malaysia is recovering from a pandemic that is still affecting our vendors," he said.


Finnish man blows up his Tesla rather than buy exorbitant battery replacement

Rather than pay for an expensive battery replacement, a Finnish man handed his car over to YouTubers Pommijätkät who blew it up with 30kg of dynamite. — Pommijätkät/YouTube screengrab
JAALA (Finland): Ever got an eye-watering repair estimate and wished to just get rid of your car instead?

A Finnish man lived the dream, choosing to blow up his Tesla rather than replace the battery which cost more than a third of the car’s original value.

The Verge reported that Tuomas Katainen made the outlandish decision after being faced with a US$22,600 (RM94,535) quotation for a battery replacement for his Tesla Model S model that typically costs around US$60,000 (RM250,980) new or around US$30,000 (RM125,490) used.

Katainen said he only got around 1,500km of driving out of the car before error codes started popping up, leading him to take it to a Tesla repair centre where he received the eventual, unacceptable quotation.

He handed his electric car over to YouTubers Pommijätkät (Finnish for bomb dudes), who strapped the car with 30kg of dynamite and brought it to an old quarry in Jaala, Finland for safe disposal.

In the 8.26 minute long video, the explosion, set to triumphant music, is seen obliterating the car, reducing it to a spray of shrapnel.

Asked by the Pommijätkät crew if he had as much fun driving the car, Katainen replied “No, never enjoyed this much with Tesla”.


Mercedes hybrids for Metro Travel & Tours

                KUALA LUMPUR: Limousine and tour service provider Metro Travel & Tours Service Sdn Bhd recently bought five Mercedes-Benz S400L Hybrid cars.

The deal was done by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, working together with authorised dealer NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd.

The new S400L Hybrid cars join Metro Travel & Tours Service’s fleet of 50 premier vehicles.

They will be used for chauffeuring and tour services to more than 20 four and five-star hotels, embassies and corporate clients within Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Launched in March 2014, the S400L Hybrid is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that has the latest technological innovations from Mercedes-Benz. Following a RM15mil investment into its Pekan, Pahang production plant, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia locally assembles the vehicle.

The S400L Hybrid subsequently received full duty exemptions in May 2014.

“We have been buying Mercedes-Benz cars since 2007. As a company that is in the business of transportation, we pride ourselves in offering top-of-the-line vehicles with the latest technology. This ensures that we provide a world-class experience to our distinguished clientele, particularly when it comes to comfort and safety,” said Metro Travel & Tours Service managing director David Yeong.

Over eight years, Metro Travel & Tours Service has bought almost 50 passenger cars ranging from E to S-classes.

“As the safety of our passengers is paramount, all our drivers have been certified by Defensive Driving Courses,” said Metro Travel & Tours Service director Datuk Khoo Chee Choo.

“We are certainly proud to have been chosen yet again by our long-term partners, Metro Travel & Tours Service, when it came time for them to expand their fleet of exclusive limousines,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland Folger.


Allianz General Insurance has new list of panel repairers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd has announced it has officially revamped its list of automotive panel repairers.

The company recently revamped its list that consists of 170 authorised panel repairers nationwide.

In August, the company invited those listed in the PIAM Approved Repairers Scheme (PARS) to apply to be part of the Allianz Authorised Repairers through open tender.

The new list of panel repairers has already begun serving Allianz customers since Oct 1.

Allianz General head of claims Damian Williams said that 40% of the panel consists of new repairers and that customers can expect enhancements in the standard of services delivered by the revamped list of panel repairers.

The company assured that its new list of panel repairers use genuine parts and are able to produce quality repair works for policyholders.

“We are confident, through this initiative, we can reaffirm our commitment to provide our customers with the very best in service.

Our customers know what they want, and as insurers, it is important that we consistently deliver the value that our customers are seeking,” said Williams.

All Allianz General Motor Comprehensive (private car) policyholders gain access to the Allianz Road Rangers service ((1-800-22-5542).

The Road Rangers service features a 24-hour Helpline Assistance that can dispatch either a First Response Bike Brigade and/or Allianz Tow Truck.

Also included is a Claims Concierge Service, e-hailing Voucher, Claims Express Approval and Vehicle Delivery.

“It was important to us that our new panel of repairers consists of PARS certified repairers, matched our service expectations, and that they could provide Accident and Roadside Assistance services to our customers. At the same time, we also looked into their capabilities in providing additional value-added services such as the offer of a warranty period, vehicle delivery services, and any other assistance that would ease our customer’s claim journey,” added Williams.

For more information, log on to www.allianz.coim.my or email via customer.service@allianz.com.my or call 1-300-22-5542 (Mon to Fri - 8.00am to 8.00pm).