Transport Ministry looking for holistic way to ease traffic jams

                JOHOR BARU: Disposing of vehicles that are more than 10 years old is a complex matter that must be dealt with in a holistic way, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

"I don't think everyone would be able to change their vehicle every 10 years. Even my late father was driving a 20-year-old vehicle," said Dr Wee.

"Most of our parents in the village are still using Perodua Kancil and Proton Iswara, and this is something that we have inherited from our family."

Dr Wee said that there is more than one approach that can be taken to tackle congestion on the road.

“What is the best policy to introduce and what intervention to take - all of this must be dealt with in a holistic way,” said the Transport Minister.

Dr Wee said that the city centre such as Putrajaya must first have a comprehensive line of public transportation connectivity, which is also the main focus of the Transport Ministry.

He said this when met by reporters after the flag-off ceremony of the Tebrau shuttle at JB Sentral, here today.

Dr Wee said this when asked to comment on a suggestion made by a group of researchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) who suggested disposing of vehicles that were over 10 years old to improve traffic flow in urban areas.

“Take for example our neighbouring country, Singapore. The people there have to pay RM100,000 for a certificate of entitlement for a vehicle, and they have to limit the number of vehicles due to the size of the land, but we do not have this (restriction) in our country.

“In Malaysia, we have 34 million registered vehicles, but only two-thirds or 22 million vehicles are active and paying for the road tax.

“Our investigations revealed that some of these registered vehicles are actually old vehicles that are still kept by the owners for sentimental value.”

Dr Wee went on to say that the ministry is working hard to provide the best public transportation service possible in the hope of encouraging people to use it more and reduce their reliance on private vehicles.

“We just introduced the first phase of the MRT Putrajaya Line that has 12 stations from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu, spanning 17.5km.

“The second phase of the MRT Putrajaya will be completed by January next year, and trains will pass through the entire route from Kwasa Damansara to Putrajaya, marking the end of the line of a total of 57.7km, with a total of 36 stations.

“We have not gone through MRT 3, which will be a ring route where physical development is expected to start at the earliest in the next six to eight years,” he said.


Toyota announces end of Avensis production

                BRUSSELS: It's a big decision for a vehicle manufacturer to call time on a longstanding model in its range, so Toyota's decision to end production of its British-built Avensis could have repercussions for other midsize sedan cars in Europe.

Both in Europe and across the Atlantic in America, sedan cars from many brands are struggling to remain relevant in the face of the unrelenting sales onslaught from crossovers and SUVs. In North America the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 have already bitten the dust, and the likes of the Ford Fusion could be next in the firing line. The Fusion's European equivalent, the Ford Mondeo, is already experiencing dwindling demand, and it's a similar case with the likes of Vauxhall and Opel's Insignia.

In the UK where the Toyota Avensis is built, sales fell last year to just 3,473 units, which is a drop of 1,660 sales on the previous year. Across Europe, a mere 25,319 units of the Avensis were snapped up by consumers in 2017, which is only around half the number of Mondeo models Ford managed to sell in the same period.

The UK's Autocar publication cites a source saying that disparity between Avensis and Mondeo sales across Europe is what has encouraged Toyota to say goodbye to the Avensis sedan and Avensis Touring Sport models.

Toyota Europe boss Johan van Zyl quite recently told Autocar that the company was "not decided yet" what the future would hold for the Avensis, and a Toyota Europe spokesman has confirmed "we are monitoring the D-segment as it declines and suffers from heavy discounting." Those comments suggest that as well as the Avensis being taken out of production, there's unlikely to be any sort of direct replacement for the midsize sedan and estate wagon.

It has been suggested the gap could be filled by a sedan version of the Auris, which makes sense because just such a model is already sold in North America under the Corolla name. However, that more compact segment is also under threat due to falling sales which is why the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 are now no more.

The Japanese auto giant is being particularly ruthless in culling slow-selling models at the moment, with diesel versions of the RAV4 and Auris already getting the chop recently. In fact, Toyota has announced that all diesel models will be dropped from its portfolio by the end of this year as it continues to invest in hybrid and electric technology.


New Kia Optima revealed

                NEW YORK: The wraps are off and the new Kia Optima is finally revealed.

Conceived by Kia’s president and chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, the man with the Midas touch,  the Optima maintains its athletic identity but rides on a chassis that is longer, wider and stiffer for improved ride and handling and a more spacious cabin.

Available with three engine choices, including a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), the Optima is more confident than ever on the road.

The all-new Optima’s roomier, more luxurious cabin features an impressive level of craftsmanship that will come standard across several trim levels when sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2015 in the US.

Improving ride and handling was a top priority for engineers.  Overall, the chassis is lighter and stiffer, resulting in improved steering response, high-speed stability and handling.  Moving the suspension location points of the front and rear sub-frames outward optimizes suspension geometry for a smoother ride over uneven pavement.  Where the previous Optima made due with dual bushing mounts, increased lateral stiffness was achieved with a four-bushing mount system for both sub-frames.  The increased stiffness pays dividends in improved steering response and tractability through corners.  More robust wheel bearings up front and the addition of larger dual lower control arms at the rear also help refine the all-new Optima’s ride and handling characteristics.  Available Rack-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) improves steering response with a higher gear ratio.

Kia’s connectivity system, UVO2, comes standard with four additional eServices not previously available on Optima:  Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score3.  Additionally, Optima is Kia’s pilot vehicle for the introduction of AndroidTM4 Auto and Apple®5 CarPlay (late availability), which allow drivers to access a suite of core functions from their smartphones.

 The new Optima and the old one (below).

After connecting their smartphone to the head unit via the vehicle’s front fast-charge USB port (another fast-charge USB port is located in the rear seat), the 8-inch touchscreen screen displays the smartphone’s most important features.  Core functions including music, messaging, navigation and voice calls are available via the screen, the steering wheel or via voice command.  Kia is one of the first to deliver this technology, which is available for select Android phones operating with Lollipop or Apple phones operating with iOS8.X or higher.  Any future third-party apps that are added by either Android or Apple will be available for customers to enjoy from their respective app store.

While the standard six-speaker audio system will satisfy most people, Kia also offers the available Infinity Premium Audio System6, which includes 14 speakers, Clari-Fi 7 technology and an upgraded 630-watt digital amplifier.

“The Optima changed the way people felt about the Kia brand, and KMA owes much of its growth and success to its head-turning design and sporty performance.  It was – and still is to this day – a fresh alternative in the midsize sedan segment, and it amplified a five-year design-led transformation that propelled Kia to record-setting sales year-on-year,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, sales and marketing, KMA.

“The all-new Optima retains the signature personality of its predecessor, but we’ve literally improved everything, providing more space, better ride and handling, more technology and greater refinement.”

Kia has decided against producing a wagon Optima, first previewed in the Sportspace Concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, saying it did not think it was commercially viable.


BMW launches eDrive Zones in the UK

                LONDON: As cities increasingly discuss the introduction of “low emission zones”, BMW is making another important contribution to boost the uptake and attractiveness of electromobility among consumers, by launching BMW eDrive Zones in London and Birmingham.

With electric ranges of up to 54 miles, BMW plug-in hybrid models are built with cities in mind, as they can complete most commuting trips on pure-electric power.

BMW eDrive Zones is a new digital service which automates the process of switching to electric-only power when a BMW plug-in hybrid vehicle enters a defined area of these cities.

The service, unique in the worldwide automotive industry, also automatically ensures that the electric power is conserved for use during the part of the journey within the low emission zone, if the journey destination is entered into the vehicle’s navigation system.

This new technology ensures BMW plug-in hybrid models offer consumers the best of both worlds: electric-only driving in the city, where it makes the most difference and a highly efficient internal combustion engine to cover long distances.

“This is the flexibility that customers want, as they make the transition to electromobility” said Pieter Nota, BMW AG board member for Customer, Brands, Sales commenting on the UK launch of BMW eDrive Zones.

“A plug-in hybrid vehicle combines the best of two worlds: emission-free city-driving as well as long-distance capabilities. We urge governments to prioritise plug-in hybrid vehicles in order to encourage consumers to live a more sustainable lifestyle.”

The BMW eDrive Zones service, available as standard on BMW plug-in hybrid models running the latest BMW Operating System 7.0, uses geo-fencing technology via GPS within the vehicle’s navigation system.

The eDrive Zones in London and Birmingham are highlighted graphically on the vehicle’s Central Control Display navigation screen, so drivers can see their location.

This feature, which is enabled in customer vehicles as of today, covers the same geographic area as the TFL Congestion Charge/ULEZ zone in London, whilst in Birmingham the service covers the city’s planned Clean Air Zone, which is due to be implemented in 2021.

BMW plans to introduce this technology in additional cities across the UK and Ireland in the future.


Skoda offers to belt up your dog

                PRAGUE:  It's summertime and Skoda now offers practical accessories for dog owners who love to take their four-paw companions on holiday with them in the car.

The  range includes everything from seatbelts to pet barriers.

If your furry family member is sitting in the back, Skoda’s practical Backseat Protection will ensure that the upholstery stays clean. Be it in the Skoda Citigo or Skoda Superb, the protector is large enough to cover the entire backseat and stop hair and dirt from getting on the seats or floor.

The solid material of the cover is water-resistant and easily washable. The non-slip surface also increases safety for the animal while the car is moving. The cover is easily fixed in place using hooks and fasteners attached to the front and rear headrests.

Many dog owners appreciate the space and functionality of a Skoda estate model. The Trunk grille of the luggage compartment available for the Fabia Estate, Octavia Estate and Superb Estate enable your pet to sit safely in the boot section. This accessory effectively divides the boot into two sections, with the dog in one area and your suitcases and other items in the other. This is both a practical and safe solution.

The same is true of the Trunk grille, especially designed for the boot of the Fabia Estate and Superb Estate. This vertical guard, positioned directly behind the rear headrests, prevents the dog from climbing over onto the backseat from the boot. This practical solution gives the driver a clear view thanks to its lattice design.

To keep the boot as clean as possible, even when your companions have been playing outdoors, all models are available with tailor-fitted protective mats and inserts.

The rubber boot mats are moulded exactly to the shape of the boot-floor and does not have to be specially secured. This mat can easily be removed and cleaned whenever necessary. The accessories range also includes a robust plastic protective liner for the boot.

The Rapid, Rapid Spaceback, Yeti, Octavia and Octavia Estate come with a double-sided floor covering for the boot on request. One side is covered with carpet, the other side with a dirt and water-repellent material. When travelling with a friend with mucky paws, simply flip it over onto the easy-clean side.


Police probing viral video of motorcycle being dragged 1km by car

                GEORGE TOWN: The police are investigating a viral three-minute video showing a car dragging a motorcycle for over a kilometre at about 1am Monday (Jan 6).

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said that in the incident, the car was being driven by a 53-year-old man who was heading from Jalan Gurdwara towards Jalan Sungai Pinang

He said that this was when the driver knocked into the parked motorcycle along Jalan Gurdwara.

 A sxreengrab from the blur original video clip showing sparks flying as the car driver drags the motorcycle on the road.

"The motorcycle was stuck under the car and was dragged for a good kilometre as the car drove to Jalan Jelutong, before coming to a halt at a traffic light along Jalan Sungai Pinang," said ACP Soffian.

He added that the driver of the car had been sent to the Penang Hospital to have his blood tested for alcohol.

"The case is being investigated for reckless and dangerous driving under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said.


All-new Peugeot 2008 Allure introduced from RM126,700

                SHAH ALAM: Bermaz Auto Alliance has unveiled the all-new Peugeot 2008 sports utility vehicle (SUV) at its Glenmarie 3S flagship centre.

Offered in the Allure trim, the price starts from RM126,753 in Peninsular Malaysia inclusive of the 100% sales tax exemption on locally assembled models valid until June 30.

The second-generation 2008 comes with balanced lines and overall proportions are those of an SUV, with a recessed windshield that makes the bonnet more horizontal, creating a strong body.

The front incorporates a proud and straight grille, a carved bonnet and LED daytime running lights that fade under the full-LED headlamps and resurface below.

The full-LED lighting technology gets Peugeot's iconic three-claw signature illumination.

Its 17-inch Black Onyx & Diamond Cut wheels fill the arches and adds a robust styling to complete its sporty outlook.

Other features includes Advanced Keyless Entry (with Auto-Unlock and Walk Away Lock), front and rear parking sensors with rear camera, roof rails and heated electric foldable wing mirrors.

On the inside, the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® features good ergonomics and comes with a compact steering wheel, large HD touchscreen display and an innovative 3D heads up instrument cluster.

Information is presented in the driver's line of sight and the 3D instrument cluster projects a hologram-like display that are dynamic and animated.

The 7-inch infotainment system is controlled via the touchscreen display, with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ as standard.

Interior features include single-zone auto climate control, leather seats, electric parking brake, Drive Mode selector (Normal, Eco and Sport mode) and mood lighting.

In addition to the traditional door pockets and the glove box, there is ample storage space under the front centre armrest and more in front of the gear shifter.

Safety equipment are Visiopark 1 which consists of a 180° rear view camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Assist Blind Spot Monitoring and Active Safety Brake.

Also included are six SRS airbags, Hill Start Assist, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which comprises Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).

The stylish design is matched by its responsive performance.

Powering the 2008 is the award-winning 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged PureTech petrol engine that delivers 130hp and 230Nm of torque.

Transmission is a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

The SUV is locally assembled at the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah and has undergone specific endurance and quality testing in Malaysia to deliver best-in-class performance.

The 2008 has successfully endured 200,000km of testing in Malaysia’s diverse climate and environmental landscape.

Available colours are Amazonite Grey, Pearl White, Nera Black and the model's exclusive colour Orange Fusion.

It also comes with a standard 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty, with a coverage period up to five years and a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first.

Also included is a 3-years free service maintenance with a mileage limit of 60,000km, whichever comes first.

> SPECIFICATIONS
> PEUGEOT 2008 FAQs


China's Huawei scores 4G patent deal for VW cars

                SHENZHEN: Huawei has struck a licensing deal that will allow use of its 4G technologies in connected vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group, the Chinese tech giant said today.

The deal is its largest yet in the automotive industry, it said.

It comes as the company moves aggressively into intelligent vehicles and other new sectors after US sanctions imperilled its traditional network equipment and smartphone business lines.

Huawei did not provide financial terms or identify the VW supplier but it said the agreement included a licence under Huawei's 4G patents, which covers Volkswagen vehicles equipped with wireless connectivity.

Branding Huawei a security threat, the United States has barred the company from the huge American market, cut it off from global supply chains, and pressured allies to ban or remove Huawei gear from their national telecoms systems.

Huawei has denied the accusation and said no supporting evidence had ever been provided by the United States.

In response the firm, the world's largest supplier of telecom networking gear and formerly a top-three smartphone supplier, has turned to other business segments for survival.

Besides supplying technologies to makers of intelligent cars, it has tipped plans to move into the software sector, as well as enterprise and cloud computing.

Last month, it launched its own homegrown mobile operating system called HarmonyOS after US sanctions barred it from using Google's Android system on its smartphones.


Heated seat belts are good for an EV

                LAS VEGAS: The ZF seat belt unveiled at CES here is not your ordinary seat belt. It's heated.

What sounds like a wasteful luxury feature is actually an energy-saving measure, said the German manufacturer, which wants to put it into series production in one or two years.

That's because heating the entire interior of a car - air, seats, steering wheel - burns through a large amount of energy, and is a notorious drain on electric car battery.

Instead, ZF wants to turn the seat belt into a kind of water bottle for wearers, allowing them to leave the air conditioner off on colder days.

Instead of heating up the entire car, you just need enough power to warm up a few wires that are closest to each passenger in the seat belt.


BMW Motorrad presents M Performance parts for S 1000 RR

                MUNICH: BMW Motorrad has come out with a range of M Performance parts for the new BMW S 1000 RR superbike similar to the offer available for BMW M automobiles.

These components have been developed based on the brand’s extensive racing experience — with the aim of further enhancing the riding dynamics of the new S 1000 RR not only for road use, but especially on the race track. The S 1000 RR began production in 2009.

The parts accessories range includes not only parts for reducing bike weight but also a number of specialised functional parts.

Particularly light and robust carbon fibre parts are available for the body and fairing areas: M Carbon airbox cover, M Carbon chain guard in conjunction with M Carbon rear wheel cover, M Carbon front wheel cover, M Carbon sprocket cover, M Carbon fuel tank cover left/right, M Carbon fairing side panel top left/top right.

The new S 1000 RR can also be ergonomically adapted to the size of the rider thanks to three different seat variants — M sports seat, M seat high, M seat low.

There are also different footrest versions. The standard footrest system of the S 1000 RR can be upgraded with the M rider's footrests left/right and the M passenger footrests left/right. An M rider's footrest system left/right, especially designed for racetrack use, also offers further ergonomic adjustment options.

Extensive racing experience was also applied to the adjustable and folding M handbrake lever. For racetrack use, the M remote adjuster for the front brake also allows the rider to adjust the lever travel while riding from the left-hand end of the handlebars. On the left-hand side of the handlebars the folding M clutch lever is the corresponding counterpart to the handbrake lever.

The M handbrake lever protector and the M clutch lever protector are available for both levers. In addition, the standard handlebar version of the S 1000 RR can be replaced with the M fork clamp for stub handlebars left/right for making individual ergonomic adjustments.

Two different M Performance wheel sets optimise acceleration, deceleration, handling as well as suspension and damping response. While the M forged wheel made of high-strength forged aluminium already offers advantages at the front and at the rear, the M Carbon front wheel and M Carbon rear wheel made of lightweight carbon fibre exploit every possibility for reducing unsprung and rotational masses. The parts range for the wheels also features the M axle protectors.

M Performance Parts also include further lightweight components such as the M chain tensioner and the M lightweight battery. The new range for the S 1000 RR is rounded off by the mounting stand adapter set and the M cover kit.


Bugatti partners with Jacob & Co

                BASEL (Switzerland): Bugatti has partnered with American luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co, on a series of exclusive co-branded products.

The French hyper sports car announced the partnership with the leader in complicated timepieces and a renowned diamond and jewelry house at Baselworld 2019.

“For this project we found the right partner in Jacob & Co., because we are both absolutely dedicated to innovation with superb technology, absolute beauty, craftsmanship and the highest quality of the materials”, explained Stephan Winkelmann, president of Bugatti.

The partnership begins with a limited edition of the Jacob & Co. high complication masterpiece the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti Edition. The original Twin Turbo Furious electrified Baselworld when it launched in 2018, with its breathtaking twin triple-axis tourbillons, column-wheel chronograph and decimal repeater.

Designed with high performance sports cars in mind, the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti Edition features turquois around the dial that pays homage to Bugatti’s 110 year anniversary Chiron, positions the Bugatti logo proudly and prominently in the center of the dial and renames the power reserve indicator “fuel” and sports the colors of the French flag on the gauge.

Only 39 timepieces will be made, each individually numbered: 18 in carbon fiber, 18 in rose gold, and three with diamonds.

The partnership will also see the release of a special version of a sporty “Bugatti Chrono Edition Limitée 110 Ans” in a limited edition of 110 pieces to mark each year since the founding of Bugatti by Ettore Bugatti in 1909.

The defining technical element of the Epic X Chrono is the Jacob & Co. JCAA05 skeletonized self-winding chronograph movement. This high-end chronograph caliber is equipped with a column-wheel to launch the chronograph functions.

Its counters are arranged in a bi-compax format, with the small running seconds on the left, at nine o’clock, and the elapsed minutes counter on the right, at three o’clock; the elapsed seconds are read on the central French Flag Red chronograph seconds hand.

The Bugatti version features a newly invented special forged carbon case and incorporates the colors of the French flag into its bold dial design underlining Bugattis heritage.

The timepiece comes on a special rubber strap inspired by the iconic rear bonnet of the Bugatti Chiron and will feature the iconic “EB”-logo on the buckle to commemorate the partnership.


Hyundai Veloster Turbo: A tuner special

                LOS ANGELES: Chicago-based tuner Blood Type Racing Inc. has revealed its Veloster Turbo R-Spec built for the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (SEMA). The BTR Edition Veloster is designed to look as though it just switched over to the dark side. The car will be revealed at Hyundai’s SEMA press conference on Nov 3 in Las Vegas.

Blood Type Racing is known for its extreme take on Korean vehicles.

The vehicle’s dark appearance began with a “Carbon Black” paint job, accented with a red racing stripe running from the front splitter up onto the hood. A carbon fiber wide-body kit gives the car a muscular, more aggressive stance, and front-mounted aero canards, front splitter and a rear deck spoiler provide down force at speed. Red accents on the custom SSR three-piece wheels, along with red projector “demon eye” headlamps add a final touch to the vehicle’s exterior.

Using the Veloster’s 1.6-litre “Gamma” four-cylinder as a starting block, BTR added new cylinder sleeves, a high-boost turbocharger from Garrett, and custom connecting rods and pistons. With a retuned OEM ECU working in tandem with the strengthened engine internals, power output is now more than 500hp, maintaining OEM drivability through use of Hyundai’s latest GDI technology. The interior has been stripped down and given the full, race-spec treatment with the addition of a four-point roll cage, Sabelt bucket seats, harnesses and steering wheel, along with audio upgrades from Rockford Fosgate and Tanabe OLED Revel gauges.

“The focus of this build was to boost the performance capabilities of the Veloster R-Spec while creating one of the angriest-looking Hyundai vehicles to chew up the pavement,” said Blood Type Racing marketing director Sam Lee.

“The engine tune on this vehicle is pushing the small-displacement motor to the edge. With a specific output of 312hp/litre, we’re pushing this small displacement motor close to Formula 1 levels of performance. We’ve developed a number of internal components to help manage the power demands of this new engine, and paired with our hunkered-down suspension and aggressive exterior visuals, this Veloster is guaranteed to turn heads on the SEMA show floor.”


Volkswagen set to plead guilty in emissions case

                WASHINGTON: Volkswagen AG is set to plead guilty today to three felony counts in the Justice Department's diesel emissions investigation, as the German automaker seeks to move past its cheating scandal.

As part of a plea agreement with US prosecutors announced in January, the company agreed to sweeping reforms, new audits and oversight by an independent monitor for three years after it admitting to installing secret software in vehicles to enable it to beat emissions tests over a six-year period.

Volkswagen agreed to change the way it operates in the United States and other countries under the settlement of charges that it installed secret software in 580,000 US vehicles to allow them to emit up to 40 times the amount of legally permitted pollution.

On Friday, the German automaker is to be formally arraigned in US District Court in Detroit and then is set to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, obstruction of justice and entry of goods by false statement charges, a court spokesman said.

A company lawyer is expected to appear to plead guilty on Volkswagen's behalf. It is not clear if Judge Sean Cox will formally sentence VW on Friday.

VW, the world's largest automaker by sales, also has agreed to pay US$4.3 billion in US civil and criminal fines.

The US Justice Department in a court filing Monday called Volkswagen's conduct "one of the largest corporate fraud schemes in the history of the United States."

In total, VW has agreed to spend up to US$25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers.

Lawyers for VW and the government said in a joint motion that Judge Cox should reject a request by a lawyer for some owners seeking individual criminal restitution.

The motion noted VW is spending up to US$10 billion on buybacks and compensation for nearly 500,000 vehicle owners and nearly all agreed to take part.

The Justice Department also charged seven current and former VW executives with crimes related to the scandal. One executive is in custody and awaiting trial. Five of the seven are believed to be in Germany and have not been arraigned.

German prosecutors are also investigating.

VW chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch said Monday the company expects to broaden disciplinary action beyond the two dozen employees it has already suspended.

As part of its US emission settlements, VW agreed to spend nearly US$3 billion to offset excess emissions and make US$2 billion in investments in zero emission vehicle infrastructure and awareness programs over a decade.


Honda CEO shrugs off critics, will see through his supply reforms

                Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito, under fire for how he is dismantling the traditional way the Japanese car maker sources parts and technologies, has resisted moves for his ouster and will fight on for another two-year term, according to four people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Ito took over in 2009, and for the past three years has shaken up Honda's decades-old, tightly-knit supply chain, looking to trim costs while finding more cutting-edge technologies.

That's rankled long-term local suppliers, and some former Honda chiefs, and the pressure on Ito has been ratcheted higher by mass recalls over quality issues. Some retired executives maneuvered to have Ito removed.

"Honda's group suppliers were thrown into disarray by Ito's actions. The way things are going, they're soon all going to become subcontractors with no technologies of their own," said one former Honda chief.

But Ito, a former supercar engineer, is determined to see his reforms through, and told his critics as much at a recent meeting with some former Honda chiefs, said two of the knowledgeable individuals. None of the sources wanted to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Since the start of this year, we've been operating on the assumption that Ito will continue as chief executive," said a Honda divisional head, adding Ito has a "70 percent" chance of keeping his job.

"Ito is determined to keep going as CEO," said another individual, who was a senior Honda executive in the 1980s. "We're generally okay with that."

Honda spokesman Kaoru Tanaka declined to comment on Ito's position, but noted the company "procures components in the most optimal way possible, taking into consideration cost, quality and delivery. That policy remains unwavering and unchanged."

One of Ito's moves to reset research and development priorities was to focus on vehicle electrification by courting global suppliers such as Robert Bosch, Continental and TRW Automotive.

Contracts have even gone to Denso, a parts supplier majority-owned by rival Toyota Motor Corp, often bypassing Honda's local suppliers such as Keihin Corp and Showa Corp.

Deflecting any talk of a crisis, Keihin spokesman Hidekazu Nagasawa said Honda's procurement reforms were "an opportunity to ... develop better technologies and more innovative, cost-effective ways to manufacture them, and sell them ... not just to Honda but other automakers."

While Ito's critics acknowledge a need to change how global automakers like Honda develop their technologies, they believe Ito has moved too hastily, and they have been quick to point to damaging product recalls as symptomatic of his rush to reform.

Besides having to recall more than 13 million cars for potentially lethal air-bag inflators made by Takata Corp, Honda has been hit by five recalls of its Fit subcompact car and Vezel crossover utility vehicle since their 2013 launch. Ito's critics note the defects mainly involved German supplier Schaeffler's hybrid transmission technology, and how Honda engineers integrated it with their other vehicle technologies.

Former CEO Nobuhiko Kawamoto was so concerned that he visited Ito in October and warned him about the quality and reliability slippage that he said risked damaging the Honda brand, the knowledgeable people told Reuters.

In Japanese corporate culture, former chiefs retain more clout than in the West.

The Honda grandees, dubbed the "old boys," maintain a Tokyo office known informally as the Yaesu Club. Under an unwritten code, they don't intervene in day-to-day management, but some have ramped up the pressure on Ito by airing their complaints internally, two of the knowledgeable individuals said.

"We're all worried and irritated by Ito's audacious, not-so-well-thought-out reform moves," the ex-Honda chief said.

A company insider close to the CEO, said Ito understands where his critics are coming from, and would likely slow the pace of reform. On the credit side, Honda shares have risen 37 percent since Ito took over as CEO, and operating income has more than trebled since his reform drive began.

To provide some help to existing suppliers, Ito may follow Toyota's lead and seek to consolidate some of the supply chain, possibly combining transmission units of Musashi Seimitsu, Yutaka Giken and Atsumitec into a single entity. Spokespeople for those companies declined to comment.

While some suppliers have kept pace with industry changes, others have struggled.

"In a next stage, the possibility of a consolidation of Honda group transmission producers is definitely there and real," said a representative from one supply company, asking not to be identified.

Ito, meanwhile, remains committed to long-term reforms to Honda's R&D and technology procurement.

"He believes Honda needs new blood from outside to break new technological ground ... and make a new departure," said another of the Honda insiders.


Faraday Future to reveal electric car concept at CES 2016

                LOS ANGELES:  Remember an upstart called Faraday Future? It will be going to CES 2016  in Las Vegas to unveil a concept car inspired by its design and engineering vision.

The company, which wants to go up against electric car maker Tesla,  has just posted up a short teaser video that points to a sporty hatch or sedan that uses substantial carbon fibre parts.
Our concept reveal is in 5 days at #CES2016. Watch live at 8pm PST on Jan 4: https://t.co/hMuj6HUGXN#CarOfConceptshttps://t.co/aDEDt7O9na
— Faraday Future (@FaradayFuture) December 30, 2015

We won't have to wait long before further details about the car and the company are forthcoming.
Faraday Future aims to reveal more information about the car and itself on Jan 4 at CES, which is stepping up security for exhibitors and visitors in the wake of recent criminal and terror attacks.

Faraday Future was formed in 2014 and is well-funded as it could attract notable names in the EV industry to hop across. Among the top designers it has lured over from Tesla and BMW are Richard Kim, Page Beerman, Pontus Fontaeus and Seu Neuhauser.

The company recently announced it would set up its plant in northern Las Vegas,  The area offers expansive development space, an enthusiastic workforce, an encouraging tax environment, proximity to its California headquarters, and easy access to the tourism capital of Las Vegas, which would enable it to offer plant tours and other experiences.

In addition, its location, on the south end of the “electric highway,” is a stretch of US Route 95 between Reno and Las Vegas that is populated with a large network of vehicle charging stations.


Lamborghini sees worldwide sales doubling by 2019 after SUV launch

                NEW YORK: Luxury automaker Lamborghini expects to at least double production to 7,000 vehicles a year by 2019 once it rolls out a new SUV, but it will not lose its focus on making sports cars, chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said Tuesday.

Domenicali said the company plans to cap yearly production of its supercars at 3,500. He also expects sport-utility vehicle production will be at least as high but could be higher depending on demand. The Italian automaker is owned by Volkswagen Group through its Audi unit.

The new SUV will go on sale in 2018 starting at around US$200,000.

READ MORE: Lamborghini Urus luxury SUV confirmed

"We will push like hell to" sell 3,500 or more of the SUVs, Domenicali said in an interview, adding interest in it is high in the United States and elsewhere. "It's a big game-changer."

Domenicali, who was named CEO in February, said Lamborghini plans to boost its worldwide dealer network to 160 from 132 now.

About 30 percent of its dealers and sales are in the United States, its largest market. Lamborghini sold a record 3,245 vehicles worldwide in 2015, including just over 1,000 in the United States. "We will not, clearly, give up on our DNA, which is to produce super sportcars," he said.

Lamborghini is adding 500 employees and doubling the size of its Sant'Agata Bolognese plant in Italy as part of an investment worth hundreds of millions of euros announced in 2015.

Lamborghini is joining several luxury carmakers that have entered the profitable SUV market, including VW's Porsche unit.

Domenicali, a former Ferrari and Audi executive, said he wants to keep brand volume limited. The company unveiled its Centenario Roadster in California, and said the company had already sold the 20 roadsters it was building at a starting price of 2 million euros before taxes.

Lamborghini plans a plug-in hybrid electric version of the SUV by 2020, and could add a zero-emission vehicle.

Domenicali said the SUV could be a platform for future autonomous vehicles, but such vehicles won't hurt the brand.

"If you buy a Lamborghini you want to drive ... We are talking about emotions," he said, adding that steering wheels won't go away in Lamborghinis: "In life, technology has to be part of the emotion."


Volvo targets 50% of sales to be electric by 2025

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars aims for fully electric cars to make up 50 per cent of its sales by 2025, says the company.

The announcement builds on Volvo Cars’ 2017 industry-first announcement that all new models released from 2019 will be available as either a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle.

The company’s strategy to generate half of its sales from electric cars by 2025 positions it as a powerful player in China, the world’s leading market for electrified cars.

The Chinese government plans to have new-energy vehicles account for more than 20 per cent of the country’s annual car sales by 2025, which equates to more than seven million vehicles, based on Chinese government forecasts.

“Last year we made a commitment to electrification in preparation for an era beyond the internal combustion engine,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars. “Today we reinforce and expand that commitment in the world’s leading market for electrified cars. China’s electric future is Volvo Cars’ electric future.”

Volvo Cars currently produces the S90 and S90L T8 Twin Engine in China. Last week marked the start of production for the XC60 T8 Twin Engine in China, meaning that soon all three Volvo Cars China plants – Luqiao, Chengdu and Daqing – will produce either plug-in hybrid or battery electric cars.

Volvo Cars visually reinforced the company’s position as an industry leader in electrification with all cars on display plugged-in at the just ended Beijing Auto Show. The event marked the first time the company displays only plug-in hybrid vehicles at an auto show.

In another first, side-by-side on stage, the company displayed its three globally-available Volvo SUVs: the XC90, XC60 and the new XC40. Beijing also marked the first public appearance for the T5 plug-in hybrid version of the new XC40.

The new XC40 was recently crowned 2018 European Car of the Year and has already amassed more than 60,000 orders globally since its launch in late 2017, even though Volvo Cars is yet to open order books in China.


PM to launch new packages of Sabah Pan Borneo Highway on Nov 6

                KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is scheduled to launch four new packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project this Saturday at Dataran Tamu Pekan Kota Kinabatangan, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

He said the Prime Minister, who is scheduled to arrive on Friday for a visit to Sandakan and Kinabatangan, would launch the highway project, which involves the route from Kinabatangan to Telupid.

Bung Moktar said contractors for the package WP15, WP28, WP29 and WP30 had been appointed and work would start immediately after the launch.

He said work on the four packages is scheduled for completion in 2024.

"The implementation of this project will resolve complaints from residents about the damaged road from Batu 32 Sandakan heading to Telupid and from Batu 32 Sandakan heading to Kinabatangan," he said in a statement here today.

Phase one of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project covers a distance of 706km from Sindumin to Kota Kinabalu and stretches to Kudat, as well as Tawau to Batu 32 Sandakan up to Ranau.

Meanwhile, Bung Moktar said there would be another new package for the highway project, scheduled to begin next year, for the route between Serusop, Tuaran, and Pituru, Kota Belud, involving allocation under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

"These five new packages will bring to 16 work packages carried out so far out of a total of 35 packages in phase one of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project.

"Of the 16 packages, a total of 11 packages involve routes on the west coast of Sabah, from Sindumin on the Sarawak border to Kudat, and the progress so far is at 54% and is scheduled for completion in 2023," he added.

He expressed hope that the remaining 19 packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project could be implemented simultaneously to expedite completion of the project.


Bugatti stamps its mark on sport yachts

                MOLSHEIM (France): Not content with dominating on land, Bugatti wants to strut out in the sea as well.

It has teamed up with the world’s largest motor yacht builder, Palmer Johnson, to make yachts. Under licence granted by Bugatti, the yacht brand has designed a new series of open carbon-fibre sport yachts, featuring Bugatti design elements and advanced materials. The series bears the Niniette name and is available in three models from 42ft to 88ft. Prices for the smallest model start at €2 million.

As with the sports cars, the Bugatti design team followed its approach “Form follows Performance”. The luxury yacht with its carbon fiber hull takes up style elements of Bugatti’s iconic classic cars and combines them with the revolutionary hull shape of Palmer Johnson’s SuperSport series. The design is characterized by the falling shoulder line of the Bugatti Type 57 C Atalante and the balanced proportions of the Type 41 Royale.

The close link between the Palmer Johnson Niniette and Bugatti’s design DNA is also evident from the accentuated waist line and the typical two-tone colour scheme. Viewed from the side, the design is highlighted by a contrasting blend of titanium and dark blue exposed carbon fiber. On deck, the combination of a brown bubinga, maple or naturally blue morta oak wood provides a warm contrast with the lightweight high-tech materials.

The design of the Niniette’s hull is based on Palmer Johnson’s  SuperSport series – a mono-hull with two sponsons that provide greater stability at speeds and also at anchor. According to the yacht builder, the top speed of the carbon fiber yacht is 38 knots (about 70kph).

The central model in the new series is the PJ63 Niniette, with a length of 63 feet (almost 20 meters) and a beam of 20.3ft (6.2 meters). This yacht features a 63 m² salon on deck, a 43 m² salon below deck, luxurious accommodation for up to 4 guests and a crew cabin. On request, Bugatti can tailor the interior to meet customers’ individual requirements. The PJ63 Niniette has a basic price of about €3.25 million.

The boat’s sisters, the PJ42 Niniette and the PJ88 Niniette, have lengths of 42 feet (almost 13 meters) and 88 feet (almost 27 meters) respectively. The production time for all three models is about 12 months.


39 stolen cars worth RM6mil recovered from Penang workshop

                BUKIT MERTAJAM: Thirty-nine stolen cars worth about RM6mil were recovered and three mechanics were arrested at a workshop in Bukit Tengah here.

The men, aged between 37 and 40, were tampering with the vehicles’ chassis numbers when a police team, acting on a tip-off, raided the premises at about 10.30am on Friday.

Sources said a check showed that the RM600,000 Porsche Cayenne was recently reported stolen in Kajang, Selangor, while the rest were stolen from all over the country including Kuala Lumpur.

Among the vehicles seized were a Jaguar, 11 Audis, eight Mercedes-Benz, two BMWs, a MINI Cooper and even a lorry. Four car frames belonging to a Mercedes Benz, an Audi, a Volkswagen and a Perodua Alza were also recovered in the workshop.

They said the suspects have been remanded pending investigations. Police believed they could be members of a vehicle car theft syndicate with nationwide connections. Local police were working with their Bukit Aman counterpart to round up the other members.

It is learnt that the syndicate members had used a jammer to duplicate the signal from the vehicle alarm remote before “hot-wiring” the vehicles and driving off with them.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the luxury vehicles were to be smuggled overseas using fake documents while the cheaper ones were to be sold locally.

The syndicate, which had been active for quite some time, could be linked to the one busted in Selangor in July last year where seven people were rounded up in Sungai Buloh and Cheras, and eight stolen luxury vehicles worth more than RM1.5mil were recovered.


Get free Tomei Aero Package worth RM8,000 with Nissan Almera Turbo

                KUALA LUMPUR: For a limited period while stocks last, Edaran Tan Chong Motor is offering a free Tomei Aero Package worth RM8,000 with the Nissan Almera Turbo.

Specially developed in collaboration with ETCM and well-known Japanese tuner Tomei of Japan, the package is available to all three Almera Turbo variants of VLT, VLP and VT.

For the Almera Turbo VLT, there’s a five-piece Aerokit consisting of a Front Bumper Spoiler, Rear Bumper Spoiler (two pieces) and side skirts, all finished in a two-tone colour scheme.

The package for the VLT also includes Sport Pedals with Foot Rest, four pieces of Door Handle Protectors, Kick Plates for door sills, Door Visors and ICE Cool Tinting Film.

For the VLP and VL, the package consists of the 5-piece Aerokit with the same two-tone colour scheme and three items – Boot Lid Spoiler, ICE Cool Tinting Film and Sport Pedals with Foot Rest.

All the items are factory-fitted to ensure the same high quality as the rest of the car.

Each item also comes with a warranty against manufacturing defects for a period of three years/100,000km, whichever comes first.

For those who want an even more racy look, ETCM offers the Tomei GT Wing specially designed for the Almera Turbo priced at RM1,400 inclusive of installation.

For a limited period, ETCM is offering the Tomei GT Wing to Early Bird buyers with a 50% discount at RM700.

As with the Tomei Aero Package, there is also a warranty against manufacturing defects for a period of three years/100,000km, whichever comes first.

The VLT variant comes with an on-the-road without insurance price of RM95,888, while the VLP and VL are RM89,888 and RM83,888 respectively.

The Almera Turbo comes with Zero Gravity Inspired Seats based on research done by US space agency Nasa, a powerful and fuel efficient 1.0-litre turbo engine along with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Also available are Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (IFEB), Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM) with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (IMOD).

For customers who are not able to visit Nissan showroom, they may view necessary product information and get a doorstep test drive of the new Almera from the comfort of their home through Nissan Online Showroom at https://nissan.com.my/onlineshowroom.

If a purchase decision is made, via Lazada Nissan Flagship store, a low-booking fee (RM250) payment online is available and our Sales Representative will be in touch to assist in completing the purchase process.


Toyota's Oct global vehicle production up 23%, above its target

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp reported today a 23% rise in October global vehicle output, beating its own target for a third month in a row, as the industry strives to get past persistent chip shortages that have hobbled production.

The Japanese automaker produced 771,382 vehicles globally in October, above a downgraded target of 750,000 units and up 23% from the same month a year earlier.

But growth slowed from record monthly output of more than 887,000 cars manufactured in September, and Toyota continues to face supply chain disruptions as China battles nationwide Covid-19 outbreaks and implements restrictions and lockdowns.

The company said today it was adjusting some operations in China due to Covid lockdowns.

Earlier this month, Toyota cut its annual output target, as it battles surging material costs and a persistent chip shortage.

A Toyota executive in charge of purchasing said at the time that the global auto chip shortage would continue, as chipmakers have prioritised supplies for electronics goods, while natural disasters, Covid lockdowns and factory disruptions have slowed a recovery in auto chip supplies.

Toyota expects to produce 9.2 million vehicles this fiscal year ending March 2023, down from the previous forecast of 9.7 million but still ahead of last finacial year's production of about 8.6 million units.


A unique Bosch Mother's Day gift

                PETALING JAYA: Instead of the usual bouquet of love on Mother's Day, Bosch is proposing motorists get their mothers a unique gift of ensuring a safer drive.

As part of the "Drive for Life" campaign, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA)'s preventive maintenance measures are simple to carry out and could be done do-it-yourself (DIY).

The campaign aims to advocate for safer cars and safer roads through raising awareness on the importance of using quality car parts and regular car maintenance.

Gift mom clear visibility on the road

Upgrade mom’s car wipers to a pair of Bosch Aerotwin wipers for clearer vision and better safety while driving on the road especially in this rainy season.

Look out for signs of tear and wear in old wipers such as scraping sounds, water stripes and streaks, large unwiped sections, jumping and skipping.

The heat from intense sunlight can cause wipers to warp and crack faster and as a rule of thumb, replace them once a year.

Gift mom clean and fresh air in the car

Cabin air filters are critical as they are the first line of defense to reduce risk of exposure to air pollutants, airborne bacteria and viruses.

The Bosch Aeristo Premium cabin filter comes with anti-virus, anti-bacterial, anti-allergen and anti-fungal properties.

Common signs of a clogged cabin filter include unpleasant smells or exhaust fumes, increasing dust settling on car surfaces, frequent runny nose, sneezing and coughing.

Reduced efficiency of the air-conditioner and frequent foggy windows also warrant a cabin filter replacement.

Cabin filters should be replaced every year or every 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Gift mom a smooth-running car

Quality engine oils from reputed brand are important to ensure the engines perform at their best.

Bosch AA recommends the Bosch Premium X7 5W40 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil for mom's next car service as it has been formulated to make engines run smoothly.

In addition, Bosch AA is also recommending a Bosch C7 car battery charger to ensure the car battery is kept at optimum charge as there will be less driving time brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Keeping the car battery terminals clean with an occasional wipe with a damp clean cloth can prolong battery life by preventing corrosion.

For more information on simple car care tips you can DIY, log on to Bosch Autoparts Facebook.

A list of authorised Bosch dealers is available on the Facebook page to purchase certified original Bosch car parts or head on to Bosch Autoparts official store in Shopee shopee.com.my/boschautoparts.os and Lazada www.lazada.com.my/shop/bosch-autoparts.


Ferrari IPO, spin-off seen in 2015, subject to approvals

                MILAN: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles expects to conclude the spin-off and initial public offering of luxury unit Ferrari this year, subject to regulatory approvals, FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne said on Wednesday.

"I'd like to get everything done within 2015, IPO and spin-off. If we cannot make each one this year, it’s purely for regulatory reasons," Marchionne told analysts during a conference call to present the company's full-year results.

Marchionne said in October he would spin off Ferrari from the group, sell a 10 percent stake via a public offering and distribute the rest of FCA's stake to its shareholders.


Operator files police report on alleged oil spill at KL-Karak Expressway

The danger stretch of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway where an oil spill was allegedly caused by some criminals. - Screengrab from Bala Mk's Facebook page
KUANTAN: Anih Berhad has lodged a police report over an allegation that some people had intentionally spilled oil at KM75.7 of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (eastbound) on July 3.

The company said it was aware of several claims on social media that the oil spill had resulted in a number of accidents in the area.

"We have lodged a report at the Bentong district police headquarters on Wednesday morning to enabled detailed investigation of the allegation," said an Anih Berhad spokesman.
 Facebook user Bala Mk alerting Karak highway users to the suspected scam.
Anih Berhad is the operator of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) and Phase 1 of the East Coast Expressway (LPT).

The spokesman said preliminary investigation found oil stains from an earlier accident, which took place on the same spot.

The report on the oil spill went viral on social media since July 3, with claims that it caused several cars to skid.

It was reinforced by several images of oil stains in the area. The same allegation went viral on Facebook in the middle of last year.

Anih Berhad reminded road users to comply with the speed limit.

It urged them to contact the company hotline at 09-547 9111 if they came across or had information of mischief on KLK and LPT 1.


iMotorbike targets 10-fold sales growth by year-end

                PETALING JAYA: South-East Asia’s pioneering eCommerce platform for buying and selling used motorcycles, iMotorbike, aims to attain a 10-fold sales growth and an annualised revenue of US$20mil (RM85.7mil) by year-end.

Founder and chief executive officer Gil Carmo said the company had set a target of generating about US$2mil (RM8.57mil) each month this year.

“We are confident in our ability to aim for these figures because it is a conservative target to reach. The monthly growth in 2022 was impressive for the size of this business, approximately in the range of almost US$2.66mil (RM11.4mil), so we are expecting to achieve more in 2023,” he told Bernama recently.

Carmo said people nowadays wanted to save cost and time in the event of traffic jams so they preferred to ride motorcycles instead of cars.

He believes that these factors would make 2023 the “year of the bike”.

“In the Malaysian segment, almost one million used motorcycles change hands every year so iMotorbike intends to enter this market by adding value to the product.

“With technological capabilities, our platform provides nimble, agile and more accessible services to customers such as showroom infrastructure and inspection centres to customers,” he said.

Moving forward, Carmo said the company was looking for as many players as possible to work together and improve service quality.

“We have worked with several players, such as finance and insurance providers in the region to improve the speed and quality of what we do.

“Every day, we do our best to provide the best experience to the end-customer, and what we do is a game changer in terms of the problems we are solving for the customer,” he said.

Carmo explained that most used motorcycles have been traded in an unstructured, unprofessional and non-digital manner in the region where it is mainly a customer-to-customer type of business interaction.

“Many people are looking for a platform that allows them to understand the quality of the products on both sides and the people they are interacting with to avoid scammers.

“We will provide all the necessary functions, including doing a full 170-point inspection on the motorcycle, and providing a six-day return policy with 100% money-back guarantee,” he noted.

He also said that the business operation was expanding quickly, being cash-efficient, and ensuring it correctly served its shareholders and investors.


New colour option for the Benelli TNT135SE

                PENANG: Mforce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd,  the sole distributor of premium motorcycle brands in Malaysia including Benelli, has announced the latest colour - striking green- for the Benelli TNT135SE which will be available soon.

The Benelli TNT135SE comes in two editions: the normal edition is priced at RM8,190 while the special edition is  RM10,088.

The Benelli TNT135SE features a 135cc four-stroke engine with fuel injection and is compliant with EURO 4 emissions standard. It is capable of producing 13hp at 9,000rpm.

It has a height of 1,025mm and a length of 1,750mm. It now comes with a 220mm disc brake system with two pistons in the front and 190mm with one piston in the rear for enhanced safety when riding on the road.

It also features a 41mm inverted fork for the front suspension which is usually used by Benelli's large-capacity motorcycle models.

The Benelli TNT135SE will be available at all Benelli distributors throughout Malaysia.


Indonesia suspends nickel ore exports with immediate effect

A worker displaying nickel ore in a ferronickel smelter owned by state miner Aneka Tambang Tbk at Pomala district, Indonesia, in a 2011 file pic. — Reuters
JAKARTA: Indonesia suspended exports of nickel ore with immediate effect after a planned ban on shipments from the beginning of next year led to a rush to beat the deadline.

The mineral meant for exports during the rest of the year will be absorbed by domestic companies with smelters, Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters here on Monday.

The government and nickel miners association agreed to halt exports immediately and there won’t be any notification issued in this regard, he said.

Among nickel's uses is as a key component in batteries for electric cars.

Nickel rose as much as 1.2% to reach US$16,980 a ton on the London Metal Exchange after the news. Prices peaked at US$18,060 in early September immediately after Indonesia first announced plans to expedite the ore ban. Shares of nickel producers also rallied on the news with MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC jumping as much as 7%.

 A worker manning a furnace during the nickel smelting process at Indonesian mining company PT Vale's smelting plant in Soroako, South Sulawesi. — AFP

Indonesian companies with outstanding export contracts will need to find ways to avoid possible penalties, Lahadalia said. Local smelters can buy ore committed for shipments at prices prevailing in China after deducting taxes and shipment costs, he said.

China’s imports of nickel ore rose to a five-year high in September, suggesting that users there were in rush to secure material. Almost all of Indonesia’s nickel ore goes to China.

The move to halt nickel ore exports is in line with President Joko Widodo’s plan to turn Indonesia into a processor of its mineral resources than a mere supplier of raw materials.

In August, the government brought forward a planned ban on exports of nickel ore by two years to the start of January, potentially removing millions of tons of supply from the market and threatening a global shortage.

Adding value

"We agreed that we must no longer export ore again but just process it domestically,” Lahadalia said. "Because when we export the ore, the country will see losses. We want downstream industries, so that we will have high exports with additional values, and it will be able to create jobs.”

Widodo’s government has already said it intends to follow its ban on nickel ore exports with similar steps for other minerals such as bauxite and copper concentrate. The curbs are seen accelerating investments of $20 billion in smelters, stainless steel plants and electric battery units.

"Like it or not, we must develop smelters, and we already have smelters in some places including in south-east Sulawesi, in Morowali,” Lahadalia said. "The downstream industry will bring huge additional values for our country.”

 Excavators mining for nickel ore at Kolonedalle village near Morowali, Indonesia's Sulawesi island in 2014. — Reuters

Indonesia has about 14 nickel smelters and another 27 under construction, according to the Indonesia Smelter Enterprises Association. The smelters in PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park and those owned by PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry may have a combined input capacity of 40 million tons annually, according to Alexander Barus, chief executive of the Morowali park.

Another metal supplied to the car industry, palladium, traded near a record after topping IS$1,800 an ounce as stricter air-quality rules increase demand for the metal used in vehicle pollution-control devices, with prices up more than 40% this year.

Spot palladium was steady at US$1,802.95 an ounce at 8:37 a.m. in Singapore time, after peaking on Monday at US$1,810.20. The metal, mined in South Africa and Russia, has surged for the past six straight quarters.

While car sales have been sluggish, tighter environmental laws in Europe and China are boosting consumption, according to Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. Production is likely to continue to trail use through 2020, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eily Ong said in an Oct 17 note. Speculation that the US and China are moving closer to a trade deal also helped lift prices on Monday.

READ MORE: Expected nickel shortage worrying Tesla and EV battery suppliers


Ford to boost F-150 Lightning production capacity

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said on Thursday it would boost its F-150 Lightning production capacity to 80,000 per year due to strong demand for the electric pickup truck, adding that the vehicle would go on sale next spring.

The US automaker, at an event attended by Michigan's Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, said it would invest US$250 million and add 450 hourly jobs across three of the state's facilities to lift the vehicle's production.

Ford's move, confirming a Reuters report last month, comes even as industry observers question whether individual buyers will give up their gas-powered pickups for electric models.

The Lightning, which has over 150,000 reservations to date, is an electric version of Ford's best-selling gas-powered F-150 truck, whose popularity has made it the subject of some songs.

 One year after Ford confirmed construction of the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich., the first Ford F-150 Lightning pre-production units begin leaving the factory. Pre-production model shown. F-150 Lightning available starting spring 2022.

"The interest from the public has surpassed our highest expectations," executive chairman Bill Ford said in a statement.

Reuters had reported the automaker was targeting annual production of more than 80,000 Lightning pickup trucks in 2024, up from its prior target of more than 40,000.

Ford and other global automakers are racing to shift their gasoline-powered lineups to all-electric power under pressure from regions like Europe and China to cut vehicle emissions.

Ford's plan to lift capacity also comes as Congress is debating whether to expand tax credits for electric vehicles, including offering an extra US$4,500 to EVs such as the Lightning that are made in the United States with union labour.

Testing new technology

The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, which is assembling the electric pickups, is a test bed for new manufacturing technology, said Christopher Skaggs, the manager overseeing Ford's EV planning and implementation.

Instead of a fixed assembly line, Lightning bodies and frames ride on automated platforms, enabling Ford to add or subtract platforms to change production rates.

Robots flip truck frames upside down to allow for attachment of suspension parts. Tools are attached to data systems that track whether bolts are attached properly.

Production of prototype Lightning trucks currently occupy a portion of the 500,000 square foot electric vehicle assembly area.

 One year after Ford confirmed construction of the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich., the first Ford F-150 Lightning pre-production units begin leaving the factory. Pre-production model shown. F-150 Lightning available starting spring 2022.

Ford has space to expand if demand allows, though plant manager Corey Williams and other Ford officials would not talk about plans beyond those announced on Thursday.

Michigan US Representative Debbie Dingell, whose district will get many of the new jobs, was also present at the Dearborn factory event.


Ioniq 5: Hyundai powers EV race with car that can cook dinner

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co. is pitching its new Ioniq 5 as being able to do more than the average EV.

In a series of promotional videos on YouTube, a camper is shown running on a treadmill hooked up to the car’s battery, listening to their favourite tunes on a bank of speakers, and even rustling up a roast-chicken dinner in a portable oven.

The car can supply up to 3.6 kilowatts of power, enough to run appliances like refrigerators and stoves.

It’s part of a push by Hyundai to appeal to a younger audience as it plays catch-up in the EV market.

The South Korean automaker is behind EV pioneers such as Tesla Inc. and established brands like Volkswagen AG and BMW AG, only introducing its electric car in 2018.

“We looked at the wider meaning of space that would include outdoor and daily activities that consumers can do with their cars,” Heung Soo Kim, a senior vice president and head of product and EV businesses, said in an interview last month.

“We are constantly looking into new features that will appeal to users.”

Hyundai says it’s the first major electric-car maker to offer bi-directional charging, which means owners can power electronic devices from the car battery.

While conventional car batteries can be used to charge laptops and phones, they drain quickly if hooked up to anything more powerful, like a portable fridge or sound system, meaning serious campers need to install a dual-battery system or lug around heavy, noisy generators to power their home comforts.

The Ioniq 5 also comes with the option to install a solar-panel roof that will charge the battery pack, giving the vehicle additional driving range of about 1,300km annually.

US-based EV start-up Rivian Automotive Inc. is also looking to attract buyers who love the great outdoors, but with some creature comforts. It has developed a slide-out camp kitchen for its Sedona SUV complete with an induction cooktop powered by the car battery.

‘New era’

Hyundai in the next few months is set to start sales of the Ioniq 5, its first EV built on a dedicated platform called the Electric-Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP. The flattened chassis allows the automaker to create more spacious interiors, another drawcard to entice drivers to switch from convention gasoline-powered vehicles.

“This year will be the start of a new era for Hyundai and Kia as its full EVs go on sale,” said Lee Jae-il, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities Co. here.

“Hyundai has come a long way from being one of the latecomers to the EV market to offering a very competitive product with the Ioniq 5.”

Still, demand for the Ioniq 5 is expected to be slow initially. Hyundai received orders for just more than 20,000 of the vehicles in South Korea on the day pre-orders opened. The automaker aims to sell 26,500 of the EV model in its home market this year, a fraction of its total sales target of 741,500 vehicles.

The Ioniq 5 will start at 52 million won ($46,000) before subsidies, according to Hyundai’s website. The smaller Kona EV starts at 49 million won before subsidies, and its Palisade SUV starts at 36.4 million won.

Another features Hyundai says sets it apart from rivals is its charging speed. The platform enables EVs to charge up to 80% capacity from 10% in 18 minutes and add as much as 100km of driving range in just 5 minutes. They’ll have a top range of 500km on a single charge. It will also charge at 800 volts and 400 volts, allowing owners to access more charging infrastructure, Kim said.

That compares with Volkswagen’s ID.4, which takes about 38 minutes to charge up to 80% from 5% in about 38 minutes and add 100km in about 10 minutes. It falls short of the Porsche Taycan, which can add enough charge for 100km in 4 minutes, and has a total range of 450km. Tesla markets the Long Range version of its Model 3 at about 515km.

Hyundai’s Kia Corp. unit last month also unveiled its new EV6 model that will be assembled on the same E-GMP platform and is expected to go on sale in July.

“We also focused on having a modular platform that will enable us to offer various types of vehicles on the same platform,” Kim said.

Hyundai is also working to build charging infrastructure to encourage more people to buy EVs. The conglomerate unveiled plans in March to provide ultra-high-speed charging stations through its E-pit brand. It plans to open 20 stations in South Korea this year and will work with potential partners overseas to build the infrastructure.

Emerging markets beckon too, with India and Southeast Asia part of the company’s long-term strategy, Kim said. Hyundai is also considering partnerships with local governments to build charging infrastructure to support demand for EVs, he said.


Aug 25-31: RON97 petrol down 5 sen to RM4.30

                PETALING JAYA: The retail price of RON97 petrol will drop 5 sen to RM4.30 per litre with effect from Aug 25-31.

Prices of RON95 petrol and diesel remain unchanged at their respective ceiling prices of RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre, said the Ministry of Finance today.

The weekly retail pricing of petroleum products are set using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.

To protect the consumers from global oil price increase, the Government will maintain the ceiling price of RON95 petrol and diesel even though the market prices for both products have exceeded the current ceiling price.


Funeral discounts for elderly Japan drivers who quit

                TOKYO: The prospect of a cheaper funeral is being used to entice elderly Japanese drivers to give up their licences as police step up efforts to prevent accidents caused by ageing motorists.

Deadly accidents involving elderly drivers are a growing problem in a country where the population is rapidly growing older and some 4.8 million people aged 75 or older hold a licence.

In November, a six-year-old boy died and 11 others were injured after an 87-year-old driver's pickup truck hit children walking to school in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

Japan this month introduced a new rule under which drivers aged 75 or older must pass cognitive tests when renewing their licences.

Now, a funeral service company in central Japan has from this month started offering a 15 percent discount to elderly drivers who give up their permits.

READ MORE:
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Checklist for driving in the latter years

"We've been offering funeral services to those who lost family members in car accidents," Shigenori Ariga of the funeral company Heiankaku in told AFP on Tuesday.

"We want to help prevent deaths caused by such accidents," he said.

Ariga said the discount was offered after a request by the local police department in the city of Ichinomiya in Aichi prefecture where the funeral business is located.

It is applied to altars used during funerals, Ariga said, adding that the elderly drivers can end up save a minimum of 56,000 yen (RM2,220).

The discount applies not just when the drivers who give up their licences die but even their close family members as well, he said.

Police in Aichi in November started offering a ramen noodle discount to elderly drivers who give up their licences via a tie-up with a local restaurant chain.

To give some context to this story, the table below lists practices in European countries governing the licensing of older drivers. The results of an OECD survey show some of the differences in medical requirements for licence renewal. In addition to the medical requirements for renewal of the driving licence, some countries also require older drivers to pass driving tests.

Licensing procedures in some European countries


A look at Rimac C_Two electromagnetic testing

                ZAGREB: The Rimac C_Two electric hypercar is undergoing various tests ahead of first customer deliveries next year.

It is being put through its paces on the road, on tracks and proving grounds, and in labs.

As part of the rigorous development, the Croatian hypercar is undergoing EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) testing, tapping the expertise of engineering specialist IAV and testing service provider SLG in Germany.

The principle behind EMC is the testing of all electrical devices and how they perform in the real world, both in terms of the electromagnetic emissions they give out, as well as how they react when receiving inputs from outside influences.

Without such in-depth testing taking place, many things just would not operate properly, from the car’s air conditioning and radio system to road infrastructure such as speed cameras and traffic lights.

The EMC testing is crucial when developing electric vehicles, and the task is even more essential when you are developing one of the most powerful cars to date.

Electromagnetic emissions are measured according to an EU Approved standard - ECE R10 - which is critical to comply with for the homologation of the car.

Setting up for the vehicle test, the C_Two is put inside a Semi Anechoic EMC chamber. With hybrid absorbers and ground plane, it is completely sealed off from outside interference.

During the tests themselves, the prototype C_Two is driven at certain speeds and subjected to radiation levels of between 20 MHz and 20 GHz.

At specific intervals, electrically-based systems such as the air conditioning, lights, and wipers are also turned on to assess whether the car performs as expected.

In keeping with the car’s advanced features, the tests also take into account each of the car’s specific drive modes, such as Range and Track, to ensure that the car’s inverters and power distribution react as predicted.

Once the tests have been completed, the specialist teams disassemble the prototype, assess each of the key components individually, and discuss the results to identify any improvement areas.

The car is then reassembled, put back into the EMC chamber and the process is conducted once again to ensure that everything is faultless.

As EMC is considered as "black magic" even by the experts; this test was to understand the overall vehicle behaviour and map out the biggest influencing factors.

Rimac said the series of test went well and the car needed further refinements before it is certified fit for series production.

The 1,914hp/2,300Nm Rimac C_Two will deliver a 0-100kph time of 2s (0-160kph in 4.3s) and a top speed of 415kph in final production form. Only 150 units will be made and is said to be priced at US$2mil (RM8.1mil) apiece.


Hyundai will launch pickup, more SUVs to reverse US sales slide

                DETROIT/SEOUL: Hyundai Motor plans to launch a pickup truck in the United States as part of a broader plan to catch up with a shift away from sedans in one of the Korean automaker's most important markets, said a senior company executive.

Michael J. O'Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at Hyundai's US unit, said Hyundai's top management has given the green light for development of a pickup truck similar to a show vehicle called the Santa Cruz that US Hyundai executives unveiled in 2015.

Hyundai currently does not offer a pickup truck in the United States.

 Kona

O'Brien also said Hyundai plans to launch a small SUV called the Kona in the United States later this year.

People familiar with the automaker's plans said the pick-up truck is expected to be launched in 2020.

They said separately that Hyundai plans to introduce three other new or refreshed SUVs by 2020.

Under the plan, Hyundai Motor plans to roll out a new version of its Santa Fe Sport mid-sized SUV next year, followed by an all-new 7-passenger crossover which will replace a current three-row Santa Fe in early 2019 in the United Sates. A redesigned Tucson SUV is expected in 2020.

So-called crossovers - sport utilities built on chassis similar to sedans - now account for about 30 percent of total light vehicle sales in the United States. Consumers in China, the world's largest auto market, are also substituting car-based SUVs for sedans.

Hyundai's US dealers have pushed the company to invest more aggressively in SUVs and trucks as demand for sedans such as the midsize Sonata and the smaller Elantra has waned.

 Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept

"We are optimistic about the future," said Scott Fink, chief executive of Hyundai of New Port Richey, Florida, which is Hyundai's biggest US dealer. "But we are disappointed that we don't have the products today."

Hyundai's US sales are down nearly 11 percent this year through July 31, worse than the overall 2.9 percent decline in US car and light truck sales. Sales of the Sonata, once a pillar of Hyundai's US franchise, have fallen 30 percent through the first seven months of 2017. In contrast, sales of Hyundai's current SUV lineup are up 11 percent for the first seven months of this year.

"Our glasses are fairly clean," O'Brien said. "We understand where we have a shortfall."


Honda may decouple supply chain from China, says paper

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co Ltd is considering building a separate supply chain that would lower its dependence on China, the Sankei newspaper reported today, in what would be a high profile move by a major Japanese manufacturer.

Many big Japanese companies have built extensive production hubs in China but have recently seen output snarled by Covid-19-related lockdowns.

There are also deepening worries about the impact of tensions between the United States and China.

Honda would continue to keep its supply chain in China for the domestic market in the world's second-largest economy, while building a separate one for markets outside of China, the Sankei said.

It did not say where it got the information.

Honda had no immediate comment, said a spokesman.


US to detail US$5bil plan to fund EV charging network

                WASHINGTON: The Biden administration today plans to detail how it will award nearly US$5 billion over five years to build thousands of electric vehicle charging stations.

Congress approved the funding to states as part of a US$1 trillion infrastructure bill in November.

The White House wants to prod Americans to move away from gasoline-powered vehicles even as efforts to win substantial additional funding for EVs in Congress have stalled.

The administration will make US$615 million available in 2022 but states must first submit plans and win federal approval.

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California becomes first US state to hit 1 million plug-in cars
US EV charging network more robust but provider differences remain

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said funding "will help us win the EV race by working with states, labor, and the private sector to deploy a historic nationwide charging network."

By 2030, Biden wants 50% of all new vehicles sold to be electric or plug-in hybrid electric models and 500,000 new EV charging stations; he has not endorsed phasing out new gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2030.

The Biden administration said in guidance today that states should first prioritise investments along interstate highways. It also says:

> States should fund DC Fast Chargers; stations should have at least four ports capable of simultaneously charging four EVs.

> States should install EV charging infrastructure every 80km along interstate highways and be located within  1.6km of highways.

> Federal funds will cover 80% of EV charging costs, with private or state funds making up the balance.

The administration anticipates states will generally opt to hire private entities to install and operate EV charging stations.

The White House endorsed legislation stalled in Congress to increase current US$7,500 EV tax credits to up to US$12,500 for union-made US vehicles, create credits of up to US$4,000 for used EVs and lift the current 200,000-vehicle EV manufacturer tax credit cap, which would make General Motors and Tesla eligible again.

That bill includes a 30% credit for commercial electric vehicles, US$3.5 billion for converting US factories for EV production and US$9 billion for the US Postal Service and federal government to buy EVs and charging stations.


Police  turn to social media to nab motorists who use emergency lanes

                KUALA TERENGGANU: The police may haul up road users travelling on emergency lanes to assist in investigation, including those with their vehicle pictures and number plates posted on Facebook, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.

Those found guilty will be imposed the maximum fine of RM300 and no discount will be given, Noor Rashid told a press conference yesterday after the closing of the national-level police contingent Tilawah Al-Quran which was held in Terengganu.

Noor Rashid said using the emergency lane was an offence as it would hinder teams reacting to emergency cases.

It was reported that cars travelling on the emergency lane at KM228 of the North-South Expressway had hindered an ambulance from reaching the accident site.

After viewing a video recording of the vehicles on the emergency lane, the Road Transport Department issued 91 notices to the vehicle owners to come forward to assist investigations and they have 14 days to appear at the JPJ office.

Noor Rashid said the same rule would be applied by the police as the use of emergency lanes by private vehicles has to be stopped.

On the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections, Noor Rashid said that some 7,000 police personnel will be deployed.

Two thousand will be deployed in Kuala Kangsar and 5,000 in Sungai Besar.

“We hope supporters of the political parties do not behave unruly. We are also hoping for it to take place peacefully and do not wish to see any untoward incidents.”


BMW introduces 630i GT M Sport at RM450K (est)

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has officially expanded its 6 Series (G32) lineup with the introduction of the 6 Series Gran Turismo - the 630i GT M Sport.

The GT in CKD form will be available in showrooms nationwide from Sept 8 onwards and has been priced at an estimated RM450,000 while providing four colour options of Alpine White, Bluestone, Carbon Black and Sophisto Grey - all matched to the cabin’s Dakota Black leather upholstery. As an added option, Dakota Cognac leather upholstery has been made available for Carbon Black and Sophisto Grey.

The five-door fast back is further accompanied by the German carmaker’s standard five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service program and two-year tyre warranty program for its run-flat tyres as well as providing access to its BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App, BMW White Card and BMW Service Online.

Powering the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic Steptronic Sport transmission (with paddle shifters) is a 2.0-litre (1,998cc) in-line four-cylinder B48 petrol engine producing 258hp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and a whopping 400Nm of torque from 1,550 to 4,400rpm - allowing it to sprint from 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

The GT rolls on 20-inch M light-weight double-spoke style 648 M Bicolour wheels wearing 20 x 8.5 245/40 (front) and 20 x 10 275/35 (rear) run-flat tyres with flat tyre indicator - all of which obscures the view of the blue-painted M Sport brake callipers.

With a wheelbase of 3,070mm, the GT comes in measuring 5,091mm-long, 1,902mm-wide and 1,538mm-tall, while weighing roughly around the 1.8-ton mark (kerb) and gets suspended by the Adaptive suspension with Dynamic Damper Control and air suspension for both axles which can either increase its ride-height by 20mm or decrease it by 10mm.

Externally, it features doors with frameless windows, an active air stream kidney grille that's flanked by LED fog lamps and a pair of automatic LED adaptive headlights with variable light distribution, high beam assistant and BMW Selective Beam (Anti-dazzle high beam).

Other notable inclusions are an active rear spoiler (deploys at 110kph and lowers drag to 0.25Cd), BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, lightly chromed trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe finishers, an M Aerodynamics Package and external mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle and fold-in function.

Inside, the cabin features an Anthracite headliner with Dakota leather upholstery, combination of fine-wood with pearl chrome accents, interior mirrors with anti-dazzle function, illuminated M scuff plates, M sports seats - powered drivers seat with memory function, 11 predefined ambient lighting designs in six different colours, a leather-wrapped M multifunction steering wheel and a heads-up display.

Also included is a fairly large two-part powered panoramic glass roof (with heat and sun protection glazing), keyless entry with push-start button, hands free tailgate operation, rear mechanical roller sunblinds, automatic wipers, quad-zone climate controls with rear air vents, front armrest storage compartment and a high-resolution 12.3-inch multifunctional free-standing colour display.

Entertainment comes from a 16-speaker 600-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system with a 10.25-inch touch-sensitive interface, 20GB ROM, on-board computer including Check Control, Telephony with wireless charging, USB, Bluetooth connectivity, extended smartphone connectivity, BMW ConnectedDrive services including Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Concierge Services and Remote Services, BMW Gesture Control and Navigation system Professional.

For safety, the GT comes equipped with six airbags, antilock braking system, dynamic braking lights with flashing function, dynamic stability control with dynamic traction control, cornering brake control and dynamic brake control with brake assist and rear ISOFIX child seat mounting points.

To further bolster safety levels, the GT also comes with Active Cruise Control with stop and go function, driving assistant with lane departure warning, lane change warning, approach control warning and person warning, cross traffic warning rear and prevention of rear collision, parking assistant, automatic parking for parallel and perpendicular manoeuvres as well as a rear view camera.

“The BMW 6 Series GT adds another dimension and offering to our modern luxury product portfolio. The new vehicle offers impressive functionality with a new award-winning body format and the high standards of driving comfort and spaciousness are among the features that defined the character of this distinctive vehicle type,” said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Harald Hoelzl.


VW reboots Americas strategy, drops diesel in US

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen said it would drop diesel vehicles in the United States and refocus on sport utility and electric vehicles, as the automaker looks to reboot strategy for its core brand in the Americas in the wake of a damaging diesel emissions cheating scandal.

The move, announced by VW brand chief Herbert Diess, breaks with earlier suggestions it could return to the once-popular technology after the emissions scandal fades from memory.

The decision to drop diesel vehicles - which formerly made up a quarter of the brand's US sales - is just one element of a strategic overhaul that Diess conceded could take a decade to close the gap with rivals in the United States.

Volkswagen has agreed to pay billions of dollars in fines and compensation payouts to US customers since admitting last year to cheating on federal diesel emissions tests.

"For years we have been lacking a blueprint for success in the United States, while we are losing ground to rivals in markets like Brazil or India," said Diess, a former BMW executive who joined VW in July 2015. VW had missed "the SUV boom," he said.

The brand now plans to have 19 SUV models globally by 2020, up from just 2 now, and including some electric ones. It aims to sell 1 million electric vehicles a year by 2025.

 The Atlas.

"At the moment, we assume that we will offer no new diesel vehicles in the US," Diess told European business daily Handelsblatt.

Volkswagen showcased its Atlas SUV, built expressly for the US market, at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week.

Diess said success in the Americas was vital to reviving the core Volkswagen brand that accounted for 59 percent of the German group's auto sales in 2015 but only 16 percent of group underlying operating profit.

The CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Hinrich Woebcken, told reporters last week in Los Angeles that Volkswagen wants to shift from being a "niche" player into a "family-oriented SUV company."

Entry into the lucrative SUV segment will help VW reach 60 to 70 percent of the US market, up from an earlier 40 percent, he said.

"We not only want to be profitable in Europe and China but are determined to generate positive results in all major markets by 2020," Diess told reporters.

Volkswagen last week announced a cost-cutting deal with labor unions that will allow it to axe 30,000 jobs at the VW brand by 2020.

On Tuesday, Diess set out a recovery strategy to 2025 and beyond, spanning a wide range of initiatives including SUVs, electric cars, digital services and plans to launch a budget car in China and India by about 2019-2020.

The long-term goal, he said, was to lift the VW brand's operating profit margin to 6 percent by 2025, compared with just 2 percent forecast for this year. That would still lag some rivals such as PSA Peugeot Citroen, which is aiming to hit 6 percent in 2021.


In Ethiopia, busted VW Beetles 'pimped out' for hip youth

Teshome with his pimped Beetle in Addis Ababa. — AFP
ADDIS ABABA: When Robel Wolde bought a beat-up 1967 Volkswagen Beetle from a friend for 50,000 Ethiopian birr (about RM7,200), it marked the start of an extensive restoration he'd plotted for years.

The 25-year-old Ethiopian painter quickly went to work.

He installed new grey leather seats, applied black stripes and decals along the orange-and-blue exterior and hired a metalworker to fit oversized headlights to the front bumper.

Two months and an additional US$1,000 later, Robel's vision was complete.

And with that, he joined the growing number of young Ethiopian drivers giving the Beetle — which has long occupied a hallowed position in the nation's car culture — a 21st-century upgrade.

Some of this restoration work is inspired by shows like the old MTV hit "Pimp My Ride" — "pimped out", American slang for customised vehicles, has been adopted in Addis Ababa.

But love for the Beetle in Ethiopia goes back decades, and is rooted in both economics and nostalgia.

Volkswagen is hoping to capitalise on this goodwill. In January, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ethiopian government to set up a domestic auto industry, including an assembly plant.

Regardless of what comes of this project, Robel says the Beetle's popularity will endure.

"Most of the time, Beetles are driven by old people," he said, leaning on the bonnet of his car near one of Addis' busier roundabouts.

"But when they are custom and pimped like this, they are a fashion statement for young people."

The 'car for everyone'

Initially developed in Nazi Germany as an instrument of propaganda, the origins of the Volkswagen Beetle "people's car" date back to 1938.

Beetles became a common sight in Addis Ababa under former emperor Haile Selassie, who ruled for more than four decades beginning in 1930.

In 1974, when the communist Derg regime removed him from power, Haile Selassie was famously forced to duck into a Beetle before being escorted away from his palace.

Decades later, Beetles remain ubiquitous, in part because exorbitant taxes make buying new cars impossible for many.

Yet it's clear that the cars also have sentimental value.

When the Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste sees one, she says she is reminded of the pale blue Beetle her grandfather drove -- the same car that took her to the airport when she left the country as a young girl not long after the Derg came to power.

"I associate that car with Ethiopia, with growing up there and all the happy memories I have," she told AFP.

Last year, Mengiste started posting pictures of Beetles on Twitter, using the hashtag #BeetleEthiopia.

Ever since, Ethiopians from a range of backgrounds have been posting photos of their own, sometimes offering equally personal memories.

"There was something about a Volkswagen that cut through social lines," Mengiste said.

"It was a car for everyone. You could be looking for some form of stability, and you would manage to buy a Volkswagen and that was your step into an upwardly mobile but not extravagant social class."

'I pimp all of it'

Like Mengiste, Kaleb Teshome, a 29-year-old mechanic, has been riding in Beetles all his life.

For decades, his family has owned a garage that specialises in fixing up the cars.

Now Kaleb works alongside his father at the garage, where more than a dozen Beetles compete for space on a tiny dirt lot, with others lining the nearby road.

Many of the Beetles have been brought in for standard tune-ups.

But every few months, Kaleb is asked to do the kind of custom work worthy of "Pimp My Ride," a show he still watches online even though it was cancelled more than a decade ago.

"I've known the cars since my childhood. I know what they need," he said.

"It could be paint work. It could be big tyres. It could be a sound system. I pimp all of it."

One recent morning, he showed AFP his own "pimped-out" Beetle, a shiny green-and-black 1972 model with massive tyres that would look more at home on a truck.

"When I drive it on the street," he said, "even people who drive luxurious cars say 'Wow.'"

'Part of history'

Whether "pimped-out" or not, the Beetles of Addis Ababa seem destined to become collectors' items.

In July, Volkswagen marked the end of the Beetle's around eight-decade run by launching a limited, 65-unit "Beetle Final Edition" at its factory in Puebla, Mexico.

For Robel, the painter, the news was further validation of the investment he'd made in his own car.

"If production of the Beetles has stopped, that means we have a treasure," he said.

"They will become part of history. That is their fate, so I think I am lucky. Even if I get a really good offer, I don't think I will sell."


Pasir Gudang homeowners who build garages must pay a fee from next year

                PASIR GUDANG: The Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) will impose a fee on homeowners who build garages in front of their houses from next year.

MBPG mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the council is in the final phase of collecting feedback from the public before proceeding.

“The most important thing is feedback from the neighbours, because some may have more than one car and build (a) garage that (encroaches on or obstructs) their neighbours.

“What happens when the neighbour also has more than one car? (We would like to make) sure that each homeowner has their concerns heard and rights protected.

“We will also make sure that each garage is up to safety standards and will not (pose a danger) to others," he said after the MBPG full council meeting at Menara Aqabah here today.