Lease a Volvo with MyMotor

                PETALING JAYA – Volvo Car Malaysia today signed a Leasing Service Agreement with MyMotor (MYEG Fintech) to introduce Volvo Car Leasing – a service that will let customers enjoy stress-free Volvo ownership, minus the usual financial strain of a hire-purchase agreement.

The closed-door signing ceremony was held at the Volvo Car Malaysia headquarters and was attended by Lennart Stegland, the Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, and Justin Cheah, the Chief Executive Officer of MyMotor.

Volvo Car Leasing, a first for Volvo Cars in the Southeast Asia region, offers customers an opportunity to drive a Volvo, worry-free, with the insurance, road tax, maintenance cost, and warranty covered.

Additionally, at the end of the leasing agreement, customers could either choose to select a new model to drive home, purchase the car at market rate or Future Guaranteed Value (FGV), or simply return the car to the dealership.

“Our company philosophy is centred around people, their needs and what they care about. Now with Volvo Car Leasing, our customers are able to choose an appropriate model based on their current need or station in life and change it when the need arises,” said Stegland.

The programme will be available for all Volvo models sold in Malaysia, at all participating dealerships.

Customers can drive home a new Volvo from as low as RM2,762 per month which is inclusive of a comprehensive insurance package, road tax, and maintenance cost.

“Every Volvo leased under this programme comes complete with our Volvo Service Agreement Plus (VSA+) which covers a list of service actions including a wide range of wear and tear items, giving the customer peace of mind in when it comes to his or her Volvo ownership experience,” adds Stegland.

Volvo Car Leasing also allows customers greater financial flexibility when compared to a typical hire-purchase agreement, freeing up valuable credit to purchase other assets on top of not having to worry about incidentals related to car ownership.

“Based on our calculation, a customer could potentially save more with this leasing programme when compared to a hire-purchase agreement. At the end of the lease, the customer could renew the agreement and drive home a brand-new unit of thesame model or opt to upgrade his lease agreement with a different model,” said Cheah.

“In comparison to a traditional hire-purchase agreement, Volvo Car Leasing encompasses most of the cost involved with car ownership. This convenience should also prove to be very appealing to company or fleet purchasers,” Cheah adds.

Cheah explains that with Volvo Car Leasing, customer would not have to be concerned about disposing or selling the cars at the end of the agreement – something which is a given when it comes to a hire-purchase agreement.

In conjunction with the launch of Volvo Car Leasing all models will be offered with a promotional rate that is applicable from today till Aug 31 2018. Volvo Car Leasing will also be offering free petrol vouchers worth RM300 for all bookings received within this promotional period.

For more information on the available models, applicable rates, VSA+, and Volvo Car Leasing and any current promotions, please visit Volvo Car Malaysia’s webpage at: volvocars.com/my.


Head of Apple electric car team to quit

                SAN FRANCISCO: The head of Apple's automotive team plans to leave the company, a recent media report said, citing unnamed sources.

Former Ford engineer Steve Zadesky, who joined Apple 16 years ago and has spent the past two years at the head of a secret electric car project called "Titan," is leaving for "personal reasons," according to the Wall Street Journal.

The exact date of Zadesky's departure and the personal reasons at issue were not clear, the report said.

Apple declined to comment.

Zadesky's departure would be a bump in the road for Apple's automotive aspirations.

Apple has never directly confirmed project Titan, but car-industry hires and acquisitions have fuelled intense speculation that it has joined the race to merge automobile, internet, and machine intelligence.


Detroit automakers, union drop mask mandate for vaccinated workers

                DETROIT: The Detroit automakers and the United Auto Workers said on Tuesday fully vaccinated workers at their US factories will not have to wear masks on the job beginning on July 12.

General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Stellantis NV and the union that represents their US manufacturing workers said in a joint statement that those who have not been vaccinated will continue to wear masks at work.

Other automakers operating in the United States have already begun lifting pandemic mask mandates as the number of new Covid-19 cases recedes.


Ford says its Max Recline Seats in F-150 is ideal for power naps

                DETROIT: Ford has patented an all-new way for its customers to rest away from home with class-exclusive available Max Recline Seats in the new F-150.

The new seat makes for a comfortable nap. The mechanism lifts the back half of the seat bottom 3.5 inches to make a flat surface of nearly 180 degrees to support the lower back. The upper seatback can also be moved forward for neck support. Ford’s all-new seats have been awarded five patents tied to the novel design and assembly process.

“There are no additional motors in these seats – just a simple mechanism that relies on the customer moving the seatback using the power recline function,” said Ben Kulhawik, seat design and release engineer.

To make this new seating system come to life, Ford engineers figured out the best and simplest user experience, then created mockups to quickly develop a proof of concept. They used hot glue, foam core and pins to build up components and attach them to a standard seat frame so they could test multiple concepts.

After finding the most promising design, they developed a fully functional metal prototype to refine the motion and comfort of the seat; then production parts were created.

The Max Recline Seats will be offered on King Ranch, Platinum and Limited F-150 trucks starting in 2021 model year.

The F-150 is the best-selling pickup-truck in the United States for 43 years.


New Porsche 911 Sport Classic re-interprets the best from the past

                STUTTGART: Porsche's new 911 Sport Classic is the second of four collector's items introduced as part of its Heritage Design plan.

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur will produce 1,250 instances of the limited-edition vehicle, which harks back to the 1960s and early 1970s.

The look of this model, like that of its immediate predecessor, the 997-based 911 Sport Classic introduced in 2009, is inspired by the original 911 (1964 – 1973) and the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7.

"The Heritage Design models embody the most emotionally charged themes of Porsche's product strategy," said Porsche vice president for individualisation and classic Alexander Fabig.

Porsche Design has also produced a watch for sale to the collector's edition car owners. The watch picks up up on a plethora of features from the Porsche 911 Sport Classic design.

The wide body – otherwise reserved for the 911 Turbo models – a fixed rear spoiler in the style of the legendary "ducktail" Carrera RS 2.7 and the double-bubble roof underscore the distinctiveness of the new 911 Sport Classic.

Select interior features of the new 911 Sport Classic will also be available for most current 911 models as part of the Heritage Design Classic package.

When selecting the distinctive paint finish for the new limited-edition vehicle, the designers were inspired by the Fashion Grey painting of the early Porsche 356 as they were with the first 997-generation 911 Sport Classic released in 2009.

"The new 911 Sport Classic is the first car to receive Sport Grey Metallic painting," said Porsche vice president for style Michael Mauer.

"Grey is never boring, quite often a statement and always cool.”

As an alternative to the exclusive Sport Grey Metallic finish, the new 911 Sport Classic is also available in solid Black, Agate Grey Metallic, Gentian Blue Metallic or Paint to Sample (from October without contrasting painted twin stripes).

Twin stripes painted on the bonnet, roof and rear spoiler in light Sports Grey emphasise the car’s sporty design.

The iconic Pepita pattern can be seen on the door panels and seat centres in the interior, while two-tone, semi-aniline leather upholstery in Black/Classic Cognac creates an appealing contrast with the exterior colour.

The powertrain concept is equally unique: the 3.7-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine (911 Sport Classic: fuel consumption combined (WLTP) 12.6 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined (WLTP) 285 g/km, fuel consumption combined (NEDC) 12.8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined (NEDC) 292 g/km) transmits its 405 kW (550 PS) to the road via the rear wheels only.

 Maure.

In combination with the seven-speed manual gearbox, the new 911 Sport Classic is the most powerful manual 911 available today.

The gearbox has an auto-blip function that compensates for engine-speed differences between the gears with a brief burst of revs when shifting down.

The standard sports exhaust system is specially tailored to the model for an even more emotive sound experience.

The suspension, based on that of the 911 Turbo and 911 GTS models, meets high performance requirements: thanks to the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), its shock absorbers respond to dynamic changes at lightning speed.

PASM is combined as standard with the sports suspension, which features a 10-mm lower ride height.

Delivery will be available from European Porsche Centres from July onwards and additional markets will follow.


Popularising the EV

                Rising pollution and deteriorating air quality has led to a sharp decline in the overall health of the populace, particularly in urban areas with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting that 80% of city dwellers are continually exposed to unhealthy levels of air quality.

This is reflected here in Malaysia, with Petaling Jaya recording pollution levels of 46 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) well pass healthy levels of 30 µg/m³.

However, the Government’s plan to increase public transport share from its current 20% to 60% by 2020 is poised to dramatically improve this situation for all Malaysians by reducing dependence on private vehicles, easing congestion and mitigating carbon emissions from road transport.

Malaysia has an extensive public transport network with over 173,000 vehicles, as at 2014, emitting approximately 7.07 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) per year requiring over 180 million urban trees be planted to absorb said emissions.

With this in mind, the Government has overseen several projects to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of public transport, including restructuring bus routes, introducing novel-ride sharing programmes, extending the LRT and KTM ETS lines as well as constructing the new fully electric MRT project which will serve over 1.2 million commuters, potentially reducing carbon emissions by over 17,000 tCO2per 100km.

With the majority of rail transport already electric it makes perfect sense to extend this electrification to other modes of transport.

Electric buses
Buses are well-suited for electrification with pre-determined daily travel routes and regular intervals at the depot allowing for recharging, thereby reducing concerns related to range anxiety.

Through BYD Auto and supportive governmental policies, China now boasts the world’s largest fleet of electric buses to meet it pressing urban pollution issues. With over 80,000 electric buses on its roads in 2014, effectively mitigating around 6.6 MtCO2 each year.

Here in Malaysia, our fleet of 65,000 diesel-fuelled buses emit 5.8 MtCO2 annually, signalling a clear need to shift to more eco-friendly options. With national annual stage bus ridership at 223 million in 2014 , this shift is an ideal gateway to build public confidence and understanding of EV technology, while mitigating carbon emissions.

Interest in electric buses is already growing with the Sunway BRT line’s 15 units of BYD Auto electric buses, the Selangor State Government’s deployment of electric buses for their free community bus programme, and other electric buses being tested and deployed in Malacca and Putrajaya.

Meanwhile, the Malaysia Automotive Institute and Sync R&D have invested significant time and effort in the development and manufacture of electric buses with a view to enhancing local expertise and technical know-how.

Electric taxis
As at December 2014, a total of 64,547 taxis plied Malaysian roads emitting close to 330,000 tCO2 annually.

This represents an important avenue to popularise EVs among the public while simultaneously cutting down on carbon emissions.

Although many taxis are powered by a retrofitted natural gas system which result in lower carbon emissions, switching to all electric cars would further reduce carbon emissions by around 3.2 tCO2 per car.

Nissan, one of the world’s best-selling EVs brands is already cementing its position in this growing market with 550 electric taxis in Europe as at end 2015 .

Meanwhile, catering to the executive taxi market, 167 Tesla Model S cars are ferrying passengers to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.

Electric taxis provide a win-win situation for all with zero tailpipe emissions providing cleaner air for the public at large even as taxi drivers and taxi companies enjoy fuel and maintenance savings of around 69% and 64%, respectively.

Electric vehicle sharing
Sharing schemes offer even greater opportunities for commuters to build familiarity and confidence in the technology by providing a first-hand experience of driving an EV without having to own one.

These programmes have already gained traction across Europe and America with programmes such as Autolib’ which boasts a fleet of 4,000 electric cars in France and BlueIndy which features a fleet of 500 electric cars in the United States.

In Malaysia, Cohesive Mobility Solutions Sdn Bhd has pioneered the EV sharing market through its COMOS programme which now sports a fleet of 12 Renault Zoes allowing commuters the convenience of travelling around the Klang Valley in a quiet, smooth and environmentally friendly option.

A solid foundation
Internationally, electric public transport continues to grow rapidly, reaching out to a larger user base and substantially mitigating carbon emissions from road transport.

Here in Malaysia, the seeds for a thriving public EV transport system are already being sown, laying the foundation for a promising future for EVs in the country.

 BMW-X5-xDrive40eVolvo-XC90-CKD-Pug-in-Hybrid-Electric-VehicleMercedes-Benz-C-350-e-plug-in-hybridBMW 330e iPerformance

With continued investment and support from the public and private sector, Malaysia has the opportunity to completely transform its transportation landscape and become a leader in public green transportation in the region, positively impacting the economic, environmental and social well-being of Malaysia.

The next article in the series will explore the prospects for EVs in the private transport and corporate fleet segments while discussing potential strategies to capitalise on these opportunities.

> GreenTech Malaysia is an organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water (KeTTHA) charged with the development and promotion of green technology.
For feedback, email info@greentechmalaysia.my or visit www.greentechmalaysia.my for more information.


BMW offers up details on i4 electric car with 600km range

                MUNICH: The 4-door i4 that is coming in 2021 will have a 600km range, enabling BMW to pit it against the Tesla Model 3.

The BMW i brand's first Gran Coupé accelerates from zero to 100kph in around 4.0 seconds, achieving a top speed of more than 200kph.

Like the fully electric iX3, the i4 will be equipped with a fifth-generation eDrive technology. The iX3 – to be produced from 2020 onwards – will act as a pioneer, followed by the iNEXT and the i4.

The electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery have been entirely newly developed.

The electric motor developed for the i4 delivers a maximum output of around 390 kW/530hp, reaching the level of a V8 engine in current BMW models fitted with a combustion engine.

Also, the design of the high-voltage battery is characterised by its extremely flat design and optimised energy density. With a weight of some 550kg, it has an energy content of around 80kWh, which allows the i4 to have a 600km range.

Using fast chargers of up to 150 kW, the i4 can be charged to around 80% of its full energy content in around 35 minutes. This results in a charging time of around six minutes for a range of 100km.

No doubt BMW will continue to improve battery technology as it has set up a Battery Cell Competence Centre here to conduct battery R&D..

The i4 combines the characteristic proportions of a 4-door coupé with the typical design features of a BMW i model.

Dynamically stretched lines and a precise surface design go with aerodynamically optimised exterior features. The i4 will be easy to get in and out of especially for rear passengers as it will have a spacious, variable interior for both day-to-day trips and long-distance travel.

The i4 will be manufactured at the company's main plant here, where other vehicles produced include the 3 Series Sedan with conventional combustion engine and plug-in hybrid drive, the 3 Series Touring with conventional drive and from summer 2020 also with plug-in hybrid drive, the 4 Series Coupé and the M4 Coupé

By 2023, the BMW Group will have 25 models with electrified drive in its programme. It will have a model portfolio that includes efficient combustion engines as well as modern plug-in hybrid and purely electric drive.


Nissan unveils new LEAF electric car delayed by Ghosn's arrest

                LAS VEGAS: Nissan Motor Co. unveiled a new version of its LEAF electric car after delaying its launch amid the shock arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

The new model, launched Tuesday here, narrows the driving-range gap versus Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Bolt.

The Japanese carmaker called off key events in the wake of the scandal involving Ghosn, who was the architect of Nissan’s electric-car vision and its pact with Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp, the world’s biggest auto alliance.

Ghosn was arrested Nov 19 in Japan on alleged financial crimes. He remains in a Tokyo prison as prosecutors build their case.

The auto industry’s increasing focus on automation and new-energy vehicles, along with the aggressive push into both areas by Tesla and scores of startups from China to Germany, has added to Nissan’s challenges.

The LEAF e+ boasts a more energy-dense battery that extends its range by about 40 percent, to as much as 363km.

That compares with the 354km- to 500km range (for Tesla’s Model 3, which starts at US$44,000 (RM182,000), and the 383-km range on the US$36,620 (RM151,000) Chevrolet Bolt. While the LEAF starts at about US$30,000 (RM124,000) in the US, Nissan isn’t releasing the price of the e+ until it’s closer to starting sales this spring.

Nissan has sold more than 380,000 LEAF vehicles globally since its model first went on sale in 2010, with over 128,000 in the US. The new LEAF will be available at dealerships in Japan starting this month, followed by the US, then Europe in mid-2019, Nissan said in a statement.


Pebble Beach boasts a host of world premieres

                SAN FRANCISCO: The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California has once again provided the venue for a host of extraordinary supercar and concept car world premieres. Here is a brief selection of this year's innovations.

La Bugatti Divo
With its latest model, Bugatti pays tribute to French racing driver Albert Divo, a two-time winner of the famous Targa Florio race on the mountainous roads of Sicily for the French brand in the 1920s. Equipped with an eight-liter W16 engine with a power output of 1,480hp, the Divo can reach a limited top speed of 380kph. Only 40 Bugatti Divos will be made. The net unit price for each one will be 5 million euros (RM24mil).

Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner
For this year's Pebble Beach, the British manufacturer is presenting the Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner, an homage to the last model to be created by the brand's founder Walter Owen Bentley in 1930. The new automobile, of which only 100 copies will be made, will reprise some of the design codes of the legendary Bentley 8 Litre, and notably include a fragment of the crankshaft from W.O. Bentley's very own car.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow
Mercedes caused a sensation with its new Vision EQ Silver Arrow concept car, which is directly inspired by the 1937 "Silver Arrow" W125 which broke several speed records. The new machine is equipped with a 550kW electric motor (that delivers around 738hp) and a range of just 400km. The new Silver Arrow's sports style exterior contrasts with the high quality materials and opulent design of its interior.

Audi PB18 e-tron
Audi unveiled a futuristic and highly sporty concept at the event. The Audi PB (for Pebble Beach) 18 e-tron is equipped with no fewer than three electric motors that deliver a combined total of 500kW and can even reach 570 kW for short spurts, the equivalent of 774 hp. The German carmaker has announced 0-100kph in a little over two seconds and a range of nearly 500km.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
The Italian manufacturer has unveiled its latest supercar, the Aventador SVJ, which offers 759hp, 19 hp more than Aventador SV. This boost in power enables it to reach a top speed of more than 350kph and to accelerate to 100kph in just 2.8s. In June 2018, Lamborghini announced that the Aventador SVJ had broken the production car lap record at the legendary Nurburgring race track in Germany. In the US the Aventador SVJ has a price tag of US$517,700 (RM2.12mil).

BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
Based on the BMW Concept Z4 shown at last year's Pebble Beach, the Z4 M40i First Edition will usher in a new generation of roadsters, most of which will be unveiled at this year's Paris Motor Show from Oct 4-14. The Z4 M40i First Edition comprises a 340hp, six-cylinder engine that enables it to accelerate from standstill to 100kph in just 4.6 seconds. The limited edition also benefits from a black Vernasca leather trim, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, and the the BMW Live Cockpit Professional networked services and navigation system.


Audi unveils Q3 Sportback — its first compact crossover

                INGOLSTADT: Audi has unveiled a new compact SUV coupe, the Q3 Sportback, which will be arriving in dealerships in autumn 2019.

With its new model, Audi has its first true compact crossover. Slightly larger but also lower than the classic Q3, the Q3 Sportback will be offered in a choice of 11 colours.

At launch, the Q3 Sportback will be offered in both petrol (230hp) and diesel (150hp and 190hp) engines, all with an S tronic 7-speed gearbox. In line with the latest releases from the brand, the Q3 Sportback also integrates a 48-volt mild hybrid system which, besides increasing driving comfort, can reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.4l/100km.

The crossover offers six different driving profiles which take into account engine and transmission set-up as well as adjusting shock absorption and steering assistance.

Inside the car, the driver and passengers will be able to use the MMI Navigation Plus system and all the online services of Audi Connect. As an option, the Audi Connect pack offers additional navigation and infotainment compatible with Amazon's Alexa smart assistant for voice commands.

In terms of driving assistance, the Q3 Sportback has adaptive cruise control and a lane change warning system integrated with an electronic stability program.

For its launch, Audi plans to issue "Edition One" models with special "dew silver" and "mythos black" paint finishes.


Airbus boss showcases 'first 3-D printed motorbike' - VIDEO

                MUNICH: Aviation giant Airbus' boss Tom Enders went for a spin on the group's latest innovation - a 3-D printed motorcycle, which the company touts as the world's first.

The e-motorbike weighs just 35kg, 30 percent lighter than other electric motorcycles, said Airbus subsidiary APWorks in a statement.

Dubbed "Light Rider", the bike, which has a 6 kiloWatt engine, has a hollow-looking frame that helped bring down its weight.

Joachim Zettler, chief executive of APWorks, said 3D printing had made it possible to produce the special frame.

"The complex and branched hollow structure couldn't have been produced using conventional production technologies such as milling or welding," he said.

Airbus is trying to apply the same principle on aircraft.

The group plans to present a 3-D printed twin-engined aircraft prototype at the Berlin Air Show in June.

 Enders (left) and Zettler presenting a Light Rider motorcycle printed in 3D technique by APWorks. - AFP


Geely buys stake in Proton, takes over Lotus

The Proton Persona. Geely sees Proton as a vehicle to expand further into South-East Asia.
PUTRAJAYA: It's official. DRB-Hicom Bhd is selling a 49.9% stake in loss-making Proton Holdings Bhd to China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd (Geely Holding).

The deal will also see Proton exiting its stake in British carmaker Lotus. Geely is taking a 51% stake in Lotus and Etika Automotif Sdn Bhd the other 49%. Etika Automotif is owned by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhari.

The two parties signed the agreement here, witnessed by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

The entrance of Geely as a foreign strategic partner would revitalise Proton which booked about RM1bil in net loss for the financial year ended March 31, 2016.

DRB-Hicom said today it had reached an agreement for the sale of the stake. Both parties expect to sign the definitive agreement in July 2017. It currently owns 100% of the manufacturer of the first national car.

Geely, which already owns Volvo brand and The London Taxi Company, would be expanding its reach into the South-East Asia region through Proton.

 The Lotus Evora Sport 410. Geely is taking a 51% stake in Lotus.

Proton has a ready capacity in its plan located in Tanjung Malim. The plant has annual production of 150,000 cars and designed to have a maximum capacity of one million units per year.

DRB-Hicom has been on the lookout for an international partner for Proton. PSA, a French carmaker and the owner of Peugeot and Citroen brands, was also said to be one of the suitor for Proton.

The deal will enable Proton to tap into Geely Holding’s vast range of platforms and powertrains, and will also enable Proton to have access to existing markets of the Chinese carmaker, as well as right-hand drive markets in South-east Asia. The deal could see Proton rebadging the Geely Boyue to introduces its first SUV.

READ MORE:
All about the Geely Boyue
New Proton Iriz previewed and first drive The Boyue compact SUV.

The deal with Proton will offer Geely access into the key Asean market, and also R&D and manufacturing presence in the region.

DRB-Hicom group managing director, Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar says the Proton brand will remain present and will grow significantly with the new foreign strategic partner on board.

"Our intention was always to ensure the revitalisation of the Proton nameplate. It was Malaysia’s first national car brand and has more than 30 years of history. This deal will be the catalyst to elevate a brand that Malaysians resonate with,” said Syed Faisal.

Geely Holdings is one of the leading passenger vehicle carmakers in China. It has facilities across the globe, including 16 plants, seven design studios and five research & development centres.

Johari said the government would reimburse Proton RM1.1bil as a grant for money spent on research and development (R&D) in the past.

He said Proton had spent RM3.5bil on R&D. Johari also said there would be no more "subsidy" for Proton from now on.

Proton, founded in 1983 by former Malaysian premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, received RM1.5bil in government aid last year on condition that it pursue a turnaround plan and seek a foreign partner.

Other potential bidders have included PSA, the Paris-based maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars, its domestic rival Renault and Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp.


Nikola to pay US$125m to settle SEC charges of defrauding investors

Milton is battling those charges in court after losing a bid to dismiss or move the case. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: Nikola Corp has agreed to pay US$125 million (RM527mil) to settle civil charges that it defrauded investors by misleading them about its products, technical advancements and commercial prospects, the US securities regulator said on Tuesday.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused the electric vehicle maker of violating US securities laws with numerous misleading statements made from March to September 2020 about in-house production capabilities, reservation book and financial outlook.

The settlement follows civil and criminal charges filed in July against Nikola founder Trevor Milton for using social media to repeatedly mislead investors about the company's technology and capabilities, reaping "tens of millions of dollars" as a result of his misconduct.

Milton is battling those charges in court after losing a bid to dismiss or move the case.

Milton's misleading statements aimed at inflating share prices began even before Nikola had produced a "single commercial product or had any revenues from truck or hydrogen fuel sales," the SEC order said.

Nikola, which did not admit or deny the SEC's findings, has agreed to cooperate with ongoing litigation and investigation, the SEC said. The company previously disclosed expectations of the hefty penalty in November.

Nikola "is responsible both for Milton’s allegedly misleading statements and for other alleged deceptions, all of which falsely portrayed the true state of the company's business and technology," Gurbir Grewal, the SEC’s enforcement director, said in a statement.

Nikola said in a statement that it will continue to execute on its strategy and expand its manufacturing network.

The company is seeking reimbursement from Milton for "costs and damages in connection with the government and regulatory investigations," it said.

Nikola went public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in June 2020, a process the SEC has criticized for requiring less initial vetting than the traditional initial public offering (IPO) process.

This month, the SEC's chair said the agency was considering toughening rules around how underwriters, boards of directors and sponsors of SPACs structure fees, issue projections and disclose conflicts. read more

The plans are part of a broader crackdown on the SPAC sector this year. The SEC has also told top auditors to change their accounting practices, and launched a broad enforcement inquiry of Wall Street banks involved in the deals.


Vios Challenge - new graduates eager to race

                SEPANG: Toyota Racing Development Japan, popularly known as TRD, has certified the competency of 24 motor racing neophytes - effectively graduating from the Vios Challenge Racing School, and are now eagerly looking to the inaugural Vios Challenge race in Penang.

The compulsory introductory course taught the newly certified racers about the fundamentals of racing - encompassing safety protocols, advanced car handling techniques and maintaining proper racing lines.

 Graduates with Takeyama (centre row 7th from left) and Ravindran (8th from left).

Also receiving a scroll was UMW Toyota Motor deputy chairman Akio Takeyama who will be joining the celebrities during the race weekend in the Promotional Category of the one-make race.

Prior to the ceremony, members of the media were able to try out the race car, which was limited to a shortened tracked around the Sepang International Circuit.

Although it was a short three-lap stint, this reporter thoroughly enjoyed the fun nature of the race car's neutral balance, responsive throttle, hard biting brakes, levelled cornering experience, smooth up-shifts under full throttle and a stable rear-end under hard-braking.

The highly anticipated race will feature 40 race-ready Toyota Vios 1.5J cars and will take place at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang from Aug 12 to 13.

There will be three racing classes where ten of those with a successful racing record will be moved into the elite Super Sporting Category while the Sporting Category will feature 17 racers and the remaining ten in the Promotional
Category. Each category will have two heats with points being awarded for top positions in each heat.

The course in Penang will be a specially-designed 1.65km circuit resembling a racing steering wheel and will run in a clockwise direction with nine turns and a 156m straight.

“By arming these drivers with racing skills, we hope that they will better exploit the sporting potential of their Toyota Vios racing cars safely and responsibly,” said Ravindran.

During the race weekend, the Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) racing festival will also be open to members of the public for free and will host a number of activities including drift shows, celebrity performances, food trucks, test drives and a special showcasing of the upcoming Toyota C-HR.

From the month of July, there’s also a buy and win promotion where the lucky winner can stand a chance to win a trip to the Tokyo Motor Show.


BMW to drop charge for Apple CarPlay

                PETALING JAYA: BMW has made an about-face, saying it will stop charging for Apple CarPlay.

CarSifu first wrote in July about this issue, which has naturally angered many BMW owners.

Originally applicable to 2019 model year cars that have navigation installed, the fee was RM513 for a year, RM799 for 3 years and RM1,899 for unlimited access. To promote the ConnectedDrive service, BMW had offered a one-month trial at RM5.

When we surfed to the local BMW Connected drive site today, the car maker had since revised the charges, listing a one-off payment of RM1,299 with unlimited access for wireless CarPlay.  It's expected to make the digital service free soon, so watch out for that.

Looking at the bigger picture, continuing to charge would have alienated customers and potential prospects so that factor would have been a key consideration for BMW to drop the idea like a hot potato. Point is customers don't like to be charged for using CarPlay. Period.

Other car makers offer CarPlay free or as part of an options package with no further costs attached.

READ MORE: BMW vehicles will support Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay in 2020


Coming soon: Get down from LRT and drive an EV to your destination

                KUALA LUMPUR: Come May, LRT users will be able to rent an electric car for a couple of hours from five LRT stations in the Klang Valley instead of having to use either a taxi or a bus to go to their next stop.

A carsharing deal is being worked out between RapidKL and electric car company Comos (Cohesive Mobility Solution) to give public transport users another option of moving around.

“You can pick up a car at the Pasar Seni LRT station and drive it to a meeting at CapSquare or to Lorong P Ramlee,” Comos chief executive Badrulhisham Mohd Ghazali said.

He said Comos Carsharing, the first of its kind in Malaysia, would have up to 16 fully electric Renault Zoes at five LRT stations and five public spots when it starts in May.

Comos users can pick up one of these cars, drive it somewhere and hang on to it for a few hours before driving it back. They can also drop off the car at one of the 10 Comos pick-up points in the Klang Valley.

These will be at the Asia Jaya, Bangsar, Pasar Seni and Ampang Park LRT Stations and in Medan Tuanku, Lorong Bunus, Lorong P Ramlee, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Jalan Semarak and Universiti Malaya.

Comos users are likely to be billed for every 15 minutes of use with hourly rates of between RM25 and RM30 an hour.

Carsharers will have to first register with Comos before they are given a special access card and an account linked to their credit card.

They will then have to book an available car online which they can unlock with the access card before they drive.

Pick-up points also act as battery charging stations, which Comos users have to unplug their car from before each journey. On a full battery, a Comos car will have a range of 120km to 180km.

Badrulhisham said a Comos ride only ended when the charging cable was plugged back into the car or else, users would continue to be billed.

Comos, he said, would expand its service to Penang, Malacca and Johor Baru, with over 1,000 carsharing vehicles for the public by 2020.

More pick-up points, he said, would be launched each month after May.

Prasarana group managing director Azmi Abdul Aziz said Comos Carsharing was one of many moves to make it easier for people to get from one point to another.

“This is a new introduction to make public transport more appealing,” he said.


Mercedes-Benz owners in Germany enjoy in-car delivery service

                STUTTGART: Having online orders delivered directly to parked cars? That is the idea behind the chark app, a pilot project of Lab1886, Daimler AG's global innovation incubator.

The service has undergone successful testing in Stuttgart, and has started in Berlin.

Drivers of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and the V-Class of model year 2015 and newer – can use the Mercedes me connect service to have parcels or purchases delivered directly to their parked vehicle.

It makes no difference whether the car is privately owned, leased or a company car. Orders can be placed with any online shop worldwide.

Prerequisites for using chark is the Mercedes me connect ability in vehicles as of model year 2015 and the chark app which is available free of charge from the App Store (iOS).

chark works very simply: the user temporarily gives the digital vehicle key of the parked car to a service provider he/she has previously booked.

The vehicle can only be unlocked and locked once, and cannot be moved.

If a customer wishes to have an online purchase delivered directly to the boot of the car, he or she enters the address of the chark hub as the delivery address when ordering, and his or her personal chark ID as an address supplement.

The user can decide the time window and parking location in which the service provider is permitted to open the vehicle.

As soon as the delivery service is within a range of 500 metres of the indicated parking location, it is able to locate the vehicle by GPS and unlock it once.


Isuzu launches new Giga trucks

Isuzu Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Shunsuke Okazoe (fourth from left) and Murata with the new Giga trucks in the background.
PETALING JAYA: Most Malaysians know the Isuzu brand for its D-Max pick-up truck, which is part of its light commercial vehicle range.

But it's also active in the segment known simply as commercial vehicles, of which its Elf, Forward and Giga trucks have been available in Malaysia since 2014, representing respectively the light duty, medium duty and heavy duty & prime mover offerings from the Japanese truck maker.

The Yokohama-based company today launched its new generation of Giga trucks in Malaysia, introducing five new models.

They include the "C" and "E" series, which are CYZ420 rigid truck with 7-speed manual transmission and the EXR420 4x2 and EXZ460 6x4 prime movers, both of which are available either with a 16-speed manual transmission or an automated manual transmission (AMT) for smoother gear changes.

The new trucks feature improved efficiency, safety and comfort, and is also an attempt by the company to take some market share from the top tier European truck manufacturers such as Daimler, Volvo, Traton (MAN and Scania) and Iveco.

Isuzu Malaysia said Malaysia is the first country in South-East Asia and only the third country globally after Japan and China to get the new Giga trucks, underscoring the importance of the local market.

The new Giga trucks are the first full model change since Isuzu launched the first generation in 1994 in Japan.

The new design is inspired by the Japanese concept of "Meri Hari", which means creating and achieving balance and harmony.

Through this concept, Isuzu said the new Giga trucks offer a balance between toughness and power with that of comfort and economy by
embodying strength and innovation on the cab exterior and optimised functionality, comfort, and spaciousness in the cab interior.

The new Giga range comes with higher power and performance to better meet demanding operations for the construction, heavy haulage and bulk delivery industries.

Power and performance come from Euro 3 standard 15.6-litre 6WG1 engines making 420hp and 460hp.

The new Giga trucks promise greater efficiency and serviceability to ensure maximum uptime and productivity for business operators.

For maximum safety, the trucks are also equipped with the Isuzu Safety Plus platform which offer key safety features including anti-lock braking system, driver airbag and brakes override accelerator. Isuzu adds that Safety Plus is offered only on selected models.

The cab shape has been redesigned into a cubic form to achieve the best-in-class aerodynamics which significantly reduces the coefficient of drag for better cooling performance, safer journey, and lower fuel usage.

The cab interior features European standards of ergonomic design that translated to spaciousness, driver-friendly features and increased comfort.

One of the key features for a prime mover is the driver seat; the Giga comes with one with an integrated seat belt made by German company Isringhausen.

The seat is said to provide excellent comfort and is equipped with various features including seat warmer and cooling ventilation, and other adjustments such as tilt and recline angles as well as shoulder and lumbar support to better fit different body shapes and individual preferences.

The dashboard is fitted with a 4-inch LCD multi-information display meter, which displays important information to the driver such as driver aids and transmission status.

This multi-information display meter and cruise control can also be operated via the steering wheel, which now comes with switches. This is a new feature in Isuzu trucks that can improve operability and safety while driving.

“Isuzu’s motivation for introducing the new Giga trucks is driven by our commitment to offer wider and improved truck options for our customers who are increasingly demanding more efficiency in a highly competitive landscape," said Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Atsunori Murata at the launch, which took place at the Sepang racing circuit.


Toyota Vios Challenge (Season 2) race 3 - Day 2 at Stadium Batu Kawan, Penang

                PENANG: The second and final day of the third installment of the Toyota Vios Challenge race series had more than 10,000 spectators on the edge of their seats thanks to the close racing action around the 1.56km street circuit at Stadium Batu Kawan in Penang.

Starting from the front row, it was M7 Racing Team’s Syafiq Ali (car 7) who made the most of pole position and a first corner incident to lead Race 2 of the Super Sporting class from start to finish.

Team Dream Chaser's Brendan Paul Anthony (car (car 91) finished two seconds behind in second with Team Nanoplus' Keifli bin Othman (car 45) taking third. Both racers finished in the same position as Race 1.

Syafiq was able to get off to a good start and managed to pull away from the main starting pack, which was held up due to a a few cars coming together after the first right-hand corner of turn-one.

Brendan stayed on the outside line before taking the corner and managed to steer clear of trouble and together with Keifli the duo were able to navigate past the confusion and concentrate on catching Syafiq.

“I was unaware of what happened behind and was focused on the clear track ahead. It wasn’t until a few corners later that I realized the rest of the grid was nowhere to be seen with the exception of Brendan and Keifli,” said Syafiq.

Chasing hard, the gap between Brendan and Syafiq remained within 2.0 seconds until the chequered flag with Brendan settling for second place.

For Keifli, what began as a troubling weekend resulted from damage sustained during qualifying, which unexpectedly concluded on a high note with two consecutive third place finishes.

“The incident during qualifying had left me short of new tyres for the race. The team took a gamble not to purchase more tyres for the race which would have required me to start from the back of the grid. Fortunately, that gamble paid off this weekend but towards the closing laps of the race, I just couldn’t push the car any further as I was struggling with grip,” said Keifli.

SPORTING CLASS
The best race action of the day however, was in the Sporting Class with second-place starter Revo Technik Malaysia's substitute driver Jakson Tan (car 93) maintaining his lead to win Race 2.

Eddy Tan (car 71) failed to get off the starting line well enough and allowed Jakson to take the lead.

This dropped him down to fourth, with Hiewa Racing’s Wong Chin Ee (car 5) and celebrity Shawn Lee (car 6) getting past as well, but in trying to claw back his lost position, Eddy found himself in the wall after braking too late in the second lap.

Meanwhile, the main battle was raging at the front wit Panglima City Racing Team's Kenneth Koh (car 28) continuously dishing out the onslaught on Jakson, but ultimately finished finished second with Kulim Top Wheels' Ken Foo (car 10) clinching third.

The top five positions remained unchanged for eight laps with Jakson in the lead followed by Wong, Lee, ST Wangan Racing Team's Eric Yong (car 22) and Koh.

In an overtaking attempt for second place, Lee nudged Wong into the wall, but karma struck on lap 17 with a mistake sending him into the wall as well.

Although Koh finished in second place, he was undoubtedly the fastest man on the track after having started in ninth place.

“It was all about keeping it together today, not being overly eager to overtake and coming into contact with anyone on the track,” said Koh who admitted to causing a collision in Race 1.

“I am responsible for yesterday’s incident and it was a very hard lesson for me, but after the dust settled, it has nevertheless been a great weekend of racing.”

PROMOTIONAL CLASS
All the action in the Promotional class for celebrities unfolded in the closing stages of the 20-lap race which saw an epic two-car battle between actress Janna Nick (car 18) and television presenter and comedian Nabil Ahmad (car 83), while singer Aiman Tino (car 77) took third.

Starting from pole, Janna immediately jumped into the lead thanks to a brilliant start with Nabil in hot pursuit for some 18 laps.

Nabil eventually overtook her, but to much surprise of spectators, Janna managed to fight back and regained the lead just a few corners before the chequered flag.

“Nabil was obviously faster but I did all I could to prevent him from overtaking. Eventually, I gave way…but just enough for him to enjoy the lead for one lap before regaining it and going for the win,” said Janna who celebrated her first ever race win in 14 races.

“Finally (a race win)…It certainly helps to start from pole position,” she added.

Meanwhile, Race 1 winner Diana Danielle’s  (car 15) drive ended with four laps remaining when she went too wide into the corner and hit the wall hard to concede her fourth place in the race.

Other race casualties included Akim Ahmad (car 46) who started in third after getting pushed into the wall by fellow singer second-place starter Khai Bahar (car 94).

Singer Nabila Razali (car 83) also ended the two-race weekend with two collisions with the concrete barrier.

The Toyota Vios Challenge which returned to Penang for a second year running saw the participation of some 40 racers competing in three categories of Promotional for local celebrities, Sporting for amateurs and Super Sporting for professional drivers.

For spectators, two-day for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge featured an array of activities and attractions that included the display and test driving of new Toyota models such as the new Camry and Vios.

There were also the performances of two professional Japanese drifters in heavily modified Toyota 86 cars, a fun run and zumba session for fitness enthusiasts, sale of special “race themed” merchandises, lucky draws throughout the weekend and meet the fan sessions with the TGR celebrities as well as a mini concert.

The fourth and final round of the Toyota Vios Challenge is scheduled for April 27 to 28 at the Sepang International Circuit.

RESULTS: Round 3 - race 2 (Stadium Batu Kawan, Penang)

PROMOTIONAL CLASS
1. Janna Nick
2. Nabil Ahmad
3. Aiman Tino
4. Wany Hasrita
5. Akio Takeyama

SPORTING CLASS
1. Jakson Tan of Revo Technik Malaysia
2. Kenneth Koh of Panglima City Racing Team
3. Dato’ Ken Foo of Kulim Top Wheels
4. Eric Yong of ST Wangan Racing Team
5. Lim Chun Beng of Team Fokus Tetap

SUPER SPORTING CLASS
1. Syafiq Ali of M7 Racing Team
2. Brendan Paul Anthony of Dream Chaser
3. Keifli Othman of Team Nanoplus
4. Kenny Lee of Kegani Racing
5. William Ho of Kegani Racing


Hyundai unveils enhanced Veloster N with 8-speed DCT

                SEOUL: Hyundai has unveiled the newly enhanced Veloster N. Equipped with the all-new N 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT), the 2020 Veloster N is designed and engineered to deliver exhilarating driving fun.

Hyundai developed the N DCT to provide the engaging experience of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic transmission. With the N DCT, the new Veloster N can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 5.6 seconds.

N DCT is equipped with electronic actuators that operate the double clutch, providing ride comfort, fuel efficiency and most importantly, driving fun.

Unlike a dry double-clutch transmission, the wet N DCT uses oil to significantly improve lubrication and cooling performance, which is typical of higher torque applications.

The N DCT comes with video game-like features that enhance driving fun. N Grin Shift (NGS) increases torque by 7 percent from 353Nm to 378Nm by allowing turbocharger overboost and maximises transmission response for 20 seconds – performance that is certain to induce “driver grin”.

Additionally, N Power Shift (NPS) engages when the car accelerates with more than 90 percent of throttle, thereby mitigating any reduction in torque by using upshifts to deliver maximum power to the wheels. This gives the driver a responsive feeling of dynamic acceleration when shifting.

The N DCT also comes with N Track Sense Shift (NTS) that discerns when road conditions are optimal for dynamic driving and activates automatically, selecting the right gear and shift timing just like a professional race car driver to provide optimal performance.

All of these features can be configured in Veloster N’s improved infotainment system, using the latest operating system shown on a larger high-definition 8-inch display. The infotainment system is paired with a JBL premium sound system.

Along with other updated features, such as Rev Matching, Launch Control and Overboost, Veloster N is said to be optimised to automatically sense the owner's driving style as well as the road conditions to optimise shift points.

For example, if the car is going downhill, the car will use engine brake to reduce the risk of overheating the disc brakes. If the driver is pushing the car on a racetrack, the car will use the full spectrum of available engine revolutions to maximise performance.

Veloster N comes with Hyundai SmartSense safety technologies, including Front Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW).

Customers also can opt to equip the new Veloster N with N Light Sports Bucket Seats.

The unibody bucket seats are wrapped in soft, suede-like Alacantara upholstery to firmly hold the driver in position when the car is taking corners at high speeds.

The track-ready seats are thinner and weigh 2kg less than standard seats.

As its name suggests, the N Light Sports Bucket Seats have an illuminated N logo on the upper side of the backrest, adding to the interior aesthetic. The N logo light operates in conjunction with other interior lights to create a unique, fun-to-drive ambiance.

N DCT and other new features allowed Hyundai to expand on the N brand’s “Fun to Drive” philosophy. Veloster N is now a true “Corner Rascal” that brings racetrack capabilities to an everyday sports car.

“Veloster N demonstrates Hyundai’s approach to high-performance cars. By equipping Veloster N with N DCT, drivers get performance and convenience at the same time,” said Thomas Schemera, Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor.

“Anyone who wants a fun driving experience will jump at the chance to pilot the new Veloster N – an everyday sports car with racetrack capabilities.”

Hyundai developed the Veloster N at its global R&D centre in South Korea and validated its performance at its Nürburgring-based testing centre in Germany.

Veloster N will first go on sale in South Korea this month followed by other markets.


Jaguar in US raises awareness on International Jaguar Day

                NEW JERSEY: Jaguar North America, LLC announced its efforts to help raise awareness for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to protect this mighty big cat of the Americas in conjunction with International Jaguar Day, marked each year on Nov 29.

Sir William Lyons, the co-founder of Jaguar Cars once said, “The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive,” and the brand is showing gratitude to the fight to save the animal that embodies the fierce speed, power, agility, and beauty of its vehicles.

“We are touched by the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect the jaguar and all threatened species around the world from extinction and want to help raise awareness with our fans for their noble efforts,” said Stuart Schorr, Vice President, Communications, Jaguar Land Rover North America.

“At WCS, we welcome the support of Jaguar Land Rover behind our efforts to protect and recover the jaguar which faces many threats including habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade,” said Joe Walston, WCS Executive Vice President of WCS Global Conservation Programs.

“We have long-term jaguar programs on the ground in 13 range countries. Jaguar populations at WCS sites are growing steadily, averaging a 6.1% increase per year. WCS has been working at these sites for years, in some cases, decades. It takes time for jaguars to recover, and our new results demonstrate that persistence pays off. We look forward to working with Jaguar Land Rover to generate support behind these ongoing efforts.”

For decades, WCS has worked to protect the jaguar, to ensure these big cats continue to roam the savannas, grasslands, and rainforests of the Americas.

To learn more about how you can help the Wildlife Conservation Society’s efforts to save the jaguar go to https://www.wcs.org/international-jaguar-day


Ex-editor says Boris Johnson cost magazine £4,000 in parking fines

Johnson was hired to work for GQ in May 1999. — Reuters

LONDON: As a motoring correspondent Boris Johnson cost his magazine £4,000 (over RM22,000) in parking tickets, his former editor has said.

Dylan Jones, who edited fashion and lifestyle magazine GQ for more than two decades until 2021, hired Johnson to work at the Conde Nast title in May 1999 over lunch.

"There soon appeared to be something of a problem, however, as the managing editor started to get sent rather a lot of parking tickets," Jones wrote in The Sunday Times.

"And when I say a lot, I mean a lot; in Boris's own words, they started accumulating 'like drifting snow on the windshield'.

Jones added: "I once worked out that, over the decade he worked for GQ, Boris had cost us about £4,000 in parking tickets.

"But then he'd also written more than a hundred incredibly funny motoring columns, so I figured it was worth it."

Jones, who was appointed an OBE in 2013 for services to the publishing and fashion industries, said "interestingly" Johnson never received any speeding tickets.

"And I've got a pretty good idea why," Jones added.

"When the cars were delivered to his house in Islington, the car company always made a note of the mileage, something that is standard practice. The mileage would also be noted when they came to pick them up again. And on more than one occasion - OK, on many, many, many occasions - the mileage was precisely the same. So I leave you to draw your own conclusions."

The Prime Minister continues to be under scrutiny over the partygate affair, with former Conservative minister Steve Baker telling The Daily Telegraph on Saturday the lockdown breaches in Downing Street could significantly hurt the Tories at the local elections on May 5.

But the PM has resolutely backed himself still to be in power in the autumn. — The Press Association


A colourful affair for Citroën Ami - 100% ëlectric

PARIS: To mark the launch of Ami - 100% ëlectric in Europe, Citroën has unveiled 20 unique livery designs for the two-seater electric model inspired by the 20 districts of Paris.

Citroën has launched a bespoke fleet of Ami - 100% ëlectric models as part of Free2Move’s car sharing fleet here.

Over 100 Ami - 100% ëlectric models will soon be available via the Parisian car sharing service, including 20 models with unique designs inspired by the 20 districts of Paris.

The "Ami ❤ Paris" designs have been influenced by the stories of Paris’ local inhabitants, with models liveried to reflect the city’s much loved and well-known districts, including Montmartre, Champs-Élysées and Tour Eiffel.

The designs came from Parisians in all walks of life, including David Twose, an artist based in Montmartre, a youth hostel worker in Belleville and a boatman who brings tourists to Paris via the Javel district.

Available to drive for anybody over the age of 16, and with no license required, Ami - 100% ëlectric leads the way as an urban electric mobility solution, with a 5.5kWh battery and range of up to 43 miles.

Already a popular hit, Ami - 100% ëlectric has sold over 1,000 sales examples so far.


Chevrolet Blue Line concepts previewed

                DETROIT: Chevrolet previewed the Malibu and Cruze RS hatchback Blue Line concepts ahead of their Nov 1 public debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Blending equal parts style, performance and function, they demonstrate the lifestyle and personalization possibilities of the brand’s latest vehicles — all with sophisticated aesthetics. Both of the concept vehicles feature Genesis White exteriors accented with blue-tinted windows and 18-inch concept wheels painted slate blue metallic.

“The Chevrolet Blue Line Series concepts integrate accessories that offer greater personalization choices for customers,” said Roger McCormack, director, Accessories and Performance Parts Marketing.

“Each vehicle wears production and concept accessories thematically linked under the Blue Line Series banner. We look forward to gauging public reaction at the SEMA Show and other venues.”

The production and concept accessories were developed in Chevrolet’s design studio alongside the vehicles.

“Chevrolet accessories bring a level of value and peace of mind that can only come from parts that are designed, engineered, tested and backed by the same team that developed the vehicles,” said McCormack. “It’s a level of integration that enhances the sporty appearance of the vehicles.”

Malibu Blue Line
The Blue Line concept combines design accents with performance parts, for a more athletic stance and sporty look.

The Genesis White exterior offers a transitional look, appearing bright white in some light and light gray in other conditions. In addition to the slate blue metallic 18-inch concept wheels, Chevrolet Accessories include:
Ground effects kit with a rear diffuserBlack grille insertBlack Chevrolet bow tie emblemsRear spoilerSuspension lowering kitFloor liners with premium metal badgingIlluminated doorsillsSport pedal kit
The new suspension lowering kit includes springs that lower the ride height 0.4 inch (10 mm) for a sportier stance and more responsive handling.

It is designed for models equipped with the available 2.0L turbocharged engine, which is rated 250 horsepower and matched with an all-new, available nine-speed automatic transmission that offers efficiency and refinement enhancements over the previous six-speed automatic transmission.

The concept also features a concept Chevrolet Performance brake kit (painted Harbor Gray Metallic) and additional custom touches that include tinted headlamp and taillamp lenses and polished exhaust tips.

Cruze RS Hatch Blue Line
The Blue Line concept is based on the 2017 Cruze RS hatchback, which adds a functional, sporty and stylish choice to Chevrolet’s lineup.

It also features a Genesis White exterior, blue-tinted windows, 18-inch slate blue metallic concept wheels and the following Chevrolet Accessories:
Chrome grille insert (available now)Suspension lowering kit (available now)Performance brake package (available by the end of 2016)Performance air intake system (available mid-2017)Performance exhaust system (available mid-2017).
Chevrolet’s new performance brake kit is offered for Cruze sedan and hatchback models originally equipped with available 16-inch or larger wheels. It features larger, 11.8-inch-diameter (300 mm) front Duralife vented and slotted rotors and new calipers versus the stock 10.9-inch (276 mm) rotors.

The suspension kit includes springs to reduce ride height by 0.4 inch (10 mm) and a larger-diameter front stabilizer bar that contributes to more responsive handling.

The concept’s black interior features custom satin graphite accents on the instrument panel, shift knob and door inserts, while the sport pedal kit, illuminated doorsills and an interior trim kit are Chevrolet Accessories.

Under the hood, the Cruze RS Hatchback’s standard 1.4L Turbo engine – rated at 153 horsepower – is accessorized with Chevrolet Performance’s air intake kit and performance exhaust system.


100,000th Mitsubishi Triton customer gets 100,000km of diesel

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has presented the customer of its 100,000th unit Triton pick-up truck with 100,000km of diesel fuel worth RM27,000.

Solar panel installation contractor Muhammad Faerus received his reward at Mitsubishi dealer EON Auto Mart outlet in Jalan Ampang here recently.

MMM CEO Shinya Ikeda said the Triton pick-up truck had been the foundation of Mitsubishi Motors’ business and over the years, had benefited customers with good handling, performance, safety and competitive pricing.

“Since the Triton was introduced in Malaysia, it has proven to be one of the favourite pick-up trucks in Malaysia with its rugged look, versatility and good handling.

“It is capable in the harshest of off-road conditions but also perfect as an everyday vehicle,” he said.

Last year, the Triton pick-up truck maintained a solid market share of 22% despite the pandemic and healthy competition from its rivals.

Some 9,268 units of the Triton were sold in 2021, representing a 34% growth compared with the previous year.

In conjunction with this 100,000th unit milestone, MMM is organising a 100,000 Triton Ambitions Contest open for all Triton customers.

All owners have to do is fill up a contest survey form and submit a photo in either one or all four categories:

> The Stylo King - owner’s most memorable leisure activity with the Triton
> Tough Champ - owner’s toughest experience with the Triton
> Extreme Adventurer - owner’s most memorable long-distance journey with the Triton
> Mod Hero - owner’s coolest modified Triton

A winner from each of the above categories will win 25,000km diesel worth up to RM7,000 each.

The contest form, photo submission, and detailed terms and conditions are available at MMM’s official website at https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my/.


Collezione Automobili Lamborghini online store gets redesign

                BOLOGNA: Luxury automobile maker Lamborghini is hoping to make shopping easier for fans of fashion, giving the online store for its Collezione Automobili Lamborghini a new look.

The platform will feature easier navigation and an overall redesign, with sections separated into Casual, Classic and Squadra Corse collection categories. A special section will be devoted to Special Editions, with creations from Mizuno, OMP, Pirelli, X-Bionic and TecknoMonster.

Shoppers can also buy clothing and accessories dedicated to Lamborghini's current Aventador and Huracan sports cars in the Shop by Car section, and can get help coordinating clothing and accessories in the "Shop by Look" section. The "Quick Shop" feature allows shoppers to purchase items instantly.

Items from the Collezione Automobili Lamborghini will be available in the near future on Amazon in Italy, the United States and Britain.


Want the new Toyota Hilux? You can book it now

PETALING JAYA: UMW Toyota Motor announced that the order taking of the all new Toyota Hilux will start effective from today onwards. Below is the summary of the confirmed On-The Road (OTR) price.


Stellantis electric cars will have up to 800km range

Tavares says the 14 brands in Stellantis will have an electric range of 500km to 800km. — Bloomberg
PARIS: Stellantis said it plans to develop four electric vehicle platforms that will offer up to 800km of range to help consumers overcome range anxiety.

The 14 brands in the group including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Opel, Peugeot and Jeep will begin rolling out battery electric vehicles (BEV) using the new chassis in 2023.

"Those platforms will be reengineered to become pure BEV platforms," the group's CEO Carlos Tavares said in a videoconference with shareholders attending the annual meeting.

The subcompact, SUV and pickup models will offer a range of 500km, compacts 700km and sedans 800km, considerably more than comparable BEVs already on the road.

"These platforms will deliver a significant progress to address the range anxiety of BEVs," said Tavares.

Concerns about the need to recharge during longer trips have been one concern holding back buyers.

Tavares told shareholders "we are accelerating this electrification move".

The US-European group aims to triple its sales of hybrid and electric vehicles this year to reach 14 percent of overall sales.

By 2025 it hopes to raise that percentage to 38 percent and to 70 percent in 2030.

Stellantis was created earlier this year from the merger of Fiat-Chrysler and PSA, a French group that incudes Peugeot, Citroen and Opel.


Bentley unveils one of the world’s most detailed landscape images

                LONDON: Bentley Motors has unveiled its ground-breaking new Gigapixel photograph – one of the world’s most detailed landscape images.

At the heart of the photograph sits a Bentley Flying Spur W12 S in the luxury marina of Dubai – the world’s fastest-growing city. Zoom out, and the groundbreaking Nasa-derived technology of the Gigapixel image allows you to explore and experience the city panorama in intricate detail, while beyond it the curvature of the earth is visible.

Zoom in and the image will take you in sharp focus, through the landscape, right up to the instantly recognisable bonnet badge of the Flying Spur.

With the new Gigapixel image, viewers can also explore the Flying Spur W12 S inside and out with a 360-degree film narrated by John Paul Gregory, Bentley’s Head of Exterior Design. Gregory talks to the audience from inside the car; the stunning Bentley Suite in the The St. Regis Dubai; and the new flagship Bentley retailer on the famous Sheikh Zayed road.

The stunning photograph rewards the viedwer with an intense exploration of Dubai and Bentley.

The same attention to detail that is applied to the 130 man-hours it takes to build each Flying Spur went into creating the Gigapixel image.

Bentley suspended a camera 264 metres up the Cayan Tower – one of Dubai’s tallest buildings – to capture what is the world’s most detailed landscape image. The innovative technology used had to withstand 40-degree heat that created a haze and 25kph winds that threatened to disrupt stability.

An incredible 57.7 billion pixels were carefully stitched together to create a single image that also balanced light levels painstakingly across each pixel. The intricate process took 48 hours and 1,825 frames to create. Downloading the image took a further 18 hours.

At the heart of the unique Gigapixel photograph sits the Flying Spur W12 S. The Flying Spur W12 S features enhanced power and torque outputs from the mighty 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine. Through precise calibration and tuning, engine power is increased from 626bhp and torque from 800 Nm to 820Nm for an effortless drive.

This increase in power means that the Flying Spur W12 S achieves a top speed of 325kph – the first four-door Bentley to exceed the 320kph performance barrier.

Complementing these power upgrades, a new responsive suspension tune for the Flying Spur W12 S improves handling and provides even more traction, while retaining a refined ride.

Bentley’s design team has created an athletic character that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED daytime running lights, subtle blackware elements and a choice of stylish alloy wheels afford the Flying Spur W12 S a modern, contemporary feel.

The car comes with new gloss-black detailing on the bodywork and unique leather stitching.


BMW X2 M35i (F39) previewed, tentative price at RM400K

                KUALA LUMPUR: During a local media gathering, BMW Malaysia previewed the latest X2 M35i (F39) that will be made available in July for Malaysians.

The sports activity coupe (SAC) is estimated to be priced on-the-road without insurance at RM400,000 and will be accompanied by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as a free scheduled service programme and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme.

It will arrive with five colour choices of Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Galvanic Gold, Misano Blue and Sunset Orange while leather upholstery colours include Black Dakota with matching black perforation or Magma Red with Grey-Highlighted perforation.

The sportier X2 sports a plethora of M Performance elements that includes Cerium Grey kidney grilles that are matched with the external mirror caps, redesigned side air inlets at the front to help cool the brakes and engine more efficiently.

At the rear, the sporty compact luxury SAC gets fitted with a rear M spoiler, two 100mm-diameter M Sport exhaust tailpipes with a silencer system for a sporty sound and a set of 20-inch style 721M M Sport lightweight wheels in matching Cerium Grey too.

Power comes from an uprated 2.0-litre B48 turbocharged engine producing 306hp from 5,000 to 6,250rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,500rpm which gets sent to the xDrive all-wheel-drive system via an M Performance tuned eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with Launch Control.

Century sprint times (0 to 100kph) are dispatched in 5.0 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250kph, while consumption is rated at 7.4 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The German carmaker says that the engine's thermal stability is bolstered by a redesigned cooling system.

Also, the X2 has been equipped with stiffer and lower M Sport suspension system, M sports steering system, M Sport Differential for the rear axle, to reduce the loss of traction on the front wheels, upgraded blue performance M Sport callipers that bite on the 18-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) discs.

As standard, the X2 gets Parking Assistant and reverse camera, while the interior gets a leather-wrapped multi-function M Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, Aluminium Hexagon Anthracite and door entry trims at the front that bears the “M35i” designation.

For the first time, the X2's cabin has been fitted with front M Sports seats upholstered in Dakota Leather.

Entertainment comes from a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Navigation Plus that includes an 8.8-inch touch control display

The X2 M35i can be experienced during the BMW X Crew event at Plaza Arkadia, Desa Park City from June 21 to 23.


Lamborghini hopes for combustion engine future beyond 2030

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen's supercar brand Lamborghini is looking to keep combustion engine vehicles alive beyond the end of the decade, the unit's chief executive Stephan Winkelmann told a German weekly newspaper.

"After hybridisation, we will wait to see whether it will be possible to offer vehicles with an internal combustion engine beyond 2030," he told Welt am Sonntag.

"One possibility would be to keep combustion engine vehicles alive via synthetic fuels."

Winkelmann last month said Lamborghini planned to roll out its first fully electric model at the end of this decade, underscoring a more cautious approach after comments last year that a release was planned for second half of the decade.

Lamborghini, as well as key rivals Ferrari, Aston Martin Lagonda and McLaren, are wrestling with how to shift their ranges to battery power without losing the high performance that supports their premium pricing.


Audi sheds light on RS torque splitter for new RS3

                INGOLSTADT: Audi will soon launch the first-ever series roll-out of the torque splitter with its fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle in a sporty compact-class RS model.

Ahead of the launch, Audi test driver Frank Stippler and Meic Diessner, development and test engineer for chassis, spoke about the development and tuning process for the torque splitter in the RS 3 prototype.

Both had worked together throughout the entire development in various testing and set-up cycles on the North Loop of the Nürburgring to ensure that the new technology meets the wishes of sporty drivers on the racetrack as well as customers looking for comfort in day-to-day driving.

That also included two self-contained continual runs of 8,000km each.

 Stippler (left) and Diessner with the RS3 prototypeQ: What was the process for you to work together on the development and tuning of the RS torque splitter?Diessner: Frank is incredibly important to us in this process. He has a lot of experience, especially on the Nürburgring. That makes feedback from him decisive for the tuning and especially for the torque splitter. I’m there on site for the tests and I also drive myself as part of the three-week continual run. I equip the vehicle with measuring technology and compare the data with the feedback we get from Frank so that we can make changes if needed.

 Stippler: In addition to my experience and my ability to drive cars fast, my training as an automobile mechanic and my degree in mechanical engineering also help, of course. This allows me to make sense of the feedback from the car immediately so I can pass it on to Meic. At the same time, he understands what I mean when I’m talking about the feedback the car is giving me on the track.

Q: What’s more important: the measurement data or the feedback from the development driver?Diessner: The data and the impressions from Frank are used equally in tuning the torque splitter. The feedback from a racing driver is very important because he is at the upper limits out on the racetrack. The measurement technology helps me to change certain parameters based on Frank’s descriptions. The one does not work without the other.

 The rear torque splitter.Q: What does the torque splitter feel like in the RS 3 prototype? And why was it put in?Stippler: In general, the car is much more agile in its driving from the middle of the curve to the end and also when accelerating out of the curve. All-wheel drive cars have great tracking stability, but they tend to understeer at the very upper limits. We were looking for a solution that would minimize that behavior. The torque splitter distributes more weight onto the rear axle. With it, the car develops a driving dynamic that oversteers. And that’s where the Audi drive select system comes in, which helps meter that tendency based on use, road conditions and individual preferences. We can get really fast in RS Performance mode, the mode for circuit driving that is designed especially for semi-slick tires. For me, the RS torque splitter is a quantum leap in terms of agile driving.

Q: How exactly did Frank Stippler’s findings flow into the tuning?Diessner: That is of course mostly during the two continual runs of 8,000 kilometers each on the Nürburgring. These extended test runs play an important role during development in practicability – and thus also the serial roll-out of the torque splitter.

Q: Which parameters can still be changed during these tests?Diessner: In general, the software gets more and more complex during development. This has to be adapted for the available driving modes – from auto to RS Torque Rear, which allows controlled drifting on closed circuits. In practice, that means Frank drives, gives us feedback. We adjust and take turns driving – until it’s just right.

Q: When is it determined to have reached series-production readiness?Stippler: You develop a sense for that over time. I bring in my opinion, because I’m at the absolute upper limit with the car and have an idea of what customers want from this car. When Meic and I are on the same page after test drives, then that reinforces an overall picture that we have made of the characteristics of the torque splitter. And that has to be consistent for everyone involved in the development. The North Loop testing grounds are especially important in this process. The RS 3 prototype covers a broad spectrum that appeals to sporty drivers. Customers who don’t drive on the racetrack or only do so seldomly are also taken into consideration.

Q: How intelligent is the torque splitter?Diessner: It recognises, for example, if the road is wet or dry. So the driver doesn’t have to change the mode. That means that the car automatically reacts differently in RS Performance mode it the road is wet than it would when it is dry. The driver also benefits from the variability of the RS torque splitter all the way to the top speed. So they always have quattro drive when it is needed.

Q: Why is it important in the vehicle tuning not just to be fast?Stippler: Because we want to understand how the hardware and electronics work together in any possible driving situation. In short, to have an eye on the overall technical image of the vehicle. It’s not about me or about tuning the car to be as fast as possible on the racetrack. To live up to the wishes of customers in terms of dynamics and driving comfort, it probably helps that I don’t just drive fast in a loop, but that I can also classify technical correlations.

Q: What can Audi fans look forward to?Stippler: A car that covers a broad spectrum: comfortable in city driving and top speeds on the racetrack. A car that is one-of-a-kind in its class and makes hearts beat a little faster.

Meic Diessner: We’re talking about a well-made car with a five-cylinder motor and a great sound that will certainly give you goosebumps. On top of that, a sporty, balanced chassis with the torque splitter, which gives the car lots of variations in combination with the driving modes and that elevates the driving dynamic to a higher level.

 01 RS Torque Splitter explo


Nissan X-Trail in Flaming Red

                KUALA LUMPUR: To ignite the Year of the Fire Monkey, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) introduced a blazing new colour option – Flaming Red, for the Nissan X-Trail.

A solid red in a gloss finish, the Flaming Red X-Trail adds a fiery touch to one of Malaysia’s best-selling SUVs.

“With the introduction of this new colour option, we believe that it adds vibrancy to the Nissan X-Trail, just in time for Chinese New Year. Red is an emotionally intense colour – it is the colour of love and fire, and is associated with passion. For the Chinese, red symbolises luck, prosperity and happiness. The Flaming Red X-Trail that is red in colour, coupled with its premium styling, off-road capabilities and ground-breaking technologies is a strong statement to showcase an energetic, adventurous and dynamic personality,” said ETCM director of marketing and product planning Tan Keng Meng.

Available only in limited units, the X-Trail in Flaming Red is priced at RM159,164.06 for the 2.5L 4WD, and RM136,976.96 for the 2.0L 2WD (on-the-road prices including GST without insurance).

The X-Trail comes with three years or 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first).

ETCM has also introduced the ‘Drive to Prosperity’ Chinese New Year Campaign which runs till the end of January 2016 until Chinese New Year, where customers who purchase and register a Nissan car during the promotional campaign period will have the opportunity to win SHARP home and electrical appliances worth more than RM128,888.


12 US states urge Biden to back phasing out petrol-powered vehicle sales by 2035

                WASHINGTON: The governors of a dozen US states including California, New York, Massachusetts and North Carolina called on President Joe Biden today to back ending sales of new petrol-powered vehicles by 2035, a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels.

Biden's US$2.3 trillion infrastructure plan calls for US$174 billion in spending and tax credits to boost electric vehicles (EVs) and charging networks but does not call for phasing out petrol-powered passenger vehicles.

In a letter that was seen by Reuters, the governors, which also include those of Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington State and Rhode Island, urged Biden to set standards "to ensure that all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold are zero-emission no later than 2035 with significant milestones along the way to monitor progress."

They argued that "by establishing a clear regulatory path to ensuring that all vehicles sold in the United States are zero-emission, we can finally clear the air and create high-road jobs."

The governors also want Biden to set standards and adopt incentives aimed at ensuring 100% zero-emission sales of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.

The White House did not immediately comment on the governors' letter.

States and some lawmakers hope that Biden's endorsement of a phase-out date will speed the transition to EVs by users and automakers. EVs currently make up just 2% of US vehicle sales.

A number of US lawmakers have urged Biden follow California's lead, which in September said it planned to end sales of new petrol-powered passenger vehicles by 2035. Biden's campaign said last fall he did not support California's phase-out plan.

In March, a group of 71 House Democrats urged Biden to set tough emissions rules to ensure 60% of new passenger cars and trucks sold are zero-emission by 2030, while 10 US senators urged Biden "to set a date by which new sales of fossil fuel vehicles will end entirely."

General Motors said in January it was setting a goal to end all petrol passenger car and truck sales by 2035. Volvo, a unit of Zhejiang Geely Holding, said its entire car line-up will be fully electric by 2030 and Ford’s European lineup will also be fully electric by 2030.

In their letter, the governors said they want Biden to boost fuel economy standards rolled back under President Donald Trump and provide states "substantial funding for investment in charging and fuelling infrastructure." They also urged removal of or raising the EV tax credit limits per manufacturer.

But not everyone has backed a phase-out plan.

Rory Gamble, the president of the United Auto Workers union, has expressed caution about the shift to EVs, noting it takes fewer workers to build EVs than petrol-powered vehicles and said "workers will disproportionately suffer if we do not get it right."

He said last month the government must ensure the transition to EVs “is stable, reliable and creates quality union wage jobs and flexible to market demand not relying on a one-size fits all solution.”


MINI to expand electrification

                MUNICH: MINI has announced that it is looking to realignment its model range with a clear focus on drivetrain technologies, vehicle segments and future services.

At the centre of this realignment is the expansion of electromobility, enhanced commitment in the crossover and premium compact segments and strengthening of its market position in China.

At present, emission-free mobility has been firmly established in the model range and in the MINI community.

With the MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid alone, vehicles with electrified drive accounted for 5% of the brand’s total sales in 2019.

Following the launch of the MINI Electric, this rate has doubled to 10% of all new registrations for the brand.

In the future, the German-owned British car brand will enable customers all over the world to have emission-free driving with a completely electrified model family.

At the same time, MINI will still offer highly efficient petrol and diesel engines, which continue to be an ideal solution for target groups and regions whose mobility needs are not yet met by all-electric vehicles.

The future core portfolio of all-electric vehicles will include the MINI 3-Door Hatch, a new crossover model in the small-car segment and a compact crossover model.

The brand’s small-car models and a crossover model in the compact segment will be available to choose from with conventional internal combustion engines.

To further benefit from the worldwide growth in the crossover market, the company is focusing on an expansion of the product range in this vehicle segment which is specifically geared towards customer requirements.

The successful MINI Countryman will be joined by another crossover model for the small-car segment, which will be supplied exclusively with an all-electric drive.

In addition, the next generation of MINI Countryman will be available with both combustion engines and an electrified drivetrain.

Furthermore, it will look to provide greater space and practicality for their vehicles with the smallest footprint compared to its competitors.

As for the Chinese market, around 10% of the brand's products are delivered to customers in China.

Because of this, the company is now looking to produce its vehicles locally to help increase its sales.

Based on a new vehicle architecture for pure e-mobility, battery-electric vehicles will be produced in China from 2023 in cooperation with the local manufacturer Great Wall Motor.

This venture will enable the MINI to meet the rising demand for emission-free driving both in China and in the other global markets.

Cooperation with the Chinese partner will be based on a clearly defined principle - Production follows the market.

With locally-manufactured vehicles, MINI will serve the growing Chinese automotive market while maintaining stable production at other locations.


Almost half a million road accidents in 2015, says ministry

                PETALING JAYA: There were almost half a million accidents on Malaysian roads in 2015, with close to 7,000 people killed, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

"Malaysia recorded 489,606 road accidents and 6,706 deaths on the road in 2015.

"This was clearly an increase from 2014 and the economic loss incurred was in excess of RM8bil. These alarming statistics continue to be addressed by the Government," said Liow in a press release today.

He added that the Task Force was briefed on current road safety initiatives including road safety statistics during festive periods.

"An advocacy plan by the Road Safety Department was reviewed, accompanied by a review of the implementation of Malaysia's Road Safety Plan 2014-2020. The road safety education module was also presented," said Liow.

Liow, who issued the statement after a meeting of the Cabinet Task Force on Road Safety chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, added that the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) and Kejara Demerit Points System would be implemented soon.

Liow said that the execution of the International Road Safety Assessment Programme (Irap) in Malaysia and the implementation of its framework would also be done urgently.

"The meeting unanimously agreed that these are urgent measures that need to be put in place given the fact that road accidents and fatalities continue to escalate in our nation," said Liow.

He urged all road users to be responsible and courteous.

"A dedicated Cabinet Taskforce on Road Safety cannot achieve its goals if the Rakyat and non-government organisations (NGO) does not play its role in this matter. I urge all road users to be responsible and courteous for their safety and others on the road," said Liow.


5G’s arrival tees up patent fights in market set to grow 12,000%

A 5G logo on display at a 2018 expo in Beijing. — AP
NEW YORK: Battles unfolding on several continents over who profits from connected cars, smarthomes, and robotic surgery may dwarf the size and scope of the tech industry’s first worldwide patent war - the one over smartphones.

Automakers are now in court fighting some of the same companies that phonemakers such as Apple Inc. had to pay billions of dollars for use of their wireless standards technology.

Those companies - Qualcomm Inc., Nokia Oyj, and other telecommunications developers - may reap 5G royalties not only from “talking cars” but from products that will communicate wirelessly being planned in agriculture, medicine, appliances and other sectors.

“So many different types of companies have to find a way to get these deals done,” said Joe Siino, president of Via Licensing, a Dolby Laboratories Inc. unit that works with audio, wireless, broadcast and automotive industries. “It’s taking the problems we had with smartphones and multiplying it by 10.”

The value of standardised technology was a key issue in the smartphone wars that pitted the developers of wireless technology, like Nokia, Qualcomm and Motorola Mobility, against then-new entrants into the handset market, such as Apple and Microsoft Corp.

Dozens of legal battles were waged over nearly a decade, costing hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees alone.

The new disputes are potentially more lucrative as sales of devices using 5G is forecast to grow to US$668 billion globally in 2026 from US$5.5 billion this year, according to Allied Market Research.

The technology promises to transform a wide range of products from the dishwashers you program on your morning commute to driverless delivery trucks and sensors that let a farmer monitor crops, livestock and equipment from a smartphone.

Courts in the US and Europe have in the past few weeks rejected efforts claiming the telecommunications companies’ licensing policies violated antitrust laws and confirmed their ability to limit the use of fundamental wireless technology by those who refuse to meet their licensing demands.

Those rulings have already favoured the telecoms in cases brought by the automobile industry in Europe and the US over the current wireless standards

In the past few weeks, judges in Germany sided with Sharp Corp’s request to limit Daimler AG sales in its home country for using its mobile technology without a licence.

In an unrelated case, a federal judge in Texas threw out an antitrust lawsuit filed by Continental AG, a Daimler parts supplier, against a patent-licensing pool set up as a one-stop shop for access to patents.

That pool, Avanci LLC, handles licensing patents owned by Qualcomm, Nokia, Sharp and other telecom companies. It charges US$15 per vehicle for a range of patented inventions needed to comply with 2G, 3G and 4G standards, and is developing a plan to charge for the next generation, known as 5G.

“Patent owners want to get paid because they are proud of what they created and continue to innovate,” Kasim Alfalahi, founder and CEO of Avanci. “You have to find a middle ground, you have to find a place where these things can meet.”

Automakers typically leave patent issues to their parts suppliers, who pay any needed royalties and indemnify the automakers against lawsuits. Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler is chafing at the way the telecom industry handles licensing, saying the patent owners should deal with the suppliers like everyone else.

Continental said it was willing to pay royalties, but Avanci will only deal with the automakers so it can collect more money. Royalties should apply to the US$100 part that allows connectivity, not a US$50,000 car, the parts maker said.

In a letter to the US Federal Trade Commission, Daimler and Ford Motor Co. warned that an appeals court ruling won by Qualcomm could “destabilise the standards ecosystem by encouraging the abuse of market power acquired through collaborative standard-setting.”

“The fact that more and more industries are going to start incorporating technology that has to be standardised means it’s going to be even more important to resolve these issues,” said Katie Coltart, a patent lawyer with Kirkland & Ellis’s London office.

Industry standards are necessary to ensure devices can talk to each other and companies that develop those standards promise to license relevant patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms - known as FRAND.

But the standard-setting boards have purposefully never defined that phrase to avoid in-fighting that could hobble the ability to create the standards.

“You’ve got a handful of companies that are investing billions of dollars in research,” said Mark Snyder, deputy general counsel for Qualcomm. “In a functioning market, you want people to engage in earnest negotiation. FRAND is a two-way street.”

The fight between Avanci and Daimler notwithstanding, Siino said patent pools give firms access to large swaths of patents needed to comply with the wireless standards. They can be a “safe haven” that limit the number of negotiations needed and take the dispute out of the trade wars that pit country against country, he said.

Still, there are potentially thousands of patents that aren’t part of the pools and aren’t encumbered with FRAND obligations, said Craig Thompson, general manager of Unified Consulting, which helps companies analyse patent portfolios.

Huawei Technologies Co., for instance, has only become a major player in standards boards with 5G, and it’s still fighting lawsuits to try to limit the amount it has to pay in royalties on earlier generation technology used in its networking gear.

The American and European telecom companies have found their biggest supporter with the Trump administration’s antitrust czar, Makan Delrahim.

The head of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division has written courts on behalf of patent owners like Ericsson and InterDigital Inc. that royalty fights are a contract or patent dispute, not an antitrust violation.

The rulings indicate a “pro-innovation understanding of the law” and are important for “competitiveness of the US technology market but more importantly, innovation internationally,” Delrahim said at a Sept. 10 LeadershIP 2020 conference in Washington.

There’s no guarantee it will be smooth sailing for the patent owners. A Chinese court has issued an order that would limit InterDigital Inc.’s powers in a royalty spat with handset maker Xiaomi Corp., even though the legal fight is in India. And judges in Dusseldorf indicated they want the European Union’s top court to weigh in on the dispute between Nokia and Daimler, which could turn the tide against the former handset maker if the EU top judges side with the carmaker.

The concern is that if there isn’t enough money for patent owners, they won’t work together to develop a single system that can be used for anyone. Too much money, though, means manufacturers will increase their prices or opt to pass on using the latest technology, said Mauricio Uribe, a patent lawyer with Knobbe Martens in Seattle.

“Neither extreme is good for consumers,” he said.


Audi's Duesmann to review product lineup, speed up car development

                INGOLSTADT: Audi AG’s new chief executive officer Markus Duesmann plans to seize the deepest industry slump in decades to make the carmaker more nimble and restore its technological edge after five years of management turmoil.

Duesman intends to review Audi’s product lineup and speed up vehicle development at Volkswagen AG’s premium-car division, he said during a webcast for the unveiling of the electric Q4 Sportback E-Tron concept vehicle.

“We take the crisis as opportunity and even invitation to try new things,” Duesmann said, in his first public comments as CEO since taking over in April.

“We have to do a big job, but we will get it done.”

 The Q4 Sportback e-tron concept.

The former BMW AG executive was hired to revive profits at Audi after years of upheaval in the wake of the diesel-emissions crisis that erupted in 2015.

Audi’s earnings are vital for Volkswagen to finance the industry’s largest push into electric vehicles, with the Covid-19 pandemic only increasing the pressure to become more flexible to protect liquidity.

Audi has wrestled with operational hiccups that delayed electric-car projects meant to help the German carmaker better compete with Tesla Inc. It also saw several board members depart and last year struggled with production bottlenecks triggered by stricter emissions-testing procedures in Europe.

The Q4 Sportback E-Tron is slated to expand Audi’s electric-car offerings next year, flanking the E-Tron SUV introduced in 2018 as well as the E-Tron GT sportscar that will be based on technology from Porsche.

One of Duesmann’s key moves since taking over at Audi was to set up an engineering task force dubbed Artemis to develop a new electric car by 2024. The brand’s previous efforts to challenge Tesla struggled to gain traction.

Audi sales chief Hildegard Wortmann said during the webcast that US deliveries are “picking up,” and demand in China has improved recently. The recovery in Europe is progressing more slowly, she said.

Still, Audi expects the current slump to be over soon. Operating profit should reach €4.2 billion (RM20.3bil) next year and almost €5.8 billion (RM28bil) in 2022, with the latter topping pre-crisis levels, the company said recently.

The carmaker plans to cut as many as 9,500 jobs in Germany by 2025 to improve earnings by about €6 billion (RM28.9bil) and free up funds for the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, Audi said last year.