BMW’s hopes for growth crushed by virus as sales, margins drop

                MUNICH: BMW AG abandoned hopes for another record year in sales due to the coronavirus outbreak, predicting deliveries in 2020 will be "significantly below” last year’s levels and profitability at its weakest for years.

The maker of the 7 Series luxury sedan announced flexible working and shorter shifts in factories around Europe, while a site in South Africa will also be closed.

"We take our responsibility seriously, both when it comes to ensuring the protection and health of our employees and to achieving the best possible balance in terms of profitability,” chief executive officer Oliver Zipse said in a statement today.

European markets like France have already closed dealerships and other manufacturers including Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Renault AG and Peugeot-maker PSA Group have cut production. With other manufacturers including planemaker Airbus SE idling plants, Europe is facing its biggest industrial shutdown in decades.

That suggests even bigger declines ahead for car sales - even after passenger registrations slid 7.3% for the first two months of the year, according to the European automobile Manufacturers Association.

The ACEA in January predicted a 2% contraction in registrations for the year, but that was before the spread of coronavirus in the region really took off. Countries including Italy and Spain are now hotspots for the pandemic, with economies grinding to a halt. The February drop in car sales totalled 7.2%, the ACEA said.

The ACEA didn’t comment on any potential effects the virus could have on 2020 sales, though analysts have been making predictions.

Global production is likely to slump 16% for the full year, according to RBC. automakers face "a landscape of plummeting worldwide demand,” Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Kevin Tynan and Michael Dean said in a report this week.

Governments in countries from Germany to Italy and Spain have shut borders, closed restaurants and urged people to shelter to slow the spread of the disease, damaging economic growth. Daimler shares fell 5.6% in Frankfurt after the German company said late Tuesday it will suspend the majority of its production in Europe for an initial period of two weeks.

In addition to shutting production sites in France this week, Renault said two other factories in Morocco would be closed, affecting nearly 11,000 workers. The French company is also idling a Dacia site in southern Romania because of the virus, profit.ro reported, citing unidentified officials from the company.

VW, the world’s largest automaker, said it will halt production at its plants in Europe for at least two weeks. The company’s main passenger-car unit on Wednesday echoed comments from its parent, saying the business outlook is complicated by uncertainty triggered by the coronavirus crisis.

The brand that accounts for about half of VW’s global deliveries will close its European factories for 10 business days.


Car dealer Pendragon in talks to bring Chinese EVs to Britain

                LONDON: British auto dealer Pendragon Plc is in advanced discussions with BYD Co. to be its UK launch partner as China’s biggest electric-vehicle maker enters the market later this year.

The move is part of Pendragon’s broader efforts to boost its new car franchise business, the London-based company said in a statement Wednesday, after posting 1.6% first-half revenue growth.

Supply problems with both old and new cars contributed to "challenging trading conditions” in the period, said chief executive officer Bill Berman, along with high levels of inflation.

Berman said he expects "the environment to remain challenging in the second half of the year.”

However, the company said it was "excited to be in advanced discussions with electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to be the UK launch partner.”

Talks come as BYD strives to expand its business beyond China and become a global brand.

Early in September, the company signed a land-purchase deal in Thailand to construct its first EV plant in South-East Asia.

Elsewhere, BYD is also targeting Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Sweden and Israel in its push to build presence abroad.


Michelin Malaysia opens first TYREPLUS store in Sarawak

                KUALA LUMPUR: Michelin Malaysia's has opened its first TYREPLUS store in Sibu, Sarawak.

The 3,256 square-feet,  RM2.0mil outlet is operated by Fei Yue Tyres Sdn Bhd.

The new outlet offers its customers products and preventive maintenance services for all brands of vehicles within a comfortable and pleasant environment.

Being Michelin’s global brand retailing concept that has an independent network of tyre retail stores, it is a one-stop shop offering a wide variety of all major tyre brands in addition to those by Michelin, lubricants, batteries, suspension and braking systems.

All under one roof for customer convenience, the outlet also offers professional services such as alignment, air conditioning refilling and nitrogen inflation.

“The goal of TYREPLUS is not only to be the best network, but also offer unique and comprehensive products and services that are customised as per consumers’ needs,” said Michelin Malaysia managing director Pascal Nouvellon.


Mobileye in deal with Nissan to create maps for self-driving cars

                JERUSALEM: Israeli autonomous vehicle technology firm Mobileye said on Tuesday it forged an agreement with Nissan Motor Corp to create next generation maps to enable safe self-driving cars.

The deal comes after a successful trial last year that culminated in Mobileye's mapping technology being used in Nissan's recent autonomous vehicle demonstration in London.

"We now have significant commitments from multiple global automakers to generate and share data from camera-equipped ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) vehicles," said Mobileye chairman Amnon Shashua, adding the results will add to a global road map that is a critical feature of self-driving autos.

Mobileye, which also is collaborating with German automaker BMW, is in the process of being acquired by Intel Corp , which last month agreed to buy the company for US$15.3 billion in a deal that promises to escalate the arms race among the world's carmakers and suppliers to acquire autonomous vehicle technology.


College students wins Perodua Axia in MYPerodua Nation Grand Prize

                PETALING JAYA:  Perodua’s first and biggest outdoor event - MYPerodua Nation carnival, drew its lucky draw grand prize of a Perodua Axia 1.0-litre Advance which went to 25-year old college student Ahmad Irfan Ismail.

The college student who attends Management and Science University (MSU) was presented with a key to a brand car by Perodua Sales managing director Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin.

“We thank Encik Irfan for participating in our event and we hope the prize would come in handy in his everyday life as a student,” he said.

During the event, visitors were able to enjoy great savings for purchases made at the carnival, while spending quality time with their families by participating in the various fun activities that included games, live concerts and an outdoor cinema viewing among others.

“We are pleased to announce that our second carnival will be held by the third quarter of this year. This time we hope to bring our carnival to another region, as part of our initiative to meet all our customers, nationwide. The details will be shared in the next couple of months,” said Zahari.

At the same event, 5 UFirst members also received their lucky draw prizes. This is the final batch of 15 winners from the UFirst Anniversary Lucky Draw contest held at the end of 2016.

In line with its tagline to provide customers with ‘Better & Brighter days’, the winners were given a chance to choose their preferred prizes that ranged from household and electrical appliances to smart phones and travel or service vouchers worth RM2,600.

“Over 20,000 people participated in the MYPerodua Nation carnival held in Shah Alam last month. This carnival provides an avenue for us to be closer to our customers,” said Zahari.

UFirst is Perodua's free customer loyalty programme that is available as an app and is open to all who are 18 years old and above. Registration can be done at www.ufirst.com.my or by downloading the UFirst mobile app.


New Cayenne debuts Porsche Driver Experience

                STUTTGART: Celebrating its world premiere on April 18, the new Cayenne will feature a ground-breaking display and control concept.

The Porsche Driver Experience consists of a fully digital display and is characterised by versatile individualization and intuitive operation.

In the centre, the focus is on the driver’s axis and the most important controls are grouped around the steering wheel. This is expected to create a new, even more engaging driving experience.

The deluxe cockpit takes elements of the Taycan electric sports car and includes a curved and free-standing 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster with variable display options, a redesigned centre console and the latest-generation steering wheel - matching the wheel found in the 911.

A key feature of the new Porsche Driver Experience is the balance between digital and analog elements. All of the controls that are important to the driving experience are positioned directly around the steering wheel.

The gear selector for the automatic transmission is now located to the right of the steering wheel.

This creates space for a large air conditioning controller in a sophisticated black panel design on the centre console. The elegantly designed air vents are vertically aligned in typical Cayenne fashion. For the first time, Porsche has designed all the air outlets in the cockpit without louvres.

Passengers can experience a new level of interaction with the vehicle and the driver via the optional passenger display. Optimised connectivity functions round off the new interior concept.

Typical for a Porsche, the new engine start button sits to the left of the steering wheel. The gear selector is now to the right of the steering wheel between the instrument cluster and the central display. A new, large air conditioning control panel with analog controls as well as more storage space is placed centrally. Porsche has also placed the completely redesigned control lever for the driver assistance systems directly on the steering wheel in the new Cayenne.

The new multifunction sport steering wheel originates from the current 911 and has been completely reworked compared to the previous model, with a high-quality, modern and sporty design.

The driving mode switch for selecting Normal, Offroad, Sport and Sport Plus modes directly on the steering wheel is now standard. The new toggle button for selecting functions and designs in the instrument cluster is also located directly on the steering wheel, as are the controls for the optional head-up display.

A high-resolution 12.3-inch display represents the control centre of Porsche Communication Management (PCM). The driver can operate numerous driving and comfort functions with it, as well as the standard online navigation and multimedia functions.

A completely new feature in the Porsche Cayenne is the optional 10.9-inch passenger display. Integrated into the dash directly in front of the passenger, the optional additional touchscreen allows the front passenger to operate the navigation system or select a media service.

A unique screen filter ensures that the display cannot be seen from the driver's seat. This means videos can be streamed on the passenger display without distracting the driver.

Also new are two USB-C ports in the front storage compartment and another two USB-C ports in the rear area of the center console. All USB ports provide a fast charging function. The front pair also connect the smartphone to Porsche Communication Management (PCM).


Bosch expects chip shortage to drag on into 2022

                STUTTGART: Stefan Hartung, the incoming chief executive of German technology company Bosch, says the industry's shortage in semiconductor chips is not going away any time soon.

"Let's be clear, the chip crisis is not over," Hartung told the magazine Focus.

"All of us in German industry are massively relying on the supply bottlenecks being solved. Every missing chip can mean that a steering system - and therefore an entire car - cannot be built. This is going to take up a lot of energy for the whole of 2022," he said.

Hartung is set to take over from Volkmar Denner at the turn of the year at Bosch, the world's largest automotive supplier.

The chip crisis could also prevent Germany's new centre-left coalition government from achieving some of its goals, for example getting around 15 million fully electric cars on the streets by 2030.

This will not be possible "if the global problems in supply chains are not resolved soon. And that doesn't just apply to the auto industry," said Hartung.

He was generally sceptical about the e-car target. "After all, this requires not only the raw materials, the batteries and the demand, which in turn depends heavily on the charging infrastructure," he said, adding that social change and technological transformation were also necessary.

The electricity that these vehicles use should also be green, he noted.


Young drivers reaping the benefits of Toyota Gazoo Racing programme

                SHAH ALAM: The Young Driver Development Programme introduced by UMW Toyota Motor and Gazoo Racing over the past two years has had a profound impact with several of its rookie drivers quickly rising to be noticed in the top ranks of Malaysian motorsports.

In Round 2 of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup which concluded on Sunday, 16-year-old Putera Adam raced to a double race win over the weekend, with his partner and veteran racer Eddie Liew in the #61 Laser Motor Racing Vios.

The weekend also saw sterling performances by Naquib Azlan and Mika Hakimi.

All three young drivers had been pioneers of the programme which was started in 2021 to groom drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 who are transitioning from karting and simulator racing to saloon car racing.

Both Putera and Naquib also went on to score podium finishes in the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) also held over the weekend.

Others in the programme competing in the weekend’s finale of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup included the current season’s Rookie Class drivers Nabil Azlan and Sharique Zulqarinain, and 2021 Rookie Class graduate Jwan Hii.

UMW Toyota Motor President Ravindran K said it was incredible to see how much and how quickly the young drivers have evolved.

“We are equally proud that many have also gone on to compete and are enjoying success in other events beyond the Vios Challenge and Vios Sprint Cup one-make series where they have trained so hard to develop their driving and race craft,” he said.

Ravindran said Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup's two-driver and one-hour format has brought a different dimension to what spectators and drivers have been used to in five seasons of the Vios Challenge.

“It’s incredibly exciting to watch, it’s unpredictable, and it fulfills one very important objective that is to have elite/experienced working alongside amateur/young drivers with the hope that they will be able to impart their knowledge to the next generation of drivers,” he said.

Held in conjunction with the Malaysia Championship Series, the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup had consisted of 2 rounds and 4 individual races.

It is a one-make race involving two-driver teams competing in a one-hour race and vying for total prize monies amounting to RM60,000 per weekend.

The Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup is run independently of the Vios Challenge but it retains the format of a one-make series whereby competitors drive identical race-prepared Toyota Vios with stock standard engine & transmission, as well as suspension, tyres and fuel - to ensure that the emphasis is on race craft, driving skills and experience.

At the weekend's today’s fourth and final running of the Gazoo Racing Sprint Cup, Putera and Liew rounded up a perfect weekend in rather precarious conditions with back to back victories.

Round 2’s Race 2 began as a dry race despite an overcast at Sepang International Circuit and as the one-hour duel around the 5.543Km track got underway, it began to drizzle which made track conditions extremely slippery and unpredictable in certain sections.

The race was essentially 18-year-old Mika’s to win, having taken over driving duties from his team mate Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel in the #61 Prima Pearl TD Racing Vios, with Liew pouncing hard just 0.5 seconds behind, and Toyotsu Racing’s William Ho in third place.

Heavy rain descended on the race with just two laps to the finish and the pressure to defend his lead seemed to have gotten the better of Mika who aquaplaned off the track, easily letting Liew, Ho and Prima Pearl TD Racing’s second car the #12 with Mitchell Cheah in the driver’s seat through.

Mika fought his way back on to the track rejoining in fourth position but made a second and same mistake on the final lap in the very same corner to eventually finish fifth behind Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang.

The last lap of the race had been equally nerve wrecking for Liew who in the heavy rain, had to fend off Ho who was left dragging his rear bumper for several laps after a botched overtaking maneuver much earlier.

“Today I really utilised all my experience to drive in the dry, wet and in heavy rain. It was a difficult race,” said 48-year-old Liew.

For Putera who started the race for the pair, a slow getaway dropped him to as far back as 10th despite starting from sixth position.

“I struggled a bit at the start. After regrouping over three to four laps I chased for the lead and eventually led the race but in no time, I had Tengku Djan on my back and he was definitely a lot faster. After he passed me, I just decided to follow him because I knew it was a long race ahead,” said Putera.

Commenting on his partnership with Liew and the vast difference in age, Putera also said: “It’s an honour to drive with Eddie (Liew). He’s a very good driver and he used to drive with my dad.”

The biggest gainer in Race 2 however, was Super Evergreen Motorsports’ Mohamad Roni who jumped from 14th on the grid to second position in the opening laps of the race, before being punted off the track in a race incident.

Disappointments over the weekend included that endured by the pair of Naquib and Hayden Haikal representing Axle Sports who gave away a victory in Race 1 with a last lap incident, and was again involved in an incident in Race 2 eliminating them from contention.

The champion in each of the two races at the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup stood to win RM10,000 cash, followed by RM8,000 for the first runner up, RM6,000 to the third place winner, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for the fourth and fifth place winners respectively.

In total, the Vios Sprint Cup offered prize monies that amounted to RM60,000 per round, making it the second most lucrative racing event in Malaysia after the Vios Challenge.

In four races held and from a total of RM120,000 at stake, the pair of Tengku Djan and Mika emerged with the most winnings, totaling RM30,000 accumulated from two race victories, and a second and fifth place finish.

The pair of Putera and Liew meanwhile, bagged a total of RM24,000 over 4 races with two victories and a fourth placing.

For details, log on to www.toyota.com.my and follow all the updates on UMW Toyota’s Facebook page.

GR VIOS SPRINT CUP – RACE 2 RESULTS

1. Eddie Liew/Putera Adam - Laser Motor Racing
2. William Ho/Liew Jo Choon - Toyotsu Racing
3. Zizan Razak/Mitchell Cheah Prima - Pearl TD Racing
4. Freddie Ang/James Liam Russell - Telagamas Toyota
5. Mika Hakimi/Tengku Djan Ley - Prima Pearl TD Racing


BHPetrol launches Jom! Cuti-cuti Malaysia contest

                KUALA LUMPUR: In celebration of the upcoming Hari Merdeka 2020, BHPetrol - together with Tourism Malaysia, has launched the "Jom! Cuti-cuti Malaysia" contest.

The contest, from now until Oct 26, was launched by Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Musa Yusof with Boustead Petroleum Marketing CEO Leslie Ng at BHPetrol Jalan Cheras 1 & 2 and will allow 30 lucky BHPetrol customers to travel throughout Malaysia for free.

 From left: BHPetrol supply, retail, government and public affairs general manager Azizul Azily, Musa and Ng

The joint effort looks to help the Malaysian tourism industry that has been severely ravaged by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic by encouraging Malaysians to travel across states.

This will allow Malaysians to enjoy the country's natural beauty and attractions that domestic tourism activities such as include homestay, ecotourism and agrotourism.

The 30 grand prize winners will win a domestic holiday package - each worth RM4,000, which consists of a three-day two-night vacation, cash prizes and BHPetrol cash vouchers.

There will also be 30 consolation prizes that will provide 10,000 ePoints and fuel vouchers valued at RM1,100 each.

In addition, there will be 30 weekly prizes that will provide each lucky winner with a two-day one-night stay at Royal Chulan hotels throughout popular destinations in Malaysia.

To enter the contest, consumers much purchase a minimum cumulative amount of RM30 worth of fuel products or shop items at BHPetrol stations.

Using the physical BHPetrol eCard will entitle users to one entry while BHPetrol eCard mobile app users will be entitled to three entries instead for every cumulative RM30 spend.

"We welcome initiatives such as this collaboration with BHPetrol which is in line with Tourism Malaysia's goals in our efforts to reinvigorate our domestic tourism sector," said Musa.

For more information, log on to www.bhpetrol.com.my.


NZ Wheels host live viewing match between Manchester United and Liverpool

                KUALA LUMPUR: NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd, an authorised dealer for Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia, hosted loyal customers and their families and friends to a live viewing session of the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Held last Sunday at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club, close to 200 NZ Wheels customers and football fans converged under the futuristic dome.

They were welcomed by the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan and A 250 Hatch Back while being entertained by a spectacular play of lights and gargantuan screens projected onto the ceiling of the dome.

The dome erupted into a frenzy with indoor fireworks when Manchester United scored the first goal.

This marvellous choreographic display of indoor pyrotechnics, interspersed with laser light shows made the event a night to remember.

The EPL live viewing party is only one of many customer engagement efforts by NZ Wheels throughout the year to enhance the ownership experience and relationship with existing and prospective customers.


No congestion reported on expressways ahead of Deepavali

                KUALA LUMPUR:  There is no congestion at all exits from the federal capital to the north, east and south of the peninsula via the North-South Expressway (PLUS), Karak Highway and East Coast Expressway  in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration tomorrow.

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Azisman Alias said traffic was smooth at 7.30pm today and the number of vehicles was low despite the Deepavali holiday Saturday.

"Traffic from 5pm to 7.30pm was normal even when people started to leave the office and the rush hour was as usual," he said.

He believed the public was complying with the government’s directive to bar inter-district and inter-state movement for places under the conditional MCO and enhanced MCO.

Azisman said inter-state travel was only allowed for those in the essential services and others who had obtained permission from the police.

However, he said traffic monitoring would be conducted by police from time to time.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Malaysian Highway Authority said both stretches of the East Coast Expressway were showing smooth traffic.

As of 7.30pm today, traffic was only slow at some toll plazas due to rain and roadblocks mounted by security forces.

"Traffic was slow from Subang Jaya to the Puchong Barat toll plaza, the entry and exit points at the KL International Airport toll plaza and Sungai Besi toll plaza to the city centre," he said.

A spokesman for PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic to the north and south was smooth.


SMART upset with 'damaging' viral photo

The inside of the SMART Tunnel. The operator said the tunnel is misunderstood by many.
KUALA LUMPUR: SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) wants people to think sensibly before reacting to news on social media.

SMART assistant general manager Mohd Noor Mohd Ali said false news regarding a photo of a car trapped in a flooding tunnel on Sunday, mistaken for the SMART tunnel, gave a wrong picture of how the tunnel worked.

“In reality, that can never happen. We are really upset about it and even the media got it wrong with some still refusing to correct their mistake,’’ he told StarMetro when contacted.

On Sunday, heavy rains caused flash floods in several areas in the city including Jalan Tun Razak, KLCC, Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Wirawati, Jalan Pudu Ulu, Jalan Pudu Perdana, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Kepong.

“When there is a flood in Kuala Lumpur, people assume the SMART tunnel is not working or will ask why it did not do its job,’’ he said.

Mohd Noor said there was still wrong perceptions on how the SMART tunnel works.

He stressed that safety was always a priority hence why the photo that went viral was very damaging.

He said SMART’s primary role was to divert flood water caused by heavy rains at the convergence of Sungai Klang and Sungai Ampang into a holding basin in Kampung Berembang.

 A VMS messaging board notifying the public of the tunnel’s closure.

Its secondary role is the ease traffic congestion heading into and out of the KL-Seremban Highway.

The water will subsequently be channelled via the tunnel to a reservoir in Taman Desa before being released into Sungai Kerayong.

This process helps reduce the floodwater coming from Sungai Klang and prevents Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang from bursting their banks, and overflowing in the event of a storm.

Apart from a 9.7km-long water diversion tunnel, a 3km two-deck highway is also in the tunnel which helps kill two birds with one stone.

“On Sunday at 5.49pm we received instructions from Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) to close SMART Highway to traffic due to downpour and activate SMART Mode 3 after the motorway was cleared off vehicles.

Mode 3 is when there is a major storm and a large discharge of water will pass through the tunnel. The highway will be completely closed to traffic.

“We informed the public via Twitter, VMS (Variable messages signs), DBKL’s Integrated Transportation Information System (Itis) and radio announcements about the closure,’’ he said, adding that after water receded the tunnel was reopen to traffic at 7.35pm on the same day.

“So, there is absolutely no way for cars to be inside the tunnel at this juncture,’’ he said.

For the record, SMART tunnel system operates on a three-principle mode.

Mode 1 is under normal condition, when there is not much rain there is no need to close the highway.

Mode 2 is when there is moderate storm, and some water needs to be diverted to the tunnel and confined to the lowest drainage chamber in the tunnel.

A set of twin gates has been installed at either end of the tunnel and is kept shut at all times in order to keep traffic safe in the tunnel. The highway inside the tunnel will still be open.

The tunnel is on Mode 1 and Mode 2 for the most part, which is under control.

The SMART tunnel has been closed to traffic a total of 78 times since its opening in 2007 but out of the number, the tunnel was completely flooded seven times and resulted in full activation.

 The photo that went viral actually captured the flood in the tunnel heading from Jalan Tun Razak towards KLCC and Jalan Loke Yew, and not the SMART Tunnel.


Volvo XC90 SUV refreshed, new electrified powertrain offers fuel savings

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Cars has today unveiled a refreshed version of its best-selling XC90 large SUV, the company’s top-of-the-line flagship, adding a newly-developed fuel-saving engine option that marks the next step in the company’s ambitious electrification strategy.

The refreshed XC90 for the first time offers customers Volvo’s advanced kinetic energy recovery braking system, which is coupled with its existing internal combustion engines to create a new integrated electrified powertrain, under its new "B" badge.

This new electrified powertrain offers drivers up to 15 per cent fuel savings and emission reductions in real world driving.

The new brake-by-wire system interacts with the energy recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking.

The introduction of the new XC90 "B"-badged cars represents a major step for Volvo Cars towards its electrification ambitions.

The new "B"-badged cars complement Volvo’s existing T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid electrified option on the new XC90.

On the outside, the refreshed XC90 offers subtle upgrades to the original award-winning exterior design, such as new wheels, exterior colours and a modern new grill, among other details.

On the inside, the award-winning interior design remains in place, but perhaps the most noticeable addition is the fact that it can be ordered with a range of different seating configurations.

From the four-seat Excellence variant and the seven-seat family SUV to the new six-seat configuration, the XC90 is available with any number of seats that best fits people’s preferences and lifestyles. New interior materials including a wool blend offer further options for personalisation.

Based on Volvo’s own, in-house developed platform, powertrain and safety technology, the 2015 XC90 marked the start of Volvo Cars’ transformation. It introduced the new face of the Volvo brand characterised by the Thor’s Hammer headlights, while introducing its new Scalable Product Architecture.

The world-first technologies and innovations that were launched on Volvo’s other 90 and 60 Series models between 2015 and 2019 have also found their way into the XC90 over the intervening years.

READ MORE: Volvo to offer a range of new hybrid powertrains

As a result, Volvo’s top-of-the-line SUV has become more advanced since its introduction, clocking up over 320,000 units sold worldwide - and counting.

In terms of active safety technology, the XC90 now offers drivers help with steering on both the City Safety and the Blind Spot Information System. City Safety with Autobrake is still the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.

The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system first introduced on the XC60 is now also available on XC90, while the Cross Traffic Alert technology now also offers autobrake.

All this, together with the safety cage that forms the core of the passive safety technology, makes the XC90 one of the safest cars on the road and underlines Volvo Cars’ unwavering commitment to developing the safest cars possible.

While the XC90 was the first Volvo to offer Apple Carplay integration, it is now also compatible with Android Auto. The Sensus infotainment system has gone through multiple updates in recent years, all of which have been adopted into the XC90. Where available, the Spotify music streaming service is integrated in the XC90.

The model year 2020 version of the XC90 will go in production in May at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and is now available to order in all Volvo markets around the globe.


Sit back and let the car take you home - coming soon?

                DÜSSELDORF/LAS VEGAS: It's rush hour in the German city of Düsseldorf and the traffic is getting heavier.

But while other drivers look increasingly frustrated, the man in the brand-new Mercedes is completely relaxed.

Even though he's in the driver's seat he isn't afraid to look at his smartphone. In fact he's not even holding the wheel or keeping a constant eye on the road.

That's because his S-Class luxury sedan is equipped with the Drive Pilot autonomous driving system.

"For the first time in Germany, this system, which will soon also be used in the EQS, makes it technically possible and legally permissible to take your hands off the steering wheel and your eyes off the road," says Mercedes project manager Gregor Kugelmann.

There are still restrictions in Germany though. The autonomous driving system can only be used on motorways and only up to a certain speed, and the human driver has to be ready to take over control at any moment.

Autonomous driving has received wider acceptance in the US. There cars from manufacturers such as Tesla and Cadillac come with cruise control which allows you to take your hands off the wheel or even look after the kids in the back seat during long journeys on major roads.

Safety comes first

Kugelmann says that Mercedes is fully committed to the Drive Pilot system and assumes responsibility for it, but also carefully regulates its use.

For example, not only must the traffic conditions be right, but also the visibility for the radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors, and cameras that the system uses.

In the event of rain or darkness, the Drive Pilot immediately hands over to the driver.

Because the driver has to be ready to take over at any moment, they are permanently monitored by a camera. If they close their eyes or try to climb out of the driving seat, the autopilot will stop working.

No humans needed

Companies are also working hard to develop systems that do not require a driver at all. These would be vehicles such as robot cabs, shuttles or unmanned courier transporters.

The goal is to improve urban traffic flow by achieving better utilisation of each vehicle.

"After all, most of the time our cars are just standing around in the city," says Citroën general manager Vincent Cobée.

Citroën and the Urban Collectif consortium have developed a concept of autonomous taxis based on "Skates," spherical-wheeled electric platforms with radar and lidar sensors onto which different service pods can be fitted. One of the pod types would essentially be a gym on wheels.

Hyundai subsidiary Mobis presented an automated transport system with large and small robo-vehicles at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January.

According to the Koreans' vision, these vehicles will soon be whirring through the streets and even the hallways of houses.

China leading the way

This may all sound utopian and futuristic, but in China the future has already arrived. "There, you can already see the first robot cars on the road," says automotive economist Ferdinand Dudenhöffer.

AutoX in Shenzhen has autonomous cabs driving on an area of 168 square kilometres while in Beijing, Baidu Apollo and Pony.ai have licenses to launch 67 driverless shuttle vehicles.

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Zeekr presented a pretty realistic robo-taxi for Google subsidiary Waymo at the CES. Alongside these developments, the performance of key components such as lidar sensors has been improving while their cost decreases.

It looks like the robot car revolution, long promised, may finally be on the way. Even mass manufacturers like General Motors have announced autonomous cars for everyone by the middle of the decade.


Perodua, Honda, Mercedes lead in NAP customised incentives

                KUALA LUMPUR: Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Perodua, Honda and Mercedes-Benz have moved ahead of other competitors in seizing customised incentives provided in the National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2014.

Frost and Sullivan principal consultant in Malaysia Animesh Kumar said many OEMs had approached the Malaysia Automotive Institute and the International Trade and Industry Ministry to discuss the incentives further.

He said the three carmakers had moved ahead of other competitors significantly last year.

“Perodua launched a vendor development programme, a new engine and a component assembly plant as well as introduced the first energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) – Perodua Axia.

“Honda has increased its local content to exceed 70% to enable its complete knock down (CKD) models to be sold at very competitive prices. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz began a hybrid CKD operation with the launch of S400 Hybrid with many more in store, taking advantage of the NAP,” he said.

Animesh said Great Wall Motors, one of the new players, became the first OEM to hold an EEV car manufacturing licence.

The research house’s recently unveiled Automotive Outlook 2015 highlighted Perodua’s plan to invest RM260mil for vendor and dealer development, as well as RM790mil for a new plant capable of producing 100,000 cars a year.

It said Perodua, a volume player within the A-segment market, made further forays by launching EEV Axia to replace the Viva model.

For Honda, the RM382 million investment in a new plan in Pegoh, Malacca this year would enable it to double its production capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 units per annum.

Honda locally assembles EEV models, included City, Jazz and Jazz Hybrid.

For Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the Germans car maker spent RM100 million to upgrade its plant in Pekan, Pahang for the assembly of its hybrid model - the Mercedes-Benz S400L Hybrid.

The locally assembled Mercedes-Benz S400L gets full duty exemption under the NAP, the research firm said.

Meanwhile, it said Tan Chong Motors would localise the production of Nissans hybrid Serena multi-purpose vehicle, while Mazda would make Malaysia its regional hub for CKD production and export base for key models.


UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge returns after a three-year absence

                KUALA LUMPUR: The national chapter of the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) 2022, an annual truck driving competition organised by UD Trucks and its sole distributor partner Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), has returned.

The latest challenge concluded recently with the crowning of truck driver Mohamad Hanif Md Nor from ASAC Logistic Sdn Bhd as this year’s Malaysian champion.

He beat nine other finalists in the final leg of the competition held in TCIE branch in Ipoh, Perak.

 Mohamad Hanif.

The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) is carried out as a friendly skills-based competition which simulates three relevant transport cycles, whereby drivers compete by taking part in both classroom and field tests ranging from vehicle pre-drive inspection, fuel efficient and safe driving, and maneuvering and parking skills.

UD Trucks Malaysia managing director Steve Hedouin said UDEMC is more than just a competition for truck drivers.

“This competition, which first started in 2016,is devised as a platform to help enhance the linkage between drivers’ skills with business reality, by increasing their competency, knowledge and handling capability of the heavy-duty UD Quester.”

“UD Trucks’ vision is to build trucks and services that provide greater solutions for smart logistics which the world needs today. Our company combinesthe proud heritage of Japanese craftsmanship, cutting-edge trucking technology and the “Gemba” spirit which is inherent in the UD work philosophy.”

“In Japanese, 'Gemba' means creating value at the actual place and the UDEMC symbolises the extension of this spirit which we would like all UD Quester truck drivers to embrace, by inspiring and encouraging them to do a great job and be skilled drivers, creating value for the entiresmart logistics process,” said Hedouin.

As the best UDEMC driver from this market, Mohamad Hanif has qualified for the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Final to be held in October at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan, where finalists from various countries will convene to compete for the global championship and coveted title of UD Trucks’ Ultimate Driver.

In addition to winning the overall champion title, Mohamad Hanif who has been a truck driver for seven years, also bagged the “Best Pre-Drive Inspection” category title.

Meanwhile, two other sub-categories in the UDEMC are “Best Driving Skills” which was won by Mohammad Aripuddin Bin Dahlanfrom Naza Transport Sdn Bhd and “Best Fuel Efficiency” which was won by Simon Joshua A/L Chandra Sakaranfrom Syarikat Jasa Selamat Sdn Bhd.

All winners were each presented with a trophy and UD Quester truck scale model.

In addition, the champion's company ASAC Logistic received a Quester service voucher worth RM2,388 and exclusive driver training, while the sub-category winning companies received a Quester service voucher worth RM588.

Mohamad Hanif said he was happy to have won the UDEMC and looking forward to represent Malaysia in the global finals in Japan.

“I’ll perform my best in Japan and hope to bring back the global trophy,” he said.

TCIE executive director Say Teck Ming said UDEMC meant a lot to its customers and their drivers.

“After three consecutive years of absence due to the pandemic situation, we know that many of them were very excited that this competition is back this year,” he said.


Stepping up vigilance - Authorities geared up for landslides, floods caused by downpours

                PETALING JAYA: Fifty roads have been identified as potential high-risk areas for landslips and landslides in Selangor.

Since the start of the monsoon season last month, heavy rain has been a daily occurrence and motorists are advised to be extra cautious on the road.

The Selangor Public Works Department (PWD) said 13 of the hotspots were located in Hulu Selangor, seven in Gombak and three in Hulu Langat.

PWD slope engineering department director Dr Che Hassandi Abdullah said there were four areas at Jalan Bukit Fraser and Jalan Rasa in Bukit Beruntung vulnerable to landslides.

“In Gombak district, Batu Arang has four landslide prone areas with two each Jalan Bentang Lama and Templer’s Park.

“There are also two landslide prone areas in Taman Desa Perigi and Bandar Mahkota Cheras in Hulu Langat,’’ he said.

Che Hassandi said motorists should avoid travelling along these areas during the monsoon season especially at night when visibility was poor as it would be difficult to spot soil movement.

Although there were only two casualties along the roads due to landslide since 1973, Che Hassandi said the unusual heavy rain during the current monsoon season should not be taken lightly.

He said PWD was responsible for the maintenance of federal and state roads.

“We also received allocations for repairs and strengthening of the slopes along the federal roads,’’ he said.

Che Hassandi said most of the landslides that occurred along the state roads were landslips that happened during or immediately after a downpour.

He said strengthening these slopes were costly considering that there were 1,658 slopes along major federal roads in Selangor.

“The district PWD office will be vigilant during the rainy season and carry out clearing works and road diversions with the assistance of road maintenance contractors whenever there are landslides,’’ he said

 The MPS Quick Response Team has placed a team on 24-hour standby to deal with landslides and floods. — filepic

State infrastructure and public facilities committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said the state government had allocated RM373mil to the state PWD for improvement of infrastructure next year and more than half had been allocated for maintenance and repair of roads.

“The Selangor disaster centre is already in operation.

“In fact, PWD was instructed to carry visual inspection at landslide prone areas to look for areas and slopes that need to be strengthened.

“In the event of a landslide, schools and community halls are on standby in the affected districts,’’ he said.

Gombak district officer Ahmad Suaidi Abd Rahim who heads the coordination for flood and landslides said the disaster centre, which was located along Jalan Sungai Tua in Taman Selayang, carried out 24-hour supervision in anticipation of natural disasters.

The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) Quick Response Team head Abdul Wahab Mohamad said a five-man team were on 24-hours standby to deal with natural disasters including landslides and floods.

 A warning placed at the road shoulder along Jalan Rasa-Kuala Kubu Baru in Hulu Selangor warning motorists of a landslide ahead.The team has a 3.6m boat, six chainsaws, a backhoe and other tools to help with clearing and relief work.
If the need arises, the team will be assisted by an MPS special task force comprising 15 personnel.

Hulu Selangor assistant district officer Wan Mohd Ariff Wan Hussin said that the Hulu Selangor disaster management centre was on standby to deal with natural disasters.

“Three personnel are on standby from 8am to midnight daily and they will coordinate with the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) and Civil Defence Department to deal with disasters in the district.

MDHS Quick Response Team (Pantas) has a nine man team to respond to calamities.

The public can call the Hulu Selangor disaster management centre at 03-6064 1384 or toll free line at 1-800 881 013 to report about landslides and floods.

For the Gombak district, call 03-6187 0880.

 Another hillslope covered with tarpaulin sheets along Jalan Ipoh near Templer’s Park.

By: Elan Perumal and Stuart Michael


Ford Malaysia charts record February sales

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ford has recorded its best-ever February sales in Malaysia, which jumped 66% year-on-year to 1,249 units.

For Feb 2015, this was mainly due to the popularity of the Ranger pick-up truck, which saw sales surged 104% year-on-year to 966 units.

“Our customers tell us that it’s the Ranger’s class-leading safety features and extraordinary capability they value most, whether transporting the family in Kuala Lumpur or hauling a heavy load in Sarawak,” said Ford Motor Company (Malaysia and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets) managing director David Westerman.

Offering an unmatched safety package for the segment in Malaysia, the full Ranger line-up is equipped with active and passive safety features, including driver and front passenger airbags standard on all models, in addition to side and rear curtain airbags in the Wildtrak variant.

The Ranger also features Ford’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) across all variants and ISOFIX mounts for child seats in the Wildtrak, as well as all XLT and XL Double Cab variants.

Meanwhile, the sporty Fiesta compact car delivered sales of 129 units in February, led by strong demand for the 1.0L EcoBoost variant.

The Fiesta offers the most comprehensive safety package in its class, including seven airbags, and comes packed with smart technologies, including Ford’s award-winning SYNC in-car connectivity system.

The EcoSport compact urban SUV (sport utility vehicle) contributed sales of 66 units in February.


Grab Malaysia wheels out Trip Planner for rides

The Trip Planner feature makes the Grab app even more useful than ever. — Image from Grab
PETALING JAYA: Grab Malaysia has introduced a Trip Planner function on its app to help users plan their journey by providing Suggested Routes with real-time public transport information and estimated travel time.

When users click on one of the Suggested Routes, it will display information such as walking distance, train platform location and number of stops.

The Trip Planner also has a feature that allows users to set their own departure and arrival times or check out the last bus or train transportation options for the day.

There is also a tab that alerts users about disruptions and affected services. It will also suggest an option to take a Grab ride by providing the estimated fare and travel duration.

This is part of Grab’s plan to widen the usage of its app which is mostly utilised for ride-hailing, by creating a “super app” with multiple services.

Grab is having an event tomorrow, most likely to announce other features like ticketing and hotel booking which it expects to implement in a few months.

Recently, the company integrated the Grab Food delivery app into the main Grab app.


Mercedes-AMG A 35 due early next year

The A 35 could have less aggressive rebound rates to differentiate it from the more costly A 45.
STUTTGART: There's going to be a new entry-level model coming to the Mercedes-AMG range next year in the shape of the A 35, which is a hot version of the new A-Class designed to take on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R.

The car will have a newly developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine under the hood producing 300bhp, and predictably, it's now been seen undergoing testing at the Nurburgring.

This all-new model will sit in the Mercedes-AMG lineup below the next-generation A 45, which will make it the new entry level model with prices expected to start at around €39,500 (RM187,000), according to a report in Autocar.

That engine will be a heavily reworked version of the A 45's M260 turbo-four, which itself is an evolution of the M270 engine in the recently launched all-new A-Class. The cylinder bore and stroke of the engine will remain the same as that of the standard A-Class, but different pistons and bespoke software will be used to deliver the kind of performance the Golf R currently boasts from its 306bhp unit.

With cars like this the 0-100kph time is all-important, and the new A 45 is expected to get below the four-second mark. Obviously, the entry-level A 35 will have to be a little slower, but its predicted 4.5-second time will still put it right alongside its Volkswagen rival - which is already as quick as some genuine sports cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman S.

Visually, there won't be a huge amount to separate the A 35 from the more expensive A45, although one tell-tale sign will be the quad exhaust of the A 45 as the A 35 appears to be making do with a set of twin tailpipes.

The two hot A-Class models will both be offered with adjustable damping, but the A 35 could have less aggressive rebound rates to differentiate it from its more costly sibling that will be better in bends and corners as well as on the straights.

Mercedes hasn't officially announced the A 35 just yet, but late last year AMG boss Tobias Moers confirmed it would "arrive ahead of the A 45." A full reveal at the Paris Motor Show in October is likely, with order books opening at the start of next year and deliveries getting under way by mid-2019.


JPJ bars heavy vehicles from main roads in KL city centre during rush hour

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has prohibited all company operators or drivers of goods vehicles involving heavy vehicles with laden weight (BDM) exceeding 7,500kg from entering the main roads into the city centre from 6.30am until 9.30am and 4.30pm until 7.30pm every day.

The prohibition follows a JPJ observation showing the entry of heavy vehicles into the city during peak hours, namely in the mornings and evenings had contributed to the traffic congestion and eventually affected the smooth traffic flow in the Klang Valley.

"Roads that are gazetted with travel restrictions of at least five km from the city centre, starting from the entrance to the city centre will be marked by placing a special signboard with the time stamp prohibiting heavy vehicles from entering the city centre,” said JPJ in a statement on Thursday (June 2).

Among the roads gazetted with restrictions in the mornings and evenings for goods vehicles included all roads in Kuala Lumpur city centre, Jalan Kuching from Taman Wahyu in Jalan Ipoh to the city centre, Jalan Genting Klang from TAR College until the city centre and Jalan Cheras from Taman Midah to the city centre.

Meanwhile, roads gazetted with time restrictions in the evenings included Jalan Kepong, Jalan Ipoh from Bulatan Kepong until Jalan Batu Caves, Karak Highway, Jalan Gombak from Jalan Kampung Bandar Dalam until the Kuala Lumpur border, Jalan Genting Klang and Jalan Cheras beginning from Jalan Pudu until Jalan Tenteram.

According to the statement, the ban on goods vehicles entering the main roads in the city has been enforced for a long time, however, since entering the transition to the endemic phase, heavy vehicle drivers are disregarding this rule and resulting in a visible increase in the number of vehicles on the road.

"Those who choose to disregard this can be compounded not more than RM300 or charged in court where the fine imposed will not be less than RM300 and not exceeding RM2,000,” it added.


Lotus shares details on its first SUV, set for 2023 launch

                BERLIN: The first off-roader from Lotus is a far cry from the wedge-shaped sports car that James Bond once drove underwater in a 1970s spy thriller.

The Eletre (presumably named so because it's electric) is a high-powered SUV with up to 900hp and is set to launch in 2023, Lotus has announced.

Details about the British boutique manufacturer's first off-road vehicle have so far been scarce, but Lotus has now confirmed that the SUV will start at prices of at least €95,990 (RM449,000) in Europe.

In return, you get a 5.10-metre-long four-door electric with a aerodynamically optimised design, Lotus says.

The two electric motors in the basic version produce 603 hp and allow a sprint from 0 to 100kph in 4.5 seconds. Order the top model Eletre R for €150,990 (RM705,000), and you get 905 hp and a sprint time of just 2.95 seconds.

The top speed, if you'll ever find the road to reach it, is 265kph.

Energy comes from a 112-volt battery, which should allow a range of between 490km and 600km. Lotus also wants to enable speedy charging and says the car can recharge up to 80% battery in less than 20 minutes in ideal settings.


Gorilla Glass to be used in cars as well

                DETROIT: Gorilla Glass, long a mainstay in smartphones, is coming to cars. And Ford will be putting it in the GT windshields  for a tough, durable, scratch-resistant window that is about 30 percent lighter than traditional glass.

Developed by Ford and Corning, Gorilla Glass hybrid window will be used on both the windshield and rear engine cover of Ford GT, contributing to enhanced vehicle handling, improved fuel efficiency and reduced risk of glass damage.

“Gorilla Glass hybrid is a great example of how Ford works with suppliers to innovate in every area of our business,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, Global Purchasing. “Ford GT is setting new standards for innovation through performance and light-weighting, and we’re excited about exploring other applications for this great new technology.”

When tasked with developing lightweight and advanced material vehicle applications, the Ford team approached Corning, a leader in materials science that introduced light and durable Gorilla Glass to the consumer electronics market in 2007. Interested in further exploring potential automotive applications, Ford engaged Corning to help research and develop a unique formulation for exterior vehicle glass.

Once the technology was studied for Ford’s supercar concept, the team realised there were real-world applications for the new hybrid glass. A small, dedicated group comprised of purchasing and engineering employees from Ford and Corning fast-tracked the technology toward rapid introduction. Within four months, they were seeking program approval.

Gorilla Glass hybrid
A traditional automotive laminated windshield consists of two layers of annealed glass sandwiched around a clear, thermoplastic interlayer binding agent. Originally introduced in America by Henry Ford, the technology has been used in the auto industry for nearly a century.

The new hybrid glass uses a multilayer approach – a pane of toughened automotive-grade formed hybrid acts as the strengthened inner layer, an advanced noise-absorbing thermoplastic interlayer is in the centre, and an annealed glass serves as the outer layer. The result is a windshield and rear engine cover  32 percent lighter than competitive vehicles.

The new Gorilla Glass hybrid window laminate is  25 percent to 50 percent thinner, and has equal to, or greater strength than traditional laminate. Traditional laminate glass ranges from four millimeters to six millimeters in thickness, where Gorilla Glass hybrid window ranges from three millimeters to four millimeters. This remarkable reduction in thickness greatly reduces the weight of each panel. Plus, the glass is more robust due to advanced processes for contaminant reduction, chemical strengthening, unique edge treatment and laminate construction.

The reduced weight of the windshield, engine cover and bulkhead glass on Ford GT positively impacts acceleration, fuel economy and braking performance. Perhaps most important is the benefit on handling – removing the weight of glass high in the construction of the vehicle lowers the centre of gravity and contributes to the car’s outstanding agility.


Mercedes-Benz 190 with an electric drive in 1990

                STUTTGART: Did you know that an electric variant of the Mercedes 190 once existed? Yesirree Bob.

The electric never went into production but was a testbed for zero emission vehicles.

In May 1990, Mercedes-Benz exhibited a model 190 (W 201) converted to electric drive at the Hanover Fair.

Later, in March 1991, Mercedes-Benz displayed a more advanced vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show.

Each rear wheel was powered by its own DC motor energised by permanent magnets with a peak power of 16 kW (22 hp) each, so the total power output was 32 kW (44 hp).

Energy was supplied by a sodium-nickel chloride battery, and regenerative braking returned energy to the power pack during braking.

The issue of electric cars experienced an upswing at that time as a result of the laws passed in California, for example, to introduce zero emission vehicles.

The pioneering 190s were driven by test participants on the island of Rugen, Germany: various individuals, including taxi drivers, used them in normal everyday life.

There were hardly any problems – the W 201 cars went about their work completely inconspicuously and reliably.

One of the vehicles was used particularly intensively and achieved a peak usage rate of around 100,000km in one year.

“The results provide new insights into battery service life, the number of possible discharge and charge cycles, range, energy consumption and reliability,” summarised the Mercedes-Benz brochure.


Mattel's Hot Wheels Tesla Cybertruck coming in December

                NEW YORK: Mattel's Hot Wheels brand recently announced at the New York Toy Fair that it is introducing two radio-control toy versions of the Tesla Cybertruck.

The Hot Wheels Cybertruck is offered in the 1:64 scale priced at US$20 (RM84.50) while the hobby grade 1:10 scale is yours for US$400 (RM1,690).

However, on the mattelcreations.com website, the 1:10 scale Cybertruck has already sold out.

The Hot Wheels team worked with Tesla with the toy brand's designers studying the life-size model and includes the cracked windows which happened to the life-sized Cybertruck during its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November.

The windows cracked after metal balls were thrown at it after Tesla CEO Elon Musk said they were bulletproof.

Mattel also described the toys as prototypes and final production design, colours and textures may vary.


Ghosn gets US$6mil bill as Nissan-Mitsubishi case backfires

Ghosn. — Reuters
AMSTERDAM: Fugitive former car executive Carlos Ghosn suffered a setback today when a Dutch court ordered him to repay €5 million (RM25mil or US$6.1mil) in wages to Nissan and Mitsubishi in a case he had brought.

The case, one of a series of legal battles involving one of the best known figures in the auto industry, centres around the Dutch-registered joint venture Nissan-Mitsubishi BV (NMBV), where Ghosn was ousted as chairman in 2019.

Ghosn claimed the Japanese companies violated Dutch labour laws when they dismissed him and had demanded compensation of 15 million euros for missed wages and severance payments.

But the district court in Amsterdam sided with the car companies, stating that Ghosn did not have a valid employment agreement with the joint venture, as it lacked the required consent of the boards of Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Ghosn was therefore ordered to pay back the 5 million euros in net payments he received from the Amsterdam-based joint venture between April and November 2018.

A spokesperson for Ghosn said the former chairman of the Nissan-Mitsubishi-Renault alliance would appeal the verdict so that the testimony of witnesses who would support his case could be heard.

Both Nissan and Mitsubishi said they were glad that their allegations were supported by the court.

"We are pleased that the court has dismissed Carlos Ghosn’s unfounded claims against NMBV and ordered Mr Ghosn to repay the significant sums he appropriated unlawfully," Nissan said in a statement.

The court found that Ghosn had wrongfully determined his own salary and sign-on bonus at NMBV, and that the board member who had signed his employment contract at the joint venture on behalf of the car companies did not have the power to do so.

Ghosn, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, was chairman of both Nissan and Mitsubishi and chief executive of Renault (RENA.PA) when he was arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of underreporting his salary and using company funds for personal purposes.

He fled to Lebanon in December 2019 hidden in carry-on luggage on a private jet that flew out of Kansai Airport, and has remained in that country since.


Aisin Advics plant blast in Japan may disrupt car production

                TOKYO: Japanese auto parts supplier Aisin Advics Co said today there had been an explosion at one of its plants in central Japan, and that it was establishing the extent of damage which may impact the supply chains of its customers.

The company specialises in braking systems and is a major supplier to Toyota Motor Corp.

It said that the gas explosion at its plant in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, the nation's automaking heartland, occurred near one of its paint lines, injuring four people.

Aisin Advics is majority owned by Aisin Seiki Co, a Toyota group supplier, and operates two production plants in central Japan, and manufactures globally.

Toyota has suffered production delays this year due to supply chain disruptions caused by damage to a plant operated by an Aisin Seiki subsidiary following earthquakes in southern Japan, and a fire at a steel plant owned by Aichi Steel Corp, another major supplier.


Mazda CX-90 to make world premiere in January 2023

                LOS ANGELES: The Mazda CX-90 will make its world debut in January 2023 and replaces the CX-9 as the company's flagship SUV.

Mazda North American Operations has just released a teaser image showing the front fender of the three-row vehicle, and a new shade of red.

The three-row CX-90 is built on Mazda's all-new large platform and represents the company's newest flagship vehicle with wider, longer, and more aggressive proportions than any current Mazda vehicle.

The fender gets a vent with an "Inline6" badge, which suggests the CX-90 will come packing a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre inline-six or a turbodiesel 3.3-litre inline-six. A plug-in hybrid is also plausible.

The new colour called Artisan Red is an all-new premium paint colour option reserved for Mazda's large platform vehicles.

Mazda said the deeply saturated colour has been specifically developed to suit such vehicles to accentuate their blend of high-performance appearance and world-class refinement.

It looks like the CX-90 is Mazda's attempt to uplift its brand and take it to the luxury segment occupied by the Infiniti QX60 and Acura MDX.

Mazda's new SUV range will also spin a two-row CX-70 based on the same platform.


Proton hits new highs in January 2019

                PETALING JAYA: Proton kicked off 2019 on a high note as total registrations climbed to 7,007 units for January 2019. The estimated market share is 14.5%, though the final figure will only be confirmed following the publication of industry sales data by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Following its launch on Dec 12, 2018, deliveries of the Proton X70 have gathered pace as more units of Proton's first SUV become available. Having set a Malaysia market record for most registrations by an SUV last December, the trend continued in the new year with 2,777 units registered in January 2019.

The amount means the Proton X70 sets a new record for the most C-segment SUV registrations in a single calendar month.

The large number of SUVs registered were instrumental in Proton posting impressive sales growth figures. Compared to the previous month sales increased by 33.6% while year-on-year, the figure represents a 46.5% growth over January 2018, easily making Proton the market leader in growth rate for the top three automotive brands.

Another area where Proton leads the industry is in the number of 3S/4S facilities in its network. There are currently 74 Proton 3S/4S outlets and dealers in operation as at the end of the month with more set to open throughout the year.

Together they will assist Proton in achieving their Sales Service Index (SSI) and Customer Service Index (CSI) target scores.

“Proton is thankful to be able to start 2019 on a positive note. We already knew we would end the month with the most 3S/4S outlets in the industry but the market leading sales growth rate figure and the record setting number of SUV registrations is due to the humbling support we have received from Malaysian car buyers.

There is still a long way to go for the brand to fully recover but we will strive to continue to deliver a premium experience at our outlets while improving our model offerings,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

For the month of February, Proton is looking to maintain its sales momentum by running an Ang Pow promotion. Buyers of Proton vehicles are eligible for savings worth up to RM4,000 depending on the model they choose.

“In conjunction with Chinese New Year, Proton would like to continue to reward its customers with extra incentives for buying a brand new Proton car. The Company would also like to wish all Malaysians a Happy Chinese New Year and remind them to drive safely during the festive period,” added Li.


Porsche's soaring sculpture pays homage to 911

 Judah showing his handiwork in the background.

STUTTGART: It's an arresting sight to say the least.  British artist Gerry Judah has created a nearly 24-metre-high sculpture comprising three pillars, each crowned with a Porsche 911 mounted at the top.

The vehicles hail from different 911 generations paying tribute to the icon’s vast history.  The sculpture, titled “Inspiration 911”, was officially introduced on Monday at Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen, Germany.  It was in this same place that the first 911 rolled off the assembly line in 1963.

At the Monday event, the Porscheplatz was cast in a combination of lights, film, and vehicle choreography. Using the glass facade of the Porsche Museum as a screen, film clips were projected to create a visual display area measuring more than 195 sq metres. A moving progression included vehicles that are also components of the art piece: an F-model from 1970, a G-model from 1981, as well as the latest generation 911. Light effects utilizing the architecture of the museum fascinated spectators. For the finale, the current model range of Porsche vehicles was showcased to guests in the grandstands.

Judah was also the man behind a similar Porsche sculpture created in 2013 for the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain.

Porsche AG chairman Matthias Mueller said: “The sculpture that we present today (Monday) is more than a work of art. It is also a symbol for our company’s close ties with Stuttgart.”

Porsche has in recent years invested around one billion euros (RM4.7bil) in facilities in the greater Stuttgart area.


Tesla board member says Elon Musk identified potential successor as CEO

                SAN FRANCISCO: James Murdoch, a Tesla Inc director, testified in court on Wednesday that CEO Elon Musk has in the last few months identified someone as a potential successor to head the electric carmaker.

Murdoch, who did not name the potential successor, was testifying in a trial over Musk's 2018 Tesla pay package.

When a plaintiff's lawyer asked him to confirm that Musk has never identified someone as a potential successor CEO, Murdoch said, "He actually has," adding that happened in the "last few months."

Some Tesla investors are worried about whether Musk can focus adequately on his role as CEO of the world's most valuable carmaker now that he has been running Twitter Inc after a protracted buyout that at one point he tried to scrap.

Murdoch testified that Musk has had some Tesla engineers work at Twitter, a situation the board is monitoring.

Murdoch's testimony did not make it clear how specific the conversation about the successor was.

Antonio Gracias, a longtime friend of Musk who was also a Tesla board member from 2007 to 2021, testified that there were conversations of finding an "administrative CEO" who oversees sales, finance and human resources "so Musk can focus his time as chief product officer which is his most vital function."

But he added they could not find one, without elaborating on the timing of the discussions.

Musk, who is CEO of Twitter and rocket company Space X, among others said, "Frankly I don't want to be CEO of any company."

Musk testified that he expected to reduce his time at Twitter and eventually find a new leader to run the social media company.

On Monday, Musk said he had worked through the night at Twitter's San Francisco headquarters and would keep "working & sleeping here" until the social media platform — which he recently acquired for US$44 billion — was fixed.

'As long as I can be useful'

"It's worth noting there's a light year gap between identifying someone and having that someone take the job," Tesla investor Gene Muster tweeted after the news.

At Tesla's shareholders meeting in August, Musk was asked about succession plan and replied: "I intend to stay with Tesla as long as I can be useful."

At the time, Musk also said, "We do have a very talented team here. So I think Tesla would continue to do very well even if I was kidnapped by aliens or went back to my home planet maybe."

Murdoch testified that Tesla's audit committee is monitoring the Twitter situation, saying that the committee had discussions about having some Tesla engineers do work at Twitter.

"Most of the work my understanding is has been done. It was a short-term deployment," he said, adding the work is "paid for."

"The audit committee has said that, if it is taking away from Tesla work, that's something we also have to be very aware of and that we don't want it to be that way."

He also said Musk asked a few team heads to see if they were people interested in helping Twitter.

Musk acknowledged in his testimony that some Tesla engineers were assisting in evaluating Twitter's engineering teams, but he said it was on a "voluntary basis" and done "after hours."


Range Rover Sport SVR resets Tianmen road ascent time

                HUNAN PROVINCE (China): A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is not meant to outperform a supercar, but that’s exactly what happened when the new Range Rover Sport SVR took on a fearsome mountain road in China.

Land Rover’s performance SUV, driven by Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Ho-Pin Tung, has smashed the record for negotiating the 99 corners of the famous Tianmen Road.

The standard production Range Rover Sport SVR (Special Vehicle Racing), costing £99,680 (RM540,500), set a new unofficial record of 9 minutes 51 seconds for the 11.3km ascent at an average speed of 68.8kph, beating the previous best of 10 minutes 31 seconds – set by a Ferrari 458 Italia supercar in 2016.

With 575PS available from its V8 supercharged engine, the new SVR is now the fastest ever Land Rover and can accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 280kph.

Coupled with changes to the chassis, the new SVR delivers more dynamic responses without compromising traditional Range Rover comfort.

The engineers at SVO (Special Vehicles Operations) focused on controlling pitch under heavy acceleration and braking, and changes to the damping hardware have improved turn-in, mid-corner grip and body control.

The optional exposed carbon fibre bonnet is one of the distinctive innovations introduced by the experts at Special Vehicle Operations and features a pair of large air vents to underline its performance potential.

A revised front bumper provides enhanced brake and engine cooling while the 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine produces 700Nm of torque.

Inside, new lightweight SVR Performance seats provide support and traditional Range Rover luxury with Windsor leather, an embossed SVR logo and a choice of four colour combinations.

“I am used to the high speeds of racing, but this was even more demanding. Maintaining concentration was the biggest challenge as the road twists and turns constantly, with huge drop-offs to the side. The consequences of getting it wrong would have been really serious so I focused on establishing a rhythm and the Range Rover Sport SVR made this easy – it may be an SUV but it has the performance and agility of a supercar and can take you to places a supercar can only dream of,” said Tung.

The record-breaking ascent is the latest challenge completed by the Range Rover Sport after the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehcile) model made the dizzying climb to the iconic Heaven’s Gate natural rock arch at the road’s summit last month.

The PHEV made its debut in a race against two-time open-water swimming world champion Keri-anne Payne and endurance athlete Ross Edgley in Devon, UK.


Triumph expands with three new upmarket showrooms in Batu Caves, PJ and Penang

                PETALING JAYA: As part of the ongoing growth of the Triumph brand within the Malaysian market, Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia will be expanding its reach with three new state-of-the-art motorcycle stores.

The first is Triumph Motorcycles Batu Caves, which was launched yesterday through dealer partner Gene Advance Sdn Bhd.

 Triumph Batu Caves.

The second facility, Triumph Motorcycles Petaling Jaya, is operated by Goh Brothers Motorcycles Sdn Bhd, while the third centre, Triumph Motorcycles Penang, will be unveiled tomorrow.

Triumph Motorcycles and its local importer and distributor for Malaysia, Didi Automotives, said they look forward to welcoming valued existing customers and greeting those new to the brand.

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, United Kingdom chief commercial officer Paul Stroud said the company was delighted to launch three all-new state-of-the-art Triumph Motorcycle stores within the Malaysian market and would like to thank Didi Automotive for their significant investment in the Triumph brand.

“We are very much looking forward to our partnership with Didi within Malaysia, and to creating the opportunity for many more motorcycle fans to experience Triumph, and join our family of loyal fans across the world.”

 Triumph Petaling Jaya.

Didi Group chairman Rewi Hamid Bugo said the flagship store, Triumph Motorcycles Petaling Jaya, would be a hub of excitement and adventure.

“And tomorrow, we eagerly anticipate the opening of the Triumph Motorcycles Penang showroom, further expanding our reach and presence in Malaysia,” he said.

 Triumph Petaling Jaya.

The new Triumph showroom facilities will provide customers with Triumph’s industry-leading brand experience offering state-of-the-art facilities, highly trained personnel, along with the highest level of Service, After Sales and Customer Care.

At the launch of Triumph Petaling Jaya, the company also released the latest Street Triple 765 naked sports motorcycle line-up.

 Triumph Petaling Jaya.

This new range represents the most powerful and poised Street Triple offerings ever created, delivering an unrivalled riding experience for enthusiasts.

The Street Triple 765 variants unveiled were the R priced at RM59,000 and the more powerful RS at RM73,900.

 Launch of the Street Triple R and RS.

While the R's 765cc DOHC inline three-cylinder engine delivers 120PS and 80Nm of torque, the same engine in the RS has been tuned to deliver 130PS and maintain 80Nm of torque.

The transmission is a six-speed type while the instrument panel is a full-colour TFT-type.

 Street Triple R and RS (in red).

The line-up showcases a major upgrade, setting a new benchmark for performance in the naked sports category.

Additionally, Triumph will present the Street Triple RS, which pushes the boundaries further and raises the bar for performance naked sports motorcycles.

 Street Triple RS.

Finally, in an exclusive limited-run edition, Triumph in Malaysia will present the Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition at the opening of Triumph Penang tomorrow.

The Moto2 Edition embodies the highest specification and focus ever seen in a Street Triple model and offers enthusiasts the closest experience to riding a Moto2 racer on the road.


NamX takes a fresh approach to refueling with swappable hydrogen capsules

                PARIS: The new French-Moroccan manufacturer NamX is showcasing a prototype of its future hydrogen-powered SUV at the Paris Motor Show, which runs until Oct 23.

The vehicle stands out for its astonishing refuelling system using small removable capsules.

The brand, founded by entrepreneur Faouzi Annajah and designer Thomas de Lussac, plans to release a hydrogen-powered SUV with six removable charging capsules by the end of 2025.

The idea is to be able to swap them for other fully loaded capsules, as needed. Thanks to the six hydrogen capsules placed at the rear of the vehicle, this SUV promises a range of about 800km. This system is currently in the process of being patented.

The goal is to make these capsules available for exchange in dedicated stations, via a network called CapXtores.

Drivers will then be able to use an application to check the availability of the capsules in real time. Eventually, a system of home delivery by subscription could even be deployed.

Note that the design of this concept vehicle, dubbed HUV, has been helmed by Pininfarina.

Another original feature of this new brand is that its production line will be based in Morocco. This concept joins another premium hydrogen car project hailing from France called Hopium, also present at the Paris Motor Show.


Ex-Audi boss set for confession in diesel emissions scandal

                MUNICH: Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler is ready to make a confession about his role in the diesel emissions scandal in exchange for a suspended sentence and a payment of 1.1 million euros (RM5.4mil), he and his defence team said today.

The former CEO has been on trial for fraud since 2020 over his role in the scandal after parent group Volkswagen and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests. Stadler had previously rejected the allegations.

Stadler's defence team said a statement would be made on May 16, after which the judge will decide whether it amounts to a complete confession and deliver a verdict in June. It was not immediately clear whether Stadler would deliver the statement personally or through his lawyers.

Prosecutors also agreed to the deal. A judge had said the 60-year-old Stadler faced a prison sentence of 1.5-2 years, which would be suspended if Stadler agreed to make a confession.

The trial is one of the most prominent court proceedings in the aftermath of the diesel scandal at Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi. Revelations that millions of emissions tests had been manipulated emerged in September 2015.

According to prosecutors, engineers manipulated engines in such a way that they complied with legal exhaust emission values on the test bench but not on the road. Stadler was accused of failing to stop the sale of the manipulated cars after the scandal became known.

Stadler has been on trial along with former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz and an engineer. Hatz and the engineer confessed to having manipulated engines.

Audi declined to comment, saying it was not party to the trial.

Today's deal follows haggling between Stadler's defence team, the prosecutors and the court, especially over how much money Stadler would pay in exchange for a suspended sentence.

Prosecutors wanted 2 million euros (RM9.8mil), citing Stadler's salaries at Audi and Volkswagen and his financial and real estate assets. Stadler's team had initially argued that 1.1 million euros was too high, as he had no current income and faced hefty legal costs.


Polestar 2 details revealed by company's COO

                LONDON: The second model from the new electrified performance arm of Volvo is intended to go head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3, and according to Polestar chief operating officer Jonathan Goodman, it will finally arrive next year with prices ranging between US$39,800 - US$66,300.

It's been widely reported over the last year or so that the Polestar 2 will have a driving range on a full charge of 563km. That's already impressive when we consider the much lower ranges of most EVs currently available, but the good news is that appears to be the minimum we should expect.

Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this past weekend, Goodman told Autocar "That [350-mile range] will represent the lower 'bookend' of our showroom range and, for now, it should give us as much access to the volume end of the EV market as we need."

The main focus of the Polestar presence at the festival was the Polestar 1, and it was the first time the company's flagship model had been shown in the UK.

Polestar has already taken 600 deposits in the UK for the 592 bhp hybrid coupe ahead of it arriving next year, and that level of interest is just a small example of why Polestar has had to significantly increase the size of its production plans for the car worldwide.

If the high-end Polestar 1 has already proved so popular with potential buyers at a price point of around US$179,000, demand for the considerably more affordable Polestar 2 could be off the scale.

And unlike Tesla, which has developed something of a cult-like status with its following, Polestar is looking to be a lot more accessible, inclusive and mainstream.

Goodman says: "I think it's very dangerous for brands like ours to sit here and ask 'what's our type of customer? Electric cars will be just as appealing to young executives as they are to retirees. It's a new market, and purchase intentions will vary. So we've got to be a welcoming brand that's not geeky, cliquey or judgmental."


Mercedes-Benz plans even more SUVs

                DETROIT: SUV enthusiasts, of which there appear to be an awful lot these days, will be delighted to hear the German luxury automaker is responding to demand by planning to offer even more SUVs in the future.

Last year, sales of Mercedes SUVs continued to grow substantially, and in the US alone they grew by nearly 10 percent to further expand the company's lead over rival German manufacturer, BMW. Impressive demand for models such as the GLA and GLC crossovers made a big contribution to Mercedes-Benz finishing 2017 as the biggest luxury automaker in the world for what is now a second consecutive year.

Britta Seeger, the head of Mercedes sales and marketing, said during an interview at the Detroit auto show this week, "We have more ideas to add new products to our portfolio, though maybe not so much at the upper end of the SUV range for now," Bloomberg reported.

After BMW enjoyed a global lead in luxury vehicle sales for a decade, Mercedes-Benz has no intention of giving up its two-year status as the global leader in the luxury market without a fight. Mercedes has overtaken BMW with a combination of the refreshing of a number of designs that had become a little tired and staid, and the addition of more and more crossovers to its expanding range.

Smaller, compact SUVs appear to be where the company has identified the greatest opportunity for further growth, so we should probably expect to see more of these in the coming years, especially ones with electrified powertrains -- and in fact just this week, what is claimed to be the electric 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV showed up in spyshots.

However, cars will also play a big part in the company's immediate future, especially the all-new A-Class that will finally see this popular nameplate offered for sale in America for the first time.

Seeger commented, "Globally, we're very confident we'll see a strong year during 2018. We're optimistic for a strong year in Europe on the back of the revamped A class and a stable development on sales in the US."


VW terminates Audi CEO's contract amid emissions probe

Stadler.
BERLIN: Volkswagen has terminated Audi CEO Rupert Stadler’s contract against the backdrop of a criminal investigation into whether he was involved in emissions cheating by the German group.

Munich prosecutors are investigating Stadler and another member of Audi’s senior management for suspected fraud and false advertising related to illegal emissions by its cars and manipulation of vehicle tests.

The departure of Stadler came as the German government presented a plan to cut pollution from diesel vehicles in the country’s continuing efforts to negotiate the aftermath of the VW emissions scandal that surfaced three years ago.

Stadler is leaving his posts as management board member of the Volkswagen group and as CEO of Audi with immediate effect, VW said in a statement.

He had been suspended after he was taken into custody in mid-June on suspicion of interfering with an emissions investigation. Sales executive Bram Schot is acting as interim replacement.

Both VW and premium brand Audi have said that Stadler is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.

“Mr Stadler is (leaving) because, due to his ongoing pre-trial detention, he is unable to fulfil his duties as a member of the management board and wishes to concentrate on his defense,” VW said in its statement on Tuesday.

Following his arrest, Munich prosecutors said that Stadler, the most senior active VW official to be remanded in custody since the scandal broke, was being held on fears he might hinder their investigation.

Before becoming Audi CEO in 2007, Stadler was a confidant of, and former assistant to, then-Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech, the scion of the group’s controlling Piech clan.

A statement from acting Audi chief Schot thanked Stadler for his 11 years at the helm, noting that the company had almost doubled its sales in that time and that Stadler had also pushed for development of electric cars.

Peter Mosch, works council chief and deputy head of Audi’s supervisory board, said the move gave the company more clarity for the future.

In July, Volkswagen recruited BMW engine development and purchasing expert Markus Duesmann, who has been touted as a potential successor to Stadler as VW looks for clean-engine expertise to help it to shake off the scandal.

A source familiar with the matter said that severance payment terms for Stadler would depend on the investigators’ findings. Stadler’s VW contract was due to run to the end of next year and his Audi CEO contract to the end of 2023.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has new headquarters and training academy

                PUCHONG: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), today launched its new headquarters and training training academy in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor.

The new Wisma Mercedes-Benz headquarters is a RM74mil 118,000 sq ft facility that also houses its Training Academy.

“We have very exciting times ahead of us as we look forward to continue redefining the benchmark in the premium segment with the Best products, the Best service and the Best customer experience. As you can see, we take very seriously our motto of delivering ‘The Best or Nothing’ in every aspect of our business,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Dr Claus Weidner.

The new building is the first of its kind in the country, being a six-storey industrial facility that is also the first to have been accredited for being a green industrial building in Subang Jaya and having earned the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification.

Following overwhelming response for its training programmes, the MBM Training Academy has expanded its capacity to accommodate over 2,000 training days per year and has a fully operational workshop and state-of-the-art training rooms equipped as per the latest Daimler AG Global Training standard.

Only 28 seats are available per year and applicants with a minimum of SPM qualification or equivalent are able to apply.

 Himmelmann (left) handing over a Mercedes-Maybach S500 to Schromm.

To mark the launch of the MBM Training Academy director of global training Joerg Himmelmann handed over a Mercedes-Maybach S500 to MBM vice president (after sales) Heinrich Schromm.

The vehicle will be used by participants to fully experience all repair and diagnosis routines on all systems currently available in series production.

This further creates an opportunity to develop graduates of the programme with the highest level of diagnosis and fault-finding skills on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology.

Complementing the state-of-the-art equipment are the Daimler Certified Trainers who adhere to strict international standards.

As part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s regional role, regular Train the Trainer events are arranged and conducted within the facility by Global Training, Stuttgart topic expert Trainers.

Trainers from Malaysia and all countries around the Asia Pacific region travel to upgrade their skills and knowledge, staying on the cutting edge of the automotive industry.

“Our new purpose built facility will enable us to consistently provide high levels of service, expertise and reliability to satisfy our customers, who expect the highest standards of excellence,” added Dr Weidner.


2018 Toyota Vios Challenge starts in August

                KUALA LUMPUR: Following the success of the inaugural series of the Toyota Vios Challenge in Malaysia last year, a second season has been confirmed this year, starting August 2018.

Apart from the Sporting Class for semi-professionals and the Super Sporting Class for professional racers, the Promotional Class race will have celebrities taking part.

Janna Nick, Diana Danielle, Shawn Lee and Syukri Yahaya who raced in Season 1 will take part again.

Challenging the four celebrities will be six new names and they are Aiman Tino, Khai Bahar, Nabila Razali, Wany Hasrita, Akim Ahmad, and Nabil Ahmad.

This new group will also be given training at the Vios Academy so they will be better prepared for the races.

The Vios Challenge retain its sponsors as in the first season.

They are Toyo Tyres, Denso, TRD Asia, Enkei, Moty’s, Drive M7 Energy Drinks, and Toyota Capital Services.

While the Vios Challenge will be the highlight of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) festival weekends, there will also be many other activities for the family.

As before, there will be four rounds of the Vios Challenge one-make series.

Each round will be part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Racing Festival.

The first race will be on the East Coast at Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Terengganu from August 2 – 4, 2018.

The following rounds will be held on October 19 – 21 at MAEPS in Serdang, Selangor; February 22 – 24, 2019 at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang; and finally at the Sepang International Circuit on April 12 – 14, 2019.

The format of the series, which is sanctioned by the FIA international motorsport body, will be the same as before.

All competitors will use identical and specially prepared Toyota Vios which conform to regulations.

This will ensure that the competition is about driver skills as all the cars will have similar performance levels.

Inspections before and after each race will be conducted to ensure that no modifications have been made to improve performance.

There will be a total of 3 race classes in the Vios Challenge Race. Two classes for drivers of different skill levels – the Sporting Class for semi-professionals and the Super Sporting Class for those who are racing professionals.

This not only ensures closer racing but also helps to make it more encouraging for newer drivers as they will have an opportunity to also win races in their own class.

Updates on the second season of the Vios Challenge can be found at the Toyota Gazoo Racing website (http://toyotagazooracingmalaysia.com.my) or on its social media pages at:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tgrmy)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toyotagazooracingmalaysia)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/TOYOTAGAZOORacingMalaysia)


Perak e-hailing drivers urge govt to standardise price of PSV licence

                IPOH: The e-hailing drivers in Perak have urged the government to standardise the price of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence and the insurance payment scheme due to different rates set by regions and states.

One of the drivers, 50-year-old Ramli Ahmad Razali, said this should be the case as most drivers in the state questioned the difference in pricing of PSV licence and insurance imposed on them.

“We support the government's efforts to fix the price of PSV licence that must be paid by the e-hailing drivers but the government should review the e-hailing system including the pricing of PSV licence and insurance that is seen to be varied throughout the country.

“For example, the PSV licence in Kuala Lumpur is only between RM80 and RM90 while in Tanjung Malim drivers are charged RM130 and some areas in Perak they are charged up to RM200... why is the licence in Perak more expensive compared to Kuala Lumpur?”

He said this at a press conference after a peaceful assembly attended by about 50 e-hailing drivers at the Perak Stadium compound here today.

In November last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said all e-hailing drivers must register for PSV licence similar to other taxi drivers from January this year.

Loke said drivers were given until July 12 this year to complete their PSV licence and course.

“After July 12, 2019, we will start enforcing the new regulations as all e-hailing drivers must have PSV registration and licence, insurance and vehicles which are more than three years old will be required to undergo inspection,” he said.


BMW cars in China get Alibaba voice assistant

                BEIJING: BMW will become the first premium carmaker to launch Tmall Genie in China in selected BMW models.

The intelligent voice assistant from Alibaba A.I. Labs will be available in-car to BMW customers in China by the end of 2019.

The integration of the intelligent cloud-based voice control service in the Chinese market opens up a variety of in-car entertainment and shopping options for BMW drivers while on the road.

This latest move by the BMW Group follows integration of BMW Connected into Alibaba’s Chinese ecosystem.

It allows BMW customers who have a Tmall Genie-compatible device at home to operate vehicle functions easily and conveniently, and to call up appointments saved in the BMW Connected mobility agenda.

BMW Connected was launched in China in December 2016 and is currently used by 1.5 million customers.

Now the integration of Tmall Genie into BMW vehicles enables customers to access functions on the move they are already accustomed to using at home on the move.

A smartphone is not required to use the intelligent voice assistant in-car.

All BMW models come with an embedded SIM card, which enables seamless integration and permanent online availability.


How much distance should I keep on the highway?

                BERLIN: Half the speed limit in metres: That's the minimum distance motorists should maintain to the car ahead of them when driving on the highway - and constantly.

Even if the car in front is too close and you lose the correct distance through no fault of your own, road safety experts say you should take your foot off the accelerator and brake gently if necessary to increase the distance again immediately.

As a rule of thumb, the correct distance is half the speedometer distance in metres, according to German automobile club ADAC. So, for example, at a speed of 120kph, this would be at least 60 metres. Drivers can orient themselves by the reflector posts, which are placed along the roadside at 50-metre intervals.

Some countries have even introduced fines for drivers who tailgate other motorists. Depending on the speed and how short the distance is, a tailgater in Germany risks a fine of a few hundred euros for not keeping enough distance at 80kph. Similar fines exist in North America.


New Mitsubishi car prices post-GST

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has announced new prices for its models with reductions ranging from RM200 – RM2,000 on selected variants.

The ASX 2WD and 4WD compact SUV is locally assembled in Malaysia while the other Mitsubishi models are imported as CBU (Completely Built-Up) units from Thailand (Mirage, Attrage, Pajero Sport, Triton) and Japan (Pajero and Lancer).

“Taking into consideration of difference in the tax rate of 4% (from 6% GST and 10% of Sales and Service tax (SST)) and weakened Ringgit against the US Dollar, we remain committed to provide all Malaysians with a pleasant ownership and value-for-money cars. Customers are encouraged to also take the opportunity of its on-going deals and promotions,” said MMM chief executive officer Won-Chul Yang.