Last BMW Z4 is an orange sDrive35is

                MUNICH: With the BMW Z5 coming in late 2017 or early 2018, that spells the end of the long-running Z4 this month.

The last Z4 E89, a rear-wheel drive Z4 sDrive35is in Valencia Orange Metallic, rolled off the line at BMW’s Regensburg plant on Aug 22. The Z4 is the only BMW model that still uses the acclaimed but ageing N54 engine.

The turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder mill produces peak output of 340hp and 450Nm of torque. The N54 engine has since been superseded by the current B58 engine found in two states of tune in the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 Series.

Over 115,000 units of the second-generation Z4 have been built since 2009. It was only sold as a retractable hard top whereas the first generation was a soft top. Now it looks like BMW has come full circle and decided to go back to the classic soft top in the upcoming roadster.

The Z5 will use a fabric roof and will have a bigger and lighter body. It will make at least 350hp to match the output of its rival the Porsche 718 Boxster S, say pundits. The roadster will be based on a new architecture shared with Toyota but will use different engines from its Japanese counterpart who will also use the shared platform to revive the iconic Supra nameplate.

Meanwhile the BMW Malaysia website has quietly dropped the Z4 from its site but is still listing it for sale in two variants. The Z4 sDrive20i is going for RM359,800 while the Z4 sDrive28i M Sport is being offered at RM487,800.


Pininfarina teases PF0 concept

                TURIN: Italian design house Pininfarina has just revealed a teaser sketch of what will become its first standalone model, which is currently being referred to as the PF0 Concept.

The majority of real car enthusiasts can probably spot a Pininfarina car design reasonably easily because they tend to be very distinctive, bold and attractive. Now that the company is stepping out of its comfort zone of designing for others and venturing into manufacturing cars in its own right, it's being just as bold about describing its intentions.

This first Pininfarina model will be an all-electric supercar, which the company is developing as a direct competitor to some of the world's fastest, most expensive and most desirable models. Boasting somewhere north of 1,000hp and a price expected to be well into seven figures, this Pininfarina extreme EV is the company's calling card for an upcoming range of cars and EVs all exclusively powered by electricity.

Although there are many small manufacturers all around the world turning out combustion engine and all-electric hypercars all the time, very few have the name, experience or resources to take on the likes of Tesla, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bugatti. Pagani and Koenigsegg are two that immediately spring to mind, but even they don't have the acclaim associated with the Pininfarina name and reputation.

 Pininfarina designed the Ferrari P4/5.

Pininfarina may be new at the car production game, but it has many decades of experience under its belt designing and engineering some of the most fabulous and desirable cars of all time, including many of the best models to every wear the Ferrari badge.

The first production car will be a genuine hypercar based on this PF0 Concept, and it's likely to go on sale within the next two years. After that, Pininfarina intends to introduce a range of what it calls more affordable electric cars and SUVs.

Michael Perschke, the CEO of Automobili Pininfarina says: "Automobili Pininfarina is a pioneering new business created to service the most discerning clients in the world. Our product portfolio will launch with an innovative, zero-emissions hypercar that represents the progression we aim to make at the pinnacle of the luxury and sports car market."

In a statement, Pininfarina noted that after presenting its "business and product plans to prospective retailer partners, clients and media in New York this week," the PF0 Concept will finally be revealed to the world during Monterey Car Week in California next month (Aug 18-26).


2019 Thailand Motor Expo: 2020 Nissan Almera 1.0-litre turbo

                BANGKOK: At the 36th Thailand International Motor Expo, the 2020 new Nissan Almera sedan with a 1.0-litre turbo engine was among the highlights.

The new B-segment sedan had made its Asian debut in Thailand in mid-November.

Its new, lighter HRA0 1.0-litre turbo engine delivers 100ps and torque of 152Nm, with fuel consumption billed as 23.3km per litre.

The new Almera features lower, wider, and longer exterior dimensions using Nissan’s Emotional Geometry design language, while retaining a roomy interior.

Key elements of the Emotional Geometry design language in the new Almera include the V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps and tail lamps, kick-up C-pillars, and a floating roof.

The interior has a new instrument panel, infotainment screen, steering wheel and seats.

Premium kit on more expensive variants include best-in-class safety systems such as Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

With four cameras on the front, rear and side of the vehicle, the new Almera offers Intelligent Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection.

The NissanConnect multi-infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen Color Display Audio (AIVI) provides infotainment, navigation, safety, security and more under a single platform, with seamless connection via smartphone.

The new Almera comes in five grade levels - S, E, EL, V and VL – and is priced from 499,000 baht (RM68,882) to 639,000 baht (RM88,208).


Legendary Porsches will purr in a special concert event

                STUTTGART: On Sept 18, Porsche is set to hold another "Sound Night" at the brand's museum here.

This exceptional event, during which a selection of 20 racing and production vehicles will roar in rhythm for the listening pleasure of the brand's fans, will be broadcast live on the Internet. Mark your calendars!

It starts at 5pm CET (11pm in Malaysia).

For a short time, they will form a unique choir that should delight connoisseurs of beautiful engines from all over the world. At the heart of this "concerto" will be legendary sports cars such as the Porsche 907 KH, 962 C and the 924 Carrera GTS Rally, as well as some emblematic production models, starting with the 911. Fans are invited to follow the event live online.

In addition to the roar of these cars, key figures from the history of Porsche, both engineers (Norbert Singer, Valentin Schäffer et al.) and drivers (Walter Röhrl, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Pascal Wehrlein et al.), will speak about their relationship with these machines.

The whole event will be presented jointly by TV host Anna Fleischhauer and former driver Mark Webber.


Drive-through virus testing in US so popular they had to shut it down

Colorado National Guard medical personnel performing coronavirus test on a motorist at a drive-through testing site outside the Denver Coliseum on Saturday. — AP
DENVER: Colorado’s new drive-through coronavirus-testing station here made its debut last week and was quickly overwhelmed.

At one point Thursday, the line of cars with passengers waiting to be swabbed was almost four hours long, until the state cut off the service for the day.

Drive-through checks for Covid-19, with health workers in protective gear swabbing noses through car windows, was part of South Korea’s largely successful strategy for containing the virus: The country tested more than 200,000 in a matter of weeks, a stark contrast to the United States, where testing has proceeded at a crawl.

The nation’s testing is “failing — let’s admit it,” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci told Congress last Thursday.

Last week, a handful of states are deploying their own drive-through operations. New York opened its first last Friday in New Rochelle, the epicentre of its outbreak. New Hampshire set up an operation last week.

At the same time, hospitals and clinics in some states have begun offering free drive-through testing. The idea is to quickly grasp how many people are sick, and to keep the infected from transmitting the virus in waiting rooms.

In announcing Colorado’s first testing station, Department of Public Health and Environment director Jill Hunsaker Ryan said more testing is among the most effective measures to slow the virus, because “those who test positive can be isolated from the general population as we continue to stress the need for personal action,” such as staying home when sick and washing hands.

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and the M Health Fairview system in Minneapolis both launched free drive-through testing Thursday. UW Medicine in Seattle has been using it for staff and University of Washington faculty since March 6, and is planning to expand it to patients.

A hospital in the Chicago suburb of Barrington is setting up operations in its emergency room driveway. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare chain is considering testing stations in some of its hospital parking lots, according to the Modern Healthcare journal.

Giving directions

Officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services met Friday with executives from Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, Quest Diagnostics and Roche Diagnostics to discuss developing a web portal that would direct people to such testing stations, according to people familiar with the plan. The people asked not to be named discussing internal deliberations.

The drive-through operations typically require people to either participate in phone or online pre-screening or be referred by a physician: The Mayo Clinic tells people where the testing is being done only after determining that someone in fact should get a test. Colorado requires people to bring a note from a doctor. Those tested then are advised to quarantine themselves while waiting for results.

Colorado warned drivers that they couldn’t exit their cars while in line, and advised them to bring food and water in anticipation of a wait.

Virus marathon

The length of Thursday’s line was a surprise. Even with pre-screening and the warning, waits stretched to nearly four hours before the state shut it down. The health department announced a new protocol the next day: The station in Denver’s Lowry neighbourhood would take only the first 100 to 150 cars, and direct cars after that to seek out a private provider.

The state closed the station early Friday because of cold weather that could compromise health workers’ protective gear. It was poised to open again on Saturday.

“There’s no point in getting angry,” Nicole Fasano told a Denver television station after waiting two hours for a drive-up test for her toddler.

She said she planned to just “go home and quarantine ourselves and take care of the little guy.”


Uber wants to launch 'flying cars' by 2020

                SAN FRANCISCO: Uber said Tuesday it wants to launch a system of flying cars to move people around cities, with a goal of putting demonstration projects in place by 2020.

The ridesharing giant announced a series of partnerships to manufacture "vertical takeoff and landing" (VTOL) vehicles and put networks in place, a system dubbed Uber Elevate.

The partner cities working with Uber are Dubai and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis in Texas.

"The goal of these partnerships is to develop a new on-demand VTOL network to enable customers in the future to push a button and get a high-speed flight in and around cities," Uber said in a statement.

The announcement came at a summit held in the Dallas area with partners in the project.

"What started as a simple question 'why can't I push a button and get a ride?' has turned, for Uber, into a passionate pursuit of the pinnacle of urban mobility - the reduction of congestion and pollution from transportation, giving people their time back, freeing up real estate dedicated to parking and providing access to mobility in all corners of a city," said Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden.

"Urban aviation is a natural next step for Uber in this pursuit, which is why we are working to make push a button, get a flight a reality."

Uber's goal is to have the first demonstration network in place in Dubai for the 2020 World Expo in that city, and to have "full-scale operations" in Dallas by 2023.

The announcement came a day after Silicon Valley "flying car" startup Kitty Hawk, reportedly backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, released a video of its airborne prototype and announced plans for deliveries of a "personal flying machine" this year.

Uber's plans appear more ambitious, and include partnerships with US-based Bell Helicopter, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer and Slovenia's Pipistrel to produce flying machines for short distance urban operations.

"Uber's Elevate network is an exciting opportunity for Bell Helicopter to help transform how cities move people and products in the future," Bell president and chief executive Mitch Snyder said in a statement.

Embraer vice president Antonio Campello said: "We share Uber's revolutionary vision that the state of transportation in congested cities is ripe for innovative solutions."

The Uber plan also includes partnerships for "vertiports" for the flyers to take off and land, along with changing stations for the transporters, which are expected to be mainly electric-powered.


Alternative PJ routes amid road closures

Traffic heading to Jalan Gasing from the Federal Highway being diverted to an alternative route in Petaling Jaya.

PETALING JAYA: The public can use several alternative routes following the closure of four major roads here due to the movement control order (MCO).
The closed roads are Jalan 5/46 Gasing Indah, Jalan Persiaran Mahogani Seksyen 9, Jalan Persiaran Jati Seksyen 8 and Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh.

OCPD Asst Comm Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the alternative routes for Jalan Gasing Indah were New Pantai Expressway and Jalan Pantai.
“Jalan Gasing Indah is a route that links Sri Petaling to Petaling Jaya through Pantai Dalam.

“We closed the road due to the Covid-19 cases in Sri Petaling and to restrict the movement of people there to Petaling Jaya, ” he said.

For the other three roads, ACP Nik Ezanee said the alternatives were Jalan Persiaran Kenanga-Kota Damansara toll, Jalan Persiaran Surian-Palm Spring Kota Damansara and Jalan Persiaran Tropicana-Casa Tropicana.

“We closed the roads in Kota Damansara as it bordered Sungai Buloh. Infections between the two areas are worrying, so closing the roads will enable us to manage traffic flow better, ” he added.

However, the roads will still be accessible for ambulances as well as vehicles from the Fire and Rescue Department, Petaling Jaya City Council and police.

ACP Nik Ezanee said four personnel members would be stationed at each closed road 24 hours.

“We urge the people to abide by the MCO and be patient in facing the present difficulties. Our actions have always been for the sake of public safety, ” he added.


Apple said to use VW self-driving vans for employees

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc and Volkswagen AG struck a deal late last year that let the technology giant equip VW vans with self-driving technology to transport Apple employees between offices, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The agreement is part of an internal Apple programme called Project Titan that started in 2015 as an ambitious effort to build an electric vehicle. After facing development and management problems, Apple shifted its focus to autonomous technologies that control vehicles, Bloomberg News reported in 2016.

The New York Times reported on the deal with Volkswagen earlier on Wednesday. Representatives for Apple and Volkswagen declined to comment.

Apple tests dozens of Lexus SUVs on public roads in California with its self-driving technology, but has also applied the technology to a shuttle service it’s developing to transport staff between office buildings at its Cupertino, California, headquarters. Apple is using fewer than two dozen of VW’s T6 Transporter vans, which are being customised by the technology giant, the person said.


The best ways to avoid travel sickness

                BERLIN: Bags and children are all safely aboard the train or car, now all that's left to do is look forward to your upcoming holiday — if it weren't for that little devil called travel sickness.

Here are some of the best ways to deal with it, irrespective of your mode of transport.

Stay distracted

The key to avoiding travel sickness is distraction, according to Tomas Jelinek, from the Berlin Centre for Travel & Tropical Medicine.

This is the reason that the driver is usually spared: "because you have to concentrate on a task," says Jelinek.

Unfortunately, it's often the kids who are particularly affected by travel sickness — and letting them take the wheel is usually not an option.

Instead, playing games like "I spy with my little eye" is a good way to distract them, while adults often find it helpful to engage in conversation, keeping them from thinking about feeling nauseous.

However, by all means try to stay away from your phone, as concentrating on letters or a film will confuse the brain further, warns Jelinek.

Find the right spot

Meanwhile, choosing the right place to sit can also make a difference, irrespective of your mode of transport.

If you are on a bus trip, then go for a spot behind the front axle. If you're on a car journey, you are best off in the passenger seat.

For children, the best spot is the middle of the backseat, as they have an unobstructed view facing forward here.

Often, people are less likely to suffer from travel sickness on the train, as the speed is relatively constant and the tracks are usually fairly straight.

For some, though, it's not comfortable if they are not facing the direction of travel — so try to pick a seat looking forwards, not back.

When you're flying, you'll want to make sure you are seated above the wings, say experts.

It is harder for many to travel by ship. If the waves are making you feel unwell, try to stretch out in the cabin. That may not be possible if there are no beds available, as is often the case on ferries or pleasure boats, but try and sit right in the middle of the boat as that's the most stable place on board.

Look ahead

Meanwhile, it's not just where you are but also where you look that matters.

Experts typically recommend picking a faraway point and focusing on it to feel better, and if that's too boring, put some headphones in and listen to music or a podcast while you're staring out.

Another good idea to help against feeling ill while travelling is to take a break and get some air.

Of course, plane passengers don't have this option. In that case, they should just try to go up and down the aisles a bit. A seat with less shaking could be beneficial too. These are usually found far up in the front of the plane, as well as in the centre aisles.

On a ship, if the sea and weather allow, stand by the outer railing and keep looking at the horizon.

What (not) to eat

And last but not least, prepare for a tough journey that's likely to give you travel sickness by avoiding alcohol and milk products, as well as making sure you have food in your stomach, but not too much.

Before a car ride, children are better off eating something light like bread, fruit or raw vegetables.

Medication can generally help as a last resort, but it also makes you tired. If you need to stay alert during your journey, it's better to avoid it altogether, or try to find an alternative, like ginger root.

The science behind travel sickness is that your brain is receiving contradictory signals — the body is immobile while your sense of balance registers movement.


Kia Telluride SUV begins production in US

                WEST POINT (Georgia): The team of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) officially began production of the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride, Kia’s largest and most rugged SUV to date.

The celebratory vehicle was dark moss in colour and came equipped with the SX Prestige package.

It was introduced by Kia Motors North America (KMNA) CEO Sean Yoon and driven off of the line by KMMG’s President and CEO Jason Shin and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Friday’s event also included a special appearance by Korbin Pope, the local star of Kia’s Super Bowl commercial.

“We are incredibly proud of the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Team for launching another excellent product right here in the Peach State,” said Kemp.

“As Georgia’s Governor, it was an honor to attend today’s ceremony, celebrate KMMG’s workforce, and commend them for their commitment to innovation, quality, and growth. Today’s launch of the Telluride, a product that will be made exclusively here in our state, is a remarkable milestone for Georgians.”

The Telluride is joining the award-winning Sorento SUV and Optima mid-size sedan on KMMG’s production line.


Audi e-tron features toll payment tech

                HERNDON (Virginia): Making its global debut in San Francisco on Sept 17, the all-electric Audi e-tron will be the first vehicle from the brand to launch with the integrated toll payment technology.

The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) is a toll transponder built into the vehicle's rearview mirror, allowing drivers to access select toll roads in the US and in Canada.

ITM is another Audi first in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology, allowing the car to communicate and interact with its environment.

In addition to its progressive design and driving dynamics, ITM is one of the many integrated digital tools that will allow Audi e-tron owners to go electric without compromise.

READ MORE: Not as advanced but Malaysian budget car Perodua Myvi adds integrated toll card reader

The mirror-based toll payment solution gives convenient access to the country’s toll roads while helping to eliminate windscreen clutter and the need to manage multiple toll accounts.

Drivers will be able to adjust module settings through the vehicle’s MMI – including turning the ITM on and off as well as changing the occupant settings for HOV/HOT lanes.

The Audi e-tron, a five-passenger mid-sized SUV, is expected to be delivered to showrooms in the first part of 2019. The e-tron will be the first of three battery-electric vehicles that Audi plans to debut by 2020.

The ITM was developed for Audi by Gentex Corporation, which supplies automatic-dimming mirrors for all Audi vehicles.

The ITM technology is compatible with existing tolling agencies nationwide and can be registered with a driver’s current account, new account, or a nationwide tolling account.

> CarSifu will be in San Francisco next week for the launch of the Audi e-tron.


S. Korea probes adequacy of Hyundai's Kona EV recall after new fire, says ministry official

                SEOUL: A Hyundai Motor Kona electric vehicle caught fire last week in the first-ever known case of a recalled Kona catching fire, prompting authorities to investigate the adequacy of the recall, a South Korean transport ministry official said.

A series of fires prompted mass recalls of Hyundai’s best-selling Kona EV in South Korea in October.

The latest Kona fire, on Saturday in the city of Daegu, is among 11 reported so far in the country. But this incident was different as it was the first Kona EV to catch fire after undergoing the recall process, the official said today.

In South Korea, Hyundai has recalled 25,564 Kona EVs built during September 2017 to March 2020 due to the risk of short circuit possibly caused by faulty manufacturing of its high-voltage battery cells.

Recalled Kona EVs in South Korea get software updates and some receive battery replacements after inspection.

The recalled Kona that caught fire had only received a software update but no battery replacement, the official said on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed to speak to media.

Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute, which has been investigating the fires, is now looking into the adequacy of Hyundai’s voluntary recall process, the official and an institute official said.

Hyundai did not have an immediate comment.

Hyundai is expected to launch a new electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 - its first model using a new EV-only platform - next month.


Can't get the new Ford GT? Consider the Superformance GT40

                LONDON: If you aren't one of the lucky 500 to have bought the new Ford GT, you may want to settle for an oldie in the form of the Superformance GT40 that are replicas of the famous Ford GT40 MkII A that finished first, second, and third overall at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1966.

The Superformance GT40 has a monocoque chassis that is said to be an exact replica of the original.

With 6,506 applicants chasing just 500 initial examples of the new GT at £300,000 (RM1.8mil) each, many would-be owners are going to be disappointed. And with original GT40s each now valued in the millions of dollars, it would seem all Ford supercars are beyond the reach of everyone but the super-rich. Well not quite, thanks to Le Mans Coupes Ltd who can supply one of the Superformance GT40 evocations for the more affordable price of £102,500 (RM616,000).

It claimed that 70 percent of the components are interchangeable with their original counterparts, they come complete with P/2000 Series chassis numbers recognised by the Shelby American World Registry. Each example is hand-built by Hi-Tech Automotive in 270,000 sq ft premises in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They are offered in MKI and MKII form and with left or right-hand drive.

The many options include a choice of powerplants from 5.6 to 7.0 litres (ie 430 to 560bhp), central or sill-mounted gearchange, and ZF RBT or Quaife transaxle. Depending on the choice of engine, Superformance GT40s can sprint from rest to 100kph in just 3.7 seconds and accelerate on to a top speed of over 330kph.

“Interest in the GT40 has grown steadily since the model’s 50th anniversary celebration of two years ago, and has inevitably been further heightened by the launch of the new GT and Ford’s exciting decision to give it its Le Mans debut exactly 50 years after first beating Ferrari there,” said Le Mans Coupes’ managing director Nigel Hulme.


Drones and phones to tackle Indonesian holiday road chaos

                JAKARTA: From drones to smartphone apps, Indonesia is harnessing technology to tackle traffic chaos during the annual mass exodus before the Hari Raya holiday, when the potholed roads of overpopulated Java become clogged with millions of slow-moving cars and crashes are frequent.

Cities in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country empty every year at the end of the holy month of Ramadan as people head to villages to celebrate Raya with their families.

This trip is an annual ritual known locally as "mudik" that transforms journeys of a few hundred kilometres into 24-hour odysseys.

The crush is particularly acute on Java, a crowded island that is home to more than half of Indonesia's 250 million people.

Hundreds of new vehicles are hitting the road every day as the economy booms, but scant investment means many routes remain as they have for years - narrow, ageing roads snaking through mountainous terrain.

"Mentally, we are prepared," said Astri Wahyuni, who was gearing up to travel to a village in central Java from the capital Jakarta with her husband and two young children for Raya, which is expected to fall on Friday. The journey normally takes as little as five hours - but in the run-up to Raya, it can last 25.

This year, however, a series of new technological tools are being rolled out in an attempt to ease the traffic chaos.

In Jakarta - an overcrowded, grim metropolis that suffers notorious traffic jams which only get worse in the run-up to Raya - police have deployed drones for the first time this year to monitor traffic as it floods out of the city.

The unmanned aerial vehicles whizz high above the outskirts of the city, which has a population of about 10 million, with images relayed in real-time back to a traffic-monitoring centre where police can make quick decisions as issues arise.

"If there's bad traffic, if there's an accident, we'll be able to see it from above," Jakarta police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal told AFP.

Police have also launched a smartphone app that allows drivers to access the police CCTV network via their handsets and check traffic conditions on vital motorways.

It will face stiff competition from a series of specialised "mudik" apps launched in time for the annual holiday, with technology companies seeking to capitalise on the growing popularity of smartphones as cheaper models flood the market and incomes rise.

Services such as "Ayo Mudik" and "Media Mudik" help locate the nearest mosque and inform drivers when they should start fasting, a requirement for Muslims during daylight hours in Ramadan.

Countless map and GPS navigation apps have added extra "mudik" features that identify rest stops, petrol stations and meet-up spots for car pooling.

And those wanting to document their "mudik" in pictures can download "Instadeen", which allows users to add religious text or Koranic verses to their photos before posting them online.

Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, the founder and CEO of Indonesian digital media agency Bubu, said tech entrepreneurs were being creative, developing apps tailored to the particular characteristics of the country's mass exodus.

"These apps may not necessarily work in other countries, it's very localised," she said.

Despite the technical innovations, there was little sign "mudik" in 2015 was any different from previous years, with hours-long queues on major routes and reports of scores of people killed in crashes since the weekend, when the exodus began.

To stand any chance of seriously reducing the chaos, observers say major investment in public transport and infrastructure is needed, something that new President Joko Widodo has pledged but which has yet to materialise.

Some don't want to see an end to the chaos, however, and believe sitting in hours-long traffic jams is all part of the festive spirit.

"You can enjoy the trip, making memories with your family," Wahyuni said. "That is something you cannot replace with social media, I think, the uniqueness of the 'mudik' tradition itself."


Dancing Musk hands drivers first Teslas from new German gigafactory

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Musk attending the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin today. — All pix by Reuters
GRUENHEIDE (Germany): Elon Musk was cheered as he oversaw the handover of Tesla's first German-made cars at its Gruenheide plant today, marking the start of the US automaker's inaugural European hub just two years after it was first announced.

Loud music played as 30 clients and their families got a first glimpse of their shining new vehicles through a glitzy, neon-lit Tesla branded tunnel, clapping and cheering as Tesla chief executive Musk danced and joked with fans.

"This is a great day for the factory," Musk said, describing it as "another step in the direction of a sustainable future".

Although German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also attended the event, lauded the gigafactory as the future of the car industry it has faced opposition and some environmental activists blocked the factory's entrance while displaying banners flagging its high water use. read more

Two protestors abseiled from a highway sign near the factory, blocking traffic for hours after the event.

Musk had hoped to begin output from the factory eight months ago, but licensing delays and local concerns around the plant's environmental impact held up the process.

Telsa was forced to service European orders from Shanghai while it awaited its German licence, adding to rising logistics costs at a time when it was struggling with industry-wide chip shortages and other supply chain disruptions.

It got the final go-ahead from local authorities on March 4 to begin production in Germany, provided it met conditions ranging from its water use to air pollution controls.

Race with VW

The new owners received the Model Y Performance configuration, a vehicle costing €63,990 (RM303,000) with a 514km range, Tesla said, adding that new orders from the plant could be delivered from April.

Tesla said that around 3,500 of the plant's expected 12,000 workers have been hired so far.

At full capacity, the plant will produce 500,000 cars a year, more than the 450,000 battery-electric vehicles that German rival Volkswagen sold globally in 2021.

It will also generate 50 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery power, surpassing all other plants in Germany.

For now, Volkswagen still has the inside track in the race to electrify Europe's fleet, with a 25% market share to Tesla's 13%. Musk has said ramping up production would take longer than the two years it took to build the plant. read more

JPMorgan predicted Gruenheide would produce around 54,000 cars in 2022, increasing to 280,000 in 2023 and 500,000 by 2025.

Volkswagen, which has received 95,000 EV orders in Europe this year, is planning a new €2 billion (RM9.5bil) EV factory alongside its existing facility in Wolfsburg and six battery plants across Europe.

But its timeline lags Tesla's, with the EV factory due to open in 2026 and the first battery plant in 2023.


Used car sales expected to power ahead

                PETALING JAYA: Sales of used cars, which have remained solid in the first quarter of this year, are expected to maintain its steady momentum at least until the first half of 2021, led mainly by the on-going sales tax exemption on vehicles.

On a year-on-year basis, Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia (FMCCAM) president Datuk Tony Khor said sales of used cars have been better in the first quarter of 2021, compared with the same period last year.

“The better sales can be attributed to the tax holiday, ” he told StarBiz.

Khor added that the economic uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic had also spurred used car sales.

“The pandemic has deterred people from using public transport. Instead, they feel safer to travel in their own cars.

“The uncertainty has also led people to buy used cars compared with new ones, because they are cheaper.”

Commenting on sales for the second quarter of 2021, Khor is confident sales during the period will surpass the level recorded in the second quarter of last year.

“So far, it’s still been good. The tax exemption has definitely helped. I believe sales in the first half of 2021 will be better than what we achieved in the first half of last year.”

Khor noted that sales in the first half of last year was affected by the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).

However, sales would subsequently surge to record highs following the implementation of the sales tax exemption.

The sales tax exemption was announced in June last year under the short-term economic recovery plan (Penjana).

Under the exemption, locally-assembled cars are fully exempted from sales tax while for imported cars, the sales tax has been reduced from 10% to 5%.

The tax holiday was initially supposed to last until the end of last year. However, it has been further extended until June 30,2021.

The sales tax exemption, which was meant for new vehicles, had a direct effect on the sales of used cars, said Khor.

“As more people buy new cars, the more they will need to trade in their old ones, ” he said, adding that sales of used cars will most likely be affected once the tax holiday ends.

In terms of new vehicle sales, total industry volume (TIV) surged 200% to 63,878 units last month from 21,242 units in March 2020, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

It said the higher sales were due to car companies rushing for deliveries during the month as their financial year ended on March 31,2021, as well as in preparation for new model launches.

The low TIV in March last year was due to the enforcement of the MCO.

For the first three months of 2021, TIV rose 33% to 139,499 units, compared with 105,253 units in the previous corresponding period.

On a month-on-month basis, sales volume for March 2021 was 49% higher than February 2021.

MAA said it expects sales for April to be at around the same level as March, due to ongoing, aggressive promotional campaigns by car companies.

Meanwhile, TA Securities in a recent report said it expects the positive vehicle sales momentum to sustain in the second quarter of this year, as prospective buyers are expected to flock to showrooms to make purchases prior to the end of sales tax exemption at the end of June.

“Additionally, the effective rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme would bode well for car sales too. Overall, we expect the automotive sector to perform better in 2021 as demand outlook has improved with the extension of the sales tax exemption (from Dec 31 last year).

“This is coupled with other positive drivers such as economic recovery and an accommodative interest rate environment and the launches of new models, ” the research house said.

At its first bi-annual meeting in January, MAA said TIV had hit 529,434 units in 2020. This was, however, 12% lower than the 604,281 units achieved in 2019.

The drop in TIV can be attributed to the disruptions to businesses as a result of the first MCO that was implemented in March last year to curb the spike in Covid-19 infections.

For this year, the association projects TIV to grow 8% to 570,000, on the back of the renewed sales tax exemption and stronger economic recovery.


Locally-assembled BMW X6 launched, car prices may go up in 2016

CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the new locally-assembled BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport.

“The introduction of the locally-assembled BMW X6 marks the 9th model to join the portfolio of BMW Group Malaysia’s locally assembled vehicles. This is further testament to the longstanding investment and commitment we have here in Malaysia,” said managing director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia Alan Harris.

The new locally-assembled BMW X6 carries an extrovert design which blends the versatile character of the BMW X models with the elegance of a sporting BMW coupé. Viewed from the front, the new locally-assembled Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) is dominated by a wide kidney grille which extends all the way to its Adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights, both featured as standard.

With special interior colours, exclusive trims and Dakota leather upholstery, the new SAC was designed with the driver in mind. The cockpit benefits from hallmark BMW driver orientation with features such as a multifunctional instrument display with black-panel technology, of which horizontal lines extends from the instrument panel to the doors thus further underlining the luxurious and comfortable ambience in the cabin.

It generates an astounding output of 306hp and 400Nm of peak torque, and is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in an impressive 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 240 kph. Coupled with an eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission for shift quality and fuel economy, the new locally-assembled BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport delivers an average fuel consumption reading of 8.6l/100km and CO2 emissions level of 200g/km.

It also features an extensive range of BMW ConnectedDrive features including high-definition, full-colour Head-Up Display and BMW Selective Beam.

Another unique drive assistance system available is the Surround View 360◦ which allows for perfect all-round visibility when parking, manoeuvring and navigating in spaces. Driving Assistant, a camera-based system that combines Lane Departure Warning with Approach Warning and Pedestrian Warning.

“Malaysia continues to be a strategic hub for the BMW Group in South East Asia. Beyond the move to assemble the new BMW X6 in the country, we also recently celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony of our new Parts Distribution Centre which supports 22 countries in South East Asia at the Free Trade Zone of the Senai International Airport as well as the further expansion to our headquarters here in Cyberjaya which also coincides with the celebration of our 11 years of operation here,” said Harris.

The new locally-assembled BMW X6 xDrive35i M Sport is available in Alpine White, Flamenco Red, Carbon Black and Space Grey, with a range of Leather Dakota upholstery colour choices including Black,Coral Red and Cognac.

The price (on the road without insurance) with BMW Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and Free Scheduled Service Program is RM666,888.

Harris told Bernama that BMW car prices might increase next year if the ringgit continues to weaken against the euro.

"If the situation continues (weakening of the ringgit) I do not rule out the possibility of price increases by early next year," he said on the sidelines of the X6 CKD launch.

He said in the last few weeks when the ringgit approached RM4.90 per euro it put alot of pressure on the company.

"Last year, when ringgit was at RM3.80-RM3.90 to the euro, we did not discuss about currency, but now we talk about RM4.90 per euro and this is a significant devaluation and creates pressure," he said.


Hyundai releases two videos to plug Ioniq 5 robotaxi

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company has launched a global manifesto campaign called "Innovation Begins, from Very Human Things" to share its vision for self-driving robotaxis.

Motional, the global leader in driverless technology, will work in partnership with ride-hailing services to deploy the Level 4 autonomous vehicles across major US cities starting in 2023.

The all-electric Ioniq 5-based robotaxi, which was first unveiled at 2021 IAA Mobility to much acclaim, is an SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle that can safely operate without a driver.

To make the robotaxi a reality, Hyundai partnered with Motional, to equip the award-winning Ioniq5 with an array of hardware and software to provide safe and secure driverless operation.

Hyundai’s aim for the robotaxi is to go fully autonomous while retaining a humanistic touch. This narrative is depicted through two videos of the recently launched campaign.

The two campaign videos emphasise the humanistic qualities of robotaxis, showing how they adopt safe driving behaviours and care for passengers. The first episode emphasises the robotaxi’s actions resembling those of a careful, considerate driver and the second episode focuses on the robotaxi taking care of passengers from teenagers to disabled and elderly.

Hyundai and Motional plan to begin transporting public passengers in the Ioniq 5 robotaxi in 2023, starting in Las Vegas and then expanding to major cities in the US and globally.


Nissan to cancel plans to make X-Trail SUV in UK, says Sky News

                LONDON: Nissan is cancelling plans to make the next model of its X-Trail sports utility vehicle in Britain, less than two months before the country is due to leave the European Union, broadcaster Sky News said today.

Nissan first said four months after Britain voted in June 2016 to leave the EU that it would manufacture a new model of the SUV in Britain, which was seen as a major vote of confidence in the country’s manufacturing future.

The main production plant for the current X-Trail is in Japan, while Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, northeast England, makes the smaller Qashqai SUV and other models.

“Precise details of Nissan’s impending announcement were unclear this weekend, but sources said it was likely to initially involve abandoning the X-Trail production plans which had been announced in the autumn of 2016,” Sky reported.

A UK-based spokesman for Nissan declined to comment.

Sky said the announcement due on Monday was not expected to lead to immediate job losses at the Sunderland plant, as the X-Trail is not currently made there, but would raise doubts about further Nissan investment in Britain.

As well as the X-Trail, Nissan said in 2016 it would build the next generation Qashqai SUV in Britain after receiving government assurances over Brexit, in what was seen at the time as a boost for Prime Minister Theresa May.

However, the failure of Britain’s government so far to negotiate a smooth exit plan from the European Union has made car manufacturers less willing to use Britain as a European manufacturing centre.

Investment in Britain’s car industry halved last year, data showed on Thursday, and car production by Nissan in Britain fell by more than 10 percent.

Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said leaving the EU on March 29 without a transition deal to preserve the smooth flow of parts and finished vehicles across EU borders would cause “permanent devastation” to the British car industry.


Bugatti sells the last Veyron

                GENEVA: Bugatti has sold the 450th and last Veyron.

16 cylinders, 1,200 PS, a maximum torque of 1,500 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and a world record speed of 431.072 km/h – these are the figures that describe the magic and uniqueness of the ultimate supercar of the modern era.

The Veyron has caused a sensation across the world ever since its launch 10 years ago.

The Veyron is limited to 450 units: 300 long since sold-out coupés – the Veyron 16.4 delivering 1,001 PS and the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport delivering 1,200 PS – and 150 roadsters – the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport with 1,001 PS and the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse with 1,200 PS.

The final roadster has now been sold.

Bugatti will be exhibiting the Veyron with chassis number 450, the Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale”, at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show (March 5 to 15) as a world premiere.

A customer from the Middle East has secured number 450, the Grand Sport Vitesse “La Finale”, for himself.

This vehicle will represent a collector’s item of particular value.

“In the Veyron, Bugatti has created an automobile icon and established itself as the world’s most exclusive supercar brand,” says Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

“So far no other carmaker has managed to successfully market a product that stands for unique top-class technical performance and pure luxury in a comparable price/volume range. An unprecedented chapter in automobile history has reached its climax.”


Changing lanes does not save you much time

                BERLIN: Weaving into faster and more promising lanes when traffic is moving sluggishly on the highway brings hardly any benefits, experts have shown.

When the traffic slows down many drivers are tempted to keeping switching lanes rather than stick it out in a single lane.

Tests by Germany's ACE Car Club show that while the lane-changers will often beat those who stay in one lane by a small margin, the gains come at the expense of higher stress levels and the risk of becoming a road rage victim.

A lane-changer can expect to save roughly a minute per hour but will need to carry out dozens of dangerous lane-change manoeuvrers, which are one of the most common causes of road accidents.

Focused drivers who are only thinking of getting ahead may not care too much, but the frequent lane changes cause vehicles behind to brake abruptly more often, thereby slowing down the whole queue.

Constantly hitting the brakes generally slows down traffic flow and often leads to "phantom" jams which occur and clear-up again soon afterwards with no obvious cause for the snarl-up.


Targeted fuel subsidy programme put off

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government has delayed the implementation of the targeted fuel subsidy programme (PSP) until further notice, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister said this decision to delay the PSP from being implemented nationwide starting next January was made during a Cabinet meeting on Dec 18.

“The Cabinet meeting on Dec 18 has decided that the implementation of the PSP which is scheduled to begin on January 2020 will not go ahead until a time that will be announced later, ” he said.

Saifuddin said the postponement was to allow more explanations to be conducted in order to better prepare Malaysians to accept the PSP.

He added that the registration process of recipients under the M40 group will be conducted by the Finance Ministry.

“While waiting for the confirmation of the PSP implementation to be announced, the people can continue to enjoy current petrol prices based on the present system, ” he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 30).

The RM2.2bil PSP, which is expected to benefit more than eight million motorists from the low-income B40 and middle-income M40 groups, was announced by the Pakatan Harapan government on Oct 8.

Under the PSP, individuals who own not more than two cars and two motorcycles are eligible to receive PSP for one vehicle.

The qualifying criteria is for passenger cars with 1,600cc engine and below or 1,600cc and above which is more than 10 years old.

For motorcycles, it must be 150cc and below; if it is over 150cc, it must be at least seven years old. No luxury vehicles are qualified to receive the targeted subsidies

For eligible recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), the petrol subsidy receivable will be RM30 per month for car owners and RM12 per month for motorcycle owners.


China’s XPeng to recall majority of G3 SUVs on power issue

                BEIJING: XPeng Inc. will recall 13,399 G3 electric sports utility vehicles due to an inverter issue that may cause loss of power and pose a safety risk, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said today.

The recall of the vehicles, made between March 2019 and September 2020, will start Saturday.

The carmaker said it has delivered more than 24,000 of the SUVs in total. A Guangzhou-based representative from XPeng, which listed in the US in August, said the company discovered the issue and voluntarily filed the recall plan.

“No accidents have been caused by the issue and the recall doesn’t affect G3 SUVs exported overseas,” she said.


Project makes a hero out of Land Rover Discovery (and its drone)

                GENEVA: Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has designed and engineered a bespoke version of the new Land Rover Discovery for use by the Austrian Red Cross.

"Project Hero" was presented to the world’s media for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.

Project Hero is an advanced communication vehicle, created to support Jaguar Land Rover’s partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network. SVO collaborated with the Austrian Red Cross to develop a unique Land Rover that will be trialled by their emergency response teams. It is hoped it will help the Red Cross save lives by speeding up response times to disasters.

Land Rover has supported the Red Cross since 1954 and supplied 120 vehicles to the IFRC for deployment worldwide.

Project Hero is the first with a roof-mounted drone. A fully integrated landing system featuring self-centring and magnetic retention technology is a world-first that enables the drone to land on Project Hero when the vehicle is in motion.

The drone enhances the Discovery’s capability. With the drone airborne, live footage can be transmitted to the Red Cross’s emergency response teams, helping them respond more quickly and effectively to landslides, earthquakes, floods and avalanches. Dramatic landscape changes can make maps redundant, which adds to the danger and difficulty of finding and rescuing survivors, so the drone’s bird’s-eye view will allow rescuers to investigate an emergency scene from a safe distance.

Dr Jemilah Mahmood, IFRC Under Secretary General for Partnerships, said: “We are grateful to Land Rover for their generous support over the past 60 years, and are proud of our ambitious global partnership that has transformed the lives of millions of people on four continents.

“The partnership is supporting communities around the world to become more resilient in the face of natural disasters such as monsoons, flooding and earthquakes.

“Project Hero combines the best expertise of the Red Cross and Jaguar Land Rover to create a truly unique vehicle, which we hope will be capable of making a difference to rescue operations in the toughest environments.”

Project Hero is based on the 3.0-litre TD6 engine-powered version of the new Land Rover Discovery. In addition to the unique drone technology supplied in Project Hero, the rear of the interior in this special vehicle also features:
> Heavy-duty sliding floor in the rear load space, which may be deployed as an additional work surface, or to protect the load carried underneath
> Segregation panel behind the rear seats providing additional equipment mounting points
> Strategically positioned LED lighting to aid night vision
> Innovative power supply points which accept multiple plug arrangements from different regions
> Project Hero is also equipped with multiple frequency radio equipment enabling contact to be made in a variety of situations.

Project Hero will be based at the Austrian Red Cross training centre in Erzberg, in the mountainous Eisenerz mining area, and in Vienna, for 12 months from June 2017.The drone will be used in simulations to develop new and innovative techniques for disaster relief and on test-runs for complex natural disaster scenarios, including at night and in dense forests. Project Hero will also be used when the Red Cross provides emergency support at times of natural disasters, such as heavy snow or floods, or accidents.


Prima Pearl TD Racing wins inaugural Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup

                SHAH ALAM: Prima Pearl TD Racing pair of Tengku Djan Tengku Mahaleel and Mika Hakimi celebrated a rewarding race weekend at the Sepang International Circuit, winning both one-hour races of the inaugural running of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup.

The pair drove to a sterling and almost identical wins in Race 1 and 2 of the latest race series from Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Unlike Saturday’s Race 1 which was held in blistering heat, Sunday's Race 2 got underway after being delayed twice and just after a heavy downpour subsided making conditions around the 5.543km circuit even more challenging and slippery.

 Mika (Left) and Tengku Djan.

Race 2’s grid was made up of 19 cars or 38 drivers, with the inclusion of Laser Motor Racing’s Eddie Liew and Putera Adam who were able to overcome a technical problem that eliminated the pair from starting Race 1.

In a reverse grid format, yesterday’s winning pair of Tengku Djan and Mika started Race 2 in sixth position and carrying weight penalties.

On pole position was the Vios driven by the pair of Ady Rahimy and 16-year-old Abdul Miqail, followed by Laser Motor racing’s Mark Darwin and Bradley Benedict Anthony, while in third position was Axle Motorsports’ Hayden Haikal and Naquib Azlan who finished fourth in Race 1.

Starting from fourth on the grid was S&D Tama Motorsports’ Tom Goh and Freddie Ang who was yesterday’s third place winner.

The Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) and features two 1-hour races over the weekend, with two-driver teams competing in three generations of Vios vying for total prize monies amounting to RM60,000.

The champion in each of the two races at the GR Vios Sprint Cup won 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.

With only three laps remaining, Tengku Djan piled on the pressure to move from third to first, emulating a move his partner Mika did the previous day to win Race 1, and once in front, his lead would grow from 1.3 seconds to 4.5 seconds by the time he took the chequered flag.

Boy secured second place, with Hayden finishing third, Eddie in fourth position and fifth place going to the M7
Japan Project Team’s Fariqe Hairuman and Tarmimi Tahang.

Tengku Djan said the race is all about team work and both drivers must have similar pace, and only then would they have a fighting chance.

“Mika has been able to keep his cool throughout the race weekend and on top of that he has the speed. We have to work as a team, there must be a sharing of knowledge, and you can’t do everything yourself,” said Tengku Djan.

UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K said the Vios Sprint Cup and its format of a one-hour race with a driver change has certainly introduced new dynamics to the racing many of the drivers who are already competing in the Vios Challenge used to.

“As you know UMW Toyota Motors’ foray into Malaysian motorsports began with the introduction of a street racing series.

“That has since evolved to include races on the half and full track length at Sepang International Circuit, the organizing of a night race, the introduction of a programme to develop young drivers and creating a Rookie Class, and even participation in the Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race last year as well as the running of the Vios Enduro Cup.

“These elements combined are in line with our efforts to contribute to not only growing interest in motorsports, but to make it even more exciting for both the participating teams and drivers, as well as spectators and enthusiasts,” he said.

For details, visit www.toyota.com.my.

GR Vios Sprint Cup – Race 2 results

1. Tengku Djan Ley/Mika Hakimi - Prima Pearl TD Racing
2. Boy Wong/Nabil Azlan - Axle Motorsports
3. Hayden Haikal/Naquib - Azlan Axle Motorsports
4. Eddie Liew/Putera Adam - Laser Motor Racing
5. Fariqe Hairuman/Tarmimi Tahang - M7Japan Project Racing Team


Huawei deepens dive into EVs, seeks control of small automaker, say sources

The Cyrus Huawei Smart Selection SF5 electric vehicle. — AFP
HONG KONG: China's Huawei Technologies is in talks to take control of a small domestic automaker's electric vehicle unit, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, in what is seen as a strategic shift for the world's largest telecom equipment maker.

Huawei, which has been battered by US sanctions, is in talks with Chongqing Sokon to acquire a controlling stake in the latter's Chongqing Jinkang New Energy Automobile, said the sources.

The move will allow Huawei to make intelligent cars bearing its own nameplate, they added. Jinkang counts US EV brand Seres, formerly known as SF Motors, as its main asset.

It would also provide the first evidence that Huawei is looking to go beyond just offering auto operating systems and have an end-to-end presence in the EV business.

Huawei and Sokon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The push into smart cars, if finalised, would signal a major shift in business focus for Huawei after two years of US sanctions that have cut its access to key supply chains, forcing it to sell a part of its smartphone business.

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

Huawei's foray into EVs comes as technology firms such as Xiaomi Corp have been stepping up efforts in the world's biggest market for such vehicles, as Beijing heavily promotes greener vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.

As part of the deal, Huawei also plans to buy an undetermined stake in privately-owed Chongqing Sokon Holdings, the biggest shareholder of Shanghai-listed Sokon, said one of the sources.

Richard Yu, head of Huawei's consumer business group who led the company to become one of the world's largest smartphone makers and has recently shifted his focus to EVs, is leading the talks with Sokon, said the two people.

The telecom giant looks to finalise the deal as soon as July, said the other source.

 The Arcfox aS HI (Huawei Inside) autonomous car and its cabin. — AFPMass production

Huawei is also seeking to control the EV brand ArcFox of BAIC's BluePark New Energy Technology, which recently launched its Alpha S model equipped with the "Huawei Inside" system, said the two people and another person with direct knowledge.

But BAIC is more keen to have Huawei just as a minority shareholder in ArcFox, they added.

A BAIC representative referred the query to BluePark which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

All the sources declined to be named.

In February, Reuters reported that Huawei plans to make EVs under its own brand and could launch some models this year.

Sales of new energy vehicles, including pure battery electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, are expected to make up 20% of China's overall annual auto sales by 2025.

For months, Huawei has been deeply involved in the operation and manufacturing of the little-known Sokon and its loss-making Seres unit.

Under the tie-up, Seres's first model, "Huawei Smart Selection" SF5, debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show and received over 3,000 orders within two days after the pre-sale started last week, according to Seres.

Huawei is selling SF5 vehicles in its stores across China including its online store VMall.com.

The company aims to launch the first intelligent car under its own brand for mass production at the earliest by the end of this year, said one of them.

Huawei has high expectations for the model, which is under development based on the Seres SF5, but the existing supply chain of Sokon is struggling to meet such expectations, said the same person.

"The supply chain for the auto industry is very long and complicated," said the person. "Huawei does have its strength in software and platform but its ideas can't be realized without solid technology improvements in the supply chain."


Poland partners with Volvo owner Geely for first locally-made EV

                WARSAW: Poland picked Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. as a partner to build it first electric car, betting that the popularity of plug-in vehicles in the European Union’s largest eastern economy will grow rapidly over the coming years.

The deal between state-controlled ElectroMobility Poland SA and the Chinese auto maker should allow the country to start mass producing its Izera brand of vehicles at the end of 2025.

Geely, which owns Volvo Car AB and stakes in other companies including Mercedes, will supply its Sustainable Experience Architecture platform for Polish cars in its first such licensing agreement, according to ElectroMobility chief executive officer Piotr Zaremba.

Poland’s previous plan to bring Izera to the market in 2020 has been marred by delays.

ElectroMobility, whose minority shareholders include the country’s largest power utilities, is yet to start building a plant and expects it to have an initial capacity to produce 100,000 cars annually. It’s also looking for 6 billion zloty (RM5.9bil) in equity and debt funding.

The agreement doesn’t envisage financing from Geely, but should help ElectoMobility make headway with investors to receive first commitments late next year, the company said on Thursday.

Poland had fewer electric cars at the end of September than Germany registers monthly. The number of such vehicles should reach almost 1 million in 2030, according to estimates from the PSPA association citied by ElectroMobility.

The deal with Geely is a major step for Poland, which stopped producing its last domestic brand of car called Polonez 20 years ago. The country currently hosts a number of plants from the car battery industry, including LG Chem Ltd., Northvolt and Umicore SA.

The presence of the auto industry, including Stellantis NV, Volkswagen AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, in Poland should allow ElectroMobility to reach its goal to source 60% of Izera components locally.


Chief executive of VW's truck unit Traton replaced by Scania boss

Levin.

FRANKFURT: The chief executive of Volkswagen's truck unit Traton, Matthias Gruendler, will leave the business and will be replaced by the head of Traton subsidiary Scania, Christian Levin, who will lead both businesses.

In a statement on Wednesday, Traton added that its chief finance officer, Christian Schulz, would leave alongside Gruendler. Schulz will be replaced by Annette Danielski, now the firm's head of group finance.
 Danielski.
Traton said the changes, which take effect today, were decided by its supervisory board, chaired by VW non-executive Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch.

Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess welcomed the management reshuffle, adding that the company now had a chance to maximise synergies with the Navistar and MAN truck brands.

"Electrifying our truck business, preparing it for an autonomous driving future and expanding our global footprint will require new joint approaches to generate scale," Diess said on Twitter.

"We are getting rid of the complex structure and will replace it with a lean management comprising the three truck brands."


Two hours max for KL city centre parking

                PETALING JAYA: The next time you park in Kuala Lumpur's city centre, make sure that you complete your work within two hours.

Because starting July 16, parking will be limited to two hours (metered on road parking) only. After that you will not be allowed to top up the meter.

This according to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is to deter motorists from hogging parking space for long hours and depriving others from parking.

“We also want to encourage people to take the public transport when they come into the city as well as encourage people to park at designated parking centres and walk,’’ Tengku Adnan said Saturday, adding that he was doing city folk a favour by helping them stay healthy.

“We also increase the parking fee to RM2 for the first hour and RM3 for the second hour. Anyone who surpasses the two hour limit will find your cars clamped or towed away; in fact we won’t even summon you,’’ he added.

He elaborated that the two hour ruling will start at CBD (Central Business District) areas like Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Ampang and other areas in the city centre.

He added that for the moment they were still studying on whether to implement it in Brickfields, but said that townships like Bangsar, Kepong, Hartamas will not be affected just yet.

Tengku Adnan was speaking to reporters after launching the new tunnel at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (formerly Jalan Duta) heading to the Jalan Sultan Iskandar (formerly Mahameru highway) in the city on July 2.

He added that Kuala Lumpur City Hall would be installing more electronic boards to show the number of available parking space inside complexes and commercial buildings to deter people from parking on roads.

Tengku Adnan said that future plans to ease congestion in the CBD area include building trams and introducing congestion charge like Singapore’s ALS system (Area Licensing System)


CarSifu’s top 10 features for cars below RM100K

                PETALING JAYA: Entry-level car buyers today are fortunate to be able to choose from a wide variety of models, equipped with advanced safety and infotainment systems.

Gone are the days when cars in this price bracket were seen as rust buckets or death traps that needed careful handling and lots of patience.

Two decades ago, there were even premium European cars that did not have airbags.

Nowadays, even cars priced below RM100,000 are fitted with so much gadgetry and technology that buyers have a hard time understanding how they work.

CarSifu sheds some light on the features that car buyers would want to check out.

 Airbags are standard in the Honda City.1.  Airbags
The airbag consists of a folded textile cushion designed to inflate quickly inside the vehicle immediately after a collision, says automotive safety systems producer Autoliv Inc.

Most airbags are inflated pyrotechnically and can only be deployed once.  According to Autoliv, frontal airbags are deployed in less than 50 milliseconds.

Side airbags have to be fully inflated within 15 milliseconds, which is eight times faster than the blink of an eye.
Once an airbag deploys, deflation begins immediately as the gas escapes through vent holes in the fabric.

A frontal airbag is empty after one second.

There are four main parts in an airbag, which are an inflator that produces gas to inflate the folded bag, a textile cushion made of nylon or fabric, a housing for storing the folded bag and the inflator, and a cover that opens as the cushion inflates.

The airbag is controlled by a passive safety electronics unit.

This “electronic brain” decides if and when each of the airbags should be deployed, after receiving data from sensors such as accelerometers.

By measuring deceleration, accelerometers activate the airbag depending on the severity of the collision. Airbags are designed not to activate during sudden braking or while driving on rough or uneven pavement.

 One of Iriz's selling point is that it is equipped with stability control.2. Vehicle Stability Assist

Some automakers call it VSA (vehicle stability assist) while others use electronic stability programme (ESP).

Regardless of the term, the technology helps to stabilise the vehicle in corners or wet conditions.

According to Honda, its VSA technology will, during an understeer or oversteer condition, brake individual wheels and reduce engine power to help restore the intended course.

Should the car deviate from its correct path, VSA activates to bring the car back on track.

The system monitors the speed of the car as well as the relative speed of each wheel, the amount of turn on the steering wheel and the yaw and lateral G-forces on the vehicle.

Honda points out that when VSA activates, the driver might find that the engine does not respond to the accelerator in the same way it does at other times.

The Japanese automaker also emphasised that the VSA system cannot enhance the vehicle’s driving stability in all situations and does not control your vehicle’s entire braking system.

It is still the driver’s responsibility to move at reasonable speeds and allow a sufficient margin of safety.

 The Mitsubishi Attrage throws in ABS for occupant safety.3. Anti-lock braking system

When you brake hard and your wheels lock up on wet roads, you may lose traction and control, causing your vehicle to spin.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS), according to Mitsubishi Motors, prevents the wheels from locking up under heavy braking or while braking on slippery road surfaces, thereby allowing the driver to maintain steering control and avoid collisions.

 The ABS lamp on the Mitsubishi Attrage’s instrument panel.

It should be noted that while ABS can help a driver prevent unsafe situations while braking, it is never a substitute for safe driving.

ABS does not always reduce stopping distances - the distance from the start of braking to the point where the vehicle stops completely.

Stopping distance can be influenced by many factors including road surface conditions and friction between the tyres and the road surface.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, ABS works with your regular braking system by automatically pumping them.

In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver has to manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lock up. In vehicles equipped with ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety.

More specifically, ABS automatically changes the brake fluid pressure at each wheel to maintain optimum brake performance just short of locking up the wheels.

4. Front parking sensors

Just like rear parking sensors, ultrasonic front sensors emit sound waves that bounce off solid surfaces.

 The latest Perodua Myvi has front parking sensors.

As the car gets closer to an obstacle, a beeping noise is emitted, and the sound increases in intensity until it becomes a constant tone, to tell the driver to stop the car.

However, very few entry-level or B-segment cars in Malaysia, except for the Perodua Myvi Advanced, have front parking sensors.

Although such parking sensors are inexpensive, many automakers only offer them for the top spec variants rather than across the model line-up.

However, car owners should not discount the importance of front parking sensors as they can be helpful for judging the distance between the front bumper and an obstacle.
Even a minor dent or scrape can result in time wasted and money spent on a costly fix.

 Start up the Kia Rio with the push of a button.5. Keyless entry and push-start

Keyless entry and engine push-start buttons are getting more common in entry-level cars nowadays, as advanced electronic technology become more affordable due to mass production and economies of scale.

 Keyless entry and push-start button in Kia Rio.

With the smart key in the pocket or handbag, the driver simply walks up to the car, pushes a button on the door handle to open the door, gets seated, presses the brake pedal and pushes a button to start the engine.

This is very convenient, as the driver does not need to search for the car key, or look for the slot to insert the key.

An example is Kia’s Smart Key system where the electronic key fob communicates with the car via radio waves to allow easy access.

The driver also has the option to use the buttons on the key fob to unlock the car door.

 All 10 cars surveyed including the VW Polo Sedan had ISOFIX child seat points.6. ISOFIX

Dedicated attachment points for child seats in vehicles, based on the ISOFIX (International Standards Organisation Fix) system, are found in most new cars today.

 The Polo Sedan offers ISOFIX points to anchor a child seat safely in the cabin.

As Volkswagen explains, ISOFIX is an international standard designed to ensure your child’s car seat is fitted easily and securely.

The ISOFIX child seat fixes directly into compatible fittings in your car, creating a secure link without the need to use the adult seatbelts.

With ISOFIX, securing your child’s car seat properly is much easier, reducing the risk of injury in an accident.
According to Volkswagen, ISOFIX child seats can be used in all its models, including the Polo Sedan.

The child seat preparation has two mountings fixed to the body of the car.

The compatible child seat fits securely to these mountings by two support arms.

They are easy to fit and offer high levels of safety because they are fixed rigidly to the car body.

7. Rear luggage space

Malaysian car buyers tend to love sedans for their reasonably large storage capacity especially for shopping trips, outdoor activities and “balik kampung” holidays.

In recent years, automakers have catered to this demand by designing cars with increasingly larger boot space.

 While the Nissan Almera leads in boot space, the Toyota Vios is second in line with 30 litres less.

For example, the Nissan Almera has a generous 490-litre boot that was designed to accommodate lots of luggage, and is capable of carrying up to four golf bags.

The Almera is also known to have a spacious cabin with generous leg and shoulder room.

8. Infotainment connectivity

For digitally savvy car buyers, in-car communication and connectivity are important aspects of a vehicle.

 Honda City'a infotainment connectivity.

The in-car entertainment system, with touchscreen display, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as voice control, is a regular feature in many entry-level and B-segment cars.

The latest Honda City has been a best-seller, partly due to a top V Grade variant that has two USB sockets, Bluetooth sync for speed dial to make calls, a seven-inch touchscreen display, and a top-class eight-speaker audio system.

The City V Grade also offers iPhone connection via HDMI (Mirrorlink) and hands-free Bluetooth connection.

 The Suzuki Swift can help you find your way around as it is GPS-equipped.9. GPS navigation

In this high-tech era with satellite-based GPS (global positioning system), many car owners have stopped depending on paper maps or even asking strangers for directions when travelling in unfamiliar territory.

 Toyota Vios' GPS navigation.

An in-car touchscreen GPS navigation system is rapidly becoming a familiar sight, even in entry-level cars.

For example, UMW Toyota Motor recently made a top-of-the-line infotainment system with GPS navigation as standard fare in selected models such as the top two Vios variants.

The Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo and 1.5G now has a DVD-AVN (audio-video-navigation) system that includes a reverse camera, touchscreen display and a full range of connectivity options.

 A reverse camera is available in the Mazdas2 sedan.10. Reverse camera

A reverse or rear view camera is another useful device offered in entry-level or B-segment cars nowadays.

 Mazda2's reverse camera.

It can eliminate blind spots behind the car, allow easier parking in tight spaces, and help to avoid accidents involving children or pets.

Cameras with a wide viewing angle are preferred.

A good example is the reverse camera system in the Mazda2, which is connected to a dashboard-mounted screen.

Drivers can take advantage of parking lines shown on the display screen, to squeeze into parking spots with confidence.


Lamborghini Urus achieves new production feat with 20,000th unit

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini today said the Urus is its best-selling model in the shortest time ever.

Since its market debut in 2018, 20,000 units have been produced, setting sales records year on year.

The twenty-thousandth Urus, in Viola Mithras with black calipers and panoramic roof, comes off the production line today, destined for a customer in Azerbaijan.

The Urus has been the catalyst for doubling company volumes and the size of the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory.

It is estimated that Urus owned around the world have covered more than 360 million kilometres in total.

Following its launch in December 2017, the Urus was presented to customers in a spring 2018 world tour, covering 114 cities in just four months, with more than 70% of initial orders collected from newcomers to the brand.

Thanks to its six driving modes for Strada, Sport and Corsa as well as off-road, sand and snow, the Urus’ reputation for “Unlock any Road” has seen the Super SUV set a new high-speed record for ice-driving on Russia’s Lake Baikal and scale the world’s highest driveable road: India’s Umling La pass at 19,300ft.

Urus tours have traversed 6,500km across Japan; explored the Icelandic rockscapes; excelled on ice and snow tracks in Lamborghini Accademia events; visited the most exclusive destinations of stunning Sardinia; and scaled Italian mountains to visit Christmas markets.

A fleet of Urus showed off their prowess on sand in Portugal’s Nazare beach while champion windsurfer Alessandro Marcianò took to the waves; Urus followed Italian paragliding champion Aaron Durogati on road and off when he competed in the Red Bull X-Alps race in the Italian mountains.

The most popular exterior Ad Personam colours on Urus are Grigio Telesto, Blu Cepheus and Viola Pasifae. The appeal of the Graphite and Pearl capsules also attracted Lamborghini customers to the colours Nero Noctis Matt (Graphite) and Arancio Borealis (Pearl).

The Urus sports a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 650hp at 6,000 rpm (max. 6800 rpm), and torque of 850Nm at 2,250 rpm.

With 162.7hp/litre, it boasts one of the highest specific power ratings in its class, as well as the best weight-to-power ratio of 3.38 kg/hp.

Combining four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, the Urus achieves acceleration of 0-100km in 3.6 seconds (0-200kph in 12.8 seconds) and a maximum speed of 305 kph.

“From the first moment we presented the Urus concept at Beijing motor show in 2012, to its market debut in 2018 and each year since, the Urus has proved its instant and continued appeal as a true Lamborghini, born from our super sports heritage and the world’s first Super SUV, the LM 002,” said Lamborghini chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

“The Urus is a perfect complement to our super sports model ranges, providing a luxurious and high-performance daily drive for those who identify with our authentic Italian brand.”


Rolls-Royce unveils Wraith Luminary Collection

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce used to be the absolute last word in automotive luxury and opulence, but it's probably fair to say that title has been under serious challenge from the likes of Mercedes and others in recent years.

As an answer to the luxury bar constantly seeming to raised, and in response to an ongoing global demand for Rolls-Royce Collection Cars, the British brand has just announced the Rolls-Royce Wraith Luminary Collection.

The Wraith Luminary Collection is a run of just 55 vehicles, which will add to the exclusive ranks of other collectible cars that have previously been created by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke design team for its global customers.

"Wraith Luminary ... speaks directly of our contemporary Rolls-Royce brand – progressive and trailblazing; the pinnacle in hand-crafted luxury. This is a motor car that celebrates visionaries who achieve eminence in their respective fields. Indeed, this collection is for the world's luminaries," said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

The collection of Wraiths will see the global debut of a new Sunburst Grey Rolls-Royce paint color, which is a solid grey hue incorporating copper tones. There will also be a first-ever shooting star headliner, new illuminated wooden paneling, stainless steel hand-woven fabric and much more inside.

On the outside there will be hand-painted Sunburst Motif coachlines, hand-painted Wake Channel Lines on the hoods, and pinstripes applied to the wheel centers in Saddlery Tan, which is a reference to the colour of the interior leather upholstery.

There will be plenty more to set these models apart from "regular" Wraiths, but one particular touch of note will be tread plates bearing the provenance of this unique collection with 'WRAITH LUMINARY COLLECTION – ONE OF FIFTY-FIVE' engraved in hand-polished stainless steel.


Hauliers stuck in confused loop at roadblocks

Trucks ferrying goods in Port Klang. — Bloomberg
PETALING JAYA: It is day two of the lockdown, but there is still confusion, especially at roadblocks.

SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said he has received feedback that Transport Ministry (MOT) letters were not approved for the moving of essential goods.

“Everyone is confused. There have been a lot of complaints on Tuesday and today,” he said.

He added the directive given seemed to differ at different roadblocks, with some insisting on letters from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), alongside the MOT approval letter.

Some even asked for a few letters from the various ministries, said Kang.

He said there was a possibility that the supply chain for food and essential items could be disrupted, if those manning the roadblocks were unclear about what has been decided by Putrajaya.

MOT had said on Tuesday that drivers and attendants of express buses, lorries, and other commercial vehicles under the essential services category, whose nature of business require interstate travel, only need to apply for an approval letter through the SMILE system as valid travel permission.

It said that holders of MOT’s approval letters do not require additional letters of permission to travel inter-state during the lockdown period from June 1 to 14.

READ MORE: Letters by relevant ministries enough to travel, say police in update

Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders president Alvin Chua said some of their members had received warning that their MOT letter was invalid.

"It is really crazy," he said, adding that a lot of time was being wasted.

He said the MOT letters had been used all this while, with added confusion after Miti said they would reissue all work permission letters for interstate and inter-district travel.

He said there were issues in Port Klang as well, with local government authorities not accepting MOT letters as well.

"The port is the backbone of the economy. If it stops, everything stops and it will be jammed up.

Ships will stop coming in and this will have a huge impact," he said.

Association of Malaysian hauliers president Soo Chee Yeong said there seemed to be a lot of confusion in Port Klang, with local authorities insisting on approval from Miti.

This is despite the logistics sector coming under the MOT.

He said several warehouses and factories were impacted.

"There have been a lot of complaints. This is the problem when the policy and enforcement are not in line," he said, adding that there was a need to follow the SOPs in place.


Porsche announces 911 GT3 RS Tribute to Carrera RS Package

                ATLANTA: Porsche has announced a special package for the new 911 GT3 RS paying tribute to the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, an icon in the storied 911 model line.

Available only in the US market, the Tribute to Carrera RS Package includes unique styling elements for both the exterior and interior, a unique Porsche Design timepiece, several accessories and, for the first time ever, an NFT program that are all unique to the package.

Five decades ago, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was the top performing 911 of its day, and was available from the factory with wheels and graphics in Viper Green.

The new Tribute to Carrera RS Package comes with white paint offset by accents in Python Green and uses the 911 GT3 RS equipped with the Weissach Package, and a leather and Race-Tex interior as its starting point.

Specially coloured Exclusive Manufaktur elements include magnesium wheels painted in Python Green, brake calipers in High Gloss Black, as well as Python Green mirror caps, GT3 RS side graphics, a special RS logo on the wing end plates featuring the American flag, PORSCHE script on the underside of the wing and a GT3 RS graphic on the rear bumper.

The standard Weissach Package adds a significant amount of exposed carbon fibre to both the interior and exterior, as well as chassis components in the same material.

Several special interior modifications also set cars equipped with the package apart. These include deviated stitching in green, illuminated doorsill guards with “Tribute to Carrera RS” script, a centre console lid embossed with the “RS” logo and keys painted in white.

Customers also receive several special accessories including a package-specific Porsche Design watch with a winding rotor in Python Green designed to look like the magnesium wheel of the car, and a strap with matching stitching as well as a white bezel.

A custom car cover, RS valve stem caps with script in Python Green, key caps in Python Green, custom licence plate frames and a pair of 1:43 scale model cars; one being the 1973 Carrera RS and the other a replica of the new car, will also be included.

Finally, the package includes an NFT program that rewards customers with digital badges signifying their attendance at key racetracks and Porsche events.

The NFT owner will also get physical vehicle graphics to accompany the digital keepsake so their achievements are visible in both the virtual world and to anyone in the car’s presence.

The Tribute to Carrera RS Package will be available to order for customers with an existing 911 GT3 RS allocation through a Porsche Dealer in the US.

The 911 GT3 RS equipped with the unique Tribute to Carrera RS Package will carry a total retail price of US$312,550 (RM1.5mil).


Revise fuel prices weekly, say petrol dealers

                PETALING JAYA: The Petrol Dealers Association has urged the government to revise the fuel price on a weekly basis as the monthly managed float system could cause them to incur huge losses.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani said the petrol dealers have complained to him that the system has adversely affected the volume of oil supply sent to them.

He said currently oil companies would distribute their supply to the petrol dealers based on their forecasts for oil prices.

"A lot of oil companies now use this opportunity by sending the petrol dealers oil supplies in large volume at the end of each month if they expect the price to fall the following month.
"If the fuel is expected to increase in the next month, they will then reduce the supply," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Johari claimed that if this matter is not managed properly, it could cause more than 3,200 petrol dealers such as Petronas, Shell, Caltex, Petron and BHP to experience a loss of 70%.

To avoid this problem, he said the petrol dealers have suggested that the fuel prices be revised once a week with a maximum price difference of 5sen, so the price change would not be too "noticeable" compared to the previous price.

"This will benefit the consumers, the petrol dealers and the oil companies regardless what the market price is," he said.

The retail price for RON95 petrol and diesel was fixed on a managed float system and has been in effect since Dec 1 last year, following the removal of all fuel subsidies.

Under the managed float, similar to that now used for RON97, retail prices would be based on the monthly average world price of crude oil.


Volvo Car Malaysia upgrades warranty to five years/unlimited mileage

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia has revised its warranty programme to a factory five-years/unlimited mileage for all privately owned Volvo cars registered from Jan 1 onwards.

The new warranty programme does not cover vehicles registered or used for commercial purposes.

In previous years, Volvo car owners were entitled to the standard three-year/100,000km factory warranty with a combined two-years/20,000km Extended Warranty Programme (EWP) provided by an external insurance partner.

Now with the introduction of the extended factory warranty, customers will be able to enjoy a similar level of protection at no additional cost, fully covered under the five-years/unlimited mileage warranty.

Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Nalin Jain (pix) said the new offering is part of the company's dedication to quality, particularly in relation to its vehicles and customer relationship.

"At Volvo Car Malaysia, every decision we make is designed around the customer’s needs and more so to solidify their trust in Volvo. We want our customers to feel supported throughout the ownership of their vehicle and we believe that the new extended factory warranty is a step in the right direction as a premium car brand that is rooted in safety,” he said.

The revision of this warranty period will give customers peace of mind for five years from the date the car is delivered.

All new Volvo car owners can expect their cars to receive a premium service experience done by Volvo’s trained technicians.

In December last year, Volvo Cars Malaysia also announced that all customers who have purchased a Volvo Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) are entitled to an extended high voltage battery warranty period of up to eight-years or 160,000km (whichever comes first).

Through this, Volvo Car Malaysia will not only be extending its support of moving into a sustainable future but also ensures that customers remain confident in Volvo’s quality, long-life components.

“Our end goal of this initiative is to allow our valued customers to feel the utmost comfort when driving a Volvo car, free of worries. We allow them to fully experience the innovation and technology that goes into each one of our cars, and by doing so we are able to provide our customers with the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way,” said Nalin.

For more details on the extended factory warranty, contact any Volvo authorised dealer or follow Volvo Car Malaysia on Facebook http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-FB and Instagram http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-IG for updates.


Zenos E10 R production begins

LONDON: Production of the super high-performance Zenos E10 R has begun after the company sold all 15 units of the special Drive Edition (to celebrate the collaboration between Zenos and Drive) have added to overall sales exceeding 100 units after one year of production.Zenos Cars’ range-topping E10 R is now being produced alongside the entry-level E10 and mid-range E10 S stablemates at the company’s factory in Wymondham, Norfolk, UK.With a dry weight of 700kg, the E10 R is the company’s third variant, which uses Ford’s turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with 350bhp at 6,000rpm and 475Nm torque at 4,000rpm that’s been mid-mounted and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.“The availability of the E10 R means that Zenos now offers a three-car range, allowing buyers to choose their ideal flavour of driving thrills,” said Zenos Cars managing director Mark Edwards.The E10 R’s power-to-weight ratio is now 500bhp/tonne and take 3.0 seconds to reach 100kph from standstill – the same time as a McLaren 650S.It has a wheelbase of 2,300mm while having a front track of 1,560mm, rear track of 1,600mm and measuring 3,800mm-long, 1,870mm-wide and 1,130mm-tall.The hybrid body makes use of carbon composite for the cockpit and an aluminium spine and comes with steel roll-over bars, side-impact protection system and self-coloured removable front and rear wings.As standard, it comes featuring a double wishbone design for the front and rear suspension that’s been paired with adjustable Bilstein dampers (in-board front) as well as 16-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) ‘R-Edition’ OZ wheels with Avon ZZS 195/50 (front) and Avon ZZR 225/45 (rear) tyres.Inside, it comes standard with four-point harnesses, carbon leather trim and carbon seats, a 12V power socket, a centre console multi-function TFT screen as well as a separate one for the driver.Optional equipment such as road-tuned springs and dampers with adjustable platforms, heated Zenos carbon seats, six-point racing harnesses and quick-release steering wheel are available.Other options include Avon ZZR 195/50 R16 (front) and ZZR 225/45 R17 (rear) tyre and wheel combination as well as premium or customised coloured panels.The Drive Edition is equipped with one-way adjustable Bilstein dampers, quick release steering wheel, carbon fibre seats, six-point harnesses, black pack including black anodised spine, anodised aluminium short-shift gear lever, carbon leather interior, up-rated master brake cylinder, charged graphite metallic body panels and Drive decal scheme.Zenos has sold more than 100 cars to customers across eight countries, in Europe, East Asia and North America.In the UK, the Zenos E10 range begins at just £26,995 (RM170,000), with the turbocharged E10 S priced at £32,995 (RM207,000) and the EcoBoost E10 R at £39,995 (RM250,000).“We’re also delighted to have sold more than 100 cars, just one year after beginning production, and to see how quickly the E10 R Drive Edition has sold out. I believe this is testament to the ‘rightness’ of our unique formula that offers high-performance, lightweight sports cars, at accessible prices, that are great both to drive and to own,” added Edwards.Drive is an automotive design consultancy that came up with the looks of the Zenos E10 family that was presented to the public at the Autosport International show in January 2015 and was followed by the E10 R and special Drive Edition in November of the same year.


SOCAR Malaysia grows to a fleet of 2,000 cars

                KUALA LUMPUR: SOCAR - Malaysia’s biggest car-sharing platform, introduced its bigger and better self today, revealing broader services, upgraded features and a revamped customer service team.

“Although we have seen the demand for car sharing increase tremendously since we first started in January 2018 - testament that choosing Malaysia as the first overseas expansion for SOCAR was the right choice, we are celebrating this key milestone of having deployed 2,000 cars to underline our strength as a tech-enabled company. At SOCAR, we use data to tap into the preferences of our customers, rolling out car models at locations and price points that prove irresistible to our end user. Ultimately, we want SOCAR to go beyond mobility by allowing users to really tap into their deepest desires by giving them the freedom to go to the places they want to,” said Leon Foong, CEO of SOCAR Malaysia.

“We’ve looked at the demand and driving patterns of our SOCAR members and over time we’ve rolled out new services such as Oneway to the Airport and our newly expanded SOCAR2U service where we deliver a car right to your doorstep. Driven by data, we are a stronger SOCAR, even more attuned to customer preferences. Over the next 12 months, we will be focusing on delivering a customer-first SOCAR experience from the moment you sign up to the very moment you return your car. One example of this is how the majority of our local driver licence approvals are now done within 2 minutes, as long as you enter the right details and expiry dates,” he added.

 (From left to right) Leon Foong, CEO of SOCAR Malaysia and Jason John, Head of Marketing of SOCAR Malaysia.

At the event, SOCAR Malaysia announced the expansion of their door-to-door car delivery service in the Klang Valley, now branded SOCAR2U.

The service now covers the span from USJ21 to Bukit Bintang to Kota Damansara. Users can reserve their preferred car and have it delivered to their desired pick-up point, as well as have the car picked up from their preferred return location - for a fee of RM10.00, as long as the location is within the service coverage area.

“Based on our growth since we launched at the beginning of last year, Malaysians are embracing our mission to enable people to enjoy the convenience and pleasure of having a car without the commitment and hassle of owning one. Our membership base has grown to 500,000 strong and we are proud to be the pioneers of true car-sharing as the majority of our members only book cars for the hours that they need it. Our typical reservation is 4-5 hours but some users do book it up to 30 days! We started with only 100 SOCAR zones and are proud to have grown that tenfold to over 1,000 SOCAR zones across the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor. If you’re living outside these areas, rest assured that we are looking to expand our services to other states in Malaysia in the near future,” Leon added.

Currently, SOCAR Malaysia has a fleet of 2,000 vehicles covering 26 different models including the Volkswagen Polo, PeroduaAlza, BMW 330e and Mazda CX-5, with new cars added to the fleet almost every month.

To celebrate a bigger and stronger SOCAR Malaysia, members of the public can participate in the ongoing online game with RM500,000 worth of promo codes up for grabs. Each player can stand to win promo codes worth RM500, RM250 and more. For those eager to test their skills, head over to https://play.socar.my/

For more information on SOCAR and to register as a member, please visit https://socar.my/