Automatic lights now mandatory in Japan

                TOKYO: Automakers in Japan must equip all new vehicles with automatic headlamps. The mandate is being phased in: it first applies to all newly-introduced passenger vehicle models from April 1, 2020.

Newly-introduced buses with more than 11 seats and trucks heavier than 3.5 tonnes will come under the requirement from April 2021, and finally all trucks and buses from October 2023.

This comes in response to an alarming number of elderly pedestrians and cyclists being hit in traffic at dusk because drivers had not switched on their headlamps.

The new requirements are generally in accordance with UN Regulation 48: the lamps must switched on within two seconds when the ambient light level decreases to less than 1,000 lux—a level comparable to that of 15 minutes before sunset on a clear day.

And they’ll turn off automatically in 5 to 300 seconds when the ambient light exceeds 7,000 lux, a level internationally recognized as sufficient for safe driving.

“Switching on car lights earlier is important, not only in that it allows drivers to see objects outside more clearly, but that it helps pedestrians see approaching cars”, said an official of the ministry’s Road Transport Bureau.

“We believe turning on the headlights earlier will help elderly people who have weakened eyesight see vehicles around them, leading to fewer accidents at dusk.”


A late-19th century electric car to be auctioned off in California

                SAN JOSE: An exceptional Riker, from the American pioneer of electric cars, will be auctioned by Worldwide Auctioneers on Aug 15, 2019, at the Pacific Grove auction during California's Monterey Classic Car Week.

The fully electric Riker that will be up for sale dates from 1898 and will be of special interest at the sale, which also features a 1931 Cadillac V-12 Roadster, a 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS, and a 1961 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur. Its estimated value has not yet been announced.

Developed by Andrew Riker, this car reached 64kph, winning many races in the United States. In 1900, the car was taken over the Atlantic to be shown at the Universal Exposition in Paris. The car still has its original licence plate bearing the initials of its first owner, Andrew Lawrence Riker.

The end of the 19th century was a busy period in the development of electric vehicles, such as in the case of the "Jamais Contente" ("Never Satisfied") developed by Belgium's Camille Jenatzy, which was the very first car in the world to go faster than 100kph.


Honda and Team Liquid announce esports partnership

                LOS ANGELES: Honda is raising its profile as an esports sponsor, becoming the official automotive partner of international pro-level organisation Team Liquid.

Honda is re-affirming its place among the cadre of motoring manufacturers with high-profile commitments to an esports tournament or team.

Team Liquid members will be traveling in a custom Honda Odyssey at the 2019 "League of Legends" Champions Series in Santa Monica, a US$200,000, two-month tournament which starts today.

Honda Civics will also be available for the team to use at other times.

The Japanese car brand has also put its name behind a six-episode video series that profiles the esports team's "League of Legends," "Fortnite" and "Dota 2" personnel and international ambitions.


Facelifted 4-door 6 Series enters at RM789K

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia today quietly introduced the facelifted 6 Series in the form of the 640i Gran Coupé.

Priced at  RM 788,800, the facelifted car gets new design cues include redesigned adaptive LED headlights and Selective Beam, both featured as standard as well as indicators which are positioned in the accent line above the headlights and in the exterior mirrors for a more stylish character.

The two halves of the redesigned kidney grille, appears larger with nine grille slats with matt black sides angled slightly towards the top to accentuate the “shark nose” character of the front end.

Additional new sporting accents include a chrome element on the outer air inlets in the front apron and a horizontal trim element within the air inlets.

The rear end, made of structured surfaces and horizontal lines, add further presence to the car’s sporting capabilities and blends with the new horizontal chrome element below the licence plate bay to underscore the sophistication of the sports coupé.

The prominently flared wheel arches and underbody meanwhile, accentuates the car’s wide track and underline the horizontally structured character of the rear end; as well as further reduce drag and enhance fuel efficiency. The 640i Gran Coupé also arrives with 19” M double-spoke light alloy wheels as standard.

Inside, the characteristics of the  640i Gran Coupé is further emphasised with the presence of a centre console in a sophisticated black panel finish while the central Information Display now features a frameless design. This is combined with the in-plane switching (IPS) technology to not only provide a more sophisticated appearance, but also less dependence on viewing angle and improved visibility in sunlight.

Another upgrade is the “seatbelt parking” function, which serves to enhance the convenience of front seat passengers. It reduces pull to ensure the belt fits comfortably and once unfastened, an electric motor will assist with retraction of the seat belt.

Further emphasising the sporty and luxurious ambience in the car, the 640i Gran Coupé is fitted with bicolour Nappa leather upholstery in Ivory White/Black or Cognac/Black.

BMW has tossed in an M Sport bodykit, which includes front and rear apron as well as sill covers on the side in body colour. As for the rear, the M Sport package offers a sportier bumper trim in Dark Shadow Metallic to contrast the body colour to further differentiate the M Sport identity.

Powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine, the car is capable of generating a maximum output of 320hp with torque peaking at 450Nm, enabling it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.4 seconds at a top speed of 250kph. Despite the high performance, the car remains economical with an average fuel economy of 7.8 litres per 100km and C02 emissions of just 182 grams per kilometre.

Further highlighting the performance of the 4-door car is the presence of a new sports exhaust system with an adjustable flap. Featured as standard, this new sports exhaust system provides a particularly sporty sound when the car is set in Sport mode.

"With the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, we were able to ... create a very appealing sporty and luxurious four door coupé which sets a new benchmark in an all-new automotive segment,” BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Alan Harris said in a statement.


Geely talks merger with Volvo in move to strengthen ops

                HANGZHOU: China’s Geely Automobile and Volvo are in talks about combining their businesses to create a stronger global carmaker with listings in Hong Kong and possibly Stockholm.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Geely Automobile’s parent group, bought Sweden’s Volvo from Ford Motor Co in 2010. Geely’s sales started to surge from 2015 as its products drew strength from Volvo technology.

“We look forward to working with Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, to further investigate this opportunity with the goal to strengthen the synergies within the group while maintaining the competitive advantage and the integrity of each individual brand,” said Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holding.

Carmakers are pursuing alliances and mergers as they respond to the cost of switching to electric cars, and tougher rules on emissions.

“Strategically, the deal feels like – after years of deal-making – a first move by chairman Li Shufu to consolidate his sprawling automotive empire, and to pay off some of the debt that had built up,” analysts at Bernstein said in a note.

 Li and Samuelsson.

It remains unclear how much valuation would be added to the US$16 billion Hong Kong listed company by injecting Volvo assets.

Volvo and its parent group had been discussing an IPO to value the carmaker at between US$16 billion and US$30 billion before they dropped the listing plan in 2018, sources said.

The Bernstein note added that uniting the Geely, Volvo and Lynk brands under the same listed entity could mark the emergence of China’s first global carmaker.

Geely’s new energy brand Geometry will also be included, a company spokesman confirmed.

Car combinations

Volvo Cars and Geely will create a joint working group to prepare a proposal for their respective boards.

The parent group, led by billionaire Li, has a number of other investments including a 9.7% stake in Daimler acquired in 2018, a 49.9% stake in Proton in 2017 and a majority stake in British sport car brand Lotus.

Last year, Volkswagen and Ford said they would spend billions of dollars to jointly develop electric and self-driving vehicles, while FCA and PSA agreed a US$50 billion merger to create the world’s fourth-biggest automaker.

In October, Volvo Cars said it would merge its engine development and manufacturing assets with those of parent Geely, creating a division to supply Lotus, LEVC, Lynk and Proton, and also potential rivals with next-generation combustion and hybrid engines.

Geely Automobile sold 1.36 million cars in 2019 and aims to sell 1.4 million cars this year. Volvo sold just over 700,000 cars last year.


Honda’s Miri 3S centre biggest in Sarawak and Sabah

                MIRI: Honda Malaysia today opened its biggest Honda 3S Centre in the Borneo side of Malaysia.

The outlet is operated by SYK RW Motor Sdn. Bhd and is the seventh Honda dealership in Sarawak.

Here are the usual stats on the dealership.

> The newest Honda dealership has 12 service bays that caters for up to 40 cars per day.

> The 3S centre includes a customer lounge, an executive lounge, free Wi-Fi service, a children’s corner, a surau and a variety of food and beverages.

> The dealership also provides complimentary car wash, road tax and insurance renewal service to customers.

> SYK RW Motor has spent RM7mil on the 48,000 square feet dealership.

Sarawak contributed more than 4,000 units or 60% of the sales across Sabah and Sarawak, with the BR-V being the most popular model among Sarawakians.

For the period of January to November 2017, sales in the two states stood at more than 6,600 units, or about 7% of the overall sales of Honda Malaysia of more than 98,200 units.

To make an appointment with the Honda 3S centre in Miri, call SYK RW Motor at 085-430 666, Lot 1772, Block 10, Jalan Cahaya, Miri Concession Land District, 98000 Miri.


Petronas Lubricants continues to be Proton's preferred fluid solutions provider

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton has extended its partnership with Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd for another 10 years, effective 1 January 2019.

The deal includes the supply of a range of products for Proton’s factory fill and aftersales service, with a key product being the Petronas Syntium SE engine oil range.

“Petronas has been the official fluid solution provider to Proton since 1989. We are delighted to take the partnership further as this is a clear testimony of Proton’s trust and confidence in our products and services,” said Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin, who is managing director and CEO of Petronas Dagangan Bhd.

"Proton and Petronas have a long history of working together so it was only natural for us to extend our partnership. Proton has a lot of exciting new models in the pipeline and we are eager to explore technical solutions developed together with Petronas that will benefit our customers,” said Dr Li Chunrong, who is CEO of Proton.

Petronas’ lubricants and functional fluids are developed based on the Petronas Fluid Technology Solutions integrated approach, which is at the core of its engineering work.

It leverages on the knowledge and insights gained through its extensive R&D facilities worldwide including the USD$60 million Global Research and Technology Center in Villastellone Turin, Italy and its USD$8 million Satellite Research and Technology Centre in Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.


Škoda testing train warning tech

                LONDON: Škoda is piloting innovative train warning software with Czech railway company Leo Express.

Real-time train locations are regularly transmitted to the cloud, which Škoda uses to communicate this information to any vehicle using the Traffication infotainment app near a level crossing when a train is approaching.

The warning about the approaching train is shown on the central infotainment display along with a warning spoken audibly, informing the driver to stop.

There are nearly 6,000 level crossings in Britain, however only a third feature some form of alert to warn drivers of an approaching train, according to Network Rail.

A freedom of information request by Škoda UK also found there were four collisions between trains and road vehicles at level crossings in Britain in the past year (2021-2022).

In the UK, drivers can face a minimum fixed penalty fine of £60 along with three penalty points if they disregard level crossing regulations. If a driver stops on a level crossing or drives around the barriers, this can be considered dangerous or careless driving and result in an escalated fine and a 12-month driving ban.

The Škoda Traffication app aims to be a further warning for drivers who may have missed road signs leading up to a level crossing.

Škoda is currently piloting the software in the Czech Republic and is already working on integrating other railway companies across Europe.

The new feature is part of the Škoda Traffication infotainment app which provides real-time alerts when drivers encounter nearby traffic hazards. The app is available in all current Škoda models apart from the Enyaq iV, provided the car is equipped with the latest MIB-3 infotainment system.

The Traffication app already warns drivers in the UK of severe weather, motorists driving the wrong way against the flow of traffic, and bad road conditions or nearby accidents without needing to enter a destination. The app will run automatically once the car starts.


2023 Audi RS 3 sedan arrives, priced from RM647K

                KUALA LUMPUR: The 2023 all-new Audi RS 3 sedan is priced from RM646,990 to RM655,990 with the Audi Assurance package, including duties and sales tax.

In a statement, PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) said the tax exempted RS 3 sedan for Langkawi and Labuan retails at RM315,343.73 (without the Audi Assurance package) and RM324,343.73 (with the Audi Assurance package).

In 2021, the RS 3 sedan dominated the famous Nordschleife track in just 7.40.748 minutes, thus, making it the fastest compact model in the world.

Meanwhile, given its motorsports heritage, the Audi RS 3 sedan offers a sport suspension coupled with the quattro all-wheel drive system.

It draws power from a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine to deliver 400 PS and 500Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, and sprints from 0 to 100kph in just 3.8 seconds.

The 2.5 TFSI engine also won “International Engine of the Year” in nine times in a row.

This is the first Audi ever to include the RS torque splitter, which variably distributes torque between the rear wheels to provide greater lateral dynamics and stability.

The quattro all-wheel drive system ensures optimal traction and handling in any driving condition, distributing power between the front and rear axles to provide the best possible grip on the road.

Additionally, the car's adaptive suspension system offers a smooth ride, with better handling and cornering ability.

As for the bold exterior and widened body, it features accentuated front wings and aggressive air vents, accentuated with signature RS black Audi four rings, singleframe and honeycomb grille.

Darkened Matrix LED headlights offer digital daytime running light signature and RS-specific coming home/leaving home and dynamic light sequences.

The interior is wrapped in black, red or green trim and features Nappa leather sport seats with RS honeycomb stitching and RS-exclusive steering wheel.

The virtual cockpit displays key information about the car's performance, while Audi Drive Select offers different RS-specific driving modes to suit owner preference and road conditions.

Six colour choices are available, namely Kyalami Green, Kemora Grey, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Python Yellow and Daytona Gray.


Chery Omoda 5 earns 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating

                PETALING JAYA: The Omoda 5, the first product under Chery's new global Omoda series, has been awarded a full five-star safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

It aced in the Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users and Safety Assist categories.

Chery said the SUV’s success in the test was rooted in its user-centric focus and pursuit of quality.

It said 78% of the Omoda 5’s body is high-strength steel, capable of withstanding pressures of up to 1,800 MPa, and the body itself has been meticulously designed and made d to maintain its overall structure without deforming in the event of collisions.

Additionally, its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) incorporates 16 functions, including adaptive cruise control, to further maximise occupant safety and comfort.

The Omoda 5 had also been field-tested in some of the harshest conditions around the world, it added.

The SUV has to date been launched in China, Kuwait, Israel and several other markets, and will make its way to many other countries and regions in the coming year.

Omoda 5 Euro NCAP results:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/chery/Omoda5/47166


Recovery MCO extended till New Year’s Eve

                PETALING JAYA: Despite Malaysia’s admirable efforts in battling the Covid-19 pandemic, the recovery movement control order (MCO) has been extended to Dec 31.

In announcing this yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision to extend the recovery MCO, which was supposed to end on Aug 31, was made as there were still new cases daily in the country.

In a live telecast to the nation, he said the government still needs to enforce the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) to control the pandemic.

“The government has decided to extend the recovery MCO to Dec 31. With this extension, enforcement actions can continue to be taken under Act 342.

“The global spread of Covid-19 has yet to show signs of abating in the near future.

“Our country is still facing challenges in handling this pandemic as the (SARS-CoV-2) virus is still spreading actively all over the world.

“Seeing that cases are happening overseas, this virus is not only active but is also accelerating to a bigger scale, and we cannot afford to take lightly the threat of superspreaders in our country,” he said.

Muhyiddin cited the recent clusters in Sivagangga, Tawar and Sala in Kedah; Sanglang in Perlis; and the cluster in Sarawak as examples of why there needs to be more stringent enforcement to ensure that the pandemic is contained.

“The government will also tighten control at our borders.

“We have forced those who return from overseas (locals and foreigners) to undergo a 14-day quarantine at stations identified by the government.

“The quarantine in certain places will also continue to be enforced,” he said.

Muhyiddin also backed the recent proposal by the Health Ministry to increase the compound rates for those who violate the recovery MCO.

“I also support the Health Ministry proposal to raise the compound rate for offences (against the recovery MCO) by at least twice or thrice the present rate.

“However, this needs to be studied and Act 342 has to be amended,” said Muhyiddin.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry proposed that the government increase the fine for compoundable offences under the Act from the current RM1,000 to RM10,000.

Muhyiddin also said that as the face mask is now a basic need, the government is in discussion with suppliers on how to further lower the price.

The extension means that nightclubs and entertainment centres will still not be allowed to operate.

“These are places where new norms are difficult to be enforced.

“Foreign tourists will still not be allowed in to avoid any imported cases into the country.

“Sports activities will be allowed, but without foreign participants,” said Muhyiddin.

 The Kenanga zone in Amanjaya, Kedah, is one example of an area under lockdown in Malaysia. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Malaysia confirmed 10 new Covid-19 cases – eight imported cases and two local transmissions – yesterday.

This brought the total number of cases in the country to 9,306 since the outbreak began.

The country’s death toll remained at 125, or a 35% fatality rate, and the last time Malaysia saw a fatality related to Covid-19 was July 31.

The latest cluster in the country is Tawar cluster, which has 73 confirmed cases so far.

Aman Jaya in Kedah was put under an enhanced MCO indefinitely beginning yesterday.


F4 SEA championship finale will be heating up Sepang

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Formula 4 South East Asia (F4 SEA) Championship together with official fuel and engine oil partner Petron Malaysia, will be heading to the Sepang International Circuit this weekend for a heated season finale.

From April 13 to 15, entrance to the fifth and final round of the season that comprises of six races and is free for the public to watch and support racing locals Nazim Azman, Isyraf Danish, Arsh Johanny and Armand Johanny.

“The season thus far has been competitive and we expect this final round to be even tougher as the drivers jostle for the best positions. For many of the drivers, including the Malaysians, securing strong results in the final round will be an awesome way to conclude the season," said Formula 4 SEA promoter Peter Thompson.

For the Malaysians, finishing on a high in the final round will significantly raise their confidence levels as they pursue their dreams - to be world class racing drivers.

“Apart from being the last round to create an impact this season, Nazim Azman, Isyraf Danish, Arsh Johanny and Armand Johanny will have to push themselves to the edge in their quest for success,” he added.

Nazim, along with the other Malaysian drivers, also competes in Europe and will be going up against Daniel Cao (China), Kane Shepherd (Thailand), Ugo De Wilde (Belgium) and other foreign competitors.

Petron, the oil and lubricants producer based in The Philippines, is a major partner in F4 SEA and will be supporting the Malaysian Championship Series (MCS) races this coming weekend.

“We were very excited watching the earlier rounds which were all competitive and featured high quality racing. The action will continue in the next round and it is our hope that racing fans will come out and support these young talents,” said Petron Malaysia head of retail business Faridah Ali

The F4 SEA championship exclusively uses the fuel and lubricant maker's products that include Blaze Racing Fully Synthetic engine oil and Blaze 100 RON Euro 4M, which is blended at Petron's Port Dickson refinery and launched in Malaysia in January, 2016.

Event 5 - Provisional ScheduleFriday, April 13
09:30 – 10:00 Free Practice
12:30 – 13:00 Qualifying
17:45 – 18:15 Race 1

Saturday April 14
09:55 – 10:25 Race 2
14:45 – 15:15 Race 3

Sunday April 15
09:25 – 09:55 Race 4
13:15 – 13:45 Race 5
15:55 – 16:25 Race 6


EU and Germany reach deal on fossil fuel car phaseout plan

                BRUSSELS: The European Union and Germany today said they had struck a deal after a dispute over the planned phaseout by 2035 of the sale of cars using fossil fuels.

A landmark deal to prohibit new sales of fossil fuel cars from 2035 is key to the bloc's ambitious plan to become a "climate-neutral" economy by 2050, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

But in an unprecedented move earlier this month, leading car producer Germany blocked the agreement at the last minute after it had already been approved under the traditional EU legislative process.

Berlin demanded that Brussels provide assurances the law would allow the sales of new cars with combustion engines that run on synthetic fuels, the focus of the breakthrough announced today.

"We have found an agreement with Germany on the future use of e-fuels in cars," EU environment commissioner Frans Timmermans said on Twitter.

"We will work now on getting the CO2-standards for cars regulation adopted as soon as possible."

German Transport Minister Volker Wissing said on Twitter that vehicles with combustion engines could continue to be registered after 2035 if they only use fuels that are neutral in their CO2 emissions.

Weeks-long negotiations between the European Commission and Germany to break the impasse centred on Berlin's desire for a stronger commitment on synthetic fuels than that presented in the initial text.

The synthetic fuels Germany wanted an exemption for are still under development and produced using low-carbon electricity. The technology is unproven, but German manufacturers hope it will lead to the extended use of combustion engines.

Environmental NGOs have disputed the value of synthetic fuels in the automotive sector's transition towards clean energy sources, saying they are too expensive, polluting and energy-intensive.

Some industry experts have expressed doubt over whether vehicles powered by synthetic fuels can compete in a market against electric cars that are expected to become cheaper over time.

Audi boss Markus Duesmann told the Der Spiegel weekly that synthetic fuels "will not play an important role in the medium-term future of passenger cars", even if they prove to be helpful in the green transition.

Domestic politics at play

Some observers saw domestic political calculations behind Germany's initial move to block the deal, which ruffled the feathers of some of Berlin's EU partners.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats form a coalition government with the Greens and the liberal FDP party, which initiated the move.

The FDP, which has lost five regional elections in a row, is struggling in national polling and hoped to gain the support of voters hostile to a ban on combustion engines.

Scholz was seen as acting to maintain the unity of the coalition by aligning with the FDP position against the Greens.

Fellow major car manufacturer Italy, Poland and Hungary joined Germany in a small alliance against the combustion engine ban.

The EU aims to reduce CO2 emissions from new vehicles to zero, with the planned combustion engine plan effectively imposing electric vehicles from the middle of the next decade.

The industry has anticipated the new EU rules by massively investing in electric vehicles in recent years.


Nissan redesigns Note for Japan

                TOKYO: Nissan Motor Co Ltd announced that from December onwards, it will begin selling a redesigned version of its Note in Japan.

The redesigned B-segment hatchback will feature a new hybrid drive technology pinched from the all-electric LEAF in order to get a bigger slice of the pie from Toyota and Honda.

Doing so will mark the Note's first refresh after eight years and is part of the Japanese carmaker's plan to revamp its somewhat "aged" lineup of vehicles.

The company believes that this will help to bring it back into more profitable pastures by focusing their efforts on home-ground, the US and China - ditching former chairman Carlos Ghosn's past expansion plans.

The Note will feature the "e-Power" hybrid technology found in the LEAF as well as new autonomous drive functions - all compressed within a Renault platform.

According to a Nissan spokeswoman, there are no plans to sell the new Note in other markets.

(Reuters)


BMW 330Li M Sport long wheelbase confirmed at RM277,614

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has announced the pricing for the first-ever 330Li M Sport at RM277,164.

The extended variant of the G20 generation 3 Series, which was officially revealed on April 9, is available now and can be viewed online via the BMW Shop Online platform at https://shop.bmw.com.my/.

The locally-assembled 330Li gets an increased overall length of 4,819mm (+110), long wheelbase of 2,961mm (+110mm) and taller height of 1,441mm (+6mm) compared with the standard 330i M Sport.

The new dimensions provided an increase of 4mm in headroom compared to the 330i M Sport, as well as an additional 42mm legroom available for rear passengers for unparalleled spatial comfort and luxury.

Elegance of the new sedan is enhanced with the new dynamic silhouette design, framed with the BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadow Line, and complete with a slight coupé-like roofline.

Other features that complete the exterior of the 330Li are the state-of-the-art  Adaptive  LED  Headlights  capable  of  automatically  adjusting  to  varying  road conditions, M Aerodynamics and M Sport Packages, a set of 18-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-Spoke style 848 M bicolour with mixed runflat tyres, double-sided exhaust tailpipe finishers with a trapezoidal design in the rear, as well as the panorama glass roof, and welcome light carpet on both sides.

Powering the 330Li is a four-cylinder TwinPower turbo petrol engine capable of 258hp from 5,000–6,500rpm and a peak torque of 400Nm from 1,550–4,400 pm.

Transmission is an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and the 330Li can complete the 0-100kph sprint in 6.2 seconds with its top speed capped at 250kph.

Fuel consumption is rated at 6.4 litres per 100km of travel with carbon emission at 147gm per km.

As for the interior, a modern ambience and luxurious design are paramount, with interior trim finishers in Aluminium Tetragon with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome furnishing the cabin.

The infotainment, navigation and driver display systems feature BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display, as well as the BMW Navigation System Professional with 10.25-inch touch sensitive display.

Other interior highlights include an M leather steering wheel, M-specific pedals, Comfort Access System, velour floor mats, ambient lights with 11 predefined lighting designs, automatic air-conditioning with three-zone control, and a HiFi loudspeaker system.

Driver assistance features are Cruise Control with braking function, Parking Assistant with rear view mirror, BMW Active Pedestrian Safety system as well as lane departure warning, lane change warning, front collision warning, cross traffic warning and rear collision prevention.

The Intelligent Emergency Call functionality also ensures live assistance and support are available at all times.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the 330Li can be owned with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM3,078, based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure.

Also included is a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Hans de Visser said, “We are pleased to commence booking for the latest addition to our portfolio of locally-assembled premium vehicles in Malaysia - the First-Ever BMW 330Li M Sport.

“Following our successful performance in the first half of 2021 globally, we believe the first-ever locally-assembled long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series model will continue to bring joy to our customers in Malaysia as it opens up an avenue for BMW customers and enthusiasts to experience Sportiness in New Dimensions,” he said.


Get savings from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors' mid-year service campaign

                PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM)'s mid-year service campaign comes with savings for all customers with additional discounts offered to Hyundai Loyalty Card holders.

From June 1 until July 31, customers who send in their vehicles to any Hyundai authorised service centre will enjoy discounts of 15% on selected parts and 10% on labour charges.

Hyundai Loyalty Card holders who do the same however, will enjoy greater discounts of 25% on selected parts and 15% on labour charges.

Selected parts entitled for discounts include gaskets, oil filters, air filters, spark plugs and more.

HSDM managing director Low Yuan Lung said Hyundai service campaigns are held two to three times a year to encourage customers to adopt a periodic and extensive maintenance culture for their vehicles.

“This year, we are offering more value to our customers with the launch of the Hyundai Loyalty Card which entitles customers to even greater discounts.

“The loyalty card is offered complimentary to existing customers and with the purchase of every new Hyundai vehicle.

“It is also offered complimentary to anyone who owns a Hyundai car,” he said.

The Loyalty Card can be applied at any authorised Hyundai service centre nationwide.

The Hyundai Loyalty Card is an exclusive privilege that comes automatically with the ownership of any Hyundai model.

Membership privileges include exclusive monthly promotions, such as a 20% discount on KLIMA Fresh and BlueChem products for April to May.

Customers can expect more privileges in the future, such as birthday month discounts on after sales service, discounts on Hyundai merchandise and a higher trade-in value when they purchase another new Hyundai vehicle.

Existing customers can register for their complimentary Hyundai Loyalty Card at any Authorised Hyundai Service Centre nationwide and check for promotional updates via Hyundai’s official website www.hyundai.com.my.

Those who are interested to find out more about the campaign or any of Hyundai’s other products and services may contact Hyundai at 1300-13-2000 or log on to www.hyundai.com.my.


Hyundai's new CVVD engine ups power and efficiency, reduces emissions

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group has developed the world’s first Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology that optimises engine performance and fuel efficiency while reducing emissions.

The South Korean carmaker will feature its new technology in upcoming Hyundai and Kia vehicles

The tech was revealed at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang alongside the Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi - the first engine to feature it.

The valve control technology regulates the duration of valve opening and closing according to driving conditions, achieving a 4% boost in performance, 5% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 12% reduction in emissions.

Until now, an internal combustion engine’s performance and efficiency have been governed by variable valve control technology that adjusts the timing of the valves' opening and closing as well as depth-of-opening.

With engine power produced through its four-stroke cycle of air and fuel intake-compression-combustion-exhaust.

Now, CVVD can adjust how long a valve is opened.

When the vehicle is maintaining a constant speed and requires low engine output, CVVD opens the intake valve from the middle to end of the compression stroke and helps improve fuel efficiency by reducing the resistance caused by compression.

On the other hand, when engine output is high - when the car is being driven at a high speed, the intake valve is closed at the beginning of the compression stroke to maximize the amount of air used for combustion, thereby enhancing torque for better acceleration.

Unveiled alongside the new CVVD technology is the new Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi Engine, a turbocharged petrol engine that produces 180hp and 265Nm of torque.

The new powertrain is the first to utilize the company's new technology and also features Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LP EGR) to further optimise fuel efficiency.

The exhaust gas recirculation system returns some of the gas burnt by the engine to the combustion chamber, producing a cooling effect and reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides.

The G1.6 T-GDi also features a low-pressure system that redirects the burnt emission gas to the front of the turbocharger compressor, rather than the intake system, to increase efficiency under high load conditions.

Additionally, the new unit has an Integrated Thermal Management System that quickly heats or cools the engine to an optimal temperature, and a strong direct spray system that achieves 350bar, surpassing the 250bar of the previous T-GDi engine.

Additionally, engine friction is reduced by 34% with the application of low friction moving parts.

The new Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi engine will be applied in the Hyundai Sonata Turbo, which is set for introduction in the second half of this year.

The Sonata turbo's premiere will mark the first in a series of new Hyundai and Kia vehicles featuring the engine.


Toyotas and Chevys more reliable than luxury brands, says J.D. Power study

                NEW YORK: Prospective buyers planning to splurge on a luxury car may want to reconsider. Mass-market brands now are more reliable than premium models.

For the first time in its 30-year vehicle-dependability study, J.D. Power found that mainstream brands ranked higher than upscale ones, based on problems per 100 vehicles for three-year-old autos. Nameplates from companies including Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. had an average of 135 problems, six fewer than for brands such as BMW AG’s namesake line and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz.

The shift is a combination of mass-market cars catching up in overall quality and less new technology in these vehicles that can increase the chance of something going wrong, according to Dave Sargent, J.D. Power’s vice president of global automotive.

“Partly, it’s just a lot of hard work and learning, and partly, it’s lower penetration with some of these features,” Sargent said in a phone interview. “There is no inherent reason why a more-expensive car should be better or worse in terms of reliability than a less-expensive car, so my guess is they’ll track each other fairly closely going forward.”

The industry averaged six fewer problems per 100 vehicles compared with a year ago, according to J.D. Power. That was a slower pace than the decline of 14 between 2017 and 2018, with new technologies such as voice recognition and enhanced safety systems contributing to the lag in improvement.

Topping the list

Toyota’s Lexus luxury line topped the list for the eighth consecutive year with 106 problems, followed by Volkswagen AG’s Porsche with 108 -- even though their totals rose from 99 and 100 respectively last year.

Toyota-brand vehicles tied for second place with Porsche, and GM’s Chevrolet and Buick brands rounded out the top five.

For the first time in the U.S. study’s history, all German brands ranked above the industry average, which was 136 problems per 100 vehicles. Honda, Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln and Nissan ranked below the average after beating it last year. Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Chrysler brand showed the most improvement, with 65 fewer problems than in 2018.

The J.D. Power report is based on responses from 32,952 original owners of 2016 model-year vehicles. It measures 177 problems in eight major categories experienced in the past 12 months.


BHPetrol presents prizes to winners of two contests

                PETALING JAYA: Boustead Petroleum Marketing presented the prizes for its two contests - ‘Menangi Superbike’ (Win a Superbike) and ‘Beli & Menang’ (Buy & Win), which was held from November to December last year at all BHPetromart convenience shops.

The prize presentation ceremony, held at the BHPetrol Kg Sg Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya, saw grand prize-winner Mohd Farid Bin Mohd Yazid from Yong Peng, Johor, taking home a Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike, while two Pocket Mini Bikes, two Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and 100 Drive M7 T-shirts were presented to the remaining winners.

The 'Menangi Superbike’ contest took place from Nov 1 to Dec 31, which allowed customers who purchased DriveM7 products at an attractive price or Digi Prepaid reloads to join the contest.

 Tan (centre) with all the winners of 'Beli & Menang' contest.

As for the ‘Beli & Menang’ contest, which also took place during the same date rewarded 72 lucky winners with prizes such as an iPad Air, Fitbit Blaze, JBL Headphones and TouchN’Go Cards worth RM100 each.

To join the contest, customers were required to buy any selected participating products such as Milo ice cream sticks, Tropicana Twister, Revive, Calpis and Kinder Joy at special promotional price.

“It is great to see that we have so many loyal BHPetrol customers and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support. This contest which was open to the public is our way of expressing our thanks to them” said Boustead Petroleum Marketing senior marketing manager Baba Tan.


Huawei says launches 'world's first' 5G communications hardware for autos

File pic of Huawei logo. Huawei said its MH5000 chip is the world’s first 5G car module that promises high speed and high quality. — Reuters
BEIJING: China’s Huawei Technologies launched today what it said was the world’s first 5G communications hardware for the automotive industry, in a sign of its growing ambitions to become a key supplier to the sector for self-driving technology.

Huawei said in a statement that the so-called MH5000 module is based on the Balong 5000 5G chip which it launched in January. “Based on this chip, Huawei has developed the world’s first 5G car module with high speed and high quality,” it said.

It launched the module at the Shanghai Autoshow, which began last week and runs until Thursday.

“As an important communication product for future intelligent car transportation, this 5G car module will promote the automotive industry to move towards the 5G era,” Huawei said.

It said the module will aid its plans to start commercializing 5G network technology for the automotive sector in the second half of this year.

Huawei has in recent years been testing technology for intelligent connected cars in Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuxi and has signed cooperation deals with a swathe of car makers including FAW, Dongfeng and Changan.

The company, which is also the world’s biggest telecoms equipment maker, is striving to lead the global race for next-generation 5G networks but has come under increasing scrutiny from Washington which alleges that its equipment could be used for espionage. Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations.


GM to boost EV Chevrolet Bolt production

                WASHINGTON: General Motors Co said Monday it is ramping up its electric vehicle assembly plans, hiking production of the EV Chevrolet Bolt and other vehicles.

GM reported its highest quarterly sales of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, which totaled 14,709 vehicles. Bolt sales are down 11% for the first nine months of the year versus the same period last year.

In June, GM said it would sharply cut Bolt prices after it halted sales for six months following a battery recall.

GM will boost Bolt production for global markets to more than 70,000 in 2023 from about 44,000 vehicles this year, it said on Monday. Bolt sales in 2021 hit a record annual high of 24,828 vehicles.

The largest US automaker said it was moving up body shop upgrades at its Detroit Factory ZERO for Silverado EV production in 2023 and taking other steps to prepare.

 2023 Bolt EV side profile while driving on an urban city street

GM will pause production of the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup for several weeks starting in late November to prepare for that production jump, it said.

Cadillac Lyriq production will increase in the fourth quarter and GM plans additional production shifts for GMC Hummer EVs in 2023, it said.

The automaker reiterated its 2023 EV launches, including the Chevrolet Silverado EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV, were on schedule.

GM's EV sales are still a small fraction of US sales. Out of 1.65 million US vehicles sold in the first nine months of the year, GM sold 22,012 Bolts, 782 Hummer EV pickups and 36 Lyriq SUVs.

GM and LG Energy Solution's joint venture Ultium Cells LLC is considering a site in Indiana for a fourth US$2.4 billion US battery cell manufacturing plant, the venture said in August.

The St. Joseph County Council last week approved a tax abatement for the proposed 2.5-million square foot factory plant in New Carlisle. GM said on Monday "details regarding the fourth site will be announced soon."


Apple scales back self-driving car, delays launch to 2026, says Bloomberg News

                SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc has scaled back ambitious self-driving plans for its future electric vehicle and postponed the car's target launch date to 2026, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The iPhone maker's shares fell 2.4% following the report.

The company's automotive efforts, known as Project Titan, have proceeded unevenly since 2014, when it first started to design a vehicle from scratch.

Apple is now planning a less-ambitious design that will include a steering wheel and pedals and only support full autonomous capabilities on highways, the people told Bloomberg.

The report added that the company plans to develop a vehicle that lets drivers conduct other tasks on a highway and be alerted with ample time to switch over to manual control.

Last year, a Bloomberg report said Apple was pushing to launch its electric car as early as 2025 and refocusing the project around full self-driving capabilities.

Apple's ideal car would have no steering wheel and pedals, with interiors designed around hands-off driving, the report then said.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.


The car tyre lingo to get clued up on for your next garage trip

                LONDON: Tyres are a crucial part of what makes a car work. They’re the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, after all, so ensuring that they’re up to scratch is important in terms of safety.

It’s why thousands of people are required to change their tyres each year. But tyres are also accompanied by some quite confusing terms, turning them into a bit of a head-scratcher if you’re not used to them. Here's what Fuzz Townshend, ambassador for China's Landsail Tyres, points out about the key terminology to bear in mind the next time you need new tyres.

Sipes

Though sipes might sound like some kind of bad-guy from a sci-fi movie, they’re actually a key part of a tyre’s design. They’re the small slits in the tread that help to ‘move’ water away from the tyre and help them to perform in wet conditions more effectively.

Plus, sipes help to provide better grip on snow and ice, giving more confidence-inspiring handling in the process.

Carcass

The carcass is what the entirety of the tyre is based around. You could think of it as the tyre’s ‘framework’ and it’s all built up from different layers of tyre cord. Sometimes, when a tyre is completely worn through and in desperate need of replacement you’ll see this cord exposed.

But the carcass is also what allows the tyre to absorb any shocks or extra weight. Through this it helps to make the car more comfortable.

Tread

The tyre’s tread is one of its most identifiable aspects. It’s the patterned part which has direct contact with the road and you’ll find that different tyres bring with them different treads depending on the type of job they’re doing.

All-seasons and winter tyres will have more aggressive treads, for example, while track-focused versions will have less tread.

Sidewall

It’s worth thinking of a sidewall as the main port of call for all of the information you need about a tyre. On it, you’ll find the tyre’s make and model as well as its size and speed rating. If you need to know anything about a particular tyre, you’ll find it on the sidewall.

To make things easier, the sidewall is also the main part of a tyre that you’ll see when it’s been fitted to the vehicle.

Shoulder

The shoulder of the tyre is just where you’d expect it to be – between the tread and the sidewall. It’s here that the tyre is really tested, too, but it can also be an area which shows up ‘irregular’ wear.

For example, if your vehicle has a tracking issue or a collapsed control arm, this shoulder area will show a lot more wear than the rest of the tyre does. You’ll need to get those mechanical issues rectified or this wear will just continue.

Bead

A tyre’s bead plays a really big role in the whole operation. It’s the inside band that fits over and onto the rim of the wheel, helping to hold it in place.

Not only does it secure the tyre on the rim, but it also helps to stop it from shifting about when the vehicle is up and running

Compound

A tyre’s compound is central to the type of job that it’s meant to do. The compound refers to the blend of materials that make up the rubber of the tyre and it can be adapted to be harder or softer depending on the need.

For instance, a softer compound tyre will provide better grip but be less hard-wearing – so it’s great for track tyres. Fans of Formula 1 will no doubt already be pretty clued up on tyre compounds – all teams in the sport frequently change tyres depending on the weather situation and the compound that will suit them best. - PA Media


JPJ rakes in RM3.85mil in summonses following 70% discount offer

                PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) collected RM3.85mil in traffic summonses between Aug 1 and 15, following its 70% discount offer on compoundable summonses.

The JPJ in a statement today said the amount involved payments of 51,178 summonses through various channels such as JPJ fixed and mobile counters, websites and kiosks.

"Selangor JPJ has so far recorded the highest collection with RM620,157 from 8,165 summonses settled,” it said.

It said there was a total of 2.4 million outstanding summonses with an estimated collection of RM170mil after discount.

Some 1.79 million summonses have also been blacklisted, it said.

As such, JPJ reminded the public to grab the 70% discount offer and not wait until the last minute to pay up.

"As we all know, those with unpaid summonses will be blacklisted and this will cause problems when conducting transactions with the department such as renewing driving and motor vehicle licences, transferring ownership and others,” it said.

The discount, which ends on Aug 31, is being offered in conjunction with the National Month, and in line with the National Day 2020 theme "Malaysia Prihatin”.


Mercedes-Benz to assemble flagship EQS in India

                NEW DELHI: Mercedes-Benz plans to start assembling the electric version of its flagship S-Class sedan, the EQS, in India, the head of the company's local unit said, part of a broader strategy to electrify its portfolio in the country.

Mercedes will be the first global luxury carmaker to assemble electric vehicles (EVs) in India and it expects to start selling the EQS there in the fourth quarter of this year, Martin Schwenk said today.

"With the EQS, we see a very strong product at hand. It will set the standard for EVs in India. We believe we also have volumes behind it," Schwenk said in an interview.

The top-selling luxury carmaker in India already offers imported models of its EQC electric sport utility vehicle (SUV).

It has been developing an "EV roadmap" for India over the past two years, though the plans are at an early stage and future launches will depend on demand and government policies, Schwenk said.

Global automakers are planning to spend more than half a trillion dollars on EVs and batteries through 2030, according to a Reuters analysis, in an effort to meet increasingly tough decarbonisation targets. read more

Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler has said it plans to invest more than 40 billion euros globally by 2030 to develop battery EVs.

Sales of electric cars in India, especially luxury models, have yet to take off, chiefly due to a lack of local component and battery production, negligible charging infrastructure and high prices.

Further, import duties on EVs are as high as 100%, prompting Tesla Inc to lobby the Indian government to slash the rates ahead of its planned launch in the country this year.

India, however, is incentivising companies to produce vehicles, batteries and other components locally.

Even without the need to pay import duties, Schwenk said the price of the locally-assembled EQS sedan was unlikely be below that of the imported EQC SUV, which retails for around US$136,000.

While Schwenk did not say how many EQC models Mercedes had sold in India, he said he expected sales of the EQS to be higher, as the company sees stronger demand for its luxury sedans.

Mercedes sold 11,242 cars in India in 2021, down from a peak of more than 15,500 in 2018.

Schwenk said if pandemic-related issues and supply chain disruptions, including semiconductor shortages, can be contained this year its sales could come close to peak levels.


Britain's motor show 'Top Gear' returns with new line-up

                LONDON: British motoring show "Top Gear" roars back onto television screens this weekend with a new line-up of presenters taking over one of the BBC's most successful programmes.

The show, watched around the world, has British television and radio presenter Chris Evans and former "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc as the new co-hosts, replacing Jeremy Clarkson who was dropped by the BBC last year after he hit and verbally abused a producer.

Clarkson and his two former "Top Gear" co-presenters are now working on a new motoring show for Amazon.
"The wait is over, the long, long wait ... It's been longer for us than it has for anybody else," Evans said in a video release to mark the show's launch on Wednesday.

"You're going to see ... amazing cars in exotic, exciting and bizarre locations." Putting those cars to the test alongside Evans and LeBlanc will be German racer Sabine Schmitz and motoring journalist Rory
Reid among others.

"Top Gear" has been known to court controversy over the years and the show has offended Argentines, Mexicans and truck drivers among others in the past.

The new series, whose first episode airs on Sunday, made headlines in March when Evans apologised for a car stunt filmed near the Cenotaph war memorial in London, which was criticised for showing a lack of respect.


Confusion on first day of two-hour parking limit ruling in Subang Jaya

                PETALING JAYA: Many motorists were caught unaware on the first day of the two-hour parking limit implementation in areas under Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) yesterday.

Some were slapped with summonses for paying the wrong parking fees. Under the new limit, the fee for the orange bays is 50sen for the first half hour with a maximum time limit of two hours.

The new limit is to free up parking space in high-traffic areas.

At the moment, payment of parking fees under this system can be done only via Smart Selangor and Flexi Parking apps.

Its implementation was delayed from June to September this year as Selangor had yet to gazette the amendment to the Road Transport Order (Parking Space Allocation) MBSJ 2022.

The two-hour limit covers six areas – USJ10 (Taipan), SS12, SS15, USJ21, Bandar Puteri Puchong and Jalan Kenari in Puchong.

StarMetro observed that some who parked in the orange bays paid the standard parking rate (for yellow bays).

MBSJ Corporate and Strategic Management Department deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said this was an offence.

“We would usually issue a compound of RM80 and tow the vehicles but we are withholding the towing action during this initial stage.

“Those who pay their compounds within 24 hours using the Smart Selangor and Flexi Parking apps need to pay only RM10 instead of the full amount.”

He said only these two apps could be used for payment in the two-hour parking zones at the moment.

“Additional payment options via ewallet apps and ecoupon agents such as Touch ‘n Go, Setel and KK Mart stores will be included by next month.”

Azfarizal said 2,106 of the estimated 45,000 parking bays under MBSJ had been painted orange and gazetted under the order.

Existing disabled parking spots are excluded from the new limit.

There will be a cooling-off period of an hour before motorists are allowed to re-park at any two-hour parking bays.

Azfarizal said the council had shared information on the new system on banners, in mainstream media and social media.

“We will also have officers posted in the six areas to explain the system to motorists,” he said, following visits by enforcement teams to Taipan and Jalan Kenari.

Hatimah Dollah, who visits Taipan two to three times a week to run errands, is happy with the new system.

“It is much easier for me to find parking space now,” she said.


Your car is spying on you

                SAN JOSE: You probably know that you should delete all the data off your phone before you give it away and wipe the hard drive on your computer before you sell it.

But have you considered all the data stored on your car, and what you should do with it when you get rid of the vehicle? Maybe not.

Tony Aquila, CEO of Solera Holdings, a company that collects and analyses data from cars, thinks you ought to be focusing on the privacy threat your car represents.

"You can learn more about you from your car than you can from your house," Aquila said.

As Aquila and others note, cars have become mobile computers. Not only do they have numerous processors within them, they also have sophisticated arrays of sensors and many now can be connected to data networks or the Internet. Cars these days are constantly collecting data and in many cases are transmitting it to car manufacturers and others.

"There's a tremendous wealth of data there about how you drive and where you go and when you go there," said John Simpson, director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group. "It is potentially tremendously revealing."

Cars have been collecting data since at least the late 1970s, when environmental regulations required manufacturers to keep track of and limit vehicle emissions. The amount of data cars generate and store has grown exponentially since then.

Many of the major components in cars, like brakes, engines and even tyres, now have sensors on them that collect data about how they're being used. Many cars now have navigation systems that track where drivers go. Many have sophisticated infotainment systems that store users' address books and include apps that may collect and store other personal information.

And cars are starting to collect even more data than that. Many now have cameras and radar systems that can detect other vehicles. Some now have cameras inside the cockpit that attempt to determine whether drivers are too drowsy to drive. The number of sensors and data collected will only increase with self-driving vehicles.

Privacy advocates worry not only about what could be done with all the data that cars are collecting, but also that much of it is being gathered without users' explicit permission.

"Most people have no clue that the information is being collected," said Dorothy Glancy, a law professor at Santa Clara University who has focused on the issue of privacy in cars.

Car manufacturers, their partners and even policymakers have largely focused on the positive benefits of this data collection. Most cars made in the last decade have so-called "black boxes" that save pertinent information taken from sensors immediately before accidents that can be used to help determine their cause. And nearly all vehicles made since the mid-1990s also have on-board diagnostic ports that auto service providers use to diagnose problems.

Meanwhile, manufacturers have been pitching connectivity in cars as a way to provide popular apps and services and as an important service and safety tool. Manufacturers can use the information to alert owners when they're due for a service checkup or when they ought to replace their tyres or brakes.

But the information gleaned from cars could be used in other ways that many people might find troubling. It could be used in states other than California to charge people different interest rates based on how they drive. It could be used to determine whether someone was having an affair.

Similar data could also be used to revoke drivers licenses or potentially by employers in ways that could affect drivers' employment, if you speed or regularly drive under the influence. And it could be combined with other data to market all kinds of services to consumers. And that's not to mention that the connections used to transmit data could also be used by hackers to seize control of a car.

While a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington, Miro Enev showed that researchers could identify individual drivers with only five to 10 minutes worth of data from the brake sensor in a car. A data scientist who now works for Nvidia, Enev worries that so-called deep learning techniques, where artificial intelligence is applied to large databases to find interesting patterns, will be used to analyse all the data being collected from cars. What manufacturers and their third-party partners discover may not be used for the benefit of car owners.

"It becomes a very slippery slope as far as what is possible," Enev said. "It's basically a big can of worms."

Unfortunately, consumers right now don't have a lot of tools they can use to monitor what and how much data is being collected on them. They also lack easy ways to delete that data either from the vehicles themselves or from manufacturers or others who have collected it from their cars.

Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass., raised some of these concerns two years ago when he issued a report about the amount of data cars and automakers were already collecting. His investigation led automakers to voluntarily commit to limit some of the data collection and to be more transparent about it. But they retained the right to collect data for undefined "legitimate" business purposes.

Markey subsequently proposed a bill that would go further, limiting data automakers could collect without explicit permission, but it died at the end of the last Congress. And nothing has been done since then at the federal level to limit data collection.

Solera is working on software that would allow drivers to wipe the data off their car when they sell or dispose of it. Consumers can attempt to limit some of the data collection by only using their navigation systems when they really need to or by avoiding installing apps, privacy experts say. And Aquila recommends that consumers be sure to delete what data they can when they get rid of their car, things like their address books and navigation history.

But consumers should be aware that at least right now, there's no way to completely wipe their digital fingerprints off their cars.

"If you're looking for a magic bullet, I'm not sure there is one," said Joseph Jerome, a policy counsel at the Centre for Democracy and Technology. — The Mercury News/Tribune News Service


Land Rover saves lives with three words

                LONDON: Land Rover has "addressed" the needs of a remote Scottish island in a move that could save lives.

As part of its 70th anniversary year of activity, Land Rover sent a team of expert Experience drivers and volunteers to Mull in a fleet of Land Rovers to deliver unique three-word address plaques from what3words to 2,000 properties on the island, many of which are in isolated areas.

What3words is a British technology company that has divided the globe into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique, easy-to-remember three-word address searchable via an app that even works offline.

Addressing Mull is the first project in a new, exclusive global automotive humanitarian partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and what3words. The two companies stepped in after the island's doctor, Brian Prendergast, asked for help to give every home and business a precise address that could provide a faster medical lifeline in emergencies.

The three-word addresses will help Dr Prendergast and his colleagues to respond to emergency call-outs more quickly and accurately, as well as improving everyday healthcare on Mull. Without detailed local knowledge of the island, it can be difficult for new members of his team to find individual homes where postcodes cover large areas and there may be no formal street names.

“Using three-word addresses will vastly improve the ability of doctors and nurses, particularly those new to the island, to locate and assist remote-living patients," said Dr Prendergast.

"We believe it will not only help us deliver a better routine healthcare service, but will save vital minutes in emergency call-outs that could literally save a life. The island is really grateful to what3words and Land Rover for putting Mull on the map.”

In 2017, a record 25 per cent of Jaguar Land Rover’s 43,000-strong global workforce volunteered more than 100,000 hours to support team education visits and community projects focusing on regeneration, the environment, education and the community.


Lamborghini to invest at least €1.8bil in path towards electrification, says paper

                MILAN: Lamborghini plans to invest at least €1.8 billion (RM8.3bil) to produce a hybrid lineup by 2024 and more to bring out its fully electric model by the end of the decade, chief executive Stephan Winkelmann told Il Sole 24 Ore.

Lamborghini, part of the Volkswagen Group, said last year it would invest €1.5 billion (RM6.9bil) to shift its current models - the Huracan and Aventador sports cars, and the Urus sport utility - to hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains by the end of 2024.

"We have earmarked €1.8 billion, but in reality it will be much more - the biggest investment in the history of Lamborghini Automobili," Winkelmann told the paper, adding that the figure did not include the development of the fully electric model.

"The investment will be huge because we have to face the full electric era while maintaining the values of Lamborghini's DNA. It will be a very difficult challenge."

Like its rivals Ferrari, Aston Martin Lagonda and McLaren, Lamborghini is wrestling with how to shift its lineup to battery power without losing the high performance that supports their premium pricing.


Tesla worth more, but Toyota gets carmaking, says Akio Toyoda

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp might be losing to Tesla Inc in terms of market value, but don’t underestimate the fact that the Japanese manufacturer has built more than 100 million cars, president Akio Toyoda said in unusually direct comments at a competitor.

“Tesla says that their recipe will be the standard in the future, but what Toyota has is a real kitchen and a real chef,” Toyoda, 64, said during an online briefing today after more than doubling the company’s operating profit forecast for the current fiscal year.

Tesla overtook Toyota as the world’s most valuable automaker in July, thanks to investor enthusiasm for next-generation electric vehicles.

Indeed, Tesla is now worth more than Toyota and Japan’s six other major car manufacturers combined, Toyoda pointed out. That’s despite the fact that Tesla sold about 367,500 vehicles, or 3.4% of Toyota’s output of 10.74 million units, last year.

“We are losing when it comes to the share price,” the grandson of Toyota’s founder said. “But when it comes to products, we have a full menu that will be chosen by customers.”

Toyota, the world’s second-largest automaker by sales volume, has built its brand over decades by offering affordable and reliable vehicles backed by large-scale manufacturing. Toyoda said he sees Toyota’s “picky customers” sticking with the manufacturer’s cars.

At the same time, Toyoda said that his company has many areas where it can learn from its rival, such as Tesla’s ability to generate profits from battery-based electric vehicles, software updates and renewable energy products.

Toyota has lagged behind the rest of the auto industry when it comes to selling all-electric vehicles, and stuck to its strategy of building out older and more affordable hybrid technology until battery costs come down.

Toyota is setting its sights on ramping up battery-based EV volume; Nikkei Asia reported in January that Toyota is aiming to sell 500,000 electric vehicles annually in 2025, citing unidentified sources.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive officer, has predicted that his company should be selling “a few million cars a year” globally around the same time. Volkswagen AG aims to produce 1 million electric cars by the end of 2023.

“They aren’t really making something that’s real, people are just buying the recipe,” Toyoda said of Tesla, expanding on the cooking analogy. “We have the kitchen and chef, and we make real food.”


Mitsubishi Motors Raya promotions 2019

                KUALA LUMPUR: Balik kampung in style this Raya as Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, is offering attractive promotions for the upcoming Raya festivities valid from today until May 31, 2019.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre will enjoy cash rebates up to RM4, 000. The Outlander 2.0-litre is priced at RM137, 888 while the Outlander 2.4-litre is priced at RM152, 888.

Safety is the Outlander's strongest suit, befitting its role as a 7-Seater family vehicle. The Outlander comes with 4WD, seven SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard.

Other helpful safety feature for a balik kampung journey includes Rest Reminder, which reminds the driver to take a break when fatigue steps in.

The Mitsubishi ASX Compact SUV 4WD and 2WD come with cash rebates up to RM4, 000. The ASX 4WD is priced at RM133, 336.08 while the ASX 2WD is priced at RM118, 866.

The Outlander and ASX come with five years warranty/unlimited mileage.

The Triton Adventure X variant comes with cash rebates up to RM6, 000. All Triton variants comes with five years warranty or 200,000km.

Other new Triton Raya promotions are: Triton VGT AT Premium (RM118,600) rebate RM2,000; Triton VGT AT (RM105,990) rebate RM2,000; Triton VGT MT Premium (RM112,500) rebate RM4,000; Triton VGT MT (RM100,200) rebate RM4,000.

From May 2 to June 15, Mitsubishi Motors customers who service their cars at any authorized Mitsubishi service centre are entitled for exclusive Raya festive gifts below:

Spend RM300-RM499 - 1 unit engine oil treatment; spend RM500 - 1 unit of exclusive Mitsubishi Motors kuih raya container and 10% discount on labour; spend RM1,000 - 1 unit of exclusive Mitsubishi Motors kuih raya container, RM38 eVoucher, 10% discount on labour and additional 5% discount on total parts.

Customers can get an additional RM20 eVoucher (valid for next service) when they service their vehicle and recommend a friend to test drive any Mitsubishi vehicle during the Hari Raya service campaign month.

For more details on the promotions, please visit the website.


Demand for driver assistance systems taking off, says Bosch

                FRANKFURT: German auto supplier Robert Bosch has seen a surge in demand for radar systems and video sensors as automakers race to add driver assistance features and automated functions to cars.

The company said on Tuesday it expected sales of radar systems to leap by 60 percent and of video sensors by 80 percent this year.

It forecast sales at its Mobility Solutions division, which makes sophisticated safety systems as well as autonomous car components, would grow around 7 percent this year, benefiting from a broader push to make vehicles more intelligent.

Last year, Mobility Solutions - which employs 227,000 employees - generated 43.9 billion euros (RM214bil) in sales, boosted by deliveries of crash avoidance technologies.

"We are growing faster than the market," said management board member Rolf Bulander.

Bosch delivers advanced safety systems to all of the world's largest automotive companies as well as start-up carmakers. It developed the electric powertrain and steering for Google's prototype autonomous vehicle and is a supplier of driver assistance systems to Tesla.

Bosch has around 3,000 developers working on highly automated driving systems, a market which is booming as simple anti-collision technologies like automated braking systems evolve into sophisticated crash avoidance programs using camera and radar to detect obstacles and avoid collisions.

Last year, sales of driver assistance systems, which include radar and video sensors used for emergency braking and cruise control functions, reached 1 billion euros, with the company receiving orders for a further 3.5 billion worth of assistance systems, Bosch said.

Beyond this, the company is expanding into areas such as software, services, internet-connected devices and electric cars.

In doing so, it is moving into new businesses like short-term motorbike rental, giving it direct access to new consumers and also potentially putting it in competition with its traditional clients: car and motorbike manufacturers that have also launched short-term ride hailing and rental services.

"While there are market segments where we are clearly a supplier, there are markets which are not yet developed where new players are emerging, this includes us," Bulander said.

Bosch declined to detail which emerging mobility markets, like for example ride-hailing, it is targeting next, but said by the end of 2017, its mobility solutions business would have 48,000 research and development staff, increasing its headcount by roughly 4,000.

Bosch forecast significant growth in the market for electric scooters and microcars, driven mainly be demand from China and countries like Taiwan. Already this market has seen sales rise from 58,000 in 1998, to more than 30 million per year in Asia.

Separately, Bosch appealed to regulators in Europe not to ban diesel vehicles on fears that a European Union target to cut carbon dioxide gas emissions, which are blamed for causing global warming, could be jeopardized.

"If all the diesel cars were replaced by equivalent cars with petrol engines, average fleet emissions would rise by 16 grams," said Bulander.

Diesel cars are around 15 percent more efficient than petrol engined cars, but regulators have sought to ban some older versions because of their emissions of nitrogen oxides which are blamed for causing respiratory disease.

 A radar road signature system, developed by Bosch, will enable automated vehicles to reliably determine their location at all times.


How cars can provide an additional source of electricity for the home

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo has announced that it has invested in a company called dcbel, which specialises in smart home energy management.

The aim is to expand the range of alternative energy sources available to the home by, for example, drawing on electricity stored in a car battery.

Rising energy prices and the desire to switch to sustainable energy that is better for the environment are factors that are encouraging households to produce their own electricity.

For instance, there are now easy-to-install solutions for the production and storage of domestic electricity, mainly based on photovoltaic panels.

In addition, car manufacturers are working on bidirectional charging (V2G), a technology that involves using the energy stored in the batteries of electric vehicles (and plug-in hybrids), connected to dedicated terminals, to supply electricity to a nearby house or simply to support the local energy distribution network.

The car then becomes a veritable energy storage unit, made available according to local needs.

However, dcbel has developed an all-in-one home energy station that acts as a solar inverter, a stationary battery and a bidirectional charger for electric vehicles.

In fact, this station converts electricity produced by photovoltaic panels to store it in home batteries, but can also take into account the electricity available in vehicles connected to the network.

The intelligent software that drives the system takes care of using all these alternative energy sources in order to reduce costs and, consequently, the environmental impact of energy use in the home. As an added bonus, homeowners can even be compensated for selling electricity back to the grid.

The interest for Volvo is to be able to offer its customers the opportunity to combine the purchase of one of its cars with a complete and personalized solution for managing domestic energy.

The new Volvo EX90 is the brand's very first model designed for bidirectional charging.

This technology is now favored by many carmakers, but its widespread use will require the implementation of dedicated charging stations that can both recharge a battery and feed energy back into the local power grid as needed.

Manufacturers, meanwhile, will need to make more models compatible with this system.


Cadillac teases 2020 CT5 with ASMR-inspired media campaign

                DETROIT: Cadillac has revealed the 2020 CT5 sedan and is promoting it in an ASMR-style social media campaign.

On Monday, Cadillac unveiled the new CT5 sedan and, from now until the model's first public debut at the New York International Auto Show in April, the company will be teasing the upcoming vehicle via a "Sensory Symphony."

This ASMR-inspired social media campaign has been designed to stimulate the senses and trigger "spine-tingling" physical responses to distinct sounds like the rev of its available 10-speed 3.0L twin turbo engine (2.0L turbo standard) and, more in line with conventional ASMR, the "whisper" of the CT5's black and white camouflage wrap being peeled off the model's body.

Most likely starting this week or early next week, Cadillac will be publishing an ASMR-oriented video each week until the CT5 makes its public debut in New York on April 16.

According to the company's executive chief engineer, this decision was made because "sound leaves a lasting impression" while the chief marketing officer states that the "CT5 is meant to overwhelm all of the senses. The ‘Sensory Symphony' videos are designed to convey for viewers the same satisfying feeling that arises from driving this car."

The model will be available in both Luxury and Sport trims. A teaser image of the Premium Luxury option shows that the interior will be lined in brown leather with a complementary wood trim; Cadillac describes the interior as being driver-centric and "blend[ing] tech and high touch."

The CT5 will debut at the New York Auto Show next month with availability starting this fall.


Nobody asked for it: Tesla Cybertruck vs Toilet paper

PETALING JAYA: Lockdowns can force you to do a lot of things you have always meant to do but never did. You could start that novel. Learn to cook. Take up a course in business management. Make a video game. A lot of useful things could be accomplished.

And then there are those who do strange and unnecessary things. Like this video above from the YouTube channel Tosty Show.

For sure there is a lot of excitement about racing the Tesla Cybertruck even though it's not available yet, but to see it go up against an F1 car made of Barilla spaghetti boxes and toilet paper for wheels ... seriously?

The video is over 5 minutes long and if you watch it to the end, you are braver than most. But we would rather you read this and move on to greener pastures. Have a good weekend.


Germany's Bosch powers up hydrogen cells for cars

                STUTTGART: The world's biggest auto parts maker Bosch said Monday it would work with a Swedish firm to develop key components for hydrogen fuel cells designed to power cars, after backing off building electric batteries.

Stuttgart-based Bosch and Powercell Sweden AB — formerly a subsidiary of carmaker Volvo — aim to bring the fuel cells to market "in 2022 at the latest".

Hydrogen-powered electric vehicles could prove winners compared with their battery-driven cousins for some applications.

They offer a longer range and can be refuelled about as quickly as a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle.

At the same time, hydrogen cars boast some of the advantages of battery-electric, including powerful acceleration, silent operation and no emissions at the point of use except water vapour.

But a number of technological hurdles remain to be cleared before mass deployment.

Large amounts of electricity are required to produce hydrogen, and there is a very limited network of fuelling stations.

Just 60 refuelling points are available across Germany.

Bosch did not reveal the financial terms of its deal with Powercell Sweden, but the two firms will work together to develop the so-called "stack" — components at the heart of the cell where the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place to produce electricity.

The group last year decided not to compete with existing Asian industry leaders in producing electric batteries for cars, seeing the rivals' technological advantage as too great to catch up.

By doing so, it turned away from supplying German carmakers like mammoth Volkswagen as they gear up to offer dozens of electric vehicles over the coming decade.

Manufacturers have taken the plunge on electric power faced with looming tougher emissions rules in the European Union, loaded with hefty financial penalties if they are breached.

European carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets "can only be reached by electrifying more and more of the powertrain. The fuel cell can play a decisive role here," Bosch said.

At first, "the best opportunities for broad adoption of fuel-cell technology are in the commercial-vehicle market," the firm added, although it expects broader use in passenger cars should follow.

By 2030, Bosch estimates that 20 percent of all electric vehicles worldwide will be powered by fuel cells.


1 Million Nissan vehicles production milestone in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Tan Chong Group today announced the achievement of yet another milestone as Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd (TCMA) has achieved a cumulative production of 1,000,000 Nissan vehicles in the country last month.

Tan Chong Group first commenced its Malaysian operations in 1957, and celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year.

“Crossing the million vehicle mark demonstrates the performance, reliability and credibility of Nissan and the Tan Chong Group. It motivates and inspires us to continue our growth and to serve our customers even better.

"As part of Tan Chong’s 60th Anniversary Super Deals campaign, we are offering our best-selling model; the Nissan Almera 1.5L Automatic, from as low as RM600 (terms and condition apply) a month,” said Sales and Marketing Director, ETCM, Christopher Tan.

Adding to the campaign’s excitement, ETCM once again kicked-off the highly successful Nissan UEFA Champions League Campaign for the third year running.

The campaign will run throughout the month of March, offering customers who purchase a Nissan, a chance to win an all- expense paid trip to experience UEFA Champions League Semi Final live in Europe.

Members of the public are also invited to visit Nissan Test Drive Carnival at selected Showrooms and Roadshows to test-drive Nissan’s range of innovative models such as the Nissan X-Trail with Around View Monitor offering 360 degrees view as well as to enjoy UEFA Champions League games and win attractive prizes.

Dates and locations of Nissan Roadshows are as follows:

1 - 5 March IOI City Mall, Putrajaya

8 - 12 March Sunway Velocity, Kuala Lumpur

17 - 19 March Kluang Mall, Johor

3 - 12 March AEON Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru

14 - 19 Mar AEON Taiping

9 - 12 March East Coast Mall, Kuantan

Sabah 17 – 19 March Imago Times Square, Kota Kinabalu

Dates and locations of Nissan Test Drive Carnival at selected showrooms are as follows:

10 & 11 March ETCM Kota Bharu

11 & 12 March ETCM Glenmarie

11 & 12 March ETCM Butterworth

11 & 12 March ETCM Johor Jaya

11 & 12 March ETCM Sandakan

11 & 12 March ETCM Kuching

For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at 1800-88-3838.


JPJ slaps summonses against Dego Ride m-cyclists

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has started action against controversial motorcycle taxi service provider Dego Ride.

As of Monday, the department issued non-compoundable summonses to three Dego Ride riders during routine operations, said JPJ enforcement director Datuk V. Valluvan Veloo.

The summonses were issued under Section 23(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a fine of not less than RM1,000 and not exceeding RM10,000, or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Valluvan said his department also issued a notice to Dego Ride founder and CEO Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj.

“We issued a notice for the Dego Ride owner to come to JPJ to give a statement. He will be given seven days to do so,” said Valluvan in a press conference Tuesday.

He also advised those who continue to provide the ride service to stop doing so.

“Through our observation, the application for the service is offline so we truly hope they have stopped their operations,” added Valluvan.

The Star's Malay-language portal mstar Online reported Monday that on orders from the Transport Ministry, Dego Ride had instructed its 6,000 motorcyclists to stop operating immediately.

Initially, the operators of Dego Ride said that they would continue services in Kuala Lumpur and claimed that there were no laws to prevent them from operating.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said Monday the Government has no interest in legalising the service due to the high number of road accidents involving motorcycles.

Liow said more than 60% of road fatalities involved motorcycle accidents.

The Dego Ride service began in November last year and bookings can be made via WhatsApp. The rates are RM2.50 for the first 3km and 60 sen for each subsequent kilometre.


Your tyres: Watch out for these warning signs

                BERLIN: If a tyre is damaged or no longer is filled to the proper pressure, then the transfer of force from the vehicle onto the road surface no longer functions properly when accelerating, braking and taking curves.

So, how can you spot tyre damage?

Christian Koch, an expert on tyres and wheels for car inspection company Dekra, says this: "Tyre damage as a rule makes itself noticeable through a sudden change in the sound of the wheels or by a corresponding vibration in the vehicle or steering." What makes tyre damage so insidious is that "as a rule the driver only notices it when it starts to happen - and then it's too late."

Sudden, violent damage to the tyres such as when driving over a large or sharp obstacle usually leaves the driver no time to react. In the opposite instance of slowly emerging damage to the tyres, the driver usually does not immediately notice the tiny changes going on in the car's performance.

READ MORE: Change tyres before they turn 6

"For this reason, the tyre pressure control systems that are mandatory for new vehicles are a clear-cut gain for traffic safety," Koch says, as they warn driver about even the slightest loss of air pressure in the tyre.

However, such systems do not excuse drivers from regularly controlling their tyre pressure and inspecting for possible damage. The best place for such inspections is by experts at a garage.

"Driving over foreign objects such as nails or screws can lead to them becoming stuck in the tyre which then can't completely close around them," Koch warns.

At higher speeds the danger arises that centrifugal forces will sling the object away and leave a hole that results in a sudden loss of tyre pressure.


Mitsubishi auctioning the final Lancer Evolution for charity

                LOS ANGELES: Get ready for some fast and furious bidding; the very last Evo for the US market - model number 1600 - is heading to eBay where it will go under the digital hammer to raise money for Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

The Evo will go down in automotive history as a true Japanese performance icon. Developed for rallying, and improved over 10 iterations, the final edition comes as standard with a 303hp turbocharged 2-liter engine, Bilstein shock absorbers all round and Brembo brakes.

But of course, being an Evo, every aspect can be tuned or turned up a notch but as this car is so special, it could well end up being one of the very few Lancers in existence that remains in stock condition.

Once this Evo is sold, Mitsubishi is retiring the model and the badge. If it ever surfaces again, it will be to denote a sporty SUV.

The auction will take place from Sept 8-15.


Six hurt in Tesla crash in British school car park, says daily

                LONDON: Five children and an adult were taken to hospital with injuries after a Tesla Inc Model 3 crashed in a school car park in southern England on Monday, the Telegraph newspaper said.

At least one person was said to have been pinned under the electric car in the car park in Sussex, the report said, adding that the exact number was not clear.

The National Health Service's South East Coast Ambulance Service said one person was in critical condition and three had potentially serious injuries.

It was not known if there was a driver behind the wheel at the time of the collision, the Telegraph added.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a related development, US auto safety regulators opened a formal safety probe on Monday into Tesla's driver assistance system Autopilot after a series of earlier crashes involving Tesla models and emergency vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it had identified 11 crashes since January 2018 in which Teslas "have encountered first responder scenes and subsequently struck one or more vehicles involved with those scenes."

The probe will take in 765,000 US vehicles with Autopilot built since 2014.

NHTSA, which closed an earlier investigation into Autopilot in 2017 without taking any action, has come under fire for failing to ensure the safety of the system that handles some driving tasks and allows drivers to keep their hands off the wheel for extended periods.

After the new probe, the auto safety agency could opt to take no action, or it could demand a recall, which might effectively impose limits on how, when and where Autopilot operates.

Any restrictions could narrow the competitive gap between Tesla's system and similar advanced driver assistance systems offered by established automakers.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chief Executive Elon Musk has repeatedly defended Autopilot and in April tweeted that "Tesla with Autopilot engaged now approaching 10 times lower chance of accident than average vehicle."

NHTSA said it had reports of 17 injuries and one death in the 11 crashes, including the December 2019 crash of a Tesla Model 3 that left a passenger dead after the vehicle collided with a parked fire truck in Indiana.

The 11 crashes included four this year and it had opened a preliminary evaluation of Autopilot in the 2014-2021 Tesla Models Y, X, S, and 3. The crashes involved vehicles "all confirmed to have been engaged in either Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control," it said.

Before NHTSA could demand a recall, it must first upgrade an investigation into an engineering analysis. The two-step investigative process often takes a year or more.

NHTSA said most of the 11 crashes took place after dark and crash scenes included measures like emergency vehicle lights, flares or road cones.


Malaysian 'drifts' into trouble at Hatyai parking lot

Drifting photo for illustration only. Not actual car mentioned in this story.

SONGKHLA: A Malaysian man had to pay almost 100,000 baht (RM12,438) in damages to four vehicle owners in Hatyai, Songkhla, southern Thailand, because of his reckless "drifting" at a parking lot.

In the incident at about 1pm (local time) on Oct 28, the 32-year-old driver of a BMW car drifted in a parking lot at an elephant camp in Chang Puak Camp, Hatyai.

Following the drift, a car and three other tuk-tuks in the parking lot were damaged. The driver broke mirrors and scratched the cars and tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motorised vehicle used as a taxi in Thailand).

After the dangerous antic, the driver then left the scene.

Hatyai Tourist Police Chief Lt Col Pol Anuwat Rithichai said the vehicle owners had lodged a police report on Oct 28.

"The police managed to locate the vehicle that the Malaysian man was driving, at the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Sadao, Thailand, at about 6pm yesterday (Oct 29).

"The driver and his wife have been taken to the police station to meet the owners of the affected vehicles," he said at a press conference on Sunday.

Anuwat said the driver agreed to pay 99,000 baht in damages to the four vehicle owners.

The man had also apologised to the owners of the affected vehicles for damaging their vehicles, claiming that he was not aware his drifting had caused the damage.


Bugatti Chiron by the numbers

                PARIS: In the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show, the French hypercar brand has opened the doors of its Molsheim "atelier" to the press to highlight the complexities and attention to detail that go into hand-building each new Chiron.

Many of the Bugatti Chiron's associated figures are common knowledge. It has 16 cylinders and an eight-litre engine capacity. It sends 1,500hp and 1,600Nm of torque to all four wheels and can comfortably cruise at 400kph. And then there's the cost - US$2.7mil (RM12mil) before customisation.

Yet, despite all of these figures which, in company president Wolfgang Dürheimer's words, "test the limits of physics," the number that may come as the biggest surprise is 20. That's how many people it takes to hand assemble the 1,800+ parts that go into making up each Chiron. Little wonder that it can take between six and nine months to go from commissioning a Chiron to delivering the finished car.

The production space looks more like a laboratory than a factory and is almost completely devoid of machinery. Even the floor is conductive in order to dissipate electrostatic charges.

"Neither our equipment nor our procedures can be compared with those of other car plants," explains the company's head of production and logistics, Christophe Piochon. "We are building a super sports car. That is quite clear. But it is the way we do it, hand-crafting an individual product for each customer in this very special atmosphere, that makes us unique. This is ‘Haute Couture de l'Automobile'."

In fact, at Bugatti even tightening a bolt has been elevated to an art form. There are over 1,800 bolts holding the car together and while many are tightened by hand, 1,068 are tightened via something called an EC nutrunner system. As well as signalling when a bolt is tightened sufficiently it actually digitally logs the torque curve and forces applied to each bolt for future reference.

Another huge number is 1,200 - the current in amps generated when a Chiron is tested on the in-house, custom-built dynamometer at speeds of up to 200kph over the course of two to three ours. Rather than waste all of this energy generated, it is sent back to Molsheim's power grid.

However, to ensure that the car really is built to perfection, each Chiron is subjected to a 600km test drive where it is raced on Colmar airport's runway at speeds of 250kph and beyond and is also tested on the Autobahn.

And so that the car looks as good as it goes, before it hits the road it's wrapped in a protective foil - a process that takes an entire day. And when the test drive is completed the foil is removed, the car is fitted with its production wheels and production underbody and given its exterior paint finish.

Little wonder that the first production Chirons won't be arriving with their owners until the end of March or that by the end of 2017 there will only be 70 Chirons on the road around the world.