All-new Nissan Almera makes Asian debut in Thailand

                BANGKOK: The all-new Nissan Almera has been launched in Thailand, which became the first country in Asia and Oceania to get it.

Five versions are offered and they are all powered by a new 1.0-litre turbocharged engine.

They are S at 499,000 baht (RM68,459); E (509,000 baht/RM69,831); EL(559,000 baht/RM76,691); V (599,000 baht/RM82,178); and VL(639,000 baht/RM87,665).

The fourth-generation Almera is the first B-segment sedan in Thailand to offer turbo technology. Its rival, the Honda City, will introduce its own 1.0-litre turbocharged variant, which is believed to have more power at 122hp, 23 horses more than the one in the Almera. It is slated for launch by the end of this month.

The Almera comes in a choice of six colours: Radiant Red, Monarch Orange, Storm White, Black Star, Gun Metallic and Brilliant Silver.

The highlight of the new model is the lighter 1.0-litre turbo engine, which replaces the previous 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine.

The new three-cylinder petrol mill delivers greater power and better fuel efficiency, with a maximum power output of 99hp, a torque of 152Nm and fuel consumption of 23.3km/l. This results in better acceleration and better power output than the previous generation of the Almera. Power goes to the front axle via a CVT.

With the new 1.0-litre engine, the Almera now conforms to Thailand's Ecocar II rules with Euro 5 compatibility that specifies a minimum fuel economy of 23.3km/l and a maximum CO2 emissions of 100g/km.

In contrast, the older Ecocar I rules with Euro 4 compatibility states minimum fuel economy of 20km/l and a maximum CO2 emissions of 120g/km.

The new Almera sports a more appealing look this time.

It features lower, wider, and longer exterior dimensions using Nissan's Emotional Geometry design language, while retaining the Almera's roomy interior space. Key elements of the design language in the new Almera include the V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps and tail lamps, kick-up C-pillars, and a floating roof.

The cabin has also been totally redesigned to accommodate a new instrument panel, infotainment screen, steering wheel and seats.

At the same time, Nissan was careful to ensure it retained its best-in-class roominess.

Another area where the all-new Almera stands out is its Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies that provide front, side and rear safety monitoring and intervention. The advanced technology is a key component of Nissan's vision of how vehicles are driven, powered and integrated into society.

Best-in-class safety innovations include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. With four cameras on the front, rear and side of the vehicle, the new Almera offers Intelligent Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection.

The NissanConnect multi-infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen Colour Display Audio (AIVI) also keeps customers current with infotainment, navigation, safety and security under a single platform, with seamless connection via smartphone.

The Almera is backed by a warranty of three years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) in Thailand.

The new Almera will arrive in Malaysia in 2020. Whether Malaysians will get the entry -level 1.0-litre Almera is up in the air, as the Almeras marketed locally are powered by 1.5-litre engine with a 4-speed automatic.

"The all-new Nissan Almera is an intelligent urban sedan positioned to win the hearts and minds of young Thai families and millennials," said Nissan in Thailand president Ramesh Narasimhan at the launch here last Thursday.

"It offers a top-class level of safety, innovation and space to meet the needs of all our valuable customers and ensure new car buyers can feel confident they do not have to compromise in their all-important first vehicle purchase."


Lexus LC500 and Perodua Myvi 1.3 now use Bridgestone tyres

                PETALING JAYA: Bridgestone Tyre Sales Malaysia, the official representative of the Japanese tyremaker in the country, has announced that the latest Lexus LC500 and Perodua Myvi 1.3 will be utilising their tyres.

The Bridgestone Potenza S001L Run Flat Technology Tyre (RFT) has been selected to be fitted on the highly anticipated and upcoming Lexus LC500's 21-inch wheels that use mixed tyres of 245/40 (front) and 275/35 (rear).

The S001L RFT is touted by its maker to have been developed exclusively for the Lexus LC 500 to ensure "superior performance of the luxury coupe" that has 470PS and 540Nm of torque from its 5.0-litre V8 engine.

The tyre is said to provide the driver with reliable control while maintaining a  comfortable ride, while enabling vehicles to travel up to 80km after without any tyre pressure.

As  for the Perodua Myvi 1.3, on the other hand, will be fitted with 175/65 ECOPIA EP150 tyres for its 14-inch wheels and boasts of its unique tyre compounds and cutting-edge technology in tread design to strike a balance between fuel efficiency, safety and durability.

The tyre is engineered for the cost-conscious and eco-conscious driver with low rolling resistance that reduces the production of harmful carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.


New Sportage to showcase Kia's 'most refined cabin'

SEOUL: Kia Motors will unveil the new Sportage globally at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Entering its fourth-generation, the all-new Sportage features a bold, progressive design, which Kia said exudes power and agility from every angle. The compact SUV styling creates visual harmony out of the tension between bold, precise feature lines and dramatically-sculptured bodywork.

Inside, the all-new Sportage combines simple, modern style with rich material quality for Kia's most refined, highest-quality cabin to date.

With the design of the new model led by the brand's European design centre – located in Frankfurt – the all-new Sportage represents the future face of Kia.

The new Sportage will make its global debut on Sept 15.


Luxury Lexus LM350 ready for booking

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of its official launch in May next year, Lexus Malaysia has started taking orders for the all-new Lexus LM350 large luxury multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

Available in one specification with a seating capacity for four persons, the LM350 will come with on-the-road without insurance price of RM1.148mil in Peninsular Malaysia.

Booking can be done at all six authorised Lexus Malaysia centres nationwide and first buyers can look forward to receiving their new vehicles in June.

Colours are Black and White Pearl Crystal Shine and all Lexus Malaysia vehicles enjoy a comprehensive five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

The LM350 gets a large spindle grille with ultra-compact 3-beam LED projector headlights while its high waistline projects strength and spaciousness.

Wheels are the 18-inch noise-reducing type finished in hyper chrome metallic that blend perfectly with the chrome accents placed around the vehicle.

By placing just four seats in the LM350, the luxury MPV comes with the Lexus expression of Omotenashi hospitality.

There is an abundance of space in the second row to accommodate the pair of VIP lounge seats with generous legroom available even when the Adaptipedic seats are fully reclined.

Other premium features include seats with air-cooled and heated functions with Ottoman massage, a fold-out magazine rack, large storage cubicles, a mini refrigerator, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson reference sound system and a 26-inch full HD display panel for rear passengers.

The large screen has numerous playback functions and connectivity options for watching videos or even conduct meetings in Lexus comfort.

For rear passenger privacy, a glass partition that can be raised or lowered at a touch of a button has been included to close off the front seats.

At the front, features are a 12.3inch touch screen with controls that be activated through a touch pad, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and plush semi-aniline leather seats.

Power comes from a 3.5-litre quad cam V6 delivering 296hp and 361Nm of torque mated to a direct-shift eight-speed automatic transmission.

As safety remains a priority for all Lexus models, the LM350 comes with no less than the Lexus Safety System + (LSS+).

The system features the Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) among others, while seven airbags including two side curtain airbags reduce the risk of serious injury in a collision.

Lexus Malaysia president Ravindran K said Lexus engineers have crafted a vehicle that heralds a new level of dignity in luxury motoring in true Lexus fashion.

"From the immense road presence of the vehicle to the finite details of each interior component, the all-new Lexus LM350 is crafted to exceed the desires of those who appreciate the highest level of style and comfort on the move,” he said.

Lexus Malaysia deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said Lexus had once again delivered on the promise of elevating executive-class travel on the road.

"Whether your journeys are for urban commutes or inter-state travels, the notion of being transported in sophisticated elegance, top-level comfort and advanced safety is not compromised.

"Few vehicles on the road today are able deliver you in such a capable and dignified manner as the LM350 does,” he said.


Porsche announces Platinum Cayennes and diesel fixes

                STUTTGART: Porsche is clarifying the steps it's going to take to address emissions issues surrounding its Cayenne diesel models on sale in the US caught up in parent company VW's Dieselgate scandal while at the same time looking to make the same range of performance SUVs even more attractive to European buyers.

Thanks to sharing platforms and powertrain technology with VW, the Porsche Cayenne 3-litre V6 diesel on sale in the US has been found to have an emissions-cheating engine. Therefore, on Friday, now that legal proceedings have run their course, the company pledged to "recall and repair, free of charge to the customer, all Cayenne Diesel vehicles to bring them into compliance with the emissions standards to which they were certified, if an appropriate Emissions Compliant Repair is approved by US regulators."

In a statement, it also said it would "provide restitution payments to all eligible owners and lessees of Cayenne Diesel vehicles," and that it will begin "Implementing the 3.0L V6 diesel settlement program as soon as the Court grants final approval to the settlement agreements. At the earliest, approval will occur in May 2017."

As well as extending an olive branch to its growing US customer base, Porsche also last week extended its Platinum Edition line of cars in Europe with the addition of two new Cayenne models, including a diesel.

Like all Platinum Porsches, the Cayenne S and Cayenne S Diesel Platinum Editions get a host of external and interior styling and accent features to help them stand out from the crowd. For instance, they sit on 21-inch platinum-coloured alloy wheels, boast colour-coded wheel arch extensions and a host of gloss black exterior trim pieces.

Inside, there are special door guards bearing the "Platinum Edition" legend while the seats get the same Alcantara finish and eight-way electronic adjustment that is otherwise only available on the range-topping GTS model.

Other special touches include the Porsche Communication Management infotainment package and with it a Bose sound system, a mobile internet connection and live online maps for navigation.

Yet under their hoods, these cars come with exactly the same 420hp bi-turbo V6 gasoline or 385hp V8 diesel unit found in the standard ‘S' models.

The Cayenne S Platinum Edition will cost €87,442 (RM418,000), while the Cayenne S Diesel Platinum Edition with its larger engine will come in at €90,417 (RM432,000).


In EU car data tussle, insurers and others brace for delays, disappointment

                LONDON: A broad coalition of insurers, leasing companies, car repair shops and others are calling on the European Commission to propose rules for fair access to valuable vehicle data soon, fearing further delays could see the initiative shelved after European Parliament elections in 2024.

Companies in Europe and beyond are vying for control of the crown jewels of the connected car era, namely car manufacturers' data covering everything from driving habits, to fuel consumption and tyre wear which can be used to target cash-generating services.

Although the EU is currently haggling over the Data Act, a draft law governing the use of consumer and corporate data, insurers and others are pushing for auto sector-specific regulation.

A proposal is expected soon after the European Commission launched a consultation last year.

Tim Albertsen, chief executive of leasing company ALD, which relies on vehicle data for a wide range of services, said if sector-specific legislation was tabled now, it could be passed before the 2024 election.

After that there is the risk that a new commission, likely with new priorities, would put it on the backburner, potentially delaying the matter for years.

"What we understand is that in the proposal that is supposed to be tabled, there will be no sector-specific legislation, which we believe is a major problem," said Albertsen, who earlier this month appealed directly to EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to support in-vehicle data regulation.

Ten industry groups also wrote to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in January urging an end to "repeated delays".

The commission is currently working on an impact assessment for its proposal, a spokesman said.

"At this stage, we cannot prejudge the content of the final impact assessment, and consequent timeline," they added.

A spokesman for the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said the Data Act would guarantee fair access to car data, so "additional legislation on access to in-vehicle data is unlikely to achieve more".

Access to data

Once Societe Generale unit ALD completes its purchase of Dutch rival LeasePlan, it will have a fleet of 3.3 million vehicles. The company's car-sharing platform currently collects data via wireless devices to run diagnostics, read odometers, check fuel gauges and switch cars between users.

The leasing company also operates a "pay-how-you-drive" insurance product that rewards good driver behaviour, as does rival Arval, a unit of BNP Paribas.

"We just want the data to be made available in an economically viable way," said Arval deputy CEO Bart Beckers, adding that companies like his are happy to pay carmakers for it.

French technology company Munic is another that fits wireless devices to fleet vehicles to collect data.

"If there's no more access to data," said CEO Aaron Solomon, "we'll have to find a different business".

But a spokesman for BMW said the carmaker has had a system in place since 2018 allowing customers to share data with any third party.

"Unfortunately, many players who are arguing publicly that they need access to in-vehicle data never tried to use the system," he said.

Meanwhile, automakers such as world No. 3 Stellantis have their own big data plans. It expects to generate 20 billion euros (RM94bil) annually by 2030 from software products and subscription services.

Leaving data in the hands of the big vehicle manufacturers "does not enhance any competition", said Christoph Lauterwasser, managing director of the Allianz Center for Technology, a research institute owned by Allianz.

Michelin executive vice president Lorraine Frega said a wide variety of startups have sprung up to offer services using car data, but those small companies cannot raise capital until there is clarity from the European Commission.

"We are very concerned," Frega said. "Just delaying in itself is really harmful to the overall economy as well."


Euro NCAP picks new president

                BRUSSELS: Euro NCAP’s members have elected Niels Ebbe Jacobsen as president and chairman of the board of directors.

Having joined the board in 2019 on behalf of  ICRT (International Consumer Research & Testing), Jacobsen will succeed outgoing president Pierre Castaing.

Jacobsen is the CEO of ICRT, a UK-based independent consumer consortium with over 30 members worldwide.

ICRT is one of the founding members of Euro NCAP and continues to hold a seat on the board. Before Niels came to ICRT, he was a director at Consumer Reports, the largest consumer organisation and a leading car testing organisation in the US and led the test and research department at The Danish Consumer Council.

“Unlike many Euro NCAP Board members, I do not have deep expertise in car safety, but with decades of experience in board and leadership positions, I hope to bring other elements into play," said Jacobsen.

"This includes focus on vision, mission, strategy and governance as well as a broader consumer perspective in mobility and change driven by new technology like sensors, digitalisation and AI. For in-depth expertise in car safety, I will continue to trust in my fellow Euro NCAP Board members and a continued well-led Euro NCAP secretariat.”


New Mercedes truck technology means safer roads for all

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has become the first automotive company to bring active safety systems to its commercial vehicles.

The new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks for cross-continental haulage is the first with active pedestrian and cyclist detection technology.

With the new Sideguard Assist, when behind the wheel of the sometimes huge rig, drivers will be alerted to pedestrians or cyclists at road corners or junctions - the places where over half of accidents involving trucks and pedestrians occur.

However, thanks to a system Mercedes is calling Active Brake Assist 4, the truck will also be able to autonomously apply the brakes if it senses a pedestrian walking out into its path - say from between two parked cars.


Glass dome and soft top: Porsche 911 to return as a Targa

                BERLIN: Barely a year old, the youngest generation of the 911 family is still growing and the 911 Targa is already getting warmed up for a mid-2020 launch.

After debuting a conventional convertible, Porsche has announced it will also be offering the 911 as a Targa semi-convertible in Europe from August.

The German fast car maker is promising a soft top over the front two seats and a glass dome over the second row of seats, both separated by a black rollover protection bar.

Anyone looking for a bit of fresh air while at the wheel will need a bit of patience, however, and this sports car needs a full 19 seconds to fold the roof's fabric part under the glass hood.

Compare that to the 9 seconds in the Porsche 718 Boxster or just 7 seconds in the Ford Mustang convertible needed from button push to open top driving.

In the time it takes to fold down the roof, the car can easily manage two full sprints to 100kph, thanks to an output of 385hp in the basic version — 450hp in the Targa 4S.

Porsche says the Targa comes with a three-litre six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive, but buyers can also opt for an eight-speed double clutch or, for the same price, a manual gearbox with seven gears.

The 2+2-seater accelerates from 0 to 100kph in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 304kph. The standard consumption is 9.8 litres for the Targa 4 and 9.9 litres for the Targa 4S. This corresponds to 223 and 227 g/km CO2.

The Targa 4 is set to launch in Europe for prices starting at €128,486 (RM612,000), while the Targa 4S costs €143,956 (RM686,000).


2017 Geneva Motor Show: Ruf looks to ruffle some supercar feathers with the CTR

                GENEVA: Renowned Porsche tuner Ruf is showing off its first ever complete car at this year's Geneva motor show, and to ensure it can stand up to even the most ferocious competition, it's looked to its era-defining Yellow Bird model from 1987 for inspiration.

The Yellow Bird was a heavily modified, bespoke car based on the Porsche 911 Turbo. When tested by US publication Road & Track alongside the supercar royalty of its day — the Porsche 959, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari 288 GTO and a Lamborghini Countach — it made them look like sensible family run-arounds, such was the car's phenomenal all-round performance and 213mph top speed.

Although the company had been tuning Porsches since 1963, that supercar shootout put the company on the map and the supercar world on notice and to mark 30 years since that showdown, Ruf is looking to repeat history, although this time with a completely bespoke creation of its own.

Although it looks very much like a 930 generation Porsche 911 Turbo and has the same drivetrain layout, that's where the similarities end. This is a unique carbon-fiber moncoque chassis and the first ever built to house a rear-mounted engine.

The engine in question is of the flat-six variety and like the chassis is an in-house creation serving up 700hp, thanks to two turbochargers. All of that power goes exclusively to the rear wheels via a bespoke six-speed manual gearbox and the result is 0-100km/h in under 3.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 360kph.

"The concept for the 2017 CTR is one that I have had in my head for a very long time," said Alois Ruf, President and owner of RUF Automobile GmbH. "We have been waiting for the right point in our history to build our own car and the 30th anniversary of the CTR ‘Yellow Bird' is that moment."

To keep all of that power in check the car has huge carbon ceramic brakes, wider rear tires and pushrod-actuated suspension front and rear to minimize unsprung weight.

Inside, the cabin ditches the rear seats but it is by no means spartan thanks to Alcantara trim, carbon fiber details, aluminum pedals and a retro three-spoke steering wheel.

"We began development on the new CTR five years ago with the goal of creating a thrilling, analogue driving experience that combines an amazing power-to-weight ratio, manual transmission and modern racing technology," said company co-owner and head of communications, Estonia Ruf.

And now that it's ready the order books are open. Just 30 examples are being built and there's only one colour choice — Yellow Bird yellow.


Top US auto safety regulator stepping down

                WASHINGTON: The top US auto safety regulator is stepping down to return to the California Air Resources Board, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday.

Steven Cliff has overseen the agency's safety investigations into Tesla as well as efforts to shrink sharply higher traffic deaths and significantly boost vehicle fuel economy requirements.

He was named NHTSA's deputy administrator in February 2021 but had been running the agency on an acting basis. In October President Joe Biden nominated him to be administrator and he was confirmed in the role in May by the US Senate.

Cliff is a former deputy executive officer at CARB and will become executive officer at CARB effective Sept 12. He was the first Senate-confirmed NHTSA administrator since January 2017.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said NHTSA’s chief counsel, Ann Carlson, will assume Cliff's duties when he departs. Carlson was previously co-director of UCLA Law’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

Cliff said in a statement he was honoured to work with agency staff "on a series of measures that will make vehicles more fuel efficient and safer for all Americans."

NHTSA in March sharply boosted fuel efficiency requirements through 2026, reversing former President Donald Trump's rollback of US regulations aimed at improving gas mileage and cutting tailpipe pollution. Under Cliff, NHTSA also reinstated a sharp increase in penalties for automakers whose vehicles do not meet fuel efficiency requirements.

In May, NHTSA said US traffic deaths jumped 10.5% in 2021 to 42,915, marking the highest number killed on American roads in a single year since 2005 and the highest reported since the agency began using its current traffic fatality tracking system in 1975. Cliff said the figures confirm "we have a deadly crisis on our nation's roads."

In June, NHTSA upgraded its investigation into 830,000 Tesla vehicles with Autopilot involving crashes into parked emergency vehicles.

Cliff said in July he wanted to complete the defect investigation into Tesla's Autopilot "as quickly as we possibly can but I also want to get it right. There's a lot of information that we need to comb through."

Since 2016, NHTSA has opened 38 special investigations of crashes involving Tesla vehicles where advanced driver assistance systems were suspected of being used.

The agency has increased investigations into various safety issues involving Tesla and the automaker agreed to a rising number of recalls.


Audi CEO seeks to catch up in China in test of Germany’s grit

                BERLIN: Markus Duesmann, the chief executive officer of Audi, flew to China over a week ago to tackle a problem that’s indicative of the challenges facing Germany: how to compete with its biggest trading partner on new technology.

The head of the German luxury brand went to visit Audi’s Chinese joint venture partners - China FAW Group Co. and SAIC Motor Corp. - to discuss ways to sell more electric vehicles in the world’s largest car market.

The effort is critical not just for the Volkswagen AG unit but also as a test of Germany’s ability to navigate threats to its competitiveness.

Germany’s vaunted automakers dominated the combustion-engine era, but the transition to electric vehicles puts their standing at the pinnacle of the auto industry at risk.

Audi, Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW AG are ramping up their range of battery-powered models in a critical bid to compete with Tesla Inc. and upstarts from China, including BYD Co. and NIO Inc.

"The transition to electric vehicles in China is naturally a challenge for us,” Duesmann said in an interview at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt.

"We haven’t participated in the growth in the electric vehicle market as much as we’d have liked.”

The shift to cleaner technologies presents more than one dilemma for Germany.

The war in Ukraine exposed the country’s reliance on cheap Russian gas for its energy needs, and the shift to renewable power has been slow. There’s also raw materials needed for batteries, which mainly come from China.

That means Germany’s automakers need to overhaul their product range and their manufacturing system at the same time.

"Energy costs will be decisive for us, for Germany and for Europe,” said Duesmann.

"Energy costs play an enormous role in the production of a car. The raw material costs play a huge role.”

For years, Germany gratefully sold cars, chemicals and machinery to the Asian superpower, but more recently the tables have turned and the trade deficit is growing.

"China was moving very fast before, and then we as a society weren’t watching closely for three years and they’ve kept moving,” said Duesmann.

"It’s like when you’re watching a marathon race and you turn away for 30 seconds and then the competition is somewhere else completely when you look back. That’s how it is with China.”

In an effort to catch up, Audi is building an electric vehicle plant in Chengchun and has already rolled out its Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron Roadjet in China and will add the RS e-tron GT later this year. But the bulk of its sales are conventional cars.

Audi’s deliveries in China slumped 8.4% to 643,000 vehicles in 2022, but still comprised 40% of its global sales.

Volkswagen’s efforts to transition to the new automotive era has been fraught with setbacks, and delivering fresh momentum is among the most pressing tasks for the auto group’s new CEO Oliver Blume.

A chaotic software push - now bundled under the Cariad unit - has been one of the biggest headaches and reflects the difficulties facing an old-school engineering company to integrate new skills.

For a time, Audi was overseeing an initiative to develop a common operating system across Volkswagen’s 12 brands, and customers have grappled with unnerving glitches and trips to the garage instead of receiving over-the-air updates like Tesla.

New software-led common vehicle underpinnings have been postponed by several years with significant delays for key new models like the Audi Q6 e-tron and electric Porsche Macan.

Volkswagen this week revealed a jump in planned spending, partly driven by a push to improve its lineup in China.

"China is the new benchmark for us regarding development time,” Duesmann said.

Along with the rest of Europe, Germany is caught between China’s growing ambitions and US efforts to lure more investment.

The European Union unveiled a response this week with the Net Zero Industry Act - a raft of new measures aimed at nurturing green tech and securing raw materials.

The EU needs to find the right answers to maintaining the bloc’s industrial competitiveness and avoid being left behind in these shifts, according to the Audi chief.

"It’s a European question and it’s urgent,” said Duesmann.

"An enormous amount is happening in China and the US, and we of course can’t look away. Otherwise, the marathon runners will have turned the corner, and we won’t see them anymore.”


Bentley to cut quarter of workforce

                LONDON: British luxury carmaker Bentley Motors said today it plans to shed up to 1,000 jobs, nearly a quarter of its workforce, adding to the gloom in the sector hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

The redundancies at the Volkswagen-owned Bentley brand follow cuts, totalling up to 2,000 jobs, announced on Thursday at luxury rival Aston Martin and at car dealership Lookers.

The 100-year old Bentley, which has a total workforce of 4,200, said it was offering voluntary redundancy terms but could not rule out compulsory redundancies.

“This is a necessary step that we have to take to safeguard the jobs of the vast majority who will remain, and deliver a sustainable business model for the future,” said chairman and chief executive Adrian Hallmark.

“Covid-19 has not been the cause of this measure but a hastener.”

Bentley makes most of its cars in Crewe, north-west England. The site reopened on May 11, seven weeks after it shut due to the coronavirus outbreak, making it one of the first automakers to resume production in Britain.

The firm faces hundreds of millions of pounds of deferred or lost revenue from the plant closure and reduced output due to the pandemic.

The job losses form part of Bentley’s “Beyond100” strategy that will see it accelerate the development of electrified models.

It is targeting for every model it offers to have the option of a hybrid variant by 2023, and its first pure electric model to be launched in 2026.

British new car sales tumbled by an annual 89% in May, only slightly less negative than April’s record 97% collapse, as car dealerships remained shuttered by the lockdown, industry data showed on Thursday.


Falken Azenis FK510 UHP tyre finally launched, prices start from RM400

                PETALING JAYA: Media test on Monday, launch on Wednesday. This was the case with the Falken Azenis FK510 that made its official debut in Malaysia today.

The latest Falken ultra high performance tyre was in fact on sale locally for the past three months ahead of its launch. It replaces the FK453.

Available in 88 sizes from 17 to 22-inch, prices of the FK510 starts at RM400 but prices could drop as the tyre market is highly competitive.

Produced in Japan, the FK510 is meant for passenger cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with 2.0-litre engines or higher.

Those looking for the SUV and run-flat versions of the FK510 will have to wait until next year, said Stamford Tyres (M) Sdn Bhd CEO Cham Soon Kian.

According to Cham, the FK510 has similar wet performance as the FK453 but has superior comfort and quietness.

Sumitomo Rubber Asia Tyre Pte Ltd managing director Satoru Ushida said the flagship tyre is targeted at people who drive powerful cars, and who are likely to be choosy about tyres.

 Cham (left) and Ushida posing with the FK510 in a Shah Alam hotel today.

"Such drivers would like to have good cornering with high stability, and also good grip on both wet and dry roads."

The FK510 has been available in other markets for some time now.

Since its European introduction in March 2016, the FK510 has received top ratings from German car magazine Autozeitung. The German Agency for Technical Cooperation also issued a "Highly Recommended" rating.

The FK510 has "blade sipes" to reduce instances of aquaplaning. Several small incisions in the tread bar optimises the contact area of the tyre when steering and allows more efficient penetration of standing water on the road.

The tyre is equipped with Adaptive Constant Pressure (ACP) technology, and has a tyre tread that maximises consistent pressure distribution across the contact patch. The ACP tread increases braking performance, directional stability and overall driving dynamics.

In addition to its excellent braking properties on wet surfaces, the FK510 is also characterised by long service life. Thanks to 4D Nano Design Technology, Falken engineers were able to develop an innovative rubber compound for the FK510, which provides improved wear life in addition to enhanced grip.

READ MORE:  Falken Azenis FK510 demo and experience on Aug 6  The FK510 in 20-inch size.


Electric-truck maker Rivian raises US$1.3bil in new funding

                DETROIT: Electric vehicle startup Rivian said on Monday it closed a US$1.3 billion (RM5.4bil) investment round, led by fund manager T. Rowe Price but also including existing investors online retailer Amazon.com Inc and No. 2 US automaker Ford Motor Co.

The investment round, which also included BlackRock Inc, is the fourth this year for Rivian and positions the Plymouth, Michigan-based company as one of the better-financed players in a crowded EV manufacturing market where Tesla Inc is the most established player.

“This investment demonstrates confidence in our team, products, technology and strategy,” Rivian chief executive R.J. Scaringe said in a statement.

Electric vehicles still make up only a small piece of the global automotive market. While Tesla is the best-known maker, China and Europe are pushing automakers to roll out EVs, and Ford, General Motors Co and others have announced plans to spend billions of dollars developing the vehicles.

Founded in 2009, Rivian plans to build an all-electric pickup truck, the R1T, and the companion R1S SUV, starting in late 2020. Both models are based on a Rivian-designed “skateboard,” a chassis that bundles electric motor, batteries and controls and can accommodate a variety of body styles.

Prior to Monday’s announcement, Rivian had raised US$2.2 billion from investors, according to investor website PitchBook, and was valued at an estimated US$5 billion to US$7 billion.

The company’s total valuation in the wake of the latest investment round was not immediately clear.

Rivian said on Monday no new board seats were added as a result of the latest investment.

T. Rowe Price has placed other bets in the auto sector. It is a large Tesla shareholder and also has invested in GM’s majority-owned Cruise self-driving division.

T. Rowe Price also invested, along with Amazon, in self-driving car software startup Aurora and British online food delivery company Deliveroo.

Amazon, which has relationships and deals across the auto industry, led a US$700 million investment round in Rivian in February. The e-commerce company also ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian. The first Amazon vans will be built at a former Mitsubishi Motors Corp plant in Normal, Illinois, starting in 2021.

Amazon declined to comment on Monday.

Ford invested US$500 million in Rivian in April and plans to help it begin production in Normal in 2020.

“We want to maintain a meaningful value in the ownership and future of that company,” Ford spokesman T.R. Reid said on Monday about Rivian.

In November, sources said a battery-powered Lincoln SUV, due in mid-2022, would be the first Ford vehicle to be built on the Rivian skateboard.

Cox Automotive Inc, owner of the Autotrader online automobile market and Kelley Blue Book car valuation service, invested US$350 million in Rivian in September.


Toyota's Lexus will end partnership with The Weinstein Co

                TOKYO: Toyota's Lexus unit said on Tuesday it is ending its partnership with film and TV production firm The Weinstein Company after allegations that co-founder Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted a number of women.

“Lexus has chosen to terminate its agreements with The Weinstein Company that saw the luxury automaker working with the film studio on certain film and television projects,” said a company spokesman.

Toyota’s luxury brand had been a sponsor of reality television show “Project Runway” which has been produced by Weinstein Co.

The company’s cars will no longer appear on the show after the current 16th season, which has already been filmed, said the spokesman.

Lexus will also no longer partner with Weinstein Co for its Lexus Short Films series, which invited emerging filmmakers to submit their films for a chance to be produced by Weinstein Co.

Hachette Book Group, the US publishing house of French group Lagardere, earlier said it had terminated the Weinstein Books imprint.

Harvey Weinstein was fired as chief executive by Weinstein Co earlier this month. He has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Weinstein Co did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


Mercedes-Benz to build EV batteries in Poland

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz Cars will build a battery factory at the polish site in Jawor, and thus extend the global battery production network of up to nine factories.

“We will electrify the complete portfolio until 2022 and will be able to offer in each segment various electrified alternatives to our customers. This includes more than ten pure electric vehicles. We will produce batteries on our own, what we consider a significant success factor in the era of electric mobility. After the production of high-tech engines, we will establish additional future technology in Poland. The battery factory in Jawor is the second largest investment at this new Mercedes-Benz site,” says Markus Schäfer, member of the divisional board of management of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.

In Jawor, approximately 100km away from the German border, a state-of-the-art engine factory is currently being built.

The plant will produce four cylinder engines for hybrid and conventionally driven vehicles.

“The decision of Mercedes-Benz Cars to start the production of electric batteries for a new type of vehicles in Jawor shows that companies that have started operations in our country positively assess the investment climate and want to continue to grow here. We are witnessing the 4.0 industrial revolution in which Poland plays a leading role. All the more we are glad that in Jawor will be produced not only traditional engines, but also the hearts of cars of the future, namely electric batteries”, says Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland.

The engine production in Jawor will start in 2019 and supply car plants of Mercedes-Benz in Europe and around the world.

With the construction of a battery factory on the existing ground at the site approximately 300 new jobs will be created.


Peugeot UK sees online sales growth

                LONDON: Peugeot UK is turning a crisis into an opportunity by touting the fact it has been selling cars online for the past three years.

In 2019, an average of 186,000 customers visited the Peugeot Buy Online platform and produced 47,000 configurations with unique quotes each month.

Customers who place an order can opt for a safe vehicle home delivery, with new protocols in place to protect the health and well-being of both the delivery driver and the customer.

These protocols include: use of protective covers for the steering wheel, gear stick, seat and floor mats, control panel and steering wheel to be disinfected upon delivery and the delivery driver will wear gloves, mask and safety glasses.

David Peel, managing director of Peugeot UK, said: “We want to reassure our customers that Peugeot is here to cater for their needs.  If they need a new car, there is no need to wait for showrooms to reopen, they can visit Peugeot Buy Online.”


Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC on a highland mission

                This isn’t the first encounter with the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC at RM385,883 (OTR without GST and insurance) - albeit in coupe form.

Despite its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 being the least potent against its AMG stablemates, it shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Not when the engine’s got 367hp and 520Nm that’s ever-eager for 0-100kph sprints in 4.7 seconds before getting limited to 250kph.

This made the invitation a definite welcome to ‘spank’ the locally-assembled C 43, coated in a sexy sheen of black lustre, up and down Genting.

To mark the start of our 70km journey, we shipped out from Wisma Mercedes in Puchong and headed towards Crockfords Hotel in Genting.

While en route, it was kept in Eco-mode to help maintain some on-road decorum to enjoy the accommodating suspension, lazy throttle, silky gear changes and a non-intrusive exhaust note.

As experienced in the past, the C 43 can be quite addictive, which is why things were kept cool until the last 20km up-hill leg.

From there, it would be nothing less than Sport+ mode with M(anual)-mode engaged. This stiffens up the suspension, hastens gear changes, overly-sensitises the throttle, frees up the engine and opens up the exhaust valve to let out the rumble.

Inside, the seating position was checked: shoulders positively against the backrest, elbows at almost 90-degrees, hands lightly clasping the leather-wrapped steering wheel at three and nine o’clock while the fingertips rested lightly against the paddle-shifters of the nine-speed automatic.

Flooring it up the first incline, the front cross-drilled and rear solid disc brakes bore the brunt of frustration due to traffic.

It’d unfortunately be a continuously interrupted ascent, but there were instances that allowed for the C 43 to be pushed when things cleared up.

The tight uphill turn-ins are very well taken care of and its always accompanied by an assured sense of traction that makes it feel rather neutral in the hands.

Needless to say, there’s always plenty of power to spit the 1.8-tonne sedan out of the inclined corners with nary a hint of chassis flex and what seems to be a never-ending presence of power as it presses your body into the seat.

Following a slow lunch, the senses were twice as eager knowing it’d be a down-hill course and this time, the brakes were in for a lot more abuse.

Here, the car becomes a ‘point-and-shoot’ vehicle - just point it in the direction and floor the accelerator before getting hard on the brakes for the turning in.

Drivers need to take note of what the engine sounds like once it reaches its 6,500rpm red-line limit.

Because of the steep nature of the down-hill section, the engine tends to rev faster than the speedometer can follow, especially in the first two gears, and inadvertently cause the engine-limiter to activate before the needle shows it.

The rigid chassis, combined with Sport+ mode, just makes the car far more communicative with a direct and sharp steering. In its entirety, the car almost feels race-like and there’s no doubt the C 43 is capable of getting its weight up to speed.

The stopping power also requires commendation here. Mid-way down, the brake’s bite began to slightly taper off and this slight intrusion of brake-fade was all that was, right till the bottom.

Forget about having to deal with roll because there really isn’t much of it to begin with.

Instead, it’s going to be the directional forces that need to be handled by the driver (and any passengers).

A lot of throttle modulation is required in Sport+ mode when traversing down-hill, which makes the already over-sensitive throttle response, even more so.

The automatic gearbox isn’t one of the quickest, but it does exude a sturdy nature about it when it feeds the ‘twist’ to the AWD system with much authority.

To simply put it, the combination of the C 43’s sharp steering, powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, impressive power delivery from its AWD system and the unadulterated exhaust note helps deliver a ‘race-like’ experience.

This puts the car well within the predatory list, after having mated a premium cabin synonymous with Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart with the sporty accoutrements and performance characteristics accorded by AMG in Afalterbach.


Sime Darby Motors aims to lead with technology

Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd’s motor division plans to continue leveraging on digitalisation, operational excellence, mobility solutions and mergers and acquisitions to maintain its position as one of the country’s leading automotive players.

In Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors is the dealer for BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI, Porsche and Volvo.

Speaking with StarBizWeek, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia managing director of retail and distribution Jeffrey Gan says the automotive arm of the group has always been committed to high standards in delivering services to customers.

“Along with investing in the hardware, we ensure that this is supported by highly skilled certified technicians, all of whom hold high level certification by our key brands. We also have an award-winning sales team,” he says.

Gan notes that the group’s facility is integrated with advanced technology to improve the customer’s experience.

“Knowing who our customers are is necessary to create personalised functions. It is important to consistently deliver a high-quality customer experience throughout the car purchasing journey and beyond,” he adds.

Gan cites the group’s six flagship centres catering to their different brands at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. It is the largest of its kind in South-East Asia and equipped with cutting-edge technology, to provide a good customer experience.He also cites Sime Darby Motors mobile application, which has enabled sales representatives to be connected anytime and anywhere with real-time data to better serve customers.

 File pic of Gan (right) with the Hyundai Kona Electric. With him is Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors managing director Low Yuan Lung.

“The application allows our sales team to populate and print application forms wirelessly, streamlining the administrative process and reducing waiting time for customers.”When asked about the outlook for the automotive market especially with the ongoing economic headwinds such as rising interest rates accompanied by inflationary pressures, Gan says the prospects for the automotive sector remain positive and it is mainly attributable to the pent-up demand for new cars in the first half of 2022.

“In the second half of 2022, efforts to fulfil the backlog of orders and promotional campaigns have further boosted car sales. While the global supply chain disruptions and resumption of the sales and service tax after June 2022 will pose downside risks, the recovering labour market and improving economic activity are helping to cushion the impact,” he adds.Gan is optimistic of better prospects for the sector going into 2023.

Sime Darby Motors has also developed a strategy to leverage on the growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs).

“Our service advisers and technicians are undergoing training to keep pace with the demand for EVs, and plans are being executed to reconfigure showrooms and service workshops,” he says.

Other efforts include the establishment of a stronger EV charging infrastructure.

“To this end, KINETA was established by Sime Darby to provide EV charging solutions in Malaysia, as well as in Hong Kong, and it has started supplying and installing EV charging equipment such as Wallbox, Siemens, Starcharge, Tritium,” he adds.

To recap, the group had entered into a distribution agreement with China-based BYD, a manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEV).

NEVs refer to battery-powered and hybrid cars as well as fuel cell electric vehicles.

This will see Sime Darby Motors distributing BYD’s NEVs for the Malaysian passenger car market, namely the ATTO 3 and e6 models.Gan is confident that the partnership will contribute to positive earnings growth.

The convenience of charging electric cars must be a priority in accelerating mass adoption.

He believes that this can only be achieved by setting up a number of charging stations.

Sime Darby Motors has inked a memorandum of understanding with Tenaga Nasional Bhd to explore initiatives to accelerate the adoption of EVs.

This includes establishing a network of EV charging infrastructure along key highways across Peninsular Malaysia. Both parties will look into energy-efficient and renewable energy initiatives to optimise the cost of EV- charging infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions.

Sime Darby Motors is also in collaboration with prominent hotels in Klang Valley to instal EV charging stations.

“To date, we have 36 charging facilities across the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor,” Gan says.

One of the threats facing Sime Darby Motors is the emergence of the agency model, whereby car manufacturers will bypass dealerships and sell automobiles directly to consumers.With this method, the car manufacturers would have better control over pricing as well as profit margins.

“We believe that dealerships will continue to play a critical role, particularly in the premium and luxury segments. For buyers, the purchase is not merely a transaction, it is an experience. Our customers value the physical touch points and engagement that dealers like us offer,” Gan adds.

According to him, an agency model allows original equipment manufacturers to control the sales process online, with an agent undertaking the delivery for a commission.

While the margins on new car sales are relatively slim, dealers would not need to take on heavy inventory holdings.

“As a dealer group, our strength is in the ability to enhance other parts of our value chain including high margin and direct engagement with customers such as our after sales services,” he adds.

After sales services are crucial to Sime Darby Motors as it contributes significantly to the group’s earnings.

Gan explains that while sales are a one-time experience, aftersales services will maintain a long-term relationship between the group and its customer throughout the ownership experience.


Borders may fully reopen on March 1

Muhyiddin chairing the NRC meeting today. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s borders are set to fully reopen on March 1, says National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“It was recommended by the NRC that the country's borders be fully opened in the due time to support the nation's recovery.

"In this connection, the council agrees that the nation's borders are to fully open as early as March 1 without the need for mandatory quarantine," he said in a statement after chairing the NRC meeting today.

Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein later said the recommendation to fully open the country's borders by March 1 needs to be studied by relevant ministries and departments.

Muhyiddin said those entering the country would have to undergo Covid-19 tests before and right after arriving into the country as recommended by the Health Ministry.

"The opening of the nation's borders needs to be done accordingly and based on current risk assessment," he added.

The borders had been partially closed since early 2020 following the Covid-19 outbreak to check the spread of the virus.

Muhyiddin added the border opening matter was raised by Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud during the meeting.

Muhyiddin also said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had briefed NRC on the current pandemic situation, particularly the spread of the Omicron variant.

Although there had been an increase in the number of daily infections, he noted that steps taken by the health authorities, high rate of vaccination in the country and the implementation of booster shots, had succeeded in reducing the number of serious infections under Category 3 to Category 5.

Administration of booster doses among the youths and young children would also be stepped up, he said.

Muhyiddin also announced the appointment of Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob as chief executive officer of the NRC secretariat effective Feb 1 and among his tasks were to draft the direction and strategies of the National Recovery Plan 2.0.


Nissan's Infiniti to exit western Europe early next year

                BEIJING: Nissan Motor Co’s premium brand Infiniti said on Tuesday it will exit western Europe early next year, as it restructures its global operations and turns its attention to sales in the world’s top two auto markets.

Infiniti said it will discontinue the Q30 sedan and the QX30 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and cease their production by the middle of 2019 at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland. Both models are sold globally but produced only in Britain.

The move comes as Infiniti seeks to divert its resources to markets with bigger opportunities, such as China and the United States, from a region where non-European premium brands are struggling to compete against local players such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Nissan also recently scrapped plans to build its new X-Trail SUV in Britain amid the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, saying it had taken the decision to optimize its investments by building the next generation model in Japan.

“Western Europe remains the most challenging and competitive region for premium cars,” said Infiniti’s chief spokesman, Trevor Hale. Infiniti’s sales in western Europe almost halved last year to 5,800 vehicles.

 Infiniti will kill off the QX30 (above) and Q30 models by mid-2019.

In addition to the tough competition, the Japanese premium brand, headquartered in Hong Kong since 2012, has struggled to effectively meet emissions and other regulatory requirements in the region, Hale said, referring to stringent Euro 6 emissions requirements and other regulatory challenges.

“The commercial reality for Infiniti in western Europe is that there is simply no visibility of a viable and sustainable business, especially given the regulatory challenges,” he said.

Infiniti said an exit from western Europe will allow it to focus on its initiative to “electrify” a good portion of its product portfolio from 2021 and discontinue diesel offerings.

The brand plans to focus more on its SUV lineup in North America, bring five new or significantly-redesigned vehicles to China over the next five years, improve quality of sales and residual value and realize more synergies with Nissan.

“This is all part of Infiniti’s vision to become a top challenger brand in the premium segment,” it said.

As it prepares to withdraw from western Europe, Infiniti said it is working to find alternative opportunities for employees who would be affected, consulting with employee representatives where necessary and identifying opportunities for transition and training support where appropriate.

Infiniti has 51 employees in its western Europe operations. There are 55 Infiniti retail stores in western Europe.


China auto sector braces for hefty virus impact, hopes it will be short-lived

A slow shutter photo showing rush hour traffic in Beijing. — AFP
SHANGHAI/BEIJING: The new coronavirus epidemic is likely to wreak havoc on China auto sales and production in the first quarter, but it is too early to push panic buttons as ground could be made up later in the year, industry executives said.

Showroom traffic is expected to be sparse when extended Lunar New Year holidays end as much of the population is steering clear of public spaces, while output is set to plunge in the short-term.

That is particularly true of Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak and a major car manufacturing hub that accounts for nearly 9% of China’s vehicle production.

Dongfeng Motor Group and its partners Honda Motor, Renault and PSA all have factories there.

“We expect (China) vehicle production to decline 3% for the full year, with production down 15% in the first quarter, including the extended new year shutdown,” Joseph Massaro, CFO for auto technology supplier Aptiv, told an earnings conference call.

But he said delayed production could be made up in the second quarter. “We don’t view this as a full year issue at the moment.”

Seeking to rein in the epidemic, which has killed more than 200 people, authorities have extended Lunar New Year holidays by three days to Feb. 2 although many areas and companies are telling workers not to come back before Feb. 10.

Prior to the outbreak, forecasts for the world’s largest auto market this year had ranged from mild sales growth to small declines after two painful years of contraction due to a slowing economy, the U.S.-China trade war and the chaotic introduction of new emission rules.

Cui Dongshu, secretary general at the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), said his prediction for 1% growth this year now seems “under some pressure”.

The holiday extension has discouraged dealers from ordering cars at the end of the month as is their usual practice, virtually guaranteeing a decline in sales for January.

“Although sales volumes in the first three weeks of January were okay, there was no ‘sales sprint’ at the end of the month. So it is inevitable that we will see a significant sales drop,” Cui said in a blog post.

Car ownership shift?

The big unknown is, however, just how far the outbreak, which authorities expect to peak in February, will ravage Chinese consumer spending.

Industry officials and analysts believe sales will be hit in the short-term but also say the impact might not be too bad over the whole year.

The outbreak could even spur more Chinese consumers to embark on car ownership, given that many are suffering in areas where public transport has been suspended, said Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy AutoForesight.

“Customers who do not have their own car might realise they need one which might help sales this year,” he said.

China has an estimated 170 vehicles per 1,000 people compared to 800 per 1,000 in the United States.

CPCA’s Cui also noted the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic had little long-term impact on China’s passenger car market which grew 70% in 2003, albeit from a low base and helped by economic stimulus.

Automakers with plants in Hubei, particularly in its capital Wuhan, where transport links have been cut to curb the virus, will have the most work to do in rejigging production plans. Delays can often be made up later with extra shifts on weekends and at night.

Honda, which has three assembly plants in Wuhan with Dongfeng, said it was assessing how transport disruptions were affecting the supply of parts and that no decision had been made on when its factories will restart. Dongfeng, Renault and PSA also said no decision had been made on when production might resume.

Other automakers with operations in Hubei include Nissan Motor Co, which has a plant with Dongfeng and General Motors Co, which has a venture with SAIC Motor Co. Nissan and GM did not respond to requests for comment.

Outside Hubei, some automakers appeared more sanguine about their production schedules.

Tesla Inc, which started delivering cars built at its US$2 billion car plant in Shanghai last month, has said it expects a delay of just one to one-and-a-half weeks in its ramp up of China-built Model 3s due to the shutdown.

In a sign, however, that the virus impact was not just limited to China, Hyundai Motor said it is suspending some SUV output in South Korea this weekend as parts supplies had been disrupted.


Tomorrow's cars will book their own maintenance and order their own parts

                FRANKFURT: On arrival at a workshop, future cars won't need a mechanic to look at them: their electronic innards will have sent messages in advance by wireless about what ails them, a consultants' report for the German car-components industry says.

Robotic driving, where every car swaps data with every other vehicle on the road is only one part of the sea change coming to the car industry. The other side is that cars will book their own repairs and order spare parts for themselves by wireless while they driving around.

"Each car will spit out several terabytes of data logs on entering the workshop," says Jan Witkamp of German auto supplier Bosch.

Today, mechanics use laptops and rely on electronic diagnosis to track down faults, but tomorrow's data streams will be far too great for a mechanic to comb through. The idea is completely automate the diagnosis.

This electronic health check will compare new data with old already saved in the workshop's database, facilitating everything from wheel alignment to replacing parts in the lights and air conditioning.

The study, entitled Future of the Car, was carried out by the consultancy Teradata and released at the recent Automechanika trade fair for parts suppliers in Frankfurt.

Bosch and its German parts competitor Continental say all the separate electronic diagnostic devices used in a garage today will be networked with one another tomorrow.

They expect tomorrow's mechanics to wield tablet computers that visualise the repairs: justifying the work in simple terms with clear pricing for the customer, while describing them in detail for the grease monkey.

"Augmented reality is the user interface of the future for mechanics," Witkamp believes.

Databases of parts will keep up to date instantly on ever-changing models, so that the wrong parts are never delivered and repairs delayed as often happens nowadays.


2019 Volkswagen Passat: Partial automated driving

                GENEVA: The 2019 Volkswagen Passat will premier at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and is the first Volkswagen that is capable of partially automated driving at any speed (0 to 210 km/h) with a new IQ.Drive unmanned vehicle technology.

The new Passat will also be the first brand model worldwide with a capacitive steering wheel. This detects touch by the driver, providing an interactive interface to systems such as Travel Assist - which also celebrates its world premiere in the Passat.

Another new feature in the Passat is “Emergency Steering Assist”, which increases safety when performing evasive manoeuvres by means of braking interventions.

The new, interactive “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlights” turn night into day – this is an innovative light technology that has been exclusively available for the current Touareg so far.

The third generation of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) also has its debut alongside the new Passat.

App Connect – the interface for integrating smartphone apps – therefore offers wireless integration of iPhone apps via Apple CarPlay for the first time at Volkswagen.

If desired, the Passat can from now on be permanently online via MIB3, because the new Infotainment systems come with an integrated SIM card as standard.

As well as improved navigation-related services with real-time information, this encompasses new technologies and offers, music streaming services, Internet radio, natural (online-based) voice control, seamless use of “Volkswagen We” online services and future cloud-based portable vehicle settings.

It will also be possible to use the first smartphones as a “mobile key” for opening and starting the Passat.


Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e PHEV launched from RM374,000

SHAH ALAM: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled a new GLC 300 e Coupe 4Matic plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) addition to the GLC line-up.

The locally-assembled high-riding four-door Coupe is available at the recommended retail selling price of RM374,073, valid until the end of the sales tax exemption on June 30.

From July 1, the PHEV will be priced from RM398,888. The vehicle features a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor combination that outputs 320PS and 700Nm of torque for a 0-100kph dash in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 230kph.
On all-electric drive, the vehicle has a range of 40km and a top speed of 140kph. Individually, the engine cranks out 211hp and 350Nm of torque while the electric motor delivers 90kW and 440Nm of torque.
The grille is a contoured diamond radiator with an integrated star and single front louvre typical of a Mercedes-Benz Coupe model. Also included are Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, AMG Line specifications, night package, 20-inch AMG five twin-spoke light-alloy wheels and braking system with larger front disc brakes.
Inside, trim elements are open-pore black ash wood centre console and a light longitudinal-grain aluminium inserts. Featuring the AMG Line interior and leather upholstery, the multifunction sports steering wheel comes wrapped in premium nappa leather.
The parking package consists of a 360° camera, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic. The all-digital instrument displays also gets the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, while safety features include Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Active Brake Assist.
Meanwhile, sensors in the ball head and a magnetic ring measure the angle between GLC 300 e and a towed trailer. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president (sales and marketing) Michael Jopp said the GLC is more efficient overall now because it has the ability to recover energy during braking and allows the combustion engine to run in favourable operating ranges.


Cronies, corruption: How Algeria's auto sector hit the wall

A photo taken in 2014 of the Renault plant in Oran. — AFP
ALGIERS: Shuttered assembly plants, jailed bosses, laid-off workers. Algeria's once ambitious plans to create a flagship auto industry have turned into a fiasco.

The country's recent years of political turmoil have also seen its foreign joint venture factories close and cronies of its ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika end up behind bars.

Algeria's dream of creating thousands of jobs has collapsed and the country is in dire need of new vehicles.

The government is putting on a brave face.

Industry Minister Ferhat-Ait Ali pledged last month that it is "preparing the revival of this industry on solid foundations, which break with the practices of the past".

Algeria's auto industry was born in 2012 when French maker Renault partnered with the government in Algiers to build the first plant two years later near Oran, the country's second biggest city.

Other companies followed suit.

South Korea's Hyundai opened its assembly plant in 2016 in Tiaret, and Germany's Volkswagen started operations the next year in Relizane.

The sector became a priority as the North African country sought to reduce imports, compete in the sector with regional rival Morocco, and diversify its economy in the face of falling oil revenues, which had been the source of over 90 percent of its export earnings.

Morocco's own bet on the automobile industry has paid off.

It is now the country's top export sector after the Renault-Nissan group opened two factories in the kingdom in 2012 and 2019, followed by its rival PSA, which opened one in 2019, attracted by incentivising fiscal and customs policies.

'Disguised imports'

But Algeria's industry became embroiled in controversy from early 2017, when authorities started to denounce as "disguised imports" the practice of foreign carmakers bringing in "semi knocked-down" (SKD) units.

SKD units are partially stripped down at the origin and reassembled on arrival, requiring minimal labour input.

The government investigated Hyundai after images spread on social media showed almost completely-built imported models that required little more work than putting on the wheels.

In July 2017, former industry minister Mahdjoub Bedda, who is now in prison on graft charges related to the wider scandal, suspended all new car assembly projects.

 Algeria's Industry Minister Ferhat-Ait Ali promises a revival of the auto industry. — AFP

After Bouteflika, under pressure from mass demonstrations, was ousted by the army in April 2019, several assembly plant bosses were convicted of corruption.

His successor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, pledged to review the entire auto sector as soon as he came to power in December that year.

"Some projects cannot be described as an industry because they are simply disguised imports," he charged the day after his election.

Algeria then banned the import of spare parts for assembly plants, sounding the death knell for the young industry already struggling after the incarceration of its key executives.

Volkswagen suspended production indefinitely in December 2019 and put 700 employees on technical unemployment.

In May 2020, the Algerian subsidiary of South Korea's Kia closed its assembly line, throwing 1,200 employees out of work.

Corruption trials

The automobile scandal was at the heart of the first major corruption trials of the post-Bouteflika era.

They exposed that companies owned by tycoons linked to Bouteflika's inner circle were favoured and benefited from undue privileges, such as state incentives and tax exemptions.

The scandal led to the imprisonment of former prime ministers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal and two industry ministers.

The ex-premiers were convicted of "misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power and granting undue privileges" as well as illegal financing of ailing Bouteflika's aborted 2019 re-election bid.

Corporate heavyweights, such as Mahieddine Tahkout, owner of the Hyundai plant, and VW factory owner Mourad Oulmi, also received heavy prison sentences in separate cases.

Seeking to prevent a repetition of the debacle, the government adopted new rules last August, notably requiring that vehicles sold in Algeria contain 30 percent locally manufactured parts.

Industry experts have, however, warned that such rules are unrealistic.

"It is illusory to claim to be setting up an automobile industry without (local) know-how," said journalist Mourad Saadi, who has reported on the auto industry since 1999.

Saadi said the automobile assembly sector had failed mainly because Algeria lacks suppliers who can manufacture locally made parts.

Ali, the industry minister, already under fire for delays in drawing up the new rules, recently spoke of talks "with German and other global operators to launch a real industry for tourist and utility vehicles".

But, for the moment, no manufacturers have taken the plunge back into Algeria.

Mohamed Yadadden, a former executive turned consultant, said setting up "a real production plant requires on average of five to 10 years to respond to the industrial challenges".

He also said it would need to build at least 150,000 units a year to guarantee profitability — no mean feat in Algeria, a country of 43 million people, where total demand is estimated at 450,000 units a year.


Split views on extra driving tests for senior citizens

                PETALING JAYA: An 80-year-old taxi driver is missing, a 61-year-old women crashes into a convenience store and a 70-year-old man slams into a bank.

Which leads us to the question - should senior citizens go for a retest and mandatory medical check-ups to ensure that they are fit to drive?

Other countries such as Singapore, the UK and Australia have introduced similar tests.

Taxi driver Nordin Mohd Som, 68, said a retest is good for all quarters and urged senior citizens to take an open view if a retest is implemented for them.

“A retest is for our own good and also for everybody’s good. I do not know if other drivers would accept it but if you ask me, it is a good move to implement.

“There are some drivers who are really experienced and good but at the end of the day, whether you are experienced or not, the slightest of errors can be fatal. They can minimise that by going for a retest,” said Nordin.

On Jan 18, an honest mistake sent the car of a 70-year-old man crashing into a bank in Damansara Uptown on Sunday evening, shattering glass panels before hitting a wall next to the bank’s ATMs.

Two days later, an 80-year-old taxi driver, who has 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, went missing in Kajang together with his vehicle.

On Feb 3, a 61-year-old woman escaped unhurt when the vehicle she was travelling in crashed into the convenience store of a petrol station in Jalan PJU 1A/20.

Nordin urged the authorities to conduct new driving exams alongside thorough medical tests for drivers who have exceeded the age of 60.

“I have a friend who is 75 and still drives a taxi. He goes for medical check-ups to ensure he is fit to drive.

“Thus, I urge the authorities to have mandatory medical check-ups for all drivers especially the senior citizens. A psychology test should also be conducted to ensure they are mentally alert at all times,” said Nordin

Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Dr Tam Weng Wah on the other hand believes that age should not be used as criteria to retest drivers.

“It would be better if drivers who regularly commit traffic offences be retrained and retested as a form of rehabilitation. Using age as a criteria is quite subjective as it depends on individuals.

“As long as the drivers are healthy and fit to drive, they should be allowed to.

However, we feel there might be a need for greater education and advisory on what aged drivers should be aware of,” said Dr Tan.

Some 556 people over the age of 60 died due to road accidents in 2013; according to statistics compiled by the Bukit Aman traffic police division.

Approximately 11% of the 5, 213 deaths recorded were from the ages of 61 and above and it increased by 7% compared to 2012.

In Singapore, drivers aged 65 and above will need to undergo an annual medical examination to be done by a Singapore registered medical practitioner in Singapore.

According to the Singapore Traffic Police website, once they are certified fit to drive the particular class of vehicle, they will need to undergo a proficiency driving test and if they pass the test, their driving licence will be validated.

In the United Kingdom all drivers have to renew their driving licence when they reach the age of 70 and every three years from then on.

Completing the renewal form means that they make a self-declaration, using their own judgement to state that they are still fit to drive. They do not need to go through a retest or medical test when they renew their licence.

In South Australia, if you are 85 years of age or older and hold a class of licence other than a 'car' you will need to pass a practical driving test each year to retain that class of licence.

According to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), so far there is no research or review had been conducted specifically to fitness to drive among elder driver.

However, their crash injury sciences and prevention unit (CRIS-P) had evaluated the frequency of medical examination as a precondition for licensing of Commercial vehicle drivers in Malaysia in 2009.

“This evaluation recommended that different frequency of medical check-up for age below 45 years old and 45 years old & above with regards to medical status.

“However, this requirement specifically meant for the commercial vehicle drivers group,” Miros told The Star Online.

Miros director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said that fitness to drive is very important and if the authorities implement medical tests or retests, he would welcome the initiative.

“Private car drivers should go for medical checkups and it is important for proper screening. This is to ensure that they are safe on the roads and they do not endanger others,”

However, if it is implemented, it will cause an impact on the social economy and the authorities will have to study it well before going ahead with the initiative.

“We must make sure there must be a good outcome at the end of this initiative. Planning is important as we do not want it to affect the society and the country,” said Dr Wong.

The need to make a proper cognitive assessment on a senior citizen is needed to ensure that he is fit to drive, says Consultant Psychologist Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj.

“Obviously eye sight needs to be tested, muscle strength to ensure proper motor functions like applying the right amount of brake pressure,”

He said from a psychological perspective, there must also be a proper information processing and right reactive time to ensure integration of memory, visual and motor functions.

“In older persons, in addition to the normal physical and visual tests, there is a need to make a proper cognitive assessment.

“In older people with features of dementia, there may be deficits in orientation and in memory as in retention and recall of information. This can lead to hazardous driving, resulting in road accidents.

“A driver with Alzheimer's dementia may exhibit sudden irritability and anger leading to violent behaviour on the road,” said Dr Mohanraj.

Some senior citizen drivers believe that a thorough physical and mental test would suffice for them.

Yassin Hamzah, 64, said that at their age, they would go through some emotional stress and so on but most of his friends have no problems driving.

“Instead of a retest, an awareness campaign should be done to ensure that they maintain their focus. Family members should also monitor them.

“If they are 80% not fit to drive, then they should stop them driving. A medical check-up would help and authorities should have annual checkups for them,” said the retiree.

However, if the driver has to bear the cost of the check-up, then Yassin is afraid that some might be reluctant to do it.

“If they can bear the cost, then it would be good for all of us,”

Zahir Abdullah, 70, said that if a retest was done, they would have fork out extra money just to ensure that they can continue driving. He said, regardless of age, anyone is prone to lapses of concentration.

“Let me give a scenario… Would you prefer to follow a 21-year-old guy who is not sober or a 70-year-old man who had a good rest? For me age is not a factor, it is how you carry yourself that matters.

“What the authorities should do is have an eye-test for people above 60 and also see if they are fit to drive, mentally and physically. Those checkups are more important than a retest.

“Imagine an old chap going through the whole process of a test. They would not fancy that,” said the former teacher.


Car owners advised to replace first-aid kit every five years

                STUTTGART: Drivers should replace the contents of their car’s first aid kit as a general rule at least every five years, because the dressings may no longer be sterile, according to the vehicle certification agency Dekra.

Drivers should replace the contents of their car’s first aid kit as a general rule at least every five years, because the dressings may no longer be sterile, according to the vehicle certification agency Dekra.

The expiration date displayed on the outside of the packaging will indicate how long the materials are certified to remain sterile, which is usually five years after their date of production.

However, the contents could also age or become contaminated more quickly due to heat from the sun, an impact or other kinds of damage.

Replacement sets are readily available in car supplies shops and are generally quite affordable, but buyers should make sure any new purchases are in accordance with national standards and guidelines from local inspection agencies.

The first-aid box should also protect the contents against dirt, moisture, oil and fuel.

Finally, to ensure quick and easy access in an emergency, first-aid kits are best stored under the driver’s or front passenger’s seat, not with the spare wheel.


Miros to present proposal to lower speed limit to 30kph in KL next month

                KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to lower the speed limit of vehicles from 50kph to 30kph in several areas in the city centre will be presented to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) next month.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) was still working on the details of the proposal.

"Data collection and analysis will be carried out and if it is agreed then it will be implemented in September this year. The areas involved in this Miros study are areas with speed limits of 60kph and 40kph.

"Meanwhile, roads that have been gazetted with 70kph and 80kph speed limits are not included in the study,” he said during the question and answer session at Dewan Negara here on Monday.

He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya who wanted to know DBKL’s position on Miros’ proposal to lower the speed limit in selected areas following in the footsteps of the City of Paris that gazetted the speed limit in August last year.

Jalaluddin said DBKL was also of the view that lowering the speed limit was a good move as it would improve safety for other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.


Falken Azenis FK510 ultra high performance tyre: Quiet and grippy

                SHAH ALAM: The new Falken Azenis FK510 ultra high performance tyre that's set to be launched locally this Wednesday promises outstanding wet and dry handling, lower road noise levels and shorter wet braking distances.

Produced in Japan, it is aimed at passenger cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with 2.0-litre engines or higher, and is available in 88 sizes ranging from 17 to 22-inch.

Recommended retail prices are from RM400 to RM1,500.

Local Falken tyre distributor Stamford Tyres also plans to release a run-flat variant of the Azenis FK510 next year.

The Azenis FK510 was designed by Falken engineers using 4D Nano design tread compound, which optimises new high-performance compounds that enhance both wear and wet weather traction.

The new tyre also features Tension Control Technology, which is a proprietary casing mold shape that provides a more flexible middle sidewall area to absorb shock while providing better handling.

The Azenis FK510 also has an Adaptive Constant Pressure (ACP) pattern design, which provides enhanced tyre tread to road surface pressure distribution, thus improving both directional stability and vehicle-stopping distances.

Meanwhile, the tyre's wide shoulder blocks enhance high-speed cornering and lateral grip while its four circumferential grooves efficiently disperse water and enhance hydroplane resistance.

Stamford Tyres also organised a tyre performance session at an open tarmac next to the Shah Alam Stadium, featuring a few Honda Accord cars fitted with the older Falken Azenis FK453 ultra-high performance tyre, a competitor tyre and the Azenis FK510.

To check out the characteristics of the three tyres, media members were driven by experienced instructors on a cone-filled slalom run at about 40kph, followed by a wet braking test at 60kph and finally, a quick drive on public roads around the Shah Alam Stadium.

The Azenis FK510 was easily the more outstanding among the three tyres in terms of cornering grip, shorter braking distances in the wet as well as a quieter ride.


BMW banks on Nvidia for advanced virtual factory planning

                MUNICH: The BMW Group and Nvidia are working on a new approach to planning highly complex manufacturing systems – with the Omniverse platform.

The virtual factory planning tool integrates a range of planning data and applications and allows real-time collaboration with unrestricted compatibility.

"Omniverse greatly enhances the precision, speed and consequently the efficiency of our planning processes,” said Milan Nedeljkovic, BMW AG Board Member for Production.

“BMW does personalised manufacturing at a massive scale - their operations are among the most complex in the world,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia.

“In their vision of future factories, people and robots work together, engineers from all aspects of factory design collaborate in a shared virtual space, and the entire factory is simulated with photorealistic detail. Nvidia Omniverse was built to realise this future."

Virtual factory planning is already widespread, but until now it has required data to be imported from various applications. This is not only time-consuming but also raises compatibility issues. In addition, the data is not always up to date.

In the future, the Omniverse platform will enable live data to be collected and collated from all the relevant databases to create a joint simulation – eliminating the need to reimport data. The goal is to enable modifications and adjustments to be assessed in the early stages of planning in order to create an overall view.

This level of transparency will allow planners and production specialists to plan highly complex production systems even more quickly and accurately, without interface losses or compatibility problems. Omniverse integrates data from various professional design and planning tools from a range of different producers and uses it to generate photo-realistic real-time simulations in a single collaborative setting.

Another advantage is that employees at different sites in different time zones can access the virtual simulation and work together to plan and optimise details of a process or production system whenever they need to.

In addition, Omniverse can be used in a multitude of applications: in the future, planners and production specialists will collaborate using real-time data that is synchronised in the Omniverse cloud infrastructure.

They will also be able to discuss the integration of new production systems with suppliers. Omniverse allows structure and facility data to be integrated, as well as items and part numbers of materials in production. It can also be used for logistics planning, offering unprecedented data consistency, from planning through to production.

The BMW Group and Nvidia are long-standing partners. In a first pilot project, the US-based company fitted high-performance technologies and special AI control modules to logistics robots and to the BMW Group’s self-developed autonomous transport robots.


Malaysians prefer comfortable tyres

                PETALING JAYA: When it comes to their car tyres, Malaysian car owners are largely a practical lot. In a recent GfK study conducted among car owners, a higher proportion (67%) indicated that they will change their car tyres to improve comfort, compared to the lower number who will do it for the sake of enhancing their car’s performance (49%). Even then, three in five (60%) said they will only do so out of necessity.

The study was conducted in December 2015 where car owners were surveyed on various aspects of car tyre purchasing attitude and behavior to uncover consumer purchasing trends for car tyres in the region.

“Our research findings show that car owners generally change their tyres only when needed, such as when there’s puncture or if they are worn out,” said Selinna Chin, managing director for GfK in Malaysia. “Besides this group of consumers, there are others, albeit to a much lesser extent, who would deliberately change their car tyres for greater reliability or better performance.”

Nearly two in five (39%) replace their car tyres by the third year of owning their car, while 37%  does it within two years. When it comes to key drivers of car tyre brand selection, findings reveal that brands play a significant role in helping car owners make their selection of what kind of tyres to choose. Over a quarter (26%) said they prefer to go with the original car tyre brand which came with the car when it was first purchased. Another 18 % also said they tend to choose a brand that they often use and are familiar with.

“Many respondents indicated their reluctance to switch to a new car tyre brand unless they have personally encountered a bad experience with the existing one,” commented Chin. “Hence, it is very important for brands to collaborate with car manufacturers to ensure that new vehicles are installed with their brands to improve the likelihood of car owners opting for their brand as the preferred one during tyre replacement.”


New Ford Ranger FX4 gets June 3 launch date

The Ranger FX4 for the Australian market.
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, today announced that the new Ford Ranger FX4 is scheduled for launch in Malaysia via both YouTube and Facebook Live on June 3, 11am.

“As we embrace the new normal, we also embrace in new ways to bring excitement to our customers, and we are doing so by being the first pickup truck in the country to launch a vehicle simultaneously on both Facebook and YouTube live,” said SDAC managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

The Ranger FX4 is also packed with a host of smart technologies and safety features seen in the current Ranger vehicles, including 4X4 Shift-On-The-Fly, rain sensing wipers, the light and nimble Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), daytime running lights and headlights for better visibility.

It also comes with two airbags, Limited Slip Differential, Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), ISOFIX child seat mounts, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Rollover Mitigation, Trailer Sway Control and Adaptive Load Control.

To celebrate the launch, the first 150 customers who purchase the New Ford Ranger FX4 will receive the following accessories worth RM5,398 for free: a matte black sports bar and executive tinting and in-built Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that offers a range of smart and safety functions including high-definition (HD) recording, wide angle viewing, night view recording and Mobile App connect via Hotspot. It also comes with 8GB memory card.

Customers who would like to place a vehicle booking ahead of the launch to take advantage of the free accessories can reach out to the Ford Digital Salesperson at +6019-204 1200 from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, excluding public holidays.


Proton announces own loyalty card

SUBANG JAYA: Proton has  announced a loyalty programme, allowing all registered Proton owners to sign up for the card to start enjoying its benefits.

The card, known as the DRB-Hicom Elite Card, was introduced at the Oct 3-4 Alami Proton Carnival, where a booth had been set up for Proton owners to register for free. Every registration at the carnival entitled each applicant to 300 pre-loaded Elite Points.

The programme is based on points collection and redemption. It aims to reward consumers with 1 Elite Point for every RM1 spent at any Proton outlets or participating merchants nationwide. Members will earn Elite Points for every transaction that they make with any participating merchants of the programme. They also can keep track of their Elite Points balance history and expiry by logging in to www.drb-hicomelite.com or calling the Elite hotline at 1-300-888-303.

As an Elite member, other advantages include Home Assist, Lifestyle Assist and Concierge Assist, Accident and Breakdown Towing Assistance and Emergency Roadside Assistance and Discounts and Perks Redemption.

For Home Assist, members are entitled to request for assistance on issues like plumbing repairs, air-conditioning service and repairs, electrical wiring repairs, locksmith, cleaning of carpets, and pest control services, among others. For the Lifestyle Assist and Concierge Assist, members can seek assistance to hotel and restaurant reservations, golf tee-off reservations, flower deliveries, and ticketing.

On discounts and perks redemption, members will be entitled to a discount of up to 30% on the published rate at selected hotels/resorts and car rental business partner, Avis Rent-A-Car. Apart from that, members of the loyalty programme are also entitled to a discount of 5% of the premium rate for motor insurance renewal made via DRB-Hicom Elite Programme at Multi Automotive Service and Assist, a DRB-Hicom Berhad subsidiary.

Proton said the two-day carnival attracted over 17,000 visitors and recorded RM30mil in bookings and sales.


Isuzu buying UD Trucks from Volvo in US$2.3bil deal

                TOKYO: Isuzu Motors Ltd is buying Japanese manufacturer UD Trucks from Volvo Group as part of a strategic alliance, the latest sign of consolidation in the global automotive industry.

UD Trucks, which used to be part of Nissan Motor Co. before it was sold to Volvo more than a decade ago, is based in Saitama, Japan.

Isuzu, which sold 530,000 vehicles last year, is acquiring the business for 250 billion yen (RM9.5bil) in enterprise value, the companies said in a statement today.

As electric motors, autonomous capabilities and new mobility services disrupt the industry, automakers big and small have been forging alliances. Toyota has teamed up with Suzuki, Mazda, and Subaru through partnerships and equity stakes.

Such pacts are becoming ever more critical in the global auto industry as manufacturers seek to pool resources and save costs. Ford has teamed up with Volkswagen AG, while Honda and General Motors are working together.

Isuzu and Volvo said they will work to create a "global technology partnership and to create a stronger, combined heavy-duty truck business for Isuzu Motors and UD Trucks in Japan and across international markets.”


If you're keen on installing a dashboard camera, go with a crash cam

                BERLIN: Drivers who are interested in recording their commutes or travels with a camera for their car or motorcycle are best off with a so-called "crash cam."

These cameras only start recording for a small window of time in the event of an accident. As Anja Smetanin from the major German automobile club ACE explains, the memory card in these cameras is also constantly being overwritten, so that you don't run out of memory or end up with days and days of footage.

Recordings from dashboard cameras may be used as evidence in court in some countries. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that motorists are allowed to film from their vehicles constantly, as this is still illegal in some jurisdictions.

Some cameras can also be manually switched on to start recording when needed – but, of course, important events may already have happened, explains Dusseldorf-based lawyer Paetrick Sakowski.

Sakowski sees dashboard cameras as a useful device for motorists. “When used in accordance with privacy laws, they are a great way to collect evidence, especially in traffic accident cases where there are no witnesses or conflicting stories,” he says.

A good miniature camera costs between US$120 and US$215 (up to RM856). They are a worthwhile investment for motorists who travel a lot, especially in cities and regions with heavy traffic.

Smetanin also sees the benefits of having a "witness on the windscreen," but says there are some drivers for whom it simply doesn't make sense.

In light traffic or for occasional drivers, they are likely not necessary. “Cameras should help prove who is at fault in the event of an accident," says Smetanin. However, she also points out that one’s own recordings can, on a case-by-case basis, be confiscated and used against you in court.

In terms of a camera’s installation, the general rules of any retrofit apply: No one should be hampered or endangered by the camera, so they should be mounted outside the field of view. They should also be installed firmly enough that they don’t come loose and become a potentially dangerous projectile if a driver hits the brakes.

As with other electronic devices such as phones, motorists should only use cameras held in place with a mounted bracket and not hold one in their hands. Even in a bracket, they should only have to operate the device briefly.