Renault CEO seeks partner on hybrids to bring scale, cut costs

De Meo speaking during the presentation of the Scenic Vision, a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Paris. — Reuters
SEOUL: Renault chief executive Luca De Meo said today the automaker was looking to find a partner for a carve-out of its combustion-engine business that would bring scale and drive down costs on technology, including hybrids.

De Meo was answering a question about Renault's discussions with Geely Automobile after touring a factory in South Korea that Renault has been running in a joint-venture with Geely since earlier this year.

"This is the kind of sector or industry where you need to play the game of scale to find synergies, and to reduce user cost," De Meo told reporters in Seoul. "It is a project that is there to project our combustion engine cars into the future. We need a partner to do this, and we are doing that."

De Meo said Renault was in talks with the French government over its evolving strategy. "It's not a matter of authorisation. It's just an ongoing, continuous conversation (on) different topics we have with one of our main shareholders," he said.

De Meo had been in Japan over the weekend for a round of talks with Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida that could reshape the terms of their alliance, people with knowledge of the talks said.

Renault and Nissan said on Monday they were in talks about a reset in their partnership that could include the Japanese automaker investing in a new electric vehicle (EV) venture Renault plans to carve out from its business.

Separately, Geely, which owns Volvo Cars and a 9.7% stake in Daimler AG, has been talking to Renault about taking a significant and potentially controlling stake in the combustion-engine business that Renault is also looking to spin out, people with knowledge of those talks said.

Geely declined to comment.

Nissan would also have to endorse the plan for Geely to take a large stake in Renault's gas-engine business, code-named "Horse", if that included technology developed by Nissan.

New partnerships

Volvo and Geely created a joint-venture under the name Aurobay to shift their own combustion-engine business into a new stand-alone business last year

In May, Renault sold 34% of its South Korean subsidiary, centred on a factory in Busan, to Geely. The two carmakers announced plans to develop and build hybrid vehicles there.

Renault's Korea unit said on Tuesday it would invest the equivalent of $873 million to develop electric vehicle models over the next six years.

De Meo's visit to South Korea was the first time he has visited the factory since bringing in Geely as a partner, and it comes with Renault facing an initial deadline of early November to report on its progress in launching its EV unit.

De Meo has said Renault needs new partnerships because of the scale of the investment needed to shift toward battery-powered cars and charging.

Renault is looking to win Nissan as an investor in its new EV venture, which it is setting up alongside a separate combustion engine unit, essentially splitting out the higher-growth and investment-hungry portion of its auto business.

In exchange for investing in the EV venture, Nissan is looking to Renault to reduce its stake in the Japanese automaker, a person familiar with the talks said.

Renault currently owns about 43% of Nissan, which in turn has a 15% stake in its long-term partner with the French state holding another 15%.

Geely, founded by billionaire Li Shufu, ranks seventh in China by sales and stands out for its proactive approach to collaboration with other automakers and for using established brands, including Volvo and Lotus, as it expanded outside its home market.


2016 Paris Motor Show: CarSifu rounds up top 7 concept cars

                PARIS: Welcome to the Mondial De L’Automobile Paris 2016 or simply put, the Paris Motor Show. And what better way to glimpse the future of automobiles than with concept cars. To kick things off, we'll start with the French marque Renault and its vision of what the future may hold with the Trezor.

 Trezor.1. Renault Trezor

The concept uses warm, simple, sensual lines and Renault design cues to create a Grand Tourer with a high output all-electric powertrain with an electrifying 350hp and 380Nm of torque. 0 to 62mph in under four seconds but more interestingly the only car with a one-piece clamshell roof which opens like the lid of a jewellery box. Et voila!

2. Volkswagen I.D.

And speaking of electric, the Germans or in this case, Volkswagen has aspirations for being the global market leader with the I.D. The I.D. is the first in a completely new generation of highly innovative electric vehicles from Volkswagen and is ready to launch by 2020. It also will feature a fully automated “I.D.Pilot” driving mode starting in 2025.

 Volkswagen I.D.
3. Hyundai RN30

Hyundai Motor presented the RN30 Concept, building anticipation of the future high-performance ‘N’ models. The motor sport-inspired racing concept is developed to deliver passion and pleasure on the track. Based on the New Generation Hyundai i30, the RN30 was born as a racing machine featuring a 2.0-litre turbo engine with 380 PS with all-wheel drive.

 Hyundai RN30.4. Mercedes-Benz Gen EQ

The concept vehicle, with the appearance of a sporty SUV coupé, gives a preview of a new generation of vehicles with battery-electric drives. Two electric motors, with a system output that can be increased to up to 300kW and permanent all-wheel drive deliver the guarantee of dynamic high-level performance. It has a range of up to 500km and has all aspects of safety, comfort, functionality and connectivity.

 Gen EQ.5. BMW Concept X2

This new addition to the compact segment has a distinctive design that stands apart from that of the other X models and also draws on the BMW Group’s history of coupe-making. The result is a compact concept exuding urban sporting appeal.

 BMW Concept X2.
6. Lexus UX Concept

The UX is Lexus' take on a radical compact crossover packaging that is robust yet agile and shows off an "inside-out styling concept". The design of the four-seater is fluid and flowy from exterior to interior. Wheel arches, roof bars, and door cameras all reinforce the “inside-out” styling theme. They are all finished in the same material, and represent a form of continuous yet interrupted bone structure.

The UX Concept brings together the appearance and 4x4 presence of an off-roader with a low ground clearance and a coupe-like driving position. It would be remiss not to mention Kinetic Seat Concept,

What's absolutely intriguing are the use of spider web-pattern net seats known as Kinetic Seats that are still conceptual as well. Such seats apparently improve driving comfort.

The seat frame “upholstery” comprises a spider web-pattern net with threads that spread out radially from the center of the back rest. The net, made of synthetic spider silk materials, is sufficiently flexible to closely fit body shape. Sitting in the seat helps stabilise head movement caused by vehicle motion, keeping the field of vision steady.

7. Mitsubishi GT-PHEV

The concept projects the image of a “ground tourer” – a car made for cruising across a vast land – expressing Functional Beauty, Augmented Possibility, Sculptured Dynamism, Japanese Craftsmanship. This PHEV system comprises a next-generation high-capacity drive battery package, three high-output and high-efficiency motors and an engine designed especially for the PHEV system featuring improved electricity generation performance and motive performance.

 Mitsubishi GT-PHEV.


Marchionne to become Ferrari CEO as well

                MARANELLO: Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne will also become the luxury carmaker's chief executive after Amedeo Felisa's decision to retire, the company said in a statement on Monday.

Felisa's departure was expected for months after sources said last August that the executive born in 1946 was getting ready to retire. Felisa, who previously headed product development at Alfa Romeo, joined Ferrari in 1990 and became its CEO in 2008.

Marchionne will assume the CEO responsibilities at the Italian luxury group while retaining his current role as chairman. Felisa will continue to serve on the board of directors as technical advisor to the company.

Combining the chairman and CEO jobs is not a first for Ferrari, as Luca Cordero di Montezemolo held both posts for several years.

Ferrari said it expected to report 2016 adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of at least 800 million euros (RM3.6bil) on shipments of more than 7,900 vehicles.

Marchionne, who is also CEO at Fiat Chrysler, has sought to position Ferrari as a luxury goods business in a bid to replicate the high-flying stock market valuations of companies such as Hermes  and Prada.


Underground 'Parthenon' protecting Tokyo from floods

The cavernous complex charged with protecting Tokyo and surrounding areas from catastrophic flooding. — All pix by AFP
KASUKABE (Japan): It has been called Japan's underground "Parthenon", a cavernous complex charged with protecting Tokyo and surrounding areas from catastrophic flooding — a risk experts warn is growing as climate change advances.

Above ground, there is little to give away the cathedral-like feat of engineering that forms the main reservoir of the Kasukabe flood tank, the largest facility of its kind in the world.

The immense structure — deep enough in some parts to hold the Statue of Liberty — funnels away and redirects excess water from storms and typhoons, protecting one of the globe's most populous capitals.

Soaring pillars weighing 500 tonnes each support the main reservoir, a bare concrete tank the length of two football fields.

Staff at the facility in Saitama, north of Tokyo, are on constant alert, especially during Japan's rainy and typhoon seasons from June to late October.

"In this area, torrential rain, typhoons and even daily rainfall can cause damage by submerging houses and roads," the site's chief, Nobuyuki Akiyama, told AFP.

The reservoir has helped reduce the number of homes affected by water damage in nearby areas by around 90 percent, he said.

In Tokyo alone — a city cut through by more than 100 rivers — there are 10 other underground reservoirs and three flood tunnels, and more flood-protection structures are being built.

 The main building of the metropolitan outer underground discharge channel is pictured in Kasukabe, Saitama prefecture.

And in western Japan's Osaka, a flood facility similar to the Kasukabe reservoir is being built at a cost of 366 billion yen (RM14.5mil). Construction is scheduled to finish in 2044.

But experts warn more may be needed, as global warming makes what were previously once-a-century storms increasingly common, and catastrophic.

"Japan... has a climate in which floods and heavy rain tend to occur frequently," says Kei Yoshimura, professor of meteorology at the University of Tokyo and expert on river flooding.

"But on top of that, now global warming is advancing," said Yoshimura.

 An employee looking down the 72.1 metre-deep number 1 tank of the metropolitan outer underground discharge channel in Kasukabe, Saitama prefecture.More typhoons

In recent years, the rainy and typhoon seasons have brought regular destruction.

Massive flooding and landslides killed more than 80 people in west Japan this July, and a typhoon last year killed nearly one hundred people in the country's east.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says the number of typhoons a year that threaten Tokyo has jumped 1.5 times in the last four decades.

The Kasukabe reservoir is connected to a 6.3-kilometre tunnel and the system can release accumulated water into the nearby Edogawa river at a rate equivalent to discharging a 25-metre swimming pool every second, with the power of a jumbo-jet engine.

Built in 2006, at a cost of 230 billion yen (RM9.1bil), the facility swings into action around seven times a year.

Excess water flows in automatically, and operators pump it out from the main tank when it approaches capacity, Akiyama said.

This year it had already been used seven times by September, with water discharged twice after an unusually long rainy season, he added.

Official studies credit the single facility with having saved 148 billion yen (RM5.8bil) in disaster clean-up costs so far.


Delphi plans coast-to-coast demo of its self-driving car

                DETROIT: Delphi Automotive PLC aims to demonstrate its growing prowess in self-driving cars with what it bills as the "longest automated drive ever attempted in North America" - a 5,632km coast-to-coast excursion in a specially rigged Audi SQ5 that will mostly drive itself.

Delphi, one of the largest suppliers of automotive electronics and safety systems, is using the long journey in the Audi crossover to acquire real-world data from a sophisticated array of cameras, radar and lidar - a laser mapping technology - as well as wireless connected-vehicle technology.

Delphi also wants to test and demonstrate its active safety systems, which are being developed with such suppliers as Mobileye NV, an Israeli maker of computer vision and collision avoidance systems, and software provider Ottomatika, a spinout from Carnegie Mellon University's self-driving car program.

Delphi's demonstration underscores growing interest and investments by automakers and suppliers in self-driving cars, some of which could be production-ready by 2020.

The Delphi drive will kick off March 22 near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, with plans to wind up in New York City just before the annual auto show opens there on April 3.

Jeff Owens, Delphi's chief technology officer, sees the automated driver assistance systems in the Audi as building blocks on the road to fully self-driving cars in the next decade.

Although automakers and suppliers will have such capability within the next five years, Owens said, "our view is that the driver is going to be in the seat for a long time" in case of emergency situations that self-driving systems may not be equipped or programmed to handle.

During the coast-to-coast journey in the Audi, at least two Delphi engineers will be aboard, including one behind the wheel.

Delphi, a former General Motors Co unit domiciled in Britain, will test such functions as traffic jam assist, automated highway pilot with lane change and automated parking and valet. All of those systems are expected to be introduced in production cars over the next two to three years.

Fully automated systems that may be phased in after 2020 could add about US$5,000 to the cost of a car, estimates Glen De Vos, vice president of advanced and product engineering for Delphi's electronics and safety division.

Delphi is providing some of the components and technology, including vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity, for GM's Super Cruise automated driving system, which will debut in 2016 on the new Cadillac CT6 sedan.


13 highways to offer lower toll rates on Xmas

                PETALING JAYA: Road users will enjoy discounts of up to 33% on tolls at certain highways during the Christmas season.

Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) said 13 highways will offer discounts of between 10% to 33%, while four toll plazas will slash toll prices by about 10% to 30% on Dec 25 this year.

“MHA wishes to express their gratitude to the highway concessionaires on the implementation of their corporate social responsibility programmes.

“Road users are advised to follow traffic rules and the signages provided on the way to the toll plazas, to ensure a smooth journey to their destination.

“Road users are also advised to plan their routes earlier using the Travel Time Advisory provided by the concessionaires,” MHA said in a statement on Monday (Dec 23).

The latest traffic updates can be obtained from MHA at 1800-88-7752 or their Twitter @LLMinfotrafik.

The full list of highways offering discounts are:

1) Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) - 33%

2) Lebuhraya Cheras-Kajang (GSSB) - 30%

3) Lebuhraya Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya (MEX) - 15%

4) Lebuhraya Pintas Selat Klang Utara Baru (GSNK) - 15%

5) Lebuhraya Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE) - 10%

6) Lebuhraya Shah Alam (KESAS) - 10%

7) Lebuhraya Koridor Guthrie (GCE) - 10%

8) Lebuhraya KL- Kuala Selangor (LATAR) - 10%

9) Lebuhraya Sungai Besi (BESRAYA) - 10%

10) Lebuhraya Senai - Desaru (SDE) - 10%

11) Lebuhraya Kuala Lumpur - Karak (KLK) - 10%

12)Lebuhraya Pantai Timur Phase 1 (LPT1) - 10%

13) Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (JSAHMS) - 10%

The toll plazas offering discounts are:

1) Pulau Indah Toll Plaza (Lebuhraya Lembah Klang Selatan - SKVE) - 30%

2) Pantai Dalam Toll Plaza (Lebuhraya Baru Pantai - NPE) - 10%

3) PJS5 Toll Plaza (Lebuhraya Baru Pantai - NPE) - 10%

4) Ampangan Toll Plaza (Lebuhraya Kajang - Seremban - LEKAS) - 10%


Return of the Best Deal of the Year by Toyota

                SHAH ALAM: A new hope has emerged for budding Toyota owners with the return of the "Best Deal of the year" sales campaign, which offers attractive promotions and prizes based on the upcoming movie - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, that's due to screen from Dec 17 onwards.

Aside from the campaign, customers and fans of the Star Wars franchise can also participate in the “Buy & Win, Money Can’t Buy Trip” (Nov 1 to 31 Dec) contest to stand a chance to win the Star Wars: The Force Awakens ‘Money Can’t Buy’ holiday for two to London Pinewood Studios, United Kingdom.

During the promotion, customers who participate in the Ultimate Test Drive & Win (Nov 1 to Dec 6) contest will also stand a chance to win Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie passes by test driving any Toyota model.

In addition, customers who purchase a Toyota will enjoy attractive cash rebates with free-value added package for selected models.

Showroom activities will also be held in conjunction with the campaign on selected weekends with exclusive merchandise and refreshments in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak (Nov 14 to 15), Sabah (Nov 21 to 22) and in all showrooms nationwide (Dec 5 to 6).

Lastly, Toyota's Star Wars-themed showrooms will also be giving away exclusive children's merchandise.

Now the only question remains - when will the competition strike back?


BorgWarner shares drop after new EV vision fails to impress

                DETROIT: BorgWarner Inc’s attempt to garner more respect from investors for its effort to shift to electrification fell flat, triggering an 8% slide in the auto-parts maker’s shares on the day it presented its strategic vision.

The Detroit-area based company gave a three-hour presentation Tuesday, making a case that it’s just as prepared for the move to electric cars as the vehicle assemblers it has longed supplied, including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Volkswagen AG.

Shares of those automakers each soared more than 30% this year through Tuesday, based in part on aggressive plans to sell more EVs. BorgWarner was up less than half that amount - and fell to US$44.30 Tuesday, the steepest drop since June.

“People have really asked the question: Is BorgWarner really positioned to succeed as the world shifts more dramatically towards electrification?” chief financial officer kevin Nowlan said in an interview.

“That’s exactly what today’s strategy is intended to address.”

The leading manufacturer of turbochargers for gasoline-powered vehicles is preparing to make the leap to the era of electrics. Ford and VW together account for about 24% of its sales, according to supply-chain data compiled by Bloomberg.

“Investors believe BWA is still playing ‘catch-up,’” Chris McNally, an analyst at Evercore ISI with an in-line rating on the stock, wrote in a research note published Wednesday.

Ryan Brinkman, an analyst at JPMorgan with an overweight rating, predicted in a note that investors eventually will warm to BorgWarner’s strategy as it wins more contracts to supply electrified products.

The company said it aims to boost revenue generated from EVs to about 45% of the total by 2030, up from the current 3%. It also will spend around 30% of its R&D total budget on electrification-related technology this year, raising that to almost 50% by 2025.

But those goals are less ambitious than Ford’s decision to double spending on EVs through 2025, GM’s pledge to go all-electric by 2035 and VW’s plan to build six car-battery factories.

As part of its repositioning, BorgWarner intends to sell off parts of its internal combustion engine business that generate between US$3 billion and US$4 billion in revenue, Nowlan said.

It plans to make up for that - at least in part - by acquiring electrification-related business that can generate US$2 billion to US$3 billion in revenue.

The CFO shrugged off the share price drop, saying the company’s margins and financial performance have been strong.

“We don’t get hung up on the one day movement,” he said. “It is really about driving long-term value.”


Japan's Renesas pushes into autos with Intersil buy

                TOKYO: Renesas Electronics Corp on Tuesday said it has agreed to buy US chipmaker Intersil Corp for US$3.2 billion, an all-cash deal that bolsters the Japanese group's efforts to refocus the company around automotive chips.

Slowing growth in computers and smartphones - the traditional mainstays of the chip industry - has fuelled a wave of mergers globally as chipmakers turn to areas such as auto electronics for sales growth.

Renesas, created from the semiconductor units of several Japanese companies, has amassed a significant war chest since a state fund and key clients bailed it out after the Fukushima earthquake five years ago.

"It was a competitive bid and we settled at a price almost at the maximum limit," Renesas CEO Bunsei Kure told a briefing for reporters and analysts here.

"We can combine our products and offer them in a package," he added, saying the chipmaker would "actively seek out other mergers" to further grow its business.

Kure's company paid US$22.5 a share for Intersil, 14 percent above Monday's closing price.

"They might be over-paying just a little, but if Renesas doesn't buy Intersil they will struggle to supply customers in the US,” said a manager at an investment fund in Singapore that owns Renesas shares.

"If they want to be a top auto-industry component maker they have to do this," he added, asking not to be identified because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

But Masatsune Yamaji, principal research analyst at Gartner in Tokyo, said he doubted the benefits of the deal.

"It's not clear that Renesas will be able to sell Intersil's chips to its existing customers. Intersil produces for PCs and IT infrastructure while Renesas makes for automakers," Yamaji said.

Intersil, whose chips are used in industrial, mobile and infrastructure applications, would expand Renesas' portfolio in analog chips, which process signals such as sound, light and temperature before converting them into digital signals.

It would also give it a presence in the US$10 billion power management segment of the chip market.

By combining those products, Kure said he expected to bolster income by as much US$170 million annually after four to five years.

At the end of last year, Tokyo-based Renesas was the world's third-largest chipmaker by market share, with 9.1 percent, data from technology research firm Gartner showed.

The acquisition will need to win approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which scrutinizes deals for potential national security issues.

While Intersil has a growing aerospace business and produces chips with military applications, Japan has close military ties with the United States and Renesas Chief Financial Officer Hidetoshi Shibata said he expected regulators to sign off on the deal.

Renesas, which controls nearly 40 percent of the global market for microcontroller chips used in automobiles, will fully control Intersil after the buy-out. It aims to complete the deal by June 2017.

Renesas beat US suitor Maxim Integrated Products Inc, promising Intersil access to its network of automotive clients to boost the auto-related business, said sources. A Maxim spokesman declined to comment.


BMW billionaire heirs say their lives are harder than you think

                MUNICH: Dealing with the responsibility and jealousy from inheriting wealth is a misunderstood burden, according to Susanne Klatten and Stefan Quandt, the billionaire siblings who together own almost half of BMW AG.

“Many believe that we are permanently sitting around on a yacht in the Mediterranean,” Klatten told Manager Magazin in a rare interview with her younger brother published Thursday.

“The role as a guardian of wealth also has personal sides that aren’t so nice.”

Klatten - whose father Herbert Quandt helped rescue BMW in the late 1950s - is Germany’s second-richest person with a fortune valued at US$18.6 billion (RM77bil), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. She has also built up holdings in chemicals company Altana AG and carbon producer SGL Carbon SE.

 Stefan Quandt and his sister, Susanne Klatten. — Bloomberg

Quandt, who owns stakes in logistics company Logwin and homeopathic medicine company Heel, has a net worth of US$15.5 billion (RM64bil). Both he and his sister have seats on BMW’s supervisory board.

“For both of us, it’s certainly not the money that drives us,” said Quandt. “Above all, it is the responsibility of securing jobs in Germany.”

The two heirs say they’re comfortable with their roles, but initially struggled with taking on high-level positions at young ages. Quandt, who was 30 when he was given his first board seat, said he might have wanted to work a few years as a “simple” product manager somewhere or study architecture.

“My starting point was never: So, now I come and show everyone how it’s done,” said Quandt, who questions the rationale of inheritance tax. “Instead, it was a constant questioning, associated with self-doubt.”

Klatten, who gained notoriety in 1978 when police foiled a plot to kidnap her and her mother Johanna, said that wealth redistribution doesn’t work and that a fair society allows people to pursue opportunities according to their abilities.

“Our potential stems from the role of being an heir and developing that,” she said. “We work hard on that every day.”


Vehicle sales to grow by 3.15%, says Frost & Sullivan

                KUALA LUMPUR: Frost & Sullivan expects Malaysian 2015 vehicle sale to grow by 3.15% to 685,950 units year-on-year on due to new model launches with competitive pricing and stable economic condition.

"The high back orders in 2014 from Perodua Axia and Proton Iriz are likely to support vehicle sales growth this year," said Frost & Sullivan senior partner Kawan Mukhtyar to reporters at a media briefing today.

He expects the passenger vehicles segment to grow 3.2% to 608,000 units year-on-year, while the commercial vehicles segment to grow about 2.6% to 78,000 units.

For 2014, Mukhtyar estimates vehicle sale to end at 665,000 units, a mere 1.4% year-on-year growth driven by the launch of several new models such as Honda City, Honda Jazz, Perodua Axia and Proton Iriz.

While he is targeting that the national carmakers would continue to be market leaders in the passenger vehicles market, Proton and Perodua are expected to see decline in their market share to 20% and 33% respectively.

In 2013, Proton has a market share of 24% and Perodua has 34% in the passenger vehicles market.

However, Mukhtyar expects that the commercial vehicles market to decline 3.9% to 76,100 units in 2014 due to lack of major construction projects.


Perodua Bezza drives a good deal - NEW VIDEO

                The Perodua Bezza sedan isn't just another compact car; it is also a showcase of just how far Perodua has come since it started operations 22 years ago.

Renowned for its nippy, compact vehicles for the budget-conscious, Perodua had never produced a sedan - a passenger car body type favoured by many Malaysians for the extra cargo capacity. That is, until now.

And what a reception the Bezza has received; bookings reached 10,115 units just five days after it was launched on July 21.

To provide some perspective, the Bezza uses the same platform as the immensely popular Perodua Axia five-door compact hatchback. It's about the same size as the Perodua Axia, except that it's longer because it has a huge Toyota Vios-like boot.

It's slightly smaller than the Perodua Myvi in terms of footprint; like the Axia, it will seat four adults comfortably but five adults will be a wee bit of a squeeze. It's also a bit smaller than the Proton Saga, but it has a much bigger boot - 508 litres versus the Saga's 413 litres.

Deep and spacious boot easily fits in a baby stroller. While there is plenty of legroom, headroom is just about adequate for 1.73-metre adults like us.

Our heads touched the rear sloping roofline when we leaned back in an upright position.

Our test drive unit here is the RM50,800 top-of-the-range Bezza 1.3-litre auto Advance variant fitted with dual front seatbelt reminder system (SBR) and vehicle stability control (VSC), and received the maximum 5-star safety rating from Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries).

Only the Bezza Advance gets dual front SBR and VSC, traction control, regenerative braking system, hill start assist, powered foldable side mirrors, and a multimedia system with navigation, and a reverse camera.

The 1.3-litre Bezza variants also get extra kit like front fog lamps, electric side mirrors, smart entry and engine push-start button, solar and security window film.

Safety kit also includes two airbags, ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution), and ISOFIX child seat anchors and top tether.

There is also a touchscreen display with a four-speaker audio system, USB and Bluetooth, and GPS Navigation. A rear USB port is useful for charging smartphones.

Also exclusive to the Bezza Advance is a fuel-saving technology called eco-idle, where the engine is automatically shut down and restarted at traffic lights or during standstill in traffic congestion. If you find this irritating, you can switch it off. Black leather seats are also exclusive to the Bezza Advance, and we liked the interior fit and finish.

As for cabin storage options, you get a recess and two cup holders in front of the gear stick, four door pockets, and front seat-back pockets. Each front seat-back has a "da pao (takeaway)" hook to hang packaged drinks or food, and there's an anti-theft “handbag hook” at the side of the front passenger seat.

Pressing the lever for the trip odometer shows you useful data like travel range remaining and average fuel consumption. All four side windows are powered, but only the driver's window has the one-touch up/down function.

And don't worry if you forget to switch off the headlights; the Bezza has a headlight auto-off mechanism when you shut down the engine, and open the driver's door. Leave the headlights at the "On" position on the control lever, and your headlights are switched on again when you start the engine.

The 1.3-litre engine is from the Perodua Myvi, but it comes with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) and has been improved for slightly more power and fuel efficiency.

The four-speed automatic gearbox is efficient, and the Bezza proves to be quite a nippy car, because like typical Perodua cars - it is lightweight (Bezza Advance has a 930kg kerb weight) and has good power-to-weight ratio. Perodua claims the Bezza Advance is a fuel sipper, and it can achieve 22km per litre.

It is shod with 14-inch alloy wheels, and runs on low rolling resistance Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres sized 175/65.

When driven at 80kph on smooth highways, we noted that the tachometer needle was at 2,000rpm. At 90kph, the needle hovered around 2,200 to 2,300rpm. At 100kph, the needle was at 2,500rpm. At 110kph, the needle hovered around 2,700 to 2,800rpm.

On the motorway, there was a bit of wind and road noise in the cabin, but this is at far from uncomfortable levels. Engine noise intrusion is far from unbearable, even when we hit the 6,200rpm redline.

The suspension is well-sorted out, and is adequately soaks up bumps and irregularities on badly-maintained roads. When we drove spiritedly, it handled decently on twisty roads and stayed well-planted through corners.

There is little to criticise here. Of course, being greedy consumers, we can always wish that Perodua had fitted a centre arm-rest or storage box between the front seats, or rear air-conditioning vents.

In summary, the Bezza Advance is a very well-equipped car, has a well-crafted interior, provides nippy motoring, delivers plenty of bang for the ringgit, and it is easy to see why it is selling like hotcakes.

READ MORE:
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Perodua Bezza priced from RM37,300 to RM50,800
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Indonesia plans to cut domestic sedan sales tax, aims to buoy production

Heavy traffic in Jakarta. — AFP
JAKARTA: Indonesia plans to lower taxes on domestic sedan sales in a bid to promote the country, the biggest car market in Southeast Asia, as a manufacturing hub for sedans, a finance ministry official said today.

Sedans have so far been included in the luxury goods category and is subject to higher taxes of about 30-40 percent, versus multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) that carry a 10-20 percent tax, making them less attractive to car makers and buyers.

The plan to cut the sales tax for sedans has been included in a revision to the country's Value Added Tax and Luxury-Goods Sales Tax Law, which the government will propose to parliament soon, said Goro Ekanto, who heads revenue policy study at the finance ministry's fiscal policy office.

"How much the reduction is and its impact will be discussed further before a decision is made," Ekanto said.

Industry minister Airlangga Hartanto said by cutting taxes, the government hopes to get carmakers to produce more sedans, not only for the domestic market but also for exports.

"We hope to enhance the potential to export sedans and one way to do it is to bring tax on sedans into alignment. In the global market, demand for sedans is much higher than for MPVs and SUVs (sport utility vehicles)," said Hartanto.

Indonesia charges a 30 percent luxury tax on sales of sedans with a cylinder capacity of up to 1,500 cubic centimetre (cc), while sales of 1,500-3,000 cc sedans are taxed at 40 percent. In contrast, sales of smaller MPVs are currently taxed at 10 percent, while larger models are taxed at 20 percent.

A number of brands sell sedans in Indonesia, including Honda Motor and Toyota Motor that have the biggest share of total car sales in the country.

But manufacturers have said the difference in tariffs has discouraged them from producing sedans in Indonesia, which overtook Thailand as Southeast Asia's largest car market in recent years and is growing as a regional production base.

The country's Car Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo) has proposed the tariff on sales of smaller sedans be reduced to 10 percent to match that of MPVs.

A total of 533,903 vehicles, including sedans, were sold in the domestic market in the first half of 2017, up 0.3 percent from a year ago. In 2016, sedans accounted for about 2 percent of the 1.1 million cars sold.

Indonesia can produce more sedans if tax rates are cut, but the industry should focus on domestic market first, before exports, Gaikindo co-chairman Jongkie Sugiarto said.


Toyota announces new CFO in executive shake-up

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today Kenta Kon (pic) will become its chief financial officer and the roles of some executives will be consolidated, as the Japanese automaker attempts to improve its production systems and cut costs further.

Announcing a series of management changes, Toyota said in a statement that executive vice presidents Didier Leroy and Moritaka Yoshida would resign from their posts, while Leroy would continue as a company director.

Kon currently serves as chief accounting officer. All changes are effective April 1.


Third national car project should explore electric vehicles, says minister

                PUTRAJAYA: Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar says that the proposed third national car project explore energy-efficient vehicles as its core investment.

He said fossil fuels would probably last another 25 years or less and that there was a need to evolve and shift to more sustainable forms of energy.

Car makers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Nissan have all jumped on the electric car bandwagon in an effort to explore marketing and commercialisation options in the long run, he said in a statement today.

"The way forward is, of course, the electric vehicle (EV) option. The evolution from fossil fuel vehicles to EVs has already begun. At present, while the world continues to watch F1 racing, Formula E racing is fast picking up its own set of fans.

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Dr Xavier said once EVs are mass-produced, people would have the option to buy environment-friendly vehicles at more affordable prices.

He said that the younger generation could pursue knowledge of and advance this new technology, which could allow Malaysia to its mark in the automobile segment, both regionally and globally.

"The EV car industry is a relatively new field, with Elon Musk's Tesla leading the way at present. The opportunity to get our youths to jump on board and expand it further is limitless. Let the government move forward with the idea," he said, referring to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's intention to introduce a third national car in an effort to boost and spearhead the economy.

Dr Xavier said it was reported recently that two Chinese companies were willing to invest up to US$10bil (RM41bil) to kick-start the project for the first five years.

Additionally, Dr Mahathir's proposal had also attracted the interest of several Japanese carmakers such as Toyota and Nissan, he said.

"In my opinion, should either deal go through, it could only benefit the country and its people in the long run," he added.


Updated BMW X5 arrives from RM457,000

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Malaysia has announced new features for the locally-assembled BMW X5 xDrive45eM Sport, which it says enhances the appearance of the electrified sports activity vehicle (SAV or SUV), but also its safety and visibility.

With on-the-road without insurance price of RM457,498, which  includes BMW Service and Repair Inclusive as well as Sales and Service Tax exemption, the new "Boss" will be equipped with BMW Laserlight for greater illumination and enhancing road visibility at night.

The Adaptive Headlights with BMW Selective Beam is equipped with laser high beam modules that offer a much higher light intensity compared with bi-LED lights.

The new SAV also features Active Protection, which will see two more side airbags added to the second row of the vehicle, bringing the total amount of airbags to eight units.

The Active Protection also prepares passengers in the cabin for collision, should an accident be imminent.

For example, if the windows and sunroof are open, they will automatically be shut to ensure the highest level of safety for all occupants.

In addition, the reversible seatbelt pre-tensioning is also implemented whereupon seatbelt fastening, an electric motor will automatically tighten the seatbelt to the ideal tension based on the passenger’s body.

Lastly, the SAV is fitted with new 21-inch 741M Alloy Wheels in Orbit Grey.

The SAV will still get the Live Cockpit Professional, Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant Plus, Rear Seat Entertainment, as well as Vernasca genuine leather upholstery to maintain a luxurious nature, complemented by sporty performance that is unmatched in its segment.

Under Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the new X5 is available with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,882 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).

Owners will also get the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

> BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
> BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
> The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App - BMW Privileges Card
> BMW Service Online


New Toyota tech unit promises world's safest drive

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp unveiled its Woven Planet research unit at a virtual media event on Friday, promising to deliver the world’s “safest mobility” as competition heats up to develop self-driving and connected cars.

In the online presentation, dubbed “The Genesis”, Woven Planet executives provided few hints into specific features in the pipeline, but said a new assisted-driving system would be mounted on the company’s passenger cars by the end of this year.

The company also said it would be ready to unveil a fully self-driving prototype “in the near future”, without elaborating.

As traditional automakers face competition from the likes of Apple, Amazon and Sony, Toyota is looking to marry Woven Planet’s Silicon Valley approach with its storied Toyota Production System manufacturing process to develop the next generation of cars.

Fully self-driven cars are still likely to be years away, but rival General Motors Co this month made a splash at the virtual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with a fully-autonomous all-electric flying Cadillac concept, while Chinese search engine operator Baidu unveiled a partnership with local car brand Geely.

Led by ex-Google roboticist James Kuffner, Woven Planet also says it has the advantage of scale in collecting data - key to developing artificial intelligence-aided software - through the tens of millions of Toyota cars on the road worldwide. Toyota retook the crown as world’s best-selling automaker in 2020, unseating Volkswagen AG.

“This is really only the beginning,” Kuffner said in a pre-recorded presentation, where he introduced key executives from the Woven Planet Group, including founding family scion Daisuke Toyoda, son of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda.

“We’re just getting started with our technology and innovation to change the world,” Kuffner said.

Toyota last year unveiled plans to build a prototype “city of the future” called Woven City at the base of Mount Fuji powered by hydrogen fuel cells that would be a laboratory for autonomous cars.


Toyota to launch 10 new battery EV models by 2026

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp will introduce 10 new battery-powered models and target sales of 1.5 million EVs a year by 2026, aiming for steep growth in a market where it has long been lapped by rivals.

The world's largest automaker by sales will also set up a new, specialised unit to focus on next-generation battery EVs, senior executives said at a briefing today as they outlined plans under its new leadership team.

Toyota, including its Lexus luxury brand, now has just three battery models on the market and last year sold fewer than 25,000 of those worldwide.

Investors and environmental groups have criticised Toyota for being slow to embrace battery-powered cars, saying it has lost ground to Tesla Inc and others that have more nimbly captured fast-growing demand.

The Japanese automaker has countered that EVs are just one option for customers and that gasoline-electric hybrids such as its pioneering Prius are a more realistic choice for some markets and drivers.

"In the next few years, we will expand our line-up in the important battery electric category," chief executive Koji Sato told the briefing, his first in the top job, but added that hybrids would remain an important pillar.

EVs are now expected to make up more than half of total worldwide vehicle production by 2030.

Meeting that demand will be critical for Toyota, which also said it would increase production in the United States, where the growth in EVs is outpacing that of the overall market.

Toyota's target of selling 1.5 million BEVs a year in 2026 was 25% higher than a 1.2 million battery-powered units it was expected to sell by then according to an S&P Global Mobility forecast compiled before Friday's announcement.

"There's a gap of 300,000 units so that can be thought of as a difference of about a year," said Yoshiaki Kawano, an associate director at S&P Global Mobility.

"It doesn't seem like it's impossible to achieve at all," he said, adding the outcome would still depend on what models Toyota rolled out.

Toyota reported US sales fell by nearly 9% during the first quarter. By contrast, General Motors Co saw an 18% boost, helped by greater demand for EVs from fleet and commercial customers.

US consumers making the switch to electric vehicles are largely doing so from Toyota and Honda Motor Co, data from S&P Global Mobility showed in November.

"Now that it is time to make the next big innovative leap, Toyota is falling behind and more and more folks in the US are starting to understand that," East Peterson-Trujillo, a clean vehicles campaigner with non-profit Public Citizen, said in an interview ahead of the briefing.


Electric cars cast growing shadow on profits

                PARIS: Electric cars are poised to arrive en masse in European showrooms after years of hyped concept-car launches and billions in investment by automakers and suppliers.

Now comes the hard part: selling them at a profit.

Battery models making their car-show debut in Paris this week, from PSA Group’s electric DS3 Crossback to the Mercedes EQC, will erode profitability as they struggle to stay in the black, executives generally acknowledge.

But concerns are mounting that the impact could be worse, as consumers resist paying more for electrified vehicles - forcing carmakers to sell them at a bigger loss to meet emissions goals.

“What everyone needs to realise is that clean mobility is like organic food – it’s more expensive,” said Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Peugeot, Citroen and Opel manufacturer PSA.

A Sept 25 profit warning by BMW, blamed in part on electrification costs and tightening emissions rules, was “a first alarm signal”, Tavares said in a weekend radio interview.

“Either we accept paying more for clean mobility, or we put the European auto industry in jeopardy.”

Underlining the turbulence facing automakers, British Prime Minister Theresa May will confront Conservative rebels demanding a harder Brexit stance at her party’s annual conference, just as the Paris show gets under way on Tuesday.

On its second day, the European Parliament votes on plans to cut carbon dioxide car emissions by as much as 45 percent by 2030 from an average 95 grammes per kilometer in 2021 - a goal many automakers are already in danger of missing, on pain of fines running to hundreds of millions of euros.

Priced to push

After declining for a decade, new-vehicle carbon emissions are rising again as customers flock from cars to SUVs, and from diesel to gasoline engines. Diesels emit more nitrogen oxides and particulates, but less CO2.

Early signs suggest electric-car prices may fall sooner and faster than production costs, as carmakers adjust for stalled emissions progress and weak consumer appetite. That promises more red ink, as discounted battery car sales finally take off.

Volkswagen has said the ID hatchback, due to open the brand’s electric onslaught next year, will be priced close to conventionally powered versions of the Golf compact.

“VW is about to launch a load of electric vehicles at the same price as gasolines, and therefore at a loss,” said Laurent Petizon, a managing director at consulting firm AlixPartners.

 ID hatchback.

“Our interpretation is that the 2021 fines have already been factored into their sales strategy,” he said. “Rather than pay penalties they prefer to lose money on vehicles and get the market going.”

Volkswagen declined to discuss pricing in detail. “We want our electric cars to be a real alternative to a reasonably equipped Golf Diesel,” said a spokesman.

Volkswagen and Mercedes parent Daimler, which between them have announced 30 billion euros (RM144bil) in electrification investment, both warned last month that it would not be enough.

They and other carmakers are also mandated to sell more electric cars in China and a group of US states led by California. More than 200 electric and plug-in model launches are already scheduled globally over the next three years.

Cost gap

Electric cars still cost 7,800 euros (RM38,000) more to produce on average than conventional ones, AlixPartners calculates. Plug-in hybrids - which combine a smaller rechargeable battery with a combustion engine - overshoot by 5,000 euros (RM24,000).

When that cost gap is reflected in the price, few are sold.

Mass-market electrics such as the Renault Zoe and Nissan LEAF have been on sale for most of the current decade, and heavily subsidised in Europe, while Tesla has made inroads into the premium business. Yet pure-electric cars claim just 1 percent of the market overall.

Despite their higher cost, BMW plug-in models are already priced broadly on a par with diesels. The luxury carmaker acknowledges that their margins are significantly thinner.

Mercedes also says the EQC electric SUV will be priced close to its GLC cousin to tackle Tesla’s US$49,000 (RM203,000) Model 3.

“It absolutely is impacting the profitability of the industry,” said Rebecca Lindland, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, which tracks vehicle pricing. “Demand doesn’t justify investment at all - it’s all regulation.”

Which is why, on this subject more than most, European carmakers talk from both sides of their mouths. While executives exude confidence for investors’ and customers’ benefit, their Brussels lobby group ACEA warns of an imminent threat to the region’s 3.4 million automotive manufacturing jobs.

“The conditions for such a systemic change clearly aren’t met, and consumers just aren’t ready for full-electric,” ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert said recently.

Automotive suppliers are also feeling exposed.

“We’ve taken risks as a company,” said Jacques Aschenbroich, chief executive of Valeo, a major manufacturer of electrification components and systems. “We have invested a lot even though the market doesn’t exist.”

Scale effects

Carmakers are demanding increased public investment in recharging networks - which may yet awaken mass demand.

Economies of scale should also bring some relief. But lithium-ion batteries, which claim 40 percent of an electric car’s value, face global cobalt and nickel shortages that will pull the other way, inflating costs as production volumes rise.

Perhaps more critically, generous government sales subsidies are unlikely to survive much growth. In markets where incentives have been dropped, electric car sales have fallen.

Renault is discounting its recently upgraded Zoe in the British market with a £5,000 (RM27,000) trade-in bonus, in addition to the government’s £4,500 (RM25,000) plug-in incentive.

French rival PSA will price its new rechargeable hybrids to match diesel leasing rates, program director Olivier Salvat told reporters on a recent factory visit - adding that the carmaker aimed to avoid losing money on each vehicle sold.

“We don’t launch vehicles with negative operating margins,” Salvat said.

German luxury carmakers including Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi and Porsche, could put up with losses on electrified vehicles if it enables them to keep selling their biggest earners, upscale SUVs and large sedans.

That would leave mid-market competitors such as PSA and Renault, which can ill afford to sell large volumes of electric cars below cost, in a tougher bind.

“In electromobility, you have to be a cost leader,” said BMW research and development chief Klaus Froehlich. “If you are not a cost leader, you will not survive.”


All-new Optima to debut at NY Auto Show

Update: As nice as the Sportspace Concept is, Kia has since junked the idea of producing a wagon Optima. It has been reported that Kia did not think it would sell in enough numbers to be viable. Plus it would overlap the niche occupied by the Sorento.

LOS ANGELES: Kia will unveil the all-new Optima at the New York Auto Show next month.

Signs of what the car would look like were previewed in the SPORTSPACE Concept shown at the recent Geneva Motor Show.

The new D-segment model is the 11th concept car created by Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt.

With flowing lines which sweep elegantly from Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille towards the rear of the vehicle, Kia’s new concept car embodies modern design and refined, understated energy.

According to a Kia statement, the concept “has been created as a spacious and versatile accessory to an active lifestyle, as a purposeful, energetic design study for the style-conscious, and as a sanctuary from the stresses of the modern world.”

The Optima also includes a hybrid variant.

The Peter Schreyer-penned Optima mid-size sedan was unveiled at the 2010 New York International Motor Show.

Since then,  the Optima became a catalyst for Kia's growth and has been the brand’s best-selling vehicle in the United States for three years running.

 The SPORTSPACE Concept shown in Geneva earlier this month.


Market for bulletproof vehicles skyrocketing

The 2020 Range Rover Sentinel can weather rounds of bullets shot by AK-47s, AR-15s, and 9 mm pistols.
NEW YORK: The 2020 Range Rover Sentinel, which debuted in March, contains more than a ton of ballistic steel plate and armored glass inside its body.

It can withstand a pipe bomb exploding from point-blank range and can weather rounds of bullets shot by AK-47s, AR-15s, and 9 mm pistols. Its 510-horsepower V8 engine can ford deep water, descend steep mountains, and sprint at 190kph — an admirable feat considering that the Sentinel weighs 4,535kg, more than twice the weight of a regular Range Rover.

It also has a hatch that allows those inside to escape through the rear luggage compartment, in case the doors should become unusable. Engineered and built by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team in West Midlands, England, it’s not the first bulletproof vehicle Land Rover has made in-house, but it’s certainly the toughest.

The Sentinel’s release highlights a segment of the automotive industry that often goes unnoticed: the manufacture and sale of armored vehicles. And today, there’s growing demand from consumers willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for them.

"A lot of regions around the world are developing economically very quickly, and defense expenditures are correlating with that, and we have been scaling with it,” says Philip Nadjafov, whose family founded Toronto-based Isotrex in 2005.

He says business overseas, especially to fulfill UN peacekeeping and government contracts, has risen precipitously over the last three years. "People are investing in their security.”

While brands such as Audi, BMW, and Land Rover already offer in-house bulletproofing options, it’s the rise of sales by the many private providers across the U.S. that indicates the real profits to be made.

No comprehensive data exist for the industry at large, but interviews with many of them have set market growth expectations near double digits, year-over-year, for the foreseeable future.

In San Antonio, Tex., Lawrence Kosub at Texas Armoring Corp., which opened in 1997, is laying plans to open a facility in Central America that can manufacture 200 armored vehicles per year, up from the 50 he now produces annually.

In Utah, ArmorMax chief executive officer Mark Burton is working on a government contract to deliver 140 Ford vehicles to various agencies by early 2020. He’s built manufacturing plants in eight companies over the past two decades, and next year, Burton will open an outpost in India.

Some outfits, such as O’Gara Group, have been around for more than 100 years; it was providing armored limousines in the 1940s, when Harry Truman was president-and a client. Others sprouted more recently: Manhattan Armor was founded in New York City in 1979; International Armoring Corporation was founded in Ogden, Utah, in 1993; and AddArmor was founded in Jackson, Wyo., in 2017.

They remain bolstered by demand from what feels like every corner of the globe: From Brazil to Ukraine, Nigeria to the Philippines, everybody wants immunity from any imminent threat.

Current of change

An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 armored vehicles circulate on streets worldwide, with Brazil leading with the highest per capita number of armored vehicles in the world, according to Texas Armoring Corp. Sâo Paolo alone currently receives 800 armored vehicles a month.

But where the perennial hotspot is Brazil, and need has been white-hot in Mexico, demand now comes from West African nations such as Nigeria, whose growing economy is the largest on the continent.

It’s also coming from the US, where outfits such as Texas Armoring Corp. have seen business double. At ArmorMax, the U.S. comprises nearly 80% of business, an inverse flip from 20 years ago. Sales to American clients at the IAC subsidiary have increased eightfold since 1994.

"People are worried about random acts of violence,” Burton says, mentioning he had just spoken on the phone with a prospective private client in Chicago. "They’re the attorneys, they are the doctors, the business executives. They’re worried about their families or their wives being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

It’s a generalised "unsettled” feeling that has sparked the rise, he adds. "People just want peace of mind as they drive around.”

How it’s done

Most vehicles that have undergone bulletproof treatment endure an invasive process. The outfitter first removes all nonessential components in order to lessen the weight of what will inevitably become a very heavy apparatus. That means pulling out some trim and wiring, carpeting and seats.

Then, the sides and pillars of the vehicle are sliced open and stuffed or welded with armored panels, most often made from ballistic-grade steel. A lighter-weight composite material can include special resins, ballistic nylon, and/or Kevlar, such as that found in bulletproof vests.

Along the bottom and sides of the car, special firewalls can be added. A crumple-zone bumper can be added, too, which enables the vehicle to burst through blockades or out of rubble without damaging the radiator and other internal mechanics.

Elsewhere, wheels are made to run while flat by installing polymer donuts where the inner tubes use to be-those will run at 60 mph or so for roughly 50 miles before wearing out. Windows are replaced with "transparent armor,” a one- or two-inch-thick sandwich of plastic poly and leaded glass.

The thicker the width, the more security it provides: Two inches get you protection against a single shot from a big-game hunting rifle. Often, the heavier glass requires more-than-routine maintenance: "We have a lifetime warranty on the work we do-but for the glass, we have a 24-month warranty,” Burton says. (The motors burn out the fuses that make the windows go up and down.)

One man in Mexico who asked to remain unnamed for safety reasons had his life saved by just such a windshield: An attacker fired a gun directly at his Mercedes in broad daylight-the damage was merely a cracked window and the cost of replacing it. ("Insurance doesn’t cover the windows,” he says.)

Rogerico Pagliari, who lives in Brazil, says the windows of his bulletproof Volvo S70 have never been shot at-but that doesn’t mean they don’t work. "Once, I got in an ambush, and it gave me the confidence enough to gas instead of stopping.”

A sometimes low-key status symbol

Sometimes, the goal during manufacture is to make the vehicle look extremely low-key, with no obvious signs that it has been altered for enhanced protection. Unnoticed means unbothered, the thinking goes. Attention creates a target.

"We once had a client request we armor a Ford Taurus Limited,” Kosub says. "You’re talking about a US$40,000 car with US$100,000 worth of armoring on it. But that’s the type of thing that most of our clients who are serious about security really want-something under the radar.”

Other times, the treatment is heralded as a status symbol, complete with flashing lights, bull horns, and sirens. The level of ostentation often depends on the country. What is accepted in Venezuela may not be so applauded in Honduras.

 An armored Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series by Isotrex.

"In Honduras, you need a permit to have an armored vehicle,” says Carlos Flores, the president of Roco 4x4, which supplies components and armors vehicles under a Blindajes Inteligentes, or Smart Armor, division in Honduras.

Flores said the nature of the vehicles there has changed as the drug cartels have lost power and the economy has bloomed: Where people once needed high levels of security against military-grade attacks-options that might include smoke screens and systems to electro-shock intruders-now they’re buying more understated options that protect against basic handgun attacks.

Christopher Davis, who owns a bulletproof Audi Q7 in Colombia, said that in Bogota, if they don’t exactly quality as status symbols, armored vehicles do constitute a certain display of power in a region that sustained gruesome violence in a not-distant past.

"It’s really a defensive measure, because people are really still scarred and terrified of the violence that’s now 20 or so years in the past,” he says. "Bottom line is, people don’t have them for no reason. In Colombia, it’s strange to see a nice SUV that’s not armored.”

Many of the "irritating” laws in Bogota-for example pico y placa, or the traffic mitigation strategy of limiting traffic over certain hours and days in urban centers-virtually don’t apply to bulletproof cars, Davis says.

"Plus, the police cannot pull you over, since technically they can’t enter your car without an order from the court,” he says. "And some bulletproof cars have the government status to basically act like police cars, in terms of traffic laws, as long as the emergency lights are on. Usually, you will see security guards following these types of vehicles on a motorcycle.”

Carrying that weight

Regardless of how flashy-or mundane-the vehicle is on the outside, the primary challenge for those who build them is weight. The lightest touch of armor on a small sedan will add 500 pounds.

The world’s fastest bulletproof vehicle may be the Audi RS7 Sportback, which the company claims can hit 200 mph. (That’ll cost US$205,000, if you’re interested.) At the other end of the spectrum, the most advanced level of protection will add 2,500 pounds or more, as it did to that Sentinel.

It’s a tricky balance. Heavier materials are stronger against attack-but then, they’re slower, too. And the force of their weight often requires mechanical reinforcements such as bolstered suspensions and frequent repairs to transmissions and engines. Sometimes, a third hinge will be added onto doors to help carry the bank-vault weight they assume when they’re bulletproofed.

Many of the outfits that armor vehicles advertise their own patented technologies as the lightest-weight and strongest of the lot. They also talk about design.

From offices in downtown Los Angeles and a headquarters in Canada, plus a manufacturing facility in United Arab Emirates, Isotrex makes a Phantom armored personnel carrier with a V-shaped hull designed to disperse any blasts that happen directly underneath its cage. In addition to it thick hull, the unique shape and material composition provide the source of its security.

"It’s about dispersing energy in clever ways that make it even better than just a bombproof car,” says Nadjafov. "These vehicles need to hit certain speeds; it’s about making sure that people get back to their families. That is the main focus behind our design philosophy.”

The weight savings are considerably over the double-your-heft standard of previous generations. But you’ll still be able to feel it from behind the steering wheel. Some armoring companies offer training in conjunction with the vehicles they sell, so that customers will know how to get the best out of their ride-and have a plan for safety, in case of emergency.

"There is a vast difference between [bulletproof and non-bulletproof] vehicles,” says Sean Kealey, who is on active duty in the US Army.

Kealey sometimes drives a bare-bones Humvee "as if it were a scout vehicle”-nimble and capable off-road. But the armored Humvees, he says, are much less capable off the beaten path, prone to rollovers and problems with suspension, engine, and transmission stressed from the additional weight: "Of all of the vehicles that we had, the one that struggled the most in the sands in the Arabian Desert was the armored Humvees,” Kealey says.

At least your wallet will be lighter. An armored Toyota Land Cruiser or Mercedes S-Class sedan can start around US$100,000.

Prices for serious quality products reach much higher: The BMW X5 Security Plus cost US$144,000 when it debuted at the Moscow Auto Show in 2014; Audi’s A8 L Security cost US$140,000 upon its 2016 arrival; and Mercedes-Maybach’s Pullman Guard cost US$1.6 million when it premiered in 2017. At ArmorMax, the average amount on a purchase ticket is US$150,000, Burton says.

Rover declines to name a price for the Sentinel, its latest ballistic retardant feat, but its predecessor cost €400,000 (US$445,000) in 2015.

A rough estimate puts the latest version near a half-million dollars. The underlying hope, of course, is that you’ll never have to put it to the test.


Ducati posts encouraging Q1

                BOLOGNA (Italy): Italian motorcycle maker Ducati closed the first quarter of the year with another record performance in deliveries, revenue and operating profit.

The company delivered 13,450 motorcycles to its global customers from January to March this year, representing a growth of 5% compared to the same period in 2021 and 40% compared to 2020.

The Multistrada V4 remains the most popular model with 2,456 units delivered, followed by Monster (1,868) and the Scrambler 800 family (1,557).

 Monster.

For the period under review, Italy regained its top position as the main market for Ducati with 2,544 motorcycles delivered (+8%), followed by Germany with 1,382 units (+9%).

Significant growth is recorded in France, which with 1,153 motorcycles delivered achieves an increase of 29% over the same period in 2021.

Good performances are also in the United Kingdom, up by 46% with 860 motorcycles, and Brazil, which with 241 motorcycles delivered grows by 21%.

 Scrambler.

Ducati global sales vice-president Francesco Milicia said the company's order book at the end of the quarter is up by 83% over the same period of 2021, demonstrating the success of the brand's recently presented line-up.

“The figures achieved by Ducati during the first three months of the year, while setting a new record, are the result of a strong demand for a product that has to deal with extraordinary difficulty in the world of supplies, especially for all motorcycle components equipped with semiconductors.

“Delays in supply chains are unfortunately affecting our ability to deliver bikes on schedule, and we apologize to our passionate customers for this,” he said.


Jan 27-Feb 2: RON97 petrol up 5 sen

                PETALING JAYA: The retail price of RON97 petrol will increase by five sen per litre to RM3.12 from Thursday until Feb 2, says the Finance Ministry.

In a statement today, it said the retail price of RON95 and diesel would remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM2.15 per litre respectively over the same period.

"The government has maintained the retail price of RON95 petrol at the ceiling price of RM2.05 per litre and diesel at RM2.15 per litre even though the actual market price for both products has increased above the ceiling price set," it said.


Pedestrians walking across a footbridge in front of the Nissan headquarters in Yokoham on Thursday. — Bloomberg
LONDON: Life on the run is proving expensive for Carlos Ghosn. The cost of his escape included US$14 million in forfeited bail money while the operation that saw him celebrate New Year’s Eve in Beirut could have cost US$15 million or more.

That includes US$350,000 for the private jet that spirited the former auto executive from Osaka to Istanbul and millions of dollars for his multi-country extraction that would have taken a team of as many as 25 people half a year to plan, according to a private security expert who said he wasn’t involved and asked not to be identified given the nature of the operation.

Such outflows have seen Ghosn’s fortune shrink by 40% since he was arrested more than a year ago at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, according to estimates by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

His fortune is now calculated to be about US$70 million, down from around US$120 million at the time of his first court appearance a year ago.

‘Mission Impossible’

In fiery, freewheeling form at a two-and-a-half hour press conference in Beirut on Wednesday, Ghosn, 65, repeatedly proclaimed his innocence against allegations he understated his income and raided corporate resources for personal gain, accused Japanese prosecutors, government officials and Nissan Motor Co. executives of conspiring to topple him, and insisted he would clear his name.

"I am used to what you call mission impossible,” he said in response to questions from the assembled reporters. "You can expect me in the next weeks to take some initiatives to tell you how I’m going to clear my name.”

That might include a tell-all book. Ghosn plans to publish the story of his arrest, according to a report by Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

His downfall has already seen him lose millions in payouts. Last year, Nissan cancelled retirement and stock-linked compensation and Renault SA said he won’t benefit from a non-compete agreement he signed in 2015 and stock-based payments that were conditional on his staying at the company. Many of the charges against him centre on retirement payments, totalling more than US$140 million, which he hadn’t yet received.

French investigations

That may be just the start. French investigations examining the possible misuse by Ghosn of Renault’s money to host lavish parties and pay consulting fees are at a preliminary stage. The former auto executive was already hit with a US$1 million penalty as part of a September settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose the retirement payments.

At his press conference, Ghosn claimed he had done nothing untoward in hosting an event at the Palace of Versailles. Regarding the SEC fine, Ghosn’s lawyers said previously, "We are pleased to have resolved this matter in the US with no findings or admission of wrongdoing.”

Ghosn’s US law firm, Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP, declined to comment on Bloomberg’s wealth estimates or on the SEC settlement. Ghosn’s Lebanese lawyer also declined to comment.

Nissan is looking at bringing legal action against Ghosn in Lebanon, people familiar with the company’s plans said, to recover money it claims he used improperly. The carmaker is trying to evict him from the pink villa in Beirut to which he still has access. Nissan purchased it for US$8.75 million, renovated it and furnished it for him, according to a person familiar with the matter.

"Ghosn’s flight will not affect Nissan’s basic policy of holding him responsible for the serious misconduct uncovered by the internal investigation,” the Yokohama-based automakeer said on Tuesday.

Authorities may be looking to seize some of his assets. In Switzerland, where Ghosn reportedly banks with Julius Baer Group Ltd., Swiss authorities received a legal-aid request from the Tokyo District Attorney’s Office a year ago, a spokesman for the agency that received the notice said.

It examined the request before forwarding it to the Zurich prosecutor’s office in March. A spokesman for the Zurich prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the nature of the request or what they are doing with it.

 A police vehicle is parked at the entrance to the judicial palace during a visit by Ghosn and his lawyer in Beirut on Thursday. — Bloomberg

At Japan’s request, Interpol issued a so-called Red Notice in Ghosn’s name, making it known to other law enforcement authorities that the country considers him a fugitive. Lebanese prosecutors issued a travel ban for Ghosn and asked him to hand in his French passport after the notice was issued, the Associated Press reported.

Japan is also seeking a Red Notice for Ghosn's wife, Carole. Investigators have already asked Interpol for the notice, which could restrict Carole’s movements outside of Lebanon, where she joined her husband, national broadcaster NHK reported, citing unidentified sources.

A representative for Japan’s Ministry of Justice declined to comment on the report. Interpol didn’t respond to a request seeking comment.

It’s not clear if any of Ghosn’s assets have been seized. In criminal court cases in Japan, a defendant’s assets cannot be frozen or confiscated until a court verdict is reached, according to Taichi Yoshikai, a law professor at Kokushikan University. There are exceptions in civil cases, but it’s unclear how this will be applied when a defendant is overseas, he said.

Wealth assumptions

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, which rarely makes public comments, posted an English-language statement on its website Thursday saying Ghosn had only himself to blame for his strict bail conditions.

It vowed to bring him to justice in Japan. Ghosn had been "propagating both within Japan and internationally false information on Japan’s legal system and its practice,” Justice Minister Masako Mori said.

Renault declined to comment.

Bloomberg’s calculation of Ghosn’s net worth assumes none of his assets at the time of his arrest
— which included shares in Renault and Nissan now valued at about US$60 million
— have been seized or sold.

Even if that is the case, the costs that come with being the world’s most famous runaway will continue to be formidable.

Legal bills for fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low came to US$15 million, according to an October deal with US federal prosecutors. Efforts to burnish Low’s reputation cost US$1.1 million over seven months, according to the New York Times.

Such expenses are likely sizeable enough to pressure even a fortune as large as that of the Ghosn family.

Still, some costs may be lower than expected. The US$350,000 contract for Ghosn’s Osaka to Istanbul flight was to be paid in two tranches. The charter company has so far only received the first half.


Volkswagen's hot new Golf R Estate gets even more appealing

                BERLIN: With 320hp driving all four wheels, Volkswagen's sporty R estate is one of the fastest compact load-carriers money can buy.

The new version features a range of subtle changes and costs more money to buy.

The Golf R Estate blends the rocket-ship performance of its hatchback sister with useful load-carrying capacity and the new version is faster than ever.

Top speed of the made-over R estate is 270kph with a scorching zero to 100kph benchmark time of 4.9 seconds.

The new model builds on the standard Golf estate in much the same way as the car it replaces.

Subtle exterior styling changes mark it out as the range-topping flagship without looking too flashy into the bargain.

At €51,585 (RM247,000), the R estate will also be the most expensive Golf when it first goes on sale in Germany later this year

VW manages to extract 320hp from the two-litre, turbocharged engine and the suspension and brakes have been modified to take the strain.

The new R estate has extra driving modes for sporty driving, including one designed for laps of Germany's famous Nuerburgring where skilful amateur drivers can test their prowess.


Germany okays bicycle Autobahn

                BERLIN: It’s every cyclist’s dream: no red lights, no trucks, just a clear, smooth lane to zoom down with the wind in your face. Welcome to Germany’s first bicycle Autobahn.

Fans hail the smooth new velo routes as the answer to urban traffic jams and air pollution, and a way to safely get nine-to-fivers outdoors.

As a glimpse of a greener urban transport future, Germany has just opened the first five-kilometre stretch of a bicycle highway that is set to span over 100 kilometres.

It will connect 10 western cities including Duisburg, Bochum and Hamm and four universities, running largely along disused railroad tracks in the crumbling Ruhr industrial region.

Almost two million people live within two kilometres of the route and will be able to use sections for their daily commutes, said Martin Toennes of regional development group RVR.

Aided by booming demand for electric bikes, which take the sting out of uphill sections, the new track should take 50,000 cars off the roads every day, an RVR study predicts.

The idea, pioneered in the Netherlands and Denmark, is gaining traction elsewhere in Germany too.

The banking centre of Frankfurt is planning a 30-kilometre path south to Darmstadt, the Bavarian capital of Munich is plotting a 15-kilometre route into its northern suburbs, and Nuremberg has launched a feasibility study into a track linking it with four cities.

In the capital Berlin, the city administration in early December gave the green light to a feasibility study on connecting the city centre with the leafy southwestern suburb of Zehlendorf.

The new velo routes are a luxury upgrade from the ageing single-lane bike paths common in many German cities, where tree roots below can create irregular speed bumps and a mellow cycling lane can suddenly end or, more alarmingly, merge into a bus lane.

The new type of bike routes are around four metres wide, have overtaking lanes and usually cross roads via overpasses and underpasses. The paths are lit and cleared of snow in winter.

Like most infrastructure projects, the bicycle Autobahn is facing headwinds, however, especially when it comes to financing.

In Germany, the situation is complicated because while the federal government generally builds and maintains motor-, rail- and waterways, cycling infrastructure is the responsibility of local authorities.

For the Ruhr region’s initial five-kilometre rapid track, the cost was shared, with the European Union funding half, North Rhine-Westphalia state coughing up 30 percent, and the RVR investing 20 percent.

Toennes said talks are ongoing to rustle up 180 million euros (US$196 million) for the entire 100-kilometre route, with the state government, run by centre-left Social Democrats and the Greens party, planning legislation to take the burden off municipalities.

“Without (state) support, the project would have no chance,” said Toennes, pointing to the financial difficulties many local governments would have in paying for maintenance, lighting and snow clearance.

In Berlin, a heavily indebted city-state, the conservative CDU party has proposed a private financing model based in part on advertising along the route.

“The bike highways are new in Germany,” said Birgit Kastrup, in charge of the Munich project. “We must find a new concept for funding them.”

The German Bicycle Club ADFC argues that, since about 10 percent of trips in the country are now done by bicycle, cycling infrastructure should get at least 10 percent of federal transport funding.

“Building highways in cities is a life-threatening recipe from the 1960s,“ said its manager Burkhard Stork. “No one wants more cars in cities.”


Puzzled by oversteer and understeer? Here's the low-down

                HANOVER: Cars do not run on rails and if a driver takes a corner too fast, he or she can encounter one of two hairy scenarios known as oversteer and understeer.

Both mean the tyres have run out of grip, especially if the road surface is wet. The effects can be tricky to handle, but they can be overcome provided a few rules of thumb are adhered to, say experts at safety-inspection company TUV Nord.

The two terms are frequently used to describe the behaviour of cars in media road tests, but they are often confused too.

Understeer is when a car's front wheels lose grip through a corner owing to excessive speed. The front end gets pushed towards the outside of the curve, and instead of going around the corner properly, the car has a tendency to go straight on.

The easiest cure is to just ease your foot off the accelerator, or just depress the clutch, and take the corner a little slower. Slacken off the steering angle a bit too and in most cases this will do the trick.

To explain oversteer, we need to move to the back of the car. It is used to describe a tendency for the rear wheels to skid away from the line of the curve. It generally happens when a driver accelerates too soon while going around a corner.

Oversteer leads to drifting, which can be provoked for controlled effect by experienced drivers.

The same advice applies here too. Drop the speed and keep looking and steering in the direction you want to go. Do not suddenly apply the brakes as this can make oversteer worse. By easing off the throttle, the driver can bring the car back into line.

It's worth noting that modern traction control systems such as ESP will iron out both tendencies, unless the driver is really travelling far too fast.


RM1.6mil spent on maintenance of ministers’ official cars between 2020 and 2022, says Anwar

                KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM1.601mil was spent on repairs and maintenance for official cars of federal ministers between 2020 and 2022, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a parliamentary written reply, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said federal ministers had been supplied with Toyota Vellfire 2.5L as their official car since April 2021 as a replacement for the Proton Perdana 2.4L Premium model.

The written reply noted that in 2020, the government spent a total of RM672,000 for maintenance and repair, followed by RM478,991.50 in 2021, and RM450,690.66 in 2022, with a total amount of RM1,601,682.16 spent within the period.

"The government had paid the monthly lease payment consisting of rental and maintenance as well as repairs for each of the official cars," said Anwar in reply to a question from Chong Zhemin (PH-Kapar), who asked the Finance Minister to state in detail the total maintenance cost for all federal ministers’ cars between 2020 and 2022.

The Finance Ministry had previously clarified in 2021 that the change of government official cars from Proton Perdana 2.4 Premium to Toyota Vellfire 2.5L would result in reduced payments.

"The decision to switch models was based partly on the lower monthly cost for the Toyota Vellfire 2.5 compared to that of the Proton Perdana 2.4 Premium,” the statement read.

The government’s decision to switch models for ministers’ official cars had previously gone viral on social media.

The Finance Ministry noted that the switch was also due to Proton ending the production of Proton Perdana 2.4 Premium in 2014.

The ministry added that some of the cars in question had reached six years of age, although the replacement of the vehicles are scheduled for a four-year period.


Get ready for the Hyundai Grappler concept

                LAS VEGAS: Hyundai will unveil the Veloster Grappler concept at the 2019 SEMA show here in early November.

The Grappler concept boasts increased ground clearance, combining superb approach and departure angles for confident off-roading capability, while custom front and rear brush guards were developed to ensure the Veloster Grappler is protected whenever the terrain turns unpredictable.

Oversized all-terrain tires and rally-themed Method Racing wheels yield a menacing demeanor and functional capability, while Borla cat-back exhaust components add a visceral audible resonance.

For extra cargo capabilities, a roof-mounted Thule utility basket includes a high-output lighting system from Baja Designs. A full host of roof-mounted utility lights allow for versatility on the go.

From high-speed desert off-roading high beams to basecamp work lights, Veloster Grappler is ready for the unexpected from any adventure.

The utility basket serves as a base mount for the removable solar panel from Goal Zero, powering an all-electric portable power station mounted inside the cabin for remote journeys.

A custom vinyl exterior body wrap features a ghosted Hyundai-themed livery. Finally, a Seibon carbon-fiber hood effectively vents excess engine bay heat when things heat up out on the road.

Inside the cabin, the functional ruggedness theme continues. An integrated roll bar provides occupant protection and facilitates mounting for a full-size spare wheel and tyre.

Further outfitting the interior are traction mats, an oversized utility shovel, a Goal Zero portable power station, roadside assistance kit, first aid kit, Napier outdoor dome tent, Scosche Mounts, Goal Zero crush lights and premium Recaro seats finished in a vintage hounds tooth check pattern.

Exterior lighting is modulated through a custom-designed switch panel. Hyundai genuine accessories round out the functionality of the vehicle, adding sport pedals, a sport shifter, all-weather mats, ambient footwell lighting and cargo blocks.


Japan's Hitachi Astemo flags lapses in quality tests over decades

Honda Astemo, a joint venture between Hitachi Ltd and Honda Motor Co Ltd, found that employees had wrongly handled test and other procedures at 11 domestic and four overseas plants, in China, Mexico, Thailand and the United States.  — Reuters

TOKYO: Japanese automotive supplier Hitachi Astemo said on Friday it found misconduct over testing and other procedures for components had lasted as long as four decades, affecting a much wider range of plants and customers than previously disclosed.

The comments come in the wake of news last month that Toyota affiliate Daihatsu rigged safety tests for 88,000 small cars.

Hitachi Astemo, which makes car and railway parts ranging from brake and damping systems to powertrains, worked with customers to redo tests on nearly two dozen affected products following an investigation, Chief Executive Brice Koch told reporters.

"We have now taken all the relevant measures to improve, to increase the robustness of our system and our company," Koch said, saying he did not expect any impact on growth or costs.

None of the customers involved were paid compensation and all of the costs associated with renewed testing were booked in the previous financial year.

The company, a joint venture between Hitachi Ltd and Honda Motor Co Ltd, found that employees had wrongly handled test and other procedures at 11 domestic and four overseas plants, in China, Mexico, Thailand and the United States.

The misconduct affected 22 products for 69 customers, including rear shock absorbers and brake systems for cars, railcar dampers and connecting rods, as well as other components, the company said.

About three-fourths of the customers were Japanese and the rest from overseas, Koch said.

"The major root causes of the misconduct were basically lack of compliance understanding (and) resources," Koch said, adding that employees had in some cases prioritised costs and delivery times over quality and compliance.

The issues included reporting periodic test results to customers without running the actual tests on some products. Employees also ran tests on suspension systems at incorrect temperatures, a spokesperson said.

In the longest such issue, which lasted for about 40 years from January 1983, workers had put an incorrect amount of shielding coating on a suspension system at a plant in Japan's Fukushima prefecture, the spokesperson said.

Hitachi Astemo, which has a global network of production, sales and research sites across four continents, was formed in January 2021, following the merger of Hitachi Automotive Systems, Keihin Corp, Showa Corp and Nissin Kogyo Co Ltd.

The company had initially announced some of the wrongly handled test procedures in December 2021, saying it found misconduct at the Fukushima plant and one in Yamanashi prefecture, involving nine products and 15 customers.

It then had a panel of three lawyers investigate from December 2021 to June 2022, followed by another investigation by its quality management division from July to September last year.


Carpit mobile app launched

                KUALA LUMPUR: Carpit Malaysia has launched its Carpit mobile app which promises drivers with convenient car and reliable tyre services.

The app is available for download free of charge on Google Play and App store.

With a few clicks on their smartphones, anyone can request to get their car tyres serviced and replaced.

The app features a large database of popular car model profiles with their respective tyre sizes, making it easy for customers and car service shops to quickly identify the right tyres needed for any car.

The Carpit app also comes with a tyre service record and a reminder feature.

In addition, Carpit also offers the first of its kind to offer end-to-end service assurance with a full warranty against any damage for all customers’ vehicles.

Prices are transparent with no hidden charges or extra rates that will be charged without notice.

Users need only pay once through the app after all the required services have been completed, removing any potential risks for fluctuating prices by the dealers.

Carpit’s free pickup and drop-off services from its dealers allows customers to book a service without leaving the comforts of their home or work.

Carpit Malaysia co-founder and CEO Tai Qisheng said the tyre change industry in Malaysia had not changed the way they provide their service to Malaysians for decades, leading many to see tyre changes as more of a chore instead of the regular necessity.

“In addition, we noticed a lack of strong solutions available to help make the experience more enjoyable for Malaysian drivers,” he said.

Carpit Malaysia also announced Leona Chin, a renowned female race car driver and professional drifter, as its brand ambassador.

Chin will use the Carpit as a platform to encourage more Malaysian drivers to get into the habit of regular tyre check-ups and play a role in reducing the number of road accidents.


Six MPVs, SUVs stopped for ferrying passengers without permit

                JOHOR BARU: Six private multipurpose (MPV) and sport utility vehicles (SUV) were stopped for ferrying passengers without valid permits.

The Johor Road Transport Department (JPJ) said the vehicles were stopped during Ops Khas today at the Malaysia-Singapore entry point at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) near here.

"We received complaints from the public that the owners of the vehicles had been offering paid services to transport passengers," Johor JPJ said in a Facebook post today.

It said they had committed an offence by offering such services without having valid permits from JPJ.

The drivers and owners of the vehicles were slapped with penalties under Section 23 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

If convicted, they could face fines not less than RM1,000 and not more than RM10,000 or jail terms not more than two years.

Those who wish to lodge complaints or have information on any traffic-related offences can do so via the e-Aduan@jpj App or visit http://jpj.spab.gov.my.


China firms offer to invest RM41b in Malaysia’s third national car project

                KUALA LUMPUR: Two companies from China have proposed to invest US$10bil (RM41bil) in Malaysia’s third national car project and build a regional automobile hub to cater for the region in southern Perak, according to official sources in The Star exclusive.

Separately, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has shown interest to participate in the national car project by upgrading its facilities in Malaysia.

The third national car project was mooted by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after he became Prime Minister for the second time on May 10.

The proposal by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) players – GSR Capital and Envision Energy – was submitted to the government ahead of the Prime Minister’s current visit to China.

READ MORE: Proton to sell cars in China

The investment of US$10bil by the two companies, said to be strong in global high-tech industry development, will spread over five years and the location chosen is near Proton City in Perak.

“Geely has informed the government that it is keen to upgrade its operation in Malaysia and participate in the third national car project,” says an official who knows the Geely plan.

No details are immediately available but Dr Mahathir is scheduled to visit Geely’s headquarters in Hangzhou during his five-day official visit to China from yesterday.

Besides several Cabinet ministers, Perak Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu is a member of the Prime Minister’s entourage.

Geely, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturing company, sells passenger cars under the Geely Auto, Lotus, Proton, and Volvo brands; and commercial vehicles under the London EV Company and Yuan Cheng Auto brands.

Last year, Geely acquired a 49.9% stake in Proton Holdings from DRB-Hicom after the Malaysian government invited it to be the strategic partner for ailing Proton. The firm also bought a 51% stake in Lotus Cars.

Geely attracted international limelight after it turned around Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars. It bought Volvo from Ford in 2010 and poured in investments of US$10bil to develop new models and technologies. With plants in China and Sweden, Volvo recorded an operating profit of US$1.25bil in 2016.

In Malaysia, Geely plans to turnaround Proton “as soon as practicable” within the first three years of acquisition.

In its 10-year business plan seen by The Star, Proton aims to cut cost across the board by 30%, improve quality and increase annual production gradually to 400,000 cars by 2027, from under 100,000 units last year.

Geely – major player

Geely has stated that it aims to become a major player in South-East Asia after acquiring stakes in Proton and Lotus.

Apart from interest shown by Geely, the Malaysian government is studying the proposal from GSR and Envision.

The joint proposal of GSR Capital and Envision Energy, in partnership with little known Concept Fields Sdn Bhd of Malaysia, includes the participation of Nissan of Japan.

According to the proposal seen by The Star, the pair will set up a new energy automobile hub and the new national car plant in southern Perak, where a major auto city was planned by the previous government.

Envision, which holds a 75% stake in Nissan’s electric vehicle unit AESC, will bring in AESC to join hands with GSR Capital to set up regional EV manufacturing facility, which includes producing electric car battery.

“The project will be spearheaded by GSR Capital which will be facilitating FDI of about US$10 billion into Malaysia,” says the plan.

AESC will provide the Japanese technology to produce the electric car.

“The proposed hub project holds great potential to yield benefits to Malaysia’s automobile industry as well as the country’s general economy. The inflow of US$10 billion investments is projected to create 15,000 jobs,” says the document.

The proposal also includes the establishment of an education hub directed at training skilled employees locally and creating R&D facilities to ensure continuous and sustainable development of the automobile industry in Malaysia.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Top motor show in Asean

                The 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) is expected to draw more than 1.6 million visitors and see some 40,000 orders for vehicles.

Organised by Grand Prix International PLC, the 12-day motor show, is held from March 28 to April 8, 2018 at Challenger Hall 1 – 3, Impact Muang Thong Thani.

It is open from 12 noon till 10pm on weekdays, and from 11am till 10pm on weekends and public holidays.

Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, who is the CEO of Grand Prix International and the organising chairman of the motor show, noted that over the years, the Bangkok International Motor Show had consistently drew high numbers of visitors.

"It is the top motor show in Asean, and is certified by OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles) and listed on the global motor show calendar," said the 75-year-old Dr Prachin.

Since 1992, the annual motor show has attracted between 1.59 and 2.1 million visitors at each edition.

In the last five editions, it drew 1.6 to 1.78 million visitors.

Dr Prachin said the booth designs and construction materials at the Bangkok Motor Show are of international standards.

"We are among the top five in the world when it comes to the construction and design of motor shows."

Last year, a total of 36,093 vehicles were booked at the motor show, consisting of 31,031 passenger cars, 4,043 motorcycles and 1,019 electric sub-compact commercial vehicles.

Dr Prachin pointed out that Mercedes-Benz saw 2,090 bookings at the 2017 edition, which contributed significantly to the German premium marque's record Thai sales of 14,484 vehicles last year.

For the 2019 Bangkok International Motor Show, Dr Prachin says there are "big celebratory plans" in store.

"We will enter the Guinness World Records as the motor show with the highest numbers of pretty models. It is every man's dream to be like Hugh Hefner (the late founder of Playboy magazine); to be with beautiful women and cars," he grinned.

 Dr Prachin visiting the motor show's fashion catwalk.

He reiterated that the Bangkok International Motor Show has been a significant contributor to the Thai and Asean automotive industry.

"We have the highest visitor numbers in the world. Even the Tokyo Motor Show, which used to draw well over a million visitors, saw the number of visitors dropping to 771,200 at the 2017 edition."

Meanwhile, Grand Prix International will organise the inaugural 2018 Myanmar International Motor Show in Yangon, to be held from July 20 to 29.