Jam at RFID lane because drivers did not have enough eWallet balance, says PLUS

Photo posted by user on Twitter depicting congestion at toll plaza in Jalan Duta on Feb 21. — PLUS Malaysia Facebook
PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd said congestion at RFID lanes in Jalan Duta heading towards Kuala Lumpur in a viral photo dated Feb 21 was due to a number of drivers with insufficient balance in their eWallets.

PLUS said it had probed the cause of the long queues and found that some drivers were trying to reload their Touch ‘n Go eWallet at the RFID lanes during peak hours of between 8am and 8.59am.

The statement comes after a user shared a photo depicting long queues at RFID lanes with the caption “Perfect picture of how inefficient RFID lanes are”. The photo has received over 25,000 likes with over 14,000 retweets by other users on Twitter.

The company apologised for the inconvenience, adding that it will guide drivers to park their vehicles away from traffic so they can perform the eWallet balance reload.

Apart from RFID, it also reminded drivers that there are other payment options available at toll plazas namely via Touch ‘n Go card and SmartTag.

Previously, PLUS announced plans to gradually implement a full transition to RFID toll transaction system from Jan 15, starting at the North-South Expressway route from Juru toll plaza in Penang to Skudai toll Plaza in Johor.

However, the implementation was met with criticism by road users who complained about traffic jams at toll lanes due to issues with the RFID system.

Eventually, it was announced that both Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag lanes would be reinstated in response to user feedback on the RFID implementation.

In a report on Jan 25, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that the public will be able to pay highway tolls using any digital payment provider soon. He added that Touch ‘n Go card usage for highway toll payments will be retired in 2025, with SmartTag lanes also slated to be phased out.


Ford's hottest hatch is the new Focus RS

                DEARBORN: Ford Motor Company’s all-new Focus RS will sprint from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds – making the high-performance hatchback the fastest-accelerating RS model yet.

Focus RS – powered by a specially engineered version of Ford’s new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine producing projected 350 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque – will reach a top speed of 165 mph.

The all-new 2016 Focus RS optimizes acceleration by introducing launch control technology to a Ford RS model for the first time. Focus RS also debuts new Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring – for outstanding traction and grip with dynamic agility and cornering speed.

“The all-new Focus RS will bring the legendary nameplate to a new generation of global customers for the first time,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. “Focus RS delivers stunning performance and innovative technology at a price that will make both enthusiast consumers and premium automakers look twice.”

Focus RS launch control configures the car’s chassis and powertrain systems to deliver the fastest possible acceleration – in various track conditions. The driver selects launch control from the cluster menu, engages first gear, applies full throttle and releases the clutch. The system then delivers optimum drive – including distributing torque through the all-wheel-drive system, maintaining maximum torque using the turbo overboost function, managing traction control and setting the dampers.

To achieve maximum acceleration through the gears, a performance shift light in the instrument cluster alerts the driver when approaching the optimum upshift point of 5,900 rpm, and flashes if the engine hits the 6,800-rpm limit.

Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive uses twin electronically controlled clutch packs to manage the car’s front/rear torque split, and can control side-to-side torque distribution on the rear axle – delivering the torque vectoring capability that produces a dramatic impact on handling and cornering stability.

The all-wheel-drive system monitors inputs from multiple vehicle sensors 100 times per second. To deliver optimum driving dynamics, the system was calibrated alongside the car’s advanced electronic stability control, in particular, its brake-based Torque Vectoring Control that works in parallel with torque vectoring all-wheel drive.

Focus RS drivers can select from four different drive modes that configure the all-wheel-drive system, damper controls, electronic stability control, steering and engine responses, and exhaust sound to deliver optimum performance in road or circuit driving conditions. Normal, sport or track settings are available, along with a special drift mode to help the driver achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track.

The new 2.3-litre EcoBoost shares its fundamental structure with the all-aluminum four-cylinder EcoBoost in the all-new Ford Mustang. The engine is significantly upgraded to improve power by more than 10 percent. It features a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor, enhanced air intake design, and a large-bore high-performance exhaust.

Developed by a team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the United States, the all-new Focus RS is the third-generation Focus RS – following models launched in 2002 and 2009.


AI chip startup SiMa.ai launches auto business with former Bosch, Mercedes executive

Rangasayee showing his machine learning system. — Reuters
OAKLAND: Silicon Valley-based AI chip startup SiMa.ai today said it is entering the automotive industry and has recruited Harald Kroeger, a former executive at top tier auto supplier Bosch and Mercedes Benz, to lead that business.

Kroeger, who is on the board of electric pickup truck firm Rivian, will join SiMa.ai’s board, which includes top chip industry executives Moshe Gavrielov, a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. board member, and Lip-Bu Tan, an Intel board member.

The announcement comes as chip makers' competition in the automotive industry intensifies with Nvidia Corp, Qualcomm Inc, and Intel’s recently listed Mobileye all vying for car makers.

SiMa.ai’s main product called MLSoC, short for machine learning system on chip, processes video and images, an important technology for assisted and self-driving technology.

"I was on the knife's edge," said Krishna Rangasayee, CEO of SiMa.ai about the decision to enter the automotive market which he noted can take years to generate revenue from.

“Automotive is 40% of the overall market from a computer vision perspective...Now that we have established our technology, I thought it was the right bet to focus on automotive.”

Kroeger said the focus would be on assisted driving rather than self-driving technology. But SiMa.ai has also been talking to some self-driving tech firms, said Rangasayee.

Even in assisted driving, as car makers want to offer technology that does more than just keep the lanes or distance between cars, Kroeger said a more advanced machine learning-based technology was needed and a more power efficient chip was also key.

"If you looked at today's products in the market right now, some of those things in the cars use up to two kilowatts of power, which means you could fry some eggs in the car on that dissipation power," he said.


BMW 8 Series Coupe prototype undergoes testing in Italy

                MUNICH: Following the recent presentation of the BMW Concept 8 Series, the German carmaker has released a close-to-production glimpse at the design of its new luxury segment sports car.

According to the company, the prototype is currently undergoing intensive testing on a high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, Italy.

The tests serve, in particular, to optimise the vehicle’s driving dynamics on surfaces with a high friction coefficient and mark yet a further decisive stage on the way to the launch of the new BMW 8 Coupe this year.

The test drives are being carried out while the prototype is heavily camouflaged as it laps the 4km oval circuit that includes steep bends.

Moreover, the acceleration, braking and steering behaviour of the new sports car are analysed on circuits, slalom courses and different road surfaces.

The test programme facilitates the targeted harmonisation of all drive and suspension systems so that it can offer maximum agility, precision and comfort.

“The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive.

"Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car,” said BMW AG member of the board of development and research Klaus Fröhlich currently overseeing the test programme in Italy.

The high vehicle dynamics potential results from an extraordinary close connection between motorsports and series production.

The new BMW 8 Series Coupe is being developed parallel to and in close coordination with the BMW M8 and the BMW M8 GTE racing car.

Whilst the prototype of the production model is undergoing endurance tests, the teams, which are supported by BMW Motorsport, are currently preparing in Daytona (USA) for the initial racetrack use of the BMW M8 GTE.

On Jan 27 and 28, the BMW M8 GTE will make its racing debut at the Daytona 24-hour race.

In June 2018, it will then participate in the 24-hour race at Le Mans.

The knowledge gained there and at numerous other racing events in the FIA WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in North America will directly benefit series development of the BMW 8 Series Coupe.

Likewise, the know-how gained during training and on the racetrack will advance development of the new BMW M8.

In June 2017, a prototype of this new model from the BMW M GmbH was already presented during the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring.

The Nordschleife (North Loop) of the legendary racing circuit is also the main proving ground for testing and further enhancing the new BMW M8.


New tech to eliminate diesel NOx emissions ready within two years

                LONDON: The fall in popularity of diesels across Europe as the fuel has become so quickly demonised for its noxious emissions has been dramatic, to say the least.

But while many have quite understandably predicted the total demise of diesel as a preferred fuel for our passenger vehicles in the wake of such bad publicity and crackdowns by governments and local authorities, there could be a reprieve on the horizon.

That's because a team at the UK's Loughborough University appears to have come up with a simple, affordable and potentially foolproof solution that could completely transform the way diesel is viewed as it could all but eliminate the fuel's poisonous NOx emissions.

This potentially game-changing system, reported by Autocar, is called ammonia creation and conversion technology (ACCT). And it's now reached a stage that's so promising its developers are being besieged by vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers and even large diesel fleet owners who've heard about it and are keen to use it. They see it as a way to solve what many believe is the European auto industry's most pressing problem.

Basically, the system converts the universally available urea-based after-treatment AdBlue into a special ammonia-rich 'ACCT fluid' under accurately controlled conditions in a chamber mounted in the exhaust system. Just as with the current selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, the new process uses freed ammonia to tear the components of NOx apart to leave just nitrogen and water. Where the two systems are so different is that ACCT fluid continues to work effectively at high levels of efficiency in low-exhaust temperature conditions that severely challenge current systems.

Initial tests on a Skoda taxi equipped with ACCT show as much as 98 percent of exhaust-borne NOx emissions are captured, which is significantly more efficient than the 60 percent offered by current methods. And that 98 percent figure was achieved even before researchers had the opportunity to fine-tune the ACCT system for optimum performance.

While it's still early days, those who truly understand the system are even beginning to speak of the possibility of "virtually zero-emission" diesel engines. This would be good news for the environment as diesel sales have fallen by 20 percent recently due to concerns over NOx emissions, but that has meant the lower CO2 emissions of diesels have been somewhat ignored as buyers turn back to petrol that puts out a lot more CO2.

This is no "pie-in-the-sky" technology either as it's thought it could be ready to use in as little as two years. However ACCT is brought to market, an ever increasing number of potential users are desperate to see its progress as it's no exaggeration to say it could deliver an entirely new lease of life for diesels.


MCO: Hyundai Ara Damansara resumes operations

                KUALA LUMPUR: In a Facebook posting, Sime Darby Auto Hyundai Sdn Bhd, has announced that its Ara Damansara service centre has opened its operations today.

The company added that its other service centres will be resuming operations in stages over time.

With the Movement Control Order (MCO) still in place until April 28, the service centre (SC) in Ara Damansara will be operating from 9.00am to 4.00pm on weekdays and 9.00am to 12.00pm (noon) on Saturdays.

The company assured that it has and will adhere to health and safety measures it has implemented which includes temperature checks for all staff and customers as well as regular disinfection of service centre and washrooms.

Also, hand sanitisers will be placed at all customer touchpoints and physical distancing will be observed with some changes in the SC's layout.


Porsche recalls 911 supercar over loose screw

                STUTTGART: Porsche is recalling nearly 100 of its 911 GT3 high-performance sports cars because of a potentially loose screw.

The recall was started in the United States together with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Porsche said the seat belt anchorages of the 2022 model Porsche 911 GT3 may not have been fastened correctly. If the screw comes out during an accident, injury may occur.

In other cases, the loose screw could cause a squeaking noise. A check and repair will be carried ou a Porsche dealerships.

The carmaker said the fault was caused by a manufacturing gremlin which has since been addressed.

The GT3 is designed excite drivers on the world's most challenging race course, but is as easy to live with as the regular 911 when driven on city streets.

Prices for the car in the US start at around US$170,000 (RM808,000), but ordering a few extras will easily push the final bill beyond US$200,000 (RM950,000).

Currently, only 15 vehicles are affected in the US and around 20 vehicles in Germany. The recall affects almost 100 vehicles worldwide.


New Bentley Flying Spur due next year with more distinctive design

The current Flying Spur.
 LONDON: Bentley is a manufacturer on the verge of completely re-inventing its portfolio of models to usher in a new era of electrification. In the meantime though, the next Flying Spur is about to be completely redesigned as an even more luxurious and distinct sedan that will be the last model before the new direction takes hold.

The four-door Flying Spur will be the manufacturer's rival to the likes of the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S600. There will be a distinct shift in style away from the overt sportiness of the Continental GT, even though the two models will continue to share a lot of their underpinnings. The new model will be a curtain call for Bentley's current design philosophy before a completely new look for Bentley is introduced, which is likely to break cover with the company's first electric model.

 The Flying Spur interior (also below).

All the designing of the new Flying Spur and the entire family of Continental models was completed some time ago. The Continental GT coupe was revealed in Frankfurt last year, and the Continental GTC cabriolet will be launched later this year as the second model in the lineup. Those two were designed alongside each other before attention then turned towards the new Flying Spur.

Achieving distinct surfaces and sharper swage lines has traditionally been quite a challenge with aluminum body panels, but it appears Bentley has managed to overcome those challenges to differentiate the styling of the Flying Spur from the Continental GT.

 The Continental GT.

The original Flying Spur had "Continental" as part of its name, but that was dropped with the arrival of the current second-generation, and this new model will continue to distance itself further from the rest of the Continental family.

There will be no shortage of powerplants for the new model which are expected to include Bentley's V8 and W12 petrol options, and a plug-in hybrid based on a V6 petrol engine instead of any sort of diesel now that they are becoming persona non-grata in the current climate.

Hybrid options will be particularly important as far as bolstering Bentley sales in China are concerned, although there will eventually be a range-topping Speed variant featuring a higher-performance engine that will also feature in the Continental GT and GTC.


Honda Malaysia updates on Takata airbag parts shortages

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia says it is working to overcome the shortage of replacement parts over the Takata airbag inflator recalls.

It said it would have full stock availability for Takata driver airbag inflators by mid-August but is unable to say when the passenger side inflators would arrive.  It pointed out that the driver and passenger side inflators for Jazz Hybrid 2012 Model Year is currently not available.

Apart from pushing Takata to hasten the supply of parts, the Japanese car maker said it is also sourcing parts from alternative suppliers such as Daicel, Autoliv and TRW. Honda has been facing the shortage of the critical airbag parts globally since May.

"Honda Malaysia will take every possible measure to ensure the replacement parts become promptly available so that our customers’ vehicles can be repaired as soon as possible," the car maker said in a statement.

The free replacement also applies to parallel imported Honda vehicles.

On servicing capacity, Honda Malaysia said it is adopting the following strategy:

> Reduce the Preventive Maintenance Service Schedule (maintenance service) intake starting 20th July 2016 at our dealers to 50% in order to increase the capacity for airbag inflator replacement. As priority is being given to airbag inflator replacement, there is a possibility that the normal preventive maintenance service might not be met. Honda Malaysia, in such cases, will extend the maintenance period and reflect accordingly in the warranty period of the cars.

> Open three temporary central hubs to further increase capacity for airbag inflator replacement. These hubs will operate 7 days a week to provide additional centres for airbag inflator replacement, helping alleviate limited dealer capacities for airbag inflator replacement activity, and also to provide storage for the required parts. The locations of the Central Hubs will be announced soon.

> Open mobile hubs nationwide to make it more convenient for customers to reach servicing venues and to ensure faster and easier airbag inflator replacement process. The locations and details of these mobile hubs will be announced soon.

"Honda Malaysia will continue our best efforts to improve our stock level as soon as possible for the replacement. The company plans to inform our customers when the parts availability outlook becomes much clearer."

To show that it has done its due diligence, Honda Malaysia said it has undertaken the following measures to reach the owners of vehicles affected by the recalls:
> Mailing more than 240,000 letters to owners.
> Advertising campaign and issued press releases to notify the public.
> Notice on its website, and made available VIN (chassis number) search of affected vehicles on www.honda.com.my
> Outreach campaigns at all on-ground activities and roadshows.
> Sending email to more than 35,000 owners.
> Blasting SMS to more than 126,000 customers.
> Share information about the recall in Honda’s ‘With Dreams’ magazine.
> Phone calls to customers - calls made to more than 2,000 customers.

Honda customers can always check their vehicles recall status either by logging on to www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


2017 Putra Brand Awards recognises Perodua and Proton

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua won Gold at this year's Putra Brand Awards and Proton secured a Silver. It was Perodua's first Gold award in seven years, while it was Proton's first time to have won a Putra award.

Last night's ceremony, held at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, marks the seventh consecutive time Perodua has received an award and the first time it has been presented with a Gold. The awards began in 2010.

“This award is a true recognition to Perodua, a home-grown brand, as a preferred brand and we sincerely thank all Malaysians for their endorsement and trust in us,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh.

 Aminar with the Gold award for Perodua

He said that Perodua is embarking on major initiatives to enhance Customer Satisfaction which include improving Perodua’s product offerings; improve end-to- end services, such as facilitating trade-ins through its Pre-Owned Vehicle business and better customer engagements in both sales and after sales.

Perodua, established in 1993, has sold over three million vehicles and has been the country’s most preferred brand since 2006.

Taking the silver award was Proton, the local carmaker's first award win.

“This is the first time we have been shortlisted and we emerged a winner for this distinguished award," said Proton sales and marketing vice president Abdul Rashid Musa.

 Rashid (centre) taking the Silver award for Proton.

He added that With another recent win for our Iriz refinement model at the Carsifu Editor’s Choice Award 2017 and the recent improvement in their sales performance for January to September 2017, such an acknowledgement means that they are pointed in the right direction.

The Putra Brand Awards is an initiative by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) to recognise local and international brands that are near and dear to the hearts of Malaysians.

Measuring brands across 24 sector categories through a robust consumer research methodology; the award is endorsed by MATRADE and supported by the Branding Association of Malaysia (BAM); The Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA) and the Media Specialists Association (MSA).

A total of 6,000 respondents were interviewed to determine Malaysia’s best brands according to ranking.


India investors keen on Malaysia's auto industry, says MB

                IPOH: The business communities in Chennai and Hyderabad are keen on Malaysia's automotive industry.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said research partnership in the automotive industry between Indian and Malaysian players was expected to be formalised in the future.

Zambry said his dialogue session with 80 business communities in Chennai and 90 business communities in Hyderabad recently, aimed at attracting investors from India, was also to showcase Perak's potential as a tourist destination.

He said the Indian businessmen had shown interest to form partnerships.

"The agriculture sector was also dicussed during the meeting based on agriculture-based products that are important to India," he told reporters after chairing the exco meeting here on Thursday.

He said India had several advantages especially in the information technology (IT) and biotechnology sectors, such as Hyderabad which is growing as a global IT and biotechnology hub.

Besides that, in his meeting with the chief ministers there, Zambry also introduced Perak and highlighted the business opportunities that could be harnessed in the state.

"One of the strategies proposed was to make Perak as the operating centre for their companies," he said.

He said Malaysia had also played an important role in infrastructure development in India and this sector provided huge potential for Malaysian investors that country.


Three more Toyota models upgraded, same old prices

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor is offering three more Toyota models with additional accessories at no extra charge.

These models – Corolla Altis, Innova and Alphard– join the Vios and Hilux in UMW Toyota Motor’s campaign to give customers even more value with their purchases.

Vios
The additional features which were offered on certain variants of the Vios are now available for other variants. The upgraded DVD-AVN (Audio-Visual-Navigation) Infotainment System with Reverse Camera is now provided free of charge for Vios 1.5E besides the Vios 1.5 TRD and 1.5G. The DVD-AVN Infotainment system, designed by Toyota, has a 7-inch Capacitive Touch Screen and can connect to compatible smartphones to stream audio or provide internet access (if the smartphone has a wireless data connection). Other features include an Internet Browser, Voice Recognition, HDMI and GPS navigation as well as a Reverse Camera.

For the affordably priced Vios 1.5J (available with automatic or manual transmissions), customers get a more advanced DVD-AVX Entertainment System at no extra charge. This comes with a 6.1-inch touchscreen which displays the image from the Reverse Camera. It has a number of options to connect to portable devices and also USB and SD card slots.

Vios 1.5E and 1.5J also continue to get Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film at no extra charge. Besides reducing heat transmission and glare, the film also strengthens the window glass so that it does not shatter when hit by a large object. This reduces the risk of break-ins and snatch thefts, giving occupants more peace of mind.

Corolla Altis
All three variants of the Corolla Altis now get a free custom-designed Aerokit and free DVD-AVN Infotainment System.
The Aerokit provides sportier looks to the sedan. It is installed by at UMW Toyota Motor’s accessories centre and comes with warranty, covering manufacturing defects.

The DVD-AVN Infotainment System has a 7-inch Infotainment touchscreen and full multimedia capabilities. It can read audio and video files from a SD card or USB thumbdrive and connect to various portable devices. Bluetooth connectivity allows interfacing with a compatible smartphone and access to internet is available with wireless broadband service. A reverse camera is also included in the system, making parking easier and safer while voice commands are recognised and can activate or operate certain systems.

The Corolla Altis is available with choices of 5 exterior colours, has both 2.0-litre and 1.8-litre engines connected to a 7-speed CVT that has been highly praised for efficiency and feel. Features available include Keyless Smart Entry and pushbutton start/stop, leather upholstery (2.0V and 1.8G), automatic headlight system, and illuminated cupholders.

Innova
The Innova is one of Malaysia’s most popular mid-sized MPVs and over the years, it has undergone constant improvements and updates in response to customer feedback and requirements. Available in three variants with 2-litre petrol engines, it is designed for both large families and by companies or fleet operators that require spaciousness and comfort seating.

Up to eight persons can be seated on 3 rows and the seating layout can be arranged in different ways to suit specific requirements.
The Innova is now beefed up with extra accessories (while stocks last). The first is a Toyota DVD-AVN Infotainment System that has a 2-DIN head unit with DVD Player and 7-inch Capacitive Touchscreen.

The system has features which interface with a compatible smartphone, GPS navigation, multiple connectivity options, internet browser (when wireless broadband service is available), voice commands and a reverse camera. A rear entertainment system with a ceiling-mounted 8-inch monitor is included exclusively for the Innova 2.0G variant.

The system, an original Toyota accessory, was designed and developed by Toyota. Installation is done at UMW Toyota Motor’s accessories centre prior to delivery to customers.
The Innova 2.0G is also being offered with additional free accessories. They are the Toyota Premium & Security Film which impedes break-ins by preventing the window glass from shattering (when smashed with hard object) and reducing glare and heat transmission into the cabin,and a portable tyre pump for use in case of emergencies and allows the owner to adjust tyre pressures with convenience at home.

Alphard
This MPV is one of the most popular large people carriers among Malaysians because of its generous interior space, luxury feel and ride comfort and ample performance. The fully imported model comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or 100,000km (whichever comes first).

In this round, UMW Toyota Motor is offering a free TRD Aerokit specially designed for the Alphard. Besides giving a sportier look, the package also includes Daytime Running Lights for extra safety in all lighting conditions. Door visors are given at no cost.

Also while stocks last, a 10.2-inch ceiling-mounted full-colour monitor is offered free. This complements the standard high-quality audio-visual (AV) entertainment system that comes with every Alphard. The AV system has a 7-inch touchscreen with a DVD Player, GPS navigation and a camera mounted at the back of the MPV to help the driver park easily and safely.

UMW Toyota Motor offers the imported Alphard 3.5G and Alphard 2.4G. Both variants are equipped with a long list of luxury and convenience features that include HID headlamps with Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (3.5G only), Smart Entry/pushstart ignition, leather upholstery, twin side powered sliding doors, powered rear door (3.5G only), 8-way powered driver’s seat, Captain & Ottoman seats (second row), and twin moonroofs.

Due to the length and large volume of the cabin, Toyota engineers specially developed a fully-automatic triple zone air-conditioning system which ensures that cool air is provided from front to rear. It has been designed to have low energy consumption so as not to affect fuel economy and comes with nano-e ion generator and pollen filter for a healthier cabin environment.

Safety kit includes seven airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

All Alphards sold by UMW Toyota Motor come with a customised security system that has a top Thatcham 1 equivalent rating. Additionally, Toyota Premium & Security Film is also provided at no extra charge to impede break-ins by preventing the window glass from shattering.


British-made Civic Type R to be exported to Japan

                TOKYO: Honda has announced that the new Civic Type R, built in Britain, will be destined for customers in Japan.

The first units to be shipped from Honda of the UK Manufacturing are due to arrive in Japanese showrooms from autumn this year.

This news, issued by Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo is a further boost for the 3,000 workers at the British plant, as it follows the recent announcement of new investment at the plant of £200 million, with the plant becoming the global production hub for the next generation Civic five-door model.

The first Civic Type R rolled off the production line only last week and speaking at the start of mass production, the plant's managing director, Soichiro Takizawa said, “The new Civic Type R is a significant model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and passion.

Honda revealed the Type R ahead in March last year.

Billed as a "race car for the road", the car gets a new 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine.

Peak power output is 310ps at 6,500 rpm, and peak torque is 400Nm at 2,500 rpm – both higher than for any previous Type R model.

Red-lining at 7,000 rpm, the engine – part of Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams Technology series – features an advanced new turbocharger with VTEC technology that boosts low-end torque and delivers sustained acceleration.

The Civic Type R’s blistering performance is unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment: the 0-to-100kph sprint is covered in just 5.7 seconds – making it the fastest accelerating performance front-wheel drive hatchback – and top speed, where permitted, is a class-leading 270kph.


Penang's oldest Shell station sports new look

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell has unveiled the new look of Shell Penang Road to commemorate one of its oldest stations that has been serving Penangites and the wider community, for generations since the 1920s.

Shell’s restoration of its station helps preserve Penang’s living heritage whilst maintaining an important connection to the past.

The station has survived World War II and also witnessed Malaysia’s independence.

Located in the Buffer Zone of the Penang Heritage zone, an area popular with tourists, Shell Penang Road is listed as an important cultural landmark.

Shell is working with Penang Global Tourism to elevate Shell Penang Road as a tourist landmark.

To celebrate the launch, Shell is offering BonusLink members a limited-edition Shell Heritage Jute Bag, which features Penang’s cultural elements .

Exclusively available at Shell Penang Road, the Shell Heritage Jute Bag is redeemable with 1,200 BonusLink points.

Customers who sign up to be a BonusLink member at Shell Penang Road will be able to buy the bag for RM15, while stocks last.

Customers can sign up for BonusLink easily at any Shell station nationwide, or they can register by downloading the BLINK app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Shell Penang Road is open from 6am to midnight daily.


Active safety systems are already cutting road accidents

                DETROIT: New research from US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the not-for-profit organization committed to testing cars for crash safety, finds that Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems have the potential to cut fatal crash rates by as much as 86%.

In a study undertaken by IIHS vice president for research, Jessica Cicchino, data from police-reported crashes was analyzed and individuals involved in accidents cross-referenced by VIN number to establish which active safety systems were fitted when the car was sold.

Cicchino found that in the case of single-vehicle, sideswipe and head-on crashes, LDW technology - a comparatively simple system that monitors the car's position on the road and alerts the driver with audible and visual warnings if the car starts to drift from its highway lane - resulted in an 11% reduction in crashes and lowered the rates of injury in crashes by 21%.

Therefore, according to Cicchino, if all of the 85,000 crashes that met her criteria had involved cars fitted with the feature, some 55,000 injuries could have been prevented must in 2015.

What's more, if the results are simplified to omit elements such as insurance risk and driver demographic, then LDW reduced fatal crashes by 86%.

However, there are several caveats. The first is that the system can be activated or deactivated by the driver and there is no data to indicate if the system was in use at the time of an accident. And, more importantly, the system simply warns the driver that he or she is veering out of lane, it doesn't take over the steering and autonomously navigate the car back between lane marking lines.

When Cicchino looked at the results of other similar studies conducted in the US and in Sweden, on commercial vehicles and on Volvos respectively, the reduction in crash rates was nearer the 50% mark leading her to conclude that human inaction is the reason why her results are not in line with those from other studies.

LDW is often bundled with Blind Spot Detection, a feature that warns the driver if there is a vehicle alongside it when he or she indicates and begins to change lane. So Cicchino applied a similar methodology to examining its effectiveness. She found the technology lowers the rate of all lane-change crashes by 14% and of those resulting in occupant injury by 23%.

"Blind spot detection systems work by providing additional information to the driver. It's still up to the driver to pay attention to that information and use it to make decisions," Cicchino says. "That said, if every passenger vehicle on the road were equipped with blind spot detection as effective as the systems we studied, about 50,000 police-reported crashes a year could be prevented."


No plans to ban 'kap chai', says Loke

                KUALA LUMPUR: It is not practical to ban the kap chai (small underbone motorcycles) despite calls for such action, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

"There are non-governmental groups related to road safety that wants a ban on the kap chai.

“But we have to look at it practically as a vast majority of the estimated 16 million registered motorcycles are kap chais.

"Many would be affected if we ban the motorcycles today and my view is that it would be difficult to impose such a ban," he said when answering a supplementary question raised by Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (GPS-Petrajaya) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

As an alternative, he noted that there have been suggestions to switch to the use of electric motorcycles which were less powerful and slower.

However, while encouraging the use of electric motorcycles, Loke said that there is no decision to ban the kap chai.

He added that there are also no plans to ban the kap chai on the highways.

Instead, he said plans will be included under the 12th Malaysia Plan for the construction of dedicated motorcycle lanes in hot spot areas.

Fadillah raised the issue of kap chai after Loke told lawmakers that 72% out of 2,693 road accident fatalities in 2017 involved motorcyclists and pillion riders aged between 16 and 30.

He said there were 2,818 fatalities in 2016 and 2,449 fatalities in 2018 involving victims of the same age group.

Earlier to a question by Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai), Loke said that proposed guidelines to regulate motorcycle e-hailing and food delivery activities will be tabled in the Cabinet later this week.

In 2017, a suggestion by former Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor to ban the kap chai  in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City drew outrage from those using such machines.


Socar announces one-way intercity service

                PETALING JAYA: The new Socar One-Way Intercity service allows users to book one-way reservations to/from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru without any additional one-way fees.

To book, just open your Socar app to see the locations of the available pick-up and drop-off zones, indicated by the ‘Intercity’ pins.

Select your preferred pick-up and drop-off zones for your trip to secure your booking.

The intercity zones include Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, Bayan Lepas in Penang and Ah Yit in Johor Bahru.

To find out more about Socar’s intercity feature and available locations, log on to https://blog.socar.my/2019/12/24/intercity/

Socar vehicles are also available at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 & 2, Penang International Airport and Senai International Airport.

Socar expands to Ipoh

Socar has expanded to Ipoh as of 17 January 2020 with cars like the Honda City, Perodua Axia, Perodua Myvi and Toyota Altis.

New users in Ipoh can enjoy the first 3 hours off on each of the first 2 Socar bookings they make - until 31 January 2020.

“Users can pick up their vehicles at locations such as KTM Ipoh, Tesco Ipoh Garden, Caltex Jalan Kampar, Caltex Canning Garden and Caltex Jalan Pasir Puteh. We will also be deploying additional cars to Ipoh Parade in the weeks to come as we continue to encourage more Malaysians to embrace the concept of car-sharing,” said Leon Foong, CEO of Socar Malaysia.


National Automotive Plan 2020 under review to cope with crisis

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of International Trade and Industry is re-working the action plan in implementing the National Automotive Plan (NAP) 2020, which aims to make the nation’s automotive sector more competitive and developed.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, said the move would help revive the automotive sector through selective investments.

More money would be plouged into making vehicles more technologically advanced and eco-friendly, he said. Funds would also go to building up local talent and production of high-value aftersales products as well as upgrading the automotive supply chain, he added.

The Malaysian Automotive Association has revised its Total Industry Volume (TIV) projection downwards to 400,000 units from 607,000 because of the Covid-19 impact, Mohamed Azmin said in reply to a question from Ong Kian Ming’s (Bangi-PH) in Parliament today.

He said his ministry was drafting standards for electric vehicles and next-generation vehicles, and such standards were expected to be introduced in 2021.

"A vehicle testbed is being prepared in Cyberjaya to facilitate the testing and local development of next-generation vehicles."

Replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) about the third national car project, Mohamed Azmin said his ministry wanted to make sure that the company assigned the responsibility to develop the project works with the Malaysian Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute to make it a success.


Toyota GR Supra gets Apple CarPlay

                PETALING JAYA: The Toyota GR Supra has been upgraded for greater convenience and connectivity.

Wired Apple CarPlay has been introduced in the 3.0-litre variant of the GR Supra. It complements the earlier generation 8.8-inch touchscreen display with touchpad remote, built-in navigation, USB and Bluetooth already built into the car.

The GR Supra is also equipped with a 12-speaker JBL HiFi Surround Sound System.

The upgrade is the second one for the GR Supra following a 14% performance upgrade in July 2020.

The RM589,987 sports car is available for booking from Toyota GR Garage showrooms nationwide.


MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad passes away

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad Badjunaid passed away in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Feb 2.

She had just finished performing umrah and was due to return to Malaysia on Feb 4.

In a statement, MAA said Aishah would be laid to rest in Saudi Arabia today.

Aishah, 71, was MAA president since 2000.

She was also the first woman chairman of Malaysian Motor Traders Association (MMTA) from 1991 until MMTA merged with the Malaysian Motor Vehicles Assemblers Association (MMVAA) in 2000 to form MAA.

Aside from being the MAA president, Aishah also served from 1998 until now as chairman of Automotive Federation Malaysia (AFM), the umbrella association for MAA, the Malaysian Automotive Component Parts Manufacturers, and Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers & Distributors Association of Malaysia.

At the regional level, Aishah was president of Asean Automotive Federation (AAF) for three terms: 2000 - 2002, 2008 - 2010, and 2015 - 2017.

"Under her stewardship, the MAA had grown in terms of stature, memberships, and resources. With her leadership and strong commitment, the association has engaged in numerous dialogues, discussions and proposals with the government to resolve industrial issues and review policies to support the expansion and sustenance of the automotive industry in Malaysia," MAA said.

She started her career in mid-1970s with Inchcape Group of Companies in Malaysia, a time when senior positions in automotive companies were occupied by men.

She worked her way up in the industry over the years and was with Ford Malaysia, Tractors Malaysia and retired in 2021 when she was in Sime Darby Motors Division.

Despite her retirement, Aishah continued to serve as board member for Sime Darby Group of Companies.

Meanwhile, DRB-Hicom Group in a statement said Aishah was an industry stalwart who made substantial contributions to the Malaysian motoring industry throughout her career.

Its group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar said Aishah is irreplaceable and that her legacy is the impact she made on the industry she so loved.

"Her leadership, vision, and dedication in running the MAA have made a lasting impact on the industry and she will be remembered as a tireless champion for the growth and development of the automotive sector in Malaysia.

"Her passing is a great loss to the industry and the entire community,” Syed Faisal said.

 Aishah promoting the KL International Motor Show of 2018.

A former colleague in Sime Darby Motors, Devindran Ramanathan, said Aishah was one of the few Malay women who started their careers in the automotive industry whom he knew.

The SpareXHub co-founder said Aishah, an ITM graduate and member of the Chartered Institute of Transport, was also the first woman to become a marketing services manager at Inchape and later with Ford operations in Malaysia.

"I started knowing Aishah when I joined Sime Darby Motors, notably Auto Bavaria, in the early 1990s as a management trainee as she was very much my senior and an icon we looked up to as young automotive executives.

"She was very sociable, happy around people and exudes confidence when speaking.

"She certainly had the knack of keeping all members and stakeholders of the motor industry association united and having a common voice when presenting policy issues or concerns with the Government.

"Aishah was wonderful to accept my invitation to speak at an automotive conference I organised in 2012 at my new start-up business in aftersales consulting and training," Devindran said.

Devindran also said Aishah would be missed and he hoped more women would emulate her enviable nature as a human being.


China supercar startup gets cracking, looking for European production base

                BEIJING: The people behind China's plans to launch its first supercar are scouting for a European production base.

Techrules, automotive research and development company based here, will have a shortlist of locations within months and a final decision is expected by the end of the year.

Techrules showed off the supercar concept at the Geneva Motor Show last month and highlighted its Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) technology. The car is expected to go into production within three years. It then plans to begin production of higher volume city cars a few years later.

A development prototype started testing in February at the Silverstone race circuit in Britain.

 Techrules founder and CEO William Jin (left) and chief technology chief Matthew Jin.

Producing peak power of 1,030bhp, initial projections indicate blistering performance (0 - 100kph in 2.5 seconds; 350kph restricted top speed) and a huge range (over 2,000km). Under plug-in operation, it achieves fuel consumption of just 0.18 l/100 km.

Techrules chairman William Jin said it will return to Geneva next year to show the progress made with the technology, including an update on the performance testing undertaken at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The TREV system is an all-new patent-protected series hybrid powertrain technology comprising a turbine-generator. TREV combines extensive experience of aviation and electric vehicle technologies with several proprietary technical innovations to deliver unprecedented levels of efficiency and performance, and ultra-low environmental impact.

TREV is a range extender system that uses a micro-turbine to generate electricity that charges a battery pack. In the patent-protected series hybrid powertrain system, the battery powers the motors that drive the wheels. Techrules claimed newly developed battery management technologies enable superior charging efficiency. The high efficiency of the TREV range extender results in a requirement for fewer batteries, saving weight and space, it added.


Test riding the Moto Guzzi V85 TT

                Moto Guzzi’s new V85 TT is definitely big in styling in terms of design and colour.

The bike comes with two colour options bright and loud which are red and yellow plus the macho looking colour which is black and grey with red frames.

Design-wise, the bike very much offers the retro look hence called Classic Enduro.

The LED twin headlights (I call it the bug-eye) are quite unique.

The minute I switched on the light, the running light comes in the shape of Guzzi’s eagle mascot.

Meanwhile, the fuel tank is definitely old-school that will grow on you.

The simple design enveloped in modern technology is first of its kind for Moto Guzzi.

Being an adventure bike, the ergonomics of this motorcycle is spot on.

The riders triangle be it on or off-road is definitely well thought off.

The handlebars are easy to reach, it is not too wide neither too low.

The mid-mount foot controls and the well-placed handlebars allowed me to manage the bike while standing on footpegs.

On the instrument panel, the motorcycle comes with a TFT screen that offers blue graphics.

On a sunny day, all the information shown on the screen is legible.

There was all the necessary information deemed useful to a rider like average speed, speed, fuel range, temperature and trip features.

And like most modern adventure bike there is an option to connect via Bluetooth to your phone.

The new Moto Guzzi V85 TT is mated on six-speed transmission.

The 90-degree air-cooled transverse V-twin in Moto Guzzi’s V85 TT offers 80hp at 7,750 rpm and 80Nm at 5,000rpm.

Priced at RM79,094 (introductory price before SST) the V85 TT comes with three riding modes road, rain and off-road.

Once I thumbed the starter, Guzzi’s chassis rocks pleasantly from left to the right.

This is Guzzi’s engine characteristic is in every Guzzi.

Every time I upshift my gears on the open road, I could feel the slight rocking of the chassis.

It did not bother me at all. In fact, every time I start the bike, I look forward to the slight movement of the transverse V-twin from left to right.

My destination on this bike was KL-Kota Bharu-Penang-KL.

My riding mates and I decided to take the back roads on this journey.

The only time we got on to the highway was during our ride from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

While riding on the back roads of Kelantan, the bike absorbed all the imperfect roads and humps.

This would not be possible without the KYB suspension.

The 170mm travel on the upside-down fork did a great job.

What is even more pleasing while taking the corners, the back and front suspension gave me all the confidence I needed to accelerate and exit with grace.

During my first leg of my journey, from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru, I must say that the wide saddle was firm yet comfortable.

Not only it was comfortable and the saddle was wide enough for me to move around.

There where ample legroom which is extremely useful for long-distance of this sort to avoid any discomfort.

During my ride from Kota Bharu to Penang via the Banjaran Titiwangsa route, the bike was simply marvellous.

The bike felt very planted even when I was way above the legal speed limit.

Despite being small, the windshield was able to protect me from the wind blast.

As the windshield's height was fixed, I would have preferred it to be taller.

The engine was torquey enough for the V85 TT to overtake any vehicle but does not behave like a sports bike.

Every time, I decided to overtake, the engine picks up smoothly without any delay.

The power band is wide thus there is ample punch for me to do what I need to do.

I did not feel any vibration on the bike even at high speeds.

From Jeli, Kelantan to Penang, I encountered a long stretch of road with corners and twisties of all sorts.

I was able to flip the bike effortlessly as I only had to steer the bike and shift my weight a bit. The rest was done by the machine. Simply amazing.

There was a great balance between engine performance and chassis agility.

I worked the bike hard into corners with gusto and revved my way out with ease.

The bike responded well to any hard braking and acceleration.

Meanwhile in the city centre, even at low speed, the bike did not struggle.

It was a smooth ride all the way in the traffic jam.

There was no engine chatter due to the smooth fueling at low revs.

I was weaving in and out without breaking a sweat.

The slim body of the machine allowed me to tackle the traffic without any hesitation and not to forget the high handlebar of this Guzzi was above most of the car wing mirrors.

The front Brembo brake system is fitted with double 320mm floating discs, radial-mounted callipers with four pistons while the rear gets a single 260mm disc and floating calliper with two pistons.

These brakes are very light on the fingers and toes.

I did not have to slam on the brakes, gentle squeeze and lightfoot press are more than enough.

Meanwhile, on the off roads, the brakes were fantastic, the bite was spot on.

During my ride, I encountered rain many times and I used this opportunity to ride in the rain mode.

No matter what speed I was during the rain, the rain mode worked so well.

The ABS and the traction control on the bike kept me safe during heavy rain.

This bike is a dual-purpose machine which is meant for street and off-road; I decided to take the bike for a short ride on a few back roads which was filled with sand as well as loose pebbles and stones.

Before taking the bike on an off-road adventure, I locked in the off-road riding mode and I was ready to take the fall while riding it.

Surprisingly after an hour of off-road, ride I realised that the bike was light enough for me (68kg) to manoeuvre through sand, pebbles and mud.

Not only that the front and rear suspension were simply super, thus making me want to ride even longer on this terrain.

On certain stretches, I had to steer the bikes while standing and it felt very natural like how I felt riding on the highway.

The reach to the handlebar and the standing position did not tire me at all.

SPECIFICATIONS: Moto Guzzi V85 TT
Engine: 853cc, transverse 90° V twin, two valves per cylinder (titanium intake).
Maximum power: 80hp at 7,750rpm
Maximum torque: 80Nm at 5,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed

Front suspension: 41mm hydraulic telescopic up-side-down fork, with adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound
Rear suspension: Double-sided swing arm with adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound

Front brakes: Double 320mm floating discs, Brembo radial-mounted callipers with 4 pistons
Rear brakes: 260mm disc, floating calliper with 2 pistons

Fuel capacity: 21 litres
Range: Est. 400km

Wet weight: 229kg

Features: Rain, road and off-road riding modes, ABS, Moto Guzzi Multimedia Platform that supports music, calls, navigator and more

Price: RM79,094 (introductory price before SST)


Vespa Racing Sixties are here

                PETALING JAYA: Didi Resources Sdn Bhd, official distributor of the Vespa brand in Malaysia, has introduced the special Vespa Racing Sixties series.

The Racing Sixties come in two variants of Vespa GTS Super and Sprint. The RM31,400 GTS Super is powered by a 300cc HPE engine while the RM19,100 Sprint has a 150cc engine.

Available colours are white with red stripes and green with yellow stripes.

In addition to the attractive colour scheme, a brand-new seat, golden wheel rims and matte black details are included give zest to the Vespas.

To complete the Racing Sixties special series, fans can also get a range of sweatshirts, t-shirts and helmets inspired by the scooters' graphics and colour schemes.

In conjunction with the launch, Vespa has set up a website https://vesparacingsixties.com/ which offers online challenges where top three winners with the best ranking will receive a Vespa Racing Sixties Premium Set.

There is also an online comic in-tune with the spirit of the Racing Sixties.


No more road tax and licence extension after Sept 30

                PUTRAJAYA: The renewal period of road tax and driving licences will not be extended after Sept 30, said the Road Transport Department director-general, Datuk Zailani Hashim.

He said drivers and vehicle owners must renew their motor Vehicle Licence (LKM or road tax) or Malaysian Driving Licence (LMM), including Goods Driving Licence (GDL) and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, before Sept 30.

He said the extension given should be adequate for any motorist to renew their road tax and driving licence, and it could also be done online.

Zailani said besides counter services at JPJ offices, renewals can also be done at Pos Malaysia Bhd’s branches via appointments and through MyEG Services Sdn Bhd (MyEG), to avoid congestion at premises.

"For those who are Internet-savvy, we encourage them to renew their road tax and licence online, and be physically present at our premises only when necessary,” he said during a virtual press conference on Monday.

According to records, renewal of road tax and driving licences from Aug1 to 15 at RTD counters were 639,965, Pos Malaysia (373,805), MyEG (322,231) and 8,400 at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).

Previously, Pos Malaysia also announced that appointments could be made online using Outlet Finder at www.pos.com.my or Pos Malaysia’s mobile apps.

Meanwhile MyEG executive director, Datuk Raja Munir Shah Raja Mustapha, said they will try to ensure that all transactions are delivered to customers before Sept 30.

"For customers living in areas placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), they are advised to call us at 03-7801 8888 in case of delays,” he added.


Honda taps external researchers to work on mobility and robotics

                TOKYO: Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda R&D), a research and development subsidiary of Honda, announced that it began a collaboration with the Center for Information and Neural Networks (CiNet) in neuroscientific research of humans in the areas of mobility and robotics.

CiNet is a flagship research institute that focuses on the brain and artificial intelligence within the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

Since its foundation, Honda has always strived to develop better products and technologies based on our belief that “the purpose of technology is to help people".

The business environment surrounding Honda has been experiencing drastic changes such as the advancement of automated driving technologies and the shift toward “mobility/robotics-as-a-service.” As a result, the study of humans has become more important than ever before.

As of April 1, 2019, Honda newly established the Innovative Research Excellence within Honda R&D, a new center of excellence which will be responsible for the pursuit of revolutionary advancement and the creation of values for mobility and people’s daily lives.

This new research organization, Innovative Research Excellence, will play a central role within Honda to pursue this joint research with CiNet on the relationships between humans and both mobility and robotics.

To be more specific, jointly with CiNet, Honda will apply neuroscience to make clear how a driver can experience a sense of unity with the vehicle and what would be the optimal human-machine interface.

Through such research, Honda and CiNet will strive to establish standards for the development of safer and more comfortable mobility and robotics technologies which offer peace of mind to the users.


Great Wall warns BMW joint venture faces uncertainties

                BEIJING: China’s Great Wall Motor on Wednesday said that its joint venture with BMW faced regulatory uncertainties as both companies pledged to proceed with plans for developing a low-cost electric car.

The regulatory questions are over whether the joint venture will be able to obtain the required approvals for building a joint factory, Great Wall said in a stock market filing made in response to media reports that the alliance was in trouble.

German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Aug 4 that the tie-up could fail, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Since February 2018, BMW and Great Wall have worked on plans to build a low-cost electric vehicle on a joint platform which BMW would use for the MINI brand and Great Wall would use for its own brand.

BMW and Great Wall have not yet received permission to build a new plant in Changsu, China and Chinese State Planning authorities last year tightened regulations on adding manufacturing capacity unless factory utilization rates improve.

Hit by the US-China trade war, China’s vehicle sales have fallen for 12 months in a row, including in June. Industry officials and analysts now expect car demand to slide some 5% this year, its first decline since the 1990s.

Great Wall said in its statement on Wednesday: “At present, the project is proceeding as planned, and the two parties are communicating on the details of the cooperation and preparing for the project to seek approval from the relevant authorities.”

BMW also said the joint venture was going well in all work streams and significant progress was being made in all business areas.

Automakers and suppliers are scrambling to meet tough new Chinese quotas for less polluting cars. Those rules call for electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles to account for a fifth of total sales by 2025.

Great Wall is China’s top sport utility vehicle and pick-up truck maker. It also builds Ora, an affordable battery electric vehicle brand in Baoding, the city where it is based.

The joint venture aims to build a plant in Zhangjiagang city with the capacity for making 160,000 gasoline vehicles for export and another 160,000 new energy vehicles, documents on the city’s website show.

It will also have a research centre and car parts manufacturing facilities.

A separate local government document shows the total investment of the project is forecast at 20.2 billion yuan (RM12bil).

BMW has a separate manufacturing alliance with BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang.


Buy a Ford Ranger and get 5-year warranty plus a rear-view camera

                KUALA lUMPUR: How does this grab you? Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) is offering a five-year warranty for the Ranger 2.2L XLT and 3.2L XLT variants nationwide as a special offer until June 30.

Customers who buy and register either versions by the end of June will enjoy a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or 100,000km, with an additional two years or 100,000km warranty through SDAC’s extended warranty programme at no extra cost.

READ MORE: Three pick-up truck shootout

To sweeten the offer even more, the Ranger XLT now comes with a factory-fitted rear-view camera as standard, helping provide the driver with a clearer view behind the vehicle, especially when parking. The rear-view camera is displayed on the Ranger’s 4.2-inch SYNC screen, and works together with Rear Park Assist, audible parking sensors that help drivers park.

“We’re working hard to make sure all customers have a great ownership experience,and we’re pleased to offer those who purchase and register a Ranger XLT from today until June 30 added peace of mind by providing them the extended warranty programme,” said SDAC managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

For more information, go to www.ford.com.my or call the hotline 1800 38 3181.

The upgraded deal on the Ranger comes following the local launch of the eighth-generation Toyota Hilux last week. The Hilux has 52% market share of the local pick-up truck segment, making it the bestselling pick-up by far.


ID.4 electric SUV previewed at Volkswagen Fest

                PETALING JAYA: Early this month, CarSifu announced that the VW ID.4 electric SUV would be previewed in Kuala Lumpur ahead of its launch in Malaysia.

Well, today is the day.

The preview was held at Sentul Depot in conjunction with Volkswagen Fest 2022, which made its comeback after a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two right-hand drive units of the ID.4 were showcased at the festival, which ends tomorrow.

Volkswagen in Malaysia isn't telling when the ID.4 would be launched locally but said it would be soon.

The two cars are meanwhile undergoing field trials in the hot and humid weather of the country. It would be interesting to see how the cars cope with the impending monsoons and fording through shallow sections of flooded roads.

The ID.4 on show at the fest are the Pro Performance variant. Each packed a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery that's good for around 520km. A 201hp electric motor drives the rear wheels and the car can sprint from 0-100kph in 8.5s, and onwards to a top speed of 160kph.

The ID.4 supports 11-kW AC charging and up to 125-kW DC fast charging that reportedly allows the car to recover 320km in half an hour.

As to price, we will only know it once VW gets around to launching it in Malaysia. But expect it to be somewhere in the region of RM200,000 to RM300,000, which is where its rivals Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are positioned.

Zooming out, the Volkswagen Group has been pretty successful in its global electric offensive.

The deliveries of all-electric vehicles were up 25 percent in the first nine months year-on-year. Despite ongoing supply constraints, 366,400 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have been handed over to customers until the end of September, up from 293,000 in the prior-year period.

China remains the biggest driver with 112,700 BEVs – more than twice as many as at the end of Q3 2021.

The top selling BEV models in the first nine months of 2022 were the ID.4/ID.5, which collectively sold 122,600 units.


Palestinian app helps drivers avoid Israeli checkpoint bottlenecks

Abdel Haleem using Doroob Navigator as he drives his car at an Israeli checkpoint in Ramallah. — Reuters
RAMALLAH: A new locally-developed app helps Palestinian drivers in the occupied West Bank negotiate traffic at Israeli military checkpoints and uncover routes to towns mainstream providers often miss.

Launched in June and designed by Palestinians, Doroob Navigator crowd-sources road closures and traffic data from users. It aims to supplant apps like Google Maps and Waze, which rarely account for Israeli restrictions and struggle to navigate between Palestinian cities.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and cites security concerns in maintaining checkpoints. But the roadblocks limit Palestinian mobility and damage their economy, according to the World Bank.

Some checkpoints are long-established at the entrances to villages and cities, but others pop up when tensions rise.

Mohammad Abdel Haleem, CEO of Doroob Technologies, said he knew Palestinians needed a new way to get around after a drive with Google Maps between the West Bank cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah left him lost in a remote valley.

“We had to design our maps completely from scratch. The wall, checkpoints, settlements ... existing mapping software could never account for the complexity here,” Abdel Haleem, 39, said before using the app to drive through a checkpoint separating Ramallah from Beit El, a nearby Israeli settlement.

The app, which has garnered 22,000 users in two months, is funded by Ideal, a Ramallah-based transportation and automation software company also led by Abdel Haleem. He says he hopes to monetize the app in the future in part via a delivery feature.

'Other apps do not understand'

The West Bank is scattered with Israeli settlements and military bases, and an Israeli barrier snakes through the territory. Israel says the obstacle prevents Palestinian attacks, but Palestinians call it a land grab.

Around 3 million Palestinians live in the territory along with some 450,000 settlers, who can generally drive in the area without major restriction using so-called “bypass roads” built to avoid Palestinian towns.

Doroob Navigator’s algorithm combines reports from users with manual inputs by engineering staff to help drivers avoid crippling checkpoint traffic and circumvent settlements, which most Palestinian vehicles cannot enter.

“Other apps might say the only way to drive between certain Palestinian cities is to cut through a settlement,” Abdel Haleem said. “We’re trying to change that.”

The app is also available in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza, though most active users are in the West Bank, Abdeel Haleem says.

Palestinians in the past have relied on Facebook groups and word-of-mouth to anticipate West Bank traffic and closures. Waze is popular with Israelis, but many Palestinians say it directs them to routes they are restricted from driving.

“We need applications like this that help us move within Palestine,” said Nicolas Harami, 31, who uses the app while driving from his home in East Jerusalem to Ramallah and other West Bank cities.

“Other applications do not understand our situation.”


E-hailing and Grabcar drivers baffled by Government regulations

                PETALING JAYA: E-hailing drivers are baffled over what they say are discrepancies in the statements issued by the Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

This came about after Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Wednesday that drivers who passed the Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) examination but still awaiting the licence would be allowed to be on the road.

He also said that e-hailing drivers need not have a printout of the e-hailing vehicle permit (EVP), which is already electronically stored in the driver’s app.

However, Malaysia E-hailing Drivers Association president Daryl Chong said APAD had conveyed a different message.

Oct 12 was the deadline set by the government for drivers to comply with all e-hailing regulations. They are required to have the PSV licence, passenger insurance, e-hailing sticker and EVP from APAD.

“Enforcement agencies will act based on laws. So the drivers are confused. Who should we listen to? The minister or the enforcement agencies?” he asked.

Road Transport Department (JPJ) Enforcement Division director Khairul Anuar Bachok said on Thursday that JPJ would take firm action against drivers who did not meet the criteria.

Then on Saturday, Loke said the ministry was taking a gradual approach in the enforcement.

He said drivers would be given leeway as long as they had registered for the PSV examination or were taking steps to fulfil the requirements.

He also assured drivers not to worry about the authorities mounting a crackdown against them.

Chong said drivers were in a quandary over such different statements.

“We can only advise our members to drive at their own risk now until they get their EVP, ” he said, adding that APAD should “buck up and act fast” in issuing the EVP to drivers.

Following the confusion, Chong said there were fewer e-hailing drivers on the road, which led to longer waiting time and higher fares for passengers especially during peak hours.

MCA Civil Society Coordination Bureau chief Ng Kian Nam, who is assisting a group of drivers, also called on Loke to clear the air.

“Why is the minister and his agencies giving out contradicting statements? One says they will be lenient while another insisted on strict enforcement, ” he said.

When contacted, a Grab spokesman said many of its drivers had come forward to do their due diligence since Saturday.

“They came to check on their status and if they were good to go.

“There were also drivers who came to update their insurance details into the system in order to allow them to ferry passengers, ” he said, adding that at least 41% of its estimated 150,000 drivers have obtained the PSV licence and EVP.

Another 24% are awaiting either for the examination results or a slot to sit for the test while 22% decided to quit altogether.


Hyundai shows off first rendering of new Santa Fe

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor has unveiled its first rendering of the upcoming Santa Fe, showcasing a luxurious and striking design based on its robust, stylish and voluminous composition, which reflects Hyundai’s new SUV design identity.

The futuristic exterior rendering highlights the new frontal section. Introducing a large Cascading Grille complemented by a separate headlight system featuring divided daytime running lights (DRLs) and main lamps.

The side rendering showcases the vehicle’s dynamic characteristics. A simple yet sleek roof line and the side character line running from the headlights to the taillights merge to form a harmonious look and feel.

The rear section features both a confident and stable stance with unique taillights, dual mufflers, and a meaty bumper design.


Car-mad Germany already worried about driverless car data

                BERLIN: Self-driving cars generate a lot of data which has huge implications for privacy and in Germany a lot of people are worried.

The topic has also sparked a row over who should own and have access to information about the behaviour of robot cars and how they interact with their surroundings.

Even before robot cars become common it seems a lot of motorists in Germany have already made up their minds about the matter.

A new survey shows that 57% believe the owner should have the last word on what happens to sensor data collected during driverless motoring.

A lot of the information collected by driverless cars relates to navigation and road conditions.

This is seen as less personal by those who responded in the survey conducted jointly by Germany's Bitkom digital association and the Tuv vehicle testing agency federation. A total of 1,238 people aged over 18 were canvassed for their views.

Of that number, 42% said they would allow third-party access to data if this led to improved traffic flow or helped to solve road crime. Meanwhile 27 % said they would release data if they received customised traffic alerts related to their journeys.

Data privacy was high on the agenda of all those asked for their views. A total of 95 % expect that data collection systems be regularly checked by an independent non-government body and only 11 % thought this was a task which could be entrusted to state authorities.


Nissan maps out its route to autonomy

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan conducted its first self-driving car tests on highways and on inner city roads on Thursday  with the ultimate aim of taking what are still very much prototype technologies and making them standard features by 2020.

Like Toyota's Highway Teammate concept and Tesla's recently rolled-out Autopilot feature, the technology being tested by a vehicle based on Nissan's plug-in electric Leaf is a form of piloted driving that can take over in specific circumstances.

However, unlike the other systems, Nissan's "Piloted Drive" is being developed and demonstrated simultaneously in much more complex urban areas as well as on clearly delineated, predominantly straight and predictable highways.

To manage this, the car has a laser scanner that can measure distances in three dimensions and within millimeters so that it understands where it is in relation not just to other vehicles, but to road infrastructure and pedestrians, too. This scanner works in conjunction with an eight-way, 360-degree camera that enables the car's systems or the driver to make the quickest and clearest decisions regarding the route through an intersection or a sharp bend, for example.

Much of this technology is still in its infancy so Nissan's initial aim is to roll out Piloted Drive 1.0 - a system that can autonomously navigate congested highway conditions, to production models in Japan by the end of 2016. By 2018, the system will be able to navigate lane changes and by 2020, able to negotiate urban environments and intersections, too.

A program for cleaner and safer motoring

But Piloted Drive is in itself simply one large element of a much bigger autonomous driving system called Nissan Intelligent Drive that will work in concert with the driver to take the strain, cut accidents and even drive in the same way as the owner.

"We at Nissan are setting clear goals and preparing for the implementation of piloted drive," said senior vice president of Nissan, Takao Asami. "The prototype that we're introducing here today (Thursday) is proof of how close we are towards the realisation of this goal. Nissan aspires for a safe and trouble-free motoring future, and we plan on leading the industry in the implementation of piloted drive."

Nissan has chosen a LEAF rather than a crossover or one of its luxury Infiniti models because it believes zero-emission and zero-fatality driving are linked and that battery-powered cars will be much more widespread at the turn of the decade.

"By the time Nissan Intelligent Driving technology is available on production cars, EVs will be able to go great distances on a single charge," said design director Mitsunori Morita.


Britain to ban all new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles from 2040

                LONDON: Britain will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel heavy good vehicles from 2040 as part of a broader package of green initiatives aimed at achieving net zero emissions from all forms of transport 10 years later.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is seeking to elevate Britain's environmental credentials as he prepares to hold the United Nations' Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, in Scotland later this year.

The government said that it would ban the sale of smaller diesel trucks from 2035, and larger ones weighing more than 26 tonnes from 2040, or earlier if feasible.

It also set out plans to create a net zero rail network by 2050 and ensure net zero domestic aviation emissions by 2040.

"Decarbonisation is not just some technocratic process. It’s about how we make sure that transport shapes quality of life and the economy in ways that are good," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

"It's not about stopping people doing things: it’s about doing the same things differently."

As world powers try to slash carbon emissions by scrapping the fossil-fuel guzzling internal combustion engine, Britain has already pledged to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars from 2030.

On aviation, the government said it was launching a consultation to achieve a net zero emissions target by 2050, with "an action plan for how it can be achieved – ensuring everyone can continue to fly for holidays, visits to family and business without contributing to climate change."


Japan's Hitachi Astemo appoints Honda veteran as next CEO

                TOKYO: Japan's Hitachi Astemo says an auto industry veteran will take over as top executive from Brice Koch, who handled the automotive supplier's response to misconduct over testing and other procedures for components going back as far as the 1980s.

Hitachi Astemo, which makes a wide range of car, motorcycle and train parts such as brake systems and powertrains, is a joint venture between Hitachi and Honda Motor Co Ltd.

Honda director Kohei Takeuchi (inset) will become its new president and CEO effective July 1, pending the approval of the shareholders and board later this month, Hitachi Astemo said in a statement on Thursday.

In a career spanning over four decades at Honda, Takeuchi held posts such as risk management officer and chief financial officer.

Koch was stepping down from his role because of his appointment as board chairman of Hitachi Europe Ltd, Hitachi Astemo said in the statement.

It did not refer to the issues it found with testing and other procedures for components.

Koch last month announced the outcome of a probe into the wrongdoing that found that employees had wrongly handled test and other procedures at 11 domestic and four overseas plants, affecting 22 products for 69 customers.

The longest running issue the company found at that time had lasted for about 40 years from January 1983.


After pressure from Toyota chief, Japan emphasised support for hybrids

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp's chief lobbied the Japanese government to make clear it supported hybrid vehicles as much as battery electrics or face losing the auto industry's support, a senior lawmaker told a ruling party meeting.

The lobbying by Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota and chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (Jama) industry group, comes as the automaker has faced increased scrutiny from green investors who say it has been slow to embrace battery-electric vehicles and pressed governments to slow a transition to them.

Akira Amari, a former industry minister and a veteran member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), requested changes to the government's annual economic policy roadmap at a June 3 meeting, saying he had spoken with Toyoda a day earlier, according to notes and audio of the meeting reviewed by Reuters.

The final version of the document included a reference to "so-called electric-powered vehicles" and appeared to put fossil-fuel burning hybrids on equal footing with zero-emission battery vehicles, even though environmentalists say there is a vast difference.

"I spoke with chairman Toyoda yesterday and he said that Jama cannot endorse a government that rejects hybrids," Amari told the policy meeting of LDP lawmakers, according to the notes and audio.

Use of synthetic fuel, such as from hydrogen, would make hybrids "100% clean energy" cars and the policy document should make that explicit, Amari said.

"If we don't make that clear, Jama will push back with all its might," Amari said, according to the notes and audio.

"If we don't say that hybrids are included in the category of electric vehicles, that won't look good," he said, adding that a reference to electric-powered vehicles should be changed to "so-called electric-powered vehicles".

Amari confirmed that he asked for the inclusion of "so-called" to make clear that electric vehicles were not limited to battery-electric vehicles and included hybrids. He said he asked for no other changes.

He confirmed that he had spoken to Toyoda.

"What Mr Toyoda is trying to say is that hybrids running with synthetic fuels are good for the environment because they are extremely fuel efficient. He said he would be extremely dissatisfied if hybrids were rejected. That's what he told me. He asked if the LDP were rejecting hybrids and I said that we were doing no such thing."

Amari said that by developing synthetic fuels automakers would be able to produce zero-emission internal combustion engines. Such fuels could also be used in aircraft, which can't run on battery power, he said.

In a statement to Reuters, Jama said the auto industry was making every effort towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Since the goal was carbon neutrality, it was important to broaden options and not be limited to specific technologies, it said.

It was also necessary to respond to various situations and customer needs in each country and region, it said.

A Toyota spokesman referred Reuters to Jama.

No longer a footnote

The final version of the document, available online, refers to Japan's 2035 target of all new domestic car sales being "so-called electric-powered vehicles," and specifically mentions in the main text that such vehicles include hybrids.

An earlier draft from May 31, also available online, shows the reference to hybrids only in a footnote. The main text refers to the 2035 target as having all new car sales being "electric-powered vehicles".

The annual policy document is of major importance for the government and serves as a framework for its future policy.

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker by sales, has said fossil fuels, not internal combustion engines, are the problem. As well as the hybrids it popularised more than two decades ago with the Prius, it also champions hydrogen technology, although that has so far not caught on the way battery-electric cars have.

Hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, accounted for almost 44% of the new passenger cars sold in Japan last year, while battery electric vehicles accounted for less than 1%, according to data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

That doesn't include mini cars, trucks or buses.

Energy and climate think-tank InfluenceMap has rated Toyota the worst among major automakers for its lobbying record on climate policy, which includes public statements and interaction with governments.

It has been criticised by its own investors, including pension funds, over its lobbying.

Denmark's AkademikerPension has sold down most of its stake in Toyota over the last year.

Toyota last year committed 8 trillion yen (RM264bil) to electrify its cars by 2030, with half of that slated to develop battery electric vehicles. Still, it expects annual sales of such cars to reach only 3.5 million vehicles by the end of the decade, or around a third of current sales.

On Thursday, Toyota said it recalled more than 2,000 of its first mass-produced electric vehicle, the bZ4X SUV, less than two months after rolling the vehicle out, because of a risk the wheel could come loose.

It says hybrids make sense in markets where infrastructure isn't ready to support a faster move to battery vehicles, and that customers should have more choices for cleaner technology.


Qualcomm, FedEx, auto executives to propose transport policies for world in transition

                WASHINGTON: A group of business leaders and public policy experts is launching a new body to grapple with thorny questions surrounding the future of transportation including self-driving and electric vehicles.

The Commission on the Future of Mobility, reported earlier by Reuters, was formally unveiled on Friday.

The group plans to propose a new regulatory framework to address a global transportation sector “on the cusp of a worldwide transition driven by shared, connected, autonomous, and electric technologies.”

Alisyn Malek, the commission’s executive director, said the goal is to tackle tough problems and improve safety.

“Let’s bring everybody together to talk about how do we want the movement of people and goods to actually work,” Malek said in an interview.

Autonomous cars and delivery trucks, package-carrying drones, air taxis, connected vehicles and Hyperloop systems are among transit advances that could revolutionise travel.

Traffic crashes remain a major problem. The World Health Organisation estimates 1.35 million people die and 20 to 50 million are injured annually in vehicle crashes.

The commission will be co-chaired by Jared Cohon, president emeritus of Carnegie Mellon University, former Ford Motor CEO Jim Hackett and Transdev Group CEO Thierry Mallet.

“Progress can only continue if we modernise the way policy and regulation work,” Hackett said.

Governments, including the United States, have struggled to adopt regulations to allow for wide-scale adoption of next-generation transportation like self-driving cars amid safety concerns.

Regulators are hiking fuel efficiency requirements, while California and many European countries want to end new gasoline-powered passenger vehicle sales by 2035.

The commission says in an overview document that “current regulatory requirements governing fuel economy standards and vehicle safety fail to reflect the transformation occurring in powertrains, autonomy, and models of mobility.”

The group wants to recommend in 2022 “a framework for regulations in the American, European, and Asian markets post-2025 that reflects and facilitates the technological transformation taking place” for emissions and safety regulations.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber CEO Richard Kramer, FedEx CEO Fred Smith and Qualcomm CEO Steven Mollenkopf will be on the commission, as will Hyundai Motor chief operating officer José Muñoz. It expects to add members before its February kickoff.

The commission is housed within SAFE, a non-partisan organisation focusing on energy security issues.

SAFE CEO Robbie Diamond said the goal is to rethink everything. “If you had to rewrite regulations and policy from scratch knowing what we know about technology today ... what you would do differently?” he asked. “We want to think big.”


More car companies set to announce revised prices soon

                PETALING JAYA: A few car companies have already released their lists of lower vehicle prices on Friday following the exemption of sales tax effective tomorrow. The rest will be doing so soon.

The suspension of the sales tax for cars until Dec 31 is expected to provide a much-needed boost for the sector following the economic fallout from Covid-19.

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said there was a slight improvement in terms of orders following the sales tax exemption announcement by the government last week.

“That means there is interest. Previously, during the (pre-recovery) movement control order (MCO) period, it was bad, ” she said.

In the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last week, locally-assembled cars would be fully exempted from sales tax, while imported cars would see their sales tax cut from 10% to 5% during the same period.

The sales tax exemption is expected to see buyers saving by up to more than RM10,000.

Commenting on the tax exemption, Aishah said many car companies were now announcing the respective savings and incentives to attract buyers.

“It is a very good move. We appreciate it and we would like to thank the government for providing this incentive to spur automotive sales, ” she said.

However, Aishah expressed concern that more stringent loan approval process by banks could be another stumbling block.

“I think banks are more cautious because of the (loan repayment) moratorium.

“Some of them are short of cash, and you know, during bad times, customers have difficulties paying back, so they have to make sure there are no bad debts, ” she said.

Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Nalin Jain welcomed the sales tax exemption, saying the company was grateful for the opportunity to offer discounts.

“The incentives come at an opportune time, especially as the nation and the auto sector look towards recovery from challenges brought on by the pause in business operations.

“We are hopeful that the reduced price tags will encourage car buyers to invest in a car built with safety in mind, and in the short-term period, recharge the Malaysian automotive industry, ” he said.

In a statement, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia said customers could expect savings of up to RM3,881 on the Volkswagen Tiguan, RM6,133 on the Volkswagen Passat, and RM4,884 on the Volkswagen Gold R-Line.

A Honda Malaysia spokesman said it would make an announcement soon.

“We will also contribute to the economy in any way we can,” said the spokesman.


Geely leads in bid for Proton

BY INTAN FARHANA ZAINUL

PETALING JAYA: Chinese car manufacturer Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd is said to be leading the race to become the technical partner of national car manufacturer Proton Holdings Bhd.

Also, it is learnt that the national car manufacturer has made some changes to the top executives of its operations in preparation for the entry of a new technical partner.

Towards this end, among the changes are said to involve chief technical officer Abdul Rashid Musa being slated to take over the group’s sales division, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, to boost sales.

Abdul Rashid will replace Rohime Shafie, the former chief executive officer of Proton Edar, who has been reassigned to another subsidiary within Proton.

The new chief technical officer is said to be a person who was formerly with the United Kingdom’s Lotus Group. The changes took effect yesterday.

According to sources, PSA Group of France, the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe which produces marques such as Peugeot and Citroen, is also actively undertaking due diligence work at Proton’s headquarters.

“However, between the two, Geely appears to show more interest. Both are busy with their due diligence at the moment ... you can see both Geely and PSA officials at Proton’s headquarters almost everyday,” said sources.

It is learnt that both Geely and PSA want 51% in the manufacturing plant in Tanjung Malim. The government has given the green light for foreigners to own a majority stake in the assembly plant.

Malaysia Automotive Institute CEO Datuk Madani Sahari said Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant was a prized asset to gain access to the South-East Asian market.

“The Tanjung Malim plant is one of the best assets in Proton. Any new technical partner of Proton would have immediate access to produce cars with Proton, and it could be used as their Asean manufacturing hub,” he said.

“Aside from the manufacturing plant, Proton has been in the car market since the early 1980s. It understands the Asean taste,” he added.

On the changes in the key people of Proton’s operations, Madani feels that having Abdul Rashid to head the sales team could be part of Proton’s plan to boost its monthly sales target to 10,000 a month, and market the brand to be in line with the recent technological efforts by the firm.

“The carmaker has made a lot of technological changes to its cars, and Abdul Rashid is moved there probably to send out the message on its latest technology,” he said.

Last month, Proton CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said the firm was expecting to announce its tie-up with a foreign strategic partner as early as April.

He had said that while Proton had the urgency to decide on its foreign tie-up, it was also careful in evaluating and deciding the best proposal.

Ahmad Fuaad had said that there were three short-listed companies that were in the midst of completing a due diligence process to finalise their proposal.

The requirement to collaborate with a well-known strategic partner was imposed upon Proton as part of the conditions issued by the government for its approval of an RM1.5bil soft loan to Proton, in which a bulk of the money would be used to pay its vendors.

Sources said that not all suppliers had been paid, especially the service providers.

“Only vendors for component suppliers have been settled so that they can continue supplying parts to Proton. Service providers have not been paid yet,” a source said.

Proton began the process of identifying its strategic partner in June 2016 by sending out a request for proposal to 14 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Out of these 14 OEMs, three foreign parties have since been shortlisted. It is understood that the three parties are China’s Geely as well as French carmakers PSA Group and Renault SA.


Six global premieres to catch at the Top Marques Monaco auto show

                MONTE CARLO: Supercars and customisations of all kinds are in store at the 15th edition of the Top Marques Monaco auto show, held from April 19-22, at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum.

This year's show will feature no fewer than six global launches, starting with the Tushek TS 900H. The Austrian manufacturer's latest supercar is a hybrid model weighing just under 1,400kg, and promising a top speed of 380kph and 0-100kph acceleration in 2.5 seconds.

Another eagerly awaited supercar coming to Monaco is the BDI Enigma. The British firm is also set to reveal a hybrid model, this time with record-breaking acceleration and a top speed of 300kph.

 Tushek TS 900H.

German high-end design boutique M13 will unveil its first auto creation in Monaco, with a bespoke version of the Smart car called the Smart M13 Bellator.

The Niva Classic Club plans to celebrate 40 years of the Lada Niva with a new custom version of the all-terrain vehicle, called the Lada Niva 4x4 Edition 40, loaded with various special features. Plus, tuning specialist Pogea Racing is in line to present a new car at the show, although there's no word yet on any of its specs. Finally, motorcycle fans should watch out for the eagerly awaited Levis V6 Cafe Racer, which is in line for a Monaco debut.

 Levis V6 Cafe Racer.

One major attraction at this year's show will be the Corbellati Missile, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018, and billed as the world's fastest supercar with its 1,800hp 9.0-litre V8 biturbo engine and estimated top speed of 500kph. Danish manufacturer Zenvo's latest creation, the TSR-S, will also be on show.

Certain lucky VIP visitors will be able to test-drive these supercars on the streets of Monaco, on the course used by F1 drivers during the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.

Note that the event also features an entire pavilion dedicated to luxury jewelry and watches.

The 15th edition of the Top Marques Monaco auto show runs April 19-22, 2018, at Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.

 Corbellati Missile.


New Volvo V60 unveiled

GOTHENBURG: The comprehensive overhauling of the Volvo range is continuing apace, with the latest new model to break cover being a new version of the V60 estate.

The V60 is the second of Volvo's 60 models to get redesigned after the XC60, so only the S60 sedan is left of the trio awaiting the new treatment.

Like a number of car makers at the moment, Volvo is looking to reposition itself in the market as a more premium brand than it has been perceived in the past. As a result, the new V60 is designed to compete directly with the BMW 3 Series Touring and the Audi A4 Avant, rather than the likes of the estate (or wagon) versions of the Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia.

This new V60 replaces the current model that's now some seven years old, and it sits on the company's Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) that it shares with the XC60 SUV and its larger sibling, the V90 estate. As is the way with Volvos today, the new V60 will offer a wide range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, but electrification has a big part to play under the hood of the new V60 too.

Although other models in the Volvo family that are based on the SPA platform feature a single plug-in hybrid powertrain, there will be two hybrid options in the V60 lineup. One of them will be a T6 Twin Engine badged version, featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor to produce 335 bhp, while the other will be the more familiar and powerful T8 system with an impressive 385 bhp.

The design of the interior and exterior of the new V60 isn't exactly surprising, and really does follow on in a very similar vein to other recently updated models in the Volvo family. The exterior is a lot like a shrunken version of the V90 estate, but although there are a lot of similarities between the V60 and V90, there are also areas where the V60 obviously takes some of its design inspiration from the XC60.