Gentex-PayByCar deal enables in-car payments for fuel and other essentials

                BOSTON: Gentex Corporation and PayByCar,Inc. have announced a deal that will allow an increasing number of drivers to pay for fuel and other essentials directly from their vehicle.

The US companies are working to ensure compatibility between Gentex’s Integrated Toll Module and PayByCar, an innovative payment solution that allows drivers to use their smartphone and toll transponder to fuel up at some petrol stations without using cash or a credit card.

PayByCar uses the driver’s toll transponder to identify the vehicle upon entering a participating station.

The system immediately sends a text message to the driver, who replies with the appropriate pump number. PayByCar then turns on the pump, registers the transaction, charges the driver’s credit card, and issues an email receipt.

Gentex supplies automakers with Integrated Toll Module (ITM), a nationwide toll collection technology for factory integration into new vehicles.

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The system combines almost all US tolling protocols, providing drivers with frictionless access to toll roads throughout the US while eliminating the need for multiple transponders cluttering the windscreen.

By ensuring compatibility between the two technologies, Gentex and PayByCar said they could help each other grow their mutual customer base while introducing new users to the benefits of the transactional vehicle.

“It’s truly a win-win relationship for both companies,” said Gentex chief technology officer Neil Boehm.

“PayByCar affords ITM customers added functionality while we help expand PayByCar’s user base. As ITM grows in popularity and PayByCar expands transaction locations, everyone benefits.”

The two companies also believe that consumers are starting to appreciate the benefits of contactless transactions in the age of a pandemic.

“Clearly, we’re living at a time when contactless payments are becoming increasingly important,” said PayByCar president & COO Anand Raman. “We’re excited to offer drivers not only the convenience of simple and quick transactions, but also the added safety and peace of mind of a touch-free payment experience.”

Gentex is a leading supplier of digital vision and connected car technologies to the global automotive industry.

PayByCar makes possible in-vehicle contactless payments for connected cars – both new models with state-of-the-art tech, as well as millions of older vehicles.


New Porsche Studio opens in 'Silicon Valley of Taiwan'

                HSINCHU: Porsche has just opened the 12th Porsche Studio worldwide in this city in Taiwan well-known for its science-based industrial park, also dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Taiwan”.

In June 2020, Porsche Taiwan’s new partner Prestige Motors held the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Porsche Centre Hsinchu.

With the new Porsche Studio, they now bring the charm of the sportscar brand already to the city. Porsche craftsmanship, aesthetics and urban lifestyle can now be easily experienced and embraced.

Porsche Studio Hsinchu is welcoming fans and enthusiasts to explore the Porsche essence by infusing sportscar spirit into urban life.

Here, they can share their leisure time with extraordinary experiences and indulge in car affection with Porsche. The façade combines dynamic technology with state-of-the-art materials and architectural elements. Its dark body consistently directs the focus to the studio's large glazed shop window front of the Studio.

Porsche and its partners are committed to expand the retail network of the sportscar brand – especially in Asia.

“After revealing the Porsche NOW! Sales Pop-Up in Taoyuan and the new Porsche Centre Taipei, Porsche Taiwan is now rolling out the new Porsche Studio Hsinchu in collaboration with Prestige Motors. We are proud to have this great partner with years of expertise in Taiwan – a market with increasing importance for us,” says Matthias Becker, Vice President Region Overseas and Emerging Markets.

“The Porsche Studio Hsinchu has the typical lifestyle-oriented atmosphere and aims to build close connections with customers.”


Local assembly of Proton X70 starts

                TANJUNG MALIM: One year and one day after it was launched in Malaysia, the first X70 to be built at Proton’s new plant extension in Tanjung Malim has rolled off the production line ahead of its highly anticipated market introduction.

Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment premium SUV is put together in a state-of-the-art plant extension here that was built in record time at a cost of RM1.2bil.

At the same time, Proton worked together with local and overseas vendors to ensure a supply chain for parts required to build its first SUV, would be in place when production activities began.

 Darell signing a plaque today to mark the start of local X70 assembly.

In the run-up to manufacturing, Proton worked with its local vendors to match them with other companies who were already supplying components for the SUV.

These efforts have resulted in seven new joint-ventures being formed as both local and foreign companies started partnerships based in Malaysia to share competencies and production resources.

Other deals achieved by the effort include technical agreements and foreign direct investments, resulting in a total investment of RM263 million and the creation of 1,084 jobs as the vendor community gears up to create a pipeline of high technology components for the Proton X70 and future models.

The new plant would not only produce future products jointly developed with Geely but it would also be a centre for right-hand-drive production of vehicles for export, said Proton chairman Datuk Sri Syed Faisal Albar.

Geely Auto Group president and CEO An Conghui said Geely would "continue to support Proton as it grows in the Malaysian market and in the wider ASEAN region and beyond."

“By committing to produce the Proton X70 and future models at Tanjung Malim, Proton has helped develop the vendor community," said Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Darell Leiking.

"This is vital as vendors are the anchor for Malaysia’s automotive industry and are a major contributor to the economy. The introduction of new technologies will help develop industry competencies and going forward, the government is hopeful this will allow Malaysia to penetrate global markets and be a leader in the supply of automotive components.”

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Russian carmaker seeks niche in luxury market

Visitors inspecting a sedan version of Russian President Vladimir Putin's new Aurus Senat limousine at the Moscow International Motor Show in Moscow on Aug 29. - AFP
MOSCOW: A new state-owned Russian carmaker launched Wednesday a Soviet-influenced luxury vehicle it hopes will lure the domestic super rich away from brands such as Rolls-Royce.

A glitzy presentation at a Moscow motor show saw Russian Trade Minister Denis Manturov help unveil two models from the new "Aurus" brand - the Senat limousine and a smaller Senat sedan.

Putin at his inauguration for a fourth presidential term this May rode to the Kremlin in a boxy black Aurus limousine with a huge front grill.

This marked a return to the Soviet-era practice of leaders riding in domestically made ceremonial cars. In previous years, Putin has opted for a Mercedes instead.

The new designs are influenced by Soviet-era cars produced only for top officials, the carmakers said, and the Kremlin has already received a number of the vehicles.

Chief designer Vadim Pereverzev said market research among Russians showed "there is demand for a high-tech quality product made in our country, in particular for a car of such a class."

"Consumers of such cars, you could say they are tired of Rolls-Royces, Mercedes and Maybachs," said Pereverzev, who has worked with Italian brands including Fiat.

The launch comes days after arms maker Kalashnikov surprised observers by presenting a new electric car with a retro powder blue design.

Pereverzev acknowledged design influences for the Aurus Limousine included a model made for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, the ZIS, which also featured a huge chrome grille.

"I'd say that it was more that era that inspired our designers - an era of great achievements by our state when cars like the ZIS appeared," Pereverzev said.

The cars were developed by a state enterprise called NAMI, which owns a controlling stake in the Aurus brand, in conjunction with Russian automotive group Sollers.

Russian state funding for the project came to around 12 billion rubles (RM725mil).

There is also an investor from United Arab Emirates, Tawazun, which invested 110 million euros (RM526mil), Manturov said.

The brand is hoping to attract both wealthy Russians and international customers who currently opt for Western-made models.

"We will not sell this vehicle only in Russia, we will sell it abroad," the CEO of the Aurus brand, Franz Gerhard Hilgert, said in his presentation.

The price of the model will be "somewhere in between Mercedes and Rolls-Royce", said Hilgert, who used to represent Daimler Chrysler in Russia.


VW's new Tiguan and Beetle coming soon

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), the official distributor of the German brand in Malaysia, confirmed that the new Tiguan and Beetle will soon arrive.

During a discussion with VPCM's managing director (brand) Erik Winter, managing director (aftersales) Florian Steiner and brand director Roland Ooi at the company's head office, Winter announced that both the new Tiguan and facelifted Beetle will be arriving in Malaysia later this year.

“Probably our most important model launch will be the Tiguan. It will be completely different from the old Tiguan and we believe that it will be very much welcomed by the Malaysian market,” said Winter.

He added that the company will introduce limited edition models based on the current CKD line-up, but will not be bringing in any hybrid models just yet.

Based on the recent unveils of the Vento, Jetta and Passat in Malaysia, the new Tiguan - but not the facelifted Beetle, will arrive in similar fashion starting with the entry-level Comfortline, Trendline and finally the range-topping Highline.

The midsized SUV uses the German carmaker’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture and was formally introduced at this year’s Detroit Auto Show with its longer and wider looks that can provide up to 57% more interior space than before.

It could also arrive with some goodies such as rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (Front Assist) with pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert and lane departure warning (Lane Assist).

As for the facelifted Beetle, it's arrival should be one that's highly anticipated after having garnered a reputation for being a cute 'fun-to-drive bug' since its introduction in 2011. Although the Beetle isn't a full model change, there will be noticeable differences such as its redesigned bumpers, lights and interior among others.

The company also announced that following the recent opening of its 3S (sales, service and spare-parts) centre in Batu Pahat, there will be three more openings this year with Tebrau (February) next in line, followed by Permas Jaya (March) and Seremban (April) to increase its reach.

Currently, the company holds 1.2% market share with a total of 6,048 cars sold as of Dec 2016 - of which over 1,000 cars were sold by VPCM since taking over from Volkswagen Malaysia in Sept 2016.

All Volkswagen vehicles come with a five-year manufacturer's warranty, while a two-year Customer Care Goodwill programme applies to vehicles produced till December 2013 with a mileage of up to 200,000km.


Perodua sales up by 29% in first quarter of 2021

                RAWANG: Perodua sold an estimated 57,911 vehicles in the first quarter of the year (1Q21), representing 29% more than the 44,977 units it sold in the same period in 2020 as production increased to meet demand for all its models, especially the newly-launched Perodua Ativa.

Perodua president and chief executive office Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the company's sales saw a jump to 24,433 units in March due to strong demand particularly for the Ativa SUV which secured 14,574 bookings since order taking started on Feb 19.

Month-on-month, Perodua’s registrations jumped by 47.3% to 24,433 units in March 2021 compared to February 2021’s 16,583 units.

Zainal added that of the 14,574 Ativa bookings garnered so far, 4,345 units have been delivered since the new model’s launch on March 3, and that Ativa demand is currently skewed 67% towards the range-topping AV, which is within projections.

“This makes the Perodua Ativa the best-selling compact SUV in the country in the month of March. We are glad that the Ativa has gotten off to such a strong start, and that we well surpassed our 3,000-unit monthly delivery target in the first month.

“We thank Malaysians for their support and trust. On our end, we are committed towards timely deliveries of every order made,” Zainal said.

On production, Zainal said that Perodua manufactured 60,383 vehicles in 1Q21 – a 23% boost over the 49,280 units produced in 1Q20.

“For now, our biggest challenge is the semiconductor chip shortage, which is having varying impacts on carmakers on a global scale.

“We are working with our partners to find alternative supply while at the same time monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure continued operation of our production lines,” he said.

Despite the semiconductor issue, Zainal said Perodua would still be able to meet its initial 2021 sales target of 240,000 units.

Perodua’s 2021 sales target represents a 9% increase from the 220,163 units sold in 2020, and is expected to lead to a record purchase of RM6.5bil worth of locally-sourced components this year.

The company also targets a production of 272,000 units (+23% from 2020’s 220,968 units) and 2.4 million service intakes (+20% from 2020’s 2 million service intakes) this year.


Britain's driverless car ambitions hit speed bump with insurers

                LONDON: Britain's goal to be a leader in adopting self-driving cars could backfire unless automakers and government regulators spell out the current limitations of the technology, insurance companies warn.

Insurers are key players in the shift to automated driving, with some investing in a technology they believe will slash accidents and deaths, and save them billions in payouts.

But they are worried drivers might equate today's lower levels of automation with fully self-driving vehicles, potentially causing more accidents in the short term and permanently damaging public confidence in the technology.

"What you describe things as is incredibly important, so people don't use them inappropriately," said David Williams, managing director of underwriting at AXA Insurance, whose parent AXA SA made 17 billion euros in revenues from property and casualty insurance, including motor insurance, in 2020.

"I genuinely believe the world will be a safer place with autonomous vehicles and I really don't want that derailed."

In what would be a world first, Britain is considering regulating the use of Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) on its roads, possibly even on motorways at speeds of up to 70 miles (113 km) per hour. It is also deciding whether to describe them to the general public as "automated" systems.

It is that one word - automated - that has stirred controversy and put the country at the centre of a global debate about self-driving terminology at a sensitive moment in its evolution.

The technology is evolving rapidly and there is no consensus on how to deploy it or what to call some features. Regulations in the Americas, Europe and Asia lag far behind technical developments and issues over accident liability are unresolved.

ALKS use sensors and software to keep cars within a lane, accelerating and braking without driver input. They are "Level 3" technology on the auto industry's five point scale towards fully autonomous "Level 5" driving - meaning they can operate under specific conditions, but require driver intervention.

However, some experts say ALKS should be called "assisted-driving technology" to avoid potentially misleading consumers into believing they can let their attention wander at the wheel.

The dangers of drivers apparently misunderstanding the limits of technology has already become an issue in the United States, where regulators have been looking into about 20 crashes involving Tesla's driver assistance tools, such as its "Autopilot" system - a "Level 2" technology that requires the driver's constant attention.

Britain's Thatcham Research said it had tested cars with the technologies underpinning ALKS and found they cannot swerve out of lane to avoid obstacles, see pedestrians emerging from cars at roadside, or read road signs. The car can alert the driver to resume control, but with a potentially fatal lag at high speeds.

"If this technology was really automated and could do what you or I could do, insurers would welcome it," said Matthew Avery, Thatcham's research director.

"But this will lead to confusion, it's going to lead to unnecessary crashes, and potentially injuries or fatalities" if ALKS are not marketed accurately, he added.

Britain's transport ministry said its primary concern was public safety and it hadn't decided to permit the use of ALKS at high speeds or whether to call the technology "automated." Its decisions are expected later this year.

'Problem child'

The World Health Organisation estimates road accidents globally kill around 1.35 million people a year.

With human error estimated to cause around 90% of accidents, that has attracted considerable interest in automated driving technologies from insurers.

AXA, for instance, has used UK research projects to gather data to create insurance products for autonomous vehicles and owns a stake in self-driving software startup Oxbotica, which also has funding from Chinese tech giant Tencent.

There is potentially a big economic boost too from embracing the new technology.

Britain's transport ministry forecasts by 2035 around 40% of new UK cars could have self-driving capabilities, creating up to 38,000 new skilled jobs.

"The UK's adoption of ALKS ... is essential for Britain to remain a world leader in vehicle technology while ensuring our roads remain amongst the safest on the planet," Mike Hawes, CEO of UK car industry lobby group the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited, said, noting the United Nations has approved ALKS in slow moving motorway traffic under 37 miles per hour (60 kph).

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz has been a pioneer of self-driving technology and is seeking global regulatory approval for its "Level 3" Drive Pilot system.

In an email, Daimler called the system "conditional automated driving"

"This is a paradigm change, because the vehicle takes control," Daimler said. "The driver can turn away from what is happening on the road" to surf the internet, or enjoy "a relaxing seat massage."

AXA's Williams attended a presentation of Drive Pilot to the Association of British Insurers last year.

"It is absolutely amazing, but it is driver assistance," he said, and not full automation.

Neil Ingram, insurer Direct Line's head of motor product management, said it was vital "Level 3" technologies were described clearly and accurately.

"We've known for years the path to full automation was a tricky one and Level 3 has always been the problem child," he said. "If the government decides to designate ALKS systems as automated then that makes it very, very real."

With proper consumer education, ALKS "could help in slow moving traffic", said Anthony Smith, CEO of independent UK consumer watchdog Transport Focus.

"But the word 'automated' needs careful testing on a few focus groups and we need a better name," he said.

Some in the car industry favour a cautious approach.

Glen De Vos, chief technology officer at Aptiv, a supplier developing self-driving technology, said automakers should be "very sensitive" when describing their systems' capabilities "because what we don't want to do is oversell."

Even marketed properly, he said some drivers would abuse the technology. So Aptiv advocates using cameras and sensors inside vehicles to keep drivers engaged.

"If the driver's behaviour doesn't change, you have to lock them out of the system," De Vos said.


New Range Rover Evoque launched, prices start at RM426,828

                PETALING JAYA: Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has officially launched the the new 2020 Range Rover Evoque luxury compact SUV which comes in two variants: Evoque and Evoque R-Dynamic, priced at RM426,828 and  RM475,398 respectively (price is inclusive 50% sales tax waiver excluding car registration, insurance and roadtax).

A new 2.0 litre Petrol Turbocharged Ingenium engine has been introduced for both variants. The twin scroll turbocharged petrol engine P200 produces 200PS and 320Nm of torque for the Evoque, while the Evoque R-Dynamicpushes out 249PS and 365Nm.

Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

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The new Evoque boasts design updates such as the new slim LED headlights and taillights as well as flush door handles.

The new second-generation Range Rover Evoque has a longer wheelbase of 21mm adding more rear leg and knee room, as well as a larger glove box and centre console.

The luggage space is also 10% larger at 591 litres and much wider, which makes it possible to fit in a a set of golf clubs among other things. The space can be further increased to 1,383 litres when the 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded.

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Standard equipment for both variants include an All-Wheel Drive with Driveline Disconnect technology and the Land Rover InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system combining two sleek 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreens and a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel.

The R-Dynamic variant features more exterior enhancements such as the burnished copper accents on the front and rear bumpers, as well as front fender inserts. Also included is the ClearSight Rear View Mirror and ClearSight Ground View technology.

“The Evoque is now smarter than ever. The software that sits behind our infotainment system has been refined to provide a more intuitive customer experience. On top of that, we’ve added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration,” said  Executive Director, Product Engineering of Jaguar Land Rover, Nick Rogers.

Other features include the Meridian Sound System with 11 speakers including a subwoofer and the safety feature, Lane Keep Assist.

In conjunction with the launch, Jaguar Land Rover is offering RM3,000 worth of accessory vouchers, that can be used to purchase the new Evoque original accessories, for a limited time only.

All Land Rover vehicles distributed by authorised dealers come with a Land Rover Care programme,which is based on whichever comes first: a 5-year warranty or 150,000km, 5-year servicing or 65,000km and 3-year Roadside Assistance.


New Honda CR-V off to good start

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia's facelifted CR-V sports utility vehicle has seen a 180% increase in bookings within a month of its official launch in November.

The bookings have also exceeded expectations, of which more than 1,700 units had been snapped up.

The refreshed CR-V was launched with three upgraded variants, namely 2.0L 2WD, 1.5L TC-P 2WD and 1.5L TC-P 4WD.

Pricing starts from RM139,912.

The 1.5L TC-P 2WD is the most popular choice among customers, contributing 46% to the total booking.

The Central region secured the highest number of new CR-V buyers, accounting for 45% of the total booking.

The Southern region and Northern region came next with 20% and 19% contribution to the booking respectively.

Dark Olive Metallic is the most preferred colour, translating into 30% of the total booking.

To-date, more than 1,300 units of the new CR-V have been delivered to customers nationwide.

Honda Malaysia has given an assurance that customers would receive their units in a timely manner.

Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama said the new CR-V was the ideal SUV for customers, especially families and professionals who have a discerning taste for SUV with top-notch specifications.

"As an all-in-one SUV, the new CR-V is able to fulfil customers’ demand with its complete package that consists of a full suite of Honda Sensing safety features, Honda LaneWatch, dynamic performance with 4WD system as well as spacious and comfortable cabin."

"“In addition, the sales tax exemption introduced by the Malaysian Government which is ongoing until Dec 31 has also provided a timely opportunity for customers to purchase Honda cars with added benefit. Customers are welcome to test drive the New CR-V at any nearby Honda dealership," he said.

Further enhanced with tough and modern exterior design, the new CR-V has a new Black Grille combined with Honda Signature LED Headlights and new Front Bumper with new Wing-style Chrome Fascia.

The new CR-V is also packed with advanced features that deliver exceptional driving experience.

The Remote Engine Start, a new feature that allows drivers to start the engine with the press of a button on the smart key and at the same time, turns on the air conditioning from outside without unlocking the car.

For details or to test drive the new CR-V, customers can visit any of the 102 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or call Honda Malaysia’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log onto www.honda.com.my.


Porsche Cayman GT4: Track-worthy hardware

                Porsche's latest Cayman GT4 is a compact two-seater coupe with a large GT-wing at the rear, gaping front air intakes, side-blades to ram air into the mid-mounted engine’s intake and large cross-drilled disc brakes – all of which add up to a sports car seemingly more bred for the track than for the streets.

We find ourselves at the Sepang International Circuit getting ready to have a go in this visually captivating Porsche that has come into existence after having borrowed from the parts-bin of the company’s favoured 911 family – the Carrera S, GT3 and even the 918 Spyder.

It’s been dressed in Racing Yellow for this particular track day and might we say it’s a real stunner.
The GT-wing, made of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), is prominent at the rear and with the capability of lapping the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 40 seconds; it was hard to hold back the enthusiasm.

Priced from RM840,000, the Cayman GT4 uses the same engine found in the Carrera S, only its 3.8-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine that’s been turned 180 degrees just to accommodate the exhaust and fuel feed and then mated to a six-speed manual transmission for some three-pedal fun.

The throaty engine feels free and willing to rev up towards its 7,800rpm redline, ever wanting to unleash all its 385hp at 7,400rpm and 420Nm of torque from 4,750 to 6,000rpm that’s sent to the rear wheels to help it reach 100kph from standstill in 4.4 seconds before topping out at 295kph.

The Cayman GT4 on track came with the optional analogue-digital timer that’s part of the Sport Chrono Package and a rollover protection cage at the rear of the cabin from the Club Sport Package.

Furthermore, the seats have been upgraded to the one-piece (fixed-back) bucket seats with exposed carbon weave finish adopted from the 918 Spyder and upholstered in black leather and Alcantara centre – allowing the matching body colour stitches and GT4 logo to stand out.

To heighten the fun, it also came with a set of optional cross-drilled Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) 410mm-front and 390mm-rear and matched with yellow aluminium six-pot (front) and four pot (rear) callipers – which is the same upgrade set up used in the 911 GT3.

It would be a slow and calm drive down to the end of the pit lane where we’d come to a complete stop and ensure that the engine, suspension and exhaust were set to Sport mode.

A quick thumbs-up from the “gate-keeper” and it would be a full-throttle experience down the straight towards turn one and two as we revelled in the engine’s sonorous notes.

The stiff bucket seats not only kept us properly in place, but also allowed us to tell how much the car was yawing via our posterior.

In short, there’s plenty of information reaching the driver from the get go, from each of the wheels’ traction to how the car’s 1,340kg of unladen heft transfers from aft to fore under heavy braking, abrupt accelerations and heading into corners.

In essence, the car simply keeps the driver connected to how it reacts to driver inputs over a given road surface.

And to help manage the tyres, the car was also installed with an optional tyre pressure monitoring system that shows (in real-time) the pounds per square inch (PSI) for each tyre.

We found that even with the track’s surface temperature approaching the 50-degree Celsius mark, the 245/35 (front) and 295/30 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres on 20-inch wheels didn’t lose too much of its performance.

 Porsche Cayman GT4 (left) overtaking a 911

Under hard braking, there’s never a slippery situation – even with Monsieur Bibendum (Michelin Man) probably at its melting point.

While still on our hot laps, the car’s electronic driving aids were still engaged and lacked any form of intrusion, but still allowed for some tyre slippage to occur that was just enough for a good level of driver engagement.

As for old-school track goers who revel in the use of all three-pedals and take pride in their skills of left-foot braking and heel-and-toe techniques, the Cayman GT4 simplifies everything to help maximise attention on driving the car and shifting the gears instead of worrying about the “foot-work” all the time.

The transmission is a wonderful short-shifting six-speed manual that provides a crisp engagement into each of the six gates that’s coupled with a lighter than expected clutch and downshifts are being greeted with an automatic blip of the throttle (only in Sport Mode).

The Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system, which uses a mechanical differential lock, coupled with the never-wants-to-fade PCCB brakes ensures that the front and rear are kept very well in check.

At times we may lock one of the front wheels momentarily, but the anti-lock braking system is quick to release it and ensure optimal braking is provided without destabilising the car all too much.

It’s this experience that gives rise to higher confidence levels that allow drivers to feel the car’s connection to the road surfaces even more. The beauty about the Cayman GT4 is that it simply dislikes being unstable and when mistakes happen it thankfully doesn’t “bite the hand that feeds it”.

Upon exiting a left corner, we admit that we were a little overzealous and gunned the throttle a little early.

This caused the rear-end to step out, but thanks to Porsche’s Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control (ESC+TC), it was a gradual step that was quickly caught and mooted by a short and quick right flick of the nicely weighted electromechanical power steering.

At the end of the day, there was little indication that the Cayman GT4 was giving up.

Which means, so long as there’s still strength in the arms, plenty of tyres to go around and enough fuel to keep the high-compression (12.5:1) aluminium flat-six engine running, there really isn’t any good reason to stop... maybe just till dinner time.


Chery Automobile partners Sime Darby for local assembly in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Chery Automobile Co Ltd has appointed Sime Darby Bhd’s subsidiary, Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, as its local assembler for Chery vehicles in Malaysia.

Chery Corporate Malaysia country director Leo Chen said the partnership with Sime Darby is aimed at strengthening its presence in emerging markets within Southeast Asia which have seen encouraging growth. Chery exported more than 450,000 vehicles in 2022.

"It is a very exciting and thrilling partnership. It creates a valuable experience in the automotive sector across the value chain, which would make this a great partnership to grow together," he told reporters at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 in Serdang, Selangor, today.

The company would like to expand its right-hand drive segment aggressively in Malaysia this year and is looking at having 70 showrooms nationwide, of which 30 are already under renovation.

The Sime Darby collaboration to locally assemble Chery vehicles is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023 at Sime Darby's motor vehicle production and assembly facility, Inokom, in Kulim, Kedah which will be expanded.

It was reported that Chery would start assembling Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 in June followed by their launch in July.

Meanwhile, Sime Darby group chief executive officer Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson said in a statement that the trust given it underscores the group’s highly qualified and competent Malaysian talent and its ability to provide meaningful value to partners.

"We look forward to being part of Chery's journey of continuous innovation. The assembly portfolio is a key element in our growth strategy for Sime Darby Motors and this partnership supports this," he said.


Biden moves to restore California’s power to fight car pollution

A view of traffic in Los Angeles.— AFP

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration on Monday took a key step towards restoring California’s power to limit greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and overturn a Trump-era policy that pitted the federal government against a state seeking to eventually ban conventional gas-powered cars.

The Environmental Protection Agency released a formal notice asking for public comment as it considers restoring a waiver that enables California to mandate zero-emission vehicles and enforce its own stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle tailpipes. The Trump administration yanked that waiver in 2019.

Under the Clean Air Act, California has special treatment to set air pollution policies that are tougher than the federal government’s - and other states may choose to follow them. So far, 14 other states have, representing more than a third of the US vehicle market.

"The 2019 decision to revoke the state’s waiver to enforce its greenhouse gas pollution standards for cars and trucks was legally dubious and an attack on the public’s health and well-being,” EPA administrator Michael Regan said in a news release.

The action comes as the Biden administration moves on multiple fronts to boost requirements for fuel-efficiency and tailpipe pollution that were weakened under former President Donald Trump.

The Transportation Department on Thursday proposed rescinding a 2019 rule preempting California from issuing its own limits on greenhouse gas emissions, a companion measure to the waiver withdrawal the EPA is targeting. And the administration is set to propose new vehicle requirements in July.

President Joe Biden has promised aggressive action to combat climate change, and stifling planet-warming pollution from automobiles is central to the effort. The transportation sector is now the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US.

"Today, we are delivering on President Biden’s clear direction to tackle the climate crisis by taking a major step forward to restore state leadership and advance EPA’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals,” Regan said.

In its notice Monday, the EPA asserts the 2019 waiver withdrawal was legally flawed and says there were "significant issues” with the move.

Among them: the six years that elapsed between the agency’s initial 2013 decision to grant the waiver and the Trump administration’s 2019 decision to withdraw it.

A restored waiver could allow California to resume enforcing auto standards it brokered with carmakers and the federal government in 2012 - even if the Biden administration later charts a different course.

That program required automakers to boost the average fuel economy of their fleets by about 5% annually, with the fleet-wide requirement targeting almost 50 mpg (4.7l/100km) in 2025.

As the Biden administration rewrites the federal requirements, some automakers are encouraging a less-aggressive alternative that would require 3.7% annual gains in fuel economy, towards a 50 mpg average a year later, in 2026.

California would still need to obtain waivers for future auto emissions requirements, including a package of next-generation standards being developed by the state’s Air Resources Board.

Governor Gavin Newsom has told the agency to phase out the internal combustion engine and ban the sale of all new gasoline-fueled cars after 2035.

Environmentalists cheered the EPA’s move.

"The administration’s action today to preserve states’ rights will ensure we can continue to protect our communities from unnecessary air pollution and fuel costs,” said Julie Cerqueira, executive director of the US Climate Alliance that works with states to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It also "will address the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.”


Vision AMG shows off Mercedes-AMG's electric future

                AFFALTERBACH (Germany): Mercedes-AMG has recently released the Vision AMG show car, which offers a glimpse of its all-electric future.

The four-seater coupe has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, powerful shoulders, large wheels, a distinctive rear spoiler and star-shaped headlamp signature.

It will be based on a new AMG.EA platform, which is currently under development in Affalterbach for all-electric performance models.

"We’re developing everything from scratch, from the dedicated AMG.EA platform to the revolutionary drivetrain technology with which we will take performance electric mobility to a whole new level,” said Mercedes-AMG GmbH bCEO Philipp Schiemer.

The concept car is characterised by flowing surfaces. Joints and shut lines are reduced to a minimum, and the rear and side windows are painted in the same Alubeam silver as the car itself.

The result is an overall look that reinforces the impression of a monolithic sculpture.

The sporty proportions are particularly evident from the side, and are defined by the technical layout – long wheelbase, sharply raked A-pillar positioned far forward, short front overhang and slightly longer, aerodynamically optimised rear overhang.

It expresses the design language of Sensual Purity with distinctive sports car cues such as the widely flared wheel arches and broad, muscular shoulders at the rear.

The greenhouse is integrated into the flowing overall form and blends seamlessly into the low-lying silhouette. The roof tapers as its line drops elegantly towards the rear, flowing directly into the rear spoiler.

The overall effect is a teardrop form, not unlike that of the VISION EQXX.

The sharply angled tear-off edge at the rear incorporates an active spoiler, elongating the side view while at the same time improving the aerodynamics.

It is framed by a band of light that accommodates a variety of different light installations, providing an effective contrast with the large black AMG logo on the rear of the car.

The technology of the Vision AMG tributes the spectacular design in many ways. All of its drivetrain components are developed entirely from scratch: not only the AMG.EA platform itself, but also the dedicated high-performance high-voltage battery and the revolutionary drive technology.

The powerful heart of the Vision AMG is its innovative Axial Flux Motor developed by Mercedes-Benz’ wholly owned subsidiary YASA. With its compact and lightweight design it delivers substantially more power than conventional electric motors.

The AMG-specific grille with vertical bars is retained as a distinctive brand feature – despite the fact that an all-electric drivetrain does not require a classic radiator at the front.

The high-tech development of the grille is therefore closed off, painted in body colour and fully integrated into the front end.

As the visual focal point, the grille emphasises the futuristic look of the Vision AMG with its illuminated bars and three-dimensional exterior contour. The three-pointed star is positioned prominently on the bonnet – as on the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE.

The headlamp light signature looks futuristic. Three LED elements form a stylised, three-dimensional Mercedes star, ensuring the Mercedes and AMG branding is immediately apparent and unmistakable by night and day.

The two headlamps are visually connected via the horizontal band of light above the grille. This light band can display a variety of animations – ranging from a welcome signature to constant light.

The round lights at the rear have a light design that is new yet familiar. On each side, three LED rings are positioned in cylindrical tubes. Here, too, small stars offer a nod to the Mercedes brand. By way of contrast, the expressive rear diffuser is painted deep black.

The direct connection to the successful Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team is evident in further visual details. These include the silver paintwork with a large-format star pattern across the shoulders and rear wings, functional elements in exposed carbon-fibre, the aerodynamic design of the 22-inch wheels with aero claddings, the AMG logo and elements on the sills and diffuser in the Petronas colours.

Despite the battery pack in the floor of the car between the axles, the study sits considerably lower than the EQS and, thanks to its intelligently designed interior floor, offers plenty of space for four.


About a third of vehicles sold in India will be electric by 2030

                NEW DELHI: Close to a third of all vehicles sold in India are expected to be electric by 2030, but they will mostly be two- and three-wheelers, as expensive battery-powered cars would be outside the reach of many consumers in the world’s fourth-largest automobile market.

By that time, nearly one in every 10 electric vehicles sold worldwide will be in India, and EV sales will cross 10 million units from just 400,000 last year, according to a report by Arthur D. Little released last week.

Passenger cars will still make up only 5% of the battery-powered transport, authors including Barnik Chitran Maitra and Andreas Schlosser wrote in the report.

India’s adoption of electric vehicles have lagged other major markets, even though the world’s third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases has vowed to turn net carbon zero by 2070.

A sparse charging network and expensive upfront cost of clean vehicles have deterred India’s value-conscious buyers, who are used to buying cheap, no-frills gasoline cars.

In India, electric scooters, and not cars, are leading the switch to cleaner transport, but that has faced its own challenges. Several electric scooters have caught fire in recent months due to a lack of proper testing and research for the nation’s hot climate and potholed roads, further threatening the nascent adoption of EVs.

Electric vehicles made up only 2% of total automobile sales in India in 2021, compared with 4% in China and 10% in UK, according to the report.
Foreign direct investment in India’s electric vehicle industry is expected to touch US$20 billion by 2030, the report predicted.

Investments will be boosted by transfer of technology, as well as alliances between local automakers and global electric vehicle companies, according to the report. In 2021, India’s EV industry attracted investments worth US$6 billion.

Growing EV investments by established carmakers, including the nation’s biggest player, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., combined with government subsidies, will expedite the transition in the long run, the authors said.

EV adoption rate will first pick up in bigger cities as Indian automakers forge more partnerships, and startups attract more funding, they said.


Volkswagen Polo Trophy tested

The Volkswagen Polo Trophy takes its inspiration from the World Rally Championship (WRC).

So if the names Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala mean anything to you, well then the Polo Trophy should be an exciting proposition.

For those who don’t follow WRC, the Polo Trophy offers something the standard Polo does not and it may well pique your interest. After all, both Polos are similarly priced at RM89,888 (base price without insurance).

Ogier and Latvala by the way, are drivers for Volkswagen Motorsports in WRC. And so is Andreas Mikkelsen.

Volkswagen have been crushing the competition ever since taking part in WRC in 2013.

In that year alone Volkswagen won both the driver’s and manufacturer’s championship.

And they are still clocking in some of the fastest times of late, which prompted Volkswagen to come out with the Polo Trophy, a nod to the dominating WRC team.

Of course, the rally drivers have been behind the wheel of the Polo R world rally car, now in its second generation.

The Polo Trophy, limited to 100 units and hatchback variant only, shares almost everything with the standard Polo hatch with the exception of a rear spoiler, gloss black wing mirror, window tint, WRC-inspired side and bonnet sticker and the Blaupunkt Philadelphia 835 seven-inch touchscreen head unit with navigation, Bluetooth, USB and AV connectivity.

For a WRC-inspired car, Volkswagen played it real safe with the decals and the wing.

The former highlights the blue and gray Volkswagen colours and the latter is hard to notice it’s there at all.
If the decals and wing were aggressive, then it would turn a lot more heads.

It doesn’t have to be at the level of the Polo R rally car by any means but a little bit of aggression would have suited it better.

At the moment it’s just a blue stripped Polo.

I don’t have a wishlist like “Oh I wish they had tuned the engine or the exhaust or put in a bigger set of wheels and rims and bucket seats blah blah blah”.

What Volkswagen have done with the Polo Trophy is practical, I especially like the head unit, but aesthetically, it doesn’t scream WRC. Other than that, I enjoyed the car very much.

It’s a fun car to drive and because its WRC-inspired I engage the gear shifter to manual while my imaginary co-driver recites the pacenotes, “4 left over crest, long; 5 right, slippy, don’t cut.”

Not that I was driving like a rally driver.

I’m no terror on the tarmac and most importantly, it’s very dangerous and against the law to be driving like that.
It’s just the feeling I get out of driving this car.

Under the hood, it features the 1.6=litre MPI four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic producing 105PS at 5,250rpm and 153Nm of torque at 3,800rpm.

That’s enough grunt for a front-wheel drive hatch plus the steering is responsive and it has good brake bite.

The legroom is a little tight in the back but it’s spacious enough to carry your friends and family around.

The best thing about the Polo Trophy is the entertainment unit which has the navigation, Bluetooth (although the glaring microphone placed just in front of the instrument panel is clearly an afterthought) and USB, iPod connectivity adds convenience and value to the car.

Now, it’s time to watch more WRC.


Volvo reveals two small car concepts  - VIDEO

GOTHENBURG: Volvo has revealed its first two concept cars based on a new common platform with Chinese owner Geely, a small car and an SUV it hopes will help secure a firm premium market foothold.

The platform, dubbed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), is part of Volvo's drive to grow sales and boost profit margins. While these have steadily improved over the past two years, they still lag those of premium carmakers such as Daimler.

Volvo's proposed new models, both painted white, are a modern take on the Swedish carmaker's distinctive look. It said the new small car range, based on the shared platform, would include a pure battery electric car, in line with a target to electrify all models.

"This (the premium segment) is a growing segment and with this platform we have a great potential to grow, with our ambition to be an 800,000 car-company", Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson told Reuters at an event to launch the cars last week.

"It also plays an important role for our goal to reach one million electrified cars in 2025."

Volvo, which will start producing the new "40" series models in 2017, is a small player in a sector plagued by overcapacity.

Geely and Volvo each sold about half a million cars last year, while world leaders Toyota, Volkswagen and General Motors sold some 10 million each.

After stagnating under Ford, Volvo won a new lease of life after it was bought by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010, with investment in new models and factories as the Chinese automaker leapfrogged a decade of research and development in its mission to push upmarket.

Geely's ambitions to break into European and US markets is centred on the China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT) development hub it created in 2013 in Sweden to build the new platform, which it will use in Volvo and Geely's small cars.

Geely will also launch a new brand next year, codenamed "L", based on the platform, sources have told Reuters.

Volvo, one of Sweden's biggest companies by sales and staff numbers, swung to a profit in the first quarter as the XC90, its first model developed under Geely, lifted both sales and earnings, with a record 7.5 percent operating margin.


Trump's auto review may only slow march to better fuel efficiency

                DETROIT: When US President Donald Trump announced a review last week of tough Obama-era vehicle emissions and fuel-efficiency standards, he proclaimed that the "assault on the American auto industry is over."

But rules set by the Environmental Protection Agency may take a backseat to consumers demanding vehicles that guzzle less gas and automakers having to meet tougher standards if they want to export cars overseas, according to auto industry analysts.

In the end, US carmakers may just gain a few more years to meet the more stringent targets that former President Barack Obama's administration negotiated with the companies in 2012, analysts said.

If Europe and China continue to toughen their emissions standards, "the US might become an outlier," American Axle President Mike Simonte told Reuters on Thursday.

Trump's move was widely seen leading to a rollback or loosening of more stringent targets, which would slash vehicle exhaust emissions while effectively doubling average fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Automakers have argued the rules for 2022-2025 are too expensive and could cost American jobs, so the Trump administrationâs review was seen as a win for them.

On a conference call Thursday with investors, Bob Shanks, Ford Motor Co's chief financial officer, said, "We are not seeking a rollback in any way. We just want to have a conversation around the levels we want to achieve."

Despite what the EPA may want, California and nine other states in the Zero Emission Vehicle program - eight in the northeast, plus Oregon - are expected to move ahead on Friday with the previously established targets. Those states account for nearly 30 percent of US auto sales.

The potential divide with the rest of the country could create a "two-tiered environment with two sets of regulations," said Mark Wakefield, managing director of AlixPartners' automotive practice. This "could drive costs higher if automakers have to build two versions of the same vehicle to meet the two different standards."

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group that sued to overturn the Obama-era rules on behalf of several big automakers, wrote the White House on Thursday urging talks to begin quickly with California to ensure that national standards remain in place.

Kristin Dziczek, director of the Center for Automotive Research's labour and industry group, said US automakers could find it hard to export cars to markets such as China and Europe with tougher regulatory regimes if the US targets were rescinded.

"I don't think we're going to see a rollback," she said. "At most, I think we may see a slowing of the timetable for implementing the tougher standards."


Honda Civic hatchback prototype unveiled at Indonesia auto show

                JAKARTA: The Honda Civic hatchback prototype was unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show today.

The 5-door version of the 10th-generation Civic sedan, featuring a 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO engine, will be launched in Indonesia in the first half of 2017. This is the first time the hatchback prototype is being announced for Asia and Oceania. The Civic sedan was launched in Indonesia in April and is imported from Honda Thailand. The hatchback with a CVT is expected to be assembled in Indonesia.

You may recall the 1.5L VTEC Turbo engine (with Honda Earth Dreams technology) produces peak output of 171hp at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 220Nm at 5,500rpm.

READ MORE:
Honda Civic enters Malaysia in June
US to get Honda Civic hatchback from Britain

It made its world premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. With its sporty lines, Honda Turbo engine technology, hatchback utility and an impressive list of premium features and advanced safety technology, the Civic Hatchback Prototype infuses the Civic lineup with an added layer of five-door versatility, as well as a big dose of European hot hatch styling.

Touted as the sportiest Civic, the sleek prototype hatchback is 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the previous generation model. It comes with bigger wheels and tyres to project a sportier image. Honda said the cabin remain spacious and comfortable despite a truncated back.

The front has a short overhang with larger air intakes for an aggressive look complemented by LED headlights and fog lights as well as bumper and wheel arch accents. The rear maintains the familiar C-shaped LED rear lights as in the sedan version.

The 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO Civic sedan is priced at Rp 475 million (RM146,000) while the hatchback will be cheaper and expected to be not more than Rp 400 million (RM123,000).

Indonesians were exposed to the Civic hatchback 20 years ago. The fifth-generation Civic Estilo had a 1.6l SOHC engine with an output of 120hp.

Other Honda cars on display were the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell and special edition treatments for the Jazz, HR-V, Mobilio and Brio. Honda Indonesia also launched the Civic Turbo Prestige at the auto show, which comes with sporty spoiler upgrades. It is priced at around Rp 478 million (RM147,000), adding variety to the Civic sedan line-up which previously was only the Civic Turbo 1.5.

The show runs from Aug 11-21.


Lower car sales registered in September

                PETALING JAYA: Car sales numbers hit another slow patch in September, but the industry is expecting a slight pick-up in October on the back of new model launches.

Total industry volume (TIV) in September fell 5.7% or 2,908 units, to 51,099 units from 48,191 registered in the same month last year, according to Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Sales volume for the month tumbled by almost 8% or 4,121 units compared to the previous month’s due to stringent hire-purchase loan approvals and consumers are taking a more cautious approach in their purchases of big ticket items

“Consumers are adopting a wait-and-see attitude for new model launches,” MAA said in a statement yesterday.

On a year-to-date basis, TIV dropped almost 14%, or 67,056 units, to 485,489 vehicles registered so far this year.

For passenger vehicles, sales in September declined by 6% to 42,644 units compared to 45,238 units in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, commercial vehicle sales in September decreased to 5,547 unit from 5,861 units in the same month a year ago.

MAA said sales volume in October is expected to be “slightly” higher than September on the back of new model launches.

Note that two local automotive players, namely Proton and Perodua, had launched new sedan car models. Perodua launched its first ever sedan model – Bezza in July, while Proton introduced three new cars – Perdana, Persona and Saga.

Many car companies have been struggling to maintain their previous year’s performance, hence MAA had slashed its TIV forecast downwards to 580,000 units for this year from 650,000 initially.

The last time TIV was below the 600,000-mark was in 2009.

Last year was a record year for the automotive industry, hitting a TIV of 666,674 units.

According to MIDF Research, there is a possibility the Government will announce a first car buyer scheme under Budget 2017.

“The scheme is said to involve excise duty exemption for selective locally assembled cars with a cap on engine capacity,” it said in a recent report.

MIDF said locally-assembled vehicle models would benefit the most from the scheme.

“The A and B segments account for more than 50% of TIV, meaning a targeted buying scheme for this segment is likely to sway overall industry volumes,” it said.

However, it noted that such a scheme could only have a temporary impact on the market.

“Once it ends, will result in a sharp drop in volumes and an overhang in the market, similar to what happened in Thailand when their first-car buyer scheme ended.

“Thailand also saw massive defaults on loan instalments for buyers under the scheme,” it added.


China's Nio aims to take on VW, Toyota with new brand

                BEIJING: Chinese premium electric vehicle maker Nio Inc, which now counts BMW and Audi as rivals, is working on a mass-market new brand that will be positioned similar to Volkswagen and Toyota, its CEO said.

The automaker had stepped up preparations to make mass-market products under another brand and a "core team" had been assembled as a "first step of a strategic initiative", chief executive William Li said today.

"The relationship between Nio and our new mass-market brand will be like that of Audi-Volkswagen and Lexus-Toyota," Li said, without specifying the price range of the new vehicle.

Nio's current models are mostly above 300,000 yuan (RM197,000).

"We want to provide better product and service at prices lower than Tesla Inc's."

The new brand would not compete with Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, the popular micro electric car made by General Motors Co's Chinese joint venture with SAIC Motor starting at 28,800 yuan (RM19,000), Li added.

Nio also planned to deliver three new car models next year, including its first sedan.

Nio, which is making and selling three SUV models in the eastern city of Hefei, reported a 659.3 million yuan (RM430mil) loss in the second quarter, 45.4% narrower than a year earlier.

It delivered 21,879 vehicles between April and June, up from 10,331 units in the same period last year.

Nio launched its first sedan model ET7 in January but delivery will only start in 2022, meaning Nio will not have a new model for this year.

Li did not offer details of the three new models for next year, which include ET7, but said they would be developed on Nio's new product platform.

Nio is also expanding its production base in Hefei city.

It opened an office in Norway in May and plans to start selling cars there later this year as it pushes to expand globally.


BMW beats Mercedes in US sales for first time since 2015

                NEW YORK: BMW AG outsold Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz in the United States for the first time in four years after blowing out its rival in the final month of 2019.

BMW sold 35,746 cars and sport utility vehicles in December and finished the year ahead by more than 8,700 units. The Munich-based manufacturer staged a revival this year by filling out its SUV lineup with the massive new X7, the three-row model its dealers waited on for a decade.

Mercedes was meanwhile hamstrung by supplier bottlenecks that crimped production at its lone US car-assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The automaker sold 316,094 vehicles in 2019, just 135 more than the previous year.

Still, the story of the year may not be over. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating BMW’s sales-reporting practices, the company confirmed last month.

Dealers have criticised BMW in the past for pressuring them to buy vehicles to stock their fleets of "loaner cars” for customers having their vehicles serviced. Bloomberg News reported on bonuses or allowances the company paid to dealers in 2015 and 2012 that helped inflate sales results.

Automakers have had to re-state sales results before. General Motors admitted in 1999 that it overstated Cadillac sales for the previous December and had to drop its claim that the brand outsold Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln.


New BMW R nineT Scrambler variant costs less with new tank design

                CYBERJAYA: The BMW R nineT Scrambler, previously introduced in October 2016, now has a new variant offering a Monolithic Metallic Matte Fuel Tank to feed the longitudinally-mounted 1,170cc two-cylinder boxer engine with 110hp and 116Nm of torque.

The new R nineT offering has been priced on the road with GST without insurance at RM86,900.00 (-RM6,000) and is accompanied with a few refinements.

For starters, the front fork suspension is now fully adjustable and comes from the high-powered S 1000 RR super bike.

READ MORE:
BMW launches R nineT Scrambler
MINI's latest concept car draws inspiration from a scrambler bike

The engine has also been retuned to meet the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class while fuel consumption remains at 5.3 litres per 100km.

Concurrently, tank ventilation has also been improved by introducing a carbon canister in the fuel system.

The prop-shaft driven motorcycle also features a classic speedometer with analogue display in the instrument cluster as well as a dual-row LCD display to view information such as time and trip distance.


Kian Hon Tyres is okay with a lady boss

                Datuk Sydney Tan was just 27 when her father decided it was time for her to hold the reins of the family business, Kian Hon Tyres Sdn Bhd. It wasn’t at all what she had planned for herself – Tan had just graduated with a degree in finance from Emory University in the United States and was eager to venture into the corporate world of finance.

But she complied and flew home to Malaysia seven years ago from the US to learn about the business her father built.

“I didn’t know anything about tyres. Kian Hon Tyres was started by my father and uncle and even though I am the eldest child, I didn’t grow up thinking that I’d take over this business.

“I didn’t know what to expect and I had no idea what my future would be like. But I decided to go in with an open mind and take each day as it came. I definitely never expected to find this work so interesting …but it really is,” says Tan, 34, who is now the managing director of Kian Hon Tyres, the sole distributor of Maxxis International tyres in Malaysia. Based in Taiwan, Maxxis (also known as Cheng Shin Rubber Industry) is the ninth largest tyre company in the world. Tan: 'The only way I could earn respect was by knowing the trade'
“There wasn’t any trust. I’d see doubtful looks and a lack of respect from the staff. People were sceptical but I told myself that I couldn’t give up. The more people looked down on me or didn’t believe in me, the more I was determined to prove them wrong. And I think I did,” she says.

Tan started by being empathetic and by listening to her team.

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry was challenging enough but being so young meant that Tan had to prove her mettle to gain the respect of her colleagues.

“Respect has to be earned, not commanded. And the only way I could earn their respect was by knowing the trade. I tried but to be honest, I am still learning, compared to many of my colleagues who have been in the business for years.

“So what did I do? I listened to them and their experience. I still do. I welcome and value their ideas and opinions because I believe that together we can come up with solutions that make our customers happy,” says Tan.

Her leadership caught the attention of Dr Wally Chen, president of Maxxis International who made Tan managing director for Maxxis Asia Pacific. He also became her mentor.

“He has given me so many opportunities to shadow him and learn from him which I am grateful for,” she says,

Kian Hon Tyres has branches in Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kedah and two concept stores – Maxxpit – that offer car care services for 4×4 vehicles, trucks, lorries and passenger cars.

Tan also set up an education centre at their plant in Penang to raise awareness among clients on how to look after and prolong the lifespan of their tyres.

“It took me a while to adjust to this environment and while it was challenging, it was also very empowering. There were ups and downs and thankfully, I had my parents and my siblings’ support,” she says.

Family has always been Tan’s anchor and her support system. As a child, Tan was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease where her immune system attacks her tissues and organs.

“I was diagnosed when I was nine. I couldn’t walk and was in a wheelchair and my dad had to carry me upstairs and downstairs even when I was 12 years old. I felt so helpless. My mum and dad were always so strong and they were there for me even though they both had to work. I owe them a lot,” Tan recalls.

Thankfully, Tan recovered and is now in remission.

Tan feels responsible in making sure that Maxxis customers have a safe ride home to their families. That’s her business, she says.

The experience of being so ill and then recovering made her want to become a doctor. It wasn’t just a childhood ambition – she worked hard through school and earned a place to study medicine in Dublin, Ireland. However, midway through her pre-medical course, Tan reluctantly decided to pull out.

“I really wanted to study medicine. Because of my illness, I saw how medicine can alleviate pain and help people. I too wanted to help others. But during the pre-med course, I got an insight into how life would be as a doctor, particularly since I wanted to specialise in cardiac medicine – there would be absolutely no work-life balance.

“It’s not that I minded the hard work. But before I left to study, my doctor warned me not to exhaust myself as too much stress could trigger my illness. I didn’t listen and I pushed myself until one day I got really sick. I realised then that I had to give up my dream,” she shares.

Her interest in medicine remains – “I still read a lot about new medical discoveries” – but Tan picked herself up.

“Things happen for a reason,” she says, simply, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “If it wasn’t for my illness, I wouldn’t be as resilient as I am today.”

Tan has big plans for Kian Hon and Maxxis International, including diversifying the business to remain resilient through the changes in the global economic climate. However, the core of the business, she says, will remain.

“I feel responsible in making sure that every one of our customers has a safe ride home to their families. That’s really my business. When I am home, I wait for my parents to come home for dinner every night. Tyres are essential … the condition of the tyres will dictate the safety of the people inside the car. That’s my business,” she says. — S. INDRAMALAR> This interview first appeared in Star2 of The Star newspaper.


HINO 300 Series trucks make safety priority

                KUALA LUMPUR: HINO Motors Sales Malaysia (HMSM) introduced its 300 Series range of light commercial vehicles with improved power and enhanced safety features to mark its 40th anniversary in the country.

The 5.0-tonne 300 Series 6-wheeler trucks are accompanied by a three-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty and are available in three variants - a seven-seater XZU720Crew with a rear cab, as well as the XZU720 and XZU730 with nine body options for each.

Although each truck can have different body options, safety has been standardised throughout the range with the inclusion of anti-lock braking system, door impact beams, energy absorbing steering wheel and column as well as partitioned side view mirrors.

Power has also been standardised with a 4.0-litre (4,009cc) turbo-diesel N04C-VB Euro3 engine providing 156PS at 2,800rpm and 429Nm of torque at 1,400rpm, which has been mated to a six-speed A860E transmission or a 5-speed M550 manual for the XZU720Crew.

For added convenience, each 300 Series truck comes with roof-top markers and an overhead console for documents, while the XZU720Crew’s manual shift lever has been repositioned rearward by 18mm and can be folded down folded down.

The shifter’s position in the Standard Cab models remain unchanged, however the instrument panel has been re-designed to help increase leg-room clearance.

“Putting safety first is our priority in order to avoid any unwanted road traffic accidents that could harm other road users,” said HMSM managing director Ken Iwamoto.

In conjunction with the launch, the company also revealed three new promotional services, such as the Free Parts Programme which offers free maintenance parts (oil filter, fuel filter, pre-fuel filter and air cleaner) from the first 5,000km service to the 10th service or 95,000km -  as per HINO’s standard maintenance schedule.

The second promotion is the company's Care For Life insurance protection scheme that’s available for a limited time and offers new 300 Series owners a coverage of up to RM100,000 disability, RM100,000 personal liability and other medical benefits.

Lastly, the the trucks now come with a first-year free ArmTech service provided by the company to allow owners to recover or simply track the truck(s) movements via a 24-hour call centre.
HINO XZU730Auto

HINO XZU720Crew


Toyota GR Yaris heads to Tokyo Auto Salon 2020

                TOKYO: The Toyota GR Yaris will make its world premiere at Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 to be held from Jan 10-12 near here.

The GR Yaris is the second model launched globally from "GR" models, Toyota Gazoo Racing's sports car lineup, following last year's return of the legendary GR Supra.

The GR Yaris incorporates all the technologies, knowledge, and experience learned from WRC.

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) cars are the result of driving the world's roads, competing in a series of demanding races in a variety of categories.

TGR re-entered the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 and claimed five wins in the 2018 season. It also took the manufacturer's title and Driver's and Co-driver's title in the 2019 season.

Toyota said its president Akio Toyoda, racing under his TGR nickname "Morizo", had just performed the final test of the GR Yaris, pushing it to its limits as previewed in the teaser video clip above.

In advance of the world premiere at Tokyo Auto Salon, the car will be camouflaged in the signature red-black-and-white TGR colors, and will make its first official dynamic appearance at the Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival 2019 on Dec 15.

Further details of the car's specifications will be announced in due course.


BMW offers new Traffic Camera Information subscription service

                LOS ANGELES: Following BMW's previous attempt to charge car buyers a fee to have Apple CarPlay in their vehicle, the Bavarian automaker is back with the introduction of a new Traffic Camera Information (TCI) subscription service.

The German automaker is providing its US clientele with a three-month free trial on select BMW models before charging USD$25 (RM110) for 15 months in order to keep using the service.

The service basically alerts drivers to speed cameras such as radar detectors and even traffic light cameras and is part of the BMW ConnectedDrive suite of systems.

Previously, BMW wanted to charge its US clients some USD$80 (RM350) per year to use Apple CarPlay in their vehicle and even came out with a package deal - USD$300 (RM1,500) for 20 years.


Self-driving start-up set to roll out first laser sensors

                SAN FRANCISCO: Luminar, a Silicon Valley start-up, is getting ready to manufacture its laser-based sensor for self-driving cars, a key component that would improve vehicle safety, the company said on Thursday.

Founded in 2012 by two photonics experts, Luminar has kept a low profile in the race between automakers, startups and major technology companies to roll out self-driving cars for the masses.

Luminar is ramping up a manufacturing facility in Orlando, Florida, for its first run of 10,000 Lidar sensors later this year, chief executive Austin Russell said in an interview.

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, shoots out light pulses that are reflected off objects, allowing self-driving cars to "see" their environment. Many self-driving experts regard it as a crucial component, along with other sensors such as cameras and radars.

 Luminar's Lidar device.

Lidar has been the subject of an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit between Alphabet Inc unit Waymo and Uber.

Waymo alleges that a former employee stole intellectual property about its Lidar system that was later copied by Uber.

Russell said Lidars for self-driving cars on the market were developed from hardware that existed before autonomous cars. Their limitations in range and resolution make them unfit for the safe rollout of self-driving cars, he noted.

Luminar addresses those shortfalls by using a 1550 nanometer wavelength that provides 50 times greater resolution and 10 times the range of the best rival Lidars, Russell said.

That means a car can "see" a black object with reflectivity of 10 percent clearly from 200 metres away, he said. By contrast, the so-called "Puck" Lidar from Velodyne, a company that makes most of the Lidar used in self-driving prototypes today, has a range of 100 metres.

Russell said four companies, including automakers and technology firms which he did not identify, were testing their products on prototype driverless cars.

Russell said manufacturers should focus on perfecting Lidar's capabilities instead of lowering prices to make self-driving cars more affordable for the public.

"As price comes down, performance comes down with it," he said.


VW to sell stake in charging unit Electrify America, say sources

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen is to sell a stake in its electric vehicle charging unit Electrify America, two people familiar with the matter said, as the carmaker looks for outside funds to build infrastructure for battery-powered cars.

Volkswagen is working with Citi to look for a co-investor who is prepared to inject roughly US$1 billion into the division, the people said, adding that the company is expected shortly to reach out to infrastructure groups and other potential investors.

Volkswagen, Electrify America and Citi declined to comment.

Set up in the aftermath of Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal that broke in the United States, Electrify America plans to spend US$2 billion in the 2017-2026 period to expand charging stations for electric vehicles (EV).

The unit, whose main rivals include ChargePoin and Tesla's Supercharger, has 635 charging stations with around 2,850 fast-loading spots up and running, according to its website.

This includes ultra-fast high-speed of up to 350 kilowatt charging stations enabling owners to load their cars in under 20 minutes.

The company expects to install or have under development about 800 charging stations with about 3,500 fast chargers by December 2021, expanding to 45 states, including two cross-country routes. It also operates solar-powered charging stations.

At Volkswagen's Power Day in March, Electrify America chief executive Giovanni Palazzo, who joined Volkswagen from Daimler a decade ago, said that the group was planning to expand further.

Volkswagen, which will present its new strategy on July 13, is currently trying to consolidate its various charging efforts under the Charging & Energy business area led by Elke Temme, a long-time executive at Germany's top utility RWE.

Charging infrastructure has attracted several sectors, including utilities, carmakers and big oil firms, all hoping to cash in on a rising demand for electricity in the wake of a global EV rollout.

Sources told Reuters last week that Renault and Shell were both interested in becoming co-owners in Ionity, the European EV charging joint venture owned by BMW, Hyundai, Ford, Daimler and VW.


CarSifu drives Isuzu MU-X for first time

Isuzu is not a newcomer to the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment as some may recall the Isuzu Trooper Bighorn and Citation models that were sold locally till 2007.

When Isuzu Japan entered the market in 2008, it decided to focus on the D-Max pick-up truck to establish a strong foothold along with the commercial truck range.

Back then, production of the Trooper had already ceased and the distributor ACM was selling what was left in its vehicle stock.

At the same time, Isuzu had already introduced in Thailand an all-new SUV model called the MU-7 that was based on the D-Max floorpan.

However, Isuzu Malaysia decided the time was not right for the MU-7 to enter the domestic market. It was only after the new model MU-X was introduced that it expanded its model portfolio with a  seven-seater SUV.

The MU-X was introduced shortly after the turbodiesel engine with VGS (variable geometry system) was launched, delivering more power and torque.

If you are wondering what MU stands for, it means ‘multi-utility’ and the numeral ‘7’ indicates that it is a seven-seater vehicle.

The new model nameplate - MU-X - generally means the same for the first two letters while the third letter ‘X’ refers to the word ‘extreme’.

In Thailand, the name is pronounced as ‘Moo-7’ or ‘Moo-X’ but Isuzu Malaysia feels that Malaysians would be more comfortable with ‘MU-X’ as the name.

Although the MU-X may share a similar ladder frame platform as the D-Max, including the family nose styling, there are no common parts between them other than the engine.

In its second generation, the MU-X has been given softer lines befitting its role as a family multi-purpose vehicle, without losing much of its macho outline. And based on the 3,050mm wheelbase of the D-Max, there is definitely more interior room inside to fulfil its family transporter role with the flexible seven-seat arrangement.

A member of our media team occupied the third row seat on the return drive from Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur, where we travelled mainly on the highway from the Simpang Pulai rest stop to Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. He appreciated the good legroom provided, which was an asset, as the third row is usually meant for children.

Getting into the third row (which has a 50:50 split foldable configuration) is easy by pulling a catch on the shoulder of the second row seat rest. The second row seats are split 60:40 and each section can collapse and fold away to provide hassle free entry and exit.

Using the same mechanism, we could also choose to recline the seat rest for the second row at preset angles to catch 40 winks on the highway stretch. With all seats fully occupied, luggage room would be limited.

But with some seats folded away, the interior space could be freed up significantly to transport even a refrigerator, along with other things.

Even at illegal speeds, we could travel comfortably on the highway as wind noise, though noticeable around the roof area, was not intrusive.

We could carry on a conversation inside without raising our voices.

The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with common rail direct injection pushes out 136PS but it is the 320Nm torque that gives the MU-X plenty of muscle to move along. It took little accelerator work to get the MU-X going at a comfortable speed and even at a quick trot on the highway, the engine was rarely stressed working from 3,000 to 3,500rpm.

At that engine speed range, we were barrelling along at heady speeds above 120kph; to drive at the legal highway speed, the engine would be purring at about 2,200rpm.

It would mosey along from 1,500rpm with lots of engine grunt developing early when caught in traffic crawls along the sinuous highland roads, betraying little of its two-tonne-plus vehicle weight.

From Raub to Cameron Highlands, where the flowing winding roads are not so tight through the corners, we could carry quite a lot of speed through.

For the tighter sections, we would engage the manual mode by pushing the gearshift to the right and selecting the gear sequentially that we were comfortable with for taking the respective corner.

The MU-X comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System (TCS) as standard and we could feel the vehicle ‘adjusting’ to the cornering forces that were acting on the tyres as we pushed it through the curves.

As a tall vehicle built on a ladder frame chassis, we were not surprised with the noticeable body roll when taking hard corners. At sober speeds, the MU-X was more level-headed and ride was better enjoyed by all on board, especially with the five-link rear suspension that was more comfortable in ride than the leaf springs of the D-Max.

If there was a need to go off-road, selecting four-wheel (high speed) and (low speed) modes was easy, using a rotary knob on the centre console; selecting 2H and 4H can be done on the move up to 100kph.

Equipment-wise, the MU-X 4X4 comes with ample cupholders, a fairly large audio display on the centre dashboard, a foldable screen on the roof for the rear folks to watch movies and practical circular air vents on the roof.

The second and third row occupants can also adjust the climate system through separate controls.

Isuzu Malaysia is making available two variants, one being the part-time 4X4 and the other is the 4X2 (rear-wheel drive) version; both come with a five-speed automatic transmission.

For this year, the company is looking at a sales target of 700 vehicles, of which 80% would be for the 4X4; the full year target in 2016 is double of that volume.

The MU-X will be launched on June 4 and the MU-X 4X4 has an introductory price of RM160,210 on-the-road without insurance but with GST and the MU-X 4X2 comes priced at RM147,543.


A Bentley designed especially for falconers

                LONDON: There are lots of specialist activities vehicles designed to suit, and some people will immediately think of Nissan recently unveiling a prototype X-Trail especially designed for dog owners to accommodate their beloved pets.

One thing vehicles like this do tell us is that motor manufacturers know their markets and their customers, and there can be no finer example than a new version of the Bentley Bentayga that's been specially designed to cater for the needs of falconers.

Now, we're not talking fans of a football team from Atlanta in the US or a rugby team from Newcastle in England. This is a Bentayga specially adapted by Mulliner, which is Bentley's in-house coachbuilding division, to cater for the needs of those who participate in the ancient sport of flying falcons.

Mulliner can also adapt your Bentley for more mundane pastimes like fly fishing of course, but as falconry is indisputably a sport of kings, it's perhaps a wonder why the ultimate luxury auto brand hasn't come up with it sooner.

Not only does this new Bentley Bentayga Falconry by Mulliner offer all the specifically tailored accessories and storage for well-heeled falconers, the dash features an exquisite 430-piece wood inlay of a saker falcon soaring high above the desert. The incredible inlay took a full nine days to create through cutting, sand shading, pressing, and double cutting. As you'd probably expect with such an exclusive Bentley, a wide range of common and exotic woods are used, including chestnut, eucalyptus pommele, holly, lacewood, maple, olive ash, and ripple sycamore.

More practical enhancements for the true falconry enthusiast include a cork perch on the center console that's flanked by the two front seats. The hatch has been outfitted with a pair of cork chests, one a flight station and the other a refreshment case, both of which sit on a movable tray to allow for easier access.

The flight station has a drawer with a piano black veneer for accessories such as a GPS bird-tracking unit, binoculars, and handcrafted leather bird hoods and gauntlets that can be ordered as additional options. A pair of perches are stored at the rear of the Bentley, and with the hatch open, the falcons can be readied for action in the shade.

No price has been quoted for the Bentley Bentayga Falconer Edition.


Renault Koleos tested

                Foie gras, champagne and frogs legs.

The French are famous for many things, mostly those counted as the finer things in life.

They have also had a long history in the automotive world and most of their machines try to emulate this closeness the French have to haute couture.

There have been some weird creations they have dreamed up in the past but not so with the Renault Koleos.

While it might not be the most luxurious or performance driven of SUVs, it certainly is one of the most comfortable ones.

Passengers have plenty of legroom in the back while in the front it is anything but cramped.

Its soft-touch dash and door trims are impressive but the we found the leather-rimmed steering wheel a might bit unyielding.

The rotary dial controller for the standard sat-nav, audio and Bluetooth telephony was easy enough to understand and operate but the same can’t be said of the ‘ergonomic’ but hidden switches for phone answer, volume and hang-up on the steering column control stalk.

The SUV’s entertainment system on the other hand did not fail to impress.

The subwoofer-aided four-speaker, two-tweeter Bose sound system did a sterling job, sounds were crisp enough to please most audiophiles.

Boot space is not at a premium either. The Koleos boasts a 450-litre, boot which is not too shabby in its category, that is augmented further by the Renault’s split tailgate and easy-fold rear-seat backrests that glide open to form a properly-flat load space.

The Koleos’ five-star safety rating is also enhanced by the inclusion of a blind-spot warning system as well as the usual array of airbags and electronic chassis control aids.

As the French are wont to do, Renault has included a glass sun-roof on the Koleos.

I understand its a matter of personal preference, but personally I feel that sunroofs should be kept in the Mediterranean where they belong.

With Malaysia’s blisteringly hot sunshine, the only time you would ever have it open would be at night.

I have to point out that the material Renault used for the retractable sunshade adequately blocks out the rays so you do not get heat radiating on to the top of your head as you do with some other makes.

Now on to the drive.

Seeing that comfort is a defining feature of the Koleos, we decided to take the long way (in other words, the trunk road) to Taiping, Perak to see how the SUV performed.

What we found was that the SUV preferred to be driven at a constant speed on long straight stretches.

The bits that were a bit too windy showed the SUV’s handling to be a bit uninspiring.

The Koleos tends to understeer through corners via too-light steering, which is pretty much what you’d expect given the agreeably soft ride.

And its front wheel-drive configuration, which goes mostly unnoticed under the SUV guise, becomes evident in uphill standing starts. Especially if there is gravel or sand on the road.

Its 2.5-litre 170hp/226Nm four-cylinder petrol engine has little trouble getting the SUV’s 1,622kg kerb weight going, which was helped along by its nicely matched continuously variable transmission which provide strong responses whenever you need them.

We have to say that it was hard to escape the feeling that this was more the compact SUV Renault had to have, rather than the one its engineers would have liked to have.

While it does allow Renault to dip its toes into the compact SUV market, its performance lacks the punch and pizzazz that you would expect from the marque that gave us the Clio and Megane hothatches.

The Koleos is not an SUV for winding roads nor hill ascents.

Preferably with your favourite tunes soothing you through its classy Bose sound system, as this SUV is more Mozart than Metallica.

Furthermore, our almost 1,000km return trip showed us that the Koleos is a pretty efficient vehicle as its fuel consumption averaged at 7.6L/100km.

On the whole, the Koleos would make a decent drive if you have children.

Its RM185,888 (OTR with insurance) price tag may sound steep but if you take into consideration the which segment of the market its positioned in, namely luxury small SUV, it is actually not that bad.

At the end of the day, its practicality and fuel efficiency make the Koleos a good candidate for urbanites. -  NIKLAS ALBAKRI


2016 Geneva Motor Show: Honda Civic hatchback

                GENEVA: An assertive stance and provocative new design establishes the 10th generation Civic hatchback as the sportiest Civic ever.

Making its global debut in prototype form at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the next-generation Civic hatchback is 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the current generation.

LED headlights and daytime running lights flow from beneath the boldly sculpted bonnet into accentuated wheel arches.

 Civic Hatchback Prototype

It is the first European vehicle to be available with Honda’s all-new 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engines.

The all-new engines are part of Honda’s growing Earth Dreams Technology range.

Based on a completely new engine structure, the petrol engines feature variable valve motion technology to reduce friction.

 Civic Hatchback Prototype

A revised version of Honda’s 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engine - unique to European Honda vehicles– will be offered alongside the two new petrol engines.

A new high-strength, lightweight slender crankshaft and all-aluminium, open-deck, high-pressure, die-cast engine block makes the unit lightweight while ensuring high levels of durability.

Honda’s European production facility, Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM), will become the global production hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback.

Jason Smith, Director of HUM, commented, “By establishing HUM as a global production facility for the all-new Civic hatchback, Honda is demonstrating its long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK and Europe.

 Civic Hatchback Prototype


Bentley extends options list for Flying Spur

                LONDON: Bentley is now offering an added suite of luxury options and features when customers specify their Flying Spur.

Now, the Flying Spur can be configured with four seats and can be upholstered in semi-aniline leather that's held securely together by roughly 115m of hand-applied cross-stitching.

The four-seat configuration uses a long-through console that extends from the front console to the rear and plays host to a new housing for the 5.0-inch touchscreen remote as well as twin cup holders and extra stowage space.

The rear armrest can be heated and added with a wireless charger while sporting bright metal finishers and hiding two USB ports as well as a 12V power socket.

The 11,100 cross-stitches by hand take up to 18 hours to complete.

The thread used is touted to be extremely durable and uses special dyes to maintain its colour to last for the lifespan of the vehicle.

The use of semi-aniline leather is not only softer and plusher feeling leather but the reduced finish thickness means fewer processing treatments are required for improved sustainability.

The leather is specifically used for seat inserts and has a more natural aspect bringing out the grain of the material. It is also more breathable due to the reduced thickness and is especially beneficial in hotter climates.

Additional options also include veneered inserts for the rear doors and power-operated picnic tables as well as high gloss carbon fibre or a Côtes de Genève finish for the centre console.

The powered picnic tables mounted in the rear of the front seat can be called upon with a single press of a button and the veneered table will self-level to reveal a leather-wrapped surface with a recess for a pen or stylus. Holding the button down again and the table elegantly returns to its home position.

Externally, the Flying Spur's sheet metal can be coated by three additional colour options of Viridian, Patina and Snow Quartz which join the Bentley Mulliner palette.

The Viridian is a modern take on the traditional British Racing Green, and the dark emerald metallic hue is inspired by that used on Bentley’s EXP10 Speed 6 concept car.

The colour resembles a deep agate green that's infused together with light green and blue undertones. The combination is said to help create depth and a sporty dimension while the tiny flecks of amber and gold pronounce a sense of luxury.

For Patina, this colour blends the aura of polished metals mixed in with a hint of champagne and silk to reach out as a mid-tone cream with the faintest hint of subtle greens.

As for Snow Quartz, the white tri-layer of pearlescent paint with a fine layer of pearl effect is said to create a shimmering and lustrous whiteness.

Also adding to the list of options is a fully-chromed front matrix grille and two new wheel finishes of gloss black with a machined finish and fully gloss black.

Drivers can opt to have a newly designed steering wheel that now comes with capacitive sensing wheel rim as a safety function and can detect if it's being held for the semi-autonomous Driver Assistance Systems.

Finally, the designers at Bentley took the opportunity to revise the colour split of the steering wheel before adding a jewelled bezel at the base of the reshaped vertical spoke.


Great Wall Motors see Thailand EV boost from government incentives

                BANGKOK: Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors has signed an agreement with Thailand's government to slash retail prices of its electric vehicles, an executive said today, a move aimed at boosting domestic EV sales and production.

The agreement, which involves a government subsidy and reduction in value-added tax, could save customers up to 160,000 baht (RM20,523) per unit, said Great Wall Motors Thailand general manager Michael Chong.

That would apply to vehicles typically priced 1 million baht (RM129,000), representing a saving of about 13-15%.

"This is very beneficial for our customer ... because this price is more affordable," he said at the annual Bangkok International Motor Show.

A similar agreement has also been signed with rival automaker, SAIC-CP Motor, the Thai unit of SAIC Motor Corp, the finance ministry said on Monday.

Those come as Thailand tries to incentivise EV use and preserve its status as a major regional automaker. The government is targeting production of 725,000 EV units a year, or 30% of output by 2030. read more

Chong said other factors like rising energy prices were also driving EV demand.

"Oil prices keep increasing, so people who buy ICE (internal combustible engine) will feel it's more expensive," Chong said, adding that EVs would help make air cleaner, something Thailand's capital has struggled with.

Great Wall Motors in 2020 took over the General Motors plant in Thailand, Asia's fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub.

Auto manufacturing accounts for about 10% of Thai gross domestic product and manufacturing jobs.

This year the firm plans to sell 20,000 units in Thailand between its two brands, the BEV Ora Good Cat and Haval SUVs, Chong added. It plans to locally produce EVs in 2024.

But the transition will take time, however, with less than 4,000 fully-electric vehicles registered in Thailand last year, and manufacturing investments still being made in conventional engines.

Those include U.S. automaker Ford (F.N), which invested $900 million to upgrade its Thai factories to build its Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV. read more

"ICE is going to be around for a while," said Andrea Cavallaro, Ford Operations Director, International Market Group, adding EV technology and infrastructure has yet to be adopted across South-East Asia.


Donkey in Germany mistakes orange McLaren for carrot and bites it

A donkey in Germany mistook an orange-coloured Mclaren Spider for a carrot and bit it. — SKYNEWS.COM.AU photo
SINGAPORE: A sports car owner whose beloved vehicle was bitten by a donkey, has been awarded compensation in Vogelsberg, Germany.

According to the BBC, Markus Zahn had parked his bright orange-coloured McLaren 650S Spider in a car park along a paddock on Sept 15 last year.

Vitus the donkey then took a bite at his car.

The court has found the donkey's owners responsible and they have to fork out €5,800 (RM28,892) in compensation for the damage to the car's paintwork.

Police investigations suggest that Vitus may have confused the car with a carrot, and its owners can still appeal against the ruling, reported the BBC.

In their defence, Vitus' owners said Zahn was responsible as he should not have parked his car - worth an estimated €310,000 (RM1.54mil) - where he did.