Ferrari boss pitted against his mother in Agnelli inheritance drama

John Elkann, 47, now leads Exor, which owns slices of prestigious businesses and brands including national newspapers and soccer club Juventus . — Reuters
MILAN: A court in Turin is set to rule in the coming weeks on an inheritance dispute dividing the Agnelli family, the founders of the Fiat car company and arguably the best known of Italy's business dynasties.

The case stems from the estate of Gianni Agnelli, the celebrated Fiat boss who was a symbol of Italy's post-war economic boom and died two decades ago.

It pits Agnelli's daughter Margherita, who inherited 1.2 billion euros (RM5.9bil), against three of her eight children including her eldest, John Elkann, the chairman of Ferrari and carmaker Stellantis.

In the dispute that has riven one of Italy's elite families, Margherita is fighting to overturn agreements she signed after her father's death in order to eventually benefit her five children from a second marriage, sources close to her say.

Should the Turin court decide in her favour, Margherita, who is 67 and Gianni Agnelli's only surviving child, could stake a claim to half of her late mother's estate and a share in the Elkann family business.

'Geneva pacts' at centre of dispute

The dispute has its origins in an inheritance deal known as the "Geneva pacts" that Margherita, an artist and philanthropist, signed in 2004 after the death of her father the previous year and agreed when Fiat was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Under the first pact, Margherita received property, works of art and other liquid assets from Gianni's estate and renounced any future influence in the Dicembre (December) company, a key part of the ownership structure of Exor, the Agnelli-family holding.

The pacts cemented John Elkann's position as Gianni Agnelli's chosen successor and effectively took his mother Margherita out of the equation.

John Elkann, 47, now leads Exor, which owns slices of prestigious businesses and brands including national newspapers and soccer club Juventus .

The second pact covered what would happen to the estate of Margherita's mother Marella, who died only in 2019 aged 91.

Marella passed her Dicembre stake to three of her grandchildren, John, his brother Lapo and sister Ginevra, from Margherita's first marriage to journalist Alain Elkann.

Margherita wants the pacts to be rescinded to be able to give her children with second husband Serge De Pahlen, a Franco-Russian former Fiat executive, a share of their grandmother's estate, sources close to her say.

Margherita also argues that undeclared wealth belonging to her father was discovered after his death and that she is entitled to a share of this along with other family members.

A source on Margherita's side dismissed suggestions that the initial settlement covered the possibility of additional hidden assets being found from Gianni Agnelli's estate.

Legal claim in Switzerland or Italy?

Marella's death prompted the legal claim that is at the centre of the case that opened three years ago in Turin, the home of Fiat and traditional base for the Agnelli clan.

It is the latest in a series of court battles over the inheritance, spread between Switzerland and Italy over the past 15 years.

Margherita's lawyers in Turin argue that the "Geneva pacts" should be declared null and void because they were signed on the basis that Marella's residence was in Switzerland, which they dispute. Italian law prohibits such inheritance pacts.

Documents filed by Margherita's lawyers with the court of Turin, which have been reviewed by Reuters and include reports by private investigators, claim that from 2003 to 2019 Marella never spent more than four months a year in Switzerland and should not have qualified as a Swiss resident.

Sources close to the Elkann camp maintain that both the Swiss and the Italian authorities confirmed Marella Agnelli's status as a Swiss resident when she died in 2019 and also in 2004 when the inheritance agreement was signed.

The source on Margherita's side disputes that interpretation.

Shares in the family firm

Following Marella's death, John Elkann has a 60% share of the Dicembre holding while brother Lapo and sister Ginevra each have 20%. Dicembre is at the heart of a web of companies spanning the vast Agnelli family investments.

It is the largest shareholder, with a 38% stake, in Giovanni Agnelli BV, which groups around 100 shareholders representing around 200 living descendants of original Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli.

Giovanni Agnelli BV in turn has a 53% controlling stake in listed Exor, which owns stakes in Stellantis, Ferrari and Juventus.

The sources close to the Elkanns maintain there is no legal outcome that can reverse the transfer of the shares in Dicembre to the Elkanns. The claims of Margherita seek to obtain unwarranted further financial advantage, they say.

A verdict is due in Turin before the summer break but it might not be an end to an affair that has left Margherita estranged from her first three children.

The Italian judges have the option of suspending judgment pending a ruling from a Swiss court in a parallel case on the legality of the Geneva pacts.


Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer: Gaining more traction

                Besides pleasing to the eyes, Moto Guzzi’s retro-designed motorcycles are also delightful to ride.  The V9 Roamer is one example.

MOTO Guzzi is one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world.

The brand made its presence to the world in 1921 and was synonymous with racing - winning many championships.

Fast forward to the 21st century and Moto Guzzi has been trying hard to capture their own legion of riders.

Slowly but surely, this Italian brand is getting some traction.

On our shores, Moto Guzzi’s exclusive distributor in Malaysia, Didi Resources Sdn Bhd is working very hard to build up the brand’s name.

In line with this, Moto Guzzi in Malaysia has brought in the latest models, such as the V9 Roamer, V9 Bobber, V7 Stone and V7 Racer.

I got the opportunity to review the all-new mid-size V9 Roamer recently with its deliberately slanted 853cc engine that’s faithful to the brand’s unique engine placement.

At first glance over the bike, you will notice the retro-looking design with a dash of modern influence, making it relevant to the present trend.

Overall, the whole design of this Italian bike is eye-catching.

The unit I rode was in striking yellow with matt black wheels.

The upright riding position is comfortable and the foot pegs are a bit more rearward, thus giving me a comfortable sitting posture and more space to move around on the wide yet firm saddle.

There are also plenty of room for the pillion and ample space for leg movements.

The handle bar is wide and allows you to stand for a bit if you need to ease the strain on your back.

In fact, such a handle bar is very useful if you intend to take this bike through some mild off-road sections - but of course it’d be best to change the tyres to knobbies.

Meanwhile, the instrument panel is of a retro design that’s complemented with useful information for any rider.

It comes in a classic round housing and features an analogue speedometer and a digital display.

Info available include odometer and trip meter reading, ambient temperature, gear position, traction control setting, available distance-to-fuel remaining and an indicator for when the bike is in neutral gear.

While riding the bike, I realised that it felt very light and its 200kg of wet weight seem to have been distributed evenly.

I was told by the folks at Moto Guzzi Malaysia that the brand’s engineers are very mindful to ensure that their bikes are light.

In the city, this machine handled traffic jams and tight spaces between vehicles like a champ.

Stop-go traffic wasn’t a problem at all.

The bike’s low-end torque is confidence inspiring.

While weaving in and out of traffic, it became more apparent that this motorcycle’s agility is akin to that of a bicycle.

A ‘must’ mention here is that if anyone were to start a Moto Guzzi engine, the vibrations will always pull the bike slightly to the left first and then to the right.

Basically, the engine comes to life from left to right - a rather unique characteristic of a Guzzi engine.

But once the bike moves on, the engine settles to a silky smoothness regardless whichever gear it’s in or whatever speed it’s travelling at.

On the highway, I could easily exceed the legal speed limit.

Should the bike be travelling in the incorrect gear, the machine will prompt the rider to change the gear. A rather smart machine.

But regardless if it is in first or sixth gear, the shifts were seamlessly effortless and barely audible.

I took a few sharp corners at around 120kph and the low centre of gravity and lightness of the motorcycle gave me all the confidence to pull off this manoeuvre.

The entry and exit from corners were easily executed and the bike felt very planted.

Mid-way through the entry of the corner, I knew that this bike will not fail me.

The handling characteristics was simply spot on.

The Kayaba suspension system also performed well over small humps and bumps while at low speeds, but kick it up to around 80kph while heading over more prominent ones, the suspension didn’t seem to live up to my expectations.

It ultimately felt stiff and while the 40mm front forks are not adjustable, the rear shocks are.

However, the V9 Roamer does not dive badly during an emergency brake.

On a few occasions, I decided to ride the bike hard around corners and managed to scrape the foot pegs.

It felt so nimble right out of the box and it just riled me up and got me excited enough that I rode it like a sports bike.

But, the truth of the matter is that even though it rode well, the character of a cruiser does seem to surface.

Stopping power comes from a set of Brembo brakes with a four-pot calliper at the front that clamp down on a single 320mm disc, while the two-pot calliper at the rear gives the squeeze on a 260mm disc to give me all the necessary stopping confidence.

And of course, there’s also an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

This six-speed transmission from Guzzi comes with a patented two-level Moto Guzzi Traction Control system, where the first setting is for dry conditions and the other is for the wet.

Traction control of these sorts definitely give much confidence to any novice riders, knowing that their machines are continuously looking after their safety.

The bike costs RM69,466 (without GST) and the V9 Roamer is definitely an ideal bike for any novice or even seasoned riders who are looking for a mid-sized bike that’s both user-friendly when in the city and confidence-inspiring on interstate expeditions.

SPECIFICATIONS - Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer
Engine: 853cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke transversely-mounted 90-degree V-twin, pushrods with two valves per cylinder, wet sump lubrication

Power: 55hp at 6,250rpm
Torque: 62Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed

Front suspension: Telescopic 40mm fork with 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Cast aluminium dual swing arms, twin shock absorbers, adjustable spring pre-load, 97mm travel

Brakes (with ABS): Front - single 320mm disc with opposed four-piston floating caliper, Rear - single 260mm disc brake with twin-piston floating caliper.

Weight (wet): 200kg

Fuel capacity: 15 litres

Price: RM69,466 (without GST)


Putting Honda HR-V Hybrid to the test in Langkawi

                We were hit by the heat from above and below as soon as we got off the airplane and unto the tarmac of Langkawi International Airport what with the sun blazing down and the bubbling heat making its way up off the ground.

We quickly made our way into the terminal and were greeted by Honda Malaysia's personnel and our rides were already waiting for us at the carpark.

We did not waste any time getting into the Honda HR-V Hybrid, push starting the engine and setting the automatic climate control to the lowest temperature for the cold air to blast through the vents. I had to remind myself that hybrid cars are silent when starting as the electric motor is turned on first before the combustion engine kicks in later.

Inside the cabin, I noticed the interior was decked out in black with a combination of half leather upholstery and the petite gear-knob on the centre console which sets the Hybrid apart from the other variants.

Now, the compact and sporty Honda HR-V sports utility vehicle (SUV) underwent a facelift early this year and introduced two new variants to its line-up, the RS and Hybrid - along with the entry-level Grade E and the mid-range Grade V.

Interestingly, Malaysia is the only other country besides Japan to offer the Hybrid variant which features a 1.5-litre engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission producing 132PS and 156Nm of torque. The electric motor pushes out 29.5PS and 160Nm of torque giving a combined output of 152PS and 190Nm of torque. This powertrain is known as the Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent dual clutch drive).

As such, the Hybrid is the most powerful compared to the other 1.8L HR-V variants. Changes to the facelifted HR-V are quite subtle such as the new grille with a hefty chrome bar, new headlamps and bumper, and a strip of chrome at the rear which bridges the taillights.

All HR-V variants come equipped with smart entry/push button ignition, automatic air-conditioning, auto headlights, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, paddle shifters, HDMI and USB ports, four speakers and the multi-angle rearview camera.

The Hybrid comes with halogen headlights, bulb front fog lamps, a split-leather three-spoke steering wheel, black half-leather upholstery, a 6.8-inch audio system display screen and a dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. The safety features includes six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake assist (BA), hill start assist (HSA), vehicle stability assist (VSA) electronic brake distribution (EBD, electric parking brake and automatic brake hold. The Hybrid is priced at RM120,800 which sits just below the range-topping RS variant at RM124,800.

The latter comes with LED headlights, full leather upholstery, powered driver seat, Honda LaneWatch Camera, a 7-inch display and 18-inch wheels among others. What was immediately apparent driving around the island in the HR-V Hybrid was how quiet the cabin was and the very low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) proved to be a very pleasant experience.

The hybrid powertrain was also refined with its smooth delivery and one could feel the power the car has on tap. Of course, if you want some aggression than just press the Sport button and it changes the gear-mapping with its ability for high revs in low gears.

The exhaust note gets louder and sportier but not enough to drown you in it. What with the windy, hilly roads in Langkawi, the HR-V Hybrid offers a lot of fun to be behind the wheel as you can change gears with the paddle shifters and the car handles well with minimal roll going in and out of the turns.

READ MORE: CarSifu also tried Honda HR-V RS with new Variable Gear Ratio steering

 The HR-V is a very practical compact SUV because its boot space of 404 litres which can be expanded to 991 litres with the rear seats folded and even the front passenger seat can be reclined if you need to haul very long objects. Honda Malaysia said that the HR-V is one of its bestsellers and they have already amassed bookings of 4,000 units for the since they introduced the new facelifted HR-V in January.

It's easy to see why the car attracts the attention it does with its sporty looks, comfort, features, power and practicality.


All systems go for EP Manufacturing to make electric scooters

                KUALA LUMPUR: EP Manufacturing Bhd's (EPMB) wholly-owned subsidiary, EP Blueshark Sdn Bhd (EP Blueshark), has received a manufacturing licence from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) to undertake the assembly of electric two-wheelers.

The automotive parts maker said it is now fully authorised to assemble and manufacture two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) at its soon-to-be built plant in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.

"The licence enables EP Blueshark to import electric bike components in semi-knocked down and/or completely knocked down form to be assembled and manufactured in Malaysia for distribution into the local and Asean markets,” EPMB said in a statement on Monday.

The approval, granted under the Industrial Coordination Act 1975, will apply retrospectively from July 25, 2022.

To recap, EPMB has partnered with China-based Sharkgulf Technologies Group Ltd to assemble, manufacture and distribute the latter’s Blueshark-branded two-wheeled EVs in Malaysia and other Asean countries.

"With the manufacturing licence from Miti, EPMB is set to accelerate its journey to commercially roll out 50,000 units BlueShark two-wheeled EVs per year initially.

"This is responding to immediate regional demand. Thereafter, EPMB will increase capacity accordingly as demand increases," it added.

EPMB executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah said the company is now a step closer to establishing its new factory for two-wheeled EVs.

"We expect to start the construction of the plant in early 2023 and target to complete it by the third quarter of 2023.

"The manufacturing facility will not only be technologically advanced but will also employ mainly Malaysians - comprising at least 80 per cent of the workforce - and train them via transfer of skills and technology,” he said.

Over the next three to 10 years, South-East Asian countries are expected to see significant growth in the two-wheeled EV market, surpassing Europe and East Asia, Hamidon said.


Bermaz Auto Alliance rolls out new campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd has announced its “Catch the Alluring Peugeot 9X8 at Bahrain” campaign starting from May 1 till Aug 31.

Under this campaign, one lucky Peugeot owner will stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two to catch the 2023 Bahrain World Endurance Championship race on Nov 4.

The four-month contest-based campaign is applicable for any Peugeot model registered during this campaign period, whereby every purchase of any model such as the Peugeot 2008, 3008, 5008 and the newly introduced model, the Landtrek pick-up truck.

To participate in this campaign, the participant must have their new vehicle registered by any authorised Peugeot dealer during the campaign period.

Participants must then log in to www.peugeot.com.my to complete the entry form by submitting creative slogans.

Each purchase is only entitled to only one submission.

In addition, BAASB offers an attractive financial package and exclusive rewards during this campaign period.

Peugeot buyers can enjoy attractive financing interest benefits or options for the insurance subsidy package.

Peugeot enthusiasts can grab this opportunity to purchase their dream model at any authorised dealership or drop by at the following roadshows below;

> 1Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya: June 1-5
> Queensbay Mall, Penang: June 14–18 and July 26-30
> East Coast Mall, Kuantan: June 21–25
> MidValley Southkey, Johor Bahru: July 12-16


Allianz projects weak growth for motor insurance this year

Zakri says June saw zero car sales because people are not performing any transactions.
KUALA LUMPUR: Allianz Malaysia Bhd has projected a weak growth for motor insurance this year in line with the slump in vehicle sales during the lockdown period.

Chief executive officer Zakri Khir said Phase One of Movement Control under the National Recovery Plan for the whole of this month has had an adverse effect on the motor industry.

"In June, for example, there has been zero car sales because people are not performing any transactions,” he said during a media roundtable today.

Besides that, Zakri said the zero sales situation was also due to the global shortage of chip supply affecting many manufacturers.

"Despite the demand, there is no supply of chips for the vehicles,” he said.

It was reported that the local automotive industry is expected to lose RM3.44 billion in June this year alone if there were zero vehicle sales, leading to the decline in automotive sales for the third month in a row.

According to the Malaysia Automotive Association, sales in May 2021 dropped 19 per cent to 46,663 units compared with 57,912 units a month earlier.

Meanwhile, in terms of services provided during this period such as towing, repairs and claims, the insurance provider said there was only a slight interruption in terms of the repair period.

Allianz believes that this was due to workshops being unable to get approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to allow them to operate.

"We thought there would be fewer car accidents during the lockdown period but mishaps are more severe now.

"People are speeding (due to the reduced number of vehicles on the road) so the likelihood of them to lose control of their vehicles is high,” Zakri said.

According to him, the Allianz Road Rangers, which is a nationwide motor accident assistance, has about 190 tow trucks and had served more than 240,000 customers since its launch in 2017.

The service has been rated 4.7 stars by customers, Zakri added. Allianz's total general insurance market share is 13.3 per cent or RM2.35 billion out of the total industry gross written premium (GWP) of RM17.7 billion, while its motor insurance market share is about 18.6 per cent or RM1.5 billion out of total industry motor GWP of RM8.4 billion.


Yamaha MT-07 hits the sweet spot

                If the Yamaha MT-09 was too much of a handful for you, fret not, for there is a much more “ridable” version of this motorcycle - meet its younger sibling the MT-07.

With the MT-09 sitting steady as Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd’s (HLYM) flagship model in its locally assembled (CKD) range since last December, the arrival of the MT-07 is very much a welcome.

In my review of the MT-09, I had said how the triple piston MT-09 can be a bit too jerky for some riders, something akin to a snarling beast that is ever ready to pounce.

For those feeling that a 850cc is a waste as they never need that kind of power, then the 689cc MT-07 slots in nicely to fulfil this need for more manageable outputs that are far more relevant for day-to-day riding.

As expected, the MT-07 can still hit triple-digit speeds in a jiffy, but this is not the full story. Nor is this the most interesting aspect of this bike that retains much affinity to its elder brother.

Like the MT-09, this inline twin boasts of Yamaha’s crossplane crankshaft, which (when the firing order is set at 270 degrees) will enable the motorcycle to develop a linear torque pattern for good acceleration, a phenomenon that’s bound to put a smile on any rider’s face.

When the entire package is made compact and light (dry weight of only 164kg), then the only outcome would be a bike with an agile chassis that promises easy handling.

Other factors that combine to offer this pleasant experience is the slim and compact tubular backbone frame, which is centred on a mass-forward design.

The layout of controls is nearly the same as the MT-09, with the obvious ones being the fully digital instrumentation, triple disc brakes, and the handsome 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels.

The rear end of the MT-07 features an asymmetric steel swingarm that gives a steady performance, while its transmission gave silky-smooth shifting.

However, I found that the MT-07 is far more rideable and useable for my needs.

While its exhaust note is nowhere as aggressive as the one coming from the triple, the engine’s output is far more manageable.

It does not intimidate the way the MT-09 does, but the torque is still there when summoned, lending to an overall feel of being well-balanced and composed.

This highly manoeuvrable bike comes with gear indicators, a welcome feature that is missing on many rides.

Other plus points include having rear view mirrors that are functional, “correct” positioning of the two keyholes.

The ignition key hole is positioned in a manner that prevents the keychain or other keys from being “gripped” by the various cables running across the handlebar when the rider is turning.

The seat cover keyhole is strategically located, unlike the one on the MT-09, which is very difficult to find (so difficult, it qualifies as a riddle, in fact).

For those who are of the DIY type, the radiator, brake fluid reservoir and oil filter are easy to reach, though the same cannot be said for the battery.

There is also a good balance between the tachometer and speedometer on the instrument panel, with none overwhelming the other.

In an urban setting with no highway riding, the MT-07 displayed outstanding fuel efficiency by managing to clock 22.66km per litre of RON95.

My only beef with the MT-07 was the absence of a helmet hook, as well as grab bars (helpful when pushing it into place at tight parking spots).

On balance, the MT-07 is a highly recommended bike as it is fun to ride, and can be handled by almost anyone.

Its combination of torque, agile chassis and fuel efficiency make it a hard-to-beat proposition.
Or like Yamaha said: “there’s never been a better reason to rise up and ride”.

Available in red or blue, the locally-assembled MT-07 retails for RM35,297 with GST.


Proton Preve now available in Chile

                SANTIAGO: The Proton Preve is now on sale in Chile following its launch here on May 25.

The 1.6-litre model, distributed by Andes Motor, is being offered in three left-hand drive variants namely standard, executive and premium. They are priced respectively at 10,490,000 chilean peso or CLP (RM63,000), 11,990,000 CLP (RM72,185) and  14,490,000 CLP (RM87,000).

The standard and the executive variants both come with the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated CamPro 4-cylinder engine producing 107hp/150Nm and a 5-speed manual gearbox, whereas the premium variant offers the CamPro turbocharged engine making 138hp/205Nm and featuring a 7-speed CVT transmission.

Proton executive Khalid Yusof (left) with Kohler at the launch of the Preve in Chile.

Safety equipment for the Chilean Preve include active head restraints, collapsible engine, electronic stability control (ESC), airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist and traction control.

"With Andes Motor — Chile's leading distributor of buses, trucks and luxury cars —  as our partner, we are optimistic that our re-entry into the Chilean market will be successful,” said Proton CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali. Proton last exported Wiras to Chile in 1998.

“The Prevé is one of Proton's more dynamic sedans ... we are also looking forward to the arrival of the Exora and Saga in Chile in the near future,” said Andes Motors CEO Alexander Kohler.

Proton said it targets sales of 1,000 Preves in Chile by the end of the year.


Perodua's vehicle registration for August rises to 26,039 units

                KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua's vehicle registration for August 2022 rose by about 42 per cent to 26,039 units compared with 18,346 vehicles registered in July 2022 on improvement in the supply of automotive components.

Its president and chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said in terms of production, August was the best month so far this year with 28,036 units made, translating into a healthy increase in deliveries for all models, with the Bezza leading the pack with 6,808 units, followed by Myvi and Axia at 6,252 units and 4,857 units, respectively.

"We are currently trying to build on this improvement to ensure speedier delivery to our customers. On the newly launched Alza, we have received bookings of 51,000 units so far, with 7,682 units registered in July and August,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Zainal Abidin said the improvement in production and sales came about due to some key issues such as the semiconductor chip supply shortage and insufficient labour at the supplier’s operations; however, these issues have been resolved at the moment.

"We are also closely monitoring the increase in prices of raw materials currently and are working with the ecosystem on how best to mitigate this impact on our operations,” he added.

On a year-to-date basis, Perodua saw an increase of 63.7 per cent to 171,728 vehicles registered in the first eight months of this year compared with 104,933 units registered in the same period last year.

However, Zainal Abidin said the year-to-date comparison was distorted as the country underwent a lockdown between June 1, 2021 and Aug 15, 2021, and during that time all non-essential operations were suspended.

"In terms of registration by model between January and August this year, the Perodua Myvi is still our best-seller at 48,658 units, followed by Bezza with 39,642 units, and Axia with 37,013 units,” he said.


Tennis star Emma Raducanu becomes new Porsche brand ambassador

                STUTTGART: Everybody loves a winner. Porsche included.

The German sports car maker has appointed tennis star Emma Raducanu as its latest brand ambassador.

In April, she will start her tour of duty with the car maker at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena.

Raducanu, 19, represents a new generation of young players on the way to the top of women’s tennis. She is ranked world number 13. After her success at the US Open, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by her country – the youngest woman ever to receive the honour.

The first British woman to win a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade in 1977, Raducanu was born in Toronto, Canada in 2002 to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother.

When she was two, she moved with her parents to Britain and took up tennis at the age of five.

Raducanu complements the Porsche family, which includes the likes of Germany’s current top tennis player, Angelique Kerber. Also from the world of sport is the golfer Paul Casey, from England, and Germany’s football World Cup winner Sami Khedira, who is active as the ambassador for the Porsche junior development programme.

Others representing the sports car manufacturer’s company and product communications are the German rally legend Walter Röhrl, the Australian Endurance World Champion Mark Webber and Norway’s double Olympic skiing champion Aksel Lund Svindal.

Two former Porsche works drivers are also brand ambassadors – GT specialist and development driver Jörg Bergmeister and two-time Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard.


Nvidia introduces AI for self-driving cars, teams up with Volvo

LAS VEGAS: Nvidia Corp wants to get into self-driving cars. The chipmaker, looking to expand its reach in the automotive market, introduced a new computer for vehicles that includes artificial-intelligence features to make them more autonomous.

Chief executive officer Jen-Hsun Huang introduced the Nvidia Drive PX 2: a set of processors featuring deep-learning capabilities and software that enables cars to better recognise objects around them, know where they are and plan what actions to take. He unveiled the new technology in a presentation late Monday at the International Consumer Electronics Show here. Volvo Car will use the new products in its public trials of autonomous vehicles in 2017, Nvidia said.

Under its founder, Nvidia is trying to expand the use of graphics chips into markets outside of personal computers, a business that's projected to decline for a fifth straight year in 2016. Still, the Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker has managed to expand sales by persuading carmakers, server companies and gamers to use its chips.

 The world’s largest car infotainment system was used at the Nvidia presentation to underscore how a car would would learn and adapt to its surroundings with information fed from an array of sensors.

The new product is aimed at making Nvidia the centre of efforts to make cars capable of piloting themselves regardless of whether their occupants can drive or not, Huang said. If those efforts are successful, particularly in complex urban environments, the impact could be far-reaching, he said.

“Self-driving cars are hard. It turns out driving is hard,” Huang said. “Humans are the least reliable part of the car.”

The new product will carry the same computing power as 150 MacBook Pros and require water cooling, the CEO said. That's the kind of horsepower required to make a car perceive its surroundings, he said.

Nvidia's focus on cars is part of a broader trend in semiconductors. As automakers increasingly try to differentiate their products based on new electronic functions and move toward autonomous vehicles, they need more chips and technical expertise from Nvidia and other technology providers.

Huang has argued that graphics chips are a natural fit for the intense image-recognition computing needed for self-driving cars to navigate traffic without human help.

The chipmaker, whose shares climbed 64 percent in 2015, has already won orders for chips used to power infotainment systems in high-end vehicles such as Lamborghini and Tesla Motors Inc.


Mazda CX-3 limited edition announced

                PETALING JAYA: Mazda is celebrating its 100th anniversary and Bermaz, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and spare parts in Malaysia, announced a limited edition CX-3 to commemorate the occasion priced at RM141,329 (selling price with limited edition package installed).

Developed by Bermaz’s MazdaSports Division, the limited edition CX-3 features various enhancements such as a front lip spoiler and rear bumper diffuser, a two-tone finish with a piano black roof and matching rear trunk spoiler, gunmetal design 18-inch alloy rims and brushed aluminium finished rear exhaust tips.

The interior has styling enhancements to the seats, steering wheel, armrest and gear knob that features a dark gray suede finish to match the dashboard, door trims and black limited edition carpet mats.

Other functional enhancements include a front strut tower brace that covers the engine as well as lower front, mid and rear chassis bars for a sportier driving experience.

A JBL Basspro Hub 11-inch subwoofer is also added to the limited edition CX-3.

The CX-3 limited edition package is priced at RM 14,500 and comes with a One-Year Mazda Genuine Accessory Warranty based on the period of fitment at the time of new vehicle purchase.

The limited edition CX-3 is now open for reservation and orders can be placed at any of the Mazda outlets. As this a unique production build model, expected delivery is by the end July 2020 and will come exclusively in the Snowflake White Pearl colour.


Hardware retrofits only way to avoid driving bans, says German minister

                BERLIN: German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze has told a newspaper she does not think software updates for diesel vehicles in Germany will be enough to solve air quality problems and that hardware retrofits are the only way to avoid driving bans.

The German car industry, which accounts for some 800,000 jobs in Europe’s biggest economy, is struggling with a global backlash against diesel cars after Volkswagen admitted in 2015 that it had cheated US exhaust tests.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will do everything possible to avoid driving bans but disagreements over how to tackle the problem of diesel cars with high nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions threaten to further strain her coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD).

Asked in an interview with Tagesspiegel that was to be published today whether measures already agreed on diesel would suffice to avoid driving bans, Schulze said: “I fear that in cities where the limits have been far exceeded - Munich, Stuttgart and others - software updates alone will not suffice.”
She added: “The many measures from the immediate program for clean air, such as electrification of buses, are good and will help many cities but overall they aren’t enough to solve the problem in cities that are particularly badly affected.”

Schulze, of the SPD, said she was therefore campaigning hard for vehicles to get technical retrofits, adding: “In my view that’s the only realistic way to avoid driving bans.”

Asked whether the carmakers should pay for the hardware retrofits themselves, she said: “Yes - they are the ones who have caused this.”

She said hardware retrofits were especially necessary in particularly badly affected urban areas where there was no other way to stick to NOx limits, adding this was likely to be around 20 cities.

However, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, a member of the Bavarian CSU sister party of Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), opposes costly hardware retrofits, saying he is committed to meeting emissions targets using measures already being implemented.

Schulze said she and Scheuer were discussing the diesel issue intensely and both wanted Germany to have a strong automobile industry with many jobs. But, she said, it would only remain strong if it pioneered vehicles of the future, and China was the biggest future market.

“That country wants to improve the air in its cities. Soon no more dirty cars will be purchased there,” Schulze said.


VW introduces Polo Allstar, more special editions to come

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be introducing the Allstar customisation for the Polo, Vento and Jetta models.

The special edition kicks-off with the Polo Allstar this weekend, and will subsequently be followed by the Vento Allstar later this month, and the Jetta Allstar in June.

VPCM managing director Erik Winter said the Allstar range caters to Malaysians with value-added benefits.

“The new Allstar range is a special edition line-up of our core models, which have been refreshed with cosmetic upgrades for an attention-grabbing, sportier look. The Allstar range is also the first of a series of special edition initiatives that we plan to roll out this year,” he said.

The Polo Allstar will make its first public appearance at the Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam, on May 13 and 14.

There will also be a nationwide Volkswagen showroom event on May 14, where members of the public can visit their nearest authorised dealer to get up close with the Polo Allstar, which is priced at RM72,888.

Available in Carbon Steel Grey, Reflex Silver, Candy White and Flash Red, the hatchback comes with RM6,000 worth of exclusive accessories such as leather seats, aluminium pedals, rear spoiler, black door strips, "Allstar" scuff plates, emblems and carpet mats.

The Polo Allstar retains the same performance as its Polo sibling, featuring Volkswagen’s 1.6-litre 16-Valve Multi Point Injection (MPI) engine with 105PS and 153Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

Fuel consumption is rated at 6.3l per 100km.


Ferrari's revolutionary SUV to be more powerful than the competition

                MARANELLO: Back in early 2018, Ferrari made an official announcement about developing its first SUV, which was originally supposed to be launched in 2020, but has been pushed back to 2022. The reason for this is Ferrari's ambitious goal to offer "the world's fastest SUV." For now, the distinction is informally held by the 707-hp Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The project, heretofore known under the codename "Purosangue" ("Pureblood"), nonetheless remains quite secret. In an interview with Autocar, the manufacturer's chief technical officer Michael Leiters said: "I think we've found a concept and a package which is on one side a real SUV and will convince SUV customers to buy it, but on the other side there's a huge differentiation of concept to existing SUVs."

In total, no less than 15 new Ferrari models should be released by 2023, across two categories: mid-engined supercars, and a number of front-mid-engined GT-style cars, which includes Purosangue. No word yet on whether the upcoming SUV will be equipped with a V6, V8 and V12 engine, hybrid or something else — although an all-electric option seems out of the running.

Besides the choice of engine, a number of challenges remain to be overcome, such as the choice between rear or all-wheel drive, the type of suspension and the layout of the interior, with speed always in mind.

Ferrari has a good three years of work ahead of it before it can go grille to grille with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, the Lamborghini Urus, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Aston Martin DBX.


Infiniti to offer virtual test drives at Pebble Beach

                SAN FRANCISCO: Premium carmaker Infiniti is embracing virtual reality in order to bring a new dimension to its display at one of the world's most prestigious motoring events.

Visitors to the Infiniti pavilion at the Pebble Beach Concours Plaza this week will be able to don a headset and get to both see and feel what it's like to drive the company's latest concept cars.

At November's LA Auto Show, Volvo became the first car company to officially embrace Google's project cardboard virtual reality headsets by offering visitors a virtual test-drive of its latest flagship SUV.

And in the months that have passed since, Audi, Mercedes and Lexus have all been experimenting with virtual reality as a way of offering car fans and potential owners a more immersive means of making a buying decision.

Like Volvo, Infiniti is using a headset based on the Google Cardboard design that turns potentially any large-display Android smartphone into a virtual reality device and will be using it to give visitors to its display a virtual guided tour of the design process. An app called "From Pencil to Metal" will walk users through the story of how its QX30 concept car came to be, from initial sketches to the final model.

However, the luxury marque is going one step further and, in partnership with CXC Simulators, has also developed an even more immersive virtual reality experience called "The Dream Road." It combines a headset with real-world physics and movement to transport participants to some of the world's best drivers' roads and put them behind the wheel of the Q60 concept car.

To ensure the experience is as close to reality as possible, Infiniti sent out professional drivers on roads including the Stelvio Pass in Italy to ensure that everything from G-force to the sensation of road surfaces were exact.

Both VR experiences will also be available as apps to download and for consumers to use at home, thanks to a partnership with The Enthusiasts Network (TEN), the sports publisher and broadcaster.

"The Pebble Beach Concours is the perfect stage for Infiniti and TEN to showcase the best in automotive style and technology," said Allyson Witherspoon, director of marketing communications for Infiniti. "This innovative partnership invites the automotive enthusiast at Pebble Beach to transport themselves virtually and in real life with unique Infiniti experiences and celebrate with us the latest vehicles in the Infiniti line up."

Following the event, the two experiences will be turned into 360-degree films that will become the centrepiece of what Infiniti says will be the world's first-ever YouTube 360 automotive advertising campaign when it goes live on Aug 15.


Tesla agrees to pay US$1.5mil to settle claims over battery voltage reduction

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc has agreed to pay US$1.5 million (RM6.4mil) to settle claims a software update temporarily reduced maximum battery voltage in 1,743 Model S sedans, court documents show.

Owners of the vehicles will get US$625 (RM2,646) each, which is "many times the prorated value of the temporarily reduced maximum voltage," according to the proposed settlement documents filed Wednesday in US District Court in San Francisco.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lawyers for the owners who sued said the "voltage limitation was temporary, with a 10% reduction lasting about 3 months, and a smaller 7% reduction lasting another 7 months before the corrective update was released in March 2020."

A US judge set a Dec 9 hearing on the proposed settlement.

The suit filed in August 2019 alleged Tesla released an over-the-air software update that reduced the maximum voltage to which batteries on some Tesla Model S vehicles could be charged.

A subsequent update restored about 3% of the battery voltage in these vehicles, and a third update released in March 2020 was designed to fully restore the batteries’ voltage over time as the vehicles are driven, the settlement documents said.

Company data shows 1,552 vehicles had maximum battery voltage fully restored and 57 have had battery replacements and for other vehicles the maximum voltage should continue to be restored over time, the settlement documents said.

The US$1.5 million settlement includes US$410,000 (RM1.8mil) fees and costs for the plaintiffs' attorneys.


Urban SUVs driving huge growth in CO2 emissions, says IEA

                PARIS: The undying popularity of sport-utility vehicles has made them the second-biggest contributor to the growth of global CO2 emissions in recent years, just behind the power sector, the head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

"In 2010, 18 percent of all car sales in the world were SUVs. In 2018, more than 40 percent of all cars sold in the world are SUVs!" Fatih Birol told an electric energy conference here.

Demand for the heavy, fuel-guzzling vehicles is soaring in the US and Europe as well as in China, India and other developing countries, where they are particularly prized as status symbols, according to an IEA report released this week.

And despite often having four-wheel drive, SUVs are mainly used by urban drivers — the steepest climb they face is probably out of a parking garage.

SUVs spewed some 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from 2010 to 2018, nearly half the amount produced by the power sector, the IEA report said.

They surpassed emissions from heavy industry such as iron or steel production, and far outstripped CO2 from trucks, aviation or shipping — other high-polluting transportation means under fire by climate activists.

And Birol warned that even the shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles — often called the end of the "ICE age" — would hardly make a dent in the auto industry's emissions.

"Yes, electric cars are going very strong, today there are about six million electric cars in the world," he told the conference.

"But does it mean decarbonisation? Absolutely not," he said, noting that half of the cars are currently in China, which gets two-thirds of its electricity from coal-fired power plants.

And the IEA report noted that if SUV demand continued at current rates, they would add nearly two million barrels to global daily oil demand by 2040, "offsetting the savings from nearly 150 million electric cars."

"Electric cars are not a panacea," Birol said, "the prerequisite is decarbonisation of the power system."


Proton X90 launched, four variants from RM124K to RM153K

                PETALING JAYA: Proton today launched the much awaited 3-row seating X90 - the big brother to the X70 and X50 SUV.

The X90 is offered in four variants, starting with the base Standard, followed by the Executive, Premium and Flagship. They are  priced at RM123,800, RM130,800 , RM144,800  and RM152,800 respectively.

The Flagship is a six-seater with captain seats and pilot headrests for the second row, while other variants are seven-seaters.

Only the top two variants get items such as the Advanced Driver Assistance System, 19-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather seats, a front passenger powered seat, wireless charger for mobile phones and Auto Park Assist.

The X90 is entering the arena occupied by the Mazda CX-8, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, Nissan X-Trail and Peugeot 5008.

The X50, X70 and X90 are assembled at Proton's Tanjung Malim plant.

The X90 was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the day Proton celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Like the Proton X50 B-segment (flagship variant) and X70 C-segment SUVs, the X90 has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder DOHC turbocharged mill, with direct fuel injection, which produces 177PS at 5,500rpm and 255Nm at 1,500 to 4,000rpm.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Based on the Geely Haoyue, the X90 is also Proton’s first mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) with a 48-volt electric motor synergy (EMS) system.

A five-year warranty is offered on the 48V lithium-ion battery.

The 48V EMS technology delivers an additional push of 13PS and 45Nm of torque for a total system output of 190PS and 300Nm.

 The Flagship variant.

Proton claims fuel efficiency is also improved by up to 15%.

Unlike other markets where the Haoyue gets a rear torsion beam suspension, the X90 has a rear multi-link set-up tuned to Malaysian roads.

Proton said it adopted the more costly and complex multi-link suspension to provide better driveability and value.

Occupants enjoy dual-zone air-conditioning and independent rear air-conditioning, and every row has air-conditioning vents.

There are seven charging points (USB-C and USB-A) for mobile devices as well as wireless charging.

Other features include Nappa leather seats, N95 cabin filter, LED headlights with sequential turn signals, powered front seats, auto unlock and walk-away auto lock, and a powered tailgate, as well as up to 2,050 litres of rear cargo space with the rear seats folded.

The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, and forward collision warning (FCW), automatic park assist (level 2 ADAS), a 360-degree camera system with 3D display, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The first 4,000 bookings qualify for extra goodies or  "Early Bird Packages"  namely:

> Five-year data package at 4GB/month
> Proton X-Watch worth RM1,499
> Accessories worth RM779
> Upgraded Proton Insurance programme

Proton said the X90's development took 96,000 man-hours and 1.2 million kilometres of testing. The large SUV uses 45% localised parts comprising 500 components.

Joining the Prime Minister at the X90 launch were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

Also present were China's envoy to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Geely Holding Group chairman Eric Li Shu-fu and Geely Holding Group CEO Daniel Li Dong-hui.

DRB-Hicom and Proton were represented by DRB-Hicom chairman Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal, Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong and Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.

READ MORE:
First drive of Proton X90
Malaysia can become regional automotive industry leader, says PM


Mercedes-Benz readies plants to produce electric vehicles

                BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz is adjusting its network of plants to manufacture a new range of luxury electric vehicles as it prepares to switch to electric by the end of the decade.

Mercedes aims to halve CO2 emissions per passenger car over the life cycle by the end of this decade compared to 2020.

"We are ready for the rapid scaling of electric vehicle volumes," said Joerg Burzer, board member for production and supply chain, adding the new setup followed talks between management and worker representatives.

Plants in Sindelfingen, Bremen, Rastatt - all in Germany - and Kecskemet, in Hungary, will start production of new models in the top end luxury, core luxury and entry luxury segments from the middle of the decade, said Mercedes.

Battery systems will be supplied by a production network with factories in three continents, it said.

"The local production of battery systems is a key success factor for the Mercedes-Benz electric ramp-up and a decisive component in being able to meet the global demand for electric vehicles flexibly and efficiently," it said in a statement.


Get a dash of street culture with RM25K Vespa Primavera Sean Wotherspoon

                PETALING JAYA: A colourful scooter has landed in Malaysia and it's called the Vespa Primavera Sean Wotherspoon, priced at RM24,960.

If you don't know who Wotherspoon is, he's considered one of the rising stars of youth fashion in the United States.

Described as an experimenter, he blends street culture and colours with brands that he works with.

As for this special edition Vespa, it gets a mix of colour influences from the 80s and 90s such as yellow, red, dark green and aquamarine.

The Vespa comes with chrome finishes and a light brown velvet saddle. It is paired with Wotherspoon’s streetwear apparel of limited-edition t-shirts, hoodies, and pants.

The Vespa Primavera Sean Wotherspoon is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder 150 cc Vespa i-Get. This 7-litre, electric start bike offers 12.7hp at 7,750 rpm and 12.8 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm.

The limited edition scooter is now available at all Vespa network in Malaysia. Vespa enthusiasts can view the limited-edition at Crossover store in Sunway Pyramid, Selangor, and Southkey Mall, Johor.

Didi Resources Sdn Bhd is the distributor of the Vespa brand in Malaysia.


Premium brands will be first for restructure of Stellantis dealers' network

                NUERTINGEN (Germany): Stellantis will start a restructuring of its European dealers' network, due to begin in June 2023, with its premium brands such as Alfa Romeo and Lancia, the company's European sales and marketing chief said today.

Stellantis, formed at the start of the year by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA, announced in May that it would completely restructure its European dealers' network as it seeks to adapt to changes in the industry brought by electrification, including a boom in online sales, and achieve promised post-merger synergies.

Stellantis will end all current sales and service contracts with European dealers for its 14 brands, with effect from June 2023.

The company is still exploring options for how to structure future relationships with dealers but is moving towards an "agency model", European sales chief Maria Grazia Davino said, referring to an arrangement where carmakers take more control of sales transactions while dealers focus on handovers and servicing, no longer acting as the customer's contractual partner.

"To be transparent, we are still building this up," Davino said at an autos conference in Nuertingen, near Stuttgart. "We are going in the direction of an agency model."

As of June 2023, significant changes will be made to the European Union's Block Exemption Regulation (BER), which has granted antitrust exemptions to carmakers allowing them to operate franchise networks where they can dictate who sells their products and where.

Stellantis, which has 14 brands including Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot, Opel, Jeep and others, issued termination notices to all current sales and service dealers in June, but contracts will remain valid for another two years.

The world’s fourth largest carmaker has promised more than 5 billion euros in annual synergies and said 7% of them would be driven by savings on sales operations and general expenses.

The company did not specify at the time what future contracts would look like, but highlighted that the decision for a change was taken in anticipation of growing online sales and new market players such as e-commerce platforms.

It is not yet known whether this process will lead to a reduction of Stellantis’ network in Europe.

Stellantis said in May that the network restructuring will not involve dealers of Stellantis luxury brand Maserati and those in the United States, home of some of the group's most popular brands such as Ram and Dodge.


Ford and GM rev up electric pickup trucks to head off Tesla

Chevrolet Bolt EV chief engineer Josh Tavel at the GM Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan, on March 15, 2016. — Reuters
DETROIT: Large pickup trucks that tow most of the profits in to Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co are holdovers from another century - with heavy ladder frames and big internal combustion engines in the front driving the wheels in the back.

Now, Ford and GM are racing to design radical new takes on their most profitable models, replacing petroleum-fuelled engines with batteries in a bid to outflank Tesla Inc’s plan to eclipse their brands. Ford’s F-150 pickup and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado are the top selling vehicles in the US market.

“This is going to be a real watershed for the whole industry,” Ford chairman Bill Ford told Reuters in a recent interview. The automaker has disclosed few details about the electric F-series, but Bill Ford hinted the truck could have load-carrying space under the hood in addition to the traditional bed in the back.

“You pick up all that extra space where the engine compartment has been,” Ford said. An electric F-Series could be a work truck - with its batteries functioning as a job site power source, he said. And it could be positioned as a high-performance vehicle next to the gas-fueled, 450hp Raptor pickup truck.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company has said it will invest US$11.5 billion electrifying its vehicles by 2022, including adding 16 fully electric models, all of which will be profitable.

Ford and GM have more than one reason to take chances on electric pickups - a concept that some analysts and industry executives say could be a small niche.

Electric pickups could help Ford and GM generate the significant sales of EVs they will need to meet tougher emission standards and electric vehicle mandates in California and other states. The Trump administration is moving to roll back those standards, but the electric trucks are a hedge if California prevails.

Governments and corporations - major buyers of pickups - could view electric pickups as a way to show a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Competition from Tesla and EV startups Rivian Automotive and Workhorse Group Inc is another factor, although Ford recently mitigated some of that risk by investing US$500 million in Rivian.

Three years ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk declared he wanted to attack the heart of the Detroit automakers’ franchises with a Tesla electric pickup he has described as a “cyberpunk” truck with the performance of a Porsche 911 sports car. Tesla is expected to unveil a prototype this year, with analysts forecasting a 2022 debut. Musk declined to comment for this story.

Officials familiar with Ford and GM’s plans said their electric pickups will be introduced by early 2022.

“Our strategy is very clear,” Ted Cannis, Ford’s director of electrification, told Reuters at the No. 2 US automaker’s product development centre outside Detroit. “We’re going to play to our strengths. We’re good at pickups.”

Ford’s electric truck will be built on a company EV platform separate from the vehicles it will offer later on a Rivian platform.

Ford has said it will introduce a hybrid F-150 next year. Bill Ford said the all-electric F-150 “won’t be too far after that.”

GM’s electric pickup push

At GM, Chief Executive Mary Barra said in April the automaker would make an electric full-size pickup, but provided no further details. The company has said it plans to invest US$8 billion to develop electric and self-driving vehicles, launching 20 new EVs globally by 2023.

Officials have not discussed plans for the electric pickup, but GM is pushing to introduce it within two years, according to several people familiar with the plans.

The lead engineer is Josh Tavel, who was the chief engineer for the Chevy Volt, Cadillac ELR, and Spark and Bolt EVs as well as executive chief engineer for full-size pickups, GM said.

Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe believes positive reaction last fall for his company’s R1T electric truck, due in fall 2020, shows the potential demand.

“The question is how large is the demand and does it translate across all price points or does it stay more isolated in the higher price points?” he told Reuters at the company’s Plymouth, Michigan, headquarters.

Ford officials will not discuss sales expectations for the electric F-150. But Bill Ford said the electric pickup could outperform conservative expectations - if prospective customers try it.

Ford has broken with pickup segment conventions before - substituting a turbo-charged six-cylinder “EcoBoost” engine for the traditional V8, and then giving the current generation of the truck an aluminum body instead of steel, the chairman said. The aluminum F-series is the best-selling pickup truck line in the United States, and about half are equipped with six-cylinder engines.

“Like it was with EcoBoost and like it was with aluminum, it’s important we get people in the vehicle to try it,” Ford said.

Beau Boeckmann, president of Galpin Ford in the Los Angeles area and one of the largest US Ford dealers, said customers are already asking about the truck.

“We’re going to be shocked,” he said. “I think the electric pickup truck has a huge future.”

Not everyone is so sanguine. Industry tracking firm IHS Markit has estimated the entire full-size electric truck segment will account for fewer than 30,000 sales in 2026, compared with an expected 2.3 million sales overall.

“We’re in uncharted waters,” IHS Markit principal analyst Stephanie Brinley said. “We’re talking niche in the beginning.”

Detroit’s other big automaker, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV , has no current plans for an all-electric Ram, while Toyota Motor Corp is betting more heavily on a hybrid Tundra pickup.

“The sliver of volume that’s going to be electric pickups is not worthy of a business case,” said one person familiar with Toyota’s plans.

The Detroit automakers ultimately want to defend a segment they see as their own.

“Why would we let Tesla beat us with a pickup truck?” said one person familiar with Ford’s plans. “That’s our turf.”


May 10-16: No change in fuel prices

PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices remain the same as the last seven days.

RON95 petrol will retail at RM2.20 per litre, RON97 will retail at RM2.47 per litre, and diesel will be priced at RM2.18 per litre.

The fuel prices have been unchanged since March 22, the eighth week running.

Today’s announcement coincided with the 14th general election.


Bose brings QuietComfort headphone tech to the car

                BOSTON: Bose announced this week the adaptation of its noise-cancelling headphone technology into cars, trucks, and SUVs; the new QuietComfort Road Noise Control vehicle cabin solution will make those routes over rough roads sound like they've been freshly paved.

Bose's QuietComfort technology has become iconic in the world of ANC headphones, and now the company is bringing the same noise cancellation to your car; Bose's QuietComfort Road Noise Control is a sound-reducing solution that works with accelerometers, proprietary signal-processing software, microphones, and your vehicle's audio system to soften sounds.

Accelerometers placed on the body of the car as well as microphones placed in the cabin pick up various sound signals which enable a Bose algorithm to "measure vibrations that create noise."

With this information, acoustic cancellation signals are calculated and delivered through your native audio system's speakers. In turn, the sound is actually "cancelled" rather than simply subdued from insulation.

Bose further noted its plans to collaborate with automobile manufacturers to integrate the QuietComfort technology into vehicles during development to optimise noise-cancellation for individual car models. QC RNC is scheduled to be built into production vehicles by the end of 2021.


F1 pioneer Frank Williams 'stable' in hospital

Williams has used a wheelchair since being injured in a car crash in France in 1986. — Reuters

LONDON: Frank Williams, who built the Williams team into a dominant Formula One force in the 1980s and 1990s, is in a stable condition after being admitted to hospital, the team announced late Tuesday.

The 78-year-old established the team in 1977 and went on to win nine constructors' world championships and seven drivers' titles, although the most recent triumphs came in 1997.

"Sir Frank Williams has recently been admitted to hospital where he is currently in a stable condition," the team said in a statement without giving medical details.

"Frank's medical condition is a private matter and therefore the family will not be releasing any further details at this time.

"We will ask you to respect the family's privacy. The team will release a further update in due course."

Williams has used a wheelchair since being injured in a car crash in France in 1986.

He spent a period in hospital after contracting pneumonia in 2016 and subsequently stopped travelling to races, although he did make a rare appearance at last year's British Grand Prix.

The Englishman stepped down from the board of Williams Formula One in 2012, and his family ended 43 years of involvement in the team in September, following its sale to Dorilton Capital.


Agera RS Gryphon: Why this Koenigsegg is worth its weight in gold

                ÄNGELHOLM (Sweden): For this year's Geneva motor Show, boutique Swedish hypercar firm Koenigsegg will be showcasing the Agera RS Gryphon, an utterly bespoke vehicle, right down to its 24-carat gold leaf exterior finish.

The precious metal, painstakingly applied by Italian master craftsman Ettore ‘Blaster' Callegaro, adorns exterior badging, makes up the body's racing strips, adorns interior surfaces, and has even been used on the engine and to dress the hood's struts.

To ensure the gold has the optimal contrasting effect, the car's body has been left in naked, albeit clear-coated carbon fibre so that the Gryphon's structural integrity is presented as art as well as science.

Yet as impressive as its exterior appears, it's what it covers that truly makes this car spectacular. Sitting behind the Alcantara-trimmed driver and passenger seats is a 5-litre V8 engine designed, developed and built from the ground up by Koenigsegg itself, which, thanks to prodigious twin-turbocharging and some serious engineering knowhow, outputs a frankly physics-defying 1360hp.

Little wonder that the Gryphon - the name of the mythical creature that is half lion, half eagle and the embodiment of strength and speed - comes with a bespoke carbon fibre crash helmet also finished in gold leaf.

To put Koenigsegg's engine into context, the Bugatti Veyron, a car built using the immense R&D reach of VW, the world's biggest carmaker, needed 16 cylinders, an 8-litre capacity and four turbos to generate “just” 1,001hp.

And, even with the gold leaf, luxuriously appointed interior, full infotainment system and hydraulics for raising either the front or rear end for overcoming things like speed bumps, this car tips the scales at 1,395kg. That's just a passenger seat and a few creature comforts short of the magical 1:1 power-to-weight ratio that's the supercar maker's holy grail.

The Agera RS Gryphon will make its global debut at the Geneva motor show, before being handed over to its owner.

After all, from the gold leaf to the engine output, this car has been built specifically to a client's requests - one of which was that the finished car be completely road legal in the US, where it is set to be driven.

Two Regeras

Koenigsegg will also use the Geneva show to celebrate the completion of the first two Koenigsegg Regeras - one in green and the other in red.

The first Regera to be delivered is finished with a modern twist on a well known sports car livery. Reminiscent of classic British Racing Green, the green tinted clear coat allows the carbon fibre weave to shine through.

The car is fitted with Koenigsegg’s new “Tresex” hollow-core carbon fibre wheels, which reduce wheel mass by 40% compared to a lightweight alloy wheel of the same size. Fitment of Michelin’s brand new Pilot Sport 4S tyre is standard.

The second Regera wears a combination of candy apple red with a clear carbon centre section and candy apple red hood stripe.

The Regera features the world’s first Direct Drive system for a production vehicle. It marks the first time Koenigsegg will build two concurrent models in its Ängelholm production facility.

It features the first 800-volt electrical system to ever be used in a production vehicle. This is used to supply power to three electric motors, which, at 670hp, have the highest electric power output ever used in a production hybrid.

The Regera is the first production vehicle in the world available with a fully robotised body and the first with a fully stowable, top-mounted rear spoiler for better aerodynamics.

The hybrid powertrain in the Regera will propel it from standstill to 300kph in 10 seconds – faster than even the Koenigsegg One:1 – and on to 400kph in just under 20 seconds, yet another world first for a production car.


Tesla triples deliveries of China-made cars after upgrade in Shanghai plant

A Tesla Model S being charged up in Beijing. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: Tesla sold 76,965 Chinese-made vehicles in August, nearly triple its sales from a month ago, as it quickened deliveries after ramping up output at its Shanghai plant.

The US carmaker exported 42,463 Model 3s and Model Ys from China last month, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said. In July, it sold 28,217 vehicles and exported 19,756.

After a scheduled upgrade disrupted most production in July, Tesla ramped up output at the Shanghai plant in August, defying heatwaves and Covid curbs that hit its suppliers in the southwest region.

Battery maker CATL's Yibin plant, which mainly supplies battery cells to Tesla Shanghai, had to shut part of its operations due to local power restriction policies in mid-August.

The output ramp-up enabled Tesla to accelerate deliveries of the Model 3 and Model Y electric cars to customers especially in China, where it faces more competition from local rivals.

It slashed delivery waiting time for its two best-selling models to a maximum of 14 weeks in China, while buyers of the rear-wheel drive Model Y can pick up the SUV in a month after placing the order, according to Tesla's Chinese website.

China's overall passenger car sales in August jumped 28.4% from a year earlier to 1.9 million, the CPCA said.

After a difficult start to the year that has seen China's economy slow amid Covid lockdowns, auto sales in China have rebounded thanks to government incentives and tax breaks.

Exports of passenger vehicles jumped 77.5% last month, bucking an overall export growth slowdown, CPCA said.

Sales of electric cars accounted for 28% of the total in August and rose by 111.2%, it added.

BYD led the electric vehicle producers with 173,977 cars delivered in August, while Nio , Xpeng and Li Auto delivered 10,677, 9,578 and 4,571 vehicles, respectively.


ChargEV to ramp up public EV chargers

                KUALA LUMPUR: More electric car charging stations are coming your way. Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) on Monday launched ChargEV, a publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging station network aimed at encouraging more Malaysians to switch to EVs.

The move would also facilitate the country’s transition towards sustainable mobility and improve overall air quality.

Free public electric charging stations are nothing new in Malaysia, as First Energy Networks Sdn Bhd - a company owned by  Tan Chong Motor Holdings - started the ball rolling with a number of chargers in malls and other public places from October 2012.

It has to date 19 public chargers nationwide, with one even in Miri, Sarawak. The chargers tie in nicely with the range of electric cars that Renault and Nissan have. Both brands are distributed by the Tan Chong group, with only the Nissan LEAF currently available. The other full EV on sale in Malaysia is the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. First Energy Networks said its chargers are compatible with those offered by ChargEV.

 GreenTech Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Peter Chin (left), Sashi and Ahmad Hadri at the launch of the ChargEV network in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

But what Greentech Malaysia aims to do now is to massively scale up the number of chargers. It said that a total of 25,000 ChargEV stations would be installed nationwide by 2020 to support Malaysia’s target of deploying 100,000 EVs in the next five years, along with 2,000 electric buses and 100,000 electric scooters and motorcycles.

It is expected that the wide adoption of EVs, which emit zero tailpipe emissions will contribute to reducing Malaysia’s carbon emissions by 6.4 million tonnes of carbon emission equivalent (MtCO2eq)by 2030.

An initial target of 300 ChargEV stations is set to be rolled out by 2016 across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Penang, Langkawi, Johor and Malacca targeting high traffic areas such as shopping malls, hotels, office buildings and residential areas as well as along the PLUS highway. The first ChargEV stations are already operational at Mandarin Oriental hotel and The Curve.

During the initial phase, the cost of ChargEV system and installation will be borne fully by GreenTech Malaysia.

“Air pollution is a rising concern with road transport reportedly the second largest contributor to carbon emissions in our country," said GreenTech Malaysia’s chief executive officer (Ir) Ahmad Hadri Haris.

“Our over-reliance on conventional internal combustion engine vehicles will continue to aggravate this problem and there must be a paradigm shift from our current transport model. In this regard, ChargEVwill play a pivotal role in encouraging the adoption of EVs and consequently reducing Malaysia’s carbon footprint,” he said, adding that there are 90 EVs on local roads.

“ChargEV will prove to be a significant driver in Malaysia’s transition to sustainable mobility, in line with the country’sEV market penetration and carbon emission targets. The setting up of a comprehensive nationwide ChargEV network will greatly address range anxiety, one of the major determining factor for consumers to purchase an EV.”

The launch was held in conjunction with a five-day EV roadshow for public awareness. Surveys carried out during the roadshow indicated strong public interest in switching to more efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as EVs.

Of those surveyed, 47% noted the substantial fuel savings that EVs could provide would be their key reason to make the switch. Additionally, 33% cited the significant environmental benefits EVs provide, given their zero tailpipe emissions, as a driving factor behind their interest.

Also present at the launch was BMW Group Malaysia.

“As industry leaders, it is our responsibility to introduce the latest products and technologies in the country, such as the i8, BMW’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle," said its head of corporate communications Sashi Ambi.

 The i8, a hybrid, can also get a charge out of the chargEV station.

“It is also important for automakers to work with responsible parties to ensure that the most current and relevant infrastructures be introduced to also support the new products and innovation. The ChargEV initiative is a prime example of such an initiative which will ensure the future of electric vehicles and plug-in vehicles in the country,” he said, adding that the i8 could use the ChargEV network. BMW does not sell the i3, a fully electric city car, in Malaysia yet.

Following its success, the ChargEV roadshow will make the rounds at the 6th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM), scheduled from Sept 9-12 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. IGEM, the region’s largest green technology business and innovation platform, will also be featuring the 3rd E-Mobilia World Conference focused on areas relating to sustainable mobility development, incentivisation, implementation and adoption.

IGEM is organised by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, co-organised by GreenTech Malaysia. The first three days of IGEM are open to trade visitors, with the final day open to the public.


Fiat Chrysler and PSA retain merger target date

The merger stays on tracks for completion by early 2021. — Reuters
MILAN: Automakers Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Peugeot Citroen (PSA) remain committed to a merger by early 2021 despite the sector's Covid-19-related woes, FCA stated Tuesday.

"Notwithstanding these unexpected and unprecedented times, FCA and Groupe PSA remain committed to our 50/50 merger that will create a leading global mobility company," FCA said in a statement.

"Together, we continue to push ahead on the various merger workstreams and we remain committed to completing the transaction by the end of this year or early 2021."

FCA also announced a first quarter net loss of €1.7 billion as it negotiates the virus storm.

The coronavirus and the mass global lockdown designed to limit its spread has caused massive disruptions to industry and had cast doubt over a merger which would create the world's fourth-largest automaker.

The huge falloff in economic activity saw the European Automobile Manufacturers Association reveal last month that April sales on the continent fell by 55 percent.

All carmakers suffered, but FCA recorded the worst drop, 76.6 percent, as it is heavily dependent upon Fiat's home market of Italy, which was the first major European economy to go into lockdown.

FCA and PSA say the merger would permit around €3.7 billion in savings.

FCA CEO Mike Manley said the virus had exposed the company and the sector to "unprecedented adversity" which had had "a significant impact on our operations".

But he added: "I have the utmost confidence in our ability to navigate through this crisis and emerge well positioned to grow and prosper on the other side".


Honda Malaysia suspends ops as latest lockdown takes effect

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has closed its business temporarily from June 1 to 14 to support the latest lockdown imposed by the Government to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Honda Malaysia operations affected by this move are the Honda Malaysia plant in Pegoh (Melaka), sales office and dealer showrooms nationwide.

Honda Malaysia will resume business operations tentatively on June 15.

"Honda Malaysia will continue to serve customers through our after-sales services which are available at all dealerships nationwide.

"Honda Malaysia encourages our customers to download the HondaTouch application for faster and simpler after-sales services appointment process before coming to the dealerships and to avoid long waiting time," the Japanese car maker said.

The company also said walk-ins were not allowed and it is compulsory for customers to make appointments with their nearest dealers (within 10km radius from their homes) to ensure acceptance of their car for service.

The after-sales services available are preventive maintenance, Body and Paint (BP) and towing assistance.

All Honda dealerships will continue to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the safety of Honda customers and associates as well as to provide customers peace of mind when visiting the dealerships.

Honda Malaysia said Malaysians could overcome the pandemic for brighter days ahead by being “Together As One.”


Proton attracting younger buyers, aims to sign up 20,000 loan borrowers

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton's revamped vehicle line-up is attracting younger customers to the brand who now see its cars as a trendy choice, according to Proton Commerce.

Proton's finance arm also pointed out that 80% of its customers choose 9-year hire-purchase financing plans and that it has impaired loan rates that are up to three times lower than the industry average.

“Last year was a tough year for the industry as financial institutions had to make modification loss provisions for the 6-month moratorium programme announced by the central bank," Proton Commerce CEO Mooi Fi Phang said on Wednesday.

"Thankfully for Proton Commerce, the financial stability of our customer base meant a very low number of our borrowers opted for subsequent moratorium and with the removal of the provisions this year, we expect to contribute a healthy profit to our shareholders.”

 Mooi.

On Proton's sales performance, Mooi said it got off to a bright start in 2021, recording first quarter sales that were the highest sinch March 2012.

Proton Commerce said the strong sales signal the potential to issue even more loans to qualified customers.

The company — a 50-50 joint venture between CIMB and Proton's distribution arm Proton Edar — has seen its loan volume grow in tandem with the increase in Proton sales.

In 2018, it disbursed a total of 5,410 loans, which nearly doubled to 10,668 the following year. For 2020, despite disruptions caused by the coronavirus as well as loan moratoriums to ease the burden on distressed borrowers, Proton Commerce had disbursed 14,189 loans.

It is aiming for a record-breaking volume of 20,000 this year.

“Although there was a downturn in many economic sectors caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, consumer demand for cars remains positive. Proton’s gains in product quality, its additions to the dealer network and the launch of new models have attracted interest in its cars and we are seeing the results in the number of loan applications received.

“Our loan disbursement volume for Q1 this year has increased by 42.3% and we are confident of our volume growing even more in Q2. However, the hire-purchase market could face a tough second half of the year as the Penjana sales tax incentive is scheduled to expire at the end of June so the industry could see a period of correction as market demand finds its natural level,” said Mooi.


Ford tests large-scale 3D printing

                DETROIT: Ford is exploring how large-scale one-piece auto parts, like spoilers, could be printed for prototyping and future production vehicles, as the first automaker to pilot the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer.

Capable of printing automotive parts of practically any shape or length, the Stratasys Infinite Build system could be a breakthrough for vehicle manufacturing – providing a more efficient, affordable way to create tooling, prototype parts and components for low-volume vehicles such as Ford Performance products, as well as personalized car parts. The new 3D printer system is housed at Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

“With Infinite Build technology, we can print large tools, fixtures and components, making us more nimble in design iterations,” said Ellen Lee, Ford technical leader, additive manufacturing research. “We’re excited to have early access to Stratasys’ new technology to help steer development of large-scale printing for automotive applications and requirements.”

Wider adoption of 3D printing has been driven by recent technology advances, new areas of application and government support, according to Global Industry Analysts. By 2020, the global market for this emerging technology is expected to reach US$9.6 billion, the organisation reports. As 3D printing becomes increasingly efficient and affordable, companies are employing it for manufacturing applications in everything from aerospace to education to medicine.

A 3D printing system could benefit automotive production, such as its ability to produce lighter-weight parts that could lead to greater fuel efficiency. A 3D-printed spoiler, for instance, may weigh less than half its cast metal counterpart.

The technology is more cost efficient for production of low-volume parts for prototypes and specialised race car components. Additionally, Ford could use 3D printing to make larger tooling and fixtures, along with personalised components.

With 3D printing, specifications for a part are transferred from the computer-aided design programme to the printer’s computer, which analyses the design. The device then goes to work, printing one layer of material at a time, then gradually stacking layers into a finished 3D object.

When the system detects the raw material or supply material canister is empty, a robotic arm automatically replaces it with a full canister. This allows the printer to operate unattended for hours – days, even.

Using traditional methods to develop, say, a new intake manifold, an engineer would create a computer model of the part, then have to wait months for prototype tooling to be produced. With 3D printing technology, Ford can print the intake manifold in a couple of days, at a much lower cost.

3D printing is not yet fast enough for high-volume manufacturing, but it is more cost efficient for low-volume production.


Allianz General unveils 111 Motorcycle campaign

                KUALA LUMPUR: Buy insurance and ride away in a brand new Honda Wave Alpha with the Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd’s (Allianz General) 111 Motorcycle Campaign.

Riders who purchase an Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive or Third-Party) or Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive or Third Party) policy between Oct 1 and Dec 31 will automatically be in the running to win a Honda Wave Alpha or the grand prize – a Honda CBR250RR worth RM25,999, at the end of the campaign.

The 111 Motorcycle Campaign will feature three draws, with each draw held at the end of each month - October (20 winners), November (40 winners), and December (50 winners plus one grand prize winner).

Besides that, each purchase of Allianz Motorcycle Plus or Allianz Motorcycle Policy (Comprehensive Cover) entitles the customer to three entries, whereas purchase of Allianz Motorcycle Plus or Allianz Motorcycle Policy (Third Party Cover) entitles the customer to one entry.

Customers who do not win during a particular draw will still be eligible for the subsequent draws during the campaign.

Allianz General deputy chief sales officer Sazali Abdul Rahman said the company wanted to do something nice for the riders as it had been a tough year for everyone.

“We have seen a lot more motorcycles on our roads since the pandemic, and with riders being so grossly underserved, our focus was on doing things to change that.

“We enhanced our Allianz Motorcycle Plus to offer improved protection and even introduced free roadside assistance for motorcycles.

“Having the 111 Motorcycle Campaign is just a nice way to bring everything together and hopefully bring a smile to our customer’s faces,” said Sazali.

Allianz General’s Allianz Motorcycle Plus cover offers an Accidental Cover of RM10,000 (for death or permanent disablement) and Hospital Income of up to RM6,000 (RM100, for up to 60 Days) for Comprehensive and Third Party policies at no extra charge.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) also includes free coverage for All Special Perils Full Sum-Insured Protection (covering flood, landslides or any natural disasters) and the recently launched the Allianz Road Rangers roadside assistance for all motorcycle comprehensive (250cc and below) policyholders.

The road side assistance service* includes emergency towing assistance (free for up to 50km, round-trip), fuel delivery, battery, and flat tyre service.

The service features three touchpoints:

• 24-hour helpline assistance
In the event of an accident, Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) and Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive) customers can call 1-800-22-5542 to have a technician or tow truck dispatched to their location for assistance, repair work, or to provide towing services.

• Allianz Road Rangers Tow trucks
The Allianz Road Ranger will provide riders emergency towing assistance (free for up to 50km, round-trip), fuel delivery, battery, and flat tyre service.

• E-hailing vouchers
Customers will also receive e-hailing vouchers that they can use to get home from the accident site and back to their home (where the service is available).

To learn more about the 111 Motorcycle Campaign, visit allianz.com.my/111motorcycles.
For details on the new Allianz General’s motorcycle products, visit allianz.com.my/motorcycle-plus andallianz.com.my/car-motor-comprehensive-cover.


Škoda Fabia turns art car

Mladá Boleslav (CZECH REPUBLIC): The new Škoda Fabia provides much more scope for customization than ever before with 125 colour combinations, there are almost no limits to customers’ wishes.

The Czech manufacturer now presents a very special, creative interpretation of its new small car: the Škoda Fabia Street Art. For this purpose, Portuguese graffiti artist Armando Gomes has turned a Fabia into a unique, multi-coloured work of art on four wheels.

‘The new Škoda Fabia is more emotionally rich than ever before and is the perfect car for the modern, urban mobility of today,’ said Werner Eichhorn, Škoda Board Member for Sales and Marketing.

‘The creation of the vehicle as a work of art underlines the brand’s aspirations for emotional resonance. We are really pleased about our collaboration with renowned graffiti artist Armando Gomes. This fresh and unusual project demonstrates that we are conducting our model campaign with new, creative ideas,’ said Eichhorn.

The art project took place in Lisbon at the end of October as part of the new Škoda Fabia’s international presentation to the press.

The Škoda Fabia Street Art was created in several stages. To begin with, Armando Gomes laid the groundwork by applying the lines and geometrical shapes to the body of the car. The surfaces were then sprayed in different colours.

Portuguese artist Armando Jorge Aires da Costa Gomes is regarded as one of the most significant graffiti artists in the world. The 31-year-old lives and works in Lisbon. The Portuguese graffiti artist also works as a designer, illustrator and film producer.

The new Škoda Fabia is part of Škoda’s biggest model campaign ever. The third-generation Fabia will further strengthen the brand’s success in international markets. The newly developed small car offers ‘more car’ in every respect and sets standards in its class. The new Fabia has been available in the first European markets for a few weeks and is on sale in the UK now.

The new Fabia is the first demonstration of the evolution of the Škoda design language into a more expressive and more emotionally charged look. Great emphasis has also been placed on individuality. The new Fabia hatchback is available in 15 colours.

Based on a cleverly-devised colour concept, up to 125 different colour combinations can be chosen for the roof, A-pillars, door mirror caps and wheels.


America’s empty roads: fewer deaths but a blow to state budgets

Light traffic is seen on California 110 with the city skyline in the background on April 2 in Los Angeles. California is in its second week of a statewide lockdown. — AP
WASHINGTON: Motorists on a typical weekday log roughly 200,000 trips on North Carolina’s Triangle Expressway in the Raleigh-Durham region, many of them commuters headed to the state’s Research Triangle Park.

But on the first Monday in April, just 69,000 tolls were collected.

Similar scenes are playing out across the US as Americans drive roughly half as much as they did before the coronavirus prompted broad stay-at-home directives to combat the spread.

Plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike now sit mostly empty, while Google Maps show freeways around Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta usually choked with traffic now largely free of cars.

The impact goes beyond idle toll booths. Fewer drivers are getting into accidents, resulting in a drop in deaths as well as premium refunds by auto insurers. Gasoline demand and sales have collapsed, prompting regulators to approve the extended use of wintertime blends.

Greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants and other sources in the US are forecast to decline by a whopping 7.5% this year.

And state budget officers are fretting over a sharp decline in revenue from gasoline taxes and other sources tied to driving.

"If this continues it really could be devastating for North Carolina,” said Eric Boyette, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. "The issue that we have is trying to predict the end - when does the end come?”

 City Hall is seen from North Broadway and College in downtown Los Angeles on April 2. — AP

Nationally, personal road travel in the week ending April 10 was down 48% from the final week in February, before social distancing measures took hold broadly, according to traffic data provider Inrix. New York City, at the heart of the outbreak in the U.S., saw a 63% decline.

Long-haul trucking, essential to maintain the flow of critical supplies and service the boom in home shopping, has proven more resilient with just a 10% dip nationally, though the pace of declines is accelerating, according to Inrix.

Just as highway deaths tend to decline during economic downturns and rise during recoveries, evidence has emerged that the current drop off in road traffic is leading to fewer fatalities and injuries.

Bright spot

Researchers at the University of California Davis estimate that Governor Gavin Newsom’s shelter-in-place order has led to a 50% reduction in the state’s daily rate of roughly 1,000 traffic collisions and approximately 400 crashes involving an injury or fatality.

Insurance companies have responded to the decline in driving by refunding billions of dollars worth of monthly premiums to their auto-insurance customers.

For example, State Farm Mutual automobile Insurance Co. last week said it would refund some US$2 billion to policy holders via a 25% credit on premiums between March 20 and May 31.

"We insure more cars than anyone and we see from our claims activity people are driving less,” State Farm chief executive officer Michael Tipsord said in an April 9 statement.

US filling stations last week sold roughly half the gasoline as previous-year levels. Sinking demand prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to delay a required shift to cleaner-burning, summertime gasoline.

The drop in fuel sales means states are collecting far less revenue from fuel taxes. Motor vehicle sales taxes and license and registration fees has also been cut by the closing of motor vehicle department offices and falling US auto sales as dealerships have been shut.

"We’re really concerned about what that means for state DOTs in the near term and really over the next 18 months,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. "State DOTs are being squeezed on all sides.”

State transportation officials and analysts say the declines are more severe and rapid than those that occurred during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Tymon’s association estimates that state transportation departments anticipate revenue from fuel taxes will decline at least 30% on average over the next 18 months.

The organisation last week asked congressional lawmakers for nearly US$50 billion in emergency funds to offset the anticipated revenue shortfall, which, Tymon said, threaten layoffs, service cutbacks and project delays.

North Carolina’s Boyette has likewise warned state lawmakers that traffic is already down as much as 50% on some roads and the department expects revenue to fall by at least US$200 million in the current fiscal year.

"This loss of revenue will require significant reductions in expenditures,” Boyette wrote in an April 7 letter to state legislators.

 Street performer Jonte Florence wearing latex gloves as he performs on an empty street corner along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. — AP

Traffic declines are estimated to peak in the second quarter at roughly 60% below prior-year levels before improving to a 30% decline in the third quarter, Fitch Ratings Inc. analyst Scott Monroe wrote in a March 24 note. For the full year, 2020 traffic levels will likely be down 28% before nearly returning to 2019 levels next year, he added.

Toll roads could be subjected to "stresses of unprecedented severity” in the near term, according to Monroe, who covers debt issued by roughly 60 toll road operators.

Toll roads, express lanes, bridges and other fare-based arteries are seeing traffic declines that are roughly five times worse than those seen during the great recession, he said, citing data provided by the toll-road operators and other sources.

"The tolling agencies by and large are in a really good position to weather this crisis, as long as it’s time-limited, almost regardless of how severe it becomes,” he said.

Tough choices

Some states have already begun to make tough choices to cope with the shortfalls.
Missouri officials recently postponed additional action on nearly US$150 million worth of transportation projects across the state until after the July 1 start of its fiscal year, according to Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Capital projects are just half of the picture, he said.

Line painting, sign repair, traffic management centers and pothole repairs are all suffering. Sustained funding shortfalls will put those operations in jeopardy too, said McKenna, who is also the president of AASHTO, the association of state highway officials.

"This is why we’re urgently asking Congress through AASHTO to consider a backstop of the loss of state revenues here,” he said.

Boyette said his department had halted all advertising of new construction projects to contractors and has suspended purchases of materials.

Compounding North Carolina’s challenge is a more than tripling of annual emergency spending by the state to rebuild after devastating hurricanes in recent years, which led to spending cuts before the coronavirus hit, he said.

"We honestly are putting everything on the table and trying to look at what best fits our needs and still trying to do as much maintaining of our existing highway infrastructure as we can,” Boyette said.

"We’re looking forward to better days, but right now we have a lot of uncertainty in front of us.”