Japan's base metal firms tap materials market for growth

A Panasonic Corp's lithium-ion battery, which is part of Tesla Motor Inc's Model S and Model X battery packs. - Reuters
TOKYO: Stung by years of falling base metals prices, Japanese mining and smelting firms are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in specialized materials used in electric vehicles, smartphones and a host of everyday electronic devices.

Companies such as Sumitomo Metal Mining and JX Nippon Mining & Metals, a unit of JX Holdings, are seeking a steady revenue stream in the face of narrow smelting margins and recent heavy write-offs on base metals mines.

The firms hope to cash in on a push by global automakers into electric vehicles as well as new uses for their metals in the coming era of the Internet of Things when everything from screwdrivers to cars is expected to be linked to the Internet.

"We want to stabilise our income by nurturing our materials operation into our third business pillar (along with mining and smelting)," Yoshiaki Nakazato, President at Sumitomo Metal Mining told an analyst meeting.

Specialised materials made from metals in the form of powders, foil and plate to make super-thin film are used in products from batteries for electric vehicles through to appliances like smartphones, air-conditioners and rice cookers.

They command high margins due to the difficulties of manufacture and the need for high performance.

Sumitomo Metal, Japan's biggest nickel smelter, is set to invest 18 billion yen (US$153 million) to boost output of cathode material for Panasonic's electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries (LiB) to meet demand from Tesla Motors.

With electric vehicle (EV) sales expected to rise sharply, research firm Fuji Keizai sees the amount of cathode material used in onboard LiBs jumping nine-fold by 2020 from 2014. The material used in cylinder LiBs, used in Tesla's EV battery along with mobile phone chargers and other devices, will nearly double by 2020.

"The business environment is headed in a positive direction as Toyota Motor is reportedly entering the EV market by 2020," Nakazato told last month's meeting, following local media reports the world's top-selling automaker is looking at mass producing long-range EVs by 2020.

The move comes as the United States, China and European countries are encouraging automakers to make more all-electric battery cars as they push alternative energy strategies.

JX also hopes to capitalise on the growing smart car market.

The nation's biggest copper producer plans to start mass production of hyper tin, a new plating used in connectors between electronic parts in smart cars and other devices, at a plant near Tokyo in fiscal 2017/18, followed by a new production line at a plant in central Japan, a company spokesman said.

It is also looking at boosting production of semiconductor targets, used to make metal thin film just several billionths of a metre thick, and rolled copper foil.

A common concern is that rapidly changing technology in electronics and automobile equipment means specific materials may become either commoditised or quickly outdated.

"The materials or the parts which are used now may not be used some years later. So we need to keep up with these changes and stay ahead of competitors," said an official at a base metals company, who asked not be named.

However, analysts said the sector was set to grow.

The changes at Sumitomo Metal could help it more than double recurring profit from its material business to 14.4 billion yen (US$123 million) by 2018/19 from three years earlier, said Daiwa Securities' analyst Shinichiro Ozaki.

"Sumitomo Metal is making the right moves as stronger materials will help it diversify the risk of profit swings, and because the materials market has growth potential," he said.

Mitsubishi Materials is also reinforcing its downstream businesses, buying a UK firm for about US$300 million in September to broaden its copper processing business with a focus on automobiles and medical equipment.

Smaller rivals Dowa Holdings and Furukawa Co Ltd are investing in research and development for electronic materials.


New Hino 3S centre opens in Kota Baru

                KOTA BARU: Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has officially launched a new 3S centre in Tunjong here to provide good accessibility and more convenience to the customers in Kota Bharu and its surrounding area.

The centre is operated by Soon Seng Motors Enterprise (1988) Sdn Bhd which had invested RM2mil in the venture.

Spaning a 1.5 acre covered workshop area, the centre is also equipped with the latest facilities that meets Hino's service standard.

The facility is equipped with six service bays which and 15 repair bays capable of handling eight to 10 units per day and 210 units per month.

Customers can also enjoy a variety of amenities such as comfortable lounges, complimentary Wi-Fi services, free flow of refreshment and beverages.

Soon Seng Motors Enterprise also offers convenient services for customers including service maintenance and repairing, Puspakom arrangement on a weekly basis, on-site inspection, and 24-hour towing truck services.

At the opening, Hino Malaysia managing director Atsushi Uchiyama said new centre's one-stop solution would enable Hino to provide products which are perfect fit for each customer’s business but also to ‘Maximise vehicle Up-Time’ and ‘Minimize Vehicle Life-Time Cost’.

“We have always practice putting Customer-Centric first in our mind where we aim to serve the best and most convenient access and services to customers.

“We believe this new 3S centre is convenient and strategic for the customers making inquiries about the latest Hino models, vehicle body work, and attaining after-sales services and genuine parts supply,” he added.

Also present at the launch was Soon Seng Motors Enterprise managing director Joe Lee.

 TRW receiving their sponsorship from Hino.

Hino Malaysia also handed its sponsorship to Kelantan Football Club, commonly know as ‘The Red Warriors’ (TRW) for the upcoming 2023/24 Malaysia Super League season.

Soon Seng Motor Enterprise originally started solely in vehicle sales from 1975 until 2010, and established a Hino 3S Centre in 2012.

Since then, the company progressed and had become the second-runner up overall in Hino Total Support Contest 2020, and their latest achievement includes first runner-up in Top Growth Sales 2021, first runner-up in Excellent Dealer Award 2021 and first runner-up for Dealer of the Year Award 2021.

The new 3S Centre is located near a highway and is easily accessible for customers.

It is located at PT 1346, Jalan Pasir Mas, Salor, Kg Gaung Kota, Kota Baru and is open on Saturday to Thursday from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

For inquiries, call the direct telephone no: 09-7418 836.


Bleak outlook for Malaysian auto industry in 2020

                PETALING JAYA: National marques Proton and Perodua would fare worse than non-national marques in 2020's Covid-19 pandemic stressed market, says a report by Kenanga Research.

This was because of the national marques' target markets of lower to mid-income range being the most financially stressed segment.

Last week, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) revised downwards its 2020 total industry volume (TIV) forecast by 34% to 400,000 units from 607,000 units previously, due to negative implications of the Covid-19 pandemic which has severely affected business operations.

If it happens, it would be the first time in 13 years that the TIV fails to surpass the 500,000-unit mark.

The Kenanga Research report pointed out that consumers are cautious on spending on high-value discretionary spending such as vehicles, imported goods and overseas travels.

The research house's economic team views that the Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain the outbreak will adversely impact the economy in the short term with 2020’s gross domestic product (GDP) expected to contract by 1.9%.

It also noted that no sales recorded for April 2020 as the MCO was extended to May 3.

Despite the Federal Government allowing most of the economic sectors to re-open on May 4, including showrooms, the MCO is still in effect with revised measures (i.e conditional MCO) which, together with nine states still maintaining strict MCOs, will continue to restrict consumer spending appetite on high value items.

Selected showrooms have been re-opened on May 4 such as Perodua, Nissan, Toyota and Honda, while Mazda is planned for next week, and Proton will gradually restart operations from May 5, covering both sales and production.

Nevertheless, most assembly plants including Inokom and Proton remain closed, while a few others indicate a possible re-opening next week such as Honda and Toyota, pending approvals from authorities to comply with the new safety regulations.


Proton recall and service fix will build trust, say car owners

                PETALING JAYA: The recall by Proton of three of its models due to a hose problem was greeted with relief by car owners, with some even saying that this would help build trust in the brand.

Amalin Syahirah Che Samsudin, 23, who owns a Proton Preve, was shocked by the news but said she had faith in the company’s service centres.

“Based on my previous experiences, I think the service will be smooth. I believe they will fix the problem,” said the Kelantanese.

Another Proton Preve owner, Rusli Rashikin, 68, said he hoped Proton would use higher quality parts in producing the local car.

However, Arif Abd Rahman, 26, from Sarawak, was worried about major delays when many people send their cars to the service centres at the same time.

A Proton Exora owner, Christina Chan, 46, said: “I’m unhappy that there are issues but glad Proton is doing something about it.”

On social media, netizens largely have welcomed the decision.

Responding to the news on Facebook, Khairul Afandey thanked Proton for listening to the concerns raised by customers who had experienced such problems.

“Better late than never,” said another reader who goes by the moniker Fast Straw.

Muhammad Dzuhrin Zaine said the recall would build trust between Proton and its customers.

“Surprising move,” said BK Lau adding that “perhaps parts of Malaysia are growing up”.

Vehicle recalls are a fairly common occurrence these days.

In early 2013, Perodua recalled 74,000 Myvi variants produced between March 2011 and March 2012 to replace the electronic power steering column.

Last October, more than 60,000 Toyota cars in Malaysia were part of a global Toyota recall to check for a defective power window master switch.

Last September, Honda Malaysia also recalled 12,232 units of the 2014 City and 97 units of the 2015 Jazz for a software defect concerning the continuously variable transmission.

“Automakers don’t like to use the word ‘recall’ as it has negative connotations. They will use terms like service fix and preventive measure campaigns,” said an industry observer.

On Proton’s recall campaign, involving 94,577 vehicles with Campro CFE turbocharged engines, a Proton spokesman said this was not the first time Proton has done a service fix campaign.

“Similar campaigns were conducted for the Exora Bold CFE radiator connector issue in 2014, and Inspira drive belt pulley last year. We have been very transparent about such campaigns,” he said.

However, this is the largest number of Proton vehicles involved in such a campaign.

“The number of vehicles involved is big because three Proton models are affected, unlike previous campaigns when only one was affected.

“Proton owners can call the 1800-888-398 hotline. The repairs will be done at 3S and 4S (sales, service, spare parts and systems) centres,” the spokesman said.


Honda suspends vehicle shipments after suspected cyberattack

                TOKYO: Honda temporarily halted shipments from some of its factories in Japan due to a suspected cyberattack that disrupted its internal network.

The Japanese carmaker is still working to fix its systems, which affected its plants on Monday. Honda is probing whether the system was attacked, spokesman Hidenori Takeyasu said.

There was no impact on production, with Honda’s inspection systems back online yesterday afternoon. The impact on overseas plants is still unclear, Takeyasu said.

The disruption comes as manufacturers have shut some offices and plants and let staff work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Japanese carmakers have slowly started to ramp up production after the country lifted the state of emergency. Honda resumed operation in the US from May 11, and plans to reopen its UK plant this week.

Honda’s car inspection system, used to check defects before shipping and registering car information, wasn’t able to access computers at its plants.

The company found the system issues in early hours of Monday. Sky News earlier reported that there was unauthorised attempts to breach the automaker’s systems.


Ducati Monster SP and Panigale V4 R arrive from RM98,000

Biondi (fourth from left) and Michael (fourth from right) at the launch of the Monster SP (left) and Panigale V4 R with other members of the Ducati team.
KUALA LUMPUR: Ducati fans in Malaysia have a reason to rejoice as the brand-new 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R and Ducati Monster SP are now available locally.

These two thrilling models were recently unveiled at the prestigious Ducati Kuala Lumpur showroom at Wisma Pahlawan on Jalan Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Attap here.

The launch was held in the presence of renowned Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) instructors Karel Abraham, Chaz Davies, Alex de Angelis and Dario Marchetti, alongside esteemed guests, including Ducati Malaysia COO Dennis Michael and Ducati Motor Holding vice-president Sales Marketing Asia Pacific Marco Biondi.

The Panigale V4 R, priced at RM458,900, promises an exhilarating ride with its 998cc engine that delivers an impressive power output of 218hp and 111.3Nm torque.

 Panigale V4 R.

As the closest production model to a competition bike ever created, the Panigale V4 R boasts cutting-edge technology and features.

Equipped with an advanced Ducati electronics suite, riders can enjoy an array of riding aids, including Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 3, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO 2, Auto tyre calibration, Ducati Power Launch (DPL), and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2.

Meanwhile, the Monster SP, priced at RM98,900, is powered by a 937cc engine that delivers a punchy 111hp and 93.5Nm of torque.

 Monster SP.

Features include fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, a weight reduction of 1.99kg compared to the standard Monster, bringing it down to 185.97kg, and a unique MotoGP livery.

Riders can choose from three distinct riding modes—Sport, Touring, and the new Wet setting.

The Termignoni homologated silencer adds a touch of elegance and performance to this exceptional two-wheeler.


Mazda CX-30 earns US safety agency's 'Top Safety Pick'

                WASHINGTON: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2020 Mazda CX-30 has earned its 2020 Top Safety Pick award when equipped with specific headlights.

To qualify for the 2020 Top Safety Pick award, the CX-30 earned good ratings in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.

It also needed advanced or superior ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, as well as an acceptable or good headlight rating.

“Safety is a top priority with Mazda, and we are proud to have the CX-30 earn the 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick  award,“ said Mazda North American Operations President Jeff Guyton.

“We are committed to providing the most advanced safety technologies in our vehicles, and we continue to challenge ourselves to create unique products and technologies, which provide our customers a confident, relaxing, joyful driving experience.“

The CX-30 joins the Mazda CX-9, when equipped with specific headlights, as a Top Safety Pick  for 2020.

READ MORE: First drive of Mazda CX-30


Fears of speed limits on German highways eased by government

Cars passing a 120kph speed limit sign on the A27 Autobahn near the northern German city of Bremen. — Reuters
BERLIN: There will be no uniform speed limit on Germany's autobahns, the government assured nervous drivers on Monday.

"There are more intelligent ways to direct traffic than with a uniform speed limit," said government spokesman Steffen Seibert as he tried to tamp down a kerfuffle started when Environment Minister Svenja Schulze refused to be nailed down on the topic during a Sunday night talk show.

Germany's highways are famed for lacking a speed limit, though there are plenty of stretches where limits are set. Those are balanced out by long stretches where drivers can move as fast as their Audis, BMWs or Porsches can carry them.

During the show, Schulze had cited both leaked news that a working group was pondering a 130kph speed limit on federal highways and comments by Transportation Minister Andreas Scheuer saying he opposed the limit.

However, Schulze had never stated what her personal beliefs were on the matter, nor did she state a policy preference in her role as a minister.

"I'm open to a speed limit, like we already have all over the place," she later wrote on Facebook. "I'm simply against the federal government taking a stance on individual positions currently being discussed by the transportation committee (the working group)."

The working group's recommendations are not expected until March. Its focus is on whether traffic rules can have an impact on climate change. Schulze is a member of the Social Democrats, a party that did endorse a 130kph speed limit back in 2007.

Seibert also said no action would be taken before the working group presented its recommendations. He noted that the current government's coalition agreement makes no reference to implementing a speed limit.

Some experts say an autobahn speed limit would make little difference to overall emissions, while police and safety organisations are largely in favour of restrictions.

In a recent survey, 51 per cent of Germans said they would support a 130kph speed limit, while 47 per cent said they were against any kind of speed limit.

Motorway speed limits in neighbouring countries vary from a sedate 100kph in Norway to 140kph in Poland, but Germans are quick to point out that driving fast does not mean that more accidents occur.

Official figures show drivers in Germany rack up a third of their annual mileage on motorways, yet only one in eight of road deaths occurs on the autobahn.


Mazda to give CX-60 visual pop with special white

                COLOGNE: The tease continues as Mazda gets set to launch the CX-60 PHEV in Europe on March 8.

In the latest revelation, Mazda said the PHEV would come with a new shade of white body colour designed to highlight its beauty through contrasting light and shadow.

The PHEV, represents the latest development of the company’s unique Kodo design philosophy.

The personality of the CX-60 comes from its proportions, revealing its front-engine, rear-wheel drive character.

The exterior design is inspired by the Japanese aesthetic principle of "less is more" and the concept of Ma – the calm and dignified beauty of empty space, creating a car that is subtle yet radiates a confident appearance.

Seen in profile, a bold flow of light coming from the roof end to the rear fender sweeps down like a strong line written by a Japanese calligraphy brush and plants the car firmly on the ground.

This, combined with the front opening shoulder line, creates the subtle movement on the side of the car that reflects the environment in a unique yet simple way, bringing the car to life.

Mazda also claims the CX-60 interior would be a totally new experience for drivers and passengers.

The CX-60 introduces for the first time the ideas of Kaichô, the harmony which comes from mixing different materials and textures, including maple wood, nappa leather, Japanese textiles and chrome details, and Musubu, the uniquely Japanese way of binding textiles which was the inspiration for the instrument panel stitching.

The CX-60 is expected to have in excess of 300hp.


2016 Paris Motor Show: VW I.D. points way to an electric future

                PARIS: Volkswagen believes that by 2025 it will be selling 1 million plug-in electric cars a year and that the first step towards that goal starts at the Paris Motor Show and the I.D. concept car, which will go from show car to reality before the end of this decade.

Unveiled in front of the world's motoring press at a special event ahead of the show proper, the I.D. is, as far as Volkswagen is concerned, what the compact family car of 2020 will look like and, more importantly, what it will offer to mainstream environmentally conscious consumers.

VW claims that on a single charge this car, which is smaller than the current generation Golf on the outside yet has more cabin and storage space on the inside than a Passat, can return a real-world 400-600km.

It is powered solely by a 125kW electric motor - equivalent to 168bhp - and the space saved with this electric powertrain is how VW will be able to offer D segment room in a C-segment car.

Following the Dieselgate scandal, Volkswagen has redoubled its efforts to highlight its innovation in green motoring areas. And, this car, which is destined for production alongside the next-generation Golf in just four years' time, could well help in reversing its brand image in North America.

Yet, it's worth noting that in its European heartland, where the levels of good faith it has built up with consumers is considerably greater, the company has neither experienced a genuine drop in new car sales over the past 12 months, nor have its used cars decreased in resale value.

It's also worth adding that though the car is very nearly a production reality, the interior and the autonomous driving capabilities it hints at, including the multi-function steering wheel that retracts entirely into the dashboard when the car is put into full self-driving mode, won't be coming to market until 2025. But from that date, "I.D. Pilot", as VW is calling it, will be an option.

Nevertheless, the I.D. is a very bold statement of intent and a foundation for the growth of mainstream electric motoring in the most literal sense. The car is the first to be built on VW's new Modular Electric Drive platform, a piece of automotive architecture that will cost-effectively support the creation of a host of different sized models.


How electric car designers are reimagining iconic grilles

                NEW YORK: When BMW unveiled its next generation of electric vehicles — the i4 and the iX SUV — in March, their faces generated at least as much chatter as their electric guts.

There on the front of both was BMW’s design hallmark: two kidney-shaped grilles. But these were far bigger than the kidneys on the automaker’s gas-burning models and seemingly turned upright, with a glossy black lattice in place of the trademark vertical bars.

They seemed like an anachronism. With no engine sitting behind them, and no radiator pulling in air, why bother?

“The kidney is not just an air-cooling system,” explains BMW design lead Domagoj Dukec. “It’s the strongest differentiator between us and our competitors.”

BMW is not alone.

As legacy automakers move to electric powertrains, they’re re-inventing the grille in ways both familiar and strange. GMC’s new Hummer EV, set to begin production in the fall, features a reinterpretation of the SUV’s famous seven-slot grille.

Two decades ago, GM successfully fought off a challenge from Chrysler over the right to use the seven slots, which are also a hallmark of Jeep. This time around GM has abandoned the slots in favour of six blocks that spell out the word “Hummer.”

If you squint, however, you can still make out seven slots lining the letter blocks. “We're having fun with that,” says Rich Scheer, design director for the Hummer EV, “It’s kind of an illusion.”

The new Hummer, like the new BMW EVs, doesn’t use the space above the bumper for cooling. “Behind what you would think is the grille, that’s a huge storage compartment,” says Scheer.

“You could take air in there, but you’re going to cool an empty space.” While the BMW i4 and iX use their new-fangled kidneys to hide cameras and other sensors, the letter boxes on the front of the Hummer are pure showmanship.

“We treated that whole upper lighting element as just great design theater,” says Scheer.

The word “Hummer” lights up as the driver approaches with the key. The idea, says Scheer, was to make the front the vehicle act like an iPhone: blank and cold when you are not using it; welcoming and bright when you are.

For BMW and Hummer, the primary function of the grilles on their new EVs is to uphold the brand, which was built, in both cases, around combustion engine cars.

As the first to sell hundreds of thousands of EVs in the US, Tesla has had the privilege of setting consumer expectations for how an electric car is supposed to look.

Its designers did not have to fret over legacy grilles. In 2016, when Tesla gave the Model S its first major design overhaul, or facelift, as it’s known among owners, it replaced the shiny black oval at the front of the car with a fascia that matched the rest of the body.

The new front of the Model S resembled those of the recently launched Model X and soon-to-be launched Model 3, creating a consistent—and conspicuous—aesthetic for the brand.

On all three models, as with the Model Y that came after, it looks as if somebody has painted over the place where the grille used to be. “It wasn’t just grille-less, it was an anti-grille,” says Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab automotive consultancy.

The design fit well with Tesla’s identity as a disruptor: the anti-carmaker made cars with anti-grilles. It also helped create the notion that EVs don’t need grilles.

While it’s true that electric powertrains do not generate as much heat as internal combustion engines do, EVs still need to take in air for cooling motors and batteries, especially in high performance models.

“It actually amazed me how much cooling we did need,” says Gordon Platto, lead designer for Ford’s new electric Mustang Mach-E.

But with the batteries and motors typically placed along the bottom of the car, it usually makes sense to take that air from lower down. (Look closely at any Tesla and you will see a grille tucked beneath the bumper.) Smoothing over the front also helps with aerodynamics, which translates directly into greater range.

While Tesla merely made it look like the grilles had been papered over on their cars, some legacy automakers have literally covered grille openings on the electric versions of gas-powered models.

The EV versions of Hyundai’s Kona, Kia’s Niro, and Volvo’s XC40 SUVs, for instance, all feature panels over the erstwhile grille space. The fronts practically shout, No gas-guzzling engine here!

For early adopters, this kind of signalling is especially important. If you bought an EV for its novelty or out of a civic-minded desire to do less damage to the planet, you probably want your neighbours to know about it.

But as the technology becomes more established, according to consumer research by the Car Lab, the reasons for buying an EV are becoming more mundane. People are buying them to save on fuel costs, to access carpooling lanes, or because they are fun to drive. For these customers, it doesn’t especially matter whether other people know that they have an electric car.

“Ten years ago, the consumers who bought an EV really wanted to sort of visually shout about them,” says Noble, “Now we find that need is rapidly diminishing.”

Dukec at BMW, Scheer at GM, and Platto at Ford all say they were not necessarily trying to signal the electric powertrain with their grille designs.

Instead, the goal was to make something that both evoked a familiar brand and promised cutting edge technology.

“If you have a different powertrain, it doesn’t have to look different,” says Dukec, “We don’t have to hide and say ‘Oh, because Tesla has no grille—because they have no past and no heritage—that this is the only way. For them it was one way to show clearly ‘I’m different.’ For us, our customers don’t expect us to be different; they just expect us to offer the best mobility product no matter what kind of powertrain.”

While Ford’s Mustang Mach-E features a Tesla-esque fascia panel on its base model, there’s also a stripe of black trim to outline the place where a grille might have gone and the Pony logo in the center to remind everybody that it’s still a Mustang.

“We've tried to create this signature appearance with what we call this horse collar that kind of implies where a grille location would be,” says Platto,

“Our customers don't want to drive a science project, they want a beautiful looking vehicle that represents the brand properly.”


London to impose new charges to cut 'lethal' pollution

                LONDON: Drivers of the most polluting cars will be charged to travel into the centre of London from 2019, mayor Sadiq Khan said Tuesday, describing his city's air as "lethal".

Sadiq hopes the move will halve harmful nitrogen oxide emissions in central London, where air pollution is thought to cost 9,000 premature deaths per year.

Under the scheme, vehicles will be charged £12.50 (RM69) to enter a planned "ultra-low emissions zone" (ULEZ) around the city centre.

Diesel cars more than four years old in April 2019 and petrol cars more than 13 years old will face the charge 24 hours a day.

Private buses, coaches and trucks failing to meet emissions standards will have to pay £100 (RM552).

 Sadiq wants to extend the ultra-low emissions zone to a far wider area of London in 2021. — Reuters

"The air in London is lethal and I will not stand by and do nothing," said Sadiq.

The ULEZ will have the same boundary as the current congestion charge zone, where vehicles pay £11.50 (RM64) to enter the city centre between 7:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday.

The pollution charge would come on top of the congestion charge.

Sadiq said he wants to extend the ULEZ to a far wider area of London in 2021.

"One of the big reasons that the air in London is lethal is because of the emissions of vehicles," Sadiq said. "We've estimated that more than half of the air pollution is caused by transport.

"It's really important to recognise that poor quality air is one of the reasons why there are 9,000 premature deaths in London each year, more than 40,000 premature deaths across the UK and children having defective lungs, plus adults suffering poor health."

Last week, Sadiq joined his counterparts from Paris and Seoul to launch an initiative to rate the most polluting vehicles in a bid to keep them off the roads of their cities.

The aim of the "Air'volution" scheme is to help drivers to avoid buying the most harmful diesel vans and cars.


Amazon aims to roll out auto innovations

The first generation Echo Auto.

SEATTLE: Amazon.com Inc. is developing a bevy of new devices and services as it delves into additional markets.

The tech giant is working on the initiatives at its Lab126 division, which created hit products like the original Echo and the Alexa voice assistant.

The Seattle-based company is holding a launch event on Sept 28 for new devices and services, and some of these product details could be announced at that time.

Other products may be launched next year or beyond - or get scrapped if they don’t show enough promise.

One of the areas it sees as showing great potential is automotive.

Amazon is working on a second-generation model of its Echo Auto technology codenamed Marion.

The current product, which has been panned by some consumers, pairs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and lets you access Alexa through a car’s speakers using the device’s microphones.

The updated version will have a new design and may be able to charge a user’s device with inductive technology.

Amazon is forging closer relationships with carmakers as well. The company recently launched a deep partnership with Ford Motor Co. to embed Alexa in 700,000 cars this year.

That system lets a user access Alexa directly from the dashboard entertainment system without needing a phone, downloading an app or pressing a button.

Amazon is now exploring additional deals with automakers to get Alexa into more cars.


Biden says US ready to continue talks with S. Korea on EV subsidy

                SEOUL: US president Joe Biden has expressed willingness to continue talks with South Korea over recent US legislation that denies subsidies to most foreign makers of electric vehicles (EVs), an official from Yoon's office said today.

Biden gave the assurance in a letter to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had asked the US president last month for help to allay Seoul's concerns that the new US rules would hurt South Korea's automakers.

"We assess that President Biden reaffirmed his understanding of our concerns through a personally signed letter .... it shows Biden's willingness to be considerate towards South Korean companies in the future," the official said.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by Biden in August, requires EVs assembled in North America to qualify for tax credits in the United States, but excluded Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia Corp from EV subsidies, as they do not yet make the vehicles there.

As a result, only about 20 EVs qualify for subsidies under the new rules, among them models from Ford Motor Co and BMW.


BMW unveils advanced display and control system for M cars

                MUNICH: BMW is tailoring its next M models to be even more personal with the unveiling of a new display and control system for the configuration of the powertrain, chassis and driver assistance systems on its high-performance sports cars.

As well as additional scope for adapting the vehicle settings both to the situation at hand and to personal preferences using the Setup button, drivers will also enjoy the services of the new M Mode (activated at the touch of a button).

The Setup button can be used to adjust the vehicle settings, while M Mode allows the displays and driver assistance systems to be tuned to the driver’s requirements.

This extra individualisation and even more intuitive operation will be included for the first time in the new M8 Coupe, M8 Competition Coupe, M8 Convertible and M8 Competition Convertible.

With the help of these new features, drivers of BMW’s high-performance models can enjoy their exceptional range of abilities – from supreme long-distance comfort to alluring track dynamics – in even greater depth.

The control system developed for M models traditionally enables their powertrain and chassis technology to be configured in a wide variety of ways according to personal tastes and needs.

Indeed, the driver can activate various settings for the engine, suspension and steering independently of one another. In models specified with the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels can also be tweaked. And now the new M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible offer the ability to configure the braking system as required, too.

Set it up

The new Setup button on the centre console of the new M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible enables direct access to all available setup options for five vehicle parameters. Pressing the button brings up a Setup menu in the Control Display, which offers an overview of the vehicle settings currently engaged. The driver can then activate his desired mode for the engine, suspension, steering, brakes and M xDrive – in a single step in each case – via the touchscreen or the iDrive Controller.

The engine characteristics can be adjusted by means of the EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS settings, while the COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS chassis options give access to the three profiles for the electronically controlled dampers.

The driver can also choose between COMFORT and SPORT for both the M-specific electromechanical steering and the new braking system. When DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is deactivated, the 4WD, 4WD SPORT and 2WD (for pure rear-wheel drive) settings for the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system also come into play.

Two individually composed variants of this setup can be stored permanently with the driver’s preferred settings for the engine sound, gearshift characteristics, driving stability control and Auto Start Stop function. The overall vehicle configuration can then be called up instantly at any time by pressing one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel.

Brake tuning

The M-specific version of a new braking technology paves the way for the configuration of braking characteristics, a feature available for the first time in the new M8. The new system brings together the brake activation, brake booster and braking control functions within a compact module. The integrated braking system reduces weight by around 2kg and employs a vacuum-free brake booster to enhance the car’s overall efficiency.

The brake pressure required is triggered by an electric actuator, which allows it to be generated more dynamically and also ensures significantly faster and more precise interventions from the driving stability control system.

The integrated braking system also allows vehicle deceleration to be geared precisely to the driver’s requirements and of generating high pedal feel in any situation. Braking feedback to the driver is unimpaired by wet road surfaces, significant lateral acceleration or high brake temperatures, and this ensures precise metering of braking power at all times. The version of the new braking system developed for M models also presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.

COMFORT and SPORT modes alter the amount of pressure on the brake pedal required to slow the car. This allows the driver to choose between a comfort-oriented perception of the braking process and a particularly direct, instantaneous response to applications of the pedal. The M8 teams this innovative system with both the standard M compound brakes and optional M carbon-ceramic brakes.

M Mode button.

In addition to the new configuration options opened up by the Setup button, the new BMW M8 also allows the gearshift characteristics of the eight-speed Steptronic transmission to be adjusted using the Drivelogic button on the selector lever and the engine sound to be varied via a separate button on the centre console. M Dynamic Mode – which raises the intervention thresholds for the driving stability control and allows controlled drifts – and DSC Off mode can also be initiated at the touch of a button.

A fresh addition to the new flagship models is the M Mode button on the centre console. This can be used to alter the responses of the driver assistance systems and the screens in the all-digital instrument cluster and Head-Up Display.

M Mode allows the driver to activate ROAD and SPORT modes, while the new M8 Competition Coupe and M8 Competition Convertible also come with a TRACK setting. These options enhance the hallmark M driving experience according to the situation at hand. Changing the settings alters the information presented to the driver on the screens, while the safety-enhancing interventions by the driver assistance systems – such as active braking or steering inputs – are reduced to a bare minimum or deactivated altogether.

In the default ROAD setting, all the standard and optional driver assistance systems are fully activated. A simple press of the M Mode button engages the SPORT setting, in which the active driver assistance systems (in the configuration set by the driver) now only transmit alerts on speed limits and overtaking restrictions. This mode disables all interventions in the braking and steering systems, aside from those made by the Collision Warning with braking function and the Evasion Assistant.

In SPORT mode, the driver benefits from M View in both the instrument cluster and the Head-Up Display. Here, only relevant information for sporty driving – i.e. an M-specific engine speed dial and the shift lights (which indicate the ideal time to change gear), a digital speed display and the gear currently engaged – is displayed in the cockpit. Information on coolant temperature, charge pressure, tyre condition, and longitudinal and lateral acceleration can be viewed in the right- and left-hand areas of the instrument cluster.

The Head-Up Display read-out is concentrated around the engine revs and shift lights, navigation instructions and distance warnings, the gear selected and the vehicle speed, plus the speed limits and overtaking restrictions detected by the Speed Limit Info system. Pressing the M Mode button again returns the driver to the default ROAD mode.

An extended press of the M Mode button engages TRACK mode, which is available in the Competition models and designed exclusively for use on race circuits. The decision to activate this mode must be confirmed using the iDrive Controller.

In this setting, all the comfort and safety functions of the driver assistance systems are deactivated. In addition, the audio system and Control Display are both switched off in order to focus the driver’s attention even more intently on the road ahead. Pressing the M Mode button again takes the car out of the TRACK setting and back into ROAD mode.


Traffic offenders fuming after not getting 70% JPJ discount

                PETALING JAYA: Many Malaysians hoping to get a 70 percent discount on their traffic summonses and fines were left disappointed this morning when they were informed by officers at Road Transport Department (JPJ) counters that they had received no such instructions.

The Star reader, S. Lisa, who was at the JPJ office here, said half the crowd of about 50 people left when an officer made the announcement at about noon.

“The JPJ office was crowded with people who mostly came to pay their summonses. The officer said he was not sure when the 70% discount would take effect. He said it could be tomorrow or the day after,” she added.

When contacted, JPJ Deputy Director-General (Planning and Operations) Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said the department is in the midst of finalising its systems so that the discount process can take place soon.

“The system will be ready for payment as soon as possible,” said Wan, who declined to name a date.

However, he said it could be as soon as tomorrow (April 4).

On Monday, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi announced that JPJ would be offering a 70 percent discount on all summonses and compounds issued by the department for the whole of April in conjunction with its 72nd anniversary celebrations. He said the discounts would begin in April, but gave no specific date either.


First drive: Mercedes-Benz C 250 Coupe

The C-Class sedan is selling like hot cakes for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, and the German luxury marque expects its new two-door, four-seater C-Class coupe to be a hit with well-heeled Malaysians as well.

There are three coupe variants, namely the C 200, 250 and 300 with powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre engines in different states of tune and 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmissions.  It has very striking looks, especially as it comes in AMG Line as standard, with the diamond radiator grille with pins in chrome and the central three-pointed star, as well as bumpers and sills featuring AMG body styling and a long bonnet.

We know it looks good, because all our friends and neighbours gave it admiring looks, and some even gave a thumbs-up when we drove by. Adding to the style quotient here is the car’s high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing wing mirrors. In the cabin, the style quotient is on the high side too, with an AMG Line interior that includes aluminium trim, black leather surfaces, and sports seats wrapped in white leather.

READ MORE: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe debuts

Our test drive unit was the RM333,888 C 250 Coupe, with a satisfying 211hp and 350Nm of torque under the hood, powering the rear wheels.  Now, this luxury two-door, four-seater coupe is not meant to be a comfort-biased car for the family.  You get two rear sports seats, separated by dual cup-holders. And there is a lack of headroom for 1.73cm adults like us, thanks to the sharply sloping rear roofline. Legroom is not too bad, thanks to a 2,840mm wheelbase. The 400-litre boot isn’t that big, although we had no issues putting in five big cartons (each packing 12 1.5-litre water bottles).

In terms of motoring pleasure, our C 250 coupe delivered, with its sports suspension which is 15mm lower than the C-Class sedan, and 19-inch AMG alloy wheels with high performance Pirelli P Zero run-flat tyres sized 255/35 (rear) and 225/40 (front).  The car weights a bit more than 1.5 tonne, and the 0 to 100kph sprint is done in a mere 6.8 seconds, which should satisfy most owners.

Feature-wise, there are lots to like including keyless entry, Active Parking Assist with reverse camera, and a Burmester sound system with Mercedes-Benz Frontbass technology that simulates concert hall acoustics in the car. The Active Parking Assist takes the stress out of parking in tight spots as the car can steer itself. All we did was shift gear modes when the car prompted us and braked occasionally, for semi-automated manoeuvring into a tough parking spot.

As with many new Mercedes-Benz models, the gear stick here is a shift lever on the steering column, where the wiper or signalling stalk is found in most cars. Flicking the small shift lever downward puts the car in Drive mode, and flicking the lever upwards puts it in Reverse. Park mode is engaged by pushing a button on the lever’s tip.
This takes some getting used to, but it does save space on the centre console where you will find cup holders and extra storage space for small items.

There’s no touchscreen here, but you get a nice semi-floating colour display perched above the three centre air-conditioning vents, with touchpad control and Bluetooth connectivity. You can control the car’s radio, navigation, media and drive settings via steering wheel buttons, the touchpad controller or a large rotary dial.

The front seats are the best spots to be in this car as the rear ones are not as comfortable for adult-sized passengers.

In summary, the C-Class coupe provides an exhilarating drive with nice handling, precise steering and a powerful drivetrain, and it rides lower than the C-Class sedan.

It looks great, with striking lines and dynamically curved surfaces, and provides ample comfort in a beautifully designed and luxuriously appointed cabin.


Car designer warns on Google game changer

                TOKYO: The days of cheap and cheerful cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla may be numbered as technology firms Google and Apple muscle into the auto industry, and change the way people own and drive cars.

That's the warning from Ken Okuyama, high-end Japanese designer of the Ferrari F60 Enzo and Porsche Boxster, who says game-changing self-drive technology could threaten Japan's position as a major car producer.

"If they don't watch out, they risk becoming just suppliers to those (tech) companies," Okuyama told Reuters in an interview at his industrial design studio in the Japanese capital ahead of this week's Tokyo Motor Show.

Okuyama, who made his mark at Italy's fabled Pininfarina studio and also redesigned the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, says taking on Google and Apple will be the ultimate test for Toyota and other mainstream automakers.

As writing code becomes as vital to car making as engineering, Japanese automakers are under pressure to show they can compete with the tech giants.

Google's fleet of self-driving cars includes a modified version of Toyota's Lexus sport utility vehicles, in addition to the pod-like, driverless Google Car prototype, both of which are being road-tested in the United States. Apple could roll out a self-driving vehicle in 2019.

Honda, which on Tuesday said it was developing a new automatic setting to be used in congested traffic, and technology to pre-program cars to drive automatically, acknowledged the potential threat from tech firms in the future.

"At this point, whether Google or Apple can come up with a car is unclear," said Koichi Fukuo, president of research and development at Honda. "But they are spending aggressively to recruit people to achieve that and in that sense ... we can't rule out the possibility they may eventually become a competitor."

Market to split

As cars become more automated, Okuyama predicts the auto market over time may split into two camps: vehicles that simply fulfill public transportation needs such as self-driving taxis serviced by ride-hailing applications; and super-luxury cars that will be trophy items for the wealthy.

As a result, he says, car ownership will decline, decreasing demand for affordable, traditional cars like Honda's hugely popular Civic models.

"Automakers have used existing technology and road infrastructure to create cars which have an emotional connection with drivers. This is how they have been adding value to their products," Okuyama said.

"But cars have become commodity products, and, as such, they have to become more functional and even more affordable," he said, foreseeing a future where stripped down, minimalist 'commodity' cars would share the roads with luxury vehicles.

While this market polarization could be years away, Okuyama says Japanese automakers must focus even more on finding ways for cars to benefit from advanced technologies - an area where he says they have lagged for years.

"Self-driving cars will eventually become commonplace ... as a result, carmakers will have to sell not only the hardware, but also the overall system to run the cars," he said. "Companies like Mercedes and Toyota are looking at this, but Google is ahead in this game."

To be sure, Japanese automakers are starting to show off their own automated driving capability, with Toyota this month unveiling automatic lane changing and merging functions on a Tokyo highway. The world's largest car maker plans to market its first self-driving car in 2020.

Honda and Nissan have also set 2020, the year of the Tokyo Olympics, as a target date to bring advanced self-driving cars to the market.

Most automakers have focused on developing automated driving functions, such as automatic braking systems, parking and lane-changing capabilities which drivers can switch on or off.

Google and ZMP, a Tokyo-based robotics start-up which plans to introduce a robot taxi service in time for the Olympics, are taking automated driving a step further, developing cars with no steering wheel or pedals - taking humans out of the driving equation altogether.

Since returning to Japan in 2007 and starting his own design firm, Okuyama, 56, has focused on urban planning and public transportation projects, giving a facelift to some of Japan's 'bullet' trains and designing a concept line of farm equipment.

But slick, fast luxury cars remain close to his heart, and the high-tech sports cars Okuyama now designs for his own brand sit firmly in trophy car territory. A bespoke model he plans to unveil at the Tokyo show clocks in at a cool US$1.3 million.


Crystal ball-gazing reveals abundance of new car choices for 2019

The GLB undergoing testing. — Youtube/Automotive Mike
BERLIN: New SUVs, enhanced evergreens and more efficient electric runabouts — there is a lot in the car pipeline for 2019 outside Malaysia.

The still-growing sports utility market looks set to see the most action, with refreshed versions of the Mazda CX-3 snd Mercedes GLA leading the way.

The German maker is adding the compact GLB crossover SUV to the range, a larger, more rugged offering than its smaller sibling.

The GLB uses the MFA (Modular Front-drive Architecture) platform, designed for front-wheel-drive-based compact cars.

Volkswagen will start delivering the T-Cross, which is based on the Polo, while in the luxury segment, Land Rover will be unveiling the restyled Range Rover Evoque.

Lexus is fielding an entry-level UX model to slot in below the luxury NX. The more affordable version of the latter, the Toyota RAV4, is also new for 2019.

Among the compacts, the cards are being reshuffled too. The eighth incarnation of the evergreen Golf is due out, along with the new Audi A3, which shares the same underpinnings.

Seat has lined up the Leon, and the Skoda Scala will take over from the Rapid. BMW is launching both new 1 Series and 2 Series cars, while Mercedes-Benz weighs in with a re-jigged A-Class, B-Class and a refreshed CLA.

READ MORE: 15 new cars coming to Malaysia in 2019

Mazda's new 3 heralds the fourth generation of the popular model, and South Korean maker Kia will be hoping that its new Proceed gets ahead by luring customers away from the CLA Shooting Brake, which is currently the lifestyle load-carrier of choice.

BMW's new 3 Series in one of the most important debuts of 2019 and the saloon will be followed by coupe and estate versions. It also forms the basis for the 4 Series, which managed to sneak in late in 2018.

Toyota is reviving the Camry, Volvo has re-jigged the S60 and in the executive limousine sector BMW has breathed on the 7 Series to bring it bang up to date. Expect to see made-over versions, too, of the Audi A4, A5 and the VW Passat.

Upmarket US brand Cadillac is dipping its toes into the compact market for the first time with the XT4, and Citroen is crowning its range with the C5 Aircross.

Those who think big but have thin wallets will feel attracted to the Tarraco, the first seven-seater from VW subsidiary Seat. BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer luxury versions of the format in the shape of the X7 and GLS.

Even Aston Martin has jumped on the SUV bandwagon with the DBX, and VW will be aiming to persuade sunseekers to buy its T-Roc cabriolet.

Electric cars are still being shunned by many motorists worried by range anxiety and other practical misgivings. The selection of cars with sparky motors is getting larger, though.

VW's electric ID Neo is lined up for the end of the year, while Kia chips in with the electrified mini-cars E-Soul and E-Niro. Opel's Corsa is also getting batteries on board for the first time. All boast more usable range.

Plug-ins are been pushed, too. Cars as varied as the Peugeot 5008 and the funky Jeep Renegade will get the technology in the coming year.

Porsche will unwrap a new drophead version of the iconic 911 sportster, and BMW and Toyota will be selling the Z4 and the Supra based on a joint platform. Both the BMW 8 and the Bentley Continental arrive as dropheads in time for the European summer.


German automakers biggest spenders on electric cars, says study

                LONDON: Germany's massive car industry is the biggest investor worldwide in electric vehicles, a study published Monday found, as it scrambles under increasing pressure to adopt low-emissions technology.

Over the past two years, German carmakers Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW announced 4.7 billion euros (RM22.6bil) of investment worldwide in electric cars, the study by consultancy EY found.

That far outstripped the 335 million (RM1.6bil)  invested by US manufacturers and just 19 million (RM91.5bil) by Japanese firms.

Adding up investments announced by the world's biggest 16 manufacturers over the past two years, Germany was the biggest destination with some 3.2 billion euros (RM15.4bil) poured into electric cars — far more than China's 990 million euros (RM4.8bil) or the 887 million (RM4.3bil) seen in the United States.

"The importance of electric-powered cars will grow considerably in the medium term," forcing automakers to ratchet up spending on the technology, said EY car industry specialist Peter Fuss.

As elsewhere around the world, German carmakers have a slew of electric and hybrid models slated for release over the coming years.

The sector has "taken its time" to get serious about battery power, Fuss said.

But major spurs to adoption of the technology have emerged in recent years.

In China, the biggest car market worldwide, manufacturers will from next year face stringent quotas for "new energy vehicles" as a proportion of their total sales.

At home in Europe, pressure on the industry has grown after a series of scandals, including VW's 2015 admission to manipulating 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide to make them appear less polluting in the lab than they are in on-road driving.

And a recent German court ruling that cities can ban the most polluting diesels from city centres to reduce harmful smog has set government and consumers clamouring for cleaner alternatives.

Volkswagen is spending close to two billion euros to convert two factories in Germany to electric car manufacturing, while Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler plans a battery plant in the United States.

German carmakers' sales of electric vehicles remain modest compared with competitors like China's BAIC, Renault-Nissan or Tesla, but they have hopes of gaining market share with several new models hitting the road in 2019 and 2020.


Jaguar Land Rover explores in-cabin 3D tech

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover is developing next-generation heads-up display (HUD) technology that could beam real-time safety information in front of the driver, and allow passengers to stream 3D movies directly from their seats as part of a shared, autonomous future.

Engineers are working on a powerful new 3D heads-up display to project safety alerts, such as lane departure, hazard detection, sat-nav directions, and to reduce the effect of poor visibility in poor weather or light conditions.

Augmented reality would add the perception of depth to the image by mapping the messages directly onto the road ahead.

Studies conducted in Germany, show that the use of Stereoscopic 3D displays in an automotive setting can improve reaction times on ‘popping-out’ instructions and increases depth judgments while driving. In the future, innovative technology could be used by passengers to watch 3D movies.

Head and eye-tracking technology would follow the user’s position to ensure they can see 3D pictures without the need for individual screens or shutter glasses worn at the cinema.

In a fully autonomous future, the 3D displays would offer users a personalised experience and allow ride-sharers to independently select their own infotainment.

Several passengers sharing a journey would be able to enjoy their own choice of media – including journey details, points of interest or movies – and optimised for where they are sat.

The research – undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE) at University of Cambridge – is focused on developing an immersive head-up display, which will closely match real-life experience allowing drivers to react more naturally to hazards and prompts.

“Development in virtual and augmented reality is moving really quickly. This consortium takes some of the best technology available and helps us to develop applications suited to the automotive sector. Not only does it provide a much richer experience for customers, but it also forms part of our Destination Zero roadmap; helping us to move towards a safer, more intuitive and smarter future, for everybody,” said Jaguar Land Rover human machine interface & heads-up display researcher Valerian Meijering.

The next-generation heads-up display research forms part of the development into Jaguar Land Rover’s ‘Smart Cabin’ vision - applying technologies which combine to create a personalised space inside the vehicle for driver and passengers with enhanced safety, entertainment and convenience features as part of an autonomous, shared future.


Honda announces new pricing, entices with up to RM9,500 in savings

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has announced its reduction in prices for its vehicles with savings of up to RM8,545.63.

“Honda Malaysia is appreciative of the Government’s support for the automotive sector and effort to introduce this encouraging initiative. With this, we are pleased to pass the savings from the tax exemption on to our valued customers," said Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama.

The new pricing follows the Malaysian government's announcement of a 100% sales tax exemption for Completely Knocked Down (CKD - locally assembled) models and 50% sales tax exemption on Completely Built Unit (CBU - fully imported) models in the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana).

With the relevant adjustments made, the new prices take effect from today (June 15) until Dec 31.

This results in the Japanese car brand's CKD models that include the Jazz, new BR-V, City, HR-V, new Civic, CR-V and new Accord experiencing a price reduction of between
RM2,788.46 and RM8,545.63 while the Odyssey (CBU) has been lowered by RM9,502.47 for Peninsular Malaysia.

In addition to the new pricing, the company said that new car buyers can also enjoy the on-going special treats with their new Honda cars under the “Kita Bersama Deals” campaign that's applicable to vehicles registered from June 1 to 30.

Ishiyama also stated that the company is confident that the Penjana economic recovery plan will help improve the industry as well as the nation's economy as a whole from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We hope the reduced car prices will enable customers to purchase the Honda model of their choice and enjoy the interstate travel which is now allowable as well as support the Government’s efforts to promote local tourism as we continue to adhere to safety practices in the new normal," he added.

For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my or call the company's toll-free at 1-800-88-2020 or visit any of its 101 dealerships located nationwide.


Battery fire fears are big worry for EV sector

                SEOUL: A major blaze in South Korea that knocked out a wide range of key digital services for days – snarling banking, ride-sharing and online deliveries – is reigniting safety concerns in a nation that’s a key global supplier of lithium-ion cells used in electric vehicles (EVs).

The days-long outage followed a fire Oct 15 at a data centre in Pangyo which engulfed batteries used in backup power systems, impacting key local tech firms including Kakao Corp, South Korea’s almost ubiquitous social media giant and provider of the country’s most popular instant messaging service.

Kakao users were left unable to hail a taxi, pay for groceries or chat with family members, disruptions which prompted the company’s co-chief executive officer to resign and led lawmakers to question the risks of concentrating too much digital power in a single entity.

Even with SK C&C, the operator of the data centre, still investigating the cause of the fire, the incident has stoked a new bout of concerns over battery safety.

That’s important for the electric car sector, given three South Korea-based companies – LG Energy Solution Ltd, SK On Co and Samsung SDI Co – rank among the top tier of global battery suppliers.

“Safety concerns are re-emerging over lithium-ion batteries, and the government needs to step in to prevent similar accidents from happening because once things go wrong with batteries, the impact is often unbearably significant,” said Lee Hoguen, a professor of automotive engineering at Daeduk University.

The latest fire could be a specific negative for SK On, a supplier to Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG, which provided batteries at the data centre that were intended to deliver backup power and prevent outages, according to Yoon Joonwon, a fund manager at DS Asset Management, which invests in the tech sector.

SK C&C said it didn’t receive any alerts on its battery management system – which would indicate any problems, including changes in voltage or current – until the fire started at 3:19pm local time.

South Korea has been deeply involved in debate over the safety of batteries used in vehicles and giant power storage centres. Manufacturers LG Energy Solution and LG Electronics Inc last year booked more than US$900mil (RM4.27bil) in charges over General Motors Co’s recall of Chevrolet Bolt EVs.


Mercedes-Benz presents digital light innovation for ESF 2019

                STUTTGART:  The new Experimental Safety Vehicle ESF 2019, Mercedes-Benz is giving an insight into the ideas that the company's safety experts are researching and working on.

The ESF 2019 is based on the new Mercedes-Benz GLE, is capable of automated driving in many situations and has a plug-in hybrid drive system.

The ESF 2019 is also equipped with the revolutionary headlamp technology Digital Light, with practically dazzle-free high beam in HD quality and a resolution of more than two million pixels.

With the innovative software-controlled Digital Light technology, symbols can also be projected onto the road in HD quality, e.g. as additional information for the driver.

As the sensor system of a plug-in hybrid vehicle is not dependent on a running combustion engine for its power supply, it can even keep an eye on the traffic when it is connected to a charging station.

So it would be able to warn car drivers of pedestrians who might carelessly wander into the road, or warn a car driver who is turning off about approaching cyclists.

At the same time, pedestrians or cyclists can be warned of a hazard: this is because the ESF 2019 shares its knowledge of risks with its direct surroundings, and can therefore protect others against accidents.

Overview of functions include:

Guiding lines - When driving through a construction site, two trails of light corresponding to the entire width of the car are projected onto the driver's own lane. These guide lines help the driver with orientation.

Extended pedestrian marking - If a pedestrian is detected in the danger zone near the road, an arrow pointing in that direction appears on the road surface. This is in addition to the mark already made by the Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

Distance marking - This function supports the driver in setting the standard proximity appropriate for certain situations. When the proximity cruise control DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, or the driver changes the set safety distance, a corresponding distance marking is projected onto the road surface.

"Safety is part of the brand DNA of Mercedes-Benz. We have repeatedly demonstrated that we are not short of ideas in this field since the 1970s, with our Experimental Safety Vehicles. The new ESF 2019 reflects the mobility of the future, and presents a wide variety of innovations which we are currently researching and developing. And I can already say this much: some of the functions are very close to series production," says Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Executive Board responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.


Ford aims to be world's No. 2 EV maker within two years, says COO

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co expects to be the world's second largest electric vehicle manufacturer within two years, with annual production capacity of nearly 600,000, a top company executive said last Friday.

The automaker's optimism stems from increasing demand for its next new EV, the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup, with retail reservations approaching 200,000, Lisa Drake, chief operating officer of Ford North America, said.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that Ford likely would be vying with Stellantis for third place in the EV race by 2025, behind Tesla and the Volkswagen Group, based on production forecast data provided by AutoForecast Solutions. read more

Speaking at an investor conference, Drake said Ford is working to vertically integrate more EV components, including power electronics and e-drives, at existing facilities that build parts for combustion vehicles - a modern take on founder Henry Ford's pioneering work in building many of his own components.

"We haven't used 'vertical integration' in this industry in a long time," Drake said, but "you're going to hear it a lot more" as Ford and other automakers transition from combustion to electric vehicles.

She said Ford working with five global battery suppliers to manufacture and help develop battery cells for its future EVs, aiming to build 240 gigawatt-hours of production capacity globally by 2030. Those suppliers include SK On, LG Energy Solution, CATL, BYD and Panasonic.

Ford expects to reduce EV battery cell cost to US$80 per kilowatt-hour at the pack level "well before the end of the decade," Drake said.

The automaker is looking at different cell chemistries, including cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate, and cell-to-pack structural batteries to help reduce costs.

Ford and BMW are working with Colorado-based startup Solid Power on developing solid state batteries, which Drake said should be commercialized "well before the end of the decade."


Electric racer from newcomer Piech charges 80% in 5 minutes

                GENEVA: First Porsche, now Piech: The second big family name from Germany's car dynasty is now also set to be emblazoned on the bonnet of an electric sports car in the near future.

The new Piech company, taking its name from the influential Porsche/Piech family, took to the Geneva Motor Show to show off a fully electric Piech Mark Zero, which they plan to offer to drivers within the next three years.

Toni Piech, son of long-time VW boss Ferdinand Piech, was at the show to present the new badge, co-founded by him and taking his family name.

While the whole world is talking about automated driving, Piech said that their aim with the Mark Zero is to build a classic, purist sports car that focuses on the driver's needs.

And if your needs are a 500-kilometre electric-only range, then the Mark Zero might be for you - if you can afford the luxury premium of between €150,000 and €170,000 (up to RM785,000) in Europe.

The highlight of the Mark Zero is undoubtedly its battery, which features an innovative charging technology that lets you charge the car to 80% in less than five minutes.

Just like original designer Ferry Porsche, who developed the first sports car bearing his name, Piech has been telling media he decided to build his own car when he couldn't find any model that matched his demands. The new manufacturer is based in Zurich.


MAA stays 2019 TIV forecast at 600,000 units

                PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is maintaining its total industry volume forecast of 600,000 units for 2019, as consumers and businesses are expected to remain cautious in light of the current economic environment.

MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said stringent hire purchase lending rules are expected to continue for the remainder of the year.

“Many people expect the economic uncertainties to extend into the second half of 2019,” she said at the association’s bi-yearly briefing today.

However, Aishah said the introduction of new models with latest additional specifications, designs and at very competitive prices can assist to sustain buying interest.

Total vehicle sales increased 2.3% to 296,334 units in the first six months of 2019, compared with 289,599 units in the previous corresponding period.

Except for February and June 2019, the year-on-year vehicle sales trend was consistently higher for the first half of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018.

On a monthly basis, the sales volume for May 2019 was the highest, due to strong demand for vehicles arising from attractive pre-Hari Raya promotions and offers by MAA members.


Mazda MX-30 might get rotary-engined range extender

                HIROSHIMA: The Mazda MX-30 - the Japanese carmaker's first mass-production electric vehicle (EV) - could get a small single-rotor engine used as a range extender.

A press release by Mazda noted that a prototype Mazda2 EV had such a powertrain, and something similar could find its way onto the MX-30 crossover SUV arriving in Europe this year.

Mazda is famed for its RX-7 compact rotary-engined sports car.

Launched in 1978, the RX-7 was Mazda’s first mass-market sports car and would go on to become the best-selling rotary powered vehicle in history.

The distinctive howl of the RX-7’s twin-rotor powerplant rocked race tracks in Europe and beyond from the beginning, winning the British Saloon Car Championship in 1980 and 1981 and demonstrating its

reliability by taking overall victory at the 1981 24 Hours of Spa – the first Japanese car to achieve this.

It was a golden age elsewhere, too. In the US, the RX-7 won over 100 IMSA races, more than any other model of any brand.

The achievements of the RX-7 are all the more astounding when you consider that the future of the rotary engine was in jeopardy when Mazda began developing the RX-7.

The carmaker had offered rotaries in most of its models until the oil crisis of 1973-74, when skyrocketing fuel prices pushed the peppy but thirsty powerplants out of favour with consumers.

Mazda decided to drop the engines for most of its saloons , hatchbacks and estate cars, and might have abandoned them entirely – as had every other carmaker.

But then-head of R&D Kenichi Yamamoto resisted, arguing how crucial a differentiator the rotary was for the company.

Yamamoto, who led the team of engineers that developed Mazda’s first rotary engines in the 1960s, set out to overhaul the existing 12A engine and significantly improve fuel economy.

Among other things, his team added more durable apex seals – a problem spot – and improved lubrication.

They then helped design the ideal vehicle for it. Small and light yet smooth running, powerful and rev-happy, the rotary was perfect for a sports car.

And the RX-7, a sleek, low-slung coupe with a wedge-shaped nose and wraparound window on the rear hatch, was built specifically for this engine.

The year 2002 marked the end of one of the most exceptional sports cars in history.

A total of 811,634 were produced between 1978 and 2002, by far the most of any rotary model.

The RX-7 spirited lived on with the Mazda RX-8, which followed in 2003.


The tale of the ducktail: 50 years of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7

                STUTTGART: When Porsche presented the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 at the Paris Motor Show in October 1972, the sporty coupe struck a chord.

Dubbed "the ducktail" because of its spectacular rear spoiler, it quickly became a bestseller.

The planned 500 units were sold in less than six weeks and by the end of the year, the second 500 series was also out of stock.

When production ended just under a year later 1,580 units had been sold and a legend was born.

"No other of the many model variants of the 911 is as famous as the 911 Carrera RS 2.7," says Constantin Bergander, co-author of a book about the RS.

There were plenty of reasons for its popularity. For one thing, the 154 kW/210hp coupe had a top speed of 245kph, making it Germany's fastest sports car at the time.

In addition, the RS 2.7 was the first 911 to have Carrera lettering emblazoned on the side.

That was used to commemorate the success of the 550 Spyder in the Carrera Panamericana endurance race in South America in the 1950s.

RS means Rennsport — the German word for racing

But above all, the RS was the first 911 made for the road and the racetrack.

"Of course, there were 911s for the circuit before that," says Bergander. "But here, for the first time in the 911 family, Porsche built a road-legal race car that was expressed not least by the abbreviation. Because RS, that stands for racing."

That's also where the distinctive rear spoiler had its origins. But the ducktail was just one ingredient in the high-flyer's recipe for success.

For the first time on a production model, Porsche also used mixed tyres, fitting wider ones at the rear than at the front for better traction.

The car was also designed to be lightweight with thin sheet metal, thin window panes, plastic parts, and no insulation. That was because the vehicle weight had to be reduced to less than 1,000kg to comply with racing regulations.

A pleasure to drive even today

Anyone driving one of these cars today experiences pure Porsche. Once warmed up, the boxer engine revs up so greedily that the needle of the rev counter quickly flies over the 6,000 rev mark and the driver’s right hand can hardly keep up with the gear shifting required.

Meanwhile the left hand easily keeps the coupe, which is tiny compared to today's 911s, on track, and the driver’s gaze oscillates between the speedometer and the road, while the dramatic sound of the 2.7 litre, six-cylinder boxer engine floods the sparsely insulated cabin.

From 0 to 100kph in 5.8 seconds, only lifting the foot very briefly in the curves, and 245kph still beckons on the straight. Although the RS 2.7 has less power than many current cars, it still drives as if it’s from another planet.

No less astonishing: Those who manage to avoid the lure of performance driving can travel long journeys in a surprisingly leisurely and comfortable way.


Two highly dangerous kinds of wet surfaces every driver should know

                BERLIN: Drivers on the roads in rainy or wet conditions should watch out for two phenomena that signal danger. If tyre tracks of the car ahead of you are disappearing very quickly in water, that indicates deep wheel ruts and an extremely high risk of aquaplaning, road safety experts say.

However, if traces of suds are visible on the road, that’s a sign that a dangerous slippery film has built up on the roads, typically after a long period of dryness followed by a rain shower.

In both cases, it is of the utmost importance to slow down and drive at double the normal safe distance to the vehicle in front, says vehicle inspection agency Tuv Sued.

Otherwise, contact with the road could be broken faster than you might think. This is especially the case if the tyres do not have much of a profile.

Before the vehicle begins to slide on the film of water, there are also clear warning signals. These are the heavy sounds of water from below and increasingly smoother steering.

Anyone who actually does begin to glide on the water should immediately slow down and avoid making sudden or hectic steering movements.

Drivers can always carefully check with small steering movements whether the tyres have traction again. Cars that are gliding with worn out tyres on the other hand will suddenly swerve as soon as the tyres have contact with the road again.


Vote for upcoming Proton SUV name and win big

                PETALING JAYA: Proton has launched an online poll and is inviting the public to vote for the name of its first SUV.

The online poll will run for one month on the official Proton Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ProtonCarsOfficial) and is open to all Malaysians with no purchase conditions attached.

“We would like to share this significant milestone for Proton with our fellow Malaysians as the new SUV also represents a symbol of Malaysian achievement. Therefore, we will reward the public for participating as well as select five lucky poll respondents as winners to receive some exciting prizes, ” said Proton VP of Sales and Marketing, Abdul Rashid Musa.

RM100,000 worth of gift vouchers will be shared among participants as a token of appreciation while the five winners will be chosen based on the best reasons given for the name they have voted.

Their prize package will consist of a ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience consisting of exclusive VIP invites to the launch as well as the honour of being among the first people to test drive and experience the technology and advanced features of the SUV at Proton's test track in Shah Alam.

There is also the option of proposing an alternative name for the SUV. Should the alternative name be picked, one lucky winner will be rewarded with a 4D/3N tour package to Hangzhou and Shanghai for two inclusive of a visit to the headquarters of Geely.

Proton's first SUV is the first model to be jointly developed with Geely. It will be the first premium C-segment SUV produced by a Malaysian automotive brand and will be equipped with features usually found on more expensive rivals including a long list of passive, active and cognitive safety systems. It is also the first of many future products that will go on to revamp the brand values of Proton in the next few years.

The closing date for submitting the survey is April 30, 2018 at 11.59pm and winners will be announced closer to the launch date of the SUV.


Electric MINI Countryman will be bigger and have 450km range

                MUNICH: BMW has revealed some details about the electric MINI Countryman that will begin production in November.

The upcoming Countryman will be bigger and continue to have five doors and a variable-use interior along with optional all-wheel drive.

The Countryman E delivers 140 kW/191 hp, whereas the Countryman SE ALL4 is the brand's first all-wheel-drive fully- electric vehicle.

Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles together generate an output of 230 kW/313 hp, including a temporary boost. The battery capacity is 64.7 kWh.

Range is estimated at 450km.

With its length increased by 13cm to 4,429 mm, the spacious adventurer offers even more space and comfort for its occupants. The height grew by almost 6cm to now 1,613 mm, offering even more headroom.

As with many EV makers these days, MINI also touts the use of sustainable materials. MINI has omitted all extraneous decorative elements in the exterior and interior and makes the cast light-alloy wheels from up to 70 percent secondary aluminium.

The surfaces of the dashboards, steering wheel, vehicle headliner and floor, and floor mats are made of recycled polyester obtained from PET bottles and carpet remnants.

Production at BMW's Leipzig plant strives to expands the green agenda.

The site has four wind turbines generating more than 20 GWh of electricity from wind energy per year for use in production.

In the Battery Farm up to 700 second-life high-voltage batteries from BMW i3 vehicles are used to store energy, such as that generated by the wind turbines. By storing the energy on the premises, local energy management can be optimised and the electrical grid kept stable.

BMW is expanding on-site e-component production capacity by eight production lines by 2024 and investing more than 800 million euros (RM3.8bil). The decarbonisation of production by replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen is the focus of what is already one of the most modern and sustainable automotive production facilities in the world.


No highway tolls on Jan 20-21 during CNY, says PM

                PUTRAJAYA: There will be toll-free travel for highway users on Jan 20 and 21, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, announces Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the Transport and Works ministers had taken the initiative to discuss with concessionaires, who agreed not to impose toll charges for the two days.

This will be for all types of vehicles, with a financial implication of RM40mil.

“We hope that by waiving the toll charges for the two days, it will allow all Malaysians to enjoy travels during the Chinese New Year.

“My advice to road users is to be safe on the road,” he said after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting.


Ferrari plans 15 new models, includes SUV called Purosangue

                MARANELLO: Ferrari plans 15 new models, including hybrids, a utility vehicle and special editions in its drive to hit a softened but still exacting mid-term earnings target.

The Italian supercar maker on Tuesday shifted to an adjusted core earnings forecast range of 1.8-2.0 billion euros (up to RM9.7bil) by 2022, rather than the doubling to 2 billion promised by late Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne.

“This is an ambitious plan, but a do-able one based on a concrete, detailed framework,” Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri said its Maranello headquarters.

Ferrari shares slid more than 8 percent in August when Camilleri described as ”aspirational” the targets set by Marchionne, whose sudden death in July jolted shareholders who had expected him to remain until 2021. Under the auto industry grandee Ferrari’s value had more than doubled since he took it public in 2015.

Camilleri and his team outlined a plan to show how a brand known for its racing pedigree and roaring combustion engines will shift to making a utility vehicle and hybrid cars and boost margins to more than 38 percent without sacrificing exclusivity. The company's its marketing chief promised a ”significant increase in average retail price”.

The company said hybrid vehicles would make up around 60 percent of its product mix by the end of the plan, while a smaller six-cylinder engine would be added to its lineup of internal combustion engines.

With margins at 30 percent now, strong pricing power and an enviable customer waiting list, Camilleri inherits a business firing on all cylinders and is not expected to stray far from his predecessor’s script.

Ferrari ruled out a self-driving model, but added that its much-debated utility vehicle would come by the end of the plan, two years later than initially forecast.

The vehicle, called ”Purosangue” (Thoroughbred), could potentially lead to a substantial growth in sales, analysts have said, while Ferrari expects the car to also help lure the super rich in China.

Camilleri sought to sooth concerns the vehicle could dilute Ferrari’s exclusive status. “As a die-hard Ferrarista, I have been a little sceptical when the concept was first voiced at the board,” the known Ferrari collector said.

“Having now seen the wonderful design concept, the extraordinary features ... I am a hugely enthusiastic

At the event, Ferrari unveiled a pair of open-topped, limited edition sportscars, as part of a new segment dubbed “Icona” inspired by past Ferraris but boasting the latest technologies to reward its most loyal customers.

It also promised to expand its range of so-called GT vehicles that focus more on style and the driving experience rather than extreme performance to lure new customers.

Marchionne had orchestrated Ferrari’s spin-off from parent Fiat Chrysler, positioned it as a luxury brand rather than a carmaker, and managed to do what few thought possible: sail through a self-imposed production cap of 7,000 cars a year without sacrificing pricing power or its exclusive appeal.

Ferrari has clocked up years of record earnings, helped by special editions and a customisation programme. But it could prove tough to maintain the company’s high valuation as emissions rules tighten, capital spending increases and the diverging interests of investors, racing fans, owners and collectors become harder to balance.

A total of 3.6 billion euros will be spent over the period to develop new vehicles and shift towards hybrids, aiming to remain compliant with gradually tougher emissions regulations.

At the time of the IPO, Marchionne had promised to expand Ferrari into other luxury categories beyond cars, but the plan was put on ice to focus on vehicles first. Camilleri said that expansion was still a ”work in progress”.

Ferrari declined to give any forecast for shipments other than saying that more than half of those would be sportscars. This year’s deliveries are forecast at over 9,000 vehicles.


Renault rumoured to be dropping iconic Espace and other models in cost cuts

                PARIS: Renault is preparing to substantially reduce its vehicle range, withdrawing well-known but ailing models like the Espace minivan (MPV), as part of looming cost cutting plans, four sources in the industry and close to the French carmaker said.

The company, shaken by the downfall of its once star CEO Carlos Ghosn and by setbacks in its main markets, is set to detail at the end of the month how it aims to cut costs by €2 billion (RM9.4bil) over the next three years.

That will coincide with Renault’s embattled Japanese partner Nissan’s own strategic update, set to be outlined on May 28 and which should encompass a pullback from Europe and elsewhere to focus on the United States, China and Japan.

“The project is not yet completely set in stone but the Espace, the (compact minivan) Scenic and the large sedan Talisman should already be considered scrapped from the future product programme, it is practically a given that these models will stop,” said one of the sources.

“In short, fewer minivans and sedans and a focus on crossovers and SUVs”, the source added.

The company had already embarked on an overhaul of its ranges in 2009 but it still has between 45 and 50 models in its catalogue, under its own brand as well as Dacia, RSM, Lada and Alpine.

Renault, which last year posted its first net loss in 10 years and has been hit hard like its peers by the coronavirus crisis, declined to comment.

The carmaker, which is 15%-owned by the French state, is negotiating a 4 billion to 5-billion-euro aid package with the government to withstand the impact of the drop in sales and production due to the pandemic.

In PSA’s footsteps

PSA, Renault’s French competitor, trod a similar path six years ago, when it announced it would cut the number of its models from 45 to 26 over its three main brands, with the aim of saving 300 million euros a year.

“Renault is far more international than its compatriot, whose sales remain focused on Europe”, another source said. “But even if Renault’s geographical diversity is the factor behind its high number of models, that level is not sustainable anymore.”

The Espace model, which has sold 1.3 million units since its launch in 1984, would be the most notable to go. The car became the standard bearer, in Europe at least, for the multiple purpose vehicle (MPV) segment.

The fifth generation of the model, on the market since 2015, has however struggled against competition from SUVs and its sales plummeted 21% last year to a mere 10,000 units.

The Espace, as well as the compact minivan Scenic - another one of Renault’s former bestsellers - would give way to a new Kadjar model, an SUV built in Spain with five-seat and seven-seat versions, two sources said.

Those two models as well as the Talisman are all built in Renault’s factory in Douai, in northern France. But the site would remain active with the planned assembly of two new models based on the Renault-Nissan alliance’s new electrical platform.

To cut costs and boost its profitability, Renault also plans to extract more synergies from its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi, sell real estate assets and shut down operations in loss-making markets like China.

Acting CEO Clotilde Delbos has said there would be no taboo in cutting costs, raising fears of job cuts and plant closures. That is likely to be politically sensitive in France, however, especially when the group is in talks over state aid.


Shell names renewables boss Sawan as CEO to lead green push

Sawan will take over as Shell CEO from Jan 1, 2023. — Reuters
BENGALURU: Shell named Wael Sawan, the head of its renewables and gas business, as its new CEO on Thursday to replace Ben van Beurden, who is stepping down at the end of the year after nearly a decade in the role.

Sawan, 48, a Lebanese Canadian national and former head of Shell's oil and gas production business, was seen as the front-runner to succeed van Beurden, Reuters had reported earlier this month.

After initially resisting calls to finalise firm greenhouse emission reduction targets, Shell has since 2017 gradually set more ambitious goals to tackle global warming, facing pressure from environmental activists. It is now aiming to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 with several short and medium-term targets.

"We will be disciplined and value focused," Sawan said in a statement.

Analysts at Credit Suisse said in a note today that Sawan is well known to investors, and they expect his appointment to have limited impact on Shell's strategy.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the collapse in energy demand in early 2020, Shell cut its dividend, the world's largest at the time at around US$15 billion, for the first time since World War II.

Sawan's appointment is effective Jan 1, 2023, Shell said, while 64-year-old Dutchman van Beurden will continue to work as an adviser to the board until June 30 next year.


Volkswagen ahead of schedule in electric car production

                FRANKFURT: Volkswagen said today that it would reach a key target in the production of electric cars  earlier than previously anticipated.

The German automaker will have produced one million electric vehicles by the end of 2023, two years ahead of schedule.

It now expects to have produced 1.5 million electric cars by 2025, it said.

With the world premiere of the new all-electric ID.3 in September and the start of production at the Zwickau electric vehicle plant in November, Volkswagen has already reached major milestones.

The year 2020 will be dominated by the market introduction of the ID. family. The first ID.3 cars will appear on Europe’s roads in the summer.

 Fleischer (holding bouquet) was the customer for the 250,000th electric car from VW.

So far, Volkswagen's best-selling electric car has been the e-Golf with 104,000 units delivered, followed by the Golf GTE (51,000), Passat Variant GTE (42,000) and e-up! (21,000). Half of the customers opted for a battery electric vehicle and the other half for a plug-in hybrid.

In mid-December, the Volkswagen brand delivered the 250,000th electric car since the introduction of the e-up! in 2013.

The 250,000th car, a “Pure White” e-Golf, was presented to one Sandra Fleischer, who took delivery of the car at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg.

Since 2013, the brand’s electrified model range has been continually expanded in the following years: e-Golf and Golf GTE followed in 2014, the Passat GTE and Passat Variant GTE in 2015.

Since 2018, the Passat and Tiguan have been available as plug-in hybrids in China, where they were followed by battery electric versions of the Bora and Lavida this year.

Over the next few years, Volkswagen intends to become the world market leader in e-mobility and is investing €33 billion in these efforts throughout the group by 2024, including €11 billion in the Volkswagen brand.


All VW ID. models to get over-the-air updates

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen said on Monday that all ID. models will receive regular software updates via mobile data transfer with immediate effect.

The updates had previously only been available as part of a test phase for customers who had registered with the “ID. First Movers Club”.

The “ID. Software 2.3” offers new functions and optimises existing ones. Networking the entire ID. fleet will allow Volkswagen to lay the foundation for new, customer-oriented business models. Thus far, Volkswagen remains the only high-volume manufacturer to provide this technology for its customers.

“Full availability of our over-the-air (OTA) updates underlines the innovative capacity of Volkswagen and forms the basis for a completely new, digital customer experience,” said Volkswagen CEO Ralf Brandstätter. “At the same time, we are laying the foundation for new digital business models and hitting a key milestone in our ACCELERATE strategy.”

OTA software updates was pioneered by Tesla.

Volkswagen said it plans to provide its customers with free software around every 12 weeks to keep the vehicles up to date and improve the customer experience.

Volkswagen is also aiming to generate increased revenue during the usage phase with new, data-based business models – for services and functions that the customer can now order as required, whenever these are needed.

For example, this could be Travel Assist or improved battery performance for long journeys, or even automated driving at a later point in time. Volkswagen sees the potential to generate hundreds of millions in additional revenue over the next few years.

In the current update, some of the new functions affect the ID. Light, a light strip at the bottom of the windscreen. It now gives the driver information that can provide intuitive support for energy-saving driving, and when driving with the automatic distance control system “Active Cruise Control” (ACC).

Image processing has also been improved for the multifunction camera, allowing it to recognise motorcycles and other road users even more swiftly. The same applies when driving in the dark. If installed, dynamic main beam control allows even more precise headlight regulation. The graphics on the central infotainment display become calmer and clearer, with more intuitive operation – showing how Volkswagen reacts to feedback from the first ID. customers.


Japan prefecture home to Toyota seeks emergency declaration

The Aichi prefecture will declare its own emergency from Friday. However, the move will not have a legal basis. — Bloomberg
TOYOTA CITY: The governor of the central Japanese prefecture of Aichi, home to major manufacturing companies including Toyota Motor Corp., asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to place it under a state of emergency due to the coronavirus.

Governor Hideaki Omura told a news conference the prefecture will declare its own emergency from Friday and urged residents to avoid going out or travelling unnecessarily to limit the spread of the infection. This move will not have a legal basis.

Aichi was not included in the central government’s list of seven prefectures placed under emergency this week, which limited the governor’s power to curb the virus. It has one of the world’s largest concentrations of automotive and automotive-related companies, according to the Japan External Trade Organisation.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters the government would have to consult experts before deciding whether to add Aichi to the list.

In what Abe said was the country’s greatest economic crisis since the end of World War II, he declared a one-month emergency period from April 7 that covered Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures as well as the capital, Tokyo.

The move handed powers to local governments to try to contain the spread of the virus, including by urging residents to stay home.

The original areas covered by the declaration represent about half of Japan’s economy, deepening fears that output will plunge by as much as 20% in the current quarter. With Aichi included, the hit could be even greater.

An emergency declaration enables local officials to take measures such as ordering the cancellation of events, restricting use of facilities such as schools and movie theatres and appropriating land or buildings for temporary medical facilities.

Due to civil liberties enshrined in Japan’s postwar constitution, the government cannot send police to clear people off the streets, as has happened in places including France, Italy and Britain.