CES 2023: The five most memorable cars

                LAS VEGAS: While classic car trade fairs are dying out, the automotive industry is spreading more and more into tech events like the CES fair here.

Worried about Apple and Google's potential to disrupt their market, car manufacturers want to prove they are future-proof.

The idea of a car as a smartphone on wheels is coming closer than ever to reality, and classic mechanical engineering is losing relevance as buyers look for digital smarts and electric performance.

It's therefore no surprise that one of the world's biggest tech events, the CES trade fair here taking place in early January, is slowly morphing into a car show.

Between TVs as big as cinema screens, smart sex toys and robot kitchens, there are countless cars trying to turn heads with features like changing exterior colours, huge electric range and solar power.

Here are five cars that show us how mobility is set to change in the next few years.

1. VW's ID.7, the Passat of the electric era

The ID.3 is the electric heir to the Golf, the ID.4 is the Tiguan for the charging station and now the ID.7 is the harbinger of an electric saloon in the guise of the VW Passat.

With a preview of the largest car from its electric modular system, VW is shifting up another gear in the electric mobility revolution. Designed to be particularly streamlined and therefore very efficient, it is to be unveiled this spring without the camouflage still disguising it at CES.

In the second half of the year, it's set to compete with cars like the BMW i4 and the Tesla Model 3 with a standard range of up to 700km.

Although VW wants to use it to lure its mid-range customers over to the electric side (and is even planning an estate version), the German automotive giant says we shouldn't interpret this as news that the classic Passat is being phased out.

2. The most spectacular looking car at CES: Peugeot's Inception

Peugeot's five-metre-long coupé concept has probably been the most remarkable car on display at CES, although many would argue that prize goes to BMW (see number3).

With a razor-sharp looking design, the Inception comes in specially insulating glazing inspired by the helmets of NASA astronauts and has an elaborately illuminated grille

Its novel operating concept allows it to be steered without a classic steering wheel and more like a gaming console for the road.

It marks a new beginning for the Stellantis Group's brand family, says company boss Carlos Tavares. After all, most brands have so far only brought converted combustion engines to the charging station. The Inception, meanwhile, is the first model to come from a platform developed exclusively for electric vehicles.

In addition to more generous space, Stellantis promises above all more range and higher charging speeds. However, the engineers will probably not go quite as far as with the Inception in the series-production electric cars planned by Peugeot or Opel from 2026.

Admittedly, 680hp, a 0 to 100kph sprint of under 3 seconds and a range of up to 800km are probably a bit too much for the likes of the 308 and the Astra.

3. BMW's screen-free vision of the future car

At a time when most manufacturers want bigger screens in their cars, BMW is getting rid of them and instead wants to turn the entire windscreen of cars into one large, wide-screen canvas for a head-up display.

At CES, the carmaker unveiled a surprisingly bare dashboard inside its futuristic BMW i Vision Dee concept.

Instead of the usual analogue or digital dials in the cockpit, this saloon's speedometer, sat nav and other displays are projected onto the windscreen using a large head-up display in what BMW says is "a glimpse of the next vehicle generation."

BMW says this display innovation will be implemented into a new generation of models it's calling the Neue Klasse ('New Class') from 2025 onwards.

The designers have also optimised their use of so-called E Ink technology, showcased in 2022 in a car that could switch its outside paint job from black to white and varying shades of grey in between.

Now, instead of just black and white, the exterior can now switch between 32 colours at the touch of a button, letting it light up like the neon signs in the surrounding gambler's paradise of Las Vegas.

The concept car is remarkably empty inside: There are no door handles, dashboard, temperature controls, switches or buttons. There's not even a display - a remarkable choice for an era in which cars are being kitted out with ever-larger screens.

The central control element is a sensor system on the surface that is the dashboard in today's cars. The driver decides which information they want to see on the windscreen by voice command or hand gesture.

When the car is stationary, drivers can use dimmable windows to block out reality and turn the windscreen into one large and immersive screen.

BMW says they will also set new standards in energy efficiency, offering up to 30% faster charging and a third more range.

4. Lightyear's solar-powered coupe

The jury may still be out as to whether electric cars really provide any benefit to the climate over combustion engines, but at CES, there's no longer any doubt that the car of the future is electric.

Apart from a few hi-fi manufacturers, you won't find any diesel or petrol engines in the exhibition halls of Vegas this January.

But just because all the show cars now have a plug, the technology is far from matured. Manufacturers and suppliers alike are striving for better range.

That's why many are now showing off detailed solutions to increase the efficiency of their car with one goal: get more kilometres out of every percentage of battery.

Manufacturers know that many diesel and petrol car owners are wary of the lack of charging points once they leave the city. That's why they've come up with features like solar modules on the body of the Lightyear 2.

The mass-produced model of the Dutch start-up of the same name, which will not be available until 2026 at the earliest, is expected to cost less than €40,000 (RM185,000) and recharge during drives and while parked with the help of the sun.

Lightyear is promising an impressive 800km on one charge and says owners will need to plug it in about three times less often than a conventional electric model.

5. Sony and Honda's new Afeela brand

Sony, already a leader in the video game business with its PlayStation console, wants to set itself apart in the automotive industry with a focus on high-tech entertainment inside the car.

The electronics giant has announced that it wants sell its jointly developed car with Honda under the brand name Afeela, set to launch first in North America in 2026.

Sony wants Afeela to play to its strengths in artificial intelligence, entertainment and camera sensors, among other things, said the head of Sony Honda Mobility, Yasuhide Mizuno.

Sony had already shown two electric car prototypes here in previous years under the name Vision-S. The new vehicle is based on the previous design, but the rear section, for example, is more reminiscent of a Porsche than before.

The car is to have 45 cameras and other sensors, among other things for automated driving functions. An unusual detail is a display between the front headlights that can show information for people in front of the car.


New study finds in-vehicle infotainment systems hazardous

                LONDON: Worrying results from a new study - commissioned by the UK’s largest independent road-safety charity, IAM RoadSmart - show that the latest in-vehicle infotainment systems, designed to improve road safety, are failing and impair reactions times behind the wheel more than alcohol and cannabis use.

Among the shocking results, the study found that reaction times at motorway speeds increased average stopping distances to between four and five car lengths.

The study also found that drivers took their eyes off the road for as long as 16 seconds while driving (equivalent to a distance of more than 500 metres at 110kph), and using touch control resulted in reaction times that were even worse than texting while driving.

Commenting on the alarming findings, Neil Greig, policy and research director, IAM RoadSmart, said: “Driver distraction is estimated to be a factor in around a third of all road collisions in Europe each year.

“While previous research indicates that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto perform better than more traditional buttons and controls, the results from this latest study raise some serious concerns about the development and use of the latest in-vehicle infotainment systems. Anything that distracts a driver’s eyes or mind from the road is bad news for road safety.

“We’re now calling on industry and government to openly test and approve such systems and develop consistent standards that genuinely help minimise driver distraction.”


Crazy as they come: English inventor builds a spa in a BMW

                MUNICH: BMW has uploaded a video of a crazy mod to a BMW, which transforms it into a mobile bathtub. Because...why not?

The task fell to a sorta "mad" scientist Colin Furze, whom you may recall is an English inventor & YouTube star.

Furze took a 1989 BMW 325i convertible and converted it into a spa car.

The one-off creation is equipped with foam blowers, a gas grill in the boot and lush green artificial grass for a truly laid-back style.

And to ensure that the water is always pleasantly warm, two heating rods are installed in the footwell.

Let's not waste any more time and dip your mind into this far-out mod as portrayed in the video above..


Toyota and BMW in tie-ups with respective China partners

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today it would jointly develop battery electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries with China’s BYD Co Ltd, expanding its Chinese partnerships to build affordable EVs for the world’s largest car market.

In a statement, Toyota and the Chinese electric automaker said they would develop sedans and sport utility vehicles, which would be sold under the Toyota brand in China before 2025.

Earlier in the week, Toyota announced it was partnering with China’s Contemporary Amerex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) to supply and develop batteries for lower-emission vehicles.

In a related development, BMW and Chinese online gaming giant Tencent Holdings are teaming up to launch a computing centre in China that will help develop self-driving cars in the world’s biggest auto market.

The computing centre, which will start operations by the end of the year, will provide cars with data-crunching capabilities to help them drive semi-autonomously and, eventually, autonomously.

The two companies did not disclose the investment in the centre. Sources familiar with the deal said the center will be built in the eastern city of Tianjin.

BMW said the new computing center will leverage Tencent’s cloud computing and big data, and provide the automaker with infrastructure needed to develop the autonomous cars.

The Munich-headquartered automaker says it will likely introduce semi-autonomous, or L3 classification, cars in China in 2021 which would need massive computing power to analyze real-time flow of digital information on road and traffic conditions.

Driverless cars need sophisticated data-crunching capabilities as they rely on so-called artificial-intelligence, or neuro-network technology, to help them “learn” from experience and could eventually drive themselves without human intervention.

BMW’s planned Chinese computing center follows the opening earlier this year of a similar computing centre in Munich.


Genesis publishes first images of chic and sophisticated new G80 sedan

                SEOUL: Genesis revealed earlier this year its luxurious SUV named the GV80; now, the luxury brand is showing off the latest iteration of the G80 sedan.

While the model does, in fact, retain some parts characteristic of the line, visually, it looks more like a sedan version of the newly introduced SUV.

Both share the same headlight and daylight running light two-line motif out of which a sharp contour grows and spans back to the rear.

The grille has increased in size and become more angular to match that of its SUV counterpart. Even the rear of each features the same cutout form which features a Genesis name plate situated in the center.

Likewise on the inside, the cabin spaces of the two models share an obvious resemblance though that of the sedan is a bit sleeker.

Nevertheless, the G80 and the GV80 have almost identical dashes that support a 14.5-inch touchscreen display under which owners can find the rest of the vehicle's main functional controls. The deeply-coloured wood trim unique to the sedan gives it a bonus touch of luxury.

Though the debut of the model has not yet been officially announced, reports suggest that it will take place in the next few weeks.


Eighth-gen Hyundai Sonata starts production in US

                MIAMI: Hyundai today introduced its all-new 2020 Sonata at the 49th Miami International Auto Show here.

Production of the eighth-generation Sonata also starts today at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and retail sales begin later this month.

The new Sonata, priced from US$23,400 (RM97,000), is the first sedan designed with Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language.

It showcases a sporty four-door-coupe look and represents Hyundai’s new focus on creating emotional value using proportion, styling, and technology.

The latest Sonata is the first model to be based on Hyundai’s new vehicle platform, which delivers increased strength and reduced weight to enable improvements in design, safety, efficiency and driving performance. The car uses an extensive application of advanced technologies to boost comfort, convenience and active safety.

“The Sonata holds a special significance for our company as one of the longest-standing and most successful models in the global market,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, product, corporate and digital planning for Hyundai Motor America.

“The 2020 Sonata is a fully transformed vehicle packed with advanced personalisation technology, a new platform and an array of safety technologies. We are confident that our customers will be pleasantly surprised by this innovative new model.”


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Honda Sports EV Concept to debut

                TOKYO: Honda is keen to unveil its electric Sports EV Concept on Oct 25 as part of a broad range of advanced two- and four-wheeled production and concept vehicles.

The highlights of the Japanese car and bike maker will be the Urban EV Concept – seen during the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, and a range of Super Cub motorcycle models to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary and its 100 mil units production after the original introduction.

Other models that will make an appearance on home soil will be the NeuV personal mobility concept and the all-new CR-V.

The Sports EV Concept is being touted to have a striking silhouette, friendly face and supple body surfaces - all of which help to ensure the car blends into any lifestyle.

The development team designed the sporty electric car to deliver a feeling of joy and emotional unity to the drive, achieved by efficiently combining the EV power unit and AI technology in a compact body shape.

Due to arrive in Europe in 2019 will be the production version of the Urban EV Concept, seen during the Frankfurt motor show. The vehicle is based on a newly-developed electric vehicle platform where its simple design and compact dimensions are ideal for modern city driving.

In terms of kit, it will have a front grille that displays the vehicle's battery charge status and will provide advice and greetings in multiple languages.

It will also possess wrap-around interior displays to help convey a friendliness with the driver that'll help inspire an emotive attachment.

To celebrate the forthcoming milestones of 60 years of production and the 100 millionth unit manufactured since its introduction, the Honda show stand will feature a comprehensive display of the Super Cub’s history, the current model lineup and will provide a glimpse of its future.

This will include the unveiling of the 100 million production anniversary model of Super Cub 110 and a new Super Cub 125C motorcycle.

To retain an evolution of the distinctive design of one of the world’s most successful SUV nameplates, the all-new fifth generation CR-V will also make its Japanese debut at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The new model includes the implementation in an SUV of Honda’s two motor hybrid technology – i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive).

The NeuV, first revealed in January at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, showcases an electric mobility concept for the commuter.

It is equipped with the brand’s artificial intelligence engine – Honda Automated Network Assistant– its autonomous driving capability incorporates driver monitoring to determine driver stress from facial expressions and tone of voice, in order to support safer driving.

The NeuV learns about the driver’s lifestyle and preferences over time, so that it can suggest new routes and activities, realising a natural relationship between driver and machine.


Relocated Hap Seng Star Mercedes-Benz Autohaus opens in Setia Alam

                SHAH ALAM: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Hap Seng Star have launched the newly relocated Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Setia Alam here, featuring a luxury retail brand presence in the Klang Valley.

The RM99mil lifestyle-themed facility, has close to 79,000 sq ft of land area with a total of seven floors.

Run by a staff of 29 personnel, its work area span over 29,549 sq ft with expandable work bays and maximised service capacity of up to 1,500 cars a month.

The showroom floor covers over 11,526 sq ft with 16 cars on display and features new amenities such a self-service café, kid’s playroom and a luxurious ladies powder room for an overall exclusive and comfortable experience for customers.

The centre's lifestyle retail experience features Mercedes-Benz luxury accessories and collection boutique, catering to a wide range of customers with a variety of collectables and products.

To ensure top quality service maintenance and major repairs, trained technicians are equipped with complete and approved special tools from Mercedes-Benz.

Other service differentiation offerings range from Express Service 2.0, pick-up and delivery, drop-and-go service booking, wheel alignment and balancing, electrical diagnosis and repairs, paint coating, glass tinting along with insurance and warranty claims.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien said the launch of Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus is a testament of the company's joint commitment to redefine a luxurious brand experience for Malaysian customers, at every point of their journey.

 Behrend (left) presenting a token to Sagree.

“It is our goal to work with our dealer partners to continue to grow the brand’s luxury retail concept presence which aims to further enhance our offerings & customer experience in areas of sales and service to cater to the ever evolving needs and desires of our valued customers,” said Sagree who is also Mercedes-Benz Head of Region, South East Asia II.

Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd group chief operating officer Harald Behrend said Setia Alam was a prominent fast-booming township with potential, and that the company wanted to be where its customers were.

“With this new Setia Alam outlet, we want our customers to experience luxury like no other through our new luxury retail presence, equipped with lavish features and special amenities.

“Hap Seng Star is continuously looking for ways to innovate our services and offerings while embracing the Mercedes-Benz spirit of luxury, and with our passion for excellence, we will continue to set the benchmark in delivering the best customer services and experience,” he said.

Edmin Naidoo, vice-president of Customer Services, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Malaysia & SEA II, said the company focuses on customer retention as there were cases of Mercedes-Benz owners opting for cheaper independent workshops for out-of-warranty maintenance servicing.

He said also Mercedes-Benz offers several servcing packages that come with competitive pricing.

While Mercedes-Benz maintence servicing costs could be higher, Hap Seng Star director of national after sales Tan Chee Hock said its outlets were able to provide higher quality services, greater peace-of-mind as well as being are able to access factory database on Mercedes-Benz cars which independent workshops might be unable to do.

Tan said the company's technicians had undergone stringent training under Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes as well as to handle diagnostics equipment from Mercedes-Benz to provide quality service.

Qualified and skillful technicians could look forward to a rewarding career, Tan said, giving instances of former apprentices who stayed with the company and working their way up to hold senior managerial positions.


New Porsche buyers to get one-year free insurance

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is offering new Porsche owners a complimentary one year insurance package in addition to the four-year warranty and free maintenance package which includes complimentary service, parts and labour for all Porsche cars sold by SDAP.

The extended insurance package is applicable to all new Porsche owners with bookings made from Nov 1 and registration completed before Dec 31.

SDAP will also be celebrating the year-end by hosting a Porsche Open House for all Porsche enthusiasts on Nov 26-27 at the Porsche Centres in Sungai Besi and Glenmarie. Porsche models such as the 911, the new mid-engine roadster 718 Boxster, Macan and Cayenne models will be on-site for test drives.

As a special touch, Coffee Art workshops will take place for visitors to acquire new skills while enjoying a nice cup of coffee at Porsche.

Bookings made during the Porsche Open House will be rewarded with the Porsche Driver’s Selection trolley case by Rimowa.


Daimler plans at least six electric car models, says source

                STUTTGART: German carmaker Daimler plans to roll out at least six, and possibly as many as nine, electric car models as part of its push to compete with Tesla and Volkswagen's Audi, said a person familiar with Daimler's plans.

The maker of Mercedes-Benz cars remains on track to unveil a new electric car at the Paris motor show next month. In July, the German carmaker said it had accelerated development of premium electric cars, a segment currently dominated by United States-based rival Tesla.

German trade magazine Automobilwoche earlier cited company sources as saying Daimler would bring to market more than six electric car models between 2018 and 2024.

German firms are investing heavily in electric cars, a segment once neglected by the industry as customers shunned their limited operating range and high cost.

But a growing political backlash against diesel fumes and recent advances in battery technology to increase the reach of an electric car by up to 50 percent have spurred major investments by Volkswagen, Daimler and suppliers such as Bosch and Continental.

Reuters' source said Mercedes would also make an SUV model with a plug-in hybrid engine powered by fuel cells, which would have a range of up to 50km on battery power and would then run on electricity generated by hydrogen.


Citroen to show off world firsts in Geneva

 2015 Citroen Berlingo.

PARIS: At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Citroen will debut the new Berlingo Multispace and an original concept called the Berlingo Mountain Vibe.

The new Berlingo has a more expressive front end and kit such as a 7-inch touch drive interface and Active City Brake.

Also, the new Berlingo maintains all its renowned qualities in terms of modular design, space, comfort and equipment, such as the Modutop.

 2015 Citroen Berlingo.

As for the Berlingo Mountain Vibe concept, it is billed as an upbeat, energetic concept featuring a full range of body reinforcements and accessories to enjoy nature, explore hills and dales and reach for the highest summits.

The Berlingo Mountain Vibe concept is a nod to the transalpine scenery around Geneva.

 Citroen Berlingo Mountain Vibe concept.

Meanwhile, the new Citroen C4 is consolidating its status as a compact hatchback of dependable value, and it also gains upgrades like new headlights and rear lights, 7-inch touch drive interface, keyless access and drive.

Making a generational leap, the new Citroen C4 adopts the efficient PureTech and BlueHDi powertrains, as well as the new EAT6 automatic gearbox.

In Geneva, Citroen will also show the C3 Picasso with a dynamic two-tone "Black Top" bodywork, combining a black roof with a choice of three body colours.


Porsche's F1 plans stall as Red Bull talks collapse

                BERLIN: Porsche and Red Bull have ended talks over Porsche joining Formula One, but the German sports car brand remains interested in entering the racing series, it said on Friday.

"The two companies have now jointly come to the conclusion that these talks will no longer be continued," Porsche AG said in a statement.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told motorsport.com at the Italian Grand Prix that it had become clear during talks with Porsche that "there was a strategic non-alignment".

Volkswagen's former chief Herbert Diess said in May its Porsche and Audi brands would join Formula One, long dominated by the automaker's German rival Mercedes-Benz.

Media reports had suggested long-standing talks between Porsche and Red Bull were stalling due to a gap between how much control the Porsche wanted and what Red Bull was prepared to give.

Horner ruled out a Porsche takeover last Friday and said any partnership would have to be on the Formula One team's terms. read more

Championship-leading Red Bull have set up their own powertrain company, with more than 300 people working on an engine for 2026.

"The premise (of discussions) was always a partnership on eye-level, which would include the team alongside a motoring partnership. This could not be realised," Porsche's statement said.

"With the changes to regulation, the racing series remains an attractive prospect for Porsche which we will continue to monitor," the statement added.

Formula One's governing body in August approved engine regulations for 2026, significantly increasing electrical power, using 100% sustainable fuels and removing the current Motor Generator Unit Heat (MGU-H) element, reportedly a pre-requisite for the Volkswagen Group brands to come in. read more

Audi announced in August it would build an engine in Germany and enter in 2026 with an existing team, likely to be Sauber, and the sport has been waiting for Porsche's move.

Porsche alternatives in Formula One are limited, with McLaren ruling out a takeover of their team in May after conversations with Audi while Williams have said they must remain independent.

Porsche are also active in the electric Formula E series with their own team and from next season as powertrain provider for Avalanche Andretti.

Michael Andretti, whose father Mario was world champion in 1978, is seeking an entry to Formula One but meeting resistance from within the paddock to expanding the series beyond the current 10 teams.

A possible partnership with Porsche might make a more compelling case.


First look at 2020-spec Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan and its motorsports arm Nismo have offered a first look at the 2020-spec Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500 race car.

Nismo is developing the car, based on the GT-R Nismo, for the 2020 Super GT series. It will comply with the new Class 1 technical regulations to be uniformly adopted by the Super GT and DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) series.

A development test took place at Suzuka Circuit in Japan on Thursday, with further development to follow.

The Super GT series is one of Nismo’s key motorsports activities, alongside the ABB FIA Formula E Championship series.

This year's Nismo GT500 include improvements to the balance of aerodynamic performance, a review of weight distribution, increased engine output and power curve optimisation.


Polestar partners with Plugsurfing in Europe

                GOTHENBURG: Volvo Car Group's electric performance car brand Polestar is partnering with Plugsurfing in Europe to improve electric vehicle public charging convenience ahead of initial Polestar 2 customer deliveries, scheduled for the coming months.

With over 195,000 compatible EV charging points in the region, Plugsurfing provides a convenient solution to accessing and paying for electricity from a variety of public charging service providers.

“This international European partnership with Plugsurfing is the first of these solutions and it paves the way for more partnerships which will also include national and local solutions,” comments Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath.

Besides the inherent convenience, a key benefit of the Plugsurfing partnership is the flexibility to charge easily especially when travelling abroad.

Foreign bank accounts and the need for local mobile phone numbers can often hinder the ability to charge in other countries – Plugsurfing removes this requirement entirely.

The Plugsurfing RFID tag, which will be supplied as standard with every new Polestar 2 in Europe, allows owners to reduce the number of apps, accounts and authentication processes required to charge their cars from the thousands of different charging service providers in the region.

Customers will register an account with Plugsurfing, and thus benefit from one payment and authentication solution rather than requiring unique apps and accounts for a multitude of charging service providers.

The Google Maps integrated into Polestar 2 is optimised for electric vehicle owners, and to ensure further peace of mind for Polestar owners in their charging experiences, they will be advised upon receiving their Polestar 2 regarding charging infrastructure and how to utilise the Plugsurfing solution specifically.


Choking in car fumes, Madrid locals curse pollution

                Locals call it the “beret“: a grey layer of exhaust fumes that blots out Madrid’s blue skies on still days. For asthma sufferer Conxi Grau, it feels more like a tight scarf.

Like many residents of the Spanish capital, she suffered during several days of high pressure in early January. Now they want to cast off the beret for good.

Campaign group Ecologists in Action has taken up the case in the courts, suing local authorities for breaches of pollution limits.

It estimates that air pollution, mainly due to traffic fumes, causes 2,000 deaths a year in Madrid, a city of 3.2 million inhabitants, where there is about one vehicle for every two people according to authorities.

“The pollution causes more asthma attacks,” said Grau, a 64-year-old nurse and leader of a Madrid asthmatics’ association.

“You feel more tightness in your chest. You feel more tired. You can’t live a normal life.”

Ecologists in Action said that in the first two weeks of January Madrid had already exceeded one of the European Union’s annual health limits for poisonous nitrogen dioxide gas in the air.

That made 2015 the sixth year in a row that Madrid had breached the limit since the current EU norms came into force in 2010, said the group. Madrid risks big EU fines for the breaches.

A study last year by the French association Respire ranked Madrid as the sixth most-polluted big city in Europe, a few places behind Rome, London and Paris.

Antonio Miguel Carmona, an opposition Socialist candidate for mayor of Madrid, citing doctors, claimed that hospital admissions for breathing problems had risen 30 percent in  the first half of January. No official figure was available.

Ecologists in Action in December brought a lawsuit against Madrid’s mayor Ana Botella and her environment chief Diego Sanjuanbenito.

Sanjuanbenito dismissed that as a publicity stunt ahead of local elections in May. The court has yet to decide whether to hear the case.

Sanjuanbenito told AFP the number of instances when pollution measurements passed the EU limits has declined since the city hall, governed by Spain’s ruling conservative People’s Party, launched its clean-air plan in 2011.

The city has restricted access to some diesel vehicles in parts of central Madrid -- as other cities such as London and Paris are planning to do.

Last year Madrid also set up “intelligent parking meters” that charge a higher rate for more polluting vehicles, Sanjuanbenito said.

And this week, city hall said that as of March 1 new traffic and speed restrictions will apply when nitrogen dioxide levels threaten to get too high.

For some, the measures have been too long in coming.

“Madrid has had this problem for quite some time and something should already have been done,” said Pedro Leton, a specialist in air pollution at Alcala de Henares University near Madrid, before this week’s measures were announced.

London and Paris each proposed new anti-pollution measures last year. Barcelona has restricted speed limits at key points.

The World Health Organisation says air pollution kills seven million a year worldwide.

Madrid’s nitrogen dioxide problem is blamed on a high proportion of its vehicles - 70 percent, according to Sanjuanbenito - using diesel fuel, which generally makes them cheaper to run than petrol ones.

“I think there is an excessive use of vehicles in cities, and that of course includes Madrid,” Sanjuanbenito said.

“But if you banned diesel vehicles here, that would be extraordinarily costly and families in Madrid could not handle it at short notice.”

In mid-January, the rain and wind came, clearing the skies over Madrid. But Conxi Grau knows the choking pollution will return with the next high pressure system.

“In this country, people do not seem to realise that breathing is the most basic need,” she said. “The pollution problem is a constant battle.”


Renault expects US$1bil revenue from new recycling business

                FLINS (France): Renault said on Tuesday that its yet-to-launch recycling business could generate an extra €1 billion (RM4.8bil/US$1.1bil) in revenue by the end of the decade.

"These activities will generate €200 million (RM956mil) in turnover from 2025", Renault chief executive Luca de Meo told reporters at a former car production plant in the town of Flins, near here, which it is repurposing for the recycling and reconditioning of used vehicles and components.

The reinvention of the site, which will continue to assemble the electric Zoe and Nissan Micra models for a few years, was one of the core elements of Renault's 2020 restructuring plan, with which the French carmaker aims to hike profitability.

READ MORE: Renault moves up a gear in the circular economy


P-hailing riders want full worker rights and benefits

                PETALING JAYA: Food delivery riders want the government to recognise them as legitimate employees with all the attendant rights and benefits, and no longer as gig workers.

Speaking at Parti Keadilan Rakyat headquarters here today, a group of p-hailing riders on a 24-hour strike said the industry is getting too big to still be considered part of the gig economy.

"Is it relevant to consider p-hailing as a gig industry when we have masters and servants, our masters who organise our work... (who instruct us) to use their bag and wear their uniform, otherwise we could face suspension or have our accounts terminated," said a group representative who gave his name only as Firdaus.

He said it was crucial for the government to recognise the industry so that it can be regulated better for the well-being of the riders.

"This is not the first strike. We did this before but the situation has not improved.

"We submitted a memorandum to Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan on July 17, 2020 and he has given his assurance that the matter would be resolved but until today, it is still the same.

"Our wages still get reduced," he claimed.

Food delivery riders went on strike for 24 hours since Thursday night to protest low delivery fees.

Malaysian P-Hailing Riders’ Association (Penghantar) vice-president Abdul Hakim Abdul Rani said riders were under pressure to complete as many deliveries as possible in a day to meet their income target.

The one-day strike has become the talk of riders on various Facebook groups with hashtags #OffSatuHari, #24hournoshift and #naikkanfare associated with it.

Foodpanda reportedly sent out an email to its partners on rider availability for Aug 5, stating that it is "actively working on mitigating the situation as effectively as possible".

It claimed that the majority of riders are responding well to their initiatives and taking up shifts.

Ehailing service provider Grab Malaysia said in a statement that there was no reduction in base fares for its delivery services.

It said the recent concern raised by a delivery partner last month was due to a glitch in its system, where the rider noted a discrepancy in his earnings.

It said the issue had been rectified and any shortfall had been made up to those affected.


If you have been fined in Shah Alam, pay up or you can't renew road tax

                SHAH ALAM: Traffic offenders who do not pay their summonses for parking illegally in Shah Alam will not be able to renew their road tax.

The blacklisting process was implemented by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) last year with the cooperation of the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Those who have accumulated compound notices and have yet to make payment will be listed in the i-Blacklist system.

Shah Alam mayor Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad said they had engaged JPJ as compound notices issued by the council had been taken lightly.

“People don’t care; they just throw out their summonses without paying. Some have even collected up to 10 summonses,” he said.

Ahmad Zaharin added that blacklisting traffic offenders was not to punish them but to educate the public.

“We have rules and if you don’t park your vehicles in designated parking lots, you have to pay the fine.”

With JPJ’s help, MBSA is sure people will notice and start paying their summonses.

Last year, 75 people were blacklisted and 57 warrants of arrest were issued.

At the end of 2015, a total of 279,229 car park compounds, amounting to RM27,897,710 were left unpaid and 1,484 cases had been taken to court.

Those who have not paid their compound notices can visit the council’s website to view the amount owed.

The council advises all who have yet to pay for their compounds to settle them before being blacklisted under the i-Blacklist system.

Summonses can be paid at the main counter in Wisma MBSA, the council’s branch offices around the city, and through Shah Alam On Wheels every Saturday at locations that will be determined by the council.

Alternatively, payment can also be made via online banking.

The public can call MBSA’s Finance Department at 03-5510 5133 (ext 1277/ 1577 / 1540) or the Legal Department (ext 1220 / 1226) or visit www.mbsa.gov.my for details.


Want the Perodua Bezza? Watch the latest video highlights

PETALING JAYA: Perodua has a winner on its hands judging by the opening booking rate, which can best be described as enthusiastic.

If you are planning to get the value-for-money Bezza, watch this video by CarSifu’s Thomas Huong as he tells you what to expect from Perodua’s first sedan.

He's the man who was among the first few Malaysians to have driven the car at Perodua’s test track in Rawang earlier this month.

Also get the inside view of how Perodua went about designing the people’s car from its boss Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

READ MORE:
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Perodua Bezza launched
Three things you may not know about Perodua Bezza
VIDEO: Carsifu talks about Bezza and first drive
Full Perodua Bezza specs
Perodua Bezza to drive auto sales
Perodua Bezza gets top safety rating
Perodua Bezza priced from RM37,300 to RM50,800
Bezza name used in 2010 for Perodua concept car


China draws up plans to promote standardisation in EVs

                SHANGHAI: China said it will work to improve levels of standardisation in its electric vehicle industry - a sector it is aggressively promoting to help combat smog and to position the country as a leading car-making giant in the future.

This year its standardisation efforts will focus on recharging, battery design and fuel consumption, the industry ministry said in a statement.

China will also work to promote its own standards and benchmarks for electric and plug-in electric vehicles overseas, taking advantage of economies of scale to become a global leader in standardisation, it said.

Beijing is seeking to engineer a dramatic shift away from conventional gasoline cars with strict production quotas for the so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs), prompting a flurry of deals as both foreign and domestic automakers race to ensure they do not fall short.

Some 777,000 NEVs were sold in China in 2017, a jump of 53 percent on the year and the most sold in any one country. Beijing aims to bring annual sales to 2 million units by 2020.

China has already drawn up more than 100 technological benchmarks relating to electric vehicles but lack of standardisation has been identified as one of the major challenges facing the sector. Some local governments have even set different requirements to restrict firms from other regions from accessing their markets.

A lack of standardisation has also made it harder to create safe and cost-efficient automated recycling facilities, delegates to China’s parliament said this month. China will have to deal with an estimated 170,000 tonnes of spent electric vehicle batteries this year.


BHPetrol giveaway

                PETALING JAYA: In the spirit of Hari Raya festive celebration, Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) gave away Hari Raya petrol vouchers at BHPetrol Sg Besi Highway station recently.

Limited to the first 1000 customers, the vouchers were given free with any amount of petrol purchase during the two day period.

Each purchase is entitled for RM3 worth of petrol vouchers that can be redeemed for next purchase of petrol or any products at BHPetromart. Customers were also given goodie bags that consist of snacks and drinks for their consumption during the long journey.

“We choose this station because it is located just after the Sg Besi Toll Plaza along the highway heading South. It is a great destination for motorists to stop by to get their necessities all at one place. Since it’s re-opening for business in February this year, BHPetrol Sg Besi Highway station has been a favourite choice for vehicles to refuel with the high quality Infiniti fuels or to refresh themselves with a wide variety of drinks and snacks from BHPetromart to reload their T&G cards at no charge, and also to perform prayers at the surau," said  BHPetrol senior marketing manager Baba Tan.

The two day event is participated by all the retail staff from BHPetrol’s head office including the retail & supply director James Khoo.

BHPetrol wishes you Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and enjoy the festival with families and friends.


Mobile Malaria Project embarks on journey of discovery

                LONDON: Land Rover has been engineering vehicles capable of tackling the toughest terrain around the world for more than 70 years. Now it is working with the Mobile Malaria Project, winners of the 2018 Land Rover Bursary in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), as it heads to sub-Saharan Africa to embark on a unique eight-week journey of Discovery.

Made up of three Oxford University researchers, led by Dr George Busby, the Mobile Malaria Project will travel more than 6,300km across Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. Driving a specially-modified Land Rover Discovery, they will investigate the challenges facing those on the front line of malaria control in Africa – where 90 per cent of the world’s cases occur.

Designed and developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the Discovery is equipped with a mobile genetic sequencing laboratory that makes full-use of the vehicle’s 1,137-litre load space. Not only does it feature a fridge/freezer unit to safely store scientific supplies, there is also a bespoke load space configuration frame system with specially-designed storage equipment cases and an on-board expedition battery.

The exterior comes with bespoke additions too, including a purpose-built dual sun awning, rescue equipment, a winch, sand/mud tracks, expedition roof rack and LED night driving lamps.

These modifications will allow the team to trial portable DNA sequencing technology, in collaboration with African research centres, to better understand how the technology can be used in different locations. This will provide important information about malaria parasite and mosquito populations, including drug and insecticide resistance.

“The loan of the Discovery not only gives us the capability we need to visit locations we might not have been able to reach otherwise, it gives us the space and versatility to transport the equipment we need," said Dr Busby.

"This will allow us to gain a better understanding of how this technology could be used to answer locally relevant questions about malaria parasites and the mosquitoes that transmit them.”

The Land Rover Discovery has a 30-year track record of tackling the most difficult terrain, reaching threatened habitats and vulnerable people across the world.

The expedition group has also teamed up with another of Land Rover’s global humanitarian partners, what3words, to accurately plan their route, navigate on the ground and document their findings in real-time.

The Mobile Malaria Project departed Britain last Friday to begin its eight-week expedition.


New workshop Munich Precision promises quality service for BMW and Merc owners

                PETALING JAYA: Munich Precision has opened its independent automobile service facility that caters specially to continental cars in Section 51A here.

The company focuses on BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles in particular, with ability and equipment to support Porsche, Audi and other continental cars.

Customers are promised fair pricing with trustworthy and expert services as all of Munich Precision directors and technical staff have successful background in the premium automotive business.

Among the differentiating factors Munich Precision promises over other continental car specialists are:

> Company owned and operated by Malaysian and British directors with extensive BMW technical, customer service and business leadership background, qualified, award winning and proven automotive industry experience.

> Technical Team: Award winning, competition winning, professionally qualified team with national level accolades and an engineering graduate.

> Customer Team: Experienced customer service team with international exposure.

> E-Drive Ready: Malaysia’s first true competence centre for premium hybrid and electric drive vehicles. Able to diagnose and work on live high voltage systems.

> Clean, properly equipped workshop to ensure high quality ambience and work ethic. High quality mechanical tools and the best diagnosis and measuring equipment for unsurpassed accuracy.

> Ideal facility on large plot with ample private parking, guarded, floodlit, CCTV.

> Work-space office with Wi-Fi for customers to work undisturbed while their car is in the workshop.

> Mobility Service: Two cars available for customers to keep moving.

> Extended hours drop/collect (7am to 8pm Mon-Fri) for customer’s convenience.

> Relaxing lounge, on-site surau and attention to customer comfort.

> Warranty on parts supplied by Munich Precision: 18 months for genuine parts, 12 months for OEM parts. Labour for replacement is also included (terms and conditions apply).

> In-house cleaning and detailing services such as washing, Meguiar’s polishing, paint coatings, seats and interior care, headlamp restoration and more.

> Competitive price positioning to ensure best value for customers. No exaggerated billing, no unnecessary up-selling.

 Riley.

Its managing director, Owen Riley, said the company were staffed by car enthusiasts.

As such, Riley said his staff "keep learning and come to work excited!"

"We believe Malaysian premium car owners are looking for credible service centres where they rightly expect good advice, complete honesty, excellent work quality and competitive pricing.

"Both directors of Munich Precision are already well known in the premium automotive sector in Malaysia and our commitment to authentic customer relations is on record.

"Now, with Munich Precision we promise to work hard every day to support our customers to the fullest and win their trust,” he said.

 Weng.

Operations director Weng Ho said; “We have a quality focus, we always want to prove ourselves and become the best we can, this is our challenge.

"We think carefully and act decisively to fix cars properly and in time efficient way to keep customers on the road. We can offer cost options for customers with Original, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or sometimes even carefully selected refurbished parts.

"We can do diagnosis, recoding and other advanced work. However we are also a highly committed customer service company. We are friendly, reasonable and go the extra mile to make sure our customers are beyond satisfied!,” he said.

Riley, a British national, was previously BMW National Head of BMW Motorcycles Sales & Aftersales, while Weng, a Malaysian was BMW Malaysia Retail Business Development Manager.

To celebrate its opening, Munich Precision is launching a promotion whereby cars coming for oil service are eligible for a complimentary car body polish using premium Meguiar’s 2-layer polish, plus the oil filter at the subsequent service will be supplied free of charge.

For details, contact Munich Precision at:

Website : www.munichprecision.com
Facebook : Munich Precision
Instagram : Munich Precision
Tel: 03 7493 8892
Email : info@munichprecision.com

Opening hours : Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm


Hyundai Kona Electric updated

                LONDON: Hyundai Motor has made a series of updates to its successful all-electric sub-compact SUV, the Hyundai Kona Electric for the European market and revolve around design, technology, and practicality.

The new Kona Electric has undergone a series of bold exterior design updates. The front with the new-look closed grille features a pure and clean design.

This modern look is further enhanced by the new LED Daytime Running Lights, which emphasise the car’s wide stance. The front is complemented by an asymmetric charging port, a feature unique to the Kona Electric which makes a strong statement about driving electric.

New, sharper headlamps stretch around the side of the car. The high-tech headlamp inner bezel now incorporates multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology.

READ MORE:
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Hyundai mulls global recall of Kona EVs after fire reports

The headlamps are connected to the painted wheel arch claddings, giving the new Kona Electric a distinctive and sophisticated look.

Vertical air inlets in front of the wheel arch claddings enhance its aerodynamics, substantially reducing turbulence in the front wheelhouse area.

Meanwhile, a functional air intake in the lower bumper is visually enhanced by horizontal satin accent bars, which give it a pronounced stance.

The rear bumper retains the accent bars to add value to the overall look of the car, while new horizontally-stretched rear lamps complement the pure appearance of the front.

The new Kona Electric is 25mm longer than the previous version and ensures it has a dynamic appearance combined with a strong visual stance.

Inside, the new Kona Electric is equipped with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, while an optional 10.25-inch AVN screen is carried over from the last update. The AVN unit incorporates multimedia and convenience features including Bluelink, Hyundai LIVE Services and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

New Kona Electric customers can enjoy the new Bluelink upgrade, which allows them to control their car with their smartphone or voice to make their drive more convenient and enjoyable.

Thanks to Remote Charging, new Kona Electric drivers can start and stop charging at the push of a button on their smartphone via the Bluelink app. During colder months, Remote Climate Control allows users to schedule a time that they would like to pre-heat their car electrically when connected to an external power source.

Safety-wise, the new Kona Electric features a state-of-the-art Hyundai SmartSense which provides comprehensive, best-in-class active safety and driving assistance systems include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA).

Another feature new to this model is Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which alerts the driver if they do not react fast enough when the vehicle ahead of them starts moving. Further new safety features include Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Rear Seat Alert (RSA).


Peugeot Malaysia launches E-Showroom

                KUALA LUMPUR: Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for the Peugeot brand in Malaysia, has launched the Peugeot e-Showroom at www.peugeot.com.my/online-showroom for customers to buy cars.

Also, via the free Home Test Drive, you can request for a test drive Peugeot to be sent to your home.

Visit and book a Peugeot via the Peugeot e-Showroom in 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Choose the vehicle of your choice.
Step 2: Fill in your details in the booking form.
Step 3: Submit your details.
Step 4: Wait to be contacted by a Peugeot sales advisor.

A strict daily sanitisation process has been implemented in all Peugeot showroom and service centres.

All test drive units and sales and service consultant materials will be sanitised too after every session.

Take full advantage of the sales tax holiday with Peugeot Malaysia’s attractive offers and enjoy up to RM19,000 worth of savings.

Those who buy the Peugeot 3008 or 5008 SUV Plus will be get a 5 years warranty and 3 years free service which includes parts and labour.


GKN develops first fully integrated all-wheel drive system

                BIRMINGHAM: GKN Driveline has become the first Tier One supplier to deliver a complete all-wheel drive (AWD) system for a vehicle manufacturer. The company designed, developed and now manufactures the intelligent all-wheel drive systems for a new AWD global platform launched by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The platform is the basis for the FIAT 500X and the Jeep Renegade.

GKN Driveline President of Engineering, Peter Moelgg, said: “Growing demand for AWD is a global phenomenon. Consumers worldwide want smaller, more fuel-efficient cars that can do everything larger vehicles can. Automakers need responsive suppliers who can overcome the tight packaging and cost constraints and produce drivelines that engage their customers in new ways. We are delivering on our strategy of developing intelligent driveline systems that enhance both efficiency and drivability.”

Global Programme Director, GKN Driveline, Hannes Prenn, said:  “This is a milestone programme for GKN in our evolution as a driveline system integrator. This is the first time a supplier has been responsible for the design, development and production of a complete all-wheel drive system. With all manufacturing, engineering and software development in-house, GKN Driveline is the only Tier One that could take such a tightly integrated all-wheel drive system from concept to production – and in just 24 months.”

The short time to market was enabled by close networking of GKN’s global development centres, the company’s streamlined change management process and its responsive in-house software teams.

The FCA platform sources the complete driveline, from transmission to wheel, from GKN, including AWD, AWD Disconnect and front-wheel drive variants. Every part of the system, from the propshafts to the rear differential module to the sideshafts, is designed by GKN and manufactured by the company’s global production facilities.

To meet the tight packaging targets of a compact SUV and small city car, GKN integrated a number of key features of the driveline system, saving space and optimising cost and efficiency. Instead of a standard power transfer unit (PTU), GKN developed a monobloc housing that fully integrates the propshaft’s constant velocity joint.

“This is a new technical solution and a remarkable piece of engineering, which involved close inter-functional development,” said Prenn. “The result is a high-performance system that offers optimum efficiency, weight and packaging. The arrangement also yields superior NVH characteristics, helping to create a more refined driving experience.”

The same hardware is able to fulfill requirements for different brands and classes of vehicle, from city cars to off-roaders.

GKN said its software tuning experts were able to meet different brands’ specific requirements. A city car version may require low drag torques and torque biasing, while a model intended for off-road use requires high traction and torques.


Google says fewer tech glitches in its self-driving cars

                DETROIT: Google said on Tuesday the rate of software failures in its self-driving cars was declining as the technology was learning from its mistakes, bringing the tech company closer to its goal of fully autonomous vehicles.

In 682,361km of autonomous driving, Google said its cars had experienced 272 episodes in which the human test driver had to assume control of the vehicle, an occurrence called "disengagement", when the autonomous technology failed.

"As we continue to develop and refine the self-driving software, we are seeing fewer disengagements" despite more miles driven, Google said in a 33-page report submitted by law to the California Department of Motor Vehicles on Dec. 31.

California regulations call for test drivers and steering wheels in autonomous vehicles.

Google's development of self-driving cars has spurred outsized interest around the world, but the company best known for search has disclosed little about its strategy, business plans or ultimate goals.

Without the need to watch the road, people in cars will talk on phones, watch entertainment, purchase consumer goods, among many other options, providing valuable data to Google.

The report, covering the period Sept 24, 2014, when Google began testing on roads of Palo Alto, California, to Nov 30, 2015, found disengagements occurred about every 1,263km in the fourth quarter of 2014. A year later, that had expanded to 8,559km between episodes.

Eighty-nine percent of disengagements occurred on city streets, where more obstacles and stop-and-go traffic make autonomous driving more difficult.

Project director Chris Urmson said Google deliberately tests cars in different weather and times of the day, which explained why some months saw more episodes than others.

Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc, said it kept the threshold for measuring disengagements low to gather as much data as possible to refine the technology.

There were another 69 episodes in which the test driver chose to take control of the vehicle rather than the car signaling to the driver to take control.

Using a simulator to replay the situation, Google found in 13 of these instances its cars would have hit another object had the test driver not taken control. Google said two involved traffic cones, and three were due to "another driver's reckless behaviour." Urmson said the California DMV had not seen the report when it issued draft rules in December restricting how autonomous vehicles could operate for the next three years.

In a related development, Bloomberg reported that Google is aiming to form partnerships with many automakers and suppliers as it develops self-driving cars to reduce traffic accidents and expand mobility for elderly and disabled people, the head of its vehicle project said.

The Alphabet Inc. company wants to announce some of those joint efforts during 2016, John Krafcik, the Google executive, said in Detroit.

Almost every automaker “has been in to speak with us, if only to understand where we are,” Krafcik said. “I don’t know how many we’ll end up having.”

His comments counter speculation that Google would pick a single automaker as its exclusive partner for self-driving cars. Yahoo Autos reported last month that Ford Motor Co. would announce a joint venture with Google on self-driving. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and General Motors Co. have also said they’re talking with Google about developing self-driving cars.


VW speeds up local Tiguan production to meet demand

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia announced today it is ramping up production of the new Tiguan to meet demand.

The company said the Tiguan is now also available in Crimson Red colour.

Launched in April, two variants of the Tiguan are available, the Comfortline which retails at RM148,990, and the Highline, priced at RM168,990.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia managing director Erik Winter said the Tiguan Highline was well-received by Malaysians but the Comfortline has also caught the eyes of those looking for quality, value-for-money German engineering. The model is locally assembled at Volkswagen's plant in Pekan, Pahang.

The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s most successful SUV, with 2.8 million units of the model already sold globally.

The SUV comes with five years’ manufacturer’s warranty and five years’ roadside assistance. For a limited period, the App Connect function is complimentary in the Tiguan Highline.

App Connect offer a choice of three interfaces to connect up smartphones via MirrorLink apps, Apple CarPlay and Google's Android Auto.


Reborn Subaru Impreza costs a small fortune to buy

                LONDON: A road-going restomod which pays tribute to the legendary 1990s Subaru Impreza rally car comes with an eye-watering price tag to match.

Buyers will need to fork out £520,000 (RM2.8mil) for the Prodrive P25 and supply a donor car too. Half the production of just 25 examples has already been sold, said Prodrive, based in the central English town of Banbury.

The Subaru has become a true modern classic, achieving cult status as the ultimate turbocharged four-wheel-drive car when first released as the two-door, street legal Impreza 22B.

Complete with distinctive bonnet air scoop and rear spoiler, the hardcore rally Impreza morphed into the cheaper, four-door WRX version beloved of boy racers and speed freaks the world over.

Genuine examples of the two-door road/rally version are as rare as hen's teeth and they change hands for astronomical sums. Only 424 of the car were built over the years.

The Prodrive restomod uses the same chassis as the first Impreza WRC (world rally car), but with reduced weight, a more powerful engine and improved vehicle dynamics.

Extensive use of carbon composite means the car tips the scales at less than 1,200kg. The latest 2.5 litre flat four engine develops more than 400hp and is mated to a six speed semi-automatic gearbox.

With WRC-derived launch control and anti turbo-lag, the P25 will rocket from from rest to 100kph in under 3.5 seconds.

"By re-imagining this car using the latest technologies and materials the Prodrive P25 pays homage to its roots and there will be little else able to match its performance on the open road," said Prodrive chairman David Richards.


Plug-in hybrids gaining popularity

                BERLIN: Drivers now consider plug-in hybrid vehicles to be more attractive and practical than conventional hybrids, a survey commissioned by GKN Driveline has revealed.

The poll of motorists showed that 75% preferred the idea of plug-ins, with 61.2% agreeing that an electric range of 50km would meet their daily needs.

The independent online survey asked over 1,000 German motorists for their views on driveline technologies such as hybrids and all-wheel drive as well as issues ranging from the environment to their vehicle preferences.

The survey found that although 96% of drivers say they are environmentally conscious to some degree, when it comes to cars, the environment takes a back seat to more practical considerations.

Around 81% say they are wary of hybrids, with 62.8% citing “poor value for money” as the main reason.
Conversely, just 25% described all-wheel drive vehicles as “expensive” to purchase or run, with most associating the technology instead with off-road capability (73%), safety (37%) and higher performance (36%).

These attitudes seem to translate into higher expectations at car dealerships.

Around half of people (49%) expected their car dealership to offer a plug-in hybrid option and 52% agreed that their perfect car would combine plug-in charging with all-wheel drive.

The survey also indicates that the factor most likely to persuade drivers to consider a plug-in hybrid was greater availability of charging points (52%), followed by tax incentives (45%).

Performance improvements (33%) scored slightly higher than environmental concerns (32%).

The survey correlates with Germany’s current vehicle parc, with 2.3% of people using a hybrid as their main vehicle, 23.4% driving diesels and 72.6% driving gasoline.

Just 0.3% of those surveyed currently drive a pure electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.

Over a third (37%) of drivers still believe gasoline engines provide the best driving experience, hybrids came second in the poll with 13.5%, just beating diesels with 12.8%.

Twice as many male drivers chose hybrids (17% compared to 9%), while twice as many women stated that they were unsure (37% compared to 17%).

GKN has been pioneering the introduction of eAxle technology since 2002, launching the industry’s first eAxle applications with PSA Peugeot Citroen.

The company was awarded Official Porsche Technology Partner status for its contribution to the plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder programme.

It launched the world’s first two-speed eAxle in the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and also supplies the eAxle on the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV programme.

"We believe that plug-in hybrids with all-wheel drive make sense – and the public’s positive response to vehicle programmes that offer this combination – like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, BMW i8 and Porsche 918 Spyder – can only continue to grow," said GKN Automotive president of engineering Peter Moelgg.


Range Rover launches special edition Land Rover just for astronauts

                LONDON: Virgin Galactic partner Range Rover has revealed the Range Rover Astronaut Edition — a special edition model exclusively available to those who are members of the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community.

If you're part of Virgin Galactic's Future Astronaut community, meaning that you're an "ordinary citizen" who has signed up to fly to space on the company's SpaceShipTwo aircraft possibly as early as this year, you will have access to a special Astronaut Edition Range Rover inspired by space.

Because the model has been produced by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations and is based on the luxurious Autobiography, it features state-of-the-art technology, as well as unique interior and exterior styling.

The outside is painted in Zero Gravity Blue, a colour designed to emulate the "depth and intensity of the night sky," and features a puddle lamp illumination that displays the silhouette of SpaceShipTwo. Additionally, Astronaut Edition badging has been placed on the tailgate and side profile finishers.

The interior features a crafted piece of the front landing skid — which was also used to form two discs inside the cupholders — that Virgin Spaceship Unity used on its first flight to space last December. On the discs are references to the spaceflight and, when a future astronaut makes his or her own flight, they will be swapped out for discs made of the skid used in their spacecraft with details written on it about their flight.

A motif representing the spaceflight has been placed throughout the interior, on the console drawer lid and on the armrest, and a constellation design is present throughout, as well.

Future astronauts can choose to buy the model with a plug-in hybrid powertrain or a V8 supercharged petrol engine. Neither the price nor release date of the model have been revealed, but it will probably be available at a cost similar to the Range Rover Autobiography which starts at US$143,000 (RM596,000).


Ford poaches exec developing 'Apple Car'

                DETROIT: Call it a Field day for Ford Motor.

The head of Apple Inc's car project, Doug Field, is going to work for Ford Motor Co to lead the automaker's advanced technology and embedded systems efforts, a hiring coup for Ford chief executive Jim Farley.

Field most recently served as vice president of special projects at Apple and was previously senior vice president, engineering at Tesla. Earlier in his career, Field worked at Ford.

In his new role, Field will report to Farley, leading software and connectivity strategy, and working in partnership with Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer, Ford said. Thai-Tang oversees the development and design of cars and trucks, as well as supply chain and other operations, Ford said on Tuesday.

The hire of Field and the management structure created to accommodate him underscore the rising importance of software and digital connectivity in the auto industry.

“This is a watershed moment for our company,” Farley said on a call reporters.

Since taking over as Ford CEO last October, Farley has stressed the importance of developing stronger digital services and connections to generate continuing revenue from consumer and commercial customers.

"The entire customer experience of the future goes through the embedded system," Farley said.

He compared the auto industry to the mobile phone industry when the first iPhone was introduced, and customers saw that a phone could do far more than make a voice call.

Field's move to Ford was first reported by Bloomberg.

It was not clear what Field's decision to leave Apple means for the iPhone maker's efforts to develop a vehicle for its brand.

Industry sources told Reuters last year that Apple was aiming to launch an electric car with advanced battery technology by 2024.

Since then, however, Apple has not disclosed specific plans. Meanwhile, the field of start-ups and established automakers chasing Tesla Inc in China, the United States and Europe has only grown, with the investment of billions of dollars.

Field said on Tuesday he would not talk about his work at Apple.

Apple said in a statement "we’re grateful for the contributions Doug has made to Apple and we wish him all the best in this next chapter."

Field now will take on the challenge of constructively blending Silicon Valley software culture and the auto industry's manufacturing mindset that has frustrated many other executives at established automakers and at tech industry startups, including Tesla.

Field said he plans to keep houses in Silicon Valley and Michigan, the better to have access to talent and technology in the technology sector.

In developing a new digital platform for Ford's future vehicles, Field said he is open to partnerships with technology industry partners, but "we have to control the experience we give to our customers and we have to have control over our destiny."


First glimpse of VW ID. AERO in design sketches

                WOLFSBURG: The Volkswagen brand is looking into the future and releasing exclusive design sketches of the ID. AERO, the first fully-electric limousine for the Chinese automobile market.

At first glance, the new concept car impresses with its outstanding aerodynamics, elegant design and generous space.

The digital world premiere of the pre-production study will take place on June 27.

The future production version of the ID. AERO sees Volkswagen expand its successful ID. family in the high-volume upper-middle class segment, and accelerate its electric offensive within the framework of the ACCELERATE strategy.

Like all models in the ID. family, the elegant new limousine is based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB).

Stylistically, it also follows the unmistakable design language of the ID. family.

For example, the exterior design of the ID. AERO is flowing and precise. Particularly striking features of the pre-production study are the aerodynamic front and roof, which help to reduce energy consumption and increase range.

The production version of the ID. AERO is expected to go on sale in the Chinese automobile market in the second half of 2023.

The corresponding production model for the North American and European market will be presented in 2023.

Production of the series version of the ID. AERO for the European and North American automobile market will then start at the Volkswagen plant in Emden.


German auto giants place their bets on hydrogen cars

                MUNICH: Battery power may be the frontrunner to become the car technology of the future, but don't rule out the underdog hydrogen.

That's the view of some major automakers, including BMW and Audi, which are developing hydrogen fuel-cell passenger vehicle prototypes alongside their fleets of battery cars as part of preparations to abandon fossil fuels.

They are hedging their bets, calculating that a change in political winds could shift the balance towards hydrogen in an industry shaped by early-mover Tesla's decision to take the battery-powered road to clean cars.

Global auto hub Germany is in sharp focus. It is already betting billions on hydrogen fuel in sectors like steel and chemicals to meet climate targets, and closely-fought elections this month could see the Greens enter the coalition government and further push the technology.

BMW is hydrogen's biggest proponent among Germany's carmakers, charting a path to a mass-market model around 2030. The company also has one eye on shifting hydrogen policies in Europe and in China, the world's largest car market.

The Munich-based premium player has developed a hydrogen prototype car based on its X5 SUV, in a project already partly funded by the German government.

Jürgen Guldner, the BMW vice president who heads up the hydrogen fuel-cell car programme, said the carmaker would build a test fleet of close to 100 cars in 2022.

"Whether this (technology) is driven by politics or demand, we will be ready with a product," he said, adding that his team is already working to develop the next generation vehicles.

"We're on the verge of getting there and we're really convinced we'll see a breakthrough in this decade," he said.

VW's premium Audi brand said it had assembled a team of more than 100 mechanics and engineers who were researching hydrogen fuel cells on behalf of the whole Volkswagen group, and had built a few prototype cars.

Hydrogen too costly now

Hydrogen is viewed as a sure bet by the world's biggest truckmakers, such as Daimler AG unit Daimler Truck, Volvo Trucks and Hyundai, because batteries are too heavy for long-distance commercial vehicles.

Yet fuel cell technology - where hydrogen passes through a catalyst, producing electricity - is for now too costly for mass-market consumer cars. Cells are complex and contain expensive materials, and although refuelling is quicker than battery recharging, infrastructure is more scarce.

The fact that hydrogen is so far behind in the race to the affordable market also means even some champions of the technology, like Germany's Greens, favour prioritising battery-powered passenger cars because they see them as the fastest way to reach their main goal of decarbonising transport.

The Greens do, however, back the use of hydrogen fuel for ships and planes and want to invest heavily in "green" hydrogen produced solely from renewable sources.

"Hydrogen will play a highly important role in the transport industry," said Stefan Gelbhaar, the party's transport policy spokesman in the Bundestag.

Politics can be unpredictable though - diesel went from saint to sinner following Volkswagen's Dieselgate emissions-cheating scandal, which came to light in 2015.

Some carmakers view hydrogen technology as an insurance policy as the EU targets an effective ban on fossil-fuel cars from 2035.

Last year, Daimler said it would wind down production of the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, a hydrogen fuel-cell SUV, but a source familiar with company plans said the project could easily be revived if the European Commission or a German government with Green participation decide to promote hydrogen cars.

"We're focusing on (battery) electric first, but we're in close cooperation with our truck guys," said Jörg Burzer, Daimler's head of production, when asked about that approach.

"The technology is always available."

180kph in hydrogen X5

For years Japanese carmakers Toyota, Nissan and Honda, and South Korea's Hyundai, were alone in developing and pushing hydrogen fuel-cell cars, but now they have company.

China is expanding its hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, with several carmakers now working on fuel-cell cars, including Great Wall Motor, which plans to develop hydrogen-powered SUVs.

The EU wants to build more hydrogen fuelling stations for commercial vehicles.

Fitch Solutions auto analyst Joshua Cobb said the bloc was only likely to start pushing hydrogen passengers cars in two to three years' time, given it was still figuring out how to pay for its battery-electric car push and how to obtain enough "green" hydrogen from renewable sources.

But he added: "It's not out of bounds to think if the (German) Greens come into power they could accelerate the push to adopt regulations favouring hydrogen fuel-cell cars."

BMW's Guldner acknowledged hydrogen technology was too expensive to be viable for the consumer market today, but said costs would come down as trucking companies invested in the technology to bring fuel-cell vehicles to market at scale.

To demonstrate BMW's hydrogen X5 prototype, Guldner took Reuters for a spin at 180kph on the autobahn near the carmaker's Munich headquarters and in a few minutes gave it enough fuel to run 500km using a hydrogen gas pump at a Total petrol station.

Guldner said BMW saw hydrogen fuel-cell cars as "complementary" to its future battery electric model range, providing an alternative for customers who cannot charge at home, want to travel far and refuel swiftly. The motor in the hydrogen X5 is the same as BMW's all-electric iX.

"When the future is zero emissions, we believe having two answers is better than one," he added.

A long and winding road

Yet Fitch Solutions' Cobb said that it would still take years before any European policy support for hydrogen-powered cars translated into significant sales.

Indeed, auto consultancy LMC forecasts that various uses of hydrogen - in commercial vehicles, aviation and energy storage - would spur its adoption in passenger cars, but over the longer term.

"We're just not going to get there any time soon," said LMC senior powertrain analyst Sam Adham. LMC estimates in 2030 hydrogen fuel-cell models will make up just 0.1% of sales in Europe, and sales will only take off after 2035.

There remain divisions about the technology's prospects in the global car industry, and even within auto groups.

VW's Audi unit might be researching fuel cells, for example, but Volkswagen group CEO Herbert Diess has been scathing about hydrogen-powered cars.

"The hydrogen car has proven NOT to be the solution to climate change," he said in a tweet this year. "Sham debates are a waste of time."

Stephan Herbst, general manager of Toyota in Europe, has a different view.

Speaking in his role as a member of the Hydrogen Council business group, which forecasts that hydrogen will power more than 400 million cars by 2050, Herbst said he was confident that now governments had set ambitious carbon-reduction targets, they would push hydrogen alongside battery electric cars.

"We strongly believe this is not a question of either or," he added. "We need both technologies."


Brough: Lawrence of Arabia's motorcycle makes French comeback

                PARIS: Brough motorcycles, favourites of the writer, spy and gentleman adventurer T.E. Lawrence, are making a comeback - not in their former home in England, but deep in the southwest of France.

Production of Brough bikes, of which the historic figure known as "Lawrence of Arabia" owned seven, ended in 1940 when the factory in Nottingham was requisitioned for Britain's war effort.

Manufacture didn't resume after the war, but the bike's memory was kept alive over the decades by diehard - and flush - fans, with prices for the bikes sometimes reaching US$600,000 at auction.

In the meantime the motorcycle world embarked on a nostalgic love affair with famed old British brands, with Royal Enfield, now Indian-owned, and Triumph leading the neo-vintage way.

'The most beautiful'

Brough fans had to wait much longer for a revival, which began to take shape only in 2013 when Frenchman Thierry Henriette, a former Toulouse motorbike salesman, met with Briton Mark Upham, who had bought the Brough Superior trademark five years earlier.

Within three months Henriette came up with a prototype for a new Brough that won cheers when he presented it at the Milan bike show.

Henriette started production, first under licence, before taking over the brand in 2018.

"I always thought Brough was the most beautiful motorbike brand," Henriette told AFP.

Production is based near Toulouse in southwest France, but Henriette wanted continuity with the brand's English tradition.

It was an important moment when members of the Brough Superior Club made the trip to France on their 1930s bikes to give the venture their blessing.

'The English will forgive you'

"What we're doing is heritage theft," acknowledged Albert Castaigne, Brough Superior's CEO. "But if you do it well, the English will forgive you."

The memory of T.E. Lawrence, bike lover, supporter of an Arab rebellion during World War I and author of the "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", is a big factor for the longevity of the Brough legend.

Lawrence kept a regular correspondence with Brough's founder George Brough, got a say in the bikes' design, and acquired seven, four of which were S.S. 100s, the model that still gets the hearts of aficionados racing.

He died in the Dorset countryside when he crashed his sixth Brough before he could take delivery of the seventh, a scene memorably captured in David Lean's 1962 epic film starring Peter O'Toole as Lawrence.

The ultra-modern factory in Saint-Jean will deliver around 100 Brough bikes this year, at a price tag of €60,000 to €100,000  (up to RM491,000), with customisation costing extra.

Brough offers three neo-retro models: a contemporary version of Lawrence's S.S. 100, a scrambler and an art-deco effort to mark the brand's centenary.

"We have customers in a dozen countries in Europe, in Russia, Australia, Mexico and soon in the United States," Henriette said.

'Worth the money'

One of them is Patrick Blandinet, a businessman in his 60s based in the French Caribbean department of Guadeloupe, who came over to see the factory, customise his bike and "indulge myself", he said.

"I asked for a gold-leafed logo on the tank," said Blandinet, calling his brand-new bike "a gem" and "worth the money".

The availability of qualified sub-contractors in the Toulouse region, thanks to the Airbus production there, is "indispensable" for Brough, which requires high-value materials including titanium, carbon fibre and speciality steel, Castaigne said.

"You should be able to place every component of the bike on a table and consider them to be both technically accomplished and beautiful," Henriette said.

Brough has also started a collaboration with Aston Martin of James Bond fame, whose first motorcycle, called the AMB01, will be made by Brough.

Ten units of the futuristic-looking Aston Martin bikes are already at the assembly stage.


Jaguar Land Rover develops contactless touchscreen to help fight germs

                LONDON: New contactless touchscreen technology developed by Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge will help keep drivers’ eyes on the road and reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses in a post Covid-19 world.

The patented technology, known as "predictive touch", uses artificial intelligence and sensors to predict a user’s intended target on the touchscreen – whether that’s satellite navigation, temperature controls or entertainment settings – without touching a button.

The pioneering system, developed with engineers at the University of Cambridge, is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero vision – a desire to make its vehicles safer and the environment cleaner and healthier.

In the ‘new normal’ once lockdowns around the world are lifted, a greater emphasis will be placed on safe, clean mobility where personal space and hygiene will carry premiums.

Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are already designed to help improve passenger wellbeing, with innovations including a Driver Condition Monitor, engine noise cancellation and cabin air ionisation with PM2.5 filtration to capture ultrafine particles and allergens.

Lab-tests and on-road trials showed the predictive touch technology could reduce a driver’s touchscreen interaction effort and time by up to 50%, as well as limiting the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Uneven or poor road surfaces can often cause vibrations that make it difficult to select the correct button on a touchscreen. This means drivers must take their attention away from the road, increasing the risk of an accident.

The technology uses artificial intelligence to determine the item the user intends to select on the screen early in the pointing task, speeding up the interaction. A gesture tracker uses vision-based or radio frequency-based sensors, which are increasingly common in consumer electronics, to combine contextual information such as user profile, interface design and environmental conditions with data available from other sensors, such as an eye-gaze tracker, to infer the user’s intent in real time.

This software-based solution for contactless interactions has reached high technology readiness levels and can be seamlessly integrated into existing touchscreens and interactive displays, so long as the correct sensory data is available to support the machine learning algorithm.


Hyundai invests in Autotalks to enhance road safety

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor says it is investing in better road safety through a strategic partnership with Autotalks, a leading technology company that makes Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication chipsets.

The partnership involves Hyundai funding Autotalks to accelerate the development and deployment of the next generation chipset for connected cars.

V2X technology allows vehicles to communicate with one another, with other road users and road infrastructure, enhancing road safety and mobility.

The main focus of any V2X solution is safety. As a reliable non-line-of-sight sensor working in all environments and weather conditions, it helps prevent road collisions and avoid dangerous situations. In manned vehicles, V2X systems convey important information to the driver in the form of alerts and notifications and can also actuate the vehicle in dangerous situations. In autonomous vehicles, V2X complements existing sensors, allowing them to make more informed decisions as well as easing their interaction with other road users.

"Connectivity is one of the core technologies that can be applied to smart city business models, as well as autonomous driving and infotainment,” said Hyundai Motor director of open innovation business group. “Hyundai Motor will continue to invest in disruptive technologies that are in line with Hyundai’s current and future strategic pillars.”

"The funding from Hyundai will fuel Autotalks' technology roadmap as well as support our customers and partners all over the globe," said Autotalks CEO Hagai Zyss.


Toyota, Honda top list of carmakers facing climate-change risks

                TOKYO: Japan’s three biggest carmakers are facing the greatest risk from climate change among global auto companies because much of their manufacturing remains concentrated in the island nation, according to a study by Greenpeace.

Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. will face major challenges ranging from hurricanes and flooding, to high temperatures and water shortages, in the coming years based on where their factories are located, said the environmental-advocacy group, which analysed data from Moody’s ESG Solutions on physical risks.

When it comes to environmental, social and governance issues, the spotlight is usually on the impact that manufacturers have on the climate, or society.

Yet, as changes in the weather make the impact of natural disasters more frequent and intense, carmakers will face "a high level of physical risk” of damage and disruption at their operational facilities as well as supply-chain disruptions, Greenpeace said.

To an extent, the list reflects the realities of geography. The Japanese carmakers,which also have factories in Asia, have facilities scattered across an archipelago that’s susceptible to typhoons.

The word itself means "big wind” in Japanese.

Towards the bottom of the list of major carmakers facing less climate risk are Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV and other European automakers with manufacturing facilities in northern climates.

Even so, Greenpeace singled out Toyota, which scored the highest, as being "reluctant to disclose climate risks in relation to its facilities” and recommended that the company "take more aggressive action to reduce its carbon footprint.”

More than 90% of Toyota’s manufacturing sites are at high risk for at least one climate hazard, according to Greenpeace’s analysis.

Toyota pushed back on the study, saying that it has worked to build a "disaster-resilient supply chain,” disclose its emissions and taken steps to secure water supplies.

Almost 30% of Toyota’s vehicle output came from Japan in the first half.

"Toyota has a solid track record of working within its resources to restore its operations and production in the event of climate change-related disasters, earthquakes and fires with humanitarian assistance and early restoration of affected areas as the utmost priority,” the company said in a statement.

"It is impossible to predict exactly when, where, and what kind of disaster will occur in each country and region, we believe it is more important to create a system and human resources to minimise damage through early restoration and other measures.”

Nissan said it conducts long-term assessments of climate-change risks, and takes that into account when setting strategy for its supply chain.

"We’ll continue to hold a dialog with stakeholders and proactively strengthen our activities,” Nissan spokesman Shiro Nagai said.

A spokesperson from Honda declined to comment on the report, which will be published soon.


Final draw for Diamond FUSO contest

                PETALING JAYA: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd, authorized distributor of FUSO trucks in Malaysia, is calling for the next batch of eligible entries for its Diamond FUSO Contest for a chance to win a Mercedes-Benz GLA and RM130,000 worth of prizes.

With one grand final draw remaining, the contest is open to all FUSO truck owners with vehicles registered between December 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015.

“The first Diamond FUSO contest in 2014 was a huge success receiving over 700 entries. Due to the overwhelming response from our customers, we are delighted to run it for the second year in a row. It is an excellent way for us to acknowledge our customer base and show our appreciation for their continued loyalty. We congratulate all the winners of the first round, and we wish all the contestants the very best in the draws ahead,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles Vice President, Albert Yee.

The first round winners of the 2015 Diamond FUSO mini-draw were announced in June. 20 lucky customers won prizes valued at approximately RM70,000 during the mini draw. The first prize winner, Echemo Trading Sdn Bhd, won a total of RM30,000 worth of holiday vouchers. Focal Aims Land Sdn Bhd and Total Industrial Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd walked away with the second and third place prizes of holiday vouchers worth RM20,000 and RM10,000 respectively.

FUSO truck customers are encouraged to visit the closest FUSO dealership to put themselves in the running for prizes in the grand final draw which will be held in Jan 2016. Final draw prizes include a Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 and vouchers worth RM130,000. Participating customers who missed out on the first mini-draw prizes are still eligible for the grand final draw. All winners of the mini-draws are still eligible for the grand final draw.


Theory test for vocational driving licence abolished, says Transport Minister

                PUTRAJAYA: Those seeking a vocational driving licence will no longer be required to sit for a theory test, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said this exemption was for those applying for vocational licence under the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and Goods Driving Licence (GDL) category.

The applicants will only be asked to attend theory classes before the licence is issued to them.

“In line with the ministry’s digitalisation efforts, theory classes for all categories of vocational licence can be conducted online, through platforms provided by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and driving institutes,” he told a press conference today.

However, it remains compulsory for candidates applying for PSV licence for buses and GDL for articulated lorries to undergo training and pass their practical test before they are given the vocational licence.

Loke said those providing online theory classes must apply modules or syllabus that has been determined by JPJ.

He said the department would also determine conditions to be followed by those providing online platforms to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the candidates.

 Loke announcing the abolishment earlier today.

“Candidates’ data and information will be integrated with the MySIKAP system.

“This will allow vocational licence be issued directly to the candidate without them having to be physically present at the JPJ counters to collect their licence,” he added.

He said that theory classes’ syllabus for all vocational licence categories, especially those involving ehailing and taxi would be reviewed and improvements be made.

The minister said that JPJ and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) would seek input from the industry, adding that the “improved” syllabus would be finalised in six months.

On the extension of the age limit for taxis and ehailing vehicles from 10 to 15 years, Loke said the new ruling applies to all ehailing vehicles nationwide and taxis, airport taxis and luxury taxis in Peninsular Malaysia.

He said those who had stopped providing taxi and ehailing service after their vehicles met the old age limit must re-apply before they could resume their service.

“I must emphasise that the use of vehicles for taxi and ehailing services must pass routine inspections.

“This is to ensure that only vehicles that fulfill technical and safety requirements are licensed to operate and be on the road,” he said.

On April 3, the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) announced that the age limit for taxis and ehailing vehicles had been extended to 15 years, in line with the Transport Ministry’s objective to improve the country’s transport system.


VW to turn Europe’s SEAT brand into mobility platform

                BARCELONA: Volkswagen AG is set to finalise plans this year to turn its mass-market SEAT nameplate into a micromobility platform as it continues to ready its sporty offshoot Cupra for a US launch.

The transformation of the unit, which makes the Leon hatchback and Ibiza compact car, will expand a range of electric scooters and rental services called SEAT Mo, SEAT chief executive officer Wayne Griffiths said in an interview here.

"I see an alternative in the cities to cars and also, perhaps, an alternative to privately-owned cars and more subscription and sharing,” he said.

The plans for SEAT indicate how VW is reshaping its 10-brand offering spanning affordable models to Bentleys and Lamborghinis in the age of battery driving and tech gadgets.

Last year, VW listed Porsche AG with the maker of the 911 sports car now Europe’s most valuable carmaker.

Parent VW is investing €10 billion (RM48bil) to transform SEAT’s facilities in Spain, including the Martorell and Pamplona plants, into a European hub that will make a range of EVs. SEAT will also lead the development of VW group’s small battery cars, where turning a profit is set to be challenging.

SEAT, like other carmakers, is under pressure from new European Union pollution standards for combustion-engine vehicles, saying they would cost about €2,000 per car to implement. This may make a range of models obsolete as the cost of complying with the regulation will be too high, Griffiths said.

The unit last year made just shy of 480,000 vehicles with an operating profit of €179 million.

Its Cupra brand, founded in 2018 with models including the Formentor, in 2022 doubled sales to nearly 153,000 cars with plans for more growth with new all-electric models next year and in 2025 with a mid-term goal to sell 500,000 cars annually.

Cupra is planning to sell a range of electric vehicles in the US and compete with the likes of Tesla Inc. and Nio Inc., Griffiths said. Entering the market would require a manufacturing facility in the region, he said.

"We could be a successful niche brand because we see other brands who are our competitors in Europe also making steps toward the US,” he said, referring to Renault SA’s plans to launch its Alpine sports car.

"If we want to be looking at the US before the end of the decade then we need to make decisions on product now.”