GM and Amazon discuss backing electric truck maker Rivian

                DETROIT: General Motors Co. and Amazon.com Inc. are in talks about investing in electric-vehicle maker Rivian Automotive LLC in a deal valuing the startup at US$1 billion to US$2 billion, said people familiar with the matter.

The Plymouth, Michigan-based startup is working on electric pickup and sport utility vehicle and debuted concept versions at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Talks are progressing but a deal isn’t close yet, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private.

Trucks and SUVs are gas-guzzling cash cows for Detroit automakers. An investment in Rivian could help GM get an electric pickup to market faster and help ward off upstarts such as Tesla Inc. For Amazon, investing in Rivian would signal an ambition to shift a portion of the massive vehicle fleet that delivers its packages to zero-emission vehicles.

“Rivian is being cast in the same light as Tesla, a startup that’s outside the inner circle of the auto industry, and that’s appealing to GM,” said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting at researcher LMC Automotive. “GM could clearly do an electric pickup itself -- it has the technology and a strong base of pickup buyers. But they don’t have Rivian’s image and separation.”

Barra’s hint

GM has dropped hints that a plug-in pickup could be a possibility. When asked at an investor conference in January whether the company will sell one, Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra replied to an analyst: “You’ll have to stay tuned.”

“We admire Rivian’s contribution to a future of zero emissions and an all-electric future,” Pat Morrissey, a GM spokesman, said in a statement. Representatives for Amazon and Rivian declined to comment.

Reuters reported the talks between the three companies earlier Tuesday.

Like Tesla, Rivian acquired a vehicle assembly plant for a bargain from an established automaker. It bought a factory in Illinois for just US$16 million from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in early 2017. Tesla builds its electric cars at a facility shuttered by Toyota Motor Corp. after GM pulled out of a joint-manufacturing venture as part of its 2009 bankruptcy.

Rivian executives have said their R1T electric pickup will be able to reach 60 miles an hour in three seconds and tow 11,000 pounds. Deliveries are expected to start in 2020.

Amazon angle

Parcel delivery is an ideal use for electric autos, as the vehicles can begin and end trips at designated charging points and take anxiety over battery range out of the equation.

Amazon is expanding its delivery capabilities through a network of independent contractors. Some drive their own vehicles, guided by an Amazon smartphone app. Others lease fleets of vans from Daimler AG’s Mercedes or Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Ram and hire teams of drivers.“This gives Amazon the ability to jump into the automotive space,” Schuster said.

“They’re probably thinking of delivery applications. And this gives them a safe entree.”

Amazon last year announced a delivery service partner program that encouraged entrepreneurs around the country to start their own businesses by hiring drivers and leasing vans to make deliveries. The company helps by securing discounts on van leases, insurance and other expenses and offers a steady stream of business.

In just a few months, Amazon had more than 100 new businesses around the country making deliveries on its behalf and continues to recruit for the partners program.

The rapid growth of Amazon’s e-commerce business has put pressure on the company to expand capacity and reduce its reliance on its delivery partners that include United Parcel Service Inc., FedEx Corp. and the U.S. Postal Service.

Betting on Rivian would be Amazon’s second auto investment in short order. The company was among the participants in a US$530 million funding round that self-driving startup Aurora Innovation Inc. announced this month.


Toyota Mirai: First drive of a hydrogen-powered car

It’s exciting times ahead as we head to Tokyo for a quick spin in Toyota’s hydrogen-powered Mirai.

IT’S not about clairvoyance when we talk about the future because in this case we literally had the opportunity to not just take a peek, but sample what Toyota is banking on to be the future of mobility - the Mirai.

The Japanese word mirai means “future” and Toyota is offering this hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) sooner than some may have anticipated.

You see, the water-producing Mirai is not just ready for production, better yet, it’s ready to go on sale - try early this year in California, where 17 more stations will be built with an additional 28 next year.

The Mirai is Toyota’s solution to carbon-dioxide emissions, pollution, global warming, our dependence on fossil fuels and the fluctuation of crude oil prices.

So off we were whisked to the land of the rising sun, where we were greeted by gloomy skies, rain and strong winds with temperatures ranging between zero and nine degrees Celsius.

It was a cold and extremely wet morning as journalists gathered at a large vacant carpark, just outside of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, where the Mirai awaited.

The Mirai’s styling is definitely a “one-of-a-kind”, though it was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, but its styling cues could do with a revision or two, to say the least.

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but unfortunately, the Mirai’s design doesn’t seem to agree with many.

For one, the front left and right air intake grilles simply overwhelm the squinty LED lights and its muscular rear haunches and bulky rear-end helps to belittle the Mirai’s 17-inch aluminium wheels.

But this is a mode of transportation that’s going to revolutionize mobility and industry; not just helping to rid our earlier mentioned dependencies, but also address the issues of range and recharge times faced by electric vehicles (EV).

How far can the Mirai go?

About 481km according to Toyota, and it’ll take just three minutes to fully fill its two tanks - 62.4 litres just before the boot and 60 litres under the rear sofa seat, for a combined capacity of 122.4 litres (5kg) worth of hydrogen.

To create an electrical charge, the compressed hydrogen is sent through a platinum-coated membrane that separates its electrons and protons - the electrons are delivered to the electric motor while the protons mix with the air and voila - water is produced as a by-product.

Toyota employs a newly-designed high-pressure (700 bar) tank that’s 40% stronger than conventional ones and splits the storage for better weight distribution.

The tanks utilise a plastic liner to seal in its hydrogen content while a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic layer encases it to provide better pressure resistance with another layer of glass fibre-reinforced plastic layer added over it for a little more protection.

With the added strength, the thickness of the tank’s wall has been reduced by 15mm - from 40mm to 25mm, thus reducing the initial number of tanks from four to two.

Although a little thinner, Toyota was quick to indicate that they’ve crash tested these tanks up to a speed of 80kph and were happy to report that there were no fractures or any form of deformation found on the tanks.

In terms of cost, it’s also more affordable compared to earlier systems - thanks to a reduction in expensive exotic materials and parts used.

The Mirai is still equipped with a small nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, but that’s just for storing an electrical charge from its regenerative braking system and can be used to aid in acceleration.

Inside, The cabin is comfortably spacious, providing plenty of shoulder, head and leg room, which is just a little more than a Camry’s.

Inside, attention is drawn towards the centrally-mounted high-definition 4.2-inch LCD display, located just below the central meter cluster and its highly polished touch panel that’s simply a magnet for fingerprints and dust.

We weren’t able put the Mirai’s impressive range to the test (being in a carpark and all), but instead it was an opportunity to experience some of its performance.

From a standing start, flooring the accelerator will deliver the electric motor’s 150bhp and 335Nm of torque to the front wheels with urgency (even with a kerb-weight of 1,850kg), much like a battery-equipped EV would perform.

According to Toyota, the Mirai’s silent 0-100kph sprint takes just over 9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 180kph, but unfortunately we weren’t able to test that out either.

However, during acceleration there’s some whine tip-toeing its way into the cabin, in addition to some tyre noise, but other than those it’s a silent affair thanks to the double-paned windows that’s usually found in Lexus models to help rid wind-noise.

Following the short accelerative burst, its was hard on the brakes before a tight right turn on the thoroughly wet miniature course, but drama was no where to be seen.

Instead, we were surprise to note the firm suspension and lack of roll from the left-right chicane that was followed by a left hair-pin turn - allowing the Mirai’s rigid chassis and firm-yet-comfortable suspension to shine.

For obvious reasons, Malaysia will not be getting the Mirai any time soon, not till we begin building refilling stations, but we do have plants that dot the country producing the gas, so it may take a while till we see both the car and a refilling station.

The Mirai should not be judged like a book’s cover.

But this vehicle should be recognised for its abilities to address environmental, economic and technological issues.

With Toyota’s confidence and abilities in hydrogen technology, it’s currently an exciting point in time as we could potentially witness fossil-fuels begin its fade-out to make way for a new era in mobility — a hydrogen one.


Driver who tried to evade roadblock and drove against traffic flow caught at home

                IPOH: Police arrested a 34-year-old man who drove against the flow of traffic along the North-South Expressway near Sungkai.

Tapah OCPD Supt Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the man was returning to Bidor from Klang for Deepavali after undergoing a Covid-19 test in Klang.

“When he realised there was a police roadblock at the exit of the Sungkai toll, he reversed his Perodua Axia (before reaching toll booth), and drove 1.4km against the flow of traffic on the north-bound lane.

Supt Wan Azharuddin described the incident that took place at about 6pm on Wednesday at KM355: “A Toyota Rush on the right lane could not avoid the Axia, crashed head on and spun a few times, while a trailer transporting glove-making machines also crashed into it.”

“The driver of the Toyota Rush from Kedah sustained minor injuries, while the suspect and the trailer driver were not injured,” he said, adding that when police arrived, the suspect’s car was not at the scene.

Supt Wan Azharuddin said the Axia driver was arrested at his house in Bidor at about 11am yesterday. The case will be investigated under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz CLS 300 d (AMG Premium)

                BANGKOK: Mercedes-Benz launched its powerful new CLS 300 d in AMG Premium trim at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show, with a price tag of 4,980,000 Baht (RM616,052).

Engine: 1,950cc 4-cylinder in-line diesel biturbo with intercooler
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic Power: 245hp at 4,200rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,600 - 2,400rpm
0-100km/h sprint: 6.4 seconds

There is a five-seat layout to the CLS for the first time, and backrests can be folded down when required in a 40/20/40 ratio, expanding the generous 520 litres boot.

The AUDIO 20 GPS is a standard infotainment, widescreen cockpit with two 12.3-inch displays.

Other key appointments include a touchpad controller, illuminated doorsills with the Mercedes-Benz Star, sporty pedals, and the Premium Ambient Lighting system which offers 64 preset cabin ambient colours.

It also has KEYLESS-GO vehicle entry system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Active Light System (ALS) for headlamps and their beams to adapt to the vehicle’s turning angle, Parking Pilot including Active Parking Assist, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC for a safe tailgating distance, and a preinstalled navigation system.

A Burmester Surround Sound System is standard along with an in-cabin connectivity system with compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other highlights include an electronically-operated panoramic sunroof, AMG-designed front and rear bumpers as well as side skirts, calipers imprinted with Mercedes-Benz Star, five twin-spoke, 19-inch sport alloy wheels made by AMG, MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, and LED with fibre optic tail lamps.


Bentley Mulliner to showcase its handiwork at Salon Privé

                LONDON: Salon Privé will be welcoming Bentley back to Blenheim Palace from Sept 23-26, when the legendary British marque will unveil a three-strong showcase hand-crafted by Bentley Mulliner.

Salon Privé is now recognised as one of the top events in the world alongside Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Bentley Mulliner is the company's in-house bespoke division, which now operates a trio of portfolios.

All three portfolios will be represented together for the first time at Salon Privé.

A new member of the Mulliner Collections family will be unveiled, alongside the public debut for the Mulliner Bacalar and a post-restoration debut for one of the most famous Bentleys in history.

The Mulliner Bacalar – the rarest two-door Bentley of the modern era, and the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury – will make its public debut at Salon Privé.

Just 12 examples of this striking, limited-edition model – which draws on design DNA from the award-winning EXP 100 GT concept car – are being created, guaranteeing rarity and exclusivity, and offering supreme luxury and breath-taking performance.

Each model will be hand-crafted in Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe according to the individual customer’s personal tastes, and the Bacalar is the first car to be created as part of Bentley Mulliner’s new Coachbuilt portfolio.

To celebrate the history of Mulliner, Bentley will also bring two very special cars from the Heritage Collection. An 8 Litre that was previously the company car of WO Bentley himself – and wearing an HJ Mulliner body – will lead a convoy of modern Bentleys arriving at the event.

It will be joined in that procession by perhaps the most iconic Mulliner-bodied car in history – the R-Type Continental of 1952. Still considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time, it was the fastest four-seater of the era.

Salon Privé Director David Bagley said: "We are very proud to be hosting so many hugely significant world debuts this year, and we’re honoured that Bentley has chosen the magnificent surroundings of Blenheim Palace in which to introduce the very latest members of its exclusive Bentley Mulliner portfolios.

"With Salon Privé being renowned for quality and luxury, it’s the perfect fit, and the procession of cars arriving at the Palace should be a fabulous sight."


Nissan to discuss Saikawa successors at meeting today, says source

Saikawa with Ghosn in a 2017 file pic before the scandal broke. — Reuters
TOKYO/PARIS: Nissan Motor Co’s nominating committee will discuss potential successors for chief executive Hiroto Saikawa at a meeting today, after he privately signalled his readiness to resign, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

The resignation of Saikawa, a protege of former chairman Carlos Ghosn, would mark the latest upheaval over governance at the troubled Japanese automaker. The company has struggled to right itself following Ghosn’s dramatic arrest and subsequent ouster last year.

It was swept up again in crisis when Saikawa last week admitted to being improperly overpaid and in violation of internal procedures. That admission followed an internal investigation.

Nissan’s board is scheduled to meet today. The company, and its relationship with top shareholder Renault SA, has been damaged following Ghosn’s arrest for alleged financial misconduct in November and subsequent departure.

“The nominating committee will also meet today and discuss the selection of successor and the timing of the resignation,” the source said, requesting anonymity because the information has not been made public.

“Saikawa isn’t at all clinging to his president’s chair.”

The timing of Saikawa’s resignation was not immediately clear. He has told some executives of his intention to resign, the source said.

The chief executive earlier told reporters that he wanted to “pass the baton” to the next generation as soon as possible, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

Nissan was not immediately available to comment.

Pressure has mounted on Saikawa given the company’s poor performance and strained ties with Renault. Profit has tumbled to an 11-year low and prompted hefty job cuts.

An alliance source told Reuters that a nominations committee established in June to find a successor to Saikawa had drawn up a shortlist containing more than 10 possible candidates.

Names included Jun Seki, who is overseeing the company’s performance recovery, chief competitive officer Yasuhiro Yamauchi, and Makoto Uchida, chairman of Nissan’s management committee in China, one of its largest markets, said the alliance source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

The search and vetting process would likely take about six months as the committee considered both Japanese and non-Japanese candidates for the role, a third person with knowledge of the issue has previously told Reuters.


Covid-19, electric vehicles to reshape Thailand’s auto industry

                BANGKOK: The Covid-19 pandemic is accelerating the remaking of Thailand’s automotive industry, the backbone of Southeast Asia’s auto sector, as factory shutdowns compound a shift towards electric vehicles.

Thailand’s auto-related businesses, which employ 900,000, are reopening after months of coronavirus shutdowns, promising relief for many laid-off workers.

But there’s a catch: Thailand’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) could pummel the local auto industry because it is dominated by hundreds of parts makers, while EVs require just 10% to 20% as many parts as internal-combustion vehicles.

With an estimated one-third of a million jobs at risk, Thai auto-parts makers are scrambling into industries like medical equipment, a trend likely to keep reshaping Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy after the pandemic passes.

“We are all worried ... this is a sunset industry,” said Kasem Tiankanon, manager at Siam Filter Products Ltd.

The Bangkok-based company has avoided laying off any of its hundreds of workers by offsetting the drop in orders from automakers with an increase in replacement parts.

The company is looking to branch out into making filters for industrial and medical use and is developing a new kind of protective mask.

“We cannot just stay in the auto business,” Kasem said. “If you don’t adjust, you’ll die.”

Others moved to packaging and aviation.

“It’s a pivot to industries that use the same processes because there is already expertise in machining,” said Sompol Tanadumrongsak, head of the Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association.

The coronavirus damage to car demand will crush Thailand’s output by almost half to 1.14 million vehicles this year, research firm IHS Markit forecasts.

Parts makers, which account for some 80% of the country’s auto-industry workers, have laid off 20,000, a number that could hit 100,000 by year end, said Manit Promkareekul, president of the Automobile Labour Congress of Thailand.

EV prospects are brighter.

Global sales will rise 6% this year to 2.3 million vehicles before exploding to 45 million by 2030, the International Energy Agency forecasts.

Steering to electric

Even before the new coronavirus struck, Thailand’s parts makers were starting to shift gears as the global car industry moves towards EVs, spurred by the likes of Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc.

The government in March targeted EVs at 30% of production, or 750,000 vehicles, by 2030, initially for domestic use in a bid to curb pollution.

Truck-chassis maker Sammitr Group last month received approval for a US$170 million project to make 30,000 battery-power vehicles a year in a joint venture with a Chinese company.

In 2018, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co received approval for investments worth a combined US$888 million to produce hybrid electric vehicles and batteries.

To be sure, Thailand faces competition from other countries in gaining factories for the expected EV boom. Toyota Motor Corp last year announced a US$2 billion EV investment in Indonesia.

But even if Thailand attracts more EV production, 800 auto-parts companies and more than 325,000 jobs could be at risk because an EV uses 1,500 to 3,000 parts, versus 30,000 in a traditional gasoline vehicle, said Kiriya Kulkolkarn at Thammasat University.

Calls for government help

Great Wall Motor Co, China’s top pickup truck maker, took over two General Motors Co plants in Thailand in February to make sports-utility vehicles and pickups - but held back from EV production.

Great Wall would need more support from the government to produce EVs, vice president Steven Wang told Reuters.

EV incentives from Thailand’s Board of Investment have expired, and now the board is exploring new measures to attract investors, said secretary-general Duangjai Asawachintachit.

What is needed to ensure Thailand’s competitiveness are steps to provide clarity to investors and customers, said Kiranee Tammapiban-udom of Maverick Consulting Group.

“The industry is approaching an inflection point,” she said. “It will be left behind if policies do not accommodate EV manufacturing, its ecosystem and consumption.”


BMW aims for 7 million electrified vehicles by 2030

                MUNICH: BMW aims to put more than seven million vehicles with electrified drive systems on the road worldwide by 2030, two thirds of them all-electric variants.

As a result of the massive expansion of electric mobility, emissions produced by BMW Group vehicles per kilometre driven will be reduced by around 40 percent by the year 2030.

Vehicles of the BMW and MINI brands featuring electrified drive systems are now offered in 74 markets worldwide, where more than 500,000 electrified vehicles were sold by 2019. By the end of 2021, this figure is expected to increase to over a million.

In spite of pandemic-related restrictions, more vehicles from the BMW Group were sold during the first half of 2020 than in the corresponding previous-year period.

The X3 is the first model available either with highly efficient petrol and diesel engines including 48-volt mild hybrid technology, with a plug-in hybrid drive system or all-electric drive system.

In future, further series models with electrified and with conventional drive systems will be built on a single production line. For example, the next generation of luxury sedans of the 7 Series will be offered also as a purely electric model variant.

Also the high-volume series 5 and X1 will be brought to market not only with conventional internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrid systems, but also with all-electric drive units.

Electrification of drive systems is an integral part of the future field D-ACES (Design, Autonomous, Connected, Electrified und Services/Shared) defined by the BMW Group in their NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy.

Today, the BMW Group boasts the widest selection of corresponding vehicles worldwide. These models also retain sporty characteristics, an expressive design and built with advanced technology.

The fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology is celebrating its premiere in the all-electric iX3.

BMW relies on the in-house development of all components for eDrive technology. One example of the advancements achieved in this way is the high-voltage battery for the i3, the storage capacity of which has doubled since the launch of this model despite unchanged installation space.


US pledges US$4bil to speed self-driving cars

                WASHINGTON: The US administration pledged Thursday to help clear the way for autonomous vehicles with an investment of US$4bil (RM18bil) to fund research and testing projects.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx made the announcement in Detroit, flanked by executives from Google and auto manufacturers General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Volvo, Fiat Chrysler and Honda.

"Much needs to be done to create the transportation system of the 21st century," Foxx said at the North American International Auto Show.

He said the Obama administration plans to ask for funding to speed up the introduction and use of autonomous vehicles, saying it would help reduce the congestion and improve road safety.

The initiative also aims to improve the US transportation system and vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology which helps cars avoid obstacles and accidents through better awareness of the surrounding environment.

"We are on course for a future where congestion will only get worse," said Foxx, adding that in the future 75 percent of the US population will be concentrated in 11 "mega regions."

Foxx said that because most accidents are caused by human error, autonomous vehicles can eliminate many road fatalities.

"By my simple math, that means that autonomous cars could have saved 25,000 lives last year," he said.

The agency is proposing that some funds be made available to local governments to develop the kind of infrastructure needed to increase the effectiveness of vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

Such an infrastructure can give drivers up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, or even automatically stop a vehicle short of crash by automatically applying brakes.

Foxx said DOT will propose rule changes over the next six months that will make it easier for car makers to install autonomous driving features in their vehicles.

DOT also will draft model legislation for could be used by various states and make it easier to introduce automated vehicles.

John Krafcik, who heads Google Cars, welcomed effort, saying that to implement these changes "you need to have a clear path and guard rails and DOT is offering to provide that."

Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president for vehicle development, said he believes the initiative will help automakers as they move into an area where the technology is evolving rapidly.

GM, Ford Motor Co, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai have and all said they are actively working on autonomous driving, and have unveiled features such as automatic braking and automated steering that allow the driver to let go of the steering wheel.

The Mercedes-Benz E Class introduced earlier this week is capable of driving by itself, although it still requires attention a driver's attention.

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's chief executive officer, told the Automotive News World Congress that Nissan has been a pioneer in autonomous vehicles and expects to have a fully autonomous vehicle on the road by 2020.

The DOT said it was working with automakers to develop common technical standards for autonomous cars and for vehicles to vehicle communication.

The agency also said it would work with automakers on rule-making, and confirmed that a self-parking system developed by Germany's BMW meets federal safety regulations.


Two million vehicles expected on NSE for Aidiladha

                KUALA LUMPUR: The "balik kampung" exodus in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration is expected to see a drastic increase in traffic volume along the North-South Expressway (NSE) as an estimated two million vehicles are expected to ply the route until Thursday (June 29).

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) senior general manager (operations) Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz said the highway concessionaire would be issuing a "travel time advisory" for road users, planning to travel on the expressway starting tomorrow till July 2.

"We urge road users to plan their travel time based on the advisory when not only leaving to their respective destinations, but also when they return from their hometowns after the festival.

"However, traffic flow will also depend on incidents like accidents and other unexpected occurrences along the expressway,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Yusuf also said PLUS would activate its "SmartLane" at five locations along its expressways to help alleviate traffic congestion.

The stretches are between Port Dickson Interchange to Seremban Interchange between kilometre (km) 260.0 to KM263.1 northbound and Senai Utara Interchange to Kulai Interchange between KM19.0 to KM27.0 northbound.

Other locations include the Gua Tempurung to Gopeng stretch (KM306.7 to KM297.0 - Northbound), the Slim River to Sungkai stretch (KM367.3 to KM354.1 - Northbound), and the Rawang Rest and Service Area - Sungai Buaya Interchange (KM439.9 to KM435.5 - Northbound).

"At these SmartLane locations, highway users will be allowed to temporarily enter and drive on the emergency lane before being directed back to the main lanes to continue their journey," said Mohd Yusuf.

Based on the advisory, for travel from tomorrow till Thursday, road users from the Klang Valley heading to Perak (Kuala Kangsar-Bukit Merah), Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Johor are advised to enter the expressway before 10am.

Meanwhile, those travelling to nearer destinations like Perak (Tanjung Malim-Ipoh), Negri Sembilan and Melaka are advised to enter the expressway between noon and 3pm.

For the return journey to Klang Valley from June 30 to July 2, road users from Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor are advised to enter the expressway before 10am.

Apart from the advisory, road users are urged to use the PLUS Application, Waze or Google Map for the latest traffic reports.

Road users can also obtain information about traffic status through Twitter @PLUSTrafik, PLUS Application, Chatbot PUTRI, electronic Vehicle Message Sign (VMS) at selected locations or by monitoring traffic reports on main radio channels.


Peugeot to reveal new Lion emblem for future range of electrified cars

                PARIS: Peugeot said today it will unveil a redesigned Lion emblem on a new model to underscore its transition towards electrification.

The new emblem would be revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Adapted from the brand’s familiar ‘MOTION & EMOTION’ signature introduced in 2010, the new ‘MOTION & e-MOTION’ wording signals the start of Peugeot’s plan to provide a fully electrified Peugeot range by 2023.

The new Lion emblem would include green and blue dichroic light effects and reflections on its sculpted surfaces.

Created by Peugeot’s Design Lab to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Peugeot emblem, the existing Lion debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show to visualise the pride and strength of the brand.

The MOTION & e-MOTION tagline has already been used to drive Peugeot’s electric ambitions with the Peugeot e-LEGEND concept unveiled last year, and will be instrumental to the PHEV technology introduced at the end of 2019 in models including the 3008 SUV, all-new 508 Fastback and 508 SW.


New Ford Focus ST Edition promises more intense fun

                LONDON: Ford today announced a new, special edition version of the Focus ST five-door hot hatchback that enhances driving dynamics with upgraded suspension and light-weight wheels for ultimate road and track driving experiences, alongside unique exterior and interior specifications.

The Focus ST Edition is available to order in selected European markets, including the UK priced from £35,785 (RM208,000).

The most dynamic version yet of the fourth generation Focus ST offers driving enthusiasts the opportunity to tailor the driving dynamics to their personal preference using a Ford Performance-tuned adjustable coilover suspension system.

Cornering responses and driving dynamics are further enhanced with standard flow-formed alloy wheels that reduce unsprung weight, and Sports Technologies including a hydraulically-activated electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) and selectable Drive Modes, including Track Mode, contributing to an even more rewarding and confident Focus ST driving experience.

Ford Performance has developed the Focus ST Edition exclusively in five-door hatchback body style to ensure the lowest possible weight for optimised control and precision, and with the 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission, 1 for maximum driver engagement.

A unique exterior is distinguished by an Azura Blue finish unavailable elsewhere in the Focus line-up, eye-catching high gloss black detailing and a distinctive black roof. Interior enhancements include part-leather Recaro sports seats, blue detail stitching and a red ST starter button.

“The new Focus ST Edition takes the hot hatchback to a new level of handling precision and control,” said Stefan Muenzinger, Ford Performance manager, Europe. “Not only does it offer increased poise and responsiveness for the enthusiast, but also gives the ability to tailor the feel and handling balance of the car to the customer.”

The Focus ST Edition will arrive with customers featuring a factory chassis configuration that has been extensively tested and developed by Ford Performance, including at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Fine-tuned to optimise balance and control through corners while working hand-in-hand with the vehicle’s high-performance powertrain, the chassis also offers drivers the flexibility to further tailor suspension settings to their specific driving style or environment.

The two-way adjustable coilover suspension system, produced by motorsport specialists KW Automotive, features twin-tube stainless steel damper housings and powder-coated springs, with a distinctive Ford Performance Blue finish.

Focus ST Edition’s ride height is lowered 10 mm front and rear compared with the standard Focus ST, with a further adjustment of 20 mm available to the customer. Spring rates are increased by more than 50 per cent compared with the standard Focus ST.

Twelve jounce settings – the degree of upward damper movement allowed as the wheel contacts a bump in the road, and 16 rebound settings – the speed at which the damper returns to position after an upward movement, give Focus ST drivers an even greater degree of control over cornering responses.

The Focus ST Edition is also supplied with a technical document providing recommended suspension settings for a variety of driving conditions – including a dedicated setting for the Nürburgring – to help performance driving enthusiasts fine-tune their driving experiences.

The lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels, equipped as standard with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, reduce unsprung mass by 10 per cent at each corner of the vehicle.

The wheels are constructed using a flow forming process, which compacts the aluminium alloy to retain tensile strength and increase shock resistance while using less material. The lightened wheels improve tyre contact with the road for enhanced grip and responses.

The Focus ST Edition continues to utilise sophisticated Sports Technologies to enhance performance, including an innovative eLSD that uses hydraulically activated clutches to redistribute up to 100 per cent of the available torque to the wheel with more traction to counteract wheelspin. Faster-acting and more precise than a conventional mechanical LSD, the system can pre-emptively adjust torque based on inputs from engine and vehicle sensors.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost all-aluminium engine uses a low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger alongside an optimised air intake and exhaust system to deliver 280 PS of power at 5,500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm. Anti-lag technology inspired by the Ford GT supercar and F-150 Raptor pick-up also delivers even faster power delivery in Sport and Track drive modes.

Acceleration from 0-100kph takes 5.7 seconds, with standing start performance supported by flat-shift capability that holds the throttle open when the clutch is disengaged during upshifts through the six-speed manual gearbox. The Focus ST Edition can reach a top speed of 250kph.

Drivers can also use selectable Drive Modes 2 to adjust eLSD, throttle mapping, electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) and electronic stability control (ESC) characteristics to match the driving scenario. A dedicated Track mode provides the sharpest responses and the most freedom within the ESC system for the maximum driver feedback and engagement.

The Focus ST Edition joins the existing, Ford Performance-developed Focus ST line-up that offers five-door and wagon body styles, 280 PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol 1 and 190 PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines, and a seven-speed automatic transmission option for the EcoBoost petrol.


BMW M5 slammed with 21-inch ADV.1 wheels

                Forget 'lowered', think 'slammed', because that's the only way to roll these days when it comes to aftermarket wheels by ADV.1 for a BMW M5 (F10).

While dressed in Black Sapphire Metallic body panels, the uber road-hugging M5 has been fitted with ADV.1's flagship ADV15R Track Spec CS directional wheels measuring 21x9.5-inch (front) and 21x11-inch (rear).

The three-piece lightweight 6061 T6 treated forged aluminium wheels feature a Matte Bronze finish for the wheel front and a Glossed Brushed Manbronze finish for the lips, and have undergone in-house machining, engineering and mill-programming.

Available wheel sizes start from 18 to 22-inch diameters and from 4.5 to 15.5+ inches in width.


PLUS closes Shah Alam Toll Plaza due to flash floods

                PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd has totally closed its Shah Alam Toll Plaza and interchange due to a flash flood at 2pm today.

In a statement at 6.25pm today, it said mandatory exits have been activated at the Subang and Seafield toll plazas for both southbound and northbound traffic.

The entry lane at Bukit Raja and the Setia Alam Ramp to Shah Alam were also closed.

Highway customers who are cut off between Setia Alam to Shah Alam and Subang towards Shah Alam/Elite are required to make an emergency U-turn via a temporary access provided by PLUS.

PLUS has alerted all highway customers via its Variable Messaging System (VMS) about the closure and will release further information as soon as it becomes available.

Updated information will also be posted on the PLUS website, www.plus.com.my and social media platforms including PLUS Malaysia Facebook and Twitter.

Continuous downpours since Friday in Selangor - the highest rainfall ever recorded - have resulted in extensive flooding throughout the state.

Selangor Department of Irrigation and Drainage had said rainfall had exceeded 380mm.

"This is more than twice the highest recorded rainfall for Selangor, which is around 180mm and the average rainfall is only around 60mm," said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Search-and-rescue authorities and people in low-lying areas in at least six states are bracing for the worst.

Floodwaters, which started rising last night in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Melaka, have rendered several roads impassable, kept people overnight in their stranded cars and thrown operations out of schedule at Port Klang.

Several areas in the Klang Valley, including the federal capital, have not been spared.


600hp Bentley Bentayga makes regional debut in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Bentley's first luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) - the Bentayga - made its Southeast Asian debut today here and is priced at S$900,000 (RM2.58mil without COE).

It is due for launch next in Taiwan, with Malaysia getting it in the second half at an estimated price of RM1.9mil.

"We are very excited to introduce the world's first ultra-luxury SUV, the Bentley Bentayga, to  Singapore. The Bentayga offers so much individuality that each and every customer can create something truly luxurious and extraordinary," said Bentley Motors regional manager Asia Pacific David Jackson.

The Bentayga comes with a six-cylinder de-activation system and is powered by a 6.0-litre (5,950cc) twin-turbo W12 engine producing 600bhp from 5,000 to 6,000rpm and 900Nm of torque from 1,350 to 4,500rpm. Bentley claims this is "the fastest, most powerful and most luxurious" SUV in the world - at least for now.

To handle all that power, a permanent all-wheel drive system is standard, and power is routed to both axles via a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Bentagya owner has a choice of wheel sizes ranging from 20, 21 or 22-inch, wearing nothing less than Pirelli tyres.

An electronic power assisted steering system takes care of directional stability, while the partially hidden six-piston (front) and sliding (rear) callipers bite down on 400mm and 380mm discs respectively.

While the bonnet is made of aluminium and the front fender of superformed aluminium, the monocoque is of an aluminium-steel combination, which uses a self-levelling air suspension with continuous damping control.

This provides the Bentayga with four ride heights for the front four-link double wishbones and rear trapezoidal multi-link and an optional 48V electric active anti-roll control system helps further improve comfort levels.

Other external goodies include LEDs for the front headlights, rear light clusters and daytime running lights.

Inside, there's 430-litres of boot space and the cabin makes use of an eight-inch central touchscreen with gesture control, navigation with 3D display and a 60GB solid-state hard drive (11GB dedicated for onboard music). The launch model here was configured as a 4-seater though customers can also order it as a 5-seater. A 7-seater is in the pipeline.

Furthermore, there's two SD card slots, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, 4G telephone module with Wi-Fi hotspot and 30 language sets for text to speech and voice recognition.

The list of available optional extras include digital TV, two 10-inch Rear Sear Entertainment (Android) tablets with full connectivity to car and outside, integrated webcam and onboard memory as well as a touchscreen remote for rear cabin control.

In terms of entertainment, the Betayga has a six-channel, 10-speaker sound system as standard, but can be upgraded to a 12-speaker Signature Audio 700W system instead or to a 1,800W Naim for Bentley Premium Audio system with 19 channel and 18-speakers.

For safety, there's 10-airbags, anti-lock braking system, traction control, brake force distribution, electronic stability control, hill descent control and electronic differential lock.

The safety kit can be further expanded to include more Driver Assistance systems such as high beam assist, blind spot warning, exit warning, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian warning, rear crossing traffic warning, top view and park assist.

The list is rounded off with the availability of stop-go functionality, heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, predictive adaptive cruise control, traffic assist, active lane assist, night vision, Bentley Safeguard, trailer assist and trailer sway mitigation.


SsangYong XAVL SUV concept to debut in Geneva

                GENEVA: SsangYong will unveil its XAVL SUV concept at the 2017 International Geneva Motor Show in March.

The XAVL is a further iteration of the XAV concept which was presented at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015.

Inspired by the classic Korando model of the 1990s, the XAVL (eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long) presents a tough and masculine looking SUV concept that blends the convenience and practicality of a multi-purpose MPV.

XAVL accommodates seven passengers in comfort and provides wide inner space with a user-friendly interface, that includes connected car technology and digital display.

XAVL is also equipped with a suite of new safety aids for pedestrians as well as the driver and passengers, and is powered by both petrol and new clean-burning diesel engines.


MY EG gets 3-yr extension to provide JPJ e-services

The latest concession agreement lasts until May 2023. — Image from My E.G. Services
KUALA LUMPUR: My E.G. Services Bhd had its concession agreement to provide services to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) extended by three years from May this year until May 2023.

In an announcement to Bursa Malaysia, it said it had received the letter from the Transport Ministry today to extend the e-government services.

The agreement relates to the electronic delivery of vehicle registration, driver and vehicle licensing and payment of summon services.

“The board of directors is of the view that the extension is in the best interest of the company and is expected to contribute positively to the earnings and net assets per share of the company for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2020 onwards, ” it said.

MY EG said an agreement to formalise the extension would be signed and announced by the company in due course.


Mahle develops smart A/C system that improves in-car air quality

                LONDON: German auto parts maker Mahle has developed a smart air-conditioning system to support the fight against fine particulates in the vehicle cabin.

Its main innovative feature is the integration of fine-particulate sensors directly into the air conditioning system.

This gives the sensors immediate access to both cabin air and external air, the air conditioning system can react quickly and precisely to changing pollution levels and use the appropriate cleaning strategy to keep the air in the vehicle clean.

The new solution from Mahle offers several advantages in comparison with other systems available on the  market: thanks to the functional integration within the air conditioning system, the solution is more compact, lighter, and cheaper.

 The new Mahle approach allows a real time monitoring of cabin and outside air quality.

For this purpose, Mahle has rounded out its innovative concept with newly developed fine-particulate filters that offer even greater efficiency.

“Customers will find that the air in the vehicle cabin is noticeably cleaner and the fine-particulate values in the car are lower thanks to our new smart air conditioning system,” explains Laurent Art, Director Advanced Engineering Thermal Management at Mahle .

“Furthermore, this new system lets them check the air quality in the vehicle in real time.”

Existing solutions measure the level of pollution using a complex stand-alone sensor or array of sensors, which is or are often connected via hoses to the central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit.


Geely plans to retain stake in Swedish truckmaker Volvo, says source

                STOCKHOLM: Li Shufu’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group intends to remain a long-term investor in Swedish truckmaker AB Volvo, a source close to the Chinese firm said, denying media reports that it was gearing up to sell its stake.

Geely became Volvo’s second largest owner by voting rights last June after assuming an 8.2% stake in the company that came with 14.9% voting rights.

The move followed Geely’s purchase of a 10% stake in Volvo’s main rival Daimler, raising questions in Sweden about its intentions for one of the country’s largest employers.

Geely Sweden Financials Holding AB, its holding group in Sweden, earlier this month borrowed 400 million euros (RM1.9bil) in a zero coupon bond due 2024.

The bond is guaranteed by and exchangeable into Series B shares of Volvo, according to Geely's advisor on the deal.

Swedish daily SvD reported on Thursday that the bond’s setup would allow the borrower a choice to convert his securities into Volvo shares after three years and had quoted experts as saying that this was the first sign that Geely could dump its holding.

“This is absolutely wrong. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will continue to be a long-term investor in AB Volvo,” said a source close to Geely.

A Volvo spokesman deferred all questions to Geely and said that while the truckmaker had an open dialogue with its shareholder on many fronts, it would not be drawn into any specifics.

While Geely has managed to strike several deals with Daimler since gaining exposure to the company, it has not managed to build similar inroads at Volvo, managing to secure neither board representation nor any new partnerships since last June.


Daimler to recall 2.6 million Mercedes-Benz cars in China

                BEIJING: Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz will recall 2.6 million imported and domestically made cars in China due to a software design issue, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement today.

A spokesman for Daimler in China declined to comment further on the recall. Some 774,382 Mercedes-Benz were sold in China last year, the spokesperson said.

Mercedes sold 2.05 million cars worldwide in 2020. Its largest market is China, accounting for around 35% of deliveries. Asia’s biggest economy and the globe’s biggest car market is by far the most important sales region for the automaker’s highly profitable flagship models, like the S-Class sedan.

Premium car sales in China recovered strongly in the second half, a boon for the financials of luxury manufacturers like Mercedes. German automakers’ consolidated earnings from China have the potential to receive a further boost from 2022 when new foreign-ownership rules allow EU automakers to raise their joint-venture stakes to above 50%, Bloomberg Intelligence wrote in a note in January.

The recall will start April 12 and involve three batches of vehicles:

> 2,600,677 units made between January 2016 and November 2020 due to a software design issue;
> 33 units produced between August 2016 and July 2020 due to a connectivity issue related to a supplier;
> 333 units manufactured between July 2016 and October 2020 due to a possible issue with connectivity of a communication module.

There may be some overlap between the three categories.

The recall comes days after an earlier callback involving the German automaker. That one was linked to 125,568 imported and China-made C-Class vehicles manufactured between June 2014 and February 2018 and deemed hazardous due to a safety risk.

Daimler Greater China Ltd was founded in Beijing in 2001 and is responsible for the activities of Mercedes-Benz cars and vans, Daimler trucks and buses, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Mobility Services, the spare parts business, and research and development centres.

Mercedes-Benz and China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., controlled by billionaire Li Shufu, last year established a joint venture to develop premium and intelligent electric vehicles, with both parties contributing 2.7 billion yuan (RM1.7bil).

The global headquarters of the venture is in Ningbo in China’s east with operational sales functions in China and Germany.


Shell open to carmaker partners in EV charging expansion

                STOCKHOLM: Shell is open to partnerships with carmakers to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging beyond its petrol stations.

As part of efforts to compete with rival BP in the growing EV sector, Shell last week bought US charger provider Greenlots - a supplier for Volvo and Volkswagen’s US subsidiary as well as for utilities and residential sites - for an undisclosed sum.

“We recognise that the customers are not just necessarily going to go to recharge just at retail sites, they’re going to want to charge at work and home, so we’re moving into this space,” said the executive vice president for Shell’s New Energies operation, Mark Gainsborough.

Shell made its initial foray into electric mobility in 2017 by acquiring NewMotion, the owner of one of Europe’s largest EV charging networks, and securing a supply deal with the IONITY joint venture between BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen.

The International Energy Agency estimates that the number of electric cars on the road will increase to 125 million by 2030, boosting demand for chargers. There were almost 3 million private chargers at homes and workplaces and about 430,000 public chargers in 2017, it says.

Oil companies are growing increasingly aware of the potential threat to parts of their downstream business from the electrification of transport and Shell expects about a quarter of the world’s car fleet to be electric by 2040.

Gainsborough said that EV charging is still a “small” market opportunity and it was investing less in the area than in some other new-energy solutions such as renewable power generation.

“It’s difficult to be specific on how much we will invest because the market is so young. But if we see EV charging growing and the opportunities growing faster, we’re ready to direct more of our investment into that.”

Shell is also talking to vehicle makers as potential customers or partners on EV charging infrastructure, Gainsborough said

“We talk to all of the auto manufacturers ... They’re all potential customers and partners for us ... This is a space where we will have lots of partnerships, they won’t always be exclusive,” he said.

“For the most part it’s difficult to have fully exclusive relationships and the industry will develop through partnerships and consortiums involving several manufacturers that work together for fast charging.”


KLIMS'18: Kia out in full force

                KUALA LUMPUR: The official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, Naza Kia Malaysia, will be going all out at KLIMS 2018 showcasing its full product line-up ranging from A-segment to D-segment vehicles.

Kia’s fastest automobile yet, the Stinger, ushers in a new era of innovation for the Korean marque as a supremely designed gran turismo purebred, having earned a global recognition for its blend of high performance and best-in-class comfort.

The sport sedan sets a revolutionary benchmark for the future of Kia vehicles and has been well received by car enthusiasts worldwide.

Naza Kia Malaysia used the motor show to preview the third-generation Kia Cerato/Forte. Visitors are only allowed to view the exterior for now.

The new Cerato promises a higher level of comfort, fuel efficiency and advanced driver assistance technologies. In other words, it has become a more refined car with design cues inspired by the Stinger.

The Cerato has evolved with a number of visual and feature enhancements, inside and out. The cabin is now more comfortable and “class above,” and integrates new driver assistance technology. The Cerato is also the first model to use Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). More details are available in this January 2018 post.

Visitors should also watch out for Kia’s newly introduced models – the latest Optima GT, Sorento, Grand Carnival – and upcoming GT-Line models the Sportage GT-Line and Picanto GT-Line.

The facelifted Optima GT now features a new aggressive front grille, LED fog lamps and rear combination LED lamps while retaining the 18-inch alloy wheels.

Its feature-packed infotainment system is now paired with a 7-inch touch screen with Around View Monitor (AVM) camera, which uses cameras at the front, rear and sides of the vehicle to provide the driver with a 360-degree view of their surroundings, making it easier to complete low-speed parking manoeuvre.

The Optima GT’s sleek seat design dons a new two-tone red and black leather, with the front seats embroidered with the GT signature logo.

One of Kia’s best-selling SUVs in the country, the sophisticated and bold-looking Sorento comes equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission providing smoother acceleration and improved fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, the Grand Carnival’s versatility and style is a blend of day-to-day practicality and luxury. The 8-speed automatic transmission of both variants provide a smoother acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with other new upgrades such as the Electronic Parking Brake and 18-inch alloy wheels in Light Metal Silver for KX variant and in Dark Grey Two Tone for the SX variant.

Fan favourite Sportage GT will also appear at Kia’s booth at KLIMS. Designed and engineered to appeal to those looking for a sportier driving experience from their Sportage, the GT-Line specification delivers the versatility of the Sportage while adding greater visual and dynamic appeal.

The Picanto GT-Line, a racing-inspired variant and flagship of the Picanto range, is set to make an appearance at the motor show.

Boasting new features designed to give the car a sportier look and feel, the Picanto GT-Line features the iconic GT-Line sport package with colour accents on the full body kit that are unique to the GT-Line variant.

Completing the muscular expression are Kia’s signature "tiger nose" grille at the front and sporty-looking dual exhaust pipes that lend an aggressive vibe. Despite its size, the A-segment vehicle packs a punch with performance and class-leading safety standards.


Compensation among steps to tackle Honda Malaysia airbag recall

                PETALING JAYA: Here's an update today from Honda Malaysia in the ongoing Takata airbag recall.

Customers who have sent in their cars to have the airbags fixed will be compensated RM50 per day for loss of use of their cars. The compensation period begins today and ends on Aug 31. Such customers must first register at the Honda Malaysia product recall site. The compensation information and who qualifies are detailed in the FAQ on the recall site.

Honda Malaysia has also set up three temporary service central hubs in George Town, Petaling Jaya and Johor Baru from Aug 1 to Sept 30. In addition, there will be 24 mobile hubs at 21 Petron service stations and three Honda Family Road Trip locations from Aug 5 to Sept 25.

The car company has also set up mobile teams that will go to used car dealerships to fix used Honda cars sold with the flawed airbags.

To find out about the location of the hubs and other recall details, go to the recall site.


Musk says Tesla full service driving price will rise to US$15,000

                NEW YORK: The price for Tesla Inc.’s full self-driving system will rise to US$15,000 (RM67,235) in North America, chief executive officer Elon Musk tweeted Sunday.

The price increase will take effect Sept 5, Musk said.

The current US$12,000 (RM53,788) FSD price will be honoured for orders made before that day, but delivered later, he tweeted.

It’s the second increase this year.

Tesla’s more limited Autopilot system has come under scrutiny from federal and California regulators who are investigating whether it’s defective.

The Federal National Traffic Safety Administration said in July it had reviewed almost 200 crashes involving vehicles using Autopilot.

Meanwhile, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has accused Tesla of misleading consumers about features marketed as Autopilot and FSD.


As car design pushes ahead, will rear-view mirrors get left behind?

                BERLIN: Car engineers and designers usually prefer looking ahead. But when Audi’s Head of Design, Marc Lichte, talks about the carmaker’s upcoming E-Tron, his perspective shifts slightly. After all, Audi’s first electric car should not only pave the way to the future, but should also change how we look backwards – literally.

“For the first time in a production car, we will build the E-Tron without rear-view mirrors and install cameras instead,” says Lichte about the battery-powered SUV, which is set to debut in the second half of 2018.

VW’s Head of Brand Design, Klaus Bischoff, points to the need for special permits and the low quality camera image – in addition to the higher costs associated with installing cameras – as the main hurdles that have slowed down the introduction of this new technology.

But there are good reasons to use cameras instead of mirrors, explains BMW’s top electronics engineer Elmar Frickenstein, who has himself unveiled prototypes featuring this technology on exhibition floors.

 The Kia Sportage's rear-view mirror adds a reverse camera to enhance its utility.

On the one hand, of course, there is the question of image and impact on the customer, because cameras rather than mirrors would be considered modern and cool, says the engineer. “But, on the other hand, it is quite banally about air resistance and, as a result, fuel consumption.”

According to both experts and manufacturers themselves, a few grams of CO2 per kilometre can lead to significant differences over the long term, and can even boost an electric car's range.

However, as interesting as rear-view cameras might be, these technologies may well end up being merely temporary solutions that drivers should not get used to, says Laurens van den Acker, Head of Design at Renault.

According to van den Acker, the number of cameras in vehicles is almost certain to increase, but drivers’ interest in the pictures they depict will also decline over time as vehicle electronics become increasingly autonomous.

“And if at some point you rely completely on the autopilot and do without the steering wheel and the pedals, then the look backwards can be dispensed with entirely,” says van den Acker.


Lancia Delta Integrale reborn — at supercar price

                MILAN: The Lancia Delta Integrale is one of the most evocative names in European motorsport history and was a Group A rally car built for the Martini Lancia team by Lancia to compete in the World Rally Championship. And if you fancy owning a brand new version instead of a heavily used model from an auction you now can, courtesy of Italian coachbuilder Automobili Amos.

The originals competed in the WRC from 1987 when they scored their first victory in the first race they entered, the 55ème Rallye de Monte-Carlo. The last victory was in 1992 at the 34º Rallye Sanremo.

Now the Italian coachbuilder has come up with what the company's founder, Eugenio Amos, has described as the ultimate tribute to this iconic rally car, the Futurista. The Futurista is a complete reworking of the 1980s legend, which makes extensive use of carbon fibre and boasts a number of modern engineering upgrades.

 Amos (right) his chief designer posing with the car.

Like the old Delta S4 homologation specials it's based upon, the rear doors of the Futurista have been welded shut. However, every panel of the car that can't be unbolted has been done away with and replaced by duplicates in thoroughly modern carbon fibre. As well as reducing the weight of the car by around 90kg from the original, it also means the panels won't rust and rot away as they famously did with Lancias of years gone by.

An upgraded intercooler, new intake system, improved exhaust and a new engine wiring loom have all been added, which among other things will eliminate another less than desirable feature of the original cars: electrical faults. With a claimed power output of 330bhp and the reduced weight of this re-imagination of the Integrale, there should be enough in the new version's locker to give a fright to most of the current array of super-hot hatchbacks.

Of course, there is a major drawback, and that's the price. Amos says, the feelings of "passion, euphoria and nostalgia" the Integrale generates can't really be measured numerically, which is effectively saying this is a car you buy with your heart rather than with your head.

That's just as well because the price for this is going to be close to €300,000 (RM1.4mil). At the moment, original cars with reasonable mileage are fetching between €33,000 and €85,000 (between RM159,000 and RM410,000), depending on model, age and condition.


Honda Malaysia sold over 100,000 units in 2017

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia announced that it recorded a total of 109,511 units sold last year - the highest ever in the company's history.

“At the beginning of 2017, we challenged ourselves with a sales target of 100,000 units and in March 2017, we achieved a historical milestone with the 600,000th unit (CKD) production within a span of 14 years since Honda Malaysia started in 2003," said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama.

Since 2003, this is the company's highest recorded sales.

It is also the first time it has ever surpassed the 100,000 units mark with 47% of it coming from the central region, followed by the Southern region.

According to Toichi, the company's internal data indicated that their 2017 market share had risen by 3.2 points to 19%.

The total number of units sold in 2016 was recorded at 91,830 units.

This means that the company continues to maintain their number one position in the Non-National segment.

In terms of the automotive industry's Total Industry Volume, the company also maintains its overall number two position.

“On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation and thankfulness to all Honda Malaysia customers for their faith and belief in our brand and for making Honda their vehicle of choice," added Toichi.

The company feels bullish about making 2018 another successful year while promising more exciting products and services to come.


Reopening Nafta could revive debate over what makes a car 'American'

                DETROIT: Some of the most popular and profitable vehicles sold in the United States by Detroit's automakers are imported from Mexico, a reality that highlights the risks for the auto industry as the Trump administration pushes to overhaul trade policy.

President Donald Trump has scheduled a breakfast on Tuesday with the chief executives of Detroit automakers General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV to talk about bringing more manufacturing jobs to the United States, the White House said on Monday.

Trump campaigned on a pledge to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and said on Monday he would meet leaders of Nafta partners Mexico and Canada at an "appropriate time" to get the process started.
Auto industry officials expect Trump to urge Canada and Mexico to agree to new tougher "rules of origin" that would require a higher percentage of North American content to be considered tariff free.

Under Nafta, at least 62.5 percent of a passenger car or light truck's net cost must originate in North America - defined as the United States, Canada or Mexico - to avoid tariffs.

The Traverse.

Separately, the US government since 1994 tracked the percentage of a vehicle's content that is made in the United States and Canada, and required automakers to disclose those percentages on labels put on vehicles sold in the United States.

The Chevrolet Traverse and the Honda Accord made in Ohio had 80 percent US and Canadian content in 2016, for example. The Ram pickup had 59 percent US and Canadian content, according to government data compiled in the 2016 American Automobile Labeling Act report.

Trump has not made specific proposals for reworking Nafta, but he has called for manufacturers to buy and build more products in the United States.

Automakers have a lot at stake in preserving the status quo. GM, the biggest US automaker, imported about 315,000 of its full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks from Mexico last year. That represents about 40 percent of the 2016 US sales of the highly profitable models.

Overall, GM builds 14 percent of the vehicles it sells in the United States in Mexico, according to data from LMC Automotive, a consulting firm. Fiat Chrysler makes nearly half of its Ram full-size pickups, its most popular model, in Mexico, according to data from IHS Markit.

Ford earlier this month won praise from Trump for cancelling plans to build a US$1.6 billion factory in Mexico. But Ford still plans to build one of its top-selling cars, the Fusion sedan, in Mexico, as well as the future generation of its Focus small car.

Overall, nearly 2 million vehicles were shipped to the United States from Mexico in 2016 by all automakers, and that volume is expected to rise by 14.5 percent this year, according to an IHS Markit forecast.

Trump has threatened to slap a 35 percent tariff on vehicles imported from Mexico. But the Center for Automotive Research, an auto industry think tank in Ann Arbor, Michigan, said in a study released this month the tariff could cut US auto sales by 450,000 vehicles per year and cost 6,700 vehicle assembly jobs across North America.

A separate study by LMC Automotive also concluded that US car and light truck sales could suffer if the administration takes a "highly protectionist and isolationist stance." However, if the administration cuts taxes and enacts an infrastructure spending plan, auto sales could rise by 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles a year, LMC forecast.


VW committed to electric and connected cars

                Volkswagen is dedicated to building more electric and connected cars.

According to VW, the future will mean more SUVs and crossovers, greater and greater efficiency and use of propulsion methods other than fossil fuels plus internet connectivity as standard on all its cars by 2020.

This increased connectivity will also enable the group to usher in greater levels of autonomous driving technology.

The first Audis with "piloted technology",  the ability to take over during motorway driving or in traffic jam and parking situations, are expected to go on sale within the next 18 months, and during its presentation, VW demonstrated how the platform it uses for building all of its cars from Audis to Skodas, is designed to support next-generation self-driving technology.

 The Sport Coupé Concept GTE.

So it will lead to mass-market self-driving features very soon. "We will be among the first to successfully market this technology with Audi and Volkswagen," said VW chairman Dr Martin Winterkorn at the announcement of the group's annual financial results in Berlin last week.

"As a group, we already have the largest networked vehicle fleet on the road, worldwide."

As a group, VW counts not just its own cars, but those of Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Scania Commercial vehicles, and Skoda too; therefore, when Volkswagen talks about the future the industry pays attention.

If hybrids are thrown into the mix, the VW group offers the world's largest choice of electrically powered cars, from the plug-in VW e-Up! City car to the Porsche Cayenne S E Hybrid and of course the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar.

VW said it would continue developing hybrids and also put even more energy into full electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars. In fact, it plans to launch a fuel cell VW, Audi and a Porsche, as well as a full plug-in electric Porsche too for good measure. The battery-powered Porsche will be a new model - possibly a small five-door car similar to the Panamera.

However, that's for the future. For the present, it is increasing production rates for the Macan, the new small Porsche crossover because it's proving so popular.

"Until the end of the year, we had delivered our new five-door sports car nearly 45,000 times," said Porsche chairman Matthias Mueller. So the company will be aiming to build 65,000 a year from now on.

What is proving less popular is "quirky". VW was one of the first companies to explore retro brands and styling with the resurrection of the Beetle in 1997.

 VW might axe the Beetle to save costs.

It was a massive hit and was soon joined by a similarly retro Mini and Fiat 500. But while the latter two are growing into standalone brands, VW might axe the Beetle altogether to save costs, alongside getting rid of the three-door version of future Polos.

Winterkorn said: "The market for three-door vehicles in the compact segment is shrinking fast. In light of this, we are intensively checking whether, for example, we will only build a five-door Polo in the future."

Winterkorn also outlined how reducing the number of trim levels across model ranges - ie offering more equipment or features as standard - costs could be cut further while benefiting customers more.


SsangYong plans name change to escape 'painful image'

                SEOUL: South Korea's oldest carmaker SsangYong Motor plans to change its name to KG Mobility in order to shed what its chairman has called "a painful image".

The brand, whose name means "double dragon", has had a tumultuous history in recent decades, with four different owners since 1986.

The rebranding is aimed at underlining the carmaker's strengths in the future, said KG Group chairman Kwak Jea-sun, in comments carried by Korean media.

"The name - SsangYong Motor - has a fandom with good memories, but it also has a painful image," Kwak said at an event held by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in early January.

The carmaker needs shareholder approval in March to change its name to KG officially and to mark the end of SsangYong Motor's 35-year-old name.

Despite its tribulations in recent years, SsangYong has managed to launch the electric version of the Korando, dubbed the e-Motion, and the Musso electric ute, in its home market.

The oddly-styled SsangYong Rodius, built until 2019, recently won a slot in a poll of the 10 world's ugliest cars of all time in Germany's Franfurter Rundschau newspaper. Other contenders included the defunct Fiat Multipla and Audi A2.

Kwak, who said the name change was an extremely difficult decision, said there was a need for a complete overhaul, including the brand logo and corporate identity. "It would be convenient to just take out ‘Motor,’ but we will change everything," he said.

"From now, all SsangYong cars will come out to the world under the name of KG. Even with the name change, SsangYong Motor’s history will not change and (the carmaker) will have the same conditions," he added.

The report said the new name appears to mark the leadership’s willingness to turn the carmaker into a mobility firm that extends beyond traditional car manufacturing and includes more electric vehicles along with autonomous driving.

KG Group, a chemical and steel company, acquired a 61.86% stake in SsangYong Motor to become its largest shareholder after Seoul's Bankruptcy Court approved the carmaker’s corporate rehabilitation plan in August.

SsangYong Motor first started out as Ha Dong-Hwan Motor workshop in 1954 and used the names Shinjin Motor and Dong-A Motor between 1967 and 1986.


YouTuber Tim Burton aka Shmee takes delivery of Zenvo TSR-S at Goodwood

                LONDON: Zenvo Automotive says popular automotive YouTuber Tim Burton (of Shmee150 fame) has officially taken delivery of his TSR-S at the June 23-26 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Unveiled on Zenvo’s 20 sq m stand, located behind the start line and within the Michelin Supercar Paddock, Tim’s first hypercar purchase is a welcome addition to his ever-growing collection of supercars and sports cars, all housed within the recently launched "Shmuseum" storage space.

“I’m so pleased to be back here at the famous Festival of Speed, but it’s even more special this time as I get to show my new TSR-S to the world after the official handover today (June 24)," Tim said.

“I’ve enjoyed every part of my Zenvo journey immensely. From visiting the factory in Præstø, Denmark, to specifying every component of the car down to the last detail, I’ve completely thrown myself into the process and it just looks absolutely amazing."

The TSR-S features an in-house developed 1,177 bhp 5.8-litre twin-supercharged flat-plane V8 engine, which is coupled with a motorsport-derived gearbox, to propel the TSR-S from 0-100kph in just 2.8 seconds while taking less than 6.8 seconds for it to reach 160kph.

Top speed is electronically limited to 325kph.

Zenvo’s in-house team is responsible for all elements of the car from the carbon fibre body and optional carbon fibre wheels to the engine and gearbox and even the paint, interior and ECU and electrical components.

The full carbon body helps keep the car's weight at 1,495kg.

Zenvo Automotive has doubled its presence at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed Speed presented by Mastercard.

With daily special guest appearances, Zenvo’s stand offers full invite-only hospitality, a brand new outdoor decking area and a range of merchandise available to buy for all visitors, as well as a vantage point to see the cars depart up the Hill from its prime location behind the starting line.


Renault CEO says Euro 7 regulation distracting industry from electrification

                MILAN: Renault's chief executive said on Friday the European Union's proposed Euro 7 emissions rules for vehicles would distract the auto industry from its path to electrification and thanked the Italian government for opposing them.

EU countries and lawmakers are due this year to negotiate proposed new "Euro 7" legislation that tightens vehicle emission limits for pollutants including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide and is designed to apply to cars and vans from July 2025 and to buses and trucks two years later.

At the same time, the European Commission has set a 2035 deadline for phasing out production of fossil fuel cars, although it recently introduced an exemption for those vehicles running on e-fuels.

"They want to introduce a new regulation which would distract us from our mission to transform the industry," Luca De Meo, an Italian national who is also president of European auto lobby group ACEA, said while speaking remotely at an event in Trento, Italy.

"This would require us to put a lot of money on things which have no future, so I wish the European Union could review its intentions" to approve the Euro 7 regulation in the way that is currently proposed.

De Meo said that in its battle against Euro 7 regulation the ACEA was aligned with the Italian government.

"Italy has taken a very clear position on this and we thank it for its support," he said,

Earlier this month, Italy's Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said Italy and allies in the EU "have the numbers" to block the Euro 7 regulation.


Experience the world of Audi production through AudiStream

                SINGAPORE: With AudiStream, Audi is the first manufacturer to offer interactive factory tours.

Starting from Wednesday, February 12, interested parties can experience production processes of the brand at the Ingolstadt site online and in English language, both from the comfort of their own homes and while on the go.

Experienced tour guides accompany the virtual tour and answer questions in the live stream.

AudiStream provides detailed insights into selected production stages at Audi in Ingolstadt. Additionally, the new online feature presents the technical highlights of the brand. The tour guides share their knowledge from numerous factory tours and moderate the virtual tours live from a studio.

They explain production processes, answer individual questions as part of a dialog, and tailor the course of the approximately 20-minute live stream to the wishes and interests of the participants.

AudiStream starts with the online feature “Audi live at the Ingolstadt factory.” Participants learn how an Audi is made, from the first production steps in the press shop up to the last manual operations during the final assembly. Streams about further topics concerning the Audi brand are to follow.

Users select the desired live stream and a suitable time slot online here.

The offering is free of charge; fees may be charged for internet access, however, depending on the selected provider.


Car customisation is booming — but does it add any real value?

                FRANKFURT: Michael Fux has pretty distinctive visions and desires, and as he became a billionaire selling mattresses, he could afford to indulge them.

He has a dozen sports cars and luxury vehicles, and most of them are specially tailored to his tastes, with colours you won't find on any list of options for regular folk.

That means he has a pink McLaren 720S with a yellow interior, and a bright orange Rolls Royce Cullinan with white leather trim, to name but a few.

That might not be everyone's taste but it sure is rare and highly individual.

Luxury brands do pretty well out of such colourful visions - chat to the sales managers at Bentley or Bugatti, Ferrari or Aston Martin, and the price of their cars, high already, more than doubles if you ask for such special treatment.

No wonder even mid-class brands are becoming increasingly interested in this area and are seeking to fulfil buyers' individual desires.

Such distinctive wishes are on the rise. "The more cars that are on the road, the greater people's desire to stand out from the crowd," says Pforzheim design professor Lutz Fuegener.

Carmakers, seeking to oblige, are providing a range of outsize options for relatively little money. Just as with the VW Beetle and now with the VW T6, you can pick out a name and have it embossed on the sides or decorative console.

In Germany, die-hard fans of the camper van often pick out a name for the vehicle and have it written above the fender and on the step lighting too, for a mere 92.80 euros (109.8 dollars), says spokesman Jens Bobsien.

When it comes to individualisation, Porsche Exclusive Manufacture takes the whole thing a step further, building a car that's as personal as a fingerprint. That's literally the case, too, as the company has established what it calls a direct printing process, which actually prints the lines of the owner's fingerprint onto the paint.

"Individuality is very important to Porsche customers. And no design can be more personal than your own fingerprint," says Alexander Fabig, who heads that department.

Those interested can pay 7,500 euros and send in their fingerprint, and at Porsche, the front hood of your flash new 911 is removed ahead of delivery and a robot sprays the unique lines of your fingerprint that have been processed digitally in giant swirly onto the sheet metal just like an inkjet printer, says Christian Will who works in production development.

The direct-printing process allows designs that wouldn't be possible with conventional paintwork, and wouldn't look and feel as good if they were laminated, he says.

Buyers of MINIs have even more room to dream, with a longer list of colourful extras than most manufacturers offer, and the British makers have a MINI Yours Customised programme.

Press spokesman Andreas Lampka says this allows customers to actually design parts such as the inserts in the side indicators, and in the interior, to pick decorative strips for the passenger side, LED entry strips and LED door projectors via the website, incorporating patterns and even names.

That means the side of the car might suddenly say "Emily" and those opening the door at night will see the name emblazoned on the tarmac thanks to the customized light projection.

MINI makes the individual parts on a 3D printer, charging 49 euros for the door lights' projection screen and 290 euros for a pair of LED entry strips. You can fit the components in your garage in a few easy steps, says Lampka.

No matter what you do with your car, you may love it but others might not be so sure, says Hans-Georg Marmit from the KUES expert association.

"At the latest, this could be problematic if you come to sell your car." He suggests that anyone concerned about cash should check that it doesn't cost too much to exchange the trim on the console or other parts.

The very first Porsche 911 to hit the streets emblazoned with a fingerprint is unlikely to bother anyone as it was tested by racing driver Mark Webber. Plenty of fans would dig deep in their pockets to get hold of a car with his outsize fingerprint decorating the hood.


VW teases Detroit-bound 2020 Passat with sketches

                WOLFSBURG: The collection of teaser sketches of the upcoming 2020 VW Passat show that the model is just getting some upgrades rather than a complete redesign.

Volkswagen shared some sketches this week of the next Passat ahead of its Detroit Auto Show debut in January. Though some exterior changes are evident, they're not significant; in general, this model is expected to deviate very little from its predecessor, probably because of the market's increasing disinterest in sedans in favor of SUVs.

Car publication Auto Blog, who saw the car in the flesh but wasn't allowed to take pictures, said that the teased images accurately portray the real deal which is basically a "bigger, taller Jetta."

VW stated that every body panel has been upgraded for the new model, despite its resemblance to the last generation. In fact, VW kept this version on the same platform as before which means the sedan won't be getting the VW Digital Cockpit. Instead, the car will sport just an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The grille was redesigned a bit to emulate that of the Jetta, but the new LED headlights simply look like a better version of the originals.

Also like the last generation, the 2020 Passat will be powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine with the same horsepower, though the torque jumps up to 207 pound-feet.

Volkswagen is planning on offering five different trim options for the model, including a sportier R-Line rendition that wears some 19-inch wheels.

After the model makes its appearance at the Detroit Auto Show (Jan 13-28) next month, it's expected to be available for purchase in the first half of the year. The MSRP of the 2019 model was US$25,295 (RM106,000), so you can expect a price tag around that ballpark.


VPCM appoints Kurt Leitner as new co-managing director

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kurt Leitner as its Managing Director, with immediate effect.

Leitner, who joins Erik Winter, VPCM’s other Managing Director, replaces Florian Steiner who has moved on to Europe to take up another challenge after almost four years in Malaysia.

Leitner will have a dual-role as Managing Director in Malaysia and Singapore.

Having been with the Porsche Holding Salzburg group since 1988, Leitner has held various management positions within the network, including Managing Director at Porsche Romania for four years, General Manager at Porsche Chile and PGA Ellada, as well as CEO of Porsche Finance Group Romania.

“I am very excited to be in this part of the region, living both in Malaysia and Singapore and working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This will be a new journey and learning experience for me and I hope to make the most of it during my time here” said Leitner.

Leitner will focus on human resources, information technology and finance while Winter will continue to helm VPCM’s sales, aftersales, dealer network and marketing operations.

With a strong upcoming product line-up and aggressive aftersales enhancements under the Volkswagen Cares brand promise, both VPCM's Managing Directors are confident that the Volkswagen brand in Malaysia will continue to grow, amidst the highly competitive automotive landscape in Malaysia.


Autonomous robot charges your electric car while you shop or work

                PARIS: French company Mob-Energy, which specialises in recharging solutions for electric vehicles, presents Charles, a perfectly autonomous robot capable of recharging any car in a given space, such as a parking lot.

To launch Charles, Mob-Energy has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz France, which provides it with entire packs of second-life batteries which are integrated into the robot.

These internal batteries allow it to store several doses of energy, enough to recharge up to three cars at each intervention.

To operate, Charles does not require any specific reorganisation of a parking area, for example.

In practice, it recharges itself on a base installed on the site and then connects to cars in an automated way.

It does so by hooking up to an intermediary connection module, available on the parking lot free of charge, and to be connected to the car by the driver before they leave.

Drivers make a charging request from a mobile application, and Charles then prioritises his round according to each user's needs. Charles is designed to charge both cars (plug-in hybrids or fully electric models) and two-wheelers, so long as they all use the same connection module.

Each robot can serve any vehicle located on the same level, up to a limit of 20 per day for the moment.

Note that it is compatible with both regular and fast charging (50kW), again depending on the vehicle served. This autonomous and intelligent robot is currently deployed in a few parking lots dedicated to professional fleets or car-sharing services.

Mercedes is not the only manufacturer investing in innovative and practical charging solutions.

Volkswagen has already presented a similar concept, but it has not yet been publicly deployed.

And, still with the aim of simplifying charging, the car manufacturer Ford is testing a fully automated electric charging station, allowing drivers to recharge their vehicles with minimal effort. This is mainly aimed at elderly drivers or those with disabilities.


Range Rover coupe seen testing

                LONDON: Towards the end of last year, Land Rover's chief designer told the UK's Auto Express magazine that a coupe version of its Range Rover SUV was in the pipeline. It now appears the new model could be closer than many had expected as spy shots are starting to appear all over the Internet that appear to show a two-door version of the Range Rover undergoing winter testing.

The British luxury automaker has already dipped its toe into the sportier side of the SUV market with the rakish Velar it launched just last year, but that model still falls short of being truly sporty as there are still rear doors very much in evidence.

When it does eventually come to market, the new addition to the Range Rover portfolio will be a major rival to the likes of the Bentley Continental GT and Rolls-Royce Wraith. And there's no doubt about the vehicle being very much under development after its existence was revealed during an exclusive round-table discussion Auto Express had with McGovern at the Los Angeles Motor Show last November.

Although the vehicle seen undergoing road tests was heavily camouflaged and even looked to have a seam where the rear doors would be, the front doors were so elongated it appears the seam at the back is either an attempt at subterfuge or the vehicle is an early test mule based on the current Range Rover.

It's believed the two-door Range Rover will eventually assume a spot at the very top of the manufacturer's lineup, potentially even above the SVAutobiography. Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team is likely to take responsibility on the ultra-luxurious, low-production models, and the eventual asking price could easily be as much as £200,000 (RM1.09mil) at current exchange rates.

As for when we're likely to see new Range Rover flagship model, it's believed it could be making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring, and then it could even be on sale before the end of this year.


Porsche 911 is the most profitable car of 2019

                NEW YORK: The most profitable car launched in the past year was not a Tesla. Nor was it some crazy hypercar.

It was the new Porsche 911.

The eighth generation of Porsche’s iconic car, known internally and to Porsche faithful as the 992, is more profitable, proportionately speaking, than any other vehicle that debuted in the past year. The model has accounted for nearly 30% of total Porsche AG earnings since it launched, even though it made up only 11% of sales, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Intelligence.

That percentage beats elite models such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo, Aston Martin DBX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and BMW X5, each of which also punch above their weight when it comes to profit margins.

The F8 Tributo, for example, boasts a whopping 50% sales margin but contributes just 17% of total vehicle earnings at Ferrari. Aston Martin will sell an anticipated 4,500 units of its DBX in 2020, doubling sales volumes and singlehandedly accounting for 21% of total vehicle contribution there; it’s likely to push Aston Martin Ebitda margins to 30%, according to the report.

As for the SUVs, the GLE, together with its GLS sibling, will account for 24% of earnings at Mercedes in 2020, from just 9% of total volume; the BMW X5 will account for 16% of auto earnings ,with just 7% of BMW’s volume.

All these models generate "a disproportionately high level of overall earnings,” says Michael Dean, automotive equity research analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, speaking via phone from the Frankfurt Auto Show. But the recent next-generation introduction of the 911 in particular will enhance gains for the Volkswagen Group ‘s brand more.

"It’s a very simple calculation: The 911 is very profitable in its own form, and when you add the variations, the margins became immense,” Dean says, noting lucrative options such as ceramic brakes and turbocharging variants automakers use to increase base manufacturer's suggested retail prices without incurring much additional cost themselves. It also helps that the new model has a higher list price, US$97,400, than does the already strongly profitable incumbent.

READ MORE:  CarSifu drives the Porsche 911 in New Zealand

Beyond that, "the addition of the Turbo variant is basically pure profit,” says Dean. "If you assume they sell 10,000 Turbos anyway, plus GT3 and Turbo S’s, just the Turbo variants of the 911 alone could actually mean half a billion dollars in terms of profit for Porsche.”

With its biggest market in China and its upper-crust price bracket, Porsche should also remain unaffected by the woes currently affecting German automakers, says Dean. Car sales in Germany are at their lowest since 2010 as manufacturers Mercedes-Benz AG and BMW AG face trade wars, slowing economies, and lingering pollution concerns intensified by Volkswagen’s 2015 diesel scandal.

"There’s no issue there,” he says. "Porsche is ahead of the game.”

In 2018, worldwide sales of Porsche rose 3% to 256,255 vehicles sold, while the 911 in particular saw a double-digit rise in deliveries-10%, to 35,573 vehicles-despite the model being on its run-out year before the 992 was introduced. Global sales of Porsche 911s in 2018 alone exceeded those of all cars from Bentley, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini combined.

"The 911 capacity to fascinate is stronger than ever,” said Porsche executive board member Detlev von Platen in a company sales report. "We just celebrated the world premiere of the new 911 at the end of the year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and yet our sports car icon once again inspired more customers in 2018 than in the previous year.”

What’s more, the 911 debut will pull double duty as it counterbalances expected losses from the just-released Taycan. Porsche is expected to make 20,000 to 30,000 of the six-figure electric sedan, representing a $6.6 billion investment from the brand, including a new factory near the company’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

"Given the pomp and ceremony for recent EV launches, Porsche’s introduction of the new 911 Carrera was relatively low key,” Dean says. "[But] the sports car is well-timed, as it will compensate for the transition to battery-electric vehicles, which starts with the new Taycan, its least-profitable model.”

In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Porsche chairman Oliver Blume said the Taycan will eventually generate a "good margin,” especially in the top-end versions, although returns won’t be as high as for other models. Dean pegs 2023 at the point it will turn a profit, by which time battery prices will have declined significantly; in the meantime, Porsche pushing its higher-margin "Turbo” version first is a smart strategy. (In this case, the term "Turbo” is used as a branding label to refer to the more expensive Taycan variants, since an actual electric turbo is impossible.)

As for the 992, its percentage of brand earnings is expected to increase even more in 2020, as higher-margin derivatives are launched over the next 18 months, including, yes, a Turbo version with an actual turbocharger. Dean expects profit margins on that one to exceed 50%.


Renault gifts Pope a Dacia Duster SUV

                PARIS: Renault gifted Pope Francis a unique Dacia Duster 4X4, designed with all his mobility needs in mind.

This week the Groupe Renault Romania managing director and CEO of Automobile Dacia SA, Christophe Dridi, and the Groupe Renault Italy general manager Xavier Martinet hand-delivered a custom-made "Popemobile" SUV to Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Out of five seats that have been installed into this model, one is a "particularly comfortable rear bench seat." A large sunroof allows for the Pope to comfortably greet passersby as they roll through Vatican State.

Additionally, this Duster has been outfitted with a removable glass superstructure, a lower ground clearance level for easier boarding, and internal and external support elements.

While Pope Francis has demonstrated his preference for public transportation rather than luxurious private travels, famously taking the bus while Cardinal in Buenos Aires, this Duster is far more modest than previous automobile gifts he has been offered in the past. It's possible and even likely that this car won't be auctioned off for charity like the Lamborghini was that he was given in 2017.

Needless to say, this white-painted, beige-upholstered SUV blends in with the Popemobiles of the past better than any sportscar could.


Hot on the heels of Ford Mustang, another legendary American car may soon be electrified

                DETROIT: Chevrolet is reportedly preparing to launch an electrified version of its most recent Corvette, the rear mid-engine C8. Moreover, the name Corvette E-Ray has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office .

According to GM Authority, the Corvette E-Ray will be equipped with an 85-kW electric motor, offering the equivalent of 115hp, which will be powered by four batteries placed under the centre of the body. This will be combined with a 6.2-litre V8 delivering 490hp, which is the same as the one that powers the current Corvette model.

Taken together, both of these will give the vehicle a combined power rating of 600hp, which means that the new Corvette will deliver more punch than its gasoline-only cousin. Chevrolet is expected to unveil hardtop and convertible versions of the new car in late 2020 or early 2021.

Launched as a two-seater roadster in 1953, the Corvette quickly became one of America's most iconic sports cars.

With the launch of this hybrid model, Chevrolet is not really targeting the same market segment as Ford with its all-electric Mustang Mach-E.

Due on the roads in a few months' time, the new Ford is powered by a 248-kW motor, offering the equivalent of 337hp. A 342-kW Mach-E GT (with 465hp) is destined to follow. With regard to pricing, the basic Mustang Mach-E retails for US$43,895 (RM184,000).

Without a doubt, the launch of electric versions of these iconic cars marks a new stage in the distribution of greener cars. Let's not forget that several other iconic cars have already been electrified, among them the Fiat 500 and the MINI.