AC Cars to reveal AC Cobra GT Roadster in April

                LONDON: AC Cars, Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer - having been in business since 1901, will unveil its new model, the AC Cobra GT Roadster, this April with the first customers then given the opportunity to see the car for themselves at exclusive spring and summer preview events in Europe.

The all new high-performance roadster is the return of one of motoring’s most famous names. With a clean sheet design, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is a cutting-edge modern sports car, produced using the latest technology and engineering processes, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the original AC Cobra from the 1960s.

A highly accomplished and usable GT sports car, the new model shares no components with the original yet is instantly recognisable.

Once again powered by the V8 petrol engine, but this time delivering up to 654bhp and 780Nm. With the choice of a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox in a car weighing under 1,500kg, acceleration will be impressive – with a 0-100kph sprint of around 3.4s. The car's soundtrack is expected to be equally emotional.

The new AC Cobra uses a highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis developed specifically for the car.

Extremely strong and light, the new chassis allows for the perfect layout as well as optimised suspension geometry and weight distribution. Incorporating competition derived engineering, the car is a pure-bred sports car with phenomenal handling and performance.

The new chassis has a wheelbase of 2570mm, 284 mm longer than the AC Cobra Mk. VI, yet the car’s overall length has gown only 110mm, up to 4225mm.

The car’s track has also been optimised to give it a wider stance, which, along with the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, has drastically improved handling and agility.

Styled by a team of world class designers, the exterior bodywork and interior of the new AC Cobra retains a modern personality but with a timeless aesthetic, and incorporates some of the latest materials and technology.

The interior includes hand finished unique elements, unseen in the automotive world before, and the augmentation of analogue instruments with Digital Glass displays – a bespoke combination.

Substantially improved ergonomics mean that the cabin suits drivers of all sizes, with the space afforded by the new chassis design providing a high level of comfort and refinement.

The cabin fuses both analogue instrumentation and digital technology to enhance the driving experience.

The new Advanced Driver Information Center (ADIC) technology shows all relevant engine information in direct eyeline, without disrupting the outstanding interior design or creating unwanted reflections on the windscreen.

Highly equipped as standard, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster will include features such as electric windows, climate control and a sat nav/infotainment system. A full list of options will be detailed at the car’s launch.

With orders already taken, following the release of the new AC Cobra’s first details last December 2022, the car’s limited production means customers will need to act quickly to secure one of the first cars due in 2024.

The new AC Cobra GT Roadster is available to order for clients worldwide,

It is expected to cost from £285,000 (RM1.5mil) including VAT in the UK, with prices varying according to exchange rates and taxes in the country of delivery.

With its own facilities in the UK and Germany, AC Cars is working with leading industry suppliers for the AC Cobra’s design and development, and construction of the new car heralds the return of European production for the company’s vehicles. In addition to its new Donington HQ, AC Cars will continue to expand its development and production capabilities in the UK.


Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 tested in Australia

Speed is an exciting proposition especially when you’re behind the wheel and it’s even more of a rush (no pun intended) when you are paired with the right set of tyres. The new Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 tyres will do just that as members of the Malaysian media discovered recently in Brisbane, Australia.

We were taken to the Performance Driving Centre in Gold Coast which is a world class driving centre and Australia’s leading Advanced Driver Training facility, to try out the new “treads” (as opposed to threads or swag).

The RE003 replaces the previous RE002 and this premium series is aimed at “medium-class sports cars” such as the Golfs, EVOs, WRXs, the GT86s and the likes.

 Kuroki

With a name like Potenza Adrenalin RE003 Sports, you would think that this has all the performance credentials attached to it, and it does. But if you’re still not convinced, there is the prefix RE which stands for Racing Equipment and the tagline ‘Awaken the sports driver in you’. Excited yet?

Before we got to test the tyre’s performance on track, we had breakfast and a presentation of the new tyre at the Performance Handling Centre. The RE003 is designed for precision handling and maximum control while offering powerful traction, handling stability and a quick initial response. Even in wet conditions, the tyre maintains optimal handling and braking.  This is the result of a new silica-based compound used in the RE003 combined with the tread pattern which consists of the Triple and Half groove for better cornering and braking in the wet; and the Pulse groove for better drainage and anti-hydroplaning performance.

For dry roads, the tyre’s curved groove-wall enforcement at the inside of the centreline, rigid wide centre rib and connection block is designed for precise handling and cornering.

“The new Potenza Adrenalin RE003 offers sharp responsive turn-in, direct steering feel and greater cornering stability without compromising on comfort,” said Bridgestone Corp international tyre administration division director Minoru Kuroki. Then we were off to the track where three obstacle courses were laid out to test the tyre’s capabilities in handling, traction control and performance.

For each course, two cars were on hand and one was set up with the new RE003 tyres and the other, the previous RE002 or a competitor’s products for comparison.

The first obstacle was the slalom course and a Subaru WRX fitted with RE002 was the first car we drove through it followed by another WRX with the new RE003 tyres.

I was already impressed with the RE003 because it felt like driving two different cars.

The RE003 was smoother, quieter, handled better (and seemed faster too) when driving both cars at the same speed.

I found that I was not the only one with that impression as my fellow motoring journos were really surprised with the difference the RE003 makes as well.

The following obstacle was the skid pad on a circular course constantly hosed with water. The purpose of this test was to highlight the tyre’s wet-handling capabilities.

All I had to do was go fast enough that it would induce understeer and then see how the tyres recovered when I eased off the throttle.

The cars used here was the Volkswagen Golf GTI mk7 and this time, a competitor’s tyres were fitted for comparison.

I had a go with the Golf fitted the competitor’s tyres first and its performance was impressive. When I tried the Golf with the RE003 tyres then the subtle differences emerged.

When understeer occurred, the competitor tyre would lose grip suddenly and recovered in a slightly jerky motion. With the RE003, I could perceive from the feedback of the tyres when it was about to lose grip and when it does, it sort of slides smoothly and as soon as I eased of the accelerator pedal, the car recovered instantly without hesitation.

 Learning from the expert. A driving instructor pushing the Bridgestone tyres to their limit as a motoring writer experiences the moment.

Finally, the last test was a series of obstacles around the track which involved last-minute swerving to avoid the traffic cones (or witches’ hats as the locals call it) and another slalom course but this time, at higher speeds. And yet again, the RE003 tyres showed just how well it recovered compared with the competitor’s tyres when swerving sharply to the left and right at 75kph.

This was a bit of a heart-stopping test because you’re headed straight for the three-cones lined in front of you, waiting for the instructor to yell “Now!”, and then quickly turn to avoid the cones and straighten immediately.

Suffice to say, the RE003 performed much smoother and without fuss compared to the competitor’s tyres.

The RE003 not only showed how much bite it has (all stability control on the cars were turned off by the way) but it also proved to be nimble and inspires a lot of confidence when driving at speed.

If you love hard driving, then RE003 could be right for you.

The Potenza Adrenalin RE003 is available in 46 different sizes, fitting wheels sizes from 15 to 20-inch and 60 to 30 series profiles.

 The Bridgestones were pitted against those of a competitor in the same class.


Fuelled by Volvo, China's Geely aims to make Proton cars on new BMA platform

                SHANGHAI: Chinese carmaker Geely plans to use a platform developed with input from Volvo to build new models in Malaysia for its partly owned Proton brand, a strategy that shows how it aims to accelerate its push to become China’s first global auto giant.

The yet-to-be-finalised plans for Proton are just one strand of a Geely project to revamp factories at home and abroad using joint platforms it has been perfecting with Volvo since 2013. Geely bought the Swedish brand 10 years ago for US$1.8 billion — a deal that raised its international profile and sent shockwaves through the global auto trade.

Senior Geely officials and engineers said a project dubbed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) will allow them to develop, design and build different types of compact cars with similar mechanical layout faster than before — and at lower cost.

They said CMA, along with a platform for smaller cars known as B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) that Geely plans to roll out for Proton, allow them to harness the Swedish automaker’s technologies and Geely’s capabilities in cost control, supply chain management and local production.

“CMA will be the core of Geely’s future architecture design ... We learn technologies and build up talents through developing it,” said Li Li, vice president at Geely Automobile Research Institute, confirming the Proton plan during an interview in Ningbo, south of Shanghai. Li declined to disclose details of general investment, financial targets or a timetable for expansion plans.

From its lowly foundation in 1986 in Taizhou on the east coast as a maker of refrigerator parts, Geely has grown into one of the biggest players in China, the world’s largest auto market accounting for nearly one in every three passenger cars sold around the planet. Geely now sells more than 2 million cars a year across all brands, ranking it not far from the world’s top 10 automakers by unit sales.

The CMA platform in particular will allow Geely and Volvo to design vehicles more quickly and cost-effectively, Li said, providing a technological springboard towards a higher market share at a time when the auto industry must embrace a future featuring electric and autonomously driven transport.

 Workers are seen on a production line for Polestar, Volvo and Lynk&Co vehicles at a Geely plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang province last month.Global ambitions

Like Geely — an anglicisation of the Chinese word for ‘lucky’ — domestic peers Great Wall Motor and GAC have branched out with their own versions of vehicle platforms, harbouring greater ambitions for selling cars in major Western markets.

But grand plans have previously been delayed, or simply cancelled, amid a lack of practical preparedness, analysts have said, against a backdrop of years of trade tensions between China and the United States that have roiled the global economy. At the same time, attention has been diverted to deal with stalling sales at home as the pace of China’s growth has slowed.

In its pursuit of global automaker status, Hangzhou-based Geely is now holding talks to merge the Volvo Cars business with its Hong Kong-listed Geely Automobile — worth about US$22 billion by market value, bigger then famed industry names like Fiat Chrysler Automobile and Nissan Motor.

As well as the 49.9% stake it took in Proton three years ago, the broader Geely group — Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, led by Taizhou-born billionaire Li Shufu — now also comprises a 9.7% stake in Germany’s Daimler AG and a majority stake in British sport car brand Lotus.

And while giants from Toyota Motor Corp to Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co have followed a similar shared platform projects for their respective brands, Geely’s strategy is a first for a Chinese company.

The automaker plans to develop all its future models for the Geely and Lynk & Co brands on CMA or other related product platforms, like BMA. It is also developing a new architecture to accelerate the launch of pure battery electric vehicles with intelligent connectivity functions, said Li, a former Ford engineer.

In addition, Geely wants to shift development of next generations of some popular existing models, like Borui and Emgrand sedans, to those architectures, he said. It takes around 18 months for Geely to significantly change a CMA-based car, versus 24-30 months to do so on a non-CMA-based model.

Using CMA, plant managers can switch production of different models to maintain smooth overall capacity utilisation rates at production lines, said Oskar Falk, the Volvo-trained head at Geely and Volvo’s first joint production site in Taizhou.

The plant already exports Volvo Polestar 2 electric sedans to the United States and Europe, and is preparing to make Volvo’s first battery-powered electric vehicle, Falk said.

Geely also plans to start exporting China-made Lynk & Co 01 SUVs to Europe this year.


Land Rover Defender Limited Edition launched

KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Rover Defender Limited Edition was launched here today and marks a closing chapter for the iconic 4X4 that will no longer be in production after this year.

It is essentially a Land Rover Defender Double Cab pickup enhanced with 13 exclusive items – a chequer plate set, roof rack, raised air intake, side protection runners, A-frame protection bar and kit installation, a set of four spotlights, rear step bumper assembly, 9.5cti WARN electric winch, winch accessories kit, bumper mounting, a set of five off-road tyres and a special Santorini Black eye-catching paint job on the body and rims.

The Land Rover Defender Limited Edition will be customised to order and available from any Sime Darby AutoConneXion Sdn Bhd or SISMA Auto Sdn Bhd authorised dealerships.  It is priced at RM153,888.00 plus RM65,388.00 for the Limited Edition Accessories Package, inclusive of labour charges and GST.

The Limited Edition Accessories Package is also available for purchase by current Land Rover Defender owners interested in transforming their vehicles into "go-anywhere" machines. The package is originally worth RM79,000 but is now available at a special price of RM65,388 during the promotion period from now till the end of December. The Limited Edition Accessories are also available individually for sale.

According to Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia managing director Tuan Syed Mudzhar Syed Ali, the accessories would be fitted by trained technicians and covered by warranty, except for the paint job and off-road tyres.

For the past 60 years, the Land Rover Series models and subsequently, the Defender, have played crucial roles in nation building all over the world.  The model was and remains the mainstay of many security forces, development agencies and service organisations due to its superior off-roading capabilities and almost unbreakable design and all-aluminium body construction.  Today, it is still the preferred vehicle for many outdoor and off-roading enthusiasts.


Tata Motors to raise passenger vehicle prices for second time in 2023

                MUMBAI: Indian automaker Tata Motors said today it will raise prices of its passenger vehicles due to an increase in input costs and regulatory changes that make it costlier to produce cars, the second time this year it will make such a move.

"The weighted average increase will be 0.6%, depending on the variant and model," the car maker said in a press release, adding it will come into effect from May 1.

Tata Motors previously hiked the price of its passenger vehicles by 1.2% in January this year, citing the same reason.

Vehicles across segments in India have gotten costlier with the government mandating automakers to fit their vehicles with a special device to monitor emissions, leading to extra costs.

These fuel emission norms, known as Bharat Stage VI norms, came into effect at the beginning of the month.

India marked its highest-ever sales of passenger cars in the fiscal year ended March 31, despite multiple price increases through the year, led by sales of larger and pricier sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

Tata's Nexon and Punch SUVs were among India's top-selling cars in 2022.

However, auto sales growth is expected to taper to a low single-digit percentage in the current fiscal year, mainly due to inflation, price hikes by car makers and regulatory changes, auto dealers' body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said earlier this month.


Biden’s electric vehicle plan includes battery recycling push

File pic of a lithium-ion car battery pack being stripped down for recycling. — Reuters
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden’s strategy to make the United States a powerhouse in electric vehicles will include boosting domestic recycling of batteries to reuse lithium and other metals, according to government officials.

As Biden makes fighting climate change and competing with China centrepieces of his agenda, the administration is set to wrap up a 100-day review on Friday of gaps in supply chains in key areas, including electric vehicles (EV).

These gaps include the minerals used in EV batteries and consumer electronics. The administration is also looking for ways to reduce metal usage in new battery chemistries.

Reports from various government agencies will be submitted to the White House, a process Biden ordered in an executive order earlier this year. Parts of the reports could be released publicly as soon as next week.

Democrats are pushing aggressive climate goals to have a majority of US-manufactured cars be electric by 2030 and every car on the road to be electric by 2040.

Securing enough cobalt, lithium and other raw materials to make EV batteries is a major obstacle, with domestic mines facing extensive regulatory hurdles and environmental opposition.

Reuters reported on May 25 that Biden plans to rely on mines in ally countries to supply much of the metals needed to build EVs.

The administration's options to spur domestic recycling include direct investment in projects and scientific research, as well as spending funds approved by Congress.

Boosting domestic recycling would help the administration further that goal by breaking down older EVs into component parts for new vehicles and thus relying less on mining.

"When you look at the way the US has approached the recycling opportunity, what's very evident is we need to invest in that capacity, we need to take a more proactive approach," said one of the administration officials.

"A big part of the lithium opportunity is really recycling, and being a global leader in recycling the lithium from existing batteries and driving that into these new batteries."

The White House would like to see more recycling plants open in the United States, one of the officials said, noting the announcement last fall by China's Ganfeng Lithium Co of plans to build a battery recycling plant in Mexico to supply the US EV market.

Emphasis on R&D

The administration's emerging strategy will also include a heavy emphasis on research and development intended to boost the use of already-mined metals, the officials said.

That plan would effectively expand on ongoing research at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, which has been the focal point for much of the government's battery recycling research.

Extracting the various mineral components of a battery has proven difficult and costly in the past, and new research focuses on ways to reuse cathodes and other battery parts, according to Argonne researchers.

Washington’s recycling focus comes as other regions are doing the same. The European Union is considering clamping down on exports of metal waste to encourage more regional recycling, part of an effort to become climate neutral by 2050.

Global EV sales topped 2.5 million last year, a figure that's projected to jump 70 percent for 2021 and continue to rise through 2040, according to IHS Markit forecasts.

Without recycling, the EV revolution would cause 8 million tons of battery scrap to be dumped in US landfills alone by 2040, according to US government estimates.

An April report found that recycling end-of-life batteries could cut the projected need for new sources of copper for EV batteries via mining by 55% by 2040. For lithium, the figure is 25%, and for cobalt and nickel it's 35%.

Recycling will have the added benefit of cutting the demand for new mines, said the report, which was authored by the conservation group Earthworks and the University of Technology Sydney's Institute for Sustainable Futures.

That would help Biden avoid some battles with environmentalists and other constituencies opposed to mining.

"We can power the renewable energy transition without digging new holes in the ground," said Payal Sampat of Earthworks.

Lead acid batteries were once rarely recycled, but now nearly all are broken down for reuse in internal combustion engines. Environmentalists say that could be a blueprint for the EV recycling industry.

Battery recycling plants have started to slowly open up in the United States.

Last fall, Amazon.com Inc invested in Redwood Materials, a Nevada-based privately held recycling firm that has signed a deal to recycle scrap and battery parts from a Tennessee-based contractor for Nissan Motor Co's LEAF electric vehicle.

Tesla Inc has said it is developing a battery recycling system at its Nevada Gigafactory. The company also contracts with third-party recyclers.

And Apple Inc has started to recycle old iPhones and other electronics at a facility in Austin, Texas.

The US government is also the largest shareholder in mining investment firm TechMet, which is a major investor in Canadian battery recycler Li-Cycle Corp.

Li-Cycle Corp plans to go public later this year through a merger with blank-check acquisition company Peridot Acquisition Corp.


Geely's latest buy: A stake in Aston Martin

                LONDON: Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has acquired a stake in British luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc, expanding tycoon Li Shufu’s reach into European brands.

Geely bought a 7.6% interest in Aston Martin, according to a statement Friday that didn’t provide a transaction value. Aston Martin also said it had completed a £654 million (RM3.4bil) capital raising to strengthen its balance sheet.

Geely sees potential opportunities to collaborate with Aston Martin, tapping the Chinese company’s technology expertise, according to a statement from Geely Group chief executive officer Donghui Li, suggesting that ties between the automakers will extend beyond the financial investment.

Aston Martin declined to comment on Geely’s investment beyond saying it welcomed the company as a shareholder.

The deal adds intrigue around Aston Martin, which has suffered setbacks on its turnaround plan and previously said it had rejected a proposal by Geely and InvestIndustrial for an equity investment of up to £1.3 billion (RM6.7bil).

At the time, the carmaker claimed the bid didn’t present an “attractive funding option or value creation opportunity for existing shareholders.”

Following the disclosure, Aston’s shares rose as much as 6.6% on Friday but slipped to trade 1.9% lower at 12:25 p.m. in London. Based on Thursday’s closing share price, Geely’s stake is valued at about £66.3 million (RM343mil).

Aston is struggling to deliver on a turnaround plan

Li Shufu, Geely’s billionaire owner, presides over a sprawling automobile empire.

Geely has spent the past decade accumulating a portfolio of foreign car brands from Volvo Car to Group Lotus and London Taxi. The 59-year-old, who has a net worth of around US$14.2 billion (RM66bil), also owns almost 10% of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and 49.9% stake in Malaysia's Proton. Geely in May agreed to buy a 34% stake in Renault SA’s Korean unit.

Li first emerged as a potential investor in Aston Martin as early as January 2020, when people familiar with the matter said Geely had held preliminary discussions about a possible investment.

More recently, Geely has been pushing harder into high tech.

It’s building a presence in low-Earth orbit satellites in the hope they’ll form the backbone of a network designed to one day connect with Geely’s self-driving vehicles, while the company’s joint venture with Chinese Internet giant Baidu Inc. in June unveiled its first artificial-intelligence car.

A Li-controlled company also in June agreed to buy 79% of smartphone maker Meizu Technology Co. from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., better positioning Geely as cars become more like intelligent mobile devices with wheels.

Aston Martin has been making more headlines for its precarious debt position.

Pitched at the time of its 2018 London listing as a peer to Ferrari NV, the carmaker was forced in 2020 to seek a rescue by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who injected cash and forged closer ties with Mercedes. That wasn’t enough.

Just months after Stroll declared that Aston had plenty of cash, the carmaker announced the latest rights issue along with the enlisting of the Saudi Public Investment Fund as a major shareholder.

Its capital raising will still leave the company with “an excessive level of debt given its terrible track record of profitability and free cash flow generation,” analyst Thomas Besson wrote in a note earlier this month.

Shares in Aston Martin have declined 74% this year.


Honda City tested

                This year’s Hari Raya celebrations was not unlike previous years as I made my yearly sojurn to Pekan, Pahang, the birthplace of my mom, and where my grandmother, uncles, aunts and cousins currently reside

But I was still "working" in the sense that I had the top-of-the-range 1.5-litre Honda City V variant for the whole week to try out.

No rest for the wicked, right?

While my attempt at sarcasm is laughable (it is funny, right?), driving around in the new City always puts a smile on my face no matter how hard a critic I was every time I drove the car.

Sure, there are some noticeable changes with the fourth generation in terms of design, especially the grille, the arched rear beltline and a sleeker appearance overall compared to its predecessor.

I could argue about the design but the subject matter will always remain relative and in this case, the test car was fitted with the Modulo bodykit which included side skirts and a wing in the rear.

Believe it or not, this bodykit made a whole lot of difference because the car looked sportier without drawing too much attention to itself.

Plus, you stand out among the other sea of Citys out there.

But there is a big difference inside.

The new City has refreshed its design of the dash, which now incorporates a seven-inch touch screen display, a touch panel climate control and push-start button.

It is also a lot more spacious for its occupants but the capacity of storage bins, cubby holes and the glove box have been reduced in the process compared to the previous iteration of the City.

It is a fair trade-off because you will not get to clutter the car as much since storage spaces fill up fairly easily.

There are however, a total of eight cup holders so nobody will ever need to hold a drink longer than necessary.

And in keeping with the times, the new City has upped the features for all your gadgets with an HDMI socket, two USB ports and three 12-volt outlets.

The only problem I had is that the car’s Bluetooth system only recognises iOS devices, so I was not able to use my Android-based smartphone with it.

The three dial instrument cluster now emits a bluish-purple hue in the perimeter which very nicely matched the colour of the car known as Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic.

Call me shallow but I like these type of touches.

As I mentioned earlier, it has a roomier interior as the wheelbase now measures at 2,600mm, which comes very close to the dimensions of a bigger segment car like the Civic.

In fact the Civic’s wheelbase is only longer by 70mm compared to the City.

Since my wife was the only other occupant in the car, there was more than enough room for the two of us but most importantly, the seats were soft which made it very comfortable and relaxing especially for the outstation journey we undertook.

As for performance, the City has 120PS and a maximum torque of 145Nm which is more than adequate for this sedan but with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), you get a smooth delivery on top of it.

It does drone a bit when flooring the throttle but it is not overwhelming.

The trick here is to be light-footed and you will soon realise how much better the car responds and how it should be treated.

Steering is responsive and light but it does not take away your confidence when you’re travelling at higher speeds.

And with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), the car handles really well during the windy turns as I discovered on the Karak highway.

I also discovered that the City is really frugal with fuel and even more so with the Econ mode turned on.

The official consumption figures is at 17.56km per litre and I was pleasantly surprised with how economical this car is, so it is a big plus for those of you who want to save on petrol money.

After Raya day prayers and eating the Raya food fare which is also a big part of the celebration, it was time to go visiting extended family members in and around Pekan and eat some more.
So there I was ferrying my wife, parents and nephew around in a particularly hot and sunny day but everybody was cool and comfortable (the rear air con vents does help).

I had no problems getting in-and-out of some of the narrower roads found in the villages in Pekan and the City’s suspension setup is firm but soft enough to absorb bumpy and gravel surfaces we encountered.

I have come to the conclusion that the new City has really leaped forward from the previous generation with the convenience (keyless entry and push start engine), functionality (the larger cabin and 536 litres of boot space) as well as improved safety, performance and fuel efficiency.

Is it any wonder then that there are so many Citys on the road?


Tesla's electric truck will be able to travel up to 800km on a single charge

                SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk is proud of the latest advances for Tesla's electric truck, and took the time to announce it on Twitter: Semi was able to complete a trip of 800km, with a load of over 36,000kg.

That's about the distance between Chicago and Kansas City or more than the distance between Boston and Washington DC.

These revelations come as commercial production of the vehicle gets underway — with the first deliveries expected by the end of the year.

Unveiled in 2017, the Semi is Tesla's first signature truck. Entirely electric, it is presented as the most powerful and safest truck of its kind according to the American manufacturer.

Like the cars produced by Tesla, it will also feature Autopilot, the semi-autonomous driving system that regulates speed and helps avoid the risk of collision.The range of its basic version is noted at 500 km.

Like the sedans and SUVs already in Tesla's catalog, the Semi is set to be available in several versions, including one with a record range of 800km. Note that Tesla's dedicated Semi chargers can charge the vehicle to 70% in just 30 minutes. If necessary, special stations can be installed in warehouses.

Prices will start at US$150,000 (RM672,000) for a basic version of the Semi, with its more limited range. For the moment, due to limited production, the Semi is only available in the United States and Britain.

Interested transporters in other regions will have to be patient. In the United States, large companies such as DHL, UPS and Walmart have already placed several orders, which should enable them to make significant fuel savings rather rapidly.

But as the industry waits for the Tesla Semi to come out, other major players in the secotr have taken up the challenge of putting more sustainable, environmentally friendly electric trucks on the road.

Chinese group Geely, Daimler and Volvo are all already working towards future production runs of this type of vehicle.

The match between electric trucks is on. Hydrogen-powered models are also expected to hit the roads soon.


Shell Rimula contest winners enjoy Hungarian truck racing treat

                KUALA LUMPUR:  It was truly a money-can’t-buy experience for the lucky winners of the recent Shell Rimula global promotion contest.

The seven Malaysians; Chong Kong Jam,  Foo Kuek Hua, Gan Choon Ling, Jennie Lew, Liew Foh Min, Renny Ong and Tan Yeong Li;  were among more than 180 participants from 19 countries who gathered in Budapest, Hungary recently.

They were there not just to watch the FIA European Truck Racing Championship teams at the Shell Hungary Truck Fest, but also take part in the exclusive Shell Rimula Truck Racing Challenge.

At the end of the exclusive truck team experience Shell China were crowned the 2015 Shell Rimula Truck Racing Challenge Team Champions, and the overall Shell Rimula Truck Racing Challenge Country Champions was awarded to Shell Germany.

The bespoke Truck Racing Challenge was designed by Shell Rimula to let participants from all over the world put their truck racing team skills to the ultimate test. They navigated their way through a series of obstacles and trials with the guidance of expert instructors as they attempted to master truck control and accuracy tests, mechanical tasks, engineering skills and teamwork challenges in a bid to be crowned the Shell Rimula Truck Racing Champion.

During the challenge, guests were given the chance to see if they had what it takes to be part of a truck-racing team as they experienced the vehicles’ power and gained an appreciation of the demands often placed on heavy-duty engines of trucks, when operating in real-life conditions. Driver concentration and awareness were also put to the test in a number of precision and finesse driving challenges, as was the ability to work as a team to complete the various tasks. And if that weren’t enough, all guests experienced the thrill and adrenaline of a professional race driver during an exclusive passenger lap of the Hungaroring.

The Hungarian adventure was not limited to activities at the track. Guests were based in a premium hotel in the heart of Budapest from which they could explore the historic city and soak up the local atmosphere. In the evenings they were treated to an array of exclusive dinners hosted by Shell Rimula.


Adventure time with four-door Ford Bronco

                DETROIT: The all new Built Wild 2021 Bronco four-door rugged SUV is designed to be the ultimate Bronco destination vehicle with ample room, smart features and accessories to haul outdoor gear inside and to comfortably sleep two when the day winds down, says its chief interior designer.

“We spent a lot of time engaging in the outdoors with off-road enthusiasts and understood Bronco had to elevate the off-road camping experience with cleverness and comfort,” said Bill Mangan.

“So we made sure our four-door models could accommodate in-car camping and we followed it with best in class overall openness with the top removed so campers can enjoy spectacular nighttime views.”

With a large rear cargo area in back, the rear sleeping area of all-new 2021 Bronco four-door SUV has more than 21-square feet and a maximum enclosed rear area length of 6 feet, 6 inches with the seats positioned forward and the rear seats folded down and 3 feet, 7 inches wide with 10 extra inches of elbow room in the door area.

Extra tall campers, up to 7 feet, 6 inches tall, can stretch out a little more by moving the front seats forward and sleeping diagonally.

With the Bronco four-door optional slide-out tailgate that arrives late next year, sleeping comfort can be extended more than a foot in length to increase the diagonal length to 8 feet, 9 inches.

From the retractable soft top to the available lightweight hard tops – all can be removed to reveal the 13.3 square foot open top – for the best-in-class second row and overall openness with the top removed.

If hauling outdoor gear is the priority, the 83 cubic-foot rear cargo area on the standard four-door soft top Bronco SUVs cargo area (77.6 cubic feet with optional hard top) offers more volume with the second-row seats folded down than the four-door Jeep Wrangler.

Two-door Bronco models also offer a roomy rear cargo area with 52.3 cubic-foot rear cargo area with the second-row seats folded down and a maximum length of 46.1 inches.

When 2021 Bronco two- and four-door SUVs arrive at Ford dealerships next year, there will be more than 200 Ford licensed accessories available including Platform roof carriers and Heavy Duty (HD) two person tents by Yakima to complete the outdoor experience.

All can be specified when customers order their vehicles, be included in the vehicle financing and installed at the dealer.


Grab stays, cabbies' woes need to be tackled holistically, says Loke

                KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reiterated that the government will not give in to the demands of taxi drivers who want the authorities to ban e-hailing services using private cars, in particular Grab.

He said the government was aware of the problems faced by taxi drivers, but the issues need to be looked from all angles, not only from the perspective of taxi drivers but also that of passengers.

He also said that the ministry had come up with a win-win formula to protect the welfare of taxi drivers and drivers who use the services of e-call companies.

"Our purpose is to encourage taxi drivers to use e-hailing applications, whether it is from Grab or other companies, (we should) not focus on Grab only as there are 20 to 30 e-hailing companies in the country, there are many more options," he said when winding up the Half-Term Review of the 11th Malaysia Plan for the ministry last night.

 EzCab is an alternative to the popular Grab service.


Nissan CEO says sees business as usual for Nissan, Renault alliance

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said today the Japanese automaker would continue to work with its parent company Renault exactly as it has in the past, after the two companies resolved a shareholding issue with the French government.

"We want to put this behind us and allow us to continue...as two companies, with their own autonomy and their own structure of management, and develop synergies in the sphere of partnership," Ghosn, CEO of both Nissan and Renault, told reporters at Nissan's headquarters.

The Renault-Nissan alliance drew a line under an eight-month power struggle with the French government late last week, with a compromise deal balancing increased state influence at Renault with weakened control over its Japanese affiliate.


Numina and KERB are joint-winners of Toyota Mobility Foundation's international smart city competition

                KUALA LUMPUR: Two teams - Numina from the United States and KERB from Australia - have been declared as the joint-winners for the City Architecture for Tomorrow Challenge (CATCH).

Both team will receive US$250,000 (RM1.038mil) each as a grant award for their solution trial and implementation in Kuala Lumpur.

CATCH was launched by Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) in February last year with a global call for dynamic and data-driven solutions to address mobility and city planning challenges in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Numina and KERB, along with four other finalists, had developed their own Minimum Viable Products (MVP) of innovative solutions including demand responsive transit, smart cameras, synthetic data modeling solution, data fusion platform, and parking solution towards improving mobility and city planning.

The MVPs were presented at the final assessment by a panel of eight judges from various fields of expertise.

The entries from Numina and KERB were the best and matched the five assessment criteria of creativity, desirability, feasibility, sustainability and technicality.

In addition to enhancing the quality of life for citizens in the city of Kuala Lumpur, these winning solutions also align with Toyota’s Mobility for All initiative.

In its entry, Numina uses computer vision and Privacy by Design technology to measure how people and objects move in streets and public spaces, and delivers real-time insights from streets to make cities more responsive to human movement and needs.

During the challenge, Numina has deployed their sensors in traffic hotspots in Kuala Lumpur, allowing them to monitor and analyse people and object movement.

The data can be delivered via self-serve web dashboard with a dynamic, queryable, privacy-first dataset of multimodal activity to Kuala Lumpur stakeholders, for making data-driven decisions in terms of city planning and infrastructure improvement during the Winner Implementation Stage.

Numina CEO and founder Tara Pham said: “We are honored that the CATCH partners believe in the impact that Numina can have, by supporting pedestrian safety and turning Kuala Lumpur’s streets into a sandbox for mobility innovation.”

Meanwhile, KERB has deployed its technology to unlock parking spaces that are empty during office hours – thereby increasing the number of parking options available, with zero infrastructure by providing one-touch booking and payment, “hands-free” car park access, and real-time of parking behavior data.

It develops a platform that automates car parking, and enables renting public/ private spaces to customers who need parking space.

KERB also has local operations, and is increasing its presence in Kuala Lumpur.

Through the Winner implementation stage, KERB will increase parking supply around public transport hubs, expand networks, and strengthen the mobility system in improving accessibility in Kuala Lumpur.

KERB CEO and Co-Founder Rob Brown said: “At Kerb, we passionately believe that the “mobility for all” solution developed with fresh and innovative approach for the city of Kuala Lumpur as part of Toyota Mobility Foundation’s ‘City Architecture for Tomorrow’ would serve as a model for any developed or developing city.”

The winning teams will continuously work on implementation of the solution in Kuala Lumpur.

TMF, together with strategic partners including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) will support the winners until the end of implementation stage.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said: “Kuala Lumpur City Hall is fully supportive of CATCH as it is in line with our goals to make Kuala Lumpur an efficient and environmentally-friendly mobility city focusing on effective and varied mobility and transportation choices.”

MDEC Chief Digital Business Officer Aiza Azreen Ahmad said: “CATCH is testament of the effectiveness of data-driven solutions to empower Malaysia’s digital economy and drive innovations toward efficient, innovative and sustainable cities.

TMF Director of Programmes Pras Ganesh said: “The problem statement was challenging, focusing on data driven city planning and mobility improvements of Kuala Lumpur.

“Though all the Finalists are excellent, both the winning entries are worthy victors of CATCH. In line with Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Guiding Principles, they both offer high tech practical solutions that can deliver immediate benefits to Kuala Lumpur citizens and city planners.

“Furthermore, they also exhibit potential for future-proofing mobility in any large city, and we are excited at the possibilities of our engagement going forward,” he said.


Maserati showcases Nerissimo edition in Geneva

                MODENA: Maserati unveils the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante in captivating “total black” at the 88th Geneva Motor Show.

Black is synonymous with elegance, but also with extreme sportiness, so it perfectly captures the dual personality inherent in the Maserati DNA.

From this concept, Nerissimo was born − a special edition of Maserati cars that emphasises their assertive sporting prowess and high-performance capabilities.

 Quattroporte Nerissimo Edition.

Designed for the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante − and available in GranSport trims − the Nerissimo Edition envelops each car in black.

The exteriors of the three cars stand out thanks to seductive, deep black body paint. This is combined with a contrasting Black Chrome trim on the upper part of the grille frame and the Trident, the side air vents, the boot, and the iconic Maserati badging on the C-pillars and at the rear.

The grille bars, door handles, exhaust tips and window trim, meanwhile, are in an exclusive black finish.

 Levante Nerissimo Edition.

For the Ghibli and Quattroporte, a dark finish on the LED headlights and a choice of either 20” Urano or 21” Titano alloy wheels – both in glossy black – complete the picture. The Levante offers additional features such as front and rear underbody protection and black fog light rings.

It is available with a choice of 20” Nereo, 20” Efesto or 21” Anteo alloy wheels – all in dark finishes.

As for the interior, the Ghibli sports sedan is fitted out with heated front and rear Sport seats, a heated sport steering wheel and Dark Mirror interior finishing − although Black Piano and Carbon fibre trims are also available.

Tinted windows and a power rear sunblind are additional features. The flagship Quattroporte executive sedan can be finished in either Black Piano or Carbon fibre trims. It is equipped with tinted windows and a rear-view camera with dynamic gridlines, and also adds the practicality of a power boot lid, the HomeLink system and Keyless Entry extended to include the rear doors.

 Ghibli Nerissimo Edition.

The Levante SUV features heated front and rear Sport seats, four-zone automatic climate control, power foot pedals and the Easy Entry system.

The Marque of the Trident’s other models will also be present in Geneva in a variety of trims and colours.

This includes a Ghibli S Q4 GranLusso Bianco Alpi with 20” Urano Diamond wheels, polished aluminium brake calipers, a luxuriously elegant Ermenegildo Zegna silk interior with red leather, 100% natural fibre Mulberry silk inserts and a high-quality Ebony trim.

The Quattroporte S Q4 GranLusso is presented in Blu Passione, with 21” Titano wheels and black brake calipers. The exquisite beige leather interior with wooden inserts perfectly matches the exterior, and the two rear seats ensure maximum comfort for executive use.

The sports cars are represented by the GranCabrio MC. Painted in Bianco Birdcage, the cabriolet features 20” wheels, black brake calipers, a leather and Alcantara interior, and contrasting white stitching that embellishes the passenger compartment.

The carbon detail also reinforces the car’s strong racing look.


Ford recalls nearly 3 million US vehicles over rollaway concerns

                WASHINGTON: Ford Motor Co is recalling more than 2.9 million vehicles that could roll away because a damaged or missing part may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said the recall covers various 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles, the agency said in a notice today.

A damaged or missing shift cable bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear or the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position.

Ford said it is aware of six reports alleging property damage and four reports of injuries potentially related to the recall population.

This is Ford's fifth recall over the issue since 2018, it told the agency.

Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After an April recall for the same issue, Ford continued to hold talks with NHTSA over field reports related to vehicles equipped that were not included in previous recalls.

"Although claim rates and projected failures remained low, Ford recommended a safety recall for the remaining vehicles in North America" with the specific shift cable bushing.

Ford said from April 2015 through March 2022, it has identified 1,630 warranty reports and 233 other reports attributed to this concern.

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap.

On Tuesday, the No. 2 US automaker said it was recalling about 49,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles because a part could overheat and result in a loss of propulsion power.

Ford today also recalled 53,103 four-door 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles because the passenger-side rear door may be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.


Perodua Q1 sales jump 30%

                PETALING JAYA: Perodua sales for the first quarter ended March 31 jumped 30% to 57,200 units from 44,024 units in the corresponding quarter last year due to strong demand for its current models.

Perodua also posted its highest monthly sales record of 22,500 units in March.

“March represented our highest monthly sales record with an expected market share of 34% based on our estimated total industry volume of 65,500 units in March,” president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh (pic) said in a statement.

The strong performance was partly due to the strong demand for the Axia, which has collected over 100,000 bookings since the public started making orders on Aug 15, 2014. As of March 31, Perodua had delivered over 60,000 units of the Axia.


Mida and Perodua seek to automate and digitalise local auto suppliers

Arham (left) and Zainal Abidin.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government wants to upgrade the local automotive supply chain and is working with Perodua to get the ball rolling.

The government, through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, and the automaker today revealed the Mida-Perodua Digital Transformation Ecosystem Programme at Mida’s headquarters.

The programme aims to upgrade local automotive suppliers to the next level by using cutting-edge technologies and machinery and to digitalise their manufacturing processes through adoption of Industry 4.0.

The first phase of Mida-Perodua strategic partnership has led to the emergence of three potential Perodua-friendly partners namely LSF Technology Sdn Bhd, J.K. Wire Harness Sdn Bhd and Autoliv Hirotako Safety Sdn Bhd.

These companies have also been granted Domestic Investment Strategic Fund as part of government efforts to help local companies tap into the global supply chain.

Mida and Perodua have also identified five promising vendors that have shown much growth opportunities. They are Armstrong Auto Parts Sdn Bhd, Ingress Aoi Technologies Sdn Bhd, Namicoh Suria Sdn Bhd, P.D. Kawamura Kako Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Kumpulan Jebco (M) Sdn Bhd.

As the main promotional agency of Malaysia, Mida said it would use its clout and resources to help more companies grow.

The Mida-Perodua collaboration began in 2020.

Mida CEO Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said the joint programme would help Malaysia attract more foreign investors.

The government is also helping local companies to scale up and accelerate their adoption of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technology through various incentives and facilities, he added.

As of June 30, 238 Malaysian-owned companies were approved with business grants valued at RM138.5 million. The recipients were SMEs from labour-intensive industries such as plastics, wood, furniture and textiles, while the rest were from services-related industries.

Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the programme could fast track Malaysia’s industries, from small to large, as it provides both funds and guidance.

"Perodua's role has always been to develop the automotive ecosystem and this programme is another example of our commitment towards this objective.”


NIO updates level 2 advanced driving assistant system Nio Pilot

                BEIJING: NIO has announced an update to NIO Pilot, the advanced driving assistant system (ADAS), adding seven features. At the same time, the company announced the NIO OS smart operating system was upgraded to NIO OS 2.0, and unveiled a new user experience (UX) vehicle interaction and user interface (UI) design.

The NIO Pilot update adds 7 features including Highway Pilot, Traffic Jam Pilot, Auto Lane Changing (ALC) and more.

The update marks the transformation of NIO Pilot into a comprehensive, level 2 autonomous driving system, offering advanced driving assistance. As a key strategic focus, NIO will continue to develop core technologies, with autonomous driving algorithms, foundational software, ADAS and other technologies being developed jointly by NIO teams in the United States and China.

‘‘As a smart electric vehicle brand, the research and development of autonomous driving technologies is absolutely vital to NIO. It is only through progressive research and development and mastering core technologies, that we can more quickly respond to user feedback and quicken the pace of product iteration. In this way, we can offer users an experience that exceeds their expectations,” NIO’s vice-president of Autonomous Driving Jamie Carlson.

The NIO OS 2.0 smart operating system is a comprehensive optimisation based upon user feedback. Better UI design, UX interaction, and richer content all provide users a more pleasant digital experience.

More screen gesture operations have been added so that most operation can be completed through gestures alone. The NIO smart operating system now integrates rich third-party content such as Baidu Maps, QQ Music in addition to NIO Radio, NIO’s online audio community.


Nissan sells a car using nothing but Twitter

                BARCELONA: Nissan's European business is celebrating a huge achievement. By using only Twitter to offer a potential customer everything from specifications and a virtual test driver to conducting market research it has become the first European car company to clinch a sale with a tweet.

The customer in question, Raul Escolano, had been challenging car companies in Spain to sell him a car using nothing but Twitter and its ecosystem of apps - Periscope and Vine.

Nissan picked up the gauntlet, using Periscope to live stream a demonstration of the X-Trail crossover's features and then using Twitter itself to conduct a poll as to how the car stands up against its direct competitors.

When Escolano signed on the digital dotted line, the keys to the car were couriered to his home address. All of which meant that the only time the customer met any representative at Nissan was when he arrived at the company's Spanish HQ to collect the car.


Perodua Axia STYLE debuts in Sri Lanka

                COLOMBO (Sri Lanka): The Perodua Axia STYLE has made its Sri Lankan debut during the Seylan Colombo Motor Show happening from Nov 8 to 10.

“As Sri Lanka is the Perodua brand’s biggest overseas market and one that has always been accepting of the Axia, with some 3,000 units sold since 2015, it is fitting as the new Perodua Axia STYLE’s first export destination,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Bookings for the Axia STYLE are being collected by local Perodua distributor Unimo Enterprises during the show with deliveries expected to begin in early 2020.

The crossover-inspired variant of the 2019 Perodua Axia range that launched in Malaysia in September is being priced at Rs3.895mil (RM89,000) in the island nation.

“Sporting rugged-looking bumpers with skid plate elements, all-around body cladding, roof mouldings, a rear spoiler and striking 15-inch five-spoke alloys, the new Perodua Axia STYLE reflect an owners’ active lifestyles while retaining all the hallmark Axia qualities of practicality, fuel efficiency, spaciousness and ease to drive,” added Zainal.

"SUVs and crossovers are enjoying a big rise globally and we foresee the same trend taking hold in Sri Lanka,” said Unimo Enterprise's chief executive officer and executive director Mahesh Gunathilake.

Unimo Enterprises has sold nearly 16,000 Perodua cars since 1997 with its current line-up comprising of the Axia and now Sri Lanka’s best-selling new sub-1.0-litre sedan - the Bezza.

Out of over 20,000 bookings received for the Axia, more than 10,400 units have been delivered to Malaysians and also includes the Axia STYLE which numbered in excess of 2,000 units.

Perodua aims to export 3,270 cars this year – a considerable 50% more than last year’s 2,184 units with over 80,000 Perodua vehicles having been exported to date.


Would you put an emoji on your licence plate?

                MONTPELIER: Vermont could be the first US state to allow emoji characters on licence plates.

In late 2019, a personalised licence plate vendor located in Queensland, Australia, began offering plates that could be customised with one of five emojis.

The icons, however, are merely decorative and aren't officially part of the registration number. Lawmakers in Vermont are following suit and are set to become the first US state where emojis are legally allowed on licence plates.

Like in Australia, vehicle owners will only be able to select from a small collection of emojis to include on their plate, though it has not been disclosed which characters could be available.

The draft bill states the emojis can be added "in addition to the distinctive number assigned by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the numerals and letters selected by the registered owner of a vehicle as a vanity plate."

Thus far, no price has been suggested nor has a date been set for when Vermont residents will be able to buy the plates. More information will likely be shared over the next few weeks.


Petronas targets net zero carbon emissions by 2050

                PETALING JAYA: Petronas is aiming for “net zero carbon emissions” by 2050 as it seeks to be a “progressive energy and solutions partner enriching lives for a sustainable future”.

President and group chief executive officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz said: “As the world contends with the many challenges brought about by energy transition, Petronas is embracing its role in providing access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy to businesses and society.

“The group is committed to fulfilling its purpose in providing cleaner energy and solutions that benefit both the world we live in as well as the customers we serve through reduced emissions.”

Earlier, he said that Petronas would intensify its efforts towards reducing the so-called “Scope 1” and “Scope 2” green house gas (GHG) emissions from its assets by delivering continuous improvements in operational excellence and by deploying innovative operations and technologies.


ADVERTORIAL: Peugeot 408 e-THP to the fore

                The Peugeot 408 e-THP was crowned the “Most Well-Specced Mid-size Car” at the inaugural CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2016, thanks to its list of comprehensive features.

The 408 e-THP’s fuel efficient automatic stop-start technology, a powerful 1.6-litre twin scroll turbo high pressure (THP) engine with 167PS and 245Nm of torque, and an array of premium equipment and accessible RM143,888 on-the-road price were the factors that impressed the award judges.

The 408 e-THP now comes with five years of free service, inclusive of parts and labour.

Premium features include Smart Park Assist II, which is an automated parking manoeuvring system offering both parallel and perpendicular parking options.

Another unique addition is the Blind Spot Information System (BLISS), which warns the driver of the presence of another vehicle in the blind spot angle of their vehicle.

It has a large 565-litre boot too, the biggest in its class.

The 408 e-THP’s automatic stop-start feature helps to deliver fuel economy of 6.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, as it deactivates the engine when speed is below 20kph and restarts smoothly when the accelerator is pressed.

The engine is matched to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with Quickshift technology, for quicker gear changes.

The 408 e-THP has a sleek design and detailing, with LED headlamps with auto light functions, auto retractable side mirrors with LED indicators and LED tail lights.

It is fitted with 17-inch two-tone lightweight alloy wheels, premium black leather seats, High Fidelity Arkamys sound staging with 6 speakers, USB and Bluetooth, automatic electric parking brake, intelligent keyless entry with push start, integrated reverse camera, automatic dual zone climate control, and a 9.7-inch HD Multifunction Touchscreen, and electric lumbar and massage function in the driver seat.

Safety features include six airbags and an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) featuring Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

Other safety features include three steel grades of body construction (High Strength Steel, Very High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel), Hill Start Assist, three sets of ISOFIX points at the rear for child seats, pretensioner safety belt with load limiter and seatbelt alarm audio, advanced electric power steering and Peugeot Rolling Code Transponder immobiliser security.

Take a look at Peugeot’s offer this month – you can enjoy savings of up to RM37,000, attractive rebates, high trade-in value, fast loan approval and immediate delivery with a brand new Peugeot.

To find out more, visit the nearest Peugeot showroom and test drive the award winning cars.


Pandemic threatens New York's iconic yellow taxis

                NEW YORK: On a February morning in a parking lot near La Guardia Airport, a few dozen of the yellow cabs patiently queue in the freezing cold to catch a fare from one of the terminals.

"This lot used to be full with hundreds of cabs and even a line outside," says 65-year-old Joey Olivo, recalling the days before coronavirus.

"Now there is only about 50 and you wait two hours, when before you'd wait 20 minutes," adds Olivo, a taxi driver for three decades.

Widespread working from home, school closures and no tourists means rides have plummeted for Olivo, as they have for all of New York's cabbies.

"It's been pretty bad. My earnings dropped 80 percent. I went from making maybe US$1,000 a week to making US$200 or US$300 a week," he said.

Olivo, who lives in Brooklyn, is trying to put a brave face on his situation, joking that he is lucky his wife "makes good money" as a nurse, otherwise "I would have had a rope around my neck."

'Free fall'

New York taxi drivers, most of whom are first-generation immigrants, were once able to make US$7,000 a month or more if they worked long hours seven days a week.

Competition from Uber, Lyft and other vehicle-for-hire firms had already drastically dented their income, but with the pandemic it is in "free fall," says Richard Chow, a 62-year-old taxi driver originally from Myanmar.

Chow is not feeling the press as much as most, because he bought his licence, called a "medallion" in New York, for US$410,000 in 2006.

In the years that followed, medallion prices soared, inflated by a nexus of bankers, investors and lawyers.

In 2009, his younger brother Kenny Chow paid US$750,000 for his licence. In 2014, the cost of medallion reached US$1 million.

The arrival of thousands of new drivers working for Uber and others has caused the medallion bubble to burst and condemned thousands of cabbies who had bought medallions at a high cost on credit to fall into debt or bankruptcy.

Kenny Chow and at least seven other drivers, including of black cars and limousines, committed suicide in 2018, underscoring a dire situation that has been worsened by the pandemic.

"The pandemic has just been devastating," said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the Taxi Workers Alliance.

"Before the pandemic, ridership had been down by 50 percent. Since the pandemic, it's down closer to 90 percent," she said.

"The parts of the city that are the most deserted are the parts of Manhattan where drivers depend on in order to earn their living, and the airports," Desai added.

Hence the scarcity of yellow taxis. Out of some 13,000 licences, only about 5,000 taxis are running regularly at the moment, according to the union.

Some 7,000 others aren't even leaving their garages. According to William Pierre, a driver from Haiti, it is no longer profitable.

He continues to drive even though his daily earnings barely exceed US$100 to US$150, which he shares 50/50 with the company that leases the car to him.

"I don't want to stay home. I want to be out there to feed my family," he says.

So could the yellow taxis, which replaced checkered-striped cabs in the 1960s, actually disappear?

'Cultural icon'

Olivo and Pierre believe business will pick up eventually, even though they agree it will never be the same again.

Desai fears yellow cabs "will slowly phase out" if the city government does not erase drivers' debts.

Her union is stepping up protests and dozens of drivers briefly blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday.

"You know you are in NYC when you see that yellow," says Desai, adding that the taxis are famous the world over.

"It's a cultural icon... a 24-hour service that is part of the economic, social and cultural fabric of our beautiful city."

New York's Democratic mayor, Bill de Blasio, has promised to help the taxi drivers provided the city, economically ravaged by the pandemic, is bailed out by the federal government.

"If we can get the kind of stimulus support we deserve. I think it opens the door to coming up with a solution to help taxi drivers and families who have suffered so much," he said today.


Thousands of cars including Audis, Porsches adrift on burning cargo ship

The Felicity Ace carrying nearly 4,000 cars from the VW Group adrift and on fire. — Photo from Marinha Portuguesa
NEW YORK: The Felicity Ace, a massive Panama-flagged cargo ship carrying thousands of Volkswagen Group vehicles, caught fire near the Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday afternoon.

The ship’s 22 crewmembers were successfully evacuated and taken to a local hotel by the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, who were deployed to help with the rescue effort, according to a statement from the Navy.

The ship itself was left unmanned and adrift.

An internal email from Volkswagen’s US operations revealed there were 3,965 Volkswagen AG vehicles aboard the ship.

Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, the group manufactures vehicles under brands including Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini - all of which were in tow when the vessel set ablaze.

More than 100 of those cars were headed for the Port of Houston in Texas, with GTI, Golf R, and ID.4 models deemed to be at risk, according to the email.

The auto industry is already struggling with supply issues, including pandemic-related staffing woes and the global chip shortage.

Luke Vandezande, a spokesman for Porsche, said the company estimates around 1,100 of its vehicles were among those on board Felicity Ace at the time of the fire.

He said customers affected by the incident are being contacted by their dealers.

"Our immediate thoughts are of relief that the 22 crew of the merchant ship Felicity Ace are safe and well,” Vandezande said.

It’s not the first time the manufacturer has lost merchandise at sea.

When the Grande America caught fire and sank in 2019, more than 2,000 luxury cars, including Audis and Porsches, sank with it.

Some customers expressed their disappointment on social media.

One Twitter user reported his custom spec’d Porsche Boxster Spyder was on board the ship. Standard models of the vehicle start around $99,650.

A spokesman for Lamborghini’s US operation declined to comment on the number of cars the company had on board or which models were affected, but said that they are in contact with the shipping company to get more information about the incident.

Felicity Ace is roughly the size of three football fields and was en route to a port in Davisville, Rhode Island, when a distress signal was issued due to a fire on one of its cargo decks.

As of Wednesday night, the ship’s owner was arranging for the vessel to be towed, the Navy said. They plan to remain on site to monitor the situation, reporting no detectable traces of pollution so far.


Turkey unveils US$3.7bil home-grown electric car project

                ISTANBUL: Turkey said it plans to produce up to 175,000 vehicles annually under its domestic electric car project, set to be unveiled by President Tayyip Erdogan today, drawing investment of 22 billion lira (RM15.3bil) over 13 years.

The project to produce a fully home-grown car has been a longtime goal of Erdogan and his ruling AK Party as a demonstration of the major emerging market’s economic power.

Ahead of the unveiling, Turkey’s Automobile Initiative Group (TOGG) — the consortium that produced the prototype — published a video of the vehicle wrapped in black tarpaulin driving along highways and over a bridge.

WATCH: Live broadcast

The TOGG SUV will be available in two variants: one that has a 300km and a 500km range. The more powerful version is able to go from 0 to 100kph in 4.8s. Charging up the vehicle to 80% full is anticipated to take 30 mins.

Turkey is already a big exporter to Europe of cars made domestically by firms such as Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Renault, Toyota and Hyundai.

The new project, launched in October, will receive state support such as tax breaks, and establish a production facility in the automotive hub of Bursa in northwest Turkey, according to a presidential decision in the country’s Official Gazette.

Five versions of the car will be produced by a workforce of more than 4,000 people, the statement said, adding the government had guaranteed to buy 30,000 of the vehicles by 2035.

The first vehicle, a C-SUV, will be introduced in 2022, according to TOGG’s website.

The group has been giving visual hints about the vehicle on its Twitter page for the past few days. The car was designed by Italy’s Pininfarina SpA, Dunya newspaper reported on Dec 11.

The project is expected to contribute US$50 billion (RM206bil) to the Turkish economy in the 15 years following 2022, according to Mehmet Gurcan Karakas, the chief executive officer of the consortium.

Investors are obliged to provide at least 3.5 billion liras (RM2.4bil) in cash as capital by the end of 2023.

Erdogan first revealed plans in November 2017 here to launch a car made entirely in Turkey by 2021. He is expected to drive the prototype over a suspension bridge at a ceremony today in the north-western district of Gebze.

TOGG was established in mid 2018 by five industrial groups: Anadolu Group, BMC, Kok Group, mobile phone operator Turkcell and Zorlu Holding, the parent of TV maker Vestel.

TOGG’s CEO is former Bosch executive Gurcan Karakas and its chief operating officer is Sergio Rocha, former General Motors Korea chief executive. It said it will begin production in 2022 with sport utility vehicles in the compact car segment.

In October, Volkswagen said it postponed a final decision on whether to build a car plant in Turkey amid international criticism of an October Turkish military operation in Syria. — Additional reporting by Bloomberg


Kiss goodbye to the VW manual?

                WOLFSBURG: The manual transmission is a device in transition as the movement towards electric cars gain momentum.

Some automakers are already planning to scrap their manuals despite vociferous protests from diehard purists. And Volkswagen is joining in.

According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, VW is going to phase out the manual transmission, starting from 2023.

The magazine believes that the VW manual will be extinct by 2030 when VW cars go all-electric.

It all boils down to dollars and cents. VW was bleeding billions of dollars from the Dieselgate scandal and its present trajectory to focus on EVs is costly as well.

Something has to give. In this case, it's the manual box as VW goes on a cost-cutting frenzy to build up its electric crown jewel.

So get used to Golfs, Tiguans and Passats with only an auto box from 2023.

This move to do away with the stick shift and simplify the drivetrain offerings is likely to cascade across to other VW brands like Audi, SEAT and Skoda.


Your magnetic smartphone holder could be disrupting your reception

                COLOGNE: A mobile phone attachment that uses a magnet - most commonly found in a car - may make it harder to receive phone calls, according to a major technical inspection association.

The magnetic field generated by the magnet that is stuck to the phone may interfere with the mobile network, according to Ralf Diekmann, who works for Germany's TUV association in the Rhineland.

For drivers who want to be extra sure they can receive calls, he recommends instead using non-magnetic brackets that you can mechanically clip the mobile into.

A magnet does not affect other aspects of a mobile phone, such as the battery or the software. But it could damage bank cards or other cards containing a chip, such as the increasingly popular public transport cards, when the mobile is carried in a pocket.

"These cards could certainly be damaged by coming into contact with a magnet," Diekmann says.


GM uses Canada as its backyard to develop self-driving car tech

                DETROIT: General Motors announced plans to hire 1,000 engineers and software developers at its Canadian research facilities near Toronto over the coming years to design new self-driving cars.

"With this expansion, GM Canada will play an important role in our evolution toward vehicles that are connected, autonomous, shared and electric," Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of global product development, said in a statement.

In addition to autonomous vehicle software and controls, the teams will also work on new safety, "infotainment" and wireless connection technologies.

The positions will be based at existing research facilities in Oshawa on the shore of Lake Ontario and a new automotive software lab to be opened soon in nearby Markham.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who lobbied GM chief executive Mary Barra at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, was on hand for the announcement, saying GM's investment "will create good paying jobs."

GM has made sizeable investments in future technologies, including the billion-dollar acquisition of Cruise, a San Francisco start-up focused on the development of the autonomous vehicles.

The United States is currently mulling regulations for self-driving cars, which are also being developed by tech giants Apple and Google.


Toyota spruces up Innova, Fortuner and Hilux amid keen competition

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has begun selling the Innova 2.0X, new variants of the Fortuner and the Hilux.

The Innova 2.0X MPV is priced at RM132,800; Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x4 and Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x2 at RM195,800 and RM185,800 respectively; while the Hilux starts from RM87,200 to RM130,900 depending on variant.

Innova 2.0X

The Innova 2.0X is the flagship of the Innova range, featuring more crossover styling but retains the spacious and flexible cabin space. It gets an even more premium image with advanced features which include LED lights, premium combination leather package, 8-way power
adjustment for the driver’s seat, Captain’s seats for the second row, and larger alloy rims.

Fortuner

The two new turbodiesel variants in the Fortuner range – the Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x4 and Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x2 – offer customers more choices. Like the Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4x4, the two new variants come with equipment which includes dual LED projector headlamps, Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC), 7 airbags, automatic air-conditioning, leather seats, and a powered back door. Also newly available are front LED-type fog lamps, and cruise control.

The Fortuner 2.7 SRZ 4x4 and Fortuner 2.4 VRZ 4x4 variants now come with Downhill Assist Control (DAC). All variants are now updated with rear disc brakes.

Hilux

As for the Hilux, major upgrades and improvements enhance off-road performance, convenience and safety. Like before, there are six variants to cater for different budgets and requirements.

The major enhancements relate to convenience and comfort features which have been added following customer feedback and demand. These include cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, USB charging ports, and an additional vent to direct cool air to the rear passengers
for a more comfortable journey.

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) has now also been added to the Hilux 2.4G with manual transmission, along with HAC and A-TRC. The Hilux 2.8G also comes with Downhill Assist Control (DAC) to make driving down a steep slope easier and safer. Safety has been stepped
up further by expanding the availability of 7 airbags to the 2.4G AT variant as well.

The Hilux has been the best-selling pick-up truck in Malaysia for 12 years.

UMW Toyota Motor offers a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage execpt for the Hilux, which gets a 5-years warranty with 150,000km mileage.


How British car brands are selling themselves to China

                LONDON: Many British automotive marques are already forging reciprocal links with Chinese firms. Aston Martin is working with LeEco to develop an electric version of its Rapide super sedan and everyone from Jaguar to Bentley is also developing models with longer wheelbases and greater space for rear passengers, uniquely for the Chinese market.

But how do these storied British brands get the biggest and youngest car-buying market to fall in love with them within the next few years, when they've had over 60 years to become pin-up fixtures on children's walls in Europe and the US?

Jaguar has already hired David Beckham as its sportscar ambassador to China, but, as football fans will tell you "There's only one David Beckham" so it appears the long-term answer is to celebrate all that's good about British motoring heritage is by crafting a festival on a par with the Goodwood Festival of Speed and bringing it to the Chinese mainland.

The British Motorsport Festival (BMF), will open its doors to the public at the Goldenport track, Beijing, on Oct 1 and promises past, present and future cars from Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, McLaren, Morgan and Noble.

But more than simply trying to get car fans excited, the two-day event will be a proper family-inclusive lifestyle experience.

"The British Motorsport Festival is a unique blend of cars, fans and fun for the entire family. Our hope is that the British Motorsport Festival can help brands connect with fans to build lasting relationships," said Jim James, BMF's founder.

So the event promises racing, a ladies competition, go-karting and electric car racing for kids plus a vintage car show.

Alongside the festival the British government is also assisting in setting up an annual motorsports conference, in partnership with Motorsport China, the first of which will be held in Shanghai on Nov 2. Because as with every country that starts to fall in love with cars, the urge to race tends to follow very quickly. But there are pitfalls that need to be avoided if it's going to be done in a sustainable, profitable way.

"Motorsport in China is developing rapidly, and the goal of the Conference is to bring experts from Britain and China together to discuss best practices, build deeper relationships and ultimately to develop the industry to a world class level," said Motorsport China managing director Steven Lu.

So the conference will bring together experts from every facet of racing from track development to team owners and specialist services companies under one roof.


Perodua focuses on reducing Myvi order backlog

                RAWANG: There were around 22,000 new Perodua Myvi units yet to be delivered as of end-September.

“We have yet to ascertain the full delivery timeframe but our manufacturing arm has begun production and deliveries will be forthcoming soon. We offer our sincere apologies to the affected customers for the wait,” said Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

Between January and September this year, Perodua sold 168,200 vehicles – an 11% jump over the 151,600 vehicles it sold in the same period in 2017.

“The sales jump can be attributed to the positive response for the new Perodua Myvi as well as for our other models – the Axia, Bezza and Alza – which sold some 53,700 units; 38,100 units and 18,400 units respectively this year so far,” Datuk (Dr) Aminar said.

However, Perodua sold only approximately 9,500 vehicles in total for September due to the Myvi production halt that began in August, attributed to a technical issue at one of its vendors.


Bid for a Proton at the Proton Auto Fest this weekend

                PETALING JAYA: National carmaker Proton is holding the Proton Auto Fest this weekend - Nov 25 and 26, 2017 - at the Proton Centre of Excellence, Shah Alam, 9AM to 6PM daily, and will be filled with promotions and fun activities for the whole family.

Among the exciting activities is the auction and you have the chance to bid for a Proton car. Among the cars up for auction are the Suprima, Preve, the previous generation Saga, Persona, Iriz and even the Inspira. There are more than 30 cars up for auction so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity.

If you are in the market for a new Proton, you can either get a RM8,000 rebate or free service up to five years (terms and conditions apply).

There is also a discount of up to 80% for original Proton parts and up to 30% discount for Proton merchandise.

There will also be free safety checks for your Proton, test drives, meet-and greet with local celebrities, foodtruck fanfare and even free valet service.

So be sure to make your way to the Proton Auto Fest which will be held at Proton Centre of Excellence, Shah Alam from 9AM to 6PM daily on Nov 25 and 26. Admission is free.

For more information, please call Customer Care at 1-800-88-8398.


Richard Mille teams up with McLaren on new watch

GENEVA: The Swiss watch brand and the British automaker have joined forces to commission the "RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph" wristwatch, presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The watch boasts innovative specifications and a sleek, sporty design. It is a limited edition with just 500 pieces.

McLaren design director Rob Melville and Richard Mille engineer Fabrice Namura pooled their talent and expertise to create the "RM 11-03," a wristwatch inspired by various details from the world of McLaren, in particular, its 720S supercar. The watch's titanium buttons, for example, evoke the headlights of this high-performance car, while the titanium crown is shaped like a wheel. The bezel's titanium inserts feature the McLaren logo.

"The idea was to take on a real technical challenge, and come up with something other than a mere dial with an inscription, for example. I find the 720S designed by Rob Melville mesmerizing beautiful, and we wanted to give the RM 11-03 McLaren curves that were similarly both aesthetic and functional," said Namura.

Other specs include a Carbone TPT and orange Quartz TPT case, matching high-resistance materials with the British car maker's signature color. The sapphire dial has an anti-glare finish and features three counters, an oversized date window and a month display window.

The watch uses the RMAC3 caliber, an automatic skeleton movement with hours, minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph, 60-minute countdown counter, 12-hour chronograph and a variable geometry rotor. It has a power reserve of 55 hours.

Only 500 limited-edition "RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph" watches will be released, with priority purchase for owners of McLaren Ultimate Series supercars (the "McLaren P1," the "McLaren P1 GTR" and the "McLaren Senna").


Netflix to feature electric cars from GM and others in programming

                LOS ANGELES: Netflix Inc has unveiled a new star for some of its upcoming programming: electric vehicles from General Motors and other automakers.

The streaming service announced an agreement last Thursday to feature vehicles including the Chevrolet Bolt, the electric GMC Hummer pickup and the Cadillac Lyriq in TV series and films "where relevant."

The companies will highlight the partnership in a commercial featuring Will Ferrell that will air during the Feb. 12 Super Bowl. Netflix and GM called the agreement "part of a commitment to a more sustainable future."

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Netflix said it will help creators "better understand how EVs can complement and enhance their stories."

Shows that will feature GM's electric vehicles include "Love is Blind," "Queer Eye" and "Unstable."

Netflix productions also will include electric vehicles made by other automakers, the company said.


Mao’s favoured ‘Red Flag’ car seeks a new audience in Japan

                OSAKA: China FAW Group Co, the carmaker whose luxury Hongqi model was used to transport Chairman Mao Zedong, is betting on a new audience in Japan, opening its first showroom in the country as it seeks to crack a market that’s fiercely loyal to domestic brands.

A Hongqi - which means red flag - dealership opened here last month and 22 vehicles have been sold so far, although they went to Chinese living in Japan, Li Wang, an executive at the dealership, said last Friday.

FAW’s most popular model, the H9, costs as much as 15 million yen (RM544,000).

“Hongqi is special, it’s more than just a car” especially for many Chinese people, Li said. Japan has almost 787,000 Chinese residents, making up more than a quarter of all immigrants. Osaka is particularly known for its diverse community.

 The H9 looks like a Rolls-Royce Ghost plus a mish-mash of influences from other European luxury cars.

Although Hongqi’s main markets outside of China to date have been the Middle East and Europe, FAW is seeking to target wealthy Chinese in Japan, at least in the first instance.

Foreign passenger cars command a tiny 7% of the market, which is dominated by powerful domestic players like Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co.

The Osaka dealership is currently offering four models, including a hybrid.

An enhanced lineup this year will include a fully electric SUV and another Hongqi outlet is slated for Tokyo’s high-end Ginza district. The most expensive model, the L5, starts from 160 million yen (RM5.8mil).

One reason there aren’t more Chinese-made cars in Japan - differing safety, emission and noise standards.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe sets strict regulations for the export of cars into Japan, and unlike European automakers, China isn’t part of that.

 The retro-styled L5.

Chinese car sales in Japan will be “extremely limited,” said Tatsuo Yoshida, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Toyota’s Lexus and some German brands are far more popular premium choices, he said.

Political tensions have also kept a lid on sales but as Japan strives to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, that’s slowly changing.

A growing number of Chinese automakers are sending commercial electric delivery vans to Japan to help logistics companies wanting to lower costs.


‘Lower toll rates come with extended concession period’

                KUALA LUMPUR: The extension of the concession period of Federal Highway Route 2 is part of the Government’s effort to reduce toll charges and ease the cost of living, said the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

LLM said through the restructuring of toll rates, road users for Class 1 vehicles (cars) now only have to pay RM1.10 (at the Batu Tiga toll plaza) compared to the original Concession Agreement toll rate which is fixed at RM2.40.

“Besides this, the percentage of increase (in the toll rate) is also lowered,” LLM said.

For example, the toll rate increase for North-South Expressway (PLUS) previously was set at 10% every three years but with the concession period extensions, it is now fixed at 5% for every three years, it said.

The LLM statement was in response to a report by a news portal, Malaysia Digest, titled “Despite Concession to End This Year, Federal Government Renews Batu Tiga Toll for 20 More Years” on April 16 which said the Government had renewed the concession contract which is expected to expire end of this year.


European countries clear first hurdle on connected and autonomous cars

                AMSTERDAM: European Union policy makers and European vehicle manufacturers have reached their first agreement on the future of self-driving cars and their place on the continent's roads.

The "Declaration of Amsterdam" endorsed on Thursday by the Informal Transport Council represents a first agreement among all parties regarding how potentially life-saving technologies are to be deployed on European roads.

Tackling the issues surrounding connected and autonomous vehicles is a key focus for The Netherlands which in 2016 is the European Union's president nation.

The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Melanie Schultz van Haegen, stated "Today for the first time, we have talked at the European political level about self-driving vehicles and the measures required for their smooth introduction in Europe. We want to pick up the pace because there are many gains to be made for mobility. Connected and automated vehicles will make our roads safer, more sustainable and more efficient."

Schultz van Haegen has already been very active in raising the profile and highlighting the benefits of these innovations, playing a key role in the recent European Truck Platooning Challenge. The initiative saw six three-truck platoons semi-autonomously drive across Europe at a set distance from each other and arrive in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on April 6.

Speaking at the Transport Council, Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of The European Automotive Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said "Connected and automated driving is an important part of our response to future mobility challenges, in terms of balancing the growing demand for transport and mobility with environmental protection and increased safety. But even though this revolution is shaping our industry at a rapid pace, there are many challenges on the road ahead."

However, all parties accept that the agreement is simply a first step. Road infrastructure will require a serious overhaul to support connected car needs, as will laws regarding liability and data.

Nevertheless it is a huge first step.

"Our industry welcomes the Declaration of Amsterdam as an important milestone that promotes much-needed cooperation between automobile manufacturers, national governments and the EU institutions," Jonnaert added.

As brands like Volvo initiate projects with automated vehicles, this new agreement will accelerate the development and testing of connected and self-driving car technologies.


Want car vanity plates? Hold on, says minister

                SEREMBAN: The government needs more time to decide if Malaysians can have personalised registration plates for vehicles, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said the authorities wanted to look at several issues, particularly on security and enforcement, before it could give the go-ahead for the vanity plate initiative mooted several years ago.

“We know that this has been introduced in several countries and that it also brings in revenue for the government.

“But we need to sort out several issues including on the workings of the electronic plate for personalised registration plates before we can make a decision, ” he said after launching the “NDN” registration number series at the state Road Transport Department (JPJ) here.

An electronic licence plate is an identification sign mounted on vehicles that emits a wireless signal for tracking and digital monitoring.

Loke said the authorities needed to ensure a foolproof system could be introduced to prevent others from duplicating the unique registration plates.

“I may have a special LOKE registration plate here in Seremban but how are we going to stop anyone from using it elsewhere?

“So again, we also need to look at the enforcement part of it, ” he said.

Loke also said the JPJ e-bidding system was popular with Malaysians. Since April, 41 series have been launched.

“The JPJ has earned an income of some RM46mil from 39 series.

“I feel this is a good achievement. For the time being, I think this system is more workable and transparent, ” he said, adding that 109,361 individuals had also registered with the JPJ to be able to bid for any number in any state.

Loke said Perak’s “ALL” special registration series received the highest revenue with RM3.38mil under the e-bidding system.

“And the highest bid we received since was for ALL 1 with RM278,000, ” he said, adding that the most number of bids were received for “ALL 117” with 26 bids.

Loke said the e-bidding system was also better than the manual system used previously as it saved the government additional cost and was easy to access nationwide.

“Bidders are also no longer required to apply for bank drafts and submit these manually as they only have to use a credit card to bid, ” he said.

On the “NDN” special plate, which is the 42nd launched by the JPJ, Loke said bidding would open for five days from midnight on Nov 28 till 11.59pm on Dec 2.

The results will be announced on Dec 3.


Porsche blunder puts US$148,000 sportscar on sale for just US$18,000

                SHANGHAI: When a Porsche AG dealership in China posted an online advertisement for the latest Panamera sportscar, it wasn’t the sleek curves of the motor that grabbed the most attention – it was the bargain price.

Drivers dreaming of a touch of luxury thought their luck was in after the dealership appeared to be offering the car for a bargain 124,000 yuan (RM78,302 or US$18,000), about one-eighth of the actual starting price of 998,000 yuan (RM630,211).

After hundreds of eagle-eyed consumers put down reservation fees of 911 yuan, Porsche acknowledged the dealership in the northern city of Yinchuan had uploaded information containing “a serious mistake in the listed retail price”.

Cue an embarrassing backtrack by the firm – and much disappointment on social media platform Weibo.

Upon realising its mistake, the dealership took down the incorrect information immediately, a spokeswoman for the the Stuttgart, Germany-based carmaker said in response to a query from Bloomberg News.

The gaffe wasn’t bad for everyone. Porsche said it had been in touch with the first person who made an online reservation and “negotiated an agreeable outcome” regarding the one vehicle the dealership had in stock. It didn’t elaborate.

Porsche contacted all of the other bidders individually to explain the situation and apologise, and will refund reservation fees within 48 hours, the spokeswoman said.

Porsche’s China sales totalled US$6.2bil in the first half of 2022, making it the luxury car firm’s largest market. It sold 46,664 vehicles in China during the period – about 30% of global sales.