Honda Malaysia recalls 55,354 cars to replace fuel pump, majority City

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia is doing a recall involving 55,354 cars to replace its fuel pump, in line with the Honda global fuel pump recall.

The company said its year 2020 production models are not affected in this recall.

It also said the recall is necessary as a preventive measure to address the possibility of loss of engine power or vehicle stalling.

All affected customers will be informed via notification letters.

Affected customers are to contact any Honda authorized dealer to make an appointment upon receipt of notification to replace the fuel pump, subject to parts availability.

As of today, there are no incidences of crashes or injuries caused by this issue reported in Malaysia.

The replacement of the affected fuel pump is free of charge and all cost related to this replacement activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia.

The replacement stock will be available in stages.


Hennessey’s 500hp VelociRaptor 500 Bronco Raptor roars into production

                HOUSTON: Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has begun customer deliveries of its new 500bhp VelociRaptor 500 Bronco Raptor.

Following cold weather testing in the snowy mountains of Colorado, Hennessey’s engineering team signed off the enhanced version of Ford’s factory Bronco Raptor enabling production and deliveries to begin at the company’s Texas headquarters.

Hennessey’s engineers, who have been "making fast cars faster" for more than 30 years, applied their expertise to the SUV’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine to boost power and heighten drivability.

A new high-capacity intercooler and proprietary engine management system tuning improve charge cooling and increase intake boost to enhance output.

Total system power is rated at a dyno-proven 500bhp and 746Nm of torque – earning Hennessey’s ‘VelociRaptor 500’ nameplate.

The vehicle is fitted with Hennessey’s unique 20-inch alloy wheels and 37-inch off-road tyres.

“The VelociRaptor 500 Bronco is one of our most agile and capable off-road offerings — it’s nearly unstoppable off the pavement. Our 500hp upgrade pairs perfectly with Ford’s rugged Bronco Raptor 4x4 as we improve upon the factory’s high-performance offering and enhance it with more power and a more aggressive appearance,” said company founder and CEO John Hennessey.

Priced from US$28,950 (RM128,000) – exclusive of the base Ford Bronco Raptor – the VelociRaptor 500 package features enhanced air induction, a high-capacity intercooler with a blow-off valve, and an upgraded engine-management system to boost the performance of its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine.

Hennessey transforms the exterior with custom VelociRaptor bumpers, LED off-road lights, unique Hennessey 10-spoke alloy wheels, and VelociRaptor 500 Bronco badging.

The interior features Hennessey’s embroidered head restraints, all-weather floor mats, and a unique build number plaque.

Hennessey backs the Bronco build with its comprehensive 3-year / 36,000-mile (57,936km) warranty.

Available for international shipping, the new Hennessey VelociRaptor 500 Bronco is available now through authorised Ford retailers or directly from Hennessey.


Proton gets accreditation for National Dual Training System

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton has received the accreditation by the Ministry of Human Resources and Department of Skills Development as a one-stop centre for the National Dual Training System.

Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, Minister of Human Resources, recently presented the accreditation certificate to Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, CEO of Proton.

Also present at the ceremony were Datuk Mohd Sahar Darusman, Deputy Secretary General (Policy & International) of the Ministry, Nidzam Kamarulzaman, Director General of Department of Skills Development, and Datuk Radzaif Mohamed, deputy CEO of Proton.

The Human Resources Minister had earlier handed out the Malaysian Skills Advanced Diploma to 30 recipients and witnessed the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding between Proton and Department of Skills Development for this long term development of skilled workers programme.

Another 25 individuals were also awarded with Yayasan Proton scholarships to pursue their Malaysian Skills Certificate.

 30 Proton recipients of the Malaysian Skills Advanced Diploma.

The Malaysian Skills Certificate is a formal nationally recognised certificate issued by the Government to individuals who have achieved the required capabilities to practise and are equipped with competencies to perform tasks and functions for employment.

Adopted in the 10th Malaysia Plan as the single Skills/Vocational Certification for the country, there are now 13 recognised and approved schemes of services by the Public Service Department of Malaysia, for skilled positions in the civil service.

To enhance the recognition of skills qualification, the Malaysian Skills Certificate will become a mandatory qualification to specific and selected jobs.

“As a national car manufacturer, our duty is not just to build cars but to be one of the key drivers of human capital development. Over the years, technology transfer with strategic and technical collaborations has seen an accelerated learning curve for Proton and its employees.

With the exposure, they are not only invaluable to us but also to the rest of the community in the industry,” said Ahmad Fuaad.

“Proton has seen the positive effects of these trainings on our employees in terms of effectiveness and quality of work. Today, there are 30 employees graduating under the Advanced Diploma Programme, and 35 to be recognised as approved internal National Dual Training System trainers,” added Ahmad Fuaad.

At the event, Proton also signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Akademi Saga.

The MoU will see the two parties form a mutually beneficial partnership in the enhancement of skills among the students of Akademi Saga in relevant courses by ensuring that the courses are moderated by both parties, in accordance with Department of Skills Development’s approved modules.

Proton will also provide venues for the students’ practical training; the development and periodical reviews of the curriculum, modules and training syllabus used in the programmes; providing proper teaching aids and equipment as required by industry standards; and the exchange of latest information, updates and technological developments in the field of automotive.

Subject to terms and conditions, Akademi Saga students with excellent results will be given preference to join Proton as employees upon completion of the programme.

"For those 25 recipients of Yayasan Proton scholarships into Akademi Saga, we believe it will motivate them to study hard and learn as much as they can to become competent automotive professionals in the near future.  Knowledge is important, but putting the knowledge to good use is priceless," added Ahmad Fuaad.


Tesla car catches fire in HK parking lot, say media

                HONG KONG: A Tesla Inc electric car caught fire in a parking lot in a Hong Kong shopping mall, the Apple Daily newspaper said on Tuesday, but no one was injured in the blaze, whose cause was not immediately known.

The electric car burst into flames 30 minutes after being parked in the city’s San Po Kong district on Sunday, the newspaper said, with three explosions seen on CCTV footage. Firemen took 45 minutes to douse the fire.

The vehicle was a Tesla Model S 85 KWH dual power version, added the paper, which gave no explanation of what might have caused the blaze.

Responding to a request from Reuters, Tesla declined to comment. Reuters was not able to contact the vehicle owner or obtain CCTV footage of the incident.

Hong Kong’s fire services department said a vehicle caught fire on Sunday, but gave no details, such as the make of the car. Authorities are investigating the cause.

The incident comes three weeks after Tesla said it had sent a team to investigate a video on Chinese social media that showed a parked Tesla Model S car exploding in the commercial hub of Shanghai.

The automaker has said its EVs are about 10 times less likely to experience a fire than petrol-powered cars.

There have been at least 14 instances of Tesla cars catching fire since 2013, most of them after a crash.


BMW partners US start-up Rever to build global community of bikers

MUNICH: BMW Motorrad has teamed up with a US technology start-up to build a global community of motorcyclists.

It announced today a partnership with Rever to create a motorcycle-specific environment to enable motorcyclists to share their passions, experiences and ideas.

Rever connects a global community of motorcycle enthusiasts through the free Rever app and website to discover the best places to ride, track activities and navigate and share motorcycling experiences. Premium memberships on Rever include additional features such as exclusive access to Butler Maps’ road recommendations, custom safety alerts and more. Rever is based in Eagle, Colorado and was founded in 2015 by motorcycle industry and technology veterans.

Since launching in 2015, Rever users have tracked millions of miles on motorcycle rides in 119 countries around the world. The free Rever app, available for iOS and Android, works in conjunction with the Rever website to help riders discover the world’s best roads, create custom routes, track rides and share riding experiences across social media platforms. This enables
BMW Motorrad to digitally expand its riding experience offerings directly in touch with its target group.

“We see the future of motorcycling as a connected experience, one that has riders using the latest technology to enhance their rides and allow others to share their passion for riding,” said Heiner Faust, Vice President Sales and Marketing of BMW Motorrad. “Rever is offering a very promising mobile technology in our industry and we are very excited about the future business potential we see together with Rever.”


Suzuki SV650: Easy on the newbies

                I have heard of the Suzuki SV650 but never rode it.

Now, I have finally gotten a chance to review the naked bike.

The model comes with the red trellis-style frame which could be mistaken for a Ducati naked bike.

With a slim overall look, the SV650 is easy to manage even in the most difficult traffic jam in city centres.

Meanwhile, the brushed stainless-steel exhaust pipe offers the bike a sporty look.

The height of the seat is perfect for anybody with a 170cm height and above, while the slimmer saddle makes it much friendlier to riders who are not tall.

I had no problem with the height of the seat and found the ergonomics to be extremely spot on.

The sitting position of this bike is upright with ample space for the knees and legs.

While riding to Lumut and back to Kuala Lumpur, I did not feel any discomfort in my lower back and shoulder.

I am happy with the width of the saddle.

A friend of mine, who rode the SV650 around his housing area for a good 10 minutes, said the saddle needs to be wider but admits that the seat is comfortable.

This bike does not come with a fancy colour instrument panel, riding aids to boast about nor even LED lighting.

The SV650 offers very basic features which help to keep the price low from RM38,800 (excluding registration, road tax and insurance).

The instrument panel of this bike is simple and easy to read.

All the necessary information is legible during the day and night.

The instrument panel has been fitted with an LCD that screen offers information like speedometer, odometer, tachometer, clock, ABS alert, gear position, fuel consumption, and riding range.

Suzuki ensured that all the basic information is accessible with a flick of a button which is located on the right handlebar.

It is simple to use when you are on-the-fly.

In the middle-weight motorcycle segment, the new SV650 faces strong competition from the Honda CB650R, Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha MT-07 and Triumph Trident 660.

However, each of these bikes has strong following among the relevant target group.

Will Suzuki become the new favourite?

It is a matter of time before Suzuki Malaysia and motorcycle fans find out.

The SV650's throttle is smooth and responsive, offering low-end power specially tuned for newbies.

The bike has enough mid-range power that will get any newbies and experienced riders excited.

While riding towards the peak of Genting Highlands, the engine showed its linear power delivery.

After a few hours on the bike, I sort of know how the bike responds at a certain engine revs.

Even when riding fast on the Karak highway, the engine delivered power well along with good response from the clutch and transmission.

The gear engagement was smooth that I did not even realise I had changed gears a few times.

Meanwhile, in the city, I could not avoid low rpm but the engine was able to deliver powerful torque. Simply amazing.

The decent braking performance of this bike comes courtesy of the 290mm dual front disc brake and a 245mm rear brake disc.

I have experienced better stopping power within the middleweight class but I guessed you get what you paid for.

The SV650 unique selling point is its handling and agility.

Its well-tuned chassis allows nimble performance on twisties and corners on the highland roads.

The SV650’s suspension played an important role in ensuring that the bike is able to soak up bumps on rough roads.

Not only that, I am able to flick the bike effortlessly without losing confidence.

The suspension system is just right, not too stiff nor soft for an aggressive or slow ride on any surfaces.

This naked bike is a must have for any new riders or smaller-built riders who are looking for their first affordable big bike.

Aside from having enough power to provide riding enjoyment to experienced riders, the SV650 is also perfect for daily commuting or interstate journeys.

SPECIFICATIONSSuzuki SV650Engine: 645cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled V-twin, eight valves
Maximum power: 75hp at 8,500rpm
Maximum torque: 647Nm at 8,100rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic, coil spring, oil damped; rear link-type, single shock, coil spring, oil damped
Braking system: Front dual, 4-piston calipers, twin disc, ABS-equipped; rear single system, 1-piston caliper, single disc, ABS equipped
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres
Wet weight: 196kg
Price: RM38,800 (excluding registration, road tax and insurance)


Lotus forms division to focus on high performance and bespoke cars

                LONDON: Lotus has set up a new Advanced Performance division which will look after halo products and limited-edition vehicles.

As well as creating "ultra-exclusive and unique vehicles", the Advanced Performance team will also offer a bespoke service to customers, allowing them to personalise their Lotus vehicles with new colours and trims.

Though Lotus has yet to reveal what these unique vehicles may be, a teaser image has been released showing an F1-style model with a large rear wing.

 Lane.

Advanced Performance will be able to offer expert driving tuition in a Lotus at locations around the world, including the firm’s Hethel test circuit in England. Those interested will also be able to take part in tours of the Hethel production lines.

The new team is being led by Simon Lane, who has joined from the bespoke "Q by Aston Martin" service. This programme allows Aston Martin buyers to choose from a variety of different options and bespoke materials to make their cars personal to them.

The Lotus Advanced Performance team will also deliver the Emira GT4 race car to customers around the world, ensuring that they have support while racing.

“This new division is an exciting addition to our business and another key element of our Vision80 transformation," said Lotus Cars managing director Matt Windle.

“With the Emira and Evija starting production in the coming months, Lotus Advanced Performance is another significant opportunity to enhance our brand and communicate directly with customers.”


Wheelcorp Premium introduces new MINI charging station in Klang mall

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW and MINI dealer Wheelcorp Premium has introduced a new MINI-badged charging station in Kota Kemuning, Klang, offering electric vehicle (EV) owners in the area better access to charging infrastructure.

Located in Sanctuary Mall @ Eco Sanctuary – a neighbourhood mall developed by Eco World Development Group Bhd, the new facility was opened by representatives from MINI Malaysia, Wheelcorp Premium, Eco Sanctuary and JomCharge.

The new MINI charging station features two parking bays, a 50kW DC charger with two DC holders, as well as a 22kW AC charger – both powered by JomCharge.

The new facility is now open to the public at Sanctuary Mall @ Eco Sanctuary, Persiaran Eco Sanctuary, 8/3, Eco Santuari in Selangor – with a standard rate of RM1.20 per minute of use.

On Eco World's part, the developer said it aims to ensure that all its projects have at least one EV charging station.

Earlier this month, another dealer Millennium Welt had also introduced a MINI-badged charger in Bandar Sri Sendayan, Seremban. It is an 11kW AC charger.

The chargers from Wheelcorp Premium are part of BMW Group Malaysia’s strategy to develop the infrastructure needed for the charging of electric vehicles, together with local partners, dealers and key charging providers.

Over 670 charging facilities have been made Malaysia available by BMW Group Malaysia for EV owners thus far, with access to over 360 of these facilities provided through partnerships with ChargEV and Yinson Greentech.

The partnership with JomCharge also enables access to over 70 charging facilities, and Gentari with 150 facilities.

Over 100 BMW i and MINI charging facilities are also available at most authorised dealerships, as well as partnering venues across the country, with more to come as part of the expansion plan set for the year ahead.


Waymo picks Detroit factory for self-driving fleet, to be operational by mid-2019

                SAN FRANCISCO: Alphabet Inc’s Waymo said on Tuesday it had chosen a factory in Detroit to mass produce self-driving cars, looking to the historical heart of the auto industry to build the vehicles of the future.

The company’s chief executive, John Krafcik, said in a blog post that Waymo would partner with American Axle & Manufacturing to lease and repurpose an existing Detroit facility that will be operational by mid-2019.

Waymo said in January it had chosen Michigan for its first production facility, adding it would receive incentives from the public-private partnership agency, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and create up to 400 jobs over time exclusively related to self driving.

In a sea of rivals, Waymo is generally thought of as ahead in the self-driving race. It already operates a robotaxi service in Arizona that it plans to expand geographically over time.

Global automakers, large technology companies and startups are all engaged in self-driving efforts, but experts expect it will be years before systems are ready to be rolled out in all areas, with software and regulations among the many challenges.

Waymo is competing with rivals General Motors and Uber Technologies to deploy such vehicles for the masses. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also announced the company plans to launch a robotaxi service in 2020.

Waymo, which has been working on self-driving technology for a decade, provided few new details.

It currently retrofits Chrysler Pacifica minivans to use in its robotaxi fleet.

In March 2018, Waymo said it would diversify the fleet, partnering with Jaguar to produce up to 20,000 vehicles by 2022, able to conduct about 1 million trips per day.

American Axle, with which Waymo is partnering for its Detroit facility, was formed in 1994 when an investment team purchased five plants that General Motors had put up for sale.

GM plans to end output at its last Detroit factory next year, after announcing in November a plan to halt production at five North American assembly plants and cut about 15,000 jobs.

Fiat Chrysler, however, said in February it would invest $4.5 billion in five plants and create 6,500 jobs in Michigan.

In January, Waymo said it planned to hire engineers, operations experts, fleet coordinators and others to retrofit vehicles with its self-driving technology.

Both GM and Ford Motor Co have said they will build autonomous vehicles at Michigan factories.


Toyota and Panasonic plan to team up on EV batteries

                TOKYO: Toyota is considering making batteries for electric vehicles (EV) with Panasonic Corp, as it ramps up battery development to help meet its goal for green cars to comprise half of global sales by 2030.

The joint announcement today builds on an existing agreement under which Panasonic - a global market leader for automotive lithium-ion batteries - makes batteries for Toyota’s petrol-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The plan to co-operate more closely on batteries comes as automakers compete to develop more EVs in compliance with tightening regulations worldwide to reduce vehicle emissions.

Toyota’s battery needs are likely to increase after it said last year it would add fully electric vehicles to its product line-up in the early 2020s, expanding a green-car strategy which has focused on plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles (FCV).

“The auto industry faces many hurdles to developing next-generation batteries which are difficult for automakers or battery makers to tackle on their own,” Toyota president Akio Toyoda said at a joint news conference.

“It would be difficult for us to meet our 2030 goals given the current pace of battery development. That’s why we’re looking to Panasonic and other companies to help us develop ever-better cars and batteries.”

Toyoda said the automaker’s annual sales target for petrol-electric and plug-in hybrids is 4.5 million vehicles by 2030, and 1.0 million units for EVs and FCVs.

To that end, Toyota in September formed an EV technology venture with peer Mazda and supplier Denso Corp. The venture reflects a trend of automakers and components makers partnering to develop the next-generation cars, to reduce research, development and manufacturing costs.

In Panasonic, Toyota is partnering the main battery supplier of major US EV maker Tesla Inc. With a 29 percent market share, Panasonic is the world’s biggest supplier of batteries for plug-in hybrids and EVs, showed January-June data from Nomura Research.

The pair plan to expand development of prismatic - flat, pouch-shaped - batteries with higher energy density. Panasonic already makes prismatic batteries for Toyota, whereas for Tesla, it makes cylindrical batteries of a type similar to those used in laptops.

“Our cylindrical batteries are the most widely used batteries in pure EVs at the moment,” said Panasonic president Kazuhiro Tsuga. “But when you look at the future, it’s difficult to gauge which format holds more demand potential.”

“We need to be able to develop new battery technologies in a prismatic format, and this would be difficult on our own.”


Ford plans to develop and produce electric vehicle batteries

                DETROIT: Saying that it wants to control the key technology for electric vehicles, Ford plans to open a battery development center near here by the end of next year.

The company said the 200,000-square-foot facility will have equipment to design, test and even do small-scale manufacturing of battery cells and packs.

The US$185 million lab also will develop electronic controls and other items as Ford moves more of the process in-house.

Eventually the company wants to do large-scale manufacturing of its own batteries globally, a task now performed by supply companies.

Like many global automakers who have been stung by computer chip and other supply chain shortages, Ford wants to make sure it has enough batteries for what it says is an accelerating transition away from internal combustion engines.

Hau Thai-Tang, the company’s chief product and operations officer, said electric vehicles are moving from early adopters to an early majority as new models come out, and Ford wants to lead the transition.

"We now see that the market is going to develop very quickly, and we will have sufficient scale to justify having greater levels of integration,” he said. "We will no longer take an approach of hedging our bets and planning around the uncertainty of how fast that will play out.”

The move comes as the global auto industry races to control supplies including precious metals needed to make batteries and individual cells that form big battery packs to run as many as 300 new electric models coming out in the next two years.

Under new CEO Jim Farley, the plan is a reversal from Ford's previous path of buying technology and batteries from supply companies. However, the company said it still could partner with suppliers, universities and startups on the technology.

Ford wouldn't say where in south-east Michigan it plans to build the battery centre, named "Ford Ion Park,” nor would it reveal potential battery factory locations.

The centre would employ about 150 workers to start, and many of them already are working at existing Ford sites.

Ford said it has discussed the transition to battery power with the Biden administration, which has pegged much of its climate change policy to getting more electric vehicles on the roads.

The announcement comes after Ford got caught up in a trade secrets fight between its main battery supplier, SK Innovation, and LG Energy Solution.

The US International Trade Commission decided in February that SK stole 22 trade secrets from LG Energy, and that SK should be barred from importing, making or selling batteries in the United States for 10 years.

The decision gave SK four years to make batteries for Ford, and it could have left the company scrambling for supplies.

SK has the contract to make batteries for an electric version of Ford's F-150 pickup, the nation's top-selling vehicle. The dispute was settled earlier this month with SK agreeing to pay US$1.8 billion and an undisclosed royalty.

Automakers have been moving towards building their own batteries, and they’ve been securing their own supplies of raw materials such as lithium, copper, nickel and other precious metals directly from producers.

Guidehouse Insights principal analyst Sam Abuelsamid said the global semiconductor shortage and the SK Innovation trade dispute likely made Ford pull ahead its plans much faster.

Many automakers including Volkswagen, General Motors and Stellantis are pulling battery development and manufacturing in-house, or into joint ventures formed with parts supply companies, he said.

"Engines and transmissions have been considered a core competency of automakers since 1886, but as those go away, they are seeing the need to make batteries and motors the replacement,” Abuelsamid said.

"No one wants to get locked out of supplies, and as volumes scale, the cost of paying a markup to suppliers is going to grow.”


Porsche launching its 911 as a 480hp GTS

                BERLIN: Porsche is announcing another new addition to its treasured 911 family and launching its cult sports car as a GTS with a little more power and pizzazz.

Two years after the debut of the 997 generation, a reworked sports version of the 911 is now filling in the gap to the Turbo.

The Porsche 911 GTS is set to be available as a Coupe, Cabrio and Targa with rear- or all-wheel drive, dual clutch and manual transmission, Porsche has announced. A total of five GTS variants will be on offer from November.

Porsche has once again reworked the 3.0 litre boxer engine in the rear and increased the previous output of 450hpto 480hp. At the same time, the maximum torque was increased by 20Nm to 570Nm.

All this also improves the driving performance. Porsche quotes a sprint value of 3.3 seconds from 0 to 100kph and a top speed of up to 309kph.

In addition to the engine, Porsche has also optimised the chassis, adopting numerous components from the 911 Turbo. There are also lighter add-on parts in darker colours, a sportier interior and a new exhaust system with a fuller sound, Porsche says.

In terms of consumption, the GTS guzzles upwards of 10.4 litres (WLTP), depending on the model and drive variant, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 236 g/km.

Prices in Porsche's home market are around 15 per cent higher than the Carrera S and start at €140,981 (RM692,000), according to Porsche.


BMW 7 Series PHEVs improved

MUNICH: BMW has made some improvements to its flagship 7 Series plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and yes, there's a boost to electric power delivery and range.

The 745e, 745Le (long wheelbase) and 745Le xDrive (long wheelbase with all-wheel drive) will be seeing their market launch in the second quarter.

With a 286hp inline six-cylinder petrol engine working on conjunction with the more powerful 113hp/265Nm electric motor with a larger 12kWh lithium-ion battery - system output is now rated at 394hp/600Nm when in SPORT mode.

The benefit is that range has been increased and can travel between 54 and 58km (745e), 52 to 55km (745Le) and 50 to 54km (745Le xDrive) when fully charged.

In pure electric mode, the 7 series is ale to sustain travel at 110kph (+20kph), although its top electric speed still remains at 140kph.

With both engine and electric motor working together, the new drive system allows the new 7 Series to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.2 seconds (745e), 5.3 seconds (745Le) and 5.1 seconds (745Le xDrive) before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

Also, combined fuel consumption and exhaust emissions have also been optimised with the 745e measuring in at 2.1 to 2.3 litres per 100km and a combined power consumption of 15.6 to 15.1kWh per 100km.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been measured at 48 to 52 grams per kilometre.

The corresponding figures for the 745Le are 2.3 to 2.2 litres per 100km, 15.6 to 15.7kWh per 100km and 50 to 53 grams per kilometre.

As for the 745Le xDrive, it is capable of achieving 2.3 to 2.6 litres per 100km, 15.8 to 16.3kWh per 100km and emit 52 to 59 grams per kilometre.

As before, the electric motor has been is integrated in the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and acts as a generator under braking or when coasting to return some charge to the battery via energy recuperation.

The selected operating mode is displayed as part of the new design of the instrument panel and can be identified by their respective on screen colour scheme.

When in electric mode, the screen outlines the speedometer and output display/power meter in blue.

This also clearly displays the add-on start limits for the combustion engine and the output and speed limits that apply to electrically powered driving.

When charging the high-voltage battery, the driver can see all the relevant information in the instrument panel such as charge level and duration, charging current, currently available electrical range and the next departure time selected, as well as the chosen conditioning level. This information can also be clearly seen outside the vehicle.

The exterior design Pure Excellence and the M sports package are available as options for all three variants.

All driver assistance systems are likewise available, as is the full range of optional equipment items to enhance comfort and also, with the exception of the Executive Drive Pro option, all the suspension systems of the new 7 Series.

Upon becoming available in Europe, it seems there will be new digital services available for the 7 Series which make charging the high-voltage battery en route even more attractive and convenient.

When selecting a public charging station, the navigation system also provides the driver with a list of recommended nearby hotels, restaurants, cafés, tourist attractions and cultural institutions.

Additionally, the customer is provided with a charging station occupancy forecast. BMW also enables ChargeNow customers to reserve a suitable charging station for a limited amount of time directly from their vehicle.

Furthermore, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant of the new 7 Series will allow its owner to select an interior experience as a combination of seat conditioning, seat massage, interior temperature, fragrance and shading based on specifically defined Experience Modes.

The search for parking spaces and charging options is also supported by the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.


DRB-Hicom and Saudi firm to venture into vehicle aftersales servicing

                KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-Hicom Bhd through its wholly owned subsidiary Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) will expand its presence in the aftersales services market via a joint venture with the world’s fifth largest fast-fit service brand Petromin Express.

Petromin Express is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Petromin Corporation.

The proposed joint venture would be in the ratio of 51:49 between Petromin and EON.

"This joint venture aims to bring together DRB-Hicom and EON’s industry capabilities and presence in the automotive value chain with Petromin’s operational expertise and track record in the fast-fit aftersales franchise model to capture a fast and growing aftersales segment that closely aligns with the strategic objectives of both parties,” they said in a joint media statement here today.

DRB-Hicom group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar said the joint venture would benefit both parties.

"Petromin’s collaboration with DRB-Hicom will allow it enter into the lucrative Malaysian aftersales servicing market by partnering with a well-established and trusted corporate brand in the automotive sector,” he said.

Petromin’s managing director, India & Southeast Asia, Sanjay Nigam said the partnership with DRB-Hicom would help both parties to enhance customer experience.


Get a virtual taste of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO

BOLOGNA: Here's how you get as close as possible to the Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO: by watching an in-depth video in augmented reality.

Claudio de Angeli, Ducati Scrambler Brand Manager, and Rocco Canosa, Ducati Scrambler Product Manager talk in detail about all the features of the new Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO and Sport PRO in the video.

In the 3D video, you can discover the technical details and curiosities of the new bike and its variant.

Ducati has infused iconic style, sense of freedom together with agility and safety for the core values for these motorcycles.

Described as fun and high performance, it features an original design, an ideal choice for those who want to ride a motorcycle powered by a 1079 cm³ engine with generous torque right from the bottom of the rev range, a 15-litre steel tank that, combined with the comfortable seat with the new coating, ensures comfort even the longest rides.

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO and 1100 Sport PRO are available in all Ducati dealers and Ducati Scrambler Camps worldwide.

The video presentation of the two motorcycles is available on Ducati Scrambler YouTube channel.


Lynk&Co releases first official images of new 03 saloon

                GOTHENBURG: The first official images of the Lynk&Co 03 saloon being put through its paces have been released. The car goes on sale in the company's Chinese home market first, but the 03 could eventually find its way to European markets, along with the 01 crossover and the 02 SUV already confirmed for the region.

Like the 01 and 02, the 03 saloon is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform co-developed with Volvo, and will be sold in both traditional combustion engine and electrified formats.

The first models to go on sale are expected to be powered by 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines. A plug-in hybrid variant capable of running on electric-only for a range of around 65km, will follow.

Connected technology is a big feature of Lynk&Co's philosophy. The 03 is expected to come equipped with large touchscreens to operate a wide variety of systems, and full internet connectivity. It will probably also include the share button seen in the 01, which lets other users access the car using a digital key sent from the owner's smartphone.

An all-electric 03 is also likely, as the CMA platform it's built upon is also going to be used for Volvo's first EV, due to arrive next year.

The images of the 03 have the car covered in a heavy camouflage, but it's easy to see a number of design features it has in common with the 02 and 03. It has a traditional four-door saloon design, which, although going out of style in markets like Europe and North America, is still in high demand in China.

Perhaps because Lynk&Co, Volvo and Volvo's Polestar sub-brand are all owned by parent company Geely, when the 03 does go on sale many cars are expected to be acquired on a short-term contract basis, a lot like a smartphone, in the same manner as the Polestar 1.

Lynk&Co may be an unfamiliar name to European and American consumers, but it won't be for long. Its models are already in huge demand in its home market, and when the 01 went on sale, a staggering 6,000 orders were placed in the first 137 seconds, creating a new world record for the fastest-selling car of all time.


Toyota scrambles to ready 'game-changer' EV battery for mass market

                TOKYO: Toyota is scrambling to solve outstanding issues as it races to commercialise a battery breakthrough during the first half of the 2020s with the potential to cut the cost of making electric cars.

All solid-state battery technology is a next-generation, high-capacity energy storage device that improves on today’s lithium-ion batteries, replacing the liquid or gel-form electrolyte with a solid, conductive material.

Among other benefits, the new technology offers more capacity and better safety.

“There are a few next-generation battery technologies we’re looking at, and the most promising is an all solid-state battery,” Toyota chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said in an interview ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, which opened to the public on Friday.

“We’re scrambling to finish developing this technology, but a few issues still remain as we try to mass produce this.”

Battery life is the biggest of those issues, Uchiyamada said, adding Toyota has developed the know-how to produce all solid-state batteries in such a way as to hit all the technology’s performance potential.

But it hasn’t yet mastered how to mass produce them to last as intended for a mainstream car that some buyers could expect to drive for 200,000km or more.

Uchiyamada would not say how long an electric-vehicle (EV) battery should last before it needs replacing, but he dismissed a lifespan of three years. “Nobody would buy a car like that, if you had to replace the battery after just three years,” he said.

Toyota, though, appears confident it can complete the commercialisation process for the new battery technology.

“We believe our solid-state battery technology can be a game changer, with the potential to dramatically improve driving range,” executive vice president Didier Leroy told reporters on Wednesday.

While Toyota is still pushing its alternative hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle technology, derided by Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk, Uchiyamada insisted the Japanese firm is not “anti-EV”, and is spending heavily in EV technologies such as the solid-state battery.

Dubbed the “Father of the Prius,” Uchiyamada, 71, helped set the global auto industry on its path to electrification two decades ago, and believes both electric-battery cars and those with hydrogen fuel-cell technologies will be needed to ultimately replace gasoline cars.

Toyota believes solid-state battery technology can double the capacity of today’s lithium-ion battery technology, and help EVs travel further on a full charge.

The significance of the battery’s higher capacity, or energy density, is the potential for Toyota to reduce manufacturing costs for an EV’s battery propulsion system. High battery capacity means the technology needs less lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel or aluminium, allowing automakers to reduce the overall size of an EV propulsion system.

“In automotive manufacturing, smaller and lighter generally means cheaper to produce,” another Toyota official said.

Successfully commercialising solid-state battery technology could be key to making electric battery cars as affordable as today’s gasoline cars. Experts say this means the cost of producing a kilowatt hour of electricity needs to fall to around $100 from a little under US$200/kWh today.

Global automakers are racing to lower battery manufacturing costs to pad out today’s thin margins on battery cars.

“We see this tipping point around 2025,” says Nissan Motor Co 7210.T Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci.

“By then, for the customer, it will be practically the same cost to buy petrol or EV. If you have the same price for EVs and petrol, why would you buy traditional technology?”

All solid-state battery technology should also be safer - as conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid or a gel-like electrolyte have been known to leak or can ignite when they short-circuit and overheat. These risks are reduced in solid-state batteries, says Uchiyamada.

And, unlike today’s lithium-ion batteries, solid-state battery cells don’t need to be layered closely together and linked by electric connectors, giving car designers more flexibility to create more space for passengers or storage.

“I’d say that’s fairly revolutionary, and I‘m sure others are looking at solid-state lithium-ion battery technology to break out of the pack and come up with a safer and more potent energy storage technology,” Uchiyamada said.


Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Line arrives: RM633,888 (5-seater) and RM638,888 (7-seater)

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the GLE 450 AMG Line which comes with the active suspension system E-Active Body Control and the Active Stop-and-Go Assist driving assistance systems.

It is priced at RM633,888 (5-seater) and RM638,888 (7-seater).

Prices are on-the-road without insurance.

READ MORE: Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupé AMG Line debuts at RM399,888

The GLE 450 is powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder 3.0-litre engine that produces 367hp at 5,500 - 6,100rpm and 500Nm of torque at 1,600 – 4,500rpm.

This is mated to a 9-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

Features include the air suspension system AIRMATIC with enhanced damping system ADS, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) with two large 12.3-inch screens arranged side-by-side, and voice control.

The AMG Line exterior and Night Package include dynamic AMG body styling, diamond radiator grille with chrome pins through to the 22-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, and Multibeam LED graphics.

Other highlights are the panaromic sliding sunroof and brushed aluminium trim for the interior.


Organisers vow 2020 NY Auto Show will go on despite Covid-19

                NEW YORK: Organisers of the 2020 New York Auto Show are determined to go ahead with the show - Covid-19 or not.

The event is set to run from April 10-19.

Weeks before it is scheduled to open, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association said it has already installed 70 hand-sanitising stations throughout the convention centre where carmakers are expected to unveil more than 50 new models.

The show coordinator also said it will set standards for car-detailing companies to disinfect vehicles on the floor more frequently than usual.

The dealers are trying to preserve the fate of an event that dates back to 1900 after last week’s cancellation of the Geneva International Motor Show, which was last called off during the World War II era.

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Manhattan’s west side will keep a team of specially trained paramedics on site, according to show organisers. They also have pre-emptively doubled down on cleaning frequently touched areas including door handles, towel dispensers and counter tops.

Countries worldwide are trying to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people, most of them in China where the outbreak began. Governments have restricted travel while companies have encouraged employees to work from home and canceled events.

The spreading virus was a particular threat to Geneva because the outbreak in Italy is centered in northern provinces that border Switzerland. In the United States, cases so far have been found mostly in coastal cities and states including New York.


Poppy Liddle, 8, is junior beekeeper to Rolls-Royce bee farm

                LONDON: British lass Poppy Liddle is just 8 years old but already has a "bee-sy" responsibility.

Poppy has been appointed the first-ever junior beekeeper at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars apiary in Goodwood.

She caught the attention of Rolls-Royce when her plight was highlighted in a local weekly newspaper. According to the news report, her beloved beehive was stolen in early May.

In a gesture of empathy, Rolls-Royce arranged for her to visit the Goodwood apiary, home to possibly the world's best-known (and certainly most palatial) colony of English honey bees.

Poppy, her dad and step-mum were picked up from Poppy's school in a Rolls-Royce Ghost and chauffeur-driven to the Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood. There, she was introduced to beekeeper Jason Hampton, and some of the apiary's 300,000 hardworking inhabitants. She was also presented with a special certificate confirming her as the marque's first-ever junior beekeeper, signed by Richard Carter, who combines serving as chief beekeeper with his role as the company's director of global communications.

Before leaving, Poppy was given a jar of "Rolls-Royce of Honey", made by the Rolls-Royce bees and usually reserved exclusively for clients and other VIPs. She will be returning to the Home of Rolls-Royce later in the season when this year's honey harvest is collected.

Poppy is part of what has just become a worldwide team with the launch of a second Rolls-Royce apiary in Dubai to mark World Bee Day on May 20. The worldwide event, first held in 2017, is a United Nations initiative designed to raise awareness of the global importance of bees and beekeeping in world food production, biodiversity, environmental conservation and climate change.

Like the original at the Home of Rolls-Royce, the Dubai Apiary comprises six hives named "Phantom", "Ghost", "Wraith", "Dawn", "Cullinan" and "Spirit of Ecstasy". Each hive, specially designed to withstand Dubai's climate, is home to a population of around 60,000 bees, ruled by an "Emirati Queen" bee supplied by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.


China's CATL developing new EV battery with no nickel, cobalt

                SHANGHAI: China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), a Tesla supplier, is developing a new type of electric vehicle (EV) battery that contains no nickel or cobalt, a company executive said today.

Nickel and cobalt are key ingredients in the batteries that power EVs.

Battery makers from Japan’s Panasonic Corp to South Korea’s LG Chem are lowering the use of expensive cobalt in their nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) batteries or nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries.

Tesla’s boss, Elon Musk, last month urged miners to produce more nickel, warning the current cost of batteries remained a big hurdle to the company’s growth.

Ningde-based CATL makes NCM batteries and supplies lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Tesla. It has partnerships with Japan’s Toyota Motor and Honda Motor and supplies Germany’s Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) and Daimler AG.

The new battery type will be different from existing NCA, NCM and LFP batteries and will have no expensive metals like nickel or cobalt, Meng Xiangfeng, a senior executive at CATL, told an industry conference held by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers in Shanghai.

Meng did not give details of the makeup or the cost of the planned battery type.

CATL is also developing a separate technology to integrate battery cells directly into an EV’s frame to extend its driving range.


Texas police to demand Tesla crash data as Musk denies Autopilot use

The destroyed Model S that killed two people in the accident near Houston. — Scott J. Engle via Reuters
HOUSTON: Texas police will serve search warrants on Tesla Inc today to secure data from a fatal vehicle crash, a senior officer said on Monday, after CEO Elon Musk said company checks showed the car’s Autopilot driver assistance system was not engaged.

Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4, said evidence including witness statements clearly indicated there was nobody in the driver's seat of the Model S when it crashed into a tree, killing two people, on Saturday night.

Herman said a tweet by Musk on Monday afternoon, saying that data logs retrieved by the company so far ruled out the use of the Autopilot system, was the first officials had heard from the company.

"If he is tweeting that out, if he has already pulled the data, he hasn’t told us that," Herman told Reuters. "We will eagerly wait for that data."

The crash is the 28th Telsa accident to be investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which regulates vehicle safety.

It is also being probed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which removed Tesla as a party to an earlier investigation into a fatal crash in 2018 after the company made public details of the probe without authorisation.

In Saturday's accident, the 2019 Tesla Model S was traveling at high-speed near here when it failed to negotiate a curve and went off the road, crashing into a tree and bursting into flames, Herman said.

Authorities found the bodies of two men in the car, one in the front passenger seat and the owner of the car in the backseat.

"We have witness statements from people that said they left to test drive the vehicle without a driver and to show the friend how it can drive itself," Herman said.

Tesla's Autopilot is a driver assistance system that handles some driving tasks and allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel at times, but Tesla says its features "require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous."

In his tweet, Musk rejected the idea that the vehicle's semi-automated driving software was to blame: "Data logs recovered so far show Autopilot was not enabled & this car did not purchase FSD," in a reference to Full Self-Driving, Tesla's separate beta semi-automated driver assistance system that still requires driver supervision.

Musk added that "standard Autopilot would require lane lines to turn on, which this street did not have," referring to road markers that need to be captured by a vehicle's cameras to enable autopilot.

Tesla has access to operational and diagnostic data delivered to its servers at "regular intervals" from the car, which has been impounded by police. It is unclear whether investigators will be able to retrieve data directly from the event data recorder in the severely burned vehicle.

Just hours before the crash, Musk had tweeted: "Tesla with Autopilot engaged now approaching 10 times lower chance of accident than average vehicle."

'Shouldn't be a death risk'

Tesla's Autopilot system, which was operating in at least three Tesla vehicles involved in fatal US crashes since 2016, has come under increasing scrutiny.

NHTSA said last month it had opened 27 special investigations into crashes of Tesla vehicles, 23 of which remain active, in crashes believed to have been tied to Autopilot use.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter that "using Tesla's driverless system — or any other — shouldn't be a death risk. Advancements in driving technology must first & foremost be safe."

The NTSB, which makes safety recommendations but cannot compel recalls, said its investigation into the Texas crash would focus "on the vehicle's operation and the post-crash fire."

Fire officials said it took four hours to completely extinguish the fire because of the car's lithium ion battery.


Isuzu delivers beefier warrior

The latest Isuzu D-Max has obviously made a good impact since making its entry into the market last year, winning awards and more importantly, driving up sales numbers.The clamour for more of the new D-Max had not gone unheard and Isuzu Malaysia felt that the time was ripe to introduce a bigger engine displacement alternative.This is the 3.0L model that is promoted as the V-Cross and which is heightened further in appeal with the Safari edition and its premium features.

The V-Cross Safari comes with Italian leather seats, enhanced with orange stitching and dedicated logo on the seatback; chunky matte grey bumper guard, door cladding and side steps; matte black roof rails; dark grey alloy wheels; aero spoilers at the rear and a lockable V-lid for the rear wagon.For the V-Cross 3.0, there is no discernible difference with the D-Max 2.5 in body styling, but the former comes with its special colours: there are four to choose from – Cosmic Black Mica, Garnet Red Mica, Titanium Silver Metallic and Splash White – while the Safari is available with a unique Venetian Orange Mica.As the V-Cross and Safari are brought in from Isuzu Thailand, the body colours differ slightly from the locally assembled 2.5L models.

The paint selection at the Isuzu factory in Thailand is made to international market preferences while those applied at the Pekan plant in Pahang are formulated locally with slightly different tincture.The reason why the V-Cross and Safari are brought in from Thailand is because Isuzu Malaysia does not expect the 3.0L models to match the 2.5L in sales volume.It is also not cost effective to add a 3.0L variant to the local assembly line although the D-Max output is not at the maximum of its allotted capacity yet.Nevertheless, Isuzu’s market penetration had been strong and according to Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Daisuke Ishida, its share of the pick-up segment had grown steadily to about 11%.

Another important note is that more than 70% of the V-Cross and Safari sales are expected to be made in Sabah and Sarawak, where the road tax is more conducive to vehicle ownership of higher diesel engine displacement, such as the 3.0L models.Bigger engine displacement pick-ups are also the preferred choice in those two states for the stronger grunt in taking to off-road terrain more effortlessly.Yes, pick-ups are really made to perform more off-road duties over there than they are over here, where off-roading is largely a leisure pursuit than for workhorse roles.The 3.0L engine in the V-Cross is a newly developed unit, sharing similar details with the new-generation 2.5L unit, the most significant of which is the Variable Geometry (turbo) System (VGS).

With a bigger engine displacement, the output is higher, by more than 40PS at 177PS at 3,800rpm and 60Nm more torque at 380Nm that is available over the same engine rev range from 1,800rpm to 2,800.In fuel consumption, Ishida says the improvement over the previous 3.0L is more than 10% better fuel mileage while the difference to the new-generation 2.5L is less than 10%.The D-Max V-Cross is a part-time 4X4 pick-up: that means it runs in two-wheel drive mode for tarmac motoring and all four wheels can be engaged for off-roading with high and low ratios as per the difficulty of the terrain.

Our sampling of the D-Max V-Cross 3.0 was in the Safari with five-speed automatic, complete with sequential manual shift mode: A five-speed manual transmission model is also available with the standard V-Cross model.The route from Petaling Jaya to Penang was all tarmac driving with about 30% of secondary road as we opted to take the highway rather than the secondary road course in the second leg.The extra oomph was clearly felt when we needed to overtake quickly on secondary roads as the V-Cross Safari picked up the speed quickly.With the maximum torque available early in the engine speed, power development with the variable geometry system built up strongly with matching gains in road speed.

On the highway, the engine speed appeared almost similar to that of the D-Max 2.5 – at 110-120kph, the engine was turning leisurely at between 1,800rpm and 2,000rpm.This low engine speed cruising made for a quiet and relaxed drive and we hardly heard the engine except for the muted roar when we kicked down on the accelerator for some quick overtaking.Wind noise was also well subdued for a pick-up, which usually have higher wind resistance compared to cars.This had to do with good insulation around the doors and thick bushings at the suspension mounting points to reduce road roar picked up by the all-terrain tyres from coming through.Ride was generally good for a pick-up although the V-Cross Safari pitched noticeably when running over a series of road dips, displaying the rigid nature of the single leafspring rear suspension.Adding to the travel comfort is the automatic climate control with a single command centre on the central dashboard area, a new feature that is exclusive to the 3.0L models.Body roll was adequately checked for the winding stretches and we could carry a fair bit of speed through the milder corners.

We couldn’t vouch for the extra grunt in off-road drives but we believe the higher torque should come in handy when tackling challenging terrain.For the peninsular, those who like the added flair and performance of the D-Max 3.0L variant might find these prices appealing: the V-Cross manual is priced at RM98,508.40 (on-the-road without insurance), the automatic is RM104,468.40 and the premium V-Cross Safari goes for RM115,208.40.


BMW Malaysia leading in premium segment

                KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has taken the leadership position in the automotive premium segment in Malaysia, following its success with top-performing figures and customer satisfaction in 2020.

In a statement today, the premium automaker said it rose above the challenges by introducing 25 model variants from across its three major brands — BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad — in which four models were electrified vehicles (EV).

"The group delivered 11,016 vehicles from across the portfolios in 2020, of which over 87 per cent were locally assembled, cementing their leadership in the premium automotive segment nationwide with over 52 per cent market share,” it said.

It said the success in Malaysia mirrors the BMW Group’s performance with over 2,300,000 units delivered worldwide, including over 190,000 EVs from the BMW and MINI brands that chart an increase of over 30 per cent in EV deliveries from the year before.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl said the success could not be achieved without the support of customers, nationwide dealer network and the Malaysian government who supported the automotive industry with the sales tax exemptions.

He said the group also recorded the highest achievement in Net Promoter Scoring — a metric used in customer experience programmes —for customer satisfaction, achieving over 90 per cent positive satisfaction responses with the BMW and MINI brands in 2020.

The BMW brand recorded 8,903 new owners in Malaysia last year, leading the overall premium segment by over 47 per cent, contributed by top-performing BMW 3 Series which saw over 2,500 units delivered, followed by BMW 5 Series with over 1,600 units delivered.

The BMW X family contributed over 39 per cent of total BMW deliveries, charting over 3,200 units of vehicles delivered from within the portfolio in 2020.

MINI Malaysia recorded 987 deliveries last year, BMW Motorrad Malaysia with 1,126 deliveries and 2,200 deliveries of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles.

"For the first time, our total deliveries were strongly led by our line-up of locally-assembled vehicles from the BMW and MINI brands in Malaysia, which accounted for over 87 per cent of our total deliveries,” Hoelzl said.

The group’s success was also reflected by BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia that financed over 42 per cent of BMW vehicles, 45 per cent of MINI vehicles and 60 per cent of BMW Motorrad motorcycles delivered last year.

Hoelzl said the group remained hopeful the automotive industry would recover this year.


Mine waste finds new life as source of rare earths

                LONDON: Sweden, South Africa and Australia are at the forefront of a push to transform piles of mine waste and by-products into rare earths vital for the green energy revolution, hoping to substantially cut dependence on Chinese supply.

Prices of the minerals used in products from electric cars to wind turbines have been strong, and a rush to meet net-zero carbon targets is expected to further boost demand.

Europe and the US are scrambling to wean themselves off rare earths from China, which account for 90% of global refined output.

Six advanced projects outside China, including one operated by Swedish iron ore miner LKAB, are now being developed to extract the materials from mining debris or by-products.

Australia's RMIT University estimates there are 16.2 million tonnes of unexploited rare earths in 325 mineral sands deposits worldwide, while the US Idaho National Laboratory said 100,000 tonnes of rare earths each year end up in waste from producing phosphoric acid alone.

The six projects, processing material from mineral sands, fertiliser and iron ore operations, are targeting output of over 10,000 tonnes of key elements neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) oxide by 2027, analysis by Reuters and consultants Adamas Intelligence showed.

That, Adamas says, is equivalent to some 8% of expected demand for the two rare earths, vital for making permanent magnets to power EV and wind turbine motors.

Potentially they will cut the expected deficit in the materials by upwards of 50%, data from Adamas and the Reuters analysis showed.

"These projects are the low-hanging fruit in the supply chain at the moment," said Ryan Castilloux, managing director at Adamas.

"There's more demand growth coming in the near to medium term than production, so there's an opportunity for these readily accessible sources of supply."

Quicker than new mines

Recovering rare earths from waste is much quicker than setting up new projects from scratch. A new mine that state-owned LKAB is planning to develop at Europe's largest known deposit of rare earth oxides could take up to 15 years to launch.

In contrast, its project to isolate rare earths from byproducts from two existing iron ore mines in northern Sweden is due to kick off in four.

Material from an initial stage of iron ore processing, which is currently deposited in a tailings dam, will be retained and go through further treatment stages.

"We want to make sure we extract as much value as possible, and when we come to the critical minerals, we have those in our ores already," said David Hognelid, LKAB's chief strategy officer for special products.

The company will extract phosphorus for fertiliser, fluorine and gypsum in addition to rare earths.

In South Africa, Rainbow Minerals is also planning to process stacks of waste from years of phosphate mining.

But the biggest such project is in Australia, where mineral sands producer Iluka is gearing up to process 1 million tonnes of stockpiled by-products that have been building up at its Eneabba site since the 1990s.

It is building a rare earths refinery due to open in 2025 that together with related infrastructure is expected to cost between A$1 billion (RM3bil) and A$1.2 billion (RM3.6bil), helped by a government loan.

New technology

A key element to making new projects viable is technology developed to separate the rare earths.

Rainbow Minerals will use a new process developed by US company K-Technologies based on ion chromatography, which is common in the pharmaceutical industry and other sectors.

LKAB will be sending its material for separation to Norway's REEtec, in which it is the biggest shareholder.

Commodity trader Mercuria also bought a stake in REEtec for a new division that targets metals needed for the energy transition.

"REEtec fits the narrative of building processing capacity for rare earths in the part of the supply chain where we think there's a bottleneck," said Guillaume de Dardel, head of energy transition metals at Mercuria.

"The company's technology has a lower environmental footprint compared to the legacy solvent extraction process essentially used for rare earths separation in China."

In the US, Phoenix Tailings, funded mainly by venture capital funds, is using new technology developed by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

"There's zero waste, zero emissions and we're also doing it competitive with Chinese prices. We're not going to rely on government to fund us," said Chief Executive Nick Myers.

Prices of rare earths have climbed in recent years, making new projects more viable. Those of NdPr alloy in China , while down from a peak seen last year, have nearly doubled over the past three years.


Audi trials 5G tech in automated airbag installation

                SINGAPORE: Audi is working with Ericsson on a new pilot project in human-robot interaction using 5G wireless technology.

Audi said in a statement that unlike other wireless technologies, 5G is more reliable, reacts more robustly to high usage levels and is therefore particularly suitable for connecting sensors, machines and devices operated by human beings.

The focus of the project is the use of an industrial robot to install an airbag module into the steering wheel of an Audi.

The robot cell is protected by safety sensors. As soon as a human hand breaks through the cell's light curtain, the robot stops automatically.

The high-frequency (fieldbus) communication required for this is facilitated by the low latency time of one millisecond.

Using 5G, interaction between humans and machine is now possible wirelessly.

“5G combines all points in our production environment and this leads to enormous improvements in flexibility and connectivity and shows how humans and robots can work together safely,” said Audi Neckarsulm chief (Planning Body Shop Automation Technology) Arjen Kreis.

Audi and Ericsson have been testing the use of 5G wireless and network technology for the production of vehicles since 2018.


California approves lithium tax despite industry's warnings

                SACRAMENTO: California on Thursday approved a plan to tax the electric vehicle battery metal lithium to generate revenue for environmental remediation projects despite industry concerns that it will harm the sector and delay shipments to automakers.

Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, approved the tax as part of a must-pass state budget on Thursday. The state legislature had signed off on the levy during deliberations on Wednesday night.

The tax is structured as a flat-rate per tonne and will go into effect in January. The tax will be reviewed every year, and state officials have agreed to study potentially switching to a percentage-based tax.

The largest American state sits atop giant lithium reserves in its Salton Sea region, east of Los Angles, an area heavily damaged in the 20th century by years of heavy pesticide use from farming. Funds generated from the tax are earmarked in part to cleanup of the area.

Federal officials have praised the area's start-up lithium industry because it would deploy a geothermal brine process that is more environmentally friendly than open-pit mines and brine evaporation ponds, the two most common existing methods to produce lithium.

Two of the area's three lithium companies warned the tax would scare off investors and customers. Both said they may leave the state for lithium-rich brine deposits in Utah or Arkansas.

Privately-held Controlled Thermal Resources Ltd said the tax would force it to miss deadlines to deliver lithium to General Motors Co by 2024 and Stellantis NV by 2025.

EnergySource Minerals LLC, also privately held, said it halted discussions with potential financiers and an automaker.

"Supporting a tax that ensures lithium imports from China are less expensive for auto manufacturers to secure will devastate this promising Californian industry before it has begun," said Rod Colwell, Controlled Thermal's chief executive.


Russia car sales sink 79% in April

                MOSCOW: New car sales in Russia sank by over 78 percent in April, industry data showed today, after the country was hit by a barrage of sanctions over Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine.

Only 32,706 units were sold in April, according to the Association of European Businesses.

This was down 78.5 percent from the same month in 2021 and followed a 60-percent drop in March.

The fall comes on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send troops into Ukraine on Feb 24.

Sales of the country's most popular and affordable brand, Lada, whose Avtovaz manufacturer is majority-owned by the Nissan-Renault group, fell 78 percent.

Renault is under intense pressure to boycott Russia over Ukraine and is said to be in talk to sell its majority stake in Russia's largest car maker.

Numerous car makers have stopped sales of their cars or parts to Russia - including Audi, Honda, Jaguar and Porsche.

Makes that have halted Russian production include BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Volvo.


New BMW 7 Series Hybrid priced at RM598,800

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new locally assembled BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology, priced at RM598,800, now offers industry leading innovation from BMW i to the most advanced modern luxury limousine in the country, propelling its leadership in the driving luxury segment with Electric Driving Pleasure courtesy of BMW eDrive.

 Han (right) together with BMW Group Malaysia head of sales Raymond Tan posing with the all-new BMW 7 Series Hybrid .

Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Han Sang Yun who unveiled the new BMW 740Le xDrive said, “Since its introduction early last year, the BMW 7 Series has already redefined the idea of driving luxury in the premium automotive world, even taking home the much coveted World Luxury Car of the Year 2016.

"Here in Malaysia, we have already delivered over 600 units of the BMW 7 Series since its introduction which clearly shows the appeal of this luxurious limousine. Now, the new BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology will only set the benchmark even higher, offering to our customers the most cutting edge BMW eDrive technology which we have developed through our expertise with BMW i.”

Powering the new BMW 740Le xDrive is the latest 2.0 litre four-cylinder in-line engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo expertise derived from the EfficientDynamics engine family of the BMW Group.

The combustion engine develops a maximum output of 258hp with a peak torque of 400Nm. Paired with an equally optimised eight-speed Steptronic transmission, the 740Le xDrive charts a top speed of 250kph.

The car can accomplish a phenomenally notable maximum output of 113hp and a peak torque of 250Nm in pure electric driving mode.

As part of the BMW 360° ELECTRIC program, owners of the new BMW 740Le xDrive join those of the BMW i8, BMW 330e and BMW X5 xDrive40e in enjoying easy access to GreenTech Malaysia’s network of 181 ChargEV stations nationwide through the BMW ChargeNow mobility service.

The new BMW 740Le xDrive is available in Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White, and Sophisto Grey. Inside, the upholstery is lined with exclusive Nappa leather while the interior trim finishes in Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood.


Motorist Super App debuts in Malaysia

(From left) Azhar, Dr Wong, Belson and Todt.
KUALA LUMPUR: An online car-selling company today launched its Motorist Super App in Malaysia to help car users in the country conveniently manage all aspects of vehicle ownership via their smartphone through a single app.

In conjunction with the launch, Motorist.my also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to include a feature within the app that provides information on the safety rating of vehicles according to the New Car Assessment Program for South-East Asian Countries (Asean NCAP).

Set up in Malaysia in 2018 as an expansion from Motorist in Singapore, where it claimed to be the leading automotive concierge platform, Motorist is said to be one of the biggest such players in the region with over 2,100 certified automotive partners including Malaysia’s AXA Affin General Insurance, Etiqa Takaful and Liberty Insurance.

Here's what the Motorist Super App’s smart tools and services promise car users in Malaysia:

> Receive notifications and reminders for road tax expiry, car insurance renewal, servicing, and more.
> Receive alerts on summons, and traffic fines and make payment directly through the app.
> Save time by receiving competitive quotes within 24 hours for motor insurance or cars they want to sell.
> Receive invitations to join community chat groups of users with the same car model.

Among the more attractive features of the Motorist Super App is one that promotes safe driving.

Motorist said with one tap on the app, car users can access the live feed of traffic cameras on all major highways, so they can check if there are traffic jams, roadblocks, floods, or car breakdowns before they start their journey.

With the app’s "Co-Driver" feature, car users will receive real-time audio alerts when approaching police enforcement camera zones, as well as reminders to drive more responsibly, it said. In addition, the M Witness feature allows users to identify hot spots to be shared with the Motorist community.

Motorist Malaysia general manager Martin Belson said the app is expected to attract over 100,000 new users in Malaysia over the next year.

He said Motorist would also continue to leverage on close partnerships and wider collaborations with relevant organisations in Malaysia to provide value-added services for its users. It has recently partnered with Etiqa Takaful to provide a more competitive motor insurance quote to users as a key addition to its service offering.

Present at the launch of the app and the MoU signing were UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt, Miros chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon and Miros acting director-general Azhar Hamzah.

“With an average of 18 people killed in road crashes every day, road and vehicle safety remains a major concern in Malaysia and it is vital that local authorities and automotive players work collaboratively towards a common goal of ensuring better safety for vehicle owners and other road users." said Azhar.

"The safe driving features in the Motorist Super App are definitely a step towards that and we are delighted that we could work together with Motorist.my to incorporate information of the Asean NCAP rating of vehicle safety within the app”.

Asean NCAP has been around since 2011. It produced its first set of results on seven car models in 2013. To date, 115 models have been assessed and 140 ratings have been made, representing about 80% of cars sold in South-East Asia.

In a Q&A session, Belson said car recall data are taken from both global and local data sources.

Asked what were the popular features Singaporeans used, he said they were the Co-Driver and M Witness features.

Dr Wong acknowledged that most accident victims in Malaysia are motorcyclists and said safety ratings for motorcycles have been instituted since last year. He also said Miros, an agency under the Transport Ministry, is looking to advocate for anti-lock braking system to be made mandatory on motorcycles. He said additional safety features such as airbags are being studied.

Todt pointed out that road safety has to be tackled in a comprehensive way.

"Addressing road safety requires a holistic approach that targets various aspects of the road transport system," he said.

"Education and enforcement are effective measures. Ensuring road infrastructure and vehicle safety also have proven to provide positive outcomes in preventing serious crashes."

A marketing campaign is currently running from now until Jan 30, 2023, whereby car users who download the Motorist Super App can stand to win prizes such as Apple products like iPhone 14, AirPods 3, Apple Watch SE, and more.

They also stand a chance to win RM2,000 weekly from a vehicle plate draw, simply by adding their vehicle details in the app. More details of the campaign can be found here.

The Motorist automotive platform was launched in Malaysia in 2018. Founded in Singapore in 2015, it has since expanded to Malaysia and Thailand.

To date, Motorist said it has served over 661,000 motorists and facilitated over RM2.9 billion worth of vehicle transactions. The company’s mission is to simplify car ownership by creating an ecosystem of smart tools and services.

For more information, go to www.motorist.my.

> Motorist Super App Highlights (pdf)


Car makers blast 'unrealistic' EU emissions targets

                BRUSSELS: German and other European automakers warned Tuesday that EU plans to slash carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and vans by 2030 are "totally unrealistic" without a network to recharge electric cars and more effort to retrain workers.

European Union countries and the European Parliament agreed in principle on Monday to require new cars in 2030 to emit 37.5 percent less carbon dioxide on average compared to 2021 while van emissions will have to drop 31 percent.

Ambassadors from EU countries are expected to endorse the deal in Brussels today — a deal officials touted as advancing the bloc's efforts to meet commitments under the Paris climate accord.

But carmakers in Europe, particularly in industry powerhouse Germany, complained the new curbs were not well thought through.

"This new regulation demands too much and offers too little incentive," said Bernhard Mattes, head of the German carmakers' federation VDA.

With tougher measures than other parts of the world, he warned, "the European automobile industry will find itself heavily penalised in international competition."

Mattes argued that EU regulators failed to take into account market conditions, saying ordinary motorists were not ready to switch to electric cars.

"EU member countries must also step up to their responsibilities and boost the vehicle recharging infrastructure," he said.

Though the new curbs will apply throughout the bloc, he said, three quarters of the recharging stations for electric cars are located in only four countries: Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess said the rules will "lead to a strong restructuring of production as well as extra factories and battery cells" as the firm switches to electric car production.

'Political motives'

Germany's economy minister Peter Altmaier told newspapers in his country that the "compromise on CO2 curbs is at the limit of what is technically and economically possible."

Germany, backed by several eastern EU countries with auto plants, had sought an emissions cut of only 30 percent.

The European Parliament had wanted a reduction of 40 percent, backed by countries like France, the Netherlands and Ireland.

Concerns were also heard from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), which also represents firms in Sweden, France, Britain and other countries.

The target "might sound plausible, but is totally unrealistic based on where we stand today," ACEA said.

ACEA said the goals flowed from "political motives" that ignored hurdles to consumers buying more electric and other cleaner vehicles, including their high cost and a lack of recharging and refuelling stations.

But it said the association's members will continue to invest in producing alternatively-powered vehicles.

ACEA called on the 28 EU countries and the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, to make "the much-needed investments in infrastructure."

The association warned that the emissions targets "will have a seismic impact on jobs" in an industry that employs some 13.3 million Europeans.

It urged policy makers to "act swiftly" to present plans that will help workers learn new skills required for building cleaner cars.

Anca Paduraru, a Commission spokeswoman, said in response: "The EU is committed to a socially fair transition leaving no citizens and no regions behind."

The Commission added it has begun promoting the indigenous production of electric car batteries rather than have Europe import them from countries like China.

It is also looking at setting up a fund by 2027 to retrain workers for electric car production — one drawing on proceeds from penalties.

The new rules call for an interim goal of a 15-percent reduction by 2025.


After Sweden, Hyundai i30 N undergoes further testing on UK roads

                LONDON: The Hyundai i30 N is continuing its intensive development through numerous tests by Hyundai engineers. Following the recent winter test in Sweden with Thierry Neuville, World Rally Championship driver of Hyundai Motorsport, the i30 N has now completed its testing programme on the most challenging roads in Britain.

With the i30 N, Hyundai will launch its first high performance model carrying the ‘N’ logo. Based on the new i30, the i30 N is developed from the ground up to deliver maximum fun to drive on the road and on the track.

The ‘N’ stands for Namyang, Hyundai Motor’s global R&D Centre, and for the Nürburgring, one of the most demanding race tracks in the world and home to Hyundai Motor’s European Test Centre. The ‘N’ logo resembles a chicane, representing the ultimate driving experience on winding roads.

In Britain, the i30 N prototype was tested on public roads by Hyundai engineers to fine-tune and check the current status of development, focusing on the car’s adaptive suspension and different drive modes.

“We are getting closer and closer to the final development stage of the i30 N,” said Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President and Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development at Hyundai Motor Company. “The road testing serves to check if the driving performance of our first Hyundai N high performance car can meet our future customers’ requirements. We have to make sure that on these challenging UK roads the driving performance is also well suited to everyday use. There are plenty of fun and challenging corners out here – the N Team loves corners!”

At the end of May, two close-to-production i30 N vehicles will enter the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. Both cars will be competing with a 2.0-litre turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission – the same powertrain and transmission set-up that will be used in the production i30 N.

The race will give Hyundai Motor’s engineers more valuable insights about necessary refinements and potential performance enhancements for the i30 N ahead of its launch this summer.


Petrol stations and retail outlets ready for PIN system

                PETALING JAYA: Most petrol station operators and many retailers are ready to meet the July 1 deadline for the new personal identification number (PIN) system for card transactions.

Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz said the majority of its members reported that there were no hiccups implementing the system.

“More than 90% of us have changed to it. There should be no problem for all of us to comply,” he said.

He said PDAM would continue to communicate with its members and gather their input.

“Only one or two said they forgot to upgrade their system but have assured me that they would,” he said.

There are 3,500 petrol stations nationwide with a workforce totalling 50,000, of which 14,000 are pump attendants.

In March, the Association of Banks in Malaysia said that all outdoor payment terminals at petrol stations had been upgraded to use the PIN system for debit, credit, charge and prepaid cards.

Malaysia Retail Chain Association president Datuk Garry Chua said that none of its members have raised objections over the PIN system, adding that most of them were already using it.

He said retailers were encouraged to use the new system but it was up to them whether or not to.

The association has more than 350 members, operating over 20,000 retail outlets nationwide.


2020 TIV expected to drop to 420,000, says Kenanga Investment

                KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd forecasts the automotive sector’s total industry volume (TIV) to lower to 420,000 units from its initial expectation of 560,000 units, due to the movement control order (MCO) and the economic slowdown.

In a research note, it said the Malaysian Automotive Association reported that the TIV for March 2020 declined by 59 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to 22,478 units.

It added that both month-on-month and y-o-y sales growth skidded downhill due to the MCO, which started on March 18.

Kenanga Investment said for the first three months of the year, TIV stood at a total of 106,428 units - accounting for 25 per cent of its 2020 renewed sales target.

“National marques are expected to continue surpassing non-national marques, driven mainly by Proton’s robust sales growth and supported by Perodua to cushion the impact,” it said.

There were no sales expected for April 2020 due to the extension of the MCO to May 12, with showrooms closed across the country.

“If there is no extension, we expect a slight recovery in delivery of new models after May, probably in the second half of 2020 (H2 2020) after the fear inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.

“There could be some relieve in H2 2020 due to exciting new launches, especially from the non-nationals, better incentives programme under the National Automotive Policy 2020 and pre-emptive measures to assist those who might be financially challenged by COVID-19 impact,” it said.

However, it noted that the industry’s performance would depend on the outcome of containment measures and whether the movement restriction would be extended.


Hyundai out to show muscles at SEMA

                LOS ANGELES: Expect a sensible family crossover with as much power as a Bugatti Veyron and an SUV that could quite literally make you smile, thanks to its Nitrous Oxide boost system.

Korea's biggest carmaker is continuing its annual tradition of partnering with some of America's most creative and cutting-edge tuning houses for this November's SEMA show.

And while Hyundai will be keeping some details about its planned projects under wraps until the event — which this year starts on Nov 1 — it has confirmed that it is again working with Bisimoto and Rockstar Performance Garage.

Bisimoto is creating the "Santa-Fast," a Hyundai Santa Fe that will sport a bespoke engine, based on a standard Hyundai 3.8-litre V6, but built in a climate-controlled clean room to ensure the tiniest of tolerances. But as the end goal is a car with 1,040hp going to the rear wheels, this sort of accuracy is crucial.

The engine will also be helped in this regard with the addition of a Bisimoto custom twin-turbo kit, new injectors, exhaust system, custom camshafts and the ability to run on flex fuel.

"Bisimoto takes pleasure in making any vehicle fun to drive, even a larger SUV," said Bisi Ezerioha, owner of Bisimoto. "Our Santa-Fast SUV is a proof-of-concept vehicle with driving capabilities that our customers can count on every day they turn the key."

And while the Santa-Fast is built for the track, Rockstar Performance Garage has decided to take a Santa Fe and turn it into a real desert racer.

It also uses a "stock" Hyundai V6 but one with a Magnaflow custom exhaust, a cold air intake system and of course a Nitrous-oxide injection system for the ultimate in short-term power boost.

"Rockstar conveys its endless brand energy in everything we do," said Nick Ashby, lead developer of the Rockstar concept vehicle. "Our Rockstar Santa Fe Concept is simultaneously all-show and all-go, a non-compromising concept with tremendous capabilities and a confident demeanour to match."

Therefore, the concept gets a complete custom suspension system fit for a Baja race with coil overs, KING shocks, new control arms and tie-rods. The car stands significantly higher for optimum ground clearance while grip comes courtesy of 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw off-road tyres. There's also an integrated winch, LED off-roading light bars, a custom roof rack and full underbody protection including rock sliders.


Fastned and Tesla to power up Oxford with EV charging superhub

                AMSTERDAM: Dutch charging infrastructure company Fastned has teamed up with Tesla to build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Oxford, England, it said today.

The hub of 38 charging stations, will include 26 ultra-rapid chargers from Fastned and Tesla, with additional AC chargers from Spain's Wenea, and is scheduled to open at the end of 2021.

The intial 10 Fastned charging stations will be able to charge EVs simultaneously at rates allowing drivers to add up to 482km of range in 20 minutes, the company said.

"Partnering with Tesla ... should indeed help (Fastned) further increase its public profile in the UK and may allow it to replicate the same development strategy in other municipalities across Europe," said Berenberg's research analyst Jan Richard.

The hub will be Europe's most powerful electric vehicle charging hub with up to 10 megawatts of power available for future expansion, Fastned said.

"We can assume (this site) will be an important revenue contributor," said Juri Zanieri, research analyst at Kempen.

Delivering 100% renewable energy to EV drivers day and night, it will also be Britain's largest public EV charging hub, EDF Renewables, whose unit Pivot Power is also participating in the project, said.

Located on the ring road around Oxford, the hub is near the Cowley industrial site, where BMW is producing electric MINI cars.

Fastned, based in Amsterdam, has built 137 fast charging stations across Belgium, Britain, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands and aims to expand into France.

It plans to build at least 40 stations across its markets in 2021 and increase the number substantially in 2022.

Last month, data from Britain's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed battery EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles' market share grew to 13.9% over January-March.


First 100 BYD Atto 3 delivered to buyers

                KUALA LUMPUR: Following the successful launch of BYD in Malaysia, with 1,000 orders received for the Atto 3 within just 10 days, BYD is marking another milestone, delivering the first 100 units of the all-electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) to Malaysian customers.

Among the first 100 customers to receive the BYD Atto 3 was one individual identified only as Goh.

“BYD is a global best-selling electric vehicle (EV) brand, I knew of this brand much earlier before it launched, so when I learned that it was coming to Malaysia, I felt it was the perfect opportunity and quickly placed a booking!," he said.

“When I first saw it here, I have to say the design, specifications and performance of the BYD Atto 3 truly surpassed my expectations, and on top of all that driving an EV is also better for the environment,” he said.

 Gan (right) presenting the Atto 3 to Goh.

Available in two variants, the Atto 3 is priced from RM149,800 for the Standard Range and RM167,800 for the Extended Range, with five colours of Surf Blue, Parkour Red, Boulder Grey, Forest Green and Ski White.

The Atto 3 comes with advanced features and offers a battery range of up to 480km on a single charge.

The EV is built on BYD's e-platform 3.0, and the Chinese carmaker said it is efficient, has smart features and comes with high safety standards.

 Atto 3 buyers receiving their cars.

Sime Darby Motors Malaysia retail and distribution managing director Jeffrey Gan said: “With the delivery of the first Atto 3 vehicles to the Malaysian market, we look forward to maintaining our momentum with more units currently enroute and slated to reach Malaysia very soon.

“We will continue to drive the acceleration of EV adoption in Malaysia and as we expand our EV portfolio with world-class partners such as BYD to bring exciting innovations to the market, we strive to cater to the growing demand for environmental-friendly options among Malaysians, fueling the nation’s aspirations towards achieving low carbon mobility,” he said.

Those interested in checking out the vehicle can visit the BYD showroom at TREC KL in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.

For details, visit http://byd.simedarbymotors.my/ or follow www.facebook.com/BYDCarsMalaysia or www.instagram.com/bydcarsmalaysia/.


Govt looking at ride-sharing proposal to improve last-mile connectivity, says Loke

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ehailing companies have suggested ride-sharing or carpooling as a means to improve first and last-mile connectivity with the Klang Valley’s public rail system, says Anthony Loke.

"They (ehailing companies) have spoken to us and we are trying to see how to accommodate their proposals.

"One of their suggestions is ride-sharing," the Transport Minister told reporters after launching the free shuttle bus service from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Parliament complex today.

Loke said an announcement would be made soon with regard to the outcome of recent discussions with the ehailing companies.

Earlier this month, Loke announced that the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) was currently looking at implementing a ride-sharing pilot project where ehailing and taxi companies offer commuter rides to the MRT stations at lower fares.

The move comes as ridership continues to remain low ahead of the completion of the MRT2 Sungai Buloh-Putrajaya line by this coming mid-March.

Loke said that ridership for public transport such as the MRT (mass rapid transit) could be further increased if first and last-mile issues are resolved.

In a related matter, Loke said that Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) will look at using smaller feeder buses aimed at improving first and last-mile connectivity.

He said this would be based on the success of the pilot project, which provides a free shuttle bus service from KL Sentral and Parliament complex.

"I am encouraging Prasarana to take up smaller buses instead of the longer buses.

"The smaller buses are more efficient and are more apt and manoeuvrable in small housing estates," he said.

The smaller feeder buses can accommodate about 30 passengers compared to the current large feeder buses that can accommodate between 62 and 67 passengers.


Skoda UK launches concept car with built-in washing machine

LONDON: Czech car maker Škoda's UK-based team has officially announced the Karoq Velo Concept Car, a model designed to support cyclists on all their on- or off-road, summer or winter journeys.

In response to the growing number of cyclists in Britain, Škoda UK unveiled the Karoq Velo Concept Car equipped with a built-in washing machine, pressure washer, and drone station to keep riders fresh and their bikes clean after off-road trips.

Škoda UK describes the concept — which was designed by a group of biking enthusiasts — as "the ultimate support car for the cyclist who dreams of the perfect summer ride."

Over 1,500 active riders made suggestions for their perfect vehicle, and one of the most popular requests was to integrate a washing machine into the model; as a result, the model has a spin cycle washing machine in the trunk that uses the same water supply as an integrated pressure washer.

Additionally, the Karoq Velo Concept comes with a toolkit and "equipment to facilitate rapid puncture repairs." A built-in LED lighting system ensures that owners don't need to find a streetlight to complete their nighttime repairs.

Even when travelling with three passengers, the model can transport three bikes at once: two on the roof and one inside.

There's also a landing pad for a Follow Me drone, a drone capable of following cyclists and snapping shots of their rides. An integrated Wi-Fi hotspot allows for this content to be shared online as soon as a rider gets back to the car.

While the Karoq Velo Concept is not available for purchase, an accessory package that was inspired by the model is available for order from local Skoda retailers.


Yes, interstate travel rules are more stringent now, says Deputy IGP

                PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman has confirmed that interstate travel conditions have been tightened.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the decision to impose more stringent controls on issuing interstate travel permits was made last week.

"Yes, I can confirm that police have tightened the terms to approve interstate travel," he said when contacted on Monday (April 19).

A circular has been making its rounds on WhatsApp claiming the strict terms for approval were imposed on the orders of IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.

The circular states that only three reasons would be considered, including emergencies involving immediate family with the relevant supporting documents.

Deaths and long-distance relationships between married couples were also on the list.

The circular, said to be effective April 15, also stated that reasons such as weddings, kenduri and other social events would not be considered.


Big names of automobile world figures at Beijing sculpture exhibition

Henry Ford with 1921 Model T.
BEIJING: A sculpture exhibition displaying international figures in the world of automobiles has opened here.

The exhibition consists of 20 figures who played an important role in world automobile development over the last century.

Founder of the Ford Motor Company Henry Ford and Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher are included among the figures.

Entry to the exhibition, which opened Saturday at the Beijing auto Museum, is free. The figures will become part of the museum's collection.

Yang Rui, curator of the museum, said the exhibition is aimed at bridging automobile history and modern culture with the help of the works. — Xinhua