Land Rover Discovery Sport now here at RM399K

PETALING JAYA: The new Land Rover Discovery Sport has finally landed in Malaysia and is now officially on sale following its launch here this morning.

It comes in two variants – the 240PS/340Nm 2.0L Si4 Petrol and the 190PS/420Nm  2.2L SD4 Diesel. Both are matched with a nine-speed automatic transmissions. The petrol version is priced at RM399,000 (with GST but excludes road tax, registration and insurance).

The sale of the diesel version is imminent, pending price approval from the Government.

Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Syed Mudzhar Syed Ali said the first shipment from Britain to Malaysia has already been sold out. He declined to say how many units that represented or to go into details about target sales for the year amid a softening market.

He, however, said two more shipments of the model are coming soon. He said the company was absorbing costs for now amid a weakening ringgit.

The Discovery Sport’s bold and progressive design, which combines 5+2 seating configurability with design and engineering integrity in a compact footprint that is smaller than many traditional 5-seater SUVs, is unique in its segment.

It features a number of engineering innovations by Land Rover, including an advanced multi-link rear axle; and state-of-the-art, high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium bodyshell for improved performance, safety and efficiency.

The all-new multi-link rear axle has proven crucial, allowing Land Rover to introduce the 5+2 seating to a whole new segment while also offering best-in-class off-road performance and high levels of agility.

Safety is taken to a new level with seven airbags inside the cabin and first-in-class pedestrian airbag that enhances pedestrian protection plus Autonomous Emergency Braking that helps the driver to avoid collisions.

Being a Land Rover, the Discovery Sport offers impressive all-terrain performance courtesy of optimised approach, departure and break-over angles and Terrain Response System.

Other standout features for connected and comfortable handling both on and off-road include Hill Descent Control (DSC), Gradient Release Control (GRC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Hill Start Assist, Roll Stability Control (RSC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVB).

Designed and engineered at Land Rover’s development centre in Britain, the Discovery Sport is produced at the company’s factory in Halewood, Liverpool.

Customers can opt for the Black Design Pack that includes a gloss-black grille, door mirror caps, front fender vents, 'Discovery' bonnet script, contrast roof, and tailgate badging and a choice of 19 or 20-inch  alloy wheels.

“The launch of the new Discovery Sport is a pivotal moment in Land Rover’s 67-year history,” said Syed Mudzhar.

“Not only does it mark the introduction of the first new member of the expanding Discovery family, it also brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market. I believe it will resonate not only with existing Land Rover owners but also a new generation of discerning customers.”

The new Discovery Sport’s entry into the Malaysian market was an unusual affair. The unique Land Rover Terrapod was brought in from Britain to showcase the vehicle’s all-terrain ability.

The Discovery Sport had little difficulty tackling steep slopes and inclines on the mobile man-made track. Its body has been specially optimised to cope with challenging off-road terrain, with 212mm of ground clearance and class-leading approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively. This means the front, middle or rear of the vehicle can climb up, over and down extreme obstacles at low speed.

The four-wheel-drive variants offered in Malaysia can also scale incredibly steep gradients of 45 degrees, as much as 14 degrees more than other competitor SUVs. In extreme situations, lower trim on the front bumper can be removed to increase the approach angle still further.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion and SiSMA Auto are dual-brand Jaguar Land Rover dealers for Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia).

All Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles sold in Malaysia are covered by a 5-year/300,000km warranty or 3 years or 100,000km warranty and 3 years free roadside assistance.


Elon Musk makes good on promise with shorts sale at US$69.42

                SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk made good on a promise to produce a pair of "short shorts” to mark his triumph against investors who had bet against Tesla Inc., unveiling the item Sunday among the range of branded apparel for sale on the electric-car maker’s online store.

A pair of the limited edition satin shorts would cost "only US$69.420” (RM297.40) Musk tweeted — a likely reference to the US$420 (RM1,799) per share price that he had offered shareholders in 2018 to take the company private. That offer, made over a series of tweets, sparked off a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit.

"Run like the wind or entertain like Liberace with our red satin and gold trim design,” read a blurb describing the shorts, which come in various sizes. "Enjoy exceptional comfort from the closing bell.”

Following Musk’s initial tweet, which was "liked” by Twitter users over 41,000 times, Tesla’s online store was temporarily unable to process orders for the item.

Musk has repeatedly joked about "short shorts” to short sellers who took positions against Tesla, such as hedge fund manager David Einhorn.

Tesla shares have surged 189% this year.


Australian law firm files A$100-million class action against Volkswagen

                SYDNEY: Law firm Maurice Blackburn will launch a class action lawsuit today on behalf of Australian owners of scam-tainted Volkswagen AG seeking total damages "well north" of A$100 million (RM303mil).

Volkswagen is embroiled in a global recall scandal, and faces several class action lawsuits, after tests showed that thousands of vehicles had been fitted with devices designed to mask the level of emissions.

More than 10,000 Australian owners have already registered for the class action that targets the German parent companies involved in the emissions scam, not just the local subsidiaries, Maurice Blackburn said.

"I am extremely disappointed that, because of the company's deceitful conduct, I've now got a car that is emitting dirty diesel," Audi owner Robyn Richardson told a news conference in Sydney.

"I am here to bring them to account for what they've done. I'm here to deter other companies from behaving similarly," said Richardson, one of the lead applicants for the class action in Australia.

Maurice Blackburn Principal Jason Geisker said the litigation, on behalf of more than 90,000 car owners, will seek to recover the full cost of the vehicle, plus damages for misleading and deceptive conduct, among others.

Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) declined to comment on any "impending legal matters" but apologised for any disappointment and inconvenience.

"VGA assures all its customers that the affected cars are technically safe and the necessary measures will be undertaken at no cost to them," it said in a statement.

"We will do everything we can to fix this problem and regain the trust of our customers."

Volkswagen already faces a handful of shareholder lawsuits, including a securities-fraud class action in Virginia against its US divisions and a planned claim by Dutch investor association VEB on behalf of investors who bought VW stock through a Dutch bank or broker.

The company is also battling dozens of class actions accusing it of fraud for selling supposedly low-pollution, high-horsepower, fuel-sipping vehicles that have declined substantially in value since the revelations.

Litigation funder Bentham Europe, a joint venture between Australia's IMF Bentham and US hedge fund Elliott Management on Nov. 5 said it was talking with Volkswagen's 200 largest investors about filing a lawsuit in Germany, as soon as February, claiming negligence and breach of securities law.


Govt lists what Proton must do to get aid

                PETALING JAYA: The Government is of the view that the current business model adopted by Proton is not sustainable and if it were to offer its assistance, it will come with several conditions.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said among the prerequisites were for Proton to immediately identify a strategic foreign partner, the company to be professionally managed, no interference in its business and putting in place tough but necessary measures for the long-term sustainability of Proton.

He also urged Proton to “graduate” from Government protection as the measures were only short- and medium-term in nature and would eventually be abolished, as in Japan and South Korea.

The national car company’s share in the domestic automotive market, which once peaked at 74% in 1993, is now hovering at 15%.

Mustapa said since Proton was set up in 1983, the Government has provided grants, various forms of assistance as well as forgone taxes to the tune of about RM13.9bil in total.

The ministry also injected RM100mil to alleviate the burdens of Proton vendors last year.

“The Government has been seriously deliberating Proton’s request for assistance for grants and soft loans.

“It is a major request and the Government needs to be thorough with its evaluation as a lot of public money is involved.

“We need to be particularly prudent in allocation of resources at this time when our national revenues have been seriously impacted by falling oil and commodity prices,” he said.

Mustapa added that he was informed that there were instances when Proton appeared to be unprofessional in its decision-making process.

“In order for the Government to consider providing financial assistance to Proton, it’s important that a competent leadership team be appointed in the company.

“We note the decision made by Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) to relinquish his position as the Proton chairman.

“While we recognise the contributions made by Dr Mahathir throughout his chairmanship of Proton, we must not turn a blind eye to challenges faced by Proton and its inability to establish a solid financial footing,” he said.

He added that since he became the International Trade and Industry Minister in 2009, he had been briefed regularly by the senior management of Proton on the issues and challenges faced by the company.

“The National Automotive Policy in 2009 clearly stated the need for Proton to team up with strategic foreign partners. In this extremely competitive line of business, there is a need to set aside high capital resources for research and development. Scale is also crucial but Proton currently has neither of them.

“It’s also suffering a problem of under-utilisation of its two production plants at 35% each,” said Mustapa.

Malaysia currently has two national car projects, namely Proton and Perodua. The latter, which is 49% owned by Malaysian shareholders including Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), is a joint-venture with Daihatsu and Toyota, and is a profitable company.


Sony and Honda team up to develop and sell electric vehicles

Sony Vision-S 01 and Vision-S 02 electric vehicles are displayed during CES 2022 in Las Vegas, on Jan 5. — Reuters
TOKYO: Japan's Sony Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd said today they would pair up to develop and sell battery electric vehicles, as the electronics maker furthers its ambitions to become a key player in next-generation automobiles.

The two companies said in a statement they would form a joint venture this year and aim to begin selling the first model in 2025.

Honda will be responsible for manufacturing the first model, while Sony will develop the mobility service platform, they said.

Sony's chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida announced in January a plan to create a new company, Sony Mobility, saying it was exploring a commercial launch of electric vehicles.

Although its once-dominant position in consumer electronics has been eroded by Asian rivals like South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co, Sony still has an arsenal of sophisticated technology in areas such as sensors critical to autonomous driving.

The rapid shift to embrace electric vehicles around the world, stoked by a global push to slash carbon emissions, creates opportunities for tech companies to join the auto market since those vehicles are simpler to manufacture than cars carrying internal combustion engines.

At the same time, those tech companies face challenges of meeting rigorous safety regulations for vehicles, and making cars capable of withstanding sometimes difficult driving conditions.


RON95 petrol down 27 sen to RM1.93 per litre from tomorrow

                PETALING JAYA: The Government today announced a reduction in fuel prices, with RON95 and RON97 petrol down by 27 sen to RM1.93 per litre and RM2.23 respectively.

Diesel is down 14 sen to RM2.04.

The changes take effect from midnight.

The announcement also marked the resumption of the weekly managed float pricing scheme albeit with some changes.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said fuel price changes, if any, will be announced every Friday and go into force the next day.

Should global oil prices rise, the Government has assured that RON95 petrol is capped at RM2.20 per litre and diesel at RM2.18 per litre.

In a concession to petrol dealers who had protested against the weekly pricing, the Government has approved a commision or margin increase to 15 sen per litre on RON95 petrol, 10 sen per litre for RON97 petrol and 10 sen per litre on diesel. This represented a 2.81-sen increase per litre or 23% hike for petrol and a 3-sen increase per litre or 43% hike.

The rates had not been revised since 2008, said Lim.

On targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol, Lim said it would be introduced in the middle of 2019.


Why second-hand electric cars are so hard to find in Germany

                MUNICH: New electric cars are still pricey and buying a pre-owned example seems like a good idea. The trouble is that these models are so scarce on the ground that they sometimes cost more to buy than a car straight from the showroom floor.

Things are upside down in the electric car market at the moment and buyers will probably have to wait a few years before supply outweighs demand.

On Germany's huge Mobile.de car sales platform, which attracts sellers from all over Europe, full electrics only account for just 2.4% of cars offered. Figures from the registration authorities showed that in January only 1% of electrics changed hands.

The platform is typical of many worldwide and of the average 1.27 million cars for sale, only 25,500 use electrics were up for grabs in early 2023. Excluded from the figures were cars aged over 20 years and those with 200,000km on the odometer. Few electrics fall into these categories.

A closer look at what is on offer reveals a divergence from the new car market. The most common on Mobile.de is the Renault Zoe, ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and the boxy, upright BMW i3, which is no longer produced. In 2022, the most frequently newly-registered pure electric vehicles were Tesla Model Y, Model 3 and Fiat 500.

"When it comes to older used electrics, their number is negligible at the moment," said Thomas Peckruhn, Vice President of the German Association of Motor Trades and Repairs ZDJ.

"This is mainly due to the fact that three years ago there was no broad offer of new electric cars and accordingly new registrations were lower," said the expert.

Many cars come up for sale after three years since leasing contracts usually run that long, after which the cars have to undergo bi-annual roadworthy tests.

But the market for used electric vehicles is much younger. The average age of the vehicles on offer at Mobile.de in January was 25 months. Petrol cars were much older at 77 months, as were diesels at 66 months - there are also many old used cars here.

Those who want more choice will have to be patient. "There will probably be a larger supply of used electric cars from 2024 or 2025," said Peckruhn.

By then the leasing returns from previous years will come onto the market with higher shares of electric cars.

What could slow this down however is that almost half of the electric cars sold in recent years went to private individuals. And they usually keep their vehicles for much longer - on average for between five and 10 years.

New electric cars are not cheap to buy, but so-called residual values have recently been lower than for cars with combustion engines. This may be because batteries which wear out are very costly to replace.

Some older electrics have poor battery chemistry, leading to the cells losing capacity very quickly. This renders the car almost worthless since a replacement is often very expensive,

In January, market watchdog DAT calculated a residual value of 61.5% of the new list price for a typical three-year-old electric car. For diesels it was 66.8% and for petrol cars 69.6%. However, part of the difference was due to subsidies for new electric cars being scaled back.

DAT described current demand as "restrained". For the vast majority of car buyers, an electric car is either not an option at all or only as a new car, as the survey for the annual DAT report showed.

Even among the used car buyers surveyed, only 14% said they would consider a used electric. Twice as many among them said "No, only a new e-car".

Nevertheless, the electric cars offered on Mobile.de do sell fairly quickly. In January, the average number of dwell days on the site was 38. For petrol cars, diesels and hybrids, the figure was more than 50 each.

One of the things that concerns buyers when purchasing a used electric vehicle is the condition of the battery. In the DAT survey, the majority of people said this aspect was as important as the mileage.


Motorcycles overtaking gridlocked cars between two lanes: good or bad?

                PARIS: You're on a motorcycle and stuck in a traffic jam. There's enough space between the cars for you to nip past them all on the dotted white line between lanes.

Do you?

Not if you're in parts of the US or Germany, where precisely this manoeuvre - known as "lane splitting" - will get you a fine, and potentially even your licence revoked if you're a repeat offender.

Instead, motorcyclists are expected to behave like a car and only overtake as a car driver would and when there's a safe amount of space.

France, on the other hand, now wants to formally allow motorcycles and scooters to ride over the white lines between cars stuck in gridlock to get through the traffic jam.

Transport authorities here say they now want to trial allowing lane splitting on the city motorway for the next three years, following a similar move to legalise the motorcycle manoeuvre and free up traffic in the US state of California.

The new rule means that in 21 of Paris's departments, including the Paris metropolitan area, motorcyclists and scooter riders will be able to ride on the white lines between lanes on roads where there are more than one lane in each direction.

They'll have to limit themselves to a maximum speed of 50kph, and keep to the two left-hand lanes.

While this rule will doubtlessly cut time off a motorcyclist's ride duration and potentially also help reduce congestion, road safety experts are still unsure about what it means for safety.

The trial policy comes after initial tests over five years in 11 departments which led to unsatisfactory results, according to the French road safety organization.

Instead of reducing the number of motorcycle accidents by implementing clear rules for overtaking in traffic jams, the number of accidents in the test areas increased.

On average, they increased by 12 per cent there, while the number of motorcycle accidents nationwide decreased by 10 per cent in the same period. However, the road safety organisation pointed out during the evaluation at the beginning of the year that the cause of the accidents was not recorded in detail.


Shell introduces improved FuelSave 95 petrol, claims greater mileage

                KUALA LUMPUR: Shell in Malaysia has unveiled its latest New + Improved Shell FuelSave 95 petrol that promises an extra 15km's drive on a 50-litre tank of fuel.

The new generation fuel was developed from five years of intensive research and tests involving 150 fuel scientists.

Aside from providing 15km of extra drive per tank, the New + Improved Shell FuelSave 95 also comes with deposit targeting technology to provide deeper cleaning for a cleaner engine.

 Seow (third from left) at the launch with (from left) Shell Global Marcomms Lead, Mobility, Ambrosio Riparip; Shell fuel scientist Tina Jia; Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd & Shell Timur Sdn Bhd managing director Shairan Huzani Hussain; Shell Global Fuels Proposition Lead Mimi Lau; and Shell Mobility Malaysia head of marketing Yu Li Ching.

Suitable for new, old and hybrid cars, the new fuel will also protect critical engine parts and fuel lines from corrosion and future build-ups of performance-robbing deposits.

Shell Malaysia general manager of Mobility, Malaysia, Seow Lee Ming, said the new formulation allowed Shell customers to enjoy longer uninterrupted drives per tank.

“We want to continue to be our customers’ preferred partner on the road – fuelling them whether it is a drive to work, a weekend grocery trip or a Cuti-Cuti Malaysia road trip with their families and friends,” she said.

 Jia explaining the new fuel's deep cleaning abilities at the launch.

In conjunction with the introduction of the new fuel, Shell also launched the ‘Shell FuelSave 95 Challenge 2023’ which seeks to uncover one Malaysian who clocked the best fuel economy with the New + Improved Shell FuelSave 95.

The grand finale winner after the nationwide search will walk home with RM20,000 cash prize.

From March 1 to April 30, Shell with its partners Visa and BonusLink will be giving a chance to 150 Malaysians to win 15 months of free fuel when they pump RM50 of the New & Improved Shell FuelSave 95.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.my.


Aiways to debut smart charging with EV battery diagnostics

                SHANGHAI: Chinese manufacturer Aiways is preparing to roll out its first smart superchargers in China, capable not only of recharging any electric vehicle, regardless of brand, but also of providing users with battery diagnostics.

The first of these superchargers is scheduled to be installed in Shangrao, right next to the Aiways plant, this September. A hundred more are expected to follow in locations across the country.

At each station, between six and 12 charging points will be available, capable of recharging any electric vehicle (EV), regardless of brand. The Chinese manufacturer claims that, depending on the type of vehicle, between 30% and 80% of batteries can be recharged in just 30 minutes.

But that's not all, because this new generation charger is different in many other ways. First, each station will be able to generate and store photovoltaic solar energy.

Then, the idea is to be able to use bidirectional charging, so electricity can flow both ways between the vehicle and the charging station (a technology called V2G, or "vehicle-to-grid"), in order to optimise the production of electricity according to the needs of vehicles as well as the surrounding environment. However, not all vehicles are compatible with this technology.

Finally, the charging stations also give users information on the state of their EV battery while it charges. The result is a "report" of diagnostics on the car's battery health, particularly concerning its recharging cycles.

These three-in-one chargers could be introduced all over the world, depending on manufacturer interest, with Aiways becoming a forerunner in the field.


This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

                LONDON: It instantly brings back memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings used to charge to the summit in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event, aka the “Race To The Clouds:”

Audi is presenting the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist Ken Block.

The all-electric one-of-a-kind car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.

“The S1 Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the 1980s,” said Block, whose enthusiasm for Audi’s rally cars was sparked at an early age.

“For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form. I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.”

Two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power galore, a carbon fibre chassis, and the full safety standards as prescribed by motorsport’s top governing body, the FIA – these are merely the S1 Hoonitron’s statistics.

In November, the driver got to know the car for the first time. “Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany,” said Block.

“I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn here.

Spinning into a doughnut at 150kph directly from a standstill – just using my right foot – is an all-new experience for me. Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other."

The entire development, including the technology, of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport at the Neckarsulm location – where the Audi RS e-tron GT is produced.

Audi Design in Ingolstadt was responsible for the styling.

Fans will soon be able to see the US star’s success with the project for themselves: under the working title Elektrikhana, Ken Block and his team are going to produce the next video of his famous Gymkhana series featuring the S1 Hoonitron.


Shell and Porsche show 180kW fast chargers from JB to Ipoh banish range anxiety

                PETALING JAYA: The completion of six Shell DC fast chargers calls for a publicity blitz.

And that's what Shell Malaysia did by arranging a media drive from Johor Baru to Ipoh to celebrate the achievement.

The Porsche Taycan convoy travelled across 741km over two days with a one-night layover in Kuala Lumpur.

Through Shell Malaysia’s collaboration with Porsche Asia Pacific, electric vehicle (EV) owners are promised fast, reliable, and seamless connectivity from Singapore to Thailand through Malaysia – creating the longest cross-country high-performance charging (HPC) infrastructure EV network in South-East Asia.

The six stations offering Shell Recharge High Performance Charging (HPC) service are located along the North-South Expressway (NSE). They are Shell Hentian Tangkak Lay-By (South Bound), Shell Hentian Pagoh Rest Area (North Bound), Shell Hentian RTC Simpang Pulai (North Bound), Shell Hentian Tapah RSA NSE (South Bound), Shell Hentian Seremban R&R NSE (North Bound) and Shell Hentian Seremban R&R NSE (South Bound).

READ MORE:
Our man goes for the drive
Gentari offers fastest DC chargers in town at 350kW
All six stations are located less than 200km from each other, enabling drivers to drive without range anxiety.

The stations are equipped with 180kW high-performance chargers, which come with two CCS Type 2 charging connectors.

These connectors allow a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge
simultaneously at up to 90 kW each, which reduces the waiting time in between charges.

Shell’s ParkEasy app in Malaysia allows EV customers to reserve the charging parking bay up to 60 minutes in advance.

Other features of the app include navigation access for EV customers to assist drivers in locating available bays and a parking barrier to ensure the bay's security while charging.

While waiting for their vehicles to be recharged, drivers can take a break at the Shell stations which offer food, drinks and other public amenities.

Earlier this year, Shell and Porsche launched the first Shell fast charging station in Tangkak.


NAZA Italia's RM5mil refurbished showroom officially opens

                PETALING JAYA: NAZA Italia, the purveyor of Ferrari and Maserati in Malaysia has officially opened its newly refurbished flagship centre that’s in line with the corporate identities of both brands.

The new RM5mil 4S (sales, service, system and spare parts) centre is located next to the NAZA Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya, which is currently considered to be one of the largest of its kind outside of Italy.

It is a one-stop luxury lifestyle experience that features a spacious showroom with dedicated sales areas and a lounge area utilising the same materials found inside the cabin of either brands.

The new centre also sports a merchandise area, which includes memorabilia, configuration area and delivery bays, business centre as well as a boardroom facility.

Currently on display for the Ferrari side are the 458, FF, California T and the F12berlinetta, while the Quattroporte, Gran Turismo, Gran Cabrio and Ghibli represent the Maserati brand on the other.

The centre allows new owners the further customize their Ferrari / Maserati via a Personalisation Programme, which offers a myriad of options from exterior colour to cabin trim and electronic gadgetry.

Following the refurbishment, the company will now look to upgrade its aftersales workshop in a bid to improve the servicing of its clientele.

“With growth comes change. In celebration of such growth and to share our gratitude with our customers, we are reinvesting in the Group and rewarding our customers – starting with the refurbishing of the NAZA Italia showroom,” said NAZA World Group of companies group executive chairman and group CEO Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin.


Hurricane conditions slam Europe’s car sector before hard winter

                BERLIN: Volkswagen’s finance arm expects earnings to decline this year because rising interest rates and inflation are starting to weigh on car demand.

Customers are debating whether to buy a vehicle or push the leasing contract ahead a month over concerns including surging energy prices, Frank Fiedler, the chief financial officer of VW Financial Services, said Monday.

That follows warnings from BMW last week that new-vehicle orders are retreating from high levels, particularly in Europe.

While Continental confirmed its outlook for the year on Tuesday, the German parts maker said it has to shoulder some €3.5 billion (RM16bil) in additional costs for raw materials, energy and logistics, with prices for overseas shipping containers jumping eightfold in some cases.

Continental CFO Katja Duerrfeld described conditions as “rather like a hurricane” and predicted these pressures “will not subside any time soon.”

Signs of downturn are propping up like whac-a-moles. The German economy — Europe’s biggest — stagnated in the second quarter amid price gains, supply shortages and the threat of energy rationing in the event Russia cuts off gas flows.

Economists reckon a recession is almost inevitable in the second half.

The UK economy probably shrank in the second quarter, and the Bank of England now sees Britain entering a recession equivalent in scale to the one seen in the 1990s starting in the fourth quarter as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

Carmakers have managed to overcome these drags for quite some time.

While vehicle sales in Europe have slumped for the past year, Mercedes-Benz, VW, BMW and others have seen profits soar as they’ve focused their limited production on high-margin models.

Automakers’ finance and fleet-management arms benefited because the chip crunch bolstered demand for used cars and propped up prices.

Some manufacturers, including Stellantis and Mercedes, remain optimistic they can sustain strong earnings in the second half of the year.

But it’s increasingly less clear they’ll be able to outrun the economy’s underlying issues for much longer.

While BMW said last week that orders remain high, the carmaker warned it won’t be able to fully pass on rising materials costs.

And companies already are bracing for a bleak winter because of the region’s worsening energy crisis.

Electricity prices have smashed records in recent weeks as Russia limits gas supplies to Europe.

An ongoing heat wave is disrupting waterways that are needed to ship coal to power plants and factories.

Germany has already said it would prioritise gas deliveries to private homes over factories if there’s a shortage when it gets colder in the coming months. Other European countries are likely take similar actions.

Auto supplier Aptiv spooked investors and analysts last week when it cut its full-year guidance and warned automotive plants may have to idle this winter due to energy rationing.

The company now predicts vehicle production will slump 5% in Europe this year, a stark cut from its previous forecast for 10% growth.

Aptiv “has historically been more right than wrong when calling production,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Joe Spak said in a note last week.

“If Aptiv is correct on production, then everyone else is wrong and there is significantly more risk to other suppliers – especially European-heavy ones in our view.”


Say it with luminescence: how electrics are revolutionising car design

                PARIS: No roaring engine, no exhaust pipe and not much chrome; cool electric cars have the aesthetics of smartphones instead, and can even glow.

This car's design looks simple and straightforward at first, but look what happens when you switch on: it can glow in multicolour.

Gorden Wagener, head of design at Daimler, wowed an audience in Paris when he powered up a design study for a future Mercedes EQ electric car.

Instead of a chrome grille in front of an internal combustion engine, all you could see at first was a black inset across the car's nose.

When the car powers up, the Black Panel, as it is known, shimmers with blue horizontal lines that mimic the old grille design. A white Mercedes star becomes visible at the centre, where the badge would usually be. Starting the car sets off a miniature light show.

The LED headlights are part of the Black Panel, which is moulded from tough automotive plastics.

Mercedes’s new grille design is part of a clear trend that could radically change the appearance of cars. If a car no longer burns petrol or diesel fuel, it can be reshaped in new and unexpected ways.

At the recent Paris Motor Show, creative designers were demonstrating with their concept cars how to play with light and colours.

Among the most striking was the Ssangyong LIV-2 SUV with an illuminated grille and the Renault Trezor, with tail-lights consisting of a dozen optical fibres that can be individually illuminated by red lasers and rotated to modify their intensity.

These new designs are making use of the creative leeway provided by purely electric vehicles, and for two reasons in particular.

First, it is finally possible to light up the whole front, since there is no longer a motor that requires air for cooling.

"The electric drive creates much greater freedom for designers," enthuses VW’s design director Klaus Bischoff.

Second, electric vehicles must somehow differentiate themselves from their combustion-engine predecessors, so that they can be recognized as the harbingers of a new era and, as the Cologne-based design critic Paolo Tuminelli says, look as cool as a smartphone next to an old mobile phone with a keypad.

Along with the Mercedes EQ, the VW I.D. shows just how far this trend can lead.

The I.D.’s headlights look for all the world like a pair of eyes when the car starts driving, shining into curves when turning.

They change their look with changes in speed, explains a VW spokesperson.

Once VW’s concept car becomes an autonomous driving vehicle, envisaged for 2025, blue diodes will switch on along the front and rear aprons, along the car’s flanks and around the roof’s extended laser scanners to indicate the use of the autopilot system.

When the I.D. is shut down again, it will say a friendly "goodbye" before it closes its eyes and the lights go out.

The fact that designers enjoy playing with light is not just a matter of proclaiming the arrival of electric drive or the desire to distinguish their new models from conventional combustion, says Tumminelli.

Lighting is especially important with regard to autonomous driving, explains the expert, less so in terms of visibility for the driver - since the use of sensors means headlights are no longer needed - but rather in terms of the car being seen.

Direct communication between the car and the other road users is the goal in this scenario.

"Light then becomes language," emphasises Mercedes’s future studies and ideation director Alexander Mankowsky.

As such, autonomous prototypes like the Mercedes F 015 or the VW I.D. don’t just signal their lack of a driver by special lighting.

They also use the diodes to create an actual dialogue with passers-by.

The VW prototype, for example, can literally look at people on a sidewalk and give them an indication that the electronics have "seen" them, explains a member of the development team.

The Mercedes F 015 even projects a zebra crossing onto the road to signal a "safe walk," Mankowsky explains.

As big as the freedoms provided by an electric car are, even Renault’s head of design Laurens van den Acker admits that lighting design teams are approaching some practical limits - even when he himself has implemented quite playful ideas with the Renault Trezor’s front and rear lighting.

At motor shows, where cars are constantly connected to power, this may not be a problem, says van den Acker.

"But if we were to stage the entire illumination on the street, the battery would soon be drained. The driving range will plummet."


New BMW M2 goes through final dynamic testing ahead of October reveal

                MUNICH: With just a few months remaining until the world premiere of the new BMW M2, the final test phase in the development of the new high-performance car is in full swing.

The new M2 offers racing technology for the roads. In keeping with its affinity with the racetrack, the car’s driving dynamics were subjected to an intensive test at the Salzburgring in Austria.

The tests focused on the driving dynamics and chassis, and the new M2 impressed with outstanding characteristics.

The new production car boasts a similar performance level to the M2 CS. It allows the driver to experience that pure racetrack feeling in any conditions – even at the limit.

The power under the bonnet is provided by the tried-and-tested engines from the M3 and M4 models. The two optional transmission types, the manual 6-speed gearbox and 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox, guarantee that the power is applied dynamically.

The sporty driving characteristics are intensified by the adaptive M chassis and the rear-wheel drive on the new M2. The powerful brake system comes from the M3 and M4 and ensures the power is controlled effortlessly.

The sporty appearance of the new M2 is rounded off by a selection of special equipment options such as a carbon roof to reduce weight and M carbon bucket seats.

The world premiere of the new BMW M2 will be in October, followed by the market launch in April 2023.


BMW Motorrad unveils new Heritage variants

                The second BMW Motorrad Nightfuel event, held at Jalan Riong, Bangsar recently, saw over 400 motorcyclists celebrating camaraderie, food, music and premium motorcycles.

The event also unveiled the new variants of the BMW Motorrad Heritage world of experience - the new BMW R nineT, BMW R nineT Racer and BMW R nineT Pure.

Prices (exclude on-the-road costs and inclusive of GST) are RM101,900 (BMW R nineT); RM88,900 (BMW R nineT Racer) and RM82,900 (BMW R nineT Pure).

Created for the ‘pure riding’ motorcycle enthusiast, the new BMW Motorrad variants represent the ideas of customising and styling of motorcycles to make it their own.

“Make Life a Ride represents all the values of the BMW Motorrad brand, which strives to illustrate a more lifestyle and active attitude towards motorcycle riding,” said BMW Motorrad Malaysia head Owen Riley.

The updated BMW R nineT neatly sums up the company’s illustrious past with a unique concept of pure riding pleasure with a classic, minimalist design.

The new BMW R nineT Pure, which is the roadster reduced to the essentials, and the BMW R nineT Racer, which is the classic, old-school half-faired sports motorcycle, are both concepts that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

The new BMW Heritage models feature the potent, air/oil-cooled boxer engine with a capacity of 1,170cc and an output of 110hp and a maximum torque of 116Nm, combined with a 6-speed transmission.


BMW i3s made from renewable and recycled materials

                KUALA LUMPUR: The BMW i3s represents the Munich premium automaker's drive to create sustainable luxury for the environmentally conscious.

The estimated retail price (on the road, without insurance, and with BMW Group Malaysia’s latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme) for the First-Ever BMW i3s is RM279,000.

The BMW i3s is a car designed from concept until production to incorporate natural, renewable resources and upcycled materials.

The BMW i3s was designed to ensure a consistent quota of 95% recyclability, especially for the non-renewable aluminium and copper used in their built.

The interior surfaces are made of more than 80% renewable, natural and recycled materials.

A glance from the front passengers’ view will show an impressive instrument panel made of beautiful open-pored eucalyptus wood that is grown and sourced responsibly.

Its moisture-resistant surface means it requires 90% less surface processing than conventional wood.

In 2013, the BMW Group became the first automotive manufacturer to use eucalyptus wood from 100% certified responsible forestry management.

The door lining and instrument panel cover of the vehicles, which are typically made from petroleum-based plastics are instead replaced with the strong fibres of the Kenaf plant, a plant belonging to the mallow family that transforms an exceptional amount of carbon dioxide into oxygen during its growing phase.

It not only significantly reduces the weight of the vehicle, but its attractive structure also removes the need for lamination, further contributing to the sustainability of the BMW i3s’ design.

With the development agency – Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale  Zusammernarbeit – the BMW Group has trained almost 1,000 local kenaf farmers to ensure sustainable cultivation of this natural material.

The BMW i3s’ car seats reveal a stunning use of naturally-tanned leather with olive leaf extract.

The olive leaves are responsibly-sourced from the by-product of olive harvests in the south of Europe, thus preventing a large-scale waste of natural ingredients.

The gently-tanned raw leather results in a supple finish that provides a fresh scent to the seats, regulating both moisture and temperature to enhance driving comfort.

100% recycled polyester is spun into fabric to exquisitely furnish the interior of the BMW i3s.

The upcycled material, 34% of which is sourced from PET bottles, undergo an innovative process of melting down PET pellets to produce fabric that is not just pleasant to the touch and appealing to the eyes, but also highly durable.

The material is then used to make the seat covers, floor linings, roof liners as well as foot mats, replacing up to 25% of the thermoplastic synthetic materials found in conventional vehicles.

These underline BMW i’s claim to sustainability down to the last detail.

At the end of their lifespan, much of the BMW i3s is recycled to better regulate its use of natural resources, while ensuring less environmental and economic waste.

The BMW Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) in Munich recycles more than 7,500 vehicles a year, setting a clear example within the automotive industry.

Apart from examining new recycling concepts, the RDC also works with research institutes to develop better recycling technologies.

Available from July, BMW i3s owners will experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience which includes:

 BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Program
 BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Program for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services
 BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
 The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App - BMW White Card
 BMW Service Online


Proton founder Dr M 'sad' over Proton-Geely deal

                PETALING JAYA: Proton founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed sadness over the proposed sale of Proton and Lotus to Geely.

The former premier said today in his blog chedet.cc that Proton could no longer be called a national car even if it looks set to make a turnaround following the deal in which Chinese car maker Geely is taking a 49.9% stake in the local car maker.

"Yes. I am sad. I can cry. But the deed is done. Proton can no longer be national. No national car now. We Malaysians are glad to be rid of this pesky car. I am sure Proton will do well. It will be a commercial success. It will be sold all over the world. The Proton name will be everywhere."

 File pic of Dr Mahathir in February 2016 when he was Proton chairman.

In his vintage sarcastic style, Dr Mahathir said: "We can be proud of Proton. With money and superior technology, it will compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

But he added: "I cannot be proud of the success of something that does not belong to me or my country."

Dr Mahathir resigned as Proton chairman on March 30 last year.

Under the Proton-Geely deal, Proton will be relegated to handling distribution of its products, while Geely will assume manufacturing, sales and marketing duties. Geely and Proton owner DRB-Hicom are scheduled to lock down the agreement in July.

The deal would see Proton introducing its first SUV, based on the Geely Boyue. Proton would also be divesting its entire stake in British sports car maker Lotus. Geely will buy 51% of Lotus while Etika Automotif Sdn Bhd, controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhari, will take up the remaining 49%.

In addition, the Geely-owned Volvo brand would assemble some of its cars in Proton's underused Tanjung Malim plant.

READ MORE:
Geely Boyue - the base for Proton's first SUV
Why Li Shufu agreed to buy Proton
Geely to play dominant role, Proton to handle distribution
Sneak preview of upgraded Proton Iriz on same day as Proton-Geely deal


2017 Chicago Auto Show: New Hyundai Elantra GT arrives

                CHICAGO: Hyundai Motor America has introduced the new Elantra GT at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.

Lower, wider, and longer, the Elantra GT adds a more aggressive stance and interior volume to its clean European style and driving dynamics.

Hyundai said the car will be launched in summer, and shoppers can choose between two models, the efficient, smooth running GT, or the more powerful and fun-to-drive GT Sport. Elantra GT is based on the new-generation i30 model designed for the European market.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2018 ELANTRA GT
Lower, wider, more aggressive stance
European styling
Nearly 708 litres of rear seat storage
Standard vertical LED daytime running lights
Standard eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Available dual-zone climate control
Available high and low beam LED headlights
Available wireless smartphone charging
Amazon Alexa Blue Link remote starting
Blue Link heated features

The new car has clean proportions, flowing character lines, and an attention grabbing new cascading grille design. The GT lands where European style meets American can-do attitude and ability. Over half the structure (53-percent) comprises advanced high-strength steel, nearly double the outgoing generation. And it’s bonded together with just over 112 metres of structural adhesive. This combines to make the Elantra GT, stiffer, stronger, and lighter. It’s 22-percent more rigid than the last GT. And the body-in-white weighs 28kg less. That combines with a slippery 0.30 coefficient of drag making the GT feel solid, efficient and smooth.

While the outside dimensions effectively match that of most compact hatchbacks, its packaging make room inside for five. Hyundai said the EPA is expected to classify the Elantra GT as a large car, as it has 2,732 litres of passenger volume and nearly 708 litres of cargo volume.

Two inline-four-cylinder engines are offered. The direct injection 2.0-litre makes an estimated 162hp and is mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The pricier GT Sport offers a 1.6-litre turbo engine making 201hp along with a broad band torque peak of 264Nm. The six-speed manual is available here too, or an athletic, seven-speed dual-clutch gear box.

Hyundai said the Nürburgring-tested Elantra GT has a suspension tune that feels taut yet comfortable, minimising unwanted body roll yet maximising wheel impact absorption. In the GT Sport, the rear torsion beam suspension is replaced with a fully-independent multilink setup, standard 18” alloy wheels and larger front and rear brake rotors for even more fun when the going gets twisty.

Aside from available appointments inside the Elantra GT, like leather seats, alloy pedals, and dual-zone climate control, Hyundai added several new items to keep occupants comfortable and safe. The Elantra GT is available with Infinity Premium Audio with Clari-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging.

That’s on top of standard features such as 8-inch display audio and 17-inch alloy wheels. For safety, the GT is available with several systems usually found in expensive luxury vehicles, such as Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Attention Assist, High-Beam Assist, and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert.

The 2018 Elantra GT also debuts Hyundai next generation AVN 5.0 infotainment system. This system features an upgraded processor for greater responsiveness, as well as an eight-inch screen vs. the seven-inch screen in last generation Elantra GT. Using presets with AVN 5.0 is now easier as AM, FM and SiriusXM channels are now combined on one screen. A bird’s eye view has also been added to Navigation maps and drivers can now get traffic flow and incident data without paying for a subscription.


Vehicle owners will have to pay up if drivers fail to pay tolls, warns PLUS

                PETALING JAYA: Vehicle owners - especially logistics companies - whose drivers try to evade toll fraudulently will pay a heavy price including being taken to court, says Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Bhd (PLUS).

The highway concessionaire said vehicle owners, particularly logistics companies, should be more vigilant and responsible for the actions of their drivers and employees should they fail to pay toll fares while using PLUS-operated highways.

This came after the Federal Court recently decided that a logistics company is vicariously liable whenever their drivers and employees fail to pay the required toll fares.

"Previously, PLUS filed a suit against a logistics company - Berjasa Logistics Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Sin Kung Logistics (KL) Sdn Bhd) - to recover unpaid toll fares involving 19 vehicles registered to the company and driven by its employees over the past few years," the concessionaire said.

It added in a statement today that the Federal Court unanimously upheld the decision of the High Court and Court of Appeal and ruled that an employer is vicariously liable to the concessionaire for its employees’ failure to pay toll fares.

"The decision of the Shah Alam High Court on July 20, 2017, allowing PLUS’ claims amounting to RM518,369.27 and costs of RM100,000 following the failure of their drivers to pay toll fares was accordingly upheld," said the concessionaire.

PLUS added that it takes the deliberate act of evasion from paying toll seriously and seeks full cooperation from all logistics companies and heavy vehicle owners to continuously monitor and take appropriate action against their drivers and/or employees.

"In addition, PLUS has identified several toll fraud tactics by heavy vehicle drivers and is taking the necessary preventive measures, including initiating legal action," PLUS said.

PLUS did not elaborate on the toll fraud tactics of the heavy vehicle drivers or the preventive measures other than filing for legal action.


Mercedes C 200 Avantgarde driven

> READ: C-Class wins 2015 World Car of the Year award

> C-Class now locally assembled

The C-Class has been a bread-and-butter model for Mercedes-Benz.

Still is today, just as the 3 Series rival is to BMW, as they expand merrily into all sorts of niches in the pursuit of mo’ money.

Where once it was the entry model for those aspiring for a little luxury in their lives, the Stuttgart car maker has since diversified to offer the world a trove of other models below the C-Class as it casts a wider net to capture a bigger base.

Following the C-Class debut in 1993, other smaller models have popped up, with a brief to sally forth and be the multiple conduits to profitability. Mercedes-Benz has since gone on to introduce the A-Class and B-Class, as well as the CLA and GLA models.

The recent renaming of its line-up has been well publicised as Mercedes went about knocking some sense into its expanding fleet. Under the new order, core models – the A, B, C, E, S classes – are complemented by offroaders, 4-door coupes and roadsters.

With the C-Class being the golden goose that keeps on giving to the coffers, it’s no surprise that Mercedes-Benz will fuss over it to ensure every iteration is set up to be as enticing as possible.

So here we are with the C-Class dolled up in the RM285,888 Avantgarde form.

It’s one of three fully imported variants available locally today, the others being the RM314,888 C 250 Exclusive (otherwise known as Elegance previously) and the RM339,888 C 250 AMG Line. Expect the locally assembled C-Class to be out soon.

As tradition dictates, the Avantgarde/AMG Line are the sporty ones, marked out with a big star slapped onto a twin-louvred grille; the Exclusive carries the more sedate appearance with a smaller star on top of the bonnet.

Line up the Mercedes sedans and notice the uncanny similarities between them and the flagship S-Class.

It’s the common identity that all car makers strive to achieve in the hope such associations will rub off on the cheaper cars and convince prospects to open their wallets.

It’s not far from the truth to describe the C-Class as a downsized version of the S-Class that still has much going for it in terms of equipment and performance.

On the outside, the C-Class certainly looks the part of a premium sedan, sleek and attractive especially as night falls and the lights come on.

The DRL “eyebrows” lend a nice flourish to the all-LED headlights, while the intricate LED strips in the taillamps, alongside the stretched lower chrome strip simulating exhaust tips at both ends, make the pert derriere stand out.

Adding to the overall good looks of the C 200 are snazzy 17-inch alloys.

The attractiveness is accentuated further by precise lines and sculptural surfaces that create progressive light and shadow effects.

Note that the test car was an earlier example that was brought in before launch last September.   Unlike the units now sold, it does not have a reverse camera, Garmin map in SD card, ambient lighting and illuminated door sills.

In keeping with the Avantgarde motif, there are paddle shifters and the interior has generous slabs of brush metal finishing that cut a swathe across the dash and all doors, contrasting with the dark leathery trim and high gloss panels.

The meter cluster is straightforward with twin dials separated by a hi-definition colour LCD multi-info display bar.
A tablet-size LCD infotainment screen looks like its suspended in the air above the air-cond vents.

Aesthetics-wise, it would have been better to design the 7-inch screen with thinner bezels. Tell that to your supplier, Mercedes.

 The touchpad and controller.

A new touchpad integrated into the handrest above the controller on the centre console looks hi-tech albeit gimmicky.  The touchpad works like a smartphone screen, allowing for letters, numbers and special characters to be scrawled on it.

Like the CLA and higher-end Mercs, the C-Class comes with a gear shifter stalk behind the steering wheel…this is a way to free up space in the centre console for other uses but is a controversial move that doesn’t quite gel with the concept of a compact sporty car.

Frankly, we like it the usual way and not on a stalk but we reckoned the brand cachet and other nice bits will make most prospects shut up and buy the car all the same.

One photo here shows just how much legroom there is for a tall fella in the back seats; we are suitably impressed as we can’t recall the last C-Class as having that much space.

Elbow room is similarly gratifying for two.

The roomy interior is made possible because of an 80mm longer wheelbase; the car is also wider by 40mm than before.

Bigger adults may wish the rear bench had better thigh support and more headroom; front seat occupants are better off with extensible thigh rests that enhance comfort.

In spite of the few things we are not pleased with, it has to be said that Mercedes-Benz has done a fabulous job with the cabin revamp, making it look fresh, modern and refined.

Out back, the 480l boot is big and deep so no complaints about capacity.

The C 200 and C 250 share the same 2.0-litre engine albeit in different states of tune.  The C 200 cranks out 184hp at 5,500rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1,200-4,000rpm. This allows the car to sprint from 0 to 100kph in a decent 7.3s, accelerating onwards to a top speed of 235kph.

Mercedes says the W205 C-Class is up to 100kg lighter, the result of extensive use of aluminium – nearly 50% more than its predecessor.

The rear-wheel drive car sits lower as well.

The steering is spot-on  but light, and the brakes are initially grabby until you learn to modulate your foot on the brake pedal.

 The gearshifter on the steering column.

On-road behaviour is revealing with the car defaulting to being a quiet ride at highway speeds, and noise seeping in only at high triple-digit speeds.

There’s an elastic well of torque that allows for quick overtaking; one can skip gears on changing down to summon an immediate rush to get past, say, the dodgy motorcyclist or timber lorry.

We enjoyed the acceleration in Sport and Sport+ modes, which hold the lower gears longer and make the steering heavier without losing the natural feel especially when powering through corners.

The 7-speed auto is able to keep pace with driver demands, staying abreast when push comes to shove.

A firm suspension ensures the lightweight chassis maintains its balance and poise.

Don’t get too enthusiastic in going over speed breakers though. Although the rebound is well dampened, we felt an unsettling thud when the body quiets down.

There’s Auto start/stop to save a bit of fuel in a jam but it can be disabled if it gets annoying.

While prodding the car’s abilities and limits, we were reassured that it has a long list of safety kit to keep us out of trouble such as seven airbags, Attention Assist, electronic stability control, adaptive brakes and Pedestrian Protection with active bonnet.

Overall, Mercedes-Benz has put together a well stacked C-Class, offering the signature comfort and adding more value with the level of kit onboard.

What’s also welcome is performance that’s no longer a subject of sniggers.


Sime Darby Motors virtual carnival lucky winner gets a BMW G310R

                PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Motors (SDM) recently presented the winner of the lucky draw from its virtual sales carnival that was held last year with a BMW G310R motorbike.

The lucky winner, who bought a Jaguar F-Pace 300PS at the virtual sales carnival, submitted an entry to the lucky draw and was fortunate enough to be selected as the winner of the BMW motorbike.

The Sime Darby Motors Virtual Grand Finale held from Dec 2 to 6 last year, was an online event hosted on SDM’s website www.simedarbymotorsgrandfinale.com which showcased well-known brands, such as BMW, MINI, Motorrad, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Hyundai as well as premium quality pre-owned cars by Sime Darby Auto Selection.

SDM Malaysia’s Retail and Distribution managing director Jeffrey Gan said the event was its way of continuing to cater to the needs and wants of customers despite the restrictions in place.

"We were very happy with the response and I would like to congratulate the winner who is bringing home the BMW G310R motorbike which was up for grabs," he said.

"With the addition of the BMW G310R in his car porch, he will be spoilt for choice, have the option of riding either a powerful two-wheeler or driving his brand-new Jaguar F-Pace 300PS – both offering great delight on the road,” he added.

Also present at the prize presentation ceremony were Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia managing director Tuan Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz; Sime Darby Auto Bavaria managing director Vi Thim Juan; Sime Darby Auto Selection managing director Turse Zuhair; Hyundai Sime Darby Motors managing director Low Yuan Lung; Sime Darby Swedish Auto dealer principal Jeremy Cheong and Sime Darby Auto Selection general manager Eric Moo.


Automakers offering solutions for clean at-home electricity production

                LOS ANGELES: More and more car makers are now offering solar energy production and storage solutions, not only to power car batteries, but also to power homes when needed.

The latest example is Hyundai and its Home solution.

The unstoppable rise in sales of electric vehicles is a major contributor to the increase in demand for electricity.

In order to ensure that their models have a virtually zero carbon footprint, several manufacturers have already decided to offer domestic solutions for the personal production, storage and use of energy.

Already available in the United States, these are based on solar energy. After Tesla, it's now Hyundai's turn to get into the game.

Hyundai Home is a device that generates electricity from solar energy collected on the owner's roof.

The idea is to allow drivers not to be entirely dependent on the local grid and to be self-sufficient in energy, even if only in case of emergency.

In the long term, this solution promises to be cost-effective, allowing users to reduce their energy bills. And while this could, in the long term, represent savings for users, for the South Korean manufacturer, it is a new source of income.

This solution will initially be offered by Hyundai in about 15 American states. Each order will be customisable, with an advisor on hand to help determine the details of the installation according to each individual's energy needs.

The package consists of solar panels and energy storage terminals. Demonstrations will be available in dealerships to better explain how it all works.

Tesla was a pioneer in this field a few years ago, again in the United States, with its Solar Roof solution, a set of tiles that collect solar energy on the roof, which is then stored in a battery installed within the home.


Volvo kicks out chief executive and turns to Scania for new boss

                STOCKHOLM  Sweden's Volvo named the head of Volkswagen-owned Scania as its chief executive today, replacing embattled Olof Persson who for nearly four years led a sweeping efficiency drive at the global truck maker.

Volvo, vying for global dominance with Germany's Daimler and VW's truck brands, also released better than expected quarterly earnings two days ahead of schedule and said it would seek an external partner for parts of its IT business.

 Lundstedt

Persson had led a restructuring programme aimed at cutting 10 billion Swedish crowns (US$1.2 billion) in costs and boosting profitability to the level of more nimble rivals such as Scania.

But with the scheme having less than a year left to run and margins still below their level before it was launched, pressure on Persson from top owners such as activist fund Cevian Capital had been building.

"The action program that Persson initiated seems to be biting and he should get credibility for that," Christer Gardell, managing partner at Cevian, Volvo's second-biggest owner by votes, told Reuters.

"But at the same time we support the board’s decision to appoint Martin Lundstedt, who is widely recognised as one of the best leaders in the trucking world. Now he has the assignment to make Volvo the world’s best trucks company," Gardell said.

Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg, who as recently as April 1 had said he was confident in the work Persson was doing amid reports he would get the axe, said Lundstedt was being brought in to lead the next phase for Volvo.

Lundstedt is a 25-year veteran at Scania, whose flexible production system modelled on the ground-breaking techniques of Toyota in the 1990s has helped it outpace Volvo in terms of profitability over the past decade.

 Persson

Lundstedt, whose easy-going manner endeared him to Scania staff and helped smooth its integration into VW, will assume his role in October, with CFO Jan Gurander serving as acting CEO in the interim.

Persson meantime delivered some of the strongest earnings of his tenure, as Sweden's biggest listed company by sales and top private sector employer said adjusted operating profit rose to 4.60 billion crowns from a year-ago 2.59 billion, topping a mean forecast of 3.47 billion in Reuters poll of analysts.

To placate investors who have seen Volvo shares underperform for years, it has held out the possible sale of parts of its large IT unit while selling a stake in Indian partner Eicher Motors.

Volvo, which also makes buses, construction equipment and boat engines, said it was looking to bring in a partner for parts of its IT business, opening the door to a deal.


Ford will reveal the hotly anticipated P1 at Gamescom 2020

                COLOGNE: This Thursday, August 27, at the next Gamescom event, Ford will unveil the results of its P1 project, the company's first car that has been conceptualised together with gamers.

Almost a year ago, Ford was making headlines with its announcement — also made at the Gamescom video game trade fair — that it was launching its own esports team Fordzilla, the first car manufacturer to do so. This year it's the official presentation of its P1 project that is sure to create buzz.

This sportscar was designed through an unprecedented collaboration between Ford's team of designers and a community of gaming Ford fans. In a process carried out through social networks, they were able to actively take part in the development of the car, notably by voting during the various stages of its design for their preferred aesthetic and technical choices.

While automotive companies have frequently worked on models designed specifically for video games, involving players directly in the creation process as Ford has done is a first.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Gamescom event will be held entirely online this year. Ford's announcement can be followed live on the event's website on Aug 27 from 7:30pm, local time here. gamescom.global.


Skoda unveils bullet and blast-resistant Superb Estate

                PRAGUE: Skoda already has something of a reputation for producing vehicles that are strong, safe and reliable, but that's now being taken to another level with a new version of the Superb Estate that's just been added to the range.

Developed after three years of planning, development and testing in conjunction with a British converter, this is a bullet and blast-resistant armoured version of the popular estate car.

It may have taken some three years to arrive at the finished car, but this one offering bullet and blast resistance to its occupants is almost completely indistinguishable from a regular version of the Superb Estate. The car retains its main characteristics of being a spacious five-seater with an extensive cargo capacity, but adds bullet-resistant glass, high strength steel and composite materials to meet the needs of some very special customers.

Although clearly based on the standard 2.0 TDI 190PS Superb Estate, exact details of the conversion have to remain secret for obvious reasons. What we do know is the passenger cell has been thoroughly reinforced to the point where it meets the PAS 300 standard for ballistic and blast protection. The certification process is done at an independent facility, where the car is subjected to the firing of various types of ammunition as well as threats from blasts and fragmentation.

Obviously, the upgrades add a considerable amount of weight to the car, so the suspension and braking systems have also been upgraded to cope with the weight while still delivering safe, accurate handling at high-speed. The armoured Skoda also features wheels that can run even when the tires are flat, emergency lighting and a siren.

On a more everyday note, these cars also have such contemporary essentials as an eight-inch touchscreen communications hub with GPS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Of course, all of this doesn't come cheap. A standard 2.0 TDI 190PS Superb Estate retails in Britain for £34,355 (RM182,000), but the final on-the-road price for one of the armoured versions is an eye-watering £118,688 (RM629,000).


VW-SAIC JV said to revamp Shanghai plants to make Audi sedans

                BEIJING: Volkswagen AG and its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC Motor plan to invest 4.13 billion yuan (RM2.5bil) to revamp their car plants in Shanghai to make new Audi sedans, according to a government document.

SAIC Volkswagen, the joint venture (JV) of Wolfsburg-based automaker and China’s biggest automaker, currently only sells cars under the Volkswagen and Skoda marques. Audi is Volkswagen’s luxury car unit.

With the revamp at its Shanghai plants, the JV is aiming for an annual manufacturing capacity of 60,000 Audi A7L sedans and 60,000 new Volkswagen sport-utility vehicles. The total capacity at the plants will remain unchanged.

The revamp, expected to be done by the end 2020, comes as demand for luxury cars in China remained firm even as sales in the world’s biggest auto market slumped over the past two years.

SAIC chairman Chen Hong has previously said the JV plans to roll out the first Audi product in early 2022.

For the Audi manufacturing process, the JV will also use the printing facilities at its newly built MEB platform, a Volkswagen platform that enables efficient production of various electric vehicle models.

Volkswagen hopes to start production based on its MEB platform in Shanghai from the fourth quarter and has sought government approval for production of its electric ID.4 vehicles.

Audi China said its project with SAIC was proceeding according to plan, without giving any more details. SAIC did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

SAIC Volkswagen’s sales fell 37% from a year ago to 577,385 vehicles in the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic hit demand in China, while total industry sales fell 17%. The JV sold 2 million cars last year.

Audi also has a long-term collaboration with FAW Group in China to build all its cars in the northeastern city of Changchun and southern city of Foshan.


Australia's New South Wales rolls out mobile phone detection cameras

                MELBOURNE: The Australian state of New South Wales, home to the country’s largest city Sydney, rolled out mobile phone detection cameras today, hoping to cut the number of fatalities on its roads by a third over two years, transport authorities said.

The world-first mobile phone detection cameras, according to Transport for NSW, which manages the state’s transport services, operate day and night in all weather conditions to determine if a driver is handling a mobile phone.

“It’s a system to change the culture,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told Australian media last week.

Making or receiving voice calls while driving in NSW is legal, but only when using a hands-free device. All other functions, such as video calling, using social media and photography, are illegal while behind the wheel.

So far this year, 329 people have died on NSW roads, compared with 354 people for all of 2018, according to official statistics. The state wants to cut the number of road fatalities by 30% by 2021.

The mobile phone detection cameras use artificial intelligence to review images and detect illegal use of the devices, Transport for NSW said in a statement.

Images that the automated system identifies as likely to contain a driver illegally using a mobile phone are verified by authorised personnel.

For the first three months after the detection systems are in operation, offending drivers will be issued warning letters. After that, the penalty will be a A$344 (RM972) standard fine and a A$457 (RM1,292) fine in a school zone. In both cases, drivers will also receive penalty points.


Toyota annual net profit jumps 10.3%, further growth forecast

                TOKYO: Toyota's full-year net profit jumped 10.3 percent even as the pandemic hit the auto industry, the Japanese firm said today, projecting growth despite the ongoing semiconductor crisis.

The global pandemic has hit automakers hard, with demand collapsing as the coronavirus forced people indoors and hit spending.

But the world's top-selling carmaker has bounced back quicker than its competitors, and has also successfully weathered a chip shortage that has forced rivals to slash production targets.

"Even though sales declined in the first half of the year due to the impact of the coronavirus, in the latter half of the year we saw a rise in sales in many regions," chief financial officer Kenta Kon told reporters.

Toyota said it generated 2.25 trillion yen (US$20.6 billion) in the fiscal year to March, up from 2.04 trillion yen the year before, beating its own annual forecast.

For the year to March 2022, it now projects an annual net profit of 2.3 trillion yen, up 2.4 percent.

"Toyota's performance was outstanding, compared with its rivals," Satoru Takada, auto analyst at Tokyo-based research and consulting firm TIW, told AFP before the announcement.

"Toyota has maintained steady production while releasing timely models in major markets."

The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the global auto sector but demand recovered swiftly in the second half of last year, most notably in the United States and China.

Sales fell 8.9 percent to 27.2 trillion yen but the firm expects to report a 10.2 percent gain to 30.0 trillion yen in the current fiscal year.

Chip crisis

Even as vaccine rollouts put the end of the pandemic within sight for the hard-hit auto sector, it is battling a chip shortage driven by a surge in demand for electronic devices during lockdowns.

Supply disruptions including a fire at a Japanese factory, an extreme cold snap in the United States and a drought in Taiwan have compounded the mismatch between demand and availability.

Semiconductors are a key component in modern cars and the shortage has prompted major carmakers to reduce production around the world.

On Tuesday, Toyota's rival Nissan said it had narrowed its net loss to 448.7 billion yen for the fiscal year to March, but warned its outlook remained clouded by the global chip shortage.

But Toyota has been less affected than its rivals, thanks in part to a forward planning system intended to protect it from unexpected supply chain disruptions.

It also has close ties with its suppliers, including stakes in some of them, that have given it leverage and priority at a time when demand far outstrips supply, experts say.

"There were earthquakes in Tohoku and unfortunately there was a fire at our supplier, but we were able to overcome these, and avoid facing a major impact," Kon told reporters.

Toyota reclaimed the title of world top-selling automaker last year, selling 9.53 million vehicles around the world, overtaking the 9.3 million sold by German rival Volkswagen.

The last time Toyota held the top spot was in 2015, with VW edging it out in the following years.
Analysts said investors were closely watching Toyota's research and development costs as the firm gears up electric vehicle production.

Toyota, which pioneered hybrid cars, has recently unveiled plans for its first global line-up of battery electric vehicles, as other carmakers have pulled ahead in electrification.

Last month at the Shanghai motor show the firm announced its future bZ line, or Beyond Zero, which should see seven models hitting showroom floors by 2025.

Honda, which has recently unveiled plans to shift its line-up to battery and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040, will release its full-year results later this week.


Facelifted Honda BR-V chalks up over 1,400 bookings within a month

                PETALING JAYA: Over 1,400 bookings in four weeks. For a non-national car, that's quite an achievement.

Honda Malaysia announced today the refreshed BR-V did just that following its launch.

Since the BR-V was introduced to Malaysia in 2017, it has quickly become one of the most popular 7-seaters in the market with more than 32,600 units sold.

Honda Malaysia said 42% of BR-V bookings came from the Central region of the peninsula.

Of the two variants available, over 85% units of booking were for the higher V variant, while the E variant made up the balance.

More than 24% of the bookings were for Modern Steel Metallic, which makes it the favourite colour among the BR-V owners. Prices start from RM87,000 (see table below, valid until Dec 31).

The exterior of the latest BR-V has received several upgrades comprising a new front grille, new front bumper with lower bumper garnish, new front fog light garnish as well as a new 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheel design.

It is powered by a 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine that makes 118hp. The engine is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The BR-V boasts the biggest boot space in its segment at 223 litres when all seats are up and 539 litres when the third-row seats are folded down.

 The 'Honda Dealer Donation Drive' campaign, one of two charity events Honda Malaysia is organising to help Covid-19 victims.

In conjunction with the introduction of the refreshed BR-V, Honda Malaysia had also launched two community relief campaigns – “Be Kind with BR-V” and “Honda Dealer Donation Drive” – to aid Covid-19 relief programmes as well as to help affected communities in the surrounding areas of Honda dealers.

Malaysians are welcome to donate the basic necessities at the nearest Honda dealerships as the campaign is ongoing until Aug 31.

Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama said the company is donating part of the proceeds from every BR-V sold to the Covid-19 relief programmes.

He also said all Honda dealerships are safe to visit as they have implemented all the necessary safeguards.


Carmakers get inventive as global chip crisis bites

                MUNICH: Whether buying computer chips directly from manufacturers, reconfiguring cars, or producing them with parts missing, automakers are having to get creative to cope with the global shortage of semiconductors.

The shortage, due to supply problems and a surge in demand for consumer electricals during the pandemic, has hit the auto industry hard, with millions of vehicles worldwide not being produced because important parts are missing.

With the problem lasting longer than initially expected, manufacturers including Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and Volkswagen have had to rethink production strategies.

Car manufacturers usually buy parts from major suppliers such as Bosch and Continental, which in turn buy from suppliers further down the chain.

In some cases that has led to a lack of transparency, said Ondrej Burkacky, a senior partner at McKinsey.

"There was the fallacy of thinking that you had a choice between two suppliers, but the truth is that they both had the chips made in the same foundry," he said.

That is now changing, according to Daimler purchasing manager Markus Schäfer.

The German maker of Mercedes-Benz cars has set up a direct line of communication with all chip suppliers, including wafer producers in Taiwan, he said at the IAA auto show in September.

Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess speaks of "strategic partnerships" his company has entered into with manufacturers in Asia.

Chip suppliers need to be treated differently given their strategic importance to the industry, said Stefan Bratzel from the Center for Automotive Management.

"You have seen the problems that arise when you treat the chip companies like other suppliers and stop the calls," he said.

McKinsey's Burkacky said carmakers should consider direct investments in production, or longer contracts with terms of more than 18 months.

"Not much of that has been implemented yet," he added.

'More resilient'

In the meantime, vehicle developers are doing their part to help manufacturers manage the supply crunch.

Annette Danielski, chief financial officer of Volkswagen's trucking unit Traton, said the company was trying to clear some space on the motherboards of control systems.

"If we change the software, we can use fewer semiconductors and achieve the same functionality," she said.

"That sometimes takes a long lead time because the regulatory authorities intervene, but there are areas where you can change something quickly."

Daimler relies on new designs for control units. Rather than using one specific chip, these are designed to work with an alternative that can be used in the event of delivery problems, the company's head of purchasing Schäfer said.

Tesla is considered the model for this.

The company reprogrammed software within three months so that other less scarce chips could be used, enabling the US electric carmaker to weather the crisis better than many others.

General Motors has said it will work with chip manufacturers like Qualcomm, STM and Infineon to develop microcontrollers that combine several functions previously controlled by individual chips.

"We are trying to create an ecosystem that is more resilient, more expandable and always available," a company spokesman said.

Prioritising

Some carmakers are stockpiling - or what BMW calls "hole shoring."

The whole car is built except for a missing part, and can then be completed relatively easily when it shows up.

Other automakers are also using this strategy. Sometimes vehicles are delivered without certain functions controlled by chips.

Semiconductors are also conserved for high-quality vehicles, like electric cars, while customers face even longer wait times for low-priced combustion engines.

That strategy is slowly reaching its limits.

Volkswagen recently had to temporarily stop the production of electric cars in its Zwickau plant in Germany.

How well these coping strategies work is not yet clear.

"The bill will be presented in mid or late 2022, when you can see who came out of the crisis well and who did not make it so well," said McKinsey's Burkacky.


BMW doubles battery production capacity in United States

                FRANKFURT: BMW Group said on Wednesday it would double its production capacity for electric vehicle batteries at its US plant in South Carolina as it ramps up manufacturing of plug-in hybrid vehicles to include the X3 vehicle in addition to the X5.

BMW said it was investing US$10 million in a new battery assembly line which will be capable of operating in a two shift system ahead of the introduction of the BMW X3 plug in hybrid vehicle by the end of the year.

BMW made 15,000 batteries last year with a one shift system and currently produces a plug-in hybrid version of the X5 offroader. A new version of the X5 will be produced at the Spartanburg plant from August onwards, the company said.

BMW said it planned to employ 120 workers to make different types of batteries, and the additional staff gave it the capacity to double production.

In the past four years, BMW workers assembled 45,000 batteries, the carmaker said.


Mazda celebrates 100 years with special edition models

HIROSHIMA: Mazda has today revealed its 100th Anniversary Special Edition series, a range of special versions of all the key passenger cars in the firm’s global line-up.

Designed to celebrate the company’s centenary, the 100th Anniversary models adopt a white-and-burgundy two-tone exterior/interior combination, inspired by high-grade versions of Mazda’s first passenger car: the Mazda R360 Coupe.

With Snowflake White Pearlescent exterior paint contrasted with burgundy interior carpet and burgundy leather seats, the 100th cars are a stand-out celebration of Mazda’s centenary.

Additionally, the 100th Anniversary Special Edition models feature a host of bespoke touches to further add to their exclusivity.

This includes the unique 100th Anniversary badge featuring on the burgundy floormats, on the key fob and embossed into the headrests.

Externally, the same badge is on the wheel centres and the side of the car. Additionally, the 100th Anniversary MX-5 Convertible features a Dark Cherry fabric roof.

This special 100th Anniversary symbol overlays the current Mazda badge atop the original round logo of the Toyo Kogyo company.

The design reflected the desire of Mazda founder Jujiro Matsuda to contribute to the world through engineering and the determination to constantly strive forward.

Matsuda returned to his native city of Hiroshima from Osaka after a successful career in engineering. He started his career as an apprentice blacksmith and had founded his own foundry company. Matsuda went on to join the Toyo Cork Kogyo cork company.

After renaming the company Toyo Kogyo in 1927, he led the company into machinery manufacturing, which ultimately led to the production of three-wheeled trucks, building up a foundation for the Mazda we know today.

Launched in 1960, the Mazda R360 was the firm’s first production car, this stylish coupe micro-car proved to be a huge sales success, and the white body/red roof two-tone design of high-grade versions has 60 years later inspired the exterior-interior colour combination of Mazda’s 100th Anniversary models.

Originally due to be revealed at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, the 100th Anniversary Special Edition models have today been announced in Japan, where pre-order for these cars is now open.

The 100th Anniversary models of the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-8, Mazda6, plus RF and Convertible MX-5 will be offered in Japan through to the end of March 2021.


US police scale back purchases of US$50,000 SUVs in setback for Ford

                NEW YORK: Police departments are under siege by twin crises: state and local coffers have been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter movement is pressuring officials to target police budgets for cuts.

That’s bad news for the automakers that supply law-enforcement vehicles, a niche business seen as a lucrative market not long ago.

Segment leader Ford Motor Co. and other police-car makers including Fiat Chrysler automobiles NV and General Motors Co. compete for contracts that have provided stable profits and image-related benefits.

Most are gussied-up versions of their mass-market cars and trucks, so they can be produced relatively cheaply but with lots of upgrades such as motion detectors and 12-inch touch screens.

And there’s been no better way to signal toughness and durability than by making the vehicle-of-choice for cops chasing suspects down gritty streets and unpaved roads.

"It’s a highly visible branding message to see first responders driving these vehicles,” said Michelle Krebs, an analyst with car-shopping researcher autotrader. "These vehicles really have to perform and accelerate quickly, so it gives some street credit in terms of the performance.”

NYPD cutbacks

With budget cuts seemingly inevitable, police departments are likely to axe equipment to save jobs. And the headcount reductions they do make will necessitate fewer vehicles. Data on police fleets nationwide are hard to come by, but a look at some of the largest departments shows competition among major automakers is intense.

The New York City Police Department, one of the largest in the country with a fleet of 9,000 vehicles, already has begun cutting back. In fiscal year 2020, it bought the smallest fraction of sport-utility vehicles since it started turning toward the larger, pricier models.

Of the 534 new vehicles bought — down more 50% from last year’s total — only 29 were SUVs, according to department data obtained by Streetsblog and provided to Bloomberg News.

The NYPD did not respond to requests for an interview, but the US$1 billion budget cut announced in June likely contributed to the changes. The city specified savings of US$5 million in deferred fleet purchases — and that may be just the start.

"When you have one sixth of the budget cut, you can easily extrapolate there will be impact on the number of purchases but also on maintenance,” said Maria Haberfeld, professor of police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

"Generally, 85% to 90% of any police budget is allocated to salaries, benefits and overtime for officers and civilian employees. The remaining 10% to 15% — divided between training and equipment — is usually the first to go.”

As a direct result of the budget cut, the NYPD eliminated its July recruiting class, reducing headcount by 1,163 uniformed officers.

Between May 25 through August 12, some 798 officers retired and another 1,130 filed paperwork to follow suit, according to the NYPD. That is up from 545 retirements and 444 filings during the same period last year. Together, these changes could significantly reduce the number of vehicles needed for patrol.

 While actual mileage will vary, all-new Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid has an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg city/24 mpg highway/24 mpg combined – a 41 percent improvement over the current Police Interceptor Utility equipped with a conventional 3.7-liter gas engine – and is projected to save taxpayers between $3,500 and $5,700 per vehicle in fuel costs annuallySUV shift

Ford’s domination of the law-enforcement segment has long given it bragging rights, but recently its industry-leading position has become controversial among at least some company employees who see that as abetting police abuses.

For the past five years, a version of the Explorer SUV has been the must-have vehicle for law enforcement agencies as the automaker abandoned sedans for sport-utility vehicles and pickups, following a trend in the civilian passenger-vehicle market. Ford ended production of its last sedan — the Fusion — on July 31 and has ceased making an iteration for police.

The company delivered almost 3,000 Interceptor SUVs last month, double the June total, as it ramped up output of the law enforcement sport utility following a coronavirus-induced production shutdown in the spring. Ford also makes police versions of its F-150 truck and Transit van.

These larger vehicles, while providing officers with additional room and comfort, also are more costly. The Atlanta Police Department paid an average of US$47,654 for the Ford SUVs in its fleet as of last month compared with US$27,391 for similar sedans, according to data provided by the department.

The agency, which averted budget cuts by a narrow 7-8 city council vote, almost exclusively bought pursuit-rated SUVs this year, adding 79 of them to its lineup between March and July. But demand for vehicles like the Interceptor, which starts at about US$41,000, may have passed its peak with budgets in check nationwide.

"The Atlanta Police Department will prioritise according to needs and available funds,” said William Eckel, the interim program-management officer in the Department of Public Works. The city will continue to buy sedans but not for use in pursuit of suspects, he added.

Hybrid savings

The Los Angeles Police Department spent more than US$3.8 million on pursuit-rated SUVs in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, compared with almost $10 million two years ago.

Fewer patrol cruisers may mean more environmentally friendly fleets as budget cuts could accelerate a move toward hybrid gas-electric vehicles in departments across the country. Ford says its hybrid Interceptor model can save as much as $5,700 a year in fuel costs compared with the gasoline-only version.

The LAPD is currently leasing 300 BMW i3 electric compact sedans for administrative use.

"Whether some agencies like it or not, as a part of the defunding movement, they’ll have to look for hybrid or electric vehicles from a cost-savings standpoint,” said Scott Wolfe, associate professor of criminal justice at Michigan State University.

Ford is confident it will maintain its lead in the police vehicle market. "We see continued growth in the segment,” said Tony Gratson, the company’s national government-sales manager.

Whether police departments of the future shift to hybrid or not, supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement say fewer patrol vehicles will mean fewer incidents involving confrontations between officers and members of the local communities they serve.

"Police vehicles are often used as weapons against BLM protesters, so no one is upset over people not having money to buy new equipment and cars,” said Justin Hansford, an activist in Ferguson, Missouri, during the unrest after a police officer shot and killed an unarmed Black teenager in 2014.

He is now the executive director of the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center at Howard University in Washington

"They are already over-equipped,” Hansford said. "As long as the cars get them to where they’re going, there’s no need for budgetary lines for new technology and cars.”


Hyundai Motor announces N brand's entry into China

                SHANGHAI: At Auto Shanghai 2023, Hyundai Motor unveiled the exterior design of the new Elantra N (badged as Avante N in Korea), marking the N brand’s full-scale entry into the Chinese market.

The new Elantra N is a high-performance sedan based on the facelifted new Elantra standard model, which launched in Korea in March.

Its dynamic driving capability is inspired by Hyundai Motorsports.

“With the introduction of high-performance N brand, Hyundai wants to offer Chinese customers a different driving experience with our outstanding quality and technologies,” said HyukJoon Lee, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor Group China (HMGC).

“The new Elantra N, one of the most beloved N brand models around the world, will be a game changer in the Chinese market,” said Till Wartenberg, vice president and head of N brand and Motorsports.

The front of the new Elantra N has a lower stance with enlarged black trim and exterior color garnish compared to the base model.

On the sides, N-specific red strips across the front and rear bumpers, including the side sill moldings.

In addition, the black anodized emblem will be the new design identity of the N brand starting with the new Elantra N.

At the rear, the black bumper has been enlarged and a boat tail detail has been added.

Hyundai Motor plans to launch a new high-performance N model in China, starting with the new Elantra N in the second half of this year.

The company will introduce high-performance electrified model Ioniq 5 N in July this year as well, based on N brand’s first-ever electrified model and scheduled for launch next year.

“With all three of N brand’s core driving characteristics, Ioniq 5 N marks the beginning of a new era of high-performance electrification, and we are confident that it will set a new benchmark for sustainable high performance,” said Wartenberg.

Hyundai Motor also introduced the N brand’s acclaimed ‘rolling lab’ concept cars, RN22e and N Vision 74, which further demonstrate the brand’s electrification vision while embodying its motorsport-inspired performance characteristics — corner rascal, racetrack capability and everyday sportscar — to further enhance understanding of N brand’s competitiveness and vision.


Toyota win Le Mans 24 Hours for fourth year in a row

                LE MANS: Toyota won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race for the fourth year in a row and with a one-two finish on Sunday as the number seven crew finally broke their jinx in style at the Sarthe circuit.

Japan's Kamui Kobayashi took the chequered flag, with team mates Mike Conway of Britain and Argentine Jose Maria Lopez watching on.

"Now, finally," gasped the former F1 driver as he crossed the line.

The Japanese manufacturer's number eight car -- with Swiss Sebastien Buemi, Japan's Kazuki Nakajima and New Zealander Brendon Hartley -- had won the last three Le Mans but had to settle for the runner-up position two laps behind today.

The Alpine A480-Gibson driven by Brazilian Andre Negrao and French pair Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere completed the podium.

Kobayashi had qualified fastest in four of the last five Le Mans but until Sunday he and his team mates, the reigning world endurance champions, had yet to win the greatest race on the sportscar calendar.

Last year the crew lost half an hour in the garage with a turbo problem, that could have proved terminal, just after the halfway mark and finished third.

In 2019 the number seven car led most of the way but had to stop twice at the end of the race, once for a puncture and then because of a wrong tyre change during the initial stop which dropped it to second place.

"We had so many chances to win Le Mans but we always lost, and finally we won," Kobayashi told record nine-times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, now working for Eurosport.

"I think we are more together as a team," he added when asked what they had done differently. "We can't do anything special in Le Mans but we try to be together, we believe in each other as a team.

"I think we are stronger as a team. I think that's why we made it this time."

This year's Le Mans, watched by 50,000 fans after racing behind closed doors in 2020, is the 89th edition and the first of the new Hypercar era, with Toyota lining up as clear favourites -- albeit in a race where little is certain.

Only five Hypercars, the replacement for the old LMP1 category, were in the 61-car field but that is set to change with Peugeot entering the fray next year followed in 2023 by Audi, Ferrari and Porsche and more to come.