How Geely's Li Shufu plans to tackle Tesla

Li posing with a Benelli Leoncino 800 motorcycle at Geely headquarters in Hangzhou on July 20. — All pix by Reuters
HANGZHOU: "Do you know how big Volvo is?" asked Don Leclair, finance chief at Ford Motor Co.

It was 2008, and Leclair was responding to an offer from a little-known Chinese businessman to buy the Swedish carmaker, which Ford owned.

The businessman, Li Shufu, had a company with less than half Volvo's sales and a flagship model, King Kong, almost unknown outside China.

He was politely shown the door of the "Glass House," Ford's iconic headquarters near Detroit, according to two people who were at the meeting. Ford's Leclair did not respond to requests for comment about the episode.

Fast-forward to 2021 and Li Shufu's company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, is one of the biggest-selling automakers in the world's biggest auto market.

It controls not only Volvo Cars but also a clutch of global auto brands, and a significant stake in German giant Daimler AG, the maker of Mercedes-Benz. These names are now part of its plans for a revolution in autos.

Geely is preparing Volvo for a listing on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange as a route towards the future of transportation: One where cars are part of an electrified network of mobility services, driving themselves, connecting to each other and - like cell phones - generating an array of data and new business opportunities.

It's a vision more Silicon Valley than Detroit, where traditional automakers globally are chasing another giant - Tesla Inc.

Li and his advisers eventually convinced Ford to part with Volvo in 2010 for US$1.8 billion. It was the first in a string of deals, tapping brands such as Lotus, Smart and the London Electric Vehicle Company to form a network that he calls a "bigger circle of friends" across industry segments.

Li sees them as building blocks to help Geely compete in a future where autos are not vehicles, but "service providers," he told Reuters in his management suite at Geely's headquarters in Hangzhou, eastern China.

In that business model, cars will be available on subscription and offer services such as making payments and in-car apps. They will update their own software, and spawn opportunities in the same way as the mobile operating systems developed by Apple Inc and Google.

"We are trying to create an automotive ecosystem similar to Android," he said.

Li, 58, recently adopted a foreign first name - Eric - because he liked the sound of it. He has charted a path from a remote fishing village in eastern China through dirty factory floors to the heart of the world's auto industry. His subordinates often still call him Chairman Li.

This account of his evolution into one of the industry's most singular disrupters is based on interviews with Li Shufu himself, other company leaders and advisers as well as rivals and executives at firms in which Geely invested. They reveal an agile opportunist who is making a stream of startup bets - on ventures like flying cars and helicopter taxis - to prepare for the new age of autos.

Besides vehicles, Geely has a Danish bank, a startup that's developing vehicle control software technology and Geespace, a China-based firm which got the green light from Beijing this year to make low-orbit satellites that will be the eyes in the sky for fully autonomous machines. The scale of his investments - spanning Europe, Southeast Asia, China and the United States - is unique among Chinese auto firms.

Asked about his role, some of Li's rivals said his status as a relative newcomer to the industry gives Geely a potential advantage. He isn't weighed down by a big network of gasoline-related suppliers, for instance, said an engineer at Toyota Motor Corp, who spoke on condition of anonymity: That makes it easier for him to shift to a digital industry.

"Among traditional automakers, Geely has a more sophisticated lens on the future of mobility," said Bill Russo, head of consultancy Automobility Ltd in Shanghai and a former Chrysler executive. "They understand the nature of this model is shifting from a pure-play manufacturer."

But Li's ambitions face mounting challenges. To realise this vision, executives at several rivals say he needs to upgrade perceptions of his own Chinese-brand cars.

"Geely's biggest challenge is its name, in part because of its past as a low-cost, entry car brand," said an executive at Honda Motor Co. "How does Geely go from that to become an Apple-like brand? All legacy automakers struggle with that, but that is particularly a tall challenge for Geely."

And Li is moving in an increasingly tense global climate.

His strategy of building diverse alliances around the world has been made possible by the past 15 years of relative openness to technology-sharing and marketing collaboration. Now superpower rivalry between the United States and China has led to a bitter trade war, and Washington and its allies are blocking the expansion of major Chinese tech companies.

The Chinese entrepreneur is undeterred, and says his foreign investments are a map of opportunity.

"All roads might lead to Rome," Li Shufu said. "But the question is which is the right road and which road leads to Rome fastest?"

Like many other businesses in China, Geely appears keen to keep in lockstep with the pronouncements of President Xi Jinping, who has increasingly called for the need to promote what he calls "common prosperity."

In June, ahead of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's 100th anniversary, Geely issued a press release announcing the "Geely Common Prosperity Initiative" to help employees in the city of Ningbo where the company has multiple facilities.

Li has been a member of some political bodies in China. He was previously a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a top political advisory body. And he was a delegate in March this year to the National People's Congress, China's largely rubber-stamp parliament.

'Sofas on wheels'

The third of four brothers born to farmers in a fishing village called Luqiao, Li's business is rooted in the entrepreneurial boom of the mid-1980s led by the economic reforms of China's then leader, Deng Xiaoping. Li pivoted to wheels from photography via fridges, and was producing vehicles before he had the necessary paperwork.

Opportunity first knocked when he went for a high-school graduation photo in the early 1980s. Seeing the line of his peers outside the village studio snake around the block, he pestered the photographer for an apprenticeship.

Then, Li said, he borrowed 120 yuan - about US$70 at the time, or five times the average monthly rural income in his province - from his father. He bought a Chinese Seagull camera, jumped on a bicycle and established the first mobile studio in his village, charging 0.48 yuan per portrait.

With money flowing in, he said he experimented with salvaging appliances and melting the components to extract metals, started making fridge components and in 1986, at age 23, registered the company that became Geely.

His village has now been absorbed by the city of Taizhou. Mom-and-pop machine shops in an area stretching down to Wenzhou diversified from trades such as repairing fishing boats to making cigarette lighters, belt buckles, and eventually motorbike and car components.

In the early 1990s, Li looked at a mangled motorbike brought into his factory, saw how simple it was mechanically and decided to make bikes, according to his official biographer at Geely.

Soon he was dreaming of cars. He dismantled existing models to see how they worked, and quietly built a car plant and made some primitive prototypes, the biographer told Reuters.

The first model, the Geely Haoqing, was finished in 1997. It was a disaster. His engineers had not water-proofed it and torrents gushed into the cabin when it was tested for leaks.

To progress in an industry tightly controlled by the state, Li needed Communist Party support.

In 1999 - the year Tesla chief Elon Musk sold his online publishing startup - Li persuaded an up-and-coming Communist Party official to give him the licence to manufacture cars in China officially, by saying they were not that complicated to produce - they were really just "two sofas with four wheels," he said.

His factory wouldn't cost the state anything, he recalled telling the official: "At least give me a chance to fail."

Reuters could not verify that account, but by the following year, the waterproofed Haoqing was rolled out to showrooms in large numbers.

Change of plan

Geely was soon selling a few hundred thousand rough-and-ready cars a year - models with bumpers that tended to sag after a few years - but Li had his sights on the global market.

Geely displayed one of its models in the lobby of the Cobo exhibition hall in downtown Detroit at the 2006 auto show, with a view to setting up a plant and sales network in the United States.

In March 2007 a group of potential US backers gathered at Geely's headquarters in China to discuss how to help set up a U.S. factory.

Li announced he had changed course.

"He basically said, 'I have a new plan,'" said one of those present, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "'We wonder if Volvo might be for sale?'"

There was an awkward silence. Li, who declined to comment on this version of events, told the investors it would take too long to engineer vehicles to meet US safety and emissions regulations, the person said.

Buying a brand like Volvo - renowned for its safety and reliability - would be a quicker way to acquire technology and become an established name.

Volvo initially wasn't for sale - Li was rebuffed by Ford's Don Leclair at their meeting. But as the global financial crisis hit US carmakers, Ford turned to preserving its core business, and parted with Volvo. "We elected to sell a storied brand to a great new owner," a spokesperson said.

By 2010, Geely had mustered the funds for the deal. Most came as subsidised low-interest loans from the Chinese cities of Chengdu, Daqing and the Jiading district of Shanghai, the company said. Geely went on to build Volvo factories in the first two cities and a Volvo technology centre in the third.

Other auto firms, including Tesla and Ford, also received aid, in the form of billions of dollars in low-interest loans that year under the US Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a bailout following the global financial crisis.

Meanwhile, China's car market had boomed. And Volvo, which was running at a loss when Li took over, was in the black. Geely and Volvo executives said they made Volvo profitable chiefly by beefing up its presence in China, sharing components and suppliers and developing common platforms.

A disadvantage

The year that Geely bought Volvo, Tesla became the first American car company to sell its shares to the public since Ford in 1956. Based in Palo Alto, Tesla had a two-seater electric sports car, which Musk called "a freaking technology velociraptor," saying it was ready to revolutionise the way Americans buy and drive cars.

Li also saw the need to go electric. Geely and Volvo set up a joint technology centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2013 and developed hybrid and electric vehicle ventures Lynk & Co. and Polestar a few years later. Earlier this year, it launched Zeekr in China, a new electric car brand.

But Li and his lieutenant Daniel Li, the chief executive of Geely Holding, faced another obstacle.

The likes of Tesla - backed by venture capital hungry for the next big thing - could command high valuations without delivering profits, making it easy for them to raise capital. Geely was at a disadvantage, the Geely executives said, partly because its investor base of pension funds and investment funds is tasked with taking lower risks to achieve steady returns.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment for this story. It made a full-year profit for the first time last year. But its market value has surged from US$34 billion in 2016 to a peak of US$834 billion in January.

Since 2011, Geely's Hong Kong listed business - a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group - has reported net profits every year, averaging 5.19 billion yuan or US$800 million at today's rates. Its market value is about US$35 billion.

The way forward, Li decided, was to combine resources with legacy carmakers, known in the industry as original equipment makers (OEMs).

"If traditional OEMs ... didn't invest in new technologies and trends, we would die. But if each OEM simply made huge investments by itself, we would also not survive," Geely Holding chief executive Daniel Li told Reuters. "We have to make those investments in a smarter and more collaborative way."

That thinking was behind yet another gamble by Li.

'Circle of friends'

He identified Daimler AG, a firm with roots dating back to the world's first gasoline car in 1886, as a key candidate for his "circle of friends." But the Geely boss knew that if he knocked on Daimler's front door he would not be taken seriously, two Geely sources said.

So, starting in October 2017, Geely began discreetly building a stake in Daimler, as Reuters has previously reported.

Using Hong Kong shell companies called Tenaciou3, Miroku and Fujikiro, as well as derivatives, bank financing and carefully structured share options, Geely stayed in the shadows until the following February. Then it stunned the auto world by announcing it was Daimler's biggest shareholder, with a 9.69% stake that cost roughly US$9 billion.

Asked where Geely got the cash, a person familiar with the matter said it bought some Daimler shares and used them as collateral for a loan to buy more, a point Reuters couldn't confirm.

Li said in an interview posted on the People's Daily website at the time that Geely had used only "offshore" funds to execute the deal.

The move aroused alarm in Germany, where the government was wary of Chinese firms' interest in domestic champions and their technology. A group of Geely executives led by Li launched a four-day diplomatic tour to calm the waters.

Meeting Daimler's top brass, government officials and lawmakers in Berlin and Stuttgart, the Geely team said they were seeking synergies, not domination, Daniel Li said. Their interest in Daimler wasn't about economies of scale, they said, but about the pressing need for legacy automakers to form joint ventures and divvy up the cost of developing new technologies.

In some of the meetings, Li floated his idea of using hundreds of proprietary mini, low-orbit satellites as a more accurate global positioning system for self-driving cars, Daniel Li said.

Daimler and Germany's economy ministry declined to comment on those meetings. Germany has since lowered the threshold for screening purchases of stakes in German firms by non-Europeans; last year it blocked the takeover of a satellite and radar technology company by a state-controlled Chinese missile maker .

Following the trip, Daimler initially offered to let Geely buy its troubled Smart brand of tiny urban cars outright. Li wanted more.

In September 2018, at a lunch at the Mercedes-Benz museum with chief executive Dieter Zetsche, the two agreed to form a 50-50 joint venture to transform Smart into a network of electric urban transporters, two people familiar with the meeting said. Zetsche declined to comment for this article.

Geely and Daimler have since agreed several joint new investments: a premium ride-hailing service in China called StarRides; a super-efficient gasoline engine for hybrid cars; and stakes in German electric flying taxi startup, Volocopter. Geely is also sharing its electric vehicle platform technologies, supply chains and factories with Daimler while using the German brand name and sales network to market new Smart models.

Making cars is only one source of revenue Geely is targeting. Another will be non-traditional vehicle sales such as car subscription services, which will enable car-owners to make money from the loan of their vehicles when they aren't using them, Li and Daniel Li told Reuters.

As a first step, Geely is already rolling out a subscription model in Europe this year for its hybrid Lynk & Co SUVs. Throw in ride-hailing, battery charge-and-swap services that are already in operation, as well as selling the software to operate electric vehicles, and Geely aims to have an array of alternative revenue streams.

New sensitivities

As Li ventures into the age of self-driving autos, he also enters more sensitive ground. The still-nascent area is delicate - because passenger safety is not yet assured, and also because the technology crosses over into areas with national security implications.

"You may ask why Volvo and Geely are not aggressively promoting their self-drive technology by now?" Li said. "If you are to uphold Volvo safety traditions and standards, we can only call it autonomous self-drive technology when people can close their eyes and doze off in a self-drive car with 100% safety guaranteed."

To beef up the slow, inaccurate connectivity and vehicle positioning capability of current cars, Li wants to use low-orbit satellites: He said the technology should be able to position and navigate a car with a margin of error of a few millimetres.

To be fast enough for safety, the satellite technology would need to be augmented by others including 5G cellular signals, radar and digital cameras, said William Malik, a cybersecurity expert at Trend Micro Inc.

When developing satellite technology, Geely may also face a US ban on the export of space and satellite technology to China. The United States is increasing trade restrictions on Chinese tech businesses.

Geely said it doesn't comment on political issues.

But Li says he thinks global companies should go ahead and pursue global integration. "We can do business together and maximise synergies within an industry," he said. "That's why I'm all against cutting off ties."


Porsche adds big screen to ramp up appeal of bestseller Macan

                SHANGHAI: Porsche is making its best-selling model more comfy with a bigger touchscreen, voice controls and self-driving features, upgrades that woo customers as the German sports-car brand braces for a potential sales-sapping trade war.

With US President Donald Trump threatening to levy tariffs on cars imported from Europe, Porsche will equip the Macan sport utility vehicle with an 11-inch high-definition screen, four inches larger than the current version, the company said at an unveiling here today.

The enhancements to the model, which starts at US$47,800 (RM194,000) in the US, will be rolled out in the course of this year.

Porsche makes all its vehicles in Europe, exposing the Volkswagen AG brand to the full brunt of Trump’s potential tariffs. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom are due to meet with Trump in Washington today in a last-ditch attempt to avoid an all-out trade war.

“We hope we won’t have any negative impact from tariffs,” Detlev von Platen, Porsche’s sales chief, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

But if Trump does push ahead, the result would likely be higher prices for American buyers as Porsche looks to defend its profit margins. “We won’t be able to swallow all the increased tariffs,” von Platen said from Shanghai.

To boost the Macan’s appeal, the new creature comforts include an ioniser to improve air quality, real-time traffic information and a function that assists with steering, braking and acceleration in stop-and-go traffic.

Porsche had sold more than 350,000 Macans since the introduction in 2014. It’s the bestselling model in all major sales regions - including China and the US, its top-two markets.

Porsche has resisted adding production outside Europe, because German engineering is part of the cachet that supports some of the highest profit margins in the auto industry. While Porsche is in the throes of Europe-US trade tensions, China’s move to lower import tariffs is good news for the brand.

Still, China’s luxury-car market has faced pressure due to a weakening yuan that’s made it costlier to buy imports. Consumers also delayed purchases amid uncertainty over pricing after China cut its auto import tariff to 15 percent from 25 percent, and raised the rate on imports from the US to 40 percent. Deliveries of Porsche cars in China declined 7 percent in the first half of this year to 33,363 units.

As new rivals enter the auto industry and changing technology intensifies competition, Porsche is seeking to step up the pace in adding features to entice buyers.

“If you want to be successful as a global player in the car industry in the future, especially at a time when the world is changing so fast, the key success factor is not to be big but to be fast,” von Platen told reporters here.


Maintaining Ferrari Asia's momentum

                KUALA LUMPUR: Ferrari Far East and Middle East hub president Dieter Knechtel was in town for the launch of the 296 GTB recently.

Knechtel was appointed to the position on April 1, 2015 that oversees Ferrari operations in the Asia Pacific region covering North East Asia (Japan, South Korea), South East Asia (Asean countries) and Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).

From May 1, 2016, the hub has expanded to include the Middle East and India markets.

Here are some of Knechtel's talking points with Star CarSifu at the sidelines of the launch.

The 296 GTB
A lot of things are gradually progressing since I arrived seven years ago.

The new 296 GTB will continue the Malaysian buyers' fascination with the brand.

The interest in sports cars and Formula 1 have always been there in Malaysia and the 296 GTB is hitting where the traditional Ferrari is positioned.

It's a powerful compact hybrid sports car with rear mid-engine design.

This is a very interesting model because of the generational change in terms of technology.

I think it will be a successful car as it's focused on a fun-to-drive concept.

I have driven the car on the Fiorano track and was blown away by its ease to drive and performance.

The car is so light, so agile and it forgives all the mistakes that you can potentially make around a curve as a non-professional driver.

The 296 GTB with 830hp is so much fun to drive and has a massive 0-100kph acceleration in 2.9 seconds that Malaysian owners will appreciate.

We have feedback from journalists who went for the media test drive and they were totally over the moon.

We have even taken a few orders already from clients who had not seen the car.

 Knechtel in the 296 GTB.Assetto Fiorano
I am surprised that many have taken up Assetto Fiorano as it is not cheap.

However, it is the ultimate performance enhancer.

Since the 296 GTB is a true sports car which is good enough on track as a weekend hobby, the Assetto Fiorano will give you the edge.

The car loses 15kg of weight, gets a lot of carbon-fibre elements as well as other enhancements.

Many customers have taken the Assetto Fiorano package that was offered with other Ferrari models.

Electrification
There are many trends in the automotive industry and we cannot completely ignore them.

There are also regulations out there.

But then, we as Ferrari will not try to follow trends as much as possible as we want to go our own way.

So that's why we have chosen the hybrid path for the moment.

There are two new targets that Ferrari has announced.

We are going to have our first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in 2025.

The second target is that we want to be carbon neutral in 2030.

This is the framework we are working on, putting in our thoughts, ideas and strategies.

This will be further explained in three months from now when we will have a capital markets day in Italy where we will update our investors and shareholders on our next five years.

It will give more clarity but not everything will be disclosed.

 296 GTB.Ferrari's growth
Since I arrived in 2015, we have been making incremental growth every year.

Our sales this year should be double of that in 2015.

Although we always wanted to do more, we do not want to grow too crazily.

We always try to make our growth steady and remain as an exclusive brand to protect the value of our customers' cars as well as pre-owned units.

Branding is very important to Ferrari.

Exclusivity also results in helping our clients maintain the value of their cars over time.

Recently, the value of pre-owned Ferraris are getting better and sometimes even more than new models. (laughs)

Asia is important for Ferrari's growth.

Ferrari's growth in the Far East in general and Asean have been solid over the past year.

Southeast Asia, Australia, Japan and Korea have contributed a growth of 27% in 2021 from 2020.

Every single market in Asean has done very well.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand have done well. In Indonesia, we have changed a new partner and things are picking up.

Despite the US and Europe being our traditional markets, they are not growing as fast as Asia.

The biggest single market is still the US. And the second biggest market is Japan on par with Germany.

After two years of Covid-19 lockdown, we are restarting our racing activities in big markets and in Asean as well.

If our clients want to race or just to go on track for fun, the 296 GTB is the fantastic new model to do so in.

 Pilota Ferrari Around the World event.Pre-owned Ferrari business
The Ferrari pre-owned business in Malaysia is growing along with new car sales.

It is the direct effect of selling new cars.

Of course, there are also collectors who don't sell some of their cars.

Pre-owned Ferrari cars are a very

lucrative business and not like in previous years in Asia when nobody took care of it.

There is a strong demand for Ferrari cars everywhere and if there are no new cars, you have to look at pre-owned cars.

If there are not enough cars, their value will go up.

It's also not easy to find good pre-owned Ferraris as many customers are holding on to their cars.

 Roma.New Ferrari buyers
We expect some 50% of 296 GTB customers to be new to the Ferrari brand as the car comes with new technologies that are attractive to younger buyers who are interested in environmental-friendly technology.

Some 70% of the Ferrari Roma and 60% of Portofino M buyers are first time customers of Ferrari cars.

The Roma is focused on understated elegance for someone who wants to be more discreet.

It is also designed for more comfort and daily as well as long distance driving.

The Portofino M, meanwhile, is also doing well as its lifestyle concept has been very successful with first time buyers.

Although the sports models are better on the track, the Portofino M with over 600hp can still perform as what is expected of every Ferrari.

I enjoyed driving the Portofino M.

 Portofino M.Upcoming Ferrari sports utility vehicle
Right now, we are releasing some teaser photographs to confirm that the car is coming.

The car is being road tested in Italy and we are gauging the interest of some clients.

But you have to be patient for the announcement of technical details.

It will be an interesting product to be added to the Ferrari range.

It was highly anticipated when we first spoke about it in 2018.

I believe that the car will be a fantastic Ferrari and a great product.

It has to be a true Ferrari and has to be a performance car.


Tesla Model S Plaid caught fire while owner was driving, says lawyer

The Model S Plaid electric car entrepreneur seen ablaze in Pennsylvania in this handout photo provided to Reuters on July 2.

BERKELEY (California, USA): A Tesla Inc Model S Plaid electric vehicle burst into flames on Tuesday while the owner was driving, just three days after the US$129,900, top-of-the-range car was delivered following its June launch, says a lawyer for the driver.

The driver, identified as an "executive entrepreneur", was initially not able to get out of the car because its electronic door system failed, prompting the driver to "use force to push it open," Mark Geragos, of Geragos & Geragos, said today.

The car continued to move for about 12 metres before turning into a "fireball" in a residential area near the owner's Pennsylvania home.

"It was a harrowing and horrifying experience," Geragos said.

"This is a brand new model... We are doing an investigation. We are calling for the S Plaid to be grounded, not to be on the road until we get to the bottom of this," he said.

Tesla did not have an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk touted the performance version of its Model S sedan as being "faster than any Porsche, safer than any Volvo" at a launch event at the automaker's factory in Fremont, California, last month.

Earlier in April, he said the new Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle had a new battery pack.

"It took quite a bit of development to ensure that the battery of the new S/X is safe," Musk said on a conference call, addressing production delays. "There were more challenges than expected in developing the new version."

Local fire authorities in a now-deleted Facebook post said "a Tesla was on fire" and that they cooled "the batteries down to ensure complete extinguishment".

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is "in touch with relevant agencies and the manufacturer to gather information about the incident".

"If data or investigations show a defect or an inherent risk to safety exists, NHTSA will take action as appropriate to protect the public," the federal safety agency said.


Proton Persona 2019 facelift: An ideal family car

                The 2019 Persona facelift is very popular and easily matches far more expensive rivals in specs, performance, comfort and practicality.

Since its launch in April 2019, Proton has delivered a total of 10,040 units of the 2019 Persona.

The 2019 Persona has received 303 improvements, including better brake performance, quieter cabin and better driveability.

Billed by Proton as the ideal personification of the modern family car, the national automaker has released a narrative that tells us why this is so.

Let’s start with dad. The man of the house who supports the family bring in the finances needed.

When purchasing a big item like a new car, there are a lot of factors to think about. For starters, there are the financial aspects of to consider.

Excluding household expenses and other fixed costs, dad needs to ensure the monthly car loan payments cost no more than 20% of his monthly salary.

With prices starting from just RM42,600 the Proton Persona is able to deliver outstanding value.

As the car is for family use, comfort also plays a major role.

Opt for the Persona Premium and partial leather seats are part of the standard spec, adding a premium touch while not compromising airflow; particularly useful when in a country as hot and humid as ours.

Items like keyless entry and the ability to easily charge electronic devices via two USB charging ports as well as integrated steering audio controls also add a nice premium touch.

What about mum? She’s likely to use the family car on weekends when heading to the pasar pagi with plans to buy as much as she can carry, so she’ll need a car with plenty of cargo space.

The Persona offers ample leg and headroom for occupants but equally as important is the 510-litres of boot space.

Should she need to buy groceries for more than one month, the rear seats also fold down to form a truly cavernous space.

As for the son with a driving license, when mum or dad isn’t using the Persona, he’ll plan to show it off to his college mates.

This sedan is a stunner both inside and out and if dad buys the Premium version, he’ll be able to wow his friends with some really cool features.

The advanced Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) for instance can be activated using the “Hi Proton! activation phrase and allows for access to navigation and music streaming via an integrated 4G internet connection. Run out of data? Just use the car as a mobile hotspot!

A car with a 5-star Asean NCAP rating will give the whole family peace-of-mind during every journey.

Every Proton Persona is equipped with active safety systems such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS) and ABS brakes with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).

Every variant also comes with a minimum of two airbags and Hot Press Forming (HPF) body panels to form a strong passenger safety cell.

Of course everybody wants some added convenience; so the Persona also has front and rear parking sensors and Hill Hold Assist (HHA) to make tight parking spaces and moving off from slopes a simple exercise.

Overall therefore, this is a family car that defines "Intelligence that Cares".


Fuel prices go up in February

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices will see an increase across the board for the month of February.

RON95 and RON97 will see an increase of 20 sen to RM2.30 and RM2.60 respectively while the price of diesel will go up by 10 sen to RM2.15. This was confirmed by Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz Tuesday.

In January, RON95 was priced at RM2.10 per litre, RON97 at RM2.40 and diesel at RM2.05.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has set the prices of petrol and diesel on a managed float system since Dec 1, 2014, following the removal of fuel subsidies.


Volvo Cars design heads honoured

                STOCKHOLM: Last week, Volvo Cars for the first time brought together its three design heads and the full range of new cars they designed at a special event in Stockholm.

Thomas Ingenlath, Robin Page and Maximilian Missoni have worked closely together in developing a proud and confident Scandinavian design language through their differentiating, collaborative approach.

The new Volvo Cars range exemplifies the transformation of the company’s finances and operations in recent years, with five consecutive global sales records since 2014 and a strong improvement in profitability.

Having transformed the look of Volvo Cars’ portfolio and rejuvenating the Volvo brand in recent years, the three designers will now focus on future design opportunities created by the company’s move towards electrified and ultimately autonomous cars.

The XC90 large SUV, launched in 2014, was the first model to introduce Volvo’s new design language. It set the tone for all subsequent new 90, 60 and 40 series cars, based on the SPA and CMA modular vehicle architectures that allow for true premium proportions.

All three SUVs in the range won prestigious Car of the Year awards in North America, Asia and Europe, demonstrating the success of Volvo’s new design language.

“Working with Max and Robin is very pleasant. We feel comfortable around each other and it is inspiring working together,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Design Officer. “What I am most proud of is taking this incredible brand and putting it into the right frame of a premium Scandinavian brand, with a design that makes it an attractive and desirable product.”

“We have a really good friendship and a good way of working together as colleagues,” said Robin Page, Head of Volvo Design. “Before Max and I arrived at Volvo, Thomas created the strategy, and then we built the team needed to deliver his vision. The result is here today, with a fantastic range of cars.”

“I think we really elevated Volvo’s design into the premium segment,” said Maximilian Missoni, Head of Exterior Design. “Thomas’s greatest strength is that he is a visionary and he has that sense for the next big thing. Robin has transformed the interior design and quality of Volvo to an absolute benchmark.”

The team’s collaborative approach extends beyond design. For example, they worked closely together with Volvo Cars’ safety experts in developing communication methods for future autonomous cars, as displayed in the 360c concept. The concept also illustrates the value of creative design that opens up new potential business opportunities.

“We’ve seen a massive change during the past five years, from where Volvo was to where we are now,” Robin Page said. “A lot of that is about the design of the cars and the fact they represent Volvo and Scandinavia so well. Looking at the next generation of cars, it will be interesting to see how we embrace new technologies and create the essence of Scandinavian design in these new products.”


Ex-VW CEO to face charges of organised commercial fraud

A lawyer for Winterkorn (seen here) said his client denied the charges.— Reuters
FRANKFURT: Former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn will face charges of conspiracy to commit organised commercial fraud with a high likelihood of conviction, a court probing the carmaker’s diesel emissions scandal said on Wednesday.

A court in Braunschweig, Germany, near where Volkswagen is headquartered, expanded the list of charges beyond fraud to include organised commercial fraud, preliminary remarks published by the court at the start of the trial showed.

Winterkorn and other Volkswagen executives face charges for their role in allowing diesel cars with illegal emissions-masking software to hit the road.

Because Volkswagen vehicles had higher pollution levels than was declared, they should have been subject to higher road tax, and former Volkswagen executives should therefore also face charges of tax evasion and false advertising, the court added.

The scandal, which was uncovered by US authorities in September 2015, has cost Volkswagen more than €30 billion (RM148bil) in refits, legal fees and settlements, and resulted in a drastic management and strategy overhaul.

A lawyer for Winterkorn said his client denied the charges. The accusations against Winterkorn are limited in scope and relate to a specific instance in time, the lawyer added.

Volkswagen said that while it was no longer the target of prosecutors after settling charges, it wanted to emphasise that all of the accused were innocent until proven guilty.

Volkswagen also said it had taken extensive measures to change processes, systems and controls to improve compliance in the wake of the emissions scandal.


Full-size 1:1 scale McLaren Senna Lego gets a showing at E3 2019

                LOS ANGELES: A full-size 1:1 scale Lego McLaren Senna will make its debut at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2019.

Requiring almost half a million bricks and months to build, the car will be on display throughout the show inside the Microsoft Theatre - Xbox’s home for all activities for the show.

In total, 467,854 individual 'bricks' were used in its construction - 200,000 more than what was used to construct the 720S model in 2017.

Teams of 10 model-makers worked in shifts around the clock and took 2,725 hours to 'click' all the pieces together - some nine times more than the real hand-built Senna (300 hours).

Including design and development, a total of 4,935 hours went into creating the model, involving 42 individuals from the Danish toy production company's build team.

Also announced at E3 - Lego fans will be able to live out their ultimate McLaren fantasy thanks to new downloadable content.

As part of the Forza Horizon 4 Lego Speed Champions expansion, the McLaren Senna Lego set will be fully playable in-game, with players being able to explore a new Lego-themed world, complete with new challenges, races and even an entire Lego city.

Forza Horizon 4 sees players explore a stunning microcosm of the UK, with changing seasons, dynamic weather and some routes - all in native 4K and HDR.

First announced at last year's E3, the game features the McLaren Senna as its cover car, which is also playable in-game in non-brick form.

The game launches worldwide on June 13 on Xbox One, Windows 10 PCs and Xbox Game Pass as an Xbox Play Anywhere title with a price of £15.99 (RM 85).

However, the game is included at no cost for players who own the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Edition, Forza Horizon 4 Expansions Bundle and the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Add-Ons Bundle.

For Xbox Game Pass members who have access to the standard edition of Forza Horizon 4 are eligible for 10% off a standalone purchase or 10% off the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Add-Ons Bundle.


Toyota Innova to be used as TEKS1M vehicle

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has confirmed the Toyota Innova as the second MPV model fit for TEKSI 1Malaysia duty.

The unveiling of the taxi model would be done this Tuesday after much speculation in the industry since May.

SPAD’s initial decree two years ago that only the Proton Exora was good enough to be used for TEKS1M, was greeted with protests from many quarters, with some claiming that the move was anti-competition even if the intention was to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort.

The Innova sold in Malaysia is a two-litre model.

The TEKS1M fleet is intended for the streets of Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang.

On July 3, SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the Commission had reviewed its decision on insisting that only the Exora be used for TEKS1M.

“We are now open to other vehicles, provided they are Malaysian-made,” he said.

The Government is keen to see more than 1,500 TEKS1M on the road by year end as part of its initiative to improve taxi services.

A vehicle which is intended for TEKS1M must provide more space for baggage and passengers, dedicated air-conditioning vents for passengers, leather seats, credit card readers for cashless transaction, factory-fitted natural gas tanks, GPS-based dispatch system as well as safety features such as passenger airbags.

A SPAD source has confirmed that the Innova taxis would sport the same golden brown paint scheme as the Exora TEKS1M.


New Toyota Corolla sedan, wagon and hatch go on sale in Japan

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota has recently announced the launch of its completely redesigned Corolla sedan and Corolla Touring wagon in Japan as well as the improved Corolla Sport hatchback.

Each of the three bodystyles includes hybrids. Prices for the Corolla sedan, Corolla Touring and Corolla Sport start from 1,936,000 yen (RM75,000), 2,013,000 yen (RM78,000) and 2,169,200 yen (RM84,000) respectively.

The Corolla and Corolla Touring were previously marketed as Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder.

Since its debut in 1966, Corolla has become a well-loved car worldwide, with a track record of over 47.5 million vehicle sales in more than 150 countries and regions.

The introduction of the Corolla Sport as a new model in the Corolla series in June last year, and the adoption of the TNGA platform, has revitalised the design and driving. The Corolla sedan and Corolla Touring are new introductions to the Corolla series, allowing a varied choice of vehicles to suit customers' lifestyles.

Using the TNGA platform and design with Japan roads in mind results in sporty styling with a low centre of gravity, enjoyable driving, and responsive handling. The new models are equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense, delivering enhanced safety performance. On-board connected services have also been upgraded to include Toyota's first Display Audio as standard, installed in conjunction with smartphones.

"The Corolla is a car that is always ready to evolve to meet customers' current needs," says Yasushi Ueda, chief engineer in charge of development.

"For this reason, it has been a long-term favourite of customers in Japan and all over the world. The new Corolla exceeds customer expectations by 'adopting the TNGA platform, sporty design, and pleasurable driving.' With the advanced safety equipment and connected functions, the safe and secure everyday driving of our customers is supported. I would like you to experience riding in or driving the Corolla series just to understand the sheer fun of driving this car."

Corolla sedan

Corolla Sport

Corolla Touring


Absent from America, French cars drive into Iran election

                LONDON/PARIS/FRANKFURT: French carmakers PSA and Renault are turning their US absence into an Iranian advantage by piling into a resurgent market still off-limits to foreign rivals fearful of sanctions under Donald Trump's administration.

The French investment has been seized upon by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is seeking re-election this week, as evidence that his pursuit of a nuclear detente and attempts to attract foreign money will pay off for the economy.

PSA - the maker of Peugeots and Citroens - and Renault have pushed hard into Iran since its 2015 deal with world powers that saw international sanctions lifted in return for curbs on Teheran's nuclear activities. PSA has signed production deals worth 700 million euros (RM3.4bil), while Renault has announced a new plant investment to increase its production capacity to 350,000 vehicles a year.

The French companies, unlike their German, American and Japanese competitors, do not have manufacturing or sales operations in the United States. This makes them less vulnerable to penalties for any violation of US sanctions still in force which ban financial transactions with Iran.

The prospect of a hardened US stance under President Trump - a consistent critic of the nuclear deal - has deepened the caution of carmakers with large American exposures.

Germany's Volkswagen and BMW are among those that have put Iranian ambitions on hold, industry sources said.

"We're well aware of the market potential in Iran but we can't afford to take any risks," said a source close to VW. The company declined to comment on specific investment discussions.

PSA and Renault declined to comment on their Iranian businesses for this story, but PSA's Middle East chief Jean-Christophe Quemard said earlier this year that the renewed US pressure under Trump was helping his company stay ahead of foreign rivals who were holding back.

"This is our opportunity to accelerate," he added. "We've opened up a lead and we plan to hold on to it."

Early movers to establish Iranian operations could win big in a market deprived for years of affordable state-of-the-art vehicles and where sizeable import duties hand a major advantage to locally built cars.

Iranian car sales jumped 50 percent in the first quarter of 2017, according to data provider IHS Automotive, with models from Peugeot, Renault and Iran's SAIPA showing solid gains.

Teheran car salesman Mehdi Monfared, whose dealership mostly sells domestic manufacturer Iran Khodro's namesake brand, said he had witnessed an "explosion" in demand in recent months.

"People are being less careful with their money and are spending their savings on cars," he told Reuters by telephone. "And the banks are lending."

Rouhani pushed the French investment to the forefront of his election campaign when he attended a ceremony this month to mark the production launch of the Peugeot 2008, the first product of post-sanctions manufacturing deals with foreign carmakers.

"When we signed the nuclear deal, critics said it was just a piece of paper that would never be implemented," the president, whose main challenger is a hardline cleric opposed to opening up Iranian markets, said in an Instagram post picturing him behind the wheel of the mini-SUV at the event in Teheran.

"But now we can see that auto industry sanctions have been lifted, joint venture agreements concluded and a new car is being built."

PSA and Renault have moved swiftly to sign new production deals to upgrade their pre-sanctions partnerships with Iran Khodro and SAIPA. PSA plans to add more Peugeot and Citroen models in coming months, while Renault has introduced its Sandero compact alongside the Tondar sedan.

By contrast VW, which had been considering a production tie-up with Iran's Mammut Khodro, has put the talks on the backburner because of the uncertainty, according to the source close to the group.

"Any company operating in Iran or planning to enter the market needs to ask itself what could happen if there is a fundamental change of course by the US," the person said.

BMW has also studied production, import and distribution opportunities in Iran but concluded that the time was not right, according to a source familiar with the matter.

"Once we see General Motors and Ford set up shop our plans may be revived, but not before," the person said.

A BMW spokesman said the company's future entry into Iran "will depend on political and economic developments", adding: "There are currently no concrete plans."

Daimler had announced undated plans for Iranian heavy truck production before Trump's November election victory, but now plays them down. "There is hardly any economic growth in Iran, so demand for commercial vehicles is generally low," the company said.

US carmakers withdrew before the 1979 Iranian revolution as ties between the countries broke down. Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota have not signalled any Iranian investment plans since the nuclear deal.

Nuclear-related sanctions were lifted after the 2015 agreement, but Washington has maintained its own pre-existing ban on financial transactions with Iran, making it harder for companies with a large US presence to do business with Teheran.

The Trump administration has also ordered a review of sanctions relief granted under the nuclear deal, despite acknowledging Teheran's compliance.

But the US pressure has not halted a steady recovery in car production in Iran, from 796,000 cars in 2013 to 1.23 million last year. IHS expects output to keep climbing to 1.34 million cars this year and 1.49 million in 2018, nearing the 1.65 million peak recorded in 2011.

"Locally built vehicles are the bestsellers by some margin," said IHS analyst Michel Jacinto, an Iran specialist.

South Korea's Hyundai is building its Accent compact, to be followed by the i20 mini, as Chinese brands including Chery move to defend the small but growing footholds they gained while sanctions kept their European rivals out.

Affordability may be an issue for some new models. The Peugeot 2008 is expected to be priced at around US$24,000 when it arrives in showrooms - more than three times the average annual urban household income in Iran.

Until such market realities are tested, however, the new products are being greeted with optimism.


Hamilton expects 'hot' race day this weekend

                KUALA LUMPUR: The heat is on for this weekend's grand prix as triple world champion Lewis Hamilton said that "it's going to be a hot race" at a Petronas meet-and-greet session today with teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton was referring to the Malaysian weather as well as implying a fight to the finish at this weekend's grand prix in Sepang.

"It's so hot right now and I expect it will be even hotter on race day. Being in the cockpit we can expect the temperature to be over 60 degrees Celcius," said Hamilton.

 From left: Syed Zainal, Bottas, Holthusen and Hamilton.

Both drivers expressed sadness that this will be their last time racing in Sepang as it is one of the most challenging and exciting circuits in Formula One.

Also present at the event was Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin, vice president, marketing, downstream business Petronas; Datuk Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus, chief executive office and managing director of Petronas Dagangan Berhad and Eric Holthusen, head, group project delivery & technology, Petronas Lubricants International.

The event also showcased the Petronas Syntium engine oil - designed for Formula One and now available to the public - which has been formulated to handle excessive engine heat and maintain optimum performance whether on the race track or the road.


Kia reveals sketches of new K900

                SEOUL: To many in Europe, the idea of Kia producing a car aimed at competing directly with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series would once have seemed like a bit of a silly idea.

But when the South Korean automaker came up with the Stinger late last year, it started to change how people think about the brand, so a luxury sedan to take on Germany's finest might not sound as preposterous an idea as it once may have.

In fact, Kia has had such a model in its range for a few years now, but the K900 isn't currently offered for sale in Europe. Now the company has released sketches of a next-generation K900, so don't rule this one out from going global in the future.

At the moment, the K900 (or K9 or Quoris as it's known in non-English speaking markets) is sold in South Korea, the Middle East, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Russia, the United States and Canada. There are plans to launch it in China too, but probably under yet another name.

Kia teased the profile of the second-generation K900 last month, and now some more expansive renderings have been released. The new model is a joint effort between the company's global design office in Namyang and its US design studio in Irvine, California, and it looks to be taking the car even further upmarket in a more concerted effort to compete with established German rivals.

There's no getting away from the fact the lines of the new model are decidedly German-influenced, to say the least. And that's likely to be largely due to the company's head of design, Peter Schreyer, who used to work for Audi and counts the TT among his previous credits.

Apparently, the images are a close representation of the production model that will go on sale in the second quarter of this year.

It could be unveiled at the New York Auto Show as that's one of the last big shows before Q2. But perhaps the most surprising thing about the car is that it's being produced at all.

In 2017 for example, the K900 sold just 455 units in the important US market, which is an extremely low number and made it the eighth worst-selling car in America last year. If nothing else, Kia deserves credit for its belief and persistence.


Reworked Audi Q7 adds 213bhp TDI engine

                BERLIN: Audi’s latest Q7 SUV gets a new more efficient 213bhp version of a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, which joins the current 267bhp Q7, and is available in SE and S-line specification.

The order books for the 213bhp Q7 is now open in the UK with first deliveries scheduled from October onwards with a price tag of £47,755 (RM300,000) on-the-road.

The new V6 TDI engine is able to produce 213bhp from 3,250 to 4,750rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1,250 to 3,000rpm – while mated to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.

Modifications have been applied to the new Q7 and include the water pump, oil cooler and combustion process to name a few.

The new Q7 is now 325kg-ligtetr than its predecessor, with 213bhp available from

As for the SE version, it gets 19-inch alloy wheels while the S-line gets a set of 20-inch upgrades, however, the German carmaker has also made smaller 18-inch wheels available to further improve fuel economy readings.

Weighing 325kg-ligtetr than its predecessor, the new Q7 has had its weight shaved off from areas such as the suspension and drivetrain components to the body panels.

The most notable savings were made in the multi-material body-in-white, which is 71kg lighter than before, in the all-aluminium doors which strip away 24kg and in the chassis with its sophisticated new five-link suspension – now subtracting 67kg.

At this point, the Q7 is able to sprint from 0-100kph in just 7.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 216kph.

Standard specifications includes MMI Navigation Plus with an 8.3-inch electrically retractable monitor MMI Touch, Audi connect, Audi drive select, keyless go, parking system plus and powered tailgate.

The S-line versions are fitted with all-weather LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and S-line styling enhancements.

Other optional extras include Audi Virtual Cockpit, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel-steering.

The adaptive air suspension is managed by a self-locking differential that sends 40% of power to the front and the rest to the rear under normal driving conditions, but it can send 70% of power to the front as well as 85% to rear.

With all-wheel-steering, low speeds sees the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions to increase manoeuvrability, while at high speeds the rear wheels turn with the front by up to 3.5 degrees for better steering response and stability.

Furthermore the SE and S-Line variants get MMI radio plus incorporating a DAB module and linked to the 10-speaker Audi sound system as well as electrically operated and heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar support.

There’s even cruise control, light and rain sensors, the Audi parking system plus with front and rear visual and acoustic guidance, hill descent control and keyless go.

The S-line adds front sports seats upholstered in pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara as well as privacy glass.


Honda City Sport hybrid launched at RM89,200

                PETALING JAYA: The Honda City Sport Hybrid i-DCD is priced at RM89,200 without insurance, and is now open for booking at all 91 Honda dealers nationwide.

To test-drive the City Hybrid at selected dealers, click HERE.

To test-drive the Jazz Hybrid at selected dealers, click HERE.

The colour options for the City Hybrid are Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.

Meanwhile, warranty for the City Hybrid is 5 years with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals.

The City Hybrid has 8 years warranty for its lithium-ion battery, in addition to the standard vehicle warranty.

Together with the recently launched Honda Jazz Sport hybrid, Malaysia once again becomes the only country outside of Japan to introduce this new hybrid powertrain in a City.

The City Sport Hybrid i-DCD joins the New Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD as the only sporty hybrids in Malaysia priced below RM90,000.

The new City, which was launched in Malaysia in March this year, has been very successful with over 12,000 units sold in four months.

Over 115,800 units of the 4th generation City have been sold since its launch in Malaysia in March 2014.

The new City Hybrid is the second hybrid model introduced this year after the Jazz Hybrid, and is the fifth new model in Honda Malaysia’s product line-up for 2017.

The City Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Integrated High Power Motor.

The DCT is shift-by-wire, for a sporty and quicker response feel.

This powertrain delivers up to 137ps and 170Nm torque, which is equivalent to a 1.8-litre engine.

The fuel efficiency of the New City Hybrid is recorded at 3.9 litres per 100km (UN R101 test result).

Paddle Shifters in the City Hybrid makes upshift and downshift during overtaking easier; it also allows engine braking during downshift and powerful acceleration during upshift.

This hybrid variant is packaged with an advanced 3D Meter Design (Multi-Information Display) to provide a variety of information such as Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customisation and ECO Display at a glance.

The City Hybrid maintains the City’s large boot space at 536 litres, (the same as the petrol variant and biggest in its segment), even with the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) battery placed underneath it.

This model is built on Honda’s unique centre tank layout design to maximise space.

The City Hybrid also comes with 6.8-inch Display Audio, Touch Panel Air-Conditioning, Daytime Running Lights, LED Tail Lights, and 16-inch Dual Tone Alloy Wheels.

Safety features include four airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Reverse Camera and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).


Taxi, rental car licence applications open from April 18 to June 30

                KUALA LUMPUR: Applications for taxi and rental car licences will be open from April 18 to June 30 to meet public demand, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the demand was fuelled by people who want their own taxi licences – including existing taxi drivers.

"In an effort to boost the taxi industry, the Transport Ministry through the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) has agreed that the taxi and rental car class licence applications will be open to the public under 'sole proprietorship and partnership'," he said in a statement today.

Dr Wee said applications will be open at all Apad offices and counters at state Road Transport Department (JPJ) branches.

"For now, the approval quota for the licences is set at 1,000 licences this year (2022).

"Apad will analyse all applications after the closing date and if the number of eligible applications that meet the requirements exceeds the quota, they will reconsider the quota limit.

"The application conditions this time are different as Apad has abolished the requirement of one to three years' experience driving a taxi or rental car under the Taxi Industry Transformation Programme," he said.

He added that however, other conditions are still imposed to ensure applicant participation remains competitive and of quality to provide the best service to passengers.

"The opening of this application is expected to help current taxi drivers have their own individual licences as well give the opportunity to new drivers, especially the younger generation, to join the public transport sector," he said.

For further details visit the Apad official portal at www.apad.gov.my.


Mercedes unveils refreshed A-Class

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the facelifted A-Class along with its AMG variant.

The A-Class remains available as a hatchback and as a sedan.

It comes with the latest generation of MBUX

The front view is dominated by the forward-sloping bonnet with its two power bulges and steep 'shark nose', the redesigned radiator grille with star pattern and the flat headlamps, available as an option in an LED variant.

The sporty character is underlined by externally flush wheels with four additional rim designs in sizes up to 19 inches, including optional high-gloss black painted light-alloy wheels in multi-spoke design and with a high-gloss rim flange for the AMG Line.

It comes with a new rear diffuser and standard LED rear lights.

The high-class exterior is complemented by a variety of non-metallic/metallic and MANUFAKTUR paint finishes.

The cabin highlight is the standard freestanding dual-screen display with a 7-inch and the larger 10.25-inch display taking centre stage.

Optional are two 10.25-inch displays that appear to float with their wide-screen look.

The internal architecture, which is unique in this class, gives rise to a special lighting ambience that is perhaps reminiscent of the illumination of a futuristic building at night.

The revised steering wheel of the current steering wheel generation, in nappa leather as standard, is compact and matches the high-tech character of the redesigned centre console.

Even in the base variant, Mercedes-Benz offers a high-quality comfort seat whose new, three-dimensionally embossed ARTICO upholstery further emphasises the sportiness of the vehicle.

The Progressive trim level offers three different interior colours: black, a luxurious-looking beige and the new, zeitgeisty sage grey. A new, dark carbon-fibre look trim element further enhances both the instrument panel and the doors in these models.

The AMG Line is designed for performance and features bright brushed aluminium trim and red contrasting topstitching in the Artico/Microcut seats.

The comfort seats feature fabrics in the centre section that are made from 100 percent recycled material. In the case of Artico/Microcut seats, this proportion is 65 percent in the surface of the seat and 85 percent in the material underneath.

Even in its standard specification, the new A-Class offers many included features, for example a reversing camera, the USB Package or the steering wheel in nappa leather. From the Progressive trim level upwards, customers can also look forward to LED headlamps, a seat with lumbar support, the Parking Package and the Mirror Package as standard.

Overall, Mercedes has again significantly simplified the offer logic for the equipment packages in order to reduce the time-consuming selection of many individual options.

Functional features that are frequently ordered together are now bundled into equipment packages on the basis of actual buyer behaviour. Further functional options are available in addition. Where design options such as paint finish, upholstery, trim and wheels are concerned, customers can still configure their vehicles individually as before.

Mercedes-Benz said the latest generation of MBUX is intuitive to operate and capable of learning.

Display styles have been revised - Classic with all relevant driver information, Sporty with the dynamic rev counter, Discreet with reduced content, three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service) and seven colour worlds. The central display offers all previous functions such as navigation, media, phone, vehicle, etc. and can be operated directly as a touchscreen.

The telematics system has been revised and comes with improved performance.

A new feature is the integration of a fingerprint sensor (expected to be available from the 1st quarter of 2023) for the identification and authorisation of the driver.

Connectivity with smartphones is possible via Apple Carplay or Android Auto Wireless, and for further connectivity an additional USB-C port has been added and the USB charging capacity increased once again.

Initially available exclusively in Germany, the new audio travel guide "Tourguide", part of the "MBUX Voice Assistant" from Mercedes me, adds an exciting feature to the previous travel information functions.

In response to the voice command "Hey Mercedes, start Tourguide", the MBUX infotainment system reads out extensive information about points of interest along the route and reacts to the 3,400 brown tourist information signs along the German highways, among other things.

The new A-Class has also been given an update in terms of safety assistance. With the upgrade of the Driver Assistance Package, for example, the control of the Lane Keeping Assist is much more comfortable by using the Active Steering Control.

The next generation of the Parking Package supports longitudinal parking and offers, among other things, 360-degree visualisation for camera-assisted parking using 3D images.

The new A-Class has also received an update with respect to its engines. The petrol engine range has been electrified throughout and includes four-cylinder units with a 7- or 8-speed DCT automatic as standard. As mild hybrids, these are equipped with an additional 48-volt electrical system that supports agility when starting off with 10 kW more power.

The new belt-driven starter-generator (RSG) noticeably improves the comfort and experience for customers of the new A-Class.

During starting operations, for example, the RSG ensures a lower-vibration and quieter start than conventional starters. In addition, it allows 'sailing' with the combustion engine switched off during steady cruising.

During braking and overrun, the RSG recuperates and supplies the 12-volt on-board network and the 48-volt battery. The energy thus generated can be used during acceleration processes to support the combustion engine.

The new A-Class takes another big step with the plug-in hybrid drives A 250 e Hatchback and A 250 e Saloon.

The high-voltage battery has been improved once again, so that the higher usable energy content leads to an increase in the electric range. The power of the electric motor has been increased by 5 kW and now reaches a driveline power of 80 kW.

As far as charging is concerned, there are still three options available: in addition to the 3.7 kW standard, the improved battery can now also be charged with alternating current and up to 11 kW, instead of only 7.4 kW as before.

The new A-Class also continues to offer the option of charging the battery with direct current and up to 22 kW. A DC charge from 10% to 80% takes around 25 minutes.

The top model Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ benefit from a refresh from Affalterbach. With its revised look, the A 35 moves even closer to the AMG family and is still available as a hatchback and as a saloon, while the A 45 S is available as a hatchback as before.

The AMG variants comes with revised front headlamps, AMG-specific radiator grille and the new, round badge with the AMG emblem instead of the Mercedes star with a laurel wreath.

In addition, a new front apron and the power bulges familiar from the A 45 provide the A 35 with a new, coherent AMG face. The AMG look is underlined by the new wheel design, the rear spoiler lip, revised rear headlamps and the hallmark round exhaust pipes (twin-flow on the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+).

As standard, the new Mercedes-AMG A-Class offers the AMG Performance steering wheel including AMG steering wheel buttons, with which the driver can control AMG-specific features such as the three-stage ESP or AMG Dynamics - without taking their hand off the steering wheel. In addition, the familiar AMG performance seat is now also available in the trendy sage grey colour.

There is also an engine update in the Mercedes-AMG A-Class. In line with the production models, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 is equipped with a 48-volt auxiliary power supply and belt-driven starter-generator (RSG) and achieves an output of 225 kW/306hp with a maximum torque of 400Nm.

As a mild hybrid, the RSG supports agility with 10 kW more power at start-up. In addition, an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed transmission is now on board and the new front radiator facilitates temperature management at the limit.

The new Mercedes-AMG A-Class also benefits from the latest MBUX generation: Increased performance, the integration of the fingerprint sensor (expected to be available from the 1st quarter of 2023) for profile authorisation in the central display, more USB charging power and the new hallmark AMG screen design.

For the market launch of the new Mercedes-AMG A-Class, a special version of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ will also be available exclusively and for a limited time.

The AMG Street Style Edition has extrovert and exclusive equipment elements. With the base paint in mountain grey magno and the edition-specific foiling with colour gradient in black/anthracite matt and colour accents in fluorescent orange, it emphasises the elements of the Aerodynamics Package.

The look is complemented by the newly designed 19-inch wheels in matt black and the bright red brake callipers.

Inside, the AMG Performance seat in black Microcut microfibre is adorned with seams and highlights in bright orange.

The AMG Performance steering wheel in leather/Microcut with contrasting orange stitching and the AMG trim elements in aluminium with the same pattern as the exterior foiling add further accents to the interior.

With its four cylinders, the AMG Street Style Edition produces 310 kW (421 hp) and comes with the AMG Aerodynamics Package, the AMG Night Package I and II and the stand-alone AMG fuel filler cap.


2015 LA Auto Show: Ford shows off new Escape

                LOS ANGELES: Ford presents its newly engineered Escape SUV (sport utility vehicle) with more driver-assist technologies, new mobile connectivity and two new EcoBoost engines.

The Escape has a wheelbase of 2,690mm while measuring 4,524mm-long, 2,078mm-wide and 1,684mm-tall, while coming in three variants such as the entry-level Escape S, the mid-range SE and range topping Titanium.

All three variants will come standard with a front-wheel drive system, a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and start-stop functionality to help boost fuel economy from four to six percent when in stop-go traffic.

However, only the SE and Titanium variants are able to use a four-wheel drive system as an option.

The Escape S carries over the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Duratec i-VCT four-cylinder engine from before, which sends 165bhp at 6,000rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,500rpm to the front wheels

Both SE and Titanium variants come standard with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, but the Titanium variant has the option of using a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine instead.

The turbocharged 1.5-litre EcoBoost aluminium engine has an integrated exhaust manifold, developing 178bhp at 5,700rpm and 250Nm of torque from 2,500rpm.

On the other hand, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine has had its compression ratio optimised for better combustion – providing 240bhp at 5,500rpm and 366Nm of torque at 3,000rpm, along with improvements in terms of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

Also in the equipment list is Ford’s SYNC Connect that allows owners to perform a bevy of things such as unlocking doors, check fuel levels, battery charge, tyre pressure, vehicle parking location and scheduled vehicle start – all via a smartphone.

In terms of safety, Ford has crammed in additional driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, brake support, a lane-keeping system and an enhanced active park assist.

Furthermore, it also includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system and driver alert system.

To enhance the cabin further, Ford has included a Sport Appearance Package for the SE and Titanium variants, by combining Charcoal Black with subtle Deep Space black for the Escape Titanium.

Also available will be Salerno leather seats that feature a unique horizontal pattern and Titanium owners may opt for Medium Stone seats to help add contrast with the black interior.

The Escape will be offered in three new colours of Canyon Ridge, White Gold and Lightning Blue and six new wheel designs (from 17 to 19-inch).

Such designs for 17-inch wheels include Steel Wheel with Sparkle Silver Cover and Painted Sparkle Silver Alloy, while 18-inch wheels get Painted Sparkle Nickel Alloy and Bright PVD/Chrome Alloy and 19-inch wheels get Painted Luster Nickel Alloy.


Jaguar F-PACE is 2017 World Car of the Year

NEW YORK: The graphic says it all. The first Jaguar crossover has won the 2017 World Car of the Year.  It also took home the award for best design.

The announcement was made on the first media day of the New York International Auto Show today. The show opens to the public from April 14-23.

The F-PACE had competed against the VW Tiguan and Audi Q5 for the top award.

The World Car Awards jury comprises influential motoring journalists.

The F-PACE is Jaguar’s first performance SUV and has contributed to record sales growth by attracting new customers to the brand.

These awards come after a record-breaking year for Jaguar in North America, with 2016 sales up 116 percent and a breakout performance of the F-PACE, which became the brand’s top seller in its first year.

In 2017, this momentum continues with Jaguar sales up 132 percent in March for the brand’s best sales month since 2003.

Aside from the usual five categories being contested - World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Green Car, World Car Design and World Car of the Year - a sixth category has been added for the first time, World Urban Car.

 The BMW i3 (94Ah) won the first World Urban Car award.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class won in World Luxury Car award; the Porsche Boxster Cayman in the World Performance Car award; the Toyota Prius Prime in the World Green Car award; and the BMW i3 (94Ah)  in the World Urban Car award.

In another first for the awards event, it served as the opener for the New York show this year.

The World Car started its 2017 awards programme at the Paris Auto Show in September 2016, followed by a short stop in Los Angeles in mid-November for a joint manufacturer test drive that allowed jury members the opportunity to evaluate two dozen eligible vehicles.

READ MORE:
Jaguar F-PACE arrives in Malaysia
CarSifu drives Jaguar F-PACE in Montenegro


Govt eases some MCO rules, but no ‘balik kampung’ travel or large gatherings still

                PUTRAJAYA: The government has announced that some conditions of the movement control order (MCO) that was first introduced on March 18 would be relaxed.

However, inter-state travel, including to return to hometowns for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, would still be barred, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The only exceptions for interstate travel would be for those who need to get to work or need to return home after having been stranded in their hometowns and other places in the first phase of the MCO.

"Schools, colleges and higher educational institutions will remain closed," said Muhyiddin.

Under the new “conditional MCO”, all religious activities, sports and recreational activities involving large gatherings would still not be allowed, he said in his Labour Day speech here today.

“It will be difficult to practise social distancing in industries and businesses involving mass gatherings and body contact.

“Among these businesses are cinemas, reflexology services, entertainment outlets, night clubs, theme parks, Ramadan and Aidilfiti bazaars, sales carnivals and all forms of conferences and exhibitions," said Muhyiddin.

Sporting activities which involve gatherings, body contact and the possibilities of infection are still not allowed.

"This includes football, rugby, swimming and all indoor and stadium sports.

"Outdoor sporting activities which do not involve body contact and mass gatherings are allowed," he added.

Outdoor badminton and tennis without spectators are allowed.

"Jogging, cycling, golf and jogging in small groups of not more than 10 people are allowed provided there is social distancing and no body contact," said Muhyiddin.

He also said that all social, community and cultural events such as kenduri (feasts), open houses, breaking of fasts in a gathering, concerts, cultural shows, monthly assemblies of civil and private sectors, officiating events and gatherings are still not allowed.

"All religious activities such as processions, Friday prayers and gatherings in mosques, surau and worship houses are not allowed," he added.

However, the Prime Minister also announced that almost all economic sectors and business activities will be allowed to resume business, subject to conditions and a standard operating procedure (SOP), with effect from May 4.

Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision was made following advice from the Health Ministry and after lengthy discussions during Economic Action Council, National Security Council and Cabinet meetings.

"I am saying almost all because there will be industries and businesses that will not be allowed to operate. These are businesses that involves the presence of a lot of people where body contact and social distancing will be difficult to exercise," he said in his special address.

Among the new measures, restaurants would be allowed to reopen from May 4 onwards, but must enforce social distancing.

Muhyiddin also noted that the nation is losing about RM2.4bil daily during MCO, enforced to break the spread of Covid-19 infections, with the total loss so far estimated at about RM63bil.

The full list of businesses and activities that will not be allowed to operate can be obtained at the National Security Council website www.mkn.gov.my.


Maserati updates 2019 Levante with new styling and kit

                The Levante is Maserati's most important car nowadays, accounting for just over half of the Italian luxury sports marque's global sales in 2017 and driving annual deliveries to record highs since the SUV (sport utility vehicle) was launched in 2016.

It is Maserati's first and only SUV, and with intense competition in the luxury sports SUV segment, it's no surprise that only two years after its launch, the Levante gets some driving assistance, styling and trim updates for model year 2019 to improve its appeal to deep-pocketed buyers.

These updates include the standard Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC), which is already available on the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans.

Rather than simply correcting vehicle instability, the IVC function helps prevent it, thus providing enhanced active safety and improved driving dynamics.

Another update is a redesigned gearshift lever, also found in the monstrous V8 engined Levante Trofeo - the fastest Levante ever, which features a more intuitive shift pattern and shorter travel.

READ MORE:

2019 Maserati Levante S: Carsifu drives the SUV in England

2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Maserati MC12 GT1 Centenario

2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Maserati Levante GTS world premiere

The redesigned gearshift lever gives the driver the option to use the eight-speed ZF gearbox in automatic or manual mode by shifting the lever from right to left, and while a new P button conveniently puts the car in parking mode.

This redesigned gearshift lever is now also found in the all 2019 Ghibli and Quattroporte variants.

Meanwhile, the MTC+ infotainment system on the Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte gets updated display graphics and improved climate control system ergonomics.

The MTC+ infotainment system uses a high resolution 8.4-inch multi-touch screen and a double rotary knob on the centre console.

For the first time, Maserati is offering as an option, the full-grain Pieno Fiore leather, which is said to be incomparable to any other material in the automotive industry for its natural and soft feel.

The Pieno Fiore leather is standard in the Levante Trofeo and available as an option in all Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte versions in three colours (black, red and tan).

Adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights are also optional on the 2019 Levante range while two new exterior colours, the iconic Rosso Potente and the deep dark Blu Nobile, are now available.

Compared to bi-xenon headlamps, LED technology offers 20% better visibility, 32% cooler light and headlights with double life expectancy.

Also, Adaptive full LED Matrix headlights with Glare Free technology provide longer-lasting, more natural light with substantially improved visibility compared to bi-xenon headlights.

There's a restyled GranSport badged exterior (also seen on the new V8 engined versions) for the Levante, with an elegant, sport-oriented re-styling that is focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper.

The side air intakes in the lower fascia feature a more aggressive design while the side bezel blades and the splitter help to improve the airflow distribution.

The rear end also looks wider and more muscular with a sharper horizontal element and lower extractor that embrace the exhaust tips.

The GranSport badged Levante and the new V8 versions are also standard fitted with red painted calipers.


BMW Shorties is back

                KUALA LUMPUR: From now to Sept 18, BMW Shorties is showcasing a collection of BMW Shorties films from the years of 2011 through to 2019 on Astro GO, celebrating the creative talents of  Malaysian film and digital content makers.

As Malaysia’s longest running short film and digital content competition, the BMW Shorties is a creative initiative by BMW Group Malaysia to uncover and support local content creators.

BMW Group Malaysia head of corporate communications Sashi Ambi said the collaboration with Astro was timely, especially with the Merdeka and Hari Malaysia celebrations taking place around the corner.

Sharmin Parameswaran, vice-president of VOD/PPV & International at Astro said the station was delighted to work with the BMW Shorties to showcase the work of talented local filmmakers and digital content creators to a wider Malaysian.

The 30 BMW Shorties short films that are featured on Astro GO are:

1. Guang by Quek Shio Chuan,
2. Murdered by Chua Dick Woei,
3. Sid & Barry by Quek Shio Chuan,
4. Hidup Bersama by Lau Ming Yeow,
5. Putus by Muhammad Ezmeer Bin Abd Rahman,

6. 32°C Fall In Love by Tan Seng Kiat,
7. Pejam Pelik by Mohd Khairul Azri Md Noor,
8. Rozita Binti Roslan by Taufiq Kamal,
9. Fish by Gan Yu Long,
10. Koci 5 Ringgit by Khairul Azaharuddin bin Ariffin,
11. Gigi by Audrie Yeo,
12. Short & Sweet by Balachandran S.K. Sivalingam,

13. TUCK by Gordon Ling Fu Chur,
14. Terminal by Caston J,
15. Hawa by Tan Ce Ding,
16. Roundabout by Liew Yew Yin,
17. Never Was The Shade by Lim Kean Hian,
18. SELAM 2.0 by Lor Yew Mien,

19. Desakan Dewasa by Johanna Johan Ariffin,
20. Touch by Wilson Tai,
21. Gold! There is Gold in the River by Mallory Lee,
22. Colourless by Ananth Subramaniam,
23. Burn by Ng Kwok Yong,

24. Handbag by Mohd Khairul Anuar,
25. Kampung Aman by Sherwynn Victor and Michael Lourdes,
26. PACE by Ekin Charles,
27. Di Sini Aku by Putri Purnama Sugua,
28. Ralat the Musical by Khairi Anwar,
29. Pemburungan by Chulat,
30. SATU by John Hafiz

In addition to the special showcase of these BMW Shorties short films on Astro GO, the BMW Shorties is also making its highly-anticipated return for its 16th year running – with the 2022 theme, “RE:IMAGINE”!

The grand prize winner of the BMW Shorties will once again be awarded a production grant of RM80,000 to produce a BMW Shorties-funded short film.

More details will be revealed in the coming weeks, so for all aspiring creators and fans out there, do keep an eye out on the official BMW Shorties Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BMWShorties and Instagram account at www.instagram.com/bmwshorties.


High raw material prices having a 'big' impact, says Panasonic boss

                TOKYO: Rising prices for raw materials, including nickel and copper, accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine were having a "big" impact on Panasonic Corp, with the Japanese industrial giant only able to pass on some of those increases to its customers, the CEO said.

"We are able to pass on costs to some business clients depending on our contracts. Passing higher prices on to consumers is more difficult," said Yuki Kusumi, who oversees a company that makes products ranging from Tesla Inc's electric vehicle batteries to washing machines.

Panasonic, Kusumi said at a roundtable briefing, was responding by improving manufacturing machinery to help absorb the extra expense, but those measures were not enough to cover big price increases.

The global price of nickel, much of it supplied by Russia to make batteries, has soared this year, reaching more than US$100,000 a tonne in March.

Panasonic said in February that its third quarter operating profit slid 44% partly because of rising material costs. The company is expected to release results for the year that ended March 31 next month.

Kusumi, who became CEO last year, released his first mid-term business strategy this month, including a commitment to invest in auto battery production, supply chain software services and air purifier and air conditioner business.


Mercedes-Benz ahead of BMW in US luxury car sales

                DETROIT: Daimler AG is coping with the coronavirus pandemic’s disruption to the US luxury-car market better than its German rival, registering half the magnitude of sales decline BMW AG sustained in the first half of the year.

Sales at Daimler AG’s luxury brand fell 14% in the first six months compared with BMW’s 28% plunge. After posting much better second-quarter numbers today, Mercedes leads BMW by almost 18,000 vehicles.

Mercedes is benefiting from a refreshed lineup, with the automaker having given a face lift to its top-selling GLE and GLC crossovers in the past year.

Sales of the three-row GLS SUV also jumped 36% in the second quarter. Virus-related lockdowns in key luxury markets including New York, New Jersey and California were still a challenge for all premium brands.

BMW, which won the US luxury sales crown last year for the first time since 2015, said sales of its big three-row SUV, the X7, slumped 38% in the second quarter, while deliveries of its mid-size X3 crossover fell 45%.

US sales for Audi, the luxury division for Volkswagen AG, fell 35% from April through June and were down 25% for the year. Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus sales fell 35% for the quarter and 21% in the first half.


Half of electric car charging stations are insufficient, German tests show

                BERLIN: To be able to charge your electric car at home, you need a charging station, called a wallbox, which is mounted on a garage or carport wall and is connected to the power grid.

However, with so many options on the market, a study by German safety organisation ADAC, found problems with every second wallbox model on sale.

While dealers often provide these boxes along with the car, other providers also sell e-car charging stations, which ADAC says can be problematic.

In a test of 12 wallboxes costing between 303 and 1,903 euros (RM1,430-RM9,000) and providing a charging power of between 3.7 and 22 kilowatts (kW), half were not deemed as "sufficient."

Reasons for failing this test included safety deficiencies — such as being a fire hazard — and, while the cheapest device proved as sub-standard, one wallbox on sale for more than US$1,500 (RM6,300) also failed ADAC's test.

The best performers were the 11-kW "ABL eMH1" box for around US$1,000 (RM4,200), the "Keba KeContact P30" for a maximum of 4.6-kW charging power for around US$850 (RM3,540) and the 22-kW "Mennekes Amtron Xtra for around US$2,150 (RM8,942) — the most expensive in the test.

Three other boxes are "good", the cheapest of which is the "Wallbe Eco 2.0" with a maximum of 3.7 kW charging power for around US$550 (RM2,290).

The installation of the wallboxes may only be carried out by a qualified electrician, says the ADAC, who advise motorists to use universal 11-kW systems as they are a good compromise between performance and costs.

(Note: Video in German language)


Cheaper RON95 petrol in Jan 2019

                PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians can start 2019 on a bright note as RON95 petrol price is expected to drop because of falling crude oil prices.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government at present sets fuel prices on a monthly basis and this will only be reflected the following month.

However, it will switch back to a weekly float for the RON95 petrol price from Jan 1 onwards. Lim said this will allow consumers to benefit faster from reductions in the fuel prices.

Should crude oil prices go up, the Government would subsidise fuel by capping RON95 petrol price at RM2.20 per litre and diesel at RM2.18 per litre, said Lim.


April 13-19: RON97 petrol up 5 sen, rest unchanged

                PETALING JAYA: The price of RON97 petrol is up 5 sen per litre, while the prices of RON95 and diesel remain the same for the week starting Saturday.

In a statement today, the Finance Ministry said the price of RON97 petrol would increase to RM2.68 per litre, up from RM2.63 per litre, while RON95 petrol and diesel prices are maintained at RM2.08 and RM2.18 per litre respectively.

The Finance Ministry said that based on the new Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), the prices of RON95 and diesel from April 13 to April 19 should have been RM2.38 and RM2.39 per litre respectively.


Honda Hybrid and EV batteries get second life

                PARIS: Honda Motor Europe is expanding its battery recycling partnership with SNAM (Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux) to advance the sustainable usability of its end-of-life traction batteries.

The pan-European arrangement will see SNAM collect and recycle batteries from the Japanese carmaker's increasing number of hybrid and electric vehicles and either potentially prepare them for 'second-life' renewable energy storage uses or extract valuable materials for recycling if they are not suitable for that purpose.

Honda and SNAM have worked together since 2013, to ensure the traceability of end-of-life batteries and dispose of them in accordance with European Union (EU) environmental standards.

The expansion of this agreement will see SNAM collect Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries from across Honda's dealer network and Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATF) in 22 countries, before analysing how suitable they are for recycling and processing them accordingly.

Safe and low carbon transport is utilised for the collection of used traction batteries. On arrival, SNAM assesses which battery packs are valid for inclusion in a new energy storage device. These are then repurposed and made available by SNAM for domestic and industrial applications.

When battery cells are damaged and unsuitable for ‘second life’ applications, materials such as cobalt and lithium can be extracted using hydrometallurgy techniques involving the use of aqueous chemistry.

These can be reused in the production of new batteries, colour pigments or as useful additives for mortar.

Other commonly used materials including copper, metal and plastics are recycled and offered to the market for use in the production of a variety of applications.

Dealers can arrange and request the collection of end-of-life batteries for treatment and recycling through SNAM's dedicated online platform.

Collection can be arranged from centralised storage hubs within 15 working days so that dealers do not have to store batteries at their premises.

The agreement applies to large ‘traction’ batteries used to power motors in hybrid and electric vehicles, as opposed to smaller batteries used for ignition in petrol or diesel cars.

SNAM is supportive of Honda’s future battery initiatives that take on an eco-conscious design so that the environmental sound treatment of these batteries at the end of their useful life can be guaranteed.

“As demand for Honda’s expanding range of hybrid and electric cars continues to grow so does the requirement to manage batteries in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. Recent market developments may allow us to make use of these batteries in a second life application for powering businesses or by using recently improved recycling techniques to recover useful raw materials which can be used as a feedstock into the production of new batteries,” said Honda Motor Europe senior vice president Tom Gardner.