Elon Musk says he is disconnecting from Twitter

Musk appears to favour Reddit now. — AFP
SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla chief Elon Musk fired off a tweet on Friday indicating that he is disconnecting from Twitter, perhaps in favour of popular news and discussion platform Reddit.

Kicking the Twitter habit would be a radical change for the colourful serial entrepreneur who is known for tweeting so freely that he landed in hot water with the US Securities and Exchange Commission which accused him of misleading investors on the platform.

"Not sure about good of Twitter," Musk told his more than 29 million followers in a series of rapid-fire tweets.

"Reddit still seems good."

"Going offline," Musk concluded.

Musk is being sued for defamation in Los Angeles by a man who helped in the dramatic rescue of 12 boys trapped in an underwater cave in Thailand last year.

Musk called the British caver a "pedo guy" on Twitter following a highly public spat between the two after Musk travelled to Thailand and offered to assist in rescue efforts.

Musk said in a court filing last month that he did not mean to accuse the caver of pedophilia when he referred to him as "pedo guy."

In the filing, Musk claimed the term was a common insult used in South Africa when he was growing up, synonymous with "creepy old man."

The case is set to go to trial on Dec 2.

Musk's trouble with the SEC meanwhile stems from multiple tweets.

In February 2018 he posted that Tesla would make 500,000 cars in 2019 - up from the 400,000 that the company had estimated until then, an apparent increase on a benchmark tied to profitability, which elicited a rebuke from the SEC.

In a separate Twitter incident the following August, Musk claimed on the platform that he had secured funding to take Tesla private, which was quickly aborted, leading the SEC to accuse him of defrauding investors.

The SEC subsequently required Musk to step down as chairman and pay US$20 million to settle charges over the matter.

Musk and the SEC early this year reached a deal to settle their differences over his Twitter use.

The agreement set out clearer guidelines on topics Musk should avoid on Twitter or other social media, including statements about acquisitions, mergers, new products and production numbers.

Musk's Friday farewell tweet was met with thousands of replies, many expressing sadness and urging him to make his next online commentary platform definitively known.


BMW to make electric MINI in China

                BERLIN: The new electric MINI will be made in China in a partnership with Great Wall Motors and the combustion-engined version will be built in Britain, owner BMW has announced.

Externally distinguishable in detail only, both MINI models will go on sale next year in three-door form with a slightly longer wheelbase and shorter length.

Details of the electric versions emerged during prototype test drives in the Arctic Circle at Arjeplog in Sweden.

Designed with a Chinese platform and the powertrain from Great Wall Motors, the electric MINI will be available in two versions.

The MINI Cooper E comes with 135 kW/185hp and 40kWh battery, with range given as 300km or as the Cooper SE with 165 kW/225hp and 50kWh. This set-up should enable a range of 400km.

The current electric MINI can only manage a top speed of 150kph, but future models will be significantly quicker, the manufacturer said. Both electric and combustion-engined versions will be offered as convertibles.

MINI is also planning to produce two new crossovers MINI models in China and another two at its British plant.


Kia K8 interior teased

                SEOUL: Kia has teased the interior of its up-coming K8 luxury sedan.

The South Korean car maker which recently rejuvenated its branding, showed a luxurious interior featuring a panoramic curved display that links a 12-inch digital cluster with a 12-inch infotainment system.

Its detailed wood trimming also helps to create a feeling of calm and natural well-being within the K8 with state-of-the-art tech connects the car to the modern world.

Wood surfaces are stylistic elements directly inspired by modern yachts, were used to add depth and sophistication to the K8's cabin.

In addition to intricate diamond lattice design and Nappa leather, Kia’s innovative ‘Star Cloud’ lighting graces the K8 interior, projecting glittering and interactive ambient lighting on the door trim and dashboard areas.

The luxury model also debuts a new steering wheel design from Kia and the company’s contemporary new logo that expresses ‘symmetry’, ‘rhythm’ and ‘rising’ elements, embodying Kia’s confidence and renewed commitment to customers.

The K8 is the first-ever Kia vehicle to feature industry-leading audio from Meridian.

The 14-speaker premium sound system from the world-renowned British audio pioneer delivers the fine quality in-car surround sound and is another example of Kia’s upward journey in realising new levels of quality, technology and performance.

Kia senior vice-president and head of Global Design Centre Karim Habib said: “The interior of the K8 is a canvas for our ambition to define the future, nature meets modern technology, and refinement meets uncompromised comfort. It is a first-class travel space that fulfils the needs of the driver and passengers.”

“The K8 is a modern saloon with a dynamic exterior that is matched by its progressive and elegant interior. This car – our first since our new company rebranding – puts us on the path forward as we look to realise our future goals,” he said.

The K8 is due for market launch later this year.


2016 Detroit auto show: Ford unveils resurrected Lincoln Continental, targets China market

DETROIT: Ford Motor Co unveiled on Tuesday a new luxury flagship full-size Continental sedan aimed at Chinese and American consumers.

"We're not trying to out-German the Germans or try to be like anyone else," Ford chief executive Mark Fields told reporters at the Detroit auto show, declining to forecast sales volume for the revival of the Continental, a model that was discontinued in 2002.

Ford's US luxury sales have lagged those of foreign competitors including BMW AG and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz unit. Until the 1990s, Lincoln along with General Motors Co's Cadillac were far and away the US luxury sales leaders.

Fields said Ford has made "meaningful progress and significant momentum" in reviving the Lincoln brand.

Ford showed a concept version of the Continental last April.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker considered shuttering Lincoln in 2010, when it announced it would kill its Mercury brand. But Fields has made turning around Lincoln a key priority.

In 2014, Ford said it hoped to triple Lincoln's global sales by 2020 to 300,000 vehicles globally, from 100,000 in 2013.

Lincoln's US sales rose 7.1 percent last year to 101,227, the first time since 2008 they topped 100,000. Still that's about half the luxury automaker's record US sales of more than 200,000 in 1990.

Ford sold about 11,000 Lincoln vehicles in China last year, which was its first full year on sale in China. To attract more Chinese buyers, many who have drivers, Lincoln is offering Continental versions with enhanced backseat comfort and features including greater connectivity.

The new Continental will be built in Flat Rock, Michigan, and goes on sale in the fall in both China and the United States.

The new car is slightly smaller and lower than the flagship it replaces, the MKS. It is about a foot lower in the rear than the MKS.

The Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-litre V6 engine with twin turbochargers that produces a projected 400hp and 542Nm of torque is designed for smooth, responsive, yet quiet power.

Continental’s available all-wheel-drive system is paired with Dynamic Torque Vectoring that transfers torque on demand to the appropriate rear wheel when driving through corners – providing confident handling and stability.

Lincoln Drive Control provides the driver a choice of three settings – comfort, normal and sport – adapting steering and suspension settings to tailor ride and handling. Available adaptive steering helps optimise steering response, enabling the vehicle to react more smoothly and precisely to driver input.

There some 1.7 million large luxury sedans sold in 2015, and that will grow to about 1.9 million by 2020, said Eric Turner, US Lincoln brand manger, primarily fuelled by growth in China. About 400,000 large luxury sedans were sold in the US market.


Hino Motors and Yamato Transport launch new Safe Driving Training programme

                SENDAYAN: Hino Motors Sales Malaysia (HMSM) and Yamato Transport Malaysia (YTM), have created a new "Safe Driving Training" programme that leverages on both companies’ safety-related experience and capabilities.

The programme focuses on a driver aptitude test (DAT) in a training facility belonging to HMSM which is offered at the Hino Total Support Customer Center (HTSCC) in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan. Both HMSM and YTM have been working closely together since 1989.

The test is the first of its kind for the industry with HMSM aiming to help reduce the number of traffic incidents in the country.

HMSM cited figures from the Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department that Malaysia records the thirds most road-related fatalities in the world.

As outlined in the Road Safety Plan of Malaysia (2014-2020), the country looks to reduce the number of fatalities by 50% by 2020.

 Japanese embassy economics counsellor Hideto Nakajima trying out the Safe Driving Training programme.

The Japanese truck maker hopes that it can one day collaborate with the government to help make their programme mandatory (as it is in Japan) in order to help achieve and surpass the government's target.

The training program provided is conducted at HTSCC and includes safety-related content using a combination of driving aptitude diagnosis, training lectures, and vehicle training.

The training is based on each driver's driving characteristics, with the aim of further improving their knowledge, awareness, and driving skills for safer driving.

Specifically, instructors use the results of qualitative driving aptitude tests, and give awareness through quantitative on-the-job training, as well as facilitate improvement in their knowledge and consciousness of safe driving.

In addition, training results are shared with the drivers and business operators as an aid to their daily safe driving guidance.

In order to contribute to the development of a safe and secure vehicle operating society in Malaysia, the two companies are taking advantage of their joint experience in both Japan and Malaysia to launch an initiative for safe vehicle operation in the logistics and transport businesses.

In the future, both HMSM and YTM will continue to work together to further enhance their programs and content in order to achieve a safe and secure vehicle operating society in Malaysia.

According to HMSM managing director Atsushi Uchiyama and YTM managing director Takeshi Kitaoka, both MDs believe in the motto "Safety first. Profit later."

 From left: Uchiyama and Kitaoka.

"Please always remember that your family is waiting for you, so it is important to always keep this in your mind," added Kitaoka as a message to all drivers in the nation.

HTSCC was established in February 2015 as a test drive and training facility for customers and is the first permanent overseas facility able to carry out the programme outside of Japan.

 Hino SR1E 700 6x2 prime movers


Honda CR-V Mugen limited edition: RM153K

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia has launched a limited edition CR-V with Mugen body kit, available only in the 1.5-litre turbocharged 2WD variant.

Limited to only 300 units, the CR-V Mugen had made its first appearance at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018.

This limited edition SUV (sport utility vehicle) gets Mugen features such as a front under spoiler, front grille garnish, side garnish, rear under spoiler, rear upper wing and a Mugen emblem.

It comes in two colour options, namely White Orchid Pearl and newly introduced for the CR-V, Passion Red Pearl.

The CR-V Mugen is priced at RM152,900 (Passion Red Pearl) and RM153,300 (White Orchid Pearl).

Prices are on-the-road without insurance.

Meanwhile, customers who participate in CR-V test drives at Honda dealerships nationwide will stand a chance to win exclusive gifts worth up to RM100,000.

“Early this year, we introduced two special editions namely the Jazz Mugen and BR-V special edition. Based on the good market response, we have also introduced the limited edition for the CR-V. The enhancements on the special edition models present a fresher look for Honda models that will excite the market,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama.

The CR-V is the first model that was locally assembled by Honda Malaysia in 2003 and has sold more than 95,000 units as at June 2019.

The fifth generation CR-V was launched in 2017 and was the first model to be equipped with Honda Sensing advanced safety features.

Honda Malaysia has sold close to 27,000 units of the fifth generation CR-V as at June 2019, which maintains its top position in the non-national SUV segment.


New Honda Civic Type R finally makes world debut

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today held the world premiere of the all-new Civic Type R, which is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in September.

The world premiere was held online, with Honda highlighting the exterior and interior designs of the new car and the advancements made to the vehicle’s dynamic performance.

It said it would announce the power, performance and price soon.

The value proposition of the Type R was to achieve speed and driving pleasure.

Based on the Civic Hatchback, which has been well received in the market, low & wide packaging was further pursued to elevate driving performance for the Type R model.

Moreover, a forward field of vision with a wide view of the road was featured with an aim to provide information directly to the driver even while driving at a high range of speed.

Brawny fenders flare out over lightweight wheels wrapped in wider tires. A new more aggressive front bumper design features a sporty honeycomb grille mesh that echoes the intricate honeycomb trim inside the cabin. Larger front fender grilles and a new side sill design behind the front wheels enhances airflow efficiency. Its more aggressive stance is accentuated by wider rear doors exclusive to Type R, a redesigned rear spoiler, and a reshaped rear bumper that reveals its signature three round exhaust outlets and new rear diffuser.

Civic Type R will be available in five colors: Historic Championship White – a Type R exclusive finish revered by Honda enthusiasts, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl.

The interior design features red seats and floor carpets and “noiseless,” black-toned interior panels that enable the driver to focus on driving.

The front seats are designed with a three-dimensional polyhedral form to firmly support the body so that the driver and front passenger can feel complete confidence even while driving on a racing circuit at the vehicle’s full potential.

The seats are made of a suede-like seat surface material with a high friction coefficient to reduce body slippage in high-G situations such as cornering and sudden acceleration/deceleration.

As for the meter design, in addition to the standard display, +R mode-exclusive designs were adopted.

Placing the primary focus on enabling the driver to instantaneously recognise necessary information during sporty driving, including on a racing circuit, the upper part of the meter displays key information such as the engine rpm, rev indicator and gear position indicator, while the lower part functions as a multi-information display that can show vehicle information selected by the driver.

By adopting an illuminated rev indicator, the driver can obtain information intuitively without keeping close watch on the indicator, along with instantaneous visual recognition of the information.

To ensure the new Type R outperforms all previous Type Rs, the 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine designed exclusively for Type R was further refined to achieve higher output and responsiveness at the upper limit.

To achieve a thrilling driving experience, Honda refined drivability by improving a throttle that reacts immediately to driver input, and also by further advancing a feeling of control of the 6-speed manual transmission and the rev match control system.

Aerodynamics was further advanced to achieve well-balanced downforce both front and rear and a reduction of drag. Moreover, the lightweight and highly rigid body contributes to the high stability of the vehicle at high speeds.

The Honda LogR data logger provides real-time information on the mechanical movements of the vehicle and vehicle behavior resulting from the driver's input. Other key features include a stopwatch to record lap times and the ability to share driving videos.

Pricing and additional details on the 2023 Civic Type R will be provided closer to launch this fall.


Tesla’s Model 3 arrives with a surprise 499km range

                SAN FRANCISCO: Three hundred ten. That’s the electric range in miles (or 499km) of a US$44,000 (RM189,000) version of Tesla’s Model 3, unveiled in its final form Friday night. It’s a jaw-dropping new benchmark for cheap range in an electric car, and it’s just one of several surprises Tesla had in store as it handed over the keys to its first 30 customers.

Tesla has taken in more than 500,000 deposits at US$1,000 a piece, chief executive officer Elon Musk told reporters ahead of the event. This has created a daunting backlog that could take more than a year to fulfill-and that was before Musk took the stage in front of thousands of employees, owners, and reservation-holders to lift the curtain on the company’s most monumental achievement yet.

“We finally have a great, affordable, electric car-that’s what this day means,” Musk said. “I’m really confident this will be the best car in this price range, hands down. Judge for yourself.”

Two battery types

Tesla has simplified the manufacturing process “dramatically,” Musk said. In the same factory space where Tesla can build 50,000 Model S or Model X cars, it will soon be able to produce 200,000 Model 3s. Part of that is due to a simplified package of options.

The car comes in two battery types: standard and extended range. Here’s how they break down:

> Standard Battery: Price: US$35,000 (RM150,000); Range: 220 miles/354km (EPA estimated) Supercharging rate: 130 miles/209km in 30 minutes Zero to 60 mph time: 5.6 seconds

> Long Range Battery: Price: US$44,000 Range: 310 miles Supercharging rate: 170 miles/273km in 30 minutes (Same as Tesla’s Model S) Zero to 60 mph time: 5.1 seconds

Only one other electric car in the world has broken the 300-mile range barrier: the most expensive versions of Tesla’s Model S, an ultra-luxury car that costs US$97,500 or more. The new Model 3 has cheaper range availability than the current record holder, the US$37,500 Chevy Bolt, which is outclassed in nearly every way by the Model 3.

Each year the battle for cheap range gets a little bit more fierce.

The US$35,000 standard Model 3 version won’t be available until fall. The longer-range version is available now for the thousands of Tesla employees who placed reservations last year. A US$5,000 premium options package includes an all-glass roof, open-pore wood decor, premium sound, heated seats, and premium seat materials.

Unlike previous cars, Tesla wouldn’t disclose the size of its two battery packs. All cars will be identical from the outside, with no additional badging indicating battery size or premium options. The plan is for the Model S and X to eventually do the same.

 Customer employees receive some of the first Model 3 cars off the Fremont factory's production line. - ReutersDriving the Model 3

The Model 3 is elegant inside and out, and in ways that are difficult to appreciate from the photos. A Bloomberg reporter was allowed to drive one before the event. It’s not as fast as the more expensive Model S - the quickest production car in the world-but the steering is tight and it seems more agile because of a smaller footprint and lighter battery.

The glass-roofed interior feels like a mini-atrium, and the 15-inch touch screen is bright and intuitively laid out. The dashboard is completely devoid of knobs, dials, and gauges.

There were a few technological surprises. The ventilation system is a marvel, stretching in one long strip that spans the front seat. The touch screen allows both the driver and the passenger to instantly direct a wide flow of air wherever they want it. The scrolling dials on the steering wheel move in all four directions and allow you to adjust everything from the side windows to the music playlist.

These novelties come courtesy of some Tesla veterans. Executives responsible for the Model 3 have been there from the beginning, leading the company from tiny upstart to icon of automotive desire. Chief technology officer JB Straubel was the battery architect behind the original Tesla Roadster.

Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen designed the company’s three most vaunted accomplishments: the Model S, Model X, and Model 3.

“The interior is nothing like any other car out there,” said von Holzhausen. “When you get in the car, how does it feel? When you see the car, how does it make you feel? When you drive the car, what does it inspire in you?”

Maximum safety

Tesla also aspires to be the world's safest automaker, and the Model 3 is no exception. While the final safety scores by ratings agencies aren’t out yet, some of the evaluations have been conducted. The video below compares the side-impact test of the Model 3 against the Volvo S60, which is considered to be one of the safest cars on the road.

“In the Model 3, you’re fine,” Musk said. Meanwhile, “the Volvo is wrapped like a burrito around a coat hanger. It’s not good.”

Curse of the S Curve

Despite all of these achievements in range, technology, and safety, Musk sounded grave about the road ahead. “The biggest challenge that we face here is 'S Curve’ manufacturing,” he said, describing a ramp-up of production that starts slow, then increases dramatically before tapering off. “That 'S’ portion is us going through hell, basically.”

The Model 3 is an all-new auto platform for Tesla, with novel motor technology and unique battery architecture. The car is designed for ease of manufacturing, and almost everything is controlled with the touchscreen, which accepts inputs from voice commands and the two control knobs on the steering wheel.

Musk reiterated his projections of a very slow start in the next few months and then increasing rapidly to a rate of 20,000 a month by the end of the year, and 50,000 a month by the end of 2018. It’s an aggressive schedule that will more than double Tesla’s total production rate in six months, and then quintuple it by the end of next year.

“I have high confidence that we’ll get to the end of the âS Curve,’ but it is impossible to predict the shape of it,” Musk said.

The challenge ahead

The key challenge, of course, is making all of these cars quickly enough and without the problems that plagued the launch of its more complicated Model X. Tesla aims to make 500,000 cars a year and is counting on its battery factory under construction near Reno, Nevada, to drive down battery costs. Both the Gigafactory and the Fremont factory have showers, and some employees have sleeping bags, in anticipation of the long nights ahead.

Tesla’s “Master Plan”- a blog post laid out by Musk in August 2006-was to enter the auto industry at high-end prices, then drive down-market as fast as possible with increasingly higher volumes. The Model 3 is the Palo Alto, California-based company’s fourth car, after the Roadster sports car, the Model S sedan, and the Model X sport utility vehicle.

If the Model 3 is successful, it would signal the completion of the Master Plan and a new era of electrification for the auto industry. “This is a great day for Tesla,” Musk said. “It’s something that we’ve been working for since the beginning of the company.”

 Tesla introduces one of the first Model 3 cars off the Fremont factory's production line. - Reuters


Five reasons to like the Volvo XC90 T8

                This latest sports utility vehicle from the Scandinavian carmaker - Volvo, is impressive but these are the five things that caught our attention.

1. Exterior design
Suave and elegant sheetmetal matches the simplicity of Swedish design harmoniously.

2. Breathtaking cabin
A perfect combination of high-quality materials with plenty of clean lines. An artisan’s paradise.

3. Outstanding fuel economy
Twin-engine platform balances out both battery and petrol power for a superb 21.8km/L as tested.

4. Ride quality
Air spring system (in yellow) offers a very comfortable ride without being choppy in town driving.

5. Blistering performance
The 0-100kph dash is easily done within 5.6 seconds, so don’t let the XC90’s 2.3-tonne kerb weight fool you.


Useful balik kampung tips from Zurich Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to promote greater road safety awareness during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri balik kampung drive, Zurich Malaysia has compiled some useful tips for drivers.

"Road safety is more than just driving safely. It is how each life on the road is precious. More importantly, it is about how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones," the company said in a statement.

The infographic also comes with useful hotline numbers.


Special edition Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ revealed

                AFFALTERBACH (Germany): Mercedes-AMG is presenting a special model of the SL 63 4MATIC+ to mark the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Only 100 units of this special model of the performance roadster would be built. Other highlights are an exclusive two-tone paint, star pattern and Petronas-coloured contrasting features. The car also gains
extensive equipment with Aerodynamics and Night packages.

It reflects the look of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E PERFORMANCE racing car.

The colour graduation from high-tech silver metallic to obsidian black metallic is inspired by the model from the top class of motorsport. The same is true of the star pattern on the vehicle flanks and the PETRONAS-coloured contrasts: these can be found on the front apron, side sill panels and rear diffuser.

Added to this are 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels in a matt black finish with PETRONAS-coloured rim flanges. The electric soft top is in black.

The AMG Aerodynamics package not only dramatises the appearance: larger flics on the front and rear apron, the larger rear diffuser and the active profile in the underbody improve the aerodynamic properties. The same applies to the downforce and aerodynamic drag. This all brings advantages for the driving characteristics at high speeds and for improved efficiency.

The AMG Night package and the AMG Night package II enhance the visual appearance of the "Motorsport Collectors Edition".

With the AMG Night package, selected exterior features are finished in high-gloss black: the front splitter, side sill panels, mirror caps and the decorative trim in the rear diffuser.

Added to this are darkened exhaust tailpipes. The AMG Night package II adds further features in black chrome, including the radiator grille, typography and Mercedes star at the rear.

In addition, the interior components of the headlamps and rear lights are darkened. The brake callipers of the AMG high-performance composite brake system are also painted black. The AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with "AMG" lettering also emphasises the special status of the edition.

The standard AMG Performance seats are available with two upholsteries: in black nappa leather/MICROCUT microfibre with red topstitching and embossed AMG emblem in the head restraints, or in black nappa leather/MICROCUT microfibre with yellow topstitching and embossed AMG emblem in the head restraints.

The AMG carbon-fibre trim harmonises with the heated AMG Performance steering wheel with carbon-fibre rim.

The Burmester high end 3D surround sound system, ambient lighting, the MBUX Interior Assistant, the Driving Assistance package and the head-up display are included as standard in this very extensively equipped special model. AMG TRACK PACE provides support with a wide range of data when driving on the racetrack.

The Load Compartment package increases everyday practicality, while the illuminated AMG door sill panels welcome passengers with the AMG logo.

To protect the valuable edition model it is equipped with GUARD 360o. In addition, every customer receives a customised AMG indoor car cover with logo. With its breathable outer skin made of tear-resistant synthetic fabric and an anti-static inner lining of woven flannel, this protects the vehicle from dust and scratches in the garage.

The roadster's combined fuel consumption is rated at 13.2–12.8 l/100 km and combined CO2 emissions is cited as 300-291 g/km.


Tesla cuts delivery waiting time for Model Y in China to a minimum of 4 weeks

                SHANGHAI: Tesla said on Thursday it has slashed the delivery waiting time for its Model 3 and Model Y cars in China as it ramps up output at its Shanghai plant after upgrading production lines.

The waiting time for the rear-wheel drive Model Y sport utility vehicle is now four to eight weeks, while buyers of other versions of the SUV and Model 3 sedans need to wait for 12 to 20 weeks. Tesla previously said a buyer in China had to wait for eight to 24 weeks after placing an order for the best-selling models.

Tesla confirmed the shortened waiting time, first disclosed on the company's Chinese website, citing the output ramp-up at its Shanghai plant as one of the reasons.

The automaker usually delivers more of its cars produced in Shanghai to Chinese customers in the latter half of each quarter, which also brings an acceleration in deliveries, the company said.

Tesla has completed a major upgrade of the production lines at its Shanghai plant, its most productive manufacturing hub, and is ramping up output with a target of making 22,000 Model 3 and Model Y cars combined each week.

Chief executive Elon Musk has said production is a bigger challenge for the company than demand. It is struggling to increase output in its Berlin and Texas plants, while production losses during a two-month Covid-19 lockdown in Shanghai hurt Tesla's profit margin in the second quarter.

The company has stopped taking orders for its Cybertruck outside North America, and also for Model 3 Long Range vehicles in the United States and Canada, citing big delivery backlogs.


Ford Fiesta ST driven

                Things have been heating up in the compact hot hatch segment; never before had enthusiasts such a variety of choice available to them locally.

The French have been rather aggressive with their offerings of late, but however, one name has been quite the talk of the town – the Ford Fiesta ST.

Having owned a Fiesta 1.6 Sport myself, I was much eager to know how improved this hot variant was.

Fully-imported from Germany and based on the humble Mark-VI Fiesta platform, Ford’s sports car-beater is available solely here in 3-door form.

This makes it immediately recognisable as an ST, and with an aggressive new nose and all-round bodykit, you would not be mistaking it for a regular Fiesta either.

The rear bumper has a sleek-looking diffuser (which looks sexy in bright colors) and (finally) a twin-exit sports muffler tip.

The Fiesta ST looks every bit a junior Focus ST, and our test unit came in a head-turning uber-hot Molten Orange hue – the “hero” colour, if you will.

The ST also comes with daytime-running lights (DRLs), not the fancy LED ones but rather the conventional bulb-type.

Would have been cooler if they had brought in lightbar-integrated headlamps as seen on foreign units.

Racy grey 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenzas complete the overall look of the exterior.

Inside the car feels very familiar if you are a Fiesta owner.

The parts are somewhat a mishmash of components from the face-lifted and pre-facelift models, but feature bits that help make the car feel more premium.

Head-unit and multi-function screens retain the facelift’s blue hue, but the needles gain back their red colour to denote the ST’s sporty nature.

An all-black soft-touch dash is a welcome addition, and a noticeably missing component of local Fiestas – the central armrest – has finally been added in this car.

The steering wheel is now fully covered in leather, and the matt-chrome bits enhance the much-in-contact parts of the interior.

The central head-unit, which is now in matt-black, is similar to the one in the original Fiesta Sport and not the updated glossy Sony unit.

It is still however, a rather cool design in this writer’s eyes.

All the bells and whistles from the regular Fiesta are intact, from voice-control to Ford SYNC.

Ford’s decision to use light-up bits (in red of course) above the glove compartment and around the cup holders also helps enhance the perceived quality of the interior.

Front seats are now body-hugging Recaro, that both look and feel up to the task.

While some might question the lack of leather in the flagship Fiesta, Ford explains that fabric is preferred due to its enhanced bum-to-seat grip during cornering.

Power comes via a turbocharged 182PS 1.6L powerplant, mated to a six-speed transmission manual (yes, a proper stick-shift!).

This gives the Fiesta the much-needed boost it truly needed, propelling this hot hatch from 0-100kph in just under seven seconds.

And being powered by one of Ford’s award-winning EcoBoost engines also meant the ST receives excellent fuel economy.

Driving the Fiesta ST is a blast.

Right from the get go, the extra horses make themselves felt, powering the ST with much ease and the 240Nm of torque (up to 290Nm via time-limited overboost) provided much thrills.

Engine acoustics can get quite addictive, with a sporty growl that isn’t overpowering.

The sports suspension ensured maximum agility and the Recaro, with their shoulder and torso support certainly did their job in keeping this driver secured.

Despite the pocket-rocket nature of the ST, the car keeps you feeling totally in control and it was in fact rather easy to handle.

The ST also has probably one of the best gear shifters tested in recent memory, with slick, buttery smooth changes and is simply a joy to drive.

The steering is well weighted and like the regular Fiesta, gives good feedback despite being an electric-assisted unit.

When the time comes to bring the fun to a halt, the high-performance disc brakes do an excellent job (and with their red-painted callipers, look good too).

Possibly one of the perks of the Fiesta ST is the fact that despite being a three-door street demon, it is also very much at home ferrying the family on weekends.

Sure, the stiff sports suspension might be less comfortable than a regular Fiesta, but it is still pretty tolerable.

You have the same boot space for your groceries and foldable rear seats for more room.

Seven airbags are also standard, for that peace of mind.

The ST may lack some features of its French rivals, namely leather seats or large-screen infotainment systems but those are hardly a deal-breaker.

For those looking for a serious compact hot hatch that won’t entirely sacrifice practicality, the Fiesta ST will get the job done.


Beeeeep be-beep: How to speak Cairo's taxi driver horn language

Saad deciphers the honking code of Cairo. — spa
CAIRO: In Egypt's hopelessly gridlocked capital, beeping your horn has become something of an art form, a secret language that could mean anything from "I love you" to a gross insult.

Beeping your horn is a way of expressing many things, taxi driver Mahmoud Saad says as he navigates his white Hyundai through the sea of traffic around Tahrir Square, the sound of horns coming every two or three seconds.

While for tourists the beeps, long and short, may blend into the general background noise and overall atmosphere, for drivers like Saad they are part of the local language - a form of automotive Morse Code.

"If, for example, I know a driver coming towards me or I see a friend sitting in a cafe, I greet him with a beep of my horn," the 30-year-old explains, demonstrating with a "beeep-beep-beep."

 Traffic jam in Cairo. - dpa

To express joy, particularly at weddings, a longer combination is usual, a kind of congratulations to the new couple.

"Thank you" is expressed with two short blasts of the horn, "I love you" is three short blasts and tossing an insult is three short beeps followed by two longer ones.

There is ample and growing opportunity to hear all of these sounds and more.

The Egyptian population, and with it the traffic, has exploded in the past 20 years. The country recently reached the 100-million mark and one fifth of the population lives in Cairo and its immediate surroundings. The mega city has grown by more than 700 per cent since 1950.

Car journeys that should take only 20 minutes can now take up to two hours or even more.

"The language started when Cairo’s traffic got out of hand," Ayman Kamel, who runs transportation for an immigrant services company, told the travel website "Culture Trip."

Kamel learned the language in his local coffee shop, while Saad learned it during his time as a minibus driver.

Aside from taxi drivers, minibus drivers are known for speaking the language particularly well.

But noise is also a problem for residents in crowded urban centres. In Mumbai, police became so annoyed with the levels of noise that they rigged some traffic lights up with decibel meters - when the noise reaches more than 85 decibels, the lights stay red for longer.


Lamborghini Huracan - Pushing the limits

                Lamborghini is expanding rapidly, buoyed by the strong demand for its rather limited range of models; for the moment, it counts only two models with the respective variants – three each of the V12 Aventador and V10 Huracán were launched last year.

The latter included the Huracán LP 580-2 rear-wheel drive model that was launched in late 2015 to support the Huracán LP 610-4, along with the Spyder and Huracán GT3, a race-ready car.

This supercar stable will include the Urus SUV (sport utility vehicle), Lamborghini’s first, within a year as the Italian’s supercar production premises is currently adding a new line, expanding its area almost twofold to 150,000 square metres from 80,000 to also include a new warehouse, new offices and 500 additional employees (1,300 currently).

For a supercar manufacturer who thrived on a single model for the first 40 years of its operation (beginning from 1963), the addition of the Gallardo (the predecessor to the Huracán) in 2003 signalled its ambition to expand its model range to broaden its clientele portfolio.

And it appeared to have worked as Lamborghini’s sales since 2010 (when 1,302 cars were sold) increased steadily with 3,245 cars sold in 2015 to mark a new record year.

The Huracán, by the way, was only introduced in 2014 to take over from the Gallardo.

The demand in the Asia-Pacific region had more than doubled from 13% in 2007 to 28% in 2015. Japan accounted for the biggest share of the market with more than 300 cars delivered.

To get the regional media excited about the Huracán LP 580-2, Lamborghini held a ‘dynamic launch’ in Kaohsiung, Taiwan that included a drive at the Penbay International Circuit.

Opened in 2011, the 3.527km 16-turn FIA Grade 2 race circuit in Donggang, Pingtung County is the only international standard motor sport facility in Taiwan.

The mid-engine Huracán LP 580-2 was probably introduced to take on the Ferrari 488 GTB, which was also launched last year to replace the 458; this 3.9-litre V8 rival has both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variants.

Generally, the Huracán variants have the same 5.2-litre V10 except that the engine in the LP 580-2 is tuned to deliver a lower output of 580PS from 610PS of the all-wheel drive models.

It is a naturally aspirated engine, which is continued from the Gallardo, and that means it has no force-feed assistance such as turbocharging as the high engine displacement of more than 5.2-litre allows it to develop good torque early and sustain it across the rev range.

The LP 580-2 has plenty of torque at 540Nm against 560NM for the LP 610-4, and the transmission is the same seven-speed LDF dual clutch automatic with manual paddle shift options; there is no Huracán with manual transmission.

As Lamborghini comes under the Volkswagen Group, it is not surprising that the Huracán shares the same powertrain and other mechanicals with the new Audi R8.

With fewer running gear to reduce overall vehicle weight (the LP 610-4’s kerb weight is 1,550kg, about 30kg more than the LP 580-2), Lamborghini has deemed it ideal to reduce engine output and give the rear-wheel drive Huracán the same level of spirited driving.

To support that, the LP 580-2’s performance is exciting; 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds (3.2 seconds for LP 610-4) and 0-200kph in 10.1 seconds (9.9 seconds) while top speed is 320kph (more than 325kph).

If you are wondering what the name Huracán refers to, you should have guessed that it has to do with hurricane, for which the Spanish word is Huracán.

The difference between the LP 580-2 and LP 620-4 is in the front; the latter has a seamless lower air apron with angled airscoops while that for the LP 580-2 has a three-section design.

In body styling, the Huracán has clean minimalist lines that resemble the classic wedge profile with a sharply raked front expanding to a bigger rear.

Sitting on a 2,620mm wheelbase (shorter than that of a Honda Civic), it has aluminium double wishbones and magnetorheological dampers for the suspension all round; the body has mixed aluminium and carbon fibre components and is said to be significantly stiffer than that of the Gallardo.

The LP 580-2 runs on Pirelli P-Zero tyres that are specially developed for Lamborghini, with 245/30 R20 size in front and wider 305/30 R20 at the rear.

It comes with ANIMA (Adaptive Network Intelligent Management) that has three drive modes -Street (Strada), Sport or Race (Corsa) – via a selector on the steering wheel.

Getting comfortable in the Huracán is helped by electronic controls and driving a left-hand drive sports car means that the brake and accelerator foot is angled more comfortably, unlike a right-hand drive with which the wheel arch intrusion compromises that a little.

We were in a group of 22 that included Taiwanese and Chinese media, and six Huracán super cars to get us excited over almost three hours.

While it was conducted in a convoy, with a pace car leading two media cars per group, there were the usual wheel screeches and cones being knocked all over at the tight corners.

Being placed at the bottom of the media list, we had the benefit of just us and the pace car driver.

All in, we enjoyed more than 13 laps over three sessions (of four to five laps each); in the first one, we started with Street mode and found the Huracán quite loose through the corners.

That didn’t give us the confidence to push this 580PS Lamborghini hardtop coupé and pace car driver Xuxu, a regular rally and drift participant, urged us via the walkie-talkie to push the Huracán harder to keep up with him.

The car felt nervous and there didn’t seem to be the road grip we were expecting from such a car; the turn-in to the corner was also a little slow and although we were selecting the gears, the power build-up didn’t open up as quickly as we would like.

Once we selected Sport mode, the Huracán became a different car.

Although it had a greater tendency to oversteer, the power feed was a lot better through the corners and the suspension reacted better to handle the higher demands placed on it.

This boosted our confidence tremendously and we explored the car’s dynamic limits through the respective corners, taking pains not to ram into the pace car’s rear.We were still getting to grips with using paddle shifts but most of the corners were taken in third while the two tight near hairpin turns were best done in second gear.

The 600-metre straight, which we entered in third gear, was long enough to let us see almost 200kph as we upshifted to fifth before braking hard for the fast approaching first corner.

In the second session, we drove in Sport mode but alternated between Sport and Street in the final one; the crackling exhaust note was very addictive and we loved shifting the gears to hear it (it sounded tamer in Street mode).

By then, we had concluded that the car was fully in its dynamic element when driven fast on a race circuit in Sport mode.

The hot lap with Xuxu at the wheel topped the session; in pushing the limits of the car, we hit a few cones and encountered more oversteer on exiting a corner.

He might be less exciting than the other two pace car drivers (one of whom had his share of spins and oversteering moments), but the LP 580-2 continued to be an exciting car to drive in rear-wheel drive format at the limit.

It should have no shortage of admirers when it arrives on Malaysian shores in the latter part of the year.

Lamborghini is also expanding two areas of customer service for the first time; a wider area of customisation with different interior colour choice among others and the offer of more aggressive body kits (the latter is available from June).


BMW 330e launched in Malaysia at RM248,800

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia today celebrated its 100 years of innovation at BMW Innovation Days Malaysia 2016, introducing the 330e, the second locally assembled hybrid from the German marque, in the country.

The first was the X5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which was launched in June.

The RM248,800 (on-the-road without insurance) 330e is equipped with a state-of-the-art electric motor which works synchronously with a BMW TwinPower Turbo engine.

Features typical of BMW eDrive are recognisable in the exterior and interior of the car. The special exterior features of the plug-in hybrid vehicle includes the charging socket panel positioned on the left front wing of the car. Blue light effects appear here at the start of the charging process to indicate the flow of energy.

Meanwhile, the already familiar “eDrive” badge from the BMW i models is attached to the vehicle’s flanks. A set of 18-inch V-spoke light alloy wheels with mixed sized tyres add sportiness to the package.

The 330e in Sport Line trim is fitted with a hybrid powertrain comprising a two-litre four-cylinder combustion engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and an electric motor built into an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. It is complemented by a rear-wheel drive system and eDrive technology.

READ MORE:
CarSifu drives the BMW 330e in Munich
Yes, we also drove the BMW X5 xDrive40 in Munich
BMW forging ahead in electric vehicle technology
Mercedes-Benz C 350 e previewed

The four-cylinder petrol unit, which has won the International Engine of the Year Award three times, churns out 252hp with peak torque of 420Nm while combined fuel consumption is at 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions is at 49 grams per kilometre.

The electric motor meanwhile, delivers an output of 88hp and allows the car to travel at a top speed of 120kph in pure electric drive. The car completes the 0 to 100kph sprint in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 225kph.

The vehicle set-up and powertrain control can be configured as desired with the eDrive button and Driving Experience Control switch. The eDrive presents three driving modes – AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE and SAVE BATTERY.

Aside from the eDrive button, the BMW 330e comes with a Driving Experience Control switch which allows users to configure the steering and chassis functions as well as the shift characteristics of the transmission. Controllable via the Driving Experience Control switch on the centre console, the modes offered are COMFORT, SPORT, AND ECO PRO.

The BMW 330e also offers Head-Up Display, Rear View Camera and electric Glass Roof as standard.

The car also gets the latest BMW ConnectedDrive which links the driver, vehicle, and the outside world. This includes the Navigation System Professional, Parking Assistant and BMW Online Office, Intelligent Emergency Call, Concierge Services, BMW Teleservices and MyBMW Remote App.

The high-voltage battery of the 330e offers a gross energy capacity of 7.6 kWh and can be topped up with energy from any domestic power socket. Full charge by the conventional domestic power socket would take 5 hours. The BMW Wallbox Pro, meanwhile offers a quicker charge time of 3.5 hours.

As part of BMW 360° ELECTRIC, customers are offered the ChargeNow service, which consists of a ChargeNow card that grants straightforward access to partner charging stations like ChargEV which is offered through BMW Group Malaysia’s partnership with Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia). ChargEV stations are operational in 19 locations throughout Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Malacca, and Johor.

BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Han Sang Yun said the 330e is the 12th model to join the portfolio of locally-assembled vehicles at BMW Group Malaysia’s assembly plant at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

The 330e is available in Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Mediterranean Blue and Alpine White with Leather Dakota Black upholstery.

As the name suggests, the annual BMW Innovation Days offers the public a look at the latest advancements of BMW innovations including present and future BMW technologies and a showcase of visionary vehicles. The 330e launch today is part and parcel of this campaign.

BMW Innovation Days is held from Aug 26-28 at Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur. Opening hours are 9am to 7.30pm. For details, head to this site.


Xiaomi says it has 140 vehicles across China testing autonomous driving

                SHANGHAI: Xiaomi Corp is currently running tests on 140 vehicles across China for autonomous driving, CEO Lei Jun said on Thursday.

The news marks the latest benchmark for the smartphone maker, which announced last year it would enter the competitive EV sector and challenge established brands and younger tech companies.

Speaking at a livestreamed company event, Lei said the company had 500 staff devoted solely to developing autonomous driving technology for its upcoming car and had put 3.3 billion yuan (RM2.2bil) towards the initiative.

At the event, Lei also unveiled a humanoid robot dubbed CyberOne, weighing 52kg and measuring 177cm tall, although it was not ready for mass production.

Many other Chinese companies are investing in self-driving technology, including ride-hailing giant Didi Global and search engine provider Baidu Inc.

Earlier this week, the latter company became the first firm in China to obtain permits to operate fully-driverless taxi on open roads. read more

Lei Jun co-founded Xiaomi in 2010 and quickly turned it into one of the top-selling Android smartphone brands, both in China and later globally.

In 2021, Lei announced that Xiaomi would enter the electric vehicle market, a foray he said would mark his last major entrepreneurial endeavor.

The company committed to bringing its cars to mass production in the first half of 2024. Earlier this year the company started construction on its first auto factory in Beijing.


Volkswagen entices with up to RM18,000 cash rebate and more

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars (VPCM) is inviting Malaysians to join the Volkswagen family with its Leaders of the Pack Chinese New Year campaign.

The campaign offers rebates on the company's vehicular line-up by enticing the first 250 customers to book and register a Volkswagen by Feb 28 to receive a golden treat - a free 'liquid gold' petrol card worth RM1,188.

Also, the first 250 customers who register a Volkswagen will also be presented with a limited edition Lego Volkswagen T1 Camper Van as well as cash rebates for their vehicle of choice.

While stocks last, here's a list of Volkswagen models and their respective cash rebates - all of which comes with a low interest rate from 0.88% per annum.

- Beetle Design (RM5,000)

- Jetta Comfortline (RM10,000)
- Jetta Highline (RM8,000)

- Passat Trendline (RM18,000)
- Passat Comfortline (RM18,000)
- Passat Highline (RM6,000)

- Polo (RM7,000)

- Tiguan Comfortline (RM5,000)
- Tiguan Highline (RM3,000)

- Vento Trendline (RM10,000)
- Vento Comfortline (RM10,000)
- Vento Highline (RM9,000)

As of Jan 1, all Volkswagen cars come with a free three-year or 45,000km (whichever comes first) maintenance programme.

The programme covers all maintenance costs, as per the standard maintenance schedule, with the exception of wear-and-tear parts such as brake discs, pads, windscreen wipers and bulbs.


Ex-Renault man François Leboine joins Fiat and Abarth as design head

                TURIN:  François Leboine will join the Stellantis Design organisation as Fiat and Abarth Head of Design on June 1.

He will report to Jean-Pierre Ploué, Stellantis Chief Design Officer.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Leboine was previously in charge of Renault Advanced Design.

He was responsible for the design of the Renault Clio, Captur and Dacia Sandero. He had also oversaw the creation of the Renault 5 prototype and Morphoz concept cars.


VW steps up electric offensive with ID.4 production

                WOLFSBURG: Following the production of the ID.3 electric car, Volkswagen has moved on to series production of the ID.4 electric crossover.

Both models are being produced at VW's plant in Zwickau.

The world premiere of the ID.4 will follow at the end of September, and the market launch will also take place this year

Production of the ID.4 will start in China before the end of this year, and from 2022 the model will also be produced in North America.

“The ID.4 is technically equipped with future-oriented features, has a low centre of gravity and super driving dynamics. It also has excellent acceleration. A car that is simply a lot of fun,” said Thomas Ulbrich, CEO of e-mobility for the Volkswagen brand.

The ID.3 and ID.4 will be followed by other sedans and SUVs as well as the electric Volkswagen Bus – the legendary Bulli.

All derivatives are based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) – a platform made exclusively for electric vehicles. MEB-based electric vehicles are designed with long ranges, a fast-charging function, new digital functions and generous space.


2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda unveils stunning Vision Coupe concept

                TOKYO: Mazda has pulled out all the stops by taking the covers off a stunning new concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle in question is called the Vision Coupe, which is a full-size four-door design concept that looks like it would give Aston Martin a run for its money.

The Japanese automaker says the concept is a physical example of the next-generation of its famed Kodo design language, which draws inspiration from models of the past such as the 1960 R360 and the Mazda Luce of 1969.

Obviously, Mazda is known for producing sporty, affordable, and often reasonably small vehicles that are superb to drive. This model is therefore something of a departure for the brand, although it certainly conforms to the sporty tag.

At a time when crossovers are what most buyers appear to want, especially in the extremely important American market; this is an interesting direction for Mazda to be going in. What it signals more than anything else though, is Mazda's intention to move more upmarket in future. Several traditionally volume manufacturers seem to be going in this direction lately, such as Volvo, VW and even Kia, but few are quite as open about those intentions as Mazda appears to be.

Julien Montousse, who is Mazda North America's director of design, said of the Vision Coupe, "A big sedan has always been the symbol of a brand going premium. It's the icon of a brand. It tells that Mazda is becoming serious in reaching that goal."

The long-hood/short-trunk proportions of the Vision are those of a classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer, but although nothing was revealed about what would power the car, it's probably safe to assume it wouldn't be a standard V-8 gasoline engine.

Although achingly modern and likely to feature a very 21st century powerplant, not everything about the Mazda concept falls in line with modern convention, as this is designed to be a true driver's car, and not a shuttle on autopilot.

Montousse stated, "Mazda has made it clear that it is not going to follow the autonomous trend. Instead of the car acting as a cocoon, a personal assistant, to insulate and isolate, we believe it should be a copilot. To be there to enable bravery, and give you the tools to face the aggression."


Singapore-based Porsche Asia Pacific gets new CEO

                SINGAPORE: Hannes Ruoff has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Singapore-based Porsche Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, effective Oct 1.

Ruoff, 40, comes to the role from Porsche AG and was most recently area manager Asia Pacific and Australia in the Overseas and Emerging Markets sales region.

He succeeds Arthur Willmann at the regional office, who has held the position since 2018 and will assume a new role within Porsche sales.

Ruoff started his career at Porsche Asia Pacific in 2009, as training manager for Sales and Marketing.

He then took on the position of regional sales manager. In 2015, he moved to the headquarters of Porsche AG and became regional marketing manager.

Ruoff has been area manager for Asia Pacific and Australia since 2020.

Porsche Asia Pacific Pte Ltd serves importers in 13 markets

Porsche Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, based in Singapore, was founded in 2001 and is a subsidiary and regional office of Porsche AG.

It currently serves importers in 13 markets, including Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Recently, the sports car manufacturer has steadily expanded its involvement in the region. In addition to the construction of the first cross-border high-performance charging network in collaboration with Shell, a local assembly facility was set up in Malaysia.

Since March 2022, it has been used for the production of Cayenne models tailored specifically to the Malaysian market.


French pedestrians see green light, even when it's red, study shows

                PARIS: French pedestrians have the reputation of being a law unto themselves - but an unusual study has provided some scientific backing for the stereotype.

Four times out of 10, French pedestrians cross the road when the lights are against them, according to a paper published on Wednesday. In disciplined Japan, though, the rate is 20 times lower.

Cedric Sueur of Strasbourg University in eastern France led a team that analysed behaviour at three pedestrian crossings in Strasbourg and four in the Japanese city of Nagoya.

The researchers recorded 3,814 crossings in Strasbourg and 1,631 in Nagoya.

The rulebreaking was vastly different between the two countries - in France, 41.9 percent of crossings took place against a red light, but this was just 2.1 percent in Japan.

Men and young people aged 20-30 were more inclined than women and older people to cross illegally.

Different degrees of social conformity explain the gap in behaviour between the two countries, researchers reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

"The French have less respect for the rules... We are less concerned with social approval," Sueur told AFP.

"It's not that the fear of a ticket is bigger in Japan than in France. It's that people (in Japan) are more concerned about the opinion of others."

The role of group behaviour on pedestrian traffic is a major factor in safety, the study found.

Such research "could help target specific preventive, culture-specific solutions for pedestrian safety," it said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300,000 pedestrians lose their lives on the road every year.


Three things to check on your car after a road trip

                BERLIN: If your car has brought you back home safe and sound after a long trip, then it's time to reward it with a bit of love.

Inspect these three things, and you'll be doing yourself some favours by reducing the risk of long-term damage.

Paintwork

Check the paintwork for any bits where there are scratches or damage from pebbles. Touch these up with some colour will prevent rust in the longer term, say the experts at Germany's ADAC car club.

Fluids

After a long trip, make sure to check not just your oil, but all fluids, - from coolant to windshield washer fluid. Refill everything in line with the manufacturer's instructions. And if you should notice that your car is getting through far more coolant than usual, contact a mechanic to figure out why.

Tyres

It's also worth taking a careful look at the tyre tread depth and to check for damage or wear and tear. If you raised the air pressure before your trip in order to carry a heavier load than usual, now is a good time to return it to the regular level.

Now's also a good time to give your car a wash, and clearing out the boot and interior will certainly help you be more thorough on the inside. Clean the windows carefully, too, as dirt and grime will only increase the risk of glare, making it harder to see, especially when the sun is low in the sky.


Sleeping on the car: What to look for in roof tents

                MUNICH: Setting up a tent on the roof of a car may not sound like the most comfortable camping experience at first, but it does have advantages.

In roof tents, campers are protected from mud and uneven ground. But does every tent fit on every car? Here a few things to consider before your first trip.

In principle, campers can mount a roof tent on any model that allows a roof load, according to German motoring organisation ADAC. The vehicle specifications should outline the maximum load permitted.

Anyone who wants to mount a roof tent on their car should calculate the roof load in advance. Expect five to 10 kilos for the basic frame, the ADAC says.

If your car's total allowed roof load is 75 kilos, for example, the roof can be loaded with a further 65 to 70 kilos, which includes the weight of the people sleeping in the tent.

For some models, a roof railing - a strut that is attached along the entire length of the roof - or at least a screw-on point for roof crossbars is necessary. The tent is then attached with four clamps.

Those who already have roof racks for a roof box or a bicycle rack can also use these to set up the roof tent.

Hard shell or folding?

If your car is suitable for mounting a tent, the next question is whether to get a model with a hard shell or one that folds up.

Hard-shell models resemble a very large roof box. They are more weather-resistant and can be set up within seconds, the ADAC says.

Folding tents, on the other hand, usually offer more sleeping space and interior height, are lighter and, when folded, are generally smaller. In addition, these models are usually cheaper.

The most expensive model may not necessarily be the best. However, you should expect to spend much more than you would on a conventional tent.

The ADAC has tested seven models costing between €2,000 and €3,000 (up to RM13,500), rating six as good and one as very good. The testers' advice is that before buying a roof tent you should borrow one and try it out.

You should also keep in mind that it takes two to four people to assemble a roof tent as they're quite heavy.


StoreDot has developed battery packs that are ultra fast to charge

                PARIS: Israeli start-up StoreDot has developed electric battery packs that are ultra fast to charge, while also increasing their lifespan.

StoreDot estimates that its battery loses nothing in performance, even after more than 1,500 charging cycles.

Currently, this ultra-fast charging technology can charge the equivalent of 160km in just five minutes. The idea is to achieve an equivalent charge in three minutes by 2028, and in just two minutes by 2032.

StoreDot is an expert in so-called extreme fast charging (XFC) for electric vehicles.

And while this demonstration has practical advantages, it also has an ecological dimension, since the longer the batteries remain functional, the less frequently they will need to be changed and therefore discarded.

The ultimate goal of this research is therefore to reduce the environmental impact of the future production of batteries for electric vehicles.

The firm's development program has already produced batteries capable of exceeding 1,200 consecutive fast-charge cycles without damage or loss of performance, unlike the fast-charge lithium-ion batteries currently in use.

StoreDot even estimates that these performances can remain relatively high, right up to 1,700 cycles.

This performance level is ensured by technology based on patented active nanoparticles that accelerate the diffusion of ions and replace the traditional graphite anode of lithium-ion batteries, all optimised by artificial intelligence.

Here, algorithms automatically disconnect an overheated cell before reconnecting it once the problem is solved. This avoids excessive damage to the cell and to surrounding cells. It also significantly reduces the risk of fire.

The lifespan of batteries is a fundamental issue as the automotive market shifts from the combustion engine to electric vehicles. This is why many companies and manufacturers are currently working on alternatives to the traditional lithium-ion battery.

The Chinese company GAC has even become the first auto manufacturer to market a model equipped with a battery based on graphene, extracted from graphite, itself derived from carbon.

Its main advantage is that it is faster to charge, but also more resistant and therefore less prone to wear.

For its part, the American startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has developed a battery that can run for more than 1,200km on a single charge. It hopes to market its first products by the end of 2023.


Genesis snags BMW engineer to sharpen product development

Fayez is a platform integration specialist.
SEOUL: Hyundai has recruited a key engineer from BMW to work on developing its Genesis architecture.

Fayez Abdul Rahman, 58, was appointed to lead planning for vehicle specification and performance from the earliest stages of vehicle development. He started work at Genesis on Nov 1.

The platform integration specialist previously led concept and platform architecture development for several model lines at BMW AG in Germany, including the 7 Series, X models and high-performance M brand vehicles. At Genesis, Fayez would initially focus on enhancing performance and quality for Hyundai's luxury sub-brand.

Genesis is also expected to apply the knowledge to Hyundai cars, enabling them to compete with Europe’s leading premium car makers.

"We want to develop a flexible and future-oriented vehicle architecture that is unique to Hyundai Motor Group, to secure competitiveness, especially in the areas of vehicle performance and quality," said Fayez.

Fayez, a German, began working for BMW in 1986 as a CAD/CAS engineer. He now joins BMW M executive Albert Biermann, 60, who defected to Hyundai in 2015.

At the time, Biermann was Hyundai's second-highest foreign executive after design chief Peter Schreyer.

In September this year, Biermann, who have spent over 30 years with BMW, told Australian media that German car makers had downplayed motorsports for some time and focused instead on product marketing, lambasting them for "adding too much tech and nonsense."


VW settles emissions class action with three-quarters of claimants

                HAMBURG: Volkswagen has reached settlements with 200,000 of the 260,000 claimants participating in a class action lawsuit brought by German consumer group VZBV over the carmaker’s rigging of diesel emissions tests, the carmaker said today.

A further 21,000 cases were still being reviewed for possible payouts of €1,350 - €6,250 (up to RM30,000) per car and the deadline for participating in the settlement has been extended to April 30, VW added. The exact amount depends on the age and model of the owner’s car.

Volkswagen will pay out a total of €620 million (RM2.9bil). It had set aside €830 million to cover the costs of settlements with all participants of in the VZBV class action.

The deal marks a further step in the German carmaker’s efforts to make amends after it admitted in 2015 to using illegal software to cheat US diesel engine tests.

The effort has cost Volkswagen more than US$30 billion (RM131bil) in vehicle refits, fines and provisions.

Nearly all US owners of affected cars agreed to take part in a US$25 billion (RM109bil) settlement in 2016 in the United States, but VW has said there was no legal basis for consumers in Germany to seek compensation due to differences in law.


Huawei turns to driverless cars, as no end of US sanctions in sight

A Huawei store in Beijing. — AFP
SHENZHEN: Resigning itself to the fact that the US is unlikely to ease the sanctions that have targeted Huawei's smartphones and 5G hardware, the Chinese tech giant is now opening up a whole new business segment.

In light of the ongoing ban on Huawei using Google software and other technology from US companies, the company says it is increasing its focus on new business areas like self-driving cars.

This year alone it wants to invest more than US$1 billion (RM4.1bil) into developing autonomous cars, Huawei CEO Eric Xu announced on Monday.

At the same time, Huawei was sticking to its 2018 decision not to build its own car, but to partner with selected manufacturers, he stressed.

So far, Huawei has made agreements with three Chinese companies that want to launch sub-brands with Huawei technology on board. A logo - "Huawei Inside" - will indicate that the jointly developed car contains autonomous driving technology from the technology group.

There will only be a few cooperations of this kind, Xu said. At the same time, the investment would be profitable for Huawei, even if it were to limit itself to the Chinese domestic market, where a good 30 million vehicles are being bought every year.

With regard to the US sanctions, Xu said Huawei's strategy was designed to survive and grow regardless of Washington's policies, which are not expected to change under the administration of President Joe Biden. Huawei believes it will remain blacklisted by the US government for a long time to come, Xu said.

In 2019, then president Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the Chinese smartphone provider and network equipment supplier and extended the measures to the chip sector last year.

As a result, Huawei lost access to important technology from the West, which instantly turned Western buyers off its new flagship phones, as they were no longer were able to use services like Gmail and Google Maps.

Since the company cannot sell new smartphones with Google services, sales of the devices outside China plummeted. Huawei responded to the chip blockade by stockpiling purchases, which experts say contributed to the current global semiconductor shortage. Eric Xu on Monday blamed US sanctions for the shortages.

US officials have long accused Huawei of working with the Chinese government and say users of Huawei technology are at risk of being monitored by Beijing. The company rejects the accusations.

While Biden has scrutinized Trump's China policy, there has been no indication so far that the sanctions against Huawei could be lifted.


Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi may discuss merger in future

Senard says the partners are focusing on optimising alliance for now. — Bloomberg
PARIS: Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi may discuss a merger later in the future, Jean-Dominique Senard, the CEO of the French car manufacturer said today.

“These discussions over a capitalistic merger have been carried out for a while and they were brought out in a dramatic way recently,” Senard said in an interview with France Inter radio station.

“I think that later on, as events unfold, Renault, Nissan and Mistubishi will think about that with serenity.”

For now, the companies are working on ways to optimise their alliance, said Senard, who heads it.

Talks about a possible merger over the past days “have scared out everybody”, Senard said.

The removal of Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, credited with rescuing Nissan from near-bankruptcy in 1999, from the head of the alliance has raised a cloud of uncertainty about its future.

As Nissan ponders its future without Ghosn, who is charged with financial misconduct, French partner Renault has been quietly maneuvering for merger talks, sources at both automakers have recently said.

Ghosn has denied all charges against him.


EV startup Faraday cites death threats in campaign against board

                LOS ANGELES: Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. said its leaders have faced death threats in an increasingly contentious effort to disrupt the troubled EV startup’s plan to raise capital.

Attempts to bring in new funds have been affected by a "misinformation campaign of completely baseless allegations” that some directors plan to pursue bankruptcy for their personal gain, Faraday said today in a statement.

That has led to lawsuits, which have "escalated to threats of physical violence and even death threats.”

Faraday said it was referring the incidents to law enforcement agencies including the FBI, as well as to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The automaker didn’t specify who it believes is responsible. Faraday has been battling efforts by a shareholder group affiliated with co-founder Jia Yueting to oust some directors.

The investors this week filed a lawsuit that cited "a crisis of leadership” at the company. Jia and the shareholder group didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Faraday is facing a number of other challenges.

The Los Angeles-based startup delayed the launch of its first electric SUV in July, and its auditor resigned in August. The SEC has opened a probe into Faraday’s financial statements.


Peter Fonda's motorcycle from 'Easy Rider' is heading to auction

                SAN ANTONIO (Texas, USA): The iconic "Captain America," the motorcycle that Peter Fonda rode in the movie "Easy Rider," will be auctioned off in Texas on June 5, 2021.

Famous for the star-spangled banner painted on its gas tank, the motorcycle is currently estimated at between US$300,000 and US$500,000 (up to RM2mil).

The motorcycle in question, symbol of freedom and the hippie movement of the era, will be sold without a reserve price.

This exceptional model, famous across the world, was built from an old 1952 Harley-Davidson bike bought for a pittance at the time.

In 1996, the bike's owner at the time, collector Gary Graham, sold the Captain America bike at the Dan Kruse Classic Car Productions auction to Gordon Granger. Since then, the bike has resided in Austin, Texas, where it even survived a fire in December 2010.

For anyone who needs a reminder, the film "Easy Rider" was directed by Dennis Hopper and released in 1969.

The movie is a cult road movie about two bikers leaving California to reach Louisiana. The authenticity of this model for sale is nevertheless debated among some aficionados. For the record, two bikes were used for the shoot.

In 2014, one of them was sold for US$1.3 million (RM4.4mil at the time).

In addition to Captain America, about 20 other vehicles from Gordon Granger's collection will also be offered at auction on June 5, all without reserve prices.

This selection includes, for example, several Rolls-Royces from the 1920s and 1930s, a 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster and a 1964 Ford Mustang convertible. Also noteworthy in this sale is a replica of the famous "General Lee" Dodge from the series "The Dukes of Hazzard."


Delphi successfully completes first coast-to-coast automated drive

                NEW YORK: Delphi Automotive has completed the longest automated drive in North America, travelling from San Francisco to New York in the first coast-to-coast trip ever taken by an automated vehicle.  Nearly 5,472km were covered with 99% of the drive in fully automated mode.

The drive was used by Delphi engineers to research and collect information that will help further advance active safety technology – the most rapidly growing technology sector of the auto industry. The team collected nearly three terabytes of data - about 30% of all of the printed material in the Library of US Congress.

“Our vehicle performed remarkably well during this drive, exceeding our expectations,” said Jeff Owens, Delphi chief technology officer.

“The knowledge obtained from this trip will help optimise our existing active safety products and accelerate our future product development, which will allow us to deliver unsurpassed automotive grade technologies to our customers.”

The nine-day trip crossed 15 states and the District of Columbia.  Along the way, the vehicle encountered complex driving situations such as traffic circles, construction zones, bridges, tunnels, aggressive drivers and a variety of weather conditions.

Delphi’s automated driving vehicle is equipped with a full suite of advanced technologies and features, many of which are already on the market today including collision mitigation, integrated radar and camera systems, forward collision and lane departure warning.


Porsche personalises Taycan 4S Cross Turismo for Blackpink star Jennie

                SEOUL: Jennie of K-pop group Blackpink has a new ride.

As part of the Sonderwunsch programme in collaboration with Porsche Korea, her own personal dream car has been built based on the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo.

Discreet highlights in “Paint to Sample” Meissenblue in the exterior and the interior, as well as a “Jennie Ruby Jane” logo that she created herself, are among the car’s personal features.

Painted in a metallic black, the car is named „Taycan 4S Cross Turismo for Jennie Ruby Jane“. The Sonderwunsch model will be presented at ‘the Sonderwunsch Haus’ with the start of Blackpink’s world tour here.

In a digital workshop that ran for several hours, the experts on the Sonderwunsch team at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and the Style Porsche design department worked together with Jennie, 26, to work out all the details of the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo.

The car was customised in the Sonderwunsch department of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur workshop in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

“As an artist, Jennie is used to creative collaborations. She even brought a mood board to our meeting that visualised the initial ideas and reflected their reception,” said Grant Larson.

Larson has been with Style Porsche since 1989, and as project manager for special projects he is responsible for Sonderwunsch work within the design department.

“Being able to collaborate so intensively on my own very personal Porsche was an amazing experience,” said Jennie.

“I’m especially proud of having designed the visualisation of the clouds. I spend a lot of time travelling around the world – the sky and the clouds are my travelling companions and a beautiful symbol of these unique experiences.

"This is why I feel a special connection to them and am so passionate about photographing these nature motifs.”

Understatement was deliberately chosen for the exterior of the Taycan.

Contrasting with the metallic black finish, the 21-inch Exclusive Design rims are painted in Meissenblue.

The “Electric” lettering on the driver’s door, the model name on the rear and the cloud logos on the B-pillars are all in this special blue from the “Paint to Sample” programme.

The front door entry guards carry illuminated “Jennie Ruby Jane” lettering, with her nickname “NiNi” to be seen in the rear doors.

In accordance with Jennie’s wishes, the Porsche typography of the current 911 generation (Type 992) was used. The logo projector in the front doors projects the clouds onto the ground beside the car.

The name of the artist and “Sonderwunsch” appear on the wheel hub covers.

In the interior, the combination of Black, Crayon and Meissenblue creates an elegant ambience.

Only the seats and the top part of the dashboard are in Crayon.

Meissenblue accents the door panel trim, the borders of the air vents, the cup holders and the top centre marking of the steering wheel rim.

The headrests are adorned with the clouds designed by Jennie.

A special indoor car cover was also created with this personal touch.

Another special feature also illustrates the attention to detail in this project, namely the black dog box on board for Jennie’s Pomeranian “Kuma” (Japanese for “bear”).

Like the rest of the car, the box is accented in Meissen Blue, including the dog’s name on the front. The cloud appears on the inside of the transport box.

Jennie started her singing career in August 2016 with Blackpink.

In addition, Jennie released her first solo single "Solo" in 2018, captivating her music fans all over the world with a different charm from the music that she showed as a group.

Jennie has a global influence, with 70.35 million (as of Sept 24) followers on her Instagram. Jennie is also active as a brand ambassador for various famous fashion, beauty, food, and living brands. Recently, Jennie's group Blackpink released their second full-length album "Born Pink".


Renault revives Alpine production with 6,000-car capacity

                DIEPPE (France): Renault has invested in plant capacity to build up to 6,000 sports cars annually under the revived Alpine brand, the company said on Thursday, as it formally opened the new production line in Dieppe, northern France.

The French carmaker has spent 36 million euros upgrading the site, factory boss Pierre-Emmanuel Andrieux told reporters at an inauguration ceremony marking the return of Alpine, 22 years after Renault shut it down to cut costs.

In a nod to the history of the brand, founded in 1955, the new A110 will be produced in a limited edition of 1,955 vehicles, taking its name and styling from the best-known past model, sold between 1961 and 1977.

First shown at the Geneva car show earlier this year, the new A110 is priced at 58,000 euros (RM279,000) and will reach its first customers in the first quarter of 2018.


Continental Tyre Malaysia unveils CNY tyre promotion with e-wallet ang pau

                KUALA LUMPUR: Continental Tyre Malaysia is leaping ahead this coming Chinese New Year with e-wallet ang pau rewards for those starting the Year of the Rabbit with brand-new tyres from Continental.

From now till Feb 15, a minimum purchase of two Continental branded tyres 14-inch and above at any participating dealer nationwide or on Continental’s official Shopee store will reward buyers with Touch'n Go e-wallet vouchers.

Customers who buy 14- or 15-inch tyres will receive RM20 for two tyres purchased and RM40 for four tyres.

Those getting 16-inch tyres and above are entitled to RM50 when they get two tyres and RM100 when they purchase four.

This promotion is applicable for passenger car and 4x4 tyres only.

To redeem the Touch'n Goe-wallet vouchers, customers just need to scan the QR code located at the participating dealer shops, register their details and submit their receipt.

Once completed, they will receive their redemption status and the ang pau will be automatically credited into their Touch'n Go e-wallet.

Continental Tyre Malaysia managing director Andrea Somorova said many Malaysians would take the opportunity to travel locally to celebrate the festivities with the recent year-end holidays and upcoming Chinese New Year break.

“With Continental’s Chinese New Year campaign, we want to encourage drivers to get their tyres checked and replaced so that they can continue to make the most of the upcoming festivities while keeping themselves, their families and loved ones safe on their upcoming travels,” said Somorova.

Also included in this Chinese New Year campaign is the recently launched UltraContact UC7, the first of its Generation 7 product in Malaysia, an all-rounder tyre that prioritises shorter braking distances and outstanding grip on wet road, with an emphasis on exceptional noise comfort and long drive life.

Created for a wide range of vehicles, the UC7 is available from 15- to 18-inch size and suitable for mid-sized cars, MPVs and luxury sedans.

For details, visit www.continental-marketing.com.my or its Official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/continental.malaysia.


Hennessey’s Audi RS 6 is fastest wagon around – with a Christmas tree on top

                SEALY (Texas, USA): Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has achieved a 294kph speed record for the fastest station wagon with a Christmas tree mounted on the roof!

The seasonal speed record breaks Hennessey’s previous best – 291kph achieved with a 1,000bhp Hennessey Jeep Trackhawk in 2019.

The Christmas tree record was set while the team was conducting the Venom F5 hypercar’s final high-speed validation testing. This last phase of F5 engineering focused on tyres, braking and aerodynamics at speeds in excess of 402kph ahead of an attempt to exceed 480kph in early 2022.

The Hennessey engineers love a challenge, and they love Christmas too, so taking time to enjoy some festive fun as part of the intense F5 testing program provided some welcome light relief.

The Audi RS 6 Avant (belonging to John Hennessey’s wife) was tuned by Hennessey to 800bhp and featured a modified exhaust system, which enabled the 6ft Douglas Fir to hit the record speed. The vehicle was driven by professional driver and senior instructor at the Ford Performance Driving School, Spencer Geswein.

John Hennessey, company Founder and CEO: “We wanted to see what my wife’s Audi station wagon would run without the tree and we managed 205mph (329kph). Then, the real holiday fun began when we mounted a real Christmas tree on the roof. To our surprise, her wagon ran a very respectable 183 mph.”

The 65+ team at Hennessey Performance build more than 600 high-performance cars and trucks every year.

In 2021, they’ve fine-tuned the Hennessey Venom F5 hypercar and are already looking ahead to the company’s first fully electrified Hyper-Lux GT – Project Deep Space.


Buy a Subaru XV or Forester online

                KUALA LUMPUR: You can now buy a new Subaru XV or Forester from the comfort of your home.

TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced its new Online Booking campaign.

Just fill out the Online Booking form at https://onlinebooking.subaru.asia/xv or https://onlinebooking.subaru.asia/forester and make a booking fee payment of RM188.

A unique booking code will be sent via email. A Subaru Sales Advisor will then be in touch within five working days to finalise the booking and to follow up (e.g test drive, viewing of car and loan application) once the Movement Control Order is lifted.

The Subaru XV is available in three variants; XV 2.0i, XV 2.0i-P and XV GT Edition 2.0i-P. It is  priced from RM117,788.

The Subaru Forester is priced from RM149,788 and comes in three variants; Forester 2.0i-L, Forester 2.0i-S, and Forester 2.0i-S Eyesight.

The Online Booking campaign runs until the Movement Control Order is lifted.


Britain planning scrappage scheme for diesel cars, says paper

                LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May has asked officials to develop plans for a scrappage scheme for diesel cars as part of proposals to improve air quality, the Financial Times reported today.

The government is due to announce by April 24 plans to comply with European Union legislation to improve air quality and meet nitrogen dioxide limits following a ruling by the High Court late last year.

READ MORE:Europe's diesel decay set to accelerate in VW cheating fallout

Public and political concern about air quality has been heightened since the Volkswagen emissions scandal broke in September 2015 and revelations that real-world emissions exceed those recorded during laboratory tests.

The FT said a state subsidy of up to 2,000 pounds (around RM11,000) was being considered as part of efforts to persuade drivers to switch to cleaner cars, but cited officials from May's Conservatives as saying details were yet to be decided.

London's mayor has already promised to crack down on polluting vehicles, banning new diesel taxis from 2018 and introducing a series of new levies on motorists.


BYD Atto 3 SUV launched two months after Sime Darby Motors signs distributionship

                PETALING JAYA: It was just over two months ago that Sime Darby Motors (SDM) Malaysia signed a distribution agreement with China's electric car maker BYD.

Both parties wasted little time with today's launch of the Atto 3 SUV, the first BYD model in Malaysia.

The Atto 3, known as Yuan Plus in its home market, is one of a handful of electric cars now available in Malaysia. It is the second electric car from China to be launched after Great Wall Motor's Ora Good Cat hatchback last month.

Pre-booking for the first 100 units of the Atto 3 had opened on Nov 29.

The Atto 3 is available in two variants: Standard Range at RM149,800 and Extended Range at RM167,800.

The Standard Range gets a 49.92 kWh battery, while the Extended Range model comes with a 60.48 kWh. Range is 410km (NEDC) and 480km respectively.

Both are front-wheel drive vehicles with an electric motor mounted in front, which produces 201hp/204PS and 310Nm of torque, good for a 0-100kph spint in 7.3s.

They use BYD's less bulky lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade batteries that the company said are far less susceptible to catching fire compared to conventional electric car batteries – even when they are severely damaged.

The Standard Range and Extended Range can handle up to 70kW and 80kW DC fast charging respectively. At 80kW, the SUV can be charged from 0-80% in 45 minutes. AC charging of up to 7kW is supported.

The Atto 3 is based on BYD’s advanced e-platform 3.0, which supports a 400V architecture. It takes its name from a unit of time called the attosecond, which is a quintillionth of a second.

On paper, both variants are well specified, sharing a lot in common such as LED headlights and rear lights, panoramic sunroof, 12.8-inch rotating centre touchscreen, 360 degree view monitor, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, 6-way power adjustment for driver seat, synthetic leather seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (available from Q2, 2023), and portable card key.

Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Plus and Max variants), both Atto 3 variants also get a Vehicle-to-Load feature, that lets the SUV serve as a giant powerbank to power other devices.

They are differentiated only by battery, DC charging rate, wheel size as well as a few fancy items on the equipment list. The top variant, for instance, is kitted up exclusively with a PM2.5 air filter, wireless phone charger, a different ambient lighting style and eight speakers.

Warranty-wise, an Atto 3 buyer gets six years or 150,000km on the vehicle itself. The Blade battery is backed by a warranty of eight years or 160,000km. What's more, the motor, motor controller, DC assembly and electric control assembly are covered for eight years or 150,000km.

Sime Darby Motors is sweetening the Atto 3 deal with a launch promotion package that offers for free a portable home charger and a V2L extension cable as well as RM1,000 worth of public charging credit.

First deliveries will be latter this month. Waiting period for the model is 3 months.

Sime Darby Motors is set to invest RM500mil over two years to set up 3S dealerships and expand the country's charging network.

The first dealership is slated to open by mid-December 2022 at TREC KL in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. This will be followed by three more at Ara Damansara, Penang and Johor by the first half of 2023. The figure would be expanded to 20 by the end of 2023 and 40 by 2024.

As for local assembly, BYD said the matter is under study.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz launched the Atto 3 after the Vehicle Type Approval certificate for the model was symbolically handed over to Sime Darby Motors managing director Andrew Basham by Road Transport Department director-general Zailani Haji Hashim.

The launch event was held at Kuala Lumpur's Bandar Malaysia, a former Air Force base.

Also present were BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division general manager Liu Xueliang, BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd and PT. BYD Motor Indonesia managing director Eagle Zhao, Malaysian Automotive Association president Datuk Aishah Ahmad and Sime Darby Motors managing director of retail & distribution Jeffrey Gan.

To whet Malaysian appetite for BYD electric cars, the Dolphin and Seal models were previewed following the Atto 3 launch. Both models are expected to arrive in local showrooms in late 2023.

At present, the Atto 3 is available for public test-drives from Dec 9-11 at Bandar Malaysia. To book a test drive during that period or after, sign up at https://byd.simedarbymotors.my/book-a-test-drive.Short drive

Members of the media were given a chance to try out the Atto 3 following its launch.

There were at least over 20 units lined up, with all being the top variant.

The exterior certainly looks in trend with what is being offered out there and has a few styling flourishes to set it apart. It's in the roomy cabin that BYD designers have introduced some quirky bits - check out the "guitar strings" on the doors, the air-cond vents and door openers.

The rotating infotainment screen is innovative and we can only gather that BYD wanted to put some fun into the interior with their brand of creative flair.

The SUV offered a good and comfortable seating position. Acceleration, with some wheel spin on wet tarmac (it was drizzling at the time), was brisk but not pinned-in-the-seat impressive as better endowed EVs provide.

In the few minutes we had with the SUV, the ride was fine and the Atto 3 showed itself to be self assured in the slalom run. Brakes bite well to bring the vehicle to a quick stop even in the wet.

Safe to say, the short time with the Atto 3 left us with an urge to take it for a few days' jaunt to prod the breath of its capabilities. That will happen in due course.

READ MORE: BYD has Tesla in its sights after a year of runaway growth


Cruise gets a Californian permit to carry passengers in self-driving vehicles

                SAN FRANCISCO: Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, has won approval to participate in California's first pilot program to provide driverless transportation services. An important first step for a burgeoning industry.

Cruise has become the first company that will be able to offer rides to individuals in its self-driving vehicles without the need for a security operator. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has given it a permit under its Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service Pilot Program.

This backup mode will be replaced by a remote safety operator and an emergency stop button. Initially, the rides will be free during the test phase before commercial roll-out of the service, the date of which has not yet been announced.

The only thing missing is the approval of another authority: the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It should only be a matter of time, since the DMV has already given its approval to test the vehicles. It must now get this authorisation in order to implement a commercial service and be able to bill customers.

Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, is preparing for the deployment of its fleet, including its new autonomous vehicle "Cruise Origin," which has been stripped of nearly all the elements normally needed for operating a vehicle.

Cruise plans to begin manufacturing its new shuttles in early 2023. For now, the fleet includes hundreds of Chevrolet Bolt EVs. Cruise has already had investments from companies including Microsoft, Honda and Walmart.


NZ narrows car rebates, favours fuel efficiency

                WELLINGTON: Buyers of electric cars with low emissions will be favoured as New Zealand extends its car rebate scheme to further boost sales of green vehicles, the government said today.

Rebates will be narrowed to focus on more fuel efficient cars, Transport Minister Michael Wood said in a statement. Incentives will improve for some cars, but fees will increase for vehicles with higher emissions.

The government's upcoming budget will increase the scheme allocation by NZ$100 million (RM277mil), he said.

The original scheme boosted sales of new electric cars, with higher-than-expected demand for low emission vehicles.

"With over 100,000 rebates granted since the scheme came into effect in 2021, we currently have one of the fastest uptakes of EVs in the world," said Wood.

Last year, 20% of all new passenger cars sales were electric, up from 8% in 2021, he added.

"The scheme is also now forecast to reduce emissions by 3.4 million metric tonnes by 2035. That's an additional 50% out to 2035 over and above what was forecast when it started."

Data released by Statistics New Zealand on Tuesday showed imports of fully electric vehicles more than doubled in value during the year to March 2023, while imports of hybrid electric vehicles were up 79%.