Wrong-way drivers caused 807 accidents since January, says Wee

                KUALA LUMPUR: Based on Home Ministry data, there were 807 accidents involving vehicles going against the flow of traffic since January this year, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong told the Dewan Rakyat.

The Transport Minister was responding to a question from Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) during Ministers' Question Time today.

"From the total, 29 fatalities were recorded, 17 cases had serious injuries, 49 with minor injuries and 712 cases involving damage," he said.

He also told the Dewan Rakyat that his ministry has never ordered that senior citizens above 70 years old must surrender their driving licences.

The Ayer Hitam MP said the ministry has never made such a requirement as driving competency is not based on an individual's age.

"If you look at YB Langkawi (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad), he can drive very well.

"Far better than those who drive recklessly on the roads.

"So there cannot be discrimination for those who are aged 70 and above.

"That is why I said it is not the stance of the ministry and we have no intention of changing it," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Syed Ibrahim.

The Opposition lawmaker had asked what measures were being taken by the ministry to curb fatal traffic accidents.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir, who is 96, is known for his love of driving and sometimes even drive to official functions.

Dr Wee also noted that fatal traffic crashes involving those who were under the influence of drugs and alcohol had dropped slightly following the introduction of harsher penalties due to amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987.

"Based on the data we received, from January until July this year, the total number of fatal car crashes stood at 2,560 cases.

"From the total, 11 cases involving fatalities were due to the influence of alcohol and drugs," he added.

He said that he has ordered the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to carry out a study, which is still ongoing, on the impact of the harsher penalties for those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

"From what we have found, the mandatory jail term does serve as a deterrent."

Dr Wee pointed out that there has been a change of mindset from previous times when many would just drive home after having drinks.

"This is among the steps the ministry has taken to prevent fatal accidents," he said.

He added that studies have found that human factors were among the main contributors to car crashes, especially for those who were speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and not focusing on driving because of the use of mobile phones and road navigation apps.


Toyota's spacious Proace cleared for take-off, biggest to seat nine

                BRUSSELS: For drivers whose chief need is space, lots of it, Toyota has a new generation of its Proace, its light van that can also be loaded up with seats to do service as a minibus.

The latest generation of Toyota’s delivery van, produced in collaboration with Peugeot and Citroën, will hit markets on Sept 17, announced the Japanese automaker.

Prices start at 24,871 euros (RM115,000) in Europe for the commercial model available as either a panel van or with crew cab.

A better-equipped MPV - with the additional moniker "Verso" - will be available for at least 35,300 euros and effectively replaces the old Toyota Previa family van, last seen in 2007.

Both Proace types will be available in three lengths, ranging from 4.61 to 5.31 metres, with a wheelbase between 2.93 and 3.28 metres. The overall capacity for the panel van ranges from 4.6 to 6.6 cubic metres, depending on how it is equipped.

The Verso will have space for a eight people and a maximum of 2,932 litres of storage space. A nine-seater with fewer frills also exists.

When it comes to what’s behind the van’s beefy exterior, buyers have a choice of two diesel engines, each with two performance levels: a 1.6-litre with 95hp or 116hp, or a 2.0-litre with 150 or 177hp.

The fastest of the Proace models tops out at a respectable 170kph.

For the non-commercial variant, rear-facing seats are available for the back and can be mounted around a conference table. For the first time in its market segment, the Verso also offers a heads-up display and electric sliding doors, which can be opened remotely.


US EPA to advance plan to cut heavy-duty truck emissions

                WASHINGTON: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will announce today it is seeking public input as it works on new rules to significantly decrease emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other pollutants from heavy-duty trucks.

EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler is holding an event at a livestock exchange in Marshall, Virginia to announce the agency will propose limits early this year. On Monday, the agency is issuing an advanced notice for a formal regulatory action.

“We will modernise heavy-duty truck engines, improving their efficiency and reducing their emissions, which will lead to a healthier environment,” Wheeler said in a statement.

The EPA said the forthcoming proposal, which will apply to future models, will offer “opportunities to streamline and improve certification procedures to reduce costs for engine manufacturers.”

Over 100 million people in the United States live in areas of non-attainment for ozone and particulate matter, the EPA noted, adding heavy-duty vehicles are one of the largest contributors to NOx emissions — a precursor of ozone and particulate matter formation — from the transportation sector.

The EPA last toughened NOx standards for highway heavy-duty trucks and engines in 2000.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been moving to set new stricter state emissions limits on NOx. A spokesman said last Friday the agency is planning a public hearing this spring.

To meet national ambient air quality standards, California’s South Coast Air Basin will require an approximately 70% NOx reduction from 2019 levels by 2023, CARB said.

California wants nationwide rules in part because 60% of truck travel in the state is from trucks registered in other states.

NOx emissions are linked to significant health impacts and can exacerbate asthma attacks, the EPA has said.

The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents companies including Cummins Inc, Navistar International Corp and Daimler Trucks North America, backs the effort to revise standards and has said it wants a national program with “sufficient regulatory lead time, stability and certainty.”

In the aftermath of Volkswagen AG’s light-duty diesel emissions scandal, in which the German automaker admitted to secretly using software to evade emissions rules, the EPA has taken steps to insure that diesel cars and SUVs are meeting emissions requirements in on-road use.

In December 2016, under the President Barack Obama administration, the EPA acknowledged in response to petitions “a need for additional NOx reductions from on-highway heavy-duty engines, particularly in areas of the country with elevated levels of air pollution.”


This new lane assistant doesn't even need road markings to work

                LAS VEGAS: Lane departure warnings - the automatic alerts that go off in modern cars when the driver accidentally leaves the lane - traditionally rely on clearly visible lane markings on the road to properly work.

But a new kind of system developed by Intel subsidiary Mobileye and set to be installed in Volkswagen's electric cars doesn't need any visual help from its surroundings.

Instead of being guided by white or yellow lines on the road, the system follows precisely the route that other vehicles were driving on that road based on previously collected data.

In the past year alone, information on 4 billion kilometres has been added, Mobileye announced on Tuesday at the CES tech fair here.

Today, conventional lane assistants can only be used on about half of the kilometres driven, Mobileye manager Johann Jungwirth pointed out.

The reason is not only that the markings are missing, but also because they cannot be recognised by the vehicle's cameras due to rain, snow or dirt, for example.

At the CES, Mobileye also presented a chip system for autonomous driving called EyeQ Ultra. Mobileye expects it to be launched in the first vehicles from 2025.

"Autonomous driving will be possible with an EyeQ Ultra chip, you will then usually only have a second processor, which is a little smaller, for redundancy," Jungwirth said.

"I don’t see anything that can stop us, neither regulatory, nor technical, nor in terms of customer acceptance."

Mobileye is now sending its self-driving test cars out for road tests in Tel Aviv, Munich, Paris and Tokyo.

EyeQ Ultra relies on all-round vision with eleven cameras, as well as additional data from radar sensors and laser radars called Lidar.

"In the next three to five years I don’t see any technical possibility of bringing a system onto the market that is only camera-based," said Jungwirth, who previously worked at Mercedes, Apple and Volkswagen, among others.

"But we are not saying it will never happen."

Tesla boss Elon Musk, among others, has always shown himself convinced that cameras are sufficient and that laser radar is an expensive detour.

But most developers of robot car technology consider them indispensable for now. The technology scans the cars' surroundings and can detect them even in poor visibility conditions.


Concours of Elegance to host world first celebration of Aston Martin and Zagato

                LONDON: The Concours of Elegance has announced the first of its show-stopping features for 2019: a world-first display of one of every Aston Martin Zagato variant ever manufactured.

From the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato, right through to the Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake, visitors will be able to browse 16 examples from one of the most famous creative partnerships in automotive history.

The Aston Martin Zagato Celebratory Display is being curated by the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC), supported by Aston Martin Lagonda and Zagato.

The display will include a number of extremely rare, as well as several unique, models, including one of the most famous racing Aston Martins in history, DB4 GT Zagato ‘1 VEV’.

Taking their place alongside ‘1 VEV’ are one-off cars including the V12 Vanquish Roadster Zagato, DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial and Virage Shooting Brake Zagato Centennial.

Aston Martin and Zagato first came together with the reveal of the DB4 GT Zagato at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1960. Initially designed with aerodynamics and light weight in mind – to make the DB4 GT quicker on-track – nobody could have known that this car would provide the spark for one of the motoring industry’s greatest ever double-acts.

Although the Aston Martin Zagato display will be gathered at Hampton Court Palace for all three days of the Concours of Elegance, Saturday 7th September is the day to attend for Aston Martin enthusiasts.

As part of the event’s car club displays – gathering hundreds of rare vehicles from the nation’s top car clubs – there will be an astonishing display of over 50 rare and exotic models on display courtesy of the Aston Martin Owners Club.

The UK’s finest concours d’elegance event will return to the exquisite surroundings of Henry VIII’s former home from 6-8 September, bringing with it a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of spectacular vehicles.

The Concours of Elegance’s main display of around 60 vehicles will be the focal point of the event, telling the story of the motor car from the 1890s right through to the modern day.

Picking out icons and rarities from the world’s most famous car brands, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, the Concours of Elegance is a celebration of craftsmanship, luxury and innovation.

A 1921 Ballot S/C, the car that won the first ever Italian Grand Prix, was recently announced as one of the stars of the main display.

A number of 2018’s features will also be returning, including the Royal Automobile Club Trophy – contested by winners of the nation’s best car clubs – and the Future Classics class.

Last year’s Future Classics included the unique Rolls-Royce Sweptail, the (one-of-seven) Aston Martin Vantage V600 and the McLaren Senna chassis #001.

Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “The Aston Martin Zagato partnership has produced such a consistently astonishing array of cars that it almost deserves an event of its own. What we’ve developed here in partnership with AMOC, Aston Martin and Zagato is the next best thing - a dedicated area at the UK’s top concours d’elegance event, hosted among the beautiful Fountain Gardens of one of Britain’s most amazing buildings. We’ve got so much world-class content at our event this year, however, this Aston Martin Zagato celebratory display is one that I personally can’t wait to see."


Royal Enfield Scram 411: Compelling retro styling

                THE Royal Enfield Scram 411 is a modern take on a classic design that is backed with modern technology.

First and foremost, the Royal Enfield Scram 411 features a fuel-injected, single-cylinder, air-cooled 411cc engine that produces 24.3hp and 32Nm of torque.

The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox that offers smooth and precise shifting.

The bike has a top speed of around 130kph, which is decent for a bike of this size and category.

One of the standout features of the Scram 411 is its styling.

The bike has a retro look that's reminiscent of classic scramblers from the 1960s and 70s.

The bike has a high-mounted exhaust, a round headlight, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a flat seat.

The overall design is simple and clean, with minimal bodywork and chrome accents that add to the bike's vintage charm.

The Scram 411 also comes equipped with a host of modern features that make it a practical and reliable daily rider.

The bike has disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, which provide excellent stopping power.

The bike also has dual-channel ABS, which helps prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking.

The bike also has a digital instrument cluster that displays all the essential information, such as speed, fuel level, and gear position.

In terms of handling, the Scram 411 is undoubtedly nimble and agile.

The bike has a short wheelbase and a low centre of gravity, which makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

The bike also has a telescopic front fork and twin shock absorbers at the rear, which provide a comfortable and stable ride even on rough roads.

I decided to take the bike to Genting Highlands in the late evening right after a heavy pour.

The Scram 411's agility allows it to weave through the corners at the highland easily.

Its suspension system is well-suited to these types of roads, with a telescopic front fork and twin shock absorbers at the rear that provides a comfortable and stable ride even on rough surfaces.

The brakes are also responsive and provide excellent stopping power, which is crucial on twisty roads with sudden stops and turns.

Around hairpin corners, the bike's weight of 200kg can be a bit of a disadvantage, making it feel a bit unwieldy.

However, with proper technique and a bit of practice, the bike can be manoeuvred through these turns with ease.

The flat handlebar provides good leverage for counter-steering, and the footpegs are positioned to provide a comfortable and stable riding position.

At sweeping corners, the Scram 411 feels much more at home as it tracks well without any noticeable wobble or instability.

Overall, the Scram 411 is a solid choice for riders who enjoy hilly terrain and twisties.

While the bike has enough power to comfortably maintain highway speeds, it may struggle to overtake at higher speeds due to its limited top speed.

The upright seating position provides good visibility and reduces fatigue during long distances.

The Scram 411's lean design is an advantage in city traffic as this allows the bike to squeeze through tight spaces.

Overall, the RM26,900 Scram 411 is a solid choice for riders who are looking for a practical and reliable bike with a classic design.

The bike offers a comfortable and stable ride, with modern features that make it suitable for daily use.

While the bike may be a bit heavy, its unique styling and performance make it a worthwhile investment for those who appreciate its retro charm.

SPECIFICATIONSRoyal Enfield Scram 411Engine: 411cc, single cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC, fuel injection
Maximum power: 24.3hp at 6,500rpm
Maximum torque: 32Nm at 4,250rpm
Transmission: Five-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic, 41mm forks, 190mm travel; rear monoshock with linkage, 180mm wheel travel
Brakes: Front 300mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, ABS; rear 240mm disc, single piston floating caliper, ABS
Fuel capacity: 15 litres
Dry weight: 185kg
Price: From RM26,900 (without registration, road tax and insurance)


All public transportation services between Malaysia, Singapore allowed from April 1

                PETALING JAYA: Public transportation between Malaysia and Singapore will resume services on April 1 when the two countries open their land borders to all travellers, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said this applies to all forms of cross-border public transportation, including stage buses, express buses, tourist buses, worker buses and taxis.

“In line with the opening of the land border between Malaysia and Singapore from April 1, all classes of cross-border public transport vehicle services between both countries will also be allowed to operate from the same date.

“Beginning April 1, 2022, both countries will allow all travellers who have been fully vaccinated to cross the land border without having to undergo quarantine or perform Covid-19 tests, including pre-departure and on-arrival tests.

“This permission applies to all categories of travellers and the use of all types of land transport.

“Therefore, all public transport operators in the relevant countries can start making preparations towards restarting their operations, including renewing all relevant permits or licences, either with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) or with the authorities in Singapore,” said Dr Wee in a statement.

Dr Wee however said the resumption of the transportation service all depends on the readiness of the operators involved.

“The public can check with the relevant operators on the operational status of cross-border services that will be provided,” said the minister.

Dr Wee also reminded all operators of cross-border public transportation to adhere to the existing Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

This includes ensuring all passengers undergo QR code check-ins and also refusing travellers who refuse to wear face masks.

“Travellers are responsible to ensure that they have MySejahtera app on their smartphones and that they meet all pre-determined travel conditions.

“Failure to do so will result in action being taken against the traveller, including compound fines and penalties under existing laws,” said Dr Wee.

For those travelling in private cars into Malaysia, Dr Wee said they must remember to register and obtain their foreign vehicles entry permit (VEP) from https://vep.jpj.gov.my.

Vehicles that are registered will be provided with an RFID-VEP tag which will be equipped with the Touch n Go e-wallet app for the purpose of paying the Road Charge and toll.

All Singapore-registered private cars are required to pay a Road Charge of RM20 per entry upon entry into Malaysia via the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoints.

Dr Wee said travellers driving Singapore registered vehicles must ensure they have valid Touch n Go cards and that they have enough balance to pay their Road Charge to avoid congestion and delays.

“The Transport Ministry hopes the reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore borders will not only spur the economic growth of both countries, but also strengthen our family ties and friendships between Malaysians and Singaporeans,” said Dr Wee.


CarSifu Editors' Choice Awards 2022: Why cars won — Part 1/2

                PETALING JAYA: After months of evaluating the best cars of 2021 and 2022, the winners of the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2022 were finally announced at a presentation event and gala dinner at M Resort Kuala Lumpur last night.

In this year’s edition, 50 vehicles from 22 brands were shortlisted to compete in 28 categories.
The awards organised by Star Media Group are open for vehicles launched in Malaysia from Jan 1, 2021 to Sept 30, 2022.

A Special Recognition Award for the First Locally Assembled Electric Vehicle was also created for this year’s award.

Local Car of the Year 2022Perodua Alza AV

The second-generation Alza shows how far Perodua has come in improving a model that has bloomed into a people carrier that is hands-down a value-for-money proposition. It’s truly a case of smart packaging that’s tuned to the needs and taste of Malaysians.

Asian Car of the Year 2022Honda HR-V e:HEV RS

Continuing the appeal of the previous generation model that had sold over 111,000 units during a seven-year run, the all-new Honda HR-V sports utility has taken new cues in styling, smart safety and connectivity features. The e:HEV RS top variant, meanwhile, gets an innovative hybrid powertrain system that delivers fuel efficiency without affecting the fun-to-drive factor.

Continental Car of the Year 2022Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG Line

As one of the favourite local executive sedans, the all-new Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG Line exudes fresh exterior styling with premium dashboard design that features a high-resolution 12.3-inch free-standing driver display and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen to stay ahead of rivals. In addition to an intelligent driving system, the C 300 AMG Line also delivers sporty handling and performance along with reduced fuel consumption aided by a mild hybrid drive.

Special Recognition Award First Locally Assembled EV Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric goes to show that locally assembled electric vehicles are a winning proposition for Malaysians as they get the same quality at lower prices.
In addition to securing an overwhelming response to the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Volvo Car Malaysia has also taken the initiative ahead of other manufacturers by shipping locally assembled electric cars to markets in Asean and establishing Malaysia as a regional electric vehicle hub.

Best Sub-compact Hatchback Perodua Myvi AV

It’s a close call between the Perodua Myvi and its rival but ultimately the Myvi pulls ahead with a sportier interior, better fuel economy and far superior safety suite with active safety features that are a class ahead. It helps that the Myvi also has better resale value come time to upgrade.

Best Mid-size Hatchback Volkswagen Golf R-Line

The Volkswagen Golf R-Line has a more expressive and premium look outside and in of the segment. It benefits from better performance and enhanced digitalisation that includes intelligent voice control and a customisable digital meter cluster that puts it firmly in the modern age.

Best Mid-size Sedan Honda Civic RS

The latest generation Civic RS builds on the success of its predecessor with improved sporty performance, handling and a more premium interior styling. Also adding to the Civic RS’ appeal is its upgraded suite of active smart driving features.'

Best Large Sedan Toyota Camry 2.5V

Although the Toyota Camry 2.5V is said to be a facelift, the model comes with a host of major improvements that solidify its stature as a premium sedan. Among the key features are the more powerful and refined 2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine with port and direct injection, eight-speed Direct Shift sequential automatic transmission, power rear seats with a backrest recline and Toyota Safety Sense with Pre-Collision System.

Best Small SUV Honda HR-V e:HEV RS

As one of the highly sought-after models of 2022, the Honda HR-V certainly wins new fans with its blend of urban styling in an upscale sports utility vehicle body styling. The HR-V e:HEV RS hybrid also comes packed with active and smart driver aids, and delivers more than satisfying performance and fuel efficiency for all driving needs.

Best Mid-size SUV Peugeot 3008 Allure

Stylish flair has always been Peugeot’s forte bolstered by the borderless grille and fanged lighting. The French SUV takes the lead in its category with refined and trendy features, a more powerful engine and a panoramic sunroof that adds an airy cabin ambience.

Best Large SUV Proton X70 1.5TGDI Premium 2WD

While the new Proton X70 comes with a smaller 1.5-litre 3-cylinder TGDI engine, the sports utility vehicle still cranks out more than enough driving performance for daily runs, along with better fuel economy compared with the previous line-up equipped with a larger 1.8L TGDI X70. To top off, owners will also enjoy an easier purchase price along with lower long-term ownership costs.

Best Large SUV (4X4) Subaru Forester GT Edition

Known for its spacious interior with a high ceiling, the Forester excites with Subaru’s trademark permanent all-wheel drive system for exceptional handling on the tarmac and loose soil.
The inclusion of the EyeSight Advanced Driver Assist Technology further elevates
this SUV’s safety features to that of a premium vehicle.

Best Large SUV (3-row seating) Mazda CX-9 Ignite

While the CX-9 and its rivals are closely matched in most areas, the CX-9 gets a price advantage. It has a cabin that looks cleaner and packs a better infotainment system plus a 5-year warranty package that doesn’t require additional outlay. The surround view camera also adds to parking convenience.

Best Compact Luxury Sedan Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG Line

The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets more stylish looks along with a longer wheelbase for increased legroom and comfort. Aside from sure-footed handling, the top-of-the-line C 300 AMG Line features a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with mild hybrid assistance that is capable of both refined cruising and sporty performance when summoned.

Best Mid-size Luxury Sedan Lexus ES 250 F Sport

The new ES 250 F Sport pulls off a combination of luxury and comfort with typical Lexus smoothness. The ride and handling are poise as befits a luxury cruiser. It executes its mandate in a polished manner.

Best Small Luxury SUV Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 comes with an enthusiastic 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that easily unleashes an attention-drawing sporty roar. In addition to a more distinctive face with its Panamericana grille and dark interior, the 4Matic system allows every bit of power to be delivered to all wheels for the most engaging driving experience of its segment.

> PART 2


James Bond-style personal submarine unveiled by Aston Martin

                LONDON: Building exclusive sports cars is clearly not enough for Aston Martin, which has teamed up with some marine experts to build a James Bond-style submarine.

Project Neptune is the name given to the collaboration between the British carmaker and Triton Submarines which is based in the US state of Florida.

Aston Martin will be forever linked with the fictional spy 007 and the company is known for its handsome, high-performance luxury cars. Models from the Gaydon-based firm have featured in 11 James Bond films.

A mock-up submersible Lotus Esprit featured in the 1977 Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me". Now, over 40 years later, the first production model of a strictly-limited aquatic offering is set to surface later this year, the companies have announced.

The three-person submarine with a bubble-like cabin is said to combine the classic design features of Aston Martin's cars with Triton's deep-diving technologies.

The is designed to appeal to wealthy super-yacht owners who want to spend some leisure time exploring underwater.

According to unconfirmed reports, only a dozen of the submarines will be available to buy each year. Each one will cost around US$4mil (RM15.8mil). Aston Martin unveiled its first power boat at the 2016 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show.

Technical details are scarce but the submersible can dive down to 500 metres and remain there for up to 12 hours. It can travel at up to 5 knots and has four times the acceleration of Triton's fastest existing flagship model. Occupants will enjoy near-360-degree all-round visibility.

Aston Martin's creative officer Marek Reichman likened the design of the submarine to the company's Valkyrie hypercar. He said fettling the submersible was a major challenge for the carmaker.

The interior is pure Aston Martin too, with a luxurious mix of hand-stitched leather and high-performance carbon fibre. A high degree of customisation is planned and customers will be able to choose from all manner of combinations of colour and trim.

Aston Martin has recently been branching out into other luxury areas, including Italian-made furniture which carries the company's winged emblem.

Notepad


LA Auto Show put off to May 2021

                LOS ANGELES: The LA Auto Show held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center will move six months into the spring of 2021 as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Originally planned for Nov 20-29, 2020, the public show will now be held on May 21-31, 2021.

Press days - also known as AutoMobility LA - have been rescheduled from Nov 18-19 to May 19-20.

"We are appreciative for the continued support from the LA Convention Center, the City of Los Angeles and all of our automotive partners," said LA Auto Show CEO Lisa Kaz.

"Memorial Day Weekend is a fantastic time for enhanced outdoor activations and product debuts. The LA weather creates exciting new opportunities for a spring show."


Nikola bags order to make 2,500 electric garbage trucks

                PHOENIX: A US Republic Services Inc will partner with Nikola Corp, a maker of hydrogen-fueled vehicles, to develop 2,500 electric waste and recycling collection trucks, the companies said on Monday.

Ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets set by governments around the world are driving the development of alternatively-powered vehicles, with some countries already committing to phasing out traditional combustion engines.

The zero-emission vehicles, which will have a range of 241.4km, are expected to be integrated into Republic Services' fleet beginning in 2023, the companies said.

Republic, a recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal firm, highlighted quieter operation in neighbourhoods, lower maintenance costs, and lower emissions as benefits of electrifying its fleet.

The deal is expandable to 5,000 vehicles over the life of the agreement, the companies added.

Major vehicle manufacturers around the world have electric or fuel cell models in their product line-ups, but investment in the technology, coupled with a global automotive sector downturn, has squeezed profits and led to staff and cost cuts.

Along with Hyundai Motor Co and Toyota, Nikola is one of a few automakers to have backed hydrogen cars.

The company is aiming to start production of its Badger pickup truck in 2022 or earlier, which will compete with electric car maker Tesla Inc’s Cybertruck. The pickup truck is expected to be available in both electric and fuel-cell versions.


Lovers can now say 'I do' with bespoke car-inspired engagement rings

                LONDON: Car lovers preparing to tie the knot can now treat their fiancé(e) to an original ring inspired by their favourite ride.

Combining precious stones with recycled materials, these rings are available this fall only through a partnership between Scrap Car Comparison and the jeweller Edward Fleming.

For years, materials from the exhaust systems of scrapped cars have been recycled and used in the manufacture of regular wedding rings and engagement rings.

Now, as part of this special operation, Scrap Car Comparison, the British price comparison service specialising in scrap cars, is going one step further, offering designs celebrating a specific motor model.

The idea is to craft custom creations that reflect the aesthetics of a particular car.

To illustrate the project, three models have already been designed, all inspired by iconic vehicles: the original Mini Cooper, the Ford Fiesta and the Lamborghini Huracán.

The design of each customer's ring promises to be unique, and prices will be adapted in relation to each request.

This offer is available until Nov 5. To order a ring, the first step is to fill out a form via the Scrap Car Comparison website.


Tesla to cut car prices in North America and China

                BEIJING: Tesla Inc said today it will cut prices of its electric vehicles in North America as the firm ramps up car production at its Fremont, California, factory after the easing of coronavirus lockdowns.

The price cut comes as demand for cars waned following state lockdowns.

It was not immediately clear by how much Tesla was cutting its prices or when the cuts would take effect.

The company’s Model S sedans will now be priced from US$79,990 (RM349,000), and its Model X sport utility vehicles from US$84,990 (RM370,000), according to its website. The cheapest Model 3 sedan will be priced at US$37,990 (RM166,000), the website said.

Tesla said it will also cut prices in China, the company’s usual practice after price adjustments in the United States.

Tesla China said in a Weibo post it will cut prices for the Model S and Model X cars it imports, but keep prices of locally-made Model 3 cars unchanged.


Jeep Wrangler shaken and stirred

When it comes to having an off-road pedigree, there is one car that takes the cake. This car doesn’t just have good breeding, it created a whole pedigree of its own. I’m of course talking about the Jeep Wrangler.

To cut a really long story short, this go-everywhere-take-everything-on machine first started life as a special project by the US army.

The onset of World War II saw these proto-Jeeps spread out across the globe. It was during this time that American G.I.’s gave it the Jeep monicker, possibly after a character from Popeye or by slurring the military designation given to the car, GP (for General Purpose).

After the war, Jeeps left behind in countries that the US operated in, like Japan and the UK, helped spawn nascent auto industries built around utility vehicles.

As for the original Willys Jeep, the model changed hands over the years from one automaker to another, but surprisingly kept its highly recognisable shape, excellent off-road demeanour and its name.

Jeep has come and gone from our shores a few times over the last 75 years, the last time being in the 90s up to the early noughties. When I heard that it was coming back, I waited with bated breath for the launch which finally came in November last year.

While off-roading fans might argue over which marque is the best, I think most of us harbour a curiosity about how well the car performs. I know I was. The car I got to review was Jeep Malaysia’s 2-door ultra-luxe variant of the Wrangler, the Rubicon. I have to say I was a bit surprised by its small build.

At just over 4m long and with a wheelbase of 2,268mm, it is about the size of a compact car. That being said, the designers over at Jeep worked very hard to get the most out of the available interior space. Let’s just say that there are far larger 4X4s out there that does not have as much leg-space and headroom.

Not to mention the amount of storage "bays" available. I spelt bays with inverted commas as they’re not so much bays but more like netting.

Legroom in the back is at a premium, but for your average Malaysian it’s still comfy if a bit tight.

The interior is rather spartan for something pegged as a luxury variant. Although, it does have leather seats and trimmings as well as a touchscreen entertainment centre, it doesn’t come with a sat-nav.

Nevertheless, I do really, really, like the car’s speakers. Nine in total with a subwoofer hidden in your boot.
So if the Rubicon’s 3.6-litre V6 fails to wake up your neighbours, it’s stereo certainly will.

Overall though, I do like the car’s frugal, solid design and was pleased by how comfortable it actually is. There are several trucks I know of which are much larger but are nowhere near as comfortable as this little beast.

The proof of the pudding is in the driving, and this car handles pretty well on the road. To really test its mettle, I picked a spot near Karak to put the Rubicon through its paces.

The route took me through the heart of our capital, out onto the Karak highway before meandering into the small roads of Karak town and finally out into the boondocks to see how the Rubicon liked our Malaysian mud. What I found was that when it came to city roads, the Rubicon fared pretty well.

Its engine has more than enough spunk to overtake and its diminutive size made it easy to wiggle through traffic. Also, parking was a breeze as there are no blindspots to worry about and the Rubicon has an above average turning radius in my opinion.

On the highway, the drive was a bit uninspiring, which is just as well, as this car is no sports-car. On longer stretches, it takes a while to come up to speed.

Personally, I had no issues with that as I was enjoying the drive. This car was made for cruising, so if you keep a steady pace and turn up your radio, it makes for a fun experience. For the real acid test, I mosied up to a patch of jungley farmland belonging to a friend of mine.

As soon as it hit the trail I realised that this was a vehicle with a difference. It literally ate up whatever the trail threw at it. Its massive engine meant you have oodles of torque to play with.

The power kicks in a little bit later than you would expect though, seeing that it is a petrol engine. If you are used to diesel, then you would have been schooled in instant, flat torque band.

This baby gives it to you in one big punch farther up the tachometer which meant I had to unlearn some habits.
But once you get over that you realise that there is not much that the Rubicon cannot overcome.

With a ground clearance of 220mm (loaded) and thanks to its skid plates and rock rails, an armoured belly, it is particularly suited to clambering over rocks and other obstacles. Furthermore, with its excellent approach and departure angles, I more or less had it driving up near vertical slopes!

I do feel that this beast was bred for the drier forests and deserts of the US as it did not seem to be so at home in the mud, as say, its British counterpart, but it did excel in other areas.

It did get bogged down once, but that could have been mainly due to driver error than the fault of the car. One point I did not appreciate about the car was its proximity alert system.

Assuming you were stuck in a traffic jam, the sensors would go off each and every time a motorcycle came remotely close to the car, which in Malaysia, meant that it went off a lot.

Off-road, it was an equally torturous driving experience.

Our whole trek into the forest lasted about four hours, and throughout it all the alarm just went off continuously as it detected every bit of tall grass, tree or rock around it. In my opinion, this  is a serious issue that Jeep has to look into.

On the road, it is just a nuisance but off-road it’s a dangerous hazard as not only would it distract the driver, it would make radio communications impossible.

I am at a loss as to why the system is so bad for something that’s supposed to be a through and through off-roader.

The only reason I can think of is that trees grow further apart in the United States.

I later found out that you can disable the proximity alert by flicking a switch hidden in a hard-to-reach spot underneath the dashboard.

In my opinion, Jeep should put that switch right on the dashboard. If you want to turn it off now, you have to stop the car and get out of the vehicle, which is not something I’d recommend if you are stuck in heavy traffic.

Aside from that, the car is an excellent bit of kit that would please both the hardcore outdoorsmen and the urbanite looking for a lifestyle car.

Its tiny size is a boon for trail runners but would be a bit of a handicap if you wanted to go touring up to Thailand.

At RM337,000 (on the road with insurance), the price is a bit steep for what you get, but that’s because the car is fully imported.

If Jeep decided to have the Rubicon assembled here (or anywhere else in South-East Asia), the price tag could drop by quite a bit.

When that happens, I would be one eager customer. - NIKLAS ALBAKRI


Bugatti unwraps 1,825hp Bolide track car

                PARIS: Bugatti has dished up another sizzling hypercar. It unveiled today a track-focused only hyper sports car called the Bolide, French slang for "very fast car."

Still a concept car, the 1,825hp Bolide is based on the Chiron featuring a modified version of the iconic W16 engine with a minimal body for maximum downforce. Although Bugatti has not said if the car would go into series production, chances are it would if its select clientele clamour for it.

The Bolide lays claim to being "the most extreme, uncompromising, fastest and lightest vehicle concept in the company’s recent history ".

It has an unprecedented weight-to-power ratio of 0.67 kg per PS. This is made possible by the combination of the W16 engine with 1,825hp and a vehicle weight of just 1,240kg.

The Bolide achieves figures that are almost on par with Formula 1 while its top speed is well above 500kph – without compromising optimum handling and maximum agility. The Bolide takes 3 .07.1 minutes to complete a lap of Le Mans and 5 .23.1 minutes to get around the Nordschleife and thus promises to offer the ultimate Bugatti performance kick.

The 8.0-litre W16-cylinder engine with 1,825hp and 1,850Nm of torque is at its heart. Bugatti has designed the drive specifically for use on the racetrack and has optimised the engine and gearbox in particular for higher engine speeds.

Among other things, this includes dethrottling the intake and exhaust system to achieve an even faster, more spontaneous, and extreme response characteristic. The four newly developed turbochargers are fitted with optimised blades in order to build up more boost pressure and power at higher engine speeds.

In order to achieve optimum lubrication even under extremely high centrifugal forces, the oil circuit, oil pressure, check valves, baffles, oil tanks, oil reservoirs, and pump design of the dry sump lubrication have been optimised.

The weight of the drive system is also significantly reduced at the same time.

Instead of water-to-air intercooling, the Bugatti Bolide has air-to-air intercooling with water pre-cooling for optimal performance on the racetrack. The inflow takes place from the front via one internal and one external air duct on each side of the vehicle.

The two water coolers, which are arranged in front of the front axle, provide a more effective radiator system in terms of flow than is customary even in Formula 1. Three air-cooled oil coolers for engine, transmission, and differential with water pre-cooling reduce the temperature even on dynamically demanding race laps.

Newly developed and hybrid carbon titanium turbofan radial compressors ventilate and cool the high-performance racing brake system.

With an overall height of only 995mm, the Bugatti Bolide is exactly the same height as the historic Bugatti Type 35, depending on the steering wheel and truncated windscreen, and about 300mm flatter than the Chiron.

The wheelbase is 2.75 metres and the width 1.99 metres. Like in an LMP1 racing car, the occupants fold up the doors that are hinged at the front at an angle, sit on a sill that is only 70mm wide, as in a Type 35, and then position their feet in the interior. Thanks to a side wall that is about 150mm, lower than that of the Type 35, the procedure is quick and easy – for drivers up to a body height of 2 metres.

In order to achieve a dry weight of 1,240kg, all the stops have been pulled out with regard to the materials and production processes used, both in terms of what is currently feasible and what will be possible in the future.

All the screw and fastening elements of the Bolide are made completely out of titanium.

In addition, hollow, thin-walled functional components made of an aerospace titanium alloy are used in many places. These originate from a 3D printer and are extremely thin with wall thicknesses of up to 0.5mm.

However, they are still very stable with a tensile strength of 1,250 newtons per square millimetre. Hybrid components, such as the 0.5- metre-long auxiliary drive shaft, combine wound high-strength and ultra-stiff carbon fibres with 3D-printed titanium end fittings and can withstand a continuous operating temperature of up to 260 degrees Celsius.

In this example, this reduces the weight by around half to 1.5 kg and, due to the reduction of the rotating masses, increases the revving ability of the engine at the same time. The forces acting on the front and rear wings are transferred by ultralight but very solid titanium elements. They weigh a mere 600 grams at the front and an astounding 325 grams at the rear.

A worldwide innovation is the morphable outer skin of the intake scoop on the roof, which provides active airflow optimisation. If the vehicle is driven at a slow speed, the surface of the scoop remains smooth. In contrast, a field of bubbles bulges out when driven at fast speeds.

This reduces the aerodynamic drag of the scoop by 10 percent and ensures a 17 percent reduction in lift forces. In addition, the flow onto the rear wing is optimised. At 320 km/h, the downforce is at 1,800kg at the rear wing and 800kg at the front wing.

As in Formula 1, the Bolide decelerates with racing brakes with ceramic discs and coatings. The brake callipers weigh only 2.4kg each. The front forged magnesium rims with central lock weigh 7.4kg, while the ones at the rear weigh 8.4kg – with a very wide tyre size of 340mm on the front axle and 400mm on the rear axle (Chiron: 285 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear). A compressed-air-driven jack system with four rams makes tyre changing easier, a quick refuelling system allows pressure refuelling.

Among other things, a push rod kinematics system with horizontal dampers ensures precise handling. The oil reservoirs are arranged inside the dampers, which improves aerodynamics.

Weighing only 100 grams, the push-rods are designed as a thin-walled and flow-optimised titanium lightweight construction with a buckling load of 3.5 tonnes, which corresponds to a dry weight of nearly two Chirons. The welded control arms made of aerospace-grade stainless steel have a tensile strength of 1,200 newtons per square millimetre and are also designed as wing profiles.

The Bugatti team developed a light monocoque made of carbon around the drive. The integral front end flanged to it is also made of high-strength carbon fibres, as are the fully aerodynamically effective underbody and the monocoque itself.

The single-fibre tensile strength of the fibres used is 6,750 newtons per square millimetre, the single-fibre stiffness is 350,000 newtons per square millimetre. These represent figures that are only reached in the aerospace industry. The rear frame, designed as a welded steel assembly, offers a maximum tensile strength of 1,200 newtons per square millimetre, despite a wall thickness of only 1 millimetre – this is made possible by the use of high-strength stainless steel, which is otherwise only used in aviation.

Safety is ensured with safety equipment designed in accordance with FIA regulations. These include HANS device compatibility, an automatic fire extinguishing system, a towing device, pressure refuelling with fuel bladder, central locks for the wheels, lightweight polycarbonate windows, and a six-point harness system.

The monocoque side floors with integrated carbon coolant pipes are simultaneously designed as side impact structures and structural reinforcement of the monocoque. The driver can see all the relevant data on a motorsport display. For an optimum sitting position, both the pedals and the passenger footrest can be moved by 150mm.

The Bolide look invokes the so-called X-planes of aviation history and shows a clear X signature from every angle. It is indirectly reminiscent of the Bell X-1 jet aircraft which was flown by Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager 1947, the first person to break the sound barrier at Mach 1.06.

The Bolide “X-periment” has the shape of an aerodynamically optimised, uncompromising racing car and offers ultra-sporty, superlative performance – with no hint of luxury.

“All of Bugatti’s expertise has been condensed into the Bugatti Bolide. It is therefore an innovative information source for future technologies. The Bolide is thus more than just an intellectual exercise," said Stefan Ellrott, member of the Board of Management of Bugatti and Head of Technical Development.


China police seek to expand facial recognition network to nab traffic offenders

                HONG KONG: China’s traffic police are pushing ahead with a nationwide network of facial recognition surveillance cameras to deal with rule violations despite rising global anxiety over the new technology’s impact on privacy.

The central police authority announced on Aug 14 that its platform successfully identified 126,000 suspect vehicles without a valid licence last year, for example. They now want to widen the network so that information on suspicious traffic activity can be shared with other cities and provinces.

The facial recognition technology checks the faces of drivers and vehicle details against a database, helping to verify the identity of wrongdoers much more quickly and improving the accuracy of traffic violation management, said Sun Zhengliang, Secretary of the Party Committee at the Ministry of Public Security Traffic Management Science Research Institute, in a traffic security forum on Wednesday in Hefei, Anhui province.

Shenzhen-based AI firm Intellifusion has been providing face-scanning technology to the city’s traffic police since 2018. In Handan in Hebei province, local police have teamed up with Guangzhou-based AI startup Gosunyun Robot to introduce robots to help direct traffic and provide guidance to drivers.

The developments come amid rising resistance to the frictionless identification technology in many western countries, with Oakland recently joining San Francisco as US cities that have banned use of the technology by municipal authorities amid privacy concerns. A legal challenge has also been mounted in the UK against use of facial recognition tech by police, on the grounds that it constitutes an unlawful violation of privacy.

In the US, tech giant Amazon has also been criticised by its employees and shareholders for teaming up with the police to test the ability of facial recognition technology to track suspects in real time.

In China, it’s full steam ahead though and facial recognition is being applied to everything from airport security and crime prevention to garbage sorting. In the hi-tech city of Shenzhen, jaywalkers have already been named-and-shamed by pilot facial recognition schemes.

“For the US, they consider democracy first ahead of technology. In Shenzhen, it’s technology first,” said Wong Kam-Fai, a professor in engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and appointed as a national expert appointed by the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence, in an interview during this month’s AI Summit in Hong Kong. “They are trying to push out the technology first and see if people can accept it.”

For those not yet on the road, facial recognition has also been deployed for learner drivers, allowing students to use their face to register and complete the required road theory study time before they sign up for a driving test.

Beijing has expressed enthusiasm about extending artificial intelligence technologies to many walks of life, from catching criminals, detecting cancers to developing self-driving cars. China is also home to the world’s largest surveillance camera makers amid state-directed efforts to build an “omniscient” surveillance network by 2020. – South China Morning Post


7-seat Mitsubishi Xpander set to debut in Malaysia soon

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Mitsubishi Xpander, a seven-seater vehicle, will be launched in Malaysia this year.

Following the success of the new Xpander launch in Indonesia, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation rolled out the Xpander across the Asean region.

In Indonesia where the Xpander was introduced in 2017, it is categorised as an MPV and a variant called Xpander Cross, with crossover-styling, followed last November. In Malaysia, the Xpander is being marketed as a crossover.

The new Xpander follows the iteration of the "Dynamic Shield" front design concept, which is incorporated in every newly launched Mitsubishi car. The "Dynamic Shield" is said to express high performance and a sense of protection for the driver and passengers.

Mitsubishi said the Xpander blends functionality with an adventurous SUV-inspired styling, "making it a suitable car for every Malaysian lifestyle."

“The Xpander is not just an important model for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), but across the Asean region as well. As of June 2020, the car has reached cumulative sales of around 256,000 units," said MMM CEO Tomoyuki Shinnishi.

"The success of the Xpander in neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam reflects how well-suited this car is to meet the needs of Malaysian customers."

The Xpander has won numerous awards in the countries where it is sold.

READ MORE: Mitsubishi plunges further into the red, will discontinue Pajero SUV


Petronas to supply full-synthetic engine oil to Bermaz

                PETALING JAYA: Mazda distributor Bermaz Motor has announced an agreement with Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia to supply its Syntium synthetic engine oil to its dealerships.

Bermaz Motor executive chairman Datuk Sri Ben Yeoh said the Petronas lubricants would be used under Mazda's free service maintenance programme from July. At present, the dealerships are using semi-synthetic engine oil.

The use of Synthium would not result in additional costs to customers, said Yeoh, adding that the change would help improve the car ownership experience.

"We will continuously pursue our brand promise, and the ownership experience will remain our core competitive advantage. We want to make a difference."

Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia CEO Hardeep Kirpal Singh said the Syntium engine oil "has Cooltech technology that fights against excessive engine heat for better engine performance."

READ MORE:
Mazda releases list of new car prices
Updated all-wheel drive Mazda CX-30


VW test drives at Jakel Mall, KL

                KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the upcoming Aidilfitri, Volkswagen Malaysia is offering test drives to visitors of Jakel Mall in Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur at every weekend of the Ramadan month.

Volkswagen models available are the Polo, Polo Sedan, Jetta and Golf R and test drives are held between 10.30am and 8.30pm from July 3 to 5 and July 10-12.

The company’s “0 downpayment and 0 interest” campaign for the Polo Sedan, Jetta, Passat and Tiguan models allows buyers savings of up to RM48,000.

In addition,  Jakel customers will be rewarded with exclusive Volkswagen Raya packets at any Volkswagen dealership.

All they have to do is to retrieve a Volkswagen brochure from any Volkswagen brand ambassadors.


Hyundai launches Genesis luxury brand

                SEOUL: South Korea’s Hyundai Motor launched on Wednesday a high-end brand named after its Genesis line of vehicles as it looks to expand its presence in the fast-growing luxury auto market.

Hyundai, which together with affiliate Kia is the world’s fifth largest carmaker, said its premium Genesis brand will offer six models by 2020, including its existing luxury sedan launched in 2013 and another large sedan to be unveiled next month.

The company has boosted its high-end auto line ups including Genesis and Equus in recent years in a bid to shed its image as a cheaper alternative to bigger rivals like Toyota.

The Genesis models - first introduced in 2008 - have won a series of awards for design and are said to be more refined than the firm’s past vehicles.

The existing sedan to be included in the luxury portfolio is priced at up to $54,000 before tax in the US.

 Donckerwolke is to head the Genesis design.

“High-end cars account for only 10 percent of the global market but... the sector is leading the industry in terms of technology and design,” Hyundai vice chairman Chung Eui-Sun said at a press conference.

“I am confident that the launch of the new brand will play a major role in our future growth,” he added, saying consumer demand for luxury cars is growing faster than the overall auto market.

Global shipments of luxury cars grew 9.7 percent in 2014, outpacing the overall market growth of 4.2 percent, according to market research firm IHS.

The brand’s new vehicles, including a luxury SUV and sports coupe, will not carry the Hyundai label but simply the Genesis logo, in the same way that Toyota’s Lexus brand only carries its own logo.

Hyundai has meanwhile hired as head of its global design Luc Donckerwolke, a famed designer who previously worked for top automakers such as Bentley and Lamborghini.

The latest announcement came as South Korea’s top carmaker struggled with eroding profit stemming from a strong won that has blunted its price competitiveness overseas.

The firm last month reported a 25-percent drop in its third-quarter net profit - a seventh consecutive drop in quarterly profit - warning of “many challenges” ahead with slowing demand in Chinese market and uncertainties about the US economic outlook.


Giga-casting and robots: How Volkswagen's Trinity aims to catch up with Tesla

                BERLIN: As Tesla kicks off production at its new German plant this month, Volkswagen is weeks away from finalising plans for a 2 billion euro electric vehicle (EV) factory that it hopes will bring it up to speed with its US rival.

Tesla says it can already churn out a Model Y in 10 hours at its new Giga Berlin-Brandenburg factory in Gruenheide near the German capital, whereas it can take Volkswagen three times as long to make its ID.3 electric car.

The German auto giant now aims to slash production times with its "Trinity" EV plant, which should be up and running in 2026, by using techniques such as large die casting and cutting the number of components in its cars by several hundred.

"Our goal is clear: we want to set the standard with our production," Volkswagen brand production chief Christian Vollmer said in an interview.

"If we can get to 10 hours, we have achieved something big."

The carmaker has been improving productivity at a rate of about 5% a year but must take bigger leaps to keep its upper hand in the European market, Vollmer said, without providing a new percentage target.

Volkswagen, the world's second-biggest carmaker behind Japan's Toyota with a stable of brands from Skoda, SEAT and VW to Audi, Porsche and Bentley has a 25% share of the European EV market, ahead of Tesla on 13%.

But the pressure on German carmakers to both master and ramp up EV production has been intensified by Tesla's presence in the country and Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess has warned Germans must speed up to avoid getting beaten on their own turf.

'Ignited the drive'

Volkswagen's goals align with a wider trend in the industry of simplifying product ranges and streamlining production as carmakers scramble to find the cash to fund the electric transition - and keep up with rivals like Tesla that don't have to juggle making EVs as well as cars with combustion engines.

"Tesla really ignited the drive for reducing part counts and making simpler products," Evan Horetsky, a partner at McKinsey who was formerly in charge of engineering at Tesla's new Brandenburg plant, said.

"Legacy manufacturers have a more difficult time because they have to maintain current orders."

A Tesla spokesman said one of the reasons it can produce its Model Y vehicles in Germany within a 10-hour time frame is because it is uses two giant casting presses, or giga-presses, applying 6,000 tonnes of pressure to make the rear of the car.

Its Gruenheide press shop can produce 17 components in under six minutes. With six more giga-presses on the way, Tesla will soon be making the front of the car with the giga-press too.

"That's why we're so fast," the spokesman said.

The giga-casting technique that VW plans to adopt was popularised by Tesla as an alternative to the more labour-intensive method of assembling multiple stamped metal panels with crumple zones to absorb energy during a crash.

German luxury carmaker BMW has rejected large castings in the past on the grounds that the higher costs of repair outweigh the lower manufacturing costs.

But advocates say automated driving technology will reduce the frequency of accidents: "Tesla is designing a vehicle that most likely won't be in a severe crash," Cory Steuben, president of manufacturing consulting firm Munro & Associates, said.

'Human-robot cooperation'

While VW can produce certain models such as the Tiguan or Polo in 18 and 14 hours in Germany and Spain respectively, its electric ID.3 - made in a factory juggling six models from three Volkswagen brands - still takes 30 hours to put together.

At the Trinity plant, multiple work steps will be condensed into one through automation, shrinking the size of the body shop and reducing the number of jobs requiring uncomfortable physical labour, Vollmer said, dubbing it an expansion of "human-robot cooperation".

Volkswagen does not plan to have giga-presses at the new plant in Wolfsburg and will instead use the equipment at its factory in Kassel about 160km away and transport the products by train.

US investment bank JPMorgan predicts that Tesla's Gruenheide factory will produce about 54,000 cars in 2022, 280,000 in 2023 and then 500,000 by 2025.

Volkswagen, which delivered some 452,000 battery-electric vehicles globally last year, has not yet set an output target for Trinity, which will use its Scalable Systems Platform.

It aims to build 40 million vehicles worldwide on the new platform - which combines multiple internal combustion engine and electric platforms into one – with half of its global output all-electric by 2030.

Tesla, which produced 936,000 cars last year, has said it aims to put 20 million on the road a year by the end of the decade, or roughly double the current annual production of Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker now.

Still, Tesla can expect numerous challenges as it expands in Germany, from securing more water supplies to environmental groups angry about light pollution and congestion near the plant to unions worried about a management-heavy works council and wages being driven down by workers coming in from elsewhere.

"Starting production is nice, but volume production is the hard part," Musk told a cheering audience at a festival at the plant site in October 2021.

"It will take longer to reach volume production than it took to build the factory."


German power market could cope with switch to electric cars, say researchers

                FRANKFURT: An anticipated shift to 40 percent electric cars on German roads by 2035 could be absorbed by the power system and generate additional income for utility companies, an independent study by Aurora Energy Research said on Monday.

It calculated this will result in 31 terawatt hours (TWh) of additional power demand by 2035 - at five percent of the current annual consumption a manageable number, given that renewable generation units are expanding.

“E-mobility will be the more economic choice by then and its impact on the German power market will tend to be moderate,” said Benjamin Merle, one of the authors. "We don’t see any threat of significant price increases for households or industry,” he said.

Europe’s biggest economy had roughly 46 million small passenger cars on the road on Jan. 1, 2017 when only 0.1 percent of them were powered by electricity, official figures showed.

However, around 10 percent of cars get replaced each year and Aurora’s Berlin office, the German arm of an Oxford-based parent company, assumes that falling battery costs and a far better climate record of electric cars versus the combustion engine will start supporting mass adoption in the next decade.

Battery-powered cars should emit 40 percent less carbon dioxide in 2035 than those with traditional engines, it said.

This assumes that the carbon efficiency of the latter will not be improved from today as less research goes into the old technology.

Higher battery density will ensure that driving ranges expand due to more powerful batteries while charging infrastructures are built up to meet demand, it also assumed.

It estimated that exchange-quoted power prices for the day-ahead will nearly double to an average around the mid-60 euros a megawatt hour by 2035, as Germany is to phase out cheap nuclear and much coal-fired capacity by then.

Within that price, the additional costs required to meet the 31 TWh were estimated at 2.7 euros/MWh, Merle said.

German utility companies stand to gain between 500 and 700 million euros a year in additional earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), if they exploit cross-selling opportunities with start-ups in the chargepoint sector that are springing up fast, the researchers estimated.

These could include offering consumers time-of-use tariffs to charge cheaply at night-time or using electric vehicles as interim storage for inexpensive power, to release it at high-price times, they said.


Johor toll plaza shutters after worker infected by Covid-19

                JOHOR BARU: PLUS Malaysia Bhd has confirmed that an employee at its Sedenak toll plaza in Johor tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.

It said the toll plaza was closed six hours today for sanitisation.

The employee, a customer service assistant, is being treated at a hospital.

PLUS also said it has conducted contact tracing and instructed all operation and maintenance staff who have had close contact with the patient to undergo medical check-ups.

The highway concessionaire had advised those from Sedenak and its surrounding areas to use the Simpang Renggam or Kulai toll plazas to enter the PLUS highway towards Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru during the closure.

Motorists from Kuala Lumpur heading south towards Sedenak had been told to exit the highway via the Simpang Renggam toll plaza, while those heading north from Johor Baru heading towards Sedenak had to exit at the Kulai toll plaza.


Car sales in India exceed pre-Covid levels as demand rebounds

                NEW DELHI: Passenger vehicle sales in India surpassed pre-pandemic levels in the year through March as consumer demand recovered and supply disruptions eased.

Sales rose 27% to 3.9 million passenger vehicles in fiscal 2023, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers on Thursday. The group didn’t provide a breakdown of electric-vehicle sales.

“Overall demand is growing,” SIAM president Vinod Aggarwal said at a briefing here.

“With efficient management of supply chains and better availability of commodities, especially for electronics items, prices have moderated over the year,” though they remain a concern.

However, prices of entry-level scooters and mopeds have increased due to regulatory changes that are hurting consumer demand, Aggarwal said. Two-wheeler sales stood at 1.58 million in 2023, down almost 25% from 2019.

India’s weather office on Tuesday forecast a normal monsoon this year, which could lift demand for scooters, Aggarwal said.


GM expands plug-in push to delivery vans, ultra-luxury cars

                DETROIT: General Motors Co. is doubling down on its push into electric vehicles with new luxury and commercial models designed to tap what it expects will be fast-growing demand for battery-powered transportation.

The automaker said it’s creating a wholly owned company called BrightDrop that not only supplies battery-powered vans but also offers fleet-management services. GM also previewed several upscale models for well-heeled retail buyers.

“Global EV market penetration stands at around 3%,” Mary Barra, GM’s chief executive officer, said in a Tuesday speech at CES, which used to be called the Consumer Electronics Show. “We believe that is all about to change.”

GM has sought to align itself with a move into EVs that has excited Wall Street analysts and led investors in recent months to make huge bets on next-generation automotive technology ranging from lasers for self-driving cars to electric-vehicle startups.

GM showed two futuristic Cadillac EV concepts and gave a peek at multiple vehicles from other brands in its CES presentation, including a red Chevrolet battery-powered pickup that is more of a work truck than the electric Hummer that goes on sale later this year.

These models are part of the carmaker’s pledge to spend US$27 billion on battery-electric and self-driving vehicles and to roll out 30 electric models globally by the end of 2025. GM even updated its corporate logo last week for the first time in almost six decades to better reflect its new focus on electrification.

The commercial-fleet business is the latest salvo in Barra’s efforts to accelerate GM’s development and deployment of electric powertrains. She told CES the world has hit an inflection point and the time is right for buyers to switch to electrics.

BrightDrop - whose customers will include FedEx Corp. - plans to sell electric pallet movers this year and an electric cargo van next year, GM said in a statement.

“We believe in an all-electric future, and we think it will take more than electrification of our consumer vehicles to get there,” Pam Fletcher, the company’s chief innovation officer, told reporters.

In addition to the Fedex deal, GM has letters of intent from many other shipping companies, Fletcher said.

A US$850 billion market

BrightDrop will offer software and services to enable fleet customers to track goods and vehicles and also plan shipping routes. GM estimates the market for delivery of food and packages and related logistics in the US could be as big as US$850 billion by 2025.

Sales of an enclosed cargo pallet known as EP1 and capable of carrying 90kg of goods will begin this quarter. GM said the vehicle can be used to move items around a warehouse or from a truck to the front door of a package recipient.

Early next year the automaker plans to launch the electric van, which can travel as far as 400km on a single charge and will be dubbed the EV600 - a play on the vehicle’s 600 cubic feet (16,990 litres) of cargo space.

The van is bigger than Ford Motor Co.’s planned E-Transit and has twice the range, said Guidehouse Insights analyst Sam Abuelsamid.

The new business unit will be led by Travis Katz, who came from online travel company Skyscanner and before that, Trip.com, where he was CEO and co-founder.

Bigger Bolt

During GM’s CES presentation, Mike Simcoe, head of global design, previewed the two space-age concepts from Cadillac. One is a small self-driving, vertical-takeoff aircraft that runs on electric power and the other is an urban shuttle that resembles a living room on wheels. Like the EP1 and EV600, both also would run on the automaker’s own Ultium battery pack.

GM did not say if it will build either one.

Simcoe said GM will start selling a more practical and freshened Chevy Bolt EV compact hatuchback and a slightly larger version of the model - called the Bolt EUV - this summer. He also said the automaker will add three new plug-in SUVs to its Buick lineup in China.

GM’s design team also showed off the Celestiq, an ultra-luxury battery-powered car. It will have a glass roof with four panels that allows each passenger select a different level of shading from outside light.


VW brand will only produce electric cars in Europe from 2033, says brand chief

                BERLIN: Volkswagen will only produce electric cars in Europe from 2033, its boss Thomas Schaefer said on Wednesday, committing to an earlier date than its previous 2033-2035 target.

Schaefer said in the coming decade the VW brand would narrow down the number of models on offer and raise the profit margin for all volume brands - Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda, and commercial vehicles - to 8% by 2025.

His comments echo other senior management figures at the German carmaker who have also laid out plans to streamline production and improve productivity as it battles to dominate the electric vehicle market.

Premium brands like Audi and Porsche boosted the Group's results in the first half of the year, with Audi registering a 51% jump in operating profit and Porsche up 22%, compared to an 8% drop at the Volkswagen volume brands.

The passenger cars brand saw a 5.6% operative margin in the first half of the year, up from 3.4% in the same period last year.

Bringing vehicles from the volume brands into the same factory saves costs, Schaefer said: "We have historically a lot of waste in the system we can take out."

The VW brand would also move its production focus from concentrating on a single model per factory to "platform thinking", Schaefer said, using the same basic design for different models to allow economies of scale.

This, combined with standardising battery chemistry, was key to achieving the carmaker's goal of producing an entry-level electric vehicle for 25,000 euros or under, Schaefer said.

"If you have 30-40 different battery cell and pack formats, it's unmanageable. The focus is a clear standard across the brands, and full scale," the chief executive said.

"The only company that can scale on this territory at the moment is us."


Married couples allowed to travel interstate from June 1

Married couples living in different states are given the green light to travel from June 1. — AFP

PUTRAJAYA: Interstate travel restrictions will be relaxed for married couples living in different states starting Monday (June 1), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister (Security) said the decision was made during a Special Ministers' Meeting today after consulting the police.

"Prior to this, interstate travels are only allowed for work matters and emergency cases, such as death and medical reasons.

"However, we are allowing married couples living in different states to be reunited starting Monday," he told reporters during the daily briefing today.

Ismail Sabri reminded the people to abide by the standard operating procedures stated during the conditional movement control order (MCO).

"I believe the compliance rate to the conditional MCO is high for the past few days, contributing to the reduction of positive Covid-19 cases.

"If self-regulation among the public continues, it is not impossible for the conditional MCO to end sooner than scheduled," he said.


Are we on the verge of a car design revolution?

                PARIS: If passengers can sit where they like, where do designers put the airbags?

After 130 years of visual and technological evolution, the car is accelerating towards a genuine revolution in terms of aesthetics, uses, powertrain and capabilities. So much so that it could lead to the sort of creative free-thinking not seen since the swinging sixties. But the results may not be to everyone's tastes, especially as China overtakes Europe as the market that dictates global automotive styles.

"The 1960s was a huge moment [of change], and cars represented the most visible and tangible aspect of this progress," explains Fabio Filippini. An automotive design veteran with 30 years' experience, he's currently taking a break to reflect on the industry after six years as Pininfarina's chief creative officer.

"All of this excitement and passion in an era when men started going to the moon came together to create a very futuristic [automotive] design vision."

It was the decade that elevated the car from a form of personal mobility to a piece of rolling sculpture, an automotive object of desire, but all of that creativity came crashing back down to Earth in the 1970s when increasing safety regulations severely clipped designers' wings.

So much so that, according to Filippini, it took car companies and their design teams until the first decade of this century to finally hit on the right way of meeting safety standards without compromising on style.

"It is a challenge, it has been a challenge for the last 10-15 years," he says. "Safety has a huge influence on design, especially at the front of the car. It is still difficult now - designing the front face of a car is almost like joining the dots and watching the picture appear. Nevertheless, if you look at cars today, they all look different."

Yet, with the move towards electric drivetrains and the constant development of technologies that will one day take over responsibility for driving a car, could we be about to see a second automotive design renaissance?

"We are on the verge of a big change," agrees Filippini. "It could be a huge transformation in terms of what we see or know today. There will be certainly an opportunity to [have a renaissance of design] again but it depends on how car companies handle it."

For instance, designers will no longer need to make space for things like engines or driveshafts and will be able to tear up the traditional floorplan blueprint. "You can displace every component in a free way because they are digitally connected. Eventually the front of the car could be very different from it is today," says Filippini. And that's just the start. As autonomous driving becomes a reality, then every familiar aspect of a car is open to change.

"If the car is driverless, people have much more freedom. You can imagine the interior totally differently with people sitting in totally different positions. But that poses questions."

For instance, how can you provide safety systems such as airbags and seatbelts, if no one knows where or how the passengers will be seated immediately before a collision?

If you are sitting in a traditional position, you can calculate exactly how the airbag and seatbelt will work. But if you give people the freedom to change position, you have to think how the safety has to react in many different positions. How can one test for so many eventualities?

The definition of a driverless car along with a battery pack that can offer gasoline-equivalent range is still some way in the future, but designers and car companies are going to start their visual adventures now. "We have to experiment," says Filippini. "Little by little, but enough to open up our vision further and further."

Because to move too quickly could actually alienate consumers. Despite the democratization of industrial design through companies such as Apple and via mainstream car companies employing the sort of creative brains that a generation ago could only be found at Mercedes, Lamborghini or Pininfarina, of course, new designs on the car could drive people out of their comfort zone.

"Will the customer be ready to accept new cars? We also have to face a totally new repatriation of market and tastes; and the customers are totally different than just 20 years ago," points out Filippini. "For example when China and the developing counties become the most important markets, car companies will have to design their cars for those tastes."


Fancy a driving video recorder when you buy a Nissan car?

                KUALA LUMPUR: If you are buying a Nissan car today, you will be offered a driving video recorder. The RM999 device is now available for the full Nissan line-up. Being an option, you don't have to buy it if you don't want to.

Featuring a 150° viewing angle, and an advanced 6-layer coating filter lens, it captures high-quality HD 1296 pixel videos, while its low light image sensors allows driver to record sharp videos in low-light conditions.

The device also comes with wireless smartphone connectivity that connects iOS or Android devices through an app that allows the driver to configure, stream, download and share their videos.

The device is easily mounted to a vehicle’s rear view mirror. It automatically turns on and starts recording when the engine starts up. Its built-in gravity sensor detects gravitational changes or impacts and instantly triggers the record mode in the event of a collision, sharp turning or emergency braking. It is backed by a warranty of three years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.

"We recognise that many car owners are moving into installing a video recorder as an accessory to help identify any incident along a journey, especially the cause of an accident. We at ETCM believe that we can meet this requirement with our introduction of the driving video recorder that is designed based on OEM requirements," Edaran Tan Chong Motor marketing and product planning director Tan Keng Meng.

In conjunction with the Nissan year-end campaign, Edaran Tan Chong Motor is offering new Almera customers the driving video recorder for just an extra RM1 (terms applied) on top of the current RM1 promotion to get either the NISMO Aerokit or a 6.5-inch display multimedia navigation system.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor has also launched its “Millionaire Drive” Campaign. Throughout this campaign, customers who buy and register their Nissan cars in the month of October will be in the running to win from a total of 2,000,000 AirAsia BIG Points. The first prize, second prize and third prize winners will go home with 300,000, 200,000, and 150,000 BIG Points respectively for flight trips to overseas and local destinations.

The distributor will also be holding a Nissan Test Drive Carnival offering a line-up of models for a test drive.


Mitsubishi Connect mobile app now available for Malaysian owners

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of the brand in Malaysia,  has introduced its first Mitsubishi Connect mobile application to bring higher levels of convenience to Malaysian owners.

Owners can register their vehicle(s) on the app which is downloadable for free via Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The app provides owners with the ability to schedule a vehicle service at a preferred MMM centre, keep track of the vehicle's maintenance history and even has an inbuilt reminder for an upcoming service.

Not to mention, the app also allows owners with immediate access to the company's 24-hour services that includes the Mitsubishi Assist customer care line, nationwide breakdown assistance and emergency services.

An ‘SOS’ is also available on the app and when activated, it will automatically track the user’s location with a GPS locator and the details will be verified by MMM’s customer service personnel before dispatching aid.

Furthermore, the app can help users locate the nearest Mitsubishi authorized dealer showroom and service centres with dealer information and navigation sync with the app as well as helping to keep owners up to date with the latest news and promotions, search for product information and allow for e-Brochures to be downloaded.

“With the Mitsubishi Connect mobile application, owners can adapt to the new normal by utilizing mobile technology to retrieve their vehicle and service information, as well as gain access to other functions and benefits at their fingertips no matter where they may be,” said MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi.

For more information, log on to www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my.


Sweden's Scania admits 'misconduct' in India after contract-for-bribes report

Generic photo of a Scania bus.
STOCKHOLM: An internal investigation at Scania into its Indian operations found evidence of misconduct by employees including senior management, the Swedish bus and truck maker said on Wednesday, adding the individuals involved had all left the company.

The news comes after three media outlets, including Swedish news channel SVT, reported here Scania paid bribes to win bus contracts in seven Indian states between 2013 and 2016.

A Scania spokesman said the company, part of Volkswagen AG’s commercial vehicle arm Traton SE, started its internal investigation in 2017. The results have not previously been disclosed.

“This misconduct included alleged bribery, bribery through business partners and misrepresentation,” he said, without giving further details.

SVT's allegations here included that Scania delivered a specially equipped bus to a company with connections to India's Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari that was intended for his daughter's wedding and was not fully paid for.

“Gadkari and his family members have absolutely nothing to do with the purchase or sale of the bus,” Gadkari’s office said in a statement.

“Since the entire episode of the Scania bus is an internal affair of the Swedish company, it will prudent for the media to wait for an official statement by Scania India which handled the matter,” it added.

The Scania spokesman said the company had not sold a bus to Gadkari and declined to comment further.

Scania CEO Henrik Henriksson told SVT the company had stopped selling city buses in India and had closed down its factory there.

“We may have been a bit naive, but we really went for it ... we really wanted to make it in India but underestimated the risks,” he was quoted as saying.

Henriksson said any wrongdoing in India had been committed by a few individuals who had since left the company, and all involved business partners had had their contracts cancelled.

The Scania spokesman said its investigation of wrongdoing had not involved the police.

“While the evidence is sufficient to prove breaches in compliance with Scania’s own business codes so that the company can take severe action accordingly, the evidence is not strong enough to lead to prosecution,” the spokesman said.


Nissan using  industry’s first vehicle design infra with global access

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Siemens AG announced they have developed the industry’s first vehicle design infrastructure that provides Nissan’s global R&D centres with a continuous, high-speed connection to the latest vehicle development data. The solution’s engineering virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) gives Nissan more flexibility and manageability of global vehicle design. Nissan has started to use the infrastructure in North America and Europe.

Engineering VDI uses advanced graphics processing based on Citrix desktop virtualisation technology. It allows engineers to access a virtual 3D CAD workstation on servers and control them on a desktop environment.

With this technology, Nissan is able to store the latest data on its servers which teams around the world can access at any time. This would enhance productivity and usability, as well as improve cost efficiencies and disaster risk management.

This new platform is a fully scalable,  vehicle design solution that adopts engineering VDI globally, using servers with advanced graphics processing, high-performance storage, software and network acceleration technology. Nissan said it would initially use it at two development centres: NISSAN Technical Center North America and NISSAN Technical Center Europe. With this platform, Nissan expects to experience the same productivity of CAD operations at any global sites, and dramatically decrease costs associated with future system enhancements, version upgrades and operating costs by consolidating and improving infrastructure management.

Nissan plans to expand use of the platform in the future, since it has the flexibility to be adopted globally for automobile development.


Proton inks MoU with Suzuki Japan

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd, a unit of DRB-Hicom Bhd, and Suzuki Motor Corp of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and licensing agreement to form a long-term strategic partnership with the possibility of developing a compact car.

Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the details of the strategic partnership would be finalised by next year.

"We feel that we need to learn and work with this company simply because it has the technology for compact and small cars," he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony here today.

Also present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed and Japan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Makio Miyagawa.

The former prime minister said he expected Proton to be able to contribute in terms of lowering Suzuki's costs by rebranding existing models before exploring the possibility of jointly developing new models.

Meanwhile, Proton's chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, said the spirit of the collaboration encompassed four main areas - products, technology, people and market.

He said this collaboration would allow Proton access to the models, platforms, powertrain and car technology of Suzuki.

"Suzuki will then provide the specific technical assistance for the products and scope selected.

"The first phase of the project is scheduled to start production in the next 16 months and the production will take place at the Proton Tanjung Malim plant," he said.

Abdul Harith said Suzuki was strong for its technology and expertise in producing smaller engine segments, especially in the A and B segments categories that would complement Proton's long range product plan.

He said the collaboration was also in line with the National Automotive Policy as Proton continued to develop and produce products with features that met international standards and requirements.

"Suzuki, as the foreign strategic partner to Proton, will provide Proton the opportunity to grow internationally leveraging on Suzuki's presence worldwide," he said.


JPJ and city mayors can deregister and remove abandoned cars, says minister

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) and nine city mayors will be empowered to deregister and remove abandoned cars, said Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said this will be done after amendments to the Road Transport Act are made.

The amendments will also empower JPJ to regulate and collect fees on approvals for glass tinting of vehicles, and to deregister cars where the chassis numbers have been tampered with.

Another new development is that nine city mayors in Peninsular Malaysia will be empowered to appoint uniformed traffic wardens to help out with traffic in the cities.

The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2018 was tabled for its first reading by Transport Minister Anthony Loke in Parliament today (Dec 10).

The Bill is expected to be debated and passed in the present Parliament meeting.

At a press conference in Parliament lobby, Loke said he hopes the amendments will be passed and gazetted for enforcement by Janaury 2019.

He added that he will make an announcement on the fees for tinting approvals.


Nissan launches all-new Serena in Japan

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan has launched the all-new Serena in Japan.

Sales of petrol-powered models will start this winter, and e-POWER models are to start in spring.

Prices in Japan ranged from 2.7 million yen (RM90,000) to 4.8 million yen (RM157,000).

As an MPV, the sixth generation C28 Serena continues to plug its selling points of spacious seating, convenient utilities and the latest in cutting-edge technologies.

“We have planned and developed the new Serena so that the whole family can spend their precious time together, having great fun,” said Nissan executive vice president Asako Hoshino.

The Serena features the second-generation e-POWER system, now equipped with an all-new 1.4-litre engine. Nissan said the system delivers more powerful and smooth acceleration with less engine noise.

ProPILOT 2.0 advanced driver assistance system is installed in the highest e-POWER grade, the Luxion — the first time such a system that enables hands-off driving (in a single lane on a highway at speeds of 40kph or above) has been adopted in an MPV in Japan.

For all other grades, ProPILOT has now been made standard to help reduce driver fatigue on long road trips.

The Luxion is equipped with ProPILOT Park with memory, which records and recognises parking space lines, marking the first time this technology has been adopted on a Nissan vehicle. The Luxion also has ProPILOT Remote Park.

Steering assist with forward collision avoidance supports steering when avoiding obstacles in front of the vehicle. This technology is also a Nissan first.

The new Serena features the second-generation e-POWER system, now equipped with an all-new, specially developed 1.4 L engine. The system delivers more powerful and smooth acceleration with less engine noise.

The Serena is also equipped with a world-first, energy management technology that controls when the engine turns on and off in accordance with vehicle speed, traffic conditions and the navigation system. Reduced engine operation contributes to a quieter cabin.

Insulation has been improved to make for a quieter cabin, resulting in an easy conversation space, even for rear-seat passengers.

Various design and packaging approaches have been taken with the aim of reducing motion-sickness. These include:

> A wide, open view from inside the vehicle and an optimal display monitor positioning
> All-new seat design that dampens occupant movement
> A highly rigid steering wheel enhances handling stability
> A vehicle structure that deflects crosswinds and reduces shakiness at high speeds
> The second-generation e-POWER system and tighter suspension enable smoother vehicle body movement
> e-Pedal Step, which allows the driver to control vehicle speed by just using the accelerator

All lamps in the Luxion and Highway Star grades are now LED. Nissan claims the windshield is the widest in the MPV category in the market.

As a first for Nissan, the all-new Serena features a switch-type shift for smart looks and ease-of-use. A family friendly feature comes in the form of seat material that is water-repellent.

Nissan said the MPV has the most spacious cabin in the MPV category.

It has 120mm of addional driver legroom compared to the previous generation. A multi-purpose centre seat in the second row allows the vehicle to carry seven or eight passengers. Note that the e-POWER Luxion is strictly a 7-seater.

The dual rear door allows easy loading and unloading, even in small parking spaces. When needed, just the small back door at the top can be used. The side passenger door comes with the hands-free, auto-open function.

Pockets for smartphones and wallets are within easy reach for every seat.

Other useful features include: holders that can accommodate a 500 ml cardboard carton, USB ports, onboard Wi-Fi, and a pre-cooling air conditioning system.

Air conditioning can be controlled by a touch panel, with independent controls for the driver’s seat, passenger seat and rear seats.

An optional 100V AC power source (1500 W) is available for e-POWER models, which can be used to operate electric appliances when outdoor or as a power source, especially helpful in emergencies.

Fourteen body colours are available, including four two-tone combinations.