Nissan concept has driver lying flat and his brain plugged into car

                SAN DIEGO: Far out, man! This single-seater Nissan concept study has the occupant resting horizontally in a "prone" position with limbs extended in an X-shape. And his brain is connected to the wearable machine.

This is the GT-R(X) 2050, created by Jaebum "JB" Choi, a design student and intern at Nissan Design America (NDA) in La Jolla, California.

The completed 1:1 project runs just under 3 metres long and sits just over 60cm high.

The driver wears a futuristic, form-fitting suit and helmet that resembles a superbike riders’ protective helmets and leathers.

Choi’s futuristic project takes cues from the current Nissan GT-R – namely its bold, dramatic surfaces, monolithic body volumes and V-motion design features. It also has iconic GT-R taillights and red-striped accents of the GT-R NISMO.

Another unique element is the GT-R styled helmet and "docking" suit. The helmet was designed to be inserted into a slot for front vision camera shared with VR vision. A brain-to-core transmitter would help the human brain activate digitalised signals.

As a vehicle that would be "driven", most likely at night, maneuverability would be a critical part of its high-power electric performance.

Choi imagines the vehicle’s one-piece wheel/tyre units as having a shape close to square, allowing the vehicle to turn 360 degrees. The outer tyre diameter measures 21 inches and inner wheel circle is 15 inches. The wheels’ spoke pattern was designed to help the wheel cool down fast, even under extreme braking.

The GT-R(X) 2050 also deploys an active wing that would add downforce when extended. The wings fold so the driver can get in and out of the car.

As a "wearable machine," Choi envisions that connecting the human brain to the computer’s would provide better performance than "ordinary" self-driving cars. He says the vehicle imitates the shape of the human body so it can efficiently protect the brain.

"Exo-skeletons today make people stronger by wearing mechanical structures. I tried to fit the size of a person’s body as much as I could, as if I were wearing a car," Choi explains about the vehicle’s compact layout.

"I wanted to create a new form of machine that is not a vehicle to ride, it is the space where machine and the human become one."


2016 Paris Motor Show: BMW to introduce new 3 Series GT among several debuts

                MUNICH: The 3 Series Gran Turismo will be among a number of BMW show premieres at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Other debuts from the Munich auto maker are the i3 with extended range and C evolution e scooter, also with a longer range. BMW i is also presenting the i8 Protonic Dark Silver Edition special-edition model.

BMW said the new 3 Series Gran Turismo would have a more visually striking exterior and an even more smoothly styled interior. It will get new engines offering more power and greater efficiency.

The latest variant of the BMW i3, with its 94Ah battery, boasts a range that has increased by over 50 per cent. On the standard NEDC cycle, it achieves a range of 300km instead of the previous 190km. Besides this, there are extra equipment options for the i3 as well as new, more powerful i Wallbox charging stations for home garages.

BMW Motorrad is also staging the world premiere C evolution e-scooter offering a 60 per cent increase in range, superior performance and a European version that meets the requirements of the A1 driving licence category.

The new C evolution benefits from a substantial increase in the battery’s cell capacity (94 Ah, up from 60 Ah) and allows customers to travel up to 160km in the long-range version. The result is zero-emissions riding combined with excellent practicality in the city and urban areas.

At the auto show, BMW will also be plugging away on BMW Connected, introduced last month. It’s a digital mobility assistant that combines functions and services to assist the user, providing a seamless support tool for personal mobility – thanks to digital products and services that are designed to simplify the day-to-day planning of driving routes and appointments.


Try these tricks to drive safely against a glaring sun

                BERLIN: Driving off into the sunset may sound like the rosy end of a Hollywood film, but it's actually a pain. It can be near impossible to see properly when driving towards a low sun, and folding down a blind can only do so much.

Even at 30kph, you cover about two car lengths in a second when the sun dazzles you. Road safety experts suggest doing these three things when the sun is low.

> Raise your seat: Of course, your first instinct will be to fold down the blind. But sitting higher can make all the difference, so it pays to bring a cushion along for such purposes.

> Keep the glass clean: Cleaning your car isn't just a cosmetic matter. Streaks on your windscreen will only make things worse in such situations as they increase the sun's glare effect.

The same goes for smudged and scratched sunglasses, and clear vision may prove critical in an emergency. Sunglasses with tint level 2 or 3 can help, according to the Auto Club Europa (ACE).

Dirty lenses tend to scatter light, which can further increase the glare effect. Don't forget the wipe the insides and invest in a cloth for cleaning glasses and some cleaning fluid to keep in your car at all times.

> Keep your distance: Squinting your eyes might feel like it helps, but it's only reducing your vision. That's why you should always be ready to brake and try to keep a bit more distance to cars ahead of you.

Traffic accident reports show the risk of a crash when the sun is low is significantly higher when turning and merging. That means it's better to check twice whether another car, cyclist or pedestrian is entering your path.

If you can no longer see well enough to continue driving, pull over and take a short break. This is also a good idea if the puddles on the road start to dazzle you if the sun comes out after a shower.

> Be prepared for nighttime glares: The sun isn't the only thing that causes a glare, and oncoming vehicles at night can also dazzle drivers with their high beams. The above methods won't work as well, so you should simply try to avoid staring directly at headlights.

If you're often struggling with the glare of headlights at nighttime, you might want to check with your eye doctor if you have a visual impairment that is a causing a permanent sensitivity to bright lights in dark situations.

In many countries, such as Germany, a glare from the sun or bright headlights is not an excuse for causing an accident, and drivers are expected to prepare for such situations or risk covering for damages if they cause an accident.


Honda S2000 making a comeback?

                TOKYO: Apparently, Forbes was told by a close source to Honda that the little high-powered drop-top roadster is under consideration for a comeback by the Japnese carmaker's marketing team.

If it does, it would be interesting to see how it would fair against BMW's 2.0 turbocharged Z4 convertible and since there's mention that it could arrive with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine found in the Civic Type-R (306hp and 400Nm of torque).

The next question is whether Honda will mount the engine in an inline configuration for the rear wheels - like its original, unlike the Civic Type-R's transversely-mounted engine that powers the front wheels.

This isn't just an option but rather a MUST in order to stay true to the S2000's original DNA when it gets reinvented.

For size, there was also mention that its proportions could be similar to the original with a combination of aluminium and carbon fibre to help minimise its weight gain to around 1,350kg as compared to its debut weight in 1999 at 1,240kg (kerb).

The S2000 was first seen as a prototype during Honda's 50th Anniversary Ceremony in September 1998, the S2000 made its official debut in April 1999 and was assembled at the Japanese carmaker's Tochigi Factory before getting transferred it to its Suzuka plant.

The engine was the world's highest-performing 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine at that time with an output of 250PS at 8,300rpm (9,000rpm redline) and 222Nm of torque at 7,500rpm.


Celebration film marks 70 years of Lotus sports cars

                LONDON: Lotus Cars has come out with a short clip to mark the 70th anniversary of the brand.

In a new video posted last Friday, Lotus created a unique logo on the test track ahead of its 70th birthday event at its Hethel base, 187km north-east of here.

Leaving a 70-themed mark on the test track’s skidpan using just two of its most celebrated models, no CGI and more than a few pairs of tyres, the precise driving required pays tribute to Lotus' precision engineering.

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Rather than rely on artificial aids or electronic trickery, the new video shows the action on the day as it unfolded, with the final aerial shot proving the cars’ and drivers’ ability.

The cars were piloted by Gavan Kershaw (Head of Attributes) and Daniel Peck (Vehicle Dynamics Engineer).

Using the Exige Cup 410 and Evora GT410 Sport models, they created a 70th tribute logo using just the cars’ tyre marks – a light-hearted celebration as the company continues to celebrate the brand created by Colin Chapman.

Seventy years ago, in 1948, Chapman built his first competition car in a small London lock-up garage, following his own theories for improved performance.

He formed Lotus Engineering in 1952 and from there the company continued to innovate in both road and race engineering.


Proton Saga leads sales rebound in June

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton vehicle sales rebounded in June with 9,623 units sold during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) with the Saga posting the best sales month in nearly six years.

The national car maker said today the rebound was underpinned by the government incentives and pent-up demand.

“Proton has benefitted from this surge as sales of Malaysian automotive brands are estimated to account for 66.4% of the market this month, ” it said.

It said June was the second best month in terms of sales this year as three models led sales in their respective segments.

“The number also represents a 69.5% growth over May 2020 and a 26.3% increase over the same month in 2019 when the world wasn’t affected by a pandemic, ” it said.

In the first half, its market share was 21.2%, this was a 6.5% increase from a year ago.

“The overall volume gap versus 2019 has also shrunk to just 14.6%, a remarkable achievement that is nearly three times better than the best rival brand, ” it said.

The Proton Saga underpinned the car maker’s rebound as the Saga celebrated its upcoming 35th anniversary by posting its best sales performance in 70 months.

The Saga reported sales of 4,447 units in June compared with 4,275 units in October 2019, previously the best sales month for the current model, and the highest since August 2014.

The Proton X70 retained its position as the best-selling C-segment SUV in the country, and with 1,909 units sold in June. It was also the best-selling SUV overall for the first half of 2020.

The Proton Persona retained its position as the best-seller in the B-segment sedan category for a second consecutive month.

“Despite losing over two months of sales this year, its cumulative volume is still 25.1% ahead of 2019, ” it said.

Exora remained at the top of the C-segment MPV market while Proton’s B segment hatchback Proton Iriz was in third place in its category.

Roslan Abdullah, Proton Edar CEO said Proton’s sales in the first full month of business since February have been encouraging.

“While we remain cautiously optimistic for the second half of 2020, the demand for Malaysian cars in general and Proton vehicles in particular points towards increased consumer confidence in our products.

“This interest has also been buoyed by the recently announced sales tax holiday which in our opinion, has stimulated demand.

“The second half of the year will be a busy one and kicking things off will be our 35th anniversary celebration for the Proton Saga.

“We hope to use the occasion as a springboard for other activities this year as we continue our efforts to redefine Proton’s customer experience via a mix of 3S/4S outlets and innovative new products, ” he added.


Car pollution causing asthma in millions of children

                LONDON: Nobody thinks the fumes coming out of a car's tailpipe are harmless, but a new study about the global impact of exhaust fumes paints a clear picture of what the world's favourite transport method means for our health.

Fumes contribute to four million new cases of asthma in children around the world every year, according to a study published in the medical journal The Lancet. The research suggests that 13 per cent of childhood asthma cases diagnosed are linked to traffic pollution.

The country with the worst overall figure was South Korea, where almost a third of cases had a link to traffic pollution. China was ranked 19th in the world, with the UK was ranked 24th, and the US 25th. There was a huge variation between different cities, with almost half the cases in Shanghai (48 per cent) linked to car fumes.

The research was collated by a team from America's George Washington University. It looked at 125 cities around the world, and combined measurements of nitrogen dioxide levels from ground-level monitors and satellite data, with population distribution and asthma incidence figures. These were used to estimate the number of new traffic pollution-related asthma cases in children up to the age of 18.

"Nitrogen dioxide pollution appears to be a substantial risk factor for childhood asthma incidence in both developed and developing countries, especially in urban areas," says senior author Dr Susan
Anenberg. "Our findings suggest that the World Health Organisation guideline for annual average concentrations might need to be revisited, and that traffic emissions should be a target to mitigate exposure."

Nitrogen dioxide is a waste product of fossil fuel combustion, and traffic emissions can contribute up to 80 per cent of ambient levels of the gas in cities. The study estimates that there are 170 new cases of traffic pollution-related asthma per 100,000 children every year. However the report’s lead author, Ploy Achakulwisut, points out that some authorities are taking effective measures to tackle the problem.

"Policy initiatives can lead to improvements in children’s health and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, she says. “Recent examples include Shenzhen's electrification of its entire bus fleet, and London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone congestion charges.”

Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease among children world-wide, and the World Health Organisation says its prevalence has increased dramatically since the 1950s. It’s believed pollutants may cause inflammation to airways that triggers asthma in genetically predisposed children. The US Environmental Protection Agency, and Health Canada have suggested that a causal relationship between long-term nitrogen dioxide exposure and childhood asthma development is likely.

A recent German study suggested that traffic-related pollution could be leading to more deaths than smoking. The results, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that every year an average of 120 people out of every 100,000 inhabitants around the world die prematurely from the consequences of polluted air. The World Health Organisation estimates that smoking – including passive smoking – causes 7.2 million deaths annually worldwide.


Proton offers free car inspection

                KUALA LUMPUR: Proton will offer a free 30-point inspection to all national car owners from July 9-15 as part of its initiative to promote vehicle safety awareness during the festive season.

"Customers can enjoy this free inspection at all Proton authorised service centres, nationwide, and selected Petronas petrol stations between 3pm and 7pm during the one-week duration.

The free 30-point check includes inspection of fluid level, battery, pedal operation, fuel and the brake system.

Customers would also enjoy free consultation on engine and car maintenance, Proton added.

Chief executive Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said Proton has taken upon itself the responsibility to educate and promote safety awareness to users, especially in supporting the government's call to reduce road accidents during festive season and school holidays.


Aston Martin taps former Ferrari boss Felisa for CEO

Felisa and (inset) Moers.
LONDON: Aston Martin Lagonda today named former Ferrari NV boss Amedeo Felisa as its new chief executive officer as the British luxury carmaker works on emulating the Italian carmaker's success and electrifying its brand.

Felisa will take over with immediate effect from Tobias Moers, who joined the company in 2020 from shareholder Mercedes-Benz's high-performance AMG brand and served as CEO and chief technical officer.

Felisa currently serves on Aston Martin's board and led Ferrari between 2008 and 2016 when it was still part of the Fiat group.

Most recently, Felisa served as a special adviser to Silk-FAW, a joint venture between US-based automotive engineering and design firm Silk EV and Chinese automaker FAW.

Billionaire Lawrence Stroll drove to the rescue of James Bond's car brand of choice less than two years ago while it struggled after a disastrous IPO.

Stroll has overseen a manufacturing makeover at Aston Martin to lift margins and help it become more like rival Ferrari with more customised car orders.

Now the carmaker's largest shareholder and executive chairman, Stroll told Reuters that Moers had stabilised the company when it "needed immediate manufacturing, operation attention" but now Aston Martin needed a CEO to "focus on the bigger picture".

"Nobody knows how to make ultra-luxury performance cars better than Amedeo," Stroll said. "He saw the movie, he wrote the script."

Aston Martin plans to launch its first fully-electric car in 2025.

Aston also named former Ferrari and BMW executive Roberto Fedeli as its chief technical officer.

The latest appointments come just months after the company's former chief financial office also left Aston Martin.

Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois wrote in a client note that Aston Martin's new CFO and the appointment of Felisa "will hopefully help stabilise management across the company".


Hyundai to set up lab in Singapore for EVs, future tech

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co. is setting up an innovation centre in Singapore to develop and test technology across the automotive supply chain, including trialing the manufacturing process for electric vehicles.

Construction of the facility in Jurong Innovation District will be completed in the second half of 2022, the Seoul-based carmaker said in an emailed statement today. The centre will focus on future concepts that can be used globally.

Hyundai is spending 20 trillion won (RM69bil) by 2025 on new technology as the industry moves towards electric and autonomous vehicles.

Singapore, like many other countries, is offering incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs and build more charging stations by 2030.

In October, Dyson Ltd. abandoned a US$2.5 billion (RM10.8bil) plan to build electric cars in Singapore because the maker of vacuum cleaners and hair dryers couldn’t find a way of making the project commercially viable.

Ford closed its factory in the city-state about 40 years ago, effectively ending car production on the island.


New road tax structure for electric vehicles in the works, says Loke

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry is working on a new road tax structure for electric vehicles (EVs), said minister Anthony Loke.

He said the new structure was expected to be unveiled at the end of this year and would feature prominently in the ministry’s Budget 2024 proposals.

He said the new structure was essential because the previous government had given road tax exemption for EVs only until 2025.

"Consumers are generally concerned about the EV road tax structure because if based on the old formula, the cost impact is high and can reach RM4,000 to RM5,000 a year.

"I have directed officers at the ministry to study this matter based on feedback from consumers and companies providing EVs. This is part of our efforts to encourage users to switch to this type of vehicles,” he told reporters after attending the Green Mobility and Transport Forum in Cheras here today.

Loke said policies on EV usage should be clear to facilitate efforts to migrate to a more sustainable transport mode.

He said this was in line with the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint targeting 15 per cent usage of EVs and hybrid vehicles this year and the provision of 10,000 units of charging facilities by 2025.

The ministry was not only looking at the adoption of the sustainable mobility concept for land vehicles but also for air and maritime transport, he said.

"The concept of using sustainable fuels has also become a choice in the aviation sector, and this matter has gained the ministry's attention, especially at LIMA 2023 (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023),” he added.

In his keynote address at the forum, Loke said Malaysia would continue to work together with Sweden to enable both countries to learn and cooperate on initiatives that promote sustainable transport modes.

"We can leverage Sweden’s best practices and expertise in EV adoption, charging infrastructure, and smart traffic systems, among others, to accelerate the transition to e-mobility in Malaysia.

"I believe that cooperation is key to solving this challenge, and I am glad to see that our two nations are strengthening our relations within the transport sector, particularly in the green transition, in addition to our previous partnership in road safety,” he said.


Daimler to sell Mercedes-Benz branded all-electric battery cars in China

                BEIJING: Daimler AG plans to sell Mercedes-Benz branded all-electric battery cars in China, its China chief said on Wednesday, as the automaker capitalises on government initiatives aimed at growing the market for new-energy vehicles (NEVs).

Hubertus Troska said the government's push, which involves tax breaks and other policy support, helped the number of NEVs sold last year surpass 300,000, making China the world's biggest market for electric, gasoline-electric and other such vehicles.

The majority of those vehicles were priced under 250,000 yuan (RM153,000) and offered mainly by Chinese automakers, Troska said at an analyst and investor conference here.

Given factors including the government push - which falls under a broader drive to cut oil dependence and air pollution - Daimler is "very confident NEVs will be an important factor of the Chinese market," Troska said.

"Mercedes-Benz is also going to play a role in China in NEVs," he said, referring to the planned cars.

He also said he sees demand over time shifting toward a "higher segment" of more expensive and capable all-electric battery cars and plug-in hybrids.

Troska did not elaborate on the planned cars such as cost, pricing, models or launch dates. But investor relations head Björn Scheib said Daimler plans to show a concept electric car at the Paris Motor Show which opens to the public on Oct 1.

Daimler currently sells one all-electric battery model in China under its smart brand, and one under the Denza brand it operates with local partner BYD Co Ltd.

Its China line-up also includes plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-class and S-class sedans and GLE crossover sport utility vehicle.


New Ford CEO Farley eyes expansion into tech fields

Farley wants Ford to expand into software, fleet management and electric vehicle charging.

DETROIT: Ford Motor Co’s incoming chief executive Jim Farley said on Tuesday he wants to expand the automaker’s operations into related technology fields, including software, fleet management and electric vehicle charging.

“These are new growth initiatives that could create a lot of value for the company,” Farley said, after Ford announced that he will succeed Jim Hackett as the automaker’s fourth CEO since 2014.

In addition to Ford’s work on self-driving vehicles, “these are concrete areas that will change Ford,” Farley said. “They’re going to impact the company’s future look and feel.”

In the meantime, Farley, 58, must wrestle with a painful restructuring of Ford’s global operations amid the ravages of the coronavirus crisis that has saddled the No. 2 US automaker with large amounts of debt.

Executive chairman Bill Ford said the company had not considered outside candidates because “our board felt that we were on the right path” with Farley.

“I wouldn’t expect any big surprises,” Ford said in terms of additional management changes.

Farley, who joined the company in 2007, was named chief operating officer in March soon after his main internal rival for the top role at the automaker, Joe Hinrichs, announced his retirement.

Farley has a reputation within Ford for being a skilled political operator with sharp elbows, which has garnered him some loyal fans but made him unpopular with others.

Hackett and Farley will work together during a two-month transition period, and Hackett, 65, will continue as a company advisor through March 2021.

Ford shares were up 1.1% in afternoon trading, after initially rising 3% on news of Farley’s succession as CEO.

The stock has lost nearly 40% of its value since Hackett took the reins as chief executive in May 2017 and has been at lows not seen since the Great Recession in 2009.

In the year to date, Ford shares have sunk 26% and its market capitalisation of US$27 billion is one-tenth that of rival Tesla’s.

 The two Jims: Hackett (left) and Farley.Handpicked

Hackett was handpicked for the top job at Ford by chairman Bill Ford, great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford. Hackett had no automotive experience, and his tenure at the automaker was rocky and accompanied by persistent rumours that he was about to be ousted, but Bill Ford stuck loyally by his chosen CEO for more than three years.

Hackett’s relationship with Wall Street has, at times, been strained.

Analysts have expressed frustration at his preference for often-impenetrable corporate language, instead of clear updates on where Ford was heading, and a perceived lack of urgency in restructuring the automaker.

Last week, Ford reported a quarterly profit thanks to an investment by Volkswagen AG in its self-driving Argo AI unit, more than offsetting an operating loss caused by a coronavirus-induced production shutdown.

Ford said it expects a full-year loss, but added it should have ample cash on hand through the rest of 2020, even if global demand falls further or the coronavirus pandemic forces further shutdowns of vehicle assembly plants.

Executives insisted that although the company had dramatically scaled back the amount it will spend on a global restructuring of its business, that overhaul had not stalled.

‘Steady hands’

The No.2 US automaker also faces slumping demand in China, its second-largest market.

Ford lost US$771 million in China last year, about half its 2018 loss, and its market share there has shrunk. The company has struggled to revive sales in China since its business began slumping in late 2017.

In an SEC filing, Ford said Farley’s annualised base salary increased to US$1.7 million from US$1.4 million, while Hackett’s remained unchanged at US$1.8 million. Farley will receive stock options valued at US$4 million.

Hackett’s total compensation, including stock options, fell to US$17.4 million in 2019 from US$17.8 million in 2018. He will cease to have access to private aircraft for personal travel effective Oct 1.

Farley previously led Lincoln, South America, Ford of Europe and all of Ford’s global markets in successive roles.

In the last two months, Ford has unveiled a redesigned version of its highly profitable F-150 pickup truck and a family of off-road Bronco SUVs as part of efforts to revitalise its lineup and pay down money borrowed to ride out the economic shock of the pandemic.


S. Korea fines German automakers for colluding to curb emissions-cleaning technology

                SEOUL: South Korea's anti-trust regulator said today it would impose a combined fine of 42.3 billion won (RM145mil) on three German automakers for colluding to curb emissions-cleaning technology for their diesel cars.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi were involved in collusion that reduced competition and restricted consumer choice, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said in a statement.

Mercedes-Benz was fined 20.7 billion won, BMW 15.7 billion won and Audi 6 billion won, the regulator said, adding that Volkswagen was not fined because it did not earn revenue relevant to the issue.

Mercedes-Benz said the company had co-operated fully with the KFTC and "will not have to pay any fine," citing the outcome of a similar probe by the European Commission.

"The case related to the same set of facts which has been subject to the European Commission's proceedings and where Mercedes-Benz acted as a leniency applicant and did not have to pay a fine," a Mercedes-Benz spokesman said in a statement.

"At no point were agreements or an exchange of information on prices, volumes or market sharing part of the investigation," the spokesperson added.

The KFTC declined to comment on Mercedes-Benz's statement.

BMW, Volkswagen and Audi were not immediately available for comment outside business hours.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz and its Korean unit were fined 20.2 billion won for false advertising tied to gas emissions of diesel passenger vehicles.

The European Commission in 2021 fined Volkswagen and BMW a total of 875 million euros (RM4bil) for colluding to curb the use of emissions-cleaning technology they had developed. Mercedes-Benz, then called Daimler, was also part of the cartel but not fined after revealing its existence.


Traffic on major highways down by more than 60% since June 1

                PETALING JAYA: Traffic on major highways in the country has decreased by more than 60% since the current lockdown came into force on June 1, said Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

The Home Minister said that the number of vehicles on these highways has decreased to about 500,000 vehicles a day, compared to 1.3 million vehicles before the movement control order 3.0.

Hamzah said that the police had also closed off 118 smaller roads that served as alternatives for the public to cross district and state boundaries.

“Through the records of the police, about 12,000 applications daily have been approved for inter-district and interstate travel for deaths, emergencies, and work,” he said at an online press conference today.

Hamzah also said that from June 1-4, the police issued a total of 3,514 compounds and arrested 163 individuals for violating the standard operating procedure (SOP).

He added that the police and other authorities conducted about 85,000 daily checks, with 35,000 checks on premises such as restaurants, supermarkets, and factories around the country.


German decision on Tesla subsidies expected by end of year

                BERLIN: Germany will probably decide by the end of the year how much state aid US electric vehicle maker Tesla will receive for its planned battery cell factory near Berlin, an economy ministry spokesman said on Sunday.

The European Union in January approved a plan that includes giving state aid to Tesla, BMW and others to support production of electric vehicle batteries and help the bloc to reduce imports from industry leader China.

The EU's approval of the 2.9 billion euro European Battery Innovation project, which includes more than 40 companies, follows the launch in 2017 of the European Battery Alliance to support the industry during the shift away from fossil fuels.

Tesla plans to invest 5 billion euros in its battery cell factory at Gruenheide near here to complement its nearly finished electric car factory at the same location, according to estimates from the German economy ministry.

The unusually high investment volume means that the US car maker can count on German state subsidies of 1.14 billion euros, Tagesspiegel newspaper reported on Sunday.

This chimes with a February report by Business Insider, which said Tesla stands to receive at least 1 billion euros in public funding from Germany for setting up its battery cell factory near Berlin.

The economy ministry spokesman said there was no final sum yet because talks with the carmaker and the European Commission are ongoing, adding that a final decision is likely before the end of the year.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk last month said he hoped the first cars at its planned gigafactory in Gruenheide could be built in October or soon afterwards.

Tesla has pushed back the expected opening of the gigafactory to late 2021, blaming German bureaucratic hurdles. The plant has also faced local resistance because of environmental concerns.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaer last Thursday said that carmaker Opel will receive a 437 million euro government grant for its battery cell factory in Kaiserslautern as part of the wider European initiative to create a homegrown battery industry.


End of the road for One Community One JPJ programme

                PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry has ordered the One Community One JPJ programme to be scrapped with immediate effect.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the programme allowed participants to obtain a B2 (motorcycle) licence without undergoing stringent tests.

It is meant to help the underprivileged, especially those from the rural community, to obtain a B2 licence at a cheaper rate and without having to go to a driving school.

They will undergo a week’s course in the villages and get their licence after that.

“Those who wish to acquire a B2 licence must go through the normal way, which is through driving institutions,” said Loke after chairing his ministry’s weekly post-Cabinet meeting.

A total of 132,851 individuals obtained a B2 licence under the programme last year.

However, Loke said the ministry would not revoke the licences of those who acquired them under the programme.

The decision was made following the recent 15-day Ops Selamat during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

At least 235 fatal accidents were recorded during the campaign with 248 deaths.

Although the numbers were lower compared to last year, Loke said 248 lives lost in the space of two weeks was unacceptable. “We need a drastic change to reduce the number of accidents,” he said.

On another matter, Loke said the ministry would act against Facebook scams offering driving licences illegally.

“We discovered some Facebook pages that offer such services. JPJ has lodged police reports,” he said. He said any JPJ officers found to be involved in such scams would be sacked and driving institutions found to be complicit would be shut down.


Ministry probing stations that 'run out' of fuel the night before price hike

                PETALING JAYA: Petrol station operators have been warned not to use underhand tactics to try to make more profit.

Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement chief Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said the authorities and consumers were aware of the ruse used by such operators.

He was commenting on complaints by consumers on social media that some petrol stations they visited on Wednesday night closed earlier than usual claiming that they ran out of petrol.

"Don't use these tactics because the ministry and consumers know they only adopt such practices when fuel prices increase.

"We are aware of these cases and view them very seriously. (Dealers) should not behave like that," he told mStar, The Star's Malay language portal on Thursday.

There were claims that this was related to the announcement that prices for RON95 and RON97 petrol would be increased by four sen, while the price of diesel would be seven sen higher at midnight.

Mohd Roslan acknowledged that petrol station operators received updates on fuel prices before the public.

He said that it was possible that these petrol stations had genuinely run out of fuel, but consumers could lodge a complaint to the ministry if they suspected otherwise.

"If we receive a complaint, we will go and check if the underground tank has indeed run out of fuel.

"If it really is empty, the operator must prove that they have ordered more stock from the depot," he said.

According to Mohd Roslan, petrol station operators are not allowed to close their petrol stations or stop selling whenever they want.

He explained that this issue was not new and complaints have previously been made by the public, and the ministry had taken action on the operators involved.

"If they want to stop selling fuel because they want to go on holiday, for example, they need to inform the ministry beforehand. They cannot close without good reason," he said.

However, he advised consumers not to be confused as operating hours of petrol stations vary there are some that do close earlier.

He said that closing a petrol station without good reason or refusing to sell fuel to consumers is an offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Operators who are found guilty can face a compound, have their stations seized or be charged in court.


Laos govt leaders giving up their luxury cars

The National Convention Centre in Vientiane. - EPA
VENTIANE: Leaders of the government and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party are giving up their luxury cars in an attempt to show they are serious about being frugal.

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and President Bounnhang Vorachit last week returned their BMW 7 Series cars. They now ride in Toyota Camry 2.5 cars, an official at the Prime Ministers Office in charge of state vehicle affairs told Vientiane Times last Friday. Vice President Phankham Viphavanh was to return his 7 Series yesterday, the official added.

The government last week issued an order to withdraw all BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars that had been purchased for use by individual leaders and for state duties. The cars will be sold through a bidding process starting next month and replaced with cheaper brands such as Toyota.

In total, 36 Mercedes-Benz comprising 15 S-Class and 21 E-Class have been bought for use in state affairs by central and local departments, such as receiving foreign guests, while some have been provided for high-ranking officials.

Another 11 BMW 7 Series cars were bought for use by current and former members of the Party Politburo including those who have retired. The Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Finance have been tasked with recovering the cars.

However, the BMW 7 Series cars allocated to retired Politburo members are unlikely to be withdrawn because they were gifts, said an official at the Ministry of Finance who is close to the authorities in charge. — Vientiane Times/Asia News Network


Road traffic microplastics flooding world's oceans, says study

                PARIS: Airborne microplastics from traffic pollution may be entering the world's oceans at a similar rate to that from rivers, according to new research Tuesday warning that the particles may also speed up Arctic ice melt.

As global plastic production continues to surge, the study is the first attempt at quantifying how much plastic from road vehicle tyres and brake pads is dispersed and deposited by air currents.

Microplastics — tiny particles produced when larger plastic chunks break down as well as microfibres from clothes and other materials — have been found atop some of Earth's highest glaciers and at the bottom of its deepest trenches.

Researchers in Norway and Austria took data on how much microplastic is produced by road transport and combined them with simulations of where they might be transported on wind currents.

They found that around a third of all road microplastic — roughly 50,000 tonnes — end up in the world's oceans every year.

READ MORE:
Experts invent device to check microplastic pollution from tyresTyre industry pushes back against evidence of plastic pollution

The estimated range of 40,000-100,000 tonnes of aerial microplastic compares with the 65,000 tonnes deposited into the ocean from rivers annually.

"Atmospheric transport — a source that is underestimated or not even considered — has the same impact on microplastic pollution in the ocean as riverine transport," said Nikolaos Evangeliou, from the Norwegian Institute for Air Research and lead study author.

He said that microplastics were already having an impact on human and animal health as they are able to absorb organic compounds and toxic heavy metals, which are then ingested and enter the food chain.

Most road traffic plastic emissions are produced in vehicle-heavy regions such as North America, Northern Europe and South East Asia.

Long-term menace

Evangeliou and his team found that when they simulated where these emissions were transported by global weather patterns, a significant amount was likely ending up in the Arctic.

Given the plastic particles' dark colour, which absorbs more of the Sun's heat, they said the pollution could affect the rate of ice melt there.

"Such small particles may act as light-absorbing impurities when deposited on snow and ice surfaces decreasing surface (heat reflection) and accelerating melting," Evangeliou said.

With several countries promising to end production of petrol and diesel vehicles in the coming decades, the paper published in Nature Communications suggested that road plastic emissions would continue to pose a growing environmental threat as tyres and brakes would likely be the same even on electric models.

"Road microplastics environmental impact as they are derived by materials made from fossil fuels such as ethylene and propylene," said Evangeliou.

"Thus, the larger need for plastics result in larger emissions of greenhouse gases."


Renault refines Clio

                LONDON: Renault has unveiled the new Clio bringing a host of styling, equipment, powertrain and quality improvements to the fourth generation of its best-selling supermini.

The fourth-generation Clio was the first Renault model to feature the brand’s new styling identity in 2012. Thanks to a full-LED lighting signature, including C-shaped daytime running lights in the case of certain versions, New Clio continues to refresh Renault’s design identity.

At the front, the grille which houses the Renault diamond has been redesigned, as has the lower part of the grille which is wider to add an even more modern feel to the front end. At the rear, the skirt has been redesigned for additional robustness.

Four new body colours have been added (Mars Red, Titanium Grey, Arctic White and Iron Blue), with a selection of new wheel and wheel trim designs, plus a more extensive personalisation programme.

The new Clio benefits from the use of finishing materials previously reserved for Renault’s higher-end models. All the upholsteries are new and special attention has been paid to the tactile and visual quality of the plastics’ grain-effect finish.

The chrome trim features a more subdued, matt finish and the colours are more refined. In short, the new Clio forms a higher end package which strikes a desirable balance between seductive exterior styling and a high-quality interior finish.

The powerful, fuel-efficient 1.5 dCi 110 diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox is a new addition to the new Clio’s powertrain line-up, as is the availability of six-speed manual transmission for the TCe 120 petrol engine.

As a result, new Clio boasts one of the market’s most extensive powertrain ranges thanks to a choice of eleven engine/transmission combinations (depending on market).

To provide customers with a range of options, the new Clio comes with three different connected multimedia systems, namely Media Nav Evolution, Renault R-Link Evolution and the new, smart R&GO system which is available on entry trim levels.

The new Clio is the first B-segment Renault to be available with BOSE quality sound for a memorable audio experience, while a suite of driving aids makes the new car even more versatile and nimble.

In addition to its reverse parking sensor, and depending on the version, the new Clio offers a front parking sensor and a reverse parking camera.

Available for higher-end versions, Handsfree Parking allows the driver to fully delegate the completion of parking manoeuvres.

The new Clio will go on sale in the UK from October.


Volkswagen's Wörthersee GTI contest winner heads to Austria

From left: Grand prize winner Mohamad Syazwan and VPCM aftersales director Deenan Nadar

KUALA LUMPUR: One lucky winner recently received the grand prize of an all-expense trip to the Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria, courtesy of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM).

It was 26-year old Mohamad Syazwan who won bragging rights as the Golf GTI’s number one fan after battling it out at the Grand Finale in front of a live audience at the recent Volkswagen Tour roadshow at One Utama Shopping Centre.

The other two finalists were Moh King Yew, who came in a close second and Abu Ubaidah Amir.

The Wörthersee GTI contest ran from Mar 20 to 27  and garnered over 1,500 submissions.

To compete, participants had to register, complete a slogan and answer 10 questions correctly in the fastest time, with the top three fastest participants qualifying to the Grand Finale.

Self-confessed GTI fan, Syazwan, spent an entire week polishing his GTI knowledge to prepare for the contest.

“It’s been a nerve-wrecking week, and I even stayed up all night before the Grand Finale to make sure I covered everything on the GTI. To win this trip is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more excited,” said Syazwan, who will be bringing his younger brother with him to Austria.

During the Grand Finale, Syazwan displayed his high level of proficiency by correctly answering challenging questions concerning historical and technical aspects of the Golf and the Wörthersee GTI Festival.

"We are delighted to be able to present this once-in-a-lifetime chance to our winner – congratulations on a well-deserved win to Syazwan,” said VPCM managing director Erik Winter.

The GTI Festival is held every May on the shores of Lake Wörth or Wörthersee, as it is known in German.

What started as a small gathering of Volkswagen GTI owners is now a full-fledged event of modified, classic and vintage Volkswagen cars, attracting over 100,000 fans around the world. This year marks the 37th year of the festival.

VPCM’s Wörthersee GTI Contest was held in conjunction with the launch of the new Golf family in Malaysia, where four variants were introduced.

The new Golf comes in two variants with a 1.4 TSI engine – the Sportline and R-Line which is priced with GST without insurance and registration at RM 155,990 and RM169,990 respectively.

The hot-hatch GTI comes with a 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine and is priced similarly at RM239,990, while the Golf R is powered by a 2.0 TSI all-wheel drive turbocharged engine and is priced at RM295,990.


Govt to provide fuel, cooking oil subsidies of up to RM8bil in 2021

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government is expected to cover fuel and cooking oil subsidies up to RM8bil, which is RM4.22bil more than the initial RM3.78bil allocated for this year.

The government has spent RM6.32bil on fuel and cooking oil subsidies in 2019 and RM2.16bil for 2020.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the higher allocation this year was due to the increase in current global market prices.

Following the increase in commodity prices globally, government subsidies for RON95 petroleum products, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as subsidised cooking oil are expected to increase sharply.

"The government is prepared to bear the higher subsidy expenditure to preserve the well-being of the people and the viability of businesses, especially small traders," the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Saturday (June 12).

Tengku Zafrul said the government would continue to help the people through various measures, including continuing to subsidise fuel and cooking oil to help reduce the impact of rising commodity prices globally on the people's cost of living.

He said the government would continue with the price maintenance policy of RM2.05 per litre for RON95 petrol and RM2.15 per litre for diesel which had been maintained since Feb 10.

Meanwhile, the price of LPG was maintained at RM1.90 per kg since June 2015 and subsidised cooking oil was worth RM2.50 per one kg pack since 1997, he said.

He added that various Budget 2021 measures and improved initiatives through Permai, Pemerkasa and Pemerkasa Plus will continue to be channelled at least until December 2021.


New Abarth Pista 595 announced

                LONDON: The Abarth Pista joins the 595 range adding a new Garrett turbocharger which delivers 165hp.

It is equipped with the Record Monza Active exhaust and Koni rear suspension, with Frequency Selective Damping which offers greater road-hold, handling and stability.

The 595 Pista is packed with standard equipment including a racing steering wheel with flat bottom and centring mark, the "Sport" button which adjusts peak torque output, power steering settings and the throttle response for an even more thrilling drive.

The braking system is also enhanced with ventilated 284mm discs on the front and 240mm discs on the rear.

The new, oversized Garrett turbocharger, with geometric compression ratio reduced from 9.8:1 to 9:1, optimises temperature in the combustion chamber at equal pressure.

This allows peak torque of 230Nm to be achieved at just 2,250rpm.

The Abarth 595 Pista is available to order now priced from £19,135 (RM99,339).


Europe can win electric car sales race if it learns from China

                LONDON: Sales of electric vehicles in Europe are growing at such a pace that the continent looks increasingly likely to outpace China in the near future.

That’s one of the findings of a report released today by London-based automotive research firm Jato Dynamics. However, it found that Europe and the US still have a few things to learn from China, the world’s biggest EV market, including prioritising affordability, centralising planning, and using data to better understand consumers.

Demand for cleaner and smarter cars is rising globally, particularly in Europe where the market has been bolstered by tighter emissions regulations along with an increasing awareness of climate change. EV sales in Europe in the first half exceeded China for the first time since 2015.

Although the coronavirus pandemic hurt all car sales, including EVs, which fell 15% globally in the second quarter, the market for electric vehicles is forecast to expand about 7% this year, led by Europe, according to a September report from BloombergNEF.

"What governments in underdeveloped EV markets now need is a more centralized plan to catalyse growth and create an optimal environment to build consumer confidence by making adoptions as simple as possible,” Jato’s report said.

Charging stations

Besides heavily subsidizing EVs, the government in China has created an effective infrastructure and implementation strategy that’s crucial to supporting adoption, the report found.

According to the International Energy Agency, the number of public slow- and fast-charging spots reached 862,118 worldwide, with China taking a 60% share.

Tesla Inc., the California-based company that’s currently the world’s biggest EV maker, earlier this month cut the price of its China-made Model 3 sedan to 249,900 yuan (US$36,800), cheaper than anywhere else, aided by supply chain localisation, especially batteries.

While subsidies in China are being dialed back, EVs are still much cheaper than elsewhere.

In Shanghai, it costs US$13,000 for a licence plate for a vehicle with a combustion engine whereas it’s free for an EV, thereby "creating a huge economic incentive and making the use of electric vehicles a no brainer,” Jato said. automakers in Europe meanwhile have traditionally had a focus on luxury, more expensive EVs.

China isn’t the only country to offer EV subsidies, but it also spurred the domestic manufacturers by ensuring imported vehicles were for a long time not eligible for subsidies, and subject to import tariffs.

Beyond its home market, China aims to become a global automotive superpower and considers wider penetration of its own EVs as essential to that objective longer term.

"Despite sales data showing signs of an impending slowdown, once subsidies are fully phased out, the EV market in China will still be miles ahead of its competitors,” the report said. "Currently, there are 138 different EV models available in China, 60 in Europe and 17 in the US.”

It’s "apparent that a lighter touch approach is simply not as successful, as can be seen in the EU or US.”

Additionally, the use of data by Chinese firms including suppliers to the auto industry enables them to understand consumers better, and local buyers are very different to those in Europe.

"Chinese consumers are tech savvy, early adopters and keen to be at the forefront of digital development. A third believe it is critical to have in-car connectivity, compared to 18% of consumers in Germany,” the report said.

"European consumers have typically been more hesitant when it comes to the adoption of electric vehicles, uncertain of EV capabilities and preferring to stick to what they know.”


Thai industry body raises domestic car sales forecast for 2017

                BANGKOK: Thailand's domestic car sales are expected at 800,000 units next year, up from an earlier estimate of 780,000, as a recovering economy lifts demand, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said today.

The FTI last month predicted a 4 percent rise in car sales in 2017. Its estimate for this year is 750,000 cars.

Car exports are expected to be 1.2 million units next year, up from 1.18-1.19 million cars predicted for 2016, Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesman for the FTI's Auto Industry, told reporters.

Annual domestic auto sales have been weak since May 2013, following the fading effect of a government first-car subsidy scheme, which ended in 2012, when sales jumped 81 percent.

Thailand is a regional vehicle production and export base for the world's top carmakers.


Ford opens new research centre in Tel Aviv

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said today it opened a research centre in Tel Aviv, becoming one of several global automakers beefing up operations in Israel to take advantage of the country’s vibrant technology sector.

The centre will support Ford’s automotive and mobility businesses by identifying technologies and start-up companies in the fields of connectivity, sensors, automated-systems research, in-vehicle monitoring and cyber security, the company said.

Ford’s announcement comes as technology and automobile companies seek access to Israeli expertise in automated driving, boosting investment in the country.

US chipmaker Intel Corp, German auto supplier Continental AG, Samsung Electronics Co, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co are among companies that bought startups or set up their own development centres in Israel.

Ford said its new centre will operate in close co-ordination with the company’s machine learning unit, SAIPS, which the US carmaker acquired about three years ago.

SAIPS chief executive officer Udy Danino has been appointed as Israel technical director for the new centre.

Ford’s global network of research centres include Aachen in Germany, Nanjing in China and Dearborn in the United States.


Men behind the F1 scene: Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest

                THE most unsung heroes in motorsport are the ones who work tirelessly on anything with wheels and an engine.

They are none other than the mechanics who ensure that these high performance machines are race-ready.

At this year’s Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest, CarSifu had the privilege of chatting with two unique mechanics who hail from England and work within the high-pressure cooker setting of Formula 1 — the pinnacle of motorsports.

How does one even begin to imagine working in such an environment that requires you to be on your toes at all times amid a fluid and ever-changing situation?

“You need the right mindset. Always thinking ahead. Thinking how you’re going to get things done and keep on track. Obviously, you’ve got a limited time to do things and in a high-pressure situation there’s always things going on,” said Jonny Goodenough - the current Renault F1 No. 1 mechanic for Carlos Sainz.

As for Jason Milligan, the Renault F1 No. 1 mechanic for Nico Hülkenberg, it took him six years to reach his present position at the team. “But then, there’s also another 10 years of knowledge and experience previous to that,” he said.

So how does one manage to keep cool in a seemingly chaotic environment?

“It can be (chaotic). But if you’ve got one person running around panicking, then other people will start to panic as well. If you stay calm and level-headed, everyone else around you may or may not, but you can sort of calm the situation down,” said Milligan.

The journey to become an F1 mechanic is long and arduous.

“It starts with the lower Formulas — Formula 3 for example — and then you’ve got to work in those Formulas to learn basic skills and about team work and the industry to gather years of experience to gain entry into F1. After that, it’s a lot easier to progress.”

In terms of responsibilities, it seems there isn’t anything specific.

“It varies. We’re like the figurehead of the car, so we have to liaise with the engineers and the people at the factory. They give us a list of requirements of what should be fitted to the car and you know that 9am in the morning, or whatever time that may be, the car needs to be ready.

“So that’s your responsibility — to organise the team of people that you work with to achieve this. Whether it means working faster, later or taking it steady. The ultimate goal is to be ready for that time with a car that doesn’t break down,” said Milligan.

A No. 1 mechanic also can’t afford to slack off.

“In Formula 1, there are maybe 10 teams and within that there’s only two number ones in each team. In the pitlane, there’s 20 people who do our job, and then there are other people from other parts of the world who are trying to arrive at our point,” said Milligan.

After a hectic race weekend, Milligan and Goodenough still make time to release the pressure even if it’s just for a few hours.

“There are people who like to go running/cycling after work and there are those who prefer to go back to their hotel room. Personally, I might go and have a drink with friends,” said Goodenough.

“Generally, once we arrive we have got a couple of hours (of free time), and then a few more on a Saturday after parc fermé (literally means “closed park” in French) at 6pm. That’s where we might head into the city and do a bit of sight-seeing. Managed to take a photo of the twin towers!” Milligan said with a chuckle.

“We can have up to a week of leisure between races, so it’s not so bad. There’s a lot of travelling and time away from the family with long hours working at the circuit.

“Like on a Friday for instance, you’d start work at 7am and then the curfew could be at 1am in the morning and you’d work to that and then you go back to the hotel bed. Next morning, it’s back to the circuit. So some would say it’s a glamorous life, but if you looked at the working hours, it’s not as glamourous as some make it out to be.

“When you watch a race or qualifying, people get to see that short glimpse of the car going around. But you don’t see the 24 to 48 hours before where you average maybe six hours of sleep at night just to create that car you see on the television,” said Milligan.

Ideally, an F1 mechanic should be young and work as one only for a few years.

“Working in F1 could cause someone a lot of stress and people need to understand that it’s something that is going to put a lot of pressure on your life,” said Goodenough.

All said and done, has it been worth it working as F1 mechanics?

“Still here!” Milligan quickly quipped. “Everybody does it for a reason. We do it because we enjoy it and we get to travel the world,” he said with a smile.

In the 2018 Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic, Team Malaysia comprising Low Pai Khoon, Yim Shao Ze and Alvin Tan Yong Jun, was crowned regional champion. Apart from the accolade, they also had a chance to join the pit crew of Renault Sports Formula One Team at the recent F1 Grand Prix race in Singapore.


B-segment SUV to drive TIV to 610,000 units in 2020, says Maybank

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's total industry volume (TIV) is targeted to hit 610,000 units this year with the sub-compact (B-segment) sport utility vehicle (SUV) continuing to lead market and drive sales.

"We expect TIV to be relatively tepid in 2020 but a planned restructuring of (import) duties aimed at reducing vehicle prices will catalyse volume growth," Maybank IB Research said in a note on Wednesday.

However, Kenanga Investment Bank is more optimistic, forecasting TIV at 612,000.

Maybank said several new models, especially in the second half of 2020, would excite the market such as Proton's completely knocked down (CKD) X-70 and completely built up (CBU) X-50 models as well as Perodua D55L compact SUV, which is modelled after Daihatsu Rocky, thereafter.

Meanwhile, Nissan will likely roll out its much-anticipated all-new Almera, while Toyota (four models) and Honda (three-four models) will compete with several launches.

Overall, Maybank IB expects Perodua to continue to retain market leadership and anticipated Proton as well as Nissan marques to gain some market share.

READ MORE: Top 10 cars coming to Malaysia in 2020

"With the competitive launches, competing marques, especially in the B-segment, will likely be aggressive in their advertising and promotional expenses for market share and volume sales, at the expense of margins.

"That said, talks of a plan to restructure duties, aimed at reducing vehicle prices will be much welcomed, for it will be a catalyst to stronger vehicle sales beyond our 610,000 TIV target," it added.

Maybank IB also believes that the much anticipated National automotive Policy (NAP), which is scheduled to be unveiled in early 2020, will be the most scrutinised versus its predecessors.

"It is crucial for the policymakers to get it right this round for it will shape the direction of the nation’s automotive industry, in terms of competition and attracting foreign direct investments, in a challenging yet revolutionising market."

A sharp turn in consumer sentiment may affect vehicle sales, it said.

Additionally, it noted that foreign exchange volatility especially the ringgit against the US dollar and yen would affect margins of auto players exposed to these currencies.


Haval Hari Raya promotion

                PETALING JAYA: Go Auto, the exclusive distributor of Haval in Malaysia,  has a range of Hari Raya deals for its sport utility vehicles (SUV) for the upcoming festive period.

The promotion, entitled 'Jalan-jalan Raya With Haval'  starts now until June 25.

Any purchase or bookings made on selected models will entitle its new owners to enjoy RM2,900 worth of vouchers from Aeon, KFC, Touch N Go and BHP Petrol, including 'duit raya'.

Go Auto executive director Datuk SM Azli Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin Kamil said members of the public are welcome to visit any of its 25 showrooms nationwide to test drive the Haval vehicle of their choice.

"The ongoing promotion is not only aimed to make new Haval owners happy for driving a new vehicle during Syawal, we would also like to 'add-on' to that happiness by providing more goodies like the vouchers for our clients to enjoy with their families," he said.

At the moment, two SUV models - Haval H1 and Haval H2 - are being offered by Go Auto in the Malaysian market.

Haval H1 is the first SUV model in Malaysia to be qualified as energy efficient vehicle (EEV) and comes with a seven year warranty.

Powered with 1.5L E-ICE VVT engine with a six-speed AMT transition, Haval 1 is available in three variants and prices start at RM61,950 for Comfort, RM67,950 for Premium and RM74,950 for Elite.

Meanwhile, the Haval 2 is equipped with a 1.5 litre VVT petrol turbocharged engine which produces 147hp at 5,600 rpm and 210Nm of torque from 2,200 rpm to 4,500 rpm.

The six-speed vehicle is also available in three variants – Standard MT (RM89, 250), Comfort AT (RM98,950) and Premium AT (RM101,950).

All Haval H2 variants come with a five-year, 150,000km warranty.

Go Auto has also introduced a 'Buy Back Guarantee' scheme to ensure its vehicle owners to receive 50% of its resale value should the vehicles be resold to the company within five years.


Apple buys self-driving car startup Drive.ai

                SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc on Tuesday confirmed that it has acquired self-driving shuttle firm Drive.ai.

Technology news website The Information reported earlier this month that the iPhone maker was considering acquiring the firm as a move to bring aboard some of its engineering talent to boost Apple’s own self-driving efforts.

One of hundreds of startups pursuing autonomous vehicles, Drive.ai had been running a small fleet of test shuttles in Texas, The Information reported. But the startup told California regulators that it plans to lay off 90 people in a permanent closure. The San Francisco Chronicle earlier reported the closure.

In Silicon Valley, it is common for larger companies to acquire struggling startups primarily to hire their engineers, a move known in the industry as an “acqui-hire.”

Apple is vying against rivals such as Alphabet Inc’s Waymo to develop self-driving vehicles. In the past year, Apple has revamped its efforts, bringing former Tesla Inc engineering chief Doug Field to oversee the operation, which includes more than 5,000 workers.

Apple is also working on key components such as sensors in addition to holding talks with potential suppliers.


Online scam targeting used car sellers exposed with arrests

                KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate that posed as a used car company that preyed on people selling their cars on websites is believed to have raked in some RM10mil in sales.

Police arrested three suspects, including the "company chairman" who claimed to be a Datuk Seri, and the chief executive officer allegedly with the Datuk title. The suspects are between 20 and 39 years old.

Police recovered 27 luxury cars and were tracking down more.

City police deputy chief Deputy Comm Datuk Law Hong Soon said police received 126 reports between the end of last year and this month about the company in Jalan Pahang scamming car owners.

He said most of the victims had advertised their vehicles on the website that listed used cars for sale.

The syndicate would then contact the owner and offer to buy the vehicle at a price slightly higher than the market value.

“It would also offer to settle any outstanding loan on the vehicle with the bank or finance company, promising to handle all the paperwork. It would then pay the owner a deposit and take the car,” DCP Law said.

After taking possession of the vehicle, the syndicate would resell it.

“The victims only realised that they had been cheated when the bank or finance company called and asked them to pay the outstanding monthly instalments,” he said.

DCP Law said some of the victims also received traffic summonses because ownership of the vehicle had not been transferred.

Police urged those with information on the case to come forward.


Vespa Primavera - a blast to the past

                The new Vespa Primavera 150 ABS stays true to the 1960s Vespa classic design but has been updated with present day tastes.

The design of the bike especially the bodywork is much more rounded and pleasant.

The lines are cleaner and obvious.

The modern feel of this Vespa is very apt for the younger audience.

There is so much of coolness oozing from this bike.

Wear the right gear and you will definitely be noticed on the roads.

The Primavera is light, thus making it easy to handle for both sexes.

Ergonomics of this Vespa is perfect, reach to the bar is easy, meanwhile the saddle is big enough to accommodate a rider and pillion rider comfortably.

There is also enough space between pillion rider and the rider to make riding comfortable for both.

The brown leather saddle is firm, and yet comfortable, with double stitching further enhances the visual gratification of Vespa’s cuteness.

The rear of the bike is further complemented by passenger grab handle which is chromed to give the psychedelic look.

The turn indicators and LED daylight running lights are not large but these lights are a perfect fit for the overall design.

They are bright even during the day, thus missing a Primavera rider on the road is simply impossible.

The scooter comes with a glove compartment which is big enough to place my mobile phone, wallet, foldable shopping bags.

This compartment also comes with a phone charger which is definitely a brilliant idea.

Meanwhile, the under-seat compartment is big enough to fit an open space helmet.

Its limited cargo space means you might have to add a folding rack on the rear and front of the scooter to give you more ample space.

In fact, adding the folding rack makes the scooter more retro like something from the 1960s.

The Primavera is definitely ideal for a daily commute with its slim design and agility, making it so easy to tackle heavy city traffic.

Weaving through traffic becomes so natural within thirty minutes on the scooter.

Not only that, countless stop-and-go traffic does not seems tire out the engine.

The engine seems to purr happily be it on high or low speed.

On few occasions, I had no choice but to ride on the five-foot pathway because of gridlocks.

The scooter was able to climb and come down the five-foot pavement with little fuss. Wow!

I decided to ride the Primavera on the highway to Kuala Selangor.

I managed to clock about 103kph which was the official top speed of this scooter.

The scooter feels well-planted at this speed which was commendable.

There was very little vibration on the handle bar and none from the floor board.

At low speed riding especially when looking for parking bays, the scooter pulls strongly and does feel like it’s going to stall.

While riding the Primavera to work, I had a feeling that everybody were looking at me.

And I was right. . . every time I stopped at a traffic light, the motorcyclists next to me will definitely have a glance at the scooter.

I also realised it does not only happen to me but to other Vespa riders as well.

There is something unexplainable charm about these Vespas that appeals to everybody.

The Vespa Primavera 150 ABS has more than enough power; and the torque kicks in instantaneously once I twist the throttle.

This makes the scooter a fun vehicle especially when you are on the highway and decide to do a sudden burst of speed.

For a scooter, it is fast enough to get the other riders on the road to notice.

The engineers at Piaggio are very proud of the Primavera mainly because of the new Piaggio i-Get engine.

This new engine boasts optimised efficiency, lowered emissions and increased reliability.

Two thumbs up to this scooter especially on the suspension set-up.

The Primavera was able to absorb shocks rough roads with panache.

The front suspension comes with a shock damper which was tuned to take the tolls of daily city and highway travelling.

The front dive in is unavoidable when I did few hard braking but there was nothing to worry about.

I once did an emergency stop while riding at 90kph and had expected the Primavera to fail this test because of its lightweight. But I was wrong;

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) kicked into action and allowed me to stop confidently and safely without losing my balance.

As an iconic Italian two-wheeler and priced at RM15,890.00 (before GST), its desirability should spread like wild fire in Malaysia.

SPECIFICATIONS - Vespa Primavera 150 ABS

Engine : 154.8cc, single cylinder 4 strokes, with catalytic converter and electronic fuel injection.

Maximum power: 12.7hp at 7,750 rpm
Maximum torque: 10.4Nm at 6,000rpm

Front Suspension : Single arm with coil spring with dual action monoshock absorber

Rear Suspension : Coil spring (adjustable preload), dual action hydraulic monoshock; 70mm axial stroke

Front Brake : Hydraulic, 200 mm stainless steel disc, ABS

Rear Brake : 140mm drum, ABS

Fuel Tank Capacity : 7.9 litre

Price : RM15,890.00 (before GST)


Govt to increase RON95, diesel quota to cater to festive demand

                PONTIAN: The supply quota of subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel throughout the country will be increased from Friday (April 21) until May 5, to meet the demands of consumers during the festive period.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the increase in quota was for 4,030 petrol stations nationwide and the move was to avoid a shortage of fuel supply as occurred last year.

"In conjunction with the Aidilfitri, Wesak and Labour Day holidays, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has taken a proactive approach and has approved additional quotas of RON95 and diesel for oil companies," he told reporters after launching the Rahmah Sale for Imported Meat at the Econsave supermarket here today.

In May last year, it was reported that several petrol stations were experiencing fuel supply shortages due to unexpectedly higher demand of up to 50 per cent during the Aidilfitri festive period.

Salahuddin said an additional quota of 1.2 million litres or four per cent for RON95 petrol and 1.1 million litres (eight per cent) for subsidised diesel had been approved for the Aidilfitri festive period.

"The ministry is aware of the high possibility of an increase in fuel consumption based on the extraordinary number of vehicles on the road for trips back to hometowns, visitations and other destinations," he said.

He said the ministry constantly monitored controlled items including the supply of subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel throughout the country, especially in the border areas of the country and certain rural areas to reduce the risk of subsidy leakages caused by foreign vehicles and unqualified sectors.

"All petrol stations are expected to increase control so that the sale of RON95 petrol and subsidised diesel is only for vehicles with local registration numbers," he said, adding that the ministry would punish petrol station operators who flout the regulations.

Salahuddin also reminded them to comply with the set operating hours and not close their premises without permission from the ministry.


1km stretch of Jalan TAR, KL, to be closed to all vehicles except buses

                PUTRAJAYA: A 1km stretch of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Jalan TAR) in Kuala Lumpur will be closed to all vehicles except buses beginning March 15, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abd Samad.

The closure of the stretch from Jalan Esfahan to Jalan Melayu was to allow the public, especially shoppers, to conveniently carry out their business as they would not have to deal with the constant traffic in the area, he said.

"Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) conducted an online survey on the closure of the road, and the majority of respondents agreed with the proposal.

"We intend to make the route starting from Sogo (shopping complex) to Wisma Bandar to be a vehicle-free road or pedestrian mall where visitors can walk about shopping,” he told a news conference after a Luncheon Talk here on Wednesday (Feb 13) in conjunction with Federal Territory Day.

He said the entire stretch could accommodate up to 200 lots and could also be used for other festive periods.

Khalid said the move would also safeguard the interests of business owners whose shops at the old site of the Ramadan bazaar were adversely affected.


CNY savings from Volkswagen in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR – Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with festive specials for everyone.

From Jan 1 to Feb 28, fans of Volkswagen will enjoy Chinese New Year savings of up to RM4,000 on selected models, including the Golf GTI, the Tiguan Allspace family (Life, Elegance and R-Line), and Arteon R-line 4Motion.

 Tiguan Elegance.

Additionally, all Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be holding a Chinese New Year showroom celebrations on Jan 7-8 with deals and test drives for all models, in particular the Tiguan Allspace family.

Complimentary vehicle checks are also available at authorised service centres, to prepare for the heavy travel period during the upcoming festivities.

 Golf GTI.

Owners are invited to schedule their appointments through the Volkswagen Cares app.

VPCM will also be running the Volkswagen Genuine Services aftersales campaign from the Jan 1 to March 31 where customers who spend a minimum of RM800 at any Volkswagen service centre will receive a RM30 official merchandise voucher.

 Arteon.

Use these campaign vouchers and be in the running to win more merchandise, including the highly sought-after Volkswagen sun chairs.

As for Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) subscribers, receive a complimentary disinfectant kit with every service and utilisation of the VCP service discount vouchers provided in the Volkswagen Cares app.

For more details, visit the Volkswagen website.


You can now get non-tariff rated motor insurance from Chubb

                KUALA LUMPUR: Chubb Insurance Malaysia Bhd (Chubb) has launched "MY Car Insurance", its first non-tariff rated motor insurance policy developed under the phased liberalisation of motor insurance move initiated by Bank Negara Malaysia.

Under the initiative, the price of motor insurance products would be determined by individual insurers and takaful operators, giving them the flexibility to develop and package motor insurance products and services to suit the consumer's budget, it said in a statement last week.

Country president for Chubb in Malaysia, Steve Crouch, said that it was a chance to drive innovation in its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

"We conducted extensive studies on the Malaysian driver's experiences and designed an all-in-one solution encompassing coverage for inconveniences in the event of a vehicle breakdown, accident or flood," he said.

MY Car Insurance is distributed via all Chubb agents nationwide through its network of 23 branches and more than 2,500 agents.


Land Rover 70th anniversary marked by special restoration

                LONDON: When vehicle manufacturers celebrate a major milestone in their history, it's quite common for them to produce anniversary models that pay homage to a vehicle from the company's early days, or to roll out some historic models for an event or photoshoot.

Well, Land Rover is going right back to the very beginning to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2018, by restoring a vehicle that effectively started everything for the British brand.

The vehicle being restored is one of three pre-production Land Rovers that were originally shown in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show Launch. That was the moment when the world was given its first glimpse of the iconic vehicle shape that would forever become synonymous with the Land Rover name.

Even though almost half of all Land Rovers ever built are supposed to still be on the road, the whereabouts of this one was something of a mystery for quite a while. The demonstrator from the 1948 Amsterdam show was last reported to have been on the road in the 1960s, but after that it ended up residing in a Welsh field for something like 20 years. After its stint in the field it was bought as a restoration project, but like many such projects, it then went on to lay unfinished in a garden.

Thankfully, the vehicle was eventually discovered a few miles outside Solihull where it was originally built, and then it was up to the experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic to spend months researching company archives to decipher its ownership history, and to confirm its provenance.

But now the really hard work begins as the team behind the successful Land Rover Series I Reborn program, which lets customers own a slice of Land Rover history with meticulously restored Series I models, now embark on their most challenging project ever. And that project is a year-long mission to restore this significant prototype to its original glory, and eventually make it possible for it to be driven once again.

Another nice touch will see previous owners of this historic vehicle invited to Jaguar Land Rover's Classic Works facility so they can share their experiences, and bear witness to the loving restoration of this iconic vehicle.


Nissan pins hope on electrification

                GENEVA: The acceleration of electrification was the key theme at the Nissan stand during this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Taking centrestage was the world premiere of the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E Championship race car, seen in its concept livery for the first time. The car will make its city circuit debut at the start of the 2018/19 season later this year.

Also featured was the all-electric, zero-emission new Nissan LEAF. One new Nissan LEAF is being ordered in Europe every 12 minutes, making it the region’s fastest-selling electric vehicle. More than 19,000 orders have been placed for the car across Europe.

The new LEAF is the icon of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision. It is spearheading the brand’s drive to create a more exciting, confident and connected society.

Technologies that made their European debut on the LEAF are already being rolled out across Nissan’s range of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Nissan’s innovative ProPILOT advanced driver assistance technology will be available on Europe’s best-selling crossover – the Qashqai – from this month.

And the LEAF’s 40kWh battery is now available on the e-NV200 van, increasing its range by 60% with no reduction in load-carrying capability.

The LEAF is delivering the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision today, and the brand is already working towards what consumers will demand tomorrow.

 The IMx KURO concept (also below).

Nissan has confirmed that under its new Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022 midterm plan, it will offer electrified powertrains within the next generation of its best-selling crossovers. It is a pioneering initiative that will further extend consumer choice.

Also for the future is the Nissan IMx KURO, a concept vehicle that showcases Nissan’s leadership in both electric vehicles and crossovers. The model has been updated since its Tokyo Motor Show debut and now features Nissan’s pioneering Brain-to-Vehicle (B2V) technology.

The brand also highlighted how Nissan Intelligent Mobility is going beyond the vehicle with an integrated electric ecosystem. A new strategic partnership between Nissan and energy company E.ON has been announced. The collaboration will explore opportunities on pilot activities and commercial offers related to vehicle-to-grid services, renewable energy generation and storage solutions, as well as grid integration for Nissan electric vehicle customers.


China urges Tesla to keep products consistent as buyers complain about computers

The advanced HW3.0 chip allows for Full Self-Driving mode in Tesla’s driver assistance system. — CleanTechnica/Tesla

BEIJING: China’s industry ministry said on Tuesday it has urged Tesla Inc to keep its China-made vehicles consistent after some Chinese customers complained the US electric vehicle maker put less advanced computer chips in their cars.

Tesla started delivering China-made Model 3 electric sedans from its US$2 billion Shanghai factory in December, but some buyers said on Chinese social media that the control units in their cars run on HW2.5 chips, which are less advanced than the HW3.0 chips listed on their specification sheets.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology urged Tesla on Tuesday to ensure product consistency, quality and safety, according to a statement on the ministry’s website.

HW3.0 chips are necessary for the Full Self-Driving mode in Tesla’s driver assistance system, a feature that is optional when customers order Tesla cars.

In a post on its Weibo account last week, Tesla said the swap was due to a lack of supply of the HW3.0 chips and the company would replace the chip for customers who received cars with the HW2.5 systems.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tesla’s production and delivery plans in Shanghai have been disrupted by a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 3,100 people in the world’s second-largest economy.

Passenger car retail sales in China plunged around 80% in February due to the epidemic, industry data shows.


Fisker and Foxconn confirm PEAR production in Ohio

                LOS ANGELES: Fisker Inc has confirmed that it will produce its second electric vehicle, the Fisker PEAR, at a factory Taiwanese electronics maker Foxconn has acquired in Ohio.

The PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution) will enter production in 2024. Both the Fisker and Foxconn teams expect to build a minimum 250,000 PEAR units a year at the plant, after a ramp-up.

“The PEAR will be a revolutionary electric vehicle that won’t fit into any existing segment,” Fisker chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said.

The PEAR follows the company’s first SUV, the Ocean, which starts production in Austria on Nov 17.

The PEAR, a smaller SUV than the Ocean, will have an expected base price below US$29,900 (RM132,000) before incentives. Fisker has designed and engineered the vehicle to reduce parts for rapid, simplified manufacturing.

The PEAR, expected to have a 400km range, will be built on a new architecture, and the platform will underpin two additional models that Fisker will introduce at a later date.


Rates for traffic summonses unchanged, says Bukit Aman

                PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement denies there are new rates for summonses.

This comes following a viral message on social media, which supposedly lists down the new rates which are lower than the current ones.

"Members of the public are urged to check with the police if they have any enquiries.

"Do not simply believe any viral message on social media or other platforms," read the post on the Royal Malaysia Police Facebook page today.


New DS4 rival to BMW's 1 Series to get all-electric overhaul

                PARIS: DS is returning to the compact class, and the Stellantis subsidiary's new DS4 is set to lead the way into an all-electric era for the French company.

Starting in November, the luxury brand will roll out a new DS4 set to compete against rival cars like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

Closely related to the Opel Astra and Peugeot 308, but better equipped and with a stronger engine, the DS4 will be the most expensive compact model in the family, with prices in Europe starting at €28,900, according to the manufacturer.

While the engines are also used in other models of the group, the appearance and ambience are unique: The DS4 will roll out as an eye-catching mixture of hatchback saloon, coupe and SUV.

The car measures 4.40 metres in length and has up to 20-inch wheels. While the DS4 wants to attract attention on the outside with three different fronts, striking daytime running lights and many sleek parts in chrome or black, the French manufacturer is showing restraint on the inside.

A minimal amount switches around the digital displays and many quiet surfaces in elegant materials should set a different tone than with the competition, DS claims.

The engine portfolio is pretty broad and in addition to three petrol engines and a diesel, it also includes two plug-in hybrids.

In a good two years, the DS4 will also be available as a pure electric car, the manufacturer says.

Until then, the base model will be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 1.2 litres and 130hp. Above that, there is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 181hp (from €37,900) or 224hp (from €44,400).

The diesel, starting at €32,400, produces 130hp from 1.5 litres of displacement.

And those who pay at least €37,900 get a combination of the 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, which together produces 225hp and, with a battery (12.4 kWh), are said to have an electric range of more than 50km.

The part-time electric car has a standard consumption of 1.2 litres (CO2 emissions: 28 g/km). For the diesel DS quotes 4.6 litres and 121 g/km, for the petrol 5.8 to 6.4 litres and 131 to 146 g/km.

Above all, with the prospect of the fully electric variant, DS wants to set itself apart from the army of conventional compacts. But this is only the beginning, the French announce: By 2024, the brand will only offer electric vehicles.


Toyota plans to produce 750,000 vehicles globally in February

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp on Wednesday said it plans to produce about 750,000 vehicles globally in February.

The Japanese automaker said it aims to make about 300,000 vehicles domestically and about 450,000 overseas, and that it will continue to monitor the supply of auto parts, including semiconductors.

Toyota produced 740,996 vehicles globally in February last year, against a target of around 700,000.


Touch ‘n Go names new CEO

                KUALA LUMPUR: Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd has promoted Praba Sangarajoo as chief executive officer (CEO) effective April 1.

In a statement, Touch ‘n Go said Praba, who joined the company in June 2021 is currently deputy CEO, business and growth.

In less than two years, he has spearheaded the launch of new products and introduced new revenue streams, including RFID for expressway toll payments and fueling, the enhanced Touch ‘n Go NFC card for improved customer conveniences, and the acquisition of an unprecedented number of new parking sites in 2022.

Prior to joining Touch ‘n Go, Praba was the CEO of Xperanti IoT (M) Sdn Bhd. Before that, he was chief operating officer (Rail) at Sapura Secured Technologies.

“Praba’s vast experience prior to joining Touch ‘n Go coupled with his experience in running Touch ‘n Go’s Business & Growth division, will be invaluable in taking the company to the next level of growth.

“He will be responsible for continuing the growth trajectory of the group’s businesses as we navigate an increasingly competitive landscape in the fintech industry,” chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Putih said.


Better engine protection by Castrol Magnatec with Dualock lubricant

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Castrol Magnatec engine oil range with Dualock technology promises improved engine protection and fuel eocnomy.

According to Castrol, the new lubricant has technology akin to two different protective molecules tightly locking together and clinging to the engine surface, thus forming a powerful protective layer that delivers a 50 per cent reduction of warm-up and stop-start engine wear.

BP Castrol Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd technical services manager Joshua Tan said the new engine oil can improve a car's fuel economy by up to 3.95 per cent.

"This is based on our test data for combined highway and city driving, and compared with industry standards," said Tan.

The new Castrol Magnatec engine oil range with Dualock technology was designed specifically with traffic congestion in mind, to provide greater protection to vehicles operating in today's road conditions.

Keow Mei-Shan, marketing director for Castrol Malaysia and Singapore, referred to a recent report that estimated Kuala Lumpur residents spend an average of 53 minutes a day being stuck in traffic jams.

"That translates to spending almost two weeks a year stuck in congestion. The average stop/start of a car can be as many as 18,000 times a year in normal standard driving practice," she said.

Tan also noted that traffic congestion creates additional pressure on the car engine as it can result in a third of its journey time idling.

"This puts up to 66% more load on critical engine parts compared to driving on the open road," said Tan.

According to Keow, the Castrol Technology team took 10 years and more than 3 million kilometres of real-world driving to develop the new generation of Castrol Magnatec engine oil range with Dualock technology.

"We believe that this new engine oil range will further strengthen Castrol's leadership position in Malaysia," said Keow.

The new lubricant range is available at Castrol Auto Service outlets, car workshops and retailers.

It is suitable for use in petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

Recommended retail prices for a 4-litre pack are:

- RM138.70 (Magnatec 10W-40 part synthetic for petrol cars);
- RM143.40 (Magnatec 10W-30 part synthetic for petrol and diesel cars);
- RM187.80 (Magnatec Stop-Start 5W-30 fully synthetic for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars);
- RM201.90 (Magnatec Stop-Start 0W-20 fully synthetic for petrol and hybrid cars)


CKD Volvo XC40 PHEV arrives, priced at RM242K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia today rounded off its PHEV offering in Malaysia with the launch of the XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design.

The company is now the first and only automotive brand in Malaysia to offer a full range of Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) all assembled in Malaysia.

Priced at RM255,888, the XC40 Recharge T5 is now reduced to RM241,997.04 after sales tax exemption (on-the-road, without insurance) and will be available for viewing at all authorised Volvo dealers nationwide starting today.

At the same time, it is also available for online booking through Volvo Car Malaysia’s website.

The XC40 is also available as a fully electric SUV but it is not sold in Malaysia (see bottom promo video of this version of XC40).

The conventional 2.0-litre XC40 T5 R-Design remains on sale, priced at RM231,651, which is over RM10,000 lower than the PHEV.

The Recharge T5 powertrain has a combined output of 262hp and 425Nm of torque, while 160Nm of torque and a maximum power of 82hp is generated from the electric motor to give a boost of instantaneous acceleration.

Together with the petrol engine, the XC40 Recharge T5 reaches 100kph in 7.3 seconds and comes with its speed capped at 180kph following the company’s announcement in 2020.

Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform , the XC40 Recharge T5 comes with Volvo’s first-ever 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine Drive-E powertrain, with an electric motor mounted to its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to drive the
front wheels.

Designed for the city and the planet, the twin engine setup provides a more sustainable drive, with CO2 emissions of just 50 grams per kilometre. Electric range from the 10,7kWh Li-ion battery stashed in the centre tunnel is officially rated at 44km.

“The launch of the XC40 Recharge T5 is a sign of greener times ahead as we continue to strive towards a more sustainable future and do our part to not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also help our customers reduce theirs as well,” said Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Nalin Jain.

Some of the technology included in the XC40 Recharge T5 are safety and driver assistance features such as the Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support. These features will help instill driver confidence and increase comfort for an overall safer drive.

The XC40 Recharge T5 offers five different drive modes for a more dynamic driving experience: Hybrid (default), Pure, Off-road, Power and Individual.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 is near identical to the other XC40 variant.

Featuring a stylish and urban look, the new XC40 retains its bold and expressive design, highlighting its signature R-Design trim, allowing drivers to stand out from the crowd when exploring the city without blending into the crowd.

The car also comes with a charging lid on the left-hand front wing as well as a new approach to storage within the car.

The storage areas in the cabin have been designed to provide drivers with more functional storage space in the doors, including retractable hooks for hanging items.

A choice of five colours are available: Blackstone, Crystal White Pearl, Bursting Blue Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic and Coral Red Metallic.

> Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 Factsheet (pdf)


Which movie directors have wrecked the most cars onscreen?

Directors (from left) are Bay, Lana Wachowski and Nolan.
LONDON: There's no shortage of action scenes in the movies, from explosions and car chases to fights of all kinds. And some directors are especially reckless when it comes to cars.

A study has looked at the big-screen's dangerous moviemakers to find out which ones caused the most onscreen damage.

Some directors are well-known for their action movies.

Michael Bay stands out in particular as the director who has wrecked the most cars onscreen in his movies, according to a study conducted by the UK comparison site, Scrap Car Comparison.

The study counted the number of cars that were damaged, either by bullet holes in the bodywork or by broken windows, as well as those that were totally destroyed by explosions for the purpose of a movie.

The study focused only on scenes that were used in a movie's final cut, and not during other takes filmed during production.

By selecting the most popular action movie directors according to IMDB in February 2023, the study identified the "most dangerous" filmmakers in terms of the number of cars they have wrecked onscreen.

The director of the "Transformers" movies, Michael Bay, comes out on top with 354 cars wrecked, 279 of which were totally destroyed and 75 were damaged.

In second place comes Justin Lin, the director of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, who has 135 destroyed and damaged cars to his name.

John Landis, the director of "Beverly Hills Cop 3," comes third with 120 vehicles wrecked.

Looking solely at damaged cars, Christopher Nolan and John Woo come second and third in the ranking, with 44 and 38 cars respectively.

Surprisingly, despite the impressive action scenes in the Marvel movies, the Russo brothers only rank fifth overall with 80 destroyed and damaged cars.

The same goes for Chad Stahelski, director of the "John Wick" movies, taking 11th place in the top 15 with 30 cars wrecked.

Top 15 directors having wrecked the most cars in their movies -- including damaged and destroyed vehicles (rank, director, number of damaged or destroyed cars)

1) Michael Bay - 354

2) Justin Lin - 135

3) John Landis - 120

4) Christopher Nolan - 83

5) The Russo brothers - 80

6) John Woo - 77

7) Richard Donner - 61

8) Steven Spielberg - 60

9) Paul Greengrass - 51

10) Lana et Lily Wachowski - 45

11) Chad Stahelski - 30

12) Edgar Wright - 25

13) James Cameron - 25

14) John McTiernan - 21

15) George Miller - 18