Traffic slow and heavy as residents return to capital

                PETALING JAYA: Traffic movement was slow and heavy, clogging several major highways following an increase in the number of vehicles heading back to the capital.

A spokesman of the PLUS Expressways Sdn Bhd Traffic Control Centre said traffic began to increase from 11.30am yesterday and remained heavy in the afternoon.

“Traffic was slow northbound from Simpang Ampat to Pedas Linggi until Seremban for 15km.

“From the north, the increase in traffic volume can be seen along the North-South Expressway beginning from Taiping Utara heading towards Changkat Jering up to Bukit Berapit, Kuala Kangsar to Seberang Perak, Ipoh to Simpang Pulai and Tapah to Bidor,” he said, yesterday.

Travellers on the espressway also experienced delays from Permatang Pauh to Seberang Jaya (2km), Autocity to Tol Juru (2km), Changkat Jering to Kuala Kangsar (15km), Menora Tunnel to Jelapang (3km), Ipoh to Simpang Pulai (4km), Bidor to Sungkai (5km) and Sungai Buaya to Rawang (7km).

The congestion also saw many rest and recreation areas along the highway crammed with people, many with their families.

Muhammad Yazid, 43, said he and his family started their journey back to Kuala Lumpur from their hometown in Ipoh at noon to avoid jams.

“I have work tomorrow and my kids would need to start preparing for their school soon,” he said at the Sg Buloh rest area.

“We decided to balik kampung for our vacation because I just want my family to be away from all the hustle and bustle of the city life and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer,” he said, adding that his children had enjoyed a waterfall trip near their hometown.

Zulkifli Ahmad, 48, said the traffic jam was less frustrating this time as he and their family took the time to reflect on the fun they had during vacation in Cameron Highlands.

On the Karak highway, traffic was at a 14km crawl from Bentong westbound to Bukit Tinggi at noon and remained slow for 3km from Bentong Timur to Bentong Barat.

There was also a slight build-up at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Johor in both directions.

A Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman said traffic flow in the East Coast was expected to move slowly until midnight.

He said the increase in vehicle volume from the East Coast Highway heading for the Gombak Toll Plaza caused the traffic to slow down.

Heavy traffic had been reported since Saturday night along several major highways heading towards the capital after the Maulidur Rasul and Christmas public holidays fell on Thursday and Friday, followed by the weekend.

The public can get the latest traffic information via toll-free Plusline at 1800-88-0000 and Twitter at www.twitter.com/plustrafik or LLM line at 1800-88-7752 and Twitter at www.twitter.com/llminfotrafik.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia expects to see up to 20 new car launches in 2023

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has a plethora of new and exciting models that will be launched in 2023, said the company's CEO and president Sagree Sardien.

"You can expect up to 20 launches this year across our various brands, whether you look at electric, AMG, or the Mercedes luxury segment," she said on the sidelines of the launch of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic all-wheel drive on Friday.

The new GLC 300 4Matic with AMG Line interior is offered as a mild hybrid with 48-volt technology, priced at RM429,888 on-the-road without insurance.

Sardien pointed out that the GLC sport utility vehicle (SUV) is among the company's best-sellers, contributing at least 16% of its total retail volume.

"There was a period from the run-out of the predecessor, into now, the successor - we've had no stock, so it was absolutely imperative that we bridged (the gap) by bringing in the new GLC (as an imported model) as quickly as possible," she explained.

"Even before the launch, the order book is quite substantial. Customers have expressed great interest in the vehicle," she added.

Sardien also noted while the company is importing the new GLC presently, local assembly would start in the second half of the year.

Regarding the company's electric vehicle (EV) fleet, she said more EVs would be launched in the second half of 2023.

"We are more excited for what comes in the second half because the portfolio gets extended. Right now, we have five EVs. I must say we have generated significant interest when it comes to EVs. But I'm even more excited when I look at the order book. Customers are definitely showing a great appetite for EVs," said Sardien.

She added that the company would continue to focus on its electrification efforts.

"We are still on target and on plan to follow our global direction, which is transitioning our portfolio to all-electric by the end of the decade. By 2025, we still follow the pathway with having at least 50% of EVs in our portfolio," she said.

Regarding the EV charging infrastructure, Sardien said the company would continue its offensive on ensuring that its "retail network and people at the wholesale organisation have a switch in mindset when it comes to electrification."

"We look at this not only from the production of our cars, but to our supplier network, to our retail network and of course, our entire servicing office. We continue with the training efforts of our apprentice programme, that we've now brought in to handle the high voltage training."

Sardien pointed out that last year, the company announced that its dealer retail network would introduce 13 to 14 new direct current (DC) chargers across its network.

"To date, 11 have been fitted at our dealerships across the country. The remaining three DC chargers will be completed in 2023. In addition to that, we have also transitioned to our own organisation. In order to flip the switch for our employees also, we've started introducing electric vehicles into our portfolio of company cars. Therefore, there is a necessity for us to then equip our facilities with 80 new alternating current (AC) chargers and one DC charger at 360kW (kilowatt) which will come in 2023," she explained.

Sardien added that the company's collaboration with Petronas and JomCharge to install fast DC EV chargers at five petrol stations along the North-South Expressway and East-West Expressway is on track.

"The first charger is already up. The remaining four will continue to come up, over the next period. Our charging plans are in full swing," she said.

On the automotive chip shortage, Sardien said the situation had improved since the latter part of 2022, and the company is seeing an increase in the production of cars.

"Availability is starting to become a lot more better than we have previously experienced. We still have a few shortages when it comes to parts, but (compared to) what we experienced in 2022 and 2021, we are obviously in a much better space with readily available vehicles," she said.


GM appoints CEO Mary Barra chairman

                DETROIT: General Motors Co on Monday named chief executive Mary Barra as the chairman of its board, effective immediately, following a year in which Barra delivered strong financial results, quelled a shareholder uprising and put the worst of a recall scandal behind the automaker.

Barra takes over as chairman from former Cummins Inc chief executive Theodore Solso, who will continue serving as the board's lead independent director, the company said.

GM has over the years swung back and forth on the issue of whether the CEO and chairman's jobs should be held by different people. In the early 1990s, after a close brush with financial collapse, GM's board separated the two jobs in a move hailed by corporate governance experts.

Barra's predecessor, Dan Akerson, held both titles.

Barra's appointment as GM's chief executive in 2014 made her the first woman to lead a major automaker. But almost immediately upon taking over, Barra was hit with the fallout from a scandal over long-delayed recalls of GM cars with a potentially deadly ignition switch defect.

Much of her first year as CEO was spent dealing with that crisis. Among other moves, Barra agreed to set up an independent fund to compensate victims of accidents involving cars with defective switches.

GM in September paid US$900 million to settle a Justice Department criminal investigation. Experts said Barra's decision to bring in an independent investigator and take a number of steps to overhaul GM's handling of safety problems and provide more information to regulators helped limit the size of the penalty.

In early 2015, a shareholder group challenged Barra over GM's management of its growing cash hoard. Barra reached a deal in March under which GM agreed to return US$10 billion to shareholders in stock buybacks and increased dividends by the end of this year and commit to hitting certain financial targets, including generating a 20 percent return on invested capital.

In October, GM reported record third-quarter profits and projected it will hit its major financial targets for the year, including a 10 percent profit margin in North America. Booming US sales of trucks and sport utility vehicles have helped GM weather weak results in Latin America and Europe and a slowdown in China.

In a related development, GM will invest US$500 million in Lyft Inc and laid out plans to develop an on-demand network of self-driving cars with the ride-sharing service.

The biggest single Detroit-Silicon Valley crossover deal to date comes as automakers work out how to respond to the rush of technology companies such as Apple, Alphabet and Uber - Lyft's biggest rival - to control cars of the future and likely reshape the global auto industry.

GM's investment accounts for half of Lyft's latest US$1 billion fundraising round. It is one of GM's biggest investments in another company and the largest single cash injection to date by a traditional automaker into a young technology firm.

The two companies said the partnership was based on the shared view that self-driving cars will first reach consumers as part of a ride-sharing service, rather than vehicles owned by drivers.


July vehicle sales up 6,070 units to 48,553

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's vehicle sales increased to 48,553 units in July 2017 from 42,483 units in the same month last year, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said.

Sales volume in July 2017 was higher by 14 per cent or 6,070 units compared with the corresponding month last year, it said in a statement today.

"For passenger vehicles, sales in July 2017 rose to 43,524 units compared with 37,661 units while commercial vehicle sales improved to 5,029 units from 4,822," it added.

MAA said the total industry volume for the year-to-date was 4.7 per cent higher compared with the corresponding period last year.

On outlook, it said sales volume for August 2017 was expected to be slightly better than July because of the on-going promotional campaign by car companies and fulfilment of back orders as the 'e-daftar' system was expected to return to normalcy.


Evonik targets EV battery recycling, food tech in innovation drive

                GDANSK: Germany's Evonik Industries is working on ways to help recycle lithium from electric car batteries and limit the need for crop fertilisers as part of an innovation drive already tipped to add €1 billion (RM4.5bil) to sales in the 10 years to 2025.

At its innovation conference ooday, the speciality chemicals company said it saw electric vehicles, food production and meat testing as three particularly interesting fields.

According to Evonik, up to 95% of the lithium in lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries is not being recycled, mainly due to high costs.

Its solution, currently being tested on a pilot scale, increases efficiency using an electrochemical process with a ceramic membrane, which results in battery-grade lithium for use in new cells.

Evonik's specialists are confident the ceramic membrane process will be market ready in three to five years, it said.

For agriculture, the company is developing bacteria as biostimulants to supply nitrogen needed to grow cereals such as wheat and corn, instead of energy-intensive synthetic fertilisers.

"Our idea was to provide the plants with nitrogen from the atmosphere with bacteria. If this idea is successful this makes a major contribution to sustainability...," said Jan Wolter who heads the farm-to-fork division at Evonik's innovation unit Creavis.

The company said it expected to launch the first biostimulant formulations commercially between 2025 and 2027.

It is also working on technology to help determine the origin and quality of chicken products, aiming to tap into consumer demand for increased transparency.

Development work on the product, which uses an epigenetics and bioinformatics platform to test for a multitude of animal welfare factors, is well advanced and specific tests can be made available to customers in the short- to mid-term, Evonik said.


Toyota loses top-selling automaker crown to VW in 2016

                TOKYO: Toyota lost its crown as the world's top-selling automaker in 2016, company figures showed Monday, with the Japanese giant overtaken by Volkswagen as the industry prepares for an uncertain trade environment under Donald Trump.

The German automaker moved back into the top spot despite being hit by a massive emissions cheating scandal that rocked its reputation.

The carmaker, once a paragon of German industry, was plunged into its deepest-ever crisis after it emerged in September 2015 that it installed emissions-cheating software in millions of diesel engines worldwide.

However, the crisis seemed to have little effect on the firm's standing with drivers as it announced this month that annual sales rose 3.8 percent in 2016.

The results were boosted by strong performance in China which helped push total sales to 10.3 million, after slipping to 9.93 in 2015. VW group also includes the brands Audi, Porsche and Skoda.

On Monday Toyota said it sold 10.175 million vehicles worldwide last year, a 0.2 percent increase.

The annual figures come as the industry faces an uncertain outlook year with President Trump threatening punitive tariffs on imports into the United States in a bid to force them to manufacture and hire there.

Trump targeted Toyota in one his fiery tweets, criticising its ongoing project to build a new factory in Mexico and threatening it with painful tariffs.

He has also pledged to review several trade deals that he says are detrimental to American workers.

Japan's Kyodo News agency reported Monday that Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday, ahead of the latter's scheduled summit next week with Trump.

Toyota said it could not comment on the report, while Japan's chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga would not confirm it.

"Toyota has problems in China, whereas VW is very strong in China and is using it as en engine of growth," said Hans Greimel, Asia editor for Automotive News.

"That's the difference that matters," he said.

"They might be neck-and-neck right now but maybe long term you have to be a big player in China, and Toyota is still playing some catch-up there."

"In the US, another key market, Toyota has a big advantage over VW but it is running out of steam because it is not able to tap the boom there for SUVs as much as its rivals."

Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 to installing so-called "defeat devices" in 11 million vehicles worldwide, after their existence was revealed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The software caused engines to reduce emissions of harmful nitrogen oxide when they were undergoing regulators' tests

VW agreed this month to plead guilty to fraud and pay fines amounting to US$4.3 billion in the United States to close its emissions cases with the Department of Justice.


This is The Who-inspired Rolls-Royce Wraith

                LONDON: H.R. Owen dealership Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has brought a one-off Wraith to Mayfair and is now selling it to raise money for The Teenage Cancer Trust.

As part of Rolls-Royce’s ‘Inspired by Music’ series, the Mayfair showroom is displaying a unique Wrath that celebrates the genius of one of Britain’s most-loved rock bands, The Who.

The car was commissioned by The Who’s legendary front man Roger Daltrey, who sat down with designers and CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös at Rolls-Royce’s global centre of excellence in Goodwood to hand-pick all of the bespoke design enhancements and produce the ultimate collector’s car.

Rolls-Royce has committed to pledging a large portion of the car’s value to The Teenage Cancer Trust and other charities when it’s purchased and has pulled out all the stops to ensure it captures The Who’s spirit perfectly with a series of bespoke touches.

Daltrey himself added plenty of personalisation to the Wraith, including The Who’s famous bullseye logo and a laser-etched depiction of his iconic microphone swing – making it a dream model for any The Who fanatic.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London recently reported substantial growth and celebrated 2016 as the most successful year in its history – making it the No. 1 dealer in Europe. As such, it’s best placed to facilitate the sale of such a special collector’s car.

Rolls-Royce Brand Director Claus Andersen said: “It’s a privilege to welcome this remarkable car at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London. Not only does it celebrate one of the most revered names in British music, but it also supports The Teenage Cancer Trust and other very worthy causes. This is the ultimate collector’s car and we’re looking forward to giving one lucky buyer the chance to own the most iconic piece of The Who memorabilia ever created and pledge plenty of money to charity.”

The Who front man Daltrey added: “I am enormously excited at the prospect of raising vital funds and awareness for The Teenage Cancer Trust in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, a true British icon. The themes, so perfectly expressed by the Rolls-Royce designers in this car, are as relevant today as they were when we first performed them. I worked hard with the designers to capture the spirit of our songs and what their lyrics mean to fans of all generations. I’m certain the car will serve as the ultimate collector’s piece.”


Peugeot Landtrek pick-up truck unveiled from RM120,000

                SHAH ALAM: Local Peugeot distributor Bermaz Auto Alliance has launched the Peugeot Landtrek 4WD pick-up truck that comes with on-the-road without insurance price of RM120,072 for registration in Peninsular Malaysia.

The pick-up truck was previewed locally in January and is available in one variant only. Malaysia is the first country in Asean to get the Landtrek.

Since its global introduction in 2020, the Landtrek has largely found success in the Middle East and Africa, where it has achieved an 81.1% increase in sales in 2022 compared to the previous year.

The company said it has plans to locally assemble the Landtrek as the current model is fully imported. Based on the Changan Kaicene F70 pick-up truck, the Landtrek is built at the Changan plant in Shenzhen, China.

It may surprise many to know that Peugeot has been a long-standing player in the pickup truck segment.

In 1938, it offered a commercial flatbed vehicle derived from the Peugeot 202, followed by the Peugeot 203 after World War II, and then the Peugeot 403 and 404.

Finally, in 1979, the Peugeot 504 was introduced and officially named a pick-up, with more than 375,000 units produced.

Now back to the current iteration.

The Landtrek's strong front has LED signature lighting and a large grille featuring the Peugeot Lion emblem.

Its sports utility vehicle (SUV)-like interior features a 10-inch HD screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth support, 4.2-inch colour display instrument cluster, six speakers, three USB ports and toggle switches.

The rear bench can seat up to three passengers and has folding backrests to increase its versatility.

Meanwhile, the 1.9-litre D20T turbodiesel engine, which delivers 150hp and 350Nm of torque, is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with 4X4 drive capability. The engine features a variable geometry turbo (VGT) and 16 valves and it is jointly developed by China's Yunnei Power and Germany's FEW Automotive Group. It is compatible with biodiesel rated up to B10.

The vehicle comes with rear differential lock for traversing difficult terrain. With up to 235mm of ground clearance and wading depth of 600mm, the Landtrek is equipped with necessary technology to handle rough roads.

 Bedliner will be standard on the Landtrek although it's not shown in the exhibits at launch.

The brakes are the disc type for the front and drum at the rear.

The front suspension uses the double wishbone while the rear gets leaf springs.

Wheels are 18-inch alloys with diamond-cut styling running on 265/60R18 tyres.

Other features include six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, dynamic stability control, anti-skid regulation, hydraulic power steering, advanced keyless entry, hill-descent control, hill start assist and drive modes of Eco and Sport.

Also included are the 4WD transfer dial to 2WD/4WD-high and 4WD-low, lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera with distance and width guidelines and 360-degree view.

Six colour options are available: Ceramic White, Silver Grey, Magnetic Blue, Red Rubi, Rockstone Grey and the model exclusive Olea Green.

The Landtrek comes with a standard  5-year manufacturer warranty with a 100,000km mileage limit, whichever comes first.

Pre-orders were open from Jan 16 at all Peugeot outlets.

Peugeot said it is receptive to introducing more Landtrek variants and more engine options subject to market demands and viability.

Following the launch of the model today, Bermaz Auto Alliance organised a one-day media drive from its head office in Glenmarie here to Sekinchan for the press to check out the vehicle's rugged credentials and on-road comfort.

SPECIFICATIONS


Toyota doubles turbo offerings in new engine lineup

                TOYOTA CITY: Toyota is set to debut its second turbocharged entry in a series of new engines with  improved thermal and fuel efficiency.

The new 8NR-FTS 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo engine will be available as an option for the partially redesigned Auris, which went on sale in Japan today. Like the other entries in Toyota's new engine lineup, development of the 8NR-FTS is a culmination of Toyota's years of hybrid and conventional powertrain development, including breakthroughs in combustion and loss-reduction technologies.

Toyota claims it delivers superb driving performance and acceleration, while also achieving high fuel efficiency and thermal efficiency.

 The 8NR-FTS 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo engine.

The engine pairs a single-scroll turbocharger with a cylinder head that uses an integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold to optimize exhaust temperature. This enables adaptive intake cooling that is not affected by the engine's thermal load. The result: responsive acceleration and maximum torque across a wide rpm range.

Toyota has also improved combustion speed by creating a strong tumble flow (a vertically-rotating swirl) inside the cylinder. This, together with D-4T technology, creates an ideal air-fuel mixture. In addition, continuous variable valve timing on the intake (VVT-iW) allows the engine to use the Atkinson cycle by adjusting valve timing according to load. These improvements combine to produce maximum thermal efficiency of 36 percent, a leading level among mass-produced petrol engines.

Despite the success of hybrids, Toyota said vehicles with conventional powertrains still represent the majority of vehicles sold. By constantly increasing environmental performance across its entire vehicle lineup, Toyota aims to offer a portfolio of environment-friendly vehicles that meet the needs of consumers.

MORE DETAILS:Toyota Engine Presentation


Tesla's Autopilot will soon be able to detect turn signals, hazard lights and more

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla's Autopilot system will soon include new features capable of detecting turn signals, as well as hazard lights, emergency vehicle flashing lights and certain hand gestures, such as those of cyclists.

The aim is to help the car react in the best way to the various emergency scenarios that could occur at any time.

These advances will be enabled by the integration of a new system, called Vision, into the automatic driving system. Thanks to all the cameras installed on the vehicle — like a virtual neural network — Tesla Vision analyses the vehicle's environment in 360 degrees so that it can "see" almost everything that is happening around the vehicle.

Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has announced that the system will soon be able to detect turn signals or even emergency vehicle flashing lights in the vicinity, so that the car can detect all current and upcoming events on the road.

In this way, the autonomous car will get a little closer to truly human behaviour, in terms of driving with "eyes" that are constantly on alert.

This may also help avoid certain accidents, which can currently still occur in Autopilot mode.

For now, only a few (rare) US customers — enrolled in the Autopilot program for priority access to updates — are beginning to test this beta. As usual, these new features will be introduced through automatic remote software updates.


Proton recalling over 6,000 Perdana units over airbag flaw

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton is recalling 6,342 units of Perdana units made from 2012 to 2018 over defective airbags.

The company is appealing to Perdana owners it has been unable to contact to bring their vehicles to authorised Proton service centres as soon as possible to have the Takata passenger airbag inflator replaced.

Affected cars are those built from 2012 to the end of August 2018.

Replacement of the inflator takes one hour and is performed free of charge

Other Proton models are not affected by the recall as those use airbags supplied by a different vendor.

The service fix is part of a global initiative for cars equipped with Takata airbags.

Proton started replacing the Takata airbags in affected cars from January 2019 in compliance with the Defect Information Report issued by the US National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of our staff and dealers, Proton managed to contact our customers and have performed the airbag inflator replacement exercise. There are 6,342 units affected and as of Aug 18, our service outlets have replaced 5,625 units or achieve 87.5% completion,” said Proton Edar CEO Roslan Abdullah.

“The safety of our customers is of the utmost importance. However, we have not been able to connect with all affected owners due to obsolete or incomplete contact information. Therefore, we would like to urge all Proton Perdana owners who have not had their passenger airbag inflators replaced to call our service centres to book an appointment as soon as possible."

For more details, call Proton’s Customer Care Hotline, 1-800-888-398 or send an email to customercare@proton.com.


Wearing mask at petrol stations unnecessary, say police

                GEORGE TOWN: Wearing a face mask at petrol station is not necessary if physical distancing can be observed, said Penang police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan.

“A petrol station is a public place. But if the person is alone and the station is not crowded, then there is no need for him or her to wear a mask, ” he said.

Comm Sahabudin was responding to queries after talk that it was compulsory to wear masks at petrol stations.

He said the standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the National Security Council (NSC) had clearly stated that the wearing of masks was compulsory in crowded places but not in areas where physical distancing could be practised.

The mandatory use of masks in crowded places was enforced on Aug 1 as part of the effort by the government to break the infection chain of Covid-19.

Crowded places include markets, farmers’ markets, night markets, supermarkets, tourist areas and cinemas.


Ban deadly drivers for life, says Loke

                PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Act needs to be amended to ensure that drivers responsible for causing deaths are banned from driving for life, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He pointed out that Section 41 of the Act states that a driver guilty of causing death by reckless driving cannot hold or obtain a driving licence for at least three years.

“This means that after three years, it is possible for these drivers to drive again. I feel this punishment is not strict enough.

“If you cause the death of other people on the road, you should be banned from driving for the rest of your life,” Loke told reporters on Saturday’s fatal accident near Menora Tunnel in Perak on the North-South Expressway.

Loke said Usaha Maju Trading Sdn Bhd, which owns the trailer, had been suspended for two weeks, with all 28 vehicles registered to it grounded while the ministry audited the firm.

“They are not allowed to operate within this period and I have instructed JPJ (Road Transport Department) to ensure that all their vehicles are grounded at its depot.

“After the audit is conducted, the company will be issued a show cause letter,” said Loke, adding that such companies must be held liable if their drivers were reckless.

The 41-year-old driver, who is in police custody, had tested positive for methamphetamine and had 28 traffic-related summonses to his name.

As for the amendment to the Act, Loke noted that such a change would take some time because it needed to be studied and brought to the Attorney General’s Chambers before being tabled in Parliament.

“We also need to gather feedback from agencies such as Miros (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research),” he said.

The Road Transport Act also provides for offenders to be jailed for two to 10 years, and fined between RM5,000 and RM20,000.

Miros chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye expressed his support for such a ban.

“Drastic action needs to be taken to be a deterrent,” he said, noting that there had been cases where drivers were back on the road after paying a fine.

He also called on employers to be more involved in road safety.

“This is everyone’s responsibility. When they engage these drivers, they have to ensure that they are disciplined and that they observe the law,” he said.


This electric motorcycle was (almost) completely printed in 3D

                BERLIN: The German 3D printing specialist BigRep has demo-ed its expertise by crafting a prototype 3D-printed electric motorcycle.

All of the bike's parts are 3D printed except its motor and battery.

This first 3D-printed electric motorcycle is called Nera. From the frame and the fork to the rims and even the airless tyres, almost all of this motorcycle's components have been 3D printed with machines produced by BigRep.

Its sleek lines are the work of designers Marco Mattia Cristofori and Maximilian Sedlak.

The result is a compact e-bike (190cm x 90cm x 55cm) that is fully functional. There's currently no word on performance specs, however.

It's also unclear whether the project will give rise to a production model.


Toyota recalling 5.84 million vehicles for fuel pump issue

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp announced it has expanded a worldwide fuel pump recall to a total of 5.84 million vehicles for a defect that could cause the part to fail.

The largest Japanese automaker said Wednesday it was adding another 1.52 million US vehicles to the recall that was first announced in January and covers numerous models built between July 2017 through September.

Toyota said the vehicles that have a fuel pump that may stop operating and could result in a vehicle stall, and the vehicle may be unable to be restarted. Dealers will replace the fuel pump with an improved version.

The recalls covers vehicles including the 2013-2015 Lexus LS 460 and GS 350, 2017-2019 Toyota Highlander and 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna and Lexus RX 350 and 2018-2020 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra as well as the 2019-2020 Toyota RAV4.


New Mercedes-Benz dealership opens in Kuantan

                KUANTAN: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and its dealer partner, Asbenz Stern Sdn Bhd, have launched the Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus here to strengthen the three-pointed star's presence in the East Coast.

Supporting the dealership is a service centre in Jalan Gambang. Both facilities were set up with an investment of RM5mil from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Asbenz Stern.

The dealership and service centre occupy built-up areas of 3,860 sq ft and 13,496 sq ft respectively.

 Dr Weidner and Goh at the opening of the latest Mercedes-Benz dealership in Kuantan today.

The dealership is also designed according to the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II Autohaus concept and the latest Mercedes-Benz corporate identity.

Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan offers sales, service and spare parts in the dealership and service centre for a comprehensive customer experience. The service centre has 10 work bays and one inspection bay, allowing 250 vehicles to be serviced monthly.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Dr Claus Weidner said the company is confident of growing demand for premium vehicles in the East Coast.

"Together with our partner dealer Asbenz Stern, we underline our commitment to the East Coast region."

Dr Weidner also said the services provided by dealerships in and outside Kuala Lumpur are the same. "We want our customers to know that the high level of services provided by every autohaus (dealership) across Malaysia is the same," he said.

Asbenz Motors managing director Goh Chuan Kiong said providing top quality services is a way to gain new customers and retain existing ones.

Asbenz Motors' partnership with Mercedes-Benz began in May 2004 with its first dealership in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

With the launch of Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Kuantan autohaus, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia retains the largest premium vehicle coverage with 34 dealerships nationwide.


GM to end production of Bolt - its first mass market EV - this year

                WASHINGTON: General Motors Co said it will end production of its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle later this year as its shifts zero-emission production to trucks and SUVs built on a new battery platform.

"We have progressed so far that it's now time to plan to end the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EU production, which will happen at the very end of the year," GM CEO Mary Barra told investors on Tuesday.

The largest US automaker sold 38,120 Bolt EVs in 2022, up from 24,828 in 2011 - and 19,700 in the first three months of the year. The Bolt, GM's first mass market EV, still accounts for more than 90% of all US GM EV sales.

The Bolt was preceded by the Chevrolet Volt - a plug-in hybrid that GM ended production in 2019. In the late 1990s, GM built and leased about 1,100 EV1 cars.

The Bolt, which starts at US$26,500 and qualifies for a US$7,500 federal tax credit, has been repeatedly touted by Biden administration as an example of an affordable EV.

In January 2022, GM said it would invest US$4 billion in its Orion Township Assembly plant that builds the Bolt to produce Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra using its next-generation Ultium EV platform.

GM said its Detroit-Hamtramck and Orion plants will be able to build more than 600,000 electric trucks a year by late 2024.

Barra said when the Orion reopens in 2024 and reaches full production, employment will nearly triple.

GM expects to build 400,000 EVs in North America from 2022 through mid-2024 and increase capacity to 1 million units annually in North America in 2025.

Barra said Tuesday the automaker expects its battery plant in Warren, Ohio, to reach full capacity by year end.

In August 2021, GM announced a US$2-billion recall campaign it expanded to cover all of the 140,000 Bolt vehicles it had produced over battery fire risks. The recall prompted GM to halt Bolt production and sales for more than six months.

GM battery partner LG Electronics Inc agreed to reimburse the automaker for US$1.9 billion in costs connected to the Bolt recall, the Korean company said in 2021.


There is hope in this world, says driver helped by three strangers

 The motorcyclists who came to Soong’s aid. — Photo from Soong’s FB
PETALING JAYA: A week after sharing her story about how three strangers came to her aid on a highway, office executive Tiffany Soong is still getting heartwarming responses from Malaysians who are touched by the kind gesture.

The 30-year-old did not expect the tale of three motorcyclists replacing her tyre by the side of a highway to gain so much traction on social media.

“To be honest, I shared the story because I felt warmed by their action ... I did not expect this ‘ordinary’ story of mine to get so much attention,” she said yesterday.

Soong also said that many Malaysians shared similar stories in the comment section of her post on Facebook about the incident that took place on the North-South Expressway last Thursday.

“I am touched reading the comments of how other Malaysians are helping each other.”

Recounting her experience, Soong said she was grateful the three motorcyclists had come to her aid just as she had begun to worry and cry.

“I thanked them immediately once they were done fixing the spare tyre. But I did not contact them after the encounter,” she said.

As of yesterday, her post had garnered over 17,000 reactions and more than 5,700 shares.

Among the commenters was Azlan Aziz, who said he, too, had had similar experiences of being stranded at the side of the highway.

“So now, every time I see someone stranded, if I can stop and help, I will buy a cold drink, an umbrella or just a bottle of petrol and hand it over.

“We never know when it’s our turn. So it’s good to help others,” he wrote.

In Soong’s post on April 28, she said a tyre puncture occurred as she was travelling to Johor after work.

“At 7pm, on a busy highway, close to the time for breaking fast, alone at the roadside....

“While I burst into tears in the car, three motorcyclists approached me,” she wrote.

Soong recalled that she had tried calling the PLUS hotline for about 15 minutes and was getting worried as nobody had picked up her calls when “the three men showed up”.

She added that she was surprised that the three strangers had come together to assist her despite not knowing each other.

“Sometimes, I forget there is still pure kindness in people’s heart.

“Thank you for making me believe there is still hope in this world. Selamat Hari Raya.”


Tesla names close Musk friend Larry Ellison to board

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc on Friday named Oracle Corp co-founder Larry Ellison (pic), a shareholder and self-described close friend of chief executive Elon Musk, to its board to provide the independent oversight demanded by US regulators after Musk tweeted about taking the electric carmaker private.

The move is meant to usher Tesla past months of turbulence following Musk’s Aug 7 tweet that he was considering taking the company private and had secured funding.

The fallout, which included the US Securities and Exchange Commission subsequently filing fraud charges against Musk for what it said were his “false and misleading” tweets, led some investors to call for stronger board oversight of Musk.

The inclusion of Ellison puts one of the world’s richest people with experience building a startup into a successful company on Tesla’s board. He served as a director at Apple at a critical time for that company – in the five years after Steve Jobs returned to the helm of the then struggling computer maker in 1997, helping oversee one the greatest turnarounds in corporate history.

Joining Ellison on the board, effective Dec 27, was Walgreens Boots Alliance’s global head of human resources, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson.

Charles Elson, director of the corporate governance center at the University of Delaware, questioned adding a friend of Musk’s and another director with no experience at an industrial company like Tesla.

“Why would you put a friend (on the board) if the idea of the two independent directors were to be objective,” Elson said. “Investors who were hoping for two newly objective directors who could stand up to Mr. Musk would be rather disappointed by the choice.”

Under a court-approved agreement with the SEC, Musk agreed to pay a US$20 million fine and step aside as Tesla’s chairman for three years to settle charges that could have forced his exit. Tesla also agreed to name the independent directors and a board committee to control Musk’s communications.

SEC officials could not be reached to comment on Friday, but Harvey Pitt, the agency’s former chairman, called the addition of Ellison a positive step.

“His personal investment in Tesla stock — said to be his largest personal investment outside of Oracle — means he will be focused on ensuring that Tesla develops profitable strategies,” Pitt said. “He also has the stature to stand up to Mr Musk, should that become necessary.”

Tigress Financial Partners analyst Ivan Feinseth said Ellison’s “maverick type CEO traits” match Musk’s.

Ellison bought 3 million shares of Tesla earlier this year.


Sime Darby employees offered special deal to buy used cars

                PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Motors is turning to employees within the diversified group to buy the used cars it sells under the Sime Darby Auto Selection division.

It announced today an Employee Mobility at Ease Programme that offers them various incentives to buy the cars that include brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Proton, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Ford. The used car inventory numbers 300 cars at present.

Under the programme, Sime Darby employees are offered the convenience of owning a car without the hassle of traditional car ownership by paying a fixed monthly fee for a short lock-in period of one year.

The monthly fee will not only cover the car, but also insurance, road tax, maintenance and wear and tear. The programme shields its users from unpredictable depreciation cost derived from various factors out of the user’s control.

Unlike most car owners in Malaysia who are limited to a particular car for a five to nine-year period depending on the loan tenure, Sime Darby employees have the freedom to upgrade or switch to different models based on their needs after they return the car to Sime Darby Auto Selection upon completing the one-year term.

Sime Darby Bhd has a workforce of 20,000 employees, and has operations in 18 countries across the Asia Pacific region. However, the programme is opened only to employees within Peninsula Malaysia.

For customers who are non-employees, Sime Darby's used car unit had introduced an innovative mobility programme called "Fund Your Drive" earlier this month.


Tesla's Musk delays release of Roadster, global plant shutdown

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk said in a podcast interview released on Thursday that the company’s planned Roadster sports car would take a backseat to the development of other vehicle models.

Talking with stand-up comic Joe Rogan, the billionaire also doubled down on his critique of stay-at-home orders imposed by US states to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Musk said states’ lockdown orders were “unconstitutional” and would not hold up before the US Supreme Court if challenged. He previously made such remarks during Tesla’s first-quarter earnings call on April 29, calling restrictions “fascist.”

The interview marked Musk’s second appearance on Rogan’s podcast, which is videotaped and published online. Musk became infamous when he smoked a marijuana joint with Rogan during the first interview in September 2018.

When Rogan asked when he could buy a Roadster, Musk responded he could not provide a date, but said other initiatives, including a ramp-up in production of sport utility vehicle Model Y and the construction of a vehicle factory in Berlin, were priorities.

“Roadster is kind of like dessert,” Musk said. “We gotta get the meat and potatoes and greens and stuff.”

Musk also said Tesla should produce the Cybertruck, a futuristic-looking light commercial vehicle, before working on the Roadster.

Tesla announced the Roadster, a battery-powered four-seater, at the end of 2017 and at the time said the car would be faster than any street-legal production car.

Musk in the past has said Roadster sales would begin after a revised version of its Model S sedan is released, which was widely expected to be at the end of 2020.

The two-hour interview focused only in short parts on the virus pandemic and Tesla’s business, with much of the discussion centering around artificial intelligence and another of Musk’s companies called Neuralink, which develops implantable brain-machine interfaces.

Musk told Rogan those devices could be implanted in people within a year, but said he would have a Neuralink implanted in himself only if it actually works.

In a separate development, sources have said that Tesla has suspended production at its plant on the outskirts of Shanghai, bringing to a halt all of the company’s vehicle manufacturing globally.

The electric-car maker informed factory workers who were supposed to return to work Wednesday, after China’s five-day Labour Day break, that their holiday would be extended and they will return as soon as May 9, according to the the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.

The reason for the abrupt halt wasn’t immediately clear. Chinese technology news site 36kr reported it was because of component shortages.

While Tesla’s only car factory outside the US is expecting delays in receiving parts for its Model 3, it’s also facing problems with a crucial piece of manufacturing equipment that’s being fixed, according to the people.

The production halt means that Tesla isn’t making any cars worldwide.

Its other vehicle-assembly plant in Fremont, California, has been idled since March 23 due to shutdowns aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus. The shutdown has made the Shanghai factory even more crucial for Tesla because the US is weeks, if not months, behind China in reopening its economy.

Some employees are on site in the China plant for equipment inspection, maintenance and repair, the people said. The plant was temporarily idled earlier this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, but it was also among the first automakers to resume production with assistance from local authorities.


Petrol cars to clean up their act with new soot filters

Petrol engines will have to meet a new set of emissions standards from September 2017. — dpa
BERLIN: The race is on to make petrol engines cleaner as it dawns on carmakers that their obsession with diesel may have driven them into a technological cul-de-sac.

Engineers say modern petrol engines can be made to run just as cleanly as oil burners, provided they are fitted with filters.

The type of filter needed by a petrol motor is a gasoline particulate filter (GPF). Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have already started putting these into some of their cars.

Naturally, the VW "dieselgate" scandal has given the diesel engine a bad name. But another reason for the move to clean up petrol motors is the problem of getting self-igniters to conform with increasingly tough emissions regulations.

Petrol motors are notably better at burning off the tiny soot particle pollutants blamed by many experts for triggering serious health problems.

 A gasoline particulate filter from parts supplier Faurecia.

The exhaust gases burn at higher temperatures, which means that a lot of soot is burned off before it reaches the filter. This is not the case with diesels, which clog their particulate filters quickly.

When a petrol engine fires up, the water that comes out of the exhaust is clear, rather than black like that of a diesel engine.

Pollutants are produced, but they consist largely of potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), particulates which are not burnt during combustion.

In Europe, tough upcoming particle emission regulations will apply to both petrol and oil-burning engines.

Modern diesels already have to comply with the Euro 6 emissions legislation introduced in September 2015. But both petrol and diesel engines will have to adhere to the even tougher Euro 6c standard, which comes into force in Europe in September 2017.

Stefan Pischinger, a internal combustion expert from RWTH Aachen University, believes this means many carmakers will choose to fit GPFs to their cars.

Under the Euro 6c standard, petrol cars with fuel injection must reduce their levels of particulate matter by 90 per cent.

VW is planning to phase in GPFs on its TSI and TFSI engines, and Mercedes is fitting the filters to a new generation of engines in the luxury S-Class. They will gradually be introduced across the model range.

The filters work in the same way as those in diesel engines, and are located in the underfloor of the vehicle. Their honeycomb structure, with alternately sealed inlet and outlet channels, forces the exhaust gas to flow through a porous filter wall, which traps the soot.

BMW is holding back on GPFs for now but expects to introduce them soon, according to company spokesman Bodo Durst.

GPFs can be fitted to virtually any petrol engine, says expert Pischinger, and it won't be long before we see a new kind of catalytic converter with GPF filter technology incorporated.

"In the short term, we are likely to see separate components such as a three-way catalytic converter combined with a GPF," he says. The future will probably bring four-way catalytic converters with petrol filters integrated.


Adient in Malaysia aims to be S-E-Asian hub for automotive seating foam

                KUALA LUMPUR: Automotive seating company Adient Automotive Seating Sdn Bhd has started exporting headrests to Thailand and Indonesia from its foam plant in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

The new RM10mil plant is equipped with state-of-the-art foam manufacturing technology to serve the local and regional markets.

Adient Automotive Seating managing director A.J. Dabydin said the new plant would drive parts localisation, develop local suppliers, and create more job opportunities and export revenues.

Adient Automotive Seating is a subsidiary of US-based Adient Plc. It was set up in 1983 in Malaysia.

Adient's plant in Alor Gajar employs eco-friendly processes in its operations. It uses a rainwater harvesting system to reduce dependency on town water and installation of solar panels to produce electricity that powers various pieces of equipment.

The factory is also equipped with five-star power rated and low carbon emission equipment, has LED lighting installed across the entire plant, and manages risk through environmental management systems and appropriate certification such as ISO14001.

Its use of the advanced Hydra Manufacturing System is a first in Malaysia. Through the system, the plant is able to collect vast amount of production data from various equipment in real time onsite and remotely. Workers are able to use visual analytics to improve products, reduce defects and quickly identify root causes of potential issues from heat maps.


Chevrolet bucks fuel economy trend

                DETROIT: New models usually sport improvements over their predecessors. Even if it's little more than a carryover model, there's usually some tweaking of the powertrain to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

But Chevrolet's 2019 Camaro goes in the opposite direction - its fuel economy is actually getting worse.

To be fair to Chevy, most 2019 versions of the Camaro see their fuel economy ratings staying the same, but the Camaro SS and V6 models will be getting worse fuel economy than their 2018 model year counterparts.

Chevy has not commented on this, but the figures have just been released by the USA's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the FuelEconomy.gov website.

Perhaps most surprisingly, one of the models with worsening fuel economy is the 2019 Camaro SS V8.

 Camaro SS.

One of the biggest changes in the car for 2019 is the inclusion of the 10-speed automatic gearbox previously only offered in the ZL1.

Normally, a gearbox with more ratios means better fuel economy, but in this case the city rating falls to 14.7 l/100km from the previous 13.8 l/100km. The manual version doesn't fare much better, as its highway rating also drops by 1 mpg (235.21 l/100km) from its previous 9.4 l/100km.

This isn't just a V8 phenomenon either, as manual versions equipped with V6 engines also lose 1 mpg on the highway rating, now rated at 8.7 l/100km instead of the previous 8.4 l/100km.

There's no change as far as four-cylinder models and even the supercharged V8-powered ZL1 are concerned, so this does raise questions about why and how this has come about. Any change in the EPA's ratings methodology would likely have affected other models, especially the ZL1.

And if it was something Chevrolet had tweaked relating to engine tuning, it would undoubtedly have been trumpeting an increase in power. For the moment then, it remains something of a mystery.


Lexus reveals two 'Black Panther'-inspired models

The Black Panther Inspired LC concept coupe.
LOS ANGELES: The induction of superheroes into the wider world beyond the confines of the comic book is continuing at quite a pace, and now even major vehicle manufacturers are getting in on the act as Lexus has revealed a couple of special edition models inspired by Marvel's "Black Panther."

The Japanese luxury manufacturer has teamed up with Marvel Studios to produce these two models, which are a 2018 LC Inspiration Series production car and a concept coupe dubbed the Black Panther.

The limited-edition 2018 Lexus LC Inspiration Series model, developed in advance of Marvel Studios' Black Panther" film designed to hit US theaters Feb 16, comes in an exclusive deeply saturated, iridescent Structural Blue color, and will be the first in what's planned to be a succession of Inspiration Series vehicles the company intends to build for each of its flagship models.

Meanwhile, the overtly Black Panther Inspired LC concept coupe is a celebration of the Black Panther and Black Panther's home Wakanda itself. It imaginatively, and somewhat fantastically, comes equipped with a propulsion system that benefits from an extra boost, courtesy of vibranium, which, for the uninitiated, is a mythical ore found only in Wakanda.

The general manager of Lexus marketing, Brian Bolain, said at the unveiling of the new models in Los Angeles, "The Inspiration Series takes our flagship products and makes them even more exclusive and distinguished. Our collaboration with Marvel Studios' 'Black Panther' features a technologically advanced blue LC and was the perfect inspiration for the first car in the Series."

As for the concept, Bolain added, "With this vehicle we took the LC Inspiration Series vision one step further into a universe that defies reality."

 The LC Inspiration Series (also pix below).

Marvel's senior vice president of global partnerships and marketing, Mindy Hamilton, explained further, "This is what it's all about. We're bringing our two worlds together by letting our imaginations run wild like there are no limits to what's possible. It's been incredible to work with Lexus as we attempt to re-create that ideology here in our own corner of the universe."

Of course, the Black Panther-inspired concept won't be appearing in a showroom near you for sale anytime soon, but fans will be able to get their hands on a limited-edition 2018 Lexus LC Inspiration Series. However, only 100 will be offered for sale in the US in the spring, so anyone interested will have to get in there pretty fast.

The Black Panther Inspired LC and Inspiration Series LC will be on show at SEMA, which kicks off Oct 31 in Las Vegas.


Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Cayenne Turbo debut in Malaysia

                KUALA LUMPUR. Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, today introduced the new 911 GT3 RS and Cayenne Turbo at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The new 911 GT3 RS is synonymous with hard core performance, and is hailed as the perfect bridge between the track and the road. At the heart the new 911 GT3 RS is a 520 hp, four-litre, high-performance naturally-aspirated engine. It accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 312kph.

Following the launch of the 911 GT2 RS, this latest release will see SDAP present its second GT road-approved sports car within the same year.

“With a lap time of 6 minutes and 56.4 seconds, the new 911 GT3 RS sets a time of just nine seconds below the most powerful Porsche 911, the GT2 RS. Motorsport is an essential driving force behind the Porsche development team, a force that makes motorsport derived technology perfectly adapted for the road,” said Sime Darby Auto Performance CEO Christopher Hunter.

“The new 911 GT3 RS promises an unadulterated sound, pure performance, and a challenge that a sports car enthusiast cannot resist,” he added.

Racing flair

Aerodynamics have determined the design of the wide, weight-optimised body with its classic rigid rear wing. The racing look continues into the interior with full bucket seats made of carbon to provide secure lateral support in response to high-level driving dynamics. Lightweight door panels with storage nets and opening loops, reduced sound absorption and the new lightweight rear lid further emphasise the consistency of the material choices.

The four-litre, six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine from Porsche in the new 911 GT3 RS pushes the sports car to new limits: The flat engine delivers 15 kW (20 hp) more than the engine in the previous model and the 911 GT3. Together with a speed range of up to 9,000 rpm, it was the ideal choice as a thoroughbred sports engine. Combined with the specially calibrated seven-speed PDK, the high-performance engine guarantees an outstanding driving performance.

Motorsport technology ensures that the chassis offers exceptional driving dynamics. Ball joints on all arms provide even greater precision than conventional elastokinematic bearings. The 20-inch lightweight wheels with newly developed 265/35 sports tyres on the front axle enhance agility and steering behaviour, while 21-inch wheels with 325/30 tyres at the rear axle improve traction.

Packages

As with all current GT sports cars, the Clubsport package is also available for the 911 GT3 RS at no extra cost. The package includes a rollover bar, a manual fire extinguisher, preparation for a battery disconnect switch and a six-point belt for a sporty driving experience.

Weissach package for additional weight savings
For particularly ambitious drivers, the Porsche motorsport department has created an optional Weissach package for a further weight reduction. The package features additional carbon components for the chassis, interior and exterior. In its lightest configuration, this package reduces the weight of the 911 GT3 RS by 17kg.

The retail base price for the new 911 GT3 RS starts from RM2,230,000, which includes a four-year warranty. The stated price includes all applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance.

Cayenne Turbo

Making its Malaysian premiere, the new Cayenne Turbo takes its place at the top of the Cayenne model line.

The completely new top-of-the-range model is from the third generation of the Cayenne. The increased driving dynamics are based on a mix of technologies such as active aerodynamics including a roof spoiler, controlled three-chamber air suspension, mixed tyres and the new high-performance brake.

As SDAP hasn't got any showroom units of the Cayenne Turbo for sale yet, it has held back from releasing its price.

Both models will be at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from today until Sunday.


2021 Bangkok Motor Show: 12 days of auto excitement

                BANGKOK: The 42nd Bangkok International Motor Show 2021 is expected to provide important economic multiplier effects again, with at least 34 participating car and motorcycle companies on an exhibition space of 170,960 square meters.

The 12-day motor show will be open to the public from March 24 to April 4, 2021 at Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani at noon till 10pm on weekdays, and 11am till 10pm on weekends and holidays.

Entry tickets are 100 baht (around RM14) each.

The participating car and motorcycle companies are Ford, BMW, MINI, Suzuki, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, Peugeot, Mazda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Great Wall Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Audi, MG, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Bentley, Volvo, Kia, Subaru, Hyundai Truck& Bus, TAKANO, AP Honda, Suzuki Motorcycle, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, BAJAJ, KTM and Husqvarna.

The motor show's chairman Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, who is also the CEO of organiser Grand Prix International Public Company Limited (GPI), said the event will play a vital role in propelling Thailand’s economy which has been impacted by the Covid-19 epidemic.

"The automotive industry in Thailand is a world-class production hub of many renowned brands. With the strong collaboration between the government and the private sector to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, there are signs of economic recovery especially now that Covid-19 vaccinations have rolled out recently."

According to GPI data, in 2020, the motor show's 41st edition saw 1,049,046 visitors and a total of 22,791 vehicle bookings (consisting of 18,381 cars and 4,410 motorcycles).

Toyota saw the highest number of passenger car and pick-up truck bookings with 3,745 units; followed by Mazda (2,365 units), Honda (2,001 units), Suzuki (1,583 units), Isuzu (1,510 units), MG (1,399 units), Mitsubishi (1,227 units), Nissan (952 units), BMW (888 units) and Ford (742 units).

As for motorcycles, Honda saw the highest number of bookings at 1,545 units, followed by Yamaha (1,387 units), Kawasaki (446 units), Royal Enfield (321 units), and Suzuki (203 units).

 The motor show's chairman Dr Prachin Eamlumnow

Meanwhile, this year, the motor show's 42nd edition is organised under the theme concept of “Shaping the Next Chapter”.

There will be a new special zone dubbed “Smart EV City” with a futuristic city theme and automotive innovations, electric motorcycles, electric scooters as well as other cutting-edge technological products.

The GLAMPING zone, is another lifestyle zone featuring vehicles equipped with camping gear for recreational travelers.

Sanitisation measures are similar to the 2020 edition where visitors are required to wear face masks at all times, and to always have their hands cleaned with hand sanitiser before getting into an exhibited car.

Jaturont Komolmis, chief operating officer (COO) of GPI and the motor show's vice chairman said, "The gangway width between each booth and the main walkway will be expanded to reduce crowd congestion."

Also, the motor show has obtained the “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration” (SHA) certification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

To enhance visitors' experiences, GPI has rolled out a mobile application called “Car Buddy by GPI”.

"Using the app, visitors can search for information such as car maintenance, service center, repair garage, roadside assistance, search tool, DIY maintenance as well as campaigns and promotions from various car companies," said Peeraphong Eamlumnow, who is also COO of GPI and the motor show's vice chairman.


Jaguar Land Rover's 'autonomy-ready' urban transport EV could hit streets next year

                LONDON: Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled Project Vector, a four-metre-long electric concept vehicle designed to autonomously transport people, goods, and services around the urban mobility network of the future.

As the urban public turns more frequently towards shared mobility options as a means of daily transportation as traffic thickens in the wake of increasing populations and the environmental crisis worsens as a result, Jaguar Land Rover announced its latest project beneath their Destination Zero mission: Project Vector.

Destination Zero is an ambition created by the company to "make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner" by "achieving a future of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion — through its products, services and across its facilities."

Project Vector contributes to this mission by showcasing what future, emission-free urban transportation could look like. In fact, the concept model could actually hit streets in England as part of a pilot programme as early as next year.

According to the company, this four-metre, pod-like vehicle is fully connected and "autonomy-ready," two factors that will allow it to integrate into the in-development connected urban mobility systems around that world resulting from the digitalization revolution.

Such technology would allow Project Vector and other such vehicles to let people "travel on demand and autonomously," while also getting from place to place in a safer manner than today.

Its open cabin space and configurable interior seating would allow Project Vector to serve several purposes including last-mile deliveries or trips. Such uses are slated to be explored next year in Coventry where the Project Vector will serve as a "living laboratory for future mobility".


US to propose major changes to vehicle crash ratings

                WASHINGTON: Auto safety regulators on Tuesday called for a major overhaul to US crash safety tests that will require automakers to add crash avoidance technologies to new vehicles if they want to gain the top, five-star ratings.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing three new ratings for cars and trucks on pedestrian safety, crash worthiness and crash avoidance under its New Car Assessment Program, according to the 195-page proposal made public Tuesday.

"We're going to raise the bar," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, adding that the new "tougher" standards are more accurate and will prod automakers to do more, including to make safety technology standard on all new vehicles.

NHTSA's proposal would push automakers to add advanced technologies including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, lower beam head lighting, semi-automatic headlamp beam switching, amber rear turn signals, rear automatic braking and pedestrian automatic emergency braking.

For the first time, NHTSA will base the crash test ratings for vehicles on whether the manufacturer has included certain crash avoidance technology. Automakers covet five-star ratings, so the new measures could effectively require manufacturers to make technology currently offered as pricey options on some vehicles standard equipment on all vehicles. That could save lives, but add to the costs of new vehicles.

The new ratings are scheduled to take effect in the 2019 model year. NHTSA would add a new frontal crash test, new pedestrian crashworthiness testing and add two new advanced crash test dummies in testing that would detect additional injuries. NHTSA will also add "half star" ratings for more differentiation between vehicles, Foxx said.

Pedestrian safety is a big issue. Pedestrian deaths now account for about 14 percent of all road deaths, or 4,800 deaths a year, compared with 8 percent in 1975, or about 4,000.

The scores from the three new ratings would be a factor in determining vehicles' overall one-to-five-star crash ratings. Automakers would receive partial credit for advanced technologies that are not standard on all versions of individual vehicles.

NHTSA officials want to help consumers differentiate between vehicles. The tests are only to set crash ratings that are included on new car window stickers - not for crash tests needed in order for vehicles to be legally sold in the United States.

The US Congress recently passed a highway bill that requires NHTSA within one year to require that crash avoidance information is included on new vehicle window stickers.

Last month, NHTSA said it was adding two automatic emergency braking systems to recommended safety features, but it has repeatedly declined to propose mandating the technology.

In September, 10 major vehicle manufacturers said they have agreed in principle to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature on all future vehicles, but they have not set a time frame.

In 2012, rear-end crashes killed 1,705 people and injured 547,000 in the United States. The systems could prevent many of those crashes, NHTSA says.

NHTSA is releasing a request for comment and will give automakers and the public 60 days to respond. It expects to finalize the changes to the five-star program next year, but the changes to the vehicle sticker will require formal rulemaking, which could take longer to finalize.

This is the latest effort to toughen the tests.

In 2007, the George W. Bush administration unveiled tougher car safety crash tests and added a side impact test to the five-star crash ratings.

At the time, the administration proposed giving automakers a letter grade for how quickly they added advanced technology systems to vehicles, but that plan was later dropped.

NHTSA unveiled the program in 1978 as a way to encourage automakers to voluntarily invest in safety technologies. In the beginning, vehicles received pass/fail marks rather than stars, which started in 1994.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers - the trade group representing General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) and others - said on Tuesday it was "pleased that NHTSA sees new safety technologies pioneered by automakers are performing well in the real world and should be featured in their consumer education program."

The group added: "Crash-avoidance technologies can be life-saving innovations that we’re eager to see consumers embrace. Looking ahead, a significant portion of future highway safety gains will likely come from these advanced technologies."

Another auto trade group, the Association of Global Automakers - representing Honda Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co and others - said the government should take a "measured approach." The group called for a "thoughtful, data-driven process that leads to real world safety improvements, and provides consumers with clear and accurate information to enable more educated buying decisions."


MR D.I.Y. Group expands trucking fleet with Isuzu

                SERI KEMBANGAN: Isuzu Malaysia recently delivered eight units of medium-duty trucks from its Forward Series (F-Series) range to popular homegrown retail giant MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd.

The new trucks were six FSR90 model and two FVR300 model, procured from Isuzu authorised dealer Ultra Gallant Sdn Bhd.

The trucks will be used to further support MR DIY’s nationwide expansion and its increased logistics needs.

A handover ceremony with a mock key presentation to mark the official delivery of the new Isuzu trucks was held recently at MR D.I.Y.’s headquarters in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, and attended by the senior management teams of Isuzu, MR D.I.Y. and Ultra Gallant.

Isuzu Malaysia CEO Koji Nakamura said the company was pleased to have completed the delivery of eight trucks MR D.I.Y., and to be able to continuously provide the support they required to operate their flourishing logistical assignments.

MR D.I.Y. purchased its first Isuzu truck in 2017 and has been steadily adding more units to its fleet over the last four years.

With these additional eight units plus all the previously purchased and registered Isuzu commercial vehicles, MR D.I.Y. now owns a total of 100 units of Isuzu trucks in its fleet.

Nakamura said both of the truck models are part of Isuzu’s F-Series medium-duty commercial vehicles that the company has been producing for decades through continuous development of new trucking innovations, and where its customers around the world embrace and count on for the advance features, innovative design, and dependable performance.

“Isuzu’s F-Series range of commercial vehicles feature a choice of five powertrain for a range of performance and torque, optimized wheelbases for greater load capacity and body-mounting capability, offering the versatility today’s businesses need to be successful,” Nakamura added.

MR D.I.Y. spokesperson said the company is on a strong growth trajectory, with 700 stores now, and plans to open 175 new stores across its three brands this year.

"The backbone of our growth is the efficient distribution of goods via our centrally-managed distribution system. Isuzu has been a valued long-standing partner who well understands our needs, and has been supportive in meeting them,” he said.


Nissan Navara, Grand Livina and X-Gear included in Takata airbag inflator recall

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) and Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Centre (TCEAS) has added to its list of vehicles for recall to include the Navara, Grand Livina and X-Gear.

The current recall is to replace the vehicle's existing Takata airbag inflator module for the driver and front passenger at not cost to owners in terms of labour and replacement parts.

Following an investigation by Nissan Motor Co., it was found that approximately 11,971 units of its vehicles in Malaysia have been affected.

The newly minted recall specifically affects 1,326 units of the locally-assembled Navara (D40) pickup trucks manufactured from January to November 2015 and will require both driver and front passenger airbags to be replaced.

It was also found that 10,445 units of the locally-assembled Grand Livina (L10) as well as 200 units of the X-Gear - both manufactured from January to March 2015, will require a new front passenger airbag.

The Nissan NP300 Navara, launched in Malaysia in November 2015, as well as other current selling Nissan models, are not affected by this exercise.

Affected customers will be notified directly by letter through TCEAS and are advised to contact the nearest outlet to make an appointment.

Before the letter arrives, customers are ale able to key in their vehicle's identification number (VIN) via the company's website to see if their vehicle has been affected.

Selected TCEAS outlets have extended operating hours and are open 365 days a year to make it easier for customers to service their vehicles on weekends and public holidays, as well as to alleviate capacity surge during the campaign.

As at June 2019, TCEAS has completed 99,670 vehicles or 56% of Takata airbag inflator replacements.

Both ETCM and TCEAS would like to remind and urge Nissan owners who have yet to undertake the replacement activity to urgently replace their affected Takata airbag inflator at the nearest TCEAS outlet to avoid any injury and/or fatality.

As vehicle ownership may have changed over the years, current owners of these models are reminded to find out if their Nissan vehicle is involved in the recall campaign.

Additionally, ETCM is also providing Takata airbag inflator replacement for affected vehicles during its Nissan Test Drive Carnival over two weekends in August from 17 to 18 and 24 to 25 at selected ETCM showrooms across the nation.

Nissan Test Drive Carnival dates and locations with Takata airbag inflator module replacement activity:

For more information log on to www.nissan.com.my or call Nissan Customer Care Centre (toll-free) at 1800-88-3838.


Honda RS150R rides in from RM8,214

                KUALA LUMPUR: Boon Siew Honda has announced that the long-awaited RS150R will arrive in August and will be priced from RM8,214 including GST (Repsol livery RM8,373).

Although the bike is available from August onwards, the company is very confident of its appeal and has targeted to sell an average of 2,000 units per month to help elevate itself to being top in the industry.

The RS150R is now the range-topper within its stablemates of the entry-level Wave Alpha and mid-range Wave Dash and gets equipped with a LED headlight.

With a wheelbase of 1,276mm, the 123kg (wet) bike gets a twin-tube frame that makes it 2,025mm-long, 725mm-wide and 1,105mm-tall.

A 149cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single-piston engine with dual overhead cam-shafts - producing 15.6PS at 9,000rpm and 13.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm, has a compression ratio of 11.3:1 and holds 1.3 litres of engine oil. A six-speed manual gearbox with a wet clutch manages power to the rear wheel.

The bike uses front telescopic and a rear mono-shock suspension while rolling on 90/80 - 17M/C 46P(front) and 120/70 - 17M/C 58P (rear) tyres.

Aside from the Repsol livery, the RS150R is also available in Metallic Red, Matt Blue and Matt Black.

"By introducing this new (RS150R) model, we will be able to make improvements in the market share comparted to last year," shared new Boon Siew Honda CEO and managing director Nobuhide Nagata during his inaugural address.


New Honda CR-V unveiled in US

                LOS ANGELES: American Honda Motor Company has revealed the all-new CR-V, which gets a sophisticated and rugged design and more advanced, sporty hybrid system.

The 2023 CR-V is launching this summer, with the hybrid variants to be rolled out later in the year.

CR-V hybrids are positioned as the top of the CR-V lineup and will represent about 50 percent of annual sales for this 6th generation, a key step in the Honda electrification strategy.

The new CR-V is longer and wider and has a significantly broader stance, further advancing the new Honda design direction with a low horizontal beltline and a long, powerful front end.

Honda’s most popular SUV backs up its strong new looks with a more fun-to-drive personality, more confident and refined dynamics, and increased torque and capability.

CR-V is available in four trim levels, including the new hybrid-powered and more boldly styled CR-V Sport and Sport Touring as the new top of the CR-V model line.

With 335Nm of torque from the new generation two-motor hybrid system, they are the most powerful CR-Vs ever.

Inside, the new sporty and modern interior boasts high-quality feel of materials and must-have tech features.

It’s also more quiet and more comfortable, with new front Body Stabilizing Seats to reduce fatigue and improve posture, and the most cabin and cargo space in CR-V history.

Standard class-leading safety features include a new Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technology with a new wide-view camera and radar, next-gen front airbags, as well as new rear side-impact and knee airbags.

“As America’s outright best-selling SUV of the past 25 years the Honda CR-V has played a critical role in our past, but what’s significant about the all-new CR-V is the important role it will play in our future – with the CR-V hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales,” said Mike Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda sales at American Honda.

“More stylish, more rugged, more tech and more fun-to-drive, this 6th generation CR-V will be best in class in a large segment where that really matters,” he said of the Toyota RAV4 rival.

ExteriorThe radical repositioning of its windshield pillars is key to CR-V’s new sportier proportions and improved visibility.

The base of these A-pillars has moved 119mm rearward, 71mm outward and 35.5mm lower. Together with new door-mounted side mirrors, these changes radically improve outward visibility.

Emphasising the strong new styling is a large, upright grille, a long hood and standard LED headlights.

EX and EX-L feature a gloss black grille mesh with a chrome trim, body-colour side mirrors with integrated turn signals and standard 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. A sleek body-colour roof spoiler and a new, all-LED interpretation of signature vertical taillights make the new CR-V instantly recognizable from the rear.

The more powerful Sport and Sport Touring hybrid models feature even bolder styling. More aggressive front and rear facias and grille mesh are highlighted with a gloss black accent, and Sport and Sport Touring are the only trims with rectangular exhaust finishers.

The unique lower bumper design is gloss black on Sport and platinum on Sport Touring. The underside of the rear spoiler is matte black on Sport, and gloss black on Sport Touring.

CR-V Sport rides on grade-specific Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, while Sport Touring features black 19-inch split 5-spoke alloys.

Interior

With clean surfacing, high-quality feel of materials and upscale touches, the all-new sporty and modern interior builds on the new Honda design direction. CR-V is also more comfortable and more spacious than ever, with a notably larger front-to-rear-seat couple distance and more rear seat legroom (+0.6 inches). The rear seats now feature eight angles of recline for increased comfort.

The top of the instrument panel has been designed with minimal cutlines to reduce windshield reflections and other potential visual distractions. A metal honeycomb mesh spanning the dash serves both form and function, concealing the air vents that would otherwise mar the uncluttered design.

New front Body Stabilizing Seats reduce fatigue over long drives and the steering wheel angle is more sedan-like for a more comfortable, sportier driving position. Between the front seats is the largest center console bin in its class with nine litres of space.

The 2023 CR-V has the most cargo room in the model’s history with 1,027 litres available behind the rear seats in both turbocharged (+34l) and hybrid (+88l) models. In EX and EX-L, the rear load floor can be lowered, expanding the cargo space to 1,112l. With the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded flat, cargo space expands to 2,166l.

Smart technology

Technology has been smartly integrated into CR-V’s new cabin with a focus on the driver, including a digital instrument display and a notably larger standard touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 7-inch digital instrument panel features an all-digital tachometer on EX and EX-L, or a digital power flow meter on Sport and Sport Touring, on the left and a physical speedometer on the right side. The 7-inch multi-information display features user-selectable functions such as Honda Sensing settings, vehicle information and more.

A new 7-inch touchscreen audio system is standard on EX and Sport with physical knobs for volume and tuning, and a simplified menu structure. The storage area in front of the shifter is wide enough to accommodate two smartphones side-by side, accompanied by two illuminated USB ports, a 2.5A USB-A and 3.0A USB-C that are standard. For rear seat passengers, two illuminated 3.0A USB-C charging ports are standard on Sport and Sport Touring.

CR-V EX-L and Sport Touring have a standard 9-inch touchscreen with a physical volume knob, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a simplified navigation structure with fewer menus. Qi-compatible 15W wireless smartphone charging is also standard.

CR-V Sport Touring comes with a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system custom-engineered for the new interior. Featuring Bose Centerpoint technology and SurroundStage digital signal processing, the new system places all passengers in the middle of the music, regardless of their seating position, with a clear and spacious listening experience.

A sportier and more engaging driving experience was created through a revised chassis and a significantly stronger structure.

Based on Honda’s enhanced global architecture, CR-V’s wheelbase has been extended to 270cm (+4cm) for a smoother ride and greater stability.

Significantly wider tracks (+1cm in the front and the rear) also improve stability. A 15 percent torsionally-stiffer body further supports improvements in ride, handling and overall refinement.

Suspension and steering updates make CR-V more fun to drive, while simultaneously improving ride quality.

Its MacPherson strut front suspension and variable-ratio steering now mount to a new stiffer subframe that repositions the steering rack to improve feel and accuracy. Handling is further improved with a stiffer rear subframe for the retuned multilink suspension which features 15-percent higher spring rate for the upper spring mount.

Drive system

For a sportier driving feel, CR-V Sport and Sport Touring feature an all-new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system with a newly refined 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine that adds direct fuel injection and is mated to a pair of electric motors that are now mounted side-by-side.

This new configuration allows for the use of a larger propulsion motor with increased torque output. Combined system output is 2041 hp (a 3 hp increase, ISO net), while the traction-motor peak torque rises to 335Nm of torque (+20Nm.).

The hybrid-electric system is more refined at highway speeds and for the first time offers up to 1,000 pounds of towing capacity.

Linear Shift Control elevates the driving experience by mimicking the vehicle speed-linked rev feel associated with a conventional drivetrain shifting gears at wide open throttle.

The new hybrid-electric system also allows for a substantial increase in continuous maximum speed—which climbs from 138kph to 185kph.

Under the bonnet of the CR-V EX and EX-L is an updated 1.5-litre turbo engine with additional refinement, improved emissions performance and 190hp (SAE net at 6,000 rpm).

Enhancements include a new high-efficiency, high-response turbocharger and 4-2 exhaust port cylinder head that help the 4-cylinder engine maintain peak power over a broader range of rpm.

Its peak torque of 242Nm also arrives 300-rpm earlier, from 1,700-5,000 rpm, improving response.

Engine noise also has been reduced significantly.

The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for the 1.5-litre turbo has been updated to reduce noise and vibration. Significant drivability and performance improvements include Step-Shift programming that simulates gear changes at full throttle.

An updated Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System improves traction management in slippery conditions, like snow and mud. Available on all grades, and standard on Sport Touring, the system can now send up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels.

For the first time CR-V features Hill Descent Control. Standard across the lineup, the system increases off-road capability with more control on steep, slippery declines. Drivers can select speeds between 2 and 12 mph.

Three standard selectable drive modes optimise the driving experience for various conditions. In addition to Normal and Econ modes, a new Snow mode maximizes available traction and performance is slick snowy conditions. Sport and Sport Touring models add a Sport mode.

Safety

The latest CR-V comes with advanced active and passive safety technology. This includes the latest version of Advanced Compatibility Engineering architecture that has been enhanced for even better compatibility with larger vehicles.

This was achieved with a new upper A-pillar structure, side frame and lower firewall structure – all designed to route crash energy around the cabin.

Side impact protection also has been improved, with stiffer structures in the roof, side sill and B-pillar, doors, and the rear wheel arch and C-pillar. Targeting today’s Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5-star ratings, CR-V is designed to meet anticipated future standards as well.

First introduced on the new Civic, new driver and passenger front airbags were designed to minimise the potential for severe brain trauma associated with angled frontal collisions.

The new front driver’s airbag uses an innovative donut-shaped structure to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. The passenger-side front airbag uses a three-chamber design to achieve a similar result, with two outer chambers designed to cradle the head and minimise rotation.

For the first time, CR-V features standard knee and rear-passenger side impact airbags.

A new Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive technologies integrates a new wide-angle camera and millimeter-wave radar. The new camera features a 90-degree field of view, while the radar has a 120-degree field of view.

This wide angle improves collision prevention performance via improved ability to recognise attributes of objects, such as a vehicles or pedestrians, as well as white lines, road boundaries like curbs, other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, and road signs. The wide angle also enables expanded control range for CR-V at intersections.

Blind spot information (BSI) is now standard. Also new are Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Low-Speed Braking Control and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), as well as more natural responses for existing features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS).

CR-V now features a Driver Attention Monitor, which issues a warning on the dash when it senses the driver is becoming inattentive. Standard Rear Seatbelt Reminder and Rear Seat Reminder are new to CR-V; the latter notifies drivers to check the rear seating area for children, pets or other precious cargo when exiting the vehicle.

The new CR-V will be built in three plants in North America, including the East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, the Indiana Auto Plant, and Honda of Canada Mfg., continuing the 40-year legacy of Honda’s commitment to build products close to the customer. Since 2006, Honda has produced more than 5 million CR-Vs in North America, with roughly half of those built in the US.

Key CR-V Features:

Rugged and sophisticated exterior design
All-new 4th-generation two-motor hybrid system (Sport, Sport Touring) is more powerful, makes CR-V more fun to drive and adds towing capability
Distinctive bolder styling for hybrid-powered Sport and Sport Touring trims
Sporty, modern, more spacious and comfortable interior
Standard digital instrumentation
9-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility (EX-L and Sport Touring)
Standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility (EX and Sport)
Enhanced global Honda Architecture
Updated 1.5-liter Turbo engine (EX, EX-L)
Retuned Real Time All-Wheel Drive with Intelligent Control
New Hill Descent Control
New Snow driving mode
Standard Honda Sensing system with new wide-view camera and radar, plus new Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Low-Speed Braking Control and Traffic Sign Recognition system (TSR)
Next-gen front airbags
New standard knee and rear passenger side-impact airbags
Rugged and Sophisticated Styling


Cash payout for petrol subsidy scheme, say ministry sources

                PETALING JAYA: Eligible Malaysians who already qualify for cost of living aid (BSH) will get cash handouts as petrol subsidy, according to government sources.

A Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs insider told Malay Mail that recipients would be vetted using the BSH database and that their car  or motorcycle ownership details would be cross-checked against information from the Road Transport Department. Those who do not own any vehicles will not get the fuel subsidy, the official said.

The disbursement method would be reviewed quarterly to gauge its effectiveness, revealed another ministry source.

The subsidy scheme was supposed to be announced in June but it had been postponed until this month.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had been due to announce the petrol subsidy mechanism on Wednesday but deferred it as he had to be in Parliament to vote on a Bill to reduce the voting age to 18.

The Malay Mail report today indicates that the earlier proposed subsidy scheme based on vehicle engine capacity is scrapped.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had announced the petrol subsidy under Budget 2019.

Under the programme, owners of cars and motorcycles with engines below 1,500cc and 125cc respectively will receive subsidies for RON95 petrol at 30 sen per litre.

The subsidy for car owners will be limited to 100 litres of petrol monthly, while motorcycle owners will get 40 litres monthly.

Some RM2bil has been allocated for the new initiative, which is expected to benefit more than four million car owners and 2.6 million motorcycle owners.


Vinfast could eventually offer an electric pickup, says exec

                DETROIT: Vietnamese electric vehicle startup Vinfast could eventually enter the electric pickup truck market, a top US executive said recently.

Vinfast, a unit of Vietnam's Vingroup conglomerate, is focused on launching sales of its electric SUVs in the US market later this year, but its vehicle platform allows for expansion into other types of vehicles, Craig Westbrook, chief service officer for Vinfast US, said at an Automotive Press Association event here on Thursday.

"We want to serve the needs of the market," he said in response to whether Vinfast would ever look to sell an electric pickup.

"If we decide that's what the market needs and that fits our brand especially, and I think it absolutely could, yeah. It's something we should consider."

Ford Motor Co, Rivian and General Motors Co currently sell electric pickup trucks, and Teslaplans to begin production of its Cybertruck pickup in mid-2023.

Vinfast began building EVs in Vietnam at the end of last year and is targeting a shift to all-electric production by 2023.

The company's plans to begin vehicle production at a plant in North Carolina remain on track for July 2024, Westbrook said. Vinfast plans to open the U.S. plant with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, building the VF8 and VF9 SUVs.

Vinfast has almost 8,000 reservation for its SUVs in the United States, and between 40,000 and 50,000 globally, including Vietnam, Europe and Canada, he said.

The VF8 and VF9 vehicles will have starting prices of US$40,700 and US$55,500, respectively, but that excludes the cost to lease the electric battery, Westbrook said.

A final price on the battery lease has not been set, but will start "in the low US$100s" a month, he said.

Starting in 2024, Vinfast will also offer the option of buying the battery with the vehicle, Westbrook said. The company expects consumers will split evenly between leasing and buying.


Al Attiyah blazes to victory as Dakar Rally kicks off

                ASUNCION: Qatari two-time winner Nasser Al Attiyah overcame a fire in his Toyota to win a dramatic opening stage of the 2017 Dakar Rally on Monday.

Al Attiyah completed the 38.5km special stage in 25min 41sec, the first on a high-octane, high-altitude 8,800km (5,500 mile) continent-crossing trek from Asuncion in Paraguay to Buenos Aires.

”About a dozen kilometres out from the finish we smelt smoke by (co-driver) Matthieu’s (Baumel) seat and there was a bit of a fire. We slowed down to finish the stage and were able to put it out at the finish,” the Toyota driver said after arriving in the Argentinian city of Resistencia. The Qatari’s teammate Giniel de Villiers had to come to the rescue and tow him away.

Former World Rally Championship driver Xevi Pons was 24sec adrift in his Ford Ranger while fellow Spaniard Nani Roma came in a further 5sec back in his Toyota.

Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb was 55sec off the pace as he came in sixth while defending champion Stephane Peterhansel was 1min 34sec behind Al Attiyah in 12th.

Peugeot’s Peterhansel is seeking to add to an extraordinary record in the race which comprises six wins apiece in both moto and auto categories.

Frenchman Philippe Croizon, a quadruple amputee who is competing in a specially adapted buggy, finished 10 minutes behind Al Attiyah. Croizon, 48, lost his limbs after he suffered a massive electric shock while working on a television antenna at his home 22 years ago.

Competitors were watching the skies before the start following days of violent tropical storms in the Paraguayan capital.

Australian KTM motorbike rider and defending champion Toby Price set out first at the start of the two-week rally, which will take participants via Bolivia through unforgiving mountainous terrain.

But the Australian finished the day in 17th position. Yahama’s Xavier de Soultrait clocked the fastest time in the motorbike section before picking up a one-minute penalty for excessive speed which saw the Frenchman demoted to tenth position. The stage victory went to Spaniard Juan Pedrero Garcia riding a Sherco TVS.

Riders and drivers must negotiate some 4,000km of special stages before reaching Buenos Aires on Jan 14. Five stages will be held at above 3,500 metres altitude -- and participants will get a day off on Sunday to see a little of the Bolivian capital La Paz, the world’s highest capital at 3,600m. The thin conditions of the region will pose a severe endurance challenge.

”There is a little uncertainty as regards the altitude... I don’t really know how we shall react -- drivers, co-drivers, but also assistants and mechanics,” said Peterhansel, who started off in 1988, when the race still remained true to its African origins.

”If you feel a little off one day you could lose everything and that’s true for all drivers, even those who have spent time at altitude and are well prepared.”

For Peterhansel, “it’s very open. I’d say there are six or seven drivers capable of winning - at Peugeot of course but also Toyota, and even Mini, with Mikko Hirvonen coming up on the rails”, following his maiden fourth place showing last year.

The real racing gets under way today with an 800km stage - including a 275km special - to San Miguel de Tucuman in Argentina with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius.