Ford's Raya promo includes attractive Ranger deal

                KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Auto ConneXion today announced its Raya sales promotion in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya festivities.

The Ford distributor said that from May 1 to June 30, customers can own a Ranger with low monthly repayments from as low as RM463/month with savings up to RM11,000. On top of that, low interest rate as low as 0% per annum will also be offered.

During the two-month promotion period, 30 customers will stand a chance to win electrical goods worth up to RM2,000 each – ranging from smart TV’s, fridges, washers, tablets and many more.

“Providing a great ownership experience starts with lightening your load this Raya. This includes offering low monthly instalment plans with low interest rates as low as 0%, coupled with attractive cash rebates and prizes – this gives an even bigger reason to buy a Ford Ranger this festive season,” said Sime Darby Auto Connexion managing director Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.

The Ranger is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or up to 100,000km, whichever comes first.

It is available in nine variants, including the high-speed, off-road performance Ranger Raptor, the high-series Ranger WildTrak, the versatile XLT Plus, XLT and XL. Since April, the Ranger Raptor has added two new body paints – Absolute Black and Arctic White to its existing Lightning Blue and Conquer Grey line-up.


Ford investing in ride-hailing services, expanding electric vehicles

                DETROIT: Ford is developing new ride-hailing services and investing US$4.5 billion to expand its fleet of plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles, say company executives.

The initiatives are part of a broader effort by chief executive officer Mark Fields to counter threats posed by companies offering alternatives to car ownership and regulators who want vehicles to emit less carbon dioxide.

Ford's latest effort to explore the ride-hailing business will take the form of a fleet of specially designed Transit vans that company employees can hail using an app to get rides around the automaker's sprawling campus in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford executives said their intent is to develop a commercial ride-hailing service, not just to sell vehicles to ride-hailing companies such as Uber or Lyft.

"The market for vehicle miles travelled is US$5 trillion," Fields said on the sidelines of a media presentation at Ford's Dearborn design centre. "We get zero of that."

Without offering specifics, Ken Washington, Ford's vice president of research, said Ford is considering expanding the van-hailing service beyond its corporate campus, offering an alternative to rides in private cars or journeys on city buses.

"Our vision is to be a mobility service provider, beyond building a vehicle that would be in somebody else's fleet," said Washington. "We see this as a business we want to be in."

As a vehicle maker, Washington said, Ford can more "seamlessly" integrate the software and hardware needed to operate a ride-hailing system. The soaring value of Uber has forced auto executives to consider the potential of "shared mobility" services. Tesla Motors Inc chief executive Elon Musk has dropped hints that he is considering some form of ride-sharing service in the future.

"The auto names are late to the game," said Mark Shurtleff, an analyst who tracks the ride-sharing and ride-hailing industries. Moreover, Shurtleff said, it is not clear how big the ride-hailing market is outside of a few big cities.

Ford's electric vehicle push comes as rivals, including General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG are touting new electric vehicles aimed at satisfying governmental clean vehicle mandates and a still-small cadre of consumers who value zero-emission transportation.

Fields said it will launch late next year a new version of its Ford Focus electric car that has a 160-km range and can recharge in 30 minutes.

Ford also plans to add 13 new plug-in hybrid, hybrid or electric vehicles to its lineup by 2020, moving to more than 40 percent the share of the company's vehicle lines that will be electrified.

Fields said the company sees plug-in hybrid systems - which allow drivers to operate part of the time on batteries recharged from the grid, and part of the time on gasoline - as the solution many customers will prefer. The batteries for plug-in hybrids are not as heavy or expensive as those required to deliver 320km or more range in an all-electric vehicle.


Could Ferrari be jumping on bandwagon and building an SUV?

                MARANELLO: There are some things in life that for so long seem utterly unthinkable, until they then go and become a reality and the unthinkable seems to be happening more and more frequently these days.

When it comes to the motor industry, it used to be unimaginable that high-end sports car and super car manufacturers would ever consider producing SUVs, and then of course, Porsche went and brought us the Cayenne.

After that it was a while before rivals followed suit, but now even Bentley and Lamborghini are getting in on the act. But the really unthinkable now appears to be happening, and that's Ferrari developing an SUV of its own.

It's hard to see the majority of fanatical Ferrari enthusiasts welcoming the news, but that's unlikely to worry the legendary Italian automaker as it pushes forward with its own utility vehicle, which is apparently a project currently codenamed "F16X" at the moment.

It's being reported that sources in Maranello are saying the Ferrari SUV will be built alongside the next-gen GTC4 Lusso and will feature and aluminum architecture. It's claimed the new model will be a high-riding soft-roader with rear suicide doors and no B-pillar that will mean a large opening to the rear seats.

It will, of course, have an all-wheel drive system, which will come from Ferrari's experience with the FF and GTC4 Lusso. A petrol V-8 is likely to be the engine powering the new model although it's also entirely possible, and in the current climate likely, there will also be a hybrid powertrain option.

One thing that is for certain is the Ferrari SUV won't be cheap, and it probably won't be referred to in any way by the legendary Italian brand as an SUV or crossover. It's believed the asking price will start from US$342,000 (RM1.5mil), although that could rise considerably with inflation as the rumoured addition to the Ferrari family isn't expected to go on sale until 2021.


S. Korea says to fine BMW, Mercedes, Porsche units on emission rules breach

                SEOUL: South Korea plans to impose a combined fine of 70.3 billion won ($63.1 million) on units of automakers BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche citing violation of emission rules, the environment ministry said today.

Seoul Main Customs, part of the country’s customs agency, have also asked prosecutors to probe the three units for violation of customs law such as illegal imports, the ministry added.

The BMW unit will be fined 60.8 billion won for “falsifying” documents on emission test results and not obtaining approval for changes in emission-control components before their cars were sold, the Ministry of Environment said in a statement.

The Mercedes-Benz and Porsche units will be fined about 7.8 billion won and 1.7 billion won respectively for not obtaining approval for changes in emission-control components before cars were sold.

Certificates of fuel efficiency will be cancelled by mid-November and sales to be stopped for 28 BMW models, the ministry said. This measure will not affect cars that have already been sold, it added.

The BMW unit said it is “faithfully co-operating” with the government on their probe into certificate documentation errors, and will take necessary measures.

A few of the 200,000 cars that had been imported through customs between 2012-2017 had been declared for customs before approval was given or changes in components were reported, the Mercedez-Benz unit said.

Internal processes will be strengthened to prevent such instances in future, it added.

A spokeswoman for the Porsche unit said the ministry’s measure will not have any impact on their business, as the fine addresses component changes between 2010 and 2015, and all cars being sold now are properly certified.


Hyundai introduces wearable exoskeleton

                GENEVA: Hyundai Motor is showcasing wearable powered robots that will revolutionise the future of personal mobility at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The advanced assistive medical, work and daily life exoskeletons demonstrate Hyundai's ambition to provide customers with personal mobility solutions and freedom beyond the automobile.

The H-MEX (Hyundai Medical EXoskeleton) helps patients with lower spinal cord injuries regain the ability to walk. By using a wireless clutch with on-board motion control system, the equipment gives paraplegics the ability to sit, stand, move, turn and even walk up or down stairs.

The HUMA (Hyundai Universal Medical Assist) exoskeleton operates on a different control principle, but it provides assisted mobility support for people with limited muscular power. It provides assistive torque to help those with limited mobility to easily move their bodies.

By adjusting assistive torque according to each form of movement, such as walking, running, or going up and down stairs, HUMA assists users to move effortlessly. It can support up to 40kg of a wearer’s weight and, unloaded, can run at a speed up to 12kph – capabilities that would benefit for military/industrial purposes such as load-carrying.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Waist EXoskeleton, known as H-WEX, provides upper-body and hip support to prevent back injuries for workers doing repetitive manual work or lifting heavy objects.

H-MEX and HUMA are powered by removable and rechargeable battery packs and their light-weight frames are adjustable in length to fit different sizes of user for optimal comfort. The lower back and knees are supported with harness fixture points, while the devices change shape and flexes around the artificial joint structures of the robotic frame to manage body posture and deliver gait efficiency for walking.

In this vein, H-MEX provides individually-tailored gait pattern adjustment by calculating a series of factors, including walking pace, length of stride, and torso tilting angle via an application program installed in a smart device. Moreover, HUMA uses a series of advanced joints and mechanisms to align its movement with that of the user, enabling agile motion.

The H-WEX takes similar form but instead provides a safety solution for the workplace, assisting users with heavy lifting and other strenuous or repetitive activities. Activating the Waist Assist function enables the exoskeleton to flex its joints at up to 180 degrees per second, with an operating algorithm built-in to ensure ultimate user safety.

As with the other exoskeletons, the frame of the device supports and protects the user’s lower back and upper legs for optimal body positioning and is light-weight to ensure portability and ease of use.


Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon made by Jacob & Co revealed

                ROME: Jacob & Co x Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is the first all-new timepiece of this partnership.

The idea - an engine on the wrist, was conceived by Bugatti and Jacob & Co as to how to reproduce the iconic Bugatti W16 engine in a timepiece with both requiring the highest degree of mechanical precision that combines beauty and performance in a unique way.

After almost a year of development, Jacob & Co can now present the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon timepiece that's been designed to honour the Chiron and its quad-turbocharged W16 engine.

The case is inspired by the flowing lines of the Chiron and the movement, or “engine block,” intended to duplicate the W16 Bugatti engine, is placed under a massive sapphire crystal.

Pushing the right-hand crown of the timepiece, the engine comes to life – the crankshaft turns and the pistons pump up and down, just like a true internal combustion engine.

Two “turbochargers” (down from four in the actual Chiron engine) on the side of the engine block spin while the engine runs.

The movement is comprised of 578 components, amounting to the highest level of complication for the development team.

The top and sides of the watch also use sapphire crystal to make the details of the watch visible.

In the centre, is the engine block animation with the crankshaft has been deemed as one of the smallest and most complicated parts ever manufactured out of one solid steel piece.

The movement is completely suspended in four places, with what looks like the actual absorbers from the Chiron.

The movement is, in fact, floating inside the case, moving up and down. Framing the engine block are two “exhausts,” completing the engine theme of the design.

Beyond the flying tourbillon with the Jacob & Co logo, the only other branding anywhere on the front of the watch is the subtle EB logo on the engine compartment, where the crankshaft holds 16 pistons.

In 2019, Bugatti - together with Jacob & Co signed a partnership to create unique timepieces that are true to the spirit of both companies.

To inaugurate this partnership led by performance, two timepieces were created based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono which were directly inspired by the unique design of Bugatti hypercars.


AES summonses worth RM605mil cancelled

                CYBERJAYA: A total of 4.03 million of outstanding Automated Enforcement System (AES) summonses, worth RM605mil, issued from 2012 to Aug 31 this year, have been cancelled, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said based on records at the Road Transport Department’s Digital Technology Division data centre, all the summonses issued for breaking speed limits and running red lights, had already been written off.

“This means AES summonses issued before Sept 1 are no longer in the data,” he told reporters after visiting the centre here yesterday.

On Aug 17, Loke announced the government’s decision to write off all outstanding AES summonses issued during the period.

He said this was due to the fact that the government did not receive any revenue from the summonses, following the biased agreement between the previous government and two concessionaires operating the system.

Loke said from Sept 1 up to Nov 8, a total of 60,444 AES summonses had been issued for breaking the speed limit but only 1,711 had been settled by motorists.

For the same period, he said, 4,575 summonses were issued for running the red lights but only 167 summonses were paid.

“To date, 1,190 cases have been brought to courts in Kedah, Perak and Penang but only three offenders turned up,” he said.

He said the department would take stern action against those who failed to pay the summonses within 60 days by taking them to court, failing which warrants of arrest would be issued against them.


Maserati looks to automate some aspects of driving in new Levante

NEW YORK: Fiat Chrysler's premium Maserati brand is developing a semi-automated driving system for its new Levante utility vehicle that also will likely find its way into the company's Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans in the next two years, chief executive Harald Wester said in an interview on Tuesday.

It's a way "to automate the boring part" of driving, Wester said of a new "highway pilot" system that is under development for the Levante and other future Maseratis.

The Levante, which just went into production in Italy in late February as the brand's first-ever SUV, won't reach US dealers until fall, about three years later than originally forecast by FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne.

The premium sport utility vehicle, which will start at just over US$72,000 (RM287,000), is aimed at such luxury competitors as the Porsche Cayenne and the new Jaguar F-Pace. The Levante shares its basic underbody design with the Ghibli and Quattroporte.

The Levante also will offer a complement of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Initially in the US, the Levante will offer a choice of twin-turbo V6 engines, but the vehicle also has been designed to accommodate a larger, more powerful V8, Wester said.

Future Maseratis may use some form of electrification, he said, including a plug-in hybrid powertrain that could share components with the new Chrysler Pacifica.

Wester said replacements for the Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio are Maserati's next priorities, ahead of the proposed Alfieri sports car. The next-generation Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio also will share the same architecture that underpins the Ghibli and Quattroporte, he said, a move that should help trim development costs and time to market.

Maserati's global sales have flattened the past two years, at around 32,000, compared with an earlier forecast of 50,000 by 2015. Wester said he expects Levante to nearly double that in 2016, adding about 30,000 sales a year, including one-third in North America and even more in China.


UMW Group exceeds vehicle sales targets in 2020

                KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Holdings Berhad exceeded its vehicle sales targets in 2020 following strong sales achieved by both UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) and its 38% associated company, Perodua. The sales tax exemption announced by the government effective from June 15 last year boosted demand and drove sales in the second half of the year.

UMWT registered its highest monthly sales for the year with 9,246 units in December 2020, culminating in total sales of 59,320 units for 2020.

This exceeded its 53,000-unit sales target by 6,320 units or 11.9%, with Toyota Vios, Yaris and Hilux being UMWT’s best-selling models for the year. Further, UMWT officially launched the newly-enhanced Toyota Vios as well as Yaris on 17 December 2020 and on the same day premiered the Toyota GR Yaris and Vios GR-S, as part of the Gazoo Racing line-up.

These new models coupled with the planned new and exciting model launches are expected to drive sales in 2021.

Meanwhile, Perodua sold 25,171 units in December 2020, its second highest monthly sales for the year. This resulted in Perodua achieving total sales of 220,154 units for 2020, beating its target of 210,000 units for the year by 10,154 units or 4.8%. Perodua Myvi, Axia and Bezza continue to be its best-selling models in 2020.

UMW Holdings Bhd’s president and group CEO, Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said the sales tax exemption and its extension to June 40 would hasten the recovery of the automotive sector.


Dego Ride to be test-bed for how much regulation required

Loke using the Dego Ride service in Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The regulatory framework for motorcycle e-hailing services will be set up six months after the implementation of its first pilot project, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said the first pilot project, which is the local start-up Dego Ride, would still have to provide insurance protection for its users as well as adhere to the existing necessary safety measures.

"After six months, we will see how the services can be continued. From there, we will start to look into its legal and regulatory framework.

"If the pilot project is successful, we will decide whether to regulate the industry," he told reporters after trying out a Dego Ride motorcycle service at the Pasar Seni LRT Station today.

He said at the moment the pilot project was only introduced around the Klang Valley.

"At the initial stage, we have about 500 registered riders around Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Asked if the regulatory framework would also cover delivery services, Loke said the ministry plans to regulate the entire industry.

"There are a lot of public complaints that the delivery motorcycles are not following safety and traffic regulations.

"This is why we want to look at this holistically. Once this industry is more integrated — not just the passengers, goods delivery and others — we will look to regulate it together," said Loke.

He said the service provider had also enabled special features for passengers to choose female riders.

"Female passengers can opt to choose female providers. So far, there has been no complaint," he said.

On Indonesia's Gojek, he said if the company wanted to participate, they would have to set up a company based in Malaysia to provide their services.

"We have yet to receive any application from Gojek."

On the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) scheme, Loke said its installation would be delayed by “at least six months”, while the ministry looks at improving the implementation process of the radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for Singaporean vehicles.


The Corvette gets radical makeover as stick shift makes way for touchscreen

DETROIT: Why would General Motors Co. get rid of the manual stick shift in the much-anticipated overhaul of the iconic Corvette?

Drivers need a free hand for the touchscreen, of course.

With the all-new Corvette, which GM’s Chevrolet division showed off outside Los Angeles late Thursday, the sports car born in the 1950s is getting a radical makeover to shove it into the modern era.

The engine is transplanted to the middle of the car, making for better handling, and the manual transmission is gone, at least in the base model. Perhaps it’s too hard to shift, steer and search for music on an 8-inch touchscreen, all at once.

It’s a sign of the times for the new Corvette, which GM hopes will find more younger buyers with the entry-level Stingray and lure the wealthy sports-car buffs who currently drive Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The risk is that older, core buyers are turned off.

While few cars even offer a manual transmission in the US market, 15% of Corvette buyers opt for one. That’s a big chunk of the car’s buyer base.

"One thing we’re worried about is no manual transmission,” said Jon Thorn, editor of the Corvette Club of America’s newsletter, before seeing the new car.

Paddle shifters

In its place, the Stingray will have an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. That has become the active transmission of choice among high-end European sports cars.

The new Corvette allows drivers to use the paddles and choose a specific gear, rather than just go up or down one at a time. So it operates like a manual, just without a clutch pedal and that old stick shift between the seats.

With the mid-engine car, a true manual was more difficult to install and suppliers are loath to make them because volumes are low. The electronically-controlled dual clutch also changes better, said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer.

"The transmission shifts smoother and faster than any human being can,” Juechter said.

The latest incarnation also packs more punch. The Stingray gets a horsepower boost to 495 from 460. And with the Z51 performance package, the car will hit 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds.

That’s the fastest-ever Corvette and about as quick off the mark as a Lamborghini Huracan, which sells for around US$240,000.

"It’s the Corvette version of a supercar that we always wanted to see,” GM President Mark Reuss said. The exact price hasn’t been disclosed, but Reuss said the Stingray model will start at less than US$60,000 in the United States.

The biggest improvement for sports-car nerds is the mid-engine layout. With the motor planted behind the driver, who sits almost on top of the front axle, the car should have much better balance. GM needed to do that to improve the sporty ride, Reuss said.

Corvette is matching Tesla Inc.’s electric cars with over-the-air updates. Right now, if Tesla wants to add features, or upgrade the software that runs the cars, the company just sends it over the air, with no need to visit a dealer. GM hasn’t specified what can be updated remotely.

The car also has a display in the dash that can be reconfigured to show gauges and driver information in a different order. It’s another nice touch for a generation that grew up using smartphones and playing video games.

Walking a tightrope

Still, removing the stick shows the tightrope Chevy is walking as it tries to bridge a generation and keep older purists happy while attracting the young. Rumours had been circulating for months before confirmation that the gear stick was history.

"If they don’t have a manual, it’s malpractice,” said Eric Noble, president of The CarLab, a consulting firm in Orange, California. "That’s still a lot of buyers that they could potentially lose.”

With some more modern gadgetry, GM is hoping to bring some new people in.


Honda to launch new EV brand called e:N Series in China next year

                BEIJING:: Japan's Honda Motor will launch a new electric vehicle brand in China next year, it said today, and will only launch battery electric, hydrogen fuel-cell or petrol-electric hybrid vehicles there from 2030.

Known for its fuel-efficient internal-combustion engines, Honda sold over 1.6 million vehicles in China last year.

The new brand will be called "e:N Series" and it plans to roll out 10 models with partners GAC and Dongfeng Motor over the next five years, Honda said.

Its two joint ventures, GAC-Honda and Dongfeng-Honda, plan to build new EV-only assembly plants that are expected to begin production in 2024.

READ MORE: Honda SENSING 360 envelopes car in safety bubble

The planned new models will use a new vehicle operating system and are being developed based on an auto product platform designed for electric vehicles.

Honda will set up an e:N Series section in all its existing retail stores.

Over time, Honda also plans to set up dedicated e:N Series retail stores but did not provide detail on that plan.

Honda has roughly 1,200 Honda brand stores currently.

China's sales for electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are expected to reach three million this year, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Tuesday.

Honda will continue to sell existing gasoline-powered models even after 2030, it said.


Tesla engineer joins Apple's growing team of automated car experts

                DETROIT/SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has hired a senior engineer from electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc, according to a LinkedIn posting, as part of Apple's effort to build a team of experts in automated driving.

A LinkedIn profile for Jamie Carlson shows that he has left Tesla and moved to Apple. At least six others with experience developing self-driving technology and systems have joined Apple, according to their LinkedIn profiles.

 An image that is associated with Carlson's LinkedIn account.

Attempts to reach all seven people were unsuccessful and Apple declined to comment.

Sources have said that Apple is developing a car and studying self-driving technology, but it is unclear if the iPhone maker is designing a vehicle that could drive itself.

READ ALSO: Faraday Future - electric car maker for the masses?

Since January, Apple has hired Megan McClain, a former Volkswagen AG engineer with expertise in automated driving, and Vinay Palakkode, a graduate researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, a hub of automated driving research.

In August, Apple hired Xianqiao Tong, an engineer who developed computer vision software for driver assistance systems at microchip maker Nvidia Corp.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple hired Paul Furgale, former deputy director of the Autonomous Systems Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, earlier this year.

So-called advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, handle tasks such as keeping a vehicle in a lane or driving by itself in stop-and-go traffic, and they are considered the building blocks for self-driving cars.

According to Carlson's LinkedIn profile, he joined Apple in August in an unnamed position in a special projects group.

Through July, Carlson was an engineer on Tesla's Autopilot self-driving car program, and before that he worked on automotive vision systems for Michigan-based supplier Gentex Corp.

Other Apple hires since September 2014 with similar experience have worked at automakers BMW AG, Volkswagen and Ford Motor Co, automotive suppliers Delphi Automotive, Robert Bosch GmbH and TRW, now a part of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, according to their LinkedIn profiles.

Among those hired last fall were Sanjai Massey, an engineer with experience in developing connected and automated vehicles at Ford and several suppliers; Stefan Weber, a former Bosch engineer with experience in video-based driver assistance systems, and Lech Szumilas, a former Delphi research scientist with expertise in computer vision and object detection.


New York's car show is a world away from Shanghai tech-fest

                NEW YORK: The two car shows may be running almost simultaneously, but it seems light years separate Shanghai and New York's trade fairs. While China represents the science fiction-style world of modern mobility with loads of high tech, the New York show (April 19-28) is firmly rooted in the here and now with a traditional horsepower parade.

Both celebrate new metal but the spotlight in the Big Apple is on heavy SUVs and powerful sports cars. It seems as if the future has been put on hold in New York.

One of the fattest cars on the block is not a state-side creation. It comes from Mercedes-Benz in the shape of the new GLS, the flagship of an off-roader range which seems to get more bloated as the years roll by.

 Porsche 911 Speedster.

This the sports utility equivalent of the S-Class limousine. The GLS the largest and most luxurious of the brand's SUV breed to carry the three-pointed star. Naturally it is larger than the previous model - it has gained 7.7 centimetres in length - and it is a tad wider too.

Up to seven passengers are able to enjoy remarkable spaciousness with plenty of elbow and headroom in all three seat rows thanks to a longer wheelbase.

Effortless power comes from a V8 petrol engine with 489hp on tap. The GLS is flanked by its only slightly smaller sibling, the GLC four-door coupe which touches down in NYC in four variations.

All the GLCs get an infotainment upgrade and the go-faster AMG variant pushes out a whopping 510 horses. The AMG version of the CLA is also on hand in New York, with 306 horsepower under the bonnet.

Think big is the name of the game over at the Volkswagen stand. The chunky Tarok is being teased in New York to "gauge market reaction" although it is actually designed for the South American market. The version on display has a puny 1.4-litre engine, which no US pick-up fan would take seriously, so a state-side version would need considerably more urge in order to compete with home-grown brands.

At Porsche everything revolves around the 911 Speedster, a radical drop-head version of the iconic model which marks the Stuttgart maker's 70 years in the business. Packing 500 horsepower the slippery shape is based on the 911 GT3 and limited to 1,948 examples hence the number "48" on the flanks of the New York car.

US makers are relying on tried and tested technology for their new models which include the CTS successor the CT5. The new car, which squares up to BMW's 3 Series, gets a fastback design, lustrous colours and a raft of driver assistance and warning gadgets. Engines are conventional, with no green leanings in sight.

Ford is being a little more adventurous by offering its new Kuga as the Ford Escape or Lincoln Corsair with hybrid or plug-in technology. Compared with the dozen or so pure electric sports utilities in Shanghai, this is just a very pale shade of green.

Asian makers too have brought conventional tech to New York. Toyota has the Highlander - with a hybrid version - as its next-generation SUV while Subaru is fielding a refreshed issue of its Outback off-road estate which is set to reach Europe this autumn.

Hyundai slots in the Venus crossover with its city-friendly dimensions below the Kona although officially this model is only available for Asia and North America.

 Jaguar I-Pace.

Among the heavy metal in New York there are some brief glimpses of the future. One is the award by a 50-strong global jury of "World Car of the Year" to the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace.

The other is the unwrapping of the Genesis Mint Concept, a low-slung sporty runabout from Hyundai's luxury offshoot. The Mint is designed to get around gridlocked city streets. The two-door EV may never go into production but it shows a possible way ahead.

Firms like Mercedes-Benz are weighed down by a lot of baggage from the past called tradition whereas the brains behind Genesis can take a fresh look - the brand has been around for less than a decade.

 Genesis Mint Concept. Volkswagen Tarok Concept.


Goodyear shows off stunning concepts

                GENEVA: Auto shows are places where people go to look for exciting new cars and new concepts.

Accessories makers, tuners and customisers often play second fiddle at such shows and given a cursory look before visitors move on to the next stand.

Tyres tend to fall into this category. But Goodyear's debut of two futuristic tyre concepts at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show are intriguing enough to warrant a closer look.

The BHO3 offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy. The Triple Tube is able to shape-shift; it contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions, touting new levels of performance and versatility.

The BHO3 tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tyre that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. The materials used would optimise the tyre's electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.

Goodyear sees the tyre technology as being able to eliminate range anxiety motorists may have with electric cars.

 The Triple Tube tyre concept.

On the other hand in the Triple Tube, three internal tubes within the tyre enable the tyre to switch between three positions to enahnce the driving dynamics. The tubes are located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tyre as well as the centre. The tyre relies on an internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three individual air chambers, or tubes. The tyre automatically adjusts – on its own – to three different positions based on road conditions:

> The Eco/Safety position – with maximum inflation in all three tubes – offers reduced rolling resistance.

> The Sporty position – with reduced inflation within the inboard shoulder tube – gives drivers dry handling through an optimised contact patch.

> The Wet Traction position – with maximised inflation in the centre tube – provides high aquaplaning resistance through a raised tread in the centre of the tyre.

"These concept tyres re-imagine the role that tyres may play in the future," said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear's senior vice president and chief technical officer. "We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile."


Dutch startup to create solar-powered car for consumers

                HELMOND (The Netherlands): This past week, Lightyear announced a partnership with LeasePlan to develop a commercially available electric solar car.

Lightyear One, the first solar-powered electric car developed by Dutch startup Lightyear, will be hitting the streets in 2020 thanks to a collaboration with LeasePlan Netherlands.

The company is also celebrating this week the opening of its first production facility, which will produce the vehicle whose design is still "top secret." Lightyear did reveal, though, that the model will be a five-seater hatchback, have all-wheel drive, and have a range of up to 800km.

If all goes according to the company's plan, the first prototypes of this self-charging car will be launched in summer 2019 with the first ones being delivered the following year. The partnership with LeasePlan Netherlands allows for the vehicle to be either bought or leased, increasing audience accessibility.

You can reserve a Lightyear One on the company site for €119,000 (RM568,000) excluding taxes. As of right now, both the Pioneer Edition and the standard Lightyear One model are only available in Europe.

Depending on which option you select, deposits vary from €4,000 (RM19,100) to €119,000 with delivery dates spanning from 2020 to the end of 2021. Leasing options will soon be available through LeasePlan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?


237bhp Skoda Kodiaq vRS tested ahead of autumn reveal

The current Kodiaq.
PRAGUE: With SUVs and crossovers being as wildly popular as they undoubtedly are right now there's little wonder manufacturers are constantly looking for new ways to stand out in what is becoming an increasingly crowded market. Coupe-like SUVs with sloping rooflines are therefore now very much a thing, and performance-focused models are now becoming more prevalent too. Skoda will soon be getting in on the performance side of things with its Kodiaq vRS, which has now been spotted testing at the Nurburgring ahead of its launch in the second half of this year.

When it finally arrives, the Kodiaq will be the second model in Skoda's vRS lineup, which at the moment only boasts the Octavia vRS. When the second model in the family does eventually go on sale Britain and Germany are expected to be its biggest markets, especially as in the UK some 20 percent of all Octavia models sold there are vRS versions.

 Kodiaq SportLine - as sporty as the Kodiaq gets.

It's believed this faster version of the Kodiaq SUV will include both five and seven-seat variants, and the production version could make its debut at September's Paris motor show with a 237bhp 2.0-litre twin-turbo under the hood that's already found in the VW Tiguan. A source has apparently told Autocar in the UK the new Kodiaq vRS will have "lots of torque," which is likely because in the Tiguan the 2.0-litre already produces 501Nm and helps the Volkswagen to 100kph in as little as 6.5 seconds.

That's the same kind of performance as the current Ford Focus ST and Lotus Elise Sport, but although the Kodiaq vRS should come close to those numbers it probably won't match them as the Skoda will be considerably heavier.

These hot versions of the Kodiaq will also get more dramatic styling than the regular models, with revisions including new front and rear bumpers, bigger wheels and more design details around its front grille. The interior of vRS models will feature sports seats adorned with vRS logos, but all of this could easily help to push the Skoda beyond the £40,000 (RM214,000) price barrier in the important British market.


US senators unveil road map for self-driving car legislation

Thune (centre) said the senators hoped to reach agreement based on 'prioritising safety, fixing outdated rules, and clarifying the role of federal and state governments.' — AFP
WASHINGTON: A bipartisan trio of Us senators said on Tuesday they planned to introduce legislation to remove regulatory roadblocks to the introduction of self-driving cars, including sorting out conflicts between state and federal rules.

Republican Senator John Thune, who chairs the Commerce Committee, Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the panel, and Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said in a joint statement that existing federal vehicle regulations written over recent decades did not account for self-driving cars without a human driver behind the wheel.

Thune said the senators hoped to reach agreement based on "prioritising safety, fixing outdated rules, and clarifying the role of federal and state governments."

Federal auto regulations pose significant legal hurdles that must be cleared before fully self-driving cars can be sold without steering wheels and gas pedals, a government report said last year.

The Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing on self-driving cars on Wednesday. Mitch Bainwol, head of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an auto trade group, will tell the panel that Congress should work to eliminate state or local laws that could "unduly burden or restrict the use of self-driving vehicles in the future."

The senators are joining a broader movement here to respond to calls from Detroit and Silicon Valley for federal action to set rules for self-driving cars, rather than allowing states such as California to write potentially conflicting rules.

The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee said last week he planned to unveil a package of legislation to overhaul federal rules governing self-driving vehicles.

Companies such as Alphabet Inc, General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG are pursuing automated technologies and want unified federal regulations to replace outdated rules and make it simpler to develop and eventually sell the technology across the country.

In April, automakers and technology companies urged California to make changes to its proposed state regulations governing autonomous vehicles. Many oppose California's plan to require a state permit to deploy autonomous vehicles, which must meet performance and design criteria.

The US Transportation Department said last week it would unveil revised self-driving guidelines within the next few months, responding to automakers' calls for regulations to sanction costly efforts to put autonomous vehicles on the road.

Vehicle crashes annually kill more than 35,000 people on US roads and injure 2.4 million. The economic cost of vehicle crashes is at least US$240bil (RM1bil) annually, the government says.


Lexus launches LC luxury coupe in Japan

                TOKYO: Lexus has launched the LC luxury coupe across Japan, priced between 13 and 14.5 million Yen (RM509,564 and RM568,379), inclusive of consumption tax.

The LC employs the renowned Lexus high-performance 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8 engine, mated to a Direct Shift 10-AT gearbox.

It also features a D-4S direct fuel injection and the Atkinson cycle operation to ensure fuel-efficiency.

The coupe inherits the LFA's sporty and uplifting engine sound, known as the "cry of angels."

An engine sound generator using aspiration pulsation and an exhaust switch valve enables quiet cruising and intensity during acceleration.

The world's first multi-stage hybrid system and the Direct Shift-10AT has been adopted as part of the latest powertrain.

Meanwhile, luxuries can include the optional Mark Levinson Reference surround sound system analyzes compressed music in real time to improve sound quality with Clari-Fi technology, delivering natural sounds.

Seat heaters, seat ventilation and a steering wheel heater coordinated with the automatic air-conditioner are controlled by the Lexus Climate Concierge, with a new model remote with a touch screen that can be enlarged with improved operability that allows scrolling and pinching.

An advanced sporty cockpit space that adopts movable meters which has been derived from the LFA8 design and mechanisms.

The advanced active safety package, Lexus Safety System +, is a standard feature in all cars.

The package includes the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist (LKA), which helps to avoid collisions caused when a vehicle deviates from a traffic lane, and Automatic High Beam (AHB), which enables early detection of pedestrians at night, and will switch the headlights between high and low beams.

Furthermore, the Radar Cruise Control (with All-Speed Tracking function) automatically maintains a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front within a set vehicle speed range.

Also, this is the first time that an engine hood which is raised at four points has been adopted by Lexus.

While this helps to achieve a low hood design, this engine hood would still help to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision.

The LC production line adopts a design which is radically different from a conventional car plant, with a new, dedicated LC assembly line at Motomachi Plant.

The floor and ceiling are completely white and the latest systems have been introduced for quality assurance, such as the use of tablets to check each person's work processes.

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), a CFRP production technology which has been developed for LFA, has been further enhanced, enabling a CFRP roof to be used for the LC.

In addition, self-piercing rivets have been employed to join different materials together, enabling the usage of die-cast aluminum front suspension towers.

The interior paneling and stitching is all finished by hand.

The run-flat tyres have been set at 20 or 21 inches.

The S package combines the new Limited Slip Differential (LSD) with the standard Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system to improve acceleration performance during turning.

Advanced engineering, such as understeer/oversteer control, an advancement of Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) control, Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), and active rear steering have been actively adopted to provide both greater comfort in handling and safety.


Kia USA ditches Optima name for K5

                LOS ANGELES: The Kia Optima is getting a model name change in the United States, with the latest generation now called K5, which makes it fall in line with what the model is called in the rest of the world.

The new all-turbocharged engine lineup delivers improved efficiency and higher horsepower. And it will have a version that's all-wheel drive for the first time.

The upcoming K5 is based on the modular N3 platform, which Kia said is stronger while being longer, wider and lower.

Going on sale this summer, the K5 will be available in four trim levels (LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX), with the sportiest GT to follow later in the fall.

The K5 incorporates Stinger design DNA while expanding Kia’s future design language.

Touted as a sports sedan, Kia designed the K5 not only to look the part but to perform like one.

Its aggressive profile and deeper centre of gravity sets it up for a more exciting driving experience. In addition, suspension geometry was optimised for sporty handling, responsiveness and stability.

At the same time, improved sound deadening materials result in a quieter and more premium cabin. All K5 trims are fitted with acoustic laminated windshields to help maintain a quiet cabin.

The newly designed infotainment display creates a futuristic, three-dimensional layout and driver-centric space that complements the open layout of the cabin. New wireless features minimise cord clutter and keep the cockpit clean.

It is equipped with either 8- or 10.25-inch high-resolution colour touchscreen.

Other interior highlights include: aircraft-type shift knob; a mix of premium and sporty upholstery options; panoramic sunroof and flat-bottom, sport steering wheel (GT-Line and GT).

Lower-end variants are powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine producing 180hp and 265Nm of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission The range-topping GT gets a 2.5-litre turbocharged GDI + MPI four-cylinder engine making 290hp and 423Nm of torque.

The GT is mated with a wet dual-clutch automatic, and grippy Pirelli P Zero tyres, enabling it to dash from 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds.

The K5’s all-wheel drive system - to be fitted to the 1.6-litre GT-Line variant - is front-wheel drive based, which is a first for a Kia sedan. It uses an electro-hydraulic system to control AWD coupling for a quicker response and more precise control.

Normal, Smart, Sport, and Custom drive modes adjust settings for engine, transmission, AWD (when equipped) and steering mapping to provide the desired driving experience. The GT steps it up with Sport+ mode to enhance driving characteristics

The K5 is assembled in West Point, Georgia alongside the Telluride SUV.


Face masks and a factory redesign: How Bentley plans return to work

                LONDON: Bentley will make wearing face masks compulsory at its British car factory and has redesigned the site to introduce a two-metre distance between workers which will see output halved over the first couple of weeks of production, its boss told Reuters.

The Volkswagen-owned luxury brand’s site in Crewe is due to reopen on May 11, seven weeks since it shut due to the coronavirus outbreak, making it one of the first automakers to resume production in Britain.

The company is implementing around 250 additional measures, including temperature checks and one-way systems, alongside leaving a gap between each vehicle on the production line to maintain a safer distance, leading to an initial 50% cut in output.

“On the line, (there will be) massive change in the first few weeks,” chief executive Adrian Hallmark said.

“We think it will take us almost into summer to get back to anything like full production as long as everything stays stable until then.”

There will also be different entrances at the plant with no touch required on any barriers or devices and plastic separation screens in office areas at the site, which employs over 4,000 people.

Whether Britons should wear face coverings once lockdown measures are eased remains a thorny issue with Scotland recommending such a move in enclosed public places whilst the London government is still looking at evidence from advisers.

“We see it as good practice when we all get together in a close environment to give the confidence that ... any problems will be caught by those masks,” said Hallmark.

The firm faces hundreds of millions of pounds of deferred or lost revenue from the plant closure and reduced output, he said, but has built up supplies of components using extra storage space designed for a hard Brexit, enabling a smoother return.

Demand in China, which accounted for nearly a fifth of sales in 2019, is also bouncing back.

“In the second week of April we took more orders than the month of January or February,” said Hallmark.

“The question is will that continue, will there be a second wave but more importantly, will the European and US markets recover as fast as the China market has?”


Mercedes E-Class going great guns in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: The E-Class model line remains an important pillar of growth for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) despite the fact its SUVs have become increasingly popular.

Sedans spanning the A-, C-, E- and S-Class collectively still outsell the SUV portfolio, said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president of sales and marketing Michael Jopp at an online media roundtable session on Friday.

The company's SUVs are the GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS and the G-Class.

Pointing out that the sedans and SUVs are not competing against each other, Jopp said the Mercedes range of high-riding SUVs caters to a different set of customers.

In its latest launches, Mercedes-Benz introduced the facelifted W213 E-Class sedan in late July, followed by the roll-out of the C238 coupe variant two weeks later. MBM simplified the sedan line-up to the E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line, removing the E 350 AMG Line.

The E 200 and E 300 are priced at RM326,943.19 and RM375,432.19 respectively. The two-door coupe, available only as the E 300 AMG Line Coupe, retails for RM495,071. The sedans are locally assembled while the coupe is fully imported.

The E-Class sedan is produced only for the Malaysian market and is not exported regionally. Jopp.

While rival BMW had just introduced a long wheelbase 3 Series to Malaysia, Jopp said Mercedes will not go down that route for its C-Class, adding "we have the right portfolio right now."

Daimler AG is ramping up vehicle electrification, declaring in July that it expects electric and hybrid electric cars to make up 50% of sales by 2025 — with all-electric cars expected to account for most of that.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is keen to bring in more plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars in future but the Government has to weigh in with attractive incentives to make it economically viable to package a competitive product, said Jopp.

While parallel importers may attempt to bring in Mercedes' EQ electric cars ahead of MBM, the early adopters may end up at a disadvantage when it comes to servicing such high-tech cars.

Jopp pointed out that servicing EVs is a new ballgame and that current Mercedes dealers have no expertise to do it — yet.

As to how dealers are faring with the Covid-19 lockdown, Jopp said it was tough and "they are coping well at the moment". "But no one can survive a lockdown indefinitely."

On that note, Mercedes dealers will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Starting tomorrow, all car dealerships have been given the green light to resume business. But they are allowed to entertain only visitors and customers who have been fully vaccinated.


BMW M chief says more powerful M cars on the way

                MUNICH: "Don’t expect a power limit.”

With those words, BMW M boss Markus Flasch is pledging to deliver more powerful M cars in future.

"It’s all just a question of how you incorporate it into a package that makes it accessible for everyone. This is what M has always been brilliant in," Flasch told Australian auto website whichcar.com.au in an interview.

“You look 10, 15 years back and if you imagined 625hp in a saloon car, you’d probably be scared. Now, I can give an M5 this 625hp and only drive my mom, in winter, and she’d still be okay."

When asked about a hybrid or electrified version of the M, he said, "We won’t mess around or compromise the distinct character that our M cars have today. An electrified car, whether it’s plug in the wall, battery-electric, has to take it up with the predecessor, and I know that there are physical limits, but within physical limits of working dimensions, we are going to make it happen.”

Flasch also ponted out that that M does not compete with BMW's mainstream cars.

“M has never been a competing brand to BMW. M is the exaggeration of what BMW stands for in terms of driving pleasure. M supplements BMW, and it’s going to remain this way.”


Heavy traffic returns as long break comes to an end

                PETALING JAYA: Today marks the end of the long weekend as well as the school break that Malaysians have been enjoying, which can only mean that there will be long jams back into the cities.

To prevent bottlenecks along the North-South Expressway, motorists are advised to plan their travelling time.

PLUS Expressways Bhd has advised those planning to travel between the Klang Valley and Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor to enter the highway before 10am.

Those travelling to or back from other states should only start their journey after 10am.

Since the Meteorological Department has forecast isolated rains and thunderstorms in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia today, motorists should drive below the regular speed limit for better control of their vehicles, as well as to recover from the effects of aquaplaning.

Aquaplaning happens when a vehicle slides uncontrollably on a wet surface.

According to safety tips on the Malaysians Unite For Road Safety (Mufors) website, a slower speed allows vehicle tyres to have a better grip on the road.

Caught in an aquaplaning effect, it said drivers should steer their cars to safety and must never jam on the brakes as this could cause the vehicles to slide and skid uncontrollably.

During a breakdown or emergency on the highway, drivers should head for the nearest rest area or layby if possible.

“If you have no choice but to stop on the emergency lane, it is important to put on the hazard lights to warn oncoming vehicles and get all passengers to leave the car and stay behind the guardrails on the road shoulder.

“Place devices such as safety cones, warning triangles, flashing beacons or at least a red flag or cloth at a good and safe distance behind the stranded vehicle to alert other oncoming vehicles of the situation,” said the website.

Mufors is a movement spearheaded by PLUS.

The website also warned motorists to put on the indicator before changing lanes, to never jump queue by using the emergency lane and to refrain from using handphones while driving.

It also urged them to take a break at the rest areas and laybys when feeling tired and not to tailgate or hog the road.

Mufors also recommended some safety checks that motorists could carry out themselves before hitting the highway, including ensuring the tyres were in good condition and that there was no rubbish such as water bottles that could roll under the brake pedal.

Most importantly, it said people should make sure that everyone in the car was properly buckled up before starting the journey.

In case of any emergency on the highway, contact PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000.


Porsche trials two new short-term rental programs

                ATLANTA: Although vehicle subscription plans are not exactly commonplace at the moment, it appears a lot of major vehicle manufacturers have a lot of faith in the idea and plenty of trials are on the go right now.

At the moment, it's largely luxury manufacturers getting behind the idea, and Porsche seems to be enthusiastic about these new ways of supplying vehicles to its customers.

As well as its relatively simple Porsche Passport scheme, the German automaker is now trialing a couple of new shorter-term rental programs.

The two new programs are called Porsche Drive and Porsche Host, and they're only being tried out in selected areas of the United States.

While Porsche Passport is a monthly subscription scheme, Porsche Drive allows consumers to get behind the wheel of a Porsche for as little as a few hours, to a day or a week.

The cars are delivered to their user in a concierge-style, on demand, and bookings for the service can be made online or over the phone. The technology itself and the customer care aspect of the service is provided by a company called Clutch Technologies, and not directly by Porsche.

Prices range from as little as US$269 (RM1,114) before taxes and fees for a four-hour period in a Macan, 718 Cayman or Boxster, and all six Porsche model lines are available under the scheme. At the top end of the scale, getting a 911 for a week will set you back a cool US$2,909 (RM12,039).

Like most of these schemes, subscribers are asked to pay a hefty premium for not having to sign up to the long-term commitment of a lease. But to give an idea of how expensive this particular scheme is, a base 911 can be had on a conventional lease agreement for little more than US$1,100 (RM4,553) per month. That looks seriously cheap compared to US$2,909 for just a week under the Porsche Drive program.

Porsche Drive is being trialled here at the moment but the other new plan, Porsche Host, is only available on the West Coast. Host is being run in collaboration with car-sharing provider Turo, and this scheme uses cars owned by special Porsche-approved and trained Turo hosts in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Under this scheme cars can be booked using the Turo app or website for a day, a week, a month or even longer, and the program launches on Oct 8.


MAN Mobile Service Workshop hits the road

                KUALA LUMPUR: MAN Truck and Bus announced today its mobile service workshops have begun operating and is able to respond to clients within a two-hour window.

“This is an ideal option for some of our customers who do not have easy access to regular service workshops, due to their location or other factors," said MAN Truck and Bus after sales head Thayalan Subramaniam.

The service is currently available within Peninsula Malaysia, with plans to extend its services to East Malaysia by the first quarter of 2018.

The company uses 18-tonne trucks as its mobile workshop, which also acts as a mobile warehouse for spare parts, tools, lubricants and filters.

In addition to other miscellaneous items, the parts and tools stored within the truck are usually associated with a 20,000km service interval.

Furthermore, the service is also able visit clients during weekends to help minimise operational disruptions to fleet operators.

"By having our mobile workshops come to them (clients), they can save travel time and cost and their drivers can be assigned to other vehicles while the service is being done at their facility, thereby improving uptime and overall productivity,” added Subramaniam.

He also said that the mobile workshop is in line with the company's commitment to help its client's reduce its total cost of ownership by helping to customers lower cost and improve efficiency.

We want our customers to be able to focus on their core business, while we take care of servicing and ensuring they get more uptime with their fleet”, he concluded.

In addition to the MAN mobile service workshops, the company also has Mobile24 (toll-free: 1-800-228- 626) – a 24-hour breakdown service for trucks and buses, with eight vehicles on standby.

There are currently three branches and five dealer outlets as part of its service and maintenance network in Malaysia.


Renault board meeting to seal De Meo's CEO nomination, says report

A source claims that De Meo, who stepped down from SEAT earlier this month, will not take up his post at Renault until closer to July. — Reuters
PARIS: Renault’s board is set to meet today to approve naming Luca de Meo, formerly the head of Volkswagen’s SEAT brand, as its next chief executive, Le Figaro newspaper reported on Monday.

Renault declined to comment. The board had not yet been called, according to a source close to the matter, who declined to be named as the timing is still confidential. But De Meo’s nomination is widely expected to take place any day now.

De Meo, who stepped down from SEAT earlier this month, will not take up his post at Renault until closer to July, the source added.

Italian-born De Meo had been hotly tipped for the job for several weeks but faced wrangles over his contract and a stringent non-compete clause, which had to be negotiated between Renault and Volkswagen, said sources previously.

The delay in his arrival comes at a delicate time for Renault, which is trying to reboot its alliance with Japan’s Nissan Motor Co Ltd after the partnership’s former boss, Carlos Ghosn, was arrested in Tokyo in 2018.

Ghosn, who has repeatedly denied the financial misconduct charges he was accused of, slipped out of Japan and fled to Lebanon at the end of 2019.

Renault’s board ousted its former CEO and longstanding Ghosn ally Thierry Bollore last October, as part of efforts to clean the decks and reset the alliance, and the job has been occupied in the interim by financial chief Clotilde Delbos.


Westlake tyres roll into Malaysia

ZhongCe Rubber Group vice president Ge Guorong (left) and Tan posing with the Westlake SUV/LTR range of tyres.
PETALING JAYA: China’s Westlake Tyres today marked its entry into the local market by introducing a wide range of tyres.

They include tyres for cars, trucks, buses, offroad vehicles, as well as industrial and agricultural tyres. It is represented locally by Westlake Marketing Malaysia, which is the sole importer and distributor.

Westlake Marketing Malaysia managing director Tan Heong Thong said more tyre ranges are coming next year.

Tan said Westlake tyres are premium but sold at affordable prices. They are designed for maximum safety, are reliable and durable and are suitable for use in a tropical climate, he added.

Westlake Marketing Malaysia’s priority now is to set up a dealer network. It aims to open 100 Westlake tyre shops, with three due to open in the peninsula by the end of this year.

Westlake tyre are made by the ZhongCe Rubber Group of Hangzhou. It said it has to date shipped over 16 million consumers and commercial tyres as well as 35 million bicycle and motorcycle tyres to more than 160 markets and over 5 billion consumers.


RON97 petrol price 31 sen cheaper for December

                KUALA LUMPUR: The price of RON97 petrol has decreased for the month of December to RM2.50 per litre.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry announced that it was lowering the price of the higher-octane fuel by 31 sen.

The new price will come into effect from midnight and will remain until Dec 31, when the next fuel price announcement is made.

Meanwhile, prices for RON95 petrol and diesel remain unchanged as they have been since May 30.

RON95 remains priced at RM2.20 per litre, Euro2M diesel at RM2.18 per litre, while Euro5 diesel is RM2.28 per litre.


Sipping on Starbucks coffee could win you a brand new Peugeot 3008 SUV

                PETALING JAYA: Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, has announced its collaboration with Starbucks Malaysia to bring about the "Sip & Win" contest.

The contest, from now until Nov 30, is open to all Malaysians who are Starbucks Rewards members and are aged 18 and above.

A lucky participant will stand a chance to win the Grand prize of a brand new Peugeot 3008 Plus sports utility vehicle, or other prizes worth RM160,000.

Additionally, there RM160,000-worth of other prizes up for grabs.

This includes five second-place winners of a Sony WH-1000MX wireless headphone (RM1,599 each), seven third-place winners of a Starbucks Holiday Edition Swarovski Tumbler (RM888 each) and 50 consolation prizes of a preloaded Starbucks Card (RM20 each).

The draw for the top three prizes, excluding the consolation prizes, will be picked in front of a live audience in early 2021.

To participate, customers will only need to spend a minimum of RM30 on a single receipt with their Starbucks Card or Mobile App at any store within Malaysia.

“In this "Sip and Win" contest and with the new restrictions in effect, many of us prefer to be in a safer environment and are always on the go which is in line with Peugeot’s tagline MOTION & e-MOTION," said Naza Corporation Holdings group CEO (Automotive Group) Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan.

For more information log on to peugeot.com.my/starbucks-sip-win-contest/.


Volvo Cars sees chip shortage extending into 2022

                STOCKHOLM: Volvo Cars warned on Tuesday that the sector-wide semiconductor shortage would continue into next year, as its first quarterly report since listing on the stock market a month ago confirmed a dip in revenue and profit.

The Gothenburg-based carmaker said supply chains were still constrained but while production remained lower than demand, it had "improved month by month" since September.

"The supply situation has improved going into the fourth quarter, but we expect the industry-wide shortage of semi-conductors to remain a restraining factor,” chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said in a statement.

Volvo's initial public offering (IPO) on Oct 29 was the biggest in Europe so far this year, a sign of strength for the European automotive industry which is in the midst of a challenging transition towards electric vehicles (EVs).

The chip shortage has forced many automakers around the world, including Volvo, to cut production. Chief financial officer Bjorn Annwall said he expected that to be the major issue in the fourth quarter.

"No extra lockdown related problems," he said.

READ MORE: Chip shortage will persist for ‘couple of years’, says Intel CEO

Volvo, majority owned by China's Geely Holding, said preliminary sales volumes were around 52,000 cars in November, down year-on-year due to lower production and a build-up of in-transit inventory.

It confirmed a previously announced third-quarter operating profit figure of 3.3 billion Swedish crowns (RM1.5bil), versus 4.6 billion in the year-ago period, and revenues down 7% to 60.8 billion crowns.

It also maintained its full-year outlook of sales volume and revenue growth with improved profitability to pre-pandemic levels.

The company has committed to becoming a purely electric carmaker by 2030. It has a 49% stake in EV venture Polestar, which said in September it would go public through a US$20 billion (RM84bil) deal.


Actress Michelle Yeoh takes on new role as UN global road safety ambassador

                PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh now has another most important role to play - global road safety ambassador, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the Malaysian actress, who is a former Miss Malaysia, is now a UN Development Programme (UNDP) goodwill ambassador advocating greater road safety worldwide.

"Miss Malaysia, martial arts megastar and Star Trek captain. Now our Anak Malaysia Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh shoulders yet another most important role as UNDP goodwill ambassador for greater road safety worldwide," the MCA president said in a Facebook post last night.

In the post, Dr Wee also revealed a poster of Yeoh in her new role as global road safety advisor.

The poster, with the hashtag #streetsforlife, also carries the tagline, "Safe roads play a leading role."

"Sustainable living to smash-hit movies. Safe roads go further than you think," Yeoh is quoted as saying in the poster.

In a related development, Malaysia will continue to work with Swedish authorities to enhance road safety in the country.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the collaboration is being undertaken by the Transport Ministry through the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).

"In fact, we are studying the nine recommendations put forward by the Academic Expert Group in their high-level report related to building safer vehicles through advanced technologies in vehicle construction and infrastructure design," said Dr Wee.

This follows a discussion held with Swedish Infrastructure Minister Tomas Eneroth.

Dr Wee said the Infrastructure Ministry had funded the Academic Expert Group whose recommendations formed the 2020 Stockholm Declaration on road safety, which was then endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly resolutions in August 2020.


Nissan UEFA Champions League Campaign returns

                KUALA LUMPUR: Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), the purveyors of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia has kicked-off the second annual Nissan UEFA Champions League Campaign.

The campaign will run throughout the month of March and customers who purchase a Nissan will stand a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to experience the 2015/16 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League semi-finals match in Europe.

Additionally, ETCM is also inviting all football fans to vote for their favourite goals through the “Goal of the Week” contest at http://bit.ly/NissanUCL-GOTW from Mar 16 to Apr 3.

This UEFA Champions League “Goal of the Week” contest was created by Nissan to provide worldwide fans the opportunity to determine the best and most technical goals throughout the match, offering participants a chance to win UEFA Champions League merchandise.

To support its global Champions League initiatives for the 2015/16 season, Nissan has continue their partnership with the official brand ambassadors or ‘Engineers of Excitement’, Barcelona’s star Andrés Iniesta, Paris Saint-Germain’s captain Thiago Silva, Manchester City’s Yaya Touré and Schalke’s Max Meyer.

In addition, ETCM is offering 2016 stocks at 2015 prices for selected Nissan models at all showrooms nationwide.

All Nissan models are also available with attractive promotions including rebates, trade-in offers and financing packages.

Members of the public are also invited to visit Nissan showrooms and roadshows to experience great Nissan deals on offer, including free exclusive Nissan UEFA Champions League merchandise by just test driving a Nissan.

“We in ETCM believe that this campaign in its 2nd year running will continue to evoke and deliver the excitement of Champions League football to the local football fans and enhancing their experience of Europe's most prestigious football competition,” said Edaran Tan Chong Motor director of product planning and marketing communication Mr. Tan Keng Meng.

Dates of the Nissan roadshows are as follows:

March 11 – 13
- Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya
- 1 Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu
- Park City Mall, Bintulu

March 15 - 20
- Aeon Seremban 2, Seremban
- Mentakab Star Mall, Mentakab

March 16 - 20
- IOI City Mall, Putrajaya

March 18 - 20
- March Star Megamall, Sibu

March 24 - 27
- Taiping Sentral Mall

March 25 - 27
- Imago Times Square, Kota Kinabalu

For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or call ETCM’s Nissan Customer Care Centre at 1800-88-3838


Hot for mini SUVs

 Honda HR-V.

In the weeks before Honda Malaysia launched the HR-V in early February, carsifu.my writers were bombarded by queries from friends and colleagues regarding the new mini SUV (sport utility vehicle).

The 1.8-litre HR-V, which stands for Hip and Smart Runaround Vehicle, is representative of the buzz surrounding the passenger car industry's new darling - subcompact crossovers or mini SUVs.

According to Honda Malaysia, it had received 1,500 bookings for the HR-V as of launch date and is aiming to sell 700 units each month.

This means that the HR-V is expected to account for 9% to 10% of Honda Malaysia's sales in 2015 - which shows the Japanese automaker's optimism concerning this new market segment.

Honda Malaysia has every reason to be positive about the HR-V's prospects in Malaysia, as it is the best-selling mini SUV in Japan and has seen strong demand in Thailand and Indonesia (read HR-V first impressions).

 Ford EcoSport.

In Malaysia, Ford is also riding the demand for mini SUVs with its 1.5-litre EcoSport (read EcoSport review) which was launched here in August last year.

The EcoSport is the American marque's new superstar, as it was Ford’s second best-selling nameplate in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia last year.

The EcoSport contributed 18,149 units or 18% of Ford's record sales in Asean in 2014.

So, what is driving the demand for mini SUVs?

Ford's marketing copy explains this well - the EcoSport combines the agility, affordability and fuel efficiency of a compact passenger car with the flexibility, style and ride height of a SUV.

 Nissan X-Gear

Honda Malaysia president and chief operating officer Roslan Abdullah also put it succinctly.

"The HR-V bridges the gap between upper-range SUVs and entry-level sedans,” said Roslan.

Honda says its HR-V is aimed at Gen-Y singles, young couples and families with active lifestyles.

Pull factors for mini SUV buyers also include competitive price tags and value-for-money offerings.

For example, the EcoSport has two variants priced at RM92,888 to RM103,888.

The top EcoSport variant gets seven airbags, a host of safety features, and Smart Keyless Entry with engine Push-Start Button, as well as rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and a power slide sunroof.

 Peugeot 2008

As for the HR-V, there are three variants priced at RM99,800 and RM108,800 and RM118,800.

The top HR-V variant has six airbags, LED headlamps, a seven-inch display, six airbags, multi-angle rearview camera and six speakers.

Meanwhile, buyers in Malaysia can also check out the 1.6-litre Nissan X-Gear which is priced at RM89,800 and billed as a crossover between a multi-purpose vehicle and a SUV.

There is also the 1.6-litre Peugeot 2008 which offers a lot of premium safety and comfort features for RM119,888 (read 2008 review).

All Peugeot models come with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage together with 24-hours Peugeot Assistance service, complimentary access to the Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership.

 Mazda CX-3.

Malaysian car buyers can also look forward to the expected arrival of the Mazda CX-3 in July.

According to CIMB Research, the CX-3 is slated to be a hit here due to the increasing popularity of mini SUVs.

The research unit also said in the initial stage, the CX-3 will be launched here in imported 2.0-litre form and priced below RM130,000.

As for premium mini SUVs, buyers with deep pockets in the country are spoilt for choice.

They can check out the likes of the BMW X1 which is offered in petrol and diesel variants, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and Lexus NX.

Audi Q3.BMW X1.Lexus NX.Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The GLA arrived here in November last year, and is the first Mercedes-Benz in the mini SUV segment.

It is offered here in three turbocharged variants including the GLA 45 AMG, which is priced at RM378,888 and has the world’s most powerful series-produced four-cylinder engine.

Meanwhile, Japanese luxury marque Lexus expects to sell around 2,000 units of the new NX in Malaysia by end-2015.

The Lexus NX was launched here recently, in five variants priced from RM299,873 to RM385,063 (read NX first local impressions and NX first drive in Canada).

As for the Audi Q3, it is offered in turbocharged 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre variants priced at RM217,600 and RM264,600 respectively.

 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Those looking for a premium and sporty German mini SUV can also opt for the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Tiguan priced at RM 178,888.

A 2.0-litre Tiguan is also available at RM239,888.

There is also the Volvo XC60, offered in two 2.0-litre variants priced at RM288,888 and RM315,888.

Another option is the Range Rover Evoque which is available in petrol and diesel variants, and priced around RM400,000.

Also, in the future, Malaysian consumers might have more mini SUV choices such as the Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

Nissan Juke.Range Rover Evoque.Renault Captur.Volvo XC60.

According to automotive market research firm Jato Dynamics, the Captur has been a major success for Renault and accounted for nearly 19% of the French automaker's sales in Europe last year.

"The Captur’s appearance in the list of 10 best-selling models in Europe for December 2014, shows how strong the market for small crossovers has become," said a recent Jato Dynamics report.

Meanwhile, on the global stage, Nissan's luxury marque Infiniti will take the covers off its QX30 concept at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

The Infiniti QX30 concept is touted as inspiring a new premium compact crossover for those who want a mini SUV that suits their “urban week and get-away weekend” lifestyle.


Porsche electric car to be called Taycan

                UTTGART: The first electric car from Porsche will be known as Taycan.

The name can be roughly translated as “lively young horse”, referencing the imagery at the heart of the Porsche crest, which has featured a leaping steed since 1952. Series production of the first purely electric Porsche is set to begin next year.

Porsche announced the name for its first purely electric series as part of the “70 years of sports cars” ceremony.

Before this, the car that has been undergoing trials was known as the “Mission E” concept study.

“Our new electric sports car is strong and dependable; it’s a vehicle that can consistently cover long distances and that epitomises freedom”, said Porsche AG chairman Oliver Blume.

With Porsche, the vehicle names generally have a connection with the corresponding model and its characteristics: The name Boxster describes the combination of the boxer engine and roadster design; Cayenne denotes fieriness, the Cayman is incisive and agile, and the Panamera offers more than a standard Gran Turismo, which is what allowed it to win the Carrera Panamericana long-distance race. The name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger, with connotations of suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics.

Two permanently excited synchronous motors with a system output of over 600hp accelerate the electric sports car to 100kph in under 3.5 seconds and to 200kph in under 12 seconds. This performance is in addition to a continuous power level that is unprecedented among electric vehicles: Multiple jump starts are possible in succession without loss of performance, and the vehicle’s maximum range is over 500km in accordance with the NEDC.

Porsche plans to invest more than six billion euro in electromobility by 2022, doubling the expenditure that the company had originally planned. Of the additional three billion euro, some 500 million euro will be used for the development of Taycan variants and derivatives, around one billion euro for electrification and hybridisation of the existing product range, several hundred million for the expansion of production sites, plus around 700 million euro for new technologies, charging infrastructure and smart mobility.

At the Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen, a new paint shop, dedicated assembly area for the Taycan and a conveyor bridge for transporting the painted bodies and drive units to the final assembly area are currently being constructed. The existing engine plant is being expanded to manufacture electric drives and the body shop will also be developed. Investment is also planned for the Weissach Development Centre. Production of the Taycan is creating around 1,200 new jobs in Zuffenhausen alone.

The sports car maker is celebrating its 70th anniversary with numerous activities throughout 2018.

For June 16–17, Porsche will host employees, local residents and prospective customers at a celebration in and around the plant here. The event will include activities for visitors both young and old, plant tours, music, food trucks, live coverage of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the broadcast of the World Cup game between Germany and Mexico. Entry is free of charge.

The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept

The 911 Speedster Concept celebrated its world premiere as part of the official ‘70 years Porsche sportscar’ anniversary celebrations in Zuffenhausen.

The concept study offers a glimpse of a potential series-production version, although this model may not be presented until 2019. A decision on whether to move ahead will be made in the coming months.

The 911 Speedster Concept is a road-ready study of an open-top sports car. The anniversary model links the first Porsche 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster, which received its operating permit on June 8, 1948, and the Porsche cars of today.

The drive technology under the two-tone shell of the concept study is derived from the current GT models. It was developed at the Porsche Motorsport Centre, the birth place of the 911 GT2 RS and, most recently, the GT3 RS.

The characteristics of the 911 Speedster Concept include the shorter window frame with a more inclined windscreen and correspondingly shortened side windows. These features give the sports car study an even stockier profile with a low fly line, which is reminiscent of its predecessors such as the Porsche 356 1500 Speedster.

A rear cover made of carbon fibre connects behind the front seats, covering a roll-over protection structure and featuring a "double bubble", a traditional element of this sports car design since the 911 Speedster from 1988. Two contrasting black slats between the "humps" add an aerodynamic touch, and a transparent Plexiglas wind deflector features an engraved "70 years of Porsche" logo.


Latest Lexus ES first car to get wing cams

                TOKYO: Some new features touted by automakers eventually turn out to be novelties that never make it into production, but one feature manufacturers have been putting on their concepts for decades that hasn't gone away is now making it into production on the recently redesigned 2019 Lexus ES.

We're talking here about cameras that replace traditional wing mirrors, and the Lexus is the first mass-production car to bring that to the market.

Of course, the Lexus isn't the only car we've seen lately to use cameras to replace wing mirrors, but the new ES has beaten the Audi E-tron to market by quite a distance. However, there is a caveat here - the feature is only being offered by Lexus in Japan at the moment.

The 2019 Lexus ES in Japan sees its side mirrors replaced with small, aerodynamic camera stalks.

These small cameras provide a constant video feed that gets sent to a pair of five-inch screens located at the base of the car's A-pillars.

The main reason manufacturers are so keen to introduce this kind of technology is to improve aerodynamics, although the gimmick factor can't be overlooked here either.

On the serious side of things though, by swapping traditional bulky side mirrors for something much smaller means less drag is created, which ultimately leads to improved fuel economy.

There are other benefits too, including the cameras being able to resist the buildup of raindrops or snow thanks to their design, and better visibility in all conditions.

And as the cameras cause less drag than mirrors, there's less annoying wind noise, too. Lexus has also "enhanced" the view for the driver when the indicators are activated to provide better rearward vision when reversing.

American consumers who can't wait to be able to buy vehicles with this technology may have to wait quite a while though. Although the technology is legal for use on roads in Europe, and the Audi E-Tron will put it into the market by the end of this year, camera mirrors on vehicles are not yet legal in the United States.

There's no doubt Audi wants to bring the E-Tron with its futuristic camera-mirrors to the US as soon as it can, but before that happens legislators will have to be convinced first.
CarSifu will be at the world premiere and drive of the E-tron in the United States next week.


VW kicks off new chapter with updated logo

                FRANKFURT: In a preview before the first Frankfurt Motor Show press day, Volkswagen unveiled their redesigned brand logo representing the company's fully electric and connected future.

As defined by the company, "Volkswagen's future is electric, fully connected and has a neutral carbon balance" - an ambition represented by the debut of the all-electric ID.3.

In terms of logo design, the emblem is now two-dimensional and has been reduced to nothing but its foundational lines. The purpose behind this simplification is application flexibility, especially for digital applications.

The new Volkswagen approach is not only emulated in upcoming vehicle designs, but the company also states that it can be felt in customer contacts and "in the brand presentation as a whole."

By the middle of next year, the brand's transition to the New Volkswagen design is expected to be complete.


Tesla rolls out global customer referral program as EV price war heats up

                AUSTIN: Electric-vehicle maker Tesla rolled out a new program globally allowing buyers to earn extra incentives through referrals from existing customers, a strategy long used by traditional automakers to boost sales.

The incentive, which Tesla has dubbed "Refer and Earn" on its websites, is the equivalent to about US$500 (RM2,335) in cashback to new buyers in the US, who buy Model 3 and Model Y, as well as three months of its Full Self-Driving feature.

The program was rolled out in Tesla's largest markets, including the United States, China, Germany, France, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and Singapore, according to regional websites.

The company said it would offer new buyers of its Model Y and Model 3 vehicles in China a cash rebate of 3,500 yuan (RM2,258) if they could cite a referral from an existing owner.

In a related development, Bloomberg News reported that Tesla is laying off some battery production workers at its Shanghai plant.

It was not clear how many workers may be let go, or the specific reasons behind the layoffs, according to the report today, citing people familiar with the matter.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The layoffs were first reported by a local online news portal, Deep Analysis, on Thursday, which said that less than 1,000 workers were employed on the factory's two battery production lines.

Tesla's Gigafactory Shanghai, its largest and most productive plant, employs around 20,000 workers, including those in assembly building the Model Y and Model 3. — Reuters/Bloomberg


BTR Edition Elantra Sport heads to 2017 SEMA show

                LAS VEGAS: Hyundai has partnered with Blood Type Racing to develop the BTR Edition Elantra Sport concept for the 2017 SEMA show.

This eye-grabbing concept builds upon the affordable, OEM-level performance and design of the Elantra Sport and adds methanol injection, intake, exhaust and intercooler technologies, tuned suspension and full aero kit for “All-show, All-go” impressive looks and performance.

“The BTR Edition Elantra Sport takes the Elantra beyond its capable OEM-development roots without sacrificing daily drivability,” said Sam Lee, product manager, Blood Type Racing. “Building upon the well-developed Elantra Sport platform, powertrain and design fundamentals, we’ve given enthusiasts a new vision of where this affordable sport compact wants to go.”

Modifications made to Elantra Sport:

> Torcon CAI intake and Pierce Motorsports exhaust system
> Engine management custom ECU Tuning by BTR
> Devil’s Own water/methanol injection system
> Re-stitched OEM-style sport interior
> Diamond-stitched floor mats
> SoCalGarageWorks carbon-fiber steering wheel
> SSR GTX01 19 x 9.5 +35 wheels
> HSD coilover suspension
> Pierce Motorsports sway bars, strut tower brace and chassis brace
> Fella Big Brake kit
> Diode Dynamics custom headlights and LED interior lighting
> Aerotek custom front, side and rear track-ready lip kit
> APR GTC-200 GT wing
> AutoArt body and paint work
> BASF Glasurit Arancio Borealis paint
> BTR custom Trunk Track Tool Set and custom full-size spare tyre

The SEMA show here runs from Oct 31–Nov 3.


Ford to produce 50,000 ventilators in 100 days

                DEARBORN: Ford Motor Company, in collaboration with GE Healthcare, announced today it will begin producing in Michigan a third-party ventilator with the goal to produce 50,000 of the vitally needed units within 100 days and up to 30,000 a month thereafter as needed.

Ford will provide its manufacturing capabilities to quickly scale production, and GE Healthcare will provide its clinical expertise and will license the current ventilator design from Airon Corp. – a small, privately held company specializing in high-tech pneumatic life support products.

GE Healthcare brought the Airon Corp. design to Ford’s attention as part of the companies’ efforts to scale production of ventilators quickly to help clinicians treat COVID-19 patients.

The GE/Airon Model A-E ventilator uses a design that operates on air pressure without the need for electricity, addressing the needs of most COVID-19 patients. Its production can be quickly scaled to help meet growing demand in the US.

“The Ford and GE Healthcare teams, working creatively and tirelessly, have found a way to produce this vitally needed ventilator quickly and in meaningful numbers,” said Jim Hackett, Ford’s president and CEO. “By producing this ventilator in Michigan, in strong partnership with the UAW, we can help health care workers save lives, and that’s our No. 1 priority.”

According to White House Defense Production Act Coordinator Peter Navarro, “the Ford/GE Healthcare team is moving in ‘Trump time’ to speed urgently needed ventilators to the front lines of the Trump Administration’s full-scale war against the coronavirus.

"Just as Ford in the last century moved its manufacturing might seamlessly from auto to tank production during World War II, the Ford team is working with GE Healthcare to use its awesome engineering and manufacturing capabilities to voluntarily help this nation solve one of its most pressing problems. We salute that effort and look forward to the first ventilators rolling off the Michigan assembly line in record time – and we’ll be there to salute that milestone.”

Ford expects to produce 1,500 by the end of April, 12,000 by the end of May and 50,000 by July 4 – helping the US government meet its goal of producing 100,000 ventilators in 100 days.


Mercedes won't join Renault's new electric van project

                PARIS: Mercedes Benz Group, a longtime partner of Renault in vans, won't take part in the French company's FlexEvan electric project and will focus instead on its own premium electric vehicle VAN.EA, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

FlexEvan, scheduled to launch in 2026, is being developed for the Renault and Nissan marques and sources say it could also be joined by Renault Trucks, a brand owned by Sweden's Volvo.

A spokesman of Mercedes confirmed that the group had no plan to launch a mid-sized van or a large one on a different platform than VAN.EA. Renault declined to comment.

Following the collapse of demand for the diesel engines Renault had been selling to its German partner, and the end of a joint project on Twingo-Smart cars, Renault and Mercedes only have one common project together - the small Citan van, whose first electric version is being launched.

Renault has long sought to expand its cooperation in vans with Mercedes, but in vain.

"It is true that for light commercial vehicles, the bulk (of the cooperation with Mercedes) has been done", one of the sources said.

Under CEO Luca de Meo, Renault has been multiplying partnerships outside the scope of its historic alliances with Nissan and Daimler, both championed by his predecessor Carlos Ghosn.

No concrete project between Renault and Mercedes is actively being studied, a third source said, adding that new incentive programs such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and similar European measures, could however lead to the two cooperating on the sharing of manufacturing facilities.


Nissan accepting electricity as payment for parking

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan is giving customers yet another reason to love their electric cars: the ability to pay for parking with electricity.

In a global first, electric vehicle drivers will be able to discharge power from their car’s battery pack to pay for parking while visiting the Nissan Pavilion exhibition space here, starting this month.

The payment system is just one of the many innovations customers can experience at the Pavilion, built to show how Nissan moves people to a better world.

Visitors can eat at the Nissan Chaya Cafe, operating on power supplied by LEAF electric cars and solar energy.

They can also enjoy virtual experiences that allow them to feel the thrill of Formula E electric street racing or go for a ride in the all-new Nissan Ariya EV crossover.

The 10,000-square-metre, zero-emission Pavilion is outfitted with solar panels and supplied with renewable hydroelectric power.

“The Pavilion is a place where customers can see, feel, and be inspired by our near-future vision for society and mobility,” said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida.

“As the world shifts to electric mobility, EVs will be integrated into society in ways that go beyond just transportation.”


BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo gets new 2.0-litre diesel mill

MUNICH: Despite the Dieselgate scandal, BMW isn't giving up on diesel. In fact, it is upbeat about the future of diesel engines and is introducing a four-cylinder diesel mill in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo from July.

The idea is for the model to have a variant that provides for a particularly efficient form of driving pleasure, and designed for long-distance ride comfort and versatile functionality.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine will feature turbocharging with variable turbine geometry and Common Rail direct injection for sporty power delivery and a high degree of efficiency. Maximum torque of 400Nm is available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, with maximum power output of 190hp being achieved at 4,000 rpm.

The 620d Gran Turismo sprints from 0 to 100kph in 7.9 seconds. It touts a combined fuel consumption of 4.9 to 4.8 litres per 100km and a CO2 emission level of 129 to 127 grams/km. The new entry-level diesel transfers power with a standard 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

The diesel powerplant will mean the 6 Series Gran Turismo will soon have a choice of five engines.

All suspension systems available for the 6 Series Gran Turismo are also optionally available for the new model variants, including Adaptive Two-Axle Air Suspension, Integral Active Steering and the Executive Drive system with Active Roll Stabilisation.

In a related development, the 6 Series Gran Turismo was picked by the world's auto construction experts as the winner of the EuroCar Body Award 2017.

After the i8 (2014) and the 7 Series (2015), it was the third time one of the company's models won the award, which was first introduced in 2002. The jury of the world's leading award for innovation in body construction were particularly impressed by the efficient development and production concept used as well as the customer benefits provided by the body.

A total of 550 body experts attended the 19th EuroCar Body event in Bad Nauheim, Hesse, 437km north-west of here.

Introduced worldwide at the end of 2017, the 6 Series Gran Turismo perfects the vehicle concept initiated by the 5 Series Gran Turismo, combining the travel comfort of a luxury class sedan with the aesthetic appeal of a coupé, while also offering a high degree of functionality.

Intelligent lightweight construction and the increased use of aluminium and high-strength steel types for the body and chassis components helped reduce the weight of the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo by an average of approximately 150 kilograms as compared to the predecessor model. 44 kilograms of this were due to the body alone. The result is also much improved aerodynamic properties.

The jury members especially emphasised the design solutions developed by BMW for the rear: "Based on a large, single-section pressure die-cast aluminium tailgate frame and an innovative rear design which does without a water drainage channel, it was possible to achieve a very large, convenient rear opening with a maximum view through the rear window – combined with a luggage compartment volume increased by 110 litres as compared to the predecessor model" – as was stated in the rationale for the EuroCar Body Award.


Socar gets US$18m funds from S. Koreans

                KUALA LUMPUR: Car-sharing app, SOCAR Mobility Malaysia has received US$18mil (RM75mil) in fresh funds from two South Korean investors – Eugene Private Equity Co. Ltd. and KH Energy Co. Ltd.

The funds were raised under the company's series A funding exercise, it said in a statement on Thursday.

“The US$18mil new capital will be channelled towards technological enhancements and strengthening the growth and foothold of SOCAR in Malaysia and expansion into new countries by 4Q of 2020, ” it said.

This capital injection brings SOCAR’s financing tally to-date to US$40mil and would enable it to expand in Southeast Asia.

The CEO of SOCAR Mobility Malaysia, Leon Foong (pic), said the new partners would enhance mobility options for the public.

"With our additional funds, we aim to improve on our technology platform and bring our services to other parts of Southeast Asia, ” said Foong.

“With this extra capital, SOCAR users can look forward to new improvements in the future - including a more seamless user experience on the app, new modes of car sharing, additional payment options and faster onboarding and processing of licence approvals for new users.

“Our ultimate aim is to be more than just a car to our 'multiflexers' by offering them new modes of car sharing such as our one-way and SOCAR2U services, ” said Foong.

Currently, SOCAR is available in the Klang Valley, Johor Baru, Penang and Ipoh and it plans to expand to other states. To date, SOCAR has a fleet of 2,000 cars in 27 different models in over 1,000 locations.