US opens probe into 580,000 Tesla vehicles over game feature

                WASHINGTON: US auto safety regulators said Wednesday they have opened a formal safety investigation into 580,000 Tesla vehicles sold since 2017 over the automaker's decision to allow games to be played on the front center touchscreen.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said its preliminary evaluation covers various 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3, S, X, and Y vehicles. This functionality, referred to as “Passenger Play,” "may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash," the agency said.

NHTSA said it has "confirmed that this capability has been available since December 2020 in Tesla 'Passenger Play'-equipped vehicles." Before then, the game feature "was enabled only when the vehicle was in Park."

Tesla did not immediately comment.

NHTSA said it would "evaluate aspects of the feature, including the frequency and use scenarios of Tesla 'Passenger Play'."

Earlier this month, the New York Times highlighted the game feature, prompting NHTSA to say it was in discussions with Tesla regarding it.

The agency noted earlier in December that distracted driving accounts for a significant number of US road deaths - 3,142 in 2019 alone. Safety advocates have said official figures underestimate the problem because not all drivers involved in crashes later admit they were distracted.

The Times said the Tesla update added three games - Solitaire, a jet fighter and conquest strategy scenario - and said that vehicles have warnings reading: "Playing while the car is in motion is only for passengers."

The paper said the game feature asks for confirmation that the player is a passenger, though a driver could still play simply by pressing a button.

In 2013, NHTSA issued guidelines to encourage automakers "to factor safety and driver distraction-prevention into their designs and adoption of infotainment devices in vehicles."

The guidelines "recommend that in-vehicle devices be designed so that they cannot be used by the driver to perform inherently distracting secondary tasks while driving," the agency said.

The agency in August opened a safety investigation into 765,000 Tesla vehicles over its driver-assistance system Autopilot after a series of crashes involving the system and parked emergency vehicles.

A preliminary evaluation is a first step before NHTSA decides whether to upgrade a probe to an engineering analysis, which must happen before the agency can demand a recall.

NHTSA said it received a complaint in November about the game feature from a Tesla Model 3 driver in Oregon, who said: "Creating a dangerous distraction for the driver is recklessly negligent."

On Nov 29, Daimler's Mercedes-Benz recalled 227 US vehicles - 2021 model year S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 - because the vehicle infotainment systems "might allow activation of the television and internet display while driving, causing a distraction for the driver."


Ford Capri fastback a sought-after classic

                BERLIN: The Ford Capri was a stylish and affordable fastback car named after an island in Italy and it was designed to repeat the US success story of the Ford Mustang pony car in Europe.

In its heyday, the Capri sold so quickly that factories in Germany and Britain had trouble keeping up with demand, but rust has since claimed most of them. Today, 50 years after its launch, well-turned out Capris are sought-after and expensive to buy.

The Capri was the blue oval's answer to falling sales of its humdrum saloons. A mixture of practicality and grooviness, the car was a huge success thanks to a low purchase price and clever marketing.

Half a century after the Capri weighed in, nostalgia for the car is in full swing. The Capri was conceived as a lifestyle two-door coupe for the baby-boomer-generation that was still roomy enough to take the family on holiday.

The slogan used at the launch was “The Car You Always Promised Yourself”. Production started in the huge Cologne factory on the River Rhine in 1968 and the Capri was one of the stars at the Brussels Car Show a year later.

It was to have been dubbed “Colt” but Japanese maker Mitsubishi grabbed that name first. The sleek shape and low purchase price was what sold the Capri, although under the bonnet some versions were very tame.

The basic 1.3-litre entry version had to make do with a paltry 50hp, which propelled the car from 0 to 100kph in a lethargic 22.7 seconds. The car ran out of steam at 133kph.

A Porsche 911 T of the day was more powerful all-round but it cost four times the price tag of 6,995 German marks being asked for a Ford Capri. The comparison may seem far-fetched but the Capri had sporting pretensions. It was modelled on the Mustang, or what Americans call a “pony car” - a stylish coupe with a youthful appeal.

Versions with bigger engines could hold their own against more sophisticated competition and through appearances in blokish TV series like the cop show “The Professionals” the car gained cult status.

 The 1.3-litre engine of the Capri is seriously underpowered by today's standards.

Rally ace Walter Roehrl along with FI drivers Niki Lauda and Jochen Maas could also be seen at the wheel. Competition issues of the Capri had up to 500hp under the bonnet and widened bodywork with extravagantly flared wheel arches.

For Joe Public there was a tweaked model in the range dubbed RS 2600 with a powerful 2.6-litre engine that made it almost as fast as a 911. This version was revered in its day and makes an excellent modern classic.

This Capri will bound along the motorway fast lane at 200kph. Its agility is hardly surprising since the car weighs a mere 1,000 kilos. Handling calls for skill since the car has no power steering or ABS braking on board.

Qualities like these endear the Capri to Frank Lehmann who chairs an enthusiasts club in Cologne. He can remember accompanying his father to the dealer launch at the tender age of 15.

 The RS 2600 was a far more powerful version of the Capri.

He has owned four down the years but now has only one on which to lavish plenty of tender loving care. The effort is justified since the rust bug is apt to devour these cars, pushing the value of survivors to unheard-of heights.

“Prices for good RS models have doubled in the last few years,” says the Capri expert who believes that sound examples may soon change hands for six-figure sums.

“One will easily fetch 60,000 euros (RM286,000), some have gone for 80,000 (RM381,000) and it will not be long before the break through the 100,000 (RM477,000) barrier,” says the expert.

There used to be plenty of Capris on European roads. After all, Ford turned 784,000 in the first five years of production. When killed off in 1986 after three generations and 20 years the blue oval had made more than 1.8 million Capris.

As the Capri grew older and cheaper to buy, owners modified both the engines and bodywork making it harder to find good, original cars today. An alternative is to contact Rudolf Dollinger who runs the firm Capri Classic Cars in the Swiss town of Laufen. For a handsome price he will build customers a completely new Capri 2600 RS.


Isuzu opens flagship after-sales facility

                SHAH ALAM: Isuzu Malaysia has established a new flagship after-sales facility in Shah Alam, Selangor offering a new level of proficiency and faster turn-around times.

The new Isuzu Service Center (ISC) is operated in partnership with Automotive Corporation Malaysia (ACM), a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom, and is located at Lot 730, Jalan Padang Jawa, Rimba Jaya, 41300 Klang, Selangor.

The new facility will be managed by a team of Japanese technical representatives from Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan while being supported by technicians possessing Isuzu’s i-Mec certification.

One of the key objectives of the ISC is to provide a quicker turn-around time of vehicles being serviced to help cut vehicle down-times with its 16 work bays and highly trained staff.

The new facility also houses the Isuzu Technical Centre where trainee mechanics are able to further hone their skills.

By strategically locating the ISC in the central region close to the confluence of the major highway network and the logistics gateway to the country’s premier port, the facility is particularly suited to serve long-haul trucks as they ply the backbone of the country.

The two-acre facility will be fully equipped by the third quarter of this year and will feature high-capacity hoists capable of raising medium and heavy-duty trucks.

The facility is currently able to help calibrate brakes, test exhaust emissions, provide tyre alignment and wheel balancing to help prepare commercial vehicles for PUSPAKOM inspection.

 Emissions tester

Additionally, it will also have a spectrum of proprietary diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot or tune the latest range of Isuzu vehicles that feature powerful and efficient commonrail engines.

"With over 10,000 new Isuzu vehicles being registered every year in Malaysia, we hope that the ISC will be able to offer additional support to our dealer network and growing customer base by offering efficient and meticulous after-sales service” said Isuzu Malaysia CEO Kenji Matsuoka.

 Isuzu Dr. Mobile

The ISC is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, as well as on Saturday from 8:30am to 5:00pm and also houses a 24-hour Isuzu Dr. Mobile breakdown service and can be contacted via its hotline at 1-800-88-8000.Emissions testerBrake testerDr. Mobile


Rolls-Royce celebrates Unesco World Book Day with 'Making A Legend'

                LONDON: Rolls-Royce marked the Unesco World Book and Copyright Day on April 23 with Making A Legend – a new book exploring how today's Rolls-Royce cars are designed and handcrafted at the Goodwood plant.

Making A Legend takes in a broad sweep of the company's history, featuring cars from the marque's very earliest days in the 1900s, right up to new Ghost launched in 2020.

It also examines how a Rolls-Royce is designed, engineered and made.

Chapters include Design and Customisation, Paint and Finish, Chassis Assembly, Woodwork, Leather and Testing; there is also an entire section on the "Spirit of Ecstasy", the figurine that sits atop the bonnet of Rolls-Royce cars for over 100 years.

Featuring more than 300 illustrated pages, the hardback is the combined work of Emmy-winning automotive journalist Harvey Briggs, novelist Simon Van Booy and photographer Mariano Vilarós.

They were given behind-the-scenes access to Rolls-Royce's facilities and people over several months before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

Briggs, who grew up in America's Motor City, Detroit, and has reviewed every new Rolls-Royce model since Wraith in 2013, recalls being surprised at how much work is still performed by hand, even in the assembly process.

"The first time I visited Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, I was in awe of the creativity and skill of the people who design and build these cars. I knew I had to tell those stories," Briggs said.

Van Booy said, "The friendly perfectionism for craft, displayed by everyone we interviewed and Mariano photographed, was inspiring to the point where we knew the book had to be something rare and marvelous and functional – rather like a Rolls-Royce itself."

 Briggs Van Booy

Organised by Unesco, World Book and Copyright Day celebrates the role of books and reading as a link between the past and the future, the bridge across generations and cultures.

The date, April 23, is symbolic in world literature, marking the deaths of playwright and poet William Shakespeare; the creator of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes and the early Peruvian writer, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

Making A Legend is published by ACC Art Books, and is now available from all good retailers and online.


Hiring more women makes good business sense, auto companies told

                KUALA LUMPUR: With the number of women drivers set to outnumber men, British professional body for the motor industry the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is urging automotive companies to employ more women or risk losing business.

In a statement today, IMI said a survey conducted by them in Britain showed that 96 per cent of women drivers want to see more women in car workshops.

IMI South-East Asia senior manager Matthew Stuart said this phenomenon is not unique in Britain but in every part of the world.

"As the number of women drivers increases, it is important that automotive companies understand this development and have in place the right people and methods to effectively engage this growing customer base," he added.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Tekat Automotive Academy (also known as Auto Terminal Training Sdn Bhd) Prasanna Vanugopal said there is a general misconception that technician training is meant more for men, which explains the heavy gender imbalance in the academys student base.

However, in recent years we have been seeing a gradual mindset change and more young women are showing keen interest in automotive training," he added. The academy has more than 500 students, and since 2005 has certified 787 candidates with IMIs international automotive qualifications.

The IMI offers over 300 technical and non-technical qualifications and accreditations across 600 training partners in more than 13 countries around the world.

In Malaysia, an average of 1,500 candidates are trained per year at partnering community colleges, automotive companies and education bodies.


Volkswagen to recall more than 100,000 cars on fire risk

                BERLIN: Volkswagen Group will have to recall more than 100,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles globally due to the risk of fire, said a spokesman for the German carmaker.

Some 42,300 owners of Volkswagen Passats, Golfs, Tiguans and Arteons worldwide will be notified. Volkswagen brand Audi has to recall 24,400 vehicles, while SEAT and Skoda are also affected.

There is a risk of fire in vehicles that connect a conventional combustion engine to an electric drive and are charged through a socket due to an insufficiently insulated high-voltage battery, said the spokesman on Thursday.

German daily Bild cited the KBA regulator as saying "inadequate fastening of the engine design cover can lead to contact with hot parts and subsequently to fire", adding that 16 such cases had been reported in Germany.

The recall affects Volkswagen brands VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda, Bild said.


Mazda taps Americas head as CEO to raise game in its biggest market

Marumoto (left) with Kogai.— Bloomberg
TOKYO: Mazda Motor Corp has named the head of its Americas operations as its next president and CEO after its current chief steps down in June, as Japan’s fifth-largest automaker seeks to boost profitability in North America, its biggest market.

The company said on Friday that Masamichi Kogai will step down and be replaced by current vice president Akira Marumoto who now oversees operations in the Americas. The changes are effective June 26 after Mazda’s annual shareholders’ meeting.

Mazda, which has global annual sales of around 1.6 million vehicles, has enjoyed a run of rising vehicle sales, expanding in markets particularly in North America, its biggest market which accounts for nearly 30 percent of total sales.

But as one of Japan’s smaller automakers and a tiny player globally, it faces growing competition in the United States, where market growth has slowed, and where the company’s profitability has sagged due to higher discounting and slowing demand for sedans.

 The MX-5.

The maker of the MX-5 Miata roadster and the reputed Skyactiv gasoline engines also faces higher costs to stay competitive in an industry which is being disrupted by new technologies, including self-driving cars and electric vehicles.

Marumoto, a 38-year company veteran with a background in engineering who described himself as having a ”strict” work ethic and admitted to being ”short-tempered” at times, previously led Mazda’s corporate planning and product strategy divisions before heading its Americas operations.

He said that growing sales and improving profitability in the North American market would be his biggest priority, along with expanding the company’s brand image as an innovative car maker.

“Given the rapid changes occurring in the auto industry at the moment it’s often asked whether a small company like us will be OK,” Marumoto, 60, told reporters at a briefing here.

“But before we even consider this we need to show our strengths, and what makes us different if we want to grow our brand.” Kogai, who became Mazda’s president and CEO in 2013, will be following the footsteps of his two immediate predecessors who also held the top job for five years each. He will still be with the automaker and become its chairman, the company said.

Earlier this year, Mazda announced that it would invest in a new, $1.6 billion plant in the U.S. state of Alabama as a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp.

Mazda and Toyota are jointly developing affordable electric vehicles, pooling resources to better compete in the race for new car technologies. As part of this partnership announced last year, Toyota has taken a 5 percent stake in its smaller rival.

Last month, Mazda forecast a 28 percent drop in full-year operating profit, hurt by a stronger yen as well as higher spending.


LGES and Hyundai start work on Indonesian EV battery plant

                JAKARTA: South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Hyundai Motor Group have started construction on a US$1.1 billion plant to make batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in Indonesia, amid a push by the South-East Asian nation to tap its rich nickel reserves.

In a video broadcast today, Indonesian president Joko Widodo said the plant was the first EV battery facility in South-East Asia and signalled the government's commitment to use its nickel resources to develop downstream industries.

"Indonesia has the world's biggest nickel reserves and with this potential, I believe in the next three to four years, with good management, Indonesia will be the main producer of nickel-based products, such as batteries," Jokowi, as the president is widely known, said at a ground-breaking ceremony.

The battery plant in the Indonesian province of West Java is part of a US$9.8 billion investment plan for LGES, according to Indonesia's Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, spanning the nickel and battery supply chain.

Jong-hyun Kim, the chief executive of LGES, which is wholly owned by LG Chem Ltd, said in a virtual address batteries will be produced using the company's latest technology and installed in various Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors Corp EVs.

Plant construction will be completed by the first half of 2023, a joint statement from Hyundai Motor Group and LGES said, adding that mass production of battery cells in the new facility is expected to start in the first half of 2024.

When fully operational, the facility is expected to annually produce 10 gigawatt hours (GWh) of NCMA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum) lithium-ion battery cells to power more than 150,000 EVs.

In addition, the facility will be ready to increase its production capacity up to 30 GWh to meet future growth, the statement said.

Hyundai Motor Group and LGES expect to develop in Indonesia a battery industry, as well as assembly plants for EVs and recharging infrastructure.

"Through the development of these industries, an EV ecosystem will be successfully developed in Indonesia, and furthermore I am confident Indonesia will play a key role as the hub of South-East Asia's EVs market," said Hyundai Motor chairman Euisun Chung.


Auto parts maker BorgWarner to buy Delphi Technologies in US$3.3bil deal

                DETROIT: BorgWarner Inc today agreed to buy UK-based Delphi Technologies Plc in a US$3.3 billion deal, as the US auto parts maker looks to expand in a growing market for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Delphi shareholders will receive 0.4534 shares of BorgWarner for each share held. That translates to US$17.39 per share, a premium of about 77% to Delphi’s closing price on Monday.

The equity value of the deal is about US$1.5 billion. Delphi had long-term debt US$1.47 billion as of Sept 30.

BorgWarner makes automotive parts including automatic transmissions, turbochargers, emissions systems and thermostats.

Delphi manufactures electronic control modules that manage various powertrain components and other auto parts.

BorgWarner will own about 84% of the combined company after the expected closing of the deal in the second half of 2020, the companies said.

The news was first reported by Bloomberg.

BorgWarner also announced a three-year share repurchase programme of up to US$1 billion.


Police say patrol car went against traffic to help accident victims

                JOHOR BARU: The police mobile patrol vehicle shown going against traffic in Johor in a viral video clip was making its way back towards an accident site between KM23J and KM22.1J of the Second Link Expressway (East Bound) here.

It was not the cause of the accident, said the police.

State police deputy chief Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said the incident occurred at about 2.30am on Sunday when the patrol car near Plaza Tol Perling was notified of the accident by other road users.

“The patrol car was the nearest to the location and decided to turn back since the site of the accident was just 1.5km from Plaza Tol Perling and was only illuminated by a road lamp.

Comm Mohd Kamarudin added that all safety measures had been taken to ensure that the beacon light and siren was turned on and that the patrol car only used the emergency lane to get to its destination.

“The personnel in the patrol car also maintained traffic flow and helped the accident victim before the arrival of a paramedic team,” he added.

A 34-second video went viral on Facebook showing a patrol car driving against traffic before coming to a halt at an accident that involved a motorcycle and a car.

The owner of the video shouted some negative comments while filming the video and blamed the police for the accident.


VW says top US executive to run new Scout company

                WOLFSBURG: Volkswagen Group AG said its top North American executive would run its new US company Scout that will build electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Scott Keogh, who is president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, has been named chief executive of Scout, an independent company.

Pablo Di Si, executive chairman of the Volkswagen South American region, will become head of Volkswagen Group of America, and CEO of the Volkswagen North American region. Both changes are effective Sept 1.

Keogh, who previously headed the Audi brand in the United States, has been VW of America head since 2018.

In May, VW said it planned to reintroduce the Scout off-road brand in the United States offering new EVs.

 Di Si (left) and Keogh.

The German carmaker plans to invest around 100 million euros ($102 million) in the new Scout brand, two people briefed on the matter told Reuters.

VW said in May it would create a separate, independent company to build Scout trucks and SUVs starting in 2026, that will be designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States for U.S. customers.

Sources told Reuters VW could potentially seek external funding through investors or an initial public offering to expand its production capabilities.

VW last sold a pickup in the United States in the early 1980s. The company said the new Scout company was a key part of its goal of reaching 10% market share in the United States.

Volkswagen has moved away from cars in the United States as it adds more electric models. SUVs now account for about 75% of the US sales of the group’s VW and Audi brands, which represent about 4% of US auto industry sales. US sales of the two brands were down about 30% in the first quarter.

Scout and Travelall vehicles made by International Harvester were forerunners in both function and style of popular SUVs from the Detroit Three automakers, such as the Ford Bronco and General Motors’ Chevrolet Suburban.

Harvester stopped building the Scout and Travelall in 1980 after the oil price shocks of the mid-1970s as it went through a restructuring. The automaker’s Traton SE business acquired US truck maker Navistar in 2020, which owns the Scout name.


Volkswagen Arteon R-Line launched at RM221K

                PETALING JAYA: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM)  launched the all-new Arteon R-Line priced at RM221, 065 (prices are on-the-road without insurance and sales and service tax reduction).

The sleek, fastback designed Arteon is Volkswagen’s flagship model and made its global debut in 2017. It is now locally assembled at the Volkswagen plant in Pekan, Pahang.

The Arteon R-Line comes with a 2.0TSI turbocharged engine and a new and improved 7-speed double wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG)  producing 190PS and 320Nm of torque.

As an R-Line package, it includes an aggressive front chrome grille with R-Line badge, LED headlights and taillights with dynamic indicators, a rugged black rear spoiler, 19” Montevideo alloy wheels, and lower chrome trimmings.

Inside, there is an 11.7-inch digital instrument display and Discover Pro navigation system with a 9.2-inch touchscreen.

The front seats are 14-way ErgoComfort seats in Nappa carbon-style black leather with massage function.

Driver assistance technology includes Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) which offers up to 15 selectable increments and five different driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual.

You can stay connected with the wireless App-Connect Apple Car Play.

Other highlights include a premium Dynaudio sound system with 11 speakers and 700-watt subwoofer, and 360° view camera.

Safety-wise, there are seven airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD), brake assist, stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX.

It also comes with a best-in-class boot space of 563 litres, accessible with an Easy Open boot function.

was delighted to introduce the all-new Arteon R-Line to the Malaysian market.

“As our new flagship, the Arteon elevates the Volkswagen brand for us as it beautifully captures design, performance and function while offering a greater feeling of exclusivity. Having it as an R-Line model adds even more sportiness to the heart of the Arteon,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

Bookings and test drive arrangements can be made at all authorized Volkswagen dealerships nationwide.

It is also currently on display at Oval Centre Court, Lower Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya from 12 to 16 August, 2020.


PJ contraflow plan scrapped, says MBPJ

                PETALING JAYA: The plan to implement a contraflow involving several roads in Petaling Jaya has been cancelled starting April 19.

Based on a press statement by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) the temporary contraflow involved the closure of roads and junctions along Jalan Templer - Jalan Gasing - Jalan Othman and the closure of a road median at Jalan Templer.

The route without the contra flow would begin starting May 2.

The temporary contraflow study took place starting March 1 on weekdays from 5pm to 7.30pm.

During the trial motorists from Jalan Othman heading to the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) had to make a U-turn at the Assunta Hospital roundabout.

It was earlier reported by StarMetro that Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said day one of the trial run resulted in bad congestion at the Assunta roundabout, with motorists resorting to making illegal U-turns at road medians along Jalan Templer.


BYD launches Fang Cheng Bao ‘Formula Leopard’ range

                SHENZHEN: BYD Co. unveiled a new vehicle range called Fang Cheng Bao, expanding its lineup in the higher end of the market.

Fang Cheng Bao, which translates literally as Formula Leopard, is the second premium brand introduced by the Warren Buffett-backed Chinese company this year as it takes an increasingly dominant place in the global EV market.

BYD is the biggest-selling car brand in China after recently dethroning Volkswagen AG, and it is rapidly catching up with Tesla Inc.

The Shenzhen-based company delivered 264,647 electric vehicles in the first quarter versus Tesla’s 422,875. Including plug-in hybrids, BYD sold 547,917 cars in the period.

The first Fang Cheng Bao model is the SF sport-utility vehicle. BYD hasn’t disclosed the price or said whether it will be an all battery EV range or also include plug-in hybrids.

After grabbing market share with EVs sold for as little as US$10,400, BYD is expanding upmarket — the company also launched the luxury Yangwang SUV this year with a pre-sale price of 1.1 million yuan ($154,680).

Both the Fang Cheng Bao series and Yangwang are in segments that can deliver better margins than BYD’s more affordable Dynasty and Ocean sedans and SUVs.

The new brand “targets a wealthier customer base that currently buys luxury imported brands that would have never considered a BYD a few years ago,” said Jack Shea, chief financial officer at Shenzhen-based hedge fund Snow Bull Capital Inc., which has invested in both BYD and Tesla.

It will help “pad BYD’s top and bottom line once it starts deliveries,” he said.

BYD last week reported its best-ever monthly sales.

The Fang Cheng Bao launch came a day after China announced a fresh push to boost the auto industry.

Nationwide vehicle sales rose about 29% in May from a year earlier to 1.74 million units, with new-energy vehicles accounting for a third of the total. China is the world’s biggest EV market.


China EV industry under stress

Workers checking the motor of an electric car at a plant in China. More than half of the 500 registered EV makers in 2019 have collapsed due to intensifying competition. — Bloomberg

BEIJING: Expectations were high for WM Motor Holdings Ltd a Shanghai-based electric-vehicle (EV) maker backed by tech giant Baidu Inc and started by a former Volvo AB executive.

Now, it risks becoming yet another casualty of the slow-motion shakeout in China’s crowded EV market.

The company needs to cut costs to survive, founder and chief executive officer Shen Hui wrote in a staff memo earlier this month seen by Bloomberg News.

Salaries have been slashed, with employee pay reduced by 30% in October and some managers taking 50% cuts, another memo dated Nov 21 showed.

At least 20% of WM Motor’s workforce has been laid off since November, and voluntary departures have resulted in the total count dropping by about 40% to fewer than 2,000 employees, people familiar with the carmaker’s situation told Bloomberg.

Laid-off workers are still awaiting compensation, and payments to some suppliers and contractors have been delayed or only partially made, some of the people pointed out.

The situation is a sharp turnaround from just a few years ago, when WM Motor was regarded as one of the most promising Chinese EV startups, setting delivery records and considering a listing on Shanghai’s Star board, China’s answer to the Nasdaq.

That never materialised, and it is now looking to list through a reverse merger in Hong Kong, where fellow EV maker Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co had a disastrous debut last year.

WM Motor and CEO Shen didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Competition is intensifying in China’s auto market, where there were over 500 registered EV makers in 2019, many of which were smaller players gunning for government subsidies. More than half have collapsed or run out of funds, as Tesla Inc and local manufacturers like BYD Co became increasingly dominant.

As the market matures and becomes more cut-throat, more high-profile scalps are being claimed.

Initially backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd and Foxconn Technology Group and set up by former executives of European automakers, Byton Ltd suspended carmaking operations earlier in the pandemic.

Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group Ltd is another whose ambitions stalled.

Only about 108,000 of WM Motor’s EVs have been sold and registered since 2018, according to insurance data from the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre.

In contrast, market leader BYD said it delivered 911,140 pure-EVs last year alone.

WM Motor appeared to secure a fresh source of funding last month, when Apollo Future Mobility Group Ltd – a Hong Kong-based car designer and manufacturer –announced that one of its units would buy the company for US$2.02bil (RM9bil) in an all-stock deal, paving the way for a backdoor listing.

If successful, it could enable WM Motor to tap the capital market for funding.

The deal was subject to “a wide range of factors,” Apollo Future Mobility said at the time, noting that it was essential for financing to be raised to boost the EV maker’s cash reserves.

Apollo Future Mobility representatives declined to comment.

As of October 2021, WM Motor had already raised capital 12 times, including from Hong Kong’s PCCW Ltd. and Shun Tak Holdings Ltd., despite never having posted a profit, state-run Caixin reported at the time.

SAIC Motor Corp.’s parent arranged a 500 million yuan (RM324mil) investment in 2020 and Baidu has a stake of about 5% in the company.

Some of WM Motor’s recently laid off workers are seeking legal assistance to get their compensation, which should have amounted to one month’s salary for every year they worked at the company, plus an additional month’s pay, the people familiar with the situation said.

A formal application for arbitration could be filed in Shanghai if no progress is made by March 25, according to attorney Shen Zhou.


Hofele-Design wooing customers with bespoke options

                STUTTGART: Hofele-Design GmbH that specialises in tuning Mercedes-Benz vehicles is offering current AMG G 63 owners exterior and interior styling enhancements.

The Stuttgart-based company is providing aesthetic changes that include a re-designed front bumper, which incorporates carbon fibre and ‘dark shadow’ chrome elements.

The original front grille and the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logos are replaced by a HOFELE-Design signature grille in chrome, carbon or body-colour finishes.

Low-profile roof-mounted LED projector lights, located just above the header rail at each corner help to increase night-time visibility.

The new front bumper wraps around to meet extended, multi-contoured carbon fibre wheel arches that house the company's exclusive 24-inch Cross-Spoke forged alloy wheels available in a variety of polished or painted finishes.

The side of the car is distinguished by the company's patented electrically deployable ‘Full-Length Side Steps’

A key characteristic of the standard Mercedes-AMG G 63 design is the exhausts which exit from the sills on both sides of the car, just ahead of the rear wheels.

The step moves in and out when the doors are opened and closed, and the exhaust finishers move with it.

At the rear, there is more carbon fibre trim, notably on the rear bumper as well as the multi-spoke-effect HOFELE-Design cover for the rear door-mounted spare wheel.

For the interior, customers can choose from a selection of fine leathers and Alcantara, available in a carefully selected palette of colours for the seats, dashboard, centre console, door cards, pillars and headlining.

The company offers a choice of the standard five-seat arrangement, the HOFELE VIP four-seat layout, or even a six-seat layout across three rows, of which the rearmost pair are removable when additional luggage space is required.

Additionally, the company says that the G 63's mechanical components including the engine and chassis were untouched to preserve the integrity of manufacturer and dealer warranties.

To top it all off, the company also announced that it will be launching a range of new models starting with the HEQC all-electric SUV and the HE 53 Cabriolet as well as three more new models.


Daimler in US$2b China investment with BAIC as Geely swoops

                BERLIN: Daimler and its Chinese partner BAIC plan to invest almost US$2 billion in a state-of-the-art factory in China, underlining their relationship as rival Geely makes a surprise swoop on the German carmaker.

Daimler and BAIC will invest in modernising a plant to build premium Mercedes-Benz cars including electric vehicles, BAIC said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange dated Friday and confirmed by Daimler today.

The chairman of Chinese carmaker Geely said late on Friday he had bought an almost 10 percent stake in Daimler, in a US$9 billion bet to access the Mercedes-Benz owner’s technology.

 Li.

The move poses a challenge to Daimler, which as well as its Chinese partnership with BAIC Motor Corporation has an industrial alliance to develop cars and trucks with Renault-Nissan, which owns a 3.1 percent stake in Daimler.

Geely’s chairman Li Shufu, who quietly built up the 9.7 percent stake, is now expected to meet Daimler executives in Stuttgart on Monday, a source familiar with the matter said, and hopes to meet top German government officials here.

His approach contrasts with that of previous Chinese investors in German technology companies - such as Midea, which bought Kuka or Weichai, which bought a large stake in Kion - who have tended to engage in lengthy consultation with stakeholders.

Berlin said it saw no need to take any action over Geely’s purchase, either in terms of competition rules or of foreign investment rules.

“It is a company decision,” a government spokesman said. “Due to the character of the investment as a minority stake, there is no need to act.”

The government declined to comment on a report in German tabloid Bild am Sonnntag that Li would visit the German chancellery for a “secret meeting” with Angela Merkel’s economic adviser on Tuesday.

Daimler also declined to comment on any possible meetings with Li.

Geely said it wants an alliance with Daimler, which is developing electric and self-driving vehicles and is the only German carmaker not to be controlled by a family, to respond to the challenge from new rivals such as Tesla and Uber.


UK firm Helixx introduces low-cost mini EVs for emerging markets

                OXFORD: Helixx, a new UK-based global technology company, has announced a new approach to delivering a range of four affordable mini commercial electric vehicles to provide clean, sustainable mobility for service businesses in fast-growing, densely populated urban centres.

Engineered in the UK and designed to be built virtually anywhere in the world in licensed Helixx Mobility Hubs, vehicles will be offered on a subscription basis for commercial users from US$0.25 (RM1.10) per hour.

Economically and technologically developing cities across the world are experiencing dramatically increasing population density. The UN predicts that 6.6 billion people will be living in urban areas by 2050. Growing populations mean that a fundamental shift towards more efficient mobility systems is vital.

Small, safe, affordable, zero-emission vehicles that are built locally within a fully managed circular manufacturing Industry 5.0 ecosystem offer the potential to unlock opportunities for economic growth by solving mobility and air quality challenges.

Helixx Mobility Hubs is expected to minimise carbon emissions whilst empowering local enterprises to make, sell and support vehicles over their entire lifecycle.

“Helixx was born to meet the challenge of transforming the quality and standard of mobility for citizens in heavily congested cities," said Helixx CEO and co-founder Steve Pegg.

"The vehicles offered by Helixx are the key to replacing the heavily polluting combustion-powered vehicles relied upon in developing nations today.”

The Helixx range is designed by Jowyn Wong and Jakub Jodlowski whose portfolio includes hypercars for manufacturers such as Apollo and DeTomaso.

State-of-the-art cabins offer a premium space for enhanced driver and passenger comfort for urban services. The range initially comprises four body styles, designed for optimum production simplicity through the flexible Helixx assembly process.

For example, the CARGO is a commercial goods vehicle designed to support the booming demand for last-mile delivery fleets, with 2,100 litres of cargo space and the capability to carry the majority of ISO pallets in target markets.

The TRUCK is a pick-up that’s ideal for construction businesses and urban developers.

Helixx said the TUK and RIDE, with open and closed-door bodies respectively, are designed for urban ride-hailing to replace older, heavily polluting, combustion-powered fleets.

All four vehicles offer a zero-emission driving range for a 24-hour duty cycle with rapidly swappable, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs with range on-demand for full flexibility.

Helixx said it would fully manage the entire onboarding process for hub partners, from the establishment of the factory and equipment installation to training staff and ongoing commercial support with local fleet operators.

Helixx would also orchestrate all raw materials and components and production processes through a next-generation Industry 5.0 digital platform that prioritises local sourcing and supply chain flexibility for resilience and full traceability of environmental impact, including scope 3 emissions.

Following successful testing of the UK concept hub in partnership with Siemens, Helixx would establish further pilot hubs in the UK and Singapore. The company is in discussion with customers in the Asia Pacific region, with India, MENA, and South America to follow.


Luxury auto brands are scrambling to avoid a blue Christmas

                DETROIT: When financial markets surge to new records, sales of luxury cars usually rise, too. Instead, October US auto sales reports on Wednesday showed that a collapse in sales of luxury sedans is accelerating.

Consumers have gradually shifted over to luxury sport utility vehicles from sedans in the last decade, but the trend — which has occurred in both the non-luxury and luxury segments of the auto market — was particularly pronounced in October.

Sales of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz S-Class, long a global benchmark for large, premium sedans, plunged 49 percent in October, and are down 24.8 percent for the year to date. General Motors Co’s Cadillac brand said it sold just 779 of its CTS sedans in October. Demand for that car, designed to compete with German luxury sedans, is down nearly 33 percent for the year.

Cadillac’s best-selling model this year is the XT5 compact SUV, which has more than doubled sales from a year ago.

The shift within the luxury vehicle market away from sedans toward SUVs of all sizes is forcing some of the most prestigious brands to scramble to add SUV models to their lineups or boost SUV production to meet demand.

“In the short term, there will be pressure to add (consumer) incentives, cut production or both,” said Cox Automotive analyst Michelle Krebs. “And we just don’t see an end in sight to this trend.”

According to Kelley Blue Book data, in 2007 luxury sedans made up 7.6 percent of US new vehicle sales, while luxury SUVs made up 4.2 percent. Through September this year, luxury SUVs made up just over 7 percent of the market, compared with 4.9 percent for luxury sedans.

In the short term, luxury brands could use holiday season sales promotions to clear slow-selling sedans off dealer lots, analysts said. Toyota Motor Corp’s Lexus brand said on Wednesday it will launch its “December to Remember” year-end sales promotion for the 18th straight year.

Longer-term, luxury car makers have to restructure their model lineups, which have for decades reflected conventional thinking that the “flagship” of a luxury vehicle brand is a big sedan.

Industry executives and analysts said luxury brands will launch more SUVs. BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz are both expanding their US sport utility vehicle plants.

Some luxury sedans will disappear from lineups, but not all. Lexus, for instance, is launching a redesigned version of its flagship LS sedan in the United States in 2018, starting at around US$75,000.

Established luxury car brands must reckon with the impact of Tesla Inc’s electric vehicles, which have redefined the boundaries for advanced technology.

Offering a little more horsepower is not enough to draw in many customers, said Scott Keogh, head of Audi’s US operations. “There really isn’t a new stimulus” for owners of current models to trade in their vehicles, he said.

“Audi buyers ... want the latest and greatest,” he said. That is one reason why the brand, owned by Volkswagen AG plans to launch an electric sport utility in the United States by 2019.

Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, said automakers are keen to encourage eager consumers to buy luxury SUVs and crossovers as those models face less stringent fuel regulations and are far more profitable than sedans.

 The Audi Q7.

“There’s still a significant portion of the market that wants a car,” Fiorani said, “but I‘m sure there were people who preferred a horse to a car at one point.”

Randy Parker, US head of Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s luxury Infiniti brand, said much depends on the US economy and gasoline prices, but luxury brands “with a really robust SUV and crossover portfolio will ... win in the next few years.”

As investment dollars shift to SUV models, poor performers among luxury sedans will “fall by the wayside” said Bill Rinna, senior manager for North American forecasts at consultancy LMC Automotive.


Infiniti petrol made better

                PETALING JAYA: Boustead Petroleum Marketing (BHPetrol) has upgraded its Infiniti petrol with the latest generation additive formulation that delivers better performance, higher fuel efficiency and smoother engine running.

Available in both RON95 and RON97 grades, the new revolutionised Infiniti petrols are sold at the same Government announced-prices. The new ‘Infiniti’ petrol has an advanced formulation using the latest generation of additives.

The major elements of the new additive package include a new Friction Modifier, an enhanced Corrosion Inhibitor and superior Deposit Cleaning Agents.  The dosage of the additive is 800ppm (parts per million), which is twice the minimum treat rate recommended by the German additive producer.

It is provided at no extra cost to motorists as a value-added feature to take them further and with a smoother drive.

With the new Friction Modifier, internal friction is further reduced and this means more of the energy can be used to power the vehicle, thereby increasing performance. Lower friction levels also enhance engine efficiency leading to better fuel economy.

A clean engine runs more efficiently but during the combustions process, certain chemical compounds are formed which can deposit on internal engine surfaces.  The Deposit Cleaning Agents in the additive package remove these deposits and if BHPetrol ‘Infiniti’ petrol is used regularly, the engine will maintain its cleanliness to achieve optimum performance.

To help the engine last longer, the enhanced Corrosion Inhibitor provides a layer of protection on metal surfaces. With this protection, corrosion is reduced and the engine will maintain its recommended performance longer.

BHPetrol managing director K.T. Tan said the company had consistently aimed to offer best quality petroleum products to motorists since starting business in 2005.

“Our association with one of the global leaders in fuel additive technology, based in Germany, has enabled us to develop advanced formulations for ‘Infiniti’ petrol that deliver better performance, improved fuel economy and cleaner exhaust emissions.”

“Over the years, in tandem with the advancements in engine technology, we have also improved the formulation of ‘Infiniti’ petrol so as to maintain the high level of performance and fuel efficiency.

“Furthermore, to maximise the benefits to our customers, we enhance our ‘Infiniti’ petrol with 800ppm of additive which is double the minimum treat rate recommended by our additive supplier,” Tan said.

The new revolutionised ‘Infiniti’ petrol is available at all BHPetrol stations, currently numbering 380, of which 275 include a BHPetromart convenience store.

BHPetrol also organised a 3-day road trip, starting today, covering 1,000km from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai, Thailand for the media and motoring clubs to experience the improved performance and fuel economy.

For details on the new Infiniti petrol and other BHPetrol products, visit the BHPetrol website.


Jaguar F-Type SVR racing to Geneva

                LONDON: The 86th International Geneva Motor Show is set to play host to one of the fastest production Jaguars ever built.

The Jaguar F-Type SVR starts out life as the company's range-topping sports coupe (the V8 R) complete with all-wheel drive and a supercharged 5-litre V8 putting out 542bhp. But then it's handed over to the company's recently established Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) division to work its magic.

SVO was set up by Jaguar Land Rover to cater for increasingly discerning customers and its first effort, the Range Rover Sport SVR became the fastest SUV to ever lap the Nurburgring. For its next trick, it created the Range Rover SVAutobiography the most exclusive and luxurious Range Rover in the marque's history. And now it's turned its attention to Jaguar.

The F-Type SVR is lighter and stiffer than any current F-Type. It also has carbon ceramic brakes as standard. But they're a necessity as Jaguar's engineers have managed to squeeze a further 25bhp from the car's motor. So power's up to 567bhp and when that's combined with weight-saving measures and a host of external aerodynamic tweaks, the result is a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 322kph.

That's 14mph more than the current top model and means that this is the first Jaguar since that fabled folly the XK220 hypercar, launched in 1992, that can claim membership to the 200mph club.

As well as a coupé, a soft-top version of the F-Type SVR will also be making its debut at this year's show which opens its doors to the world's motoring press on March 1. Though just as aggressive in terms of styling, it is slightly slower than its hardtop counterpart. Its top speed is quoted as 315kph.

Jaguar had hoped to spring both of its big cats on the public as a surprise. Unfortunately, a sales brochure detailing the new cars leaked over the weekend. And while the company initially refused to comment, on Monday it confirmed that both cars are real and that they will be the headline attractions on its Geneva stand.

As for price, the car can now compete with Porsche Turbos and Aston Martins in terms of performance as well as styling, so expect the coupé to cost around US$150,000 when it goes on sale later this year.


Subaru to build its first electric vehicle factory

                TOKYO: Subaru Corp aims to build a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) factory in Japan in the late 2020s, it said on Thursday, as part of a US$1.9 billion ramp-up to respond to surging demand for battery cars in its main North American market.

Subaru, known for its Outback crossover, has long had a strong presence in the United States and on Thursday warned that its US dealers only have a record low stockpile of around 5,000 vehicles left, reflecting the squeeze of a supply-chain crunch.

It plans to launch a mixed-production line of gasoline and electric vehicles around 2025 before opening an EV-only production line in the new factory after 2027, it said. The move would be a first for Subaru. Other Japanese automakers have yet to formally announce plans to build a dedicated EV factory.

Japan's automakers are accelerating their EV production in an attempt to recover ground lost to Tesla Inc, now the leader in the fastest growing segment of the auto industry.

"The market for EVs has been changing very rapidly over the past year," said Subaru CEO Tomomi Nakamura.

It plans to invest 250 billion yen (RM8.5bil) over the next five years to bolster electrification.

The vehicles produced in the new factory would be exported overseas, Nakamura said, declining to reveal specifics about production capability and whether it would make Toyota cars.

The announcement came on the same day that Subaru began accepting orders for its first mass-produced EV, the Solterra, developed jointly with Toyota in Japan. Subaru, however, outsourced the car's production to Toyota, which has also just rolled out its first battery electric car - the bZ4x.

Separately, Subaru reported a 12% drop in full-year operating profit to 90.45 billion yen (RM3bil). For the current financial year that began in April, it forecast operating profit of 200 billion yen (RM6.8bil), more than double the year just ended.


Hyundai raises hydrogen game as new trucks roll into Europe

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor plans to ship a new series of fuel-cell trucks to Europe later this year, turning up the heat on rivals in a battle to test the viability of hydrogen-powered heavy goods transport.

A new class of the Xcient Hyundai truck, equipped with more efficient fuel cells with longer life-span, is due to arrive in Europe in the fourth quarter, said Mark Freymueller, CEO of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM).

Hydrogen lags electric batteries in the green transport stakes because it is more expensive, but proponents say for long-haul transport hydrogen-powered trucks have the advantage because they have a greater range.

HHM, a joint venture between Hyundai and Swiss hydrogen company H2 Energy, has been renting out "green" hydrogen trucks to commercial clients in Switzerland since last October in the world's most advanced pilot in the field.

HHM plans to go into other European countries next year.

"Germany and the Netherlands are the most likely," Freymueller told Reuters, adding there was also interest for pilots from Austria, Norway, France, Italy, Spain and Denmark.

Hyundai's latest push will put more pressure on local players, which are developing their own hydrogen plans.

These include Germany's Daimler with Sweden's Volvo and Italy's Iveco, a unit of Italian-American vehicle maker CNH Industrial, which is cooperating with low-emission truckmaker Nikola.

Hydrogen has come into the spotlight in Europe, where EU environment ministers want truck CO2 emissions cut by a third by 2030 from 2019 levels, threatening potential diesel bans and higher taxes but promising up to 75% of lower road tolls for greener vehicles.

Although more expensive than battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, driven by on-board hydrogen, will potentially benefit from Europe's desire to build a world-leading industry around the hydrogen technology.

A study by consultancy Berylls Strategy Advisors reckons that by 2030, 25% of new truck sales in Europe will be battery powered and 10% fuel cell. But the ratio could change if green hydrogen is scaled up, it said.

Positive feedback

Hyundai chose Switzerland for its pilot on the basis of benign regulation, environmentally conscious customers and reliable hydropower, which accounts for 58% of the country's power mix. Local road tax is waived for no-carbon vehicles while fossil fuel ones pay around €800 (RM4,035) for each tonne of CO2 they emit.

"Anyone wanting to see how fuel cell technology works on the road should go to Switzerland," said Steffen Stumpp, head of the business unit commercial vehicles at Berylls.

Initial customer feedback on Hyundai's pay-per-use pilot seems positive. Drivers at grocery chain Coop like the similar payload to diesel trucks and with only a few minutes of refuelling, a spokeswoman said.

"There was no need to change my driving style," Nadine Sigrist, a driver for retailer Migros in the Zurich region, said "What was new for me was the huge acceleration and the quiet engine."

As more Hyundai trucks arrive, Swiss power utility Alpiq is planning to ramp up its electrolysis capacity at Niedergoesgen where it produces green hydrogen that is then transported on trucks as gas to filling stations.

"We will go from 2 megawatts in the direction of double-digit, or 5-10 megawatts," said Amedee Murisier, head of hydropower generation at Alpiq and board member of Hydrospider, a Swiss green hydrogen joint venture between Alpiq, gases group Linde and H2 Energy.

Hydrospider could reach breakeven as soon as 2022, Murisier said.

Battery vs fuel cells

McKinsey expects hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles to achieve break-even with diesel only in 2028 at the earliest, but carmakers are pushing ahead with plans, albeit at different speeds.

Nikola and Iveco say they will produce a fuel cell electric vehicle by 2023, putting them two years ahead of Volvo and Daimler Truck, which are muscling in but will not have test trucks for three and a half years. read more

Separately, Daimler group subsidiary Mercedes Benz will prepare customer trials for its GenH2 Truck in 2023.

"Nikola's timeline is significantly ahead of Daimler/Volvo," said Stumpp. "Hyundai will be neck on neck with Nikola/Iveco if they offer the Xcient in other European markets."

Daimler Truck chief executive Martin Daum said that a hydrogen fuelling network needed to be in place first before fuel cell trucks would find buyers, which would take years to develop, so they were timing their moves in line with the infrastructure. read more

Truckmaker Paccar's DAF is also in the game, but its priority is battery electric vehicles, where Nikola is also active and plans market entry in fourth quarter 2021.

Other companies have also chosen to put fuel cell technology second.

Traton, the truck division of Volkswagen, recently said that only the battery route had been chosen by its MAN and Scania units.

"Hydrogen trucks have a decisive disadvantage. Only a quarter of the original energy goes into propulsion, three quarters are lost through conversion," Traton CEO Matthias Gruendler and alternative drivetrains specialist Andreas Kammel wrote in a column in newspaper Handelsblatt.

"With e-trucks, the ratio is the other way around," they said.

Traton has left the door ajar by raising its investment in truck maker Navistar that is developing fuel cells in the Americas.

Suppliers

On the automotive supply front, companies are hedging their bets.

Bosch, a fuel cell proponent, has entered into a joint venture with China's Qingling Motors to supply fuel cell systems for 2022/2023.

Elringklinger and Mahle, too, are also working on fuel cell technology.

US engine maker Cummins, due to start building a fuel cell system factory in Herten, Germany, later this year, sees no conflict.

"Fuel cells will complement the BEV (battery electric vehicle) system in places where energy storage, range, weight and power requirements are unable to be met by batteries alone," said Amy Davis, president of New Power at Cummins.

"That's why we are investing in the electric vehicle drivetrain components, because we think those will be maturing too, and they will be key to both fuel cells and batteries."


Buy a Isuzu D-Max now and pay later

                PETALING JAYA: Isuzu Malaysia is paving the path to normalcy for potential Isuzu D-Max customers by offering a moratorium for financing payments on new vehicles purchased from June 1, 2020 till Aug 31, 2020.

Through the Isuzu Deferred Instalment Campaign, the first programme of its kind in the pick-up segment, the company hopes that customers can fortify their earnings by putting their brand new Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks to work during the deferment period of either three or six months before needing to worry about loan repayments.

READ MORE: Isuzu UK shows off limited edition D-Max

According to Chief Operating Officer of Isuzu Malaysia, Light Commercial Vehicle Division, Masayuki Suzuki, the objective of the moratorium is to help Malaysians move forward during this recovery period with the services of an efficient and versatile new Isuzu D-Max.

“A capable, dependable and frugal vehicle is a valuable asset today and a good pick-up truck makes economic sense be it for individuals or organizations. By providing this moratorium, Isuzu hopes that customers will be able to speedily attain their new normal,” said Suzuki.

The campaign in collaboration with Public Bank Berhad covers almost every model in the Isuzu D-Max range, offering up to 90% financing margin for a maximum tenure of 84 months.

The minimum loan amount to qualify for this campaign is RM20,000. Potential customers will be able to select the most suitable Isuzu D-Max model to meet their individual requirements and budgets from the widest selection of pick-up truck variants available in Malaysia today.

The Isuzu D-Max enjoys an impressive reputation as one of the toughest and most frugal pick-up trucks on the market having proven its capabilities in grueling events such as the annual Borneo Safari off-road expedition where the Isuzu D-Max has served faithfully for the last 14 years.

It has also completed long-distance challenges by driving from Bangkok to Singapore using just one tank of diesel.

The new range of Isuzu D-Max now comes with the advanced 1.9-litre Blue Power engine, the smallest engine capacity in the market thereby enjoying the cheapest road tax in its segment. Through breakthroughs in technology, the new engine provides even greater performance and fuel efficiency than the 2.5-litre model it replaces.


Bentley announces details of Flying Spur V8 S Black Edition

                LONDON: If you're a Bentley fan but the Continental GT V8 S just isn't quite special enough for you, the luxury manufacturer has now announced details of its Flying Spur V8 S Black Edition that builds on the regular Continental GT V8 S with a number of enhancements.

If you're in the market for a luxury performance sedan with an aesthetic that reinforces the performance aspect of the car, this could well be the model for you.

There are quite a number of particularly striking exterior and interior features created by the Bentley designers that broadcast the luxury car's sporty character. They include the likes of: black gloss brightware, dark tint lights, gloss black window surrounds and door mirrors, and some new, dynamic 21-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels that complement the not-inconsiderable amount of power developed by the V8 S engine.

The interior boasts a unique colour split with striking new accents that's available to customers, although the three-spoke Sport Plus steering wheel and Piano Black veneer are part of the standard equipment list for the Black Edition.

For those not familiar with the engine, it's a 4.0-litre V-8 twin-turbo that produces 521bhp and 680Nm of torque, which launches the Flying Spur to 100kph in 4.9 seconds, and onwards to a top speed of some 306kph. All that power is then sent to the road surface via an all-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for a sure-footed, engaging drive in all-weather conditions and on all types of road surface.

The new model's extremely sporty appearance is enhanced by a contrast body kit that has the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser finished in the buyer's choice from four accent colours of Beluga, St James' Red, Hallmark or Cyber Yellow. Customers then also get the option of either red or black brake calipers to complete the performance theme.

In Britain and Europe you won't see the price of a car like this widely advertised, but American dealers are not quite as reluctant and in the US the Flying Spur V8 S Black Edition is priced as starting at just over a quarter of a million dollars (around RM1mil).


Ford introduces 'Outrageous Green' for Focus Electric

                DEARBORN: In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day and in line with Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, Greenery, Ford introduces its new Outrageous Green Metallic tinted colour for the 2018 Focus Electric.

For Ford’s colour and materials design team, inspiration is everywhere. Thinking about the visual and tactile elements that will help define future vehicles, Barb Whalen, Ford colour and materials design manager, and her team tap into everyday experiences to predict future trends to deliver a vibrant and diverse pallet for customers.

“Designers are encouraged to experience a feeling, bring it to the team, then collectively brainstorm ways to bring it to life through a paint colour or material for Ford vehicles,” says Whalen. “Outrageous Green Metallic is a unique shade, symbolizing modern renewal and a reconnection with nature, then finished with a special tinted clear coat to give the colour depth and vibrancy.”

Challenged to think about the “why,” the Ford colour and materials team works to answer why a particular colour is important, why now, and why this colour as opposed to another. Many colours seen today were inspired from beautiful places in nature, with trends often predicted two to three years into the future.

These trends can be influenced by everything from changing lifestyles, psychological and societal emotions, to consumer hobbies and passionate interests.

Unusual sports gear, ropes, anodized finishes, plastics gear and accent fabrics provide inspiration for Ford vehicle exteriors and interiors. The social and political environment and conversations about material ethics (biomaterials) also influence forecasting trends and help to predict the colour and material choices Ford makes for tomorrow.

Ford has a legacy of “going green” with its paint colors, offering Highland Green, Squeeze Green, Ultimate Green, Gotta Have It Green and now Outrageous Green Metallic.


Ford plans 'dramatic reductions' in product complexity, says exec

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Coplans "dramatic reductions" in the complexity of its product lineup starting in the 2024 model year, Jim Baumbick, the automaker's product development chief, said Wednesday at a conference hosted by Bank of America.

At the same time, Ford plans to develop more variations of certain model lines, such as the Bronco SUV, because they offer 30% or greater profit margins compared to the base model, Baumbick said.

Ford chief executive Jim Farley has said the automaker's product lineup and vehicle architectures are too complex and too costly.

Ford is driving to cut billions from operating costs after 2022 profits fell short of investor expectations.

"On Bronco, we are never going to let our foot off the pedal," Baumbick said.

Ford is also "rushing to add capacity" to build more Maverick compact pickup trucks, he said.


Ford follows GM's Cruise move with self-driving spinoff

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday it was creating a separate US$4 billion unit to house its self-driving vehicle operations and is seeking outside investors, following a similar move in late May by Detroit rival General Motors Co with its Cruise Automation unit.

GM’s spinoff of Cruise drew a US$2.25-billion investment from SoftBank Group. SoftBank’s 19.6-percent stake valued Cruise at US$11.5 billion. GM paid an estimated US$1 billion in 2016 to acquire the San Francisco-based self-driving startup.

“Ford has seemingly taken a step out of GM’s playbook to try to unlock value” from its self-driving business, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Joseph Spak.

Despite the current flurry of development activity globally by dozens of established and startup companies, Ford senior management believes that market for self-driving vehicles eventually will consolidate around three or four major players, “and they want to be in the mix,” according to a source familiar with Ford’s thinking.

Ford has had previous discussions with potential investors, the source said, but the nature and depth of those discussions is unclear.

A Ford spokesman declined to confirm whether the automaker has had discussions with SoftBank regarding a potential investment in Ford’s self-driving operations.

On Tuesday, Ford said it would invest US$4 billion through 2023 in its newly formed Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC, including the US$1 billion it previously had earmarked for Argo AI, the Pittsburgh-based self-driving startup that Ford acquired in 2017.

The new unit, to be headed by Vice President Sherif Marakby and based at Ford’s new Corktown campus in Detroit, will house self-driving vehicle research, engineering and systems integration, as well as business strategy and development for the automaker’s future self-driving vehicle fleet.

Ford said it hoped to accelerate business opportunities with the creation of the new unit, which it said is “structured to take on third-party investment.”

GM Cruise and Alphabet Inc’s Waymo are often described as leading the pack of technology and auto companies competing to create self-driving cars and integrate them into ride services fleets.

Alphabet plans to launch a self-driving ride service later this year, while GM Cruise has targeted the introduction of a similar service in 2019. Ford has said it expects to put self-driving vehicles into commercial service by 2021.


Road rage: How China's super-rich get noticed — the wrong way

Image grab from CNS TV, showing the woman Porsche driver slapping the other driver.
BEIJING: The spanking white Rolls-Royce convertible with a red fold-down roof was eye-catching. So was the spot where it was parked: right in the middle of the emergency lane at a maternity and gynaecology hospital in Beijing's Chaoyang district.

The driver was running late for a routine appointment. A traffic policeman arrived and asked her to move the car.

A crowd swiftly gathered. Indignation boiled. Videos were taken. The wasps' nest that is Chinese social media began to buzz.

The driver, identified only by her surname Shan in Chinese media, got out of the car and threw a tantrum. "You must support the work of police, unconditionally," the policeman warned the 31-year-old woman.

"I don't have an obligation to cooperate," Shan, wearing a black T-shirt and a black face mask against China's pollution, retorted angrily. "I'm telling you, I'm not moving the car now," she said, according to a translation on the website of the Communist Party-owned China Daily on Wednesday.

The incident was one of a number recently involving drivers of fancy cars who display a certain aura of entitlement.

"People who own Rolls-Royces are from a different world with a totally different mind-set to us. They do whatever they want from the day they are born," commented one netizen with the handle "Eleven-K Xiu" on Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

Other countries can relate to the phenomenon - but not, perhaps, to the way China handles it.

Consider a recent incident in Chongqing, a city of more than 30 million in southern China, where the wife of a local police chief clocked millions of online views with her road rage at the driver of a cheap Chinese-made Chery SUV who dared to get in her way when she tried to make an illegal U-turn.

Li Yue was driving a red Porsche. She wore a wide-brimmed white hat at a jaunty angle, killer heels, a black and white top, a black scarf and tight-fitting, black bell-bottom pants.

Stepping out of her car, she mocked the Chery driver for his shoddy clothes and "beggar's" car. She threw in some raucous expletives. She let fly with a slap. He hit her back hard, sending her hat flying over her car.

Video of the confrontation, of course, went viral. And Li got her comeuppance.

Police fined her US$37 (RM156) for turning illegally and wearing shoes and a hat not safe for driving. Li apologized for "my arrogant and conceited ways," adding: "I said irresponsible things and hurt and placed a serious psychological burden on my family, including my husband and daughter."

But it didn't end there. Police announced that Li's husband, Tong Xiaohua, the Sichuan police chief, had been fired after police inquiries. Further investigation into the couple's assets and accounts was underway.

The hammer also fell on the Rolls-Royce driver at the hospital. After an hour-long standoff last week, Shan finally moved the car and was fined for illegal parking.

But it would not be a modern fable on Chinese social media if that was the culmination.

On Monday, Beijing police announced they had arrested Shan and detained her for five days for blocking the emergency road, refusing to cooperate with police and disrupting the social order.

She also recorded an apologetic video, released via the Beijing News.

"I beg of you to forgive me. I'm really wrong. I'm so sorry. I should not have created trouble for brother security guard and uncle policeman," Shan said as the camera zoomed in on her tearful eyes. She added that she had been running late for an appointment for a pregnancy test and feared she would miss it.

But it wasn't enough. Beijing police announced that Shan would remain in detention while they launched a new investigation into allegations of further unspecified crimes. Police compounded the humiliation by disclosing the results of her pregnancy test.

They were negative. — LAT/dpa


StoreDot partners Vingroup company to accelerate development of Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) batteries

                HERZLIYA (Israel): StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging high energy battery solution for electric vehicles, is working with a member of the Vietnam's Vingroup to fast-track the development of extreme fast charge (XFC) battery technology.

The agreement will see StoreDot and VinES jointly research, develop and offer extreme fast charge (XFC) battery cells in different form-factors, in preparation for XFC battery mass production and supply.

StoreDot will license and share its proprietary XFC technology whereas VinES will provide and contribute its know-how and experience with multiple form factor development, manufacturing, validation and global supply chain network.

The first generation of this XFC battery cell is expected to be commercially available in 2025 and immediately adopted by VinFast vehicles. VinFast is part of Vingroup.

Last year, StoreDot revealed its "100inX" strategic technology roadmap. This featured 100in5, 100in3 and 100in2 of miles (or 160 km) per minute of charging - three generations of StoreDot technologies of silicon-dominant XFC, semi solid state and post-lithium architecture.

The roadmap reaffirms that the timings for these will be delivered over the coming decade with 100in5 by 2024, 100in3 by 2028 and 100in2 by 2032.

StoreDot has a long-standing relationship with Vingroup. In January last year leading VinFast was the lead investor in StoreDot’s Series D funding round of up to US$80 million.


Hyundai, Kia say Apple car deal now off, see US$8.5bil wiped off market value

                SEOUL: South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co said on Monday it is not now in talks with Apple Inc on autonomous electric cars, just a month after it confirmed early-stage talks with the tech giant, sending the automaker’s shares skidding.

Wiping US$3bil off its market value, Hyundai’s stock slid 6.2%. Shares in its affiliate Kia Corp, which had been tipped in local media reports as the likely operational partner for Apple, tumbled 15% - a US$5.5bil hit.

The announcement brings the curtain down on weeks of internal divisions at Hyundai Motor Co Group - parent to both automakers - about the potential tie-up, with some executives raising concerns about becoming a contract manufacturer for the US tech giant in a tie-up reminiscent of electronics firm Foxconn’s role in making device for Apple like the iPhone.

“We are receiving requests for cooperation in joint development of autonomous electric vehicles from various companies, but they are at early stage and nothing has been decided,” the automakers said on Monday, in compliance with stock market rules requiring regular updates to investors regarding market rumours.

“We are not having talks with Apple on developing autonomous vehicles.”

Kia shares had jumped 61% since Hyundai initially confirmed a local media report early in January that Apple and Hyundai were in discussions to develop self-driving electric vehicles by 2027 and develop batteries at US factories operated by either Hyundai or Kia.

“Apple and Hyundai are in discussion, but as it is at early stage, nothing has been decided,” Hyundai said, before releasing subsequent statements that removed all mentions of Apple but said Hyundai was receiving electric car cooperation requests from parties it didn’t identify.

As recently as last week, media outlets including CNBC reported that a deal was close to being finalised. One South Korean report said the two companies were set to sign the deal on Feb. 17.

Hyundai is traditionally known for its reluctance to work with outsiders, making engines, transmissions and even its own steel in-house in a vertically integrated supply chain as South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate.

Although shares in Kia and Hyundai had surged on news of the talks, internal opposition to becoming an Apple contract manufacturer was considerable, according to people familiar with the matter.

“We are agonising over how to do it, whether it is good to do it or not,” a Hyundai executive aware of internal discussions on the tie-up told Reuters in January. “We are not a company which manufactures cars for others,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Apple and Hyundai first started talks over a car partnership in 2018, another person familiar with the matter previously told Reuters. But progress was hampered by the South Korean automaker’s reticence on working with outsiders, the person said.

Reuters reported in December that Apple was moving forward with autonomous car technology and aimed to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology as early as 2024.

Apple, known to keep product plans under tight wraps, has never acknowledged talks with the automaker about building vehicles, and wasn’t immediately available for comment outside business hours in the United States.

Analysts said talks might have collapsed over leaks of the partnership plan to media, or over possible insistence by Apple that Hyundai’s role in any tieup would be that of an equipment manufacturer, rather than a strategic partner.

“With numerous news reports over discussions between the two companies, which should have been held to non-disclosure agreements, it would have been uncomfortable” said Kwon Soon-woo, an analyst at SK Securities.

Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment & Securities, said, “It seems clear that Hyundai Motor Group has not been too happy with dealing with Apple ... They made it clear that they do not want to be treated just as Apple’s supplier or manufacturer.”


What new G-Vectoring Control does for Mazda3

                HIROSHIMA: Mazda has released an updated Mazda3, which went on sale in Japan on Wednesday.

Mazda’s new-generation lineup got its start with the launch of Mazda CX-5 in 2012.

The new Mazda3, sold in Japan as Axela, features G-Vectoring Control (GVC), the first in a series of new SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies that provide integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body to enhance the car’s Jinba Ittai feel, and a range of other design and equipment updates.

G-Vectoring Control (GVC) is based on the idea of using the engine to enhance chassis performance. It is the world’s first control system to vary engine torque in response to steering inputs in order to provide integrated control of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces and optimide the vertical load on each wheel for smooth and efficient vehicle motion.

Optimising the load on each tyre brings the movements of the car more in line with the driver’s intentions, reducing the need for steering corrections, including many that are made unconsciously. The outstanding traction the system provides inspires confidence and makes driving more fun. Changes in the acceleration forces acting upon vehicle occupants are smoother, reducing torso sway and making for a more comfortable ride. In addition, GVC significantly improves handling and stability on wet, snowy and unpaved roads.

GVC is said to benefit drivers of all skill levels in a wide range of situations: from low-speed urban commutes to highway driving, winding roads, and even emergency maneuvers. In addition, it is a highly versatile system adaptable to vehicles of any class and drive type. The only requirements are a SKYACTIV engine, which allows precise control over torque output, and a SKYACTIV chassis, which enables superior dynamic performance.

“Mazda is striving to become an irreplaceable presence in the lives of our customers, to create a special bond with them and to be a ‘one-and-only’ brand they will choose again and again,” said Masamichi Kogai, Mazda’s president and CEO.

“In order to do that, we will continue updating our models with next-generation technologies based on our human-centred development philosophy, without concern for the timing of redesigns.”


Russia aims to have at least 25,000 EVs by 2024

                MOSCOW: Russia, one of the world’s biggest oil and gas producers, has a plan to bring more electric vehicles to its roads over the next three years and to build a market for battery-powered cars.

According to the strategy, approved by the government on Monday, the production of EVs should reach 10% of all cars produced by end of 2030.

The cost would be about 591 billion rubles (RM34bil), according to government’s press office.

In the first stage of the strategy, from 2021 through 2024, the nation aims to have at least 25,000 EVs and more than 9,000 charging stations on its roads.

To encourage EV adoption, the government would offer buyers incentives, including loans and easy leasing terms for the battery powered cars.

Additionally, starting in 2022, EVs will travel for free on Russia’s toll roads. Electric vehicles account for less than 0.2% of the nation’s total passenger-car fleet, according to Moscow-based Vygon Consulting.

“A number of countries have already announced their desire to abandon transport with internal combustion engines,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday.

“It’s obvious that electric cars and cars that run on more environmentally friendly power units are the future. And we also need to actively develop this sector.”


Audi tests gesture control for virtual assembly

                INGOLSTADT: Even before Audi produces the first prototypes of a new car, engineers in the Pre-Series Center check individual assembly steps in a 3-D projection.

They assemble components virtually, thus determining whether this process is feasible and ergonomic for the employees on the production line.

As part of a pilot project, they are now for the first time moving the components in the virtual space using simple gestures.

Audi is checking individual assembly steps virtually in pre-series development to determine whether they are practical for everyday usage.

The tests are conducted in the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE).

This consists of projection surfaces on the floor and wall on which projectors display 3-D images of components.

The result is a virtual reality into which the Audi engineers can immerse themselves with 3-D glasses.

As part of series operation, the pre-series developers control the virtual components using a controller from a games console.

This should also be feasible soon using simple gestures.

“We want to make picking up and moving the components more intuitive in the future,” says Katharina Kunz, Audi development engineer for virtual validation.

At present she is therefore testing the Myo - an armband developed in the gaming industry for gesture control - with her team as part of a pilot phase.

The armband measures the muscle currents in the forearm and can deduce how the user is moving their arm and fingers.

The armband then sends the motion data via Bluetooth to a computer.

The same computer also collects the user’s position coordinates with the aid of an infrared camera on the ceiling.

The camera used is a Kinect - the control hardware in a games console.

To ensure that the Myo armband does not interpret every possible movement as a control gesture, the user activates the system by touching their thumb and middle finger.


Touch ‘n Go is offering free Apple services (iCloud, Arcade, Apple TV+, and Music) via its ewallet

                PETALING JAYA: Touch ‘n Go (TNG) ewallet is offering free subscriptions to a number of Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and iCloud+, to iPhone users.

All users need to do is have the TNG ewallet app installed, and have a TNG ewallet account, after which they will be eligible to redeem these subscriptions.

Navigate to the inbox screen in the app and tap on the notification stating that you are eligible for it, after which, the options for Apple service subscriptions will be displayed.

When redeeming an offer, users will need to bind their TNG ewallet as a payment method on the device. More information on how to do this should be available in the settings app on the iPhone.

Users will be able to claim subscriptions for two months of Apple Music, three months of Apple TV+ two months of Apple Arcade, and four months of iCloud+.

New and former subscribers are eligible for these freebies.


KIA welcomes MBf into dealer network

From left: Samson and Choo
KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, held a signing ceremony at the MAI Autoshow 2018 to mark the appointment of MBf Automobile into their dealer network.

Present at the event to represent Naza Kia Malaysia was Naza Corporation Holdings group CEO (Automotive Group) Datuk Samson Anand George who signed the agreement in tandem with MBf Automobile group general manager Daniel Choo.

"We are grateful for the immense support from our dealers over the last few decades and we welcome MBf Automobile to our existing network of dealers. This dealership reassures us of Kia’s growing presence in Malaysia and the confidence that dealers such as MBf Automobile Sdn Bhd place on us,” said Samson.

MBf Automobile will set up its first Kia outlets incorporating the Korean brand’s new corporate identity for its Kia Concept Stores.

The first 3S (sales, service and spare parts) Kia City Concept Store Experiential Showroom in Malaysia is set to be established at Menara MBf with an investment of RM5mil - located along Jalan Sultan Ismail by mid-2019.

Another RM1.5mil will be used to revamp an existing Kia outlet on Jalan Maarof, Bangsar and turn it into a Kia City Concept Store as well to begin operating by the third quarter of 2018 - bringing its total investment to RM6.5mil.

“This year, we plan to continue intensifying investments to further grow our network with five new outlets nationwide and expand customer touchpoints to ensure an extraordinary experience throughout the consumer journey,” added Samson.

Naza Kia Malaysia currently has 51 sales and service centres in the country and have plans to open more outlets in 2018.


'The Beast’: What you need to know about the US presidential car

                DUBLIN : US President Joe Biden kick-started his Ireland visit on Tuesday, starting a four-day visit.

The president’s itinerary has already been outlined, with Biden touring a number of locations including a visit to Co Louth, where his great-grandfather James Finnegan was born.

And, though it has yet to be seen, ‘The Beast’ presidential car could be used to shuttle Biden around. Here, we’re taking a look at what this incredible car has to offer.

When was ‘The Beast’ name introduced?

‘The Beast’ name first appeared back in 2001 with the arrival of President George W. Bush. That car was an entirely ground-up built model, incorporating many of the functions that are fitted to the modern version.

It’s a name that would stick, too, and has continued through to the present-day vehicle.

What is the current model based on?

The current model is made by General Motors (GM) in the United States and debuted in 2018. Though many of the details about The Beast’s underpinnings are scarce, it’s believed to be based on one of GM’s larger trucks, albeit equipped with more car-like features similar to those found on the Cadillac Escalade.

It’s thought that The Beast could weigh up to nine tonnes and can seat up to seven people.

Does it have any cool features?

The Beast is jam-packed with features. It has been designed to deliver the best possible protection for the President. As a result, it has 13cm-thick laminated glass for the windows, run-flat tyres with a solid core to ensure that they can still roll when punctured and 20cm thick military-grade armour for the panels.

Plus, the fuel tank is bullet and blastproof, while emergency equipment includes firefighting gear, oxygen tanks and containers of the President’s blood type.

Where has it appeared recently?

The Beast is often used for some of the President’s key visits and was used back in September 2022, by Biden for the state funeral of the Queen.

The Beast was also used during Biden’s first visit to the UK in June 2022 after being named as president.

Have previous presidents been driven in ‘The Beast’?

Yes. Over time, The Beast has evolved and changed to include more high-tech features, but all presidents since George W. Bush have used a version of it. President Obama was driven in The Beast on numerous occasions, while President Trump was also a frequent passenger in it.

In fact, Trump made a notable appearance in ‘The Beast’ when it was used for a spin around the famous Daytona 500 racing circuit. — PA Media


Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series: most powerful ever

                STUTTGART: Limited to 500 units worldwide, the new Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is the most powerful and unique 911 Turbo S ever.

Besides producing 607hp, meaning a power increase of 27 hp, the coupé is distinct from the standard 911 Turbo S due to its unique design, higher-quality materials and luxurious details.

The sports car is being intricately finished by hand in the new Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur at the headquarters in Zuffenhausen.

For the first time ever, Porsche customers can have the matching chronograph from Porsche Design configured in the same design as their sports car.

The 3.8-litre, six-cylinder biturbo flat engine with an exclusive power kit has a maximum torque of 750Nm, delivered between 2,250 and 4,000rpm.

This means that the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, and takes 9.6 seconds to cross the 200 km/h threshold.

The sports car can reach a top speed of 330 km/h.

The 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series comes with black-painted 20-inch wheels with central locking as standard, and their design lines are carefully finished in Golden Yellow Metallic using a new laser technology.

For the first time, the brake callipers for the PCCB ceramic brake system are available ex works in a black-painted version with the Porsche logo in Golden Yellow Metallic.

The active sports chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and the Sport Chrono package are included in the standard equipment.

The rear-axle steering and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) rolling-motion compensation improve handling and provide stability.

In the cabin, the 18-way adjustable sports seats are covered in two layers of perforated leather.

The inside layer has two stripes in Golden Yellow

The seams and the Turbo S lettering stitched on the headrests are also in contrasting Golden Yellow, and the roof lining is made of Alcantara with a Golden Yellow double-stripe look.

Also, the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series represents the first time that Porsche Design has released a Chronograph for limited production run customers that has the same design features used in the actual vehicle.

The exclusive Chronograph's housing is made of lightweight titanium, and its black titanium carbide coating emphasises its sporty design.

Customers can also enjoy the unique Exclusive Series design outside of their vehicle with the leather Exclusive Series luggage set that has been developed especially for customers who buy a vehicle from the limited production run.

The visual details on the luggage set as well as the dimensions of the two hold-alls, the day bag and the suit bag are the perfectly fit for the luggage space available in the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.


This office chair was developed with car manufacturing tech

                PARIS: With the aim of bringing attention to all the technologies on board the brand's latest electric models, Norwegian designers working for Volkswagen have developed an office chair that brings them all together.

It is even capable of driving at up to 20kph.

This project was created as a showcase of the German manufacturer's know-how.

Beyond the prototype, which is one of a kind and obviously not intended to go to retail, and the buzz it's generating, this seat incorporates many innovations that can be found, at another level, in the latest Volkswagen models.

This office chair is equipped with a motor that allows it to reach a top speed of 20kph.

It also has a range of 12km, enough for going around an open space several times. This unusual creation has five wheels and two aluminum pedals, a control screen and a touch screen.

Add to that the presence of a rearview camera and 360-degree sensors, as well as headlights, turn signals and a USB charger.

The seat is heated, the armrests act as speakers and it even has a mini trunk where you can store your PC or various work documents.

Like any Volkswagen designed for the road, this office chair combines comfort and safety.

And just like when you're in the car, don't forget to put on your seatbelt before driving it!


Toyota retires first-generation 86 in UK

                LONDON: Toyota has sold its last GT86 in the UK after a nine-year run where it managed to sell 7,500 units.

The GT86 (or simply 86 in Japan and Malaysia) was the forerunner for today’s GR Supra and GR Yaris.

The 86 made its world premiere at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The "86" name refers to the engine cylinders that have a bore and stroke of 86mm. The car was also inspired by the rear-wheel-drive AE86 Corolla coupe of the 1980s.

To celebrate the exit of the first-generation 86, Toyota has put together a short film capturing some of the 86’s greatest moments from the past decade.

The next generation 86, like the first, should be the same mechanically as the Subaru BRZ, both being made at the same plant.

However, few details have filtered out on the upcoming model except for a design trademark registration that looks like the coupe's new lower fascia. A bigger grille and more rounded styling appear to be in the works for the second-gen 86.

Some details of the new BRZ are already known, so we expect they will be echoed in the new 86 as well.

The new BRZ uses a 2.4-litre four-pot boxer engine that produces 228hp and 249Nm of torque (versus 200hp and 212Nm in first-gen). It will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

The chassis and subframe mounts have been stiffened, leading to overall rigidity of 50%. Suspension upfront are MacPherson struts, while the rear are double wishbones.

As the BRZ is scheduled to be launched in the second half of this year, the 86 should show up at around the same time.