Nissan takes its own road, minus Renault, in seeking tech tie-up

                YOKOHAMA: Nissan is developing growth plans in areas such as software and electric vehicles (EVs) independent of Renault SA as the automakers work to finalise terms of a sharply limited alliance, said seven people with knowledge of the matter.

Japan's third-biggest automaker by sales is seeking a partner outside the auto industry to develop software that connects vehicles to cloud-based services, two people involved in discussions said, without elaborating on candidates.

That would address a relative weakness for Nissan as it tries to make cars "smarter and more connected", one of the people said.

It is also working on an expanded strategy for all-battery and plug-in EVs for North American and Asian markets that will be for Nissan alone, they said.

The revelations come as the alliance oversight board met this week to discuss a rebalance that will see Renault cut its stake in Nissan to 15% from 43% - matching the size of Nissan's stake in Renault - and Nissan gain reciprocal voting rights.

Under the deal, to be finalised by mid-year, Nissan will also invest in the French automaker's new Ampere EV business.

Imbalance had long riled Nissan executives who complained Renault did not pay its fair share of costs for innovation and development. Nissan's emerging strategy reflects a belief within the automaker that the 23-year-old alliance has run its course for many of the biggest challenges it faces, the people said.

While Nissan sees continued savings in shared parts procurement with Renault, it has no plan to provide engineering support to Ampere, said two of the people, who all asked not to be identified because talks between the pair are ongoing.

It also has no plan to provide its e-Power hybrid technology to a gasoline powertrain-focused joint venture Renault has with China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd and Saudi Aramco Base Oil Co JSC, two of the people said.

Going solo

Such go-it-alone thinking is shaping a longer-term plan that could be announced by year-end focusing on improved operational performance, electrification and software allowing self-driving and other "connected car" features, one of the people said.

"Even if Renault gets something from Nissan, benefits moving in the other direction are hard," a second person with knowledge of Nissan's stance said. "The restrictions from Renault are gone, and we can move freely."

In a joint statement to Reuters, Nissan and Renault said they were working towards final partnership terms that would make them more competitive. They said they planned to detail already-announced cooperative projects for India and Latin America.

"The new structure enables faster and more flexible decision making," the pair said in the statement.

They said, without elaborating, investing in Ampere would strengthen Nissan in Europe and "accelerate new business".

Nissan will invest and provide technology for the venture but will limit its operational involvement, one of the people told Reuters. If Ampere developed technology of interest for Europe, Nissan would look to buy it separately, the person said.

Ghosn's vision gone

The stance marks a hard stop for the vision of Carlos Ghosn, who formerly headed both Renault and Nissan and pushed deeper integration over the objections of some Nissan executives.

Ghosn was arrested in 2018 in Tokyo on charges of financial misconduct, and said his detention was part of a plot by Nissan executives to block a merger.

He fled to Lebanon in late 2019 while awaiting trial and has since been living as a fugitive.

In rebalancing talks, Nissan has pushed for protection of its technology to limit any downside from continued partnership, people involved have said. Among technology Nissan wants to protect is its work on solid-state lithium-ion battery making and its e-Power electric hybrid powertrain, the people said.

Some executives said the alliance talks' best outcome would have been a "zero percent, zero percent" equity tie-up - a goal they knew was unreachable but floated to drive home the point that Nissan needed to move on its own, the people said.

Shares of Nissan are up 17% so far this year, putting them on track, at least for now, for their first annual increase in eight years.


Settle DBKL summonses from before Sept 1 within a month, or face JPJ blacklist

                KUALA L;UMPUR: Errant motorists with outstanding Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) traffic summonses have been given a month to settle fines issued before Sept 1, 2018 or face being blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

To make the deal sweeter, DBKL is offering steep discounts to motorists with a flat rate of RM20 for motorcycle offenses, RM30 for car, MPV, van, lorry, 4WD and SUV, as well as RM50 for heavy vehicles such as bus, tractor, large lorry, crane and trailer.

DBKL Corporate Planning Department director Khairul Azmir Ahmad said the discount was only applicable for wrongful parking offences at metered parking spots, and for summonses issued by DBKL.

“Motorists are given a month, between Sept 1 and 30, to settle their outstanding traffic offences, and there will be no extension given, following of which, they will be blacklisted by the JPJ,” he said in a statement.

He added that offences that were already blacklisted or were currently on-going in court or where an arrest warrant had been issued were not applicable for the special discount.

Motorists can settle their fines via DBKL payment counters, Pos Malaysia branches nationwide, DBKL payment kiosks, www.myeg.com and the DBKL Mobis app that can be downloaded from the Google Playstore or Apple App Store.


Sorry for the traffic jams, says Army after second vehicle breakdown

The broken-down tank on Friday. — Kuala Lumpur Control and Command Centre
KUALA LUMPUR: The Army has apologised to motorists who have been inconvenienced by the breakdowns of a tank and a prime mover over the past two days.

"The Army apologises for the two incidents and will ensure that this does not happen again. But should it recur, a standby recovery team will be dispatched to the location as quickly as possible to tow the stricken vehicle away in order to avoid traffic jams," the Army said in an official statement today.

Giving an official explanation for the two breakdowns, the statement said that at 10.30am on Aug 26, a PT-91M Pendekar tank had just completed its exercises for the 65th Independence Day parade rehearsals when it encountered engine problems.

A recovery vehicle was then dispatched at 11am to tow it to the National Museum car park for repairs to be carried out.

The second incident involving a prime mover occurred at 11.26am on Aug 27 on the road in front of the National Museum.

The prime mover was on its way back to the Perdana Camp in Sungai Besi when it also encountered engine problems.

A team of mechanics was dispatched to the location and repair work was completed by 12.30pm for the vehicle to continue its journey.

A total of 129 of the Army's vehicular assets were involved in the parade rehearsals.


rFpro launches digital twin city of autonomous vehicle testing facility

                LONDON: Simulation software specialist, rFpro, has created a highly accurate digital twin of Mcity, a purpose-built facility at the University of Michigan for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies under controlled, realistic conditions.

The digital twin enables vehicle manufacturers and technology suppliers to accelerate development using simulation.

rFpro’s development of an accurate digital twin of Mcity will result in simulated tests that correlate with real world experiments, meaning that customers can prepare ahead of each visit to the real-world site in simulation.

Tests at the real-world track can also be used to validate the simulated tests, ensuring that the large-scale testing that can be achieved in simulation, is highly accurate and reliable.

Like its real-world counterpart, the digital twin contains a wealth of different roadside objects and materials to ensure accurate simulation of radar, LiDAR and camera sensors.

rFpro used survey-grade LiDAR equipment to capture a digital copy of the environment accurate to less than 1mm. Road layouts, lanes and junctions are described inside rFpro in OpenDRIVE, IPG ROAD5 and SUMO formats.

As these are the three main industry standards for road network descriptions, it means the rFpro Mcity digital twin is compatible with all major vehicle and modelling tools.

The Mcity digital twin and the physical test facility alike are densely populated spaces which group many road features into a compact area. This ensures a whole range of tests are possible within a single model or location and are particularly suited to simulations of complex urban environments.


WATCH: A guided tour and drive of Mercedes-Benz E-Class prototype

                LAS VEGAS: The refreshed Mercedes-Benz E-Class is due out at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

But the Stuttgart luxury car maker couldn't wait to tell even more about the updated W213 E-Class.

YouTube channel fünfkommasechs, a platform for Mercedes-Benz fans, was given access to the car and cut a video explaining some of the changes made to the mid-size sedan.

The video — a long one at over 24 mins — shows the camouflaged prototype doing its rounds outside Las Vegas.  Published on Jan 23, it was picked up by Mercedes-Benz and reposted on its channel on Feb 23, it has since attracted over 85,000 views as of today (212,762 views on fünfkommasechs).

The video was hosted by Marc Christiansen from fünfkommasechs. On hand to explain some of the technical details and changes was Mercedes E-Class chief engineer Michael Kelz.

Kelz glossed over some of the changes that included a new steering wheel as well as gesture and voice controls that can tell driver and front passenger apart.

The car also gets an upgraded automatic parking system that is much quicker and a more streamlined underbody to reduce drag further.

The line-up will receive a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that's equipped with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt technology.


Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres designed for McLaren 765LT

                MILAN: Pirelli is to exclusively equip the new McLaren 765LT, to deliver as much performance as possible on dry-weather for the luxury British supercar.

The P Zero Trofeo R tyre was chosen as the starting point for this latest collaboration.

Now the Trofeo R has been further refined in a joint effort from Pirelli and McLaren to meet the high- performance requirements of this latest car, following some intense work from Pirelli’s renowned research and development division.

The new McLaren 765LT announces its sporting intentions with a 765-hp engine that puts out 800Nm of torque to deliver the ultimate in performance, as well as aerodynamics that place plenty of load through the bespoke P Zero Trofeo R tyres.

READ MORE: McLaren 765LT supercar arrives, priced from RM1.5mil

The new P Zero Trofeo R created for the McLaren 765LT represents the latest tyre born out of the long collaboration between Pirelli and McLaren.

Every vehicle leaves the McLaren Production Centre with its own specific Pirelli tyre, tailor-made for that particular car and distinguished by a distinctive ‘MC’ marking on the sidewall.

Some of these tyres are additionally equipped with other Pirelli technologies such as PNCS – Pirelli Noise Cancelling System – which guarantees maximum acoustic comfort inside the car.


3D audio in the new Audi A8

                INGOLSTADT: Listening to music becomes a sensory experience in the new Audi A8. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System now also brings the unique acoustic character of pure 3D sound to the rear seats. The brand with the four rings thus offers first-rate sound quality in the top segment.

Luxury is audible. The new generation of the Audi A8 demonstrates this in impressive style – with the Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System.

It supplies 23 loudspeakers featuring ultra-light and therefore low-distortion neodymium magnets that produce an airy, high-resolution sound pattern.

The effect is impressive, especially when reproducing a classical concert of high recording quality: The interior is transformed into a broad stage where the music unfolds exactly how it was recorded in the concert hall – without any artificial effects. The sound is authentic and emotional. That is the top priority of Audi’s audio specialists, making sound quality a fitting reflection of the brand philosophy.

The brand with the four rings first introduced 3D sound in the Audi Q7 in 2015. In the new A8 it now extends the evolutionary version to include the rear compartment of the car. Two full-range loudspeakers in the A-pillars and two in the headlining above the rear seats supply the spatial dimension of height and develop the surround sound into the perfect stereophonic experience.

The 1,920-watt amplifier by Bang & Olufsen, which operates highly efficiently thanks to ICEpower technology, generates the 3D sound with its digital signal processor. It produces little waste heat and therefore abundant audio output – as is audibly evidenced in the detailed sound pattern. Above all, it amplifies the signal of the woofers, which reproduce sound that is especially energy-laden, such as a low note from an organ.

When the infotainment system is switched on, the two tweeters extend electrically out of the instrument panel. Thanks to Acoustic Lens Technology from Bang & Olufsen, they ensure that the sound is distributed in a horizontal 180-degree fan. Individual amplifier channels supply each loudspeaker.

To produce the 3D sound, the new sound system draws on an algorithm that Audi has developed in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute in Erlangen. It uses stereo or 5.1 recordings to calculate the information for the third dimension and processes it for the four 3D loudspeakers. This occurs dynamically; in other words, the algorithm adapts individually to the recording to avoid causing any distortion to the sound.

Using the MMI system as well as a separate operating unit for the rear passengers that resembles a smartphone, the sound setting can be optimised as preferred – with a specific focus on the front or rear seats, or all seats. The rear-focused setting enables the rear passengers to enjoy the best possible quality of 3D and surround sound.

As well as treble and bass, the occupants can also adjust the subwoofer volume independently of all other loudspeakers. Then there is a special function for film sound tracks, known as Movie Set. The 5.1 sound track plays in the same quality as in front of a big screen in the cinema. The system localises every voice individually and adjusts the balance accordingly. For instance, if a character appears to the right of the picture, their voice is also played from the right.

Work on the concept for the sound systems for the new Audi A8 started very early on in the development process. “Integrating the loudspeakers at the right points in the car is the key to 80 percent of the audio quality,” explains Wolfram Jähn, sound/acoustics developer for the A8. “They need to be mounted as rigidly as possible, so we fixed the subwoofer in the rear panel, which is made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. The aim is to isolate the loudspeaker from the body and prevent any vibrations from being transmitted.”

The speaker grilles are another vital factor. For these components, Audi’s designers and sound engineers worked closely with the developers from Bang & Olufsen. The grilles need to have maximum acoustic transparency while also performing their protective function. It is all about striking the right balance between open and closed surface.

In the Audi A8, precision-perforated covers of double-anodised aluminium adorn the loudspeakers in the front and rear doors. White LED light guides illuminate the woofers. The basis for top-quality sound systems is the quality of every individual component.


Ford and VW target 8 million vehicles in van alliance

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG said on Wednesday they would make up to 8 million units of medium pickup trucks and commercial vans over the lifecycle of the vehicles as part of an alliance announced last year.

The alliance was forged in January 2019 and expanded later, as carmakers join forces to invest in electric and self-driving technology in a bid to save billions of dollars.

The automakers will collaborate on a city van built by Volkswagen, a 1-ton cargo van developed by Ford, and a Volkswagen medium pickup built on the Ranger platform, beginning 2022.

The No. 2 US automaker will also develop a new electric vehicle for Europe based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive toolkit by 2023, and deliver more than 600,000 units over several years.

“This collaboration will efficiently drive down development costs, allowing broader global distribution of electric and commercial vehicles, and enhance the positions of both companies,” Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess said on Wednesday.

The companies will also develop an autonomous-vehicle business based on Argo AI’s self-driving technology.


Change in fuel prices only after first week of January 2019

                PETALING JAYA: The retail prices of fuel prices will be unchanged for the first week of 2019, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said that the prices of RON97, RON95, and diesel would remain at RM2.50, RM2.20, and RM2.18 per litre respectively, until the government sets new retail prices for these petroleum products by the end of the first week of January.

"The Cabinet will meet on Jan 2, chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to determine the retail prices of petroleum products at the optimum level," he said.

Lim added that while the Federal Government has decided to allow a weekly float of fuel prices to allow users to enjoy any changes in line with the world petroleum prices, it takes into account the view of all stakeholders, including the request by the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM), who is against the floating price mechanism.

"Dr Mahathir will also meet with PDAM soon," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Lim said the Government is committed to executing the retail price stabilising policy and at the same time, implementing a fixed price, which would benefit the people.

"This would mean that when the world's petroleum price goes down, the retail price would be lowered to benefit the consumers.

"However, if the prices were to go up, the consumers will be protected as the retail prices will remain at RM2.20 per litre for RON95 and RM2.18 for diesel through subsidies," he added.

The price retention will remain until the implementation of the RON95 subsidy, which will be carried out in mid-2019 before the retail price is floated based on market price.


Kawasaki presents 125cc motorcycles for Ninja and Z ranges

                AMSTERDAM: The Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki will unveil its new 125cc Ninja and Z motorcycles -- largely inspired by the brand's famous sports bikes — at the Intermot international motorcycle fair in Cologne, Oct 3-7, 2018.

Kawasaki is giving riders a taste of what's to come from two new 125cc models — the Ninja 125 and the Z125 — available to holders of A1-category licenses for small motorcycles. As well as their names, the new bikes inherit the signature looks of some of Kawasaki's sportiest bikes.

The cycles' most immediately striking feature is their design, with the 125cc Ninja notably referencing the Ninja ZX-10RR, and the Z125 inspired by the Z brand's naked styling. Both bikes have tubular trellis type frames using the same stress technology previously seen in Kawasaki's supercharged Ninja H2. The Ninja 125 and Z125 also share a single-cylinder, water-cooled engine rated at 11kW, or 15HP.

The Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 will premiere at the Intermot motorcycle fair before going on sale in 2019.

With its new 125cc models, Kawasaki is reaching out to younger riders with an entry point to the brand's range, before they move on to more powerful models with higher capacities. The brand's strategy echoes the approach taken at Honda, which added 125cc models to its range of CB roadsters, such as the recent CB125R Neo Sports Café.


Touch ‘n Go available at border crossing from Sept 9

                ALOR SETAR: PLUS Malaysia will station personnel at the Bukit Kayu Hitam toll booths to sell Touch ‘n Go cards once the electronic toll collection (ETC) system is implemented on Sept 9.

Its chief operating officer Mohammad Fuad Khusairi said this would make it convenient for foreigners driving into the country via the highway.

“Foreign motorists will be able to buy Touch ‘n Go and PLUSMiles cards at the toll booths of the plaza.

“We are also selling the cards in Thailand and have been creating awareness of the ETC system through announcements over there.

“The Thai authorities have also been notified on our ETC move in Bukit Kayu Hitam,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Bukit Kayu Hitam is among the 10 toll plazas nationwide that would go cashless from Sept 9. Motorists will need a Touch ‘n Go card, PLUSMiles card or SmartTAG device to use the highways.

The other affected toll plazas in the northern region are Jitra, Penang Bridge and Lunas.

Motorists entering the Buterworth-Kulim Expressway via Kubang Semang would also need the cards or SmartTag devices.

Mohammad Fuad said the ETC system would reduce traffic congestion.

PLUS is now selling PLUSMiles cards with a pre-loaded RM5 value for RM5 until Dec 31 and SmartTAG units at RM96 per unit inclusive of GST (normal price RM127.30) at toll plazas until Sept 30.

In Prai, Penang, hundreds of motorcyclists took advantage of the promotion at the Penang Bridge toll plaza sales office.

Normally, a Touch ‘n Go card would cost RM10 without any preloaded credit.

Teacher Mohd Fakhrul Anwar, 33, said he bought the card for his wife since there was a promotion.

He said he fully supported the cashless system as it would save time and reduce jams at the toll.

“Using Touch ‘n Go would also save me 20% when using the bridge. I only pay RM1.12 instead of RM1.40 as a motorcyclist,” said Mohd Fakhrul, who is from Permatang Pauh.

PLUS’ head of corporate communications Mohd Nizam Ismail said they have sold 5,000 Touch ‘n Go cards since Monday.

The promotion will last till the end of the year.

For details, call the Malaysian Highway Authority hotline at 1-800-88-7752.


October fuel prices: Petrol up 10 sen, diesel increased 5 sen

                PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices will see an increase across the board for the month of October.

Petrol prices are up 10 sen with RON95 petrol retailing at RM1.80 per litre (from RM1.70 previously), while RON97 will be RM2.15 per litre (from RM2.05).

Diesel is up 5 sen to RM1.75 per litre (from RM1.70).

Petron Petrol Dealers Association president Nor Manshor Abdul Ghafar confirmed this when contacted on Friday.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry decided to set the prices of petrol and diesel on a managed float system from Dec 1, 2014 following the removal of fuel subsidies.


Ford reveals special edition Mustang Bullitt

                DETROIT: Ford has introduced the 2019 Mustang Bullitt in an ode to the iconic movie “Bullitt” and its fan-favourite San Francisco car chase 50 years ago.

Third-generation member of the McQueen family, Molly, starred in a special movie of her own introducing the new third-generation Bullitt at the North American International Auto Show. In the film, Molly races a new Mustang Bullitt through a parking structure battling a Dodge Charger for the final free space.

Helping it win that particular spot was the Bullitt’s upgraded 5.0-litre V8 engine that will deliver at least 475hp and 571Nm of torque, pushing the new Bullitt to a top speed of 262kph – a 12kph increase versus the latest Mustang GT.

As a special-edition model due out this summer – the Mustang Bullitt is equipped with a manual transmission, and the gear shifter features a white cue ball shift knob as a nod to the original. The vehicle packages all Mustang GT Premium and Performance Package content into a vehicle that maintains the original Bullitt’s understated persona.

An active valve performance exhaust system is standard with new Black NitroPlate™ exhaust tips, and retuned to give the car a signature burble, as well as new Open Air Induction System and Shelby GT350 intake manifold with 87mm throttle bodies and powertrain control module calibration for optimal performance.

Other standard equipment includes a heated leather steering wheel and a 12-inch all-digital LCD instrument cluster, identical in function to the cluster introduced on 2018 Mustang, but with a unique Bullitt welcome screen that starts in green with an image of the car rather than the pony.

“This new Bullitt is, as Steve McQueen was, effortlessly cool,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. “As a designer, it’s my favourite Mustang – devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges. It doesn’t need to scream about anything – it’s just cool.”

Exterior paint choices are limited to Shadow Black and the classic Dark Highland Green – as worn in the movie. Other features that pay tribute to the car McQueen drove are subtle chrome accents around the grille and front windows, classic torque thrust 19-inch aluminum wheels, red painted Brembo™ brakes, and a unique black front grille. Inside and out, the vehicle uses minimal badging; only the circular faux gas cap Bullitt logo on the rear center is visible on the exterior.

The leather-trimmed interior features unique green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, center console and seats.

Aside from the two exterior paint choices, Mustang Bullitt buyers are limited to three factory-installed options:

> Bullitt Electronics Package includes navigation, driver memory seats and mirrors, upgraded sound system and Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert that can alert customers of vehicles detected in difficult-to-see places
> MagneRide semi-active suspension system optimises driving performance
> RECARO black leather-trimmed seats

“When making a Bullitt, there are certain things it absolutely must have,” said Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer. “It has to have the right attitude, it has to be unique in some way from a Mustang GT, and more than anything, it has to be bad ass.”

That reputation was born after a Mustang GT fastback played a prominent role in the 1968 movie, and most notably in a chase scene that set new standards in filmmaking. The film’s nearly 10-minute-long sequence followed McQueen chasing down two hitmen in his Mustang through the streets of San Francisco.


Renewable player overtakes ExxonMobil in market value

                NEW YORK: After decades of embracing fossil fuels, Wall Street appears to be shifting its allegiance to renewable energy, a sharp turn apparent in the contrasting fortunes of NextEra Energy and Exxon Mobil.

Florida-based NextEra, a big player in wind and solar energy, has overtaken the global oil giant as the most valuable US energy company by market value.

NextEra's market capitalisation has surged to US$145 billion compared with ExxonMobil's US$142 billion, another emblem of the Texas giant's diminished status after it was bumped this year from the prestigious Dow Jones index after more than 90 years.

The ascendance of NextEra and other renewable-oriented companies is not merely a passing trend, said Peter McNally, an energy expert at research firm Third Bridge.

"I've seen fads in alternative energy come and go over the last decade, and I'm sure that people would debate the multiple investors are paying for the earnings generated," he said in an interview.

"They're in the right place at the right time."

Tesla-like dynamic?

Founded in 1925 in Florida where it continues to supply power to five million households, NextEra has invested in solar and wind energy since the 1990s.

Those investments are now paying off with technological leaps in renewable energy.

"Alternative power is now getting competitive with traditional forms of electricity, coal and natural gas fired generation," McNally said.

"If some of those investments had been made 10 years ago, they would likely have had a different outcome, because the cost of generating power from wind and solar has gotten a lot cheaper."

NextEra is the biggest producer of wind energy in North America and among the biggest solar producers in the United States.

Equally important, investors have become much more focused on climate change and increasingly sympathetic to companies that embrace the idea that renewables will become a bigger part of the energy equation.

A similar sentiment also made Tesla the most valuable auto company in terms of market value, outstripping General Motors and Ford, even though the traditional automakers sell many more cars.

In 2019, NextEra reported US$3.8 billion in profits on US$19 billion in revenues. During the same period, ExxonMobil garnered US$14.3 billion in profits on revenues of US$265 billion.

ExxonMobil's decline coincides with a lacklustre outlook for oil prices in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing uncertainty over demand.

These dynamics have made ExxonMobil's strategic decisions of recent years look especially bad.

The oil giant invested almost US$80 billion between 2017 and 2019, including about a third on US shale investments expected to boost production by one million barrels per day by 2024. But those targets appear destined to lapse.

With the crash in oil prices, ExxonMobil has slashed its capital budget this year.

By contrast, NextEra has benefited from regulated electricity prices and stable use. About two-thirds of its revenues are tied to supplying electricity.

Between this consistent source of revenues and its expertise in wind, solar and energy storage, NextEra is "very well positioned for this transition to renewable generation and emission free type world," said Andrew Bischof, analyst at Morningstar.

"Investors definitely appreciate that type of carbon profile during this transition," he added.


Perak JPJ nets nearly RM500,000 from auctioning off seized vehicles

                IPOH: The Perak Road Transport Department (JPJ) has collected nearly half a million ringgit from its auction for seized vehicles.

State JPJ director Mohammad Yusoff Abustan said they collected RM487,750 from the auction of 41 vehicles including cars, vans and motorcycles at its branch here today.

Mohammad Yusoff said 35 of the vehicles were still road-worthy while six were sold for scrap.

"The highest bid was for a Honda Integra auctioned off at RM41,500.

"The lowest amount was RM50 for a motorcycle," he said.

"Successful bidders need to complete the transfer of ownership within seven days from the day of the auction," he said, adding that 47 people took part.


Waive accrued interest during loan moratorium period, minister urges banks

Zafrul wants all banks to be on the same page as some don't charge accrued interest while others do. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz has proposed that accrued interest or profit imposed by financial institutions on hire purchase customers be waived during the six-month moratorium period.

He said there were banks that offered the loan moratorium without charging accrued interest or compounded interest on the loans.

"Considering that there is a possibility that this can be implemented and after listening to the people's demand, I would like to recommend that all financial institutions, especially those that are involved in offering the moratorium to consider waiving the accrued interest (for hire purchase loans) or profit (for fixed-rate Islamic financing loans) during the six-month moratorium," he said in a Facebook post today.

Tengku Zafrul said the issue was under the purview of the Bank Negara, but the ministry had taken a proactive step to discuss with it, as well as the banks, for a decision based on the people's needs.

"We, at the ministry, are ready to collaborate with Bank Negara and the banking sector to ensure the implementation of the proposal.

"I hope that this view can be considered by Bank Negara and the financial institutions in the country," he said.

Tengku Zafrul said recently the mass media and people had raised the issue, and there had been confusion over the interests.

Bank Negara had stated on Friday that hire purchase loans would continue to be charged interest or profit during the moratorium period.


The new BMW R 18 Classic and upgraded R nineT models

MUNICH: BMW Motorrad unveiled on Thursday more variants of two models namely the R18 and R nineT.

Following the premiere of the R 18, it presented the second member of its new model series for the cruiser segment: the R 18 Classic.

The R 18 Classic is a nostalgic touring bike that echoes the beginnings of the great touring cruiser models.

While the R 18 is purist in style, the R 18 Classic features a large windscreen, passenger seat, saddle bags, additional LED headlights and 16-inch front wheel.

Both R18s borrow from famous models such as the R 5 both technologically and visually, shifting the focus back onto the motorcycle essentials: purist, no-frills technology and the boxer engine as the epicentre of riding pleasure, combined with “good vibrations”.

The centrepiece of the  R 18 Classic and R 18 is a completely newly developed two-cylinder boxer engine – the “Big Boxer” with the peak output at 91hp at 4,750 rpm. From 2,000 to 4,000rpm, over 150Nm of torque is available.

BMW R nineT

Meanwhile, the new R nineT models has extended range of standard features, fine-tuning of the design and even more pulling power.

The new models include R nineT, R nineT Pure, R nineT Scrambler and R nineT Urban G/S.

The new R nineT models, the boxer engine has undergone both technical and visual fine-tuning and is now designed to meet the requirements of the EU-5 pollutant class.

Its peak power output is now 109hp at 7,250 rpm (previously 110hp at 7,750 rpm), while the maximum torque is still 116Nm at 6,000 rpm.

Even in the standard version, the new R nineT models now feature ABS Pro in combination with DBC (Dynamic Brake Control) for increased safety when braking – at banking angles as well as in difficult situations.

Standard features also include a new shock absorber with travel-dependent damping (WAD), providing enhanced suspension comfort and convenient adjustment of the spring preload via a hand wheel.

“Rain” and “Road” riding modes are now included as standard.


New Kia K5 flies through the air in 'triple threat stunt'

                LOS ANGELES: To introduce the brand’s most powerful midsize sedan ever, Kia Motors America (KMA) recently executed a “Triple Threat Stunt” performed by professional stunt drivers on a track outside Atlanta.

The Triple Threat Stunt featured two turbocharged K5 models sailing through the air in opposite directions as a third K5 model slid into position below the airborne pair.

The Triple Threat Stunt served as the kick-off of a multi-channel marketing campaign in support of the all-new 2021 K5 midsize sedan.

Directed by Darrin Prescott, action unit director on some of Hollywood’s most action-packed films including Baby Driver, Ford Vs. Ferrari, Drive, John Wick, Black Panther, and The Bourne Ultimatum, the stunt was streamed live online and provided car enthusiasts with a virtual look at the capability of the all-new K5 midsize sedan.

In addition to Prescott, the Triple Threat Stunt featured professional driver Collete Davis and actor Jeremy Ray Valdez, as event co-hosts and professional drivers Sean Graham and father-daughter stunt driving duo Jalil Jay and Brionna Lynch. As Graham maneuvered, steered, and slid his K5 into position with stop-on-a-dime accuracy, two K5s driven by the Lynches, sped down straightaways towards one another before each hit a ramp becoming airborne and sailing over Graham’s K5.

The “Triple Threat Stunt” ended with all three K5 models, and their respective drivers, safe and sound back on terra firma.


California's zero-emission vehicle program is stuck in neutral

                SAN FRANCISCO: Toyota's zero-emission vehicle sales in California this year amount to a drop of hydrogen in an ocean of gasoline.

The world’s largest automaker has so far sold about 270 hydrogen fuel cell cars in the state, where it delivered nearly 400,000 gas-powered vehicles last year, according to an Edmunds.com analysis of IHS Markit data. Toyota does not currently sell an electric vehicle.

And yet the automaker will have no trouble meeting California’s zero-emission vehicle mandates – because it can satisfy those obligations with state-awarded environmental credits instead of current zero-emission vehicle sales.

The Toyota example underscores how the California’s complex credit system has left the state well off the pace needed to meet its clean-car sales goals. The state has estimated its regulations would result in zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, making up about 15 percent of all California auto sales by 2025, but the current share has been stuck at 3 percent since 2014.

Toyota and other automakers have amassed stockpiles of credits through past ZEV sales or by purchasing credits from competitors that produce more zero-emission cars, such as Tesla Motors or Nissan Motor Co. Some automakers have enough credits to satisfy state mandates for years without selling a single zero-emission vehicle, according to a new analysis from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The system also masks a more fundamental problem with the business of selling zero-emission vehicles – weak demand from consumers.

The California Air Resources Board, which regulates greenhouse gas emissions, plans to take up ZEV program changes by December, with a likely focus on the credit system, the backbone of its policy. That prospect has ignited tensions between traditional automakers and Tesla, the Silicon Valley electric car maker.

State regulators are caught in the middle, taking criticism from both sides. Mary Nichols, chair of the state board, acknowledged the sluggish sales of ZEVs, which include electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. She said regulatory changes could be needed to meet state sales goals.

“I’m concerned,” Nichols told Reuters in an interview. “It’s a very ambitious goal and would require - if you look at where we are today and where we need to go - a big change in what consumers are seeing and what they’re buying.”

Any policy changes will be closely watched globally by automakers, regulators and environmentalists, many of whom view California as the leading laboratory for green-car policy.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk recently told investors that state regulators “should damn well be ashamed of themselves” for failing to require major automakers to produce more zero-emission vehicles.

Others in the industry argue car makers have only limited control over how quickly consumers embrace vehicles that – at least for now – are inherently expensive or impractical.

“It’s a mandate for us to produce vehicles, but there is no mandate for customers to buy them,” said Michael Lord, an executive engineer at Toyota who manages regulatory affairs.

Tesla has benefited from some automakers’ decisions to buy more credits instead of build more cars: The electric car maker has to date reported more than US$600 million in environmental credit sales.

The credits and related subsidies have helped finance Tesla’s success so far in creating consumer demand for high-end electric cars, but the company has yet to turn a profit from selling US$100,000 sedans and crossovers. Its long-term growth depends on widespread consumer acceptance of more affordable battery-powered cars.

Now, Toyota and Honda are building their own expensive, futuristic vehicles, ones that will net the companies far more credits than sales.

Both automakers recently unveiled hydrogen fuel cell cars, which convert the fuel into electric power. They are essentially electric cars that can be refuelled instead of recharged, which can take hours.

Neither Toyota nor Honda expects these fuel cells to find a mass market. Hydrogen stations are nearly impossible to find outside of Los Angeles or San Francisco, and both cars start at about US$60,000.

But the Toyota Mirai and the Honda Clarity will pay off handsomely in credits – nine of them for each sale, compared to four credits the state now gives a Tesla Model S or the three it gives a Nissan Leaf.

The credits are currently worth about US$3,000 to US$4,000 each, according to a source with knowledge of the private credit-trading market among automakers. But they are worth far more to Toyota and Honda as a mechanism to satisfy state mandates while continuing to sell hundreds of thousands of gasoline-powered vehicles each year in California, the nation’s biggest auto market.

The credits also buy time to develop more viable zero-emissions cars, said Honda’s Robert Bienenfeld, assistant vice president for energy and the environment. The credits, he said, make it easier to carry out the difficult and expensive development work required to bring zero-emission vehicles into a tough market. “Things do not always go smoothly,” he said.

Toyota has spent two decades and billions of dollars on research and development of hydrogen fuel cells, and the company believes deeply in the technology, Lord said. But he does not expect hydrogen cars to serve a substantial market for at least five or ten more years.

In the short term, that may mean fewer ZEV sales as a tradeoff for developing higher-quality vehicles with longer driving ranges. Getting the cars on the street, even in small numbers, is essential to jump-starting consumer demand and the hydrogen-fueling infrastructure needed for wider adoption, Lord said.


China's Geely to explore deeper cooperation with Daimler

                BEIJING: China’s Geely will explore the possibility of deeper cooperation with German luxury automaker Daimler AG, its chairman Li Shufu said today.

Geely built a 9.69% stake in Stuttgart-based Daimler in 2018. The two companies formed a China-based venture to build electric Smart cars and a separate premium ride-hailing venture. They also invested in Volocopter, a flying taxi company.

Geely would also “launch several new products and services to our markets around the world” this year, Li said in a statement to Reuters. Geely plans to roll out Lynk & Co cars in Europe this year.

Li also said Chinese auto market is returning to normal and global auto supply chain disruption is “temporary and manageable.”


MBPJ may take back management of parking

                PETALING JAYA: Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is looking to terminate the services of the city’s parking concessionaire.

City councillor Billy Wong said MBPJ had issued a legal letter early this year requesting due payment from Godell Parking Sdn Bhd.

He said the parking concessionaire, which signed a 20-year agreement with MBPJ in 1999, issued a counter claim.

“One of their reasons for withholding payment was the lack of enforcement by MBPJ and that not all parking lots were fully surrendered to them,” he said.

Wong pointed out that the council could not take enforcement action if the machines were always faulty and some of those broken machines were found in areas that had been handed to the concessionaire.

Most commercial areas are facing faulty machine issues including SS2, Damansara Uptown, Old Town and the Sunwaymas Commercial Centre.

According to MBPJ, there are over 700 parking machines in the city to cater to about 21,000 parking bays and today, more than 50% of them are faulty.

The parking concessionaire is contracted to pay MBPJ a monthly rental fee of RM37.45 for each bay.

MBPJ does not get any portion of the parking fees from bays on public roads, be it the hourly ones or even the season monthly passes.

A check at PJU1/3A further found that the parking ticket machines along that whole stretch of road were out of order and some car owners resorted to placing a note stating “Parking meter broken” on their car dashboards.

“Our first step now is to terminate the concessionaire and take back parking management, which may involve usage of coupons or even mobile applications,” said MBPJ councillor Daniel Lee.

Lee, who was also visiting public streets to check for broken parking meters, said MBPJ was now in the process of deciding the next action to take and the council would engage other parking vendors to propose ideas.

“If the ideas are good, then we will consider working together with the parking vendors but this is still in discussion at the moment,” he said.

He added that MBPJ was hoping to make the final decision by next week but for now enforcement officers had already been given a list of faulty machines and they would not be issuing summonses where there were faulty meters.

The contractor is responsible for parking machine maintenance and must ensure all parking bays in their care are properly outlined.

Godell could not be reached for comment.


Volvo XC40 line-up updated, BEV range extended to 438km

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia has announced an all-new version of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and its XC40 series with model year 2023 (MY23).

In addition to new updates, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric now has a range of up to 438km (WLTP) on a fully charged battery. The improved range of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) is up 20km from previously.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the first electric vehicle introduced by Volvo Car Malaysia back in March 2022.

The response for the electric vehicle was overwhelming, receiving over 400 orders within the first two months, with all units delivered by June 2022.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric was the first Volvo car model that was made available for bookings online. It was also the first-ever locally assembled pure electric vehicle, which offers customers the chance to experience the comfort of smooth acceleration with zero tailpipe emissions.

The new model year 2023 XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is priced at RM278,888 (OTR with sales tax exemption) and is available with new features as follows:

> New exterior colour "FJORD BLUE";
> Remote Air Purifier PM2.5 pre-cleaning;
> Updated front and rim designs;
> Charcoal Connect Suede textile interiors;
> Updated Foot Movement Detection Module (for hands-free tailgate opening/closing);
> New gear lever sculpted with leather-free charcoal gear shift.

“The astounding success of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric tells me we are moving in the right direction with our all-electric journey,” said Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Charles Frump.

“Since the introduction of our electrification agenda, we are constantly seeking ways to improve customers’ driving experiences. With the new upgrades of the model year 2023 XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, we believe customers can expect an enhanced driving experience that provides them the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way.”

The model year 2023 updates are also available to the XC40 Recharge T5 Ultimate (Plug-in Hybrid) and XC40 B5 Ultimate (Mild Hybrid) with both priced at RM268,888.

They will also receive a facelift to their design which includes a Dynamic Chassis change.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric recently won the award of "Best Small Electric SUV" at the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2022 and was also recognised as the first locally assembled electric vehicle with the "Special Recognition Award". These cars are also exported to neighbouring Asean countries.

Customers can now make their purchases online for the XC40 model variants on Volvo Car Malaysia’s official website at www.volvocars.com/my/build/xc40-electric.

The MY23 XC40 models will be available in six colour options – Black Stone, Crystal White, Sage Green, Silver Dawn, Thunder Grey and the latest colour Fjord Blue.

Interested buyers can book a test drive through www.volvocars.com/my/test-drive-booking or contact any Volvo authorised dealer.

For more information, visit www.volvocars.com/my or follow Volvo Car Malaysia on Facebook http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-FB and Instagram at http://bit.ly/VolvoMY-IG.


This is the world’s fastest Beetle

                WASHINGTON: A specially tuned Volkswagen Beetle LSR, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI gasoline engine, has achieved 330.112kph over a flying mile — the fastest speed ever recorded for a Beetle.

The car was driven by Automobile magazine contributing editor Preston Lerner on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats at the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association 2016 World of Speed event.

To achieve the horsepower needed to run above 322kph at Bonneville, the powertrain was modified by THR Manufacturing, based in Santa Paula, California.

With new turbochargers, pistons, camshafts, connecting rods, and head modifications, it produced 543hp and 573Nm of torque at the wheels: at the flywheel, that would be more than 600hp and nearly 680Nm.

The Beetle is not the most aerodynamic car in the VW portfolio, so achieving the feat underscores the sporty and pugnacious spirit of the Beetle

The suspension was lowered, special Salt Flat wheels and tyres fitted, a limited-slip differential added to aid traction, and the interior was stripped and outfitted with full safety equipment, such as a rollcage, racing seat and harness, and a fire suppression system. To help slow the car down, the Beetle was fitted with a pair of parachutes.

"Exceeding 200mph in the Beetle LSR was a serious thrill," said Lerner."We had enough power to go even faster if the salt hadn't been so sketchy. But seeing 208mph (334.7kph) briefly on the digital readout was an experience I'll never forget."

Volkswagen’s stock Beetle R-Line coupe model features a EA888 turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-litre TSI engine that makes 210hp and 282Nm of torque (achieved using premium fuel), enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 6.6 seconds and to reach an electronically governed top track speed of 209kph. The R-Line comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but a dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic transmission is optional.


Why brake assist is the awesome new-car option you should demand

                BONN: The new-car option that no driver should go without is an intelligent brake-assist (BA) system which interprets the traffic situation and slams on the brakes if a collision is imminent, German experts are saying.

What makes emergency stop technology so clever is that it compensates for weaknesses in human psychology. If you don't see the danger or don't act resolutely enough, the car will do it for you and maybe save your life.

In many of the systems, if the car detects a panic-stop situation, the driver will feel a buzz at the pedal. He or she can react to this or take avoiding action. Otherwise the full safe amount of available brake force is applied automatically.

"These devices can warn you in good time of an oncoming collision," said Welf Stankowitz of the German road safety organisation DVR. "If you fail to act, the system kicks in and applies the brakes of its own accord."

Experts say intelligent brake assist systems, depending on what sensors they use, can either prevent the accidents or at least reduce the force of impact in between 20 and 40 per cent of collisions.

A more basic technology, emergency brake assist, which keeps tabs on the speed of the vehicle and the brake pedal force being applied and exerts maximum braking force after any sharp stab at the brake pedal, has been mandatory in all new cars in the European Union since 2011.

The more advanced systems bring data from a camera or radar into the mix to "see" dangers the driver may not notice.

Unfortunately it seems many prospective new car buyers are not aware the extra stopping power is not a fun luxury but a life saver.

A survey commissioned by the DVR showed that 60 per cent of new cars sold in Germany are not fitted with advanced driver aids that rely on cameras such as brake or lane assist.

Asked why, nearly half of respondents said the systems were not available for the car they had chosen to buy, while 34 per cent were completely unaware at the time that such systems existed.

Only 16 per cent had regarded the safety devices as too expensive and 9 per cent had believed the systems would bring them no benefit.


Is a Spotify Car Player hardware coming?

                NEW YORK: After making a noteworthy debut on the New York Stock Exchange, the world's leading music streaming platform, Spotify, could be working on an in-car music player. The news comes from The Verge, based on reports from various Reddit users.

A mysterious "Spotify Car Player" could be in the pipeline, according to several users of the mobile application in the United States, who reported being accidentally sent advertising offers that appear to point in that direction.

The offer apparently showed a small, relatively streamlined device, with a circular screen and two playback control buttons. It could be a device with 4G and Bluetooth connectivity, capable of replacing a smartphone, and which plugs directly into the vehicle's onboard audio/multimedia system.

No information has emerged about the price of this strange device, but the associated service — likely to launch first of all in the United States — could be available as a monthly subscription of around US$13 to US$15 (between RM50 and RM58).

Although Spotify has long been expected to launch into hardware, allowing users to make the most of its services, this device would come as a surprise. Previous rumours pointed towards the upcoming launch of a smart speaker, even if that would mean facing tough and established competitors.

In any case, Spotify could confirm or debunk this latest rumour at an event here on April 24, during which the firm is set to make a "news announcement."


Mitsubishi offers 40% off parts and labour for flood victims

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is among several car makers coming to the aid of motorists affected by the massive Penang floods recently.

The company will offer a 40% discount on spare parts and labour prices until Dec 31 for vehicles damaged by floods. Only vehicles that were bought from Mitsubishi dealers qualify.

“We hope our flood relief effort will help ease the burden of our customers through this
difficult period. Our prayers and best wishes go out to them and their families," said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia CEO Tomoyuki Shinnishi.

Mitsubishi said it would also offer free towing for vehicles stuck in the floods to the nearest Mitsubishi service centre. Customers need to lodge a police report and call Mitsubishi support at 1-800- 88-2166 or 03-7803 1566 to get the free towing service.

Toyota, Nissan, Perodua, Naza Kia Malaysia and Volkswagen have also extended similar help to the flood victims in Penang.


Register with Socso or face RM1,000 fine, self-employed drivers told

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will be launching an operation this month to compel self-employed taxi, bus and e-hailing drivers to register under its Self-Employed Employment Injury Scheme (SEEIS).

According to Socso, only 35, 737 or 10% of some 350, 000 of such drivers had registered and made contributions.

The Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789), which came into effect on June 1, 2017, mandates that these drivers, whether they work full-time or part-time, register under SEEIS.

Socso deputy chief of operations John R. Marin said self-employed drivers found to be unregistered would be issued a warning.

If drivers failed to present themselves with proof of registration at the nearest Socso office within seven days of being issued a warning notice, these drivers would be slapped with a minimum fine of RM1, 000, he said.

“The move to impose fines was taken after the two-year grace period given to drivers when Act 789 was introduced (in 2017), ” he told reporters after launching Ops Patuh at Wisma Perkeso on Thursday (Aug 1).

Marin said Ops Patuh would involve about 400 Socso officers in the Klang Valley. Going undercover as prospective customers, they would be issuing warning notices to unregistered self-employed drivers.

The operation would be carried out throughout the month of August, Marin added.

“The enforcement is not to serve as a burden to drivers; instead, it is to ensure that social security is provided to these drivers and their families in case an accident happens.”

According to Marin, the minimum contribution for the SEEIS was just RM13.10 a month or 43 sen a day, while the maximum contribution stood at RM49.35 a month or RM1.60 a day.

“SEEIS has been practiced for a long time in many countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.”

Marin also said it was the government’s aim to ensure that every worker in Malaysia was protected under a social security scheme.

“However, the success and the reach of this scheme depends on the acceptance and support of all taxi and e-hailing drivers.”

Marin added that the SEEIS was expected to include other self-employed jobs in sectors like farming, fishing and food delivery like GrabFood and Food Panda.


VW Golf R-Line is priced at RM169,990

                KUALA LUMPUR: The new Volkswagen Golf R-Line's price is finally confirmed at RM169,990.

When Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) launched the Golf R-Line, Golf GTI and Golf R on Feb 16, only the R-Line's price was pending government approval.

Indicative pricing then was RM155,000 to RM165,000.

The all-new model retains the timeless Golf design but is sportier and more expressive thanks to the R-Line styling.

Designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, the C-signature front bumper sits lower to the ground for a more responsive performance.

Its sporty appearance is completed with 17” Valencia alloy wheels and a pair of chrome-effect trapezoid faux exhaust tailpipe.

Under the hood of the R-line lies a 1.4TSI turbocharged engine that is paired with 8-speed automatic shift by wire transmission, producing 150PS and 250Nm of torque.

The R-Line is equipped with enhanced digitalisation for seamless connectivity and convenience.

It is equipped with intelligent voice control system, activated by saying “Hello Volkswagen” or by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel. It reacts to voice commands such as “I’m cold” and it will increase the temperature accordingly.

VPCM offers three years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty, and five years roadside assistance.

With the exception of the Golf R, the other two variants are locally assembled.


Michelin launches carbon neutral tyre

                LONDON: Michelin has launched the e.Primacy, the first tyre in the world to be carbon neutral at the point of purchase.

Environmental responsibility was at the heart of the design process from day one, resulting in a tyre with the lowest rolling resistance in its category, reduced CO2 emissions and fuel savings for the customer.

Michelin-commissioned tests show that drivers using e.Primacy save around 0.21 litres of fuel per 100kms, and about 80 euros over the life of the tyre.

The exceptionally low rolling resistance of the Michelin e.Primacy equates to 174kg less CO2 emitted over the life of the tyre, and an increased range of up to seven per cent for electric cars.

Packed with technology – including “energy passive” high elasticity compounds, improved elastomer-filler coupling, thinner top belts, cool-running sidewalls and a hermetic belt to reduce energy loss – the Michelin e.Primacy also delivers exceptional driving performance that’s made to last.

The Michelin e.Primacy was engineered to be carbon neutral at the point of purchase, taking into account emissions from raw material extraction to delivery to the customer.

To achieve this, in addition to efficient manufacturing processes, Michelin has invested in projects that avoid, absorb or offset carbon emissions, including tree replanting and the installation of less energy-intensive cooking equipment in various countries.

The Michelin e.Primacy will be available from March 1, 2021.


Choking India gets first fully-fledged electric car

                NEW DELHI: Motorists in India, home to some of the world's most polluted cities, can now buy a fully-fledged electric car after Hyundai unveiled a model that can travel 452km on one charge.

The Kona Electric SUV will cost US$36,000 (RM149,000) - more than three times the price of the cheapest combustion-engine SUV and more than eight times dearer than a regular saloon car.

But its improved range will address one of the major concerns among customers in India, where there is a shortage of charging stations, Hyundai Motors managing director SS Kim told the Press Trust of India.

India is forecast to become the world's most populous nation within a decade, and although last week the government unveiled new tax incentives, manufacturers say that there is no clear roadmap to get more EVs on the roads.

The market share of electric vehicles is now just 0.06 percent, compared with 39 percent in Norway, according to government figures cited by Bloomberg News.

"We think more can be done by the government to accelerate adoption of EVs in India," Kim said.

Local firms Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra previously launched electric vehicles, but only with limited ranges or not for commercial sale.

Currently there are fewer than 7,000 on India's roads, many of which are imported. In China by contrast, 455,571 electric vehicles were sold in the first half of 2019 alone.

India is home to 22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities, according to Greenpeace, with industrial emissions, car fumes and smoke from burning crops creating a toxic cocktail.

Poisonous air killed 1.24 million Indians in 2017, according to a study published last year by Lancet Planetary Health, which said tens of millions of people face serious health risks.

India currently generates about two-thirds of its electricity with coal and gas, making it the world's third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.


Lexus teams up with Marvel's 'Eternals' in advertising alliance

                LOS ANGELES: In a challenging era for car sales, sometimes you need a team of superheroes to help get the metal off the lot.

Lexus, the luxury-auto unit of Toyota, is joining with the Marvel band of altruistic aliens known as the Eternals, who are slated to be the focus of the next film from the popular Disney-backed entertainment unit.

Social-media vignettes featuring actor Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, an Eternal who can blast cosmic energy from his hands, will start to surface Monday.

The movie, simply titled "Eternals," is expected to debut Nov 5.

Lexus is hoping to make "Gen Y" consumers in their 30s and 40s more aware of its vehicles, says Vinay Shahani, Lexus vice president of marketing, in an interview.

"Gen Y is going to be the biggest group of consumers for luxury vehicles here in the US. And Gen Y is also going to be the most diverse generation the US has ever seen," Shahani says.

Because "Eternals" features characters from a broad range of backgrounds - actors include Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee and Kit Harrington - "we felt like the movie really aligns with our audience," he adds.

In a 30-second vignette likely to show up on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok and other venues, Nanjiani's Kingo races in a new Lexus IS 500 sports sedan to join his comrades in battle, but faces a more immediate challenge: finding a parking spot.

Actor Gaius Charles provides a new overall narrating voice for the company.

Lexus worked hard to ensure the spot looked like a Marvel movie, enlisting brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, who have directed four Marvel movies, to guide the commercial.

And the company tapped Framestore, a special-effects company that has also worked with Marvel, says Shahani.

Viewers who pay close attention to the ad may notice a few Marvel "Easter eggs," or references to Marvel storylines.

The Lexus work will also appear on cable, particularly during coverage of college football, NHL games and soccer, but Shahani says the campaign is tilted towards digital media.

Lexus spent US$354.8 million on traditional advertising in 2020, according to Kantar, a tracker of ad spending.

Lexus sees its "Eternals" connection as part of a bigger bid to spark consideration of its cars by younger crowds.

The marketing executive acknowledges that only a sliver of the consumers who see Lexus ads are in the market to buy a new luxury vehicle at any given moment.

But, he says, by finding ways to connect to younger buyers in smart ways, Lexus hopes to keep its name in the mix when someone finds the means to make that sort of purchase.

The campaign will no doubt offer some cheer to mainstream media companies, many of which have been concerned about the state of auto advertising as countries around the globe try to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2020, the auto industry faced higher overall costs due to supply issues, chip shortages and surges in the price of raw materials and shipping.

Now, eMarketer calls for auto industry spending on digital marketing to surge 20.5% to nearly US$15 billion.

And Magna, a media-research arm of Interpublic Group, expects overall auto ad spending to grow 18% this year.

Lexus will also have some of its vehicles - its LS 500 flagship sedan and its new NX luxury crossover - featured in the movie and will also have placement at the red-carpet "Eternals" premiere.

The automaker was able to get an early peek at the "Eternals" script to determine if the film might match up with any marketing initiatives, says Shahani.

Lexus and Marvel have an alliance all their own, one that was initially formed with the appearance of several Lexus cars in the 2018 Marvel film "Black Panther."  — Variety via Reuters


Manual toll collection at damaged Kesas Awan Besar Toll lanes following flash floods

                PETALING JAYA: Manual toll collection will be implemented at some toll lanes after flash floods damaged toll systems at the Awan Besar toll plaza (Shah Alam Expressway) today.

A spokesman for Kesas Sdn Bhd said Kesas employees would use handheld readers temporarily in a number multiclass lanes until repairs to toll systems were completed.

The spokesman confirmed that only the systems in multiclass lanes were damaged by the flash floods but would remain open to traffic.

"We are rectifying the communications line for toll systems which were submerged during the flash flood.

"Inspection and recovery works at the toll plaza are under way after water overflowing from Sungai Kuyoh receded around 5:40pm on Monday and cars that have been stranded are also getting cleared.

"RFID, smartag, TNG lanes were unaffected and are operating as normal."


Hyundai's 2020 Sonata Hybrid wears a solar roof

                SEOUL: Hyundai has revealed the 2020 Sonata Hybrid, and while this generation of the model hangs onto the conventional Sonata exterior design, it gained a few extra features to freshen up its style including an updated grille, a more defined spoiler, and - most notably - a solar roof.

Earlier this year, Hyundai unveiled the 2020 Hyundai Sonata; naturally, the model was expected to come with a hybrid trim, and on Monday, the 2020 Sonata Hybrid was officially announced.

For the most part, the exterior design of the hybrid iteration resembles that of its petrol-powered counterpart; however, it gets its own refreshed grille and distinctive spoiler. The biggest external difference between this moderately-electric model and those only with an engine is that the Sonata Hybrid has a solar panel on the roof.

According to the company, which was a bit stingy on details, this roof can increase the vehicle's overall yearly range by about 1,300km as long as the car gets six hours of sun each day - factoring out to about two extra miles of range every day.

So far, Hyundai has only revealed the powertrain specs of the model designed for the Korean market which consists of a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre internal combustion engine that produces 150 hp paired with an electric motor that produces 51hp. When working together, the total horsepower output measures in at 192 hp and it's sent to all four wheels via a six-speed hybrid automatic transmission.

Furthermore, the hybrid Sonata is equipped with Active Shift Control, a technology designed to speed up shift times by 30%.

According to their site, the gas version of the 2020 Sonata will launch this fall. No information about the hybrid's availability have been disclosed at this point.


Toyota to set up Myanmar plant to assemble Hilux trucks

                TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp said today it would launch a plant in Myanmar to manufacture Hilux pick-up trucks from 2021 as the Japanese automaker plans to locally assemble vehicles for the emerging nation where demand for cars has been soaring.

The newly built plant in Thilawa Special Economic Zone in the suburbs of Yangon will produce about 2,500 vehicles each year using the semi knock-down method, Toyota said in a statement.

In tapping Myanmar for localized vehicle assembly, Toyota joins domestic rival Nissan Motor Co, which began output in the Asian country in 2017.


Mercedes-Benz dumping NEDC for WLTP in fuel consumption tests

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz says it will be switching over to a new way of testing fuel consumption in its cars under real driving conditions.

The new methodology, to be phased in by autumn 2018, is called Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). The WLTP provides more realistic values than the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), which has been in force since 1992, said Mercedes-Benz in a statement.

As the NEDC was introduced back in 1992 and both traffic and vehicles have changed in the meantime, it is now out of date. On account of its high share of urban driving and low acceleration, it insufficiently reflects reality.

Since Sept 1 2017, all vehicle models to be newly certified for emissions are being tested by Mercedes-Benz according to the WLTP. At the same time, the NEDC consumption is still determined for these vehicles and will for the time being continue to be given as the legally required figure in brochures and all other publications. It is estimated that from September 2018, these figures will then be replaced in Germany by the new WLTP values.

Development of the WLTP began as an initiative of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in November 2007. The goal was to define a globally valid test cycle based on realistic driving data. This is intended to improve the information on consumption as well as the comparability of vehicles. The plan was also to provide incentives to develop efficient technologies in order to reduce the fuel consumption under real driving conditions.

READ MORE: WLTP in detail

So far, the goal of global harmonisation has not been fully achieved. The WLTP applies in the EU, Britain, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Turkey and Israel as well as in modified form in Japan and, for diesel vehicles, in South Korea.

Russia, Australia and a number of countries in the Middle East, Asia and South America will retain the NEDC; the United States, Brazil and other countries have other cycles. China uses the WLTP as the test procedure for its latest emissions standard. The NEDC is currently used there to determine consumption, although an independent measurement procedure is planned for the future.

The main innovations:

> Compared with the NEDC, the WLTP driving cycle lasts 10 minutes longer (30 minutes instead of 20).
> Standing time now accounts for only 13 percent (NEDC: 23.7 percent).
> The total cycle length is around 23km (NEDC: 11km).
> The WLTP contains higher speeds up to 131kph (NEDC: 120kph).
> The average speed rises to 46kph (NEDC: 34kph).
> The WLTP driving profile is significantly more dynamic, i.e. the changes of speed are greater than in the NEDC. The NEDC has a high proportion of constant-speed driving (40 percent) and a relatively low proportion of acceleration (21 percent). It consists of an urban and an extra-urban part. In contrast, the new WLTP has four different phases: up to 60, up to 80, up to 100 and above 130kph. These simulate urban, extra-urban and highway driving.
> The test parameters are significantly narrower. Hence, for example, the temperature is set at 23°C for the test, while the NEDC allowed between 20 and 30°C. Added to this for the European WLTP is a test at the average European temperature of 14°C.
> The introduction of WLTP means a major change for plug-in hybrid vehicles. These are vehicles, which can be electrically charged from an external source. These vehicles complete the test several times. They start with a full battery. The cycle is repeated until the battery is empty. Finally, there is also a measurement with an empty battery, in which the drive power comes exclusively from the combustion engine and regenerative braking. These two measurements are used to calculate the published CO2 value, for which purpose the two results are set in relation to each other depending on the electric range.
> In addition, unlike before, it is not just the basic variant of a vehicle model that is tested, but optional equipment is also taken into consideration. Thus, when comparing two vehicles, customers can refer to the individual WLTP values in order to see, for example, by how much a sliding sunroof increases the consumption.


Edd China quits 'Wheeler Dealers'

Brewer (left) and Anstead will co-host season 14 of 'Wheeler Dealers.'
LOS ANGELES: One of automotive television's most famous double acts is no more. After 13 seasons and the successful restoration of 135 cars, master mechanic Edd China is leaving Discovery Channel staple "Wheeler Dealers."

In a video statement posted to his YouTube channel, China said, "I'm afraid it's true and I'm really sorry."

Since starting out in 2002 as a niche programme about repairing cars and attempting to sell them on for a profit, "Wheeler Dealers" has gone global, broadcast in over 200 territories and watched legally and less than legally by several hundred million people. The show's huge success has seen production move from Britain to California and the quality of cars jump from mid-1980s Toyotas to classic Camaros and Lamborghinis.

"It has been a privilege to meet and work with so many great people and, from the workshop to the joy rides, to be allowed to experience so many fabulous cars and amazing locations," said China.

But the show must go on and filling China's huge shoes from season 14 onwards will be Ant Anstead. Like China, he is a master mechanic and one who is no stranger to TV shows about cars.

"I grew up watching and learning from Edd and Mike, and in recent years have come to know both as close personal friends. It is with Edd's blessing that I join the team," said Anstead. "I hope he and viewers enjoy what I bring to the show and recognize that for me it's always been about the love of cars."

As for why Edd chose to walk away from a show at the height of its popularity, he said that it was down to how the new production company, Velocity, wanted to cover the restoration scenes.

"The detailed and in depth coverage of my fixes in the workshop; what I consider to be the backbone and USP of the programme, are something Velocity feel should be reduced," he said. "This new direction is not something I am comfortable with as I feel the corners I was being asked to cut compromised the quality of my work and would erode my integrity as well as that of the show."

Although neither Velocity nor the Discovery Channel have directly addressed China's concerns, they were very quick to recognise his contribution to the show's success.

"The Discovery family wants to thank Edd China for the care, dedication and effort he's given to the Velocity network, Discovery networks worldwide and Wheeler Dealers for more than a decade. While we'll miss his signature orange gloves, we know that anything they touch will turn to automotive gold," said Robert Scanlon, executive vice president and general manager of Velocity and Automotive Content at Discovery Communications.


Skoda unveils new Karoq Sportline

                PRAGUE: Skoda has just revealed a new sportier version of its smallest SUV, the Karoq. With sportier styling and a new 2.0-liter petrol engine, it will be a welcome addition to the lineup after the rugged-looking Karoq Scout was announced earlier this week.

The Karoq isn't getting a vRS variant anytime soon, so the Sportline is probably about as sporty as this compact crossover SUV is going to get. Thankfully, then, this is more than just an exercise in aesthetics: the Karoq Sportline will be equipped with a 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is the most powerful unit offered in the range.

A smart set of unique 18-inch black alloys wheels kick off the styling enhancements, and they can even be upgraded to a set of 19s. There's a bodykit that looks remarkably similar to the one fitted to the Kodiaq Sport, and the Karoq Sportline also has redesigned bumpers at the front and the back. Instead of everything on the outside being colour-coded, the grille, roof rails and wing mirrors of the Sportline are finished in a contrasting gloss black.

On the inside, there are black sports seats in a three-ply air-permeable fabric supposed to be more breathable than regular seating fabrics, and thus more comfortable in hot weather. Other interior design features include a steering wheel with perforated leather and silver stitching, a black headlining, stainless steel pedals, and LED ambient lighting.

The VW Group's superb Virtual Cockpit digital display is available, but only as an option. However, the Sportline does come with an additional selectable interface exclusive to it.

Buyers have no less than four different engines to choose from in this new trim level. There will be two different versions of the 2.0-litre TDI with power outputs of 187bhp and 148bhp. The other two engines are petrols: a 1.5-litre 148bhp TSI and the new 2.0-litre unique to the Sportline version of the Karoq.

Like the new Karoq Scout, the Karoq Sportline will go on sale shortly after its appearance at the Paris Motor Show between Oct 4-14.


GM bets on 3D printers for cheaper and lighter car parts

                DETROIT: General Motors Co said today it was working with design software company Autodesk Inc to manufacture new, lightweight 3D-printed parts that could help the automaker meet its goals to add alternative-fuel vehicles to its product lineup.

Last year, the company announced ambitious plans to add 20 new electric battery and fuel cell vehicles to its global lineup by 2023. Chief Executive Mary Barra has made a bold promise to investors that the Detroit automaker will make money selling electric cars by 2021.

The ability to print lightweight parts could be a gamechanger for the electric vehicle industry. With consumer concerns over the limited range of electric vehicles a major obstacle to their mass adoption, making them lighter improves fuel efficiency and could help extend that range.

GM executives this week showed off a 3D-printed stainless steel seat bracket developed with Autodesk technology - which uses cloud computing and artificial intelligence-based algorithms to rapidly explore multiple permutations of a part design.

Using conventional technology, the part would require eight components and several suppliers. With this new system, the seat bracket consists of one part - which looks like a mix between abstract art and science fiction movie - that is 40 percent lighter and 20 percent stronger.

Other manufacturers such as General Electric Co have also beefed up their use of 3D printers in manufacturing. GM rival automaker Ford Motor Co said last year it was testing lightweight 3D printing for mass production.

GM has used 3D printers for prototyping for years, but Kevin Quinn, the automaker’s director of additive design and manufacturing, said within a year or so GM expects these new 3D-printed parts to appear in high-end, motorsports applications. Within five years, GM hopes to produce thousands or tens of thousands of parts at scale as the technology improves, Quinn said.

“That is our panacea,” Quinn said. “That’s what we want to get to.”

In the long run, Quinn said the 3D printed parts would help reduce tooling costs, cut the amount of material used, the number of suppliers needed for one part and logistics costs.

The 3D-printing based manufacturing industry is working towards mass production and trying to address issues with “repeatability and robustness,” said Bob Yancey, Autodesk’s director of manufacturing.

GM getting into the game “will put tremendous pressure” to make that happen, Yancey said.


Volkswagen Amarok picks up Arctic role

                WOLFSBURG: A one-off Volkswagen Amarok designed exclusively for life in the Arctic Circle has been revealed with a raised ride height, huge all-terrain tyres – and a cappuccino maker.

The unique pick-up truck, modified by off-road specialists, Arctic Trucks, in partnership with local Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer, Hekla, is currently being put to work in Iceland as a support vehicle for winter driving experiences, leading customers out onto the snow and ice.

The Volkswagen Amarok AT35 features a raft of updates to take the standard Amarok to the next level including a 25mm front and rear suspension lift.

New flared fibreglass wheel-arches have been trimmed to accommodate the larger wheels and the 315/70R17 all terrain tyres – plus larger mud flaps front and back have been added.

Inside, the Amarok has been given an expedition makeover with a fire extinguisher, portable generator – and even a cappuccino machine.

A VHF radio, toolbox, jack, first aid kit with defibrillator and work light are also included in the Arctic Trucks conversion.

Under the bonnet is the standard Amarok’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with 224PS to ensure there’s plenty of power to get through any snow drifts.

The AT35 also retains the standard Amarok’s 45-degree climbing ability, a payload of 1,154kg, Hill Descent Assist and the widest load platform in its class.

“The Volkswagen Amarok has been a massive hit since its introduction and we’re delighted to see it proving its worth in some of the toughest conditions in the world. For British drivers, the standard Amarok will be able to cope with everything winter has to throw at it,” said  Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles specialist sales manager Nick Axtell.

“Back in the UK, the ability of our Van Centres to convert vehicles through recognised partners remains one of our unique selling points. It doesn’t matter whether that’s fitting racking for a plumber, refrigerators for a supermarket chain or something altogether more extreme like the AT35 – we are always committed to Working With You,” he added.


171 MINI customers live it up at MINIscape 2016

                KUALA LUMPUR: MINI Malaysia recently treated its customers to a two-day road trip from here to Johor Baru in a fleet of 82 MINI cars.

MINI said 171 of its customers took part in the lifestyle-based MINIscape 2016 event that saw them spending much of their time driving the cars, enjoying good food and each other's company as well as partying away.

The Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S 5-door and Cooper S 3-door were called up for a tour of duty which covered a distance of over 700km.

The journey started here at an automotive-themed cafe called The Garage KL before ending at the Renaissance Hotel Johor Baru. In between, participants continued to enjoy the finer things in life that were part of the MINI lifestyle.

They stopped by in Malacca to sample the local food and capped the trip with a yacht party at Danga Bay, Johor, at sunset, complete with a banquet and performance by live music band Bonjoza and stand-up comedian Rizal Van Geyzel.


Arrival of BMW X5 plug-in hybrid is near, this campaign says so

 The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is mated to an electric motor, powered by a Li-ion battery packed under the boot of the new X5 variant.

KUALA LUMPUR:  BMW Group Malaysia kicked off June with a campaign that is set to herald the arrival of the new X5 xDrive 40e, its first core plug-in hybrid, in the next 29 days.

Called #ElectricDrivingPleasure, the campaign highlights Malaysians making a difference through innovation, ideas and solutions.

The campaign showed Dr Rajiv Bhanot, medical doctor, social entrepreneur and humanitarian, taking on the challenge of ending water poverty in the country as well as the world with H2O Saver, a nano-technology based innovation he discovered from the British military which transforms water from natural sources into safe drinking water and water for everyday use.

His story is told by Gordon Ling Fu Chur, finalist of the BMW Shorties competition in 2015 for his film ‘Tuck’. See the first short film from the #ElectricDrivingPleasure campaign below.


Viral video of child sticking out of sunroof sparks police probe

A screenshot of the viral video showing a child standing up out of the sunroof of a moving vehicle that was posted on Twitter.
PETALING JAYA: A viral video of children standing up through the sunroof of a moving vehicle has sparked a police investigation.

In a statement today, Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin said the police were notified of the video at around 12.15am Monday.

The video was uploaded by Twitter user @nabilahroslan.

"The video showed a red Proton X70 being driven recklessly as children were allowed to have their heads out through the sunroof.

"Based on the recording the incident occurred along the NKVE from Subang Jaya heading towards Bukit Lanjan," he said.

He added that any reckless actions that could bring harm to anyone was a criminal offence.

He urged all parties to not endanger the lives of others on the road and for witnesses to lodge police reports.

"We are in the process of tracing down the suspect who was driving the vehicle," he said.


A second life for batteries: This is Malaysia's first Mobile Charging Vehicle

                PETALING JAYA: BMW Group Malaysia today unveiled the nation’s first Mobile Charging Vehicle at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023.

A first-of-its-kind initiative by BMW Group Malaysia, the automaker partnered with EV Connection to introduce a second-life battery programme that will give batteries, from existing electrified BMW and MINI vehicles that are at the end of their lifecycle, a new lease of life as mobile EV chargers.

From back-up support for data centres to mobile solutions for the charging of EVs, the second-life battery programme aims to change the mindset of recycling automotive waste to repurposing, giving the batteries a more meaningful second life that also encourages the development of sustainable innovation and sharing of technological know-how.

 The inverter system (blue colour) faces the bank of used batteries.

The prototype Mobile Charging Vehicle operates on 16 units of repurposed BMW battery modules, which have a State of Health (SoH) of about 70%. The vehicle itself is a used Nissan Vanette.

The designed system has a capacity of 20kWh, which can provide up to 30kVA three-phase AC power on demand.

Coupled with a 30kW DC charger positioned at the back of the vehicle, the Mobile Charging Vehicle can be used to rescue up to two EVs and provide them with enough range to reach the nearest charging station. Additionally, the Mobile Charging Vehicle is also capable of powering up to eight homes in disaster zones, at full capacity.

At present, the Mobile Charging Vehicle is still undergoing evaluation.

The second-life battery programme is part of BMW Group Malaysia’s RE:GENERATE initiative to adopt circularity within the organisation, as they aim to divert all retired EV batteries here to further expand on their electrification possibilities.

These opportunities include high-voltage solutions such as an urban charging hub, roving generators to power communities in disaster zones, as well as enabling rural electrification in the years to come.

The Mobile Charging Vehicle is available for public viewing at the show.

READ MORE: Toyota Hilux-derived firefighting truck to extinguish EV fires


Hyundai helps daughter deliver touching message to astronaut dad

LOS ANGELES: Hyundai used  11 Genesis cars to create a record-breaking 5.5 km-square  image in the Nevada desert to enable a daughter to send her astronaut father a message.

When the daughter of an astronaut on the International Space Station had a special hand-written letter to send to her father, Hyundai found an "out of this world" way to share her message.

The newly launched campaign, entitled "A Message to Space", revolves around a 13-year-old girl from Houston, Texas whose father is an astronaut and often away on space missions for many months at a time. Hyundai  conceived of a way for her to stay in touch with her father while he is gone by writing a personal message in giant lettering, big enough to be read from space.

Using the Delamar Dry Lake, Nevada, US as a blank canvas, Hyundai dispatched 11 Genesis cars to write an epic message covering an area more than one and a half times that of New York City’s Central Park. Capturing the message from his daughter, Stephanie, from the International Space Station, the astronaut was able to demonstrate the enormous scale of the mission.

Measuring 5.55 km2, the creation has been officially recognised as "the largest tyre track image" ever by Guinness World Records, proving, as Hyundai described it, that distance is no obstacle when uniting loved ones.


Booking opens for 2021 Mazda CX-3 priced from RM130,729

                SHAH ALAM: Bermaz is taking orders for the updated 2021 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover which is due to arrive in July.

The only variant is the CX-3 2.0L High priced from RM130,729, which is inclusive of the 50% Sales Tax Reduction (SST) on imported models valid until June 30.

Customers who place the booking before June 30 will be entitled to the SST exemption price before the vehicle arrives in Malaysia.

Updates include a modern, stylish cabin with well-appointed standard features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, new leatherette-fabric seats and 360° View Monitor.

Other premium standard features include an Active Driving Display, a seven-inch full-colour touchscreen display with Mazda Connect, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, and a six-speaker audio system which can be safely accessed through the multi-function commander knob or steering wheel-mounted controls.

Exterior updates are all-LED lighting as standard, such as headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights.

The LED headlights have automatic on/off function and automatic levelling capabilities.

The CX-3 also gets 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, roof spoiler, shark fin antenna, dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets, and an understated black front grille design.

Newly added exterior features include power sunroof as well as front parking sensors.

Standard safety items are six SRS airbags (Front Driver and Passenger, Side and Curtain), anti-lock braking system (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), and Hill Launch Assist (HLA).

The CX-3 also comes with a suite of i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Newly added advanced safety features include High Beam Control (HBC), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) for the front and rear.

Powering the CX-3 is the Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre petrol engine with 154bhp and 206Nm of torque paired to the Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift mode.

In addition, the powertrain system also features Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control technology for smooth and linear acceleration with a premium performance driving feel.

Fully imported from Japan, colours are Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Machine Gray, and the newly added Polymetal Gray.

The CX-3 comes with a 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty plus 5-Year Free Maintenance according to manufacturer’s standards inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.

Both Manufacturer Warranty and Free Maintenance have a coverage period of five years and a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first.


Volkswagen announces fastest-ever Golf

                BERLIN: VW is launching the most powerful Golf ever to mark an anniversary year of its sports variant. The limited edition model is called Golf R 333 and offers 333hp from a turbocharged two-litre engine.

The bright yellow, beefed-up R version is the latest in a long line of special Golfs and the teasered R 333 is likely to only be available in Germany.

The standard R comes in less strident colours and 320 horses. The enormous power catapults the hatch from 0 to 100kph in just 4.6 seconds.

The special model comes with a tuned Akrapovic exhaust system and is finished in bright yellow metallic paint, with black alloy wheels and perforated brake discs.

The car comes with air-conditioned sports leather seats as well as carbon and numerous special edition logo applications to quicken the heartbeat of fans. A Performance Package that includes two additional driving profiles called "Special" and "Drift".

As the name suggests, the special model is also limited to 333 units and will be formally unveiled at the end of May. The price is not yet known, but it's expected that the R 333 will also be the most expensive Golf ever.


Govt official proposes 110kph speed limit device on all vehicles

                SEREMBAN: A device to limit the speed of a vehicle to 110kph should be introduced in Malaysia, said Science, Technology and Innovation deputy minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

He said the device costing less than RM500 could be fitted in any vehicle including imported cars, and motorcycle.

Road accidents could hopefully be reduced by the use of the device, according to him.

"If we can implement this, we will be the first country to control the speed limit enforced by the country via technology," he said after launching a ministry programme at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Jaafar here on Saturday.


Dr M to appear in road safety video

Loke checking that two children are buckled up in their car seats after launching the road safety campaign at the Seremban R&R.
SEREMBAN: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to lend his expertise on yet another crucial task – saving lives on the road.

The Prime Minister will appear in a special festive video clip under a campaign to drive home a road safety message to motorists.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Dr Mahathir was chosen for his “star power appeal”.

“I asked him and he immediately agreed to do it,” Loke said after launching a Road Safety Campaign and Ops Bersepadu yesterday at the Seremban R&R (southbound) of the North South Expressway.

Loke will also put his “skills” to the test by appearing with Dr Mahathir in the video clip and getting a second clip done.

He said production teams from Limkokwing University and TM Malaysia had agreed to produce the clips for free, as the Road Safety Department only had a budget of RM1mil for such campaigns.

On the festive road safety campaign, Loke said the speed limit on all federal roads would be reduced from 90kph to 80kph for two weeks from today, with the limit on state roads reduced to 70kph.

He said police would conduct Ops Selamat for two weeks from today, while the Road Transport Department (JPJ) would enforce Ops Bersepadu over the same period.

Heavy vehicles will be ordered off the roads on June 13, 14, 23 and 24 to reduce traffic congestion.

Loke said 257 road fatalities and 22,402 accidents were registered during Ops Bersepadu last year.

“But Ops Bersepadu was effective in reducing road fatalities with a 14% drop last year,’’ he added.

In total, 6,740 road fatalities were registered last year compared to 7,152 in 2016.

But the number of road accidents registered last year increased by 2.4% to 533,875, from 521,466 in 2016, Loke said.

To ensure that all express buses were roadworthy and its drivers free of substance abuse, he said JPJ would conduct operations at bus depots before the festive period.

“If buses and drivers have outstanding summonses, we will order them to pay up first before they can operate the bus or engage the driver,” he added.


MINI Connected arrives in March for 43 countries - Malaysia included

MUNICH: MINI has announced that from March onwards, all new models in 43 international markets will be made available with an optional built-in 4G SIM card that will give owners access to personalised services, dubbed MINI Connected.

Based on BMW's Connected services, MINI's new-found services will be available in countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Macao, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary, USA, United Arab Emirates.

Also, the new MINI 3 Door, 5 Door and Convertible models will make their respective debuts with MINI Connected and will include services such as Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Concierge Service, Real Time Traffic Information with navigation map updates and MINI Online.

The Concierge Service will allow owners access to round-the-clock assistance for information and address data, research connections and offer practical tips during a journey

Other new digital services will include Time-to-Leave Notifications (push messages to assist punctual departure), Send to Car (for importing destinations from a smartphone to the car), Remote Services (such as locking the car’s doors from a smartphone) and for electrified MINI models – a charging timer, charging station search facility and personal efficiency status display.