Know your seven types of drivers

                KUALA LUMPUR: There are lots of different types of drivers on the road.

Some people drive smoothly and calmly, while others cut you off, flash their lights and honk out of anger.

In a public service announcement, Liberty Insurance said it was important for drivers to be aware of their actions and how their driving affects other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

"The more we talk about the dangers of driving and its impact on other people, the more effective it is for preventing accidents from occurring.

"Every driver has a different driving style, culture and personality — but how can you tell what type of driver you are based on the way you drive?" the company said.

Learn who the seven types of drivers are, their characteristics and how best to deal with them.

1. The Speedster
Speedsters are out to feel the thrill of the ride and to break all the speed rules. They love the rush of tailgating, forcefully overtaking others who are keeping to the speed limits. However, speeding can also cause a driver to lose control, and swerve easily as when a vehicle is moving too quickly, its overall traction with the road is lowered.

2. The Sloths
It may be hard to believe, but this type of driver can definitely be a hazard to your safety and sanity. Not only do they drive way below the speed limit, they also cause other drivers to hit their emergency brakes just to avoid colliding with them. It's usually the tailgating and premature braking that lead to accidents.

3. The Nervous Driver
If you are driving along and come across a nervous driver, avoid accelerating quickly and swerving around them. Indicate early to show them that you are slowing down, keep a safe distance, and they should relax.

4. The Engrossed Driver
Like it or not, these drivers can be some of the biggest hazards on the road. They can cause accidents simply by their simple mistake of glancing at their phone quickly. This can result in a BANG!

5. The Road Rager
This is a popular class of driving behaviour that can be described as 'driving in anger', where the driver is likely to lose control of their car and be at risk of injury or worse, if the driver brakes suddenly or swerves onto the wrong side of the road.

6. The Obediently Kind Driver
While rare, they do exist. They let everyone merge into their lane, never honks at anyone and are law abiding drivers. They are very respectful to all traffic rules and are also very tolerant of other reckless drivers on the road. They are very patient and will always give way at an intersection, even if it is their right of way.

7. The Makeup Artist
Stay behind them. If you’re behind the person applying makeup, that might be the safest place to be as you can react to sudden movements in front of you. The makeup artist is not going to rear-end you if the person in front of you.

"No matter how careful you are on the road, you will still never be able to foresee unforeseen circumstances.

"Having motor vehicle insurance is a great way to safeguard yourself and those who rely on you," the company said.

Liberty Insurance's Private Car EZY Plus - Comprehensive insurance offers a holistic coverage plan that includes personal accident, medical expenses, key replacement and child seat replacement.

Aside from this, the plan also has add-ons that include coverage for Flood Allowances, 24-hours unlimited mileage towing, side mirror damage and others.

Get insured with Liberty as you may just stand a chance to participate in their future campaigns.

Recently, Liberty’s Kaw Kaw campaign came to a close with multiple winners taking home amazing prizes such as cars, motorcycles, mobile phones and e-vouchers.

To find out more about Liberty’s Motor Insurance, visit www.libertyinsurance.com.my.


Boosting charging infrastructure key to increased EV use

                PETALING JAYA: The rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector should see equal progress in technology and infrastructure supporting the environmentally-friendly vehicles, says an industry player.

A Bermaz Auto Bhd spokesman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the growing adoption of EVs by Malaysians would also see further development of technological infrastructure to attract new owners as well as provide assurance to current EV users.

"Soon, there will be a need to replace high-range coverage on a single charge (for EVs) with better charging speeds.

"Upon achieving this, the masses would be more open towards adopting EVs," the spokesman said.

Previously, The Star reported on growing concerns over the lack of infrastructure to support EVs, with experts and stakeholders saying the number of charging stations should be increased to keep up with increasing EV ownership.

Experts and stakeholders had also called on the government to roll out more incentives to further develop the segment.

The spokesman said that charging times could also be reduced once new technologies are introduced, giving EV users better confidence when carrying out long journeys.

The spokesman also said that changes in battery technology would also influence the adoption of EVs.

"This in turn can take away the negativities surrounding its present battery settings."

The spokesperson added that the company also invested in a new training centre within the Klang Valley, proposed to train the new generation workforce in handling EVs.

"We also conduct a comprehensive handover process to owners to ensure they are well-versed with the functions and features of EVs."

Explaining further, the spokesperson said concerns such as range anxiety would be less of an issue once they realise such vehicles need not be charged daily.

"Training (on handling EVs) are also extended by the company towards first responders in case of emergency, as well as relevant stakeholders who would like to keep abreast with EV developments," the spokesperson said.

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) chief operating officer Datuk Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said there are 20 direct current (DC) chargers commissioned and energised by various charge point operators on its highways to date.

Another two were also under construction, he said.

"This is an important milestone to support the national agenda of increasing electrified mobility adoption under the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2030.

"It is also one of the key initiatives under the PLUS Smart Highway, which is developing an eMobility infrastructure" he said.

He added that the increasing EV charging infrastructure on PLUS highways, as envisaged under its electric vehicle charging system (EVCS) roadmap 2025, would hopefully spur confidence of EV users to travel interstate.

"At the same time, it is hoped that the initiative could also tackle range anxiety from EV travel range limitations," he said.


McLaren video explains how glass-less Elva stays comfy via 'air bubble' of calm

                LONDON: The new McLaren Elva is a ferociously fast open-cockpit car; an extreme two-seater with a bespoke carbon fibre chassis and body but no roof, no windscreen and no side windows.

Helmets can be worn if preferred, but the form and sculpture of the upper cabin wraps around the driver and passenger to provide a secure environment.

A fixed windscreen derivative of the car is also available for most markets as a factory option.

The Elva is powered by a 815PS, 800Nm 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 from the same family of engines that powers the McLaren Senna and Senna GTR, and this is combined with the lightest vehicle weight of any road car produced by McLaren Automotive.

There's breathtaking performance with 0-100km/h in under three seconds; 0-200km/h quicker than the McLaren Senna, at just 6.7 seconds.

In a video posted on its Facebook fan page and YouTube channel, McLaren Automotive explains the Elva keeps you comfortable at 110kph without a windscreen.

The video shows how occupants are cocooned in a "air bubble" when driven at 100kph onwards, thanks to a world-first, the Active Air Management System (AAMS).

The system channels air through the nose of the Elva to come out of the front clamshell at high velocity ahead of the occupants before being directed up over the cockpit to create a relative "air bubble" of calm.

In the front end is a carbon fibre deflector that raises and lowers vertically when the AAMS is active, rising 150mm into the freestream to create a low-pressure zone.

As vehicle speed increases, the AAMS automatically deploys and remains active until speed reduces, at which point the deflector retracts. The system can also be button-deactivated by the driver.

In this "air bubble", even your hair-style will remain unruffled.

Only 399 units of the Elva will be produced.


Now you can pre-book a Honda car from anywhere via digital platform

                PETALING JAYA: Honda Malaysia today announced a new Car Pre-Booking Online Platform for customers.

Customers can now pre-book their dream car with a minimum fee of RM99 in four easy steps at Honda Malaysia’s official website and track the status of their booking from the comforts of their homes.

The pre-booking function is embedded into Honda Malaysia’s official website overall shopping tools which include loan calculator, models comparison and Honda Insurance Plus. It will also be made available in the HondaTouch application by early next year.

"Through this online process, we aspire to offer greater convenience and a safe experience for our customers, no matter which part of Malaysia they are at,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Toichi Ishiyama.

Once the pre-booking fee is paid, a confirmation email with all the necessary information including details of the dealer that received the payment and a reference number will be sent to the customers. The customers will be contacted by a sales person from the selected dealer within 72 hours.


McLaren 720S Spider lights up supercar class

                LONDON: The new 720S Spider delivers the exhilaration of open-air driving and levels of day-to-day usability unseen in the convertible supercar class.

A new, electrically actuated Retractable Hard Top (RHT) is seamlessly integrated into the design, as are new buttresses.

Like all McLaren cars, the new 720S Spider has a carbon fibre structure at its core, in this case designated Monocage II-S.

The mid-engined rear-wheel drive 720S Spider is comfortably the lightest car in its class, and the low weight is the foundation for its dynamic, performance and efficiency benefits.

It is powered by the familiar M840T 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 710bhp @ 7,500rpm and 770Nm @ 5,500-6,500rpm mated to a 7-Speed McLaren Dual Clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) automatic transmission.

The canopy-like design of the 720S Coupé is recognized for the sense of 360-degree vision it provides, allowing light to flood into the cabin and setting a new benchmark for visibility.

The Retractable Hard Top (RHT) of the 720S Spider is a completely new design, with a one-piece, carbon fibre roof panel as standard.

The folding mechanism for McLaren’s new RHT is electrically rather than hydraulically driven and the system is the fastest-operating convertible roof in the supercar class, with the retractable hard top lowered or raised in just 11 seconds – six seconds quicker than the 650S Spider.

A centrally-mounted 8.0-inch high-resolution Central Infotainment Screen remains the primary hub for the vehicle’s functions.

McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control II hydraulic suspension is complemented by an electro-hydraulic steering system widely acknowledged for providing exceptionally pure precision and feedback.

As with the Coupé, a Spider driver can choose between three Handling modes – Comfort, Sport, or Track.

A new 10-spoke, Lightweight forged alloy wheel design has been developed for the new Spider. Tyres are Pirelli P ZERO, designed in conjunction with McLaren Technology Partner, Pirelli, to provide the optimum balance of performance, grip, handling and comfort over a wide range of road conditions.

A more track-focused Pirelli P ZERO CORSA tyre can be specified instead, at no additional cost.


CarSifu Editors' Choice Awards 2022: Why cars won — Part 2/2

                <  PART 1 Best Mid-size Luxury SUVJaguar F-Pace R-Dynamic

While the F-Pace might not have the most powerful engine of its segment, its Ingenium block still delivers silky smooth power with a hint of sportiness. By virtue of being a bigger SUV, the F-Pace scores with practicality. It looks even more appealing in the latest iteration with an interior that is considerably less cluttered to complement an elegant exterior.

Best Large Luxury SUVPorsche Cayenne V6 CKD

As the first locally-assembled Porsche model, the Cayenne has been specified with the features that matters to be an all-rounder while keeping its price acceptable for easier entry into Porsche’s world of large SUVs.
Being a capable offroader with a powerful 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine, the Cayenne promises respectable performance, practicality and uptown aspirations.

Best Large Luxury SUV (3-row seating)BMW X7 xDrive40i M Sport CKD

Now available locally assembled which allows buyers significant savings compared with earlier fully-imported units, the BMW X7 provides more than adequate space and refinement for long distance travelling for all occupants.
Its 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line turbocharged engine puts down more than enough oomph to propel this massive vehicle elegantly while its all-wheel steering and two-axle air suspension ensure dynamic handling and comfortable ride.

Best Sub-compact Electric SUVHyundai Kona e-Max

The design of the Kona e-Max and its rival are attractive in their own way but one buys an electric car for a meaningful range.
The Kona e-Max draws more appeal and practicality as a city runabout with its 64kWh battery offering over 480km range that is twice its rival.
It’s also up to the task when called upon for the occasional out-of-town escapades.

Best Small Electric SUVVolvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

Building on the appeal and success of the conventional XC40 sport utility vehicle line-up, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric ups the ante with a powerful two-motor powertrain system and a large high voltage pack that offers some 400km of emissions-free driving.
Not only is the all-electric XC40 the fastest EV of its segment in Malaysia, it also gets an array of smart safety features that make it as safe as any other Volvo.

Best Mid-Size Electric CrossoverKia EV6

The EV6 dials up the sporty effects and shows one interpretation of an electric performance crossover. The exterior will turn heads and the cabin has a more driver-focused bias. The icing is that the EV6 gets stellar grades for handling and goes further on a bigger capacity battery.

Best Mid/Large-Size Electric SUVBMW iX xDrive40

As BMW Group Malaysia’s top-of-the-line electric vehicle offering, the iX xDrive40 easily impresses with its quick acceleration, long driving range and as well as its uniquely luxurious and spacious interior. Best of all, the iX xDrive40 retains the outstanding handling and steering feel of conventional BMW models.

Best 4X4 Lifestyle Pick-up TruckFord Ranger WildTrak

The Ford Ranger pick-up truck line-up which started out as a rugged 4X4 has evolved into a refined-looking machine while retaining its off-roading roots. In terms of looks and equipment, the Wildtrak variant takes the lead over its rivals, fully-loaded with a distinctive new grille, signature C-clamp daytime running lights, rear side steps and side creases. Inside, the large 12-inch centre display, premium car-like feel and smart driving features add to its appeal.

Best 4X4 Pick-up Truck (Manual)Isuzu D-Max 4X4 1.9 Standard

Built on a new and longer platform with a stiffer frame for added comfort, the third-generation D-Max offers a revised and stylish take on a model line-up that is known for rugged performance and dependability. The combination of a manual transmission and a fuel-efficient 1.9-litre turbodiesel Blue Power block further enhances the 1.9 Standard’s appeal for low operating costs.

Best Family Ride (up to RM100,000)Perodua Alza AV

The Alza has no equal in this space right now as it’s a new generation altogether versus a rival that gets a mere facelift. The Perodua MPV has been vastly improved in terms of tech, comfort and safety. There’s plenty of value in a 7-seat family hauler that manages to look sporty and practical at the same time.

Best Family Ride (RM100,000-RM200,000)Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star

When it comes to people carriers, it’s safe to say that MPVs tend to do a better job than SUVs. Sliding side doors, bigger interior space and a flat floor that allows one to walk from front to back are conveniences that draw the target clientele. Apart from being a good-looking MPV, the Serena’s low loading height, Captain’s seats and enhanced safety puts it ahead.

Best Family Ride (RM200,000 and above)Kia Carnival 7-seater

For sheer no-nonsense premium transportation from above RM200,000, the Kia Carnival is the one to gravitate to with a roomy interior. Its diesel engine is more than powerful to haul all onboard without any indications of stress, while the second-row passengers will get equal measures of pampering from the Captain’s seats.

Best DesignFerrari 296 GTB

Not only is the 296 GTB more powerful, it’s also more elegant and sensuous. The cabin design also highlights a design that’s more driver-oriented bereft
of a centre infotainment screen. Future-proofing it is the fact it was created as a plug-in hybrid, which pairs a rear electric motor with the turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 engine to output an astounding 818hp/-
740Nm.

> PART 1


New Lexus ES teased ahead of Beijing reveal

                TOKYO: Sometimes images of a new car are leaked online and you have to wonder if it's the manufacturer itself that's actually the source of the supposed "leak." But when a leaked image appears online and the manufacturer concerned quickly releases its own official image that isn't a whole lot different from the leak, it seems like the automaker is playing catch-up.

That's how it appears to be with Lexus and its new ES sedan, which saw a leaked image of the front grille appear online before an official image that's remarkably similar to the leak was put out by the company.

Regardless of how and when the images appeared and who released them, what they all show is the car's absolutely massive spindle grille. The official image shows little more than a close-up of the feature and the Lexus badge, while the leaked image revealed a little more of the front fascia.

 The outgoing sixth generation and its interior.

We won't have to wait too long to see the new Lexus in all its glory though as it's going to be making its full global debut on April 25 at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show in China. The all-new ES, which stands for "Executive Sedan," is likely to be an important model for Lexus in China, and perhaps even more so if the reports of the People's Republic dropping its new vehicle import tariffs and making it easier for foreign manufacturers to sell there do turn out to be true.

The press release from the luxury arm of Toyota doesn't reveal much about the midsize sedan other than the fact it's "more than just a pretty face," and that it will "transform the concept of comfort for luxury consumers all over the world."

In European markets, the ES is expected to be a replacement for the current but aging GS, which is expected to be discontinued this month as a result of a lack of demand. The new ES will be a totally new model because it will be built using the Toyota New Global Architecture, and will therefore have many things in common with the likes of the Toyota Avalon.

The new platform should deliver better packaging and less weight than the GS, which is likely to lead to a positive impact on handling and fuel efficiency.

Video shows outgoing sixth generation revealed at Shanghai in 2015.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia reopens

                PETALING JAYA: Following the relaxation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) by the Malaysian government, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia will officially resume its business with stringent health and safety protocols in place following approval given by the government.

Customers with vehicles service due between March 18 and May 12 will be able to bring their vehicle in for service within 60 calendar days from May 12.

Dealerships nationwide will reopen in phases subject to government approval .

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia also pointed out the following:

> Routine service and maintenance and/or repairs carried out at dealerships will resume with stringent health protocols in place. Customers can obtain further information and make a booking here or contacting their preferred dealership.

> Warranty repairs on vehicles with its 4-year warranty expiring between March 18 and June 30 will be honoured within 60 calendar days from June 30.

> The factory in Pekan, Pahang, resumed operations on May 13.

“The safety of our customers are paramount to us and we will continue to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia to ensure adequate safety and precautionary measures are in place at our premises," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia CEO and President  Dr Claus Weidner.

"As we adapt to the new normal, we will be introducing many new digital approaches in the business with the first being the Mercedes-Benz virtual showroom. Customers can now view their desired vehicles from the comfort of their own homes and gear themselves up for an immersive virtual test drive experience.”

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia plans to introduce a Star Shield programme, a comprehensive safety plan to ensure customer’s peace of mind during showroom visits or when sending their vehicles for routine servicing, maintenance and repairs.

The precautionary measures include temperature checks before entering dealerships, the provision of masks and hand sanitisers to customers, social distancing practices via limited customers per entry into showrooms, as well as cleaning and sanitisation of all vehicles and common areas.

Vehicles will also be sanitised and wrapped with a seat and steering cover before any scheduled servicing and maintenance.

Customers and prospective buyers can also go to the Mercedes-Benz website to get more details. They can also book a test-drive slot.


China's LeEco unveils a car, but cannot make it drive

Jia (right) and co-founder and global vice chairman Lei Ding posing in front of the  LeSEE car during a press event in San Francisco on Wednesday. - Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO: Chinese technology company LeEco on Wednesday made an inauspicious entry into the race to develop self-driving electric cars when its prototype car could not make it down the runway at a gala event here.

China's Le Holdings Co Ltd, also known as LeEco, planned to unveil its self-driving car prototype as part of a splashy US launch for an array of technology products and services, including phones, televisions and entertainment production.

Executives from Qualcomm and Lionsgate joined LeEco founder, Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting, to underscore the importance of the US market to one of China's biggest technology companies.

The choice of the San Francisco venue, in the backyard of luxury electric car maker Tesla and Alphabet Inc's Google self-driving car team, underscored the globalisation of the race to develop connected, electric and eventually autonomous vehicles.

But when Jia made his appearance running down a long runway in a cloud of dry ice, he had to tell the audience his LeSee prototype car couldn't drive down the show's runway as planned.

"It shouldn't be me running out here, we didn't have any other choice," Jia told the audience, speaking through a translator. "What we wanted was me in the car, and the autonomous car drives me out."

The misfire was caused by a delay getting the LeSee car prototype from London - where it is being used in the film "Transformers 5" - to San Francisco, company officials said.

The "LeSee" prototype - first unveiled in April in Beijing - was made available for viewing after the show.

LeEco executives said they envision the car as part of a shared ownership system, and said it could benefit from a strategic partnership with Los Angeles-based Faraday Future, an electric vehicle start-up also controlled by Jia. No details were given of that alliance.

Faraday will unveil its first production vehicle in Las Vegas in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, Jia said.

LeEco's focus on the interconnectivity of screens puts the Chinese company squarely in the path of Apple and other US technology giants trying to bridge the gap between hardware like phones or cars and the software that connects them to each other.

Besides LeEco, other Chinese companies have been investing heavily in Silicon Valley with electric vehicle start-ups, including Baidu Inc , Alibaba , Xiaomi, and Tencent Holdings Ltd .

LeEco plans to launch its phone and television products on Nov 2.

 Jia at LeEco's headquarters in San Jose. - Bloomberg


New cars unveiled online as Geneva show scrapped again over pandemic

                FRANKFURT: The action takes place at a nondescript warehouse somewhere on the outskirts of Stuttgart.

The security checks at the doors are strict and people cannot just stroll in like they could at the Geneva Car Show in Switzerland - cancelled again this year because of the pandemic.

Mercedes-Benz chose the Stuttgart venue for this digital event to showcase the new C-Class sedan, a make-or-break car for the brand at a time when everyone else is unveiling SUVs or electrics of some kind.

It proves that carmakers are not letting Covid-19 rain on their horsepower parade. The 2021 model year is being celebrated online.

The C-Class shares the digital limelight this year with a fourth-generation Skoda Fabia and the luxurious DS9, a stylish offering from France. The model is built by the subsidiary of the PSA group that owns the French company Peugeot and Citroen. It has been a separate marque since 2015.

With the E-Class-sized DS9, the French manufacturer hopes to lure customers bored by the monotony of Teutonic luxury offerings from the three-pointed star, BMW and Audi.

The petrol-electric DS9 hybrid complies with all manner of emissions regulations so it does fit in with the latest electrics in town, even though most of them are SUVs.

Skoda is fielding the Enyaq, Mercedes has its EQA and BMW the iX3. Ford is turning the Mustang into an SUV coupe with zero tailpipe emissions although the iconic namesake sports coupe will remain in the lineup.

VW is expanding the ID family with the 4 while Porsche's Taycan can tackle some rough and tumble as a high-riding Cross Turismo variant that looks the off-road part.

Volvo has also added a coupe version of the XC40 and is offering the C40 as an electric-only answer to the BMW X4. A few electric newcomers from China, such as Aiways with its mid-size U5 or MG with the ZS-EV, are also waiting in the wings.

The new Nissan Qashqai still relies on internal combustion engines, but only in hybrid electrified versions. The few lower-slung electric cars, namely those without SUV leanings, include the Audi e-tron GT, the BMW i4 and the Ioniq 5. The latter spearheads South Korea maker Hyundai's new sub-brand for electric cars.

Fans of combustion can take heart from a raft of new models. These include small cars like Hyundai's chunky Bayon with its fuel-efficient power plants and the radically restyled Opal Mokka crossover. It gets an electric drivetrain but potent petrol options are still on offer. More space are offered by the coupe-SUV Arkana from Renault, which is a French riposte to the BMW X6.

Maserati's second luxury offroader, the Alfa-based Grecale, comes as a surprise which is more than can be said for Ferrari's long expected foray into SUV territory with the four-seater Purosangue, which is Italian for thoroughbred.

With the electric Artura, McLaren has fettled what may turn out to be its most successful sports car. Yes it is a plug-in hybrid and the battery juice will only take you 30 kilometre in e-mode, but it is a start. Fuel consumption of 5.5 litres for a 330 km/h car cannot be bad. Cheap it isn't, however, with an asking price of some 250,000 dollars.

Pininfarina's Battista and the Rimac C-Two are two hypercars designed for life in the electric fast lane and this is reflected in the price tag of around two million euros apiece.

Petrolheads may soon have to bid goodbye to their pet power plants but for the time being BMW's M3 and M4 and the five-cylinder Seat Cupra Formentor should set pulses racing. Porsche's new 911 GT3 has also just debuted with a lap record around the Nurburgring's Nordschleife.

Oh yes, and for open-air fans, the BMW 4 Series convertible is back and Mercedes will unveiling its reborn SL roadster, with an expected entry-level hybrid variant.

So for 2021 there are a few sedans, SUVs as far as the eye can see and almost every car can be plugged into the main.

Even the Mercedes C-Class cannot escape this trend. That's why, in addition to the standard mild hybrid for all versions, Mercedes is also announcing a plug-in with a range of more than 100km.

A more rugged estate version of the C is also in the pipeline, with unique bumpers and wheel-arch cladding, enhanced ride height and beefed-up underbody protection measures.


Justice League cars up for grabs at Caltex service stations

                KUALA LUMPUR: Caltex service stations have begun their Justice League Cars promotion which run until Jan 31, 2018.

The promotion allows fans of the Justice League movie to collect all six mini-figure heroes and their custom cars.

Additionally, there will also be a seventh illusive Special Edition Justice League collectible car on the loose.

To obtain one of the heroes, motorists with their Caltex JOURNEY Card or B Infinite card need to spend a minimum of RM25 on petrol or diesel at any participating Caltex service station to be entitled to purchase a Justice League Car at RM15.

Otherwise, a customer could perform a partial redemption for one with 100 BPoints from their JOURNEY Card or B Infinite card and an upfront payment of RM11.

Or a full redemption with 1,200 BPoints from their JOURNEY Card or B Infinite card.

"This promotion shows our appreciation to our loyal customers in our ongoing quest to enhance their travel experience thus making their journey a more rewarding, enjoyable and not to forget a fun one too,” said Chevron Malaysia Limited’s retail partnership specialist Bobby Marshal.

For more information, log on to www.caltex.com.my or www.binfinite.com.my.


Your new navigator is your old phone: Easy mapping for bikes and cars

                FRANKFURT: What do you do with your old smartphone when you get a new model? They're too expensive to just throw in the bin. One thing they can be useful for is navigating unfamiliar routes when you're driving, cycling or hiking.

If you download maps for offline use you don't even need a SIM card or a mobile data connection.

Apps such as Komoot like Outdooractive are recommended for bike tours and hiking and there's also OsmAnd for all kinds of offline maps.

The only thing you need to invest in is a stable bracket for the handlebars or the windscreen and they generally cost little more than a cup of coffee.

There's also a large selection of navigation apps for offline use in the car, including MapFactor Navigator, Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps, Maps.me and Here WeGo. They usually also offer modes for pedestrians and cyclists. Basic usage is generally free.

Telecommunications specialist Alexander Kuch recommends drivers use a car charger so that the phone doesn't run out of juice on the way.

The old 12-volt cigarette lighter is less and less necessary, now that most newer cars come with USB sockets that you can leave a cable plugged into.

If the old phone has a SIM card you can use Google Maps or Apple Maps, both of which are free. The advantage of a data connection is that your maps can display up-to-date traffic information that can help you to plan your route. A pre-paid SIM card can be bought quite cheaply.

Investing in a prepaid card is also worthwhile for family vacations.

An old smartphone can be converted into a mobile wi-fi hotspot so that internet access is guaranteed regardless of the mobile phone contracts of the individual family members.

You just need to activate the personal hotspot on the old phone, a feature that's available in both Android and iOS.

Another option is to turn the old phone into a dashcam for your car, and there are plenty of apps made for this purpose.

Kuch recommends paying attention to three things with such apps: Does the recording start by itself or do you have to press the record button every time?

Does the app register an accident and then save it automatically? And does the app overwrite the previous recordings if nothing happens?

Accidents aren't the only risk, cars can also be stolen. If they are they can easily be tracked with a smartphone — provided the phone has an active SIM and has location tracking switched on.

The phone also needs to have a power supply and to be hidden somewhere where the thieves won't find it.

The device tracking tools that come built into Android and iOS are sufficient for this purpose, Kuch says.


                WARSAW: Poland aims to have 1 million electric cars on its roads by 2025 as it seeks to cut carbon emissions from transport and will offer tax and other incentives, the energy ministry said on Tuesday.

The country is one of the biggest polluters in Europe as it has maintained coal-fuelled power stations as its major source of energy. Some Polish towns, especially in the south, also choke in smog due to traffic fumes and coal burning in homes.

"The project will contribute to improving the environment in our country," deputy energy minister Michal Kurtyka told a news conference.

The ministry said that by 2018 it wants to introduce new laws that would regulate the development of electric cars, launch special funds to help start production and create the prototypes of Polish electric cars. Last week Poland's four biggest power producers - PGE, Tauron, Enea and Energa - said they plan to set up a company, ElectroMobilityPoland, to promote the use of electric cars although it is unclear whether they would actually make the cars.

"We would like this technological breakthrough to take place to the advantage of Polish entrepreneurs," Kurtyka said.

There are few electric cars in use in Poland currently. To promote their use the energy ministry said it planned to introduce tax relief for electric car owners as well as subsidies for the first 100,000 cars.

Germany and some other European countries have introduced electric car discount schemes to promote sales. Poland's plan is also a response to the country's issues with power production at night. Big power stations cannot be switched off during the night, when demand is much lower than during daytime hours, so the electricity produced at night is wasted.

Encouraging electric cars owners to charge their vehicles at night would boost demand. "The aim is to switch the tariffs system so that this night valley could become a source of energy for electric cars," Kurtyka said.

Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party promotes coal as the basic source of energy and has taken action to boost demand for coal, which it has in excess, to help its troubled mining firms.

Volkswagen, General Motors' Opel unit and Fiat all produce vehicles in Poland.


Renault wants to bring other strategic investors to Ampere and Alpine, says CEO

                BRUSSELS: Renault wants to attract further investors to its electric vehicle unit Ampere and premium sports brand Alpine, CEO Luca de Meo said on Thursday.

With the auto industry looking beyond internal combustion engines and demand surging for car connectivity, both requiring massive investments, Renault is building technological and financial partnerships beyond its historic alliance with Nissan.

"We are exploring the possibility of involving other strategic investors in Ampere beyond Qualcomm (Technologies)," Luca de Meo said at Renault's annual general meeting.

Nissan and Mitsubishi have indicated they may invest in the electric vehicle unit, which may go public as early as this year, market conditions permitting. The US semiconductor maker has already said it will invest.

Sources have said the unit could be valued at up to 10 billion euros (RM49bil).

BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are among the investment banks slated to work on the planned listing, a source said last month.

Meanwhile, Renault is working on two Alpine models for the US market and possibly the Chinese market, de Meo added.

Alpine, Renault's relaunched high-performance sports car brand which also supplies a Formula One racing team, grew its revenues by a third last year, selling just over 3,500 cars. The historic Alpine brand was world rallying champion in 1973.

De Meo said on Wednesday Alpine could also be listed, but that an IPO was not on the agenda for now.

A capital markets day for Ampere would be organised in the months ahead, de Meo told shareholders.


Kia revs up Stonic compact crossover

                FRANKFURT: SUVs and crossovers are the rage globally. While Hyundai continues to tease with its new Kona crossover, Kia is also sharing the limelight with its new B-segment crossover that will be named Stonic.

The Stonic is inspired by the form and function of larger Kia SUVs. A sweeping roofline and uniquely designed roof rack add a sporty look to the vehicle. The unique tail lamp graphics amplify Stonic’s youthful and futuristic appearance.

The car blends sharp horizontal feature lines with softer sculpted surfaces, and brings compact dimensions and a low centre of gravity to the class.

The European-designed cabin echoes the appearance of the exterior, with straight lines, smooth surfaces and geometric design forms. The Stonic’s interior places technology and ergonomics at its heart, with smart packaging maximising space for all occupants, and a "floating" HMI (human-machine interface) seamlessly blending smartphone access with the car’s many functions.

Kia said the Stonic would be the most customisable Kia ever, inside and out. It would go on sale in the second half of 2017.

Hyundai owns a stake in Kia.


Detroit auto show comes amid uncertain Trump future

                DETROIT: The automotive world descends on Detroit this weekend for the annual auto show, which will highlight rapidly-evolving technology, but comes amid an uncertain climate following Donald Trump’s public tussles with US car makers.

The 29th edition of the show, held in the American car capital, will showcase the increasingly prominent role of digital and electric advances, starting with its unofficial kickoff on Sunday, when Google will showcase a self-driving car partnership with Chrysler.

While the show will be looking to the future, prior to the show’s public opening on January 14 many industry insiders likely will be focused on the present, notably the increased uncertainty from an incoming Trump administration.

The president-elect has shown a willingness to apply pressure, especially via Twitter, on US manufacturers like Boeing, Carrier, Lockheed, GM and Ford to criticize corporate strategies, especially those involving investment and employment outside the United States.

He has vowed to preserve American jobs or bring them back, threatened to impose tariffs on American goods made in Mexico and China, and tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

”We’ve never experienced anything quite like this,” said Alan Deardorff, a professor at the University of Michigan who focuses on international trade policy.

Trade deals take years to have an effect as economies adjust, he said, so it is unclear what would happen to the US car industry should those deals be abruptly cancelled or changed. ”We’ve never gone in this direction, not in recent history,” he said.

But he warned one likely outcome is an increase in the car prices, making them less competitive in a global economy.

Matt DeLorenzo, who tracks the auto industry for Kelley Blue Book, said US carmakers “will have to reassess their whole Mexico strategy and Nafta.”

An early sign of that reassessment came in dramatic fashion Tuesday when Ford appeared to capitulate to months of Trump’s criticism by scrapping plans to build a $1.6 billion plant in Mexico. Instead it will use $700 million of those funds to expand a Michigan plant, creating 700 new jobs.

”It’s literally a vote of confidence around some of the pro-growth policies that (Trump) has been outlining and that’s why we’re making this decision to invest here in the US,” Ford CEO Mark Fields said.

Ford has been investing in high-tech, electric vehicle development, and beefing up higher-skilled American manufacturing can help better accomplish that goal, while its cheaper, less technology-laden car models are produced in Mexico.

Trump also targeted GM in a tweet Tuesday, threatening to impose a tariff on the car giant’s Mexican-made Chevrolet Cruze cars. GM responded quickly, emphasizing that the vast majority of its US-sold Cruze vehicles are made in Ohio.

Despite the rhetoric, the worst fears of what a Trump administration might do in 2017 are unlikely to come to pass, said Christopher Wilson, who studies US-Mexico policy at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank.

”The incoming administration is coming to terms with the reality” of the cross-border car manufacturing process, Wilson said.

He warned that there may be other efforts undertaken to address negative effects from globalization, including new tax policies and a renegotiation of Nafta.

”Anything that puts Nafta at risk, puts the US economy at risk,” he said.

With those high stakes in play, the auto industry will open the Detroit auto show that this year focuses on autonomous car technologies, amid the usual array of vehicle debuts and demonstrations.

The bulk of the show’s more than 300 exhibitors are start-ups boasting new technologies for connected and self-driving cars.

Major manufacturers also are in the game. Volkswagen, seeking to turn the page from the diesel emissions scandal that led to a 7.6 percent sales tumble in 2016, plans to unveil an electric, autonomous concept car.
Google’s self-driving car subsidiary Waymo will showcase a Chrysler Pacifica minivan outfitted with self-driving technology.

”The race has accelerated in the last 12 months between car groups, Silicon Valley giants and consumer electronics groups to be the first in market” with an autonomous car, said Karl Brauer of Kelley Blue Book.
Despite that onslaught, analysts say autonomous technology is currently in the early stages, in which human intervention is still required.

”Full automation is the ultimate goal, but at the moment, no company has fully autonomous vehicles in production,” Jefferies >amp; Co. tech analyst Brian Fitzgerald said.

Michelle Krebs, an industry analyst with AutoTrader, said part of the challenge is overcoming hesitant consumer sentiment, which has been evolving from suspicious to cautious.

”There’s going to be a lot of experimentation ... in terms of how do we make autonomous available to consumers,” Krebs said.

An AutoTrader annual survey of consumer sentiment found shifting attitudes. After initially considering autonomous technologies too dangerous, consumers were becoming more accepting, Krebs said.

”Consumers want more and more driver assist technology,” she said, “and they are warming up to the idea of autonomous, fully self-driving” cars. The production of these technology-packed cars will require a highly-skilled workforce.

Robert Scott of the Economic Policy Institute said that is an opportunity for American manufacturing to catch up, should policymakers in the Trump administration take steps to invest in labour force training and other services for displaced workers.

”They’re going to have to do more than renegotiate Nafta,” to bring manufacturing jobs back at a large scale, Scott said.


DKLS aims for consumer leather seat customisation

                KUALA LUMPUR: DK Leather Seats Sdn Bhd (DKLS) is gearing up to meet the demand for automotive leather seats which has been increasing substantially since the 1960s in tandem with the rapid growth of the automotive industry.

Aiming to stay relevant and building a strong future for itself, the company is differentiating itself by venturing into the business to consumer (B2C) market under their domestic retail arm brand, DK-Schweizer.

DKLS has always placed particular emphasis on quality, affordability and style as the signature for its products range that add value to customers lifestyle.

 Koek.

As such, the company will be providing customised services to end users who want to have their very own personalised leather seats for their vehicles.

Being a prominent leather upholstery manufacturer with a global presence for leather seats production world since 1997, DKLS manufactures, distributes and installs automotive leather seat covers for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) and Replacement Equipment Manufacturer (REM) market segments with multiple international marques.

Staffed with talented master craftmanship and leather from tanneries in Italy and South America, DKLS factory is also equipped with the latest technology and automation, ensuring high production and efficiency to meet the demand of customers while minimising wastage and carbon footprint.

DKLS director Lesley Koek said the company became a pioneer in combining innovative and creative car leather seats designs for the masses which embodied the latest technology, quality and styling that were value for money.

Its own in-house research and development team are continuously working towards developing materials and customisable templates for latest local and foreign car brands with over 10,000 seat patterns and car models in its database.

“Ultimately, we want our customers to experience the feeling of luxury and comfort at a reasonable price regardless of the vehicle their own," Koek said.

He said the first-of-its-kind product offerings in the region would meet the expectations of car owners who want to have an enjoyable and premium interior.

"Also, customers would not need to worry about the leather fittings as we have an in-house test centre that ensures all materials and fittings are put through vigorous and meticulous Quality Control (QC) testing for durability and reliability are not being compromised," he said.

Apart from the attention to detail, DKLS has dedicated computerised airbag sewing machines for leather seat covers to ensure compliance to testing and certification requirements by TUV Rheinland Group.

With the expansion of DKLS into the B2C market, the company is set to be a game changer and trendsetter for car seat personalisation and customisation by delivering quality, durable and value for money products at a premium level of comfort.


Kia Sorento delivers 2021 New Year’s numerals to Times Square

                LOS ANGELES: The countdown to 2021 officially began in New York City’s famed Times Square with the arrival of the “2021” numerals that will light up the sky when the Ball Drops and the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.

The “2021” numerals were towed into Times Square by an all-new, 2021 Kia Sorento SUV after a cross-country road-trip that started at Kia’s headquarters in Irvine, California, and covered more than 8,850km with stops in 15 states.

Kia Motors America is the Official Sponsor of the 2021 New Year’s Eve Countdown.


10 new cars coming in 2021

                PETALING JAYA: As we leave a tumultuous year behind, we enter 2021 with fresh hope and cautious optimism.

No doubt car manufacturers feel the same way as they see 2021 as a chance to stage a recovery that will certainly take more than a calendar year to reach the pre-pandemic hustle and bustle.

But there's reason to cheer after the Government decided to extend the sales tax exemption until the end of June 2021 after initially saying no.

New model launches will carry on under the new normal of business practices.

CarSifu has compiled a list of 10 new cars expected to launch in Malaysia in 2021. Well, technically 11 cars since the BMW M3 and M4 are two different models but they are expected to launch at the same time since they share much in common.

 How the Rocky looks from inside.1. Perodua D55L SUV

The budget compact car juggernaut is expected to delay the release of its B-segment SUV to March after many thought it would be launched this year.

But Covid-19 caused a disruption (it may still do so if infections keep rising or vaccinations are slow to deploy).

To recap, the small SUV codenamed D55L is based on the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize. It is slightly bigger than the Myvi and will sit above the hatchback.

Comparisons with the popular Proton X50 are inevitable though the D55L is expected to be less sophisticated and will be priced lower.

In Japan, the Rocky's power comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a CVT which produces 98hp and 140Nm of torque. It's not cast in stone yet. Perodua may instead use the familiar 1.5-litre powertrain seen in the Myvi.

2. Proton S50

The S50 could well be the successor to the Preve that has already ceased production.

The S50 is based on the Geely Binrui that debuted in China more than two years ago and has recently been updated cosmetically for a sportier look.

The Binrui is built on the Geely BMA platform that was co-developed with Volvo.

Despite the waning appeal of C-segment sedans as the public gravitate to SUVs, Proton still need to offer up this class of vehicle to cater to government fleets.

In the latest revisions, Geely has retired the 1.0-litre engine and uptune the 1.4-litre turbocharged mill to make 139hp (+8) and 235Nm (+20). Power is relayed to the wheels via a CVT.

The BMA platform is also known to be versatile enough to accommodate other engine options such as the 1.5 litre turbo three-cylinder and seven-speed DCT seen in the X50.

3. BMW M3 Competition/M4 Competition

Online pre-bookings for the more powerful versions of the M3 sedan and its sibling M4 coupe have started since the start of this month.

Both models are scheduled to launch and enter showrooms in Q3 2021.

Pricing for the new models (on-the-road without insurance) starts with the M3 Competition at RM664,800.

The M4 Competition is priced at RM684,800. Both models are offered with extra kit via the optional Innovation Package.

In "Competition" form, both cars are powered by 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six S58 engine producing 510PS at 6,250rpm and 650Nm.

The engines are managed by an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic for the rear wheels.

An M xDrive all-wheel-drive option will only find its way here sometime in the middle of 2021.

4. Volvo XC40 PHEV

With Volvo and its Malaysian ops gung-ho about electrification, it's only a matter of time before it delivers the XC40 in plug-in hybrid form. Right now, only the T5 R Design is sold in Malaysia featuring a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 252hp/350Nm.

Word is that Thailand's XC40 Recharge T5 is imported from the Volvo plant in Malaysia, so we expect Volvo Malaysia to allocate some for domestic consumption. The XC40 Recharge T5 uses a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that, coupled with the electric motor, dishes up a system output of 258hp/425Nm. All that torque is routed to the front axle through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

With the eventual release of the PHEV, we expect the T5 R Design to drop out.

Note that the XC40 Recharge is also available as a full electric vehicle with a 400km range.

Going by the fact compact SUVs are growing from strength to strength , it would be remiss for Volvo not to capitalise on the groundswell to profit by rolling out a compact PHEV in the local market that would also be kinder to the environment. The XC40 Recharge T5 fits the bill for those looking for a premium eco SUV with high levels of safety.

5. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Stuttgart debuted the new S-Class in September and the flagship should waft in to Malaysia in 2021.

Mercedes-Benz said it has created a feel-good ambience with lounge character marked by elegance, high quality and lightness in the new S-Class. The dashboard with its new architecture, modern surface design and ergonomic display arrangement is a particular highlight.
The new model has become more intelligent in many areas, and the driving experience is at the next level. Digital innovations such as in MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) are joined by innovations that increase driving enjoyment while making driving even safer: among them are rear-axle steering with a large steering angle and safety innovations such as the rear airbag.

Six-cylinder in-line petrol and diesel engines in various output classes are the first engine variants for the new S-Class. A V8 engine with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) and 48-volt onboard electrical system will be available soon after. A plug-in hybrid with an all-electric range of around 100km will follow in 2021.

The Malaysian market may get 2 variants of the S-Class like the present arrangement with a 6-cylinder petrol entry followed by the plug-in. An all-electric S-Class for Malaysia is still up in the air.

6. Honda City Hatchback

With the City Hatchback having its world debut in Thailand last month, its arrival in Malaysia won't be far behind. Like in 2021.

The City Hatchback is based on the fifth-generation City sedan and is shorter by 208mm but taller by 21mm, and comes in three variants over there. Except for the rear, the rest of the car is visually the same as the sedan version inside and out.

While Honda Malaysia is still selling the ageing Jazz now, it's expected to be discontinued to make way for the City Hatchback, which will go up against the Toyota Yaris.

Compared to the City sedan, the hatchback promises more legroom than the sedan and features Ultra Seats, enabling four rear seat configuration for practicality. It is also longer and wider than the Jazz.

The City Hatchback in Thailand uses the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged multi-point injection engine which produces 122hp and 173Nm of torque mated to a continuous variable transmission (CVT) similar to that in the City sedan offered there.

In Malaysia's case, the engine to be equipped could likely be the 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC DOHC delivering 119hp and 145Nm of torque similar to what the local City sedan uses now. Transmission will also likely be CVT as well.

7. VW Golf GTI

The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTi is coming, and that's exciting news in itself. What's even more is that it will be locally assembled for the first time, making it more affordable to the masses.

The new GTI boasts a two-litre engine with 245hp that can hit a top speed of 250kph and sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds.

The GTi is available as a manual but the Malaysian market will get the 7-speed DSG dual clutch gearbox.

The chassis has been substantially modified , while all electronic functions are networked by a central computer. This driving dynamics manager is intended to bridge the gap between an emphatically sporty set-up and high long-distance comfort.

An LED strip extends across the entire hood, making the GTI unmistakable even at night.

Inside, the classic checked pattern has been given a new, fresh look, and now covers the new sports seats.

The three-spoke sports steering wheel of old has been transformed into a new multifunction leather sports steering wheel with touch controls and an optionally integrated Travel Assist button to permit assisted driving of the Golf up to speeds of 210kph.

8. Land Rover Defender

The off-roading maestro is expected to make landfall in the first quarter of 2021.

The styling of the permanent four-wheel-drive Defender has been evolved from the car's utilitarian roots with the goal of generating more sophisticated but still rugged appeal.

Following its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019, the Defender has won 28 international awards.

Land Rover has also introduced its range of in-line six-cylinder Ingenium diesel and petrol engines, featuring mild hybrid technology, and its advanced P400e plug-in hybrid powertrain, which provides an all-electric range of up to 43km.

Output ranges between 197hp and 394hp.

The Defender is available in 90, 110 and practical Hard Top commercial derivatives.

The five-door Defender 110 variant is half a metre longer than the Defender 90 which has three doors. Land Rover said the smaller model can still accommodate six people.

9. Nissan Kick e-Power

Hello, it's another SUV again. The arrival of the Nissan Kicks has been talked about since 2018 but its launch has been "kicked" around from 2018 through to 2020 and now it's said to be showing up in 2021.

In between, the Kicks had undergone a facelift to keep it going and was unveiled in Thailand earlier this year.

For consumers, the Kicks will add variety to the competitive field that now includes Proton X50, Renault Captur and Honda HR-V.

The facelifted Kicks features a larger V-motion grille, as well as revised headlights and boomerang-shaped light graphics for the rear lights.

The D-shaped steering wheel and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels give the SUV a sporty look.

Premium safety features in the Kicks can include Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Intervention, Blind Spot Intervention and Cross Traffic Alert.

The Kicks uses Nissan's e-Power hybrid system that has an electric motor driving the car while the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine is only used as a generator to charge the 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery pack hidden under the front seats.

The electric motor makes 127hp and 260Nm of torque.

10. Lexus LM350

Some car makers still believe in MPVs. Lexus, for one, will be introducing the all-new LM350 luxury multi-purpose vehicle in May.

The LM350 is basically a glorified Toyota Alphard with more space and amenities to pamper its passengers. Instead of the Alphard's 7-seat capacity, the Lexus MPV has only 4 seats to make it more exclusive.

The second row gets two VIP lounge seats with generous legroom even when the Adaptipedic seats are fully reclined.

Other premium features include seats with air-cooled and heated functions with Ottoman massage, a mini refrigerator, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson reference sound system and a 26-inch full HD display panel for rear passengers. For rear passenger privacy, a glass partition that can be raised or lowered at a touch of a button has been included to close off the front seats.

The MPV is propelled by a 3.5-litre quad cam V6 delivering 296hp and 361Nm of torque mated to a direct-shift eight-speed automatic transmission

Lexus Malaysia is accepting bookings from this month. The MPV is priced from RM1.148mil.


AM Radio fights back after getting the boot from Tesla and other EVs

                WASHINGTON: Automakers moving into an electric future are locked in a battle with broadcasters concerned about the potential loss of an aged and fading technology: AM radio.

Major carmakers, including Tesla Inc. and BMW AG, are omitting AM tuners from electric vehicles, citing electromagnetic interference with the frequencies used by the century-old broadcasting service.

AM radio is particularly susceptible to disruption because it uses frequencies like those emitted by EV systems, which can overwhelm the radio signal and make it unintelligible.

FM stations operate over different wavelengths.

Shielding radio reception gear can be costly and complex, especially when vehicle users can access AM signals via digital platforms.

Broadcasters say AM radio deserves protection because it’s a linchpin of the US emergency information system, and remains important on a day-to-day basis for millions of listeners including rural, religious and foreign-language audiences.

“When the power goes out and cell networks are down, the car radio is often the only way for people to get information, sometimes for days at a time,” Jerry Chapman, president of Woof Boom Radio, which operates three AM stations in Indiana and Ohio, said in testimony for a US House hearing on Tuesday.

More than four dozen House members have signed onto the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bill that would require all new cars and trucks to receive AM broadcast signals.

“Removing AM radio receivers from vehicles means individuals may miss out on critical lifesaving updates,” said Representative Bob Latta, the Ohio Republican who chairs the communications panel that held the hearing.

“We must ensure that no community’s left behind, no voice is silenced and no emergency response is compromised.”

Overtones of the US partisan divide have crept into the discussion, with some zeroing in on talk radio, where conservative hosts such as Sean Hannity thrive on AM channels.

“AM radio is worth keeping in our cars,” Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, tweeted last week. “Millions of Americans listen to talk radio. It’s central to our democracy and freedom of expression.”

Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, which covers the talk radio industry, said he doubted carmakers had any intention to quiet conservative voices on talk radio. But he lamented the rift in what he called a “long, symbiotic relationship.”

“Radio has exalted the automobile as being mythical, and gorgeous,” Harrison said in an interview. “It’s almost a betrayal on the part of these car manufacturers to say, we’re getting rid of AM radio.’”

Carmakers, their dashboards replete with FM radio, Internet and satellite-radio links, can cite evidence that users prefer those media, which were unforeseen when AM started commercial broadcasting in 1920.

AM radio was once the dominant form of audio entertainment. Until 1978, more than half of all radio listening hours were spent on the AM dial, the Federal Communications Commission said in 2015.

But by late 2022, only about 15% of people 12 and older listened to AM radio during an average week — less than half the 34% who did in 2000, according to Nielsen data provided to Bloomberg. The AM radio audience is older and whiter than FM radio’s, according to Nielsen.

Broadcasters say a Nielsen survey for fall 2022 showed 82 million Americans listen to AM radio monthly.

Carmakers omitting broadcast AM tuners from electric vehicles include Volvo Group, Volkswagen AG and Mazda Motor Corp., according to Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who objects to excluding AM radio from cars.

Ford Motor Co. was originally on that list too, dropping AM radio from the F-150 Lightning pickup truck and the Mustang, saying AM listeners accounted for less than 5% of radio usage in its vehicles. But the company changed course last month and chief executive officer Jim Farley said all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles will include AM broadcast radio.

Farley said the reversal came “after speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system.” He didn’t say what might happen after 2024.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would direct regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge, bill sponsors said in a news release.

Backers of the bill include the National Association of Broadcasters, which said that a 77-station emergency alert system with direct connections to US officials includes more than 60 AM stations.

“Take away these stations and you’re really undoing the ability of every American to get emergency alerts,” broadcasters’ association President Curtis LeGeyt said in an interview. He said such a problem is “small right now” but added, “what does public safety look like as new vehicles proliferate?”

Gary Shapiro, chief executive officer of the Consumer Technology Association that includes carmakers as members, scoffed at the public-safety rationale. The collapse of alternative warning systems including mobile phones, FM radio and satellite radio is “possible but extraordinarily unlikely,” Shapiro said.

Electric vehicles are a growing portion of the US market, and accounted for about 7% of new vehicle sales in the first quarter, according to Cox Automotive.

A mandate requiring AM broadcast reception is “just one more thing hindering the introduction of electric cars,” Shapiro said in an interview.


Giti Tire unveils two new passenger car tyre models

                KUALA LUMPUR: Giti Tire unveiled its new GitiSport S2 and GitiSynergy H2 tyres for its major passenger car tyre dealers.

GitiSport S2 is an ultra-high performance tyre that comes with innovative design while providing higher levels of precise control.

 GitiSport S2.

The pattern design and latest compound technologies deliver a 5% improvement in wet and dry braking and handling, as well as a 14% increase in aquaplaning resistance compared with the previous model.

The tyre also promises around 10% more mileage in normal driving conditions.

Designed using AdvanZtech - Giti Tire’s globally-integrated, company-wide R&D system - the GitiSport S2 features a brand new compound that offers extremely high levels of grip, which has resulted in an impressive A rating for wet performance in EU label results.

 GitiSport S2.

Its strong rolling resistance is measured from B-E, and it is aimed at compact and intermediate size cars and sports utility vehicles with a sport orientation – such as the Mercedes C-Class, Cupra Leon, Audi TT, and Audi Q5.

The tyre launches initially in 14 sizes with rims from 16 to 20 inches, section widths from 205-275, series sizes from 35-45, and with speed indices across W-Y.

 GitiSynergy H2.

Meanwhile, the GitiSynergy H2 high-performance tyre is now available aftermarket, with its OE-installed version having already secured a number of fitments within the Volkwagen Group vehicles.

The tyre will initially be available in 17 sizes with rims from 15 to 18 inches, section widths from 185-235, series sizes from 50-65, and with speed indices across T, H, V, W, and Y.

 GitiSynergy H2.

Aimed primarily at compact and family cars, crossover vehicles, and small SUVs, a further 25 additional sizes will be introduced throughout the year.

The GitiSynergy H2 has also recorded A in wet grip across the range and A-C in rolling resistance in EU Label results.

The tyre also promises drivers with safety without worry, energy efficiency, and precise control.

Giti Tire Group is headquartered in Singapore and has roots in the tyre business going back to 1951.


China extends NEV purchase tax exemption worth 100 billion yuan

                BEIJING: China will extend its exemption of new energy vehicles' from purchase taxes to the end of 2023, creating tax cuts worth a total of 100 billion yuan (RM66bil), state media Xinhua quoted cabinet meeting as saying on Friday.

In June, China’s central government had announced it was considering extending tax exemptions on new-energy car purchases in a bid to boost an auto sector battered by strict Covid lockdowns.

China's auto sales surged 29.7% in July from a year earlier to 2.42 million units, extending a recovery that began in June.

Sales for the first seven months, though, were still 2% lower than the corresponding period in 2021, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed.

Sales of new energy vehicles, which include pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, increased 120% in July from the previous year.


S. Korea orders vehicle recalls for Hyundai, Kia after whistleblower report

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp said today they would recall 240,000 vehicles from South Korea after the transport ministry issued its first compulsory recall order over safety defects first flagged by a whistleblower.

The ministry also asked the prosecutor to investigate whether or not the automakers allegedly covered up the five flaws, which affect 12 models, including the Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe and Genesis.

This is the first time ever that the ministry ordered a compulsory recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles, and comes after the automakers had rejected an earlier order for a voluntary recall, saying the defects did not compromise driving safety.

On Friday, Hyundai and Kia said they "accept the administrative order," adding: "There have been no reported injuries or accidents from the cited issues."

"Safety is always Hyundai/Kia’s number one priority and we make decisions on recalls or any other customer protection steps in compliance with regulators around the world and stringent internal procedures," they said in a statement.

The planned recalls will add to the 1.5 million vehicles that Hyundai and Kia last month offered to fix in South Korea and the United States over possible engine stalling - a defect which was also flagged by 26-year-old Hyundai engineer Kim Gwang-ho who last year had reported a total of 32 defects to the vehicle safety regulator.

The transport ministry later asked the automakers to recall the vehicles over eight of the 32 problems, while offering free repairs on nine cases.


1.3 million BMW vehicles set to benefit from new OTA software upgrade

                MUNICH: June marks the start of the rollout of the new BMW Remote Software Upgrade for 1.3 million vehicles with BMW Operating System 7 in selected countries.

This activates Amazon Alexa integration in four more markets. The over-the-air (OTA) upgrade also includes improvements, such as the integration of the traditional destination entry in BMW Maps.

The upgrade will update the BMW Operating System 7 to Version 21-03. The rollout in Germany started on June 1, and will gradually cover more BMW Connected Drive markets worldwide. In total, more than 1.3 million BMW vehicles (and more than 20 models) will be given the upgrade.

Customers can now also use many of the Alexa features in their car they often use at home: add items to shopping lists, check the news, play music or control compatible smart home devices from the car. So far, Alexa has been available for BMW Operating System 7 vehicles in Germany, Austria, Britain, Spain and Italy. This upgrade adds four more countries to the list - France, the United States, Canada and Brazil.

The BMW Maps navigation system was rolled out in mid 2020 for vehicles with BMW Operating System 7. The system, cloud-based for the first time, makes route calculation significantly faster and more dynamic by combining real-time information with predictive models. The cloud also contains additional context-related information on now over 120 million points of interest, such as ratings, opening hours and images. The POI database is updated and kept up-to-date several times a week at short and regular intervals.

The easiest way to enter the destination is in natural language in dialogue with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. With BMW Maps, additional improvements in terms of ease of use via touch or BMW controller have been implemented. The One-Box Search was used for the first time, for example. This allows customers to search for the addresses and names of places, as they are used to with when entering text in web search engines. Algorithms are used to filter the applicable database to display the probable suggestions already during input (auto-completion).

The adaptation for BMW Maps is activated after installing the current BMW Remote Software Upgrade.

One of the improvements provided by this upgrade is that the Lane Departure Warning settings can now be saved permanently.

With BMW Operating System 7 and BMW Remote Software Upgrade, it has been possible since 2018 for BMW drivers to keep their vehicle up-to-date with the latest software easily and quickly. The new functions can be conveniently installed in the car over the air. The installation files are prepared in the vehicle in the background. After that, even the installation of extensive upgrades will rarely take more than 20 minutes.

Due to the coronavirus situation - with its impact on support capacities - the rollout of the current upgrade may be delayed in individual markets.

Vehicles with BMW Operating System 7 not produced before March 2021 already have the latest software version.

Customers are informed about available Remote Software Upgrade via the My BMW App or on the control display in the vehicle. In addition, the software status can be viewed in the vehicle settings under Remote Software Upgrade and a search for available upgrades can be carried out. Remote Software Upgrade is now available for more than 20 BMW models and thus almost for the entire BMW fleet.

Vehicles with software versions older than 20-07 can only install the latest version after downloading and installing the intermediate versions. Only the next possible upgrade is offered for installation in the vehicle. The customer can never install a wrong version.


Mazda announces breakthrough in long-coveted engine technology

                TOKYO: Mazda unveiled plans for the world's first commercial petrol engine using compression ignition, placing traditional engines at the centre of its strategy days after saying it would develop electric cars with Toyota.

Mazda, whose research and development (R&D) budget is a fraction that of Toyota, could be the first automaker to commercialise a technology that many peers including General Motors Co and Daimler AG have been working on for decades.

Mazda said today it would start selling cars equipped with the new engine from 2019, even as other automakers increasingly turn to electric vehicles against a landscape of tightening environmental regulation.

"We think it is an imperative and fundamental job for us to pursue the ideal internal combustion engine," said Mazda's head of R&D Kiyoshi Fujiwara.

 The SKYACTIV-X engine explained. - Reuters

While "electrification is necessary ... the internal combustion engine should come first," he told reporters.

The news follows Mazda's Friday announcement of a capital tie-up with Toyota, an alliance that will see the pair build a US$1.6 billion US assembly plant and work together on electric vehicles.

Mazda's engine technology is the automaker's "heart", said executive vice-president Akira Muramoto. He said Mazda did not plan to supply the new engine to other automakers.

Mazda said the new engine, to be called SKYACTIV-X, would be 20 to 30 percent more efficient than its current SKYACTIV-G engine.

It also said it would begin introducing electric vehicles and electric technology from 2019, focused on markets that restrict the sale of other cars or provide a clean source of electric power.

The automaker also said it aimed to make autonomous-driving technology standard in all of its models by 2025.


AWAS to be a more holistic approach to reduce accidents after AES-Kejara merger

                PETALING JAYA: The Automated Enforcement System (AES) will be merged with the Kejara demerit system and renamed as AWAS (Awareness Automated Safety System).

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic), who disclosed this, said this was to ensure a more holistic approach to reduce the number of road accidents.

“Whether you pay your fines or not, your marks will still be deducted if you are found to have committed a traffic offence,” he said during an interview on TV3 last night.

Liow said each user will start with 20 points, and their licenses will be revoked once all points were used up.

He said 181 countries had implemented the demerit system and successfully reduced their accident rate.

He said AWAS was not to burden the public with fines “but to save lives”.

“A survey involving the 14 AES cameras in the country showed that it was effective in reducing the number of accidents,” he said.

Liow said signboards will be placed before AES cameras to make road users slow down.

He said AWAS will also help combat corruption as there will be minimal human involvement in the issuance of traffic summons.

He said the ministry had to iron out several legal and procedural issues before submitting the proposal to the Cabinet in March.

He said the relevant stakeholders, including departments in his ministry, were preparing the final review on the proposed plan.

To ensure its smooth implementation, Liow welcomed feedback from all the relevant stakeholders, adding that the public can visit the ministry’s website to share their views on the new system.

On another matter, Liow said the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is set to be implemented this year, in which Singapore-registered vehicles entering the country will have to register and pay RM20.


New Peugeot service centre opens in Klang

                KLANG: Peugeot owners in the Klang Valley will be happy to know that a new service centre outlet has just been launched at Taman Perindustrian Air Hitam.

Known as Peugeot Service Klang, the 2S (service and spare parts) centre will serve customers in Klang, Pulau Ketam, Pulau Indah, Perlabuhan Klang, Teluk Panglima Garang, Jenjarom, Kapar and even the main areas surrounding Petaling Jaya.

Owned and operated by UDH Ventures Sdn Bhd with an investment of RM1mil, the Peugeot Service Klang measures 10,500sq ft and has seven bays with the capability to service up to 20 cars per day. It also offers free Wi-Fi and a lounge for customers.

 (From left) Samson, Faugeres, Bhadra at the launch of Peugeot Service Klang.

“Our presence in Klang brings us to a total of 155 service bays nationwide with the capacity to service over 15,000 cars per month. This is part of our nationwide network expansion drive towards improving customer satisfaction and reducing service lead time,” said chief operating officer of Nasim, Datuk Samson Anand George.

Also present at the launch was general director for Asean countries at Automobiles Peugeot, Lionel Faugeres.

In conjunction with the launch, there will be a special promo for Peugeot customers who service their cars between from 10 June to 15 July at Peugeot Service Klang. Every car that comes in will receive an original Peugeot T-shirt.

Customers will also be in the running to win an iPad Mini and all they have to do is answer three questions about Peugeot.

Nasim, the official distributor for Automobiles Peugeot in Malaysia is scheduled to launch two more outlets throughout the country this year.


Majority of VW dealerships in Malaysia are now 4S centres

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced that all its authorised dealerships in Peninsular Malaysia are now either 3S or 4S centres.

This is part of the company’s initiatives to enhance ownership experience for customers.

There are 17 Volkswagen dealerships now and one service partner, which are strategically located in key regions across the country, to provide customers with sales and aftersales services.

Fourteen of these dealerships are 4S centres (sales, service, spare parts, and body and paint services), whereas three are 3S centres (sales, service, and spare parts), and one in Kuching, Sarawak, is a 2S centre (service and spare parts).

All dealer groups in the peninsula are equipped with the expertise and facilities to handle body and paint services.

In addition to strengthening the dealership network, VPCM said it is continuously working with its dealer partners to enhance customer satisfaction by providing professional, attentive, and top-level services.

These efforts are evident in the Car.Advisor ratings given by customers.

Volkswagen Malaysia has achieved an average 4.93/5 star for its sales experience on Car.Advisor, whilst aftersales services received 4.76/5 star. These annual results are as of April 2022.

Car.Advisor is an independent third-party platform that manages customer satisfaction for the Volkswagen brand. Ratings and reviews for each dealership are transparently shown on the website and accessible by the public.

VPCM managing director Erik Winter said a smooth and memorable ownership experience is important.

“Customer service makes all the difference because it elevates the ownership experience. Now with a strong network of 3S and 4S centres, we are providing convenience for Volkswagen owners from around the country.

"We are also practising transparency with our customer satisfaction because ratings and reviews
are available on the Car.Advisor website, and this pushes us and our dealer partners to continue improving our offerings too.”


Daimler Truck, Shell sign agreement on hydrogen trucking in Europe

                STUTTGART: Daimler Truck and Shell New Energies said today they have signed an agreement under which Shell commits to setting up hydrogen-refuelling stations for heavy-duty trucks that Daimler Truck will sell to its customers.

Under the agreement, Shell will from 2024 launch heavy-duty hydrogen-refuelling stations between the green hydrogen production hubs at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and in Cologne and Hamburg in Germany.

Daimler Truck meanwhile aims to start delivering heavy-duty hydrogen trucks to customers in 2025.

"The plan aims to continuously expand the hydrogen powered freight corridor, which will cover 1,200 kms by 2025, in order to deliver 150 hydrogen refuelling stations and around 5,000 Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty fuel cell trucks by 2030," the two companies said in a joint statement.


New Nissan LEAF to get ProPILOT Assist system

                LOS ANGELES: The widely anticipated new Nissan LEAF will feature state-of-the-art ProPILOT Assist technology - Nissan's driver-assistance technology that reduces the hassle of stop-and-go highway driving.

The ProPILOT Assist supports drivers by helping control acceleration, braking and steering during single-lane driving on the highway.

In the coming years, Nissan's ProPILOT technology will offer increasing levels of autonomy, with the system eventually able to navigate city intersections.

It is set to help make driving more secure and more enjoyable and ProPILOT Assist is part of Nissan's Intelligent Mobility - the company's blueprint for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.

By launching the LEAF, the world's first mass-market electric vehicle, Nissan established itself as a pioneer in the EV movement.

Today, the Nissan LEAF is the world's best-selling electric vehicle with more than 270,000 sold worldwide.


Toyota GR Yaris H2 gets Thai attention

                Buri Ram, Thailand: The hydrogen powered Toyota GR Yaris H2 on display at last weekend's (December 16 to 18, 2022) Idemitsu 1500 Super Endurance race at the Chang International Circuit.

The hydrogen-powered GR Yaris has the same G16E-GTS, 1.6-litre, in-line 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine that is found in the award-winning GR Yaris, but with a modified fuel supply and injection system for use with hydrogen as fuel.

Just a few months ago, the GR Yaris H2 had completed a demonstration run during the ninth round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Ypres, Belgium.

The rally was the first time for Toyota to drive an under-development hydrogen-engine vehicle on public roads outside Japan.

Behind the wheel of the GR Yaris H2 in Belgium was Toyota president Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. "Morizo", and his co-driver was former Finnish driver and four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen, who once won a world title with Toyota.


AirAsia introduces ride-hailing service

                PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Group Bhd has launched its very own ride-hailing services dubbed as AirAsia ride as the airline industry continues to struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic and travel bans.

The service is available on the AirAsia.com application, which already offers services such as food and grocery delivery.

AirAsia chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the group is also planning to roll out its ride-hailing service in other countries including Thailand and Indonesia.

“There are two phases of rollout with Malaysia as the first followed by Asean rollout.

"We will be very strong in the airports and in the tourism markets. People who like our ecosystem will begin to use us," he told reporters at a virtual press conference today.

He described the ride-hailing industry as a “zero-sum game” and that it was important to prioritise customers' safety and drivers' wellbeing.

AirAsia Super App CEO Amanda Woo said AirAsia ride drivers would not only focus on moving people but also moving packages and food.

“There is also the potential for AirAsia ride to integrate with Teleport, our logistics arm to complement the logistics and delivery services, tapping into the same pool of drivers for maximum efficiency and cost savings, apart from synergising with our e-commerce verticals, supplementing our existing last-mile delivery capabilities with greater capacity and reach,” she said.

Presently, AirAsia ride has about 1,500 registered drivers and it is expected 5,000 to come on board in the next six months.

Amanda said by leveraging AirAsia data that was collected in the past 20 years, AirAsia ride is the new game-changer for the e-hailing and travel industry.

“AirAsia ride not only brings you from point A to B, but we offer a complete user experience for our passengers - pre-flight, during flight and post-flight,” she added.

Last November, AirAsia went into the food delivery industry dubbed as AirAsia food to diversify its revenue after the airline group was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic that saw travel ban and movement restriction.

Fernandes said that for the next 12 months, AirAsia would be focusing on strengthening the group travel and delivery businesses.

“Next in the pipeline would see us venturing into express delivery, drone delivery and AirAsia money,” he said.

AirAsia recently acquired Malaysian online food delivery platform DeliverEat for US$9.8mil (RM41.4mil) to further strengthen the group’s digital plan to cover the end-to-end logistics chain and e-commerce scene.

Last month, the company announced that it had acquired Gojeck’s operation in Thailand for US$50mil (RM211.3mil).


Fuel prices up across the board from Jan 4-10

PETALING JAYA: Fuel prices will be up across the board for the next seven days.

RON95 petrol will be priced at RM2.29 per litre (up by 3 sen from RM2.26) while RON97 petrol will retail at RM2.56 (up by 3 sen from 2.53) per litre.  Diesel is at RM2.32 per litre (up by 6 sen from RM2.26). The change will take effect from Jan 4 to 10.

The new prices were announced by the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry Twitter account on Wednesday evening.


Ford boosts EV spending, outlines 2030 sales targets

                DETROIT: Ford Motor Co on Wednesday outlined plans to boost spending on its electrification efforts by more than a third and said it aims to have 40% of its global volume be all electric by 2030, sending shares near a five-year high.

Under a plan dubbed "Ford+" meant to have investors value it more like a technology company, the No. 2 US automaker said it now expects to spend more than US$30 billion (over RM124bil) on EVs, including battery development, by 2030, up from its prior target of US$22 billion (RM91bil). Ford's shares were up 7.4% in afternoon trading after earlier rising almost 9%.

"This is our biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford started to scale the Model T," Ford chief executive Jim Farley said at the company's Capital Markets Day meeting online. "Our ambition is to lead the electric revolution."

Ford and other global automakers are racing to shift their gasoline-powered lineups to all electric power under pressure from regions like Europe and China to cut vehicle emissions. US president Joe Biden has called for US$174 billion to boost US EV production, sales and infrastructure.

Ford's 2030 sales target would translate to more than 1.5 million EVs, based on last year's sales. By comparison, rival General Motors Co has targeted annual sales of more than 1 million EVs in the United States and China by 2025. Ford previously said its European lineup will be all-electric by 2030.

GM aspires to halt US sales of gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035, and has said it was investing US$27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles over the next five years.

Some analysts see Ford as trailing rivals in the electrification race, but Ford officials disagree, pointing to the rollout of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover, and the electric versions of the Transit van and F-150 pickup.

Ford said it expects to deliver an 8% operating margin in 2023.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company also said it is forming a new stand-alone unit, called Ford Pro, to focus exclusively on commercial and government customers.

The company is targeting increasing revenue from the commercial market for hardware and related services addressable by Ford Pro to US$45 billion by 2025, up from US$27 billion in 2019.

Ford said it will also aim to develop EV batteries under the "IonBoost" brand, from lithium-ion versions to lithium-ion phosphate for commercial vehicles and eventually low-cost solid-state batteries in partnership with startup Solid Power, in which the automaker has invested. Farley expects Ford to cut battery costs 40% by mid-decade.

Last week, the automaker announced a memorandum of understanding to form a battery joint venture with South Korea's SK Innovation, to make battery cells at two US plants.

Farley also said Ford expects to have 1 million vehicles capable of receiving over-the-air software updates on the road by the end of the year, top the number of vehicles Tesla Inc serves that way next year and scale that to 33 million by 2028.

Ford also announced "Blue Oval Intelligence," an in-vehicle technology stack that allows fully connected and updated software, enabling the automaker to interact with customers after the vehicle sale. The stack also will enable streaming services from Apple, Amazon, Google and Baidu.

Ford sees the overall market for connected functions like driver-assist technologies, new features and upgraded software content, and EV charging hitting a projected US$20 billion by 2030.

Ford confirmed it will develop two dedicated EV platforms, one for full-size trucks and SUVs, including the Ford Explorer; the other for cars and smaller SUVs. Reuters reported that on Tuesday.


The high-tech Hungarian proving ground where robot cars get tested

                ZALAEGERSZEG (Hungary) : The Mercedes-Benz is trailing behind a Kia saloon at highway speed, the distance between the two cars is correct and the atmosphere is relaxed.

The driver and passengers are chatting or listening to music and their thoughts are not on the road ahead.

Suddenly, a Ford Fiesta squeezes past into the previously large gap between the two cars and its driver slams on the brakes.

An alarm inside the Mercedes starts beeping and shortly afterwards the car automatically applies the brakes - without the driver having even touched the brake pedal.

The occupants jerk forward but the seat belts arrest the motion and hold their bodies tight. The Mercedes comes to a halt just a few centimetres in front of the Fiesta.

This kind of potentially hazardous unpleasant can happen every day.

Fortunately, the incident was just a test run on a proving ground outside the city of Zalaegerszeg in Hungary. The 265-hectare high-tech test track caters for conventional, electric, and anti-collision tests with automated vehicles.

The "Fiesta" is not what it seems. It is a GST, a "Guided Soft Target" which consists of a white shell in the shape of the small car on a remote-controlled platform with four wheels.

For future tests, a 15-hectare smart city zone will be added to recreate urban scenarios.

"Such tests cannot be safely and realistically carried out on public roads; for that we need a closed route," said Robert Matawa, Head of Testing for Highly Automated Driving at the Tüv Süd testing organisation.

The site is located about 50km from Lake Balaton and is operated by an Austrian-Hungarian joint venture.

Engineers can carry out dozens of tests using robot cars before the crs venture onto regular roads, said Alexander Kraus.

The head of the technology department at Tüv Süd develops test methods for semi-autonomous Level 3 and Level 4 systems with a team. These include assistance systems that enable cars to drive in fully autonomous mode.

After the emergency stop a gaggle of testers checks the active assistance systems in the Mercedes. Laden with additional monitors, switches and cables in the foot-well, the car is a rolling test laboratory. A computer stores the data on all road incidents.

Engineer Matawa drives off the track, restarts the system and begins another attempt. "We have to make sure that the systems work properly and reliably, so we check them several times over", he said. An emergency brake assistant must not be allowed to fail.

In future, cars in the smart city will simulate everyday traffic, regardless of the weather. Whether it's raining, foggy or snowing, the safety systems must either work reliably or return control of the steering to the driver.

So far, such tests can only be simulated, but not tested practically. although stage is important too. "Results from the simulation can be processed more quickly", said Alexander Kraus.

This data can then be transferred directly to cars via software updates and double-checked. "That way, the road test can be started more quickly and the systems released," he said.

Mercedes-Benz showed a few months ago that things can move more quickly.

The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in the United States has granted the manufacturer system approval for Germany and certain routes. With the so-called traffic jam assistant, such cars then follow a vehicle in front up to a speed of 60kph and steer and brake independently.


New Audi Q2, Q5, Q7 and Q8 roll out

                PETALING JAYA: Audi launched its range of Q sports utility vehicles (SUV) on Monday.

The top-range Q8 is priced at RM728,100 (on-the-road without insurance); Q7 at RM600,100; Q5 at RM339,300; and the entry-level Q2 at RM219,900.

The coupe-like Q8 is a sportier version of the comfort-oriented Q7 and was meant to take on the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. It seats five people, while the Q7 can take in 7. Its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine punches out 340hp and 500Nm of torque and is managed by an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters and tiptronic. At nearly 5m long, it’s slightly shorter than the Q7 but both have the same wheelbase.

The bold Singleframe grille presents the new face of the Q family. Its wheelbase of nearly 3m means a roomy cabin with good headroom.

Features in the all-wheel drive Q8 include adaptive suspension, frameless windows, powered-sun shades, panoramic roof and 360-degree camera, 20-inch wheels, and touch-opening doors. Torque split is 40:60 split front to rear, but can adapt depending on conditions.

The Q7 weighs up to 325kg less than before. Its 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine produces 333hp and 440Nm of torque. While top speed is the same as the Q8 at 250kph, it’s slower than its bigger sibling with a 0-100kph sprint time of 6.3s versus 5.9s.

Standard for Malaysia is the Audi virtual cockpit, in addition to the Audi MMI monitor – the 12.3-inch diagonal TFT monitor displays elaborately computed graphics, and is operated at the multifunction steering wheel. In addition, the head-up display can be specified to project key information onto the windshield.

The Q5 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder mill that makes 252hp and 370Nm of torque. Coupled with a 7-speed S tronic, the SUV is able to go from standstill to 100kph in 6.3s and onwards to a top speed of 237kph.

Such performance is also due in part to the Q5 being up to 90kg lighter than before. It also stands at the top of its class in aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.30.

The new quattro drivetrain with ultra technology boosts efficiency without reducing traction or driving dynamics. It always disengages the rear-axle drive whenever it is not needed, and if necessary it can proactively re-engage it.Wheel-selective torque control is standard for the Malaysia-specific Q5. The system gives handling a refined touch and a controllable driving experience.

The front-wheel drive Q2 is the smallest of the lot and its 1.4-litre direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 150hp and 250Nm of torque. It has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission but no paddle shifters. The Q2 is launched in Malaysia with a cylinder-on-demand feature. The system deactivates the second and third cylinder at loads up to 100 Nm and while coasting when engine speed is between 1,400 and 3,200 rpm.

The compact Q2’s styling is differentiated from the rest of its “Q” stablemates as it uses the rear LED clusters with dynamic turn-signals of the latest and yet-to-arrive Polo Mk6. Malaysia currently assembles and sells the Polo Mk5.

Audi says the Q2 is an urban-type vehicle for everyday driving and recreation, bundling a progressive design with a high level of functionality. Connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems are at level of full-size class.

The launch was followed by a media drive of the four models.

READ MORE: Four SUVs to drive in one day: Audi Q2, Q5, Q7 and Q8