Once a legendary name in motorcycles, can Moto Guzzi make a comeback?

                LOS ANGELES: A motorcycle factory sits on the edge of Lake Como in a little town that proudly proclaims itself "La Citta della Moto Guzzi" - the city of Moto Guzzi. Artisans have been hand-fabricating motorcycle parts here since 1921.

Lately the venerable Mandello plant is working overtime. Moto Guzzi, in a bid to compete with leading European manufacturers, has nearly doubled its workforce to produce the V85 TT, an adventure motorcycle that will vie for customers with BMW's GS, KTM's Adventure, Ducati's Multistrada and Triumph's Tiger machines.

So far, the strategy is working. In the six months since it was introduced, the V85 TT has become the company's hottest brand, far exceeding sales expectations. More than 70 per cent of trade-ins on purchases of the V85 TT are from non-Moto Guzzi owners.

"That was our goal, to take new customers from the other brands," production manager Nello Mariotti said recently as he guided a group of visitors through the factory. "We must make owners of other brands know, what is Moto Guzzi."

Founded by two World War I airplane pilots and their mechanic, Moto Guzzi entered the European motorcycle market in 1923 and was soon Italy's leading bike builder. The company manufactured affordable scooters for commuters and elegant, expensive race bikes for enthusiasts - machines that dominated the European Grand Prix circuit. For a time, even the Los Angeles Police Department used Moto Guzzis for its motorcycle fleet.

Despite its successes, the company began to wane. Its founders died; its funding evaporated. Moto Guzzi endured decades of ownership changes before finally being absorbed into the giant Piaggio Group in 2004.

Overshadowed in sales by Piaggio's Vespa and in media attention by its Aprilia brand, Moto Guzzi became a niche player. It was followed by a small but passionate number of "Guzzisti." More than 30,000 of them assembled at the Mandello factory for the 2018 Moto Guzzi World Days gathering.

The V85 TT is the company's play to re-enter the big leagues. With the PR assistance of actor Ewan McGregor - a longtime Guzzisti and recent V85 TT convert - the company is boasting that it has built a tough, tractable machine for the "adventure" market, promising that the V85 TT is capable around town, comfortable on freeway tours and durable enough for off-road riding.

Ed Cook, who operates the AF1 Racing motorcycle shop in Austin, Texas, has had the V85 TT in stock for only 45 days, but he has sold half of the 16 he ordered from Moto Guzzi. He's ordered 12 more.

"We had more pre-sales on this than any bike we've ever sold," said Cook, who's been selling Italian motorcycles at AF1 since 2001. "It's a fresh new design, and a fresh new motor, and it's a really good bike. Customers are excited about them."

After a week of piloting a V85 TT around Northern Italy, I understood. Extremely easy to ride, the retro-styled new bike is a marvelous commuter machine and quite at home on the motorway.

The 850cc V-twin motor hums nicely, and at 80 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque pulls strongly and produces surprisingly little vibration. Over a series of Alpine riding days in June and July, the bike easily conquered the Spluga, Maloja, Julier, Fluela and Albula passes. Despite many long hours in the saddle, I was only eager for more.

A smooth six-speed gearbox and riding modes designed for road, rain and off-road situations made the most of the power, and the combination of a low seat height, low center of gravity and that V-twin engine contributed to the bike's graceful handling.

In a few off-road excursions - the "TT" in the name stands for "tutto terreno," or all terrain - I quickly learned two things: The V85 TT, with its stock tires, is happy on a dirt road or sandy trail but is no match for muddy Alpine meadows recently exposed by melting snow; and the bike, thanks to its V-twin engine construction and the rear luggage boxes my model was wearing, is pretty easy to pick up when rider expertise cannot keep it from tipping over.

Critics of the bike will note that it doesn't have the power or the build quality of its BMW, KTM, Triumph or Ducati counterparts. But at US$11,990 for the stock V85 TT and US$12,990 for the V85 TT Adventure model, the Moto Guzzis cost several thousand dollars less than those more established European competitors.

Mariotti and other Moto Guzzi officers hinted repeatedly during our Mandello visit that the all-new, air-cooled engine that powers the V85 TT will be the propulsion behind an entire new line of mid-size motorcycles.

That could work, but Moto Guzzi needs to improve its marketing and distribution game, said Robert Pandya, a veteran motorcycle industry executive who worked for several years for Piaggio's Aprilia brand.

"Moto Guzzi's brand reputation and their dealer base is pretty weak," Pandya said. "If they are not actively committed to a being a part of the adventure riding world, on a consistent basis, for years to come, it's going to be difficult for them to gain a foothold - no matter how good the bike is." — LAT/dpa


Tesla added to Uber London plan to boost EV uptake

                LONDON: Tesla cars from today will be available to Uber drivers here looking to buy or lease a green vehicle as part of an incentive scheme to boost electric car use, the ride-hailing app said.

Since Uber introduced a clean air fee, which adds 3 pence (RM1.71) to every mile of a passenger trip in London, more than £135 million (RM765mil) has been collected for drivers to use towards environmentally-friendly models at discounted rates with partners such as Nissan and Kia.

Tesla will join the scheme, Uber said today, just over a week after announcing a partnership with rental company Hertz to offer 50,000 Teslas as a rental option for its ride-hail drivers by 2023 in the United States. read more

Over 4,000 Uber drivers have switched to electric vehicles here, giving the app more fully electric cars there than in any other major global city.

"There is still a lot of work to do to drive a green recovery and clean up urban transport, but the progress we are seeing in London is significant and as a city we are leading the way globally," said Uber's Northern and Eastern Europe boss Jamie Heywood.


Lexus NX F Sport is automania-tested

                The Lexus NX F Sport has upped the ante to stay ahead of the compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) pack and with stiff competition in this segment, especially from premium European marques, Lexus is giving its line of luxury models a bunch of bells and whistles to stand out from its rivals.

The Japanese luxury marque seems to have found a winning formula in the NX F Sport.

There is no lack of front and rear legroom, as this sporty SUV has a 2,660mm wheelbase.

While the NX F Sport is a tad on the heavy side with 1,860kg of kerb weight, the ride is seldom sluggish.

READ ALSO:First drive of Lexus NX in Canada

There is plenty of power on tap - thanks to a Lexus-first developed in-house 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 235hp and 350Nm of torque.

According to Lexus, this new engine design also features the world’s first combination of a cylinder head with an integrated 4-into-2 exhaust manifold and a twin scroll system for optimum low speed torque and minimised turbo lag.

It can hit 100kph from a standstill in only 7.1 seconds, and power from the turbocharged engine is smoothly transmitted via an automatic six-speed transmission.

For optimum traction and cornering stability, the NX F Sport has Dynamic Torque Control AWD (all-wheel drive).

We found the NX F Sport to be an exhilarating drive on long and twisty stretches.

The NX F Sport had a lot of composure, where we experienced minimal body roll when tackling road bends in a spirited manner.

We found lots of grip from the 235/55 R18 Bridgestone Dueler H/L tyres, and flooring the throttle delightful.

The driver gets a choice of four modes - Normal, Eco, Sport and Sport plus - which adjusts the throttle response and power steering assist.

The Sport plus mode controls the NX F Sport’s Adaptive Variable Suspension, and the SUV’s top-notch agility is also due to its performance-oriented dampers.

According to Lexus, the NX F Sport used the Lexus IS sports sedan as a benchmark for optimised driving dynamics.

After having so much fun with the NX F Sport, we readily agree with Lexus’ assertion that it delivers on-road performance that is closer to a sports car than a traditional SUV.

But the NX F Sport is more than just about superb performance and poised handling; it is also about refinement and luxury.

Its cabin offers an almost cocoon-like environment, even when we stomped on the accelerator pedal and pushed the SUV’s engine to the redline which is not far from 6,000rpm.

Lexus engineers have, as usual, done a great job when it comes to cabin acoustics and noise insulation.

This also allowed us to better enjoy the 14-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, which is only available in the NX 200t F Sport and 300h Hybrid.

We liked the sporty-looking red and black tone of the leather upholstery, and red F Sport stitching.

There are powered front seats, and a huge panoramic glass roof for occupants to enjoy dazzling views of skyscrapers or stars in the night sky.

However, this sun roof is of the fixed variety and cannot be opened or tilted.

There is also a Qi wireless charging tray, located inside the centre console box, for smartphones with this feature or wireless charging cover modules.

While the Qi wireless charging tray might be ahead of its time, a Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) with a Touch pad provides easy operation for the audio, navigation and infotainment systems.

Another convenient touch, especially for ladies, is a removable vanity mirror that sits in the
centre console.

Besides a long list of safety features, there are also nifty assistance systems to provide better safety when in parking areas.

These include a radar-based Blind Spot and Rear Cross Traffic Alert Monitor, as well as a Lexus-first Panoramic View Monitor which provides front and rear views, and all-round bird’s eye view by combining images from four cameras.

“If you still can’t park this SUV properly with all that gadgetry, you have a real problem!,” a friend remarked.

It has plenty of refinement, a generous equipment list, great dollops of luxury, as well as enjoyable performance and handling qualities.

It comes with an OTR with insurance price of RM378,875. RM378,875.


Auto Bavaria MINI and streetwear label TNTCO introduce apparel collection

                SHAH ALAM: Auto Bavaria MINI has partnered up with Malaysia’s streetwear label TNTCO to create a clothing capsule featuring jackets, hoodies and graphic t-shirts.

According to the dealership, the collection called Chrome features designs by Yu Jin Lim, who was named top designer at the recently concluded TNTCO x Auto Bavaria MINI t-shirt design contest.

The TNTCO x Auto Bavaria MINI collection is now available on Auto Bavaria MINI Lazada store.

Auto Bavaria, a division of Sime Darby Auto Bavaria Sdn Bhd, is the biggest retail and service company for BMW, MINI and Motorrad in Malaysia.

TNTCO is a Malaysia streetwear brand founded in mid-2013. The brand focuses on on-ground retail business with 15 retail spots nationwide, and also online.


No to renting out private cars

                PETALING JAYA: Private cars that are rented out for use by others can be seized by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

This is because renting out private cars for commercial use is illegal, risky and breaches the terms of the insurance policy, the Land Transport Agency (Apad) said.

“Car rental firms have to apply for a licence through Apad.

“If it is for tourism purposes, they have to apply for a licence from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry,” said Apad director-general Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri.

He was commenting on The Star’s exclusive report on a new modus operandi by car thieves who rent private cars, especially luxury vehicles, that are leased to car rental firms.

They then disable the vehicles’ GPS and make away with the cars, often selling them across the border in Thailand or stripping them down for parts.

Police are powerless to act against the thieves because it is considered a breach of rental contract and not a theft. The victims were told to initiate civil suits against the thieves.

“If the cars are not registered under Apad, then it is illegal business and the JPJ can seize any vehicle that is being rented out,” Azlan Shah said, adding that the vehicles were also considered as sewaan haram (illegal rentals), taxi haram (illegal taxi) or kereta sapu (illegal charter service).

He said licensed car rental services had to buy their own commercial vehicles and not act as a middleman by leasing private cars to be rented out.

“We have platforms that allow people to rent their cars out, but they have to follow Apad’s requirements.

“However, there are some issues that renters disagree on such as the difference in insurance costs and Puspakom inspection,” Azlan said.

He advised the public not to rent out their private vehicles to unlicensed rental companies, adding that there was a higher number of unlicensed companies than licensed ones.

Some car owners, he said, even directly rented out their cars to others like university students.

This is a risky practice as there will be no insurance coverage should anything happen.

Azlan said Apad was also looking into peer-to-peer car sharing regulations and was currently in the proof of concept (POC) phase.

There are four car rental platforms involved in this phase, namely Trevo, Klezcar, Wahdah and Xcess.

Peer-to-peer car rental is a business model where owners lease their vehicles to be rented so that they can make some extra money on the side.

“The companies (operating the platforms) should follow the guidelines, including buying insurance covering the drivers, passengers and third party.

“The government will not control the price of insurance premium or the amount of coverage.

“This is only a POC. Liability is solely on the companies,” Azlan said.

The POC was first incepted on Aug 1, 2020, and has been extended for a third time until July 31 this year.

Azlan said any further extension would be up to the JPJ and the Transport Ministry. — IYLIA MARSYA ISKANDAR and ALIZA SHAH


Dolby Atmos coming to top Mercedes models

                STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz will be offering Dolby Atmos in a range of its top car models providing the ultimate in-car audio experience to its customers.

The Dolby Atmos experience will be built into the optional Burmester high-end 4D and 3D sound system as well as integrated into the Mercedes-Maybach and shortly afterwards in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, turning the Mercedes-Benz vehicles into state-of-the-art concert halls on wheels.

Powered by a total of 31 loudspeakers and eight sound transducers, also known as exciters, which will also be mounted into the seats, audiophiles will receive an unprecedented sound experience as they take the wheel of their chosen car, offering them a whole new immersive soundscape as they take to the road.

“Our customers rightly expect the highest level of music enjoyment in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle," said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for Sales.

"Therefore, Mercedes-Benz is one of the first luxury car brands in the world to rely on the ground-breaking Dolby Atmos technology.

"With Dolby Atmos and the Burmester sound system, we offer our customers an exciting music experience in the vehicle that is almost like a live concert."

An immersive audio experience, Dolby Atmos Music adds more space, clarity and depth to music. The technology empowers creators to place discrete audio elements or objects in a three-dimensional sound field, which goes beyond the capabilities of mono or stereo.

Dolby Atmos adapts to any playback environment, meaning fans can listen to music with high clarity that matches an artist’s original vision in the studio.

The Maybach, which incorporates Dolby Atmos, is one of the first cars in the world and the first model in the Mercedes-Benz Cars line-up to offer this sound experience

The Dolby Atmos integrated in the Mercedes-Maybach will be available starting summer 2022 and will be offered for other models shortly thereafter equipped with the new MBUX system introduced with the new S-Class.


KLIMS’18: Lexus zone displays clever Honest Egg consumer concept

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Honest Egg consumer concept is on display at the Lexus zone at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS’18), which is being held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) till Dec 2.

The Honest Egg concept is a clever and colourful way of showing whether an egg is still fresh enough to eat.

Industrial designers Paul Yong Rit Fui and Jaihar Jailani Ismail, the co-founders of Johor Bahru-based design consultancy aesthetid, had won accolades at the Lexus Design Award 2018 thanks to their Honest Egg entry.

It was the first time that a Malaysian collaboration had won accolades at the awards presentation.

Honest Egg emerged as the People’s Choice and also won in the Prototype category.

Votes were cast by visitors to the Lexus Limitless Co-existence event at Milan Design Week earlier this year in April, where prototypes and concept presentations of the leading entries were on display, and to the Lexus Design Award website.

"How do consumers know the egg is fresh or is safe to consume? Normally, you have an expiry date on the packaging," stated 39-year-old Jaihar.

However, the Honest Egg concept takes a different approach via the use of an ink pigment produced from food-friendly microbes and a stabiliser.

The ink is applied on the egg, and in the beginining, the ink pigment is invisible before appearing as the expiry date of the egg approaches.

"We draw facial expressions on the egg, and these change over time. When you see a frown with crossed eyes, that means it is no longer safe to eat," explained Jaihar.

Yong said the ink can be applied to other products like potatoes or medicated patches.

"We are in talks with the Institute of Bio-Product Development at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia regarding a push towards commercialisation of the ink," said 37-year-old Yong.

The aesthetid co-founders decided to enter the awards presentation after seeing a post calling for entries on Facebook.

"We thought, "why not?" as we are industrial designers. We decided to come up with something that the everyday consumer can relate to," recalled Jaihar.

First launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition that targets up-and-coming creators from around the world.

It seeks to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future.

Meanwhile, KLIMS’18 features over 74 marques of vehicle brands and automotive products spanning over six exhibitions halls covering two levels at MITEC.

Participating automotive brands include CAM, Citroen, Daihatsu, DS, Ford, Grand Max, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Lexus, Petronas Motorsports, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Proton, Tata, Toyota and UD Trucks.

KLIMS’18 opening hours are from 11am to 10pm on weekdays and 10am to 10pm on weekends.

Every entrance ticket purchased stands a chance to win either a Toyota C-HR, a Honda City or a Perodua Myvi through a lucky draw.

Entrance tickets secured via online at AirAsia Red Tix are also entitled to win a fortnightly draw with AirAsia return flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bali, Taipei, Jakarta and Shanghai as well as the grand draw to Tokyo.

Online tickets are available via https://airasiaredtix.com or KLIMS 18 website www.klims.com.my.

Entrance fees are RM20 on weekdays and RM25 on weekends.

For children aged three to 12 years old, entrance tickets are RM5 and students/senior citizens are charged RM5 (weekdays only).

There is also a family package where parents and up to five children aged 12 years old and below are charged RM40 (weekdays) and RM50 (weekends).

Those with special needs (with handicapped card/physically handicapped) get free entry together with one accompanying person.

Star Media Group is the official media partner of KLIMS’18.


Nissan Serena S-Hybrid: Upscale ambitions

                Multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) come in all shapes, sizes and pricing to suit different budgets.

There’s a good selection from under RM100,000 and up.

If your appetite to spend is more elastic, there are better ones up the hierarchy that add more creature comforts and luxuries for life on the road.

In the case of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, it aims to strike a balance, offering some premium features while staying affordably priced.

The locally assembled model comes in two variants: Highway Star and Premium Highway Star, priced at RM149,888 and RM162,888 respectively.

The test unit was the latter.

The Serena has seen some changes in its fifth-generation refreshing exercise. Much of it are visual updates while others are more behind-the-scenes on the safety front.

Heading the list of updates in the three-row, seven-seat MPV is a new V-motion front grille with a distinctive chrome pattern that makes it look more aggressive.

In addition, there’s a redesigned dual projector LED headlamps, and a new front bumper with integrated fog lamps and daytime running lights.

The rear gets newly designed LED tail lights and a bumper painted in gloss black.

The black roof-grey body combo complements the design and make the MPV look stealthy.

Soundproofing liners have been added to the rear wheel housing to control noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels and deliver a quieter experience.

Nissan has upped the safety of the Serena encasing it in a “safety bubble” when on the move.

It now comes with a 360-degree “Safety Shield” package featuring intelligent predictive forward collision warning and intelligent forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert.

Enhancing the driver’s awareness of the surroundings is the around view monitor that is able to detect moving objects.

All important features at a time when there are more vehicles on the road and the need to guard against reckless riding and driving by other motorists cannot be overstated.

The useful dual back door and hands-free dual power sliding doors features continue on in the facelift.

The 16-inch wheels are now blacked-out for a sportier appearance. They could be swapped out for 18-inchers for better aesthetics.

Inside the cabin, the Premium Highway Star now gets quilted Nappa leather in either brown or black, stepping up its premium appearance at once.

The recessed instrument looks stylish and both the infotainment touchscreen and mid-mounted ceiling monitor have grown in size to 9-inch and 11.6-inch respectively. The head unit supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Plenty of cubby holes, seven USB ports and versatile seat configurations add to cabin practicality.

The floor is flat so one could walk from the front to the back in the mid-aisle — when the MPV is stationary, of course.

But hard plastic on the dashboard and doors continue to dominate and the key fob looks more at home in a cheaper car.

The Serena still uses a foot-operated parking brake instead of the electric type and the pedal can sometimes rub against the left foot, which is annoying to say the least.

In addition, the two Captain seats get airline-style trays that are also plasticky.

We would have liked the armrests to be broader to provide better arm support but that would have raised production cost that would be passed to the customer.

The powertrain remains unchanged. Motivating the new Serena is a 2.0-litre Twin CVTC (Continuously-variable Valve Timing Control) 4-cylinder unit that delivers 148hp and 200Nm of torque.

The drivetrain also incorporates an Energy Control (ECO) electric motor, which controls the idle-stop system and provides torque assistance on moving off.

The setup allows for greater fuel efficiency and is cheaper to produce and maintain compared to a full hybrid system.

Nissan claims the Serena has a fuel consumption of 14.2km per litre and can travel up to 852km on a tankful.

Real-world figures will be lower subject to driving style, air-condition load, number of passsengers and other factors. We averaged 9.2, which was within expectations.

The large expanse of glass all-around means great visibility and is akin to driving a bus with nothing between you and the outside world except a piece of glassware.

The so-called zero gravity seats for first two rows are certainly comfortable and relaxing to sit on.

So too are the third row seats if MPV occupancy is kept to six instead of full load. The air-conditioning reaches all the way to the rear with each row having vents to pipe cold air through.

As a people carrier, the Serena will happily cruise along on the highway with the pliant suspension soaking up road corrugations.

However, the MPV doesn’t like to be pushed hard.

The engine and CVT get noisy on hard acceleration but purr along sweetly once it gets up to highway speeds.

Common sense will dictate that one shouldn’t shove this tall boxy vehicle hard into a corner as body lean is noticeable but controllable.

The slab-sided Serena was a good looking workhorse before and looks even better in the latest form.

It’s roomy, comfortable, and has credible fuel efficiency.

Coupled with a raft of safety upgrades and an attractive price, the new Serena makes for an MPV that’s worthy of consideration if you can accept some of the trade-offs.

SPECIFICATIONSNissan Serena S-HybridEngine: 1,997cc DOHC with Ywin CVTC, 4-cylinder, petrol
Maximum power: 148hp at 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 200Nm from 4,400rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission and Adaptive Shift Control
Features: 6 airbags, Energy Control (ECO) Motor with Electric Power Regenerator &
Secondary Battery, Idling Start / Stop System, Torque Assist, Nissan Intelligent Mobility, ABS, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Automatic LED Projector with Auto Leveling & LED Signature Lamps, front & rear foglamps, 9-inch infotainment screen, Dual Zone Auto Climate Control, Quilted Nappa Leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, dual channel dashcam, Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Doors, ISOFIX Child Seat Restraint System (for second row seats)
Suspension: McPherson Strut (front), Torsion Beam Axle (rear)
Fuel consumption (official): 7.04l /100km
Price: (OTR without insurance): RM162,888


Subaru XV (MY16) arrives in Malaysia

                PETALING JAYA: Motor Image, the authorised distributor of Subaru automobiles in Malaysia, has unveiled the face-lifted Subaru XV that now bears the code MY16, which offers improved aesthetics, enhanced features and powertrain.

There are two variants available for the new XV – a 2.0i and 2.0i-Preimum, available currently for booking and both models are currently priced on-the-road without GST and insurance at RM121,000 and RM125,000 respectively.

Colour options include Pure White, Ice Silver Metallic, Desert Khaki, Tangerine Orange Pearl, Dark Grey Metallic and Obsidian Black Pearl.

With a ground clearance of 220mm and kerb weight at 1,410kg (1,460kg – Premium), the latest incarnation of the XV has a 2,635mm wheelbase and stands 4,450mm-long, 1,780mm-wide and 1,615mm-tall.

A 2.0-litre flat four (boxer) petrol engine resides under the hood, providing 148bhp at 6,200rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,200rpm for the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) to manage before releasing it to the Symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

The new XV rolls on 17-inch wheels with 225/55 series tyres and ventilated front discs and solid rear discs take care of stopping power, while MacPherson front struts and a rear double wishbone suspension set up takes care of shock absorption.

Externally, Not much of the MY16 Subaru XV’s exterior has changed except for a touch more black plastic inserts and chrome accents on the grille and fog lamps that are now accompanied by L-shaped daytime running lights.

Furthermore, the 17-inch wheels are now asymmetric in design - loosing the flower-like uniformity from its predecessor and the taillights have received an update as has the power-folding LED wing mirrors to include built-in LED turn signals as well on the Premium model.

Inside, orange piping decorates the leather-clad interior and a colour display now resides in the centre console instead of a digital display before, while a seven-inch touchscreen display takes care of entertainment and navigation needs like before.

As standard, convenience comes in the form of one-touch turn signal, paddle shifters, automatic climate controls, multi-function steering wheel and cruise control.

The range-topping Premium adds on a retractable cargo cover for the boot, keyless entry and push-start button, Bluetooth connectivity, six-speaker premium audio sound system, reverse camera, power adjustable seats, voice command and aluminium pedals.

As for safety, both 2.0i and 2.0i-Premium gets three airbags (1 knee airbag), four-channel anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle dynamics control system, safety pedal system, brake override and ISOFIX anchor points.


Nationwide total MCO proposal on the agenda

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are on tenterhooks as the National Security Council meets tomorrow to decide whether to impose a total movement control order (MCO) nationwide.

According to Sinar Harian, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the Prime Minister, mentris besar and chief ministers are expected to attend the meeting.

“Thse measures need to be considered by the NSC because that’s the only option available.

“All this time, we have imposed the MCO, the conditional MCO, and the rest - whether as a whole or in a targeted approach.

“As such, the total MCO may be discussed in the meeting on Friday, which involves the Prime Minister and the ministers,” he told reporters today.

Takiyuddin had attended a special security meeting in Kelantan with its Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob, at the Kota Darulnaim complex.

He added that the government is trying its best to raise awareness in the community to participate in the vaccination programme.

“We are taking serious steps. Things that do not need to be given priority, we will postpone first,” he said.


2017 Geneva Motor Show: Only five ZeroUnos for the world

                GENEVA: At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Italdesign, the automotive design and development company founded by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, revealed its first ever production car -- the ZeroUno.

Set to be built under the newly created Italdesign Automobili Speciali marque, the 330kph carbon fiber street-legal racer will be limited to just five bespoke examples and, according to the company's CEO Jörg Astalosch, each will be a car intended for "collectors and visionary enthusiasts."

"We created the ZeroUno to demonstrate the best skills of our 1,000 employees based on 49 years of experience," said Astalosch.

The automotive history books are littered with stories of small, bespoke companies trying — and largely failing — to go toe-to-toe with the luxury car or supercar elite, but what will help the ZeroUno buck the trend is that it marries Italdesign's formidable aesthetics and packaging skills with complete, open access to everything that its owner, Volkswagen, has to offer. For example, the wonderful 5.2-litre V10 that forms the car's beating heart and enables it to cover the 0-100kph dash in 3.2 seconds is a very close relation to the one found in the Audi R8.

 The Zerouno car. - All pix by Reuters

However, thanks to the car's unique aerodynamic profile, it promises to have its own handling and behaviour profiles that differ greatly from those of any Audi.

"The exterior is characterised by the two sides of the same coin," said Filippo Perini, Head of Innovation Design at Italdesign. "Above the tornado line, surfaces are distinctly softer and smoother in keeping with the Italian Gran Turismo tradition. The lower part is modelled by aerodynamics. To achieve the performances we had in mind, we had to dare to go beyond all limits in styling and even from a purely technical points of view."

Therefore, the large ducts at the front and the scoops in the door sills, as well as the complex diffuser array at the car's rear are all there for maximizing performance but they've been realised in a way that isn't jarring on the eye.

And while only five of these cars will be built, each of which in a bespoke color mixed to the client's exact specifications, the ZeroUno is meant to serve as the shape of things to come.

"We will continue this story and put every 18-24 months ambitious and innovative concepts in an Ultra Low Series on the road to drive innovation forward so it can be experienced in daily life and to demonstrate the state of the art in technology for our customers," said Astalosch.


Malaysian auto parts supplier says it's going into EV battery production

                KUALA LUMPUR: Local auto parts supplier Go Charge Go Asia (GCG Asia) Malaysia announced recently that it is expanding into EV battery production to provide automakers and assemblers in South-East Asia a sustainable supply.

The 15-year-old company said it would start making EV batteries in the second half of 2021 following an investment in the venture. It did not reveal financial details nor the location of its battery production sites.

"By investing in EV battery manufacturing, the company aims to ensure an adequate supply of EV batteries for years to come," said GCG Asia Malaysia founder/CEO Alice Tan in a statement.

Moving forward, GCG Asia Malaysia said it plans to launch a social media campaign to raise awareness on the importance of environment conservation and the need for sustainable mobility.


Recharged Heritage's Mini conversion gives you option to reverse it

                LONDON: British outfit Recharged Heritage Limited is transforming the classic Mini into a future proof electric vehicle.

Already two special vehicles have been completed: MINI Recharged Paul Smith and MINI Recharged Lakwena.

According to the company, both have been well received by the public.

Starting this month, it is offering its classic Mini EV conversion to the public for the first time as order book opens.

Built entirely in the UK, from its Padiham, Burnley and Bristol facilities the team at Recharged Heritage replace the original petrol engine with a modern electric drive train.

During the conversion, the team also updates the interior and the distinctive rear end gets MINI Recharged branding to tell the world that this is a different breed of Mini.

There have been electric conversions of classic cars before but Recharged Heritage claims its services are distinctive.

From the start, it said an enormous effort has been made to ensure that the conversion can easily be reversed. The body remains as the original with no new holes and the petrol engine can be put back in.

Also, the car has been engineered so that it weighs no more than the original. The fun factor in driving a classic Mini has been preserved fully intact and you don’t need to buy the whole car. Potential customers can either have their own Classic Mini converted or buy a model from Recharged Heritage and then have it electrified.

With two modes available from the 18-kWh lithium-ion battery with a 72kW electric motor revving up 14,000 rpm, customers can opt for "Pure" mode or "Sport" mode.

In Pure mode, the car accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 11.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 125kph (equivalent to the Classic Mini 1275 GT).

In Sport mode, the car goes from 0 to 100kph in 8.5 seconds and travels at a top speed of 148kph.

With a 6.6 kW on-board charger, the battery can be charged in three hours on a 7kW wall-box or nine hours on a standard three-pin plug house connection, the MINI Recharged offers a WLTP range of 165km.

The Recharged Heritage team said costs would start from £42,500 (RM230,000) for converting a customer's existing Mini and £62,500 (RM338,000) including a donor classic Mini.


VW Malaysia offers aftersales deals as part of 'We Drive Football' push

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) announced on Monday the launch of its "We Drive Football" campaign.

To be held throughout the final quarter of 2022, the campaign begins with aftersales deals that will see owners save on selected wear and tear parts for their vehicles.

Open to all VW car owners, enjoy 10 percent off when replacing windscreen cleaners, wiper blades, brake discs and pads.

Additionally, owners can get up to 20 percent off battery and tyres at authorised Volkswagen service centres nationwide.

Owners will also stand a chance to win exclusive Volkswagen football merchandise when they take advantage of the deals, which are available on the Volkswagen Cares mobile app.

VPCM managing director Erik Winter said the aftersales promotion is only the first step in VPCM’s #WeDriveFootball campaign, and that there is a lot more in store.

“The Volkswagen brand has been supporting the sport all over the world under its #WeDriveFootball tagline."

He said VPCM would be rolling out in the next few weeks other initiatives on social media, on-ground events, and a partnership that seeks to support Malaysia’s budding grassroot football scene.


Abarth 124 GT revealed with removable hard-top

                TURIN: Abarth is set to introduce a new special edition of the 124 at the Geneva Motor Show next week, and its main feature will be a lightweight, removable hardtop roof.

The Abarth 124 GT will be available to buy in the summer.

As the trend for heavy, cumbersome and space-robbing folding hardtops appears to be waning as vinyl-roof convertibles once again take centrestage, the Abarth 124 GT will offer something of a compromise that could have reasonably wide appeal.

Although it's a removable hardtop and not an automatic convertible, the roof of the Abarth won't be too much of a bind to take on and off as it weighs in at a mere 16kg. That's because it's made of carbon fibre, which the manufacturer claims as well as being light also improves the torsional rigidity of the car. On the outside the roof has a naked carbon fibre finish to leave onlookers in no doubt about what it's made of, but the inside is lined and there's even a defrosting system fitted for the rear window.

Away from the roof, the Abarth 124 GT will ride on a set of OZ 17-inch alloy wheels, which have a very smart black finish and are also a full 3kg lighter than the wheels fitted on regular versions of the 124.

The naked carbon fibre look can extend beyond the roof to the mirror caps, although they can also come finished in red or a unique gunmetal grey too. A matte black finish is available for the bonnet, and more carbon fibre can be had with an optional rear lip spoiler if a customer likes the idea. What isn't optional is the body colour, which for all 124 GT models is a unique shade for the car that goes by the name of Alpi Orientali Grey.

There are no new upgrades or enhancements underneath, although the 'Record Monza' sports exhaust system is part of the standard equipment, and the 124 GT will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Prices have yet to be announced, but they should be confirmed fairly soon as the car is set to go on sale just before the summer arrives.


Electric cars break down too — but can you tow them?

                BERLIN: If electric cars and hybrids break down, they should only be towed away by a specialist vehicle, according to experts.

This also applies to combustion-engined cars that have an automatic transmission.

If you tow an electric car or hybrid yourself using a rope or strap tied to another vehicle, the high-voltage system or the automatic transmission can be damaged, say the road safety experts at Auto Club Europa (ACE).

That’s because the motors connected to the wheels will spin and generate electricity, which could cause problems for the electronics or battery.

Professional towing services lift the wheels of electric cars, hybrids and cars with automatic transmissions when they’re towing them. For cars with manual transmissions it’s usually safe to tow them with an ordinary vehicle.

The ACE experts suggest you consult the operating manual of the car to find out whether or not the vehicle can be towed.

Fortunately, electric cars are generally less likely to break down than cars with combustion engines, ACE says. One reason is that they’re newer and they also generally have fewer components, so there’s less that can potentially go wrong.


Ducati Multistrada 1260 S: Unassuming performer

                One glance at the bike, one will wonder if this bike actually has a beefy 1,260cc engine.

Compared to other brands of adventure bikes which are 1,200cc and above, they are much bigger in size.

Ducati has made the Multistrada 1260 S very unassuming. The bird’s beak fairing definitely adds ruggedness to the Multistrada 1260 S.

The cockpit comes with an upgraded TFT instrument panel. The colours are much brighter and the information is easily read on a hot sunny day.

The text, graphics and visuals are big enough to be read at a glance rather than reading on more than twice while you are on the go.

The switches are on the right handlebar and can be easily reached without any hassle. I am able to switch between the riding modes, pre-load the settings between rider, passenger and luggage plus the suspension adjustment to my needs.

The Multistrada 1260 S is categorised as a sports touring bike. Thus, the accessories that come with the bike are practical.

The windshield is tall and wide enough to deflect the wind while I was doing very high speeds on the North-South Expressway (NSE) from KL to Sg Petani.

The windshield is adjustable manually without much hassle. I only had to hold the top of the windshield and slide it up and down depending on the height that I want.

The side mirrors are big enough for me not to miss anything. The saddle is wide, comfy and adjustable.

The LED lights plus the cornering lights is able to pierce through any pitch-dark roads. Don’t take my word for it, try it out and you will be amazed.

In the night what bothers me the most, are the switches on the left handlebar which are not lighted, instead it is lit around the switches.

I find it impractical as I know where the switches are but can’t see which switch to operate. The Multistrada 1260 S offers four riding modes, which are Sport, Urban, Enduro, and Touring.

My favourites were Urban and Touring. Meanwhile, Sport is very useful especially whenever I felt frisky and wanting to push the bike harder against my riding mate's sports bike, the Ducati Panigale.

My attempt was futile but definitely gave the Panigale a good race at least for the first 10 minutes. I did try Enduro in Balik Pulau, Penang.

I ventured into a semi off-road environment covered with loose gravel and sand guided by 4X4 trails. The Enduro suspension was able to handle the rough stretch well. The handling of the bike was easy with Enduro.

The 1260 S' rear was able to control the slides, without skidding sideways and me dropping the bike. Awesome!

The only time I needed to turn off the traction control was on the loose uphill terrain, where the traction control reduced the power.

When I turned off the traction control, the rear tyre was able to sweep through the loose sand and got me going.

While riding on the NSE, I realised that the powerband on this engine is linear.

The torque is reasonable unlike a sports bike and the power of the bike is manageable even by a novice to an adventure bike.

According to the engineers at Ducati Malaysia, the Multisrada 1260 S is powered by the Testastretta L-twins with the signature desmodromic valvetrain that replaces the standard spring-closure with a pull-closed cam.

This has a dramatic change in the intake and exhaust timing in response to rpm changes. In layman’s explanation, the powerband broadens thus at low rpm and you will experience decent torque.

This is very useful especially in crawling traffic. On the open road, the Multistrada 1260 S is well planted on the road like a gecko despite clocking speeds way above the legal limit.

This is definitely due to the solid yet agile chassis.

On a few occasions, I was tempted to take my hands off from the handlebars while clocking 120kph because the bike was so stable. But my brain cautioned me not to in case there's a split-second error.

Without a doubt, the 20-litre tank promises good riding range both on and off-road.

This bike is powered by an undeniably proven engine that offers the torque and power that one needs. It will be a surprise if any of the riders complain that the Multistrada 1260 S does not have sufficient power and torque to meet their riding needs.

The suspension system of the Multistrada 1260 S consists the semi-active type and controlled by the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution system.

While riding on hilly roads and carving through corners and twisties, the suspension was at its best. The front is equipped with 48mm upside down front fork with adjustable features.

Meanwhile the rear is paired with a Sachs shock absorber which is fully adjustable and offers increased riding comfort even at maximum load.

The front and rear suspension have a 170mm wheel travel that is also designed to take maximum load. The 170mm wheel travel promises a safe ride on soft tracks especially on my short off-road adventure.

When it comes to brakes on Ducati, it has to be the Brembo brakes. You can’t go wrong with Brembos. The front and rear brakes deliver satisfying braking control and stopping power.

A must mention is the Bosch-controlled cornering ABS that gives me the extra confidence especially when I attempted few wide sharp corners like a professional. There was no need to slam on the brakes rather, a light pull is good enough to bring the RM122,106 (before SST) bike to a stop.

SPECIFICATIONSDucati Multistrada 1260 SEngine: 1,262cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree twin, four valves per cylinder with desmodromically-actuated valves and variable timing
Maximum power: 158hp at 9,500rpm
Maximum torque: 129.5Nm at 7,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed
Front suspension: Sachs 48mm fork with electronic preload, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: Sachs shock with electronic preload, rebound and compression damping
Front braking system: Twin 330mm semi-floating discs, Brembo M50 four-piston radially mounted calipers; Bosch cornering ABS
Rear braking system: Single 265mm disc, two-piston caliper; Bosch cornering ABS
Fuel capacity: 20 litres
Wet weight: 212kg
Features: Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), Riding Mode, Power Mode, Ducati Safety Pack (Cornering ABS Bosch+DTC), Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evo, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down, Cruise control, Hands-Free, Backlit handlebar controls, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), colour TFT display, Full LED light and Ducati Cornering Lights
Price: RM122,106 (before SST)


May 18-24: Fuel prices unchanged

                KUALA LUMPUR: The retail prices of RON97 and RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged for the period from May 18-24.

The Finance Ministry, in a statement today, said that RON97 petrol remains at RM3.35 per litre, RON95 (RM2.05) and diesel (RM2.15).

The weekly retail prices of the products were set based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula.


Armor All auto care products now available

                PETALING JAYA: Energizer Malaysia today expanded its brand portfolio with the official launch of Armor All auto care products.

Armor All offers DIY enthusiast the tools to get their cars looking like they were professionally cleaned and spiffed up, from the convenience and comfort of their home.

"The quality of Armor All formulations enables us to offer effective car care products that make cars look the best they can - at a value-for-money price," said Energizer Holdings business director Diane Lee.

"With products like the all-in-one and 1-step application range, it is easy to achieve professional results at home."

Energizer Holdings - Energizer Malaysia‘s holding company - acquired the Armor All brand in 2018.

Racer and former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has signed on earlier  this year as Armor All's first ever global brand ambassador.

In Malaysia, Energizer Holdings is working with car experts such as YS Khong, GC Mah, Alex Yoong and Tengku Djan to create awareness on Armor All. It has also partnered with car wash businesses to showcase its products.


BMW Shorties  — films from Malaysians for the world

                CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia has been discovering and supporting local and international talents through its BMW Shorties.

For this year, the 13th BMW Shorties 2019 is open for entries until 6pm on Oct 11.

The German car maker has continuously laid the groundwork for local Malaysian film talents and digital content creators to build a name for themselves in the emerging digital media industry.

In 2007, when the creative industry saw the likes of Mukhsin by Yasmin Ahmad and Zombi Kampung Pisang by Mamat Khalid, the BMW Shorties took its first step into the scene with the theme "Mobility".

Since then, the short film competition created by BMW Group Malaysia has evolved.

The BMW Shorties’ first winner — Zahir Omar (grand prize winner of The BMW Shorties 2007), took home RM50,000 thanks to his depiction of drug abuse and death in K-Hole and went on to fund another short film
— Teddy & I.

With numerous TV commercials for brands such as Tenaga Nasional, Celcom, McDonald’s and more under his belt, he went on to direct his first feature film Fly By Night which premiered in April and is streaming on Netflix.

Supported by BMW Group Malaysia, the crime thriller showed off  Zahir's storytelling skills.

The feature was well received at international film festivals, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival.

As for Shanjhey Kumar, he took home the grand prize during BMW Shorties 2009 with his clip Ma Chai, which features a fun and light-hearted depiction of life in a multiracial community.

The production grant Shanjhey won was then spent in directing Jagat (now streaming on Netflix), which was later further developed into a feature film.

Jagat was completed almost 10 years later on limited budget and resources, and went on to win the "Best Malaysian Film" at the 28th Malaysian Film Festival. The clip also sparked the removal of non-Bahasa Malaysia award categories to allow for an equal playing field for all filmmakers.

Chen Yih Wen, grand prize winner of the BMW Shorties 2010 and the only female winner thus far, managed to reset the benchmark for documentary filmmaking in Malaysia with Like Toy Dolls.

It was screened at the Festival de Cannes in 2011 and was the official selection for the Artivist Film Festival 2011, Asian Short Film Awards @ Screen Singapore 2011 and Freedom Film Fest 2011.

Now, she is a senior producer and documentary maker for The Star Media Group Bhd's R.AGE — an international award-winning investigative news platform.

This year, her documentary titled The Hidden Cut won the award for "Excellence in Reporting on Women's Issues" at the SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence.

Her feature-length documentary on the Malaysian blind football team, Eye on the Ball is set to be released locally in December this year and the film has already been recognised internationally at the Visions du Réel International Film Festival and even premiered at the Aperture: Asia & Pacific Film Festival in London.

Quek Shio Chuan, grand prize winner of The BMW Shorties 2011 touched hearts with his winning short film Guang about an autistic man and his brother navigating the harsh realities of life in Kuala Lumpur.

The winning short film gained recognition almost immediately and became the first Asian short film to win the Best Short Film Award at the 6th Alto Vicentino Film Festival in Santorso, Italy.

Seven years later, Quek remade Guang into a feature-length film. He continues as a commercial director with several clients under his belt including Petronas, Tenaga Nasional and Volvo and is scheduled to direct The Ghost Bride - an original series for Netflix.

“The creative mind drives the innovation of the world today and the BMW Shorties is an initiative to inspire, discover and support emerging creative talents here in Malaysia. The programme has very high aspirations and ambitions in that it hopes to create careers and opportunities for these creative talents to contribute to building a dynamic nation,” said BMW Group Malaysia corporate communications head Sashi Ambi.

For more information, log on to www.bmwshorties.com.my, www.facebook.com/bmwshorties or www.instagram.com/bmwshorties.


The new look of the Volvo V40

LONDON: Volvo Cars gives its bestselling V40 and V40 Cross Country the new face of Volvo for Model Year 2017, with trim updates across the range.

Central to the model year exterior updates are new LED ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, resulting in a confident new look shared with Volvo’s new XC90, S90 and V90.

In the UK, these all-LED lights mark the V40 and V40 Cross Country out as the first models in the segment to get LED headlights as standard across the range. Also new are grille meshes featuring the updated and more visually striking Volvo Iron Mark.

“The V40 is the best-selling Volvo model in the UK, making it a vital car for the company. With the updates for Model Year 2017, we’re making this already very successful model even more attractive to customers,” said Nick Connor, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK.

The exterior update includes the addition of eight new wheels across the V40 and V40 Cross Country models, and five new colours to the V40 range, including the completely new Amazon Blue and Denim Blue, as well as three colours already used by other models in the Volvo Car UK portfolio: Bursting Blue, Mussel Blue and Luminous Sand.

Continuing its innovative approach to powertrain engineering, Volvo has reduced CO2 emissions on its popular D2 manual powertrain to just 89 g/km in all trim level and wheel options.

The V40's trim structure has also been changed in line with that of the new XC90. Customers can now choose from Momentum and Inscription versions, along with the sports-inspired R-Design and the rugged Cross Country.

In a cue taken from the award-winning Volvo Concept Estate, a new upholstery called City Weave will be added. Several new interior panel trims will also be offered: Milled Aluminium, Black Grid Aluminium and Stealth Aluminium. New tread plates will be added for the R-Design and Inscription trim levels, and an updated key fob with the new Volvo logo will be available.

The Volvo On Call smartphone app, which allows remote access and control over a wide range of in-car features, receives a substantial update. Volvo On Call already delivers wearable connectivity (Apple Watch/Android Wear), and the new Microsoft Band 2 connectivity now enables voice-control for certain features when using Windows 10-based smartphones.

Volvo now also offers support for Windows 10 with a new version of the Volvo On Call application that can be used on regular PCs and tablets to interact with your car.


BMW to host digital world premieres from MINI and Motorrad,  iNEXT to be unveiled

                MUNICH: #NEXTGen 2020 offers a unique look ahead to the future of mobility as well as premieres from MINI and BMW Motorrad.

This year’s all-digital #NEXTGen is accompanied by videos offering insights into the research and development work carried out by the BMW Group.

The #NEXTGen 2020 event is split up into various online formats. It all kicks off with the series “Chasing iNEXT” that has been made in the style of streaming services. The six fun episodes that have been produced by the Cologne-based company btf (bildundtonfabrik).

The film crew chase through all sorts of different departments at the BMW Group searching for the BMW iNEXT electric SUV, whose final design will be revealed for the first time at 2pm (CET) on Nov 11 here.

The soundtrack for the series comes from film score composer and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer.

Besides the unveiling of the BMW iNEXT, the list of vehicle presentations is completed by world premieres from both BMW Motorrad on Nov 11 at 10am (CET) and MINI on Nov 17 at 2pm (CET).


Netizens chuckling over ‘BRA’ car plate

                PETALING JAYA: An advertisement for car plate number bidding by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has tickled some netizens’ funny bones.

On Sunday, the government agency uploaded a poster on its official Facebook page calling for bidding on the latest car plate series for Selangor, which was “BRA”.

A user in the comment section said: “I am here for the funny comments.”

Another netizen suggested “BRA91”, which read “Berapi” in Malay or “fiery”.

Meanwhile, other comments related the letters with women’s undergarments, “brassiere” or “bra”.

It prompted a user to suggest the agency skip the letters, which could lead to different derogatory meanings.

“Won’t JPJ skip car registration numbers that have a double meaning?” the user wrote.

The bidding will start tomorrow, and the results will be announced on July 4.

The public can visit https://jpjebid.jpj.gov.my to start bidding on their favourite car registration number combinations.


Mercedes-Benz GLC 200: Hungry for Adventure in Sabah

                KOTA KINABALU: To highlight the premium attributes of its SUV range, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently organised a "Hungry For Adventure" road trip in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The two-night/three-day event saw participants driving various Mercedes-Benz SUVs such as the GLC 43, GLE 250, GLE 400 4MATIC and GLS 400 4MATIC.

Activities included water sports like jet ski, wakeboarding, catamaran and parasailing as well as a 140km round trip from Dalit Beach, Tuaran to Mount Kinabalu Park for a jungle hike.

We drove the new GLC 200, and found lots of grip from the Pirelli Scorpion Verde runflat tyres sized 235/55 R19 on slippery, rain-soaked roads thanks to the rainy season.

The new GLC 200 was launched recently, priced at RM288,888 on-the-road without insurance.

READ MORE: CKD Mercedes GLC 200 launched, priced at RM289K

There's no 4MATIC all-wheel drive here, but when we experienced some slip as we accelerated on wet roads, the SUV's driver assistance systems responded quickly to keep us out of trouble.

There were many slow-moving trucks on the Jalan Ranau-Tamparuli route, but the snappy throttle response and responsive torque of the GLC 200 allowed us to do plenty of overtaking manoeuvres in bad weather conditions.

The steering was communicative and precise, and the brakes are firm, and these provided pin-point accuracy as we moved into gaps in road traffic.

In summary, the bad weather in Sabah was very conducive for the GLC 200 in showing off its premium SUV qualities.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 200

Price: RM288,888 on-the-road without insurance (inclusive of GST)

Warranty: 4-years, with unlimited mileage.

Features:

- 1,991cc engine, four in-line, petrol, turbocharger
- 184hp and 300Nm of torque.
- 9G-Tronic Nine-speed Automatic Transmission
- Off-road Suspension with Higher Ground Clearance
- Eco Start/stop Function
- Active Brake Assist
- PRE-SAFE System
- Kneebag for Driver
- Anti-theft Warning System
- Interior Monitoring System
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Adaptive Brake Lights
- 235/55 R19 Run-flat Tyres

OFF-ROAD Exterior Package

- Exterior Chrome Package
- 19-inch 5-spoke Light-alloy Wheels
- LED High Performance Headlamps
- Polished Aluminium Roof Rails
- Aluminium-look Running Boards with Rubber Studs
- Electrically-folding Exterior Mirrors

EXCLUSIVE Line Interior

- Dashboard and Door Beltlines in ARTICO Man-made Leather
- Brown Open-pore Ash Wood Trim

- Front Door Sill Panels with "Mercedes-Benz" Lettering in
- White LED Illumination
- Double Cup Holder
- THERMOTRONIC Automatic Climate Control
- Reversing Camera
- KEYLESS-GO Starting Function
- Parking Pilot with PARKTRONIC
- Cruise Control
- Four-way Lumbar Support
- Electrically-adjustable Front Seats
- Roller Sunblinds in Left and Right Rear Doors
- Stowage Space Package
- EASY-PACK Tailgate
- Audio 20 CD
- Touchpad with Controller
- GARMIN MAP PILOT


Tesla’s ‘worrisome’ turnover is more extreme among those close to Elon Musk

About 44% of executives reporting to Musk have changed over annually. — AFP
NEW YORK: Tesla Inc.’s executive turnover is higher than other Silicon Valley-based technology companies and is particularly acute among those reporting to chief executive officer Elon Musk, according to a Bernstein analyst.

The electric-car maker has been changing over about 27% of its top executives annually, Toni Sacconaghi, a Bernstein analyst who rates Tesla shares the equivalent of a hold.

That’s the highest rate among seven companies that Sacconaghi benchmarked Tesla against, though Snap Inc. and Lyft Inc. have had similar levels of turnover, he wrote in a report Wednesday.

About 44% of executives reporting to Musk have changed over annually, Sacconaghi found, compared with about 9% on average at the other companies, which also include Amazon.com Inc., Uber Technologies Inc. and Facebook Inc.

"While one could argue that Tesla’s high turnover reflects its unique and demanding culture, we worry that such turnover not only causes instability but could also reflect more significant concerns among senior leaders about the company’s direction or workplace practices,” Sacconaghi wrote.

Tesla’s loss of executives from critical positions and quick departures by external hires have been "worrisome,” and at current rates, the company’s entire executive team of more than 150 people would be gone in less than four years, Sacconaghi wrote.


Green mobility coming to Jakarta

The electric vehicle and alternative energy solutions to city centres around the world will soon be seen in Indonesia. — Jakarta Post/ANN
JAKARTA: The Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing the way we power our societies, produce our goods and services. Indeed, it is changing our way of life.

Research by consultancy firm McKinsey has found that the so-called disruptive opportunities such as electric and (semi) autonomous vehicles will account for half of the US$7.7 trillion (RM32.3 trillion) automotive market in 2030.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc, one of the world’s biggest oil and gas groups, has confirmed the trend toward an electrified future.

The group says it aims to become the world’s largest electricity company, according to a Financial Times report. ABB has come up with two technologies that did not exist 10 years ago: collaborative robots and electric vehicle (EV)-charging infrastructure, both of which are changing the way we live and work.

The building blocks for e-mobility are in place.

The technology is ready for large-scale adoption and there is a variety of vehicles to choose from. Europe and China, two key markets driving the uptake of EVs, have seen an acceleration of the adoption of EVs.

According to an IEA report, the global electric car fleet exceeded 5.1 million in 2018, up 2 million from the previous year and almost doubling the number of new electric car sales.

In Indonesia, the EV industry is just starting to pick up pace.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo recently signed long-awaited regulations on EV.

He wants the country to become the second-largest EV production centre in South-East Asia, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

In the field of fast-chargers, ABB is the global leader with more than 10,000 fast-charging stations installed in more than 73 countries.

ABB Ability, the company offering digital solutions and services, enables the chargers to connect to cloud technology to allow remote monitoring and maintenance of the vehicles.Last December, ABB Indonesia supported the Indonesia Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) in a pilot project for EV charging to accelerate the adoption of EV for greener and smarter mobility.

For EV enthusiasts, this could mean that access to EV charging will soon be easier when ABB EV chargers are available in a few locations in Jakarta.

When it comes to green mobility, ABB certainly will bring a new experience to Jakarta and it will arrive in June next year. — The Jakarta Post/ANN


Catch Toyota at Malaysia Autoshow 2018

                SERDANG: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will once again be participating at the 2018 Malaysia Autoshow to be held this weekend, from Apr 26 to 29, 2018, at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor.

The Toyota exhibition area located in Hall A, displays the latest Toyota models and visitors can also experience the superior off-road capabilities of the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner at the outdoor location.

“Toyota has been a regular participant at the Malaysia Autoshow since its inception in 2010. Being an event focused on sales, we welcome the opportunity to show our latest models to visitors and invite them to take the vehicles for test-drives around MAEPS.

"Through their driving experiences, we hope they will see that Toyota offers ever-better vehicles to customers,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

The highlight at the Toyota exhibition area are the new Toyota C-HR compact crossover SUV. Launched earlier this year in Malaysia, the C-HR has been drawing lots of attention with its head-turning looks. Visitors will be able to get a closer look at this example of ever-better cars from Toyota.

Also on display are the latest L-Edition Toyota Hilux, Vios, Sienta, Innova X and Avanza X.

Test-drives of the models around the spacious grounds of MAEPS are also available upon request. This will give visitors an opportunity to personally experience the performance, comfort and driving pleasure that Toyota vehicles offer.

Visitors to the Toyota booth can learn more about the various sales and aftersales services available from UMWT and its authorised dealers nationwide. These include attractive financing schemes such as the Toyota 2-Tier plan which offers lower instalments for the initial period of the hire-purchase loan.

At the outdoor sites (shuttles are provided to transport visitors), there will be an opportunity to experience the 4x4 capabilities of the Fortuner SUV and Hilux pick-up. Both models have a proven record of toughness and can serve its owners well as personal transport or ‘business partners’.

To demonstrate the superior climbing capabilities and driver-assist systems which make off-road driving safer, the vehicles can be driven up and down a steep ramp. On the ascent, there will be an opportunity to experience the Hillstart Assist Control while Downhill Assist Control makes driving down a steep slope safer and easier.

The Hilux celebrates its 50 th anniversary this year and in some regions, its name is even used to refer to any pick-up model, showing its legendary status. Visitors will be able to find out how it has gained this status when they travel around a challenging muddy course. With its robust 4x4 system supplemented by Active Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control, the Hilux can easily take on rough and slippery terrain.

Throughout the four days of the Malaysia Autoshow 2018, there will various activities at the Toyota booth with chances for the public to win Toyota merchandise and other goodies.


SAIC VW starts work on RM10bil China plant in Audi pivot

Volkswagen group CEO Dr Herbert Diess speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the SAIC Volkswagen factory in Shanghai.
BEIJING: Volkswagen AG’s China venture with SAIC Motor Corp Ltd has started building a US$2.5 billion new energy vehicle (NEV) plant in Shanghai, which will make VW’s luxury Audi AG brand cars, a possible first for the venture.

The new plant is a key step for Audi to diversify production of its cars in the world’s largest car market from its long-standing local partner, China FAW Group Corp Ltd. This shift has been delayed amid resistance from local dealers.

SAIC Volkswagen said the new plant would have an annual capacity to make 300,000 cars and begin production from 2020. Audi sold 481,387 vehicles in China from January to September this year.

Audi unveiled the plan to bolster ties with SAIC in late 2016. Earlier this year, the Germany luxury carmaker bought a 1 percent stake in the SAIC Volkswagen venture, paving the way for the joint venture to produce and sell Audi cars.

Volkswagen currently gets a larger proportion of the proceeds from the 50-50 tie-up with SAIC than from its 40 percent stake in the venture with FAW.

SAIC Volkswagen said in a statement on Friday the plant would cost 17 billion yuan (RM10.4bil) and would make VW and Skoda models as well as Audi cars. It will help VW tap China’s fast-growing market for NEVs, a category comprising electric battery cars and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.


Jaguar Land Rover chief wants alliances, not a merger

                LOS ANGELES: Luxury automaker Jaguar Land Rover’s chief executive told Reuters he is open to more alliances to lower the costs of developing technology, but is not looking for a full-blown corporate merger.

“We feel the pressure” from demands to slash carbon emissions and develop electric vehicles, Jaguar Land Rover chief Ralf Speth said in an interview on the sidelines of the Los Angeles auto show.

But to the question of whether the company and its parent, Tata Motors Ltd. are seeking a merger for Jaguar Land Rover, Speth said: “The answer is no. We can really survive on our own.”

The British luxury sedan and SUV maker is “always open” to discussions of technology alliances and component sharing with other companies, Speth said.

Earlier this year, the maker of Jaguar sedans and Land Rover SUVs agreed with German luxury automaker BMW AG to develop electric car parts jointly.

 Speth.

Jaguar Land Rover currently sells an electric Jaguar I-Pace sport utility vehicle, and has said the next generation of its top-of-the line XJ sedan will be all-electric. The company has not said when it will launch the new XJ.

“There’s no question in our mind that electric is the drive train of the future,” Eberhardt said. “But from a customer adoption point of view it takes longer than anticipated.”

Jaguar Land Rover has a product lineup, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, which could meet tighter European CO2 emissions limits which begin taking effect next year, but compliance will depend on the mix of vehicles customers buy, Speth said.

“In Europe, the mix (of vehicles) is encouraging, but not at the moment at the level we can say we are compliant right at the beginning,” he said. “But there is time to go. We are cautiously optimistic.”

A lack of public electric vehicle re-charging infrastructure remains a challenge in selling electric vehicles in the US and Europe, Eberhardt and Speth said.

Jaguar Land Rover was unprofitable through the first half of its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, hit by Brexit-related production shutdowns and weaker demand in China. But Speth said the second half of the year should be better than the first.

Demand in the Chinese market is volatile, though Jaguar Land Rover sales have seen “double-digit growth” in recent months, Speth said. But that growth has been from a low volume. Speth said he receives data on the Chinese market daily.

Speth and JLR North America chief Joe Eberhardt were at the Los Angeles Auto Show for the North American launch of the Land Rover Defender, a modern reincarnation of sport utility vehicles identified with African safari adventures and British country estates.


Vespa available on Dreamshop.com.my at 0% easy payment plans from 11 banks

                KUALA LUMPUR: Dreamshop.com.my, an e-commerce platform that is home to more than one billion products, has entered an exciting collaboration recently with iconic Italian luxury scooter brand, Vespa.

For the first time in Malaysia, customers will be able to purchase a Vespa online via a 0% Easy Payment Plan, with certain additional offers, on www.dreamshop.com.my.

This collaboration marks the entry of Vespa into the e-commerce space, giving Malaysian customers the additional convenience and value of online shopping.

Customers can now shop and purchase their dream Vespa scooter in monthly 0% interest-free easy payment plans of up to 36 months from 11 banks only at Dreamshop.

Vespa and Dreamshop, are organising the ‘Vespa Dream Tour’, a nationwide tour to promote this collaboration.

Find out more on https://www.facebook.com/VespaMalaysiaOfficial or www.facebook.com/dreamshop.com.my/ for more updates on the upcoming ‘Vespa Dream Tour’.


Xiaomi demands payout from supplier after car designs leaked

                SHANGHAI: China's Xiaomi said on Thursday it had imposed a 1 million yuan (RM639,000) penalty on a supplier after it leaked early design drafts of an upcoming car model.

On its official Weibo page, a spokesperson wrote Xiaomi had "dealt seriously" with a Beijing-based molding technology company which on Jan 22 publicly revealed images of an upcoming car's front and rear bumpers, violating a confidentiality agreement.

Xiaomi did not disclose the name of the company and Reuters could not identify it.

As punishment, the smartphone-turned-car maker said it would impose "economic compensation" of 1 million yuan (RM639,000) on the supplier.

The spokesperson added it had instructed the supplier to strengthen its information security management, and develop plans to upgrade its confidentiality measures.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun also circulated the note on his personal Weibo page.

Over the Chinese New Year, images purportedly showing mock ups of the front and rear of Xiaomi's upcoming electric vehicle (EV) spread on social media, as well as a full view of what appeared to be a white compact sedan, with a licence plate that read "MS11".

The leaks would mark the first confirmed images of Xiaomi's long-awaited automobile.

However, News portal Sina Tech reported on Thursday that Wang Hua, general manager of Xiaomi's public relations department, said the leaked designs were part of a bidding process and were not final renderings.

In March 2021 Xiaomi, a hardware company best known for its smartphones, said it would enter the automotive sector, aiming to invest US$10 billion in the project over 10 years.

Since then, the company has committed to opening a plant in Beijing that could produce 300,000 vehicles per year.

The company has said it hopes to reach mass production of its cars in the first half of 2024.


Alibaba's smart speaker to go into Audi, Renault and Honda cars

An Alibaba employee introducing the company's Tmall Genie at a press conference in Beijing on July 5, 2017. — Reuters
SHANGHAI: China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd on Tuesday said its voice-controlled assistant will feature in local vehicles from Audi AG, Renault SA and Honda Motor Co Ltd, as the tech giant expands in artificial intelligence.

The Tmall Genie Auto smart speaker will allow drivers to use voice commands to, for instance, place orders on Alibaba’s online retail platform and buy movie tickets, Alibaba said at the CES Asia 2019 technology trade show here.

In the near future, the speaker will also allow drivers to monitor and control smart devices at houses equipped with a Tmall Genie-compatible device, Alibaba said in a joint statement with the three automakers, without specifying vehicle models.

“We are thrilled to partner with global, distinguished auto brands such as Audi, Renault and Honda,” said Miffy Chen, general manager at Alibaba AI Labs. “Together, we can greatly enhance our in-car services and make driving experiences more intelligent and interconnected.”

The Tmall Genie is akin to Amazon.com Inc’s Echo. Alibaba launched the device in 2017 and released an auto version in April last year. Other automakers that have said they will install the device in their vehicles include BMW and Volvo Cars.

Amazon also has a vehicle version of its Echo, dubbed the Echo Auto, which it announced in September.


Ford Puma returning as a crossover, out late 2019

                COLOGNE: The Puma is back at Ford. The one-time coupé is set to return in the form of a crossover, due on sale late 2019. In the meantime, the American automaker has offered a first glimpse of this new model.

Stuart Rowley, president of Ford Europe, gets straight to the point: "... we think Puma is going to really resonate with compact-car customers in Europe.... We've gone to every length to give customers the flexibility they want, with progressive and evocative styling, so that they can drive the best-looking car they've ever owned."

The first image of the car, shrouded in darkness, offers a glimpse of a vehicle with a raised ride height and athletic styling, including distinctive wing-top mounted headlamps. Ford also promises a class-leading luggage capacity of 456 liters.

The Puma will get a 115-horsepower EcoBoost Hybrid engine with anticipated fuel efficiency from 5.4l/100km and CO2 emissions from 124g/km. Ford also explains that energy recovered during braking and coasting phases is used to charge a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack.

Due out late 2019, the Puma will be produced at the automaker's Craiova assembly plant in Romania. At first glance, this new Puma appears to be lined up as a rival to the Renault Captur and the Peugeot 2008.


Social-distancing Greek style: shimmy and sing from your car

People taking a selfie during the drive-in concert of Natassa Theodoridou on June 2. — Reuters
ATHENS: Hundreds of Greeks danced and sang from their cars at a drive-in music concert, the first such event since the country banned mass gatherings to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Emerging from sunroofs or sitting on the bonnet of vehicles parked at designated slots in a soccer stadium in the Athens seaside suburb of Glyfada on Tuesday night, spectators enjoyed a free performance by popular Greek singer https://www.youtube.com/user/TheodoraNatasa.

“I have never done something like this before, it’s a nice experience, a new experience,” spectator Zoe Georgiou said before the concert.

READ MORE: Porsches and popcorn at Dubai drive-in

The 300 car positions were raffled off from more than 7,000 applications in a lottery. The event was organised by the municipality of Glyfada and was aimed at bringing joy to residents after weeks in lockdown, said mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

“This is an example to all of us that nothing stops, we can do everything if we have patience and positive thoughts,” said Theodoridou on stage.

Greece imposed the lockdown in March and started easing restrictions on May 4. Live concerts, popular during the summer season, are expected to resume from July 15.

READ MORE: Drive-in cinemas a hit in South Korea


Ford Australia manufacturing shuts down

                MELBOURNE: The last Australian-made six-cylinder Ford Falcon rolled off an assembly line on Friday, marking the end of Ford's 91-year history of car-making in a country that simultaneously fell out of love with big cars and manufacturing.

The end of operations - to be mirrored by GM Holden and Toyota Australia next year - coincides with a move by the famed car company to close in Japan and Indonesia, where it sees "no reasonable path to profitability".

The impending death of car manufacturing in Australia has sparked heated debate over the future of the economy and the role of government in propping up ailing sectors, after the governing centre-right coalition cut subsidies to the sector.

Dave Smith, national vehicle division secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said the Ford workers "handled themselves with magnificent dignity" on their last day.

"It's a shame for Australia because I think we lose so much when we no longer have vehicle manufacturing. But, you know, that's part of history now," Smith told journalists at the Ford factory in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows.

About 600 Ford workers lost their jobs on Friday, all in the state of Victoria, where Ford's Australian operations are headquartered. Separately, 160 Ford manufacturing employees are being redeployed to design and engineering roles with the company.

Ford Australia chief executive Graeme Whickman said while it was a difficult day, it was an honour to see the last Falcon XR6 produced. He said the last manufactured cars would be put on show rather than sold privately.

The decline of Australia's manufacturing industry - employment in the sector out of total employment dropped from 13.4 percent in 2005 to 7.8 percent last year - has not been helped by changing tastes as motorists turn against the locally made, big passenger cars Ford and Holden are traditionally known for, for overseas-made small cars and sports utilities.

Car manufacturers started making decisions to close down Australian operations in 2013 when the Australian dollar was above parity against the US dollar, making local manufacturing uncompetitive.

Retired Ford dealer Martin van Koldenhoven, from rural Western Australia, said the car-maker dominated sales in the 1980s with its sedans and "utes", or utility vehicles, but then fell behind when buying trends changed.

"Be it light commercial or four-wheel-drives or small cars, they seemed to be a step behind," van Koldenhoven said.

"The market shifted and Ford didn't shift fast enough. It's a sad day - perhaps I'll fly my Ford flag at half-mast."

Even though Australian car enthusiasts grew up watching Ford battle Holden at the Bathurst 1000 touring car race in New South Wales, and both car-makers have large supporter networks, that has not translated into sales.

Both brands trail Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai, according to September sales data for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Paddy Boylan was among a handful of Ford fans who drove more than 400km to Melbourne to pay respects.

"We came to pay homage as humble pilgrims," said Boylan, who drove up in a 1962 XK Ford that he bought 18 months ago. "I've just always loved Falcons, and it's the end of an era."


Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta 70th Anniversary arrives from RM6.8mil

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor of Ferrari in Malaysia, has unveiled the open-top LaFerrari Aperta 70th Anniversary limited edition.

At RM6.8mil per vehicle before taxes and duties and with only 209 units available worldwide, ownership of the limited edition Aperta (Italian for open) requires an invitation from the Italian brand.

To help it distinguish itself, the side-skirt (just ahead of the rear wheels) bear a smaller version of the 'Prancing Horse' logo and is coupled next to the number '70' that sits above the years '1947 - 2017'.

The hybrid supercar predominantly encased in carbon fibre and equipped with an Active Aerodynamics system has a 2,650mm wheelbase and measures 4,702mm-long, 1,992mm-wide and 1,116mm-tall.

Air is sucked into a mid-mounted 6,262cc 65-degree V12 engine with a compression ratio of 13.5:1 - resulting in an output of 800hp at 9,000rpm and 700Nm at 6,750rpm, before reaching the rev-limiter at 9,250rpm.

The engine is supplemented and manages the by a 163hp electric motor to bring its combined output to 963hp, while maximum torque has been officially rated at over 900Nm.

Acceleration from 0-100kph takes less than 3.0 seconds before reaching a top speed of over 350kph.

The exhaust system uses an equal length “6-1” exhaust system, which was hydroformed using Inconel (as in F1) to help keep overall weight down with the additional benefit of very high temperature and stress resistance characteristics.

A seven-speed dual clutch transmission manages to the output the the 20-inch rear wheels with 345/30 Pirelli P-Zero tyres that take on 59% of the car's weight. The fronts use 19-inch wheels fitted with 265/30 Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

Carbon ceramic disc brakes from Brembo are found at all four corners with the fronts measuring  398mm in diameter while it's 380mm for the rear and the suspension system is a common front double wishbone and rear multi-link setup.

In terms of electronic equipment, the limited edition LaFerrari Aperta comes with high performance anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, performance anti-lock system, electronic brake balance and electronic stability control.

There's also the complex EF1-Trac F1 electronic traction control integrated with the hybrid system, E-Diff 3 third generation electronic differential and the SCM-E Frs Magnetorheological damping with twin solenoids (Al-Ni tube) among others.


BMW Group Malaysia begins exporting MINI Countryman to Thailand

                CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia today delivered the first units of the recently unveiled MINI Countryman for its export programme to Thailand. The variants exported to Thailand from its Kedah plant are the Cooper S Countryman and the Cooper S Countryman Hightrim.

The Cooper S Countryman and Cooper S Countryman Hightrim are to be sold in Thailand at THB 2,299,000 (RM259,557) and THB2,499,000 (RM 282,137) (VAT included with MSI Standard Package) respectively

Both variants use a 4-cylinder, 2-litre petrol engine producing up to 192hp and reaches a maximum torque of 280Nm at 1,350 - 4,600 rpm. Power to the front axle is via an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

The Cooper S Countryman Hightrim enhances the sporty and classical look of the standard Countryman with Chrome Line highlights across the exterior and interior to add a luxurious feel.

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It is upgraded with a rear-view camera combined with Parking Assistant system.The interior is decked out in MINI Yours Piano Black Illuminated style with colourful ambient glows.

Built in is a Head-Up display, Harman Kardon hi-fi sound system, an 8.8-inch touchscreen in the central instrument cluster, which is equipped with MINI Connected.

“The Inokom Corporation plant in Kulim, Kedah, which is a partnership between Sime Darby Bhd and BMW Group Malaysia,are among 30 production sites in 14 countries around the world for the BMW Group and is an important touchpoint for us in the South-East Asian region,” said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Harald Hoelzl.

He said that being able to support and serve the markets in the region was a major milestone. “We have been developing our local assembly capabilities here with Sime Darby and our network of local suppliers with the ambition to support the region and today, we have taken an important step forward.”

BMW's regional export programme is a result of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga). Atiga promotes the intra-Asean trade and ensures the free flow of goods within the bloc. Atiga has enabled the BMW Group to use its plants in Asean efficiently and flexibly to match its production to market demands locally and for export.


Ford and Toyota ally to counter Silicon Valley in dashboard war

                LAS VEGAS: Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co said on Monday they will adopt the same software to link smartphone apps to vehicle dashboard screens and invited other automakers to join them to counter Apple Inc and Google's push to control cars of the future.

Toyota, the world's largest automaker by vehicle sales, and Ford, the No. 2 US automaker, said they will adopt a Ford-developed software called SmartDeviceLink, or SDL, as the standard for connecting smartphone apps to vehicle dashboard screens.

SDL technology integrates smartphones apps with vehicles through dashboard buttons, display screens and voice recognition technology. Using it as a standard for projecting navigation or music streaming apps from a driver’s smartphone could help Ford and Toyota reduce dependence on Apple or Alphabet Inc's Google, company officials said.

It could also keep tighter control of customer data and the brand-defining look and feel of dashboard infotainment systems, they added.

Adopting a connectivity standard not linked to Apple or Google may help automakers in China, the world’s largest auto market, where homegrown companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd are major players in mobile mapping and services. Google has a limited presence in China, although the company has signaled it could expand there.

Ford said France’s Peugeot SA and Japanese automakers Honda Motor Co , Subaru and Mazda Motor Corp are also investigating adopting SDL as a standard. QNX Software Systems and UIEvolution, developers of automotive connectivity technology, are also adopting SDL, Ford said.

QNX, a unit of Canada’s Blackberry Ltd, designs infotainment system software used by 40 automakers.

The Ford-Toyota tie-in follows the purchase late last year by a consortium of German automakers of HERE, a mobile mapping business formerly owned by Finland’s Nokia. Daimler AG, BMW AG and Volkswagen AG’s Audi brand say they will use HERE as a foundation for new connectivity services and features.

Mapping is critical to autonomous driving systems, which the German luxury car makers intend to roll out over the next few years.

Apple and Google bring formidable weapons to the rapidly evolving battle for control of connected cars.

The Silicon Valley giants have armies of programmers, bulging cash reserves and deep experience in managing and profiting from consumer data.

Even as they maneuver to avoid becoming beholden to them, many automakers are adopting Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto systems to respond to customer demands for better connections between cars and smartphones.


Govt to use soft approach first in child seat enforcement

                KUALA LUMPUR: No summonses will be issued to parents who fail to use the Child Restraint System (CRS) or child safety seats within the first six months of its mandatory implementation beginning next year.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said this was because the ministry wanted to educate first before taking any form of enforcement action.

"Knowing Malaysians, if we say it's not mandatory, there won't be many who will install the CRS. A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research found that only 30 percent of vehicle owners have CRS.

"What is important is that we provide awareness and advice. If (the CRS) is not installed, we will not issue summonses, we will issue warnings and reminders first," he said when winding up the Supply Bill 2020 at the committee level at the Dewan Rakyat here on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in October announced that the government would enforce the use of CRS in vehicles effective Jan 1 next year in an effort to reduce cases of serious injury or death of children in the event of an accident.

Loke said the ministry was also given the approval to impose a zero-per cent CRS import duty in addition to a reduction in Sales and Services Tax (SST) from 10 percent to five per cent from the finance ministry.

"The ministry hopes to make it SST zero-rated item, but it needs the approval of the finance ministry," he said.

Loke also called on all parties, especially vehicle manufacturers and non-governmental organisations and private sector to assist the government's efforts in making the use of CRS more widespread.

He said there were certain private sectors which provided subsidies for CRS purchases to the less fortunate.


Only RON95 petrol price changed, down by 10 sen

                PETALING JAYA: The RON95 fuel price for December will see a reduction of 10 sen to RM1.95 per litre, according to the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia today.

Its deputy president Datuk Zulkifli Mokti said, however, the prices for RON97, regular diesel and Euro 5 diesel would remain the same at RM2.45, RM1.90 and RM2.00 per litre respectively.

The Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry decided to set the prices of petrol and diesel on a managed float from Dec 1 last year.


New Nissans getting Amazon Alexa integration

                FRANKLIN (United States): In the coming months new as well as many existing Nissan owners will be able to talk to their cars from the comfort of their living rooms.

Voice-operated smart home assistants may still be a very niche product, but that hasn't stopped car companies from seizing upon their potential to make their customers' lives even easier. BMW, Hyundai and Ford have already implemented Alexa integration across their latest model lines and now Nissan is following suit.

The service requires one of Amazon's Alexa devices in your home and certain Nissan cars built between late 2015 onwards with the Nissan Connect Services telematics system.

"Intelligent integration means helping our customers even when they are not behind the wheel," said Dan Teeter, director, Vehicle Connected Services, Nissan North America, Inc. "We are about bringing unexpected innovations to customers, and are excited to offer this technology to both existing and new Nissan owners."

Once configured, users will be able to remotely lock or unlock their cars and remote start the engine. The system will initially work with Nissan Altima, Armada, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Rogue, Sentra and Titan models but in the coming moths it will roll out to other popular Nissan cars including the new Leaf.

And, when used with the second generation plug-in electric car, Alexa will be able to keep you up to date on charging progress, let you know how much range is available in the battery pack if you set off now, and can also remotely activate or deactivate the climate control.

What's more, the integration works both ways with users being able to access Alexa from the driving seat to check on their home or to adjust the thermostat or turn down the temperature on a connected oven.


AB Volvo and Isuzu Motors sign final agreements for strategic alliance

                STOCKHOLM: Truckmaker AB Volvo and Japan's Isuzu Motors have inked a binding agreement for their previously announced strategic alliance, which includes Isuzu buying Volvo's UD Trucks for around 20 billion Swedish crowns (RM9.5bil).

The final agreement follow a memorandum of understanding between the two companies, signed in December last year, and closing is expected during the first half of 2021, Volvo said in a statement.

“The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including approval from regulatory authorities,” Volvo said.

Volvo expects a positive 2 billion crown (RM930mil) impact on its operating income from the deal, while its net cash position in the industrial operation is seen increasing by some 20 billion crowns.


Tata looks for Jaguar Land Rover partners, but rules out sale

                NEW YORK: The Indian conglomerate that owns Jaguar Land Rover said it is open to finding partners for the automaker but isn’t planning on selling the embattled unit.

"We’re not going to sell,” said Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons Ltd., the holding company in an expansive business empire that includes Tata Motors Ltd. "Auto is a core business for us. From revenue terms, auto is our largest company.”

Tata Motors bought the maker of the Jaguar XE sedan and Land Rover Discovery sport utility vehicle from Ford Motor Co. in 2008. After turning it into a cash cow with booming sales in countries like Russia and China, JLR waned to such an extent that it’s had to launch a US$3.2 billion (RM13.4bil) savings programme and slash thousands of jobs worldwide.

Losses at Tata’s automotive business have mounted with a slump in India’s car market, as well as trouble overseas, including an economic slowdown in China, where auto sales are sliding, and uncertainty over Brexit. JLR is closing its British factories for a week in November to guard against disruption to supply chains from a possible no-deal Brexit.

 Chandrasekaran says Tata is committed to the auto business.

Chandrasekaran said China sales have "collapsed” with a 50% drop last year, though 2019 is showing some improvement. Some problems were self-inflicted, including vehicle quality and dealer issues, he said, noting that the auto industry is "going through difficult times.”

"Getting the right portfolio, which one we invest in for electric vehicles, and how do we cut cost” are issues that need to be resolved, he said.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television earlier Tuesday, Chandrasekaran said dealing with tariffs is the "new normal” for the global auto industry and that negotiations around Britain’s exit from the European Union have taken too long.

"Sometimes, it’s better to have clarity than a desirable result,” he said. "Nations are getting more protective.”

The troubles of JLR are bogging down the Tata group as a whole, with Tata Motors writing down its investment in the British brands earlier this year by US$3.9 billion. The salt-to-software conglomerate is among India’s most indebted, and the slump in the auto market is hitting both Tata Motors and Tata Steel, the nation’s biggest maker of the alloy.

Analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein last month described JLR as "severely challenged” and said Tata Motors should look at BMW AG as a buyer because the German company is "awash with cash.”

Tata has previously denied reports it is looking at strategic options for JLR, including a possible stake sale.

While the company would "always look for partnerships,” it doesn’t want deals where "we just sell a stake and we have no say,” Chandrasekaran said Tuesday here. "We are not financial investors, Tata Group, we run companies. I’m not a Blackstone, I’m not a KKR.”

JLR’s capital expenditure has outpaced operating cash flow over the past two years, but Chandrasekaran said his target is to reverse that trend by 2021.

"Once we do that, then people will believe what I’m saying: I’m not running away.”