Lexus' new RX SUVs will stop you from 'dooring' cyclists

                LOS ANGELES: Lexus is preparing to launch its new RX on international markets, and the Toyota subsidiary has announced it will start taking orders for the luxury SUV in Europe in October, followed by deliveries in the new year.

Among the highlights of the new off-roaders is a blind spot sensor that only lets you get out of the car (and releases the electric door locks) when it sees there is no oncoming cyclists or pedestrians.

Suddenly opening car doors are notorious for putting cyclists in hospital, with some accidents even ending fatally, as the person on the bike often has little time to avoid colliding with the door.

In what Lexus says is a world-first, the so-called Safe Exit Assist feature "will detect a cyclist or other road user, alert the driver or passengers with warning lights in the door mirror glass and instrument display, and disable the e-latch operation."

The new Lexus feature builds on the company's Blind Spot Monitor, which has already been helping drivers identify potentially unseen cars and bicycles around them while driving.

Lexus is also promising a new cockpit with large digital displays and a simplified operating system, as well as a boot with more loading length and a lower edge.

From the outside, the five-seater SUV has a somewhat more moderate design that is based on a brand-new platform. Although it measures 4.89 metres, it has 6 cm more wheelbase and correspondingly more space in the interior.

In addition, it is 2 cm lower, giving it a lower centre of gravity, which should benefit the driving dynamics, according to Lexus. The same goes for the rear axle steering with up to four degrees of steering lock, which the manufacturer offers for the first time in the RX.

When it comes to the powertrain, Lexus is taking a different approach than its rivals: while the German competitors in particular went for diversity in fuel and cylinders, there is no diesel or V6 or V8 engine for the Lexus.

Instead, the Japanese manufacturer wants to offer three different hybrid combinations to meet all needs - including all-wheel drive as standard.

The base model is the RX 350h with conventional hybrid, which, with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, has a system output of 184 kW/250 hp and is said to consume 6.6 litres (CO2 emissions 149 g/km).

There is also a plug-in hybrid for the first time in the model series, with which the system output increases to 225 kW/306 hp according to Lexus.

The battery of the RX 450h+ has a capacity of 18.1 kWh and is said to allow around 65km of electric driving. According to Lexus, this reduces fuel consumption to 1.2 litres and CO2 emissions to 26 g/km.

And for those who want a little more muscle, instead of a six-cylinder engine, the RX 500h offers the Japanese manufacturer's first turbo hybrid.

With a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder and two electric motors, it offers a system output of 273 kW/371 hp, accelerates from a standstill to 100kph in 6.2 seconds and reaches up to 210kph, while the other two variants stop at 200kph. The only variant that does not use a gearshift system is the RX 500h.

It is also the only variant that does not use a continuously variable CVT transmission, but a six-speed automatic. Lexus puts its fuel consumption at 8.3 litres and its CO2 emissions at 183 g/km.

Lexus is not naming prices yet, but a spokesman made it clear that there will be no big jumps. While the current fourth-generation RX was last priced from €65,000 (RM295,000) in Europe, the fifth edition is set to remain under €70,000 (RM317,000).


Triumph launches Rocket 3, Tiger 900 and Thruxton 1200 RS from RM64K

                PETALING JAYA: Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has unleashed a bevy of motorcycles to spearhead the brand with three Rocket 3 variants, six Tiger 900 variants and the new Thruxton RS.

With a total of nine motorcycles on offer - with all bikes hailing from the brand's assembly plant in Thailand, the list starts with a trio of the English bike builder's heavyweight Rocket 3 cruiser.

The Rocket 3 is available in three variants such as the R, GT and a limited-edition Triumph Factory Custom (TFC).

The bikes are priced without road tax and insurance at RM130,900, 136,900 and RM180,000 respectively.

Unfortunately, those keen on the exclusive TFC variant will be disappointed with all 750 units for the world (including two for Malaysia) having already been sold.

Colour options include Korosi Red and Phantom Black for the 3 R while the 3 GT is offered in Phantom Black as well as a combination of Silver Ice and Storm Grey with Korosi Red pinstriping.

Rocket 3

The new Rocket 3 is powered by a 2.5-litre three-cylinder engine to earn itself the title of the world's largest production motorcycle engine.

Starting at 291kg (dry), the Rocket 3 has managed to shed 40kg and gained 11% more performance compared to the outgoing model or 71% more than its closest rival.

Power has been rated at 167PS at 6,000rpm and 221Nm of torque at 4,000rpm and is managed by a lightened and strengthened six-speed helical-cut manual gearbox.

For added comfort, the bike has been equipped with a new 'torque-assist' hydraulic clutch to help reduce hand fatigue while in heavy stop-go traffic.

Also included are a ride-by-wire throttle system, newly incorporated liquid cooling system, twin LED headlights and an angle-adjustable full-colour TFT instrument cluster.

There's also adjustable Showa front (47mm) forks and rear offset mono-shock suspension system, a single-sided swingarm, light-weight multispoke alloys, Brembo Stylema brake callipers, heated grips (standard 3 GT) and keyless ignition with steering lock function.

For added safety, the Rocket 3 comes with cornering anti-lock braking system (ABS), cornering traction control, an advanced inertial measurement unit (IMU), hill-hold control, cruise control and four riding modes of Road, Rain, Sport and Rider (customisable).

Other features include rider-adjustable ergonomics with the Rocket 3 R - being more of a roadster, allowing its rider two vertical mid-foot control positions of 0 or -15mm.

The Rocket 3 GT with more of a cruiser-feel provides a height-adjustable pillion backrest as well as three feet-forward horizontal positions of +25, 0 or -25mm.

The TFC variant is dressed up in a combination of twin 'carbon black and matte carbon black' paint scheme with brushed foil decals, gold accents and electroformed 3D Triumph badge

Its performance bumped up to 182PS at 7,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,000rpm before getting fitted with lightweight titanium inlet valves, Arrow silencers and lightweight carbon fibre parts.

As standard, the TFC also receives the Triumph Shift Assist for a clutchless operation of the gearbox, tyre pressure monitoring system, USB port and an integrated GoPro Bluetooth control system.

Every new Rocket TFC owner receives a special tailor-made TFC handover pack dedicated to their bike with a numbered letter signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor, a personalised custom-built book, leather TFC-branded rucksack a Rocket 3 TFC indoor bike cover.

Tiger 900 Tiger 900

Also sharing the limelight were six variants of the Tiger 900 off-road and urban adventure motorcycle that's due to go on sale in April.

Choices for the urban and touring adventurer, the range starts with the standard Tiger 900 at RM63,900 before progressing to the GT or a 50mm lower GT Low Ride Height (RM74,900) and GT Pro (RM82,900).

For the avid off-roaders, there's the Rally (RM78,900) and Rally Pro variants (RM85,90) for choice.

For colours, the Tiger 900 comes in Pure White only while the urban and touring adventure range comes in Korosi Red, Sapphire Black and Pure White - all with premium tank badges and contemporary new decals.

 Tiger 900 GT

As for the off-roading range, the Rally and Rally Pro variants comes in three colour choices of Matt Khaki, Sapphire Black and Pure White while featuring contemporary new decals and a distinctive white frame inspired by the "Tiger Tramontana" rally bike.

The 5kg-lightened Tiger 900 is touted to have been completely transformed while being powered by a more responsive 900cc three-cylinder engine that feeds from a massive 20-litre fuel tank.

The 900cc motor is now Euro 5 compliant with a unique 1,3,2 firing order to produce 95PS at 8,750rpm and 87Nm of torque at 7,250rpm. The bulk of the Tiger's power is said to reside predominantly in the engine's mid-range.

The new Tiger uses a new lightweight modular steel Trellis frame with a bolt-on aluminium rear sub-frame and bolt-on pillion hangers.

Although the top five Tiger 900s are fitted with either Marzocchi or Showa suspension systems, all models come with Brembo Stylema monobloc braking system.

As standard, the Tiger 900 features a 5.0-inch TFT screen, integrated My Triumph connectivity system, cornering ABS and traction control system that's managed by an IMU, shift assist, quick-shifter (up and down), full-LED lighting with daytime running lights and an under-seat mobile phone with USB port storage compartment.

From the GT variant onwards, these bikes get added with illuminated switches with a five-0way joystick, cruise control and heated grips while the GT-Pro and Rally Pro variants.

Exclusively for the range-topping GT Pro and Rally Pro both bikes receive heated seats (with separate pillion control) and tyre pressure monitoring system.

GT Pro features an electronically adjustable rear suspension, allowing the rider to adjust the rear's preload and damping settings via a dedicated menu in the larger 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster that offers nine levels of damping control, ranging from Comfort (soft) to Sport (firm), and four preload set-ups.

Thruxton RS

As for the Thruxton RS (RM86,900), this range-topping 1,200cc cafe racer is now 6kg lighter than the R-variant that its supplants.

Colour Options include Jet Black or a combination of Matte Storm Grey and Matte Silver Ice.

This was achieved by refinements in engine components that include a low inertia crankshaft, clutch, balancer shafts, rare-earth alternator, magnesium cam cover, revised engine covers and a lighter weight battery.

Power now resides at 105PS at 7,500rpm and 112Nm at 4,850rpm thanks to the revisions in high-compression pistons, revised ports and cam profiles and the addition of a secondary air system.

These engine updates have helped to reduce inertia by up to 20% while allowing this Thruxton greater responsiveness and a higher rev-range that's upped by 500rpm over the R variant.

The Thruxton RS is provided with three riding modes of Sport, Road and Rain as well as a single-bullet seat setup, adjustable Showa upside-down big piston forks and an adjustable Ohlins piggy-back reservoir rear shock with Black RSU springs, among others.

"For the level of equipment and technology engineered into these motorcycles, the prices are truly unbelievable and we are able to make these products more accessible while providing the full commitment and support directly from the factory," said Fast Bikes CEO Datuk Razak Al Malique Hussain.

Rocket 3

Rocket 3 TFC

Tiger 900

Tiger 900 GT

Tiger 900 GT Pro

Tiger 900 Rally

Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Triumph Thruxton RS


Premium variant for 2018 Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid, estimated below RM155,000

                SHAH ALAM: The 2018 Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid will also have a Premium Highway Star variant, with exclusive two-tone exterior colour choices and extra premium features.

Due to be launched in mid-May, the seven-seater MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) has estimated prices (without insurance) of below RM140,000 (Highway Star variant) and below RM155,000 (Premium Highway Star).

It is Japan’s best-selling mid-size MPV (January to March 2018).

On the Premium variant, the extra features are:

• Combination leather seats (two-tone Truffle Brown/Chestnut or single-tone Black)
• 10.1 -inch roof-mounted LCD panel
• Tech-on tray mat
• Driving video recorder (DVR)
• LED room lamp
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Door visor
• V-KOOL 4Mil security film tinting
• ThreeBond Ultra Glass Body coating

Two-tone exterior colours (Premium Highway Star)

• Imperial Umber (Roof); Cashmere Gold (Body)
• Diamond Black (Roof); Tungsten Silver (Body)
• Diamond Black (Roof); Brilliant White (Body)

ALSO READ: 2018 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid opens for bookings Premium Highway Star in Imperial Umber (Roof); Cashmere Gold (Body). Premium Highway Star in Diamond Black (Roof); Tungsten Silver (Body). Premium Highway Star in Diamond Black (Roof); Brilliant White (Body).Standard features are:

• S-Hybrid 2.0L (MR20DD) engine with twin CVTC (Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control)
• Max power 150ps at 6,000rpm
• Max torque 200Nm at 4,400rpm
• XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC)
• Fuel consumption: 14.2 km per litre (NEDC R101)
• 6 SRS airbags
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Child Seat Retainer with Top Tether (ISOFIX x 2)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Brake Assist (BA),
• Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)

It comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and three-year or 60,000km maintenance service (whichever comes first).

The first 500 registered vehicles will also receive an exclusive gift worth RM500.

Those interested can test drive the 2018 Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid at Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM)’s exclusive previews at selected showrooms over the next two weekends (14 to 15 April and 20 to 22 April), from 10am till 8pm.

 Combination leather seats (two-tone Truffle Brown/Chestnut). 16-inch alloy wheels. 10.1 -inch roof-mounted LCD panel. Tech-on tray mat. Driving video recorder (DVR). Door visors. LED room lamp.


Insurers charge more for electric and hybrid vehicles in the UK

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has been working closely with Malaysia’s government to provide training support across a network of community colleges focusing on electric and hybrid vehicles, in line with the country’s aim to be a regional energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) hub.

One of these is the Kepala Batas Community College, which to-date has equipped more than 230 EEV candidates with IMI’s international qualifications.

“As the introduction of such vehicles in the market gains momentum, there is definitely a lot more to be done. The IMI is committed to work with our local partners and IMI approved centers to bridge the skills gap, in this rapidly evolving automotive industry,” ended Stuart.

Research conducted on behalf of the IMI shows that while 40 percent of the public in the United Kingdom (UK) have grave concerns about air pollution and see Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) as a solution, they are unwilling or unable to pay the increased insurance premiums currently levied on these cars.

As a result, they will not consider buying or leasing one in the near future.

Insurers in the UK charge up to 50 percent more (based on Auto Express research comparing insurance premiums of Renault Cleo and Zoe in June 2016) to cover electric and hybrid cars because of the higher purchase price and the current lack of skilled technicians available to repair them.

Currently, only 1 percent of mechanics have the necessary qualifications to carry out work on the high-voltage systems of ULEVs and they are almost exclusively employed within franchised dealers.

The public are similarly concerned with the lack of charging points available to service electric and hybrid cars, according to the IMI research.

But, while the UK government is supporting the development of the charging infrastructure to promote clean cars, it continues to resist any intervention in the market to deal with the serious skills gap.

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI said, “The government has to recognise that the skill gaps need to be addressed. Small businesses are uncertain about future demand for work on electric cars and will not risk investing in the skills they need to service these cars if the government does not contribute in this. The high insurance and servicing costs will continue to be a hindrance for drivers. Consequently, car buyers will still be attracted to diesel cars as the most cost effective alternative, keeping them on our roads in significant numbers for decades to come”.

The electric car survey was conducted by Vital Research and Statistics.

They polled 2,000 UK adults with driving licenses.

Only 17 percent of respondents thought the extra costs for insurance for ULEVs were a price worth paying for.

18 to 24 year olds were more willing to pay higher insurance costs and only 9 percent of those over 55 years old would pay the extra cost.

“Many countries have been actively pursuing the green agenda and encouraging drivers to switch to electric cars. In addition to ensuring the infrastructure is ready and available, the country’s government also has the responsibility to make sure that drivers can afford to make that switch. The skills issue identified by the IMI is major obstacle that needs to be looked at urgently”, said Matthew Stuart, Senior Manager of IMI South-East Asia.


What Audi models are coming to Malaysia in 2017 - VIDEOS

The Audi Q2.
PETALING JAYA: Next year promises to be an exciting period for Audi fans in Malaysia as there will be several models to look forward to.

According to Audi Malaysia marketing director Rudi Venter, Malaysians can expect more S and RS models to show up including the R8 supercar. The first RS model is due to launch in the first quarter of 2017.

In addition, the Q2 is also slated for arrival next year to light up the market for premium compact SUVs. The Q2 is the smallest SUV from Audi, and has proven to be popular on the global front.

In addition, the facelifted A3 sedan and A5 Sportback will reach local shores by the middle of 2017. So it looks like 2017 is going to be a busy year for Audi Malaysia.

Venter said Audi has been quietly working behind the scenes since the Q7 launch in November to strengthen its aftersales and support network.

On the new Audi A4 that was launched on Monday, Venter said Audi had managed to secure a price positioning in between its two main rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

If you are interested in more than just the highlights of the new A4, Audi Malaysia product marketing head Izwan Wong provides the exhaustive details in the video below.

READ MORE:
First drive of Audi A4 in Venice
New CBU Audi A4 launched in Malaysia
A look at the Audi A4 1.4 TFSI


Miros and 3M launch Road Safety Award for Southeast Asia

                PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) together with 3M Malaysia, the global science company with a rich history of road safety innovation launched the 3M Road Safety Award for Southeast Asia.

The award, which is open to individuals, government and non-government organisations intends to encourage and recognise road safety initiatives that are impactful, innovative, sustainable and replicable in Southeast Asia.

“We are pleased to collaborate with 3M Malaysia for a regional award that focuses on improving road safety in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Road safety is an important and serious issue that affects each country within the region, and we believe it is the responsibility of both the government and its citizens to help reduce accidents and fatalities on roads.

"It is our earnest hope that this award empowers a region-wide effort to improve road safety not just for us, but for future generations as well,” said Chairman of MIROS, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

“We believe that the award will not only inculcate the importance of reducing road traffic injuries and deaths within and beyond Malaysia’s borders, but also encourage innovative thinking to accelerate the pace of effective road safety measures,” said Managing Director of 3M Malaysia, Parameswaran Nair.

Submission for the 3M Road Safety Award for Southeast Asia commences at Mar 15, 2018 and ends at 11.59pm on July 31, 2018.

Interested participants can find more information, including Terms and Conditions, and submit their entries at http://award.miros.gov.my

The evaluation process will entail two tiers. The first tier will involve competition between submissions within the same country.

Submissions with top scores for that country will then compete with top score submissions across other Southeast Asia countries in the second evaluation tier.

Four winners will be announced during an award ceremony on Dec 4, 2018.

The grand prize is a trip to the United States of America, that will include visit to the 3M Innovation Centre and Transportation Research Center.

The winner will have an opportunity to witness the demonstration on some of the latest technological developments in the field of Road Safety and Connected Roads.


2018 Bangkok Motor Show: Ford Ranger Raptor at RM210K

                Ford has opened bookings for the Ranger Raptor, priced at almost 1.7 million baht (RM210,476) at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show.

The first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up truck was launched in Thailand earlier in February, with a 10-speed transmission combined with a new 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine delivering 213PS and 500Nm of torque.

The Ford-designed and Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission is shared with the F-150 Raptor.

Having 10 gears means a wider ratio-span, resulting in better acceleration and responsiveness.

A unique transmission calibration also includes a ‘Live in Drive’ function, meaning that the paddle shifters are always available for manual gear selection override.

The front bumper also includes new LED fog lamps with functional air-curtain ducts, which help to reduce air resistance of the body.

Using composite materials, the front fenders not only look tough, but resist dents and dings often associated with off-road usage.

READ MORE:
2018 Ford Ranger Raptor launched in Thailand

Vehicle stance is noticeably bigger from every angle, standing at an impressive 1,873mm tall; 2,180mm wide; 5,398mm long, with wider front and rear tracks at 1,710mm.

Ground clearance is increased to 283mm, while the approach angle of 32.5 degrees, ramp over angle of 24 degrees, and departure angle of 24 degrees as a package are superior to anything seen before.

The tough high-strength aluminium alloy die-cast main step board is designed for durability, undergoing testing which includes a load of 100kg being applied 84,000 times to simulate over 10 years in the field.

Built to withstand high-impact off-road events, Ranger Raptor’s frame consists of various grades of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel.

Its Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers (dampers) provide higher damping forces at full jounce and rebound to enable better off-road capabilities, and lower damping forces in the mid-travel zone for a class leading plush ride during on-road trips.

Designed by Ford Performance team for the true enthusiast off-roader, it is the only factory-built performance truck across Asia Pacific.

The Ford Ranger Raptor will be produced in Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM).

Features include all-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres, Terrain Management System (TMS), Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers made by Fox Racing Shox, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Roll Mitigation Function, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Load Adaptive Control (LAC), rear view camera and a 8-inch colour LCD screen.


EU told 1 million public EV charging stations needed by 2024

                FRANKFURT: The European Union should set binding targets for one million public charging points for electric vehicles by 2024, and three million by 2029, to give consumers the confidence to switch to the new technology, the region’s car lobby said on Thursday.

In a joint letter with consumer and sustainable transport groups, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) told Brussels that firm targets would also help carmakers and power grid operators plan ahead.

“The EU Commission quickly needs to take action and set binding targets for the ramp-up of charging infrastructure in the member states,” said ACEA president Oliver Zipse, who is also chief executive of German carmaker BMW.

“Otherwise, even the current reduction targets in fighting climate change are at risk,” he said.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have recently gained momentum as those of combustion engine cars fell during lockdowns in the coronavirus crisis.

Carmakers are launching new EV models to meet tougher EU emissions rules and several governments have introduced EV subsidies as part of pandemic recovery programmes.

However, the rollout of public charging stations, to complement workplace and home charging, has been slow and there are multiple tariffs and payment methods.

Industry figures show the EU had 224,538 public charging points in 2020.

The letter, also signed by consumer lobby BEUC and the Transport & Environment (T&E) caucus, urged the Commission to create common standards.

It should also set a target for around 1,000 hydrogen stations by 2029, the letter said.

The German government on Wednesday agreed a draft law to aim for 1,000 fast charging stations alongside highways by the end of 2023. It expects to spend €2 billion (RM9.8bil)


Hyundai Sonata is world's first car with Android Auto

                LOS ANGELES: All new Sonatas sold in the United States with a navigation system will come with Google's smartphone-mirroring technology on board as standard.

And what's more, any existing owners of a 2015 Sonata can also activate Android Auto via a free software update.

Like Apple's Car Play, Google's Android Auto brings the best and most useful features of a smartphone safely to a car's dashboard including navigation, access to the music library, hands-free calling and turn-by-turn navigation.

Despite a huge fanfare, car companies have so far struggled to bring either Apple's or Google's systems to their production models, partly because they have been trying to develop in-car systems that support both technologies.

The first - and so far only - production car to go on sale with Apple Car Play pre-installed was the Ferrari FF and the Italian supercar firm has committed to bringing the technology to all of its future cars as they roll out of its state-of-the-art production facility.

General Motors said last week it will offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in more of its Chevrolet models next year.

The smartphone-compatible systems will be offered in 14 models, including the soon-to-be-released Cruze compact car, GM said in a statement.

Meanwhile, mass-market manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have committed to supporting both platforms, plus the agnostic MirrorLink system which mates and mirrors content from any smartphone to a car's infotainment display.


Volvo XC90 could just be the safest car in the world

The Mark 1 Volvo XC90.
LONDON: Some automakers are renowned for producing safe vehicles, and Volvo is probably regarded as one of the most safety-conscious manufacturers. And now a study in Britain shows that the Volvo XC90 in particular could make a claim for even being called the safest vehicle in the world.

Experts from Thatcham Research in Britain have been analysing official government accident statistics provided by the police and cross-matching them against insurance data. The analysis shows there isn't a single record of a driver or passenger ever being fatally injured in an XC90 between 2004 and 2017, which are the earliest and latest years where figures are currently available.

Over the years, the XC90 has often been heralded as one of the safest vehicles money can buy, and it's received many accolades from various bodies around the world for its safety credentials and many other attributes over its lifespan. This new analysis of official accident figures appears to more than validate what many have suspected for years, which is that the XC90 is about as safe as vehicles get.

 The current XC90 has more advanced safety features than before.

Speaking to Auto Express publication, Thatcham's director of research, Matthew Avery, said: "Often when a vehicle is new, you don't see fatalities, as it takes time for models to build up sales numbers. But we have around 14 years' history of the XC90, and that stands out."

Although the XC90 doesn't sell in the same numbers as the likes of the Ford Focus and other volume cars, around 54,000 of the Volvo have been sold in Britain since its launch in 2002. The data gathered therefore applies to the original model and the current one that was launched in 2014.

The Mark 1 therefore accounts for the majority of those years without a fatality, which is probably even more impressive as the newer model has ramped-up the safety features even further.

Avery added: "The old XC90 is very good. In terms of people being killed, in 14 years, I can't see any."


VW to launch electric vehicle R&D, procurement centre in China

                BERLIN/SHANGHAI: Volkswagen is investing around 1 billion euros (RM4.9bil) in a new development and procurement centre for electric vehicles in Hefei, China, the company said today, in a bid to better adapt its cars to Chinese customers' tastes.

The aim of the centre, dubbed "100%TechCo", will be to reduce development times for new products and technologies by around 30%, involving suppliers at the early stages of product development to accelerate the time to market.

The unit, employing over 2,000 people, will launch in 2024, led by Volkswagen's chief technology officer in China, Marcus Hafkemeyer.


Mazda MX-30 with new rotary engine range extender is round the corner

                FRANKFURT: Mazda is set to reveal an MX-30 SUV with a rotary engine range extender at the Brussels Motor Show

Available on the European market from the spring this year the unique plug-in hybrid powertrain of Mazda’s compact crossover will feature an electric generator powered by a newly-developed rotary engine. At present, the MX-30 is available as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with limited range.

The latest move appears to be an attempt by Mazda to introduce a variant of the model that offers greater overall range while giving its owners the convenience of faster refuelling from existing petrol stations.

The compact rotary engine doesn't drive the wheels. As the range extender, it  powers an electric generator that charges the battery, which supplies the vehicle’s electric motor to actually turn the wheels and propel the car.

In all likelihood, the new MX-30 variant that will be unveiled on Jan 13 will have equivalent output numbers as its BEV sibling at 143hp and 271Nm of torque. The electric motor would remain the same but the EV's 35.5-kWh battery would have to be downsized to allow for a fuel tank to be fitted.


Indonesia delays B40 biodiesel introduction

                JAKARTA: Indonesia is likely to delay plans to raise bio-content in palm oil-based biodiesel to 40%, and keep going with an already ambitious 30% content, a senior official said, amid speculation that low crude prices could force a government re-think.

The biodiesel programme is a key part of the government's strategy to soak up excess supplies of palm oil and curb expensive fuel imports, one of the main contributors to the country's current account deficit problem.

Some traders had questioned whether it was still viable for the government to continue its programme following the historic drop in crude oil prices earlier this year.

But Musdhalifah Machmud, a deputy minister at the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Friday the policies were under discussions and would soon be disclosed by President Joko Widodo.

"It will not be a single policy, but there will be several policies that are inter-related to one another," Machmud said.

Late last year, Indonesia raised the bio-content in its biofuel mandate to 30% (B30), the highestpalm-based content in biodiesel ever used.

Machmud said the policies are aimed at keeping B30 going until 2021, while the plan to increase the bio-content to 40% (B40) will likely be delayed to 2022 due to disruption to world fuel demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

"We were preparing for B40, but the current situation is not conducive for investment in processing B40," she said. "B40 will be delayed to 2022."

In January, the energy ministry had planned to start road tests for B40 in April and had looked at rolling out the upgrade as early as next year.

"The schedule has been disrupted by work-from-home and movement restriction policies. We are waiting for conditions to return to normal to resume testing," Dadan Kusdiana, head of research and development at the energy ministry, told Reuters.

Indonesia reported its first COVID-19 cases early in March and since then many areas, including the capital Jakarta, has imposed movement restrictions.

In February, the government has said it was planning to raise palm oil export levies to support the biodiesel programme as the price gap between biodiesel and standard gasoil - as diesel is called in Asia - had widened.

Indonesia collects levies to help finance its palm oil programmes, including biodiesel subsidies and replanting programmes for smallholders.

The Estate Crop Fund, an agency in charge of collecting and managing the levies, disburses funds to subsidise biodiesel makers.


New Porsche Cayenne is finally launched

 The  dashboard is Panamera-like. Shown is the Cayenne S.

PETALING JAYA: After a January preview followed by a March media drive in Sepang, the new Porsche Cayenne is finally launched in Malaysia today, priced at  RM745,000 for the base Cayenne and RM890,000 for the Cayenne S.

The retail base price with zero-rated GST includes all applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance. Specifications and prices are subject to change without prior notice. Nore that the zero-rated pricing is only applicable for models delivered before Aug 31 this year.

All Porsche cars sold by SDAP come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package which includes complimentary service, parts and labour.

The new 5-seater Cayenne combines even more of the typical Porsche performance with excellent everyday practicality. Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) said Comfort and sportiness is taken to another level with new powerful turbo engines, new eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, new chassis systems and excellent connectivity.

 Bayer showing the specs of the two Cayenne variants at the launch today.

The Cayenne, with a 3.0 litre V6 turbocharged engine, delivers 340hp and 450Nm of torque. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds (5.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) with a maximum speed of 245kph. This is followed by the Cayenne S, which is powered by a 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine, delivering 440hp and 550Nm of torque. The new Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100kph  in just 5.2 seconds (with Sport Chrono Package: 4.9 seconds), and reaches a maximum speed of 265kph.

The Cayenne is now more precise, elegant, athletic and expressive, said SDAP CEO Arnt Bayer.

"The Cayenne has also been digitalised and networked throughout to provide another level of digital connectivity to the cockpit," he said, adding that the most powerful Cayenne - the Cayenne Turbo -will be introduced towards the end of the year.

The latest Cayenne is based extensively on the iconic 911 sports car: For the first time, the third generation Cayenne, which has also been enhanced visually, now has mixed tyres and rear-axle steering.

In addition to these typical sports car features, the on-road capabilities are further improved by active all-wheel drive as standard, Porsche 4D Chassis Control, three-chamber air suspension and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) electronic roll stabilisation system. Despite its significantly extended standard equipment, the Cayenne weighs 65kg less than its predecessor and is adapted to off-road use.

The new Cayenne combines three chassis concepts in one new design: sports car, off-roader and touring car. This involved a new lightweight chassis base with a front axle featuring a separated link design and a multi-link rear axle. A typical sports car feature is the new mixed tyres, which are now fitted on wheels measuring in at a minimum of 19 inches. The mixed tyres improve stability and driving dynamics on bends. Porsche offers wheel sizes up to 21 inches as an option for the Cayenne.

READ MORE:Porsche Cayenne coupe in the worksExterior

The enlarged air intakes at the front are indicators of the increased performance. The new horizontal light edges mean that the SUV now appears wider and more athletic, even when stationary.

The luggage compartment volume is now 770 litres – an increase of 100 litres. The wheels are one inch larger in diameter, with larger wheels and tyres on the rear axle for the first time, emphasising the enhanced driving dynamics. The distinctive, three-dimensional Porsche logo spans the redesigned rear lights with three-dimensional light design and end-to-end narrow strip of LEDs.

Porsche is offering a new three-stage lighting concept for the headlights: Every Cayenne is fitted with LED headlights as standard. With the next upgrade, the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) can be selected as an option, offering a variety of light modes such as cornering light and motorway light.

The new LED main headlights with matrix beam including PDLS Plus are the best system available. Fully variable light distribution and intensity are achieved by 84 individually activated light-emitting diodes. This means that the Cayenne can offer new functions such as high beam that does not blind opposing traffic, as well as adaptive sign glare control.

Better performance on and off-road

The Cayenne’s new eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox features shorter response times and sportier ratios in the lower gears enhance both on-road performance and off-road capability. The long-transmission eighth gear ensures low torques, optimised fuel consumption and relaxed driving.

On rough terrain, the programmed off-road modes make it easy for the driver to select the right setup for their drive. The default setting is the Onroad programme. Four other modes activate the conditioning for mild off-road terrain: Mud, Gravel, Sand or Rocks. The drive, chassis and differential locks can be selected to adapt to the relevant scenario.

For power distribution, Porsche uses the active all-wheel drive in all Cayenne models. The intelligent, fully variable Porsche Traction Management (PTM) distributes the driving force between the drive axles.

Rear-axle steering, air suspension, roll stabilisation

The Porsche 4D Chassis Control system works in real time, optimising handling further. With the exception of the active PASM damper system (as standard with the Cayenne S), all other chassis systems are new developments.

For the first time, the Cayenne is available with electric rear-axle steering. The system, tried and tested both in the 911 and the Panamera, improves agility on bends and stability when changing lanes at high speeds. The reduced turning circle also makes everyday handling of the SUV easier.

The optional adaptive air suspension with new three-chamber technology significantly increases the spread between a sporty, firm connection and the driving comfort expected of a touring car. Just as before, the system enables adjustments to the ground clearance on rough terrain.

With the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilisation, sporty drivers benefit by changing from a hydraulic to an electric system. This switch is made possible by a powerful 48-volt vehicle electrical system. Shorter response times enable even more precision in driving dynamics, and even more comfort on moderate drives.

Porsche Surface Coated Brake with tungsten-carbide layer

This world first is available as an option for all Cayenne models and consists of a cast iron disc with a tungsten-carbide coating. This finish increases the friction values while wear and brake dust are significantly reduced. The brakes, exclusive to Porsche, is also visually impressive: The brake callipers are painted white, while the surface of the discs develops a unique gloss level after bedding-in. The PSCB is only available in combination with the 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. However, the PCCB ceramic brakes remain the top system in the range.
Sport Chrono Package with PSM Sport

Porsche has redeveloped the Sport Chrono Package based on the model of the sports car. The MODE switch button on the steering wheel is a clear indicator of this approach. As well as the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, the driver can select an individually configurable mode. Pressing the Sport Response button located in the centre activates the engine and transmission maps, which are calibrated for maximum performance. The Sport Chrono Package also includes a separate PSM Sport mode, in which the driver can use the new Cayenne’s full driving dynamics.

Reduced weight

Following the 911 and the Panamera, the body of the new Cayenne also uses a mix of alloy and steel. The exterior is made entirely of aluminium. The floorpan assembly, front section and virtually all the chassis components are also manufactured from alloy. One technical highlight is the innovative lithium-ion polymer starter battery, which alone accounts for a weight saving of 10kg over the predecessor model. In total, the weight of the Cayenne when empty has been reduced from 2,040 to 1,985kg – even in spite of the significantly extended standard equipment, which now includes LED main headlights, larger wheels, ParkAssist (front and rear).

Porsche Advanced Cockpit and new PCM

At the heart of the new display and control concept from Porsche is a new 12.3-inch full-HD touchscreen from the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM), launched in 2017 with the new Panamera.

A range of digital functions can be operated intuitively – including by voice control. The analogue controls on the new centre console are focused on the main functions of the vehicle. Other buttons are integrated into the smartphone-like, glass-look touch surface, giving acoustic and haptic feedback when operated.

In typical Porsche style, the driver has a central analogue tachometer to view. This is flanked by two 7-inch full-HD displays, which display all other relevant driving data plus additional information selected using the multi-function steering wheel.

The new PCM allows for further customisation. It is not only the start screen and main menu that can be adjusted to the driver’s needs. Up to six individual profiles can also be configured.

As well as a large number of interior settings, a profile is used to store specifications for lights, driving programmes and assistance systems. Depending on the equipment, the driver can also apply their own settings to the new sound systems from Bose and Burmester.

 The Cayenne (front) and Cayenne S.

Porsche Cayenne S

Porsche Cayenne


New deal for Naza Corp and Groupe PSA: Citroen C5 Aircross coming in 2019

                KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Corp Holdings and Groupe PSA have signed a share sale and a joint venture agreement, for the shared operation of the Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) plant in Gurun, Kedah, as the first manufacturing hub in ASEAN for Groupe PSA.

The first vehicles to be produced at the NAM plant in 2018 for Peugeot will be the award-winning 3008, and in 2019 for Citroën, the new iconic C5 Aircross.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak witnessed the signing.

Groupe PSA, the second largest carmaker in Europe, will have a majority stake in NAM.

 2017 Citroen C5 Aircross.READ MORE:
First drive of Peugeot 3008 SUV in Italy
Peugeot 3008 arrives from RM143K
Citroën C5 Aircross revealed in Shanghai

The Naza Group will have sole responsibility for the distribution of Peugeot, Citroën and DS Automobiles in the domestic market and, with Groupe PSA, will explore distribution prospects in other ASEAN markets to address the potential 680 million customers in the region.

The NAM plant has been operational since 2004, has a workforce of close to 450 people and boasts a 50,000-vehicle production capacity.

Groupe PSA’s investment in the NAM plant will see the implementation of its EMP2 modular platform dedicated to C and D segments.

 2017 Citroen C5 Aircross.

Naza Group and Groupe PSA are now strengthening their partnership, established in 2008.

Carlos Tavares, chairman of Groupe PSA, said: “The creation of the ASEAN hub in Gurun, Kedah is a significant leap forward for Groupe PSA which will lead to the development of a profitable business in the region as part of our Push to Pass strategic plan.”

“With this collaboration, there is enormous potential for Kedah to be the leading automotive manufacturing hub in Malaysia,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, group executive chairman/CEO, Naza Corp Holdings.

 2017 Citroen C5 Aircross.


McLaren's next chapter of cars coming soon!

                LONDON: The next chapter in McLaren's Super Series is soon to make its public debut at the upcoming 87th Geneva International Motor Show.

The British supercar maker has promised that it will set new standards in terms of cornering performance, driver enjoyment and ride comfort.

The next generation multi-mode Proactive Chassis Control II will be the one to elevated dynamic performance to a new level for the new McLaren supercar.

“Proactive Chassis Control II generates a significant amount of additional grip, but not at the expense of the balance and feel of the car,” explained McLaren Automotive executive director (Product Development) Mark Vinnels.

Drivers can select Comfort, Sport, or Track mode according to personal preference and Proactive Chassis Control II will deliver the optimal balance of cornering grip, dynamic response, and comfort to best suit the individual mode and the driving conditions.

The new system uses multiple sensors – 12 more than its previous Super Series models, including an accelerometer on each wheel hub – to ‘read’ inputs from the road and measure tyre contact patch.

The information is analysed in milliseconds by the ‘Optimal Controller’ algorithm at the core of the system and suspension damping is immediately optimised accordingly.

An additional new feature, McLaren Variable Drift Control, will provide even greater involvement for a driver who wants to fully explore the dynamic ability of the second-generation Super Series.

The new feature allows the level of Electronic Stability Control intensity to be varied with the swipe of a finger across a control displayed on the central infotainment screen.

“The depth and breadth of handling precision and ride comfort in combination with the peerless level of driver involvement in the second-generation McLaren Super Series is simply extraordinary,” added Vinnels

For more details, it'll have to wait till March when there's a formal unveiling.


Singapore Motorshow 2020: Kia Seltos makes early debut

                SINGAPORE: The Kia Seltos made an appearance at the during the Singapore Motorshow 2020 ahead of its second-quarter launch this year.

The Seltos expands the South Korean carmaker's compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) offering in Singapore by sitting below the Stonic as a subcompact sport utility vehicle (SUV) that hails from an assembly plant located in India.

Behind the signature "Tiger Nose" grille hides a 1.4-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine producing 140PS at 6,000rpm and 242Nm of torque from 1,500 to 3,200rpm.

Power will be managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for what should be most likely the front wheels although an all-wheel-drive system could find its way in there.

Some of the accoutrements to accompany the Seltos come launch day should see it sport LEDs for the front and rear as well as 18-inch alloys to name a few.

Inside, the cabin should feature leather upholstery with red stitching as seen during the show well as a large free-standing touchscreen infotainment unit that "extends" from the semi-digital instrument cluster via piano black plastic cladding and interchangeable driving modes to suit its driver's whims.

For safety, it should arrive with six airbags, anti-lock braking system, traction control, brake assist, hill-start assist and parking sensors for the front and rear among others.


BMW M track day: Burn rubber and go sideways

                The roar, crackle and pop of BMW M (Motorsport) engines, along with the screeching of tyres, could be heard in the far distance at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) one early morning as members of the media began to gather.

These M cars are not mere ordinary run-off-the-mill BMW production vehicles.

They’ve been marinated in performance, stuffed with technological goodies and finally glazed with motorsport-like features before being served.

The line-up straight out of Munich, Germany, comprised of left-hand drive beauties such as the BMW M5, M3, X5 M and the X6 M among others, which have been readied for a scintillating three-lap experience each.

During our stint in each car, Sport+ mode was selected for the engine, transmission and suspension, which basically allows the vehicle to unleash all its fury when out on the track.

Helming such venerable vehicles will require some knowledge as to what lies beneath their sheet metal and what’s even more important is to approach these BMW thoroughbreds without arrogance, because a generous slice of “humble-pie” could be waiting.

The M-badge means serious business, and novice drivers should take heed, but for track-goers who are skilled in the ways of hard-braking, paddle-shifting and line-cutting (to name a few) will find such a vehicle more than a bundle of joy to own.

Just like a horse and its rider, these M vehicles may take some getting used to, especially when drivers are usually accustomed to gentle trots around town with a comfort-oriented suspension.

Although these “M” vehicles were bred for some hard core track action, there’s still a gentle side to them that’s capable of providing a decent dose of comfort for everyday use and they even have the ability to be putty in anyone’s hands.

But punch the throttle down and that’s when their true nature emerges with a blink of an eye.

At the start of the hazy morning, our first dose of “M-Power” came from the M5 (F10) - an elegant 1,945kg (kerb) piece of machinery that has a high-revving 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 (S63B44Tu) mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).

With 553bhp from 6,000 to 7,000rpm and 680Nm of torque from a lowly 1,500 to 5,750rpm, being in Sport+ mode made the accelerator pedal super sensitive and that meant a slight tap made it think “full-throttle please”.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we “spat” ourselves out of the pit lane with copious amounts of torque that made it feel nimble when being thrown around the bends, but due to its heft and being rear-wheel drive, the way its weight transfers under braking and shifting from corner to corner was hard to mask.

While getting the engine revved past 7,000rpm, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission mated to its mighty V8 was undoubtedly quick on changes and it was also very abrupt (much like a powerful forward surge) when shifting-up around the engine’s red-line.

Also evident was how the car seemed wanting to understeer its way around the track, although it didn’t happen, but yet there was a gnawing sensation in the back of the mind.

It could be attributed to the tyres’ grip levels fading out – or rather faded, since the car has already been out on a few prior stints, which may have allowed a certain nervousness about the car to rear its ugly head.

The brakes were more than effective in bleeding speed especially when braking late into corners and its performance never seemed to waiver and ready to take on more abuse.

The next order of the day would be the M3 (F80), and although it’s visually larger than its predecessor, it is actually lighter, stiffer and more importantly more powerful than before.

With a high-revving 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six (S55B30T0) engine – a performance derivative of BMW’s current family of N55 engines, the M3 felt smooth, flat, and precise without much drama (not unless you want it to) around the track.

As usual, the tyres seemed worn and almost spent and give it a slightly twitchy rear-end, but it came as a minor inconvenience when it came time to put down all its 425hp and 550Nm onto the track’s surface.

It’s an easier car to deal with in comparison to the M5 - managing to keep a better on-track poise as temperatures began to rapidly rise during the mid-day.

Even with the tyres lacking optimal grip, the M3 kept confidence levels up, unlike its larger M5 stablemate and there was even the absence of that nervousness initially found in the M5.

Finally, into BMW M’s larger performance Sport Activity Vehicles (SAV) to end the day, which were the X5 M (F85) and X6 M (F86) that came with a M-tuned xDrive all-wheel-drive system that provided plenty of traction - even on piping-hot tyres.

Both feature a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine mated to an eight-speed steptronic gearbox (instead of the M5’s seven-speed DCT) under their respective hoods and punches out 567hp from 6,000 to 6,500rpm and 750Nm of torque from 2,200 to 5,000rpm upon request.

While both SAVs weighed in past the 2,000kg-mark, pitch and roll for both were extremely well controlled at the front end, but it was the X6 M that displayed better rear-end stability when going past its limits.

The X6 M would gradually lose its rear-end and allow for corrective measures to be calmly taken, but the X5 M felt as though it teetered between traction and a possible spin out that put much of the senses on high alert.

Although the Steptronic gearbox in both SAVs coped well under duress, a DCT it’ll never be with shift times still left wanting, and it still managed to provide an engaging experience for the day.

With the two SAVs coming in over 2-tonnes, it was necessary for the brakes to be applied a little earlier, but there’s no question about their durability and performance, which saw no lack of bite throughout the punishing day.

At the end of it all, any BMW vehicle that’s gone through the German carmaker’s M division will undoubtedly command respect and admiration for the level of performance that’s been dialled into them.

Not to mention the performance pedigree that comes along with such cars, which will enable them to hold their own against almost anything on the road or track.


Thrashing out car prices ahead of GST

                I am not kidding, says Datuk Aishah Ahmad, president of the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

“Car companies make only a very small profit margin. It is about 4% to 6%. The dealer has to make a margin, the distributor has to make a margin. It is very small,” she says.

The industry is concerned about how the GST is going to affect them, particularly during the transition period, because the automotive industry is structured very differently compared to other industries.

Currently, the automotive industry is already paying a 10% sales tax on cars so when the GST comes in April with the lower 6% rate (which replaces that 10% sales tax), people expect this to mean cheaper cars for them.

 Aishah

Not so, says Aishah.

She says the sales tax was based on the “open market value of the car.”

“This means you go to the Customs Department and get the value of the components of the whole car that you brought in, then pay the 10% sales tax on it.

“But the GST is going to be charged based on the selling price of the car on the road, so it would now include accessories, road tax and insurance (and profit margin).

“So you are actually paying 6% on a higher base. That is why it doesn’t correspond when the 10% SST goes down to 6% GST that you get a 4% savings. The savings would actually come up to only 1% to 2%.”

A car dealer who wants to be known as “CK” explains this in simple terms.

“With the old SST, say the ‘government approved price’ for a model is RM40,000 and there’s a 10% tax on it, we pay a tax of RM4,000 for it.

“If our profit margin is RM5,000, then the customer pays RM49,000 for the car (which is car and tax RM44,000 plus RM5,000 profit margin).

“But with the GST, the customer is charged 6% of RM45,000 (the RM40,000 car plus RM5,000 profit margin), which comes up to a tax of RM2,700.

“Add this up, and it comes to RM47,700 for the car, which is a savings of RM1,300,” he says.

But one should not be jumping for joy, as Aishah points out, because it does not include the car insurance and other extras which would also have a 6% GST on them.

“If there are any savings on GST, these will be passed down to the consumers. The government has the Anti- Profiteering Act in place which charges companies RM500,000 to RM1mil if they try to profiteer. These are big corporations we are talking about. They will not do that (profiteer),” she says.

But there are a number of other issues which may see car prices going up.

For one thing, the ringgit has depreciated significantly against the US dollar over the past year.

Transactions for a lot of the automotive components and parts for locally-assembled cars are in the US dollar, which makes it a lot more expensive than before.

Then there is the sticky problem of existing stocks of cars, which is proving to be an issue for the industry during the transition period of the GST.

Typically, car companies and dealers have about a two-month stock of cars.

So on April 1, what happens to these stocks on which the 10% sales tax has been paid?

From April 1 when the GST is implemented, that 10% sales tax would be replaced by the lower 6% GST rate.

The Customs Department says that for stocks held on hand at March 31, it will refund 100% of the sales tax “if they can show they have the import documents or local invoices from assemblers or manufacturers that show the 10% sales tax clearly on their invoices.”

While this looks good on paper, because of the way the automotive industry is structured, it does not always work out for the best to either the dealers or the consumer.

If a company buys a locally assembled vehicle from a “licensed manufacturer”, Aishah says, then it would be able to claim back 100% of the sales tax.

But many companies buy their vehicles not directly from a licensed manufacturer but through a distributor, and the distributor is the one who buys it from the manufacturer.

“And these companies that buy from the distributor cannot claim back 100% of their sales tax and are only allowed to claim 20%, which means they lose 80% of the sales tax they have already paid.

“And 80% of a 10% sales tax works out to 8%, which means that on April 1 with the GST coming in, customers would now have to pay another 6% GST (on top of the 8% that these distributors could not claim as refunds). So that would make it a total of 14% (during the transition period with existing stocks) tax.

“So in actual fact, the car prices will go up (during the transition period) because now you have to pay double tax on the cars,” Aishah says.

But why do car companies not buy directly from the licensed manufacturer?

“Maybe because when they first set up the business, they were not buying their cars from the plant but from another company which was buying from the plant for them.

“These are arrangements that they might have had for a long time so they cannot switch the arrangements just like that,” Aishah says.

She warns that dealer stocks are all going to be affected because the 10% sales tax has already been paid upfront (prior to April 1).

Like many others in the industry, Alan Harris, managing director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, has concerns.

“They (the Customs Department) think we are the importer but we are not. We work with a local AP franchise holder to bring in our cars. They import the cars while BMW manages the brand.

“We paid for the stocks and the tax and we are the ones holding the stock. But on March 31, if we have vehicles in stock, we are not allowed the full refund because we are not the importer!

“So technically, we are paying double tax. It’s a loop in the system and a problem of documentation.”

It is same problem for dealerships, he says, pointing out that these are local Malaysian entities who set up their businesses and have forked up money to keep 1.5 to two months’ stock of cars.

“The taxation on these companies is going to be a hefty burden,” he adds.

Harris says they are still discussing with the Customs Department and the Finance Ministry to sort this problem out.

“If you are asking me if car prices are going to come down, there are benefits from the GST and we do want to pass it down to the end consumer.

“But the taxation in the value chain and the channel has to be flexible enough to help us to do that.”
Aishah says the industry has appealed to the Prime Minister on the double taxation aspect and it is still waiting for his decision.

“It’s less than two months away. By the time we get the answer, maybe everything will be over,” she says.

For now, car companies and dealers have all started cutting back on new stocks.

“It’s happening. Every car company has done that and only after April will they try to beef up, especially dealers’ stock in inventory, to minimise the impact (from the double taxation).”

But she does not foresee a situation where there is a shortage of certain cars as a result of companies holding back on getting in new stock of cars pending the GST.

Aishah feels the implementation of the GST is particularly significant for the industry during the transition period because of the double taxation.

“They have to clear existing stocks first. Only after all these stocks have cleared can they start selling at the lower GST rate.”

She reckons that it could take two to four months, maybe even six months, to clear the stocks.

And even after this, there are still questions as to how much car prices can come down.

Even with the drop from the 10% sales tax to the 6% GST, it remains to be seen just how much car prices can come down.

After all, the import tax and the excise duty on cars, which range from 65% to 105%, remain unchanged.

“You are actually paying more in car price duties than the imported value of the car,” says Aishah.

The industry has been asking “at every dialogue and every meeting” for years for the excise duty on cars to be reduced so that Malaysians can get cheaper cars, she adds.

But she thinks it is unlikely, because the government gets a revenue of RM7bil a year from duties from the industry.

“It is too huge an amount for them to lose,” she says.


Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E Hybrids models announced

                STUTTGART: Porsche just announced the new Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe: the most powerful Cayenne models ever.

With 670 horsepower and 900Nm of torque courtesy of a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 combined with an electric motor, the new range-topping Cayenne models are the latest examples of Porsche using plug-in hybrid technology to enhance performance.

Both new models will arrive as part of the 2020 model year. A third new model also made its debut: the 2020 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe.

All three models bear distinctive Acid Green coloring around their badges, and on their brake calipers. The Sport Chrono Package, which includes a mode switch featuring the Sport Response button, is also standard on all three vehicles.

In the case of the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, the same active roof spoiler found on the Cayenne Turbo is able to make aerodynamic adjustments with five different positions depending on a variety of factors including speed and drive mode.

The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe and Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe also share the same design as other Cayenne Coupe derivative models. A roofline that is 20mm lower and an increase in rear track width of 18mm create a more muscular appearance and stance.

For all Cayenne Coupe models, Porsche combined a fixed spoiler above the rear window with a new adaptive rear spoiler below it.

The new Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe models accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds, toward an electronically limited top track speed of 183mph.

A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine making 541 hp combined with a 134hp electric motor generate a total system output of 670hp and 900Nm.

The electric motor sits between the gasoline engine and the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, allowing the respective power sources to propel the vehicle in combination or independently, depending on the selected drive mode.

As the top models, these two vehicles come with improved standard equipment as compared to the Cayenne Turbo and Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Of particular significance, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Sport Chrono Package are all included from the factory as standard.

In addition to the new top models, Porsche also announced the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe. Combining the same 3.0-liter single-turbo V6 and electric motor as the standard Cayenne E-Hybrid, total system output is 455hp  and 700Nm of torque. Thanks to the standard Sport Chrono Package, the 0-60 mph sprint happens in 4.7 seconds. Top track speed for this model is 157 mph.

Eight-way Sport Seats offer significant side and thigh bolstering, further emphasizing the sporty intent of the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe. A fixed glass panoramic roof, and 20-inch Cayenne Design wheels also represent upgrades in standard equipment over the Cayenne E-Hybrid.


China wary of intelligent vehicles

                TIANJIN: China needs to adapt regulatory measures to guard against Internet and data security risks associated with the development of intelligent vehicles, such as the unauthorised collection of personal information, according to an official at the information technology ministry.

“If regulatory measures cannot keep up in time, network security issues such as network attacks and network intrusions may post major security risks,” Xin Guobin, a vice minister with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at a forum here on Saturday.

Industry regulators will require companies to conduct self-inspections on automobile data security, network security and software upgrades, Xin said. It will study entrance standards for access to the intelligent-car network, according to the vice minister.

Xin, who forecast China’s sales of alternate-energy vehicles may rise to more than 1.7 million in the first eight months of this year and account for more than 10% of total new vehicle sales, said it is important to curb blind investments in the electric-vehicle sector.

China has been limiting redundant construction in the industry, Xin said, without providing details. The government will also take measures to ensure there is an adequate supply of key raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, according to the vice minister.

China is the world’s biggest market for alternative-energy vehicles, prompting concerns of over-investment and excessive capacity building. Of the 846 registered auto manufacturers in the country, more than 300 produce new-energy cars.

The expansion in the country of companies such as Tesla Inc, NIO Inc and BYD Co has been accompanied by increasing number of EV businesses that run into financial difficulties.


New MD of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors starts work

                PETALING JAYA: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has announced the appointment of Low Yuan Lung (pic) as the new managing director from today.

He replaces Lau Yit Mun, who left to join Proton as its sales director in February.

Low began his career in the automotive industry as early as 1996 and later became a branch operation manager for Proton Edar Sdn Bhd in 2004.

He joined Sime Darby Motors in 2013 as the Head of Sales for Auto Bavaria Retail, which sells BMW cars. A year later, he was appointed the Dealer Principal for Auto Bavaria Glenmarie and Auto Bavaria Retail. In 2016, his portfolio expanded to also cover Sime Darby Auto Selection and he was promoted to the Head of Retail Operations.


Ferrari’s turbo-charged V8 wins International Engine award again

                STUTTGART: The latest iteration of Ferrari’s turbo-charged V8 that equips, in various forms, all Ferrari’s V8-engined cars, took the best engine in the world award for the third year running in the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.

For the third year running, the 3.9-litre V8 takes the International Engine of the Year Award.

In this, the award’s 20th anniversary edition, Ferrari took no fewer than six awards, the highest number for any manufacturer in any one year, bringing the total of Ferrari’s trophies up to 27, a record number of wins for any sports car company.

Along with the overall Engine of the Year honour, the 720-cv 3.9-litre V8 that powers the new 488 Pista also took the 3-litre to 4-litre class, the Performance Engine category and the special nomination for the ‘Best of the Best’, with the 68 international judges asked to vote for the top engine from among all the winners over the last 20 years.

“In the 488 GTB, the 3.9-litre eight-cylinder was a near-perfect example of a high-performance turbocharged engine, setting the bar so high that it swept aside rival powertrains,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the IEOTY Awards. “But redeveloped and tweaked for the 488 Pista, the best engine in the world just got better. Without doubt, we’re looking at an engineering masterclass from Ferrari. No turbo lag, beautiful delivery, raw emotion, a furious growl and so much power – this Ferrari V8 is a work of art.”

Crowning Ferrari’s record-breaking year, the naturally-aspirated 800-cv 6.5-litre V12 powering the 812 Superfast also won two awards: the Above 4-litre class and, due to it being comprehensively re-engineered from the 6.3-litre unit that equipped the F12berlinetta with 75% new components, the Best New Engine category.


Mitsubishi field fix campaign for imported cars

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is inspecting the V-ribbed belt and brake booster of certain CBU Mitsubishi models manufactured between 2007 and 2010.

If deemed necessary, these parts will be replaced at no expense to customers.

Models involved in the V-ribbed belt inspection include the Lancer, Lancer Sportback, Lancer Evolution and ASX.

While in the case of the brake booster, only the ASX is involved.

Note that the locally-assembled ASX CKD models are not required to undergo this inspection.

MMM will issue notification letters to affected Mitsubishi owners.

The full cost of the inspection and repair (if required) will be borne by Mitsubishi Motors.

Customers can make an appointment at any Mitsubishi Motors authorised service centres for the inspection and/or replacement of the above.

Contact Customer Careline at 1-800-18-6611 (Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am-5.00pm) for immediate assistance.


Ducati breaks new ground in history of mean machines with the Superleggera V4

                BOLOGNA: Ducati has presented the Superleggera V4, the most powerful and technologically advanced production motorcycle ever to be made by the Italian manufacturer. Only 500 units of the new superbike, which is directly inspired by Ducati's MotoGP racing machines, will be made.

According to Ducati, it is the only motorcycle in the world with a carbon-fibre frame, swingarm and wheel rims that can be used on public roads.

As its name suggests, the main characteristic of this bike is its lightness. By itself, the simple decision to build the entire load-bearing structure of the frame from carbon fibre has made it almost 7 kg lighter than the Panigale V4.

Elsewhere the extensive use of aluminum, carbon, titanium and magnesium has contributed to a dry weight for the Superleggera V4 of only 159 kg, 16 kg less than the Panigale V4, for a record power-to-weight ratio of 1.41 hp/kg for a road-legal machine.

The new bike's Desmosedici Stradale R 998cc 90-degree engine delivers up to 224 hp. As an option, it can even reach 234hp with a titanium Akrapovic racing exhaust system. It also benefits from small competition-inspired winglets that guarantee downforce at high speeds and therefore increased performance.

The price of the Superleggera V4 has yet to be announced, but first deliveries are expected in June 2020. As an added bonus, all the buyers of this extraordinary superbike will be given the opportunity to enjoy a free ride on a Panigale V4R (SBK World Championship) on the Mugello circuit.


Frustration of losing your car and perils of getting it back

                PETALING JAYA: Nasrul was looking for his stolen van when he heard the news about a Toyota Vellfire being rented and not returned.

What’s more, the name of the client was a familiar one – “Balamurugan”.

Nasrul, 37, had handed his Toyota Hiace to a person going by that name three weeks earlier. The man had promised to return the van in five days, but never showed up.

“If only the police had taken action on my report, the Toyota Vellfire owner would still have his car,” Nasrul said in The Star exclusive.

He had lodged two police reports – first on June 19 and another a few days later – but his case was never classified as a crime.

“The police said it involved a rental business where the owner had willingly handed over the vehicle to another person.

“I was asked to refer the matter for civil action,” said the dejected Nasrul.

“When my case went viral, I started to receive calls from other rental car companies claiming they, too, had lost their vehicles to “Balamurugan”.

“I believe the person is active because they (the syndicate) know no action will be taken against them. That’s why they continue their dirty work,” said Nasrul.

He first received a message from a man named “Karnesh” requesting pictures of his van.

READ MORE:
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“‘Karnesh’ then agreed to rent the vehicle and said his brother would pick up the van in Subang Jaya.

“On June 12, I received RM2,500 as online payment, which was RM600 more than what I asked for, from an account owned by ‘Balamurugan’.

“He came to Subang Jaya, bringing along his ‘brother’s’ identity card. (“Karnesh” later lodged a police report claiming his identity card had been stolen.)

“On the day he was to return the van, ‘Balamurugan’ texted asking for a three-day extension, claiming his worker hadn’t returned from work.

“He kept asking us to share the GPS location of the van, which I believed was his way of checking if the van had one,” Nasrul said.

“Balamurugan” had on July 3 lodged a police report claiming his identity card had been misused to rent a Toyota Vellfire which belonged to Mohd Azam.

“However, he admitted giving his licence, identity card and bank account to a friend named Sam, who used it to rent a car.

“Why didn’t the police interrogate him further since he admitted lending his friend his identity card to rent a car?” Nasrul asked.

Vellfire owner Mohd Azam said he had given all the information he received from the public and private investigators to the police, yet no action was taken.

He had rented out his Toyota Vellfire via a car rental service app.

“My car was stolen on June 30 and there was another case earlier (Nasrul’s case) involving Balamurugan’s identity card.

“I am frustrated because it has taken the police a while to react. My car could be anywhere,” he said.

On the police report filed by “Balamurugan” about lending his documents to a friend, Mohd Azam said: “What does that show? He did it willingly. Why didn’t he report it as lost? Are they accomplices?”

The Star has reached out to the police who have promised that they would provide a response soon.

Although he has finally received compensation for his loss, Mohd Azam questioned the lack of a legal framework or policies for car rentals.

“I didn’t know it was wrong for us to rent out our car, until I lodged a police report.

“For me, these rental app platforms are good. Why can’t policymakers do something to ensure better protection for those who lease their cars to be rented out?” he queried.


First Putrajaya MRT segment opens today

                PETALING JAYA: Klang Valley folk travelling to parts of Kepong and Sungai Buloh in Selangor have a new option of transportation mode from today. The Putrajaya MRT line began operating from 3pm.

First phase of the route from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu, spanning 17.5km, was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

During peak hours, the trains will arrive every four minutes, with each trip capable of ferrying 1,200 passengers.

For off-peak hours, the arrival frequency is seven minutes apart and a one-way trip from end to end will take 28 minutes.

To mark the opening of the line, commuters will be able to enjoy for a month free rides across all public transportation services under RapidKL in the Klang Valley.

The free rides will include MRT, LRT, BRT, Monorail and the RapidKL bus.

Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd operation control centre head Zamri Talib said 14 trains would serve the route during peak hours.

“This number covers both directions, going from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu and back.

“During off-peak time, there will be eight trains servicing the line in both directions,” he said during a media preview at the MRT Depot in Sungai Buloh.

The stations are Kwasa Damansara, Kampung Selamat, Sungai Buloh, Damansara Damai, Sri Damansara Barat, Sri Damansara Sentral, Sri Damansara Timur, Metro Prima, Kepong Baru, Jinjang, Sri Delima and Kampung Batu.

Most of the stations are equipped with a park-and-ride facility. The exceptions are Kampung Selamat, Kepong Baru, Sri Delima and Kampung Batu.

Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Ramli Shafie hoped that the new line would help alleviate traffic congestion in the city.

“This line passes through Kepong, which is known for its heavy traffic.

“With the park-and-ride facility, commuters can park their vehicle and use the train to get to their final destination,” he said.

The second phase of the line, connecting Kampung Batu to Putrajaya, Sentral is expected to operate in January next year, he added.

On June 9, project director Datuk Amiruddin Ma’aris told Bernama that the second phase was 98% completed.

Among the final works being done are building link roads, landscaping and test runs of the trains.

A brochure supplied by MRT showed that the second phase would have 24 additional stations for the Putrajaya line.

To attract more people to use public transport, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is luring them with an insurance plan offering three months of free cover.

The company said the first 50,000 users of the newly-launched MyRapid Pulse mobile app will be able to enjoy a hospital protection plan for free for the first three months.

Its president and chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said in conjunction with the launch of Phase 1 of the MRT Putrajaya Line, early birds who installed the Pulse app during a seven-day period from today would be able to subscribe to the insurance policy from AIG Malaysia.

"The policy will provide additional protection to Rapid KL passengers. Policy holders will receive daily cash allowances of RM50 per day if they're admitted to a hospital for up to 14 days due to certain infectious diseases.

"We hope it further strengthens public confidence to use public transport services particularly those operated by Rapid KL," he said.

MyRapid Pulse is a mobile application designed for a seamless public transportation experience for passengers in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kuantan.

The app's functions include a travel planner, time tracker, real time arrival or estimated time of arrival for buses, push notifications, fare calculator and a map of rail and bus stations and nearby places of interests.


Great Wall in aggressive push to expand Haval presence

                SHANGHAI: Go Auto Group of Companies (Go Auto) and its Chinese partner, Great Wall Motors Company Ltd (GWM), are allocating up to RM2bil investment until 2021 to upgrade its assembly and production facilities in Gurun, Kedah.

This will help strengthen Go Auto’s position as a hub of made-in-China sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and energy-efficient vehicles (EEV) in Malaysia and the Asean region.

Go Auto chief executive officer Ahmad Azam Sulaiman said the investment would be raised internally, externally and through domestic bank loans in stages in the second and third phases of the company’s development.

He said this showed the company’s commitment to enhance its brand and position in the automotive market, especially in the SUV segment in the region.

“According to our initial plan, the investment is for a period of five years until 2020, but due to the current economic situation, we are extending it until the end of 2021”, he told the Malaysian media at the Auto Shanghai 2017 in China recently.

Ahmad Azam said so far, Go Auto had invested between RM60mil and RM70mil for Phase 1 of its production facilities in Gurun apart from strengthening its brand in Malaysia.

The second phase of the development costing RM250mil is expected to be operational in 2018 or 2019 and it will be followed by the next phase.

The second phase of the development will double Go Auto’s production capacity to 50,000 units from 24,000 a year and helps support its plan to enlarge its SUV market.

He said in the third phase, the company was expected to produce Haval vehicles with upgraded components besides developing the engine and components, and conducting vehicle testing at its own facilities.

In addition to the substantial investment, Go Auto, which has been appointed by GWM as its sole producer and distributor of Haval SUVs in Malaysia and Asean, also plans to bring in 100 to 150 units of the all-new Haval H6 and Haval H9 SUVs at prices estimated at between RM115,000 and RM140,000.

Both are complete built-up (CBU) models.

Go Auto currently offers two models, namely Haval H1 SUV (formerly known as M4) at an affordable price from RM54,950 and H2 SUV from RM89,950.

“Currently, our production plant in Gurun assembles Haval H1 SUVs, while the H2 model will follow suit starting next month,” he said.

This year, Go Auto aims to sell 3,000 units of both Haval H1 and H2 SUVs for the domestic and export markets and is confident of meeting the target.

Ahmad Azam said in line with its vision of becoming a hub for made-in-China SUVs and SUV EEVs in the Asean region, the company has been exporting SUVs to Cambodia and Brunei and would be making forays into Batam (Indonesia), Vietnam and Myanmar this year.

“We have been negotiating with several representatives in Batam and Singapore and will begin exporting Haval H1 and H2 SUVs to Batam this year. We might also market them to Jakarta via Batam in the near future,” he said.

Go Auto also plans to expand to left-hand-drive countries such as Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Singapore has also shown interest in the vehicles, Ahmad Azam said, adding that if Haval were to enter the republic, it would be a good benchmark for the brand in Asean, thereby eliminating negative perceptions of Made-in-China automobiles.

“What distinguishes Haval SUVs with the others is that they are EEV vehicles. Not many SUVs are EEV vehicles, which save fuel,” he added.

Founded in 2013, Go Auto became the first company awarded a licence to make energy-efficient vehicles by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry under the National Automotive Policy 2014.


Hyundai sets out roadmap for hyper-connectivity

                SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group has presented its roadmap for connected car development, paving the way for new innovations in vehicle connectivity.

It will work with leading global IT and networking companies to develop its "Hyper-connected and Intelligent Car" concept, with research and development focused on improving the lives of customers.

Hyundai said the main idea is to "connect cars to life". It goes beyond converging communications technology and the vehicle; it would be a concept of connecting the car to other cars, the office and to the city.

The roadmap outlines four main service fields that will help develop smarter, more intelligent cars that can receive and use data faster than ever before. The mid- to long-term development focus includes a range of key features, including: smart remote maintenance services, autonomous driving, Smart Traffic and a connected Mobility Hub that provides security and data management for all elements of the connected car.

More specifically, the smart remote maintenance service will remotely diagnose and fix vehicle issues before they become apparent. Autonomous driving provides safety by connecting a vehicle to city and road infrastructure. Smart Traffic reduces congestion, speeds-up journeys and minimizes social costs by considering traffic and road conditions. Lastly, the connected Mobility Hub will feature a mobile hub with strong computing power to make daily life and interaction with the car and its surroundings smarter.

In the short- to mid-term, Hyundai Motor Group will concentrate on technologies related to smartphone connectivity and Smart Home Services, while setting up the core infrastructure that will provide the foundation for future developments. In order to include increasingly complex features in its roadmap, Hyundai will prioritize early investment in these selected areas.

The main areas of R&D focus include in-vehicle networks for high-speed transfer of large amounts of data, and cloud technology to collect vehicle data and provide computing power. Hyundai will also research big data analytics that will allow large data sets to be used effectively, and it will invest in connected car security, essential for protecting the integrity of a complicated platform hosting varying technologies.


Bentley's profit gets a lift from niche, personalised cars

                LONDON: Luxury British carmaker Bentley said today that its operating profit for the first nine months of 2022 more than doubled, as global economic uncertainty failed to dent customer interest for niche models and increased car customisation.

The unit of German carmaker Volkswagen posted an operating profit for the first three quarters of 2022 of €575 million (RM2.7bil), more than the €275 million (RM1.3bil) in the same period of last year.

Bentley said global sales were up 3% at 11,316 units, while revenue jumped 28% to 2.49 billion euros from 1.95 billion a year earlier.

"While Bentley continues to tackle the challenges it faces in the global market, this latest set of financial figures shows strong results in most regions," chief executive Adrian Hallmark said in a statement.

Bentley said sales were up 18% in Europe in the first nine months of the year, and were up 17% in the Asia Pacific region. Sales in the Americas, Bentley's biggest region by sales, were up 7%.


New Toyota Prius Hybrid all set for Nov 16 debut

                TOKYO: A new generation Prius is around the corner. Toyota has announced the new hybrid is set for a world premiere on Nov 16.

Toyota's release of a few images of the car in shadows do reveal a few highlights. A frontal view shows the fifth-generation Prius will get aggressive headlights styled along the lines of the latest Crown models.

The bonnet sports dynamic lines that converge towards the Toyota logo on the nose.

The new Prius might have a front end without a grille, and the car looks sleeker in profile with bulging rear shoulders than its predecessor.

The 5-door fastback is expected to take fuel efficiency to a new level with aerodynamic upgrades.

Word is that the new Prius would be based on a new E3 platform. Apart from a petrol-electric hybrid, rumours have been going around that a hydrogen-electric variant is also in the works and would be launched in 2025.


Mahindra defers Ssangyong entry into US, wants to make cars in China

                NEW DELHI: Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra is re-thinking the strategy for its loss-making Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor Co, tapping the brakes on its planned push into the United States to focus instead on China.

Mahindra's executive director Pawan Goenka said the company was in talks with Chinese firms to enter into a contract manufacturing agreement or form a joint venture to build Ssangyong vehicles in China, where it currently exports to from Korea and sells through a local distributor.

Mahindra rescued Ssangyong from near-insolvency in 2011, acquiring a stake of just over 70 percent, but South Korea's No. 4 car maker has struggled to break even, reporting a net loss of 61.9 billion won (US$51.6 million) for 2015, although it made a net profit in the final quarter.

Making cars in China would mean Ssangyong could lower its prices there, and Goenka said it made sense to focus on expanding sales in an existing market before going to the United States and building a distribution network from the ground up.

"China is easier to look at right now because Ssangyong already has a presence there. We have some traction and need to ramp up our products for local manufacturing," Goenka told Reuters.

"China is here and now, US is the future. We are still deciding what it takes for us to launch in the US"

Boosting overseas sales has taken on a greater urgency for Ssangyong due to slumping sales in Russia, once its biggest export market contributing more than 20 percent of total shipments. Exports made up only a third of Ssangyong's total sales of144,764 vehicles in 2015, down from more than half in 2014, when it sold 141,047 vehicles, and substantially short of its target for exports of 60 percent of total sales.

Also, the Korean car maker does not currently have a vehicle that meets US regulatory requirements, Goenka said.

"The US is not somewhere you can go in without significant investment in product and brand development. Given the various priorities we have, the US is now somewhat on the back burner, but not stopped," Goenka said.

Goenka, who is also chairman of Ssangyong, did not give details about which Chinese companies it was talking to.

Under Mahindra's ownership, Ssangyong is investing nearly US$1billion in refreshing its product line-up. Mahindra hopes the launch of its new compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) Tivoli, which has seen strong demand in South Korea, will help drive up sales in China, where smallish SUVs are booming.

While the China market might appear a good fit for Ssangyong's budget-focused models, growth in the world's biggest car market has slowed significantly and an effort to set up production there faces challenges.

Most global car makers already have a joint venture or production agreement with local companies, which could make it tough for Ssangyong to find the Chinese partner it needs to build cars there.

Also, given rampant excess auto production capacity, China's industrial policymakers are no longer so generous in allowing foreign automakers to form a joint venture with a Chinese firm.


New BMW 118i M Sport and 330e M Sport are here

                CYBERJAYA: BMW Group Malaysia has launched the new BMW 118i M Sport and 330e M Sport, priced at RM 188,800 and RM 258,800 respectively.

Retail prices are on the road, without insurance, and with 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme.

Both cars come in the colours of Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Estoril Blue and Alpine White.

Over the weekends of February 4th-5th and February 11th – 12th, visitors to BMW authorised dealerships can look forward to festive activities for the whole family to indulge in including Feather Painting, Sandalwood Fan Artistry, Chinese Round Fan Painting, Mask Painting, Chinese Kite Artistry, Lion Head Making, Watercolour Painting, Chinese Calligraphy, Dragon Beard Candy preparation as well as get their fortune for the Year of the Rooster told.

All BMW Authorised Dealerships nationwide are currently organising a ‘Test-Drive Lucky Draw’ program until Sunday, February 12th 2017 where visitors who test-drive any BMW model will get to participate in a lucky draw and stand a chance to win up to RM88,888 to purchase a new BMW vehicle.

BMW Group Malaysia is also collaborating with The Oriental Group of Restaurants where patrons of the premium Chinese restaurants, dining for the New Year of the Rooster are entitled to participate in the ‘Test-Drive Lucky Draw” program.

Han Sang Yun, managing director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW 1 Series still remains the only rear-wheel drive car in its segment, demarcating a car that is not only sporty and dynamic but also stays very true to our promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure. The BMW 330e, the new variant of the ultimate premium sports sedan we introduced recently at the BMW Innovations Day, meanwhile, now also features a more performance appeal to complement the futuristic technology courtesy of BMW i.”

Both cars have M Aerodynamics, M Sport Suspension package as well as 18-inch M light alloy wheels, giving the cars an overall performance ready exterior.

Both the cars also feature the BMW double kidney grille with chrome frame, in which the grille slates are in high-gloss Black.

The sporty appearances of the cars are then rounded off by the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line as well as M logos on the side panels.

The headlights and fog lights of both cars have LED light units, and they also feature Comfort Access systems as standard.

Interior highlights include a the prominent Blue stripe that runs through the dashboard, clearly indicating the cars’ performance nature and M Sport character, the M leather steering wheel with sport and multifunction buttons, BMW Individual headliner in anthracite and sports seats with electric memory for the driver.

Both cars also have Navigation System Professional, featuring a high-resolution 3D display on an 8.8-inch display monitor.

Additionally, the new variants are equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive functionalities, the leading feature amongst its peers in the industry with Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Concierge Services and Remote Services.

Intelligent Emergency Call can be relied on to automatically and quickly send for help in an accident or emergency situation, ensuring the vehicle’s occupants receive optimal assistance as soon as possible.

The network of sensors around the car are able to communicate with the BMW Call Centre immediately when an accident takes place.

With the assistance of GPS, the BMW call centre employee receives precise positioning data of the vehicle and deploys the nearest emergency services unit to give the appropriate medical care or assistance to the occupants of the car.

Alternatively, the emergency call could be made at a touch of the SOS button in the car itself.

BMW Teleservices automatically transmits service-relevant data from the car to the BMW Service Centre when a servicing is due.

The BMW Service Partner can access the vehicle’s data, evaluate all relevant vehicle-related information and effectively prepare the car’s visit to the workshop.

BMW Concierge Services, a ‘personal assistant’ function can also be activated at push of a button - whether you are looking for the nearest ATM, restaurant or even hotel.

The BMW call centre agents from Concierge Services are always on hand to assist 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The program is the only one of its kind in the industry.

The BMW 118i M Sport also offers the standard offering of Remote Services functionalities while the BMW 330e M Sport features the addition of eDrive Services as an addition to the Remote Services functionalities.

The feature enables interaction with the vehicle via the new BMW Connected App on a mobile device where the user can control certain functionalities of the vehicle such as the lights, horn as well as check on the fuel level status of the vehicle.

Specifically for the BMW 330e M Sport, the BMW Connected App enables the remote activation of the car’s air conditioning system as well as provides data on the current charging status of the battery.

The new 330e M Sport specifically keeps its additional kit which include the Rear View Camera function and the Electric Glass Roof.

The 330e M Sport also has Park Assist functionalities which enables the car to park itself.

BMW 118i M SportBMW 330e M Sport