Faraday Future appoints Xuefeng Chen as global CEO

                LOS ANGELES: Electric-vehicle startup Faraday Future Intelligent Electric said on Monday it has appointed Xuefeng Chen as global chief executive officer, sending shares up 1.4% in extended trading.

Chen, who was most recently the CEO of the company's China division and has spent nearly two decades in the automotive industry, succeeds Carsten Breitfeld, who was removed from the role by the board, the company added in a filing.

The development comes after Faraday Future said earlier this month it had "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue as a going concern, adding that it is uncertain when it can complete first deliveries of its FF 91 luxury electric car.

Los Angeles-based Faraday Future also said in September it had reached an agreement with its largest shareholder to resolve a governance dispute, adding that Sue Swenson will step down as executive chairman.

Earlier in August, several employees of Faraday Future had called on the board and shareholders to remove Swenson alleging the executive chairman had organised attempts to "push the company into bankruptcy and restructuring".


W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: By the numbers

                Sometimes numbers say more than a thousand words.

> The turning circle is reduced by up to 2 metres with rear-axle steering compared to a model without it.

> The maximum steering angle is 10°.

> A total of 27 languages are supported by "Hey Mercedes" with Natural Language Understanding (NLU).

> Thirty-one loudspeakers and eight exciters are included in the Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system.

> Comfort on the front passenger seat is assisted by up to 19 motors (8 for adjustments, 4 for massage and 5 for ventilation, one for the lumbar support and one to move the monitor on the reverse).

> Ten different massage programmes are available in the new S-Class.

> The plug-in hybrid variant of the S-Class will have an electric range of up to 100km.

> The display area of the augmented reality head-up display corresponds to a monitor with a diagonal of 77 inches.

> The boot capacity has increased by 20 litres to up to 550 litres compared to the previous model.

> With a Cd figure from 0.22, the S-Class is one of the world's most aerodynamic cars. Its drag coefficient is therefore lower than before, despite a larger frontal area 200 sq. cm.

> Compared to the preceding model, elbow-room for the driver has increased by 38mm and by up to 23mm for rear passengers. Headroom in the rear has increased by up to 16mm.

> The resolution of DIGITAL LIGHT (optional extra) per vehicle is over 2.6 million pixels. DIGITAL LIGHT allows completely new functions such as the projection of marking aids or warning symbols onto the road ahead.

> The computing power of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) has increased by 50 percent compared to the system in the previous model. The memory bandwidth is 41,790 MB/s.

> When a side impact is imminent, the vehicle body can be raised by up to 8cm by the E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension (optional) within a few tenths of a second. This is a new function of PRE-SAFE Impulse Side:

> Seventeen step motors control the temperature and air distribution in the Thermotronic system. The 4-zone climate control Thermotronic Rear even has 20 step motors. These electric motors operate the air flaps.

> In the Active Ambience Lighting system, there is an LED in an optical fibre every 1.6cm. There are around 250 in all.

> The new OLED central display measures 239.06 mm x 218.8 mm, and has an active screen diagonal of 12.8 inches. The screen area is 64 percent larger than in the preceding model. The driver display measures 291.6 mm x 109.4 mm and has a diagonal of 12.3 inches.

> The tubular structure of the innovative rear airbag is around 16 litres, while the total volume of the deployed bag is up to 70 litres.

> The control units of E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL analyse the driving situation and adjust the suspension 1000 times per second.

> The designation "S-Class" was officially introduced with the 116 series in 1972.

> More than 98kg of components made from resource-conserving materials are used in the S-Class. The number of components containing recyclates is now 120 – more than twice as many as in the preceding model. Another 40kg or so are made from renewable raw materials.

> The number 223 is the internal designation of the new model series.

> The new tool used to micro-perforate the seats operates with 16,000 needles.

> The loyalty rate for the S-Class is especially high. Some 80 percent of S-Class customers in Western Europe go on to choose another vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. In the US, more than 70 percent do so.

> More than one third of all saloons of the last generation of the S-Class (model series 222; début 2013) went to China. S-Class customers in China are the youngest with an average age of 40 years. Around the world the S-Class Saloon is predominantly sold in the long wheelbase version: around 9 out of 10 customers opt for the long version of the S-Class Saloon. All in all, since the launch of the generation that is now in its runout phase, more than 500,000 S-Class Saloons have been sold.


All-new Mercedes-Benz S 580 e introduced, price to be confirmed soon

                KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the all-new S 580 e (W223) flagship luxury sedan that features higher levels of comfort, safety and innovation.

However, the price of the S 580 e plug-in hybrid is still pending government approval and would cost more than the outgoing S 560 e (W222) which is priced at RM647,000.

The company is expected to obtain the official pricing soon and planning to start deliveries from mid-January next year.

While bigger and having a longer wheelbase compared with the previous S-Class model, the new S 580 e gets the classic saloon proportions with short front overhang, long wheelbase and balanced rear overhang.

The vehicle is also muscular-looking with its wide track and flush-mounted wheels.

It also gets contoured surfaces with sculptured looks create special light effects while its radiator grille, LED headlights and bonnet project a strong presence.

At the rear, the slim-cut LED lights and a long chrome bar inject a new level of elegance.

The S 580 e is one of the world's most aerodynamic cars, and especially so in the luxury sedan segment, with a Cd figure from 0.22.

Although the frontal area has increased slightly to 2.5sq m, the drag coefficient has been reduced even further compared with the preceding model.

Inside, the S 580 e raises modern luxury to the next level with the interior of the S-Class.

Its luxurious ambience with lounge character is marked by elegance, high quality and lightness, while the dashboard gets a new architecture with modern surface design and ergonomic display arrangement.

Meanwhile, the seats are inviting and feature a flowing, three-dimensional layer design theme to give an impression of lightness with its nappa leather upholstery.

Multiple motors in the front seats make for comfortable seating as well as playing a major part where safety is concerned.

A new feature is the heat-able additional cushion for the head restraint, which is available for the two electrically adjustable rear seats.

The adjustment range and angle of the front passenger seat in the chauffeur configuration and the reclining seat behind it have been improved as well.

The S 580 e also features the world’s first rear airbags, which are integrated into the backrests of the front seats and deploy in a severe front impact.

They deploy gently and protect strapped-in outer rear seat passengers against contact with the front seats.

In addition, digital innovations such the second generation learn-capable MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) increases driving enjoyment while making driving even safer, paving a further step towards autonomous driving.

Its improved environmental sensors aid the parking system give the driver better support when maneuvering at low speed.

The integration into MBUX means that the level of visualization has now entered a whole new dimension.

With a more digital and intelligent interior, the S 580 e features up to five large screens, in part with OLED technology, to make the control of vehicle and comfort functions easier.

Among them are the 12.8-inch OLED centre display and the 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument panel.

The system now features fingerprint scanner just below the central display to unlock access while being secure and additionally more straightforward than entering a PIN.

Also available is the MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation which connects the virtual world with the real world.

The technology incorporates graphical navigation instructions and traffic information into live images to ensure drivers will reach safely and stress-free.

The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" is constantly learning, by activation of online services in the Mercedes me App.

Moreover, certain actions can be performed even without the activation keyword "Hey Mercedes". These include accepting a telephone call.

"Hey Mercedes" now also explains vehicle functions and answers general knowledge questions.

The voice assistant can also be controlled from the rear.

The new model is even quieter with a highly rigid body shell that offers outstanding noise control and vibration comfort.

The apertures for the cable grommets in the firewall have double seals, while acoustic foam in certain body shell sections are used for the first time.

The firewall insulation has also been extended into the side areas of the A-pillars and the floor area to achieve an engine sound that is perceived as refined and unobtrusive in the interior.

The new aluminum hybrid body shell with an aluminum content exceeding 50% also improved crash safety, lower weight and provide outstanding handling characteristics.

Meanwhile, its Digital Light headlamps each feature a light module consisting three powerful LEDs with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors to produce a resolution more than 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.

While allowing highly precise light distribution, it also makes Highbeam Assist over 100 times more precise then 84-pixel light when excluding oncoming traffic or road signs from the light beam.

Powering the S 580 e is 3.0-litre inline-6 turbocharged engine delivering 367hp and 500Nm of torque mated to a 9G-Tronic transmission.

The electric motor, meanwhile, produces 110kW and 440Nm of torque and allows 100km of all-electric driving range.

A 0-100kph sprint can be achieved in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 250kph.

Suspension is Airmatic that delivers a smooth and premium ride.

The S 580 e also uses some 98kg of components made from resource-conserving materials and 40kg more are made from renewable raw materials.

Its floor coverings are made from Econyl recycled nylon thread.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president (sales & marketing, passenger cars) Michael Jopp said the S-Class is the world's best-selling luxury limousine.

"We are also pleased that the new S 580 e will be a locally-assembled variant as its predecessor.

"This is a testament of our commitment to reinforce our commitment to expand our local foothold in the country.

"The vehicle underpins our claim to produce the best automobile in the world. This is where covetable luxury meets the greatest possible safety and highest level of comfort,” he said.

EXTERIOR FEATURES
> Digital Light
> Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
> 19-inch multi-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels
> Panoramic sliding sunroof
> Underguard
> Runflat tyres
> Power closing
> Remote boot lid closing

COMFORT & INTERIOR FEATURES
> Nappa Leather Upholstery
> Anthracite open-pore poplar wood trim
> Centre console in a black crystal-look finish
> Multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather
> KEYLESS-GO with seemless doorhandles
> HANDS-FREE ACCESS
> Chauffeur package
> Sun Protection package
> AIR-BALANCE package
> Rear Seat Comfort package
> Memory package
> Driver's seat, electrically adjustable with memory function
> Heated front seats
> Seat heating Plus for outer rear seats
> Rear Seat Memory package
> Electrically-adjustable rear seats including memory function
> Climatised rear seats
> Multicontour rear seats
> Executive seat
> EASY ADJUST luxury head restraints for driver and front passenger
> Neck and shoulder heating in the rear
> Calf massage in the rear
> Seat on front passenger side electrically adjustable from the rear
> Belt feeders in the rear
> THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
> THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control in the rear
> Adaptive rear compartment lighting
> Active ambient lighting
> Ambient lighting with projection of brand logo
> Ambient lighting
> Illuminated door sill panels with "Mercedes-Benz" lettering
> Interior mirror and driver's exterior mirror automatically dimming
> Electric sunblinds in rear doors, left and right
> Electric sunblind for rear window
> Double sunblind
> Designer belt buckles in front and rear
> Load Compartment package
> USB package Plus
> Rear belt status indication in the instrument display
> Velour floor mats
> 4-way lumbar support
> Independent boot locking
> Through-loading feature
> 12v socket in Iuggage compartment

SAFETY & ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
> Driving Assistance package
> Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
> Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC
> Active Lane Keeping Assist
> Active Steering Assist
> PRE-SAFE® impulse side
> Parking Package with 360° camera
> Sidebags in rear
> Rear airbags
> Beltbags
> Automatic front passenger airbag deactivation
> Mercedes-Benz emergency call system
> URBAN GUARD vehicle protection
> Anti-theft alarm system with preinstallation for collision detection
> Break-in resistant heat- and noise-insulated laminated safety glass all round
> Interior monitoring system
> Pedestrian protection
> Tyre pressure monitoring system

MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM
> MBUX multimedia system
> 3D driver display
> OLED central display
> Burmester® 3D surround sound system
> MBUX Navigation Premium
> MBUX augmented reality for navigation
> MBUX rear tablet
> MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System
> Two wireless head sets
> MB Connect MBUX entertainment
> MBUX Interior Assistant
> Smartphone integration
> Apple CarPlay
> Android Auto
> Sound personalisation
> Fingerprint scanner
> Wireless charging system for mobile devices in the front and rear
> Communications module (LTE) for the use of Mercedes me connect
> Hard-disc navigation
> Remote Services Plus


Stuck with loan and fines – but no car

JPJ director-general Zailani said each registered vehicle must have a Vehicle Ownership Certificate and it is the responsibility of the registered owner to ensure the document is always in hand.
PETALING JAYA: Shafiq bought a Toyota Ford Ranger during the movement control order but with a loan to service, he decided to let a car rental company use it so he could get some money.

He’s now stuck with the loan and four traffic summonses but no car after it was stolen by a renter.

“I am so depressed. I have countless commitments and recently, I received four summonses for speeding as well. But I don’t have the car.

“I bought it to use in my freelance job but that now that it’s stolen, I have no choice but to be a ehailing driver to continue servicing my loan and survive,” said the victim, who requested that his full name not be used.

Shafiq’s car was among 35 vehicles, including high-end luxurious cars, that were stolen by a syndicate whose members pretend to be renters.

What’s worse, the person who now has the car actually has a duplicate grant for the vehicle – and he wants RM30,000 to return the vehicle.

“On Jan 1, 2021, I handed the car to the rental company and I should have got it back on Jan 1 this year. At first, everything went smoothly, but in August, I noticed delays in the RM2,000 monthly payment.

“I got more suspicious in November when there was no GPS signal from my car. Then, the rental company owner told me the car had been stolen,” he added.

Shafiq claimed that the company owner, who is also his friend, had tried to lodge police reports twice but the police had “advised” them to instead initiate civil action.

“Based on my agreement with the company, they should bear the responsibility should anything happen to my car, but since they can’t lodge a police report, and the cars are not considered ‘stolen’, they can’t claim from their insurance.

“And they can’t pay us,” he added.

Disappointed, the car rental owner hired a private investigator.

“From what I was told, the thief managed to sell all 35 cars to several individual buyers.

“The company managed to retrieve 10 cars from the new owners who willingly returned them. Five more, including my car, are still with new owners who refused to give them back.

“The man bought my car for RM30,000, so he is asking for his money back.

“The police say they will retrieve the car only if we pay the RM30,000,” he claimed, adding that a report had been lodged against the police with the Public Complaints Bureau.

What’s more puzzling, said Shafiq, is that the new owner has a duplicate of his grant.

“My insurance expired in September, but I was shocked when I saw that my road tax had been renewed.

“I asked a friend who works with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and was told the syndicate had a duplicate copy of my grant,” he claimed.

JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim (pic) said they had yet to receive a report on the issuance of the Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) to non-owners.

He said the registered owner has to be at the JPJ office for biometric verification (thumbprint) before a copy of the VOC can be issued.

“Each registered vehicle must have a VOC and it is the responsibility of the registered owner to ensure the VOC is always in hand,” he said, when asked whether it was wrong to hold a VOC for someone else’s vehicle.

Another car renter, who wanted to be known only as Zack, had it worse.

He said he had lent out his car after being inspired by a success story shared by a woman who claimed she could earn thousands from renting her car.

His car was not only stolen but smuggled into Thailand as well.

“I lodged a police report that evening and they transferred my case to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department. The officer there asked why I had rented out my car and told me that it was wrong.

“I admitted that I was wrong and had just wanted to increase my earnings. Then, he told me my car had already entered Thailand.

“The officer told me to go get it back myself with the help of friends,” he said.

Zack was not about to be deterred.

He travelled almost 3,500km in four days and managed to recover his car.

“I know I’m in the wrong, but I think it’s not right for a layman to go there and get their car back by themselves,” he said.


New Toyota Innova open for booking

SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor announced today that the new Innova is now open for booking. Three versions are available and prices ranged from RM109,000 to RM126,000.The distributor has already posted on its website an image of the new vehicle. The launch date has not been disclosed but it will be soon.The MPV comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage. The fully-backed warranty is transferable to the next owner if it is still in effect when sold off.


Honda HR-V RS e:HEV: Stepping up the momentum

                There has been no doubt that Honda's HR-V sports utility vehicle (SUV) had been a runaway success since its local introduction in February 2015.

The model then opened the door for a new segment of buyers who were interested in getting their first SUV or crossover but did not want a model that was too big or expensive.

In addition to its trendy looks, the HR-V also had the rear Ultra seats that enabled various seating and utility modes to increase interior functionality.

Honda Malaysia held a media teaser drive of the all-new HR-V in Thailand last week that it intends to launch locally soon.

READ MORE: New Honda HR-V open for viewing from June 18

Building on the success of the older model, the new HR-V gets new levels of refinement, styling and improved safety features such as Honda Sensing.

We drove the RS e:HEV, the top Thai variant, in a round trip from Phuket to Krabi and back, covering some 400km on a mix of highways, hilly stretches and trunk roads.

The new HR-V, despite being 15mm lower, has a similar footprint with the out-going model.

Both models have the same wheelbase and width of 2,610mm and 1,790mm respectively.

Although the non-RS variant of the new HR-V is 4mm shorter at 4,330mm compared with the older model, the new RS e:HEV variant is 55mm longer due to its extended front and rear RS lower bumpers that come in glossy black with chrome trimmings.

The new RS e:HEV is bolder-looking with a combination of a beefy front with slim LED headlights framing a more assertive RS glossy black octagon-styled mesh grille featuring chromed studs.

The rear comes with a tantalising coupe-like styling compared with the older hatchback-type design.

However, boot space this time is smaller at 320 litres, down by some 80 litres compared to the previous RS hybrid model's.

Tail lights are slimmer and smoked, and each have an LED lighting strip that stretch out towards a large blue-tint Honda emblem at the middle of the tailgate.

From the side, the RS e:HEV's large 18-inch wheels with glossy black sills and wheel arch claddings add a layer of urban sportiness.

Similar to the out-going model, the exterior rear door releases are black and located at the edge of the door window line to portray a two-door appearance.

Inside, the vehicle looks fresh with a cleaner dashboard design, a centre 8-inch infotainment display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, new air-conditioner vents and wipers set below the base of the front windscreen for better visibility.

The leather and synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching are premium feeling and comfortable for long distance driving.

Although leg and elbow room remain largely the same, tall passengers will notice that head space is slightly reduced due the new HR-V's lower overall height.

The swoopy design of the rear windscreen also caused it to edge closer to the head space of rear passengers but we did not find this to be an issue.

Provided for rear passengers are rear air-conditioner vents and two USB ports for charging smart devices.

The Thai-spec vehicle also had a panoramic glass roof with openings for front and rear passengers.

The front opening features a manual sliding shade, while the rear gets two clip-on shades.

The RS e:HEV features a dual cam 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle i-VTEC petrol/electric hybrid powertrain similar to that used in the City RS e:HEV.

The new HR-V's petrol engine and electric drive motor are more powerful at 106PS (+8PS) and 131PS (+23PS) respectively over the City RS e:HEV's.

However, the maximum engine and electric motor torque levels are 127Nm and 253Nm respectively which are identical to those of the City RS e:HEV.

Generally, the RS e:HEV runs on electric power with the petrol engine coming into play at higher cruising speeds or when the electric motor and high voltage lithium-ion battery needs power.

What we liked was that the engine cut-in to provide charging and drive power was smooth and hardly felt except for the engine sound.

Regulating power to the front wheels is done by an electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).

Despite being a heavier vehicle at 1,407kg, the RS e:HEV's powertrain still manages enough grunt for a satisfying take-off.

The front MacPherson struts with a stabiliser bar and rear torsion beam suspension are firm enough to provide minimal body roll and a planted ride at high speeds but still comfortable for driving on rough roads.

The electric power steering of the RS e:HEV had variable gear ratio (VGR) which not only provided good feel but also allowed the driver to make less turning when steering the car.

This was very useful as it enabled us to tackle winding roads on the way to Phang Nga without the need to turn the steering wheel too much.

As long as the RS e:HEV is running gently on electric mode, the interior atmosphere can be as hushed and refined as in a premium car.

The RS e:HEV will still remain relatively quiet when cruising steadily at 120kph with minimal noises from wind, tyres and engine intruding into the cabin.

Floor the accelerator during this instance or when going up a slope, the SUV picks up pace quickly but the hurried engine will get louder.

The front ventilated disc and rear solid disc brakes offer confident stopping power and are more responsive compared with the spongy feel found in many hybrids and EVs.

Features include smart key entry, push start/stop ignition, front sequential turning lights, deceleration paddle selectors, electric parking brake, three driving modes of Econ, Normal and Sport, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Auto Brake Hold.

Also included are six airbags, eight-way driver power seat, 7-inch TFT multi-information display (MID), wireless charging for smartphones, reverse camera and hands-free power tailgate with walk-away close among others.

The RS e:HEV also gets the Honda LaneWatch camera system while the Honda Sensing driver aid system includes collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation with lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, automatic high beam and lead car departure notification.

The Thai RS e:HEV comes with high specifications and Malaysian buyers will soon know if the local HR-V versions would be similarly equipped.

Overall, the new HR-V is an appealing design in an enticing package that should continue to sway new  followers.


Bad light cast on dark tints

                PETALING JAYA: Concerns remain over allowing darker-tinted rear windows in vehicles, as studies show that lower Visible Light Transmission (VLT) windows affect visual performance of drivers.

A 2015 report by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) compiled different studies which indicated that lower VLT windows would reduce the visual performance of motorists.

VLT refers to the amount of light that passes through a lens or glass. The lower the VLT rate, the more light is blocked.

The report found that a reduction of VLT from 100% to 50% could result in a reduction of visual performance from 20% to 10%.

A reduction of even 9% in VLT level, one study found, could lead to a drop in sight distance by three to four metres.

“Scientific evidence suggests that further drops in VLT level may affect visual performance since both variables are linearly related.

“Considering the worst-case scenario concerning elderly drivers during twilight or at night, VLT of 35% or less on a car’s front and side windows may compromise road safety,” the report said.

The report also found that the temperature differences were minimal between cars with high VLT windows and low VLT windows.

The study suggested that the window tint on cars had “merely minimal cooling effects”.

Bukit Aman Department of Investigation and Traffic Enforcement director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said the police were not consulted on the new ruling before it was announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

“I feel slighted as the matter should have been discussed thoroughly with our views being considered,” he was reported as saying yesterday.

Azisman said the new ruling compromised the safety of policemen as it would make it harder for them to see passengers seated at the back.

He also said the tinted screens would make it harder for police to detect drivers who use a handphone while driving or car occupants who fail to wear a seatbelt.

Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft founder Dave Avran said it was a “no-brainer” that heavily tinted windows would contribute to a higher crime rate.

“Heavily tinted windows will definitely aid criminals in eluding police or carrying out kidnappings.

“These windows obstruct the work of police and rescue workers, making it difficult to identify suspects in criminal cases or victims in accidents,” he said.

He urged the government to stick to the 30% VLT ruling as a lower rate would prove to be a danger.

Meanwhile, consultant dermatologist Dr Tarita Taib said only those with severe photodermatitis may need to have their car windows fully tinted.

“These are patients who have an extreme reaction towards UV rays such as marked redness, scaliness and severe eczema.

“Only then would dermatologists consider approving the patients’ application to have their windows fully tinted,” she said, adding that permission was strictly granted.

“It is rare to find someone with severe photodermatitis in Malaysia. Those who have mild photodermatitis are able to withstand sunlight from windows with 70% VLT levels.

“They should be able to withstand sunlight if they wear sunblock, sunglasses or sun protection equipment,” she said.


The disappearance of rush hour

Pedestrians crossing San Francisco’s empty California Street. — Bloomberg
NEW YORK: As rush hours all but disappeared in major US cities last month, travel speeds on major roadways rose dramatically during Friday evening and morning commutes, according to data from Inrix, a Kirkland, Wash.-based traffic analytics company.

Traffic subsided in stages as states and cities ratcheted up restrictions on nonessential travel.

“New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston were the leading indicators,” said Trevor Reed, a transportation analyst at Inrix, “but the trend line is now being matched by basically every major city in the country.”

Inrix uses data gathered from cellphones and car navigation systems to measure travel speeds. In the Seattle area, morning commute speeds were 15% higher than normal on March 13 and 23% higher a week later. Evening commuter accelerated even more, with gains of 16% on March 13 and 38% a week later.

The largest gains, perhaps not surprisingly, were in cities with the worst congestion. In Los Angeles, commute speeds on March 20 jumped 75% above normal. Cities in states that were slower to impose restrictions — Florida, Texas, and Georgia — were later to see speeds rise. “There were laggards,” Reed said, “but now that we’re four weeks into this crisis, there’s been convergence.”

The decline in traffic, while one of many signs of the economic calamity caused by the coronavirus, brings some welcome benefits.

“You don’t realise how noisy roads are until they go quiet,” Reed said.

“The same goes with air pollution. A lot of people are experiencing clean air for the first time.”

The respite also provides an opening for much-needed maintenance and construction on transportation infrastructure. In Beverly Hills, for instance, the shutdown has allowed the city to close roads and accelerate the construction of a subway line.


GST may make comeback by 2022-23, says Affin Hwang Research

                KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may look at a possible implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the medium term, likely by 2022 or 2023 to help correct the government’s fiscal position and to boost revenue.

Affin Hwang Capital Research chief economist Alan Tan said it would not be an immediate implementation as various plans and decisions need to be made in terms of rates and tax treatments.

He added that the GST will likely be reintroduced at a revenue neutral rate, which is a lower rate that is more acceptable to the people.

“Similarly, the government will also be looking at the tax treatment in terms of standard rating, zero rating, exemption and looking at the right threshold for businesses to register.

READ MORE: Re-introduce GST at 4% from 2022, say experts

“In the previous GST implementation, one of the issues is really on the refunds, so I think the government will relook at the refund scheme to make it more efficient.

“All these would take some time, therefore the GST implementation will likely be announced in Budget 2022 or rolled out in 2023, ” he told the media during Affin Hwang Capital’s 2021 Malaysia Economic Outlook & Construction Sector briefing.

Tan, who is in favour of the GST regime, said it is beneficial for the long term prospects of Malaysia in making it a more attractive investment destination.

He explained that this was due to the wider base that GST has to offer as compared to the Sales and Services Tax (SST), which will shift the Government’s focus from direct to indirect taxations.

“This provides some flexibility for the government to reduce corporate and personal income tax rates to make us more competitive among other countries and therefore, the ability to attract investments down the road, ” he said.


FCA dangles small cash rewards to hackers who help it find security flaws

                DETROIT: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will offer rewards of up to US$1,500 to ethical hackers who tell the auto maker about data security weaknesses in its vehicles, the company said.

FCA's move comes a year after independent cybersecurity researchers used a wireless connection to turn off a Jeep Cherokee's engine. The hack, reported in Wired Magazine, alarmed auto makers and regulators, and it led FCA to recall 1.4 million vehicles to prevent the use of a wireless connection to gain control of the vehicle.

FCA officials said Bugcrowd Inc of San Francisco, which manages similar programs for a range of companies including Tesla Motors Inc will manage its "bug bounty" programme.

Casey Ellis, Bugcrowd's chief executive, said in a media briefing that his company has 32,000 researchers that work through its service. Bugcrowd rates researchers based on the quality of their work, he said.

Auto makers have stepped up efforts to address concerns that vehicles equipped with high-speed internet connections could be vulnerable to cyber intruders and criminals who could seek to harvest personal data through vehicle systems, or perpetrate other mischief such as disabling a car and demanding a ransom to bring it back to life.

In July 2015, several major auto makers formed an Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center, or Auto-ISAC, to serve as a clearing house for information about cyber threats. The group said in a statement this week its members now account for 99 per cent of light duty vehicles on the road in North America.

Titus Melnyk, FCA senior manager for security architecture, said FCA could share information generated by the Bugcrowd program with other automakers through the Auto-ISAC. "We'll err on the side of what's right for the industry," he said in a briefing for reporters.

General Motors Co has a programme managed by San Francisco cybersecurity company Hackerone that offers recognition, but not cash, to researchers who identify and share cybersecurity gaps with the company. The company has also begun hiring outside cybersecurity experts and has a group of employees that test the company's systems, said Jeffrey Massimilla, GM's chief product cybersecurity officer.

Massimilla said GM may offer cash bounties to ethical hackers, but said, "If you put up a small bounty you aren't going to get good research."


2017 Bangkok Motor Show: Selected Cars

                While the 2017 Honda CR-V and Civic hatchback were undoubtedly the star attractions of the 38th Bangkok Motor Show, here are other highlights at the show, which is being held from March 29 to April 9, 2017 at Challenger Hall 1 – 3, Impact Muang Thong Thani.

 2017 Audi Q5.  Lexus RX200t. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2WD.  Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.  Mercedes-Benz E220d.  Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe.  Mazda MX-5 RF.


In Mali, love for Italy's vintage scooter is timeless

Seck Seydou riding his Vespa through the streets of Bamako. — AFP
BAMAKO: Seydou Seck's Vespa is 41 years old, but he sits upright and proud on the ancient grey scooter when he heads down Bamako's Independence Avenue.

In a city flooded with cheap, Indonesian-made two-wheelers, the classic Italian-made Vespa has a passionate following.

Enthusiasts like Seck reckon several hundred venerable Vespas are still cruising the streets of the Malian capital, most of them survivors of the 1970s.

"We all know each other and flash our lights when we pass each other," says Seck, 60, a wedding photographer by trade.

The Vespa — its name means "wasp" in Italian — has a special place in Malian hearts.

For many, it's a symbol of the 1960s and 70s, when the country was at peace and cities bustled with people streaming in from the countryside, eager for an easier life.

"The Vespa was the bike which young people bought when they started to make money," says Igo Diarra, curator of "Rencontres de Bamako" (Bamako Meetings), an upcoming biennial exhibition of African photography.

"Posing in front of machines like the Vespa was a sign of respectability and social success."

Vespa's manufacturer Piaggio estimates it has sold 19 million scooters since 1946.

Its sales network does not extend to Mali, but Vespas readily made their way into the country from neighbouring states, finding a ready market for people craving mobility.

One out of every two Malian households today has a moped, three times more than 20 years ago, according to official figures.

In Bamako, a sprawling city cut in two by the Niger River, two-wheelers are crucial for weaving through the traffic and crossing the clogged bridges.

But most of them are Jakartas -- an Indonesian model that began to flood the local market at the start of this century.

Last buzz?

Classic Vespas are starting to disappear as mechanics and riders struggle to get parts for repairs.

Seck says he and many other Vespa-lovers turn to Adama Guindo, 51, a mechanic who began to specialise in the Italian scooter when he started to work 36 years ago.

"In the old days, it was easy," Guindo said.

"But today it's complicated — the suppliers only send spare parts if there is a demand, and demand here is low."

A vicious circle is thus squeezing the Vespa: fewer surviving models means that fewer spare parts for them are available, and the scooter's distinctive wasp-like buzz becomes even rarer.

In Adama's workshop, four half-stripped Vespas sit waiting for the surgeon to cannibalise them and give life to others.

"The Jakartas have killed the Vespa, but we're still here!" Adama said with a tone of defiance.


Four to a car, all from same household under eased-up MCO

UPDATE: Kelantan and Perak have joined seven other states in not following the conditional MCO.

PETALING JAYA: A maximum of four people are allowed to travel together in a private vehicle from Monday under the conditional movement control order (MCO) but they must be from the same family household.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said action would be taken against a person who travels with a passenger or passengers who did not live within the same household

Ismail said the Government arrived at this decision as there is typically no social distancing within a household, "so that is why the government has decided to allow this."

Ismail said that as of May 2, 414 individuals had been arrested for violating the MCO, taking the cumulative number of arrests to 23,680.

The police and army conducted checks on 552,999 vehicles at 823 roadblocks around the country on Saturday, he added.

On public transport, Ismail said all such services would on Monday revert to normal operating hours prior to the MCO period.

"This is to ease the commute of those going to their offices. But commuters and operators of public transport are reminded to follow the guidelines set by the government, including to ensure there is social distancing and that personal hygiene is observed."

The Government has decreed that all public transport vehicles including buses and trains carry passengers at half-load to ensure sufficient distancing between individuals.

In a related development, seven states have decided not to follow the federal move to relax the MCO to allow most businesses to reopen. They are Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Pahang, Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak.

Some states such as Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kedah are limiting the number and type of businesses that could resume operations. Generally, they have continued to bar any dine-in at restaurants despite the imposition of new rules to minimise infections.

Penang is adopting a three-phase approach to the conditional MCO in an attempt to make a soft-landing out of the restrictions.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it is preparing guidelines from May 4 to May 8, May 9-12 and from May 13 onwards.

The seven states believed that it is still too early to lift restrictions as the threat from Covid-19 remains significant.

The concerns was reinforced by Universiti Malaya research consultant Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit who said today the easing up of rules at the federal level was too soon.

He said the number of cases has not gone down sufficiently for the country to consider being "out of the woods."

He urged the government to listen to the concerns expressed by the various sectors of the population and review the conditional MCO decision.

"There are still too many local transmissions: 95 local transmissions out of 105 new cases on Saturday (May 2)," he said.

“No one is objecting to the loosening of MCO, but the relaxation is far too much and too soon," he said in a press statement.

The MCO is scheduled to end on May 12. It has been in force since March 18.

Dr Lam was central in the discovery of the Nipah virus in the late 1990s, and was instrumental in developing in-house rapid diagnostic techniques to detect dengue virus.

On the infection rate, the Health Ministry recorded a total of 122 new Covid-19 cases today, making it the second consecutive day that infections have been in triple digits. This brings the total number of infections to 6,298, with 1,780 active cases.

Two new deaths were recorded, bringing the death toll to 105. A total of 87 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,413 or 70% of all cases.


Bristol to 'fire' Bullet in September

                LONDON: Reborn British marque Bristol will make its first full public debut with the Bullet at the upcoming Salon Privé event on Sept 1-3.

The Bullet is made from bespoke carbon fibre composites to achieve high strength, rigidity and low weight. The car is being launched on the 70th anniversary of the founding of Bristol Cars Limited.

The Bullet, inspired by the Bristol 405 Drophead, has an interior that is modern with a multi- touchscreen in the dash providing digital radio, smartphone connectivity and Bluetooth and WiFi connections. The car also has a button providing direct access to the Bristol showroom in Kensington here.

The dash panelling is offered in a classic wood, a modern herringbone carbon-fibre weave or a hand-laid unidirectional carbon-fibtre weave for ultimate refinement. The sports seats are contoured for support and comfort over long distances, and hand trimmed in quality British hides.

The Bullet is fitted with a BMW V8 engine - tweaked further by Bristol - which can go from 0-100kph in 3.8s, and reach a top speed of 250kph. The 4.8-litre "Hercules" engine is named after the legendary Bristol Hercules 14-cylinder 1,300hp radial engine.

Bristol's first car, the 400, was built by the car division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1945 in collaboration with Frazer-Nash Research and BMW. Bristol Cars Ltd was founded later in 1947.

Frazer-Nash and Bristol Cars were reunited in 2011 when new owners rescued the car maker from administration and brought the two together in the same group of companies.

‘’The Bullet celebrates 70 years of design and innovation at Bristol Cars. This unique speedster sets the tone for the future of Bristol Cars – with a focus on luxury, performance and elegance it really is the ultimate driver’s car," said Bristol Cars Ltd general manager Julian Ramshaw.

Now in its 11th year, Salon Privé is a British luxury supercar show and concours, similar to the United States' Pebble Beach and Italy’s Villa d’Este. It takes place for the second year running at at Blenheim Palace, 101km north-west of here.


Perodua to ramp up production and registration in 2023

                KUALA LUMPUR: After a record performance in 2022, Perodua is looking to upshift its production to 330,000 units and sales to 314,000 units this year underpinned by outstanding orders carried forward from last year as well as continued demand for its vehicles so far this year.

The 330,000 production and 314,000 sales targets are 14.2% and 11.3% higher than Perodua 2022’s 289,054 production and 282,019 sales performances respectively.

Overall, Perodua has produced a total of 4.68 million vehicles since it began production in 1994.

Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the normal installed annual production capacity for our Perodua Manufacturing and Perodua Global Manufacturing plants are at 320,000 units on a two-shift cycle.

 Zanal (second from right) chatting with Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd president Masanori Takahashi after presenting the 2023 Outlook briefing in Kuala Lumpur. With them are Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd vice-president Datuk Ahmad Suhaimi Hashim (left) and Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Jh Rozman Jaafar.

“We can still increase our volume by improving productivity and by instituting overtime," he said at the Perodua 2023 Outlook media conference here.

Zainal said the impact of Perodua's production growth to the Malaysian automotive industry would be significant as the Perodua has earmarked RM10bil to purchase parts from local suppliers to meet its 2023 targets.

“This purchase commitment is expected to further encourage the Malaysian automotive ecosystem to further improve its production capabilities and quality standards.

“In short, the increase in production will give much needed boost for our local industries to improve their economies of scale and to better compete with their counterparts abroad,” Zainal said.

Zainal also said 2023 is a golden opportunity for the company as consumers still have confidence in the automotive market.

“In fact, more than half of our targeted volume is from bookings we collected last year but have yet to deliver,” he said.

He said Perodua still has an outstanding order of 220,000 units that is expected to be delivered by the middle of the year.

“For customers who have ordered their vehicles before the end of the Penjana sales tax exemption period on June 30 last year, we will do our best to deliver their vehicles before March 31 for them to enjoy the sales tax break,” he said.

In the event that the vehicles could not be delivered on time, Zainal said Perodua would subsidise the customers and absorb the price increase brought upon by the imposition of sales tax.

“Our customers are important and we want to show our appreciation to those who have stayed with us and waited a long time for their vehicles,” he said.
Zainal also said Perodua believed the total industry volume (TIV) for 2023 could go higher than the 650,000 units forcasted by the Malaysia Automotive Association recently.

“In terms of the overall market, we believe that there is still a bright silver lining for the industry despite the many cost pressures.

“Based on the waiting period for most brands, as well as the still strong demand for Perodua’s vehicles, the TIV has the potential to reach 700,000 units this year,” he said.

For 2023, Zainal said Perodua has allocated RM1.15bil capital expenditure to improve its group operations.

Among the key areas of improvements include its new business division where Perodua is expanding its Pre-Owned Vehicle (POV) and Subscription business,
especially after the positive response from the public post Ativa Hybrid launch in September 2022.

He also said the company had allocated RM537.1mil on the development of new models, as well as RM247.1mil to further modernise operations, which also include upgrading existing 1S and 2S centres into 3S centres.

The improvements planned for its network will enable Perodua to meet its target to increase vehicle intake at its service centres.

“For 2023, we target to see an increase in vehicle intakes to 2.8 million units from 2.6 million recorded in 2022. This growth would be a combination of improved service time as well as increasing our service bays throughout the country,” Zainal said.

Risk factors that can derail Perodua's ambitions include higher inflation, further increase in interest rates and higher external cost factors such as fuel, power as well as higher commodity and raw material costs.

“These cost factors, if rise too steeply will have a negative impact to the momentum that we are currently on. The increase may not only have the potential to depress the market but also erase gains made by the industry as it was just getting its second wind,” Zainal said.

He added that the semiconductor chip supply was still a factor for manufacturers, not just for automotive players but industries such as electric and electronics and other heavy industries that rely on the technology.

“We are monitoring this factor closely but as of now, we are positive that we have the chips needed to meet our targets,” Zainal said.


Ford tech automatically prevents drivers exceeding limits

                COLOGNE: Breaking the speed limit can be costly in terms of fines, and driving bans, as well as playing a significant role in many road accidents. Ford is now launching a new technology that could help prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits – both when driving in their own country and abroad.

Drivers have for some time been able to set a maximum speed for their vehicle. Now the all-new S-MAX sports activity vehicle – equipped with Intelligent Speed Limiter – can help ensure the maximum speed is automatically adjusted to remain within changing speed limits.

“Drivers are not always conscious of speeding and sometimes only becoming aware they were going too fast when they receive a fine in the mail or are pulled over by law enforcement,” said Stefan Kappes, active safety supervisor, Ford of Europe.

“Intelligent Speed Limiter can remove one of the stresses of driving, helping ensure customers remain within the legal speed limit.”

Drivers activate Intelligent Speed Limiter via steering wheel controls to set a maximum vehicle speed. The system uses a windscreen-mounted camera to monitor road signs and when the speed limit is lower than that maximum set speed, ISL slows the vehicle as required. As the speed limit rises, the system allows the driver to accelerate up to the set speed, providing it does not exceed the new speed limit.

Ford has in recent years introduced many technologies to its vehicles that help drivers to park, remain in their driving lane, and avoid low-speed accidents.

Intelligent Speed Limiter for the first time combines current Ford technologies Adjustable Speed Limiter, and Traffic Sign Recognition, which are both already available on models including Focus, all-new Mondeo, and Kuga SUV.

Effective at speeds of 30kph-190kph, Intelligent Speed Limiter ensures smooth deceleration by restricting the fuel supplied to the engine, rather than applying the brakes. Should travelling downhill cause the vehicle to exceed the specified speed an alarm is sounded.

Intelligent Speed Limiter also communicates with the onboard navigation system to help accurately maintain the appropriate maximum speed when distances between speed limit signs are greater, for example on long country roads. Drivers can temporarily override the system by firmly depressing the accelerator pedal.

Ford’s  S-MAX offers further advanced technologies including Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that can detect people in the road ahead – or that could cross the vehicle’s path – and automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings.

“We're not just developing cars, we're also developing technologies to make driving more convenient, safer, and ultimately help improve mobility around the world,” said Pim van der Jagt, executive technical leader, Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. “Innovative systems like Intelligent Speed Limiter, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, and Active Park Assist are making the benefits of semi-autonomous technology accessible to everyone.”

The S-MAX also features Glare-Free Highbeam headlights that help avoid dazzling vehicles ahead while retaining maximum illumination for other areas. Front Split View Camera makes negotiating junctions easier with a camera located in the grille.


Upgraded Modenas Dominar D400 unveiled from RM13,900

                SHAH ALAM: Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional (Modenas) has introduced its newly upgraded Dominar D400 sports tourer at a recommended selling price of RM13,997 (excluding insurance and road tax).

Some of the impressive upgrades of this second-generation model are the new Upside Down (USD) fork unit that replaces the conventional telescopic fork and a twin barrel exhaust system attached to a DOHC 373cc liquid-cooled engine with DTS-i technology that is capable of producing maximum power of 39hp and 35Nm torque.

The latest Dominar D400 also gets 320mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes equipped with dual channel ABS system.

Its rear is also fitted with an adjustable Nitrox monoshock absorber that allows a rider to tune it according to their riding needs.

In addition to that, the model also comes with an Assist and Slipper clutch system that will help during sudden changes of gears.

The fuel tank-pad also receives a new carbon fibre finishing as well as a Dominar logo stamped on its rear seat.The fully digital LCD instrument console is complete with speed reading, rpm counter, fuel gauge, odometer and gear indicator. Its automatic headlights are of the "LED mosaic" type, which is able to provide clear lighting especially at night which allow riders to be seen from a distance of 1.5km.

The Dominar D400 is offered with two new colours of Savanna Green and Charcoal Black.


India's long road to tougher law against killer drivers

                One month after Anita Rajput’s son was crushed to death by two buses as he walked home in the Indian capital, the distraught mother cannot bear to send her remaining child back to school.

“Has anything changed? How can I let him out on the road? What if my younger son meets a similar fate,” Rajput told AFP, tears welling in her eyes.

India has some of the world’s deadliest roads, with more than 200,000 fatalities annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The deaths are blamed on weak laws, which are routinely flouted by drivers and poorly enforced, often by corrupt officials.

After years of inaction, the government is proposing tougher penalties, including heftier fines for speeding and reckless drivers -- currently as low as US$2 -- in a bid to bring down the shockingly high toll.

Victims and road safety experts have been anxiously watching parliament, where premier Narendra Modi’s government has promised to introduce a bill -- overhauling a law dating back to the British colonial period.

But when parliament rose this month it delayed the bill until late April, a setback victims described as a “big disappointment for the entire country“ although they remain hopeful.

“It’s worth having a new law, even if it saves a single person. I know the pain,” said Pulkit Kumar, whose spine was crushed in a motorcycle accident leaving him bedridden.

Kumar, 29, was riding home in 2011 when he was knocked down by a bus while waiting at traffic lights in Delhi’s satellite town of Noida.

Forced to quit his job and faced with huge hospital bills, Kumar is, at the least, hoping for justice.

But four years after the accident, a case against the bus driver is bogged down in India’s notoriously slow legal system, and he has received no payout.

“It was a government-owned bus but I never got any compensation or at least a courtesy visit from any official,” Kumar told AFP from his home in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state.

The number of deaths on Indian roads - more than 231,000 every year, according to a WHO report in 2013 - is disproportionately high.

India owns only one percent of global vehicles but accounts for 15 percent of global traffic deaths, according to the World Bank.

Campaigners say corruption is at the heart of the problem, with drivers able to bribe police and judicial officers if they are caught breaking traffic rules.

As a result, motorists regularly flout laws on wearing seatbelts, speeding, using mobile phones at the wheel or switching on their headlights while driving at night.

“We live in a disastrous system. There’s corruption in [everything from] building roads to getting licences and getting away from paying fines,” said Anurag Kulshrestha, president of trafficZam, a Delhi-based charity for road safety.

He also points to the dilapidated state of India’s vast road network, some of which are poorly designed and ill-equipped to cope with the thousands of extra cars pouring onto them, thanks to a rising middle class.

The government pledged in its annual budget to build 100,000 additional kilometres of roads and to hike infrastructure spending by US$11.3 billion, although experts say much more is needed.

Until then, drivers will have to continue to compete with trucks, buses, speeding taxis, handcarts, cows and jaywalking pedestrians, who are forced onto pot-holed roads by the clutter of street vendors and crumbling pavements.

Experts say separating vehicles based on their size will help reduce deaths - such as building more truck bypasses and cyclist-only lanes.

“Traffic education must (also) be taught in school, we have to prepare our children for safe roads,” S. Velmurugan, a scientist at New Delhi’s Central Road Research Institute, told AFP.

Motorbikes carrying entire families without helmets are a common sight in India and other developing countries.

The new law will do little to slash corruption or improve understanding of safety. But it is part of a broader five-year government plan to cut road deaths by one fifth annually, that also includes stricter regulations on manufacturers to deter defective cars.

Inspired in part by the death in a car crash last year of a minister who was a close ally of Modi, the law hikes penalties for a range of traffic violations.

Fines for jumping red lights, not wearing seatbelts and speeding will rise from less than US$2 to between US$50 and US$250, an enormous sum for many Indians.

Fines for drink drivers will increase five-fold, from US$48 to US$240 for a first offence and US$500 for a repeat one, while a licence can be removed after four violations.

The proposals come too late for Rajput’s eldest son Mukul, 19, who wanted to become a chef.

Rajput is determined to “fight till the end” to bring those responsible for his death to justice.

She said Mukul was walking home from school, anxious to see his father who had just been released from hospital, when he was hit by what Rajput calls reckless bus drivers.

“We were excited to be together. He had wanted to stay at home,” but needed to go and sit his exams, she said at her home tucked away in Delhi’s old quarter.

Then “we got a call from the police”.


BRANDED: Your best Raya business partner

                When it comes to business partners, nothing is more important than reliability and trust.

This Raya, grab the opportunity to form a partnership that would literally take you, and your business, further – your ideal business partner presents itself in the form of the Daihatsu Gran Max, which offers you incredible reliability and the very best to boost your business workhorse and now comes with even greater savings.

 Get your business moving this Raya.

In the spirit of the season, enjoy savings of up to RM4,000* and a complimentary JVC HD car dash cam worth RM500 when you book a Gran Max.

All Daihatsu Gran Max comes with a standard warranty coverage of three years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first.

This exclusive promotion is valid from May 1 to June 30 and available only while stocks last, so make sure you don’t miss out on this chance to give your business greater reach.

 Your ideal business partner presents itself in the form of the Daihatsu Gran Max.

The Daihatsu Gran Max comes in two variants; the panel van and the pick-up. Both variants come with 17 customisable body applications, ranging from security van, pest control van and mobile café truck to luton truck and more to suit every business need.

Every Gran Max is powered by 1.5L Double Over Head Cam (DOHC) advanced Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT) Engine and operated by an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) fuel system that produces powerful driving experience with a maximum output of 71kW/6,000rpm and a maximum torque of 134Nm/4,400rpm.

All this boils down to the fact that the vehicles will provide you with power, while maintaining economical fuel consumption of an average of 11.1kms/litre (manufacturer claims) – always an important point when it comes to running a business.

Moreover, manoeuvring through daily city traffic has never been easier with a 4.7m minimum turning radius.

 The auto transmission panel van comes with a four-speed auto transmission system.

Switch up those gears as every Gran Max has a five-speed manual transmission, with the exception of the auto transmission panel van, which comes with a four-speed auto transmission system, all of which perform on rear wheel drives for improved driving grip and stability.

The Gran Max is built with strong rigidity body structure equipped with frontal dual SRS Airbags and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) to ensure both driver and passenger stay protected at all times, in case of a sudden collision.

In addition, it also presents more space and other options. With the Gran Max panel van, you can utilise its large capacity space with a maximum capacity of 5.8mᶾ, and a maximum load of 890kg. Loading and unloading of goods is also made easier, with a dual-sided access door and a wide rear door opening, with 585mm low floor clearance. The Daihatsu Pick-up truck, meanwhile, comes with a 3.7mᶾ load deck area and a maximum load of one tonne.

To further support the product, Daihatsu also committed to providing peace-of-mind aftersales ownership experience with its comprehensive aftersales facilities, certified and trained service technicians and availability of Daihatsu genuine parts, all catered specifically to the customers.

Daihatsu Malaysia will be taking part in this year’s Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) this 20th - 22nd June 2019 at Malaysia International Exhibition Convention Centre (MIECC).

Visit Daihatsu’s 25 showrooms around the country, or call the friendly Daihatsu customer service line at 03-5510 9988, to book a personalised sales appointment today. Alternatively, you may also email hotline@daihatsu.com.my or visit www.daihatsu.com.my for more details.


McLaren expands Sports Series with lightweight V8 600LT model

LONDON: McLaren will be bringing the latest model in its Sport Series, the 600LT, to the starting line in October. Inspired by the legendary GTR Longtail from the 1997 F1 racing season, the 600 LT is based on McLaren’s 570S Coupe, but a full 25 per cent of its parts will be different, the manufacturer says.

Prices for the handcrafted limited-run series will start at US$270,500 (RM1.09mil).

Parts of the 600LT’s body have been designed for reduced weight, allowing it to shed 96kg as compared to the 570S. Under the bonnet, engineers have put together a tuned 3.8-litre V8 turbo with 600hp.

Even though McLaren has not provided any concrete figures on driving performance, that type of muscle should be enough for a top speed over 330kph and acceleration from 0 to 100kph in less than three seconds.

To let customers fully experience and exploit the car’s potential, the price also includes a day at a race track with professional guidance, the British carmaker said.


Borneo Safari challenge starts

                KOTA KINABLAU: Two Isuzu models - the D-Max pick-up truck and mu-X sports utility vehicle - have set off for this year’s tough Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2017, the most recognised and the largest 4X4 rainforest competition in this part of the world.

The 27th edition of the challenge in Sabah runs from Oct 29 to Nov 5.

The three modified D-Max ”Monsters” have been the ride for the Isuzu media team for four years since their introduction.

 Isuzu Malaysia management and Borneo Safari 2017 officials with media members having a photo session before the flag-off.

These vehicles have delivered outstanding performance in the jungle, resulting in the D-Max “Monster” declared Car of the Year twice in Borneo Safari.

Last year, Isuzu Malaysia entered the modified mu-X “Monster,” a seven-seater SUV in the event and it overcame the tough weather and off-road conditions to be declared the Borneo Safari Car of the Year.

Isuzu Malaysia remains as the Diamond Sponsor for Borneo Safari 2017 and have been a sponsor for the last 11 years.

Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association president Faez Nordin thanked Isuzu Malaysia for their continuous support at the handover ceremony in Kota Kinabalu.

Isuzu Malaysia chief operating officer Masayuki Suzuki was present to hand over the company’s sponsorship contribution to the Borneo Safari 2017 committee members.

“We at Isuzu Malaysia are proud to be able to participate again in this challenge as the diamond sponsor.
“The 4X4 motorsport has always been close to our hearts, and we hope to continue to support this international event for many years to come,” he said.

This year’s route will go through Kampung Lingan and Kampung Karamatoi before proceeding to the hardcore session for five days without respite to Kampung Mikik.

For details of Isuzu’s range of vehicles, go to www.isuzu.net.my/pickup.


Rawang has two new BMW i chargers, open for public use

                RAWANG: BMW Group Malaysia and Millennium Welt today unveiled two new BMW i chargers in Rawang, located at Gamuda Gardens, to benefit both residents within and around the new township.

The BMW i chargers are located in front of the Gamuda Gardens Experience Gallery and would be available for public use.

Each charger, in the form of a BMW Wallbox, supplies up to 11kW of power and could, for example, fully charge the iX in seven hours.

BMW Group Malaysia now has 79 i charging facilities in Malaysia inclusive of the ones at Gamuda Gardens.

It has also worked with other partners like GreenTech Malaysia, Shell and Park Easy to install over 330 charges in the country.


Volvo's Polestar banned in France over logo row

                PARIS: Citroën took Volvo to court over the use of the logo in the latter's plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 which the French marque claims it bears more than an uncanny resemblance to.

It reportedly pointed out that Polestar redesigned its logo in 2017, a decade after Citroën last applied to trademark the double chevrons in 2014 for its DS division.

The French court agreed with Citroën and slapped a €150,000  (RM727,888) fine on Volvo on top of banning the car in the French market for six months, according to Automobile Magazine.

Ironically, Volvo has no plans to sell Polestar in France.

"Polestar does not operate in France, and we currently have no plans to operate in France," a spokesman told Autoblog.


Vietnam car maker VinFast to build US battery plant as it goes all-electric

                SAN FRANCISCO: Vietnam's VinFast plans to build electric vehicle battery cells and packs in a new US manufacturing complex, its global chief executive told Reuters, as the company pledged to transform itself into an all-electric automaker by the end of this year.

VinFast, part of Vingroup JSC, the largest conglomerate in the Communist-ruled country, became the country's first full-fledged domestic car maker when gasoline-powered models built under its own badge hit the streets in 2019.

The company, which began selling electric vehicles (EVs) in Vietnam at the end of 2021, said in a statement on Thursday it planned to become what it said would be the first car company to cease making gasoline-powered cars and transition to all-electric vehicle production from late 2022.

VinFast is betting big on the US market, where it hopes its electric SUVs and a battery leasing model will be enough to tempt consumers away from the likes of Tesla and General Motors.

"We will build our gigafactory in the US as well," Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vingroup vice chair and VinFast Global CEO said, referring to the new battery facility in an interview during her US visit to attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The company will continue to source batteries from its suppliers, she added.

Thuy said VinFast will initially assemble battery packs with cells sourced from its supplier at its US complex before starting its own production there.

"We have narrowed down from I think, over 50 sites to about three sites," she said.

She will visit some sites during her trip before making a decision this year, adding that the "mega site" would also include an electric bus factory.

In December, Vingroup said it had started building a battery cell plant in Vietnam. The company is looking to initially produce 100,000 battery packs per year, with US$174 million in investment, and then upgrade capacity to one million.

EV plants

VinFast previously said it had plans to start producing electric cars in the US in the late 2024.

The company said that on Thursday it was seeking to establish an EV plant in Germany.

"The era of shipping cars around the world is over, especially since Covid-19. You must have the factory close to the market in order to win over your customers," VinFast said in a statement.

VinFast said prices for its VF8 sport utility vehicle (SUV) started from US$41,000 in the United States, and that it would apply blockchain technology to record orders and confirm ownership. By comparison, a Tesla SUV sells for around US$50,000.

Vingroup said it was targeting global electric vehicle sales of 42,000 in 2022.

Shares of Vingroup rose as much as 5.8% on Thursday after it revealed VinFast's EVs line-up and the plans to go all-electric. VinFast is eyeing a share listing in the United States this year.


At least two-thirds of global car sales will be electric by 2040

                NEW YORK: Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating thanks to improvements in battery density and cost, more charging points, and government policies that make driving dirty cars more difficult.

Still, if any country is going to meet its net-zero emissions targets in the next 30 years, more needs to be done to clean up road transportation.

Passenger EV sales are projected to increase sharply, rising from three million in 2020 to 66 million in 2040, according to BloombergNEF’s Economic Transition Scenario. Globally, EVs will represent more than two-thirds of passenger vehicle sales in 2040. Europe and China are leading the transition.

Sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles have already peaked. In Europe, battery EVs are approaching price parity with ICE vehicles.

Battery prices fell with manufacturing and tech upgrades and higher demand.

Buses and two and three-wheelers will maintain the top EV adoption rates.

As a world leader in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, China is benefiting from the rising demand for EV battery packs.

The European Union is trying to catch up, setting an ambitious goal of supplying enough batteries to meet its own demand by 2025.

There are more than 500 EV models on the market worldwide. On average, EVs introduced in 2020 could travel 359km before needing a charge, up from 166km in 2012. In China and Europe, charging spots more than doubled in two years.

Alternative drivetrains, fuel economy, and shared mobility will impact oil demand; however, nations still won’t reach net-zero by 2050 without doing more.

Some EV makers are going public using special-purpose acquisition companies.


Tokyo Motor Show 2019: Honda CT125 concept bike

                TOKYO: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the world premiere of the CT125 as part of its concept model for the Honda Super Cub series.

Designed with off-road performance in mind, the exterior boasts the adventurous spirit of riders.

Inheriting the original “CT” concept, the CT125 features a steel front fender and up-muffler (above the engine), a wide and large rear carrier, high-mount air intake duct and side air cleaners.

While featuring a casual style suitable for everyday use, the CT125 is also positioned as a trekking bike equipped with functions for the rider to enjoy it in the outdoors.


Paul Walker's daughter gets US$10mil settlement in actor's death

                LOS ANGELES: The 17-year-old daughter of late actor Paul Walker has reached a US$10.1mil (RM40mil) settlement with the estate of the man driving the car that crashed and killed them both in 2013, her attorney said on Friday.

Walker was a passenger in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by Roger Rodas when the car, traveling at speeds of 129kph to 150kph, careened into trees and a utility pole in Santa Clarita, northwest of here.

 Meadow - Source: Instagram

Meadow Walker's attorney, Jeff Milam, said in a statement that the settlement would go into a trust for the teen.

The settlement, reached in November 2014, went unnoticed for nearly a year and half because it was filed under "Meadow W.", according to celebrity news website TMZ, which first broke the story.

According to Milam's statement, Rodas was only partially responsible for the crash, and the settlement covers a "fraction of what her father would have earned as an international movie star had his life not been tragically cut short."

Attorneys for Rodas' estate could not immediately be reached for comment.

Walker's death at age 40 led to a lull in production of "Furious 7," the latest movie in the mega-hit action series about illegal street racing that propelled his career.

The 2015 film grossed more than US$1.5bil (RM5.9bil) worldwide, making it among the highest-earning films of all time.

Milam said the actor's daughter was continuing her lawsuit against Porsche AG and that she "intends to hold the company responsible for producing a vehicle that was defective and caused Paul Walker's death."

Meadow Walker, the actor's only child and sole heir, filed the complaint against the German automaker last September, accusing it of skimping on safety features that could have prevented the crash or at least kept him alive.

Porsche has maintained that the actor was responsible for his own death. After a four-month investigation, Los Angeles officials said the crash was caused by excessive speed, not mechanical failure.

Milam said Paul Walker survived the impact of the crash, but "burned to death because of Porsche's defective design."

A federal judge presiding over a similar lawsuit filed by Rodas' estate against Porsche in Los Angeles ruled in favor of the car company on Monday, saying: "Plaintiff has provided no competent evidence that Rodas' death occurred as a result of any wrongdoing on the part of Defendant."


GoCar Garage expands digital car maintenance solutions to Ipoh and Negri Sembilan

                PETALING JAYA: GoCar Malaysia, a leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, has expanded its GoCar Garage digital one-stop car service and maintenance solution to Ipoh and Negri Sembilan.

The expansion is part of GoCar’s ongoing efforts to widen the Garage service network, through strategic partnerships with independent and authorised workshops.

These Garage partners, who are capable of servicing a range of local, Japanese, Continental and premium passenger vehicles, are selected through a stringent assessment process to ensure GoCar Garage’s standard of service excellence will be met.

There are currently more than 40 Garage locations across Klang Valley, Johor Baru, Penang, Melaka and now Ipoh as well as Negeri Sembilan, which can be easily located via the GoCar mobile app.

Created to offer a seamless end-to-end car maintenance experience with transparent pricing structures, the GoCar Garage platform allows customers to schedule service appointments, select services, pre-approve quotations before work begins and make payments, all through the GoCar mobile app.

In conjunction with this latest expansion, GoCar is offering up to RM50 savings on any car service available via the GoCar Garage platform.

The array of service offered includes engine oil change and periodic servicing, as well as repair, replacement and rectification services for tyres, brakes, batteries, air-conditioning and mechanical and electrical systems.

Customers can also enjoy other non-repair services such as performance tuning, tinting, detailing and paint coating.

The promotion is applicable for bookings placed and redeemed from Sept 19 to Nov 3, with the promo code “CUBALAH50”.

Members of the public can also find out more at upcoming GoCar Garage roadshows at Lotus’s stores in Bukit Jelutong, Cheras and Puchong in the Klang Valley and Desa Tebrau in Johor Baru.

More details on the roadshow schedule can be found on the GoCar website or via the mobile app.

To locate a GoCar Garage nearest to you and book a service appointment, download the GoCar mobile app and click on the “Car Service and Repair” tab.

For more information about GoCar Malaysia, visit https://hi.gocar.my or follow the GoCar Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz6-zOVUt8YfnCzKKEvMbtw and Twitter channels.


Safe Raya with BHPetrol, Road Safety Department and Puspakom

Puspakom's Light Mobile unit checking the window tint of a car at the BHPetrol Kuala Lumpur - Karak service station.

KUALA LUMPUR: A road safety campaign was held by Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol), in collaboration with Road Safety Department Malaysia (JKJR) and Puspakom Sdn Bhd.

The "Hari Raya Safety Campaign" was launched at the BHPetrol Kuala Lumpur - Karak service station, where those refuelling their vehicles given goody bags filled with snacks, refreshments and BHPetrol vouchers.

Puspakom's Light Mobile unit provided free vehicle inspections which included exhaust emission, suspension, lights, brakes and glass transparency level.

BHPetrol customers were also given flyers on road safety tips distributed by JKJR's team.

"Once again, we chose BHPetrol Kuala Lumpur - Karak service station because it is located just after the Gombak Toll plaza which is the starting point for motorists heading back to East Coast. We hope all our customers will practice safe driving during their journey back home to enjoy the Raya celebration with their loved ones, families and friends," said BHPetrol managing director Tan Kim Thiam .

Also present were BHPetrol general manager (supply, retail, corporate affairs and government relations) Azizul Azily Ahmad, Road Safety Department deputy director-general Wong Yau Duenn and Puspakom Sdn Bhd head of marketing and advisory Datuk Ooi Win Juat.


CATL explores new EV battery services, to add capacity, says chairman

                BEIJING: China’s top electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) is exploring new battery-related services and will expand manufacturing capacity in the next two years, says its chairman.

Ningde-based CATL, which alongside LG Chem and Panasonic is one of the biggest EV battery makers globally, is developing battery-swapping and battery maintenance services, its chairman Zeng Yuqun said today.

It will also expand recycling capabilities in China and invest in similar businesses overseas, Zeng said in a written response to Reuters questions.

The firm, which has signed supply deals with Tesla Inc and Volkswagen AG, expects to increase battery manufacturing capacity in the next two years, said Zeng.

It may target further overseas expansion based on customer demand, he added. The firm is currently building a plant in Germany.

Zeng said the firm will control costs to better manage the impact from the coronavirus pandemic. He did not offer details.

As the virus hit demand in China, the world’s biggest auto market, sales of new energy vehicles, which include battery electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, fell 43% in the first four months this year compared to a year earlier.

Reuters reported in February that Tesla is in advanced talks to use lithium iron phosphate batteries from CATL. Sources said this month Tesla and CATL are developing next generation batteries which would have significantly longer lifespans.


BMW Motorrad presents Akrapovic rear silencers for R 18 cruiser

                MUNICH: The extensive customising programme from BMW Motorrad for the BMW R 18 is now getting a sonorous boost from new Akrapovic rear silencers.

At 97 mm shorter than the two standard rear silencers, they are made of durable stainless steel, coated in matt black and, together with a silver end cap adjustable in 90-degree steps, give the rear end of the R 18 a decidedly sporty appearance.

The stylised BMW brand symbol - the "propeller" - in the centre of the end cap acts as a fine, high-grade detail and special identification mark. One screwed-in heat protection plate each in the area of the manifold connection of the slip-on rear silencers protects the rider's footwear in this area.

With a combined weight of 8.2 kg, the two Akrapovic rear silencers are a total of 1 kg lighter than the standard models, underlining the sporty note.

BMW said the Slovenia-made rear silencers have been optimally tuned to the 1,802 cubic centimetre "Big Boxer" of the R 18 and make for a rich and powerful sound. It is not necessary to enter these rear silencers in the vehicle documents as they have been homologated together with the complete vehicle.

BMW said the Akrapovic rear silencers are also designed to pair well with the BMW Motorrad Bobber Kit for the R 18.

Pricing for the new silencers has not been announced.

The Harley-Davidson-rivalling R 18 is on sale in Malaysia. It is offered in four variants from RM150,000 to RM199,000.


SUV to join Bentley stable, and it's called Bentayga

                CREWE/DETROIT: Bentley’s SUV is set to be revealed to the world later this year and it already has a name: Bentayga.

The SUV would introduce Bentley’s modern British luxury to the world with an impressive combination of on and off road performance.

The natural world, along with the company’s founder, inspired its name. Crowning the Northern Hemisphere, to the north of Bentley’s birthplace in England, is the dramatic beauty of the Taiga, the world’s largest transcontinental snowforest. To the south, the rugged peak of the Roque Bentayga in the subtropical Canary Islands draws attention from all directions and a challenging climb rewards with  panoramic views of a diverse landscape.

“Bentayga is a name that reflects what we know our SUV will do better than any other car in the world – combine the best automotive luxury with outstanding performance to take the Bentley experience to new environments,” said Bentley Motors chairman/CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer.

The new Bentley Bentayga will be revealed later in 2015, and go on sale in 2016.


Gang stealing 4WD cars busted

                KOTA KINABALU: Police busted a gang specialising in stealing four-wheel-drive vehicles and selling them in Sarawak following a series of raids since last month.

The seven-member gang, known as “Gang Gerudi” (Drill Gang) and led by a man who has been placed under the Restricted Resident status, is believed to have stolen at least five such vehicles.

The man, who is from Shah Alam, Selangor, has been serving the two-year confinement order in Beaufort since 2019.

Police got their breakthrough when they arrested the 38-year-old mastermind after the gang stole a Toyota Hilux from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 parking lot here on Feb 28.

Kota Kinabalu city police chief Asst Comm Habibi Manjinji said that led to the discovery of the vehicle and a rented Perodua Axia at a parking lot in a five-star hotel here.

He said three men were arrested together with several master keys and drills believed to have been used to unlock the vehicles and an ECU scanner to override a vehicle security system and jumpstart the engines.

“This was followed with the arrest of three more men at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport domestic arrival hall where we seized a second rented vehicle, ” he said yesterday.

ACP Habibi said that on March 2 police arrested a sacked Pos Malaysia worker at a coffee shop in Damai and found 18 road tax stickers, 11 of which had registration numbers printed on them.


BMW Z4 (G29) launch won't be long now, undergoing dynamic testing in France

                MUNICH: BMW today revealed the new Z4 prototype undergoing tests in the south of France, signalling that the launch in late 2018 is proceeding as planned.

The camouflaged sporty two-seat roadster was shown doing its laps at the BMW test centre in Miramas.

The third-generation G29 Z4 is being jointly developed with the new Toyota Supra to cut costs, so both sports cars will share components. The new Z4 will only be available with a motorised soft-top unlike the second generation which uses a retractable hardtop.

Tests are under way to tweak the Z4 performance in terms of agile handling, spontaneity and precision when changing direction and accelerating out of bends – without compromising comfort.

Trials at the Autodrome de Miramas are focusing on fine-tuning of all drive and suspension systems – the basis for the sporty driving experience offered by the new Z4.

The Z4 will come in 4- and 6-cylinder engine variants, with the sportiest being the Z4 M40i. It will get a new, more powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine, a lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, a newly developed front axle, M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres, an M sports brake system and an electronically controlled lock in the rear axle differential.

"The vehicle concept of the new Z4 is geared consistently towards agility and driving dynamics," said Jos van As, Head of Application Suspension. "The high level of body stiffness and the very rigid suspension attachment provide the basis for a set-up that guarantees the performance qualities of a genuine sports car in terms of steering precision as well as longitudinal and transverse acceleration."

Like the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the Miramas test centre offers conditions for the new Z4 to demonstrate its driving dynamics potential. Used by BMW to develop and test new models for more than 30 years, the centre comprises a long asphalt oval and a motorway ring road for high-speed tests as well as slalom, serpentine and circular tracks and a number of handling courses and circuits featuring highly diverse types of surface.

These are currently being used for detailed analysis and optimisation of the roadster's acceleration, steering and brake response. For example, the final form of the adaptive M suspension as it interacts with the rear axle limited-slip differential is developed on the circuit that is also used for testing purposes by BMW Motorsport.


BMW invests in lithium tech startup Lilac Solutions

                MUNICH: BMW said it will invest in lithium technology startup Lilac Solutions Inc to support more-efficient ways to produce the electric vehicle battery metal.

Privately-held Lilac is part of a growing number of technology developers seeking to extract lithium from saltwater brines faster, cheaper and with less water than evaporation ponds, which have long been the industry standard.

BMW, which already buys lithium from China's Ganfeng Lithium Co and other traditional lithium producers, said it sees Lilac's technology as a way to boost global production of the white metal as demand grows from the EV market.

"This holds the promise of becoming a new extraction technology that allows access to more green lithium," said Kasper Sage of BMW i Ventures, BMW's venture capital fund.

The German automaker is participating in Lilac's Series B funding round alongside SK Materials Co, Sumitomo Corp investment arm Presidio Ventures and others.

BMW declined to discuss its investment amount, though the total from all investors announced on Wednesday was less than US$20 million, according to regulatory filings.

T. Rowe Price and others were part of an initial US$130 million funding round for Lilac's Series B announced last month.

Lilac plans to use the funds to construct a US manufacturing facility for ion exchange beads, which are core to its extraction process.

The company last month agreed to use its technology to develop a lithium project in Argentina with Lake Resources NL.

"Lilac has focused on proving our technology is reliable and scalable. And that's been resonating with members of the supply chain," said Dave Snydacker, Lilac's chief executive.

Lilac's peers include privately held EnergySource Minerals LLC and Energy Exploration Technologies Inc, as well as Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd, Standard Lithium Ltd and E3 Metals Corp.


One-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Phantom Orchid unveiled for Singapore

                SINGAPORE: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore has unveiled a "one of one" Phantom Orchid that was created by the marque’s Bespoke Collective at Goodwood in collaboration with artist Helen Amy Murray.

Designed for the island republic, the orchid was chosen as an inspirational theme for resilience, beauty and strength.

Rolls-Royce's pinnacle model, the Phantom Extended, was chosen to be the ‘blank canvas’ for the commission.

Although orchids have long been a focal point for art through the ages, this is the first time they have been chosen for a Rolls-Royce commission.

Award-winning artist Murray is inspired by several kinds of orchids, including the Singapore Orchid and spent over 200 hours relentlessly refining her unique, hand-sculpted silk artwork with a team of six.

The final design resides on the Phantom's Gallery or dashboard.

Murray started by focusing on the actual orchids, which promptly led her to realise that colour was key to capturing the essence of the species.

“I have created artworks featuring orchids in the past, but my idea for the Gallery was to create something in realistic full colour, which pushed us to refine our digital printing skills," she said.

Murray started by illustrating the design by hand before creating a digital version that she could print directly onto the silk crepe satin.

The final part of the process involved a meticulous hand-sculpting of the flowers, releasing layers of fabric to create a 3D effect.

For the interior, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Yohan Benchetrit applied his talent to the Bespoke orchid-inspired Picnic Table Inlays in the rear of the suite which, when opened, gracefully reveal a beautiful layer of orchids set into Piano Black veneer.

He added Bespoke treadplates emanating a similar theme without text to welcome the owner and passengers into the motor car.

The interior suite, meanwhile, was furnished with elegant, natural colours which provide a soothing ambience akin to an Orchid Sanctuary.

To complete this special ‘one of one’ Phantom, a unique paint was specially created using the latest paint technology.

Arctic White was chosen as the base colour, while a tint of violet was added, inspired by orchids.

Combined with fine glass particles through a special process, the result is a stunning pearlescent appearance.

Under bright light, the paint technology creates a shimmering effect like no other, changing as an observer views the motor car from different angles.

Rolls-Royce Bespoke lead designer Michael Bryden said the commission drew parallels with the Singapore that he knew - a thoroughly modern garden city merging nature and technology effortlessly in its make-up.

Bryden has not only spent time in Singapore but also designed the now famous, ‘one of one’ ‘SG50 Bespoke Ghost’, created to celebrate the city state’s 50th Anniversary.

“It was the first time we had produced a motor car to celebrate such an occasion, so I am again delighted to have participated with Yohan and the Bespoke Collective here in Goodwood to create another masterpiece for Singapore,” Bryden said.


Polestar 5 electric 4-door GT to debut 884hp powertrain

                GOTHENBURG: Polestar is showing a development prototype of the Polestar 5 in public for the first time at the June 23-26 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The new model is a high-performance electric 4-door GT with proper sports car credentials, and the production evolution of the Precept concept car first shown in 2020.

The UK team has taken the opportunity of working with a new mechanical platform to design and develop a unique bonded aluminium chassis, a prime factor in delivering the vehicle dynamics signature.

In Sweden, development of a new top-of-the-line electric powertrain is ongoing. A new rear electric motor will provide superior output, along with 800-Volt architecture. Combined with a high-output front electric motor, the complete dual motor powertrain aims to deliver 650 kW (884hp) and 900Nm.

“The new powertrain we are working on will set a new brand benchmark in our high-performing cars," said Polestar’s CTO and Head of R&D Jörg Brandscheid.

"Combining strong electric motor engineering ability with advances in light-weight platform technology is leading to truly stunning driver’s cars.”

Polestar 5 will run up the iconic Goodwood hill twice daily during the event in the “First Glance” group.

The car is planned for launch in 2024 and is the third of three new EVs expected to be launched by Polestar in the coming three years, following the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 electric SUVs.

Polestar’s YouTube documentary series shows how the company is transforming the Precept concept into the production Polestar 5 in a lot more detail than is usually revealed during a car project.

“Polestar 5 is a company-defining project. Its progressive design and advanced engineering set the tone for Polestar’s future. We have great talent on board enabling us to create truly iconic EVs,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.


Sepang council to waive parking compounds issued to owners of flood-hit vehicles

                SEPANG: Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) will waive the parking compounds issued to owners of flood-damaged vehicles that were parked at Medan 120 in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi (BBST) Business Park on Dec 28.

A video went viral on Dec 30, showing several vehicles that were allegedly damaged by floods at Medan 120 with MPSepang parking compounds seen on their windscreens.

The video was followed by news reports condemning the local council’s lack of compassion for flood victims.

Responding to the matter, MPSepang president Abd Hamid Hussain said in a statement that the enforcement officers involved were not aware that the vehicles were damaged by floods as the area was not affected by the deluge.

He said a total of 51 compound notices were issued for not displaying parking coupons, but one white Perodua Myvi that was covered in mud was spared because it was suspected to be damaged by floods.

“However, seven vehicles that were supposedly also damaged by the floods were issued compound notices because the enforcement officers suspected that it was covered in dew.

“If we were informed that flood-damaged vehicles were parked there, we would have used our discretion to not issue the compounds and help the owners to get a proper place to park their vehicles,” he said.

Abd Hamid explained that the enforcement action was lawful and taken under Section 8(1) of the Parks By-law (MPSepang) 2005, which carried a maximum compound of RM1,000.

He said the vehicles that were issued compound notices also consisted of those that were being repaired by a car workshop.

“The workshop operator had earlier agreed to pay for the parking charges but failed, which resulted in the customers’ vehicles being issued compound notices.

“In addition, the area used to be a dumping ground for old and abandoned vehicles. MPSepang had to tow those vehicles away. Despite the action, the area continued to be used for such purposes and so, we have to take action.

“We do not want any area in BBST to be used as a dumping ground for damaged and abandoned vehicles,” he said.

He requested those affected to call the MPSepang legal unit at 03-8319 0200/300 (ext 230/296) for queries on the matter.


China's BYD cuts starting price for Seal EV; aims to extend lead

                SHANGHAI: BYD Co Ltd today cut the starting price of its best-selling Seal sedan by 10%, as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant seeks to extend its lead in the world's largest auto market with lower-priced products.

The company replaced its line-up of the model with five new versions. That includes a rear-wheel drive Seal Champion Edition with a 550-km driving range per charge at a starting price of 189,800 yuan (RM123,000). This is 20,000 yuan (RM13,000) cheaper than a previous version with the same driving range, according to BYD's website.

The new price is also 18% cheaper than the rear-wheel drive version of Tesla Inc's Model 3 in China with a driving range of 556km, which the Seal Champion competes against.

China's EV market is in the midst of a price war started by Tesla earlier this year, with several EV makers including BYD following the US automaker's example by cutting prices for best-selling models this year to defend market share.

"Loss making independent (new energy vehicle) producers are likely to resist further price competitions, but we believe profitable market leaders such as Tesla and BYD still have the pricing flexibility to balance demand and supply - and both companies will continue to expand production capacity aggressively in 2023," Fitch Ratings analysts said in a note on Tuesday.

BYD, China's best-selling electrified vehicle maker, launched the Seal sedan under its Ocean series in July 2022 with a sporty design style and intelligent features.

It sold 19,573 Seal cars in the first quarter, while China sales of the Model 3 totalled 42,782 units in the same period, data from China Passenger Car Association showed.

The EV price war is also drawing sales away from internal combustion engine vehicles as the price gap between the technologies narrows.

BYD has so far led the new energy vehicle (NEV) market with its various offerings of battery-only and plug-in hybrid models priced under 300,000 yuan. At the recent Shanghai autoshow, it hit headlines by unveiling an electric hatchback costing half the price of the cheapest NEVs available elsewhere.

It has outgrown Germany's Volkswagen as the best-selling passenger vehicle brand in China in the last two quarters.

But signs of weaker demand are also appearing as BYD reduced shifts at two of its auto assembly plants in recent weeks, Reuters reported in March.