Tesla deliveries drop due to challenges shipping to Europe and China

                SAN FRANCISCO/BENGALURU: Tesla Inc deliveries fell 31 percent in its first quarter as the electric car maker struggled with its first shipments of the Model 3 sedan to Europe and China due to longer transit times.

But the Silicon Valley carmaker re-affirmed its guidance to deliver between 360,000 and 400,000 vehicles this year, and said US orders for its new Model 3 - which was recently made available for US$35,000 - outpaced what the company was able to fulfill in the quarter.

Tesla, whose delivery numbers missed analysts’ expectations, said it had only delivered half of the quarter’s numbers by March 21, with 10,600 vehicles still in transit at the end of the quarter. By comparison, only 1,900 vehicles were in transit at the end of the fourth quarter.

“Overall, the Street was expecting an apocalyptic quarter and Model 3 deliveries were better than feared by many,” said Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, who noted the overall number was “clearly rocky.”

Lower deliveries in the first quarter had been expected, as Tesla shifted for the first time to delivering its new Model 3 to China and Europe in January and February, amid a slowdown in demand in North America and after a US$7,500 tax credit was cut in half at the end of 2018.

On Wednesday, Tesla said net income in the quarter would be negatively impacted by the lower delivery and recent price cuts. The company warned in February that it would post a first-quarter loss.

Tesla delivered 50,900 Model 3s in the quarter, falling short of analysts’ estimates of 58,900, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Tesla delivered a total of 63,000 vehicles, including 12,100 Model S sedans and Model X SUVs. That was less than half the 27,550 Model S and Xs delivered in the fourth quarter.

Analyst Ives called S and X numbers poor, with Tesla focused on Model 3.

Total production fell 10.92 percent to 77,100 vehicles from 86,555 vehicles in fourth quarter. The company churned out 62,950 Model 3s, up from a total of 61,394 Model 3s in the fourth quarter.

The Model 3 is the linchpin of Tesla’s growth strategy and chief executive officer Elon Musk is under pressure to deliver the vehicle to new international markets efficiently, while guarding working capital.

Musk has been engaged in a public battle with US regulators stemming from his tweets about Tesla’s production estimates and a judge will hear the case on Thursday.

Although Tesla said in late February that it would soon begin selling its originally promised $35,000 version of its Model 3 sedan to its North American customers, the change came too late to make a marked difference in its quarterly deliveries.

 A Tesla store in London.New challenges

Delivering its Model 3 to international markets posed new challenges for Tesla. Musk tweeted that the company encountered “many unexpected challenges” when Model 3s came through the Belgian port of Zeebrugge in early February. More recently, misprinted labels delayed Model 3s entering through Shanghai.

The arrival of the Model 3 in Norway led to a surge in market share for Tesla in that country, with the car the biggest seller in Norway in March.

Still, some analysts have questioned the sustainability of global demand as European rivals roll out competing electric vehicles.

Too many vehicles in transit can put a strain on Tesla’s working capital. Before Tesla’s release, Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi estimated that working capital could be tapped by as much as US$800 million in the quarter due to such vehicles.

Tesla said it ended the quarter with “sufficient cash on hand.”

As the company strives to improve margins and post profit later in 2019, the company has laid off workers, including about half of the team hired to deliver cars in the United States, and said it would close stores to lower costs. It has since said it would keep higher-volume stores open, while announcing a 3 percent price increase on some models.


Rolling in the rough with BFGoodrich tyres - VIDEO

                BFGoodrich may not be a tyre often heard much about although it was introduced here more than five years ago; it was subsequently withdrawn as the tyres were made in the US and being loaded with taxes, didn’t come cheap.

BFGoodrich has made a comeback to regain traction in the market with a difference; although it is an American brand, it comes under the Michelin Group and can tap the synergy within the organisation.
Two new tyres, called the Advantage, are being produced at one of the Michelin production facilities in Thailand and are introduced here at competitive prices to attract car and SUV owners.

BFGoodrich is not short on expertise in making tyres, especially ones that it has consistently enjoyed motor sport success over the years. The triumph is more American based and its continued success in the Baja 500 and 1000 desert races on the west coast of the US is described as ‘unchallenged’.

 The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

BFGoodrich, which boasts more than 120 years of ‘proven performance’ since 1896, has introduced the new on-road Advantage T/A Drive and SUV tyres, and the off-road All-Terrain T/A KO2 to expand on its strong name globally.

We were invited to the outlands in Brisbane, Australia to get a feel of the American-made All-Terrain T/A KO2; T/A stands for Traction Advantage and is a patented name while KO is loosely a French interpretation as it refers to ‘all terrain option’.

The numeral ‘2’ indicates that it is second generation series and is engineered from its ‘incomparable off-road motor sports’ racing technology. We were told that the All-Terrain T/A KO2 addressed tyre issues and changing demands on how tyres were expected to be used.

According to Pierre Azemat, Product Marketing Manager, Southeast Asia & Oceania, the demand is for even ‘more tough’ tyres and greater traction.

BFGoodrich determined that 84 per cent of all-terrain tyre failures were sidewall related while the higher demand for more tyre traction stemmed from its use on-road, off-road and for towing. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is said to be improved accordingly to have 20% stronger sidewalls, while its tread life is doubled on gravel roads and increased by 15% on asphalt.

Additionally, traction is improved by 10 per cent on muddy terrain and by 19 per cent in snow (which may not be relevant here).

The tougher sidewall is derived from its race-proven Baja T/A KR2 tyre with the Coregard technology; the visual signs are thicker, extended shoulder rubber that extends deep into the critical sidewall failure zone and an Advanced Deflection Design that prevents hazards from snagging and splitting the sidewall.

Longer tread life is achieved through specially-formulated tread rubber to provide superior gravel road endurance; advanced tyre footprint shape that distributes stress more evenly to attain more uniform wear longer; stone ejectors to prevent stone retention and drilling; and interlocking tread design to provide tread block stability for even wear.

Specifically, the tread life is improved through resisting irregular wear from chipping, chunking and tearing of the tread block; BFGoodrich says the mass loss of the centre tread area for the KO2 is 2.6%, a reduction from 6.2% for the KO.

Its better mud performance is arrived at through Serrated Shoulder Design, Mud-Phobic Bars and Side Biter Lugs; the first comprises staggered shoulder blocks to provide greater manoeuvrability in soft soil and snow.

The second feature is said to release compacted mud from between the tyre treads and enhance traction in muddy and soft soil.

Item three refers to the tyre pattern on the side that provides better mud, rock and snow traction, especially in certain trying conditions.

The Advantage range, meanwhile, expands on the BFGoodrich strengths in on-road applications; it was designed and developed by the Michelin Group in Japan over two years.

Designer Moribe Kohei, who has been with Michelin for 10 years, says the Advantage is slightly harder in ride than the Michelin range in general but will deliver strongly in all other aspects of tyre performance.

The key features were described as great braking on wet and dry road surfaces with large tread blocks and deep wide longitudinal and latitudinal grooves and sipes.

Smooth and responsive handling in corners under all weather conditions through a mix of large tread pattern blocks on tread and shoulder with various sizes, jagged grooves and reinforced fibres at the shoulder. Strong tyre structure for any demanding road conditions with two steel plies, two casing plies, one cap ply, and reinforced shoulder and bead areas to be a tough cookie. Control in all situations via the symmetric tread design with rigid tread blocks and shoulder as well as the jagged grooves.

Our off-road adventure was focused on the flagship All-Terrain T/A KO2 through about 30km of 4WD trails in Land Cruiser Mountain Park (mainly a cattle farming area of 4,000 hectares with more than 200km of off-road tracks). It takes about three hours to drive there from Brisbane with one third distance on off-road tracks but we had the luxury of flying there in helicopters at 120 knots or more than 200kph.

The vehicles used were mostly Toyotas – Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado and Fortuner- and we chose a Fortuner for the more comfortable ride. Pierre said the event was conducted at this time of the year as it was often rainy and the conditions would be perfect to gauge this BFGoodrich tyre; but the rain stayed away and all we had were rock-strewn and deep rutted trails, plus a short sandy stretch.

A surprising note was that unlike the conventional practice when tyre pressures were reduced for off-road drives, the tyre pressure was set at 40psi or 280kPa! According to Pierre, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 works well with high tyre pressures when going off-road and as such, there was no need to adjust and re-inflate the tyre for such forays.

That held water as we found the Toyota Fortuner no more bouncier or jolting than expected when we hit the rocky trail, although it did skitter a lot over surfaces with lots of ridges. The tyre’s tougher sidewall also resisted any possible cuts or tears when going over the many rock strewn sections with jagged edges.

Its good grip on loose surfaces was experienced when we were told to brake during a descent down a slippery gradient; the Fortuner stayed in place and only moved when the brake pedal was released. A brief foray through a sandy tract, which would have been a flowing stream had it rain, again showed the tyre’s assuring grip as we navigated the gravelly course.

There were many sections with deep ruts, through which Pierre guided us, although one Fortuner got stranded when the driver misjudged the angle and the underside was wedged against the solid earth mound. At the end of drive, the tyres stayed clean; there were no stones wedged between the treads nor was there any soft earth or grassy sods that we had driven over.

We could understand why BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A is the tyre for the Baja desert marathon rally in the US; it’s one tough tyre that took all the punishment thrown at it under off-road conditions. This admirable quality, we were assured, could be expected of the new Advantage range of tyres as well under on-road conditions.

The Advantage T/A Drive and T/A SUV road tyres are available locally in sizes from 13- to 18- inch with prices from RM100 to RM550. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 comes in sizes 15- to 18-inch, with prices starting from RM1,000.


Ford to launch new basic SUV as part of China revival effort

                BEIJING: Ford Motor said on Wednesday it will launch in China early next year a new “entry-level” sport utility vehicle developed jointly with a local partner, as the US automaker attempts to revive its slumping business in the world’s biggest auto market.

The Ford Territory, developed with Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC) and available in three powertrain choices including a plug-in hybrid version, is intended to close a gap in its China strategy.

The new SUV is one of the 50 new or redesigned vehicles Ford has said it plans to launch in China starting this year and through 2025, which include the redesigned Ford Focus car due to hit showrooms later this year.

It will make it possible for Ford to compete with indigenous Chinese automakers such as Geely and Great Wall Motor that are pumping out hot-selling compact SUVs with competitive quality and lower price tags.

Ford did not discuss on Wednesday a specific pricing strategy for the Territory, but two individuals familiar with the new car said it will likely have a price tag of around 150,000 yuan (RM90,000).

The car puts the company in a segment it has never competed in before and which is witnessing surging demand from smaller, but fast-growing interior cities across China that indigenous Chinese automakers have capitalized on to grow rapidly.

“Clearly, this has been a difficult year for Ford in China. But this new vehicle is part of our growth plan that will improve our business in China and return us to profitability and set us on a growth trajectory again in China,” Ford’s Asia-Pacific and China chief Peter Fleet said in an interview on Wednesday.

“This isn’t going to be an instantaneous turnaround of our business in China, but you’re going to see a series of actions, a series of products and a series of moves that will return us to being a very successful growth business in China.”
Ford’s business in China has been faltering since last year. Its vehicle sales tumbled 25 percent in the first half of 2018 from the same period a year ago to 400,443 vehicles, which led to a second-quarter pre-tax loss of US$483 million (RM1.9bil)for its China operations.

According to consultancy LMC Automotive, it was Ford’s biggest first-half percentage decline in sales volume since starting operations in China in 2001.

Ford blames its weak China business on an ageing model lineup that is awaiting an overhaul.

The sales slump is also exacerbated by the impact of China’s trade tensions with the United States, a problem that has hit Ford’s premium brand Lincoln hard since all Lincoln cars sold now in China are imported from the United States and face a 40 percent tariff Beijing levies on US-made cars in retaliation for US trade actions.

Fleet said the new SUV, which will be available in gasoline, so-called mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, has been designed as an entry vehicle “for younger families in emerging cities” of China.

The Dearborn Michigan-based car maker needs a product such as the low-priced Territory because the company is “running a scale business” and needs to expand its market share and revenue base, he said.

Ford officials indicated late last month that an array of sport utility vehicles it plans to launch in China next year and in 2020 will give the company what one described as a “real boost” in China.

“In terms of pricing, the new SUV appears to be positioned in between its sub-compact SUV and compact SUV. Given the styling and its positioning, it should be able to generate some good volume,” said Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight. “It should contribute to the company’s effort to turnaround sales.”

To compete in the market for low-priced, no-frills cars, Ford’s competitors such as General Motors and Nissan Motor Co have created local China-only brands of their own, such as Baojun and Venucia, respectively. Those brands complete head on with the likes of Geely and Great Wall’s Haval.

Ford is now coming up with such entry-level cars within the Ford brand and is likely to offer more models in the future to meet demand for no-frills cars.

“This vehicle has been engineered to Ford DNA standards. You are going to see that in the quality of the ride, the technologies offered, and the vehicle’s design,” Fleet said.

Ford has “no need or desire” to offer the Territory as part of “some other new brand”, Fleet said.


UMW Toyota Motor urges buyers to replace Takata airbags

                SHAH ALAM: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) the distributor of Toyota and Lexus Vehicles in Malaysia announced its support today towards the government’s seriousness in handling the Takata Airbag replacement issue.

Understanding the urgency of the situation, the Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, has instructed Road Transport Department (JPJ) offices not to allow the renewal of roadtax if a vehicle has not had the affected module replaced.

The replacement of the Takata SRS airbag system’s inflator module is necessary because of propellant degradation within the module which can cause the airbag to break up when inflating.

This may result in sharp metal pieces being sprayed towards the driver and/or front passenger, causing serious injuries or even death.

The defect affects millions of vehicles worldwide made over the past 15 years by many different vehicle manufacturers.

“Since 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation has been actively addressing this issue. The affected vehicles have been identified and distributors worldwide have been informed to initiate Special Service Campaigns. During these campaigns, the airbag inflator modules have been replaced at no charge to the owners,” explained Mr. Akio Takeyama, deputy chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMWT has reported a high completion rate of 91% for Lexus vehicles that are below 3 years old and 53% for Toyota vehicles that are below 6 years old for the replacement of the inflator modules.

It urges owners of older Toyota and Lexus vehicles to come forward to have the affected airbag inflator modules replaced quickly.

The vehicle range for affected Toyota vehicles are from 2001–2014 and 2007-2016 for affected Lexus vehicles.

UMWT further assures its customers that efforts have been made to request owners to bring their vehicles to authorised service centres for the free replacement of the module and notification letters have been sent to owners based on their contact details in its database.

“Safety is our highest priority and we have made every effort to contact owners through various means. We are grateful to the Transport Minister for his concern and will fully support this initiative,” said Mr. Ravindran K., president of UMW Toyota Motor.

UMWT urges any concerned parties and customers who have queries regarding this matter to contact them where full support will be given so that there will be no issues with regards to road tax renewals pertaining to non-airbag replacements.

Toyota also has created a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) checker on its website toyota.com.my to allow Toyota owners to check if their vehicles are involved in any special service campaign including the Takata airbag inflator module replacement.

Affected customers will have to provide their contact details to enable an aftersales representative to contact them with arrangements for the replacement of the affected inflator module.

Besides the online checker, Toyota owners can also find out about any other ongoing Special Service Campaigns by calling the Toyota free-phone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


Tesla makes it official, marking HQ move to Texas

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla has officially said goodbye to California and howdy to Texas, saying in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing last week that the corporate headquarters are now at Gigafactory Texas in Austin.

Chief executive officer Elon Musk, who clashed with Alameda County, California, public health officials during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, announced the plan at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in October without giving a timeline.

Tesla’s Austin factory, which will make the Model Y and the forthcoming Cybertruck, is nearing completion.

Musk had said the dearth of affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area and long commute times were among factors limiting Tesla’s ability to expand.

But Tesla will maintain a strong foothold in the region and is building out a new factory in the Central Valley city of Lathrop for the Megapack, its utility-scale battery product.

The billionaire moved to Texas in 2020 and spends much of his time near Brownsville, where his SpaceX is building Starship, its next generation rocketship designed to take humans to the Moon and Mars.

Musk is the world’s richest person with a worth of about US$287 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Unlike California, Texas is one of the few states that levies no personal income tax.


Lambo customers experience the beauty of inland China in 42-vehicle convoy

                BOLOGNA: Lamborghini China has launched the Esperienza China Giro “Journey into the Vast”, an expedition of 42 Lamborghini cars across the majestic northwestern region in China, travelling more than 800km through the vast lands of Ningxia and Gansu.

During the five-day journey, a fleet of 42 Lamborghini super sports cars and super SUVs departed from Yinchuan and drove through the colossal Helan mountain range, experiencing local culture and beliefs with blessings at the Fuyin Temple.

The fleet then came to the expansive desert as the tranquil red light of the setting sun fell on the Yellow River and the stars started to shine in the darkening skies, and drove along the stunning Route 66 of Zhongwei to reach the quaint ancient villages of Beichangtan.

Finally, the fleet came to the Tonghu Grassland with its unique beauty of desert, lake and oasis; and then visited the Lanzhou Danxia Geological Park to enjoy the sight of the red bed of Danxia against the blue skies and steep cliffs.

In the Tengger Desert, the Lamborghini Urus showcased its off-road abilities. In Sabbia (sand) mode the Urus, featuring active torque vectoring, guaranteed the agility and precision on sand dunes with reduced grip, showcasing the fun of off-road driving in the vast sea of sand.

The event also included a luxurious Lamborghini night in the depths of the desert. Guests enjoyed a stay in the Desert Star Hotel that integrates regional and modern design elements, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the desert’s green oasis, starry skies, and rustling sand.

For seven years since 2015, the Lamborghini Esperienza Giro China has become an annual event of the Lamborghini brand, bringing Chinese customers an extraordinary driving experience in an exploration of China’s spectacular landscapes.


How to keep your dog safe and happy during road trips

                BERLIN: Some dogs love car trips but for others, it's terribly stressful, leading to barking, whining and sickness, even.

Owners can influence this. "You can slowly and carefully get your pet used to car travel," says TV dog trainer Martin Ruetter who comes from Cologne. Dogs have to be taught that car trips aren't dangerous and there's no reason to be afraid.

Often, the problems start early as most young dogs are picked up by their new owners and taken in a car. That is usually a painful separation from its siblings and mother, and the car's movement may further upset a puppy's sensitive sense of balance at that delicate age.

The trick is to help your dog enjoy it. "The first step is to put food in the car," says Ruetter. You can also play games with your dog, hiding food and letting it be found. if your dog can handle all this, then try the same process but with the engine running. Sit in the car yourself and buckle up and pretend you're about to go for a drive.

However, only start the car if your dog isn't showing any signs of stress such as panting or salivating, Ruetter says.

Gradually, you can increase the distance and the speed - always provided your dog stays cool.

"Basically, every training session should end with a good moment," says Yasmin Diepenbruck, a vet from Bernkastel-Andel on the Moselle. Stop at the first indication that your dog is suffering the slightest stress or discomfort.

There are several ways to make sure your dog stays safe on trips. Padded safety harnesses, for example, give the dog a certain amount of freedom of movement in the back seat, but could be difficult if there's a crash. If you put up a stable net or grid to keep your dog in the boot, that could mean your dog gets thrown around in an accident.

Experts say the safest way to travel is in a transport box in the boot, positioned at right angles to the direction of travel behind the rear seat backrest, according to Europe's largest car club, the ADAC in Germany. Keep the safety belts from the rear seat fastened even if nobody's sitting there to make the backrest more stable in the event of a crash.

Small boxes can be placed in the foot well behind the front seats.

However, this too needs practice. Just like driving, the dog needs a chance to get used to the box, and that process requires patience and motivation. "You could try initially keeping the box in the house so it becomes a safe place," says Ruetter.

Treats help too. Try placing your dog's favourite snack or toy at the front of the box when you start the training process. Nudge it back, successively so the dog gets used to the box in stages. But keep it open, for now.

Your next step could be a bone to gnaw on, that the dog chews in the box - and only in the box. Don't let you rdog leave the box with the bone - remove it if the dog heads out.

Now, if the dog is willing to enter the box without any hesitation. try closing the door, just for a few seconds.

And make sure that once you put the box in the car, it's fastened safely so it doesn't slip when your dog bounces in and out of it.


Toll highway buy-up: Ministry official says congestion charge paying for it

                KUALA LUMPUR: The government would not need to fork out a single sen to pay for the acquisition of four highway concessionaires, as the RM6.2 billion purchase consideration will be entirely self-financed via the collection of a proposed congestion fee, says political secretary to the Finance Minister, Tony Pua.

He said the acquisition, opposed by some critics, would also not increase the government’s debt burden because a designated special purpose vehicle would be raising the RM6.2 billion cost to finance the purchase of the concessionaires, namely Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), System Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (SPRINT), Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) and the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART).

"There needs to be a distinction between debt which the government will ultimately have to bear, versus debt which will be self-financed. In this case, the RM6.2 billion will be entirely self-financed via the collection of a proposed congestion charge," he said in a statement here today.

He said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) had issued two statements to explain the benefits and rationale of the proposed acquisition.

"The offer was made on June 21, 2019, and has since received the acceptance from the Board of Directors of Gamuda Bhd and the respective toll concession companies. The exercise is currently awaiting further approval of the concession shareholders, as well as the final Cabinet approval prior to a successful completion," he said, adding there were still critics from some parties who are opposed to the exercise based on flawed logic and arguments.

Responding to the critics, Pua said the proposed acquisition of four toll concessionaires, on the contrary, would save billions of ringgit for the taxpayers and highway users, while providing the shareholders of the toll concessionaires a limited but reasonable return on their investment to ensure the stability of the fragile financial markets.

He said there were those who argued that it would be cheaper to pay these concessionaires compensation for freezing toll rates than to acquire them.

The MoF has estimated that, without the acquisition, the government would have to compensate these concessionaires between RM5.3 billion and RM6.5 billion to freeze the toll rates until the end of the respective concession periods. With this self-financed acquisition, the government will hence save RM5.3 billion to RM6.5 billion in compensation payments.

"Therefore, the simple mathematics will conclude that it is vastly cheaper for the government to acquire the highways than to pay compensation, since the acquisition cost of RM6.2 billion is self-financed. On the other hand, if the toll rates are merely frozen, these concessionaires will collect at least RM5.3 billion in compensation from the government.

"Contrary to the critics’ argument, if the government pays compensation to the concessionaires to freeze toll rates, it will only profit the concessionaires and reduce the burden for the urban highway users only.

"However, by acquiring the highways, the RM5.3 billion saved in the future will go towards welfare and development expenditure for Malaysians all around the country, while the highway users can save even more than before," he said.

On the argument that certain highways which are expiring ‘soon’ should be allowed to expire instead of being acquired, he said these critics might have forgotten that even for the ‘expiring’ highway - specifically referring to Kesas which will expire in 2028, the government still needed to continue to compensate the concessionaire every year to freeze the toll rates.

"The government has offered to acquire Kesas at RM1.377 billion. The government would otherwise have to compensate the concessionaire between RM1.08 billion and RM1.19 billion depending on traffic volume up to the expiry of the concession.

"Hence, the same argument applies - that if the government can acquire Kesas for RM1.377 billion via a self-financing mechanism which does not require any government financial allocation, the Malaysian taxpayers will save between RM1.08 billion and RM1.19 billion in compensation payments to the concessionaire over the next nine years," he explained.

Pua said there are others who argued that the offer exercise is a bailout for ‘loss-making’ highways, citing Sprint and Smart.

"For Sprint, the highway is currently ‘loss-making’. However, the critics should be aware that its earnings and profit are back-loaded towards the end of the concession. This is especially since its debts will be progressively repaid and the toll rates for the three highways under the concession are entitled for increases in the future as provided in the existing concession agreement.

"Over the remaining life of the concession, Sprint is expected to generate around RM1.5 billion in profit after tax for the shareholders, after settling all its outstanding debts. In comparison, the government has offered RM1.984 billion to acquire the concession, of which only approximately RM870 million to the shareholders. The balance of the RM1.114 billion is used to repay the debt holders of the highway.

"In addition, if the government was to freeze toll rates and pay compensation, the compensation amount for Sprint will range from RM1.57 billion to RM2.04 billion, depending on future traffic volume," he said.

As for Smart, Pua acknowledged that the highway concession which ends only in 2042 was expected to be loss-making for a long time, and it explained why the government was acquiring it at net book value of RM369 million.

On the contrary, if the concession is allowed to be continued, the "government would instead have to compensate the concessionaire between RM671 million and RM1.028 billion for the remainder of the concession.

In conclusion, he said it is substantially cheaper to acquire the highway today via a self-financing mechanism, instead of continuing to pay compensation for the remainder of the concession period.

"Finally, certain critics also claim that the government’s offer allow Gamuda to rake in all of its profits upfront, instead of over the concession period. This argument is again, misleading.

"The proposed acquisition, will indeed allow Gamuda and the other concessionaires shareholders to recognise some of the future profits today. Otherwise, what incentive do they have to become ‘willing sellers’?

"However, through this acquisition exercise, the ‘future profits’ will be shared between the concessionaire shareholders, the government - via elimination of compensation payments - and the highway users, via reduced congestion charges," said Pua.

The government will save at least RM5.3 billion, which would otherwise have gone into the concessionaires’ bottom-line, and the highway users will save up to RM180 million per annum from reduced congestion charges, or approximately RM2 billion over the respective concession periods.

"The reason why both the government and the highway users are able to benefit is because the ‘future profit’ of these highways are shared."

In summary, the acquisition offer is fair and reasonable given that it allows the government and the highway users to reap more than RM7.3 billion of savings in the future while ensuring market stability without any threat of expropriation," he added.


Future Mercedes vans to combat driver fatigue and particulate matter

                BERLIN: The next generation of delivery vans will reduce electric range anxiety, driver fatigue and particulate matter - at least according to a new Mercedes concept of a van combining new ideas on what delivery vehicles could look like in the near future.

More than a dozen innovations designed to benefit delivery workers - notoriously overworked and underpaid in many countries - have been selected for the study, the manufacturer said.

The new features, many of which would also work in passenger cars, are installed in an electric concept van dubbed Sustaineer.

To increase the range, Mercedes has installed solar cells on the roof, which are supposed to supply the electricity for about 1,000 additional kilometres per year, at least based on weather conditions in the company's home market of Germany.

At the same time, Mercedes wants to save energy with a new climate control concept called "body heating". Instead of unnecessarily heating the entire cabin, this system only warms the steering wheel and seat belt, while the AC focuses on just the air around the driver.

A daylight lamp in the sun visor is also intended to contribute to the driver's well-being and reduce fatigue. The same applies to a "speed delivery door" that opens automatically to make it easier for the driver to unload the van.

Vans, with their long wheelbase and more limited visibility, also have a reputation for being involved in accidents in crowded cities, and Mercedes says it wants to increase safety with cameras instead of exterior and interior mirrors.

To reduce the van's contribution to particulate matter, known to increase the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases in city dwellers, the tyres and brakes in the Sustaineer create less abrasion, Mercedes says.

At the same time, new filters in the radiator grille and the floor of the van are designed to capture the particulate matter kicked up by the car itself and other vehicles, thereby actively improving air quality in cities, according to Mercedes.

Mercedes has not yet given any concrete launch dates for all this tech. However, many solutions are said to be close to being ready for series production and will be introduced in the next model generations at the latest.


Musk promises 'dedicated robotaxi' with futuristic look from Tesla

                SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla will make a "dedicated" self-driving taxi that will "look futuristic," chief executive Elon Musk said on Thursday, without giving a timeframe.

The 50-year-old billionaire, wearing a black cowboy hat and sunglasses, made the comments at the opening of Tesla's US$1.1 billion factory in Texas, which is home to its new headquarters.

"Massive scale. Full self-driving. There's going to be a dedicated robotaxi," Musk told a large crowd at the factory.

Musk has several times missed his targets of full autonomy. In 2019, he said robotaxis with no human drivers would be available in some US markets in 2020.

In January he said he would be "shocked" if Tesla did not achieve full self-driving that is safer than that of humans this year.

Tesla will expand its "Full Self-Driving" beta software to all North American FSD subscribers this year, he said on Thursday.

Tesla now sells the advanced driver assistance systems for US$12,000, with a promise of more features. It says the software does not make its vehicles autonomous, and requires driver supervision.

The beta version, launched in late 2020, aims to enable cars to navigate city streets better. By January, it had been installed in nearly 60,000 vehicles in the United States.

Musk said Tesla had started deliveries of Texas-made Model Y electric sport utility vehicles, with a goal of producing half a million a year at the Texas factory, which he said would be the biggest car factory in the United States.

He gave no details of such Model Ys, but they are likely to be lower-priced versions to better take on cheaper competitors.

Tesla will start production next year of its Cybertruck as well as a humanoid robot, Optimus, Musk said.

The firm's new giga factories in Texas and Berlin, which will make vehicles and its own battery cells, face challenges of ramping up production with new processes, analysts have said.

Musk said Tesla was simplifying car making by making a car using three major parts.

Despite record deliveries in the first quarter, a recent Covid-19 spike in China has forced Tesla to suspend production at its Shanghai factory for several days.

Thursday's event comes after Musk surprised the market this week by revealing he had bought a stake of 9% in Twitter and will join the board of the social media network.


Seventh-gen Lexus ES unveiled

                BEIJING: The new Lexus ES 300h hybrid luxury sedan was highlighted in Beijing, with its ultra-efficient, Atkinson cycle 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor.

Its hybrid powertrain electric motor deliver a combined 205hp and more than 17km per litre in combined driving.

There are three different wheel designs (17- and 18-inch) for the ES 350 and ES 300h while the ES 350 F Sport gets 19-inch wheels with a design similar to that found on the LC coupe.

Meanwhile, all ES 350s are powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 300hp and 355Nm of torque, mated to a eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. It's more powerful (+32hp, +19Nm) compared to the previous generation V6.

In select global markets, the ES will be offered as an ES 250, powered by an all-new 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine.

All versions of the seventh-generation ES feature the new Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard.

It includes daytime bicyclist detection which is part of the Pre-Collision System (PCS) that can detect oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Another new safety safety in the ES is a two-stage adaptive high beam system (AHS) with a 24-LED light array that can adapt the light pattern to provide enhanced illumination while reducing glare for oncoming drivers.


Police lay down the rules on May 1-3 interstate travel

                KUALA LUMPUR: Those stuck in their hometowns since the movement control order (MCO) began will have to go through a multi-stage application process before they are allowed to travel home.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said applications to travel home could be made using the Gerak Malaysia app or at the nearest police station.

"Those eligible can apply to travel from Sunday (April 26)," he said in a statement today.

However, he said their application must be updated on Wednesday (April 29) to confirm the travel destination.

"They will be able to check the status of their application on Friday (May 1) via the app.

"The time period for permitted interstate travel is from May 1 to May 3 and all motorists must plan their trips accordingly," he said.

Comm Huzir said those using the North South Expressway (NSE) must remember a few important details.

"No restaurants or food stalls will be open at all rest areas along the NSE.

"All surau will be closed and no group prayer activities will be allowed at rest areas, including inside buildings, open areas or car parks.

"Only toilet facilities will be allowed to operate and car parks will only allow motorists to rest inside their vehicles.

"They will not be allowed to exit their vehicles except to go to the toilet," he said, adding that petrol stations along the highway would be allowed to operate from 6am to noon.

He reminded motorists that no group activities will be permitted.

"Those who do not have access to the app can make written requests for travel at their nearest police station but priority would be given to users of the Gerak Malaysia app," said Comm Huzir.


MAA appoints UMW Toyota Motor's Mohd Shamsor as new president

                KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has appointed Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain as its new president for the 2023/2034 term.

In a statement, MAA said the appointment of Mohd Shamsor, who is the marketing director of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, comes following the passing of its former long-serving president, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, in February.
 Mohd Shamsor.
Meanwhile, two past MAA vice-presidents, Tan Keng Meng from Tan Chong & Sons Motor Co Sdn Bhd and Sarly Adle Sarkum from Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd returned to their respective positions.

Sime Darby Hyundai Sdn Bhd's Low Yuan Lung was also elected as vice-president; and Arman Mahadi from Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd was re-elected as honorary secretary/treasurer.

The association had also re-elected its five council members, namely Derrick Sim (Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn Bhd), David Nah (Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd), Datuk Samson Anand George (Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd), Hoffen Teh (Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd) and Say Teck Ming (Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd).

Syed Muzri Syed Faiz (Jaguar Land Rover (M) Sdn Bhd) was also appointed as a new council member.


Koji Sato, incoming Toyota CEO, must navigate shift to clean energy

Sato (centre) will take over as Toyota CEO from April 1. With him is Toyoda (left) and outgoing chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada.

TOKYO: Koji Sato, who was named today as the future CEO of Japan's top automaker Toyota Motor Corp, is an engineer with a background in diesel engines who will be tasked with navigating the company's shift to clean energy.

Currently the CEO of Toyota's luxury brand Lexus, Sato will succeed Akio Toyoda as the CEO of Toyota on April 1.

Under Toyoda, the automaker has followed a go-slow approach to electric vehicles, arguing that the hybrid technology it pioneered with the Prius will remain important along with investments in hydrogen.

Sato studied diesel engine combustion at university and joined Toyota in hopes of "contributing to society by creating the future of diesel engines", according to an interview on the website of Gazoo, Toyota's motorsport brand.

Although the 53-year-old oversaw the creation of Lexus's first fully electric model, he has also spoken of keeping other options for powering vehicles open.

He spoke of the potential of hydrogen last year in Thailand, where Toyoda himself drove a hydrogen-powered Toyota race car at an endurance race, according to the daily Yomiuri.

"It won't be an immediate substitution for electric vehicles, but it's good for people to know that there are other options available, when the increase of EVs eventually plateaus," Sato said of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the report.

Sato started his career at Toyota in 1992, before rising through the ranks to become chief engineer of Lexus International in 2016, based on his profile on the Toyota website.

"The industry itself is facing a once-in-a-century disruption, with many unknowns to navigate," said John Shook, a former Toyota manager who now consults on the lean management techniques pioneered by the company. "I can imagine that Akio thought now is the time to transition so his successor can steer the ship through the uncertainty ahead."

Sato has held positions as the president of Lexus International and Gazoo Racing Company since 2020.

He also took on an executive role at Toyota and became its chief branding officer in January 2021, which is good news for the company as the industry undergoes change, said Christopher Richter, Deputy Head of Japan Research at investment group CLSA.

"Having somebody who's sensitive to the need to develop a brand, that's all the more critical right now as you're heading into the EV age, where a lot of what made the brand changes," Richter said.

"Car companies used to live and die by their engines. You’re changing to a different type of vehicle. Building a brand around this new type of architecture, this new type of drive (…) is key,” he added.

In his spare time, Sato enjoys visiting temples in Kyoto and practises Japanese tea ceremonies, according to a profile on the Gazoo website. He drives a Toyota Supra that was handed down from his father-in-law, the profile said.

One of the main reasons Sato was elected as a successor was his love of creating cars, Toyoda said during the official announcement which was broadcast online.

That passion was obvious in a brief video clip released in 2021, where Sato sat next to Toyoda as they test-drove a Lexus.

As Toyoda accelerates and whoops excitedly, Sato can be seen with a wide grin and occasionally laughing, unable to contain his delight.


Shall Advance could have you riding home a Ducati Monster 797

(L-R) May, Next Bike head of marketing David Lim and vice president 2 Fazli Hisham with the Ducati Monster 797.

KUALA LUMPUR: Shell Advance, the motorcycle engine oil brand in Malaysia, is offering its customers a chance to take home a Ducati Monster 797 worth RM56,000.

The bike is the grand prize of its Shell Advance Buy & Win Consumer Contest which runs from now to May 31, while two winners each week will receive a pair of Oakley sunglasses.

The results will be published on the Shell Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Shell) and Shell Malaysia’s official website (www.shell.com.my).

To enter, consumers will need to purchase any Shell Advance 4T motorcycle engine oil or gear oil worth a minimum of RM25 (excluding GST) in a single receipt from any Shell Advance branded workshop, participating independent workshops or the Official Online Store on Lazada Malaysia.

Also, a simple question must be answered and a picture of the receipt must accompany the entry submission via WhatsApp (018-3791326) or email (contest@lubespromo.com).

“For many motorcycle enthusiasts and MotoGP fans, it is (a dream) to own a Ducati and we are here to help make it a reality,” said Shell Lubricants marketing general manager May Tan.

For more information log on to www.shell.com.my/Advance.


Proton runs Amazing 5 Value campaign

                SHAH ALAM: Proton is offering great deals with the Amazing 5 Value campaign, which ends on April 30, 2017.

The Amazing 5 Value campaign applies to all Proton cars including the Saga, Iriz, Persona, Ertiga, Exora, Preve, Suprima S, and Perdana.

Cars bought during the campaign period get a five-year free service package (inclusive of parts, lubricants and labour).

The free service package will expire after five years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.

Customers will benefit as they do not have to worry about regular service and maintenance cost for the first five years of ownership, and also, they are assured of genuine parts, which in the long run will have a positive impact on the resale value of their cars.

They also enjoy peace-of-mind with a 5-year or 150,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

Those who prioritise vehicle safety will be glad to know that Proton cars such as the Iriz, Persona and Preve have a maximum five-star safety rating from Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asia).

The Suprima S and Preve also have a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme).

For details, contact Proton Customer Care – 1800 888 398 or email customercare@proton.com or www.facebook.com/ProtonCarsOfficial or instagram@ProtonCars.

For added convenience, download MyProton app on Google Play and Apple App Store.


PLUS to have RFID at all toll plazas by early 2022

                PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) is integrating RFID into all its highways, with at least one lane per toll plaza, by early 2022.

The system would provide a cashless payment alternative for motorists, who will be able to pay using their Touch ‘n Go e-wallet.

Teras Teknologi Sdn Bhd CEO Anwar Ishak said the TnG RFID system would be rolled out along with an Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.

Teras is a subsidiary of PLUS which develops technology solutions for the highway toll concessionaire, including the existing Touch ‘n Go and SmartTag systems.

As its tolls were a closed system – where motorists check-in then pay upon exit based on distance travelled, rather than a fixed amount at each tollgate – it needs the RFID system to be at both ends so the same system can record people going in and out.

PLUS chief technology officer Kang Yew Jin explained that the ANPR system provided a secondary layer of identification so that if there was any confusion on where the motorist entered the highway, it would be able to figure out how much to charge them.

This would avoid penalising motorists who accidentally use a different payment method to enter the highway, and assist in disputes about payment errors.

The ANPR system uses high-resolution cameras at both entry and exit lanes to recognise the passing vehicles’ number plates and works with the Toll Validation Centre (TVC) to seamlessly process customers’ payments.

Kang said the validation system’s AI was still being improved, and would be assisted by human staff for cases where the number plate is illegible due to being damaged, dirtied, or using non-standardised, stylised number plates.

When working properly, it will allow motorists to pass-through tolls faster, at up to 30kph. This is compared to the SmartTag system, which has a 20kph pass-through speed.

The system had been running a pilot test since July 2020 at the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua closed highway, which runs from Kedah to Penang.

Anwar said the test resulted in higher pass-through speeds, reduced congestion and fewer cases of motorists having insufficient balance to pay the toll as they could top up their e-wallet in app rather than needing to go to a physical top-up kiosk.

Asked during a media roundtable on the cost of implementing the new technology, he replied that it would be lower than the SmartTag system once it was scaled up, as it used fewer proprietary systems.

He said the timeline of it replacing SmartTag would depend on the rate of adoption by motorists, though the government had set a target to introduce a multi-lane free flow highway dependant on RFID by 2026.

A multi-lane free flow highway is a barrier-less highway where drivers make contactless payment by driving under gantries equipped with scanners, rather than through toll plazas with barriers.

This is similar to Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing system that also uses gantries to detect and charge road users passing through, which works at speeds from 20-30kph on arterial roads and 45-65kph on expressways.

Asked if anyone else would have access to the camera data – like the police or Internal Revenue Board – he said “the possibility is there” but did not elaborate further.

He also said that the system could be opened to other e-wallets, though they had not started exploring such partnerships.


Red Bull F1 team gets HondaJet Elite

                GREENSBORO (United States): Honda Aircraft Company has delivered the HondaJet Elite to the Red Bull Formula 1 racing teams, Scuderia AlphaTauri.

Red Bull recently began using the US$5mil (RM20mil) HondaJet Elite to transport their team during the Italian Grand Prix, which concluded with a first place victory by AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly.

The aircraft will be mainly operated in Europe and used for multiple purposes, including transporting drivers, other athletes and officers, and previewing racing circuits. The light jet can carry up to eight occupants with crew included.

Red Bull F1 racing team advisor Helmut Marko said the HondaJet was picked because it was particularly efficient on short and medium-distance routes.

 The Scuderia AlphaTauri Team in the HondaJet Elite. They are (from left) team principal Franz Tost, F1 drivers Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly.

The partnership between Honda and Red Bull in F1 racing dates back to 2018, when Honda began supplying power units to Red Bull’s F1 team. Technologies found in the engines powering the HondaJet enhance the power of the Red Bull Racing car, which has led the Red Bull-Honda F1 team to multiple victories.

The HondaJet fleet comprised of over 155 aircraft worldwide and it has been the most delivered light jet in its class in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Honda Aircraft Company is based in Greensboro, North Carolina.


Legendary auto artist Shin Yoshikawa creates NSX cutaway sketch

                LOS ANGELES: Acura has released a hand-drawn cutaway sketch of the NSX supercar by legendary automotive illustrator Shin Yoshikawa.

Celebrated around the world for his artwork, Yoshikawa has been called one of the greatest living automotive artists and has a special kinship with Acura, dating back to the first generation NSX.

In his NSX sketch, Yoshikawa reflects on the technology and beautiful design of the second-generation supercar. Yoshikawa's artistry examines the NSX, deciding what elements to show, and to hide, drawn largely from notes and memory.

"The NSX's power unit was extremely challenging to draw, making the second-generation NSX the most difficult vehicle I have sketched," said Yoshikawa. "Everything comes down to the details. If you don't understand the technology that goes into building vehicles, you won't be able to build them, and you certainly can't draw them."

 Yoshikawa. — Blackbird Automotive

The only Japanese supercar made in America and the only one using electric motors to improve dynamic performance, the Acura NSX combines a three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

The 2019 NSX made its global debut at Monterey Car Week and is distinguished by a new body-colour front grille garnish and high gloss treatment for the front and rear fascia mesh.

An expanded colour palette includes a Thermal Orange Pearl paint, an Indigo blue leather interior option and two new brake caliper colourways.

A host of chassis enhancements include stiffer stabiliser bars, a new grippier tire and software tuning designed to elevate the 2019 NSX's performance in all driving situations—whether on the street or race track.

The result is a supercar even more responsive to the will of the driver, leading to a nearly 2-second faster lap time around the Suzuka Circuit.


Climate NGOs in Germany threaten legal action against VW, Daimler, BMW

                BERLIN: Greenpeace and German environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) will take legal action against Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler's Mercedes-Benz, and gas and oil firm Wintershall Dea if they do not step up their policies to tackle climate change.

The cases would be modelled on one brought against Royal Dutch Shell in the Netherlands last year arguing the company's lack of climate action constituted a failure in its duty of care to citizens, which led to a court ruling in May mandating the company to reduce its CO2 output by 45% from 2019 levels by 2030.

Greenpeace and DUH demand that the automakers stop producing combustion engine cars by 2030 - earlier than the 2035 effective ban proposed by the EU in July - and that Wintershall Dea refrains from exploring any new oil and gas fields from 2026.

These deadlines are necessary to meet the goals of the Paris climate accords and German climate law, the NGOs argue.

They set a deadline of a few weeks for the companies to respond to their demands. Should they fail to do so, the NGOs will file lawsuits in German courts, they said.

Daimler and BMW said they were committed to the goals of the Paris climate accords and were already on the path to climate neutrality. Wintershall DEA and Volkswagen were not immediately available for comment.


VW gears up for Worthersee with first madcap concept

                PRAGUE: Meet the Funstar, a very cool pickup take on the Skoda Fabia, that may give fans a hint about what to expect at this year's biggest car tuning festival dedicated to all things Volkswagen group.

Every May, Reifnitz in Austria plays host to the Worthersee, a sort of Glastonbury festival for people who love all things customized and Volkswagen - including the car companies it now owns. And this year is no different, with the 2015 Worthersee running from May 13-16.

VW uses the event to gauge response to new ideas, features and styling cues but more excitingly, to let its designers completely off the leash and go crazy.

The first of the one-off cars to be announced ahead of the event proper comes courtesy of a team of teenaged students currently at Skoda's Akademie vocational school and is a seriously chopped version of the current Skoda Fabia.

Called the Fabia Funstar, it is equal parts supermini and compact pickup truck and one that is actually a working concept. Under the menacingly vented hood is a real, albeit lightly powered 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a Volkswagen double clutch seven-speed paddle shift transmission.

The design team says that it there wasn't enough room for a larger engine unfortunately. What it lacks in horsepower it makes up for in watts - from the sound system that is.

The standard car's stereo can pump out 300 but the Funstar can burst eardrums from one hundred paces with its 1,400-watt set up.

All of which makes it even more of a shame this car won't be going past the concept stage - it's surprising how well the Fabia's lines hold up even when in utility vehicle form.

However, if the diminutive concept stirs the crowds up sufficiently, Skoda says that it will give its students carte blanche again for next year's event.

Expect the Skoda concept to be joined by a number of even more extreme concepts from Audi, Seat and of course Volkswagen itself in the days leading up to the festival proper.


Proton unit offers new graduates 2.98% on their first car

                SUBANG JAYA: Fresh graduates, take note.

Proton Commerce Sdn Bhd (PCSB), a company under the Proton Group, has announced a campaign that provides fresh graduates an opportunity to own their first car with low Hire Purchase (HP) loan rates.

This unique Fresh Graduate Campaign only requires a letter of employment or a month’s salary slip in order to qualify for a loan, making it very accessible.

Starting at 2.98% ,the rate offered by PCSB is currently one of the lowest in the segment.

Basic requirements for a customer include being a graduate (minimum qualification diploma), be aged between 18-30 years and have a job with a minimum salary of RM1,500. The offer will run until Dec 31, coinciding with the sales tax holiday being enjoyed by all car makers.

The campaign is designed to help address the issues of mobility for those entering the job market. A key deterrent for this segment of buyers has often been the ability to obtain a hire-purchase (HP) loan without having the proof of income for three months, a common requirement for most HP loans.

“In today’s connected economy, mobility is important for young adults just entering the workforce. It provides a sense of empowerment and autonomy to these graduates. We are confident that this package will assist fresh graduates to own a car, as monthly repayments start from as low as RM239 per month” said PCSB chief executive officer Mooi Fi Phang.

According to Mooi, the HP industry is projected to grow soon, as a result of cuts in the Overnight Policy Rate and the exemption of sales tax for passenger vehicles.

Besides the Fresh Graduate Campaign package, PCSB also announced that as of July 7, it has reduced the overall interest rates to as low as 2.22% based on customer creditworthiness and margin of finance.

For more information on PCSB and its products, go to www.protoncommerce.com.


VW developing driverless minivan for city shuttle services

                MUNICH: Self-driving vans that shuttle people between airports, events, hotels and other city spaces are on track to become an everyday reality in Western cities in the next few years, going by Volkwagen's plans for a new high-tech range of people carriers.

Ahead of the launch of its all-electric ID.Buzz van next year, Volkswagen says it is developing a self-driving prototype version of the upcoming minivan.

Does that mean you can soon just fall asleep in the back of a camper van and wake up on the other side of the country? Sadly, VW isn't thinking quite that far ahead yet.

The maker of the 1960s camper van that became synonymous with hippies says its autonomously driving bus tech is first being tested for robot taxi services with five prototypes, before series production becomes possible from 2025 onwards.

VW and its US partner Argo AI are now testing the technology here, mainly for trips to the airport. The Moia shuttle service mostly in Hamburg is also to be included in future.

The company anticipates private customers and logistics companies will be able to use the technology in the coming years.

The German car giant hopes to tap into a global multi-billion market with its development of autonomous driving.

In the process, however, the development of the software "will never be completely finished," Agro-AI boss Bryan Salesky says.

Tasks such as dynamic learning of on-board controls and anticipating numerous driving situations are "incredibly complex."

A core goal will be to reduce accidents and ideally to prevent them completely. VW and Argo have already been researching and improving such algorithms for some time, also through a joint cooperation with the US carmaker Ford.


Volvo XC90 updated for 2019, starts from RM373K

                KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia has refreshed the line-up of its flagship XC90 large luxury sports utility vehicle (SUV) with new subtle styling touches and upgrades.

Available in three variants of T5, T8 Twin Engine Inscription and T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, the vehicles are priced on-the-road without insurance at RM373,888, RM399,888 and RM409,888 respectively.

Reprising its award-winning styling, the XC90 which herald in Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform in 2015, now gets a revised grille, new wheels and fresh exterior colours.

The new grille with inward curled vertical slats, low bumper design and the iconic Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, work together to enhance the XC90's powerful presence and persona.

Powering the T5 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 254hp and 350Nm of torque, enabling a satisfying 0-100kph sprint of 7.9 seconds and a fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100km.

The T8 plug-in hybrid line-up, meanwhile, reprises the 2.0-litre turbo and supercharged engine combined with an electric rear axle drive (ERAD) for a total system output of 407hp and 640Nm of torque, delivering a quick 0-100kph dash of 5.6 seconds and an outstanding fuel consumption of 2.6 litres per 100km.

The lithium-ion hybrid battery capacity of the T8 line-up has been increased to 11.6kWh from 10.4kWh previously to enable pure electric driving up to 50km.

This improvement in zero emissions driving range also goes well with Volvo's ambitious electrification and eco-friendly motoring strategy.

The interior of the T5 comes with leather upholstery for a premium feel, while the T8 gets Nappa leather that provides the driver and passengers with a sanctuary feel and a first class experience.

Nevertheless, the T5 sees the inclusion of third-row air conditioning with C-Pillar vents, road sign information system (RSI) as well as 4-zone electronic climate control with cooled glove box which were previously available only to the T8.

The T8 now gets a redesigned Orrefors crystal gearshifter knob for more upmarket feel.

While the T5 comes with a Touring Chassis set-up that offers a mix of sportiness and comfortable ride, the T8 gets an Active Chassis with 4-corner air suspension system that delivers an even more luxurious feel.

The world-first technologies and innovations that were launched on Volvo’s other 90 and 60 Series models between 2015 and 2019 have found their way into the XC90 over the intervening years.

As a result, Volvo’s top-of-the-line SUV has become more advanced since its introduction, clocking up over 320,000 units sold worldwide - and counting.

The XC90's active safety technology under the Intellisafe suite now offers drivers help with steering on both the City Safety and the Blind Spot Information System.

Volvo's City Safety with Autobrake is still the only system in the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.

The Oncoming Lane Mitigation system first introduced on the XC60 is now available on XC90, while the Cross Traffic Alert technology is now equipped with Autobrake.

All these, combined with the safety cage that forms the core of the passive safety technology, makes the XC90 one of the safest cars on the road and underlines Volvo Car’s unwavering commitment to developing the safest cars possible.

The Sensus infotainment system which is unique to Volvo has been a standard feature and compatible with both Apple Carplay and Android Auto as well as being integrated with the Spotify Music streaming service.

The top-of-the-line T8 Inscription Plus gets the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound Audio System with 19 speakers and 1,400w output, while the T8 Inscription and T5 come with the High Performance Audio System with 10 speakers and 330w output.

The XC90 is available in Crystal White Pearl, Denim Blue Metallic, Onyx Black Metallic, Pebble Grey Metallic and Thunder Grey Metallic.

T5 FEATURES
- 1,969cc Drive-E engine with Turbocharger
- 254hp at 5,500rpm
- 350Nm from 1,500-4,800rpm
- 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic
- Acceleration (0-100kph) 7.9 seconds
- Maximum speed: 215kph
- Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 7.9 litres per 100km
- 235/55 R19 tyres
- T125/80R18 Tempa Spare Wheel
- LED Illumination Headlights with Active High Beam
- Leather-Wrapped Gear Lever
- Touring Chassis
- Comfort Seats with Leather Upholstery
- Rear View Camera
- High Performance Audio System with 10 Speakers (330W Output)
- Fuel tank: 71 litres
- Kerb weight: 2,027kg

T8 INSCRIPTION FEATURES

- 1,969cc Drive-E engine with Turbocharger and Supercharger
- 407hp
- 640Nm
- 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic
- Acceleration (0-100kph): 5.6 seconds
- Maximum speed: 230kph
- Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 2.6 litres per 100km
- 275/45 R20 tyres
- Tyre Sealant Kit
- Head-Up Display (HUD)
- Sensus Navigation
- Active Chassis with 4-Corner Air Suspension
- Orrefors® Crystal Gear Lever with Illumination
- Inscription Nappa Leather Key Integrated Remote with Central Locking
- Comfort Seats with Nappa Leather Upholstery
- Full LED Illumination Headlights with Active High Beam & Active Bending Lights (ABL)
- High-pressure Headlight Cleaners
- Park Assist Pilot, Parallel Parking & Perpendicular Parking
- 360° Surround View Camera
- Second Row Air Conditioning with Tunnel Console Vent
- Panoramic Sunroof
- High Performance Audio System with 10 Speakers (330W Output)
- Fuel tank: 70 litres
- Kerb weight: 2,344kg

T8 INSCRIPTION PLUS FEATURES

- T8 Inscription features
- Bowers & Wilkins® Premium Sound Audio System with 19 Speakers (1,400W Output)
- Kerb weight: 2,350kg

XC90 STANDARD FEATURES

- Service interval: 20,000km

- Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) with Adjustable Steering Wheel Force
- Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold Function
- Hill Start Assist (HSA)
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Engine Start/Stop System
- Digital Instrument Cluster with 12.3” TFT Adaptive Digital
- Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS)
- Road Sign Information System (RSI)
- 3-Spoke Leather Steering Wheel with Unideco Inlay
- Diamond-Cut Engine Start/Stop Knob, Drive Mode Selector & Volume Knob
- Steering Wheel Controls
- Voice Control
- City Safety - Collision Avoidance & Mitigation with Intersection Support Pedestrian, Cyclist & Large Animal Detection
- City Safety with Steering Support
- Front & Rear Collision Warning & Mitigation Support
- Driver Alert Control (DAC)
- Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)
- Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection
- Oncoming Lane Mitigation
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist
- Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) with Auto Brake
- Seat Belt Detection with Graphical Indicator for All Seats
- Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Pre-Prepared Restraints (PRS)
- Run-Off Road Protection
- Dual Stage Driver & Front Passenger Airbags
- Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with Dual Chamber
- SIPS Airbags
- Full-Length Inflatable Curtains (IC)
- Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) for Front Seats
- Post-Collision Auto Braking & Unlocking
- Collapsible Steering Column
- Brake Pedal Release
- Energy Absorbing Seat Cushions
- Power Child Safety Lock
- Passenger Airbag Cut-Off Switch
- ISOFIX Attachment Point, Second Row Outer Seats
- Power Windows with Pinch Protection
- Integrated 2-Stage Booster Cushion, Second Row Centre Seat
- LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- Keyless Entry & Drive
- Volvo Guard Alarm with Immobiliser, Interior Mass Movement & Inclination Sensor
- Rain Sensor with Tunnel Detection
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Pilot Assist
- Park Assist Front & Rear
- Automatically Dimmed Inner & Outer Rear View Mirror
- Illuminated Vanity Mirror, Driver & Front Passenger
- Parking Ticket Holder
- Power Operated Tailgate with Hands-free Operation
- 4-Zone Electronic climate control (ECC) with Cooled Glove Box
- Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System
- Second Row Air Conditioning with B-Pillar Vents
- Third Row Air Conditioning with C-Pillar Vents
- Sun Curtains, Rear Door Windows
- Sensus Connect with 9” Portrait Integrated Colour Touchscreen
- Two USB Ports in Front Tunnel
- Apple Carplay & Android Auto


Electric cars could keep the kettle boiling in a power cut

                LONDON: Electric cars could come to the rescue when storms hit the grid by powering homes with enough electricity for essentials, according to British-based EV consumer advice organisation Electrifying.com.

Power companies recorded record levels of wind-power generation during recent storms in northern Europe but there were still power cuts caused by damaged landline and many people were without electricity for hours on end.

Drivers of electric cars like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are fitted with a bi-directional charging system which means they can take power from the car's battery during a power cut.

This turns the cars into mobile generators to keep vital household items such as the fridge-freezer running or to boil a kettle and make hot drinks.

Ford is also offering the ability for customers in the US to power their homes with the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup when the grid goes dark.

Oddly enough, Tesla cars do not have this feature. Volkswagen has said its new EVs will have bi-directional charging from 2022 onwards.

Even electric cars that don’t have bi-directional capability will allow owners to charge their phone or even keep warm in their car if left without heating.

The bi-directional concept was first used amid the 2010 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami when five million Japanese homes lost power. This prompted a team from Nissan to mobilise early LEAF models to be used as mobile generators in the earthquake zone.

The systems are now being used in a number of pilot schemes but are expected to become commonplace over the next few years.


Google, BMW, Volvo, and Samsung SDI sign up to WWF call for temporary ban on deep-sea mining

                VAUD (Switzerland): Google, BMW, Volvo and Samsung SDI are the first global companies to have signed up to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, the WWF said today.

In backing the call, the companies commit not to source any minerals from the seabed, to exclude such minerals from their supply chains, and not to finance deep seabed mining activities, the WWF said in a statement.

Deep-sea mining would extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese - key materials commonly used to make batteries - from potato-sized nodules which pepper the sea floor at depths of 4-6 kilometres and are particularly abundant in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the North Pacific Ocean, a vast area spanning millions of kilometres between Hawaii and Mexico.

“With much of the deep sea ecosystem yet to be explored and understood, such activity would be recklessly short-sighted,” WWF said in a statement.

The moratorium calls for a ban on deep seabed mining activities until the risks are fully understood and all alternatives are exhausted.

BMW said raw materials from deep-sea mining are “not an option” for the company at present because there are insufficient scientific findings to be able to assess the environmental risks. Google and Volvo did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

South Korea’s Samsung SDI said it was the first battery maker to participate in WWF’s initiative.

In the meantime, deep-sea mining companies are pushing ahead with preparatory work and research on seabed licence areas.

Companies that hold exploration licences for swathes of the sea floor, including DeepGreen, GSR and UK Seabed Resources - a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin’s UK-based arm - hope to eventually sell minerals from the seabed to carmakers and battery companies.

DeepGreen, which recently announced plans to go public in a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), has previously said seabed mining will be more sustainable than mining on land because it creates less waste and the nodules containing minerals have higher concentrations of metals than deposits found on land.

Meanwhile Norway has said it could license companies for deep-sea mining as early as 2023, potentially placing it among the first countries to harvest seabed metals.


Jaguar appoints new manufacturing chief to transform plants for electric future

McPherson is set to play  a key role in Jaguar electrification.
LONDON: Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover is replacing its director for manufacturing as it prepares its plants for an electrified future, the firm said today.

JLR operates three factories in its home market but is building its first electric car, the I-PACE, in Austria.

The Indian-owned automaker’s chief executive Ralf Speth said earlier this year he is waiting for more information on trading conditions after Brexit before he decides whether to make electric cars in Britain.

On Thursday, he said manufacturing executive director Wolfgang Stadler is retiring from the business, to be replaced by quality and automotive safety director Grant McPherson from July 1.

“He will oversee the ongoing investment into our UK and global manufacturing, transforming our plants to enable Jaguar Land Rover’s exciting electrified future,” Speth said in a statement.


Nearly 90% of Proton staff fully inoculated

                SUBANG JAYA: Proton today announced that over 86% of its 8,486 employees have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

That number is expected to increase over the coming weeks as 98% have already received their first dose, in line with the company’s aim to achieve herd immunity in its chain of operations.

With dealers and vendors included, there are 60,000 people in Proton's network, and most of them have received at least their first dose.

“We estimate more than 80% of our operations chain would have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of August and this helps to ensure Proton is able to hit the ground running once the automotive industry is given the greenlight to resume operations nationwide,” said Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong.

Proton employees, vendors and dealers underwent mass vaccination under the Pikas programme at its Tanjung Malim plant and at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, depending on their workbase.

Proton said it has also relooked its business procedures to reduce the likelihood of infections being spread once operations resume.

It said retail operations have been further tightened to protect customers and staff, while production processes at all plants have been vetted for any possible risk of infection to both downstream and upstream operations.


Bentley Mulliner Bacalar to get Geneva debut

                LONDON: Bentley will reveal the future of coachbuilding at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show with the unveiling of the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar.

Hand-built by Bentley Mulliner, the oldest coachbuilder in the world, the Bacalar is made up of sustainable and ethically-sourced materials put together with a dramatic design inspired by Bentley’s centenary concept car, the EXP 100 GT, an electric self-driving car.

The few details suggest the Mulliner Bacalar would be a showcase of luxury rather than performance. Observers say it is a roofless two-seater and would be built in very small numbers to retain its exclusivity. Like 12.

We will have to wait for its official debut to get more info.

The Mulliner Bacalar will be revealed on March 3.


How a classic car goes electric

                NEW YORK: When it comes to driving, Dan Henry has a paradox to navigate. He’s a climate-conscious, time-starved tech executive, and yet he loves old cars, particularly the 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II.

The solution: Retrofit the vehicle, to strip out the oily guts and replace them with a battery.

The problem

Electrifying an old vehicle is elaborate and expensive. Sixty-plus years ago, car designers weren’t thinking about where to put a massive battery.

Moment Motor Co., an Austin shop, has converted four of Henry’s cars. The crew starts by taking a 3D scan of the engine bay, transmission tunnel (basically, the car’s plumbing), and trunk.

Then the data is loaded into a CAD model to determine where to fit the power pack (as is most often the case, multiple small batteries are used).
The customizing sometimes involves reworking the brakes and suspension to handle the heavier gear that will be installed.

 Moment Motor Company specialises in converting classic cars into EVs. — All images from MomentWhy it’s tricky

There aren’t many shops like Moment, for good reason.

Modifying a decades-old vehicle to run electric - a so-called electromod - requires a bunch of esoteric skills, equating to a mashup of a machinist, electrician, and software developer.

"Most professional mechanics can’t make the leap,” says Moment founder Marc Davis, who recruits widely from tech companies and custom hot rod shops.

"We need people who can not just turn a wrench but crack a laptop.”

The stakes

The classic car market is booming.

A record 36,254 vintage vehicles sold at US auctions last year, worth a combined US$2.2b as stock market riches and pandemic itches joined with driving nostalgia, according to insurer Hagerty Inc.

The number of old cars changing hands on peer-to-peer markets such as Craigslist is estimated to be 10 times that figure.

Why there’s hope

Hobbyists have been electrifying classic cars for decades, but recent battery and motor advancements have broadened the market.

Cobbling together the organs of an EV is now a simple shopping exercise, and many people are buying these cars solely to make them greener.


Petron opens first official online store on Shopee

                KUALA LUMPUR – Petron Malaysia, the Philippine-based fuel and lubricants manufacturer, has opened its first official online store on leading e-commerce platform Shopee.

The online store is part of the company's commitment to its over 16 million users to help further enhance its customers' shopping experience by way of 'online convenience'.

Shopee is an online platform designed to provide an easy and secure online shopping experience for customers looking for a variety of Petron engine oil products including product guides and information.

The list of lubricants available on Petron's Shoppee site include Blaze Racing Fully Synthetic, Blaze Racing Synthetic Blend and Blaze Racing Premium Multi-Grade.

Together with Petron’s Chinese New Year (until Feb 28 - while stocks last) and the upcoming Shopee for Men campaigns, Petron will be giving away free items when purchasing one of their lubricants.

A free bluetooth speaker will be given for every purchase of a 4.0-litre pack of Petron Blaze Racing Fully Synthetic 5W-40, while a 4.0-litre pack of Petron Blaze Racing Synthetic Blend 10W-40 will come with wireless earphones for free.

Also, customers who purchase a 4.0-litre pack of Petron Blaze Racing Premium Multi-Grade or a 7.0-litre Rev-X Premium Multi-Grade 15W-40 will receive a free USB car charger.

“Online shopping is growing more and more popular among consumers. In this case, they can be assured of the authenticity of Petron engine oils in the Petron store on Shopee as the products are delivered by our authorised distributors". said Petron Malaysia head of retail and commercial business Choong Kum Choy.

Petron lubricants are also available at authorised vehicle workshops and its convenience stores at its service stations.

To visit Petron’s official Shopee store log on to https://shopee.com.my/petronmalaysia.os.


MyPay wants one-third of Malaysians to sign up as users

                PUTRAJAYA: The government’s new e-services business player, MyPay, aims to draw 33% of the country as customers.

With 10 government agencies already in its portfolio, MyPay also hopes to increase that number by four-fold in the near future.

The public can use MyPay to pay fines issued by the police and Road Transport Department, and National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans and among other things.

MyPay also plans to offer other services, such as local tax payments such as assessments and quit rent.

The portal will also offer information on travel status, licence expiry, voting locations during polls and other similar services.

Chief executive officer Nick Liew said MyPay was targeting up to 40 agencies in its portal.

“In the longer term, we want to have every agency that transacts with the public in MyPay, ” he said after the launch of the MyPay portal by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yesterday.

The developer of the MyPay portal, Dapat Vista (M) Sdn Bhd, is 80%-owned by Heitech Padu Bhd.

Dapat Vista has been involved in government SMS services for the past 10 years.

On whether MyPay was looking for more investors, Liew said the company could always do with more funding to help grow and market the product.

“About RM20mil would be perfect and could be used to develop technology, security, enhance services and marketing.

“We need to reach every single Malaysian, ” he said.

On the charges, MyPay chief technology officer Joshua Smith said while signing up was free, MyPay payments would have charges depending on the agency involved.

“For example, for PTPTN, we are only allowed to collect 50 sen on top of their balance while for summonses, it is RM1 on top of the summons rate, ” he said.

On the number of users targeted by MyPay, Smith said in the short term, they aimed for 300, 000 while in the medium term, the target was for around one million and hoped to cover up to 33% of the population in the longer term.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said online businesses should sign up for the ministry’s biztrust certification to gain the public’s confidence.

He said the certification, which was launched last year, would see companies with online transaction provide the ministry with their business details and registration to obtain the certification.

“With biztrust certification, the public can be assured that the business is legitimate and not a fly-by-night set-up as it is not only registered with the Companies Commission but also the ministry, ” he added.

Saifuddin said to-date, 3, 000 companies doing online businesses had registered for the certification, which was a good move considering the rising number of cases where consumers claimed to have been cheated while making online purchases.

According to the ministry’s records, the number of such cases has overtaken complaints on high prices of goods in July, where out of 2, 500 complaints received, 26% claimed that they had been cheated when making online purchases.


Egypt to require new vehicles to run on natural gas

                CAIRO: Egypt will require new cars to operate on natural gas before they receive a licence, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said, stressing the move will help reduce middle-income families’ fuel bills by half.

El-Sisi, speaking Sunday during the inauguration of a national project, said converting 1 million vehicles in Egypt to natural gas will cost a total of about 8 billion pounds (RM23mil).

In comments carried by local media, he urged banks to provide lower interest financing to help consumers fund the conversion to natural gas.

The proposed regulation would also apply to taxi cabs and microbuses, he said.


Start-up Faraday Future readying electric car for 2017 rollout

                LOS ANGELES: Call it Faraday Future, the new Tesla challenger, that has appeared on the radar of mainstream media of late.

The upstart electric car maker from California courted publicity last week with an announcement that it will have a model called FF ready by 2017. It said on its website that it would be “a 100% electric, zero-emission, fully-connected” car that would be highly personalised and would be designed for the Everyman unlike Tesla’s cars which cater to the rich and elite.

Little detail is forthcoming on the car but Faraday Future or FF, as it likes to call itself, will divulge more information in due course.

The company, based in Gardena near Los Angeles, appears to be backed by big investors as it already claims to have 200 employees on its payroll and boast of big-name talents from the EV industry.

The company, set up only last year,  is also seeking to hire more engineers, designers and supply chain professionals and is also scouting around for a site for its plant.

Big names from Tesla, Chevrolet, BMW, SpaceX and Lamborghini are on board lending weight that FF is serious about what it plans to do.

A Motor Trend report said Nick Sampson is the FF product Architect, and was the former Vehicle and Chassis Engineer for the Tesla Model S. Others listed in the report included Richard Kim (ex-BMW i8 Concept);  Silva Hiti (ex- Chevrolet Volt); Pontus Fontaeus (former Lamborghini, Ferrari, Land Rover); Page Beermann (ex-BMW) and Porter Harris (ex-SpaceX battery expert).

It’s exciting times ahead for FF and it must navigate tough challenges ahead to ensure it does not end up like failed EV maker Fisker Automotive.

Meanwhile, Apple’s rumoured “Project Titan” for an electric car seems to be forging ahead. When you think about it, a modern car is basically a big computer on wheels with numerous computers and sensors managing various sub-systems in the car. So it’s entirely possible that the “Apple Car” is coming though whether it would be an autonomous car is not verifiable at this time.

Like, FF, Apple is reported to have about 200 people working on the project with room for 800 more

Clues include Apple’s meetings with Magna Steyr, contract manufacturer for high-end cars and Apple’s  recent hires of experts from the car industry such as David Nelson, John Ireland, and Lauren Ciminera, all from Tesla.

Other employees formerly worked at Ford, and GM and some battery experts were formerly from A123 Systems. Leading the project is Steve Zadesky, Apple VP of Product Design.

The Apple Car, if it ever sees the light of day, is expected to be ready in 2020.


Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost is engine of the year

                STUTTGART: For the fourth year, Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has received the coveted International Engine of the Year Award in the ‘Best Engine Under 1.0-litre’ category.

In the last four years, this little engine has managed to garner itself eight international engine awards for its fuel-efficiency and performance and becoming the only engine to be named overall winner three times in a row – all within its own category.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost has been noted and commended for its drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology and Ford is now exploring cylinder-deactivation technology to further increase its efficiency.

Ford is now working with engineering partners at the Schaeffler Group to test a new dual-mass flywheel that enables cylinder deactivation to take place at a wider range of engine loads and speeds to help minimise noise, vibration and harshness levels.

On-road tests using a working prototype at its European Research and Innovation Centre in Aachen, Germany, showed further fuel efficiency improvements of up to 6%.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost is now available in 72 countries worldwide and is being produced in Cologne (Germany), Craiova (Romania) as well as Chongqing (China).

Globally, Ford’s range of four-cylinder EcoBoost engines includes the 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.3-litre, while its V6 engine includes the 2.7-litre and 3.5-litre.

The 3.5-litre V6 is currently being developed for the all-new Ford GT supercar, which the company intends to use to return to racing next year in the 2016 Le Mans

In Malaysia, the EcoBoost engines are available in several nameplates across the lineup, which includes the Fiesta with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost, the Fiesta ST and Kuga with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost, and the Focus ST, Mondeo and S-Max with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost.

The tiny petrol engine was judged by a panel of 87 automotive journalists, from 35 countries.

“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine changed the game for small petrol engines and we’re proud it remains best in class despite a growing number of competitors,” said Ford (Europe) Product Development vice president Joe Bakaj.


Aston Martin's Andy Palmer to be replaced by Mercedes-AMG CEO

Palmer is believed to be a casualty in a management shake-up.
LONDON: Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer is leaving the business as part of a management shake-up and will be replaced by Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG a source familiar with the matter said.

The luxury carmaker said in an emailed statement on Sunday that it is reviewing its management team but declined to comment on Palmer's fate.

Palmer and Germany's Daimler AG, which owns a 5% stake in Aston Martin and supplies the carmaker with Mercedes-AMG engines, also declined to comment.

The Financial Times newspaper had reported earlier that the Aston Martin chief was going to leave as part of a shake-up of its leadership, with an official announcement expected on Tuesday.

Palmer had not been informed of the upcoming announcement, the newspaper reported.

READ MORE: Andy Palmer joins Slovakian car battery maker Moers.

Aston Martin, famed for being fictional secret agent James Bond's car of choice, has seen its share price plummet since floating in October 2018.

The 107-year old British luxury carmaker earlier this month posted a deep first-quarter loss after sales dropped by almost a third due to the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The company has been banking on its sport utility vehicle to drive sales in a new segment, and said production was on track.

In January, dire conditions forced the company to bring in Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll who bought a roughly 20% stake for nearly 200 million pounds, as the ailing carmaker sought to raise funds.

The coronavirus pandemic and shutdowns caused by it have hit demand and forced factories around the world to suspend production, negatively impacting many industries, including car manufacturers.

"We were obviously fairly significantly hit by COVID-19, starting with China in January but more clearly in what we saw as it came across towards Europe and the United States," Palmer told Reuters earlier in May.


Ford is first to test an autonomous vehicle at MCity

                DETROIT: Ford announced it has become the first automaker to test an autonomous car at the University of Michigan's "simulated urban environment," MCity.

A world first, MCity is a 32-acre fake town designed to recreate urban situations that motorists encounter. The town is part of the University's Mobility Transformation Center.

Ford used MCity to test their Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle, in particular its advanced sensing technology. In its announcement, Ford explained that MCity's "full-scale urban environment provides real-world road scenarios - such as running a red light - that can't be replicated on public roads."

The announcement on Nov 13 marks the first time that an autonomous car has been tested at the site since MCity's opening in July.


Porsche Taycan achieves 3,447km in 24-hour test

                STUTTGART: Porsche announced that a pre-production Taycan managed to cover 2,128.1 miles (3,447km) ahead of its world premiere on September 4.

The test was conducted at the Nardo high-speed track in Italy, nearly the distance from the Porsche headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia to the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles, California.

With peak temperatures of 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.67 degrees Celcius) and a track temperature of up to 129 degrees (53.89 degrees Celcius), the average speed was kept between 121 and 133mph (196 and 215kph).

The test was carried out without interruptions, as the prototype only stopped for quick charging and driver changes among six factory test drivers.

The Taycan is the first fully electric production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts - the same system that helped the 919 Hybrid win the 24 Hours of Le Mans three consecutive times and is now making the leap into series production.

The 800-volt technology enables consistently high performance, reduces the charging time and decreases the weight and the packaging space of the cabling.

During the endurance test drive at the Nardo Technical Center, the 800-volt charging stations by Porsche Engineering Group GmbH were used and will also be used in the joint venture with Ionity.

It was also found that the Taycan’s thermal management system also proved itself in Nardo.

The thermal management revolves around a highly efficient, intelligent system for cooling and heating the high-voltage components.

This prevents potential power losses due to excessive heat generation and ensures the optimum temperature for the most efficient charging process has been reached when the vehicle arrives at a charging station.

The new Porsche Taycan not only exhibits endurance but its electric powertrain has been designed in such a way that it can unleash its full power even after accelerating several times at short intervals.

At the end of July, a prototype vehicle accelerated down an airfield from a complete stop to 124mph (201kph) no less than 26 successive times.

The average acceleration figure from the timed runs was under 10 seconds, with a 0.8-second difference between the fastest and slowest acceleration runs.

“The Taycan mastered this ambitious endurance run without any problems. The result achieved in Nardo highlights the advantages of the unique 800-volt technology and its high maturity level. Before the Taycan is launched by the end of the year, we will have covered over 3.7 million test miles across the globe," said Porsche vice president product line (Taycan) Stefan Weckbach.

The Nardo Technical Center has more than 20 test tracks and test facilities on an area covering over 700 hectares, counts 90 companies in the automotive sector among its customers and employs more than 150 staff.

Since 2012, the test site has been run by Porsche Engineering Group GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart.

The test centre was established in 1975 with the construction of the iconic circuit and offers extensive testing options for any development phase.

The high-speed circuit – the only one of its kind in the world and measuring 7.8 miles (12.64km) – was built in order to be able to test cars under extreme conditions and make development processes more efficient.

The renovation of the test centre was successfully completed in mid-July which included improvements such a complete renovation of the 26-acre driving dynamics site and the installation of an innovative crash barrier system developed by Porsche Engineering for high-speed testing.