F1/Round 21: Highlights & Provisional Results For 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021

With this being the second last round, tensions were very high on the starting grid. Lewis Hamilton had to put in everything he could to secure a win while Max Verstappen, with just a narrow lead, could take the title tonight too. The Constructors title was even closer – just 5 points apart – and with the new circuit, there were still unknowns that could affect the way the race would end.

As the lights went out, Hamilton got a good start and team mate Bottas, who had started next to him, did his duty by preventing the Red Bull driver from going after Hamilton. No major incidents as the cars got to the first corner other than an incident between Williams Racing’s George Russell and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.

Further down, Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Japanese driver, challenged Alpine’s Esteban Ocon going into the first corner but the high wall forced him to back off and in the process, he lost 5 places, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz slipping past him as well.

The gaps were close in mid-field with the most aggressive driver being Sainz, fighting pushing other drivers as he moved further up from his 15th starting spot. However, the frantic pace cooled off when the Safety Car appeared after Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher’s spun and crashed crashed at the spot where Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had also had the same misfortune in FP2.

As the Safety Car led the convoy, Hamilton and Bottas came in for a tyre-change that could be their only one in the 50-lap race. Verstappen, however, remained on the track to try to open up a gap and hold on to his inherited lead. When the two Mercedes-AMG drivers rejoined, they were about 3 seconds behind. Besides Hamilton and Bottas, 8 other drivers also came in to change tyres.

For this race, it was the Safety Car provided by Aston Martin and messages heard on the radios seemed to suggest that the speed of the green car in front was not fast enough. And then a Red Flag signal came out on lap 14, and all cars had to return to the pits. The barriers that Schumacher had it at Turn 23 were too badly damaged and time was needed to get them fixed properly. Hamilton was furious, suggesting that the appearance of the Red Flag was not necessary…

When the race was allowed to restart (standing start) about 18 minutes later, Verstappen had the ‘pole position’ he did not get on the starting grid, his decision to stay out having paid off – just by luck. He could also get fresh tyres and push as hard as his rivals for the remaining 36 laps.

An angry Hamilton was well prepared for the restart, this time behind Verstappen and both cars raced side by side to the first corner. However, Bottas locked up and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez went into a spin. In the chaos, three cars crashed – Haas’ Nikita Mazepin, Russell and Perez – all had their race end there. Out came the red flags again and racing stopped again. What a way for Saudi Arabia’s first ever F1 race to go!

Only 15 laps had been completed when the race was allowed to restart after the mess was cleared. Earlier, when the two frontrunners were charging into the first turn, Hamilton had reached it just a slight bit earlier and was trying to hold the lead. However, the Red Bull forced him off and wide, which many felt was not right, and Ocon slipped by.

The Race Director saw what happened and told the Red Bull team that Verstappen would start in second place. It was assumed that Hamilton would be the first car but Red Bull stated that it was Ocon. The race was suspended for 15 minutes again and the restart saw Ocon as the first car, Hamilton second and Verstappen third, an arangement Mercedes and Red Bull accepted.

The restart saw Ocon, briefly enjoying his pole position as both Hamilton and Verstappen charged with him int Turn 1 . Hamilton didn’t take chances and eased off while Ocon decided to avoid both of them… and it was Verstappen who emerged on the other side in the lead again. However, he felt that he was not getting sufficient power when he saw how Hamilton was closing in.

As the race neared the halfway mark, Tsunoda couldn’t make the first turn as he battled with Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel, and went straight off, destroying his front wing as he went into the barriers. And out came the yellow flags with the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) being activated. Four cars were already out of the race – would the AlphaTauri be the fifth? Tsunoda would be deemed to have been in the wrong and got a 5-second penalty.

As the VSC ended, the cars had finally reached the halfway mark of 25 laps. Verstappen was in the lead, just barely ahead of Hamilton, with Ocon some 11 seconds behind.

But the VSC came back on again a few laps later as there was too much debris on the track from the various collisions, including one between Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. The risk of a puncture was great, Alonso was warning, especially with the cars hitting up to 300 km/h. So the officials decided to activate the VSC to clear the debris, which slowed down all the cars again.

The VSC was switched off on lap 33 and racing resumed, with Hamilton still holding the fastest lap and the 1 precious point. He pushed harder to set an even faster time 2 laps later. And then it happened as both cars arrived at Turn 1 again and Hamilton went into the back of Verstappen, damaging his front wing badly! But the Mercedes-AMG driver stayed in the chase although his car’s performance was compromised with the damage.

On lap 42, Verstappen was told to slow down and let Hamilton pass to take the lead, as it seemed to be recognised that the collision was the Dutchman’s fault so the team was probably trying to ‘resolve’ things before the Stewards made their decision. The Stewards decided to let the race proceed and would review the incident after the race. With 4 laps remaining, Hamilton regained the lead and was on course to take the chequered flag.

It was by no means easy for both the drivers in the remaining few laps. Hamilton’s front wing was self-destructing and Verstappen had to keep his tyres intact till the end. Hamilton crossed the line comfortably in the lead and had 25 points plus 1 point for fastest lap, so it was going to be a close fight in the final round.

Bottas had put in a superb effort and just on the last lap, he managed to get past Ocon and slot into third, adding much-needed points to the team to secure its title again.


Hyundai’s new electric scooter has a 20km range

Hyundai Motor Group is known for innovating unique approaches when it comes to urban mobility. Their latest electric scooter represents that very fact with a riding range of 20km, perfect for those who have to park far away from the office.

The new electric scooter by Hyundai now boasts a rear-wheel-drive system equipped with an updated 10.5 Ah lithium battery that not only helps to clock in a fair amount of riding distance but also power its very stylish front and rear lights for added safety.

Hyundai’s latest concept is targeted for the first and last mile of mobility by integrating the scooter with future Hyundai and Kia models. Every time the scooter is returned to its docking position in the vehicle, it will be automatically charged while the car is being driven.

This ensures that every time you want to take it out for a spin, it’s always fully charged and ready to go. Apart from all the new features, the new Hyundai electric scooter also has added suspension for the front wheel for smoother rides in and around town. Top speed? 20km/h. Nice.

According to DongJin Hyun, head of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Team, “This is the vehicle-mounted personal scooter which could be featured in future Hyundai Motor Group vehicles. We want to make our customers’ lives as easy and enjoyable as possible. Our personal electric scooter makes first- and last-mile commuting a joy, while helping to reduce congestion and emissions in city centers.”

Anyone wants to see this concept go into production? We would! No more searching for parking that are closest to the entrance. In fact, this new scooter will probably get people to park further so that they can enjoy the scooter more!

Hyundai Motorsport electric race car in the works


PLUS headquarters selected as Integrated Public Vaccination Centre

Getting as much of the population vaccinated to help reduce the severity of COVID-19 infection is a priority. The effort is being carried out by the government as well as the private sector, which is providing areas to set up vaccination centres. One such company is PLUS Malaysia Berhad which has established an Integrated Public Vaccination Centre (PPV).

The IPVC has been set up in partnership with its medical advisory partner, Primer Cherang, together with Protech Health, the implementer of private medical practitioner and healthcare NGO participation in the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK). The IPVC is at the PLUS HQ  situated near the Subang exit off the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) in Selangor. The facility can inoculate up to 2,000 persons per day.

One of 14 public immunisation venues

The COVID-19 Immunization Task Force (CITF) has selected the PLUS HQ as one of the 14 public immunisation venues to accelerate the dispensing of vaccines through Operation Surge Capacity. This will ensure that all adults will receive at least one dose of the vaccine by August 1 and help flatten the infection curve.

“As of Sunday, July 25, PICK has reported that over 16 million doses comprising first and second doses have been administered, of which11.5 million of our population has received their first dose and over 5.4 million are fully vaccinated with two doses. Based on this data, PLUS is proud to be able to play its part in helping the country to ramp up its immunisation numbers. The sooner we are able to attain the target to allow us to enter Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan, the sooner the economy can improve, and businesses can revive,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

“I urge you to regularly check your MySejahtera updates and who knows, you may be visiting our Persada PLUS HQ soon. In the meantime, continue to adhere to SOPS if you must be out and about;  if not, it would be best to work from home where possible until you are fully inoculated. Hopefully by then, as the government has indicated, you may get to travel on our highways again,” he added.

The participation also provides the opportunity for the employees of PLUS to be part of something meaningful and historical. Warga PLUS will join as volunteers and assist the 150 health personnel from Primer Cherang and Protect Health.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.


Isuzu Malaysia opens first medium/heavy-duty truck dealership in East Malaysia

Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd recently had an official opening of its very first medium and heavy-duty (MHD) truck dealership in East Malaysia. Located in Kuching, Sarawak, this new MHD truck dealership is operated by Dai Max Automobile Sdn Bhd.

The dealership has 3S status, meaning it offers customers sales, service and spare parts. As its location is near industrial areas, it is readily accessible to many truck drivers whenever they require attention for their vehicles.

“We are very excited with the opening of Isuzu Malaysia’s first MHD truck dealership in Kuching which underscores our commitment to expanding our customer reach in this part of Malaysia, as well as strengthening our aftermarket services and maximising our customers’ satisfaction and trust in us,” said Koji Nakamura, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia, during the official opening ceremony.

“This dealership is designed to deliver exceptional sales and service experience to meet the needs of our customers throughout the region. With a large facility combined with a convenient location, it will definitely enable us to serve our East Malaysian customers better, thus contributing to their business productivity,” added Mr. Nakamura.

The premises of the new dealership cover roughly 3,000 square metres, with the service centre area taking up about 650 square metres. Dai Max Automobile took about 5 years to complete the new dealership which is built according to the latest service centre design. Its facilities allow easy manoeuvring of trucks for service or repair.

In addition, there are three extra bays for light commercial vehicles and light-duty vehicles, plus two extra bays for MHD trucks. The dealership also has ample parking spaces and efficient workshop layout for trucks that are waiting to be inspected.

The team of well-trained and skilled technicians use Isuzu’s latest diagnostic tools for all maintenance work. They always aim to minimise truck downtime so as to increase business efficiency for vehicle owners.

Amenities such as family-friendly customer lounge, prayer room and complimentary snacks and beverages are available for truck drivers to enjoy before they hit the road again once the truck is ready.

One of the latest Isuzu trucks available in Malaysia.

“With this new MHD truck dealership, our aim is to focus on potential customers, strengthening our team’s product knowledge and technical skills to support Isuzu Malaysia in achieving growth in this region. Through product innovation, quality service and people, we will be able to create new capabilities to provide the best support for our customers,” Mr. Nakamura promised.

“We will do this by providing competitive pricing for parts and technical services to exceed our customers’ expectations. This will eventually connect to fleet and parts sales, attract new fleet customers and create strong product and brand awareness,” he said.

The new dealership brings the total number of Isuzu MHD dealerships to 11, with 10 strategically located around Peninsular Malaysia.

Isuzu Dura Miles Challenge shows fuel efficiency of 1.9-litre Blue Power engine


‘No’ means NO on interstate travel but there are people who insist on breaking the law

Hari Raya Aidilfitri (expected to fall on May 24) is approaching but this year, with the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to stop its spread, the government has declared that the traditional ‘
balik kampung
’ journeys cannot take place. There are great risks in allowing thousands to travel around the country as some may be carriers of the virus which has so far caused 114 deaths from almost 7,000 infected cases.

Malaysia is fortunate not to have the thousands of deaths that have occurred in some other countries and while the pandemic won’t completely end for some time, it is at least moderated to some extent in this country. That’s thanks, in a large part, to the hard work and sacrifices of the frontliners, especially those in hospitals.

Also helping to ‘flatten the curve’ of infections was the introduction of the Movement Control Order on March 18. The aim of the MCO is to cut the transmission of the virus by restricting contact and interaction among the population. Overnight, the country was virtually shut down as people were told to stay at home and the police and army were ordered to enforce the regulation strictly.

The MCO included a prohibition on interstate travel because it makes things more difficult to trace the movements of virus carriers who may bring it to their hometowns that might not have been affected in the first place. Contact-tracing is a crucial part of suppressing the spread as people who have been in contact with the carrier will be quarantined so they do not pass it on to others.

The prohibition on interstate travel
is still on
 and the only exception was during four days recently when special permission was given to allow those who had been trapped in other places to return to their homes in other states. And that too required application and approval by the police who checked for valid reasons. Other than that, only in emergency cases will permission be granted, and the police are firm on this.

On many occasions, announcements have been made to remind people that they should not make any ‘
balik kampung
’ trips. By now, no Malaysian should be unaware of this restriction and yet, it appears that there are people who are desperate to travel to their hometowns. But there are roadblocks and if they have no authorization letter, they will be made to turn around. If they make things difficult, they could also get charged for not complying with the MCO which carries a RM1,000 fine and/or a jail term.

In fact, the police have reported the number of people trying to cross state lines increasing and they must be getting fed up with such law-breakers. Now they have announced that they will also be conducting checks in certain areas where there are many vehicles outside homes (a sign that may suggest many returnees) and owners of vehicles with registration plates from other states. It is an  unnecessary waste of time as they have many other more important duties to carry out.

According to the Health Ministry, around 14% (971) of the total number of Covid-19 cases have a history of inter-state travel, meaning the infected persons brought the virus from one state to another.  “About 18 clusters, from a total of 48 clusters recorded in the country, are linked to activities which involved crossing state borders. Ten of these clusters are still active,” said the Director-General at the Ministry of Health, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, who is troubled by the number.

The implications of carrying the virus to the homes of parents or relatives in another state just don’t seem to be understood enough. It is known that older people are more vulnerable and can be seriously affected by the virus. It is known that there are some people who may not show symptoms of the virus immediately but they are already spreading it. If these senseless people who insist on going to the homes of their elders cause them to be infected and die, how will they ever live with that?

Yes, it is understandable that the family should be together on Hari Raya but these are extraordinary circumstances and as many say, there will still be other years to celebrate together. Carry the virus home and you may never celebrate with some of those loved ones again.

As Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham has warned, unless there is good compliance with the MCO/CMCO, the restrictions will have to remain in place. In the eyes of the Health Ministry, there is still a lot of non-compliance when so many are trying to ‘balik kampung’ even though they are not allowed to. Because of these people, the rest of us have to continue to endure restricted movements. Please do not be selfish and just stay in your state.


Inaugural Porsche Asia Pacific Forza Cup to run next month

For the first time, Porsche Asia Pacific and Porsche Cars Australia have teamed up with Forza Motorsport 7 to run a simulation racing tournament. Known as  the Porsche Asia Pacific Forza Cup, it will see some of the best sim racers in the region compete on the Forza Motorsport 7 tracks of Bathurst, Nurburgring, Le Mans, Silverstone and Hockenheimring.

Qualifiers

The races will begin in a Porsche 918 Spyder which holds the distinction of being the first series production car to beat the lap record of 7 minutes at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 2013. The race will take place on the rollercoaster Bathurst track which offers an extraordinary mix of 23 fast and slow corners, and gradients of up to 16%.

Subsequent qualifying rounds, to be held in October, will use the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, in the 911 GT3 RS, and then Le Mans with the 919 Hybrid. Finally, the top 16 players, limited to a maximum of three from one country, will compete to bring home the first Porsche Asia Pacific Forza Cup over two races in a Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

The Finals

The first of the final races will be at the Silverstone track after which the finalists will then go head to head for their second finals race at the Hockenheimring. All 16 finalists and the top 3 participants of the finals will win prizes from the Porsche Driver’s Selection and HUGO BOSS, the official sponsor of the Porsche Asia Pacific Forza Cup.

The titleholder will win an opportunity to race on a real track during a track experience at the Porsche Experience Centre in Hockenheimring, Germany, in 2021.

The tournament is currently open for registrations online from players from the Asia Pacific region. They must hold a Xbox game pass and have either access to a PC, Xbox One, Xbox One S, or Xbox One X.
Click here
 to sign up, or find out more about the race details and points scoring system.

Porsche in Esports

Porsche’s involvement in Esports or sim racing – also referred to as digital motorsports by the  FIA – goes back some 3 years and has been growing in recent times, especially this year when real-world racing was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Racing games and Esports connect the real and virtual worlds and enable us to gain further access to the young target group. It means that they can develop a passion for Porsche even before buying their first sportscar”, said a senior executive of the company.

One of its major sim racing events – the Porsche Esports Supercup –  was included in a gala event to honour the successes of the teams and driers in motorsport. Porsche was the first major carmaker to recognise the achievements of virtual racers at the same event as their real-world racing peers.

The expanding universe of eSports


Subaru attempting to break record at Nurburgring

Subaru, a name that needs no introduction in the rallying world, has announced that its American division, is hoping to shatter the Nurburgring lap record for a four door sedan. The Japanese automaker is a attempting this feat with a WRX STI Type RA NBR Special later this year.

The company is known for producing some of the best road-going rally cars for the masses. Recently it used a near production WRX STI to set a record at the Isle of Man TT, a haven for adrenaline-pumped junkies looking to prove what they are worth.

There’s no word yet on specification of the WRX STI Type RA NBR Special, but the company has stated that more information will be made available on June 8th. Till then, check out the promo videos and the picture gallery and let us know what you think about Subaru’s latest obsession.


Proton Relaunched In South Africa After 10-Year Absence

Following the signing of the agreement to appoint the Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) Group as the distributor for Proton vehicles in South Africa in April this year, the Malaysian brand has returned to the continent’s largest passenger vehicle market. Besides Proton, CMH also represents brands such as Ford, Chery, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Mahindra, Peugeot and Citroen.

CMH recently held an official relaunch of the brand which included introducing the X70 and X50 SUVs. Manufactured at Proton’s Tg, Malim plant in Perak, the first batch of vehicles was shipped by sea to the port of Durban. Later in the year or in early 2023, CMH will also introduce the Saga.

Speaking during the launch event, Jebb McIntosh, Chief Executive Officer of CMH said: “When the Proton brand became available, CMH jumped at the opportunity for several reasons, but mostly because we saw a gap in the market for a quality SUV within an affordable price bracket. There are many luxury brands selling SUVs in South Africa, but most are simply unaffordable to the average car buyer here.”

“Our plan is to have 25 dealers within six months, the first 17 of which have already undergone sales and technical training. A full range of replacement parts are also already in stock in our distribution centre so our customers can buy the vehicles with confidence,” Mr. McIntosh added.

Growth in export volume vital
Export sales remain a vital part of Proton’s business plan. While the company continues to reclaim market share in Malaysia’s automotive market, it needs to exploit the latent potential in international markets while making its push towards becoming a leading automotive brand in the ASEAN region.

This year, export sales as at the end of August reached a total of 4,040 units, an increase of 33.9% over the volume for the whole of 2021. With the addition of South Africa to the list of export markets, the company is hopeful of ending the year with an even bigger percentage in growth.

“Proton is aggressively pursuing export sales as we believe it is one of the pillars to growing our overall volumes. There is a lot of potential for growth in our international markets, not just for the Proton brand but for the local automotive industry too. So we want to establish a firm foothold while these markets are still accessible,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of  Proton.

“Our aim is to achieve export sales of 6,000 units this year and while we remain confident of achieving our goal, there is a lot of work ahead of us to identify suitable partners to gain entry to more countries to achieve bigger goals in the future,” he said.

The X50 and X70 have been the main export models this year, enabling Proton’s export sales to grow by 175% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2021. While many markets are taking vehicles in CBU (completely built-up) form, Proton aims to have local assembly operations overseas as this is vital to achieving growth.

Assembling overseas
Just as foreign carmakers realise that it is more advantageous to assemble in Malaysia in order to be able to price their products more competitively, Proton also understands that there are benefits to assembling locally in other countries. Besides enjoying more favourable tax rates, more vehicles can be shipped in CKD (completely knocked down) form than as CBU.

Just as Proton developed and gained much expertise in vehicle manufacturing, it is now offering the expertise to partners in other countries to help develop their auto industries as well. Picture shows new vehicles being checked at the Tg. Malim factory in Perak.

Currently, Proton has assembly operations with local partners in
Pakistan
,
Kenya
 and Bangladesh, with Sri Lanka set to join the list soon.


Nissan recognises top performance of aftersales services by Tan Chong in Malaysia

Tan Chong, one of the longest business partners of Nissan Motor (since the 1950s), has built up the brand to what it is today by ensuring that aftersales services have always been good. The company has invested heavily over the decades in developing a nationwide aftersales network to look after the increasing number of Nissan vehicles.

It has been recognized for its efforts on many occasions in the past and in fact, since 2017, it has been picked 3 times as the best achieving Nissan dealer for aftersales services within Asia and Pacific region. The most recent was being the Winner in the Global Nissan Aftersales Award 2020 (GNAA) by Tan Chong’s Aftersales Division. The Global Nissan Aftersales Award is one of the most prestigious honours by Nissan Motor. It is aimed at motivating and improving aftersales operational excellence, and enhance customer service experiences across the globe.

Award for meeting high standards

The award is given to the best performing Nissan dealer according to a set of standards covering parts and service performance, customer service and satisfaction, and quality of business management.

“We are proud to be recognized as the best amongst Nissan Aftersales dealers from across the region. To win 3 times since 2017 is a testament to our focused customer approach, dedication in service performance and teamwork. We will continue to improve and consistently provide our customers with highest service support to improve customer satisfaction,” said Michael Yao Tsu-Wei, Head of Aftersales, Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis (TCEAS).

“The award sets a new milestone for the company. The teams, especially aftersales, have consistently challenged and go beyond their best efforts to provide excellent services to our customers. I would like to thank the teams for their continuous support and hard work,” added Christopher Tan, Sales and Marketing Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM).

Warranties remain valid

On a related matter, Mr. Yao said that all authorised Nissan service centres are operating as usual in the Phase 1 and 2 of National Recovery Plan (NRP) period. The exceptions are those within the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) affected areas.

Nissan owners should note that services will be available only via appointment which can be made beforehand via
DriveOn
 mobile app. Owners can also schedule an appointment by visiting
www.tceas.com
, calling the Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at
 1800-88-3838
, or directly contact the preferred service centre.

Owners need not be concerned about their vehicle warranties. TCEAS says they will remain valid even if the preventive maintenance service could not be carried out during the Phase 1 and 2 of NRP period. However, the vehicle should be sent to the service centre as soon as it is possible to do so.

Click here for other news and articles about Nissan and Edaran Tan Chong Motor


F1 (Round 11) – The 2019 German Grand Prix Starting Grid

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Germany/9:10 pm in Malaysia

♦ In spite of being ill (believed to be the flu) this weekend, Lewis Hamilton still managed to capture pole position on the starting grid. Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen will be alongside the Mercedes-AMG driver. In the event that he decided he cannot race, reserve driver Esteban Ocon was ready to take over in his place.

♦ The Ferraris should have had a chance at the front row but technical problems in qualifying saw Charles Leclerc getting into tenth spot while Sebastian Vettel will start from the back. Vettel’s car had a turbo failure while Leclerc’s was due to a fuel problem.

♦ Although he has not raced his car in the rain, Renault F1 Team’s Daniel Ricciardo is hoping for a wet track as he thinks it may provide with just a slight edge. He said that he noticed that the car performed well in the wet last year.

♦ As some other circuits have been experiencing, the extremely high cost of hosting a F1 round means they can no longer do so. Hockenheim has hosted F1 rounds since 1970 (though not every year) is likely to have its last race this year for this reason. If so, there will be no German Grand Prix in 2020 (and beyond) since the Nurburgring circuit also stopped being a F1 venue.


Petron launches engine oils and specialty lubricants with High Temperature Protection

Petron believes it offers Malaysian motorists the best fuels and now, to complement that, it also wants to offer the best engine oils and specialty lubricant products. The highlight of this new product range is High Temperature Protection (HTP) that can be provided by the engine oils, automotive transmission fluids, brake fluids, gear oils and greases.

The products have all been developed and formulated at Petron’s R&D Centre in the Philippines, its home country. In the case of the engine oils, blending and injection of proprietary additives are done at a facility in Singapore and the products are shipped to Malaysia. Of interest to motorists would be the new engine oils for petrol and diesel engines – Petron Blaze Racing HTP and Petron Rev-X Turbo HTP.

Petron Blaze Racing HTP

This is a fully synthetic oil which uses polyalphaolefin (PAO) as the base oil, regarded as the premium base oil with higher oxidation and heat resistance than conventional base oils. This gives the oil greater robustness and ability to perform and protect even in extreme conditions. While extremely low temperatures are not an issue in Malaysia, internal temperatures of engines, especially the turbocharged types, can be very high and fully synthetic oil can cope with such conditions without shearing or losing its viscosity.

Petron R&D also came up with a balance formulation for the additive package – the secret ‘recipe’ of each oil company for its products – that enhances the performance of the oil. The additives, from global suppliers and specialists, prevent or reduce wear, corrosion, friction and oxidation as well as control sludge and soot formation to keep the engine running efficiently.

Blaze Racing HTP meets the API (American Petroleum Institute) SN service standard but not the SN+ standard because its development started before SN+ was announced. Nevertheless, SN is already a very high and current standard that should be more than good enough for modern engines. Additionally, the new oil in the Blaze Racing family has also passed tests by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. It is currently available only in SAE 0W-40 in a 4-litre pack priced at RM265 (RM267 in East Malaysia).

For older engines with bigger tolerances, there are also other Blaze Racing engine oils with thicker viscosities of SAE 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40, 15W-40, 20W-50 as well as a 0W-20 synthetic oil without HTP. Although HTP is not present in these oils, they still meet the API SN standard (except for the 20W-50 oil which meets the API SL standard) so good protection and lubrication are assured. Incidentally, Petron has official certification letters from API for its products.

The new oil with HTP is only available in SAE 0W-40 viscosity but there are other non-HTP oils in the Blaze Racing family with different viscosities which meet the API SN standard.

Petron Rev-X Turbo HTP

This is also a fully synthetic oil which is suitable for diesel engines, including those with turbochargers or superchargers. It can provide protection for high-performance engines as well as engine operating under severe conditions experience in commercial vehicles.

Also having PAO as a key component, Rev-X Turbo HTP offers protection against extreme temperatures and pressures. The additive package is formulated specifically to address the common issues for diesel engines, ie soot and deposit formation. By keeping the engine clean, operating efficiency can be extended, ultimately reducing running costs which are critical to fleet operators.

Rev-X Turbo HTP is suitable for modern high-performance turbodiesel engines like Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D engine (left),  as well as for heavy-duty applications in commercial vehicles.

Rev-X Turbo HTP, available only in SAE 5W-40 viscosity, is approved and licensed by the API as it meets the SN standard as well as the CJ-4 standard which, among other requirements, limits sulphated ash, phosphorous and sulphur content. To make sure the oil can handle various extreme conditions, Petron also used tests created by MAN, Cummins, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Mack, passing all of their requirements.

Being fully synthetic oils, Blaze Racing HTP and Rev-X Turbo HTP can last much longer than conventional oils with respect to their lubricating performance. However, it is recommended that motorists refer to the oil change intervals specified by the manufacturers of their cars. Even if you can’t extend your interval, it’s assuring to know that the oil will continue to give protection even when extreme conditions occur.

“We continuously innovate and improve our product offerings as part of our promise to provide top-quality petroleum products. The products underscore our passion to provide the best lubricating solutions to our valued customers. Petron HTP is specially formulated to give improved engine cleanliness, efficiency and engine protection – thus offering a superior choice to our customers in terms of better protection, better performance and more savings,” said Choong Kum Choy, Petron Head of Retail & Commercial Business.

Petron Malaysia kicks off Rainforest Challenge 2019 Grand Finale


Updated 2021 Mazda MX-5 RF and Mazda6 now available from Bermaz Motor

Visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
 for more information.

2021 versions of the Mazda6 and Mazda MX-5 RF are now available in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor announced today. Pricing (without insurance) for the models start from
RM170,917
 and
RM258,591
, respectively. Purchases made before June 30, 2021 will have 50% of the sale tax exempted under the PENJANA program.

With each new mode, Bermaz Motor offers 5-year (or maximum of 100,000 kms) manufacturer’s warranty and free scheduled maintenance for the first 5 years (or maximum of 100,000 kms). The free maintenance program includes costs for labour, parts and lubricants.

2021 MAZDA6

As before, this sedan model comes with a choice of SKYACTIV-G 2-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines, coupled to the efficient SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-apeed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The driving dynamics are enhanced by G-Vectoring Control Plus which is the second generation of Mazda’s vehicle dynamics control technology which now has direct yaw moment control via the brakes as well.

For the Mazda6 2.5, there are 19-inch alloy rims finished in metallic black and Gloss Black Door Mirrors, while the interior comes with leather upholstery throughout the cabin is in Burgundy Red with the same colour used for the stitching on the dashboard and door trims.

The 2-litre variant is now equipped with Advanced Keyless Entry and a Walkaway door lock feature for extra convenience while paddle shifters have been added to the steering wheel. For the 2.5-litre variant, a power sunroof and head-up display are standard.

Both variants now have Wireless Apple CarPlay which allows iPhone connectivity without the need for a Lightning cable link. It uses a combination of Bluetooth and wifi to connect an iPhone and once paired properly, projecting the apps from the smartphone to the dashboard display can occur automatically. Android Auto is also available for those with smartphones running on the Android operating system.

The 6 previous colour choices for the Mazda6 – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black – continue to be offered, with Polymetal Gray now added to the list.

2021 MAZDA MX-5

Bermaz Motor is importing only the RF version of the roadster and a World Car of the Year winner. The design of this version has a Retractable Fastback (RF) which preserves the iconic lines of the sportscar while providing open-air motoring pleasure.

It is powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2-litre engine with a 181 ps/205 Nm output which goes to the rear wheels. Transmission options are a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Besides the kerb weight of 1,111 kgs which provides an excellent weight-to-power ratio, the driving dynamics are also enhanced by ‘
jinba-ittai’
, the unity between driver and car that are a must for every Mazda.

A manual transmission is also available with the SKYACTIV-G engine.

The MZD infotainment system with a 7-inch full colour touchscreen includes Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay (new) for ease of connectivity. Besides voice commands, the system is also managed by a multi-function controller between the front seats.

Customers have a choice of exterior colours – Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White Pearl, Deep Crystal Blue, Machine Grey, Jet Black and Polymetal Grey.

To know more about the new Mazda6 and Mazda MX-5, visit
www.mazda.com.my
.

Bermaz Motor accepting bookings for 2021 Mazda CX-3 2.0, priced from RM130,729


Porsche to abandon LMP1 in favour of Formula E racing

Porsche has announced that it will take part in the Formula E championship beginning in 2019. The sport is the first competitive racing series that comprises of fully electric racing cars that conform to the specified formula. The series was launched in 2014 and has seen a steady growth in viewership around the globe.

Unlike Formula One, Formula E seasons begin toward the end of the year and conclude toward the middle of the following year. This is done intentionally so as not compete with other forms of Motorsports series including Formula One. It’s purpose is to remind the public that electric vehicles can offer the same enjoyment as conventional race cars.

Its races are conducted on specially designed street courses in the heart of major cities worldwide. And unlike most racing events, Formula E travels to the spectators instead of the other way around.

Porsche’s participation here, also signals the end of its involvement in the LMP1 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Its a world famous racing series that showcases the very best that automotive manufactures are able to offer. Most notable events of the series include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in addition to the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Its a series that Porsche has dominated these past four years. And despite this news, Porsche isn’t pulling out of all conventional racing series in favour of fully electric ones, instead it will still be campaigning with the 911 RSR in teh GT class of the WEC.

In LMP1, Stuttgart based automaker has had three successive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and World Championship titles in both the team and driver classifications in 2015 and 2016. However, this will be the last year that Porsche competes in the LMP1 category of the WEC as it mounts a defense of its back-to-back title wins of the previous years.

Speaking of this drastic move, Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board of Porsche AG responsible for Research and Development, said, ” Entering Formula E and achieving success in this category are the logical outcomes of our Mission E project. The growing freedom for in-house technology developments makes Formula E attractive to us.”

He went on to say, “Porsche is working with alternative, innovative drive concepts. For us, Formula E is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high-performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency, and sustainability.

This restructuring of priorities at Porsche will help it to align its Motorsports activities with its direction stated in the Porsche Strategy 2025, which will see Porsche develop a combination of conventional GT vehicles and fully electric sports cars. This includes cars like the first fully electric Porsche model that will be due soon, which is based on the Mission E concept car.

Many automakers are making the gradual shift to the electric mobility platform from the fuel guzzling machines of today. This is the result of ever stricter emissions regulations imposed by regulatory bodies in Europe and North America as well as the surge in demand for EVs.

That said, it will be awhile before automakers like Lamborghini and Ferrari mirror the move made by Porsche. They still believe that the visceral feel of contemporary petrol engine race cars are still unbeatable and that it will be awhile before they dip their toes in any type of EV racing series.


FIA announces details of new electric GT category for motorsports

With electrification in the auto industry accelerating, it’s only a matter of time before motorsports sees an increased presence of electrically-powered cars. In fact, the first all-electric championships are already running, the longest to date being Formula E for single-seaters which began in 2014. This year, Extreme E has started as an electric version of the Dakar Rally.

However, Formula E and Extreme E are like Formula 1 in that the racing cars are very different from road-legal cars. Now, the FIA has announced the creation of all-new technical regulations for electric-powered GT cars, featuring several technical innovations, including fast charging.

Formula E and Extreme E are already creating interest in electrically-powered motorsports.

“The market for high-performance electric road supercars is on a constant rise, hence a platform to allow manufacturers to develop and showcase their technology was much needed. Creating these technical regulations has been a key project for the FIA GT Commission over the last 18 months. We’ve held regular discussions with GT manufacturers through our Technical Working Groups and there’s keen interest in this new category. It also widens the FIA’s GT portfolio, coexisting alongside with GT3 which will remain the focus of the customer racing market worldwide for the time being,” said Leena Gade, FIA GT Commission President.

This pioneering concept embodies a unique combination of innovations never before seen in motorsport to date and is intended to serve manufacturers as a platform to develop technology relevant to their high-performance roadcars. The cars built to this set of technical regulations will compete at full-length permanent circuits and will set new standards for electric vehicles in motorsport in terms of performance and range.

This new breed of racing cars will operate in a similar performance window to the current generation of GT3 cars but will exceed their combustion engine-powered counterparts in areas such as acceleration and qualifying pace.

Cutting edge tech with cost control

The new class is based on direct manufacturer involvement, with the technical regulations prepared to achieve the right balance between permitting the carmakers and constructors to express themselves in terms of creativity and developing cutting-edge technology while, at the same time, preventing cost escalation.

The category will be open to both specialists in electric vehicle construction without previous combustion engine motorsport experience as well as manufacturers already committed to the GT3 class, who will be able to utilise the architecture and certain design elements of their existing cars and convert them to electric power.

Depending on the base model, the minimum weight of the cars will vary from 1,490 to 1,530 kgs, with maximum power reaching 430kW (equivalent to 585 bhp). Setting the weight threshold higher than it is for the GT3 class will limit the use of expensive materials.

Fast charging

The new class will be the first in electric-powered motorsport not to rely on standardised batteries. It will accommodate cars of vastly different architectures with different spaces available to install key components.

Through partnership with industry-leading firm Saft, a subsidiary of Total, the category will allow the manufacturers to build their own bespoke battery layouts based on Saft-supplied cells. Relying on Saft’s 100 years of experience in areas such as aeronautics, space programmes, defence and motor sport, Saft has developed bespoke lithium-ion pouch cells optimised for the needs of the new class.

The cells are designed to allow for 700 kW peak regen and 700 kW fast recharging that will enable them to replenish to 60% of their capacity within a few minutes during a mid-race pit stop. The charging network will be developed to meet the fast charging requirements and, depending on the venue, will include elements of permanent and temporary infrastructure.

Road relevance

In addition to fast charging, the category will feature several other innovations relevant from a technology transfer standpoint. All of the manufacturers will have the freedom of choosing their own powertrain set-ups – either two or four electric motors – with both 2 and 4-wheel-drive configurations allowed.

The cars will also feature dynamic vehicle control that will automatically adjust the torque of each wheel independently based on speed, acceleration, traction and steering angle, thus ensuring that can have supreme handling characteristics.

Sustainable long-term vision

The introduction of this new concept is in line with the FIA’s long-term vision for the implementation of sustainable energy sources across its portfolio of motorsport disciplines, thus setting an example in the approach to the reduction of CO₂ emission while, at the same time, reflecting the latest trends in the automotive industry and responding to the demands of the market.

“The role of electric propulsion in automotive industry is ever-increasing; as we want motorsport to be relevant to our industry, more and more competitions are going in this direction. The main technical challenges are battery development, battery integration in the cars and fast charging technology. This is crucial to the manufacturers who want to develop road-relevant technology rather than relying on standard components. Also, being able to utilise and adapt GT3 platform ensures that costs are under control,” said Xavier Mestelan Pinon, FIA Technical Director.

After Formula E, Extreme E will take electric cars into off-road competition


Fuel Price Updates For August 19 – August 25, 2021


FEATURE: Why 2019 Is Going To Be A Good Year For Trucks & SUVs! [+Videos]

Yes,
2019
 is indeed shaping up to be a stellar year for Truck and SUV fans across the nation, and here’s just a taste of what’s to come!

LAND ROVER

Thanks to
AutoExpress
, we’re getting a first glimpse of the all-new
2019 Land Rover Defender
. So who said the LR Defender was dead eh? You just can’t kill a Defender….

“The all-new
Land Rover Defender
 will be revealed within the next 12 months, likely to be towards the end of 2019, and new official images have given us our best look yet at the iconic SUV in development. The latest image shows a prototype of the all-new Defender under going off-road testing in North America as part of its grueling test cycle. The vehicle will be subjected to temperatures as low as -40 Celsius and as high as 48 Celsius and at attitudes as high as 13,000ft.”
 –
Auto Express.

FORD

As we all know, late last year,
Ford Malaysia
 finally launched the much-awaited
Ranger Raptor
, (<–link) but in addition to that, they also introduced new variants of the Ranger 4×4 in the form of the
XL
,
XLT,
XLT+
(below)

and
 Wildtrak.
In total there are 9 variants of the new Ranger, including the aforementioned Raptor.

Here’s a short walkabout video of the Ford Ranger XLT+

PROTON

Right. So this SUV is likely the MOST anticipated of the lot. Having subjected us to one of the longest ever “long-lead” ups to its launch, which happened only last month,
Proton’s X70 SUV
 (<–link) has finally hit the road. We’ve already seen a few out there, all CBU of course, with local-assembly only set to begin in October 2019. With more than 12,000 bookings taken before launch and once the order-books were opened, we await word on the official media drive later this month, in the meantime, here’s a walkaround video:

TOYOTA

What a
Rush
. Sorry, just had to with a name like
that
. Yes, the new
Toyota Rush
 (<–link) was introduced recently too, and we even managed to get a short test drive in! Set to be officially launched very soon, the price estimate is apparently below RM100k… we’re guessing circa RM92,000 or so. Here’s a quick walkaround video:

MITSUBISHI

All hail the new
Triton
! Shown at
KLIMS 2018
, (<—link) this truck is likely the only contender to the Ranger Raptor in terms of ‘wow’ factor. There’s still no word on when it’s going to arrive here, but it’s a stunner! Completely unexpected, it was getting a lot of attention at the show, here’s a video featuring the truck:

PERODUA

So technically it’s still very hush-hush for now, but there’s definitely a new
Perodua SUV
 on the way. Perodua isn’t new to SUVs, having introduced the
Kembara
 many years back, and the short-lived
Nautica
 later on. Largely based on the
Daihatsu Terios
 (above) and
Toyota Rush
, it’s almost a given that Perodua will have some design input in the finished product, scheduled to be launched in Q1 this year. Here’s a video on the Terios…

ISUZU

And now a surprise. In October 2019,
Isuzu Malaysia
 will bring in the new
MU-X
 7-seater SUV! We have no solid details about it at the moment, except to say that in typical MU-X fashion, it is
huge
. Here’s a walkaround video:

Photo Gallery (Land Rover Defender images courtesy of
AutoExpress.co.uk
)


Petron ‘Fuels’ Another Formula 4 Season [+Videos]

After a successful Formula 4 South East Asia (SEA) season,
Petron Malaysia
 has renewed its commitment to fuel the 2018 run of the highly anticipated regional event by returning as its official fuel and engine oil partner.

“The last two seasons demonstrated the superior qualities of
Blaze 100 Euro 4M
and
Blaze Racing Fully Synthetic

Engine Oil
 in providing Formula cars the much-needed power and efficient engine responsiveness. We are happy that our high-octane
Blaze 100
and
Blaze Racing Engine Oil
 proved to be the best match for Formula 4 vehicles,”
 said
Faridah Ali, Head of Retail Petron Malaysia.

A leader in fuels technology and innovation, Petron made its mark by launching the first and only 100 RON premium gasoline in the Malaysian market in January 2016. In 2017, Petron started its foray in motorsports as the official fuel and engine oil partner of the F4 SEA Championship.

Promoted by the Asian Autosport Action (AAA) group, F4 SEA is designed to transition 15-19 year old karters into formula racing, giving them the foundation they need to get into GT racing or other formula racing. It focuses on driver experience and development by ensuring a level playing field in a one make FIA single-operator Championship using FIA-F4 homologated race cars and engines.

Here’s some action from the 2017 Formula 4 season…

The F4 SEA, being the first step for drivers to reach Formula 1, has so far helped young homegrown drivers such as Nazim Azman, Adam Khalid and newcomer Muizz Musyaffa to step up their game and facilitate their development in professional motorsports. Formula 4 drivers go at it hard and fast with no quarter asked or given, so here’s some ‘blistering’ action from the 2016 Formula 4 Season…

“The championship has grown from strength to strength and continuous to attract a substantial amount of exposure and interest amongst racing fans. We are thrilled with the way the championship has progressed. This season’s sponsorship will further cement our foothold in the development of motorsports in the region, making our brand synonymous with this FIA certified championship,”
 Faridah Ali concluded.

The 2018 F4 SEA calendar will kick off this July at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The race will continue in India and Thailand. It will then return to Malaysia for season finale. Check out how a F4 car fares against the mighty Porsche 911 Turbo S!

In recognising young talents in motorsports in the region, Petron was also the presenter of the MERITUS Award Gala recently held in Bukit Jalil. The MERITUS Awards was organised to celebrate the best drivers in the 2017 FIA F4 SEA. Muizz Musyaffa and Nazim Azman brought cheers to fans when they claimed the 3rd Rookie Champion and the Best Drive awards, respectively. Following a promising performance last season, Muizz was awarded the SIC-Scholarship to compete in the forthcoming F4 SEA season.

Parc ferme main image from
www.fia.com/formula4


Samsung Digital Cockpit continues to evolve with new ideas (w/VIDEO)

To know more, visit
www.bhpetrol.com.my
.

‘How far can we take vehicle technology?
’ is a question that Samsung researchers constantly ask. While we can’t really predict the future with great accuracy, it is possible to look at innovations and advancements in technology for clues. One of the areas that company looked at is the cabin and combining Samsung Electronics’ latest advancements in telecommunications, semiconductors and display technologies with HARMAN’s automotive expertise, the Digital Cockpit 2021 was created.

Constantly evolving

This is actually the second Digital Cockpit that has been presented at the CES (Computer & Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Since the first one in 2018, the concept has been constantly evolving with new types of innovations.

The Digital Cockpit 2021 is designed with a focus on simplifying communication and delivering fun on-the-go experiences. Its Drive mode is optimized to present drivers with a variety of information without obstructing their view of the road.

Panoramic display

The latest solution combines a wide, 49-inch QLED display with a sound system that makes content feel much more immersive. These technologies allow users to enjoy a customized entertainment experience, while also enabling them to communicate with the world around them.

The various displays, which are customized for various use cases, transform the vehicle into a versatile and convenient all-purpose space. One of the greatest strengths is its 5G technology, which enhances users’ experience by allowing them to utilize these features without interruptions.

Multi-role layout

Samsung’s team considered the car as a mobile office and with the Digital Cockpit, this is possible with tools that help users maximize their productivity when they’re on the move. The solution makes it easy to manage all kinds of work, supports video conferencing, and even includes tools for editing video clips.

In the centre of the steering wheel, where most vehicles would feature a car horn, the Digital Cockpit features a driver-exclusive screen. It’s yet another example of how the Digital Cockpit takes the traditional automobile interior to the next level. Rather than using physical buttons to activate the horn or stalks for the turn signals, drivers can utilize an 8.8-inch touchscreen LCD display.

Automotive Samsung Health

Of course, safety is always important in a vehicle and complementing the usual vehicle safety systems is an expanded version of the Samsung Health service that’s found in the brand’s smartphones and TVs. The version developed for automotive application analyzes passengers’ conditions utilizing a combination of cameras and wearable and mobile devices installed in the vehicle.

The service, known as Automotive Samsung Health, can analyze passengers’ health status even before boarding. It also regularly monitors passengers’ stress levels and will adjust the vehicle’s lighting, scent, or music in an effort to help them relax.

In addition, by analyzing their sleeping patterns and the movement of their eyelids, the service can help ensure that drivers remain awake and alert when on the road. This is another approach to reducing accidents while driving.

The Digital Cockpit’s Control Display on the rear centre armrest includes a touch-based control pad that allows passengers to manage a variety of environment-related functions via simple and intuitive gestures. The controls automatically disappear when passengers aren’t using them, enhancing the interior’s modern look.

Combining immersive entertainment with next-level safety functions and productivity tools, the vehicles of the future will be so much more than a means to get from Point A to Point B. Samsung will be continuously updating its Digital Cockpit solution, and some ideas will certainly make it into production vehicles in future.

VR technology enhances vehicle development processes for Hyundai and Kia


New Isuzu 3S Centre in Kuala Lumpur Features New Retail Outlet Design

Isuzu owners in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have one more outlet where they can obtain full sales and aftersales support. The outlet is located along Jalan Jinjang Permai in the northern fringes of Kuala Lumpur and offers the full range of Isuzu models.

Operated by Autoexec Corporation, the 3S (sales service and spare parts) centre has a bolder and more vibrant façade with a distinctive logo tower, major elements in Isuzu Malaysia’s new retail outlet design.

Speaking at the official opening today, the CEO of Isuzu Malaysia, Shunsuke Okazoe, said that the new design was aimed at elevating Isuzu’s presence while offering customers a warmer and more inclusive environment.

“This new outlet features a strong brand image to reflect the changing outlook of Isuzu’s retail business. The modern design elements and improved facilities are designed to ensure customers not only purchase the best products, but also receive a corresponding sales and aftersales experience under one roof,” said Mr. Okazoe.

Full range of products available
The Autoexec Corporation Isuzu 3S Centre sits on a 1,400 square-metre plot of land and has a spacious air-conditioned showroom where the popular D-MAX pick-up truck models are displayed. Larger models are also on display in a sheltered area where they can be viewed even when weather conditions are bad. The Isuzu range of commercial vehicles covers the light, medium and heavy-duty segments and includes prime movers.

Customers visiting the showroom can comfortably view the models on display, with environment-friendly digital information panels. For fans of the brand, there’s also a merchandise corner and new owners can receive their new trucks at a dedicated delivery bay.

The outlet also has a large service centre that can accommodate up to 4 light-duty vehicles and 2 medium-duty trucks simultaneously. Customers bringing their vehicles in for aftersales attention can enjoy refreshments in the comfortable lounge as trained technicians care for their vehicles.

Transformation of oulets
Following Autoexec Corporation’s outlet, new Isuzu outlets will soon be distinguishable with Isuzu logos featured prominently on the front of the building as well as on a logo tower at the outlet entrance. 3S Centres, particularly those that offer truck aftersales care, will feature a spacious forecourt for ease of parking and manoeuvring. The transformation exercise will take approximately 2 years to complete with the entire network expected to showcase the new identity by December 2024.

To know more about Isuzu products and services, visit
www.isuzu.net.my
.

First Isuzu Medium & Heavy-Duty (MHD) Truck Dealership Opened In Sabah


Longer warranty with 2021 Volvos sold in Malaysia

Volvos have long been known for their durability and even in the 1960s, when some cars were ‘rust-buckets’ and Japanese cars were perceived to have ‘milo tin’ panels, Volvo was claiming over 10 years of reliable service life which kept on extending to over 20 years.

Of course, that is about the car being able to run reliably for that length of time. There is also the possibility of manufacturing defects occasionally, for which owners expect rectification or replacement at no charge. This is typically covered by a warranty from the manufacturer, and it used to for the first year and 20,000 kms. Volvo naturally provided such a warranty even though its cars were very durable.

Volvos have long been known for their longevity and reliability.

Standard 3 years + 2 more

Like other companies, Volvo’s warranty periods have progressively extended, and in 2021, owners of their new vehicles in Malaysia will enjoy a longer coverage period of 5 years, with no limit on mileage. Prior to this, new Volvos came with a standard 3-year or 100,000 km factory warranty with a combined 2-year or 20,000 km Extended Warranty Programme provided by an external insurance partner.

“This new offering is part of our dedication to quality, particularly in relation to our vehicles and customer relationship. At Volvo Car Malaysia, every decision we make is designed around the customer’s needs and more so to solidify their trust in Volvo. We want our customers to feel supported throughout the ownership of their vehicle and we believe that the new extended factory warranty is a step in the right direction as a premium car brand that is rooted in safety,” said Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM).

Models like the XC90 PHEV have an additional longer warranty period specifically for the lithium-ion battery pack (below) to give owners peace of mind as the cost of replacement is expensive.

8 years for PHEV battery pack

In December 2020, VCM also announced that the battery pack in Volvo’s Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) models would have an
extended warranty period of up to 8 years
 or a maximum of 160,000 kms. The long warranty has been offered by other manufacturers in view of the high replacement cost of a battery pack.

Like the small 12V battery that has been present in the engine bay for decades, the high-voltage battery pack has a certain service lifespan but it cannot be certain. Its life depends on usage conditions, manufacturing quality and other factors and it may be short or it may surprise by being very long. But unlike the 12V battery, a battery pack for t hybrid vehicles is many thousands of ringgit.

“Our end goal of this initiative is to allow our valued customers to feel the utmost comfort when driving a Volvo car, free of worries. We allow them to fully experience the innovation and technology that goes into each one of our cars, and by doing so we are able to provide our customers with the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way,” said Mr. Nalin, adding that the extended factory warranty is vehicles that are registered for private use and not applicable to vehicles registered or used for commercial purposes.

An advertisement in Malaysia in the 1980s (left) promoting the long life of the Volvo 244. Irv Gordon proved the point by putting 5.15 million kms on his P1800 between the time he bought it in 1966 and 2013. It’s a record no one else is likely to ever beat.

Pros and cons of longer warranties

Long warranties may please car-buyers as it means they have coverage for a longer period, which is good for those who plan to keep their cars for many years. Furthermore, the warranty is usually transferable (if still in effect), which can add a bit more to resale value.

However, warranty conditions typically require the owner to adhere to the specified service intervals, and to use only an authorised service centre of the brand (and of course, genuine replacement parts). Some companies can be strict about this and if an owner misses a scheduled service or even does it well past the due time, the warranty could be terminated.

In fact, this issue of ensuring scheduled service on time to avoid voiding the warranty worried owners last year when the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was introduced. As they could not get to their service centres (which were also closed), there was the fear that they might lose their warranty. The car companies were quick to assure their customers that the warranty would not be cancelled if they were unable to send their vehicles in for servicing, but they had to do so within 30 days after the MCO was lifted.

A longer warranty which forces an owner to keep using an authorised service centre may not be welcome by all customers. While we recommend using authorised service centres for their expertise with a specific brand, we can understand that there may be owners who prefer to use independent workshops which may charge less. For such owners, the warranty conditions that require them to use only an authorised service centre may not be good.

It should be noted too that there are two types of warranties. Different manufacturers will have different approaches and some may offer a long factory warranty which has broad coverage from the first day to the last day.

Then there are companies which offer a longer warranty that is coupled to the original one that covers the first few years. The additional years are, however, covered by another party like an insurance policy. However, the fine print may reveal that for the extra years, the coverage is slightly different and certain items may not be covered when they had been covered before by the original warranty.

Customers should therefore ask for clarification about this at the time of purchase. Some companies may have a deal with the external party to provide identical coverage terms, and some may not. Many years ago, owners of a certain European brand found, to their surprise, that warranty claims were not entertained for certain items (even though the warranty was still in effect). This came to light when the brand changed franchise holders and the new franchise holder attempted to get warranty compensation for existing customers.

As for mileage, European brands have long offered unlimited mileage after original registration. Asian brands were more conservative and set a maximum mileage which would apply if it was reached before the number of years ended. Generally, it was a reasonable figure though high-mileage motorists would certainly have preferred an unlimited condition.

With the restriction on movements and interstate travel over the past year, many owners may find that they will get to enjoy the full number of years of warranty coverage, even if there is a mileage limit. They would be travelling less, especially those who are instructed to ‘WFH’ (work from home).

Volvo sales in Malaysia last year were the highest since 1999


Aston Martin reveals track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro without hybrid set-up

First came the Aston Martin Valkyrie roadcar and now, two years later, the company presents an evolutionary model – the Valkyrie AMR Pro. Where the original concept was very much an exercise in squeezing as much performance from the road-legal Valkyrie platform, the Valkyrie AMR Pro is freed from race rule constraints, enabling it to have capabilities exceeding those of the machine designed to challenge for outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

‘Unprecedented potency and mind-blowing capabilities’

Continuing the technology partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the Valkyrie AMR Pro is a car said to be ‘of unprecedented potency and mind-blowing capabilities’. It uses a unique version of the Valkyrie chassis which is 380 mm longer in wheelbase and 96 mm wider in track at the front, 115 mm at the rear.

The Valkyrie AMR Pro also features an aggressive aerodynamic package which adds an additional 266 mm in length and, thanks to mastery of underbody and overwing airflow, generates extraordinary levels of downforce. Delivering significantly more downforce than the Valkyrie roadcar, the Valkyrie AMR Pro will achieve lateral acceleration of more than 3
g
.

V12 engine without hybrid set-up

The track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro gets a modified version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine. Revving to 11,000rpm, this engine is on-target to develop 1,000 bhp. Weight savings will come from deletion of the battery-electric hybrid system, plus a host of other weight saving measures, including ultra-lightweight carbonfibre bodywork, carbon suspension wishbones and Perspex windscreen and side windows.

Together with an aerodynamic efficiency that exceeds Le Mans Hypercar regulations, the Valkyrie AMR Pro promises track performance approaching that of a Formula 1 car. Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team drivers are involved in developing the dynamic set-up of the car.

Only in lefthand drive

The Valkyrie AMR Pro will be available only in lefthand drive, with the production run limited to 40 cars (plus 2 prototypes). First deliveries are scheduled to commence during the fourth quarter of 2021.

“The entire Aston Martin Valkyrie programme has been an extraordinary adventure in engineering. As an expression of the passion and expertise that can be found within Aston Martin and its closest technical partners, Valkyrie AMR Pro is a project beyond compare, a true ‘no rules’ track-only version. The Valkyrie AMR Pro is testament to Aston Martin’s commitment to pure performance and this performance DNA will be evident in our future product portfolio. Nothing else looks like it, nothing else sounds like it, and I am absolutely certain nothing else will drive like it!” declared Aston Martin CEO, Tobias Moers.

The 40 customers will receive the opportunity to attend a bespoke track day experience, hosted by Aston Martin at a selection of International FIA Circuits around the world. The experience will include track and pit lane access, support from the Aston Martin Valkyrie Instructor team, as well as FIA exclusive racewear and a VIP hosted dinner.

Track days will be open to all Aston Martin Valkyrie customers, along with a selection of Art of Living experiences, driving some of the most challenging and dynamic roads across the UK and Europe, The Americas and beyond.

James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in ‘Goldfinger’ reborn – complete with the gadgets!


Perodua continues to provide protective equipment for public

Although there have been signs of the COVID-19 pandemic easing, the authorities warn that we are still not safe yet and precautions must still be taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For that reason, the RMCO will continue till the end of the year.

Perodua has been doing its part to help in providing protection to the public, especially schoolchildren, and it has earlier been distributing thousands of face shields. It has also donated other much-needed items for use by frontliners.

The Malaysian carmaker is continuing with its public protection initiative and recently contributed over 7,700 face shields to 66 primary schools in the Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor vicinities lately. These are for the use of academic and support staff.

Extending goodwill to primary schools

“Having contributed some 11,000 face shields to
secondary schools in Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor
 in June, Perodua now extends the same goodwill to primary schools in those areas,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“We do this firstly for the protection, health and well-being of our beloved schoolchildren, teachers and support staff; secondly, as a token of appreciation to the Federal government for all their efforts in dealing with COVID-19; and thirdly, to give back to the local community we have called home for the past 27 years.”

Over 30,000 face shields distributed

Perodua has to date distributed over 30,000 face shields in total. Recipients have included the Putrajaya Federal Territory Education Department, the Hulu Selangor District Council, District Education Office and clinics, the Selayang Municipal Council and various morning and night market hawkers in Hulu Selangor and Selayang.

The face shields, manufactured by an associate of Perodua’s, feature a fog-resistant visor made of polyethylene terephthalate for optimal visibility, sponge cushioning that hugs the forehead to act as a barrier against airborne droplets, and an adjustable elastic band for a snug and comfortable fit.

“This Malaysia Day, Perodua, as a caring and responsible
People First
 company, asks all Malaysians not to let their guard down. Please continue to be cautious and comply with all government health and safety guidelines, and we will defeat COVID-19 together as one nation,” Dato’ Zainal urged.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative


Ferrari 488 Pista Spider – A Special Series From Ferrari Premieres At Pebble Beach

The Prancing Horse’s new Special Series model, the
Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
, has been unveiled during the world-famous Concours d’Elegance® at Pebble Beach in California. The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50
th
 drop-top model from the Prancing Horse and a premiere in the US was a natural choice given that, ever since the 1950s, North American clients have always been keen connoisseurs of high-performance convertibles.

The new car sets a new benchmark for Ferrari for spider performance with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv. A result made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever, which was recently named Best Engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.  The
3902cc twin-turbo V8
 unleashes
720cv
 and combines that power with increasing torque at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the red line. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration.

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupé version. The Ferrari designers’ primary objective was to maintain unaltered the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit. This concept is underlined by the characteristic central livery which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. This continual expansion of the stripe recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the car.

The philosophy that imposed an uncompromising choice of materials for the bodywork is also revisited in the interior solutions, with weight being saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara® throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.

In terms of engineering, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. As a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the track to a road-legal drop-top car. The vehicle dynamics honed for this Special Series 8-cylinder convertible deliver a seamless combination of razor-sharp acceleration, braking efficiency, lightning-fast gear shifting, precision steering, grip, stability and superb handling. The result? A completely captivating and unprecedented driving experience. This was achieved thanks partly to the new lateral dynamics control system, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable.

The car features new diamond-finish 20” alloy wheels with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims.  Also available are the optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.


Subaru running BRZ prototype in Super Taikyu series to test carbon-neutral fuel

While the European carmakers are thinking of phasing out combustion engines, the Japanese carmakers are still trying to keep them in use for a while longer, not just in hybrid powertrains but also on their own. In order to meet increasingly stringent emission standards – one reason why industry is going the EV route – the carmakers are exploring and testing the use of environment-friendly fuels.

Toyota is testing an engine running on hydrogen (as a fuel, not for a fuel cell) while Mazda has been running a 100% biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats. Subaru is the third member of the same group of companies exploring new fuels that can be classified as carbon-neutral.

All three companies have formed an alliance for such R&D work and are running their prototypes in the current ENEOS Super Taikyu Series. Toyota’s prototype is adapted from a Corolla hatchback, while Mazda is using a Demio model. Subaru has chosen its BRZ sportscar for the purpose.

The use of the Super Taikyu series is suitable for development work as it subjects the prototype engines to extreme conditions within a short period. Feedback on engine performance will help the engineers identify issues and work on solutions so that fuel options can be expanded for combustion engines which are also acceptable for a carbon-neutral society.

For developing of the prototype, Subaru has over 100 engineers involved in Team SDA Engineering.  The engineers made minimal modification to the BRZ to retain mass production vehicle engineering which is reliable. However, racing regulations require safety equipment and the roll cage is an important item to be installed. The structure of the roll-cage was specially designed so that there would be space for EyeSight stereo camera which is used for the active safety systems.

Related stories:

Mazda uses SKYACTIV-D engine wth next-generation biodiesel

Toyota races in Super Taikyu series with hydrogen-fuelled engine

The carbon-neutral fuel is a synthetic fuel formulated by synthesizing sources such as carbon dioxide (CO
2
), hydrogen and components derived from non-edible biomasses so as to match with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) for petrol It is seen as one of the measures for achieving carbon neutrality as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is regarded as neutral.

Mazda’s Demio prototype (above) runs on biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats, while Toyota’s prototype (below) has an engine running on hydrogen.

When all materials are derived from renewable energy and CO
2
 emitted during production and transportation process is zero, the fuel can be considered a truly carbon-neutral fuel. However, since there still is CO
2
 emission during production and the transportation process, the fuel used at this time is not strictly carbon-neutral. Subaru is aiming to make it 100% carbon neutral in the future.

The livery of the race car features the motif of blue and green flame which respectively symbolize the passion of Subaru engineers and environmental friendliness of carbon-neutral fuel.

Hyundai Motor Group aims to take lead in technology for future hydrogen society


Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic now in showrooms, priced from RM589,900

Audi isn’t as active in Malaysia these days as it was some years ago but that has not stopped it from keeping its range reasonably up to date. Until it can come up with numbers that provide a business case for local assembly, it will have to be content with low numbers as its pricing cannot be competitive without the sort of incentives its rivals receive.

The offerings current available at 5 showrooms total nine models, four of which are SUVS. They cover the main segments, including the top end with the A8. Now the new A6, announced earlier, is finally in the showrooms in 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic form, retailing for
RM589,900
 (excluding insurance).

Audi Mild Hybrid Technology

This is the eighth generation (C8) of the full-size sedan and it has a hybrid powertrain using the carmaker’s mild-hybrid technology. A key feature of this technology is the 48V main electrical system which incorporates two elements: a powerful lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. With the V6 turbocharged petrol engine already generating a high output, total system output is 340 ps/500 Nm to give a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 5.1 seconds. The top speed is higher than 250 km/h but Audi has chosen to limit it to that speed.

Fuel economy is maximized not just with the efficient 7-speed S tronic transmission but also the ability of the car to coast between 55 and 160 km/h. The start-stop function kicks in up to 22 km/h and the engine is restarted from standstill predictively as soon as the vehicle in front of the Audi A6 starts moving. During deceleration, the belt alternator starter (BAS) recovers up to 12 kW of energy. In real-world driving, the Audi technology is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 kms.

The bodywork of the new A6, like the pioneering Audi 100 of the early 1980s, has advanced aerodynamics to minimize wind resistance. Thanks to sophisticated aeroacoustics, it also runs quietly, even at high speed.

A second important factor is high body rigidity which provide the high quality feel and sporty handling. Audi uses an intelligent mixed construction of steel and aluminium in the bodyshell. Components such as the front suspension strut dome are made of aluminium, as are the doors, bonnet/boot lids and fenders.

The lighting design – technology brought to life

The lighting design emphasizes the technical character of the A6 with the standard for Malaysia HD Matrix LED headlights best exemplifying the concept. This high-end lighting system features 5 horizontal lines form the daytime running light signature. They emphasize the width of the front. Above them are the dipped beam modules that look like pupils. The lighting signature of the taillights is made up of a single horizontal line and nine vertical segments for each unit; the brake light fills the areas in between.

The dynamic indicator is included with the top-of-the-line equipment. When unlocking and locking the doors, a pulsing coming and leaving home function brings to life the combination of design and technology that is the hallmark of Audi.

Class-leading interior space

The interior has increased space with key dimensions beating core competitors as well. The luggage compartment offers more loading width – two golf bags can be accommodated horizontally – even though the capacity remains unchanged at 530 litres.

MMI navigation plus

The new A6 offers an extensive range of connectivity solutions for superb safety, convenience and personalization. The standard specification for Malaysia is with the top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus – a media hub with a new design. The data transfer module uses the new LTE Advanced standard.

The MMI touch response system of the new A6 sets new standards in terms of intuitive operation and personalization. With extensive intelligent personalization options, the car is tailored to the driver. The all-digital operating system allows central vehicle functions to be placed in the required position in the MMI screen using drag-and-drop – similar to the user experience with smartphone apps. Shortcuts and favorites buttons form the ideal basis for individual preferences and superb ease-of-use.

Up to 7 drivers can store their preferred settings in individual user profiles and set up to 400 parameters. Thanks to its logical and flat menu structure, the system provides fast access to vehicle functions. The configurable favorites buttons help tailor the system to the user’s preferences.

The driver manages the infotainment on the top display, which has a 10.1-inch screen diagonal if MMI navigation plus has been specified. The bottom 8.6-inch display, located in the console in the center tunnel, is used for the climate control and for the convenience functions and text input; the driver’s wrist can sit on the selector lever of the automatic transmission.

In addition, the head-up display projects important information onto the windshield. MMI navigation plus also includes the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch display.

Agile as a sportscar

The new A6 is claimed to be noticeably sportier than the previous one. The already sporty ratio of the standard progressive steering becomes even more direct as the steering angle increases; a new damping concept also conveys intensive, finally differentiated feedback from the road.

The dynamic all-wheel steering is a key component in this agility and maneuverability. It combines direct, sporty steering response with unshakable stability, resolving this classic conflict of aims. Depending on the speed, the steering ratio varies between 9.5:1 and 16.5:1. This is thanks to a strain wave gearing at the front.

At the rear axle, a spindle drive turns the wheels as much as 5 degrees. At low speed, the wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels, thus enhancing the agility of the A6 and reducing its turning circle by up to one metre to 11.1 metres. At high speed, the wheels turn in the same direction, thus optimizing stability when traveling in a straight line or changing lanes.

with the 3.0 TFSI engine.

Like the dynamic all-wheel steering and the controlled damping, the drivetrain settings are integrated into the control function of the electronic chassis platform. These systems are closely networked for innovative precision. The driver can select various driving profiles via the Audi drive select system – the widespread from comfort through sportiness is even more pronounced than in the outgoing model.

Click here for other news and articles about Audi on PISTON.MY


Perodua provides clarification on the ‘Myvi S-Edition’ launched in Brunei recently

About a week ago, on July 3, Perodua’s dealer in Brunei launched the latest Myvi for that market. It was the usual sort of launch of a new model but among the variants displayed was one called the Myvi S-Edition. The existence of such a variant caught the Perodua people by surprise since they do not have any Myvi S-Edition sold in Malaysia or anywhere else in the world.

Some Perodua fans who keep up with news of their favourite brand also noticed the ‘special edition’ and wondered why it was available in Brunei but not Malaysia. Well, it is not unusual that some markets may have a variant or specification which are not available in the home market of the manufacturer. These may be export versions or specially developed versions to suit certain markets.

In the case of the Myvi S-Edition, the variant had a bodykit to enhance its looks but this bodykit was not developed by Perodua and it appears that they were not aware of it either, from what we gather from the statement issued by Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Perodua Brunei introduced its own version of the Myvi 1.3L G variant, dubbed the S-Edition, which include enhanced bodykits which were sourced independently by our appointed distributor GHK Motors,” he said.

“Based on the feedback from GHK Motors, the introduction of the Myvi S-Edition was its attempt to introduce a variant that was better suited to their market needs. We are engaging with GHK Motors for more details about this variant to ensure that the additions to this variant meet the required standards,” he added.

The statement was issued today for clarification as Perodua is aware of some confusion caused to its loyal customers.

Like other manufacturers, Perodua is serious about protecting its image and reputation, especially where it concerns quality. When it develops its cars, every part and system is thoroughly tested for durability and reliability before it is approved for use. This is understandable since a defective or unreliable part can cause a breakdown and in an extreme case, even an accident, and that is something a responsible manufacturer like Perodua will not want to cause.

Every item in Perodua’s GearUp line of accessories has to be thoroughly tested to ensure quality, reliability, durability and safety before it is offered for sale.

Even bodykits and other accessories are subject to the same rigorous testing by the R&D division to ensure they meet the required standards. Therefore, if a distributor or dealer wants to install items which did not come with the car, they must first let Perodua test the items and give its approval.

Proton also had a similar issue long ago with its distributor in the Philippines which also assembled the Wira. The company there added a turbocharger to the engine in the Wira for sale to the public. This was a modification which had not received Proton’s approval and certainly, it was against warranty conditions. If the engine failed due to the turbocharger boosting performance and causing too much stress, for example, the customer would likely blame Proton and that would spoil its reputation.

New Perodua Prices without Sales Tax


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Has Another Incredible Year In 2018

2018 was the fifth consecutive record year for
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)
. The distinctive
three-pointed star
 shined brightly in 2018 with an extraordinary performance of
13,079
 vehicles sold, translating into a
9%
 overall growth. Capturing a
2.4 per cent market share
*, the achievement cements Mercedes-Benz as the undisputed luxury lifestyle brand in Malaysia and the global arena.

MBM President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner
 (below, left) said:
“2018 was another successful year in the 15 year-long extraordinary journey for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and the Mercedes-Benz brand. Our efforts to invigorate the brand experience for our increasingly diverse fans have been fruitful and we are happy to retain our position as the number one luxury lifestyle brand. Our great combination of Best Products, Best Service and Best Customer Experience continues to drive the brand’s success and we assure our customers and fans that this will continue to be our focus.”

He added,
“Offering a seamless customer experience to our valued customers is a core value that we uphold and we believe this is important to ensure sustainability of the business. The mantra has always been about ‘Putting the customer at the centre of our activities’. ”

Commenting on the 2018 performance,
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at MBM, Mark Raine
 (above, left) said,
“We are extremely proud of our history-making performance for 2018. We delivered 13,079 Mercedes-Benz Cars to customers, further cementing our position as the leading premium brand in Malaysia. Our fresh-faced product portfolio with the locally assembled Mercedes-AMG C 43 and GLC 43, and all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has succeeded in keeping our fans excited about the brand. Furthermore, we gave the market a taste of the future with the EQ Concept this year. We intend to keep the momentum going with more exciting events and products in 2019.”

In 2018, MBM’s performance was spearheaded by the locally produced limousines, which recorded
7,910
 units sold. Following closely were the Mercedes-Benz SUVs with
2,613
 units sold, particularly by the locally produced Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and GLC 250. The German marque expects continued positive demand for this segment.  The Mercedes-Benz compact cars recorded a total of
1,875
 units sold, while the Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars, recorded a total of
662
 units sold, a 77% growth for the
three-pointed star’s
 brand shapers.

The
 20 vehicle launches
 spread throughout 2018 sustained the healthy momentum of demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The key launches included the locally-assembled
Mercedes-AMG C 43
and
 GLC 43, Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan
and
 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupé
, its New
Dream Cars Collection
, the New
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Family
,
and the all-new
 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
and new generation
 C-Class.

Additionally, MBM showcased the brand’s innovative edge with the
EQ Concept
 premiere in Kuala Lumpur – a first in Southeast Asia. The milestone has positioned Mercedes-Benz as a reinventer of the automotive industry with the EQ brand, pioneering the direction and setting the stage for future mobility.

Going hand-in-hand with its Best Products, MBM spearheaded engaging activities to match a diverse fan base aligned to its overall Best Customer Experience commitment. MBM engaged with fans through events like Urban Hunting x ULTRA Singapore 2018, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Kuala Lumpur, the MercedesTrophy and introduction of the AMG Owners Club Malaysia (AOCM) which are aimed at elevating the AMG experience with exclusive access to all things AMG for owners.

Complementing the seamless ownership experience, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM) recorded a steady growth in line with the
three-pointed star’s
progress. For the year, MBSM financed four out of every 10 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold and has a solid servicing portfolio of MYR 2.7 billion** MBSM’s commitment to innovative peace-of-mind financing and insurance solutions was further embodied with the introduction of new products like
AgilityPlus
 and
Lease2Go
.

MBM’s emphasis on upholding Best Customer Experience at every touchpoint translated into the highest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) After-sales score in history. The achievement has demonstrated the brand’s excellence in managing the high volume of Mercedes-Benz vehicles by maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

The passion and expertise behind the Best Customer Experience brand promise was showcased once again in this year’s Mercedes-Benz SEA II Skills Competition. 2018 marked the competition’s 10th anniversary and first year opening its doors to the South East Asia II (SEAII) region. A total of 613 Customer Services Professionals and Advanced Modern Apprenticeship finalists competed for the title of best technician, service advisor and process specialist within the Mercedes-Benz network.

The celebrated technicians and customer services personnel make up the backbone of MBM’s 35 dedicated dealerships nationwide. In tandem with its growing fan base, MBM launched five new touchpoints last year including the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus, Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus and Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus among others. Trained with a view of keeping customers at the centre, every touch point is key in delivering the Best Products and Best Customer Service throughout the entire customer journey. To date, Mercedes-Benz has the largest premium dealer network in the country.

Recognising the dedication, passion and hard work of its dealer partners, MBM held the inaugural Dealer of the Year awards in March 2018. The award is poised to be an annual event aimed at rewarding dealerships for operational excellence and commitment to delivering the Best Customer Experience. Another exciting offering introduced in the network for 2018 was the Mercedes-Benz Certified pre-owned vehicle programme. The programme represents the highest quality in used cars from Mercedes-Benz worldwide, previously known as Proven Exclusivity.

Mercedes-Benz as a brand has invested over
MYR 1 billion
 in the Malaysian market since 2003 and MBM’s production plant in Pekan, Pahang demonstrates its long-term position and consistent commitment to the Malaysian economy. In FY2018, the production plant produced 9,854 vehicles, including the newest addition being the Mercedes-Benz S 450 L and the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Facelift.

MBM’s long-term commitment is also demonstrated through the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy built to develop the skills of Malaysia’s youth and create meaningful job opportunities in the automotive industry. 2018 saw an additional 26 apprentices graduated bringing the total to 853 globally certified local apprentices who have passed through its doors since the establishment of the training programme.

On its outlook for the year ahead, Dr Weidner said,
“2019 will be another exciting year for Mercedes-Benz with refreshing innovations and new benchmarks to elevate the customer experience. We are excited to share these updates in due time.”
Earlier this week, Daimler AG announced that on a global level Mercedes-Benz sold approximately
2.3 million cars worldwide in 2018
, increasing its unit sales by 0.9 per cent, making 2018 the most successful year in terms of sales in the company’s history.

The new sales record in the car division of Daimler AG was driven in particular by the success of Mercedes-Benz in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific was identified as the region with the
strongest growth in 2018
, delivering
943,473 (+7.8%)
 Mercedes-Benz cars to customers in 2018. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia was one of the few markets in the Asia Pacific region to have delivered more passenger cars than ever before in a single year.

*As of YTD November 2018

**The numbers for 2018 are unaudited and subject to change.