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BMW posts record sales for first quarter of 2017

BMW has posted its strongest sales this quarter compared to the same period last year. According to the company, its top premium brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, saw a combined increase in total sales by 5.3% which amounts to 587,237 vehicles that have been sold globally. Its the first time that the German automaker has cracked half a million sales at such an early period in the year.

“We’ve achieved a strong start to the year, with our X-family models and the BMW 7 Series being the main growth drivers,” commented Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management with responsibility for Sales and Brand BMW. “March was the first full sales month for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and the customer feedback for this benchmark car is already very positive,” he continued.

Sales of BMW vehicles alone totaled 503,445 vehicles in the first quarter of 2017 which is a 5.2% increase compared to the same period last year. There were a number of models that contributed to the company’s sales growth. In March, deliveries of the BMW X1 increased 21.0% (26,759), sales of the BMW X5 were up 20.7% (17,678) while deliveries of the flagship BMW 7 Series grew 74.8% (7,134).

BMW’s electric line of vehicles helped bolster sales further as the company shifted 20,000 of these vehicles to customers world wide since early 2017. These sales figures are double of what were reported last year, which is proof of the growing popularity of electric vehicles. BMW i3 sales have been off to a positive start this year and the same can be said about the newly launched plug-in hybrid 530e iPerformance.

MINI branded vehicles also contributed to the overall sales growth by posting a 6.1% increase which is 83,059 vehicles sold since January. Sales of the MINI Clubman alone rose to 21% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, which means that it is becoming a favorite among car buyers. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars had a good quarter too by posting a 33% increase in sales since January. Despite the economic situation and the volatility of the current vehicle market, there is still a strong demand for Rolls-Royce cars and the company is confident that this sales growth will be sustainable for the near future.

BMW Motorrad, the automaker’s two-wheeler arm, managed a total sales volume of 35,636 vehicles which is a 5.5% increase overall this quarter. Based on what we have seen, 2017 seems to be shaping up to be a good year for a number of automakers. Let’s hope that the surge in sales also brings with it better and improved vehicles in the not so distant future.

New MINI Cooper Countryman Launched in Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia has finally launched the new MINI Cooper Countryman here in Malaysia. The new car is bigger than its predecessor, measuring 4,299mm in length, 1,822mm in width and 1,557mm in height. The new Countryman has a higher ground clearance and a raised seating position which should complement the MINI ALL4 Bodykit very well.

Including the kit, the Countryman has unique rear and front fenders, Piano Black bumper element and a silver coloured sump guard. There are roof rails on the roof that allow for a fitment of a roof rack, roof box or a bicycle rack. It has satin-finished aluminum with silver-coloured side sill top. And now for the first time ever, the car comes with auto LED Headlamps with Cornering Lights which keep the path ahead illuminated based on the steering position.

Available as either the Cooper Countryman or Cooper S Countryman, the former is fitted with 18-inch Light Alloy Wheels while the latter comes with 19-inch ones. Both rim types are wrapped in run-flat tyres which should offer better convenience in case of a puncture. Thanks to the larger dimensions, the Countryman offers a larger storage volume (450 litres) and increased cabin space. The interior comes with Cloth Firework Cabon Black upholstrey with Hazy Grey interior surfacing which is complemented by the subtle use of chrome and a John Cooper works sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters.

The front seats can be adjusted electronically, but both front rear door pockets offer small storage space as does the centre console that now extenteds to the instrument panel. Two cup holders are fitted in front of the gear selector. The rear tailgate can be operated electronically and for added convenience a sensor has been fitted below the tailgate that can be operated with your foot.

Unlike its predecessor, the new car has a picnic bench that folds out of the boot and offers seating for two. In the centre console sits a 6.5-inch high resolution infotainment system which has in-car smartphone integration. The apps that are download can accessed via the car’s controls and is view-able via the LCD panel that is also integrated with the rear view camera.

There are two engine options available. The Cooper Countryman comes with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic Steptronic transmission. It produces 136bhp and 220Nm of torque. MINI says that you should get about 6 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle. Opt for the Cooper S Countryman however, and you will get a 192bhp 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine which is also mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It will return 6.5 litres per 100km when driven frugally.

For the suspension, the car comes with a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle at the back. The car also has electro-mechanical steering with Servotronic function and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which should come in handy during emergency maneuvers. A welcomed feature is the Hill Hold Control which keeps the vehicle in place when stationary on an inclination. For safety, the car comes with two front, sides and the ceiling airbags for aided protection.

There are a number of body colours that are available which include Chestnut, Island Blue, British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, and Moonwalk Grey. The Thunder Grey colour option is only available with the Cooper S Countryman, so if you want people to know that you didn’t buy the standard car, this is the colour to have.

As for prices, the Cooper Countryman is available for RM239,888 while the Cooper S Countryman can be yours for RM269,888. Both variants come with a 4-year unlimited mileage Warranty with a free scheduled service package.

If you are interested, head on over to your nearest MINI dealership or visit the company’s local website to learn more.

Goodyear coping well with tough market demands

The trend in the global tyre market has shifted in recent years. It seems that customers are looking for better equipped and high quality tyres rather than regular ones. This shift in requirements suits Goodyear Tire & Rubber company quite well. The tyre manufacturer has been a leading maker and supplier of quality tyres that adhere to stringent tests and requirements. As sa result, this shift has increased the financial growth of the company considerably.

“The accelerating shift to high-value- added tires for both consumer vehicles and commercial trucks is the main product trend shaping the future of the tire industry,” Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Richard J. Kramer said at the company’s annual shareholder meeting today.

Goodyear says that the demand for tyres of 17-inches or larger has doubled since 2010 and it is expected to increase again by two fold by 2020. That said, the company is able to cope with market demands better than competitors due to its business model, consumer-centric strategies as well as OE relationships and marketing relationships with its distribution network.

Due to the vast diversity of vehicles and models produced by different automakers, developing and supplying suitable tyres in a timely manner can be an arduous task. But Goodyear says it is able to meet their needs and those of customers wanting the latest tyre technology in their rubber, confidently well.

During the tyre company’s annual meeting, shareholders re-elected 13 members of the company’s Board of Directors to new one-year terms, approved Goodyear’s 2017 Performance Plan and voted to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.

For more information on the company or the various tyres that it offers here in Malaysia, visit the company’s website to learn more.

Mini Remastered to debut at London Motor Show

Have you ever contemplated buying an original Mini but was a little skeptical about relaibility? Well, David Brown Automotive may have something thing of interest to you. The UK based coach-builder has taken apart the original Mini, reworked the body panels and internals as well as the various wiring and electronics and resembled it to create a remastered vehicle that resembles the original but features modern technology.

The company even reconditioned the 1,275cc 78bhp engine and four-speed gearbox. The chassis and body panels are reworked and de-seamed to provide that new car fit and finish. The Mini has been fitted with modern niceties such as an in-built infortainment and navigation system that offers a host of connectivity features for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also has a four-speaker sound system, USB connectivity and charging ports for your phone. Unlike the antic it is based on, the new reworked car called the Mini Remastered, features keyless entry, push-button ignition system and remote central locking.

Every Mini Remastered produced comes with a bespoke leather-lined luggage space and a petrol tank painted in each car’s contrasting roof colour. Every Mini Remastered come with an exceptional paint finish, with a full four-week paint process applied to every car.

David Brown automotive uses a combination of engineering, state-of-the-art technology and old fashioned coach-building techniques to build the car. The Mini isn’t its first project though because a year ago, the company unveiled the Speedback GT. It’s a bespoke car powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that puts out 510bhp.

The boutique British coach-builder takes pride in its modernized coach-building approach to manufacturing fully engineered, limited-edition vehicles that are made from hand-formed aluminium with entirely hand crafted interiors.

The Mini Remastered will be on display at the Confused.con London Motor Show from 4-7 May 2017 where it will make its public debut.

Michelle Gay, Brand & Business Manager at David Brown Automotive: “We are delighted to be exhibiting at The London Motor Show for a second year. We received a fantastic response to Speedback GT last year and are hugely excited to be making the first public debut in the UK of our second model, Mini Remastered, which is the ultimate modern classic for city driving.”

The company has done some excellent work with the Mini, we hope that these techniques catch on and allow other builders to restore former classic cars to their original glory.

Perodua Bezza wins Frost & Sullivan COTY

Perodua’s first EEV sedan has won over car buyers all over the country due to its fuel sipping engines and practical dimensions. It’s won over so many hearts that it has been awarded the 2017 Forst & Sullivan’s Malaysia Car of the Year at the namesake’s Excellence Awards.

The Bezza also picked up the Debut Car of the Year award from Frost & Sullivan, and its little sister, the Axia, picked up the Value-for-Money Car of the Year for the 1.3L & under category. Perodua’s Bezza was picked out from the list of finalists due to it’s substantial sales volume, sales growth, market share and its overall impact to the industry in terms of volume.

“We are overwhelmed with this recognition for the Perodua Bezza and the Axia. The 2017 Frost & Sullivan’s Malaysia Car of the Year Award for the Bezza is an endorsement towards our first ever full upper body designed model,” Perodua President & CEO, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

There are two factors that were considered before the Bezza was chosen, these are quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative ones include sales volume for 2015 and 2016, sales volume growth, market share within its own segment in 2015 and 2016, market share growth within the vehicle’s own segment and average sales per month. For the qualitative factors, judges consider market strategy in 2016, the key selling points,key competitive advantages, achievements, popularity and the model’s perception among car buyers.

The Bezza was launched in July of 2016 and since then, about 50,900 cars have been sold. It’s a popular choice due to its affordability, practicality and choice of variants. The car can be ordered with either a 1.0-litre (1KR-VE) or 1.3-litre (1NR-VE) engine and up to 5 variants are offered as standard. The variants are the 1.0L Manual, 1.0L Automatic, 1.3L Premium X Manual, 1.3L Premium X Automatic and 1.3L Advanced version Automatic.

If you are in the market for a compact economy car, the Bezza should be in your shortlist. It is a sensible choice for those looking for economical vehicle but with space for the family and luggage.

Porsche Panamera launched in Malaysia

The second generation of Porsche’s four door sedan for the road has finally been launched here in Malaysia. Featuring extensive changes both inside and out, the Panamera has a svelte silhouette which is a major improvement over the disproportional first generation car.

The new car is 5,049mm long, 1,937mm wide and 1,423mm tall making it longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Despite the increase in dimensions, the reason for the new car’s sleek look is its lowered roofline, which sits 20mm lower than that of the previous car. Its wheelbase has been extended a further 30mm which means the front wheels have been moved forward in an effort to reduce front overhang.The rear overhang has been extended to make for a bolder presence.

As a means to improve handling, the new Panamera features rear wheel steering, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM elecntronic damper control), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), active roll stabilization and electromechanical steering system. The car even features a 4D chassis control system that works with all other systems to ensure that chassis remains balanced and controled regardless of the situation.

As of now, only two versions of the new Panamera have been made available, the Panamera and Panamera 4S. The V6 and V8 biturbo powerplants that have been optimised for power delivery. The tubrochargers sit in banked manner allowing them to be integrated with the rest of the engine making for a more compact package that is able to sit lower in the engine bay.

The 2.9-litre V6 engine develops 440bhp which is 20bhp more than that in the previous model. As such the Panameara 4S will be able to cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.4 seconds but even quicker when equipped with the Sports Chrono Package. In the Panamera, the engine is also turbocharged and 330bhp which is also 20bhp more than the car it replaces. The engine is mated to a 8-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and owners can now have their cars fitted with permanent all-wheel-drive system too.

Inside, the Panamera features better technology with the replacement of mechancial switchgear with that of the more modern touch sensitive system. The car retains the signature tachometer which is flanked with two 7-inch displays on each side. In the centre stack sits a 12.3-inch display infortainment system called the Porsche Communication Managment (PCM) system.

The Panamera is priced at RM890,000 and the Panamera 4S is priced at RM1,100,000. Both variants come with a four-year warranty and free maintenace package which is offered with complimnetary service, labour and parts. Should you require further information, please visit your nreartest dealerhsip or visit the company’s local website.