With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and now the imposition of CMCO in the Klang Valley for 2 weeks, companies and event organisers are reviewing their activities in the next few months. One of them is Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS) which had an event planned for November 12, 2020 at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
With the CMCO in operation, the organisers have decided to postpone the 9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia event to run from December 30 until January 3, 2021. The venue will remain at the 1Utama Shopping Centre as the AOS people are satisfied that ‘the shopping centre’s proactive actions and readiness to host the event have been exemplary’.
The date for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia Virtual Finals will remain unchanged on November 12, 2020 as it is essentially an online event. The jury will consist of judges from Malaysia and the USA and judging will be done LIVE online, with the winner being announced on the same day.
“Throughout this pandemic, we have been working behind the scenes with various parties to ensure our decisions are for the best interest of all involved especially with regards to health and safety. We can only pray that this new wave will soon subside, and we can continue with our plans to support the various communities and industries that contribute so much to the socio economic fabric of Malaysia,” the organisers said.
Proton reports that one of its employees was tested positive for COVID-19 on October 14, 2020. The employee, who is from the Research & Development Department in Shah Alam, was immediately put under the care of a government facility.
The company, which has been strictly adhering to the protocols issued by the authorities, immediately put into place its mitigation plans to ensure prevention of further spread. Contact tracing was initiated begun and all employees from the respective departments have been asked to stay away from the office and self-quarantine. This is being followed by deep cleansing and a disinfection of the premises and any suspected areas.
Proton states that the employee concerned was not in any way regularly interacting with customers and therefore there is a lower concern about direct exposure to the public.
The company reassures all its customers that it will continue to strictly follow all guidelines and procedures laid out by the authorities as it has been doing from the start of the pandemic. It will continue to monitor the situation closely before deciding on any further course of action, if necessary.
The safety of all Proton staff, customers and Malaysians is of the utmost importance to the company and will be its main priority, it said in a statement issued this afternoon.
With a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) now in force in Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Sabah, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia informs the public of the following measures with Mercedes-Benz Star Shield from October 14 to October 27, 2020.
The Star Shield Programme
The Mercedes-Benz Star Shield programme is a safety protocol for Mercedes-Benz dealers and customers. It consists of a comprehensive safety plan that includes social distancing, provision of masks and hand sanitizers, cleaning and sanitization of showroom cars and common areas, temperature checks and limit on customers present.
During this CMCO period, all authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide will remain open for business as usual. They will, however, strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the government for the protection of customers as well as their own employees.
Customers can still request for test-drives, while owners can bring their vehicles in for routine service and maintenance and/or repairs at service centres. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been observed for some months continue to apply.
24-hour support service
Customers can still obtain 24-Hour Roadside Assistance for emergency breakdowns and technical issues. They can call 1-800-88-1133 at any time of the day for support.
In order to minimize social contact, the Mercedes-Benz Star Shield also includes initiatives such as the Drop & Go, Door-to-door and Express Service.
With Henry Ford’s mass production approach of making cars having created thousands of similarly looking cars daily, individual identification became difficult unless you looked at the numberplate. However, there has been one element which has provide some degree of differentiation between cars of the same design – the colour.
Ford initially offered his Model T only in black, for economic as well as efficiency reasons, but generally, manufacturers have offered a choice of exterior body colours to provide variety for customers.
However, despite a great variety, buyers still tend to choose certain colours and according to a study by AkzoNobel, those in Southeast Asia prefer black, grey and white. The decorative paint and coatings company’s study also showed that 22% of respondents chose black as their favourite colour, with 21% and 19% choosing white and grey, respectively.
Black, white and grey are popular choices for car colours in Southeast Asia.
To the older generation, black may not be a ‘good’ colour but today, it is seen as representing ‘power’, ‘ambition’ and ‘wealth’. Luxury brands such as BMW and McLaren, which have AkzoNobel coating on their vehicles, often use black in their branding.
BMW uses them on some of their products and car parts, while McLaren chooses AkzoNobel’s automotive paint for all its production road cars. Often, special editions are also finished in black, one recent example being the anniversary edition of the Proton Saga.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is white. It goes without saying that cars tend to look good in white, a colour that is often associated with purity and cleanliness. On a more practical level, if you can recall from the science lessons during your primary school days, white surfaces are great heat and light reflectors. This means white cars don’t absorb as much heat from sunlight.
By extension, the inside of the car won’t become so hot after spending some time out in the open during a sunny day – certain something Malaysians would welcome.
The colour is also widely preferred as white cars are known to often have a high resale value. If the mileage is not too high and the condition is good, then a better asking price is possible!
Grey can be considered as a ‘diplomatic’ colour, a balance between black and white. Car owners driving grey cars are likely to be modest and humble individuals who are often happy to blend into the crowd. The colour is simple and easy to maintain and scratches are not as noticeable when compared to other coloured cars.
Although most people don’t realise it, automotive paint is quite a complex fluid. Years of R&D go into paint formulations to ensure that the colours remain outstanding long into the future. Companies like Sikkens – a brand under AkzoNobel – specialise in vehicle refinish systems that can offer protection comparable to the original paint finish a car comes with from the factory.
There may be a CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) on now but business goes on and having adapted to the ‘new normal’, some car companies are using the internet to launch their new models. It’s a safe way to do so as there are no crowds in a hall and the reach is also quite wide. Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) was among the early ‘adopters’, having even organised online sessions to talk to the motoring media during the MCO period earlier in the year.
So with a new model – the Volkswagen Passat R-Line – to launch, the company used its social media channels today to do a live telecast with VPCM’s Managing Director, Erik Winter, and Julie Woon doing the presentation.
Priced at RM203,411.18 (without sales tax until the end of the year), the new R-Line variant is the sportier big brother of the Passat Elegance that was launched earlier. It is also assembled at the assembly facility in Pekan, Pahang.
R-Line variants are not new to Malaysia but in earlier years, they were not promoted so much. However, with the high-performance R division in Germany aiming to grow its business, R-Line offerings have increased and VPCM has found the additional sportiness of the variants to appeal to many customers.
While having the same body design as the Passat Elegance, the Passat R-Line has an overall appearance oriented towards sportiness. To achieve this, it has R-Line front and rear bumpers, chrome trim and 19-inch Verona alloy wheels.
The LED lighting is advanced for safer motoring and also generates a ‘signature’ with the day running lights as well as front and rear sequential turn signals.
R-Line identity inside
As for the interior, the R-Line people have chosen Nappa carbon-style black leather upholstery for the seats, steering wheel (with shift paddles) and provide aluminium sports pedals as well as a black roof headliner. The Passat R-Line also sets itself apart with new finishes and materials, including new Dark Diamond Flag decorative trim.
But convenience and comfort are not forgotten and there are also features such as an 11.7-inch Digital Cockpit that can be personalised with different screens, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, and even 14-way adjustment for the front seats. The driver’s seat also comes with a massage function.
VPCM has also added in a complimentary Helix 300W Soundbar (worth RM2,400) which is installed in the 586-litre boot. This Volkswagen Approved Accessory is a 5-channel amplifier with an integrated sound processor and subwoofer, which elevates the vehicle’s already-advanced sound system to a higher level.
New 320-Nm TSI engine
Under the bonnet is a new 2.0TSI turbocharged engine with an output of 190 ps/320 Nm. It is fitted with a new and improved 7-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) that has longer oil change intervals.
In the past, if you wanted to have more dynamic handling, you could only change the shock absorbers to a sports type. Now with more electronic systems, a driver can tune the car’s handing characteristics quite extensively.
With the Dynamic Chassis Control, there are up to 15 selectable increments or the driver can just choose a pre-packaged mode. Additionally, the Driving Mode Selection can vary the powertrain characteristics to suit personal preference from economical motoring to strong acceleration.
This weekend (October 17/18), Volkswagen dealerships nationwide will be hosting a virtual event featuring detailed walk-throughs of the new Passat R-Line where customers are invited to send in their questions and interact with Sales Consultants via Facebook Live from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Colour choices for the Passat R-Line.
Order online and save money
Customers who place a booking during this weekend will enjoy additional RM2,000 rebate on top of RM3,500 savings currently offer for the full Passat range – via the Volkswagen eShowroom. There will also be an additional RM1,000 rebate on other Volkswagen models, with the exception of the Polo.
Travis Pastrana, Subaru Motorsports USA’s driver, aims to take Gymkhana to the next level, with an outrageous WRX STI. His custom-built tyre destroyer is set to star in the next instalment of Hoonigan’s Gymkhana video series.
Back to the Gymkhana roots
Subaru and Hoonigan announced back in May that Pastrana would take over the Gymkhana series for 2020, bringing the series back to its roots, but promising a new take on the Gymkhana concept. With Pastrana’s decades of experience in rally, rallycross, supercross, freestyle motocross, NASCAR and stunts, Subaru was tasked with delivering a vehicle that could do things no Gymkhana car had ever been asked to do.
The build was done with technical partner Vermont SportsCar and took a production-based sedan to the limit of what was possible. The focus was on extreme performance and the raw carbonfibre bodywork received a wildly aggressive and wind tunnel-proven aero package unlike anything seen on a Gymkhana build before.
The Subaru Boxer engine also underwent modifications to Pastrana’s requirements while the suspension was given longer travel and the interior was made Gymkhana-ready.
“This STI is unbelievable!” said Pastrana. “We’ve never had the opportunity to do this before, to build a car with no restrictions. Engine, suspension, aero—everything is unlimited, clean sheet. It’s crazy fast, easy to control and get sideways and it was perfect out of the box in testing. Gymkhana is a new challenge for me but I want to raise the bar, and this is the car to do it!”
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.
After a month-long teaser campaign, the all-new Honda City in its 5th generation is officially launched for sale. In spite of the current mood of uncertainty due to the pandemic, there are already some 5,000 people who have put their money down for one and no doubt, the number will grow now that the new model is in showrooms.
The highlight of the teaser campaigns has been the new City RS e:HEV variant, which has a hybrid powertrain. Having been the first company to assemble a hybrid model locally, Honda Malaysia continues to offer it in the City with a new 2-motor hybrid system powered by intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD). Malaysia is the first country in the world to launch the RS e:HEV variant and the honour is partly because this market accounts for 40% of the hybrid vehicles Honda has sold in its Asia & Oceania region.
However, if you’re keen to get one, it’s not available right away and deliveries will only start in January 2021. So while shouting a lot about it, Honda Malaysia is not revealing its price yet but you can book one if you want and be among the first owners.
Since the hybrid model won’t be here for a few more months, we’ll focus on the other three variants first and then go back to it. As before, the variants are S, E and V, all with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with a DOHC and 16-valve cylinder head. Output from this proven engine is 121 ps/145 Nm which goes through a CVT to the front wheels.
Until the end of this year, the prices will be exempted from 10% sales tax. After that, if there is no extension of the exemption, they will revert to the prices as shown below (without insurance).
Honda City 1.5S: RM76,800 | Honda City 1.5E: RM84,800 | Honda City 1.5V: RM89,800
The platform has essentially the same elements as before although, in the spirit of kaizen (constant improvement), there would be improvements in materials and engineering to increase efficiency and comfort.
ASEAN NCAP 5-star rating
The latest City has already been tested by ASEAN NCAP and given the maximum rating of 5 stars, which is not surprising. Besides its strong and protective body structure, the car also has a comprehensive range of safety systems that will help the driver avoid accidents and in the 1.5V, six airbags to provide cushioning during a severe accident.
While virtually all cars today come with reverse sensors to help during parking, Honda Malaysia also includes a reverse camera in all three variants. Unlike many reverse camera systems which present only a single image, the one in the City can show three angles – wide, normal and top-down. The different views aid proper positioning of the car in a bay so it won’t appear in some social media post as an example of poor parking.
Same functionality, practicality
Inside, the new City maintains the same functional and practical layout with improvements in the quality of materials. There’s an extra 111 mm in overall length which has been put to good use by improving rear legroom while an additional 54 mm in the overall width should also do something for lateral comfort.
The standard equipment is quite extensive although the cheapest 1.5S variant does not have cruise control nor paddle shifters, and the air-conditioning system requires manual managements. However, all variants now have ducting to the rear so more cool air can reach the passengers.
The 1.5E and 1.5V variants also have Remote Engine Start which allows starting the engine before you even open the doors. While modern engines don’t really need to warm up before moving off, being able to start the engine remotely means that the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the interior.
The audio system is a standard type on the 1.5S but 1.5E and 1.5V come with an 8-inch display panel that looks like a tablet was stuck on the centre of the dashboard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are provided so smartphones can be easily linked and apps transferred to the display. For ease of operation, the icons on the display are large so they will be easy to select. Management of the audio system can be done using switches on the steering wheel.
Honda continues to use rotary dials for the air-conditioning system which is actually better than other methods. With rotary dials, adjustments can be easily done even without looking, certainly better than having the settings done via a touchscreen.
For those who need to recharge their devices, there are two USB ports, along with a 12V plug-in power outlet. Both are located at the front but, strangely rear passengers get two 12V sockets, (located below the air-conditioner vents) instead of USB ports which would be more useful.
Evolutionary styling
The styling of the new City can be considered evolutionary with a sleeker profile as a result of the lower roofline. The front end has also been completely restyled with slimmer headlights. Those on the 1.5V are LEDs and all variants come with LED daytime running lights that also provide a distinctive visual ‘signature’. The rear lighting units on all variants are all LEDs, which has given more design flexibility.
The City RS e-HEV
As this variant won’t be available until January 2021, we’ll just provide an overview for now and tell you more in detail when the car actually goes on sale. As mentioned earlier, the RS e:HEV variant is a world-first with its intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain.
This electrified powertrain is an advanced hybrid powertrain with 2 motors and an Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). Together with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the i-MMD powertrain can generate up to 253 Nm of torque, an exceptional output for its size. Maximum power output is 108 ps which can take the City beyond 170 km/h and yet consume fuel at a claimed rate of 26.5 kms/litre.
The fuel efficiency comes from intelligent use of the two power units, alternating between three driving modes of EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. There are no paddle shifters but there are Deceleration Selector Paddles that allow the driver to slow down while also getting power regeneration to recharge the battery pack.
The RS variant will have a sportier interior with Ultrasuede upholstery and Red Stitching as well as Sport Pedal Pads. The instrument panel also uses a 7-inch TFT screen to display a wide range of information to the driver.
To enhance the appeal of the City RS, it will be offered with Honda SENSING, a suite of driver assistance systems that are the most advanced in its class. Using a front wide view camera mounted on the windscreen, it can adjust the cruising speed, identify pedestrians and even cyclists and warn the driver or activate the brakes, if necessary. The system can also help to keep the car within its lane and alert the driver if there is wandering off the lane (or even road). Also included is an automatic high-beam system which switches to low beam if there is an oncoming vehicle so as not to dazzle the driver.
Honda LANEWATCH, which was first offered in the Accord, now reaches the City and will be available in the RS variant. This innovative feature provides the driver with a view of the blind spot on the left side of the car by using a small camera mounted below the left door mirror. The display appears whenever the signal light switch is activated. The good thing about this approach is that the driver does not have to turn the head much to see the display at the centre of the dashboard, as opposed to looking for a warning light on the door mirror.
As with other models, Honda Malaysia also offers Modulo accessories specially for the new City. There are 4 packages to suit different requirements with prices starting from RM3,007. The cost can be included in the financing of the car and therefore repaid over a number of years… something which no accessory shop would give you.
Test-drive and viewing of the new City can be done at all authorised Honda dealerships nationwide (although some may be subject to specific MCO conditions). To locate a dealership, visit www.honda.com.my.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and local denim streetwear brand Tarik Jeans have launched the second instalment of an exclusively-designed capsule collection – Modern Nostalgia Pt.2. The collaboration, which kicked-off earlier this year, has the objective of raising funds and awareness for the endangered Malayan Tapir.
Similar to the first instalment, Modern Nostalgia Pt.2 is a limited-run capsule collection. While the first collection featured Volkswagen models combined with Tarik’s local vintage design elements, the more premium Modern Nostalgia Pt.2 draws its inspiration from the raw, rugged and hands-on workshop life.
Volkswagen racing heritage and spirit
The new designs shift gears to capture Volkswagen’s racing heritage and spirit whilst incorporating performance-themed colours that will appeal to motorheads and car enthusiasts. Modern Nostalgia Pt. 2 comprises a variety of high-quality apparels such as denim jackets that retail at RM259, work shirts at RM159 and t-shirts at RM79.
“VPCM is proud to be able to play a part in Malaysia to make a difference, and while the COVID-19 outbreak had unfortunately affected the timeline of the campaign, we remain committed to the project. Together with our friends at Tarik Jeans, I firmly believe in the success of this campaign, and I would like to urge fans of the Volkswagen and Tarik brands to make that purchase for a good cause,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.
He added that sustainability and conservation is a key pillar for Volkswagen, with the brand already investing heavily in reforestation projects around the world.
Merchandise from the complete collection can be purchased on Tarik Jeans’ website, Shopee and Zalora. 50% of all proceeds generated from the sales of this campaign will be donated to the Kenaboi Forest Reserve in Negeri Sembilan on World Tapir Day on April 27, 2021.
About the Malayan Tapir
The Malayan tapir is the only Asian species native to the island of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailand with a distinctive coat pattern. The tapir has a lifespan of up to 30 years, but agricultural developments and deforestation, being hunted for food and sport and illegal animal trafficking have resulted in an alarming decrease in their numbers. It is estimated that there are only less than 3,000 of them left.
The rumours that Bermaz Auto Berhad will take over the distributorship of the Kia and Peugeot brands is quite strong now, according to a report in the New Straits Times. The company started off with the Mazda business 12 years ago and has made it a successful brand with steady growth in volumes.
The Kia and Peugeot brands are presently handled by subsidiaries in the Naza Group, which also represents many other brands. It had previously established a relationship with Kia Motors in the 1990s, enabling it to begin volume sales rather than being just in the niche market it had started from in the mid-1970s. Although an agreement with Kia allowed Naza to brand some models under its own name, the strategy did not seem to be beneficial and the Naza brand slowly faded away.
The Kia brand has been handled by Naza since the 1990s, while the Peugeot brand has been with the group since 2008.
The Peugeot brand came into Naza’s portfolio in 2008, after Cycle & Carriage Bintang decided not to continue handling it. While Bermaz Motor took over Mazda from C&C Bintang, Naza took Peugeot which was placed under Nasim Sdn Bhd. There were big plans for growth and development, especially since Naza had its own assembly plant in Kedah (which was acquired by the PSA Group a few years ago).
Naza has invested a lot in growing both brands and created quite an extensive retail network nationwide. However, the past few years have seen a dip in sales volumes and it also wasted 8 years with the Chevrolet brand that it stopped representing in 2018. The pandemic this year has only worsened things with the auto industry suffering a severe impact in the first half of the year.
Bermaz Auto took over the Mazda brand in 2008 from C & C Bintang and has grown its volumes significantly over the years.
The team at Bermaz Auto has a good track record, not just with the Mazda brand but also with the Hyundai brand which they successfully built up in the 2000s under Hyumal, before the Korean brand was taken over by Sime Darby Motors. Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, Executive Chairman of Bermaz Auto, is a veteran in the automotive industry with experience going back to the 1970s. He has worked with brands like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Daihatsu, Proton and Hyundai.
The track record of Bermaz Auto in building up Mazda after taking over would certainly impress Kia and Peugeot, giving an advantage over others who are also known to be interested in the brands. Positioning each brand in Bermaz Auto’s portfolio could be tricky though.
And there will be the question of whether Naza will remain involved in the brands as a dealer chain. Incidentally, it also handles the Citroen and DS brands which are from the PSA Group but sell in very small volumes. Bermaz Auto is unlikely to want to bother with these brands which would probably be tedious to manage anyway.
Naza’s factory in Gurun, Kedah, was taken over by the PSA Group which uses it to assemble Peugeot vehicles for the region.The Inokom manufacturing complex in Kulim, Kedah, where Mazda Malaysia has an assembly facility.
Bermaz Auto has no assembly plant of its own, relying on the Mazda Malaysia facility within the Inokom manufacturing complex in Kedah for the assembly of its Mazda models, some of which are exported. In order to grow any brand in Malaysia, local assembly is vital under current policies.
Peugeot would be okay since PSA continues to assemble the 3008 and 5008 for the Malaysian and exports markets but Kia assembly has pretty much stopped, with only 4 vehicles assembled this year (2,293 were assembled last year). If Bermaz Auto takes over Kia, it would want to assemble some models and would likely do so at the Inokom plant where Hyundai models are also being assembled.
Now that news of Bermaz Auto acquiring new business is getting so strong, we can expect that being a public-listed company, a statement will soon be forthcoming to provide clarification for shareholders.
