English Archives

Finance Ministry says banks agree not to charge any extra interest on H-P loans

Following the uproar when it was announced by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Association of Banks Malaysia that the 6-month moratorium offered on loans, including Hire-Purchase loans, would incur interest for the 6 months, the Finance Ministry has today said that there will be no interest charged.

The announcement on the Finance Ministry’s website

Prior to this, the financial institutions had said that borrowers will have the option of settling the 5 months deferred instalments in October in one lump sum and not pay any interest, or interest for each month would be added for those who did not settle in full. This meant that the amount for the remaining instalments would be increased and the repayment term would extend a further 6 months (incorporating the deferred months). This applied to both conventional and Shariah H-P loans.

The charging on additional interest was seen as being unfair, more so at a time when many people are facing financial challenges in view of the impact of the pandemic on businesses. Allowing a 6-month deferment in paying instalments was a welcome move as it would allow them some time to recover and try to stabilize their situation, but to charge them additional interest was only adding extra financial burden.

After a discussion between the Finance Ministry and the banks, it was agreed that no interest will be charged or compounded, and therefore the amount owing would not change. In other words, whatever instalment amount has been paid will be maintained and the only difference will be that the repayment term will continue for 6 months after the original month it was supposed to end.

Sales — *The amount you agreed for your H-P loan plus the interest at the time of purchase will be all you have to repay, with no additional interest being charged.*

Borrowers have the option of accepting the 6-month deferment or they can opt out. In either case, they need to inform their banks of their decision.

Update on interstate travel requirements from May 7 – 10

Tomorrow will see the beginning of the special exercise to permit people who have been stuck in other places to return to their homes in the cities. It’s a 4-day exercise with specific days for travelers from different states. It is only for those who want to return to their homes, and not for enjoying a long drive because interstate travel is still officially forbidden under the Movement Control Order (MCO).

To ensure people do not abuse the allowance to travel, there will be roadblocks along the highways and checks will be made on motorists. Although the police had earlier said that there is no need to wait for an approval message after submitting their application via the Gerak Malaysia mobile app, they now say that a QR code wil be sent after submission of particulars through the app. This QR code can then be quickly scanned at roadblocks to verify the person’s details.

The police also say that the mobile app must be updated to a new version. This means that information, especially the town origin and destination, must be entered again. After this is done, the QR code will be sent which signifies approval for travel. So be sure to do this tonight.

For those who have no smartphone access, they can get a document from a police station to verify their travel plans, and this can be shown at roadblocks.

Click here to go to the Gerak Malaysia page

Click here to download the Gerak Malaysia apps

Click here for FAQs on interstate travel (BM only)

While the exercise is for those wishing to return home, we understand that there are also provisions for 2-way trips. These are cases where, for example, a parent may have to go to another town to fetch children from grandparents’ homes to bring them back. All family members aged 16 years and older must submit their details separately via the app.

The schedule of travel for the 4 days starting from May 7 as follow:

May 7 (Thursday): travel permitted from Kuala Lumpur to other states.

May 8 (Friday): travel permitted from the states of Perak, Johor and Kelantan.

May 9 (Saturday): travel permitted from Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Melaka and Pahang.

May 10 (Sunday): travel permitted from Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu.

Remember that the R&R facilities are closed, except for the toilets, so bring along essentials. Nevertheless, you can still pick up stuff at petrol stations and reload your toll card if necessary. Should you stop along the way, be sure to observe social distancing and not gather in groups, which is not allowed during the MCO.

We wish everyone making the journeys a safe trip.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors provides subsidies to sales consultants and dealers

Responding to the Prime Minister’s call to safeguard the welfare of employees to prevent loss of jobs and livelihoods during this Movement Control Order (MCO) period, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is proactively offering subsidies for dealers and sales consultants to alleviate their financial constraints.

For sales consultants, HSDM will provide a special monthly Hardship Allowance for sales consultants from April to June 2020. This is only applicable to those who have been in service for 3 months or more, and not for those serving notice. The subsidy will be distributed through their dealerships.

Hyundai — *Sales consultants will receive subsidies in the form of monthly Hardship Allowances from April to June 2020. [File picture taken before MCO]*

Dealers are offered financial subsidies for online marketing expenses and purchase of hand sanitisers, disinfectants and thermometers for use at their sales and service outlets. This will be helpful for them as they have to comply with the strict Standard Operating Procedures for the protection of customers as well as staff.

“The pandemic has badly affected the auto sector. We understand the hardship of our dealers and sales consultants, and we hope the subsidy will help ease their financial burden and help with the cost of health and safety measures at all authorised Hyundai sales and service outlets,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

HSDM assures customers and visitors alike that health and safety measures are already in place at service outlets that have reopened. The other sales and service outlets which will soon resume operations will also be taking health and safety measures such as hand sanitisation and temperature checks at all showroom entry points. Sanitisers will also be readily available at all customer touchpoints.

Additionally, there will be regular disinfection of the outlet (especially at high customer touch-point areas), with periodic disinfection of all customer/prospect-related vehicles. Test drive vehicles will be disinfected before and after every test drive in the presence of the customer for assurance.

To create greater awareness for the public regarding good hygiene practises, relevant messages will be shown on table standees, leaflets and posters.

7th Generation Hyundai Elantra makes its global debut online from Hollywood

Peugeot’s innovative i-Cockpit continues to evolve after 10 years in the market

At Geneva in 2010, Peugeot displayed the SR1 concept car which represented a new era at Peugeot Design. A new head of design and team had come up with new styling concepts and among them was the i-Cockpit. This was an innovation in dashboard design which met with positive response, leading Peugeot to introduce it in production models within 2 years.

The first model to have the i-Cockpit was the 208 in 2012, giving the popular hatchback a new iconic feature that would become an element in the brand’s DNA. With the i-Cockpit, key information is directly within the driver’s line of sight, reducing the need to take the eyes off the road.

It’s almost like the Head-Up Display (HUD) except that it does not project information on the windscreen ahead of the driver. It is therefore not as expensive to incorporate but at the same time differs from traditional instrument panel layout and positioning.

Why does it work better?
To design the i-Cockpit, ergonomics, visibility and architecture must be taken into account, ensuring all body types are comfortable with maximum outward visibility. To achieve this, anthropometric data was studied on a global scale. It isn’t just the driver’s height that matters; their chest to leg ratio that needs to be assessed. For example, some people have a longer torso compared to their leg length. But for others, it’s quite the opposite. If the average height of a man is 1.76 metres, the length of his torso varies from 87 to 98 cm. This has a direct impact on the positioning of his vision.

This anthropometric data made it possible to calculate the range of adjustment for the seats or steering wheel. This reinforces the feeling of being in a ‘cocoon’ and optimises ergonomics, whatever the driver’s size.

Elements of the i-Cockpit
The main elements of the i-Cockpit are the compact steering wheel, raised instrument display, large HD touchscreen in line of sight, and a series of piano keys (or toggle switches) allowing direct and permanent access to the main comfort functions.

The i-Cockpit uses a 3-level arrangement for efficient ergonomics and driving comfort. Like a HUD, the information falls within the driver’s line of sight so that he or she does not need to take their eyes off the road ahead, improving safety. With traditional layouts, the eyes usually have to be diverted downwards a bit to view the meters, momentarily drawing the driver’s vision away from the road.

An unusual feature on the tachometer is the way it sweeps around the face. In conventional meters, the sweep would be clockwise, from the lower left around to the right. For the i-Cockpit, the sweep is counter-clockwise so the pointer rests on the right side when at idle. The designers were perhaps obsessed with having symmetry in the motion, with the speedometer (on the left side) sweeping clockwise. It’s disconcerting for new drivers but something that an owner would get used to.

The cockpit ergonomics are also part of the i-Cockpit with a wraparound layout to put switches and knobs within easy reach. The steering wheel has paddles which allow manual selection of gears, if preferred, without removing the hands from the steering wheel.

The 3D cluster
To date, over 5 million motorists have the i-Cockpit in their Peugeot vehicles. The concept continues to evolve and the latest innovation is the 3D i-Cockpit instrument cluster offered in the latest 208 which is the 2020 European Car of the Year. Visteon Corporation collaborated with Peugeot in the development of the more advanced i-Cockpit, said to be the industry’s first fully digital cluster displaying holographic objects. The instrument cluster represents the first real 3D cluster in automotive production.

The digital cluster displays advanced reflections to create the impressions of 3D graphics. The cluster is composed of a high-definition 10.25-inch ‘background’ thin-film transistor (TFT) and a 7-inch ‘foreground’ TFT projected on a semi-reflective blade.

The leading-edge display creates a 3D projection of approximately 15 mm between the front and rear images. This projects information like a hologram and the information is dynamic and animated. It can get closer to the eye depending on the degree of importance or urgency, and potentially increasing driver reactivity by half a second.

The 3D cluster is the first of several variants in the Groupe PSA brand line-up that will be launched over the coming years in a number of sizes. Identifiable by the two TFTs surrounded by tell-tale satellites, it also provides high-quality graphical content with animations and 3D content on both screens, in a complex and calibrated mechanical structure.

Click here for other news and articles about Peugeot.

NAZA Group companies are operating again

Following the announcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) recently, several automotive brands under the Naza Group have resumed operations. The companies representing the various brands are Naza Italia Sdn Bhd (Ferrari), NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Mercedes-Benz/Mercedes-AMG), Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Kia), Nasim Sdn Bhd (Peugeot), and Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd (Citroen and DS). Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd, which deals in multiple brands, has also resumed its operations.

The Naza Group is mindful of providing the highest priority on the health and safety of its employees and customers during this critical period. Strict safety measures and operating procedures enforced by the local authorities will be adhered to at the premises of each company. This would include the necessary hygiene and social distancing practices for customers’ peace of mind.

NZ Wheels is operating strictly on appointments only at its Klang Autohaus, KL North-East Service Centre and Johor Bahru Autohaus outlets. Customers who wish to visit the service centres are required to contact the respective outlets to make book an appointment.

Naza Kia Malaysia is resuming full operations at its authorised outlets in stages. It has initiated the ‘Kia Promise’ programme which ends in June 2020 as an added assurance to customers that the MCO will not affect aftersales aspects.

This means that all existing warranties will remain valid even if scheduled maintenance service could not be performed during the MCO. The programme also covers vehicle warranties that end during the MCO as well as those unable to get warranty repairs performed on their vehicle during that period. Customers are also given an additional grace period of 2 months or 2,000 kms (in moderation) beyond the standard 6 months or 10,000 km service interval to service their vehicle following the end of MCO.

Owners of cars purchased from Nasim and Naza Euro Motors are also required to call in in advance to book an appointment for servicing. All warranties for the brands they handle will still be honoured if service appointments or due dates fall within the MCO period.

Naza Motor Trading has resumed regular business hours at the Naza Automall PJ in Selangor from 9 am to 6 pm. It has a variety of models from various brands available.

10 things about AMG you may not have known

53 years ago, three letters came together to become synonymous with the ultimate in Driving Performance: AMG. The company began as an independent tuner which improved the performance of Mercedes-Benz cars. Its successful business attracted the attention of DaimlerChrysler AG, which took a controlling interest in 1998. The association proved to be very useful for Mercedes-Benz and by 2005, it became the owner of AMG, establishing Mercedes-AMG GmbH as a high-performance subsidiary.

The history of AMG has many interesting stories, some lesS well-known innovations and superlative, exclusive sportscars. Here are 10 things about the company which you may not have known:

‘AMG’ stands for Aufrecht, Melcher, Grossaspach, the last names of its founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, along with Aufrecht’s birthplace of Grosspach. The AMG story started in the 1960s when the two engineers were working on the 300 SE 4-door sedan’s racing engine in the Development Department at Daimler- Benz. When the company discontinued all motorsports activities, Aufecht and Melcher continued to work on it. In 1965, the engine won 10 races in the German Touring Car Championship and with further successes came the eventual formal partnership with Mercedes- Benz.

The first model associated with AMG and perhaps its most noteworthy, started its life as a subdued 4-door sedan – the 300 SEL 6.3. Extensively modified, the engine displacement was increased to 6.8 litres and it produced 428 ps/607 Nm. The car was extensively lightened but was still likely the heaviest car on the starting grid at its racing debut in the 1971 24 hours of Spa. It secured a class win and second place overall result, immediately connecting the letters AMG with motorsports success.

The first jointly developed high-performance car from AMG and Mercedes-Benz was the C 36 AMG. By 1998, the partnership between AMG and Mercedes-Benz solidified further when Daimler acquired a majority stake of AMG, setting the stage for a variety of high-performance Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles.

Since 2007, Mercedes-AMG has shared its passion for performance with the Cigarette Racing Team, resulting in a unique partnership that has produced 12 special edition, high-performance, ultra-exclusive boats. The striking design of the Tirranna AMG Edition as well as the Mercedes-AMG G 63 Cigarette Edition is the result of close collaboration between the team, the Mercedes-AMG design team and Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG.

Few models can match the exclusivity and track-optimized performance of the rare AMG Black Series models. One can think of the Black Series as AMG’s most extroverted, most track-focused and most exclusive, limited production models. Thus far, only 5 special models have carried the distinctive AMG Black Series badge. The exclusive series will grow soon with the addition of the forthcoming GT Black Series, set to make its debut later this year.

The striking SLS AMG was the first-ever car designed and developed from the ground up fully by Mercedes-AMG, followed by the AMG GT 2-door sports car in 2015, and most recently the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe in 2019. The iconic SLS AMG featured vertically opening ‘gullwing’ doors, inspired by the iconic original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘gullwing’ (produced from 1954 – 1957). The doors had an unusual safety feature – two explosive capsules, capable of blowing the doors off for quick exit, in the unlikely event that the vehicle flips on its roof.

All AMG models are built according to the ‘One man, one engine’ philosophy, in which one master craftsman assembles each AMG engine from start to finish. Each engine has a special plaque with the signature and name of the individual who assembled it.

Mercedes-AMG has a history of technology and performance related innovations, many of which are evident in the latest models. For example, the AMG Dynamic Select toggle as well as the AMG Drive Unit steering wheel controls extend the performance potential and individualization possibilities. Functions such as the level of traction control as well as the AMG Performance Exhaust setting are also easily accessible via these advanced steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar is set to become the most powerful AMG model ever produced. It is capable of producing more than 1,000 ps and reach top speeds beyond 325 km/h. For the first time, this 2-seater hypercar will bring fully-fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology directly from the racetrack to the road.

Mercedes-AMG continues to be headquartered in Affalterbach, Germany, a small town northeast of Stuttgart. It is where AMG handcrafted engines are assembled by craftsmen who are part of the company’s approximately 1,800-strong workforce.

New Mercedes-AMG GT R & GT C – From RM1,558,888

This is the best time to buy a Ford Ranger WildTrak, here’s why…

ADVERTORIAL

Have you been considering buying a pick-up truck but can’t decide which one to put your money on? Well, that is really a no-brainer because the Ford Ranger WildTrak is arguably the best pick-up truck there is in the market right now!

Combining the comforts of a sedan with the performance and ability of an industrial truck, the Ford Ranger WildTrak is the ultimate do it all machine, even if you spend most of your time on-road rather than off.

You see, the Ford Ranger WildTrak has all the comforts of a top end sedan, such as Adaptive Cruise Control which automatically adjusts the speed according to traffic conditions. It also has Autonomous Emergency Braking with vehicle and pedestrian detection that applies the brakes should you fail to respond. Then there is the Active Noise Cancellation technology that cancels out all ambient sounds, making the interior of the WildTrak quieter than even a top end German sedan, all while you sit basking in the comfortable leather seats.

The 2.0-litre Bi-turbo engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and provides drivers with 180 PS of power and 420Nm of torque. This mighty powertrain gives the WildTrak the ability to carry a maximum payload of 1000kg and a towing capacity of 3500kg.

There are many things that make the Ford Ranger WildTrak the ideal pick-up truck, some prefer the luxurious and comfortable interior, some love its performance, and others love the fact that it is able to tow up to 3,500kg and able to keep going even in water 800mm deep. It is not just a pick-up truck, it is a lifestyle partner.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak colour choices — *Colour choices for the Ford Ranger WildTrak*

And there has never been a better time to buy one than now as Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia is having a special promotion on the Ford Ranger WildTrak to make it more affordable with a cash rebate of RM7,000. Making the already desirable pick-up truck more desirable.

Worried about the MCO lockdown period? Don’t let that stop you as Ford has a Digital Salesperson that will be able to assist you while you sit in the comforts of your own home. Simply send a WhatsApp message to 0192041200 and let the Digital Salesperson assist you through your decision-making purchase.

For more information, kindly click on the link here: https://www.sdacford.com.my/whats-new/promotions/raya-promo.

MCO: 10-km limit no longer applicable but interstate travel is still not permitted

The 10 km-limit to travel during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period is no longer in force. This was announced by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the senior minister in charge of the security cluster who speaks on behalf of the National Security Council, today.

It makes sense not to apply the limit now that businesses are being allowed to resume operations as workplaces for some may be further than 10 kms from their homes. The restriction on interstate travel remains and will continue till at least after Hari Raya since it has already been made clear that balik kampung journeys will not be permitted this year.

The only exception has been in the Klang Valley where the state of Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur have large populations and interlinked roads. Travel across the borders of these two territories has been permitted throughout the MCO period for those with valid reasons.

However, between May 7 and 10, permission is granted for interstate travel for those who have been stuck in other places since the MCO started. The police received over half a million applications for this exercise which will be conducted according to states of origin during each of the four days. Applications had to be submitted using the Gerak Malaysia mobile app and the police have said that there will be no approval message or notice sent to applicants. So if you have made the application properly online, you can proceed on the scheduled day. Should you be stopped at the roadblock, the police will be able to check on your travel details from the Gerak Malaysia app.

Initially, when the MCO started on April 18, the distance that could be travelled was not specified and it was assumed that people would be responsible enough to go to the closest places to their home to get essential items. However, the police began to find that there were also people who took advantage of the allowance to leave home for such purposes, travelling further than necessary.

There were reports from Penang of people from the island insisting on crossing to the mainland to buy their favourite food. The police did not allow that and ordered them to turn around and became stricter in enforcement, inconveniencing the majority who followed the regulation and had valid reasons to travel further.

This led to the imposition of the 10-km limit on April 1 as the first extension of the MCO started. For the majority, the range was reasonable but there were some cases where people requiring specific medical treatment regularly found that they were not allowed to go to their usual clinic or hospital because it was more than 10 kms away. Eventually, an announcement was made that if there were valid reasons, supported by documents, then such an issue should not occur and they could be allowed to do so.

The other restriction has been the number of people in a vehicle. For much of the MCO period, only one person has been allowed in the vehicle, the driver of course. The idea behind this restriction was mainly related to distancing but many wondered what the difference was when you travelled in a taxi with a passenger. The risks of virus transmission would also be there and in fact be greater since a taxi would carry different people during the day. Nevertheless, the restriction remained and some people who refused to follow it found themselves arrested and fined RM1,000.

It is only recently, with the easing of the MCO conditions, that more than one person has been allowed in the vehicle. At first, two persons were allowed but very quickly, this was increased to 4 persons. The condition, however, is that they must be from the same household. The logic behind this is that since they (assumed to be family members) are already in close contact within the home, it should not make much difference anyway being together in the car. This was a much welcome move for parents with children or older folks who needed to go out.

While the restrictions are gradually being removed, it must be noted that the MCO is still on and there are still elements being enforced. Social distancing is one of the important measures so if you are at a petrol station, be sure to stay at least a metre apart from another person. Wearing a facemask, while not mandatory, is also a good idea if you are out of the home. And, of course, frequent washing of hands is important to reduce the risk of infection as well.

Authorised Toyota and Lexus outlets resume business from today

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has announced that authorised Toyota and Lexus Sales & Service Outlets in its network that are located in areas observing the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will be open for business from today (May 4, 2020).

The opening of the Sales & Service Outlets will be based on approval and regulations by the respective state governments. This follows approval from the Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI).

All outlets have received guidelines for their daily operations which must be in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by MITI. The SOP requires such measures as social distancing, sanitization of premises and contactless payments where possible.

Vehicle owners are advised to call in advance to check on the operating days and hours of their preferred Sales or Service Outlet as well as to secure an appointment before going there. Click here for contact details of the outlets.

“We will follow the SOP strictly at all our Sales & Service Outlets for our customers’ peace of mind as well as to also protect our staff. It is hoped that our customers will understand the requirements which are necessary in the public interest and safety,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

With regards to those vehicles purchased from UMWT or their authorised dealers with existing warranties that are valid and expiring during the MCO period, there will be a 30-day extension calculated from the last day of the MCO (currently scheduled to be May 12, 2020).

War Against COVID-19: UMW Toyota Motor and dealers provide support for PDRM and Malaysian Relief Agency

Pledge to maintain social distancing and Volvo Car Malaysia will reward you

To further reinforce the Movement Control Order (MCO) which came into effect on March 18 and will continue until May 12, 2020, Volvo Car Malaysia is pledging its support for social distancing – one of the vital measures to cut the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Via an online pledge campaign – the Ramadan Safe Pledge – the company will reward Malaysians who pledge to maintain social distancing with RM10 GrabFood vouchers. The pledge posted by participants will be on Instagram.

The campaign, with its own microsite, starts today and will run till May 23, 2020 (from 10 am to 3 pm daily). For a period of 20 days, Volvo Car Malaysia will give out 10,000 vouchers worth RM100,000.

Click here to visit Volvo Ramadan Safe Pledge Campaign microsite

“It is undeniable that all of us are affected by COVID-19 and the implementation of the MCO means we have adopted a new norm in our daily lives. Onward from this, we want to do what we can to help ease the burden of Malaysians. This has resulted in the Ramadan Safe Pledge campaign that provides a platform for Malaysians to reinforce their ‘stay at home’ commitment. Each chosen pledge will be rewarded with a voucher. What goes beyond is the sense of affirmation in everyone to play their role in flattening the curve, while our healthcare professionals continue to protect and save lives,” said Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Mr. Jain added that the company hopes the 500 vouchers given out daily will enable as many individuals as possible to purchase necessities such as food and groceries, from the safety of their homes. “The ideology of safety is a fundamental driving force for Volvo, so this campaign truly echoes our ethos and enables us to humbly contribute to the community,” he said.

Volvo Pledge — *Three of the five pledge images that can be downloaded*

The Pledge for Social Distancing
Participating in this campaign is simple and participants will need to demonstrate solidarity by reposting on Instagram, one of five different images found on the Volvo Ramadan Safe Pledge Campaign microsite. Alternatively, the pledge can be done directly through Volvo Car Malaysia’s Instagram page by clicking on the link in the bio or through its Instagram Stories. All postings will need to tag @VolvoCarMalaysia, accompanied by the hashtag #MYVolvoSafePledge.

The vouchers will be emailed directly to successful participants via the email address used to sign the pledge. Each voucher has a validity of 6 months and successful participants are selected daily, on a first-pledge-first-repost basis.

“Every little bit helps the people to do the right thing and as a responsible corporate citizen, we want to be able to give back in any way that we can. As a car brand that resonates with Malaysians and has brought many fond memories, we hope that through this campaign, we can help alleviate some of the challenges that may be experienced during this time because we are all in this together and a little help goes a long way. We also would like to take this opportunity to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Ramadan,” Mr. Jain said.

Click here for other news and articles about Volvo.