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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.

MCO: Police release schedule of interstate travel from May 7 – 10

After confirming that interstate travel will be permitted for those who wish to return to their homes in cities after being trapped since March 18, the police have now released 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.

The scheduling has been done to avoid congestion on the roads. By staggering the movement of vehicles, traffic flow is expected to be smoother.

To date, over 500,000 applications for travel were submitted via the Gerak Malaysia mobile app as well as at police stations (for those who did not have access to the internet). Only those who are 16 years old or older can make the application.

No approval message to be issued
It was clarified that following the application, which must have all the details required provided, there will be no document or message to confirm approval. Travelers can proceed and should they be stopped at roadblocks along the way, the police will refer to the Gerak Malaysia database which should have their details.

The purpose of allowing interstate travel during the four days is to enable people to return to their homes if they have been stuck elsewhere. With businesses starting to resume operations, there will be many who need to report to their workplaces so they need to get home.

This exercise is not for those who have no approval so don’t try to sneak a drive out in the countryside. If you are stopped and cannot give a valid reason for being on the road, you will be charged for breaching the Movement Control Order (MCO). That can mean a RM1,000 fine and/or time in jail.

Observe social distancing
Travelers are advised not to gather in groups if they stop along the way and to practice social distancing. This means that they should be at least a metre apart. Unlike some other countries, there is no mandatory requirement in Malaysia to use a face mask when outside the home. However, it would be a good idea to use one and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Remember that besides the MCO, all other regulations related to motorists and motor vehicles are still in force! So be sure to observe the speed limits and do not drive along the emergency lanes. If your journey is a long one, take a break every few hours at a R&R so as not to lose concentration due to tiredness.

Have a safe drive home!

MCO: More than 2 persons allowed in a car from tomorrow, but must be from same home

MCO: More than 2 persons allowed in a car from tomorrow, but must be from same home

Although there are 9 days to go before the Movement Control Order (MCO) ends on May 12, the government is already easing restrictions which will make thing a bit easier for those who need to travel by car.

The ruling regaring to one-person-per-car has been amended again to allow up to 4 persons to be in a vehicle (from May 4), provided they are from the same household. It’s not clear if they must be related as family members as the statements seem to sometimes say ‘same house’ and sometimes ‘same family’. Anyway, that will be a welcome change for those with children who have no one to look after them at home.

Earlier, it was announced that the one-person-per-car rule will no longer be enforced and a maximum of two persons can sit in the same vehicle, provided they are from the same household. This made sense since they stay together so what’s the difference between being at the dining table at home and inside a car?

Furthermore, as some people pointed out, two persons are allowed in a Grab taxi which can be considered risky too as the passenger is travelling in a vehicle that others also travel in. Of course, Grab would also ensure that measures are taken by their drivers to practice hygiene safety.

There were also complaints from those with situations where a husband may send a wife to work. The authorities said that if that was the case, one person should travel by public transport or use other means of travel. This caused unhappiness as additional costs would be incurred at a time when many people are facing financial challenges, not to mention added risks to health using other means of transport.

Highway — *With businesses allowed to resume operations, there will be people who will have to travel more than 10 kms to get to their workplace.*

There is a 10-km limit from the home for travel but this was flexible if there were reasons why a person had to go further. For example, some people may have to go across the city for specialized medical treatment at a specific place.

The limit may no longer apply since most businesses are allowed to resume operations from tomorrow. This being the case, there will be many people who will be travelling long distances (eg from Kuala Lumpur to factories in Shah Alam, Selangor) to reach their workplaces and it would not be fair to penalize them.

The police say they will be reducing the number of roadblocks. They will be focusing on other security matters, especially at the borders and areas which are under Enhanced MCO.

Interstate travel, which remains forbidden, will be allowed from May 7 – 10 to allow those who have been trapped in other places to return to their homes which may be in other states. Only those who had earlier applied using the Gerak Malaysia mobile app and receive approval will be allowed to travel on the days specified by the police. Balik kampung journeys for the Hari Raya period are still not permitted.

Petrol station — *Facilities at the R&Rs along the highways are still closed but the petrol stations will be open.*

For those who will be travelling long distances on the highways, be sure to bring along essential items as facilities at the R&Rs are closed, except for toilets. Petrol stations will be operating and their convenience stores have essential items and can also process tollcard top-ups. It would be a good idea to bring along facemasks and hand sanitizers to use along the way.

There’s been a lot of rain lately so drive carefully and allow a wider gap from the vehicle ahead if the roads are wet. Many cars have Day Running Lights nowadays but there’s no harm if you want to switch on the headlamps to make your vehicle more visible, especially in heavy rain. Remember to take rest breaks along the way if your journey distance is quite long.

29 Mitsubishi Motors service centres operating again

Selected authorised service centres in the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) network are now operating after receiving approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to re-open after being closed during the Movement Control Order period.

Other than Sabah, one or more service centres in every state is open, and more should resume operations in due course. The list of locations below shows those now operating:

Mitsubishi service centres — *Listing as at May 3, 2020. For updates on service centre openings, **click here**.*

Safety measures for customers and staff
To comply with the strict Standard Operating Procedures set by MITI, the service centres will have the following safety measures for the safety of customers and staff:

» Appointment basis only, no walk-in customers are allowed

» Contactless car acceptance

» Pick-up and drop-off only; customers are not allowed to wait at the premises

» Temperature checks and the use of facemasks for all customers and staffs

» Hand sanitizers available at the entrance of the service centres

» Vehicles sanitized before return to owners

MMM also assures owners that all warranty matters will continue to be honoured even if scheduled servicing and inspection has been missed due to the period of the Movement Control Order.

For emergency assistance and enquiries, customers and owners may call 1-800-88-2166 / 03-21610246.

More than 15 million Toyota hybrid vehicles have been sold worldwide

During the 1990s, Toyota launched two models that created new market segments almost overnight. The first was the RAV4, which started the small passenger-car based SUV trend but the second was of great significance. It was the Prius, the pioneer of mass-produced hybrid vehicles.

Today, many carmakers have models with hybrid powertrains too and of the many millions on the roads all over the world, over 15 million have been made by Toyota.

Toyota’s decision to develop hybrid electric vehicles started over 25 years ago when Takeshi Uchiyamada (the company’s Chairman today) led a team to develop a car for the 21st century. Concern for the environment was growing, with momentum coming from the Kyoto Protocol to address climate change, which many nations committed to.

“When we launched Prius, no one even knew what a hybrid was but thanks to early adopters, hybrids have ridden a wave of success into the mainstream,” said Mr. Uchiyamada.

Toyota Prius Gen 1 — *First generation of the Prius*

Toyota focussed on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (specifically carbon dioxide) and other harmful pollutants. With more than 15 million hybrids already in use, Toyota believes that it has made a significant contribution to the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 120 million tonnes worldwide to date (compared to sales of equivalent vehicles with internal combustion petrol engines alone).

The first generation of the Prius was launched in 1997 and in the years that followed, more Toyota (as well as Lexus) models gained hybrid powertrains. There are at least 44 models available globally today.

More than a numerical milestone, the continued and increasing use of hybrid powertrains demonstrates the staying power of the technology. It is a mainstream solution to reduce environmental pollution and also consumption of fossil fuel. This achievement builds on the belief that widespread adoption of more environmentally-friendly vehicles can make a significant positive impact worldwide.

Toyota Hybrid — *Some of the Toyota hybrid models available today.*

Hybrid leads to BEV and FCEV
While Toyota believes that hybrid vehicles are an essential part of the future overall mix of electrified vehicles, two decades of electrification experience also feed into the company’s multi-powertrain strategy. The company does not see a ‘one winner takes all’ scenario but a future where the different electrified technologies – hybrids and plug-in hybrids, fuel cell (FCEV) and battery electric (BEV) vehicles – all play a part.

*Hybrid technology is the core technology which can be used in the development of electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) fuel cell vehicles. (FCVs)*

As a result of its long hybrid electric vehicle experience, the company has deep transferable expertise in the core electrification technologies which are common across all form of electrified powertrains. Over two decades of continuous development of electric motors, batteries and power control units has taught Toyota how to manage and reuse energy efficiently, providing a range of electrified options for customers.

Toyota hybrid models in Malaysia
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) began selling the Prius when it started its third generation in 2009. Due to the heave taxes on CBU (completely built-up) vehicles, the earlier generations were unable to be attractively priced. However, in 2009, the government provided full import and excise duty exemption of hybrid and electric vehicles which made them more affordable.

The move was to demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint as well as to help the carmakers introduce hybrid technology to motorists in the country. It was hoped that some companies would then assemble their hybrid models locally.

Toyota Prius — *Third generation of the Prius and Prius c (below) were sold in Malaysia.*

A 4-year period of duty-exemption was given, during which time sales of such vehicles was quite high as their prices were attractive. Besides the Prius, UMWT also imported the smaller Prius c.

Following the withdrawal of the duty-free exemption, the price of the Prius jumped from RM139,900 to RM216,400 while the Prius c which entered the market at RM97,000 rose to around RM153,000. Not surprisingly, sales declined very quickly and imports of the Prius and Prius c ceased. However, Lexus Malaysia continued to offer hybrid variants for its CT, RX and LS models for customers who appreciated the advanced technology.

Four generations of hybrid power and still moving forward with technology

It’s on! Interstate travel will be allowed between May 7 – 10

Interstate travel – forbidden since March 18 – will be permitted on May 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2020 to allow those who have been stuck elsewhere to return to their home cities. The announcement comes after the police received some 500,000 applications via the Gerak Malaysia mobile app. The police will prepare a time schedule for travellers to follow. Originally, the travel dates had been tentatively planned for May 1 – 3.

Speaking at the daily briefing, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the senior minister in charge of the security cluster who speaks on behalf of the National Security Council, said that he hoped employers would understand that some of their employees might not turn up for work yet as they have been stuck in other cities. They will have to travel according to the schedule drawn up by the police.

Those who will be travelling on the highways should note that all facilities at the R&Rs are closed but toilets will be available for use. Petrol stations will also be operational so you can still pick up essential items at their convenience stores and reload your tollcard.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, said that the number of roadblocks will be reduced from May 4. This will allow the personnel focus on preventing the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling activities.

However, as the Movement Control Order (MCO) is still in force until May 12, the police will continue to monitor all activities to ensure social distancing is followed. The IGP stressed that the conditional MCO requires people to observe the Standard Operating Procedures during their activities now they are allowed more freedom of movements.

Proton service — *With easing of restrictions under the MCO, service centres are resuming operations.*

Easing of the restrictions of the MCO from this Monday will see many businesses resuming operations. Car companies have announced that their service centres have been given approval to operate at full capacity to provide aftersales services. However, customers are required to make appointments in advance and observe certain procedures such as social distancing when at the premises.

No vehicle sales can be carried out as the showrooms must remain closed until further notice. In any case, even if a vehicle is ready for delivery, it cannot be registered as the JPJ is not doing so at this time. Although it resumed operations on April 29, the services available are only for commercial vehicle operators.

Over 50% drop in sales as MCO brings car industry to a standstill

War on COVID-19: Geely donates RM5.5 million of medical supplies to Malaysia

From the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the Geely Holding Group was already actively working on ways to join in the fight against the virus. Apart from making donations and providing support vehicles for frontliners, the company also used its R&D capabilities to quickly develop an in-car ventilation system that can keep the cabin air virus-free.

Now that the critical situation in China has diminished and the country is progressing towards normalcy, Geely Holding is helping other countries that are having the pandemic. In the case of Malaysia, where Geely and its local partner DRB-HICOM own and operate Proton, assistance is being given in the form of medical supplies.

The donation, consisting of disposable 3-ply surgical masks, protective medical clothing, medical goggles and PL 700 ADV ventilators, all of which are constantly required as they are replaced frequently. These items will be distributed to 55 hospitals located throughout the country through the Ministry of Health.

The donation, worth approximately RM5.5 million, is part of a larger initiative by Geely Holding to supply medical equipment via the Li Shufu Charity Foundation to affected areas in China and to countries where it has significant international operations. It aims to help local healthcare providers and communities at large in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation was established in 2006 by Geely Holding’s founder, Li Shufu, with a focus on poverty alleviation and helping with national disasters. In January 2020, it set aside RMB200 million (about RM120.33 million) to support the fight against COVID-19 on a global basis.

“As a socially responsible company, we have a duty to support the well-being of every market in which we operate. I am proud that we have the resources and logistics capability to ship vital supplies to areas hard-hit by this global pandemic. We will play our part, whenever possible, to lend support to communities and medical authorities to overcome this global challenge”, said Geely Holding’s Chairman, Li Shufu.

PROTON X70 — *Some of the X70 SUVs loaned by Proton to the Health Ministry.*

In addition to medical supplies received from China, Proton has loaned 50 units of its X70 to the Ministry of Health for their logistical operations. The carmaker has also produced 60,000 units of face shields at its factory.

Meanwhile, DRB-HICOM has been an active supporter of COVID-19 relief efforts in Malaysia. Along with other subsidiaries under its parent company, the Albukhary Group, the Malaysian conglomerate has contributed cash donations, medical equipment, meals for government hospitals, media frontliners and university students, as well as long-range drones for monitoring and surveillance purposes.

“As a key contributor to the nation’s economy, we felt compelled to assist the government in its battle against the spread of COVID-19. The frontliners form the country’s backbone in this fight, and it is essential for us to assist them in any way possible. We are especially fortunate to have a partner like Geely who has been extremely generous in leveraging their resources to make this happen,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of Proton.

Geely sends medical equipment and supplies to Malaysia and other countries

Cycle & Carriage Bintang sends the service centre to your home

Many service centres are resuming operations and welcoming owners who must be eager to have their vehicles serviced or repaired. However, some owners may be busy, especially with the sudden announcement that businesses can commence next week. Thus they may not be able to send their vehicles in for servicing.

For such customers, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) has a personalised service which brings the service centre to the home. Known as the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, it’s actually been available for the past two years. The service includes scheduled maintenance work, wiper blade replacement, oil filter, air filter, combi filter and dust filter replacement, key battery replacement and car battery replacement.

“We introduced this first-of-its-kind service to the Malaysian market in 2018 on a trial basis. Now, with the Movement Control Order and social distancing, the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile service provides customers peace-of-mind as they are able to remain within the safety and comfort of their homes while our technicians care for their vehicle on-site,” explained C&C CEO, Wilfrid Foo.

Transparency with cost estimates
In compliance with the current health and safety requirements, all contact points in the vehicle (a Vito van) are sanitised after every service and C&C conducts temperature checks on its technicians daily. Along with added convenience and quality, customers are assured greater transparency with cost estimates provided ahead of services including itemised costs for required parts and labour cost. This enables the customer to make a more informed decision about the maintenance of their Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

“Cycle & Carriage is dedicated to providing Exceptional Journeys to customers. We are continually learning and understanding each customer’s needs and preferences. We aim to be a trusted dealer partner by translating our insights into innovative services and experiences that enhance the overall customer journey. The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile is a shining example of a premium service that delivers greater convenience and peace of mind when it comes to caring for our customers’ cherished Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Mr. Foo.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile travels with two qualified technicians and is fully equipped with the Xentry Diagnosis system, special tools and technician hand tools to perform the stipulated maintenance jobs.

It is available by appointment within the Klang Valley. During the MCO period, availability is daily (except Sundays and public holidays) from 9 am to 3 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon.pm.

Door-to-Door service as an alternative
Alternatively, Mercedes-Benz owners can also use C&C’s ‘Door to Door’ service. They can call their preferred C&C authorised service centre and their vehicle will be picked up for servicing and then returned when the work is completed. The service (for which there is a charge) is available up to 30 kms driving distance from the authorised Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. For the owner’s peace of mind, the vehicle will be covered by insurance between the home and service centre.

Cycle & Carriage Body & Paint facility gets 100% score again from Daimler AG

Fuel Prices For May 2 – May 8, 2020

Covid-19 — Fighting COVID-19 is our joint responsibility. Protect yourself and others: make these 6 simple precautions your new habits.

All authorised Volkswagen service centres open for business

Volkswagen owners in Malaysia who have been waiting to send their vehicles to the service centres for required maintenance, deferred during the Movement Control Period (MCO), can now do so. – Following the recent announcement by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), automotive service centres can resume operations at full capacity.

As such, all authorised Volkswagen service centres in the country will now resume their operations. Showrooms will, however, remain closed for the time being while the MCO is in effect.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) said that its service dealers will adhered to the strict guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) required by MITI. In connection with this, a ‘Safe Hands’ campaign is adopted taking customers’ and employees’ health into consideration.

The new standard operating procedure includes contactless vehicle acceptance, video walk-throughs, sanitization before and after repair, and cashless payments with e-invoicing during the contactless car pick-up. Additionally, selected dealers will offer vehicle pick-up and drop-off arrangements.

Customers need to make an appointment in advance and are advised to contact their respective service centres for this. Those Volkswagen owners and frontliners who had previously booked their appointments via the Welcome Back campaign will receive priority slots, depending on availability.

“As we prepare to attend to the aftersales needs of our customers, we do this keeping in mind that social distancing is the new normal, and that hygiene and sanitization is now an essential part of daily precautionary measures. I am pleased to say that our ‘Safe Hands‘ SOP adheres to these new standards and will apply to all aspects of our business operations, and not just at our service centres,“ said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

Mr. Winter added that other safety precautions implemented at service centres will include regular sanitization of the premises and regular temperature screenings on all staff and customers.

For further information or contact information for authorised service centres, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia shows appreciation for efforts of frontliners

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English

MCO: Police release schedule of interstate travel from May 7 – 10

MCO: More than 2 persons allowed in a car from tomorrow, but must be from same home

29 Mitsubishi Motors service centres operating again

More than 15 million Toyota hybrid vehicles have been sold worldwide

It’s on! Interstate travel will be allowed between May 7 – 10

War on COVID-19: Geely donates RM5.5 million of medical supplies to Malaysia

Cycle & Carriage Bintang sends the service centre to your home

Fuel Prices For May 2 – May 8, 2020

All authorised Volkswagen service centres open for business

Proton Introduces ProCare Smart Plan for Enhanced Cost Savings

MOT Reinforces Strict Compliance for Retreaded Tyres

Lamborghini Owner Caught by New High-Performance Car Law in Australia

UMW Toyota Motor Continues Strong Sales Performance

Honda Malaysia Opens Bookings for the New Civic – Launch Set for January 2025

Subaru Tops Consumer Reports 2024 Auto Reliability Rankings

Ford Mustang GTD: First American Car to Shatter Records at Nurburgring

Aston Martin Valhalla: Pioneering a New Era of Hybrid Supercars – 1,064hp, 349km/h Top Speed

Jaecoo Malaysia Celebrates Local Assembly of the C9 Premium Off-Road SUV Coupe

Chery Malaysia Unveils ‘Great Year-End Lucky Draw’ with Prizes Worth Over RM150,000

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