Heritage, as it would seem, is an important thing in the automotive business. It is quite common to hear or read about car companies talking about their achievements through the years either through an advertisement somewhere or through a carefully curated press release.
These chest thumpers usually centre around achievements in the world of motorsports, safety technologies, performance, design and sales figures. (more…)
Volkswagen is making a significant shift in its design philosophy, moving away from the use of cheap, scratchy plastics in favour of higher-quality fabrics in its interiors. This decision is part of a broader commitment to enhancing cabin quality while also streamlining production processes, ultimately saving money for the company. This change, as described by Andy Mindt, VW’s head of design, and Christian Schreiber, head of design strategy, is intended to create a more refined and functional experience for Volkswagen drivers.
Schreiber highlighted that the brand’s cabins will focus on simplicity and usability, ensuring that design choices prioritize function over unnecessary decoration. He emphasised that a Volkswagen should feel intuitive and supportive to its user: “When you open the door of a Volkswagen, it needs to be simple and usable, and not overly decorated,” Schreiber explained. Additionally, Volkswagen will incorporate nostalgic design elements, such as specific patterns for GTI models, maintaining a sense of heritage without overextending these unique features across the range.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) continues its impressive performance, recording total sales of 8,500 units in August 2024. This brings the year-to-date sales to approximately 64,000 units. The top three best-selling models for August were the Toyota Vios, Toyota Hilux, and Toyota Corolla Cross, highlighting the strong demand for Toyota sedans, pick-ups, and SUVs in Malaysia.
In line with this success, UMWT opened orders for the enhanced 2024 models of the Toyota Hilux, Fortuner, and GR86 on 16 August 2024.
The 2025 Chery Tiggo 9 is available in five variants, with prices ranging from 152,900 – 203,900 yuan (approximately RM90,187 to RM120,199). Additionally, the Tiggo 9 C-DM plug-in hybrid comes in two variants priced between 165,900 – 175,900 yuan (approximately RM97,817 to RM103,620). Both models offer the choice of 5- or 7-seat configurations, making them versatile for various customer needs.
The Tiggo 9 retains its signature wide front grille, now with a more refined “waterfall” pattern. Design features such as hidden door handles, a floating roof, roof rails, and an electric tailgate remain. The model comes in five exterior colors, including black, silver, gray, and two-tone white. The rims have been updated for a more stylish look.
Proton has launched its Business Case Study Challenge, attracting nearly 300 students from six public and private universities in Malaysia as part of its Proton Young Talent (PYT) programme. The challenge encourages participants to solve real-world business problems using data analysis, business judgment, and innovative thinking. Open to university students from the first to final semester, teams must consist of four to six members. The competition aims to expand Proton’s talent pool through the PYT programme, which offers career development opportunities in the automotive sector.
The three-month challenge kicked off in September, with Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong delivering a talk on “The Journey of Proton’s Revival” to 150 students at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). In the latest UTP session, 17 groups participated, with five teams shortlisted for the final presentations. The top three winners received conditional offers to join the PYT programme in 2025.
BFGoodrich Malaysia officially introduces the newest addition to its celebrated All-Terrain family, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre. The brand-new all-terrain tyre made its Malaysian debut at the company’s media launch at Terra, Petaling Jaya.
Building on the outstanding performance of their well-loved BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyre, BFGoodrich developed the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre to tailor to the evolving needs of adventure-seekers by incorporating the latest innovative tyre technologies into a product that delivers an even stronger performance, providing advanced mobility for all types of terrains. Designed with BFGoodrich’s legacy of off-road excellence in mind, the new tyres will also arrive with revived raised white lettering on the sidewall, highlighting the Baja Champion badge on even more tyre sizes.
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre outperforms its predecessor, the KO2 tyre in terms of treadwear, toughness and traction – making it a great choice for off-road adventures. Especially in Malaysia where the roads have diverse terrains, ranging from rugged trails to urban landscapes, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 is engineered to meet the needs for local adventure enthusiasts.
Treadwear: BFGoodrich has engineered the All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre with a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound to provide durability and longevity, even on gravel. The All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre has an optimized footprint and full-depth 3D locking sipes designed to evenly distribute stress for uniform wear over the long haul. As a result, the All-Terrain T/A KO3 has an improved mileage and wear performance.
Toughness: Improved CoreGard Technology, as also found on the BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR3, gives the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre excellent sidewall toughness, earning it the Baja Champion badge. This technology extends split and bruise resistant shoulder rubber down the sidewall to provide protection on the critical sidewall failure zone. The Advanced Deflection Design helps prevent objects from snagging and splitting the sidewall – perfect for all-terrain driving.
Traction: Even in the worst conditions, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tyre is made to grip in any situation. The All-Terrain T/A KO3 is engineered with full depth 3D locking sipes and serrated shoulder design and Mud-Phobic Bars which are improved upon the KO2 tyre’s outstanding mud and snow traction, helping it earn the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe-snow rating. With interlocking tread elements, the tyre is designed to maximise handling and traction for both on and off-road journeys by stabilising the tread centre. The new All-Terrain tread compound improves wet traction, stopping 4.2M shorter than KO2.
BFGoodrich Malaysia will introduce more than 62 sizes over the next 24 months with 39 sizes being launched in three phases starting September 2024. Additionally, 19 more sizes will be made available in 2025 with the final 4 sizes arriving in 2026 to complete the lineup. The recommended retail pricing for the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 will start from RM825 to RM2946.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
