The floods have affected thousands around Malaysia and for many families, there will be big expenditures ahead as they repair and replaced damaged property, not to mention the tiring job of cleaning up houses that were flooded with muddy water. And then there will also be the costs of repairing cars that were flooded; as you will have seen in pictures, it’s not just vehicles parked at home but also some that were on roadsides and got submerged.
The repair costs can run to many thousands and electronic systems that need to be replaced will be expensive. Not to mention the fact that the vehicle, even after being cleaned, is likely to have a smell and might just not feel the same.
To help relieve some of the stresses and reduce expenses, a number of car companies are offering assistance to their customers. The latest to announce such an initiative is Proton, which will offer a 20% discount on selected parts as well as a 20% discount on labour charges for all customers affected by the flood who have lodged a police report regarding the incident. Additionally, towing charges of up to RM200 as well as cleaning charges for the exterior and engine bay up to RM100 will also be borne by the company.
“Exceptional circumstances require an exceptional response. Proton will be working hard to ensure we can repair cars as quickly as possible and advise all affected customers to visit our authorised service centres to enjoy these benefits. Furthermore, our genuine parts are offered with a warranty so they can be assured of the quality of the repairs,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.
Although Proton has a factory in Tg. Malim, Perak, its original factory is still operating in Shah Alam, near to where much of the flooding has occurred. According to Encik Roslan, the company has been lucky the production lines were spared from any flooding. However, more than 1,000 of its staff have been affected so the company is mobilising Kelab PROTON, an in-house social and wellbeing organisation for all staff, to create care packages and offer clean up assistance to them and their families.
Encik Roslan advises those who require assistance and information on vehicle repairs to call PROTON’s customer care line at 1-800-88-8398.
NIO may not be known in Malaysia or even in most countries, but it is one of the steadily growing car companies from China which started business focusing on just electric vehicles. It’s a ‘new generation’ carmaker, just 4 years old, and already has at least 4 models on sale. Though most of its sales are in China, it has also entered Norway and next year, will be in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. By 2025, NIO expects to have a presence in over 25 countries and regions worldwide.
Joining the carmaker’s 4 models in 2022 will be a new model known as the ET5. It is the brand’s most compact car to date and used the concept of ‘Design for Autonomous Driving’ during its development. It has the latest NIO Autonomous Driving (NAD) systems with NIO Aquila Super Sensing and NIO Adam Super Computing. Additional NAD features will be gradually introduced after further development and validation.
Having started off with electric vehicles, NIO has naturally gained much expertise in developing fully electric powertrains and now has various types for different models. For the ET5, it will use a high-performance powertrain with proven dual motor architecture. This consists of a 150 kW induction asynchronous motor in the front and 210 kW permanent magnet motor at the rear generating peak torque up to 700 Nm.
Straightline acceleration is impressive with 0 to 100 km/h achieved in a claimed 4.3 seconds. The range claims are also impressive: reaches over 550 kms with a 75 kWh Standard Range Battery; over 700 kms with the 100 kWh Long Range Battery; and over 1,000 kms with a 150 kWh Ultralong Range Battery.
NIO developed and promotes the battery-swapping concept which reduces some cost to the customer who can then pay for fresh batteries when swapping. Since opening the first battery-swapping station in China in 2018, it has set up over 500 stations and by the end of October this year, 4 million battery swaps had been done. The NIO Power Swap is an automatic process where the car parks itself inside a station and it takes less than 5 minutes. The company also has 6,000 Power Chargers and 10,000 destination chargers across China.
A NIO Battery-Swapping station in China.
With these new generation of carmakers, the question of experience in making cars safe is sometimes asked. They may be able to have great designs and advanced technology but what about the car’s performance in accidents? According to NIO, the ET5 has been designed to meet the stringent 5-star C-NCAP (China’s NCAP) and Euro NCAP standards. This is achieved using an ultra-high-strength steel-aluminium hybrid body with the very high torsional stiffness. The ultra-low centre of gravity, at 482.6 mm, and wheel track of 1685 mm, are also said to enable the ET5 to achieve a rollover-resistance rating of 1.7, above the US NHTSA’s 5-star criteria.
The sleek 4.7-metre long body is aerodynamically efficient with a Cd of 0.24, important for an electric car. Contributing to this level of efficiency are the rear ducktail spoiler and details such as the air curtain, flush door handles and frameless windows that create cleaner lines. Its form draws on the fluid silhouette of the ET7 while the muscular haunches are inspired by the EP9 supercar.
Evolving NIO’s concept of the ‘second living room’, the cabin of the ET5 was inspired by trends in furniture, fashion, and footwear, so it’s a sophisticated space with a warm touch. A larger glasshouse and panoramic glazed roof create a bright interior complemented by natural and organic hues including the brand’s new Terracotta, a deep and fiery orange.
Recycled and more sustainable materials are used as much as possible. The Clean+ sustainable fabric not only forms a relaxing cocooning ambiance but is also said to improve the acoustic performance of the cabin. Smart invisible air vents were developed for a neater and more cohesive design whilst a 256-color ambient light feature offers the chance to create an atmosphere to suit various moods. The standard audio system uses Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound system.
Set to be an industry first, the ET5’s PanoCinema is a panoramic and immersive digital cockpit with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. NIO partnered with NREAL, an AR device company, to jointly develop AR glasses (exclusive to NIO) which can project an effective screen size of 201-inch at 6 metres.
NIO also collaborated with NOLO to jointly develop the VR Glasses that employ ultra-thin Pancake lenses, to create a binocular 4K display effect. The 10.2-inch HDR instrument cluster boosts the vividness of images.
The ET5 will be priced from RMB 328,000 in China (about RM216,700) but customers can also get subsidies to reduce the cost. First deliveries are expected to start in September 2022 although before then, the flagship ET7 will have started going to customers in March.
The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid, which has been on sale for some years now, is being recalled by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM) to enhance its Engine Bay Harness – Hybrid Power Line. It is understood that the Hybrid Power Line could be damaged due to interference with the edge of engine or transmission control module bracket.
The affected units of the model, coded ‘T32’, were manufactured between June 2018 and May 2021. Units produced from June 2021 onwards have already had the fix, so they are not affected by this recall.
X-Trail Hybrids manufactured from June 2021 are not affected by the recall.
If you are not original owner
ETCM will contact owners of the affected SUVs based on contact details registered with them. The notification requesting them to bring their vehicles in will come from Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS) in the form of a letter or by SMS/Whatsapp. It is possible that vehicle ownership may have changed over the years and the current owner may not receive such a notification. In this case, contact a TCEAS outlet for assistance and to make an appointment as well.
As always with such recalls, all labour and enhancement parts for this campaign will be at no cost to owners.
Certain TCEAS outlets have extended operation hours and are open 365 days a year. This will make it easier for vehicle owners to service their vehicles on weekends and public holidays.
To locate a TCEAS outlet, call the Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800-88- 3838. Or visit www.tceas.com/servicecentre.
Volkswagen offers discount, interest-free repayment
Owners of Volkswagen vehicles who have had their vehicles damaged by the floods will be pleased to know that if they use authorized Volkswagen service dealerships, they can get 30% off parts and labour for repair works. This offer is available from now until February 28, 2022. Owners are encouraged to download the new Volkswagen Cares app (Apple App Store/Google Play Store) to redeem the flood relief support voucher. Terms and conditions apply.
To further alleviate the financial burden that many may be facing, there is also an easy payment plan where owners have the option to spread out their bill over 6 or 12 months with no interest charged (terms and conditions apply).
“All of us at Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia are deeply saddened by the flash floods that struck Malaysia over the weekend. Our thoughts are with those who are impacted and are facing loss and damages in the aftermath. We hope that our assistance will help to relieve the burden of our owners during this difficult time,” said the company’s Managing Director, Erik Winter.
BMW Group Malaysia offers reductions and rebates
BMW Group Malaysia is also offering support to its customers with up to a 20% reduction on parts repair for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad owners affected by the flood over the weekend. Authorized dealerships will also provide an RM300 rebate on the towing cost for affected owners. The reduction and rebates are valid until January 31, 2022.
“Following the flood cases that have been reported in various states in the country, we remain committed to deliver peace of mind for our customers throughout their ownership experience, even during this challenging time. To this end, BMW Group Malaysia and our network of dealers stand ready to provide our customers with the needed support when it comes to their vehicles,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.
To obtain support, owners can contact their preferred authorized dealership or contact the BMW Roadside Assistance for more information. Alternatively, they may also contact the Customer Interaction Centre at 1 800 88 3000.
Many of the next generation of motorists will almost certainly be using electrifed vehicles, either with hybrid powertrains or full electric powertrains. Familiarizing them and making them regard electric vehicles as commonplace when they are young may be a good idea, and Honda has a project in America which can do that.
Working with CHOC hospital in California, Honda has provided ‘Shogo’, an electric ride-on vehicle specifically designed to travel along hospital hallways to transport children. Developed in-house by Honda engineers, Shogo is equipped with features and elements to help bring joy to young patients as they continue on their road to recovery.
Randall Smock, a senior exterior designer of vehicles at American Honda Motor Company, played a significant role in the design of Shogo, as well as the testing of the vehicle. “As someone who spent time in the hospital as a young child, I really wanted the No. 1 objective of our Honda team in developing Shogo to ease the hardship of a hospital stay by providing kids a lasting positive memory about that experience,” he said.
“Every element of Shogo was designed to accommodate different needs of young children, making it as easy as possible to get in and out, simple to drive, and for the entire experience to leave them a bit happier,” he explained.
As the first hospital to utilize Shogo in caring for young patients facing hospitalization, CHOC played a key role in verifying its feasibility and safety. “Our team greatly appreciates Honda bringing innovative solutions that support our ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional patient experience and infusing joy into a patient’s stay,” said Brianne Ortiz, Manager of the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Department at CHOC. “We were impressed from the beginning when we first saw Shogo, and by the Honda team’s dedication in collaborating with our staff to ensure a vehicle that is perfect – and safe – for our young patients.”
Shogo, based on a Japanese word and intended to mean ‘soaring into the future’, was built to focus on young patients, aged 4 through 9, who can easily drive with power controls, manage the go/stop mechanism on the steering wheel, and an adjustable speed of 1-5 miles per hour (1.5 km/h to 8 km/h), which is controlled by a handler such as a nurse or caregiver.
Developed with patient safety in mind, Shogo was built without doors to be safely and easily accessible for youth. Other features include central seating with steering controls suitable and accessible for a child, and smooth and soft-to-the-touch surfacing that is easy to keep clean in a hospital setting.
Shogo also includes an IV pole holder and a pushbar that offers caregivers the option to manually push the vehicle when needed. Features to make the child’s experience more comfortable include a toy bucket in the front of the vehicle for items the child would like to bring along with them, cupholders, a centre horn with different sound options, and a customizable license plate slot to display the name of each rider.
Honda engineers worked hand-in-hand with the staff at CHOC to verify the feasibility of the concept. This included testing Shogo through a dedicated course inside the company’s R&D facility designed to replicate a hospital hallway route with actual children and parents, to ensure the electric ride-on vehicle was safe to operate when delivered to the hospital. The collaboration with CHOC was critical in understanding how Shogo was being used in the actual hospital environment, so the team could continue to make further adjustments.
Developing Shogo as an electric vehicle was an obvious requirement for Honda engineers to ensure it could be accommodated in a hospital environment. But the electrified Shogo also aligns to the company’s recently-announced vision to make electrified vehicles represent 40% of sales in 2030, on the way to 100% EVs by 2040.
This time of the year usually sees a lot of rain as the northeast monsoon blows through Southeast Asia. It seems that the amount of rainfall has become greater, with recent data showing it to be the highest Malaysia has received. As a result, we see a lot of flooding, even on the west coast which used to be shielded by the Main Range of mountains.
For motorists who have to drive around in rainy conditions (better if you do not), here are some tips that can save your vehicle from any potential damage that could result in massive repair bills.
1. Avoid driving or parking in low-lying areas
Low areas or certain basement parking lots can get flooded during heavy downpours. Your vehicle may then become partly submerged and the water can cause heavy damage to your car, especially to the engine, electrical systems, and interior. So if you can do so, avoid such areas.
2. Avoid driving through tunnels
Do not follow roads into tunnels that lead underground. We don’t have many but there are still some here and there. The risk of being caught in a flash flood is higher when driving into an underground tunnel as you are approaching lower ground that rainwater is flowing to. The speed at which the water level can rise will be surprising and many motorists are often caught by it.
3. Maintain a steady slow speed
If you do attempt to drive through a flooded area, assess the situation or surroundings first. If the level is below half your vehicle’s tyre, make sure to wade through at slow speed by engaging low gear. This helps to create a small bow wave which will prevent the surrounding water flooding into the engine bay or flowing into the exhaust pipe. However, it is also important to not assume that a road you are familiar with is safe as you may not be able to see cracks or sinkholes that have opened up under the water.
4. Your safety is the utmost priority
If your car engine stops suddenly and you are stranded in the car, turn off the engine, gather your belongings and leave the car immediately. Do not try to start your car again as it will lead to more major damage. Quickly move yourself to higher ground or a safer area and stay there until help arrives. Your own safety is more important than the car.
5. Don’t start the car immediately after it has been submerged
If a car has been submerged up to the window level, water would most likely have seeped into the engine, transmission, and fuel delivery system. Don’t start the engine as you’ll just make the damage worse. Immediately seek professional advice after the flood water has subsided or tow your car to your trusted workshop or authorised service centre for your vehicle’s brand.
6. Disconnect your vehicle’s battery
Do not leave your vehicle in accessory mode with the electronics running when you are stuck in a flood. Turn off the engine, open the bonnet and disconnect the battery. Do so only if it is safe as there may also be strong water currents. When the vehicle can be recovered, have the battery examined by a mechanic who can test it to see if the battery is functioning properly.
Be sure the battery is checked by a professional before continuing to drive.
7. Does your vehicle have flood insurance?
Flood damage is not typically covered in motor vehicle comprehensive insurance policies. Therefore such damage will not be compensated by the insurance company. However, owners can add on coverage for flood damage for an extra fee. Many motorists often think that it is not worth spending that little bit of extra money as they may feel that being caught in a flood is unlikely. But you never know and with the change in weather patterns recently, it may be an option to include.
