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Ford Volunteers Help Build Stronger Communities In Malaysia During Global Caring Month 2018

The Ford Motor Company recently hosted its 13^th Annual Global Caring Month where thousands of Ford employee volunteers around the world venture out into their communities and lend a helping hand to those in need. Ford volunteers from Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, joined hands with the National Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Malaysia – Rumah Ozanam and Pusat Jagaan Darul Sakinah, to provide service and moral support, as well as to organise a series of activities to create equal opportunities for orphaned and underprivileged children. The activities included a trip to Kidzania, purchase of school uniforms and distribution of household supply vouchers.

Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the employee-driven Ford Volunteer Corps. Since its launch in 2005 by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than 1.5 million hours of community service in 50 countries, representing more than $40 million of in-kind community investments.

“We are proud to be part of the Ford Global Caring Month, and are truly inspired by all the work that Ford employees, dealers and local partners are doing across the globe,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (above). “Together with Ford, we are committed to moving forward and improving the quality of life for people in our communities where we live and work.”

In Asia Pacific, thousands of Ford volunteers will participate in various projects in China, India, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as in eleven countries in Ford’s Emerging Markets business unit. In addition to the volunteer activities in Malaysia, Ford Global Caring Month projects in the Emerging Markets include:

Cambodia – Renovating playgrounds in a local school
Guam – Providing financial support to public hospital and cleaning patient wards
Hong Kong – Organising activities to raise awareness of cleft lip and cleft palate conditions
Laos – Providing education on basic personal hygiene best practices for students
Mongolia – Providing teaching aids and computer equipment for a local school
Nepal – Organising activities at a rural school to improve basic sanitation knowledge
New Caledonia – Tree planting programme to promote awareness on preventing deforestation
Sri Lanka – Renovating a local school
Vanuatu – Construction work at a local education facility
Myanmar – Taking care of injured and sick animals at a local animal shelter

In September 2018, the Ford Volunteer Corps tackled hundreds of projects in cities, towns and villages on six continents. The Ford Fund – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company – has contributed more than $700,000 in grants to purchase tools and supplies for many of the global projects.

4×4: 28th Annual Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge Comes To A Close [+Videos]

In the 4×4 world, there are a few events that garner anyone who’s ever participated instant respect from off-road enthusiasts; The Dakar Rally and The Camel Trophy are two of the most infamous overseas events, while here at home, the Rainforest Challenge and the Borneo Safari are two local 4×4 events that aren’t to be taken lightly. Only the skilled need apply, and oft-times, experience alone doesn’t guarantee success. It’s very much man & machine versus the elements, and here’s the official (un-edited) news from Isuzu Malaysia, reproduced as received, who were once again sponsors of the event…

KOTA KINABALU, 16 NOVEMBER 2018 – The 28^th annual Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge organized by Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) has just completed with Isuzu as the Diamond Sponsor for 12^th consecutive years. This year Isuzu sent in three units of off-road capable Isuzu D-Max to meet the challenge.

In this installment of Borneo Safari, the organizer has prepared two routes namely Super Hardcore and Hardcore over the 8 days challenge. All three units of Isuzu D-Max Monster stormed into super hardcore section without a second thought and emerge from this extreme terrain track after 5 days.

The terrain conditions inside super hardcore track consists of numerous obstacles including “bungee jump”, uphill driving, V-Gulley as well as rough rocky terrain, condition worsens with the constant rain. Certain terrain consists of few obstacles with steep descend and hill climb that required winching for safety reason.

All three unit of modified Isuzu D-Max has conquered Super Hardcore section of Borneo Safari, Malaysia largest and most renowned extreme off-road 4×4 challenges. The challenges were completed without any modification to the standard 2.5L and 3.0L engines.

Out of the 3 units of D-Max, two of them was built in 2013 and has completed Borneo Safari challenges for six straight years. It is a testament indeed for Isuzu’s core values for outstanding durability and reliability. In a speech during the closing dinner, Isuzu Malaysia Light Commercial Vehicle Chief Operating Officer Mr Masayuki Suzuki expresses his gratitude for the strong relationship has been built between Isuzu and SFWDA:

“Borneo Safari International Off-Road Challenge is the best platform to showcase the toughness and durability of off-road vehicles. Our Isuzu D-Max has proven to withstand extreme terrains in the past Borneo Safari Challenge.”

A total of 399 vehicles have participated in 28^th Borneo Safari International Off Road Challenge 2018, which consist of 1030 of participants and 27 competitors. This is also first time in Borneo Safari has a participating team from Russia. Other competing teams came from Japan, Indonesia, Ireland, Philippine, Vietnam and Brunei as well as local teams in Malaysia.

This 8 days 4×4 off road expedition covered 400KM distance between Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu and Kota Belud area, both sealed and gravel road, giving participants a very memorable and unforgettable experience. For more details on Isuzu’s range of vehicles, please call 1-300-88-1133 or visit www.isuzu.net.my/pickup/. – ENDS –

Here’s a bunch of 2018 Borneo Safari videos from Beng Lim of EVO LTN Aurizn (above, centre) who actually participated in the whole event this year! Well done Beng! – Chris Wee.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5 2018 Borneo Safari Photo Gallery (Photos courtesy of Isuzu Malaysia)

FEATURE: Exclusive – The Peugeot 508 SportWagon Is Gorgeous, And It’s Coming Soon! [+Video]

In July this year, Piston.my was invited to Monte Carlo, Monaco to review the all-new Peugeot 508 (below), which in itself is one of the most remarkable D-segment cars ever, and destined to be launched in Malaysia in Q1 2019. You can read more about, view photos and videos of the 508 sedan here.

Now one really good thing about attending the Bangkok International Motorshow (<—link) as part of the international media contingent is getting to meet fellow motoring scribes from around the globe, and having kept in touch with all of them, yesterday I discovered that my friend Alfonso Rizzo from Ruote In Pista (<–link) Italy, was out reviewing the sibling of the 508, the Sport Wagon, in both First-Edition and GT guise!

I’d only managed to catch a glimpse of the Sport Wagon (SW) during the media presentation of the 508 sedan fleetingly, the slide showing what was to come in the near future was flashed up for no more than 10sec; the organisers probably didn’t want us asking too much about the SW, preferring that we concentrate on the sedan that we were there to review instead.

Despite the briefness of the slide being presented though, the image got stuck in my head, because it really is one of the most stunning wagons I’d ever seen, and thanks to Al – who is actually driving the 508 SW right now – you too get to see just how spectacular it is! He just sent me this short video clip below from Cascais, Portugal. I’d messaged him saying I wish I was him… and he responded with this, freaking hysterical!

Thanks Al, you lucky devil! Now the best news of all…. it seems that Nasim, the official importers and Peugeot brand custodians in Malaysia, are indeed going to bring the 508 Sport Wagon GT into the country! We can’t wait, seriously. Nice one Peugeot, and thanks again Al! – Chris Wee.

Peugeot 508 Sport Wagon Photo Gallery (Photos courtesy of Alfonso Rizzo @ Ruote in Pista)

TECH: Porsche Concept Study “Mission E Cross Turismo” Goes Into Series Production

The second electric Porsche from Zuffenhausen is going into series production! At a meeting on 18 October, the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG gave the green light for series production of the concept study Mission E Cross Turismo. The sports car manufacturer will create 300 additional jobs at its headquarters in Zuffenhausen for production of the vehicle, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2018.

The road-ready concept study Mission E Cross Turismo was a highlight in Geneva and was well received by both visitors to the show and the media. The four-door Cross Turismo has an 800-volt architecture and is prepared for connection to the fast charging network. It has a system output of 600 hp and a range of 500 km (NEDC). The vehicle is a derivative of the Taycan.

The first purely electric Porsche will be launched on the market in 2019. The introduction of the Taycan is generating 1,200 new jobs in Zuffenhausen. Great importance is attached to sustainability in production, which will therefore be carbon-neutral. Porsche plans to invest more than 6 billion euros in electromobility by 2022.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia & Hap Seng Star Open 11th Autohaus In Setia Alam!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM) together with authorised dealer partner Hap Seng Star (HSS), today unveiled its 11^th Autohaus, the Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus (HSS Setia Alam). Complementing the German marque’s eclectic product offerings, the Autohaus launch reflects the brand’s continued drive for holistic automotive excellence, bringing the Best Products, Best Service and Best Customer Experience to its ever-growing customer fan base.

“It gives us great pleasure to celebrate yet another significant milestone with our authorised dealer partner, Hap Seng Star, the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus. Driven by our customer centric strategy, we continue to expand our customer touchpoints for an unrivalled Mercedes-Benz experience, keeping the Malaysian market, our customers and fans in mind,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner (above, right).

With the addition of HSS Setia Alam, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia maintains its leading position as the largest retail network in the premium segment with 35 authorised dealerships from nine dealer groups. The result of a successful partnership between principal and authorised dealer, HSS Setia Alam, with a RM2.8 million investment, is part of the on-going RM294 million total investment by Hap Seng Star to enhance customer touchpoints nationwide. Strategically located in Setia Alam, the Autohaus extends the Mercedes-Benz brand reach to an ever-growing customer and fan base in the vicinity of Setia Alam, Puncak Alam, Kuala Selangor, Tanjung Karang and Sekinchan. HSS Setia Alam is a brand new full-fledged 3S centre managed by 39 certified personnel well-versed in sales and after-sales.

With eight work bays installed and manned by Daimler AG certified professionals, the Autohaus is capable of servicing up to 500 vehicles a month. Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad Group Chief Operating Officer and Hap Seng Star Chief Executive, Mr Harald Behrend (below, left), said, “Throughout our nearly 50 years of collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, we have been dedicated and passionate in providing exceptional service and best customer experience to our valued customers. Today we remain as dedicated and passionate as we first started. Our strong commitment continues with this new investment in Setia Alam.” An interim facility, HSS Setia Alam embraces the Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) design concept and occupies a built-up area of 10,730sq ft. Equipped with state-of-the art facilities, the complete range of Mercedes-Benz special tools and Service Differentiation, every Mercedes-Benz fan and customer can expect a seamless experience in sales, financial services and aftersales, guided by certified professionals.

Able to accommodate six showroom vehicles, the dynamic, convenient and attractive facility also offers fans and customers an up-close and personal experience with all their favourite Mercedes-Benz cars. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus also houses a Star Lounge, taking customers’ comfort into consideration, and ultimately, delivering a holistic experience to each and every one who walks into the Autohaus.

The launch of HSS Setia Alam, brings the total of Mercedes-Benz Hap Seng Star Autohauses to 11 locations across the nation, reflecting a strong and thriving partnership. Hap Seng Star’s other locations in Peninsular Malaysia include HSS Kuala Lumpur, HSS Kinrara, HSS Balakong, HSS Jalan Ipoh, HSS Bukit Tinggi Klang, HSS Puchong South, and HSS Iskandar Johor. HSS Kota Kinabalu, HSS Kuching and HSS Miri are located in East Malaysia. HSS Setia Alam is located at Lot 5, Jalan Setia Murni U13/AH, Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor. For more information, please visit www.hapseng.mercedes-benz.com.my or call +603-3359 5585.

FEATURE: We Tested The New BHP Infiniti For 1,000kms Right Into Another Country!

Now driving more than 1,000km just to test fuel might sound like overkill to some, but I’m definitely not one of them. You see in this line of work, some might think that we have more than enough of driving, and as such a roadtrip like the one recently organised by BH Petrol from KL to Hatyai and back might not be something we’d want to participate in, but that’s where you’d be very wrong…

Okay, so maybe I don’t speak for all the media, but I personally relish any opportunity to hit the road, so when BHP invited Piston.my to try out its new Infiniti petrol, it didn’t take me very long to respond with a ‘yes’. The plan was to drive from KL right into Hatyai, using Haval H1 (above) & H2 cars that were provided by the organiser. We’d also be joined by BHP customers and car & motorbike club members for the drive, some of whom were driving some very serious metal (below).

Introducing the new Infiniti petrol available in both RON 95 & RON 97 at the flag off, K.T. Tan, Managing Director of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, said, “Since the launch of BHPetrol in 2005, we have consistently aimed to offer best quality petroleum products to motorists. Our association with one of the global leaders in fuel additive technology, based in Germany, has enabled us to develop advanced formulations for ‘Infiniti’ petrol that deliver better performance, improved fuel economy and cleaner exhaust emissions.”

The journey to the Malaysia-Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam was one of the smoothest I’ve ever recalled, not just in terms of traffic, but also in terms of how effortless the prepared vehicles using BHP Infiniti fuel were standing up to our abuse, and it was the same way for the journey home 2-days later. What happened in-between though was a very pleasant surprise.

Normally, organisers try to eke out every possible moment with activities surrounding their brand or product, but on day 2, BHP decided to organise a treasure hunt around Hatyai for us with a difference. Instead of using the cars we drove up in, we’d be using Tuk-Tuk’s instead. No really, it was very much like an Amazing Race, solving puzzles and answering typical treasure hunt questions all around Hatyai.

It was a great way to see the town, in fact, even having visited Hatyai several times in the past, I found myself in areas that I’d never seen before, like the old train-station for example. I didn’t even know there was a train station in Hatyai before this. And yes, we were required to take ‘selfies’ at certain spots as part of the hunt, so those photos in the gallery were actually part of the submitted answers after the hunt, which by the way Team 5 won, us. Yes, my team won.

So all in all it was a fantastic media drive with BHP testing their new fuel (see below), we got to have a great road trip, as well as see parts of Hatyai we’d never seen before. I’m keeping my fingers crossed we’ll get invited for the next one, but this time, I’d like to drive my own car. – Chris Wee.

What’s the new BHP Infiniti all about?

The new ‘Infiniti’ petrol has an advanced formulation using the latest generation of additives. The major elements of the new additive package include a new Friction Modifier, an enhanced Corrosion Inhibitor and superior Deposit Cleaning Agents. The dosage of the additive is 800 ppm, which is twice the minimum treat rate recommended by the additive company. It is provided at no extra cost to motorists as a value-added feature to take them further and with a smoother drive.

With the new Friction Modifier, internal friction is further reduced and this means more of the energy can be used to power the vehicle, thereby increasing performance. Lower friction levels also enhance engine efficiency leading to better fuel economy. A clean engine runs more efficiently but during the combustions process, certain chemical compounds are formed which can deposit on internal engine surfaces.

The superior Deposit Cleaning Agents in the additive package remove these deposits and if BHPetrol ‘Infiniti’ petrol is used regularly, the engine will maintain its cleanliness to achieve optimum performance. To help the engine last longer, the enhanced Corrosion Inhibitor provides a layer of protection on metal surfaces. With this protection, corrosion is reduced and the engine will maintain its recommended performance longer.

BHPetrol, a leading brand on fuels technology, announces the latest version of its premium ‘Infiniti’ petrol. Available at no increase in retail prices (based on the prices announced by the government), the new Revolutionised Infiniti petrol is available in both RON95 and RON97 grades.

“Over the years, in tandem with the advancements in engine technology, we have also improved the formulation of ‘Infiniti’ petrol so as to maintain the high level of performance and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, to maximise the benefits to our customers, we enhance our ‘Infiniti’ petrol with 800 parts per million (ppm) of additive which is double the minimum treat rate recommended by our additive supplier,” added Mr. Tan.

“Today, we are proud to once again announce even better ‘Infiniti’ petrol with a further improved formulation which results in increased power and mileage, while also keeping the engine running clean,” Mr. Tan said. With effect from today, the new Revolutionised ‘Infiniti’ petrol is available at all BHPetrol stations, currently numbering 380, of which 275 include a BHPetromart convenience store.

Customers and the public wishing to know more about the new Revolutionised Infiniti petrol and other BHPetrol products and services are invited to visit the website www.bhpetrol.com.my.