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BMW Group Malaysia & SDAE Open New Engine Assembly Facility In Kedah

BMW Group Malaysia and Sime Darby Auto Engineering (SDAE), a division of Sime Darby Motors today opened the doors to the new SDAE Engine Assembly Facility in Kulim, Kedah.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Datin K. Talagavathi, Deputy Secretary General (Industry) of Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia said, “I am pleased to officiate the opening of the new Sime Darby Auto Engineering Engine Assembly Facility here in Kulim, Kedah today. The new engine assembly facility developed through the partnership and initiatives of Sime Darby Motors and the BMW Group, will not only boost the local capabilities and regional competitiveness of the country but will also create employment opportunities and raise technical competency skills for Malaysians.”

She added that the new engine assembly facility, alongside the assembly plant and the Regional Parts Distribution Centre in Johor by premium automaker BMW Group would promote the exchange of technological know-how, thereby developing a more innovative and talented workforce in line with the transformation aspirations of the country.

Ms. Ilka Horstmeier, Senior Vice President, Production Engines and Electrified Powertrains, BMW Group said, “Today is a very special day: together with SDAE we have managed to establish a new engine assembly for BMW engines in Malaysia. Our strong cooperation with our reliable partner comes to fruition with the assembly of 3- and 4-cylinder petrol engines, alongside 4-cylinder diesel engines, as well as the 3- and 4-cylinder combustion engines for the Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicle.”

Echoing her sentiments, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad said, “Sime Darby Motors’ vision is to be the preferred contract assembly partner for the most dynamic automakers in ASEAN. We aim to produce more than 50,000 vehicles as well as the engine parts and components for the vehicles by the year 2020. The new SDAE Engine Assembly Facility opened today takes us one giant leap forward in making this goal a reality.”

Established on a land site of over 6 acres with a built-up area space of 8,500 square metres and with a total investment value of over RM 132 million by SDAE, the new engine assembly facility will support BMW Group Malaysia’s growing demand for locally assembled vehicles with the newest capabilities in engine assembly technology as well as support the premium automaker’s export initiatives to other markets in the region.

Equipped with the newest innovation for engine assembly including EST tightening equipment, Dosing and Bonding Technology (DoboTech) equipment, engine engraving, engine oil filling and test machines for hydraulic valve play compensation, leak tests as well as hot and cold testing, the new facility employs an additional 60-person workforce demonstrating a commitment to increasing employment opportunities and career growth prospects within the local job market in the Kulim Hi-Tech area.

Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia (above) said, “Malaysia has long played the role of a strategic partner to the BMW Group in South East Asia and this significance is reflected in our business performance here which mirrors our achievements worldwide. In the first quarter of 2018, the BMW Group is already on target for an eighth consecutive year of record sales with a delivery of 604,629 vehicles worldwide, a 3% growth as compared to the same period in 2017.”

(L-R) Mr. Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors; Mr. Jeffri Salim Davidson, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Berhad; Dato’ Madani Sahari, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Automotive Institute; Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad; Ms. Hildegard Wortmann, Senior Vice President of Region Asia Pacific, BMW Group; Datin K. Talagavathi, Deputy Secretary General responsible for Industry, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia; Ms. Ilka Horstmeier, Senior Vice President of Production Engines and Electrified Powertrains, BMW Group; and Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group Malaysia

Hoelzl added, “The positive performance worldwide echoes in Malaysia, where BMW Group Malaysia has already successfully achieved a 15% increase in the deliveries of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles in the country, delivering 3,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2018.”

From Zero To RM2.2 Billion In 5-Years – MBSM Celebrates Its Half Decade Achievement!

Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBSM) recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. Starting from ground-up to a portfolio of RM2.2 billion in just five years and financing and insuring four out of every ten Mercedes-Benz cars sold; MBSM is raring to go in 2018.

Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia celebrates five years of providing innovative financial solutions (from left) Daimler Financial Services AAP Regional Head SEA, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Mr Thomas Hungerland; Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Managing Director, Mr Mike Ponnaz; and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner, kicking off the celebration with a cake cutting ceremony.

“It’s been five fantastic years! We have so much to celebrate, and one of the reasons for our celebration is the long-term support of our esteemed media friends, who have, and continue, to play an essential role in our success,” said Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, Managing Director, Mike Ponnaz (above, middle).

MBSM was first established in 2012, entering the Malaysian market at an opportune time to support its sister company, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), with innovative automotive financing packages. At that time, MBM had registered a strong sales record of over 6,000 vehicles sold. In 2012 and 2013 MBSM focused on setting up the business, studying the needs of the market in order to begin catering to the aspirations of Mercedes-Benz customers.

After establishing its operations, MBSM progressed into building greater awareness of its role in the Mercedes-Benz customer journey throughout 2014 and 2015. This included retail and corporate customers in the passenger car category as well as customers from the Commercial Vehicles division. MBSM focused on empowering its customers by matching financing options with different financial flexibility needs.

Along the way, MBSM marked other accomplishments namely, its parent company, Daimler Financial Services AG (Daimler Financial Services) was ranked the top five World’s Best Multinational Workplaces in 2016. “Our employees are the foundation of our success and we are committed to cultivating a workplace environment that supports their growth and development and enables them to provide the very best service to our customers,” explained Ponnaz.

MBSM’s keen focus on supporting Mercedes-Benz customers led to its ability to identify the evolving needs and aspirations of customers. Over the last two years, MBSM launched cutting-edge solutions like Agility Financing and Lease2Go that have redefined the process of owning and financing a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

“We have 16,000 active customers, and we recorded contracts worth over RM1billion in 2017 alone. We are very proud of the collective achievement of the team and look forward to growing in line with the remarkable sales achievements of over 12,000 Mercedes-Benz cars sold by MBM, and 2,469 Commercial Vehicles sold last year. Moving forward, 2018 will be a year of strengthening our portfolio and serving our customers better,” said Ponnaz.

Following five years of steady growth, MBSM took the time to personally thank us recently at a special celebration with the members of the Malaysian Automotive Media. Also present at the milestone celebration was Mr Thomas Hungerland, Daimler Financial Services AAP, Regional Head SEA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Dr Claus Weidner, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, President & CEO.

VW Malaysia Announces ‘Fuel Up Your Gaya’ Campaign

With the festive season coming up, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has an array of offerings and special deals to help make it a rewarding one with the Volkswagen ‘Fuel Up Your Gaya’ campaign.

Volkswagen will help you fuel up your style this coming festivities by throwing in a free Petrol Card worth RM1,188 for all models booked and registered from now till 30 June 2018. On top of that, enjoy great savings and low interest rates on selected Volkswagen models while stocks last. See chart below for details…

Model	Savings from	Low Interest	Petrol Voucher	Monthly loan from
Polo	RM4,000		Yes	RM802
Vento Comfortline	RM10,000	From 0.88%	Yes	RM833
Jetta Highline	RM8,000		Yes	RM1,237
Beetle Sport	RM5,000		Yes	RM1,418
Passat Comfortline	RM15,000	From 0.88%	Yes	RM1,726
Passat Highline	RM4,000	From 0.88%	Yes	RM1,908
Tiguan Comfortline Tiguan Highline (below)	RM2,000		Yes	RM1,554
Tiguan WILD + Accessory package worth RM5,099	RM2,000		No. (just kidding, YES lah. – Ed.)	RM1,554

Note: Terms and conditions apply. Monthly loan based on 9-year loan with 10% down payment

As of 1^st January 2018, all Volkswagen cars come with a free 3-year maintenance programme, which means customers will not have to worry about service cost for the first three years or 45,000km of ownership (whichever comes first). The programme covers all maintenance costs, as per the standard maintenance schedule, with the exception of wear-and-tear parts such as brake discs, pads, windscreen wipers and bulbs.

To qualify for the campaign, vehicle bookings must be made within the promotion period and is subject to terms and conditions while stocks lasts. For more information, visit your nearest authorized Volkswagen dealership or visit www.volkswagen.com.my

Mega Deals Await At Malaysia’s Largest Automotive Showroom!

The Naza Automall is now back with more automotive brands, making it Malaysia’s first one-stop automotive gallery that offers exciting deals exclusively for Naza Automall customers.

Naza Automall customers can enjoy special packages, only available at the one-stop automotive gallery for the four-wheel and two-wheel brands under the Naza Group. Additionally, the Naza Automall will also be offering deals for the MPV and SUV segments of other auto brands to meet the surge in demand for MPVs and SUVs lately.

For the full Naza brand experience, the Naza Automall will also be offering value for money promotions and special privileges for other businesses under the Group including property, agriculture, education, insurance and finance, and food and beverage.

“Naza Automall is the epi centre of our operations. We aspire to make this “the” one-stop destination for your automotive needs from entry to super luxury marques. The Automall also showcases the whole range of offerings from the Group such as property, education and F&B,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group (above).

To kick start the Naza Automall’s promotional campaign period, the Naza Group is rewarding its customers when they purchase their dream car or bike with a chance to win an All-expense paid 4 days 3 nights trip to catch the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals live in Moscow. To find out more about how to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, head on over to the Naza Automall starting 1 May 2018.

“We are continuously looking for ways to show appreciation to our loyal fans and customers such as this 2018 FIFA World Cup Spend and Win contest. With more plans in the pipeline, Naza Automall visitors can look forward to enjoying more exciting deals and rewards in the near future,” Dato’ Samson added.

Accredited as the largest automotive showroom in Malaysia by the Malaysia Book of Records, Naza Automall will have on display 14 automotive brands both used and new from different segments and brands including Maserati, Kia, Peugeot, Citroën, Chevrolet, Ducati, Indian Motorcycle and Vespa.

The Naza Automall is an automotive enthusiast’s haven with a total build-up area of 250,000 square feet and can hold up to 2,000 cars at a time. Located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, (along the Federal Highway) the Naza Automall is open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and from 10am to 7pm on weekends.

Porsche Cayenne Plug-In Hybrid Introduced!

Looks like Porsche is expanding its range of hybrids even further: the new Cayenne E-Hybrid combines the best driving dynamics in its class with maximum efficiency. A three-litre V6 engine (250 kW/340 hp) combines with an electric engine (100 kW/136 hp) to generate system power of 340 kW (462 hp). The maximum torque of 700 Nm is already available just above idling speed; the boost strategy matches that of the 918 Spyder supercar.

The Cayenne’s plug-in hybrid drive enables acceleration from 0 to 100kmh in 5.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 253kmh. The new Cayenne E-Hybrid can drive up to a distance of 44km and speed of 135kmh on electricity alone. The average consumption in the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), depending on the set of tyres used, is 3.4 – 3.2 l/100 km of fuel and 20.9 – 20.6 kWh/100 km of electricity. Alongside the launch of the Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche is expanding its range of comfort and assistance systems for the entire Cayenne series with additional options such as the new head-up display, massage seats and 22-inch light metal wheels.

More on the Porsche Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid…

462 horsepower system power with 918 Spyder boost concept
The next stage in Porsche’s journey towards e-mobility is the Cayenne E-Hybrid. While the performance of the combustion engine moderately improves on its predecessor by five kW (Seven hp) to 250 kW (340 hp), the performance of the electric engine is now over 43 per cent higher at 100 kW (136 hp). Both combine for a total system power of 340 kW (462 hp).

The boost strategy derived from the 918 Spyder supercar is a new addition. It ensures that the electric engine can be used in all the standard Sport Chrono Package’s driving modes for an additional performance boost. This means the maximum system torque becomes available as you press the accelerator pedal.

Depending on the driving situation and performance requirements, drivers can continue to draw on the boost torque across the entire range of speeds. This leads to a more agile and superior driving experience. The extent of the boost support and battery charging during the journey depend on the driving mode. In the performance-focused Sport and Sport Plus modes, virtually all of the battery’s energy can be used for a boost. In Sport mode, the battery is charged just as much as is required for a new boost. In Sport Plus mode, the battery is recharged as quickly as possible. The other modes support maximum driving efficiency.

Charging with the Porsche Connect app and Porsche Charging Service
Battery capacity has improved significantly in the Cayenne E-Hybrid, along with the distance on electricity and the boost reserves: in comparison to the previous model, capacity increased from 10.8 to 14.1 kWh. This is an increase of around 30 per cent. The fluid-cooled battery, stored beneath the loading floor in the rear of the car, consists of eight cell modules with 13 prismatic lithium ion cells each. Within 7.8 hours, the high-voltage battery is charged fully via a 230 volt connection with ten amps. if the optional 7.2 kilowatt on-board charger and a 230 volt connection with 32 amps are used as an alternative to the standard 3.6 kilowatt charger, the battery is ‘filled up’ again after only 2.3 hours.

The charging process can be managed and monitored via Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and remotely using the Porsche Connect app. The independent climate control, i.e. heating and air conditioning when the ignition is switched off, is available as standard and can also be individually controlled via smartphone. Porsche Connect can also be used to find and filter charging stations and set them as a navigation destination. The new Porsche Charging Service allows cross-provider access to public charging stations – without requiring additional registration with the relevant provider. This is billed directly via the Porsche ID account.

New hybrid module and rapid switching Tiptronic S
Porsche has redesigned the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s drive train. The hybrid module consists of a highly-integrated combination of electric engine and separating clutch. In contrast to the previous electro-hydraulic system with the spindle actuator, the separating clutch is operated electromechanically, which ensures even faster reaction times. The transmission acquires the new Tiptronic S, newly developed for the entire Cayenne range with eight speeds. The automatic gearbox not only offers even more comfortable and smoother starting but also significantly speeds up switching. Interruption of tractive force during switching processes has also been reduced further.

Active hang-on all-wheel drive and 3.5 ton trailer load
With Porsche Traction Management (PTM), the Cayenne E-Hybrid has an active hang-on all-wheel drive with an electronically regulated, map-controlled multiplate clutch. With its broad range of torque distribution, the system offers clear benefits in terms of driving dynamics, agility, traction control and offroad capabilities. Thanks to the brand new chassis, Cayenne E-Hybrid offers the same sports car driving dynamics as all models of the new Cayenne generation. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is available as standard. Optional features include the electric Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilisation system and a trailer connection for loads up to 3.5 tonnes.

New options: head-up display and 22-inch light metal wheels
With the launch of the Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche is expanding its range of assistance systems and optional features for the entire series with a variety of innovations. For the first time, head-up display is available in a Porsche. It projects all the relevant driving information directly into the driver’s line of vision in a full-colour display. Other new features now available in the Cayenne are the smart digital copilot Porsche InnoDrive with adaptive cruise control, massage seats, a heated windscreen, independent heating with remote operation and 22-inch light metal wheels.

NB:
Fuel consumption and emissions ²⁾
Cayenne E-Hybrid: Fuel consumption combined 3.4 – 3.2 l/100 km; CO2emissions 78 – 72 g/km; energy consumption: 20.9 – 20.6 kWh/100 km

¹⁾ The maximum electric range fluctuates between 42 and 44 km depending on the set of tyres used.
²⁾ Range depends on set of tyres used.