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Nissan Introduces ‘Second Delivery’ Program to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

In a move to ensure customer satisfaction and improve owner education, Nissan has unveiled a new “Second Delivery” program specifically for its all-electric Ariya. This initiative aims to provide Ariya owners with a comprehensive understanding of their new vehicle’s features and functionality.

Doppler Automotive to Assist with Deliveries

Nissan has partnered with Doppler Automotive, a third-party service, to manage the Second Delivery process. This collaboration allows dealerships to focus on sales while ensuring customers receive detailed walkthroughs of their new cars. The costs associated with Doppler’s services are covered by Nissan corporate, making it a seamless option for dealerships.

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Contest Winners Announced for BHPetrol ‘Beli dan Menang Ka-Ching’ Contest!

Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd (BHPetrol) recently held a prize presentation for its BHPetrol ‘Beli dan Menang Ka-Ching’ contest at BHPetrol Jalan Meru 2, Klang. The contest, which ran from March 1 to April 30, 2024, at participating BHPetrol service stations, rewarded a total of 80 winners.

The winners were announced as follows:

20 main prize winners received RM5,000 cash each.
20 second prize winners received free petrol for one year worth RM4,000 each.
20 third prize winners received HABIB vouchers worth RM3,000 each.
20 consolation prize winners received HABIB 5g 999.9 gold bars.

Additionally, another 20 winners of consolation prizes of RM1,000 cash each were announced on the BHPetrol official website.

To participate in the contest, BHPetrol eCard members needed to spend a minimum of RM40 per transaction on fuels or mart products during the promotion period.

Ir. Azizul Azily Ahmad, BHPetrol’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic response and high participation in the contest. He noted that the exciting offer attracted both new and loyal customers to BHPetrol, and he hopes the prizes will be beneficial to the winners in their daily lives.

After the prize giving ceremonies and the ensuing entertainment, BHPetrol also announced the commencement of the latest contest. Beginning the 1st of July till 31st of August, anyone who spends a minimum of RM40 at any BHPetrol outlet stands a chance to win RM5,000 in cash, RM3,000 for the second prize or a RM3,000 fuel card for third place.

All you have to do scan the QR code on the receipt after you make a purchase at any BHPetrol outlet. Better yet, become a member of the BHPetrol eCard (it’s very easy, just download the app) and you get even more chances of winning.

For more information, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my!

Four-Cylinder Toyota Supra Dead for the 2025 Model Year

Toyota has decided to discontinue the four-cylinder Supra for the 2025 model year after just three years of production. The entry-level model, which featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 255hp and 400Nm of torque, did not sell as well as expected.

In 2023, only 2,652 Supras were sold, and although Toyota did not provide a breakdown by engine type, it is assumed that the four-cylinder model was the slower mover.

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Report: Chinese Automakers to Triple Global Market Presence by 2030

Chinese automakers are poised to capture 33% of the global automotive market by 2030, a significant increase from their forecasted 21% market share this year, according to a recent report by AlixPartners, a financial advisory and global consulting firm. This growth will predominantly occur outside China, with sales expected to rise from 3 million this year to 9 million by the end of the decade, increasing their global market share from 3% to 13%.

The rapid expansion of Chinese automakers presents a challenge to legacy automakers and has raised concerns among global politicians. The fear is that more affordable, China-made vehicles will inundate markets, particularly impacting the all-electric vehicle sector.

AlixPartners predicts Chinese brands will expand across all global markets but at a slower pace in Japan and North America. In North America, the stringent vehicle safety standards and a 100% tariff on imported Chinese EVs are expected to limit their market share to 3%, primarily in Mexico, where Chinese brands could represent 20% of vehicles by 2030. In contrast, substantial growth is anticipated in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and Africa.

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GWM Tank 300 Arrived at Port Klang – Scheduled for Mid-July Launch with Lifetime Engine & Transmission Warranty

Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia has announced the highly-anticipated arrival of the GWM Tank 300 at Port Klang. Scheduled for a mid-July launch, this off-road SUV will also begin its deliveries to GWM’s customers.

The GWM Tank 300 is renowned as one of the top off-road SUV brands in the world and has been recognised as the champion off-road SUV for 41 consecutive months in China. Celebrated for its rugged exterior and sophisticated interior, the Tank 300 has earned a 5-star safety certification from ANCAP. As a newcomer to the Malaysian automobile scene, it is set to transform public perceptions of an off-roader with its luxurious and intelligent features.

As a gesture of appreciation, GWM is offering the first 300 GWM Tank 300 customers five years OR 100,000km of free maintenance package, whichever comes first. Additionally, first-hand owners of the GWM TANK 300 will receive a lifetime Engine & Transmission warranty with unlimited mileage. On the official launch, these customers will also receive mystery rewards.

The Tank 300’s engine produces 217hp and 380Nm of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a dual-speed, electronically-controlled part-time four-wheel drive system. Key technical features include an all-terrain control system with nine driving modes and a maximum wading depth of 700mm. Back in May, GWM opened the order books for the Tank 300.

Review: Porsche World Roadshow – A Dream Come True

Every kid has had a poster of some sports or supercar hung in their bedrooms at some point in their lives. Some had a Lamborghini and some Ferrari and they grew up to live ordinary lives. The ones that grew up with petrol running through their veins and an engine for a heart had posters of Porsches.

Now we are not saying other sports cars are lesser, it’s just that Porsche does it better. Every detail and thought has gone into crafting a supercar with the perfect balance of speed, handling and braking.

This writer grew up watching the Bad Boys movies and in the first one, besides Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the star of the show was the 911 Turbo 3.6 (Type 964). Just the thrill of seeing that beauty in action as a kid strengthened my love for Porsche. We also got to see the 911 Carrera 4S (Type 992) and the 911 Turbo S (Type 992) in the franchise.

I grew up dreaming of the day where I could get my hands on any one of those cars. Just recently, Porsche Malaysia made my dreams come true. We got to attend the Porsche World Roadshow 2024 where we did not only get to drive the 911 Turbo S, but also drive the GT3 RS, GT4 RS, Targa 4 GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, Spyder RS, Taycan Cross Turismo, the new Panamera, Macan and Cayenne.

Stepping into Sepang and seeing this lineup had me jumping like a kid. We were given a few tests to do which consisted of full circuit laps with the whole lineup, acceleration and braking tests with the Turbo S, a slalom test with the Spyder RS and off-roading with the Cayenne S.

Now Porsche said the reason for using the Spyder RS for the slalom test was because of its mid-engine configuration. It gives the perfect balance when shifting rapidly from one turn to the next and when we got to try it, we could feel what Porsche was talking about. Just the immediate response of flicking the steering wheel gave the car just the right amount of time to execute the corners. But of course, for safety reasons, we had to keep the roof up.

The acceleration and braking were done in the Turbo S and it was the perfect choice to showcase the raw power, sound and braking capabilities of a Porsche. We did one with and without the launch control for comparison. Without launch control, the rpm goes up to 4,000 before shooting off but with the launch control, it goes up an additional 1,000rpm. It might not sound like a lot, but it was a whole new world. The force that pushes you back and makes you know that you’re in a Porsche was a whole different experience. Yes, electric cars do it too, just like the Taycan Cross Turismo that we drove but something about that engine noise roaring just gives me the chills.

According to Porsche, the difference between Porsches launch control system and other manufacturers is that the ones in Porsche are limitless. This means you can launch it a hundred times and will not need to go in for a service or damage the car. One of the instructors there who has been testing cars for Porsche noted that before this, the car was launched over 900 times in two weeks. Only a tyre change was necessary. There are cars out there that will need a gearbox rebuild after just three launches.

Speaking of the Taycan, we were really impressed by it and IF, only IF, we decide to crossover to the “Greener” side of the automotive world, it would be for a Taycan. The car weighs over 2000kgs but the amount of power and torque that is being delivered, makes it feel like a feather. In the words of Muhammad Ali, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. And sting like a bee it did on straight roads and it floated like a butterfly in the corners.

The star of the show there was the GT3 RS, which everyone wanted to get their hands on. We drove the GT3 RS first and then the 911 Turbo S and honestly, I would rather have the Turbo S. I’ll explain why in a bit but for now let’s talk about the star of the show.

More refined than the GT4 RS, quieter, and aerodynamically improved with lots of airflow and that huge swan neck rear wing and for the first time in a production Porsche, a drag reduction system (DRS) is incorporated. The GT3 RS felt like it would keep you alive at high-speed corners and when you stepped on the gas again there was a thrilling sensation because of how refined the stability is.

Why is it so stable? Well because the suspension system receives aerodynamic consideration as well. Due to the significant airflow around the wheel arches of the new 911 GT3 RS, the elements of the double-wishbone front axle incorporate teardrop-shaped designs. These streamlined components, typically found in motorsport contexts, contribute to an 40kg increase in front axle downforce at maximum speed. Notably, the wider track of the 911 GT3 RS (29mm wider compared to the 911 GT3) necessitates longer double-wishbone front axle links.

The GT3 RS was a beast on the track but at the same time, it was a very sensitive car in the sense that, if you’re not a trained racecar driver, flicking the steering wheel too hard might cause the car to either over or understeer which may lead to a disaster. It was all about understanding the connection between you and what the car wants. If that understanding is not there, it would not be drivable. It’s best driven on track and in a controlled environment.

The reason I stated that I would rather have the Turbo S is because this monster is straightforward but could get you into a lot of trouble. It was fun to drive without the worry of flicking the wheel too hard because it pulls you back and stabilises the car with no drama whatsoever. We were so confident in this that we managed to take corners at 170km/h and hit a top speed of 230km/h! We threw it around corners and the car understood what we were trying to achieve and gave us what we wanted.

Another plus point is that the Turbo S can also be used as a daily car yet it can be a track monster as well.

Moving on, if you’re in the market for a mature family SUV, the Cayenne is the way to go. It was fun around the track and could handle the offroad challenges without any hesitation. All done with performance tyres, yes even the offroad section. It felt steady around corners on the track, and the power delivery was exceptional for an SUV.

However, if you want an SUV for yourself and not to bring the family in, the naughty little Macan is what you’re looking for. Now this is slightly slower than the Cayenne but the thrill it gives will keep you awake. This is if you’re throwing it around corners like we did. The Cayenne was stable and comfortable around bends at 130- 160km/h and you could not even feel it. The Macan will have you praying for your safety. But we enjoyed the Macan more because it was just so much more thrilling to drive. The thrill, the excitement, the crazy corners that we took and we managed to do all that and come out fine because, well, it is a Porsche!

We also got to experience a hot lap. This means we took the passenger seat, and these monsters were being driven by professional racers who flew in from Germany. We thought we were fast around the track, but we have never been so wrong before. Regardless of which car you’re in, you will be saying your prayers and holding on for dear life as the race drivers showed us how these cars were meant to be driven.

At the end of the day, Porsches are meant to be driven and not to be parked for show or to impress others. When someone buys a Porsche, they are buying it for themselves and not to show off. The only thing I can say is that when I was driving that Turbo S, I looked over to the passenger side and I could see the kid version of me laughing and smiling in excitement and joy.