Ford Archives

PROMO: Celebrate This Festive Season With Special Promotions @ Ford & SDAC!

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, has announced a number of promotions for Ford owners in the upcoming Thaipusam and Chinese New Year festivities.

“We know that there will be a lot of long-distance travel during this festive season as many Malaysians return to their hometowns to spend time with their families. We are pleased to offer these promotions and service discounts, as part of our commitment to ensuring Ford owners get home safely,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below).

Valid from now until 5 February 2019, the Ford Festive campaign includes a free 27-point vehicle inspection by Ford-certified technicians who are on hand to ensure that vehicles are in roadworthy condition before customers head back to their hometowns for the celebrations or embark on road trips during the holiday.

Customers can also enjoy discounts of up to 20 percent on selected parts and selected packages. Only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are used, providing greater assurance of quality and peace of mind. Additionally, further savings of up to 10 percent on labour fees for lubricant, brake and timing belt packages are offered. During this period, any customer who spends a minimum of RM350 in a single receipt at any authorised Ford dealer will receive an exclusive Ford gift. All walk-in customers will also receive free CNY packets, while stocks last.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Hindu customers a blessed Thaipusam and our Chinese customers ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’,” added Muzri. Customers can book their service appointments online via the official SDAC-Ford website: www.sdacford.com.my or through the Ford Malaysia MY App. Alternatively, customers can call their nearest Ford authorised service centre to make an appointment. Simply access the ‘locate a dealer’ tab on the website for more information about preferred locations with the relevant contact information.

FEATURE: Why 2019 Is Going To Be A Good Year For Trucks & SUVs! [+Videos]

Yes, 2019 is indeed shaping up to be a stellar year for Truck and SUV fans across the nation, and here’s just a taste of what’s to come!

LAND ROVER

Thanks to AutoExpress, we’re getting a first glimpse of the all-new 2019 Land Rover Defender. So who said the LR Defender was dead eh? You just can’t kill a Defender….

“The all-new Land Rover Defender will be revealed within the next 12 months, likely to be towards the end of 2019, and new official images have given us our best look yet at the iconic SUV in development. The latest image shows a prototype of the all-new Defender under going off-road testing in North America as part of its grueling test cycle. The vehicle will be subjected to temperatures as low as -40 Celsius and as high as 48 Celsius and at attitudes as high as 13,000ft.” – Auto Express.

FORD

As we all know, late last year, Ford Malaysia finally launched the much-awaited Ranger Raptor, (<–link) but in addition to that, they also introduced new variants of the Ranger 4×4 in the form of the XL, XLT, XLT+ (below) and Wildtrak. In total there are 9 variants of the new Ranger, including the aforementioned Raptor.

Here’s a short walkabout video of the Ford Ranger XLT+

PROTON

Right. So this SUV is likely the MOST anticipated of the lot. Having subjected us to one of the longest ever “long-lead” ups to its launch, which happened only last month, Proton’s X70 SUV (<–link) has finally hit the road. We’ve already seen a few out there, all CBU of course, with local-assembly only set to begin in October 2019. With more than 12,000 bookings taken before launch and once the order-books were opened, we await word on the official media drive later this month, in the meantime, here’s a walkaround video:

TOYOTA

What a Rush. Sorry, just had to with a name like that. Yes, the new Toyota Rush (<–link) was introduced recently too, and we even managed to get a short test drive in! Set to be officially launched very soon, the price estimate is apparently below RM100k… we’re guessing circa RM92,000 or so. Here’s a quick walkaround video:

MITSUBISHI

All hail the new Triton! Shown at KLIMS 2018, (<—link) this truck is likely the only contender to the Ranger Raptor in terms of ‘wow’ factor. There’s still no word on when it’s going to arrive here, but it’s a stunner! Completely unexpected, it was getting a lot of attention at the show, here’s a video featuring the truck:

PERODUA

So technically it’s still very hush-hush for now, but there’s definitely a new Perodua SUV on the way. Perodua isn’t new to SUVs, having introduced the Kembara many years back, and the short-lived Nautica later on. Largely based on the Daihatsu Terios (above) and Toyota Rush, it’s almost a given that Perodua will have some design input in the finished product, scheduled to be launched in Q1 this year. Here’s a video on the Terios…

ISUZU

And now a surprise. In October 2019, Isuzu Malaysia will bring in the new MU-X 7-seater SUV! We have no solid details about it at the moment, except to say that in typical MU-X fashion, it is huge. Here’s a walkaround video:

Photo Gallery (Land Rover Defender images courtesy of AutoExpress.co.uk)

Ford’s Driving Skills For Life Programme Equips Drivers In Malaysia With Training To Stay Safe

Ford and its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), recently hosted its third safe driver training this year to corporate partners and members of the public through Ford’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme. The training sessions were hosted at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) where more than 60 licensed drivers – including corporate partners and Ford customers participated in two half-day workshops.

The Ford Driving Skills for Life programme aims to educate licensed drivers of all ages on how to drive safely through practical, hands on experiences which is provided free-or-charge, helping them become safer, more aware drivers. The DSFL workshops address various driver risks, such as dealing with unexpected scenarios, speed and space management, as well as raise awareness on distracted driving caused by mobile phone use or drowsiness.

“Ford is committed to helping raise awareness of road safety and educating drivers on safe driving practices and techniques. We are proud to continue this very practical programme in Malaysia to help raise public awareness on safe driving and driver safety,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below). An emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or medication was also incorporated in every training session. This included having participants wear specially designed goggles that help simulate the experience of driving while movement, coordination and alertness are impaired.

In Asia, Ford DSFL is in its eleventh successful year of training licensed drivers of all ages. In addition to Malaysia, DSFL training is provided in China, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Pandu Uji: Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2019 – “Trak Pujaan Ramai”

Seperti yang telah dilaporkan oleh pihak kami pada bulan Oktober yang lepas, Ford Malaysia (Sime Darby Auto Connexion) bersama Ford Motor Company telah melancarkan Ford Ranger generasi baharu untuk pasaran Malaysia. Terdapat 8 varian berbeza bagi model XL, XLT dan Wildtrak dengan harga dari RM90,888 hingga RM144,888 dan kami telah diberi peluang untuk memandu uji varian tertinggi (sebelum Ford Ranger Raptor) iaitu Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2018. (more…)

Ford Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak Wins ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year’ @ Malaysia COTY 2018!

The “tougher, smarter, more efficient” Ford Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak has been named as the ‘Pickup Truck of the Year (Twin Cab)’ at the Malaysia Car of the Year (COTY) 2018 Awards, further reinforcing the Ranger’s top position in Malaysia’s pickup truck segment.

Hosted by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute a.k.a. MARII (formerly Malaysia Automotive Institute, MAI), winners of the awards were assessed based on five criteria: exterior and interior design, technical specifications and engineering innovations, safety features, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, as well as best overall value for money.

“We are honoured that the Ranger has received yet another prestigious endorsement. With its unmatched versatility, comfort and advanced technology and features, Ford Ranger has proven itself as the toughest and smartest truck that customers can count on to help them achieve more, whether at work or with their families,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (above, at an earlier VOTY Car Awards event)

The Ranger 2.2L Wildtrak delivers robust capability with unbeatable towing ability of 3,500kg, class-leading water-wading capability of up to 800mm and exceptional payload capacity while adding a level of refinement unseen in the pickup truck segment. The Ranger continues to be Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia and one of the best-selling pickups in the market. In the third quarter of 2018, sales of the Ranger jumped 61% to 2,245 units sold.

For more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.

Ford Continues “Driving Skills for Life” in Malaysia, Expanding Programme to Corporate Partners

Ford and its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), once again hosted a safe driver training programme to corporate partners and members of the public through the long-standing Ford Global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme. The training sessions were held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) where more than 50 licensed drivers – including corporate partners, participated in two half-day workshops.

According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), nearly 81 percent of road accidents in Malaysia are caused by driver error, such as unsuitable speed management or impaired driving. Therefore, the Ford Driving Skills for Life programme aims to educate licensed drivers of all ages how to drive safely through practical, hands on experiences, provided free-or-charge, helping them become safer, more aware drivers.

The DSFL workshops addresses various driver risks, such as dealing with unexpected scenarios, speed and space management as well as raises awareness on distracted driving caused by mobile phone use or drowsiness. Family safety tips, such as the importance of ensuring child seats are securely fastened or driving tips for expectant mothers, were also highlighted in both classroom and practical sessions.

“Road safety is a very serious issue and a top priority for us at Ford and SDAC. Apart from ensuring that our vehicles continue to comply with and exceed safety standards, we also consider it our responsibility to implement public awareness initiatives to promote safety. We are proud to be part of this programme and continue to help reinforce best practices for safe driving among Malaysian motorists,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.

An emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or medication was also incorporated in each training session. This included having participants wear specially designed goggles that help simulate the experience of driving while movement, coordination and alertness are impaired. The DSFL safety training workshop has successfully reached over 100 Malaysian licensed drivers this year alone, with scheduled workshops taking place since August. Participants comprised inexperienced young drivers and professional drivers from various private companies.

Ford Ranger & Focus Favoured By Malaysians @ Carlist.my “People’s Choice” Awards 2018

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, recently claimed a double win for its Ford Ranger and Ford Focus at the Carlist.my People’s Choice Awards & Editors’ Choice Award 2018. The multiple-award winning Ford Ranger reaffirmed its popularity amongst Malaysians, winning a Gold for ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year’ while the dynamic Ford Focus was voted a second favourite, taking home Silver in the ‘Mid-Range Hatch’ category.

“We are elated that the Ranger continues to be a top favourite and that the Focus nameplate still holds a special spot in the hearts of Malaysians. We wish to extend our utmost gratitude to all Malaysians for their support as we continue to enhance the ownership experience for our customers in every way possible,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below, at a different COTY event)

“With its ‘Built Ford Tough’ credentials, the Ranger is designed and engineered to handle the most extreme terrain with ease. At the same time, it delivers a level of refinement that offers customers the option of owning not just an adventure or commercial-ready truck, but also a lifestyle and family vehicle. Meanwhile, the Ford Focus significantly raises the bar in its mid-range hatch category by delivering a class-leading combination of smart technologies, innovative design and safety as well as exceptional fuel efficiency” – SDAC Malaysia.

2018 marks the second year that winners of Carlist.my’s awards were purely chosen by Malaysians. This year, a total of 7,000 people voted for their favourite cars over a four-week period in 18 categories.

For more information, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese.

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.

KLIMS Returns For 2018 After 5-Year Absence @ MITEC! [+Videos & Mega Photo Gallery!]

Following our previous report on KLIMS or the Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow, we attended the Press Day on 22nd November 2018, and right-off the bat, it’s safe to say that the new venue for KLIMS at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) outside downtown KL is definitely a better location, not just in terms of accessibility, but also the floor space and allocated display area. But before we get into that, here’s the video of the official launch ceremony for KLIMS 2018!

Everything also seems a lot better organised this time around, especially in terms of handling the media and providing a proper set-up for us to work. There was free flow of food and drinks in the designated press room, although the room itself was a bit small, considering the number of media personnel who showed up to cover the launch and press day of KLIMS 2018. There was also no designated rest area; let’s not forget that all-in, it was at least a 10-hour day on our feet for many of us. Something to look into for the next one. Here’s our first walkabout video, which we took even before the official launch ceremony. Kudos to all the car brands who participated!

Unfortunately, while the venue itself was a lot better, manufacturer participation was definitely wanting, for apart from Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles, there wasn’t a single other European carmaker in attendance. No Audi, BMW, Volvo or Mercedes-Benz. The latter was represented only thanks to Petronas who grafted what looked like an entire petrol station into KLIMS 2018, replete with a Kedai Mesra shop, while the only Supercars (apart from the Toyota FT-1 in the second video below of course) were what the peripheral pavilions brought in.

That being said, those who did participate put in a tremendous amount of effort to ensure their pavilions looked top notch! Seriously, many of them looked like they belonged in overseas motorshows like BIMS, GIIAS & TMS. Still, at least we were finally able to bring you this ‘live’ coverage of the new Proton X70 SUV, with no restrictions on photos this time. However, while fully expecting to finally learn the official price of the X70 at KLIMS, we were told that the price will be officially announced only on 12th December at the launch extravaganza…

Undoubtedly though, the star of KLIMS 2018 is the incredible Toyota FT-1, which is also known among fan-boys as the new Supra. It definitely deserved it’s own short video….