The NSLOA Trucking Carnival 2018 (With Short Video Coverage) - Trucking Carnival Returns After 7 Long Years

The Negeri Sembilan Lorry Operators' Association (NSLOA), one of the longest running automotive related associations here in the country had recently organised the NSLOA Trucking Carnival 2018. The two-day trucking related carnival was held at the D’Tempat Country Club, which is located in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. 

{UPDATE- 10 Oct} - Event POSTPONED! -Bermaz Motor's MazdaSports Academy Has An Advance Driving Event for Mazda CX-5 Owners - Scheduled for 13 & 14 October 2018 - Register for a Spot

UPDATE - 10.10.2018 - Do take note folks! Bermaz has informed that the “Advance Driving” programme for CX-5 Owners will be postponed.

The event set to take place October 13 & 14, 2018 (Saturday & Sunday) will be rescheduled to another date.

This postponement is due to the error of venue provider (MAEPS, MARDI) for allowing concrete barricades to be placed at our activity area. As the safety of all our participants are of utmost importance, we cannot proceed with the programme.

They will inform everyone the rescheduled date once MARDI is able to give us a new date.

Lexus RX300 Special Edition for the Malaysian Market - More Equipment Than Ever

Lexus Malaysia are now offering a new variant of the very cutting edge looking Lexus RX300 SUV. The RX300 Special Edition is essentially the RX300 Luxury variant but has additional accessories fitted to it. The RX300 Special Edition is priced from RM434,000 onwards inclusive of SST and it about RM10,000 more than the RX300 Luxury.

Motorcycles: Ducati Malaysia launches the Panigale V4 & V4S, Multistrada 1260 S and the Ducati Monster 821

More Desmodromic magic for Ducati lovers here in Malaysia! Next Bike Sdn Bhd, distributor of the Ducati brand in Malaysia has officially launched three three of the latest Ducati motorcycles for the Malaysian market. These are the Ducati Panigale V4 and V4 S, Multistrada 1260 S and the Ducati Monster 821.

The All-New 7th Generation BMW 3 Series Will Be Unveiled in Paris on 2nd October 2018

Short update here folks! The world premiere of the all new seventh-generation BMW 3 Series sports sedan will happen at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 show in Paris on Tuesday, 2 October 2018.  

UD Trucks and Tan Chong Industrial Equipment SdnBhd (TCIE) - 40 Years of Partnership

A couple of weeks ago, UD Trucks and Tan Chong Industrial Equipment SdnBhd (TCIE) celebrated the 40th anniversary of their partnership. This is actually the longest ever principal and distributor partnership in the history of UD Trucks, globally. It harks back to the days where UD Trucks, then Nissan Diesel, and also when Malaysian television consisted of one or two government run TV stations. Those were the days.

Shell Malaysia has introduced new ‘Made for Malaysia’ labels for official genuine Shell Helix products

Shell Malaysia, under their trading arm, Shell MalaysiaTrading Sdn Bhd has introduced the new ‘Made for Malaysia’ labels for official genuine Shell Helix products. The new labeling with the 'Made for Malaysia' wording is meant for sale in Malaysia. The Shell Helix engine oil packaging comes with the new easy to identify labels which has a unique QR code for authentication by the consumer. This is a move by Shell Malaysia to protect consumers and try help them to avoid counterfeit or fake Shell Helix products which are on the market.

AMG Owners Community Malaysia Officially Launched - A Network For All Owners of Mercedes-AMG Cars in Malaysia

Last Friday Mercedes-Benz announced the official launch of the AMG Owners Community Malaysia (AOCM). This is a network for all existing and new owners of the Mercedes- AMG automobiles. This is an official 'club' by Mercedes-Benz / Mercedes-Benz Malaysia where AOCM Members will get to receive benefits such as exclusive invitations to preview of new AMG automobiles, priority seating for motorsport events alongside limited merchandise and apparel. 

Ferrari Pop-Up Experience is Now Situated at the Main Entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur till 28th September 2018 - Instagram Contest Details Inside also!

Naza Italia, official importer and authorised distributor of Ferrari in Malaysia, officially launched the Ferrari pop-up showroom which is currently situated right at the entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur located along Jalan Bukit Bintang. The Ferrari Pop-Up Experience, as it is called, will be there until the 28th September 2018. The unique pop-up showroom is the first of its kind in Malaysia and part of a regional showcase that offers visitors to the area a taste of the Ferrari lifestyle.

At the 2018 Scania Top Team Regional Finals - 17 Teams From Asia, Oceania & the Middle East Contest Against One Another For Spots in the World Finals in Sweden

Last saturday was the first of two sessions where 17 of its best service teams from Asia, Oceania and the Middle East pit their technical skills against each other in the 2018 Scania Top Team Regional Finals. This event, which is a competition for Scania Service Technicians was held at the Scania Malaysia headquarters in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam. The regional finals features the best service technicians from Australia, Dubai, Iran, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Singapore, New Zealand, Abu Dhabi, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia.

The 2018 Jaguar F-Type is Now on Sale In Malaysia - A New Powerful 2.0liter Engine Is Offered Too!

The new 2018 Jaguar F-TYPE is now officially available in Malaysia by authorised distributors Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia. This is the latest, and facelifted version of their super sexy coupe. The F-Type sports restyled headlights, rear lights and bumpers. It also comes with a tax friendly 2.0liter turbocharged engine too!

Volkswagen Track Day 2018 - Sepang Circuit 21st September 2018 - It was damp after the rain...So it was fun in the Golf TSI R-Line & the Golf GTI

Last weekend was Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia's (VPCM) Volkswagen Track Day 2018 at the Sepang International Circuit. Friday, the 21st of September was a session for the media fellas and VPCM's fleet customers. These are basically people who report for motoring media - print, online & broadcast as well as lifestyle media if I am not mistaken (I didn't pay attention...I was just there to have some fun with the cars provided). Saturday night, the 22nd was for Volkswagen car clubs and customers invited by VPCM to have a go around the track.

The Toyota Fortuner and Innova Receives Upgrades and Enhancements For Malaysia - Prices for Fortuner, Innova & Hilux Also Announced

 UMW Toyota Motor, the official distributors of Toyota in Malaysia have announced slightly upgraded and / or enhanced specification for the Toyota Fortuner SUV and Innova MPV and Hilux Pick-up Truck. These slightly different specified models will be made available for booking from 3 September 2018 onwards, with the sales launch and deliveries to customers to take place later in September 2018. 

Proton Cars Re-Starts Exports to Egypt - Local Distributors Alpha Ezz El-Arab Set To Sell An Estimated 1,000 Units in 2018

Proton Cars are really getting their ship back in shape. This time around, they have started sending cars to Egypt again after an absence. Proton held a flag-off ceremony for this first batch of cars at its plant in Tanjung Malim earlier today. The small ceremony basically marks Proton's first shipment to Egypt in almost three years. 

Proton X70 Exclusive Media Preview Official PROTON Video - We Get Some Airtime in the Vid!

Proton has just released a short video on the recent media preview of the upcoming X70 SUV. I get interviewed on what I thought about it. You can see me blabbering for a few seconds at around the 1min 30sec mark. 

Truck News: Scania Malaysia Delivers 12 Trucks to Circular Agency Sdn Bhd

Recently, we have been hearing a lot from the folks at Scania Malaysia and their trucks as well as buses. This time, the commercial vehicle manufacturer has delivered 12 new Scania trucks to Circular Agency Sdn Bhd.  Circular Agency purchased 11 units of Scania G410LA6x2MNA trucks and 1 unit of Scania G360LA4x2MNA truck.

The Volvo XC90 T5 is Now Offered in Malaysia - 2.0Liter 254hp Turbocharged Petrol Engine Instead of the XC90 T8's Hybrid Powertrain

Volvo Car Malaysia has added another variant of their innovative and extremely popular Volvo XC90 here. The Volvo XC90 T5 is the latest variant of their 7-seater premium SUV line-up. It joins the XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription and Inscription Plus.

Naza Kia Malaysia's SST Prices for Kia Vehicles is Here...

Here are Kia Sales and Service Tax (SST) prices as announced by Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The prices are inclusive of 10% sales tax applicable for vehicles as well as a comparison with GST prices.

BMW Malaysia Launches the BMW i8 Roadster For The Malaysian Market - Prices Start at RM1,508,800 Onwards

The BMW i8 Roadster has been introduced for the Malaysian market. BMW's flagship hybrid sports car in its open top form had been unveiled at the Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2018, at which BMW Malaysia is the official E-Mobility partner. The event saw many BMW Plug-in Hybrids acting as official cars for the event. This is the first-ever i8 Roadster and hopefully will spawn many more generations of open top i8 Roadsters to come.

Happenings: The Team From Malaysia Wins the Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic Contest 2018

The long weekend here in Malaysia coincided with the The Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic Contest 2018 finals which was held at the KLCC Convention Centre last Sunday. The Malaysian team, which consisted of Low Pai Khoon, Yim Shao Ze and Alvin Tan Yong Jun, was crowned the Regional Champion of the Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest 2018. Team Thailand and team India were runner-up and second runner-up respectively. 

Upcoming Events: Velocity Motor Show 2018 at Desa ParkCity This Malaysia Day Weekend - 15-17 September 2018

The Velocity Motor Show 2018 will happen at the Plaza Arkadia Outdoor Carpark in Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur from 15 to 17 September, 10am to 10pm. Iti is this Malaysia day weekend by the way, so if you are not on holiday or want to go to a automotive related event, here is something for you to go to.

Peugeot Malaysia Announces Latest Prices Reflecting the SST Implementation - Slight Drop in Prices For The French Brand Too

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the authorised distributors of Peugeot cars in Malaysia, has announced the latest prices for the Peugeot range of cars officially sold in Malaysia. This follos the Government of Malaysia’s announcement on the Sales and Service Tax (SST) implementation effective from 1st September 2018. The new prices reflect the 10% sales tax applicable for motor vehicles aside from other excise duties already payable. 

TEST DRIVE: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C350 e Plug-in Hybrid - The Ultimate Compact Luxury Sedan... For Now

Two years ago, or thereabouts, I had the chance to try out the then newly launched in Malaysia W205 Series Mecedes-Benz C-Class in its C300 AMG Line and C180 Avantgarde forms. It was a very memorable introduction to the new C-Class at the time and, to say the least, I was impressed with the two cars. The W205 C-Class first appeared in 2015 and you could say that things have moved on since then. With this review of the 2018 W205 Mercedes-Benz C350 e Plug in Hybrid, AND, another article on the 2018 C200 which will be written after this one gets published, I shall let you folks out there know what I think of this year’s crop of C-Class.

PROTON Previews Their Latest Car - The Proton X70 SUV - Bookings Start From The 8th September 2018 Onwards - Price? Not Announced For The Moment

I was one of the many Malaysian media who were invited to take a look a the upcoming Proton X70 SUV. Yes, the Geely Boyue in its Proton form has been officially previewed by PROTON without any camouflage for the first time to a group of people and they have also chosen X70 as its name. It is also Proton's first SUV ever.

[Update - PROTON has launched the X70 - Details are here and prices start at RM99,800 onwards.]

Volvo Car Malaysia Announces New Prices Following Re-introduction of SST

I am keeping this short and sweet. Following the re-introduction of the Sales & Services Tax (SST) by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia starting 1 September 2018, Volvo Car Malaysia have released their updated price list of its model range.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia announces new SST pricelists & Product Upgrades - Namely the GLC 200, GLC 250 and New Night Edition Variants for the GLA 200 & CLA 200

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had earlier today announced effective September 1, 2018, prices of all Mercedes-Benz premium automobiles are adjusted according to the government’s enactment of SST. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also states that the company is committed to continue providing its premium range of products and services at the best value, putting their customers at the centre of their activities.

BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Has Been Launched in Malaysia - 630i GT Variant, CKD at an Estimated Price of RM450,000

BMW Malaysia unveiled the First-Ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo here in Kuala Lumpur earlier today. The 6 Series GT, as it is called, replaces the previous BMW 5 Series GT and is essentially the second generation of what is the BMW Gran Turismo range of fastback luxury cars. Here, we will get one variant, the BMW 630i GT. The other surprise revealed today is that the 630i GT will be locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah like its other 3,5 and 7 Series brethren. This basically adds another very premium BMW to the CKD line-up. 

The Daihastu Gran Max Panel Van with Automatic Transmission is Officially on Sale in Malaysia

Daihatsu Malaysia has officially launched the New Gran Max Panel Van (AT) as we have written about earlier. The new panel van  is the first automatic transmission small commercial van to be sold here and it is specially designed to accommodate the requirements of mobile SME businesses (business ‘on-wheel’) that is blooming in the country as well as other corporations and government agencies. So everyone can basically drive it easily as these days, there are many who cannot drive a manual. Times have changed.

The Perodua Alza Gets A Facelift & More Equipment - Three Variants with Prices Starting from RM51,490 Onwards

The Perodua Alza compact MPV has just been facelifted. The nation’s most popular and most affordable seven-seater Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) has been updated for 2018 and beyond with slightly different looks in line with the current Perodua styling and new equipment inside. This is the second time Perodua has facelifted and improved the Alza though.

Hino Ultimate Drive 2018 - Hino's and Possibly The First Ever Light Truck Driver's Skill Contest Held in Malaysia

Today marked a special milestone in terms of the commercial vehicle industry here in Malaysia. Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM) have organised the HINO ULTIMATE DRIVE 2018 Competition for Light Commercial Vehicle Drivers. This first ever event for LCV drivers was held at the Hino Total Support Customer Center (HSTCC) in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. 

SST Prices for BMW Cars, Motorrad & MINI in Malaysia Have Been Released - CKD Prices Mostly Goes Down with CBU Prices Mostly Up

BMW Group Malaysia have released prices for BMW Malaysia cars, BMW Motorrad (motorcycles) and MINI Malaysia. 

The Proton 1-Tank Adventure Finals - Heck of an Adventure and Our Findings - One of Them Was That The Proton Persona Actually Saves Fuel

The Grand Final of the PROTON 1-Tank Adventure  happened over the weekend of 11-12 August 2018. The economical driving competition took contestants from Kulai, Johor all the way to Juru in the state of Penang. What happened was that everyone really wanted to prove that they could do 700km and more on a single tank in a Proton Saga, Iriz or Persona and it was a fantastic, incredible, tiring, scary, intimidating and an unbelievable experience. 

New Prices for Volkswagen Cars With the New SST Tax Structure Announced - Lower Prices for CKD Cars, Slightly Up for CBU ....

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) have announced the revised prices of all Volkswagen models under the Sales and Service Tax (SST) structure which came into effect on the 1 st of September 2018. It would seem that the new prices of Volkswagen cars are now lower than previous prices with 6% GST if you want a locally assembled (CKD) Volkswagen. Prices for fully imported (CBU) models are slightly higher.

Perodua Slashes Prices by 1-3% With the Reintroduction of the SST...What? How???

Perodua has released their latest car prices in line with the government’s reintroduction of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) effective 1 September 2018. The very surprising thing is that the new prices for all its models have actually been reduced by between 1-3% (for selected models) compared with Goods and Services Tax (GST)-era pricing. This actually bucks the rumours that prices should go up after SST gets reimplemented. Surprising indeed.

Happenings: Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion Concludes its 10th Anniversary Extravaganza with a Customer Winning a Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the authorised distributor of Ford in Malaysia recently concluded its 10th Anniversary Extravaganza where a customer drove away a brand new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport.  Mr. Logeshwaran A/L Balasubramaniam from Pahang was handed the keys to the car at a recent prize giving ceremony.

Happenings: Renault ‘Buy & Win’ Contest Ends With A Renault Twizy Fully Electric Car Handed Over to the Winner

The Renault 'Buy & Win' Contest which was held from January to June 2018 had found the grand prize winner. TCEC, the sole franchise holder for Renault vehicles in Malaysia, recently handed over the Grand Prize of a Renault Twizy 100% electric vehicle to Mr Lam Ming Wei, the winner of the Renault ‘Buy & Win’ contest.

Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest 2018 Malaysian Leg Concludes

The Malaysian leg of the Castrol Asia Pacific Cars Super Mechanic contest 2018 recently concluded on the 24th of August 2018. This was basically after months of intense battle and it finally ended when the Northern Region team who participated were named the Malaysian Grand Champions in the Castrol organised competition. 

Scania Sees Potential In Sarawak - Delivers More Vehicles to Customers Over There

Scania Malaysia recently stated that they is growth potential for the company over in Sarawak due to various factors including better road network over there. In preparation for this, Scania is ensuring that it has the services and support in place for its customers and future customers in Sarawak while ensuring that drivers there are trained to achieve the best fuel economy, safety and performance.