Six New BMW i Charging Facilities Now in Place at the Bangsar Shopping Centre

BMW Group Malaysia heads into 2019 as the leading e-mobility provider in Malaysia by unveiling six New BMW i Charging Facilities at Bangsar Shopping Centre here in Kuala Lumpur. With a majority of BMW Plug-in Hybrid vehicles located in the greater Klang Valley, the addition of new charging stations is much welcomed. Especially since over 7,500 Plug-in Hybrid BMW and MINI cars were sold in 2018. The new charging stations add to the other i Charging stations located throughout Peninsula Malaysia.

The New Mitsubishi Triton Launched in Malaysia - Prices Start at RM100,200 onwards with 5 Variants Offered.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has officially launched the new fifth generation 2019 Mitsubishi Triton today. The new Triton is priced from RM100,200 onwards and available with a choice of five variants and four colours. There is also a new 6 speed automatic transmission and a new 2.4liter MIVEC aluminium block turbodiesel engine as well as a raft of Active Safety Features.

Hino Launches The New 700 Series, SR1E 6x2 Prime Mover with Lift-able 3rd Axle

Hino Motors Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSM) recently launched latest model of their HINO 700 series - the Hino SR1EKRG (SR1E) 6x2 Prime Mover. This new truck is a complete heavy-duty Prime Mover and it is specially designed for the logistics and distribution industry. This is the Japanese company's latest solution to the increasing demands for sustainable and cost-effective means of road transportation. 

Perodua - 227,243 units in 2018! Now Aims to Sell 231,000 units by end-2019

Perodua achieved another record selling year for 2018. The Malaysian compact car maker recorded its best-ever sales performance of selling 227,243 units in 2018 and it now aims to better that figure by 1.7% to 231,000 units by end-2019. Amazing numbers considering the total industry volume is about 598,000 plus units or there abouts. This means that about 1 out of 3 newly registered cars is a Perodua. 

BMW Authorised Dealers Now Offering BMW Engine Oil Service Packages on Lazada

BMW engine oil service packages can now be bought via Lazada, one of Malaysia's most well known E-commerce platforms. BMW Authorised Dealers are now offering the BMW Engine Oil Service Packages online, to provide customers with easier access to Original BMW Engine Oil and Service as part of the initiative to further enhance the BMW premium ownership experience. In the day and age where everything can be bought at a click of a mouse or the touch of a smartphone screen, this makes perfect sense.

The Toyota C-HR Receives Upgrades for 2019

The Malaysian variant of the popular Toyota C-HR has been slightly upgraded for 2019. As it enters its second year in the Malaysian market, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd is now offering the fashion forward looking C-HR with some cosmetic updates as well as adding an optional TRD bodykit (Aerokit) for customers to choose. 

Two Videos on the New Proton X70 Premium's Active Safety Features

We were in Langkawi the other day to test drive the new Proton x 70 Premium variant. Proton's first ever SUV, in fully specified Premium form, is fully packed with Active Safety Features. We tried out the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and 360 Camera systems. All are part of what Proton calls the ADAS, or Advanced Driver Assistance System.

Scania Malaysia Opens New Workshop in Sandakan, Sabah

Scania Malaysia has officially opened their new workshop in Sandakan, Sabah. With this new workshop, they will be able to cater to their customers in the Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau areas and offer them more peace of mind in terms of servicing. This latest addition towards Scania's sales & service network in Malaysia  will provide the best services for safety, fuel economy, uptime and environmentally friendly solutions for truck, bus and coach operators. 

All New Toyota Vios Officially Launched - First Model to be Produced at Toyota's New Plant in Bukit Raja

The All-New Toyota Vios has been launched here in Malaysia. This fourth generation model was first previewed here at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 at the end of last year and now, it has been officially launched with delivery of the new car to their respective new owners already started as well. The 2019 Toyota Vios will come in three variants (all in a 7 speed CVT gearbox), with prices starting at RM77,200 onwards (a price list is at the end of this article).

New Prices for Certain BMW Models in Malaysia Announced and Chinese New Year 2019 Offers - CNY@BMW

CNY@BMW offers and promos are ongoing. BMW Malaysia is offering Chinese New Year  deals with attractive promotions, rebates and competitive financing solutions starting from 0.88% across a wide range of BMW models, at all authorised BMW dealerships. Aside from that, they have also announced the latest prices for the BMW 318i Luxury, the BMW 530i M Sport, the BMW 630i GT and the BMW X1 sDrive 20i Sport (which also sport a new alloy wheel design).

BMW 330e & X5 xDrive40e M Performance Editions Launched for Malaysia - Limited to 300 Units Each

BMW Malaysia has unveiled two limited production models - the BMW 330e M Performance Edition and BMW X5 xDrive40e M Performance Edition. These limited to 300 units each BMW automobiles are kitted out with BMW M Performance Accessories so that BMW motorsports and driving enthusiasts can add more to their ultimate driving pleasure. The BMW 330e M Performance Edition is offered at RM 258,800.00 while the BMW X5 xDrive40e M Performance Edition is RM 390,800.00. Both are on the road prices without insurance.

HINO Malaysia Special: An Overview of the HINO Trucks Range in Malaysia (HINO 300/500/700 Series) & The Importance of Driver Awareness, Knowledge & Training for Road Safety

The world of transport is ever evolving. These days, there is a heavier emphasis on sustainable business practices as people, governments and companies realise the importance of being responsible to the world we live in. This shows in almost every aspect of our lives, including road transportation. As a company that has been around for over 76 years and one that is part of the Toyota Group, Hino Motors understands the need to be more socially responsible, therefore they have been investing to make their trucks safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly by keeping up with current regulations and beyond.

‘Capture More with Renault’ Campaign Offers Renault Malaysia Customers a Chance to Win Up to RM8,888 in Cash

The ‘Capture More with Renault’ campaign in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year offers Renault customers a chance to win up to RM8,888 in cash. This is aside from MORE great deals and MORE peace-of-mind in conjunction with the 2019 Chinese New Year festivities.

Mazda Malaysia Now Offers 5 years Free Maintenance to go with their 5 years Warranty - It Used to be 3 Years.

The authorised distributors of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor, has announced that brand new Mazda vehicles sold through official channels which have been registered from January 1, 2019 onwards will have 5-Years Manufacturer Warranty + 5 Years Free Maintenance (or 100,000km whichever comes first). The Free Maintenance period for Mazda vehicles sold in Malaysia by Bermaz was previously 3-Years or 60,000km Free Maintenance. This is quite a sweet deal from one of the better Japanese car brands out there.

Volkswagen Alor Setar is Now a 4S Centre with addition of Body & Paint workshop

Volkswagen Alor Setar, which is operated by Lee Motors Autohaus Sdn Bhd recently announced that they have upgraded their dealership from a 3S centre to a 4S centre with the addition of a Body & Paint facility. With this upgrade, there are now a total of 10 Volkswagen 4S centres in Malaysia, making sales and service for the European brand a little more comprehensive than before.

Service Fix / Recall For The Proton Perdana - Takata Airbag Strikes Again

Malaysia car manufacturer PROTON has announced a service fix to replace the passenger airbag inflator for all current generation Proton Perdana models. This is in line with the recall announced by Honda Motor Company regarding the passenger airbag inflator on the Honda Accord of which the Perdana is based on. This precautionary measure affects cars built from 2012 to the end of August 2018 and PROTON will be sending out notices regarding this issue to affected owners. Dammit Takata! You're still causing so much problems to this day!

BMW Group Malaysia Announced That They Had Delivered 14, 338 Units of BMW, MINI & BMW Motorrad in 2018, Another Record Year of Sales

BMW Group Malaysia had recently announced that it had achieved its eighth consecutive year of record sales with a total of 14,338 units of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles delivered for 2018. Quite an achievement and as always, they have been pretty silent whilst going about achieving this figures. This achievement marked a segment leading growth of 13% as compared to 2017 (12,681). Of course, one has to note that this is in three premium car (MINI being a separate brand) and motorcycle segments.

CYCLE & CARRIAGE LAUNCHES MERCEDES-BENZ MOBILE SHOWROOM, STAR GALLERIA - In Conjunction with Their 120th Anniversary

In conjunction with Cycle & Carriage’s 120^th anniversary celebrations in 2019, the Star Galleria has been launched by long time Mercedes-Benz dealer, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad. The Star Galleria is a mobile showroom which will visit multiple locations across Malaysia throughout 2019 to showcase the Best Products and Best Customer Experience, and ultimately an overall exceptional journey with Mercedes-Benz and Cycle & Carriage.

All-New 2019 Toyota Vios Test Drive & Review - First Drive to Desaru and Back in the Vios 1.5 G Spec

We were invited by UMW Toyota for a short trip to Desaru, Johor to try out the all-new 2019 Toyota Vios. This is the fourth generation Toyota Vios and according to Toyota, it is almost all new with only a small percentage of carry over parts in terms of its overall platform and styling. The Vios you see here is also sold as a Yaris ATIV in certain markets. Quite confusing but no need to get worked up over it. We all tried out the Vios 1.5 G spec to see how well it performed and we made a video review about it as you can see below.

Modenas brings Malaysia’s first-ever Motorcycle Reality Show - The Pulsar Dareventure reality show Featuring the Modenas Pulsar NS200

 Mr Amiruddin Abd Kadir, Chief Executive Officer of Modenas; along with Kiki Joule (Nurul Alis Aidil Akhbar) host of the Malaysia Pulsar Dareventure; and Mr Anurag Sharma, National Sales Manager ofBajaj Auto Limited during the launch of Pulsar Dareventure Malaysia.

Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer Modenas has produced Malaysia’s first-ever South East Asian edition of the Pulsar Dareventure  internet based reality show. The Pulsar Dareventure motorcycle reality show, was first envisioned by Modenas' manufacturing partners, Bajaj, in 2014. It was first shown in Nepal, Peru, to Sri Lanka and showcased the Bajaj / Modenas Pulsar motorcycle. Here, the Modenas Pulsar NS200 is the bike in question.

Video: Perodua Aruz Advance First Look at the Aruz Official Launch

Here is a video on the newly launched 2019 Perodua Aruz, the Malaysian compact car manufacturer's first 7 seater SUV. To date, the Aruz has garnered over 2,000 bookings prior to the launch and it looks like it will be one of the more popular people carriers under the RM100,000 price range. Coming in at way under that price at RM72,900 and RM77,900 for the Aruz X and the Aruz Advance respectively, it is an affordable people carrier with SUV style looks and construction. 

Perodua Launches the Aruz 7 Seater SUV - RM72,900 Onwards

The Perodua Aruz has been launched. This 7 seater SUV offers tremendous value for your Ringgit as it is priced at Rm72,900 and Rm77,900 on the road before insurance (Peninsula Malaysia) for two variants, the Aruz 1.5 X and 1.5 Advance respectively.

Second Group of Proton Vendors Ink Agreements with Overseas Vendors - Meanwhile Over 2,000 Proton X70 SUVs Already Delivered in Malaysia

Earlier today, a group of Proton vendors entered into collaboration agreements during a ceremony held at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC). This is the second group of Proton vendors who have done so and like the first group of vendors, the agreements range in scope from technical agreements and joint ventures to 100% foreign direct investments by the overseas vendors into Malaysia. The new joint ventures is estimated tov bring an initial investment of RM47 million into country with the amount set to multiply over the years in tandem with increases in PROTON'S production volume. All of these collaborations will benefit the local production of the recently launched Proton X70 SUV. Some details of its delivery status is down below.

Motorcycles: BMW Motorrad Malaysia Announces 3 Year Warranty and Roadside Assistance Programs & Announces Revised Pricing for its Models

 BMW G310R

BMW Motorrad Malaysia has marked 2019 by introduced two new programs for the after sales of BMW Motorrad models registered from 1st January 2019 onwards – The BMW Motorrad 3-Year Warranty and Roadside Assistance Programs. They have also announced revised pricing for all of their BMW Motorrad, or Motorcycles in line with the latest excise duties as well as model line-up.

Cycle & Carriage Celebrates 120th Anniversary with the 120 Exceptional Journeys Campaign for their Customers

Cycle & Carriage has been a leading regional automotive group here in Southeast Asia. The group currently are dealers for 10 brands which operate in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. Here, they are quite synonymous as being a prominent chain of Mercedes-Benz dealerships. This year, the long established automotive dealership is celebrating its 120th anniversary and  is launching a new brand promise called ‘Exceptional Journeys’ with the 120 Exceptional Journeys contest where 120 customers from Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore get a chance to win a trip to Mongolia, Nepal or Korea. 

HINO Malaysia Hands Over School Bus to The Community Chest NGO for the Use of SJK (T) Kangar, Perlis / All Hino Vehicles Sold By Hino Malaysia are B10 Biodiesel Compatible

Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM) held a small handing over ceremony where they handed over their Hino XZU720L1 Mini Bus complete with School Bus colours to The Community Chest (TCC), a non-government charitable organisation which purchased the mini bus as a donation for SJK (T) Kangar, Perlis. The ceremony was attended by administrators of The Community Chest, the Parent-Teacher's Association president of SJK (T) Kangar and senior members of HMSM.

Happenings: Volvo Trucks Malaysia Donates RM10,650 to MERCY Malaysia to Help Rebuild Palu

The 28th of September 2018 was a sad and unforgettable day for the residents of the City of Palu, Indonesia. The city on the island of Sulawesi was hit by a 5-metre-high tsunami shortly after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred 80 km north of the city. The earthquake killed 2,256 people, with over 1,549 injured. It was a tragedy which affected Palu and four other inhabited places. In an effort to aid the victims of the aftermath of the disaster, Volvo Trucks Malaysia has donated RM 10,650 to Mercy Malaysia, a humanitarian aid organisation that is dedicated to helping those in need of support in Palu.

Win a Trip of a Lifetime with Shell - A Holiday Package to Either Italy, New Zealand or South Korea Awaits You and the Partner of Your Choice!

The 'Win a Trip with Shell' Contest is currently ongoing from the 17th of December 2018 to 31st March 2019. This unique contest by Shell Malaysia will reward its participants on a weekly basis where one weekly winner and their person of choice will be rewarded with a holiday package to either Italy, New Zealand or South Korea. All one needs to do is  just need to spend a minimum of RM40 at Shell retail stations nationwide to be eligible to participate in the Win a Trip with Shell contest. To prove a point, Shell Malaysia just announced its first winner,  at the official launch of the contest yesterday.

Offers & Promos: Sime Darby Auto Connexion & Ford Malaysia Have Their Thaipusam and Chinese New Year 2019 Festive Promotions

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), who are the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, have recently announced their latest round of offers and promotions specially tailored for Ford owners in the upcoming Thaipusam and Chinese New Year festivities for 2019. This is aside from the usual sales offers as this is more for the current Ford owners who may need their vehicles in tip-top shape over the coming holidays

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's 2018 Performance Report - A Record 13,079 Vehicles Sold, Over 148,000 Serviced & RM2.7b Financed

Yesterday I had the privilege to attend the media briefing of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's (MBM) 2018 performance report. What we found out was that the Mercedes-Benz marque remains the No.1 luxury lifestyle brand here in Malaysia. The brand basically kept keeping things fresh with innovative mobility solutions, exciting products and engaging experiences. It all paid off, as for 2018, Mercedes-Benz delivered a record 13,079 units of Mercedes-Benz vehicles to its customers. This meant a 2.4% market share of the Malaysian Total Industry Volume (TIV). This, from a premium brand. Amazing.

First Proton X70 to suffer an Accident??? [Updated with another Pic]

What we have here could be the first Proton X70 to get into an accident. Sad but true. 

Volkswagen Malaysia is Having its 2019 Chinese New Year offers - Both for New Cars as well as Replacement Tyre and Battery Campaigns for Current Customers

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is having its 2019 Chinese New Year celebration by offering some extra value rebates on all of its current models with its upside down CNY campaign. There is this sales promotion for new Volkswagen cars as well as tyre deals and battery deals for current Volkswagen owners too. 

Photos of the 2019 Proton Iriz Facelift - Unverified but quite plausible

These two photos are making its way on my watsapp chat groups. They are presumed to be the facelift for the upcoming 2019 Proton Iriz facelift. I cannot verify or confirm its authenticity but it looks plausible and production ready. They seem to be showing the car exiting the rain/water proofing testing facility.

TEST DRIVE- First Impressions of the 2019 Perodua Aruz at the Perodua Test Track - Updated with Product Photographs & Launch Video Review ..

I was one of the few lucky motoring media who was invited to try out the 2019 Perodua Aruz prior to its announcement and teaser photos you see in this other article. The 7 seater SUV is production ready and we managed a go with it at the Perodua Test Track near Rawang, Selangor. No photographs were taken by any of us and they even gave us a locker each to store our camera taking gear. I felt naked without my smartphone. Finger also itchy without it. Anyway, just take a look at the Toyota Rush photos and imagine slightly different trim with a Perodua badge and logo instead. Here I have updated this article with product photographs as the Aruz has been launched.

Perodua Aruz Open For Booking - Seems like Super Value at RM72,200 Onwards!

It's been an extremely busy end of 2018 and early 2019 for me folks! First, there was the usual year end holidays to get through. I ended up in Phuket, Thailand for some R&R (if you follow Motoring Malaysia on YouTube and on our Facebook page, you know we've been quite active with a couple of posts). Then there was the first week of school to get through. I have a 14 year old daughter to deal with and I need some time to get things settled. Of course, Perodua had to deal with trigger happy dealers who leaked details of the new Perodua Aruz 7 Seater SUV until they had to announce details on it mid-last week! 

[Update - link to the test drive article is here - no photographs though..as it still hasn't been officially launched]

TEST DRIVE - First Impressions of the New 2019 Toyota Rush 1.5 S

Sometime during the 4th quarter of 2018 I had a chance to participate in a short media drive of the all-new 2019 Toyota Rush 7 Seater compact SUV. This happened during the recent preview of the car recently. Three of us motoring media folks shared a Rush and we drove from MAEPS in Serdang to Cyberjaya, Putrajaya and back. It was a short couple of hours but if you watched the video on YouTube, we did manage to try it out on the highways, city streets and also some dirt roads around the Cyberjaya/Putrajaya area. 

Daihatsu Malaysia Invests in a New One Stop 3S Centre in Ipoh for Their HINO Truck and Bus Sales & Servicing Needs

Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd or Daihatsu Malaysia has been quite busy in the commercial vehicle sector here. With its passenger vehicle investment here in Malaysia essentially run through its shareholding in Perodua, they have focused more on the commercial vehicle sector, concentrating on their small commercial vehicle - the Daihatsu Hijet and also as an authorised dealer for Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM). It recently  announced its new 3S Centre which comprises of Sales, Aftersales Service and Spare Parts, in Ipoh. As both are Toyota Group companies, this is the synergy they share.