How a Perodua Axia can sell for RM231,000 over in Singapore.

So the latest thing to go viral is the story about how the Perodua Axia, in RM41,000 specification is sold for RM231,000 or SGD 75,000 in our good old neighbouring Singapore. 

Firstly - it's actually abit lesser now. By a measly two thousand Ringgit due to the current exchange rate of SGD 1 = 3.0578 MYR. But who the heck cares. It does cost RM230,000 due to the weak as hell Ringgit. 

industry news: Volkswagen Group's delivers close to ten million units for 2015

The Volkswagen Group handed over 9.93 million vehicles to customers worldwide in 2015. This is still impressive particularly in view of the continued challenging market situation in some regions as well as that diesel fiasco in the final quarter of 2015. Note that in 2014 the group sold over 10.1 million vehicles. 

ANG-POWS, GOODIES WORTH OVER RM15,000 AND AN ULTIMATE AFTERSALES PACKAGE ON THE RENAULT FLUENCE FOR THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR

TC Euro Cars, who sell Renault cars in Malaysia has started the ‘Usher in the New Year with 5 Prosperity Blessings’ sales campaign on the Renault Fluence. The salecampaign highlights the ‘5inFluence’ aftersales and maintenance package, which offers best-in-class aftersales deals (I don't think I've actually seen any other car company in Malaysia including as much actually). This package deal is available for all Fluence variants (actually two - the Fluence Expression and the Fluence Dynamique) sold in Malaysia, the worry-free ‘5inFluence’ package includes:

2015 is a Record Year for Ford in Malaysia

Ford today announced 2015 retail sales in Malaysia of 12,130 units, driven by an all-time record year for the Ford Ranger pickup.Ford finished the year strong as December sales rose seven percent from the previous month to 889 units. The class-defining Ranger remained Ford’s best-selling vehicle in Malaysia, and the country’s second-best-selling pickup truck overall in 2015, with full-year sales rising seven percent year-over-year to 9,231 units.

Genesis G90 - Hyundai's latest, and greatest flagship

Hyundai has unveiled the Genesis G90. This big boy is Hyundai's luxury flagship that is sold under the separate Genesis brand. The G90 will be competing at the top of the premium luxury car segment with the likes of the BMW 7 Series, the Mercedes Benz S-Class and the Lexus LS400. 

Test Drive: 2015 Renault Fluence Dynamique

Sometime during the end of December 2015 I was handed the key to a Renault Fluence Dynamique. I wasn't really sure it was a key as it basically looked like a fat credit card or one of Victorinox's SwissCard that had a knife, magnifier, toothpick and some other stuff. But it actually was the key as it had buttons on it and you could slot it into the center console of the Renault Fluence and start it up. With a press of a start-stop button. This is a good thing because this was the flattest key I have ever seen and it would fit in my card holder or in my pocket and not make the pocket bulge. Keys should be like this (see the pic below).

Spotted for Sale: 2003 Toyota Alphard 3.0 (A) MZG - The affordable truck/bus/van/window van for you

Last Saturday I had afternoon teh tarik with my friend Zairul. We had just gone around test driving one of the cars I had managed to procure for the weekend. So whilst we were discussing the merits of the car of the week we of course sidetracked to various other motor vehicle discussion and debate. As you know, people carriers are actually good for one thing only. People carrying. 

So the other day a colleague of him drove to work a Toyota Alphard. It belonged to the guy's brother and he had to pick it up as the owner had to be elsewhere. It was a 3.0liter Toyota Alphard and was fully loaded with all sorts of creature comforts. Now when he first entered the barge of a Toyota, my friend Zairul thought that the barn was a 5 year old Alphard as it looked immaculate. It wasn't. It was a 2004 model and therefore one of the first that was imported (by some local AP dealer) into Malaysia. The colleague's brother bought the moving bungalow for RM70,000. 

Truck News: Daimler Trucks sells more than 500,000 units in 2015

BharatBenz, FUSO, Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner (from the left to the right): With its truck brands, Daimler Trucks is present on all continents.

We're hearing more record sales worldwide for most manufacturers, especially the Daimler group (which includes Mercedes Benz). Their truck division had sold over half a million units in 2015 and even in a difficult economic condition. 

The newest Mercedes Benz E-Class has been previewed

E400 AMG

Mercedes Benz has just released complete details of the new tenth generation E-Class premium sedan (Codename W213). Ten generations of mid-sized business class sedans. Has it been that long? I suppose it has since Mercedes Benz is actually the oldest producer of horseless carriages around and these mid-sized sedans have been the staple for most in the corporate world and an aspirational car for some. 

E400 4MATIC AMG

So what does the latest E-Class offer then?

Supercar News: McLaren delivers more than 1,650 cars in 2015, another record year in sales for them

McLaren Automotive, the British producer of luxury sports and supercars, ended 2015 with another record year. A total of 1,654 cars were delivered to customers across 30 markets.  The global demand for the range of McLaren Automotive cars, especially the recently-launched Sports Series, has driven the need for a second shift at the world-class McLaren Production Centre and the immediate recruitment of 250 skilled production team members. 

Hyundai previews the Hyundai IONIQ next generation hybrid and electric vehicles

Hyundai had recently revealed to the media details of their IONIQ next generation hybrid/electric vehicles. The full Hyundai IONIQ range will feature a choice of electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains, which according to Hyundai is a world first for a single model. At the unveiling in Soouth Korea, details were shared for the first version to come to market – the IONIQ hybrid.

PROTON Edar is carrying out its Chinese New Year promotion for after sales services packages.

Proton have announced their SAFETY PROMOTION for after sales service packages at all their service centers in anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year Festive celebrations. This includes a FREE 30 point Inspection at all their authorised service centers, 20% off on selected spare parts for all Proton cars and special fixed price service package for out of warranty cars.

The promotion is ongoing and will run to 31st March 2016.

PRESS RELEASE

Record Sales Figures for Mercedes Benz in 2015

It has been a very, very, very good 2015 for Mercedes Benz Malaysia. The brand with the three pointed star delivered a total of 10,845 units to its customers. This is 56% up from 2014 (6,932 units) making 2015 an extremely memorable year for Mercedes Benz here in Malaysia. 

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia delivers 10,845 units to customers in 2015. (from left) Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner, and Vice President, Sales and Marketing Passenger Cars, Mark Raine, with the S400 Hybrid.

Renault will maintain its prices for 2016 here in Malaysia & a bit on the Renault Fluence

Renault in Malaysia will still be sold at the same prices for 2016. This is what TC Euro Cars, distributors for Renault in Malaysia have announced. Whilst you may have read other car manufacturers announcing price increases, Renault are staying firm with its current prices. 

 Renault price list for 2016 is as follows:

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia launches 2016 Range Rover Evoque facelift

Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JLRM) has launched the facelifted enhanced 2016 version of its best-selling model, the Range Rover Evoque. To date, JLRM has sold over 1,600 units of the Evoque since its local launch at the end of 2011. And this year, the Evoque now comes with more new features, which also tell us that Jaguar Land Rover does continuous improvements towards their products. This keeps them fresh and it also keeps people like me excited to continue writing about them.

For the model year 2016, Range Rover Evoque’s cutting-edge exterior gets updates which include a new front bumper and grille design, Xenon headlamp with new LED signature daytime running lights (DRLs), rear lamps with signature DRLs that match the front, fog lamps, and tailgate spoiler with discreetly integrated third brake lights that emit even light distribution.

Spotted for Sale: Volks Royce aka Old Beetle with a Huge Grille

Sometime in the late 1970s I remembered reading about a Rolls Royce front grille grafted on a Volkswagen Beetle (the Original, not the New Beetle). It was dubbed the Volks Royce. This was before the early 2000s when Volkswagen did actually own Rolls Royce and Bentley for a short while before the Rolls Royce name reverted to current owners BMW. Now I was about seven or so years old then. Things like this would impress me.

Volkswagen Malaysia Kicks Off 2016 with Overtrade Programme

It's that time of the year again. How can it be that time of the year when the year just started you may ask? Well, continuing from the end of last year, there are discounts given by car companies to entice people into parting with their money and buy cars. Since the Chinese New Year is now just around the corner and some may like to travel around in a brand new car during that celebration period the offers continue. Here we have Volkswagen Malaysia telling us what they have in store for vehicle owners out there.

Do read the press release below as details are all in there and it isn't one of those lengthy ones that may actually put you to sleep....

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet's year end ‘Manchester United for Life’ contest and promo is a hit

Malaysians visited Chevrolet showrooms nationwide at the end of 2015, to take advantage of the Chevrolet year-end promotion that offered cash rebates of up to RM20,000 and a chance to win an all-expense trip for two to watch the Manchester United vs. Chelsea game at Old Trafford’s on December 29, 2015.

The ‘Manchester United for Life’ spend and win contest provided Malaysians the chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime trip and someone won. Obviously. 

News: Volkswagen Malaysia’s Master Technician Award Certification

Volkswagen Malaysia recently concluded their After Sales Training where a total of 15 technicians were given the certification of Master Technicians along with 22 other Diagnostic Competence Technicians.

Volkswagen Malaysia has an extensive internal Service Qualification Training which is divided into three categories - non-technical, technical and parts. The syllabus which is obtained from Germany is used to ensure global training standards for all under the Volkswagen networks to ensure consistency of quality in maintenance and repair.

Industry News: Toyota Adopts Ford's SmartDeviceLink Software; Other Automakers, Suppliers Join to Accelerate Industry Standard

Some manufacturer collaboration news. Toyota Motor Corporation is adopting SmartDeviceLink, Ford’s open-source smartphone app interface software. Aside from this major tie-up,  automotive suppliers QNX Software Systems and UIEvolution are also adopting the technology, with plans to integrate it into their products. 

Firdaus Asri's POV - The Mercedes-AMG A45 - A Mercedes Benz made for non-Mercedes enthusiasts

pic source: Wiki

Happy 2016 folks - Let's start the ball rolling with Firdaus Asri telling us what he thinks of the most powerful hot hatch sold in Malaysia today, the Mercedes-AMG A45

The Short Fling with the Mercedes-AMG A45

TEST DRIVE: 2015 Volkswagen Golf R - Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

What do you do when you are handed the key to a Volkswagen Golf R? You head straight for the nearest B road of course. Within half an hour I was already on Jalan Gombak, headed towards Genting Sempah and beyond. I think if you had the time any of you would do the same thing if you had a R with you.

Info on The New Ford Ranger's NVH

Ford is busily promoting the new Ford Ranger. This time I've received a press release of the Ranger's NVH statistics that would make interesting reading and viewing ...on your tablet or smartphone that you are looking at whilst waiting for something to be done like baking a cake, waiting for a connecting flight or sitting in the lavatory or just waiting for somebody to arrive. 

NEWS: NEW RENAULT SHOWROOM OPENS IN SEREMBAN

TC Euro Cars, the sole franchise holder for Renault cars in Malaysia, announced the official opening of a new Renault dealer showroom in Seremban. AJ Premium Motors is the dealer that operates this showroom which is strategically located in a new township in Seremban along Jalan Era Square 2, Era Square.

Spotted For Sale: 2004 Nissan March IMPUL 112S

I am (trying to be) back to publishing regular original posts after a short holiday and after watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens a couple of times. So let's start with an interesting car spotted for sale - A 2004 Nissan March IMPUL 112S.

News: SHELL HELIX TRADE PARTNERS ENJOY UNIQUE BMW MOTORSPORT DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN MUNICH

Shell Malaysia had sent a total of eighteen top performing workshop owners from different regions across the country to this money-cannot-buy experience with BMW. They were given the opportunity to drive the latest BMW models under the tutelage of expert drivers from BMW Motorsport in Munich, Germany

MMU students participate in Ford's Driving Skills for Life programme

Recently a group of students from the Malaysian Multimedia University (MMU) was given the chance to participate in Ford's half day Driving Skills for Life programme. This half day, free of charge programme is aimed at raising awareness of safe driving and if actually beneficial for newly licensed drivers like these university students from MMU. 

News: Shell in Sabah aims to raise up to RM40,000 towards building a schoolgirl's hostel at Tamparuli, Sabah

Shell employees and retailers, led by Ariff Shahbudin, Retail District Manager-Sabah, Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd. (Centre), with representatives from Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu South

Shell Timur Sdn Bhd with retailers aims to raise up to RM40,000 towards building a schoolgirl's hostel in Kg Bantayan, Tamparuli, Sabah. For this cause, Shell Retailers in Sabah will contribute 1 cent for every 1 litre fuel pumped at any Shell station in Sabah and Labuan on 21st December 2015. If you need to pump fuel on that day in Sabah, make sure it is at a Shell station.

Industry News: Hyundai Motor’s Genesis and Tucson Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards

Hyundai Genesis premium sedan and the Hyundai Tucson SUV have won the 2016 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards over in the U.S. of A. 

The Shell V-Power LEGO Collection - Bringing families and people together

The year end school holidays is the longest of all the school holidays here in Malaysia. Most Malaysian parents would be either looking forward to this period or actually dreading the fact that they now have their hands full trying to keep their children busy with things to do or places to see. Or the usual family holiday of course. But I would have to say that this time around parents have a little bit of help from Shell with the Shell V-power LEGO collection.

New contest by Caltex: Win Up to RM10,000 of Free Fuel at Caltex

Heads up people. There is now a chance to win some fuel at Caltex stations nationwide. The Caltex ‘Big Fuel Giveaway’ kicked off on 1 December, 2015 and will take place over a period of 3 months before ending on 29 February, 2016. Throughout the promotion period, customers stand a chance to win one of the following great prizes i.e. RM90,000 worth of free fuel, RM150,000 of cash prizes, RM27,000 of StarCash and nine (9) Samsung Galaxy Note 5s. 

Firdaus Asri's POV: Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R - Best Hot Hatch ever?

Most of you folks out there know that here at motoring-malaysia we have a whole lot of original posts that you can never find on other Malaysian automotive websites. This time we get Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 owner Firdaus Asri to tell you what he thinks of the latest Golf R Mk7 as I had arranged for him to bring out his Mk6 R to tango with the Mk7 R. 

Now according to him, the BEST HOT HATCH ever, is the Mk7 Golf R. 

Firdaus. I told you, you bought the wrong R! 

VW Mk7 Golf R - The best hot hatch ever? I can't think of a better one. By Firdaus Asri 

Ford Ranger keeps Ford sales up in November

The Ford Ranger is really making Ford's sales in Malaysia soar. Out of 830 units of retail sales in November, 707 units from this is the Ranger XLT and also the 3.2liter Ranger WildTrak. The Ranger is indeed a fabulous pick-up as I had the opportunity to test drive one a sometime ago (not this latest facelifted one but that was actually competent enough for most of us). 

MOTORSPORTS: RENAULT ANNOUNCES RETURN TO FORMULA 1 IN 2016

And suddenly....Renault have decided to return to Formula 1 in 2016. This is always the case with manufacturers and F1. It is like a love-hate relationship. Maybe it is the accountants that somehow convinces the CEO or the Board that they are spending too much money. Then suddenly the CEO or the Board says that the brand has not enough exposure or that F1 gives good publicity. 

So the saga continues...Renault. Formula 1. 2016.

The 375th and final example of the McLaren P1 Hypercar produced

I don't know whether it is applicable to say the phrase 'All good things come to an end' in the case of the completion of all 375 units of the McLaren P1 hypercar. Whatever it is, the P1 is monumental and has its place etched in super sports car history. 

Volkswagen Golf R is 2015 ASEAN Driver's Car of the Year!

The Volkswagen Golf R has been awarded the "Driver's Car of the Year" at the 2015 ASEAN Car of the Year (ACOTY) awards yesterday. This is the first ACOTY Awards and it  is an automotive industry award programme formed exclusively to reward outstanding vehicles in the ASEAN region and is honored by a non-profit community of motoring journalist from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia as well as industry experts from the ASEAN region. 

Industry News: Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion Kick Off Their Second World Cup Sales Competition

Sometimes, you have got to motivate your employees in a big way in order for customers to ultimately benefit. Ford, together with Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), Ford Motor Company’s distribution partner in Malaysia, recently held its second annual World Cup Sales Competition. This is a training program for Ford sales personnel, and not soccer.

PROTON MAY RAISE PRICES OF ITS CARS IN 2016 DUE TO WEAK RINGGIT

Proton may increase the prices of its cars by January 2016 due to the weakening Ringgit. Now whilst Proton has up to 90% local content for most of its cars, most of the raw material is still imported. Anything made out of steel and aluminium has its raw material imported in as Malaysia does not have enough of these resources locally. So even Proton is affected by the underperforming Ringgit.   

PRESS RELEASE

PROTON REEVALUATES ITS PRICING STRUCTURE FOR 2016