ISUZU D-MAX Pickup now face lifted and refreshed & the special edition ISUZU MU-X Type S unveiled

Isuzu launched a facelifted Isuzu D-MAX pickup truck yesterday evening. The Japanese company who specialises in pickup trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles (they do this also) have made some exterior and interior changes to keep their pickup and SUV refreshed for the Malaysian market. This is about time as the D-MAX in its previous form was first launched in 2013. Three years is quite a long time in the ever evolving car industry.

Bosch launches all-new Clear Advantage Wiper - Flat Blade wiper and Bosch Rover roadshow in Peninsular Malaysia

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket recently announced the launch of its latest flat-blade wiper – the Bosch Clear Advantage. According to Bosch, this new flat-blade wiper  provides superior performance for Asian cars even in extreme weather conditions. Up to 200,000 wipe cycles. Or a heck of a lot of wipes.

PERODUA TWECKBOT Team in Taiping - Over 4,000 vehicles checked to date

The Perodua Tweckbot team is back in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations this year. This time around, the Tweckbot team held its free 50-point vehicle inspection for its customers in Taiping, Perak. The Tweckbot programme, which was introduced in 2011, was a first for Perodua whereby it engages its customers via social media to offer free safety inspections at specified time, date and location.

TEST DRIVE: Proton Persona 1.6 Premium SE - A Trip to Kuantan and Back

This is a long time coming. This review of the all-new Proton Persona 1.6 Premium SE CVT and a few more car that desperately needed to be written. But due to a slew of new car launches and other events it has had to wait a fair bit. Anyway, the good people at Proton had managed to squeeze me into the Proton Persona media drive from the Proton Center of Excellence (COE) to Kuantan and back. Again, this was an opportunity to get proper highway and B-road (trunk road) experience on this newly launched B segment car. 

Sunday Lite: SubaRUBBISH. Aka Proton Gen2.

You ain't fooling anyone, Proton Gen2.

PROTON OFFERS A PRICE REBATE FOR THE PROTON IRIZ SPECIALLY FOR RIDE-SHARING DRIVERS

Good news! A rebate of RM4000 will be provided for individuals who purchase the Proton Iriz as part of their plans to become ride-sharing drivers, like those GrabCar and Uber type services. This is in line with what was announced in the recent 2017 budget tabled recently. 

Leaked Pics of the Suzuki - Proton Ertiga Compact MPV

Funtastiko, that local spy photo website has struck again. This time they've found out that the closed Facebook page, Proton Ertiga Community has found some photographs of the upcoming joint venture MPV that Proton and Suzuki will be launching by the end of this year. 

Geely Launches LYNK & CO - Its New Global Car Brand

In some ways this is a surprise. Geely, that Chinese company which owns Volvo Car has now come up with another car brand that will go global. The brand is called LYNK & CO. I wonder if there are any other car companies that have the '& Co' and how are we going to call the car? Just 'Lynk' or do we need to call it 'LynkCo' or 'Lynk & Co'?

Limited Subaru Russ Swift Show Units For Sale at Promo Prices starting 21 October 2016 - Time to get your Scooby!

If you're interested in procuring a Subaru but need a little more incentive now's the time. Motor Image Malaysia, the authorised distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, will be selling limited show units including the Subaru Forester 2.0i-Premium,. These vehicles were previously used by international stunt driver Russ Swift during various Subaru roadshows. Motor Image Malaysia is offering these cars at a special promotional price commencing 21 October 2016.

Hyundai opens its fourth plant in China and launches a China only model - the Hyundai Verna Yuena

Hyundai Motor Company has opened its fourth manufacturing plant in China in the city of Cangzhou in north eastern China. The new plant, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company Cangzhou Branch, has an annual capacity of 300,000 units. Hyundai Motor Company aims to seize the initiative in China with its ‘New Plant, New Model and New Strategy’ approach. 

GOODYEAR MALAYSIA Launches the GOODYEAR WRANGLER TRIPLEMAX Mid-sized SUV Tyre

Goodyear today launched its latest high performance tire, the Goodyear Wrangler TripleMax, in Malaysia. The tyre is meant for mid-size SUVs and is designed to deliver Superior Braking Performance, Shorter Wet Braking and Road Hazard Resistant features. The TripleMax basically offers a safer and fun driving experience even when one is with the family. Especially when one is with the family.

NAZA QUEST LAUNCHES THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET COLORADO FOR THE MALAYSIAN MARKET

Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor and importer of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the All-New Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. Variants made available are the Colorado 2.5L Standard LT Manual, 2.5L LT Automatic, 2.5L Standard LTZ Automatic, the 2.8L Standard LTZ automatic and the range topping 2.8L High Country automatic. This marks a thorough revision of the current generation Colorado pickup truck. First launched globally in 2011, this latest revision features new exterior and interior design. 

Tyre Launch & Test: MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 is Launched -& we get to try it out!

 Mr Pascal Nouvellon, MD Michelin Malaysia (middle) with Mr Putu yudha, Marketing Manager Michelin Malaysia (right) with Bibendum the Michelin Man at the launch (yes, that white tyre fella)

Michelin has launched the ultra high performance MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 here in Malaysia. The Pilot Sport series of tyres have been been one of the tyres that have been the choice of driving enthusiasts globally. This time, the new Pilot Sport 4 improves on its predecessor. It offers more innovation and technology that would increase every aspect of performance and safety for drivers seeking that ultimate drive.

MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA 3RD Quarter 2016 Performance Report - On the way to another record year with 9,047 cars delivered between January-September 2016

 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is on the way to another record year in terms of sales and growth. The Mercedes-Benz brand is still the number one premium automotive brand in Malaysia with 10% growth and 9,047 cars delivered to customers in the first nine months of 2016. Seriously folks, there may be an economic slowdown in various sectors but not here. And definitely not for the people who are buying these Mercedes-Benz cars.

Perodua market share estimated at 36.1% year-to-date, 20K Bezzas delivered

And meanwhile, over at camp Perodua, over 20,000 Perodua Bezza compact sedans have been delivered throughout Malaysia! The Malaysian company which specializes in small compact cars have also announced that their total industry volume, or in layman's terms market share, to be estimated at 36.1% as the the year to date. 

A short update - the Proton Saga Executive 1.3 CVT, on a trip with it to Ipoh and back to KL

I am in Ipoh, Perak today! This happened as part of the New Proton Saga media drive. I must say that the trip down in the mid specced Saga Executive 1.3CVT is quite nice.

Sunday Lite: Why the Ford Mustang is cool

Steve McQueen. 'Nuff said.

New Renault Koleos is now launched and available at all Renault Showrooms nationwide

The all-new Renault Koleos – Renault’s new flagship SUV – is now launched and available in Renault showrooms nationwide. The fresh looking SUV is available at the introductory price of RM172,800 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM116,800 in Langkawi (on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance and for private registration).

PROTON SEARCH CONTEST 2016 WINNER ANNOUNCED - LONGEST SINGLE OWNER PROTON WITH MOST MEMORABLE STORY WINS A NEW PROTON SAGA

I was at Proton's Center of Excellence this afternoon for one of those truly unique and heartfelt motoring events that only happens every few years or so. Proton had announced the winners for the Proton Search Contest 2016 where they invited Proton owners who had owned the longest running, decent condition Proton cars out there to participate and also required them to share warm memories of their cars either through written stories or short videos. 

Volkswagen Driving Experience this 15th & 16th October 2016 in Johor Bahru

This is just to inform you readers out there that there will be a Volkswagen Driving Experience event this weekend at Angsana Johor Bahru Mall on the 15th and 16th of October 2016. If you are in JB during this coming weekend, do head over for one of those motoring experiences that usually only money can buy. This one is free. Courtesy of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia.

The all-new G30 BMW 5 Series is revealed

This is finally it. The seventh generation of the G30 BMW 5 Series Sedan has been revealed and it further evolves the styling of its predecessor, the F10 5 Series. This new one will definitely make its mark when it hits the roads in markets around the world in February 2017 - we should get it at the very least two months or so after that usually (which is still darn fast by Malaysian standards).

Limited Edition Range Rover 5.0 Supercharged designed by Piet Boon launched in Malaysia

In commemorating 10 years of durable and timeless collaborations with Land Rover, renowned Dutch based lifestyle designers, Piet Boon, today debuted his latest bespoke limited edition design Range Rover in Malaysia.

Volkswagen Wearnes Sg Besi 4S Centre Relocates to its new Facility just across the road from where it was earlier

If you've been frequenting or intend to visit the Volkswagen showroom and service center in Sungei Besi take note that it has moved to somewhere close by. The Volkswagen Wearnes Sg Besi 4S Centre has officially relocated to their their new 4S facility located at No. 8, Jalan Dua, Off Jalan Sungei Besi, KL. The new location, now fully operational and open for business, is located just across the road from where the earlier Centre was previously located. 

Hertz Is Offering Exclusive Car Rental Discounts to Singaporean and Malaysian Drivers Travelling to the United States

If you are travelling to the land of burger and fries,, the United States of America, and have the intention of driving yourself  now's the time to do so. Well, IF you have money to blow lah. HERTZ, that famous car rental company has an offer for those of us in Malaysia and Singapore. You can enjoy a 15% discount on cars from the Hertz Prestige and Adrenaline Collections as well as other top of the line vehicles. Note, as I said, if you have money to spend.

NEW PROTON PERSONA BOOKINGS HIT 12,000 IN TOTAL & NEW PROTON SAGA GETS 4,000 IN TWO WEEKS!

PROTON cars is on a roll. The All-new Proton Persona and the All-New Proton Saga have managed to be quite a sales success for them raking in over 12,000 and 4,000 bookings respectively. This is quite promising for them as the new Persona was launched on the 23rd of August and the New Saga was only launched on the 28th of September. A mere two weeks or so ago!

FINAL LOTUS 50TH CELEBRATION EDITION LOTUS OUT ON SALE - THE LOTUS EXIGE 350 SPECIAL EDITION

Lotus Cars has launched the new Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition. This is the final car in a series of three Lotus 50th celebration edition cars in conjunction with the celebration of Lotus' 50 years at Hethel. 

MAI AND PROTON COLLABORATE IN THE LATEST ROUND OF SUPPLY CHAIN & AFTERSALES DEVELOPMENT

L to R - At the launch - Chief Procurement Officer PROTON-Tuan Haji Hamizan bin Osman, MAI CEO-Datuk Madani Sahari & Mr. Rohime Bin Shafie, CEO Proton Edar

It was a whole day thing for me today at the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI). I witnessed the prize giving and conference for the inaugural Formula SEA ASEAN in the morning and then later in the afternoon, I attended the launch of the latest round Automotive Supplier Excellence Programme (ASEP) and Dealers Entrepreneurship Enhancement Programme (DEEP) conducted by MAI featuring PROTON with participation by its chosen vendors and dealers. 

UiTM student team walks away with RM35,000 at the inaugural Formula SAE ASEAN - Taylor's Uni students a close second!

Today I attended the Prize giving ceremony of the inaugural Formula SAE ASEAN at the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) in Cyberjaya. Seven (7) teams from six (6) universities competed at the multi-stage design competition. This year's competition comprised of teams from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Taylor's University, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Inti International University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). From there, the team from UiTM (car no 88) was the overall winner, with a close second by the team from Taylor's University (No 28). 

Volkswagen Group announces relocation of their regional after sales center to Johor - Operational by 2018

This bit of good news comes from Volkswagen Group directly. They group is moving their Regional After Sales center for the Asia Pacific region to Malaysia! This means faster spares and faster spares means better after sales services.

Spotted For Sale: 1993 Nissan 300ZX with that Lambo look - And other WTF 300ZXs out there.

Here is another one of those cars that you can find whilst scouring mudah.my for nice used sports cars. However, I wouldn't really say that this is one of those 'nice sports cars'. How about a nicely done up, identity confused sports car? I think this is more apt. What we have here folks is a 1993 Nissan 300ZX Fairlady that has been worked into something that bears resemblance to a Lamborghini. Why? This is the million Ringgit question.

Perodua at the CarSifu Editor's Choice Awards & Some thoughts on the overall Awards given out.

Perodua won something with the Bezza at the CarSifu Editor's Choice Awards 2016. Something called the BEST FAMILY RIDE OF THE YEAR. Whilst it is good that Perodua won something. Congratulations is in order, but..... It would make sense if the award was for Best A-segment sedan or something like that. 

PROTON PERSONA PREMIUM CVT & PROTON PERDANA 2.4 BAG SOME AWARDS AT THE FIRST EVER CARSIFU AWARDS

Recently,  PROTON, the national car company managed to bag a couple of awards at the first ever Carsifu Editor's Choice Awards 2016. The very recently launched All-New, Persona Premium CVT (the mid-specced car)  had won Best Compact Car and the also freshly launched All-New Proton Perdana 2.4 won Best Local Design of the Year at the inaugural CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2016. Congratulations to Proton cars is in order.

Happenings: Perodua Fun Walk 2016 in conjunction with the National Sports Day

Managing Director of Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd, Dr. Zahari Husin (right), set off an air horn to release the participants of Perodua Fun Walk 2016. Also in the picture is Mr. Takamasa Kurinami, Executive Director of Perodua.

It's National Sports Day here in Malaysia today folks and I was busy taking a long afternoon nap just now. The reason was that I had to wake up early today and send my kid to her school for her school sports day today held in conjunction with the National Sports Day. So I sent her, went out with the missus for some fabric shopping in SS2 (we ended up not buying anything) and then later went over to the little kiddo's school and ate nasi lemak whilst waiting. After that I went home and fell asleep on the sofa. So much for National Sports Day participation on my part. But anyway, Perodua did something today too!

ISUZU D-MAX BEAST wins ‘Best Dressed-up Pick-up Truck’ at the first ever Carsifu Editor’s Choice Awards

The limited edition Isuzu D-Max BEAST triumphed in the ‘Best Dressed-up Pick-up Truck’ category at the first ever Carsifu Editor’s Choice Awards organised by Star Media Group. Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd Executive Director Hajime Machimura (3rd from left in the photo above) received the award from Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong in the presence of Star Media Group Chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, chief operating officer Calvin Kan and chief revenue officer Lim Bee Leng at a gala dinner on the 6th of October 2016.

Ford starts producing more Ford Ranger pickup trucks in Thailand to meet demand & photos of a Ford Ranger Wildtrak

A bit of regional automotive news now folks. Ford Motor Company has announced the official start of production for the Ford Ranger pickup truck at its Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) facility to help meet extraordinary demand across the Asia Pacific region.

TRUCK NEWS: TWO BRAND NEW SCANIA TRUCKS ADDED TO SMG MEGA SAPPIRE'S FLEET

 Haji Idros, Sales Director od Scania SEA (2nd from right) handing over the key to the Scania truck to the Directors of SMG Mega Sappire.

SMG Mega Sappire Sdn Bhd (SMG) has added two new Scania trucks to its fleet as part of its expansion to cater for the increase in the haulage and loader business. The keys to its two latest P410LA6X2MSZ trucks were handed over to the Managing Director of SMG, Mr Kanapathy Raman Satish by the Sales Director for Scania Southeast Asia, Tuan Haji Idros Puteh today. 

AUDI MALAYSIA introduces the Q7 2.0 TFSI Quattro - The flagship Audi SUV gets competitive in terms of pricing

Don't you just love downsizing? Now you can buy a huge full-sized SUV (or house) and only pay less road tax for it! Audi Malaysia has just introduced the flagship Audi Q7 with a 2.0liter TFSI engine. This comes in close to a year after the official launch of the current Q7 with the 3.0 TFSI engine here in Malaysia. So you can have all the style of the largest SUV Audi offers with its more common and smaller engine (usually seen in the smaller A4, Q5, A6 models). 

The Ford Fiesta is 40 - Six Generations and 17 millions cars later.......

The Ford Fiesta is 40 years old already! Time flies. Since first little Fiesta rolled off the production line in 1976, there have been 6 generations of Fiesta with more than 17 million units produced to date. Ford is marking this special 40th birthday with a celebration of a car that is still keeping with the times and is innovative to this day. It is also the best-selling car in Europe for the past four years as it has been throughout the years.

Truck News: GIGA Shipping takes delivery of 2 HINO Truck Carriers & HINO announces sales of 2,551 units for the 1st Half of 2016

Earlier today GIGA Shipping, a subsidiary of Giga Maritime Group took delivery of two HINO SG2PDPA Prime Mover / Truck Carriers. The handover ceremony took place in HINO 3S dealer center, Soon Seng Truck & Parts Sdn Bhd. in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. It was attended by Mr. Ken Iwamoto, Managing Director of Hino Motor Sales Malaysia who presented the trucks to Datuk Kumar Prabakaran, Managing Director of GIGA .

Automotive Industry CSR: Caltex Fuel Your School Programme to Help Fund Classroom Projects in Kelantan and Pahang this year

Chevron Malaysia Limited, which markets the Caltex® brand, continues its annual Caltex Fuel Your School programme (“the programme”) in partnership with MyKasih Foundation this year. This marks the fifth year Chevron Malaysia / Caltex is running this CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Programme which benefit schools (which are chosen and those that need additional help the most) within the communities that Caltex operates throughout Malaysia.

The original BMC, BL (and maybe Rover) Mini and its Riley Elf, Wolseley Hornet, Mini Moke, Clubman, Countryman & pick up variants at the Auto Bavaria Mega Fest 2016

Lots of original, classic British Motor Corporation / British Leyland (and maybe Rover) Mini (with their owners, obviously) attended Auto Bavaria's Mega Sales event a couple of weeks ago. Here are some photos of it. Note the Riley Elf variant above and below (the one that has a different front and rear end). The Elf was the 'luxury' version of the Mini together with the Wolseley Hornet - exterior differences between the two include a different grille and the dashboard  

Hyundai Motor is the 35th biggest brand in the world according to Interbrand’s latest annual global brand value rankings

The Hyundai Motor company is the 35th biggest brand in the world according to Interbrand, a leading  consultancy company that mainly deals with branding and its net contribution to the value of a company. The Korean company also moved up one place to 6 th in the global automotive industry top 10 brands, ahead of Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan and Porsche and is the 4 th most valuable high-volume automotive brand.

TEST DRIVE: THE 2016 FORD S-MAX 2.0L ECOBOOST® - Petrolheads with lots of Children would be happy with one of these

Abandon all hope for those that enter here. This is a nice phrase to use especially those who earn a modest income, married, have more than three children, a maid, a pet car or dog and can only have one car in their garage yet has the need for speed. This is also the case for those that need to carry a lot of people who are adults, like their parents, grandparents and grown up kids for holidays but love the thrill of driving. There is almost no hope for these sort of people. I mean, to have fun you'd need something like a properly stonking hot hatchback, like a Ford Fiesta ST. Or a Ford Ranger WildTrak 3.2 which could uproot a tree or two. But you need to carry people. Lots of them. 

Toyota Upgrades the Vios - A new engine and drivetrain finally as well as VSC for all variants

 2016 Toyota Vios 1.5GX

Good news! Toyota have finally upgraded the 3rd generation Toyota Vios! Launched in 2013, this time the edgy styled Vios gets a slight exterior tweak but most importantly, a proper engine and gearbox from the 2010s instead of still being stuck in 2002. 

Renault Captur sales promo - Enjoy a rebate of RM8,000 in the 'CAPTURE LIFE, CAPTURE STYLE, CAPTURE DEALS' promo

Capture Life, Capture Style, Capture Deals’,is the latest sales promo for the Renault Captur by Renault distributors TC Euro Cars here in Malaysia. Customers who purchase the Renault Captur will enjoy rebates of RM8,000 off the vehicle price of RM117,200 (on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia and private registration). 

Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion starts their Year End Sales Promo - The BIG DEAL Promotion is on till 31st December 2016!

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has announced their year end promotions by kicking off the Big Deal promotion. The Big Deal promo will offer customers attractive cash rebates on selected models nationwide until 31 December 2016.

ISUZU MU-X SUV TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2016 BORNEO SAFARI

The Isuzu Mu-X SUV will participate in this year's Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge. This is quite a unique thing as it would mark participation by Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd. - a manufacturer taking part in one of the harshest off-road challenges out there.

Road Safety: GLOBAL NCAP's Vision Zero - Key points at the 2016 OECD International Transport Forum

I have published below the PRESS RELEASE by GLOBAL NCAP regarding their latest calls for improved vehicle safety. It makes for interesting reading if you are interested in what's going to happen next in the realm of vehicle safety.

ROADSHOW TO PROMOTE SHELL ADVANCE LIMITED EDITION PACKS WITHIN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Shell Advance is embarking on a Peninsular Malaysia-wide roadshow to promote its newly introduced, specially designed limited edition packs of its best-selling motorcycle engine oils. From now till November 2016, the Shell Advance mobile truck will be visiting more than 100 locations across Peninsular Malaysia to promote four variants of Shell Advance motorcycle engine oils that now come in limited edition packs – Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology 10W-40 (1L) and 15W-50 (1L), Shell Advance AX7 10W-40 (1L) and Shell Advance AX5 Scooter 15W-40 (0.8L).

MOTORSPORT: PERODUA Sponsors Nabil Jeffri in the GP2 Race Series

This piece of news is something that gives hope to Malaysians who intend to compete in the world stage. Perodua has announced that it is sponsoring Muhammad Nabil Jan Al Jeffri in this year's GP2 Race Series. Perodua joins a list of sponsors that include our Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (The Youth and Sports Ministry of Malaysia). At a young 22 years of age, he would need all the assistance he can get to be able to compete in the international level.