TEST DRIVE: 2015 Ford Mondeo 2.0L GTDi EcoBoost - A great drive underneath layers of refinement

I have been swamped with things recently. Aside from trying to get a business venture off the ground, the usual work related activities and the usual family matters there have been an onslaught of automotive related events over the past few weeks here in and around the Klang Valley.  A heck of a lot of automotive related companies has decided to make sure their product is launched, made aware of or previewed before the fasting month of Ramadan. 

News: MY E.G launches automotive portal for buying and selling cars

It seems that My E.G, the e-Government services provider has launched an automotive portal www.mymotor.my which offers an integrated online solution towards vehicle ownership. According to MyMotor, one can search their classified, ask for a quote on a vehicle and buy it using MyMotor.  I suppose this is possible because they do offer JPJ services like road tax and insurance renewals (as an example). So technically one could buy a car through this website without even viewing the actual vehicle. You shouldn't. But you could.

For this Ramadhan or fasting month, the first 50 cars successfully purchased through MyMotor will receive RM3,000 cashback subject to approved vehicle financing. Promotion is valid until the end of Ramadhan or for the first 50 cars sold, whichever comes first.

TRIPDA promotes carpooling this college and university semester break

Tripda is an online carpooling platform that connects drivers and passengers heading the same way. They are encouraging students to carpool when they return home anywhere between 19th June to July 5th, 2015 for their college and university semester break. College and university semester breaks are among the travel peak seasons in Malaysia apart from the school holidays and festive seasons, with more than 1 million students returning home for their break or taking road trips around Malaysia as well as abroad (- this explains the slightly expensive airfare prices for this coming weekend when I last checked). 

Don't you just like using file photos? Everyone looks sooooo happy.....but yes! Carpool....save your money in order to get that nice car later on...

All-new Hyundai Genesis achieves global sales targets sooner than anticipated

Slightly intriguing news, this is. Hyundai's all-new Genesis premium sedan has been making waves. This second generation Hyundai Genesis has achieved its sales target 10 months sooner than the previous model and 100,000 of it has been sold since its launch in November 2013, which is just 18 months ago. 

The car was recent launched here in Malaysia in just a few weeks ago and is therefore a new player in the field of luxury cars sold in Malaysia. It has to be quite good as there has been some brand acceptance, especially in the American midsized luxury sedan category (midsized in America is actually quite big here - the Genesis is sized in between a BMW 5 series and the larger 7 Series).

Sisma auto officially opens its new Jaguar Land Rover 3S Centre in Glenmarie

Today is the day before the start of the Fasting month and the last of a slew of events that automotive manufacturers have decided to do before things actually slow down a fair bit (with the exception of some binge eating and drinking of water when it comes to breaking fast). Over the past month or so I have attended numerous launches of vehicles, products and did a few tests. In fact, there have been so many launches until I have a few articles and test drive reviews in the back burner. 

NAZA Italia launches the New Ferrari 488 GTB in Malaysia

L to R - Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NAZA World Group of Companies, Mr. Dieter Knechtel, Managing Director of Ferrari Far East,   Mr. Simon Inglefield, Head of Sales ASEAN, Ferrari Far East,  Mr. David Hector Ratnaike, Senior Vice President 2 of 4-Wheels Division, NAZA World Group of Companies

The Ferrari 488 GTB was launched to the media earlier today. The Malaysian launch actually comes just a few months after the international launch at the recent Geneva Motor Show. It actually goes to show that Malaysia is actually an important market for the Prancing Horse.

Proton and Suzuki signed a MoU - What do you think the new JV model could be based on? I think its a.......

DRB-Hicom, Proton Holdings Bhd and Suzuki Motor Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding which may pave the way for the production of motor vehicles, whether by means of a collaboration, rebadging or the usage of engine and transmission drivetrains between Proton and Suzuki.

Suzy Celerio...THIS...could be the JV car I think...

As this is only an MoU, it is not actually a binding contractual agreement. MoUs are just something companies like to enter into as it makes its wishes to collaborate with one another seem stronger. But any actual Joint Venture would be more detailed and involve proper and detailed contractual agreements. Even Tun Dr Mahathir, Chairman of Proton, had stated that details of the agreement had not been worked out as yet. It will most likely involve compact and small cars from Suzuki that are currently not sold in Malaysia. The Proton plant in Tanjung Malim will be utilised for manufacturing or assembling the JV vehicles and the earliest model could be launched sometime 2016.

CHEVROLET OPENS NEW 3S CENTRE IN KOTA KINABALU

From L- R, YB Datuk Linda Tsen Thau Lin, Mr Cliff Chong, YB Tan Sri Datuk Sri Panglima Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Miss Thoo Ai Wuen.

Meanwhile, over in Sabah, Chevrolet, via distributors NAZA Quest Sdn Bhd has opened its latest 3S centre to add more brand presence in East Malaysia..........

Mr Cliff Chong & YB Tan Sri Datuk Sri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan giving Thumbs up to the Chevrolet Malibu - the flagship for Chevrolet here in Malaysia  .

Naza italia opens its newly revamped showroom for Ferrari and Maserati

Naza Italia opened its refurbished Ferrari and Maserati showroom in Petaling Jaya earlier today. The new centre boasts a spacious, well-appointed and equipped showroom with dedicated sales areas, a comfortable and luxurious lounge area, a merchandise area, a configuration area and delivery bays. This would be more than sufficient in providing the best luxurious experience for both luxury Marques. 

Shell's #Lovemyride Festival - 500 motorists get engine oil changes at a carnival

A total of 500 lucky motorists enjoyed the ultimate engine rejuvenating experience for their cars at the first-ever “#LoveMyRide” Festival organised by Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd over the weekend. Acording to Shell Malaysia,  a total of 378 cars received a free engine oil change on the first day of the festival, Saturday, June 13, 2015, to successfully create a new entry in the Malaysia Book of Records for the ‘most number of cars in a lubricant changing event. The overall target of 500 cars was achieved at 3.17 pm on Sunday, June 14, 2015, when another 122 cars underwent the free oil change. The two day event was held at MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur.

Shell Malaysia MD Tuan Haji Azman Ismail and Shell Lubricants GM Leslie Ng pour Shell Helix Ultra to symbolically open the Love My Ride Festival

Volkswagen officially previews the updated Polo Hatch at the Raya Sales Carnival at Setia City Mall

This continues on the previous posting on the Volkswagen Raya Sales Carnival but more empahsis on the refreshed Polo 1.6 hatch. As a recap, the sales carnical is now on at Setia City Mall this weekend and you get to see the cars Volkswagen Malaysia are pushing with their 0 Downpayment and 0 interest campaign  (Polo, Polo Sedan, Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Tiguan).

What was interesting is that they have Officially previewed the slightly refreshed Polo 1.6 hatch. The car was introduced into dealerships early May 2015. This updated version features cosmetic changes including a classy single upper grille chrome line, sleeker design changes for the lights, increased safety with reflectors on the rear bumper and a horizontal mesh with a lower grille single chrome line on the cars exterior.

BMW launches BMW Safety 360º Program, the new 1 Series for Malaysia and the all-new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

Maree Haley, Founder & Executive Director of the Safety Educator on the importance of owning a child seat as she shares significant information from how to secure a child seat to child seat positioning in a vehicle.

BMW Group Malaysia have been busy. They've decided to start the second series of the BMW Safety 360º Program and launched two cars - the 120i M Sport and the all-new 220i Gran Tourer at a go earlier today at Publika here in Kuala Lumpur.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia and Alan Harris, Managing Director and CEO, BMW Group Malaysia with the all-new BMW 220i Gran Tourer. 

Raya Sales have started - Volkswagen Sales Carnival Weekend this 12th to 14th June at Setia City Mall

It's that time of the year again. The time when everybody starts marketing their stuff for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri here in Malaysia. This means raya songs have started or are beginning to start at shopping malls and that truly ridiculous Yusoff Taiyooooooob 'kurma' or dates advertisements are everywhere. And its not even fasting month yet!!!!

Anyway, Volkswagen have kicked off their sales carnival over at the Setia City Mall this 12th to the 14th of June 2015. Special Raya Promotion (cars at 0 Downpayment and 0 Interest for their  Polo, Polo Sedan, Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Tiguan - T&C applies of course)

 Details of it are stated below:

The All New BMW 7 Series

I am not too bothered to tell you guys in my own words on what the new BMW 7 Series is except that it obviously replaces the earlier one and sets its eyes on the Mercedes Benz S-Class. The official press release isn't too long a read and I find it tells you most of the relevant details without getting too technical or boring.

What I believe are important to know about the new G11 and G12 bmw 7 Series are that the car is: