A MEMORY FROM MY PAST ABOUT THE AE86

I finished my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or the Malaysian O-Level equivalent in 1989. I did what most teenagers would do then. Kept my hair long, went out with friends, played some sports and did all sorts of stuff. I also played a lot of badminton as a friend's house. 

News: Proton Edar gets a new CEO

This is a straightforward piece of news. Mr Rohime Shafie is now the new Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar (the sales arm of Proton Cars) replacing Mr Norzahid Mohd Zahudi who had tendered his resignation. 

Let's see what comes next now that the change of management has taken place. 

Motorsports: BMW in the hunt for another successful DTM campaign for 2016

2015 saw BMW Motorsport win the seventh of a possible twelve titles in its fourth year since returning to the DTM in 2012. Given the fantastic performances and success enjoyed in 2015, there was no reason to change the drivers and teams for the new season. BMW Teams RMG, MTEK, RBM and Schnitzer will once again fly the flag for BMW in 2016. Back at the wheel of the eight BMW M4 DTMs will be Bruno Spengler, Marco Wittmann, António Félix da Costa, Timo Glock, Augusto Farfus, Tom Blomqvist, Maxime Martin and Martin Tomczyk

PROTON gets a RM1.5 Billion soft loan from the government and they say thank you

Here is the latest official press release from PROTON. This first made by the newly appointed CEO, Dato' Ahmad Fuaad Kenali. This is regarding the Government of Malaysia's approving a RM1.5billion soft loan to pay their vendors and suppliers (with the usual terms and conditions obviously). 

However, it is a good thing that would uplift the spirits of the group. I believe Proton is very necessary as it is the only company in the South East Asian region that has the research and development capability to build a car from scratch and comply with all the safety regulations globally. Perodua still cannot do so. I should know as I have met people within the industry and they tell me so. 

TRUCK NEWS: Volvo Trucks' Asia Pacific VISTA Competition sets a record for the number of participants

VISTA (Volvo International Service Training Award) is the largest competition for workshop personnel in the world. It first started in 1957 as a competition for Volvo's mechanics in Sweden and has since become a popular international event for Volvo technicians globally. The aim of VISTA is to develop and improve employees' knowledge and skills and improve customer service whilst rewarding the participants. The competition is open to all workshop employees within the Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses global service network. VISTA 2015-2016 has been the biggest ever, with more than 18,500 participants worldwide.

CALTEX & X-MEN: APOCALYPSE Movie promotion and lucky draw from now till 12th June 2016

Chevron Malaysia Limited, which markets Caltex Lubricants in Malaysia -  Havoline® and Delo® have launched its very first partnership with Twentieth Century Fox the the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse movie. This is another one of those Marvel superhero movies. Highly anticipated by fans and moviegoers. This new campaign is called THE POWER OF X WITH CALTEX. 

Ford's engineers create the worst road in the world...for a good reason

Last year in the U.K.,  the Royal Automobile Club, the RAC (like our Automobile Association of Malaysia -AAM) responded to more than 25,000 pothole-related breakdowns. According to statistics this was a nearly 25 per cent increase since 2014. Poor condition and lack of maintenance of European roads are said to contribute to at least one third of all accidents every year. 

Some thoughts on technology and progress, how some jobs may be extinct because of it and the need for Malaysia and Malaysians to realise

The flower in the pic can produce rubber...imagine what would happen to our rubber industry if the process is perfected.

We are all aware of the low price of petroleum these days. This was caused by oversupply due to the United States of America suddenly becoming a net exporter of oil, the Arabs kept their production quotas high and China's economy slowing down. Oil is undoubtedly cheap these days but the surprising thing is that aside from pump prices being low, everything else is still high. I don't really see a 4 liter pack of fully synthetic engine oil suddenly being below RM100. Of course this could be down to production costs that aren't petroleum based. Again, something still has to maintain the overheads of the petroleum companies. 

More details on the upcoming MY AUTO FEST 2016

I was at the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) office yesterday for a short press conference. I had earlier mentioned that MAA will be organising a sales and promotion oriented auto exhibition called "My Auto Fest" at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from 20 - 22 May 2016. This was the official press conference describing the event for us to help publicise.

Ford Ranger Presents: Built Ford Tough - The First video of Four

The first of Ford's Ford Ranger Presents videos is out over at their Facebook page. You can view it here.

PRESS RELEASE

Ford Ranger Presents: Built Ford Tough

New Ranger Proves its Durability in Brutal Test of Truck Bed Strength

Spotted for Sale: 2002 Nissan Sentra with ONE CAREFUL LADY OWNER...

 Now here we have a 2002 Nissan Sentra for your viewing pleasure courtesy of mudah.my, the buy-sell website that I go to when I want to dream a little. According to the advert this Sentra belongs to a 'Careful Lady Owner'. Fuiyoh!!! Do you believe in Santa Claus, totally honest Politicians or truthful advertising? 

BFGoodrich Tyres are officially back in Malaysia with the Advantage T/A Drive, T/A SUV and All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres

L-R - Mr. Putu Swaditya Yudha, Marketing Director Michelin Indonesia & Mr. Chandan Thakur, Managing Director Michelin Malaysia

BFGoodrich tyres are officially re-entering the Malaysian tyre market courtesy of Michelin Malaysia, the distributors of the tyre here. The new line-up, consisting of the new on-road BF Goodrich Advantage T/A® Drive and T/A® SUV tyres and the new off-road BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tyres . BFGoodrich Advantage T/A® Drive and T/A® SUV tyres are available in Malaysia in popular sizes from 13 to 18 inches starting from March 2016. While the BFGoodrich All -Terrain T/A® KO2 tyre are already available since January 2016 in sizes 15 to 18 inches. 

AmGeneral Insurance launches AutoGen Club and Opal Auto Mart Partnership

Mr Derek Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, AmGeneral Insurance Berhad (left) and Mr David Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Opal Auto Mart Sdn Bhd exchanging the documents after signing ceremony.

Recently, AmGeneral Insurance launched their AutoGen Club as well as entering into an agreement with Opal Auto Mart. 

The newly launched AutoGen Club will provide insurance solutions for AmGeneral Insurance's partners/agency members/ car dealers (new, reconditioned and used) for their customers.There is the Fast Claims Services which will enable customers to obtain their claims speedily. Other benefits for club members include Reimbursement of Internet Fees, Agency Convention to coincide with the International Motor Show, specialized Continuing Professional Development training and Enhanced Benefit for Insured with an Opal Warranty among its many privileges.

TEST DRIVE: 2015/2016 Peugeot 508 THP - The taste of something French every once in a while is good for you.

I got to try the facelifted Peugeot 508 a while ago. I was a bit too busy running around with so many things to do and test drives that it is only now that I found some time to string a few words together for this write-up. The model I got to try was the 2015/2016 Peugeot 508 THP.

A Malaysian wins a MotoGP Championship Race!!!! Congratulations Khairul Idham

Photo Source: NST

I do not write about motor bikes usually but a congratulations is in order to Mr Khairul Idham for making the nation proud. This FIRST EVER Malaysian to win a MotoGP World Championship race! The Honda Team Asia rider came first ahead of Jorge Navarro of Spain - Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 and Brad Binder of South Africa - Team Red Bull KTM. 

I am very proud of this man and I think motorsports could be another avenue for international glory for all Malaysians. Do you not think so too?

A New Hyundai 2S Spares and Service centre opens in Malacca

Premium Autoworld Sdn Bhd, an authorised Hyundai dealer has opened Malacca’s first Hyundai 2S GDSI (Global Dealership Space Identity) outlet. The 2S here means service and parts. This is in line with the opening of the first Hyundai GDSI showroom outlet back in 2014 to offer customers in Malacca (Melaka) better sales and service experience. The GDSI centre is also the the fifth in Malaysia.

Renault Fluence 'We've Got You Covered' promotion - Worry free ownership and one year free instalment

Renault distributor for Malaysia, TC Euro Cars today announced a new sales campaign on the Renault Fluence sedan aimed at providing enhanced coverage for customers in this current climate of economic uncertainty.

A documentary on the Ford Ranger will debut sometime next week on YouTube

Ford will launch sometime next week an online documentary on the Ford Ranger. Built Ford Tough, is an online documentary series from Ford that captures a team of Ford engineers in the field, punishing the new Ranger in conditions that echo what customers may experience and more.

Win Amazing prizes by participating in the 2016 Shell Advance Power On Contest!

  

New contest for you motorcyclists out there. Shell Advance, the leading motorcycle engine oil brand in Malaysia, is offering its customers the opportunity to win some amazing prizes in the latest edition of its popular annual consumer contest.

ASEAN NCAP results for the newly launched (in India, Indonesia & Thailand) Honda BR-V

The Honda BR-V is something new. It is a small sized Honda SUV that is priced below the HR-V and was developed specially for Asian markets, namely India, Indonesia and Thailand. It is powered by a 1.5liter engine and shares its base platform with the tiny city car called the Honda Brio which is sold mainly in Thailand, Indonesia and India. We do not get the Brio or the Amaze sedan version. So we most probably may never get this mini SUV. Unless Honda Malaysia can make a case out of it.