Happenings: A batch of 17 students graduate from the Perodua Youth Training Programme (PYTP)

 President & CEO, YBhg Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh hands over a certificate of Best Student Award to Mohammad Khairul Anwar Jusob witnessed by Puan Mariam Ibrahim, Senior General Manager, Perodua Human Capital Division and Mr Suresh Kumar, Senior General Manager Perodua Finance & Account Department.

Compact car manufacturer Perodua’s longest running Corporate Responsibility (CSR) Programme, the Perodua Youth Training Programme (PYTP),  recently saw its 25th Convocation with 17 graduates receiving the Malaysia Skill Certificate Grade II. With this certificate, the graduates are recognised as assistant mechanics by the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources. It has given them skills and a chance to move ahead in life

New 14 seater Ford Transit Window Van Launched in Malaysia

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has launched the new Transit window van in Malaysia. The Transit, is an iconic model for Ford. It is a range of light commercial vehicles produced by Ford since 1965. Sold primarily as a cargo van, the Transit is also built as a passenger van, minibus, cutaway van chassis, and as a pickup truck. 

TEST DRIVE: Ford Focus 1.5L Ecoboost Trend - Is the entry level Focus good enough?

The C-segment car. This used to be the go-to segment of car that most people bought. It is a mid-sized compact car so they say. Engine size usually between 1.6liters to about 2.0liters. This is where cars like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla sit and these cars were the ones that everyone drove. I somehow think that the C-segment is a perfect balance when it comes to size, space utilisation, refinement and performance for the regular Joe. I still do. But these days, with prices of the cars in this category going higher, nudging into the larger full sized D segment cars and the growing popularity of the smaller more affordable B segment cars like the Honda City as well as the growing SUV and MPV market, the C-segment car has somehow been a little lost.

Volvo Trucks at the inaugural LaFarge Malaysia Berhad Truck Driving Competition - "Know Your Blind Spots" and "Stop, Look & Wave" initiatives

 A Volvo Trucks Malaysia representative teaching the children to wave to the truck driver for his attention, to tell him to be mindful of their presence

Volvo Trucks is continuously reinforcing their long-term commitment to national road safety by promoting their "Know Your Blind Spots" and "S top, Look & Wave" initiatives with the aim of creating awareness for Malaysians as well as truck drivers on ways to keep safe when driving or when facing large trucks on the road. Volvo Trucks recently showcased these initiatives to participants and spectators at the inaugural Lafarge Malaysia Berhad's Truck Driving Competition (which is part of their 12th Drivers Safety Day).

Industry news: All-New Proton Persona receives ASEAN NCAP 5-Star Rating for all variants

The all-new Proton Persona has been given a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating. In a gesture of confidence in Proton, ASEAN NCAP has stated that since the Persona is the sedan version of Iriz, with comparable occupant protection to the Iriz, they are extending the rating of Proton Iriz to the Persona. High confidence in the car indeed. 

All-New Proton Persona Officially Launched

Proton launched the all-new Proton Persona to an eagerly awaiting bunch of people earlier today. One of them was Yours Truly. The event was attended by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, The Honourable Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed. This is the second generation Persona and replaces the first one which had been on sale since 2007.

HAPPENINGS: THE MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA SKILLS COMPETITION 2016 FINALS

Saturday, 20th of August 2016 was a gathering of the crème de la crème of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s after-sales personnel from dealer networks nationwide. It was the grand finals of the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition 2016. The fun filled event was held at the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.  30 finalists went head-to-head in the battle of skills for the RM99,500 cash prize and ultimate bragging rights as the best technical team in Malaysia.

News: Volkswagen Malaysia is Official Partner for Upcoming Malaysian made ‘KL Wangan’ movie

Volkswagen Malaysia and Centro Pictures recently signed a partnership agreement that sees Volkswagen becoming an official sponsor of Centro Pictures’ upcoming street racing movie, ‘KL Wangan’. The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at Volkswagen Gombak last week. This is actually something historical for the Malaysian film industry. It is a milestone that marks the first time an international car marquee is supporting a local film production here in Malaysia, the collaboration represents a unique way for Volkswagen to showcase the performance, reliability and distinct design of its products.

Happenings: Isuzu MU-X owners go fishing in celebration of the SUVs 1st Anniversary in Malaysia

The Isuzu Mu-X SUV recently celebrated its first anniversary of its launch in Malaysia and in honour of the occasion, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd decided to do something slightly different - they organised a fishing fest for the MU-X owners and other guests. The fishing fest and contest was held at a fishing pond in Pulau Indah, Port Klang and everyone had fun by the looks of it. 

FORD Targets Self Driving Vehicles for Ride Sharing in 2021 as it invests a whole lot in the tech and people required.

A week ago Ford, over in the USA had announced its intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service. This could mean that your taxi, UBER, GRAB car or those with the same description would actually pick you up and send you somewhere without any one driving the vehicle. 

Happenings: The 3rd NATIONAL GD EXPRESS ROAD SAFETY CHAMPIONSHIP 2016

14th of August 2016 was a memorable day for the people of GD Express Sdn Bhd. This well known courier company held their 3rd National Road Safety Championship 2016 for their drivers and dispatch riders. This competition was held in conjunction with GD Exspress' Health & Safety Month and was held at the GD Exspress premises at Jalan Tandang, Petaling Jaya. The event was also attended by officials from MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research), JKJR (Road Safety Department) PRDM (Royal Malaysian Police) – Traffic Police from the District HQ of Petaling Jaya, PETROSAINS (PETRONAS' subsidiary of their science centre) and the JPJ (Road Transport Department).

Honda Malaysia Airbag Recall Update August 2016

This is the latest update that Honda Malaysian has given on the Takata Airbag fiasco. You can now change your airbag(s) of affected Honda vehicles as the parts have arrived. Now read the article below and fix your appointments ASAP. 

PROTON CARS TO BE GIVEN AS REWARD FOR MALAYSIAN 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES MEDAL WINNERS

The Olympic Games are considered the world's foremost sports competition with thousands of athletes from more than 200 countries participating at a time. The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart. Now if anyone wins a medal any event in the Olympics, it is a big deal. A very big deal and DRB-HICOM and its automotive subsidiary, PROTON has decided to present their cars as appreciation to medal winners at this year's Summer Olympics currently held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

TRUCK NEWS: Heng Seng Company takes delivery of new Scania Truck for its business in Kelantan

Scania Malaysia recently handed over a Scania G460LA6x2MNA to Heng Seng & Company Sdn Bhd. The new truck, one of two G460s ordered, is meant to take on the MyGaz exclusive distributorship for the state of Kelantan. The keys to the Scania G460 truck with Opticruise gearbox was handed to Edward Tan Hoe Een, Managing Director of Heng Seng by Tuan Haji Idros Puteh, Sales Director of Scania Southeast Asia at Scania (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Kota Bharu Branch. at a small handover ceremony.

Limited Edition Renault Fluence Formula Edition is unveiled

Renault via its Malaysian franchise holder TC Euro Cars (TCEC) have unveiled a limited run edition of the Renault Fluence. This Renault Fluence Formula Edition, as it is called, is offered in conjunction with Renault's return to Formula One this year as a full works team as well as it being a lead-up to the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix which is just around the corner. 

Toyota Sienta launched in Malaysia - Priced from RM92,900

The all-new Toyota Sienta 7-seater compact MPV has been officially launched in Malaysia. This compact MPV sits in between the Toyota Avanza and Toyota Innova and is imported from Indonesia (so it comes with ASEAN tax break incentives). The Sienta comes in 2 variants – 1.5G and 1.5V, priced at RM 92,900 and RM 99,900 (on the road with insurance).

TEST DRIVE: The new Proton Perdana 2.0L over Highways and B-Roads - We take it to the limit

The Proton Perdana.  It is the first of at least four new models that are part Proton's current turnaround plan and sometimes, the first will give you some impression on what's going to happen next. So Proton decided to take a few of us automotive writers and put us in some Proton Perdana to drive to Port Dickson for lunch, then to Melaka for the night and back the next day. I chose the Perdana 2.0L - WC 3820X to be the car I would drive.

TRUCK NEWS: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Hosts Truck Drivers’ League Competition and 2016 Skills Competition Commercial Vehicles

As part of promoting safe and responsible driving amongst commercial drivers in Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles recently organised the long-awaited Truck Drivers’ League competition. Back by popular demand, the bi-annual Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles Truck Drivers’ League provides a valuable platform for Mercedes-Benz ACTROS drivers to hone their driving skills whilst challenging each other in this event.

Honda unveils the new tenth generation Honda Civic Hatchback - It looks nicer than the sedan that was just launched here

Honda has revealed to us the new tenth generation Honda Civic Hatchback. The car, that is current being built at Honda's Swindon factory in the UK is also meant for export to the United States of America. Funny thing eh? Honda is now built in the UK for sale in Europe and now the USA. Did you know that Honda Japan has not sold a normal Civic ever since they stopped production of the eight generation Civic?

NAZA Italia previews the all-new Maserati Levante luxury SUV

L to R-  Mr. Suraish Kumar,  Head of After-Sales, NAZA Italia Sdn. Bhd, Mr. Zakaria Ismail, Advisor, NAZA World Group of Companies & Mr. Farid Sulaiman, Vice President of NAZA Italia Sdn Bhd.

NAZA Italia, official importers and distributors of Maserati in Malaysia previewed the all-new Maserati Levante SUV recently. This is the first SUV for Maserati and it, like other Maserati prior to this, gets its name from the name of a regional breeze or wind - Bora, Ghibli, Syamal and others.