ASEAN NCAP releases upcoming all-new Proton Saga crash test results - Do note that the car isn't launched yet!

Spy photo of the Proton Saga...put on the web a couple of months ago and now viraled everywhere!

ASEAN NCAP must be really excited. At the ASEAN Automobile Safety Forum, AASF, in Phnom Penh, ASEAN NCAP has released its latest test result for the 3rd Quarter of 2016 for the upcoming 3rd generation new Proton Saga (which was wrongly stated in the press release below as the 2nd generation Saga). Proton will be launching this new A segment sedan sometime very soon (by next month at the latest) and in the test, the all-new Proton Saga scored 13.33 out of 16.00 points in the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category, which placed the model in the range of a 4-Star rating. 

Truck News: Trucker Zulkifli bin Saad makes history by being the first Malaysian to reach the Volvo Fuelwatch Challenge 2016 World Finals

Malaysian trucker, Zulkifli bin Saad made history when he was announced as one of the Top 5 finalists of the Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge 2016, sealing his entry into the World Finals which was held shortly after the event over at Varberg, Sweden. He basically made history twice actually. This was his first time participating in the Malaysian leg of the Fuelwatch Challenge and he managed to win it in one go. Then he managed to enter the world finals, challenging the best around the world!

DRB-HICOM and PROTON PRESENTS CARS TO MALAYSIAN OLYMPIC MEDALLISTS OF RIO 2016

 

Earlier today, DRB-HICOM and PROTON Holdings Bhd had presented a total of eight cars to the nation's Olympians who had succeeded in winning the medals at the recent Rio Olympic Games. Proton hopes that with the record achievement (our best performance at the Olympics to date) at the recent Rio 2016 Olympic Games, more talented Malaysians will be inspired to achieve greater heights and make our country proud. The cars are a big gesture of appreciation indeed and should be an incentive to those who want to reach greater heights.

Electric Vehicles: Renault-Nissan Alliance Hits Milestone of selling 350,000 Electric Vehicles and Maintains Position as Global EV Leader

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is ahead of everyone in terms of electric cars sold globally. They have announced that they have sold 350,000 electric vehicles since December 2010 when they first started selling the Nissan LEAF (pictured above). Now from that 350,000 vehicles,  It has now hit an important milestone as from January to August 2016, they've sold 100,000 EVs in total. Imagine that, 100,000 people bought EVs from either Renault or Nissan throughout the world. 

Opinion: Usually I see it as not a Car Problem but something else called the Owner Problem

Hello folks. I had to take a few days from writing as I believe I needed a short break away from writing stuff. I spent the long weekend doing everything else except sit at the computer. I think this is a good thing as it has refreshed me in some ways. And the fact that I think that there is more to life than just motoring per se. But I am back to tell you about what is actually happening to cars in Malaysia - the owner problem.

MALAYSIA AUTOSHOW 2016 organised by Malaysia Automotive Institute to be held from 10 to 13 November 2016 - EEV to be main focus

 

Another motor show is coming our way. The Malaysia Autoshow 2016 (formally known as the ASEAN Autoshow in 2015 will be held from 10 - 13 November 2016 at the MINES International Exhibition Convention Centre (MIECC). Car companies have lined up special deals only available at the show. These range from exclusive car deals and discounts offered only during these four days with attractive financial packages. And you can win a Kia Rio!

The Volvo S60 T6 is now accorded EEV status - Now 306hp costs RM238,888 instead of RM280,888!!!!!

The Energy Efficient Vehicle tax break status is a very good thing for us Malaysians. Recently we've heard the way the EEV status affects the pricing of premium European cars in ways that suddenly make them even more affordable than before. We've seen a few Volvo cars (which are locally assembled at one of the longest running assembly line in Malaysia) receiving the price reduction like the Volvo V40 T5 Drive-E, XC60 T5 & T6 and XC90 T8. Now the Volvo S60 T6 gets a price reduction. RM238,888 (OTR without insurance, making this car the fastest European sedan under RM250,000 that you can buy.

Honda Accord facelift launched in Malaysia - Enough tweaks to keep it fresh for awhile longer

After teasing the facelifted Honda Accord on their website, Honda Malaysia have launched the facelifted 9th Generation Honda Accord. Three variants like previously are offered. All have upgraded specs and some interior trim changes, which include redesigned front bumpers, 7 inch infotainment screen and the top of the line 2.0VTI-L and 2.4VTi-L get LED headlights to complement the LED Daytime Driving Lights.

INDUSTRY NEWS: PROTON RENEWS ITS AGREEMENTS WITH ITS WORKERS' UNIONS

PROTON Holdings Bhd has renewed its Collective Agreement with its workers' union members at a recent signing ceremony held at the PROTON Centre of Excellence here in Subang Jaya, Selangor. 

World’s First Genesis Studio Opens in Hanam, South Korea - Hyundai strengthens its new standalone luxury brand at home

 Hyundai is slowly making its Genesis luxury automotive brand into its own special standalone luxury brand. It will open its first dedicated "Genesis" brand space or studio as it is called, inside a newly built cultural complex called ‘Starfield’ in Hanam, 30km east of Seoul on September 9, 2016. 

SHELL ADVANCE Launches Limited Edition packs and the chance to win free Main Grandstand tickets to Shell Malaysia MotoGP 2016

Shell Advance has announced the introduction of specially designed limited edition packs for four variants of its Shell Advance motorcycle engine oils – 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). Together with this, there is chance for 500 people to win Grandstand tickets for the upcoming 2016 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.

THE MITSUBISHI TRITON IS LAUNCHED WITH A NEW MIVEC VGT TURBODIESEL ENGINE

The new Mitsubishi (L200) Triton pickup truck which was launched in 2015 has more power now. There is a new 2.4liter aluminium block 4 cylinder MIVEC variable geometry turbo (VGT) engine powering it. It makes 181ps and a whopping 430Nm torque from the engine and you get to drive it with a 6 speed automatic transmission as well as a manual. Quite marvellous tech has gone into the engine. Which is why I am writing about it. Usually I am not so bothered about a variant launch instead of a totally new car launch.

Opinion: My actual thoughts on the newly launched Honda City X and Jazz X Malaysian specced limited editions

Since the launch of the current City in 2014, 87,000 units have been sold. The current Jazz, launched here in 2014 has sold 34,000 units to date. But the last few months have been a very tough period for vehicle sales here in Malaysia. So in order to drum up sales in a weak market, Honda has launched  the limited edition Honda City X and Jazz X sometime last week. Honda claims that the 'X' supposedly means X-clusivity, X-citement and X-cel. 

Truck News: UD Trucks delivers several Quester 8L to their new owners in Johor Bahru

 Since its introduction in May this year, the UD Quester 8L has been receiving tremendous response from new and existing customers. The UD Quester truck is the first real heavy-duty Japanese truck designed with heavy duty chassis,heavy duty cab and associated heavy features but they are coupled with the Japanese reliability of its fuel-efficient engines and also of its build quality. 

Commercial Vehicle, Truck & Bus News: BF Goodrich tyres introduces the BFGoodrich Route Control and BFGoodrich Cross Control tyres

BFGoodrich tyres, the well known American tyre brand has now introduced their commercial vehicle and truck tyres, the BFGoodrich Route Control and BFGoodrich Cross Control. The commercial vehicle tyres follow in the footsteps of the passenger vehicle tyres which was launched earlier this year.

TEST DRIVE: VOLVO SC60 T6 & T5 - These two are the SUVs for you to consider

XC60 T5

The Volvo XC60, launched in 2008, is a compact crossover SUV that has been selling extremely well globally since 2009. It is the first Volvo that brought out the styling philosophy you see in the current V40 and the S60/V60 cars. The newer XC90 SUV has moved the goalposts for premium to luxury SUVs slightly further afield but it is curious to see how the XC60 drives. I managed a few days in the XC60 T6 2.0 FWD and the T5 2.0 FWD, the two XC60 variants that are sold here in Malaysia.

Perodua and the 59th Merdeka Day celebrations

 Perodua celebrated the Merdeka day this year by having its own mini parade on the eve of Merdeka and by taking part in actual National Day celebration in Dataran Merdeka on 31st August 2016. The two-day celebration was began with a 22 car parade comprising of all 11 old and current models produced by Perodua at the manufacturer's headquarters in Sungai Choh, Rawang. Perodua then participated in the Merdeka Day parade with the two Perodua Bezza (their 11th model) seen above.

September is Ford Malaysia's ‘Truck Month’ - Deals await customers

Ford has announced that September 2016 is ‘Ford Truck Month’. They are offering special deals that make September the best time for Malaysians or anyone who can buy a car in Malaysia to become an owner of a new Ford Ranger pickup truck, which in my opinion is one of the best you can buy here in Malaysia. Especially since it now comes equipped with a reverse camera (even the 2.2XLT - prior to this only the 3.2 Wildtrak had the pleasure of such an option).

All-New Renault Koleos Launched - At showrooms mid-October, available at an Introductory price of RM172,800+

TC Euro Cars (TCEC), who are the authorised distributors of Renault cars in Malaysia have launched the all-new Renault Koleos SUV. This is Renault's new flagship SUV and it looks pretty good in the flesh...or metal to be exact. 

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is Official Distributor of Volkswagen Cars in Malaysia - Announces 5 year Manufacturer Warranty for all Volkswagen Cars

Volkswagen Group Malaysia have officially announced that the European automotive retail specialist Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) will become the official distributor of Volkswagen cars, under the new company name of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). VPCM is managed by European automotive retail specialist, Porsche Holding Salzburg, is the largest and most successful automotive distributor in Europe. The Salzburg, Germany-based company was founded in 1947, and operates today in 26 markets in Western- and South-eastern Europe, China, and in Columbia and Chile in South America.