ISUZU Mu-X SUV awarded 2016 Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge's ‘VEHICLE OF THE YEAR’

It looks like the entry of the Isuzu Mu-X lifestyle SUV in the 2016 Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge was a successful one as it won the 'Vehicle of the Year' award there. This year's Borneo Safari was deemed to be the toughest in 12 years with daily rainfall causing delays. 

Sunday (Not So) Lite: My first ever oversteer wet-in-my-trousers moments

I got my driver's licence in 1990. I started out driving the driving school's Datsun 120y as well as practicing in my mum (and then hand-me-down) 1981 Honda Civic 1.3 3 door hatchback (paint the car above beige and that was it). The freedom to travel where I wanted to (within my weekly allowance) was fantastic. Of course, In my first few years of driving I was pretty gung ho about my supposed car control skills (I did not have any actually). 

New Authorised Volkswagen Service center in Kota Kinabalu - Kota Bumi Sdn Bhd

An official Volkswagen service centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is now open for business. This service centre is operated by Kota Bumi Sdn Bhd and it is currently the only authorised service centre for Volkswagen in Sabah. 

Ficosa opens a new factory for rear view mittors in Tennessee, USA - Some thoughts about production costs in high income nations

 Ficosa, who are one of the major manufacturers of rear view mirrors in vehicles on earth have opened a new facility in America. With an investment of over 50 million dollars, the new plant is equipped with the sector’s latest technology, becoming the most advanced in Ficosa’s global portfolio. The Cookeville, Tennessee facility, which has a total surface area of 270,000 square feet, is dedicated to producing rear view systems for automotive manufacturers such as Nissan, Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors. 

Upcoming Events: Largest Vespa Gathering at Publika Shopping Gallery on 19th November 2016

The Vespa scooter is an iconic piece of personal transport. It celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Naza Premira, official distributor of Vespa in Malaysia is celebrating in a big way. Do read the press release below for the exact date and time of the Vespa Gathering at the Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur on saturday, 19th of November 2016. 

Off Topic - HARD ROCK CAFE KUALA LUMPUR Celebrates 25 years - Wings Concert, Special Burgers, Limited Ed. Tees

This is slightly off topic than the usual automotive/motoring related posts. But there is some motoring history in some ways. The Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur has been around for a while now. 25 years this year. I was one of the first few people who frequented this establishment. In those days, as well as today, it was a place frequented by people who had association with fast vehicles - the superbikers and also the Harley Davidson riders from everywhere in the world.

Some pointers by Ford to new drivers out there...as well as a reminder to those of us who've been driving for a while too.

The following bits of information are courtesy of Ford Motor Company. The pointers below could help you in the daily grind. 


Are you a new driver? Or know someone who is? Here’s a checklist you need to read

News: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's PR Consultants pick up Bronze Award in the Corporate Branding category at the 2015/16 Malaysia PR Awards

All smiles at the 2015/16 Malaysia PR Awards.  Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Corporate Communications Manager, Emily Lek (second from left), with the Centriq PR account team, (from left) Jeannette D’Netto, Jacqueline Arnold and Teri Wong.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s corporate public relations programme received the Bronze award in the Corporate Branding category at the 2015/16 Malaysia PR Awards held in Kuala Lumpur recently. The entry titled, ‘Going Beyond Boundaries’, was submitted by Centriq PR Sdn Bhd, who are Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s public relations consultancy.

Volkswagen Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary in Malaysia with Amazing Savings - Roadshow at Mid Valley Megamall 2nd -6th November 2016

In conjunction with Volkswagen’s 10th year anniversary in Malaysia, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched a “Volkswagen Anniversary Sale” campaign. The campaign runs from now till 31 December 2016.

News: Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia gets a new Managing Director

A bit of industry news now folks. Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBSM) has appointed automotive financing industry veteran, Mike Ponnaz, as its new Managing Director effective 1 November 2016. He replaces Hilke Janssen, who had helmed MBSM over the past four years.

B8 series Volkswagen Passat pre-launch media drive - Launch set for 16th November with EEV status on prices

I am in Langkawi to try out the new B8 Volkswagen Passat. It is set to be launched here on the 16th of November. Prices have not been mentioned as yet but it will be given the EEV tax break which would make the 1.8 variants cheaper than the B7 Passat.

2017 Hyundai Azera aka Hyundai Grandeur photos released - Very European in execution and premium looking too

Sometimes it is actually better to wait awhile when it comes to typing out automotive related news. I recently received the press release on the all-new 2017 Hyundai Azera / Hyundai Grandeur which had a sketch teasing the upcoming model. It was the company throwing a hint or two. Luckily I didn't bite and here we now have proper images of the car. 

Truck & Bus News: Volvo Trucks Malaysia and dealer Dai Lieng Machinery upgrades Sandakan dealership

Dai Lieng Machinery Sdn Bhd, which operates Volvo Trucks' official Sandakan dealership  has recently upgraded to a new cutting-edge facility. The Sandakan dealership is Dai Lieng Machinery's third after its Volvo Trucks dealerships in Kota Kinabalu and Miri. Dai Lieng Machinery had invested RM7.9 million into this new facility which offers a full range of services and on-site facilities.

ISUZU MARKS 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF BORNEO SAFARI SPONSORSHIP BY SENDING A MU-X & THREE D-MAX TO PARTICIPATE

The Borneo Safari 2016 is officially underway and will be ongoing for about eight days or so (30th October - 6th November) in Sabah. This also marks the 10th year in a row that Isuzu Malaysia has sent a team to participate. This time around Isuzu Malaysia have prepared a 7-seater SUV to tackle the tropical rainforests of Borneo. The Isuzu Mu-X Monster makes its debut together with three other Isuzu D-Max pickup trucks.

NISSAN still sells a 1990 Nissan Sentra in Mexico - Zero Stars and recently tested against a new 5 Star Nissan Versa

I usually keep an eye out for cars that have been in production for decades but somehow, the Nissan Tsuru, aka the 1990 Nissan Sentra has eluded me until today. I saw it on Facebook that the Latin NCAP had crash tested the 2015 Nissan Tsuru against a 2016 Nissan Versa, aka the Nissan Sylphy (here in Malaysia - still think the name sounds like a sexually transmitted disease. Versa is so much nicer). The Tsuru died a terrible death. For a car (and the crash test dummy inside) that is.

Spotted For Sale: 2004 Ferrari 360 spider F1 - Sambung Bayar for a Ferrari?

This was spotted for sale recently. First time I am seeing an advert that is asking the buyer to continue the car loan. However there is a catch. There is a RM180,000 down payment and that RM7,000 monthly payment which would have to continue for another 3 and a half years. Continuing loan instalments for a Ferrari? How pathetic.

HAPPENINGS: STUDENT WINS ISUZU D-MAX PICK-UP IN DECAL DESIGN CONTEST ORGANISED BY ISUZU MALAYSIA, THE ONE ACADEMY AND SIME KANSAI PAINTS

Being a student pays off in many ways these days. Recently, a student from UPM was suddenly given the keys to an All-New Proton Saga. Now, a student from The One Academy wins an Isuzu D-MAX Pickup Truck in the pecial Isuzu D-Max Decal Design Contest jointly organized by Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd, The One Academy and Sime Kansai Paints Sdn Bhd. 

HAPPENINGS: Perodua and Nippon Paint spruces up a home for children and senior citizens in time for Deepavali

 Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd General Manager, Mr Suresh Kumar (second from left) handover the cheque to  representative from Divine Life Society. Also in the picture is Ms Elina Baseri, General Manager Perodua Strategic Communications Div. (right)

The Kasih Sayang Welfare Home, which operates from a small house on a roadside near Perodua Headquarters, cares for 10 senior citizens and 13 children at the moment. Perodua and Nippon Paint (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd had joined forces in order to give a home for children and senior citizens a makeover in preparation for the upcoming Deepavali celebration. 

The Mercedes-AMG G63 is officially on sale in Malaysia. Woohoo!

The Original. According to Mercedes-Benz. Actually so original because this is the same goodness to gracious G-Wagen that was conceived in 1979. What is even more amazing is that the people at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has decided to officially offer the stomping Mercedes-AMG G63 in Malaysia. So we officially get the original in one of its most monstrous form. Hats off to the people at MBM.

Motorsport: Shell Renews Title Sponsorship of the Malaysian MotoGP till 2020 & Other Sepang International Circuit News

Shell and Dorna Sports have announced an exciting four-year extension to the energy company’s title sponsorship of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit (SIC). This news comes ahead of the latest instalment of the race in Kuala Lumpur, it reaffirms Shell’s commitment to top-level motorsport and the Asian region, having been title sponsor of the event in seven of the past eight seasons since 2009.