Media statement regarding the Perodua Axia steering lock up issue by Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr. Zahari Husin

Axia SE dashboard and steering wheel

Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr. Zahari Husin (pictured below) has come up with a statement regarding allegations on social media (most likely Facebook) that the compact Perodua Axia's steering will lock up at certain speeds.  Here is the statement in full:-

Media statement by Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr. Zahari Husin

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT B8 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN MALAYSIA - Prices from RM159,990 onwards (UPDATED - with full press release)

Florian Steiner, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia with the new Passat.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has officially launched the eighth generation Volkswagen Passat (B8) here in Malaysia. It is available in three variants with two engines. The 1.8 Trendline at RM159,990, 1.8 Comfortline at RM179,990 and the 2.0 Highline at RM198,990. All are prices in Peninsular Malaysia without registration and insurance charges. 

Volkswagen Beetle Dune launched - Only 50 units from RM179,900

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has surprisingly launched a very cool looking Beetle limited edition at the new Passat launch earlier today. The Volkswagen Beetle Dune was previewed and launched just prior to the launch of the new Passat B8. 

BMW Malaysia and Khoon Hooi collaborate to present Fashion in Motion - And a FACEBOOK CONTEST for you to win passes to the fashion show

BMW Malaysia and Malaysian fashion designer Khoon Hooi has extended their partnership which had arisen from the introduction of the new BMW 7 Series by presenting the designer's 2017 Spring/ Summer Collection inspired by Fashion in Motion (Fashion in Motion).

Mindless Ramblings: The Honda BRV is like Kim Kardashian...it has a big behind.

I wrote about the preview of the upcoming Honda BRV at the Malaysia Autoshow 2016 recently but I think my current opinion about what I think about this 7 seater SUV warrants a separate article. 

Happenings: Six Lucky MICHELIN Fans Receive Exclusive VIP hospitality and Get Behind-the-scenes Tour at MotoGP 2016

There is a backlog of events that I have to write about. So many things have been happening over the past month or so and I have only two hands and ten fingers (any more hands or fingers would be scary actually, but you get my point). Anyway....the recent 2016 Shell Malaysia MotoGP events had some interesting events that have actually allowed the regular Joe to take a peek into the happenings of motorsport and the automotive industry.

Happenings: The 2016 Shell Malaysia MotoGP with Shell Advance motorcycle engine oils

The recently concluded 2016 Shell Malaysia MotoGP™ was a memorable event. It was Ducati Corse rider Andrea Dovizioso’s first MotoGP™ win in seven years and since 2016 also marks 125 years in Malaysia for Shell, the company has decided to reach out to motorcycle-owning MotoGP™ fans who were at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) over the race weekend with the first-of-its-kind “Shell Advance Ride-Thru Service” for motorcycles below 250cc.

TEST DRIVE: 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DRIVEN - 1.8 TSI COMFORTLINE & 2.0 TSI HIGHLINE, INITIAL DRIVE EXPERIENCE

I was in Langkawi recently courtesy of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia. We were flown in to try out the better late than never all-new Volkswagen Passat B8. It replaces the Passat B7 which has soldiered on for at least a year and a half longer than what should have been. A mid-2015 launch in Malaysia.

PROTON IRIZ 1.3 LIMITED EDITION FROM THE PROTON 'DESIGN SERIES' & FUTURE UPDATES ON THE IRIZ

National car company Proton has unveiled the PROTON Design Series Iriz. The Limited Edition Iriz comes in 2 variants, the Iriz 1.3 standard CVT and the Iriz 1.3 Executive CVT with Honeycomb or The Stripe decals. The Honeycomb decals are found on the Graphite Grey and Cotton White coloured cars and the Stripe decals on the Fire Red and Atlantic Blue coloured cars. Only 2,000 units of the Limited Ed. Iriz will be available with prices starting from RM44,450 to RM49,130 for Peninsular Malaysia. 

PETRONAS SYNTIUM SE engine oil launched exclusively for Proton cars

National car maker PROTON, in collaboration with our national petroleum company PETRONAS, has launched an exclusive range of engine oil for Proton cars. The PETRONAS Syntium SE range is now made available at all Proton authorised service centres. 

BAIC INTERNATIONAL AND AMBER DUAL SDN BHD unveil the D20 Hatchback and EV200 Electric Car

A new passenger vehicle player is in town. BAIC International and local partner Amber Dual Sdn Bhd have unveiled two new cars at the 2016 Malaysia Autoshow. The BAIC EV200 – the first Malaysian Assembled / Manufactured Electric Vehicle for homologation and research purposes and production ready BAIC D20 - the first Right-Hand Drive variant of the BAIC D20 compact car which will be sold early 2017.

J.D. Power 2016 Malaysia Initial Quality Study (IQS) finds that Malaysian National Carmakers are improving in terms of overall quality

The latest J.D.Power findings are out folks. According to the people who are experts in statistics, the New-vehicle quality in Malaysia has improved by 18% from 2015. This year marks the largest improvement in the 14 year history of the study, with the gap between national and non-national brands the smallest it has ever been according to the J.D. Power 2016 Malaysia Initial Quality StudySM (IQS), released today.

All-New B8 Volkswagen Passat Now Open for Pre-Booking from RM160,000 to RM199,000

Volkswagen has announced that they are now accepting pre-bookings for their flagship model, the all-new B8 Volkswagen Passat. It will have an estimated price range from RM160,000 to RM199,000. 

Malaysia Autoshow 2016 opens its doors today - Highlights of the Autoshow and other details

This year's Malaysia Autoshow has started today and will continue till the 13th of November 2016 over at the Mines International Exhibition and Trade Centre in Seri Kembangan. The Malaysia Automotive Institute, a government body under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is the sole oorganiser of the autoshow and it is a showcase of the Malaysian automotive industry as well as the National Automotive Policy 2014, the automakers and other parts of the automotive industry. It is also a place to showcase and create awareness to help turn the country into a regional base for Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) production.

HYUNDAI Sime Darby Motors starts taking bookings for the soon to be launched Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid - Estimated price RM130k

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has begun accepting order for its new IONIQ Hybrid, which will be launched in Malaysia by the end of the year. The IONIQ will also be on display at the Malaysia Autoshow 2016 which will be held at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from November 10 -13, 2016. Interested parties can also place their order at Hyundai’s booth. 

THE AUDI KUALA LUMPUR SERVICE CENTRE IS NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS

Euromobil Sdn Bhd, who operate the Audi Kuala Lumpur Service Centre at Jalan Chan Sow Lin  has announced that the Service Centre is now open on Sundays, as part of the company’s effort to improve its after sales service. Sunday operations have begun since 18 September 2016.

Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Sdn Bhd officially opens its new plant in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan

Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (DPEM) has officially opened its new RM500 million joint venture plant in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan.  This new facility is the second significant investment made by Daihatsu after their transmission manufacturing facility, Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd, in Senawang began operations in July 2015.

MOTORSPORT: ALEX YOONG wins big at the 2016 AUDI R8 LMS Cup

Former Formula 1 driver and fellow Malaysian Alex Yoong has captured his third consecutive championship in the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Mr Yoong, who drives for team Audi TEDA Racing secured the championship by just one point ahead of Alessio Picariello of the MGT Team by Absolute.

Commercial Vehicles, Truck & Bus: 5 Cost Saving Tips for Commercial Fleet Operations by Caltex, featuring their Delo 400 MGX Oil

One of the challenges facing commercial fleet operators is the struggle to deal with cost pressures. The issue of lowering fleet costs stems from, among several factors, the instability of global prices of crude oil. With crude oil prices impacting world currencies, fleet operators are faced with keeping their expenses in check while managing their assets and inventories to ensure that supply meets demand.

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.