Happenings: Ford / Sime Darby Auto Connexion's Third Annual 'World Cup' Challenge skills competition for sales consultants

The Ford and local partner Sime Darby Auto Connexion's 2016 World Cup Challenge reflects Ford’s investment in developing the skills of their sales consultants through intensive trainings as well as provides a platform for our sales consultants to sharpen their skills and knowledge in order to deliver competent sales experience to their customers

Haval Malaysia offers very generous incentives on the Haval M4 Crossover

If you are interested in buying something that is very different but in the price bracket of the usual Perodua and Proton range of vehicles there is that compact crossover from Haval Malaysia to consider. Now, Haval have announced a slew of incentives including a fantastically long 7 year unlimited mileage warranty. It would make sense as these days a lot of Malaysians take car loans of up to 9 years.

Happenings: BMW Group Malaysia Reveals Finalists for BMW Shorties 2016 - 12 from a record total of 115 entries.

7 of the 12 finalists with BMW's Mr Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia (left) & Nadira Llana (2nd from left)

BMW Group Malaysia has announced the finalists of the BMW Shorties 2016 short film making competition. 12 finalists’ short films are up to contend for the People’s Choice Award which opens for public voting from the 30 th November to 7 th December, 2016 on www.bmwshorties.com.my.

PROTON launches the Ertiga compact MPV

The Proton Ertiga has been launched. Proton Ertiga is a compact sized MPV and it is the first model introduced through Proton’s collaboration with Suzuki.  It comes in 2 variants – the Executive (manual [MT] and automatic [AT]); and Executive Plus (AT) transmissions respectively with prices starting from RM58,800 up to RM64,800 for Peninsular Malaysia.

Young Aces Technical College (YATC) for automotive courses officially opens its doors

The Young Aces Technical College (YATC) officially launched its vocational learning centre last friday, the 18th of November 2016. The launch was graced by Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Syarif Temenggong Perlis, Dato’ Seri Diraja Syed Amir Abidin Jamalullail (brother to the Raja of Perlis) and his wife, Yang Mulia Che Puan Temenggong Perlis, Datin Seri Diraja Farinawati Datuk Mohd Din. The launch was also attended by Leona Chin, celebrity female drifter and motorsport athlete as well as YATC partners from Mintye Industries Berhad, JPK Malaysia and SkillsMalaysia.

The 2017 Hyundai Grand Starex Royale is launched in Malaysia

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has launched the latest facelifted Hyundai Grand Starex Royale in Malaysia. The new 2017 Model Year Grand Starex Royale gets some exterior updates starting a new massive looking front chrome grille and bumper. 

BMW Dealer Tian Siang Premium Auto is the official automotive partner for the new Design Village Mall in Batu Kawan - BMW Roadshow on 25th-27th November 2016

Tian Siang Premium Auto, the authorised representative for the BMW brand in the Butterworth and Prai in Penang is the Official Premium Automotive Partner for the Opening Ceremony of the new Design Village Mall in Batu Kawan, Penang. The premium automotive dealership will be shuttling Dignitaries and VIPs in a Fleet of BMW 7 Series, BMW X4, BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer and BMW 1 Series vehicle during its opening day.

Spotted For Sale: Sometimes, a Toyota Avanza's condition is so good until its God-like

A typo. Or an actual lack of how to spell correctly. Anyway, a 'God Condtion' Toyota Avanza is all you need. Full Loan available too. Most probably endorsed not by a local bank but by heaven.

Six new Vespa models displayed at 70th Anniversary Vespa celebration in Publika Shopping Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

I actually went to see some Vespa scooters at the recent Malaysian Vespa 70th Anniversary Celebrations. A big thing since I am not really a bike kinda guy. But this is a Vespa. Something cute, cuddly and very Italian. Not to mention a style icon. I like style icons.  The event, “The Largest Vespa Gathering”, was held at Publika Shopping Gallery last Saturday, 19th November 2016. 

Caltex Fuel Your School Programme creates positive impact for over 10,000 students

Caltex (aka Chevron Malaysia) has successfully completed its annual Caltex Fuel Your School programme (“Caltex FYS”) in partnership with MyKasih Foundation. This year, this Corporate Social Responsibility programme has benefited over 10,000 students collectively in both Pahang and Kelantan schools.  

Updated: PROTON ERTIGA MPV - PICS, DETAILS AND FIRST TEST DRIVE -

It has been a whirlwind for Proton these past few months. One car launch after the other. We have had the new Proton Perdana, Persona and the Saga launched one after the other. Even at the end of the year, a period when most auto makers slow down a little, Proton is still at it. Making up for lost time. And also making up in terms of quality as the cars launched so far have been pretty amazing for such a small (in global terms) manufacturer.

Happenings: Caltex Celebrates Its One Millionth Caltex JOURNEY™ Card Member

Wow. One million people in Malaysia are Caltex JOURNEY™ Card Members. This is quite remarkable since we have 30 million people give or take a couple of million in Malaysia. 

HAPPENINGS: ZF Sales & Service Sdn Bhd wraps up its charity programme, raising RM10,000 for the Selangor Family Aid Association shelter

We've been writing about car manufacturers and petroleum companies giving back to society but we have never reported anything regarding parts manufacturers or their dealers. Now, most of you would have heard about ZF, the German parts manufacturer famed for their gearboxes and transmission units as well as Original Equipment (OE) parts like damper units (Sachs, Lemforder and Boge to name a few).

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.