Perodua Bezza wins three awards at the Malaysia Car of the Year 2016

The Perodua Bezza compact sedan won three awards at the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) Malaysia Car of the Year 2016 awards recently. It won the Car of the Year 2016 award for the Entry Level category for the Bezza 1.3 Advanced, People’s Choice 2016 for the Bezza 1.3 Advanced and the Most Significant Design Achievement for the Perodua Bezza (overall design).

PROTON wins two awards at the MAI Malaysia Car of the Year 2016

PROTON had received 2 awards at the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) Malaysia Car of the Year 2016 held at The Saujana Hotel, Subang recently for its new and refined Saga and the all-new Persona. The Proton Saga won the Value for Money Car award whilst the Proton Persona won the Most Improved Model in Fuel Efficiency.

UPDATE: It's December and I am taking things easy...

Yup. It's December folks and this is the reason you only see bits of news pieces here and nothing much about me driving this or bitching about that or writing some stuff about a car I like or don't like. I am taking things easy this month as it's the holiday season here. There is also a family vacation coming up and I would also like to remind you readers out there that I do have a life aside from motoring, automobiles and driving.

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today kicked off the Ford Charity Drive for Joy campaign.

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today kicked off the Ford Charity Drive for Joy campaign.

2017 Maserati Ghibli and Ghibli S Now on Sale in Malaysia

The 2017 Ghibli

The 2017 Maserati Ghibli and Ghibli S is now available in Malaysia, two short months after their official debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The 2017 Ghibli and Ghibli S are available starting from RM 618,800.00 and RM 708,800.00 respectively, including a 3 years/60,000km service package. The price includes local duties and taxes.

Happenings: PERODUA Eco-Challenge returns for 2017

The Perodua Eco Challenge 2017 (PEC 2017), will be one of Perodua’s main Corporate Responsibility programmes when it returns next year. This time, the event will have invitations to institutions of higher learning to propose the best innovative components which might be incorporated in its future models.

MINI Malaysia Takes Charge with New Fitness Adventure Campaign staring the MINI Countryman as well as year end sales offers

MINI Malaysia today introduced the MINI Takes Charge fitness campaign, where four trainers from four gyms have designed fitness routines fitting to the distinctiveness of the MINI Countryman. Like the Adventurer, the four dynamic workout routines are a combination of power, speed, control, strength and adrenaline. Boy, as a certified car person, I just got tired just by looking at all of these trainers doing all the stuff in the video below. And in the photos.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia announces new joint Managing Director

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today announced the appointment of Mr. Erik Winter (above) as its new Managing Director, with immediate effect. Mr. Winter replaces outgoing Managing Director Mr. Alin Tapalaga, who is returning to Europe due to health reasons - and will oversee the Company’s Brand and Human Resource operations.

3M Malaysia Launches 3M™ Diamond Grade™ (DG3) Reflective Markings in Compliance with the new rulings by the JPJ

3M is most well known for those Post It sticky notes thingy. But they also do lots of automotive related stuff too. One of them is something called Conspicuity Marking or Reflective Stickers as we simpletons call it. 3M has launched the 3M™ Diamond Grade™ (DG3) Conspicuity Marking earlier today, in line with the recent announcement made by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) that lorry marking reflective stickers are now mandatory on all commercial vehicles.

GO AUTO signs agreement with FUKUTA ELECTRIC to develop Electric Vehicles & its supply chain in Malaysia

The chaps from Go Auto Manufacturing were recently in Taiwan where they signed a technical agreement. with Fukuta Electric & Machinery Company Ltd. Taiwan (Fukuta) recently to develop the ecosystem for electric vehicles (EV). The agreement is in line with the Malaysian Government's initiative to make Malaysia as a hub for manufacturers and EV components in the ASEAN market.

Ford Ranger awarded ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards for Best Adult Occupant Protection for Pick-Up Category

The popular Ford Ranger pick-up truck has recently been awarded the ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Award 2016 for ‘Best Adult Occupant Protection for Pick-Up Category’. Ford Ranger achieved the highest 5-star safety rating in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) among all pickup trucks being tested by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP) earlier this year with the strongest evaluation score in the segment of 15.45/16 points.

Truck & Bus News: SCANIA MARCOPOLO premium coaches delivered to Siang Malam Travel Express Sdn Bhd

Siang Malam Travel Express Sdn Bhd was the first bus operator in the country to purchase the new Scania Marcopolo premium coach. They have liked the new coach so much that they have taken delivery of another two units. Unlike most of the coaches or buses you see here which are built by external coachbuilders, the Marcopolo is a complete coach built and delivered by Scania.

Toyota Innova 2nd generation launched in Malaysia

UMW Toyota just launched the second generation Toyota Innova here in Malaysia. My first thoughts were:

1. It's not so ugly anymore...and..

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia addresses customer concerns – “What happens after the 5-year warranty?”

I think this must come as some comforting news for all Volkswagen car owners here in Malaysia. Well, those with Volkswagen cars produced till December 2013 whose 5 year (3+2) warranty had just expired - something like the Golf TSI above. The company really wants to win back the hearts of its customers and this is an unprecedented move by such an established manufacturer.

Truck & Bus News: Sin-Pen Travel Sdn Bhd takes delivery of Scania Buses for their newly launched Premium Class Coach Service

One of country's most established travel and tour companies, the Penang based Sin-Pen Travel Sdn Bhd, has taken delivery of some Scania buses.  The first set of Scania buses Sin-Pen have decided to operate are two single deck 31-seaters that are built on the Scania K360IB4x2 chassis with 360 bhp Euro 3, 6-cylinder engines and fully automated Opticruise gearbox.

Caltex launches the "Caltex Power Diesel TM with Techron ® D" Euro 5 diesel

Good News! Caltex have launched its Euro 5 compliant diesel fuel here in Malaysia! Caltex Power Diesel TM (Euro 5) with Techron ® D is a new ultra-premium diesel product that is cleaner and provides more power and more reliability with every fill. It should be available in all Caltex stations as I type.

Happenings: The 3rd HINO MALAYSIA TOTAL SUPPORT CHALLENGE CONTEST - LU & SONS ENGINEERING SDN BHD WINS AGAIN!

The 3rd  HINO Total Support Challenge Contest was held over last weekend and it basically is a platform for HINO dealers to improve their HINO experience with their customers in the areas of Sales, Service and Spare Parts.  

Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd produces 250,000 vehicle since operations started in August 2014

This is a milestone for Perodua, the Malaysian compact car manufacturer. Their 'advanced manufacturing arm' Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PGMSB) which assembles their newer (EEV) approved cars like the Axia and the Bezza has produced its 250,000th vehicle recently. Quite an achievement as the facility started operations in August 2014. It also shows the response that the Malaysian people have for the new A-segment compacts that Perodua have decided to offer. 

Happenings: The Malaysian round of the 9th Volvo World Golf Challenge

The annual Volvo World Golf Challenge was back for its 9th consecutive year here in Malaysia.  A total of 111 golf enthusiasts participated in this Volvo Group (here under Volvo Trucks Malaysia) event where they stood a chance to drive home a Volvo Car Malaysia sponsored Volvo XC90 in the Hole-in-One category.

Bosch motorcycle systems honoured with Safety Technology Award by ASEAN NCAP Awards 2016

Bosch was honoured with “Safety Technology Award: Innovative Motorcycle Technology for Safer Riding” by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) at their ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix awards 2016 gala dinner. This award recognizes Bosch’s continuous effort in innovating safer riding with two-wheeler technologies such as the motorcycle antilock braking system (ABS), motorcycle stability control (MSC), and side view assist.