SHELL ADVANCE LAUNCHES FULL RANGE OF SCOOTER OILS WITH DUCATI CORSE RIDER ANDREA DOVIZIOSO AS SPECIAL GUEST & LAUNCHES EXPRESS OIL CHANGE AT SELECTED SHELL STATIONS

It has been a quiet weekend for Yours Truly. Didn't do much last friday except go to a Shell Advance launch for their newest range of scooter lubricants. Well, it still is Chinese New Year week you know. Anyway, the new products launched comprised of the fully synthetic Shell Advance 4T Ultra Scooter with PurePlus Technology 5W-40, synthetic technology Shell Advance 4T AX 7 Scooter 10W-40 and Shell Advance Scooter Gear Oil. 

Industry News: PROTON appoints a new CEO for Proton Edar

Proton has appointed the dapper looking chap in the photograph above as the new CEO of its sales and marketing arm, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd. Mr Abdul Rashid Musa replaces outgoing CEO Mr Rohime Shafie effective 1st of February 2017. Prior to this appointment, he was the Chief Technical Officer of PROTON where he held several portfolios, including being instrumental in the development of the four new models in 2016 (the Perdana, Persona, Saga and Ertiga). 

BMW 118i M Sport and BMW 330e M Sport variants launched in conjunction with BMW Group Malaysia CNY festivities

BMW Group Malaysia announced the introduction of two new M Sport models for the Malaysian market – the new BMW 118i M Sport and BMW 330e M Sport. The new cars are introduced in conjunction with the premium automaker’s CNY@BMW campaign that is currently ongoing at all its dealerships nationwide. 

Proton Persona and the Proton Saga launched in Brunei

Proton has launched the all-new Proton Persona and the all-new Proton Saga over in the Kingdom of Brunei. For those that did not do too well in geography or if you are just unaware, Brunei is located in the island of Borneo (hence the name) and nicely sandwiched between Sabah and Sarawak. Of course, if you're from Brunei, or did quite well for your Geography paper, you'd probably know that already. 

TEST DRIVE: VOLVO XC90 T8 - All Hail, the King of the North

The thing about a lot of people is that they have a preconception about nearly automotive brand out there. Take for example Volvo. A lot of people have that notion that a Volvo is one of those cars for family types. Some however think that a Volvo is those old square boxes like the 240 which are meant for hipster type folks out there. Then there are some who think that you should follow precisely what Volvo's previous slogan to the tee, which is 'Volvo, For Life' and just buy one Volvo and use it for the rest of their lives. But ever since Volvo recently gave their whole line-up a good shake, a Volvo is a stupendous vehicle to drive.

CHELSEA TRUCK COMPANY's take on the Mercedes-Benz G350 - A wide arched monsta

I sometimes wonder why not many wealthy Malaysians aren't running around in the G-Wagon. I mean, I know it is expensive, but it looks damn good. In that chunky super tough sort of way. There are also people buying Porsche Cayenne Turbos out there. Which they shouldn't.

The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) launches its Resource (and Training) Centre in Rawang

Minister of MITI, Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed (middle) with Dato' Madani Sahari, CEO of MAI (left)

The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) had launched their Resource Centre (MAIRC) over in Bukit Beruntung, Rawang sometime last week. The centre, which was established in partnership with Perodua, Proton and vendors Suria Component SDN. BHD., SIPRO Plastics SDN. BHD. and PHN Industry SDN. BHD. The launching of MAI Resource Centre was officiated by YB Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade and Industry, on the 24th of January 2017. MAIRC as the focal point for all MAI capacity building programmes.

TRUCK & BUS NEWS: SCANIA APPRENTICE PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA DELIVERS RESULTS

Graduates and new apprentices together with IKBN at Scania Malaysia, coming together to start their respective journey towards success for both Scania customers and their personal development.

Another event that happened just prior to the Chinese New Year of the Rooster this year is graduation of twelve participants in Scania Malaysia's Apprentice Training Programme. Ever since 2014, this collaborative programme is aimed in bringing out a continuous flow of skilled people that will meet the demand within Scania as well as meeting the overall demand for skilled manpower in the country. 

PROTON RECEIVES ACCREDITATION AS A CENTRE FOR NATIONAL DUAL TRAINING SYSTEM (SLDN) FOR SKILLS TRAINING

Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali receiving the SLDN accreditation certificate from Dato’ Sri Richard Riot Jaem

Sometime before the Chinese New Year, Proton received accreditation by the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia as well as from the Department of Skills Development, Malaysia as a centre for the National Dual Training System programme conducted by the Government of Malaysia.

Hope the year of the Rooster brings us all prosperity, and a more grown up and disciplined society

photo: Pinterest

Happy New Year of the Rooster! I hope it brings you readers out there health and wealth. And also more disciplined and patient drivers in Malaysia - Use the signal indicators more! Follow the Road Signs! Do not lose your temper!. 

Now we shall be getting back to the business of putting articles up shortly.  Hey, it's the New Year. I need my celebration time too!

2017 Renault Sport Track Days: tackling Europe’s greatest tracks!

This is an interesting bit of news if you have the resources to do so and is already bored of the usual Renault Malaysia Track Day at Sepang.  Groupe Renault today announced the opening of online registrations for 2017 Renault Sport Track Days over in Europe. 

Automotive Industry Opinion: Porsche sold 5,589 cars in South East Asia last year - Malaysia is one of their key markets

Porsche sold about 5,589 Cars over in the South East Asian region in 2016. You may think that 5,000 cars is a small number but this is a premium luxury brand. Each car sold would cost an average of RM400,000 to 700,000 with or without high taxes. Multiply that by 5,000 and you see that is is a significant sum.

TRUCK NEWS: HINO MALAYSIA UPGRADES THEIR 300 SERIES LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE

Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.  has now upgraded their HINO 300 Series light commercial truck following their recent upgrades towards their bus chassis line-up. The new 300 Series of trucks now offer more power and better safety features. 

TRUCK NEWS: MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 2016 PERFORMANCE REPORT

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles, Vice President, Mr Albert Yee together with the Mercedes-Benz Actros and FUSO Canter.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV) have announced that they sold 2,612 vehicles in 2016. Whilst this is a dip from the previous year (their Total Industry Volume dropped to 13%) it is still quite a respectable amount considering the stiff competition and an uncertain market situation.

Happenings: A man from Penang wins a Bezza for Perodua Test Drive and Win Contest

Last weekend was a happening one for Perodua and those that attended the compact car manufacturer's MYPerodua Nation Carnival held in Shah Alam. But also celebrating something at the event was Mr Law Soon Hee, who was chosen to be the winner of Perodua’s “Test Drive and Win” short message service (SMS) contest which ran from October to December last year.

Look for the BMW S 1000 XR motorcycle and win some BMW Motorrad merchandise by watching Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter

Lookout for the BMW S 1000 XR and stand a chance to win BMW Motorrad merchandises by watching Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter at cinemas nationwide.

BMW Motorrad, the Premium motorcycle maker introduces lucky draw contest for cinema-goers of post-apocalyptic blockbuster to win exclusive merchandises. 

Heck, I'd go just to see Ms Jovovich killing zombies! The stuff to be won is a big bonus.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars issues a statement following announcements by Rolls-Royce PLC

These days Rolls Royce Motor Cars is not part of Rolls Royce PLC. The car company is now owned by BMW Group. So recently when some stuff hit the fan regarding Rolls Royce PLC, the company that makes aeroplane jet engines, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have decided to issue the statement below so that there is no confusion between the two very separate business entities:

The 2017 Chevrolet Fan Cup - Manchester United Fans! Get a chance to head over to Old Trafford courtesy of Chevrolet

IF you are a football fan as well as a Chevrolet enthusiast do take note. Chevrolet has announced that it will make fans “professional” footballers for a day through the 2017 Chevrolet Fan Cup, a global competition where winners will play at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium, the “Theatre of Dreams.”

TEST DRIVE: THE PROTON ERTIGA EXECUTIVE PLUS A/T - The Ertiga Media Drive Experience to Kuala Selangor

A few weeks ago I went on the new Proton Ertiga media drive. This was the first time most of us motoring guys got to try Proton's all new compact MPV out on Malaysian roads. Prior to this most of us had a go with the Ertiga over at Proton's test track where we decided that it was a decent little people carrier that would get the job of transporting a family of five to six (occasionally seven) people comfortably in and around the country. The only thing that came to our mind at the time was how much Proton was going to price it.

THE HAVAL M4 IS NOW CALLED THE HAVAL H1

(Left to Right) Ahmad Azam Dato' Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Go Auto & Dato' SM Azli Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin Kamil, Executive Director of Go Auto

The Haval M4 Compact Crossover SUV has been given a name change. The little EEV (energy efficient vehicle) certified SUV is now called the Haval H1. The only obvious changes to the car is that the H1 now has a differently styled chrome grille and the Haval logo is embedded on the steering wheel, car boot and seatbacks. It basically is the same car.