INDUSTRY NEWS: ISUZU MALAYSIA ANNOUNCES THAT 2016 WAS A RECORD YEAR FOR THEM

Isuzu Malaysia has announced that 2016 was a record year for them, where the brand is placed 6th in overall sales as the most popular vehicle brand in Malaysia. Isuzu also continued its domination of the Malaysian truck market, taking a commanding 38.9%.  The best selling Isuzu ELF light-duty truck tops the commercial vehicle charts for seventh consecutive years, and Isuzu Forward medium-duty truck for the third time.

BMW Group Malaysia is the Official Automotive Partner of the Le Tour de Langkawi Malaysia 2017.

This year it is BMW who are official automotive partners for the upcoming 2017 Le Tour de Langkawi cycling event. BMW Group Malaysia and Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) today announced the appointment of the premium automaker as the Official Automotive Partner of the Le Tour de Langkawi Malaysia competition for the year 2017. The premium automaker will support one of Asia’s premier cycling stage race with a fleet of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles. They will also be the  White Jersey Sponsor for the Best Asian Rider 

Happenings: EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO DUCATI TEAM GARAGE FOR SHELL ADVANCE GUESTS

Shell Advance recently invited 100 special guests for a unique experience ahead of the 2017 MotoGP™ season. The lucky group comprised of mechanics (who have helped make Shell Advance the leading motorcycle engine oil brand in Malaysia), members of the Desmo Owners Club Malaysia and selected media. In the main pic above, you can see Ducati press officer Julian Thomas taking a wefie with some of the lucky people.

TRUCK NEWS:Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Unveils its latest 3S Commercial Vehicle Centre in Klang

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBMCV) together with authorised dealer, Hap Seng Commercial Vehicle (HSCV) has officially opened its full-fledged 3S Commercial Vehicle Centre in Selangor’s Industrial Hub, Telok Gong, Klang. According to them, manufacturers and transporter companies will benefit from the full-fledged 3S Service Centre strategically located in Selangor’s Industrial Hub, Telok Gong, Klang.

Apollo Tyres offers an impressive one year UNCONDITIONAL Warranty for passenger car tyres in Malaysia

Mr. Shubhro Ghosh, Group Head - ASEAN, Middle East & Africa, Apollo Tyres believes the UCW offer will increase Malaysians’ confidence in Apollo

Starting from the 10th of February 2017 customers of Apollo Tyres here in Malaysia will be offered a one-year Unconditional Warranty (UCW) for their range of passenger car tyres. 

News: Caltex™ Havoline® and ONE Championship™ bring the fight back to Kuala Lumpur

Caltex wants you  to put the fight back in your engine, with Caltex Havoline. Throne of Tigers, will be held today, the 10th of February at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Ev Ting from Malaysia is expected once again to show his domination in the cage when he faces Kamal. Because of his impressive track record as a fighter, Ev was recently invited to represent Caltex as the brand ambassador for their premium engine oil brand, Havoline.

Aside from that you can also enter...

FROM SPECTATOR TO STRIKER : CHEVROLET INVITES FOOTBALL FANS TO BECOME ‘PROS’ FOR A DAY AT 2017 CHEVROLET FAN CUP

Announced in the middle of last month, Chevrolet 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.”

Happenings: SMK Sultan Abdul Samad students rise to the challenge with Caltex™ Havoline® and ONE Championship™

On wednesday, the 8th of February 2017, a select group of secondary school students from SMK Sultan Abdul Samad in Petaling Jaya had a once in a lifetime chance to meet up with  two of the Mixed Martial Arts competitors from the ONE Championship series through a CSR community initiative spearheaded by Caltex Havoline. 

Someone said I did not give 'Constructive Criticism' on the Super Narrow & therefore quite ugly looking Chana Era CM8 MPV - I now try to give constructive advise

Photo:Paultan.org

Recently someone complained that I did not give any 'Constructive Criticism' about a car he, or she was searching on. The person stumbled on the blog searching about the CHANA ERA CM8 Mini MPV and then said this,

Statement by DRB-Hicom on PROTON Holding's Foreign Partner search - My opinions are included free of charge

DRB-Hicom, who are the owners of PROTON Holdings, the Malaysian car company has issued a statement (which is posted down below) in response to the latest round of media reports on the future of Proton and who is in the running to 'take over' or enter into a partnership with Proton. This depends on which angle the journalists are writing from. 

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!