The All-New Honda CR-V Gets 5 Star Rating Under the New ASEAN NCAP Rating System - Details and Our Thoughts About It

ASEAN NCAP, the independent New Car Assessment Programme for the ASEAN region has a new and more comprehensive test regime this year (2017). It has introduced a new rating system to assess vehicle safety levels which includes the same Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP) and this time even more emphasis on Safety Assist Technologies (SATs). The first vehicle to actually undergo testing of this new system is the all-new Honda CR-V. It received the full 5 star rating for the variant tested. 

Happenings: CYCLE & CARRIAGE BINTANG & MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA SHOW OFF THE ALL NEW MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPÉ TO ITS CUSTOMERS & GUESTS

You see, usually after the launch of a brand new car or variant to the media and then to the dealers it is the customers and potential people that get invited to the next round of events. In the case of the all new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, long time Mercedes-Benz dealer Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd had invited their customers and a bunch of enthusiasts to a preview of the coupe at The Club, Saujana Resort in Shah Alam. 

Truck News: Six New Units of Isuzu Forward medium duty trucks to YHL Trading (KL) Sdn Bhd

Isuzu Malaysia, through their dealer Indah Utara Auto Sdn Bhd recently handed over 6 new units of the Isuzu Forward medium duty truck (FVR285) to YHL Trading (KL) Sdn Bhd. YHL Trading is a subsidiary of the Sin Hock Soon Group, which mainly focuses on rice manufacturing and packaging. If you do grocery shopping, you may have seen their rice brand 'Sunflower' at the local supermarket.

Happenings: Ford's ‘Driving Skills for Life’ Programme Continues at the Han Chiang College in Penang

Recently, a batch of students from Han Chiang College in Penang participated in four half day Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) workshops. The short courses were organized in partnership with Ford’s local distributor partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. This was the second round of workshops provided for Han Chiang College following positive feedback and demand from the first event held there last December. 

Truck News: Volvo Trucks Fuelwatch Challenge 2017 Malaysia - FIRST Ever Female Truck Driver Qualifies For The Finals!

 This is the eight year that the Volvo Trucks Fuelwatch Challenge has been organised here in Malaysia and this time, for the first time ever, a female truck driver has made it to the finals! Junaidah Bte Ibrahim, who is 32 years of age has qualified for the Malaysian finals which is to be held on 25th and 26th August 2017 in Shah Alam. She will compete against seven other finalists where the winner will get a chance to compete in the world finals in Sweden from 18th to 22nd September 2017

Offers & Promotions: AXXESS & Quill Automobiles have a BMW National Day sales event on 19-20th August 2017

In celebration of Malaysia’s 60 years of independence, Quill Automobiles BMW with AXXESS, will be holding a National Day Sales Event at Quill Automobiles Showroom, Jalan Semangat, PJ. For 2 days only, 19th and 20th August 2017. Make a date to test drive any BMW and you’ll get a complimentary AXXESS Card. 

Spotted For Sale: The Ultimate Proton Saga Dragon Ninja Warrior Aeroback

I was just shown this over on my Facebook by a friend. This has got to be the most outrageous decked out Proton Saga Aeroback out there in the universe! And it's for sale!!!!!!!!! Yes!!! The car of your nightmares have come true.

MALAYSIA AUTOMOTIVE INSTITUTE (MAI) Launches its Design Centre - A Product of the Malaysian Government, Perodua & Their Vendors

Today marks another milestone in the Malaysian Automotive Industry. The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), an agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), has officially launched the MAI Design Centre in Rawang, Selangor. The centre is a collaboration between MAI, acting on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, and national car maker Perodua which come into this picture together with their vendors.

Offers & Promotions: Ford Truck Month Showroom Deals Throughout Malaysia This Coming Weekend (18-20 August 2017)

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia will be holding an exclusive 3-day nationwide promotion in conjunction with ‘Ford Truck Month’ (which actually ongoing till October 2017). The promotional offer is a one time, exclusive deal for ALL Ford car models for bookings made between 18- 20 August, 2017 when you visit any Ford showrooms nationwide. In other words, the offers for the coming weekend are for all Ford cars sold in Malaysia. So if you like that Ford Focus, now could be the time.

UMW Toyota Motor’s Pre-owned Vehicle Division is Rebranded as Toyota TopMark

UMW Toyota Motor’s Pre-Owned Vehicle division will be rebranded as Toyota TopMark from this month onwards. According to UMW Toyota Motors, who are the official distributors of Toyota here, the move reflects the new focus on offering quality Toyota Certified Pre-Owned cars and Hybrid cars. The pre-owned vehicles division of UMW Toyota was established way back in 2000 and it has been one of the strengths of the company since then.

Offers & Promotions: Merdeka Sale Campaing on the KIA SPORTAGE GT & THE KIA CERATO 1.6 SX

Car companies are starting to promote their cars heavily this Merdeka month and here we have NAZA KIA Malaysia joining the fray with a special Merdeka Sale throughout August for the KIA Sportage GT and the KIA Cetaro 1.6 SX. These cars come with great offers and goodies in conjunction with the nation's 60th Merdeka celebrations. 

Opinion: The Newly Unveiled Mitsubishi Xpander's Front End Styling is Scary so I try to fix it with Bad Photoshop. Come see...

The first thing I said when I saw photos of the newly unveiled Mitsubishi Xpander compact MPV crossover thingamajig over in Indonesia recently was 'Okaayyyyyyyyyyy......'. Then I thought that this MPV isn't so bad looking after all. It could just be horrible. 

Pictorial: At the Volkswagen Fest 2017 in Setia City Convention Centre - New and Classic Volkswagen Cars Converge

The Volkswagen Fest 2017 is happening this weekend. I was there yesterday and here are some of the photos I took. It is on till tomorrow, the 13th of August 2017 and it is held on the grounds of the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam. It is something that would be a memorable experience if you like viewing old, classic Volkswagen cars like the Beetle, Kombi and even the Karmann Ghia. And then, there are the sales bargains too. 

Special Volkswagen Beetle 60th Merdeka Edition launched at the Inaugural Volkswagen Fest 2017 (UPDATED with video)

In conjunction with the Volkswagen Fest 2017 (which is ongoing till this sunday, 13th of August) as well as the upcoming 60th Merdeka (Independence) Day celebrations here in Malaysia, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia has introduced the limited edition Volkswagen Beetle 60th Merdeka Edition. This is one of two limited edition Volkswagen launched at the Fest, the other being the Volkswagen Jetta ALLSTAR. 

Volkswagen Jetta ALLSTAR launched at the Volkswagen Fest 2017

The Volkswagen Fest 2017 is currently ongoing till this Sunday, 13th August 2017. This is a celebration of all things Volkswagen, new and even the classics. It is because of this momentous occasion that Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) chose to launch two new variants of its popular cars. One of which is the Volkswagen Jetta ALLSTAR which we now write about in here (The other is the Merdeka Edition Beetle).

Offers & Promotions: FORD TRUCK MONTH is Declared by the Authorised Ford Dealer in Malaysia - Lots of deals when you buy a Ford from now till 31st October 2017

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the authorised Ford dealer in Malaysia has decided to call this month the 'Ford Truck Month'. What this means is that you can head over to your nearest Ford showroom now to enjoy great savings during the ‘Ford Truck Month’ from now until 31st October. Of course, the Ford Truck Month seems to last longer than 30 days and it also celebrates 100years of Ford as a truck brand. But this is a good excuse if you want to go and buy the Ford Ranger at a more attractive price.

CHEVROLET LAUNCHES NEW CHEVROLET COLORADO VARIANTS - THE COLORADO X, COLORADO X-URBAN & COLORADO X-ADV

Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor and importer of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, has unveiled three new Chevrolet Colorado pick-up X Edition variants. These consist the Colorado X, Colorado X-Urban and Colorado X-ADV. With these new variants, there are now more choices right out of the box for those that want a Colorado pick-up with some difference and to stand out a little from the usual versions.

SHELL ADVANCE LAUNCHES MASTERCLASS SERIES FOR LOCAL MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS

Shell Advance has launched an exclusive Masterclass training programme built for local motorcycle mechanics as part of its new ‘Outride Anything’ brand campaign . The Masterclass programme comprises seven online videos developed in collaboration with Ducati to guide and provide mechanics with expert knowledge and tips on proper motorcycle maintenance. This is also part of the roadshow that Shell Malaysia plans to carry out in conjunction with the upcoming 2017 Shell Malaysia MotoGP.

250,000th Axia is presented to a teacher from Pulau Langkawi

This is a small bit of news that I'd like to share. It may have already been picked up by other local automotive websites but it is interesting in some way in terms of the automotive industry here in Malaysia. Perodua has sold 250,000 Axia compact city cars to date and counting since it was launched in 2014. And going strong. It could already be 255,000 by the time I finish typing this article.

New Mercedes-Benz MBSA Autohaus Officially Opens for Business in the Historical City of Melaka

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia continues its quest to enhance its customer touchpoints in Malaysia with the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz MBSA Autohaus in Melaka. This new, albeit temporary Autohaus is operated by dealer partners MBSA Autohaus Sdn Bhd. This Autohaus was completed with an investment of RM1.2 million and will be the only Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Melaka.