FORD RANGER XL STANDARD Launched - A Very Affordable Ranger Pick-up Now Available

Ford and their Malaysian distributors, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) have launched a stripped down, back to basics Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Dubbed the Ford Ranger XL Standard, this is the new base model here in Malaysia. At RM83,588 on the road in Peninsular Malaysia and RM89,388 in East Malaysia, it makes the ever popular Ranger even more affordable to the masses.

Upcoming Lifestyle Event: Audi Quattro Cup 2017 - Golfing for a Good Cause

The Malaysian chapter of the Audi quattro Cup Golf Tournament will be returning for the seventh time this year. It will be bigger, better and for a good cause at the Mines Resort & Golf Club. Yes, hitting the ball and walking over an 18 hole golf course for charity is a good thing. It will also allow Audi owners, invited guests and golfers mingle whilst doing some good.

TEST DRIVE(s): The 2017 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi Diesel & Hyundai Tucson 1.6 GDi Turbo Petrol

Things are looking pretty interesting when it comes to Korean car manufacturer Hyundai here in Malaysia. They’ve been keeping themselves busy over the past few months with some interesting car launches. Hyudai Sime Darby Motors, the official distributors of the brand had just launched the new Elantra and also added two more variants of the Hyundai Tucson. This time I got to try both of the newly launched Tucsons – the Tucson 2.0 CRDi Diesel and the Tucson 1.6 GDi TurboPetrol. (Note -The photos below are of a silver 2.0 Diesel and a Black 1.6 Turbo petrol)

Offers & Promotions: Renault Captur - '5inCaptur' Aftersales Package for CKD Cars & A RM5,000 Rebate If You Buy One from Now till 31st October 2017

The authorised distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has announced a new ‘5inCaptur’ aftersales package for the locally-assembled (CKD) Renault Captur urban crossover. Furthermore, there is now

 a further RM5,000 rebate if anyone purchases a Captur during the promotional campaign period. This is ongoing and ends on 31 October 2017.

UMW Toyota Are Taking Bookings For New Variants of the Toyota Fortuner (2.4 VRZ 4X4/4X2), the Upgraded Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Innova 2.0X

UMW Toyota are trying to keep things fresh over here as they've opened the order books for new variants of the Toyota Fortuner - the 2.4 VRZ 4x4 & 2.4 VRZ 4X2, the upgraded Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Innova 2.0X. 

Updates on the Proton-Geely Deal - Proton WIll Be Getting a New CEO Soon

DRB-HICOM, who currently own and manage Proton has announced the departure of Proton Holdings Bhd CEO Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali effective 30 September 2017. Fuaad was appointed as CEO of PHB on 1 April 2016, after assuming the position of Chief Operating Officer/Senior Group Director of DRB-HICOM in 2013. This is following the announcement of Proton's search for a foreign strategic partner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Happenings: Shell Technovation 2017 Conference - Sharing Shell's Technical Know-How with Valued Trade Partners & Industrial Customers

This is another one of those behind the scenes events that happen all the time. Not the fancy car launches but other events that actually tell another part of the picture in the Malaysian automotive landscape. We cover everything there is to do in the automotive industry for that well rounded look at things. So here, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd held their second annual technology conference for its industrial customers. More than 200 trade partners attended this year's Shell Technovation 2017 Conference.

HAPPENINGS: Caltex concludes its True Power from Within’ Promotion with the announcement of the grand prize winners which each win a Vespa Scooter

Chevron Malaysia Limited, which markets the Caltex brand here in Malaysia has concluded its ‘True Power from Within’ Promotion. The promotion, which kicked off in May this year was held in conjunction with the 10th Anniversary of the popular blockbuster movie, Transformers with the latest release being Transformers: The Last Knight. This conclusion comes with the announcement of the grand prize of a Vespa Scooter awarded to each of the 12 winners. 

HAVAL H2 is now available in CKD form - Prices start at RM98,950++

The Haval H2 is now locally assembled and is now priced from RM98,950 for the H2 Comfort Auto and from RM101,950 for the Premium Auto (inclusive of road tax and insurance). It also features a new alloy wheel design as well as an additional colour - the Haval Blue.

Truck News: Isuzu Malaysia delivers 12 units of Isuzu ELF NPR 6-Wheeler Crew Cab Light Duty Trucks to Tenaga Nasional Berhad

Recently, Isuzu Malaysia handed over 12 units of Isuzu ELF trucks to the country's electricity provider, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in Pekan, Pahang.  This handover ceremony was the latest round of deliveries from a RM31 million deal for a total of 200 Isuzu trucks to TNB. The remaining units expected to be supplied to TNB by end 2017. The 2-year fleet deal consist of the Isuzu ELF NPR 6-Wheeler Crew Cab, which have been customised to suit TNB’s requirements.

Truck News: Scania Malaysia Receives Award for Excellence for Safety & Sustainability by the MDCC and the Asia Pacific CSR Council

Scania Malaysia has been given an award for Excellence in Commercial Trucking Safety by the Malaysia Digital Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) and the Asia Pacific CSR Council at the recent Sustainable Urban Transport Malaysia Awards 2017. The Awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the Sustainable Urban Transport Summit 2017 held here in Kuala Lumpur. 

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Launches The Locally Assembled Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L - Intro Price of RM139,988 until 31st December 2017

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L is now officially on sale in Malaysia at an introductory price of RM139,988 until the end of 2017. This car is locally assembled over at the Tan Chong Motors Assemblies plant in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur and will be sold beside the larger engined Outlander 2.4L. This adds another model into Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia's lineup and also allows a more reasonable entry price to those that are interested in buying the Outlander but not interested in paying the higher price of the 2.4.

Offers & Promotions: Volkswagen Jetta Comfortline can be bought with low interest rates - 0.88%, 1.28% & 1.68% for 5, 7 or 9 year HP loans respectively

The Volkswagen Jetta Comfortline can now be had at a new interest rate from as low as 0.88% per annum. This promotion starts from the 12th of September 2017 until 31st December 2017. The Jetta promotion follows the Vento 1.6L and the Passat promos where the cars can be had with interest from as low as 0.28% and 0.88% respectively.

NASIM SDN BHD Launches the All-New Peugeot 3008 SUV - Priced from RM142,888 Onwards

The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV has been officially launched in Malaysia. First unveiled over in Europe in 2016, the new 3008 SUV now comes in two variants for our market - The Active variant is priced at RM142,888 while the Allure variant is offered at RM155,888 in Peninsular Malaysia only (on-the- road price without insurance). 

The VOLVO S90 T8 TWIN ENGINE INSCRIPTION is now available for booking - Introductory Price of RM348,888!

Good News! Volvo Car Malaysia has just announced that the top of the range Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription will be on sale soon and their dealers are now taking bookings. The S90 T8 will come with an extremely enticing RM348,888 (OTR without insurance but with other taxes) introductory price. The full specced S90 comes in relatively cheaper than the S90 T6 variants which were launched earlier due to its locally assembled as well as EEV tax break status given to it. It makes an interesting, alternative to the regular premium cars on sale today.

Renault Unveils the All-New Renault Megane R.S - 280hp, 390Nm, 6 speed manual or DCT, FWD with all-wheel steering!

This is really interesting news! Renault has launched the all-new Megane R.S at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show. This comes after quite a while after the launch of the regular Megane models and variants and the R.S is eagerly awaited by many enthusiasts around the world. Especially those who like hot hatches as this is one of the hottest around.

Mohd Saipol Wins A Perodua Axia - Grand Prize Winner of the Perodua Service and Win Contest

Today I attended the prize giving ceremony for the winners of the recent Perodua Service and Win Contest at Perodua Sentral in Petaling Jaya. The lucky winners won smartphones, a holiday trip, TVs and the best of them all, won a brand new specially decorated Perodua Axia. All they had to do was go service their car at an authorised Perodua service center to win!

Motorsport: The 2017, PETRONAS Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix will have Six Formula 4 SEA support races - A lot more excitement in this final F1 race in Malaysia

There will be six Formula 4 South East Asia at the upcoming 2017 Petronas Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix. It would be quite a unique event as this will be the last time that Sepang will be hosting a Formula 1 race. F4 SEA is actually one of the stepping stones for budding race drivers, who will step into them from karting usually. So this time, one interesting support race is going to be made up of a whole lot of F4 races on the 1st of October, 2017.

The Land Rover Experience 2017 Malaysian Qualification Rounds - 8th to the 10th September 2017 at Desa Parkcity - Head over to view and maybe try out for Peru, South America

I was at the opening of the Malaysian qualification round of the Land Rover Experience Tour 2017 to Peru, South America. It was quite an interesting little event that showcases the capabilities of the Land Rover vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) had provided the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport to use in the try outs as well as go through man made mobile terrains that simulate off-road terrain.

Offers, Promotions & Road Safety Tips: Renault Malaysia offers Brake Service Campaign for Renault Cars & Shares Tips on Brakes

Renault via their official distributors here in Malaysia are offering a Brake Service Campaign for Renault customers. The programme offers customers 20 percent discounts on selected brake parts (pads, shoes and discs) and a 10 percent reduction on labour charges on the related brake servicing job. Meanwhile, RENCARE customers will enjoy an additional 10 percent off labour costs for the relevant brake repairs and service.