VIDEO: 2019 BMW M2 Competition Track Test / Drive Experience at the Sepang Circuit

This is the video of my track test / session on the Sepang Circuit with the 2019 BMW M2 Competition. As I've stated in the launch article, which has a written part of this drive experience, the compact coupe is sublime. The car feels like something ol' skool as the 3.0liter twin turbocharged in-line six feels so lag free and full of throttle response. Go read it here if you haven't.

The all-new Lexus ES250 will be Launched Soon - Prices Estimated to Start at RM299,888 onwards

The seventh generation Lexus ES sedan will be launched here in Malaysia. Lexus Centres nationwide will begin accepting pre-launch booking for the all-new Lexus ES250 beginning today. There will be two variants of the ES250 offered, one is the ES250 Luxury and the other, the ES250 Premium. Prices are estimated to start at RM299,888 onwards for this full sized, premium Japanese sedan.

Perodua Starts Selling Cars in the Seychelles - Their Latest Export Market

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa, and it is Perodua's newest overseas market. The compact car company has launched their smallest car, the Perodua Axia there, which is quite a popular tourist destination. The Axia will be offered in  E MT, G AT, SE and AV variants at promotional prices of 235,000 (*RM71,500), 265,000 (*RM80,600), 275,000 (*RM83,700) and 290,000 (*RM88,300) Seychellois Rupees respectively.

The New BMW M2 Competition is Launched - We Get to Try it Out on the Sepang Circuit and it is Sublime!!!

I was lucky to have been invited to the launch of the New BMW M2 Competition over at the Sepang Circuit last friday, the 28th of June 2019. BMW Malaysia had decided to introduce the newest BMW M Car over at Sepang at a BMW Driving Experience session which was held over the weekend. This new compact coupe is a complete premium performance vehicle which BMW designed to set new records in precision driving. After driving this around Sepang I think it will. More of that later.

Ford Ranger Named ‘2019 Malaysia Pick-up Truck of the Year’ at the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards

The Ford Ranger has won another award here in Malaysia. Ford's global pickup truck has been named ‘2019 Malaysia Pick-up Truck of the Year’ at the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards hosted recently in Kuala Lumpur. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia beat out the others on the Awards’ criteria, which not only included the Ranger itself, but also criteria such as growth, market share, marketing strategy, selling points and key competitive advantages. 

All-New DS 7 Crossback SUV- Uniqueness at RM199,888 On the Road

The All-New DS 7 Crossback SUV has been launched in Malaysia by the Malaysian distributors, Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd. This is a premium SUV by PSA Group's newest brand, DS. It has been  designed to express refinement, excellence and French know-how with the purpose to bring French luxury into the SUV market.

Isuzu Wants to Reward High Mileage D-Max Owners - Submit Your Details by 31st July 2019 and Stand a Chance to Win RM15,000

Isuzu Malaysia have announced their intention to reward high mileage D-Max pickup truck owners! The company is eager to reach out to D-Max owners who have clocked high mileage with their pickup trucks and reward them in the Super Mileage Challenge which is ongoing until the 31st of July 2019. If your entry is chosen, you may stand the chance to win the RM15,000 grand prize.

Shell Malaysia Launches Two New Shell Advance AX7 Semi-Synthetic Motorcycle Engine Oil Variants

Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd had launched two new variants of their popular Shell Advance AX7 semi-synthetic motorcycle engine oil. These are the new Shell Advance AX7 10W-30 and 15W-50 which add to the existing Shell Advance AX7 10W-40. The two new variants are both priced at RM33.90 per 1-litre pack (recommended retail price). So there are now three different grades of the AX7 engine oil.

Offers & Promotions: KIA Pre-Owned Fest at the Naza Automall PJ - 28th-30th June 2019

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, will be holding a carnival-themed Kia Pre-Owned Fest at the Naza Automall in Petaling Jaya on the 28th to the 30th of June 2019. There will be about 200 pre-owned Kia cars available for sale with prices starting from as low as RM8,000 depending on certain terms and conditions of course, as well as other deals on offer. It could be interesting on what's on sale at that super low price.

Hino Showcases the Poncho Minibus at MCVE 2019 - Together the the Upcoming 700 Series Prime Mover with AMT Gearbox!

If you folks have been following Motoring-Malaysia's YouTube Channel, you'd already know that I had recently uploaded the preview of the Hino Poncho low-floor minibus at the Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019 held over at MIECC in Kuala Lumpur recently. Hino's Malaysian subsidiary, Hino Motors Sales Malaysia had participated in the expo in a big way and displayed a few of their vehicles, namely the Hino Poncho minibus as well as a preview of the upcoming Hino 700 Series Prime Mover AMT.

UMW Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation Celebrates 50 Years of Local Production in Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) is a successful Malaysian incorporated joint-venture company between UMW Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC). Today, the company and their stakeholders celebrated 50 years of local production in Malaysia with a special ceremony held at the company's newest manufacturing facility in Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor. The historic event was graced by His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah AlHaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj, The Sultan of Selangor and Her Royal Highness Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor.  

MCVE 2019: MAN Malaysia Unveils a MAN XLION Special Model - Aimed at Simplifying Business with Special Equipment & Comprehensive Aftersales Packages

MAN Truck and Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN) had presented their MAN XLION special model at the recently concluded Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) 2019. This new MAN truck model with its tailor made equipment and aftersales package is in line with their motto of ‘Simplifying Business’. The MAN TGS 33.480 in the XLION package was displayed. It is a 6x4 prime mover, with its XLION lion design on the sides of the truck.

Daihatsu Malaysia launches Daihatsu Business Fleet Program & Displays Gran Max Light Commercial Van at MCVE 2019

More news from the recent Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019 (MCVE 2019). This time the news is about Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (DMSB) which launched the Daihatsu Business Fleet Program at the Expo. The program is designed  to provide innovative end-to-end aftersales service solutions for small to medium businesses as well as those with larger fleets.

Upcoming Events: Beetle, An Iconic Gathering - Calling all Beetle Owners for the Largest Beetle Gathering This 13th July 2019

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be organizing the Beetle, An Iconic Gathering. The event will be considered to be the first official Volkswagen Beetle gathering in Malaysia as VPCM is the official distributors of Volkswagen here. This upcoming event welcomes the participation of Beetle owners from all walks of life in celebration of this automotive and style icon. It will be held at the open-air carpark at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya this 13th of July 2019.

UD Trucks Launches the Refreshed Quester Heavy Duty Truck - ESCOT Automated Manual Transmission Now Offered for the First Time in Malaysia

One of the more notable launches at the recently held Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019  was the Malaysian launch of the refreshed UD Quester heavy duty truck. The new Quester represents an evolution of the Quester, a truck first launched in 2013, updated slightly in 2016 and now into something which is designed to cater to the latest needs in land transport. The new refreshed truck builds on its proven robustness and reliability,and introduces key features such as UD's ESCOT automated manual transmission, retarder, electrical cab tilt, engines with higher horse- power and user-friendly telematics. 

Volvo Trucks Malaysia at MCVE 2019 - Launch of Uptime Promise, Active Safety Package & Hosting the MCVE Electromobility Panel Discussion

Volvo Trucks Malaysia has actually launched a service program that ensures their customer's vehicles can be serviced or repaired in under 12 hours or a monetary compensation is given! This is definitely believing in their products.  This was launched at the recently held Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019 (MCVE 2019). Aside from the Uptime Promise service package at the expo, the Swedish manufacturer also launched their new Active Safety Package and hosted the MCVE Electromobility Panel discussion on how electrified vehicles will shape the future of Malaysian transportation.

The Uptime Promise

MCVE 2019: Scania - Signing the first Asian Ecolution Agreement with Aone Logistics, the Scania Display area & Other Happenings

Many things happened with Scania at the recent Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019 (MCVE 2019). The first thing was the entrance of the Scania truck driven by Scania Southeast Asia Managing Director, Marie Sjödin Enström Scania Malaysia into the lobby of the exhibition centre with Dato’ Kamarudin Jaffar, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport in the passenger seat as part of the opening launch gambit. Then, Aone Logistics Sdn Bhd  (above) signed the first Scania Ecolution truck agreement in Asia after the official launch of MCVE 2019.

MICHELIN Energy XM2+ Launched - The Latest Affordable Small and Mid-Sized Car Tyre by Michelin is Now Available

MICHELIN recently unveiled the MICHELIN Energy XM2+ tyre for the affordable and budget conscious customer here in Malaysia. Michelin Energy XM2+ is designed with ultimate safety both when new and throughout its useful life as well as being developed to outperform the previous generation XM2 series of tyre it replaces in wet braking - an important feature needed in Malaysia where it rains cats and dogs very often. 

The 2019 Porsche Macan is Now Officially in Malaysia - Prices Start at RM455,000

I was lucky to have attended the Malaysian launch of the all-new, second generation Porsche Macan on the 21st June 2019 at Porsche Centre Sungai Besi. The Macan is Porsche's compact SUV / crossover vehicle and it has been a top seller almost everywhere since it was launched back in 2014. This is likely because it is the most affordable, practical Porsche on sale today and that it is actually easier for the men to fork out the dosh for one as their other half, would likely agree as they can drive it also...if compared to a 911 GT3 RS. So it was no shock to me that it was announced that the car already had very high demand from customers. 

Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) 2019 Opens its Doors to Trade Visitors - Focusing on Future Transport Solutions Today

The fourth edition of the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE) opened earlier today .The (now ongoing) three day event has around 70 local and international exhibitors which displayed their latest crop of vehicles and product as well as working on MCVE's theme this year which focused on future transport solutions in the commercial vehicle industry.