PROTON Announces Standard Operating Procedures at Their Service Centres

New standard operating procedures are being implemented at PROTON service centres, folks! This is the latest update from PROTON after the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) on 4 May 2020 where PROTON has now started the progressive reopening of all its sales and service outlets and also its corporate office and the company is not taking things lightly as they have 9,000 staff and many more working at its dealerships.

Ferrari 812 GTS - The V12 Spider Makes its South East Asia Debut Here in Malaysia

Last week, Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia, announced that the long-awaited Ferrari 812 GTS has made its South East Asia debut on Malaysian soil and is available for private viewing. The 812 GTS is available from the base price of RM1,538,000 (before duties, customization options, taxes and insurance). It is will be available for private viewing for interested parties from the 31st of May 2020 onwards.

Volkswagen’s Buckle Up Campaign- The Children’s Edutainment Series is Back

Volkswagen has a YouTube series educating children on road and car safety. This is an initiative of VPCM’s social responsibility commitment. As such, the Malaysian distributor for Volkswagen cars, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), has kicked-off the Buckle Up YouTube animation series for children. The introduction is embedded below, and the rest can be found at the link posted at the end of this article.

Motorcycles: MODENAS Dominar D400 Now Offered with RM1,000 Rebate With the "Dominasi Impianmu" Campaign

National motorcycle company, MODENAS has now announced their "Dominasi Impianmu" sales campaign for the Modenas Dominar D400 touring motorcycle. This latest campaign is aimed at helping those that have aspirations and dreams of owning their very own streetbike. The campaingn will offer a RM1,000 rebate for the Dominar D400.

Shell Malaysia Helps Out Local SMEs During This Ramadan #RamadanWithShell

You can go into the Shell station nearby and buy some local kuih-muih this Ramadan! Shell Malaysia is giving back to the local communities where they operate. The company's latest initiative is #RamadanWithShell where this bit of corporate social responsibility initiative creates opportunities for food and beverage related Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by allowing them to sell their delicacies at Shell stations. This nationwide initiative aims to support local and small-time food vendors by providing them an avenue to market their goods during this difficult time and to bring Ramadan local delicacies to customers at our stations. 

The New Brand Design and Logo of Volkswagen is Now Implemented Malaysia

In September 2019, Volkswagen premiered the “New Volkswagen“ brand design and logo at the IAA in Frankfurt. This is a realignment is one of the world’s largest rebranding campaigns and the new  logo is reduced to essentials and digital-friendly. This is very much in line with the two dimensional nature of most contemporary brand logos designed during this era, where it makes things a lot more simpler than the 3D designs which were all the rage during the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. Note new logos of other brands like Instagram or even Android, everything is now 2D rather than 3D and now it is finally officially launched in Malaysia. 

Ferrari Starts Producing Prancing Horses Again Over At Maranello

It has been awhile since I actually wrote or talked about Ferrari. Couple that to the Movement Control Order here in Malaysia, it seems like a lifetime ago. This week, the Ferrari factories in Maranello and Modena have gradually returned to full production, in line with the "Back on Track" program. The first car produced after a long forced break was a Ferrari Monza SP2 (pictured above).

PROTON Introduces Their Intelligent Air Purification System for the Proton X70 - Work Ongoing for Other Models At the Moment

PROTON has announced the introduction of the PROTON Intelligent Air Purification System (P -IAPS). This in-car air purifier will be offered as standard equipment on the 2020 Proton X70 and will greatly improve the air quality inside the SUV. It also can be retro-fitted for a small sum to existing Proton X70 so current owners need not worry too much. PROTON's engineers are also working on making it work for their other models to which would be good in a time where a worldwide pandemic (COVID-19) is currently ongoing.

Toyota to Resume Production in its Bukit Raja Plant

Toyota will be starting up its production back again after its closure due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) which was put in place by the Malaysian government to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB), UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary involved in manufacturing Toyota vehicles, has resumed its assembly operations at its plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor.

Hyundai- Sime Darby to Provide Subsidies for Dealers and Sales Consultants Affected by the Movement Control Order - Also, Their Service Centres and Now Open

This is quite a good move by the Malaysian distributors of Hyundai. The authorised distributors of Hyundai here, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has announced that they will be assisting their dealers and also the sales consultants affected by the Movement Control Order lockdown (due to COVID-19) of non-essential services here by offering subsidies to help with their financial difficulties. This comes into play as the Malaysian government has now enforced a less stringent MCO where businesses are finally allowed to open again.

Renault Malaysia Goes Strong Online - Moving Forward Post Movement Control Order in Malaysia, Subscription, Mobile Application & More

Recently I 'attended' an online media briefing by TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the authorised distributors for Renault in Malaysia and they basically briefed us on how they will move forward especially in this era of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the country to go into somewhat of a lockdown. Of course, Renault Malaysia via TCEC had even, prior to this Movement Control Order period decided to have more of and online presence and also their uniquely tailored subscriotion plans which allow customers to have flexible ownership of a Renault.

All Authorised Volkswagen Service Centres Are Now Open Under the Conditional Movement Control Order Regulations

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia have recently announced that their service centres are now open for business. This follows the government's decision to allow businesses and industries to restart after the latest round of Movement Control Order regulations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can now send your Volkswagen to be looked at and given some TLC.

Brands Under the Naza Group to Restart Operations Under the New Conditional Movement Control Order

Like most of the automotive industry players, the Naza Group has decided to reopen most of the automotive brands under their wings. These include Naza Italia Sdn Bhd, NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd, Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Nasim Sdn Bhd, Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd and Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd. The brands that these companies represent are Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Peugeot, Citroen and DS to name a few. The Naza Automall is also open for bookings if you are looking for a grey import MPV or vehicle.

[updated] Proton to Restart Operations Today, the 5th of May 2020 As the Government Loosens the Movement Control Order Restrictions

Today is 5th May 2020. It is the day where Malaysia partially comes out of the Movement Control Order (MCO) put in place in order to try keep the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in check. Some businesses and industries are allowed to start up again after a long 'stay at home' break and people can now travel slightly more freer than before. Of course, this means that most of the large automotive industry players have started to come out of hibernation too. Like Malaysia's PROTON.

UMW Toyota Motor ReOpens Selected Toyota Service Centres Around Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has received approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to re-open selected authorised Toyota service centres in Malaysia following the new directives pertaining to the COVID-19 Movement Control Order affecting the country. The company will open selected Toyota outlets for emergency and urgent service requirements only, at minimum capacity. So take note.

Video Test Drive: 2020 Isuzu D-Max Double Cab 1.9L AT-Premium - Capable, Well Built & Economical

Below is the video review / test drive of the 2020 Isuzu D-Max Double Cab 1.9L AT-Premium. It was  put up on the Motoring Malaysia YouTube channel last week and I have not put a link to it here. I must have forgotten about it actually.  Anyway, another video review for you guys to watch, especially since most of Malaysia and certain parts of the world are on a semi-lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Watch it if you have nothing else to do folks!

Additional 'Welcome Back' After Sales Campaign Benefits for Volkswagen Owners Who Are Frontliners in the Fight Against COVID-19

Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) have announced to us that they have updated their “Welcome Back” aftersales campaign to include additional benefits specially for Volkswagen owners who are part of the nation’s frontliners. Frontliners in this context refers to government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers, Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia), RELA (People’s Volunteer Corps) and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).

MODENAS Will Be Opening Selected Service Centres During the Extended Movement Control Order Period

MODENAS, the Malaysian motorcycle company will be resuming after sales operations at selected branches throughout Peninsula Malaysia. This follows the recent statement by the Malaysian Government - via the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (“MITI”) that certain business under the automotive industry will be allowed to resume operations even though the country is under the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

SHELL RIMULA Provides Face Masks For Truckers Who Are Still Moving on the Road in their #HEROKAMI Campaign

Shell Malaysia via the Shell Rimula brand, which is Shell's heavy duty engine oil brand for commercial vehicles, has distributed 20,000 face masks to truckers plying routes in Malaysia recently. The initiative salutes the efforts of many hardworking truckers who continue to tirelessly move essential goods across the country even during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period which is in force to control the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. 

PROTON Starts Deliveries of Face Shields Produced by Them to Medical Frontliners in the Fight Against COVID-19

Malaysian vehicle manufacturer PROTON has started producing face shields for medical frontliners. This could be the biggest commitment by the company to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Malaysia. The first batch of 8,000 units will be shipped out on 16 April 2020 to hospitals in Kelantan followed by other East coast states.