Analysis: Why the Automobile Association of Malaysia has hit rock bottom

The middle of August 2016 will go down in Malaysian Automotive history as a black spot. We have Suzuki closing its motorcycle assembly plant here in Malaysia and the Automobile Association of Malaysia's (AAM) operations crashing to a halt. Suzuki states that there is weak local demand for their small CKD products and AAM have not paid their employees over the past 4 months with a lot of their offices closed. These two are just a few changes happening to our Malaysian economy as a whole.

Perodua delivers its 10,000th Bezza, total bookings since launch is now at 25,000 units

 Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dr Zahari Husin (right) hands over the mock key to the lucky Pn Zetty Aswani Fazwin Mahrol Puthil (second from left) as a symbolic of 10,000th Bezza delivery.

It looks like the Perodua Bezza A segment sedan is a runaway success for Perodua. It has delivered its 10,000th Bezza to Puan Zetty Aswani Fazwin Mahrol Puthil, 28 of Shah Alam. The lady must have been surprised as Perodua held quite a grand event for the handover of her Bezza. It was even attended by Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.

My Auto Fest 2016's “Buy a car, Win a car” contest winner drives home a Nissan Almera 1.5VL worth RM82,000

Today was a very wet and gloomy Tuesday morning for most parts of the Klang Valley. But over at the Edaran Tan Chong Nissan Showroom in Glenmarie it was all bright and happy as someone was handed over the key to a brand new Nissan Almera 1.5VL with a NISMO Aerokit. Mohd Shafiq Saipollah, who visited the My Auto Fest show to get the best deal on a pick–up truck got more than he bargained for when he emerged as the winner in the “Buy a Car, Win a Car” grand prize lucky draw.

Renault Koleos feature - Design, Powertrain and more

Here is a feature article about Renault's new Koleos SUV. It will be launched this September 2016. I have to say that this is reasonably priced for a European SUV and I am looking forward to viewing it personally as it has nice styling (it looks like one of those SUVs from those German carmakers from some angles). Well, I believe that if you want to spend money on a car, it has to look decently good and then drive decently well too.  The kit count is also good too. Which means you have a lot of toys inside.

Ford's survey says that 8 out of 10 Malaysians look for fuel efficiency in a new car and other stuff

What do Malaysians want in a new car? This was recently answered in a survey recently conducted by Ford where approximately 8 out of every 10 surveyed in Malaysia (or 83%) said that  fuel efficiency is more important when purchasing a new car. That is just one conclusion of a survey of more than 9,500 drivers in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific region conducted on behalf of Ford Motor Company in June 2016.

MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience (MPSE) will be back at Sepang International F1 Circuit this year!

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Experience (MPSE) will be back at the Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia this year. It will deliver more than 25 days of motorsport related excitement and sheer driving pleasure through a slew of track activities in August and September 2016.

Sunday Lite: The Austin 152 aka Morris Commercial J4 Van - I used to go to Kindergarten in one.

One of the sad things about commercial vehicles especially passenger vans is that they end up becoming extinct faster than any passenger cars that are on sale. Most do not stop to think what has happened to any of them long after they've been scrapped or destroyed or re-exported out of the country. These days we have a lot of Japanese passenger vans plying our roads as well as some Chinese ones too. Favoured brands include the Toyota HiAce, the Westar LDVs, the Ford Transits and some funny Chinese ones like the LingLong or the JoyLong. No. I am not making this up.

Happenings: Shell Malaysia's 2016 Charity Drive Raises RM 735,000 for Underprivileged Children

Shell has raised a total of RM 735,000 for underprivileged children during its recent Raya Charity Campaign 2016. After being able to do so, the company has now visited its beneficiaries at Persatuan Dyslexia Malaysia (PDM) for a cheque presentation. The children of PDM (who suffer from are amongst the many children nationwide who will benefit from development programmes, supported by the funds raised.

BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid launched - Let's just throw some figures and comparison into the picture for the fun of it.....

Photo: Autoworld.com.my

Today BMW launched the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. It costs RM248,000 less insurance. It is cheaper than something with a 330i badge because it gets the EEV tax incentives. So you save over a hundred thousand ringgit if you buy one. 

Spotted for Sale: Rosak Spec - The best specification Toyota Camry in...the WORLD

Yup. We've heard sellers putting up notices of the car - 'Full Spec' 'Premium Spec' Luxury Spec' but never have I heard anyone selling a car as 'ROSAK SPEC'. Rosak means 'not working'. So now's the chance for someone to buy a Toyota Camry 2.0 (a) that isn't running for RM18,990. His life would be complete after this buying this.

Volvo Car Malaysia and Federal Auto officially open their new Showroom in Menara MBMR, Kuala Lumpur

Today, Volvo Car Malaysia and Federal Auto Holdings Berhad launched their new Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) showroom in Menara MBMR which is located close to the original showroom located beside the Federal Highway. This brand spanking new centre replaces the iconic original Federal Auto Volvo showroom which would be sorely missed. But this is actually part of what I believe to be the Volvo revival here (the first was the stupendous XC90 T8) and this is the shape of Volvo showrooms to come here in Malaysia.

Happenings: A batch of 17 students graduate from the Perodua Youth Training Programme (PYTP)

 President & CEO, YBhg Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh hands over a certificate of Best Student Award to Mohammad Khairul Anwar Jusob witnessed by Puan Mariam Ibrahim, Senior General Manager, Perodua Human Capital Division and Mr Suresh Kumar, Senior General Manager Perodua Finance & Account Department.

Compact car manufacturer Perodua’s longest running Corporate Responsibility (CSR) Programme, the Perodua Youth Training Programme (PYTP),  recently saw its 25th Convocation with 17 graduates receiving the Malaysia Skill Certificate Grade II. With this certificate, the graduates are recognised as assistant mechanics by the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources. It has given them skills and a chance to move ahead in life

New 14 seater Ford Transit Window Van Launched in Malaysia

Ford and local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has launched the new Transit window van in Malaysia. The Transit, is an iconic model for Ford. It is a range of light commercial vehicles produced by Ford since 1965. Sold primarily as a cargo van, the Transit is also built as a passenger van, minibus, cutaway van chassis, and as a pickup truck. 

TEST DRIVE: Ford Focus 1.5L Ecoboost Trend - Is the entry level Focus good enough?

The C-segment car. This used to be the go-to segment of car that most people bought. It is a mid-sized compact car so they say. Engine size usually between 1.6liters to about 2.0liters. This is where cars like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla sit and these cars were the ones that everyone drove. I somehow think that the C-segment is a perfect balance when it comes to size, space utilisation, refinement and performance for the regular Joe. I still do. But these days, with prices of the cars in this category going higher, nudging into the larger full sized D segment cars and the growing popularity of the smaller more affordable B segment cars like the Honda City as well as the growing SUV and MPV market, the C-segment car has somehow been a little lost.

Volvo Trucks at the inaugural LaFarge Malaysia Berhad Truck Driving Competition - "Know Your Blind Spots" and "Stop, Look & Wave" initiatives

 A Volvo Trucks Malaysia representative teaching the children to wave to the truck driver for his attention, to tell him to be mindful of their presence

Volvo Trucks is continuously reinforcing their long-term commitment to national road safety by promoting their "Know Your Blind Spots" and "S top, Look & Wave" initiatives with the aim of creating awareness for Malaysians as well as truck drivers on ways to keep safe when driving or when facing large trucks on the road. Volvo Trucks recently showcased these initiatives to participants and spectators at the inaugural Lafarge Malaysia Berhad's Truck Driving Competition (which is part of their 12th Drivers Safety Day).

Industry news: All-New Proton Persona receives ASEAN NCAP 5-Star Rating for all variants

The all-new Proton Persona has been given a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating. In a gesture of confidence in Proton, ASEAN NCAP has stated that since the Persona is the sedan version of Iriz, with comparable occupant protection to the Iriz, they are extending the rating of Proton Iriz to the Persona. High confidence in the car indeed. 

All-New Proton Persona Officially Launched

Proton launched the all-new Proton Persona to an eagerly awaiting bunch of people earlier today. One of them was Yours Truly. The event was attended by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, The Honourable Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed. This is the second generation Persona and replaces the first one which had been on sale since 2007.

HAPPENINGS: THE MERCEDES-BENZ MALAYSIA SKILLS COMPETITION 2016 FINALS

Saturday, 20th of August 2016 was a gathering of the crème de la crème of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s after-sales personnel from dealer networks nationwide. It was the grand finals of the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Skills Competition 2016. The fun filled event was held at the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.  30 finalists went head-to-head in the battle of skills for the RM99,500 cash prize and ultimate bragging rights as the best technical team in Malaysia.

News: Volkswagen Malaysia is Official Partner for Upcoming Malaysian made ‘KL Wangan’ movie

Volkswagen Malaysia and Centro Pictures recently signed a partnership agreement that sees Volkswagen becoming an official sponsor of Centro Pictures’ upcoming street racing movie, ‘KL Wangan’. The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at Volkswagen Gombak last week. This is actually something historical for the Malaysian film industry. It is a milestone that marks the first time an international car marquee is supporting a local film production here in Malaysia, the collaboration represents a unique way for Volkswagen to showcase the performance, reliability and distinct design of its products.

Happenings: Isuzu MU-X owners go fishing in celebration of the SUVs 1st Anniversary in Malaysia

The Isuzu Mu-X SUV recently celebrated its first anniversary of its launch in Malaysia and in honour of the occasion, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd decided to do something slightly different - they organised a fishing fest for the MU-X owners and other guests. The fishing fest and contest was held at a fishing pond in Pulau Indah, Port Klang and everyone had fun by the looks of it.