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Proton records RM105 mil profit in Q1, growth in all areas

August 23, 2010 at 11:24 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

National carmaker Proton announced its financial results for the first quarter of the company’s 2010/11 financial year. It was positive figures across the board, with a headline of RM105 million profit before tax in Q1. This is significantly more than the RM13 million profit made in the previous quarter (Q4 09/10). In the same period of the previous financial year, Proton posted RM64 million profit before tax.

Riding on the 19% growth in Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the first half of 2010, Proton sold 39,994 vehicles in Q1, which is 8% more than the corresponding period in 2009. Similarly, revenue rose to RM2.29 billion from RM1.85 billion.

Some of you might have been surprised at Proton’s position in our recent Thai market report post (Exora is the best selling MPV in Thailand), and the company is happy to announce that total exports have increased by 88% (8,303 units) compared to Q1 09/10. This figure takes into account the Gen2 and Persona CKD kits exported to China, which amounts to 60-65% of total exports. In the longer term, the company plans to introduce the Proton brand in China, making the world’s largest auto market its left-hand drive hub.

Proton, which has a presence in 29 countries, is working hard to boost exports as “the domestic market has reached saturation point and exports are needed to increase economies of scale,” according to Proton Chairman Dato’ Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.

The company is also seeking to establish more CKD operations in other countries to replace the current CBU (except China) practice, as localisation to meet diverse needs is essential. The markets Proton is eyeing are ASEAN, China, Iran and India. The short term goal is to reach 40,000 export units this financial year.

Besides higher car sales, Proton attributed the improved financial showing to the ongoing efforts to rationalise its dealer and support network. Offering value added products/services, consolidation of dealers, increased efficiency and the promotion of the use of genuine parts all led to a 40% growth in revenue from service and spare parts in Q1.

At the media briefing, management revealed that the company is deep in a restructuring process that will see it being divided into four strategic business units (SBU). While not disclosing what the SBUs are (there could be a manufacturing arm and a dealer arm, for instance), it was explained that by doing this, it would be easier to collaborate with other companies.

For example, if company V wants to work with Proton on vehicle assembly, it would be possible for the manufacturing deal to happen without company V buying equity into Proton. V may be eyeing something Proton has, but may not want to manage another brand.

At the event, Proton MD Dato’ Syed Zainal also showed off some very interesting future products and plans. Stay tuned for more!

329 Comments      

Ford Focus ST discontinued, it’s too dirty for Europe!

August 23, 2010 at 11:44 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Ford, International News

Let’s make the Honda Civic Type R funeral a joint one, as the Ford Focus ST has just joined the hot hatchback casualty list for not being clean enough for Europe. Like the British built Honda’s high revving 2.0-litre four pot, the Ford’s 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder does not meet Euro 5 emission standards, which will come into force for all new cars in next year.

According to Autocar UK, who broke the news, other engines that are facing the chop for the same reason includes Alfa’s tuneful 3.2-litre V6, the Mazda RX-8′s rotary engine and the VW Group’s 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine. This will affect models like the Alfa Brera/Spider and the VW Touareg. I remember Wald selling the V10 TDI Touareg here a couple of years ago.

The Focus ST, which sits below the Focus RS in pecking order, will get a new engine at the upcoming Paris show. It’s likely that Ford will drop in a modern direct injection four-cylinder Ecoboost in there.

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South African strike ends, automakers raise pay by 10%

August 23, 2010 at 10:35 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News

Automobile manufacturers and a union representing thousands of auto workers have finally reached a deal on recent strikes in the country. The strike which affected big players like VW, GM, Nissan, BMW, Daimler and Toyota, came to an end when automakers agreed to pay employees a 10% increase in wages for the first year, and 9% in the next two years.

This is slightly lower than their demands of 15%, which is also higher than the country’s inflation rate which stands at 4.2% in July. Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organization (AMEO) initially offered a 7% increase in the first year and a rise equal to consumer price inflation in the remaining two years, which was swiftly rejected by National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA).

The deal was made just in time as the strike has led to the loss of production of 17,000 vehicles and continuation of the strikes would have caused major disruptions. South Africa’s auto industry accounts for 6 to 7 per cent of the country’s GDP, producing around 420,000 vehicles a year. Half of this is exported to other African states, Europe and North America.

Source

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2nd generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-class official photos

August 22, 2010 at 7:59 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz

It seems that there’s nothing left to show of the second generation Mercedes after this. A recent leak has left the public with official photos of the Mercedes Benz CLS and thanks to the magic of the internet, you’re the first few to lay your eyes on it.

Again because it’s unofficial, no details about the powertrain and the list of new goodies are available. Nevertheless if speculation is to be believed, you can expect a 301hp 3.5-litre direct-injected V6 (CLS 350 CGI) and a new twin-turbo 429hp 4.6-litre V8 (CLS 550 CGI). There will also be diesel versions of the car, 350 CDI and 250 CDI, but most probably not for our market.

As always, an AMG variant will not be far off, which could sport the new the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, recently seen in the CL63 AMG. Unfortunately for Mercedes, all that’s left for them to release is the spec sheet and live photos of the car.

You can catch all this at the Paris Motor Show which will be at the end of September this year. More pictures of the new CLS and its interior are available after the jump.

Source
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Thailand automobile exports reach record high, July figures up 140% year-on-year

August 22, 2010 at 1:22 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Our northern neighbours Thailand were treated to good news when it was revealed that auto exports from the Land of Smiles reached a record high in July. Exports totalled 87,605 units last month, which is 140% more than July 09 figures. These vehicles were valued at 39.8 billion baht, up by 129% year-on-year.

If exports from the first seven months of the year are taken into account, there’s a 116% year-on-year jump to 505,783 units worth 235 billion baht. Orders from all regions, especially ASEAN, are up.

“Last month’s export success was due partly to the Customs Department’s streamlining of regulations and procedures to accommodate vehicle exports,” said spokesman Surapong Paisitpatnapong. In addition, the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement, which took effect in May, has reduced inter-region transaction times and costs.


Thai vehicle sales Jan-July 2010. Chart by Bangkok Post

Thailand’s auto industry is a big winner in the elimination of tariffs under the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) since January, Kasikorn Research Center said. According to data from the Commerce Ministry, Thai vehicle exports to ASEAN was worth US$1.49 billion in the first half of the year, which is nearly a quarter (24.4%) of total value. ASEAN is now the largest market for Thai made cars.

Looking at Thailand’s domestic market, vehicle sales stood at 422,364 units in the first seven months, leading observers to believe that a 750,000 total industry volume (TIV) for 2010 is achievable. Unsurprisingly, Toyota is leading both the pick-up and passenger car sales charts, with over 40% market share in both tables.

Malaysia’s Proton is seventh in the passenger car chart with 3,684 units, or 2% market share. Not bad when those above it are all established Japanese players and GM, which has its regional base in the country. Proton, who set up shop in Thailand at the end of 2007, sold more cars than Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Suzuki.

Source

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Mitsubishi Pajero ride and drive with Hiroshi Masuoka

August 20, 2010 at 11:45 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Mitsubishi, Test Drive Reviews

The real Mitsubishi Pajero is coming back to Malaysia, and we’ve been lucky enough to experience the latest generation of the legend both from behind the wheel and being ferried off-road by Hiroshi Masuoka, a two-time Dakar Rally champion.

This ride and drive session happened at Mitsubishi’s vast Tokachi proving ground (said to be the largest in Japan), nestled deep in the middle of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. It was part of a Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia initiative introducing to us a range of exciting new models that will hit our shores this year. We aren’t at liberty to divulge too much at this moment, so let’s focus on the Pajero, the first of the new arrivals that should be launched sometime next month.

Continue reading the report after the jump.
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Toyota Hilux 3.0G to be launched soon – RM106k

August 20, 2010 at 11:30 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Toyota

UMW Toyota Motor has put up some information on the latest variant of Toyota Hilux due to hit our shores – the Toyota Hilux 3.0G Double Cab automatic. There’s an estimated price at the moment – RM106,000, which is a rough RM9k+ premium over the more expensive Hilux 2.5G Double Cab automatic model.

Under the hood is the 1KD-FTV, a 2,982cc turbocharged common rail direct injection engine producing 163 PS at 3,400rpm and 343Nm of torque from as low as 1,400rpm all the way to 3,200rpm. It’s not the king of the hill in terms of horsepower but it’s still over 50% more power compared to the 2.5G model. This is thanks not only to its larger displacement, but also a variable geometry turbocharger and an intercooler. This new variant is slightly heavier than the 2.5G, tipping the scales at 1,920kg compared to 1,865kg.

Other than the more powerful engine, the rest of the specs look quite similar to the 2.5G, except it has some additional features – auto door locking, and USB support for the head unit. The website says price and specs are estimated for the moment and are subject to change, though from past history usually the actual launched car shouldn’t run too far away from the preliminary specs.

130 Comments      

The Stig wants to write a book, BBC is all out to stop him!

August 20, 2010 at 10:49 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

Top Gear’s mystery driver The Stig can’t hold it in anymore and wants to write an autobiography to spill it all out. But his employers BBC are going all out to ensure that their ace faceless driver remains well, faceless.

BBC’s lawyers claim that Mr. Stig is subject to a confidentiality deal and unmasking himself would remove the mystery and subsequent enjoyment of the motoring programme, one of the most highly rated on the channel. An autobiography will breach “agreed contractual and confidentiality obligations relating to the programme” according to BBC.

Looking like an Imperial Stormtrooper in his all white race suit, helmet and shoes, the reason why The Stig is so famous is because he’s a mystery. He’s the expert tester of the show, and trains the show’s celebrity guests in the popular “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment. Perhaps he wants to cash in on his status, like how fellow Top Gear hosts earn money from books and other TV work.

While a few racing drivers have been linked to the role, including former F1 champs Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill, only a handful of Top Gear execs and presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are said to know who The Stig really is.

The current Stig is supposed to be the show’s second after the original Perry McCarthy was dropped after his cover was blown.

Source

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Scientist may have created the ultimate F1 simulator!

August 19, 2010 at 8:57 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Formula 1, Technology

Who says science isn’t fun. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany are studying how humans experience the sensation of motion. Using a giant robot arm hooked up to a racing game they did just that.

Robuffo Giordano and his team chose a Formula 1 simulator game where players will sit in a cabin which is 2 metres off the ground and drive a virtual Ferrari F2007 car around a track with force-feedback steering wheel and pedals. The robot arm used is similiar to the ones usually found in amusement parks as part of the rides.

Compared to standard simulators, the Cybermotion simulator uses a full range of motions and can also turn players upside down. They have even documented the race simulation process in video form, as a test subject hurtles his car round the Monza track. Feedback between the game and mechanical arm was so good that it only had a delay of 40 miliseconds.

Applications for this technology is countless, as it could be applied to other types of simulators such as planes, helicopters, ships, or even in Formula 1 itself. For now the team are working on expanding its range of motion even further.

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2010 Suzuki Kizashi reached 327km/h at Bonneville!

August 19, 2010 at 8:27 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

The turbocharged Ferrari Enzo wont be the only thing making a bang at the Bonneville Salt Flats this week. Suzuki America has officially pitted their Kizashi model against the best and most innovative this year. Driven by Road & Track’s Sam Mitani, they’ve successfully attained the title of fastest car in the Blown Gas Coupe Category.

Managing an average top speed of 203.72 mph (327.9 km/h), the figure was made out of two high speed runs. Looking at the numbers produced so far, it is quite obvious that the Kizashi model in question didn’t just roll off the assembly line.

Suzuki kitted up the 2.4-litre four cylinder engine with a Turbonetics Turbocharger and a new ACT clutch. This gave the car a total power output of 500hp and 569Nm of torque. A standard engine wouldn’t be able to take all that power so a new intake manifold, forged rods and pistons had to be used.

The insides were turned into a proper race car as it featured a roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seats, seat harnesses and window nets. An air dam, new coil-overs, steel wheels with welded seams, specialised Goodyear Front Runner tires, and a parachute completed the Kizashi’s Bonneville kit.

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