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Peugeot roars – top-selling European brand locally in Q1

April 22, 2011 at 12:51 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Peugeot

Peugeot has achieved a defining moment in its local history by claiming the top spot in first quarter sales among the European makes in the country. In the period ending March 31, Nasim sold 1,538 Pugs, which made for a whopping 167% jump from the 576 units sold in the same timeframe last year.

Those Q1 numbers were enough to give ze French lion a leading market share of 26% among the European brands in the market, according to the latest figures released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

It’s a milestone for the marque in Malaysia, said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Nasim’s CEO, who added that the volume recorded by the company in Q1 keeps it well in line with it achieving its annual sales target of 7,000 units. The company is set to launch two more models this year, which will obviously help push things along nicely.

Specifics then. The most popular Pug in the first three months of the year was the 308, with 588 units sold (compared to 458 in the same period in 2010). amounting to 38% of total sales. Meanwhile, the 207 sedan sold 537 units, accounting for 35% of sales, with another 15% provided by the 3008, with 237 units.

The company is optimistic about the future, says its chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George, who adds that the remainder of 2011 will see further expansion of the brand’s presence – Nasim is set to introduce five new sales and service outlets to bring its network size to 23 nationwide.

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Mercedes-Benz to hold its first-ever Concours in Malaysia

April 21, 2011 at 7:43 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mercedes Benz

It promises to be the largest ever convergence of vintage Mercs in the country – next month’s Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 will see 125 three-pointed star vehicles on display at the first such M-B Concours to be held here and indeed, South-East Asia.

The event, which will be held at the Palace of Golden Horses, Mines Resort City on May 8 from 10am to 5pm, is Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s initiative to celebrate Mercedes-Benz’s 125th Anniversary, which is being commemorated worldwide to mark the company’s 125 years of innovation and also the registration of Carl Benz’s “vehicle with gas-engine drive” with the Berlin Patent Office on January 29, 1886.

The Concours will showcase cars covering the vintage (pre-1960), Classics (1961-1975) and Modern Classics (1976-1989) period, and will be judged based on preparation, condition, correctness, cleanliness and originality.

An independent panel of judges, including a classic car expert from Mercedes-Benz’s Classic Car Centre in Germany, will evaluate the entries in the following categories: Engine & Engine Compartment, Exterior, Interior & Trunk/Boot and Undercarriage/Suspension/Wheels.

The owners of the top car in each of the three categories will win an all-expense paid vacation for two to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Classic Car Centre in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Roland S. Folger said at the announcement of the event today that the Concours was the company’s initiative to thank the tens of thousands of loyal Mercedes-Benz supporters in Malaysia and provide them with a platform to showcase their timeless and priceless classics.

“The cars participating in the Concours proudly reflect the history, longevity, build quality, leading edge technology and design and the painstaking efforts by the owners to maintain these rare collectibles in classic condition,” he said.

One of the participating cars will be a 1957 300 SL Gullwing Rudge Wheel, a former category prize winner at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance while another, a 1936 500K Roadster, was also displayed at the same show.

Other entries will include a 1958 300 LS Gullwing, a 1963 220 SE Ponton Cabriolet and various versions of the famous Fintail. Aside from the vintage and classic Mercs, MBM will also have its current portfolio of passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks on show at the Concours.

Registration for the Historic Mercedes-Benz Concours 2011 closes on May 4 and owners of classic Mercedes-Benz cars can register online or contact 1-800-88-1133 for more information.

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VIDEO: VW Jetta, Polo and Passat on the Elite Highway

April 21, 2011 at 7:02 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Spyshots, Volkswagen

It appears that this trio of new Jetta, Polo and Passat have been going around the Klang Valley almost everyday as we’ve sighted them quite a number of times already. This latest sighting on the Elite Highway was captured on video by readers Wafi and Daniel Azmir with their Nokia C6-01 – the video has some pretty good quality I must say!

Look after the jump for all the photo spyshots of these cars so far.
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LATAR Expressway enters final stage of development – 33km KL-Kuala Selangor route to be ready by around mid-year

April 21, 2011 at 6:34 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Local News

If everything goes to plan, sometime around mid-year will see the opening of the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway, which links Kuala Lumpur at Templer’s Park to the township of Ijok, in Kuala Selangor.

The 33 km dual carriageway route, known as the LATAR Expressway, will be an alternative link road to the present Jalan Sungai Buloh–Kuala Selangor (Federal Road 54) when open for service, and will effectively link the townships of Kuala Selangor, Assam Jawa, Ijok, Batang Berjuntai, Kota Puteri, Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, Bukit Jelutong, Sungai Buloh, Kundang, Rawang and Selayang.

With a drive time of 18 minutes from end-to-end, the expressway features four interchanges and three toll plazas as well as R&R service areas on each side of the route – the four interchanges provide faster and easy access into the existing Guthrie Corridor Expressway, PLUS North-South Expressway and the future West Coast Highway.

The expressway forms the North West portion of the Government’s larger plan for a KL Outer Ring Road (KLORR), which begins from the Templer’s Park Interchange along Federal Route 1 (KL-Rawang) to the Guthrie Corridor Expressway. KLORR is a planned orbital ring road within the greater KL area that will be an alternative to the presently congested Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).

Currently, the completed sections of KLORR include the Guthrie Corridor Expressway linking to Elite Expressway from Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam to Saujana Putra, and the South Klang Valley Expressway from Saujana Putra to Kajang. In addition, KLORR connects Kajang to Hulu Langat via the SILK Highway. With the impending completion of the LATAR Expressway, 75% of the KLORR network will be formed.

The concession was awarded to KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Berhad for a period of 40 years; Mudajaya Holdings Berhad is the turnkey contractor and was awarded the job for a contract value amounting to RM958 million. Construction began in October 2008, and the work is expected to be completed soon, with inspections by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) to follow; no specific date for the opening has been set, but it is hoped that motorists can enjoy the new expressway by the middle of this year.

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Goodyear and AAM launch ‘Women with Drive’ campaign

April 21, 2011 at 5:48 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Local News


Click to enlarge

Women drivers. Whatever certain MPs think of them, they’re not only here to stay, but a growing figure. With that in mind, Goodyear together with Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) launched their first women-centric programme called “Women with Drive” in Bangsar this morning.

Women with Drive is a free community service workshop for the ladies, conducted by Goodyear Autocare experts to educate female motorists on vehicle maintenance and on road safety. The programme also wants to empower women with the confidence and knowledge of basic auto care.

Next month, the programme will kick off with its first “Survival Training”, to be held every three months with the objective of sharing tips and precautions, unfolding myths about auto care and teaching defensive driving. In these workshops, women will get hands on in learning how to check their car’s engine, fluids, electrics, belts and tyres.


Click to enlarge. L-R Azrina Jane, Sasha Rowena, Sarimah, Xandria and Bernie Chan

“This is a fantastic opportunity for women to build their confidence and become savvier on the road. Women play a very important role in decision-making both at work and at home. Therefore, it is essential for them to understand the mechanics of their vehicles and choose what is best for them based on their different needs to avoid being cheated if unfamiliar,” explained Ivy Peng, Goodyear Sales Director.

“This is the first time we are running this programme in Malaysia and we urge all female motorists to hop on the bandwagon as it will be a fun, educational and informative experience,” Ivy urged.

Lending their support at this morning’s launch were local female celebrities including Sarimah Ibrahim, Bernie Chan, Xandria Ooi, Sasha Rowena and Team Goodyear’s female drifter, Azrina Jane Abdullah. Stay tuned for updates on the activities and programmes under Women with Drive, a campaign we believe is worth supporting. For the ladies!

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Proton-Petronas launch ATF-XP3 auto transmission fluid

April 21, 2011 at 3:24 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Proton and Petronas have just launched a co-brand automatic transmission fluid (ATF) in Putrajaya moments ago. The ATF, which is called ATF-XP3, was jointly developed by the national carmaker and Petronas. It’s specially formulated and extensively field tested for Proton cars, according to the carmaker.

The ATF-XP3 is manufactured from highly refined high viscosity index unconventional base oils, and it contains unique friction modifying properties for smooth transmission operation, better protection against wear and improved cleanliness. The ATF-XP3 is also claimed to offer exceptional high and low temperature protection.

Meeting Proton’s PES-1133 standard, the ATF-XP3 is recommended for use in auto ‘boxes where Dexron type fluid is not suitable. The new product is also suitable for auto transmissions with a slip-controlled torque converter which requires ATF-9.


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The ATF-XP3 can be used on the following auto models: Saga (1985-2007), Saga BLM, Iswara, Wira/Satria/Putra (1993-2008), Waja (2000, Campro and CPS), Gen2/Satria Neo (Campro and CPS), Persona and Exora. ATF-XP3 is NOT recommended for use in the Perdana, Waja 1.8 and Savvy. It’s also NOT for the Inspira with CVT.

The ATF-XP3 (1 litre bottle) retails for RM29.96 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM30.46 in East Malaysia. It’s available nationwide in all Proton service centres and will be the default recommended ATF from now, replacing the Proton ATF-SP111, which costs RM30.91, so there’s a bit of savings involved.

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White 2011 Perodua Myvi SE snapped on Jalan Ipoh

April 21, 2011 at 3:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Perodua Myvi, Cars, Malaysian Makes, Perodua, Spyshots

The new 2011 Perodua Myvi has been snapped again, this time by reader Prem on Jalan Ipoh just this afternoon. This model looks to be the sportier SE model, since it looks like it has some bodykit on and a rear spoiler.

The Myvi replacement has been appearing on our roads with reduced disguise lately, leading me to believe that the car is being driven around more for teaser purposes rather than for any actual testing, as the launch date is supposed to be coming very close now.

Look after the jump for the rest of the snaps by Prem.
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ARTIGA Concept unveiled in Shanghai – yes, it is what you think it is, a Satria Neo, replete with supercharger!

April 21, 2011 at 1:35 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Proton

Proton’s Motorsport division lads have certainly been busy bees. The Satria Neo R3 Supercharged seen recently hasn’t been the only thing worked on, it seems.

Say hello to the ARTIGA Concept, which Proton – or rather, Youngman – has unveiled at Auto Shanghai. It’s another Satria Neo-based offering the company says is a study on the future of the hot hatch for Proton, one inspired by its participation in motorsports, but taken to a new level.

Unlike the supercharged R3 Neo, the debutant in China is less flashy colour-wise, clad in a more stoic grey tone, but in terms of exterior lines is certainly more aggresive, with extensive use of carbon fibre. Among the places the stuff makes its way on to is the bonnet, side skirts, spoiler as well as rather aggressively-shaped front and rear diffusers. The car features a patented stamping process to mass produce the carbon fibre parts, which helps to significantly reduce the cost of the items.

Plenty in the way of radical bulging bits though – check out what passes off as wheel arches on the car, working their way into the remodelled bumpers! Elsewhere, the concept features centrally-mounted twin tailpipes, swanky new headlamps and Oz Racing wheels, among other things.

It features the same supercharger treatment – as the Satria Neo R3 Supercharged – to increase power and torque (which should put it at 180 hp and 200 Nm, presumably), as well as the same Ohlins and AP brake package as seen in the limited-edition Satria Neo Lotus Racing.

The ARTIGA is on display at Proton’s Chinese partner Youngman’s booth, and is there to gauge the public’s feedback and interest. A bit of trivia: The car is sporting a Youngman logo, as Proton currently has no direct presence in China at the moment. Clever name too, ARTIGA is, yes?

Live show photo gallery after the jump. Update: Interior shots added
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Youngman Europestar L5 based on long wheelbase GEN2 platform launched at Shanghai 2011

April 21, 2011 at 1:20 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Proton, Youngman

Proton’s Chinese partner Youngman Europestar showcased the Youngman L5 you see above at the 2011 Shanghai Motorshow happening right now.

The Youngman L5 is based on a Proton GEN2 platform with a lengthened wheelbase of 2,670mm which is 70mm longer than the original GEN2 wheelbase. It seems China really does need an extended wheelbase version of everything, including a GEN2!

It was developed in collaboration with Lotus Engineering, with internal and external styling jointly done by Youngman and Lotus for the Chinese market. In the engine bay you’ll find the 1.6 litre Campro CPS engine making 125 horses and 149 Nm of torque.

The red car you see in the gallery is a hatchback, while the white car is a sedan. The Youngman L5 sedan goes for approximately RMB98,000 (about RM45k) while the L5 hatchback is slightly more expensive at RMB108k (RM50k). The price list goes all the way up to RMB122k for the top spec version.
[Read more...]

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VIDEO: Mark Fetherston on the new Mercedes Concept A

April 21, 2011 at 12:42 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz designer Mark Fetherston (who one day wants to be a helicopter pilot it seems!) led the Mercedes-Benz’s concept car exterior design team that styled the new Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class, which previews Stuttgart’s next generation front wheel drive compact. The new A is no longer the tallish hatchback that it was – this one sits low to the ground, perhaps leaving the mini-MPV bodyshell segment to be served by the B-Class in the future. Enjoy the video.

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