Plenty of people have been talking about how the Savvy only has an SOHC engine so it is inferior, and old technology. So I decided to post this entry so that people will be better informed on what SOHC or DOHC really is. Click here to read the rest of SOHC vs DOHC Valvetrains: A Comparison
BMW will be entering the crossover SUV market with their new X6, which is currently undergoing testing laps in Germany’s Nurburgring test track. The name is not finalised as X6 is just a rumour that’s going around.
The X6 is undergoing testing without a proper body. BMW put mock body panels on it for the test stages so there is no indication of how the final product will look like at all. The car will have 4 doors but still be considered a crossover coupe-SUV because of the coupe-like roofline.
Here’s a concept artist’s impression based on the current 6 series design.
Of course, the crossover coupe-SUV will have four wheel drive.
Similiar vehicles are the Mazda CX-7 and the Porsche Panamera, due in 2009. The BMW X6 is due on 2008.
Michelin shares dropped as much as 3.1 percent and fell 75 euro cents, or 1.5 percent, to 50.75 euros at 4:15 p.m. in Paris after the US Grand Prix where only 6 cars raced, from 3 teams that were not using Michelin tyres.
All that were left on the track was Ferrari, Minardi and Jordan. I suppose because none of the other good teams competed, this helped Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher get his first win this season. But he wasn’t very thrilled about it, he did not even spray the customary victory champagne at the podium.
Read more for the full story. Click here to read the rest of Michelin Shares Take A Drop After Indianapolis
Volvo has a new XC90 out with a naturally aspirated 4.4 liter V8 engine inside. Marketed as the best V8 for the planet, the engine has ultra low emissions and it is the most powerful Volvo to date. Click here to read the rest of Volvo XC90 V8
Mazda takes a shot at the BMW X3 with it’s new SUV called the CX-7. The CX-7 is derived from the Mazda Crossport concept which it had been showcasing at some autoshow exhibitions lately.
It’s evident the CX-7 takes it’s styling cues from the delicious Mazda RX-8. It’s a cross-over SUV type of vehicle which basically means it’s something like a sports car with SUV practicality. Very “zoom-zoom” indeed. And check this out, the original MX-Crossport comes with with 4 bucket seats for the front and rear seats.
Don’t know if this will be in the production CX-7 model or not. It runs on 275/45/R20 wheels… huge! But the height of the MX-Crossport is only 1.6 meters, lower than others in it’s class. The car is built to be low and wide with a long wheelbase, similiar to what Honda did with it’s new Honda Odyssey.
Doubt that funky interior will be in the production version… too funky! 
The car is very Mazda indeed. Sports car blood in everything, even SUVs. I really think Proton is trying to be Mazda sometimes.
The CX-7 will begin production in 2006.
We have a new addition to the recent launch of new pick-up trucks this year - The Isuzu D-MAX. Isuzu in Malaysia has always been focused on heavy trucks and pickups mostly with diesel engine. Their presence is represented here with their Trooper and Citation trucks and Rodeo pickups. Their diesel expertise is acknowledge, with Honda asking them to give input into the award winning i-CTDi engine. Earlier diesel Hondas also used Isuzu oil burners.
A Free Trade Agreement was finalised and signed between Malaysia and Japan on Wednesday. The Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement (JMEPA) focuses on solving issues with the trade of automobile and steel between the two countries. This will mean some tax incentives for the import of Japanese vehicles into our country.
Now before everyone shouts “Hooray, now that Honda Jazz I’ve been eyeing will be affordable to me now!”, there’s some conditions involved. Whatever benefits that the JMEPA brings would only affect vehicles that do not compete with Proton and Perodua. What does this mean? What are the types of cars that Perodua and Proton does not make? Probably only SUVs, high performance sports sedans and luxury vehicles, at least for the time being. Everything would probably take effect step by step, with the final stages being tax abolishment for Proton/Perodua competitors. When? Probably when the government thinks our home boys are ready to take on the Japanese makes.
Under the agreement, Malaysia will abolish tariffs on completely-knocked-down (CKD) vehicles and components produced by Japanese carmakers in the country.
Tariffs on auto parts imported from Japan that are not used in CKD vehicles will be reduced to between zero and 5% in 2008 and will be fully eliminated by 2010.
Tariffs on completely-built-up vehicles (CBUs) will be completely abolished by 2015.
Meanwhile, tariffs on vehicles with engine capacities of between 2,000 and 3,000cc, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and trucks of 20 tonnes or more will be gradually abolished in five years.
For vehicles with engines bigger than 3,000cc, tariffs will be cut to between zero and 5% in 2008 and totally eliminated by 2010.
- The Star
Not very beneficial to the majority of the rakyat isn’t it? I mean, the people who can afford sports cars and luxury vehicles are already rich and have the money to begin with. And with such degree of protection on Perodua and Proton, no reason for them to strive to be better, except for competition between themselves as we can see with the recent Myvi vs. Savvy battle.
Other items which the agreement covers are industrial goods, agriculture, customs procedures, trade-in services, investment, cooperation between countries, intellectual property, anti-competitive activities (what about local car manufacturers protection?), and enhancement of business environment.
The JMEPA is expected to start effect this December.
More details on JMEPA available at these links.
Motor players to gain from Malaysia-Japan FTA
Japan-Malaysia economic pact may be signed in December
Ministry of Foreign affairs Japan - JMEPA Joint Press Release Statement
Free trade agreement lifts tariffs on Japanese cars
This is a weird way to prove the strength of the Proton Savvy chassis. I don’t know whether to call it an honour or an insult. Quite amusing Don’t take it too seriously, it’s just a joke.
MONSTER TRUCK RACING ASSOCIATION USA PURCHASES PROTON SAVVY
Friday, June 10th 2005
In what seemed as automative ground breaking news, the USHRA Monster Trucks annouced today that it will purchase the latest Proton automobile launched just 2 days ago. In an interview, the spokesman for the USHRA Monster Trucks , Frederick Walker confirmed that the association has ordered 50 units of the newly launched Proton Savvy today.
He personally delivered the order to Chief Executive Officer of Proton, Tengku Mahaleel Ariff later this evening at Proton Headquarters, Tanjung Malim. The cars will replace existing scraped cars in all of the associations arenas and race events.
“We are very excited about this new car. The price is right, and the reusability of the car is high. The soft surface of the Savvy will ensure our Monster Trucks ™ will not suffer heavy tyre damage or unwanted punctures during racing. It’s body is the toughest of its class. It will be reused many times in races and I’m sure Malaysians will be proud to have American made Monster Trucks stomping all over it on prime TV.” Mr Frederick Walker when asked to comment about the purchase.
Malaysians can expect the Proton Savvy to debut in Monster Truck races very soon and they can catch them live on “Pall Mall Action Gear : Monster Trucks” aired over TV2 every Thursday 8.00 PM.
I did not write this so don’t have to give me credit 
That is the question that I am asking. That’s the question Karamjit himself is asking. And I bet almost every single automotive enthusiast who I know will be asking.
Together with his co-driver Allen Oh, Karamjit had won the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) last year, as well as in 2001 and 2002. Because of him, Proton had also snagged the Manufacturer’s title in 2002 and 2004. Karamjit also took the Group N (Production car) titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001. (Source)
Isn’t this a proven track record for success? How come he is unable to get sponsorship from anyone?
Do you need more proof? Click here to read the rest of Why Can’t Karamjit Singh Secure Sponsorship?
Look at all the unsold parked cars in Proton’s factory in Shah Alam. Manufacturing capacity doesn’t seem to be a problem for Proton. The problem is selling all the cars.
Picture by Bloomberg.
Somehow Proton does not realise that it’s declining sales are because the we, the rakyat are sick of them shortchanging us on the quality control issues. The export market Protons are of so much higher quality than ours. Proton Persona vs. Proton Wira. Anyone would take the Persona anyday. Proton used to hold 60% of the auto industry but it’s share dropped to 44% last year, a steady decline from 48% in 2003.
Click here to read the rest of Negative Image Hurting Proton Sales
