We have a few JD Power indexes here in Malaysia - the IQS, the CSI and now the latest for this year is the Sales Satisfaction Index Study for the 2007 year, released yesterday.

Unlike the CSI or Customer Satisfaction Index which measures performance across the ownership experience including service quality, service advisor, service initiation, user-friendly service and service delivery factors, the SSI or the Sales Satisfaction Index measures the sales point experience and includes the following factors: delivery process, delivery timing, salesperson, dealer facility, paperwork and deal.

Toyota leads the rankings and sets benchmarks in 4 of the 6 factors that determine satisfaction: salesperson, dealer facility, paperwork and deal. Nissan and Inokom follow Toyota in the rankings. Nissan performs particularly well in delivery process.

We as Malaysian customers should be happy that the sales satisfaction level for 2007 is at a record high, with an average industry standard of 772 index points on a 1,000 point scale. This is an increase of 20 points over the last year. All marques recorded improvements over the last year, but national nameplates registered a bigger improvement over non-national nameplates. However, only one national nameplate is above the industry average - Inokom, while Perodua, Naza and Proton sits at the bottom of the index.

Among major factors that affect sales satisfaction are: keeping promises regarding vehicle delivery time, scheduling delivery at convenient times for the customer, and offering hire purchase loans.

The 2007 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from more than 3,000 owners of 60 different vehicle models at two to six months of ownership. The study was fielded from April to July 2007. It does not include BMW, Ford, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi due to small sample size.

Check out another pie chart after the jump.

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JD Power 2005 Malaysia Initial Quality Study
2007 Malaysia Customer Satisfaction Index Study
Kia Rio tops U.S. Compact Car JD Power IQS

Click here to read the rest of J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index Study 2007

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Karamjit Singh is back in action again, currently vying for the Overall Champion title of the FELDA-AAM Malaysian Rally Championship 2007 (FAMRC) at the oil palm plantations near Kuantan this Saturday and Sunday.

He is currently leading the championship but needs to score for the 4th round this weekend as he did not manage to score any during round 3, unlike the first two rounds where he managed to get first place. The checkered flag for Round 3 was snagged by lead drive Kan Chee Hong and co-driver Bernard Chin for the Perodua M5 Rally team.

Round 4 this weekend will include more than 20 cars including foreign participants, and will span 2 days - 3rd to 4th November 2007 in Kuantan, Pahang.

“Last year the drivers found the stages to be demanding with a lot of twists and turns, uphill and downhill roads. It will be even more challenging this year if it continues to rain, as the slippery roads will truly put to the test the skills of the drivers and their cars,” said Clerk of the Course for the Championship, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Almarhum Tengku Suleiman.

The First Leg will see participants compete in 8 Special stages (SS) comprising SS1 Tepi Sungai (11.94km), SS2 Ada Tramac (26.54km), SS3 Treler Kuning (7.74km), SS4 Kilang (3.78km), SS5 Tepi Sungai (11.94km), SS6 Ada Tarmac (26.54km), SS7 Treler Kuning (7.74km) and SS8 Kilang (3.78km), covering a total SS distance of 100km. For Leg Two, participants will be covering a total SS distance of 50.54km. Leg Two comprises SS9 Jambatan Best (10.26km), SS10 Pondok (5.86km) and SS11 Sekolah (9.15km). After a twenty minute service break, participants will head to SS12 Jambatan Best (10.26km) then to SS13 at Pondok (5.86km) before finishing at SS14 Sekolah 9.15km). The total Rally covers 150.54km.

The flag off will be at Dataran Kuantan at 12 noon on the 3rd of November 2007.

Click here to read the rest of Karamjit leads the FAMRC Rally

Cycle and Carriage Bintang Berhad (CCB) will not be renewing its contract with Automobiles Peugeot upon its expiration at the end of this year, ending their 5-year partnership that has been making losses in the past 2 years.

CCB wants to focus on its core marques - while we do not know what they consider to be core, Mercedes Benz is definitely one and has been doing very well. The other marque that CCB has in Malaysia is Mazda.

Who will pick up the Peugeot franchise? Current speculation favourite is the Naza group, who already has a relationship with Automobiles Peugeot with the Naza 206 Bestari project - essentially a locally assembled Peugeot 206.

Source

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Right on the back of Volkswagen’s two-door city specialist concept launched at Frankfurt, the up!, comes the space up! Concept, which as the name suggests, offers more space. The latest member of VW’s New Small Family range is strangely called the “largest small VW”, if that makes any sense, and at 3.68 metres length and 1.63 meters wide, it’s a small matter of 23cm longer than the up!

This results in a wheelbase of 2.56m, nearly 10cm longer than their current supermini, the Fox, despite being over 12cm shorter in overall length.

The entire concept is to create as much interior room as possible without taking up that much space on the road, hence offering the space of a considerably larger vehicle. The clever space concept of the space up! is mostly thanks to its rear-engine layout just like on the Beetle and the Bulli (Microbus) of the past.

Thanks to its elongated wheelbase, the space up! offers four doors, although there are in fact six doors (twice as many as the three-door hatchback up!) in this van concept car as the boot is accessed via a pair of fridge doors. Behind this door are 220 to 1,005 liters of cargo space given the multi-configurable four seat positions.

Design details include a front end featuring headlamps that take an inward diagonal line, the horizontally integrated air inlets (minimized aperture optimizes aerodynamics), the VW logo arranged on the front hood (as the only exterior detail kept in chrome) and the smooth-surfaced bumper with a lower segment.

From the side, the long extended window section flows from a clearly distinctive, powerful C-pillar to an A-pillar positioned far forward in a van-like manner. The space between the A and C pillars is spanned by the line of butterfly doors with opposing hinges. These suicide doors, in the style of the legendary Samba bus, extend across nearly the entire space between the wheel housings – i.e. the entire sill length – all four seating positions are exceptionally convenient to access.

The rear doors seem to fill up practically the entire car area above the bumper. The doors are asymmetrically split 1/3 to 2/3 and when fully opened, offer a cargo width of just over a metre.

While it certainly looks futuristic, its not really that over the top and you can imagine it going into production sometime in the future.

Click here to read the rest of Volkswagen space up! Concept

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[ UPDATE: Hicom-Chevrolet has launched the Chevrolet Captiva in Malaysia. ]

We first saw the Chevrolet Captiva in near production concept form in 2004 as the Chevrolet S3X Concept. Soon it went into production in 2006 as the Chevrolet Captiva and the Daewoo Winstorm, powered by a 2.4 liter petrol (142hp@5200rpm, 220Nm@4000rpm) or a 3.2 liter V6 (225hp@6000rpm, 302Nm@3500rpm), or a GM-VM Motori 2.0 liter turbodiesel (150hp@4000rpm, 310Nm@2000rpm).

The long wheelbase of 2700mm allows the Chevrolet Captiva to fit up to 3 rows of seats for a maximum capacity of 7 seats, although the SUV is also available as a 5 seater.

After looking at the Captiva only through the internet and magazines, suddenly we see it in Putrajaya at the JPJ building thanks to reader akmal… first the new Chevrolet Aveo notchback and now this - is Hicomobil on the roll again?

Related Posts:
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The Toyota RiN, whatever that stands for, is the world’s biggest car company’s take on designing the car of choice for the health freak of the future. With a massive greenhouse, seats that keep your spine in its proper position, an oxygen-level conditioner and humidifier, plus a meter that gauges your mood through the steering wheel and then displays a colour based on your psychological state, Toyota thinks it can make better, happier motorists, that are more aware of nature and the society that infuses it.

Focusing on “increased comfort” and “serene, healthy living” features include leaf-shaped foot pedals and sliding doors with glass that wraps underneath the floor providing a view of the road below. Plus, you can motor along (supposedly) knowing that when your headlights are on, you won’t blind any pedestrians or oncoming motorists because the light is thoughtfully being distributed to avoid such stresses.

The design language is based on the deep-rooted and tall-growing Yakusugi tree (a variety of Japanese cypress) for its exterior and interior design to express both “harmony with nature” and “healthy mind and body”.

But seriously, if Toyota could implement a few of the less crazy ideas into future models then perhaps we may see a world without road rage and happy, smiling faces in every car and less occurrences of heart problems on the road.

Click here to read the rest of TOKYO 2007 LIVE: Toyota RiN Concept

Im on my way to the Circuit De Catalunya 2008! Well… not quite, yet. But I could be. Anyway, the next time you fill up at Shell, you could be one of the eight lucky Malaysians to win a grand prix holiday package for the 2008 F1 season.

The contest which is in celebration of Shells 60-year partnership with Ferrari, offers consumers any racing destinations of their choice in Malaysia, Bahrain, Turkey, Spain and Great Britain. Each holiday package comprises of grand stand tickets, return flights, accommodation for two people and RM5,000 cash!

Joining the contest is really simple! You can live your F1 dream by just filling with every RM30 fill-up of any Shell fuel or purchase of Shell Helix products. However, for those who fuel up with Shell V-Power Racing you stand twice the chance of winning. But remember, to qualify all contest forms must be submitted with the original receipt at all Shell stations nationwide.

The good thing about this contest is there is no need to crack your head for a creative slogan. Basically, all you need to do is answer two easy questions. I always avoid contests with slogans as I am not good at slogan writing.

Another good thing is accumulated receipts can also be combined - I did not know that at first. My Perdana’s full tank always maxes out at about RM115 - so there was once I tried forcing in RM120 just so I could get 4 double chances at entering the contest, but the fuel tank overflowed. I had a field time cleaning up that mess.

I think I’ve submitted about 20 over entries already, thanks to two 2.0 litre guzzler cars parked outside my house (yes, I’ve added something else to my garage) and the double entries I get by filling up with Shell V-Power Racing. I know it’s pricier but apparently it has engine-cleaning properties… or maybe I just really want to win. I’ve got my eyes set on Spain. Never seen a F1 race live before, especially not at the Circuit De Catalunya, so if I win - Ole! Actually, theres only 6 left, cause two spots have already been won.

If you’re not one of the lucky winners (like me for the moment, unfortunately), dont fret! You might just be in the running for the 1600 Shell or Ferrari merchandises. The contest is on till November 14, hurry and fuel up at your nearest Shell station, who knows you might bump into me there!

Check out the contest details!

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Probably the closest you’ll ever get to a real life Optimus Prime is the Nissan NV200 concept. Aimed at small business professionals that are constantly on the move, it portrays a rugged image on the outside but keeps things safe and in place on the inside. The NV200 first appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, but it was only display again at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

At the heart of the interior is a rolling job site featuring a patented sliding cargo pod which houses a unique pod that can smartly accommodate a variety of business needs. The pod is divided into customizable trays and boxes for efficient storage of profession-specific equipment, materials, work gear and apparel.

The end of the pod facing the inside of the van - it forms a bulkhead behind the front seats when the pod is not deployed - has hanging space for dry clothes. It also houses a small refrigerator, an extending sink unit and first aid kit. The NV200’s tanks hold enough water to supply a shower, fitted on the outside of the pod, to allow for example, diving equipment to be washed after use.

The example used, as per the pictures in this post, is that of an oceanic photographer. Power for the computer, shower, ‘fridge and other electrical fixtures comes from a small generator housed within the van. This, in turn, is charged by solar panels situated on the roof of the pod.

When the pod is deployed, the solar panels are directly exposed to daylight. But even when the pod is pushed back into the van, the panels line up beneath the skylight. In this way, power can be generated in daylight hours whether the vehicle is stationary or not.

The pod is latched inside the shell of the load area when the van is being driven. But upon arrival at its destination, it slides out rearwards to allow easy access to the storage zones. Deployed via hydraulic rams, it will sit securely on integrated ‘drop-down’ legs when fully extended.

From the outside, the Nissan NV200 doesn’t stray from the looks of a contemporary van with a usefully long 2820mm wheelbase and is 1840mm tall. All we need for it now is to transform into a kick-ass robot.

Click here to read the rest of TOKYO 2007 LIVE: Nissan NV200 Concept

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Not to be outdone by Toyota, Honda has its own ideas of how one might enjoy relaxed motoring in the future and it comes in the form of the Honda Puyo Concept. The weird name, claims Honda, is an onomatopoeia (words that imitates the sound it is describing, such as “click,” “buzz,” “oink”, “quack”, or “meow”) that, “expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle’s soft body - a warm and friendly sensation.”

And you thought the sexy things at motor shows were the girls. The Puyo’s “gel body” actually is soft, which Honda claims increases safety. A few people “touched the Puyo” (yes, I am aware that sounds kinda dodgy) and it actually feels like silicon. Furthermore, the supposedly glows-in-the-dark as well.

Since the theme of Honda’s display this year is “For the endless joy of mobility on our earth,” the Puyo is unsurprisingly a green vehicle and is powered by a fuel-cell. The design concept is that of a cornerless “Seamless Soft Box” which provides the functionality of a cube-like design with a soft presence lacking any edges. Input methods are equally futuristic, for example the Puyo uses a joystick.

However, the extreme size of those scissor doors are a bit hard to wrap your head around but they do gel with the idea of creating as open a space as possible, hence, the entirely glassed body from the beltline upwards. The tiny wheels are at the extreme corners of the vehicle, and the car is capable of making 360-degree turns in place. smart fortwo, your parking skilz have just been pwned!

Developed to have a ‘Silky Feel’, the interior is designed with a feeling of transparency helped along by features such as an instrument panel monitor and controls that actually rise up when the vehicle starts up and a luminous fluid meter display.

More shots after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of TOKYO 2007 LIVE: Honda Puyo Concept

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Mazda’s latest series of concept cars seem like odd organic cars that do not look like it may make it’s way into production form anytime soon, and the latest is the Mazda Taiki concept which continues to follow the Nagare theme established with the first car in the new concept line, the Mazda Nagare. Nagare means flow, and Mazda turned to nature for inspiration - using cues from natural flow lines all around us - shapes in sand dunes etched by the wind, ocean waves, lava flow down a volcano, and etc.

All three design centers - US, European and Japan contributed to this series of concepts, with cars like the original Nagare coming from the US-based design center and the Mazda Ryuga from the Hiroshima Design Center in Japan. The Mazda Hakaze design concept came from the European Design Center.

The Mazda Taiki is the fourth in the series, and this one comes from the Hiroshima Design Center team led by Chief Designer Yamada Atsuhiko. Every concept car represents a different segment of future cars, for example the Mazda Ryuga was envisioned as a future compact car. The Mazda Taiki points to a possible future design direction for Mazda sports cars.

The stretched coupe has short overhangs and its interior has a liberating and free feel to it thanks to an all-glass canope. It has a drag coefficient of 0.25 and zero lift. Air is channeled through the front fender via a tunnel formed between the body and the rear fender - this creates downforce.

This design concept is also used to unveil some technical goodies. The 2-seater Mazda Taiki is conceptually powered by the next generation RENESIS rotary engine engine called the RENESIS 16X. The engine will be mounted at the front and will power the rear wheels, a proven formula for a sports car.

More details on that engine will come in a later post, but you’ll be pleased to know that Mazda is the latest manufacturer to jump on the twin clutch bandwagon. The RENESIS 16X engine will be mated to a 7-speed dry twin clutch transmission. Suspension is a double wishbone setup for both front and rear, and the car rides on 22 inch Enkei wheels wrapped with Yokohama Advan Super-E spec Prototype 007 tyres in 195/40R22 size. As for dimensions, the Mazda Taiki is 4620mm long, 1950mm wide, 1240mm tall and has a wheelbase of 3000mm.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of TOKYO 2007 LIVE: Mazda Taiki Concept