Michelin iPhone and iPad apps – 1.4mil downloads in 2011!

January 4, 2012 at 2:25 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

Everyone loves Bibendum, a.k.a. the Michelin Man, including legions of iPhone users across the world. The list of the best App Store applications for 2011 has just been released, and three Michelin apps are among the year’s bestsellers.

They are ViaMichelin Mobile in the navigation category for iPhone, Restaurants in the Michelin guide France in the lifestyle category for iPhone and the Michelin France map in the navigation category for iPad. In 2011, a total of 1,400,000 Michelin applications were downloaded from the App Store.

ViaMichelin Mobile is a free iPhone app, the only free one among the Top 5 App Store apps in the navigation category. It allows users to take advantage of ViaMichelin’s experience and know-how in route planning and maps for mobile devices.

Developed for iPad, the Michelin France map app is offered offline so that users don’t have to pay any connection fees. Available in five interface languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish), the map can be downloaded for €9.99.

For gourmands, Restaurants in the Michelin guide France ranks among the App Store’s Top 5 in the lifestyle category. Downloadable for €7.99, it enables users to locate all Michelin selected restaurants in France, from three-star establishments to small neighborhood bistros. Bon Appétit!

1 Comment      

Suzuki on course to triple engine production in Indonesia

January 4, 2012 at 12:27 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Suzuki

Suzuki is on schedule to triple its engine build output to 150,000 units a year in Indonesia – the company’s new engine manufacturing plant, which will take the number to that eventual figure, remains on course, according to a report.

The Nikkei adds that the facility, which will occupy a 1.3 million sq. metre plot on the outskirts of Jakarta, will feature comprehensive engine manufacturing operations by 2015, including the ability to cast and forge engine parts.

The company, which assembles the Swift and SX4 in Indonesia, is working to lift its annual output capacity there from 120,000 vehicles to at least 150,000 next spring. Its engine production capacity in Indonesia however still stands at 50,000 units a year.

The report adds that in addition to using its Indonesian engines and parts locally, Suzuki will consider exporting some output to factories in other ASEAN member countries. At the same time, the company plans to import engines and parts from Thailand to Indonesia, creating a division of labour and cutting costs by consolidating the production of individual engine types.

5 Comments      


Citroën C3 Picasso Code – playing dress up, this SE

January 4, 2012 at 11:34 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Citroën, International News


Click to enlarge.

Yes, another special edition, this time from Citroën; over in the UK, the company has introduced the C3 Picasso Code, which replaces the previous Blackcherry special edition. The Code edition is effectively a HDi 90 manual VTR+ version, with added equipment.

The base car already has a fair amount of kit, but the C3 Picasso Code gains a ‘Look Pack’ that features more dress-up bits, like 17-inch ‘Clover’ alloy wheels in either Polar White or Cherry Red, depending on body colour, chrome lower bumper inserts and shiny black painted door handles, again featuring chrome for the inserts.

There are also Obsidian Black painted front/rear bumpers and door mirrors, the latter tarted up further with a shiny black surround and base plate, as well as longitudinal roof bars. A choice of four external shades – Polar White, Cherry Red, Belle Ile Blue and Thorium Grey – round off the list.

1 Comment      

Tan Chong goes the motorcycle route in Laos

January 4, 2012 at 11:20 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Bikes, International News

According to a report, Tan Chong Motorcycles Laos has been appointed the exclusive distributor, importer and after-sales service provider for SYM motorcycles and spare parts in Laos.

The company, which is a Tan Chong Motor Holdings (TCMH) unit set up in March last year, has inked a three-year distributorship agreement with Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (VMEP), effective Jan 2, 2012.

The distribution of SYM motorcycles in Laos by TC Motorcycles Laos is expected to commence in the first half of 2012, with showrooms set up in the Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone and Vientiane, TCMH said in its filing with Bursa Malaysia. It added that the total projected sales volume for the first three years of operation is 12,200 units.

The Vietnamese manufacturer builds an assortment of SYM models, including the rather menacing sounding Attila Victoria, Attila Elizabeth and Shark, and has over 230 authorised 3S (sales, service, spare parts) centres in Vietnam.

4 Comments      

Porsche picks Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 for 911

January 3, 2012 at 3:04 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Porsche

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyre has been picked by Porsche as the OE tyre for the its newly launched 911. Goodyear’s ultra high performance (UHP) segment contender will be used for the popular 19-inch wheel fitment on the Carrera 2. Sizes are 235/40 up front and fat 285/35 donuts at the back. As many would know, Porsche and Bibendum are close buddies, so this is quite a coup for Goodyear.

The iconic 911 has a unique rear engined, RWD configuration, and those rear Goodyears will have to put down 350 hp and 380 Nm of torque from Zuffenhausen’s 3.4-litre six-pot boxer engine. Even sports cars like the 911 cannot ignore fuel consumption and emissions figures, and the new Carrera 2 uses 1.6 litres less fuel per 100 km than its predecessor.

The Eagle F1 A2 comes with Goodyear’s FuelSaving Technology. This tech is driven by reduced tyre weight and a new ‘high surface’ silica grade that contributes to reduced heat generation, lowering rolling resistance as a result. The A2 also features the latest ActiveBraking Technology using innovative 3D block design within the tyre tread.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 was officially launched in Asia three months ago in Hua Hin, Thailand. We were at the Kaengkrachan Circuit near the seaside town to sample the tyre. Click here to read the full story.

20 Comments      

Toyota Aqua hybrid makes market debut in Japan

January 3, 2012 at 12:42 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Toyota

Toyota last week announced the introduction of the Aqua in Japan, a month after it made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The compact hybrid is the domestic version of the Prius c, and wears a Hybrid Synergy Drive system based around a 1.5 litre engine.

The 1NZ-FXE Atkinson cycle mill offers 74 PS at 4,800 rpm and 111 Nm at 3,600-4,400 rpm, and works alongside an electric motor/Ni-Mh battery combination offering 61 PS and 169 Nm, with combined maximum output being 100 PS. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 10.7 seconds and a 35.4 km per litre consumption, under the JC08 test cycle.

Standard safety kit includes ABS, EBD, brake assist, VSC and hill-start assist, and ten exterior colours abound, with four interior accent shades patterns (Earth Brown, Fresh Green, Cool Blue, and Natural Gray) to boot.

The Aqua will be available in three grades, these being L, S and G, with different packages to boot. Pricing starts from 1.69 million yen for the baseline model, which is just under RM70,000. It’ll be interesting to see when UMW Toyota brings this one in – it should be right up there mixing it with the Honda Insight from a price perspective, when it does.

89 Comments      

Reports: MINI Cargo commercial van heading to Geneva

January 3, 2012 at 12:41 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, International News

Trendy European businesses who need a small van but don’t want the image of an Opel Astravan or Peugeot 207 Van will have a good choice soon. German car rag Auto Motor und Sport reports that BMW’s MINI brand will unveil a new member of the bug eyed family at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

According to them, the new commercial van variant will be called MINI Cargo. It won’t be an all new bodystyle, but will be based on the current Clubman, which is an elongated MINI hatchback with barn style doors. As with other supermini based vans, the rear seats will be removed to make way for a flat load floor. Another trademark of these vehicles are blocked off rear windows.

Not likely to reach our market, where the MINI is a luxury toy for the wealthy, as opposed to a (stylish) mass market common car in its home continent.

16 Comments      

Hyundai aiming to sell seven million vehicles in 2012

January 3, 2012 at 11:50 am By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News

Hyundai Motor announced yesterday that it is targeting to sell seven million vehicles worldwide this year, an increase of 6% from 2011, in which it sold 6.6 million units globally, more than a million in the US alone.

The figure – which includes Kia numbers – is however conservative, considering that the company has been posting double-digit growth in annual sales volume over the last three years. It may be reflective of the company being wary of a global economic slowdown this year, the reports say.

While continuing its efforts to consolidate its position as the world’s No 5 automaker, the Korean automaker is shifting its focus from volume to quality, in a bid to ensure its growth isn’t thwarted. In recent times, the carmaker has improved its quality ratings in advanced nations, while solidifying its position in emerging countries, the reports add.

10 Comments      

India’s Mahindra & Mahindra linked to bankrupt Saab

January 3, 2012 at 10:50 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, India, International News, Mahindra, Rumours, Saab

Saab may be bankrupt financially, but it has no lack of suitors. After rumours of a sale to the Turkish government surfaced last week, word has it that India’s biggest SUV maker is an interested party. The said company is Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, which is interested in buying at least parts of bankrupt Swedish carmaker, two people familiar with the situation said.

The maker of the Scorpio is in the process of trying to set up meetings with the two court-appointed administrators who are overseeing Saab’s bankruptcy, according to the sources, who want to remain anonymous because the plans are private. M&M spokeswoman Roma Balwani declined to comment.

M&M is no stranger to buying a bankrupt company. In early 2011, the Indian brand completed the purchase of a 70% stake in SsangYong Motor Co for about $368 million, as it sought to benefit from the South Korean company’s technology and international sales network. After the takeover, SsangYong revealed that it plans to spend more than 240 billion won ($208 million) on product development and brand building in the year, hinting at M&M’s financial muscle.

Recently, Mahindra also bought out Renault’s stake in the Logan sedan joint venture and took control of Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Co, so its appetite is obvious. Is Saab about to join the list?

5 Comments      

Patrick Head leaves Williams F1 after 34 years of service

January 3, 2012 at 9:59 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports

Perhaps it’s the current slump, but many forget that Williams is the third most successful team in Formula 1, behind only Ferrari and McLaren. The team had it’s worst ever year in 2011, finishing the season with just five points, and last of the established teams. It’s with this background that Williams director of engineering and legend Patrick Head is leaving the team after 34 years of service.

Head has stepped down from the outfit’s board of directors with immediate effect. He will from now focus on the company’s thriving hybrid business and will remain a board director of Williams Hybrid Power Limited.

“Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships. This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten.,” said founder and friend Frank Williams.

“Patrick is a very straightforward, hard working and truly gifted engineer who comfortably operates at a world class level. I will miss him very much, as I am sure his colleagues will, and he will always be welcome at Grove. Indeed, Patrick will still be seen around the factory as he continues to be involved in the development of our hybrid power activities,” he added.

In the glory days of the 1980s and ’90s, Head drove the team’s engineering department to win 113 grands prix, seven drivers world championships and nine constructors’ titles for Williams. As Frank said, a remarkable legacy.

6 Comments