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New Maruti Swift Dzire spied in India, it’s a ‘Swift Sedan’

January 17, 2012 at 4:01 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Spyshots, Suzuki

The previous gen Suzuki Swift, which is still current in Malaysia, spawned a sedan in India called Swift Dzire. The looks were odd, but the booted Swift proved popular. Here’s the new one, based on the latest Swift. Caught on camera by MegaPower Services, it confirms that the Dzire name has been continued, and that a launch is imminent.

Viewed from the rear, the “Swift Sedan” looks decent, but the funny proportions are unavoidable, since Suzuki wanted it to be below four metres in length to enjoy the Indian government’s excise benefits for small cars. As a result, the stubby tailed new Dzire is shorter than the old one, which is 4,160 mm long.

In front, the Dzire is distinguished from the hatch by a new grille and fog lamp housings. The cabin is carried over from the new Swift, which dumped the old minimalist dash for a more conventional layout. Being a sedan, the Dzire is trimmed with “luxury” in mind, as opposed to sporty – a two-tone theme and wood trim can be found.

Engine options are said to include a 1.2-litre K Series petrol and a 1.3-litre Multijet diesel from Fiat, engines that already see service in Maruti’s range.

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DRB-Hicom picked to get Proton – what will happen next?

January 17, 2012 at 2:17 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Proton

The chart above shows the share price movement for Proton Holdings Berhad for the past 3 months up to yesterday. It settled down at RM5.18 yesterday, and previously hit a high of RM5.53 on the 13th January 2012. If only we all knew what was going to happen back in late November last year eh? It would have been a nice windfall just in time for the Chinese New Year this month.

Khazanah Nasional’s statement yesterday said DRB-Hicom had been identified as the appropriate party to acquire KNB’s stake in Proton as it’s proposal had demonstrated the company’s extensive involvement in the automotive sector, its network of strategic partnerships both local and international, and an effective platform to enhance Proton’s sustainability and meet its long-term growth needs. It’s RM5.50 per share offer price was also acceptable to Khazanah.

DRB-Hicom’s stake in Proton will rise from zero now to approximately 42.74% after the transaction is done – a total of RM1,291,040,812 in cash will change hands, with probably even more to be paid out later when DRB-Hicom makes a mandatory general offer for all remaining Proton shares after the acquisition is done.

This is not the first asset that DRB-Hicom owner Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary has acquired from Khazanah. He also paid RM623 million in cash for Khazanah’s stake in Pos Malaysia via DRB-Hicom, and the turnaround is already underway, with DRB-Hicom saying they have identified 17 new businesses that it could tap into via Pos Malaysia.

If you know Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary’s style, he will most likely install his own general to head Proton. When he took over Pos Malaysia, he made Datuk Khalid Abdol Rahman the group CEO. Datuk Khalid was previously DRB-Hicom group director of corporate planning. Who will be Proton’s new chief, or will DRB-Hicom choose to retain Datuk Seri Syed Zainal?

There are more questions of course. What are DRB-Hicom’s plans for Proton? These details are all in the proposal to Khazanah, not not available for public viewing. Will DRB-Hicom matchmake Proton and Volkswagen? If yes, how do they intend to do it? Who will they retain and who will go? What fresh blood will they bring in? An/d will DRB-Hicom continue to ask for special privileges from the government for Proton – if yes, for how long? And what will they do with Lotus?

The answers to these questions will be revealed in due course!

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SMART Tunnel will be closed tomorrow for maintenance

January 17, 2012 at 1:17 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News

The SMART highway will be closed from 11pm tomorrow night (18 Jan) to facilitate routine maintenance of the motorway tunnel system, Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) Sdn Bhd said in a statement.

The closure will last until 6am the following day (19 Jan), opening in time for the rush hour. Motorists can call SMART Helpline at 1300-88-7188 for further info.

Meanwhile, PLUS in a statement announced that the Ulu Bernam R&R area at Km 298.8 of the North South Expressway will be closed today between 8am and 5pm for maintenance. Highway users are advised to instead use the Behrang R&R (Km 382.2) or the big Tapah rest area (Km 331.2), both southbound from Ipoh. PLUSLine’s number is 1800-88-0000.

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Group N Proton Satria Neo rally car goes on sale in Japan

January 17, 2012 at 12:15 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton

Proton Motorsports and renowned Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Carrosser Co Ltd (CUSCO) announced at the Tokyo Auto Salon that the Satria Neo will officially go on sale in Japan for motorsports use. CUSCO is the authorised Proton reseller in Japan and is responsible for the importation and distribution of the Neo in Japan.

This is the fruit of Proton Motorsports and CUSCO’s joint-development to produce Group N 1600cc Proton Satria Neo rally cars, which was first put on display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The cars competed in last year’s Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and made a clean sweep of the 2WD categories, winning the APRC 2WD Manufacturer’s title, APRC 2WD driver’s title (Karamjit Singh) and APRC Junior driver’s title (Akira Bamba). Meanwhile, in the Japan Rally, Shuhei Muta also drove the Satria Neo to win the JN3 Class title.

Developed for the Japanese domestic market, the rally cars are sold by CUSCO to those competing in the Junior Rally Championships in Japan and Asia Pacific. Proton and Carosser have also jointly-developed Group N components for rally use on the Neo. A well known name in aftermarket performance parts, CUSCO is the only independent firm in Japan to compete in all categories of the All-Japan Championships: track racing, rallying, dirt trials and gymkhana.

“Besides the collaboration on vehicles, we are also looking to expand our business, not only in Malaysia, but globally in terms of jointly-developing performance parts and accessories together with Carroser,” said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, head of Proton Motorsports.

“The main objective of this joint-development is to further deepen the prosperous relationship with Proton Motorsports by presenting the Japanese market with a sporty automobile that has proven its capability as a solid motorsports base machine. Moreover, Carrosser will strive to dedicatedly support various teams and end users utilising Proton machines in any given genre of motorsports, especially the APRC,” said Carrosser President Tsutomu Nagase.

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ETCM gives away Nissan Sylphy to Grand Livina buyer

January 17, 2012 at 11:02 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has given away a Nissan Sylphy worth RM114,880 to a Nissan Grand Livina buyer, concluding the second round of its “Test Drive & Win” campaign. The lucky lady is Tengku Norul Karlina Binti Tengku Yunus from KL.

“I entered this contest with the least expectation to win. This is absolutely shocking and I just couldn’t believe that I am the lucky winner! I am delighted because it brings so much joy to my family and of course, thanks to ETCM for everything,” said Tengku Norul Karlina.

The second draw was open to those who have bought or test driven any Nissan vehicle from 1 August till 30 November 2011. The first draw winner was Dr Aida Adlina Binti Anuar from Seremban. The good doctor was also a buyer of the Grand Livina MPV.

If you think buying a Livina and winning a Sylphy is a good deal, ETCM’s “Test Drive & Win” goes into its third round where a Nissan Teana or 370Z will be given away. The contest period is from 1 December last year to 31 March 2012. To join, one will need to test drive a Nissan vehicle at any authorised Nissan dealership. That will gain you one entry. Buy a Nissan and six entries will be in the pot. For more info go to www.nissan.com.my.

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2012 Monte Carlo Rally marks Proton’s return to the WRC

January 17, 2012 at 10:20 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Malaysian Makes, Motorsports, Proton

Today will see drivers Giandomenico Basso and Per Gunnar Andersson lead Proton’s return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) when the Malaysian manufacturer competes at the Monte Carlo Rally for the opening round of the 2012 FIA Super World Rally Championship (S-WRC).

Proton’s participation in the S-WRC comes 10 years after it first won the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship in 2002. Last year was a successful year for the Proton team, which was crowned champion in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), clean sweeping every title on offer.

This is Proton’s second visit to the historic rally after making its debut last year on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), which is run on a similar but shorter route. Yours truly was freezing himself with the team there last year, sharing the heartbreak of two retirements after so much promise. Better luck this time guys!

Anyway, the S-WRC is a companion series to the WRC and is driven on the same special stages. First introduced in 2010, it is limited to production-based cars homologated under the Super 2000 rules. The S-WRC also splits the Production World Rally Championship (P-WRC, previously open to both Super 2000 and Group N4 cars) into two separate competitions.

Proton will compete in five of the seven S-WRC rounds in 2012, and we hear that some privateers will also get behind the wheel of the Satria Neo S2000.

“We start the Monte Carlo Rally and the 2012 S-WRC season with what is a winning car, having clinched last year’s APRC title, and given the positive results we have achieved in testing throughout the winter break, we look forward to a strong and competitive season ahead,” said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, Head of Proton Motorsports.

The 2012 Monte Carlo Rally will be run over 18 special stages totaling 430 km of competitive distance in temperatures as low as five degrees. This year’s 80th edition marks the return of WRC to Monte Carlo after a three-year absence. Flag off is at the French city of Valence with two stages to be run twice before heading to the mountainous Ardeche, Haut Loire and Drôme regions, eventually finishing in glamorous Monaco.

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Six more winners in Proton’s Amazing Holidays contest

January 17, 2012 at 9:13 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

Proton has announced six new winners in the second round of its Amazing Holidays competition. They receive a 3D2N holiday stay each, at either The Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, Tanjung Jara Resort in Terengganu or Casa del Rio in Malacca.

The winners are Proton car owners Rizalman ShahBandra from Putrajaya, Noor Fizan Ahmad from Ipoh, Zamri Abdul Malik from Petaling Jaya and Masmira Ibrahim from Temerloh. Winners under the non-Proton owner segment are Chee Sook Fun from Klang and Chong Bing Shan from Kuala Terengganu.

Amazing Holidays is part of the “Very Important Proton” VIP programme, aimed at acknowledging and rewarding customers and supporters.

“Our VIP programme has been truly instrumental in our ‘committed to be better’ initiative as it is an active expression of our pledge towards the improvement of our products and services. We have been very happy with the response received. The positive reactions we have witnessed have been truly encouraging to us as this initiative is instrumental in helping us build stronger relationships with Proton supporters,” said Director of Group Marketing, Branding and Motorsports, John D. Chacko.

Proton’s VIP programme was initiated in the middle of 2011 and lasted throughout the year. Also under the initiative is “My Proton Makeover”, which sees the R3 boys refurbish old Protons. They’ve so far laid their hands on Fadly Hisham Roplay’s 1992 Saga and Sashideran Radha’s 17-year old Wira. Next up is a 1996 Iswara Aeroback owned by Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri. Keep your eyes peeled for that one!

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DRB-Hicom announces proposal to acquire Khazanah’s Proton stake – RM5.50 per share

January 16, 2012 at 5:33 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

DRB-Hicom, the apparent winner of the tussle for Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s 42.74% stake in national carmaker Proton, has officially announced a proposal to acquire the stake to Bursa Malaysia, as any listed company is required to do.

They will pay the Government’s investment holding arm RM1,291,040,812, or RM5.50 per share in cash. DRB-Hicom also proposes to do conduct a mandatory general offer (MGO) to buy up the shares it doesn’t already own after the deal with Khazanah, as per listing rules.

Minority shareholders will be offered the same price – RM5.50 per share – as the conglomerate is offering Khazanah. Last Friday, before trading of Proton shares were suspended, the counter closed at RM5.18.

The deal is almost 100% done, but for two caveats: the approval of the shareholders of DRB-Hicom at an extraordinary general meeting to be convened AND the approval of or notification to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on the change of shareholder of Proton.

In the proposal, DRB-Hicom also stated that it will not carry out any dealing with any Proton shares within two years from the transaction date, including the disposal of the assets of Proton, or any of its group companies. The company also says that during the period of one year from the completion date, it will not propose or vote in favour of any plans which may result in the dismissal, discharge, retrenchment or lay-off of the employees of Proton and/or its subsidiaries.

DRB-Hicom had issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of RM38,731,224.35 representing 3% to the vendor, which is of course Khazanah. Mere formality now, before the official announcement.

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Volkswagen Polo Sedan sighted at a Malaysian port

January 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Volkswagen

The new Volkswagen Polo Sedan – we’ve seen it being tested on the roads before, and now reader Wan has sent in photos of a big shipment of mostly white, silver, grey and black Volkswagen Polo Sedans lined up at a port in Malaysia.

The badges on the rear left of the car confirms that the car will share a name with its hatchback sibling and be called the Volkswagen Polo in Malaysia, instead of the Volkswagen Vento as it is marketed in India.

The rear right badge says 1.6, and there’s no TSI badging, which indicates that this affordable Volkswagen sedan will use a normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine, which we expect should be similiar to the one in the last generation Polo. For India specs, the 1.6 liter petrol engine makes 105 PS and 153Nm of torque at a relatively early 3,800rpm, mated to a 6-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual.

India also has a nice 1.6 liter turbodiesel making 105 PS and 250Nm from as low as 1,500rpm – that should be nice, if only diesels were more popular in Malaysia!


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Trading of Proton and DRB-Hicom shares suspended on Bursa, official announcement to come soon

January 16, 2012 at 11:24 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton

It looks like the battle for Khazanah Nasional Bhd 42.7% stake in Proton has had its winner. Trading of the national car maker’s shares, as well as those from DRB-Hicom Bhd, have been suspended from 9am to 5pm today pending an announcement. The companies did not give details in a filing to Bursa.

DRB-Hicom asked for a suspension in trading, saying the company will be proposing a corporate exercise involving a very substantial transaction.

Reports surfaced last week saying that Government investment arm Khazanah will announce today that DRB-Hicom has won the bid to acquire its stake in Proton, with the transaction said to be at RM6 a share or total of RM1.4 billion.

Other confirmed parties bidding for the Proton stake were the Naza Group and Proton chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh. The press and/or analysts roped in UMW and even Tan Chong into the party, but both companies denied any invitation to bid and involvement in the sale.

Last Friday, Proton shares closed at RM5.18 and DRB-Hicom’s at RM2.17. Minority shareholders and speculators are waiting to profit from a general offer for their shares, expected to be coming soon.

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