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Tesla said to have chosen India for next Gigafactory location, announcement likely in January – report
Back in June, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was reported as saying that a significant investment and relationship with India was in the works, and there were plans to execute this “as fast as humanly possible.” That may be just around the corner, with no less than an assembly plant in the country in the works, according to the Ahmedabad Mirror.
The news publication says that Tesla is expected to set up a manufacturing plant in Gujarat, with an official announcement likely at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January. The report added that the EV automaker has chosen the state due to its conducive business environment, with the state government presenting Sanand, Becharaji and Dholera as location options for its plant.
The state is already home to a number of manufacturing plants from various automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Morris Garage.
The report added that Tesla has already been engaged in negotiations with the central government and was seeking concessions that would facilitate a smoother entry into the Indian market. The demands for concessions were part of the broader discussions around easing regulatory hurdles and ensuring a conducive business environment for Tesla’s operations in the country, the news publication said.
Earlier this year, Musk said Tesla would be picking a location for the next Tesla Gigafactory by the end of 2023, and locations that were speculated included India as well as Indonesia. The brand already has five Gigafactory locations in operation (Nevada, New York, Shanghai, Berlin and Texas), with a sixth being announced for Mexico. An Indian factory would be the American EV maker’s seventh such plant.
The overtures have been long in the making. Back in 2021, the company registered a company in India, and there were initial reports that sales of Tesla cars were to begin that year, but plans didn’t work out. It was said that Tesla wanted tax cuts for CBU imports because it didn’t have a plant in India, but the government would not budge. This of course will no longer be an issue if Tesla starts producing cars in India.
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Xiaomi SU7 debuts in China – brand’s first EV; up to 673 PS, 838 Nm, 800 km range, 265 km/h top speed
Xiaomi has officially unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV), the SU7. Previously developed under the codename MS11, the SU7 will be produced by BAIC Group in a Beijing factory that has an annual capacity of 200,000 units. According to Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, the SU7 is a statement of intent as the company aims to become one of the world’s top five automakers in the next 15 to 20 years.
Built on the company’s Modena platform, the SU7 measures 4,997 mm long, 1,963 mm wide, 1,440 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. That makes it larger than a BYD Seal and about the size of a Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan.
The generous dimensions allow for up to 1,012 mm of vertical seating space in the front, 105 mm of rear knee room, 517 litres of rear boot space and 105 litres of front trunk (frunk) space, the last of which is said to be the largest for an EV in China, beating both the Model S (89 litres) and Taycan (84 litres).
Former BMW chief designer Chris Bangle served as the design consultant for the SU7, and the sedan’s general shape is reminiscent of the Taycan. Distinctive cues on the sedan include triangular-shaped headlamps and wide-width taillights, the latter with a sideways C-shaped signature. The body also gets various inlets, outlets, channels and a prominent diffuser element that serve to promote aerodynamics – the company claims a drag coefficient of 0.195.
As for the interior, it’s a pretty simple dashboard layout that sees a 16.1-inch touchscreen with 3K resolution taking centre stage. Xiaomi opted to retain some physical controls for various vehicle functions, and you can find them on the centre console and steering wheel.
There’s also a small digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver that rotates into view a la Bentley, and the entire infotainment system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 system-on-chip (SoC). Xiaomi’s HyperOS is the software that drives the infotainment system, which surprisingly supports Apple CarPlay and AirPlay.
The good relations with Apple continue in the rear of the cabin, as there are dedicated mounting points behind the front seat headrests to mount an iPad, which can be used control various vehicle functions such as air-conditioning, seats and media playback.
The company refers to this integration as CarloT, which is a hardware ecology that is fully open to third parties. Those pinned mounting points for iPads can also be found in other areas of the cabin, allowing owners to add additional hardware such as another row of physical controls below the touchscreen or even Mijia products.
Powertrain-wise, the SU7 is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture, with Xiaomi claiming a maximum voltage of 871 volts. The company also took the time to explain about the electric motors it developed, which comes in three versions. Two of them spin at speeds of up to 21,000 rpm and are part of the ‘HyperEngine V6 Series’, with the first being the V6 that operates at 400 volts and is rated at 299 PS (295 hp or 220 kW) and 400 Nm.
There’s also the V6s that operates at 800 volts and provides 374 PS (369 hp or 275 kW) and 500 Nm. The third motor is referred to as the HyperEngine V8s, and it spins at up to 27,200 rpm and provides up to 578 PS (570 hp or 425 kW) and 635 Nm – this will be in a production car by 2025. There’s also an even more powerful HyperEngine motor that spins at up 35,000 rpm currently being developed.
The EV uses a CATL-supplied batteries that are mounted via a cell to body approach, with the total energy capacity being 101 kWh. This is good for a CLTC-rated cruising range of 800 km, with fast charging capable of recovering 220 km when plugged in for just five minutes, or 510 km within just 15 minutes.
The battery pack juices two electric motors that provide a total system output of 673 PS (664 hp or 495 kW) and 838 Nm of torque. This all-wheel drive setup also comes with a boost mode (20 seconds) and the company says the SU7 will get from 0-100 km/h in just 2.78 seconds on its way to a top speed of 265 km/h.
These figures apply to SU7 Max, which is one of two variants being announced that uses the HyperEngine V6 at the front and the V6s at the rear. The second variant is the base SU7 that is rear-wheel drive with the HyperEngine V6 and has a slower 0-100 km/h time of 5.28 seconds, a lower top speed of 210 km/h, a smaller battery at 73.6 kWh, less range at 668 km and a longer 0-100 km/h braking distance of 35.5 metres.
Xiaomi says the SU7 Max outperforms the Taycan Turbo and Model S, as it beats both in terms of 0-100 km/h times and top speed. The company also says the SU7 takes just 33.3 metres to get to a dead stop from 100 km/h, which is 0.7 metres less than the Taycan Turbo.
The company also took the time to explain about the electric motors it developed, which comes in three versions. Two of them spin at speeds of up to 21,000 rpm and are part of the ‘HyperEngine V6 Series’, with the first being the V6 that operates at 400 volts and is rated at 299 PS (295 hp or 220 kW) and 400 Nm. There’s also the V6s that operates at 800 volts and provides 374 PS (369 hp or 275 kW and 500 Nm.
The third motor is referred to as the HyperEngine V8s, and it spins at up to 27,200 rpm and provides up to 578 PS (570 hp or 425 kW) – this will be in a production car by 2025. There’s also an even more powerful HyperEngine motor that spins at up 35,000 rpm currently being developed.
Other driving-related features include air suspension with adaptive dampers, an active shutter grille with 16 levels of adjustment and an active rear wing with four adjustment levels. On the safety and driver assistance side of things, the SU7 will come with Xiaomi Pilot as standard with 16 functions – two Nvidia Drive Orin SOCs provide 508 TOPS of processing power.
Xiaomi adds that the EV has passed 40 crash tests and core components are made of 90.1% high-strength steel and aluminium alloy (2,000 MPa) for a torsional stiffness of 51,000 Nm/degree.
The SU7 is offered in three exterior colours (Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray and Verdant Green), while the interior comes in either grey, red or black. There’s also a special edition Xiaomi 14 that follows the car’s colour scheme for customers who want their Xiaomi EV and smartphone to be all “matchy matchy.” As for pricing, Xiaomi didn’t announce anything of the sort but the SU7 is expected to go on sale in China next year.
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Mercedes-Benz gains approval in two US states to use turquoise lights to signify self-driving system is active
Mercedes-Benz has announced it is the world’s first automaker to receive approval from United States authorities to use special exterior marker lights to signify when a car is driving autonomously. The German carmaker says the automated driving marker lights will initially be integrated into test vehicles in California equipped with Drive Pilot.
Two years ago, Drive Pilot, which is the world’s first SAE Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving with internationally valid type approval, received certification for use in Germany. This year, the system was certified for us in Nevada and California – each state in the US requires separate certification. Drive Pilot is already available for orders since 2022 in Germany, while in the US, the first production vehicles recently made their debut on the freeways of California and Nevada.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the inclusion of marker lights will substantially enhance public acceptance of automated driving and contribute to road safety. The company said it went with turquoise-coloured marker lights due to the hue’s visibility and differentiation from existing vehicle lighting and traffic signals.
“In addition, according to the findings of numerous test studies, turquoise is the optimal colour for automated driving. Both physiological and psychological factors attest to higher values in turquoise in almost all areas than was the case with other colours,” the carmaker said in its release.
Test vehicles in California, where the company’s exemption permit is valid for two years, will have turquoise-coloured marker lights integrated into the front headlamps and rear taillights as well as the two side mirrors. Meanwhile, the Nevada permit applies to Mercedes-Benz model year 2026 production vehicles and will remain valid until a statutory modification is achieved with the state legislature. Drive Pilot will be available with the 2024 model year EQS and S-Class vehicles in California and Nevada from early next year.
Moving forward, Mercedes-Benz says it is committed to standardising the colour turquoise as a means to visualize the automated driving state. It adds that there is currently no general framework for using turquoise lights in production vehicles in the US, China or the UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).
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Aveta Malaysia starts ‘Care on Wheels’ mobile service
Continuing to raise its standard of customer care, Aveta Malaysia has rolled out its Aveta Care on Wheels (ACW). ACW is a mobile service team consisting of a pick-up truck and three motorcycles providing after sales service to Aveta customers.
The service goes out nationwide to address any issues that cannot be solved by local Aveta dealers. ASC is manned by trained mechanics and provided with tools and equipment by Aveta Malaysia, and services can be accessed by appointment from 10.00 a.m. t0 5.00 p.m. by calling the Aveta Customer Careline at +60129565409.
ASC follows the recently launched Aveta Service Corner, located in Klang, Selangor. This will be followed by a network of 30 Aveta Service Corners across Malaysia, beginning in 2024.
Aveta Malaysia Group Managing Director Steven Lim said ASC is to support and offer assistance to Aveta motorcycle owners, underlining its commitment to customer support. “At Aveta, we are deeply passionate about meeting our customers’ needs. We understand that attractive products alone are not enough.”
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China’s CBL set to invest RM1.94 billion in Indonesia’s nickel mining and battery manufacturing industries
Chinese battery company Ningbo Contemporary Brunp Lygend (CBL) is set to invest US$420 million (RM1.94 billion) in Indonesia’s nickel mining and EV battery manufacturing industries, the Jakarta Post reports.
According to the country’s coordinating maritime and investment affairs minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, the deal, which will see CBL investing in a joint venture project with state-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) as well as battery maker PT Industri Baterai Indonesia (IBC), has been inked.
“It’s been signed. (The deal is worth) around US$420 million, so even though nickel prices have slightly dropped, I think progress has been made. It will be announced on December 28,” he was quoted as saying by CNBC Indonesia during an online press conference last week.
The development follows on that from last year, when CBL – a subsidiary of Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) – signed a framework agreement with Antam and IBI to develop an EV battery integration project in Indonesia, covering nickel mining, EV battery materials, EV battery production and battery recycling.
Initially estimated at nearly US$6 billion (RM27.7 billion), the project with CBL is expected to progress faster than a planned project with South Korea, Antam’s president director Nicolas D. Kanter said. This was because of existing connections and a signed conditional share purchase agreement between Antam and Hong Kong based CBL, he said earlier this year.
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Free Carro Care RM100 service voucher and 10% off your premium when you renew your insurance with us
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Huawei Aito M9 launched in China – flagship three-row SUV; REEV range up to 1,210 km, EV range 630 km
Huawei has launched the Aito M9 in China as its flagship SUV that will take on big names like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. As a brief recap, Aito is a joint venture brand involving Huawei and Seres, with the latter being responsible for vehicle manufacturing while the former supplies major parts and software.
The M9 is the latest to join the Aito line-up, with other models being the M5 and M7. In addition to the two German SUVs mentioned above, the M9 will also compete against locals like the Li Auto L9, Nio ES8, HiPhi X and Hongqi E-HS9.
Vehicles in this class are large, and with a length of 5,230 mm, width of 1,999 mm, height of 1,800 and wheelbase of 3,110 mm, the M9 has the presence to be in the same arena. The design is reminiscent of the Luxeed S7, which is another joint venture product involving Huawei and Chery.
Smooth surfacing and rounded edges are apparent across the M9’s body, along with retractable door handles, triangular-shaped headlamps connected by a light bar, pixel-like taillights as well as sizeable (for an EV) overhangs. You’ll also notice a ‘HIMA’ logo on the D-pillars, which is in reference to the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, a collaboration initiative by Huawei – the members include Aito, Luxeed, BAIC Motor and JAC Motors.
In terms of pricing, the M9 starts at 469,800 yuan (RM303,474) for the base EREV Max variant, going up to 509,800 yuan (RM329,312) for the EV Max, 529,800 yuan (RM342,231) for the EREV Ultra and 569,800 yuan (RM368,070) for the EV Ultra.
The ‘EREV’ variants come with a range extender in the form of a 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator for the ternary lithium battery that comes in 42 or 52 kWh energy capacities. The battery powers two electric motors, with the one at the front being rated at 224 PS (221 hp or 165 kW) and 315 Nm of torque, while the rear provides 272 PS (268 hp or 200 kW) and 360 Nm.
This all-wheel drive setup is good for 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. Aito claims that with a 65-litre fuel tank, the EREV variants can provide a WLTC-rated cruising range of up to 1,210 km (42 kWh battery) or 1,239 km (52 kWh battery). Without relying on the range extender, the fully electric driving range is 190 km (42 kWh battery) or 233 km (52 kWh battery) following the WLTC standard – these range figures are higher with the CLTC standard.
The ’EV’ variants also come with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup, although the electric motors have revised outputs. The one at the front is rated at 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 277 Nm, while the rear motor provides 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 396 Nm.
The top speed is identical to the EREV variants, although the century sprint time is lower at 4.3 seconds. The EV variants are built on an 800-volt architecture and feature a 100-kWh ternary lithium battery, the latter providing a CLTC-rated range of up to 630 km.
Charging-wise, Aito claims the EREV variants will take five hours to get from 20-90% state of charge (SOC) with a 7-kW AC input, or three hours with an 11-kW AC input. The company didn’t state the DC fast charging capacity, but it says that getting from a 20-80% SOC will take 30 minutes.
As for the EV variants, the AC charging times to get from a 20-90% SOC are 11.7 hours (7 kW) and 7.5 hours (11 kW), while DC fast charging (also without a charging capacity figure) from 30-80% takes just 15 minutes.
All variants of the M9 comes with standard air suspension with an adjustment range of up to 80 mm, 21-inch alloy wheels (22-inchers are optional), an active shutter grille, a panoramic glass roof, soft-close doors (the Ultra versions have powered doors).
There’s also no shortage of technologies, some of which are rather novel and interesting. As a start, the Huawei-developed headlamps come with an adaptive matrix LED system, which is something that is rather common on cars today. What makes them unique is they also feature an integrated projector that can turn any flat surface into a 100-inch display.
As such, the M9 can be used a mobile drive-in movie theatre, and the headlamps can also display lyrics ahead of the vehicle if you happen to be in the mood to “sing K” instead. That’s a pretty good start, but if you prefer to enjoy your movies from inside the car, there’s also a retractable 32-inch screen and an actual laser projector for rear passengers to use.
Elsewhere inside the cabin, there are three displays on the dashboard, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen and a 16-inch front passenger touchscreen. For the driver, there’s a 75-inch head-up display with augmented reality (UItra variants), while each of the four rear passengers get their own tablet-style touchscreens.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4 is the core of the infotainment experience, which is further augmented by its 25-speaker, 2,080-watt audio system that not only adapts audio playback to where passengers are seated, but also supports the vehicle’s active noise cancellation feature. To make things even more immersive, the ambient lighting system can be synced to the music being played.
Other features include three-zone climate control with an air quality sensor, PM2.5 monitoring, a negative ion generator, a N95 cabin filter, UV sterilisation and fragrance delivery; two wireless charging pads; ultra-wideband key; NFC card key; vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) power delivery as well as user face recognition.
Aito also adds that the sound system can create a “privacy sound shield” in the second row so you can have that important business call without your chauffer eavesdropping. On that mention, we should mention that the M9 is strictly a six-seater with a 2-2-2 layout, but the second-row seat behind the front passenger can be set in a lounge mode.
With this, the front passenger seat will tilt and fold forwards, providing the person seated behind it to recline and stretch out fully. The company touts various seat configurations that are available, including one where a “bed” is formed across the first two rows (check out the gallery). All seats are upholstered in Nappa leather and come with heating and ventilation functions – the front two seats gain an additional massage function.
On the safety and driver assistance front, the M9 is equipped with Huawei’s ADS 2.0 system that is supported by a suite of sensors: one LiDAR, three millimetre wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars and several cameras. These enable functions such as autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, smart assisted parking and semi-autonomous driving.
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SIRIM developing safety regulations and guidelines on EV batteries and charging stations in Malaysia
Everyone is looking to get on to the electrification bandwagon, it seems, with the latest being the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM). The organisation is looking to enter the arena through a certification programme for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which it says will ensure their security and adherence to protocols.
In a statement, SIRIM said that its subsidiary, SIRIM QAS International, has the expertise and facilities needed to ensure all charging points meet the required standards and are safe, reliable and functional. It said that its certification process involves comprehensive testing protocols. This includes meticulously examining every aspect to ensure adherence to strict safety requirements and performance standards.
It added that reliable and safe electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS) promote trust while encouraging broader acceptance of electric mobility. “With our certification scheme, the EV industry in Malaysia will be able to advance and develop soon,” said Muhammad Kamal Sabran, SIRIM QAS’ head of product certification.
The organisation said that the increase in EVCS has raised concerns about their safety and legitimacy, underscoring the need for robust procedures to ensure the highest safety and efficiency for EV users. “This is why procedures must be in place to guarantee drivers in Malaysia the highest level of safety and efficiency from EVCS,” it said.
On who should get certified, SIRIM said the certification extends beyond manufacturers to encompass various industry stakeholders, including charging manufacturers, installers, building contractors, automotive service providers and EVCS maintenance professionals, Bernama reports.
“This collective effort ensures a commitment to providing a safe and reliable charging experience for EV owners, fostering a culture of excellence and instilling confidence in manufacturers, regulators, and customers alike,” it said.
The EVCS certification programme announcement follows on SIRIM’s establishment of the National Rechargeable Battery Testing Centre (NRBTC) earlier this month. The NRBTC aims to provide high-quality and impartial third-party testing, verification and validation for large, high-power rechargeable batteries.
According to SIRIM, the establishment of the NRBTC will allow the development of a complete ecosystem capable of handling pattern approvals for EV charging systems, battery testing and certification for EV components and systems.
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Terengganu state government takes delivery of new Mazda SUVs, says purchase was normal routine
The Terengganu state government has taken delivery of several new Mazda SUVs which will be used for the menteri besar and executive councillors, with photos of the vehicles being posted on social media recently.
Following the posting of these photos that has since gone viral, netizens questioned the necessity of the SUVs and the state government was told to come clean on the procurement. As reported by Bernama, Terengganu state secretary Datuk Seri Tengku Farok Hussin Tengku Abdul Jalil said the purchase of the new SUVs was a normal routine and did not violate any laws or regulations.
He added that the vehicle acquisition was planned earlier this year and approved by the state budget last year, and the matter should not be an issue because it followed proper procedure. However, he said some have deliberately politicised the issue, as it involved menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and the state leadership.
“It is normal practice. When there is a change in government, the vehicles will be replaced. When the four-wheel drive vehicles were purchased for the forestry department last year, no one raised the issue. Why raise the matter now?” he asked when met by reporters yesterday.
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PADU database to be officially launched on Jan 2, 2024 at PICC Putrajaya – public can register to attend event
The government will roll out the Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU) socio-economic database on January 2, 2024, with prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim set to officially launch the database at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on the day.
In an X (Twitter) post, economy minister Rafizi Ramli invited the public to attend the launch event to hear for themselves how PADU will be a key component of the retargeting of subsidies and government assistance. Those who want to attend the launch event can register here. The event will also be broadcast via social media platforms from 10 am on the day.
To recap, PADU is an integrated national socio-economic database combining all available data from government departments and agencies, with household net disposable income metrics being used to provide a fair picture of the socio-economic position of every Malaysian household.
As reiterated in his X post, Rafizi said PADU was a crucial component in allowing the government to move from the B40-M40-T20 approach in assessing the eligibility of aid recipients to a more targeted and fair determination of who should be able to receive aid and those who should not.
The establishment of PADU paves the way for the targeted subsidy of RON 95 petrol, which is set to happen in the second half of 2024. As previously reported, there are three mechanisms likely to be used to implement the targeted subsidies for petrol and diesel. The first will be based on individual net disposable income, which is the amount remaining after taxes.
The second mechanism will be based on net disposable household income through social protection or assistance schemes, while the third is a combination of household and individual income, which will be implemented through a subsidies card.
PELUNCURAN PANGKALAN DATA UTAMA (PADU)
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim @anwaribrahim akan meluncurkan Pangkalan Data Utama (PADU) kerajaan pada hari Selasa, 2 Januari 2024 ini.
Orang ramai dijemput hadir untuk mendengar sendiri bagaimana PADU akan menjadi komponen utama… pic.twitter.com/EuTwWcSCjl
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) December 26, 2023
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RON97 petrol price December 2023 week five update – premium fuel price unchanged at RM3.47 per litre
It’s Wednesday, and time once again for the weekly fuel price update, with the ministry of finance having announced the retail prices of fuels for the coming week of December 28, 2023 to January 3, 2024.
The price of RON 97 petrol remains unchanged for the last week of the year, and so the premium grade of fuel continues on at the RM3.47 per litre it was priced at last week. Meanwhile, RON 95 petrol stays at its ceiling price of RM2.05 per litre as set by the Malaysian government back in February 2021.
Likewise, diesel prices stay unchanged, with Euro 5 B10 and B20 blends remaining capped at their RM2.15 per litre ceiling price, while Euro 5 B7 – which costs 20 sen more – continues at RM2.35 per litre.
The announced fuel prices will take effect from midnight tonight until Wednesday, January 3, 2024, when the next set of fuel price updates will be announced. This is the 52nd and final edition of the weekly fuel pricing format for this year, and the 259th in total since it was introduced at the beginning of 2019.
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Bermaz Auto to launch Mazda CX-5 facelift in Jan 2024 – CX-60, new Kia Sportage, Carens also due next year
According to MIDF Research (as reported by The Edge), Bermaz Auto will introduce the facelifted Mazda CX-5 in January 2024 at a higher price. The updated SUV has already been sighted in Malaysia in November this year, and earlier this month, we received leaked details that seemingly confirms a five-variant line-up and some of the changes made to the model.
The research house also said another model in the pipeline is the CX-60, which made its global debut in March last year and has since gone on sale in several ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Indonesia as well as the Philippines.
The CX-3 facelift was also mentioned, which could be referencing the minor styling updates made to the compact SUV that was announced in Japan in September – take this with a pinch of salt. The imported-from-Thailand CX-3 has already been updated earlier this month, with revisions to the kit list of the three available variants.
On the Kia side of things (handled by Dinamikjaya Motors), the report indicates that the all-new, fifth-generation Sportage will finally make its Malaysian launch debut in 2024. The SUV will be introduced as a locally-assembled (CKD) model alongside the Carens, the latter being a three-row SUV that first debuted in India and is now available in Indonesia.
No word on Peugeot models in the report, which is rightly so since Stellantis has taken over distributorship (this was previously handled by Bermaz Auto Alliance). Bermaz “will in the meantime continue to work with Stellantis for vehicle sales through its own network,” Stellantis said in a statement in November.
In an earlier report, it was stated that the 408 and e-2008 will be launched here in 2024. This is according to Daniel Gonzalez, chief operating officer (ASEAN and general distributors) at Stellantis, who also said that both will be CKD models, joined by the Landtrek (the pick-up truck is currently sold as a CBU).
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Several Klang roads hit with flash floods again in Dec
Continuous rainfall resulted in flooding in several parts of Klang this month, with netizens posting videos and photos showing roads being partially or fully submerged in water. Among the roads affected include those in Meru, Bukit Raja, as well as in Setia Alam and parts of New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).
Flash floods are nothing new in Malaysia, with Klang being just one of several areas where residents have to endure what is now becoming a common occurrence. The government announced last year it will implement flood mitigation projects worth RM15 billion until 2030, with one of them being the construction of a dual-function retention pond worth almost RM2 billion involving the length of the Klang River and Sungai Rasau in Selangor.
According to a November 1, 2023 report by the Selangor Journal, the government’s Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) will provide a long-term solution to deal with flooding in several locations in Klang. However, this will only start in 2024, as the project that will be carried out by the department of irrigation and drainage (JPS) is currently in the procurement phase.
Current natural resources and sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said at the time that JPS is working on the RTB of the Klang River at Section 25, Shah Alam as well as at Sungai Kapar Kecil and Sungai Kapar Besar in Klang and Petaling – the estimated completion is in 2030. Keeping up on the maintenance of the drainage system would serve as a short-term solution, he noted.
Given the circumstances, if the route you intend to take is affected by flash floods, it’s better to delay your journey if possible and avoid forcing your way through as it may cause significant damage to your vehicle. It’s also highly recommended to get the Special Perils add-on for your vehicle’s insurance coverage, as past floods in recent times have shown that vehicle owners without flood coverage can face potentially massive repair bills.
I was at Bukit Raja Klang last night buying our regular favorite foods there. It turns out that there was a flood there as well. Luckily I managed to escape from there through Kota Kemuning. pic.twitter.com/PrtdR3vR9i
— Nabil Feqal (@nabilfeqal) December 17, 2023
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Explore a wide selection of cars at myTukar’s Tukar-Je CARnival at Puchong South from Jan 12-14, 2024
With a wide selection of cars to choose from, myTukar’s Tukar-Je CARnival is where you’ll want to be to find your new ride. Set to take place from January 12-14, 2024 at myTukar’s Puchong South Retail Experience Centre, there will be loads to see and do, including test driving cars on a specially designed slalom section as well as checking out the brand’s Carro Care body and paint packages and myTukar Insurance offerings.
Of course, the main stars of the event are the myTukar Certified cars, which all come with a 12-month warranty for the engine and gearbox, plus a five-day money back guarantee. Every single car under the myTukar Certified programme must first undergo a 160-point inspection to ensure they meet the necessary standards.
The checks also include ensuring the car’s mileage odometer has not been tampered as well as making sure it was not involved in any major accidents of subjected to fire or flood damage. Only when a car passes the inspection, and after any defects are properly fixed, will it be put on sale.
With peace of mind assured with every myTukar Certified car, the only thing you need to do is find the one that suits your lifestyle and budget. The vast inventory includes several popular makes and models available at attractive prices, including the Honda City from just RM678 a month as well as the Toyota Vios from RM712 a month.
If you’ve considering a hatchback, there’s the Perodua Axia and Myvi offered from just RM316 a month and RM361 a month respectively. For SUV lovers, the Honda HR-V is available from as low as RM930 a month.
It isn’t just attractive prices and a large catalogue of myTukar Certified cars that you can look forward to at the Tukar-Je CARnival, as there will also be offers and promotions from myTukar worth over RM1 million!
Buy a car From myTukar and enjoy:
- Discounts of up to RM8,888 on selected cars.
- Gifts including a 30% discount voucher for Carro Care’s Body and Paint Package, a 10% discount on Carro Care’s Vehicle Maintenance Package, a 10% discount on insurance renewal and customised Touch N’ Go cards worth RM50.
- A chance to win lucky draw prizes such as a Sony Playstation 5, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch, Apple Airpod, in-car dashcam and more when you buy a myTukar Certified vehicle and have it delivered in 14 days.
Visit any of myTukar’s inspection centres nationwide (not available at the myTukar Puchong South Retail Experience Centre during the three days of the event) if you’re also considering a trade-in. myTukar will be extending some special deals when you sell your car during the Tukar-Je CARnival.
All you have to do is drop your car off and receive an instant valuation. If you sell your car within 24 hours of a quotation. you’ll get extra deals.
Sell A Car To myTukar and enjoy:
- A 30% discount voucher for Carro Care’s Body and Paint Package.
- 10% discount on Carro Care’s Vehicle Maintenance Package.
- 10% discount on insurance renewal.
- A chance at a lucky draw to win prizes such as a Sony Playstation 5, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch, Apple Airpod, in-car dashcam and more when you send your car for an inspection and sell it within 24 hours of a given quote.
You’ll also enjoy more offers when you service and renew your car insurance through the brand.
Carro Care:
- 30% discount for Body and Paint Package along with a RM100 credit voucher.
- 10% discount for Vehicle Maintenance Package, plus a free engine oil and oil filter change.
Insurance:
Enjoy a further 10% discount when you renew your car insurance with myTukar Insurance. Get instant quotations with myTukar’s new insurance service, where you can search and compare quotes across multiple insurers such as Takaful Ikhlas, Takaful Malaysia, MSIG, Allianz, Zurich and AIA.
The service also includes instant road tax renewal as well as NCB (No Claim Bonus) calculations. With myTukar’s insurance platform, you can easily personalise your insurance plans to fit your specific needs.
Look forward to even more fun!
What is a carnival without fun activities for you and your family? Bring your whole family down and rock out at a mini concert featuring various local artists. Your little ones also get first-hand experience on what it’s like to be a responsible driver at the myTukar Kid Driving School, where they’ll drive mini electrified vehicles on a special driving circuit and walk home with an exclusive driving license!
Don’t forget to recharge! Fill your bellies and rest your feet at the event’s food street, filled with local delicacies from various food trucks!
Head on over to the myTukar Tukar-Je CARnival at the myTukar Puchong South Retail Experience Centre this January 12-14, from 10am to 7pm daily. For more information, head over to the myTukar website.
myTukar Puchong South Retail Experience Centre
Lot 14225, KM 3.8
Lebuhraya Damansara–Puchong
47100 Puchong, Selangor*All promos are subject to terms and conditions
Honda City
Honda HR-V
Perodua Axia
Perodua Myvi
Toyota Vios
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Don’t use hazard lights when driving in the rain – JKJR
The transport ministry, together with the road safety department (JKJR) has issued yet another reminder to motorists to exercise due care when driving in heavy rain, which sounds pretty much like the daily weather in the evening these days, and the message is accompanied by safety tips.
Presented via an infographic, these include not tailing the car in front of you too closely and reducing your speed in rainy conditions, with the latter suggestion being to keep your speed below 80 km/h. The first of course gives you more room to react and avoid a collision should the car in front of you brake suddenly, while the second is sound advice – grip from the tyres diminishes significantly in the wet, and controlling the effects of aquaplaning becomes harder the faster you go.
Other pointers include not driving on the right-most, overtaking lane during or after very heavy rain, because this avoids the effects of potential water splash enveloping your car, sent along from a vehicle in the opposite direction driving through standing water on their lane, although this is probably easier said than done (as in avoiding the use of the overtaking lane altogether).
Also easier noted than accomplished is avoiding stomping on the brakes should you feel the vehicle losing contact with the road, with the advice being to instead allowing the slide and using the steering to gauge traction until the tyres regain grip. Of course, fighting the natural instinct of standing on the brakes in such a scenario is a hard thing to avoid.
Further sound advice includes pulling over and taking a break – at the nearest R&R, if you’re travelling on the highway – should the rain get heavier, and wait for conditions to improve. As for the last tip, it’s something that has been repeated countless times, over the years – do not use the hazard lights in the rain, because as its name indicates, it’s for use in emergencies only.
They are not “double signals”, as they are so often wrongly called in the vernacular. Having them on simply causes confusion for motorists travelling behind the still-moving vehicle, adding unnecessary stress on top of the already reduced visibility for the drivers following. While the advice to avoid using hazard lights might fall on deaf ears for the most, it’s something that needs to be repeated, and you can bet it will be done again in the future.
