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20% discount on toll at Penang Bridge – but only for those with RFID tag

Though affected by the MCO having suspended business activities for a long period, the private sector (with assistance from the government) is trying to also help the rakyat in these difficult times. Household incomes have diminished with some family members losing jobs or having pay cuts or for those who have their own small businesses, the daily income is down.

PLUS Malaysia is also doing its part by offering motorists using the Penang Bridge a discount of 20% on toll charges. Only applicable to private vehicles, the discount will be only for those who have the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on their vehicles.

From mid-July 2020
The discount will be available from the middle of July 2020 and is only for those studying or working in Penang. We understand that in order to qualify for the discount, the motorist must have a letter to show he or she is studying at an institution of higher learning or from the employer with an address on the island.

At least 20% of vehicles crossing the Penang Bridge are expected to benefit from the lower rate which will be RM4.59 instead of the current RM5.74. The duration of the discount has not been mentioned.

PLUS has been encouraging the use of the RFID tag which will promote faster and more efficient passage through toll plazas. Motorists can reload the stored value in their accounts using online applications, reducing the need to be in close contact with personnel at the toll plazas. This will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

RFID tag available online
Previously, motorists had to go to fitment centres to get the RFID tag installed but Touch’nGo is now offering it online at RM35. The tag can be easily stuck on the headlight or at the upper section of the windscreen and then activated online.

Ford’s ‘Whisper Strategy’ to make motoring more enjoyable

Noise is something we adapt to over time (if it is not very loud) and where noise inside cars is concerned, different models will have different levels. The more expensive ones with better insulation and more damping materials will have a quieter interior while occupants in the lower-priced models may hear more noises.

Over time, the ears get used to the noise levels and what may have seemed ‘noisy’ might seem to fade away. Or the opposite can also occur as time will see some parts loosening, gaps widening so noise from outside can seep in.

Where drivers used to have to shout to make themselves heard above certain speeds, modern-day cars are comparatively quiet. Conversations and music are clearly audible, even at low volumes. But the quest for quietness in the cabin has not ended and Ford’s ‘Whisper Strategy’ delivers lots of small noise improvements around the vehicle that add up to a big difference. Lower noise levels will not just enhance comfort but can also reduce fatigue.

The ‘Whisper Strategy’
Take the new Kuga sold in Europe, for example: Ford engineers examined noise‑generating elements from the suspension to the door seals to help find ways to optimize interior refinement. Adding perforations to the leather seat bolsters reduced the total area of flat surfaces inside the cabin, helping absorb rather than reflect noise.

Aerodynamically-tuned sound shields are also added underneath the body of the vehicle that help limit road and wind noise entering from outside.

Ford engineers spent two years testing more than 70 different tyres over surfaces from smooth tarmac to rough concrete and cobbles, in wet and dry conditions and at a range of speeds to find the exact specification that kept road noise to a minimum.

They added smaller and narrower channels behind the exterior panels that allow hidden wiring and components to pass from one area to limit airflow inside the body.

“Our ‘whisper strategy’ is designed to make journeys as quiet as they can possibly be – from absorbing sound through perforated seats to testing that involves listening carefully to the different sound patterns created by dozens of different tyres,” explained Glen Goold, Chief Programme Engineer for the model.

A generational divide
To ascertain just how much quieter today’s cars are, the engineers got hold of a 1966 Ford Anglia and measured sound levels. They found that the interior noise levels in the latest Kuga Plug-In Hybrid are just one quarter of those experienced by motorist in the 1960s.

All-new Ford Kuga — *Today’s Kuga PHEV (above) has a quarter the amount of noise in the cabin compared to the 1966 Anglia (below)*

With the quality of musical sound reproduction in cars getting higher and higher, ensuring that undesirable noises are kept out or suppressed is important. Quietness also gives a more premium ambience in the cabin, increasing the appeal of the model.

To view, test-drive or buy Ford vehicles in Malaysia, visit www.sdacford.com.my.

The New Ford Ranger FX4

Update on fuel prices – June 6 to June 12, 2020

Exemption of sales tax for new vehicle purchases, effective from June 15, 2020!

Sales of new vehicles will not require payment of Sales Tax this year. For models that are assembled locally (CKD), the exemption will be 100% while for imported (CBU) models, the exemption will be 50%.

These are incentives which the Prime Minister today announced as part of the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan. The plan has 40 iniatives totalling RM35 billion and the tax exemptions for the auto industry are for the period from June 15 until December 31, 2020.

Sales tax is set at 10% so purchasers of locally-assembled models will not have to pay that entire amount, while those who buy CBU models will have to pay half of the sales tax that would be payable. The revisions should be quite straightforward although the car companies will now have to accept that people will hold back their purchases for another 10 days.

Among the first in the industry to comment on the development, UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Ravindran K. said: “This is indeed good news for the auto industry and we are grateful to the government for assisting this sector. The full savings will be passed on to customers and we expect that the reduced prices will help to revitalize the automotive industry.”

Mr. Ravindran said that the company already has new models planned for launch this year. “With the tax exemptions, we will be making the relevant adjustments to the retail prices of all our models and apply them by June 15,” he added.

“The Malaysian auto industry, like those in other countries, has been greatly affected by the long period of inactivity during the Movement Control Order period. Apart from lost sales and production, there is also consumer sentiment which is uncertain of the future. Therefore, we appreciate the support from the government to help boost the industry,” said Akio Takeyama,
Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been very hard on virtually every industrial sector, not just in Malaysia but also in other countries. As the situation eases, governments are now looking at ways to help industries recover as quickly as possible so the economy can be revitalized.

The auto sector in Malaysia is no exception and the shutdown will have implications on the Total Industry Volume in 2020. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has given a forecast of 400,000 units.

Buy a VW Tiguan in June and you will save on 6 months of H-P instalments

Looking for a new SUV? If you choose the latest Volkswagen Tiguan, you can save money on the purchase provided you book and register it by June 30, 2020. For the first six months after your loan term commences, you will not have to pay any monthly instalment as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will cover that amount for you.

Of course, how much you actually save depends on the financing you need (which must be taken from the recommended financial institutions) but on the assumption of a monthly instalment of RM1,630, you will save RM9,780.

VW Tiguan — *The Tiguan is available with a choice of four exterior colours.*

Save another RM4,000 more!
Do the booking online at the Volkswagen eShowroom and you’ll get an additional RM4,000 rebate, lowering the amount of financing you need to take on the H-P loan (terms and conditions apply).

But whether you choose to book online or directly with an authorised Volkswagen dealer, you still won’t need to pay any instalment in the first 6 months. That’s great in these times as your first payment would then be in January 2021.

For added convenience, the new vehicle can be delivered right your home with the free Volkswagen Home Delivery service, available to new owners located within 20 kms from dealerships.

Global bestseller
The Tiguan is Volkswagen’ global bestseller and is also one of the top three most popular SUVs in the world. It is currently in its second generation since the model was first introduced in 2007. For the Malaysian market, the SUV has a 150 ps/250 Nm 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged direct injection petrol engine with a 6-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG).

Despite its brisk performance, thanks to having a smaller engine displacement, the Tiguan can also be economical to run, and Volkswagen says it can travel up to 800 kms on a full tank of fuel.

A highlight is the Digital Cockpit which features a high-resolution display with a three-view customizable screen via the infotainment with over 30 combination options. The infotainment system has App-Connect which can use MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay to bring apps on smartphones to the dashboard.

Safety features are also extensive with 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Multi-collision brakes, Intelligent Crash Response System, Electronic Parking Brake as well as hill-hold control.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more or to make a booking online.

Volkswagen Tiguan has crossed 6-million mark and remains VW’s bestseller

Perodua supports government initiatives to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry

Following a recent announcement by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Perodua has expressed its support for the government’s initiatives to sustain Malaysia’s automotive industry amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

“Perodua is in full support of the government’s aim to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry in these trying times, and its various initiatives to achieve that aim,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“As Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume, we are eager and ready to step forward and work with the government to ensure the industry’s continued survival in this difficult time,” he added.

TIV needs to be 500,000 units
According to reports, MARii estimates a 28% drop in new car sales this year due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) brought about by COVID-19. It estimates that a minimum 500,000 units for the Total Industry Volume (TIV) would be needed in 2020 for automotive businesses’ continued survival.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which compiles monthly sales report, the TIV up till the end of April was 106,601 units. This means that monthly sales for the remaining 8 months would have to be around 49,175 units to reach MARii’s figure.

Based on consultation with its members which are the various importers and distributors, the MAA has already revised its forecast downwards by 33% to 400,000 units from 600,000 units. That’s a TIV level almost similar to what was achieved 19 years ago in 2001

Incentives proposed to stimulate demand
Among the incentives MARii outlined to stimulate demand are a temporary waiver on downpayments, reduced loan interest rates and joint subsidies between carmakers and the government for roadtax and insurance for a limited period.

“It is indeed a challenging time for all of us. However, Perodua is confident that with the government’s collaboration, the industry as well as its ecosystem of suppliers and dealers will be able to weather the storm together,” Dato’ Zainal said.

As reported earlier, Perodua sold delivered 7,886 vehicles in May and a total of 52,920 vehicles during the first five months of 2020. This accounted for a 41% share of the market against an estimated January-May TIV of 129,401 units.

“Perodua is also doing its part to sustain its vast ecosystem of suppliers and dealers. Besides our volume, we assist and support them through investments, purchases and advance purchases, longer credit terms as well as various operational transformation initiatives and development programmes,” Dato’ Zainal added.

Click here to find out more about the latest happenings at Perodua.