Selected authorised service centres in the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) network are now operating after receiving approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to re-open after being closed during the Movement Control Order period.
Other than Sabah, one or more service centres in every state is open, and more should resume operations in due course. The list of locations below shows those now operating:
Listing as at May 3, 2020. For updates on service centre openings, click here.
Safety measures for customers and staff
To comply with the strict Standard Operating Procedures set by MITI, the service centres will have the following safety measures for the safety of customers and staff:
» Appointment basis only, no walk-in customers are allowed
» Contactless car acceptance
» Pick-up and drop-off only; customers are not allowed to wait at the premises
» Temperature checks and the use of facemasks for all customers and staffs
» Hand sanitizers available at the entrance of the service centres
» Vehicles sanitized before return to owners
MMM also assures owners that all warranty matters will continue to be honoured even if scheduled servicing and inspection has been missed due to the period of the Movement Control Order.
For emergency assistance and enquiries, customers and owners may call 1-800-88-2166 / 03-21610246.
During the 1990s, Toyota launched two models that created new market segments almost overnight. The first was the RAV4, which started the small passenger-car based SUV trend but the second was of great significance. It was the Prius, the pioneer of mass-produced hybrid vehicles.
Today, many carmakers have models with hybrid powertrains too and of the many millions on the roads all over the world, over 15 million have been made by Toyota.
Toyota’s decision to develop hybrid electric vehicles started over 25 years ago when Takeshi Uchiyamada (the company’s Chairman today) led a team to develop a car for the 21st century. Concern for the environment was growing, with momentum coming from the Kyoto Protocol to address climate change, which many nations committed to.
“When we launched Prius, no one even knew what a hybrid was but thanks to early adopters, hybrids have ridden a wave of success into the mainstream,” said Mr. Uchiyamada.
First generation of the Prius
Toyota focussed on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (specifically carbon dioxide) and other harmful pollutants. With more than 15 million hybrids already in use, Toyota believes that it has made a significant contribution to the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 120 million tonnes worldwide to date (compared to sales of equivalent vehicles with internal combustion petrol engines alone).
The first generation of the Prius was launched in 1997 and in the years that followed, more Toyota (as well as Lexus) models gained hybrid powertrains. There are at least 44 models available globally today.
More than a numerical milestone, the continued and increasing use of hybrid powertrains demonstrates the staying power of the technology. It is a mainstream solution to reduce environmental pollution and also consumption of fossil fuel. This achievement builds on the belief that widespread adoption of more environmentally-friendly vehicles can make a significant positive impact worldwide.
Some of the Toyota hybrid models available today.
Hybrid leads to BEV and FCEV
While Toyota believes that hybrid vehicles are an essential part of the future overall mix of electrified vehicles, two decades of electrification experience also feed into the company’s multi-powertrain strategy. The company does not see a ‘one winner takes all’ scenario but a future where the different electrified technologies – hybrids and plug-in hybrids, fuel cell (FCEV) and battery electric (BEV) vehicles – all play a part.
Hybrid technology is the core technology which can be used in the development of electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) fuel cell vehicles. (FCVs)
As a result of its long hybrid electric vehicle experience, the company has deep transferable expertise in the core electrification technologies which are common across all form of electrified powertrains. Over two decades of continuous development of electric motors, batteries and power control units has taught Toyota how to manage and reuse energy efficiently, providing a range of electrified options for customers.
Toyota hybrid models in Malaysia
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) began selling the Prius when it started its third generation in 2009. Due to the heave taxes on CBU (completely built-up) vehicles, the earlier generations were unable to be attractively priced. However, in 2009, the government provided full import and excise duty exemption of hybrid and electric vehicles which made them more affordable.
The move was to demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint as well as to help the carmakers introduce hybrid technology to motorists in the country. It was hoped that some companies would then assemble their hybrid models locally.
Third generation of the Prius and Prius c (below) were sold in Malaysia.
A 4-year period of duty-exemption was given, during which time sales of such vehicles was quite high as their prices were attractive. Besides the Prius, UMWT also imported the smaller Prius c.
Following the withdrawal of the duty-free exemption, the price of the Prius jumped from RM139,900 to RM216,400 while the Prius c which entered the market at RM97,000 rose to around RM153,000. Not surprisingly, sales declined very quickly and imports of the Prius and Prius c ceased. However, Lexus Malaysia continued to offer hybrid variants for its CT, RX and LS models for customers who appreciated the advanced technology.
Interstate travel – forbidden since March 18 – will be permitted on May 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2020 to allow those who have been stuck elsewhere to return to their home cities. The announcement comes after the police received some 500,000 applications via the Gerak Malaysia mobile app. The police will prepare a time schedule for travellers to follow. Originally, the travel dates had been tentatively planned for May 1 – 3.
Speaking at the daily briefing, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the senior minister in charge of the security cluster who speaks on behalf of the National Security Council, said that he hoped employers would understand that some of their employees might not turn up for work yet as they have been stuck in other cities. They will have to travel according to the schedule drawn up by the police.
Those who will be travelling on the highways should note that all facilities at the R&Rs are closed but toilets will be available for use. Petrol stations will also be operational so you can still pick up essential items at their convenience stores and reload your tollcard.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, said that the number of roadblocks will be reduced from May 4. This will allow the personnel focus on preventing the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling activities.
However, as the Movement Control Order (MCO) is still in force until May 12, the police will continue to monitor all activities to ensure social distancing is followed. The IGP stressed that the conditional MCO requires people to observe the Standard Operating Procedures during their activities now they are allowed more freedom of movements.
With easing of restrictions under the MCO, service centres are resuming operations.
Easing of the restrictions of the MCO from this Monday will see many businesses resuming operations. Car companies have announced that their service centres have been given approval to operate at full capacity to provide aftersales services. However, customers are required to make appointments in advance and observe certain procedures such as social distancing when at the premises.
No vehicle sales can be carried out as the showrooms must remain closed until further notice. In any case, even if a vehicle is ready for delivery, it cannot be registered as the JPJ is not doing so at this time. Although it resumed operations on April 29, the services available are only for commercial vehicle operators.
From the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the Geely Holding Group was already actively working on ways to join in the fight against the virus. Apart from making donations and providing support vehicles for frontliners, the company also used its R&D capabilities to quickly develop an in-car ventilation system that can keep the cabin air virus-free.
Now that the critical situation in China has diminished and the country is progressing towards normalcy, Geely Holding is helping other countries that are having the pandemic. In the case of Malaysia, where Geely and its local partner DRB-HICOM own and operate Proton, assistance is being given in the form of medical supplies.
The donation, consisting of disposable 3-ply surgical masks, protective medical clothing, medical goggles and PL 700 ADV ventilators, all of which are constantly required as they are replaced frequently. These items will be distributed to 55 hospitals located throughout the country through the Ministry of Health.
The donation, worth approximately RM5.5 million, is part of a larger initiative by Geely Holding to supply medical equipment via the Li Shufu Charity Foundation to affected areas in China and to countries where it has significant international operations. It aims to help local healthcare providers and communities at large in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The foundation was established in 2006 by Geely Holding’s founder, Li Shufu, with a focus on poverty alleviation and helping with national disasters. In January 2020, it set aside RMB200 million (about RM120.33 million) to support the fight against COVID-19 on a global basis.
“As a socially responsible company, we have a duty to support the well-being of every market in which we operate. I am proud that we have the resources and logistics capability to ship vital supplies to areas hard-hit by this global pandemic. We will play our part, whenever possible, to lend support to communities and medical authorities to overcome this global challenge”, said Geely Holding’s Chairman, Li Shufu.
Some of the X70 SUVs loaned by Proton to the Health Ministry.
In addition to medical supplies received from China, Proton has loaned 50 units of its X70 to the Ministry of Health for their logistical operations. The carmaker has also produced 60,000 units of face shields at its factory.
Meanwhile, DRB-HICOM has been an active supporter of COVID-19 relief efforts in Malaysia. Along with other subsidiaries under its parent company, the Albukhary Group, the Malaysian conglomerate has contributed cash donations, medical equipment, meals for government hospitals, media frontliners and university students, as well as long-range drones for monitoring and surveillance purposes.
“As a key contributor to the nation’s economy, we felt compelled to assist the government in its battle against the spread of COVID-19. The frontliners form the country’s backbone in this fight, and it is essential for us to assist them in any way possible. We are especially fortunate to have a partner like Geely who has been extremely generous in leveraging their resources to make this happen,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of Proton.
Many service centres are resuming operations and welcoming owners who must be eager to have their vehicles serviced or repaired. However, some owners may be busy, especially with the sudden announcement that businesses can commence next week. Thus they may not be able to send their vehicles in for servicing.
For such customers, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) has a personalised service which brings the service centre to the home. Known as the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, it’s actually been available for the past two years. The service includes scheduled maintenance work, wiper blade replacement, oil filter, air filter, combi filter and dust filter replacement, key battery replacement and car battery replacement.
“We introduced this first-of-its-kind service to the Malaysian market in 2018 on a trial basis. Now, with the Movement Control Order and social distancing, the Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile service provides customers peace-of-mind as they are able to remain within the safety and comfort of their homes while our technicians care for their vehicle on-site,” explained C&C CEO, Wilfrid Foo.
Transparency with cost estimates
In compliance with the current health and safety requirements, all contact points in the vehicle (a Vito van) are sanitised after every service and C&C conducts temperature checks on its technicians daily. Along with added convenience and quality, customers are assured greater transparency with cost estimates provided ahead of services including itemised costs for required parts and labour cost. This enables the customer to make a more informed decision about the maintenance of their Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
“Cycle & Carriage is dedicated to providing Exceptional Journeys to customers. We are continually learning and understanding each customer’s needs and preferences. We aim to be a trusted dealer partner by translating our insights into innovative services and experiences that enhance the overall customer journey. The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile is a shining example of a premium service that delivers greater convenience and peace of mind when it comes to caring for our customers’ cherished Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” said Mr. Foo.
The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile travels with two qualified technicians and is fully equipped with the Xentry Diagnosis system, special tools and technician hand tools to perform the stipulated maintenance jobs.
It is available by appointment within the Klang Valley. During the MCO period, availability is daily (except Sundays and public holidays) from 9 am to 3 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon.pm.
Door-to-Door service as an alternative
Alternatively, Mercedes-Benz owners can also use C&C’s ‘Door to Door’ service. They can call their preferred C&C authorised service centre and their vehicle will be picked up for servicing and then returned when the work is completed. The service (for which there is a charge) is available up to 30 kms driving distance from the authorised Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. For the owner’s peace of mind, the vehicle will be covered by insurance between the home and service centre.
