For the seventh time since 1964, Ford has launched a new generation of the bestselling sports coupe in the world – the Ford Mustang. As always, there is the promise of better performance and more advanced technologies but also significant is that Ford continues to invest in a product with a combustion engine, instead of going electric (although there is already the Mustang Mach-E).
“Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company. “Ford, however, is turbocharging its ICE growth plan, adding connected technology, opinionated derivatives, and hybrid options to our most profitable and popular cars – all in the Ford Blue family – on top of investing US$50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026.”
Whatever memories you may have of being a Chery owner before, things will be different when Chery returns to the Malaysian market in the near future. Apart from a totally new and modern range of models like the OMODA 5 and Tiggo Pro, sales and aftersales are promised to be top quality and in line with the global standards of the Chinese carmaker.
Chery is confident that it can deliver on this promise as its return to the Malaysian market will be handled by its own subsidiary (to be established in due course). Previously, it was on represented by a local company so it did not have direct control on how the business was run.
The direct involvement of the manufacturer is good because that is the brand owner, and therefore has the strongest interest in ensuring that the brand image is good. Some manufacturers do business at ‘arms-length’, leaving most of the marketing and aftersales activities to their local partner who may or may not be equally committed since the partner does not own the brand. With the brand owner participating (and making its own investment), there will be better guidance and direction which should benefit customers.
While the Toyota Hiace and its clones from China have long been popular among fleet operators requiring seating for 10 persons or more, there has also been the Hyundai Starex in recent years as an alternative. Now Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) will also offer the Hyundai Staria with a 10-seat configuration.
To go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2022, the large Korean MPV is essentially similar to the Staria 7-seater launched last year. According to Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM, there has been the expectation that the 10-seater Staria will also be made available.
“We have been getting enquiries for the 10-seater variant as there has been anticipation that the 10-seater variant will replace the Starex. Like the Starex, this new 10-seater variant of the Staria is ideal for big families, tour operators and businesses. However, it has vast improvements and more functionalities in every aspect compared to the Starex,” he said.
Although it seems like every carmaker has a SUV today, that’s not really been the case. Ferrari did not jump on the SUV bandwagon like Lamborghini but even they have to offer customers such a car. And as with some other carmakers, they have tried to disassociate their new Purosangue as ‘another new SUV’ but rather, another new Ferrari.
Porsche tried that same line too when they launched the Cayenne as their first SUV, referring to it more as ‘another new Porsche’. And Rolls-Royce, perhaps feeling ‘Sport’ and ‘Utility’ are not appropriate for the brand to be associated with, chose to initially refer to their Cullinan as ‘a high-bodied car’.
But ‘SUV’ has become so embedded today, after having been in use since the `1990s’, that carmakers trying to call their SUVs something else have eventually had to call them that. Some try to use crossover which refers to a blending of SUV and passenger car, with a bit more of the latter.
Anyway, here it is – the first ever SUV in Ferrari’s 75-year history. Just as Volvo took a long time to come out with its first SUV because it had to be satisfied that the important issues of safety were fully addressed, Ferrari has also taken time to ensure that the driving dynamics and performance of allow the Purosangue to have the Prancing Horse on its bonnet.
The Hyundai Motorsport team scored another victory in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe leading the team to a 1-2-3 finish at the 2022 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.
The Belgians seized top spot early in the rally after 9-time world champion Sebastien Loeb had to drop out when his pace-setting M-Sport Ford Puma had alternator failure. From that moment onwards, the Hyundai duo never looked back, followed by team-mates Ott Tanak and Dani Sordo.
Continuing with its electrification drive forward, Peugeot has added battery electric versions of the latest 308 generation to its line-up. To be available in 2023 in Europe in hatchback and stationwagon bodystyles, the e-308 and e-308 SW join the plug-in hybrid versions already available. The e-308 SW is one of the first fully electric stationwagons from a European carmaker.
The new cars have the latest Peugeot design language with the brand’s new badge proudly displayed in the centre of the grille. However, the bonnet is longer, with fang-shaped light signature framing the Matrix LED headlamps and the 3-claw LED lights at the rear to identify the models as part of the Peugeot family.
If your Volvo looks like it’s been through a crash test after an accident and you would like to continue using it, you can get it restored to a condition safe to be driven, certified by Volvo. Two authorized Volvo dealerships in Malaysia now have Volvo Certified Damage Repair Centres (VCDR) which can provide end-to-end high quality body repair and paint services that meet the Swedish carmaker’s standards.
The two dealerships are Federal Auto Cars (located in Glenmarie, Selangor) and Sime Darby Swedish Auto (Ara Damansara, Selangor). Malaysia is the second country in the region to have such facilities. Each facility measures 11,133 square feet and can handle up to 1,260 vehicles a year.
“We are very happy to be able to witness the milestones that Volvo Car Malaysia has achieved thus far,” said Nick Connor, Head of Volvo Cars APEC. “From the implementation of a global electrification strategy to selling the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, here we are today, launching Volvo Car’s VCDR to further realize our vision in offering the highest standards of aftersales care to our customers. We are very happy that through the investment made by our partners, Malaysia is now the second country in the region to introduce VCDR.”
When Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) was established in 2005, one of the models it offered was the Triton. It arrived at a time when pick-up trucks were growing in popularity as they could be registered for private use (earlier, they could only be registered as commercial vehicles). With its stylish design and Mitsubishi Motors’ heritage in the Dakar Rally, the Triton became one of the popular choices for Malaysians wanting a truck.
Recently, the company delivered its 100,000th Triton and commemorated the milestone by giving the customer, Muhammad Faerus, diesel for 100,000 kms which is worth RM27,000. Encik Muhammad Faerus, a solar panel installation contractor, purchased the Triton from EON Auto Mart, an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealership in Kuala Lumpur.
“Since the Triton was introduced in Malaysia, it has proven to be one of the favourite pick-up trucks in the market with its rugged look, versatility, and good handling. It is capable in the harshest of off-road conditions but also perfect as an everyday vehicle. Our customers come from all walks of life – business owners, off-road enthusiasts, and lifestyle users. Over the years, with improved technology and functionality, it has inspired owners to take on challenges and push the boundaries in creating an exciting life journey, while fulfilling their dreams and ambitions,” said Shinya Ikeda, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, at the presentation ceremony.
The three generations of the Triton introduced in Malaysia since 2005.
Last year, despite the pandemic and competition from rivals, the model maintained a solid market share of 22% with 9,268 units sold. Six variants are available, all imported from the Mitsubishi Motors factory in Thailand. Prices (without insurance) range from RM81,390 to RM146,600.
Contest for owners In conjunction with this achievement, MMM is running the ‘100,000 Triton Ambitions’ Contest which will commence on September 14, 2022. To participate, Triton owners need to fill up a contest survey form and submit a photo which features a Triton in it.
Their photo can be entered in one or all four of the following categories: a. The Stylo King – owner’s most memorable leisure activity with the Triton; b. Tough Champ – owner’s toughest experience with the Triton; c. Extreme Adventurer – owner’s most memorable long-distance journey with the Triton; and d. Mod Hero – owner’s coolest modified Triton
One winner from each of the four categories will win 25,000 kms of diesel (worth up to RM7,000) each. The contest form, photo submission, and detailed contest terms and conditions can be found at the MMM website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my.
With dashcams now being installed by many motorists, we are seeing a lot of videos of accidents taking place on Malaysian roads. It’s well known that our accident rate is unacceptably high and now we can see reasons why there are some many crashes.
This is one example which is in a video circulating on some Whatsapp groups. It shows a car approaching a cross junction on the left of two lanes. Traffic in this lane should only go straight or turn left (the arrows on the road indicate that); if they want to turn right, they need to be in the right lane. The driver obviously did not think of this or realized he wanted to turn right and without even thinking about the danger of cutting across the other lane to turn, he just did it straight away.
Very unfortunately, a motorcyclist was coming along and at speed, so he could not stop or take evasive action and hit the car. But worse, another motorcyclist also came along and rammed into the rear of the car, the rider being thrown into the air and likely to be injured badly when he hit the ground.
While the motorcyclists might be partly at fault for using the right lane and going straight, the driver is at greater fault for turning right. In fact, he already committed an offence by not following the arrow indications. He should have realized his action was a dangerous one [to others using the right lane] and if he wanted to turn, he should look back and be sure no one was approaching. He obviously did not do that, causing two motorcyclists to be injured.
Source: Whatsapp groups
When we see such accidents, we should learn from the mistakes made so we do not make them as well. In this case, the lesson learnt is that you should always be in the correct lane if you want to turn. If you really must turn from another lane, then you must take maximum care and check for traffic moving along the lane to avoid such an accident. If there is a lot of traffic, it is better to go further down the road and find a way to turn back, which will be safer.
