Proton has announced the list of 12 teams that will compete against each other in the final round of the ‘Intelligence that Inspires Challenge’, a marketing competition that takes a leaf out of the carmaker’s tagline for its executive SUV, the Proton X70.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Proton Centre of Excellence (COE) in Shah Alam, Selangor, on July 29 2019. At the event, the competing teams present their marketing case studies to a panel of judges consisting of Proton senior management, experts from the field of marketing and members of the media.
A showcase of fresh ideas
During the final round, all teams are required to do a presentation, replicating a marketing pitch the students are likely to face upon graduating and joining the working world. It will therefore be a true test of not just their marketing knowledge and presentation skills but also a test of their ability to perform under pressure.
The team from Politeknik Port Dickson carrying out some activities with Fire & Rescue Personnel.
The 12 teams, which come from all parts of Malaysia including East Malaysia, are:
Politeknik Port Dickson
Politeknik Kota Kinabalu
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar
Xiamen University Malaysia
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sg Long
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kuala Lumpur
Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah, Behrang
Multimedia University, Melaka
Taylor’s University, Lakeside Campus
DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Malaysia, Pekan
CSR activities by Sarawak’s Swinburne University team.
Originality and viability of ideas presented
Prizes will be awarded to winning teams including the tutor, who guided the students to work as a team and to achieve their results. Aside from being judged on their creativity and presentation skills, judges will also be considering the originality of the ideas presented as well as how viable and realistic they are in a real-world setting. This adds an interesting element to the competition as teams will need to consider the practicality of their ideas as well as limitations such as budgets, man power and buyer behaviour.
“The company hopes all participants will walk away with a better appreciation of what it takes to excel in a real-world working environment.” – Proton CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong
“At Proton, we believe the identification of the next generation of business leaders is a priority as these are the individuals who will help lead Malaysia’s economic future. We also want to give graduates from Malaysian universities an opportunity to showcase their talents on a national level and demonstrate the skillsets taught in these institutions,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Proton’s CEO.
“Regardless of whether they win or lose, the company hopes all participants will walk away with a better appreciation of what it takes to excel in a real-world working environment and hopefully they will also become fans of the Proton brand,” he added.
The latest generation Porsche 911 Carrera S and Carrera 4S have been officially unveiled by Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP). The unveiling which was held at the Sepang International Circuit was in conjunction with the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) that is taking place this weekend where the race version (911 GT3 Cup) will also be participating. (more…)
After its multi-generational run as a brand mainstay and global automotive phenomenon, the Volkswagen Beetle line has come to an end. The final unit, finished in Stonewashed Blue, was produced at Volkswagen’s factory in Puebla, Mexico which has been the global hub for the modern model since 1998.
Actually, the ‘end of Beetle production’ at Puebla this week was the second time such an event occurred. 16 years ago, in 2003, the factory said farewell to the original Beetles when production ceased after 39 years. It was the last of some 21.5 million units of the same generation produced since 1938.
One of the top 5 bestsellers of all time
The final Beetle will live on display at Volkswagen’s local museum in Puebla as a lasting tribute to the automobile’s rich and storied heritage. While the original Type 1 model will go down in automobile history as one of the top 5 bestselling cars of all time, the New Beetle, as it was known when it was reborn in 1998, was an early automotive adopter of retro design language. Like the modern MINI, it re-introduced the familiar silhouette to a new generation of drivers. Over 1.2 million units were produced, only at the Puebla factory which supplied to 91 global markets.
The third and final generation was launched in 2011 and over 500,000 units have been built up till the final one this week. In total, the second and third generations have been offered (from the factory) in 23 different exterior colours, 32 interior trims, 13 varying engine configurations and 19 special editions. Individual markets have also had special editions, such as the Collectors Edition by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) to say farewell to the model.
75 units of the Collectors Edition of the Beetle are available for the Malaysian market, each one priced at RM164,390 (without insurance), with four colour options to choose from.
Compact SUV model to replace Beetle at factory
The end of Beetle production will allow the Puebla factory to take on the Tarek, a compact SUV model that will be manufactured from next year. The second largest Volkswagen factory also produces the Jetta, Tiguan and Golf. It has an annual capacity of 420,000 engines and in 2018 produced a total of 435,373 vehicles.
The Volkswagen factory in Puebla, Mexico, began operations in 1964.Tarek compact SUV will replace the Beetle on the production line from next year.
It was a sad day for all Beetle fans around the globe as it was recently announced that it’ll stop production. To bid farewell to this ultra-iconic model, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is paying homage with the introduction of the Volkswagen Collector’s Edition Beetle. (more…)
AIWAYS, a Shanghai-based personal mobility provider, is poised to embark on what is believed to be the longest point-to-point drive of a prototype electric vehicle ever attempted. Its U5 battery-electric SUV will carry out a 14,231-km drive from Xi’an in China to Europe starting next week.
The initiative is part of the comprehensive test and development programme for the first vehicle of its kind to be launched by a Chinese brand in Europe when it arrives in April 2020. The route chosen is from the start of the Silk Road and has historical significance as a hub for trading, cultural exchange and communication between China and Europe.
Extreme testing to meet demands of customers
AIWAYS is subjecting the U5 to extreme conditions which will be encountered along the journey to ensure it delivers the real-world performance, reliability and range demanded by European consumers. The engineering team will also explore how simple and easy it is to live with the U5, driving and recharging as they pass through different countries where temperatures, road conditions and available charging infrastructures differ considerably.
The U5 is a mid-size SUV built on the company’s innovative aluminium-steel More Adaptable Structure (MAS) platform. It is claimed to have a range of 460 kms on a fully-charged battery pack. Its price is expected to be in the region of €25,000 (equivalent to about RM116,000).
To be built at a new production plant in Jiangxi Province, the U5 is the first of a range of electrically-powered family SUVs. AIWAYS plans to introduce one new model to its range each year. Initial production output is planned at 150,000 units a year with a second phase of expansion planned to bring capacity to 300,000 units.
AIWAYS is a Sino-German company which has the involvement of Roland Gumpert, a former Audi engineer who led the team that campaigned the Audi Quattro in the World Rally Championship in the 1980s.
One of the prototypes being prepared for the journey to Europe which starts next week.
Together with the official Malaysian debut of the first-ever BMW X7, BMW Malaysia also took the opportunity to launch the new BMW 7 Series, the 2019 BMW 740Le xDrive. Available in the Pure Excellence variant, this promises nothing but luxurious driving experience in the premium sedan segment. (more…)
BMW Malaysia has introduced two new models as their latest definition of progressive luxury. Making their way to the Malaysian market, the first-ever 2019 BMW X7 and BMW 740Le xDrive are the pinnacles of luxury and plan to charge ahead as the new benchmark in the luxury segment. (more…)
Global warning is inevitable with how irresponsible parties are treating our Mother Earth but luckily, there are some of us out there who are willing to go above and beyond to reduce their carbon footprints. Goodyear Malaysia recently did their part by installing 6,680 solar panels at their corporate office and production plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. (more…)
Throughout the course of the year, Bentley Motors has been celebrating its 100th birthday, building up to a climax which presents its vision of the future of luxury mobility. That vision was finally revealed yesterday in 3-dimensional form as the Bentley EXP 100 GT. It is a physical embodiment of the future Bentley brand, reimagining Grand Touring for the future.
Designed from the inside out and taking advantage of a brand new all-electric platform, the EXP 100 GT reimagines the Grand Tourer for the world of 2035. The cars’ presence and impressive exterior proportions are reminiscent of many of Bentley’s historic Grand Tourers but take these luxury hallmarks into the future. The result is a future vision commensurate with Bentley’s status, assuring its clientele that they will continue to enjoy superlative luxury.
Sustainable innovation
Sustainable innovation is also at the heart of the EXP 100 GT experience. The car is engineered to create a greater awareness of the world outside, with an intelligently-curated collection of materials including 5,000 year old Copper Infused Riverwood; Compass exterior paint made from recycled rice husks; 100% organic leather-like textile from wine making; British Farmed Wool carpets and embroidered cotton interior surfaces which all create sustainable future luxury, adding to the enhanced reality of the grand touring car of the future.
Made from lightweight aluminium and carbonfibre, the EXP 100 GT is 5.8 metres long and almost 2.4 metres wide. The driver and passenger doors are 2 metres wide and pivot outwards and upwards for effortless access. Fully open, they rise to almost 3 metres, adding to the sense of occasion on arrival.
For this concept car (and it is just a concept), the exterior paint colour known as Compass is created using a special Colourstream pigment that reflects a beautiful spectrum of autumnal colours and is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. The pigment is synthetically made using rice husk ash, a harmful bi-product of the rice industry, remanufactured for the EXP 100 GT to reduce the amount that ends up in landfill waste.
New benchmark for luxury interiors
Imperceptible joins between different materials such as wood, leather and wool allow an overall design motif to flow across all these surfaces. The materials are brought together by design, a seamless blend of patterns and forms, textures and colours. Glass flows into metal, into wood and into leather.
Light is core to life and in the EXP 100 GT, it is harvested from the surrounding environment via an innovative glass roof embedded with prisms that collect light and transfer it into the cabin using fibre optics. The use of harvested natural light and synthesised light offers a new approach to enhancing wellness on board.
The Bentley Personal Assistant is a centre piece of the main console and visualised using illuminated crystal. Ambient lighting can also be modified to recreate a specific mood or exterior environment, while additional effects are delivered through projection mapping onto trim panels, such as door pads.
Intelligent, Adaptable Biometric Seating can be configured in three different ways, depending on whether the owner is driving or using autonomous mode. Biometric sensors monitor temperature, passenger position and environmental conditions to deliver the ultimate in comfort, whatever the conditions.
The Air Purification System purifies air supplied into the cabin, with deployable air vents on the rear passenger shelf and static vents on the front passenger panel. The vents undulate giving the appearance that the car is breathing and alive. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide levels in the cabin are constantly monitored to maintain air quality.
As well as capturing exterior scents, Bentley has developed a unique scent for the EXP 100 GT. Created in collaboration with ethically-aware fragrance house 12.29, it builds on the rich heritage of Bentley, incorporating sandalwood and fresh moss.
Performance & Technology
Sustainable and intelligent, a battery electric powertrain, with intelligent power and charge management, will ensure that the EXP 100 GT is as powerful and exciting as its conventional predecessors. Next Generation Traction Drive will enable maximum control via torque vectoring, applying 50% increased power and 35% less mass for more effective cornering. The battery system will power 4 motors generating 1,500 Nm of torque that are projected to enable a 0 – 100 km/h time of less than 2.5 seconds, a top speed of 300 km/h.
Future battery technology is expected to offer 5 times the conventional energy density, and recharging to 80% of capacity should take only 15 minutes. By then, a range of 700 kms is likely to be possible on a fully charged battery pack.
The EXP 100 GT can be optionally autonomous. It will manage the driving experience based on the external environment and passenger well-being. This might include maximising an exhilarating self-drive across mountain roads, or disengaging from a stressful, inner-city commute.
Key to this are a range of features based on passenger well-being and comfort. These include Active Aero Wheels that dynamically adjust to deliver efficiency or maximum performance feel; Intelligent Pirelli Tyres that adapt their contact patches based on weather conditions or driver demand; Adaptable Biometric Seating that adapts to the driver mode, or swivels rearward with the steering wheel retracted away in autonomous mode.
Speaking at the unveiling of the car yesterday, Adrian Hallmark, Bentley Chairman and CEO, said: “Today, on our Centenary, we demonstrate our vision of the future of our Marque, with the Bentley EXP 100 GT – a modern and definitive Grand Tourer designed to demonstrate that the future of luxury mobility is as inspirational and aspirational as the last 100 years. Bentley has, and will continue to enhance and enrich every single journey and the lives of every single person who travels in, or has the honour to be a part of creating our extraordinary products.”
Art of Speed Malaysia returns for its 8th year, bringing in the world of Old-Skool and Kustom Kulture to the masses in ways you can’t even imagine. For this year’s extravaganza happening on 27-28 July 2019, AOS 2019 promises to be bigger and better than ever before with tonnes of giveaways including a custom Suzuki Hayabusa-powered MINI! (more…)
