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Chery Automobile to enter US market using newly-created VANTAS brand name

Until China became the world’s largest automobile market, the US market was the one that carmakers wanted to get into. However, both markets are not easy to enter for different reasons. In the case of China, there are tough government policies and conditions while to do business in America, a carmaker has to deal with stringent safety and emission issues as well as costly product liability coverage. In recent times, the Trump administration has also not made things easy to protect American industry and jobs.

While the Japanese and Korean companies are well established, carmakers from China have been trying to penetrate the market for some time. GAC Automobile appeared at the Detroit Motorshow as far back as 2013 and last year, it said it aims to start business operations in the second half of this year. Zotye Automobile is another carmaker which has indicated it will enter the market in 2020.

Different brand name to be used
Chery Automobile, one of the top ten automakers in China and the leading auto exporter to over 80 countries, also has eyes on the American market. Its strategy is somewhat ‘covert’ as it will sell its vehicles under a brand name of VANTAS rather than use Chery. Perhaps it’s better not to use Chery as a brand name, just Nissan wisely chose not to use ‘Fairlady’ for its Datsun 240Z when it was introduced in America. The VANTAS vehicles will be distributed, sold and supported by a new automotive operation in North America formed by HAAH Automotive Holdings.

HAAH has a technical cooperation agreement with Chery which manufactures and sells a range of SUVs, passenger cars and electric vehicles under several separate brands globally. To get ‘behind the barrier’, the vehicles sold in the USA and Canada will be assembled in American plants which should make entry easier for Chery.

The first VANTAS model with be adapted from a premium SUV model (TX shown above) from Chery’s Exeed premium brand which it uses in some markets instead of Chery. The specific model and other details have not been announced yet, but it is known that engineering development for homologation in the US market has already begun. It is unlikely that Chery will invest in a new factory and probably contract the assembly to an existing plant or refurbish one.

Online sales process
An online sales process will be implemented using HAAH’s digital platform with an industry-leading 100% cloud-based system to support VANTAS and Dealer Operations. This system design comes from an integrated and open API platform which will provide real-time transactions and visibility for all users increasing speed and precision. The system is described as the next generation in the automotive industry, giving VANTAS technological superiority not available from any other manufacturer today.

“This is a historic agreement creating VANTAS. The brand will incorporate a number of new technologies from its Chinese partner, including ‘Intelligent Connected’ for a wide variety of safety and driver assistance technology, various aspects of autonomous driving and, in the future, new energy vehicles. VANTAS is fully committed to building every one of its vehicles in the USA, creating jobs in America,” said Duke Hale, Chairman & CEO of HAAH Automotive Holdings.

AIA Family Drive offers lower vehicle insurance premiums plus added benefits

It’s a fact that many homes in Malaysia have more than one car as different members of the family require their own wheels. They all need, by law, insurance coverage for their vehicles in order to drive on public roads.

Having a few vehicles in the household can now be advantageous as AIA General Berhad is offering a family discount on premiums when buying insurance coverage from the company. Family Drive, its first flagship product, is a car insurance that provides all-round on-the-road protection.

Said to be the first of its kind in Malaysia, Family Drive is a comprehensive car insurance that provides the usual protection for both third party and own loss and damages. It also comes with additional features which you don’t get from other insurance companies in this country.

AIA Family Drive — Eric Chang, CEO of AIA General Berhad, explaining the benefits of Family Drive.

Additional features
These include Personal Accident Protection which ensures that anyone travelling in the insured car is automatically covered with up to RM250,000 personal accident coverage. There’s also protection against legal liability to third party’s injury, death and property loss of damage for everyone travelling in the car, with automatic coverage for all authorised drivers without additional cost.

Should the car not be available after an accident as the workshop is repairing it, Family Drive will provide an Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 per accident. There is also AIA Roadside Assist with an array of value-added services such as battery and tyre replacement, vehicle towing, 24/7. Customers can request for assistance with their police report and will be provided with e-hailing vouchers to help them and their family get home safely after the accident.

Accident repair — *If covered under Family Drive, the owner can get an Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 to cover the period while the vehicle is being repaired after an accident and is not available for use.*

5% discount plus Excess Waiver
Family Drive has a discount of 5% if two or more cars in the same household are insured but only up to a maximum of 4 vehicles. The Excess waiver is granted if customers repair their car at an AIA panel workshop, with the total repair cost borne by AIA.

To enhance coverage, there are optional add-on benefits such as the Agreed Value feature whereby policyholders can protect themselves against the depreciation value of their car by setting an agreed coverage amount when purchasing the policy. The Waiver of Betterment Cost feature ensures that customers are covered for the full cost of new original parts for their car with no extra procedure or paperwork upon claims.

Additionally, customers can choose the Natural Disaster (Special Perils) options that protects their cars against loss or damage caused by flood, storm, landslide or other acts of nature. These days, you never know when your car might be caught in a flood…

“We are very excited to be able to bring Family Drive and its various innovative and customer-centric features to the motor insurance market. Our market research identified various customer concerns where we saw the growing trend of expanding families who were worried about their family’s safety and the inconveniences caused by car accidents,” said Eric Chang, CEO of AIA General Berhad.

“With these insights, we developed Family Drive as a way to meet the protection needs of our customers on the road – ultimately providing them with a worry-free driving experience for the entire family,” he explained.

Free family protection plan for new Nissan X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid buyers

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM), as one of the original Malaysian car companies, has always cared about its customers in Malaysia. While much of its customer care has been centered around ownership of Nissan vehicles, it has also looked for other ways it can offer value-added services and benefits to being a Nissan owner.

The latest initiative is FWD Protect Direct, a new collaboration with FWD Takaful Berhad (formerly known as HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Berhad) which provides Direct family takaful protection plan with a total coverage of RM100,000 – at no extra charge.

Since plan for entire family
Available with new Nissan X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid models, the 1-year complimentary scheme is an online takaful plan that offers pure protection for the entire family in a single plan. There are options for individual, couple, family (up to two children) and single parent (up to two children) plans to suit different family needs. With only one certificate, it saves the customer from having to manage multiple takaful certificates for the whole family.

Customers who purchase and register a new X-Trail or Serena S-Hybrid from by April 30, 2020 will receive a FWD Takaful promo card with a unique code and details on how to redeem their complimentary 1-year takaful coverage online. Redemption has to be done before May 30, 2020.

Instalments from RM749
Additionally, ETCM offers attractive monthly instalment plans for Nissan models from as low as RM749 for the Almera, RM958 for a Navara, RM1,275 for the X-Trail and RM1,295 for a Serena S-Hybrid.

10 lucky customers may also stand a chance to win CUCKOO Healthy Home Appliances worth up to RM60,000 when they purchase and register any Nissan model during the month of February 2020.

Experience the various Nissan models at the Nissan Test Drive Carnival over the 2 weekends (February 15/16 and 22/23) at selected ETCM showrooms across the nation. At each showroom, there will be special deals, fun-filled activities and a chance to win attractive prizes too. The chart below shows where the event will be during the two weekends.

For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1-800 88 3838.

Now available in Malaysia, Michelin X MULTI Z 2 offers key benefits for commercial vehicle operators

Michelin, though mainly associated with passenger car tyres, makes many other types of tyres for different applications and vehicles. The same high level of R&D that goes into their high-performance passenger car tyres is also applied to their truck tyres, for instance, to provide longevity and improved performance.

The X MULTI Z 2 is the latest addition to Michelin’s best-selling range in the East Asia and Australia region. Incorporating revolutionary technologies, this all-position tyre is suitable for regional and highway operations and is now available in Malaysia in the 11R22.5 size.

Three breakthrough technologies
The X MULTI Z 2 has breakthrough technologies in three areas of its design and construction:

REGENION – Differently shaped grooves ensure minimal tread deformation, lowering rolling resistance and reducing fuel consumption. With the 3D metal printing techniques, the longitudinal grooves regenerate as the tyre wears, delivering a high level of grip and traction throughout the tyre’s service life in all weather conditions. The wear rate is claimed to be lower too – by more than 20% compared to its predecessor, the X MULTI Z.

INFINICOIL – This technology increases the robustness of the tyres. Reinforced tread plies with a continuously wound steel wire of up to 400 metres long (depending on tyre size) are used inside the casing. The high tensile steel wire increases tyre strength and thus optimizes the ground contact patch and delivers high mileage potential. This technology also helps reduce risk of sudden pressure loss for better vehicle control, extends mobility even when punctured, and improves uneven wear as it flattens the contact patch, with less unexpected breakdown incidences.

HT NYLON – The strengthened bead endurance not only helps reduce tyre damage linked to long-distance/high-speed usage and continuous usage cycle by 10%, but also increase retreadability.

“Thanks to the three core revolutionary technologies, the MICHELIN X MULTI Z 2 brings to our targeted customers uncompromised safety performance and helps meet their delivery timing and efficiency – thus, leading to increased productivity and improved cost-effectiveness for their businesses,” said Michelin Malaysia’s Commercial Director for B2B, Muhammad Arya Subrata.

Continental and Sennheiser Revolutionize Vehicle Audio with Speakerless 3D immersive sound

Music and radio broadcasts have been available in cars for a long time and as automotive as well as audio technologies have progressed, the quality of reproduction has become better and better, comparable even to home audio systems. Developing and tuning audio systems for a car cabin is a specialized field and manufacturers usually collaborate with the best audio companies in the business.

Continental teamed up with audio specialist Sennheiser to develop a speakerless audio system for cars. The unique system fills the vehicle interior with lifelike immersive sound. The two companies are integrating Sennheiser’s patented AMBEO 3D audio technology with Continental’s Ac2ated Sound system.

Continental’s innovative concept abandons conventional speaker technology altogether, instead employing select surfaces in the vehicle interior to produce sound. Combined with Sennheiser’s AMBEO Mobility, the concept achieves a 3D sound reproduction that envelopes passengers in an incredibly detailed and vivid soundscape and lets them enjoy their in-car entertainment to the fullest.

Space-saving and lighter
In comparison to conventional audio systems, Ac2ated Sound enables a reduction of weight and space of up to 90%. In this way, the system not only produces the highest audio quality but is also ideal for electric vehicles, where saving space and weight is a high priority.

“For Ac2ated Sound, we have brought together the highest levels of expertise in the areas of acoustics, infotainment and vehicle design. In Sennheiser, we have found an audio expert who helped us make our pioneering audio system even better,” said Helmut Matschi, Member of the Executive Board and Head of the business area Vehicle Networking and Information at Continental. “Together, we have developed an audio system that creates premium sound out of nowhere. Additionally, Ac2ated Sound reduces space and weight. At Continental, we call this sustainability that’s music to your ears.”

Tesla EV — *Weight savings with the speakerless system make it ideal for electric vehicles.*

Transforming the vehicle into an instrument
Inspired by the technology of classical string instruments, which use their wooden body as a resonance chamber, specially developed actuators excite specific surfaces in the vehicle interior. The result is an extremely natural sound experience for the occupants, who feel as if they are sitting in a concert hall surrounded by sound.

Additionally, in comparison with conventional speaker systems, the audio solution has a much lower weight and significantly reduced box volume. In comparison: With a multitude of components, conventional audio systems weigh up to 40 kgs and by using already existing surfaces, Ac2ated Sound is distinctly more efficient in saving space. It achieves a reduction between 75% and 90% in contrast to existing conventional systems on the market.

At the same time, the ‘invisible’ audio technology gives vehicle designers and manufacturers the freedom to do more with an automobile’s interior as they no longer need to accommodate speaker faces that take up valuable space. With Ac2ated Sound, many components are unnecessary because the surfaces in the vehicle vibrate just like speaker diaphragms.

Fire at Sg. Buloh R&R on the PLUS North-South Expressway

Motorists passing the Sg Buloh Overhead Bridge R&R may have noticed huge plumes of smoke rising from the complex yesterday. PLUS has confirmed that there was a fire which occurred at the Burger King outlet around 6:25 pm.

The highway concessionaire said that the fire was small and started in the fast food restaurant’s kitchen. There were no injuries or structural impact resulting from the incident.

BOMBA, which responded to an emergency call promptly, put the fire out following efforts by Burger King staff as well. The Burger King outlet is sealed off until further notice but the rest of the R&R is still open to the public who can go to the other F&B outlets.

DS TECHEETAH previews design of its future Formula E racing car

Building on the support from leading car manufacturers, Formula E will officially become an FIA world championship starting from the 2020/2021 season (which typically starts towards the end of the year). As part of a constant process of innovation, the all-electric single-seater championship will introduce the Gen2 EVO, a restyled version of the current racing car.

DS Automobiles and its team partner DS TECHEETAH are already preparing for this new season with race livery design of their future racing car for Season 7. DS Automobiles and its sporting entity DS Performance successfully completed the transition between the two generations of Formula E cars. With a motor that increased to 250 kW and a battery of 52 kWh, the drivers can compete in an entire E-Prix distance without car change-overs. Aligned with DS TECHEETAH, the DS E-TENSE FE19 won the two Championship Drivers and Teams titles in the last season.

2019 DS CTHEETAH Formula E — *The current Formula E car run by DS TECHEETAH.*

Formula E DS Techeetah Gen2 EVO — *The Gen2 EVO car for Season 7.*

How the car will evolve
Formula E will evolve the design of the car and changes will include modification of the front and rear appendages, addition of a ‘shark fin’ on the bonnet and opening of the front wheel arches. The design of the Gen2 EVO to be used by the DS TECHEETAH Team incorporates the facelift imagined for the next season while retaining the black and gold codes of the DS E-TENSE FE20.

“Formula E is as much a place of experimentation as it is a field of expression for DS Automobiles. We demonstrate our vision by having been the first premium manufacturer involved, our expertise in electrification by winning races and championships and our know-how by multiplying innovative actions around competition. Being the first team to present the design of our future single-seater is a new step in this commitment, ” said Beatrice Foucher, CEO of DS Automobiles.

All-new Audi A3 gets more advanced quattro drive

An all-new Audi A3 will make its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and to give selected media a preview of its dynamic capabilities, the carmaker held a test-drive in the Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a place where volcanoes once created a whole chain of islands and where there is a high level of volcanic activity,

Although the island location presents less of a challenge to keeping the new model out of general public view before the unveiling, Audi nevertheless had it camouflaged. The tight winding roads and varied mountain and valley stretches around the island were perfect for showing off the highlight of the new A3 and core of Audi’s DNA: quattro drive.

The all-wheel drive system fittingly makes its first appearance in one of the most emotive versions of the fourth generation A3, and represents the latest stage in the evolution of this successful technology, which in Audi models with transverse engine installations is based around an electro-hydraulic multi‑plate clutch.

Intelligent regulation
Managed by precisely tuned software and supported by the adaptive suspension and the progressive steering, the system not only maximises stability, grip, and driving pleasure, but is also extremely efficient. The clutch is located at the end of the propshaft, in front of the rear axle differential – a position that benefits the axle load distribution in particular. Inside is a package of plates that operate in an oil bath. Its metal friction rings are arranged behind one another in pairs – one ring of each pair is rigidly meshed with the clutch housing, which rotates with the prop shaft; the other ring is meshed with the short output shaft to the rear axle differential.

Tailored electronic torque distribution
Audi tailored the electronic torque distribution control specifically to suit the new A3 and integrated it in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. It takes the data of the suspension sensors into account and detects not only the driving conditions and road properties but also the driving style. The control unit uses this data as a basis to calculate a torque distribution that provides optimum efficiency and passes the value on to the clutch.

The all-wheel drive distributes the torque with full variability between the front and rear axles. During normal driving operation, most of the engine’s power is transmitted to the front wheels. When driving off or when the front axle has little traction, the clutch diverts the torque at lightning speed. In this case, an electric axial-piston pump is activated, which applies up to 44 bar of hydraulic pressure to the clutch plates. The more the clutch plates are pressed together by this pump, the more drive torque is transmitted to the rear axle – the maximum is 100%.

The clutch can already transmit part of the torque to the rear axle when the driver begins to make quicker turns of the steering wheel during more challenging driving. As soon as the driver accelerates, the torque presses the A3 into the corner. During load changes, the distribution of torque allows precise turning into the bend, which further increases driving dynamics.

Full control ESC
The wheel-selective torque control, a software function of the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), perfectly complements the latest quattro system. When the new A3 negotiates a corner at high speed, the program applies the brakes slightly to the two wheels on the inside of the bend. The difference in drive forces on both axles turns the car into the bend, allowing it to follow the steering angle precisely. This makes the handling even more agile, fluid, and safe.

New damper technology
Comfortably soft or sporty and taut? Both are possible with the suspension with adaptive damper control which will be available for selected models in the new A3. Three damper settings ensure that the driver can experience the spread of the driving characteristics and enjoy particularly agile handling. Sensors measure the vertical acceleration of the body structure and the relative movement of the individual wheels in relation to it.

The dampers include electromagnetically actuated valves that can be regulated extremely quickly and in a highly energy-efficient way. Depending on their position, they allow the hydraulic fluid to flow faster or slower, which changes the characteristics of the dampers between a soft setting for long distance ride pliancy and a firmer footing for faster A and B-road driving.

The best car to film the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO in action (w/VIDEO)

The Nissan GT-R is the flagship of Nissan’s high-performance range and the GT-R NISMO can be considered as the ‘pinnacle’ of the iconic nameplate which has a 50-year history. Constantly pushing the performance envelope, NISMO engineers have upgraded the 2020 model’s engine with aerodynamics further enhanced and weight-savings through the meticulous use of exotic materials.

Then came the time to show the sportscar in action and these days, video is a must. There was just one problem – how to film a super sportscar like the GT-R NISMO? It would have been easy to shoot from a helicopter or drone but to have more impact, the view should be as close as possible at ground level.

Enter Mauro Calo, a professional precision driver and automotive video expert known for his work on big-budget blockbuster movies and automotive TV shows. He knew the perfect car to chase and film the 2020 GT-R NISMO – another GT-R.

While Nissan helped locate a suitable GT-R to be transformed into a purpose-built camera car, Calo was already working on the design. Once the car arrived, he and his team fitted a bespoke tubular structure that was welded to the chassis and able to hold the weight of the professional carbonfibre gimbal camera mounting system.

The ultimate high-speed camera car
Until Calo realized his ambition of developing the ultimate high-speed camera car, the vehicle of choice for this type of filming would be a high-performance SUV. However, SUVs lack the speed or agility to follow the world’s fastest performance cars on track.

Thanks to its low centre of gravity, adjustable sports suspension and 4-seat configuration, the GT-R is the perfect base car to accommodate a camera rig of this type. And with the performance of the twin-turbo 3.8 V6 plus its advanced all-wheel drive system, it’s easy to see why Calo chose it.

“When I started to think about developing a high-performance camera car, I quickly realized that the Nissan GT-R was the only car that would meet my criteria,” said Calo. “It has supercar performance, with outstanding all-wheel drive handling and stability. It’s famously reliable, and it can seat the team I need to operate the camera system. There were no other contenders.”

Fabulous footage with high definition
Not many GT-R customers regularly use all four seats, but a typical shoot requires a full camera crew. With Calo at the wheel, a gimbal operator, a focus puller and a director can be in the car at the same time – ensuring fabulous high-definition footage of the world’s fastest cars at high speed (with all safety precautions taken, on a closed circuit, of course).

“I knew already, from driving it on photo and video shoots, what a great car the Nissan GT-R is,” Calo said. “But since I adapted my Nissan GT-R to be a high-speed camera car and have been using it to film some of the world’s fastest cars on track, my respect and appreciation of its performance, reliability and stability has only increased. It amazes me and the teams I work with every time we use it.”

With careful choreography planned in advance and coordinated via walkie-talkie, the two GT-Rs chased each other around the Lausitzring racetrack in Brandenburg, Germany, as part of the GT-R NISMO’s media preview event. The recorded footage has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and other social media platforms.

PUSPAKOM services now include roadtax renewal for light commercial vehicles

Commercial vehicle operators will soon be able to renew their roadtax at 54 PUSPAKOM inspection centres nationwide. The renewal is available for light commercial vehicles with a maximum permissible laden weight (BDM) of 7,500 kgs or less.

The additional service will be implemented at the inspection centres in stages over the next three months, with the Wangsa Maju inspection centre being the first from yesterday,

According to PUSPAKOM’s CEO, Shukor Ismail, offering the new service is part of the company’s effort towards making PUSPAKOM a One-stop centre for the convenience of customers and the public. “We aim to offer services to deal with vehicle-related matters besides vehicle inspections. Currently, PUSPAKOM centres also provide vehicle insurance renewal services and with the roadtax renewal available, customers have more locations to get their roadtax renewed,” he said.

“Implementation of this initiative will enhance the level of service related to government services, especially vehicle inspection, to meet current customer demands that require efficient, fast and efficient service provision,” he added.

Light commercial vehicle — *At present, the renewal service is available only for light commercial vehicles (like this Nissan NV200) that have a BDM (maximum permissible weight) of 7,500 kgs or less.*

PUSPAKOM is also considering extending the roadtax renewal service to privately registered passenger vehicles later on.

For more information, the public can call PUSPAKOM at 1-800-88-6927, send email to customerservice@puspakom.com.my, visit their official Facebook Page or website at www.puspakom. com.my.