E-hailing services are becoming more popular for Malaysians seeking a source of supplementary income. In a move to promote the use of Proton vehicles within the growing industry, the carmaker has an offer to incentivise car-buyers.
Those who purchase a new Proton Persona, Iriz, Exora, Saga or Proton X70 from authorized PROTON sales outlets will be rewarded with a PETRONAS gift card for fuel worth RM500 or, if they prefer, a price rebate of the same value. In order to qualify, a customer would need to submit a copy of a valid PSV E- Hailing license as proof and register the vehicle under their own name.
In addition to the gift card, additional rebates are being offered on selected models, ranging from RM300 to RM1,500.
A range of Proton models to choose from.
The promotion will run until December 31, 2020 and is also open to individuals purchasing a car to be used for E-Hailing by a different driver. In this instance, a Letter of Consent stating the purpose of the purchase would be required along with the full name and IC number of the E- Hailing driver(s) and a copy of their PSV E-Hailing license.
The programme is also designed to ease the decision-making process for those new to the industry as well as current drivers who are looking to replace their current cars.
The Saga is a populr model in the E-hailing industry.
“We want to make it easier for the latter group to purchase a Proton to be used for E-hailing. Therefore, if the buyer is the wife and the driver is her husband, we just need valid documentation for verification to approve the purchase,” said Fazli Hisham Shukor, Head of Corporate Sales at Proton Edar.
Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly becoming vital tools for armed forces and law enforcement agencies. While there are those which have offensive capabilities, many are used for observation purposes to give authorities a real-time view of the situation in a certain area.
For instance, during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period in Malaysia, the police and army have been using drones – which are also UAVs- not only to detect people not following #stayathome regulations but also to broadcast the regulations in housing areas.
For military purposes, the drones are certainly much larger and more capable than those from DJI (the most popular commercial brand in the world) and are equipped with sensors and other high-tech equipment to enable detailed observation and patrolling.
First batch of UAVs delivered to Malaysia
UAVs help defend territorial integrity
Recently, the Royal Malaysian Navy took receipt of the first batch of 6 Scan Eagle UAVs from the USA via the US Embassy in Malaysia. According to a statement from the embassy, ‘the USA and Malaysia have shared a productive, mutually beneficial security cooperation partnership. We continue to do so now during these challenging times and we look forward to working together in the future.’
The UAVs will enhance the Royal Malaysian Navy’s ability to defend the country’s territorial integrity, providing valuable reconnaissance capability in areas like the South China Sea and Straits of Melaka. Navy personnel will receive training to operate the UAVs.
Some details about the Scan Eagle
Certainly very much larger than a DJI Mavic drone, the Scan Eagle UAV is built by Insitu Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing aircraft company. The UAV is based on Insitu’s SeaScan miniature robotic aircraft developed for the commercial fishing industry. Military forces of at least 8 countries use the Scan Eagle for day/night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and there are also numerous civilian and commercial operators around the world.
With a fuselage length of 1.55 – 1.71 metres and a wingspan of 3.11 metres, the 18-kg Scan Eagle is said to be able to reach an altitude of 5,950 metres and fly around for 24+ hours. Using petrol or JP5/JP8 fuel, the Scan Eagle can fly at speeds of up to about 110 km/h. It can carry all sorts of equipment, depending on the mission, and cameras available include electro-optic and infra-red types.
It is launched autonomously by a catapult launcher and the route it follows can be pre-programmed or managed by an operator. A patented SkyHook recovery system is used for retrieval which catches the UAV’s wingtip with a rope that hangs from a 15-metre high boom.
Shell Malaysia continues to find ways to help local communities in the areas where they operate. Its latest initiative, #RamadanWithShell, creates opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to sell their delicacies at Shell stations.
This nationwide initiative aims to support local and small-time food vendors by providing them an avenue to market their goods during this difficult time and to bring Ramadan local delicacies to customers at stations.
950 stations participating nationwide
Until May 23, 2020, customers will be able to purchase a variety of Ramadan local delights such as Nasi Campur, Nasi Beriani, Asam Laksa, various selections of local Kuih, Murtabak, Bubur Lambuk, drinks and many other local delicacies at 950 Shell stations nationwide for takeaway. Apart from these pre-packed Ramadan delicacies, customers are also able to make it a combo along with Shell SELECT and deli2go favourite snacks and beverages at promotional prices, starting from as low as RM6.
Some of the items available at the stations
Siti Zubaidah, Shell Station retailer in Pontian, Johor, invited Azizah, a local vendor to sell her kuih at the station. “When I was informed about the #RamadanWithShell campaign, Azizah’s offering came to mind. Her spread of local kuih is delicious and I was extremely excited to provide her a platform to sell her Ramadan delicacies,” said Zubaidah.
“With the Movement Control Order which can make it difficult for small businesses like mine to thrive, this initiative by Shell is a welcome help as I am able to continue selling my kuih here at the Shell Station,” said Azizah, a single mother with 5 kids. “I am extremely thankful to Puan Zubaidah and Shell for inviting me to sell my selections of local kuih during this Ramadan month.”
Part-time vendor Mazlan and his 14-year-old son Mohd Alif Mazlan has been able to sell many bottles of sugarcane juice at a Shell station too. “In the beginning, we were rather worried for this year’s Ramadan. Every year, we would sell air tebu at the local Ramadan bazaar, and things looked bleak this year without the yearly Ramadan bazaar. Thankfully, with the Shell initiative, we are able to sell about 30-40 bottles a day at Shell Station Inderapura in Kuantan, Pahang. Thanks to Shell for helping us through this difficult time and providing us the avenue to promote our product.”
30% discount for Shell SELECT items
Aside from the local delicacies offered at Shell stations nationwide, 100 Shell stations are collaborating with Foodpanda to deliver selected Ramadan combos to customers’ doorsteps. During the promotion period, Shell SELECT customers who order through Foodpanda with the promo code ‘SHELLRAMADAN’ will enjoy 30% off for all Shell SELECT items in Pandamart, with a minimum purchase of RM15. (*Terms and Conditions apply)
“At Shell, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Now more so than ever, with the uncertainties and unpredictability brought about by COVID-19, we need to hold steadfast to the values that define us as an organization and enables us to contribute back to Malaysians,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd.
“Our latest initiative allows us to help our fellow Malaysians carry on conducting their businesses. We believe in doing things that matter and, at the same time, we try to make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” he added.
With concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and many governments banning gatherings as well as calling for social distancing, launching a new car model in the usual public manner is no longer appropriate. Some companies have taken to using the internet to debut their new models and Lamborghini has revealed its new Huracan EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder virtually as well.
Only for Apple devices
Using Augmented Reality (AR) for the first time on its official website, the company is bringing its latest V10 super sportscar directly to customers and fans worldwide. However, access seems confined only to those with an iPhone or iPad (iOS 11 and A9 processor or later).
AR lets you bring the Huracan into your home.
With AR, simply tapping ‘See in AR’ brings views of the new open-top rear-wheel drive model to people’s driveways, gardens or even sitting rooms. The virtual experience enables the viewer to rotate and expand the size of the vehicle, up to a 1:1 scale, allowing close looks at both its exterior and interior details. Images of what is viewed can also be captured with a high level of photorealism.
“At a time of major business challenges, Lamborghini is innovating once again and exploring new methods of communication. New technologies have accelerated fast during this time of global emergency, and Lamborghini is pioneering exciting new possibilities. Lamborghini can now be in everyone’s home, thanks to Apple’s AR technology, which is available on hundreds of millions of AR-enabled devices around the world,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
0 – 100 in 3.5 seconds
The new Huracan EVO variant provides drivers with open-air driving pleasures, lightweight engineering, rear-wheel drive and a specially tuned Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS). The V10 powerplant delivers the same 610 bhp/560 Nm as the coupe version, giving a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 324 km/h.
The aluminium and thermoplastic resin body sits on a lightweight hybrid chassis of aluminium and carbonfibre, with a dry weight of 1,509 kgs and a weight-to-power ratio of 2.47 kg/bhp. Front/rear weight distribution of 40:60, with double wishbone suspension and overlapped quadrilaterals and passive shock absorbers provide optimized driver feedback.
Ventilated and cross-drilled steel brakes are fitted to 19-inch rims with specially-developed Pirelli P Zero tyres. Customers can also order their car with optional 20-inch rims and carbon ceramic brakes.
Similar aerodynamic qualities as coupe
Its design optimizes the integration and function of the extremely light soft top. Refined in the wind tunnel, the exterior lines ensure drag reduction and downforce matches that of the coupe without requiring additional aerodynamic features.
The specially tuned P-TCS traction control system is designed to consistently deliver torque and assuring traction in all conditions, even as the Spyder is ‘realigning’ after sharp cornering or drifting. Electronic intrusion, disliked by purist drivers, is minimized as the Huracan is specially engineered as an instinctive driver’s car with unfiltered physical feedback and maximum engagement.
“The Huracán EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder doubles the driving fun, delivering raw driving pleasure with the opportunity to celebrate life outside. The driver is perfectly in touch with Lamborghini’s engineering heritage, experiencing the feedback and engagement from the set-up of a rear-wheel drive car where, while enjoying the sense of freedom and spirit of life that only open-top driving provides,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini.
The first customers will take delivery of the new Huracan EVO RWD Spyder, priced in the UK from £151,100 (about RM810,700). For those who may take some time to save up to buy the car, you can still ‘enjoy’ it via the AR feature at the Lamborghini website. Other models will also have AR presentations in future.
The war against the COVID-19 coronavirus is a global one as 196 out of 197 countries have cases. Besides government efforts, individuals, various types of organisations and companies are also contributing in various ways. Where the auto industry is concerned, R&D capabilities and mass production facilities have been used to make much-needed Personal Protection Equipment.
Some carmakers have also looked at how they can make their vehicles safer for healthcare workers to travel in. Unlike making conventional ambulances which would usually transport patients without infections, the ones used to transport people potentially infected with COVID-19 must be designed to protect the healthcare workers and also the driver and other crew.
In America, Honda has made modifications and installed additional items in 10 units of the Odyssey MPV for use by the City of Detroit. To protect the health of the driver from the potential for droplet infection during transportation, the MPVs have been fitted with a plastic barrier installed behind the front seating area. Modifications have been made to the ventilation system to maintain an air pressure differential between the front and rear seating areas.
Installing the clear polycarbonate barrier to isolate the rear compartment from the front
The MPVs were configured by a team of volunteers at Honda’s R&D centre in the state of Ohio. Senior engineers and fabrication experts quickly conceived and designed a method to modify the Odyssey at the company’s vehicle development centre where it was originally developed. They took less than two weeks from initial concept to completion.
The front occupants are protected from potential infection by the barrier as well as airflow tuned to blow rearwards.
All material fabrication and installation, and adjustments to the software for the Odyssey’s ventilation system, was done entirely in-house. The software controlling the ventilation system was tuned to assure the air pressure to create an environment inside the cabin like the negative pressure rooms in medical and research facilities.
Specifically, the software has been tuned to run the blower motor powering the fans in the front seating area faster than the fans for the rear seating area. The resulting air pressure differential creates a more negative pressure chamber in the rear seating area, with rear compartment air exhausted out the vents in the rear of the vehicle. This would greatly reduce the potential for droplet infection migration during transportation.
