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Shell Malaysia’s initiative helps small food businesses during Ramadan period

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.

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.

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Lamborghini debuts Huracan EVO RWD Spyder using Augmented Reality

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).

2020 Huracan EVO RWD Spyder — *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.

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War on COVID-19: Honda modifies Odyssey to protect crew when transporting COVID-19 patients

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.

Honda Odyssey COVID-19 transporter — *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.

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.

War on COVID-19: Mercedes-Benz converts bus specially for transporting patients

Lotus offers classic heritage editions of the Elise

Lotus Cars has launched four new limited-edition versions of the Elise, each with a distinctive colour palette which pays tribute to the company’s pioneering and highly successful racing history. The exterior colour combinations are black and gold; red, white and gold; blue, red and silver; and blue and white.

The famous black and gold references the livery of the Lotus Type 72D which Emerson Fittipaldi raced to five victories over the course of the 1972 Formula 1 season. Red, white and gold echoes the Type 49B that Graham Hill raced in 1968, while the blue, red and silver is inspired by the Lotus Type 81 of 1980 driven by Nigel Mansell, Elio de Angelis and Mario Andretti.

The fourth new Elise, finished in blue and white, is in tribute to the Lotus Type 18 design from 1960. Exactly 60 years ago, it was the first Lotus car to achieve a Formula 1 pole position and victory, thanks to the late Sir Stirling Moss, at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Officially called the Elise Classic Heritage Editions, all four offer an enhanced exterior and interior spec over the Elise Sport 220 on which they’re based. They are on sale now across selected international markets, with only 100 units available globally.

As well as their unique colour schemes – instantly recognisable by motorsport fans worldwide – each car comes with an exclusive numbered ‘build plaque’ on the dashboard referencing the limited production run. The final numbers of each variant will be dictated by customer demand.

Each car has as standard a number of features which were previously on the options list. These include DAB digital radio with four speakers, air-conditioning, cruise control, ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels with racing livery finish, two-piece disc brakes and black carpet with floor mats.

The Elise interior colour pack is also now integrated as standard. Elements include the upper door trim and central seat insert finished to match the exterior, with detailing on the door, gear selector surround and dashboard picking out key colours. The only one that’s different is the blue and white car, which has red alcantara seat centres.

Optional extras include a fibreglass hardtop roof, lightweight lithium-ion battery and titanium lightweight exhaust.

All four cars cost exactly the same in the UK at £46,250 (about RM247,000), about 16% more than a standard Elise Sport 220. However, the added features, said to be worth £11,735 (about RM62,500) certainly makes it very good value for money – not to mention the exclusivity.

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Finance Ministry says banks agree not to charge any extra interest on H-P loans

Following the uproar when it was announced by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Association of Banks Malaysia that the 6-month moratorium offered on loans, including Hire-Purchase loans, would incur interest for the 6 months, the Finance Ministry has today said that there will be no interest charged.

The announcement on the Finance Ministry’s website

Prior to this, the financial institutions had said that borrowers will have the option of settling the 5 months deferred instalments in October in one lump sum and not pay any interest, or interest for each month would be added for those who did not settle in full. This meant that the amount for the remaining instalments would be increased and the repayment term would extend a further 6 months (incorporating the deferred months). This applied to both conventional and Shariah H-P loans.

The charging on additional interest was seen as being unfair, more so at a time when many people are facing financial challenges in view of the impact of the pandemic on businesses. Allowing a 6-month deferment in paying instalments was a welcome move as it would allow them some time to recover and try to stabilize their situation, but to charge them additional interest was only adding extra financial burden.

After a discussion between the Finance Ministry and the banks, it was agreed that no interest will be charged or compounded, and therefore the amount owing would not change. In other words, whatever instalment amount has been paid will be maintained and the only difference will be that the repayment term will continue for 6 months after the original month it was supposed to end.