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In 2019, mirroring the trend globally, SUV buyers in Malaysia continued to increase and comprised 20% of new vehicle buyers as compared with a mere 6% in 2015. Even though the average transaction price of SUVs in 2019 is 2.6 times higher than small cars, buyers are showing a preference to purchase SUVs, citing vehicle styling, performance, technology and safety features.

“As lifestyles evolve and become more digitally connected, it is no surprise customers expect their choice of vehicle to be in sync with their needs and personal image,” said E-Ling Cheah, Country Manager for Malaysia at J.D. Power. “SUVs with their higher hip point provide a commanding seating position, which provides better visibility and perception of safety. Newly launched contemporary-style SUVs are also equipped with advanced connectivity and safety features. Furthermore, manufacturers have introduced more affordable SUVs, bringing them within reach of more buyers.”

SUV

Moving up the value ladder
Thus new vehicle buyers in Malaysia are increasingly moving up the value ladder, with more vehicle buyers showing interest in SUVs, according to the J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (Mass Market) Study released today.

Customers who purchased an SUV have higher satisfaction than small car buyers (806 vs. 794 points, on a 1,000-point scale). Overall sales satisfaction in the mass market segment is 800, an increase of 16 points from 2018. A look at the 5-year growth trajectory for SUVs shows that the proportion of small car and MPV/van buyers have both dropped (each by 5 percentage points). For small car buyers, good fuel efficiency and low monthly instalments cumulatively make up 48% of the main reasons for purchase.

The study, in its 17th year for the Malaysian market, also found the proportion of replacement vehicle buyers is increasing (26% vs. 21% in 2018) and that of additional vehicle buyers decreasing (51% vs. 56% in 2018). On a related note, vehicle trade-ins—ever important to dealer profitability—are on the rise (21% vs. 17% in 2018). However, more customers are unhappy with the trade-in price received, stating it to be below expectations (34% vs. 28% in 2018).

The study also included a Net Promoter Score (NPS) which measures new vehicle owners’ likelihood to recommend their vehicle brand on a 0-10 point scale.

Customer lounge
Upgraded facilities contribute to a more satisfying ownership experience for customers.

Additional key findings of the 2019 study:
♦ Clear communications on vehicle price: Customers who say they paid more than expected for their new vehicle have lower satisfaction than those who found the price to be in line with expectations (751 vs. 810, respectively).This underlines the need for clear communications to avoid unwelcome surprises during the sales journey.

♦ Upgraded facilities get a thumbs-up: More dealership facilities are equipped with amenities to enhance customer comfort for a better sales experience. Improvements are seen in features ranging from displays of vehicle accessories (48% vs. 43% in 2018) to something as essential as comfortable seating space (84% vs. 77% in 2018).

♦ Test drives boost satisfaction: While only 6% of buyers were told that a test drive vehicle was not available, this is essential for dealerships. Buyers who experience this scenario typically have a lower satisfaction (-94 points) than those who take test drives at the dealership of purchase.

Test drive

Toyota showroom

For this year’s study, Toyota ranked highest in overall sales satisfaction with a score of 835. In second position was Mitsubishi (831) while Nissan was third (810). The study involved 2,045 new vehicle owners who purchased their vehicle between July 2018 and July 2019, and was conducted from January through September 2019. The owners were selected independently and not recommended by any car company and were also assessed for suitability for the study.

J.D. Power 2019 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index Study

PISTON.MY

There are a lot of ways car companies here in Malaysia have been rewarding their loyal customers. As a token of appreciation for their loyalty and support, Naza Kia Malaysia gifted 62 winners of the “Fuel Your Freedom, Discover Malaysia with Kia’ Contest with RM620 worth of petrol cards last weekend at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. (more…)

The ‘jaga keretas’ of the old days at carparks are rarely seen these days with automation having taken over and companies offering carpark management services. In most places, especially in shopping malls and office complexes, a motorist usually has to take a ticket (or use an electronic payment card) to gain entry into the carpark. When exiting, payment has to be made prior to departure, either at payment machines or at the departure point. The process requires a bit of time to complete – take ticket and wait for barrier to be raised – and in some places with high traffic volumes, congestion can be an issue.

A smoother, faster way in and out
The Sunway Group aims to make the process smoother with Sunway Smart Parking system which will be introduced at its properties in Sunway City, Subang Jaya, Selangor, during the first quarter of 2020. At present, the system is already offered to season parkers at the various properties which include Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Hotels and Menara Sunway.

With Sunway Smart Parking, drivers do not need to retrieve and pay using a parking ticket when they enter and exit. Instead, a key element of the system will enable them to just drive up to the barrier and then continue when it raises. This element is the License Plate Recognition (LPR) system which uses technology provided by JIESHUN, a company in China with 6 years of experience in automated carpark management.

Sunway Smart Parking
With the Smart Parking system, there is no need to stop to take a ticket or swipe a card.

Motorists just need to register their vehicle registration number (and provide some personal details) through the Sunway Parking portal. When registered with the system, their vehicle numberplates will be scanned by the LPR system and if it is in the system the barrier will lift to allow entry.

95% recognition rate for numberplates
According to a representative from the company providing the LPR technology (which has 6 years of experience in the field), the recognition rate is 95%, compared to 99.7% in China. The recognition rate can be improved over time as more samples are obtained for the database although in time, the level of enforcement regarding numberplates should also be more stringent.

Sunway Smart Parking
A camera scans the numberplate to check if it is registered in the system.

The second part of the fully integrated Smart Parking system is the extensive methods of payment available to motorists. From the outset, Sunway has already established partnerships with GrabPay, Boost, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Touch’NGo Digital, and Maybank QR along with credit/debit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, and MyDebit.

All these e-wallets and credit/debit cards can be linked to the vehicle so departure is as hassle-free as entry as the parking fee will be automatically deducted. It would also be possible to do it the ‘old-fashioned’ way by paying with the ‘king’ – cash – at machines.

Sunway
The Smart Parking system aims to eliminate the hassle of using tickets and looking for payment machines. However, there will still be the option of paying by cash at machines if motorists do not have e-wallets to link to the system. The machine on the left is for season parkers presently using the LPR system.

The cashless and ticketless parking experience is part of Sunway’s digitalisation journey to enable hassle-free experiences for its shoppers. Sunway Smart Parking will also reduce the carbon footprint of shoppers, in line with Sunway’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are pushing forth on our digitalisation journey. With revolutionary technology, we want to continue introducing new seamless, exciting shopping experiences to our shoppers to enable hassle-free experiences with greater convenience. From our comprehensive award-winning Sunway Pyramid Mobile app with real-time navigation to this new parking system, we will continue to give our shoppers more reasons to choose us as their preferred lifestyle destination,” said H.C. Chan, CEO of Sunway Malls & Theme Parks.

Security and parking capacity
On the issue of security – a car thief can just drive a car out if all that is required is for the numberplate to be verified – the Smart Parking system has a LOCK feature to prevent this. The owner of the vehicle can manually activate this when required and the vehicle will not be allowed to exit.

Carpark
While getting it and out quickly would be welcome, most carparks have the problem of enough capacity and shoppers avoid some places because they don’t want to endure the frustration of spending 45 minutes searching for a space.

It is commendable that Sunway is introducing the Smart Parking convenience for motorists using its carparks. Howver, there is still the frustration of finding a parking space. It’s the capacity issue which has limits, but Mr. Chan said that the company will keep working on reducing the frustrations for motorists through more efficient management of its 10,000 carpark spaces currently available.

While the Smart Parking system will only commence next year, motorists who register their vehicle registration numbers during the pre-registration period will get the chance to enjoy one-time free parking when the system is operational. More information can be found at www.sunwaypyramid.com/smartparking or by calling 03-7494 3185.

PISTON.MY

If owning the latest Mercedes-Benz G-Class is still not enough to ‘make a statement’, BRABUS ADVENTURE has a PowerXtra performance upgrade that not only enhances the macho looks but also increases its off-road capabilities to make a stronger staement.

For the owners of the new G-Class turbodiesel version G 350 d, BRABUS has a new performance upgrade that pushes output to 326 bhp/660 Nm. The power unit engineers developed the module for the straight-six turbodiesel engine with common-rail direct injection. The plug-and-play auxiliary control unit is adapted to the CAN bus of the G-Class.

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

The claimed driving performance is certainly impressive for a diesel-powered off-roader weighing about 2.5 metric tons: from rest, it can reach 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and then go on to a top speed of 202 km/h.

An all-stainless BRABUS sport exhaust system is of course also available for the G 350 d. It features the unmistakable distinctive mark of BRABUS – two chrome tailpipes in the unusual side-pipe design on each side of the vehicle.

The off-road capabilities of a vehicle depend not only on the powertrain and tyres but also and especially the ground clearance when the terrain gets rougher. That is why the BRABUS suspension engineers developed special height-adjustable BRABUS ADVENTURE sport springs for the electronically-controlled, height-adjustable G-Class suspension. They allow raising the vehicle by up to another 40 mm.

In order to optimize the off-road capabilities further, the fender flares of the BRABUS WIDESTAR widebody tower over 20-inch Monoblock R wheels with maximum-traction off-road 285/55R20 tyres. The pivoted spare wheel carrier with carbonfibre cover holds a fifth wheel of the same specification for emergencies.

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

Other options that make the G-Model also fit for expeditions are the winch at the front and the wind deflector above the windshield, which with its 4 LED auxiliary headlamps improves illumination of the terrain in the dark. Further useful features are a large, robust luggage rack that spans the entire roof and a ladder at the rear that facilitates loading and unloading.

BRABUS refinement inside
The interior can be refined with exclusive BRABUS fine leather Mastik leather/Alcantara appointments in any conceivable colour and a wide variety of designs. The pictures show one example for customers with the centre sections of the seats and door panels given an arrowhead pattern quilting applied with pinpoint precision.

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

To create an attractive contrast to the black leather, white piping and decorative seams were incorporated in various places. Tailor-made aluminium components such as pedals, door-lock pins and ergonomically-shaped paddle shifters on the steering wheel are among the options available.

With its long experience and 40-year track record, BRABUS is confident of all the upgrading work and components installed and offers customers a 3-year/100,000-km Tuning Warranty (with terms and conditions applicable).

BRABUS ADVENTURE G-CLASS

(more…)

Perhaps you may not have realised it but many years after a model has ceased to be produced, genuine parts from the manufacturer are still available from its own service centres or authorised parts stockists. Some may be surplus stock but there will also be many parts that continue to be made after production of the model (or generation) had stopped. This ensures that subsequent owners of the model can still get genuine parts which are made to the same high quality standards as when the model was still in production.

It’s a sort of ‘unwritten’ industry practice that parts for a model will continue to be available from the manufacturer for at least 10 years after the end of production. For a market leader like Perodua, which has been producing cars since 1994 and put over 3.7 million vehicles on Malaysian roads, there’s a major responsibility to ensure that the parts remain available. This is especially so in Malaysia where there is still no ‘end-of-life’ policy so cars tend to be used for a long time.

Perodua old models
Since 1994, Perodua has put over 3.7 million vehicles on Malaysian roads and many are still running.

One-third of parts demand for old models
Currently, a third of the demand for Perodua parts is for past models such as the first-generation Myvi, Viva, Kelisa and even the Kancil. Besides making the parts at its own factory complex, Perodua has also assigned some parts to Industrial Quality Management (IQM) Sdn Bhd, its supplier since 2002. IQM currently supplies metal stamping, body assembly parts and brake tube components to Perodua. It also began making Viva parts when production of the model ended in 2014 and last year. it began making parts for the second-generation Myvi on a dedicated new line.

Today, Perodua announced that it is centralising parts production for its past models with the launch of a new press stamping machine at its facility within IQM’s factory located in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The move is one of Perodua’s many initiatives with its suppliers to help expand their business and capabilities, bringing them one step closer to becoming global automotive suppliers.

IQM Tg Malim, Perak
The IQM factory in Tanjung Malim, Perak

Freeing up space and simplifying operations
At the same time, this frees up much-needed space in Perodua’s complex, simplifies the entire operation, reduces lead time and cost, and makes it easier to monitor under one roof. Perodua also assists IQM in terms of skill transfer and training where past model parts production is concerned.

A RM7 million investment on the machine, including its transportation and installation, was made by Perodua entirely. The 1,600-metric tonne hydraulic press stamping machine will produce body parts such as bonnets, side outer panels, rear quarter panels, fenders, doors and roofs for past Perodua models. The dies required to make the past model parts have also been moved to IQM.

Perodua Viva replacement parts
The parts made by IQM for the Perodua Viva since 2014.
Perodua
Dies for body panels to be produced with the new press stamping machine which required an investment of RM7 million.

Supporting owners of past models
“Perodua’s decision to centralise past model parts production at IQM is 4-pronged. One, we want to continue supporting owners of our past models with quality, quick and affordable parts through our Body & Paint business, because as long as you own a Perodua vehicle – old or new – we will always be there for you,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Two, we are committed to empowering all 135 of our Malaysian suppliers, not just by buying from them but helping to develop them via skill and technology transfers. Three, it represents our commitment to the nation and its economy by helping to boost the competitiveness of the Malaysian automotive eco-system,” he added. “Finally, it represents our commitment to ourselves. To keep improving our quality and efficiency so that Perodua can be a better and leaner company moving forward,”

Perodua B&P
Old models undergoing repairs at a Body & Paint facility after an accident may require body parts which must be properly manufactured to ensure safety and strength.

With all its current models having over 90% of parts purchased locally, Perodua is naturally the biggest buyer of automotive components in the country. It has spent RM4.5 billion on parts so far this year out of a planned RM5.4 billion for the whole of 2019.

Visit www.perodua.com.my to locate a service centre where you can purchase Perodua Genuine Parts.

(more…)

What does it feel like to work with a virtual robot? Well, the employees over at Audi know the experience as they’re currently working hand in hand with virtual PC robots at their workstations. Their job is pretty simple but crucial to get it right every time; entering countless data and creating standardised reports faster and more efficiently without any errors. (more…)

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