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Quick and easy way to renew roadtax and insurance for your vehicle

During the Movement Control Period (MCO), virtually all business activities were suspended in Malaysia and for motorists, things like roadtax renewal or transfers of vehicle ownership could not be done as the JPJ (Road Transport Department) was closed.

However, for vehicles that had expired roadtax during the MCP period, the government said that there will be no penalty and the owner could continue using the vehicles on public roads (the same applied to expired driving licences). But insurance coverage is needed at all times.

With the Recovery MCO implemented, the Transport Ministry is telling motorists that they need to renew their expired driving licences, roadtax and insurance as quickly as possible. JPJ records show that over 2 million vehicles registered in Malaysian have expired roadtaxes so there is going to be ‘congestion’ as owners apply for renewals.

To help address this as well as an alarming number of uninsured vehicles on the road, Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad is collaborating with Finology Sdn Bhd and their affiliate partner PayLink Global (M) Sdn Bhd (Payquik) to provide roadtax renewal services and motor insurance purchase via Payquik’s network of kiosks which are the first of its kind in Malaysia.

Through this strategic collaboration, motorists will be able to review their roadtax or purchase motor insurance coverage easily for cars and motorcycles. There are approximately 250 Payquik kiosks available nationwide, located primarily in the offices of utility companies, shopping malls and government buildings so Malaysians can access them while running errands such as paying bills or grocery shopping.

Junior Cho, Zurich General Insurance’s CEO, said: “We are constantly seeking fresh solutions that would meet the market’s evolving needs. Modern lifestyles have fueled the growing demand for convenience and ease of purchasing goods and services. As economic activities resume, we understand the importance of roadtax renewal, as well as motor insurance so Malaysians can commute to work with peace of mind as the renewal exemption period ends. This three-way collaboration with Finology and Payquik will provide wider access for drivers as well as riders to obtain the service and protection they need in a fast and easy manner.”

According to the 2018 statistics from JPJ, there are about 29 million registered vehicles in Malaysia. Out of this, only 19 million vehicles have their roadtax renewed every year and about 95% of those with expired roadtax are motorcycles.

”One might ask why a service kiosk is necessary if people have the option of paying online now. The reality is that there are still customers who prefer to pay with cash or who do not own a credit card. This means that these people do not have sufficient access to the necessary financial services online,” explained Jared Lim, MD of Finology. “Enabling motor insurance purchasing and road tax renewal through kiosks is a great alternative to paying online or over the counter. Plus, these kiosks are available 24 hours, allowing customers to make purchase or renewal at their convenience.”

The latest collaboration is a joint effort to promote financial inclusion and offer Malaysians comprehensive coverage while on the road. In 2019, Zurich and Finology collaborated to offer customers end-to-end online insurance quotation and purchase services via Finology’s platform.

Top Honda Civic variant now has advanced Honda SENSING safety systems

Earlier in the year, the 2020 Honda Civic was launched (along with the 2020 Accord) but as it came out about 20 days before the government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) that suspended all business operations in the country, sales were limited. Nevertheless, according to Honda Malaysia, over 2,900 units have already been delivered nationwide, with more than 6,500 booking received up till the end of June.

Today, it has been announced that the Civic – the leader in the C-segment and Honda’s third bestselling model in Malaysia – has been upgraded with Next Generation Advanced Technology. The top variant now has Honda SENSING as well as Honda LaneWatch.

First introduced in the CR-V (in Malaysia), Honda SENSING is an integrated suite of 8 active safety systems that help the driver to avoid accidents. The systems use cameras and radar to monitor the presence of other vehicles ahead and prevent collisions, as well as lane markings to alert the driver if the car is moving out of the lane (or even off the road).

LaneWatch is a very useful feature that provides the driver with a view along the blind spot on the left side of the car. It uses a small camera in the door mirror on the left side (pictured above left) and the real-time image is displayed on the screen on the dashboard (above right), coming on whenever the left signal is activated.

The advantage of having LaneWatch is that the driver’s head does not need to turn so much, compared to turning considerably to look at the left mirror. The head needs to just turn a bit to see the display screen which is in the middle of the dashboard. Guidelines embedded in the image provide reference points to indicate the distance of another vehicle or motorcyclist.

2020 Honda Civic — *There are different wheel diameters and designs for each of the three variants.*

All variants are equipped with standard safety features such as 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handle Assist , Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, ABS, Brake Assist, Auto Brake Hold, ISOFIX points in the rear seat. The parking sensors in the front bumper are also said to be new.

The Civic continues to be available with a 173 ps/220 Nm DOHC VTEC 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as well as a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine (141 ps/174 Nm). Both engines are paired with a CVT and can bring the car up to a claimed top speed of 200 km/h.

“The New Civic now sets an even higher benchmark in the C-segment, offering a complete technologically advanced sedan that continues to be well-received by young adults, young urban families, professionals and tech-savvy individuals. With the PENJANA initiative [exempting sales tax], this model now receives a substantial reduction, giving customers more reason to own the New Civic,” said Toichi Ishiyama, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO.

Unlike the Japanese market, where demand for the Civic has been so low that the company has withdrawn it from the domestic range, the model has been consistently popular in Malaysia. With high demand, there is a waiting period which the company says is presently one month.

2020 Honda Civic Modulo — *You can add Modulo accessories designed for the Civic to have sportier looks.*

The White Orchid Pearl colour (which incurs extra cost) appears to be the favourite among customers, representing 42% of the overall sales for the latest Civic. So if you want your car faster, maybe you should choose from the other four colours, or tell the sales representative that you’ll take whatever colour is readily available.

The new Civic is available in three variants, with the 1.5-litre engine powering two of them. Prices without insurance range from RM109,326.51 to RM134,661.28 and the reduced prices will be available until December 31, 2020. More information and the locations of showrooms for viewing and test-drives can be found at www.honda.com.my.

Revised Price List for Honda Models, effective from today till December 31, 2020

Toyota RAV4 becomes Suzuki ACROSS PHEV for European market

Two years ago, Suzuki and Toyota agreed to work together on joint projects for technological development, vehicle Production, and market development. Apart from the mutual supply of vehicles for the Indian market, where Suzuki has a strong presence, the two companies have also worked on sharing models.

For Toyota, it would mean a higher volume for a model and help push production costs down while for Suzuki, it would mean having a new model without the high cost of developing it. A win-win situation.

The first model to be shared is Toyota’s latest RAV4 which has been supplied to Suzuki and sold as the ACROSS. While the ‘double octagonal’ RAV4 design is evident, Suzuki’s stylists have given their SUV a different frontal look from Toyota’s model. Under the front bumper is silver garnish that underlines the off-road image of the vehicle.

2020 Suzuki ACROSS — *The front end of the Suzuki has a different look from the Toyota RAV4 (below).*

For European market
Intended for sale in the European market from the third quarter of 2020, the ACROSS has also uses the same Plug-in Hybrid system as that for the RAV4. The powertrain consists of a front electric motor producing 134 kW/270 Nm and a 2.5-litre Dynamic Force petrol engine, both of which are Toyota items.

Electricity storage is in an 18.1 kWh (50.9 Ah) high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor. The engine functions as a charger for the battery pack and provides power assistance to the electric motor during high-speed driving if required.

The hybrid powertrain helps Suzuki to meet the tougher carbon dioxide emission regulations as well as offer high fuel efficiency.

Electronic 4×4 system
The Across also has Toyota’s E-Four electronic 4×4 system for additional capability in off-road or slippery conditions. The system uses an independent 40 kW rear motor that works in conjunction with the front motor to provide front:rear torque variation ranging from 100:00 to 20:80.

Beneﬁts of this system include enhanced stability during take-off on slippery surfaces such as snow-covered roads, and more stable handling when cornering on varying road surfaces. A ‘Trail Mode’ uses an automatic limited-slip diﬀerential control to ensure the best possible grip and control on slippery surfaces.

Central to the E-Four system is the highly sophisticated AWD Integrated Management (AIM), which controls not only drive force distribution, but also engine throttle control, transmission shift scheduling, Electric Power Steering assistance and braking, according to the driving conditions.

Same interior as RAV4
The interior environment is pretty much similar to the RAV4’s and not surprisingly shares the same high-quality materials with soft padding on the dashboard and door trims.

While cabin space is designed for the comfort of occupants in both the first and second rows, cargo space has been maximised in the spacious rear compartment. It has a 490-litre volume with the rear backrests up and up to 1,604 litres with both backrests folded down.

Advanced safety/technology features
To meet the demanding safety expectation of consumers in Europe, the ACROSS comes with a package of safety systems to help the driver. These include a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Tracing Assist and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Crossing Traffic Alert.

If the systems sound familiar, they are the same as what it found on the RAV4, which again saves Suzuki money as they do not have to incur development costs to make their own safety systems.

In Europe, new vehicles are also required to have eCall, a feature which automatically alerts emergency services with a phone message when the vehicle is involved in a traﬃc accident. The message includes the precise location of the vehicle, helping the emergency services to reach it faster.

The practice of one manufacturer making and supplying models to another is not new and has been going on for quite some time. In fact, it is quite common in Japan. With the market becoming more and more challenging and competitive, it only makes sense to share models and reduce cost. Each brand will have its own loyal base of customers who will be happy to have an extra choice, even if it is not made by the company.

Toyota and Suzuki Strengthen Ties with Capital Alliance Agreement

Perodua reports strong sales in June with 21,250 vehicles delivered

The government’s move to exempt the 10% sales tax on new locally-assembled vehicles is aimed at helping the auto industry to recover after the many weeks of being forced to suspend operations. Hopefully, it will encourage people to buy at a time when many are concerned about the future.

The move seems to be working as most companies have reported seeing more orders coming in. No. 1 brand Perodua has reported a sales volume of around 21,250 vehicles for the month of June. That’s the highest figure it has registered so far in 2020 and nearly triple of the May volume (although showrooms were open only after the middle of the month). Its total volume after the first 6 months of 2020 is in the region of 74,000 units; in the same month a year ago, the volume was 121,782 units.

Perodua sales 2020 — *Note: June sales volume is approximate, pending release of data by the Malaysian Automotive Association.*

Of course, Perodua has usually been slightly behind the supply curve – not necessarily a bad thing – as it has had a backlog of orders due to the popularity of its models. The suspension of business for many weeks would have reduced the backlog somewhat although new demand should fill the order books again before long.

Perodua managed to deliver 8,601 vehicles in March before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect on the 18th day, halting the carmaker’s nationwide operations for two months. The carmaker officially restarted nationwide on May 19 and delivered 7,886 vehicles before the month ended.

“The government’s sales tax exemption move has had many benefits. Buyers can enjoy reduced vehicle prices – in Perodua’s case, 3%-6% less – until the end of 2020,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Click here for the current Perodua pricelist

On the aftersales side, operating hours have also been extended (at selected service centres). “Customers looking to service their vehicles are invited to secure an appointment with their service centre of choice,” said Dato’ Zainal.

As always, Perodua does not forget the need to help suppliers who were impacted by the MCO. According to Dato’ Zainal, the company purchased nearly RM500 million worth of local components in June alone. “The sizeable volume increase we’ve had as a result of the increased sales allows us to help the supplier and dealer ecosystem in this time of need,” he said.

“We reiterate our commitment to the government, as Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume, to help the industry and ecosystem wherever we can, including sustaining employment, so that we can all get through this difficult time,” he added.

Perodua supports government initiatives to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry

Updated Volkswagen Tiguan range includes Tiguan R variant!

Launched in 2016, Volkswagen’s most popular model – the Tiguan SUV – has been updated and refreshed for 2020. The new model, launched today, is electrifed, digitalised and networked. It gets a new plug-in hybrid drive but the big news is that the SUV line will now also include a Tiguan R variant for the very first time.

At this time, full technical data on the Tiguan R is limited. But it is known that under the bonnet will be a turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine tuned to deliver about 318 ps/420Nm. The power will flow through a 7-speed DSG and a new all-wheel drive with selective wheel torque control for this new high-performance variant.

It also has R-Performance Torque Vectoring which is said to enable totally new SUV driving dynamics by distributing the drive power variably between the front and rear axles as well as the left and right rear wheels.

New face with visual links
Design-wise, the Tiguan gets a new ‘face’, with the radiator grille having visual links to the larger Touareg and US-market Atlas Cross Sport. The bonnet is more concise in its appearance and the new radiator grille with LED headlights is wider, with the new Volkswagen badge positioned centrally at the front.

The bumpers have also undergone a makeover. At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is now in a prominent central position below the VW badge. As would be expected, the Tiguan R is 10 mm lower than other Tiguans, with 21-inch Estoril wheels at each corner.

Inside the new Tiguan
The new steering wheel generation features touch controls and the interior designers have also digitalised the climate control functions by means of touch sliders and touch buttons. Also coming in the new Tiguan is a third-generation modular infotainment matrix (MIB3) that extends the online connectivity for the SUV. The optional 480W sound system comes from Harman Kardon.

Assisted Driving up to 210 km/h
Volkswagen is steadily moving towards autonomous motoring and those who use the Tiguan will be able to experience it with the new Travel Assist system. It is capable of providing assisted driving at speed up to 210 km/h. The system relies on systems including Adaptive Cruise Control (longitudinal guidance) and Lane Assist/lane keeping (latitudinal guidance).

For legal and safety-relevant reasons, drivers must permanently monitor the system – for this purpose, they must have at least one hand on the steering wheel. Thanks to new capacitive sensor technology in the steering wheel, it is sufficient if drivers merely touch it. However, if they let go of the steering wheel for more than 15 seconds, visual and audible warning signals and a braking jolt are issued and implemented. The driver must react by this point at the latest and touch the steering wheel, otherwise Emergency Assist is activated and the vehicle is brought to a stop.

2020 Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid — *The new Tiguan will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain as part of Volkswagen’s electrification strategy.*

As the Tiguan is assembled in Malaysia, it can be expected that this updated one will eventually be in local showrooms – although the R variant is unlikely to be a regular offering.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about models available in Malaysia and the latest promotions.

Volkswagen Tiguan has crossed 6-million mark and remains VW’s bestseller

Two more UMW Toyota Motor branch outlets transferred to dealers

Over the past few years, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has been transferring its own branch outlets to dealers and other interested parties to take over retail operations. The move, as explained in October 2017, has been to enhance operation excellence.

UMWT would increase intensity on high value-added upstream activities such as product development, marketing and dealer network support, while the dealerships would have greater focus on customer-related activities.

The Malaysian car industry has been dominated by distributor-owned outlets for decade, somewhat different from other markets where dealerships are more independent. This new move departs from that business model and has been ongoing for UMWT.

Section 19 Toyota — *The 3S outlet at Section 19 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is now operated by Laser Motor instead of UMWT.*

Two more of its branch outlets in the Klang Valley have been transferred to dealers with effect from today. The dealers are established companies with a long association with Toyota and UMWT. They are Laser Motor which takes over the Section 19 outlet in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and Fokus Sentral which takes over the outlet in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

“It is essential for UMWT to continue achieving high customer satisfaction standards,” said Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor. “I am extremely excited about working even more closely with our dealers to realise a shared vision for UMWT, which is to promise the concept of ‘Best In Town’, meaning more focused one to one customer engagement. Although this arrangement signifies an important change for UMWT, our customers should rest assured that our service will not be compromised, but get even better in the future.”

Customer service — *For customers, the transition won’t make any difference and it will be ‘business as usual’.*

For UMWT’s significant customer base of Toyota owners, the change should have no effect – apart from the promise that things will be even better in coming years. In other words, it’s ‘business as usual’. The transition is seamless but allows for a strong entrepreneurial spirit to create more value that benefits the local economy. As businessmen, the dealers want to succeed and build their business so they will give their best efforts, which is of course good for Toyota owners.