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No charges for scheduled servicing during first two years of Ford Ranger ownership

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is constantly looking for ways to give its customers a better deal and for those who are interested in buying a new Ford Ranger WildTrak or XLT Plus model, there is now free scheduled servicing for the first two years of ownership.

Available for 2021 model year units, the 2-year free servicing package (terms and conditions apply) is available on a first come, first served basis (while stocks last). As with all Ranger models, the WildTrak and XLT Plus are backed by Ford’s new 5-year/160,000 kms manufacturer’s warranty.

“We’re constantly evolving to find ways to deliver more value-add to customers. The 2-year free service offer aims to provide peace of mind for customers, especially in these challenging times,” said Turse Zuhair, MD of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

“Additionally, virtual consultations with a Ford Ranger Specialist not only ensures customer safety amidst the ongoing pandemic, it also raises the level of personalised experience and convenience that customers are looking for,” he said.

He was referring to the company’s recent enhancement of its customer service with the introduction of the Ford Ranger Specialists. These are dedicated experts on the products who can help new and existing customers to be more familiar with the many vehicle features and benefits. By knowing more about their vehicle, they will be able to get the most out of their Rangers and enjoy using the pick-up truck.

There are two powertrain choices – a 213 ps/500 Nm 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission with the Ranger Wildtrak, and a 180 ps/420 Nm 2-litre Single-Turbo diesel engine with the Ranger XLT Plus.

Besides refinement that is above average for a pick-up truck, the Ranger Wildtrak also comes with very high safety standards. The smart safety technologies include first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking. There are also convenience features such as keyless entry with pushstart button and the Easy Lift Tailgate.

For more information, visit www.sdacford.com.my or send a WhatsApp message to +6019 204 1200. A Ford Ranger Specialist will respond to the message and provide assistance and information. Test-drives and viewing at showrooms are not available at this time due to ongoing MCO restrictions.

2021 Ford Rangers get 5-year warranty as standard

1989 Proton Saga wins Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional in the UK

Proton began exporting cars to the UK in 1988 and at its first display at the British Motor Show in Birmingham that year, the young Malaysian brand won three awards for its Proton Saga. 33 years later, that same model can still win awards in the UK as the winner of the 2021 Hagerty Concours de l’Ordinaire (Festival of the Unexceptional) held recently.

Only remaining one of 201 special units
A 1989 Proton Saga 1.5 was picked by 6 judges as the winner of the seventh edition of the event for car models from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The Saga was one of 201 units of a special edition known as ‘Black Knight’ which was imported and distributed by Proton UK. It is the only one of that special series remaining. Between 1988 and 2001, Proton exported 124,980 cars to the UK which was its largest overseas market.

When the car was put away in a garage in 1993, it had only 3,600 miles (4,186 kms) on the odometer. It appeared in public again in 2017 and the current owner, Jon Coupland, added it to his Proton collection which now numbers three cars. The Saga has since clocked another 9,400 miles (15,134 kms).

1989 Proton Saga Black Knight at Hagerty event — *Malaysians will be very familiar with this dashboard but the version exported to the UK market had a different design around the instrument panel which was adapted from the Mitsubishi Lancer.*

*At the 1988 British Motor Show, Proton won its first three international awards for the Proton Saga which made its introduction in the market that year.*

Other notable winners this year
The runner-up prize went to Danny Wilson’s Peugeot 106 which was bought for just £500 via Facebook Marketplace. Special mentions went to James Green for his 1989 Nissan Bluebird, Charles Whilems and his 1986 Volkswagen Polo C Formel E, Chris Howells and his 1971 Triumph Toledo and Simon Hucknall for his 1977 Fiat 128. All of these cars impressed the individual judges and warranted their place in the 2021 Unexceptional Hall of Fame.

Speaking at the event, James Mills, Hagerty’s UK Editor, said: “What stood out for me this year was the number of fantastic cars fielded by younger entrants. It’s great to see the next generation of enthusiasts showing a real passion for everyday, ordinary, and unexceptional classics and demonstrates the growing love for this accessible scene. Our Festival started out as a small, cult event but today we saw thousands of visitors make the trip to admire the unsung heroes of the classic car world.”

Besides organising events ‘to keep driving alive for car-lovers and drive positive change in the world’, Hagerty is the world’s largest provider of specialist insurance for enthusiast vehicles and supports keeping car culture alive through youth programs, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA), the RPM Foundation and more.

LOOKING BACK – Remembering the birth of the Proton Saga and what it meant to the nation

Five unused and unregistered Bentley Mulsanne Limousines by Mulliner built in 2015 now offered for sale

Back in 2015, Bentley’s Mulliner division handbuilt a special version of the Mulsanne which was a fine example of the personalisation skills of Mulliner. The distinguished car, known as the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner, was shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and was said to have had a customer. It was an impressive car and a modelmaker in Japan even made 1/18 diecast models of it for sale.

Apparently, an order was placed by the Bentley dealer in the United Arab Emirates for 5 limousines exactly as what was displayed in Geneva. Presumably the dealer was going to sell them but somehow, they remained unsold, unused and of course, never registered. Now those 5 limousines are being offered for sale, with delivery anywhere in the world available as required.

The Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner is an imposing car as it is 1 metre longer than the standard car which is by no means small either. It also has a raised roof to provide an additional 79 mm of headroom in the rear. The result is the longest manufacturer-built limousine in the world, its shape adapted to the length of its wheelbase.

Having already been built, the exterior finishes are Silver Frost over Moroccan Blue, Damson over Black Crystal, Onyx over Candy Red, Rubino Red over Light Gazelle and a single tone Black Sapphire. The stretched body sits on a chassis and suspension that were specially re-engineered by Bentley. Power comes from by Bentley’s iconic 6¾-litre twin turbo V8 engine with 512 ps/1,020 Nm.

The interiors are, of course, unique as well with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. The cabin was designed around the need for 4 passenger seats of equal comfort. Their arrangement, which was inspired by luxury private aviation, includes two rear-facing seats, allowing passengers to talk face-to-face.

Emphasising the truly luxurious travelling experience, a bottle cooler with crystal flutes sits between the front-facing seats, with a beverage cabinet with bespoke crystal tumblers between the rear facing seats. Veneered, folding picnic tables allow the occupants to work comfortably on the move, with iPad docking and charging stations. Bentley craftsmanship is further evidenced by the three handmade dials, which display UK and local time, alongside the exterior temperature.

A custom heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was designed and built by Bentley Mulliner, specifically for the Mulsanne Grand Limousine. With two discrete zones, it provides each of the four rear passengers control of their own micro-climates, without affecting the experience of their travelling companions.

Among the many additional bespoke digital features, the limousines are equipped with an intercom system for communication with the driver. The interior division between the front seats and the rear features electrochromic ‘smart glass’, the first time this technology has been implemented in a Bentley. At the touch of a button, the entire panel can be switched from transparent to opaque, for complete privacy.

The Mulsanne chapter in Bentley history ends

Huawei and GAC to jointly develop fully electric SUV for launch at the end of 2023

Huawei, a manufacturer well known for its smartphones and portable electronic devices, is teaming up with the GAC Group to develop a smart SUV. While this will be the first jointly developed product, the two companies already have had a strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2017. This is for working together in the fields of intelligent connected electric vehicle technology.

Additionally, in September 2020, the two companies signed an agreement to further deepen cooperation, with a focus on computing and communication architecture in accordance with the development trend towards software-heavy vehicles.

This latest strategic cooperation will see a new generation of intelligent vehicles (likely to be up to 8 models) and digital platforms. The smart SUV, to enter the market by the end of 2023, and multiple other future models will utilize GAC’s GEP.30 chassis platform and Huawei’s CCA (Computing and Communication Architecture), as well as carrying Huawei’s full stack of intelligent vehicle solutions.

Initial development has commenced on the model which will be a medium to large fully electric SUV. The company says it will be ‘futuristic, powerful and efficient, with Level 4 autonomous capability’. The new model will be part of GAC’s entirely electrified line-up of vehicles by 2025.

*GAC not only has R&D centres in America but has also displayed its models and concept cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.*

Over the last few years, GAC has been successful in its vehicle electrification program as well as various areas of new energy technology, essential for the market in China. The GAC Group has established R&D centres around the world and has allocated billions of yuan in funding.

The joint venture between GAC and Huawei is timely as the global market for electric vehicles is growing. Data predicts that the EV global market will expand almost 5 times between 2016 and 2027, an annual increase of 20%.

The GAC Group has a history going back to 1955 but it only began to develop rapidly from the 1990s, as with most of the domestic carmakers in China. It produces passenger as well as commercial vehicles, most of which are adapted from models of foreign partners such as Honda, Fiat, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Toyota/Hino.

GR Heritage Parts Project adds Toyota Land Cruiser 40 Series to its list of models

The Toyota Land Cruiser has been around for 70 years and approximately 10.4 million units have been sold all over the world. In some markets like Malaysia, it was the first Toyota model to be sold, establishing the brand which would become a household name. In fact, the history of the Land Cruiser symbolizes Toyota’s QDR―Quality, Durability and Reliability

Of the millions that were sold, many are still in service. Being 4×4 vehicles, they have been ideal in less developed regions where the terrain is rough or road conditions are poor. The replacement parts for the older models may not be so easy to find as an industry norm is that original parts are produced for up to 10 years after a model has ended production. After that, there may be some third-party suppliers who will produce parts for the aftermarket business.

*Old Land Cruisers still in use by loggers in Russia (left) and fishermen in Oman (right).*

For those who own the 40 Series Land Cruiser (produced between 1960 and 1984), there is good news regarding replacement parts. Toyota, through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR), will re-produce a selection of parts for the model as part of the GR Heritage Parts Project.

The project is intended to re-produce spare parts that have been discontinued and sell them as genuine parts through a special collaboration with suppliers. This will address a shortage of spare parts that has been evident in recent years and enable Land Cruiser owners to continue to use their vehicles.

TGR has carried out preliminary surveys with exclusive Land Cruiser dealers and fan club representatives from various countries and gained useful insights into what is required. They have learnt that there is demand for parts related to driving, turning, and braking for the 40 Series Land Cruiser. These parts include engines, drivelines, and exhaust systems, which will be supplied as ‘heritage parts’.

*Parts will be re-produced for engines such as the Toyota 2F which was one of the powerplants used by the Land Cruiser 40 Series.*

Availability of the parts will be announced in the early part of 2022. Additionally, TGR is preparing a questionnaire on its website where customers can submit their parts requests. This feedback will be used in the selection of the parts to be re-produced.

The 40 Series Land Cruiser is the third model for the TGR heritage parts project. The company is already supplying selected heritage parts for the Supra (A70 and A80) and the 2000GT. In addition to the 40 Series, the company is also looking at the possibility of re-producing parts for later generations of the model.

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and you may not show symptoms but spread the coronavirus. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings organises in-house vaccination programme for employees

The National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) is intended to vaccinate a large proportion of the Malaysian population in order to achieve ‘herd immunity’ as well as provide better resistance against the serious effects of COVID-19 infection. The government is funding the programme which the private sector also supports.

With the increasing daily number of administered COVID-19 vaccine doses nationwide, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) has initiated engagements under various vaccination programmes including the Public-Private Partnership COVID-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS), a vaccination programme by MITI for employees in the manufacturing sector.

Aiming for fully vaccinated workforce
TCMH has organized its COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for all its employees nationwide who may not have received their vaccinations through the mySejahtera channel. To date, 70% of the company’s employees have confirmed appointments or have been vaccinated (some already completing their second dose). The programme, which starts this month, includes family members of employees and the vaccinations are done at local clinics or at the company’s premises throughout the country.

“In our shared fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our colleagues, customers and surrounding communities remain our top priority. The Group has been regularly communicating the importance to maintain and observe health and safety protocols to avoid any resurgence of the virus. With this vaccination programme, we hope to achieve a fully vaccinated workforce by the end of September and hence protecting them so that they can return to work safely when permitted,” said Daniel Ho, Group CEO of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad.

The efforts of TCMH will help meet the immunisation target set by the government which is for all adults in Malaysia to be fully vaccinated by October 2021.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Nissan showrooms continue to remain closed with the ongoing Movement Control Order. However, the public can still obtain information and even make a booking at the Nissan Online Showroom.

TCMH, which has the major part of its business activities in the auto sector, has been enduring the consequences arising from stoppages of the automotive factories, workshops, and distribution centres due to the ongoing Movement Control Order. Hopefully, with its workforce fully vaccinated, it can be allowed to resume its activities while adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor opens Nissan Flagship Store on Lazada

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No charges for scheduled servicing during first two years of Ford Ranger ownership

1989 Proton Saga wins Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional in the UK

Five unused and unregistered Bentley Mulsanne Limousines by Mulliner built in 2015 now offered for sale

Huawei and GAC to jointly develop fully electric SUV for launch at the end of 2023

GR Heritage Parts Project adds Toyota Land Cruiser 40 Series to its list of models

Tan Chong Motor Holdings organises in-house vaccination programme for employees

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