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Although the Movement Control Order (MCO) has prevented events and gatherings from being held, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) today held a press briefing – online. The virtual media event by the franchise holder for Renault was the first by a car company in Malaysia.

“To stay ahead of the curve, here at TCEC, we kick-started our transformation journey last year. With the current COVID-19 pandemic and MCO, digital-first has been accelerated and we believe we are headed the right direction towards future-proofing our business,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars.

Mr. Wong said its Renault Subscription and E-Store offerings have been updated with the addition of the Renault Subscription Trial Plan, adjustments to the Subscription Fixed and Switch Plans and an attractive deal for Renault vehicles purchased via the E-Store.

“Be it for short-term, medium-term or long-term usage, there is a subscription plan available to suit customer needs,” he said. He added that more than 80% of TCEC’s customers prefer the Renault Subscription Plan and a 2-year term is the most commonly chosen.

Renault Captur

Renault Subscription Trial Plan
The Trial Plan is now available across from all Renault showrooms nationwide. Piloted early this year from the Renault PJ showroom in Selangor, the Trial Plan offers the Captur at RM399 per week.

More importantly, customers are now allowed to sign up unlimited times as opposed to the previous one-time only offer. The company hopes that the move will help customers who may have had their budgets impacted by the current situation, or who are not keen on long-term commitments in this time of uncertainty.

Fixed and Switch Plan
The Fixed and Switch Plans have also been adjusted to better meet customer needs and wants. To balance affordability and customer confidence, the Fixed Plan now includes a 3-year plan for the Captur and Koleos models. Previously, a 3-year subscription was offered only for the Megane R.S. 280 Cup.

While all monthly rates under the Fixed Plan are still inclusive of roadtax, insurance, regular servicing costs and an annual mileage cap of 20,000 kms, the new updates, allow customers to now top up for a total 40,000 kms, instead of the previous 30,000 kms.

TCEC Renault

As for the Switch Plan, this has been updated with the inclusion of the Switch Base Plan (Captur Trophy at RM1,999 per month) and Switch Prime (Koleos at RM3,199 per month). Under this new Prime Plan, customers will have 2 months of Renault family access. Both Switch Plans continue to offer all-inclusive costs and flexibility with no mileage cap, wear and tear coverage and the option to cancel at any time with no penalties.

TCEC Renault

Also available is an expanded list of optional accessories and access including security and solar films, child seats, digital video recorders and Singapore access. For affordability, the cost can be included in the monthly fee across the subscription duration instead of having to pay one lump sum initially.

There is also a Pre-Owned Captur Subscription which was launched on Renault E-Store and Shopee on last week. It has been well accepted with more than 100 paid bookings within 3 days and at present, all available units have been taken up.

TCEC Renault

Exclusive Online Deals
The Renault E-Store was launched in Malaysia early this year, a timely move considering how the MCO has prevented customers from going to showrooms. Special deals can be offered periodically on this platform and the latest, until May 31 2020, can save more with rebates equal to instalments for 6 months. Other online exclusives for new customers include free 5-year (or maximum of 100,000 kms) scheduled service and trade-in rewards worth up to RM8,000.

Customers who choose to Subscribe to a new Renault (Fixed or Switch plans) will enjoy a one-month free subscription. Those who opt for the Pre-Owned Captur Subscription plan will continue to enjoy 50% off in the first 6 months of their subscription fee.

Easy Life for Renault owners
Besides offering test-drives of up to 3 hours (in collaboration GoCar), as many customers may look to keep their vehicles for longer, TCEC is enhancing aftersales support in various ways. These encompass door-to-door service with vehicles collected for servicing and returned, promotions for tyres with a 25% discount, over 10% off on batteries and extended warranty for customers who need additional time to catch up on their servicing needs. There will be extended operating hours at the service centres once MCO is lifted.

TCEC Renault

Coming soon
TCEC will also be offering a new mobile application for Renault Subscription customers. Using this, customers will be able to manage their Subscription vehicle. Key functions will include location tracking, digital key to lock/unlock the car, trip history, car-sharing and other features. More details will be available when the app is launched in June.

“We are proud that no other offering in the industry is further ahead in the digital journey than Renault Subscription and Renault E-Store. The new norm will require social distancing. Consumers will need their personal transportation more than ever and we believe the revised subscription plans will be more appealing to them,” Mr. Wong said.

“I believe customers will still come to showrooms as there may be those who want to see and touch the cars, but appointments may be planned to reduce crowding. Customers will be wary of physical contact, of course, and for their peace of mind, showrooms will be sanitized at least 3 times daily. At all times, we will keep protective measures in mind. And as mentioned, we also have the 3-hour test-drives available – and no salesman will be in the car,” he added.

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The COVID-19 virus is highly contagious, which is why people need to protect themselves with face masks and stand 1 metre (or more) apart so as not to be infected by others. Washing hands has always been important, even more so now as the virus can be present on surfaces that are touched and picked up by the hands.

For healthcare personnel who have to assist and treat infected patients, the risks are therefore great and they need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that effectively seals their body. You would have seen pictures of personnel wearing such equipment in news reports.

You would also have seen that in most cases, the vehicles used to transport patients or those who have to go to quarantine locations are essentially ambulances or vans. The ambulances would have been equipped and configured for medical purposes but the vans may just be as they are. Okay for normal situations but with this virus, extra measures need to be taken to protect the other occupants as well (bearing in mind they have to wear the PPE in a tight space).

Some carmakers have modified their vans with such new requirements in mind and in Germany, Daimler Buses has even converted an inter-city bus into a special vehicle for the transfer of COVID-19 patients. Its Citaro model, now the largest intensive care ambulance in Germany, is to be used by the German Red Cross Emergency Medical Services in the city of Heidenheim-Ulm.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro
Conversion of the bus for its special function was done within 15 days.

The vehicle is on loan, initially available to the German Red Cross (DRK) for a period of 6 months. The joint project is supported by the University Hospital in Ulm which is providing the specialized medical staff. A public utility company is also involved in the project and is providing drivers and maintenance personnel.

“Among other professions, it is currently the staff in hospitals and care facilities who are working steadfastly and who particularly deserve our respect. Therefore, I am delighted that we are able to support the DRK by supplying transportation capacity. As a bus manufacturer, we want to contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at a local level. A diverse range of activities at the Neu-Ulm plant show that there are good initiatives and strategies from our colleagues even now,” Till Oberworder, Head of Daimler Buses said.

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From idea to implementation
David Richter, MD of the German Red Cross Emergency Medical Services Heidenheim-Ulm, had the idea of converting a bus in response to the need to increase intensive care transportation capacities, now necessary in many places. Daimler Buses was able to pledge its fast and uncomplicated support. Within a few days, a demonstration vehicle from Daimler Buses was presented for conversion. A team of 12 employees from bus production converted the bus to a high-capacity critical care ambulance in just 15 working days.

“Something that normally would take months and years was implemented within a few weeks together with Daimler Buses in an exemplary fashion. And this is not just a bus but an efficient transportation and relief concept. In my opinion, this is only possible with such a transportation capacity,” noted Professor Kuhlmuss, District Medical Officer for DRK-Rettungsdienst.

Equipped for new functions
The standard Citaro is an inter-city bus with 45 seats and standing room for 40 persons. The special unit used by the DRK is equipped with 4 complete intensive care beds for its new function. This gives the organisation the ability to react fast and transport intensive care patients to other hospitals if necessary. The journeys are supervised by 2 intensive-care doctors and 3 paramedics along with ambulance officers.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro
Interior of the special bus to transport patients. The picture below shows the bus in its normal configuration for public transport.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro

The specialised equipment in the bus includes electrohydraulic wheeled stretchers with a loading system, intensive care ventilators, monitoring screens, a sonography unit and a blood gas analysis device. There’s stowage space for medicines, nursing equipment, additional breathing apparatus and PPE.

Patients can be transported in various positions, while the side windows have been darkened for privacy. The bus has also been equipped with a blue light and a siren.

Hygienically protected cockpit
As the bus is for transporting COVID-19 patients, hygienic demands played an important role during the conversion. For example, a disinfectant sprayer can be used in the patient compartment once transportation is completed. The area for the driver is separated from the patient compartment by a wall and the ventilation system has been converted. As a result, the driver has no contact with the patient areas and won’t be exposed to the risk of infection.

Following the announcement by the JPJ that it will open its branches for limited services, PUSPAKOM has also announced that it will resume regular vehicle inspection services for commercial vehicles of certain categories beginning from April 29, 2020. All PUSPAKOM branches nationwide will be operating except at Batu Caves, Glenmarie and Pandan Mewah in Selangor, and Taman Daya in Johor. Mobile inspection services will also be available from the same date.

Operating hours for the various branches vary, as shown on the chart below:

PUSPAKOM
* branches that offer Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) renewal)

The commercial vehicles that PUSPAKOM will offer inspection services for are goods vehicles, public services vehicles and vehicles for tourism. Inspection services for other types of vehicles will be available at a later date.

The branches will also provide insurance renewal services while branches in the Klang Valley and the southern zone can also process Motor Vehicle License (LKM) renewal services.

PUSPAKOM

To avoid congestion, PUSPAKOM would like vehicle owners to make a reservation through the MyPUSPAKOM system first. Drive-in customers without a prior appointment will not be accepted. For vehicles which have inspection certificates expiring between March 18 2020 to April 28, 2020, can contact PUSPAKOM to check on the scheduled date for their vehicle inspection.

The company also asks all customers to adhere to precautionary measures to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus, such as social distancing (1 metre or more apart), wear a face mask and have no symptoms of COVID-19. They should not visit PUSPAKOM if they are unwell and should seek medical attention to check their condition.

Covid-19 hotline

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While the general public have been staying home to do their part in helping to stop the spread of the COVID-19, companies in the corporate sector have been offering their design, engineering and manufacturing facilities to help produce much needed equipment for the frontliners in hospitals.

UMW Toyota Motor is one of the companies supporting by producing the much-needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at its subsidiary, Toyota Boshoku UMW Sdn. Bhd (TBU). This equipment, which protects the healthcare personnel from being infected while they attend to patients, is required in the thousands as it is constantly replaced.

“This is the time when we want to demonstrate good corporate citizenship by assisting in whatever way we can to help our frontliners in their vital duties. We have the facilities that can make the PPE so we can support the Health Ministry replenish its stocks more quickly – at no cost,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Toyota Boshoku UMW

TBU, which produces seat sets, door trims, headlinings, package trays for use in many models assembled locally, has the facilities to produce various PPE items easily. The facilities include automatic layout cutting machines and industrial sewing machines, with 75 workers who are skilled at sewing the seat covers.

1,500 pieces of PPE daily
Templates were made from sample units of Boot Covers, Tudungs and Gowns and uploaded to the Automatic Layout Cutting Machine. The final design is approved by the Health Ministry. TBU expects to be able to produce up to 1,500 pieces daily and has already delivered 10,000 pieces in the first batch for use by the Health Ministry.

Toyota Boshoku UMW

“Toyota Motor Corporation has been actively supporting the efforts in many countries to overcome this global pandemic. The support varies according to needs and in Malaysia, we understand that PPE is vital for the frontliners so together with Toyota Boshoku Corporation, we are focusing on assisting in all the ways that we can,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

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The Raya festivities are going to start and although this year will see subdued celebrations in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order, MINI Malaysia will still offer special deals on its products through the MINIMISE campaign.

At the same time, the MINI eShop has also been introduced as the brand’s very first digital booking platform for its entire model range. It aims to simplify the customer’s journey during the booking process. Through the online MINI eShop, customers can find out about the wide selection of MINI models available for purchase and make bookings, from the comfort of their own homes.

MINIMISE campaign 2020

The MINIMISE campaign offers an instalment support of RM3,000 to RM5,000 (depending on the model), as well as further cash rebates from RM8,000 to RM22,000. It will run until June 30, 2020, while stocks last.

Special deal for Countryman Plug-in Hybrid
Specially for the Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the campaign offers an attractive interest rate starting from 0% exclusively, as well as a cash rebate of RM16,000 and instalment support of RM5,000. This MINI variant has an advanced MINI eALL4 All Wheel Drive System with Dynamic Stability Control that distributes the propulsive force of the engines to both axles – providing supreme traction on every road surface, maximum stability, and even more fun cornering.

MINIMISE campaign 2020

Complete with the MINI Connected app, owners of the Countryman Plug-In Hybrid will have easy access to information such as the current battery status, electric range and charge timer and directly through their smartphone. The app also allows for pre-conditioning of the MINI before a journey begins, giving owners the flexibility to set their desired temperature within the vehicle remotely via 4G – a feature that’s useful in our hot and sunny climate.

Each new Countryman Plug-In Hybrid comes with a complimentary Public Charging Cable, along and ChargeNow card. The card offers complimentary recharging at any of the 309 ChargeNow facilities nationwide for a full year.  Owners can also recharge their car at home if they wish.

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The police have confirmed that those who wish to travel interstate for the purpose of returning to their homes will be able to do so on May 1, 2 and 3, 2020. However, they will need to register for the permit to do so, and their application will be subject to approval.

Applications are to be done through the Gerak Malaysia app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, Google Playstore and also the Huawei App Gallery. Applications can be done from tomorrow (April 26) and not today, as earlier stated. Applicants must also update their information regarding travel destinations and will be inform on May 1 of the application status.


Download Gerak Malaysia app from the Apple AppStore, Google PlayStore or Huawei App Gallery


In the event that the applicant is unable to use the mobile app, applications in writing can also be made at the nearest police station. However, the public is encouraged to use the mobile app if possible so that they do not have to be present at the station. Earlier, when the Movement Control Order and ban on interstate travel was announced, there were large queues at police stations because there was, initially, an instruction to apply for permits to do interstate travel.

Note that this permission to travel is strictly for those whose home is in another town or city as the government is not allowing ‘balik kampung’ journeys this year. So if you cannot prove that you actually reside in a different place, it may be difficult to get approval. The provision is generally for those living in the cities and who have been away for the period of the MCO which has been more than one month.

R&R
Facilities at R&R locations are closed but the toilets are still available.

Those who receive approval to travel must adhere to the conditions they will be given. They should also note that the R&R facilities (including suraus) along the highways are closed. They can stop to use the toilets and also refuel at petrol stations which will be open from 6 am to midnight. Social distancing should be practiced at all times.

COVID-19

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