Nissan owners who require maintenance service or other work done on their vehicles can now visit their nearest Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis (TCEAS) outlet. According to Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), 10 of the authorised Nissan service centres have received approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and relevant local councils to resume operations.
The company stresses that appointments must be made beforehand. Once an appointment is confirmed, owners can drop off their vehicle at the service centre. They are not allowed to wait at the service centre.
Appointments can be made using the Nissan DriveOn mobile app, TCEAS website, Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1800-88-3838, or directly calling the service centres listed below. Owners are also advised to select the nearest service centre to them abide by the travelling regulations of the Movement Control Order.
The following are the TCEAS outlets which are now operating:
Note: The service centres will be closed during Public Holidays.
As a health and safety precaution, TCEAS will practise temperature checking and social distancing for all service centre staff as well as customers. Face masks and gloves and hand sanitizers will also be freely available to customers. Frequent disinfecting will be carried out at the service centres and all vehicles will undergo disinfecting before and after service. Contactless payments are encouraged.
ETCM says that TCEAS service centres in other locations will resume operations in stages. Owners can find the latest information at www.tceas.com.my or by calling 1800-88-3838.
Running out of things to do during this #stayathome period which the Movement Control Order (MCO) requires you to do? Here’s something from Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury brand, which could help you discover a new hobby.
Drawing on its Japanese heritage and dramatic designs, Infiniti is releasing a collection of ‘Carigami’ models as part of the #ParkitforNow campaign in the USA. The project is part of the brand’s effort to encourage people to stay at home to contain the spread of COVID-19, by providing a free creative outlet for customers and fans.
Combining two elements of Infiniti brand DNA – powerfully elegant design with Japanese inspired craftsmanship – the aim is to create designs like origami. This art of folding paper is said to have its origins in China and Europe though today it is usually associated with Japanese culture.
A series of three different Infiniti models can be produced in 1:27 scale, replicating the design of the Q50, QX80, and the FX crossover. They can be downloaded for free from www.infiniti.com and printed on paper (the thicker, the better). Using a hobby knife or cutter and some glue, the templates can then be assembled into the cars.
“In this unprecedented time where citizens of the world are doing their part to fight COVID-19 by staying at home, we wanted to develop something that will help ease the boredom, while having a bit of fun” said Phil York, General Manager of Infiniti Global Brand and Marketing. He continued, “Our hope is that lovers of cars and crafts alike will enjoy Carigami.”
The team who created the project embraced the playful spirit of the concept when producing content, including capturing a scaled-down ‘at home reveal’ of the models on a record turntable (in place of the typical design revolve). The aim is to inspire users who are seeking for a creative outlet as they practice social distancing at home.
Starting with the Q50, the QX80 and the FX, Carigami model templates will be progressively available. After assembly, you can upload images of your efforts to social media and add the hashtags #ParkitforNow #Carigami.
For the past few years, Mercedes-Benz has begun its transition towards electrifications, creating the EQ range for a new line of electric vehicles (EVs). While R&D relating to EVs has accelerated in the past 10 years, the carmaker was already exploring electric propulsion 30 years ago.
In May 1990, it exhibited a 190 (W 201) model that had been converted to electric drive in the innovation market section at the Hanover Fair. “In this way, the Mercedes 190, which in terms of length and weight comes closest to the requirements of an electric vehicle, is an ideal battery test vehicle. The main objective is to assess the functional suitability of all the components in realistic situations with all the vibrations, accelerations and temperature fluctuations experienced in everyday operation,” explained the brochure issued at the time.
A mobile laboratory
The company made a fleet of electric 190s which were used to test different drive configurations and battery systems. The energy storage devices tested were mainly sodium-nickel chloride or sodium-sulphur high-energy batteries which had a significantly higher energy density than conventional classic lead-acid batteries. However, the working temperature of both systems was around 300 degrees C. which wasn’t so good.
The following year, Mercedes-Benz displayed a more advanced car at the Geneva Motor Show. This prototype with electric drive had an individual 16 kw/22 hp electric motor to drive each wheel. Total power output was 32 kW/44 hp and the energy came from a sodium-nickel chloride battery. Regenerative braking – a feature in many of today’s EVs and hybrids – returned energy to the power pack during braking actions.
A particular advantage of the concept was the elimination of weight-intensive mechanical components, so the additional weight compared to a production model with a combustion engine was only 200 kgs. It was still a substantial amount of extra weight, largely due to the battery pack.
From 1992 onwards, there was a large-scale field trial which ran for 4 years, funded by the German government. The aim of the exercise was to test EVs and energy systems, including batteries, in everyday practice. A total of 60 passenger cars and vans from several brands were involved.
100,000 kms in 1 year
The pioneering 190s were driven by various participants in the trials and these included taxi drivers who used them in daily life. There were hardly any problems and one of the Mercedes prototypes achieved a peak usage rate of around 100,000 kms in 1 year.
The results provided the engineers with new insights into battery service life, the number of possible discharge and charge cycles, range, energy consumption and reliability. In the following years Mercedes-Benz would apply the electric drive concept to other passenger models.
The first fully-electric Mercedes-Benz production model – the EQC. Its powertrain (below) was developed with the data gained from R&D activities since 1990.
All the knowledge gained by the R&D teams in the 1990s contributed to the comprehensive knowledge pool of vehicle development on which engineers draw in developing today’s vehicles. In fact, some of the engineers who worked on the electric W 201 prototypes are still active in the company’s EV development and are involved in the latest projects.
Selected authorized Honda dealerships have begun to resume operations from today (April 29) as permission has been granted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). All service centres in the country had to be closed earlier under the Movement Control Order (MCO) which came into effect on March 18, 2020.
During the period of closure, only emergency services were permitted to assist owners to move their vehicles which may have been immobilized. However, no repair work or maintenance was allowed, and the vehicles had to remain in the service centre for the duration of the MCO.
“Honda Malaysia is truly inspired by the spirit of Malaysians, especially all the frontliners, to overcome the unprecedented situation. The journey to flatten the curve has been tough and extensive but we are ‘Together As One’, staying home in order to have a better outcome for all. We will comply with the extension of the MCO in support of the efforts taken by the Malaysian government and people amid the current situation,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.
“At the same time, customers need to have their cars in good, reliable condition and hence, require maintenance service. As we resume our aftersales services, we emphasize the importance of continuing to adhere to the MCO rules, being attentive and to take precautions especially in hygiene through frequent sanitization and disinfection, general cleanliness and social distancing,” he added, giving assurance that the precautionary and control measures will be strictly implemented at the Honda dealerships to provide a safe environment during customer visits.
Procedures at service centres
Upon arrival at the dealership, customers will undergo temperature scanning and hand sanitizers have been prepared for their use while their appointment status is being verified. Individuals recording temperature of 37.5 degrees C. and above or are exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath will be advised to leave the premises to immediately seek medical attention.
Honda Malaysia has also asked its dealers to enforce stringent measures concerning crowd control and social distancing. The number of customers present at any one time for their vehicle service in the dealership shall be limited at minimum capacity. It is compulsory for customers to make appointments with their nearest dealer (within 10 kms of their home) to smoothen their visit and ensure the availability of a slot for their service before going to the service centre.
To facilitate social distancing, the dealers are commencing a car drop service. This new service allows customers with appointments to just drop off their cars at the dealerships and conduct discussion on their car service updates or enquiries via telephone with the service advisors so as to maintain social distance. This practice will not only help safeguard the well-being of the customers and service advisors, but also provide substantial convenience to Honda owners.
Honda Malaysia is also taking extra precautions to ensure the highest safety and good personal hygiene of service advisors. Temperature checking will be implemented on employees and they are reminded to wash their hands regularly, and practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of 1 metre from one another at all times. Hand sanitizing stations are set up for the convenience of service advisors and customers, and some areas in the dealerships will be restricted or remain closed to ensure customers safety.
For those who have been frustrated by the one-person-per-vehicle ruling under the Movement Control Order (MCO), there’s good news. The ruling has now been amended to permit two persons to be in a vehicle – but there are also conditions. The two persons should be from the same household and family, so it would be husband and wife, or mother and child, etc.
And as before, travel (maximum of 10 kms) is only permitted for the purpose of buying essential groceries, food, medical supplies or to seek medical treatment. And the range from home is 10 kms, unless there is a special reason to go further, ie for specialized medical treatment at a specific hospital or clinic (documents must be shown).
This allowance should be appreciated so don’t use it as an opportunity to go dating because that would get you arrested. Those who abuse this allowance will only cause problems for other law-abiding citizens who follow the rules because the authorities may decide to withdraw it since there is disobedience.
The police and armed forces are at roadblocks day and night, in the sun and rain (and storms), so don’t make their job harder by not following the regulations. And if you wish to show appreciation for their hard work, pass them a box of drinks for them to buka puasa.
As the situation improves with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, the government is slowly adjusting the regulations but stresses the need to observe social distancing. This must be kept in mind now that more people can go out so supermarkets and other places will see more customers.
Many service centres are also operating but customers are asked to make appointments before going. This is to enable the personnel to adhere to the conditions of their permit to operate. The companies must practice social distancing in their premises for the protection of the public as well as their staff. Therefore making an appointment will enable them to prepare for the arrival of a customer and minimize interaction.
Note also that the 10-km range limit applies so choose the service centre closest to you. To determine how far away it is, you can use Waze or Google Maps to check the distance.
Last day to apply for interstate travel
Today is also the last day to apply for interstate travel. This is only for those who have been trapped in another place and want to return to their home in the city. To date, the police have received over 250,000 applications via the Gerak Malaysia mobile application. After reviewing the applications, the police will provide the National Security Council with the data for discussion on the schedule to allow travel to take place.
The plan is for the schedule to be from May 1, 2 and 3, depending on the volume of traffic and the origins/destinations of the travellers. Applicants who receive approval will be issued a QR code which they must show at roadblocks to pass through without problems.
