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2020 Proton X70 – lower prices, extra features and now assembled in Malaysia

It’s been just about 14 months since the Proton X70 was launched, during which time over 29,000 units have been delivered throughout Malaysia. The strong and positive response to the model has rejuvenated Proton, which has Geely as its partner, as well as brought back respect for the company from Malaysians. In retrospect, perhaps Proton should have found a partner earlier but being a national carmaker, it was important that anyone who partners Proton would need to be the ‘correct fit, as Proton Chairman Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar put it some years ago when DRB-HICOM was looking for a partner.

The speed at which the X70 was brought to the market was impressive although it must be said that the development and engineering work had all already been done earlier for the Geely Boyue. It was not as time-consuming and Azlan Othman and his team at Proton Design ‘Malaysianised’ it with styling cues that made reference to local culture and landscape. Of course, it still required an engineering program since there was no righthand drive version of the Boyue.

Launch in 2018 — *Launch of the Proton X70 in December 2018*

Not wanting to waste time, a decision was made to build the SUV at a Geely factory in China first while renovating the factory at Tg. Malim in Perak. It needed changes and extensions to accommodate planned growth as well as a significant improvement in quality, something which had contributed to the brand’s downturn.

Geely would probably have preferred to keep building the vehicles in China where there would be economies of scale but understanding the aspirations of the Malaysian government to develop the domestic auto industry, it was agreeable to assembling the X70 here with a plan of making Malaysia a production hub for righthand drive models.

As the renovation works, costing RM1.2 billion, were completed, trial production of 130 units began in October 2019 alongside lines for the Iriz and Persona. Well aware that Malaysian buyers were skeptical of Made-in-Malaysia quality, much attention was put into quality control and ensuring that the locally-assembled or CKD (completely knocked down) X70 would be as good as the one that came from China. Proton acknowledged that the quality score of its products compared to other brands in the Geely Group was lower but had improved greatly with guidance and assistance from its partner.

And so today sees the CKD X70 being officially launched, and presumably ending the imports. According to Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton, the next model – which will be the X50 – will not have the same approach; local assembly will be done from the start, perhaps by the end of this year.

14 months is a rather short time in the market and with the looks of the X70 still fresh and appealing, the focus was on adding value to the product as well as addressing issues which owners complained about. The launch of the CKD model provided a good opportunity to make the changes and offer a product that would be better than the imported one.

Local assembly = lower prices
There are 4 variants to choose from – Standard, Executive, Premium and Premium X. All come only with 2WD (front-wheel drive) with no AWD variant. Meeting expectations that a locally-assembled model should be cheaper, the CKD X70 in Standard spec is priced at RM94,800 and that is RM5,000 less than the imported 2019 model. The Executive is also RM3,000 cheaper at RM106,800, while the Premium version which sold at RM123,800 last year is now RM119,800 – RM4,000 lower. the top-of-the-line Premium X is priced RM3,000 more than the Premium and you get a panoramic sunroof for the extra money. By Proton’s calculations, the total value added ranges from RM11,640 to RM13,140 with customers saving between 9% and 13%, depending on the variant. And as with the imported model, the prices are the same for Peninsular and East Malaysia.

PRICE COMPARISON — *On-the-road prices (excluding insurance) for private registration in Peninsular and East Malaysia.*

Every version comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, a 5-year data package (1GB/month), free labour for scheduled maintenance (first 5 times) and for the first 3,000 X70 buyers, Proton is also throwing in an additional 4GB/month data package along with a package of accessories worth RM2,000. Customers who take their H-P financing from Proton’s partners can enjoy low interest rates as well as premium insurance coverage.

Until March 15, 2020, Proton is also having an Online Flash Booking offer for just RM99 (terms and conditions apply).

What’s new?
If you live in Malaysia, you will already know what the X70 looks like. As mentioned earlier, over 29,000 units on roads and in homes all over the country. Right off, we can tell you that there are no changes to the exterior and interior styling. The only exterior ‘change’ is the addition of a new colour choice – Space Grey – which joins the existing range of 5 colours.

2020 Proton X70 — *New Proton logo, introduced last September, is used for the 2020 X70 (previous logo design shown in inset on top left).*

While there are small improvements all over the vehicle to make it better, there are 5 which are significant and notable. The first is the engine which is still the 1.8-litre TGDI petrol engine (no, it is not a Volvo engine, as some people think) but retuned to give 15 Nm more torque (300 Nm) with power still at 184 ps. The extra torque improves 0 – 100 km/h acceleration by 1 second (9.5 seconds vs 10.5 seconds) which probably doesn’t sound like much but should prove useful when overtaking. The retuning has also made the engine less thirsty with a significant 13% reduction to 13.2 kms/litre, it is claimed.

Besides the retuning, what has also helped in increasing fuel efficiency and performance is the switch to a dual-clutch transmission, referred to as 7DCT. You may have heard bad things about fuel-clutch transmissions (of other brands) but those were the early generation and Geely would certainly have studied what the problems were and designed its DCT to be problem-free. Besides, the 7DCT is a wet-clutch type and the problems were with DCTs having a dry clutch.

The 7DCT in the X70 has shift-by-wire control, which means that electronic signals execute the changes instead of a cable. This enables shifts to be quicker and smoother, complementing the inherent benefits of the dual-clutch concept. The driver can choose from 3 driving modes and also shift manually but there are no paddle shifters.

The engine and 7DCT come from Geely’s factory in China already assembled, which is also the case with many locally-assembled models of other brands. It is likely that engines may also be assembled here later on if the production volume rises and justifies additional investment in an engine assembly plant.

New/improved comfort and convenience features
Next on the list would be comfort and convenience features, starting with ventilated front seats. This is a feature that is usually found on premium luxury models and is still rare at this price level. There are fans inside the seats which can be set at three different speeds. With air blowing upwards, things should be cooler on hot days. Presumably, Proton has omitted the HOT mode which is often found on imported models as they are also intended for markets where there is cold weather.

The fixed angle of the rear seat backrest was something owners (or rather their passengers) complained about. It’s not something we would have noticed as we spend most of the time testing the car from the driver’s seat. But Proton heard about the dissatisfaction and decided to make it possible to set the backrest at 2 angles over a range of 27 degrees to 32 degrees. As the backrest is divided (60:40), the left and right sides can be separated adjusted.

Another high-end feature which has been added is the powered tailgate with automatic opening (from Executive variant upwards). A sensor under the bumper will detect a foot and unlock/raise the tailgate. It’s a feature which is really useful when both hands are carrying bags or other items.

Other specs maintained
The prices are lower and Proton has even improved the value of the X70 with new and improved features but without taking away what it already had – which is a lot of good stuff. All variants are offered with the Integrated Cockpit Information System (GKUI) system via an 8-inch Android based touchscreen interface. With an embedded eSIM card for internet connectivity, the system can provide online music streaming, GPS navigation and weather forecasts.

It also has voice recognition and the Proton Link app which allows owners to stay connected to their vehicle via their mobile device. The app and creating a driving profile based on distance travelled, fuel economy and journey times while keeping them informed of service intervals.

5-star safety
The X70 has been tested by ASEAN NCAP and scored the maximum of 5 stars. That’s not surprising since it has a very extensive list of safety features and systems. Of note is the 360 Camera (Executive, Premium and Premium X variants) which gives the driver an all-round view to aid parking. On the Premium and Premium X variants, there’s also a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite is also standard on the two Premium variants. This provides Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Information System, Door Opening Warning System, and Intelligent High Beam Control.

Visit www.proton.com to locate a showroom where you can view, test-drive and purchase the new 2020 X70.

First Made-in-Malaysia Proton X70 officially rolls out at Tg. Malim factory

‘MOTIV’ autonomous vehicle platform by Gordon Murray Design ready for real-world trials

Gordon Murray Design and its consortium partners Delta Motorsport and itMoves unveil the ‘MOTIV’, a unique and extremely versatile autonomous vehicle platform, at the MOVE 2020 show in London this week. Part-funded through the UK-government’s ‘IDP14’ programme, the new platform breaks the mould for future mobility development by creating a cost-effective, ultra-lightweight quadricycle vehicle platform that is designed to meet full passenger-car crash safety requirements.

As a development test bed for autonomous systems, MOTIV’s autonomous-ready design is far easier for companies to convert than a conventional vehicle. It has been purpose-built as a platform for autonomy so testing of its driverless capabilities can begin from launch.

Alongside its industry-leading safety credentials, the new fully-electric unit is targeting significant cost-savings and improved refinement over its rivals, while delivering the range capabilities, platform flexibility and plug-and-play versatility required by autonomous customers with personal mobility or commercial delivery requirements.

Designed with autonomy in mind, MOTIV is a single-seater ‘pod’ which provides the versatility of either personal transportation or last-mile deliveries. Engineered using Gordon Murray Design’s iStream Superlight technology which keeps overall weight below 450 kgs (excluding battery pack), the microcar’s single-seater layout provides a private mobility experience for people moving through busy cities.

MOTIV has the potential to significantly reduce congestion and emissions in city centres due to its fully-electric powertrain and compact footprint. Its 1628 mm high pod measures just 2537 mm in length, with a width of 1310 mm.

Due to its compact footprint and layout, MOTIV offers greater flexibility than any of its rivals, it is claimed. To further increase its practicality, the microcar can be adapted in the future to seat multiple occupants (eg for wheelchair use or even for commercial deliveries). In its goods transportation form, the platform can be altered to enable maximum load capacity, creating a volume of more than 1,100 litres.

Power comes from a 20-kW electric motor drawing power from a 17.3-kWh liquid-cooled battery pack which is expected to provide a potential range of up to 100 kms. It will be able to operate at speeds of up to 65 km/h while recharging from 20% capacity to 80% can be within 40 minutes.

“MOTIV has the potential to transform future mobility. The best way to make any vehicle commercially viable and cost-effective, while delivering first-class efficiency, is to make it as light as it can be while retaining the highest levels of safety. With MOTIV, we have used our iStream technologies to create an ultra-lightweight body structure that delivers a vehicle that is compact, refined, safe and versatile, while remaining capable of significant range,” said Professor Gordon Murray, Chairman of the Gordon Murray Group.

SDAC-Ford Builds Community Ties with A-FORCE 4×4 Club’s Charity Event

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, recently sponsored the A-FORCE 4×4 Mega Charity Event, held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations at Rumah Caring Kajang in Selangor. As part of its sponsorship, the company donated a LED TV to enrich the lives of the residents at the home.

Besides the contribution, the club offered food, essential items as well as angpao donations to the residents. During the event, residents were also treated to a lion dance performance.

Exemplifying the Ford spirit
“Club members and their activities truly represent the Ford Ranger way of life and persona, which goes beyond just outings and car meets,but also giving back to the community. These passionate owners truly exemplify the Ford spirit of going further to make the world a better place, and we are always delighted to contribute to their on-going efforts,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri bin Syed Faiz, MD of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

The Ford Go Further philosophy is the defining force behind the company’s brand promise of “We go further so you can”. It not only drives the brand’s innovations in products and services to make customers’ lives better and going beyond to make those innovations available to everyone. It also reflects the company’s commitment to go further in serving the society while encouraging the same from the brand’s wider community – customers, dealers and employees.

Ford currently has a series of videos called “Ford Everyday Heroes” to express the brand promise of ‘Go Further’ which showcases how these heroes really do go further to make the world a better place.

Rumah Caring Kajang is a non-profit organisation that looks after the welfare of the needy, and currently houses 32 old folks ranging from age 50 to 95 years old, inclusive of care givers. Persons who wish to donate or volunteer at Rumah Caring Kajang can contact Wendy Yap at 012-2380043 or 03-8737 7680. For more information on the home, click here.

Visit www.sdacford.com.my for more information on Ford products, services and activities in Malaysia.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion participates in 14th Ford Global Caring Month

Nikola Badger electric pick-up truck to use hydrogen fuel cell tech to achieve a range of 965 kms

Ever since Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Cybertruck, the prospects for electrically-powered pick-up trucks have been increasing as other manufacturers (not the mainstream carmakers though) have announced plans for their own models.

The latest is Nikola Corporation which will show the first prototype later this year in Nevada. Design-wise, the Badger, as it is to be called, looks like the typical truck of today with a 5-seat cab and an overall length of 5900 mm. What is going to be game-changing is the performance which the company says will ‘target and exceed every electric or petrol pickup in its class’. To reduce development and production cost, the Badger will be built in conjunction with another manufacturer utilizing their certified parts and manufacturing facilities.

With a 150 kWh lithium-ion battery pack ‘refilled’ by a 120 kW hydrogen fuel cell that generates the electricity, the Badger is expected to have an output of up to 900 bhp with at least 50% available continuously, and almost 1,330 Nm of torque. Very impressive is the claim of an estimated 965 kms of range on a full battery pack and using the fuel cell but without the fuel cell support, the range will be about 480 kms.

The Badger is being designed to handle take-offs with minimal loss of performance and to operate on grades up to 40% through advanced software blending of batteries and fuel-cell. With a fully loaded trailer and combined vehicle weight of 8,180 kgs, the Badger will be able to launch from a standstill on a 30% grade without motor stall.

The electric pick-up will also be engineered to outperform all electric pick-up trucks on the market in continuous towing. It will have a 15-kW power outlet for tools, lights and compressors, which is enough power to assist a construction site for approximately 12 hours without a generator.

“Nikola has billions worth of technology in our semi-truck program, so why not build it into a pick-up truck?” said Trevor Milton, CEO, Nikola Corporation. “I have been working on this pick-up program for years and believe the market is now ready for something that can handle a full day’s worth of work without running out of energy. This electric truck can be used for work, weekend getaways, towing, off-roading or to hit the ski slopes without performance loss. No other electric pick-up can operate in these temperatures and conditions.”

“The Nikola Badger is a game-changer. The program will help drive down the cost of the fuel-cell components on our semi-truck while accelerating the hydrogen station roll-out. Giving customers the option to order a fuel-cell or battery electric version will ensure we drive the cost down for everyone across our line-up,” added Mark Russell, President of Nikola Corporation.

Chery Automobile to enter US market using newly-created VANTAS brand name

Until China became the world’s largest automobile market, the US market was the one that carmakers wanted to get into. However, both markets are not easy to enter for different reasons. In the case of China, there are tough government policies and conditions while to do business in America, a carmaker has to deal with stringent safety and emission issues as well as costly product liability coverage. In recent times, the Trump administration has also not made things easy to protect American industry and jobs.

While the Japanese and Korean companies are well established, carmakers from China have been trying to penetrate the market for some time. GAC Automobile appeared at the Detroit Motorshow as far back as 2013 and last year, it said it aims to start business operations in the second half of this year. Zotye Automobile is another carmaker which has indicated it will enter the market in 2020.

Different brand name to be used
Chery Automobile, one of the top ten automakers in China and the leading auto exporter to over 80 countries, also has eyes on the American market. Its strategy is somewhat ‘covert’ as it will sell its vehicles under a brand name of VANTAS rather than use Chery. Perhaps it’s better not to use Chery as a brand name, just Nissan wisely chose not to use ‘Fairlady’ for its Datsun 240Z when it was introduced in America. The VANTAS vehicles will be distributed, sold and supported by a new automotive operation in North America formed by HAAH Automotive Holdings.

HAAH has a technical cooperation agreement with Chery which manufactures and sells a range of SUVs, passenger cars and electric vehicles under several separate brands globally. To get ‘behind the barrier’, the vehicles sold in the USA and Canada will be assembled in American plants which should make entry easier for Chery.

The first VANTAS model with be adapted from a premium SUV model (TX shown above) from Chery’s Exeed premium brand which it uses in some markets instead of Chery. The specific model and other details have not been announced yet, but it is known that engineering development for homologation in the US market has already begun. It is unlikely that Chery will invest in a new factory and probably contract the assembly to an existing plant or refurbish one.

Online sales process
An online sales process will be implemented using HAAH’s digital platform with an industry-leading 100% cloud-based system to support VANTAS and Dealer Operations. This system design comes from an integrated and open API platform which will provide real-time transactions and visibility for all users increasing speed and precision. The system is described as the next generation in the automotive industry, giving VANTAS technological superiority not available from any other manufacturer today.

“This is a historic agreement creating VANTAS. The brand will incorporate a number of new technologies from its Chinese partner, including ‘Intelligent Connected’ for a wide variety of safety and driver assistance technology, various aspects of autonomous driving and, in the future, new energy vehicles. VANTAS is fully committed to building every one of its vehicles in the USA, creating jobs in America,” said Duke Hale, Chairman & CEO of HAAH Automotive Holdings.

AIA Family Drive offers lower vehicle insurance premiums plus added benefits

It’s a fact that many homes in Malaysia have more than one car as different members of the family require their own wheels. They all need, by law, insurance coverage for their vehicles in order to drive on public roads.

Having a few vehicles in the household can now be advantageous as AIA General Berhad is offering a family discount on premiums when buying insurance coverage from the company. Family Drive, its first flagship product, is a car insurance that provides all-round on-the-road protection.

Said to be the first of its kind in Malaysia, Family Drive is a comprehensive car insurance that provides the usual protection for both third party and own loss and damages. It also comes with additional features which you don’t get from other insurance companies in this country.

AIA Family Drive — Eric Chang, CEO of AIA General Berhad, explaining the benefits of Family Drive.

Additional features
These include Personal Accident Protection which ensures that anyone travelling in the insured car is automatically covered with up to RM250,000 personal accident coverage. There’s also protection against legal liability to third party’s injury, death and property loss of damage for everyone travelling in the car, with automatic coverage for all authorised drivers without additional cost.

Should the car not be available after an accident as the workshop is repairing it, Family Drive will provide an Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 per accident. There is also AIA Roadside Assist with an array of value-added services such as battery and tyre replacement, vehicle towing, 24/7. Customers can request for assistance with their police report and will be provided with e-hailing vouchers to help them and their family get home safely after the accident.

Accident repair — *If covered under Family Drive, the owner can get an Inconvenience Allowance of RM600 to cover the period while the vehicle is being repaired after an accident and is not available for use.*

5% discount plus Excess Waiver
Family Drive has a discount of 5% if two or more cars in the same household are insured but only up to a maximum of 4 vehicles. The Excess waiver is granted if customers repair their car at an AIA panel workshop, with the total repair cost borne by AIA.

To enhance coverage, there are optional add-on benefits such as the Agreed Value feature whereby policyholders can protect themselves against the depreciation value of their car by setting an agreed coverage amount when purchasing the policy. The Waiver of Betterment Cost feature ensures that customers are covered for the full cost of new original parts for their car with no extra procedure or paperwork upon claims.

Additionally, customers can choose the Natural Disaster (Special Perils) options that protects their cars against loss or damage caused by flood, storm, landslide or other acts of nature. These days, you never know when your car might be caught in a flood…

“We are very excited to be able to bring Family Drive and its various innovative and customer-centric features to the motor insurance market. Our market research identified various customer concerns where we saw the growing trend of expanding families who were worried about their family’s safety and the inconveniences caused by car accidents,” said Eric Chang, CEO of AIA General Berhad.

“With these insights, we developed Family Drive as a way to meet the protection needs of our customers on the road – ultimately providing them with a worry-free driving experience for the entire family,” he explained.