Home - Piston.my

New Honda models to be launched in Malaysia before year-end

Like other car companies, Honda Malaysia is looking at how to best regain its business momentum in the remaining four months of 2021 after the prolonged shutdown of both retail activities as well as production at the assembly plant in Melaka. Whatever target was set at the beginning of the year would be hard to achieve, especially with over 2 months of almost no sales. Until the end of July, the total number of new vehicles sold was 25,581 units.

To sell as many vehicles as possible before the year ends, the company has plans to launch new models and offer financial initiatives with promotional campaigns. While the new models are not mentioned, it is likely that apart from updates of existing models, there could be the new City Hatchback and 11th generation Civic, both of which have appeared in neighbouring countries.

“In our plans to regain the momentum and set a new benchmark in the market, Honda Malaysia has lined up new models that feature Honda’s Next Generation Advanced Technology to be launched in the coming months. These launches will provide Malaysians with more new model options during the current sales tax exemption period, which has been extended to December 31, 2021,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

With the resumption of assembly operations, the company is also rushing out new vehicles to clear backlogs as well as to prepare for new demand. While speeding up output, the company is mindful of the need to maintain quality at the expected high standards. At the same time, with the ongoing pandemic, extra vigilance and precautionary measures have been implemented in addition to the continued SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and government guidelines to ensure a safe environment for Honda associates.

*Honda Malaysia’s assembly plant in Melaka.*

Full vaccination of workforce by October
Ms. Chujo said that 80% of Honda associates have been fully vaccinated. “This is part of our effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This effort was also accelerated by the Public-Private Partnership COVID-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS). As the nation is making great progress with the vaccination programme, we target to complete full vaccination of all our associates by October 2021,” she added.

The same stringent adherence to SOPs also applies at dealerships for the protection of customers and employees. All precautionary and preventive measures are taken which include COVID-19 tests for associates every 2 weeks, regular sanitisation and disinfection of the premises. “We are most appreciative of the government’s support in reopening the automotive sector that allows the business chain to operate under strict observance of SOPs,” Ms. Chujo said.

Promotions in September
In addition to reduced prices with the sales tax exemption, Honda Malaysia’s ‘September Special Benefits’ promotion for the month offers up to RM6,000 worth of benefits for customers. A Special Financing Program that will be available until December 31, 2021 allows customers who purchase new vehicles to pay lower monthly instalments during the early stage of their ownership. Honda dealers have more details on this program.

Customers who have already made up their mind which Honda model they want to buy can make use of the Online Pre-Booking Platform. Available on the Honda Malaysia Official Website and HondaTouch application, this platform enables customers to pre-book any Honda model at anytime from anywhere (as long as they have an internet connection) with a minimum fee of just RM99. This can start the purchase process without them having to visit the showroom so soon.

With the HondaTouch application on their smartphone or tablet, Honda owners can enjoy a faster and simpler aftersales service appointment process prior to visiting the dealerships. The app has 10 features which are particularly useful for owners, providing them with accessibility to their vehicle and its information wherever they are.

In line with Honda’s aim to be a company that society wants to exist, Honda Malaysia has been reaching out to assist local communities who are facing hardships due to the pandemic and prolonged lockdown. The company undertook initiatives such as contributing packs comprising food, beverages and personal care products to patients under quarantine, providing the BR-V to staff at the Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) in the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) for daily commute, and distributing necessities to charity homes.

Honda Malaysia continues to provide assistance to local communities

Perodua sales picking up but sales target for 2021 is lowered by 10.8%

As the industry gets back into gear with the resumption of business activities allowed by the government after a long period of forced closure, sales and new vehicle deliveries are picking up again. It is clear that although these are challenging times, there is still demand for new vehicles, as evident by Perodua registering almost 7,000 new vehicles in the roughly two weeks of operation last month.

The Malaysian carmaker reported that it delivered 6,988 vehicles in August, compared with only 655 units in July. In the first 6 months of this year, before the shutdown, the average sales each month were around 16,000 units. On a year-to-date basis, Perodua registered 104,933 vehicles, a 12.5% drop compared with 119,977 vehicles sold between January and August last year.

The factory is also in full swing as it can operate with full workforce capacity due to Perodua’s initiative to have its employees vaccinated using the PIKAS program. Some 13,000 employees and also suppliers received the first dose of the vaccine from the end of July. They were vaccinated at the headquarters complex in Sg. Choh, Selangor.

From January to July this year, the number of vehicles produced at the two factories in the Perodua complex totalled 98,944 units, which was 1,116 units more than the same period in 2020. This was probably due to Perodua having boosted production in view of the high demand that had been creating a backlog of deliveries.

“We are working on closing the gap by further increasing our manufacturing output as well as further improving our Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the safety of our people and our customers,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

However, he said that the company has lowered its sales target for 2021. “Based on the time and resources available, we are reducing our sales target by 10.8% to 214,000 units for this year from our earlier target of 240,000 units,” he said, while expecting that production and registration numbers will multiply in September as the situation normalises.

“Our main concern now is to ensure that the automotive industry will be able to sustain itself this year as COVID-19 and the semiconductor supply shortage continue to haunt the manufacturers both domestically and globally,” Dato’ Zainal said.

He said that Perodua was able to secure enough supply of semiconductor chips to ensure production would resume smoothly this year and that most of Perodua’s outstanding order would be met within the year. “For now, the semiconductor chip supply is still a global issue and we are working with our partners and suppliers to limit any disruption it may cause,” he added.

To know more about Perodua’s range of vehicles and services available, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Perodua alerts customers of scams detected in connection with new Ativa SUV

Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is inviting owners of the Nissan Almera Turbo to provide their fuel consumption data and the company will donate 1 RM per kilometre to selected charitable organisations, based on the total highest kms/litre submitted.

Just get your best fuel consumption
The campaign, called the ‘Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive’, is a simple and fun challenge that encourages all Almera Turbo owners to help make a positive impact on the lives of people who faced sudden hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. They should take a picture of the fuel consumption displayed to crd@tanchonggroup.com together with their full name, vehicle number, contact number and Facebook page name. If the fuel consumption display shows litres/100 kms, the number will be converted to kms/litre by ETCM.

*The turbocharged Nissan Almera engine can go up to 18.4 kms per litre.*

Multiple submissions can be made for the same vehicle but only the best figure will be counted for both the prize challenge and donation. Prizes offered are an exclusive Nissan GT-R by LEGO as the Grand Prize or a special edition Nissan Duffle Bag as consolation prizes

The campaign will run until September 30, 2021, with updated results shown on the Nissan Malaysia Facebook page.

Malaysia Day Treats Promotion
If you do not own an Almera Turbo yet but want to participate in the challenge, you can get one with great deals such as an attractive low monthly instalment (Flexi Financing promotion), exclusive accessories package and maintenance service. These are offered in the company’s ‘Malaysia Day Treats Promotion’ during September and additionally, there will be savings with the sales tax exemption on all models.

*With ETCM’s Flexi Financing promotion this month, the instalment for a new Almera Turbo can be from RM530 a month, and you will also get RM5,500 worth of accessories with the purchase.*

All Nissan showrooms are now operating as usual except for those within the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) affected areas. More information on Nissan vehicles and locations of outlets can be found at www.nissan.com.my.

Remember the ‘Nissan Buy Car, Win Home’ contest that Edaran Tan Chong Motor had? Over 11,000 customers participated during the year-long campaign period and the winner was Balamurugan a/l Suppiah. He recently received his brand new Serviced Apartment worth RM665,000 at The ERA @ Duta North Kuala Lumpur as the prize. He credited his wife for the win as she had encouraged him to purchase the Nissan X-Trail SUV.

FEATURE: A closer look at the Nissan Almera Turbo engine

Lotus Vision80 plan to transform company on journey of global expansion

Group Lotus, once owned by Proton and now owned by its shareholder, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has big plans for the rest of the decade, with a product plan for the next 5 years that will see at least 5 new models. The ongoing strategic plan, known as Vision80, outlines the transformation of the company ahead of its 80th birthday in 2028.

Also of significance to the journey of global expansion is the establishment of Lotus Technology. This is a new division of Group Lotus, a global ‘intelligent technology’ subsidiary which augments the brand’s DNA and technology accumulated over the 73 years that Lotus has been in business. Its role is to accelerate innovation in the fields of batteries and energy management, electric motors, electronic control systems, intelligent driving, intelligent manufacturing and more.

Expanding the global footprint
Working hand in hand, China-based Lotus Technology and the UK-based Lotus team are at the core of Group Lotus’ future development strategy. Lotus in the UK will be responsible for the development and production of sportscars, as well as coordinating global sales for the Lotus brand. Lotus Technology in China will be responsible for integrating a new generation of lifestyle products, bringing together China’s EV and manufacturing specialisms, UK’s design and advanced performance centres and Germany-based R&D resources (at the Lotus Technology Innovation Centre in Raunheim), as well as the global development and production of premium intelligent drive technologies.

“Transforming Lotus from a UK sportscar company to a truly global performance car company has always been at the core of Vision80. The launch of Lotus Technology is a major milestone on the road to making that a reality, while adhering to the unwavering Lotus principles of pure performance, efficiency, motorsport success and, above all, being ‘For the Drivers’,” said Matt Windle, Managing Director of Lotus Cars.

New factory for Lotus EVs in China
The new Lotus Technology headquarters will be completed in 2024, while an all-new Lotus factory, to manufacture Lotus electric vehicles for global markets, will open later this year. The new plant, located in Wuhan has an investment of over £900 million (about RM5.17 billion). It will complement existing UK sportscar manufacturing and performance facilities in England. It is being built with the world’s most advanced manufacturing technologies to become a global centre of excellence for Lotus’ premium lifestyle models.

Covering an area of over 1 million square metres, the new factory in China plant will have has a capacity of up to production of 150,000 vehicles a year. with an investment of over £900 million (about RM5.17 billion)

The new plant is the first in the world with an integrated intelligent test track. It features an advanced system whereby vehicles can be transported into workshops using autonomous driving technology without any human intervention. It is designed to accommodate vehicles driving at speeds up to 230 km/h) through 16 corners.

In the field of intelligent drive, Lotus has also unveiled the concept of ‘track-level intelligent drive’ as a 10-year technological development target. The new technology’s aim is to assist drivers to perform as well as an F1 driver on track, while increasing driver safety and improving performance on the road through advanced software and hardware. The result is a more rewarding and reassuring experience in any environment.

*Emira will be the last petrol-powered sportscar from Lotus.*

5 new models in 5 years
As for the new models, which are in addition to the Evija all-electric hypercar and the Emira (the last petrol-powered sportscar from Lotus), the first one will be an E-segment SUV codenamed ‘Type 132’ which will be launched next year. It will be followed in 2023 by an E-segment 4-door coupe (Type 133), and in 2025 by the Type 134, a new D-segment SUV. This trio will be joined in 2026 by the Type 135, an all-new electric sportscar.

The development of the brand’s new premium lifestyle vehicles will take place on the Lotus Premium architecture, one of the four new vehicle platforms announced at the Driving Tomorrow global strategy conference in April. The Premium architecture supports a wheelbase range from 2889 mm -3100 mm and could be further expanded in the future. It supports the development of all types of passenger vehicles from C+ to E segments. Using 92 – 120 kWh batteries, it is compatible with the industry’s most advanced 800V high-speed EV charging system. Products developed on this platform will be capable of 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds.

Since being founded by Colin Chapman in 1948, Lotus has been among the industry leaders in innovation with its commitment to pure driving, outstanding ride and handling, lightweight technologies and aerodynamic engineering. Today, with the backing and global resources of Geely Holding Group, the company benefits from new capabilities in R&D, manufacturing and supply chain management.

New dawn for Lotus as Vision80 plan progresses

Hyundai to launch ultra compact SUV called Casper (w/VIDEO)

Casper, the friendly ghost in an animated cartoon series, is the name that Hyundai will use for a new ultra compact SUV that it will introduce during the fourth quarter of this year, starting with the Korean market.

Smallest Hyundai SUV model
The new model will be the carmaker’s smallest SUV, measuring 3595 mm long, 1595 mm wide and 1575 mm tall, with a 2400 mm wheelbase. That makes it even shorter than the old Perodua Kembara and about as large as the old Hyundai i10. The wheelbase is fairly generous though, which should provide maximum interior space.

Creating a new class?
Hyundai describes the Casper as being in ‘an all-new car class that never existed before’ and it will probably be presented as a vehicle for the urban jungle. Details are limited for now but it is expected to have a 1-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine and the ones Hyundai currently offers produce either 66 bhp with natural aspiration or up to 98 bhp with turbocharging. Under consideration is an electric version which could come later on.

While the Casper would be a nice little city car for Europe, it might also be offered as a trendy crossover for emerging markets as it will probably have an affordable pricetag with minimal high-tech. Hopefully, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors will be able to get their principal to consider it for the Malaysian market.

In its domestic market, Hyundai is taking bookings for the model this month and ‘early bird’ customers can get priority delivery, Starbucks gift cards as well as car-sharing test-drives for 8 hours.

CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept

CUPRA, the high-performance subsidiary of Spanish carmaker SEAT, has revealed the design language that will be used for its urban electric vehicle (EV). Instead of just sketches, the company has built a full-sized prototype which it calls the CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept that will be displayed at the IAA Munich International Motor Show this month.

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is designed as a racing car to push the limits in a radical interpretation of an urban electric car. Having a racing car as the basis for the design is because Racing is at the core of CUPRA’s DNA.

New electric car to be launched in 2025
“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car, due to be launched in 2025. This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA. “It builds on the design foundations of the 100% electric urban vehicle, that will be launched in 2025.”

This racing version will influence the road version of the urban electric car, but the core elements are enhanced to give the vehicle an even more rebellious character. At the front, the shark nose was created using a negative surface. The front face is also emphasized by the new triangular signature in the headlamps.

Its wraparound window graphic generates the visual effect of a helmet – as in the CUPRA Tavascan Concept – and gives continuity between the windows around the whole car to deliver the effect of a floating roof.

Moving to the side, the car shows athletic proportions, thanks to the wedge line – from the C-pillar to the front door – with diagonal sculptural surfaces., that create tensional contrast. The rear view of shows athletic shoulders, in a new interpretation of the design seen in the CUPRA Formentor.

Influence from virtual world
The rear features an iconic design, thanks to horizontal proportions. On top of that, the large spoiler – usually seen on racing cars seen in the virtual world – gives it an imposing sharp look underlined by the negative surface beneath it.

“The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept injects a gamification look to the racing car, projecting a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car,” said Jorge Diez, CUPRA Design Director. “Each contoured line and sculpted surface in the design is brought to life by a livery that uses kinetic particles to add movement to the surface as light shifts across it.”

Volkwagen MEB platform for EVs
The car’s overall length is 4080 mm, with a width of 1795 mm and height of 1444 mm, which makes is slightly larger than a Volkswagen Polo but smaller than a Golf. It sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB (modular electric drive matrix) platform engineered for EVs. The output for the concept car is said to be 250 kW of continuous power and up to 320 kW at its peak. The factory claim for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 3.2 seconds.

*Volkswagen Group MEB platform designed for electric vehicles.*

The CUPRA UrbanRebel Concept is more than just a preview of a new model for CUPRA. It also involves the rest of the Volkswagen Group, which SEAT is part of. “The urban electric car is a key strategic project not only for our company, but also for the Volkswagen Group, as our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in the Martorell factory in Spain for different Group brands. The urban electric car will democratise and make accessible electromobility to the masses,” said Griffiths.