Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, recently claimed a double win for its Ford Ranger and Ford Focus at the Carlist.my People’s Choice Awards & Editors’ Choice Award 2018. The multiple-award winning Ford Ranger reaffirmed its popularity amongst Malaysians, winning a Gold for ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year’ while the dynamic Ford Focus was voted a second favourite, taking home Silver in the ‘Mid-Range Hatch’ category.
“We are elated that the Ranger continues to be a top favourite and that the Focus nameplate still holds a special spot in the hearts of Malaysians. We wish to extend our utmost gratitude to all Malaysians for their support as we continue to enhance the ownership experience for our customers in every way possible,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below, at a different COTY event)
“With its ‘Built Ford Tough’ credentials, the Ranger is designed and engineered to handle the most extreme terrain with ease. At the same time, it delivers a level of refinement that offers customers the option of owning not just an adventure or commercial-ready truck, but also a lifestyle and family vehicle. Meanwhile, the Ford Focus significantly raises the bar in its mid-range hatch category by delivering a class-leading combination of smart technologies, innovative design and safety as well as exceptional fuel efficiency” – SDAC Malaysia.
2018 marks the second year that winners of Carlist.my’s awards were purely chosen by Malaysians. This year, a total of 7,000 people voted for their favourite cars over a four-week period in 18 categories.
For more information, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese.
Ford Malaysia (Sime Darby Auto Connexion) hari ini telah melancarkan varian baharu Ford Ranger iaitu Ford Ranger Raptor 2019 sempena Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS 2018). Bagi mereka yang berminat dengan trak pikap gergasi Ford F-150 Raptor yang laris di Amerika Syarikat, Ford Ranger Raptor 2019 ini mempunyai intipati yang serupa dari segi reka bentuk di dalam pakej yang lebih sesuai untuk gaya pemanduan di Malaysia. (more…)
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia announced its participation in this year’s Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 which will take place from 23 November 2018 until 2 December 2018 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The show will see the official launch of Ford’s most anticipated vehicle of the year, the Ranger Raptor – the first and only factory-built, high-speed off-road performance truck. Combining the Ranger’s ‘Built Ford Tough’ character with Ford Performance DNA, the Ranger Raptor sets a new benchmark in off-road capability and opens up a new premium pickup segment.
Alongside the Ranger Raptor (below), Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) will also unveil the New Mustang (above) exclusively to visitors, the only unit flown into Malaysia on air freight, and will be showcased specifically for the 10-day show.
The SDAC-Ford stand will focus on delivering an immersive customer experience journey through interactive technology. It will enable visitors to engage with the brand through socially shareable content. Interactive experiences include the Virtual Reality Test Drive which educates visitors on Ford’s safety technologies, while the Augmented Reality Experience transports drivers to the various terrains the Raptor is able to overcome through its Terrain Management System (TMS).
Another highlight will be the Self-Guide Audio Tour, where visitors will be able to tour the stand at their own pace with a fully narrated audio guide headset. This “personal tour guide” will inform visitors on the stand’s design concept, educate visitors on the vehicles on display and promotions and happenings.
Visitors who make a vehicle booking of the New Ranger and New Mustang at the 10-day show will stand a chance to grab cash vouchers in a wind tunnel machine. The first 888 customers who register their new Ford Ranger will each receive an electrical goods voucher worth RM1,0001. Customers who purchase any new Ford Ranger variant will also be in the running to win a Ranger Raptor under the ‘Buy A New Ford Ranger, Win A Ranger Raptor’ Contest1. On top of that, Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be offering new Ranger including New Ranger Raptor customers up to 2 years free maintenance or up to 40,000km for customers who successfully register their vehicle before 31 January 2019, whichever comes first1.
The SDAC-Ford stand (No.1009) is located at Hall 2, Level 1 of the MITEC and is open to the public from 10am to 10pm on weekends, and 11am to 10pm on weekdays from November 23 until December 2. For more information and ticketing info, visit www.klims.com.my.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, has announced that the new Ford Ranger is scheduled for launch in Malaysia at the end of this month. The line-up will consist of the Ranger XL, XLT, Wildtrak, and the much anticipated Ranger Raptor (below). For the first time, SDAC will also be introducing the Ranger XLT+ variant to the Malaysia market.
With its ‘Built Ford Tough’ credentials and a range of variants in the upcoming line-up, there is now a Ford Ranger to suit every customer’s needs and lifestyle. The New Ranger is packed with Ford’ latest innovations and is born ready to take on the world with many first and only in-class features, the likes of which has never been introduced in pickup trucks before.
Long gone are the days when pickups were designed and built only to tackle muddy tracks and tough terrains. As technology evolves and consumer preferences change, the Ranger DNA was altered, building it to be more versatile, luxurious and less utilitarian. Features have been added for the Ranger to take on the concrete jungle. Customers now have the option of owning not just an adventure or commercial-ready truck, but also a lifestyle and family vehicle.
In Malaysia, there is a growing number of Ranger vehicles on the road purchased for lifestyle reasons, thanks to its suite of smart technologies, which is further complemented by a stylish and well-sculpted car-like interior. Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia was refined inside out without compromising on safety and off-road capabilities, making the Ranger smarter, tougher and more powerful.
For more information on the New Ford Ranger or to register your interest for updated details, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia concluded its 10th Anniversary Extravaganza on a high note as one lucky customer drove away a brand new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport. Logeshwaran Balasubramaniam (above, right) from Pahang, a loyal Ford owner expressing his joy at winning the Ford Fiesta said, “I’d like to thank Sime Darby Auto Connexion and Ford for this reward. My family and I never expected to win a prize, let alone a brand new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport. This has truly made our year extra special!”
“We are delighted to celebrate a decade of continued success. Our momentum would not have been possible without the support from our customers. Campaigns like the 10th Anniversary Extravaganza is one of the many ways we show our appreciation towards their on-going trust and loyalty,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, (above) Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
He continued by saying, “Our customers are our best brand ambassadors. We believe in making our customers’ experience more enjoyable, be it in the form of products, services, promotions and ensuring that every visit to our showroom is a delightful one.” The SDAC 10th Anniversary Extravaganza ran from 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018, offering incredible deals on selected Ford models. During the campaign, customers who purchased any Ford Ranger model stood a chance to walk away with a Fiesta as the grand prize.
For more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.
Ford and its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), recently offered safe driver training and road safety awareness to corporate partners and members of the public through Ford’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme.
More than 50 licensed drivers from corporate partners comprising telecommunications, highway maintenance and utilities companies participated in a free two half-day workshops at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).
According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), more than 43 percent of Malaysian drivers use their mobile phones while driving. This means that close to half of all Malaysian drivers are putting themselves and others in danger while behind the wheel.
As such, Ford and SDAC believe the Ford Driving Skills for Life programme will help drivers be more vigilant while on the road which would in turn, reduce the number of road accidents.
The DSFL workshops aim to address various driver risks, such as dealing with unexpected scenarios, speed and space management as well as raise awareness on distracted driving caused by mobile phone use or tiredness.
“Ford Driving Skills for Life provides Malaysian drivers with the tools and resources needed for safe driving. Road safety is a very serious issue and we take pride in our ability to help reinforce this message among Malaysian motorists,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below).
The programme is conducted through a mix of classroom and practical training sessions where drivers are offered hands-on driving experience.
An emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or medication was also incorporated as part of the programme. This included having participants wear specially designed goggles that help simulate the experience of driving while movement, coordination and alertness are impaired.
DSFL is Ford’s flagship global corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme funded by the Ford Motor Company Fund – the philanthropic arm of the Ford Motor Company. Globally, Ford DSFL is now in its 15th successful year of training licensed drivers of all ages. To date, the program has trained more than 1 million individuals in safe driving practices.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia welcomed over 3,000 visitors to its first experiential Ford Pop-Up store for the Ford Ranger. The Ford Pop-Up store was first introduced in the Klang Valley this July. Since then, the Ford Pop-Up store has travelled up north to Penang and the east coast to Kota Bharu. Customers who attended the Ford Pop-Up store were offered the unique opportunity to be immersed in a Virtual Reality (VR) experience to discover the smart and safe driver-assist technologies that has helped the Ranger set industry benchmarks.
Various fun-filled activities were also offered to participants with chances to walk away with exclusive Ford merchandise. “We are extremely pleased with the public’s positive reception of our first Ford Pop-Up store. By leveraging contemporary retail marketing concepts and modern technologies like VR, we hope to continue creating unique experiences to bring the Ford brand closer to consumers while introducing our vehicles to more new-to-Ford customers in Malaysia,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below).
A participant from the roadshow commented that, “The Ford-Pop Up store was beyond the usual consumer roadshow, but was also a place where I was also able to meet other Ford enthusiasts. It had various activities to not only entertain adults but was also fun for my children. I liked how the immersive Virtual Reality experience was able to show me how the Ranger’s safety features can assist me in a possible collision.”
The Ford Pop-Up store is still on tour and is scheduled to make its fourth stop at Setia City Convention Centre, Setia Alam from 10 until 12 August. It is open to public from 10am to 10pm daily and sales consultants will be present to assist with all inquiries, registration and purchase processes for interested customers. The schedule of the Ford Pop-Up store is as follows:
Dates
Locations
10 – 12 August 2018
Setia City Convention Centre – Lot B Car Park, Setia Alam
23 – 25 August 2018
Sutera Mall, Johor Bahru
6 – 8 September 2018
Aman Sentral, Alor Setar, Kedah
Customers at the Ford Pop-Up store can also take advantage of the current ‘Seize the Deal’ campaign which offers additional rebates of up to 10 percent on top of the six percent GST savings on the Ford Ranger, for total savings of RM19,830. The ‘Seize the Deal’ campaign is also valid for the Ford Fiesta and Mustang models, offering rebates of up to 17 percent and incredible total savings of up to RM113,000 and will run until 31 August 2018.
For the latest updates on the Ford Pop-Up store or more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot that is now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, has announced its ‘Seize the Deal’ campaign offering great rebates of up to 17% on top of the new six percent GST reduction on selected Ford models. Through this attractive promotion, customers can enjoy significant savings of up to RM113,000.
Valid nationwide for all variants of the Ford Mustang, Fiesta and Ranger models, the promotion applies to vehicles registered from now until 31 August 2018. All prices stated are on-the-road, without insurance, for Peninsular and East Malaysia and private individual registration only.
Through the campaign, Ford’s iconic pony car, the multiple award-winning Mustang, is now priced from RM396,271 with a total savings of up to RM113,000 (up to 13 percent rebate with zero-rated GST). Available in two variants – the GT 5.0L and 2.3L EcoBoost – the new Mustang features a sleeker, more athletic styling, enhanced engines, sharper driving dynamics and advanced driver assistance technologies. To ensure complete peace of mind, customers who purchase the Mustang from authorised SDAC-Ford dealers will also enjoy a three-year full manufacturer’s warranty.
Delivering the perfect blend of a connected world and fun-to-drive experience, promotional prices for the sporty Ford Fiesta is available from RM68,401. Customers can enjoy rebates of up to 17 percent in addition to the zero-rated GST for a combined savings of up to RM20,300. Built for the digital generation, the tech-savvy and young-at-heart can constantly be plugged into their favourite music and connected to their world while on the go with the Ford Fiesta.
Customers who desire a tough, capable and smart pickup truck that also offers a comfortable car-like environment can enjoy rebates to up to 10 percent on top of the six percent GST savings for the ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger. This works out to a combined savings of up to RM19,830 with prices starting from RM70,910. Available in 10 variants, including the Wildtrak, FX4, XLT, XL and Standard, the award-winning Ranger continues to be one of the best-selling pickups in the market, thanks to its durability and practicality, advanced technology and features, as well as its improved efficiency and refinement. Recent key accolades that Ranger has won include ‘Pickup Truck of the Year’ at the DSF.my Allianz Vehicle of the Year Awards (VOTY 2018) and ‘Best 3 Pickup Trucks of Malaysia’ at the Aurizn Awards 2018.
“This is a great time to own a Ford. We encourage all Malaysians to ‘Seize the Deal’ now and enjoy tremendous savings from these fantastic rebates on our popular Ford vehicles in addition to the zero-rated GST already implemented on our full line-up,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below).
Meanwhile in other news, strong demand for the segment-defining Ford Ranger pickup truck in Malaysia fueled second quarter retail sales that rose 7.5 percent from the prior year to 1,556 vehicles sold. The strong sales helped the Ranger increase its share of the pickup segment to 15.4 percent, a gain of 1.1 percentage points from the same quarter last year.
The “Built Ford Tough” Ranger continues to earn the favour of customers across the country and build on its growing success in the market,” said Truong Kim Phong, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. The Ranger continues to be Ford’s best-selling nameplate in Malaysia and one of the best-selling pickups in the market, attracting a wide range of customers who are looking for a versatile vehicle that is suitable for both on-and off-road.
“Ranger’s bold design, unmatched versatility, robust capability and advance safety features all combine to help drive its popularity in Malaysia,” said Syed Muzri. The Ranger is currently available in Malaysia in ten variants – including the high-series Ranger Wildtrak, Ranger FX4, XLT, XL and Standard variants – providing great customer choice and meeting a wide-range of work and recreational needs.
“We are delighted with the growing demand of expanded Ranger line-up and we’re confident that Ford Ranger will continue to drive our momentum in Malaysia. We also remain committed to continuously enhance our customer and ownership experience through the ongoing expansion and upgrades of our dealer network,” added Muzri.
Ford and Sime Darby Auto Connexion have continued to expand the nationwide dealer network this year with the opening of two new facilities in East Malaysia, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kuching) and Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu). Designed with Ford’s global Brand@Retail standards, these facilities offer Ford’s fast-growing customer base in East Malaysia the even better sales and aftersales services.
For more information on Ford, visit SDAC’s multilingual website (www.sdacford.com.my), which also features a chatbot now available in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Chinese – to provide a better customer engagement experience.
[1] All prices stated are for 2016 or 2017 year-make models, on-the-road, without insurance, for Peninsular and East Malaysia and private individual registration only.
Stuck in traffic, your spouse decides to take the “quicker” route home but makes a wrong turn instead. “Now we will never get home!” you shout from the passenger seat. The children, safely buckled in the back seat, start to cry. With so many distractions, you’ve just increased your driver’s chances of making a careless – and dangerous – move on the road.
As distracted driving continues to spread around the world, most of the attention has been directed at drivers and mobile phones. But one of the top distractions is sitting just a few inches away – passengers! Most passengers are probably unaware of the effect they have on drivers, but researchers have found that their behavior is just as crucial as the driver’s when it comes to safety.
Ways passengers affect drivers…
An early study showed that drivers with passengers were 60 percent more likely to have a crash resulting in serious injury compared to when driving alone. Passengers influence driver behaviors – both positively and negatively – due to a variety of factors such as the passenger’s age, the relationship of the driver and passenger and even the gender of the driver relative to the passenger.
For example, while women showed lower levels of risky driving in general, the presence of a man in the passenger’s seat was more likely to cause women to practice risky driving than if traveling with another woman. With passengers in a vehicle, drivers also tend to be less observant and less able to anticipate hazards.
“Consider the impact that your presence as a passenger can have on the driver,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, (below) Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “Support everyone’s safe arrival by avoiding distracting behaviors and helping the driver stay focused on the road.”
How to be a good car passenger
Passengers help set the tone for the drive – they can choose to be a helpful, calm sidekick or a bad influence. Here are five ways to be a better passenger:
Be a helpful co-pilot…
Take an active role during the drive by navigating, answering the phone, warning of approaching hazards and keeping the driver company.
Don’t distract the driver…
If you expect the driver to focus on the road, do your part to minimize distractions. Don’t talk loudly on the phone, constantly change the music or comment on their driving.
Stay awake…
Sleeping passengers can increase the chances of the driver falling asleep, too. If needed, swap drivers during long journeys so everyone can take a short nap when tiredness sets in.
Keep kids safe…
Avoid meltdowns by being prepared with a snack, book or other activities for children. Your “precious cargo” – everyone in your car – should be safely secured with seat belts and age-appropriate car seats to minimize distractions and maximize safety.
Speak up…
You have the right to tell drivers to stop putting your lives in danger if they are driving recklessly or engaging in risky behavior.
Instead of creating or contributing to a problem on the road, you can take more responsibility as an engaged co-pilot. And remember, the next time a driver takes a wrong turn, be the perfect passenger and offer kind words and patient navigation.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), Ford Motor Company’s exclusive distribution partner in Malaysia, today announced the opening of its newly upgraded Ford dealer showroom and service centre, Sime Darby Auto Connexion Kota Kinabalu.
Strategically located at Jalan Limau Manis, the 3,216 square-metre facility is designed with Ford’s global Brand@Retail standards, including six additional service bays with vehicle hoists, totaling 13 service bays. The facility also features a dedicated customer service lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, where customers can enjoy hot beverages and snacks while waiting for their service appointments.
“Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is designed to offer an unmatched customer experience, with convenience, efficiency and comfort,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, (below) managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “This upgraded facility is part of Ford and SDAC’s network expansion and customer service enhancement plan aimed to offer the very best sales and aftersales services to better serve growing number of Ford customers in East Malaysia.”
Staffed by certified technicians, the Kota Kinabalu showroom is equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and special tools to provide Ford Authorised Service, and maintains a full supply of genuine spare parts. “The quality of the ownership experience we provide is just as important as the quality of our world-class Ford vehicles,” said Truong Kim Phong, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. “The newly upgraded Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) demonstrates our joint commitment to offer Ford customers an even better experience.”
The Sime Darby Auto Connexion (Kota Kinabalu) is located at Jalan Limau Manis, Off Jalan Lintas, 88450 Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The Showroom is open from 8:30am-5.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, while Service Centre opening hours are 8:00am-5:00pm from Monday to Friday, 8:00am-12:30pm on Saturday.
For more information, call the Kota Kinabalu hotlines – showroom 088 425 255, service centre 088 427 666, or visit www.sdacford.com.my.