The Ford Motor Company recently hosted its 13th Annual Global Caring Month where thousands of Ford employee volunteers around the world venture out into their communities and lend a helping hand to those in need. Ford volunteers from Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the sole distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, joined hands with the National Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Malaysia – Rumah Ozanam and Pusat Jagaan Darul Sakinah, to provide service and moral support, as well as to organise a series of activities to create equal opportunities for orphaned and underprivileged children. The activities included a trip to Kidzania, purchase of school uniforms and distribution of household supply vouchers.
Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the employee-driven Ford Volunteer Corps. Since its launch in 2005 by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than 1.5 million hours of community service in 50 countries, representing more than $40 million of in-kind community investments.
“We are proud to be part of the Ford Global Caring Month, and are truly inspired by all the work that Ford employees, dealers and local partners are doing across the globe,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (above). “Together with Ford, we are committed to moving forward and improving the quality of life for people in our communities where we live and work.”
In Asia Pacific, thousands of Ford volunteers will participate in various projects in China, India, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as in eleven countries in Ford’s Emerging Markets business unit. In addition to the volunteer activities in Malaysia, Ford Global Caring Month projects in the Emerging Markets include:
Cambodia – Renovating playgrounds in a local school
Guam – Providing financial support to public hospital and cleaning patient wards
Hong Kong – Organising activities to raise awareness of cleft lip and cleft palate conditions
Laos – Providing education on basic personal hygiene best practices for students
Mongolia – Providing teaching aids and computer equipment for a local school
Nepal – Organising activities at a rural school to improve basic sanitation knowledge
New Caledonia – Tree planting programme to promote awareness on preventing deforestation
Sri Lanka – Renovating a local school
Vanuatu – Construction work at a local education facility
Myanmar – Taking care of injured and sick animals at a local animal shelter
In September 2018, the Ford Volunteer Corps tackled hundreds of projects in cities, towns and villages on six continents. The Ford Fund – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company – has contributed more than $700,000 in grants to purchase tools and supplies for many of the global projects.
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.
The Ford Motor Company, together with its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has launched the new Ford Ranger… NINE variants to be exact – an even more capable pick-up with a freshened lineup that combines class-leading technology, safety and convenience features. The new ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger builds on the capabilities and off-road credentials that perfectly complements, and enables a wide range of customers’ work and lifestyles. But not the Raptor… this was just a preview. The official Raptor launch happens at KLIMS next month (see video below)…
The new Ranger lineup in Malaysia consists of nine different variants, including the XL, XLT, new XLT+ Wildtrak, and the much anticipated Ranger Raptor. The Raptor will be launched officially at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 this November. Pricing for the new Ranger Raptor has not been announced but it’s quite possible that the Raptor could be the first ‘lifestyle’ pick-up truck in Malaysia to breach the RM200,000 mark.
“With the new advanced features and the new generation powertrain offering even greater capability, the new Ranger will build on its already strong and widening appeal in the market,” said Truong Kim Phong, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company. “The new Ranger will help continue to revolutionise the pickup truck segment, and we are proud that so many customers are choosing Ford.”
“We know that Malaysian customers want their pickups to have the toughness of a truck as well as the comfort and advanced features of a passenger vehicle. We are confident that the new Ranger lineup will offer customers unmatched versatility, helping them achieve more, whether at work or with their family,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Bin Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (below).
More on the new Ford Rangers…
Advanced Powertrains for Proven Performance, Cutting-edge Technology
The new Ford Ranger offers a choice of three diesel powertrains to deliver greater versatility and to match consumer demands for a wider variety of requirements. These include the new generation 2.0L Single-Turbo and 2.0L Bi-Turbo engines, and the Ranger’s proven Duratorq 2.2L.
Ford’s new generation of diesel engines uses advanced materials and boasts sophisticated construction. Compact, lightweight, powerful and efficient, they feature common-rail direct fuel-injection, an integrated intake manifold, and a belt-in-oil primary drive. Available exclusively on the Wildtrak 4×4 (and Raptor) is the new-generation 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel engine, coupled with an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission to bring greater torque, improved flexibility and a quieter, more comfortable drive.
The 2.0L Bi-Turbo takes advantage of sequential turbocharging to deliver greater responsiveness, drivability and maximum efficiency. A pair of turbochargers are employed for maximum performance and efficiency. A variable geometry turbocharger is employed to deliver greater throttle response and eliminate lag by spooling up quickly at low speeds. The second unit is a fixed geometry turbocharger with a high flow capacity to deliver maximum power and performance.
With 500Nm from a low 1750rpm, the Bi-Turbo engine delivers a greater torque spread, with the 10-speed’s close ratios reducing gaps in power and acceleration to make steep, slippery hill-climbs much easier. The Wildtrak model optioned with the new engine maintains Ranger’s equal class-leading payload and 3500kg towing capability. The 2.0L Single-Turbo engine, available on the Wildtrak 4×2 and new Ranger XLT+ variants, is also mated to Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver 180PS and an impressive 420Nm of torque. The XL and XLT variants are equipped with Ranger’s proven 2.2L turbodiesel engine, which offers 160PS/385Nm and comes with a six-speed automatic and manual transmission.
Tougher, Smarter
Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist feature using Inter-Urban Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection is available on the new Ranger. The system is designed to detect pedestrians as well as vehicles to bring the Ranger to a complete stop to help mitigate potential rear-end collisions and road-traffic collisions with pedestrians. The system functions at speeds above 3.6km/h.
The First and only in-class Lane Departure Warning & Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning will carry over to the new Ranger. Ford’s segment-first Semi-Automatic Parrallel Parking (SAPP) is available on the Wildtrak 4×4. The driver need only to apply the gear changes and brakes, and the system will automatically steer the Ranger into the parking space.
Loading is easier than ever on the Wildtrak and XLT+ models with the introduction of the first and only in-class, Easy Lift Tailgate. With a new internal mechanism, the Ranger’s tailgate is now lighter to lift, with a 70 percent reduction in initial force required to raise it for closing. Not only does this system require less effort to lift, it also means that it’s easier to lower. Check out the video below for a “one-finger” operation demonstration of the easy-lift tailgate (skip to the 2m20sec mark for the demo)
The Ranger has added the light and nimble Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to the entry level XL variant – making it the first-in-segment to offer this feature as standard across all models – and providing even more capability to these workhorse trucks that tackle the daily demands of construction sites and agricultural fields across the country.
Ranger’s Fresh Face
The new Ranger’s rugged good looks see styling changes that carry on the off-road stance and visual appeal of the current model. Lead by a cleaner new grille, which features the distinctive ‘nostrils’, the more distinctively chiselled lower bumper now offers a broader intake for a more balanced look. Ranger Wildtrak and XLT+ boast LED daytime running lights and HID headlights for better visibility. The Wildtrak variants will also come fitted with LED front fog lamps.
“A successful design should communicate its intent at-a-glance,” said Ford Asia-Pacific Director of Design, Todd Willing.“With Ranger’s reputation as an amazingly capable and versatile vehicle, it is our responsibility to create a design that clearly signals those attributes in combination with a handsome and appealing aesthetic.” There is also clearer distinction between models visually, with bumper treatments and colours reflecting the unique character of each model – be it a hardworking Ranger XL or a go-anywhere Wildtrak. Chrome brightwork on the Ranger XLT and Monument accents on the Ranger Wildtrak reflect each model’s unique position in the line-up. Exclusive to Wildtrak is the new ‘Saber’ hero colour, a rich orange with blonde accents which contrasts strongly with the dark grey grille surrounds. The Wildtrak’s sports-bar and two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels further differentiate it from the pack.
Mission Control
The Ranger is now equipped with keyless entry and push-start button on the XLT+ and Wildtrak. Its interior hosts an array of upgrades to help tackle the working week, the long weekend road trip, and the off-road adventure. With durable, tactile surface finishes ensuring a long lifespan, the spacious Ranger now sports a black themed interior. Contrasting detail elements including shadow chrome and silver accent stitching help give its interior a premium feel.
SYNC® 3 on the Ranger XLT+ and Wildtrak is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and includes Bluetooth and an 8.0-inch full colour touchscreen. The Wildtrak is also equipped with in-built satellite navigation system for when the Ranger is beyond mobile coverage areas.
On-road Comfort, Off-road Conquered
The new Ranger’s suspension had been upgraded for improved control roll, to enhance the driving experience when fully-laden and when towing. The new packaging also enables geometry changes for an improved ride, a reduction in body roll as well as improved steering precision. The suspension changes do not impact on Ranger’s equal class-leading towing and payload capabilities.
“We’ve further improved how Ranger behaves when carrying a load, towing a boat or when taking a caravan around the country,” said John Willems, Chief Program Engineer, Ranger.“The Ranger is now better to drive when it’s working at its hardest. It is easier to handle, so you can really make the most of its payload and towing capabilities. It helps reduce fatigue on long trips, too.”
Pricing, Colors and Service
The following variants of the new Ranger are available at the following prices:
Wildtrak – two variants, from RM134,888.00
XLT+ – one variant, from RM124,888.00
XLT – two variants, from RM109,888.00
XL – three variants, from RM90,888.00
The Ranger is available in eight exciting colors, including the three new; Saber (Wildtrak only), Magnetic and Lightning Blue colours, as well as Cool White, Meteor Grey, Aluminium Metallic, Frozen White and Absolute Black.
As an early bird offer,the first 888 customers who register their new Ford Ranger will each receive an electrical goods voucher worth RM1,000. The early bird offer ends either when the 888th registration is reached or at 31 December 2018, whichever comes first*. On top of that, Sime Darby Auto Connexion will be offering new Ranger customers up to 2 years free maintenance or up to 40,000km for customers who successfully register before 31 January 2019, whichever comes first*.
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 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.
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.
It’s the holiday season! You just got your license! You’re behind the steering wheel, cruising into an exciting new world of driving, but in today’s crowded cities, it can be a dangerous world, too. Traffic is hectic, distractions are all around and other drivers and pedestrians can behave unpredictably (read: dangerously!). While being in a car can feel safer than driving on a scooter, you’re only as safe as your actions.
A recent Ford survey found an alarming number of young drivers who admitted using risky behaviors while driving – such as speeding and even watching TV. While some things are out of your control, knowing road safety rules and following a few practical tips can help protect you on the road – no matter how far or near you go.
Buckle your belts! This may seem like old news. Wearing a seat belt is Rule #1. But many people are still reluctant to wear a seat belt, especially in the backseat.
The reasons why may surprise you. One common excuse for avoiding seatbelts is not wanting to wrinkle clothes! Hmmm, let’s consider the trade-offs. Don’t wear a seatbelt and you are prone to injury in case of an accident (and your clothes won’t fare well either). Or, wear a seatbelt and reduce your chance of injury by half in an accident – and reduce the risk of death by 45 percent. Trust us, seatbelts are beautiful. Your wrinkled clothes are beautiful after wearing a seatbelt. The takeaway? Buckle your seatbelt.
Know your car. This may seem obvious, but every car is different, so know the car you’re in to avoid distractions on the road. Understand how to use your head lights, windshield wipers and temperature controls before darkness falls, before the monsoon rains hit, before you’re scrambling to turn on the aircon. This handy guide can help decipher the symbols on your dashboard instrument cluster.
Many cars today are equipped with driver-assist technologies to help keep you safe on busy roads. Get familiar with this technology before you set out. For example, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak that is equipped with Forward Collission Alert & Mitigation by Brakes, warns you on an obstacle ahead while the Lane Departure Warning System vibrates the steering to alert the driver that he or she is drifting out of the lane.
Don’t be distracted. Phone alerts. Social media. Noisy children. Eating food. Applying makeup. Lack of sleep. Loud music. The list of distractions is endless. But distracted driving is linked to a growing number of accidents and fatalities and puts you in danger.
According to Ford’s 2017 survey about distracted driving, 54 percent of drivers in Asia Pacific say they try not to use their phones while driving – but they do anyway. Finish what you’re doing before you drive – your life and the lives of those around you are more important than answering that text.
Drive defensively. Crawling along in bumper to scooter traffic can be frustrating for any driver, experienced or not, but here are some strategies for defensive driving.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially when backing out of parking spaces or making lane changes and turns. Take advantage of your car’s parking technology and other driver-assist technologies like Ford’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, which helps you be aware of cars in your own blind spot. Part of the Ford Co-Pilot360TM suite of driver-assist technologies, BLIS is designed to help detect and notify the driver of vehicles that may have entered the blind spot zone, on either side of your vehicle. When backing out of a parking space, the same sensors can detect vehicles approaching from the rear side.
Other practical defensive driving tips include:
Use your turn signals.
Keep two hands on the steering wheel.
Watch out for animals! Small animals can suddenly dart into the road, and larger animals may unexpectedly block traffic altogether.
Don’t engage with aggressive drivers, and remember, it’s not a race! The only finish line is getting home safely, so follow all speed limits.
Watch the weather. Seasons change, and your situation on the road will, too. Practice driving in bad weather in a safe, secluded location to see how your traction, braking and steering are impacted at various speeds – if possible, have an experienced driver join you. Practicing will help you remain “calm in the storm” during a roadtrip or when it’s time to go to work or school.
Cyclical monsoons and typhoons can cause flooded roads with fallen or floating debris. Strong winds can make it difficult to stay in your lane, and sudden gusts can cause tall trucks to veer out of their lanes. Driving on flooded roads should be avoided, but here are a few strategies for cruising through the rainy season:
Replace windshield wipers before the rains start…and check your tires to be sure they have adequate tread and are properly inflated.
Turn on your headlights.
Take it slow. Driving at high speeds can cause your car to hydroplane (lose traction and skid) on slippery pavement and may cause you to lose control.
Following these tips and taking a safe driving training course will help you avoid becoming a statistic and contribute positively towards responsible driving. Now in its eleventh year, Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) offers free training for people across the Asia Pacific, including young drivers, expectant mothers, Uber drivers and farmers. The program covers hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed and space management, distracted driving and much more. In Malaysia, DSFL has trained closed to 1,000 people in the past 3 years since 2012.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the sole distributor of Ford in Malaysia, today announced the updated prices for its full range of Ford models, effective 1 June 2018 in conjunction with the implementation of the zero-rated GST.
The new prices, which offer savings of up to RM33,000, will remain in effect until the reintroduction of the sales and services tax (SST). Malaysians should take advantage of this tax-free window of opportunity, place their bookings now and get their loan documents submitted and approved so that they can enjoy the GST savings come 1 June, as well as other on-going promotions.
(All prices stated are on-the-road, excluding insurance and any short-term promotional offers)
“There is no better time than now to own a Ford. The tax-free timeframe between 1 June until the implementation of the SST offers a great opportunity for customers to enjoy substantial savings across our full line-up” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
“Customer satisfaction is a top priority for us. In addition to passing down savings from the removal of the GST, customers can enjoy more benefits through a host of irresistible promotions and prizes that is part of our ‘Triple Celebration’ campaign,” he added.
Celebrate SDAC’s 10th anniversary with a galore of amazing promotions and prizes…
In conjunction with its 10-year anniversary, SDAC is offering incredible deals on selected models until 30 June 2018. Customers who purchase a Ford Mustang will get to drive home a free brand-new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport. Limited units of the Ford S-Max are also on offer at celebratory prices starting from RM147,000.
Additionally, customers who purchase any Ford Ranger Wildtrak variant will receive free service and maintenance for two years or 40,000km (whichever comes first).
Customers who purchase any Ford Ranger variant also stand to win fantastic prizes including a grand prize of one brand new Ford Fiesta 1.5L Sport and 15 units of Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphones. Winners are determined through a monthly lucky draw, with five smartphones to win each month. With the first draw completed, there are still 10 units of smartphones to be won. The grand prize winner will be announced after the final draw in June.
Triple Celebration with ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ 13-day only sales promotion…
To add to the festivities, SDAC is offering more attractive prizes with the ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ sales promotion, which will run from 1 June to 13 June 2018.
Through this Raya promotion, one daily prize in the form of electronic goods, a smartphone or a gadget is up for grabs over 13 days in the countdown to the Hari Raya festival.
The ‘Raya Joy & Enjoy’ offer is valid for registration of any Ford model within the promotional period. Customers are strongly encouraged to book and submit all their loan documents now so they can still be in time to register their vehicles from 1 – 13 June and be in the running to win.
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.
