http://www.theedgedaily.com/article.cfm?id=26431

Audi to set up regional assembly plant
By Kevin Tan, 11.48pm

German carmaker Audi AG is scouting for a suitable location in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, to set up a production facility to serve the region, says its Asia Pacific director Dominique Boesch.

The assembly plant would help to spur sales of Audi cars in Malaysia, as the company had set its sights on a 10 per cent share of the country's luxury car market by 2008, Boesch told reporters after the launch of three new Audi models in Shah Alam on Nov 11.

He said Audi was "investigating all the countries involved with the Asean Free Trade Area." He declined to indicate the amount to be invested in the project.

"It's just an investigation and there is no conclusion yet," Boesch said, adding that the company would probably make a decision on the matter some time in the first quarter of 2004.

He said Audi could either start the operations from scratch or take over an existing facility in the region, but the investment should be justified by sales of at least 10,000 units a year.

Boesch said last year, Audi sales in Southeast Asia increased by 12 per cent to 8,000 units compared to the previous year. The company had sold 4,300 units in the first half of 2003 and was confident of selling about 9,000 units by year-end, he added.

Audi's new distributor Euromobil Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd, today unveiled the A4 1.8T, A6 1.8T and TT Coupe with unit selling prices (without insurance) at RM220,024, RM283,938 and RM325,033 respectively.

"We are looking at a sales target of at least 200 units in 2004 and hoping to increase the Audi market share in the luxury car segment up to 10 per cent by 2008," said EON managing director Datuk Adzmi Abdul Wahab.

He said Euromobil had bought a 7.9ha land in Shah Alam to build a customer facility called "Audi Hangar" that would house a showroom and after sales service and spare part centre.

The facility and the land - estimated to cost about RM30 million - was expected to be ready by the middle of next year, Adzmi said.

Auto - Firing on all cylinders





By DARSHINI M. NATHAN and JOSE BARROCK




IN a recent informal chat session, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd chief executive officer Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff admitted that Proton was largely prepared for the intensifying competition that will hit the auto industry except for this – the Korean factor.

He isn't exaggerating. Korean car Hyundai's market share has risen from 1 per cent in 2002 to 5 per cent a year later. And that has happened at the expense of Proton's slice, which has fallen from 59 per cent to 46 per cent over that period.

Just how exactly has the South Korean car maker Hyundai managed to achieve this? Clearly, by attacking the soft underbelly of other car makers – cost. Hyundai's strongest appeal is its value proposition to potential car buyers – it can offer quality at affordable prices.



A global force

Globally, Hyundai Motor Co Ltd has become a force to be reckoned with. The South Korea-based automobile manufacturer is currently the sixth largest motor company in the world, an enviable position considering the company was considered a minnow in the industry up until just recently.

Last year, Hyundai Motor's exports alone surpassed the one million mark and the company raked in net profits of some US$1.5 billion on the back of US$21.5 billion in sales, up some 21 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively, from the previous year.

The bulk of the company's exports were to the US market. Hyundai car sales in US rose 7 per cent in 2003 from the previous year.

But Hyundai's success is not restricted to the US market – a market which has long made fun of this Korean upstart.

Having expected a flattish growth for Korea's domestic demand for cars, Hyundai Motor has as far back as two years ago been aggressively looking abroad, anchoring its efforts in Asia.



A year later

Back in Malaysia, Hyundai has revved up sales significantly which has driven it to second position (after Toyota) in the non-national segment in 2003 from fourth position a year ago.

In terms of passenger vehicle sales, it trails only national marques Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua).

In its prospectus launched late last year, Hyundai-Berjaya projected a net profit of RM56 million based on unit sales of 17,200 vehicles for the full year ending April 2004.

It should be a cakewalk for Hyundai-Berjaya to surpass this projection. In the first half of FY04 alone, the group has posted net profits of RM50 million on the back of RM512 million sales. Over this period, it sold 9,771 units, mostly CBU models with higher profit margins.

(Hyundai-Berjaya undertook a reverse takeover of Practice Note 4 Transwater Corp Bhd to gain listing on the local bourse in November last year)

Hyundai-Berjaya officials may be bullish but they'd rather have the numbers speak for themselves. Managing director Datuk Ben Yeoh tells BizWeek: “We have not made any claims about being in third or fourth position or even about being the best selling foreign car. We are very low key because our whole objective is to do a viable business here”.

While this may be the case, the fact that Hyundai-Berjaya has broken into the medium-priced segment that has traditionally been the domain of Proton, and as a result gained a six per cent share of the total passenger car market, has ruffled some feathers in the local automotive industry.

It helps little that the new car tax structure announced by the government at the start of this year has added pressure on motor players to outdo each other in terms of pricing.

Thus, to say the local auto industry is highly competitive currently is a gross understatement. But as some players bicker over distribution agreements and lament the tax implications of the revised tax structure on their product line-ups, Hyundai-Berjaya has quietly sneaked up to gain a bigger share of the market.

If the interview with Yeoh is an indication, it appears this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Last year, we sold about 16,000 units, of which more than 10,000 units were made up of Inokom's Atos, with CBU (completely built up) Hyundai units bringing up the balance”.

“This year, we are looking at sale of some 20,000 units. We expect to do about the same volume for the Atos but the introduction of the Matrix in CKD (completely knocked down) form should add another 5,000 to 6,000 units to our sales this year. We will probably do the same with the Getz towards the end of this year,” he says.



Banking on pricing

Indeed, Hyundai-Berjaya is banking on the competitive pricing of its CKD Matrix to give an added boost to sales this year. This is understandable given that the CKD version will be priced between RM71,000 and RM72,000, or some RM5,000 to RM6,000 cheaper than the CBU version currently.

An analyst with TA Securities is quite convinced that the new CKD Matrix will spur Hyundai-Berjaya’s growth in its April 2005 financial year.

“We forecast some 4,400 Matrix cars being sold in the next financial year. But demand will also largely depend on pricing as Proton is coming out with another two new models this year. The local assembly though should help reduce prices,” she says.

Yeoh repeatedly stresses the point that Hyundai is not in direct competition with the national car manufacturers.

“We give a new motoring concept to consumers ... a new lifestyle. Our popularity stems from us creating a new segment, the multi-utility vehicle which can be used as passenger cars or as utility vehicles.

But a motor analyst with a foreign brokerage points out that the fact that it has been aggressively going after the entry level (with its Atos) and mid-range (with the Matrix and Getz) segments makes it hard to alter this perception.

Malaysia, a dumping ground?

The pricing of Hyundai's product range has become a contentious issue among industry players, with some claiming that Hyundai Motor Co uses Malaysia as a dumping ground for its products.

As one observer puts it: “It's amazing how they have been able to offer such cars at such cheap prices”.

Yeoh, seemingly unperturbed by the accusations, goes on to explain that the company's strategy in Malaysia since day one has enabled a competitive pricing strategy.

“We import those CBU units with much lower specifications. The cars come in without air conditioning, which would otherwise cost US$300, without audio and alarm systems, alloy wheels, tyres and other accessories. As a result, we do a lot of value-added activities once the cars arrive here,” he explains, adding that the profit margin for its CKD units is anywhere between 5 per cent and 6 per cent.



Maximising existing capacity

It can be argued that Hyundai-Berjaya operates as a very lean company. According to Yeoh, the group has a total workforce of 200 for an RM1 billion turnover operation.

“Our whole strategy since we came into the industry has been to maximise existing distribution network and manufacturing capacity available to us. As a result, the only re-investment we have made is in the Inokom plant where we upgraded it to support the level of quality required for the products we are marketing,” he says.

On the distribution side, it has avoided incurring additional overheads by selling a lot of its cars through used car dealers.

Hyundai's operations in Malaysia began in 1993 when Hyumal Motor Sdn Bhd acquired the franchise. Hyumal is 20 per cent owned by Berjaya Group – a company controlled by Tan Sri Vincent Tan. Tan also has a direct 10 per cent interest in Hyumal.

Some three years later, the Berjaya group entered into a joint venture with Hyundai Motor Co to produce light commercial vehicles via Inokom Corp Sdn Bhd – the JV company.

Nothing much, however, came out of the JV as the economic crisis coupled with the lacklustre demand for commercial vehicles at the time rendered Inokom technically insolvent.

As a result, in 1999, a new management team (Hyundai-Berjaya Sdn Bhd) headed by Yeoh was set up to undertake the management and distribution of the existing Hyundai franchise from Hyumal, which is currently involved in the direct importation of CBU products for distribution by Hyundai-Berjaya.

In 2002, Hyundai-Berjaya collaborated with Inokom to manufacture the Atos under a technical licence from Hyundai Motor Co. With this, it became the exclusive distributor of products manufactured by Inokom.

“Because light commercial vehicles could not generate the kind of volume needed to support the operations of a plant that size, we injected projects into the plant to keep it going,” Yeoh explains.



Win-win situation

With new life breathed into Inokom, the company now expects to return to the black by end-year. Its Kulim plant in Kedah is running at a 60 per cent capacity utilisation rate. Inokom was granted national manufacturer status in 1996 when it undertook to make light commercial vehicles.

This worked out quite well for Hyundai-Berjaya's Atos. Firstly, there was a readily available manufacturing plant and secondly, due to Inokom's national status, Atos was granted a 50 per cent discount on excise duty, similar to the one enjoyed by Proton and Perodua.

It remains to be seen if the soon-to-be locally made Matrix will enjoy the same privilege by virtue of the fact that it will be manufactured under the Inokom branding.

At any rate, the preferential tax treatment is only valid till the end of this year. After 2004, at this point, is anybody's guess.

On the CKD side, there is the arrangement with Oriental Holding Bhd which undertakes the assembly and distribution of Hyundai sedans, namely the Elantra, Sonata and Accent, via Oriental Hyundai Sdn Bhd.

“When Oriental lost the Honda franchise, they were left with a lot of manufacturing capacity and facilities. We, on the other hand, had a franchise we wanted to expand quickly. So, obviously there were synergies.

“The products that Oriental Hyundai distributes now are quite similar to the ones they were retailing and marketing when they had the Honda franchise. In future, if we have a product line which we feel their dealer network will be more equipped to retail, then we will introduce such product lines through Oriental Hyundai,” Yeoh says.

Hundyai was seen as a cheap and unreliable car maker joining the rank of Yugo, Lada, Skoda etc in the nineties..now they've come a long way. How's the spare parts ar..cheap or not

I've seen KIA spectra up close..very nice car.

Question to all. If you have RM200 000 in your pocket, what kind of cars would you buy?

I want a Ford Focus but feel it's too small. I've got no prob with a SUV too. Something sporty, powerful doesn't feel like executive sedans like Accord, Camry in that range(Rm200k)

I see all new cars are fitted with auto transmission new trend?? expecially the upper range one..

Originally posted by hypermount

Hundyai was seen as a cheap and unreliable car maker joining the rank of Yugo, Lada, Skoda etc in the nineties..now they've come a long way. How's the spare parts ar..cheap or not

I've seen KIA spectra up close..very nice car.

Question to all. If you have RM200 000 in your pocket, what kind of cars would you buy?

I want a Ford Focus but feel it's too small. I've got no prob with a SUV too. Something sporty, powerful doesn't feel like executive sedans like Accord, Camry in that range(Rm200k)




wah....200,000 ah? I'll ad another 19,000 and get a BMW 318! :D

Or else I'll rather get an Accord 3.0 litre V6! ;)

BMW mantainance cheap or not :D :p?

Originally posted by hypermount



I see all new cars are fitted with auto transmission new trend?? expecially the upper range one..

Not new trend but auto transmission are now on par (if not better) than manual. This is debatable as those seeking for 'thrill' would want a manual trans but then again they should get a sports car like Lotus Elise or a Ferari. Or else auto would be a good choice.

Good auto transmission could change gear much more efficiently than a driver using manual would. Looks at all the sporty Mercs and BMWs - all comes in auto these days! ;)

.....plua they dun have to suffer from traffic jam......most of my friend whom get manual cars are now regretting - they wanna change to an auto car now :D

Originally posted by hypermount

BMW mantainance cheap or not :D :p?

Not cheap but at least you dun need to fix that much as the QC is definitely better than Japanese or Korean cars ;)

Plus the service at the Service Ctr is superb :okay:

I get it...don't change properly the gear will spoilt your expensive precious beautiful car..

BMW all the way lah like that. I like 318 also.

Chevrolet good or not spec Optra one...scare not easily to get parts.

Chevrolet in Malaysia all assembled in Thailand :eek:

But very cheap also.

Originally posted by hypermount

I get it...don't change properly the gear will spoilt your expensive precious beautiful car..

BMW all the way lah like that. I like 318 also.

Chevrolet good or not spec Optra one...scare not easily to get parts.

Actually all Chevys in Malaysia are Daewoo models as GM bought over Daewoo mah. So I think Korean parts would definitely be available in abundance once we have a sizeable number of Chevys on the road.

Anyway DRB-HIcom is gonna make Chevy a brand to reckon with in the local market. ;)

Auto - Outlook of non nationals



Bullish best describes the Malaysia Automotive Association's (MAA) outlook for auto sales this year. The MAA has targeted a five per cent increase in motor vehicle sales this year to 425,000 units. It estimates that passenger car sales, commercial vehicles and four wheel drives will grow by 4.4 per cent, 8 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively in 2004.

However, the association rarely provides a breakdown of national and non-national vehicles in its sales forecasts.

Analyst are mostly in the dark, uncertain as to how foreign marques will perform with the launch of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd's new car, Gen.2, which reportedly has already seen orders amounting to some 5,000 units pouring in within just two days of its launch on Feb 6.

“There are too many issues still hanging. The amount of protection the government will continue to accord to national cars and the selling price of the new Asean car to be launched next year by Perodua (Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd), all make it difficult to forecast,” says an analyst from TA Securities Sdn Bhd.

In addition, the long-awaited launch of Proton's Gen.2, which is expected to bring a halt to the increasing sales figures of non-national cars and bring back some amount of cheer to Proton's dwindling fortunes was launched some two weeks ago.

With Proton expected to outperform, one analyst aptly says that there will be no winners among the non-national cars.

“The landscape going forward is the same as in all liberalisations. The balance shifts to the consumers from producers. The non-national cars will have to fight at the expense of margins to gain market share from the national marques. Thus due to the lower prices afforded, the outcome may be negative across the board for non-national cars. Revenue growth will be nowhere near volume growth,” an analyst from a foreign brokerage says.

“The playing field is unlikely to be level with the government's protection of the national motor industry, as such the outlook for the non national motor sector could be only neutral leaning towards negative,” he adds.

Another analyst adds that it is likely that Proton will substitute the new Campro engine into earlier models like the Wira with a facelift. “There is no limit to what Proton can do now that the new engine has been released. The older models with the new engine may even be exported to regional countries at an extremely low cost. Proton seems to be on a good footing. Proton will be back with a vengeance ? trying to make up for lost sales, meaning the other auto companies may see their numbers shrinking,” one analyst from a foreign brokerage adds.

Still, it is easy to find staunch supporters of Hyundai-Berjaya. Edward Ong of ING Financial Markets is clearly bullish on the group. “It is my top pick in the automobile sector,” he says adding that he has a fair value of RM4.10 on the stock.

“The product is fantastic, distribution is good and after sales service is great ? all the necessary ingredients for a successful auto product,” Ong of ING Financial Markets says.

The analyst from TA Securities is also bullish on the Hyundai-Berjaya. She has a fair value of RM3.30 on the company's stock and a buy call on the counter.

“Hyundai-Berjaya's Matrix should be well received. Perhaps even in the region of 500 to 600 vehicles may be sold a month.” She forecasts Hyundai-Berjaya selling between 22,000 to 23,000 units for the financial year ending April 2005.

Helping the sales target may be the recent appointment of Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) as the distributor for the Hyundai Atos. EON has some 180 sales outlets throughout Malaysia, which may possibly increase Hyundai sales in the outskirts.

According to Reuters Estimates, Hyundai-Berjaya is forecast to post net profits of RM75 million on the back of RM120 million sales in FY04. In FY05, it has forecast an 11 per cent and 7 per cent growth in net profit and sales respectively for the auto company.

Despite the bullish outlook, Hyundai-Berjaya's share price has been lagging. It hit a high of RM5 on its first day on the bourse when it assumed Transwater Corp Bhd's listing on Nov 11 last year. Since then, however, the company's stock has shed some 46 per cent to close at RM2.68 on Thursday.

The lack lustre performance of the share price however may pick up once the company is transferred to the main board of the Malaysian Securities Exchange Board. The transfer is scheduled to take place end February.

“Right now, there are institutional funds that like the stock but are unable to swoop in as it is a second board company,” an analyst with a foreign research house says.

To facilitate the transfer, Hyundai-Berjaya has undertaken a renounceable rights issue of up to 67.8 million RM1 shares together with up to 67.8 million free detachable warrants at an issue price of RM1. The warrants will be issued on the basis of one free warrant for every three rights shares and three warrants for every five shares held.

Proceeds from the rights issue will be used to repay borrowings, leaving Hyundai-Berjaya in a net cash position of some RM30 million.

I'll go for Mits airtrek if I have 200,000..the rest can keep!

Originally posted by baqthier

I'll go for Mits airtrek if I have 200,000..the rest can keep!


haha...that's a good one :okay:

I like Airtrek a lot too! :D

BMW 3-series 318!

http://www.star-motoring.com/pics/bmw-3-series_2.gif

What is valvetronic...got two 318 models, valvetronic and auto.

2-door version! beauty

http://www.bmw-car-for-sale.com/img/bmw-318-pictures.jpg

4X4 SUV like Airtrek fuel consumption high or not...how about your Kembara Szehoong.

I see a lot of Honda-CRV on roads these days.

Mitsubishi Airtrek!

http://www.star-motoring.com/pics/atrek.jpg

Airtrek!

http://www.jeepnation.net/feature/airtrek/01.gif

http://www.jeepnation.net/feature/airtrek/03.gif

Not bad!

http://www.jeepnation.net/feature/airtrek/02.gif

Gua caya lu

http://www.jeepnation.net/feature/airtrek/04.gif

http://www.caranddriver.com.hk/images/trade/car_sell_505.jpg

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars/mitsubishi/Airtrek/body3.JPG

WEEEEE nice

sexy

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars/mitsubishi/Airtrek/body2.JPG

http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars/mitsubishi/Airtrek/body1.JPG

OK I din't know current Chevys copy Daewoo one....all copy, common in this industry. Daewoo now defunct di ar? Why GM din't use Daewoo brand.

Optra!

http://www.bsmotoring.com/2003/images/dec20_1.jpg

Nice...

http://www.bsmotoring.com/2003/images/dec20_2.jpg

CUn!

http://www.bsmotoring.com/2003/images/dec20_3.jpg

Ford Focus!!

http://www.star-motoring.com/pics/focuss.jpg

http://www.star-motoring.com/showpix.asp?pix=/gallery/focus/focuslight.jpg

Canggih!

http://www.star-motoring.com/showpix.asp?pix=/gallery/focus/focusin.jpg

http://www.star-motoring.com/sendbinary.asp?path=/gallery/focus/focusin.jpg&width=500

http://www.star-motoring.com/sendbinary.asp?path=/gallery/focus/rsfocus.jpg&width=500

http://www.star-motoring.com/sendbinary.asp?path=/gallery/focus/focustail.jpg&width=500

http://www.star-motoring.com/sendbinary.asp?path=/gallery/focus/focusrs.jpg&width=500

Originally posted by hypermount

OK I din't know current Chevys copy Daewoo one....all copy, common in this industry. Daewoo now defunct di ar? Why GM din't use Daewoo brand.

Aiyah.....only the small Chevy's uses Daewoo cars.......because GM bought over Daewoo mah. So the Daewoo brand being absorbed by Chevy now lor ;)

I see...they still have those big V8 cars...real redneck.

Originally posted by hypermount

I see...they still have those big V8 cars...real redneck.

yea...but too bad we won't be seeing them selling here......their engine too big and oil guzzling for Malaysian liking..... :(

My dad got exicted when they launch new Chevrolet models in Malaysia, wanting to buy them but stop short when learning they're assembled in Thailand. Remember their impact on the locals during sixties.

Originally posted by hypermount

My dad got exicted when they launch new Chevrolet models in Malaysia, wanting to buy them but stop short when learning they're assembled in Thailand. Remember their impact on the locals during sixties.

well.....you can't expect US Chevys here cos a CBU model would be very expensive here. ;)

Nowadays most cars are assembled in Thailand including Hondas and Toyotas.......some like Hyundais are assembled here :)

In fact most cars are assembled regionally unless you're a super rich whom import em CBU.....hehehe :D

all non CBU? arr!

Honda Accord
http://www.honda.net.my/HONDA2/images/news/pix_accord01.jpg

http://www.honda.net.my/HONDA2/images/news/pix_accord02.jpg

Originally posted by hypermount

OK I din't know current Chevys copy Daewoo one....all copy, common in this industry. Daewoo now defunct di ar? Why GM din't use Daewoo brand.

rebadged Daewoo cars for sale in M'sia under the Chevy brand. In the States, Daewoo remains a seperate entity selling their own vehicles. Prob Chevy has done some market survey and decided that their vehicles would not be as popular in M'sia....since M'sia is mostly a small-med car market (!)...kinda sad, cuz it'll be nice to see the Corvette in KL :)

Originally posted by liping_t

rebadged Daewoo cars for sale in M'sia under the Chevy brand. In the States, Daewoo remains a seperate entity selling their own vehicles. Prob Chevy has done some market survey and decided that their vehicles would not be as popular in M'sia....since M'sia is mostly a small-med car market (!)...kinda sad, cuz it'll be nice to see the Corvette in KL :)

yup....you're right......we actually do have some Daewoos around town - mostly are those new KLIA limos! :D

Originally posted by hypermount

all non CBU? arr!

Honda Accord
http://www.honda.net.my/HONDA2/images/news/pix_accord01.jpg

yep....even the Honda Accord sold here are CKDs ......anyway we're fortunate to have the American model here as it looks better ( IMO ;) ), bigger and much more 'stately' compared to the Japanese model.

However the Japanese model looks sportier and are still available in the Malaysian market as CBU (which is very expensive). In fact the first new Accords I've seen here are the Japanese ones at Sri Hartamas......talk about rich people! :D

Anyway the American version are sold in Thailand too as the mainstream models and CKDs ;)

Yes got two versions of Accord...malaysia got the American version rite? I prefer bigger car yes!

I thought the price diff betwee na CBU and CKD units is around rm8000-Rm10000 one you know.

Originally posted by hypermount

Yes got two versions of Accord...malaysia got the American version rite? I prefer bigger car yes!

I thought the price diff betwee na CBU and CKD units is around rm8000-Rm10000 one you know.

Yea....I am a sucker for bigger cars too! :D

Anyway about the price differences.....it depends actually on the price range. For cars below RM100k.....the diff between CBU and CKD could be RM8000 - RM10000 but for cars like the top models of BMW or Mercs......it could be as high as RM200k!!! :eek:

Audi's not bad. So it will bring down the price? Kinda expensive compare to other marques.

Originally posted by hypermount

Audi's not bad. So it will bring down the price? Kinda expensive compare to other marques.

At least it is still cheaper then Beemer and Merc! :D

Originally posted by hypermount

My dad got exicted when they launch new Chevrolet models in Malaysia, wanting to buy them but stop short when learning they're assembled in Thailand. Remember their impact on the locals during sixties.

Ah..no wonder. I wanted to buy Chevrolet Avio 1.5. Then Sze said not good one. That's why I change my mind ;)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Ah..no wonder. I wanted to buy Chevrolet Avio 1.5. Then Sze said not good one. That's why I change my mind ;)

Wah...dun say that lah.......I dun want the responsibility lah! :D

Why I said not good is because it is not actually a Chevy but a Daewoo. Aveo is based on a Daewoo model which actually looks nicer originally as it was designed by ItaliaDesign. Then when GM bought into Daewoo......they modified the look of Aveo to Chevy's family branding - which still doesn't looks too bad but not much to my liking as I felt it is a bit overpriced to be paying Chevy prices for a Daewoo car ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

Wah...dun say that lah.......I dun want the responsibility lah! :D

Why I said not good is because it is not actually a Chevy but a Daewoo. Aveo is based on a Daewoo model which actually looks nicer originally as it was designed by ItaliaDesign. Then when GM bought into Daewoo......they modified the look of Aveo to Chevy's family branding - which still doesn't looks too bad but not much to my liking as I felt it is a bit overpriced to be paying Chevy prices for a Daewoo car ;)

Don't worry about it. The responsibility is not yours to bear. I let go of Aveo already. Now, probably either it will be Jazz or Kenari. It will be the later part that I am looking for. But then...I heard that Perodua going to come out with a new model somewhere around this year. Probably I should wait for that one...even if I know I still want Jazz without a single doubt ;)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Don't worry about it. The responsibility is not yours to bear. I let go of Aveo already. Now, probably either it will be Jazz or Kenari. It will be the later part that I am looking for. But then...I heard that Perodua going to come out with a new model somewhere around this year. Probably I should wait for that one...even if I know I still want Jazz without a single doubt ;)



phew.....thanks for the words of comfort! :D

wow...Jazz and Kenari big price difference man! :D

Anyway Perodua's offering till date hasn't been dissapointing so I'll keep my fingers crossed as well! :okay:

Bufori aims to sell 200 cars overseas this year



BUFORI Motor Car Co (M) Sdn Bhd, the Malaysia-based manufacturer of hand-built automobiles, aims to sell 200 cars overseas, mainly to Germany, this year.

This should ring in sales of US$22mil following “overwhelming demand” for the company's latest model, Mk III Lajoya, Bufori founder and managing director Gerry Khouri said.

[b]“We have been low (keyed) on sales for the past two and a half years because we were concentrating on developing the product (Mk III). But now we are in the final stages of getting the car in full swing production,” he said.

Speaking at Bufori's plant in Kepong, Khouri said the company planned to open a factory in Germany in December this year to satisfy the demand for its latest luxury two-seater coupe.

The factory, now at the design stage, will have a production capacity of 300 cars per year. It is envisaged to be a joint-venture between Bufori and German investors but Khouri said the equity shareholding had to be finalised.

Khouri, an Australian of Lebanese descent, also said Bufori was thinking of opening its next plant in China and discussions were being held with interested parties there.

Mk III, which sports a 1930s retro classic look, comes with a super strong body made from material combining carbon fibre and kevlar.

The car is the third model produced by the company, which Khouri and his elder brothers, Anthony and George started producing in the 1980s in Australia.

The company moved its entire operations to Malaysia five years ago. - Bernama

Mini MPVs to replace Proton Wira limos at KLIA
By Dharmender Singh
THIS may be a piece of good news if you’ve ever been inconvenienced by the three-passengers-only ruling for budget limousines at the KL International Airport (KLIA).

Airport Limo (M) Sdn Bhd is phasing out Proton Wira cars currently used as budget limousines and replacing them with mini multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) which can comfortably seat four people.

Its chief executive officer Mohd Asyaharim Abdul Latif said the company had bought 200 Daewoo Tacuma mini MPVs and would bring in another 200 in stages.


Mohd Asyaharim (left) demonstrating how the front seat of the Daewoo Tacuma mini MPV can be turned 180 degrees to face passengers in the back seat.
“We hope to stop using all the 350 Proton Wira cars in our budget service fleet by June,” he said, adding that the move was to accommodate travellers’ de-mands that at least four adults be allowed to travel in a budget limousine.

Many people, especially those travelling in a foursome, had accused Airport Limo of trying to “make a fast buck” by introducing the three-to-a-taxi limit.

A reader of The Star, in a letter published on Feb 10, recounted how his family of four was not allowed to ride in one budget limousine even though his daughter is 13 years old while his son only 11.

The reader who used the pseudonym “Angry Tan” said they were told that the normal budget taxi could only take three adults and a child below eight years old.

However, Mohd Asyaharim said the ruling was solely aimed at protecting passengers’ safety.


Airport Limo taxi drivers checking out their new cars.
”The restriction is based on the maximum weight that the vehicles are allowed to carry in order to ensure that the suspension and brakes are not put under extreme stress. A serious accident that costs lives can occur if a car's suspension or brake fail.

“But then, most people only take into the account the weight of the passengers and not that of their baggage which often weighs more than 80kg,'' he said.

As to the accusation that the passenger limit was to enable Airport Limo to rake in more money, Mohd Asyaharim said this was not possible as a large number of the limousine drivers were participants in the company’s entrepreneur scheme under which they paid a daily rental to Airport Limo.

“The drivers pay us a set daily rental so the number of trips they make is immaterial to us,” he explained.

Airport Limo runs the 24-hour limousine service at KLIA on a pre-paid coupon basis. Two levels of service are offered, namely the Premier Service and the Budget Service.

Vehicles offered under the Premier Service are the Proton Perdana, Mercedes Benz E220 and MPVs, while the Proton Wira 2.0 is used for the Budget Service.


The days are numbered for these Proton Wira 2.0 now used as budget service limousines at KLIA.
Pre-paid coupons have to be purchased at counters at the arrival concourse of the airport.

On the company’s switch to the Daewoo Tacuma mini MPVs, Mohd Asyaharim said the new vehicles would be able to carry four adults plus about 80kg of luggage instead of only three that could travel in the Proton Wira.

He said the mini MPVs were more spacious and offered a lot of leg space which would ensure a more comfortable ride for taller travellers, especially Westerners.

“The mini MPVs’ front passenger seat can also be turned 180° to face passengers in the back seat,” he said.

Mohd Asyaharim said under the concession agreement signed with the government ,the company was not allowed to change the cars it used for seven years.

He said, however, the cars had been clocking about 200,000km in mileage per year ever since the service was started in 1998 and the wear and tear resulting from this had increased maintenance expenditure.

He said bringing the new vehicles would reduce the maintenance charges while also providing a better service to travellers.

He said the company had discussed the matter with the Finance Ministry last year and it agreed to release the company from the clause in the concession agreement.

Airport Limo has started handing the cars over to the drivers and has received positive feedback from those who have been using the mini MPVs.

Mohd Asyaharim said the company was also discussing the possibility of replacing the Mercedes Benz and Proton Perdana vehicles in its Premier Taxi service.

He said the company wanted to bring in larger MPVs to replace the vehicles which would offer more comfort as well as space for additional passengers.

He said using MPVs would allow the vehicles to take up to six adult passengers provided there was little luggage or four adults if the luggage weighed about 150kg.

On the activities of touts and how it affected the company’s business, Mohd Asyaharim said, he was glad to see the increased enforcement by the authorities in stopping the activities.

He said the company too had been doing its part to stop the menace by ensuring there were adequate vehicles for travellers and cutting down waiting time.

He said the company was also anxiously waiting for the amendments to the law being sought by the Road Transport Department to be approved as it would allow the authorities to mete out harsher penalties to touts.

He said the activities of the touts who at times fleeced travellers with higher charges gave the country and the overall taxi industry in the country a bad name.




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Copyright 1995-2004, Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad. 10894-D.

oh bother....can't remember how to post pics!

Originally posted by szehoong

phew.....thanks for the words of comfort! :D

wow...Jazz and Kenari big price difference man! :D

Anyway Perodua's offering till date hasn't been dissapointing so I'll keep my fingers crossed as well! :okay:

there's a rumour via email that perodua will launch toyota's avanza under
its brand soon. the 1.3 model 5 seater mpv will be priced at rm 52,890.
later, perodua will also launch 7 seater model with higher cc.

Originally posted by liping_t

there's a rumour via email that perodua will launch toyota's avanza under
its brand soon. the 1.3 model 5 seater mpv will be priced at rm 52,890.
later, perodua will also launch 7 seater model with higher cc.

I heard about this rumour also. Actually, my brother send me the picture of avanza couple of days ago, but then I already deleted the picture. If not I can put it here.

from TheStar

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/3/1/nation/7426668&sec=nation

New scooter launched

BY RENEE CHOONG


SHAH ALAM: National motorcycle maker Modenas has released Modenas Elegan – a scooter ready to give its competitors a run for their money.

The 150cc Elegan, the manufacturer's seventh model, is poised to sell between 6,000 and 8,000 units by the end of the year.

Modenas chairman Tan Sri Mohd Saleh Sulong said: “We are not particularly worried about our competitors from China who are selling cheaper makes or even the local rival, Comel, as we pride ourselves on reasonable pricing and quality.”

Modenas' competitive edge lies in its after-sales service, said Mohd Saleh after the launch of Elegan at a hotel here yesterday.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/3/1/nation/7426668&sec=nation
Modenas chairman Tan Sri Mohd Salleh Sulong on the Elegan and on his left is Sanyang Industry Company vice-chairman Huang Ching Yu during the launch of this latest scooter.
Modenas commanded 33% of the scooter market last year, with 62,503 units sold, compared to only 15,386 units in 2002, a leap of 306%.

Taiwan's Sanyang Industry Company which collaborated with Modenas in producing Elegan viewed Malaysia as a demanding market.

“It is a good thing because if Malaysians are demanding, it will help us improve our capability,'' said its vice-chairman Huang Ching Yu yesterday.

Modenas' first foray into the motorcycle industry was in 1996 when it produced the first national motorcycle, Kriss 110.

The Elegan will cost RM6,698 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance.

However, for the first 2,000 orders, the price has been slashed to RM6,298.

I still love my Karisma though :D

http://www.brunet.bn/news/bb/thu/mar4h30.htm

M'sians driving Brunei vehicles main culprits

By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Based on reports received by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak, Malaysians driving Brunei-registered cars are most likely to break road traffic rules when driving on the roads in the State.

JPJ Sarawak Director, Abdul Rahman Samad, was quoted by the Malay Language Berita Harian that the local drivers who were driving Brunei cars were more reckless and mischievous on the road compared to the Brunei citizens themselves.

"This is based on complaints received by JPJ, especially in Northern Sarawak," said Abdul Rahman.

He explained that based on the relevant reports compiled by the JPJ, most of the drivers who were caught breaking the traffic rules and regulations were actually Sarawakians but drove cars with Brunei registration.

Unable to find the reason behind this 'habit' among the local drivers, the JPJ boss warned that they would not compromise over any wrong doings committed on public roads in Sarawak.

"Maybe they (locals behind Brunei cars) thought it is difficult for the JPJ to take action against them because their cars were not registered in Sarawak and that they could go freely with the wrongs they did. They were wrong about this. Action can be taken against them in Brunei," said Abdul Rahman.

He warned that the relevant authorities in both Malaysia and Brunei had build up a network between the two countries to enable them to take action against road culprits who were trying to evade legal action in either one of the countries.

Every month there are around 50,000 vehicles from neighbouring Brunei driving across the border to Sarawak via the entry point at Sungai Tujuh, some 37km from Miri.

It had also been estimated that about 3,000 people in this State had purchased cars in Brunei, taking advantage of the inexpensive prices of cars there.

Most of the Sarawakians who opted to purchase a car in Brunei would buy the car under the name of their friends or close relatives who were living in that country.

Audi tak jadi buat plant kat sini lah..dia dah buat kat jiran atas kita :D

really? Thatsa pity......chalk up another loss!

Originally posted by baqthier

Audi tak jadi buat plant kat sini lah..dia dah buat kat jiran atas kita :D

:cry: Semua pembuat kereta pun nak set up factory kat jiran kita........kalau begitu matilah! :cry:

Proton pun ada cadangan nak buat kilang kat sana! :(

Masalahnya Labour kat situ murahlah..........

Honda to fully assemble on its own by May



Honda to fully assemble on its own by May
By Yap Lih Huey, 8.39am

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects to fully transfer the assembly of Honda vehicles from Oriental Assemblers Sdn Bhd to its own Pegoh plant to be completed within two months, says chief operating officer Syed Hisham Syed Wazir.

“We should be assembling on our own by May,” he said after the launch of Honda’s authorised dealer Wegro Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

After the transfer, the Honda City models will take up about 50% of total production at Honda Malaysia’s RM170 million plant at Hicom Pegoh Industrial Park in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

The plant has a production capacity of 200,000 vehicles per year and is running on two full production shifts.

Oriental Holdings Bhd lost the Honda franchise over two years ago, and its subsidiary Oriental Assemblers has since progressively given up assembly of the vehicles to Honda Malaysia.

Oriental Holdings had been distributing Honda vehicles in Malaysia for 33 years.

It has since become distributor of Hyundai cars.

Oriental Holdings has a 15% stake in Honda Malaysia, while Honda Motor Co Ltd of Japan and DRB-Hicom Bhd have 51% and 34% respectively.

“Once the transfer is complete, we expect to deliver the City models within a waiting period of less than a month,” Syed Hisham said.

The waiting period for the City models is now two months.

Honda recorded sales of 1,974 and 2,100 units in January and February respectively, said its general manager of sales and marketing Nik Hamdan Nik Hassan.

He forecast sales for this year to be in the region of 20,000 to 22,000 vehicles, a slight revision from the firm’s earlier projection of 24,000 units.

Honda Malaysia recorded sales of 14,154 vehicles last year.

It foresees a marginal two percentage point increase in market share in the non-national car segment to 30% this year from 28% last year.

Total industry volume is also expected to increase to 7% this year from 4.2% a year earlier.

I still have no idea why Honda don't want to introduce Honda Life for the local market. I do think that the model will be able to capture a significant percentage of the local automobile market though :D

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/life/type/d-turbo-ext/d-turbo-ext.jpg

http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/life/type/f-inpane/f-inpane.jpg

Nice car! But i had this phobia drving a smallish vehicle...hate to be in it when you're in head on collision path with a lorry.

I think I failed my first driving test :P

Originally posted by hypermount

Nice car! But i had this phobia drving a smallish vehicle...hate to be in it when you're in head on collision path with a lorry.

I think I failed my first driving test :P

Hmm..me on the other hand hate big cars...donno why :D

You think you failed your first driving test? What do you mean by you think?

Naza-Brabus to sell only 10 units of latest model



BY SABRY TAHIR



NAZA-BRABUS Motor Sdn Bhd, the franchise holder and distributor of Brabus cars in Malaysia, plans to sell 10 units of the latest model, Brabus CLK270 CDI-4, annually.

“We will only bring in 10 units of these cars in 2004 even if there is demand for them, to maintain their exclusivity,'' said Naza-Brabus group operations director S.M. Zulkifli S.M. Amin at the Naza-Brabus MasterCard Platinum card member preview and test-drive event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The car is priced at RM550,000.

He said Naza-Brabus had been able to sell 40 units of Brabus, which was targeted at the upper echelon of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, over the last 18 months.

Brabus vehicles are enhanced Mercedes-Benz cars tuned by the world-renowned car tuner Brabus, which was founded in Germany in 1977.




http://thestar.com.my/archives/2004/3/29/business/p3Brabus.jpg

The Brabus CLK270 CDI-4






Naza-Brabus is also the exclusive distributor for Brabus cars in Singapore and carries Brabus' performance parts which include powerfully-tuned engines, aerodynamic kits, light-alloy wheels, comfortable sport suspensions and handcrafted luxury interiors.

Zulkifli said Naza-Brabus would be marketing Brabus parts in the Asean region. On the local front, the company is expected to gain strong grounds in the tuning and upgrading of the standard CLK models.

He added that the company would come up with an exclusive Brabus showroom in Kuala Lumpur soon.

Naza-Brabus, which has a paid-up capital of RM5mil, is 60% held by Naza Group owner and managing director Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin's son S.M. Faisal S.M. Nasimuddin Kamal and 40% owned by Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir through Jesari Racing Team.

The current models carried by Naza-Brabus include the RM1.7mil SL55-K8.

On Saturday, the Southern Bank Direct Access Platinum MasterCard card member were treated to an exclusive opportunity to test-drive the CLK270 CDI-D4 at Brabus showroom in Bangsar. Platinum cardholders who made bookings for the car were offered privileges worth up to RM30,000.

Showroom kicks start in style with new models





THE Aprilia showroom in Bangsar is finally open for business. Featuring some 20 different motorcycles, the showroom caters for bike enthusiasts who are into “humble'' machines to the high performance superbikes.

Sole importers and distributors Moto Millia Sdn Bhd held a simple opening ceremony of the flagship premises in Jalan Telawi.

Media members and guests were invited to a preview of the famed Italian marque and also the Moto Guzzi motorcyles at the showroom.

On display were the high performance Aprilia models such as RSV 1000R Factory, Tuono Fighter 1000, Tuono Racing 1000 and the Futura RS Touring. Moto Milia has also brought in the Caponard ETV 1000 and Pegaso IE 650.




http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/4/m_pg16aprilia.JPG
The showroom has the Aprillia scooters that are a rage in Europe currently.






The superbikes are priced between RM36,600 and RM83,900. Also on display was the Moto Guzzi La Mans V11 that comes with a RM73,515 price tag. There are plans to bring in the Aprilia scooter range, too.

For the mid-range enthusiasts, Moto Milia has brought in the last 10 of the Aprilia RS250 limited edition GP pocket rocket. These 250cc two-stroke sports motorcycles come in black and metallic grey scheme with rainbow stripes.

Aprilia has stopped production of the popular two-stroke Suzuki engine sportsbike in favour of the higher capacity four-stroke ones, making them a rare sight. The RS250 limited edition GP comes with a price tag of RM37,700.

The Aprilia scooter and super scooter range, targeted at the regular daily commuter, was also on display.

Present during the opening was Moto Milia executive director Razak al-Malique.

“We are finally open for business after waiting for several months,” he said, adding that they currently had 50 motorcycles with ten sold since opening the showroom three weeks ago.

Razak assured bike enthusiasts that there would be more new models from Aprilia and added that Moto Milia had spent more than half a million ringgit on infrastructure and training of mechanics.

“To us, after sales comes first, then the sale,'' said Razak. “Selling motorcycles is different from a car as it is more of a lifestyle which we must be attuned to,” he said, adding that placing importance on relationship-building with the motorcycle community.

The Aprilia showroom has a workshop and parts warehouse. It is located at No. 69, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar. For further information, enthusiasts can log on to www.aprilia.com.my or www.aprilia.com

Alternatively, Moto Millia can be contacted at 03-2287 3878.

Last year's news..but I all these time thought Melaka Edition sticker was just a sticker from pasar malam hehehe

Honda Malaysia Introduces New 'Melaka Edition' CR-V Kuala Lumpur, 7 March 2003

Kuala Lumpur, 7 March 2003 - Today, Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., announced the launch of the Honda CR-V 'Melaka Edition' to commemorate the opening of its manufacturing plant in Pegoh, Melaka, which was officiated by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 30 January this year.

The 'Melaka Edition' was designed to embody a character of urban ruggedness. Hence to enhance the adventurous side of the CR-V, the exterior is decked out with genuine accessories produced by Honda subsidiary, Honda Access Co., Ltd.

The bold and daring exterior of the CR-V 'Melaka Edition' is fitted with:-

1. Sports grill
2. Skid plate
3. Fog lights with garnish
4. Side Stepboards
5. Tailgate Spoiler
6. Black Bumper
7. Door Visors

Additionally, the interior is fitted with stylish two-toned leather upholstery along with custom-made carpets highlighting the emblem of the Melaka Edition logo. The other unique feature is the additional storage compartment which has slots for compact disc, cassettes and cards.

The CR-V 'Melaka Edition' is priced at RM 149,888 on the road with insurance, and is available only in Sunbeam Silver Metallic. Only 60 units of the Melaka Edition will be made available. Customers can visit their nearest authorised Honda dealer or call 1-800-88-2020 for more information.

From The Star
http://www.star-motoring.com/research/review.asp?file=/editorial/2004/lotuschina.html
Lotus Malaysia gains foothold in China
By Sidek Kamiso

Lotus Engineering Malaysia Sdn Bhd (LEM), a wholly-owned unit of Group Lotus plc, has clinched its first project in China's growing automobile sector in its effort to provide consultancy services to other car manufacturers in the region.

Its sales and engagement manager, Karl de Souza, said the China project, which involved designing an entire bumper system for a large auto manufacturer in that country, was a good start for the company.

?We got the project in November and successfully completed it two weeks ago,? he said, but declined to disclose the size of the project.

LEM was established three years ago as a regional hub for the Group Lotus' global network.

Group Lotus is a wholly-owned unit of Proton.

The company was currently working on its second project, which was to assist a local vendor who had received a large original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) contract in China, de Souza said during a media visit to Proton Holdings Bhd's research and development centre in Shah Alam yesterday.

In the future, he said, the company planned to provide its expertise to other vendors who supply parts and equipment to Proton and other car makers in the region.

According to de Souza, the recent deal is part of the LEM?s latest strategy to market its strengths in design engineering.

In the past, Group Lotus had primarily supported Proton in its design engineering processes, a major achievement of which was the Proton Satria GTI.

In the past, Group Lotus had provided such services to at least 10% European carmakers.

In Asia, Lotus Engineering is competing with other design engineering companies such as the LG Group of Korea.

LEM currently employs 120 employees, of whom 80 are involved in design engineering.

The local unit acts as a regional hub for Group Lotus, which also has technical centres in Britain, the United States and China.

de Souza said although Lotus was marketing its services to new clients, Proton remained its prime responsibility.

?We have created a separate unit within the company to market our expertise to other companies to maintain our client?s confidentiality,? he said, adding that it would a challenging task to market the company?s capability as most carmakers associate Lotus with Proton.

Meanwhile, Proton R&D head Tengku Azizan Tengku Ahmad said over the past five years, Proton had invested some RM4.3bil in R&D and expected to spend an additional RM5million over the next five years.

Currently, Proton's R&D facilities are in six main areas - vehicle platforms; prototype centre; power train engineering; homogolation and testing; engineering development services; and engineering research.

Since Proton's acquisition of Group Lotus in 1996, it had developed four vehicle platforms and two engine families that could be used to produce up to 20 new models.

Proton cars (UK) and Group Lotus poised for brighter future
NORWICH (United Kingdom) May 9 - If the latest indications coming out of Proton Cars (UK) Ltd and Group Lotus plc - the two entities owned by Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) - are anything to go by, then perhaps the many doomsday trumpeters and pessimists may be disappointed.

According to Brian J. Collier, managing director of Proton Cars (UK), the UK car retailer is bracing for higher sales now that the Gen.2 has been launched and that the Satria Replacement Model (SRM) and Tiara Replacement Model (TRM) are going to be available towards the end of the year or early next year.

And James Stronach, finance director at Group Lotus, says the company has turned the corner and is looking at brighter horizons ahead.

Proton Cars sold about 2,300 cars in the year ended March 31, 2004 and the current year's sales look set to improve to about 6,000 cars with the full year's sale of the Jumbuck, the sub-one tonne pick-up truck (known as the Arena in Malaysia) which was only introduced in July 2003 and with the availability of the new Gen.2, said Collier.

At 2,300 cars, Proton Cars only has a 0.15 pct of the total UK market of about 6.5 million vehicles and 0.25 pct of the UK's private car buyer market. (Proton does not compete in the fleet market because it is unable to give massive discounts like the UK-based manufacturers like Ford and only concentrates on the private car buyer's market).

Over the longer term, Collier sounded more optimistic and said, We believe we can do 20,000 cars a year ... like Daihatsu and Suzuki. If we go back to 1990, we had 16,000 units, we have had the experience to do it. With the Gen.2 to be available from July, we believe we can do better.

"What we lacked in recently were (new) products that were coming in. At (the projected) 20,000 units, that will give us 0.8 percent of the total UK market and 1.8 pct of the private buyers market, that's where we are aiming for."

Proton, he said, had slackened in recent years because of the lack of new models to compete in an ever changing market. In 2003, over 200 new models were launched in the UK and this meant that a car was launched every other second day.

"In view of the ever changing market, that drives the (car model) cycle changes and so you have be in and out quickly," said Collier, adding that the trend in the UK is towards five-door cars, people carriers (MPVs) like Citroen Picasso and small niche cars like Ford Ka, Peugeot 307 and Suzuki.

"More and more people are looking at lifestyle type of cars," he said, saying that if a car buyer bought an MPV, it does not mean that he is going to bring his vehicle to the rugged terrain or have seven people to transport all the time.

"More and more lifestyles cars are replacing the traditional type of cars because they they look different, and people pay for that in Europe ... just to be different. Again it's a lifestyle (thing) and so manufacturers are moving very quickly to launch a vehicle like the Citroen C3, which is different and they can actually get a higher price for it," he said.

As for the four-door Waja, known as the Impian in the UK, Collier said although it is a very good car with a good package and specifications, four-door saloons are not in vogue here and only appeal to the more traditional buyers, whereas in the other end of the spectrum of four-door market are the BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.

Proton Cars (UK), he said, recently re-positioned the Impian and is getting fairly good sales, mostly from traditional buyers who still like four-doors.

Given the dynamics of the market, Collier believed that the sporty-looking five-door Gen.2 would have strong appeal in the UK and would make a big difference in terms of sales for Proton Cars (UK) while the potential from the trendy-looking SRMs and TRMs, now in the pipeline, looks pretty good.

For example, he said "the TRM sits in a segment where 850,000 cars are sold each year, which gives us a real opportunity to really go for it. That car is in the right segment, right time, it's up to date and competitive, that's all we need, we need (new) products.

The other factors that would Proton Cars (UK) would be in terms of customer service, said Collier, adding that What Car magazine and JD Power had recently ranked the company high in terms of customer service and repairs, and this would help Proton in a highly-competitive market.

In addition, he said Proton's joint sponsorship with Lotus of the Norwich City Football Club, which would be moving into top flight soccer the next season when it plays in the English Premier League with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United would give Proton greater exposure.

This season alone, some 15 million people had watched Proton's brandname on tv and some 500 newspaper and magazine articles had been written about Proton's involvement in English soccer.

Stronach of Group Lotus said it had put behind its problems, both in finance and manufacturing, and is now on a steadier footing.

After three years of good profit between 1998 and 2000, Lotus went into a slump with losses in 2001 and 2002 because of manufacturing problems and the downturn in the engineering consultancy business.

It turned the corner for the year ended March 31, 2003 with an operating profit of 4.3 million pounds sterling and this improved to 5.1 million pounds sterling in the year just ended.

For the current year, it is optimistic of much improved numbers, now that it is going to export the Lotus Elise to the United States from this month.

Clive Dobson, manufacturing director of Lotus Cars, the car manufacturing arm of Group Lotus, said the company has been producing some 2,500 hand-built cars annually in the last two years but this is going to pick up to between 4,000 and 4,500 cars annually from this year, especially with the pent-up demand from North America, which accounts for half of the global sports car market.

He explained that Lotus Cars had not been able to export the Elise to the US earlier because it had to comply with certain specifications peculiar to that market.

Dobson said the U.S. version of the Elise was launched at the Los Angeles Motor Show late last year and received rave reviews. Orders have started flowing in and all the company's production for this year has been sold out, he said.

He also said the introduction of two new models - the Elise IIIR and the Exige - earlier this year had received good response and are expected to drum up better sales for the company.

As for Lotus Engineering, Bill Williams, head of strategy at Group Lotus, said revenue from this division for this year is forecast at 100 million pounds sterling and 90 percent of its work is for external clients.

The division employs about 840 people in the UK, Germany, the US, China and Malaysia.

He said the Malaysian facility is the fastest growing unit within the division because of increasing project workload and its just-opened facility in Shanghai is expected to see a lot more business because of the potential of China's growing automobile industry. - Bernama

Proton to produce motorcycles?

BANBURY (United Kingdom) May 9 - Proton Team KR, the world motorcycling racing outfit sponsored by Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton), is capable of producing street bikes for Proton, said team owner Kenny Roberts.

The 52 year-old Roberts, a former 500cc world motorcycling champion, said the team, which has been sponsored by Proton over the last few years, has built up the necessary expertise and technology to produce such motorcycles commercially.

He said Proton should capitalise on its brand, image and the technology which had been developed by Proton Team KR over the last few years to produce motorcycles that would be much sought-after.

Roberts, also known as "King Kenny" during his heyday as a champion racer for Yamaha, said by entering the motorcycle market, Proton would be able to move into the top ranks fairly quickly as there are only three major motorcycle manufacturers in the world - Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.

He said there was a strong business case for Proton to move into the motorcycle segment as it could be a niche player in areas where it would have its strengths.

Proton, he said, had demonstrated that it could build good quality cars and it could do the same with motorcycles.

Roberts said Proton should harness the goodwill from its brandname which had been enhanced through its acquisition of Group Lotus.

He said a random survey by Proton Team KR showed that people usually associate Proton and Malaysia as quality brands and not "something from the Third World".

Roberts said serious thought should be given to this proposal as there was something that Proton Team KR could work with Proton and Group Lotus to produce world-beating street motorbikes.

He said the team, which had produced the best motorcycle frame in this year's World Motorcycling Championship, had received a number of enquiries from other countries to produce street bikes.

However, Roberts pointed out that he preferred to work with Proton because of his long association with the company which stretched back to the time of its former boss, the late Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad. - Bernama

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From The Star

New price for Honda CR-V

Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. announced today that the 2004 models of the popular Honda CR-V 2.0L i-VTEC will be sold at a competitive price of RM 146,500.00, inclusive of tax and insurance.

The 2nd generation Honda CR-V was first introduced in the Malaysian market in April 2002 and has since been one of the most popular SUV in its clan. Honda Malaysia has sold 6,500 units of the 2nd generation Honda CR-V since its launch.

The 2004 Honda CR-V 2.0L i-VTEC model now comes with a larger fuel tank (by 8 litres, giving a total of 58 litres) thereby giving a longer travelling range. The tailgate?s upward-opening glass hatch can now be activated via remote control to give faster and more convenient access while loading or unloading items.

The vehicle will now feature a security system developed by Honda.

The 2004 Honda CR-V models is now on sale at authorised Honda dealers nationwide.

I heard that Honda also planning to increase the price for its Jazz V-Tech engine 1.5 later this year cause they think that the value of the car is a bit underprice. Talk bout that. :rant:

At least they will maintain the price for Jazz I-Dsi engine. ;)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From The Star

New price for Honda CR-V



The 2nd generation Honda CR-V was first introduced in the Malaysian market in April 2002 and has since been one of the most popular SUV in its clan. Honda Malaysia has sold 6,500 units of the 2nd generation Honda CR-V since its launch.



The SUV haters would hate to see this! :lol:

Jiran yang ada kat atas kita itu mula sombonglah sekarang.Mereka tak suka kita le asyik menuduh orang kita yang menyebabkan kekacauan di bahagian selatan negara mereka.Saya pernah tanya mereka soalan kat forum mereka.Kepala begitu tinggi sampai tak mau jawab.

Anyway FYI,kereta teksi pun guna Altis kat ibukota mereka.Kereta negara kita memang terlalu mahal.

Yeah, else kalau kereta kereta murah by 10% pun sudah cukup untuk kita dapat taxi yang lebih cun.
But, we have Perdanas what. :D
BTW, kita punya rate untuk naik Perdana taxi(Premier) adalah lebih kurang sama dengan rate Altis mereka. Kita punya taxi rate antara yang termurah di dunia...rm2 untuk harga permulaan adalah sangat murah. Saya pernah naik kedua-duanya ;)
Kalau mereka nak tuduh-tuduh lah..perdana menteri mereka sendiri pun memarahi media negaranya kerana membuat laporan-laporan yang berunsur tuduhan terhadap kita :)

Teksi Perdana yang kita ada itu lain.Ours kan bertaraf limosin.Mereka pakai Altis tu untuk teksi biasa aje.

Mereka bukan sahaja kini menarik pelabur-2 asing setakat industri kereta ke negara mereka sahaja.Banyak syarikat IT pun ditarik mereka,misalnya WD,Mitsbishi dan banyak lagi.Saya berpendapat bhw bukan sahaja kerana faktor buruh murah,ada di antara segelintir daripada mereka yang mencaci negara kita kat belakang.

Anyway FYI,kereta teksi pun guna Altis kat ibukota mereka.Kereta negara kita memang terlalu mahal.


ya betul kata Centrilium! Altis kat negara mereka tu digunakan sebagai teksi biasa je. Lagi pun lebih dari 50 peratus kesemuanya gune Altis :eek:

Tapi memang kereta kat sini mahal. Altis kat situ hanya 70 ribu sahaja - lebih murah dari Perdana lah! :D Lagi pun tambang teksi di sini memang lebih murah kerana kat situ, 2 kilometer yang pertama dicaj RM3.50!!! :eek: :D

Sebenarnya bukannya semua orang kat situ sombang...hanya seseorang tu saja....... :D

Bukan sorang saja..you pergi kat perbincangan mereka kat bahagian seni-bina mengenai keretapi aliran ringan. Ada yang kata bandaraya mereka lebih canggih dari kita tanpa alasan yang kukuh.

Wah....tak sangka mereka kata begitu! Saya sudah pos kat situ......harap tempat tu tidak akan jadi huru-hara nanti kerana saya ni memang geram kat mereka terutama sekali orang-orang yang dengki kat kita ni ...........

Biarla luncai dengan labu labunya :lol:

Tuesday August 3, 4:50 PM
INTERVIEW: BMW Malaysia Aims For Top Spot In Luxury Mkt

KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones)--BMW Group Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. aims to gain the top spot in the country's small but growing luxury car market this year following the launch of 10 new BMW models in the last 12 months, Managing Director Wolfgang Schlimme said Tuesday.

The new BMW vehicles are expected to boost sales, but Schlimme's task will be challenging. Rival foreign car makers are aggressively competing to raise market share as Malaysia's tariffs come down amid an industry liberalization starting in 2005, auto analysts say.

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Under the Asean Free Trade Area agreement, Malaysia will cut its auto import duties to 20% beginning in 2005 and to 0%-5% by 2008.

Encouraged by the buoyant domestic economy and low financing costs, other foreign car makers are also introducing more new models to the local market.

But despite increasing competition, Schlimme is confident stable car prices and aggressive marketing by BMW Malaysia's joint-venture partner, Auto Bavaria, will result in strong sales this year.

"We see strong continuation of (sales) growth in the second half (of the year)," Schlimme told Dow Jones Newswires, but he declined to elaborate.

Total sales of foreign cars in Malaysia soared 75% on year in the first half to 34,338 units, accounting for 20% of the market versus just 12% a year earlier.

According to data from the Malaysian Automotive Association, 1,227 BMW vehicles were sold in the first half of the year versus 1,107 units a year earlier. The data include Mini cars which BMW Malaysia also distributes.

BMW Malaysia aims to surpass market leader Mercedes Benz, which sold 1,543 vehicles in the six months ended June 30.

For the whole of 2003, BMW sold 2,145 vehicles, below the 3,306 Mercedes vehicles sold by Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd. (2925.KU) and Daimler Chrysler Sdn. Bhd.

BMW Malaysia is already making headway in capturing a larger slice of the premium car market, Schlimme said.

Its share of the luxury car market is now 45.9%, above the "low 40s" in 2003 but below the over 50% share needed to control the market, he added.

As part of its efforts to raise market share, BMW Malaysia will launch locally assembled 520 and 530 models in early August, he said.

"We expect a price advantage (on those two models) and we see (the launch) as another step up in sales volume," Schlimme said. Fully-imported, or completely built-up, models tend to be more pricey due to higher duties.

Also in the pipeline is the launch of the 1-series by the end of this year, said Schlimme, but declined to elaborate.

Analysts say the 1-series, one of BMW's smallest and most affordable models, will be a rear-wheel drive five-door hatchback probably powered by a 2-liter engine.

BMW Malaysia is also banking on its support services to improve sales and market share, Schlimme said.

Last year the group established a BMW data center - one of only three in the world - in Cyberjaya, south of Kuala Lumpur, to monitor its global operations.

And last December BMW Malaysia launched a spare part distribution center located in the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in southern Johor state. That facility delivers spare parts to 19 BMW markets in the region, Schlimme added.

BMW Malaysia's growth plans are in line with its Asian operations where the group has set a target of selling 150,000 cars in 2008, Schlimme said.

BMW sold 78,000 cars in Asia in 2002 and 91,000 in 2003, making it the number-one luxury car in the region.

In Malaysia, Germany's Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW.XE) controls the local wholesale or bulk sale operations in a 51-49 joint venture with local conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd. (4197.KU).

Friday August 6, 1:03 AM
MALAYSIA PRESS: Perodua Wants To Cut Kancil Mfg Costs

KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones)--Malaysia's Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd., or Perodua, is looking to further cut the production costs of its compact Kancil cars, the New Straits Times daily reports.

"We are looking into ways to reduce the cost of the car in our efforts to penetrate certain overseas markets," the paper quotes UMW Holdings Bhd. (4588.KU) Chief Executive Abdul Halim Harun as saying. UMW owns 38% of closely-held Perodua.

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"The response to the Kancil is very encouraging both in Third World countries and developed ones," he said.

"But there is a need to make it more cost-effective," he added.

Cutting production costs will also allow Kancil cars to be sold more cheaply in Malaysia, he said.

"Perodua's new compact multipurpose vehicle will be ready by the middle of next year and is expected to further boost Perodua's market share in the car sector," he said, according to the report.

MAA forecasts record vehicle sales
By Jagdev Singh Sidhu

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has raised its motor vehicle sales forecast for 2004 to a record 440,000 units from 420,000 after sales rose strongly in the first half of the year.

Total industry volume had increased by 12% in the January–June period to 224,254 units from 199,426 in the previous corresponding period as the market share of non-national passenger cars rose to 20% from 12%.

“Sales of motor vehicles will remain strong although we expect slightly slower growth in the second half of 2004,” MAA president Aishah Ahmad said at a media conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

The association expects passenger car sales to record growth of 7% to 342,000 units this year and commercial vehicle sales to jump by 20% to 61,000. Sales of 4WD vehicles are projected to rise by 8% to 37,000.

Aishah said the sales forecast for 2004 had been raised for a number of reasons, particularly the country's stronger economic growth, the introduction of new models, and the fact that car buyers no longer had a wait-and-see attitude.

“The sales trend is continuing to rise as consumers appear to be regaining confidence and no longer have a wait-and-see attitude as the Afta (Asean Free Trade Area) auto policy had been announced last year and vehicle prices are not expected to come down,” she said.

The upward revision in the sales forecast assumes there will be no drastic change in duties in the upcoming national budget.

Aishah said the Government was more prepared this time around for the announcement and implementation of auto tariffs under Afta beginning next year as the MAA had been asked to provide information to run simulations.

However, she does not expect the Government to announce the duty structure under Afta before the last day of the year.

In the first six months of the year, passenger car sales rose by 9% to 174,996 units. The market share of national cars, though, dipped by 1% to 140,658 units from 141,614 a year ago.

Proton’s share of the market fell to 45% or 77,890 units, compared with 53% or 85,430 units previously.

Perodua car sales declined to 53,712 units – or a 31% share of the market – from 54,654.

Sales of non-national cars, on the other hand, rose to 34,338 units from 19,639, and the market share of this segment increased to 20% from 12%.

“I think this trend will continue because of new players and models being included in the sales number,” Aishah said.

Sales of commercial vehicles rose to 49,258 units in the January–June period from 38,173 in the previous corresponding six months.

In June, sales of motor vehicles were the highest so far this year with 45,559 units sold, compared with 33,321 a year ago – a 36.7% increase. The national passenger car segment saw sales jump to 32,144 during the month from 23,505 a year ago, while sales in the non-national category rose to 13,415 from 9,816.

The cumulative year-to-date sales of Chevrolet and Renault were added to the June data.

Overall production of vehicles in the first half declined by 2% to 209,220 units from 214,398, with output of national makes falling by 9% to 151,703 units and that of non-national cars increasing by 22% to 57,517.

According to Aishah, Malaysia is now the third largest car market in South-East Asia, after Thailand and Indonesia, based on car sales until April.

She said Malaysia was, however, still the largest passenger car market although sales growth for such cars in Thailand was strong.

Anyone happen to test drive Kia Picanto lately? I love that car. Compact and nice. Damn cute. Just too small for me. :(

I love the one that come with the orange color. Fantastic :)

yea...the orange-coloured ones are the best colour option available for the Picanto.....haven't test drive em yet but had seen it on the road once ;)

I love the copper color one :D

Marilah Audi! :D

From The EDGE Daily

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/storage/images/com.tms.cms.image.Image_4e5f1cb0-cb73c03a-940b8400-3992eb2c/1/Euromobil_building_inside.jpg
http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/storage/images/com.tms.cms.image.Image_4e5ed910-cb73c03a-940b8400-102b3fee/1/Euromobil_interiordisplay_i.jpg

Pak Lah: Come to Malaysia, Audi
By Tong Yee Siong


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on German carmaker Audi AG to choose Malaysia for siting its planned regional assembly plant and join the ranks of other foreign carmakers that have successful operations in the country.

FinancialDaily reported early this week that Audi was considering Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia for its production facility in Southeast Asia. Audi has said it will make a decision by September on its choice.

?It would be beneficial to Audi if it were to join the ranks of other international auto companies that have established successful assembly and distribution operations here in Malaysia.

?For this purpose, I am told that (Audi distributor) Euromobil (Sdn Bhd) has pledged up to RM30 million, which I sincerely hope will be matched by Audi AG at some point with a commitment of its own in order to establish an assembly operation here,? Abdullah said.

He said Malaysia offered several advantages over other regional neighbours to foreign carmakers due to its wide pool of skilled labour and good commercial infrastructure.

The country also had rising disposable income, low interest rates and good transport access to domestic as well as regional markets, he added.

?Only when you begin to consider Malaysia?s individual advantages in totality will you realise that the country is one of the most competitively valued locations to do business in the Asia region,? he said.

Abdullah said this in his speech at the launch of Euromobil?s RM30 million Audi Hangar ? a showroom-cum-service centre for Audi cars ? in Shah Alam on Aug 11. The speech was read out by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.

He said the government was encouraged that foreign auto companies continued to see Malaysia as an important country for their business.

?The current market share of non-national cars has risen to 20% to date from 12% in the corresponding period last year.

?The rise in interest for international marques certainly augurs well for the future of foreign auto companies operating in Malaysia, especially considering that our country continues to be the largest market for passenger cars in Asean.?

Jamaludin unveiled the Audi A8 L 4.2 quattro tiptronic priced at RM1.345 million (without insurance) at the launch.

Naza sets aside RM200mil for R&D and Gurun plant upgrade

By David Tan in Gurun

NAZA Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (NAM) is allocating RM200mil for research and development and upgrading activities at its new plant in Gurun, Kedah up till 2007.

President Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin said the R&D at the RM300mil plant would be on developing components and designing prototypes of the interiors and exteriors of the Naza Ria multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and the NCO4 model.

We are negotiating with our South Korean partner (Kia Motors Corp) to make the engines here. If the negotiations were successful, we would send our engineers for training in South Korea, he said.

Nasimuddin was speaking to reporters after the opening of the plant by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

We will begin assembling the NCO4 model in December, he said.

Nasimuddin said the plant, with a production capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually, would assemble 6,000 units from this month till the end of the year.

We will start to export the Naza Ria and NCO4 to neighbouring countries next year, he said.

Nasimuddin said the plant in Gurun would have created a total of 1,000 jobs by early next year.

These would be jobs in areas such as engineering, quality control, and logistics,? he said.

NAM senior general manager Nor Hadi Daud said by next June, the plants of all the 11 vendors of NAM in Gurun should be completed and ready for operations.

So far, only two plants of the vendors are completed. These plants will collectively engage two to three times the workforce of NAM. Their principal activities would be producing leather seat trimmings and wire harnessing, and assembling tires, he said.

Hadi said that next year, the target was to produce between 25,000 and 30,000 units of Naza Ria and NCO4 vehicles at the Gurun plant.

Any news about NCO4....is it new model or another KIA model?

Rivalry heating up in premium car market



BY SIDEK KAMISO


FOR a long time, there were not many changes in the premium car market. Few players could match the strength that Mercedes-Benz had in this category.

However, recently, its competitors, particularly BMW and Volvo, have started to catch up.

For the first six months of this year, sales figures have revealed a startling trend. BMW has increased its market share to 35% from 30% in the whole of last year. Volvo has also caught up with 14% market share in first half compared with 11% in 2003.

For Mercedes Benz, its commanding lead slipped slightly to 42%, compared with 43% last year.

According to DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd president and chief executive officer Frank Steinleitner, the improvement made by its rivals is a sign of the growing interest in the premium car segment.

“We will maintain our No. 1 position in the luxury car segment,” he said in an interview recently. And the company has already geared up to give its main rivals a run for the money.

DaimlerChyrsler will be coming up with three more new launches this year, which included top of the range Mercedes-Benz SLK and CLS - dubbed the four-door “coupe”. The next in line will be the Smart car range, which is expected to hit the local market this year.

“We believe the Malaysian market is ready for this car,” he said, adding that it would be the first country in South East Asia to market the car.

Steinleitner said DaimlersChrysler had ordered 500 Smart cars for the local launch, indicating its confidence in garnering interest among local car buyers who may be attracted by its compact size.

“As in Europe, we are targeting this car for the 'lifestyle' segment and for people who want something different and fun in a car,” he said.

The success of this launch will also pave the way for the Smart car to be assembled locally in the future, he said.
DaimlerChrysler would continue to strengthen its brand through conversion of existing showrooms under a “Motorhaus” concept by 2006.

With the first showroom already operating in Ipoh and a new one being planned in the middle of the Golden Triangle in Kuala Lumpur, the Motorhaus will set the standard in terms of marketing concept.

The future Motorhaus would not only look impressive but would also feature an array of high technology equipment to serve its customers, he said.

DaimlerChrysler is planning to beef up its assembly line. It is in the process of opening up a new line in Pekan, Pahang, together with the DRB-HICOM Group, which will produce the E Class by end of the year.

There are currently six Mercedes Benz models produced under the CKD arrangement, two each for its C Class, E Class and S Class of the Mercedes Benz.

“The new assembly line will allow the company to be more flexible in servicing the local market,” he said, but declined to indicate the total investments in the new production lines in Pekan.

Currently, the E Class is assembled by Oriental Assemblers Sdn Bhd, while Asia Automobile Industries Sdn Bhd assembles the C Class and S Class.

The relocation would also fit into the company's long-term plans in having all its assembly lines in one place, said Steinleitner. The Pekan plant is already used by Mitsubishi to assemble its trucks. Mitsubishi of Japan is an associate of the DaimlerCrysler group. “We also like the commitment shown by DRB-HICOM,” he said.

With such a plan, Steinleitner said Mercedes Benz would continue to remain the leading premium car brand in the country.

“We have already seen encouraging results with sales in July improving by 23% from the previous month, boosted mainly by the strong sales of the C Class,” he said.

This helps Mercedes Benz to achieve total sales of 1,739 units for cars and trucks for the Jan-July period.

The company is well on its way to improve its last year's sales of a total of 3,247 units, he said.

Hyundai to expand Kulim plant
By Faizal Zakariah
Edgedaily

Hyundai-Berjaya Corporation Bhd plans to increase production capacity at its Kulim plant to 30,000 units from 20,000 currently by the middle of next year, says its managing director Datuk Ben Yeoh.

He said the expansion would entail investments on increased mechanisation, warehousing facilities and enhanced vendor programmes in finished and semi-finished parts.

The plant had a maximum production capacity of 40,000 units a year, he told reporters after the launch of Matrix 1.6 and Atos 1.1 facelift in Shah Alam on Sept 27. It is now running on two-shifts assembling Atos, Matrix and light commercial vehicles.

It would sell 1,000 units Atos and 500 units of Matrix a month.

He said the local contents on Matrix would be increased to 45% from 20% by April next year. Atos has reached 45% localisation and it could be increased further.

It could be assembling Getz at the Kulim plant, possibly by the middle of next year as market response on the model had been good, he added.

Apart from Getz, it also distributes Santa Fe, Coupe, Terracan, XG, Sonata, Elantra, Accent, an

Asia Pacific News »

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 24 October 2004 1850 hrs

More Malaysians develop passion for sports cars

By Channel NewsAsia's Malaysia Correspondent Melissa Goh


KUALA LUMPUR : With growing affluence, more Malaysians are developing an appetite for fast-living and fast cars.

And they are heading to the country's Formula One race track on weekends to let off steam.



It is Sunday and entrepreneur Christopher Tan is heading to Malaysia's Formula One Sepang international race circuit to give his prized possession a good spin on the 5.5-kilometre track.

Given a maximum speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour on Malaysia's public highways, he finds this is the best place to fully exploit his car.

Christopher Tan, Deputy President of Porsche Club Malaysia, said, "The best way to do it is on the track...that is the safest way to go fast in the car, to exploit or to realise the potential of the car."

Like him, many Malaysians are developing a keen appetite for high-end sports cars.

Despite the very high taxes and duties, supercar manufacturers like Porsche is still finding Asia one of the fastest growing market in the world, in line with the growing affluence of the people there.

Porsche sales have doubled in most parts of Asia this year.

And today, it's demonstrating its latest edition - the Carrera GT, which has a top speed of 300 kmph and costs over half a million US dollars.

Christer Ekberg, Managing Director of Porsche Asia-Pacific, said, "People all over the world with passion for cars, passion for non-compromise sports cars, these people, thank god, are willing to consider taxes, the duties, to fulfil their dreams."

If you are not rich or famous, there is always the second-hand market where you can avoid Malaysia's hefty 300 percent import duties.

Christopher's love affair with Porsche has lasted more than eight years.

"I have always liked women with nice waist lines, so Porsche has got that nice line and I like the shape of Porsche," he said.

And while "9 11" reminds us of the horrifying terror attacks in the US, to Porsche fans, it means different thing altogether.

Wong Loke Yong, Director of Porsche Malaysia, said, "The shape and style of 911 have barely changed since it was created 40 years ago. The style is very retro but yet it is very modern. That's why it brings a lot of sentiment to the Porsche owners. I actually drive one today and I hope my children will be driving one in the future." - CNA


Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

my brother just went back from Indy race at the Gold Coast..................he has a great passion for sport cars :) :)

my brother just went back from Indy race at the Gold Coast..................he has a great passion for sport cars :) :)
dats cool! is he representing the country?

Eh,the Audi show room looks like Melbourne's one la.is it their new concept showroom?

Well guys,i would like to introduce you to OZ's new beasts from Holden!

SS Commodore
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL563/2751707/5512189/70869298.jpg
250kW, 5.7 litre High Output Generation III V8 engine with performance exhaust

Monaro
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL563/2751707/5512189/70869285.jpg
260kW**, 5.7 litre high output Gen III 'LS1 Plus' V8 engine

HSV Clubsport
http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL563/2751707/5512189/70869290.jpg

All these are my favourites:D Look at their engine and it makes you drool....

i do remember holden sell their cars overseas right?

how come i seldom see them back home..?

i do remember holden sell their cars overseas right?

how come i seldom see them back home..?


yea......Holdens are for sale here in the late 70s / early 80s......I remember there were quite a lot of Holdens on the road back then ......used to asked my dad what are the cars on the road ;)

ANyway you could still see some of these oldies around but they are extremely rare nowadays :(

yea......Holdens are for sale here in the late 70s / early 80s......I remember there were quite a lot of Holdens on the road back then ......used to asked my dad what are the cars on the road ;)

ANyway you could still see some of these oldies around but they are extremely rare nowadays :(
no wonder... hmm.. seems like holden is more focus on their local market..

i assume that international car market is quite tough..have been heard a lot from news that 'big' company bought over 'small' company. car manufacturers easily get financial problem dunno why.. lots of european car brand have change owner.. and big company getting bigger such as toyota and GM..

may be this is part of globalization..? :?

dats cool! is he representing the country?

no.......no.......no.........i mean he went there to watch the race not to participate in the race :cheers: :eek2:

i dont know malysia used to import holden cars back then? wonder if that AUSTRALIAN MADE car still exist in the country now.............like the Caprice one

no.......no.......no.........i mean he went there to watch the race not to participate in the race :cheers: :eek2:
wah go so far just to watch indy race! he really has great passion towards cars!

Singapore Business Times (26th. October 2004)

Malaysian motorists hitching a ride on government subsidies

(SINGAPORE) Diesel is cheaper than bottled mineral water in Malaysia, thanks to government subsidies. And for petrol, motorists there pay half of what their Singapore counterparts shell out.

These contrasts were gleaned from a just-released report by Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), which expects Malaysian motorists to face another pump price increase soon, if oil prices stay high.

If not for competition among retailers, the same would go for motorists in Singapore, where increases in the wholesale price of petrol have outstripped pump prices, an industry source said.

According to the CSFB report, diesel costs just 83.1 sen per litre in Malaysia, compared to an equivalent amount of bottled mineral water at about RM1.70.

At RM1.42 a litre, 97 octane petrol is cheaper by half than the RM3.28 which motorists pay in Singapore. Diesel and petrol are also cheaper in Malaysia than anywhere else in the region.

The report warned that while subsidies in Malaysia are still currently lower than oil revenue earned by the government, the subsidies will outstrip revenue if oil prices stay high or shoots past US$60, and pump prices are not raised.

In late afternoon trading yesterday, crude oil prices went past last Friday's record US$55.50, with the market now concerned that US$60 is within easy reach, especially if the northern winter turns out harsh.

CSFB estimates that for every US$1 rise in the oil price, the Malaysian government will have to fork out up to RM800 million (S$350 million) of additional oil subsidies a year to keep pump prices unchanged, while receiving only about RM430 million of extra oil revenue.

Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand maintain oil subsidies to help cushion consumers from the impact of high oil prices.

'There is zero tax on petrol in Malaysia,' an industry source here said.

'You could say the government literally pays motorists to fill up, whereas in Singapore, 44 Singapore cents goes to the government in taxes for every litre.'

Singapore petrol pump prices should be higher, if not for the 10 per cent discount given by rival chains here due to intense competition, the source added. 'With higher oil prices, wholesale petrol prices have outstripped pump prices by about 10 Singapore cents per litre.'

In a commentary yesterday, Malaysia's New Straits Times said: 'Diesel, the juice that helps drive much of the economy, for example, is substantially subsidised by about 58 sen per litre for a pump price of 83 sen per litre, much cheaper than a glass of teh tarik.'

Said economist Chia Tse Chern in the CSFB report: 'We believe that if oil prices persist at US$55 for the next six months, there is a strong possibility that the (Malaysian) government will raise pump prices by a further 5-7 sen.'

Malaysia last raised the pump prices of petrol, diesel and gas by five sen per litre on Oct 1, and by two sen on May 1.

A five-sen hike, which is the equivalent of a US$2 barrel rise, is likely to save the government about RM1.2-1.4 billion a year in oil subsidies, or about 0.3 per cent of GDP, he said.

Rising oil prices may prove to be negative for the country's budget balance.

'If the government fails to hike pump prices as oil prices continue to stay around US$55 per barrel in the next six to nine months, we may have to revise our 2005 fiscal deficit projection to around 4 per cent of GDP, from 3.5 per cent,' Mr Chia said.

57 auto projects worth RM659m approved in Jan-Sept period
By Faizal Zakariah


Malaysia approved 57 automotive-related projects worth RM659 million in the January-September 2004 period, says International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Of the total, domestic investments amounted to RM514.7 million and foreign RM144.3 million, he said in a speech at T&K Autoparts Sdn Bhd's 12th anniversary celebration in Shah Alam on Nov 1.
Husni was delivering the speech on behalf of the minister, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

Of the 57 projects, 29 were new projects and 28 for expansion and diversification. Some 35 projects worth RM392.2 million were for automotive parts and components-making, he added.

The components were automotive module/system, electrical and electronic and mechanical parts.

He said there were 350 component makers in the country, of which 234 and 135 were Proton and Perodua vendors respectively. A total of 32 Proton vendors are Tier 1 suppliers/systems integrators.

Husni said most of the components makers had achieved value-added of between 25% and 35%.

Currently, 38 component makers export their products, which include steering wheels, rims, brake pads and wheels.

i dont know malysia used to import holden cars back then? wonder if that AUSTRALIAN MADE car still exist in the country now.............like the Caprice one


well.....I think some people still has some old Holdens running ;) .....I sometimes do see one or two but those are extremely rare as I guess most had been scrapped or broken down as the last Holden are sold here back in the early 80s :(

I would be thrilled to see a brand new Holden here though! :D

actually why they stopped selling Holdens in Malaysia?I think they r pretty good cars though.And i believe the road tax will b really really high if its on sale

I remembered the 'old skool' Holdens are just like Opel's model...

More Compulsory Safety Features For Cars Soon


By Santha Oorjitham

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- From July 1 next year, the Ministry of Transport has made it mandatory for all new car models produced by national car makers Proton and Perodua to have airbags and rear seatbelts.

"This single measure will make Malaysian locally produced cars at par with the other manufacturers in the region," Road Transport Department Director-General Datuk Emran Kadir told Bernama.

With the rising number of deaths from motor accidents, experts are calling for more of these car safety features but manufacturers claim that Malaysians are not willing to pay extra for them--unless the safety features are compulsory for all cars.

What everyone agrees on, however, is the need for incentives from the government to offset the cost of additional safety features.

"It's a good move for the government to make it mandatory. It should not be just Proton and Perodua but all cars introduced into Malaysia, including imported cars and those produced by Naza and Inokom," Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd deputy general manager (product marketing department) Zaharin Husin said.

"The government needs to do its part to ease the cost for manufacturers," he said, suggesting incentives including rebates for both carmakers and customers.

In the mid-1990s, some of the local auto industry had fitted safety features into their cars, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Aishah Ahmad said.

"We thought we would be the first, but we were priced out," she recalled, adding that the safety features cost between RM2,000 and RM3,000 each.

"The customers did not value the safety features. When the cost went up, our sales, volume and market share were affected."

Safety features can add another 20 percent to the cost of a vehicle, estimated the research manager of ERA Consumer Malaysia, Chubashini Suntharalingam, but Malaysians would be willing to pay more for them.

From the beginning, Perodua has installed two side impact beams inside the shell of each car to minimise the impact during a crash, Perodua's Zahari said.

From the middle of last year, all of its cars have both front and rear safety belts. And all new models from now will at least have airbags or an anti-locking braking system (ABS).

On the limited edition Kembara CT Elegance, dual airbags and ABS add about RM2,500 to the total cost (RM59,988).

For national cars like the Perodua, most of the buyers are from the lower- or middle-income group. Price still comes first, rather than safety. When safety features add to the cost...the customers shy away," said Zahari.

Perodua does install airbags, ABS and other safety items such as a Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) on its export models if it is mandatory in those markets, Zahari added.

Last year, 6,282 people died from road accidents, compared to 5,891 the previous year while there have already been 4,157 deaths in the first eight months this year, according to statistics from the Road Transport Department (RTD).

In Malaysia, there are 4.9 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles, higher than in developed countries such as Japan (2.8), Singapore (2.8) and New Zealand (1.4) but lower than developing countries such as Thailand (6) and Indonesia (9.1), according to Asian Development Bank statistics.

"Some safety features such as ABS and Anti-Skidding System can reduce the probability of an accident but it can't compensate for recklessness or careless behaviour of the driver," RTD's Emran said.

"Human beings cause road accidents because of bad attitude or bad driving habits and the poor maintenance of their vehicles," the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) said in written replies to Bernama.

"But safety features have helped to save lives, even with the increased number of road accidents," the AAM said.

"Starting with rear seat belts and airbags is certainly the right move, but more and more safety features should be available to the public," said the director of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia's Road Safety Research Centre, Prof.Dr. Radin Umar Radin Sohadi on the government's move to make rear seatbelts and airbags compulsory.

He said airbags should come with the vehicle and not be "retrofitted" by another supplier, adding that there should not only be front airbags but side and "curtain" airbags as well.

Besides airbags and ABS, he recommends collapsible steering columns, Side Impact Protection System (to transfer the load to the floor or chassis during impact), and dashboards and interior panels which are made of "smooth, energy-absorbing materials".

"When you buy cars you should not simply base your decision on engine performance, riding quality or cost. It is important to look at the crash-worthiness," Prof. Dr Radin Umar said.

-- BERNAMA

Tan Chong sees 25% rise in sales

EDARAN Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, a Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd subsidiary, has sold 5,890 Nissan vehicles in its third quarter ended Sept 30, representing an increase of 25% compared with 4,711 vehicles sold in the corresponding quarter of last year.


For the first nine months of the year, Edaran Tan Chong sold 15,822 Nissan vehicles, representing a 37% increase over the 11,561 sold in the corresponding period of 2003.


The company said the improved performance was due to stronger sales in the four-wheel drive (4WD) segment and sustained sales for passenger and commercial segments arising from its excellent sales and delivery services.


The latest JD Power Asia-Pacific 2004 Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) study has indicated that Edaran Tan Chong has the highest ranking in customer satisfaction with vehicles sales and delivery processes.


The study, which is now in its second year in Malaysia, measures customer satisfaction based on six factors – delivery process, delivery timing, sales person, dealer facility, paperwork and deal.


Edaran Tan Chong's top selling models continue to lead in their respective segments with the Nissan Sentra 1.6L maintaining its position as the best seller in the non-national 1.6-litre passenger car segment with a 62% market share.


The Nissan X-Trail continues to lead with a 48% market share in the non-national 4WD sports utility vehicles (petrol) segment while the Nissan Frontier leads the 2.5-litre (diesel) double-cabin (manual) pick-up segment with a 34% market share.


The company will launch the new Nissan Serena 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle with a 2-litre CVTC (continuous variable valve timing control) engine next month.


Edaran Tan Chong also said the company would enhance its sales and distribution network to 55 showrooms, 35 after-sales service centres and 15 3S (sales, spare parts and service) centres by the end of the year.

Airbags a must from July 1


KUALA LUMPUR: From July 1 next year, the Transport Ministry has made it mandatory for all new car models produced by national carmakers Proton and Perodua to have airbags and rear seat belts.

“This single measure will make Malaysian produced cars on par with that of other manufacturers in the region,” Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Emran Kadir said.

With the rising number of deaths from motor accidents, experts have called for more car safety features but manufacturers claim that Malaysians were not willing to pay extra for them.

JPJ statistics reveal that 6,282 people died from road accidents in 2003 compared to 5,891 the previous year. There have already been 4,157 deaths in the first eight months of this year.

In Malaysia, there are 4.9 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles, higher than in developed countries such as Japan (2.8), Singapore (2.8) and New Zealand (1.4) but lower than in developing countries such as Thailand (6) and Indonesia (9.1), according to Asian Development Bank statistics.

“Some safety features such as the ABS and Anti-Skidding System can reduce the probability of an accident but it can’t compensate for recklessness or careless behaviour of the driver,” said Emran.

When asked to comment on the government's decision, Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd deputy general manager (product marketing department) Zaharin Husin said it was a good move. “It should not be just Proton and Perodua but all cars introduced into Malaysia, including imported cars and those produced by Naza and Inokom.

“The Government needs to do its part to ease the cost for manufacturers,” he added, suggesting that incentives should include rebates for both carmakers and customers.

Malaysian Automotive Association president Aishah Ahmad said that in the mid 1990s, some local auto industry players had fitted safety features into their cars.

“We thought we would be the first, but we were priced out,” she recalled, adding that the safety features cost between RM2,000 and RM3,000 each.

“The customers did not value the safety features. When the cost went up, our sales, volume and market share were affected.” – Bernama

Can the current national car owner install airbags then when they go for servicing their car?

Can the current national car owner install airbags then when they go for servicing their car?


Airbags could be installed on any car but your stering wheel would have to be changed ;)

I think there are many places you could get your airbags installed :)

Hmm.how much will it cost then?

Syed Mokhtar to set up Motor Hub
Jose Barrock & Francis Fernandez


TAN Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary is believed to have held talks with Thailand to set up a motor hub in Malaysia's northern state of Kedah, sources said yesterday.
It is believed that the tycoon had held high-level negotiations with very senior Thai Government officials on the matter.

Mail Money was told the proposal will see Syed Mokhtar spearheading an initiative to set up a motor hub on 1,600ha 4,000 acres land near the border of the two countries.

The first phase of the development would see both parties developing 800ha.

2,000 acres of land.

The move is seen by many as Syed Mokhtar's first serious attempt to break into the motor vehicle industry, having thus far remained on the fringes by offering support services to Malaysia's motor vehicle industry via companies such as Mardec Bhd, which supplies rubber parts and MCIS Safety Glass Sdn Bhd, which manufactures wind shields.

By setting up the hub in his home state, people familiar with the movements of the tycoon say he hopes to tap the expertise of Thailand's motor industry. It has largely been very successful, earning the country the recognition as the "Detroit of the East".

Some of the biggest names in the world motor vehicle industry have a strong presence in Thailand.

Among them are General Motors Corp, Nissan Motor Company Ltd and Toyota Motor Corp.

Those in the loop believe that Syed Mokthar's plan to acquire a 15.82 per cent stake in DRB-HICOM Bhd was mooted by the desire to use the company's vast infrastructure in the motor vehicle industry as a base to turn Kedah into a motor vehicle centre of excellence.

DRB-HICOM is largely involved in the distribution and assembly of vehicles, such as national marque Proton, Honda and Chevrolet vehicles among others.

It is also understood that DRB-HICOM has held negotiations with Suzuki Motor Corp of Japan to initiate distribution of the Japanese company's two- and four-wheeled vehicles.

Pak Lah proposes new measure to curb road accidents
BY JANE RITIKOS AND TEOH TEIK HOONG

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists who cause road accidents will have their driving licences seized and held for two weeks by traffic police in the district where the accident happened.

They will have to return to the district police station to pay their fines before they can claim their licences.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who made the proposal, said the move was to reduce the number of road accidents in the country.

The Prime Minister said this would serve as a lesson to motorists who caused accidents, adding that the high number of road accidents in the country was “very shameful”.

“I discussed it with Cabinet members and they agreed that it is a good idea and should be implemented as soon as possible,” he told reporters after launching the “Utilising Public Transport Reduces Accidents” campaign in conjunction with the Deepavali and Hari Raya festivals at KL Sentral yesterday.

Abdullah said he had instructed Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar to conduct a detailed study on the proposal for implementation.

Earlier in his speech, Abdullah said he disliked imposing such harsh rules on the people but this one was necessary to prevent road accidents, especially the fatal ones.

He said that year after year, the authorities advised motorists to drive safely, especially during the balik kampung rush, but the number of accidents continued to rise.

On the proposal by social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye to introduce a “drive safe and pay less” scheme under which motorists who undergo defensive driving courses pay lower insurance premiums, he said it was good idea.

“However, carelessness of other drivers can also get the good defensive driver into accidents,” Abdullah said.

Elaborating on the proposal, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said it was to make it difficult for errant motorists and also stress the seriousness of committing traffic offences.

His ministry, Chan said, was looking at amending the law to effectively implement the proposal.

“When finalised, the police will issue summonses and seize the driving licences of traffic offenders. They will be without a driving licence for two weeks and will only get it back upon paying the summons,” he added.

On whether these motorists would be allowed to drive in the two weeks, Chan said they could still do so using the summonses issued to them.

Higher age bar for bikers proposed

BY TEOH TEIK HOONG
KUALA LUMPUR: Riders may have to wait until they are 18 to be eligible for a motorcycle licence under a government plan to raise the minimum age requirement, which is currently set at 16.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the move would help to reduce the high number of accidents and fatalities involving motorcyclists.

“Motorcyclists account for 57% of road accidents in the country.

“Our findings indicate that at 16, our youths may not be matured enough to handle the motorcycle,” he told reporters after launching an anti-crime campaign, organised by the Federation of I-Kuan Tao Associations of Malaysia here yesterday.

Chan said a decision would be made once he received a comprehensive report from road accident experts and their recommendations.

He would seek Cabinet feedback on the matter before making any amendments to the road transport bylaws.

“If we can bring down the percentage of motorcycle accidents, we would directly also reduce road accidents.”

On the ministry’s long-term plan to inculcate better driving habits among the public, Chan said his ministry was discussing with the Education Ministry about the need to include road safety lessons in the school curriculum.

He said he had also discussed the matter with Education Minister Datuk Hishamuddin Tun Hussein.

“If we are serious, we have to start inculcating better driving habits at an early age,” he said, adding that they would have to rely on the Education Ministry’s experts to suggest how to incorporate this into the curriculum.

Chan said the new Road Safety Department would be responsible for including road safety in the school curriculum by next year.

He said the Government’s road safety campaign would only be successful if the 10 million motorists in the country co-operated to reduce accidents.

“It's not only the Government’s responsibility; it's everyone’s.

“I appeal to all motorists to be careful, especially during the festive season,” he added.

On the recent suggestion by Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Emran Kadir for airbags and rear safety belts to be included in new models of locally-made cars, Chan said car manufacturers should absorb the cost of installing them.

“Based on economies of scale, the high demand for airbags will lower the cost of making them.

“There shouldn’t be a reason to pass the cost on to car buyers.”

this is good. need for speed is not suppose to happen in real life..

EON secures Mitsubishi franchise



Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) has secured the Mitsubishi franchise, which is currently held by its ultimate parent company DRB-Hicom Bhd, to exclusively distribute the Japanese marque's products in the country.

EON and Mitsubishi Corporation will hold stakes of 48% and 52% respectively in a proposed joint venture company Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which will distribute vehicles, components, spare parts and accessories made by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC).

EON and Mitsubishi Corp entered into an agreement on Nov 15 to establish the proposed JV company, which will have a paid-up capital of RM60 million. EON said on Nov 17 that it would finance the JV with internal funds.

It said the JV company would enter into a distributorship agreement with MMC for the exclusive distributorship of Mitsubishi products with effect from Jan 19, 2005. It will also sign licence agreements with MMC for the licences of production and trademark.

EON said the proposed alliance would maximise the group’s distribution and after-sales infrastructure and resources. EON will also be involved in the after-sales service through its multi-brand network, while a wholly owned subsidiary will retail Mitsubishi products.

The franchise is now held by USF-Hicom (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a DRB-Hicom sub-subsidiary.

EON said the new franchise complemented its existing Proton marque business, which remains the key business of the group.

“The strategic alliance with Mitsubishi will further enhance EON’s position as a key industry player and is in line with the company’s strategy to remain as a dominant player in the automotive sector, its core business activity,” it said.

Indian bike alarm firm sets base in JB
By Zazali Musa

MUMBAI-BASED Autocop group of companies has picked Johor Baru as its regional office to serve South-East Asia.

Managing director Uday Dashpande said that for a start the company would use Johor to market its high security motorcycle alarm.

Marketed under the Terminator brand, the gadget was jointly developed by Autocop's India unit, Keystone Appliances Pvt Ltd, and an Italian company. It is being marketed in India and Europe.

Dashpande said the product, introduced in India about a year ago, had received good response, with more than 100,000 units sold so far.

"We are confident of repeating our success story in Malaysia and in other Asean countries," he said in an interview with StarBiz yesterday.

Dashpande said the Autocop group had set up a Malaysian outfit, Ace Autocop Sdn Bhd, to handle the sales and marketing of the product locally.

The group is involved in the manufacture, servicing, sales and marketing of auto security systems in India. It has 3,000 dealers, 30 offices, four plants and 2,000 employees.

Ace Autocop director Xavier Daniel said Johor was the first Malaysian state where the product was being marketed. It has 10 dealers in Johor Baru.

He said Johor had the highest number of motorcycles in the country, followed by the Klang Valley and Penang.

"Johor Baru also records the highest number of stolen motorcycles in Malaysia, with 20 cases reported daily,” Xavier said.

The level of awareness among motorcycle owners of security alarms was still low, he said, adding that insurance companies last year paid about RM43mil in claims for motorcycle losses.

Xavier said the Terminator used aerospace components that featured, among others, a smart impact sensor, hotwire protection and immobiliser.

"Costing between RM75 and RM150, the gadget could be fixed on any 80cc to 250cc motorcycle," he said.

He also said the company planned to work closely with the police force and insurance companies to reduce the highnumber of motorcycle thefts in the country.

He said the firm would have 500 dealers in the southern, central and northern regions by the end of next year to market the product.

"We are currently talking with the biggest auto security distributor in Thailand and the product should be in the market there in January next year," Xavier said.

Tan Chong Motor To Build New Assembly Plant In Serendah


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The local assembler and distributor of Nissan and Nissan diesel vehicles, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd will invest about RM125 million in a new assembly plant to be located in Serendah.

The new assembly plant will have an initial single-shift production capacity of 14,000 units per annum which may be doubled by additional shift work.

The plant which would be constructed on a piece of 17.2 hectares leasehold land owned by the group, would have the capacity which can be further stepped up to 50,000 units per annum with additional future investment.

"The land with the lease expiring in 2095, has a book value of RM8.47 million. It is targeted that the plant will be ready in 24-30 months," said the group in an announcement to Bursa Malaysia Thursday.

It said the group would also be upgrading facilities at its existing plant and related facilities located in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, at the estimated project cost of RM25 million to meet the near term production requirements.

It said the investment decision was made after careful consideration as it was anticipated that the existing assembly plant would not be able to cope with the expected medium term production and sales requirements.

Over the past few years, the sales and production volume of our Nissan and Nissan Diesel vehicles enjoyed a steady increase with the introduction of new models and expansion of sales and after-sales service networks, it said.

In 2005, an additional model, the Renault Kangoo will be added to our assembly plant for mass production, it said.

The current single-shift production capacity of the existing assembly plant based on current product mix of approximately 30,000 units per annum could be further stepped up with the introduction of a second-shift work to serve the group's near term business needs.

However, going forward and in line with Nissan's aspiration to increase its worldwide sales volume under its "180 plan" and beyond, the group's sales volume over the medium term of three to five years, barring any unforeseen circumstances, is also expected to expand further, it explained.

Tan Chong said the group would continue to work closely with Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Japan, on the engineering and technical aspects of the assembly plant design, construction and production processes and the introduction of new or replacement vehicle models.

As for the funding for the investment, it said the the group would increase its total external borrowings to fund its business requirements, including the funding for the new assembly plant as well as the upgrading of the existing plant.

The increase in production capacity will allow the group to capture any potential opportunities in the market to increase the group's sales volume of locally assembled vehicles over the medium term.

It said that the investment in the assembly plant was not expected to have any material impact on the earnings and net tangible assets of the group during the construction phase over 2005 and 2006.

As at Sept 30, 2004, the group has a shareholders' fund of RM1.03 billion with property, plant and equipment at RM255 million.

-- BERNAMA

Car prices will not fall next year, says Rafidah
By Faizal Zakariah


Car prices will not fall next year despite the cut in import duty to 20% from Jan 1, 2005 as the government will institute other measures to preserve one of its main sources of revenue, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

“When we bring down tariffs, the government will institute other measures such as excise duty. The government is not about to lose revenue. So don’t expect car prices to come down,” she said in her speech at the launch of a light commercial truck on Nov 25.

The automotive industry will be further liberalised to fulfill the country’s commitment to the Asean Free Trade Area. The current import duty will drop to 20% for cars that originate from Asean countries starting Jan 1, 2005 and to between 0% and 5% in 2008.

On Jan 1 this year, it cut the import duty to as low as 40%, but imposed an additional excise duty of between 30% and 100% on all cars from Jan 1, 2004.

Meanwhile, car sales rose 28% to 33,750 units in October from the 26,278 units a year ago, on the back of rising sales of national car, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association.

MAA said yesterday national car sales rose 29% to 27,490 in October from 21,246 a year ago. Foreign cars also continued to show strong positive growth with 6,260 units sold that month, up 24.4% from the 5,032 units a year ago.

From January to October this year, the MMA said there were 313,255 local and foreign cars sold, up 14.8% from the 272,783 units a year ago.

The MAA said during the 10-month period, local car sales accounted for 253,143, up 8.2% from 233,887 a year ago. Sales of foreign cars jumped 54% to 60,112 from 37,896 units a year ago

Lion Motor to export trucks in 2005

Silverstone Corporation Bhd subsidiary Lion Motor Sdn Bhd expects to start exporting locally assembled China-made Dong Feng light commercial trucks to regional markets next year, says Lion Motor chief executive officer Phang Wai Yeen.

Modifications were ongoing to suit the countries’ standards and technical requirements, but the export programme could start off with Thailand and Indonesia, he said.

Lion Motor targeted a 60:40 sales ratio for the export and domestic market respectively, he added.

Phang was speaking to reporters in Sri Kembangan on Nov 25 after International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz launched the light commercial vehicle, Dong Feng Pahlawan LM228.

He was hopeful that the export initiative would attract participation from the local automotive vendors for the supply of parts and components.

Lion Motor signed the franchise agreement with China-based Dong Feng Automobile Co Ltd in October last year. It was granted the licence from Dong Feng in March this year to assemble commercial vehicles.

The assembly of vehicles will be carried out at an existing plant in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, which is owned by Kinabalu Motor Assembly Sdn Bhd, which in turn is jointly owned by Lion Corporation Bhd and Lion Forest Industries Bhd.

It has a production capacity of 800 units a month.

For the local market, Lion Motor aimed to produce 2,000 units of Pahlawan a year, which could be translated into more than RM100 million in sales, Phang said.

He said there would be additional models to meet varying consumer needs.

He said the company would increase the local parts in the vehicle by sourcing them from local vendors. The vehicle currently has less that 50% local content, he added.

Pahlawan, which is available in standard wooden, standard steel, box van, wooden tipper and steel tipper, are priced between RM55,000 and RM60,000 each.

Perodua set for major revamp

BY SIDEK KAMISO




PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is set to undergo a major operational revamp to gear itself to be more competitive in the future.

UMW managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Harun said the appointment of new managing director Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar was part of the changes in the group. The post had been left vacant since the departure of Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Omar in April.

The next step would be to allow the new management to initiate changes at the group level, Halim said.

“We are going to streamline our business activities – from manufacturing to sales – to be more competitive,” Halim told StarBiz when asked about the group's plan. Perodua is 38%-owned by UMW.

Halim said Perodua was looking at its sales network and studying ways for the national carmaker to improve sales. “If we have to revamp the current sales structure, we will do it,” he said.




http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/12/2/business/p1halim.JPG

Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Harun





Halim said Hafiz, who was UMW director of manufacturing and engineering, was the right candidate for the job in view of his experience.

Perodua, he added, was facing a very challenging period, having now to compete with more carmakers in the below 1,000cc category, where previously it was one of only a few players in the segment.

Halim said Perodua would also be looking at its localisation programme, besides cost cutting. “We have to build closer relationships with local vendors to get the right components at the right quality and price,” he said.

The group's website indicated that Perodua had already achieved 75% local content, but moving forward, Halim said, the group would have to increase the percentage of local components to reduce costs and to promote the development of local vendors.

On cost cutting, Halim said the new managing director would have to look at the group's manufacturing process, and to find ways to reduce operational costs.






http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/12/2/business/p1hafiz.JPG

Abdul Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar





Looking at the bigger picture, Halim said, Perodua would also have to take advantage of new opportunities created by the merger between Toyota and Daihatsu, which directly held 25% stake in the national carmaker.

He said the decision by Toyota to produce its latest model, Avanza, in Perodua's plant, had helped the group to utilise its assembly facilities, which were designed to produce 150,000 cars annually in two shifts. It is understood that the deal with Toyota could pave the way for more such arrangements in the future.

Halim did not elaborate, but many observers believe it can include assembling other new Toyota models, such as Wish, a locally assembled version of which is slated for launch next year.

However, Halim does not see Perodua handling sales of Toyota cars in the future. Sales of Toyota cars currently come under UMW.

Halim said the current changes in Perodua were also due to the busy period for the group, which was planning a series of new launches and cosmetic changes to its existing models next year.

It is understood that some major vendors had received requests for quotation from Perodua for components for its new model earmarked for launch next year, but Halim declined to confirm this.

Chevrolet Spark to debut in February


BY IZWAN IDRIS



THERE'S a Chevrolet compact coming into the market, targeting first time buyers. The completely built up 796 cc Spark will be in local showrooms next February, priced around RM40,000.

Initially only the manual version would be made available, said Norzahid Mohd Zahudi, chief executive officer of Hicomobil Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Chevrolet cars in Malaysia. Hicomobil plans to bring in the automatic version by the third quarter of 2005.

Norzahid expects the new model to be competitive in the entry-level segment of the local car market, but declined to specify any sales target.

According to industry figures, vehicles of less than 1,000 commanded 33% of total sales last year.

“Based on these statistics and our own market evaluation, we feel the Chevrolet Spark will meet the needs of many consumers,’’ he told reporters after unveiling the car at a ceremony in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, yesterday.






http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/12/2/business/p4norzahid.JPG

Norzahid Mohd Zahudi (right) and GM ODC general manager Ali Aydin Pandir at the launch of the car.







The Spark will be supplied by General Motors’ plant in South Korea.

General Motors Overseas Distribution Corp, which markets and distributes GM vehicles, including Chevrolet, in Asean and the Asia Pacific, aims to place Chevrolet among the top three best selling car brands in Malaysia.

Norzahid expects Hicomobil, which currently sells four Chevrolet models – the 1.5 litre Aveo hatchback, the 4-door 1.6/1.8 litre Optra, the 1.8 litre Nabira and the 3.8 litre V6 Lumina – to be able to achieve its sales target of 6,000 units this year.

“We will be happy to sustain the sales volume at this level for next year. Of course, we will be happier if we can sell more,’’ he said.

Chevrolet has a 1.7% share of the near 400,000 motor vehicles sold in the local market as of October.

In the CBU segment, Chevrolet accounted for about 12% of the total volume.

Norzahid said the Aveo was the company's bestseller, contributing 48% of sales. The Optra 1.8 came in second at 29% and the Nabira third at 15%. “The Spark will complement our expanding range,’’ he said, adding that the company, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Bhd, will continue to work with General Motors to bring in new models in the future.

Since the Spark's launch several years ago in South Korea, where it is available as the GM Daewoo Matiz, more than 435,000 units have been sold worldwide.

The car had garnered several awards, including ‘Best Car’ in 1998 by Italian magazine Automobile and ‘Car of the Year’ in 2003 by China Auto Pictorial.

Vehicle sales to exceed 440,000


The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) expects total vehicle sales to surpass its target of 440,000 by end-December, says its president Aishah Ahmad.

“Based on the TIV (total industry volume) sales until October, the figure is already close to the 440,000 mark. I think it will surpass the target,” she said.

Recent MAA data showed that TIV sales totalled 399,021 at end-October. Last year, TIV sales reached 405,101 units, the highest level in the region.

“With the introduction and increase in production of Gen.2, Proton might have a slightly higher market share. But now there are also a lot of other foreign car models in the market, which would make the passenger car market very competitive,” she said.

Of the 10 months' vehicle sales, passenger car sales were 313,255 while commercial vehicles accounted for 85,766.

Mahaleel is Auto Man of the Year
Leslie Andres



Proton chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff was named the Automotive Man of the Year at the New Straits Times-MasterCard Car of the Year awards tonight.

Tengku Mahaleel beat four other nominees to win the coveted annual award, receiving it from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mustapa Mohamed at a dinner at Carcosa Seri Negara.

The BMW 530d was adjudged the overall Car of the Year. The award was presented by New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd Group Editor-in-Chief Datuk Kalimullah Hassan and MasterCard International’s vice-president and senior country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Jim Cheah.

Tengku Mahaleel was cited for his steadfast faith in the Malaysian national car project and his successful negotiation of a technical tie-up with Volkswagen AG.

The citation read: "This partnership will benefit the Malaysian automotive industry and the supporting vendor system. Tengku Mahaleel’s job has not been an easy one. Starting with the handicap of market protection, he inherited a job of managing a company and a system of vendors that knew little about competition.

"When tariff barriers started coming down two years ago, Proton’s market share tumbled; there was concern the national car company would not survive without additional resources.

"To his credit, Tengku Mahaleel built up the Proton Research and Development Facility that created the Gen2, and the acclaimed prototypes of the Satria and Tiara replacement models."

Kalimullah said the Malaysian automotive industry and car market had grown to a stage where it had gained recognition and the participation of principals directly from Germany, Japan and the United States.

"With the entry of more renowned foreign-made cars into the Malaysian market, automotive companies need to promote their brands more aggressively, as it is the key to gaining sales turnover and market share in an increasingly competitive environment," he said.

Apart from the Car of the Year, there were 13 other categories contested by a total of 67 vehicles.

Honda walked away with the most wins, capturing three categories.

The vehicles were voted on according to nine criteria: exterior design, perceived quality, value for money, interior design, interior usability and practicality, comfort, performance, driving characteristics, and safety.

Small-car mart to see
intense rivalry By ZURAIMI ABDULLAH


COMPETITION at the lower-end segment of the domestic car market is hotting up with more models being primed for the showrooms in a business dominated by Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua).

At least three new models are expected to be in the market as early as the middle of this month, the latest being US marque Chevrolet and China’s Chery.

National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd plans to introduce its new 1-litre model, or TRM, to replace its Tiara, in the first quarter.

The lower-end market is generally defined as cars with engine capacity of under 1,000cc and retailing at under RM50,000 each.

Based on last year’s numbers, about a third of the domestic car sales is expected to come from this segment, which is generally seen as an entry-level market for new car buyers.

Last year, 405,010 vehicles were sold, with the smaller-capacity-engine cars dominated by Perodua.

Since its inception 10 years ago, Perodua has dominated the sub-market with its Kancil, Kenari and Kelisa models with prices ranging from about RM22,000 for the basic Kancil 660cc to around RM41,000 for the Kenari.

It sells about 100,000 units of the three models alone.

General Motors Corp’s local distributor, Hicomobil Sdn Bhd, is expected to offer for sale its minicar in February. It unveiled the Chevrolet Spark yesterday, with the manual version likely to retail at RM40,000 each.

Proton’s TRM should make its debut by the first quarter. It is said to be competitive and attractive in performance and design, and could be priced at below RM40,000.

An immediate newcomer in the segment is Chery Automobiles Co Ltd of China. Its local franchise holder, Alado Corp Sdn Bhd, plans to launch a sub-RM40,000 car with an 800cc engine, called Chery QQ, by the middle of this month.

Industri Otomotif Komersial (M) Sdn Bhd (Inokom) is already a player challenging Perodua.

Inokom, accorded national carmaker status about two years ago, has the multi-function vehicle (MFV) called Inokom Atos.

Based on the Hyundai Atoz, it is a five-passenger 1-litre micro MFV hatchback that sells at about RM40,700 for the manual transmission and RM44,000 for the automatic.

Kia Picanto is perhaps the 1-litre car that has posed a serious threat to Perodua’s Kancil, Kelisa and Kenari.

At RM46,000 for the fully-imported unit, there is already a waiting line, said to be as long as eight months for delivery, for the South Korean-made car distributed by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd.

Another small-car model here is Fiat Panda, which was voted European Car of the Year in 2003.

At RM60,000, Panda appears to be a little bit expensive, but should have fans among those who want stylish small cars from Italian carmaker Fiat.

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd is considering entering the minicar market, but is unlikely to introduce such vehicles by next year.

Even if it does, it could be for a different market, price-wise.

Some analysts welcome the entry of more players in the sub-segment, saying the market is big enough for everybody.

They said it will have a mixed impact on Perodua especially, and that consumers are now spoilt for choice in terms of affordable cars.

Perodua is bullish on its prospects, and seems prepared for tougher competition next year.

It has begun its next phase of expansion, raising production capacity by an extra 50,000 units to 200,000 units.

Expansion work is expected to be completed by the end of 2005, about four years after Perodua last increased its capacity from about 50,000 units when it started in 1994 to the current 150,000 units.

The extra output is being installed at the company’s manufacturing facility outside Rawang, Selangor, involving a RM40 million investment just to set up a new paint shop.

I still want Honda Life to be available in local market :rant:

I like Toyota Vitz... so cute :)

I like Smart Brabus :D

I also happen to like Maybach 62, Rolls-Royce Phantom & Bently Arnage :D :D :D

I like Toyota Vitz... so cute :)

Which one is Vitz :? I like Vios (correct spelling ke) :lol: but ended up driving City ;)

I like Smart Brabus :D

I also happen to like Maybach 62, Rolls-Royce Phantom & Bently Arnage :D :D :D

Wah Bro Sze... all high end one liaw!!! :D

Which one is Vitz :? I like Vios (correct spelling ke) :lol: but ended up driving City ;)

Toyota Vitz very limited in Malaysia lorr... only AutoCraft and Naza bring them in... but I ended up with Toyota Starlet Turbo for drifting... Wish for leisure... and Wira for daily usage... City is good larr... hassle free... 3 years free service and warranty right :okay:!

Wah Bro Sze... all high end one liaw!!! :D


hahaha.....dream car mah......I still got a lot more like Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar XK8........ hahahaha :lol:

Don't expect cheaper cars in 2005, PM says
By Tong Yee Siong


The Malaysian Automotive Policy (MAP), which includes a new tariff and tax structure for vehicles, will not result in lower car prices in 2005, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“The prices will be more or less the same. You will not expect big reduction (in prices for imported cars),” he reporters after opening the National Economic Outlook 2005 Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 7.

The MAP is to be unveiled by year-end. The policy will deal with, among others, Malaysia’s commitment to reducing import duties of all vehicles classified as of “Asean origin” – referring to both completely knocked-down (CKD) and completely built-up (CBU) units with at least 40% Asean content – to between 0% to 20% by January 2005.

This is for Malaysia’s automotive sector to comply with its obligation under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) agreement. The import duties will be further cut to between 0% to 5% by 2008.

Last year, the government announced on New Year's Eve a new tariff and tax structure that lowered import taxes but raised excise duties for cars imported from Asean countries.

BMW M’sia sales up 10%
By Tong Yee Siong


BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s car sales recorded a 10% growth for the first 10 months of 2004 from a year before, signifying a strong growth trend of its business in the country, says managing director Wolfgang Schlimme.

He said BMW Malaysia’s car sales improved by 14.6% in 2003 compared with 2002, adding that future growth would be driven by new car models and premium after-sales services.

“With the establishment of national and regional functions, we are preparing ourselves with a strong platform for further growth,” he said after the official launching of BMW’s regional parts distribution centre at Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Johor on Dec 9.

In 2002, some 2,300 units of BMW cars were sold in Malaysia, representing an increase of about 18% from the year before. Over the past year, BMW Malaysia’s product portfolio had doubled to eight models with 24 variants from four models with nine variants.

BMW Malaysia is a 51:49 joint venture company between Tractors Malaysia Holdings Bhd, a subsidiary of Sime Darby Bhd, and Munich-based Bayerische Motoren-Werke AG (BMW AG).

Schlimme said BMW customers in Malaysia stood to benefit from the parts distribution centre. “There is better availability of spare parts and accessories through our authorised dealers. Local customers will enjoy faster delivery time as parts and accessories are shipped direct from PTP,” he said.

The regional distribution centre, which began operations in August, cost over RM40 million and was previously housed in Singapore. Its construction took about eight months after the ground-breaking ceremony was held exactly a year ago on Dec 10, 2003.

With a capacity of 15,000 sq metres for warehousing and 1,100 sq metres for office space, the centre stocks 35,000 different part numbers and can ship up to 2,000 lines per day to 19 markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Apart from Malaysia, the other markets covered by the centre are Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brunei, Fiji, Tahiti, Guam, New Caledonia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Robert Bailey-McEwan, BMW AG’s director in charge of parts and accessories distribution in America and overseas, said the distribution centre in Malaysia was a significant part of the group’s operations in the Asia-Pacific. “The parts business is critical as it helps us delight and retain our long-time customers. Shipping and distributing parts efficiently is one of the key reasons why BMW is able to deliver premium service,” he said.

For two consecutive years now, BMW has been the best-selling premium automotive marque for the Asia Pacific region. The group sold over 78,000 BMW and Mini cars in Asia in 2002, and has said it expected this to double to 150,000 by 2008

C&C to bring in 50-60 Aristas per month
By Yap Lih Huey

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd (C&C) is bringing in between 50 and 60 Mazda Aristas four-wheel-drive per month into the local market, says its managing director Steven Foster.

“Initially, we will be bringing in a total of 50 to 60 Arista each month although this is scalable if demand is encouraging. We are targeting those who are currently driving either a sedan or a four-by-four,” he said this before launching the Arista in Petaling Jaya on Dec 13.

“Our dealers are already requesting us for more stocks, even as far as East Malaysia, as we will soon be launching this vehicle there,” he added.

In support of its launch, C&C will be staging road shows to promote the Arista nationwide. There are about 40 service centres across the nation and 45 sales outlets.

The Arista comes in five colours and is priced at RM95,000 on the road. It blends both the four-by-four and sport utility vehicle concept and has a 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine.

C&C is the sole distributor of Mazda in Malaysia.

UMW to get more CKDs for Avanza


UMW Holdings Bhd says its associate company Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd will be getting more completely knocked down (CKD) parts for the “Avanza” from Indonesia to reduce the long waiting list.

“They (Perodua) will clear (the backlog) and get the CKDs,” said UMW group managing director Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Harun.

“It is not a question of whether Malaysia is a priority market as both Indonesia and Thailand are also getting strong demand for the Avanza,” he told reporters after briefing the group’s oil and gas expansion plans and success in China.

He said the company had managed to reduce the waiting period for the midi multi-purpose Avanza from 14 months to 11 months.

“It would take about 10 months to clear the backlog of 32,000 units on order to date. As we deliver, more orders come in and some customers do not mind the long waiting list,” he added

Tan Chong to assemble 2,000 units of Kangoo in 2005
By Tong Yee Siong


TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings, plans to assemble 2,000 units of Renault Kangoo next year and increase the annual output to 3,000 units in 2006 and 2007.

Tan Chong Motor vice-chairman Ahmad Abdullah said TC Euro Cars was looking forward to exporting a portion of the completely knocked down (CKD) units to other Asean countries over the next few years.

“Last year, Thailand and Malaysia already registered more than one million new cars, and we should be looking at a meaningful volume of export to Asean countries in the future,” he said at the launch of Kangoo CKD units in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 15.

Ahmad said the 1.4 litre Kangoo would be available in three variants – the passenger vehicle and two derivative light commercial vehicle (LCV) versions dubbed Kangoo Express and Combi.

All three variants would have power steering, compact disc player, radio and airbag as standard equipment, and would be priced from below RM50,000 to over RM70,000, he said.

“The final price is subject to the approval of Ministry of International Trade and Industry. We will announce it in January and we expect the delivery to begin in mid-January,” he said.

TC Euro Cars was created in June 2003 to handle the Renault business in Malaysia.

For the purpose of Kangoo CKD assembly, Tan Chong Motor, which has been assembling and distributing the Nissan marque for almost half a century, had spent over RM20 million to upgrade its existing plant in Segambut.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said he was told that TC Euro and Renault planned to increase their Kangoo production to 5,000 units to cater for the Asean market at a later stage.

He said the government wished to see other players take a similar move to assemble their cars in Malaysia, as this would facilitate the transfer of technology and turn the country into a regional automotive hub.

Renault Asia Pacific vice-president Patrick Debrot said the French carmaker targeted to have sold four million Renault vehicles worldwide by 2010, half of which were expected to be sold outside Western Europe. As at end-October, Renault had sold 2.08 million units globally.

Debrot said Kangoo LCV and passenger vehicle versions had been leading in their market segments in Europe since 1998, adding that a total of 87,682 units of Kangoo had been sold in Western Europe during the first 10 months this year.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said Tan Chong Motor planned to increase the number of its integrated parts and services centres to 50 by end of 2005 from 35 currently in order to provide better maintenance to both Nissan and Renault customers.

But for sales outlets and branches, Tan Chong Motor wanted to eventually have separate operations for Nissan and Renault, he said.

“We realise Renault and Nissan have different image. We want to have separate showrooms and outlets for Renault eventually.

“We now have three big independent showrooms for Renault in Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru and Butterworth. This is just the beginning, there will be more,” said Ahmad.

DaimlerChrysler's Car Sales To Reach RM800 Million This Year
By P. Vijian

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the renown Mercedes-Benz manufacturer, is expecting car sales revenue to hit a cool RM800 million by end of this year.

The company's president cum chief executive officer, Frank Steinleitner said last year Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia captured the number one position in the luxury car segment with sales reaching some 3,000 units.

"Revenue will exceed more than our 20 percent forecast for this year and we hope to sell more than 3,000 units," he told Bernama on the sidelines after opening the Mercedes-Benz Shining Silver Star Exhibition here Friday.

"Mercedes-Benz's leadership position has been further strengthened with an increased market share from 37 percent in 2002 to 43 percent in 2003 despite challenging market environment and aggressive competition," he said in his welcoming speech.

Steinleitner said the company, which started its local operations in 2003, would use Malaysia to develop special software to create network linking dealers and the production line.

"There are currently about 10 to 20 software engineers and we are trying to expand to about 50 and use Malaysia to test our software and link dealers and wholesalers (spare parts) in Malaysia to the production factory in our headquarters in Germany.

"So if a customer wants to change the colour of his car, he can contact the production centre through the dealer. We want all our 15 Mercedes-Benz dealers in Malaysia to be customer oriented," he added.

DaimlerChrysler is one of the leading automotive, transportation and service companies in the world and its passenger car brands include Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart, Chrysler, Dodge and jeep.

Commercial vehicles are produced under the brands Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi FUSO, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, Orion and American LaFrance.

With 365,000 employees worldwide, DaimlerChrysler's revenue was RM625.6 billion last year.

In Malaysia, the company manages the wholesale distribution of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles, smart passenger cars, Maybach passenger cars and spare parts of all the three brands.

-- BERNAMA

Nov passenger car sales up 11.93% on-year
By Jimmy Yeow


Passenger car sales in November 2004 rose 11.93% to 27,100 units from 24,219 units sold a year earlier, the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA) said.

Releasing the latest sales and production figures, MAA said sales of the non-national cars grew 50.53% on-year to 6,187 units from 4,110 units previously, while national cars mustered a 4.05% increase to 20,923 units from 20,109 units.

For the year to date, total car sales increased by 14.60% to 340,365 units from the 297,002 units sold in the first eleven months of 2003.

MAA said the market condition for December 2004 was expected to remain unchanged. However, the usual year-end preference of customers to defer taking delivery for 2005 production units would likely to slow down sales, it said.

“The total industry volume (TIV) is expected to close between 460,000 units and 470,000 units, which is higher than our revised forecast of 440,000 units,” it said.

MAA attributed the TIV increase to the stronger economic growth, positive consumers sentiments, attractive financing schemes and the introduction of many new models.

DaimlerChyrsler pulls in crowd at exhibition
By Faizal Zakariah


DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd (DCM) pulled in a crowd of more than 150 visitors, mainly corporate customers and dealers, to its Shining Silver Star exhibition in Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur on Dec 20, showcasing its classic heritage cars dating back from 1886.

There are six classic heritage cars on display, namely Benz Patent Motor Car, Mercedes 37/70 hp Simplex, Mercedes-Benz 320 Streamliner, Benz 8/20 hp convertible touring car, Mercedes-Benz 300 and Mercedes 28/95 hp.

The eight-day event from Dec 17 to 24 is part of the group’s three-month roadshow in Southeast Asia from December 2004 to February 2005 to promote awareness on its brand heritage. The road show covers Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The Kuala Lumpur event is open to the public from 12pm to 7pm on weekdays and 12am to 9pm on weekends. Admission is free.

The attendees on Monday included DCM vice president (finance and controlling) Niels Strohkirch. Also present was Si Khiong Star Sdn Bhd director David Park, who is the group chief executive of Si Khiong Star's parent company Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd.

Si Khiong Star was appointed as the third authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Klang Valley last August.

DCM is a 51:49 joint venture between DaimlerChrysler AG and Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd. It manages the wholesale distribution of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, commercial vehicles and spare parts in Malaysia.

Perodua expected to launch new vehicle in Small Car segment soon, prob a rebadged version of Daihatsu Boon. Looks good y'all!
as an aside, Man, car prices in M'sia seriously way too high!

Naza is launching something today...not sure what izzit......would check out the papers first thing in the morning :D

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_35/car_portal_pic_17764.jpg?1444

I'm so looking forward to this model liao ^^

PERODUA PROVIDES VALUE WITH TECHNOLOGY

Most people believe value for money motoring cannot be combined with innovative technology, but Perodua proves the exception to this rule. Developed through the Toyota/Daihatsu/Perodua joint venture, the Perodua range of vehicles offers latest generation technology and quality at bargain prices. Perodua, for example, is one of few manufacturers within the small car sector to offer a twin cam engine with four valves per cylinder and dynamic variable valve timing. This level of technology is featured throughout Perodua cars and contributes to their lively performance, good handling and excellent economy.

The joint venture with Toyota & Daihatsu contributes far more than just cutting edge technology, however. The state of the art manufacturing plant is now producing cars for all three brands and is operating to the Toyota Production System (TPS) which means that every vehicle is produced using the very latest assembly techniques resulting in the highest levels of build quality and finish.

The current Perodua range consists of the Kelisa super mini and the Kenari mini MPV. The Kelisa EX entry level model starts from an amazingly low £4,699 delivered* while the Kenari GX is available from just £6,130 delivered*. Both vehicles feature power steering, dual airbags, 5 doors, and an advanced engine immobiliser as standard. Kelisa and Kenari are among the few vehicles in their class with the option of a fully automatic transmission which is ideally suited to today’s urban environment.

Perodua’s future model range is being jointly developed between the three manufacturers and the first results of this will see Perodua entering a new market sector towards the end of 2005. Tim Slaughter, Perodua UK ’s Managing Director, says: “we are very pleased to be able to offer high levels of technology, build quality and finish on our current range of cars but the planned new model range signifies an even more exciting future for Perodua”.

The latest range of Perodua vehicles can be seen via the UK network of seventy dealers or by visiting Perodua’s website on www.perodua-uk.com.

Prime Minister Unveils Second Naza MPV


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi Tuesday unveiled the Naza Citra, the second multi-purpose
vehicle (MPV) produced by Naza, a Malaysian-owned automotive company.

The 2-litre double overhead cam MPV is fitted with a front engine/front
wheel drive configuration for maximum traction, dual powered air bag,
anti-lock breaking system and electronic brake force distribution.

The private registration selling prices of Naza Citra (automatic) are
RM79,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), RM82,143.86 (Sabah), RM82,184.56
(Sarawak), RM64,184.79 (duty free Langkawi) and RM63,693.79 (duty free
Labuan).

In his speech, Abdullah said Malaysia is already an ideal launching pad
for automotive companies to venture into the regional market in order to
take advantage of the trade liberalisation programme, such as the Asean
Free Trade Area (Afta).

He said South Korean Kia Motor's assistance to Naza would contribute
significantly towards the government's vision of making Malaysia a
regional automotive hub.

The government, he said, was preparing a national automotive policy which
would provide a clear picture of its vision and the direction set for the
national automotive industry.

He said the local automotive industry needed careful planning and strong
commitment as well as close cooperation among all players, including
local manufacturers, their foreign partners, vendors, suppliers and the
government agencies involved.

Local automotive entrepreneurs must have concrete plans to strengthen
their competitiveness in terms of quality and price both in the domestic
and international markets, he said.

"The local automotive industry must show determination and innovation in
every aspect of production, including design, engineering and research
and development (R&D)," he added.

He stressed the importance of developing a culture of high performance
and work ethics at every level of a company, especially those companies
that aspired to compete at the global level.

Abdullah said the local automotive industry needed the support of vendors
and suppliers able to provide quality and reasonably priced components to
enable local-made vehicles to compete in the market.

The use of the latest technologies and products in manufacturing not only
ensured efficient production but would also meet the demands of present
day buyers, he said.

He was confident Malaysia would continue to make vehicles that could
compete in the global market given the spirit of determination of
Malaysians and the emphasis on high manufacturing quality.

At the launching ceremony, Naza Group Managing Director Tan Sri SM
Nasimuddin SM Amin said Naza Citra was manufactured at the Naza
Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd plant in Gurun, Kedah.

He said Naza Ria, the company's first MPV that appeared in 2003, had sold
50,000 units.

Naza Citra, a seven-seater, comes in six colours -- black metallic, crome
silver, red turbo, diamond silver, hollywood blue and baltic grey.

-- BERNAMA

Naza is launching something today...not sure what izzit......would check out the papers first thing in the morning :D


Please refer to this thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=170836 for Naza Citra

Naza Kia unveils its Naza Citra MPV

BY YVONNE TAN







http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/1/19/business/p3citra.jpg

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi receiving a memento from Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin after launching Naza Citra MPV.








PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched yesterday Naza Kia Sdn Bhd's latest vehicle, the Naza Citra, its second multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), incorporating both local and South Korean technical expertise.

“We developed the Naza Citra within 12 months,” said Naza group managing director Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin at the launch in Kuala Lumpur. “It was made with the Malaysian family in mind.”

The vehicle, selling at RM76,789.80 – a knock-down price, according to Nasimuddin – is designed with safety topmost in mind, incorporating dual airbags and an anti-lock braking system that distributes responsive braking power among the four disc brakes under panic braking conditions.

It comes with a 2-liter double overhead cam (DOHC) engine, and gas-filled dampers and coil springs that deliver superior precision handling.

Consider customers’ needs, PM tells carmakers


KUALA LUMPUR: Carmakers must consider customers' needs and satisfaction when producing new models, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said customers' needs and satisfaction were just as important as ensuring that the components used were of high quality to compete in the global market.

“With the stress on high production quality, I am sure Malaysia can continue to produce cars that can compete in the global market,” Abdullah added.

He said this at the launch of Naza Kia Sdn Bhd’s second multi-purpose vehicle called Naza Citra yesterday.

He also said that as the Government planned to introduce a national automotive policy, the local automotive industry must continue to grow by having comprehensive planning and high commitment as well as close cooperation with all its partners.










http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/1/19/nation/n_02naza.jpg

Naza employee Annie Ismail, 25, standing through the open top os a Naza Citra after the car was launched by Abdullah in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.









The local automotive industry, he said, must be supported by vendors and suppliers who were capable of supplying quality components at reasonable prices.

The new Naza two-litre model, which comes with automatic transmission, is manufactured at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd plant in Gurun.

The car's on-the-road price with insurance is RM79,888 for peninsular Malaysia.

http://img23.exs.cx/img23/2946/NCitra.jpg http://img23.exs.cx/img23/8059/NCitrabutt.jpg http://img23.exs.cx/img23/4172/NCitrainterior.jpg http://img23.exs.cx/img23/7010/NCitraside.jpg

pics off Malaysian Motor Trader News

CIVIC RX2 retail RM129,000 - only 150 to be sold in M'sia

http://img62.exs.cx/img62/5240/CivicRX2.jpg

i think this must be the best looking perodua model ever!!:okay:

Chery First Chinese-Made Car To Be Sold In Malaysia


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- One of the most popular and successful sedans in China, Chery A160, will make its debut in the country starting in April.

The 1.6-litre car, a complete built up (CBU) unit is priced below RM60,000 and will be sold by Alado Automobile Sdn Bhd, the sole importer of Chery in the country.

The car was unveiled here Wednesday at the launching ceremony of Alado's first showroom here and the Chery roadshow by Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

Alado director B.L. Yeong said the complete knocked down (CKD) Chery would be sold here beginning in May.

He said the company expected to sell between 4,000 and 5,000 units this year.

It will also introduced the 2.4-litre front-wheel-drive Chery T240 as a recreational vehicle for family and individuals with active lifestyle at a CBU price below RM100,000 and 10 percent lower at CKD price.

-- BERNAMA

Alado to launch six Chery models this year
By Hong Boon How

ALADO Corp Sdn Bhd will launch six models of the Chinese-made Chery cars in Malaysia this year.

Alado executive chairman Datuk Cam Soh Thiam Hong said the company would launch the roadshow for Chery A15 sedan and T11 sports utility vehicle (SUV) on Jan 19.
“We will also bring in the Chery A21 sedan, B14 multi-purpose vehicle, S12 mini-car and the P11 sports utility truck by the end of the year,” he said in an interview in Rawang yesterday.

Soh is also executive chairman of the Bursa Malaysia main board-listed BSA International Bhd, but he is running Alado through his personal holdings. BSA International produces alloy wheels for cars and SUVs.

Soh said the 1.6-litre A15 would be offered in the standard and sports versions.

The standard version comes with a single over-head camshaft engine with 92hp, while the sports version has stiffer suspension and a Mini Cooper twin-camshaft engine with 115hp.

The standard version will be priced around RM58,000 and the sports version RM10,000 more.

Soh said buyers of T11 would have the option to choose between a 2.0 and 2.4-litre engine.
“Just like A15, we want T11 buyers to have options when purchasing our vehicles,” he said.

He also said buyers of A15 and T11 would be able to get their vehicles by March.

Soh said the company was expecting to sell 15,000 Chery cars in Malaysia this year.

“We had to revise our initial target of 20,000 units as we have decided to hold back the launch of the Chery QQ mini-car because of the ongoing copyright infringement issue between Chery Automobiles and General Motors Corp in China,” he said.

He said the QQ model had been expected to contribute significantly to Alado's car sales volume this year.

General Motors claimed that the QQ model design was copied from its Chevrolet Spark mini-car.

Meanwhile, local Chevrolet vehicle distributor HICOMOBIL Sdn Bhd is expected to start selling the Spark mini-cars next month.

Besides Chery cars, Soh said Alado was looking at introducing other brands of Chinese-made vehicles in Malaysia.

“We are looking at bringing light commercial vehicles, mini-cars and mini multi-purpose vehicles from two other Chinese car makers in the second half of the year,” he said.

Check this out~
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_35/car_portal_pic_17764.jpg?9337
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_35/car_portal_pic_17765.jpg?3086

Perodua Mini's A Toy Wonder

The engineering says Toyota, but the price says Perodua. Next year, budget buyers will be spoiled for choice when the Malaysian manufacturer branches out into the supermini sector for the first time.

The car will be an all-new model based on the next-generation Yaris - revealed by Auto Express in issue 835. The platform-sharing deal is a result of Perodua's alliance with Toyota, which was forged back in 2002, and the newcomer will be the first product of that agreement.

This should mean build quality will be an improvement over any previous Perodua. The jointly developed underpinnings have also been used for the all-new Daihatsu Sirion, driven in Issue 836. The full-sized five-door hatchback, which has yet to be named, will be the largest-ever model from Perodua, slotting into the range above the Kelisa and Kenari.

It will be offered with a 1.3-litre petrol engine, but it's unlikely there will be a diesel version. Sales will begin towards the end of 2005.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=170800

what are you doing??:D:D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=170800

what are you doing??:D:D

What the??
Who deleted my thread on my pc? I created the second one because I thought the first one is gone liao~~~

What the??
Who deleted my thread on my pc? I created the second one because I thought the first one is gone liao~~~

ha ha....kena hack liao :D

ha ha....kena hack liao :D

Haha! I just scanned my hdd and 15 virus found, wa lau... because of you lah :D

ha...??what's going on here..?where am i?is this perodua...??what a coooll, emm...

Haha! I just scanned my hdd and 15 virus found, wa lau... because of you lah :D

me ar?? eeee....i no face liao :bash:

i think i cause more trouble to myself also. i cannot format my comp. see if can curi one win XP CD from mom's office. if not curi the anti virus even easier:D

ha...??what's going on here..?where am i?is this perodua...??what a coooll, emm...

Yes~ This model is coming out end of this year~
You're in proudly malaysian forum lah~ :D:D

Looks slightly better than Hyundai Getz! Cars now are getting more expensive than ever as their specs are getting higher. I'm worried about the future now!

wow! now this is something upstandard!

What the??
Who deleted my thread on my pc? I created the second one because I thought the first one is gone liao~~~


Aiyoh.....I moved the thread to 'Urban' lah cos its more appropriate there :bash: :D

ANyway I would merged the threads later as the forum is EXTREMELY slow now :rant:

So this thread would be in the 'Urban' section in the future ;)

Aiyoh.....I moved the thread to 'Urban' lah cos its more appropriate there :bash: :D

ANyway I would merged the threads later as the forum is EXTREMELY slow now :rant:

So this thread would be in the 'Urban' section in the future ;)

Oh~ You're the mysterious hacker then~ :D:D:D
Anyways, could you please delete another one?

very nice indeed.It reminds me of Toyota Echo!

Motor Sales To Grow 2.5 Pct To 500,000 Units This Year, Says MAA


PETALING JAYA, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has forecast motor vehicle sales this year to grow by 2.5 percent to 500,000 units from 487,605 last year and 405,745 in 2003.

Its President, Aishah Ahmad said the "strong growth is attributed to members of MAA introducing new models at competitive prices, low interest rates and longer repayment periods."

-- BERNAMA

Euromobil Audi showroom in JB

EUROMOBIL Sdn Bhd will open its Johor Baru branch showroom in Tebrau Industrial Area II on Friday, making it the first Euromobil Audi branch offering sales, service and spare parts (3S) facilities outside the Klang Valley.

Euromobil, the importer and distributor of Audi cars in Malaysia, said in a statement the new branch marked the beginning of the company's expansion plan.

“Penang will have its own Audi 3S facility and Kuching will follow soon after,” chief executive officer Jeff Yee said.

Euromobil Johor Baru is a unique smart partnership between Euromobil’s authorised sales agent Ottomerc Vehicle Sdn Bhd and Euromobil.

Ottomerc will operate the sales division while Euromobil will provide the service expertise.

Audi test drives will be available for the first time in the southern region, following the opening of the new branch. – Bernama

What people want
By Paul Si

WHEN Naza’s latest offering, the Naza Citra, emerged from the thick man-made fog on stage, Faisal Shah (who was standing on my left) leaned across and asked Onny (on my right): “What does citra mean?”

I didn’t know, which should come as no surprise. But the fact that two Malay journalists also did not, was surprising. For the rest of the day, and well into the night, I asked everyone I met and all of them, including a senior executive from Naza Kia, were at a loss!

The Internet came to the rescue and, 24 hours after the mid-size multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, I finally learned that citra is a Sanskrit word which can mean “conspicuous, excellent, distinguished” or “bright, clear, bright-coloured”, and much more. (Check out the Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary at (students.washington.edu/prem/mw/c.html.)

The propitious name suits the Malaysianised version of the seven-seat Kia Carens built at the new Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) plant in Gurun, Kedah. Re-badged and re-named cars do not often look better than the original versions, but Naza has done a nice styling job on the Citra, the way it did with the Ria/Carnival transformation. The company also deserves brownie points for honesty for sticking on a badge that tells us the Citra is “Licensed by Kia”.

The leather-clad interior can accommodate seven passengers at a pinch but the pair of third-row seats are really best occupied by children or very petite adults. To be fair, the seating arrangement compares favourably with other vehicles in the class, such as the more spartan but cheaper Toyota Avanza, and the more expensive Mazda Premacy, which is even more cramped at the rear.

Standard goodies include electronically-controlled sunroof, power steering, air quality system, a cool shield-shaped centre fascia, a spacious storage bin, and other handy features for extra convenience, which is what this class of vehicles is all about.

Passenger comfort is well looked after, with generous seat padding and nice touches, such as foldable armrests. The back rest of the middle second-row seat doubles as a table when folded down, and also sports a retractable fascia console box that can store CDs and larger items.

The 2.0l double overhead cam (DOHC) engine gives a decent balance between performance (138PS at 6,000rpm and 174.6Nm of torque at 4,500rpm) and fuel economy. The latter will be an important consideration for Citra’s target market, that is, young and growing families. The bigger Naza Ria, on the other hand, offers more space and a higher level of luxury, but gulps more fuel.

There are no compromises on safety in the Citra, which comes standard with dual airbags, side impact protection system and belt pre-tensioning system, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

Naza has sold 15,000 units of the full-size Ria since its launch in August, 2003, and expects the Citra to move off the showroom floors even faster, and in greater numbers. With an on-the-road price of RM79,888, it has every reason to be optimistic.

Korean-made cars make inroads at expense of national makes

BY SIDEK KAMISO





KOREAN-MADE cars made significant inroads in the local automotive market last year at the expense of national cars, which experienced a dip in market share, according to the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA).

Hyundai made the most significant gain in market share. Although it entered the local automotive scene only last year, it managed to corner 3.3% of the total industry volume (TIV) with 16,133 units sold. In the passenger car category, Hyundai garnered a 1.9% share with 7,412 units sold.

Proton's market share, meanwhile, fell to 34.6% from 38.8% although its total car sales increased to 168,616 units from 157,313 units. Perodua's share was also down markedly, to 25% from 30.6% as total sales dropped to 121,804 units from 124,008. In total, national cars accounted for 67.2% of all cars sold last year compared with 72.3% in 2003.

Analysts and industry observers said the situation would become more difficult for the national cars in the future as more manufacturers were expected to launch new models this year and would be competing in the same categories as the two national carmakers.

“We have forecast Proton's market share to fall further to 30% this year,” said an analyst with a bank-backed brokerage, pointing to factors such as pricing and stiff competition, which would further erode Proton’s market dominance.

The analyst stressed that Proton, which is expected to launch a lower engine capacity car, would be competing with Perodua, while its dominance in the above 1.3-litre engine category would face competition from other new models, particularly Korean-made cars.

MAA president Aishah Ahmad sees more new launches this year, thus adding to Proton's woes. The carmaker is banking on regaining its market share with new models such as Wira and Tiara replacement models.

“Competition is expected to focus on each individual model rather than brand,'' she said, adding that the situation would make it harder for Proton and Perodua to compete.

Aishah said the entry of Chinese imports was also expected to have a significant impact on the local car market and exert more pressure on national carmakers.

Analysts said Japanese carmakers, which have increased their market share, would put more pressure on Proton and Perodua to build their market share.

Last year Nissan, Honda and Toyota, experienced significant improvements in market share and sales. Toyota was the top Japanese brand (and third overall in terms of car sales) with 51,700 units vehicles sold, which represented a 10.6% market share. Honda, was fourth overall with 5.1% share or 24,857 units. It regained its lead over Nissan, with 5% share or 24,263 units.

DRB-Hicom loses LG, VW deals
By Reese Loh

DRB-Hicom Bhd’s 70% subsidiary Scott and English Electronics Sdn Bhd (SEE) has lost the distributorship of LG household electrical and electronic and IT-related products following the mutual termination of the agreement with LG Electronics Inc, Korea (LGE).

SEE and LG Electronics mutually terminated the agreement on Jan 31 in respect of the distributorship of the products bearing the LG brand or trademark in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

In a statement, DRB-Hicom said the termination of the agreement was to accommodate LG Electronics’ worldwide policy to undertake the distribution of LG products in all territories by itself or through its related entities.

Since 1996, SEE had been the sole distributor for LG Electronics’ manufactured products in the country. Before the partnership, LG Electronics’ products had been available in the country since 1989 under the brand name “Goldstar”.

DRB-Hicom said the termination was not expected to have any material effect on the earnings and net tangible assets of the company for the current financial year ending March 31, 2005.

Meanwhile, DRB-Hicom’s 32% associate Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON) said it had been informed by Volkswagen AG that the letter of intent (LOI) between the two parties, which expired on Dec 31, 2004, would not be renewed.

Volkswagen had before this twice extended the LOI — initially signed on Dec 4, 2002 — with EON’s wholly owned subsidiary Euromobil Sdn Bhd on July 10, 2003 and Feb 19, 2004.

Euromobil had secured the Audi franchise and it was intended that it also be appointed as sole importer, franchiser and distributor of Volkswagen passenger cars in Malaysia.

In another statement, DRB-Hicom said its 80% subsidiary Malaysian Truck & Bus Sdn Bhd (MTB) signed an MoU on Jan 31 with Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd (IMSB) for MTB to assemble the Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks.

The assembly of the trucks would be carried out in MTB’s plant in Kawasan Perindustrian Peramu Jaya, Pekan, Pahang. MTB and IMSB were expected to finalise an assembly contract soon.

MTB is a joint venture between DRB-Hicom and Isuzu Motors Ltd, Japan. Isuzu Malaysia is a JV between DRB-Hicom (49%), Isuzu Motors Asia Ltd, Singapore (18.4%) and Isuzu Operations (Thailand) Co Ltd (32.6%).

Toyota’s Avanza advantage
By Jimmy Yeow


UMW Holdings Bhd expects to post another record year in sales of Toyota vehicles this year from the over 50,000 units sold in 2004, based on the demand for the Avanza and on expectation of a good response to several new models it plans to introduce.

“We met last year’s record sales target, and our estimates for 2005 would be definitely very much higher. [But] other players are also projecting better sales,” says UMW group managing director Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Harun.

He says UMW’s 51% subsidiary UMW Toyota Sdn Bhd sold about 3,500 units of the midi-multipurpose vehicle Avanza when it was launched in mid-October last year.

“We will see the full impact of the Avanza this year with bookings to date at 38,500 units and waiting list of 11 months. UMW Toyota will also be bringing several new models this year,” he says.

Toyota dealers say the new models include a 4x4 pick-up model and the Unser replacement model.

Abdul Halim expects Toyota vehicle sales to pick up in the next couple of months, before the new tax and duty structure announced on Dec 24 comes into effect from July.

Asked about the car prices after the six-month grace period, he says it will depend on the outcome of the negotiations on the financial incentives that the completely knocked down (CKD) car assemblers are seeking from the government as well as the individual distributor’s pricing strategy.

He says the government should recognise the contribution of CKD assemblers in the creation of jobs and transfer of technology, production process and engineering expertise.

“The government did well this time in giving us six months to clear our stocks,” he adds.

Abdul Halim says UMW’s strategy is to go for both market share and profit. On the question of margins for the auto sector, he says it is dependent on three factors — product mix, the exchange rate and incentives.

Meanwhile, he says there is always the possibility of more acquisitions and joint ventures for the UMW group’s oil and gas division.

“I do not discount anything for the oil and gas sector,” he says.

UMW is building up its oil and gas business, which is expected to contribute 10% to 15% of the group’s profit within five years.

Volvo Car Malaysia posts 20% sales growth

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) posted a 20% growth in sales in 2004, with the award-winning Volvo XC90 retaining its number one position in the premium sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment in the country.

“We are indeed pleased with the overall performance. The Volvo XC90 continued to be our top seller achieving sales of more than 300 units,” its managing director How Wei Thing said in a statement on Feb 17.

She said the XC90 had firmly established itself as the market leader in the premium SUV segment.
VCM’s highlight last year was the launch of the new Volvo S40, its entry-level premium compact sedan.

“The all new Volvo S40 marked its entry in Malaysia by garnering the “Premium Family Car” award at the New Straits Times – Mastercard Car of the Year Award 2004.”


“For 2005, our main focus will be to continue to deliver a superior and premium customer experience and to enhance our growth performance. We have already introduced the new Volvo S60 and will be introducing the all new Volvo V50 Sportswagon later this year,” she added.

Globally, Volvo Car Corp posted a new sales record in 2004, with 456,224 cars sold, up 10% from 415,000 cars a year earlier.

“Last year was characterised by consistently strong sales successes and the road to last year’s record has been both exciting and very encouraging,” its president and chief executive officer Hans-Olov Olsson said.

“The magic ceiling of 450,000 cars has finally been passed and we feel that our long-term goal of 600,000 cars a year is finally within reach,” she added.

Naza Bikers Dream Appointed PETRONAS FP1 Superbike Distributor


KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Petronas has appointed NAZA Bikers Dream Sdn Bhd as the sole distributor for its limited edition, race-bred PETRONAS FP1 superbike in Malaysia.

The machines would be made available to the international markets later when the appointment of the distributor is finalised, it said in a statement here Thursday.

"Only 100 out of the 150 units of the road version of the PETRONAS FP1 manufactured will be available for sale worldwide, enhancing the exclusivity of the machines, and the balance would be used for further development, promotions and racing," Petronas said.

Developed by Malaysian engineers using Formula One-derived technology, the PETRONAS FP1 offers advanced and efficient features such as gear driven dual overhead camshafts and forward facing large throttle bodies and strong but light weight internal engine parts.

PETRONAS has appointed Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (MODENAS) as the local assembler of the PETRONAS FP1.

The machines, available in Panache Green, Exotic Black and Misty Grey can be viewed at NAZA Bikers Dream showroom at Lot 1, Jalan 51A/221, Petaling Jaya.

-- BERNAMA

DCM Looking At More Investment In Malaysia


PEKAN, Feb 24 ( Bernama) -- DaimlerChrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd (DCM), the local wholly-owned distributor of Mercedes-Benz is looking at more investment in Malaysia, said president and chief executive officer, Frank Steinleitner.

Since Jan 1 2003, DCM has invested more than RM100 million , among other things to relocate its assembly plant from eight locations to under one roof.

"Consolidating eight locations into one, is a huge and big step for DCM. So, we are confident that not only we are able to supply our vehicles of best quality but also at a higher volume," he said.

Going forward, he said DCM was hoping to re-introduce the Chrysler models in 2006.

"We are studying the Malaysian market for a possibility of reintroducing the Chrysler models here," he told reporters after a media familiarization tour of the Malaysia Truck and Bus Sdn Bhd (MTB) plant here Thursday.

MTB is a wholly owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom, and has jointly invested RM23 million with DCM to modify its Pekan plant and acquire new equipment for the assembly of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Asked when the Chrysler models would be available in the Malaysian market, he said: "For the Smart car we took a year to decide the price range. The same is for Chrysler (a time frame of one year)," he said.

He said DCM was not only looking at Completely Built Up (CBU) models, but also the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) models for Chrysler, "meaning more investment for Malaysia".

Besides Chrysler, he said DCM had plans to bring in more models, however, it would wait for the final decision of the government on how the duty structure would look like.

"Only from July 1, we will definitely know how the structure (AFTA) would be, and the Malaysian Automotive Policy is also being finalized. Depending on this, we will definitely decide on bringing in more models," he said.

In 2005, DCM aims to launch six new models, namely A-Class, CLS and M-Class of Mercedes-Benz, while the other three would be the Smart Car Range, namely the Smart Sport Version, Smart Roadster and Smart Fourfour.

He said with the number of new models, DCM had targeted to sell more than 5,000 units in 2005 with more than 20 percent growth in turnover exceeding RM1 billion mark.

The company boasts of having "Mitsubishi Fuso"-Asia's premier commercial vehicle brand on board the company's portfolio this year.

Elaborating on the assembly plant in Pekan, he said it would produce 1,800 E-Class units, 1,600 units of C-Class and 500 units of S-Class model in the first year operation.

--BERNAMA

January vehicle sales up 23.3%



MOTOR vehicle sales increased by 23.3% in January to 39,651 units from 32,168 units in the corresponding month last year, the Malaysian Automotive Association said in a statement yesterday.

MAA attributed the strong numbers to customers buying forward in anticipation of higher car prices when the 2005 new duties structure is implemented.

From the total sales in January, passenger cars accounted for 29,809 units, up from 25,143 units posted in the previous month while commercial vehicle sales recorded 9,842 units, an increase of 7,025 units over the previous month.

MAA said of the total units sold, 25,355 units were national passenger cars and commercial vehicles while the remaining 14,296 units came from the non-national cars segment.

Last month, the industry production stood at 40,984 units, a rise of 30,205 units compared with January 2004.

According to the association, national passenger cars and commercial vehicles accounted for 28,544 units of the total figure as against 20,899 units produced in January last year.

For the non-national car segment, total production stood at 12,440 units, up from 9,306 units in January 2004.

On the outlook this month, MAA said sales volume was expected to be lower due to the short working month as a result of the Chinese New Year holidays.

The association, however, added that market sentiments and confidence remained strong. – Bernama

Govt To Continue Supporting Proton To Be Competitive
February 26, 2005 17:42 PM



TANJONG MALIM, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to support national car manufacturer Proton to be competitive and produce vehicles of high quality especially in its venture into the export market, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Saturday.

He said Proton should also price its cars competitively in the market as the market was beyond Malaysian shores as well.

He said that lately, Proton had entered into various partnerships with other automotive manufacturers, which have been in the market for a long time.

"I hope this cooperation and collaboration will help Proton to acquire more skilled technologies and enable it to perform better and be competitive," he told a press conference after opening the RM1.8 billion Proton car manufacturing plant at Proton City here.



http://bernama.com.my/bernama/newspic/bu/protoncity.jpg

BE COMPETITIVE… Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi speaking at the opening of the RM1.8 billion Proton car manufacturing plant at Proton City, Tanjung Malim, Saturday. Pix: Arjasneh Ahmad



Also present was Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, newly-appointed Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim and Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff.

Asked whether Proton could be competitive in the current market scenario, he said: "Its not a question of can, but must. They have to do well. That's want we want."

Abdullah said Proton should look at being competitive in the market as a challenge that has to be met.

As to the zero defect that he mentioned in his speech earlier, he said currently, there were only two defects per car which could be benchmarked against other manufacturers.

He cited the Proton car's power windows as one of the problems.

He was also asked whether Proton was going to produce small engines and if it was going to make it more competitive and whether it was better to merge the four national car makers in the country into one.

The Prime Minister said: "So far, there is no talk, I don't know about the future."

On whether four national car makers were too many for Malaysia, he said: "If the market is beyond Malaysia, I don't see it as so many."

As to the direction of the country's automotive policy, he said Malaysia has to be good and competent in all aspects of the automotive industry.

"We just cannot say that we want to be good in certain aspects. There are automakers who do not have their vendor system. They source from all over the world and fix it."

"To me, we want to be a car maker undertaking the entire range of car manufacturing and not only being an efficient assembler," he said.

Asked to comment to Proton's boardroom tusssle and reported attempt to remove Tengku Mahaleel, he said he came to Tanjong Malim to talk about cars and not about personalities.

However, Abdullah said "Tengku Mahaleel was doing a good job and Azlan has given his commitment to work for the betterment of the company."

When met by reporters later and asked how long would Tengku Mahaleel's tenure be, Azlan said he would have to check with the board of directors and the board would issue a statement on the matter in due course.

To a question on recent reports that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as Proton adviser has given Abdullah some discomfort, the Prime Minister said "it has not been an issue. I appointed Tun to be the adviser right after his retirement."

-- BERNAMA

Proton Stocks Up Iron And Steel Supplies To Hedge Against Rising Costs
February 26, 2005 17:50 PM



TANJONG MALAIM, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- National car maker Proton has bought stocks of iron and steel plastics supplies for the next six months in a move to hedge against spiralling raw material prices especially that of steel, a company official said.

Datuk Kamarulzaman Darus, the chief executive officer of Proton Tanjong Malim Sdn Bhd -- the company that operates the manufacturing facility at Proton City, said the move was necessary to enable Proton to stay competitive.

All car companies including General Motors have been affected by the shortage of steel and the consequent high prices, he told reporters after the opening of the RM1.8 billion Proton car manufacturing plant at Proton City here by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Asked on Proton's Indonesian manufacturing operations, he said the Waja and the Iswara models would likely to be the models to be produced there in view of their market competitiveness and design.

-- BERNAMA

PM Arrives In Tanjong Malim To Open Proton Plant
February 26, 2005 11:56 AM



TANJONG MALIM, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived here Saturday morning to open the RM1.8 billion Proton car manufacturing plant at Proton City.

He was met on arrival by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, newly-appointed Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim and Proton senior executives.

This is Abdullah's first visit to the ultra-modern plant which started production early last year and currently manufactures the national carmaker's latest model, GEN-2.

After a welcome speech by Mohammed Azlan, Abdullah attended briefings by key Proton officials.

Proton's overview and way forward was given by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff while Director of Operations, Datuk Kisai Rahmat spoke on the national carmaker's plants globally.

The Prime Minister was then given an insight into the Tanjong Malim plant's operations by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Datuk Kamarulzaman Darus.

Thereafter, Abdullah was scheduled to tour the plant, which includes the engine, stamping, body, painting, trim and final shops before visiting the component vendor exhibition and engineering research and development showcase.

He would also address the plant's staff.

The plant has a 60 percent automation level operating with 180 precision robots with a skilled workforce of 2,000.

In its first year, the plant was expected to produce 150,000 units although it is designed to manufacture up to one million vehicles per year, compared with the Shah Alam plant which has a capacity of 230,000.

At the moment, the plant is producing 4,000 units of GEN-2 per month and was being readied for two shifts that would allow it to produce between 6,000 and 9,000 units per month.

-- BERNAMA

Proton And Its Vendors Must Continue Improving To Face Competition
February 26, 2005 15:27 PM



TANJONG MALIM, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on national car manufacturer Proton and its wide network of vendors to keep continuously improving to face up to competition under market liberalisation which gives the consumer more choices.

Amid market liberalisation of the auto sector under the Asean Free Trade Area, should work for instance towards achieving zero defect, he said at the opening of the RM1.8 billion Proton car manufacturing plant at Proton City here.

Abdullah advised workers from the top positions right down to the last point of production to look to achieving zero defect.

He said while the opening of the new plant was a good achievement, there were also areas that Proton needed to improve further.

"I hope Proton gets a better standing in the market and return to the previous situation (where it was dominant)," he said.

"We also need to become a race which manufactures cars and not just assemble them," the Prime Minister said.

Also present at the opening was Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, newly-appointed Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim, Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff, its Director of Operations, Datuk Kisai Rahmat and senior company executives.

-- BERNAMA

@ Nazrey > This thread is about all other automotive news other than Proton. :)

Maksudnya........lain-lain berita tentang 'automobile' KECUALI Proton kerana Proton adanya 'thread' tersendiri ;)

maafkan saya...

BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005: Raring to go
Malaysia's premiere sailing event all set for third edition




Kuala Lumpur, 7 February 2004 - The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC) and BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd today announced the forthcoming BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005 (BMW RLIR 2005), to be held from 27 February to 5 March 2005.

This year's third edition of Malaysia's premier sailing event promises to be even bigger than the previous years with more than 35 yachts already registered. A total of 55 yachts are expected to compete in this year's regatta.

BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Wolfgang Schlimme said the company was pleased to once again partner the RYLC in organising this prestigious event, raising the profile of Malaysia as a major sailing destination.

"The BMW Group is strongly associated with yachting globally, particularly in our involvement with the premier Oracle BMW Racing Team and also other events across the globe. Similarly, we are also committed to the sport here in Malaysia and we hope our global experience with yachting events will help increase interest in and the prestige of the local scene," he said.

The Royal Langkawi International Regatta is the brainchild of Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Commodore and principal founder member of the RYLC. Inaugurated in 2003, the BMW RLIR 2005 is a part of the Asian Regatta Calendar drawing regular boats as well as new participants who actively race in regional yacht circuits.

The BMW RLIR consists of two main trophies - the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy and the Commodore's Challenge Cup. The former is open to internationally registered yachts while club-registered cruisers compete in the latter category. Two other trophies - the Langkawi Sports Trophy and the Malaysian Multihull Challenge Cup - will be presented to winners of the sports boat and multihull categories.

In last year's event, the Peter Ahern-skippered Yo! emerged triumphant to claim the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy while Guardian, under the guidance of Joao Sombra, won the Commodore's Challenge Cup.

Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Rahman said: "Now into its third year, the BMW RLIR 2005 is already carving its niche within this region's sailing circuit. As the competition heats up in this year's event, we will strive to achieve our objective of raising the Malaysian profile within the Asian Regatta Calendar and give home grown talents a suitable platform to establish themselves."

The BMW RLIR 2005 is title-sponsored by BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd and supported by the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (LADA) and the State of Kedah.

For more information on the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2005, kindly visit our website at www.langkawiregatta.com.

http://langkawiregatta.com/PressImages/04-05-00%20HARPERS%20BAZAAR.jpg

BMW Malaysia targets 30 variants
Monday February 21, 2005



BY B.K. SIDHU

A WIDER reach, providing customer convenience and a bigger selection of models/variants are part of BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Wolfgang Schlimme's strategy to win more market share in Malaysia this year.

BMW Malaysia claims that it sold more cars in the premium segment last year than other players and is raring to sustain that growth momentum. Sales volume rose nearly 19% to 2,600 units last year.

More than six new models/variants are slated for launch this year in Malaysia. These include the all-new BMW 3 series that will make its debut in Europe in March and reach Malaysian shores in the second quarter.

Two launches are planned for the middle of this year, the BMW M5 and the MINI convertible. In the third quarter, the BMW 7 series will come to town, and by December the BMW M6 (coupe) should be creating waves in the marketplace.



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/2/21/business/b_04bmw.jpg

The latest model of the German BMW 735Li



Given the scheduled launches, the number of models/variants of BMW in Malaysia will increase from 24 now to more than 30 by year-end.

A larger selection will require bigger showrooms and a wider reach is a “necessity’’ so that more consumers can “see and feel” the cars.

That is why Schlimme wants to increase the number of dealers from five that BMW Malaysia currently has. BMW Malaysia also wants to expand the number of dealer outlets and refurbish some of the existing ones. But he would not reveal any numbers.

The five current dealers are Auto Bavaria (with seven outlets in the country), Cartrade (two outlets, one each in KL and Ipoh), Seong Hoe (one in Malacca), Ang Trading (one in Batu Pahat), and Lee Motors (one in Alor Setar).



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/2/21/business/b_04mini.jpg

The Mini Cooper Convertible



“We have 12 outlets now and we feel it is not enough, given that we are growing. We are ambitious and we want to be the number one player (in the premium segment). We want to grow faster than the competition. We have an (aggressive) sales team and a (reliable) after-sales team, all this is part of an integrated approach for a wider reach and bigger market share,” he said.

The BMW group not only markets the BMW brand, but also the MINI and Rolls Royce vehicles.

Currently, the BMW vehicles in Malaysian are units that are completely built up and completed knocked down.

BMW also has two wholly-owned manufacturing facilities in Asia, in Rayong (Thailand) and Shenyang (China). Apart from serving the Thai market, the Rayong plant exports vehicles to Indonesia.

Asked if the Rayong facility would eventually supply vehicles to Malaysia, especially the BMW 7 series, BMW AG chairman to the management board, Dr Helmut Panke, said: “Rayong is (viewed) as the production hub for South-East Asia but it is too early to predict.

“It is also not easy to implement the Asean Free Trade Agreement as there is hesitancy to open the markets but we are not impatient. If it took more than 40 years to get free trade in Europe, we should be patient (here).’’

BMW has made some significant investments in Malaysia the past few years. One of the investments made last year was the setting up of the BMW group’s data centre in Cyberjaya, one of only three in the world.



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/2/21/business/b_04panke.jpg

Dr Helmut Panke



The data centre acts as a nerve centre for the group’s operations in Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe. Last December, the BMW group launched its new regional parts distribution centre at Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Gelang Patah, Johor. The centre, in which the group invested RM40mil, began operations last August and serves 19 markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

It stocks up about 35,000 different parts and ships 2,000 lines per day to these 19 markets.

It has 15,000 sq m for warehousing and a further 1,100 sq m for office space. The facility is sited on a 4.4ha site.

On top of that, BMW has a regional training centre in Cyberjaya. Over the years, BMW Malaysia has invested over RM100mil in Malaysia.

Panke, who was in Singapore last week, told Malaysian journalists that he did not foresee BMW making any new investments in Malaysia other than upgrading the existing facilities.

“There would be (investment for) growth but no relocation,’’ he explained.

He added that BMW was entering a phase in which there was a conscious effort to build a supplier base not just for the manufacture of completely knocked down vehicles but also a supplier base for the European and American operations.

“It is a global purchasing idea and there are opportunities in both directions,’’ he revealed.

Euromobil Expects Higher Audi Sales
February 25, 2005 19:10 PM



BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Euromobil Sdn Bhd, an importer and distributor of Audi cars, expects to get 15 per cent share of the local luxury or premium car market this year.

Its chief executive officer, Jeff K.L. Yee, said with the setting up of Audi centres in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baharu, Melaka and the latest in Penang, the company is aiming for 1,000 units of the Audi car on the road by year-end.

Speaking to reporters after the opening of Euromobil Audi Centre Penang at Auto-City here Friday, Yee said the Audi is an exquisite car and meant for successful people.

"It is attractive, sophisticated and excellently engineered and we are looking forward to provide unparalleled ownership experience to all Audi owners," he said.

He added that Euromobil decided to invest in providing a comprehensive service support facility in Penang because the state is one of the country's largest luxury car markets.

Euromobil, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON), plans to open an Audi centre in Kuching next month, followed by centres in Langkawi, Ipoh, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu.

Yee said the company invested RM2 million to open the Penang centre and a similar amount would be spent on the Kuching centre.

The new centre here has an online business connection system linked to Audi's Germany headquarters. The system allows Euromobil to conduct real-time direct diagnosis with Audi in Germany when a vehicle is hooked up to the system.

-- BERNAMA

Perodua Set To Face Auto Liberalisation
March 02, 2005 19:24 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Second national car, Perodua is set to face the challenges resulting from the liberalization of the automotive sector under Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA).

Unlike Proton, which was established in the pre-AFTA days, Perodua, although a much younger and smaller company, started business with the realization that they have limited time to prepare for an open market during this decade.

"Therefore their mindset would have been different and they have been working hard to get ready," president of Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) Aishah Ahmad said.

Though it too would see rivals in its segment, even from China in future, Perodua's partnership with Daihatsu Motor of Japan provides it a degree of competitiveness through having a lot of transfer of technology.

Besides offering new model designs to adapt, its Japanese partner has provided a great deal of expertise to the factory outside Rawang, with likely intention to make Perodua a regional producer for minicars in the future.

"Even now, Perodua has been given the job of assembling the Toyota Avanza model, a development which is noteworthy because Toyota has very demanding quality standards," she said.

Aishah had presented a paper entitled, " AFTA and the competitive readiness of the Malaysian Automobile Industry" during the conference.

On Proton, Aishah said it appears that there was insufficient time for the company to gear itself towards operating in an environment with less protection and ultimately, no protection at all.

"This is apparent when you see how competitors from Korea are able to introduce their vehicles at prices that are not too far off from Proton and they don't enjoy any preferential import duties since they come from outside Asean at this time," she said at a one-day conference on AFTA, here Wednesday.

However, with the upcoming of its new generation models, Proton is likely to be able to face the challenges, as these models, which were reported to be using the company's own engines, would be cheaper to produce and therefore could be priced competitively, she said.

As for the other national makes, Aishah said she believed that they were likely to have already oriented themselves towards the realities of an open market to come.

For other non-national makes, Aishah said these global players such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford and Hyundai, were ready and actually waiting for the market to be opened up.

The leading companies have been present in the Malaysian market longer than Proton, and have established networks, loyal customers and a number even have local assembly operations.

Meanwhile in the components sector, which is most vulnerable to the opening of the market, the companies were advised to quickly establish tie-ups with the bigger global players to ensure their continued survival.

Aishah said some of the local and small component suppliers might be losing out to the bigger players, adding that only biggest players were able to survive as they had global operations and managed to supply to carmakers at a lower prices.

"This would certainly mean the end for the local component manufacturers," she said.

Another point she raised was that many of the component makers in the country were too "Proton-centric" and felt that they were going to be fine just being suppliers to Proton.

"This is not to say that all of them lacked the initiative to expand their businesses as some have already managed to go beyond our borders to supply to factories in Thailand, but there remain quite a number which are still fearful of being trampled by the global players when the market is fully open," she said.

Aishah had outlined several initiatives to enhance the competitive readiness of the Malaysian auto industry.

She said greater focus should be given to the export of national cars as it was almost inevitable that the national brands would experience a decrease in market share with the opening of the market.

"As their survival and continued growth will require ever-increasing volumes, the only solution is to export more."

Aishah said Malaysia needed to ensure that it offered the best deal to foreign investors to make this country the choice for the setting up of their factories.

She suggested more open government policies, while urging Malaysian companies to look beyond the Malaysian borders as well as to pursue a culture of excellence.

-- BERNAMA

BMW Malaysia Launches Three New Models
March 04, 2005 17:36 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- BMW Malaysia announced the launch of its first new offerings for 2005 - the new BMW 116i, 118i and 630i Friday.

In a statement, BMW said that the three new variants would provide customers with choices and strengthen its presence in the local market.

The new BMW 116i and 118i are available from all BMW dealers nationwide with a recommended retail price of RM176,000 and RM199,000 respectively (on road, without insurance).

Both variants come in five colours - Black, Sparkling Graphite, Titanium Silver, Quartz Blue and Sydney Blue.

BMW 630i, a third variant of its 6-series with a six-cylinder engine, is also available from all its dealers nationwide at a recommended retail price of RM668,800 (on the road, without insurance).

-- BERNAMA

Proton and VW : strategic partnership
Oct 2004


Proton and VW Proton Holdings and Volkswagen AG (http://www.volkswagen.de/) have agreed to enter strategic partnership and a memorandum of understanding was signed on October 25, 2004 at the VW’s head office in in Wolfsburg.

However there were no plans for VW to take a shareholding in the 38 percent state-owned Proton.

The companies are expected to share common parts, system and products. Proton will also essemble VW vehicles according to Malaysia and Association and South East Asia Nations.

Naza Kia targeting vehicle sales of RM5bil this year



BY SABRY TAHIR IN PUTRAJAYA



NAZA Kia Sdn Bhd is targeting to sell more than 50,000 units of various Naza and Kia vehicles worth around RM5bil this year.

Naza Kia group managing director Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin said the target was based on the continued strong sales performance of its eight Naza and Kia models into this year.

The company sold 26,538 vehicles last year, representing an increase of 54% from 2003. Naza Kia has a 5% market share of new cars sold last year.

Naza Kia distributes six Kia models – the Rio, Spectra, Sorento, Optima, Picanto and Pregio. The company also markets two Naza models – the Ria and Citra.

“There is no reason why we can't achieve this volume – especially with the enhancement in the quality and styling of our vehicles. We are also offering the complete range of Kia and Naza models in Malaysia,” Nasimuddin told reporters at the Naza Kia Sales and After Sales Convention in Putrajaya on Saturday.





http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/7/business/b_03nasimuddin.jpg

Tan Sri Nasimuddin






The company, which also launched the new generation Kia Sportage sports utility vehicle (SUV) last Friday, plans to introduce two more new Kia models this year.

Naza Kia plans to sell 2,000 units of the Sportage model for total sales of RM250mil this year.

Nasimuddin said the company would up-grade its showrooms and enhance the efficiency of its service centres to help achieve its sales target for this year.

“Due to strong demand for our cars, we will open 20 more new sales outlets this year,” he said, adding that the company currently had 100 outlets nationwide.

He said many Naza Kia's dealers had also applied to open more new showrooms nationwide.

“From 200 applications to open new showrooms this year, we are only able to approve 20, due to shortage of Kia cars,” he said.

Nasimuddin said the higher sales target was also in line with the ability of the company to reduce the waiting period following the expansion capacity of its RM300mil assembling plant in Gurun, Kedah.

He said the Gurun plant would start operating its second shift in May.






http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/7/business/b_03sportage.jpg

The exciting look of the new Kia Sportage








“We plan to produce about 38,000 cars this year. With the additional shift, we can increase the production to 50,000 units,” he said.

Nasimuddin intends to raise the plant's annual output to 70,000 units next year.

Naza Kia 's plant, which produces the Naza Ria and Naza Citra models, will assemble Kia Spectra and Kia Pregio models soon.

Nasimuddin said the company would invest RM20mil to set up the Kia Academy – an automobile training facility – to provide training for its sales, administration and technical staff in Gurun by the end of the year.

M'sian Auto Sector Mostly Internally-Driven, Says StanChart Economist
March 07, 2005 20:09 PM




KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's auto industry still lacks the competitive advantage needed to compete regionally, said Steve Brice, a senior economist of Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore.

"Malaysia exports only two percent of its auto industry on average and focuses more on its domestic market," he said at the "Malaysian Automotive Industry and AFTA: Are We Moving Forward?" conference here Monday.

Domestically, it accounts for a 30 percent growth in demand in the auto industry, year on year.

"However, its internally-driven market will not likely see the industry to grow," he said.

Brice said a consolidation of the auto industry was required to acquire a higher margin for an externally-driven market.

He added that regionally, South Korea and Japan had become the dominant players in the auto industry with an export ratio of between 50 and 70 percent.

"However, inter-ASEAN exports in general remain stagnant under 24 percent after the 1997 economic crisis, with the exception of China," he said.

Brice said ASEAN's trade with China achieved a triple-digit growth in recent years.

China's exports contributed to about 20 percent to its gross domestic product.

"In terms of vehicle tariffs imposed by ASEAN, Malaysia's rate remained at about 2.5 percent on average and is expected to decrease in 2005," Brice said.

He said Thailand and Philippines imposed a higher vehicle tariff rate of about 4.0 to 3.5 percent on average respectively.

Asia as a whole, said Brice, is to benefit significantly from AFTA. He projected that Asia is to represent more than 50 percent of the global economic activity by 2050.

-- BERNAMA

Perodua Aims To Be A Leading Compact Car Manufacturer In Asean
March 07, 2005 20:35 PM



KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), the second national car maker, is aiming to become a top manufacturer of compact cars in the Asean region, Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd's executive director T. Rajan Chitty said Monday.

Perodua Auto is a subsidiary of Perodua.

The company is confident of such a vision especially with its partnership with Daihatsu Motor of Japan, he told reporters after presenting his paper entitled "Perodua: The Challenges Ahead" at the Malaysian Automotive Industry and AFTA (Asean Free Trade Area) conference, here Monday.

Rajan, however, added that the vision could be realised only if Perodua was successful in increasing its quality levels, improving efficiency and productivity and be more cost competitive in the global market.

"This can be realised once we achieve 30 percent cost reduction and 30 percent domestic market share," he said.

Besides offering new model designs to adapt, its Japanese partner has also provided a great deal of expertise to its factory outside Rawang, with the likely intention of making Perodua a regional production hub for Daihatsu minicars in the future.

Perodua currently has been given the job of assembling the Toyota Avanza model.

Asked about the company's local market share performance, Rajan said Perodua hoped to win back a lost market share with the launch of the new Kancil model in May.

The new model comes in two variants, a 1-litre model and 1.3-litre model. A total of 35,000 units of the model is expected to be produced this year.

Last year, the car maker's share of the passenger car market fell to 25 percent from 29.4 percent in 2003, while sales fell 1.8 percent in 2004 to 121,804 units.

In order to compete with other car makers following the regional market liberalisation, Rajan said that Perodua would introduce new high quality models in the market.

People can expect new models from Perodua in 2006 and 2007, he added.

The company also aims to raise its total annual production capacity to 250,000 units from the current 200,000 units.

-- BERNAMA

Room for only one national carmaker


Malaysia can afford to support only one national car manufacturer due to high investment costs and the need to have economies of scale, said Perodua Vendors Association president Mohd Seth Abu Bakar.

Seth said since Proton and Perodua were set up as a result of the Government's initiatives, they should continue to be classified as the national car manufacturer.

“However, the Government should consider providing additional incentives for the two companies to formally collaborate, technically and commercially,” he told reporters at the Malaysian automotive industry conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He said at a certain stage, cross ownership might be the right way forward, citing the strong relationship between Ford and Mazda, that had spanned many years and resulted in a pooling of resources and cost savings.

“Their cross ownership formula had helped them to be more competitive domestically and abroad,” he noted.

Proton and Perodua jointly control over 70% of Malaysia's auto market, but face great pressure from Japanese and Korean carmakers.

To support the growth of the automotive industry in the region, Seth said Malaysia should vigorously push forward with the idea of forming an “Asean” car manufacturing company, in which Asean member countries and investors would become stakeholders.

“With the full implementation of Afta, the setting up of this regional car company is justifiable as it will bring many benefits,” he said.

Seth said each Asean member country should be identified to excel in specific technology which could be expanded to serve other sectors. That would also ensure long-term presence and provide continuous benefits to Asean member countries.

“The current and future demand for automobiles by Asean is large enough, estimated at two million cars by 2006 to ensure that the Asean project is viable and globally competitive,” said Seth.

He urged the Government to keep to its long-term goal of promoting national car projects to spearhead the country's industrialisation despite the advent of the Afta.

“This is crucial as over 350 vendors, which supply components and services to Perodua and Proton, employ over 150,000 people and have invested nearly RM15bil,” he said.

nice looking car! interesting retake on the Perodua logo there...looks positively retro!

http://img212.exs.cx/img212/60/perodua0hw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img136.exs.cx/img136/5951/perodua25rs.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img136.exs.cx/img136/4471/perodua38vo.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

PERODUA ---

http://img212.exs.cx/img212/60/perodua0hw.jpg

very cool :)

Perodua Kenari

http://www.sixthseal.com/images/bright_pink_kenari.jpg

http://www.sixthseal.com/images/pink_kenari_back.jpg

The new perodua looks great!!! Front like Tiara a bit.

Daihatsu's version :D of Perodua xxxxx Actually the older version of Sirion looks more matured.


http://www.carpages.co.uk/daihatsu/daihatsu_images/daihatsu_new_sirion_04_03_05.jpg

*probable* dashboard of new Perodua:

http://img209.echo.cx/img209/5104/f49df2aa4zy.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

compare with interior of original Daihatsu Sirion:

http://img209.echo.cx/img209/336/bonimgctm002p5ja.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img133.echo.cx/img133/6902/bonimgctm003p8vc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

ENTRY LEVEL: New Perodua around the corner?
By Sharif Haron


HAVE you seen this teaser ad lately ?
something similar appeared in the New Straits Times last week, presumably to remind Malaysian that the most exciting product yet from the second national car company is about to hit the showrooms.

The invisible car in the advertisement is widely believed to be Perodua's latest.

The picture suggests it will be fun passenger car to drive, and will be larger than the last model, the Kelisa, in August 2001.

Perodua's own website has also been flashing the same advertisement, but in full colour, telling visitors to expect something that is stylish, spacious, fuel efficient and powerful very soon.

Yesterday, a local daily went to town with pictures of what it claimed to be the new Perodua car.

It called the Car MyVI, probably to indicate the fact that it's the sixth model from the company after the Kancil, Rusa, Kembara, Kenari and Kelisa.

Perodua managing director Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakarhas earlier this year indicated that the new model, codenamed D73A, would be launched in May. Thus the teaser ad makes sense.

Industry sources meanwhile believed that the new car would be available with two engine options - the 1-litre and 1.3-litre variable valve timing engines. The indicative price range is said to be between RM42,000 and RM52,000.

They said the new car had been developed by Perodua based on the Daihatsu Boon platform and through strategic collaboration with Daihatsu and Toyota.

It is not immediately known whether the introduction of MyVI would also see Perodua discontinuing the Kancil, which has been around for more than 10 years

Perodua's next model is so cool~

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=171185

Record car sales in March

19-04-2005
By Yap Lih Huey






Total vehicle sales in March 2005 reached an all-time high of 50,558 units -- 8,979 units or 21.6% more than the 41,579 units sold a year earlier -- and the sales momentum is expected to continue into April, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) says.

MAA attributed the record sales to consumers buying forward in anticipation of higher prices upon implementation of the new duty structure in July.

However, it said growth in national car sales continued to lag behind non-national cars. National car sales grew 17.71% to 32, 647 units in March, compared with a 29.38% growth to 17,911 units for non-national cars.

For the first quarter of 2005, total vehicle sales grew 21.76% to 127,113 units from 104,400 units a year earlier, it said in a statement on April 19.

Sales of national cars, including commercial vehicles, rose 13.73% to 80,421 units in the first quarter from 70,712 units a year earlier. Production of national cars during the period increased by 37% to 96,466 units, compared with 70,415 units previously.

During the same period, sales of non-national cars expanded by 38.60% to 46,692 units from 33,688 units a year earlier. Production of non-national cars grew 26.86% to 38,826 units from 30,605 units.

MAA expected consumer sentiments would remain unchanged in April 2005. “Sales volume in April 2005 could be sustained as market sentiments and confidence continue to remain strong,” it said.

Perodua To Launch Myvi Model In May
April 22, 2005 21:59 PM




KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) plans to launch its latest compact passenger car, namely Myvi by end of May this year, its managing director Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said.

He said the latest model was set to enhance the company's range and demonstrate its advancement in vehicle design and styling.

"With its progressive, modern and dynamic outlook, Perodua is confident Myvi will promote excitement among the Malaysian public in general, particularly the potential customers," he said in a statement here Friday.

Myvi, which signifies My Vehicle and My Vision, will come in two variants, the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre and are expected to be priced between RM41,500 and RM51,500 respectively.

-- BERNAMA

Perodua to launch compact Myvi end-May
April 23 2005
By CHONG POOI KOON




CARMAKER Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) will be launching its latest model “Myvi” — a compact passenger car — around the end of next month to enhance its product range.

Managing director Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the latest model will demonstrate Perodua’s advancement in vehicle design and styling.

Using advanced technology, Myvi is designed to meet international standards as well as the requirements and expectations of Malaysian consumers.

He said the name Myvi signifies “My vehicle” and “My vision”, which also symbolises the Malaysian Vision.

“With its progressive, modern and dynamic design, Perodua is confident that Myvi’s introduction will promote excitement among the Malaysian national car-enthusiast public in general, particularly the potential customers,” Hafiz said in a press release yesterday.

Myvi will come in two variants — 1 litre and 1.3 litre — and is expected to be priced between RM41,500 and RM51,500.

Perodua MYVI : revealed

http://www.codott.net/images/myvi.jpg

http://www.codott.net/images/myvi2.jpg

http://www.codott.net/images/myvi3.jpg

http://www.codott.net/images/myvi4.jpg

URL to article: http://codott.net/blog/index.php/2005/04/08/perodua-myti-revealed/

thanks for the update man.I think this car looks ok except for the front grill:( looks funny

I just saw a MAYBACH 62 at Berjaya Times Square just now!!! I just can't believe my eyes! :eek:

I know people from other countries thinking I must be mad but seriously.....as a luxury car enthusiast - seeing one of the world's most expensive and luxurious car is something to behold. Esp in Malaysia where a Maybach would set you for a cool RM8,000,000 (USD 2,100,000) :eek:

Okay...for those who wonder how this car looks like and why I go crazy over it....take a look:


http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1362-1.jpg


http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1362-2.jpg

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1362-4.jpg

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1271-5.jpg

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1271-6.jpg


http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1271-7.jpg

http://www.jamb.ca/gallery/albums/Newcars/maybach.jpg


http://zt.yeeyoo.com/04_07_13_01/image/Maybach.jpg

http://auto.sohu.com/piclib/daimler/maybach/maybach/big/daimlerMaybach008.jpg



http://www.phoenixmercedesbenz.com/Maybach/dream/maybach-in-ny-rear-640.jpg

http://www.mafma.com/images/Mondial%202004%20Maybach%2001.jpg



http://www.automobil-magazin.de/fotos/may8.jpg

Of course this car is super luxurious but dun forget it could also outrun
all the modified Ah Beng Japanese sport cars as its
century sprint (0-100km) is just 4.9 seconds! :eek:


This is the latest variant of Maybach - the 'shorter' Maybach 57S

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/2221-1.jpg



And also the souped-up Brabus Maybach 57 :D

http://eluxurycar.co.kr/newwork/image-download/car_page/Brabus/2004%20Brabus%20Maybach%2057%206.3/maybach_57_63_01.jpg

wow!!!:eek: i want!! :D:D:D

Gimme RM8 million and I'll give ya one :D

Last week a Smart For Two parked in front of my office :D


http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/cars/smart_for_two/IMG_8108sm.JPG

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/cars/smart_for_two/IMG_8116sm.JPG

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/cars/smart_for_two/IMG_8120sm.JPG

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/cars/smart_for_two/IMG_8124sm.JPG

Just 2 nights back (the same night I spotted the Maybach), I saw 3 Smart For Twos (all 3 at the same time...tailing each other) zipping around Jalan Bukit Bintang....sooooo cute! :D

Of course this car is super luxurious but dun forget it could also outrun
all the modified Ah Beng Japanese sport cars as its
century sprint (0-100km) is just 4.9 seconds! :eek:


This is the latest variant of Maybach - the 'shorter' Maybach 57S

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/2221-1.jpg



And also the souped-up Brabus Maybach 57 :D

http://eluxurycar.co.kr/newwork/image-download/car_page/Brabus/2004%20Brabus%20Maybach%2057%206.3/maybach_57_63_01.jpg

this is one great car!I saw it during the Melbourne Motor show!Very classy and powerful!

this is one great car!I saw it during the Melbourne Motor show!Very classy and powerful!


Oh yea......oh yea......as powerful as any Italian sports car and classier than most British marques :D

Smart cars in Malaysia: way to go! Every city dweller should drive small cars like these to help reduce pollution and reduce the congestion of the streets and highways.

TD Cars enters New Zealand



NEW ZEALAND has emerged as a promising market for niche car producer TD Cars Malaysia Sdn Bhd following interest generated in its retro TD2000 sports car during the display at the New Zealand Motor Show in Auckland in March.

Featuring stylish lines reminiscent of the MGTD marque of the late 40's and early 50's of the last century, the TD2000 display proved one of the most popular with Kiwi car enthusiasts.

Its managing director Edward Teo said that March was a good month for the roadsters classics, which were hand-built at TD Cars' state-of-the-art Shah Alam assembly plant.

Apart from five purchases by New Zealand classic roadster enthusiasts, eight orders had been placed by newly signed dealers in Egypt, Macau and United Arab Emirates, Teo said. – Bernama





http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/5/4/business/p9-td%20car.JPG

TD Cars managing director Edward Teo (left) and general manager C.G. Koay giving a final quality check of the classic roadsters before being shipped to New Zealand

Smart cars in Malaysia: way to go! Every city dweller should drive small cars like these to help reduce pollution and reduce the congestion of the streets and highways.


Yea....and every city dweller should be able to afford an RM83,000 two-seater car first :D


I also want one at home but a Honda City at just RM86,000 could do more than this car leh :lol:

Naza’s own car out in October


AFTER launching two successful multipurpose vehicles, the Naza Ria and Naza Citra, which now post monthly sales of 1,500 and 1,000 units respectively, the Naza group is set to alter Malaysia’s automotive market again.

This time a 1.2-litre car, totally drawn up without contribution from its technology partner Kia, is scheduled to hit the roads in October.

“It’s a truly Naza brand that has nothing to do with Kia. The designs are done by our local boys (engineers),” said group managing director Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin.

Eighteen Naza engineers, mostly former employees of Proton and Perodua, had been secretly working on the project for the past two years.

Around half-a-million ringgit had been invested in the project, Nasimuddin told Bernama in an interview in Tokyo recently when he participated in a trade and investment mission led by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

Nasimuddin said the motivation to design its own car was to reduce Naza’s dependency on Kia and this was already provided for under its agreement with the South Korean car manufacturer.






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Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin





“We are talking to other manufacturers for outsourcing activities (as well),” he said.

Kia has licensed Naza to assemble and distribute Kia vehicles under the Kia and Naza brands.

Naza Ria, a face-lifted version of Kia Carniva , was launched in August 2003 while Naza Citra, based on the Kia Carens, was introduced in January this year. Both models were also granted national car status.

The new Naza car is being created to meet export market requirements. Of the estimated 60,000 to 70,000 units planned for production each year, 40,000 will be allocated for overseas markets.

“The car will be immediately available for export from October onwards, along with Naza Ria and Naza Citra.

“This year, between 10% and 15% of our factory capacity will be for export,” Nasimuddin said.

The likely export destinations are Indonesia, India and Thailand, to be followed by other developing countries.

The Naza Group has targeted to sell over 50,000 cars worth about RM5bil this year from over 26,538 cars in 2004. To meet the expected rising sales volume, production at Naza’s plant in Gurun, Kedah, will be pushed to the maximum limit of 60,000 units by next year.

A new plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 units will be built specifically for models independently developed by Naza.

“We are still talking to a few states. We need a bigger plant that will employ 5,000 people as against 1,000 employees at our Gurun plant,” Nasimuddin said.

He said Naza’s ambition was to export as many models as it could, either the ones that it independently produced or under the NazaKia brand.

“Let’s say we have three or four models this year, next year we will try to put another three to four,” he said.

On the probable risk that the new car could be introduced at a time when Malaysia’s automotive market is facing near saturation, Nasimuddin said that on the contrary, the rush by other car makers to introduce new models at competitive prices goes to show the Malaysian market’s potential.

The Malaysian Automotive Association has projected that Malaysia’s automotive sales to grow by 2.5% this year to 500,000 vehicles, up from a record high of 487,605 units last year. – Bernama

USF-Hicom To Invest RM4 Mln On Sales, Service Network For Mahindra


PETALING JAYA, May 4 (Bernama) -- DRB-Hicom Bhd's unit, USF-Hicom (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd plans to invest RM4 million to establish the sales and service network to distribute the Mahindra vehicles in Malaysia, this year.

DRB-Hicom Bhd's group chairman Tan Sri Mohd Saleh Sulong said initially there will be 19 dealers, four branches, seven after-sales service centres and five authorised service dealers.

USF-Hicom has been appointed as the exclusive distributor and importer of India's Mahindra Scorpio vehicles or any other Mahindra vehicles and its spare parts in Malaysia.

It would be initially bringing in Mahindra's Scorpio range of vehicles -- Scorpio 2.0 litre petrol 4x2, Scorpio 2.6 litre diesel 4x4 and the Scorpio 2.5 litre diesel double cab, which was first launched in 2002 in India.

Saleh said more models will be brought in later by the first quarter of next year.

Priced at RM79,913.13 without insurance, the company expects to sell 1,800 units of the Mahindra Scorpio by the end of this year and expects an additional 10 percent increase in sales by 2006.

This new generation vehicles, which was developed using Renault technology, has already captured markets in South Africa, Europe and Middle East countries.

Meanwhile, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited's vice chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra said the group also looking at any opportunity to assemble their vehicles in Malaysia if a good sales performance is seen,

"Malaysia is our first target market in the region, then we will proceed to other countries such as Indonesia and Thailand," he said.

In India, the Mahindra Scorpio has clocked over 60,000 units since its launch two years ago.

Based in Mumbai, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd is engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling 2WD/4WD utility & light commercial vehicles, parts and accessories.

-- BERNAMA

Sze: Perhaps Perodua should consider making a model like SMART, even better, make it an electric one which can be charged at home like a cell phone. Then slash the price to, say, $60,000....attractive enough? :)

SMART car...don't like la :ohno:

Jerking alot when you apply for breaking :D

You test drive before? Jerk when applying brakes? How could that happen when it is manufactured and designed by Mercedes-Benz :?

Sze: Perhaps Perodua should consider making a model like SMART, even better, make it an electric one which can be charged at home like a cell phone. Then slash the price to, say, $60,000....attractive enough? :)



NOpe...not attractive enuf. Electric cars chould be cheaper as it is cheaper to manufacture. Furthermore electric cars have no gearing system. RM60,000 in Australia and New Zealand could get you lotsa cars man (even with today's depreciated Ringgit). I believe small cars shouldn't cost more than RM35,000 but I dun think that would happen lah :ohno:

You test drive before? Jerk when applying brakes? How could that happen when it is manufactured and designed by Mercedes-Benz :?

Yeah. I test drive before..n sometimes now cause my friend bought the car as well last December :D

A lil off-topic :D ....for Baqthier's confidence in the Jalan Chan Sow Lin area :lol:


Brooklands Motors' New Showroom Mooted the Best MG Rover Showroom in the World


Friday, April 08, 2005 By YS Khong


THE BROOKLANDS CENTRE – DELIVERING ON A PROMISE


Kuala Lumpur: 8 April: “Looking at the site and Brooklands Motors' plans for the new Brooklands Centre, this could well become the most impressive MG Rover sales and service facility anywhere in the world, said Mr. Russ Thomas, the MG Rover (UK) business development manager who visited the site while it was under renovation in December last year.

The names Rover and MG have long been held in great esteem in the Malaysian motoring circles. It must be said however that until most recently these great marques had been lying low. However since Brooklands Motors Sdn Bhd was appointed as their importer and distributor here, the phoenix has risen, and it is time for Rover and MG to reclaim their place among the elite motoring brands in Malaysia.

When Brooklands Motors stated its intention and gave its commitment to the MG Rover brand, little did anyone expect the level of professionalism and the fiscal input that they would invest in this endeavour.

Recently, within six months on the return of the Rover and MG brands to our shores, The Brooklands Centre, an ultra-modern facility for MG Rover and the new headquarters for Brooklands Motors started operations at No. 11 Jalan Satu, Off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur on 21 March 2005.

“The Brooklands Centre has a total land area of 44,320 square feet with a built up area of 39,550 square feet, including an 8,400 square feet workshop, 8,400 square feet parts storage area, 10,000 square feet showroom and 11,700 square feet of office space. There are various customer convenience areas and our guests can catch a movie on a 42 inch plasma screen, make use of our complimentary Wi-Fi access to surf the net or just relax at our customer lounge area that is also equipped with a coffee-bar. We also made sure that it could offer every possible convenience that a demanding business person would expect; this philosophy even extends to the air conditioned double size restrooms, said Encik Muhammad Fadhil Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Brooklands Motors.

The Brooklands Centre workshop has everything and anything that a customer or his Rover or MG might need. It has the complete MG Rover diagnostics computer equipment, wheel alignment and balancing facilities including seven bays of two-post vehicle lifts, a four-post vehicle lift and a scissor vehicle lift. Customers can also observe the work being done on their cars through the glass panels that separate the guests waiting area between the showroom and the workshop. There is also a dedicated service customer reception area for consultation with MG Rover Service Advisors.

Encik Muhammad Fadhil added, “The large showroom area can accommodate 15 cars comfortably and there are three dedicated glass cubicles for us to conduct discussions with sales prospects free from any disturbances. Besides that, a coffee-bar and children’s playroom are also available for the convenience of our guests and their families, during their visit to our showroom area.

“We are confident that with The Brooklands Centre and our other MG Rover 3S centres in Penang, Johor Bahru, Miri and Kuching as well as the Kota Kinabalu sales showroom and its soon to be opened service centre, will enhance customer confidence in the brand and boost the sales of Rover and MG vehicles in Malaysia, he said.

Encik Muhammad Fadhil, also said that with such a significant investment made to infrastructure and such attention to detail in making the Brooklands Centre a truly modern and self sufficient facility, MG Rover is truly here for the long term.

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PICTURES of BROOKLANDS CENTRE!


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German state considering M’sia as hub for auto parts


A BUSINESS delegation from Germany's hitech industrial region, BadenWurttemberg, is looking forward to make Malaysia a strategic base for its automotive and automation machine parts industries in South-East Asia.

Deputy minister of the state of BadenWurttemberg, Dr Horst Mehrlander, said in spite of stiff competition in the automotive industry, German car manufacturers and automotive parts producers were keen to expand their businesses in South-East Asia.

“Asia will be a big market for the German automotive industry in line with the liberalisation of the automotive market under the Asean Free Trade Area,” Mehrlander said during BadenWurttemberg business delegation's briefing session with Malaysian businessmen.

“BadenWurttemberg’s global player, DaimlerChrysler, has been successful in Malaysia, especially with the commissioning of its car assembly plant in Kuantan this year in a joint venture with DRB-HICOM, and we are targeting for more such tie-ups here” he added.

BadenWurttemberg accounts for almost half of German automotive exports to Malaysia. DaimlerChrysler, based in BadenWurttemberg, is one of Germany’s key investors in Malaysia. – Bernama

Perodua expects Myvi to account for 27% of sales
18 May 2005 7:06 PM



Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) expects its newly launched Myvi car to account for 27% of the company’s total sales based on its monthly forecast sales of 4,800 units.

Its managing director Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said Perodua would produce an estimated 35,400 units of Myvi within a year of its launch.

He said Perodua had already received bookings for over 5,000 units of the new model. Myvi is an abbreviation for My Vehicle, My Vision or Malaysian Vision.

The Myvi, which comes in 1.0 litre and 1.3 litres and is priced between RM41,200 and RM51,300 on the road, marks Perodua’s foray into a more competitive engine capacity segment.

The car harnesses the advanced technology of Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd, using the Advanced Simultaneous Engineering programme for conceptualisation and production.

Perodua's vendors have also collaborated with Perodua and Daihatsu from the inception stage, to design and develop component parts, resulting in the Myvi having about 80% local content.

Myvi is targeted at the young and those with families as the “Cabin Forward” design is built for space and comfort, being able to seat five passengers with ample legroom.

Can't wait to see the car :D

Perodua Expects To Reach One Mln Car Sales By Year End
May 18, 2005 18:44 PM


SEPANG, May 18 (Bernama) -- Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (PERODUA) expects to reach sales of one million vehicles, comprising all its models, by the end of this year, said its managing director, Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar.

Since starting its operations, the second national carmaker has delivered 880,000 cars to its customers as at end of 2004 and for this year, it aims to deliver about 148,000 cars including the soon-to-be-launched compact car, Myvi.

"We expect to sell 4,000 units of Myvi monthly," Hafiz said at a media preview of the new Perodua Myvi.

The Myvi has been scheduled to be launched here this May 25.

Perodua's Myvi, an abbreviation for Malaysian Vision, is the result of a collaboration between Perodua and Daihatsu Motor Corporation Ltd (DMC).

The car comes in two engine capacities, 1.0 litre and 1.3 litres, and this marks Perodua's first-time venture into a more competitive engine capacity segment, said Hafiz.

"Myvi would help Perodua emerge into a new domain with the intention to increase market position post-Afta. Two and a half years ago, we knew this was going to be a post-Afta car," he said.

The development of Myvi cost RM210 million, Hafiz said, adding that the breakeven was conservatively expected in two and a half years.

"However, if the sales are beyond expectations, we can expect our breakeven in two years time," he said, adding that about 6,000 Myvi cars have already been booked as of todate.

He said Perodua estimated about 35,400 units of the Myvi to be produced within the first year of introduction, and it was expected to contribute 27 percent to Perodua's total sales.

Hafiz said the car, which has a 80 percent local content, also saw the vendors collaborating with Perodua and Daihatsu, from the inception stage, to design and develop component parts.

"In 2002, 80 local engineers were sent to Daihatsu in Japan, to work together, utilising the Advance Simultaneous Engineering (ASE) programme to conceptualise and produce the new generation car," he said.

The Myvi comes in seven colours - ebony black, olive green, mocca silver, glittering silver, ozzy orange, mistik red and klasik gold.

Hafiz said the company also spent about RM18 million just to ensure the paint quality was that of international level.

The indicative on-the-road price for the 1.0 litre variant (metallic) is RM41,200 while the 1.3 litre ranges from RM44,700 to RM51,300.

On the introduction of the Myvi to the public this month, Hafiz said "the timing was just nice", as the car would appeal to those looking to replace their cars, those who would like to convert to a car from motorcycle, or to the young urban family.

-- BERNAMA

Govt To Continue To Support Automotive Sector Under 9MP
May 25, 2005 22:00 PM


KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to support the automotive sector under the 9th Malaysia Plan as it remains a significant contributor to the country's economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Wednesday.

He said greater emphasis would be given to develop the underlying human capital requirements of the nation as a source of long term prosperity and competitive advantage.

"In this regard, I urge the auto industry to redouble efforts and commitment to developing the necessary capabilities and competencies of the workforce in order to remain as competitive players in an increasingly challenging business environment," he said when launching the Perodua's latest model of Myvi, here Wednesday.

He urged the industry to make proper investments in the human capital, research and development, manufacturing and engineering innovations as well as finding the right partners to work with.

Towards this end, Malaysian companies involved in the automotive sector should remain on track and stay ahead in the game, he added.

Myvi, which stands for My Vehicle and My Vision, comes in two engines -- the 1-litre and 1.3-litre -- with prices ranging from RM41,200 for the 1-litre with manual transmission to RM51,300 for the four cylinder 1.3-litre automatic version that comes with twin front airbags and anti-lock braking system.

Najib said in drawing up the new automotive policy, every effort would be made by the government to support the development and growth of the automotive sector.

He therefore urged local players of the industry to take full advantage of the government support to aggressively enhance their capabilities especially in terms of quality, cost and delivery.

On another note, the deputy prime minister said local automotive industry volumes up to April this year recorded sales of nearly 170,000 units, representing an increase of 17.6 percent over the corresponding period last year.

"The health of the industry is therefore quite a good indicator of broader economic growth where in this year, on a year-to-date basis, the increase in volumes recorded indicate that the automotive sector is thriving," he said. He added that the overall robust growth for the industry should also be good news to vendors and suppliers.

In maintaining the competitiveness in the global market, Najib said local vendors and suppliers must have new skills and establish new networks of partners, suppliers, marketers, using new tools, systems and processes that would enable them to operate in new unfamiliar geographies.

"You may even need to merge with others, perhaps even with your competitors, consolidate your operations, specialize in fewer components, lower your costs and secure financial resources to compete successfully at home and abroad," he said.

Todate almost 7,000 bookings for Myvi have been made.

A statement released by Perodua here said that 35,400 units of the compact car would be produced within its first year of introduction, while about 4,800 units were expected to be sold every month.

Myvi is expected to contribute 27 percent to Perodua's total sales.

-- BERNAMA

Perodua Revamping Export Programme
May 26, 2005 19:53 PM


PETALING JAYA, May 26 (Bernama) -- Second national car manufacturer Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is revamping its export programme that would take effect before December 2006, its managing director, Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said Thursday.

He said a study on the revision started two years ago and was expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.

The revamp entails re-looking at Perodua's export line-up, taking advantage of the Asean Free Trade Arrangement and reviewing cost efficiency of its production.

"We have to (do it before December) because the small car segment is being bombarded by the imports and the best defence is to attack and we are going to 1.3 litre (market with the Myvi).

"At the same time we have to defend our strength in the 1 litre segment," he told reporters after handing over the keys of Perodua Myvi to six owners -- who are among the first to place bookings for the car -- at a ceremony at Perodua's branch here.

After Myvi, he said Perodua plans to introduce one new model every year to meet the ever changing customers' demand especially the younger generation who always wanted new and trendy products.

Hafiz said export of Myvi might start later next year in line with Perodua's plans to boost its overall production towards bringing down cost and increase efficiency.

Perodua plans to raise its total production to 200,000 units by December this year after bringing it up to 180,000 units last March. It manufactured 150,000 units of cars in December 2004.

An estimated 35,400 of Myvi will be produced within the first year of its introduction.

He disclosed that the newly-launched Myvi was on target to register 15,000 units of bookings by May 30, 2005. Todate over 7,000 Myvi had been booked.

"In the first two to three months, we are expecting monthly sales of Myvi at 4,000 to 4,500 units," he added.

-- BERNAMA