WapCar Weekly News Round-up

26 October - 1 November fuel price update: RON 97 down 9 sen

  Monday  

Proton expands business in Kota Kinabalu

Proton has officially cut the ribbon to their new 3S centre in Kota Kinabalu. The new centre is run by Shirba Auto World Sdn Bhd and is the third Proton outlet to open in the city.

Shirba Auto 3S centres spans a total of 2,259 square metres and has a capacity to fit 12 service bays, 6 service hoists, a comfortable customer lounge and even offers free WiFi.

The Toyota C-HR GR Sport comes with 6MT

Gazoo Racing expands their portfolio yet again with the unveiling of the Toyota C-HR GR Sport. But bad news enthusiasts, because this car is only available in JDM-spec variant and only sold in Japan. 

The GR Sport version of the funky crossover is based off the recently updated version of the C-HR. So the C-HR GR Sport gets mechanical revisions of a new centre brace to boost body rigidity, muscled up coil springs, shock absorbers and stabilisers along with a modified steering feel for better direct response.

  Tuesday  

Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to have the HINO Poncho

Hino Motors Sales Sdn Bhd has introduced the Poncho minibus to provide light rail services in Malaysia. The minibus trial will be operated by Rapid Bus for a three-month trial period (from October 20, 2019 to January 20, 2020).

The Hino Poncho Rapid bus will cater to routes T784 LRT Taman Bahagia station in Petaling Jaya as well as routes T201 LRT Gombak staion in KL. 

The main highlights of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show

This year’s 46^th Tokyo International Motor Show (TMS) will have a very different approach. Under the theme ‘Open Future’, this year’s TMS aims to showcase their vision of the future of mobility.

Keeping in line with the theme, Japanese carmakers will be presenting concepts that they believe will be mobility solutions of the future. Key highlights include electrified vehicles, advanced connectivity and autonomous driving technologies.

  Wednesday  

BMW Shorties celebrates local film makers with Tayangan BMW Shorties event

To further show their support to local film makers, BMW Malaysia has decided to bring films back to the iconic institution of film, REXKL, with a week long screening event, Tayangan BMW Shorties.

Tayangan BMW Shorties will witness the screening of numerous works by Southeast Asian directors including work by past BMW Shorties winners like Zahir Omar and Shanjhey Kumar.

The all-new Honda Jazz has made its first public appearance

Although the all-new Honda Jazz has made its first public appearance, the model won’t go on sale in Japan until February 2020. As such, don't expect it to be launch in Malaysia until late-2020 or mid-2021. 

Similar to Europe, the Japanese market Honda Jazz is only available as a hybrid, but instead of using the outgoing model’s single motor i-DCD (Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive), the all-new Jazz uses a two-motor i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) hybrid that was first used in the Accord and CR-V, but adapted for sub-compact car application.

  Thursday  

The all-new Volvo S60 is finally launched in Malaysia

Only one variant is available at launch - the T8 R-Design priced at RM 295,888 on-the-road without insurance. For those keen on buying one, better grab it quickly as this USA-made model (limited units) is already priced as a locally-assembled one, which is estimated to arrive in Q2 of 2020.

Being a T8 model, it is all-wheel drive (AWD) with the electric motors powering the rear wheels while the combustion engine handles the front. All these translate into a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds.

Video: New Perodua SUV with 1.0-litre turbo?

Daihatsu quietly displayed an unnamed SUV at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show (TMS). The car wasn’t out of place at the motor show nor did it stand out in a sea of funky show cars.

  Friday 

2019 Audi Q3 enters Malaysia in Q4 2019

After launching four Q models earlier this year, Audi is introducing the all-new Audi Q3 to complete the SUV lineup. It is fully imported like all Audi models sold in Malaysia, and is priced at RM 269,900.

The Q3, now in its second generation, has a more angular exterior design with its octagon shaped grille and creases along the body. 

Eco Idle makes the already fuel efficient Perodua Bezza even more efficient

The Perodua Bezza has an inherently efficient engine - a unit from the NR family of engines - which is shared with various Toyota models and boasts the use of dual VVT-i, Teflon coating for the pistons, and iridium spark plugs.

On top on those, the Perodua Bezza comes with Eco Idle which is Perodua’s term for start-stop system. It is the cheapest car on sale to come with this feature.

 In-depth Commentary From Wapcar Talks 

Government needs to stop flip-flopping on auto industry policy

From fuel standards to Approved Permits to tax structures, the last 18 months have been marked by a lot of uncertainties in the Malaysian automotive industry.

The Ministry Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs nonchalantly announced the postponement only on 5-October 2018, saying that the delay was due to the inability of petroleum companies to ensure sufficient supply of Euro 4M RON 95 petrol to the market.

The question is, did the country’s fuel supply chain only realized that it can’t meet the deadline on the final month? This is the ANSWER you need to know.