Weaknesses in two best-selling cars highlighted

Recent Euro NCAP’s tests have highlighted weaknesses in the safety systems of two of four cars whose results were released recetnly.

In the Nissan Note, one of the ISOFIX mounts for the child restraints broke in Euro NCAP’s side impact test.

Following investigation of the failure, Nissan advised Euro NCAP that the ISOFIX child restraint mount was one from an early batch which was not welded correctly. Nissan has introduced a countermeasure and additional checks. Nissan intends to recall all affected cars to modify them.

With the Toyota RAV4, the car’s airbags fired late during the frontal crash test. This was caused by the cable to a sensor becoming detached early in the impact.

Toyota have changed the routeing of the wiring harness and modified the airbag control unit so that the airbags deploy at the correct time even if the sensor connection fails. A second frontal test, on a modified car, showed that the airbags deployed correctly, although the sensor cable was also damaged in that test. These modifications were introduced into production before Euro NCAP carried out its second test.

In contrast to Nissan, Toyota informed Euro NCAP that they do not intend to modify cars that have already been sold to the public.

The Toyota RAV4 has become only the second small off-roader to achieve a three-star rating. The Land Rover Discovery achieved only one star for its pedestrian protection. So far, no large off-roader has ever scored more than two stars.

The Chevrolet Kalos was the worst performer of the four cars reported, with a three-star adult occupant protection rating. However, the result is better than that of the Aveo, the results of which were released in February. Chevrolet had advised Euro NCAP that the Aveo was an improved version of the Kalos.

The complete test results were available from 28th July 2006 onwards.

SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS

SUPERMINI:

CHEVROLET KALOS
Adult Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

NISSAN NOTE
Adult Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

SMALL OFF-ROADER:

TOYOTA RAV4
Adult Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

LARGE OFF-ROADER:

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY III
Adult Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 stars

TAGS: EURO NCAP Nissan Note Safety Toyota RAV4

Hush hush

Proton tried to hush it up but it got out. There was no way they could have kept it quiet for long anyway.

- 800K cars on sale in the market (250k more than usual)
- 300 odd companies may close down. Many of these are component makers from Proton and mostly Bumiputra owned companies.
- Proton only producing 10K units per month as compared to 15K-16K cars previously.

The only company doing well is Perodua with good demand for it's Myvi models.

Sounds bad but I guess it might do some good in the end.

BTW, someone is cybersquatting. Check out this site. too bad Perodua didn't buy up the domain earlier.

Tags: Components Perodua Proton

Dashboard fixed

Finally got the dashboard fixed. If you don't know what I am talking about, read this post here. Just got my car back yesterday.

I had sent it to Muzlee Kusyen - a small shop in Kepala Batas (near the airport). Though it took a little more extra time and cost more than was promised, I am really happy with the final results.

I paid RM200/ and my Wira's dashboard looks as good as new. I probably saved about RM150/ (according to estimates) as compared to what it would have cost me, had I sent it to any authorised Proton workshop (EON or Proton Edar).

Before

After

Thanks a lot En. Mohd Adzlee. You saved me some.

Here's the full address in case you are around Alor Star and need to repair your dashboard or cushion.

No. 30, Gerai MDKP, Pekan Kepala Batas, 06200, Alor Star, Kedah Darulaman

Tags: Accident Proton Repair

Chery QQ in Malaysia

The Chery QQ and QQRacing (QQR) was launched by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Awang Adek Husin yesterday. The Cheryy cars are distributed in the ASEAN region by Alado Automobile Sdn Bhd.



According to Alado chairman Musa Saad, they plan to sell only 200 units of the QQ annually.

The Chery QQ has an engine capacity of 8712cc and is selling at RM39,888. On the other hand, the sporty QQR is priced RM41,888.

One of their concepts (Good Luck)
Both cars come in 5 speed manual transmission and powered by a 12 valve 3 cylinder DOHC engine. The model was introduced in China in 2003 with over 250,000 uints sold worldwide.

Related posts: Chery Cars Hit Malaysian Roads

Tags: Alado Chery QQ

While in Melbourne

While I was in Melbourne, I noticed that most cars there had an engine capacity of 2000cc and above. Most of them also had maximum speeds of 300KM/hr and more. However, the speed limit is similar to that of Malaysia on most highways, i.e., 110KM/hr. Of course in the bush, there is no speed limit.

Their parking system was really confusing. Wonder why they just don't use a ticketing system. Would make life much easier for a lot of people.

All their car number plates had a slogan at the bottom. Previoulsy it was (for cars in Victoria) Victoria - Garden state . Then Victoria - On the move.
Now, it is Victoria - The place to be.

I also didn't notice a single Proton car the entire week I was there.

Tags: Australia Melbourne Speed limit Victoria

Proton-Perodua merger

According to motor industry analyst Professor Garel Rhys, a merger between the two Malaysian car companies will create a stronger entity, which would be better equiped to compete with the bigger foreign rivals.

I usually put up only the link to the article but it is no longer active now. Fortunately I was able to save it on my computer. Here is the full article which appeared in the NST, Friday June 30 2006.

----------------

Industry expert: Proton-Perodua merger inevitable
By Kang Siew Li
siewli@nstp.com.my

MOTOR industry analyst Professor Garel Rhys sees a merger between national carmakers Proton Holdings Bhd and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) as inevitable in the future to achieve success.

“I don’t think having two Malaysian car companies can be sustainable. Proton and Perodua have to become one company. A merger will create a strong company and help it to better compete with bigger, foreign rivals,” he told Business Times yesterday.

Rhys, a renowned motor industry expert and director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at the UK’s Cardiff University, is currently in Kuala Lumpur on a brief visit.

He also commended the move by Proton’s new management to sell its entire stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta SpA to Gevi SpA for e1 (RM4.63) as a wise one.

“There didn’t seem to be any synergies there. It (MV Agusta) was a company with small turnover but huge loss. As such, it was most unlikely that Proton could have turned the company around in anything under five years,” he added.

Rhys said Proton has a bigger responsibility to become a much bigger car player in the mass market.

“It must be focused on making cars. Much time, money and resources would have been diverted to MV Agusta (to turn it around) when really this is the time when Proton must develop itself as a carmaker and survive in the ever-more competitive world car market,” he said.

He said the National Automotive Policy (NAP) is a good framework for developing a sustainable car industry in Malaysia.

“It ultimately boils down to entrepreneurship and good management in order to make the plan work,” he said.

The NAP moots the idea of sustainability whereby car companies can make profits in a more liberalised and open market.

“It also indicates that for a period of time, the Malaysian Government will continue to offer financial help to local car companies to put them in a position to compete once the market is fully liberalised,” he said.

“However, that period has to be used to make them (local car companies) more efficient. It cannot be used as an excuse for long-term protection in the local car industr y,” he added.

Rhys reckons that a period of not more than seven years would be enough time for local car companies, namely Proton and Pe r o d - ua, to prepare themselves for full and open competition.

”I don’t think Proton has the luxury of a long period of protection. The world is different. It has got to prepare itself for sustainability and frankly, that’s what the NAP is all about,” he added.

“Malaysia could become one of the best locations for making vehicles in Asean.

And it does not have to be the only one because in the European Union, for example, you can make cars in the UK, Spain, Italy and Ger many,” he said.

Tags: Garel Rhys Merger Perodua Proton

Saudi Prince Waleed's 38th Car

Diamond studded US$4.8 Million SL600 Mercedes.

Check out this real Bling bling which is not meant for wearing but instead for driving. A fender bender with it is going to real costly.

Thanks Ziana.




UPDATE: Proven to be a fake. The car is not encrusted with diamonds but instead with 300,000 Swarovski crystals by Garson USA and was exhibited as part of DUB Magazine's Custom Auto Show & Concert. There is also no evidence that this car belongs to Prince Waleed. Still costs a Million dollars.

Modified Naza Ria 2

Finally got the hydraulics installed on the modified Naza Ria.

Total cost: RM16,000.






Related posts:
Modified Naza Ria

Tags: Modification Naza Ria