New BMW n Other Updates

New 3 Series Models Launched

Auto Bavaria Sdn Bhd has launched the new BMW 3 Series model today. The series comprises of the 320i 92.0-litre 150bhp 4-cylinder Valvetronic engine), 325i (6-cylinder 2.5-litre 218bhp Valvetronic engine)and the 330i (6-cylinder 258bhp Valvetronic engine).

The models available for immediate booking at Auto Bavaria branches nationwide are the 320i with a , the 325i with a and the 330i with a .

This series has been their constant best seller and accounts for very 2 BMW sold in the country.

NOTE:
BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a Joint venture between BMW AG and thr Sime Darby Group (51:49).
Auto Bavaria Sdn Bhd is the authorized delaer of BMW cars in Malaysia. It is a subsidiry of Tractors Malaysia Holdings Bhd, whihc is in turn a unit of the Sime Darby group.

Lamborghini Showroom Launched

ES Evolution Sdn Bhd, the local dealer of Lamborghini in Malaysia has opened its showroom in Kuala Lumpur.

The latest outler is the 67th in Automobil Lamborghini SpA's international network of dealers.

The models available here are V10 Gallardo, the V12 Murcielago and the Morcielago Roadster (open top). If the government agrees to lower the tariff rates, the cars will sell between RM1.4 million and Rm2 million each. A "house on wheels" as a friend once told me. Actually that's a lot of low cost houses.0

Some more Info:
Add:
ES Evolution Sdn bhd
No.2 Block B Lot 4900 Jalan SS13/7
Subang Jaya Industrial Estate
47500 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Tel: (603) 5637 1280
Fax: (603) 5634 4782


Suzuki to Assemble Cars in Malaysia

Global Worldtrade Sdn Bhd. may start assembling Suzuki cars in Malaysia.

The cars would be distributed by Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Bhd.

Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd has signed a distributorship and an import agreement for completely built-up (CBU) Suzuki motor vehicles and spare parts.

They will distribute the Suzuki Swift 1.5L, Suzuki APV 1.6GLX and the 1.6GL, Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0L.

Proton Sports Car

Watch out for the Proton sports car. My friend in Proton informs me that it is based on the Lotus Elise and while he was reluctant to reveal the price, I gathered that it will cost somewhere around RM 150K. (1US$=RM3.8)

If it is released as planned, it would become Malaysia's first sports car and not the Esna Venera.

SOURCES: NST, The Star & personal communication.

New Perodua Model

In March, I had read in a news report about Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Kedua, or Perodua, launching a new model of the Perodua Kancil car in May this year.

I had also read earlier entries about the the soon-to-be-launched Myvi model in some other blogs. Namely, Gob.log and Wantan Productions and was wondering what the hell Myvi stands for. I got the answer today.

I read Paul Tan’s Journal entry about the Perodua Myvi yesterday. According to him, "My means Malaysia and the VI represents the sixth car that Perodua has come up with". However, according to the Edge Daily, “Myvi” signifies My Vehicle and My Vision, which also symbolises the Malaysian Vision.

It also reports the prices of the “Myvi” to be between RM41,500 and RM51,500 for the one litre and 1.3 litres variants respectively.

FYI, Perodua is Malaysia's second national car maker and was established in 1993.

According to their website, the joint venture partners/shareholders of Perodua and their respective shareholding are:
1. UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd (38%),
2. Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. (20%),
3. MBM Resources Berhad (20%),
4. PNB Equity Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd (10%),
5. Mitsui & Co. Ltd (7%) and
6. Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (5%).

However, I read elsewhere that MBM Resources Bhd., which is the largest dealer of Perodua, is also the 2nd largest single shareholder in Perodua with a 23.6% stake.

Proton No 2 in UK

The title is a bit misleading. Proton is not the 2nd best selling brand in UK.

The Dealer Attitude Survey, undertaken by the National Franchised Dealers Association placed Proton 2nd after Lexus on the helpfulness of parts staff and 2nd best (alongside Toyota) in terms of technical support hotline.

Proton dealers were clearly very happy with the company and it reveals a synergy between the manufacturer and the dealers.

Links:

1. Car Pages

2. The Star report

Auto News Updates

Have been neglecting this blog for quite sometime now. Well here are the latest updates:

1. Proton Holdings Bhd:

Proton chief executive officer Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff revealed in an interview that the company and its Chinese partner may start production in China this year if everything goes as planned. Read the whole story in the Star here.

2. HONDA Malaysia Sdn Bhd:

Yasuhide Mizuno (41) is now the company's 3rd managing director and chief executive officer. He was peviously general manager of Honda Taiwan Co Ltd.

Kenji Tanaka was appointed as new vice-president of Honda Malaysia's manufacturing plant.

F1 Sepang Pics

Here are some pics of the recent F1 race in Sepang, courtesy of Muz who was watching it live from the Grandstand. Lucky guy.

Auto Fair

There is a Auto fair coming up.

It is organised by Purnama Jelita (???)and will be held at the Main Concourse, Kompleks Bukit Jambul, Jalan Rumbia, Penang from 25th to 27th of March.

Participants include Duaria Motors Sdn Bhd (Kia), Ford Concessionaires Sdn Bhd (Ford), Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (Proton), Scott and English (M) Sdn Bhd (Tata) and Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (Nissan).

TRM Spyshots

Several pics of the Proton Tiara Replacement Model (TRM) and the Satria Replacement Model (SRM)has been doing the rounds on the internet. One of the visitors to my blog recently e-mailed me these pics. Thanks Kim.







I just realised that this is a good marketing tool. Proton can actually get the feedback from several potential customers before they actually go ahead with the full scale production.