Friday, October 21, 2005

Corvette Z06

Took the pictures at 1 Utama shopping center today.









This is the sixth generation 2005 Corvette - Z06. Said to be "the Fastest, Most Powerfull Production Corvette Ever Built".

According to the salesperson, it goes from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 3.7 secs.

He added that it costs around RM 1.8 Million.

Its not available in Malaysia as yet and I guess, it was just brought in for the Chevrolet road show going on at 1 Utama.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

New Ford Focus in the Market

The new Ford Focus 1.8L Ghia is now available at all 32 Ford dealers in Malaysia since yesterday (18 Oct. 2005).

Said to be the "best compact car in the world", the 4 door sedan comes in 5 different colours, namely, Panther black, Magnetic silver, Platinum, Sonic blue and Techno silver.

According to their website: "The new Focus shares the same platform as the Volvo S40, but has a very different body silhouette. European in design, and filled with German technology, the new Focus has its own character. It is a refined and dynamic car set to redefine the C-car segment, and is Ford’s comeback to this market."

Specs: DOHC 1.8 Litre engine with electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS). AS for the suspension, at the front are Macpherson struts, and at the rear, the unique “Control Blade” multi-link suspension. Stabiliser bars are standard for both front and rear. The Focus comes with vented disc brakes in the front, and solid discs at the rear. ABS and EBA are standard.

It is priced at RM119,888 (on-the-road without insurance).

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Renault Kangoo Sportif Launched


Image taken from the Renault website

The new RenaultKangoo Sportif SL was launched by TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd (Renault's official franchise holder in Malaysia) on September 29.

Features:
Actually it's not really a new model. Just a dressing up of the old basic Kangoo.
- The Kangoo Sportif SL comes with a sporty look thanks to its 5-piece bodykit that includes a front airdam, side skirts, rear bumper skirt and spoiler.
- Automatic transmission with a 1.4 litre engine.
- Allows up to seven people to sit inside.

Price:

The Sportif SL package: RM7,900 + RM69,888 (price of basic Kangoo)
Basic Sportif package : RM4,800 + RM69,888 (price of basic Kangoo)

INFORMATION:

TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd.

Address:

TC EURO CARS SDN BHD
G-01 No 5 Jalan Semangat
46100 Petaling Jaya

Phone: 79561044
fax: 79549686

Sunday, September 25, 2005

AP Issue Still Hot

The Approved Permits (AP) issue simply refuses to fade. Malaysian Members of Parliament were jumping mad when the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) released the names of MPs who were recipients of APs. Some of them are now demanding that Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz step down for failing to come clean on the APs controversy. Read the report here..

However, the person who brought up this issue in first place, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister and now Proton adviser has this to say: “I am only concerned with the effect of the APs on the market in Malaysia. That was my first complaint.” Read the full report here…

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Evolution of the Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is one of the newest entrants to the Malaysian compact car segment.
I found the history of this car quite interesting. It started out as a concept vehicle, the 'Concept-S' which was first unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. This was soon followed by the Concept-S2, an open-top sports car that was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.

"Suzuki designers and engineers collaborated with European automotive professionals and ordinary motoring enthusiasts in pursuit of Suzuki's best compact car ever."

Unlike other Japanese cars, this model was developed with the European market and customers in mind. However, it is now produced in four countries, namely, Japan, Hungary (Magyar Suzuki Corporation), China (Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd.), and India (Maruti Udyog Ltd.) and sold globally.

The Suzuki Swift 1.5VVT was launched in Malaysia on May 16th this year and costs RM79,888 approx.

OTHER INFORMATION

- Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn. Bhd. has been appointed by the Suzuki Motor Corporation as the new automobile importer/distributor for the brand in Malaysia.
- Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn.Bhd. was established by DRB-Hicom Bhd. With a capital investment of RM 5 million (USD1.3 million), 100% invested by DRB-HICOM.
- The Chairman of DRB-HICOM, Mr. Mohd Saleh Sulong is also the Chairman of Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn.Bhd.

RELATED POSTS


- http://autolah.blogspot.com/2005/07/suzuki-apv.html
- http://autolah.blogspot.com/2005/05/new-nissan-plant-suzuki-swift.html

Monday, August 8, 2005

Policy on AP from MITI

Just got this "Policy On Approved Permit (AP) For Motor Vehicle" from the MITI website:

1. Import Licensing through Approved Permit (AP) was introduced in 1970 with the objective of promoting and providing opportunities for bumiputera entrepreneurs in the automotive sector.

2. In 1987, a review was undertaken on the AP policy involving all 269 AP holders:


DECISIONS

* There will be no APs considered to new non franchise companies with immediate effect. Allocation of APs is restricted to new franchise companies only.
* Allocation of APs for 153 companies were withdrawn due to:
- business not in operation;
- no showroom and service facilities;
- misuse of AP, i.e. selling of APs;
- improper management of account i.e. allowing unauthorised parties including non AP holders to manage the account.
* Continue APs allocation to existing 116 companies, comprising:
- 76 Open AP Holders (to import any brand of car from any country); and
- 40 Franchise Holders (to import specific brands and makes from its principal).
* Encourage the existing quota holders to join/form consortia:
- to enhance efficiency; and
- to be more viable in terms of access to financial, after sales service and showroom facilities.

CURRENT POLICY

3. COMPLETELY KNOCKED DOWN (CKD)
* APs for importation of CKD packs by manufacturers, assemblers or contract assemblers are based on requested by the companies.
* Companies must have valid Manufacturing License or Contract Assembly approval.
* Companies that are in direct competition with models produced by national manufacturers are required to export 80 per cent of production. Performance of export must be submitted to MITI on monthly basis.

4. COMPLETELY BUILT-UP UNIT (CBU)
* APs on Passenger Cars are divided into 2 categories:
- non-franchise APs (open APs) for new/used passenger car and multipurpose vehicle (MPV).
- franchise APs for specific makes and models of passenger car and MPV.
* A new franchise company is evaluated based on:
- valid franchise agreement between importer and the principal/manufacturer;
- direct importation of vehicles from the principal/factory overseas;
- the models have not been assembled/ marketed in Malaysia;
- 70 per cent bumiputera equity holding;
- proven financial and management capability; and
- availability of sales/showroom facilities and after sales service.
* Import restriction (parallel import) is granted on brands under exclusive franchise agreement.

5. ADMINISTRATION OF APs
* Allocation of APs
- For new franchise companies, annual allocation of APs is based on the number of distributors and dealers appointed.
- Subsequent annual allocation is based on previous year’s performance of import and sales.
- Company to submit the import and sales performance report by the 10th of every month.
- Documents to be submitted are copies of:
- Form JK69 (AP) – Approved Permit (AP) issued by MITI
- Form K1/K8 – Import declaration issued by Kastam DiRaja Malaysia
- Sales Invoice – Issued by AP Holders to the distributors/buyers
- Certificate of Vehicle Registration (JPJ); and
- Letter of Undertaking – Issued by the financial institution.
- APs will not be allocated if company fails to submit the relevant documents and information.
* Issuance Of APs
- APs will only be issued upon submission of original Bill of Lading.

6. IMPORTS FROM ASEAN
* Effective 1 January 2005 all categories of vehicles imported from ASEAN are subject to import duty of zero to 20 per cent:
- CKD for all vehicles – zero import duty.
- CBU for Passenger Car/MPV/4WD/Van/Bus – 20 per cent import duty.
- CBU for Motorcycle – 20 per cent import duty.
* Importation of new motor vehicles from ASEAN requires APs for the purpose of monitoring and collection of data.
* APs will be issued based on quantity requested by Franchise Holders.

7. IMPORTS FROM NON ASEAN
* Effective 1 January 2005 all categories of vehicles imported from Non ASEAN are subject to import duty of 10 to 50 per cent:
- CKD for Passenger Car/MPV/4WD/Van – 10 per cent import duty.
- CKD for Bus and Lorry – zero import duty.
- CKD for Motorcycle – zero to 10 per cent import duty.
- CBU for Passenger Car/MPV/4WD/Van – 50 per cent import duty.
- CBU for Bus – 30 per cent import duty.
- CBU for Lorry – 35 to 50 per cent import duty.
- C BU for Motorcycle – 40 per cent import duty.
* Current arrangement on import requirements from Non ASEAN will continue.

Wednesday, August 3, 2005

New Alfa Romeo Models

Sime Darby Auto Italia Sdn Bhd, (100% owned by Sime Darby Bhd.), the distributor for Alfa Romeo in Malaysia, recently unveiled six new models — 147, 156, 156 GTA, 156 Sportswagon, 166 and Alfa GT Coupe.

156 GTA


147

The event also marked the official launch of the Auto Italia headquarters and 3S (sales, service and spares) center at Glenmarie, Shah Alam.

Extra Info.

Milan Auto (M) Sdn Bhd. was the previous distributor of the marque in the country from 1990 until Fiat Auto terminated the franchise in 2003.

The Sime Darby group acquired the franchise for Alfa Romeo through Sime Cerah Sdn Bhd., absorbing some staff from the previous distributor in the process.

SIME Darby Auto Italia Sdn Bhd, managing director: Radzi Zainal

Sime Darby managing director-Motor Group (Malaysia): Rajan Thurairatnam

Alfa Romeo Sales Europe and Extra Europe Fiat Auto Spa sales coordination representative: Hans Hoegstedt.

Newspaper Reports:

NST

Star

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