Proton has a new MD

The rumours were true. PROTON Holdings Bhd has appointed Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. executive director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir as its new managing director. The 43 year old will take over as MD from Jan 1, 2006. Proton also named Datuk Kisai Rahmat, (currently joint chief operating officer) as executive director of its engineering and manufacturing division.

Proton also reported its second consecutive quarterly net loss due to falling sales, rising costs and higher provisions (mostly due to Proton owned Italian motorcycle maker Agusta's increasing outstanding debts with banks and suppliers).

It lost 154.3 million ringgit (US$40.8 million; euro34.8 million) for the three months ending Sept. 30.

Read more at Paul Tan's blog.

Maximum Speed Limit in Malaysia

What is the maximum speed limit in Malaysia?

If you answer 110 KM/Hr on highways, then you are wrong. It is actually (but not officially) 120 KM/Hr.

Actually I had heard of this as a rumour before, but I later confirmed it with a few friends working with the JPJ, the Malaysian Road Transport Department.

It's an unwritten rule that the maximum speed limit beyond which motorist may be fined in Malaysia is 10 KM/hr more than what is pointed out on the signs. If you don't believe me, just check the speeding summons, which you have received so far. The fine will be for speeds more than 120 KM/hr on 110 Km/Hr stretches and more than 90 KM/Hr on the 80 KM/hr stretches.

Anyway, the fastest I have ever done on my Proton Wira is 145 KM/Hr and yes I received a summons for it. However, I have heard that some guys have gone as fast as 200KM/Hr on the North South highway. I know for a fact that one of my wife’s relatives did Kuala Lumpur to Johor in almost 2 and half hours on his Ferrari. That’s a distance of 368 km and normally takes 4 hours (with no traffic jams).

Proton Chancellor

Proton's new model, the Chancellor, will make its debut during the 11th Asean Summit (Dec 12-14, 2005) in Kuala Lumpur for use by the delegates. It will then be launched publicly on Dec 15, 2005.

The car is an executive class sedan and is specifically designed to be a chauffer-driven.

It uses the Perdana V6 engine on the Waja platform with a wheelbase of 2850mm. From the pictures I have seen, it resembles the Proton Waja.

Proton has not released the price of the Chancellor.

If anyone has pictures or any other info about this model, please share it with us.

Just e-mail me: ahoklah@gmail.com

NAP

I wrote this long time back but forgot to put it up on the blog. So here is the framework of the National Automotive Policy of Malaysia.

The Objectives:
1. To promote a competitive and viable automotive sector, in particular he national car manufacturers.
2. To become a regional hub for manufacturing, assembly and distribution for automotive vehicles.
3. To enhance value added and local capabilites in the automotive sector.
4. To promote export-oriented Malaysian manufacturers as well as component and parts vendors.
5. To promote competitive and broad-based Bumiputra participation in vehicle manufacturing, distribution and importation as well as in component and parts manufacturing.

OTHERS:

- Reduction in import duties for CBU vehicles. ASEAN countries: from 20% to 15% and Non-ASEAN: From 50% to 30%

- Import duties for CKDs maintained: 0% for vehicles from ASEAN and at 10% on non-ASEAN.

- Reduction in excise duties for passenger cars and 4WDs. The reduction is the highest in passenger cars: 90%-250% to 80%-200%.

- However, Excise duties for MPV/vans to increase.

- Approved Permits (AP) to be phased out in the long term.

This represent a movement in the right direction but maybe a bit too late as other countires like Thailand have already moved way ahead.

However as they say, better late than never.

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.

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).

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