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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Happy 53rd anniversary MERDEKA Malaysia! BUT...

Happy 53rd anniversary or Independence Malaysia.  BUT it's a MOURNING day as well for me.  Well, it's the 13th Memorial Anniversary of my "FORMER IDOL" Princess Diana (or rather Lady Diana) and Dodi Al Fayed.  They were killed at a High speed crash in the Famous Paris tunnel on 31st August 1997.

Anyway, let's not dampen the Merdeka Spirit.  I'll try my best to put the sad news behind by presenting you, readers this WELL WRITTEN song sang by the Late Sudirman.



Song Title: 31 Ogos



Tanggal 31
Bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh
Merdeka ! Merdeka !
Tetaplah merdeka
Ia pasti menjadi sejarah




Tanggal 31
Bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh
Hari yang mulia
Hari bahagia
Sambut dengan jiwa yang merdeka




Mari kita seluruh warga negara
Ramai-ramai menyambut hari merdeka
Merdeka !


Tiga satu bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh
Hari mulia negaraku merdeka
MERDEKA!  MERDEKA!  MERDEKA!

As I'm staying in Petaling Jaya (for 27 years of my 31 years old), which is part of Selangor, I'll post Selangor Flag as a Mark of Respect.

ONCE AGAIN, MERDEKA!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Longtermer #2, Vol 19: Month 26: Honda Civic FD2

Longtermer #2, Vol 19: Month 26: Honda Civic FD2

In this blog entry, I'm updating my Family's ride.  The Honda Civic 2.0IVTEC FD2.  This is the 26th month we owned the Civic.  What's up from July 28 to August 30?  Let's see:

1st week of August:  2 trips to KLIA (to and fro) - by dad.  Followed by Golfing trip outstation (?)
2nd week of August: 1 return trip to KLIA followed by a Trip to Putrajaya and
2 trips to Genting Highlands by my dad.
3rd week of August: Day Trip to Melaka (company trip) driven by me.  Recorded Record Fuel consumption in the process.

As you can see, my dad did the driving whenever he's in Malaysia (he's based in Vietnam and China).  Whenever he's in Malaysia, he'll leave the house at 8am and won't be back until 9pm.  Where did he go other than the one listed above is a mystery to me.

Without further ado, let's proceed to LOGBOOK.
Year of manufactured: 2008 (Delivery Date 28 July 2008)
Current Value: RM107,000
Purchase price: RM126,000 (less NCB)
Mileage when bought: 0008km
Mileage last update: 37,490 (28 July)
Mileage today (30 August): 39,202km
Mileage 28 July to 30 August: 1712km
Average mileage monthly: 1568km

FUEL CONSUMPTION (July to August):

Best: 15.35km/L (RM0.13/km) 100% highway, Petronas RON97 (20 August driven by me (Melaka trip)
WORST: 7.9km/L (RM0.23/km) (Shell RON95) 100% City driving driven by ME. (August 08 2010)
LAST 6 months:

Best: 15.35km/l (90% highway driving) (20 August)
Worst: 7.9km/l (80% City driving, 20% HARD DRIVING) (April 2010)
Well, there's a saying "a picture is worth 1000 words". Here's goes:

Above and Below: The Main reason why I went down to Melaka.  New Resort Apartment Project in Ayer Keroh. It's called "BAYU LAGOON PARK RESORT".  It'll be leased by Crystal Crown (4 star) Hotel for 5+3 years upon completion.  Price RM188,000 onwards.  Completion date: Early 2012.

The famous CHICKEN RICE BALL.


FINALLY: MY PARTING SHOT:


AN ORIGINAL JEFF LIM Production. That's all folks, thanks for having the patience to read this. See you on the 28th month. Ie. 30 October. Yes, I'll update this car every 2 months.

LONGTERMER #1: Update 26, August 2010: Ford Telstar 2.0i4 Ghia

LONGTERMER #1: Update 26, August 2010: Ford Telstar 2.0i4 Ghia Auto


In this blog entry, I'm updating my ride.  The Ford Telstar 2.0i4 Ghia Auto.  This is the 26th Update.  What happened in the month of August? 

Early August, I drove my car to a FRIENDLY Accessories shop in Kg Melayu Subang, S.K. Auto Accessories Air-conditioning and Cushion.  Initially, I ordered UR Racing Front lower 4-point Anti-roll bar from them worth RM250 (paid RM40 deposit).  The, next day, the goods arrived but it WON'T FIT my car.  It's designed for Late 80s Telstar NOT for V6 body.  I then decided to Trade for HELLA Foglight bulbs (RM40). 

I also bought a Fire extinguisher (RM39), A Cupholder (RM8) and fixed my Central Locking gun (can auto lock but cannot auto un-lock).  Paid RM25 for it.

Previously, my boot's in a MESS, Super disorganised.  Thanks to Bonuslink, I redeemed a "BOOT ORGANISER".  Viola, my boot's Organised now (see picture).


On 12 August, I renewed my Road tax and Insurance.  While I'm in the Jaya One, post office renewing my roadtax, the Traffic Police came and issued me 2 summons.  1 for expired Roadtax and another for parking at yellow line. 

Also, Check this out (picture below).  What a coincidence, taken in TESCO Mutiara Damansara.

Over the last 2 weeks, I can hear the KROCK KROCK KROCK....  (Non stop) sound from the back of my car.  At first I taught it's the rear absorbers.  But it gets LOUDER AND LOUDER every day. This morning (30/8/2010), I send my car to the mechanic and upon inspection, my rear disk brake pad gone.  Metal grinding against metal, hence the Noise.  I ended up RM149.00 Poorer (the mechanic also topped up my Power Steering fluid). 

Without further ado, let's proceed to logbook:

Mileage last month: 155,906km

Mileage now: 156,897km
Mileage used in August 2010: 991km

Fuel consumption so far:
Best 10.2km/L (8 June 2010) (80% Highway Driving)
Worst: 5.9km/L (September 14,2009) 90% City driving

0-100km/h: 10.2 seconds (20/6/2010)

Today, as at 30 August 2010,

Expenses this month:

1) Hella Foglight bulb: RM40 (1 set)

2) Fire extinguisher: RM39

3) Cupholder RM8
4) Central Locking gun RM25
5) Petrol: RM300
6) Parking: RM50
7) Touch and go: RM30
8) Car wash RM18
9) Roadtax + Insurance: RM1100 (Comprehensive insured value RM10,000)
10) Summons: RM130 (No road tax: RM100, Yellow line parking RM30).
11) Change rear brake pad + power steering oil: RM149

GRAND TOTAL: RM1,909

Before I go, here's some parting shots:


That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  See you on September 29 for the 27th update,  An original Jeff Lim's Production.  (ie. My Original work).


Friday, August 27, 2010

WHATCAR?: Used car - selling scams

 WHATCAR? UK: Selling your car - Used car - selling scams

10 August 2010

Car sellers can find themselves scammed, even before they've sold their car.

If you use a website to advertise your car for sale, you may receive an e-mail from a foreign buyer agreeing to pay full advertised price.. This is almost always a scam so ignore any requests that ask you to contact a shipping agent on the buyer's behalf.

They may also try to send you a cheque, which later turns out to be fake, and ask you to send the car to a shipping agent, or then cancel the sale and ask for a refund. Either way you could loose your car and maybe your money, too.

By waiting for six full business days for funds to clear, you're protected from fake cheques. Banking rules introduced in 2007 guarantee that the bank has no comeback if the buyer's cheque later turns out to be fraudulent. CHAPS payments or direct money transfers are safest when selling. They're quick, and you'll know the money is real once it's in your account.

Money transfer and escrow companies are not especially common in the UK, and they're an easy way for criminals to exploit buyers. Escrow is a method of holding a payment in trust until the car has been delivered. It's not a bad system, but you need to be sure that you're really dealing with a legitimate Escrow company and that the person collecting the money is who they say they are. Money transfer companies are just as prone to fraud, and the use of forged passports and identification documents means that anyone could walk in and collect the money.

END OF ARTICLE:





SOURCE:
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/selling-your-car/used-car---selling-scams/217159

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.

WHATCAR?: Car-buying scams busted

Car-buying scams busted 

From Whatcar? UK, 02 August 2010

scambusters
1 Clocked cars
This is the way dodgy sellers work: take a high-mileage car, wind the odometer back and, hey presto, it’s worth hundreds of pounds more.

It’s relatively easy to alter a car’s mileage using a computer and the right software, but it’s far harder to cover all the signs of a high mileage.

The car’s general condition will give a pretty good indication of how hard a life it has led. The number of stone chips on the bonnet, the sagginess and wear of the driver’s seat and the way the pedals are worn down are all giveaways.

Usually, the service history and MoT test paperwork will allow you to track how quickly a car has covered its miles. Some vehicle history checks also include any past mileage readings.

2 Stolen goods






By using bogus registration documents and fake vehicle identification number (VIN) plates, criminals can disguise stolen cars.

This can be as simple as slapping on a set of fake numberplates, or as complex as respraying the whole car and using fake VINs to carry off the scam. Once you’ve checked that the VIN on the V5C registration document and the history report matches all the VINs on the car (including stickers on door edges, the boot lid and the bonnet), phone the DVLA on 0870 241 1878 to check that the V5C itself is legitimate.

Be wary of anyone who seems to pressing for a quick, cheap sale. They could be hoping you won’t look too carefully at the car as you rush to shake on the ‘unbelievable deal’.

3 Funny money
Get taken in by fake cheques and unpaid finance and you’ll end up with no car and no cash.

When selling a car, don’t accept personal cheques and be wary of banker’s drafts. Contrary to popular belief, banker’s drafts can be forged, and you often won’t find out until several days later when your bank discovers the deceit and takes the money back. By that time the buyer and your car will be long gone. Insist on an electronic bank-to-bank transfer – that way you’ll know the cash is real and safely in your account.

When buying a car, always get a history check that shows if any finance is outstanding. If someone hasn’t paid off a loan on the car you’re buying, it could be repossessed and you’ll struggle to get your money back

4 Accident damage

Enterprising criminals buy wrecks and transform them into good-looking cars at bargain prices.

Total write-offs and the infamous cut ’n’ shut (two cars – one with front damage only, the other with rear damage only – that have been cobbled together into one whole ‘undamaged’ car) can be bodged into looking like safe and reliable vehicles. However, it’s unlikely that the work’s been done well, and it would be dangerous should the car be involved in another accident.

A decent history report will show if a car’s been officially written off by an insurer, but some still slip through the net, so beware.

A vehicle inspection by a qualified engineer should flush out an old wreck, because it’s hard to totally hide the signs of repair work and welding.
5 Dodgy sellers
Back-street traders and criminals can pretend to be private sellers so they can pass on poor-quality or dodgy cars. Always say when you phone: ‘I’m calling about the car for sale.’ If they answer: ‘Which one?’, be on your guard. If they have more than one, they may be selling cars that can’t be sold on a forecourt, and they almost certainly aren’t paying income tax on the sales.

Organised crime gangs also pose as private sellers to sell stolen or suspect cars. Never agree to meet in a remote or secluded place. Always see the car at the seller’s house, and make sure they really live there – ask to use the loo.

Also, never carry large amounts of cash when you go to see a car and always take a friend.

6 False identity
Guard your personal details, because they’re as valuable as your cash. Cars (among other luxury goods) are a favourite buy for identity thieves, who use your details to make the purchase.

Beat them by shredding old statements, utilities bills and unwanted loan applications. Criminals can use these to organise a car finance agreement in your name. They’ll quickly sell the car on – leaving you to foot the bills and explain where the car is.

Keep your eyes peeled for suspicious paperwork arriving in the post – and check your bank account for mystery payments.

If you’re unexpectedly refused credit, a personal credit history check may expose criminal activity. If you think you’ve had your identity stolen, contact your bank and the police.

END OF ARTICLE.

SOURCE:

1) http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/car-buying-scams-busted/part-1/2517222) http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/car-buying-scams-busted/part-2/251722

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry...

Thursday, August 26, 2010

NEWS: Proton records RM105 mil profit in Q1, growth in all areas

Proton records RM105 mil profit in Q1, growth in all areas

National carmaker Proton announced its financial results for the first quarter of the company’s 2010/11 financial year. It was positive figures across the board, with a headline of RM105 million profit before tax in Q1. This is significantly more than the RM13 million profit made in the previous quarter (Q4 09/10). In the same period of the previous financial year, Proton posted RM64 million profit before tax.

Riding on the 19% growth in Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the first half of 2010, Proton sold 39,994 vehicles in Q1, which is 8% more than the corresponding period in 2009. Similarly, revenue rose to RM2.29 billion from RM1.85 billion.

Some of you might have been surprised at Proton’s position in our recent Thai market report post (Exora is the best selling MPV in Thailand), and the company is happy to announce that total exports have increased by 88% (8,303 units) compared to Q1 09/10. This figure takes into account the Gen2 and Persona CKD kits exported to China, which amounts to 60-65% of total exports. In the longer term, the company plans to introduce the Proton brand in China, making the world’s largest auto market its left-hand drive hub.

Proton, which has a presence in 29 countries, is working hard to boost exports as “the domestic market has reached saturation point and exports are needed to increase economies of scale,” according to Proton Chairman Dato’ Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.

The company is also seeking to establish more CKD operations in other countries to replace the current CBU (except China) practice, as localisation to meet diverse needs is essential. The markets Proton is eyeing are ASEAN, China, Iran and India. The short term goal is to reach 40,000 export units this financial year.

Besides higher car sales, Proton attributed the improved financial showing to the ongoing efforts to rationalise its dealer and support network. Offering value added products/services, consolidation of dealers, increased efficiency and the promotion of the use of genuine parts all led to a 40% growth in revenue from service and spare parts in Q1.

At the media briefing, management revealed that the company is deep in a restructuring process that will see it being divided into four strategic business units (SBU). While not disclosing what the SBUs are (there could be a manufacturing arm and a dealer arm, for instance), it was explained that by doing this, it would be easier to collaborate with other companies.

For example, if company V wants to work with Proton on vehicle assembly, it would be possible for the manufacturing deal to happen without company V buying equity into Proton. V may be eyeing something Proton has, but may not want to manage another brand.

At the event, Proton MD Dato’ Syed Zainal also showed off some very interesting future products and plans. Stay tuned for more!


END OF ARTICLE. Source:

http://paultan.org/2010/08/23/proton-records-rm105-mil-profit-in-q1-growth-in-all-areas/

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.




Sunday, August 22, 2010

ARTICLE: 5 Most Important Upcoming Car Technologies

5 Most Important Upcoming Car Technologies

By Charles W. Bryant, How Stuff Works

Source:
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1502/5-most-important-upcoming-car-technologies/
2010 Tesla RoadsterScience fiction movies and TV shows have always been populated with fantastically futuristic cars. These automobiles could interact with the person behind the wheel or even drive without the help of a human. Even traditional-looking cars of the future were equipped with smart technology you never thought would become a reality. These days, the car of the present is beginning to resemble these “cars of the future.” While we may not be headed toward floating roadways and hover cars, we're going in a decidedly futuristic direction with some of these upcoming car technologies.


Alternative Fuels

Hybrid vehicles have been around for some time now, and there’s a dedicated subculture of biodiesel and ethanol enthusiasts out there. Companies like Tesla aim to take the electric car off the bench and put her into the game in coming years. Its sporty Roadster design electric car is currently the only highway ready electric vehicle in production. With the current debate on using food crops for fuel getting louder, electricity may be the wave of the future when it comes to powering cars. Combine a fully electric car with zero-emissions recharging stations that run on wind or solar power, and you have a car that’s not only futuristic, but helps take care of our future.
Collision Avoidance Systems

In the mid 1960s, only about half of the states in the U.S. required that cars have front seat belts, and usage laws didn’t pop up until the mid 1980s. Safety these days means front and side impact systems (air bags), anti-lock brakes and stability control, among other things. Despite that, there are still more than 35,000 auto fatalities per year in the United States. The future of car safety is looking promising. Volvo, a company long associated with setting the bar for safety standards, is developing a system that uses radar and lasers to ensure that a safe distance between vehicles is maintained. So far, the technology has proved effective in lowering the speed of impact during a crash by up to 18 miles per hour (28.9 kilometers per hour), and avoiding low speed fender benders altogether.


High-strength, Low-weight Materials

Lightweight vehicles have better fuel economy and lower emissions. The lighter the car, the less fuel it needs to power itself forward, while also spitting out fewer harmful emissions. The problem with light cars is that they don't weather accidents gracefully. The answer, then, is to find lighter materials that hold up well in collisions. Enter carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or CRP. Fifty percent lighter than metal alloys, carbon fiber has been used in the racing world for a while now. The problem with CRP is that it’s expensive, which may be the only reason we haven’t seen it much in mass production as of yet. It has been used effectively in some BMW and Chevrolet models, though.


Smart Technologies

Thanks to computer technology, cars have been getting noticeably smarter in recent years. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are pretty standard these days, and drivers with no sense of direction are thankful for it. That’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, though, when it comes to what’s in store for divers in the not too distant future. Some car companies have experimented with systems that study the face of the driver to gauge alertness. In theory, the car would tell a sleepy driver to wake up and pull over, and then the car would be temporarily disabled. The same goes for cars that know if you’ve been drinking. There are already devices on vehicles that require a driver to blow into a breathalyzer before the vehicle can be started. However, until some of these smart safety features become less expensive to implement, we probably won’t see drowsy driver systems in many vehicles.En


Self-driving Cars

Just like something from “The Jetsons,” self-driving cars may be a reality at some point. In 2007, an experimental research wing of the U.S. Department of Defense sponsored a contest that challenged inventors to build a driver-less car. Using sensors, GPS and computer controls for the car, one winning team proved that it’s a possibility for the future. The idea itself dates back to the 1930s, when General Motors tested magnet driven cars. Whether or not the government or private companies are pursuing this in earnest remains to be seen, but the concept is in place for any company willing to push the boundaries.

END OF ARTICLE...
 
That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry. 

Volkswagen launches Golf 1.4 TSI, Scirocco 1.4 TSI and Polo 1.2 TSI in Malaysia

Before I present this article to you, let me comment about these 3 Benchmark setting new models by Volkswagen. First, the Golf 1.4TSI, The number of Airbags (7 in total) alone already makes the Camry and Accord looks cheapskate. Despite being a 1.4, this baby comes with Turbocharged AND Supercharged (TWINCHARGED), and produces Horsepower and torque Better than Camry 2.4 and more torque than Accord 2.4. From RM148,888, the Golf 1.4TSI is an EXCELLENT BUY. Just look at the kit/toy counts... You'll be amazed.

Next, the Volkswagon Polo 1.2TSI. This is the CHEAPEST Turbocharged car you can buy at the moment (taking over the HONOUR from Peugeot 308 Turbo) at RM108,888. SAME PRICE AS THE "less gadgets" HONDA JAZZ 1.5. This Cili padi sets the benchmark in Safety with ABS+EBD+TCS and has 6 Airbags in total, again making Accord, Sonata AND Camry which were 2 class above looks cheapskate. Despite being a 1.2cc (LOW LOW Roadtax), this baby produces 105PS (77kW) and 175 Nm of torque. THIS IS a figure normally found in 1.6L cars!

Besides, this car also comes with 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) too. In performance department, the car clock 9.7 seconds from 0-100km/h and a top speed of 190km/h. This tiny hatch's fitted with 15-inch wheels with 195/55 R15 tyres.

Overall, THESE CARS' HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY MY HEART. BUT and a BIG BUT, my Head told me to wait for 5 years and get 2nd hand ones (I'm after the Golf 1.4TSI) for RM90,000 estimate.

WIthout further ado, let's proceed to this well written article:

Volkswagen launches Golf 1.4 TSI, Scirocco 1.4 TSI and Polo 1.2 TSI in Malaysia

The long-awaited standard model of Golf, Scirocco and Polo have just make available by Volkswagen Group Malaysia. The Golf and Scirocco are fitted with the award-winning 1.4 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection twin-charged engine, while the new Polo is fitted with the 1.2 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection turbo-charged engine.

The Golf and Scirocco 1.4 TSI…

3647  630xfloat= gl2451 2008 galerie 800x600 0 Volkswagen launches Golf 1.4 TSI, Scirocco 1.4 TSI and Polo 1.2 TSI in Malaysia

The 1.4 TSI direct-injection twin-charger engine mated 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) are fitted to Golf and Scirocco, the engine produces with 160PS (108kW) and 240Nm of torque. The Volkswagen’s flagship engine uses the combination of supercharger to boost the engine at low-rpm and the turbocharger works at the higher-rpm. Both cars manage to clock 8 seconds from 0-100km/h and an approximate top speed of 220km/h. Both car are fairly good performance as street cars.









Both younger siblings of the Golf GTI and Scirocco 2.0 TSI are fitted with 1-inch smaller wheels. The Golf 1.4 TSI fitted with 16-inch wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, while the Scirocco 1.4 TSI fitted with 17-inch wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres.

Somehow, the 1.4 TSI models have slightly less feature comparing to the 2.0 TSI or the GTI models. We will cover this in coming in-depth review!

Price factors for Golf & Scirocco:-

Golf 1.4 TSI – RM 155,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia (with Light & Sound Package) ; Without Light & Sound Package at the price of RM 148,888.00*.

Scirocco 1.4 TSI – RM 188,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia

The Light & Sound Package for the Golf 1.4 TSI is basically come with Bi-xenon headlights for high and
low beam with integrated turn signal indicator that similar with the GTI, front fog light, headlight cleaning system and MEDIA-IN USB/iPod media interface.

If you love the Golf or the Scirocco appearance and you don’t fancy about the little more powerful engine. You got to trust me, the 1.4 TSI model is ideal! Both car support minimum RON 95 Unleaded Fuel. The fuel consumption for the Golf at Urban drive only 7.5 litres per 100 km^ , but the Scirocco is a little higher at 8.0 litres per 100 km^.

The Polo 1.2 TSI…

3600  630xfloat= po2798 2009 galerie Volkswagen launches Golf 1.4 TSI, Scirocco 1.4 TSI and Polo 1.2 TSI in Malaysia

Moving over to the smaller passenger car РPolo 1.2 TSI, I think the new Polo looks much better and stunning compare to the outgoing model. The front fa̤ade shares the similar outlook like Golf, Scirocco and other VW new line-up.

This 4 door hatchback fitted with 1.2 TSI direct-injection turbo-charged engine that churn-out 105PS (77kW) and 175 Nm of torque. Besides, this car also comes with 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) too. Over on performance wise, the car clock 9.7 seconds from 0-100km/h and a top speed of 190km/h. This tiny hatch fitted with 15-inch wheels with 195/55 R15 tyres.

I would say this Polo is something sexy and zippy like the Honda Jazz. The price is reasonable par with the Honda Jazz. You can get yourself a German 4-door hatchback at only RM 108,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia. This car is also compatible with RON95 Unleaded Fuel and the fuel consumption only 7.0 litres per 100km^ at Urban drive condition.

Anyway, stay with us and we will keep you posted with the in-depth review and photos of the 3 new Volkswagen models.

* Price excluding registration and inspection fees, road tax, number plate and insurance.
^ Average Fuel Consumption based on specification provided


End of article. That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

DRB-Hicom And Volkswagen Ag To Collaborate On Production Of CKD Models

BERNAMA: August 13, 2010 20:36 PM


DRB-Hicom And Volkswagen Ag To Collaborate On Production Of CKD Models
KUALA LUMPUR, August 13 (Bernama) -- DRB-HICOM Bhd and Volkswagen AG on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the assembly and manufacturing of Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia.

The MoU will pave the way for Volkswagen and DRB-HICOM to jointly plan the production of Volkswagen models in Malaysia, DRB-HICOM said in a statement.

The pact also included strengthening Volkswagen's existing sales activities and market presence in the country, said DRB-HICOM's group managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.

"This MoU is the culmination of intense discussions and both parties anticipate the production of the CKD (completely knocked down) models in Malaysia," he said.

The MoU was signed at Volkswagen Centre in Singapore by Mohd Khamil and Volkswagen's senior vice president, group manufacturing overseas, Dr Christof Spathelf and its head of sales for China and Asean, Soh Wei Ming.

Both Volkswagen and DRB-HICOM have planned that the Volkswagen CKD models will be assembled in Pekan, one of DRB-HICOM's automotive manufacturing facilities in Malaysia.

"We hope the entry of Volkswagen, Europe's biggest vehicle manufacturer into Pekan, would help to spur its transformation into a vibrant and self-sustaining regional automotive hub, as envisioned under the East Coast Economic Region initiative," said Mohd Khamil.

The group will also look at engaging the full participation of its component manufacturing companies, in a move to support Volkswagen's localisation programme, in line with the National Automotive Policy, he said.

"We are looking forward to an exciting future with Volkswagen and we foresee a mutually beneficial and successful partnership, especially in promoting and augmenting the national automotive industry," he added.



-- BERNAMA

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=521107 

Saturday, August 14, 2010

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW: Fiat Punto Nuova ELX Speedgear

In this blog entry, I'm doing a COMPREHENSIVE review on Fiat Punto Nuova 1.25 ELX Speedgear.
THis subject's on sale in Malaysia from 2000 to 2003, about 400 units +/- made their way to
Malaysia thanks to TORINO Motors. About A quarter (1/4) of the 400 +/- units were Punto 1.8 HGT 3dr (photo below).


The Punto's resale value in Malaysia are as follows:

Year:........2000.....2001.....2002.....2003
Price (RM)...13.8k....16k......19k......23k

Note this is Averaged asking price. Actual price depends on Mileage, Engine and gearbox Conditions,
Bodywork, Trim AND Lastly, it's Buyer's market since this is a RARE and COLD car in Malaysia (ie.
Buyers determined the pricing).

As usual, I don't have a car to test and brag/write about.

ALL ISS NOT LOST: I'm dishing out 1 Main review from Parker's UK, Specifications and Colour choices and top it off with a WHOOPING 15 owner's reviews...

Main review from Parker's UK

SOURCE:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/fiat/punto-hatchback-1999.aspx


Fiat Punto Hatchback (99-03) ***--

 PROS   * Attractive inside and out, generous cabin space, easy to park.
 CONS   * Ride and handling sometimes lack composure. Inconsistent build quality
   
 With lively engines, unusual Speedgear sequential transmission and a funky TV
 ad campaign the second generation Punto was aimed at younger drivers. It is
 one of the best-looking hatchbacks around and exudes cheeky Italian charm.
 It's spacious, practical, easy to drive, safe and cheap. Reliability was
patchy and although most problems have been fixed under warranty, this is a
car for which an aftermarket warranty makes sense.


Performance  ***--

All are adequate for all kinds of driving. Most popular is the 1.2-litre Fire
 unit which manages to feel quite nippy. The 1.9JTD is probably the most
desirable for its mix of strong performance and exceptional economy.

 Handling ***1/2--

Easy to drive, well-controlled in or out of town, suspension takes care
of the potholes well and doesn't roll too much in corners. Power steering
has light 'City' mode that makes parking a doddle.



Comfort   ***--


Good head and legroom, supportive seats when new, but lots of wind/road
 noise on the motorway. The three door looks good but can be tricky to
get Grandma in and out of.


Practicality  ***--
Luggage space could be better for the class, but split-fold rear seat
s are available on most models, adding versatility.


Equipment  ***--

Later cars are much better and there are lots of special editions.
Speedgear is a six- and seven-speed sequential auto option on 1.2 ELX
and Sporting models.


Behind the wheel  ***--

Looked funky when launched, but starting to look dated now. Controls
 are reasonably logical and straightforward to use. Easy to get comfy,
but older cars can have saggy seats.


Safety  **1/2---

Standard equipment wasn't always brilliant, passenger and side airbags
 were optional, but a revision in 2002 was enough to get a four star
Euro NCAP rating. All models had an immobiliser. Alarm on the HGT only.



Reliability  *1/2----
Nothing major, but plenty of niggling faults that cost in both time and
money to get fixed. Inconsistency means you could get a good one but
plenty of 'Friday cars' abound.

Car check problem points

Body: Paint chips easily, door seals can fail leading to water leaks.

Engine/Gearbox: Can misfire when starting from cold.

Other: Premature rear suspension wear, electronics fail, so check radio,
 electric windows and lights.


Buying used ****-
Huge choice of cars. Many are 1.2s - the 16v unit is worth paying more for.
 Three-door Punto still looks good, later cars were better built and better
equipped. Don't pay too much, most were bought cheap when new.


Selling  ***--
Strong demand but very price sensitive. Service history helps it sell faster,
 but isn't worth a lot more money.


Running costs  ***--

Good fuel economy even from the 'hot' HGT engine. Servicing, insurance and
parts costs are reasonable, but you might need to budget for some repairs -
Punto isn't the most reliable car in class by some distance.

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles/year:

£975 to £1575

The estimated fuel cost figure is designed to give you a rough idea of how
much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars.
It's calculated by using the combined drive cycle (town centre and motorway
driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-
litre: petrol 112p, diesel 123p, and LPG 57p. Prices are updated annually.

END OF PARKER'S REVIEW.

Without further ado, let me present you the Specifications:

SPECIFICATIONS:

Body style      Hatchback
Engine size     1242 cc
Fuel type     Petrol
Number of doors     5
Number of seats     5
Gearbox type     SEMI-AUTO
CO2 emissions     155 g/km

Urban consumption: 8.4 l/100km
Urban comsumption kms: 11.9km/L
Extra-urban consumption: 5.5 l/100km
Extra-urban consumption kms: 18.2km/L
Average comsumption: 6.5l/100km
Average comsumption kms: 15.05km/L

CO2 Emmision: 155 g/km
Fuel capacity: 47 litres

0 - 62 mph     12.6 seconds
Top speed     103 mph (165km/h)

Cylinders     4
Valves     16 v
Bore × stroke     70.80 mm × 78.90 mm
Compression ratio: 10.6:1
Engine power     80 bhp @ 5000rpm
Engine torque     84 lbs/ft (114Nm@4000rpm)

CHASSIS:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson Struts, Coil springs, Anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: Torsion Beam
Brakes: Front/Rear: Disc/Drum, ABS (optional)

Height      1480 mm

Length     3835 mm
Wheelbase     2460 mm
Width     1660 mm

Fuel tank capacity     47 litres
Gross vehicle weight     1485 kg
Luggage capacity (seats down)     1080L
Luggage capacity (seats up)     297L
Max loading weight     510 kg

Max towing weight (braked)     1000 kg
Max towing weight (unbraked)     400 kg
Minimum kerb weight     975 kg
Turning circle (kerb to kerb)     10.5 metres
Tyres: 165/70R14 (or 175/65R14 or 185/55R15)

SAFETY:

ABS/EBFD (Optional)
Collapsible pedal support
Door open warning light
EAS energy absorbing steering wheel
FPS fire prevention system
Front crumple zone with reinforced struts
Front Driver's Airbag
Front passenger airbag (optional)
Height adjustable front seatbelts + pretensioners
Side door impact bars
Central locking
CODE immobiliser
Locking fuel filler cap

COlour Choices:

Metallic - Artemide (Light) Green        
       
Metallic - Astral (Light) Blue        
       
Metallic - Calypso Orange         
       
Metallic - Demetra (Dark) Green    
      
Metallic - Lingotto Gold        
       
Metallic - Orion (Dark) Grey        
       
Metallic - Scilla Red        
       
Metallic - Steel grey (Silver)   
       
Metallic - Teseo (Dark) Blue        
       
Paint - Solid
       
Solid-Black    
   
Solid-Indy Green
     
Solid-Tiziano red    

Solid-White 

Let's proceed to Owner's review...

Surf to: www.carsurvey.org/reviews/fiat/punto/





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Saving the best for last: ADDED 4/8/2010 11.46pm...

Additional reviews from Italiaauto.net (a Fiat and Alfa Romeo club based in Malaysia)  From FOUR Fiat Punto Nuova Speedgear owners:

SOURCE: http://www.italiaauto.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20017
Comment 1: by Aircrew:

I'm contemplating whether or not I should invest in a 2nd hand Fiat Punto Nuova 1.3 as a family friend of mine had just bought 3 units of 2nd hand ones lately! The family's dad is really into it..and liked the car very much ..so he bought one for himself,one for the daughter..and one for the son-in-law! Sadly, the son-in-law wasn't me!

Comment 2: bt thrace:

the punto is a great car! i got mine some time back from mlm. After reading through the forum i decided it was a good first italian car to start with. Only 1.2 but good power for city driving. Handles well and goes easily to 150km/h on the highways daily. FC is good too! Better than my previous myvi (sometimes i think better than my kancil). Of course maintenance is slightly more expensive than japanese but it's worth it!
Comment 3: Bravosx:
Any car needs maintenance at some point of time.
If you bought a unit from an ignorant owner who just pumps petrol and jalan, then that's very bad.

The Nuova is very reliable. Any vehicle with an auto tranny needs periodical maintenance. Same goes for this model.
I reckon the only two things that you need to look at on the Nuova would be the electrical power steering and the engine mounting (top unit). Other than that it's a pretty simple care.

Buy one off a private owner who maintains the car well. If from used car then it's 50/50 I guess.

[added by firadaniel]
Yup, and Go for it,

Nouva is a very reliable car as long as u taken care of the services and wear & tear parts. Make sure you got the service background records...
My bella has touch 160k km and the gearbox is still superb smooth like new...

my major repair so far is power steering motor, fuel filter and mounting... others is just service and small wear and tear...
 
Comment 4: by Chiapheng:
hi,
go get a nuova..i have driven 1 for the last 4 years and it has been great. i bought it second hand used 2 years. Previous owner had above average maintenance of car with all records. Overall a reasonable car to maintain in terms of cost. Good on petrol mileage, oil and filter only RM130, tax only RM72, insurance about RM500, 14 inch tyres at RM175 each, timing belts RM500. But unlike jap cars, i think you need to be constantly on the dot on servicing and maintenance.

Not without issues though. So far high tension cable leaked electricity. Replacement about RM110. Battery died in 8 months(got free replacement) may be due to faulty battery or car eats them up. Not sure. Wipers had some issue that stop wiping at one time. But problem went away by itself after couple of months.

But the satisfaction outways the few issues. It is a practical car with lots of storage place. Easy to park, drive around traffic clogged city.

COMMENT 5: by galileo:
ok, how's this? my stock 10 year old nouva just outran the golf GTi a coupla weeks ago(tun razak/kuching/semantan). not that i wanted to race, i needed to get to poslaju asap. but itu brader ingat gua mau race..sapa suruh..padan muka..makan asap. get the nouva!

END OF SOURCE... http://www.italiaauto.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20017.

Before I go, here's some parting shots:

      

END OF REVIEW...

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.