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If you drop in at a UMW Toyota Motor showroom and take a close look at the Toyota Unser, chances are you’ll find that the gearlever is different and for an automatic transmission. Although not officially on sale, UMW Toyota Motor is already putting the additional variant in some of its showrooms and is taking orders.

According to a salesman AUTOWORLD.COM.MY spoke to, the Unser Automatic will be officially on sale in the near future. The approved price has not been obtained yet but the estimated price quoted by the salesman was RM82,000, inclusive of insurance. “Usually, our estimated price is quite close to what the actual price will be,” he said.

UMW Toyota Motor’s marketing department staff declined to elaborate on the new model or when it will be launched but a look at the latest catalogue shows the specifications of the automatic transmission as a 4-speeder with electronic controls. It will only be available with the 1.8-litre petrol EFI engine and not the 2.4-litre diesel.

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In the final 24 hours of the first-ever e-auction for a new model in Malaysia, the bids for the very first Perodua Kenari that will be delivered jumped from RM76,000 to the final successful bid of RM102,000 by Tan Yeong Ching. Tan’s bid – the 68th one – was submitted at 9:58 am, about two hours before the auction ended today. The bidding started on June 1st at the RM40,000 level with the first bid being RM42,500.

The retail price of the Kenari is to be between RM37,000 and RM42,000 but the special unit that was put on auction by Perodua is worth a lot more and not only because it will be the first unit delivered. Finished in a pearl white body colour, it has leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather door trim, special laminated centre cluster and a specially reserved registration number (WHP 9), the latter having a value of at least RM30,000 if tendered for. So its value would be at least RM80,000.

The entire amount of money received from the successful bidder will be donated by Perodua to BAKTI for distribution to various Malaysian charities. Perodua is also donating another three units of the mini-wagon for charity, in conjunction with the official launching of the new model on June 14th 2000. At that time, the successful bidder in the e-auction will also receive a mock key to the Kenari from the Prime Minister, who will launch the car.

The e-auction was managed on behalf of Perodua by www.lelong.com.my, a website operated by Interbase Holdings Sdn Bhd.

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The launch of the new Volvo S80 this month represents more than just another new car that the Swedish company is introducing to this market. It marks the beginning of a new era for the company in Malaysia with a new organization and new approach to selling cars.

Firstly, the presence and role of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation known as Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd (VCM) is now fully evident. VCM has been in existence since May 1999 but has not been publicised much because it has been busy getting its infrastructure established and focussed on the new product launch. Referred to as a ‘sales company’, its basic functions are the import and wholesale of Volvo cars to the local dealer, Federal Auto Holdings Bhd (FAHB).

“Setting up a sales company in a market is not new; Volvo has been doing it for a long time in other places and has found it to be a more efficient business structure,” Lena Olving, Managing Director of VCM told Autoworld.com.my.

VCM’s functions include sales and dealer operations, marketing, technical training, customer service, process implementation, parts distribution and pricing strategies. “We don’t use the ‘McDonald’s formula’ where a standard practice and process is applied globally because each market has unique features and requirements so it is much better for us to be right here and have an intimate understanding of what is happening,” said Ms Olving of her organization which has mainly Malaysian staff.

Ms Olving said that FAHB was not pressured into giving up its previous role as franchise holder, importer and distributor. She said that the company, which has handled the Volvo franchise right from the start in the 1960s, understood the advantages of having VCM and had jointly submitted an application to the authorities.

“We established VCM not because FAHB has not been doing a good job; on the contrary, they have done well,” emphasised Ms Olving. “As a manufacturer selling globally, we naturally have the knowledge and expertise of marketing which is broader than what our local partner would have and we can share this global competence with them by being here. At the same time, we can invest more time and money in building our brand which is of great importance to us in the long-term,” she explained.

As before, Volvo also continues to have equity in FAHB and the present level is 16% with representation on the board. “With a stake in FAHB, we naturally would like to see it do well too!” she added.

With Volvo taking a more active role in marketing, there has been a quiet change in the company’s showroom/ head office in Kuala Lumpur. The building, situated alongside Jalan Klang Lama, is one of only three car showrooms in the city that has remained in the same place since the 1960s. It has been renovated in time for the S80 launch and now incorporates an art gallery, cafe bar and theatrette. The showroom in KL is the first to be renovated and the bigger showrooms in other towns will also receive upgrading of an almost similar nature.

“These additional facilities complement our approach to selling Volvos and allow us to impress upon our customers Volvo’s values,” said Pang Cheong Yan, VCM’s Marketing Director. “Even before we start to show our cars to customers, we want to make them comfortable and see a short movie that explains what we mean by ‘Volvo for Life’. It’s a ‘phased approach’ which gradually warms them to our products so that when we introduce the car, they are already positive towards it.”

The arrival of the new Volvo S80 has also been given extra publicity by the 12-day ‘Volvo for Life Festival’ at Bintang Walk in Kuala Lumpur (for further details, please refer to our earlier report).

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    Contributed by : Chan Eu Jin

    During the free practice of the race on the 23rd of June, Juichi Wakasika & Katsutomo Kaneishi of Team Mugen Dome Project set the fastest time during the free practice session in their Takata Dome NSX. The Japanese duo blazed around the 5.543 km track in a time of 2:02.433. The Mugen Dome Project combination of Osamu Nakako and Ryo Michigami set the second fastest time at 2:02.433. Except for local entry Key Soon Yue and Ila Ridak of Porsche Club Malaysia, none of the participants have had the experience of driving on the fast Sepang Internaional Circuit, the stage for the prestigious Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Deeming that this is the first time the touring cars got a taste of the Sepang International Circuit, the times collected were nonetheless pretty impressive.


    Top 5 Leading times of the free practice
    1) Juichi Wakasika – Katsutomo Kaneishi (Mugen Dome Project) 2:02.273
    2) Osamu Nakako – Ryo Michigami (Mugen Dome Project) 2:02.433
    3) Kazuyoshi Hoshima – Satoshi Mototama (Team Impul) 2:03.522
    4) Daisuke Ito – Daminik Schwager (Mobil 1 Nakajima) 2:03.577
    5) Masanori Sekiya – Takeshi Tsuchiya (Toyota Castrol Team Tom’s) 2:03.946

    The qualifying session on the 24th June saw only 23 GT cars competed for the pole position under the hot tropical conditions. Although it was cloudy that afternoon, the track temperature rose to 48C and the ambient temperature to 38C. Different from usual championship races, two sessions were held with the GT500 and the GT300 combined format for 45 minutes respectively. It was sad that the Eclipse Taisan Viper GTSR could not participate due to problems with the car.

    At the end of the qualifying session, it was clear that Juichi Wakasika & Katsutomo Kaneishi of Team Mugen Dome Project are on course for their fourth consecutive titles when they grabbed the pole position for the Japan GT Festival race at the Sepang International Circuit. In the qualifying session, the duo driving a Takata Dome NSX in the GT500 class, set the fastest time of 2:00.523 and 2:00.426 in the first and second qualifying session respectively. The pair are the current leaders in the seven-round GT Festival with 36 points. Starting from second position in the grid are Osamu Nakako and Ryo Michigami of team Castrol Mugen NSX.

    In the GT300 class, Team Racing Project Bandoh lead the pack during the first qualifying session with a time of 2:12.637 followed closely by Team RE Amemiya just 0.385 seconds behind. The position was reversed during the second qualifying session where Team RE Amemiya pushes an extra lap to set a respectable time of 2:12.629 effectively putting the team in the pole position of the GT300 class.
    Tetsuya Yamano commented that “The RX-7 is very stable on the high speed corners where we could take advantage. The hot conditions of Sepang are no problem for me. I’m comfortable, as if I were back in my hometown (laughs)”. His teammate Haruhiko Matsumoto praised the mechanics’ efficiency and that is was an important contribution to making it to the pole position.

    Malaysia’s foray into GT Racing through the Porsche Club Malaysia’s Carrera RS driven by Key Soon Yue and Ila Ridak proved to be behind the Japanese teams in terms of speed, professionalism and ability. The Porsche Club Malaysia team manages to clock in at 2:36.560 and 2:35.305 during the first and second qualifying rounds respectively.

    The Japan GT Festival race was finally flagged off on the 25th June in front of a staggering 30,000 spectators in Sepang. Ex-Formula One driver Ukyo Katayama of Japan proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with by helping his team Nismo win their first JGTC in the GT500 class title at the Sepang International Circuit. Katayama assisted by German Micheal Krumm finished the 54 lap endurance race in a time of 1’54:17.507. The 37-year-old Katayama who raced in the Formula One championship from 1992 to 1997 was pleased with the win here. He noted that the win here has also motivated him to do well in the seven round championships.

    “After retiring from Formula One, I was less motivated and after this win here, I’m beginning to enjoy myself. This is also a good sign and it has put us in the right track,” said Katayama who added he is not harbouring any hopes of returning to Formula One.

    Michael Krumm, who won the 1997 GT Championship with Pedro de la Rosa took over the lead in the 42nd lap from Wakisaka – Kaneshi of Team Mugen Dome Project to blaze to the chequered flag. This despite the team started off badly and was down in eighth spot into the first turn but was back into contention as the race progressed. By the 36th of the 54 lap race, Katayama and Krumm were hot on the heels of leaders, Juichi Wakisaka and Katsutomo Kaneishi, who were in a Takata Dome NSX.

    The Takata Dome NSX outfit, pole sitters in the first three rounds in Japan, had a cracking start from the lead spot on the grid. They remained ahead of the rest until the 42nd lap when they had to surrender the lead to the Katayama and Krumm. At the chequered flag, they managed a second position with a time of 1’54:53.334. Third position goes to Daisuke Ito – Dominik Schwager of team Mobil 1 Nakajima Racing with a time of 1’55:01.085.

    In the GT300 class, the RE Amemiya Mazda RX-7 of Tetsuya Yamano and Haruchi Matsumoto proved superior to the Team Racing Project Bandoh Toyota Celica of Shigekazu Wakisaka and Takahiko Hara when it took first place with a time of 1’55:19.155. The team controlled the race from the start with principal challengers coming from The Wedsport Toyota Celica of Takahiko Hara and Shigekazu Wakisaka and Team Cusco Subaru Impreza of Tatsuya Tanigawa and Katsuo Kobayashi. However, both of them dropped down the field due to problems with the car and an accident!

    At the end of lap 54, The Team Racing Project Bandoh Toyota Celica manages a second position with a time of 1’56:04.116. The Super Autobacs Racing Team’s Toyota MR-S driven by Yukihiro Hane and Tsunefumi Hioki clocked in at 1’56:24.033 in third place.

    This JGTC special stage in Malaysia saw 2 teams obtaining DNFs. Team Impul’s Calsonic Skyline GT-R driven by Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Satoshi Motoyama only manages to complete 13 laps before retiring to the pits permanently. This is followed by Toyota Team Cerumo’s Supra driven by Masahiko Kondo and Yuji Tachikawa 11 laps later.

    Perhaps, the most disappointing aspect of the race was when the Eclipse Taisan Viper GTSR only manages to run 3 laps for the spectators to catch a glimpse of it. The Viper GTSR was initially scheduled to race but a missing container with the engine inside was misrouted en route to Malaysia. The engine was only recovered back on the afternoon of race. However, the Viper nonetheless treated the spectators to a magnificent run.

    Although this race was only a demonstration race, the packed grandstand at the Sepang International Circuit should convince the organizers they have found a second home for the JGTC event. While a full turnout have reflected the JGTC’s potential in Malaysia, the fact that it’s cheaper to host the race in Sepang should also be a factor to host a round of the JGTC here every year. Perhaps, we will also see the Nippon F3000 races migrating to Malaysia. Fingers crossed everyone.

    Read Also:
    Japan GT Festival in Malaysia
    Regulations on the JGTC
    Visit the gallery More coming soon!

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    With activity in the motor industry heating up (including controversies over payments of loan commissions), the marketing people with new products to launch are cracking their heads for new and exciting ways to introduce their latest models. A launch in the showroom or a hotel is too conventional and the aim now is to get the broadest exposure possible (unless you are a national carmaker, live TV coverage is obviously out of the question!).

    For Volvo Car Malaysia, the introduction of its new S80 flagship represents more than just another new model for the company; it is also a ‘historic turning point’ for the Swedish company, according to VCM Managing Director, Lena Olving. The significance of the occasion therefore calls for a celebration and this is what VCM will have tomorrow (Wednesday, June 14th) at Bintang Walk in Kuala Lumpur.

    The pedestrian promenade in the vicinity of Starhill will be transformed into an open-air theatre where the public will see performers from other countries dancing and singing. The cultural feast has the theme of ‘Volvo for Life’, which is the same corporate tagline Volvo now has.

    Among the performances will be acts such as The Human Design, a 4,000 year old art form which will be presented by an acrobatic duo; visual theatre acts; as well as a fusion of contemporary local dances.

    The Volvo for Life activities in Bintang Walk will be on until June 25th but this Saturday evening, June 17th, will be especially exciting as the new Volvo S80 will be launched at the same venue.

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      Contributed by : Chan Eu Jin

      The Malaysian motorsports fans recently had a trill of a lifetime when they finally get to witness a live JGTC race that’s nothing short of
      electrifying! The GT Association undertook a historical event, as it is the first time that they have taken a race of the All Japan Touring Car
      Championship (JGTC) outside of Japan. The Sepang International Circuit was given the honour to host the inaugural outing of the event outside of
      native Japan. In the 7-year history of the series, the JGTC has risen to become the most popular race in Japan. Some 40 cars now participate in
      each race, attracting an average of nearly 47,000 fans.

      JGTC racing is directly related to the manufacturers of commercially produced cars and the automobile tuning parts market. Japan is currently at the forefront of the tuning parts market, which spans the Asian region and the West Coast of the United States. Although the JGTC is comprised of 40 cars including 17 models, for this event in Sepang, only 25 of the best cars in the JGTC were bought into Malaysia.

      Unlike Formula One, JGTC involves stylish sports cars, which also run on the normal roads and highways. Some of the models to be raced at the track are the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, Mazda RX7, Lamborghini Diablo, Porches GT3R and the Chrysler Viper. In Japan, all the drivers, naturally, are big names in their homeland though they may be stranger to Malaysians. Nevertheless, some are world-renowned names in motor racing including former Formula One drivers like Ukyo Katayama, Aguri Suzuki and Erik Comas. Then, there is also former 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner, whom to Malaysians needs no introduction. Partnering Hideki Noda, the Australian would be spearheading the challenge of the Esso Ultron Tiger Toyota Team.

      Read also:

      The Race
      Regulations on the JGTC

      Visit the gallery More coming soon!

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      For years, motorists have sprayed Scotchgard fabric protector and water-repellant on the fabrics inside their vehicles to avoid stains. The highly effective product, made by US-based 3M, has been available for more than 40 years and is sold worldwide. It is not only for automotive purposes but also a broad range of soil, oil and water-repellent products; coatings used for oil and grease resistance on paper packaging; fire-fighting foams; and specialty components for other products. Housewives in America often spray it on clothes and household fabrics.

      However, since the late 1970s, the company has been keeping track of the levels of an organic fluorine in its workers and the general population and has been concerned as this chemical originates from its products. Sophisticated testing capabilities – some developed in only the last few years – show that this persistent compound, like other materials in the environment, can be detected broadly at extremely low levels in the environment and in people. It has been detected in the tissues of birds found in the Pacific Ocean as well as in Scandinavia, suggesting a global presence.

      The chemical, which was formulated in the 1950s, is perfluorooctane sulfonate (POSF) and is the main component in most of 3M’s Scotchgard products. POSF can turn into a second type of fluorine (PFOS) when it enters the cells of living creatures and laboratory tests have shown that extremely high amounts (10,000 – 100,000 times what humans would be exposed to) introduced daily have killed monkeys and newborn rats. Like many chemical pollutants, PFOS will remain in the environment for decades before it becomes harmless.

      However, 3M states that “all existing scientific knowledge indicates that the presence of these materials at these very low levels does not pose a human health or environmental risk”.

      But while the health risks remain inconclusive, 3M has taken the major step of phasing out its products which have the perfluorooctanyl chemistry. As the affected products represent about 2% of 3M’s nearly US$16 billion in annual sales, the move is commendable. Additionally, 3M has initiated a program to keep track of the chemical’s spread since the products are all over the world – including the hardware shops and pasar malam stalls of Malaysia.

      “Our decision anticipates increasing attention to the appropriate use and management of persistent materials,” said Dr. Charles Reich, executive vice president, Specialty Material Markets. “While this chemistry has been used effectively for more than 40 years and our products are safe, our decision to phase out production is based on our principles of responsible environmental management.”

      So if you have a Scotchgard product in your household, it’s best to stop using it altogether to be on the safe side. No procedures have been suggested by 3M concerning disposal but it might be a good idea to seal it in a plastic bag before throwing it into the dustbin.

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      Membership has its advantages, as some 100 members of the Kelab Automotif Perodua Malaysia (KAPMA) found out when they had a chance to not only see the new Perodua Kenari before its official launch but also had a chance to drive it.

      The KAPMA members were specially invited to attend a sneak preview held at the Batu Tiga Speedway in Shah Alam, Selangor, last Saturday. According to a Perodua source, the feedback from the owners was enthusiastic and positive with many wanting to place their orders.

      Earlier, during the preview for the Malaysian media, Perodua MD Datuk Abdul Rahman Omar said that over 300 orders were received in the first week the company started taking orders. He declined to forecast the number of orders by the time the car is launched but said that at least 1,300 units would be ready for delivery.

      “Those who want to see the new Kenari will be able to do so on the evening of June 14th at all our showrooms and on the 15th, we expect to start registering the first units,” he said. So by this weekend, there should be many proud owners showing off the latest model in Malaysia.

      According to Datuk Abdul Rahman, the company expects about 10% to 15% of existing Perodua owners (mainly those with Kancils) switching to the Kenari while the majority are likely to be new customers. Some of these new customers would be first-time car buyers while some would be from other makes.

      The Perodua Kenari will be officially launched by the Prime Minister at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur at about 5 pm this Wednesday, June 14th. During the event, Perodua will present to BAKTI a cheque for the total amount raised from the on-line auction of the first Kenari as well as the sale of three units of the Kenari donated by the carmaker and ‘bought’ by the Perodua Vendors Club, Perodua Dealers’ Group and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd of Japan.

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      Proton’s flagship model, the Perdana V6, is now available within 3 weeks (depending on the colour availability). Until this month, customers had been told that they would need to wait up to 3 months for the model.

      According to EON managing director Datuk Adzmi Abdul Wahab, the Proton plant is increasing production numbers to meet the escalating demand for the car in recent months (in May, EON sold 770 units of the 2.0-litre Perdana V6).

      According to data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association, the Perdana V6, which has a 24-valve engine, remains the most competitively-priced car in the 2.0-litre class. With prices starting from RM99,498, it is even cheaper than 1.6-litre models of other makes so the increased popularity this year is not surprising.

      “All our EON outlets accept trade-ins of used Proton models and offer the best prices,” promised Datuk Adzmi.

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      At long last, after listening to the views of various parties, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has decided that the amount of commission payable to car dealers by finance companies is to be no more than RM600 per hire-purchase application. Previously, commissions paid by finance companies were based on the amount loaned and the term, causing an unnecessary burden to buyers. The decision comes into effect on July 13th 2000.

      BNM has declared that the payment will be for the services rendered by car dealers in processing applications by customers for loans. The services include filling and submitting of application forms, liaising with the JPJ, and ensuring that vehicles meets legal requirements. Additionally, the dealers are expected to explain to customers the various aspects of the loan applied for and arrange insurance coverage for the vehicles sold.

      BNM has made it clear that the handling fees are to be borne entirely by the finance companies and should not be passed on to consumers. On their part, the finance companies have given assurance that the payment would not have an effct on prevailing interest rates which have falled significantly since BNM stopped the practice of commissions being paid to car dealers for H-P loans.

      In an effort to prevent any covert arrangements, BNM has made it clear that the finance companies are not to make any other form of payment to car dealers other than the prescribed handling fee. This is to avoid the unhealthy situation whereby dealers will be ‘persuaded’ to direct customers to use certain finance companies that pay additional commissions.

      Car buyers are not obliged to accept financing offered by specific finance companies or recommended by car dealers. They have the right to choose their own finance company and to deal directly with the finance company if they wish.

      And to put an end to a well known problem faced by some buyers, BNM added car dealers must not discriminate against car buyers who wish to pay in cash (ie not take any loan) or those who could get financing through their employers. In the past, there were complaints about this issue which was due to dealers not wanting to lose their precious commissions.

      BNM warned car dealers that they should not impose hidden charges on any other services and must not impose any other form of additional payment without the knowledge and consent of the car buyer. Its statement noted that the handling fee for H-P loans is based on the services provided, and is more transparent and fair to all parties, namely the car dealers/representatives, consumers and finance companies.

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