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The Nissan Flagship Store is now open in Lazada. Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has launched its online store in Malaysia’s top e-commerce platform to add convenience to the purchasing experience.

The launch comes just in time to celebrate the Lazada 5.5 Sale on 5 May 2021. In conjunction with the 5.5 Sale, you can now book the Nissan Almera 1.0L Turbo sedan, Nissan Navara pick-up, Nissan X-Trail SUV or the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid MPV for as low as RM250. Furthermore, the first 55 customers will receive a free Nescafe Coffee Machine worth RM598.

Nissan Flagship Store_Almera_Lazada“We are excited to expand our Nissan models on Lazada, making it readily available to everyone who prefers the convenience of shopping at their fingertips. In this challenging time of COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation has been fast-tracked and we are confident that this move is another way for the brand to enhance its services and at the same time offer great deals when purchasing a new Nissan on a digital application,” said Mr Christopher Tan, ETCM Sales and Marketing Director.

Nissan Flagship Store_Lazada_MobileThe all-new Nissan Almera 1.0L Turbo now comes with the Urban accessories package worth up to RM5,500. It also has an attractive Flexi Financing offer from as low as RM540 monthly. Moreover, the new Special Civil Servants Promotion offers the Almera 1.0L Turbo VL variant from RM71,906 only.

Meanwhile, the new and radically redesigned Nissan Navara 4×4 2.5L Turbo Double-Cab Pick-up is fitted with many best-in-class technologies including a host of Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver assisted features and safety systems. It is also available with an attractive Flexi Financing offer from starting from RM950 monthly.

The X-Trail now is inclusive of either IMPUL or Aero Edition accessories package worth up to RM5,600, while the Serena S-Hybrid comes with free 3 years maintenance service with parts and labour included.

You can check out the Nissan Flagship Store on Lazada (www.lazada.com.my/shop/nissan-malaysia-flagship-store) for great offers.

For more information, call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline (1800-88-3838) or visit www.nissan.com.my.

* Terms & conditions apply

The 2021 Subaru XV 2.0i-P crossover has arrived with new premium fittings. TC Subaru Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in Malaysia, has set a retail price of RM131,788 (on-the-road without insurance, Peninsular Malaysia) for the XV 2.0i-P.

The XV 2.0i-P comes with Leather Suede Deluxe trim which features designer seats that combine the best of
2 premium interior materials i.e. luxurious leather and sporty suede to give the crossover a more elegant touch. The Leather Suede Deluxe option is only available for the 2021 XV 2.0i-P variant. Moreover, this upholstery upgrade is exclusive to Malaysia and Thailand.

Accentuating the textures and the comfortable cushions of the Leather Suede Deluxe seats is the colourway of gloss black, matte black and sleek silver, to match the XV 2.0i-P cabin’s signature orange stitching.

Subaru XV 2.0i-P 2021_Apple CarPlay_Android Auto_DashboardThe exterior of the Subaru XV 2.0i-P is complemented by a set of 17″ bespoke alloy wheels. Equipment package also includes a new 8″ Display Audio System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity which allows the driver to be constantly connected to their navigation, entertainment and messaging apps.

The Subaru XV 2.0i-P continues to benefit from Subaru’s Core Technologies of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Boxer Engine and the Subaru Global Platform. Together, these contribute to more than 100 safety features in the vehicle. The 2.0L boxer engine comes with 156 PS and 196 Nm of torque that is distributed by the 7-speed Lineartronic CVT through the all-wheel-drive system.

The 2021 XV 2.0i-P 2021 is available in 6 colours i.e. Pure White, Dark Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl, Cool Grey Khaki and Sunshine Orange.

Visit www.subaru.asia or any Subaru showroom for more information.

Scania P Series Trucks_Chemtrax_Sabaka GroupTransportation specialist, Chemtrax Sdn Bhd, took delivery recently of its first 3 Scania New Truck Generation trucks. The company was handed the keys to 2 units of the Scania P410 A6X2NA and a unit of the P360 A4X2NA.

Chemtrax was established in 1998 as part of Sabaka Group Sdn Bhd. Chemtrax specialises in the transportation of hazardous materials such as chemicals and gas throughout Peninsular Malaysia, focusing mainly on the Klang Valley. It also transports specific materials used in nitrile gloves manufacturing in Malaysia and Singapore.

“This truck model is ideal for urban and regional operations and well-suited for our daily multiple loads into Singapore, and other demanding conditions,” said Hairul Anuar, Senior Manager Business Development of Chemtrax, who is instrumental to the success of Chemtrax’s business.

The Scania New Truck Generation is tailored to withstand challenging surroundings, securing uptime and boosting productivity with its tougher exterior, tougher interior, and more power.

Chemtrax_Hairul Anuar_Senior Manager_Business Development_Scania_Interior“The features of the New Truck Generation have improved greatly from the older generation making the truck more user-friendly with very comfortable adjustable seat that is close to the door, ergonomic dashboard and most importantly the large windscreen with extended view giving clear visibility from the different angles for our drivers making it easier for them to operate in a comfortable and safe environment,” commented Hairul.

It is also designed and engineered to give Scania truck owners better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions as it is equipped with advanced powertrain and aerodynamic solutions that give up to 3% improvement in fuel economy.

Scania P360 Truck_ChemtraxThe Scania truck have proven to be the most fuel efficient among all the other brands in Chemtrax’s fleet and conforms to the safety standards demanded by its customers. Even though the pandemic is still going on, Chemtrax’s niche market in transporting necessary materials to glove manufacturers has enabled it to secure its business sustainability via long-term contracts with its present customers.

Chemtrax currently operates branch offices / depots and yards in Pasir Gudang and Simpang Renggam, Johor and Kuantan, Pahang. There are also plans to open another office in Banting, Selangor in the first quarter of 2022.

Hyundai Elantra_CN7_GREYHyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has added a new Executive variant to the line-up of its seventh-generation Hyundai Elantra. The Elantra Executive is priced at RM139,888 (on the road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia) and offer consumers a lower priced option to complement the Elantra Premium. Like the Premium variant, the Executive is also an imported unit from South Korea.

The Elantra Executive variant enjoys most of the features of the Premium variant including these SmartSense features:

  • Blind Spot-Collision Warning
  • Rear Cross Traffic – Collision Warning
  • Safe Exit Warning
  • Rear Occupant Alert

Its SmartSense features are pared down from the Premium variant, and it doesn’t get the 10.25″ digital instrument cluster nor leather seats. Instead, it gets black fabric seats, manual seat adjustment, 4.2″ TFT LCD Cluster, as well as a day & night rear view mirror.

“We have received a significant number of interest from customers on the new Elantra and also a preference for lower pricing. As with all fully imported cars, the exchange rate is one of the determining factors for the price of the car. The Elantra is a complete built-up unit that is fully imported from Korea, therefore the exchange rate does affect how we price the car. Having said that, we would still like to make the Elantra accessible to all our customers with the introduction of this new variant,” said Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

To recap, the Hyundai Elantra is built on the company’s 3rd generation K3 vehicle platform. It is powered by a Smartstream G1.6 MPi engine that is mated with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). This powertrain gives you 123 PS @ 6,300 rpm and 154 Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm. There are 4 drive modes for different driving preferences i.e. Smart, Comfort, Eco and Sport.

Hyundai Elantra_BLUE_GREYThe Sensuous Sportiness design concept with the ‘Parametric Dynamics’ geometric motif give the new Elantra a sleek yet unconventional look. Even with a sleeker roofline compared to its predecessor, its headroom has not been compromised. The Elantra boasts 1030 mm of headroom in front and 947 mm at the rear, giving occupants plenty of room. Furthermore, the longer wheelbase also provides a best-in-class 964 mm of rear legroom while the wider track width means improved shoulder room in the front and rear. Cargo space stands at over 474 litres and the 60:40 split folding rear seats makes it convenient to transport bulky items.

Hundai Elantra_Rear_H LightSafety features for the Elantra include 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Downhill Brake Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Brake Assist System, Traction Control System, Vehicle Stability Management and Immobiliser.

The Hyundai Elantra comes with a 5-year or 300,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).

For more information, reach out to Hyundai’s Customer Careline at 1-300-13-2000 or visit www.hyundai.com.my.

L-R: Ahmad Nizam Amirudin, Business Development Manager, Cleantech Solar (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; Ar. Serina Hijjas, Chairman, Green Building Index (GBI) Accreditation Panel; Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd & Shell Timur Sdn Bhd; Ariff Shahbudin Abu Salim, Shell Malaysia Network Delivery Manager
L-R: Ahmad Nizam Amirudin, Business Development Manager, Cleantech Solar (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; Ar. Serina Hijjas, Chairman, Green Building Index (GBI) Accreditation Panel; Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd & Shell Timur Sdn Bhd; Ariff Shahbudin Abu Salim, Shell Malaysia Network Delivery Manager

Shell Malaysia has an ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions from its retail operations as part of its goal of being progressive with cleaner energy solutions. This initiative involves implementing ‘green’ solutions in its stations. The Shell Mint Hotel station is one of such stations and it has become the first petrol station in Malaysia to be awarded the Provisional Gold Standard by Green Building Index (GBI).

The Shell Mint Hotel station is integrated with a multifaceted approach of combining both renewable energy (RE) and energy-efficient (EE) innovations that meet the GBI Gold Standard requirements. For example, the roof of the station is fitted with Photo Voltaic (PV) panels that can generate almost 90,575 kWh of electricity per year, which is enough to power an average of 382 households per month1. The electricity generated by the solar panels are also able to reduce the station’s carbon emission by 62.8 tonnes per annum, which is equivalent to saving 1,118 trees2.

To further reduce the station’s usage of water from municipal systems, a rainwater harvesting system is utilised to collect and store rainwater for the station’s facilities. The water conservation system coupled, with efficient waterflow fittings, saves approximately 167,749 gallons of water per year, equivalent to supplying water to 24 households for a month3.

Another feature at the Shell Mint Hotel station is its food waste composting machine that converts food waste into fertilizer. The station is capable of collecting about 30 kg of food waste every day and convert it into approximately 6 kg of fertilizer. This equates to 2,190 kg of fertilizer in a year, which can fertilize up to 4,000 potted plants4. Other low carbon innovations include energy-efficient air conditioners and chillers, recycling facilities and a smart LED lighting system at the forecourt.

Shell Malaysia_Shell Damansara Jaya_Green Building Index Certification_Energy MonitoringIn addition, Shell has in January 2021 reached another milestone in its journey to lower carbon emissions in its mobility operations by installing solar panels at 100 of its petrol stations in Malaysia. Together with Cleantech Solar, Shell had installed solar panels at an additional 51 stations by May 2021. With a total of 15,929 solar PV panels and a total capacity of 7.17-megawatt peak (MWp) installed on the stations’ roofs, this is enough to power 1,853 households per year. These 151 solar-powered Shell stations will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,448 tonnes per year, equivalent to planting 79,185 trees2.

Currently, Shell has 3 GBI-certified sites while 5 other stations are being assessed for GBI certification. In its pursuit to mitigate the company’s carbon emissions, Shell aims to have a total of 300 solar-powered and 40 GBI certified sites by 2021.

“At Shell, we are committed to our purpose to power progress by providing more and cleaner energy solutions. Shell Mint Hotel Station is our latest milestone towards fulfilling this commitment. By powering Malaysia with cleaner energy and innovation mobility solutions, Shell hopes to mobilise the energy sector and increase its efficiency by offering products and services with lower carbon emissions. We must all come together to ensure a greener future.” said Shairan Huzani Husain, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd Managing Director.

Shell Recharge_PHEV EV Charging StationShell’s commitment to making life’s journeys better for its customers and the communities it operates in is reflected in its dedication to reducing carbon emissions by Reusing, Recycling and Repurposing. Its innovative low carbon initiatives include Shell Recharge as well as the Reverse Vending Machine at its stations.

 

Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays_Sunway Pyramid_Level CP2_Premium Parking_PHEV_MalaysiaThe Shell Recharge EV charging bays are currently available at 7 locations i.e. Shell Mint Hotel, Sunway Medical Centre, iOi City Mall, Lot 10, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity and 163 Retail Park Mont Kiara. The Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles / Electric Vehicles (PHEV/EV) charging bays can be booked using the ParkEasy mobile app (iOS and Android).

 

Porsche_Shell_EVTo further enhance the electric mobility experience in the country, Shell and Porsche Asia Pacific recently announced the implementation of Southeast Asia’s first cross-border high performance charging (HPC) network with 12 charge points at 6 Shell stations strategically located along Malaysia’s North-South highway. This will offer EV drivers smoother and more convenient travel between Singapore and Penang.

Moreoever, the innovative Reverse Vending Machines (Klean Machines) at Shell Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Shell SKVE Serdang (Kajang-bound) allow customers to be rewarded 1 BonusLink point per PET plastic bottle or aluminum can recycled at the machine. The recyclables collected are then transported to authorised recycling centers, thus preventing deeper landfill pollution. Within 2 months of launch, more than 5,000 plastic bottles and aluminium cans were collected. Shell is currently working on plans to bring Klean Machines to more Shell stations.

In 2021, Shell will focus on its Powering Progress strategy which supports its purpose to power progress by providing more and cleaner energy solutions, and to accelerate the transition of its business to net-zero emissions. It wants to be an energy provider that carries a sustainable and responsible business model.

For more updates and information on other Shell initiatives, please visit www.shell.com.my

Notes:

  1. 1 household uses 232 kWh per month (Source. Tenaga Nasional Berhad)
  2. A typical tree absorbs between 30kg to 60kg of carbon dioxide, depending on its location. (Source: Calculated via a carbon dioxide calculator at www.mgtc.gov.my)
  3. 1 household uses 20,000 liters of water per month (Source: Air Selangor)
  4. 1 potted plant uses an average of 0.5kg to 1.5kg of fertilizer. (Source: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension)

Image: cellcentric

One year ago, major commercial vehicles manufacturers (and industry rivals), Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG, announced that they will team up to work on sustainable forms of transportation. A year on, the two industry leaders have officially outlined their pioneering roadmap for the new fuel cell joint venture named “cellcentric“. To form cellcentric, Volvo Group acquired 50% of the partnership interests in the existing Daimler Truck Fuel Cell GmbH & Co. KG for approximately EUR 0.6 billion on a cash and debt-free basis.

Road_Scenery - Greencellcentric is part of an industry-first commitment to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells for long-haul trucks and more. Its objective is to build one of Europe’s largest planned series production of fuel cell systems and become a leading global manufacturer of fuel cell systems. This facility is expected to commence operations in 2025. The goal is to meet the European Green Deal target of implementing a sustainable transportation system for a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050.

cellcentric_fuel cell systemcellcentric will develop, produce and commercialise fuel cell systems for long-haul trucking and other applications. This joint venture can draw on decades of expertise and development work from both Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group. Large scale use of hydrogen-based fuel cells however, will require coherent policies. As such, the two cellcentric shareholders are calling for a harmonised policy framework within the European Union (EU) to support this technology and help accelerate the commercial rollout of hydrogen-based fuel-cell usage.

As CO2-neutral trucks are currently significantly more expensive than conventional vehicles, a definitive policy framework is necessary to ensure demand and affordability. According to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, this should include incentives for CO2-neutral technologies and a taxation system based on carbon and energy content. Further, an emissions trading system could be an additional option.

Daimler Trucks & BusesAccording to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, purely battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel cell trucks will complement each other depending on the individual customer use case. Battery power will be the preferred application for lower cargo weights and for shorter distances, while fuel cell power will be the preferred option for heavier loads and longer distances.

Martin Daum_Daimler Truck AG_Chairman_Daimler_BoardMartin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, said: “Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric trucks will be key for enabling CO2-neutral transportation in the future. In combination with pure battery-electric drives, it enables us to offer our customers the best genuinely locally CO2-neutral vehicle options, depending on the application. Battery-electric trucks alone will not make this possible. Together with our partner Volvo Group, we are therefore fully committed to our fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric and we are both pushing forward the development of the technology as well as the series production preparations. Regarding the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, it is clear that green hydrogen is the only sensible way forward in the long term.”

Martin Lundstedt_Volvo Group_President & CEOMeanwhile, Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group, said: “Our united ambition is to meet the targets in the Paris agreement of becoming CO2-neutral by 2050 at the latest. We are convinced that hydrogen fuel-cell technology plays an essential role in helping us reach that milestone. But we know there is so much more to achieve than just the electrification of machines and vehicles. There needs to be greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders to develop the necessary technology and infrastructure, which is why we are calling for united action from policymakers and governments around the world in helping us make hydrogen fuel-cell technology a success. Partnerships like cellcentric are vital to our commitment to decarbonizing road transport.”

Volvo_Hydrogen Fuel_TruckThus, the major truck manufacturers in Europe, also backed by Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG, are calling for the setup of around 300 high-performance hydrogen refuelling stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles in Europe by 2025, and around 1,000 hydrogen refuelling stations no later than 2030. This joint initiative of using hydrogen as a carrier of green electricity to power electric trucks in long-haul operations is therefore a crucial part of decarbonizing road transport.

Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Fuel Cell Concept Truck
Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Fuel Cell Concept Truck

Currently, cellcentric is conceptualizing plans for its large-scale series production. It is expecting to release more details and a decision on the location some time in 2022. As a significant step towards series production, preparations for pre-series production are taking place at a new site in Esslingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. Concurrently, cellcentric is scaling up on-going prototype output. Daimler Truck AG’s and Volvo Group’s goal is to start with customer tests of fuel-cell trucks in about three years and be in series production of fuel-cell trucks during the second half of this decade. All vehicle-related activities are carried out independently from each other, as both companies remain competitors in all vehicle and product ranges, and particularly in fuel-cell integration solutions for all products.

There are over 300 highly specialised experts who currently work for cellcentric in inter-disciplinary teams at locations in Nabern, Stuttgart (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Around 700 individual patents have been issued so far, underlining the leading role played by the company when it comes to technological development.

Auto Bavaria Penang has introduced its first-ever dedicated BMW and MINI Service Fast Lane Centre in Malaysia for extra convenience to customers in the northern region. The new standalone Service Fast Lane Centre is located along Jalan Sungai Pinang in Penang, and complements the services provided by Auto Bavaria Penang at its main facility on Jalan Anson. AB Penang is the winner of the BMW Excellence Club in the Platinum Category in 2019, and is a member of the largest network of authorised dealer representatives for BMW, Motorrad and MINI in the north.

The new 30,000 sq ft centre is fully air-conditioned with a premium customer lounge, six service bays, and two RATC (Reception at the Car) bays. This dedicated maintenance service and repair facility for BMW and MINI vehicles focuses on getting customers’ vehicles back on the road in the shortest time possible. Thus, it specialises solely on quick service and repairs with emphasis on regular vehicle maintenance, wear and tear repairs, tyre replacement, cosmetic repairs, etc for better efficiency and time optimisation.

According to Sime Darby Auto Bavaria’s Managing Director, Mr Vi Thim Juan, the Service Fast Lane concept aims to help customers optimise their time while getting the necessary service and repairs for their cars. The cost of service or repair as well as the duration needed to complete the service will be discussed in advance when a customer calls to book for the Service Fast Lane.

Auto Bavaria Service Fast Lane Centre_Jalan Sungai Pinang, Penang_BMW_MINI“Our Service Fast Lane Centre is designed to fit customers’ routine with minimal interruption. Service appointment scheduling is also flexible, allowing customers to bring in their cars at a time most convenient to them. With Service Fast Lane, service and repairs are done in a fraction of the time while customers sip their coffee and relax at our lounge,” said Vi.

Auto Bavaria continues to deliver on its promise of price transparency for customers to make informed decisions about the maintenance of their vehicles. Customers are assured that they will be advised of cost estimates beforehand, including itemised costs for parts and labour.

In conjunction with the opening of the new centre, customers who send in their car for service at the BMW
and MINI Service Fast Lane Centre between 1 – 31 May 2021 will be offered a complimentary 72-point inspection.

The BMW and MINI Service Fast Lane Centre operates Mondays – Saturdays between 8 am and 5 pm (Mon – Fri) and 8 am to 12:30 pm (Sat), except public holidays.

For more information, or to book for a Service Fast Lane service or repair, customers can call 04-2932888.

Hans de Visser_Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer_BMW Group MalaysiaBMW Group AG has appointed Hans de Visser as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Malaysia. His tenure will start on 1 May 2021. De Visser will succeed the current Managing Director, Harald Hoelzl, who will take on a new role at BMW Group AG.

De Visser arrives with over 29 years of experience in various capacities within the BMW Group; he started as a Manager in Marketing Communications at BMW Motorrad, Munich. De Visser had served in various Sales and Marketing roles across several markets including the Middle East, Central Eastern Europe, Spain as well as in the BMW Group headquarters in Munich. Prior to his appointment to BMW Group Malaysia, he served in BMW Russia as Marketing Director.

Hendrik von Kuenheim, Senior Vice-President Region Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, said, “Hans’ broad experience in various roles in marketing and sales, as well as his international background will be extremely valuable in his new position.”Harald Hoelzl, current Managing Director and CEO at BMW Group Malaysia will accompany de Visser in his first two months in Malaysia before taking on a new role for the BMW Group in Vienna, Austria.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank Harald for his work over the last few years in Malaysia. He and his team made BMW Number One in the segment and strengthened the position of the company in the country,” von Kuenheim added.

In his time in Malaysia, Hoelzl led BMW Group Malaysia back to the top spot in the premium segment with over 52% of the segment’s market share. This is the highest for the premium automaker in all its markets. BMW Group Malaysia also recorded its highest achievements in its Net Promoter Scoring (NPS) for its customer satisfaction, achieving over 90% positive satisfaction responses from customers in their feedback regarding experiences with the BMW and MINI brands in 2020 – the second highest achievement in BMW Group’s network. Hoelzl also successfully led BMW Group Malaysia to become the number one Electrified Mobility provider and the number one locally produced automotive assembler in the country.

We wish Mr Hoelzl are fond farewell, and Mr de Visser a warm welcome.

Proton Commerce Sdn Bhd is seeing loan volume growth which could see it achieve a record setting year. The growth in its loan portfolio is in tandem with the increase in sales for PROTON, since Proton Commerce is the finance arm of the brand.

In 2018, Proton Commerce disbursed 5,410 car loans which it managed to double in 2019 (10,668 loans). Even in 2020 when there were disruptions to car production and sales, Proton Commerce managed to record 14,189 loan disbursement.

Proton Commerce_Mooi Fi Phang_Chief Executive OfficerFor 2021, Proton Commerce is optimistic of achieving an all-time high volume of 20,000 loan disbursements. “Although there was a downturn in many economic sectors caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, consumer sentiment for car purchases remains positive. PROTON’s gains in product quality, its additions to the dealer network and the launch of new models have grown interest in its cars and we are seeing the results in the number of loan applications received,” said Mooi Fi Phang, Chief Executive Officer, Proton Commerce.

“Our loan disbursement volume for Q1 this year has increased by 42.3% and we are confident of our volume growing even more in Q2. However, the hire-purchase market could face a tough second half of the year as the PENJANA sales tax incentive is scheduled to expire at the end of June so the industry could see a period of correction as market demand finds its natural level,” he added.

Proton Commerce is also seeing a change in the demographics of its customers and Mooi says the age of Proton buyers is trending downwards, indicating the company’s revamped line-up has made it a more trendy choice with younger Malaysians. He also said 80% of Proton Commerce’s customers opt for 9-year hire-purchase financing plans and that impaired loan rates up to three times lower than the industry average.

Proton X50_1.5 TGDi Flagship“2020 was a tough year for the industry as financial institutions had to make modification loss provisions for the 6-month moratorium programme announced by the central bank. Thankfully for Proton Commerce, the financial stability of our customer base meant a very low number of our borrowers opted for subsequent moratorium and with the removal of the provisions this year, we expect to contribute a healthy profit to our shareholders,” added Mooi.

Honda Malaysia has announced a product recall involving additional 77,708 units of Honda vehicles to replace its fuel pump as a precautionary measure.

Honda Malaysia apologises for the inconvenience caused to the affected customers and reassures that all its current selling models are not affected in this product recall.

The affected models are:Honda_Fuel Pump Recall_2021

As customer safety is Honda Malaysia’s top priority, the company will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls for customers. The company believes this product recall is necessary as a preventive measure to address the possibility of difficulty in starting the engine, loss of engine power or vehicle stalling.

Emergency Braking with the HR-VAll affected customers will be informed via notification letters, which will include details of the product recall. You can also check if your vehicle is affected in the fuel pump recall via the HondaTouch application. Honda Malaysia urges all affected customers to contact any Honda authorised dealer to make an appointment upon receipt of the notification to replace the fuel pump, subject to parts availability.

The replacement of the affected fuel pump is free of charge and all cost related to this replacement activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia. The replacement stock will be available in stages.

As of today, there are no incidences of crashes or injuries caused by this issue reported in Malaysia.

Vehicle owners can obtain information or check your vehicle status on product recall in HondaTouch application, by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visiting https://productrecall.honda.com.my/.

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