Toyota is working hard to regain its crown in the non-national automotive segment and one of its strategies is to improve coverage of after-sales services to reflect Toyota’s “Customer First” philosophy. As such, it has opened a full-fledged Toyota 3S (sales, service and spare parts) dealership in the growing township of Setia Alam, Selangor.
This new dealership is operated by Fokus Tetap Sdn Bhd and they spent RM 24 million to build a 42,000 sq ft facility on 2 acres of land. This is not a paltry sum so you can be sure Fokus Tetap and UMW Toyota Motor are serious about the Malaysian market. The showroom is big enough to display six vehicles while the service centre can handle up to 70 vehicles a day with its 16 service bays.
And while you Toyota is being serviced, you can relax in the lounge and enjoy refreshments and complimentary WiFi service.
The dealership opening was officiated by Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMWT, Mr. Simon Thong Weng Kin, Managing Director of Fokus Tetap Sdn Bhd and Mr. Richard Ther Im Hwa, Marketing Director of Fokus Tetap Sdn Bhd, as well as other senior management of UMWT.
“Fokus Tetap has been our business partner for the past 12 years, starting off with just a sales outlet in Prima Damansara. Now they have expanded and moved to a much bigger outlet and able to provide a comprehensive range of services to customers in Setia Alam and the surrounding area,” commented Datuk Ismet.
The new dealership is located at 2A, Jalan Setia Murni, AH U13/AH, Seksyen U13, Shah Alam. It joins Toyota’s network of 97 outlets nationwide which provide sales and after-sales services.
Contact details for this new dealership: 03-33440908 (Sales) or 03-33449080 (Service).
(L-R): Datuk Ismet Suki, President, UMW Toyota Motor, Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman, UMWT, Mr. Simon Thong, Managing Director, Fokus Tetap and Mr. Richard Ther, Marketing Director, Fokus Tetap at the official opening.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has launched the all-new Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner. The Toyota Hilux, the best-selling pick-up truck in Malaysia for the past decade is now in its 8th generation while the Fortuner SUV, its second generation. Both are locally assembled at UMWT’s plant in Shah Alam, Selangor.
“We are confident that the new generation of both the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner will be just as well accepted by Malaysian customers as their predecessors have been. They come with not just fresh new designs, new technology and better performance but also continue to be good value for money, which has been a strong point of the Toyota brand for decades. Whichever model is chosen, rest assured that the drive will be an enjoyable and safe one,” said Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMWT.
“The Hilux model had maintained its popularity with over 200,000 units of the outgoing generation have been sold throughout Malaysia since launched in 2005. It became one of the best-selling models for UMW Toyota Motor the past 10 years, continued Datuk Ismet.” He also said that the Hilux market share is about 52% and remains as the best-selling model in the 4×4 pick-up segment in the country for many years.
The Hilux and Fortuner are part of the Innovative international Multi-purpose Vehicles project (the ‘IMV Project’) and although they share many parts and systems, they couldn’t be more different.
The all-new Hilux comes with 6 variants in Double Cab and Single Cab configurations with two powertrain options, the 2.4 litre and 2.8-litre. On-the-road prices start from RM 89,900. Meanwhile, the Fortuner comes in two variants and starts from RM 186,900. Customers can choose either a newly-developed 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine or a proven 2.7-litre petrol engine.
The new GD diesel engine
The new Global Diesel (GD) engine series comes in 2.4 litres and 2.8 litres. Key objectives in the development of this new engine were to provide stronger low-end torque delivery, better response for acceleration, greater reliability under the most extreme conditions and improved fuel efficiency. Despite the smaller displacements, output (both power and torque) is higher than the previous, thanks to improved engineering.
All engines are equipped with 6-speed manual or electronically-managed automatic transmissions. With the extra ratios for a wider spread, better acceleration is available at the lower end while at higher cruising speeds, there is reduced noise as well as improved fuel economy.
The Hilux and Fortuner are built on a stronger chassis frame and bodyshell; the bodyshell of the Hilux has 45% more spot weld points to improve body rigidity. High tensile steel plates are also used in the upper and lower body to improve strength and safety but without adding more weight. The latest structural enhancements make the frame more durable while also improving ride comfort and handling. Crash safety is also improved as the chassis frame is stronger and has better impact absorption.
Both models have fresh new styling; the Fortuner receives a drastic makeover and no longer looks like a Hilux with an SUV shell and two extra seats. The design change gives it a more premium look.
Their interiors are also even more passenger car-like than before with high quality materials and additional convenience features. The refinement owes much to the appointment of Hiroki Nakajima – whose previous experience was focused on cars rather than pick-ups – as Chief Engineer. Mr. Nakajima led the team which developed the iQ compact model which was praised for its interior packaging.
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels have also been greatly improved to a near car-like state. Considerable effort went into suppression of NVH, starting with an improved body structure that helps prevent road and mechanical noise entering the cabin as well as generous use of insulating materials.
The Fortuner has a Smart Entry and Push Start System, a feature expected in many vehicles nowadays. Additionally, the Fortuner 2.7 SRZ comes with a powered tailgate (with height adjustment) that allows the rear door to open and close at the touch of a button, paddle shifters and cooling vents for both rear rows.
Safety-wise, the latest Hilux and Fortuner come with many Active and Passive safety features. ABS (anti-lock braking system) is standard for every variant of the Hilux and Fortuner along with three front SRS airbags (the third for driver’s knees) and 3-point auto-retracting seatbelts for every occupant. The top variants of both models get four additional airbags for a total of seven (the Hilux is the first in its class with this many airbags).
A new feature is Active Traction Control (A-TRC) which mimics the function of the limited-slip differential (LSD) for maximizing traction on challenging terrain or surfaces. This gives the driver confidence to concentrate on driving rather than worrying about getting stuck.
At a preview drive, the media had a go with both models and initial impressions showed much improvements over the previous generation. On the road, NVH and ride comfort were more car-like. Some bounciness is expected from the Hilux due to the rear leaf spring suspension but which shouldn’t have a problem carrying loads. The Fortuner rides with a more premium feel as it’s carried on 4-link coil springs at the rear. Both models use independent double wishbone with coil spring and stabilizer in front.
Off-road, both models took to the challenging muddy course like a fish to water. Lumps, humps and bumps were traversed without great difficulty and showed off such features as A-TRC, Hill Assist Start, the suspension and ground clearance.
For peace of mind, all models offered by UMWT since April 1, 2016 come with a 5-year warranty, subject to terms and conditions. This fully-backed warranty is transferable to the next owner if it is still in effect when sold off.
The all-new Toyota Hilux is now available at all showrooms nationwide while the Fortuner will be available later in June.
For more information on these vehicles or to locate the nearest showroom, visit www.toyota.com.my or call the Toyota freephone: 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
This is no laughing matter and Honda Malaysia is very concerned with rectifying the fault but needs the cooperation of the owners. Honda has confirmed that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflators ruptured in two crashes in April and May in Malaysia.
Both crashes resulted in the tragic deaths of the drivers. No official cause of death has been yet determined for either case.
First Incident: A crash on April 16, 2016, in Sabah. Honda has confirmed during an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata SDI airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2006 Honda City. The vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian Product Update (recall) announced on May 21, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag.
Second Incident: A crash on May 1, 2016, in Kedah. Honda also confirmed during an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata SDI airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2003 Honda City. The vehicle involved is also included in a Malaysian Product Update (recall) announced on December 8, 2014, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag.
Honda is communicating with representatives of the drivers’ families in an effort to resolve their remaining concerns.
A total of 240,832 units in Malaysia are affected by the recalls. If you own a Honda or know someone who does, Honda Malaysia wants you to get your vehicle repaired at authorized dealers as soon as possible. You can check your vehicle’s product update status at www.honda.com.my or call the toll free number (1-800-88-2020) or visit any Honda authorized dealers.
Autoworld and Honda Malaysia urge you to put this matter as top priority and do this immediately.
Chevron, the company which markets the Caltex brand, has introduced an improved and reformulated fuel. The new Caltex with Techron featuring Clean & Glide technology comes at no extra cost but added benefits.
The new active ingredients are specifically formulated to clean and protect metal surfaces within the engine. Helping reduce friction and thus wear and tear between key engine components, Clean & Glide technology delivers enhanced engine protection, improved fuel economy and maximized power with continued use over time, all key in helping provide a more reliable motoring experience.
Chevron had conducted stringent laboratory tests and accumulated up to 600,000 km of real-world fleet tests to ensure the final formula provides optimum results for the everyday motorist. The ability of the new formulation to protect metal surfaces was proven in the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) laboratory test. The standard diesel lubricity test was modified to safely assess the lubricating properties of petrol. The results indicated that when compared to its predecessor in a controlled environment, Caltex’s new formulation with Clean & Glide technology was able to reduce metal wear and friction by an average of 38 percent and 41 percent respectively using petrol from around Asia Pacific and South Africa.
This is important because Caltex with Techron is formulated to instantly reduce friction in the upper cylinder area of your engine. With continued use, Clean & Glide technology will begin to build–up in your car’s crankcase lubricant to replenish friction modifiers that are consumed during normal operation. Separate laboratory tests simulating this build-up of Techron in the lubricant demonstrated the effectiveness of Clean & Glide technology to improve fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent, when compared to the previous formulation.
“The addition of our new Clean & Glide technology stays true to the evolving nature of our Techron fuel offering. Our products are continuously being improved in anticipation of future engine technology and local market needs. For motorists, a quick Caltex stop now delivers petrol grades that help treat their respective cars right, providing additional benefits without compromise,” said Shahid Ahmed, Chevron’s General Manager for products in Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia. “We are confident that our best petrol yet meets expectations and have enlisted Grant Imahara, an engineering expert best known for his work on the American television show MythBusters, to creatively demonstrate the benefits of Clean & Glide technology which will be aired soon.”
From now till 29 May 2016, the “Caltex Fun Truck” contest (also known as “Techron Lab on Wheels Truck”) invites the public to join in the fun contest. To participate, snap a selfie with the truck and upload it on Caltex Malaysia Facebook wall or on personal Instagram with hashtags #CaltexMYNewTechron and #SpotCaltexFunTruck.
Over a period of four weeks, 5 weekly winners will walk away with StarCash cards worth RM200 and be featured in Caltex’s promotional materials.
Spot the “Techron Lab on Wheels Truck” roadshow at selected Caltex service stations where the Caltex team demonstrates benefits of the new Techron fuel.
Many innovations today owe their existence to incidental discoveries – The reusable glue on 3M Post-It notes was developed during research into super-strong adhesives; Super Glue was born from an attempt to make clear plastic gun sights during World War 2. Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA), in its research into hydrogen storage for its fuel cell vehicle may have discovered a breakthrough in battery technology instead.
In its statement, Toyota stated that when working with materials designed for hydrogen fuel cells, its researchers discovered a new electrolyte that works with magnesium anodes. “We were able to take a material that was only used in hydrogen storage and we made it practical and very competitive for magnesium battery chemistry,” said Rana Mohtadi, Toyota principal scientist and chemical engineer. “It was exciting.”
Magnesium is considered a safer, more energy-dense battery material and better than the current lithium-ion. Higher energy density means electronic devices can run longer (and electric cars go faster) but although magnesium is used in industrial applications for fuel cells, the development of magnesium on a mass commercial basis has been limited due to a lack of compatible electrolytes.
This new discovery adds to another potential advancement of battery technology for electric vehicles and consumer electronics but Toyota cautions that commercial application of this could be up to 20 years away. Nevertheless, Toyota is researching this further. The world is becoming increasingly battery-fied and the one who makes the better battery could be king.
TC Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder for Renault cars in Malaysia has made available a limited number of the fully electric Renault ZOE compact hatchback. The ZOE costs RM 145,888 on-the-road (without insurance) and comes only in Glacier White. The upside of not having an engine is the very affordable road tax (RM 28).
Designed from the ground up as a fullly-electric vehicle, ZOE is Renault’s solution to ZerOEmission mobility. And like all electric vehicles, ZOE emits no CO2, NOx, CO or fine particles and that means no smells, no noise.
Manufactured at Renault’s ISO 14001-certified factory in Flins, France, this eco-friendly car is 85 per cent recyclable; nine per cent of the plastic inside is sourced from recycling. Further, more than 60 patents have been filed for ZOE’s design, such as the regenerative braking which recovers practically all of the energy and the low consumption heat pump which operates like a reverse-cycle air-conditioning to provide excellent thermal comfort without affecting the vehicle’s range.
“ZOE is the core of the Renault Zero Emissions range. In addition to its compact size and attractive styling, it showcases Renault’s technological excellence when it comes to electric vehicles. ZOE also heralds the beginning of a new era of electric mobility for all and confirms Renault’s commitment to electric vehicles,” said Kuan Kim Luen, CEO, TC Euro Cars Sdn Bhd.
The ZOE’s synchronous electric motor with rotor coil delivers 88 PS from 3,000 to 11,300 rpm and peak torque of 220 Nm from as low as 250 rpm giving you very responsive and immediate acceleration. It’s fitted with an automatic gearbox and powered by a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery. Full charge ranges from four hours on a 7kW fast charger to nine hours on a regular 3.6kW charger; a 3.6 kWh Delta wall-mounted charger is included with the purchase of the Renault ZOE.
And at full charge, the Renault ZOE has a driving range of 210km (based on the NEDC cycle). In fact, at its global debut in 2012, ZOE was the first mass-market electric vehicle in the world to achieve this homologation. The ZOE might seem to lack range but a typical daily commute rarely exceeds 50 km for urban dwellers so it’s possible for the battery to give you two to three days’ worth of travel before you have to plug it in overnight.
The ZOE also comes standard with a seven-inch Renault R-Link touchscreen display with USB connectivity and hands-free Bluetooth kit with music playback, audio keyless entry system with walkaway lock, cruise control and speed limiter, climate control with temperature and humidity sensors, automatic wipers and headlights as well as daytime running lights. Space-wise, it’s a compact car but there’s 338 litres of boot space which expands to 1,225 litres with the rear seat folded.
Standard safety features include four airbags – dual front airbags as well as head-and-chest side airbags for driver and passenger, ABS with EBD, ESC and ASR, height adjustable 3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outer rear seats and front passenger seat.
Like all Renault passenger cars in Malaysia, service interval for the Renault ZOE is 10,000 km or six months, whichever comes first. It also comes with a three-year or 100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty, five-year electrical powertrain warranty or 100,000 km (whichever comes first) and a five-year traction battery warranty or 100,000 km (whichever comes first).
Over the weekend, Volvo Car Malaysia, together with Clear Marque Sdn Bhd, its authorized dealer, as well as Go Sportz Sdn Bhd, organizer of the RHB-Shimano Highway Ride on LEKAS Highway, launched the Volvo Life Paint and Volvo V40 Adventure Package at the Kajang Selatan toll plaza.
The night cycling event saw over 3,000 participants from 16 countries and was the perfect occasion to show off Volvo’s innovative technology developed to increase the safety of cyclists. Volvo Life Paint is made in collaboration with Albedo100 and is a unique water-based reflective spray that is invisible in daylight but glows bright when under the glare of car headlights thereby increasing the visibility of cyclists at night.
Volvo Life Paint Under Normal Light
Volvo Life Paint Under Flash
Lennart Stegland, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia, pointed out that road safety at Volvo is not only limited to making cars safer but emphasis is also put on improving the safety of all road users, in line with Volvo’s overall safety philosophy.
“Volvo Life Paint is a great complement to the other active safety systems that are already available in our model range – an excellent example of this is the Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection System which automatically detects and avoids collisions with pedestrians or cyclsits.” said Stegland.
Volvo Life Paint is currently available from Clear Marque and will be available at other authorized Volvo dealers nationwide beginning mid-May. It is priced at RM 110 (GST included).
At the same event, Volvo Car Malaysia also launched the Volvo V40 Adventure Package which features a frame-mounted bicycle holder and load carrier. The special promotional price for the Adventure Package is RM2,536 (inclusive of GST and installation charges); this offer is valid until September 2016.
Other accessories include bumper dirt covers and load compartment mats.
“A large number of our customers are taking up cycling as a main sporting activity and we recognize the importance of tailoring our offers in order to suit their current needs – this ensures that we stay relevant, always.” said Dato’ Tan Hoe Pin, MD of Clear Marque Sdn Bhd.
The 2016 Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix will see two up-and-coming Malaysian racers, Akash Neil Nandy and Nabil Jeffri take part in the supporting GP3 and GP2 respectively. Akash and Nabil will drive for their respective teams, Jenzer Motorsports and Arden International; their entry in these series will see them through a full season in 2016, including the Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on 2 October 2016.
Dato’ Razlan Razali, SIC Chief Executive Officer expressed his delight of having two Malaysian drivers in both the GP2 and GP3 series. “Having Malaysian drivers competing during the 2016 Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix in Sepang is undoubtedly something that the local fans have been yearning for. Both GP2 and GP3 are race development series for drivers aspiring to become a coveted F1 driver,” he said.
Nabil Jeffri, 22, driving for British team Arden International, began his racing career at Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia back in 2008, where he came in 3rd. He continued racing in JK Racing Asia Series in 2012 and at ATS Formel 3 Cup in 2014, both of which he finished 2nd overall. In 2010, Nabil, was the youngest ever driver to test a Formula One car. At 16, Nabil conducted straight-line aerodynamic duties for the Malaysian-owned Lotus team at the Imperial War Museum runway at Duxford (UK).
Following a successful testing programme in Barcelona and Jerez last month, Arden International confirmed that Nabil Jeffri and Jimmy Eriksson have signed for the 2016 Season. Nabil moves from Germany and European F3 where he has spent the last few years honing his skills and experience around the European tracks. The Malaysian is also no stranger to the Sepang International Circuit, where GP2 Series will be racing later this year alongside Formula 1.
“This has been my lifelong dream and I am living it out in front of my fellow Malaysians – that is an adrenalin rush like no other. The Sepang Circuit is one many drivers find challenging, so I hope my experience on this track will help my performance, and I will do Malaysia proud. I hope Malaysians will come out to the circuit on race weekend and support both Akash and myself,” said Nabil.
At 19, Akash Neil Nandy is a rising Malaysian star in his own right. He was recently awarded the McMillan Woods Rising Star Award 2016, in the Chequered Flag of the Year category. He began his career in 2010, kart racing at the Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia, finishing a respectable 2nd place. But most notably, he finished third place overall in the Formula Masters China Series in 2013. The wins kept on coming, as he almost won the Formula 3 Remus Championship in Europe, winning 10 out of 12 races.
In 2013, Akash was one of the youngest drivers to make motorsport history after grabbing pole position, setting the fastest lap in and winning the Formula Masters Macau Grand Prix. Akash’s extraordinary talent won him an invitation to participate in the opening round of Asia Le Mans Series with KC Motorgroup in 2013. Being the youngest to participate in a Le Mans Series, he walked into the history books of the event and Le Mans overall. Having qualified to start the race from P2, Akash steamed the team into P1 closing his stint of the race, having set one of the fastest lap and maintained the position to become race winner. This
year, Akash did his team proud by becoming overall champion in GTM class on home ground.
He stands amongst the likes of former F1 world champions Artyon Senna and Michael Schumacher who were once overall championship winners. This year for GP3, Akash will be racing for Swiss-based team Jenzer Motorsports. Apart from his dedication and passion for racing, Akash is also a full-time law degree student and is currently completing his first year.
“I am honoured to be part of our national racing agenda and that my love for racing will be an
inspiration for all young Malaysians to strive tirelessly to achieve their dreams and goals. I am
always determined to give my very best everytime I am on the track and hope that I will make
Malaysia proud in the upcoming race,” quipped Akash.
“It is exciting times for motorsports in Malaysia, as the fruits of our labour are starting to
flourish,” said Minister of Youth & Sports, Yang Berhormat Encik Khairy Jamaluddin. “I am
calling out to private sector companies to come forward and look at viability of sponsoring our
local drivers,” he urged. “Motorsports in particular is an expensive endeavour but returns for
sponsors are exponential,” he said.
The 2016 Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix will be held from 30 September – 2 October at the Sepang International Circuit, supported by the GP2 and GP3 races.
Schedule and ticket information: Ticket Hotline (03-8778 2222) or www.sepangcircuit.com
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) will run its popular Nissan Safety Campaign at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort in Johor. With this campaign, ETCM aims to engage Nissan customers in raising safety awareness and to enhance essential road safety skills and knowledge for both adults and children.
The 2016 edition of the Nissan Safety Campaign continues with two of its much sought-after modules – Kids Safety Carnival ‘My First Safety Programme with Nissan’ and Safety Driving Experience. Mr Christopher Tan, Sales and Marketing Director in his address to the participants, “We have received overwhelming response and continuous support from our valued customers in our past campaigns, and ETCM is delighted to continue to hold the Nissan Safety Campaign for another year and so reinforce our relationships with our customers; creating a sense of belonging to our Nissan family. The safety of our customers and their families are very important to us, and with the increase number of road mishaps involving children, it is important that safety skills are well communicated through a fun and interactive way to encourage learning. After all, our younger generation is literally driving the future.”
Mr Casper Bonavent, Director of Operations, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort said, “This partnership has been a great success since we started three years ago! Together with ECTM, we believe in the need to teach children, the future drivers about road safety skills. The best way to teach them is by hands on learning, through fun and interactive ways – something that LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort prides itself on doing through our various educational programmes in the Resort. ECTM found the best fit with us in teaching children to be safe on the roads through our Driving Schools.”
The Kids Safety Carnival provides valuable tips and advice on road safety. It focuses on educating both parents and children about road safety awareness by teaching traffic rules – to respect and obey them – and also to observe the traffic around them to avoid accidents as well as being safe in and out of the car.
Exclusively for this year, parents are engaged in their kids’ learning by participating together in the modules. The workshop also offers a hands-on wheels session at the Nissan LEGOLAND® Driving School where children were given the opportunity to drive in a true-to-life traffic circuit where they have to steer pass several road signages, traffic lights and other drivers, in order to qualify for their very own personalised Nissan LEGOLAND® Driving School’s license.
ETCM is also bringing the Kids Safety Carnival to Nissan customers throughout Malaysia, followed by the Safety Driving Programme. The schedule is as follows:
More updates and details about the Nissan Safety Campaign at the Nissan website.
Nissan owners who wish to attend can contact ETCM’s Customer Relations Department at +603-4047 8788 or send an email request to crd@tanchonggroup.com. Entries are on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
The condition of a car’s paintwork can have an emotional effect on the car’s owner. Seeing scratches, chips or even rust spots on one’s beloved ride can be quite a downer. Which is why Ford is using its innovative 3-wet paint technology in most of its vehicles in Asia Pacific.
3-wet technology makes the paint durable enough to withstand the unrelenting wear and tear of everyday use and keeps its outstanding appearance year after year. “Ford’s 3-wet paint technology uses high-solid paint chemistry, which ends up resulting in a tougher and stronger finish for your car,” said Richard Burt, chief engineer, Vehicle Operations Manufacturing Engineering, Paint, Ford Asia Pacific. “The high-solid system is key: The Ford-approved chemistry selected for the paint means you get a better, denser and stronger bond between elements in the paint to end up with a harder, stronger and more scratch-, chip- and etch-resistant surface.”
A higher concentration of solids (resin and colour) in the paint simply means that when it’s sprayed on a car, there are more solids that attach to and stay on the vehicle surface. This in turn makes the paint stick to the vehicle body more strongly.
The first step in Ford’s paint system is the pre-treatment. Here, the sheet-metal vehicle body is dipped in a series of baths that clean, etch and protect it – this is when a protective phosphate layer is applied to the vehicle body. The body is then taken through an electro-deposition process in which it’s dipped into a paint bath with an electric current, which helps the paint bond to the metal and the phosphate layer.
Dipping the metal bodies into these baths allows the coating to cover the entire surface of the body, both inside and out. Ford vehicles in Asia Pacific are even applied with a layer of polyvinyl chloride, as an anti-chipping coating. This protects the paint from chipping caused by stones, which can lead to rusting.
After all this is done, the 3-wet painting process begins. The vehicle body is rolled through three different paint applications: primer, color coat and clear top coat. The primer protects the lower coatings from exposure to elements such as sunlight, and helps with the paint’s resistance to scratches and chips, as the primer is able to absorb some of the impact of kicked up stones and gravel. Next, the color coat and clear top coat give the vehicle its vivid color, sheen and an additional layer of protection.
“Ford also has a very strict standard that paint suppliers have to meet when it comes to the quality and durability of its paint,” said Burt. “It’s not just to industry standards. It’s to Ford standards.”
To ensure all parts of the paint system meet its standards, Ford has a variety of tests that check everything from a paint’s chip- and scratch-resistance to how well it can maintain its gloss and color over time.
One of these tests is the Mar Resistance Test, which measures how well the top clear coat can retain its glossiness. In this test, Ford engineers sand down the surface of a color panel to see how much of its gloss remains. On average, color panels that underwent the high solid 3-wet process retained approximately 96 percent of their glossiness, whereas panels with medium-solid paint only retained an average of approximately 62 percent. In other words, Ford’s high-solid 3-wet paint technology increases a paint’s gloss-retention properties by 56 percent.
“We do extensive testing where we take a paint system – e-coat, primer, colour coat and clear top coat – and test each part of the system at different temperatures, thicknesses, bake and flash times in order to optimise the process to achieve the best performance possible,” said Burt. “When we have a paint system we believe in, we can optimise it based on the process controls we have in the plant to get the best and most durable paint.”
Ford’s 3-wet paint technology is yet another testament to Ford’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality vehicles to customers. This technology not only assures Ford drivers that their vehicle will retain its high quality, glossy finish for years to come, but also that their car’s paint is durable enough to weather even the toughest of conditions.
At the same event, Volvo Car Malaysia also launched the Volvo V40 Adventure Package which features a frame-mounted bicycle holder and load carrier. The special promotional price for the Adventure Package is RM2,536 (inclusive of GST and installation charges); this offer is valid until September 2016.
Prev
