Tune Motoring

According to MIDF Research, there are expectations that the Malaysian government might reduce retail fuel prices, particularly for RON95 and diesel, in an effort to stabilize prices and ease the burden of living costs in the country.

According to a report compiled by Bernama, the research indicates that a 10 sen cut in RON95 prices to RM1.95 per litre next month could lead to a decrease in Malaysia’s headline inflation to 2.9 per cent for the year. The moderation of non-food inflation towards 1.3 per cent and a deeper contraction of -1.7 per cent in transport prices could be achieved as a result of this move.

Moreover, the research estimates that by the year-end, the 10 sen price reduction could bring the monthly headline inflation rate down to +1.9 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y). Additionally, this would leave the government with an additional RM4.31 billion in fiscal expenditure that could be allocated to other objectives.

MIDF Research also highlights the positive fiscal space for the government, with the fiscal debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio dropping to 59.3 per cent in the first quarter of the year, and including contingent liabilities, the latest figure standing at 76.1 per cent.

Transport costs, as per the Consumer Price Index (CPI) weightage, are noted to be the third-largest burden after food and housing/utilities. Considering the persistently elevated food inflation and declining income pressure, the research house predicts that the government may opt to reduce retail fuel prices, especially RON95 and diesel, in the near future.

MIDF Research points out the challenges in containing food inflation, given Malaysia’s status as a net food importer, exacerbated by the depreciation of the ringgit. The research also mentions that the recent dismantling of the Black Sea grain corridor, leading to no agreement for exports of food and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia to the global market, could contribute to higher food inflation and price volatility.

Mazda has officially confirmed that the upcoming 2026 MX-5 Miata will be electrified, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of this legendary sports car.

According to Motortrend, while Mazda remains tight-lipped about the specific electrification approach—whether it will be a fully electric vehicle (EV), hybrid, or plug-in hybrid—the move comes as part of the automaker’s broader strategy to transition its entire lineup to partial electrification by 2030.

The MX-5 Miata has garnered a well-deserved reputation for being a thrilling, affordable roadster with exceptional driving dynamics. Electrifying this beloved model is a necessary step to ensure its relevance and viability in the automotive landscape of the future.

As Mazda takes its time to meticulously develop EV technology, it is likely that the next-gen Miata will first see a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant before an all-electric version emerges.

Mazda’s Vision Study Model, a visually striking sports car showcased last year, might provide some insights into the design direction of the electric Miata, although it is more inclined to serve as an influence on the production model’s aesthetics.

In the pursuit of electrification, Mazda has partnered with Rohm Co. to develop electric powertrains and forged an agreement with Envision AESC for battery development. While these collaborations could impact the next-generation Miata, opting for a hybrid version seems logical, given the challenges of fitting a battery with sufficient range within the Miata’s compact frame.

A full EV setup might compromise performance due to the weight of the battery pack and result in a considerable price increase. Alternatively, Mazda could explore a partnership with another automaker for platform development.

As for the anticipated release date, we can expect to witness the next-generation MX-5 Miata hitting the roads in time for the thrilling top-down driving season of 2025, designated as a 2026 model year vehicle. Mazda enthusiasts and sports car lovers alike eagerly await the electrifying future of this iconic roadster.

 

The European Union has recently put forth a proposal aiming to prohibit the use of chrome plating materials starting from 2024, citing health-related concerns.

This move comes in response to the potential hazards associated with hexavalent chromium, a toxic chemical utilised in the production of chrome plating materials. Hexavalent chromium is a well-known carcinogen, posing significant risks to human health, surpassing diesel emissions’ toxicity by 500 times.

Furthermore, the production of hexavalent chromium leads to the release of carcinogens into the atmosphere, impacting both the environment and public health negatively. As of now, there is no known safe method to produce chrome-plated materials since all existing processes generate harmful exhaust fumes.

With the automotive industry heavily reliant on chrome plating in their high-volume markets, the proposed ban could have significant implications for future car designs. Chrome finishes have long been associated with providing vehicles with a luxurious appearance, making them a popular choice for car manufacturers.

In light of the EU’s proposal, Renault’s Chief Designer, Gilles Vidal, has expressed the need to explore alternative materials beyond chrome to create more sustainable solutions. As the ban looms, the industry may need to innovate and adopt new, safer materials to maintain the desired aesthetic appeal without compromising public health and environmental well-being.

Yesterday, Malaysia received the unfortunate news of the passing of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. His daughter, confirmed his passing on social media last night.

“It is with sorrow that we announce the death of our family’s head, Salahuddin Ayub, at 9.23pm on July 23, 2023,” said Siti Fatihah Salahuddin said on her Facebook page.

The 61-year-old Minister suffered a brain haemorrhage on Saturday night, July 22, and subsequently underwent surgery on Sunday morning at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah.

The press secretary of the minister stated that Salahuddin’s remains will be taken to his mother’s residence in Tanjung Piai, Johor.

Throughout his career, Salahuddin was renowned for his involvement in the Payung Rahmah initiative and the ongoing efforts to develop a targeted subsidy system.

Notably, in May before his passing, he revealed plans to initiate targeted fuel subsidies for diesel starting in 2024. The main aim of this initiative was to reduce wastage in subsidies and ensure that financial assistance is directed to those motorists who genuinely require it.

For the smooth implementation of these targeted fuel subsidies, Salahuddin stressed the importance of creating an integrated database that would involve the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Finance Ministry, Transport Ministry, as well as the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry.

The passing of Salahuddin will lead to a by-election for the Pulai federal seat in Johor. He initially won this seat in 2018 and managed to retain it in the previous year.

The official launch of the 2023 BYD Dolphin EV is just around the corner and its hype is getting bigger by the day.

With a number of spottings in public (covered in that blue wavy camo stickers, of course), the latest gossip is now related to the pricing. According to the Malay Mail, its official price tag might just start from below the RM110,000 mark.

If that is true, then the BYD Dolphin EV might just be the next hot-selling electric car for 2023 with a more enticing and affordable price tag. Parked under the also popular BYD Atto 3 that’s priced from RM149,800 to RM167,800, the Dolphin is expected to cater to a wider audience and hopefully, boost the country’s EV ownership here in Malaysia.

We’re also expecting the BYD Dolphin EV to come in two different variants. The base variant that is said to be under RM110,000 might come with a single electric motor that produces 94hp and 180Nm of torque.

Not the most powerful, but its 44.9kWh battery pack is said to be able to cover around 340km – more than enough for your daily travel needs to and from work plus everything in between.

The more powerful variant comes packed with a 204hp electric motor that is able to churn out 310Nm of torque. Mated to a bigger 60.4kWh battery pack, its driving range is extended to close to 430km.

We’ll know for sure regarding the official prices, specs, and variants during the BYD Dolphin’s official launch happening on 27 July 2023. Right now, bookings are open and the first few deliveries will begin as soon as August this year. Interesting? Most definitely.

 

Around 100 luxury vehicles, including McLaren and Ferrari cars, were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after they were taken out of Langkawi, Kedah.

They are allegedly in collusion with a syndicate to illicitly evade luxury car duties, resulting in losses of tens of millions of ringgit for the government.

According to Harian Metro, investigations revealed that these luxury vehicles were scattered across the country after being smuggled out of Langkawi by the involved syndicate. Some of these vehicles were purchased as far back as 2015, and some had changed ownership up to three times.

Picture credit: Harian Metro (actual car that was seized)

The MACC is determined to track down individuals involved in colluding with the syndicate to illegally evade luxury car duties from Langkawi. They have gathered relevant documents related to the seized luxury vehicles to aid in the investigation and recover the lost government revenue.

In the first phase of the special operation conducted on July 13th in the northern region of the country, the MACC successfully seized 20 luxury cars, leading to the dismantling of a syndicate responsible for evading RM33 million in luxury car duties.

Seven individuals were arrested in Kedah, including a government agency agent who colluded by submitting false information.

The investigation by MACC revealed that the suspects conspired with the car owners to present false documents to obtain duty reduction from customs. The case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009.

The MACC will continue its special operation in a second phase to take further action against those involved in the luxury car duties evasion scheme.

Musk is open to licensing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and hardware to other car manufacturers.

During a recent earnings call for Q2 2023, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk revealed some exciting prospects for the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) level 2 autonomous driving technology.

Contrary to popular belief, Musk stated that Tesla is open to licensing its FSD software and hardware to other car manufacturers. In fact, the company is already engaged in early discussions with a major OEM about using the Tesla FSD.

The potential for licensing the FSD system opens up new opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the automotive industry. While Tesla has made its North American Charging Standard open source, the FSD system is likely to involve licensing fees. However, the added value and benefits it brings to vehicles could make it a worthwhile investment for automakers.

Elon Musk remains committed to achieving true Full Self-Driving capabilities, which could significantly increase the value of Tesla’s vehicles. He believes that once FSD is approved by regulators, the car’s value will skyrocket, making the current price tag of $15,000 (RM69k) seem like a bargain. The FSD technology is also available as a monthly subscription, providing flexibility to customers.

Acknowledging past criticisms and humorous remarks about FSD’s development timeline, Musk expressed confidence that the technology will soon surpass human capabilities. He shared that to date, over 482 million kilometres have been driven using FSD, and as the mileage increases, FSD’s performance will outperform human drivers, paving the way for ten times safer driving experiences.

Tesla plans to graduate FSD Beta from the beta stage with the next update, signifying the company’s growing confidence in the technology’s reliability and efficiency. Although FSD Beta has not been rolled out anywhere else, Tesla owners in North America already enjoy its advanced capabilities, including identifying stop signs, traffic lights, and autonomously driving in most scenarios with active driver supervision.

Despite Tesla’s focus on autonomous driving, the company has faced scrutiny and investigations surrounding its Autopilot technology.

The US Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into more than a dozen crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot system. Prosecutors are examining whether the company misled consumers, investors, and regulators with unsupported claims about the technology’s capabilities.

While Tesla’s path to autonomous driving has faced challenges and controversies, the company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and safety.

As the world eagerly awaits the advancements in FSD and the potential collaborations with other automakers, Tesla’s vision for the future of driving continues to shape the automotive landscape.

In a surprising turn of events, a recent survey has shattered the belief that car buyers are strongly opposed to in-car connected service subscriptions.

According to an article published on carscoops.com, S&P Global Mobility conducted a global consumer study involving nearly 8,000 participants, and the results are eye-opening.

Contrary to common beliefs, 82% of the respondents who experienced a free trial or existing subscription on a 2016 model year or newer vehicle expressed their willingness to consider obtaining subscription-based services in their future new vehicle purchases.

This discovery showcases the potential demand for such services once customers have experienced them firsthand.

According to S&P Global Mobility, the key lies in exposing consumers to in-vehicle services, proving that in-vehicle exposure is more effective in driving demand, satisfaction, and retention with these services and brands compared to mere education on subscription programs.

The survey also delved into the likelihood of subscription renewals, and the results are promising. The vast majority of respondents who were exposed to a subscription service, either through a free trial or by opting for it, expressed a strong inclination towards renewing. Furthermore, an overwhelming 85% stated they would recommend these services to their friends.

Certain subscription services and features proved more appealing to consumers than others. Enhanced navigation and driver-assist systems topped the desirability list, along with popular safety features. On the other hand, consumers showed less interest in splurging on subscriptions for commonplace features like heated seats and heated steering wheels, as offered by some manufacturers.

Fewer than 30% of respondents were willing to pay for these features through monthly subscriptions.

S&P Global Mobility’s senior technical research analyst, Yanina Mills, believes that consumers are drawn to the idea of subscriptions because they provide access to innovative features and technology they may not have experienced in their previous vehicles.

In conclusion, the survey’s findings challenge the notion that in-car connected services face widespread rejection among car buyers. It appears that once customers have a taste of these offerings, they become more open to embracing them in their future driving experiences.

The automotive industry may need to shift its perception and embrace the growing potential of in-car connected services to cater to the evolving demands of modern consumers.

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has introduced the latest addition to its lineup of battery-electric vehicles in Malaysia, the Hyundai IONIQ 6. This model arrives in two variants: the IONIQ 6 Max RWD, priced at RM289,888, and the Ioniq 6 Max AWD, priced at RM319,888.

Both the Max RWD and Max AWD feature a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, providing a battery range of 614 km for the Max RWD and 519 km for the Max AWD, based on the WLTP testing cycle. Notably, this gives the Ioniq 6 a larger battery capacity than the IONIQ 5, matching that of the Kia EV6.

That full charge endurance is no doubt greatly contributed to by the car’s impressive drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd which was a cornerstone of the car’s design and development process, making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient production passenger vehicles globally – beaten only by the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

On the exterior, the IONIQ 6 is equipped with dual-LED headlamps with intelligent front-lighting, Parametric Pixel LED rear combination tail lamps giving it a very distinctive look in dim conditions. Visually, the two variants can easily be distinguished from its wheel fitments – the RWD receives 18-inch units while the quicker AWD get a sportier looking set of 20-inchers. Closer inspection will also reveal the RWD’s lack of a panoramic sunroof.

In terms of dimensions, the Ioniq 6 measures 4,855 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,495 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. The rear luggage capacity is 414 liters, while the Max RWD has a larger front compartment at 45 liters, and the Max AWD comes with 14.5 liters of front cargo capacity thanks to its second front-mounted motor. The kerb weights for the RWD and AWD variants are 1,910 kg and 2,020 kg, respectively.

The Max RWD is equipped with a single rear-axle-mounted motor generating 168 kW (228 PS) and 350 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the Max AWD boasts dual motors, one on each axle, producing a combined 239 kW (325 PS) and 605 Nm of torque – pretty much identical to the EV6. Consequently, the IONIQ 6 Max RWD can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, while the more powerful Max AWD shaves this down to just 5.1 seconds. Both variants have an electronically limited top speed of 185 km/h.

Just like the IONIQ 5 and KIA EV6, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 features an 800-volt electrical architecture as part of the E-GMP vehicle architecture, enabling rapid charging at up to 350 kW from a DC source. This allows the car to reach a 10-80% state of charge in just 18 minutes, and a 50 kW DC charge accomplishes the same level in 73 minutes.

Inside, both variants feature leather interior upholstery with power-adjustable and lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. The driver benefits from a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a multi-function steering wheel, voice command functionality, and an electrochromic interior rear-view mirror. Notably, the front window controls have been shifted from the doors to the centre console, providing more knee room by the doors. The centre console is no longer a sliding unit, unlike the IONIQ 5.

In terms of connectivity, both variants support wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth. The audio output is delivered by a Bose eight-speaker system, and the cabin features 64-colour ambient lighting. The rear seats offer a 60:40 split-folding feature, and the vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality enables external electrical devices to be powered at up to 3.68 kW.

In terms of safety features, the IONIQ 6 includes seven airbags, ABS, ESC, hill start assist, multi-collision brake, seat belt reminder, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The advanced driver assistance systems encompass blind-spot collision assist, lane-keeping assist, forward collision avoidance assist, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, manual speed limit assist, Forward Collision Assist 2, remote smart parking assist, parking collision avoidance assist, and the surround view monitor.

The standard warranty offering is a two-year, 50,000 km coverage, but it can be upgraded to include a five-year, 100,000 km warranty and a three-year, 50,000 km free service package for an additional fee of RM10,000. Both the standard and optional vehicle warranty packages come with an eight-year, 160,000 km drive battery warranty.

As a bonus, the first 30 owners of the Ioniq 6 in Malaysia will receive a one-year Shell Recharge Gold EV charging membership upon delivery of their vehicle.

Being further up in the pecking order of Hyundai’s electric IONIQ range, the IONIQ 6 naturally commands a higher price, but is also more well specified even in its entry variant. That said, a starting price of just a hair under RM290k puts it in competition other EVs such as the Volvo C40 while the Kia EV6 looms as a more practical alternative (to the IONIQ 6 Max AWD) at the slight expense of range.

The smart #1 all-electric SUV will be launched very soon here in Malaysia and we had a closer look at what this beauty has to offer.

To kick things off, we’re going to look at the exterior of the smart #1 (pronounced as smart hashtag one). First and foremost, the #1 looks bigger than initially expected based on all the photos we’ve previously seen online.

That was a welcomed surprise and looking deeper into the design, we can honestly say that it’s one of a few EVs that can definitely cater to a wider range of audience, particularly the younger crowds.

For those who don’t know, the smart brand is a partnership between Geely and Mercedes-Benz. Geely handles all the mechanical stuff within the vehicle and Mercedes-Benz gets the job of designing the car.

For that, Mercedes-Benz went with the “Sensual Producty” design philosophy in order to create a product that perfectly balances aesthetics and aerodynamics.

The result is quite stunning in the realm that the smart #1 looks premium but at the same time approachable by people from all walks of life. Yes, it is an SUV but it doesn’t shout ‘family’ aloud, which is a good thing if you want the younger generation to adopt the EV lifestyle.

So what does the smart #1 have that’s unique within its segment? Well, it’s going to be the first within its segment to offer an illuminated front grille as well as a luminous side logo.

It’s certainly a nice touch to portray an EV that looks futuristic but at the same time not bombastic enough to drive some of the crowds away. The front LED headlight that spans across the entire front end also looks sleek and classy to the point where some might not even realise that it’s an EV – a good thing that we believe makes the #1 that more approachable.

If you’re looking for an element that puts the smart #1 ahead of its competitors, just look on the roof and you’ll find the panoramic halo roof. This adds even more style to the exterior of the vehicle, but more importantly, a bigger sense of space once for those sitting inside (but we’ll get to the interior at a later time).

From the side profile, you’ll notice its nicely designed 19-inch wheels that look unique in our eyes. While it might seem big on paper, the dimensions all tie up nicely with the rest of the car.

Even the concealed door handles are finished with a nice touch thanks to the embedded smart logo that can be seen once they pop out the doors. Speaking of doors, what better way to amp up its overall premium-ness than frameless doors, right?

Going to the back end, the dynamic LED taillight ties everything together nicely into an EV package that can be exciting to a wider audience. Personally, we dig the looks of the smart #1. We dig it a lot. And if you have the chance to get a closer look, do so and you might be surprised.