BMW EfficientDynamics showcase at Pavilion, 20 – 24 Oct

In this blog entry, I'm covering BMW EfficientDynamics showcase at Pavilion from 20 to 24 October 2011.  Among the cars on display were BMW Active E (based on BMW 1 series coupe), BMW X1 Efficientdynamics and BMW 320d.  Sadly, I missed this event.  All is NOT LOST, I dished out 2 reports AND a Video on this event:


REPORT 1: AUTOWORLD

BMW EfficientDynamics showcase at Pavilion, 20 – 24 Oct

Report 2:   PAULTAN.ORG: 

http://paultan.org/2011/10/20/bmw-efficientdynamics-showcase-at-pavillion/

Latest from Ayutthaya - Toyota's three factories shut down

October 19, 2011  By KON

SOURCE: CLICK ME

The situation at the flood-hit Thai region of Ayutthaya continues to worsen. Last week, we reported that Honda has halted operations of its plant there. Toyota, whose three plants are all situated away from Ayutthaya, is not directly affected.

Toyota Corolla Altis - one of many Thai-assembled Toyota models in Malaysia

However, according to a media statement released by UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd today, Toyota Motor Thailand Co. (TMT) has decided to halt operations at its three plants at Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho due to shortage of parts from affected suppliers.

An extended shut down of these three plants will inevitably affect the Malaysian market as they supply majority of UMWT's fully-imported CBU models and CKD kits for its locally assembled models. At this moment, however, UMWT has stated that deliveries for October 2011 are not affected, although this will not continue if the flooding situation worsens.


“Our commitment to our customers remains topmost in our priority. We are closely monitoring on the parts supply situation in Thailand and will provide any updates or information in a timely manner. We sincerely hope for the quickest possible recovery and appreciate our customers and business partners understanding during these difficult times” said En. Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011: The Winners and What They Say

Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011: The Winners and What They Say

(SOURCE: Click the title)

 Our friends at Asian Auto has announced the results of their annual Auto Industry Awards for 2011 in a simple ceremony held at Saujana Subang last week. Some 120 representatives from 34 car companies were present at the ceremony with some 19 awards up for grabs.

Chief Editor of Asian Auto, Daniel Fernandez said, “Asian Auto has been in publication for the past 38 years, providing the latest news on the industry, car reviews and product launches, as well as all relevant information from around the world. Asian Auto has become a constant companion to the Malaysians who are getting more picky about the level of information available to them in making their next motoring purchase, which has become the second most important purchase for the average Malaysian today.”

Winners of the Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011 are:

1. Best Performance Luxury Sedan – Audi A8L Quattro

2. Best Performance Executive Sedan – Jaguar XF Diesel
3. Best Performance Luxury SUV – Volkswagen Touareg

4. Best Performance Luxury Sports Car – Porsche Panamera

5. Best Performance Family Sedan – Ford Mondeo EcoBoost

6. Best Performance Compact Car – Audi A1 TFSI

7. Best Local Assembly Compact Car – Perodua Myvi LAGI BEST
“This new Perodua Myvi is continuing the proud legacy of its predecessor. We are proud and honoured with its recognition from one of Malaysia’s leading motoring publications.” – Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, Perodua Managing Director.

8. Best Local Assembly SUV – Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi

9. Best Local Assembly Executive Sedan – Nissan Teana 2.5V6“The Nissan Teana 2.5 V6 won Best Local Assembly Executive Sedan at the Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011 as it surprised all the judges with its good engine response, quiet cabin at high speed and overall build quality against its reasonable selling price.” – Daniel Fernandez.

 Read:
- Nissan returns to D-segment with all-new Teana
- Nissan Teana 250 XV – V6 power returns to the D-segment

10. Best Local Assembly Family Car – Mazda3 1.6

11. Best Value For Money SUV – Ssangyong Actyon SUV

12. Best Value For Money Luxury MPV – Ford S-Max MPV

13. Best Value For Money Sports Car – Mazda3 MPS

14. Best Value For Money Sports GT – Renault Megane RS250

15. Best Value For Money Executive Sedan – Citroen C5 1.6 Turbo

16. Best Value For Money Family Car – Proton Inspira 1.8
Read:
- Proton Inspira 1.8E (M/T) – One step back, two steps forward
- Proton Inspira 1.8E (CVT) – Tough Choice

17. Best Value For Money Compact Car – Ford Fiesta 1.6
Read:
- Ford Fiesta – Good things come in small packages
- Ford Fiesta – Rebirth of a Legend
- The Fiesta Story
- Keshy’s Fiesta Test Drive
- Ford Fiesta Sport 1.6 Powershift – Sophisticated fun

18. Best Value For Money Hybrid Car – Honda Insight

 Read:
- Honda Insight – Affordable green credentials
- Testing the Insight’s hybrid promise

19. Best People’s Car – Proton Saga FL 1.6



Read: Proton Saga FL now with Campro 1.6 engine
KON

DO CLICK ON THE TITLE FOR SOURCE and Pictures: Autoworld Blog.

World COTY Winners Announced

World COTY Winners Announced

(SOURCE: Click on the link title:

Having been narrowed down to the last three nominees of each category at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the 2011 winners of the World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards were finally announced at the New York Auto Show yesterday.
Bagging the top prize of the 2011 World Car of the Year was the Nissan Leaf, beating the Audi A8 and BMW 5 Series to the gong. The Leaf’s win ends two years of domination by Volkswagen, who took home the prize in 2009 with the Golf, and in 2010 with the Polo.

The Leaf was also in the final reckoning but not winning the 2011 World Green Car award. That accolade went instead to the Chevrolet Volt, whose trophy cabinet already includes prizes such as Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year, Green Car Journal 2011 Green Car of the Year, and Car and Driver 10 Best for 2011.
“The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world,” said Rick Schiedt, Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing.

“This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe,” Schiedt added.

At the other end of the spectrum, the 2011 World Performance Car award goes to the Ferrari 458 Italia, which held off stiff competition from the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porsche 911 Turbo. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s take on a 4-door sedan has found immediate fans with the Rapide winning the World Car Design of the Year award.

KON of Autoworld
Pictures: Official manufacturers’ release.

Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency Awards 2010 Winners announced

Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency Awards 2010 Winners announced

(FOR SOURCE: Click the Title link)

Our friends over at Asian Auto has recently announced the results of their annual Fuel Efficiency Awards. Read on see if your car is ranked among Malaysia’s most fuel efficient. Where available, we have also included links to our test drive reports of the winning cars.

1. Compact City Cars

Hyundai i10 (5.0 l/100km)
Suzuki Alto (5.05 l/100km)
Perodua Myvi (6.2 l/100km)

2. Compact Premium City Cars

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI (5.8 l/100km)
Mini Cooper R56 (5.9 l/100km)
Alfa Romeo Mito (6.1 l/100km)

3. Family Cars

Honda City (6.1 l/100km)
Proton Inspira 1.8E M/T (6.3 l/100km)
Nissan Latio Sedan 1.6 (7.1 l/100km)

4. Premium Family Cars

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 (5.5 l/100km)
Ford Focus TDCI (5.8 l/100km)
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI (6.3 l/100km)

5. Luxury Family Cars

Mazda6 2.0 (7.4 l/100km)
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 (7.5 l/100km)
Volvo S40 2.0 Powershift (7.7 l/100km)

6. Executive Cars

Mercedes-Benz C 200 CGI (7.2 l/100km)
Audi A4 1.8T (7.4 l/100km)
Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0TSi (7.9 l/100km)

7. Premium Executive Cars

Mercedes-Benz E 200 CGI (5.6 l/100km)
Audi A6 2.0 TFSi (7.7 l/100km)
BMW 523i (7.8 l/100km)

8. Super Saloons

Mercedes-Benz S300 L (9.4 l/100km)
Audi A8 3.2 (9.9 l/100km)
Porsche Panamera 3.6 (10.9 l/100km)

9. Sport Coupes/Cabriolets

Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI (6.3 l/100km)
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI (7.5 l/100km)
Peugeot 308 CC (8.1 l/100km)

10. Performance Cars

Volkswagen Golf GTi (7.4 l/100km)
Audi TT TFSI (7.7 l/100km)
Lotus Elise S (8.2 l/100km)

11. Pickup Trucks 4X4

Isuzu D-Max 2.5 (7.6 l/100km)
Ssangyong Actyon Sports 2.0 (8.0 l/100km)
Nissan Navara (8.2 l/100km)


12. Compact MPV

Honda Freed (6.1 l/100km)
Toyota Avanza (7.1 l/100km)
Honda Stream RSZ (7.2 l/100km)

13. Luxury MPV

Hyundai Grand Starex Royale (9.6 l/100km)
Mitsubishi Grandis 2.4 (9.7 l/100km)
Mazda8 (9.8 l/100km)

14. SUV

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi (7.2 l/100km)
Mitsubishi ASX (7.6 l/100km)
Peugeot 3008 (7.8 l/100km)

15. Compact Luxury SUV

Mazda CX-7 (7.7 l/100km)
Volvo XC60 2.0T (8.5 l/100km)
Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI (8.6 l/100km)

16. Luxury SUV

Volvo XC90 D5 (8.5 l/100km)
Porsche Cayenne Diesel (9.3 l/100km)
Lexus RX270 (9.5 l/100km)

17. Supercars

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (9.3 l/100km)
Porsche 911 Carrera PDK (9.8 l/100km)
Porsche 911 GT2 (12.5 l/100km)

18. Family Hybrids

Toyota Prius (3.9 l/100km)
Honda Insight (4.6 l/100km)
Honda Civic Hybrid (4.6 l/100km)


19. Luxury Hybrids

Lexus RX 450h (6.3 l/100km)
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid (8.3 l/100km)
Lexus LS 600h L (9.3 l/100km)

By KON

Pictures: Autoworld archive and official manufacturer release.

END OF ARTICLE...

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