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Free Website Counters SPY the Man: January 2006

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Volkswagen: M’sia an important market

WOLFSBURG, (Germany): Volkswagen Group has broken its silence on the calling off of talks on a possible partnership with national carmaker Proton.
Volkswagen Group executive vice-president (marketing and sales) Stefan Jacoby said, “There are two partners in Malaysia that we can look at but give us a little bit of time,” without elaborating.
Jacoby was speaking to journalists on a familiarisation trip here.
He said the group was already “behind time'' in achieving its strategy to enter into a joint venture with a company in South-East Asia to produce cars for the region.

“We respect that Proton should be an independent enterprise. However, our idea of the Volkswagen AG and Proton joint venture was for VW to have management control and be the majority shareholder.
“We thought that this could help us secure our interest and strategic outlook for the Asean region.
“There was no rational reason given by Proton as to why they were not willing to give full management control except that it was related to national pride,” said Jacoby, who has been involved in the automobile industry for 20 years, half of which in Asia.
“Our success is based on the structure of an industrial holding and our holding company is our brand. The success of our brand is very much based on our independence to run the business of that brand,” he added.
Dr Christof Spathelf of Volkswagen AG's Project Management Proton/Manufacturing Overseas said the model implemented by Perodua, whereby 51% was owned by Toyota and 49% by Perodua, could be used as a model for Proton if the deal was agreed on.
There has been industry talk that a possible concern on the part of Proton will be the potential loss of many local suppliers.
“If Malaysia is an Asean hub for exporting cars, it will have to be a worldwide competitive supply industry in the country,” he said.
Jacoby said VW had planned to develop Proton just like it had done with Skoda in India, in which VW’s management had 100% control, and Skoda remained India’s national pride.

VW foresaw that Proton, being the biggest vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia with a whole value chain in the automotive industry, had its existing infrastructure to offer VW. But Proton would benefit from VW’s engineering and production technology, which would enable it to compete globally, he said.

“We would bring new investors into the country as well as provide employment,'' he added.
VW also wanted to strengthen its service and sales network and upgrade its supply chain, Jacoby said.

“We investigated the supplier infrastructure in Malaysia and believe that it can be developed to international standards.”
Volkswagen Group pre-sales and marketing director in Malaysia, Martina Berg, said the negotiations started one-and-a-half years ago and for the Germans, this had “taken too long.”
Jacoby said the 5% GDP growth in the Asean region was encouraging and in 2015, it is estimated that there would be 2.4 million cars on the road, one million more than last year.
Currently, VW’s office in Singapore focuses only on car imports and the group is looking for a partnership to grow the Asean market.

“We take Malaysia as an important market. We will start bringing in our cars in 2006 and 2007 and will continue investigations in Malaysia and Thailand for potential partners. However, that will be more in Malaysia than Thailand,” he added.

The Malaysian market is indeed important to VW.
The company sent a private jet to pick up Malaysian journalists, who were stranded in Copenhagen en route to Wolfsburg, as a result of a strike by pilots.

SPY ----> Ford Expedition SUV





Monday, January 30, 2006

Proton, VW to cooperate on specific projects

Proton, VW to cooperate
on specific projects

January 28 2006


PROTON Holdings Bhd confirmed that a tie-up with Volkswagen AG, which includes the German carmaker taking a stake in the national car firm, is off.
Instead, they would only work on specific projects that include Volkswagen supplying products and components to Proton.


The new cooperation was confirmed by Volkswagen on Thursday via an official letter sent to Proton in Kuala Lumpur, Proton said in a statement.


Proton said with this understanding, the two parties "have now decided to bring to an end the proposed collaboration envisaged under the memorandum of understanding signed in October 2004".


"We have moved past the issue of Volkswagen eyeing any kind of shareholding and we are now able to work on specific initiatives that complement Proton's capabilities and current range of products," a Proton spokesperson said.


The cooperation will be in the areas of technical and engineering, training and systems as well as other commercial projects.


It may also include the possibility of supporting Volkswagen to explore the Malaysian dealers' network.


Technical discussions will be held soon by both parties, it said.


In a separate statement, Proton said it would jointly develop larger engines and environment-friendly alternative fuel systems with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).


Proton is looking at bigger engines of between 1.8 and 2.2 litres.


Both parties will explore the possibilities of further developing Petronas' engines, particularly the compatibility of its EO1 engine to Proton cars.


Subsequently, they will be looking at potential commercialisation of the engine.


"This is a significant partnership ... Proton will be able to tap into Petronas' ready-to-use engine technology capacity in the most efficient manner and within the shortest timeframe possible," said Proton managing director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir.


They will also work to develop a natural gas vehicle system for Proton's use.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Wing doors from LSD!












More products : LSD products photos

Wish to modify your car into this?
Find out more information by clicking on the title.
The Hinge product price is around RM5k to RM8k per set and not including installation fees.

SPY ----> Mitsubishi i (Launched at Japan)





New concept of Mini car from Mitsubishi, just launched at Japan yesterday.
Engine is located at the back, the front only install radiator and battery.

More information: http://media.mitsubishi-motors.com/pressrelease/e/products/detail1407.html

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/i/index.html


New 12-valve DOHC MIVEC intercooler-turbocharged engine with aluminum cylinder block
"i" is powered by a brand-new 3-cylinder engine that mates variable valve timing technology (MIVEC) on the intake valvetrain with an intercooler-turbocharger the only minicar power unit to do so, to deliver high performance and return excellent fuel economy and clean emissions. Despite its turbocharged specification, "i" earns a 3-star rating for emission levels that are 50% lower than required by Japanese 2005 Emission Regulations and returns fuel consumption that meets Japanese 2010 fuel economy standards.Using an aluminum cylinder block and resin intake manifold, the new engine was made lighter and more compact. An electronic throttle delivers silky-smooth acceleration despite the engine's turbocharged specification. Also, a higher overall engine stiffness and the use of a silent timing chain contributes to quieter and smoother operation for category-eclipsing levels of comfort.

Frontal impact test results:








Previous blog link: http://wongseefu.blogspot.com/2005/11/spy-mmc-i.html

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

New JNCAP 2005 (NASVA) Front impact test report
















SPY ----> Volvo C70 convertible





Volvo's expertise on safety has finally been matched with style! The new C70 is the first production convertible in the world to get a three-piece retractable hard-top - and it's a work of art.

The transformation from coupé to cabriolet takes 30 seconds, and watching the panels perform a delicate ballet before stowing snugly and quietly under the rear deck is a joy in itself.

But just as impressive is the fact that the complex arrangement (developed with Italian styling house Pininfarina) hasn't compromised the design. Unlike some rivals, the C70's rear doesn't look overly bulky, and is practical, too.

With the roof up, the load bay offers 400 litres of space, while the cabin is big enough to carry four adults. Rear headroom is tight, but legroom is generous.

Most appealing, however, is the car's versatility. You'd expect the neat tail to lack load space once the top is folded - but by ditching the spare wheel, the area underneath still offers 200 litres.

There are even lidded cubbyholes front and rear which are linked to the central locking, meaning secure storage with the roof down. Up front, the cabin is broadly the same as that in the S40 and V50, but to add a touch of luxury, it's been given chrome highlights on the air vents and heating and stereo controls, plus a tactile leather steering wheel.

So the C70 is very well packaged and designed - but is the driving experience up to the same standards? When the car goes on sale in mid-March (the first deliveries aren't likely until May), it will come with two engines: a 170bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder or a 220bhp turbo version of the same unit, in the T5. Early summer sees the most interesting option appear: a 180bhp 2.4-litre D5 diesel.

Only the T5 was available for us to drive, however, and it's very muscular. Performance is strong, with 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds, and there's a warbling engine note. Our car's six-speed manual box also had a neat shift, although a five-speed Geartronic auto is a £1,250 extra. On the smooth roads of our Dubai test route, the C70 was solid, with only a slight wobble from the strengthened structure over mid-corner expansion joints. It's not the last word in involvement, but isn't cumbersome or wallowy around bends, either. Body control is impressive, it's reasonably well balanced and while there's some wind noise from the tops of the A-pillars when the roof is up, buffeting is minimal with it down.

We'll need to drive the C70 here to give a definitive verdict, but first impressions are good - not least because of the value for money on offer. All cars get climate, cruise and stability control, and prices range from £26,200 for the 2.4i Sport to £33,225 for this T5 SE Lux.

SPY ----> Mitsubishi Zinger (Taiwan market)



Orders for new model off to fast start in Taiwan

Tokyo, January 23, 2006 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that orders taken by the company's local partner in Taiwan, China Motor Corp. (CMC)*1 , for the new 2.4-liter MPV Zinger*2 in the one month since its launch in Taiwan on December 24, 2005 (as of January 22) have reached 2,285, substantially more than the monthly target of 1,200 vehicles.
Developed as a multi-purpose vehicle, the attractively priced Zinger brings the essence of SUV power into a boldly original design with versatile seating arrangements to make it ideally suited to a wide range of leisure, town and other driving purposes. Zinger is the first new Mitsubishi brand model to be introduced in Taiwan since the Grunder in December 2004 and is expected to spark an increase in sales.
Working with CMC, Mitsubishi Motors has a long history of producing and selling Mitsubishi brand vehicles in Taiwan. Both companies expect the introduction of the new model to lead to further sales growth in Lancer and other Mitsubishi models.
Zinger is also due to go into production and sales by South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.*3 , a joint venture between Fujian Motor Industrial Corporation and CMC, in the second half of fiscal 2007.


*1
Established in 1969 in Yang-Mei, Taiwan. CMC entered a technical collaboration agreement with MMC in 1970 covering the manufacture of automobiles. MMC currently owns a 13.96 percent stake in the company. CMC is the second largest auto company in Taiwan with sales of 76,618 vehicles in calendar 2005 and its lineup includes Lancer, Savrin (Grandis in Japan), Space Gear, Freeca, Delica, and other models. The head office is located in Taipei.
*2
A person or something full of energy and vitality.
*3
Established in Fujian Province in November 1995 as a 50/50 joint venture between Fujian Motor Industrial Corporation and CMC. The company posted sales of 60,216 vehicles in calendar 2005 and its lineup includes the Lioncel (previous generation Lancer), Soveran (Chariot Grandis), Freeca, and Delica models.

Monday, January 23, 2006

New Technologies from BMW - Night Navigator system

Do you believed that, we can have 007 spy technologies on Real world now.
This night camera was the magic of it.


When your car has installed such kind of system, the accident rate of driving at night time can be reduced effectively.



At the moment only premium luxury vehicles likes Mercedes S-class and BMW 7 series available, but in the near future (Another 5 to 10 years) we could have it on Japanese models, maybe in PROTON cars too (Perdana or Chancellor). Wish to see the real one soon, I will go to showroom and check this out.
QUESTION:
What is the main factor for you to buy a Proton Car?
Low price and no other choice due to budget
Good resale value
Low maintenance cost
Ride & Handling is good
Reliable parts, chasis and engine
Good Styling exterior & Interior
Patriotism (I support Made in Malaysia Products)
Follow others (Follow Majorities should be the best choice)