Seasons Greetings..

EU to impose Autonomous Emergency Braking by 2013

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems involve adaptive cruise control working in tandem with fully automatic braking to stop you colliding into the car in front, without you touching the pedals. Although quite a number of automakers already have such systems (Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo, Porsche, Infiniti and Subaru to name a few), only 20% of cars sold in Europe today are so equipped. Which isn’t surprising, given that only models at the higher end receive this treatment.

But this is about to change, as the EU has recently decreed that all new commercial vehicles must be fitted with AEB by November 2013, and everything else by 2014. AEB will also be a requisite for a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, so say the folks at Autoweek.

The systems use laser, radar or video to pick up any obstructions or pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes quickly and effectively, bringing the car to a complete stop if necessary.

According to Popular Science, a European study suggests that AEB systems can reduce accidents by as much as 25% when universally implemented.

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Proton taking on Rally Finland with two Scandinavians s

 

Proton is back in Scandinavia for round five of the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship, and the team will compete in the Neste Oils Rally Finland with two Scandinavian drivers – regular Swede PG Andersson and Finnish driver Juha Salo.

Rally Finland has only been won by a non-Nordic driver four times in WRC history, so local knowledge is key. The event is also reputed to be one of the fastest and most specialised rallies on the WRC calendar, consisting of 18 special stages run on gravel over a competitive distance of 303.52 km.

Proton has tested extensively ahead of Rally Finland, having worked on new specifications for the Satria Neo S2000 that won the APRC Malaysian Rally last month. More recently, PG and Salo drove the car for two days in Estonia and are due to shake down their rally cars at an official test close to the rally HQ in Jyvaskyla.

“After driving on such slow and twisty roads in Malaysia, coming to Finland is completely the opposite – the roads here are incredibly fast. Like all drivers, I love to fly and this is one of my favourite rallies of the year. It’s a fantastic feeling to take off in the car when you are absolutely flat out in sixth gear,” Andersson said.

“I need to win this SWRC round and I feel we have the speed to do that – and that was evident at the last SWRC event in New Zealand. In Malaysia during the APRC, we saw that the new homologation of the Satria Neo S2000 was working well and it’s clear after the test that it’s already really helping us through the high-speed roads as well,” he added.

For Salo, the objective will be to finish the rally in what will be his first time out, not only for Proton, but in an S2000 rally car, after making the switch from Group N production class cars.

Govt Announce More Incentives For Hybrid and EV:details in revised NAP

The Star earlier reported that the Government may pile on more incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles. This move is being done to encourage more Malaysians to embrace environment-friendly vehicles.

On top of the current incentives, which include the 100% import duty and excise duty exemption for hybrids below 2,000 cc in place until December 2013, the Government is exploring other avenues to spur the uptake of such vehicles. One such incentive the Government is looking at is possible income tax exemption.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that the incentives will be revealed when the second revision of National Automotive Policy is announced later this year.

He said that there are currently about 8,000 hybrid cars on the road, which the government sees as a very low figure. He added that the goal is to increase the number of both hybrid and electric vehicles on Malaysian roads significantly by 2020.

The announcement was made during the launch of Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Nissan Leaf Pilot Programme. The Leaf is not yet available for sale in Malaysia, but it is available for a limited period for test drives at selected locations.

Senseless Deaths from brake failures yesterday...want more...?..service ur cars pls..

Naza Quest is having a Hari Raya Service Campaign for Chevrolet owners, vaild from now till August 31. Owners of the Captiva, Cruze and Colorado will receive complimentary labour under scheduled maintenance. Owners of the Aveo, Nabira, Optra and Spark models will receive discounted oil and filter change (semi-synthetic oil) from as low as RM88 under scheduled maintenance.

All Chevrolet owners are entitled to a complimentary 40-point check and discount up to 70% on selected parts. All customers servicing their vehicles this festive season will also receive a special gift.

In tandem with the after-sales campaign, Naza Quest is offering complimentary packages with every purchase of a Cruze, Colorado or Captiva, as listed above. The deal is valid from now till September 7.