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Vehicle Sales Increase 31 percent in January 2024

New vehicle sales increased by 31 percent in January 2024 compared to January 2023.

A total of 65,499 units were sold compared to 50,168 units in the same month last year, following higher sales of passenger vehicles, said the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA). The total sales consisted of 59,394 units of passenger vehicles, while 6,105 units were commercial vehicles.

The MAA added that the total industry volume (TIV) for January 2024 is however down 16 percent compared to December 2023 which recorded 78,398 units. “The higher sales in December 2023 was due to companies increasing vehicle deliveries to meet their outstanding orders, especially for companies with financial years ending December 2023 as well as purchases at low prices during the end of the year.”

At the same time, 76,077 units of vehicles were produced by automakers in January 2024. This number is a large increase compared to 58,527 units in January 2023. Of these two totals, 71,666 units were passenger vehicles, while another 4,411 units were vehicles trade in January 2024. Compared to January last year, 54,663 were passenger vehicles, and 3,864 units were commercial vehicles.

MAA expects lower vehicle sales in February 2024 as there was a long holiday in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Regardless, the report did not separate the amount of sales by type of vehicle such as motorcycles, passenger cars, SUVs, and so on. It also does not separate vehicle sales by region or state.

In a separate news, industry vehicle sales are expected to decline overall for 2024 compared to 2023. A total of 799,731 units were sold last year, which was a record high.

That news published last January, said that Kenaga Research expects the total sales of 710,000 units of vehicles until the end of this year. RHB Research on the other hand projected the sales of only 625,000 units. Both figures are lower than the 740,000 units expected by MAA.

Kenanga Research said they expect a decline in sales as the withdrawal of fuel subsidies will impact demand for mid-size vehicles. However, sales of affordable vehicles may not be affected.

They also noted that a new car is still an affordable luxury for most Malaysian households despite high inflation and a slow global economy.

5 Suspects Accused of Killing Driver Charged for Murder

Five suspects accused of tying and beating a car driver to death last week were charged for murder in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. All those charged were between 22 and 43 years old and work as food delivery riders.

All suspects nodded in understanding after the charge was read out in front of the Magistrate. However, no plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The magistrate also did not allow bail to be granted and the court fixed April 25 for the submission of forensic status, chemical and autopsy reports.

They were charged in accordance with Section 302 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code which carries the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, must be whipped 12 times.

A man believed to be a member of the victim’s family shouted “Bang, kau tunggu (Bro, you wait)” towards all the accused after the proceedings. He was comforted by his family members before being ordered out of court by the police.

They are accused of killing one a self-employed person, Shahril Samad, at Taman Pelangi Semenyih 2, Beranang on 20th February. Witnesses at the scene claimed that the victim was pulled out of the car by several people after his car skidded and hit the fence of a house. His hands were tied and he was beaten to death.

Police have confirmed that the victim had hit two food delivery vehicles shortly before the tragic incident. He was then chased by the suspects until his car crashed.

Driver Beaten to Death was Drug Positive

Bike isn’t Powerful Enough? How About a 230bhp Turbocharged Yamaha MT-10?

We sometimes hear things like “My bike isn’t powerful enough,” followed by, “What should I do?” Dropping in a big bore piston kit, hot cams, bigger injectors, dumping the stock exhaust for a free-flowing unit, plugging in a racing ECU are some of the ways. But that is kind of meh, is it not? But one method that is now pretty much overlooked these days is a turbo kit, like this turbocharged Yamaha MT-10.

The stock MT-10 is already doing a healthy 158 hp. Let us see what the guys at Australia based Purpose Built Motor did to this one.

They began by bolting a turbo kit to a stock MT-10 engine which has a 12:1 compression ratio, with 7 psi of boost pressure. But as the host said, they found signs of overheating and undue stress on the pistons when they pulled the engine apart. Why? One simply does not run a turbo with 12:1 compression ratio! So in the end, they scaled it back to 9.5:1 by using a CP-Carillo pistons and conrods for better reliability.

They also asked a specialist to fabricate an custom intercooler to cool the boosted air down before it enters the engine. This creates two benefits: A cooler charge (fuel/air mixture) is denser and contains more oxygen molecules; and, keeps the engine from overheating. There are two fans, one large and the other smaller, behind that intercooler which the rider can switch on or off when he needs it.

Speaking of oxygen, ducting air from the airbox will not be enough, what more the plumbing to the turbo, so the guys installed an intake with a DNA filter right above the turbo’s compressor. It sits underneath the rider, between the swingarm and the rear seat’s underside.

The exhaust system is of course customized, with the turbo’s wastegate fitted externally. The main exhaust pipes lead from the turbo’s impeller to a silencer, while another shorter pipe is for the wastegate to dump overpressured gas.

Purpose Built Motor also installed a longer swingarm to keep the front end down, rather than having the turbocharged Yamaha MT-10 wheelie over backwards!

What does all this achieve? Dyno tests showed 230 bhp, running on 10 psi turbo boost pressure. Er… that was with the exhaust silencer’s baffles installed. It hit 260 bhp when they removed the baffles. And remember, virtually all manufacturers print their horsepower numbers by dyno’ing their engines at the crankshaft output shaft without the transmission, so this MT-10’s power output should be betwen 260 to 290 hp if printed on a brochure!

So, fast enough for you, sir?

Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 is (Finally) Coming?

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 has been teased for so long that most do not even remember that they did so.

But now, Husqvarna has posted a teaser for the full “video edit” on 5 March 2024. The 30-second snippet was posted on Husqvarna’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. The 5 March video could well be the teaser to another teaser, but hey, we may just see if it is definitely a Vitpilen (cafe racer) or Svatpilen (scrambler).

The current video shows a bike ice racing with tyres using screws as spikes. The front headlight was teased which looks akin to the Norden 901. Another shot briefly show the (aftermarket) exhaust silencer rising underneath the rear seat a.k.a. the 890 Duke. There is a shot of the front end, which shows off the WP upside down forks and Husqvarna-branded brake caliper. The rear end looks like a Duke, alright.

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Of course, Husky being under the Pierer umbrella means it will share the underpinnings of the 890 Duke. That means the LC8c parallel-twin engine which kicks out 121 hp and 99 Nm. Other features will pretty much include the PASC clutch, Supermoto ABS, Ride Modes, Motor Traction Control, TFT screen. Optional extras may well be Quickshifter+, Track Mode, KTM MyRide communication suite, among others.

The Husky lineup has several nice models to choose from but they are missing a big-bore naked retro sportbike. So, that is where the Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 will fall into. However, there is no Vitpilen without a Svartpilen. As such, we can look forward to two new Huskies hitting the roads soon!

BMW Motorrad Malaysia to Introduce the BMW R 18 Roctane

BMW Motorrad Malaysia will introduce the BMW R 18 Roctane, at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase, happening from 1 st to 3 rd March at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The R18 Roctane is the fifth edition to the R 18 family which combines time-honoured design elements with updated riding technology to provide a uniquely stylish touring experience.

Sashi Ambihaipahan, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW GroupMalaysia said, “Rolling in as a stylish symbol of SoulFuel in its own right, we are thrilled to preview the New BMW R 18 Roctane for our hot-rod touring enthusiasts in Malaysia. The Roctane edition, paired with our formidable “Big Boxer” engine, demonstrates our continued mission to always Make Life A Ride; offering superior riding experiences, whether on a relaxing solo cruise or a thrilling group ride. This, coupled with exclusive programmes for the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase this weekend, further delivers on our promise to provide customers with the Premium Ownership Experience across our entire portfolio of premium vehicles.”

The BMW R 18 Roctane draws inspiration from iconic BMW models like the BMW R 5, prioritising the fundamental elements of motorcycling: pure, no-frills , which has long been the heart of BMW Motorrad’s riding joy. This combination sets out to create a truly unique and emotionally resonant riding experience, accentuated by meticulously crafted design elements, including a sleek rear section designed for optimal aerodynamics.

Highlights:

Inspired by iconic BMW models such as the BMW R 5, with pure, no-frills technology centred around the Boxer engine.
The chassis of the new BMW R 18 Roctane is built upon a double-loop tubular steel frame.
Akin to the legendary BMW R 5, the rear swingarm envelops the rear axle drive.
The New BMW R 18 Roctane also boasts well-balanced ergonomics with the presence of mid-mounted foot pegs.
Other features include a two-level seat, as well as updated running boards, gearshift paddle, and high
handlebars coated in sleek black.
The New BMW R 18 Roctane is offered in Mineral Grey Metallic as well as Manhattan Metallic Matt.
The heart of the BMW R 18 Roctane is the traditional air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke Boxer engine, the largest boxer engine of the proud Heritage line-up, also called the ‘big boxer’.
With a capacity of 1,802 cc, it also stands as the most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever produced in BMW Motorrad’s Heritage line-up, delivering an output of 67 kW (91HP) at 4,750 rpm and a peak torque of 150 Nm.
Riding assistance features for the BMW R 18 Roctane includes Automatic Stability Control (ASC), along with three standard riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain.
Optional features for the bagger include the new Adaptive Headlight, that activates separate LED elements in the main headlight, allowing for better road illumination, especially when cornering.
Among other additional features are Hill Start Control, Headlight Pro, Reverse Gear Aid, Daytime Riding Light, Cruise Control, and lockable fuel filler cap.
The estimated pricing for the BMW R 18 Roctane is RM 160,000.

For more information on the BMW R 18 Roctane, please visit your preferred BMW Motorrad Showroom or the official website here.

Customers are welcome to view the BMW R 18 Roctane and experience all these exclusive offers at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) Showcase by BMW Group Malaysia, happening March 1st to 3rd 2024 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Carpark B) from 9:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

Visit the website HERE to RSVP your spot.

Why is kW used for Engine Power Instead of HP?

We all do it: Browse through a motorcycle’s spec sheets to look for the engine’s power above everything else. But why do more and more spec sheets use the unit kW for engine power instead of HP? Why do not we settle on just one power unit?

The short answer is about accuracy and a standard measurement, as we shall see below.

Where did HP (horsepower) come from?

It all goes back to the invention of the steam locomotive.

Thomas Newcomen was the inventor in 1712, but it was James Watt (familiar name, is it not?) who improved the design in 1776. Then, Watt devised the method of comparing the power of his locomotive to the equivalent of how many horses to promote the power of his locomotive on a more relatable scale. Hence, horsepower.

Since then, this value has been adopted for rotary motion for trains and through the Industrial Revolution. Therefore, the value stuck for motorcycle and car engines.

Watt’s mechanical horsepower is defined as a horse lifting a 550lb. load 1 foot in 1 second, which equals 32,549 ft-lb of work per minute, or 4,500 kilogram-metres per minute.

Okay, so why Watt?

However, Europeans prefer to adhere to SI units or in other words, metric units. This is where the discrepancies creep up.

See, Imperial horsepower measures as 745.7 Watts, while the European SI metric horsepower unit also known as PS (Pferdestärke) or CV (Chevaux-Vapeur) is only 735.5 Watts.

This is why while some spec sheets pronounce an engine to produce 70 PS, it actually produces only 69 HP.

These different units i.e. mechanical HP, metric HP, PS, CV only created confusion to vehicle buyers, so in 1972, the kW replaced PS as the SI unit for engine power through EEC directives. But as of 1 January 2010, the EU only permits HP as a supplemental unit to kW.

How is kW calculated?

Kilowatt is a function of torque and revolutions per minute (RPM) and is calculated as following: Power (kW) = torque (Nm) x speed (revolutions per minute, or RPM) / 9.5488.

The calculation is actually the same for horsepower: Power (HP) = torque (lb-ft) x speed (RPM) / 5,252.

However, to convert published kW to HP: Horsepower = 1 kW x 1.34. Thus, an engine which produces 12 kW of power equals 16.1 HP.

JSPT Investigates Escort who Halted Truck Dangerously

JSPT (Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik / Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department) Bukit Aman is investigating the actions of an escort who stopped a truck in a dangerous manner.

The director of the department, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said he was aware of the incident. “JSPT will investigate the incident and in terms of compliance with standard operating procedures,” he told Harian Metro.

The incident went viral after a 35-second clip believed to be a dashboard camera recording from the lorry was uploaded on social media.

The video shows a police escort suddenly swerving in front of a lorry and ordering the driver to stop immediately. The truck was able to stop but within a very close distance to the two motorcycles in front of it. The escort himself was also in danger should the truck’s brakes malfunction.

Every road user, what more trained enforcers such as traffic police, should be aware of the braking distances of other vehicles, especially for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The weight of heavy vehicles produce very high momentum thus requiring a longer stopping distances. In addition, the driver may lose control of the vehicle when applying sudden braking.

Apart from that, drivers behind the bus or lorry may also be affected because they cannot see further ahead apart from the back of the bus or lorry. The driver behind has the potential to crash into the vehicle in front and cause a chain accident.

Seven “Superman” Arrested at KL – Seremban Highway

Police arrested nine motorcyclists on the Kuala Lumpur – Seremban Highway, last Sunday night. Seven of them were arrested for dangerous riding and performing “Superman” stunts, while the other two were arrested for altering the motorcycle’s registration number to confuse the authorities.

According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the nine motorcycles are Yamaha Y15ZR, Yamaha 135 LC and Modenas Kris 110. All motorcycles have been confiscated for further action.

“The arrested persons were between 16 and 24 years old and they were taken to the IPD Seremban Traffic Police Station for further action. Legal action is carried out in accordance with Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 108 (3) (F) of the same act, ” he said.

Mohd Azman said those arrested were not involved with any motorcycle groups from nearby districts such as Port Dickson and Kuala Pilah. “Some of them came from several areas around the Klang Valley and only use this highway as a convoy route to go to eateries located around Senawang town.”

They were arrested while the authorities were carrying out Op Samseng Jalan (Road Hooligan Operations) at the Senawang Toll Plaza. A total of six officers and 68 personnel were involved in the operation from 4 pm to 4 am.

The police also issued 101 summonses for various offences. Among them such as the registration number does not follow the guidelines (5), no registration number (20), fancy registration number (1), imperfect accessories (12) and no side mirror (14).

Apart from that, other offences included not displaying P and L stickers (10), expired road tax (10), noisy exhaust (7), expired license (2), structural modification (1) no brakes (5) and the owner allows improper usage (1).

CFMoto 450SR S Launched in Europe

CFMoto has launched a racier version of the 450SR, called the CFMoto 450SR S.

It is powered by a 46.3bhp, 449.5cc parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree firing order (to mimic that of a 90-degree V-Twin). There are twin balancers to check engine vibes. Other features include those already on the 450SR such as winglets, and full colour TFT dash, but the main distinction here is a single-sided swingarm.

While sharing the same platform as the SR, updates to the new 450SR S further include an underslung exhaust, winglets, a bigger 240mm rear brake disc, and beefier 37mm upside down forks with damping adjustment. As with its sibling, that engine is installed in a Chro-Moly chassis which weighs just 11kg when combined with the subframe.

CFMoto claims a kerb weight of 179kg. The tank holds 14 litres of fuel, with the manufacturer claiming up nearly 300km of range.

Braking power is provided by Brembo on both ends, supported with ABS.

A five inch curved TFT dash allowing you to control the traction control, and mobile connectivity. There’s also automatic headlights and an ESS emergency braking feature, which flashes the rear stop light to alert other road users of hard deceleration.

Will the CFMoto 450SR S be heading to Malaysia? We hope so!

Heatwave warning, 12 Areas to Hit 37C – MetMalaysia

The Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) has issued a heatwave warning. According to them, temperatures in 12 areas are expected to hit 37-deg Celsius, for at least 3 days in a row.

MetMalaysia, through a post in their Facebook page, said that those areas are in Perlis as well as Kedah. They include Pulau Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Padang Terap Sik, Baling, and Kulim.

Other areas include Kuala Kangsar in Perak, and Beaufort in Sabah.

On another note, other areas are expected to hit a maximum of lower than 35-deg Celsius.

As such, do take precautions when you ride during a heatwave. Here are a few tips:

Hydrate

Dehydration will make you drowsy, and cause headahces and bodyaches. You will also start to lose focus when you ride. So, keep drinking water, fruit juices (without sugar), and isotonic drinks (with moderation). Stay away from carbonated soft drinks.

Wear the correct gear

Wear mesh jackets and ventilated riding pants. You will feel hot, granted, but there is at least some protection. Also, wear helmets that provide plenty of airflow such as for sport-touring if you prefer full-faces.

Cool off

If you are riding long distance, stop when you feel drowsy. Then wet your shirt and put it on to keep cool. Another method is by wetting your balaclava and putting it on. The cool air on your face will keep you awake. Similarly, you could also wet a piece of cloth or clothing and wrap it around your neck like a scarf.

Stop!

Speaking about stopping, do stop as regularly as you need because insisting on riding while you are feeling drowsy is too dangerous. Take a short break, drink some water and eat some snacks that provide high energy. On the note of what to consume, stay away from spicy and greasy food.

QJMOTOR LTR150 Scooter Launched in Malaysia – From RM8,888

QJMOTOR Malaysia has launched their newest scooter, the QJMOTOR LTR150.

Despite its retro classic shape, it is equipped with a single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-stroke, 149cc engine that is quite powerful. It produces 16.4hp (12.2kW) at 8,500 RPM and 14.8Nm at 6,500 RPM. (For comparison, the 150cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled Yamaha Y15ZR engine produces 15.1hp at 8,500 RPM and a maximum torque of 13.8Nm at 7,000 RPM). The engine’s power is sent to the rear wheel through a CVT transmission.

The chassis features a disc brake system with a large discs measuring 190mm at the front and 225mm at the back. A dual-channel (front and rear) anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a standard feature for rider safety.

The QJMOTOR LTR150’s seat is made for the rider and pillion’s comfort even if it is for long rides. The storage space under the seat is also very spacious enabling the rider to carry things with ease. There is also a USB charging socket in the front storage compartment.

Other features include an LCD digital meter display, LED lights, an Idling Stop system that turns off the engine when idling, and a 6.5 liter fuel tank.

QJMOTOR LTR150 is offered in three colors namely Lime Creme, Sky Blue, Mint Green and Carnation Park. It retails at RM8,888 (off-road) and is covered by a two-year or 20,000km warranty (whichever comes first). It is available at all authorised QJMOTOR dealers throughout Malaysia. BR

Driver Beaten to Death was Drug Positive

Sometimes events in the real world have plot twists that no filmmaker could have imagined. The case of a driver who was beaten to death become the subject of much discussion lately. In particular, how could someone can beat another human being to death. However, the police has revealed that a drug tests found him positive for syabu and ganja at the time of the incident.

Selangor Police Chief, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the victim had 10 previous drug records, and is wanted by the police in connection with drug cases.

Datuk Hussein also revealed that the police had received two reports made by two vehicle owners against the man. They stated that the victim had hit their vehicle and fled.

On the night of the incident, the police received a call about an accident and therefore deployed traffic officers there. They found a Proton Saga car that was believed to have skidded and hit the fence of a residential area there.

They also found the driver of the car lying on the road. Paramedics arrived later and found that the victim had died. Further examination found that there were ligature marks on his wrists.

Man Beaten to Death Allegedly Running after Hitting e-Hailing Rider

Commenting further, Datuk Hussein said the police are still investigating the motive for the incident, adding that the autopsy found that there were no significant injuries on the victim that caused his death. “We are still waiting for the results of the laboratory analysis to identify the cause of the victim’s death,” he said.

At the same time, he asked the public who witnessed the incident to come forward to help the investigation. “We will see what people write on social media related to the case if we can be called to testify to help the investigation.

“We also advise the public not to exaggerate and fabricate stories related to this case. Because it will affect the investigation carried out by the police and cause alarm to the public.”

The police have arrested 5 suspects aged between 22 and 52 years old in relation to this case. They also arrested 2 more new suspects aged 22 and 39.

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English

Highlights:

Where did HP (horsepower) come from?

Okay, so why Watt?

How is kW calculated?

Hydrate

Wear the correct gear

Cool off

Stop!

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