Wapcar Morning Insiders (Sep. 18, 2019)

Today is Wednesday, Sep. 18

 Local news 

 Perodua Axia 2019 caught ahead of debut

Perodua announced an SUV-esque variant of the Axia 2019 called the Axia Style. Thanks to social media sources, we now have a good look of the upcoming Axia Style 2019 well before it is meant to be shown to the public.

Taking inspiration from models such as the Honda WR-V and Volkswagen CrossPolo, the Perodua Axia Style 2019 gets a rugged makeover with various body cladding plus a front and rear skid plate. The Axia Style 2019 also receives faux roof rails to complete the mini SUV looks. The new Axia Style 2019 also receives larger 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

BMW Malaysia introduces CKD 330i M Sport, priced from RM 288,800

BMW Malaysia today unveiled the new BMW 330i M Sport, the latest addition to the premium automaker’s locally-assembled portfolio. Assembled in Kulim, the 330i M Sport now retails for RM 288,800, a RM 40,000 reduction when compared to the imported model.

The locally-assembled BMW 330i M Sport upholds the same level of innovation in technology and stunning characteristics as the model’s imported counterpart, including the unmistakable athletic design and dynamic performance synonymous to the iconic sports sedan.

Mazda CX-8 set for October debut in Malaysia

Apart from the refreshed Mazda CX-5 line-up, Bermaz Motor is also expected to introduce the CX-8 some time in October.

Positioned between the CX-5 and CX-9, the CX-8 is essentially a smaller version of the CX-9, developed for the Japanese market, where vehicles are taxed based on the body size.

Click here and know the CX-8's sizes, powertrains, trimming and more!

Second lucky winner of Honda’s Road to 900,000th unit wins a HR-V, will you be next?

Following last month's giveaway of a Honda Civic to the first of nine lucky winners of Honda Malaysia's Road to 900,000th Unit Milestone campaign, the second winner has just walked away with a Honda HR-V.

With two winners already announced, seven more Honda models are still up for grabs for lucky Malaysians to drive home.

To register or for more information on the “Road to 900,000th Unit Milestone Campaign”, you can log onto the campaign’s website or visit its official Facebook page.

Shell Malaysia is cracking down fake engine oils sold online and in hypermarkets!

Shell Malaysia is working together with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNDHEP) to crack down on parties who are distributing counterfeit and illegal Shell lubricants.

When buying online, it is advised to purchase on Shell Malaysia’s official store on Lazada. Offline retail stores include Shell fuel stations nationwide and authorized distributors. Click on the hyperlinks for more information on where to get genuine Shell lubricants.

  Wapcar Talks  

Over 30 percent of engine oils sold in hypermarts and online stores are fake

The prices of engine lubricants sold at hypermarts or even various online platforms can be attractive but unless you can verify its authenticity – which is quite difficult if you rely only on visual inspections – it is best to avoid them.

The issue of counterfeit lubricants is not new but it remains rampant due to indifference among consumers, as well as weak enforcement.

According to lab test results involving 12 randomly selected engine lubricant products purchased from hypermarkets and online stores, 4 were found to be fake. It’s not difficult to understand how things can go very wrong when you pour counterfeit lubricants – many of which are recycled – into your engine.

Even the so-called genuine labels or cap design can be easily duplicated nowadays. How can we identify a genuine lubricant product versus a counterfeit one? Read this NOW!

 International news 

Mazda EV Coming To Tokyo Motor Show Next Month

The EV will a brand new model and will debut next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. In the prototypes, the EV architecture is camouflaged under the sheet metal of the brand's new CX-30 compact crossover. It’s unclear what shape the vehicle will take.

For the prototype, the electric drivetrain gets a 35.5 kilowatt-hour battery that delivers 105 kilowatts of power with 195 pound-feet of torque.

More on: Autonews

Mercedes-Maybach luxury SUV to be revealed in November

Mercedes-Benz will crown its SUV line-up in November with the reveal of a plush new Maybach-badged GLS model conceived to go upmarket.

The GLS Maybach will be developed to offer performance, accommodation and features commensurate with the existing Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The new SUV will also receive its own unique styling elements, many of which will be drawn directly from the Mercedes-Maybach 6 coupé concept.

More on: Autocar

Trump announces U.S.-Japan trade deal — but vehicles don't seem to be part of it 

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday Washington had struck trade agreements with Tokyo that could be implemented without congressional approval, but stopped short of assuring Japan that new tariffs would not be slapped on vital auto exports.

It’s still unclear whether Trump has agreed not to impose threatened national security tariffs on Japanese vehicles and auto parts. Avoiding the "Section 232" tariffs of up to 25% was a major motivating factor for Tokyo in negotiating with Washington on trade

More on: Autoblog

Toyota using Tesla-like Panasonic batteries in some of its PHEVs

Toyota is using Panasonic's cylindrical batteries in its new Corolla and Levin plug-in hybrid sedans launched in China this year, one of the people said. The batteries are the same size as those that Panasonic makes for Tesla, but the composition is different.

The move reflects Toyota's efforts to secure stable supplies of high-quality batteries amid the accelerated global shift to electricity-powered cars.

More on: Autoblog