As we all hang on the edges of our seats awaiting the announcement if Movement Control Order would be extended yet again, we can only hope that none of our important appliances like our cars would require immediate repairs. But in the event that your car breaks down, all is not despair as the government has allowed workshops to remain open though at limited hours. Since the beginning of MCO, many car companies have ordered their service centres to partially close and announced a confirmation tha
Apr 10, 2020
While the country is sitting through a Movement Control Order to curb the spread of Covid-19, our cars are getting a well-deserved rest from its daily gruelling commute. Leaving the car inactive for 2 weeks will not damage your car, but with a possibility of MCO extending, you might want to follow these steps. In the event that MCO is extended, we highly suggest that you… Drive the car around to heat up the engine It is common knowledge that leaving your car inactive will often result in flat ba
Mar 23, 2020
It turns out that it wasn’t just used car sales that saw an increase throughout the past few months, used car dealers in Johor Bahru are reporting an increase in car owners trying to sell their vehicles after the Movement Control Order (MCO) ended in June. One second-hand car shop manager Chang Keng Keong told The Star that there has been a 30 percent increase in the number of people who came to his shop enquiring for information about the disposal of their cars. This was especially apparent in
Nov 25, 2020
Previously, when the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) released a list of businesses that are allowed to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO), car workshops and factories were included in the list. Today, however, MITI has released yet another list that drops car factories from the essential economic services line-up. With the sudden U-turn, this means that car factories located in Penang, Johor, Selangor, Melaka, Sabah, KL, Putrajaya, or Labuan where MCO has been re
Jan 13, 2021
Following the closure of all JPJ counters for the rest of MCO period due to large crowds, the government has announced a temporary solution for those whose driving license will expire during the period. While there is the option to renew driving licenses online at MySikap JPJ, this only applies to those who already have an existing account on the portal. Setting up an account on the portal requires a reference number that can only be obtained physically at JPJ counters. As such, the government h
Mar 25, 2020
The Movement Control Order (MCO) in place to control the Covid-19 pandemic has put a huge speed bump on the various economic sector. The automotive industry has come to a complete halt as JPJ (Road and Transport Department Malaysia) has yet to resume new private vehicle registration (services related to commercial vehicles are available). It’s only a matter of time before consumers can go out and purchase their next perfect car. But with the soft economy that will prolong for the foreseeable fut
May 24, 2020
Did you know that since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in March, Lalamove drivers and riders have been earning up to RM 10,000 a month? Workers for courier delivery services like Lalamove have experienced a massive spike in their incomes since the country went into lockdown and the trend seems to have continued even when we entered the Conditional MCO (CMCO). In May, a report surfaced that the number of unemployed Malaysians has spiked to 610,500 since March 2020. This accounts
Dec 2, 2020
Surprisingly for the reinstated Movement Control Order (MCO), the government is allowing the public to still carry out certain physical activities like cycling and jogging. But this is on condition that only 2 members in 1 household are allowed to exercise together at a time. Both members are also required to adhere to the 2-metre social distancing guidelines while jogging together. On another note, gyms or any other indoor physical activity facilities like badminton courts will be closed until
Jan 13, 2021
The 6-month long loan moratorium is set to expire in September and its expiry could have some negative impact on the Malaysian automotive industry. The loan moratorium went into effect in April as the country entered the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad told The Edge, “People will not have the money to buy new vehicles. But I think it depends on the category of vehicles. I think high-end vehicles will not be impacted; people
Jul 27, 2020
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has released a list of companies that are allowed to operate during the second round of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Updated: MITI has done a U-Turn on the list of essential services, read more about it here. Update No.2: MITI has once again revised the essential services list, car factories will be allowed to continue operations effective immediately. On Monday (11/1/2021), Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that MCO wi
Jan 12, 2021
BMW Credit Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a vehicle financing subsidiary of BMW Group Malaysia, is now offering customized solutions for customers affected by the Covid-19’s Movement Control Order (MCO). As BMW Credit Malaysia’s financing options are far more varied than a bank’s traditional hire purchase, the solutions available will vary from one customer to another, depending on their individual contract with the company. Customers who wish to apply for greater flexibility with regards to month repaymen
Mar 29, 2020
For states and federal territories where the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be reinstated, only 2 people from one household will be allowed in a car. Only for cases of parents sending their children day-care centres, more passengers are allowed in the car. MCO has been reinstated in 5 states and 3 federal territories starting from 13 January to 26 January 2021. Earlier today, MITI has announced that car workshops and automotive factories will be allowed to continue operating during the MCO pe
Jan 12, 2021
The government has announced that they will be allowing more leeway for those who intend to return to their hometowns during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Senior Defence Minister Ismail Sabri said that those who would like to return to their hometowns must leave by Friday 15 January 2021. If you have purchased a flight, train, or bus ticket to return to your hometown during MCO, don't worry as the ministry has declared that they will not stop you from travelling. To curb the high number of n
Jan 12, 2021
“The interest is calculated based on the principal sum and not the remaining balance, that’s crazy!” That was the conversation I had a car company executive who has just been transferred from Europe to Malaysia. The topic of increasingly long loan tenures for auto loans is also becoming a concern in the US but how long is too long for them? 7-year tenure auto loans now make up 20 percent of total US car loans – more than twice as many compared to 10 years ago. To many financial experts in the US
Jul 17, 2020
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) has dispatched its Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile to bring customers the convenience of having their cars serviced at their doorstep in the Klang Valley. The Mercedes-Benz Star Mobile, housed within a Mercedes-Benz Vito, is staffed with two qualified technicians and fully equipped with the Xentry Diagnosis system, special tools and technician hand tools. The Star Mobile services include scheduled maintenance service, wiper blade replacement, oil filter, air filte
Apr 30, 2020
The National Security Council (MKN) has announced that effective 10 February 2021, the rest of the Malaysian small businesses will be allowed to reopen. This will include car accessories shops across the country. Here is the complete list of businesses allowed to reopen during the Movement Control Order (MCO): Other than that, MKN has also announced that dine-in at restaurants will be allowed starting 10 February 2021. All diners will have to adhere to social distancing rules and one table is on
Feb 9, 2021
Now that the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has made a U-turn on their decision to allow car factories to continue operating during the reinstated Movement Control Order (MCO), what are the car factories that are affected by the new standard operating procedures? As you know there are numerous car factories in Malaysia, car factory hotspots mainly focus in Kedah, Selangor, and Pahang. The Honda plant is the only car producing factory located in Pegoh, Melaka. Fun fact: Did y
Jan 14, 2021
Despite the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to 18 February 2021 and stricter standard operating procedures (SOP), a source has told The Star that the government will allow all sectors of the economy to be reopened. “All economic sectors will be opened, including retail, as we have been informed by trade associations that the current MCO has affected small businesses and SMEs more adversely than the first MCO last March. “The ministries in charge of businesses have given their input
Feb 3, 2021
In 1949, the loan tenure for a VW Beetle was 12 months with an interest rate of 9 % per annum. Things have changed. In Malaysia today, car loan tenures are usually of 5,7, or even 9 years with interest rates hovering around 3% per annum (calculated on principal). Cars are getting more expensive and are almost impossible to purchase without using a loan. But is taking a car loan a bad financial decision? Well, it depends on your financial circumstances (mainly your income), how much you benefit f
Jan 28, 2021
Bank Negara Malaysia have announced a 6-month moratorium for all bank loans except credit card balances, starting 1 April 2020. The moratorium is basically a temporary freeze on loan repayments. However, do remember that the moratorium applies only to loan repayments. Interests will continue to accrue every month as usual. Also, the moratorium applies only to loans that have not been in arrears (all previous payments owed paid in full) for more than 90 days as of 1 April 2020. How does the 6-mon
Mar 25, 2020
At 9am today, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s (MITI) website will begin accepting applications from businesses who wish to reopen during MCO. Last Friday, MITI Minister Dato’ Seri Azmin Ali announced a list of business sectors that are allowed to resume operations. Among the sectors are automotive workshops and automotive manufacturing plants (exports only). However, Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob clarified yesterday that MITI’s announcement doesn’t cover the whole of Ma
Apr 13, 2020
Honda Malaysia has announced that they will offer a 30-day warranty extension for cars whose warranties are expiring during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. The 30-day extension will come in effect from the last day of the MCO as determined by the government. UMW Toyota also announced the same warranty extension programme. As for other Honda owners, they will not have to worry about missing their scheduled service and having their warranty voided during the MCO period. Honda Malaysia wil
Mar 28, 2020
We previously reported that second-hand car dealers are experiencing record-high sales in July 2020. It seems the success followed through to the third half of 2020 as well. According to the president of Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Association of Malaysia (FMCCAM), Datuk Tony Khor, the year-on-year sales in July spiked over 25 percent to 37,800 units while both August and September registered over 17 percent year-on-year growth. He attributed the spike in sales to the incentives lik
Oct 12, 2020
Nissan owners in Malaysia, you are now able to give your Nissan its much-needed service, as Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis (TCEAS) has received approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to partially resume their operations. Do note that services are limited by MITI's approval to just: service maintenance, minor repairs, and vehicle breakdown services. Owners can set an appointment either by calling their nearest service centre, DriveOn mobile app, TCEAS website or Niss
Apr 30, 2020
Just when you thought the car industry can get some respite after MITI’s corrective U-turn to allow automotive manufacturing to resume as the whole of Malaysia except for Sarawak goes back into MCO mode, we have been told by our friends working in the manufacturing sector that the much talked about worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips has hit Malaysia, threatening to halt production lines once more. Not all manufacturers are facing the problem yet but we understand that several major local
Jan 21, 2021
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is urging the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Bank Negara Malaysia to compel banks to extend the deferment of loans for another six months. The current 6-month moratorium was announced back in March when the first stage of the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced in an effort to prevent the spread of the pandemic. With all activities and businesses put on pause, many people were either forced to take massive pay cuts, go on unpaid leaves by employers
Jul 7, 2020
As our country observes the need of an extended Movement Control Order, Proton has announced the extension of warranties and that no penalties will be imposed on owners who have missed a scheduled service during the lockdown. The most important part is that Proton will be extending all warranties expiring during the month-long lockdown period. The expiry will be extended another 30 days or 1,000 km following the final day of the MCO. Proton has also announced that they will continue to honour wa
Apr 6, 2020
In case you missed it, the whole of Malaysia except Sarawak will be observing the Movement Control Order (MCO) until 4 February 2021. While we can’t show our love for our cars by driving them, we can always sooth our souls with some car related action movies. Here’s a list of car movies that you can binge on during the lockdown! The rather mainstream films (No Fast and Furious movies included) Need for Speed If you’re looking for something to kick start your weekend, then Need for Speed is the s
Jan 23, 2021
As our country enter the third phase of the Movement Control Order, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) made a statement that if the public remains defiant, they will have no choice but continue extending the order until June. Just 2 days into the third phase, highways within the Klang Valley are reported to be experiencing traffic congestion similar to a normal working day before MCO was implemented. The traffic jam phenomenon has even prompted the National Safety Ministry’s official messagin
Apr 15, 2020
5 dealership bodies have appealed to the Ministry of Finance with a memorandum to help ensure the survival of the automotive industry in light of the country’s fight against the coronavirus. According to our buddies at Careta, the memorandum dated on the 30th of March 2020 was represented by 5 bodies made up of 4 dealer associations of popular car brands in Malaysia and 1 second hand car sales representative. To ensure the continued business prospects of the association and the safety of their e
Apr 6, 2020
Honda HR-V
Perodua Alza
Honda City
Honda City Hatchback
Toyota Yaris