NST-Maybank Car of The Year 2010: COTY 2U CARnival

A COTY 2U CARnival will be one of the highlights of the New Straits Times/Maybank Car of the Year Awards 2010.

This was announced by New Straits Times Sdn Bhd Group Editor Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun at the media launch of the New Straits Times/Maybank �Car of the Year� (COTY) 2010 held at the Peugeot Blue Box Showroom in Glenmarie recently.

�This inaugural event, to be held from November 20 � 21, is to present to the public the full line-up of all the 60 nominated vehicles for this year�s Car of the Year Awards."

�It is also targeted to bring Malaysian motorists, car models launched in Malaysia for Malaysian roads and car manufacturers together in a celebration of passion for motoring,� said Datuk Syed Nadzri.

�There will also be test drives, a defensive driving course, mini workshops on car safety, In-Car Entertainment (ICE) and Security Rating Awards at this fun-filled family CARnival,� Datuk Syed Nadzri said.

Maybank, Malaysia�s premier banking group and a leading player in automobile financing, is the official title sponsor for the COTY Awards for the fourth consecutive year.

�The Malaysian automotive industry is heading for a record breaking year in sales. With improved confidence of both consumers and businesses, automobile manufacturers are already experiencing greater demand for even better models in the coming year,� said Ashraf Ali Abdul Kadir, Head, Consumer Finance Maybank.

�As an automobile financier, Maybank too benefits from this growth as demand for financing will increase in tandem with the industry. This has already been obvious over the last year, in which we registered automobile loan growth of 12% for the year ended June 2010. This is the fourth consecutive year of double digit growth which incidentally parallels the period we have been title sponsor of the NST-Maybank Car of the Year Awards,� said Ashraf Ali.

Now in its ninth year, COTY is the country�s first motoring award started in 2002 by Cars, Bikes & Trucks, the motoring section of the New Sunday Times, to acknowledge achievements within the motoring industry.

A panel of 9 judges comprising of motoring journalists and other distinguished personalities will be testing over 60 new and substantially facelifted models classified into 13 categories.

New cars launched between November 2009 and October 2010 qualify for COTY.

The evaluation criteria includes styling, value for money, comfort and ergonomics, performance, driving characteristics, safety, emotional appeal and after sales service.

The highest scoring vehicle in each category wins the award for �Best in Class�. The Overall Car of the Year will then be selected from the list of 13 category winners.

The annual award is endorsed and supported by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

The COTY Gala Awards Night will be held on November 26 at The Saujana, Kuala Lumpur. More than 150 top automotive figures are expected to grace the event.

Classic Bmw

Bmw classic car picture 1

Old BMW 316 car (1987)

Bmw classic car picture 3

Hyundai Tucson Awarded 5-Star EURO NCAP Rating

Euro NCAP, the independent vehicle safety organization, has announced that Hyundai�s new ix35 (also known as Tucson) compact SUV has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in its rigorous crash-test assessment program. The result places the ix35 (Tucson) as one of the safest vehicles in its class, and included a segment-best score for the �child occupant protection� category.

The ix35 (Tucson) is the third Hyundai vehicle in a row to achieve a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, following on from the top ratings achieved by i20 supermini and i30 hatchback.

The C-segment SUV received a class-leading score of 88% for child occupants, scoring well in tests with both 18-month-old and three�year-old dummies. The test score for adult occupants was 90%, and the safety assist features earned a score of 71%.

Electronic stability control, which is standard on all models, and a seatbelt reminder system played a key role in the ix35�s (Tucson) score in the safety assist category. Hyundai�s focus on occupant safety was highlighted with high scores in the front and rear impact tests, with a stable compartment providing good protection in the event of a crash.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe said, �Receiving a five star crash test rating is testament to our commitment to providing customers with vehicles of superior quality and top-class safety. European drivers have very high demands, and our design and engineering teams at our European R&D centre have created a car, which matches such expectations.

Special Hari Raya Service Promotion for Hyundai car owners in Malaysia

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd (HSDM) is offering its customers a �Special Hari Raya Service Promotion� in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. This service promotion is available at participating Hyundai service centers from 20^th August to 9^th September, 2010.

With an emphasis on �safety first� for the �balik kampung� rush this Hari Raya festivity, Hyundai wants to ensure Hyundai car owners a peace of mind during their long drive home. The promotion is also part of Hyundai�s commitment in providing value for money after-sales service to its valued customers. Customers can enjoy up to 20% discount on selected parts with 10% to 15% discount on labour depending on amount spent on parts purchase.

�Hyundai cars will be serviced by certified Hyundai technicians who use the latest diagnostic and service equipment. They also have immediate access to up-to-date technical and repair information which allows quicker diagnosis and repairs to any problem,� said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd.

He added that all certified Hyundai service outlets use only genuine parts manufactured according to Hyundai specifications. This is to ensure top performance and a maximum life span of Hyundai cars.

�Hyundai car owners should take advantage of this promotion as it does not only mean savings on selected parts and labour, but also a better and safer drive home,� said Mr Ho.

Customers who participate in this campaign will also receive free mystery gifts. For their own convenience, customers are advised to make prior appointments with the respective service centers or dealers.