A revision in motor tariff premium rates in Malaysia will take effect from Jan 16 on a gradual basis over the next four years.

Bank Negara said at a briefing that the premium adjustment, which would be implemented in small amounts over a measured pace, was expected to have only a marginal impact on the public and businesses.

For example, in respect of third-party cover, motorcycles of 100cc would experience a premium increase of between RM1 and RM3.50 per year over the next four years. For a private car of 1,400cc, the premium adjustment would be in the range of RM6 to RM34 per year over the next four years.

The premium adjustment for commercial vehicles such as outstation taxis and buses, on the other hand, would see only a minimal impact of less than 10 sen per passenger per trip.

Tariff adjustments aside, the element of loading would still apply based on the risk profile and age of the vehicles, but the maximum rate of loading would remain unchanged at 150%.

The upcoming revision in motor tariff premium rates forms part of the New Motor Cover Framework that is aimed at addressing the structural issues within the motor insurance sector to ensure continuous and sustainable motor protection to users.

It will be the first to be undertaken after more than 30 years of non-revision, despite the fact that the levels of car ownership, accident rates and claim incidences have risen significantly over the years, thus putting cost pressures on the country’s motor insurance industry.

Malaysia now has 19 million registered vehicles.

Under the new framework, Bank Negara said the adjustment on motor tariff premium rates would be reviewed periodically to ensure that the adjusted premium rates would be reflective of the claims experience.

The new measure was expected to pave the way for the de-tariffing of motor insurance sector in Malaysia by 2016, following which motor premium rates were expected to be further differentiated according to the risk profile of individual vehicles to ensure fairness to consumers.

The new framework would also encompass enhancing efficiency in claims settlement process.

Bank Negara said the objective was to ensure that all claims would be settled within six to 18 months, compared with the present average lead time of up to five years.

As part of an initiative to enhance the efficiency, Bank Negara said it would introduce a motor insurance claims kit to expedite notification of an accident and claims as well as the establishment of a nationwide 24-hour call centre to provide immediate roadside assistance to accident victims in the first quarter.

The central bank is also working on a review of legal fees in bodily injury cases, measures to incentivise early claims notification and leverage on hospital counters to facilitate claims notification as well as the development of guidelines on long-term nursing care.

These initiatives are targeted for completion by June.

source : TheStar

Is it sound ridiculous ? Yes its true, hybrid vehicles are 25 percent safer for their occupants than conventional fuel models but are more hazardous for pedestrians, according to a study from an insurance institute released on Thursday.

It may come as no surprise that heavier cars provide better protection to passengers in a collision than lighter cars. It turns out that the batteries that help to power hybrids actually create more weight, making them on average 10 percent heavier than regular cars. The study by insurance institute used more than 25 hybrid cars paired with their standard-model versions.

The analysis included more than 25 hybrid-conventional vehicle pairs, all of them 2003-2011 models, with at least one collision claim and at least one related injury claim filed from 2002 to 2010.

Lets watch the video to see the study’s findings:

Click here to view the embedded video.

However, another research carried out by the Highway Loss Data Institute shown that among 17 pairings of hybrid and non-hybrid vehicles, the hybrids were 20 percent more likely to be involved in an accident with a pedestrian. This is because when driving in electric mode, hybrids are so quiet that pedestrians often do not hear them approaching.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has already been promoting a measure that would require hybrids and electric vehicles to emit a noise to warn pedestrians of their approach.

Many automakers such as Toyota and Lexus are working on device that can produce sounde alert for their cars.

White and pearl white have caught up with silver to share top spot as the world’s most popular car colour.

In its annual Automotive Colour Popularity Report, automotive car brand DuPont revealed that 22 percent of car buyers around the world opted for white, the same amount that plumped for traditional favorite silver.

The growth in popularity means that black or black effect cars are in second place globally, with 20 percent market share.

“While white/white pearl has historically been a popular colour for vehicles, we’ve seen a bigger shift in its popularity this year than DuPont expected,” said Nancy Lockhart, DuPont colour marketing manager.

White was the most popular colour in North America for the fifth consecutive year, DuPont found, but it failed to topple black as the colour of choice in Europe, despite surging five percentage points over last year on the back of what DuPont describes as “inspiration for the ecological megatrend.”
DuPont2011_Asia-Pacific-Color(HR).jpg

Its growth was at the expense of gray and silver, which took third and fourth place in Europe, while blue scraped into fifth place.

Japanese buyers also opted for white the most, but other Asian countries preferred silver, which topped the market in both China and South Korea, making it the most popular colour overall in Asia.

Other regional trends saw South America opting for silver and Russians choosing a surprisingly high proportion of green models, which made up seven percent of the Russian market but just two percent globally.

The world’s most popular automotive colours
(Data from 2011 DuPont Automotive Colour Popularity Report)

1. White/White Pearl and Silver tie, 22 percent
3. Black/Black Effect 20 percent
4. Gray 13 percent
5. Red 7 percent
6. Blue 6 percent
7. Brown/Beige 5 percent
8. Green 2 percent
9. Yellow/Gold 1 percent
10. Others 2 percent

- Relaxnews

For all traveller during this Deepavali festival, this is another good news for you.Reward yourself when you travel along PLUS highways during this Deepavali with PLUSMiles Toll Rebate :

• 10% when you travel on 24 & 28 October 2011
• 20% when you travel on 26 October 2011

For more details visit www.plusmiles.com.my.

Good news for those who are looking forward to buy a hybrid car. The government in the Budget 2012 announced that in order to promote green technology and ensure sustainable development of the nation, full exemption of import duty and excise duty on hybrid cars and electric cars will continue to be given to franchise holders. This tax exemption will be extended until 31 December 2013.

Please take note that the tax exemption is only for hybrid car with engine capacity 2.0 and below.

For record, currently only Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and Lexus CT200h available in Malaysia. You can see the comparison between this hybrid cars here.

The future model that expected to hit Malaysia market is Honda CR-Z. Few blogs are saying that Honda CR-Z will reach Malaysia early 2012, lets wait for it.

For this coming Aidilfitri celebrations, motorists will enjoy discounts of between five and 37.5% at 24 tolled expressways nationwide on Aug 30 and 31.

Highways offering the discounts are :

• North-South Expressway (Plus),
• North South Expressway Central Link (Elite),
• Seremban-Port Dickson Highway (SPDH),
• Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing (Linkedua),
• Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (KLBK),
• Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP),
• Western KL Traffic Dispersal System Highway (Sprint),
• Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway,
• East Coast Expressway,
• Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh),
• Guthrie Corridor Expressway (Guthrie),
• Kemuning Shah Alam Highway (LKSA),
• Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya),
• New Pantai Expressway (NPE),
• Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas),
• Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas),
• Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke),
• Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga),
• Smart Highway,
• New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB),
• Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (KLP),
• Kajang Traffic Dispersal Ring Road (Silk)
• and the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE).

“Motorists using the LDP will not be imposed toll charges on Merdeka Day starting midnight until 11.59am,” he told a news conference after launching the ministry-level Aidilfitri Safety Campaign at Guthrie Highway’s Lagong Toll Plaza on Thursday.

The discounts were in line with the seventh National Key Result Area announced last month to battle increased cost of living.

If you need more long-term discount, read about Plus Mile Loyalty Card.

One of the issue that consumer will ask when considering a green hybrid car is on the batter lifespan and of course the battery replacement cost. Our government was generous enough when the giving a tax free on hybrid below 2.0cc and we can expect the same tax structure will continue next year.

If 1 year ago, Prius, Insight or Lexus CT200h hardly been seen on our roads, with the new tax structure we can see them everyday.  Last week, I guess many has heard that one angry Honda Civic Hybrid owner claims defect on the IMA system. Eventhough, the case has not been settled yet, but this I hope can trigger the government at least to force the manufacturer to provide longer warranty on the system just like what the offer to other market such as UK and US.

Lets we wait and see the result of this….

HYBRID technology is the byword in the automotive industry these days as the Malaysian Government is handing out handsome duty rebates for each hybrid car sold and this time the technology is in the news for the wrong reason.

Latifah Emir Ahmad, or better known as novelist Aina Emir bought the car just over two years ago and thought it would be a great way of using less fuel and saving the environment. Just as the vehicle neared the end of the standard Honda two-year warranty period, it began showing signs of problems with the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system.

“My story revolves around how Honda Malaysia have use dirty marketing ploy to sell their hybrid technology that doesn’t work in Malaysia. I, as an owner of a Honda Civic hybrid can testify that they have not only falsified their hybrid advertisements, but also systematically dragged my car’s problem relating to its high voltage IMA battery until it was outside of the warranty.

“Further more, it came to my deep surprise that Honda openly promotes the lifespan of the battery to be at least 10 years, but in actual fact, much shorter and specifically in my case, the high voltage battery died at one year nine months,” she said.

Latifah said the RM15,000 cost of replacing the batteries after 100,000 kilometres means that her purchase is pointless as the Civic Hybdrid only saved RM4,500 during that same period.

After pursuing her case through Honda channels and found no satisfaction, Latifah is taking her case to the Consumer Tribunal. She wants Honda to repurchase her Civic Hybrid and says if the Consumer Tribunal doesn’t agree with her claim, the case will be taken to the Magistrate Court.

“Everyone must remember that the currently hot and popular Honda Insight runs on the same IMA system as my broken hybrid car.” She is also campaigning for the Government to reclaim the tax break that Honda enjoyed with every sale of the Civic and Insight hybrid.

“I am suggesting that the Government can recover at least RM125 million if we assume that the opportunity cost for tax on hybrid car averages at RM50,000 per vehicle and that Honda have sold at least 2,500 hybrid vehicles so far.

“Honda views Malaysia as a third world country whom they can manipulate, cheat, and dump their malfunctioning technology,” said Latifah.

The case went to the Consumer Tribunal yesterday where both sides presented their case. In their defense, Honda said the battery damage happened after the warranty period. Honda also admitted that they expected the battery to last between 10 and 12 years. Interestingly, Honda said if the Civic Hybrid is driven aggressively with the throttle pressed hard, the battery life would be compromised.

The tribunal had earlier asked Honda to make a better offer to the complainant rather than just replace the faulty battery and give it a standard six-month warranty. By the end of the proceedings, both parties could not agree to a settlement and the tribunal decided to adjourn until late August.

The tribunal decided on the adjournment to give the complainant to be more specific with her claim as they can only award according to costs incurred and damage suffered without considering whether there was any misrepresentation of the product by Honda in their communications and advertisement.

Asian Auto has recently announced the results of their annual Auto Industry Awards for 2011. The award is one of the best or maybe established that we have in Malaysia. Whether you like it or not on the result, it doesn’t matter. Lets see the full result.

Winners of the Asian Auto – Auto Industry Awards 2011 are:

From one issue come another issue. While we have been burden with a hike of petrol and electric tariff, another issue going to hit the used car buyer. Effective June 15, all used vehicles for sale will undergo Puspakom’s 18-point inspection (B7) to ensure their roadworthiness. The new requirement was included in amendments to the Hire-Purchase Act 1967.

One of the spokesman from used-car dealers said Puspakom’s current four-point inspection (B5) – on the chassis number, the engine number, windows and windscreens as well as cut-and-join parts – was sufficient. “The B7 inspection is unnecessary as the additional 14-point inspection is based on visual checks which can be subjective,” he told reporters during a peaceful protest by about 100 members of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association yesterday.

Another issue of contention was the 1% maximum booking fee mandated by the amended Act, which requires used-car dealers to refund customers 90% of the booking fee if the deal falls through. “If we collect RM100 for a RM10,000 car, we will only get to keep RM10 if the customer pulls out at the last minute. This is very unfair,” he said.

Khoo also revealed that Puspakom had inked a deal with Motordata Research Consortium Malaysia (MRC) to provide it with information of vehicles accident history.

Good news to all motorist ! PLUSMiles loyalty card is the only card you need to enjoy various toll rebates and benefits. Users of PLUS highways nationwide will receive a 5% rebate on toll fees when they spend over RM100 monthly using the PLUSMiles loyalty card. The rebates will be translated into top-up value in the card, which comes with the Touch n Go facility.

PLUSMiles loyalty card may be used on highways run by other operators but the rebates will only be applicable on roads run by PLUS Expressway Bhd, except at the Bukit Kayu Hitam, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Tanjung Kupang toll plazas.

On top of the rebate, the existing 20% toll rebate currently enjoyed by those who make transactions using the electronic toll payment system for at least 80 times per month is still valid. Therefore, despite the hike of petrol price, user can actually save in toll expenses.

The highway operator also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with new partners Proton, ExxonMobil and Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).

Under the MoUs, PLUSMiles card users will be entitled to free towing service up to 35km by AAM panel workshops, conversion of reward points from Esso and Mobil’s Smiles card to free reload into PLUSMiles cards, and free SmartTag units for future Proton buyers.

The price of premium RON97 petrol will be increased by 20 sen to a record high of RM2.90 per litre from Thursday.

“The price of RON97 fluctuates as the Government has lifted the subsidy for this petrol,” Malaysian Petrol Dealers Association president Datuk Hashim Othman said Wednesday when confirming the price increase.

The previous increase was a month ago.

“The price of RON97 might go down in future, but this depends on the political situation in the Middle East as well as natural disasters,” he added.

Subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged.

If you still waiting for more time pay to pay your summonses you are getting in deep trouble. Motorists who have yet to settle an estimated 18 million outstanding summonses have just four more days to do so before they are barred from renewing their driving licences and road tax.

Those who don’t want to get blacklisted after the Feb 28 deadline should check their summonses online at MyEG and pay up at Road Transport Department (JPJ) offices, traffic police counters or post offices.

JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said special desk officers had been assigned to look into complaints and disputes on traffic summonses. At least two desk officers have been assigned in every state and branch office of JPJ, traffic police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Solah said the desk officers were assigned after the three enforcement agencies received a deluge of complaints via e-mail, letters and media reports from road users who disputed their traffic compounds and summonses.

In cases like this, the desk officers will help get the offender removed from the blacklist.

Solah reminded offenders to avoid long lines at the agencies by settling their summonses at 688 post offices nationwide.

“Just go straight to the post office, not just JPJ or police. And don’t wait until the last minute on Feb 27 or 28,” he said.

He warned that there would be no further grace period for traffic offenders who failed to settle their summonses before March 1.

Solah noted there were still about 15 million unpaid summonses issued between 2000 and 2008 – 13,796,212 under police, 831,599 under DBKL and 434,003 under JPJ.

New traffic compound rates will be effective from March 1 with offences divided into four categories and compounds ranging from RM40 to RM300. These are for offences such as speeding, beating the red light, overtaking on double lines and using the mobile phone without a hands-free kit while driving.

Via : TheStar

Introduction

The Honda Dreams Fund, a partnership between UNDP Malaysia and Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, provides full scholarships to 20 promising youths from underprivileged backgrounds. We focus on less fortunate youths and empower them with education and knowledge so that they may achieve their dreams and aspirations.

The partnership between UNDP and Honda Malaysia was signed on 4 January 2007 and is now in its fifth year. From Jan-March 2011, the HDF team will travel to selected urban and rural locations around the country to reach out to youths and promote the programme.

They will cover areas such as Papas, Sandakan, Tawau, Sabah; Seremban and Malacca; Kuching, Bintulu and Sibu in Sarawak; Johor, Perlis and Klang Valley in 2011. The HDF team will take video and photo applications from enthusiastic youth at all the locations.

For more information on the scholarship process, please see below:

Schedule

• Call for applications – 5 January 2011
• Deadline for applications – 31 March 2011
• Initial selection – April/May 2011
• Leadership workshop for shortlisted candidates – June 2011
• Awards for 20 successful candidates – July 2011

Selection criteria
Your dream in a 500 words essay.

Application conditions

• Applications must reach us by 31 March 2011 (kindly note that proof of posting is not proof of receipt)
• Aged between 17-24 years old in 2011
• Completed and passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM)
• Have a combined household income of RM1,500 or less
• Medically fit
• Not on bond or holding any other scholarship or receiving financial assistance from any other organizations
• Copies of your NRIC, SPM/STPM, testimonials/ references, and EA/J form
• Only short-listed candidates will be notified

Deadline

31 March 2011

Source : Malaysia-Scholarship.Net

The Cabinet has approved the revised system under the Road Transport Act, which covers summonses for offences that do not contribute to high accident and fatality rate. Under the new revised structure the payment of traffic summonses is based on the principle that “the more you delay, the more you pay”.

With the implementation in March 1, 2011 motorists can now forget about delaying payment of traffic summonses in the hope of massive discounts during campaigns organised by the police or other authorities.

With the new structure, all  fines issued by all enforcement agencies, including the local councils and Road Transport Department (JPJ) will be linked and centralised.

How The System Works

The offences would be divided into four categories, based on the seriousness of the offences, with compounds ranging from RM40 to a maximum of RM300. Depending on the category of the offence (see chart), motorists can save as much as RM150 for each summons if they choose to pay within 15 days of getting it, instead of delaying the payment up to the 60th day.

However,for serious offences which cause accidents and deaths they will be no discount ! Fines will be maintained at RM300 (with no discounts) even if settled within 60 days. These offences include speeding; beating the traffic lights, overtaking on double lines, tailgating, queue jumping, overtaking in the emergency lanes and using mobile phones while driving.

For motorcycles below 250cc would be subjected to lower fines.

Payment Period

The payment period is divided into three stages. The first is from day one of the offence to the 15th day; the second from day 16-30, and the final timeframe from the 31st day to the 60th day.

For offences due to bad driving habits which increase the risk of accidents, a motorist will be fined RM150 if he pays within the first 15 days; RM200 (16 to 30 days) and RM300 (31 to 60 days) respectively.

For small capacity motorcycles, the fines are RM100, RM150 and RM250 for the same time frame.

“The amount will be multiplied if offences are committed three times or more within two months.He added that court action would be taken if fines are not settled within 60 days.

This is another controversy by JPJ, the Penang JPJ director Datuk Hassan Yaacob said the department would propose that the Road Transport Act be amended to fine motorists who fixed TV screens and DVD players in their vehicles.

Eventhough, this is only a proposal, but sooner or later, if the related Act are amended we have to follow through. The reason is simple, JPJ said the TV monitor affected drivers’ concentration and led to accidents.

What do you think of this ?

PETALING JAYA: Several people are unhappy with the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) latest proposal to ban TV monitors in cars.

Many who vented their anger on Facebook called on the JPJ to concentrate more on road safety issues.

User Kamil Noah said the department should not be bothered by standard car accessories and gadgets, which came factory-fitted.

Another user, Aarif Iman Abdullah, said most people who had DVD players and TV screens had them for their passengers, not themselves.

“It helps to keep the children occupied, especially on long journeys,” he said. “First, it was the hand­phone, now DVD players/screens. What next, JPJ?” he asked.

Mohamad Shahdan Yahya requested that JPJ provided statistics that showed such entertainment gadgets affected drivers’ concentration and led to accidents.

“Don’t just talk, give data to prove all that,” he urged.

The comments came about after Penang JPJ director Datuk Hassan Yaacob said the department would propose that the Road Transport Act be amended to fine motorists who fixed TV screens and DVD players in their vehicles.