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“The need for different technologies to fit into a given environment or scenario across the world, is I think, the most rational and probably the fastest way to make an impact on the environment, globally,” said Lars. With the combination of products that offer customers the Power of Choice, along with a Managing Director who can comfortably adapt to a fast-moving conversation, it looks like BMW Group Asia is in very good hands indeed.
Happenings

Lunch with Lars: BMW Group Asia Managing Director

IN BMW Group Asia, Automotive news,

Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia effortlessly handles a wide variety of topics from Danish butter cookies to the challenges of a disruptive car market


Look at the price of the A3 (S$187,635 as of December 2021), and you might balk at how much more it costs over its platform-mates. With that price tag, it puts the A3 S$30k over the Golf, and nearly S$50k over the Octavia!
New

The Posher Sibling | Audi A3 Sportback Mild Hybrid

IN Audi, A3, Sportback, Audi A3, A3 Sportback, Premium Automobiles

As the fanciest model to use the Volkswagen Group MQB Evo platform, is the A3 Sportback worth the extra dough? We check out what extras it offers over its siblings.


Main concerns Topping the list were beliefs that EVs are difficult to charge and lack of range as compared to their petrol-powered brethren. Despite this, an overwhelming 87% of respondents indicated reduction in carbon emissions as a key benefit of EVs. 65% noted increasing number of government incentives, and 59% pointed to the financial savings when compared to using petrol. “It is encouraging to see the growing appetite for electrified vehicles, and that Singaporean drivers understand the benefits of owning an EV,” said Ms Preeti Gupta, Corporate Affairs Director & Sustainability Lead, BMW Group Asia. “With a 27% increase in EVs purchased in 1H 2021 compared to all of 2020, it is clear Singaporean drivers are ready to integrate electrified vehicles into their daily lives. However, based on our research, we still have work to do when it comes to educating consumers on charging and range.” What drives EV adoption rates 64% of respondents pointed at a longer warranty period of up to 10 years, while 58% noted good aftersales service would motivate them to purchase an EV for their next car. Following closely behind were performance at 55%, build quality at 43% and technological features at 42%. Government incentives and EV uptake 72% of respondents said government incentives and access to public charging facilities were most likely to influence their purchase of an EV, while 70% noted access to home-charging being important. The usage of EVs was more predominantly weighted toward running daily errands with 62% of respondents, while 40% would commute to and from work and 33% would enjoy weekend leisure trips in an EV. “Today’s electric vehicles have more than enough range to support daily driving needs,” said Ms Gupta. “The average Singaporean drivers commutes 55km/day, and many electric vehicles allow them to drive anywhere from four to eight days without requiring a recharge.”
Happenings

Almost half of Singaporean drivers want to buy electrified vehicles …

IN BMW Group Asia, Study, Survey, PHEV, EV, Electrified vehicles

… a study by BMW Group Asia shows.


The MD’s Pledge “This is a big milestone for the BMW brand, as customers in Singapore now have the power of choice when it comes to the BMW X3,” said Mr. Christopher Wehner, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia. “Customers have three drivetrains to choose from – internal combustion engine, PHEV and EV. Depending on your lifestyle, where you live and the infrastructure available to you, we have something for everyone.
Happenings

iX3 is the icing atop BMW Group Asia’s 7-year electrification cake

IN BMW, IX3, PHEV, EV, Singapore

Customers in Singapore now can choose which drivetrain they prefer


Thanks to that, we’re massive fans of the Skoda Octavia. In fact, we liked it so much that we once had this 2006 Octavia wagon as the unofficial Burnpavement workhorse!
Happenings

5 Simply Clever things we love about the new Skoda Octavia

IN Skoda, Octavia, Combi, Skoda Octavia, Octavia Combi, Skoda Centre Singapore

The fourth-generation Skoda Octavia has just launched in Singapore with two flavours – liftback and wagon. Here’s five things we love about it!


What are your top 3 achievements in 2020? Our greatest achievement in 2020 was having BMW recognised in Singapore as the second top-selling car brand, and the best-selling among premium brands. In addition to moving up three positions, from 5th to 2nd, our market share increased to 9.8%, the highest market share of any BMW NSC worldwide.But that’s not all. We maintained segment leadership in the Philippines for the second year in a row, and also secured premium segment leadership in Indonesia after 15 years (as of YTD December 2020).Finally, sales in the region increased for both BMW and MINI brands across their model range. Our luxury models – 7 Series, 8 Series and X7 – increased by 15% and sales of BMW M and M Performance models increased by 14% in Singapore. Specifically, in the Philippines and Vietnam, luxury model sales increased by 63% and 48% respectively compared to 2019.  For MINI, we witnessed extremely strong growth compared to 2019 with our xEV models (+63%), Performance JCW models (+116%), and the new MINI Clubman (+74%).None of this would have been possible without the relentless ongoing support of our strong partners in all markets.
Happenings

“10 questions to…”

Challenges. Successes. Mr. Christopher Wehner, the Managing Director of BMW Group Asia shares how he has taken the BMW Group Asia region to new heights.


Much to the disappointment of the former group, the second-generation Subaru BRZ broke cover this week with an engine that didn’t feature forced induction. Despite the absence of a turbocharger, however, the new BRZ still offers a power bump over its predecessor.
Happenings

Consistency is key for the new BRZ

IN Subaru, BRZ, Subaru BRZ, Subaru Asia, Toyobaru

Subaru sticks to the purist’s formula for the second-generation BRZ – a naturally aspirated engine, a manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive.


Hyundai Motor Group expects an adaptable all-electric platform using Canoo’s scalable skateboard architecture to allow for a simplified and standardised development process for Hyundai and Kia electrified vehicles, which is expected to help reduce cost that can be passed along to consumers. Hyundai Motor Group also expects to reduce complexity of its EV assembly line, allowing for rapid response to changing market demands and customer preferences. With this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group doubles down on its recent commitment to invest $87 billion USD over the next five years to foster future growth. As part of this drive, Hyundai plans to invest $52 billion USD in future technologies through 2025, while Kia will invest $25 billion USD in electrification and future mobility technologies, aiming for eco-friendly vehicles to comprise 25% of its total sales by 2025.
Happenings

Hyundai Ties Up With Canoo to Develop Platform for Future EV Platform

IN EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, Hyundai

A skateboard chassis as the basis for future EV platforms? Who would have thought of that? Well, Hyundai did...


The 50kW DC chargers can fully charge a car in 30 minutes. Over the next few years, SP will introduce more high-powered DC charging points of up to 350kW. Other than SP’s, there are six other DC chargers in Singapore. SP’s new additions will be a game-changer in improving the charging turnaround time for EV drivers in Singapore. EV drivers can also enjoy at least 50 per cent cost savings compared to typical Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles for every kilometre travelled. The cost of using SP charging points will be regularly adjusted, mainly influenced by the prevailing electricity costs in Singapore.
Happenings

SP Group Offers EV Full Charging

IN EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, SP Group

Electric vehicle (EV) users can now fully charge their vehicles in 30 minutes at SP Group’s island-wide charging network.


Some of the future data we can expect to receive from the Pirelli Cyber Tyre, include kilometres clocked, dynamic load, and for the first time, situations of potential danger on road surfaces, from the presence of water to poor grip. This information in tandem with the car’s onboard technology will enable the car to adapt its control and driving assistance systems, greatly improving the level of safety, comfort and performance. In addition, it will provide the same information to other cars and the infrastructure.
Happenings

Pirelli's Tyre Of The Future

IN Pirelli, Tyres, Technology, 5G network, Ericsson, Audi, Italdesign, KTH, TIM

Pirelli has developed the world's first tyre that interacts with the 5G cellular network.


SEAT, in that grand scheme of things, is the housebrand bread of the Volkswagen Group. Sure, you get to pick between white, wholemeal and even multigrain; but the crux of the matter is that it offers better value and savings for the consumer — without compromising on quality.
New

Tol-tally Practical | SEAT Toledo 1.4 TSI Style

IN SEAT, Toledo, SEAT Toledo, Toledo Style, SEAT Singapore, SEAT Vertex, Vertex Euro Motors

The most affordable European sedan on the market doesn’t disappoint


Exuding exclusivity, the expansive exterior of the Concept X7 iPerformance identify it immediately as a BMW X model, with clear vertical proportions and significant ground clearance. The front end of the Concept X7 houses a large vertical kidney grille, flanked on either side by slim and elongated twin headlights — creating a powerful visual statement.
Happenings

More Capacity For Comfort

IN BMW, Concept, X Series, SUV

BMW teases their future flagship luxury SUV at Frankfurt


Classic roadster design cues are featured on the Concept Z4, such as a long wheelbase, low-slung and stretched silhouette and a compact rear end. The outline of the car follows a wedge shape, with a shorter bonnet and crisp overhangs at the front, and large domes that integrate the rollover bars stretching out rearwards — allowing the Concept Z4 to exude dynamism even when standing still.
Happenings

BMW’s roadster tradition, reloaded

IN BMW, BMW Z4, Concept, Roadster, Design study

BMW presents its Concept Z4 design study that offers a look at next-generation Z4


Fast forward to 2017, and the Eurokars Group proudly presented the new CX-5 at the Ritz Carlton, Millennia Singapore Hotel.
Happenings

New CX-5 Launched

IN Mazda, CX-5, 2017, Mazda CX-5, 2017 Mazda CX-5, SUV, Trans Eurokars, Eurokars Group, Singapore, Ritz Carlton Millennia Singapore

Mazda claims the highly updated CX-5 as the 'Most Premium SUV in its class'


Developed by Lamborghini in collaboration with race car constructors Dallara, the rear-wheel-drive monster is an attractive buy for drivers looking to progress to GT3 racing.
Motorsports

For Sale: Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo

IN Lamborghini, Lambo, Huracan, LP620-2, Super Trofeo, Lamborghini Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo, Race Car, Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series

Rear-wheel drive race car was made exclusively for the 2016 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series, but now available from Lamborghini London's dealer


The nonprofit group's goal is to promote more choice in how smartphones get connected to in-vehicle technologies like dashboard displays and voice recognition, and in other programming, Ford and Toyota said in a joint statement. Toyota has resisted offering Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto in its vehicles, citing concern that doing so would diminish safety and security. Ford, on the other hand, offers them on all its 2017 model vehicles; but the automaker still wants an open-source software platform that all app developers can use as an alternative to those of Google and Apple.
Happenings

Ford And Toyota Forms Alliance

IN Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Corporation, SmartDeviceLink Consortium, Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Ford, Toyota, Google, Apple, SmartDeviceLink, Mazda Motor, PSA Group, Fuji Heavy Industrie

In a move to prevent both Google and Apple from conquering in-vehicle apps, Ford and Toyota have stepped in together to form a telematics alliance


With Future Retail, the BMW Group has a number of objectives namely increase customer satisfaction, strengthen customers’ knowledge of products and technologies and improve efficiency. This entails a whole range of initiatives and tools that BMW has implemented in hopes of setting new standards for retail in the automotive industry.
Happenings

Revamped Home For BMW

IN BMW, Performance Motors Limited, BMW Asia, BMW Group, Sime Darby Performance Centre, Alexandra Road, BMW Genius, Virtual Product Presentation

Local distributor promises better customer experience with their renovated showroom


An engineering feat here is the completely new active aerodynamics profile, which is concealed almost invisibly in the underbody in front of the engine. At a speed of 80 km/h in Race mode, this carbon component, weighing only about two kilograms, automatically moves downward by about 40 millimetres and changes the airflow considerably. This process results in what is known as the Venturi effect, which additionally
Happenings

Meet The New Ultimate AMG!

IN Mercedes, AMG, Mercedes-AMG, GT R, Mercedes-AMG GT R, AMG green hell magno, Green Hell

Development largely based on motor-racing experience in AMG GT3 customer sport and the German Touring Car Masters - we take a closer look at Mercedes's new focused machine


Recently - and quietly too - a nameplate that was once a local favourite has returned: The Ford Focus.
New

King Of The Crop | Ford Focus Hatch 1.0 EcoBoost

IN Ford, Ford Focus, EcoBoost, Focus, Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.0, Turbocharged, 3-cylinder, Hatchback, Regent Motors

Ford returns, now with a new force-fed powerplant that should put a smile on budget-conscious buyers — but can it steal the limelight from the Golf?


BP — Would you be as effective with another driver or is there a sort of chemistry between you guys? MA — I think it depends mostly on how well you can cope with the system of a particular driver, because normally every driver has his own preference and the co-driver must adapt himself and understand what the driver needs. There are several co-drivers who have been successful with several different drivers, so I think that one driver can be successful with many co-drivers, but for a co-driver to be successful he needs a very talented driver. BP — Jari-Matti, has there ever been a case where you found yourself expecting more of Miikka? JML — No, not really. Its only been a few times where if Miikka has been a little bit late or going a little too early then I will just tell him to wait a moment, or just telling him ”next note, next note
Motorsports

An Intimate Interview with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila | Part 1

IN VW, Volkswagen, WRC, Rally, World Rally Championship, Polo, Polo R, Motorsport, Latvala, Jari-Matti, Anttila, Miikka, Finland

Meet motorsport’s highest-flying Finns as they talk Group B, co-driving, and their intra-cockpit relationship.



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