NEW LAUNCHES: The New "Mother Trucker" Nissan Navara NP300 Launched In Malaysia!!!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) yesterday officially launched The Ultimate Pickup, the All-New Nissan NP300 Navara.

The event was held at the ETCM Glenmarie 4S Centre, and launched by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, International Trade and Industry Minister II, who was accompanied by Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Tan Heng Chew, President of Tan Chong Motor Holdings. Nissan was represented by Mr. Kenji Naito, Senior Vice President of Nissan Motor Asia Pacific Co. Ltd and ETCM was represented by Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of ETCM. 

The successor to the popular Navara D40, the NP300 Navara double cab pickup delivers a compelling combination of dynamic driving performance, robust endurance, bold design and advanced technology. It is the first Japanese pickup in Malaysia with multi-link rear suspension, which transforms its driving experience and ride comfort to that of an SUV - even with a full payload of one tonne.

Nissan’s pickup design and heritage DNA is as distinctive as ever in the NP300 Navara. A first-in-class, full LED Headlamp with boomerang-shaped Daytime Running Light frames Nissan’s signature ‘V-motion’ grille, further emphasising the unmistakable aesthetics of the NP300 Navara. A new rear spoiler improves overall aerodynamics; and new 18-inch alloy wheels add on to its element of sportiness.

The NP300 Navara is powered by an improved 2.5L YD25DDTi variable geometry system (VGS) turbo intercooler engine, and fitted with a first-in-class seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode for more power and smoother acceleration. A maximum output of 190 PS at 450Nm/2,000rpm makes it the most powerful pickup in its class. 

The same luxurious comforts found in Nissan’s other premium models are present in the NP300 Navara – first-in-class Zero Gravity Inspired Seats offers spinal support for driver and front passengers; while improved seatback angle of rear seats and rear air-conditioning vents ensures comfort in any drive for rear passengers. A five-inch full colour Advanced Drive Assist Display (ADAD) screen provides vehicle information for ease of driving, and the sporty steering wheel with controls gives drivers direct access to the audio system and cruise control at the touch of the fingertips. 

Key safety features in the NP300 Navara are Hill Start Assist; Hill Descent Control; and Active Brake Limited Slip for traction control and vehicle stability. Other safety features also include child seat retainer (ISOFIX with tether), Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System, Anti-locking Braking System, Electronic Brake Force distribution, and Brake Assist.

NP300 Navara is also offered as a single cab that is the most powerful in the market. Its complete steel body supports a full payload of one tonne, and comes with multi-leaf rear suspension as well as a first-in-class easy bed step. 

According to Dato’ Dr. Ang Bon Beng, the All-New NP300 Navara is engineered to meet the challenges of any terrain. “We name the NP300 Navara The Ultimate Pickup, as it has the flexibility to be sturdy and reliable for work, yet comfortable and spacious for the weekend. Since ETCM opened pre-bookings in mid-October, we have collected over 1,000 bookings of the All-New Nisan NP300 Navara. Such enthusiastic response only serves to strengthen our resolve to work even harder to ensure that The Ultimate Pickup seals its place as a top contender in Malaysia’s pickup segment - and ultimately become the pickup of choice for Malaysians.”

Fully imported from Thailand, six 4WD variants are available to the Malaysian market:

Double Cab	2.5 VL (7-speed AT)	Single Cab	2.5 L (6-speed MT)
	2.5 V (7-speed AT)
	2.5 SE (7-speed AT)
	2.5 SE (6-speed MT)
	2.5 E (6-speed MT)

The All-New Nissan NP300 Navara comes with a 3-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty. Four colours are available: Tungsten Silver; Diamond Black; Brilliant White; and a new colour option, Savanna Orange.

PRESS RELEASE: Shell Malaysia Launched New Road Safety Programme 2016

Shell Malaysia yesterday announced that it will launch a new road safety programme in 2016, at the national closing ceremony of its iconic Shell Traffic Games (“STG”) today. The event drew over 500 primary and secondary school students from all over Malaysia, to learn about road safety in an engaging and fun way over two days. 

Speaking about the event and Shell’s future plans for road safety education, Qamar Wan-Noor, Business Opportunity Manager for Shell Malaysia’s downstream division, said, “We are very proud of what we have achieved with the Shell Traffic Games for the past 58 years. Shell has made inroads into helping school students understand the importance of road safety and the role they play in spreading awareness. With this strong foundation in place, Shell is now looking into other areas where we can help improve road safety consciousness, reducing traffic-related injuries and death.” 

Elaborating further, Qamar said, “It was recently reported that youths between the ages of 16 and 25 contribute to one-third of road accident fatalities in the country. This is clearly a situation that Shell wants to positively impact, given our long-standing experience and concern in the area of road safety management. We are in the midst of developing a programme to address this and hope to announce it in 2016. We are also looking forward to building on our long-standing relationships with its partners in the government and private sector for the new programme.” 

Puan Rozainum binti Ahmad, Co-curriculum and Arts Section Director of Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, said, “Shell has laid a strong foundation for a programme that continues to draw the interest and attention of school students in an area as important as road safety. We thank Shell for all these decades of partnership and look forward to inculcating road-safety consciousness in future generations.” 

Launched in 1957, the Shell Traffic Games, is held in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Road Safety Department of Malaysia, and various government agencies like the police, local authorities, as well as auxiliary bodies. Events are held throughout the year in most state capitals and practically every district and division in Sabah and Sarawak. Since its inception over 58 years ago, more than a million Malaysian students have taken part in the games.

Prizes are awarded to winning primary and secondary schools for the best road safety performance. This year, the primary school category was won by the contingent from Terengganu, followed by the contingents from Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur at second and third place, respectively. In the secondary school category, the contingent from Terengganu was declared the champion, followed by the contingent from Sarawak in second place and the contingent from Kedah in third place. Contingents are made up of the each state’s top competitors in their respective state-level Shell Traffic Games events. 

The games are conducted on a specially equipped site in a safe location using pedal cars, bicycles and pedestrians. As part of the programme, participating schools are required to pass written tests on read safety. In subsequent practical or on-road tests, participants are awarded merit points for complying with road safety regulations, or conversely given demerits and issued traffic violation summons by real traffic police officers when they break road safety regulations or commit driving offences.

source: Shell Malaysia Media Release

PRESS RELEASE: Malaysian Lexus Owners Emerge Victorious in Lexus Cup 2015

Malaysian Lexus owners swung their way to glory, beating their Asia Pacific counterparts on the green to emerge as the country champion of the Lexus Cup 2015.

Held in Nirwana Golf Course Bali, Indonesia, from 1 – 4 November 2015, Lexus customers, Mr. Ng Say Hoe, Mr. Yap Keng Yau, and Mr. Sheo Wei Meng formed the winning team in the Lexus Cup 2015, an annual regional customer golf event. 

The Malaysia team participants are champions of the annual Lexus Golf Invitational 2015, from the three different regions before representing the country in the final showdown in Indonesia. The champions stayed true to their resolve, progressing from home turf to beat 62 other golfers from Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, to rise up as country champion for the event.

The Lexus Cup, which first started in 2012, is hosted by Lexus’ Asia Pacific Division, in partnership with its regional distributors.

Four pro golfers from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA): Beatriz Recari and Azahara Munoz from Spain, Jessica Korda from the United States, and So Yeon Ryu from South Korea, were at the event demonstrating their skills, answering golf questions, and offering up tips for anyone looking to improve their game. 

The four-day event kicked off with a Practice Day and a Welcome Dinner, followed by the Tournament proper, and culminated in the highly-anticipated Gala Dinner. Winners were announced at the Gala Dinner, after welcome speeches from Matthew Callachor, General Manager, Lexus International, Japan and Paul Carroll, Vice President, Lexus Asia Pacific Division.

PRESS RELEASE: ETCM Announced Collaboration with Air Asia Big

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd has officially announced a collaboration with AirAsia BIG, the coalition loyalty programme of Asia’s leading low-cost airline AirAsia.

The announcement was made today by ETCM Executive Director, Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng during the prize presentation ceremony of ETCM’s Millionaire Drive Campaign, held at Paradigm Mall. Also present at the event were the Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia BIG, Ms Alice Goh, and Mr Vincent Chong, General Manager of WCT Malls. Paradigm Mall was venue sponsor for the event. 

According to Dato’ Dr Ang, the collaboration marks a milestone for ETCM. “We are proud to partner with AirAsia BIG. Similarly to Tan Chong, AirAsia is a true Malaysian icon – a homegrown company that has grown tenfold to become the force that it is now. We have exciting plans in the works to continue working together well into next year, and we look forward to a strong alliance that will benefit both parties and our customers.”

“Partnering Edaran Tan Chong Motor is a meaningful way for AirAsia BIG to make possible for holiday goers to travel to their favourite holiday destinations. Customers don’t just get to enjoy an adventurous drive on the road with their Nissan vehicles, but also the rewarding experience of travelling by air for free with their BIG Points. Being an AirAsia BIG Member also opens doors to exclusive priority access for AirAsia flight sales, and free AirAsia flight redemptions to over 100 destinations from as low as 500 BIG Points,” said Alice Goh, CEO of AirAsia BIG.

During the ceremony, ETCM together with AirAsia BIG presented the Grand Prize of 300,000 BIG Points to the winner of the October campaign, Che Zainun Tun Binti Mohammed. Che Zainun had bought bought a Nissan Almera 1.5E AT at ETCM’s Kota Bharu branch. The BIG Points won by Che Zainun will enable her to enjoy the equivalent to five (5) return flights to Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Seoul or numerous local destinations.

14 Consolation Prize winners also walked away with 50,000 BIG Points each, which can take them to numerous local destinations or to two (2) return flights to Siem Reap, Yangon, Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

“The Millionaire Drive Campaign in October was a resounding success, and we would like to thank our customers for their support. ETCM’s philosophy has always been putting our customers first and we strive to make every customer’s experience when purchasing a Nissan car worthwhile. For that, I am pleased to announce that we have decided to continue the Campaign for November, and will also hold it in the month of December to offer more Malaysians the chance to drive home a Nissan and fly like a millionaire. Our customers are important to us, and we want to be able to give them holiday experiences and memories of a lifetime,” added Dato’ Dr Ang.

Similarly to the October campaign, 15 customers who purchase and register their Nissan cars in the months of November and December will be in the running to win from a total of 1,000,000 BIG Points each month