SMS 31 January 2010

Fuel snippets

WHY the big fuss over subsidised fuel? I average 200 litres of petrol monthly for my Hyundai Sonata. An extra RM60 monthly for non-subsidised petrol is no problem. It's just one less weekend outing with the boys. - 016-6989441

FIXING petrol price using vehicles’ engine capacity as the basis is certainly reasonable though not a perfect solution. Not all who drive small cars are poor. What's wrong with charging those who drive huge and high-performance cars slightly more? After all, subsidies are meant for the poor. - 013-8122378

THE government should consider giving fuel subsidies based on the value of the car stated in the insurance cover note. This way, no brand will be discriminated and it is fair to everyone! - 016-6367967

TO 016-9694037, Singapore's GST is 7%, not 3%. Also, cars there cost more to maintain as they have to pay much higher insurance and road tax as well as unsubsidised fuel. There is also no local car brand as a cheaper alternative. We are very lucky as I’ve seen many students here with cars, while many families have more than one vehicle. - 012-3164114

ISN'T there a more simple way of monitoring fuel subsidy? Say the government subsidise the first RM250 per month of fuel. The rest you pay market rate. Therefore, at the end of every quarter, you claim the rebate back from the government on the RM250x3 months fuel used. So then there is no issue of unfairness to big or small cars. - 016-2233823

IS it true that the price of petrol will go up to RM3.90 a litre? - 012-2155220

Reply: There are many rumours and speculations, but the current global price for petrol (RON95) is around RM3 per litre. 

IF the government starts implementing the controlled fuel subsidy, what if an average earner can afford a 15-year-old car costing RM18,000 (like a Toyota Camry 2.2) compared with one who can lavishly afford a new BMW 318, don’t you think that the poor would be "robbed" to subsidise the rich? - 016-6465883

THE proposed petrol subsidy plan is impossible to implement efficiently and will be another failed programme. Can’t the government see that it’s a flawed plan? - 017-3538878

WHAT is to prevent one to fill up his Viva with subsidised fuel and siphone it into his BMW? Then the government's objective is defeated. - 019-6531632

WE should stop subsidising fuel and at the same time remove the National Automotive Policy barriers. Let the market decide once and for all. Then it's truly 1Malaysia. - 016-7153306

Road safety

THE chassis of buses and other vehicles in Malaysia should be strong, like rally or racing cars that provide maximum protection. - 013-2230615

Reply: The chassis is strong, it's the body that needs more regulation and control.

TOO many road accidents. Maybe CBT should start analysing relevant details like the age of the driver, make of car, age of car, capacity, colour, condition of tyres, brakes, weather at time of accident, etc - 012-3292053

Reply: Malaysian Institute of Road Safety and Research is doing that. Read their reports on www.miros.gov.my

TOLL booths should be built at the angle according to the flow of incoming traffic. Otherwise cars will line up haphazardly and causing traffic jams. - 012-9899811

ARE imported chassis meant for double decker buses? - 013-7701898

Reply: There is no specific rules to this, but most express bus chassis are imported. The bodies however are made locally. 

I DRIVE a 20-year-old Volvo 740 (2.3-litre) especially for long distance with my family. Given good care, it’s very comfortable and a joy to ride. It's a stable and safe car. This is my fourth Volvo as I enjoy driving classic Volvos. Why does the government want to make it difficult for owners of cheap, big capacity, stable and safe cars. Please check with the Road Transport Department on the thousands of 240, 740 and 940 in superb and mint condition still plying around comfortably on the highway. The government is totally at fault when Kancils or Sagas are "sardined" in accidents as the vehecles were never crash tested. Please get opinions from all levels before making decisions. - 012-5129249

PEOPLE who cause road deaths should not only be charged with manslaughter but also be banned for driving for life. - +6583166066

TO the relevant authorities, please issue summons to those who park in front of Ampang Park and cause tragic jams. Buses also double park while waiting for passengers. These are all avoidable. - 012-9899811

Proton feedback

PROTON, please define what is Lotus handling. You advertised it but not much is said about it. What is so good that others don’t have? Or was it just another marketing term? - 012-3661854

Reply: Why don't you test drive their cars and later test drive other makes? Ask the Proton sales person what is Lotus handling because a car's handling is best experienced by yourself. 

DURING the launch of the Exora last year, I saw a bodykit at the KLCC convention centre completely in black colour. - 012-2395655

Reply: That must be the mock up version that they did just for the launch. There are aftermarket bodykits for the Exora. Try www.win-ace-bodykits.com

Readers help readers

I PLAN to make a booking for the new Volkswagen MK6 GTi, but while doing online research, it seems that the DSG gearbox in the MK5 faces some reliability issue? How bad is the problem? Would any MK5 owner mind sharing your experience? - 017-5003226

Reply: This is news to us as we have never received any complaint letter about the DSG gearbox. Why don't you ask the owners at www.vwgolfclubmalaysia.com

ABOUT three or four months ago, I read about the coating on the car paint for easy washing and maintaining the paint. Can you give me the name of the shop, contact person and phone number? - 013-227253

Reply: Perhaps it was the J-Glaze. Call Vincent Liew at 019-225 4464.

WHO is the Volkswagen distributor in Johor Baru as I intend to buy a Passat? - +6583166066

Reply: Call Teck Hiong Motors at +607-357 4285 or FA Wagen at +607-237 9300.

I AM looking for a MR2 (A). - 016-4716556

Motor bits

I READ an article which reported that the chassis of the Nissan Latio is better than that of the Satria Neo. However, Alister McRae recently commented that the Satria Neo S2000 has the best chassis that he has ever driven. So I assume they must be of different chassis. - 013-5012512

Reply: Nissan Latio shares the same platform as the Renault Clio, the Neo S2000 is a world class rally car and the chassis has been strengthened in many ways. Having said that, the standard Neo is still a fun car and Tengku Djan Ley of Proton R3 told us once that the Neo's chassis can easily accept a 2.0L engine.

WHY is it that Modenas and Proton R&D is not participating in the coming TTxGP, which is recognised as the greenest race? Please write an article on the TTxGP and Azhar Hussain.- 013-4852429

Reply: Good question. A team from India, Tork, has just launched their bike for the race. We will try to get in touch with Azhar, which is the founder of the TTxGP (the world's first clean emission bike race in the world and its debut last year was held in the Isle of Man).

WHICH Toyota models will be facelifted this year and when will it be launched? - 019-5555590

I HEARD that Honda will come up with new motorbike models this year for the Malaysian market. I hope one of them is the upgraded CBR 150. - 017-6543545

DOES convertible mean hard top while cabriolet means soft top? - 019-8799100

Reply: Convertible and cabriolet both refer to a car that can open its top. 

HONDA Malaysia will import only 60 units of the Civic Type R annually, right? When will it launch the 2010 version? - 013-3855891

Reply: That was what Honda Malaysia announced earlier on but they brought in more as the orders came in. The facelifted version has been launched here.

TO 016-9694037, I couldn’t agree more with you. The National Automotive Policy (NAP) is a useless policy that burdens the rakyat as it only benefits certain people. We are losing out to Thailand and investors will stay away from Malaysia. Please amend or abolish the NAP for the sake of the rakyat! - 013-8249750

YOU stated that UMW Toyota has confirmed there will be no new model introduction this year and that there will only be facelifts. What’s the facelift model? - 016-5658800