Alfa Romeo Tonale concept.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will invest nearly 1 billion euros (RM4.62 billion) towards the start of production for the forthcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV and the Fiat Panda hybrid at the Pomigliano manufacturing plant, unions have said according to Reuters.

This investment move is the latest part of a plan in which FCA plans to spend 5 billion euros until 2021, which is aimed at helping the group of companies launch its first batch of hybrid and electric models, as well as to maximise capacity utilisation at its production plants, the report said.

Construction of the Tonale’s production line will commence at the beginning of next year, metal mechanic unions FIM, UILM, FISMIC, UGLM and AQCF said in a statement, which was then confirmed by an FCA spokesperson to Reuters. The investment for the forthcoming two models would be ‘closer to 1 billion than 500 million euros’, the spokesperson noted.

The spokesperson said that alongside the electrified Panda, a premium compact SUV will be produced at the southern Italian Pomigliano plant though without referring to it explicitly as the Tonale, the report said. This manufacturing plant already produces the standard internal combustion-engined Panda. Production of the hybrid Panda is expected to start in 1H 2020, with the Tonale following suit in 2021.

The group of automotive brands said earlier this year that it was investing 700 million euros for the construction of a new production line in Mirafiori, Turin for the Fiat 500 BEV, production of which will start in the second quarter of 2020, following the group’s failed bid to merge with Renault.

Further afield within the group, the Jeep Renegade and Compass will spawn hybrid versions as well, as will the Maserati Levante, all expected to arrive on the market some time next year, the report added.

The post FCA to spend 1 billion euros on new models – Fiat 500 EV, Panda hybrid for 1H 2020; Tonale 1H 2021: report appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced a new insurance programme called the Volkswagen Insurance Plan or VIP. Said to be tailor-made to enhance your VW ownership experience, VIP offers comprehensive coverage with minimal hassle.

As a VIP policy holder, benefits include prioritised claim approval, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing service, and assurance that repair work is conducted at authorised Volkswagen body and paint centres, in accordance to the carmaker’s repair standards with only genuine parts used.

Additionally, there are no excess fees, no betterment cost and an agreed value of up to 10 years. It is open to all Volkswagen models regardless of vehicle age.

VIP can be purchased at any Volkswagen authorised dealership, when registering a new car or during road tax renewal. Allianz General Insurance and Etiqa General Takaful are partner panel insurers. The former offers conventional insurance while the latter offers both conventional and takaful insurance.

“With VIP, all Volkswagen owners regardless of model, can enjoy quality services and roadside assistance at the best value under a comprehensive plan catered exclusively just for them. Our owners are at the core of everything we do and providing this added service to them at our dealerships also ensures that the entire process is streamlined and more convenient, making our Volkswagen dealerships a one-stop centre for customer convenience and peace of mind,” said VPCM MD Erik Winter.

Separately, VPCM recently launched Das WeltAuto in Malaysia, Volkswagen’s global used car programme that offers certified used cars from a trusted source. Think BMW Premium Selection and Mercedes-Benz Certified. More on that here.

The post VPCM introduces the ‘VIP’ Volkswagen Insurance Plan appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.

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The 2019 Kia Cerato has been spotted in Malaysia again, this time by reader Muhammad Hafiy Azim Abdul Aziz in Wangsa Maju, KL. It’s not the first time – the third-generation C-segment sedan was displayed at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) in November last year, before our Jonathan Lee snapped one in the wild on the Federal Highway in April.

Unlike the test mule we last spotted, this one wears a full camo wrap, with cutouts only for the lamps and black plastic bits. Like before, it wears relatively small 16-inch turbine-style alloy wheels with high profile tyres.

The latest Cerato gets a more dynamic design that takes a few cues from the Stinger sports sedan, with sweptback headlights, slim “tiger nose” grille, a longer bonnet, sweeping glasshouse and short tail for that fastback look. Inside, there’s a horizontal dashboard layout with the now-familiar floating infotainment screen and round air vents at the corners.

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Measuring 4,640 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,440 mm tall, the new Cerato is 80 mm longer, 20 mm wider and 5 mm taller than the car we’re familiar with, although the 2,700 mm wheelbase remains. Kia says that the increased dimensions improve both head and legroom, while boot capacity has been increased from 482 to 502 litres.

The structure features an additional hot-stamped components and 54% advanced high-strength steel content, and uses 105 metres of structural adhesive — five times more than before. Suspension is handled by a MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear setup.

Should it be coming in the near future to challenge the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and all-new Toyota Corolla Altis (just launched in Thailand and possibly coming soon), expect the Malaysian-spec Cerato to carry-over the 2.0 litre Nu naturally-aspirated petrol engine with 150 hp/192 Nm, paired to a six-speed automatic. This is the same powertrain that is offered in Australia, whereas some other markets get a revised version of the same motor and an Intelligent Variable Transmission CVT.

Is the battered C-segment sedan class – once the default choice or wheels – staging a mini revival in the face of an onslaught by the SUV? Sedan or SUV for you?

GALLERY: 2019 Kia Cerato at KLIMS 2018










GALLERY: 2019 Kia Cerato in Australia

The post SPYSHOTS: 2019 Kia Cerato spotted in Malaysia again appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.