Paul Tan's Automotive Industry News Toyota Passo Sette 7-seater MPV

Toyota’s latest compact 7-seater MPV has been unveiled in Japan on Christmas day, so let’s check out the full details of the new compact people carrier that will make its way onto Malaysian shores sometime in the second half of 2009 as the new Perodua MPV.

As with alot of other Toyota compact cars, the new MPV is available under both the Toyota and Daihatsu badges as compact cars like these are pretty much mainly Daihatsu-engineered as it is their speciality.

The Toyota version is called the Toyota Passo Sette, which essentially means Passo Seven, or a 7-seater version of the Toyota Passo. Sette means seven in Italian. The Daihatsu version is called the Daihatsu Boon Luminas, where Luminas is a combination of the words roomy and luminous.

All variants of the Passo Sette and the Boon Luminas are powered by the 1.5 liter 3SZ-VE engine putting out 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. Both front wheel drive and 4WD variants use a 4-speed auto, and the front wheel drive version is rated at 15.6km per liter under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle. There is an Eco-Drive indicator light on the dashboard to inform the driver when his driving style is economical.

As previously reported, the compact Toyota Passo Sette measures 4,180mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,620mm tall, with a long 2,750mm wheelbase to maximize the interior space which is 2,550mm long. The Boon Luminas CX with a bodykit is slightly longer at 4,195mm. Other dimensions that Toyota has provided include a 1,630mm space between the front and rear seat rows, a 150mm split seat slide for the middle row, a wide 935mm rear door opening to ease getting in and out, and a 630mm hip point for the driver to also aide ingress and egress.

Despite the car’s relatively long wheelbase its wheels are at the edges of the vehicle so it is compact and it has a 5.2m turning radius.

Toyota has provided the Toyota Passo Sette with some nice features in the interior including a rear seat entertainment system with a 7 inch widescreen monitor, a DVD player with headphone outputs, and the ability to play different media in the front and rear entertainment systems. There is an optional keyless entry and start with a key fob.

The Boon Luminas also comes standard with a “music server”, which essentially lets you rip 660 minutes of audio content from your audio CDs and store it onto the car’s on-board entertainment system so you don’t have to carry your CDs around in your car. This is also a specifiable option for the Toyota Passo Sette.

The Japanese specs offers some rather decent safety features, though in the interests of cost and maximizing profit I doubt all of them will make it onto the Perodua specifications. The Passo Sette and Boon Luminas has a total of 6 SRS airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, Dynamic Support Headrests which reduce the risk of rear-end collision whiplash, and finally ABS brakes.

Now for the Japanese market prices. The Daihatsu Boon Luminas has higher specs so it is more expensive starting from 1,535,000 yen all the way up to 2,073,000 yen, while the lower spec Toyota Passo Sette starts from 1,490,000 yen but can be fully loaded up to a maximum price of 2,033,000 yen.

Please continue reading for a whole load of more photos and videos! It will give you a rough idea of the car to expect next year from Perodua.

source: paultan.org

Dell confirms shocking truth: Adamo to rival MacBook Air

In a confusing timeline of events that only Charlton Heston could love, Dell confirmed today that it already has touted its soon-to-be-unveiled "Adamo" as a rival to the MacBook Air in a blogvertisement that posed itself as a rumor that Adamo would do just that:

"Rumor has it that Dell is coming out with a computer called Adamo that will rival the MacBook Air. At press time, the company was keeping the product tightly under wraps, but PC users rejoice - word on the street is that something cool is coming your way."

The adblog appeared on a "luxury internet magazine," and was noticed by The New York Times Bits Blog, who bounced the copy off Dell, which confirmed it as an ad: "We did this to wake up the personal computing category and create some buzz." This further confirms (or perhaps pre-confirms) what we've heard about Adamo, but we're looking forward to the actual unveiling of this laptop and forming our own real, factual opinions on the thing.

source: engadget.com

First Blu-ray Disc / DVD hybrid announced in Japan

It sure took long enough to happen, but one of HD DVD's biggest benefits has finally made it over to the Blu-ray side. Yep, we're talking about a Blu-ray / DVD hybrid disc, with a single-layer of Blu on one side and a standard DVD on the very same side (as in, not a "flipper" disc). Not surprisingly, the action's going down first in Japan, with Code Blue emergency helicopter doctor Blu-ray BOX (yes, seriously) as the first hybrid title. There's no word on when (or if) this technology will make it to US soil, but the sooner the better -- nothing like a little inbuilt backwards compatibility to ease the mind.

ps: finally....

Auto Bailout Rejected After Senate Vote

The US Senate has rejected a compromise deal that would see Detroit's Big Three get $14 billion in bailout money.

GM and Chrysler desperately need bailout funds to make it past the New Year, or at least until President-elect Barack Obama comes into office under the hopes his administration would save them. GM and Chrysler's survival, and to a certain extent Ford's, doesn't just affect the US but the whole world where these companies trade, have factories, dealers, workers and other peripheral suppliers.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said of the collapse in talks: "I dread looking at Wall Street tomorrow. It's not going to be a pleasant sight. This is going to be a very bad Christmas for many people."

The key issue for the bailout failure was the United Auto Workers (UAW) to meet Republican senators demands of benefit rollbacks on par with those of foreign manufacturers' factories by 2009. The UAW said it was willing to do this when the current contracts expire in the late summer of 2011 but not sooner. Another idea, touted by Democrats but rejected by Republicans, involved UAW to agree to accepting company stock in exchange for US$10 billion owed in retiree health care.

Now it looks as though only President George Bush can save the deal by accessing what's left of the $700 billion financial bailout fund, half of which is being made available. Previously Bush did not consider this option, but a White House aide says he is now looking at all the available options.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell commented: "We simply cannot ask the American taxpayer to subsidize failure... Even if we grant that these companies would fail without taxpayer help, we would still have to ask ourselves whether the proposal before us achieves the goal that everyone claims to embrace -- namely, the long-term viability of ailing car companies -- and, in my view, it does not."

source : worldcarfans.com

The Dark Knight Sells 3 Million DVD's on First Day of Release

December 11th, 2008

Not that this should come as any surprise, but The Dark Knight's first day on DVD and Blu-ray was a rousing success. According to The New York Times, consumers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have purchased over 3 million copies of The Dark Knight on DVD in the first day of release, December 9.

In addition to those mammoth sales figures, The Dark Knight Blu-ray sold an additional 600,000 copies on the first day, and it was said that the BD sales were expected to eclipse 1 million units by Saturday. That figure shattered the previous first-day BD sales record of 250,000, set a few months ago by Iron Man.It was also said that BD sales were particularly strong in grocery stores, indicating the format is moving beyond the early-adopter stage.

"Numbers like these in this economic environment firmly establish Blu-ray as where consumers are headed," said Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.

First Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Trailer Coming in February

December 9th, 2008

Michael Bay updated his own personal blog this morning with news about an impending Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen teaser poster and teaser trailer. Here's what the director had to say on the matter:

Hey everyone. Back from Egypt and Jordan - we had a wonderful shoot over there. I will miss the crew they were an amazing bunch of people and a lot of fun.

I'm stuck in the edit room up to my eye balls - also finished producing Friday the 13Th and The Unborn - coming out the after the new year. Our Trailer for Transformer you have been asking about - First there will be a teaser poster soon after the New Year, and the teaser trailer will be out either in the theaters early Feb. or on the Superbowl. Cannot decide yet. I'm going to release some set stills on this site in a few weeks. I'll keep you informed. Going back to do more selects now from my portable avid that I take home from work. It's late, see you.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen will crash land on planet earth June 26th, 2009.

source: superheroesflix.com

Sony's PS3 A Sinking Ship: Sales Plummet

Sony's (SNE) PS3 is dying on the shelves.

Alone among the three major videogame consoles, sales of the PS3 are down about 19% from November 2007, according to the latest stats from the NPD Group. Sony was only able to sell 378,000 PS3s this November, compared to 466,000 last year.

And the problem for Sony isn't the recession, it's the PS3. Microsoft (MSFT) put up respectable numbers with its Xbox 360, selling 836,000 units vs 777,000 in November 2007. And Nintendo's (NTDOY) Wii continues to dominate the market, more than doubling sales from 981,000 to 2.04 million.

So why is the PS3 flopping so badly?

1. It's the most expensive console on the market, $150 - $200 more than its rivals. Even if you believe the video game industry is "recession-proof" (it isn't), a tanking economy makes consumers more price-conscious.
   
2. The PS3's big bonus is its ability to double as a Blu-Ray player. Too bad no one seems to care about hi-def DVDs. The differences between Blu-Ray and DVD are hard to see on a TV less than 50".
   
3. The PS3 just doesn't have any must-have titles exclusive to the console. "LittleBigPlanet" has generated decent buzz but isn't a game-changer, and neither is Sony's new virtual world "Home."

There's really only one option left for Sony to remain in the game: deep price cuts, and not just for people with good credit. Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better, but a $400 console with a mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360 priced at $200 in this economy.

New MacBooks said to have issues with maxed out RAM, faulty NVIDIA GPU

While most of the complaints about the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros have focused on things like the screen or the absence of a certain much-loved port, it appears that another problem has been bugging some folks that went ahead and maxed out the RAM on their shiny new laptop. Apparently, loading 4GB of RAM (either from Apple or a third party) has caused at least a few MacBooks and MacBook Pros to freeze up randomly which, for the time being at least, can only be remedied by dialing things back to 2GB or 3GB of RAM (something tested by jkOnTheRun). While Apple isn't saying anything publicly about this just yet, one member of the Apple support forum claims to have heard from an Apple engineer who says that Apple is, in fact, aware of the problem and that a software update is on the way to fix it, possibly within a few days.

In related MacBook news, The Inquirer is now reporting that the new MacBook Pro's NVIDIA 9600M GPU suffers from the same so-called "bad bump" problem that has plagued previous generation MacBook Pros (and provided plenty of fodder for The Inq) which can, in some cases, lead to blank screens and other video errors. It's not clear, however, if the problem affects all MacBook Pros or just a bad batch, although there does appear to be a somewhat sizable number of complaints cropping up.

source: engadget.com

Stellar 4 channel Amplifier for sale

Bought in June/July for my Myvi but sell the car in Sept. Hardly used. Reason of selling- new car have own amplifier unit. Interested can email me at hulk_7300@yahoo.com. Since this is a one time business, prefer COD and around Klang valley area.

Nissan GT-R Spec-V Confirmed Specifications

A reliable tip-off on the Nissan GT-R Spec-V specifications has been received. Before getting into that, a strong wind of suspicion says Nissan will not release any data captured from testing at the fabled Nurburgring anymore. Eyebrows of wonder all around? Suffice to say at the Sendai Highland Raceway, where the Nismo and Spec-V GT-Rs are tested, the Spec-V was a full two seconds faster than the standard car.

The engine's output has been upped to 485ps. That will work extremely well with an overboost function which is used for a more effective midrange boost when overtaking.

A number of carbon fiber features can be found inside the Spec-V, such as front seats, a rear shelf that replaces rear seats (a casualty of weight-saving), mirror switch surround as well as MFD surround. Not unexpectedly this lightweight material posts itself quite nicely on the exterior where treatment is metted out on the front grille, rear wing, ducts on the front lip spoiler and brakes are also carbon fiber. It runs on 20-inch forged aluminium wheels with Dunlop tyres as a no-cost option.

GT-R Spec-V has a new colour in Ultimate Black Pearl, said to be a purplish black, to add to Brilliant White, Red, Dark Metal Grey and Black. A base price of ¥15,750,000 ($165K, €128K) should be in order when the car goes on sale 8th January 2009.

$15 Billion Dollar Bailout Agreement Reached

Automakers could get the funds within a matter of weeks.

Members of Congress and President Bush have apparently reached an agreement to provide $15 billion dollars worth of government loans to Detroit's big three automakers. This is far less than the $25 billion dollars that was originally requested and much smaller than the $34 billion that the CEO's requested during the past two days of testimony on Capitol Hill.

The breakthrough came when Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, gave into the President's demand that the funding come from an earlier aid bill that offered the automakers $25 billion dollars for retooling and creating more energy efficient automobiles. Next week both the House and Senate will take up the proposed legislation and according to expectations it should sail through both chambers of Congress and reach the President's desk shortly thereafter. The quick passage of the legislation should help to insure that the big three will have the money within a matter of weeks.

However there are details that still need to be worked out. In a statement released by Pelosi she stated that "Congress will insist that any legislation include rigorous and ongoing oversight to guarantee that taxpayers are protected and that resources are directed to ensure the long-term viability and competitiveness of the American automobile industry." Officials from both political parties have also agreed that the legislation should include the creation of a new bureaucracy to insure the funds are used for their intended purpose.

The $15 billion dollar aid package is expected to allow the big three to last until March of 2009, by which time President-elect Barack Obama and the new Congress will have been sworn in.

source:worldcarfans.com

Other carmakers committed to F1

F1's other manufacturer-backed teams have rushed to insist their commitment to the sport is not diminished by Honda's shock decision to quit amid the worsening slump in global car sales.

Mercedes-Benz's Norbert Haug said the German marque's involvement with the McLaren effort is financially sound and subsidised by team sponsors, but said cost-cutting is important.

"Over the next two years we must achieve cuts of at least 50 percent," he said.

Media reports on Friday said the next most likely manufacturer to withdraw from formula one is Toyota, but Japan's other entrant said in a statement it is committed for now to the sport and the teams' efforts to cut costs.

Toyota said it is "committed to succeeding in formula one and to reducing costs".

BMW board member Klaus Draeger said F1 "is an integral part of the company strategy".

"There is no better platform than formula one for demonstrating our brand values," he said of the German manufacturer, involved in F1 since 2000, and currently with its majority ownership of BMW-Sauber.

"The cost-benefit ratio is commensurately positive," he added, and a Renault spokesman said the French marque is similarly committed.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, as head of the F1 teams' alliance FOTA, said the Italian marque and the other teams are working hard to reduce the costs in the "short and long term".

FIA president Max Mosley, however, is extremely pessimistic about the sustainability of F1 in its current guise, slamming FOTA's most recent efforts to cut costs as "fiddling about".

Nick Fry, Honda's F1 chief executive, agrees that the risk of more manufacturers following Honda out the door is real.

"The reason they are in F1 has gone for the moment -- selling cars," he said.

"The danger is that Honda might start a domino effect. That is the nightmare scenario," he admitted to the British newspaper Express.

source: worldcarfans.com

Lips - Xbox 360

Microsoft takes to a whole new stage with Lips, an all-new music franchise exclusively for Xbox 360®. Lips is the only singing game offering wireless motion sensitive microphones and the ability to sing from your own collection of DRM-free songs*. Start channeling your favorite pop star because it's you, your friends, and most importantly, your music that makes this the ultimate party experience this holiday. Keiichi Yano, celebrated developer behind some of the industry's most beloved rhythm games, brings his vision of collaborative and social musical entertainment to the first and only singing game offering interactive sound effects and the music to make your party rock all night long. Toss your apprehensions out the window and join the party.

• Two wireless interactive microphones: Featuring stylish interactive motion sensors and lights, the microphones respond to the singer's actions and can be utilized as percussion accompaniments. With the freedom and encouragement provided by the high quality wireless microphones, everyone can live out their singing dreams in style.
• The best music: Lips ships with a diverse selection of songs, including your favorite blasts from the past like "Bust a Move" by Young MC, as well as new songs from breakout artists like "Mercy" by Duffy, and "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John.
• Sing to your music collection: Customize your experience with the songs that matter most by singing along with friends to DRM-free music from your own personal collection.*
• Play along: Using the standard Xbox 360 controller, up to four people can join the fun and choose from a variety of percussion accompaniments to play along. By placing control of various tambourines, claps, and of course, the ubiquitous cowbell, at the finger tips of anyone with a controller, you have a social entertainment experience for friends, family, and kids alike!
• Constant flow of new music: From the songs that come with the game, to your own music collection, and the ability to download new tracks from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace, Lips continuously provides new music to bring people together and keep the party going.

Edge: Bigger Than Blu-ray - New 400GB Disc Could Be PS3-Compatible

Edge writes: "In the picture above you will see the materialized form of one of Pioneer's boldest claims in recent memory: a 400GB optical disc, of 16 layers with a capacity of 25GB each.

What's missing from this equation is the word Blu-ray. In fact, yesterday at the IT Month Fair in Taipei, Taiwan, Pioneer was coy about not using the term Blu-ray at all when unveiling its newest disc, save for suffixing it to "16 times the storage of..."

The consoles you have right now will not be able to play these discs. Numerous sources have reported that the disc is compatible with Blu-ray players (and therefore PS3s) already on the market. Speaking to Edge, Pioneer said the opposite was true. "Current BD players and drives would not be able to read these discs," the company said, adding that the technology is "at this time not being proposed as a candidate for addition to the existing Blu-ray Disc format."

However, the company went on to say that a firmware upgrade may allow Blu-ray players to read the disc, putting Sony's PS3 straight into the spotlight as the likeliest device available today that could read them."

Top six automakers report 30 to 47 percent sales drop - a 26 year low

Could things possibly get worse? Maybe not, but they may stay this bad through 2009 and that may mean a completely different auto industry landscape in the United States a year from now.

November sales figures are in and they're not looking good for anybody, including the formerly fearsome Japanese brands.

For November 2008, compared to the same month last year, GM sales were down more than 40 percent. Chrysler's were down 47 percent. Ford seems to be doing much better, they were down only 30 percent compared to an overall drop of 36 percent for the industry as a whole.

This collapse in sales has also hit Japanese import brands in the US market. Nissan sales were down 42 percent, Toyota almost 34 percent and Honda was at a 31 percent drop.

Adjusted for an annual rate, November sales reflect a US market of 10.8 million vehicle sales per year. This overall market number is important. Sales in the US peaked at around 17 million in the 2000s. Where that sales number now goes could determine whether one or two of the Big 3 survive 2009. Chrysler and GM are in the worst positions in terms of falling sales and a lack of cash. Both automakers are in desperate need of operating capital and are anxiously awaiting news on a government bailout.

Sales are at the lowest they've been in 26 years. Per capita sales are down to lows not seen since the 1950s.

source: worldcarfans.com

More Proton MPV pic

source : paultan.org

Xbox 360 Registers Biggest Black Friday in Its History, Outsells PS3 3 to 1

Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system kicked off the holidays with record- breaking console sales on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year in the U.S. Retailers reported Xbox 360 console sales over the Black Friday weekend were on pace to beat previous years, outselling the PlayStation 3 by a three-to-one ratio and estimating a 25 percent increase from Xbox 360 Black Friday sales figures from 2007.

source: n4g.com

Fringe - when in Malaysia??

S...t Happens!!!!

Suppose to be a wonderful weekend, going back to Kedah but ends up with this. Some dude thinks that he's Dare Devil...Anyway, shit happens and already lodge a police report together with the stuntman. But my ride will stay like this for a few weeks....hate that....