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Kia supports Australian Open 2022

Kia to continue long standing partnership with Australian Open as the Major Partner since 2002…reports Asian Lite News

Kia Corporation will support the Australian Open 2022 (AO22) – the prestigious tennis Grand Slam event of the Asia-Pacific region – with a series of marketing activities that highlight the company’s vision for and commitment to sustainable mobility.

As the Major Partner of AO22, Kia on January 13 held an official vehicle handover ceremony at the newly christened Kia Arena in Melbourne Park, attended by Kia and Tennis Australia executives, former Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal and wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott.

Kia presented a fleet of 130 vehicles to tournament officials comprised of the popular Sportage SUV, Carnival MPV and EV6 fully electric crossover. The vehicles will transport players, match officials and VIPs in comfort and safety around Melbourne Park during the Open from January 17-30.

“As the major partner of the Australian Open for over two decades, we look forward to deepening our engagement with millions of fans around the world, while cementing the status of the Australian Open as one of the world’s most exciting sporting events,” said Artur Martins, Head of Kia’s Global Brand and Customer Experience.

Kia Arena

“In line with our commitment to spurring innovation that is inspired by nature, we are pleased to work with Tennis Australia and fans to help preserve oceanic environments around the globe through our ‘Aces for Oceans’ campaign. With each ace served during the AO and fans’ online participation, Kia will assist those aspiring to reach their tennis dreams by donating tennis equipment made with recycled waste materials to the Australian Tennis Foundation,” he added.

A key development for AO22 is the inauguration of Kia Arena, a 5,000-seat capacity stadium that will host tournament matches.  Kia Arena is the fourth-largest Australian Open stadium at Melbourne Park and was constructed ahead of the 2022 event. It will also be utilized as a venue for diverse cultural, sports and entertainment programs outside of the tournament schedule.

ALSO READ: Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley praised the two-decade-long partnership between Kia and the AO.

CRAIG TILEY, AUSTRALIA OPEN TOURNAMENT, DIRECTOR: “The partnership between Kia and the Australian Open is one of the longest in Australian sport and we value and respect this unique relationship that has helped us grow the AO into the premium global sports and entertainment event that it is today. The Kia fleet, which includes the new all-electric vehicles for 2022, has become an iconic symbol of the AO, with the smartly branded AO Kia cars zipping around the city and keeping the AO on the move. It’s also a testament to our strong relationship that we are standing here beside Kia Arena, a year-round symbol of the friendship between Kia and the AO at Melbourne Park.”

Aside from these events and developments, Kia will operate an EV6 exhibition booth and diverse marketing activities featuring engaging digital contents. As the exclusive major partner of the Australian Open since 2002, Kia will continue to offer innovative brand-related experiences to customers around the world, leveraging the various synergies created from the Australian Open.

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Business India News Motoring

Yezdi back in Indian market

The company aims to target riders looking for regular commute as well as those willing to take off-beat roads….reports Asian Lite News

Motorcycle company Yezdi on Thursday announced it was making a comeback in the Indian market with three new motorcycles.

The re-entry into the Indian market comes after a gap of 26 years.

The motorcycles include ‘Yezdi Adventure’, ‘Scrambler’ and ‘Roadster’.

The company aims to target riders looking for regular commute as well as those willing to take off-beat roads.

Price for Adventure model starts at Rs 209,900, Scrambler at Rs 2,04,900 and Roadster at Rs 1,98,142 — all prices ex-showroom in Delhi.

“The new range of Yezdi motorcycles will be available across Classic Legends’ dealership network, which already retails Jawa Motorcycles, in India for viewing, test rides, bookings and deliveries starting today,” it said in a statement.

Yezdi is reportedly the third brand revived by Classic Legends, a unit owned by Mahindra Group. Earlier it revived the Jawa and BSA Motorcycle brands.

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Business Motoring News

Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards

Awards recognize Kia’s commitment to ‘superior design, innovation and unparalleled function’…reports Asian Lite News

Kia has been awarded two prestigious design awards for two of its latest models, with the Kia EV6 electric crossover and fourth-generation Kia Carnival MPV taking top honors in the ‘Transportation’ category in the annual GOOD DESIGN Awards.

The all-new EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV), and is the first Kia to be based on the brand’s new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), delivering a highly impressive 528km real-world driving range and ultra-fast recharging capabilities.

EV6_Exterior

The EV6’s bold conceptual styling incorporates Kia’s highly acclaimed new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity. Key exterior highlights include sleek daytime running lights that form part of the car’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’, a contemporary and aerodynamic side profile, and a bold crossover-inspired silhouette. The interior benefits from the E-GMP platform, which facilitates a high-tech, spacious and welcoming environment.

The all-new Kia Carnival MPV, penned at Kia’s California design studio, wears a bold and boxy appearance that conveys the visual language found on the brand’s highly successful line-up of rugged SUVs, including the Telluride, Sorento, and Seltos. Dramatic lines adorn the hood that help to enhance the vehicle’s aggressive character, while the well-defined wheelarches provide a sense of volume to the Carnival’s side profile. The three-row interior, available in seven- or eight-seat configurations, offers a premium and flexible layout resulting in best-in-class passenger and cargo room.

KARIM HABIB, HEAD OF KIA DESIGN CENTER: “Securing these GOOD DESIGN awards is an endorsement of the approach we took with the styling of the Kia EV6 and Kia Carnival, and is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our talented international design team. It truly has been a pivotal year for us; we launched our brand new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, the ethos of which is already transforming our cars, and we are determined to ensure Kia keeps challenging the boundaries of automotive design.”

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The two accolades are the latest in a string of design awards handed to Kia by the GOOD DESIGN jury in recent years, acknowledging the integrity of the brand’s evolving design ethos. Just last year, the panel awarded the third-generation Kia K5 sedan and the fourth-generation Kia Sorento SUV with the same honor. Prior to this, previous iterations of the K5 and Sorento have been awarded GOOD DESIGN awards, alongside models including the Telluride SUV and the Soul crossover.

First held in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is one of the oldest design competitions in the world, organized by Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Each year the judging panel select products and industry leaders from over 50 countries that have chartered new directions for ‘innovation, sustainability, superior design, and unparalleled function’.

  • Kia EV6 and Carnival MPV win prestigious 2021 Good Design awards
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-Top News Motoring UAE News

Aston Martin supercar to join Dubai Police fleet, debut at Expo 2020

The agile, performance-driven Vantage dressed in uniform with flashing lights will soon be spotted in service on Dubai’s roads,…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai Police’s enviable collection of sports and supercars just got a brand new set of wheels.

The Aston Martin Vantage has officially joined the force’s acclaimed luxury car squad and will soon make its debut alongside other models in the fleet at the much-awaited Expo 2020 next month.

The agile, performance-driven Vantage dressed in uniform with flashing lights will soon be spotted in service on Dubai’s roads, the authority said.

One of Aston Martin’s purest models, Vantage stands apart due to its unique and bold design language, with aerodynamic excellence adding to the vehicle’s obvious kerb appeal.

The current model features a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a peak power output of 503BHP and a torque peak of 505lb-ft, mated to a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic gearbox manufactured by ZF.

Even more enticing is the Vantage’s ability to accelerate from 0-100 km/hr in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 314 km/hr.

The Dubai Police Vantage has a custom ‘77’ number plate — a number that pays tribute to the UAE’s seven emirates as well as to the British marque’s long-standing association with the world’s most famous secret agent, James Bond. The timing of this latest addition comes just in time for the release of the much-awaited Bond film Time to Die in October.

Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, received a comprehensive handover of the vehicle in the presence of several senior officers.

He lauded the close co-operation with Aston Martin Lagonda Limited-MENA, and noted that adding super cars to its fleet of luxury patrol vehicles enables Dubai Police to strengthen the security presence of its officers during international events and across important tourist destinations.

“It is an honour to have an Aston Martin join Dubai Police’s fleet of supercars and the Vantage is the perfect model to make such a statement; purity at its finest, a hint of aggression and engineering that pushes it to upwards of 300 km/hr,” said Ramzi Atat, Head of Marketing and Communications MENA, Aston Martin.

Aston Martin has been present in the UAE for more than five decades. Its flagship dealerships in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is home to the marque’s full range of luxury sports cars and SUV.

ServeU to manage facilities of 14 pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai

ServeU has won the bid to manage the facilities of 14 pavilions participating at Expo 2020 Dubai, which is set to open this October.

Valued at AED18 million, the contracts are set to maintain the demands of facilities covering a total area of 30,000 square meters of the Expo 2020 land with a team of 300 experts, technicians and specialists. The agreement includes providing the human resource (HR) and staffing services for the pavilions, such as guide management, cleaning, security and administration, and logistics.

Commenting on winning the bid, Khalifa Hassan Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Union Properties PJSC, the mother company of ServeU said, “We assure our clients that the services which will be implemented under these contracts follow leading international standards and apply the best practices and systems as well in the field. This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities and expertise and exceed the expectations of our international stakeholders participating in the Expo. We are confident that our teams are competent and equipped with the skills and knowledge to fulfil the work required for a major global event such as Expo 2020.”

For his part, Gary Reader, General Manager, ServeU, said, “We are proud to be awarded these contracts, which is an excellent opportunity to deliver our innovative solutions and services to companies, entities and pavilions participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. We aim to enhance the experience of visitors and guests of the pavilions and contribute to the success of our customers during their participation in this global platform. Our modern technologies, integrated systems and three decades of experience in the industry will be utilised to meet the goals.”

Aside from these new contracts, the company has earlier entered an agreement with the United Kingdom to provide its pavilion with human resources services and additional manpower.

ALSO READ: UAE launches ‘green,’ freelance visas

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Business Motoring

‘Tesla claims don’t meet reality’

Tesla vehicles are far from reaching a level of autonomy often described by Musk on social media…reports Asian Lite News

Despite tall claims made by Elon Musk over Twitter about the full self-driving technology, electric car-maker Tesla has privately admitted that such claims do not match up with the engineering reality.

Tesla vehicles are far from reaching a level of autonomy often described by Musk on social media, according to an internal memo obtained by transparency portal Plainsite.

“Elon’s tweet does not match engineering reality per CJ. Tesla is at Level 2 currently,” Tesla’s director of Autopilot software CJ Moore told the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Level 2 technology refers to a semi-automated driving system, which requires supervision by a human driver.

The memo shows that “Musk has inflated the capabilities of the Autopilot advanced driver assistance system in Tesla vehicles, as well the company’s ability to deliver fully autonomous features by the end of the year,” reports TechCrunch.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk. (File photo: IANS)

Tesla vehicles come with a driver assistance system called ‘Autopilot’ that enhances safety and convenience behind the wheel. When used properly, Autopilot reduces your overall workload as a driver.

For an additional $10,000, people can buy “full self-driving” or FSD, that Musk promises will deliver full autonomous driving capabilities.

Full Self-Driving capabilities include navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Summon (moves your car in and out of a tight space using the mobile app or key),

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Smart Summon (your car will navigate more complex environments and parking spaces); Traffic and Stop Sign Control (Beta) and Autosteer on city streets (upcoming).

However, Tesla vehicles are still not driving on their own and “are far from reaching that level of autonomy”.

Tesla Model Y. (Photo: Twitter/@Tesla)

In an earnings call in January, Musk told investors that he was “highly confident the car will be able to drive itself with reliability in excess of human this year”.

Tesla, however, is unlikely to achieve Level 5 (L5) autonomy, in which its cars can drive themselves anywhere without any human supervision by the end of 2021.

“The ratio of driver interaction would need to be in the magnitude of 1 or 2 million miles per driver interaction to move into higher levels of automation. Tesla indicated that Elon is extrapolating on the rates of improvement when speaking about L5 capabilities. Tesla couldn’t say if the rate of improvement would make it to L5 by end of calendar year,” the DMV memo read.

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Business India News Motoring

Kia Motors reinvents itself as Kia India

Kia India has launched three vehicles for Indian market – the Seltos, the Carnival, and the Sonet…reports Asian Lite News

Automobile manufacturer Kia on Tuesday relaunched its brand in India, and will now be known as Kia India, instead of Kia Motors India.

“This is a proud and historic moment for us as India becomes the first country to transition to the new brand identity after our headquarters in South Korea. Our decision to increase the production capacity stems from our deep customer understanding where a faster delivery of our products can enhance their buying experience tremendously,” said Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kia India.

“We are confident that this transformation will accelerate our growth by not only strengthening our premium positioning in the market but also making us one of the most aspirational brands for consumers.”

Till date, Kia India has launched three vehicles for Indian market – the Seltos, the Carnival, and the Sonet, and has become the youngest brand to be the 4th largest automaker in India with class-leading product offering, service quality and reliability.

Kia India became the fastest automaker to reach the historic milestone of registering 2.5 lakh unit sales in just over one and half years of its operation.

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Business Motoring

TATA Acquires Marcopolo’s Share In Its Bus Business

Indian automobile major Tata Motors Ltd on Thursday said it would buy the 49 per cent stakes of Marcopolo S.A. in the bus and coach making joint venture Tata Marcopolo Motors Ltd for Rs 99.96 crore.

In a regulatory Tata Motors said as a consequence of its refreshed business strategy, Marcopolo S.A has decided to exit from the joint venture and offered to sell its 49 per cent shareholding in Rs 170 crore capital Tata Marcopolo to it.

According to Tata Motors, the two companies have entered into a share purchase agreement whereby the former will purchase the balance 49 per cent shareholding in the Rs 650.55 crore Tata Marcopolo for a cash consideration of Rs 99.96 crore.

Tata Motors will pay a price of Rs.12 per share to Marcopolo S.A. for the Rs 10 per share of Tata Marcopolo.

Last fiscal Tata Marcopolo had made an after tax profit of Rs 20.63 crore.

Post the purchase, Tata Marcopolo with manufacturing facilities in Dharwad and Lucknow will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors.

All technologies pertaining to existing bus body products manufactured will continue to vest with Tata Marcopolo, said Tata Motors.

In addition, as part of the transition, Marcopolo S.A. will continue to license the “Marcopolo” trademarks to Tata Marcopolo for a minimum of three years with a non-compete provision in India for a corresponding period.

The acquisition is expected to be completed by February 28, 2021.

Tata Motors said, an open channel will be maintained with Marcopolo S.A. and Tata Marcopolo for future collaboration opportunities around bus body designs and technical consulting services.

Also Read: TATAs Still Interested In Buying Air India

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India News Motoring

FasTag to be mandatory from Jan 1

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification making a FASTag mandatory for all four-wheeler vehicles from January 1, 2021.

Accordingly, the ministry took the decision via amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

“It may be stated that this notification would be a major step for ensuring that the payment of fees be 100 per cent at ‘Toll Plazas’ through the ‘Electronic Means’ only and that the vehicles pass seamlessly through the ‘Fee Plazas’,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The steps for ensuring the availablity of FASTag at multiple channels are being made through physical locations and also through online mechanism so that the citizens are able to have them affixed at their vehicles within the next two months at their convenience.”

Since December 1, 2017, the FASTag has been made mandatory for all registration of new four wheeled vehicles and is being supplied by the manufacturers or dealers.

It has been further mandated that a valid FASTag is mandatory while getting a new 3rd Party Insurance. This provision shall be applicable from April 1, 2021.

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Motoring

Wait ends for RE fans: Meteor 350 out

Mid-size motorcycle segment major Royal Enfield on Friday launched the ‘Meteor 350’ at a starting price of Rs 175,817 (ex-showroom Chennai).

According to the company, the ‘Meteor 350’ inherits its name from another Royal Enfield motorcycle of the 1950’s.

“Launched at the end of 1952, the Meteor was a magnificent touring motorcycle with a reputation that has stood the test of time,” the company said in a statement.

“The new Royal Enfield Meteor 350 easy-cruiser, carries Royal Enfield’s signature styling but with many firsts, and is set to be an equally outstanding machine for our times,” it added.

The bike sports a 349 cc air-oil cooled single-cylinder engine which generates “20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, resulting in an abundance of the low-down grunt that’s a fundamental characteristic of a cruiser”.

Besides, the new engine has a five-speed gearbox, with the fifth gear being an overdrive for stress-free and economical highway cruising, and a seven-plate clutch for “easy gear changes in built-up traffic”.

Also Read: Honda launches H’ness CB350 in India, takes on RE

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Business Motoring

Harley Davidson, Hero Motorcorp join hands in India

Harley-Davidson Inc and Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest maker of motorcycles and scooters in terms of unit volumes, on Tuesday announced that the two will ride together in India.

As per a distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will sell and service Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and sell parts and accessories and general merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and Hero’s existing dealership networks in India.

As part of a licencing agreement, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name.

These actions are aligned with Harley-Davidson’s business overhaul, The Rewire, and the company’s announcement in September to change its business model in India.

This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both companies and riders in India, as it brings together the iconic Harley-Davidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of Hero MotoCorp, a statement said.

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