Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Ginny88

Covid-19 Immunization Program Schedule

Ginny88 — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:20:17 +0800

Is there any way to find out the current covid immunization schedule, meaning which age is being given appointments now? My Dad is 72 but he hasn't been called up yet. But I've heard of those younger than him already been vaccinated. Most countries publish the age range currently being called up but our schedule seems to be opaque or am I missing something? I hope it's not a matter of having connections to get an appointment.

Public Bank Request Cheque Book

Ginny88 — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 10:57:09 +0800

Quick question. Do I have to go back to the same PB branch as my account to request a new cheque book? Previously I've always requested from my account branch but now it's hard to travel inter-district.

Note: Tried calling a few PBB numbers but nobody seems to be answering the phone.

Honda at the bottom of JD Power Survey

Ginny88 — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 15:00:49 +0800

According to the latest J.D. Power survey 2017 Honda is at the bottom of the heap in terms of Customer Service Index, even below Proton. Read about it at https://tinyurl.com/ydbt2bsy

Is Honda victim of its own success?

All Set for B10 Implementation

Ginny88 — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:14:26 +0800

All systems go for B10 biodiesel; shoring up CPO prices, reducing stock seen

KUALA LUMPUR: After hitting several speed bumps on the road to realisation, the country’s stalled B10 biodiesel mandate for the transport sector is poised to take-off in the final quarter of this year, say industry observers.

Initially slated for implementation in June, the higher B10 blend which combines 10% palm methyl ester with 90% fossil fuel diesel is a migration from the current B7 programme for nationwide coverage.

Industry observers opine that the B10 programme may prove to be a game changer if fully implemented.

The mandate could lead to a positive oulook in crude palm oil (CPO) prices as it is expected to increase palm oil usage in Malaysia by about 750,000 tonnes annually and pare down the country’s present high palm oil stock.

With several automobile manufacturers’ acceptance that the B10 biodiesel is fit and safe for use in their vehicles, the biggest hurdle has been overcome.

Malaysian Biodiesel Association president U.R. Unnithan told StarBiz that the national biodiesel mandate is a “very important tool” to create new demand for CPO that would reduce palm oil stock and help to shore up CPO prices.

Given the current downtrend in CPO prices, Unnithan noted that the national biodiesel mandate could cushion the negative impact of loss of revenue from crude palm oil. “A higher CPO price has a significant impact on the economy as just an RM100 per tonne increase in CPO would amount to RM2bil in revenue for the industry.

“A higher CPO price could also support thousands of smallholders who are dependent on this commodity for their livelihood. “And a vibrant biodiesel industry will spur the growth of auxiliary industries and create more employment domestically,” he said.

(Read more here)

Survey Says 80% ofMalaysians Prefer Thriftier Cars

Ginny88 — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 11:22:31 +0800

Reality bites as rising costs push Malaysians towards thriftier cars

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — The perennial debate of horsepower versus fuel economy has been settled — in Malaysia, at least — with over eight in 10 buyers saying they would pick more frugal cars over those with better performance.

According to a regional survey commissioned by Ford Motor Company, 87 per cent of respondents said low fuel consumption was their top priority due to a need to save money.

This was followed by 63 per cent who said they did so for environmental concerns and 60 per cent who cited rising fuel prices.

Preference for frugality was driven by a distrust over fuel prices in Malaysia, with 68 per cent saying they do not believe that petrol and diesel prices will remain stable over the next 15 months.

“The rising cost of living due to the unstable economy has had a profound impact on Malaysians’ willingness to spend,” Ford said of the findings.

Read more at MalayMailOnline

True of not? Ask people in this forum and majority will say they prefer more powerful cars.

But later in the article it say:

QUOTE

"Many Malaysians also want the best of both worlds. Despite the overwhelming preference for economy over power, over two in three respondents said they also considered performance to be a major factor in their purchase decision."

Well, many Malaysians are also dreamers!

End of road for many used-car dealers?

Ginny88 — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:05:41 +0800

The Star reports today:

"PETALING JAYA, Aug 15 — Used-car dealers in the Klang Valley have had a horrid year so far with sales falling to new lows, forcing some of them to consider throwing in the towel."

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

QUOTE

PETALING JAYA, Aug 15 — Used-car dealers in the Klang Valley have had a horrid year so far with sales falling to new lows, forcing some of them to consider throwing in the towel.

Malay Mail visited several dealerships and all shared the same plight with some wanting to quit the industry for greener pastures.

Some cars had been in their showroom for over a year and many dealers struggle to sell even one car a month.

Jimmy Wong, 50, said sales dropped by over 60 per cent compared with the beginning of last year.

“The first half of last year was good as I averaged about eight units a month. From July until December, I averaged four units a month,” he said at his showroom in Jalan Klang Lama.

“This year, I managed to sell three cars a month but the second half will be a struggle.

“People are spending more on other daily necessities and the younger generation is simply not earning enough to afford a

used-car.”

Wong said people were not willing to trade in their cars as it would result in bigger losses for them.

“The average price of a low-end sedan could cost about RM50,000 and a seller would lose half the price despite only using the car for three years.

“They cannot afford to trade in for another vehicle under a five or seven-year bank loan,” he said.

He said people still patronised his dealership “but end up buying nothing”.

“Customers used to come and tell me their budget and I would see what kind of car I could offer them,” he said.

“Now their most famous line whenever they walk in would be ‘Which one is the cheapest?’ or ‘Which one can get full loan’?”

At PJ Old Town, Chin Tong Ming, 58, who has been in the industry for over 20 years, said the festive seasons used to yield good sales.

“Whether it was Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, people would buy a car so they could have a pleasant drive back to their hometowns,” he said.

Chin said his profit margin for each car sold had been slashed by half.

“In 2013, I made a profit of RM2,000 to RM5,000 for each car but since last year, I could only get up to RM1,000 to RM2,000.

“What makes it harder is banks are not approving loans because of various reasons such as the buyer’s pay falling short of the bank’s requirement or lack of a stable guarantor.”

Zaidatul Roslan, 25, said her dealership in Kelana Jaya could sell at least one car a day three years ago.

“Now my sales have dropped by almost 90 per cent regardless of whether it is a Malaysian or international model of car. I struggle to even sell one in two weeks,” she said.

Zaidatul said she would consider switching jobs if the market did not improve.

“My income depends on my sales. Over the last six to seven months, I have been taking only my basic pay home,” she said.

Michael Wong, 40, who owns a car dealership in Damansara, said he plans for another business.

“I hope to venture into another market. Over the last year, I have suffered losses amounting to RM40,000,” he said.

“If the decline continues, I will be out of this business for good.”

Some big changes appear to be happening in the second hand car industry. Do people prefer to go for new cars now instead of used cars? Is this the "revenge of car owners" against second hand car dealers?

Mobileye Collision Avoidance System

Ginny88 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 11:36:14 +0800

Mobileye Collision Avoidance System is now available from EA Autoworks. It uses a forward facing camera to monitor the road ahead and display warnings on a dedicated dash mounted display.

Main features are:

Vehicle & Motorcycles Forward Collision Warning
Headway Monitoring
Pedestrian & Bicycle Collision Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Traffic Sign Recognition (Speed Limit Warning)
Intelligent High Beam Control (Auto high beam)

Is this worth installing?
Note: Not promoting this for the seller, just welcome some discussion on its merits.

Can car ownership transfer be done outside JPJ?

Ginny88 — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:07:55 +0800

In light of recent scams like this one I just want to clear up this point. Are car ownership transfers done without visiting JPJ valid? I googled the issue and came up with conflicting views. Myeg website still say it's possible but a news report says buyer and seller must go to JPJ to have biometric taken from June 1, 2014. Which is true?

My friend sold a car to a second hand dealer 2 months ago. She went through the change of ownership process in the dealer's office. Now she's worried if the ownership was actually changed or somebody else is driving her ex-car in her name. Should she be worried?