As a testament of its long term commitment to the development of home-grown talents to deliver the best possible customer care experience, Mercedes-Benz Malaysiacelebrated the graduation of the 11th batch of the Apprentice Training Centre (ATC)‘s Automotive Mechatronic training programme on June 1st 2016.

In his key note address, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said, “As Mercedes-Benz celebrates our 130! Years of Innovation, we are very proud to witness these young talents who will continue the tradition of providing the “Best or Nothing” experience to our customers. These graduates form the backbone of our network. We are confident that they will continue to ensure that customers have the very best experience each and every time they come in contact with the brand.”

Following three years of training, the ATC graduates are now qualified to provide world-class after sales services for Mercedes-Benz valued customers, and will be assigned to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s nationwide dealer network.

During the ceremony, 25 graduates received three certifications; Mercedes-Benz Automotive Mechatronic Training Certificate; Mercedes-Benz Qualified Maintenance Technician Certificate; and National Dual Training System (NDTS) Certificate, which is equivalent to Malaysia Skills Certificate Level 3, recognised by the Department of Skills Development under the Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia.

The Class of 2016 Best Student Award was presented to Mohd Farhan Bin Mokhtar. The 24-year old who hails from Alor Setar, Kedah was recognised for his outstanding achievement over the three-year training period in the areas of academics, performance, attendance and attitude.
Proud to be a part of the leading premium automotive brand, Farhan said, “I am truly grateful to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia for this career opportunity, and to our trainers for their dedication and guidance. I am looking forward to starting my career in the automotive industry, and intend to practise all that I have learnt during the Apprentice Training Programme to advance my career,” he said.

“In line with our goal of providing the best customer experience, our apprentices are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to meet the ever changing demands and needs of our customers. In addition, the concept of life-long learning skills which is the cornerstone of the apprentice training programme, ensures that our graduates continue to learn and improve throughout their entire career,” explained Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Vice President, After Sales, Mr Heinrich Schromm.

Over the last 13 years, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has invested more than RM 30 million in developing the ATC, located at Glenmarie, Shah Alam. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia invests RM3 million annually for the implementation of the training programme.

New exhibitors, even more product innovation and a refreshing new exhibition concept are set to make this year’s Automechanika, the world’s biggest trade fair for garage equipment, spare parts and accessories, even more interesting for trade visitors.

Since the very first Automechanika in Frankfurt Repair & Maintenance has always been the core exhibition area of the show. It has acted as a kind of nucleus around which what is the world’s biggest trade fair for garage equipment and vehicle servicing has developed over the last 45 years from the foundation of Automechanika in 1971 until today.

Automechanika 2016 is the 24th edition of show. It runs from 13 to 17 September on the trade fair site in Frankfurt am Main and, as always, products and services for garage equipment, tools, paintwork or bodywork repair, recovery services, accident assistance or mobile services have a special part to play.

The fact that all the sector’s leading German federations are present in Frankfurt underlines the huge importance of the trade fair. These include the German Association for Motor Trades and Repairs (Zentralverband des deutschen Kraftfahrzeuggewerbes - ZDK) with its 38,500 dealership and garage members, the 3,500 members of the German Association for Bodywork and Vehicle Technology (Zentralverband Karosserie- und Fahrzeugtechnik e.V. - ZKF), the Federal Association of the Automotive Parts Trade (Gesamtverband Autoteile-Handel - GVA) as an industry association with around 180 companies trading in automotive parts, or the VREI Union of free aftermarket, which has 53 member companies from the parts industry. The Federal Association of Manufacturers and Importers of Automobile Service Equipment (Bundesverband der Hersteller und Importeure von Automobil-Service-Ausrüstungen e.V. - ASA) should also be mentioned. It has 100 members, the majority of which are small to medium-sized companies. Many of them exhibited at the first Automechanika back in 1971. Now, in 2016, they again embrace the opportunity to present their products and services to an international audience of trade visitors.

As the demand for products and services for air-conditioning systems, testing systems and conceptual support in the workshop increases, the response of Automechanika Frankfurt has been a systematic reconfiguration of the Hall layout. The focus has been on Halls 8 and 9 which have been traditionally an important centre of attraction for visitors from the garage trade. This year, to ensure higher quality in this area, the products on show in both these Halls will focus on the greatly increased range of products and services for all kinds of garage equipment and services provided by the sector’s well-known and established providers. Alongside all the garage equipment specialists - the majority of which are small to medium sized companies – who traditionally exhibit in Hall 8, trade visitors will also find global players from the spare parts industry, presenting special systems solutions for garage workshops.

This is company’s 2nd Global R&D Centre, after the Global R&D Centre, Europe in the Netherlands, which is operational since 2013. Onkar S Kanwar, Chairman and Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Apollo Tyres Ltd today inaugurated the Global R&D Centre, Asia in the presence of the company’s Supervisory Board of Directors and Members of the Management Board.

The two Global R&D Centres of Apollo Tyres, in addition to the core research, service the product development needs of the respective regions. The Global R&D Centre, Europe in Enschede, the Netherlands with a team size of 150+ people, services the Europe and America region. While the Global R&D Centre, Asia having an employee strength of 140-odd people, services the product development needs for the entire Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa region.

“Apollo Tyres has been at the forefront of launching breakthrough products over the past four decades suiting the Indian context. The Global R&D Centre, Asia will break new frontiers and accelerate our R&D vision for India and the region. This step also aligns with the honourable Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for Brand India, and Technology being one of the core sectors for India becoming a global power,” said Onkar S Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres Ltd, on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony.

Besides the two Global R&D Centres, Apollo Tyres also has set-up two satellite R&D Centres in Bengaluru and Germany. The Advanced Engineering Centre in Bengaluru is working towards integrating electronics into tyre technology, where as the one in Raunheim (Frankfurt), Germany is working towards establishing ties with leading German OE customers for both Apollo and Vredestein brands.

Speaking at the inauguration function, Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “Apollo Tyres has been furthering the dimension of research and development, to usher in contemporary technology to service its customers in its chosen markets. The setting up of the two Global R&D Centres is a purposeful step towards this vision of the organisation.”

Few years back the company had restructured its Research & Development team, across key geographies, to create synergy and greater alignment to the company’s growth aspirations; and to generate speed and relevance while entering new markets.

Selepas berjaya mengukuhkan kedudukannya di Thailand dan Indonesia, jenama tayar terkemuka, Apollo Tyres hari ini mengumumkan pembukaan pejabatnya di Malaysia bagi memenuhi permintaan pasaran automotif ketiga terbesar di rantau ASEAN.

Presiden Rantau Asia Pasifik, Timur Tengah & Afrika, Apollo Tyres Ltd, Satish Sharma merasmikan pembukaan pejabat pertama syarikat itu di Malaysia dalam sebuah majlis yang turut dihadiri oleh rakan-rakan perniagaan terpilih serta para pegawai syarikat. Pengeluar tayar terkemuka itu turut menubuhkan sebuah pasukan pemasaran dan kakitangan perkhidmatan yang lengkap di Malaysia bagi memenuhi komitmen mereka untuk memberikan perkhidmatan berkualiti tinggi kepada semua pelanggan di Malaysia.

Selepas pembukaan hab pemasaran dan pengedaran bagi rantau ASEAN di Bangkok, Apollo Tyres turut mula meningkatkan tumpuan ke arah mengembangkan kedudukannya di Asia Tenggara. Syarikat itu menyasarkan pertumbuhan dan penguasaan pasaran bagi segmen tayar gantian, yang mencatatkan jualan tahunan sehingga 580,000 bagi tayar lori-bas dan 9.5 juta tayar kereta untuk keseluruhan industri tayar.

Satish Sharma ketika berucap pada majlis pembukaan rasmi pejabat Malaysia berkata, “Sejak 2-3 tahun yang lepas, kami telah berjaya memantapkan penguasan dalam pasaran Malaysia yang merupakan pasaran penting untuk perkembangan kami di rantau ini. Rangkaian produk kami amat sesuai dengan keperluan pengguna di Malaysia dan dengan sokongan rakan pengedar serta peruncit utama kami di Malaysia, kami telah berjaya menembusi kebanyakan pasaran bagi segmen tayar gantian utama. Kini, setelah kami mempunyai asas yang kukuh di Malaysia, kami percaya ini merupakan masa yang sesuai untuk kami menumpukan pasaran di sini dengan penubuhan anak syarikat Apollo Tyres Malaysia.”
“Dengan pembukaan pejabat ini dan sebuah entiti perundangan, ditambah pula dengan peningkatan pendapatan yang amat menggalakkan dalam pasaran ini, akan mengeratkan lagi hubungan kami dengan pelanggan Malaysia dan dapat membantu kami untuk memenuhi segala keperluan mereka,” tambah Satish Sharma.

Sebagai salah satu negara yang mempunyai infrastruktur jalan raya yang terbaik di rantau ini, Malaysia mempunyai lebih daripada 90% tahap radialisasi tayar dalam segmen kenderaan komersial. Apollo Tyres, dengan rangkaian Apollo Endurace untuk tayar lori-bus, yang mendapat sambutan hangat pengguna Malaysia, berazam untuk mengukuhkan lagi kedudukan jenama Apollo sebagai pembekal utama tayar lori-bas di dalam pasaran. Begitu juga dengan portfolio tayar kereta penumpang Apollo yang berupaya memenuhi 90% pasaran tayar kereta Malaysia, yang merupakan salah satu daripada pasaran terbesar di rantau ASEAN.

The IAA in Germany is only a few weeks away. Asian Trucker will be going to visit the show, just as we did the past years.

In this connection we are also offering the “Asian Trucker Special” as an advertising package.

- We will visit your booth at the IAA to conduct an interview
- The articles will be forming the Cover Story for the Sep/Oct issue of Asian Trucker (or Q4 for Thai / Sing/ Bus)
- You may opt to place the article in either or a combination of our magazines (Max 4)
- Per insertion it is 400 EURO (all 4 magazines = 1600 EURO)
- Only those having signed up for this will be featured at IAA
- Once you have signed up we will arrange the day and time for the interview at your booth

To book this advertising special and to make arrangements for the interview: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Originally named MIBTC, we have hosted two highly successful commercial vehicle exhibitions in Malaysia. Following the success of the past event, we are returning with the show in May 2017.

Having gathered feedback from the market, we have decided to rename the event to “Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo”, or in short “MCVE”. The new name is to reflect a more inclusive approach and orientation of the exhibition. The logo has been amended accordingly and now sports the Asian Trucker colours.

While the website address has also been changed to www.mcve.com.my, the organiser behind Southeast Asia’s largest commercial vehicle exhibition is still the same and we are working on a new line up of fringe events in order to make this event a resounding success.

The service network of your preferred truck brand is a crucial criteria when selecting a truck.

We are currently compiling all the networks of brands available in Malayisa.This will be presented in an interactive map that lets you highlight a number of brands and their networks. This “Application” will also have all the addresses and the contact details.

For those interested in this application, we are offering it at a special rate for pre-orders.

You may also want to consider sponsoring this tool in order to get your brand name out.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

The central theme at the world's largest showcase for the independent aftermarket in 2016 was ‘Tomorrow's Service & Mobility’. A record 4,820 exhibitors from 76 countries took part, including leading players from industry, workshops and retail, and they offered an impressive demonstration of the ways in which the industry is changing as connected cars come to the fore. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH: “With these impressive figures, Automechanika is continuing to build on its position as the world's leading platform for the automotive aftermarket. In addition to countless impressive smart vehicles that are already connected, the struggle for data was one of the hottest topics of discussion at the trade fair.” As a result, Messe Frankfurt launched a new format, “Connected Mobility”, an international road show that began on 15 September and which will soon be making stops in Shanghai and in Austin, Texas.

Visitor satisfaction for the event was 95 percent. More than 80 percent of exhibitors were able to reach their visitor target groups. They were very happy with their trade fair participation overall. Both visitors and exhibitors – especially those from Germany – were extremely upbeat about the economic climate within the sector.

Dr. Uwe Thomas, President of the Automotive Aftermarket Division at Bosch GmbH, offered his take on the Repair & Maintenance sector: “The aftermarket and workshops are on the brink of a new era – for workshops, connected mobility is the wave of the future. As a result, the themes of networking, digitalisation and augmented reality were in particular demand at our stand this year. Automechanika is our platform of choice for showcasing the latest trends and technologies, as well as for demonstrating how Bosch can make workshop operations more efficient for the future.” One of the keynote speakers was Jeep hacker Chris Valasek, who is now the Security Lead at the Uber Advanced Technology Center. In his presentation, he addressed the tremendous importance of software security in connected cars.

In spite of 3D glasses, virtual classrooms and interactive training elements, personal encounters are still essential. “Automechanika allows us to replace smartphones with handshakes. That is why this trade fair continues to be the most important event in our calendar,” says Dirk Willers, General Manager of the Spare Parts Division at ElringKlinger AG.

Numerous exhibitors reported that the quality of their talks with the approx. 136,000 visitors (2014: 137,982) was even better this year. Dr. Ulrich Walz, Market Director – ZF Services, fully agrees: “We are extremely satisfied, and both the visitors and our talks with them were of a very high quality on every day of the event. I am especially pleased that from the third day on, we enjoyed a particularly positive response from workshop owners and mechanics from Germany.”

Other exhibitors were happy about their contacts outside Germany. Rafael Tomás, CEO of Istobal: “There is no doubt that Automechanika is the best platform for establishing business contacts that extend beyond Europe.” As at the previous event, the international share of visitors was approx. 60 percent.

Tiemo Sehon, Managing Director of SEHON Innovative Lackieranlagen GmbH: “As manufacturers of painting systems and paint-spraying booths, we are currently focusing on optimising the overall efficiency and energy consumption of our products. At Automechanika, we were able to reach our current customers and to establish many new contacts as well, especially in South Korea.”

For Michael Scherzer, member of the Executive Board of FOLIATEC Böhm GmbH & Co Vertriebs KG, the trade fair is “always an automotive experience”: “From large car manufacturers to two-man workshops, the world of automotive accessories comes together in Frankfurt in order to find out about the ever more important field of vehicle customisation. The wilder, the better!”

With more than 1,000 people taking part, the ‘Schadentalk’ (damage talk) drew more visitors than any other event at Automechanika Academy. This noteworthy industry event saw leading representatives from the accident damage sector discuss the topic of invoices being reduced by independent inspection services for loss assessments,

automotive services and claim control. Among those taking part in the discussion were ZKF President Peter Börner, Gerhard Witte (ControlExpert), Stefan Artz (Allianz Insurance / Service Partner Network) and Thomas Geck (HUK-COBURG), as well as other representatives from the Innovation Group, Global Automotive Service, German Association of Partner Workshops (BVdP) and paint manufacturers Axalta Coating Systems. For the first time, renowned industry suppliers exhibited products and solutions for process optimisation as part of the special showcase ‘Schadenstrasse’ (collision street).

“Saya akan memberikan ciuman pada isteri saya setiap hari sebelum ke tempat kerja, kerana berkemungkinan ia adalah ciuman yang terakhir kerana kerjaya saya yang berisiko,” kata seorang pengendali kren.

“Kerjaya ini adalah satu kerjaya yang menyeronokkan!,” ulang Encik Hafeez. Seronok? Di bawah cahaya matahari yang terik? Apakah definasi seronok bagi pandangan Encik Hafeez? Fajar, penulis dari Asian Trucker menemu bual Encik Roshafeez bin Abdul Hamid, 35, pada waktu rehat beliau di sebuah tapak pembinaan di Kepong.

“ Ya, saya adalah orang yang bertanggunjawab mengendalikan kren di tapak pembinaan ini. Ini bermakna saya memainkan peranan yang penting di sini termasuklah menjaga keselamatan mereka yang berkerja di tapak pembinaan ini,” kata Hafeez.
Tugasan sebagai pengendali kren ini mungkin nampak mudah dimata orang ramai, tetapi adakah anda tahu bahawa mereka yang mengendalikan kren perlu sentiasa berhati-hati ketika mengawal kren? Ini kerana kesilapan kecil mampu menyebabkan kematian dan kerosakkan yang serius.
Jika kerjaya ini sangat berisiko, mengapa masih ada orang seperti Hafeez jadikan ia sebagai sumber rezeki? “Kerana pendapatan yang lumayan,” kata beliau sambil tersenyum.

Prosedur
Setelah berkecimpung di dalam industry hampir 12 tahun, Hafeez akan berkongsi beberapa prosedur jika anda berminat untuk menceburi bidang ini. Yang pertama, anda perlu mendapatkan lesen daripada JKKP (Jabatan Kesihatan dan Keselamatan Pekerja), seterusnya, mengikuti khusus yang dianjurkan oleh pihak ABM (Akademik Binaan Malaysia) berkenaan dengan cara mengendalikan atau mengawal kren. Khusus yang berlangsung selama dua bulan ini bukan sahaja percuma malah anda akan mendapa6t elaun sebanyak RM200.

Cabaran
Kerja yang sukar, lasak dan hanya untuk mereka yang tidak berpendidikan. Ini adalah perseptif biasa daripada orang ramai.
“Ia hanyalah habuk dan kami berkerja di dalam keadaan yang lebih kepada alam semulajadi di mana terdapat pokok-pokok, rumput dan batu-bata. Memang ia lasak kerana persekitaran kami tiada penghawa dingin atau duduk dikerusi yang empuk. Kami “beraksi” di dalam keadaan yang panas terik dan jika sesuatu perkerjaan itu tidak memerlukan sebarang kira-kira, tidak bermakna kami semua tidak berpelajaran. Kerjaya kami memerlukan kemahiran yang profesional dalam menggunakan teknologi dan tenaga yang banyak,” terang Hafeez.
Menurut beliau, cabaran yang kedua ialah mereka yang mengendalikan kren perlu peka pada berat beban yang diangkat. Apabila beban yang diangkat melebihi had yang sepatutnya, maka boleh menyebabkan kren terbalik.

Makanan
“Mestilah cara orang Malaysia, Nasi Lemak dan Teh Tarik adalah sarapan pagi saya setiap hari dan untuk makanan tenghari, saya akan membungkus makanan dan makan di tapak pembinaan sahaja. Minum air dengan banyak adalah perkara yang selalu saya tekankan kepada rakan-rakan sekerja saya kerana dengan keadaan cuaca yang agak panas boleh menyebabkan strok haba,” kata Hafeez.
“Ini adalah kerja yang menyeronokan kerana bagi saya suasana saya berkerja tidak terikat dengan apa-apa. Saya tidak perlu ke sana ke sini mengejar masa, berhadapan dengan kesesakkan lalu lintas dan saya boleh berehat pada bila-bila masa sahaja. Inilah kebebasan yang saya cari,” tambah Hafeez.

Following its success at the iF Design Awards, the Conti Hybrid HT3 trailer tire has won another award – the renowned "Red Dot: Best of the Best" design award. The international Red Dot jury made the award in the product design category to the low profile tire in sizes 445/45 R 19.5 and 435/50 R 19.5 for incomparable design quality and groundbreaking construction. Continental's premium tire, which was specially developed for use on mega liners, is now one of the most award-winning trailer tires.

"The Conti Hybrid HT3 445/45 R 19.5 and 435/50 R 19.5 were assessed by an independent expert jury of 41 specialists from around the world for innovation, technical quality, functionality, and environmental impact. The "Red Dot: Best of the Best" award is recognition at the highest level of the trailer tire's excellent product design. We are delighted that the standards that are always at the heart of our tire development have been specially recognized, and we are just as proud to accept this second award as we were the iF Design Award," said Constantin Batsch, Vice President Business Region Truck Tires EMEA, commenting on the recent award.

Receiving more than 17,000 submissions every year, the Red Dot Design Award is one of the best-known design competitions in the world. The prize is also seen internationally as a recognition at the highest level of outstanding product design and has been run by the Design Zentrum in North Rhine-Westphalia since 1955. As well as being published in the Red Dot Design Yearbook, the award-winning products will also be displayed in the Red Dot Design Museum. Winners will be officially presented with their awards at the Red Dot Gala on July 4, 2016 in the Aalto Theater in Essen.

With their award-winning design, Continental's Conti Hybrid HT3 445/45 R 19.5 and 435/50 R 19.5 are high-mileage, fuel-saving trailer tires, which, thanks to their high load capacity at low diameters, find particular use on the semitrailers of mega liners for long-distance transportation. The optimized tire contour of the low profile tire, with its "B"-grade EU fuel efficiency label, produces a uniform wear pattern and high mileage. With its retreadable carcass, the premium tire from Continental makes a valuable contribution to the sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation of goods.