The ever popular Mazda3 has hit the five million mark after just Twelve years and ten months.

• Twelve years and ten months since production of the model started in June 2003

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the total production volume of the Mazda3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan) reached five million units at the end of April 2016. It is the second Mazda to reach five million units of production, following the Mazda Familia. 

The Mazda3 sets a new record for Mazda by achieving the milestone figure in only twelve years and ten months since production of the model commenced in June 2003.

The Mazda3 is a core model for Mazda, accounting for approximately one third of the company’s annual sales volume. 

It is manufactured at the Hofu Plant in Japan, Changan Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., in China, AutoAlliance (Thailand) and Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation in Mexico. It is also assembled in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Since the first generation, Mazda has consistently worked to exceed expectations with the Mazda3, refining its dynamic design and responsive and enjoyable driving performance. 

Currently in its third generation, the Mazda3 was fully redesigned in 2013, adopting SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO—Soul of Motion design to join Mazda’s new-generation lineup. Critically acclaimed around the globe, the model won Canadian Car of the Year’s Best New Small Car in 2013 and the international Red Dot Design Award in 2014. 

It was named a Top 3 Finalist for World Car of the Year and World Design Car of the Year in 2014.

Moving forward, Mazda will continue to develop products which offer all customers driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance. The company aims to enrich people’s lives and become a brand connected to its customers by a special bond.

Suzuki announces that the worldwide success story, the Swift, has sold over 5,000,000 units.

Suzuki is pleased to announce that global sales of Swift have now passed the five million mark, just eighteen months after the celebration of four million units. First launched in the UK in May 2005, more than 118,000 Swifts have been sold and it is the most popular model in the range, accounting for 36 per cent of the UK sales mix.

Swift is a world strategic model that was first built in Japan in 2004 with production bases expanding the year after to Hungary, India and China. Production then commenced in Malaysia (2007), Pakistan (2009), Thailand (2012) and Vietnam in 2014. All European Swifts are made at Suzuki’s established Magyar plant in Hungary.

Across the globe, 11 per cent of Swift sales are in Japan, around 50 per cent in India and 19 per cent across Europe. Swift is on sale in 140 countries and has won more than 70 awards.

In the UK, Swift is available in three and five door versions; it has a 1.2-litre petrol engine which emits 116g/km CO₂ as well as a Dualjet engine equipped with twin fuel injectors that records just 99g/km of CO₂ and offers even stronger fuel economy. Swift is also one of the safest cars in its class with a five star Euro NCAP rating as well as offering a low cost of ownership proposition.

Swift is available in five clearly defined specification grades which are SZ2, SZ3, SZ-L, SZ4 with 1.2-litre petrol engine and Sport with 1.6-litre engine. All models offer seven airbags and ESP as standard, front passenger airbag deactivation facility, electric windows, remote central door locking with deadlocks, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 / WMA compatible CD tuner with USB port and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

It can also be specified with four wheel drive which offers added safety during the winter months, the 4x4 is available as a five door 1.2 Dualjet petrol model with manual transmission and equipped as either an SZ3 or SZ4 grade. Thanks to the use of small and lightweight components Swift 4x4 is just 65kg heavier than an equivalent 2WD petrol model.

All Swift models except 4x4 and Sport are available with a 0% PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) Finance offer until the end of June 2016. Taking SZ3 three door as an example, a deposit of £2,411 is required followed by 42 monthly payments of £99 and a final payment of £3,680 to keep the car. The three door Sport is available with an APR rate of 2.8% on PCP for £169 per month payable over 48 months with a deposit of £1,639.

ITALY - Ferrari owners from South East Asia tour to the countries and converge on Sepang for some track fun.

A common passion to forge bonds of friendship between the countries

A large group of Ferrari clients have completed a tour from May 28 to June 1, it departed from Singapore and Indonesia and arrived in Malaysia. 

And 'the Ferrari Southeast Asia Grand Tour 2015 during which hundreds of cars of different models from the Prancing Horse will come together to strengthen the links between the Ferrari owners of these countries.

During the tour, participants had the opportunity to test their Ferrari through the streets and famous landscapes such as Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Genting Highland and Berjaya Hills in Malaysia.

The cars also had some fun on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. On this track, which this year has seen the success of the SF15-T of Sebastian Vettel, the tour participants were able to test themselves under the direction of experts of the program Pilot Course.

As it happens to other events of the Ferrari Owners Club, the tour will also have a charitable purpose, supporting the international Special Olympics program to help children with special needs.

This exciting tour concluded with a celebratory dinner at the iconic Clifford Pier of Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore.

With a passion for driving satisfied and the bonds of friendship strengthened, there is no doubt that Ferrari clients in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia will look forward to meet for the next round of the Prancing Horse.

Caterham expands its race series into Malaysia, with the first race at the Iconic Sepang Circuit.

• Mixed grid of Supersport and 420R models lap Sepang International Circuit
• First ever standalone Caterham race series in Malaysia

British sportscar manufacturer, Caterham Cars, expanded its Caterham Racing series to Malaysia on Saturday, with a new championship starting at the iconic Sepang International Circuit. The inaugural event was won by 420R driver Adrian D’Silva and was the first race in a new 10-round series.

Caterham’s brand-new, standalone championship will feature up to 12 racers competing over five weekends at the twisty Sepang International Circuit and further strengthens Caterham’s position as a leading motorsport and performance engineering car manufacturer.

The racers, driving six Supersport and six 420R models, completed 10 laps of the track with Pye Tan Sen and Azman Yahya completing the podium places in second and third respectively.  

The Supersport class was won by Halim Mu’Azzam, ahead of Asian drift phenomenon Leona Chin, with rookie Sidqi Ahmad rounding out the top three.

The top three in both classes were all Malaysian drivers, though the grid includes drivers from Singapore and as far afield as Sri Lanka.

Caterham’s new series will use the full GP circuit, which is also used for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, is the first combined Supersport and 420R race series for Caterham.

The brand-new 420R model, launched in April 2015, is making its first appearance in a Caterham race championship in the Malaysian series.

While the Supersport is powered by Ford's 1.6-litre Sigma engine tuned to deliver 135bhp, the 420R uses a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec unit producing 210bhp.

Simon Lambert, Caterham’s Chief Motorsport and Technical Officer, said: “The Malaysian race series is a hugely exciting expansion for us, as it offers the opportunity for ASEAN race drivers to really experience the essence of Caterham Cars; an exhilarating racing experience ensuring the best value and fun for participants.”

McLaren enters Malaysia with dealer in Kuala Lumpur

• Sime Darby Motors will represent McLaren Automotive in Malaysia
• McLaren Kuala Lumpur to be 41st retail location as McLaren expands Asia Pacific sales network
• McLaren Kuala Lumpur to be the British sports car manufacturer’s seventh market in the Asia-Pacific region

The flagship sales gallery for Sime Darby Motors, operated by Sime Darby Auto Britannia Sdn Bhd (Auto Britannia), in Mutiara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur will be operational by September 2013, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the McLaren brand.

Located within the vicinity of major highways in the Klang Valley, the unique and visually striking facility will be the home for the range of high performance McLaren models in Malaysia.This sales gallery will be supported by a Service Centre in Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie where all staff at the state-of-the-art four-bay centre will be fully trained at the McLaren Automotive factory in Woking, UK.

’McLaren Automotive is committed to delivering exceptional and high quality performance sports cars and services to its customers worldwide.’ explained Mirko Bordiga, McLaren Automotive Regional Director for Asia Pacific. ‘Auto Britannia benefits from Sime Darby Motors’ extensive experience in serving the Asia Pacific region’s luxury automotive markets, including Malaysia. Sime Darby Motors has a reputation for delivering excellent aftersales service, which are key considerations for us when selecting a partner.’

Dato’ Lawrence Lee, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors added: ’We are excited to represent the McLaren Automotive brand, and to be its partner in Malaysia. McLaren Kuala Lumpur is Sime Darby Motors’ third partnership with McLaren after McLaren Hong Kong and McLaren Shanghai. Our experience with McLaren in other markets will benefit Auto Britannia to deliver excellence to its customers.’

Auto Britannia is planning a number of initiatives in the lead up to the launch, capitalising on the significant local interest in the McLaren brand that has already been generated. For details, those interested can register with: