What is it with Korean cars..?

I was at one of Kia's service centres attending to wifey's scheduled servicing for her Forte.

While trying not to be too biased towards this brand, I must admit that their line up has improved a lot in terms of design and presentability. Newer models look nicer and appealing at first sight.

Look at these pic I took at the their 3S Centre in Kota Kinabalu (all pictures were taken with the iPhone):

New Cerato 1.6 D-CVVT

Cerato 1.6 starts at RM102,000 and Cerato 2.0 at RM121,000

Dashboard of the Cerato

New Sorento  2.4L DOHC CVVT (RM161,000)

Kia Optima, K5 starts at RM147,000 pitted against the likes of Toyota Camry and Honda Accord

Rims of the Optima look a bit dated now

So, what is it with the Korean cars that brings about bad perception among the general public in this country (if I can use the word 'bad')? Maybe it's the previous reputation that spare parts are hard to to get and therefore expensive, or the overall driving experience isn't comparable to the likes of Toyota, Honda, GM, etc., or is it the perceived lower resale value? Maybe.

But if you ask me, I've started to like their cars ever since the carmaker hired Peter Schreyer, who worked for more than 8 years with Audi, to completely redesign the Kia and Hyundai car lineups.

Perhaps it's time we take a serious look at Kia and Hyundai cars alongside the more popular Japanese and US automakers.

Dr. Yee is new chairman of SEDA Malaysia

Dr Yee Moh Chai has been appointed Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) effective Sept 1, 2013.

For a person who hails from Sabah, naturally his immediate task would to enable the FiT mechanism and other renewable energy initiatives such as biomass, hydro and solar energy to be implemented in East Malaysia - Sabah and Sarawak.

Currently, the implementation of FiT in Sabah is suspended until such time that the energy users here start paying the 1% levy.


Dr. Yee taking on new responsibilities

Dr Yee graduated with a medical and law degree from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and had practised law in Kota Kinabalu. He was also Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Sabah from 2004 to 2013 and former Api-Api assemblyman.

Announcing the appointment, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili said the feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanism governed by the Renewable Energy Act 2011 operated entirely within a legal framework and Dr Yee’s legal background and vast experience in managing resources and information technology in the state would be a great asset to SEDA Malaysia.

SEDA Malaysia was formed under the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Act 2011 and helmed by Datin Badriyah Abdul Malek as Chief Executive Officer.

The key roles of SEDA Malaysia are to administer and monitor the feed-in tariff mechanism, promote sustainable energy in the country and advise the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water on policy matters with regard to sustainable energy.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

Let's hope Dr Yee would, during his 2-year tenure as Chairman, bring about changes in Sabah towards aggressive implementation of renewable energy projects here.

The vast supply of biomass, the best spot for solar radiation in the country, and the many potential areas for non-distructive mini-hydro installations in Sabah should benefit from his services.

iPhone 5S (iPhone 6) to be announced on Sept 10, together with cheaper iPhone 5C

Same specs, same performance. Only difference is form factor?

In about eight days from today, we'll get to see the most anticipated release of the latest iteration of the iPhone - the iPhone 5S or, if you like, iPhone 6. They a planning to do that at a special media event on Sept. 10, 2013 although no confirmation from Apple as of today.

Cheaper version with plastic cover?

Most analysts believe the concept of the iPhone 6 is to offer a cheaper iPhone for people in lower income brackets and emerging markets, including China and India, two largely untapped markets for Apple, who can't readily afford the newest high-end iPhone.


Five features of the iphone 5S (iPhone 6) you should expect to see: 

1. Plastic but less scratchy form factor. The iPhone 6 is expected to release with many of the same features of the iPhone 5, but the key difference will be the form factor. The anodized aluminum body of the iPhone 5 will be replaced by a cheaper, but sturdier and more scratch-proof, polycarbonate shell.

2. Same iPhone 5 specs, same iPhone 5 performance. If this one materialise, it will be disappointing but it is believed Apple will release the iPhone 6 with most of the same specs as the iPhone 5, including a 4-inch Retina display at 326 ppi, an A6 chip, a FaceTime HD camera and an 8-megapixel rear side camera.

3. Five candy colors. The major difference between last year's iPhone 5 release and this year's budget iPhone 6, besides the new polycarbonate enclosure, will likely be its availability in five colors.

4. Pre-loaded with iOS 7. Phone hardware tends to get more attention than its software, but the operating system running on the iPhone 6 is just as vital to the iPhone experience as the phone itself.

5. It will be cheaper by a mile. Many people predicted the iPhone 6 would release at a price between $450 and $550 without contract. That would be around RM 1,500 to RM1,900 so, for a phone with similar performance with the iPhone 5, that price would be attractive.

Fancy multiple colour choices? Not me!

TheGreenMechanics: Eagerly waiting for September 10 announcement.