Are We Ready To Go Green? [Archive] - United Subang Jaya Web Forum

Sentinel

04-08-2009, 12:15 AM

USJ27Resident

04-08-2009, 12:54 AM

yeah... at 170K to go green... the only green would be in the neighbors' eyes.... and the local car thief...

seriously - NO THANKS to the hefty import and excise duties, going green is all "hype" when it comes to cars...

oh by the way, the Honda's Green car is about 120K....

kuma

04-08-2009, 01:59 AM

Well then...I'll just have to wait for a 'green' Proton :D

Funny...to think that this country was once so GREEN! :(

PJS

04-08-2009, 06:23 AM

I am glad to see Toyota bringing in their popular hybrid car into the country. The Toyota Prius, which even Hollywood stars like Sandra Bullock is proud to drive one, is here on our shores...

http://star-motoring.com/blog/permalink.asp?id=659

Go ahead please, I strongly encourage you to get a Prius. Buy this car instead of fuel guzzling XC60 or X5 and make your wife proud to have a 'green' hubby who made a sensible choice. It's a lot cheaper than X5 too. :D

Reduce your carbon footprint, keep Penang green. Do you know how much carbon a 3.0L X5 puts out per km? :eek:

You can use the Prius to ferry the old folks around too instead of burning a lot of diesel or petrol with the Old Folk's Home's vans.

If there are no pioneer customers, the hybrid market will remain just that, a small niche market.

I might be considering a hybrid car to be used for commuting when it's time to change car in a couple years. And I hope the hybrid technology will become much more mature by then. :)

USJ27Resident

04-08-2009, 09:15 AM

And I hope the hybrid technology will become much more mature by then. :)

yeah... by then, they'd replace the darn Ni-MH batteries to the lighter and more energy efficient Li-On ones... :p

... heard that the current batteries would cost like 10K to replace. :eek:

gtl

04-08-2009, 09:26 AM

an important first step forward. just feel malaysia's living standard makes it tough to implement.

totoro

04-08-2009, 10:19 AM

jand

04-08-2009, 10:22 AM

What about taking a leaf from their book?
Nissan Leaf (http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2009/_STORY/090802-02-e.html)

AllUrban

04-08-2009, 10:50 AM

Why can't I go diesel?

You get better mileage, it is cheaper overall, and pollution is nearly the same.

Oh yeah, because we in Malaysia have yet to really adhere to EURO I diesel standards while the EURO diesels are now at EURO V

Wow, when they create a diesel-electric hybrid car (they already have buses & train locomotives), the world will really change!

Cheers, m

Sentinel

04-08-2009, 11:22 AM

If the government is serious about the environment, they should just reduce the duties on all the hybrid cars... but I don't think so, maybe they don't even know the green thingy... arhhhhh!

Sentinel

04-08-2009, 11:26 AM

Go ahead please, I strongly encourage you to get a Prius. Buy this car instead of fuel guzzling XC60 or X5 and make your wife proud to have a 'green' hubby who made a sensible choice. It's a lot cheaper than X5 too. :D

Reduce your carbon footprint, keep Penang green. Do you know how much carbon a 3.0L X5 puts out per km? :eek:

You can use the Prius to ferry the old folks around too instead of burning a lot of diesel or petrol with the Old Folk's Home's vans.

If there are no pioneer customers, the hybrid market will remain just that, a small niche market.

I might be considering a hybrid car to be used for commuting when it's time to change car in a couple years. And I hope the hybrid technology will become much more mature by then. :)

Hello PJS... don't lah push me to a corner like this... lemme have a go at a 285hp Volvo for 3 -4 years can or not? Batu Ferringhi winding road, uphill and downhill, got to fetch durians from Balik Pulau lagi...

I promise I will go green in 3-4 years time. The new Land Rover Freelander Euro-conforming green diesel engine!

kuma

25-08-2009, 03:48 PM

Hello PJS... don't lah push me to a corner like this... lemme have a go at a 285hp Volvo for 3 -4 years can or not? Batu Ferringhi winding road, uphill and downhill, got to fetch durians from Balik Pulau lagi...

I promise I will go green in 3-4 years time. The new Land Rover Freelander Euro-conforming green diesel engine!

My friend....looks like you gotta 'Go Green' sooner than planned....or not for a long time :D

China which produces 95% of rare metals is now planning a BAN on all export of these metals. [Each Toyota Prius uses a whooping 25 pounds of rare earth:eek:]

So What?... You May Ask?....

Well many may not know[neither did I :D]....that these metals play a vital role in cutting edge technology, from hybrid cars and catalytic converters, to superconductors...ALL your high tech stuff is going to hit the roof :eek:...this might even lead to new oil price hikes in the short term.

[OK...I won't sensationalize this anymore...MOD says I do that too often...you go read and figure :D ]

World faces hi-tech crunch as China eyes ban on rare metal exports (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/6082464/World-faces-hi-tech-crunch-as-China-eyes-ban-on-rare-metal-exports.html)

bslee

25-08-2009, 03:56 PM

I AGREE ENTIRELY with usj27. The price is a whopper and a HUGE dent into your bank account!. The gahmen is NOT interested in making anything easier to you, I and 27million others lah.. They THRIVE on TAXES especially in the local auto industry! Wait till they come out with the GST, VAT!.
In fact I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE NOT to change their cars for another 3 years. Let the industry cripple and panic!. Don't BUY ANY NEW CAR!

Sentinel

25-08-2009, 04:17 PM

Chang, can transfer this thread to Motoring? Many thanks!

AaronOng

25-08-2009, 04:40 PM

... got to fetch durians from Balik Pulau lagi...

Brother, sorry off topic! Last time from Relau going up hill there was this, I dunno, Cap kaki? cap tangan? durians by the roadside. tried once only. Still exist? or gone due to development?

AaronOng

25-08-2009, 04:44 PM

yeah... by then, they'd replace the darn Ni-MH batteries to the lighter and more energy efficient Li-On ones... :p

... heard that the current batteries would cost like 10K to replace. :eek:

That's what I'm trying to say.... not only you'd get knocked out when you buy the Prius, but you'd get knocked out for the second time when it comes to spares or repairs.

I know its green. But thanks but no thanks.

bslee

25-08-2009, 04:50 PM

That's what I'm trying to say.... not only you'd get knocked out when you buy the Prius, but you'd get knocked out for the second time when it comes to spares or repairs.

Errrr.. then my friend could be the biggest bloody fool buying a Honda Hybrid from Honda Malaysia then?.. They claim its well supported and ensuring for spare batteries in the near future after its lifespan of 5 years (not entirely confirmed), of course at a price but then again, the total cost would be near or better than a petrol powered brethren.
Its more of a matter of your local price to acquire a "green" car for whatever benefit, purpose or intent.

SO, coming back to the main issue, are we ready to go green?.. CERTAINLY NOT!!!!.. at the current circumstances of little or no solid encouragement or incentive that'll make people to change over a.s.a.p, although there's NUMEROUS reasons that are potentially beneficial.

bslee

25-08-2009, 04:59 PM

shthang

25-08-2009, 05:10 PM

BTW, let me offer a likely scenario, (may be negative but who knows)
Say if you invent a cheap alternative fuel with the huge potential that its the near perfect alternative to petrol, meaning fill her up and go on your way. I BET YOU'D be put under ISA like tomorrow!. Why?.. You have the ability and potential to cripple the gahmen's cash cow...that big OIL company lah!..

I beg to differ here. Our country is a net exporter of oil and will soon be net importer by 2012 when our oil fields are depleting fast. In the prevailing high oil price, the gomen is spending billions to subsidise the fuels in local mkt to maintain regulated price at RM1.80/litre. If there is an alternative cheaper energy that cud substitute petrol, this sure will improve the country's cashflow as the gomen cud export the fuels w/o subsidies.

If the oil price falls below USD40/bbl, then the fuel subsidy is likely to be discontinued and converted into duty or tax, then you are right to say that govt will lose a big chunk of income from the fuel duty.

sarawakian

25-08-2009, 06:23 PM

Use bicycle lah!

bslee

25-08-2009, 06:30 PM

Use bicycle lah!

You can use it...me go public transport...NOT TAAAAXSI!

cskok8

25-08-2009, 08:19 PM

Brother, sorry off topic! Last time from Relau going up hill there was this, I dunno, Cap kaki? cap tangan? durians by the roadside. tried once only. Still exist? or gone due to development?

There are still a few stalls on both sides of the road

Sentinel

25-08-2009, 09:03 PM

The Toyota Prius hybrid car has been like in its third generation and if its that costly to own and operate, it would not be the most popular hybrid on both sides of the Pacific ie in Japan and in the US. I rented one and drove from LA to San Diego and down Tijuana and then up to Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas in Nevada, it was really a pleasant surprise... the torque was there when I need it especially up the road to Lake Tahoe....

(I wanted to rent the Ford Mustang but wifey refused to sit inside and would take a cab if I did :eek: and reminded me what an expensive affair it was the last time I rented a Corvette... :D in our last trip. Turned into a left lane... forgot after a while we were in the US of A lah.... :D

bslee

25-08-2009, 09:14 PM

I say again lah.. there's NO encouragement to anyone being go green and buy this Prius at a freaking RM180k. The car costs somewhere realistically US$22k to 24k. Its like you should be buying it at less than RM30k car. NOPE!.. it won't happen. Its all mere propaganda and sweet talk. Unless you're very well off, the price of this car is off limits to a huge majority of the rakyat. Used or national car at their ceiling prices is what they encourage everyone to buy or renew... PERIOD!. Remember... already how many times they tell you to change lifestyle?..not upwards of course.

Sentinel

25-08-2009, 09:19 PM

bslee

25-08-2009, 09:24 PM

Like I mentioned as the tile of this thread "Are we ready to go green?" I also posted earlier too the import duty, the incentive, the road tax structure, the car loan interest rate, etcetera, should be tailored by the gomen to encourage the ownership and switch... but with the present Transport Minister too engrossed with his own headaches vs Tiong vs CSL vs Shadows.... I don't think he even know the Prius has been launched... :D

I tell you I'm confident many are ever ready. The moment say this car is less than RM50k or even RM70k, many may willingly change over. Who in the right mind don't want a new car and that could be a potential savings long run. Meanwhile it'll remain a good idea, stay an idea.
Shadows?... I don't mind listening to THE SHADOWS...Hank Marvin and co. anytime.. Those other shadows play "wayang kulit" we don't quite like most of the time.

AaronOng

25-08-2009, 11:54 PM

180k??? Welll.... If I skimp one meal a day and cut back on my other expensive hobby, maybe, just maybe I can afford to buy it, when push comes to shove.

But when I think of the maintenance, I feel like fainting!

Phew!!

Thanks but no thanks.

AaronOng

25-08-2009, 11:55 PM

Fellow forummers, if this thread is about cars would you agree of transfer to motoring section?

Minuteman

26-08-2009, 01:09 AM

Govt can't drop the duties yet for Green Cars in M;sia as our "handicapped" Proton is not ready to compete yet. So folks...you just have to wait.

I have a neighbour who was driving some big cars like Merc and Kia Carnival (equivalent to Naza Ria) (They are quite financially sound people and still is). Suddenly they change to all Myvie (4 of them infact). 2 of them are for their sons.

It seems logical as a small cc car consume very little fuel and yet it is very affordable. Prius may be low consumption but the price is so prohibitive. One car can buy almost 3.5 Myvie cars or up to 4 Savvy.

Checkout Youtube on Prius. A lot of people in US have converted it to full electric vehicle (only small modification needed but void warranty) but yet retains the petrol engine for backup purposes (long distance driving).

Sentinel

26-08-2009, 01:15 AM

You're right there Minuteman. As long as Proton continue to exist, Malaysians will have to pay much more even for their Sentras and Vios and Mazda 3 because a higher excise duty is imposed on these foreign-made cars just to protect a real sick national car industry.

Coming back to the Prius and other hybrid cars, I too believe Bolehland will never be able to convert many users to go green simply because the gomen cannot afford to lower duty and offer incentive simply because Proton will definitely go belly up if they do... in fact Proton cannot afford to come up with a hybrid if the gomen reduce the taxes now.

Bolehlanders just need to pay and pay for the folly of one man's dream to have a national car!

bslee

26-08-2009, 01:16 AM

Have you all any idea what the gamen rakes in taxes annually on CBU imported cars?
Should we think they're likely to loose out that potential revenue for the greater benefit of their voters or rakyat ah?....NEVER NEVER NEVER I presume!
I could speculate its a BIG BIG whopper!

Sentinel

26-08-2009, 01:21 AM

Have you all any idea what the gamen rakes in taxes annually on CBU imported cars?

I could speculate its a BIG BIG whopper!
Just one example ok, I use a normal CBU car as comparison.

In Brunei, an Mercedes S350 OTR is B$120,000 or RM300,000. Its a duty-free country but sales tax is 10% for cars.

In Bolehland, the same car is RM788,000 without road-tax and insurance, so not OTR price yet...

A Porsche Boxster S is B$140,000 or RM350,000. Its more than double that, close to a million ringgit, in Bolehland.

The current 3-door Pajero Sports 3.5 GDI I have now was brought back from Brunei. I bought it brand new CBU at B$50,000 (abt RM125,000). Naza brought in some and advertising it for RM260,000....

Yes BS, the gomen is making tons in revenue from import duties and excise duties on CBU cars. That is why they also refuse to kill the national car project.... that gives them the excuse to keep the high duties to fill their coffers.... otherwise how to fly around with a Airbus 319 as a private jet and the advisor to Petronas still keep the Bombardier Global Express private jet....

bslee

26-08-2009, 01:29 AM

Man!...I know its mind boggling!.. :o

CCY

26-08-2009, 10:16 AM

Now that I get a lil confused about going green.....
Is it about using renewable energy sources like biofuel ..etc or efficient usage of non renewable energy source...like oil ?

Tong

26-08-2009, 10:40 AM

"Going Green" is one of the "buzzwords" that the politicians and media like to throw around .. truth is it doesn't mean ANYTHING!!!

The objective of going green might be stated as "reducing carbon emissions" but how do we know what that really means??

we buy a hybrid car which costs more than a standard car .. depending on how we earn our money we could have emitted additional carbon to earn that extra money!! The manufacturing of the car could have emitted more carbon than to make a standard car!!

Who really knows? its like using PV panels on your roof to generate electricity which is "free" but the cost of the panels is so high you might get payback in 15 or 20 years, or not!! If you have the money to spare then it might ease your social conscience but "Going Green" is nothing but a marketing ploy which gets thrown around without much thought.

take care!