Ducati Multistrada 1200 owners embraced their spirit for adventure recently, with a 10-day experience of a lifetime in Borneo.

The event, held for the first-time, offered Ducati Multistrada 1200 owners an incredible 2,000km ride, freedom, exploration and spirit of camaraderie as they made their way from Kuching, Sarawak to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

More than 30 riders, consisting of Ducati Multistrada owners, guests, media and staff of Next Bike (Ducati Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the official distributor for Ducati in Malaysia, successfully completed the epic journey which saw them traverse urban roads, remote wastelands, rugged mountain passes and the endless rural roads of Borneo, all the while aboard their Ducati bikes.

The participants, led by YBhg Dato’ SM Zulkifli SM Amin, Group Chief Operating Officer of the NAZA Group of Companies, even reached the Tip Of Borneo during the last leg of the 10-day adventure, marking a tremendous end to the Borneo island adventure which led them from Sarawak, through Brunei Darussalam and Labuan before arriving at their final destination in Sabah.

The event was the initiative of Ducati Malaysia, and was yet another effort by NAZA to promote two-wheel tourism through Ducati. The venture had the full support of Tourism Malaysia and various councils, tourism agencies and the communities of the areas through which the convoy of Ducatis passed.

Beginning on the morning of 25 November in the city of Kuching, the Ducati Multistradas set the stage for what would become an unforgettable adventure; Ducatis dominating the roads of Sarawak for the first time. From there, the convoy moved through Sibu, Bintulu, Miri in Sarawak to Brunei Darussalam, Labuan and finally Sabah with many overnight stops and an island stop-over en-route.

The riders enjoyed some of the most breathtaking views in Borneo; both the stunning environment and the wildlife native to those parts. The island of Borneo is home to many unique and endangered species, such as the Orang Utan, Proboscis Monkey, the Borneo Rhino, the Pygmy Elephant, as well as the Green and Hawksbill Turtle. Along with the beautiful scenery also came some of the most challenging terrain and environmental conditions that these riders had ever experienced. Sharp turns, slippery roads, fallen debris, jungle-lined roads, sand, gravel and also the unpredictable storms.

As the days went on, riders also were met with the occasional livestock, temperature changes, and also groups of curious natives. Navigating the roads in Borneo demanded complete focus and attention from these determined riders and the obstacles faced were no match for their Ducati Multistrada 1200s.

YBhg Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, NAZA Group of Companies Joint Group Executive Chairman said the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Borneo Experience 2011 was a pro-active initiative for Ducati riders to explore the island of Borneo. “The participants traveled to the major cities and also the rural, countryside areas whilst enjoying the company of fellow Ducati Multistrada 1200 owners and enthusiasts from the Asia-Pacific region. Besides creating history, this event also aims to bring passionate Ducati owners together,” he said, adding that he would like to thank the sponsors, Tourism Malaysia, Shell and Chevrolet, for making the journey a reality.

Datuk Wira SM Faisal said, “The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Borneo Adventure Experience 2011 was not only an adventure, but a series of challenges and experience which will be remembered by many and also looked forward to in the future by Ducati enthusiasts the world over.” He assured all Ducatistis that preparations are already in the works for the next Ducati Multistrada 1200 Borneo Adventure Experience which has been scheduled for 2013.

Dato’ SM Zulkifli, who personally led the participants through the 10-day journey, said the event was a very memorable experience, not only for the participants, but for the staff and support crew who travelled together in the Chevrolet Captivas. “It’s been a fantastic journey from start to finish. A great variety of roads, all sorts of places and the people have been fantastic”, he said.

Dato’ SM Zulkifli said that he was delighted to have been part of the convoy through some of the most breathtaking areas that Borneo has to offer. He added: “On any given stretch of road the convoy encountered fast, twisty roads, backdrops of mountains, beautiful peaks and also historical places.”

On the choice of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 and Chevrolet Captiva 4WD, Dato’ SM Zulkifli added that the vehicles was the ultimate combination of bikes and cars and was truly competent for the adventure as it got all the participants throughout the island of Borneo without breaking a sweat, a sweet combination. “The journey was also made possible with Shell providing their best fuel, the V-Power throughout all it service stations network in Sabah and Sarawak”. NAZA is the official franchise and distributor for Ducati and Chevrolet brand in Malaysia.

For a recap of the journal of The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Borneo Experience 2011 please visit www.smf.net.my which chronicles the adventure from Day 1 to Day 10 of the journey.

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM), a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and Ismaco Automotive Sdn Bhd, an authorised dealer of VGM, has officially launched the Volkswagen Kuching showroom along Jalan Batu Lintang in Kuching, Sarawak.

Volkswagen Group Malaysia Managing Director Mr. Ricky Tay said the launch of the showroom is part of the Volkswagen brand’s rapid expansion plans in Malaysia and also to ensure and extend the customer satisfaction experience to East Malaysians, including in Sarawak.

“Volkswagen’s presence in East Malaysia will further strengthen VGM’s strategy in the region. VGM is bringing the Volkswagen brand and service closer to customers and Volkswagen lovers in the state,” he said.

Volkswagen’s main guiding principles in Network Development are Optimised Coverage, Customer Orientation, Dealers’ Profitability and Investor Friendliness.

“These values would be ideal to ensure Ismaco Automotive translate these principles into business achievements and results.

“At Volkswagen, we also want to be the No. 1 non-National car choice for Malaysians and more dealerships such as this would set the tone for us to achieve that success,” Mr. Tay added.

Last month, Ismaco Automotive officially unveiled its new line-up of Volkswagen vehicles – Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran, which has been well received by the market in Sarawak.

Mr. David Tay (Managing Director, Regas Premium Auto) and Geoffrey Briscoe (Managing Director of BMW Malaysia) sealing the deal for Regas Premium Auto to join BMW’s dealership network

BMW Group Malaysia will now better serve its customers in and around the Kuching area through a new authorized BMW 4S (Sales, Service, Systems and Spare-parts) dealership, Regas Premium Auto Sdn. Bhd.

Located along the prime location of Rock Road, the new Regas Premium Auto BMW dealership which was formerly managed by Auto Bavaria has been in operation for over 20 years and will continue to reflect the essence of the BMW brand and comply with its stringent international-class standards and specifications.

Welcoming Regas Premium Auto to the BMW Group network, Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said “It is a privilege for BMW Group Malaysia to welcome to our dealership network a business partner as established as Regas, which has had vast experiences and successes in the automotive segment in Sarawak. East Malaysia as a whole continues to grow as an important market for the premium segment of the Malaysian automotive industry. In 2010 alone, the market accounted for over 300 cars for the segment. With this new partnership, BMW Malaysia remains on track to increase our presence in the region.”

Briscoe added that so far this year, BMW Group Malaysia has recorded a substantial growth, which is indicative of the strength of Malaysian premium automotive segment as a whole. As of May 2011, BMW Group Malaysia has sold a total of 2028 vehicles, a full 29.7% more than the 1564 vehicles sold in the same period last year.

Regas Premium Auto is a part of the Regas Group of Companies, one of the most established automotive dealers in Kuching and the state of Sarawak. Starting as Regas Motor Sdn. Bhd. in 1981, the company has had a track record of consistently delivering the best products and services to their customers, and accomplishing a combined total of RM 374 million in revenue for 2010.

Mr. David Tay, Managing Director, Regas Premium Auto said, “We at Regas are excited to venture into the premium automobile business with BMW Group Malaysia as it is the next step in our growth as the automotive leader in East Malaysia. We believe BMW is the right partner because they are the most dynamic brand in the premium segment with the most advanced products and service techniques which is very much needed if we want to be serious contenders in this business.”

From Left: Simon Wang Shen Hua (Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Auto), Mr. David Tay (Managing Director, Regas Premium Auto), and Geoffrey Briscoe (Managing Director of BMW Malaysia)

Tay added that the Regas Group of Companies has elaborate future plans for Regas Premium Auto in Kuching as well as the state of Sarawak. The newly appointed BMW dealers are already in the midst of establishing a larger BMW 4S premises in the Kuching area which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2013.

The appointment of Regas Premium Auto is part of BMW Group Malaysia’s ongoing strategy of expanding its dealership network which is set to give BMW customers more choice and convenience as well as cater to BMW’s growing customer base throughout the country. In the past four years, BMW Malaysia has undertaken several dealership initiatives which include establishing new BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad dealerships, refurbishment of existing dealerships as well as the introduction and expansion of BMW Premium Selection, BMW’s authorized pre-owned car program.

“Our dealers play a critical role in being our brand ambassadors to the consumers and we want to ensure that our customers continue to get nothing but the very best, be they in Munich, Kuching or Kuala Lumpur. That’s exactly why we believe that with their professional management and proven record in delivering excellent service, our strategic partnership with Regas Premium Auto is a key component to further grow our brand presence in this region.” continued Briscoe.

Present at the signing ceremony were Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Malaysia; David Tay, Managing Director, Regas Premium Auto and Simon Wang Shen Hua, Dealer Principal of Regas Premium Auto.

Regas Premium Auto Sdn. Bhd. 4S BMW Dealership is located at Lot 103, 2½ Mile Rock Road, 93250 Kuching. For further information, customers can call BMW Voice at 1-800-88-3000.

Five charity homes in Kuching received RM4,300 “ang pow” each from Perodua in conjunction with the “Konvoi Mesra Perodua ALZA Borneo 2010” in Sarawak here today. The 5 charity homes were Rumah dan Asrama Kanak-Kanak Bala Tentera, Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Penglihatan Malaysia Cawangan Sarawak, Persatuan Bagi Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal Sarawak (PERKATA), Pertubuhan Ibubapa Kanak-Kanak Keperluan Istimewa Sarawak (PIBAKAT) and Sarawak Children Cancer Society.

Sarawak Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dato’ Sri William Mawan Ikom presented the cheques to representatives of the charity organisations at the Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd flagship branch.

At the same ceremony, Dato’ Sri William Mawan also presented RM100 cash and school bag as well as stationeries to each of the selected 20 needy students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Laksamana in Kuching.

“For the Chinese New Year season, Perodua we would like to spread the festive joy with the children of these homes,” En Aminar Rashid said at the handover ceremony. Also present was Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd managing director Mr Osamu Oaki.

En Aminar also thanked Perodua’s dealers in Sarawak namely Erazoom Sdn Bhd, Gamma Automobile Sdn Bhd, Zahna Auto Sdn Bhd, SDH Auto Sdn Bhd and Vendoria Sdn Bhd for their contributions to the charity organisations.

Dato’ Sri William Mawan later flagged off the “Konvoi Mesra Perodua ALZA Borneo 2010” which headed to a shopping mall in Kuching.

The convoy of 9 vehicles including 5 units of the multipurpose vehicle (MPV) Perodua ALZA had earlier departed from Miri on 3 Feb. The convoy made stops at hotspots in Miri (3 Feb), Bintulu (4 Feb) and Sibu (5 Feb) before arriving in Kuching yesterday.

The “5+2 seater” Perodua ALZA which was launched on 23 Nov last year has been well received by Malaysians, with some 20,000 bookings and a waiting list of between 3 and 3.5 months. Of the total, 10% of these bookings were from Sabah and Sarawak.

“We will be ramping up production of the ALZA to reduce the waiting period,” En Aminar Rashid said.

A similar “Konvoi Mesra Perodua ALZA Borneo 2010” in Sabah was also launched from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu from 3-7 Feb.

“These simultaneous convoys allow us to showcase Perodua’s latest model, the Perodua ALZA, not only to those living in the urban areas but also those in smaller towns and interiors when the convoys pass by,” Encik Aminar Rashid explained.

He said Perodua welcomed the Federal Government allocation of RM1.2 billion to improve the infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak under the stimulus packages announced last year in addition to the funds allocated by these states for the same purpose. This will improve the economy of both Sabah and Sarawak, he added.

“We see a lot of potential for the Perodua ALZA in Sabah and Sarawak as we believe many of our existing customers in both states want to upgrade to a bigger car as their income and family size grows,” he said.

“I am happy with the tremendous response from the public where ever the convoys stopped. There were lots of enquiries especially about the Perodua ALZA,” he added.