Latest news with #Japanese-branded
IOL News
a day ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
New Honda Amaze versus Suzuki Dzire: which is the best compact sedan on the block?
The Honda Amaze (left) and Suzuki Dzire are both fresh from comprehensive redesigns. Image: Jason Woosey Sedans have gone from being the go-to body style a few decades back to a relatively small niche in today's SUV-obsessed motoring landscape. Buyers have for the most part given the boot, the boot. Yet the two latest small sedans on the market, the recently launched Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze, are still selling in reasonably good numbers, with the latter being Honda's most popular vehicle at the moment. Ok, we know what you're thinking - surely these two purely exist for the ride-hailing market? Granted, they are really popular in that space, but dealers tell us there is also a demand for them among buyers with small families and pensioners. The two Japanese-branded sedans that we see here are rather similar in concept. Both are built in India, and measure a shade under four metres in length to take advantage of a tax break in that country. The pair are also powered by 1.2-litre normally aspirated engines. They're among the most affordable sedans on the market, with the Suzuki priced from R224,900 to R266,900 and the Honda costing between R254,900 and R294,900. But keep in mind that the Honda is available with higher spec levels, so to keep things as fair and equal as possible, we compared the Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+, which is the flagship manual version at R246,900, with Honda's base-spec 1.2 Trend manual, which costs R254,900. Dimensions and Design Both cars were recently redesigned, with the Suzuki being an all-new model and the Honda being a comprehensive facelift that bears little resemblance to its predecessor. Styling is a subjective thing, but we'd say both are successful restyles that inject some much-needed attitude into what were rather bland designs in the past. The design updates make both cars appear more purposeful than before. Image: Jason Woosey Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Honda's large honeycomb grille makes quite a statement and its new taillights, taking inspiration from the Ballade and Civic, are elegant and give a car a more upmarket appearance. The Suzuki is also very easy on the eye, with its new slim headlights and grille bar, and wide, tapering lower grille, but the back end is perhaps a bit forgettable. Interior design and practicality When it comes to practicality, these sedans are on a fairly equal footing. Rear legroom is surprisingly generous given their small dimensions. Sitting behind my driving position - I'm average-sized - there was room to stretch in both vehicles, with perhaps a smidgen more in the Suzuki. But rear headroom is really tight, with my head touching the ceiling in both cases if I leaned all the way back to the headrests. Their boots are similar in size, at 378 litres for the Honda and 416 litres in the Suzuki's case. Keep in mind that the boot apertures are relatively small, making it difficult to load bulkier items, and the rear seats don't fold in either of these vehicles. This does bring a security advantage, though, for what it's worth. Honda Amaze Image: Jason Woosey When it comes to interior design, we have to hand a solid win to the Honda. With a cockpit layout inspired by the latest Civic, it looks classy, and the materials appear to be of good quality. The 7.0-inch TFT digital instrument display is also a surprising addition at this end. Build quality is impressive, and the black cloth seat trim feels like it's made for life, with its dark colour scheme well suited to South African tastes. The Suzuki loses points here for its beige seat trim, which not only looks like it belongs in your Grandma's lounge, but it's sure to show dirt and grime very quickly. Suzuki Dzire. Image: Jason Woosey It's a popular colour scheme in India, but not so much in our market, and you'll certainly have to invest in seat covers for this vehicle. The Suzuki's 7.0-inch touchscreen is also smaller than its binnacle, which looks odd. User friendliness and features Neither of these vehicles disappoints when it comes to interior functionality, offering separate digital controls for the climate control systems and rather straightforward touchscreen infotainment systems - though the Honda's is bigger at 8.0 inches versus Suzuki's 7.0. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard in the two cars. Rear passengers have their own aircon vents in both cars, although the Suzuki scores extra points for having USB ports (both A and C type) positioned at the back of the centre console where both front and rear passengers can access them easily. It also has an additional USB A port upfront, while the Honda has two A-ports in this location. Both vehicles ship standard with electric windows and mirrors, multi-function steering wheels and rear park distance control with reverse cameras. But the Suzuki is the only one here with cruise control, while the Honda hits back with additional features over the Suzuki, such as automatic climate control, push-button start and LED headlights. When it comes to safety, both have stability control and ABS, but the Suzuki's airbag count of six (front, side and curtain) is a big win over Honda's two frontal crash bags. What they're like to drive As mentioned, they both have 1.2-litre normally aspirated engines and five-speed manual gearboxes, with CVT transmissions optionally available, although in the Honda's case you have to upgrade to the top-spec variant for that. The Suzuki comes with a new three-cylinder engine that delivers 60kW and 112Nm, while the Honda retains its trusty four-cylinder VTEC unit, offering 66kW and 110Nm. Their kerb weights are very similar, with the Suzuki tipping the scales at 940kg and the Honda at 963kg. Small 1.2-litre engines are the norm here. Image: Jason Woosey
Barnama
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
Midea Compressor Recognized: KOLs' Teardown Videos Expose Aircons' Core Component
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 6 (Bernama) -- Recently, influencers from Thailand and Malaysia shared teardown reviews of air conditioners, sparking widespread discussion. Many were surprised to learn that top Japanese brands like Panasonic and Daikin use 'GMCC' compressors—manufactured by Midea, the world's No.1 residential inverter AC company. Malaysian Tech DIYer Berani Buat disassembled Daikin and Panasonic units and found the GMCC label inside. His video drew attention, with viewers surprised by a Chinese-made core part in a Japanese-branded product. Meanwhile, Thai creators like Daddy Tips , Lungchang, BT Beartai and Extreme IT also shared similar findings and demonstrated how the core compressor helps AC to cool down. These reviews challenge perceptions of brand origin and highlight Midea's role not just as a supplier, but as a global innovator in air conditioning—quietly powering ACs with cutting-edge compressor technology.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Midea Compressor Recognized: KOLs' Teardown Videos Expose Aircons' Core Component
Teardown Result Sparks Heated Discussion KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, influencers from Thailand and Malaysia shared teardown reviews of air conditioners, sparking widespread discussion. Many were surprised to learn that top Japanese brands like Panasonic and Daikin use 'GMCC' compressors—manufactured by Midea, the world's No.1 residential inverter AC company. Malaysian Tech DIYer Berani Buat disassembled Daikin and Panasonic units and found the GMCC label inside. His video drew attention, with viewers surprised by a Chinese-made core part in a Japanese-branded product. Meanwhile, Thai creators like Daddy Tips , Lungchang, BT Beartai and Extreme IT also shared similar findings and demonstrated how the core compressor helps AC to cool down. These reviews challenge perceptions of brand origin and highlight Midea's role not just as a supplier, but as a global innovator in air conditioning—quietly powering ACs with cutting-edge compressor The 'Heart' of Inverter Air ConditionersThe compressor is the most critical component in an air conditioning system, directly influencing cooling efficiency and energy consumption. Inverter technology optimizes the compressor's speed according to room temperature fluctuations, significantly improving energy efficiency compared to traditional fixed-speed air conditioners. Midea has become a key player in the supply chain, not only powering its own air conditioners but also providing compressors to other international brands such as Panasonic and Daikin. Technological Superiority: Energy Efficiency and Performance Midea's self-developed inverter compressor delivers up to 50% energy savings over traditional models and 20% over standard inverters. Its AI algorithm analyzes indoor temperatures to reduce fluctuations, boosting comfort and efficiency. Paired with the AI ECOMASTER, which uses big data to adjust in real time, it offers ultra-precise ±0.3°C control. This minimizes unnecessary changes and cuts energy waste. Verified by SGS to achieve up to 30% additional savings, Midea leads in smart, energy-efficient air conditioning technology. Southeast Asia's Ideal Solution: Localized Design and Excellent Durability Midea's advanced compressor and inverter technology deliver strong cooling, quiet performance, and energy efficiency ideal for Southeast Asia's hot climate. Designed for regional challenges, Midea air conditioners feature Prime Guard with 7 key protections, including TU1 copper tubes, Silver Shield (0.1% corrosion), Hyper Grapfins™ (12.5x corrosion resistance), and UV PCB protection. With wide voltage support (80V–265V) and insect resistance, these innovations ensure durability, stability, and long-term performance in humid, demanding Recognition: The Smart Choice for Southeast Asia Midea's technological leadership has gained global recognition, serving over 400 million users in 200 countries. In 2022, it exported 8.3 million inverter air conditioners to Southeast Asia, contributing significantly to regional growth. This success is backed by over $2 billion in R&D investment over five years. At the core is Midea's GMCC compressor, which powers both its own products and premium international brands, offering top-tier cooling and energy efficiency. Leveraging this advanced technology, Midea delivers powerful, energy-saving, and comfortable air conditioning—making it the smart choice for Southeast Asian consumers seeking reliability and performance. Midea Official Website Thailand Malaysia Indonesia Vietnam The Philippines Photos accompanying this announcement are available at in to access your portfolio
Japan Times
20-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Prime Minister Ishiba's struggles put his leadership in jeopardy
A Japanese prime minister can't just leisurely tackle global issues, manage the party, pass government legislation and endure endless hours of opposition questioning one by one. He must have the energy, mental capacity and leadership ability to handle all at once. So a clear sign that a prime minister is overwhelmed is when he starts making unforced errors. Which brings us to where things currently stand: After two years spent by his party dealing with a reporting scandal, Ishiba decided to hand out ¥100,000 gift certificates to 15 newly elected Liberal Democratic Party members. The opposition and the anti-LDP media quickly jumped on the move, with several parties calling for his resignation as prime minister. The usual suspect, or citizens group, filed a lawsuit the same day, alleging that Ishiba (and those who received the gifts) violated the political contributions law, which bans political funds from being given to individuals. Ishiba appeared genuinely shocked by the scandal. The certificates were quickly returned, so a bit of tempest in a teapot, but yet another example of his penchant for situational unawareness. They say it takes a village sometimes to achieve something meaningful. It took a significant effort, involving many of Japan's best and brightest experts on U.S.-Japan relations, to get the nation's accidental prime minister, Ishiba, to follow the plan for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in early February. They had to teach him what to say, what not to say and when to smile. The long-delayed meeting allowed Japan to postpone the inevitable for a while. However, Ishiba had no plan beyond trying desperately to remain neutral on the situations in Ukraine, Gaza and the ongoing tariff war between the U.S., Europe, Canada and Mexico. Hiding in the weeds works for a while, but now there's no place to hide. Ishiba sent his commerce minister, Yoji Muto, to the U.S., but Japan's steel and aluminum exports remain subject to a 25% tariff, though that's a minor issue. The White House spokesperson took an odd shot at Japan's supposed "700%" import tariff on rice. However, this reflects that the new U.S. administration is moving quickly and relying on inaccurate data. The 350,000 tons of U.S. rice imported into Japan face a 0% tariff, while the U.S. imports very little Japanese rice. The "700% tariff" isn't actually a percentage but a fixed ¥341 per kilogram, which applies to just 0.03% of imported rice. Let's talk about reciprocity. But as Ishiba tries to milk his two-hour meeting with Trump for all it's worth, the focus is now shifting to a more pressing issue — autos. The good news first: Some 60% of new Japanese-branded cars sold in the United States are manufactured in Japanese-owned American factories that represent tens of billions of dollars in investments. Another 20% of Japanese car sales come from factories in Canada and Mexico. One hopes that the final investigations into parts content show that these cars fully comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and therefore should be imported tariff-free, as Trump himself negotiated the deal, making it harder to dispute. Now the bad news: That leaves about 1.4 million cars built in Japan and exported to the U.S. exposed to a new 25% tariff. That is going to hurt and Ishiba is doing nothing to prevent it. Then there is the issue of the prime minister's singular focus on getting the 2025 fiscal budget passed by the legislature before April 1. If he doesn't, Japan's parliament could start resembling the U.S. Congress with its continuing budget resolutions. The opposition parties will likely use the gift certificate scandal to hold him hostage right up to the very last minute. Japan's more powerful Lower House approved the heavily compromised budget, marking the first time in nearly three decades that a budget from the ruling government needed to be amended. And despite the LDP-led coalition holding a majority, the prime minister now faces expected opposition in the Upper House. Ishiba made a colossal mistake by calling an early election when one wasn't needed for another year. As a result, he now leads a barely governable minority government. He has meekly surrendered many of the levers of control and power in the Japanese government to opposition parties, who are taking full advantage of the situation, making him pay dearly. With an Upper House election looming in July, Ishiba is creating communication problems between the Prime Minister's Office, key decision-makers within his party and himself. He often announces decisions, only to reverse them later, like with the medical expense co-payment cap. This shows just how difficult the role of prime minister in Japan really is for most people. Ishiba is failing, and doing so very publicly. The annual budget has never needed to be amended a second time in the Upper House where the ruling LDP-Komeito coalition still holds a majority, at least for now. After members of his own party revolted against his plan to raise medical cost caps, he was forced to reverse the hike and revise the budget a second time. As I said during the LDP presidential election last September, he was never up for this job, something former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga, who put him in the role, should have known. LDP lawmakers, especially those up for election in July, are growing restless, with some calling for a new party leader before then. Some may call this a conservative revolt, but it is broader than that. Ishiba has one job left: Pass the fiscal 2025 budget by March 31. After that, calls for him to step down will only intensify. With the world as turbulent as it is, the country cannot continue with such a weak and indecisive leader. Edo Naito is a commentator on Japanese politics, law and history. He is a retired international business attorney and has held board of director and executive positions at several U.S. and Japanese multinational companies.
