A more affordable D-Max

SHAH ALAM: Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd has launched a new fuel-efficient 4X2

manual transmission variant of its popular D-Max pick-up truck series.

Its managing director Kyoka Kondo said the new 2.5-litre turbo-diesel

variant is affordably priced on-the-road without insurance at RM67,837 and aimed at both private and commercial users.

“The new Isuzu D-Max 2.5-litre with manual transmission has been one of the most popular variant of the D-Max range as the vehicle offers the same

versatility of the larger 4X4 3.0-litre variant but at a much lower fuel

consumption,” he said at the launch of the new variant in Shah Alam.

The new truck, which is miserly on fuel consumption, is an ideal choice for small- and medium-sized enterprises, petty traders and private users who want the large load capacity of the D-Max without the need for the 4X4 capability.

As a test of the variant’s fuel economy, Isuzu arranged for a stock standard to be driven for 1,400km - from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru to Sungai Petani and back - on a single tank full of diesel. The variant has 76-litre fuel tank.

The test was conducted under the supervision of Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) officials to ensure that no tricks were used.

Among the conditions imposed by AAM stewards were that the D-Max variant

would not be allowed to coast down hill or have its tyres over inflated. The vehicle was also to be driven with the air conditioning switched on at all times.

The new D-Max has a five-speed manual gearbox with a tall overdrive fifth gear to allow easy highway cruising.

At the conclusion of the fuel economy test at Monfort Boys Town, AAM

chairman Tunku Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha presented a certificate of

achievement to Isuzu Malaysia for its remarkable mileage feat conducted

using a standard and unmodified vehicle.

The D-Max was later donated to Monfort Boys Town for its official use.

Monfort director Brother Rajamanikan Anthony accepted the vehicle on behalf of his organisation.

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Property management

March 16th, 2006

A property management company is tasked with the responsibility of managing the multiple aspects which come along with the ownership of real estate. This is much akin to the role of management in any business. One important role is that of acting as liaison between the landlord and tenant. Duties of property management companies include accepting rent, responding to and addressing maintenance issues, advertising vacancies for landlords, and doing credit and background checks on tenants. In exchange for the service they provide, property management companies charge landlords a percentage of the gross rent collected each month (typically 8-10%), in addition to lease commissions. If disclosed in the management agreement repair costs may be marked by some property managers. Some property management companies also manage home owner associations (HOAs).

In addition to managing income and expense related activity, property managers may also manage construction, development, repair and maintenance on a property. The direction / choreography of repair/maintenance is quite a large part of a property manager’s function. Property manager relations with Tenants gives a face to the Landlord and provides them the necessary buffer servicing their desire to profit and distance themselves from their tenant constituency.

There are many facets to this profession, including participating in and/or initiating litigation with tenants, contractors and insurance agencies. Litigation alone is at times considered an entirely separate function, set aside for trained attorneys. Although a person or persons will be responsible for this in their job description, there may or may not be an attorney working under a property manager. Special attention is given to Landlord/Tenant law and most commonly evictions, non-payment, harassment, reduction of pre-arranged services, and public nuisance are legal subjects that gain the most amount of attention from property managers. Therefore, it is a necessity that a property manager be current with new laws and practices in their given localities, cities and states.

National and local property management associations serve as a valuable resource which provide assistance in keeping up on current trends in these areas.

In addition, the term property management could be used to describe to the practice of managing capitalized assets that are no real estate in nature, such as equipment and consumables. This is particularly the case in some post-secon
dary institutions.