Fast Lane
Shell revamps stores, BYD showroom-restaurant at IMM, Toyota robotaxi rolls off production line
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Shell is progressively revamping the convenience stores in its network to feature partnerships with Watsons, Vivino and Hooga.
PHOTO: SHELL
Shell’s big makeover and deals
Shell is progressively revamping the retail stores at its filling stations. To start, 12 stations, including the ones in Bukit Timah Road, Sengkang East and Havelock Road, now house Watsons Lite. This is a partnership with the beauty and healthcare retailer to offer a selection of health and personal care essentials.
Also available in the updated stores are lifestyle and car scent products from Singapore-brand Hooga and wine from Vivino, a wine retailer.
Until March 31, Shell is offering up to 30 per cent off Hooga, Watsons, Vivino and Shell Cafe products.
Away from the service stations, electric vehicle drivers can sign up to enjoy an 8 per cent discount for a week when charging at malls and commercial buildings with Shell Recharge chargers.
Valid until Feb 28, the 8% Off Charging LNY 2026 promotion is available on the Shell Recharge Asia smartphone application.
Malaysian highway tolls reduced for Chinese New Year
Motorists driving in Malaysia on Feb 14 and 15 will enjoy 50 per cent discounts on highway toll charges, although the charges on the toll plazas at the country’s borders are excluded.
To drive from Tangkak in Johor to Kuala Lumpur, the toll charge is RM21.24 (S$6.80).
The measure was announced by Malaysia’s Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi on Feb 7, and is intended to help ease travel costs for those returning to their home towns during the festive season.
Pet-friendly BYD restaurant at IMM
The new 1826 outlet at IMM in Jurong is pet-friendly with an extensive food menu and a side of BYD electric cars.
PHOTO: 1826 BY BYD
Motor dealer BYD by 1826 has opened its latest restaurant-showroom at IMM, an outlet mall in Jurong.
This is its largest outlet yet. Located on the third floor, the restaurant faces the mall’s open-air play area, making it ideal for families with young children. The outlet is pet-friendly, with touches like conveniently located hooks by the dining area for owners to latch their pets.
Besides the full restaurant menu, it also has a coffee bar and a variety of beers on tap. As with its other outlets, the restaurant has a separate sales team to cater to those looking to buy a car from BYD or the brand’s luxury offshoot, Denza.
Driverless Toyota robotaxi
The Toyota bZ4X is available as a robotaxi in China.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
While motorists in Singapore were introduced to the Toyota bZ4X electric crossover at the Singapore Motorshow in January, its more tech-laden sibling is rolling off the production line in China.
The bZ4X robotaxi is the result of a joint venture between Toyota, GAC Toyota and Pony.ai, an autonomous vehicle tech company. The first unit has recently been built, according to Pony.ai in an announcement on Feb 9. In all, 1,000 cars will be built to join Pony.ai’s 3,000-strong fleet of self-driving taxis to be deployed in major Chinese cities in 2026.
Closer to home, Pony.ai is partnering transport giant ComfortDelGro to ready the driverless shuttle that residents in Punggol housing estate will be able to board later in 2026, after the testing and development work is completed.
