Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) telah mengeluarkan kenyataan terhadap kebimbangan mengenai kerosakan pada kereta Perodua Bezza, yang dilaporkan berlaku dalam lapan jam selepas dibeli oleh seorang kerani. Ketua Pegawai Operasi Jualan Perodua, J.H. Rozman Jaafar, memberi jaminan bahawa syarikat telah menjalankan penyiasatan menyeluruh mengenai perkara tersebut dengan memberi keutamaan kepada kepuasan pelanggan.
Rozman menyatakan bahawa Perodua telah berkomunikasi secara berterusan dengan pelanggan tersebut sejak Oktober tahun sebelumnya. Syarikat telah mengambil beberapa langkah untuk menangani isu tersebut, termasuk menawarkan kereta rayuan dan mencadangkan untuk membeli kembali kereta yang mengalami kerosakan tersebut. Kerani tersebut, Nagakanni Subramaniam, telah menyuarakan rasa kekecewaan dia kerana masih perlu membuat pembayaran bulanan pinjaman walaupun keretanya berada di pusat servis.
Perodua sedang aktif menjalankan penyiasatan menyeluruh terhadap kerosakan yang dilaporkan dan memberi jaminan kepada orang ramai bahawa butiran akan dikongsi pada masanya. Rozman menafikan tuduhan bahawa tiada tindakan diambil, menekankan komitmen syarikat untuk menyelesaikan perkara tersebut. Perodua memohon maaf atas sebarang kesulitan yang berlaku dan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada pelanggan atas pemahaman mereka dalam proses ini.
FB/Nagakanni Subramaniam
Kronologi isunya:
17 Oktober 2023:
Perjalanan bermula pada 17 Oktober 2023, ketika pemilik membeli Bezza 1.3 X dari Pusat Jualan Harapan Terang Motor Sdn Bhd Segamat. Hanya lapan jam kemudian, pada pukul 7:40 malam, kereta enggan dihidupkan, menyebabkan kereta itu dihantar ke Pusat Servis Perodua Segamat.
18 Oktober 2023:
Juruteknik di pusat servis memberikan berita yang mengecewakan – enjin rosak. Harapan untuk penyelesaian segera muncul ketika pemilik meminta penggantian. Walau bagaimanapun, kegembiraan itu tidak berpanjangan.
9 November 2023:
Encik Sufian, seorang Eksekutif Jualan Pelanggan dari Perodua HQ, memberikan berita mengejutkan kepada situasi itu. Mendakwa bahawa objek asing, mungkin gula, telah merosakkan enjin, beliau menunjukkan tempoh menunggu keputusan dari Perodua HQ selama dua minggu hingga sebulan.
Penafian pemilik mengenai sebarang pengubahan atau kewujudan objek asing menimbulkan persoalan mengenai kebolehpercayaan penyiasatan dan menuntut proses yang lebih terbuka dan bertanggungjawab.
15 November 2023:
Encik Sufian mendesak pemilik untuk memohon pinjaman baru untuk mendapatkan kereta gantian. Walau bagaimanapun, pemilik, yang masih membayar pinjaman sedia ada, dengan wajar mencari penyelesaian sebelum membuat komitmen kewangan yang baru.
4 Disember 2023:
Usaha untuk bergerak ke hadapan menghadapi rintangan apabila jurujual meminta dokumen untuk pinjaman baru, tetapi ditolak oleh pemilik yang menekankan pinjaman pertama yang belum diselesaikan.
8 Disember 2023:
Khidmat Pelanggan menyatakan bahawa cadangan terakhir tidak memperoleh kelulusan, merujuk kepada siasatan dalaman yang sedang berjalan oleh Perodua. Ketiadaan jawapan yang pasti meninggalkan pemilik dalam keadaan yang tidak pasti.
2 Januari 2024:
Masuk ke tahun 2024, rayuan pemilik untuk penyelesaian bergema dalam kesunyian. Dengan lebih daripada dua bulan berlalu, ketiadaan respons rasmi dari Perodua menimbulkan kebimbangan mengenai perkhidmatan pelanggan dan penyelesaian tepat pada masanya terhadap aduan yang sah.
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) has responded to concerns regarding a malfunction in a Perodua Bezza car, which reportedly occurred within eight hours of purchase by a clerk. Perodua’s Sales Chief Operating Officer, J.H. Rozman Jaafar, assured that the company conducted a comprehensive investigation into the matter, prioritising customer satisfaction.
Rozman stated that Perodua has maintained constant communication with the customer since October of the previous year. The company has taken several measures to address the issue, including offering a courtesy car and proposing to buy back the malfunctioning vehicle. The clerk, Nagakanni Subramaniam, had expressed frustration over continuing monthly loan payments despite her car being stranded at a service centre.
FB/Nagakanni Subramaniam
Perodua is actively working on a thorough investigation of the reported malfunction and has assured the public that details will be shared in due course. Rozman refuted allegations that no action had been taken, emphasising the company’s commitment to resolving the matter. Perodua apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their understanding during this process.
What was the issue? Here’s a recap:
October 17, 2023: A Troubling Start
The journey began on October 17, 2023, when the owner purchased a Bezza 1.3 X from Harapan Terang Motor Sales Center Sdn Bhd Segamat. Just eight hours later, at 7:40 p.m., the car refused to start, leading to the vehicle being towed to the Perodua Segamat Service Center.
October 18, 2023: Diagnosis and Hope for a Quick Solution
The mechanic at the service centre delivered the disappointing news—the engine was damaged. Hope for a prompt resolution emerged when the owner requested a replacement. However, the joy was short-lived.
November 9, 2023: A Baffling Turn of Events
Mr. Sufian, a Customer Sales Executive from Perodua HQ, presented an unexpected twist to the situation. Claiming that a foreign object, potentially sugar, had damaged the engine, he pointed to a two-week to one-month wait for a decision from Perodua HQ.
The owner’s denial of any tampering or presence of foreign objects raises questions about the veracity of the investigation and calls for a more transparent and accountable process.
November 15, 2023: Loan Limbo
Mr. Sufian urged the owner to apply for a new loan for a replacement car. However, the owner, still repaying the existing loan, understandably sought resolution before undertaking a new financial commitment.
December 4, 2023: Stalled Progress
Efforts to move forward faced a setback when the salesperson requested documents for a new loan, met with rejection from the owner who emphasised the outstanding first loan.
December 8, 2023: Elusive Approval
Customer Service conveyed that the final proposal lacked approval, citing ongoing internal investigations by Perodua. The absence of a definitive response in black and white left the owner in a state of limbo.
January 2, 2024: The Lingering Silence
As the calendar turned to 2024, the owner’s plea for resolution echoed in silence. With more than two months passed, the lack of a formal response from Perodua raises concerns about customer service and the timely resolution of legitimate grievances.
Daihatsu kini berhadapan dengan krisis besar kerana mengisytiharkan penangguhan sementara semua penghantaran kenderaan, sama ada di dalam negara atau antarabangsa. Keputusan ini dibuat susulan penyiasatan yang mendalam ke atas ketidaknormalan ujian keselamatan, skandal yang mengejutkan industri automotif.
Kontroversi ini bermula pada bulan April, apabila pertama kali didedahkan bahawa Daihatsu terlibat dalam amalan penipuan berkaitan ujian keselamatan langgar, khususnya berkaitan dengan permohonan kelulusan penguatkuasaan bagi empat model. Penumpuan penyiasatan tertumpu kepada isu palang pintu yang gagal memenuhi standard keselamatan dalam ujian langgar dari sisi, memberi kesan kepada 88,000 unit. Seterusnya, pada bulan Mei, Daihatsu secara terbuka mengakui ketidaknormalan dalam prosedur pensijilan ujian langgar dari sisi melibatkan versi hibrid Daihatsu Rocky dan Toyota Raize.
Daihatsu, the renowned Japanese automaker, finds itself in the midst of a significant crisis as it declares a temporary suspension of all vehicle shipments, both domestically and internationally. This decision comes in the wake of a damning investigation into safety test irregularities, a scandal that has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry.
The unfolding controversy dates back to April, when it was first revealed that Daihatsu had engaged in fraudulent practices related to crash safety tests, specifically concerning regulatory approval applications for four models. The focus of the investigation centred on door trim issues that failed to meet safety standards in a side impact test, affecting a staggering 88,000 units. Subsequently, in May, Daihatsu publicly admitted to irregularities in certification procedures for side impact collision tests involving hybrid versions of the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize.
The latest developments shed light on the gravity of the situation, with reports indicating the discovery of 174 new irregularities across 25 test items. This brings the total number of fraudulent cases to a staggering 238. The affected models include those produced under the Daihatsu brand and supplied to major players such as Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, and notably, Perodua.
The introduction of the Perodua Ativa has been significant for the Malaysian automotive market, offering consumers a modern and technologically advanced option in the compact SUV segment.
The Ativa is Perodua’s first model in the Transformation 3.0 era which is named Perodua Smart Build. What is Perodua Smart Build? It aims to elevate Perodua into a global player but not only as a company, but also to globalise the entire Malaysian automotive industry – including suppliers and dealers.
The Ativa is a shared model with the Daihatsu Rocky, which explains the uncanny resemblance between the two. However, there is a touch of Perodua in it. Which is why some consider it to be a bigger version of the Myvi.
With that in mind, we were intrigued to find out what a daily Myvi driver would think of the Ativa. So, we gave the Ativa to a member of our team who owns a third-generation facelift Myvi.
The main difference, the most obvious one, is that the Ativa is a compact SUV which translates to a bulkier body and more interior space. Exterior-wise, the Ativa looks like a Myvi that has been hitting the gym and is on steroids.
So, what was our Myvi driver’s first impression when getting into the Ativa? There wasn’t much difference between the Myvi and the Ativa besides the size. The steering wheel is the same, the interaction with the buttons is the same and the overall feel of driving a new car was just not there. Well, there are minor differences but nothing too major that we would think that we were sitting in a different car. However, this is just a first impression. We then used the Ativa as a daily, swapping away the Myvi for some time and noticed several likes and dislikes.
First of all, what do you get for the RM73,400 Ativa? Well, the infotainment system is slightly bigger than the Myvi. The Ativa has a huge 9.0-inch “floating” touchscreen in the middle while the Myvi has a 6.9-inch touchscreen. However, the one in the Ativa did not feel as smooth. Although Android phone owners can connect their devices to the screen using SmartLink phone mirroring (an HDMI connector), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available (something we are never happy to hear).
Anyways, the excellent safety system that comes with the Myvi is also featured in the Ativa. Ever since the launch of the third generation of the Myvi, Perodua has been adding ever-more sophisticated safety features to its models. A lot of these are combined to form the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) system, which aids in preventing collisions for drivers. The third iteration of the Ativa system can now detect two-wheeled vehicles and operate at night. It can operate at higher speeds of up to 120km/h for cars and 60km/h for pedestrians.
Pre-Collision Warning with Automatic Braking, Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control are the components of ASA 3.0. To monitor and evaluate the road ahead, ASA employs a camera at the top of the windscreen.
The driver will be alerted in the case of an imminent collision, and the brakes will engage automatically if no action is taken by the driver to slow down. In addition to preventing the need for a costly repair, proactive braking would have slowed down the speed and force of the vehicle if a collision was unavoidable, aiding to keep all occupants safe and keeping injuries to a minimum, or none at all.
However, the facelift Myvi has level two autonomy for under RM60,000. The driver was not impressed by this as it did not play a major role in the experience, which is a good thing at the end of the day.
The Ativa also comes with the annoying eco idle auto start-stop, which Perodua has been offering since the Bezza and is something we turn off every single time we get in.
The main issue faced by the driver is the one feature that the Myvi has that was not carried on to the Ativa and that is the SmartTag reader, which is what got us scratching our heads as to why it was not offered. But it makes sense considering that the Smart Tag system will eventually give way to RFID.
You must be thinking, just wind down the window and use the Touch N Go card. Not that hard right? But having the Myvi as a daily driver for almost a year now, the convenience has always been there. We could easily check the amount left on the card and did not have to roll down the window and stretch out nor have to worry about replacing batteries in the SmartTag device.
Moving on, the Ativa has a unique feature called air conditioning memory which we very much liked. The AC memory, which functions similarly to seat position memory, is controlled via the M1 and M2 buttons located on the dash. For example, you can programme one for chilly days and another for hot days which is convenient as we do not have to manually adjust the temperature.
The Ativa measures 4,065mm in length, 1,710mm in width, and 1,635mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,525mm. Not that much of a difference compared to the Myvi which measures 3,895 mm in length, 1735mm in width and 1515mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2500mm. We are not small or short people and we fit comfortably in the Myvi so the Ativa was just as comfortable with slightly more room to move around.
What we did enjoy is the armrest that comes with the Ativa. A minor detail with a major comfort impact.
Now, the Myvi has cupholders placed below the AC controls which we consider to be a convenient storage space. And if you do not have a phone holder, you could place it there too. In the Ativa, those cupholders are replaced with a small flat platform with just enough space to place your phone horizontally. The cupholders? Well, the Ativa has a feature that we are not sure is a clever idea. The cupholders are placed in front of the vents on either side of the dashboard and slide out whenever needed. While this keeps your drinks cool, it blocks the cool air from reaching you. But what if you have a hot drink? You will need to either turn off the AC or set it to the lowest speed. Not very convenient is it?
It may not seem like a big deal but as journalists, we are always on the go and sometimes only have time for a quick drive-through to get our morning coffee which we prefer to be hot and not iced. So sometimes we found ourselves driving with the windows down just to keep our drinks warm. Dramatic, but some of us would do anything for a hot cup of coffee.
Moving on to the performance. The Ativa features a 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine which produces 98PS and 140Nm of torque connected to a D-CVT with seven virtual ratios that send power to the front wheels . It was also the first Perodua to ride on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform.
The Myvi on the other hand, has a naturally aspirated 2NR-VE 1.5 litre engine which puts out 102hp and 136Nm of torque. The gearbox is the same as the Ativa, but the Myvi is better in terms of fuel economy.
This was a game changer for us as the turbocharged Ativa showed a significant amount of difference in performance though not so much on paper. The Myvi at times can be draggy when going uphill. But this was no issue for the Ativa. We did not feel it struggling to climb up steep hills and just like the Myvi, there is a “PWR” button on the steering wheel which when activated, gives a sharper throttle response. We tested it out although we did not have to use this feature and it added to the “amazed” experience we were having.
Another minor detail we noticed is that the cabin in the Ativa is much quieter compared to the Myvi. The road, engine and aerodynamic drag sounds were slightly muted when speeding so that gave us some peace of mind during long travels.
With all that power play, what was the fuel consumption like? The fuel consumption for the Ativa is around 7.5L/100km. You can reduce it by using the eco-idle function but that is a personal preference. Compared to the Myvi, which has a 4.7L/100km fuel consumption, it is still not enough to burn a hole through your pocket for refuelling, so we did not have to worry about that.
We think that the Perodua Ativa stands out as a well-rounded compact SUV, compared to the RM107,000 Honda WR-V, but if we were to upgrade from a Myvi, we would not go for an Ativa because of how convenient the Myvi is.
The Ativa can seat five to six adults, and so can the Myvi. The only difference is that the Ativa’s boot space of 369 litres beats the Myvi’s 277 litres. Yes, the Ativa is slightly more powerful, but if it’s power you’re looking for, then you are in the wrong market.
So, if you have a family of five to six, or less than that and you’re in the market for a compact SUV, the Ativa shines the brightest here and it will not break your bank account. But the question here is, would a Myvi driver trade up to an Ativa? Not this Myvi driver, not because the Ativa is not good, but it is too similar to the Myvi, which is already a great car in every sense of the word.
Perodua baru-baru ini mengumumkan angka jualan dan pengeluaran bagi suku ketiga 2023. Benda nampak baik untuk raja pasaran automotive negara. Jualan suku ketiga meningkat sebanyak 28.3% berbanding tahun sebelumnya dan jualan untuk sembilan bulan pertama tahun 2023 naik sebanyak 18.8%.
Yang menarik, dalam laporan itu, adalah Bezza menjadi hero baru.
Jualan secara keseluruhan Perodua melonjak 28.3% berbanding tahun sebelumnya bagi sembilan bulan pertama tahun 2023, dan Perodua berpotensi mencapai sasaran 314,000 kereta pada tahun ini.
Tetapi, yang mengejutkan, bukan Myvi atau Alza yang menjadi pilihan utama, tetapi justru Bezza.
Perodua telah menjual 65,158 unit pada Q3 tahun ini, menjadikan Bezza kereta paling laris di Malaysia pada semua segmen.
Model kedua paling laris Perodua adalah Alza, manakala Myvi pula mengejutkan dengan kedudukan ketiga. Jualan Bezza meningkat sebanyak 41.3% berbanding tahun sebelumnya, dengan hanya tiga bulan lagi sebelum tahun berakhir.
Bezza akan mengambil alih takhta pilihan raja jualan daripada Myvi, yang mengejutkan kerana Myvi adalah kereta paling laris Perodua pada tahun 2022 dan 2021.
Yang lebih mengejutkan lagi, Bezza juga adalah model paling lama dalam jajaran Perodua. Ia sudah wujud sejak tahun 2016 dan masih dalam generasi pertama dengan facelift pertamanya pada tahun 2020.
Untuk menangani permintaan yang tinggi, Perodua terpaksa mengurangkan masa yang diperlukan untuk membuat Bezza demi memenuhi permintaan pasaran. Ini efektif nutuk meningkatkan pengeluaran dan memenuhi permintaan pasaran.
Kebanyakan model Perodua telah beralih ke platform DNGA kecuali Bezza, tetapi memandangkan prestasi baiknya, nampaknya Perodua tidak perlu mengemas kini kereta ini dalam masa terdekat.
Perodua melaporkan peningkatan jualan sebanyak 22% dalam suku ketiga tahun ini kepada 88,537 unit berbanding 69,011 unit pada suku yang sama tahun 2022, yang disumbangkan oleh peningkatan kecekapan operasi di bahagian pengeluaran.
Peningkatan jualan ini disebabkan oleh peningkatan pengeluaran dengan 91,528 unit kenderaan dikeluarkan, menunjukkan pertambahan sebanyak 17.8% berbanding 75,196 unit pada suku yang sama tahun lepas.
Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, menyatakan, “Suku ketiga tahun 2023 merupakan permulaan bagi Perodua untuk meningkatkan pengeluaran bulanan melebihi 30,000 unit setiap bulan berdasarkan kapasiti bekalan bahan mentah dan alat ganti yang mencukupi untuk memenuhi permintaan.”
Dalam pengeluaran sepanjang tahun ini, Perodua, pengeluar kereta kompak terkenal, telah menghasilkan 245,341 unit kenderaan sehingga September lalu, menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 15.7% dari 206,837 unit pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu.
Dato’ Sri Zainal berkata, “Peningkatan pengeluaran ini mencerminkan potensi ekosistem automotif Malaysia dengan peningkatan dalam skala ekonomi tanpa mengorbankan kecekapan kos dan kualiti.”
Beliau menyatakan bahawa dengan penambahbaikan ini, dijangka jualan dan pengeluaran Perodua pada suku keempat tahun ini akan mencapai tahap tertinggi dalam sejarah syarikat.
“Kami juga komited untuk mengurangkan tempoh menunggu pelanggan. Kami yakin bahawa bermula Januari 2024, tempoh menunggu akan dapat diuruskan dengan lebih baik,” tambahnya.
Pada masa ini, pendaftaran terkini Perodua telah mencapai 233,227 unit dalam sembilan bulan pertama tahun ini, berbanding 196,354 unit pada tempoh yang sama tahun lalu.
Daripada jumlah pendaftaran itu, model Perodua yang paling popular sehingga September 2023 adalah Perodua Bezza, diikuti oleh Perodua Axia dan Perodua Myvi.
“Kemajuan positif ini telah membantu Perodua meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran dan memendekkan tempoh penghantaran kenderaan kepada pelanggan yang kami hargai. Kami juga masih berusaha untuk mencapai sasaran pendaftaran sebanyak 314,000 unit pada tahun ini,” kata Dato’ Sri Zainal.
Sementara itu, dalam perbandingan bulan ke bulan, Perodua telah mendaftarkan 28,995 unit kenderaan pada bulan September 2023, menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 15.1% dari 24,626 pada September 2022.
Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad
Dalam pengeluaran, Perodua telah menghasilkan 31,447 kenderaan pada bulan September 2023, menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 7.5% dari 29,077 unit pada bulan September tahun lalu.
Perodua has reported a remarkable 28.3% increase in sales for the third quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. In this quarter, Perodua sold 88,537 units, a substantial growth from the 69,011 units sold during the third quarter of 2022.
This surge in sales can be attributed to Perodua’s efforts to enhance production operational efficiency. In the third quarter of 2023, Perodua manufactured a total of 91,528 units, marking an impressive increase of 21.7% when compared to the 75,196 units produced during the same period in 2022.
The third quarter of 2023 marked the beginning of an initiative to boost the company’s monthly production to over 30,000 units per month. This became possible as supplies of raw materials and parts could finally meet the rising demand.
For the year-to-date figures, Perodua has produced 245,341 units as of September 2023. This represents a substantial 18.6% increase from the 206,837 units produced during the same period in the previous year. This growth showcases the potential of the Malaysian automotive ecosystem, as it continues to enhance economies of scale without compromising quality and cost efficiency.
In terms of year-to-date registrations, Perodua reported 233,227 units for the first nine months of 2023, compared to 196,354 units for the same period in the previous year. Among these registered units, the most popular Perodua model during this period was the Perodua Bezza, followed by the Perodua Axia and the Perodua Myvi.
Perodua is on track to achieve its registration target of 314,000 units for this year. In September 2023, the company registered 28,995 units, marking a 17.7% increase compared to the same month in 2022. In terms of production, Perodua manufactured 31,447 cars in September 2023, reflecting a 8.2% increase from the 29,077 units produced in September 2022.
Booked a Perodua Alza or want to book one? Well, you will have to wait in line just like everyone else. Most of those who booked the Alza last year still have not received their cars.
The new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Perodua Alza is still the brand’s model with the longest waiting period, which may go up to more than 13 months, according to an internal document published in January of this year.
Perodua has been on a sales rampage of sorts. In comparison to the 131,641 cars produced in the same period of 2022, Perodua produced 153,813 cars in the first half of 2023, which is a 17% increase.
In the first half of 2023 (1H23), registrations increased by 13.6% to 144,690 vehicles from 127,343 units sold during the same time in the previous year as a result of this manufacturing achievement.
With a total of 40,555 units sold between January and June, the Perodua Bezza has been the brand’s best-selling model thus far this year. The Perodua Myvi and Perodua Axia have each sold 32,319 and 28,199 units, respectively.
Perodua also stated that it will continue to increase its operational efficiencies, and as a result, is on track to fulfil its 330,000 production and 314,000 registration targets.
When comparing quarter to quarter, Perodua produced 69,013 automobiles in 2Q23, up 1% from 68,316 at the same time last year.
According to Perodua, one of the significant advancements it has made is a reduction in the tact time (the amount of time it takes to build a vehicle) at the Perodua Global Manufacturing plant (PGMSB) from 1.35 minutes to 1.25 minutes.
The recently launched Axia E was well received and the ready stock of 2,500 vehicles were completely distributed within 48 hours.
In addition to that, Bank Negara Malaysia kept its overnight policy rate steady at 3% which helped ease the financial cost of Perodua’s lower income earning customers.
