Sales of new vehicles will not require payment of Sales Tax this year. For models that are assembled locally (CKD), the exemption will be 100% while for imported (CBU) models, the exemption will be 50%.
These are incentives which the Prime Minister today announced as part of the Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan. The plan has 40 iniatives totalling RM35 billion and the tax exemptions for the auto industry are for the period from June 15 until December 31, 2020.
Sales tax is set at 10% so purchasers of locally-assembled models will not have to pay that entire amount, while those who buy CBU models will have to pay half of the sales tax that would be payable. The revisions should be quite straightforward although the car companies will now have to accept that people will hold back their purchases for another 10 days.
Among the first in the industry to comment on the development, UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Ravindran K. said: “This is indeed good news for the auto industry and we are grateful to the government for assisting this sector. The full savings will be passed on to customers and we expect that the reduced prices will help to revitalize the automotive industry.”
Mr. Ravindran said that the company already has new models planned for launch this year. “With the tax exemptions, we will be making the relevant adjustments to the retail prices of all our models and apply them by June 15,” he added.
“The Malaysian auto industry, like those in other countries, has been greatly affected by the long period of inactivity during the Movement Control Order period. Apart from lost sales and production, there is also consumer sentiment which is uncertain of the future. Therefore, we appreciate the support from the government to help boost the industry,” said Akio Takeyama,
Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been very hard on virtually every industrial sector, not just in Malaysia but also in other countries. As the situation eases, governments are now looking at ways to help industries recover as quickly as possible so the economy can be revitalized.
The auto sector in Malaysia is no exception and the shutdown will have implications on the Total Industry Volume in 2020. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has given a forecast of 400,000 units.
Looking for a new SUV? If you choose the latest Volkswagen Tiguan, you can save money on the purchase provided you book and register it by June 30, 2020. For the first six months after your loan term commences, you will not have to pay any monthly instalment as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will cover that amount for you.
Of course, how much you actually save depends on the financing you need (which must be taken from the recommended financial institutions) but on the assumption of a monthly instalment of RM1,630, you will save RM9,780.
Save another RM4,000 more!
Do the booking online at the Volkswagen eShowroom and you’ll get an additional RM4,000 rebate, lowering the amount of financing you need to take on the H-P loan (terms and conditions apply).
But whether you choose to book online or directly with an authorised Volkswagen dealer, you still won’t need to pay any instalment in the first 6 months. That’s great in these times as your first payment would then be in January 2021.
For added convenience, the new vehicle can be delivered right your home with the free Volkswagen Home Delivery service, available to new owners located within 20 kms from dealerships.
Related: Volkswagen Home Delivery Service in Malaysia
Global bestseller
The Tiguan is Volkswagen’ global bestseller and is also one of the top three most popular SUVs in the world. It is currently in its second generation since the model was first introduced in 2007. For the Malaysian market, the SUV has a 150 ps/250 Nm 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged direct injection petrol engine with a 6-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG).
Despite its brisk performance, thanks to having a smaller engine displacement, the Tiguan can also be economical to run, and Volkswagen says it can travel up to 800 kms on a full tank of fuel.
A highlight is the Digital Cockpit which features a high-resolution display with a three-view customizable screen via the infotainment with over 30 combination options. The infotainment system has App-Connect which can use MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple Carplay to bring apps on smartphones to the dashboard.
Safety features are also extensive with 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Multi-collision brakes, Intelligent Crash Response System, Electronic Parking Brake as well as hill-hold control.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more or to make a booking online.
Following a recent announcement by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Perodua has expressed its support for the government’s initiatives to sustain Malaysia’s automotive industry amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
“Perodua is in full support of the government’s aim to fortify Malaysia’s automotive industry in these trying times, and its various initiatives to achieve that aim,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“As Malaysia’s biggest carmaker by volume, we are eager and ready to step forward and work with the government to ensure the industry’s continued survival in this difficult time,” he added.
TIV needs to be 500,000 units
According to reports, MARii estimates a 28% drop in new car sales this year due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) brought about by COVID-19. It estimates that a minimum 500,000 units for the Total Industry Volume (TIV) would be needed in 2020 for automotive businesses’ continued survival.
According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) which compiles monthly sales report, the TIV up till the end of April was 106,601 units. This means that monthly sales for the remaining 8 months would have to be around 49,175 units to reach MARii’s figure.
Based on consultation with its members which are the various importers and distributors, the MAA has already revised its forecast downwards by 33% to 400,000 units from 600,000 units. That’s a TIV level almost similar to what was achieved 19 years ago in 2001
Incentives proposed to stimulate demand
Among the incentives MARii outlined to stimulate demand are a temporary waiver on downpayments, reduced loan interest rates and joint subsidies between carmakers and the government for roadtax and insurance for a limited period.
“It is indeed a challenging time for all of us. However, Perodua is confident that with the government’s collaboration, the industry as well as its ecosystem of suppliers and dealers will be able to weather the storm together,” Dato’ Zainal said.
As reported earlier, Perodua sold delivered 7,886 vehicles in May and a total of 52,920 vehicles during the first five months of 2020. This accounted for a 41% share of the market against an estimated January-May TIV of 129,401 units.
“Perodua is also doing its part to sustain its vast ecosystem of suppliers and dealers. Besides our volume, we assist and support them through investments, purchases and advance purchases, longer credit terms as well as various operational transformation initiatives and development programmes,” Dato’ Zainal added.
Click here to find out more about the latest happenings at Perodua.
As the decade of the 2000s began, Toyota started the IMV (Innovative international Multi-purpose Vehicle) program to develop a range of dual-purpose products that could be produced efficiently in large volumes at selected locations outside Japan. It was a bold venture, comparable to the development of the Lexus brand and products, as it transferred virtually all product development and manufacturing away from Japan.
The IMV program had 3 models – the Hilux, Fortuner and Innova – and they have all done well around the world in the markets they were targeted at. Two generations have been produced with the second generation which was introduced in 2015 now getting an upgrade at what is considered the midlife of the product cycle. That suggests that the cycle will be 10 years or so, which was the length of the previous generation.
The upgrades, announced for the Hilux and Fortuner, typically refresh the appearances while introducing multiple improvements to engine, driving and towing performance.
Improved engine
The most significant changes are under the skin where new and revised engine components result in noticeable gains to output with sizeable cuts to fuel consumption.
New and uprated components have resulted in an even more robust 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (1GD-FTV), enabling maximum power to rise to 201 bhp/500 Nm, While delivering impressive gains of 27 bhp and 50 Nm, additional measures including improved cooling have enabled fuel consumption to be reduced across the board, particularly in city driving where the improvement is said to be more than 17%.
The Hilux range retains the 2.4-litre turbodiesel and 2.7-litre petrol engines along with the choice of three transmissions, 4×2 and 4×4 drive. Suspension upgrades – including revised shock-absorber tuning, new bushings and improved leafspring design – improved ride comfort, particularly over rough roads and with low loads while maintaining the legendary off-road capabilities.
In the 4×4 models with downhill-assist control, an additional traction control feature when using 2WD mode reroutes torque to assist grip in muddy or grassy conditions on worksites.
Greater towing capability
Towing capacity for the automatic 4×4 Hilux has been upgraded to a maximum of 3500 kgs to match the manual versions. On 4×2 variants, all diesel automatics are now rated at 2800 kgs, an increase of up to 300 kgs. The upgraded Fortuner has a 300 kg increase in the maximum braked towing capacity which takes it to 3,100 kgs.
Refreshed looks
For the updated Fortuner, the cosmetic changes are a unique surround for the larger black grille, restyled bumpers with a ‘skid-plate design’ below the front bumper, more prominent foglamp bezels, and slimmer headlamps upgraded to LEDs. New LED taillight clusters are also available in some variants.
The refreshed exterior styling of the Hilux maintains the tough, robust on-road presence of the highly popular pick-up model, in keeping with the global Toyota truck family. It projects a stronger presence with a large trapezoidal grille that dominates the front design and incorporates more pronounced horizontal elements that deliver a wider, more planted look. The grille surrounds differ by variant while there are newly designed headlights which are smaller for a ‘meaner’ look. LED lighting systems are available on some variants.
Inside, both models have been upgraded with the adoption of an 8-inch display for the infotainment system which has enhanced voice recognition and the latest smartphone integration functions. These include including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so smartphone apps can be accessed from the dashboard.
A 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument binnacle incorporates a digital speed readout, among other new functions.
While the primary production hub for the Hilux and Fortuner is at the Toyota factory in Thailand, it is also locally assembled in some countries, Malaysia being one of them. Under normal non-pandemic conditions, there would be some extra time needed before the new models are assembled due to sourcing and preparation of parts from local suppliers for the Malaysian models.
With the interruption by the months-long Movement Control Order that suspended virtually all activities, the schedules would have changed so it’s hard to say when these new models will be in showrooms.
Click here for other news and articles about Toyota.
Seems like with the industry resuming business, the car companies are trying to quickly make up for the lost months and deferred product introductions. After recently starting deliveries of the updated Honda BR-V, Honda Malaysia has now also announced an update for the RS version of the popular HR-V crossover SUV.
Second choice for interior colour
The update is a new interior colour – a classy dark brown leather which customers can choose as an alternative to the existing black leather theme. The dark brown leather materials are fitted to the centre console, front panel, driver and passenger seats (front and rear) as well as door panel lining.
No change in price
The price remains as RM124,800 (without insurance). Colour options are Passion Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.
Launched in 2015, there are more than 91,000 units of the HR-V on Malaysian roads. Right from the start, it was a hit as it arrived at the right time when the SUV market boom was accelerating. The facelifted HR-V which was introduced in January 2019 has sold more than 19,000 units with the RS variant contributing 21% to the total.
The HR-V RS is powered by a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine and uses an Earth Dreams Technology Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Functional features include a 7-inch display screen for the infotainment system, paddle shifters and the very useful LaneWatch system which provides a real-time view of the blindspot on the left side of the vehicle.
“The HR-V RS received overwhelming response from the market since we introduced it in early 2019. Then, based on customers’ feedback for an enhanced touch of sophistication, we introduced the stylish black leather interior for the HR-V RS. We are delighted to provide yet another selection of interior styling to suit the differing personalities of our discerning customers – the new classy dark brown leather interior. We are committed to continuously improve our product offerings as we listen to customers’ feedback and market demand,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.
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