Perodua Myvi Archives

Perodua Ativa From A Myvi Driver’s Perspective: To Trade Up, Or Not?

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.

Ativa Specifications:

Engine: 1.0, 3-cylinder, turbocharged

Power: 95hp @ 6000rpm

Torque: 140Nm @ 2400rpm

Transmission: D-CVT

Suspension: MacPherson Strut (Front) H-Shape Torsion Beam (Rear)

We like: Build quality, features

We don’t like: Too similar to the Myvi

Perodua Bezza Lebih Popular Dari King Myvi Buat Kali Pertama

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.

2019 Perodua Bezza Limited Edition Malaysia Motorshow 16

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 Reports 28.3% Sales Increase in Q3 2023

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.

Perodua Sales Better Than 2022, And It’s About To Get Better

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.

Perodua sales volume increased by 6.4% despite challenging conditions in first quarter of 2022

In spite of the challenging conditions during the first quarter of 2022, some of which were carried over from the floods of December 2021, Perodua was able to steadily build up its volume again over the three months.

The Malaysian carmaker reports that it ended the quarter with 61,624 vehicles delivered to customers nationwide. This was an increase of 6.4% compared to the same period in 2021.

On a month-on-month comparison, 26,759 vehicles were delivered in March 2022, a 9.5% increase from the 24,433 units reported in March 2021. Its February sales volume was 17,421 units, almost the same as in January, with the two months being unusually low as the carmaker’s production was affected by parts supply issues.

*Production data for March 2022 not available at time of publishing.*

According to Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, the impact of COVID-19 and component supply issues are still present. However, the company has been able to work with its suppliers and dealers to lessen their impact.

“Our focus is now to expedite the vehicles delivery to our customers before the sales tax exemption deadline ends on June 30, 2022. That being said, Perodua also echoes the Malaysian Automotive Association’s request to further extend the sales tax exemption as factors such as the global semiconductor supply disruption and COVID-19 cases are still impacting the industry,” he added.

Dato’ Zainal said that the automotive industry, including its local ecosystem, thanks the government for the initiative (in the form of the sales tax exemption) as it was able to keep demand high and sustain the industry throughout the worst of the pandemic.

“Right now, the local automotive ecosystem is starting to recover and an extension in the sales tax exemption is what the industry needs for sustained growth during this recovery period,” he said.

*New transmissions at a supplier’s factory in Negeri Sembilan ready for delivery to Perodua’s factory.*

“Moving forward, we foresee the second quarter of 2022 to be the highlight for the automotive industry as brands will deliver as many vehicles as they can within that 3-month period. While semiconductor chip supply and COVID-19 would still influence production, we expect that production and registration will continue to improve,” said Dato’ Zainal

He added that the company does not foresee other factors such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to have a major impact on the company’s production moving forward. Based on these factors, Perodua is maintaining its 247,000 sales target for 2022.

Perodua to surge forward in 2022 with RM1.326 billion investment

After two difficult years with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the global semiconductor shortage which started last year, Perodua is looking towards a stronger recovery in 2022. The Malaysian carmaker delivered 190,291 vehicles in 2021 – 13.6% lower than the volume reported in 2020 – but has set a target of 247,800 units for this year.

Speaking to the media during the annual press conference today, Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said that this volume would amount to around 40.6% market share, based on Perodua’s own forecast of 610,000 units which is a bit higher than the 600,000 units forecast for 2022 by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) recently. In 2021, Perodua, as market leader again, had a 37.4% market share.

*Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.*

Production target of 265,900 vehicles
With the target set at 247,800 units, Perodua plans to produce 265,900 vehicles during the year, which is 37.5% higher compared to 193,400 vehicles produced in 2021. The number is higher as the company produces extra as ‘buffer stock’ in case there are disruptions in production. The increase in production would also result in an increase in locally-sourced automotive parts by 41.5% to RM7.5 billion as compared with the RM5.3 billion purchased in 2021.

Commenting on the performance of 2021, Dato’ Zainal said the year was challenging as the country and its main industries had to cope with various crises throughout the year. “Demand remained strong for all our models with the Myvi leading the list with 47,525 units, followed by the Axia with 43,080 units, Bezza with 42,698 units, Ativa with 26,847 units, Aruz with 15,313 units and the Alza with 14,828 units,” he said.

*The Myvi continued to be the bestselling model for Perodua and also the bestselling car in Malaysia in 2021.*

Dato’ Zainal explained that the sales tax exemption initiative introduced by the government is still an excellent incentive for the consumer to purchase new cars. It was extended until June 30, 2022 and Perodua is hopeful that it might be extended again, which would have a positive effect on sales.

“Our order book for new vehicles is still quite healthy with the guarantee that the production will go uninterrupted will mean that we could fulfil the outstanding orders in a timely manner,” he said, adding that assurances by the government that the measures of containing the pandemic is showing success that another lockdown would not happen.

“With that being said, we have learnt a lot from this situation and have incorporated effective counter-measures to ensure that we will be able to face them better if they re-occur,” he said.

Over RM1 billion investment
During 2022, Perodua’s investments will go pass the 1 billion ringgit mark to RM1.326 billion. The development of a new model will take the biggest chunk of RM529.1 million, with improvements to manufacturing facilities and processes taking RM321.3 million.

It’s almost certain that much of the RM529.1 million allocated for new model development will be for the next generation of the Alza which has been around since 2009. It’s still a popular MPV, with almost 15,000 units sold last year.

Perodua will also spend RM46.6 million on digitalization which it sees as being very important in view of trends that show consumers making more use of online and digital services. This will encompass the entire company as well as its dealers and vendors and for customers, the initiative will be seen in the development of a Connected Vehicle as well as e-Manuals and more extensive use of online communications.

The digitalization move will also see the retail network being changed. Just as the banking industry has seen a steady reduction in branches over the past 10 years, Perodua’s outlets will also be adjusted accordingly. Nevertheless, physical showrooms will still exist even though online channels have been made available for communications and sales enquiries.

Upgrading dealerships
Additionally, the existing 1S/2S outlets will be upgraded to 3S outlets that provide a full range of sales and aftersales services to customers. Perodua is encouraging the small dealers to have a more entrepreneurial attitude and develop their businesses further so they can enjoy greater success. In fact, there is a special programme for this which 56 dealers are participating in to learn entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and business survival.

Exports over the past two years have been minimal due to the pandemic and as some of the overseas markets remain closed, no vehicles have been sent. However, some shipments have been made to Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia though they have been small in number. The company is interested in exports but not as a primary business. It also wants to ensure that wherever it exports to, it will have a proper understanding of market conditions and customer requirements to ensure that the products are right and can be well accepted.

Perodua hopes to eventually be given the role of a regional hub for Daihatsu’s R&D activities for the ASEAN region. Since the 2000s, it has built up its capabilities and can now handle full upper body development on its own.

Aiming to be regional production hub
While Proton has stated its aim to be a strong regional player in time to come, Perodua is aiming to become a regional hub, not in vehicle sales but in R&D. Since it started in 1993, it has been steadily building up its R&D capability which accelerated when the 2000s began. Its involvement in the development of the first Myvi, which was jointly developed with Daihatsu and Toyota, was a great opportunity to learn and today, Perodua has full capability for upper body development.

It has been given increasing responsibilities by Daihatsu in development work for ASEAN products and Perodua personnel have even been assisting Daihatsu in Indonesia in some product development work. Dato’ Zainal said that it is possible Perodua could eventually become the R&D hub in ASEAN for Daihatsu. This would be something like Toyota having moved its R&D activities for the Hilux out of Japan to Thailand (although in that move, it was to its own subsidiary).

*If Perodua offers electric vehicles, it will make sure they are affordable as its mission has always been to provide Malaysians with affordable mobility.*

Perodua EVs?
On the move towards electric vehicles, Dato’ Zainal sounded positive towards the aims of the government to shift towards electrified vehicles in the effort to address climate change. However, Perodua is still studying the matter to determine what approach to take and is having discussions with Daihatsu as well. “What is important is that if we offer electric vehicles, they must be affordable for Malaysians as that is what Perodua has always strived to do,” he said.

Perodua offers assistance to flood-affected customers with 50% discount on selected parts

Perodua ends 2021 with 190,291 vehicles sold, with Myvi continuing as bestselling model in the country

In 2020, although the COVID-19 pandemic started, Perodua was able to sell 220,154 vehicles. However, in 2021, apart from the disruption of a long suspension of business, the supply issues for semiconductors and more recently, severe floods in many states, saw the carmaker’s sales volume for the year falling by 13.6%to 190,291 units.

The drop might have been slightly more but a last big push in December managed to increase the sales volume in the final month of 2021 to 22,940 units, 13% higher than the November volume. Part of the reason for the higher volume was also due to countermeasures on intermittent supply disruption due to COVID-19 issues, enabling more vehicles to leave the two factories.

“The 190,291 registrations were below our target of 200,000 units for 2021 as the challenges in 2021 was greater than anticipated,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “God-willing, deliveries will further improve in the coming months.”

The Myvi, updated in mid-November, continued to be the bestselling model in the Malaysian market with 47,525 units delivered nationwide. It has taken the market-leading position for 12 of the past 15 years, with the other 3 years being taken by the smaller Axia which, together with the Bezza, dominating the country’s A-segment.

Looking at overall industry performance in 2021, Dato’ Zainal said that the Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the year would also see a similar sales impact with an estimated decrease of 23.6% to 504,536 units from the 528,172 units sold in 2020.

“Despite the lower than expected performance for 2021, our countermeasures for the impact of COVID-19 have proven successful so far as we and our suppliers are dynamically cooperating and coordinating our efforts to ensure interruptions are minimised,” he said.

“These efforts include having a ready team of personnel to take active countermeasures at an alternate site if a supplier is under lockdown and also by allocating Perodua staff to shore up any suppliers that need temporary manpower replacements,” he revealed.

“The local automotive supply chain has also taken a massive setback in recent years. However, there is a silver lining as the order bank for Perodua vehicles remains healthy as consumers are still responding positively to the sales tax exemption introduced by the government,” Dato’ Zainal said.

On the year ahead, Dato’ Zainal said that the company had offered a forecast of 240,000 units for 2022. However, this number will likely be reviewed later this month, taking into consideration the latest developments and events.

Regarding the recent Perodua Flood Assistance programme, Dato’ Zainal said about 1,675 owners have responded to the programme and their vehicles are being inspected at Perodua service centres across the country.

“The Perodua Flood Assistance programme, which was announced by the Prime Minister, December 26 2021, has drawn a lot of interest from the public. Our priority now is to work with the insurance companies as well as other our other partners to hasten any approval process needed to repair and restore the flood damaged vehicles,” Dato Zainal said.

“We understand that most of our customers rely on their Perodua for their daily activities and we will do our best to assist,” he added. Perodua is offering up to 50% discount on selected parts needed to repair flood-damaged vehicles, and there will be no charge for labour for repair work (excluding car cleaning and detailing).

Perodua owners whose vehicles have been damaged by flood can contact the company’s support line 1-800-88-5555 to get assistance, especially for towing services (terms and conditions apply). To locate a Perodua service centre in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Perodua offers assistance to flood-affected customers with 50% discount on selected parts

New Perodua Myvi launched with 5 variants, priced from RM45,700 to RM58,800

Four years ago, Perodua launched the third generation of the Myvi, a model which had propelled the brand to the No. 1 position in the Malaysian market when it was introduced in 2005. And every year after that, sales kept growing and helped Perodua to maintain its dominance in the home market. So well built was the Myvi at Perodua’s factory that Daihatsu, its partner, has even been taking Malaysian-made cars for sale in Indonesia under its own brand.

With such a successful background, it must be challenging for the team when it comes round to updating the model, especially if it is to be a full model change. But this time around, the full model change is not yet due and as would be typical in a product cycle, updates are done to refresh the appearance as well as add some new features and technologies.

*Prices shown exclude insurance premium and sales tax.*

Switch to CVT, no more manual transmission
The New Myvi range consists of the 3 variants with 1.5-litre engines – AV (Advance Variant), H and X, and a G variant with a 1.3-litre engine. While the engines are the same as before, the automatic transmission has been completely changed to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Factory tests show that this new transmission can improve fuel consumption by up to 5% as well as quicken acceleration by 20%. The CVT is made in Malaysia at a Perodua-owned factory in Negeri Sembilan which is next to the factory making the engines.

For those who prefer manual transmissions, this option won’t be available any longer. Over the years, demand for the Myvi with manual transmission has been decreasing. Perhaps it’s the congestion in many places or people simply appreciate the convenience of auto-shifting more. As the demand for manual transmissions has dropped to a level where it does not make business sense for Perodua, they have decided to stop offering it although they will consider it if demand is higher.

So if you want them to produce a manual Myvi, then you need to help get more customers who want it – not just your own circle of friends but hundreds more… every month. That is the sort of challenge for a manufacturer when it has started to hit very high volumes. Smaller volumes of a variant can become less cost-effective with the extra work or different parts.

For Perodua, which is at the entry level end of the market, costs are crucial (not that they are not for any other carmaker) and adding anything new needs to be justified with continued growth. The new product has to be improved in a way that attracts more customers, not just sustain sales.

Perodua Smart Drive Assist +ASA
Fortunately, being affiliated with the Toyota Group (which Daihatsu is part of), Perodua can enjoy lower costs on some shared components. They have used this advantage by upgrading the safety system in the new Myvi to what is now called the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system. Available in the top variant (Myvi 1.5 AV), PSDA is an expanded package of active safety systems which originally started with the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) system. ASA has four systems which essentially relate to Autonomous Emergency Braking.

With PSDA, drivers also have Driving Assist, Parking Assist and Headlamp Assist, and when combined, the Myvi has Level 2 autonomous driving capability (as per the American SAE classification). This allows the driver a degree of reduced involvement while driving but he must still have control and take action if necessary in emergencies. However, if he does not respond, then some of the systems will activate automatically to prevent an accident.

Level 2 autonomy
Perodua says that this is the first time a car company in Malaysia is offering a model with Level 2 autonomy for under RM60,000. For those who want to save a bit more money and feel they can do without the PSDA, Perodua offers an alternative G version without PSDA for RM2,000 less. They are probably doing this to gauge customer response and quite likely, most people will still pay the RM2,000 as it does not bump up the monthly instalment by much anyway.

Driving Assist has systems which provide Adaptive Cruise Control as well as keep the car within its lane. These mean the driver can be less fatigued on long journeys and in the event of reduce concentration, safety can still be maintained (although there will be warnings to alert the driver who should then stop and rest). A Blindspot monitor is also present, ensuring that the driver has situational awareness whenever making lane changes.

Parking Assist will help the driver park properly and safely. While there isn’t the overhead view that more expensive models have nowadays, there is a reverse camera and sensors front and rear to alert the driver of distances from obstacles or walls.

A significant new safety feature is Rear Cross Traffic Alert which, not so long ago, was only available on premium models. This system sends out radar signals to either side of the car as it is reversing out of a parking bay. The driver’s view may be blocked so the system is valuable in detecting approaching vehicles and alerting the driver so he can stop reversing, avoiding a possible accident.

As for Headlamp Assist, this is a system that automatically switches the headlamp from high to low beam. The driver can have maximum illumination when there is no approaching vehicle but when there is, the headlamps automatically switch to low beam, thereby avoiding blinding the other driver. Once there is no other vehicle, the high beams will be activated again. Of course, as has been the case for a long time, the rearview mirror has an anti-glare feature so that the driver is not disturbed by the lights of vehicles behind.

Perodua’s ASA makes use of a new stereo camera system mounted at the top of the windscreen. These are very sophisticated ‘eyes’ that scan the road ahead and the imagery is sent to a computer for analysis and where potential dangers are determined, warnings will alert the driver and if action is not taken, automatic braking will take place, or the system will guide the car to stay in its lane.

2021 Perodua Myvi — *Stereo cameras mounted at the top of the windscreen are the ‘eyes’ of the PSDA system.*

Driver attention still necessary
It should be noted that PSDA is for assistance and cannot fully replace the driver’s decision-making and attention. The ASA is in its 3^rd generation and more advanced, able to recognize cyclists and pedestrians. However, in some conditions like very heavy rain, the ability of the camera to detect may be reduced and therefore the driver needs to be more attentive in such situations.

Auto Door Locking is now standard and while it is not a new feature for cars, it is good that Perodua is now providing it. The system not only automatically locks all doors when the car’s speed exceeds 20 km/h but also locks if the brake pedal is depressed. Keeping the doors locked these days is better for personal safety so that passersby cannot just open the door and snatch belongings out.

Functional changes within
Inside the new Myvi, the changes are more functional rather than visual. The centre touchscreen is now slightly larger, going from 6.2 inches to 6.9 inches. It also uses the same interface as the Ativa which has improved user-friendliness.

The leather upholstery for the Myvi AV is new and so is the fabric for the Myvi G, which is at the other end of the range. Sharp-eyed Myvi owners may notice that the air-conditioner ring is now painted instead of chrome and for the Myvi AV, the centre cluster is now finished in a sporty red colour instead of being silver.

The exterior of the new Myvi has not been altered radically, which is the case when a model is midpoint through its generation. But there are the usual changes in the bumper design and grille design as these can be made easily without new metal body panels. They are mostly plastic which is easily reshaped. The door mirrors are now also finished in black instead of the body colour.

As for colours, there’s a choice of 5 colours, with Cranberry Red being new and only available for the Myvi AV. Other colour choices are Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red (not available for the AV), Granite Grey, and Electric Blue.

Will the Myvi be electrified?
Will the next Myvi be electrified? Before, Perodua used to respond by explaining that with its small engines and light weight, the fuel efficiency levels were already quite high, so switching to hybrid powertrains was unnecessary. However, in recent times, things have changed as carbon neutrality has become important, meaning emissions of carbon dioxide need to be cut down as a measure to stop climate change.

This has led Perodua to reconsider its powertrains for the future and it appears that the carmaker is aligned with the position taken by its affiliate, UMW Toyota Motor, which is that hybrid electric vehicles are better suited for Malaysia than battery electric vehicles – at this time. Perodua looks at the bigger picture of ‘well-to-wheel’ and given the current infrastructure and power generation in Malaysia, fully electric vehicles may not be the best approach.

The company is already running at least one hybrid model on Malaysian roads, partly to test the system in local conditions and also to get public feedback. The technology is already available and Daihatsu has powertrains which can be provided, if required. In fact, Daihatsu was already investigating hybrid powertrains as far back as 1981 and had a running prototype which is showed at the Tokyo Motorshow that year.

But unless the government introduces some drastically different policies in coming years, the Myvi is likely to still have combustion engines for some time to come. In the meantime, if you are shopping for a new car in this price range, check out the new Myvi which certainly offers good value for money as always.

To locate a showroom to test-drive or view the new Myvi, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Updated Perodua Myvi to be launched soon, bookings now accepted

The Perodua Myvi, Malaysia’s bestselling car, has received an upgrade with cosmetic changes, enhanced intelligent safety features, improved fuel economy, and a new colour as well. The prices will range from RM45,700 to RM58,800 (Peninsular Malaysia, without insurance) Sales tax will not be charged until June 30, 2022.

The variants available will be the 1.5 litre AV (Advance Variant), 1.5 litre H, a 1.5 litre X as well as two 1.3 litre G variants. All variants will now only be available with automatic transmission (probably CVT) as Perodua has discontinued the manual transmission from its line-up. This is probably due to demand for manual variants having diminished to the point that it is no longer commercially viable to assemble them as the volume is too small.

Though all Peroduas are pretty economical to run, being able to go further would be welcome by anyone, especially in these difficult times. The engineers at Perodua have been able to squeeze an extra kilometre per litre (based on tests with the 1.3-litre engine) to improve fuel consumption to 22.2 kms per litre from 21.1 kms/litre. Of course, how much you actually get will depend on driving style, traffic conditions, etc. But most people should be able to go at least 800 kms on a full tank.

The AV, H and X variants as well as one of the G variants will have the latest Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) system, designed with the safety of the driver and pedestrian in mind. After testing the Myvi AV, ASEAN NCAP awarded the maximum rating of 5 stars.

As for the new colour, this is known as Cranberry Red, and it is only available for the Myvi AV. Other colour choices are Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red (not available for the AV), Granite Grey, and Electric Blue.

“These changes represent our efforts to meet our customers’ growing expectations while at the same time offer greater value by introducing the Next Standard for Malaysia’s most accepted model, the Perodua Myvi,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Bookings are now accepted at all authorised Perodua outlets nationwide. For more information or to locate a showroom, visit www.perodua.com.my.

New sales and production records set in October by Perodua

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could still spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

Malaysia’s three bestselling models help Perodua achieve 42% market share

Perodua delivered a total of 23,203 vehicles last month, which was the best sales month in 2020 for the Malaysian carmaker, beating the June volume by 9.2%. This brings the cumulative volume for the first 7 months to 97,373 units. For the same period in 2019, it was over 141,000 units, which shows the impact that the Movement Control Order (MCO) had on new vehicle sales this year.

Three bestsellers of 2020
The carmaker estimates its July and year-to-date market shares to stand at 40% and 42%, respectively. The models contributing to this were the Myvi, Axia and Bezza which, according to Perodua, are Malaysia’s top three best-selling vehicles in the first seven months of 2020.

Cumulative sales of the Myvi were 29,313 units, while the Axia reached 28,107 units, and the Bezza ended July at 25,416 units.

“The Perodua Myvi, Malaysia’s best-selling vehicle every year since 2006, has recently been upgraded with the latest Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 suite of driver assistance safety systems. It remains one of the most affordable cars with advanced safety features in the country,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Higher sales will help automotive eco-system
“Since our operations restarted after the 2-month Movement Control Order (MCO) closure, sales volumes have rebounded swiftly, aided by the government’s sales tax exemption which will run until the end of the year. Should this encouraging trend continue, the healthy volume will enable us to further bolster Malaysia’s automotive eco-system of suppliers and dealers in this time of need,” he said.

According to Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) estimates, a Total Industry Volume of at least 500,000 units is needed this year to ensure the continued survival of the automotive eco-system. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has offered a forecast of 470,000 units of new vehicle sales after obtaining input from its members.

“Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, we understand that we must work to our fullest capacity to help shore up the Malaysian economy and ensure jobs are protected. As the market leader, Perodua’s utmost priority is to continue providing the best products and services to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. We are committed to continue offering better value propositions to all Malaysians in the forms of affordability, quality, technology and the latest advanced features,” said Dato’ Zainal.

All of Perodua’s current models have over 90% local content and with its economies of scale, service parts are affordable and readily available, giving its valued customers total peace of mind. Dato’ Zainal added that Perodua embodies the concept of ‘Simple, Slim and Compact’ in all its operations, including interactions with all its stakeholders, while never forgetting its People First focus.

Latest Perodua Myvi gets upgraded A.S.A. 2.0 safety system

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