Although its vehicles are very fuel-efficient, Perodua will also be starting on an electrification journey with hybrid powertrains. This will begin with a fleet of 300 Daihatsu Rocky Hybrids that have been imported for the purpose of testing in local conditions. The Rocky is the Daihatsu equivalent of the Perodua Ativa, while Toyota’s version is called the Raize.
Rather than conducting the testing itself (which it will also do), the carmaker will be offering the model to interested customers under a subscription program. The customers who will be offered the chance to participate will be existing customers who have booked an Ativa but have not received it.
5-year program Under the program, they will pay an upfront fee of RM2,150 and a monthly fee of RM500. The costs relating to insurance coverage, roadtax and scheduled maintenance will be covered by Perodua. The period of subscription will last for 5 years and customers will be required to allows tracking of their vehicle movements (using a GPS device) so that data on their driving and usage can be collected.
They will also have to provide feedback regularly and report on any technical issues they face. Within a year, the data from 300 SUVs should provide Perodua with a lot of information on the running conditions of the hybrid powertrain which they can use in developing their future powertrain for a later model. Whether it will be for the Ativa or another model remains to be seen.
The e-SMART HYBRID system Daihatsu has worked on hybrid powertrains for a long time, with the first prototype shown as far back as 1981. The latest hybrid powertrain in the Rocky Hybrid is an e-SMART HYBRID which has the capability of running purely on electric power. It uses a 1.2-litre engine and a transaxle specially developed for hybrid electric vehicles.
The transaxle, which efficiently transmits the motor output to the wheels, consists of a motor generator that drives and generates power, a speed reduction mechanism, and a differential mechanism. The two motors are optimally arranged to achieve compactness so that they can be installed in compact vehicles.
The Rocky HYBRID also has a Smart Pedal (S-PDL) which can adjust the vehicle’s speed just by stepping on or releasing the accelerator pedal. When using the S-PDL, the amount of regeneration increases due to the reduced deceleration caused by the brake pedal, contributing to improved fuel efficiency.
Second time having CBU vehicles This would be the second time that Perodua is importing completely built-up (CBU) Daihatsu vehicles. Back in 2008, the company brought in a batch of Daihatsu Terios SUVs from Indonesia. These were to be badged as the Perodua Nautica, the successor to the Kembara. However, the plan was scrapped after a year and Perodua did not have a SUV until the Aruz was introduced in 2019.
Perodua continues its support to public hospitals with the recent by contribution of medical diagnostic equipment to the Sarawak General Hospital. The initiative is to support the government’s mission in improving the quality of health services in the country and, at the same time, thank the dedicated frontliners.
The Malaysian carmaker contributed seven Vital Sign Monitors (for monitoring body temperature, pulse and respiration rate as well as blood pressure) worth a total of RM84,450. At the same time, hampers were presented to patients and staff in the paediatric ward of the hospital.
The handover ceremony was attended by Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad; Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Chief Operating Officer, JH Rozman Jaafar; Sarawak General Hospital Director, Dr. Ngian Hie Ung; and Deputy Director (Medical), Dr. Norinawaty Abg. Daud.
“We thank the staff of the Sarawak General Hospital for their service to the community, we hope our contribution will further benefit the people of Kuching and Sarawak,” Dato’ Zainal said.
“As part of our Corporate Responsibility initiative, we are always looking for opportunities to provide the best assistance to strengthen the country’s health system. As such, we are in constant communication with Ministry of Health and other relevant parties to continue our initiatives,” he added.
“This is one of our ways to thank the government and Malaysian, especially our customers who have given us their trust and support over the years,” he said.
To date, Perodua has donated medical and health equipment to public hospitals including Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Selayang, Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas, Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Hospital Ampang, Hospital Putrajaya and several community clinics within Hulu Selangor.
Last year, Perodua donated RM80,000 of medical supplies to Hospital Sg. Buloh which was a key medical facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Perodua was quick to use its resources in the war against the coronavirus. Besides health facilities, the carmaker also provided face shields to schools for the use of academic and support staff. The face shields were made by an associate of Perodua.
To know more about Perodua’s other Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, visit www.perodua.com.my.
After 12½ years, the second generation of the Perodua Alza has finally been launched. It’s a long time for a product to be in the market as normal cycles are around 5 years. However, during the lengthy period of production, the small MPV held a share of between 39% to as high as 61% of the MPV market in Malaysia as it was sold at an attractive price point.
Perodua doesn’t commit to a model without good data that indicates its potential, and whether to have a second generation of the Alza was debated for a long time. This was because of the rise of SUVs and carmakers go where the biggest numbers are, especially for a major player like Perodua. Without a substantial volume to enable it to be priced competitively, it would not justify the investment.
First generation of the Alza came out at the end of 2009.
Sharing development and costs
However, being in partnership with Daihatsu also has opportunities to be involved in joint development of models. This is a common practice in the industry as carmakers can share costs, and developing a new model does cost a huge amount of money. In this case, not only could Perodua share costs with Daihatsu but also Toyota for a new model that would come to be called the Xenia with a Daihatsu badge (mainly for Indonesia) and a Veloz with a Toyota badge – and an Alza when sold as a Perodua. And the total volume for the model would also be very much larger, making for good economies of scale.
While the main engineering work, architecture and drivetrains are common, each company has also done its own work on the design to have differentiation. Perodua has been growing its expertise in designing the upper body on its own since the first Myvi, and today, it can do even more. Thus while the new Alza may have similarities on paper to the Toyota and Daihatsu versions, it is also a model on its own.
RM770 million investment
To achieve the differentiation and also make the necessary investments in the factory cost Perodua RM770 million. The project, internally designated ‘D27A’ took about 4 years and in that time, the model was also prepared to have up to 95% of its parts sourced locally. This meant early and close collaboration with many suppliers around the country, including the powertrain factory which is in Negeri Sembilan.
When it comes to pricing its products, it’s always been a challenge for Perodua, being a Malaysian carmaker. Malaysians expect that because it is a ‘national’ carmaker, it should be able to offer cars at low and affordable prices. After all, that was one of the reasons for having the National Car Project and over the years, Perodua has done its best to keep prices down and enabled millions of Malaysians to own a new car.
With the Alza, the model started in 2009 with a price range from RM55,200 to RM68,000 for 3 variants. As the costs were gradually amortised, the company reduced prices in 2014 (instead of making more profit), with the top version costing RM4,500 less. By 2018, the Alza had been in the market almost 9 years and there were newer rivals so Perodua looked for ways to reduce its costs and adjusted the prices downwards slightly. The model would maintain its popularity and almost 400,000 would be sold by the end of production.
As shown on the pricelist above, the prices of the new Alza start at almost the same level (RM62,700) as the top version of the previous generation. But remember that this is 2022, and everything costs more (as any grocery shopper will tell you). The previous Alza had production costs at levels over 10 years ago and the new one starts with a new cost base – plus the fact that it also gets a lot of new technologies. Hopefully, Perodua will do the same thing over time and either maintain prices or even bring them down if possible.
Over 30,000 orders
Bookings have been accepted for the new Alza since June 23 and in 27 days, over 30,000 orders have been received nationwide – its highest ever. That’s an average of over 1,000 orders daily, although many may have quickly put their order in before the expiry of the sales tax exemption at the end of June so they could save some money. Perodua did not say how many bookings were received before June 30, but the government has allowed the sales tax exemption to be given to those customers if they can register their vehicles not later than March 31, 2023.
Perodua is known to usually build up a large volume of stocks before launch so they can quickly start deliveries. With production of the new Alza having started in June and a targeted volume of 3,000 units a month, the already large number of orders means that the waiting period could stretch to 10 months.
Will it be worth the wait? Here’s where we tell you all about the new Alza…
The Alza sits on a DNGA platform which is also used for the Ativa. It’s a platform and architecture that is standardized but also variable in some aspects so that it can be used for different types of models. In this way, many things can be shared to reduce costs while the bodyshell can be different.
A larger MPV
Compared to the previous Alza, the new one is much larger. With an overall length of 4425 mm (+205 mm) and width of 1660 mm (+35 mm), it covers a road area that is 3% larger. Interestingly, though, the wheelbase is still the same at 2750 mm. The larger size is also complemented by additional height and the new Alza’s roofline is 50 mm higher than before.
The ground clearance is interesting as it is more like a passenger car’s. With development of the model taking into consideration the Indonesian market where generous ground clearance is preferred, the 160 mm for the Alza is different from what is usually seen in the popular MPVs which are over 200 mm to cope better with rough roads and floods.
This shows how Perodua has been able to ‘Malaysianise’ its product according to local preferences, a contrast to the earlier years when they had to accept whatever specification was decided upon. In fact, this autonomous approach started with the current Myvi where Perodua was able to convince the Japanese side that the suspension settings need to be different for Malaysian conditions. It was a difficult pitch but proved to be the right one as the ride and handling of the car are appreciated by most drivers.
More expressive design
For styling, the areas which Perodua’s designers have been able to alter are basically at the ‘apertures’ – the openings for the grille, lights, etc. This is where they have given the Alza a different grille theme from the other models. But the many different angles of the surfaces make for a fussy appearance which is more apparent with light colours and less so with the dark colours. It’s probably what the designers call ‘expessiveness’.
The headlights are LED units so they use less energy, last longer and light up faster. Taking the Alza a notch up in its segment are the sequential signal lights at the top of each headlight unit. While they aren’t as fancy as those on some German models, they are nevertheless eye-catching and something special for this class of cars. At the very least, they give a visual signature that will identify the Alza from afar.
New, more efficient engine
The Alza continues with a 1.5-litre powertrain but while the displacement is the same as before, the engine is completely different. The previous engine was a 3SZ-VE with DVVT (Dual Variable Valve Timing) but the one in the new Alza is a 2NR-VE which DVVTi (the ‘i’ meaning ‘intelligence’). Being a newer engine with more recent technologies, the 2NR-VE has higher output of 106 ps/138 Nm, while the previous engine produced 103 ps/137 Nm. The extra power provides better performance as, in spite of its larger size, the new Alza weighs only 10 kgs more.
With the Dual Mode CVT (drivers can also shift manually), the Alza is claimed to be able to go up to 22 kms per litre. That‘s 65% better than before and based on the current fixed price of RON95 petrol, it should cost less than RM40 for a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.
The driver now has the option of going a bit further with each litre of petrol or having a sportier drive. It’s difficult for engineers to give both so it’s up to the driver who can just press a button to select ECO or POWER mode, and the engine characteristics will be adjusted accordingly. For daily driving, the NORMAL (default) mode would be best as it gives a balance of power and economy.
The engines and transmissions are made at factories in Negeri Sembilan,
Both the engine and the CVT are made at factories in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. Because of their local manufacture, they help push the amount of local content in the Alza to around 95% which is about as high as it gets. The other Perodua models also have a similarly high level of local content.
Versatile layout for up to 7 people
The interior is what a MPV is all about, with its versatility to carry more people or more cargo, or a balance of both. Perodua’s experience in MPVs goes back to the Kenari which was then referred to as a ‘MFV’ or ‘Multi Functional Vehicle’. Since then, it has gained much experience in interior packaging to the extent that when developing the first Myvi, the Perodua team was able to exert enough influence to have the cabin size made larger than what the Japanese were considering.
For the Alza, clever thinking has again gone into how the cabin is laid out as the wheelbase is unchanged from before (but the body is larger). The interior width has been extended by 35 mm while the length is 115 mm more. That means more legroom for the people in the second and third rows, with the second row seats being positioned 90 mm further away from the front seats.
The seats can be folded in various ways individually or together. When there’s a need to carry long items, the ‘Moving Out’ layout can be used where there are just two passengers up front and a very long floor area. In the ‘Jalan Jalan Cari Makan’ layout, all three rows are used for seating and can accommodate 7 people inside. From what we experienced sitting in the third row, it’s reasonably comfortable for adults – which is not always the case in some MPVs and SUVs.
Although the ground clearance is low, the seat height is still at a level where getting in is still easy enough for older people. The doors open very wide for easy access, and a single action tumbles the second row forward for getting into the third row.
Traditional dashboard with modern looks
Up front, the dashboard follows the latest trends of having a large tablet-like display panel in the middle. There’s a big change in the layout where the instrument panel is back to its traditional position ahead of the driver. In the first Alza, it was at the centre, a rather unusual location which was influenced then by studies that showed the further distance of the display to be better for viewing. This goes back to the first Toyota Prius which used such a layout and for a while, some Toyota and Daihatsu models followed it.
But now it seems that idea has faded away and the traditional arrangement is adopted. It certainly looks better as the absence of an instrument panel ahead of the steering wheel was rather odd! Like the Ativa, there are 4 graphic displays to choose from, each one presenting information in a different way.
The central area is dedicated to the infotainment system with a 9-inch panel that also doubles up as a display for the rearview and panoramic cameras. Controls on the panel are touch-sensitive but those for the air-conditioner are physical buttons, which is better. There are also switches on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to make adjustments or change settings without taking the hands off the steering wheel. Incidentally, all variants come with keyless entry and a pushbutton to start/stop the engine.
There’s also a centre console between the front seats now, which gives a more conventional appearance than the previous Alza which had an open space. It used a foot-operated parking brake which allowed space to be freed up. With the new Alza, the footbrake is gone and an electric parking brake is used. As this uses electric signals to activate the brake, there is no need for a long lever and just a small tab is enough. It’s not only space-saving but also requires almost no effort to operate and can be lifted with just a finger.
One thing we like is the location of the door lock switches (separate ones for lock and unlock) in the centre console. This makes it easier for the front passenger (or even the one in the second row) to lock the doors when necessary, instead of having to reach over to the driver’s door (as in many cars). The easier access will encourage locking the doors which will be good for security.
A new comfort feature is the provision of extra air-conditioner vents for the rearmost passengers. Given the length of the cabin, cool air might not reach all the way to the back. So a second blower has been installed on the ceiling, and the fan speed can be adjusted too.
Besides teh tarik hooks, what people need in cars today are recharging ports and cupholders. And the Perodua interior designers have made sure that both are provided. There are three USB ports and two power sockets, and lots of cupholders all over the place. Even if you don’t have that many drinks, they are useful for your phone or small items like coins.
The Alza can swallow up a lot of cargo but it depends on how the seats are set. For maximum volume – 498 litres (158 litres more than before) – the third row backrests have to be folded down. But even with the third row in use, there’s still 137 litres of space (54 litres more than before) and additional storage space under the floorboard.
A safer Alza
Entry-level models are usually the last to get advanced safety features that typically start at the top end with the expensive premium models. The cost of new and advanced systems is high initially, so they cannot be offered in low-priced models. Eventually, they do ‘trickle down’ as the costs drop and then become standard. Systems like ABS, airbags, laminated glass and electronic stability control are examples. 20 years ago, you would not have expected to see them as standard in Peroduas.
But these days, it seems that Perodua is not waiting so long as it has been introducing active safety systems which put it in a leadership position in the entry-level class. Having started with the A.S.A. (Advanced Safety Assist) system in the current Myvi which brought, among other things, autonomous braking, the carmaker has progressed to a broader safety package called Perodua Smart Drive Assist for the Alza. This has the latest version of A.S.A plus additional driver-assistance systems as well as passive safety.
The driver assistance systems include Adaptive Cruise Control which is a more advanced form of cruise control. When it detects another vehicle ahead while at a set cruising speed, it will automatically slow down (if necessary) to maintain a safe distance. On a long journey, this can reduce fatigue as the car will ‘drive itself’ and slow down when necessary. All the driver has to do is steer and watch the road ahead. And there’s even Lane Departure Prevention which will help prevent the car from wandering into another lane.
Many of the systems rely on a camera installed at the top of the windscreen. It constantly scans the road ahead and there’s a program to recognize shapes and analyse the car’s movements. The hardware and software cost must have come down significantly to enable Perodua to offer this (a benefit of being together with other carmakers to share costs).
A new feature which first appeared in a Rolls-Royce some 20 years ago is the 360-degree panoramic view display. This gives the driver a simulated overhead view of the car, the image formed by stitching together images from four small cameras on the sides and front. The driver can see all side of the car and maneuver it easily in tight spaces. With the rear view, there are also guidelines to help when maneuvering into a parking bay.
With a vehicle like the Alza, which can carry many people, safety is even more important. Apart from the active systems that help the driver avoid an accident (or recover from a dangerous situation), there are also passive safety systems like 6 airbags in every variant. That’s great progress from the days when Perodua began offering airbags (just two) in the Kembara and customers had the option of paying extra for them or choosing a version without them. Now, with the influence of ASEAN NCAP, the carmaker strives to make its cars as safe as possible and the new Alza has already been awarded the maximum of 5 stars by the safety organization.
Incidentally, apart from having ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control as standard for all variants, the new Alza also comes with a rear disc brake for the AV version. Engineers may say that a disc brake is not really necessary at the rear but extra stopping power is always good anyway.
As with other Perodua models, there’s also a range of GearUp accessories which customers can add to their new Alza.
Earlier this year, Perodua stated that its sales target for 2022 is 247,800 units, a 30% increase over the 190,291 units it delivered nationwide in 2021. So far, in spite of the shortage of vehicles due to production limitations causes by the global microprocessor shortage, the company says it will still maintain that target.
It has in fact done slightly better in the first half of the year, delivering 127,343 vehicles – slightly more than half of the year’s target. The volume is a 30% jump from the 97,290 units sold during the same period from January to June in 2021.
It is clear that the exemption of sales tax allowed by the government to help the industry in its recovery has encouraged many to get a new vehicle – even at a time when there are financial challenges as living expenses keep going up.
In fact, on June 30 – the last day of the exemption period – Perodua alone received an incredible 25,100 bookings by customers wanting to be eligible for the 10% tax exemption. While it obviously could not deliver all the vehicles booked by the deadline, the government is allowing later deliveries for the orders to still be entitled to the exemption provided the new vehicles are registered not later than March 31, 2023.
The 25,100 bookings were an unprecedented number in Perodua’s history and stunned everyone in the company. On just that one day, the number of orders received exceeded the monthly average (20,650 units) necessary to meet the 2022 target.
Now it is up to Perodua to keep pushing out as many units as its two plants can. While the microprocessor shortage is one issue preventing completion of vehicles, there is also the problem of shortage of parts from some suppliers who are facing worker shortages, affecting their output.
“While the increase in registrations in June 2022 was partly due to better parts supply compared to the month of May, there are also issues such as skilled labour and parts shortages [at the suppliers] still present,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Dato’ Zainal asked for understanding from customers in terms of delivery, apologising for the long wait. “We are doing everything in our power to further improve production for the benefit of our customers,” he said.
Some of the actions being taken include working closely with suppliers and, in some cases, providing Perodua staff to work at their premises to ensure that parts supply continue to flow.
“That being said, we hope that the manpower issue can be resolved quickly as the impact to the industry and, to some extent, the country is significant,” he said, adding that there is ongoing communication with the suppliers and partners to find alternative supply of the needed components.
Of the 127,343 units registered in the first 6 months of 2022, the Myvi was still the most popular model with 38,039 units registered. It was followed by the Axia (29,183 units) and Bezza (28,719 units). More recent data shows that the Bezza is the most sought-after model at the moment. There has also been strong interest shown in the all-new Alza MPV which will be launched in the very near future.
Visit www.perodua.com.my to find out more about Perodua’s products and services or to locate a showroom to view and test the latest models.
With the sales tax exemption not going to be extended after June 30, 2022, car companies are expecting that there will be a slowdown in orders in the coming few months as prices are go up. However, Perodua is unlikely to experience this as it has a brand new model on the way – the all-new Alza MPV. The model line, which has a history going back to 2009, can now be booked and going by past practice, it is likely to be launched within a month.
The new Alza (known as D27A internally) has estimated pricing of between RM62,000 and RM75,000 (West Malaysia price without insurance and without sales tax), and will be available in 3 variants – X, H and AV – with 5 colour choices.
The first Alza generation which was added to the Perodua range in 2009.
With its predecessor having been in the market for quite some time, it would be expected that the new one will come with significant improvements in terms of driving comfort and versatility. In the time that has passed, many new technologies have been developed and the cost of some have also come down, making it possible to offer them in models like the Alza at the lower end of the market.
“We took our time in designing this full model change as we truly wanted to understand what improvements our customers wanted, and the New Perodua Alza aims to fulfil these requests,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
He revealed that feedback from owners indicated that they wanted a better driving experience, which the engineers have addressed by lowering the ground clearance to 160 mm. “In our assessment, is the best height for a pleasant Malaysian drive, for an MPV,” he said.
Dato’ Zainal said that the new Alza has bigger space compared with its predecessor, especially in the third row as well as a rear air-conditioning unit. “Above and beyond that, the New Perodua Alza’s fuel efficiency has also been improved with up to potentially 22 kms per litre, which is among the best in its MPV class,” he added.
The engine will continue to have a displacement of 1.5 litres with Dual VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing on intake and exhaust ports) for enhanced breathing efficiency, and the proven D-CVT for delivering power to the front wheels. Three selectable modes will give drivers a choice between stronger acceleration or extra kms for each litre of fuel, or a balance of performance. An ECO Idle system will also help to reduce waste of fuel during periods of long idling.
Though MPVs are largely bought as people-carriers, the Alza can also take a lot of cargo, especially when the seats are folded down. For the new model, the capacity is 137 litres when all seats are in use but this volume can expand 3.6 times to 498 litres if the third row backrests are folded.
Perodua has constantly been increasing safety levels in its models and apart from having up to 6 airbags (in the Alza AV), there is also the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) suite. This is made up of Advance Safety Assist (ASA), Driver Assist, Parking Assist and Headlamp Assist. PSDA will help drivers be aware of dangerous situations and in some cases, act to prevent accidents.
All variants will also include Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention systems, both of which will help when the driver may be drowsy. As extra bonuses, there is also Leaving Home Headlamp Assist and Hill-start Assist functions.
The latest features for a Perodua model include a 360⁰ Panoramic View monitor, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold, and rear disc brake. Standard safety features include ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control (VSC) with Brake Assist and rear sensors to assist with parking.
“This full model change represents our best effort so far in terms of product offering as the features included are the best within its price category,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Bookings can be made at all authorised Perodua 118 showrooms nationwide or online via the Perodua website at www.perodua.com.my. With just 7 days left for the sales tax exemption, Perodua is likely to get a flood of orders by many who want to save money while they can. The Finance Minister has said that those who book their new vehicles before the deadline cam remain entitled to the exemption even if their vehicle comes after June 30. But they must have it registered not later than March 31, 2023.
Perodua is relieved that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will allow car-buyers to remain entitled to the sales tax exemption even though the provision ends at the end of this month. A recent announcement by the MoF said that those who book their vehicle by June 30, 2022, will still pay the lower price even if their vehicles are not delivered yet.
However, manufacturers will have to deliver the new vehicles to them before March 31, 2023 as that is the latest date they must register their vehicles if they want to enjoy the sales tax exemption.
“We sincerely thank the government for this announcement as it gives the industry and the market breathing room to meet consumers demand while at the same time give the players time to overcome various issues that are affecting the industry,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
He said among the issues that are currently impacting the local automotive suppliers range from the lingering impact of COVID-19, the component shortages and manpower shortages. These have led to vehicle supply shortages as vehicles cannot be completed. As a result, customers have had to wait longer and have been concerned that they will miss out on their tax exemption benefit if they get their vehicles are June 30.
“The issues are currently being addressed as Perodua and our suppliers are finding solutions and this registration extension will give us much needed room to overcome the issues,” Dato’ Zainal said. He added that, for Perodua’s customers, this announcement gives them much needed reassurance that they would be able to enjoy the sales tax exemption incentive that has boosted the industry since the year 2020.
Myvi remains the bestselling model for the Malaysian brand.
“To date, we have significant outstanding orders which we are working to fulfil. We appreciate our customers’ patience in this regard,” Dato’ Zainal said. On deliveries so far, he said that Perodua has registered 106,179 vehicles between January and May this year, which is 10% more than 96,281 units registered in the same period last year.
In terms registration according to model, the Myvi remains the most popular with 31,689 units registered in the first 5 months of this year. Next has been the Axia with 24,024 units delivered, and the Bezza at 23,336 units.
To know more about Perodua products and services or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.perodua.com.my.
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.
While our healthcare services can be considered pretty good and the rakyat are able to obtain good medical treatment at government hospitals and clinics, the cost is also high for the government. Therefore, the private sector too can play a role in helping in this area and as part of its continuing support given to key public institutions nationwide, it recently contributed medical equipment and gifts worth a total of RM87,967 to the Shah Alam General Hospital in Selangor.
The ongoing initiative is aimed at supporting the efforts by Malaysia’s healthcare frontliners to increase the health service quality nationwide. Perodua donated a free-standing warmer, 3 photolights, a high-tech jellypad, 7 stethoscope neonates, a LSCS set used during caesarean, and 10 surgical scissors to the hospital’s paediatric ward.
“We aspire to be a responsible corporate citizen and we will assist where we can in ensuring consistent and continuous access to medical supplies for hospitals and our entire health care system,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, at the presentation ceremony.
Helping add value to healthcare system
Adding that Perodua recognises the importance of private-public partnership in enhancing the quality of health service in the country, Dato’ Zainal said the company will continue to communicate with key public institutions and the Ministry of Health to see where it can add value in the country’s healthcare system.
Besides key public institutions, Perodua has also provided thousands of face-shields to schools and traders at markets to help them have better protection during the pandemic.
To date, Perodua has contributed medical supplies to public hospitals including Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selayang Hospital, and Sabah Women and Children Hospital in Likas. Additionally, the company has supplied thousands of face-shields (made by one of its subsidiary companies) to schools, traders at markets and government agencies.
The Perodua Myvi, now in the third generation, is currently in its fifth year and has been the country’s most popular model in all that time – and in the 12 years before as well. It’s hard to drive anywhere and not see a Myvi, old or new, around or in the background. While Perodua has worked hard to build the brand image, the product itself still has to be good to become a continuous bestseller. This means it has to be built well, have good space within, look good and of course, be priced affordably. And the Myvi ticks all those boxes, adding further strong points as it evolved and grew up.
The 2022 version is essentially a facelift to keep the model fresh for another few years. It’s inside that there are more noticeable changes, like the larger touchscreen, new steering wheel and a red theme (and only red) for the upholstery which is also leather in the Myvi 1.5 AV we tested. As with every generation of the Myvi, build quality is excellent and the feel is more solid with attention given to tiny details to reduce metal-to-metal contact. Even the bonnet can be kept raised in two positions, a second one more upright for easier access from above.
Developed with Malaysian DNA
The spaciousness of the cabin has always been a strong point of the Myvi, thanks to the fact that Malaysians were involved in the development of the first one alongside the teams from Daihatsu and Toyota. Though Perodua’s role was small (it was more for the Malaysians to gain experience), they nevertheless were able to convince the project team that the interior space needed to be greater because that was what Malaysians wanted. Had they not provided that input (and had it not been accepted), we might have gotten a more compact cabin which the Japanese are okay with.
From the experience of developing that first generation, Perodua began to develop its own capabilities to the extent that they can now do the upper body work themselves. This means that there is more localized thinking in the styling elements which would be more suited to Malaysian tastes and expectations. It also saw the addition of features like the teh tarik hooks as well as the handbag hook on the side of the front passenger’s seat to prevent theft.
Suspension more customised for Malaysia
We also noticed that the handling of the Myvi in its third generation had changed in character somewhat and upon discussion with the Perodua guys, we learnt that with this generation, the suspension settings were specifically tuned to Malaysian requirements, rather than using those provided by Daihatsu in the past. Apparently, this was a ‘victory’ because it meant that the car’s handling could be more suited to our roads and from what we noticed driving the second and third generations is that the current one has a more direct feel with more linear response to changes in direction.
Switch to CVT
While maintaining the same 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines with Dual VVT-i, the drivetrain has switched from the conventional electronically-controlled automatic transmission with a torque converter to a D-CVT (continuously-variable transmission). This change helps to squeeze a few more kilometres from each litre of fuel as CVTs are more efficient, especially in urban driving conditions.
Unfortunately, those who still like manual transmissions can’t get them anymore with the Myvi and if you really must have a manual (and you want a Perodua), then you would have to settle for a Bezza, Axia or Alza. And if it is an Alza you want, you should quickly go to a showroom to order one as stocks will be diminishing with no replacements coming since production of the model ended last month.
While some may be critical of a CVT’s feel and characteristics, it would generally be fine for most people. The engineers have tuned the transmission (which, like the engines, is produced in Malaysia) to have an almost similar feel as a torque-converter unit with less of that ‘rubberband’ acceleration.
The transmission also improves acceleration which can be slightly enhanced by selecting the ‘S’ mode. But conversely, as we discovered, you don’t get the same level of engine braking. For this reason (and it’s also present in hybrids), there is a ‘B’ mode which can be used to assist in slowing down. It helps to decelerate the car more positively so you don’t have to use the brakes excessively, especially when going down a steep slope. So those who frequent the Genting Highlands road would want to use it a lot so their brakes don’t end up smoking.
It’s interesting that, besides the ‘S’ (Sports) mode in the transmission, the Myvi (1.5 version) also has a PWR mode. Both would seem to do the same thing which is enhance performance, usually acceleration, but they actually have different purposes. When you select ‘S’ mode in the transmission, it is like downshifting with a manual and the ratio is lowered. This improves control when driving on winding roads.
When you press the PWR button, you are going into a ‘sports mode’ whereby the engine programming is altered to give a boost to performance. Acceleration becomes quicker but at the expense of some fuel economy. So you get two ways to enhance performance, depending on the road conditions.
Perodua says that with the D-CVT, fuel consumption is 5% lower than before and for the Myvi 1.5 AV that we tested, the claim is 21.1 kms/litre. In the old days (before 1990s), verifying claims was tedious as you had to top up the fuel tank and then refill it again after driving some distance, and calculate the consumption from the fuel used – which wasn’t necessarily accurate.
These days, an on-board computer tells you not just the average consumption but also consumption in real-time as well as the range possible with fuel remaining in the tank. In our case, we actually got a bit better than the claim after a 2-day period, achieving 22.5 kms/litre. Much of this was highway driving and in city driving, it went to as low as 13.5 kms/litre at times due to congestion. That’s when the Eco Idle system which automatically shuts down the engine during long periods of standing still helps avoid wasting fuel.
Having such good fuel consumption means the tank can be smaller and the one in today’s Myvi’s is just 36 litres. The tank in the first Myvi had a 40-litre capacity so reducing it by 4 litres has also meant almost 3 kgs in weight-saving with less fuel.
More active safety systems
When this generation of the Myvi was introduced in 2017, its Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) system was an impressive new addition that moved active safety in this class to the next level. While ASA has continued to improve, the scope of safety systems for the Myvi has also broadened and the expanded package is now known as Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA).
While including ASA which is essentially to provide automatic emergency braking (AEB), PSDA adds Driving Assist, Parking Assist and Headlamp Assist to help the driver in various ways, not just to avoid accidents. For instance, Driving Assist has Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which allows the car to travel at a set speed but adjusted to maintain a safe gap from the vehicle in front when necessary. There are also systems to keep the car in its lane and if the driver doesn’t do so, the system will apply pressure to guide the car back into its lane. We found the alerts rather intrusive as they often occurred but they also served to make driving a bit more ‘disciplined’.
ASA and some systems of PSDA use a camera mounted on the top of the windscreen. This is a lower-cost approach (appropriate for a model like the Myvi) than having camera and radar, which more expensive models have. Though the camera works well enough, there are some conditions where its view might be obscured, eg during heavy rain. This means that the system is ‘blind’ and that has implications on its ability to detect other vehicles ahead. Perodua acknowledges that the system is not 100% perfect, which is acceptable, and that drivers still need to pay attention. In any case, when a system is inactive, the driver will be warned by a message on the instrument panel.
One of the new additions with the PSDA system is Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which is really great when reversing. The camera at the back shows a limited field of view but the sensors can detect further to either side to detect approaching vehicles. The driver will be alerted so he can stop instead of continuing to reverse and possibly having an accident.
The other thing which we were surprised to see on the instrument panel was the position of the front wheels (when reverse gear is engaged). It’s a very rare feature and useful when maneuvering the car in tight spots. Along with the guide lines on the image of the rear view, it’s very easy parking the Myvi and there should be no excuse for bad positioning that gets your car publicized in Facebook’s Stupid Parking Idiots page!
One thing that has to be said about the controls and switches (and this is something we usually assess) is how easy they are to operate as well as how intuitive their operation is. Admittedly, everything can be found in the manual (which can be found online as well) but not everyone reads it. So the mark of a well designed cockpit layout would be that a driver can make settings intuitively. The Myvi gets top marks for this and someone new to the car will be able to use the many features right away.
Hard to beat package
The Myvi 1.5 AV that we tested starts from RM58,800 (without insurance) and with the amount of stuff that Perodua has put in, it’s certainly great value for money. The price range for the model goes down to as low as RM45,700 but when you pay less, you obviously get less too. Nevertheless, as an overall package, the Myvi would be hard to beat at the price point of each variant.
To locate a showroom to view or test-drive the latest Myvi or other Perodua models. visit www.perodua.com.my.
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.
