In a unique and innovative move, Nissan, in collaboration with Nara Nissan Motor Co., has introduced the Cube Retro Renovation program for certified pre-owned vehicles in Japan. This program allows customers to purchase a certified pre-owned Nissan Cube that undergoes a customisation process, replacing worn parts with new ones to achieve a refreshed and personalised appearance.
The Nissan Cube, known for its distinctive tall and boxy design, enjoyed popularity in Japan from 1998 to 2019. The Cube Retro Renovation program aims to bring new life to these certified pre-owned vehicles by addressing visual wear and tear.
The concept for the Cube Retro Renovation program was initially proposed at the Tokyo Auto Salon and received positive feedback from consumers, leading Nissan to implement it as a trial run. The program is set to launch with 20 customised Nissan Cube vehicles available for purchase starting January 22.
Back in the 1970s, Federal Auto was the first company in Malaysia to establish its own dedicated used car business for the brand of cars it sold – Volvo. The business thrived over the years as a supplementary business, catering to those who wanted Volvos for less. Fast forward 50 years later and the business has evolved into a certified used car programme known as Volvo Selekt.
Higher quality of used vehicles
Launched in June last year and supported by Volvo Car Malaysia, Volvo Selekt vehicles are offered only at two authorised dealerships whereas all Volvo quality used cars are made available at other dealerships – 12 in total – across the nation. The difference is that Volvo Selekt vehicles are under 5 years old with less than 100,000 kms mileage, and have received a 125-point inspection, the relevant software upgrades, and necessary replacements with genuine parts to ensure that they are road-ready and can deliver optimal performance.
Nevertheless, using the same criteria for all pre-owned vehicles, each Volvo dealership conducts a series of checks and updates to ensure that all Volvo quality used cars are maintained up to Volvo’s standards.
Right initiative for the New Normal
Now Volvo Selekt is going digital with its Volvo Used Car Locator, a timely initiative in view of the New Normal where reduced physical interaction is advised. Instead of going to the dealership, customers can be at home and shop for Volvo vehicles at a price point that fulfils their financial needs. No need to go through all the SOPs at the dealership!
Once a used vehicle is made available on the Volvo Used Car Locator, it can be viewed on the website which will have various models on a consolidated list for both Volvo Selekt and Volvo quality used cars that are available at Volvo dealerships across Malaysia. The website also provides full details of the vehicles so that customers can identify the Volvo that best fit their lifestyles and its closest location.
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12-month warranty plus service package
All Volvo Selekt vehicles come a minimum of 12 months warranty, complimentary 1-year maintenance service package (VSA 1) and 12 months of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Volvo Selekt cars accounted for 15% to the total Volvo used car sales in 2020 in Malaysia. According to Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia, the positive response Volvo Selekt received motivated the company to give customers more choices on how they can purchase a used Volvo car. “So in line with our move to be technologically savvy, we now introduce the Volvo Used Car Locator, to elevate customers’ experience in acquiring and owning a Volvo car, all from the convenience of their smartphones or laptops,” he said.
Proton now has a used car website, providing car-buyers a convenient way to shop for used Proton vehicles. The Proton Certified Pre-Owned (PCPO) website provides a listing of current stocks available at 36 dealers nationwide.
PCPO is a further extension of Proton’s used car business which began with the establishment of established a Used Car Management (UCM) division in 2019. Its task was to grow a network of dealers to sell used cars alongside new ones.
Dealers must meet qualifying criteria
From an initial pilot project comprising just 8 Proton outlets, there are now 36 in the PCPO programme. All of them have met several qualifying criteria, both financial and physical, and agree to perform the necessary steps to prepare their trade-in stock for sale. For instance, each car undergoes a comprehensive 201-point inspection and is given a new battery, fresh engine oil and an oil filter.
Other requirements for PCPO vehicles include being less than 7 years old with less than 130,000 kms covered at the time of trade-in. They must also not have any flood or major accident damage that may affect their structural integrity.
“Proton’s PCPO is the next step for the company to build a holistic ecosystem. As we continue to offer new and improved products, we also want to attract those interested in purchasing a used car and offer a quick and easy way for customers to trade-in their current vehicles. All our PCPO cars get an extended one-year warranty for the engine and transmission as well as a free service, redeemable up to 6 months after the date of registration,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.
Cars of other brands too
Proton will also sell cars from other brands that have been traded-in via its PCPO website. In this instance, the vehicles do not receive an extended warranty from the company but will still be thoroughly inspected and repaired if necessary prior to being put up for sale.
“Aside from helping to drive new car sales, the aim of Proton’s UCM division is to help stabilise and gradually build the residual value of Proton vehicles. By offering high quality used cars, we hope to see a general lifting of prices for all our models, making it easier for customers to obtain competitive financing rates and raising trade-in values when they want to buy a new car,” added Encik Roslan.
Sime Darby Motors, with its portfolio of different brands, offers a wide range of new models across the consumer spectrum. At the same time, its various subsidiaries will have pre-owned units that customers may have traded-in, broadening its range of offerings.
Many of the pre-owned vehicles are managed by Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS), a unit of Sime Darby Motors which handles used vehicles. Now, SDAS has an online store to provide additional convenience to customers shopping for used vehicles.
The SDAS online store at simedarbyautoselection.com.my offers an easy way to search through the wide range of used vehicles (some of which are nearly new). There are up to 300 vehicles of multiple brands listed, and they are not limited to Sime Darby Motors’ franchise brands such as Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Land Rover, Porsche, etc.
Thoroughly inspected vehicles
Every used vehicle listed by SDAS has undergone a thorough inspection process to ensure it is in the best possible condition and quality. The website also comes with user-friendly features that enable scheduling of car inspections and appraisal appointments, service appointment and test-drive bookings, as well as the latest promotions and events.
The website will debut a ‘Spin Car’ feature which offers customers 360° interior and exterior view of vehicles, allowing customers to explore every detail of the vehicle they are interested in, from all angles.
One of the many brands in the Sime Darby Motors portfolio is Ford, which is handled by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.
Aiming to be a trusted used car dealer
“Along with our vision to be the trusted used car dealer, the team behind Sime Darby Auto Selection strives to offer premium quality used cars and excellent after-sales services to our customers. Sime Darby Auto Selection’s online used car store caters to all our customers’ needs. Those looking to buy a used car can browse our wide selection and schedule test drives, while those selling their cars may schedule appraisal appointments,” said the MD of Sime Darby Auto Selection, Vi Thim Juan.
“By leveraging on the power of the Internet and mobile technology, we are able to provide a seamless online used car trading experience for our customers, and we hope to leverage on this capability to grow our business even further,” he added.
Additional features such as loan calculators and booking transactions to enable placement of orders at any time, without the hassle of visiting a dealership, will be introduced at the online store in the near future.
