So it has finally arrived. After all the teasing and ‘leaked’ images online, the tenth model from Perodua, the all-new Axia has made its official debut today at the KL Convention Centre; and to answer the million dollar question, prices do indeed start at RM24,600 (RM300 cheaper than the earlier projected price of RM24,900), but the biggest news is the price reduction of the top-spec automatic ‘AV Advance’ variant.
It was earlier tentatively priced at RM44,900 (solid) and RM45,300 (metallic), but today the official price was announced at RM42,130 and RM42,530 respectively, a reduction of 6.2% or RM2,770! 17th September the first customers will get their cars, following a staggering 13,500 bookings received nationwide since Perodua started taking orders on August 15th. Perodua expects to sell more than 30,000 Axia this year alone, and is averaging 300-500 bookings per day. Check out the full finalised price list by clicking the link below:
“We are humbled by the overwhelming response from the public and we will honour that trust as well as support by giving you the best that we can offer,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.
Interestingly, 50% of the bookings are for the ‘Standard’ variant that’s available with a choice of either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, and currently the waiting period is a mere 1.5 months. Contrary to popular opinion, the Axia is not a replacement for the Viva, it’s a brand new model, and Perodua will continue to sell the Viva ‘as long as there is a market demand’. Perodua still exports the Viva, so expect to see it on our roads for a while yet. Click the link below for the full Axia brochure, and leaflet.
Following my 1st Impression drive of the Axia on 19th August, I mentioned that I’d provide more info on the ‘basic’ variant, dubbed the ‘Standard E’ (below), so here goes. There’s a reason why this car costs less than RM25k, and that’s because it doesn’t even have a rear-demister. Not kidding. It really is very basic, and apart from the mandatory dual-front airbags, perhaps its only creature-comforts are power windows all-round and 2 cup-holders in front. There isn’t even a basic stereo or speakers.
BUT according to Perodua, there is a demand for a low-spec variant like this, accounting for about 16% of all the bookings, and not just from Driving Schools either. Apparently, there’s also individual demand for this variant, as Perodua has learned that there are still buyers out there who prefer to buy a basic car, and ‘do-it-up’ themselves. Well they’re going to have a field day with this variant since it also rides on steel wheels.
Due to the staggering demand for the Axia, and knowing full well that in addition to new / first-time car buyers, there will be many current Perodua owners who will be keen to trade-in their Kancil, Viva, Kelisa, etc. for the Axia, and because of this, Perodua is looking into a POV (pre-owned vehicle) programme to handle the re-selling of these traded-in cars for the new Axia.
As earlier reported, the Axia is indeed a EEV or energy efficient vehicle, able to achieve 21.6km/L (manual variant) and 20km/L (auto variant). In real world terms, with its 33L fuel tank, the Axia would be able to travel from KL to Perlis on less than one tank of RON95, returning a range of more than 500km on a full tank of fuel. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
FULL PRESS RELEASE:
Perodua Axia launched with 13,500 bookings received and with better price!
Kuala Lumpur, 15 Sept: Perodua’s 10th model – the Perodua Axia was launched here tonight with 13,500 bookings received from the public since 15th August; and in a surprise move, the compact carmaker announced a better price positioning for all Axia variants. The Perodua Axia makes history as it is the nation’s first Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) to be introduced to the market and a new record for Perodua in terms of bookings received before a new model launch.
“We are humbled by the overwhelming response from the public and we will honour that trust as well as support by giving you the best that we can offer,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said. The Perodua Axia was launched by the Right Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Dato’ Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin at a grand ceremony in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Also present were Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, His Excellency Makio Miyagawa; Perodua Chairman, YBhg Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin; and Daihatsu Motor Company Chairman, Mr. Koichi Ina. On the price difference, Aminar explained: “The previous price list was tentative and we are very happy to announce that we are able to give a better price to our customers, Because You Matter Most!”
The Perodua Axia is the first car produced by Perodua’s modern and environmentally-friendly new manufacturing plant; Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PGMSB). Perodua’s latest offering is also the first EEV model made by a Malaysian company with support from its partner, Daihatsu Motor Company of Japan (DMC).
The Perodua Axia can potentially travel up to 21.6 km/l, spacious, packed with unique Malaysian features and have an overall low cost of ownership – the all-in-one package for every Malaysian with starting price from RM24,600 to RM42,530 (peninsular Malaysia).
“We believe that the Perodua Axia is competitive in the region, which is why the word “Asia” was incorporated into the name; in addition, this model also represents a whole new standard for us. This standard can be categorised by 4 key highlights, or in short – the 4Es, which are environmentally friendly, extra spacious for a compact vehicle, easy driving and economical in terms of the overall cost of ownership,” Aminar said.
The Perodua Axia comes in 4 variants; Standard E, Standard G, Special Edition and Advance. It also comes with a 5-year warranty – another first for Perodua. With a tagline “Your Smart Move”, the car represents Perodua’s efforts in becoming globally competitive in terms of quality, styling, features and price. The tagline also signifies that this car is a smart buy.
The Perodua Axia comes in 8 colours, consisting of Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ebony Black, Moonlight Blue (existing colours) and introducing Cherry Blossom, Lemon Grass Green, Sunflower Yellow and Lava Red. To view and appreciate the Perodua Axia, the public are welcomed to visit Perodua’s 180 showrooms nationwide. – Ends.
