Perodua has had a great year in 2014. With orders for the new Axia flying off the charts, Perodua is set to become Malaysia’s No.1 car manufacturer in 2014, having sold over 140,000 cars, 50,000 more than Proton. Not forgetting, Perodua has invested millions on new plants in Malaysia just to ensure it keeps Proton at bay for the race to become Malaysia’s numero uno car manufacturer. Not bad for a car manufacturer whose modus operandi is badge engineering.
Notably, it was 20 years ago when Perodua launched its first car with the Kancil, which you may know was derived from the Daihatsu Mira. Rebadging isn’t new to Perodua, and not surprisingly the Axia is based on the Toyota Agya/Daihatsu Ayla model. However, not all rebadging exercises are an instant success, as seen with the forgotten and obscure Nautica (I doubt you can even remember it). Looking at Daihatsu’s current lineup of vehicles, we on AF are looking at what are the possible models that should be Perodua’s future models as well.
1. Daihatsu Move/Move Conte
Fact:
Remember the Kenari, the tall unorthodox mini-MPV-looking thing that appeared on Malaysia’s roads? The Kenari was based on the second-generation Move Custom and had a long lifespan of 9 years since it was introduced in 2000. The Kenari was a favourite for car modders, ranging from engine transplants (plug a k3-VET into the Kenari’s engine bay and it will become a pocket rocket) and exterior bodykits. The introduction of the new Kenari, based on the current generation Move (LA100/LA110) will make car modders happy.
The current fifth-generation Move was introduced in Japan in 2010 with engine options including a 660cc turbocharged engine and 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. Daihatsu also introduced a few variations of the Move known as the Move Custom and Move Conte. The Move Conte (pic below) is inspired by the boxy Toyota Bb, which should please buyers looking for a small economical runabout with unique styling.
Why Perodua should bring it here
Compared to the “Kenari”, the current Move and Move Conte are decent lookers. This should be a good seller for young Malaysians who want style over substance, and yet it’s economical to maintain as well. By looking at the boxy aesthetics of the Conte, it fits to become the spiritual successor of the Kenari.
Sadly, we can only see the Move/Move Custom will only make sense if the Axia is not introduced. As both cars looked more or less the same dimensions wise, we doubt Perodua will want to have two similar cars to compete with one another, although that happens in Japan, a lot.
What should it called: Perodua Kenari Mk2, we suppose?
2. Daihatsu Copen
Fact:
Daihatsu’s cheap and cheerful motoring isn’t always limited to small hatchbacks. Instead, this small convertible is Daihatsu’s interpretation of fun driving with affordable prices, just like what Mazda did it with the first-generation MX-5. The second-generation Copen was introduced earlier this year and it does look splendid. Owners can even customize 11 of the car’s body panel with various colours, just like how we customize our phone covers.
Powered by either a 660-turbocharged three cylinder engine or the 1.3-litre K3-VE from the Perodua Myvi, it weights below 900kg so we can imagine how much fun this car can provide. Despite it is front-wheel driven, it’s all forgiven with the car’s standard five-speed manual gearbox. A CVT is offered as well, but why you want that in a fun car like this in the first place?
Why Perodua should bring it here: One thing we noticed in Perodua’s current lineup is there’s a lack of cars that are fun to drive, hence the Daihatsu Copen rebadge should fix that. Price it competitively at below RM60,000 and Perodua will have the bragging rights to become the first Malaysian car manufacturer with the most affordable (only) roadster!
The only setback here is our country’s hot and humid weather does not fit roadsters well, which explains why roadsters are a pretty niche market on our roads. Despite that, we think this will be a solid seller for average Malaysian middle-income earners who are looking for a second car.
What should it called: Perodua Wind (or Angin?)
3. Toyota Prius C/Aqua
Fact:
This time we look outside the box to see what if Perodua can rebadge any cars from Toyota knowing that 1. Perodua’s major shareholders are UMW, who owns the Toyota franchise in Malaysia and 2. Parent company, Daihatsu is owned by Toyota.
The Toyota Prius C (also known as the Aqua in Japan) was introduced in Malaysia in early 2012 with an attractive price of below RM100,000 and sold in decent numbers. Sadly the price was jacked up to RM153,170 when the excise duties for hybrid vehicles was discontinued earlier this year. With sales of hybrid vehicles for Toyota impacted, the only way if UMW wants to sell hybrid cars in Malaysia is by introducing a locally-assembled one.
Why Perodua should bring it here:
Perodua’s plant in Rawang once assembled the Toyota Avanza MPV many years ago, and Perodua is aggressively expanding with new plants around Malaysia. Perodua has yet to have its own hybrid car; but should that happen, they will heavily rely on Daihatsu for the technology and as we know it, it comes from Toyota. Other than that, this seems like a clear winner of Malaysia’s CKD hybrid incentives.
Although getting a Prius C with Perodua logos for <RM80,000 does sound like a win-win for both Toyota and Perodua, it only can be a reality depending on the willpower from the decision makers from all parties.
What should it called: Perodua Aqua?
CONCLUSION:
For 2015, Perodua should introduce an urgent facelift for the Myvi to fend off the impressive Proton Iriz. With the Alza facelifted earlier this year, Perodua will not have any new models for the next two years or so. Hopefully, this article will provide them some ideas, although that’s easier said than done as such ideas may only materialize after months of market research and intense debate and presentation inside the boardroom. But should they only pick only one from this list, fingers crossed they would pick the Copen.
Perodua Wind anyone?
[Image: Wikipedia]
