Yes, you’ve heard it all before – the love of the nation, a true Malaysian icon, and so on and so forth. But in a world where we celebrate and revere only the rare and exotic, it’s all too easy to undermine the significance of something in our backyard, something so humble, something we see so much of everyday we almost take it for granted.
It’s sort of like this – foodies all over the world may gush and wax lyrical about coq au vin, bouillabaisse and Beluga caviar, but the modest nasi lemak, found on every street corner, has probably leaked more drool, satiated more appetites, evoked more memories and touched more hearts. In Malaysia, at least.
Such is the story with the Myvi. Little did Perodua guess, upon the little hatch’s 2005 birth, that it would become the country’s most popular car for the best part of a decade (believe it or not, it was actually intended to be a niche model in a sedan-dominated market).
Bottom row (L-R): 2011 second-gen Extreme, 2015 second-gen facelift Advance
The Myvi’s inception also marked the first time Perodua was in direct competition with Proton, but in contrast to the Savvy, it was an instant hit that Malaysians simply couldn’t get enough of. It was affordable, mechanically simple, ridiculously easy to drive, eminently practical and surprisingly spacious.
From the original 1.0 and 1.3 models, to the 2008 facelift, moving up to 1.3 and 1.5 litre engines with the 2011 second generation, and finally the 2015 facelift with two distinct looks, a comprehensive accessories catalogue and more standard equipment than ever before, the Myvi has found over 850,000 homes and targets the big million by end-2017.
Considering the depth of Malaysia’s love for the Myvi, we think that’s more than achievable, don’t you? Feast your eyes on our through-the-ages gallery to see how our favourite set of wheels has evolved and grown with us. Which do you like best?
krik..krik..krriikkkkk
Good car = Good sales, rakyat support
Crap car = 7 yrs warranty, shiok sendiri support
Proton cars are not crap. 5 star ANCAP with 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, using HPF steel (one of a handful of manufacturers in the world that employs this metal-forming technology).
And yet, uneducated morons call it a crap car because they think Perodua sells rebadged Toyotas, nevermind the fact that its safety and handling capabilities are hopeless.
You’re entitled to your opinion, as are others who may have the opinion that you’re ignorant and dumb.
The next Perodua Sedan probably enjoy same success like Myvi selling 1 million units.
Perodua better rent factory from Proton if still half empty capacity. It is a sin to keep factory doing nothing wasting electricity.
Perodua happy, rakyat smiling, Proton also earn factory rental money. Win-win situation!
Don’t be naive, Donkey.
What models Proton sell the most? Saga & Persona. Do they have any shit (5 star ANCAP with 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, using HPF steel) you mentioned? NO!!!!
The Preve/Suprima S/Iriz of course safe, because they are at showroom or warehouse.
Showroom car no door also very safe one.
If not safe why bought your son saga? It is park outside your cheras flat every night.
Same Lorrrr ady in denial syndrome
Go and see psychiatrist lor
Wrong…
It should read 10 years of making bumpers and limited edition badges
Good moving coffin, nuff said
Myvi..10 years of moving coffin
The first one was no doubt the little car that could. For 2005, it was indeed advanced, no other B segment hatch, be it local or not had ABS and airbags available below 100k (the only one that did was the Honda Jazz which was above 100k IIRC). Plus, the spacious interior too helped. And for long time paultan.org readers, the Myvi was also one of the first few models that was really covered well online on this site. In fact, no one else has the most complete info about the 05 Myvi besides here from what I have seen….
Today, the space in the interior has still been one of the selling points, but it is such a pity though it still feels very 2005 in the way it drives.
This is really true. Proton skrang safety spec mmg improve gile. While perodua still takuk lama. Standard spec pon xde abs, ebd dan ba. Apatah lagi ESC and TC. Langsung takde. Come one perodua. Kasi improve safety. Ni dh zaman 2015
Memang betul. Proton memang improve gile. Sales pun jatuh gile.
Aye. In 2005, it was the cheapest car with 2 airbag and ABS, EBD. It was groundbreaking, the benchmark for safety at affordable price. The Myvi Ezi and Exi were the star buy.
Proton had them too, only in Gen2 hi-spec IIRC. But it was more expensive, and it was Proton’s worst era, with that silly arrogant CEO, crappy QC, and crappy products. No glove box was stupid as hell.
All Proton could ever sell was their Lotus handling and patriotic act, none that mattered to most Msians when their pockets and AL/EL/MCs bleed to feed that ungrateful CEO’s ego. Proton just couldn’t build cheap, fuel efficient, quality product. Period.
The Myvi really had the right packaging: properly spacious (unlike claustrophobic feel in a kancil, kelisa), Toyota DNA fuel efficiency, reliability, better QC. Who cares if it’s “unpatriotic” to drive one, or no Lotus handling. It can get A to B in the cheapest, least problematic manner, and if u can get just that, everything else doesn’t matter.
Man, I feel oldfag recalling my 2005 memories.
Today it’s Proton that’s benchmark for safety, but there’s still work to do on QC, and their stupid CVT. Plus, they really need to improve fc. Next to foreigner’s arsenal of downsized direct injection turbo diesels, Campro VVT is too fuel guzzling.
Myvi? Ironically, the safety benchmark a decade ago, had become ultimate symbol of corporate greed with total disregard for safety. The botak CEO’s backlash on that German blogger about myvi’s meter panel is unbecoming. Even being hypocritical to say they’re committed to safety, yet won’t design their cars to 5-star safety. Baik cakap gi mampos kita semua, bonus 24 bulan dia lagi penting.
If i have to pick one I would say the first generation black SE is my favorite. Still looks good even today.
Second would be last year’s second generation standard grey Myvi
Third goes to the first generation Apple green standard Myvi.
First version SE also had the best meter panel too, the white/blue theme was simple and easy to read. Though I prefer silver.
My second choice last year’s 1.3 SE, quite nice styling, nice teal style optitron panel. Also in silver.
Pity safety was never in their agenda.
Dulu oklah tak salah beli Myvi.
Tapi sekarang ada Iriz. Iriz ada stability control.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=efa_1432492677
Iriz have stability control and even saga have abs.
You olio don’t support Proton just get out of this country and balik to your kampung. P1 don’t need you.
You dun read that link do you? Sigh.
I think Proton going to end up like MAS. Retrench all their workers, forced to reduce capacity and might have to sell some plants. Either Shah Alam or Tanjung Malim? Who knows?
I remembered when I first got my myvi 9 years ago it was in direct competition with the newly launched savvy. If it wasn’t for my growing family I wouldn’t have ditched my myvi. After 9 years the only major headache it gave me was the aircon which needs to be replaced which is partly my fault since I didn’t service it for 8 years :P
Love? I always got the impression that it was a hateful little car people only bought because it made the most sense for what most could afford. Is it a good car? It’s alright. But I’ve yet to meet anyone who ‘loves’ their Myvi. Everyone I know who owns one would trade up in a heartbeat if they could.
At least you give an honest opinion. well said.
wow 10 years already but still which one is the latest one ehh.. look the same jer
Thats cause it IS the same.
1 mil units ,all thanks to gov protection. If not, not even 100k units are on the road today.
It’s a decent car for city & town driving. However, don’t expect it to feel as rigid and stable as a Proton. Its plus point is the smooth and problem-free powertrain that was lifted over from the Japanese. The build quality has also improved greatly in recent years.
Compared to Proton’s current models, however, Proton is only lacking in terms of powertrain technology. Other than that, it’s quite obvious if you drive the Myvi and the FLX that the FLX is a better car in almost every way, apart from the engine + gearbox combination.
Perodua is a winner not because of any tangible superiority or benefits. They’re a winner because of Malaysians’ third-world mentality.
Looking forward to the Perodua’s next 1 million car: the upcoming Perodua Sedan.
Same shit, different day.
aiyakkkk.. boring meyy!
This car has served me and my family well for 8 years now with no major problem at all. Yes it’s just a Myvi, great to get you from point A to point B as everybody has been saying. And not much else. That’s the whole point of owning it anyway. Somemore it’s the first gen, not much of a looker. Nonetheless I plan to keep it for as long as I can. It has become a part of me now.
And don’t forget to book your new Perodua Sedan maybe next year or so. Easily 1 million sales like Myvi and will easily serve you well for 8 years too.
Say all you want but I think the myvi was the game changer for the malaysian car industry as a whole. I remember how impressed I was that it came with led brake lamps (realise this was 10 yrs ago and leds was only available on high end cars) with dual airbags and abs.
The issue I have with the myvi now is that typical of malaysian corporations they have gone complacent and just barely got by on the 2nd gen. Even worse the 2nd gen facelift has regressed with the deletion of projector headlamps and optitron meters.
In my humble opinion the myvi made all car companies (especially proton and other japanese car companies) to wake up and take notice. Without the myvi proton would not had pull out all the stops to create the Iriz thus Honda & Toyota has no choice but to at least match the features of the Iriz for their B-segment car. The question now will Myvi able to keep up with the competition that they have set the bar 10 yrs ago?
Point A to Point B – if that’s what you think a car should be; please just do not drive.
VW Golf is the bestselling car in the world (Fiesta might be running close), but still its a joy to drive.
Call a spade a spade, and a jalopy a jalopy. Malaysians are forced to buy this motorised trishaw because of market protectionism. So please stop the charade about how you love the Myvi, because its a cheap crap car that you can afford.
Alas, Proton is worse. Just stop embarassing the country and wasting billions (30+ years, 3-500,000 cars/year= RM100 billion spent on local cars) and just end this futile exercise before more gets wasted.
if you eat just for the sake of filling up your stomach, please do not eat. if you breath just for the sake of breathing, stop breathing as well….
I love my Myvi, because its a cheap and affordable car.
1st version is the best, it is how an econobox should look like. simple and basic, just like the original passo/boon.
ya, the 1st gen is still my favorite. simple, spacious, nothing too complicated. facelifted version is better looking though.
2nd gen is the most kitted up version of myvi, but sadly not the facelifted version. the facelifted version is plain cheap and cost-cutting.
U r right. The first gen LED rear light really caught my attention too. And I’m still wondering y there are still ah bengs wanna trade the tech advance LED for normal bulb Toyota Passo rear light combi…
Myvi – Okay most popular ‘Malaysian’ car. But comparing it to nasi lemak status is too much. It’s not as original as that. A rebadged Daihatsu is just what it was and is. Don’t go overboard with falsely rooted sentiments.
How amusing. If Proton did the same ‘Love of the Nation’ thing with their Saga… the Myvi simply wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to it, not by a long shot.
First thing’s first; Is the Myvi even a TRULY Malaysian car ? Let’s see…. It’s got a Japanese designed chassis, a Japanese designed frame, a Japanese designed engine, a Japanese designed gearbox… but wait, all the bumpers and the dashboards have been designed by Perodua. Yay !
Yes, Proton’s Saga started out as a Mitsubishi… and stayed a Mitsubishi until 2008, but the fact of the matter is the current Saga is a TRULY Malaysian-made car. Engine, Proton. Chassis, Proton. Frame, Proton. Exterior and interior, Proton. Only the gearbox is Belgian.
Second; Has the Myvi had any success abroad ? Yeah you can find a few running around in tiny countries like Mauritius and Brunei and whatnot. Perodua can’t even use their own badge in Indonesia, they have to rebadge their own Myvi as a Daihatsu…. how sad.
Proton meanwhile claimed the title of ‘Fastest Selling Make of New Car Ever to Enter the United Kingdom’ with the Saga. And Proton almost exported the Saga to America too, they even made Left-Hand Drive Sagas prepped for export, but their American partner cocked up at the last second, and poor Proton had to pick up the pieces afterwards. However, Proton did eventually make it to Germany, France and much of Continental Europe with the Wira, which was essentially the Saga’s successor… but Proton never developed the habit of keeping their nameplates like Honda with their Civic, and Toyota with their Corolla for example. Otherwise, the Saga would be in it’s fourth generation now (1985 Saga, 1993 Wira, 2007 Persona, 2012 Prevé). Instead, Proton wanted the Saga to be a ‘budget car’ and kept making it as the Iswara until 2008. This, I will admit, was a lazy and greedy cashgrab, and Proton’s Saga deserved to be ‘killed off’ by the relatively revolutionary (in 2005), yet ‘average’ Myvi. Good thing too, else Proton would have probably made the ageing and tired Iswara for even LONGER, God forbid.
Ok, I seem to have run off topic here… anyway, if you’re still reading, I think you get my point; it’s not the Myvi which is the true Malaysia icon, it’s the Saga, it always has been, but as of late, the Saga has been given a back seat in favour of the more upmarket Iriz and Prevé… but the Saga’s time will come again, eventually.
Luckily these days you can see the FLX SV and FLX Executive everywhere, almost as ubiquitous as the Myvi. Smarter guys really do get it.
i thought “smart guys get it” is inspira’s tagline and not saga’s?
if i were a billionaire…
Perodua merely jaguh kampung. Haven’t sold 1 mil Myvi edi bangga la.
Mazda CX-5, a far premium offering in every aspect, already make 1 mil worldwide, that is all one need to know just how kampung Perodua is.
The thing about wanna be proud of local produce, there had to be merit to it. To be fair, newer Proton’s safety is worthy of respect. So keep pushing on other fronts (especially emission/fc). Ada improvement, bagus. Tada improvement, I am disappoint.
Same here, I do not discriminate any manufacturer just based on the badge… not since 2011 lah haha xD I actually quite like some Chinese cars, actually no, A LOT of them, because why not ? They’re cheap, well-specced, and some are very safe too, so should I hate them because they’re from China ? A carcist (car-racist) would say yes, but a car enthusiast will love all cars, so long as they hold some merit, whether it’s in the looks department, handling, safety, reliability and whatnot.
Similarly, I salute Proton for improving leaps and bounds with regards to safety and research & development, and I respect Perodua for rationalising their vendors and making high quality, reliable cars. I used to hate Perodua only up till last year, because they were stealing a lot of sales from Proton… but for most of this year, I have come to realize that they’re only doing their job and doing it properly. We cannot blame the rakyat for buying Peroduas because of Perodua’s connections to Toyota, Daihatsu and UMW Toyota, who are all know for their quality and reliability. Whether or not Perodua makes reliable cars remains open to debate, but they have no doubt built up a strong and trusted brand image in the last decade. Proton’s brand image will take longer to recover because of the sheer scale of incompetency they displayed in the mid-1990s to mid-2000s. No doubt their new cars are very good, the Iriz especially, but the public will take some time to forgive (if ever) Proton for their past mistakes. So good job to Perodua for doing what they do, but I believe they can still do much better, starting with improving their safety levels in their cars and later, designing their own, quality car to prove that they have the R&D capability to match Proton’s. Until then, I will not express much support for Perodua, but as of this year, I have learnt to stop despising Perodua for being who they are and trampling Proton in the process.
Wow a true Proton apologist in the flesh. The stupidity of Proton is described well in your own words, and yet you support them. WOW. The Saga will come. To a scrap yard near you.
how thus it feel now… PROTON?
remember u still don’t wanna improve your QC.
Malaysian getting smarter now
haha same lor always has the same stupid answer..hey myvi people always act as the were toreto on the road and kill people and you always talk bad on p1 only?no life kah?haha
Put it this way: MAS is causing the loss of 15,000 jobs. Because they never ended the rot, and kept a losing company going with the RAKYAT’s money.
Proton is going bankrupt by 2017. Wake up and see the light and just stop this nonsense about a national car before thousands (possibly millions including suppliers) lose their jobs.
Wake up and see the light before its too late. At least do a gradual laying off of employees and adapt the industry to not having a market-protected car company in the country.
both proton and perodua pun sucks la….takyah la nak gaduh2 bashing each others…orang malaysia beli pun kerana terpakse je..da takde choice…sbb kete lain mahal nak mamposss…ingat diorg hadap sgt ke kat nasional cars…sorry la..
10 years of shok sendiri award. Bring malaysian easily to grave.