Volkswagen and Lazada Malaysia launch online-exclusive limited edition Beetles – 12 units, RM112k

These days, shopping for a car online is a fairly common affair in most parts of the world, but to actually make a purchase of a brand new vehicle online – and on a major e-commerce site at that – is quite unheard of, at least here in Malaysia.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and Lazada Malaysia have announced a collaboration that will see 12 limited edition units of the Volkswagen Beetle be sold via the e-commerce site. The partnership is in conjunction with Lazada’s Online Revolution campaign which takes place from December 12 to 14, 2017. Each Beetle is priced at RM112,112 (excludes registration and insurance), but the offer is only valid within Peninsular Malaysia.

The limited edition Beetles will come in two designs – the “Herbie 53” finished in Pure White (three units) and White Silver (five units), as well as the “Hot Bug” in Tornado Red (four units). Standard kit includes leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 5.8-inch touchscreen head unit – paired to eight speakers – that supports USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

The pair is based on the updated Beetle, so under the bonnet is a turbocharged 1.2 litre four-cylinder engine, producing 105 hp and 175 Nm of torque. Power is channeled to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG). As usual, each purchase comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty with five-year roadside assistance.

Interested customers can simply head on to Lazada and purchase a RM5,000 Welcome Kit, which doubles as a pre-payment booking fee. The kit contains a limited edition Volkswagen keychain and a Touch ‘n Go card with RM100 preloaded. With that done, the customer will then be contacted by a Volkswagen representative before being directed to his/her preferred dealership to complete the purchase.

Volkswagen and Lazada Malaysia launch online-exclusive limited edition Beetles – 12 units, RM112k

“We live in a digital age where goods and services can be obtained online, so why not cars? To be able to purchase an iconic limited edition car through an e-commerce platform is something that has never been done before here [in Malaysia]. This is a historical first for Volkswagen, and would not have been possible without the support from Lazada and our dealer partners,” says Erik Winter, managing director of VPCM.

“At Lazada Malaysia, we continuously invest to provide services that create a more engaging customer experience, and ultimately, better serve the needs of Malaysians. This collaboration is a testament that customers can purchase anything via our platform, with cars being sold online for the first time in Malaysia! We look forward to working together with Volkswagen in growing its online presence as they add a wide range of assortment on our platform, providing customers added convenience, choice and value,” adds Hans-Peter Ressel, CEO of Lazada Malaysia.