Lately, there has been much speculation on an upcoming new SUV by Perodua, with no shortage of details and purported insider information shared on social media. The “news” was accompanied by very pretty renders of an SUV, which went viral over the past week.
While Perodua’s interest in selling an SUV in Malaysia is known – we first reported Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh saying that the Malaysian market leader is seriously considering an SUV back in July 2017 – the company has not officially shed light on details and timelines despite repeated attempts by the media.
There have been reports by analysts pointing to a 2018 launch, with some specifically mentioning the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) happening later this year as the launch venue. Others claim that training for sales personnel will commence in August or September.
In an exclusive interview with paultan.org, Perodua Sales managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin dispelled rumours of a 2018 launch for the SUV, and said for certain that there will be no sales training in the coming months. He did however share some insights on the all-new product, hinting at what Malaysians can expect from Perodua. As for the viralled red SUV? It may not be true, but he loves it!
DT: We understand that Perodua has been working overtime in production to meet strong demand for current models, especially the Myvi, so is there room for any all-new products this year?
ZH: You’re right, our focus now is to increase production to try and meet current demand, and also the demand from the next three months – that’s our priority. Myvi customers have been waiting.
For a manufacturer, it’s good to know that you have a waiting period of three months, but it’s not that favourable too, because if you can’t manage this, then customers will start running away. We have to improve this (situation), that’s our priority right now. About the new model, when the time comes, we’ll share.
DT: There’s a current viral post with purported details of Perodua’s new SUV, including sales staff getting training in the coming months. What do you have to say about that?
ZH: I can tell you there will be no training in August and September. I can tell you that the car being viralled is not our new model. That one is too nice (laughs). I wish that model will be our model, if you’re referring to the red car.
DT: It’s known that Perodua is looking at an SUV as the next product…
ZH: We’re seeing growth in the SUV market, not just in Malaysia but regionally – Thailand, Indonesia, even in Japan. We definitely want to follow the trend. If we are going to introduce a new model to add to our current range, of course we will look at what’s the trend right now. So maybe “SUV” is the right segment to look at if we are to introduce a new model.
DT: Daihatsu has a fresh SUV in Indonesia. However, recent trend shows Perodua increasingly doing its own thing in terms of R&D and design. Will this trend continue with the new product?
ZH: Daihatsu has introduced a new Terios in Indonesia. Even though the SUV market size is growing, the total volume is still small, and we still consider it a niche segment compared to sedans and hatchbacks in Malaysia.
For this type of model, hypothetically, if we already have a base model somewhere else that we can ride on, I think that will be a wiser move than if you develop completely on your own for a small volume model.
Having said that, our R&D capabilities today is not like 10 years ago. We have the capability to do our own upper body design. So, the platform may be shared, certain chassis related things might be shared, but when it comes to the final appearance and styling, it will be unique to Malaysian requirements.
Our past few models have been done by our people, and Perodua has been known for introducing something unique for Malaysians. That, I’m sure will continue.
DT: It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Perodua. Will we see this new product this year?
ZH: Yes, it’s a busy year. We have, not a new product, but some activity that’s product related. Not new product. On that hypothetical question – unlikely.
GALLERY: 2018 Daihatsu Terios, Indonesian market
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Ha ha ha ha, this all the tactics of our previous corrupted Government. The work of BN Cybertroopers.
They hype people up because they want UMW shares to go up.
Then they do insider trading and make a killing in the share market.
Now BN Cybertrooper got no job. Job already close down. So don’t worry, this viral will soon stop
Hahaha! Fear it, the fear reeks from this bollocks. Yes, fear it for it is coming inevitably. And ur SUV is way too late in the game. Cuz thats all their salesmen can do. Fear it.
Nope, it means the new Kembara Terios definitely kambing soon.
The answers given in taichi way so that the P1 macais will not crying in utmost sadness knowing the Boyue sales will be disastrously affected as usual once again ha ha ha ha!!
For the Myvi already launched 9 months ago, customers still having a long waiting period of three months. And Iriz supposed to be the game changer 3 years earlier than Myvi.
Iriz wasn’t just the game changer. It was a market changer. It was the car that changed EVERYTHING.
What if its not the bn cybertrooper but the same shock sendiri Pakatan supporter?
Need to investigate those media who keep saying Perodua got new car coming whether they have Perodua related shares.
based on the daihatsu terios, the front grill is not very nice.Hope Perodua can somehow beautify it.
Will support by buying if it looks awesome
Looks or performance, the Proton SUV excelled.
U mean like the forgotten child called Nautica?
you see also you know it won’t be from perodua. rarely perodua has nice designs.
Proton is well above ugly
So for KLIMS end Nov 2018, P2 will just display a 1:1 scale clay model of the upcoming SUV?
I think they’re close to launching the SUV & this interview is just a red herring to throw Proton off.
How does it throw them off? Proton already said they gonna launch it in October. You mean they gonna be “thrown off” and launch in December instead? What kinda logic is that? And do you mean to say Perodua is gonna launch another car without testing again? No wonder their cars are unsafe junks.
P2 is not stupid. P1 lancar boyue tahun ni, dorang nak keluar juga model baru memang kalah lah. Dorang lancar myvi hujung tahun lepas, sampai ke bulan 6 ni dorang tapau market share. Dah tak yah pening2 nak buat model baru, facelift sana sini
Ya, pipu buy P2 coz it is cheap not because it is good
Watever la…would the suv etc have a bloody temp gauge or not?? Cos u p2 hve the obsession of not hving it.. look at yr bloody myvee..no gauge…thousands of timebombs otr…whre u normally keep yr brains ah? Just tell us…we go look for it!
survey results … Pretty much most of the people don’t actually care or bother about the temp gauge. Get out of dinosaur age!
Nautica failed because perodua “plays by the book” bringing in and declaring it as CBU with high taxes unlike other companies (even BMW and Mercedes) that brings them in as SKD.
Now perodua has better R&D capabilities as it now does what Proton does for ages, giving it out to korean companies!
Who ever rendered this very pretty SUV, I think he has a bright future. Maybe P2 should engage the “designer” of this SUV!!!
That red model was rendered by Glue Studio designer lah.
They rendered Perdana and other models previously.
Malaysian pipu really senang kena tipu niaaa
Tau takpe.
Good car
production also cannot keep up the new myvi demand…how to launch new car? ^^
The viralled car is not ours. The real production model will be uglier than you anticipate.
Lets wait for New National Car SUV