ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

Malaysian car buyers are a difficult bunch to please. We want it good, we want it cheap – basically, we want it all. And then there are the pro commenters who have a negative opinion on everything, although I doubt many back up what they say with their pockets.

A subset of the latter are manual transmission fans with those “If got manual I buy!” statements. Hands up, I’ve been guilty of that (would owning five MTs over the past decade mitigate?) but I’m working on it. But we’re not talking gearboxes today, but car features, specifically safety features. Like distributors bringing in stick shift options, there’s a cost to adding safety equipment. Are Malaysians willing to pay for it?

Of late, no one has done more than Perodua to lift the standard of car safety in Malaysia. It’s not the only carmaker to introduce safety features, but with at least 40% of new car market share, whatever Perodua does (or doesn’t do), impacts many. The Rawang carmaker sells affordable cars to the masses, and each time it takes a leap forward in safety, many benefit from the move.

Pushing the safety envelope

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

Progress has always been incremental, but the quantum leap came in 2017 with the launch of the third-generation Myvi. That was when P2 introduced its Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) pack, which includes Pre-collision Warning (PCW), Pre-collision Braking (PCB or AEB), Front Departure Alert (FDA) and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC). It was unprecedented in a sub-RM100k car, never mind that the Myvi AV is just a touch above RM50k.

Market pressure? Zero evidence. To get autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in a Proton today, you’ll have to spend over RM100k on a top of the range X50 Flagship. For the just-launched 2022 Iriz and Persona, Proton opted to allocate budget on more “Hi Proton” features and an SUV bodykit instead of ADAS – the B-segment duo tops out at electronic stability control (ESC, P2 calls theirs VSC).

As for the non-national brands, Honda was the ADAS pioneer, but Sensing is usually reserved for the range toppers – the cheapest model to offer it is the City RS e:HEV, priced at RM106k. Kudos to Tan Chong for giving the latest Nissan Almera AEB across the board starting from the RM80k VL, although the base model has only two airbags.

In any case, the X50 and Almera were launched last year, the City Hybrid in 2021. The Myvi surfaced back in 2017. Then, Perodua could have done the minimum and no one would have blamed them, certainly not the majority of Malaysian customers, who are known to be swayed by fancier features.

With the Aruz in 2019, ASA 2.0 with widened parameters made its debut, and since then, even starter models Axia and Bezza can be had with the stereo camera-based ASA.

Of course, ASA standard across the board and L2 ADAS is not possible for every Perodua model, not when the brand continues to sell the cheapest car in Malaysia. But it’s good that even entry level buyers have the option of safety features like VSC and ASA, at an added cost, of course. Have these options been popular?

Here, we’ve selected two near like-for-like models in Malaysia, with the main difference being safety kit and price – the Axia G (no VSC) versus the Axia GXtra (with VSC), and the Myvi 1.3 X versus the Myvi 1.3 X with ASA (including AEB).

Why the focus on Perodua? Aside from the fact that with four of 10 new cars sold, it best represents the Malaysian mass market, these two examples are the only closely-specced variants divided by safety/price that we could find. With near similar specs, buyers picking the more expensive variant are most likely doing so for the extra safety gear. If the spec difference includes plenty of other kit, it skews the observation.

Simply put, these variants give us the clearest indication yet of whether or not Malaysian car buyers are willing to pay more for added safety equipment. Let’s take a look at the sales numbers.

Axia G vs GXtra – RM1.5k for VSC

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

The Axia range was last updated in September 2019, two and a half years after the midlife facelift surfaced. The 2019 update discarded the A-segment hatchback’s two faces for a single look, differentiated by trim. The SUV-inspired Style variant joined the range, alongside the lesser known GXtra, which slotted between the G and Style. What’s the extra in GXtra?

The biggest addition is VSC and rear parking sensors. While the latter can be bought from Shopee, VSC made its debut in the 2019 Axia and was available from the GXtra onwards. Other differences between G and GXtra are powered and retractable door mirrors, rear defogger, silver painted centre stack, driver’s seat height adjustment, grip handles, anti-snatch “handbag hook”, and two rear speakers to make it four.

The Axia G is priced at RM32,485 on-the-road without insurance, with SST exemption. The GXtra goes for RM33,940, which is a premium of RM1,455. Now, some might think that RM1.5k for all of the above extra kit, plus the potentially invaluable VSC is a no-brainer. Yes, but bear in mind that customers in the Axia segment are very price sensitive, and the difference to whether the loan is approved or not can boil down to two digits. Every ringgit counts.

Speaking of loans, the difference between the G and GXtra – based on a nine-year loan with 10% downpayment and 3.2% interest rate (typical for the segment) – is RM399 versus RM417 per month, or RM18. Once again, before you judge, every ringgit counts.

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

Now let’s take a look at the sales figures that we obtained from Perodua. In the first eight months of 2021, P2 sold 2,183 units of the G. The GXtra meanwhile found 12,326 buyers, making it the best selling Axia variant this year (the Style is a distant second at 4,587 units). To corroborate the trend, January to August year-to-date sales for 2020 had the G at 2,258 and the GXtra at 16,934, an even bigger gap.

So, it seems like most Axia buyers are willing to pay the extra RM1,455, or RM18 per month, for the GXtra. The latter is simply better value when you consider the list of extra kit, of which VSC is the headlining act.

By the way, if you’re wondering why would Perodua keep the G when the GXtra is so well received, the carmaker explained before that it did not scrap the G – which is effectively the entry variant, as the base E is the manual “driving school spec” with a very basic list of amenities – because of the above-mentioned loan approval and affordability scenario. Ideally, everyone would want the GXtra, but there’s a place for both in the line-up, P2 says.

Myvi 1.3 X, add RM2k for ASA

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

Let’s now take a look at the Myvi 1.3 X versus the 1.3 X with ASA. The Myvi, which was the first Perodua to come with ASA back in 2017, received the improved ASA 2.0 in a July 2020 update, bringing it in line with the Axia, Bezza and Aruz. Previously exclusive to the top 1.5 AV, ASA was expanded to the 1.5 H and made optional for the 1.3 X – this means that all 1.5L variants now have ASA, and the safety pack is available on the 1.3L as well.

The 1.3 X is priced at RM44,959 on-the-road without insurance, with SST exemption. The 1.3 X with ASA is exactly as described – it’s the 1.3 X with the ASA option and nothing else – priced at RM46,959. That’s RM2,000 for the safety pack. According to Perodua data, year-to-date August 2021 sales for the 1.3 X ASA is 2,634 units, versus 1,116 units for the regular 1.3 X.

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

Below the 1.3 X is the 1.3 G, which is the entry variant for the Myvi. The 1.3 X ASA also outperformed the 1.3 G AT, which did 2,603 units from January to August. This is quite telling, since the RM43,029 1.3 G AT is the cheapest automatic Myvi on sale (the sole manual kicks off the range at RM41,292) and the difference between the 1.3 X ASA and 1.3 G AT is nearly RM4,000, not insignificant for a RM40+k car.

So, it looks like Myvi 1.3 X buyers are ticking the ASA box, and a big portion of Myvi 1.3L buyers are opting for the ASA-equipped car over the 1.3 G, which will save its owner RM50 a month in instalments (nine years, 3.2%). Yes, ASA isn’t the only difference between X and G, and one gains convenience features as well, but we’d like to think that ASA stands out in the list as the biggest upgrade.

Might as well go all out

One can also point to the Aruz X (1,555 units) versus the ASA-equipped Aruz AV (8,485 units), but that could be down to plain value. The price gap is RM4,700, but the AV gets a long list of extra goodies outside of ASA – auto headlamps, front fog lamps, roof rails, leather, piano black trim, SmartLink for the head unit and a dashcam makes the AV a smart buy.

Furthermore, the Aruz is targeted at – according to Perodua’s market research – replacement car buyers (RCB) and additional car buyers (ACB), people who have a medium to high income looking for a primary family car. This group would have much less problems parting with an extra RM57 monthly.

Even less price sensitive are Ativa buyers. The target profile for Perodua’s newest model is also RCB/ACB and mid to high income, but owners are likely to be single or newly married, using the SUV as a personal car or the household’s second car. No kids = more disposable income. This is why the range topping RM72k Ativa AV is by far the most popular variant, with most opting for the extra cost two-tone paintjob as well. The AV trounced the RM66,100 mid spec H by 9,051 to 2,717 units. The base X? It did less than half of the H.

It appears that buyers at the upper end of the Perodua scale are AV lovers, and that could be down to their greater purchasing power and the comparative value of the range toppers, which safety is just a part of.

Content vs Cost

It’s a different story at the other end of the scale. While we applaud Perodua for expanding ASA to the Axia and Bezza, the AV variants of the entry duo aren’t the most popular. YTD August 2021 sales for the Bezza AV is 6,261 units, less than half of the variant immediately below it, the 1.3 X AT (13,630 units). In the Axia camp, AV sales of 1,322 units are way below the SE (2,580) and Style (4,587), both of which are similarly priced.

If you look at the specs and price list, it’s no wonder why. Before SST exemption, the Bezza AV was a RM50k car. Sure, it has ASA and leather, but RM50k is deep in Myvi territory and a couple of grand more can get you the Myvi AV, which is a much better car.

Even if you discount the Myvi (maybe you really need a boot and the Proton Saga just isn’t an option because of FC), the Bezza AV is RM5,805 costlier than the X – that’s over 10% and a big premium for this segment, even before taking into account the price sensitivity of the target market, which P2 categorises as first time buyers (FTB) in the low to mid income group.

One significant group of car buyers not officially classified by Perodua is e-hailing drivers. The Bezza is probably the most popular car for e-hailing, thanks to the usual P2 qualities (good fuel economy and reliability) plus that huge boot, which is perfect for airport runs. You don’t join the gig economy without counting every ringgit, and the AV makes even less sense for this group.

Another possible factor is that the most popular variants of the Axia (GXtra) and Bezza (1.3 X AT) already have VSC, so FTBs and those upgrading from older cars might view them as “safe enough”, a view that’s not unreasonable.

We are seeing the light

ANALYSIS: Are Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features like VSC and AEB?

These sales figures hint at Malaysian car buyers willing to pay more for safety features. The success of variants such as the VSC-equipped Axia GXtra and Myvi 1.3 X with ASA is a strong sign that if their budgets permit, car buyers would shell out the premium for safety kit.

This trend should continue to grow, as consumers in the mass market discover new safety equipment and learn first hand how they help protect us on the road – for instance, many motorists had their first experience with AEB in their current Perodua, where in the past, a costly fender bender might have occurred.

The same is happening now with Ativa AV customers, many of whom are trying out driver assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep control for the first time. When these owners eventually upgrade, they will demand, at the very least, the same level of safety kit from their next car, if not higher. Currently, AEB isn’t a given in the D-segment, never mind ADAS, while the current G20 BMW 3 Series was launched without AEB (an April 2020 update finally rectified this).

Thus, Perodua’s efforts in democratising safety equipment is beneficial to the Malaysian auto market, by way of lifting overall standards. Looks like it’s beginning to bear some fruit. Customers, even at the entry level, are seeing value in safety, and are now putting their money where their mouth is, so other car brands might want to look at this case study when speccing upcoming models.

Our take is that if it comes down to a choice between putting in more safety equipment or nice-to-have but ultimately non-essential features, the former should always take priority. And by the looks of it, many Malaysians are in agreement – how about you?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • VSC and AEB is the must. Don’t buy when without AEB and VSC

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 13
    • Proton Fanboy on Sep 18, 2021 at 6:30 am

      You mean Saga, Iriz and Persona?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
      • Tak payah fikir, tak payah pening. Ada VSC, ada AEB.. Beli je P2

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 7
        • Amran on Sep 18, 2021 at 7:24 pm

          Alza ada VSC, ada AEB ke? Aiyoo Pening kepla nak tak nak beli P2. Lagi baik jangan beli dr dia.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 10
        • Celup King on Sep 20, 2021 at 12:52 pm

          Well done! Give yourself your own thumbs up!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
    • A loooottttt of conjecture and assumption in this writeup. Very simplistic conclusion with merely just a point of reference and then ignoring data that don’t corroborate with the writer’s own conclusion.

      Fact is, most go for higher end spec simply because Malaysians love kits and the higher price on the overall is not really felt, because it goes into the loan an spread out 5-7 years, is not something they would think when buying: “Extra RM18 so what, 1 paket rokok kurang saja” goes the thinking. Most would have no trouble but there will be some just on the threshold but did not think thoroughly enough before stumping for the AV. What is the driving for AV sales? I tell you, it is the kit ups. That simple, and they would tack on those gaudy GearUp bodykits simply cuz these are also packaged into the loan.

      Sorry to burst the writer’s bubble but Malaysian consumers are very YOLO when comes to buying cars and it is the pricing, looks, kits & gadgets that drives sales, not the safety elements. If the writer’s conjecture about buyers preferene for safety were accurate, most buyers would have gone for Axia AV rather than Myvi G or X. The reason why Bezza & Axia aren’t moving is pricing vs kit. At the same price range, Myvi X has all the mod-cons that comes with its smaller sibling; alloy rims, digital AC, LED lights, bigger engine, smartphone connectivity, minus ASA. If ASA were a hit, buyers would have flocked to their AVs instead of ASA-less Myvis.

      I can tell you, if take the ASA out of Ativa but leave everything else, lower it down to 50k, and I can guarantee you it would outsell Myvi AV as well simply because of its higher kit lists. People aren’t buying because of the safety specs but it was the better kits that draws in buyers, the safety elements was just a happy coincidence it was included but really Malaysian buyers weren’t looking at that feature when buying cars.

      Still don’t believe me? Take a look at how popular Mitsubishi Xpander sales pre-FMCO. It has no AEB, no ADAS, and only 2 airbags yet became a best seller. What does that tell you about Malaysian buying preferences?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 79 Thumb down 64
      • I don’t see how popular is Xpander though. It’s less than Aruz, X70, BR-V, Serena, Innova.
        It’s sales also far less than the low sales City and Vios now.

        Just randomly see one xpander. Bcuz it’s design is rare so keep remind us about it.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 8
        • Celup King on Sep 18, 2021 at 12:40 pm

          Well done! Give that comment your own thumbs down!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
        • https://paultan.org/2021/04/06/mitsubishi-motors-malaysia-achieves-best-ever-quarter-51-sales-jump-in-fy-2020-boosted-by-the-xpander/
          Popular by its own

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
    • Celup King on Sep 18, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      You mean Alza, and Axia E and G?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Goodwill on Sep 17, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    No AEB = Modern Tin Kosong
    No VSC = Dinasaur Tin Kosong

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 125 Thumb down 73
  • YB Albert on Sep 17, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    If the gomen is caring enough,car taxes should be lowered,in the first place.(progressively,if not used car dealers kaput)
    At the same time,all new cars have to include all the basic safety features as MANDATORY,not optional.
    The car buyer is whacked left ,right,centre by high car taxes and got to fork out more to get better safety features.It is ridiculous.
    Dont you think a “kerajaan keluarga” can do more for the suffering rakyat in covidian times?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 5
    • It is not about the taxes, but greed of automakers for not making adequate safety standards a mandatory inclusion when such technology was available to them long ago. How else would you explain this:
      https://paultan.org/2016/12/05/perodua-unable-to-install-esc-on-current-models-except-the-bezza-new-model-due-out-in-2018/
      And only recent years did Axia “magically” came with ESC today. Same car, previously cannot, now can? Where the logic? The buying public & mass media are also to blamed for ardently supporting Perodua all these ASA-less & ESC-less years. Now they are trumpeting the very things they refused to include previously. This article stinks of hypocrisy and I would dare say paid to be written.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 5
      • If car taxes are lower, this gives dealers a bit of headroom to potentially up-spec the car

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
        • Celup King on Sep 20, 2021 at 12:54 pm

          Car taxes have nothing to do with upping safety specs. Xpander now cheaper without SST but does it comes with extra airbags?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • jeffchua on Sep 19, 2021 at 11:28 pm

      they can’t lower the tax because if they do malaysia car makers will "kaput" imagine mercedes entry lvl with the price camry, then toyota cheaper than now. people tend to choose the brand if they are priced similar, A class Benz is still a Benz , and that’s the fact

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Dylan on Sep 17, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Great to see Perodua sharing sales figure on a per variant basis in contrast to when they didn’t when paultan was composing the article about the popularity of manual transmissions.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Stuff i can live without:
    1. Auto start/stop
    2. Lane departure warning
    3. Auto braking
    4. Blindspot indicator

    Can’t live without
    1. ABS
    2. VSC and TCS
    3. Apple carplay
    4. Rearview camera

    #foglightsarenotfordailyuse

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 37
    • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 18, 2021 at 11:46 am

      blindspot indicator is stupidly useful in malaysia where drivers and motorbikes zig in and out as they like

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 59 Thumb down 24
      • Blindspot indicator is useful that helps to remind drivers by sound alert to prevent from hurting bikers and drivers.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 10
    • AEB is a must and can prevent accident or even save lives! Trust me, you will appreciate it very much

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 87 Thumb down 53
      • Celup King on Sep 20, 2021 at 12:55 pm

        Learn to keep distance and brake sufficiently instead of relying on an imperfect technology.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 11
        • Machines on Sep 20, 2021 at 2:46 pm

          Won’t help definitely

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
          • Avenger on Sep 21, 2021 at 8:23 am

            Putting blind faith on a manmade system won’t help either. Ask Tony on his Ultron initiative.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 13
    • Disagree. Aeb, Bsm and etc, is what people wants. #Safetyprioritizepeopleslives

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 27
  • the driver on Sep 17, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    We are a nation/region of gamblers. We believe that by taking chances, we stand to benefit financially if we save a little here, a little there and frequently it’s the cost of safety. Regardless whether the buyer is rich or (mostly) not, penny pinching is common place whether a Perodua or BMW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Bob the builder on Sep 17, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    ASA is rubbish and deosnf work at night. Sometimes beep for no reason as well. More of a nuisance than a help tbh. Regret getting axia with asa 2.0. rubbish and annoying

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 64
  • Wow a whole article paid for by Perodua. LOL.
    No market pressure? If there were no market pressure from Iriz, your Myvi today would still have 2 airbags, no VSC, no AEB, and poor passenger cell without HPF (that last part still holds true today).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 36
    • Gary Senior on Sep 18, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      Datuk Gary,are u saying Paultan is ‘kaotimed”and paid to write this article?
      Some politicians or vvips resort to this,but I doubt Paultan has to stoop so low.
      They are just doing reporting.The rest is up to the forum readers to draw their own conclusion.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • YB Sam Look on Sep 19, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      Worse, not even ABS brake for base G variant, but you know i knowlah, people buy Berukdua coz its cheap.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • So where were you when DK was hard selling his Ativa over X50?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Lilytan on Sep 17, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    Kudos to p2 for making responsible business decision unlike p1. Latest persona n iriz could hugely benefited by having adas/aeb (they hv even tested it back in 2014) but shame they dont. They said tht it is costly to put adas in old model is just absurd. Vios is around almost 20 years n yet latest facelift can hv aeb n 7 airbags n priced well. P1 shld change its attitude, otherwise it will never be no 1 again. Dont take msian life for granted.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 20
  • dodgeviper88 on Sep 18, 2021 at 4:00 am

    To me with exorbitant prices to buy a car, safety is a given and expected. If Perodua can provide all these safety equipment why can’t a BMW provide it? Don’t even get me started with the time when Toyota infamously removed VSC from their Camry models

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 26
    • Toyota here used to be stingy by removing safety features but now different, they come with basic safety features including aeb, bsm and etc. #Safetyprioritizepeopleslives

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 25
  • apanama on Sep 18, 2021 at 7:32 am

    While these vehicle electronic safety features are meant to assist the driver when encountering a hazardous situation on the road, the driver should not be lulled into thinking of solely depending on these features to stay out of trouble. The human element in safe driving is still important. Of course, there’s the subject of human error, but that can be countered if the driver is already mentally & physically fit enough to manage & control a motor vehicle.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 18, 2021 at 8:20 am

    i think many people are willing to buy cars with less luxury items with full aeb. its a pain they force us to buy the top of the line model only can get what should be basic safety.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 9
  • Fu Cook on Sep 18, 2021 at 10:12 am

    (maybe you really need a boot and the Proton Saga just isn’t an option because of FC

    What does FC mean

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • jusknittin on Sep 18, 2021 at 3:12 pm

      I believe it means “fuel consumption (FC)” and I disagree very much with that statement. There’s no solid evidence that a Bezza or Myvi 1.3 FC is better than a Saga. Even if it is, the difference is so small that it’s not worth to discuss about. What Perodua claim on paper have not yet been proved by real customers. Why don’t Perodua layout all the specific “do’s and don’ts” to achieve that FC number so the public can test it.

      If this writer don’t personally own these vehicles and experience the truth about the FC, it’s tarnishing their own reputation as journalist to write based on speculation. I’m not taking sides but I own a Perodua Bezza 1.0 and I never achieve the claimed FC. What worse is that Perodua didn’t add any disclaimer (on their website) about the claimed FC for the 1.0 variant, which makes it looks like “21.3km/l” is a guarantee.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
    • In short, FC stands for fuel consumption

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • suomynona on Sep 18, 2021 at 5:51 pm

      Fuel Consumption

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kontolisasi on Sep 18, 2021 at 10:57 am

    It’s not willingly to pay VSC and AEB, these functions and other safety features should have made equipped in every newer vehicles these days. We just don’t have the choice than to pay exorbitantly if we want these features on our newer vehicles. Arsehole editor!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
  • Bieight on Sep 18, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Government should mandate all new cars on sale need to have at least 6 airbags, abs, esp and aeb by law

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
    • Jeremy on Sep 18, 2021 at 7:29 pm

      It is not even mandatory in Europe why harp on Government? It is the consumers that are at fault for supporting Perodua all these years when their cars came without all these features.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
      • But confirmed that Europe will put mandatory as AEB next year when selling new cars. In near future, the rest of countries and here will do the same thing

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • stick on Sep 18, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    most malaysians motorists don’t care about safety, that’s why the accident rate is so high and you see road daredevils all the time, they like to look and act “cool” only without considering about anything else, yes, that’s the mindset of “most” malaysian motorists.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
  • Onanodus on Sep 18, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    Problem with the Malaysian market is that too many Malaysians prioritise convenience features more than safety features, and yet if a manufacturer implements more safety features than convenience features, that manufacturer will be criticised for not equipping their cars well. E.g. the Kia Picanto KX, while it didn’t offered any ADAS, it had a fairly good list of safety features, 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, ESC, TCS and more, but it missed out on stuff like a smart key system, powered mirrors and rear windows, rear camera, etc. And yet, some Malaysians criticise it because an Axia has all the convenience features for the same price and they rather get an Axia, which is a little silly because the Picanto is still a better car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
    • Fully agree on that. Take Iriz, when it came as the leader in safety with VSC & 6 airbags where was this long write up? Nada. All they had was criticism on the Campro FC, its looks, and CVT gearbox. Oh and it didn’t have teh tarik hook compared to Myvi Lagi Best. They harp on that, can you believe it.
      And the consumers bought it hook, line & sinker preferring a 2 airbag Lagi Best over 6 airbag, VSC, Iriz. That Perodua grudgingly included more safety features today, now their fanboys are coming out of the woodworks and gushing about prioritising safety. HAH! Ask them about Alza then.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 8
  • kenot on Sep 18, 2021 at 6:36 pm

    my next car should has at least AEB. no matter what, we cannot deny this ADAS tech is for better safety driving, but at the same time as a driver, we still to be responsible and focus on the road.

    i really hope proton can put at least AEB for their non flagship x50/x70.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Majority of Malaysian still buy based on brand perception and price. Malaysian are buying cars equipped with additional safety equipment because its in the package of the vehicle they want to buy.

    I bet if one manufacturer make a car with all the bodykit, bling2 wheels, plush interior, fancy infotaiment without any other safety equipment not even ABS or airbag….the car will sell very well in Malaysia as its cheaper than others with additional safety equipment. Imagine BMW strip off their fancy infotaiment and other safety kit…this will be a hot sale here.

    People buy the P2 not because it got advance safety equipment. Its because the brand image, lower price, and the fact that entry spec is just too ‘entry’. There are also outside brand selling empty-spec car at higher price yet malaysian still buy them due to the ‘non local car is superior’ syndrom.

    Its good that we are moving towards the right direction but is there any data that show road accident actually reduced when more vehicle on the road is equipped with advance safety equipment? Would be interesting to see the % of reduction.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 19
    • But all car brands are mostly selling cars with advanced safety features. Europe has already mandatory for advanced safety features and in the coming years, the rest of countries and here will mandatory too.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 4
  • Tnemmoc on Sep 18, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    most Malaysians don’t care about safety car, got 2 airbag ar, cheaper yes? Manual got? cheaper bor? Most malaysians looking for tin kosong spec car cheapest model, then highest loan with longest tenure. Dapat kereta, straight upgrade 18 rims, spoiler, wrap, beatbox, cut spring. Where have money left for safety equipment?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 18
  • pasir gudang on Sep 18, 2021 at 10:24 pm

    Kawan, you really beleive malaysians value safety? How many people use rear seat belts and install child seats? Mandatory you know. Speeding some more. Cemerlang.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Muhammad on Sep 19, 2021 at 8:02 am

    For money sensitive market, AV version doesn’t appeal for entry level user. You save on FC due to that start stop feature but it setback a lot for battery replacement.

    Thank god P2 added VSC to X variant.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • tiadaid (Member) on Sep 19, 2021 at 11:10 am

    I really doubt people are choosing the higher spec cars simply because of the safety features.

    Let’s face it, usually the higher spec cars come with a lot of bells & whistles. Malaysians are really buying them because of those bells & whistles instead of the safety systems. Case in point, back in 2014-2015 the Kia Picanto was the cheapest car you can buy with full safety systems such as ESC & 6 Airbags as standard. Hardly anyone bought them.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 20
    • But now, they are buying cars with most of safety features. Soon more Malaysians will have to get used to it when comes to buying new cars with advanced safety features while some Malaysian have already get used.

      #Safetyprioritizepeopleslives

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 11
  • Ben Yap on Sep 19, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Because malaysians are allowed to stretch their car loans to 9 years, they will top up the marginal difference for safety features. if the loans are limited to a maximum of 5 years, most of them will buy cars without safety features.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 22
  • How to explain Honday city V out sell Almera VLT ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • City outsell almera? But both also minority already.
      X50, Ativa, Aruz, X70 falls to the price range and sells more already.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • How to explain Honda City V out sell AL.era VLT ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Jeffrey Chew on Sep 20, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    I would suggest these safety features should withdrawn from car tax regime for all CKDs to make it affordable.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • newme on Sep 20, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Malaysian do not need the features themselves. They need the features to brag when around friends.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Well, I understand some Malaysians may not like for driving car without safety features. But it is very crucial that once driving a car without safety features, you will face problems… will got accidents, some got injured when car crash and etc. So believe that driving safety features with ADAS will prevent you from getting accidents than nothing

    #Safetyprioritizepeopleslives

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 4
 

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