Perodua Ativa Hybrid market study underway – CEO

Perodua Ativa Hybrid market study underway – CEO

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Perodua is current conducting a market study for hybrid vehicles in Malaysia. The carmaker has officially admitted that the Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid spotted testing in downtown KL, even before it was launched in Japan, is theirs.

Perodua president and CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad told media at the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift preview event yesterday that the lightly disguised Rocky Hybrid tester on our roads is “for evaluation and study purposes” and more will be disclosed when the time is right.

The P2 chief added that the market study for hybrid models involve both the customer side and the regulatory side. “We’re doing market study, looking at the acceptance of Malaysian customers, the pricing level that they can accept, and to see whether our hybrid can meet regulations and requirement by regulatory bodies,” he said.

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Launched in its home market earlier this month, the Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid is powered by a series hybrid system that has similarities to Nissan’s e-Power in the way it works. The SUV is powered exclusively by a 106 PS/170 Nm electric motor, with the WA-VEX 1.2 litre Atkinson-cycle three-cylinder engine acting solely as a generator. The petrol engine produces 82 PS at 5,600 rpm and 105 Nm of torque from 3,200 to 5,200 rpm.

This arrangement eliminates the usual transmission and places the electric propulsion motor and motor-generator units in parallel for a more compact layout – Daihatsu says the e-Smart Hybrid system will next go into JDM kei cars. Another benefit of the system is that the lithium-ion battery (4.3 Ah in this case) can be relatively small and cost-effective.

In addition, the Rocky Hybrid comes with a “Smart Pedal” that enables one-pedal driving, with normal and eco modes varying the throttle response. Increased sound insulation on the bonnet and under the engine cover and dashboard also muffle the sound of the engine when it is being used, DMC says. The Rocky e-Smart Hybrid’s claimed fuel efficiency is 28 km/l (3.6 litres per 100 km) on the WLTP cycle.

Of course, the Rocky is a twin of our Perodua Ativa, and the ready-made availability of a hybrid variant of the SUV makes the Ativa the most likely of current P2 models to receive electrification. Also, hybrids typically cost more than pure ICE models, and the Ativa’s buyer profile (replacement and additional car buyers, according to P2) would be the most likely to pay extra for a greener and more advanced car, compared to the target market of other P2 models.

The Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid is priced from 2,116,000 (RM77,000) to 2,347,000 yen (RM85,400) in Japan. More on the JDM model and its differences from the Ativa here. RM10k more, would you?

GALLERY: Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid

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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

  • PlainBS on Nov 17, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Make sure other EVs are higher price than Perodua EV to look cheaper and call it a big success.

    Nice trick as usual.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 5
    • Others also could price cheap.

      E.g Kia Picanto Kia Carens VW Polo Vento Hyundai Accent suzuki swift Almera,
      But sales were very little, spare parts problems, not fuel saving, etc.

      It wasn’t game Changer like Cheaper yet better Ativa, X70, Aruz , X50 and Myvi King.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • PlainBS on Nov 17, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    Also talk only, probably have to wait until 2026 to see its shadow.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • GenY AEB on Nov 17, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    Ativa Turbo is Powerful and Fun.
    It might be difficult to sell the hybrid when compared, when concerned.

    Honda Jazz Hybrid 2012-2021, City hybrid 2017-2021 Malaysia proven a to be a flopped sales.
    It was only RM89k still running below 20km/L, when it’s used car lagi no value tin kosong no AEB now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 5
    • Amran on Nov 18, 2021 at 12:18 am

      Cant even compete in body safety but wanna talk hybrid; we all know hybrids have low RV to the mass market so better focus the resources on implementing HPF safety cell. Never bite more than you can chew ya

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Veyron Owner on Nov 17, 2021 at 1:36 pm

    Kudos to P2. Top notch japs cartech to bolehland,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
  • Celup King on Nov 17, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    always in the planning since 18 years ago..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • Celup king = vader on Nov 17, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      Proton Iriz unveiled in 2015 but until now still not realised also bro, plus Perodua never promised to make a hybrid car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
      • Kantoi But Still Wanna Defend on Nov 18, 2021 at 3:19 pm

        Proton never promised to sell hybrid car but Perodua CEO made such promises back in 2003

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Amran on Nov 17, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    Too little too late… Invested billions of ringggits already for the past few years, still in planning phase. Tomyamland & Baksoland are way ahead of u

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • Vader on Nov 17, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Forever plan plan and then gone into winds like 2003 Kenari hybrid plan

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • Lolwhut? on Nov 17, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    Wow until today still working on the roadmap. So when can we actually see a car with occupant HPF safety cell below RM100k?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • I am waiting to see this CKD EV charged by Petrol. No need waste time charging paying TNB.

    Pure EV driving from 0 to highway and cruising.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Game Changer on Nov 18, 2021 at 7:28 am

    Many people want a Prius SUV, bring it on!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mr Mar on Nov 18, 2021 at 8:58 am

    Ativa Hybrid ETA 2028

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Green on Nov 18, 2021 at 9:34 am

    WLTP 28km/L x 36liter

    This is WLTP rated 1008km EV drive, charging @ 28km/L.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • improvements over the regular ativa

    acoustic windshield
    better speakers
    Android auto/apple carplay or something that just works
    climate control
    Electric parking brake

    Voila~!

    the best car for the price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • 27March2009 on Nov 18, 2021 at 11:23 am

    https://paultan.org/2009/03/27/detroit-electric-to-sign-rm-12-billion-agreement-with-proton-for-electric-car-development/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 30 March 2009 on Nov 18, 2021 at 11:25 am

    https://paultan.org/2009/03/30/detroit-electric-to-sell-electric-persona-and-gen2/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 14 October 2014 on Nov 18, 2021 at 11:28 am

    https://paultan.org/2014/10/14/proton-ev-2017-under-rm100k/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 3 August 2008 on Nov 18, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    https://paultan.org/2008/08/03/lotus-eve-hybrid-at-the-proton-technology-week/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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