Most car launches are usually quiet, closed affairs. Apart from major launches from local car brands, or special occasions that are one of the first of its kind, such as a locally-assembled electric vehicle, you hardly ever see ministers get involved.
This wasn’t the case with yesterday’s Maxus MIFA 9 launch. After all, it can be considered a niche model, an EV MPV from a relatively unknown brand (while Maxus has been around for a few years, sales have been on the low side), one that is fully imported as a CBU, with no CKD localisation plans mentioned.
Yet somehow, the event was attended by none other than prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim plus four other ministers. That’s a total of five cabinet members at a car launch. It’s purely speculative for now, but this suggests that the MPV could well be in the running to be used as the next official vehicle for local ministers.
This comes after Anwar announced in Budget 2024 that government official car procurement will move towards EVs next year. The Maxus MIFA 9 is a strong candidate for the ministerial slots, given that it would be a like-for-like replacement for the current fleet of Toyota Vellfires, and an MPV would fit better as a chauffeur-driven government VIP vehicle than a Tesla.
A quick recap of the Maxus MIFA 9. It measures 5,270 mm long, 2,000 mm wide and 1,840 mm tall, with a wheelbase that spans 3,200 mm, making it slightly larger than the latest Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, which are 5,005 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,950 mm tall and have a 3,000 mm-long wheelbase.
The detailed specifications of the powertrain are as follows:
- Electric motor output: 245 PS (241 hp or 180 kW) and 350 Nm; FWD
- 0-100 km/h time: 9.2 seconds
- Top speed: 180 km/h
- Battery: 90 kWh ternary lithium-ion
- Range (WLTP): 435 km (Luxury); 430 km (Premium)
- AC charging: 11 kW (Type 2); 5-100% in 8.5 hours
- DC charging: 120 kW (CCS2); 30-80% in 30 minutes
Standard equipment for both the Luxury and Premium variants of the MIFA 9 are dual power-sliding doors, 19-inch alloy wheels (different designs for each variant), LED headlamps and DRLs, LED rear fog lamps, LED taillights, heated side mirrors, front and rear powered sunroofs as well as a powered tailgate.
Inside, there are three rows of seats in a 2-2-3 layout, with the second row being individual captain chairs that offer heating, massage, ventilation and Ottoman functions.
What do you think of the possibility of the MIFA 9 being chosen as government VIP vehicles? Should the ministerial rides be this, a Tesla or a CKD EV such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS, or should the government just stick to the tried and tested Vellfire formula? Share your views on this in the comments section.
GALLERY: 2024 Maxus MIFA 9 Premium
GALLERY: 2024 Maxus MIFA 9 Luxury
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Smokeless BEV not suitable as a new replacement hearse, only smoky ICE mpv meets the criteria LOL
Do u folks know why this Maxus EV is a likely replacement for the 1 year old Vellfires n Alphards for menteris?
Answer: INTENSIVE and well connected lobbying.
Just 1 year old Madani germen..The existing mpvs will be disposed or auctioned off cheap cheap.
Isnt this a huge waste of tax Ringgit?
Whatever savings from corruption control,will be spent on other big items like LRT 3 add ons ,and this EV thing.
PMX,is there any reason for rakyat to vote for WASTAGES,come 2017?
R we saying the national debt will balloon to 2 trillion Rm for the greenies to inherit?
The plan to move to EV is started in 2022 during Sabri ministry. Plus periodical services from spanco for Perdana alone cost 100k a year!
Stupid comment by stupid someone. The vellfires used by menteris are in used since 2021 – replacing perdana 2.4 in 2020. Not purchased by madani.
I give you link.
https://paultan.org/2023/02/21/kerajaan-belanja-rm1-6-juta-untuk-kenderaan-rasmi-menteri-dalam-masa-tiga-tahun-lepas-pm-anwar/
Should opt for Zeekr 009 instead. Rebrand under Proton since Zeekr is sub-brand of Geely.
It will be next lebai ride with P45 regsitration number for sure.
Are there plans for Weststar to introduce 10 seater and higher range battery
menteri should buy their own car.. people work, buy own car.. menteri also get paid working, so buy their own car.. why waste money again after pay menteri sooo much?
have to agree..why so many special treatment? no wonder even idiots want to be menteri..spent people’s money like they own it
Give them interest at 2% pa loan to buy what ever vehicle they desire,especially the education dude n those not performing.
I strongly recommend Proton Exora.. stop wasting taxpayers money on expensive cars.
Why cant MINISTER continue using existing fleet of Vellfires? Why must change to EV? So much wastages if the 1 year old Vellfires are disposed of, yet PMX said spend wisely and began cutting subsidies etc, so why not walk the talk dulu? Don’t be like a cakap tak serupa bikin, else adios 2027!
Well! The government should prefer Maxus Mifa 9 because it quality, reliability, design, comfortable, safety, cost factors that provide value for money. Another things that other models i.e. Toyota Alfard, Vellfire are so many in the road like Perodua Myvi, Axia and even Proton. Mifa9 will be new and rare in the road, and worth it to be called VVIP MPV.