KUALA LUMPUR: In a move that can be described as nothing short of automotive wizardry, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) startled the industry and unleashed a car that is truly a gift to the rakyat.
In these trying economic times, where the cost of everything seems to skyrocket by the minute, Perodua deserves a standing ovation for making budgeting for the rakyat a tad less painful. It's a blessing to know that one can actually tighten the purse strings without sacrificing the dream of owning a car.
Perodua's calculations indicate a paltry RM300 monthly repayment, based on a seven-year loan tenure. Surprisingly, this makes owning a car even cheaper than some of the motorcycles currently on sale. And what do you get in return? A five-seater with ample storage and a roof over your head —a delightful proposition indeed!
This endeavor not only humanises Perodua but also shatters records within the company and the entire industry.
With a local price tag of RM22,000, the 2023 Axia E variant is now the most affordable car in Perodua's product lineup, surpassing the likes of the company's first Kancil model (retailing around RM24,800) and the 2019 Axia E variant model at RM24,090.
If we take inflation into account, it's safe to say that this might just be the most affordable local car ever produced.
Achieving the impossible required a two-pronged strategy: cleverly reusing an older model's body frame and stripping the car down to its bare essentials. The third step, involving intricate production economics, remains a well-guarded secret that we can only speculate about.
If the new Axia E variant seems oddly familiar, it's because it is based on the 2017 Axia's body, rather than the brand-new 2023 model that hit the market in February.
Keen-eyed readers and Axia enthusiasts might also spot design elements from the 2019 model. The truth lies somewhere in between, as the two designs have been blended harmoniously.
In interviews with Perodua's president and CEO, Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, we learned that the strategic choice of using the 2017 bumper played a vital role in cost-cutting measures. After all, the tooling for that particular part had already been fully amortised.
Underneath its modest exterior lies a 1KR-VE 1.0-liter electronic fuel injection (EFI) VVT-i engine (first seen in the second-generation Axia). Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, this little workhorse delivers a respectable 67hp @ 6,000rpm and 91Nm @ 4,000rpm.
As a front-wheel drive (FWD) city compact, the Axia E boasts a 33-liter fuel tank capacity and an impressive fuel consumption rate of 22.5 km/l (ECE mode).
Opting for the "kosong-spec" route with a manual transmission might feel familiar to those who appreciate the age-old traditions. To achieve the utmost in cost-cutting, the Axia E variant rolls off the assembly line without any in-cabin entertainment whatsoever.
No infotainment system, no audio speakers, no radio—zip, zilch, nada! The side mirrors are manual, and you won't find wireless door locks and alarms, carpet mats, or central locking either. So, let go of any fantasies about modern driver-assist systems or advanced safety features; this car is strictly focused on the essentials.
That isn't to say the car doesn't have some modern quality-of-life properties as it does come with air-conditioning, power windows, electric power steering (EPS), 175/64 R14 steel rims, two-airbags at the front, ISOFIX system, and a safety triangle accessory. So don't fret as you're not exactly tossed back into the 80s or early 90s.
Packed with only the essentials, the car's greatest asset isn't only its price but transmission availability. As listed it comes in manual and it is the only model of its kind in the entire Perodua line-up.
The new 2023 Axia E variant is now available for viewing and booking at Perodua dealerships nationwide.
The company says there are at least two months worth of ready stock available at the time of launch.