KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Perodua slipped a massive spoiler into the Malaysian automotive market with the launch of the all-new Myvi today.

Social media is abuzz with comments, with some saying that Perodua has put the auto industry into turmoil (in much more colourful language) whilst others defend Perodua by saying that the consumer benefits from it.

Basically, what Perodua has done is to set a new benchmark for the sub-compact class by incorporating features that are normally found in higher-priced cars, whilst not increasing prices substantially.

However, this strategy is not totally new — I can recall that in the late sixties and early seventies, Japanese car makers started to put larger capacity engines into their cars and put in additional features in order to increase the price-value proposition, a sensible thing to do when the Japanese car industry was still in its infancy and had to compete against the more established European brands selling here at that time.

Perodua’s move to put in more ‘big car’ features is doing exactly the same thing, i.e. increasing the price-value proposition of the Myvi, which already enjoys the distinction of being the top-selling car in the country, and has been for quite a number of years.

If I had such a great dependency on a single model, I would certainly do all that I can to make sure it remains a success.

The Myvi has Advanced Safety Assist (ASA), which has the following features:—

1. Pre-Collision Warning - Alerts the driver when it detects the risk of a frontal collision.

2. Pre-Collision Braking - Applies the brakes when it detects an increasing risk of collision with the vehicle ahead.

3. Front Departure Alert - Alerts the driver when the front vehicle has moved away by more than 3m.

4. Pedal Mis-operation control - Suppresses engine output when the driver accidentally steps on the accelerator pedal.

There are five variants of the Myvi, three of which are equipped with 1.3 litre engines, one being a manual while the other two are automatics.

The remaining two are both equipped with 1.5 litre engines and automatic transmissions.

The Myvi has been awarded EEV status, and the claimed fuel consumption is 21.1 km/litre for the 1.3, and 20.1 km/litre for the 1.5 when ‘Eco Idle’ is engaged.

Eco Idle is the engine auto start/stop system.

Retail prices,  on-the-road without insurance are as follows:—

Myvi 1.3G Manual RM44,300 (PM), RM46,300 (EM)

Myvi 1.3G Auto  RM46,300 (PM), RM48,300 (EM)

Myvi 1.3X Auto  RM48,300 (PM)  RM50,300 (EM)

Myvi 1.5H Auto  RM51,800 (PM)  RM53,800 (EM)

Myvi 1.5 AV Auto RM55,300 (PM)  RM57,300 (EM)

Other interesting features, such as LED headlamps with auto-off and ‘follow-me-home’, headlamp leveling adjuster, built -in toll reader, digital air-conditioner controller, push-button start, smart entry with smart key, and a multimedia system with navigation and smart link for android are available, depending on the trim level of the variant.

In terms of active and passive safety, the Myvi is on top of it all with 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, and Isofix with top tether.

Again, depending on variant trim level, there is Traction Control (TRC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and even an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).

With such an impressive array of goodies, plus a totally new body that is quite stylish and progressive, the new Myvi is a sure winner, again.