Not siding any party here. AFAIK, there are many factors that will influence whether a new model can be introduce into Malaysia market, beside the regulatory compliance. One main point that I was pretty surprised to hear is that, the principal do demand a certain volume to be able to sell in certain market before approving any new model introduction as CKD unit. Say for example, a new Elgrand. Seriously this mpv is on the luxury and pricey end, there is absolutely no volume we can make it out in Malaysia for such machine, considering the large population of Malaysia still very much in the low-mid range of pay cheque. Don't make sense for CKD initiatives, ETCM has to introduce it as a CBU basis.
End of the day, it's all about demand vs supply, and at what cost. Every entity is running on the basis of profit, but by what margin etc. I fully apprehend what Jay mentioned of cost cutting measures and lack in pace to produce world-class level car. Not in Malaysia unfortunately as there is not enough push from the governance body to enforce policy on safety unlike States and EU.
Yes, partly ETCM has to shoulder some blame, but partly is cost. In addition, Malaysian are generally pretty poor on safety awareness, just look at child seat. How can they sell those poorly constructed child seat, do not even raise the doubt on performance in the event of crash, I bugger to think it will actually injure the child more than saving a toddler life !
Let us imagine, if ETCM introduce a full fledge Sylphy here, with side airbag and curtain airbag, plus the AFS Xenon HID headlamp. Without the balloons, the updated Sylphy has already been priced at 120+ large now. Say we drop in a few more sets of balloons, dare I say it will hit the north of 130 large ? I personally do not think a Sylphy worth that much by then. There you go, no demand.
Look at it objectively, any car manufacturer or distributor can introduce well spec car in Malaysia. But, end of the day, it is all about money. VW Jetta is so well spec in terms of safety and comfort. But I surely do not think in the near future it an uproot any C segment contender.
Sorry, old man ranting and speaking in riddle again. Just my personal thoughts.
Hi Unker Foo and hhhlow,
The current Sylphy is meant for Japan market, a direct competitor to scaled down Altis known as Axio in Japan that is B-segment+. Both at 1695mm width to passed Japan special tax exemption and to drive around their narrow road around housing area. Our Altis that is sold worldwide is C-segment at width 1760mm. The global N-brand C-segment supposed to be Sentra US that is based on bigger and wider Renault platform at 1780mm. This is the one that supposed to be brought in.
No one knows what will happen tomorrow. If what the forumners said on Latest News that car price might follow market value after the big event, then we'll probably see more nice models coming to our shore. Probably with more freedom to carmakers, I think they'll definitely replace the useless bunch of management with proper people with tech background instead by then.
The Dualis will be priced at RM145k if brought in here instead of nobody wanted X-Trail that is offroader but give 2WD instead of 4WD. The Teana '07 in 2007 that they didn't bring in, sold at RM230k CBU without enjoying AFTA exemption. Now they brought in the Teana, it is priced at RM140k before discount. Now you know what type of quality feelfree, popcorn and Nokia bunch are made of.
