Perodua Axia launched

The Perodua Axia is not just another new model that joins the modest Perodua line-up. It marks a milestone in various ways because it is the first model where the upper body has been designed and customised for Perodua by Malaysians. While this may seem like little more than just requiring good stylists, it actually encompasses a far greater scope of work, including engineering features specific to the Axia.

To make the new model, Perodua even set up a brand new factory which has more advanced manufacturing processes, efficiency and productivity than the original one which began operations in 1994. There’s greater automation and the quality levels are said to be close to those of Daihatsu’s factories in Japan. The result is a car of far higher quality than ever before.

In tandem with the new plant, Perodua also joined a joint-venture with some Japanese companies to set up a factory in Negeri Sembilan to make electronic automatic transmissions which are installed in the Axia. Work has also started on constructing a joint-venture factory to make engines.

Incidentally, with the Axia, Perodua is offering a generous 5-year (or 150,000 kms) warranty which must show their confidence in the quality of their manufacturing processes.

The Axia’s exterior design shows a bolder approach to styling with more chiselled surfaces that give an impression of solidity. This is probably a useful visual perception to have given that it is a small car. You’ll probably look twice when you see different front ends and indeed, there are two frontal designs for the Axia.

The lower-priced E and G versions have a more conventional look while the SE and Advanced versions have a bolder ‘face’ with the area below the grille extending outwards and downwards. The SE and Advanced versions also have a sportier appearance with a rear spoiler fitted as standard. Having different ‘faces’ is not new but for the Axia, the differences are more pronounced and bolder.

-motor trader