During its annual business briefing earlier today, Perodua has confirmed that it will be launching at least two new cars 2025: one brand-new “full model change (FMC)” model, and another a “minor change (MC)” facelift update.
The news comes amidst the company’s planned RM1.6 billion capital expenditure (CAPEX) investment this year that will see a significant upgrade to its production and research and development (R&D) capabilities – the latter particularly in development of new models.
Currently, Perodua’s lineup of cars consists of the Myvi, Bezza, Axia, Ativa, Alza, and Aruz. Among those, we think the Myvi and Bezza are the most likely recipient of the FMC update, since the Axia, Ativa, and Alza are all still relatively new, and the Aruz appears to have been placed on the back burner.
Both models have not received any meaningful changes for quite some time – The Bezza was last updated back in 2020 with a new facelift update and updated Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 advanced driver assistance features, while the Myvi received its last update in 2021 – save for a new Lava Red colour for the X and H variant, announced last year.
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Judging by their age, the Bezza (first launched in 2016!) would likely be Perodua’s priority this year. Besides, the Bezza is also based on the Axia, which itself has received an FMC update in 2023, which could shorten development times compared to the Myvi.
Currently, the Perodua Bezza comes in two choices of engine types, the 1KR-VE 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, and a 1NR-VE 1.3-litre four-cylinder mill. We don’t expect these to change on the FMC, although like the Axia, it’ll most likely make the switch over to the carmaker’s Dual-Mode CVT gearbox, in place of the ageing four-speed auto. Similarly, it should also be sitting on the DNGA platform.
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As for the MC facelift update, we think it would most likely be the Ativa – the oldest model from Perodua’s ‘new’ line-up (with the Axia and Alza), introduced nearly four years ago now in 2021.
We don’t know exactly what the “minor change” will entail here, especially since its Japanese twins in the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize have both not been updated yet. Still, don’t expect any sweeping performance updates, though – it’s most likely just a slight styling update, alongside perhaps improved safety assistance features, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Aside from the two “FMC” and “MC” models, Perodua is also scheduled to unveil its first fully electric model this year. The Perodua electric vehicle (EV) is most recently previewed at the KLIMS 2024 motor show, and is targeted at the sub-RM100k price bracket.
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