Well, I'm still around folks! Lazier than ever which is why things don't get updated. No, the Malaysian automotive industry is technically doing fine without me and it's just that ever since the recent pandemic and the many Movement Control Orders (Three to be exact) has made me change the priorities in my life. These days, its more about me, me, me and me.
But that isn't new with me actually. It's just that I have enjoyed doing what I like to do the most and since the automotive scene isn't all that great since you are restricted in doing outdoorsy stuff and lotsa masks, protocols, it has been boring. Add the fact that these days I only see cars having their infotainment systems upgraded as the biggest upgrade to a vehicle model ever and that they basically still drive the same as before, car launches can be extremely boring too.
I mean, cars these days all mostly drive well and don't actually want to kill you. Even crappy small cars drive well and a filled with safety features whether you want them or not. Ten years ago you could buy a crappy looking car with tiny tyres and it would handle terribly (I'm lookin' at you, previous gen Nissan Almera - the current one is a good looking B segment car and drives well too), but these days, even the ugliest looking B segment Hatchback on sale today - I'm lookin' at you Honda City Hatchback drives decently well, is extremely well equipped does not have any handling issues to complain or bitch about. Except that it's ugly. Or uglier in real life. Photos actually do it justice. MAYBE its the choen camera angles.
Why oh why, aside from ensuring that maximum profitability to the company will you stop selling the outgoing, nicer looking, as practical, as fast, as well equipped good looking Honda Jazz/Fit for the City Hatchback? Look at the current Japan market Honda City and compare to what we Malaysians are getting. The City Hatchback looks so conservatively bland or like some budget family car from te 1950s rather than something modern and truly savvy from its external styling. In terms of equipment, of course we still get the usual stuff, but looks and style wise.....nope. Look at the Jazz/Fit below...modern chic.
It's all about maximum profit. Simple as that and when you add the fact that Malaysians in general are gullible and brand conscious buyers, the new 2022 City Hatchback gets bought by Malaysians. Although I do think the reception isn't as great as they would have liked as I do not see many of them plying down the LDP which is where most new cars in the Klang Valley end up.
Anyway, yes, ugly hatchack that sells decently well and drives well. Can't complain as looks are subjective and some may like how it looks. But I do think that when you previously sell a car that is of first world level - Japan is considered first world or developed country and the Jazz is a car designed for that market you also know that MALAYSIA is considered as developing country as we get the City, a car developed for emerging and developing markets in mind. OR......HAS MALAYSIA SLIPPED IN country ranking till Honda decides to give us
So, this is why I am not so excited in covering the scene today. There are other things that would require me writing longer but I am too lazy to do that right now.
I have to say that I may focus more on commercial vehicles for the moment as the crowds are smaller, things are more on a sociable level and I can have time for myself to do other things too. But time will tell.
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