Perodua Axia E returns as the most affordable new car in Malaysia, but it's actually still based on the previous generation car

 Perodua earlier today launched the previous generation Axia E again. Basically the cheapest new car you can buy in Malaysia, the Axia E is targeted at the lower income group and comes with a price of RM22,000 before insurance. This is definitely the 'menu Rahmah' of the car industry folks. If you're familiar with the term 'Rahmah' here folks. Definitely the RM5 meal equivalent.

This variant is based on the first Perodua Axia which was first introduced in 2017 and now even with the recent launch of the new generation Axia, it soldiers on in the very basic form. However, even as a car in its most basic sense it is certified with 4-star Asean NCAP rating by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). 

“The Perodua Axia E is part of our original objective of providing affordable and quality mobility for all Malaysians,”  said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad. And it looks like its still the original objective from the looks of it!

I suppose because it is and I am not complaining. The Perodua Axia E comes with a very traditional manual transmission and still comes with two airbags, seatbelt reminder for the driver and a 5-year warranty. So it isn't all bare bones in terms of vehicle safety. Of course, no alloy wheels here. No radio or speakers too. You can't expect and frills or premium bits do you?

There are three options for colours including Ivory White, Glittering Silver and the new Granite Grey. So this isn't a Ford Model T where you can ask for any colour as long as its black. you have choices here folks.

The Perodua Axia E market introduction was made by Perodua Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin. Since the Axia model was first launched in 2014 until 31st May 2023, Perodua  had registered 606,756 units of the Axia model, including the All-New Axia which was launched in February 2023. This makes it a popular choice among Malaysians.

Dato’ Sri Zainal said Perodua is aiming to sell up to 1,500 units a month, which include individual owners and fleet sales. 

“While we do not dictate who our customers are, we believe that having this model would be a welcome option by majority of Malaysians. The Perodua Axia E has been market tested and proven over years and we believe that this variant would serve its current role of giving motorcycle owners an opportunity to own a new car."

“Based on our discussion with local financial institutions, we found that it only takes RM300 per month to pay the hire purchase cost of owning the Axia E. This is the same cost that would take for someone to buy a brand-new motorcycle (not a small underbone type Honda Cub though) on hire purchase,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.

Those who are able to drive a manual transmission car and want something cheap to run around in, this is the car for you. I do think the original Axia is still a worthy choice if you want a no frills drive. If you are a person who loves changing the gears yourself, this is the cheapest brand new car you can buy in 2023 to do so. And maybe that's a good thing as fun need not be unnecessarily expensive. 

Of course, let's not forget about those who are on a budget and would like new car reliability. This is the way to go. Change gears yourself and the world is your oyster together with a pocket that isn't empty.