While we're waiting for the arrival of the new Perodua Axia, speculations about a brand-new Perodua sedan model have come to light.
Rumours of a brand-new Perodua sedan model being launched in 2023 (possibly the new Perodua Bezza) have surfaced online and although this seems a bit farfetched, let's look at the possibility from several angles. Let's begin, shall we?
New Perodua Axia coming first (and soon)
Right now, all eyes are on the arrival of the new full model change for the Perodua Axia model. What started out life back in 2014 was followed by a couple of facelifts in 2017 and 2019 and it is indeed due for a brand-new model in 2023.
And that's what has been popping up in the past few months. If Perodua is planning to launch the new Axia this year, that brand-new model is going to be their main focus for 2023. What about the Bezza? Will they go for a second full model change in 2023 judging by other markets in the region?
Perodua Bezza – new model in 2023 or 2024?
The Perodua Bezza was launched here in Malaysia back in 2016 and that was followed by a facelift back in 2020. Compared to the timeline of the Axia, the Bezza A-segment sedan still has a couple of years left in its cycle before it is due for a full model change.
Things, however, might be put on the fast track considering the fact that Perodua was rumoured to have worked very closely with Daihatsu in developing a new B-segment sedan model using the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform – the same platform currently being used by the Perodua Ativa and Alza models.
Patents of this new Daihatsu sedan model were filed by Daihatsu Motor Co. to the Indonesian Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) earlier this year. This, however, was quickly clarified by Astra Daihatsu Motor by stating that the patent filing was just a 'routine registration' with 'no immediate plans' for it.
Looking at the photos, the sedan carries striking features that can be compared to the latest Toyota Yaris Ativ aka “Vios” launched in Thailand late last year.
From a logical point of view, branding this car with the Bezza name might be a slightly difficult task considering the fact that the Bezza is currently the cheapest sedan you can buy here in Malaysia today. With this? It certainly won't be as affordable as the current Bezza priced from RM34,580 to RM49,980.
With that being said, will Perodua still gun for a brand new Bezza model that's bigger and more premium in both offering and pricing? Or will they actually introduce a brand new sedan model since the current and very affordable Bezza is still selling like hotcakes?
Bezza's waiting period is still 6-8 months
With all things considered, it's hard to say as the current Bezza is still very high in demand with waiting periods ranging from six to eight months, depending on the variant you're after.
Perodua might go for a facelift for the Aruz or even the Bezza first in 2023, but if the flow of the timeline maintains, then a brand-new model might only come in 2024 instead of this year since all eyes are on the new Axia D74A (also using the DNGA platform).
The national automaker has made it clear that it will be maintaining the prices for its current model offerings in 2023, so a second full model change with a significant price hike so close to the new Axia's launch might not be ideal to boost its sales figure.
At the end of it all, it's a question of either gunning for a brand-new Bezza model that's more expensive (which might turn people off) or a completely new sedan model that the brand can have an easier time justifying its higher price tag. We'll just have to wait and see.
Keyword: Brand new Perodua sedan model coming in 2024?