This comes at the same time when Proton will roll out its first SUV based on the Geely Boyue later this year. Note that the Perodua SUV will not compete with the Proton SUV as they are in different segments.
The new Perodua SUV is likely to be based on the Daihatsu DN TREC concept, which CarSifu reported in Oct 2017 at the Tokyo Motor Show.
SUVs are hotsellers globally and it stands to reason that both national cars will want to have an SUV in their product line-up to tap into that demand. Malaysia is still a sedan market but with a fast growing SUV market.
The Daihatsu DN TREC concept.
Perodua is not new to the SUV market, having sold the Kembara (1998–2008) and Nautica (2008–2010), both of which are based on the Daihatsu Terios.
The expectations for a Perodua SUV launch in 2018 was made in the March 12 Kenanga Research report detailing UMW Holdings Bhd offer letter for MBM Resources Bhd, which has a substantial stake in Perodua. MBM Resources is also involved in the distribution and dealership of Daihatsu, Hino, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Volvo, as well as the manufacturing of automotive parts.
The Kenanga findings also pointed to the arrival of the Volvo XC40, a premium SUV, voted recently as the 2018 European Car of the Year. Other vehicles Kenanga Research believe will launch in Malaysia this year are the facelifted VW Golf, the VW Arteon, Mitsubishi Xpander (a Honda BR-V rival with seven seats), and Daihatsu Gran Max van.
It also announced what we already know - that local assembly of the Volvo XC60 will begin next month. With that comes a lower pricing for the midrange SUV.
