Mobil Rakyat...new cars

[jstar]

There is a new generation of the Volkswagen Golf. Number 8.

 

[jstar]

There is a new Yaris. Well, not really. Or even more cryptic; not here.

The thing is that the Toyota Yaris is a different car in practically every continent in the world.

The European Yaris is in fact a car called the Vitz. This is the new version:

The Indonesian Yaris is a somewhat bigger hatchback based on a (BlueBird) sedan, the Vios:

 

[serious_fun]

Any Subaru owners out there? I see that they only have a handful of showrooms there, but I'm a huge fan and would like to own another if/when we arrive.

 

[serious_fun]

It is not going so well with Subaru in Indonesia.

Some five years ago the Tax office confiscated over 240 cars all over Indonesia, since the customs on the import was not paid. (Over 1.5 trillion IDR.) Most of the cars were in the Jakarta port Tanjung Priok.

The importers of Subaru started a law suit to realease the cars. And the judge agreed with them. But the directorate of taxes appealed and they finally won the case this year.

As you can imagine, in the mean time business has not been 'booming' to put it mildly. And that's a shame since they have some rather interesting models with great underlying technologies. Even hybrids nowadays.

I did a search and saw this. Well, let's see what happens.

 

[FireEye]

Nope, we're not talking about the Volkswagen Beetle, the Kia Sephia nor the tiny city car from Depok called Mobira.

It does seem Nissan has awakened the giant (i.e. Toyota) with its cheap people's car brand, Datsun. Although the Go and Go+ -conceived and made in India- are not a huge success in RI (you see them once in a while as Uber car), they did make the market leader somewhat nervous. Or excited about new opportunities in a new (middle class) market segment, who knows?

For those who are not aware; Nissan wanted to create a car for the masses and did so by reviving an old name: Datsun. These are not mini cars but have the size of the respectable Toyota/Honda/Suzuki models even with three rows. And that for under $10,000! Obviously you do get some older technology and less safety features then. But hey, it is proven technology.

So Toyota and its evil stepdaughter Daihatsu have come up with a new car positioned under the Avanza and Xenia. They are called the Calya and Sigra. Both are somewhat smaller (also engine wise) and more simple than their siblings but have a similar 3-row interior.

The Daihatsu version is priced between 107 and 147 juta. Which is around that $10K price mark. If I were looking for a car at that price point: Instead of buying a three year old Xenia, I would definitely consider these.

Funny when I was in Indonesia a couple of months back, I can’t find sedan on the road anymore unless they are european cars like Mercedes or bmw.

 

[FireEye]

At home in Europe we consider Japanese and German cars are no 1 with German cars cheaper (spare parts ect.).
French and Italian cars are in the same category.
I am amazed that we don't have extra groups like British or Swedish cars.

I had a SAAB, 2010 9 5, I loved it! Too bad they don’t make it anymore.

 

[jstar]

Yep, sedans are completely 'out'. In Europe it started with hatchbacks after which the MPV's and then the smaller SUV's took over. That's a result of population ageing*.

The USA and Asia were some of the last bastions where sedans were rather populair. But also there SUV's and cross-overs (so raised jeep-like models) are taking over. Ford (who left the Indonesian market btw) even declared that in the US they would only offer SUV's next to the Mustang and Pick-up trucks.

*Of course in countries with bigger families sizes the 'people movers' with three rows are extremely popular too, but they also come in a cross-over jacket between SUV and MPV.

 

[jstar]

Only surpassed in the ugly stakes by Honda CH-R

The Toyota C-HR.

It got a facelift. The model is three years in production.


Before:

After:

 

[FireEye]

Yep, sedans are completely 'out'. In Europe it started with hatchbacks after which the MPV's and then the smaller SUV's took over. That's a result of population ageing*.

The USA and Asia were some of the last bastions where sedans were rather populair. But also there SUV's and cross-overs (so raised jeep-like models) are taking over. Ford (who left the Indonesian market btw) even declared that in the US they would only offer SUV's next to the Mustang and Pick-up trucks.

*Of course in countries with bigger families sizes the 'people movers' with three rows are extremely popular too, but they also come in a cross-over jacket between SUV and MPV.

I also thought BANJIR plays part on the extinction of sedan in Indonesia ?

In the US hybrid sedan is still very popular in many states. More tesla on the road. But if you been to California, almost everyone drove Prius. Prius is king in Cali?

Ford has discontinued focus in the US and their highest sale is off course F150. But you will still see alot of sedans, what most people don’t realize, in the US, owning a family car isn’t a luxurious thing like in Indonesia, you’re not considered rich just bc you have a car like in Indonesia ? For the average of single family size, it is normal to own 2-3cars. Unlike europe or indonesia, america is huge, not many public transportation available unless you live in big cities, plus the winter in most area left people with no choice but to commute with cars.

 

[waarmstrong]

Our main US car is a sedan, purchased used. True, they are not all that popular these days; meaning, on the secondary market, they sell dirt cheap -- great value.

 

[vocalneal]

It got a facelift. The model is three years in production.


Before:

After:

View attachment 1165

Yeah but still ugly. Must have been designed by a committee each person wanting their own favourite shape to be on the car.

 

[jstar]

In most countries Toyota has the RAV4 with a more traditional design which should appeal to people who don't appreciate the C-HR.

But not in Indonesia. We need to do it with the Rush, which is in fact a butch version of the Avanza. (SUV-ing a MPV also makes it more cramped.)

 

[jstar]

Most car manufacturers present special (end of line) versions of their models which will be replaced soon. In this limited edition many options are included.

So does Mitsubishi with the Pajero Sport.

This black edition doesn't come cheap, count on 560 juta:

 

[jstar]

FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) has officially requested Renault to merge.

Hmm, what about Nissan and Mitsubishi then? Anyway, Renault is 'thinking about it'.

FCA-Renault merger could hinge on jobs in Europe, experts say

Despite Fiat Chrysler assurances that no plants would be closed, concerns about job security in Europe remain for a potential FCA-Renault merger.

www.freep.com

After the merger with Renault is refused* (French government and Japanese partners weren't too keen), FCA is trying again.

With the PSA group this time.

*They were also unsuccessful with Ford and GM btw

 

[jstar]

Talking about PSA, Peugeot has introduced the new 2008. (SUV version of the 208.)

It's not very small and the prices come close to the 3008. Also, in the concerned markets, a comparable Renault Captur is much cheaper. So it won't be easy.

 

[jstar]

A year ago Mitsubishi Indonesia held a clean-up and removed the Delica and Mirage. That small car is called Space Star in certain other markets. It was imported from Thailand. The car gets a facelift soon.

If you want to shop for a city car now you'd mainly have to look at the Nissan March, Honda Brio, Toyota Agya and some Suzuki's.

Also, Hyundai offers the new Grand i10 (also in a fake off-road version called the X) and Kia has a new Picanto:

They have 1.2 liter engines, are available in 4 speed automatic and get a 5 year warranty.

 

[waarmstrong]

Like any savvy fisherman, if nothing takes the bait, simply recast with a different enticement.

 

[jstar]

Talking about sedans, German cars etc.:

Jokowi had many problems with his 10 year old Mercedes.

A bit embarrassing to have the car break down multiple times and to get into a reserve vehicle.

So as of January he will get a new S600 Guard.

 

[jstar]

Hyundai offers the new Grand i10

The car itself is not that new but over here that is a term used rather loosely.

Anyway, the word Grand indicates this car has a bigger wheelbase than the original i10. It's 40 mm bigger which brings the interior space closer to the i20.

In Europe, a completely new and different i10 model is introduced.

It looks like Asia and South America will keep the 'Grand' version.
.

 

[jstar]

......merger .........FCA is trying again.

With the PSA group this time.

The fusion has gotten green light.