The choices in the Malaysian market today for a car, MPV, SUV and even pickup truck is plentiful. Almost all global car brands are selling in Malaysia to fuel a thirst for our self-mobility hungry population. In the Asia Pacific region, Malaysians are the highest consumer of automobiles based on our population count. We have a relatively small population and yet we consume more new passenger cars than Philippines, Thailand and even Indonesia.
The biggest car brand in Malaysia and probably the region is Toyota. With a wide range of vehicles on offer, Toyota has had a generous market share of most segments it sells. Even though the competition from its home nation, Japan, Korea and even Germany have been making a strong case with their new and interesting vehicles, Toyota still claims a top spot, however that top spot is slowly narrowing down to its close competitors. With sport styling, higher specification levels, latest in cabin technology, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Mazda have been inching forward and claiming Toyota sales ground in recent years.
The rather confident attitude of Toyota management in Malaysia might need to be looked at as Toyota has very interesting vehicles in its global portfolio and many of the more interesting and sexy vehicles are ignored for the Malaysian consumer. On the other hand, Volkswagen Mazda and Hyundai Malaysian management team are risk takers by introducing vehicles that compete directly with high volume Toyota vehicles in Malaysia. It has paid off for these brands as their vehicles are selling more and more whilst Toyota loses market share.
So, why buy a Toyota? Simple. There are no issues with their cars. There are no hard recalls. There is good resale value. Finance companies are happy to finance a Toyota customer. After-sales is spot on with its many outlets in almost every town. Best of all, Toyota’s are people friendly cars. They cater across the board with the right dose of looks, cabin features and sensible drive dynamics. The Camry, Altis and Vios are cars that will almost never break down and the Hilux truck will see the toughest terrain and highest form of owner abuse before its shows fatigue. The Hiace panel and window vans will never fail it owner and it will take lots of abuse before it wheezes into a workshop for relief.
Watch a news break on CNN or BBC world on a conflict in Eastern Russia, Western Africa or the Middle east and you will see in-between the wreckage and riot a Toyota Corolla, Toyota Hiace or Toyota Corona running with no issue. The opposition warriors will be running a Hilux with a modern Gatling gun or small cannon in the rear deck. This is true testament of Toyota’s legendary reliability and go anywhere any-time build quality.
So, the next time you are looking for a car, van, SUV or pickup and you thrive on reliability and longevity in your vehicle, think about a Toyota.
