This new DL 55 crossover challenges the X50
A recent market report published on the 24th of August 2020 mentioned that Perodua’s brand new compact crossover to rival the Proton X50 has been delayed to quarter two (Q2) in 2021 (probably in May or June 2021). This gives Proton management enough time to deliver their 21,000 booked units of the X50 crossover.
Delivery of parts and components from overseas factories have been hampered by Covid-19 and this has moved the production time forward which has created a waiting list of almost 5 months (at press time) for the popular X50.
If Perodua launches their new DL 55 (Rocky) crossover in January 2021, there could be a number of ‘waiting’ Proton X50 customers, cancelling their booking and taking on a Perodua booking instead as the expected selling price of the DL 55which is said to be lower than the base model X50. Estimated at RM65,000 to RM75,000, this new Perodua will feature a compact body with a length of 3,995 millimeters and 1,695 millimeters wide whilst providing a class leading 369-liter luggage capacity. It will be equipped with 17-inch tires and protruding fenders, which will provide that crossover look that many ASEAN buyers want today.
Under the bonnet will be a new 1.0-liter turbo engine (which is the engine used by Daihatsu in Japan) with D-CVT which is co-developed by Toyota (which is used in the Toyota Raize) and Daihatsu that will provide the torque and driving ease of a 1.5-liter engine, as well as outstanding fuel efficiency.
AmBank Research has maintained a buy call on MBM Resources Bhd (MBMR) with a lower fair value of RM4.32, based on an unchanged 9x FY21 EPS.
“We expect MBMR to record a stellar recovery in 2H20, empowered by the implementation of the sales and service tax (SST) holiday from 18 June till 31 December 2020. Our buy call is also premised on the belief that Perodua cars would recover more quickly compared to other brands due to its more attractive pricing for its model line-ups and value propositions,” it said.
However, the research house cut its FY20–21 net profit forecast by 6% and 7% respectively to account for the delay in the launching of a key model – which is the Perodua D55L 5-seater sport utility vehicle (SUV).
The research house shared that the launch of the unnamed Perodua D55L 5-seater SUV will be delayed to the second quarter of 2021. There were reports that the SUV was supposed to have made its debut this year. The D55L was expected to be a close relative of the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize twins, both of which went on sale in Japan in November 2019.
“We believe that Perodua is likely to set a lower price point for the model compared to the Proton X50.
