So which rivals have lost their sales to this Geely based crossover?
News just in from Proton cars on a sterling bookings success for the X50 crossover. An impressive 30,000 plus bookings in just 3 months from its launch which was in October 2020.
So, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to challenge Malaysians with economic issues, this high number of bookings for the X50 clearly shows that middle and also lower middle class Malaysians still want a new car where possible and so, which immediate rival vehicles are feeling the sales pinch. We share some possibilities with you.
The Immediate Rivals Presented
The Mazda CX-3 re-wrote the book on the crossover when it arrived with stylish premium looks and its fuel saving Skyactiv powertrain. From its launch it sold well and until the arrival of the X50 it was on the ‘I want to own list’ of many urban Malaysians. Priced at RM141,329 this fully imported Mazda is almost RM32,000 more expensive.
Then there is the Hyundai Tucson. Once a popular compact SUV, it grew in size and features over the last few generations. The two-wheel drive version retails for just RM123,888 which is just RM11,000 more expensive and yet Malaysians prefer to look away from this Korean brand.
The sibling to the Tucson, the front wheel drive Kia Sportage at RM129,888 is a good looking compact SUV that also grew in size and features and with its European styling, it still cannot compete with the selling price of the X50 as it is almost RM20,000 more expensive, but it is larger and better looking and most Malaysians will shy away from a Korean vehicle but not from Korean food, Korean K-Pop and Korean TV shows and movies.
Then there is the all new Hyundai crossover, the Kona. Launched just 3 months ago at RM123,888 and with great styling and features, this fully imported crossover cannot match the selling price of this rebadged Geely crossover due to preferential tax incentives.
We must not forget the hugely popular Honda HR-V which was the top selling crossover in Malaysia for a number of years and just a week ago on January 13th it got cabin features facelift and with a selling price from just RM104,000 which is right smack against the X50’s selling price of RM109,000. The problem is this, the HR-V is already five years old and with a face-lift released two years ago and the MUGEN edition arriving soon after, Malaysians are looking for an all new HR-V. Still, its selling price is hard to ignore, or is it?
So, the only crossover that could de-throne the X50 from its No.1 position right now will be the delayed Perodua DL55 crossover (also known in Japan as the Daihatsu Rocky) which is pending production parts from overseas. Its launch delay is allowing the X50 to continue its rising sales momentum and the competitors mentioned above have no choice but to watch and wait to see if the Ministry Of Trade And Industry (MITI) will be revise their preferential import tax system for Proton (who is still considered a national car brand) and prevent showroom closures and job losses for all other car brands mentioned above that pay the full import taxes.
