XPANDER demand is better as there is no real rival right now.
When it was first introduced, the reaction from the Malaysian press was rather mixed as it had the new signature Mitsubishi look and rather wide body frame. Well, it was designed to be a best seller in ASEAN, where middle class buyers were looking to have a spacious 7 seat family vehicle that will not cost too much to buy, maintain and run on a daily basis.
Called XPANDER, since it was xpanding its width to suit 7 adults inside in comfort, Mitsubishi designers took all the remarks from their various focus groups in the region and made sure all the boxes were ticked to get the right sized vehicle at the right price point.
This is why the Xpander continues to be a best seller in every single country it has been launched since its first showing at the Gaikindo Motor Show in Indonesia in 2017. Now 4 years later, it is still selling briskly in Indonesia and now in Malaysia we hear that bookings for the Xpander has reached an impressive 10,000 plus units despite the economy still under performing due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the many new vehicle launches that are in the same price point as this Mitsubishi family vehicle, but are very different vehicle types.
There was a brand new Nissan Almera which was launched in early September 2020 from RM80,000, and then the all new Honda City priced from RM89,000, also lets not forget the Proton X50 which was launched at a price from RM79,200 to RM103,300.
So why it this Mitsubishi Xpander selling so well in ASEAN and also Malaysia? Well, to start it has a selling price is RM91,369 which puts it lower than its immediate rival, the Honda BR-V which is priced at RM93,693.00 and is a little smaller. Then there is the 2021 facelifted Toyota Innova which is priced from RM111,622 and the Nissan Serena which is priced RM127,874.
Looking at its immediate rivals which are priced higher and the amount of space and passenger comforts included, this Mitsubishi family vehicle will continue to do brisk sales and we should be seeing the ‘cross’ version coming to town at some point.
Mitsubishi XPANDER Specifications
Engine: 4-Cylinder, 16-valve DOHC MIVEC
Capacity: 1499cc
Gearbox: 4-Speed Auto
Power: 103PS @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 141Nm @ 4,000rpm
Price: RM91,369.00
