It seems that Perodua’s new model offensive for 2023 will not stop with just the 2023 Perodua Axia. At least one more new model will be launched next, and this has been confirmed by Perodua Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin.

Speaking at this morning’s launch of the 2023 Perodua Axia, Chairman Asmat ended his speech by saying “Please enjoy the rest of the launch, and I hope to see you at our next big event when we launch our new model, which I can’t say now.”

Also read: D74A 2023 Perodua Axia launched in Malaysia, priced from RM 38.6k, 1.0L with D-CVT, 6 airbags

Separately, Perodua CEO Dato' Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad has previously said that the company now has the capacity to launch one full-model change (FMC) and two minor change (MC) models per year.

Up until 2020, Perodua's capacity to phase in new models at its two plants in Rawang is limited to just one FMC model and one MC model.

Full-model change is industry speak (among Japanese manufacturers) for a new generation model, while Minor Change refer to mid-lifecycle updates, colloquially referred to here as ‘facelifts.’

Perodua is currently in the third stage of its transformation plan – referred to internally as Transformation Plan 3.0, guided by the company’s internal ‘Smart Build’ blueprint - which basically means more sophisticated compact cars that are safer, more fuel efficient, better quality, with an eye towards connectivity and electrification, developed by Malaysians, for Malaysians.

Under Transformation Plan 3.0, which started in 2021, Perodua is now a regional R&D hub for Toyota and Daihatsu Motor’s jointly-owned Emerging Market Compact Car company or EMCC.

Perodua also works on models that are not sold by Perodua, models like the D92A 2023 Toyota Vios, and some undisclosed Japanese market Daihatsu models.

The additional technical competency allows Perodua to raise its capacity to launch more new models, now at one full model change and two minor change models.

The 2023 Perodua Axia is the third ‘Smart Build’ model, after the 2021 Perodua Ativa and 2022 Perodua Alza.

In 2021, the first year of Transformation 3.0, Perodua kept to its '1 FMC and 2 MC models' schedule, launching three new models – the first ever Perodua Ativa, the facelifted Perodua Myvi (new styling, with D-CVT), and a new Perodua Aruz (new colour, minor upgrades to specifications).

However, this could not be followed through in 2022 as unintended effects of the Penjana sales tax exemption package had resulted in a surge of orders and coupled with a resurgence in Covid-19 in countries where Perodua is sourcing parts from, a severe flood in end-2021 affect suppliers, shortage in foreign labour at vendors, Perodua launched only 1 new model in 2022 – the Perodua Alza (lease-only Perodua Ativa Hybrid don’t count).

CEO Zainal has confirmed that those challenges have eased enough to allow Perodua to get its launch schedules back on track.

“Our current capability is one FMC and two MC (per year). Because of Covid-19 - 2019 and 2020, 2021 - it was disrupted. Last year was our recovery, this year we'll go back to pre-pandemic levels in terms of capacity," he said.

The identity of the next new model from Perodua is still unclear but looking at the company’s model range – the Perodua Bezza, Perodua Myvi, and Perodua Aruz are all due for a makeover. Of the trio, only two will be updated this year.

The Perodua Aruz was launched in 2019. It was given a very minor update in 2021, with no styling updates. Now entering its fourth year, the Aruz is due for a mid-lifecycle update. As the slowest selling Perodua model, the Aruz is in urgent need of an update.

As such, we think the new Aruz will be most likely to launch after the 2023 Perodua Axia.

The current generation Perodua Myvi was launched in November 2017. It was last updated in November 2021. Now entering its sixth year, it too is due for a makeoever, or a replacement.

The Bezza is the oldest in Perodua’s range, now in its seventh year. The sedan was last updated in 2020. There are rumours of a new generation Bezza in 2024 but historically, there is a 2-year gap between the launch of the Bezza in July 2016 and the first generation Axia in September 2014, which the Bezza is based on.

A new generation Bezza is ruled out for this year but if Perodua needs to extend the Bezza’s lifecycle a little longer, it needs some nip and tuck this year.

The Bezza is also the only front-wheel drive Perodua model that is still using a 4-speed automatic transmission. All other Perodua models bar the rear-wheel drive Aruz have migrated to the more fuel efficient D-CVT.

Also read: Perodua's D-CVT - How much better is it than the 4AT?