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Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How?

Hans · Jan 31, 2021 02:00 PM

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 01

In the early 2000s, the hardworking people at Perodua were scratching their heads trying to understand why sales of their oldest model, the Perodua Kancil was increasing. Isn’t that a good thing you ask?

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 02

Tun Dr. Mahathir launching the Perodua Kancil on 29-Aug 1994

Well normally, you would expect demand for an ageing model to decline over time. However, between 1995 and 2002, sales of the Perodua Kancil grew by 56 percent, from 39,856 units to 62,279 units, outpacing the industry’s overall growth by 6 percent.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 03

Sales of the Kancil increased as it aged, outpacing total industry growth, declining only in its 10th year. High resolution version here.

This is highly unusual because by 2002, the Kancil was already almost 10 years old!

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Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 01

From its first rollout in 1994 until it was discontinued in 2010, Perodua sold a shocking 725,870 units of the Kancil!

Launched on 29-August 1994, the Perodua Kancil was based on the Daihatsu Mira and with a price tag that starts from just under RM 25,000, it was the cheapest car in Malaysia.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 02

In the early 2000s, when Perodua was starting work to develop the first Myvi, they need to understand what was happening with the Kancil. Failure to do so would only mean that the company was merely shooting in the dark.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 03

The first Kancil produced (left), and the 500,000th unit. Image credit: paultan.org.

The book ‘Dude, That’s My Car!’ by Ahmad Tamimi Omar, which chronicles the development of the Perodua Myvi said, “Looking at the numbers was like finding out that Tan Sri P. Ramlee founded Microsoft: it didn’t add up. The overriding question, then, is: “Why did it happen? How did a 10-year old car suddenly become so popular?”

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 04

Before we answer that question, some context is necessary.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 05

Perodua has been the No.1 selling car brand in Malaysia for the last 15 years. The company was established later than Proton, 10 years later, in 1993. For years, it was always seen as the little brother that could only make compact cars and had to tip toe its way around its elder brother Proton.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 06

Perodua Sentral in PJ, with a Perodua Myvi and a Proton Saga in the foreground, how apt.

At Perodua’s first full year of operation in 1995, the company was selling less than one third of Proton, 39,856 units versus 140,618 units. Proton was very secure in its position as the No.1 car brand in Malaysia then.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 07

Proton Saga Iswara

What many including Proton overlooked however, was the fact that Perodua did all that with just one low cost Kancil, versus Proton’s six models – Saga sedan, Saga Aeroback, Wira sedan, Wira Aeroback, Perdana and Satria.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 08

Proton Wira

Despite launching more models, Proton’s market share was dropping, going below the symbolic 50 percent level by 1996 – reaching 49.3 percent with 176,089 units sold. Meanwhile, Perodua kept growing, reaching 15.2 percent, (up 1 percent) with 54,291 units in that same year, against a total industry volume (TIV) of 176,089 units.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 09

Perodua has been growing consistently like clockwork since 1994, while Proton declined. Click here for high resolution version

But here’s the curveball – Proton customers weren't migrating to Perodua, which makes Perodua even more confused.

The answer: There were three factors at play.

The first was the proliferation of universities and colleges, both private and public ones. Remember that the late ‘90s saw a big jump in options for tertiary education. Vision 2020 was being bandied about and to support that vision, the country needed to raise its talent pool.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 10

Remember these? Image: Retroviator

The second factor was related to the first – the boom in demand for PCs, which were becoming cheaper than ever before. This was a period of time when most students could afford a PC. Not laptops that are common today, but the bulky ones with a CPU tower and a CRT monitor.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 11

A very typical looking students' hostel in the early 2000s. Image: Insider.com

Put the first two factors together, and you can quickly understand why the Felda kid enrolling into UiTM or the Ipoh boy heading to KL for the first time to TAR College will eventually need something better than their trusty Honda EX5.

Remember also that public transport wasn’t as connected back then.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 12

From the book 'Dude, That's My Car!'

Still, it’s quite far-fetched for many of these kids' families to buy another car just because they were going to college.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 13

2002 facelift was a major one

The third was the change in car loans (hire purchase). After the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998, banks introduced 9-year loan tenures, which significantly reduced the monthly repayments. Whether that was a good move or not is another topic altogether.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 14

The 2002 facelift featured a controversial centre-mounted instrument panel

All these three factors combined to boost the Kancil’s sales.

But the appeal of the Kancil went beyond young, first time car buyers.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 15

Image credit: Bernard Chin, co-driver, Perodua Castrol Racing Team

“Amazingly, the Kancil also managed to help small businesses, particularly those having to rely on transport to meet their customers. If you’re thinking of sellers of pirated DVDs (remember those?), you’d be wrong; think more of the nasi lemak lady that sold her goods outside a school or a factory,” said the book ‘Dude, That’s My Car!’

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 16

How a generation of drivers learned driving - 4-speed manual, no power windows, no power steering

The fact that a generation of young drivers also took their driving lessons in a Kancil added to their familiarity and helped in selling the car to the younger crowd.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 17

Perodua launched the Kenari on 14-June 2000 

It wasn’t that Proton was clueless. Proton’s then technical partner Mitsubishi Motors couldn’t offer it any entry-level compact cars, which pushed Proton to go to bed with Citroen, culminating in the Citroen AX-based Proton Tiara, in 1998 – which failed spectacularly.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 18

Proton Tiara was pulled off the market after just 3 years, selling just 7,705 units. Image: citroenet

Later in 2001, Proton tried again with the compact Mitsubishi Townbox-based Proton Juara, which did even worse.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 19

The Juara is Proton's worst selling product to date, just 2,322 units were ever sold 

Actually, Mitsubishi did have several compact ‘kei’ cars that rivalled the Daihatsu Mira/Perodua Kancil – the Mitsubishi Minica and Pajero Mini for example, but don't know enough about the difficulties behind the scene.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 20

Mitsubishi Minica

Some believe that there was an unspoken rule for Proton and Perodua to not compete with each other but this mostly hearsay. It was never acknowledged by either companies, not even MITI.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 21

Pajero Mini

A more logical explanation is the difference in focus between Proton’s and Perodua’s respective technical partner’s core competencies rather than a specific government direction.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 22

Launched on 8-May 2000, the Proton Waja was Proton's first self-developed car  

In 2002, Proton hit a new sales record with 214,985 units sold (record still stands today). However by 2006, sales had fallen by nearly half to 115,706 units. It was also at this point when Perodua overtook Proton to claim the No.1 position.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 23

Saga LMST - Proton's answer to the Kancil. Priced at RM 26,999, it was just slightly more expensive than a Kancil, but was a much bigger car. Also proved that there was no such thing as a government instruction to prevent Proton and Perodua from competing with each other.  

2006 was a watershed year for Perodua. It was the inflection point where the hierarchy was reversed, when the younger brother usurped the throne.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 24

Much of this had to do with the Perodua Myvi which was launched on May 2005. Now, Perodua is taking sales away from Proton. It didn't matter that the Myvi is a hatchback while the Saga is a sedan because consumers shop according to their budgets, not vehicle segments.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 25

Perodua Myvi SE's launch in 2007 - yes this was Perodua back then. Fun times.

The timing was perfect. Nearly 10 years after the Kancil was launched, those who bought a Kancil (or the later Viva and Kelisa) have progressed to their next stage in life, and Perodua had the right car waiting for them.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 26

The Perodua Nautica, sold just 489 units between 2008 - 2009, before the government said that a national car company cannot be selling imported cars, and denied it APs.

The success of the Perodua Myvi makes for a good case study for good product planning. Perodua didn't win by competing against Proton, at least not directly.

Proton lost market share not to Perodua but to the likes of Toyota Vios, Honda City, and Toyota Avanza, the trio that made huge inroads in the early 2000s. Perodua had nothing to do with Proton's decline in the 2000s.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 27

Perodua Kelisa's launch on 24-Aug 2001, the car we all still miss today

Instead of competing with Proton, Perodua played the long tail game, bidded its time, and worked to make sure they had a new Perodua model as their customers graduated, took their first job, got married, had kids, thus making sure they never moved to a Proton.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 28

Myvi SE facelift's launch on 10-Oct 2008

Five years after the Myvi was introduced, Perodua launched the 5+2 seater Alza in 2009, because as you would’ve guessed, couples who went out on dates in their Kancils and Myvis are now making babies.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 29

Perodua Alza was launched on 23-Nov 2009

Fast forward to today, those who started their families with an Alza no longer need an MPV now and since SUVs are in vogue, the upcoming Perodua D55L will add a more sophisticated and chic twist to what’s currently offered by the Perodua Aruz.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 30

This is not an actual car, just a render by Theo.

Proton's comeback, hints of hubris at Perodua

Don’t for a moment assume that Perodua’s place at the top is permanent. Perodua should know this very well because they used to be the one doing the chasing.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 31

However the newer generation of Perodua associates, those who joined the company after it became No.1 and thus never experienced the chasing, tend to think too highly of their brand and their unique way of working, as if the Perodua Way is a universal way of life.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 32

The Geely-run Proton today is not the same Proton from the 2000s, and what worked well for Perodua in the past may not be good enough to stand up to today's revitalized Proton.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 33

Proton has already reached a point so low that there's not much else to lose, which is why they are not afraid to try new things and you can see it from the way they do their marketing.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 34

In contrast, Perodua today is very big and very conservative. It's very afraid of straying too far away from the safe middle because it has too much to lose. Proton will certainly use this to their advantage.

Once unbeatable, Proton lost its No.1 rank not because of Perodua, but the PC. How? 35

Perodua took 12 years to overtake Proton. Proton wants reclaim that title in half that time. Can they do it? Five years later, maybe I will revisit this topic again.

Hans

Head of Content

Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.

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