Every Perodua model is selling well, with models like the Ativa having a long waiting list of customers. The carmaker could probably get away with not making changes or improving the products and the demand would still be there. However, adhering to the Japanese philosophy of kaizen passed on from their partner, Daihatsu Motor, Perodua constantly improves its products.
So, for the Aruz, Malaysia’s best-selling 7-seater SUV, updating has taken place – but without any price changes. The Aruz X is still RM68,526, while the Aruz AV remains at RM73,226, excluding insurance and with full sales tax exemption (until June 30, 2021).
Making products incrementally better
“With well over 60,000 units sold since its 2019 birth, the Perodua Aruz was already the nation’s best-selling SUV in 2019 and 2020, but, true to the principles of kaizen, we believe there are always ways we can make our products incrementally better,” said Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & CEO of Perodua.
“This incremental adaptation of the Aruz is in line with the Perodua Smart Build blueprint; another example of our symbiotic collaboration with our suppliers to customise our products to better suit Malaysian needs and wants, and through this, developing further the capabilities of our suppliers towards true self-reliance,” he said.
The improvements are in the form of additional features such as side steps below the door sills. With the extra ground clearance of the Aruz, the sill is a bit higher than in a passenger car so for some people, especially elderly folks or little ones, getting in and out may not be easy. The side steps will therefore help and make movement safer and more convenient.
Added safety feature + new colour
An added safety feature for 2021 is automatic door-locking; when the vehicle’s speed exceeds 20 km/h, the doors will lock automatically. This is a safety precaution, especially for those who may forget to do so. In the event of a severe collision that sensors will detect, the locking system will automatically unlock all doors so that the occupants can get out or rescuers can open the doors to help extract them.
Those who like red cars will be happy to know that Perodua now offers this colour, known as Passion Red, exclusively for the Aruz AV. Other colours choices are Granite Grey, Electric Blue, Glittering Silver and Ivory White.
“Perodua expresses our gratitude to all our valued customers, whose feedback helped us tweak the Aruz to better satisfy the real needs and wants of the majority of Malaysians,” added Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Technical specs remain the same
Other specifications and features remain the same, with the continued use of the all-aluminium 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine and an electronically-controlled automatic transmission. With Eco Idle activated, the fuel consumption can be as good as 15.6 kms/litre, it is claimed.
The Aruz is also tops in safety as it has the maximum 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. Six airbags and Vehicle Stability Control are standard, and the AV variant has Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 to help the driver avoid accidents.
To locate a showroom to check out the Aruz and other Perodua models, visit www.perodua.com.my.
