Mobil Rakyat...new cars

[Jamu]

Just bought a face-lifted Mazda CX-3 GT version and couldn't be more happy. Build quality (all Japan) is outstanding and the car is a joy to drive. The interior feels luxurious (leather, suede, carbon fiber etc.) Looked hard at the new CX-5, but the wife felt it was a bit too big for her to comfortably drive on narrow Central Bali roads and we also didn't need the cargo space.

 

[El_Goretto]

Very nice choice @Jamu. Mazda truly makes cars that are enjoyable to drive. You also get a lot of features for the price.

We have a 2014 Mazda CX-5 to replace our 2011 Fortuner and I don't drive that much anymore because my wife monopolies it.

 

[Jamu]

Thanks @El_Goretto. We really love the car - the styling, quality interior finishings, features (eg, heads up display, electronic parking brake, navigation, reverse camera, blind spot warning system, sound system etc), as well as car's performance on the road. We had rented locally manufactured cars (Toyotas and Daihatsus) in the previous months with 1.2-1.5 K cc engines, so having a 2K cc import model like the CX-3 is a much more enjoyable and safer experience in terms of overtaking, cruising, etc. Also there is no plasticky or 'toy car' feeling in a Mazda. The car was a bit more expensive than its peers, due to the direct importation from Japan and no local Indonesian content, but for us it was worth it for the build quality and to enjoy a bit of 'luxury' - yes, the interior is that nice... Mazda Bali offered a generous one hour plus hour test drive, which I took, as well as a follow up test drive for my wife - they actually brought the car to our home for the second test drive so she could see how it was like to drive on our narrow local streets, and after that we were sold.

 

[vocalneal]

Just curious. Did you look inside the door jamb? Is it Japanese or Thai?

 

[Jamu]

The car is CBU (completely built up) in Hiroshima, Japan.

 

[jstar]

It's a shame there is no 'in-between' here, the CX-5 is too big for many people, while the CX-3 is in fact based on the Mazda 2 (so not the 3). In the Geneva car show Mazda will present a new SUV; that could be a CX-4, similar to the one they sell in China.

 

[jstar]

The big news for 2019 will be a new Toyota Avanza, together with its sibling the Daihatsu Xenia. I don't believe for a second it will look like this artist's impression, a love baby between a Fortuner and Innova. But you never know...

Wuling introduces a new model, the Almaz. Rather big SUV.

 

[jstar]

Mitsubishi is facelifting the ASX again. This Outlander Sport exists since 2010 and was already overhauled in 2012 and 2016.

In Indonesia, they advertise the current model as the 'New Outlander Sport' so when they introduce the new one, I wouldn't be surprised if they call it the 'All New Outlander Sport', with the emphasis on 'all'.

Current:

New:

As you can see, it will have more of the family face we also see in the New Expander.

The Pajero Sport will also get a facelift soon btw.

 

[Dave70]

I have been waiting for Suzuki Jimny since last year, hope it will finally be sold in Indonesia this year.

 

[jstar]

I have been waiting for Suzuki Jimny since last year, hope it will finally be sold in Indonesia this year.

The Jimny was a big eye catcher in the GIIAS 2018 (Indonesian car show). According to the Suzuki sales force, there were thousands of people who expressed interest. And the fact Jokowi stated his first car was a Jimny, will also add to its popularity.

I'm afraid you might have to wait a bit, Dave. The car is only produced in Japan, but they have plans to expand production to India. Indonesia(n factory) is a requesting party, but according to the head of Market Research, they're still not sure whether it will come and at what price setting. But they have done a preliminary registration of three models of the car already.

 

[jstar]

I had the chance to drive in the Nissan Terra and I must admit that I would definitely consider this car if I were in the market for the diesel versions of a Fortuner or Pajero Sport. (RI is one of the countries where the diesel price is still very low btw.)

Interior feels more spacious and is rather luxurious; things like the around view monitor are very convenient too. I'm not sure if the acoustic glass makes a big difference.

 

[jstar]

Wuling introduces a new model, the Almaz.

As we said before, the new Wuling is of course a Baojun.

This Chinese brand is a joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and General Motors (GM).

For Indonesia it makes sense to batch it as Wuling, in other markets it is called Chevrolet or even MG. Seriously, in India this Almaz is called the MG Hector.

This car used to be a 5 seater but because of the demand of the Asian market, now it is a 5+2.

While the other Wulings are positioned against Avanza, Innova or Brio, this car is compared with the Fortuner. Well, that's how they try to position it. But much cheaper of course. Before you spit out all your tea over your keyboard; it does look a bit like the Fortuner and the interior is not that bad, really. I have not driven it yet so I can't judge the driving characteristics, but don't forget the Fortuner could never be compared to a X3 or X5 anyway, so it shouldn't be that difficult to approach that as well. (Lasting) Quality of finishing and so needs to be seen.

 

[jstar]

If you think about it, Nissan does not have a large presence in the most popular segment in the country. The mid size MPV/crossover market, dominated by Toyota with the Avanza (and Xenia), and even with somewhat smaller models like Calya. Suzuki is doing okay with the Ertiga, Honda has the Mobilio, Even Mitsubishi is doing rather well with the new Expander.

And Nissan? Besides the Grand Livina, which looks more like a stationcar than SUV (it's much lower) they only have the cheaper Datsun line which caters a completely different target audience.

Well, now that might change. It seems the (All New) Grand Livina will be a Multi Purpose Vehicle with much more SUV characteristics.

To be introduced very soon...countdown started.

 

[jstar]

A very important truck for Mitsubish in this part of the world, the Triton (or L200), is also renewed. But don't expect it here before the summer.

After the Toyota Hilux (and Ford Ranger in countries where they still do business) and together with the Nissan Navara it is one of the most popular small to medium sized pickup trucks. The new model has gotten more of the Mitsubishi family face.

Since the Pajero Sport is the SUV version, that one will be updated soon as well. The next Triton is expected in 2021 and will be co-developed with Nissan's Navara.

 

[Dave70]

A very important truck for Mitsubish in this part of the world, the Triton (or L200), is also renewed. But don't expect it here before the summer.

I like the Triton HD-X because it is the only one now with conventional diesel engine (not common-rail). You know, it is easier to fix when you happen to be in the jungle, no ECU to deal with. And it's manual transmission, more macho (real men have three pedals).

 

[jstar]

I like the Triton HD-X because it is the only one now with conventional diesel engine (not common-rail). You know, it is easier to fix when you happen to be in the jungle, no ECU to deal with.

True, But you do lose out a bit on torque and towing capabilities, right?

Btw, I’m not sure if it is smart marketing to announce the next generation will already arrive in two years and be co-developed with the Nissan?

And it's manual transmission, more macho (real men have three pedals).

Popular sticker in RI:

But seriously, I wished more of the Grab/Go/Blue Bird cars over here were automatic. It would get them to focus more on traffic (and then they are capable driving up a ramp).

 

[snpark]

But seriously, I wished more of the Grab/Go/Blue Bird cars over here were automatic. It would get them to focus more on traffic (and then they are capable driving up a ramp).

Yes and pulling away in 4th from lights also, seriously some of them have no idea how to drive or what gears are for. Especially trying to get up ramps when they have to stop to open their trunk (boot) for security inspections

 

[Euc-]

In my previous job, our office had a view of the entrance gate. Some brilliant designer had placed the ticket machine in the middle of a relatively steep slope to get to the drop-off area, we witnessed at least one accident a week where a driver was trying to keep his foot on the break, inevitably stopped too far from the machine to easily grab the ticket so got them hanging out of the window, foot came off the pedal and back they went into a 3 lane very heavy traffic road. Hilarious situations though..

 

[jstar]

......Nissan? Besides the Grand Livina, which looks more like a stationcar than SUV (it's much lower) they only have the cheaper Datsun line which caters a completely different target audience.

Well, now that might change. It seems the (All New) Grand Livina will be a Multi Purpose Vehicle with much more SUV characteristics.

To be introduced very soon...countdown started.

Sooooo excited.

And I keep stay tuned. Does anybody ever proofread at those companies?

 

[snpark]

In my previous job, our office had a view of the entrance gate. Some brilliant designer had placed the ticket machine in the middle of a relatively steep slope to get to the drop-off area, we witnessed at least one accident a week where a driver was trying to keep his foot on the break, inevitably stopped too far from the machine to easily grab the ticket so got them hanging out of the window, foot came off the pedal and back they went into a 3 lane very heavy traffic road. Hilarious situations though..

and then because it has rained, they wheelspin all the way up to the lobby and through the doors too