R u sure ah?

Simple. They want people to think it's so expensive because of tax. When the tax rates were lowered they didn't give the saved money to the customers, but kept it to themselves.

@Az prevay:
I disagree. If you buy a Camry I ask why Camry? Competitors are much more interesting. Better, safer, faster cars. Camry is ASEAN spec. If you buy Alphard I ask why Alphard, you can only get a second hand one. Buy a VW Sharan instead, or buy a commercial van and modify it into a luxury vehicle.

The Prius is ok though. The price is somewhat fair, the specs are good. After all it is JDM.

I think the Vios has 2 airbags now because they are forced to. Not allowed to sell with only 1...

Toyota has 65% tax for cars (fully?) made in the ASEAN countries, like the Vios. If it is CKD in Malaysia, then 75%. The CBU ones, like Alphard, Wish (?) are 105% IIRC. Prius is 0% (?) because it is a hybrid.

Btw. I think it is a good move to subsidize hybrids and electric vehicles, but what about enforcing high standards in terms of clean cars? Make sure all cars have catalytic converters, test the cars and tax them accordingly. Those with a real stinker get some sort of support when they scrap their old stinker and buy a very clean car. The air in Malaysia just isn't as good as it is in Europe for example, and I believe it has a lot to do with the cars they drive, which in turn is steered by such policies.