I guess it is a compromise you make for getting nonsense like a bodykit. They should at least offer a version... like Fiesta LX 1.6 hatchback. Same as sedan, just a bit cheaper cause hatchback.

A couple of months people here could get it for around 85k... they just don't want to advertise that price. Sales aren't that good (obviously), so you can get nice discounts it seems. But they probably try to keep their premium position, so it can't be too cheap in the public perception. The lack of ESP may have to do with it being from India. They may not offer ESP in India (don't know...), in which case they probably won't bother fitting it for the few cars they sell to Malaysia. The car is basically limited by what Indians can get.

Kias are supposed to be cheaper. The Malaysian government is allowing prices according to perception too, probably. So a premium brand won't have the chance to sell an affordable car. They may not be allowed to do so. Likewise, a brand that is considered rubbish is more likely to get the permission, since it is not seen as a big threat to Proton and Perodua.

Anyway, my main point was that we are getting a lot of car for the money. Getting the _same_ car in Germany would also be pretty expensive. A bit cheaper, yes. But not as much as you'd think. With the Touran and Passat I went through the price list... I believe the Touran was around 155k or so in Germany, the Passat 160k? Something like that. For the Fiesta, back when I checked, there was no DSG. So the Malaysian model was, at least in one area, higher spec than the German one. Ford is really offering as much as they possibly can within the budget.

Now do the taxes raise prices... yes. Of course. Should they go? Yes, of course. But worse is that the government can reject cars if they think the price is too low. That is what really stops us from getting affordable contis. Though I wonder what people will say when the B segment cars come with less than 70 hp... when they already complain 100+ is underpowered.

At least for ford, they do offer Fiesta S variance with 7 airbags and ESP but bundled with like u say, body kit, and and makes the price increased by to 91k to 93k (SAPHIRE AND BETA ) from a more agreeable 85k.

For VW, here is the thing, i suspect very much it is not merely a matter of Premium they want to project, it is more like a love hate situation with the local partner. Unlike Ford who has gelled it quite well with SIME DARBY, or Peugeot with NAZA (both Are Darlings Companies of The M States), VW have it rough i guess with DRB HICOM, due to the failure in tie up agreement talk with PROTON.

Maybe VW decline to take part in nonsense like NEP, NAP, in the end, consumer loose, ditto VW (but in a bigger scheme of thing, they can equally say, it is your M lost, not mine becoz they are big enough)

You can find M-1A1 or M-1A2 crash test video on YouTube. It passed with flying colours as it destroyed all incoming technicals (old toyota pickup with DSHK MG or RPG) and cars fitted with IEDs before they could collide. It's the famous video of it entering Baghdad with camera mounted on gunner's sight. Can even flatten cars and lorries in collision safely.

Back to topic, whatever car brands, their products option are controlled by local car companies management. Conti brands even if reduced to no airbag, at least they still have to proper handling for safety. Also, the chassis frames are made thicker with some sacrificing interior space for thicker protection to occupants inside. Whatever they reduce, the most vital ABS is still there.

At least they still do better than N-brand that removed the most important ABS from N16 Sentra. Without ABS and strong brake grip will end up wheel lock easily and they do make full use of its dual front airbags.

I thought VW is managing things itself here? DRB HICOM only does assembly...? If not then that could be possible. Aren't there supposed to be more CKD models coming soon'ish? Including perhaps the Polo sedan... then we should hopefully see more affordable and better spec'ed Polo sedans...

Read this
http://www.motortrader.com.my/news/history...en-in-malaysia/

And this 2006 super drama
http://paultan.org/2006/02/15/volkswagen-a...-sole-importer/
http://paultan.org/2006/07/06/cycle-carria...erdealer-talks/
http://paultan.org/2006/08/29/volkswagen-a...ealership-deal/
Then the twist
http://paultan.org/2006/09/11/volkswagen-a...in-immediately/

Follow by this
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/mobile/article.php?id=4874
http://paultan.org/2009/11/10/vw-cars-no-l...kswagen-dealer/

Then this
http://www.trafficmagonline.com/vw-cars-sd...hd-for-damages/

DRB has an entrenched position in the automotive business, where EON is the master dealer for national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd. Marques under the DRB banner include Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Chevrolet.

VW malaysia is an administrator . When your assembly is done at DRB Hicom , and u don't play ball with them for master dealership , through EON part of DRB Hicom, then again u don't play ball to rescue DRB hicom's baby Proton. Life for u will not be easy in Malaysia Mr VW.

But I guess as a typical German who accept no bullshit. VW just made their stands

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: May 18 2013, 05:01 PM

Love these sort of discussion....Reviving.... Necromancer..Live again Phoenix