@EnergyAnalyst: It was like that in Europe too (though not so extreme I believe... many brands were established, unlike here). People changed pretty fast though. Also as you mentioned, younger people think different, and the old ones, no doubt helped by their choice of cars, will die anyway. Though that may still take some time.

Also until few years ago even contis were pretty stripped down compared to the same car in Europe (our entry level 2002 Citroen Xsara has 6 airbags, and if it had a 1.6 or higher it would also have ESP. The model that was sold here only had 2 airbags and that's all, even though the car was much higher spec). So the safety specs of cars is improving a lot in Malaysia, at least for contis and Korean cars. They are not cutting down the safety features. Heck, even Toyota is improving their cars, with the mid and high spec Camry getting ESP/VSC. Probably because sales were not as good as hoped, and people told them they want VSC.

Yes, I am aware of that. What I was talking about was that they these days pick most of the safety features, only more expensive, high end crash prevention systems may be missing.  That is a big change for the better.

From what I see they generally offer mid to high spec cars with the (second) most expensive petrol engine option.

It is of course a shame that we can't get them to produce a car just for us, with the options WE want. Though trust me, it bloats the car price a lot. The base price may be low, but that is with an engine that Malaysians would consider way too weak (when they already complain that the engines that we do get now are not powerful enough). Try a B segment car with around 60 HP (Polo). Put in an automatic gearbox and a more powerful engine (which will also require higher specs) and the price goes up significantly. Then there are many options to pick from, and several of the must haves are coupled to crap you don't need. Say if you want a Merc with electric seats you will have to get leather too... AND chrome trim on the interior. All of which costs. Want a certain safety feature and they will force you to get a bunch of other stuff. Etc.

Wait times would be quite extreme though. The cars may not be manufactured Thailand maybe, cause the factory isn't ready for that, lacks the parts, ... So fully imported it has to be. Then you need to wait for them to start production after you ordered it... That may take a couple of months, I believe a friend needed to wait half a year for them to produce the car. Then delivery to Malaysia... (Usually they make you pay for that in Germany. Basically an option not seen in the list price that you can't do without). NAP will be one of the main problems why this can't be done...

Not same, but closer than many think. They think without the taxes you can drive a B segment conti for 40k. Not gonna happen, unless you are willing to take the specs as I mentioned.

Why the Fiesta S only has 2 airbags... ask Ford. I have no clue... maybe they thought that wouldn't be necessary cause it still sells well. But they most definitely should upgrade it. Especially since the cheaper manual one has got it. The only thing I can think of is that the calculation is already rather tight, and the options the S has over the LX (sports suspension, body kit etc.) make it so expensive that they have to leave away the airbags to fit the price. At least they have versions with all the safety features too, but they cost more. I'd rather have them leave away some of the superficial stuff though and add bag the airbags.

As for the Polo Sedan I am looking at the best price they are apparently offering... reportedly around 85k. The prices from Germany are after discount too, otherwise the higher spec versions would be around 80-85k. The Sedan is overpriced, I agree, but I have the feeling they are doing that to a) protect their image/position in the market and b) are preparing the launch of a cheaper CKD version.

Also the 2 side airbags fulfill the function of 4 side airbags.

And the lower end tech? Yes, it has a torque converter. Isn't everyone complaining that VW is using DSG and DSG is too unreliable? What else are they supposed to do? Offer torque converter people also complain... The Sedan is meant for the Japan fans. Good brand, proven tech that is not too fancy.

Japanese cars are around 80k too... Oh and somewhere I read that the only reason the 1.4 Fiesta was so cheap was because Ford tricked the government. First register the more expensive version, and once the pricing got confirmed (as low as they'd allow B segment cars to get) try to bring in a downgraded model that thus has to be cheaper.

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...