The model is being used for a market study involving 300 subscribers

Perodua recently invited us to have a closer look at the much anticipated Perodua Ativa Hybrid, which many of us thought was going to go on sale very soon. 

However, there is a plot twist here as the Ativa Hybrid is not for sale, and it will not be for the next few years at least. 

The reason for this epic plot twist is because the Ativa Hybrid is here as part of Perodua's market study, in which the rebadged Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid will be leased to 300 subscribers (mostly companies), who will be using the SUV for the next five years.

According to Perodua, this study, which is divided into two parts, aims to understand group driving behaviour of a hybrid vehicle in populated locations of the country, namely in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru.

The other purpose of this study is to understand consumer’s acceptance of a 5-year “subscription” service, which Perodua is offering to corporate clients under its “EZ MOBi” arm. 

The pilot programme will also allow itself to see the acceptance level of customers on a long-term subscription programme as an alternative to the traditional buying and selling of cars.

The Perodua Ativa Hybrid uses a “series hybrid” system whereby the electric motor sets the vehicles’ wheels in motion while the engine acts as a generator to charge the engine. This model uses a 1.2L engine (WA-VEX) to power the generator.

Based on this technology, the Perodua Ativa Hybrid’s Series System is capable of reaching distances of 31.3 kilometres per litre.

“The Perodua Ativa Hybrid would be the best vehicle for us to gain unique insights on Malaysian behaviour as a controlled group , as this data will be used to anticipate our customers’ needs when using an electric vehicle,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.

“While we believe that vehicle ownership will still be our bread and butter; there is a possibility that a vehicle subscription business model may be acceptable for more users in the near future.

“This is what we mean by ‘subscription’ – a service where all other obligations of owning a vehicle – such as following a service schedule, paying vehicle insurance and paying road tax – will be managed entirely buy us; all the customer has to do is pay a subscription fee to enjoy the package,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.