Perodua D66B ‘Shelved’ By Upcoming New EV Model?

"This year, we won't release any new hybrid models," confirmed Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad when asked on Press Day of MAS 2025 last week.

During Press Day of the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 (MAS 2025) last week, we asked Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad about the brand’s supposed upcoming hybrid model the D66B or ‘Nexis’.

The response we got was surprising to say the least. “This year, we won’t release any new hybrid models,” said the exec whilst responding to our inquiry.

Instead, all efforts within the Rawang-based automaker are now focused towards developing and finalising Perodua's first ever EV model, which continues to go unnamed for now...

Instead, he said all efforts by the Rawang-based manufacturer are being concentrated on developing and finalising the brand's first – and still officially unnamed – electric vehicle (EV) model.

Said EV was showcased at MAS 2025 in ‘final prototype’ stage, albeit only as a half-car cut-out showcasing its battery assembly. The half-exterior was also dressed in light-absorbing vantablack paint to hide this EV’s new crossover form.

There’s a lot riding on this upcoming first new EV from Perodua such as the ‘Battery as a Service’ (BaaS) and ‘guaranteed future value’ schemes. The former is a local market first EV battery leasing effort whilst the latter promises to secure the EV’s resale value.

At MAS 2025, Perodua's upcoming EV was shown in 'final prototype' form, albeit with a half-car cut-out showing its battery pack, and half an exterior painted in light-absorbing vantablack to hide its now new form as a crossover SUV.

On top of all that comes the establishment of a new dedicated production facility for this still unnamed new EV model, which Perodua plans to officially launch by the final quarter (Q4) of this year too.

Given which, it appears that P2’s plans of introducing its rendition of the Toyota Yaris Cross has been ‘shelved’, and we reckon it will be for at least another year or so.

Thai-spec Toyota Yaris Cross (left) and speculative render of its supposed Perodua 'twin' (right) by @Theottle. It appears neither will enter Malaysia this year.

Furthermore, with confirmation from insiders at UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) we received prior, Malaysia won’t see the Toyota Yaris Cross compact crossover enter the local market through the firm anytime this year too.

Whilst this may be disappointing news for some, the delayed arrival of the electrified Toyota Yaris Cross with either Toyota or Perodua badges is perhaps a reflection of shifting demands from the lower income mass market here in Malaysia.

Teaser preview of the Proton e.MAS 5 (left) and debut showcase of the localised (CKD) new TQ Wuling Bingo EV (right) at MAS 2025 arguably reflects the shifting demand from lower income buyers for affordable EVs.

This is again arguably evident during MAS 2025 via the Proton e.MAS 5 teaser preview by PRO-NET, plus the first public showcase of the locally assembled (CKD) TQ Wuling Bingo EV by Tan Chong Motor Holdings (TCM).

Together with the unnamed Perodua EV noted, said trio of EVs are vying for the same buying crowd through their promise of being affordable locally produced EVs priced below RM100,000.

Presently, fully imported (CBU) entry-level EVs like the BYD Dolphin (left) and Dongfeng Box (right) see their entry variants priced from RM100,000 onwards before discounts and rebates.

Presently, entry level EV models like the BYD Dolphin marketed by BYD Sime Motors, as well as the Dongfeng Box offered by PEKEMA-owned rivals CADB, both see their entry-level guises priced from RM100,000 onwards before rebates and discounts.

It’s also worth highlighting that both models mentioned are fully imported (CBU) too.