Happy new year and welcome to 2014! It's been a very active 2013 for the Malaysian automotive industry, and we're already gearing up for the next big thing which will hopefully be happening this month at long last, the NAP announcement, which is expected to happen sometime in the middle of this month.
But while we wait, let's look back at which stories received the most traffic on this website in 2013.
1. New Proton Perdana based on eighth-gen Honda Accord handed over – PM gets a stretched version!
Surprisingly, the top story of 2013 is that of a car that no one can even buy. In December, Proton handed over the government's new fleet of Proton Perdana based on the 8th generation Honda Accord, including a special stretched version for the Prime Minister. This is phase one of the Perdana replacement project, and a second phase which is expected to be ready in two years will involve an Accord-based Perdana for the general public that has more design differentiation from the original Honda design.
2. Proton Saga SV launched – from RM33,438 OTR
Coming in at second place is another Proton. The Saga SV, the acronym standing for Super Value, is the cheapest Proton currently available. The manual goes for RM33,438 (solid) and RM33,888 (metallic), while the CVT is priced at RM36,438 (solid) and RM36,888 (metallic), all on-the-road with insurance.
3. GALLERY: Meet the luscious local ladies of KLIMS13
The demographics of this site is male-dominated after all, so it's really no surprise that this story came in third place. This year's KLIMS featured our local beauties complimented by plenty of 'CBU' imports - it nearly looked like Bangkok Motor Show at certain stands.
4. 2013 Toyota Vios launched in Thailand
Thailand was the debut country for the new Toyota Vios, Toyota's latest B-segment sedan contender. It was unveiled a day before the Bangkok Motor Show press day, and while we couldn't be there on site, we tried our best to cover it remotely. We hope it was sufficient!
5. Proton Suprima S hatchback launched: RM77k-RM80k
This was Proton's big debut for this year. The Suprima S was the first Proton to feature ESP stability control and six airbags. It was a unique experience for us because for the first time, we broadcasted the launch live for the world to watch on a Saturday morning. You can watch the recording of the launch here.
6. Honda Jazz CKD 1.5L launched – cheapest Honda in Malaysia at RM74,800, with dual airbags, VSA, ABS
Honda turns a car that used to be a 'premium' hatchback costing more than RM100k into one of the most affordable Hondas around, thanks to CKD and lowered equipment levels. Even so, VSA stability control remains a standard feature. Naturally, this caught the attention of many car buyers.
7. Perodua launches S-Series Viva, Myvi and Alza – all Peroduas now come with 3 years free service
Perodua's version of Proton's 'SV' cars. 'S' stands for special, and Perodua describes the S-Series as its "most value-for-money variants" so far, with added equipment over the phased-out variants but with "no additional cost to the customer" – not to be confused with the range topping SE tag traditionally given to the priciest Myvi.
8. GALLERY: Koleksi foto cewek cantik dari IIMS 2013
Another story that we probably don't have to explain ;)
9. SPYSHOTS: First look at the Honda Accord-based Proton Perdana Replacement Model (PRM)
The car from the number one story was sighted on test on public roads for the first time. Looks like any other Honda Accord, but a close look reveals some minor disguise as well as a steering wheel with a Proton badge in the interior.
10. GALLERY: 2013 Toyota Vios at the Bangkok show
After the new Vios debut in Thailand, it was exhibited at the 2013 Bangkok Motor Show, where we could finally get our own live photos of the car.
Top commenters on paultan.org for 2013
We also have a few other numbers to share. Coming to this website wouldn't be as interesting without our vibrant community of readers who contribute to the comments section. Here are the top commenters of 2013.
- Sam Loo - 1,897 comments
- Jimmy - 1,000 comments
- frenzyaustin - 953 comments
- kadajawi - 867 comments
- AVH - 851 comments
- Name - 818 comments
- kzm - 730 comments
- VS - 650 comments
- John - 463 comments
- sudonano - 433 comments
Day with the highest pageviews
The site registered the highest ever pageviews on November 25th 2013, which was the day the 2014 Honda City made its world debut in India. We registered 888,532 pageviews that day. So while it probably didn't get into the top 10 viewed list because the story happened late in the year, it was a very significant story indeed.
Top five countries that visit paultan.org
One of the benefits of being an online website is that readers from all around the world can visit your site. Most visitors come from Malaysia - about 80%. Next in line come Singapore, US, Indonesia and Australia.
That's all we have to share for now. All in all 2013 was a very interesting year indeed. There are now more players fighting for the same market share so it has become somewhat of a buyer's market, with prices coming down and equipment levels going up. Six airbags and stability control is becoming more and more available in cars under RM100k, which is a good thing. Here's to an even better 2014 for Malaysian car buyers!
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