We ask this because today you can buy a BRAND NEW luxury Chinese made MPV for less money that includes a long factory warranty and after-sales.
It is strange to see Malaysians in recent months buying used Alphards without factory warranty and after sales program for RM270k and above when they can instead get a BRAND NEW large luxury appointed MPV from a reputable Chinese brand at a similar or lower price that comes with a full factory warranty and free servicing for 5 years of ownership. Why?
Well, it is a fact that for decades Japanese MPVs have had a massive presence on Malaysian roads because there were NO real rivals.
Yes, there was the Honda Odyssey and Nissan Elgrand, but both did not have enough used units in Japan to make an impact here. Well you might NOT know this, the Toyota Alphard has been popular in Japan as a limousine Taxi and also a fleet transport vehicle until today.
Yes, Japan uses the Alphard as a high end taxi (like Fuji Taxi using the very latest Alphard) and after a few years of use, this MPV taxi hits a high mileage and its is cleaned up and sold to an Approved Permit holder in Malaysia who imports it in as a luxury MPV, polishes the car and sells for a princely sum. This Toyota MPV has no factory warranty, no factory after sales and no product recalls if it happens.
Well, Toyota engines and transmissions are legendary in Malaysia for lasting well over a decade with standard servicing however when used as a ‘taxi’ in Japan with already very high mileage clocked, the situation is very different. These imported Alphards very often get the mileage ‘wound back’ to below 70,000km to convince Malaysian buyers that it is a ‘family used’ MPV from Japan.
Meanwhile, Chinese carmakers are relatively new to the premium MPV market, so most Malaysian buyers will take a “wait and see” approach regarding how well their high-end infotainment systems, hybrid batteries and powertrains hold up after 5 to 10 years of heavy use.
The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire hold a strong “VIP and towkay” status symbol in Malaysia. For many buyers, driving a recognised, tried-and-true premium Japanese nameplate holds higher traditional prestige than newer, albeit highly-specced, tech-forward Chinese MPV models.
However, the market is starting to shift. Many Malaysian VIPs and larger families are taking a second look at modern Chinese plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric MPVs, like the GWM Wey G9 because they offer comparable luxury, active safety, and modern tech at significantly lower prices than a brand-new Japanese equivalent.
By the way, Chinese auto manufacturers selling MPV’s in Malaysia provide an impressive 6-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an 8-year or 180,000 km warranty for the hybrid system, covering the battery, motor, and control unit.
Additionally, they have properly trained skilled technicians at their nationwide after-sales outlets and offer genuine spare parts to owners.
We suggest you visit a Chinese auto manufacturer showroom around Malaysia selling a brand new luxury MPV and on a test drive you will realise how much more comfortable (especially rear passenger seats) with better cabin convincence features and luxury appointments over a used Alphard.
Plus, at a lower purchase price you get advanced technology and higher safety features from the available Chinese made MPV’s.
