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In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers compare Proton X70 and MG MG HS when choosing a car. These two cars are quite close in price and positioning. Today we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time on research.
The Proton X70 OTR price in Malaysia is RM 106,800 - 122,300, with a total of 3 versions, including 1.5L Standard 2WD (RM 106,800), 1.5L Executive 2WD (RM 115,800), 1.5L Premium 2WD (RM 122,300), etc.
The MG MG HS OTR price in Malaysia is RM 130,450 - 146,450, with a total of 2 versions, including 1.5L Standard (RM 105,000), 1.5L Executive (RM 115,000), etc.
In terms of price, the starting price of Proton X70 is indeed RM 23,650 cheaper than MG MG HS. If your budget is limited, Proton's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. But also note that the few thousand cheaper might have trade-offs in features, specifically depending on your needs.
Proton X70 is equipped with 1.5L Turbo, 140 hp. Official fuel consumption 7.0 L/100km.
MG MG HS is equipped with 1.5L Turbo, 140 hp. Official fuel consumption 7.0 L/100km.
Both cars use the same powertrain system, the feeling of daily driving is basically no difference. Fuel consumption is also similar, no need to worry too much about this point.
Proton X70 body length 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
MG MG HS body length 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
The dimensions of the two cars are almost the same, interior space difference is not large. Cars in this class, daily use is completely enough.
Proton X70 adopts FWD drive method.
MG MG HS adopts FWD drive method.
Both cars have the same drive method, both are FWD, daily driving feeling will not have too much difference.
Proton X70 warranty 5 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.
MG MG HS warranty 7 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.
Overall, Proton X70 and MG MG HS are both very good car models in the Malaysia market. Choosing which one, the key still depends on your personal needs and budget. It is recommended to do research, compare quotes from several car dealerships, and then go for a test drive to make a final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending time doing research will never be wrong.
喺馬來西亞嘅 SUV 市場，好多買家喺揀車嘅時候都會拿 Proton X70 同 Mazda CX-8 嚟做比較。呢兩款車喺價位同定位上都幾近，今日我哋就由多個方面做一個詳細嘅比較，幫你省返做功課嘅時間。
Proton X70 喺馬來西亞嘅 OTR 售價係 RM 106,800 - 122,300，一共有 3 個版本，包括 1.5L Standard 2WD（RM 106,800）、1.5L Executive 2WD（RM 115,800）、1.5L Premium 2WD（RM 122,300） 等。
Mazda CX-8 喺馬來西亞嘅 OTR 售價係 RM 165,360 - 201,360，一共有 5 個版本，包括 2025 2.5T 4WD High Plus Petrol（RM 201,360）、2025 2.2L 2WD High Plus Diesel（RM 193,123）、2025 2.5L 2WD High Plus Petrol（RM 186,360） 等。
由價錢睇落嚟，Proton X70 嘅起價確實比 Mazda CX-8 平咗 RM 58,560。如果你預算有限，Proton 嘅入門版已經可以滿足日常需要。但亦都要注意，平嗰幾千蚊，可能喺配備上會有取捨，具體要睇你嘅需要。
Proton X70 嘅安全評級係 5★ (ASEAN NCAP)，主動安全系統包括 ADAS (ACC, AEB, LKA, LDA, BSM, RCTA)。
Mazda CX-8 嘅安全評級係 5★ (ASEAN NCAP)，主動安全系統包括 Brand ADAS。
兩款車嘅安全評級一樣，喺呢個級別入面安全配備都算好齊全。而家嘅新車安全性都唔差，唔使太擔心呢一點。
Proton X70 車身長 4400 mm，尾箱 400 L。
Mazda CX-8 車身長 4500 mm，尾箱 450 L。
空間方面，Mazda CX-8 嘅車身比 Proton X70 長咗 100 mm，乘坐空間更有優勢。不過 Proton X70 喺城市入面停車會靈活少少，各有取捨。
Proton X70 保養 5 年/150,000km，保養間隔 每 10,000km 或 6 個月。
Mazda CX-8 保養 5 年/150,000km，保養間隔 每 10,000km 或 6 個月。
兩款車嘅保養條件一樣，呢方面唔使糾結。實際保養成本仲要睇品牌嘅服務網絡同零件價格，建議去車友群問問真實車主嘅經驗。
總括嚟講，Proton X70 同 Mazda CX-8 都係馬來西亞市場好唔錯嘅車型。揀邊台，關鍵都要睇你嘅個人需要同預算。建議大家做好功課，多比較幾間車行嘅報價，再跟住去試車做最終決定。買車係件大事，花少少時間做功課絕對唔會錯。
In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers compare Perodua Aruz and Mazda CX-30 when choosing a car. These two cars are quite close in price and positioning. Today, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time on research.
The OTR price of Perodua Aruz in Malaysia is RM 72,900 - 77,900, there are 2 versions in total, including 1.5L X (RM 72,900), 1.5L AV (RM 77,900) etc.
The OTR price of Mazda CX-30 in Malaysia is RM 122,409 - 146,409, there are 4 versions in total, including 2025 2.0L High+ Premium (RM 146,409), 2025 2.0L High+ (RM 138,409), 2025 2.0L High (RM 130,409) etc.
From a price perspective, Perodua Aruz's starting price is indeed RM 49,509 cheaper than Mazda CX-30. If your budget is limited, Perodua's entry version can already meet daily needs. However, be aware that the lower cost might involve trade-offs in features, depending on your specific needs.
Perodua Aruz safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include.
Mazda CX-30 safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include i-Activsense.
Both cars have the same safety rating, and safety features are quite complete in this class. New cars nowadays are generally safe, no need to worry too much about this.
Perodua Aruz warranty 5 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.
Mazda CX-30 warranty 5 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.
Both cars have the same warranty conditions, no need to hesitate on this aspect. Actual maintenance costs depend on the brand's service network and parts prices. It is suggested to ask real owners in car owner groups for their experience.
Perodua Aruz and Mazda CX-30 are both mainstream choices in the Malaysian market, suitable for family use and daily commuting. If you value brand reputation and resale value more, you can prioritize the one with better reputation; if you care more about value for money and features, choose the one with richer configurations. Ultimately, it is suggested to test drive both, experiencing it personally is the most important.
Overall, Perodua Aruz and Mazda CX-30 are both very good models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose, it mainly depends on your personal needs and budget. It is recommended to do your research, compare quotes from several dealerships, and then test drive to make the final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending time on research will never go wrong.
喺馬來西亞嘅 SUV 市場，好多買家喺揀車嘅時候都會拿 Perodua Aruz 同 Toyota Yaris Cross 做比較。呢兩款車喺價位同定位上都好接近，今日我哋就從多個方面做個詳細嘅對比，幫你節省做功課嘅時間。
Perodua Aruz 喺馬來西亞嘅 OTR 售價係 RM 72,900 - 77,900，一共有 2 個版本，包括 1.5L X（RM 72,900）、1.5L AV（RM 77,900） 等。
Toyota Yaris Cross 喺馬來西亞嘅 OTR 售價係 RM 99,900 - 109,900，一共有 2 個版本，包括 2026 1.5L Standard（RM 99,900）、2026 HEV 1.5L Standard（RM 109,900） 等。
由價錢睇，Perodua Aruz 嘅起步價確實比 Toyota Yaris Cross 平咗 RM 27,000。如果你預算有限，Perodua 嘅入門版已經可以滿足日常需求。但都要注意，平嗰幾千蚊，可能喺配備上面會有取舍，具體要看你嘅需求。
Perodua Aruz 搭載 1.5L 4-cyl，馬力 105 hp。官方油耗 6.0 L/100km。
Toyota Yaris Cross 搭載 1.5L 4-cyl，馬力 105 hp。官方油耗 6.0 L/100km。
兩款車用緊同一套動力系統，日常開起嚟嘅感覺基本冇分別。油耗方面都差唔多，唔使太糾結呢一點。
Perodua Aruz 車身長 4400 mm，尾箱 400 L。
Toyota Yaris Cross 車身長 4400 mm，尾箱 400 L。
兩款車嘅尺寸幾乎一樣，車內空間分別唔大。呢個級別嘅車，日常使用完全夠用。
Perodua Aruz 採用 FWD 驅動方式。
Toyota Yaris Cross 採用 FWD 驅動方式。
兩款車嘅驅動方式一樣，都係 FWD，日常駕駛感覺唔會有太大分別。
Perodua Aruz 保修 5 年/150,000km，保養間隔 每 10,000km 或 6 個月。
Toyota Yaris Cross 保修 5 年/無限里程，保養間隔 每 10,000km 或 6 個月。
總括嚟講，Perodua Aruz 同 Toyota Yaris Cross 都係馬來西亞市場好唔錯嘅車型。揀邊輛，關鍵都係睇你嘅個人需求同預算。我哋建議大家做好功課，多比較間車行嘅報價，再去做試駕先做最終決定。買車係件大事，花少少時間做功課絕對唔錯。
唔知有幾多朋友最近期關注 10 萬內純電 SUV 市場？近段時間睇嚟，呢個細分市場好熱鬧。就講長安啟源全新 Q05 同零跑 A10，上個月銷量分別達 15814 輛同 14372 輛，全部挺進 2026 年 4 月銷量排行全品類前 10，長安啟源全新 Q05 甚至奪得緊緊湊型純電 SUV 市場嘅銷冠。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
值得留意係，兩款大熱門產品亮點亦唔少，9 萬級可以得到 500km+嘅續航，零跑 A10 甚至配備激光雷達，有高級智駕輔助需求嘅朋友嚟講，呢架車吸引力的確唔低。但係喺價格上，同為高配嘅長安啟源全新 Q05 506Max+ 同零跑 A10 505 激光雷達版，終端價格分別係 9.59 萬同 8.68 萬，手握 9 萬左右預算嘅朋友都可以考慮。明顯係，又去到決賽圈二揀一環節。
（零跑 A10）
如果對預算比較敏感，咁喺長安啟源全新 Q05 同零跑 A10 之間，後者可能更受歡迎，畢竟終端價格實打實平咗幾千元。而且，高配 A10 配有激光雷達，市區/高速情況均能啟動領航輔助駕駛，呢個就係佢嘅優勢所在。當然，如果預算允許，揀長安啟源全新 Q05 高配，都有帶激光雷達嘅高級輔助駕駛。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
但既然係買車前嘅橫評，唔少全方位對比。首先從尺寸睇，作為緊湊型 SUV，長安啟源全新 Q05 長寬高分別係 4435*1855*1595mm，軸距為 2735mm。而零跑 A10 車型級別就係小型 SUV，長寬高分別係 4270*1810*1635mm，軸距為 2605mm。
（零跑 A10）
如果只係考慮代步、通勤，零跑 A10 嘅細個嘅略有優勢，方便行街串巷。但實際上，好多人買車都要兼顧家用，10 萬內預算也多以剛需用車群體為主。既然係剛需，且有家用需求，嗰空間自然唔好掉鏈子。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
講返日常家庭出行嚟講，兩車之間 130mm 軸距差異，直接反映喺後排體驗。坐入長安啟源全新 Q05 後排，腿部空間平整兼寬敞，一齊坐 3 位成年人都唔會太擠；但係坐入零跑 A10 後排，無論坐寬定係腿部空間都會細少少。媽咪喺後排照顧孩子，長安啟源全新 Q05 後排更加寬敞嘅空間會更加方便佢操作，孩子都能有更大嘅活動空間。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
除咗空間，通勤黨同家庭用戶對舒適配置都比較關注。睇嚟對比，兩車都有配電動尾門、無匙進入、自適應遠近光等外部配置。但係從車廂內睇，零跑 A10 副駕無法電動調節，後排靠背都唔支援角度調節，同埋缺少後排空調出風口、車內 PM2.5 過濾裝置等。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
反觀長安啟源全新 Q05，除咗副駕支持電動調節，前排仲集成咗加熱/通風/按摩/副駕腿托功能，對比零跑 A10 只提供前排座椅加熱，佢嘅品質無疑更上一層樓。包括後排乘員都有少少照顧，例如靠背角度可調、配有後排空調出風口、後排中央扶手/杯架等，更加適合家人同行呢類場景。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
除咗舒享體驗，行駛系統嘅對比我哋都唔好忽略。首先從大家關注嘅續航睇，長安啟源全新 Q05 同零跑 A10 分別搭載 51.9kWh、53kWh 電池，CLTC 純電續航做到 506km、505km，差異大可忽略。但從電芯供應鏈睇，前者出自寧德時代，後者就係國軒高科/江蘇正力，若論品牌含金量，“寧王”順位自然靠前，更值得信賴。另外，兩車都有全球品質，按照全球嚴苛嘅標準打造，零跑 A10 符合國內、歐盟雙標準，長安啟源全新 Q05 已經喺泰國上市，未來仲會相繼落地多個國家地區，最終開拓歐洲區域，此外仲有央企背書，質量品質都好可靠。
因為本文討論嘅係 A10 嘅 505 版本，採用電池液冷技術，溫控較好，而如果係 403 版本，採用成本低嘅風冷技術，散熱效果較差。呢點上，全新 Q05 做得更好，入門就採用電池直冷技術，高配用嘅係液冷技術，能更好地實現熱管理，保證電池安全。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
動力方面，長安啟源全新 Q05 同零跑 A10 都係前置單電機佈局，電機最大動力輸出分別係 120kW/190N·m、90kW/150N·m，0-100km/h 加速時間分別做到 8.9 秒同 10.6 秒。坦率嚟講，兩款車喺純電陣營加速性能都中規中矩；但係相對嚟講，長安啟源全新 Q05 嘅 8 秒級零百加速，喺山路行駛、高速超車等情況下會比零跑 A10 更加分。
（長安啟源全新 Q05）
（零跑 A10）
總結嚟講，零跑 A10 505 激光雷達版優勢突出：價格更低、智駕輔助覆蓋範圍更廣，適合預算優先 + 科技嘗鮮嘅消費者。而長安啟源全新 Q05 更強調“全面”二字：加少少預算同樣可以獲得高級輔助駕駛，而且尺寸更大、舒適配置更高、採用頭部電芯供應鏈，動力亦更強，綜合表現更全能。總括嚟講，預算 9 萬級追求面面俱到嘅家用體驗，長安啟源全新 Q05 506Max+ 更加值得考慮。
兄弟姐妹們，今日講一個出海嘅大新聞——唔係賣車，係賣「司機」。6 月 2 號，文遠知行同 Uber 聯合宣佈咗一件事：計劃喺西班牙馬德里推出該國首個商業化 Robotaxi 試點服務。意思就係：西班牙人好快就可以用 Uber 叫到一台冇司機嘅出租車。呢次係文遠知行同 Uber 第一次一齊進入歐洲市場。馬德里亦成為文遠知行 Robotaxi 駛入嘅全球第十二個城市。
官方消息話，喺馬德里自治區政府嘅支持下，呢項服務今年內就會正式啟動。到嗰陣，馬德里嘅朋友哋打開 Uber App，就有一鍵呼叫文遠知行嘅 Robotaxi。同叫普通網約車一樣，分別係嚟嘅車冇駕駛員——至少喺初期，仲係有分別嘅。運營初期，車入面會配備經過專業培訓嘅安全員，終究係剛上線，穩妥第一。
文遠知行呢間公司，你可能聽過，也可能冇聽過。簡單介紹下：2017 年成立，一直埋頭搞 Robotaxi 技術研發同商業化。而家佢嘅 Robotaxi 已經覆蓋咗廣州、北京、新加坡、阿布達比、迪拜、利雅得、蘇黎世……加埋而家嘅馬德里，一共 12 個城市。西班牙亦係文遠知行進入嘅第五個歐洲市場——之前已經入咗瑞士、法國、比利時、斯洛伐克。按照文遠知行同 Uber 喺 2025 年 5 月達成嘅規劃，佢哋要喺五年內新增 15 個國際城市部署 Robotaxi 服務，全球部署數萬輛 Robotaxi。隨著馬德里落地，目前已經完成咗 4 個城市嘅佈局，仲有 11 個會喺 2030 年前陸續覆蓋。
講真嘅，中國自動駕駛公司出海唔係頭一回，但中國技術 + 全球出行平台 + 歐洲市場呢個組合，定係好有意思。馬德里係歐洲最具商業潛力嘅 Robotaxi 市場之一，人口多、出行需求大，當地政策都好友善。喺呢個市場站穩腳根，對文遠知行嚟講係個唔小嘅里程碑。對 Uber 嚟講，引進 Robotaxi 都係為咗降低成本——終究司機唔使發人工。對馬德里市民嚟講，以後打車可能更平。
Have you ever seen the roads in India?
I've seen them online.
The scene is usually like this: a sedan blocked behind a cow, motorcycles running wild nearby, even milk tea vendors nearby, so "clean and hygienic".
However, in a place where many feel physically uncomfortable after watching, Toyota, Suzuki, Honda and other Japanese car companies decided to bet on India.
According to the Indian "Brand Quality Foundation" website, the three car companies will invest nearly $11 billion to build factories, increase capacity, and develop exports in India.
Some netizens commented: Did the three Japanese car companies have too much money?
In fact, they didn't have endless money to spend, nor were they bewildered by Indian curry. These Japanese car executives are much clearer than us.
Current Japanese car revenue and market share are declining. Raw material costs are soaring. Looking at the world map, finding a market that can accommodate capacity, expand share, and has gentle competition is not easy.
So, it wasn't that Japanese car companies chose India, but because they had no choice.
The Pain of Japanese Car Companies
Past Japanese cars were truly the envy of others.
Ask old drivers who drove Japanese cars over ten years ago, talking about Japanese cars, almost no one doesn't give a thumbs up, cheap price, fuel saving, durable...
Even many Japanese cars needed to be bought at a markup, but who would think this iron fortress would be beaten out of sight in a few short years.
With the wave of new energy vehicles coming, electrification and intelligence became the goal for many domestic car companies to "leapfrog". Relying on China's strong new energy vehicle industry chain advantages and car companies' own persistence on R&D and technology, Chinese independent brands quickly achieved "leapfrogging".
Domestic cars once criticized are now becoming more and more common on the roads, even surpassing joint ventures in share.
According to CPCA data, in April 2026, the share of independent brands reached as high as 62.5%, far exceeding Japan's 13.1%.
You need to know, the Chinese car market is the largest car market in the world. Losing speed in the Chinese market is like losing a huge piece of cake.
Meanwhile, the main theme of the Chinese market in recent years is still price wars. Racing on configuration, price, and service has become a normal state, which also had a huge impact on Japanese cars' profits.
Apart from China, Japanese cars are also not doing well in the US.
On January 20, 2025, Trump swore in as the 47th US President, starting a series of chaotic operations, including imposing additional car tariffs in the name of national security, causing the tariff rate for imported Japanese cars to reach as high as 27.5% at one point. Although it decreased later, it was still far higher than the initial tax rate.
This operation directly led to a tariff loss of over 2 trillion yen for seven Japanese car companies in fiscal year 2025.
Looking at Japan itself, it is actually not easy either.
Middle East geopolitical conflicts blocked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, transportation costs and raw material costs soared, Japanese car companies also had to suffer in silence.
Executives looking at the reports, their backs went cold, only to find a new growth curve.
So, Japanese car companies didn't fall in love with India, there was nowhere else to go.
Deep Thought on Choosing India
So, what magic does India have, to make Japanese car companies invest heavily?
The first advantage is big. In 2025, the Indian car market achieved 5.517 million new car sales, up 6% year-on-year, breaking the historical record, ranking as the third largest car market in the world, exceeding Japan for four consecutive years, second only to China and the United States.
The value of this doesn't need me to say much. India achieved this result mainly because India has been promoting tax reduction policies to promote consumption, which led to a significant increase in domestic consumption willingness.
The second advantage is close, meaning it is close to places where Japanese cars sell well, such as Africa.
So, India for Japanese car companies is more like a convenience store built in the center of a crossroad. You don't need to ship cars to eight countries separately, just build well at this stop in India, then unload ship by ship, and you can save a lot of costs.
The Nikkei also believes that India is expected to become its global car supply center.
The third advantage is stability. You know, Japanese cars' advantage is fuel cars, after all, the three major components of engines, gearboxes, and chassis, they have played for many years, technology accumulation is number one in the world.
But the Chinese car market has fully promoted electrification and intelligence development, leading to Japanese cars' advantage becoming weaker and weaker, impossible to play out. But India is different, it has the characteristics of few charging piles and slow electrification process. Indian old people buying cars still look for cheap, fuel saving, easy to fix, and these three points are exactly Japanese cars' old trade.
Especially Suzuki, always been India's car market evergreen, almost always sitting on the best-selling model throne, reputation of being worry-free, better than any advertisement.
So, Japanese car companies' vigorous layout of the Indian market is obviously carefully considered.
But, is the Indian market really that easy to mix?
The Hard-to-Bite Indian Market
Of course, India is not perfect like a hot commodity, its disadvantages are as obvious as its advantages, and every one is enough for Japanese car companies to face a hard time.
First talk about electrification. Yes, right now India has few charging piles and electric cars don't sell well, it is indeed a shelter for Japanese fuel cars. But you have to think, how long can this "shelter" avoid?
India previously shouted the slogan of 30% of new cars being electric vehicles by 2030. Although it sounds like bragging, but can't help but they really give subsidies, really build charging stations.
Imagine, what if one day India suddenly wakes up, starts vigorously promoting electrification, doing infrastructure, charging piles popping out like mushrooms after rain, then Japanese cars will be dumbfounded?
Isn't this a version of the Thai market?
Back then Japanese cars in Thailand won easily. The entire Southeast Asian market was called Japanese cars' backyard. Result Thailand took the lead in promoting electrification. Chinese electric vehicles came in, directly became a hot commodity. Look at Japanese cars again, share in Thailand falling down rapidly.
If India accelerates electrification, history will likely repeat, and this time, Japanese cars don't even have a place to flee, how to prevent will become the first problem for Japanese car companies.
Next talk about policy. India's policy is like a pot of curry, you never know if you will eat chicken or potato next time.
This magical country, today low tariff encourages building factories, tomorrow may fine you a huge amount. What's more annoying is mandatory joint venture. Foreign car companies want to sell cars in India, have to find local partners to partner up. When your factory is built, supply chain is done, India directly backstabs you. At that time whether adding money or withdrawing capital, what you get is heartache.
So you see, this market like India is like a mango that looks very sweet, bite the first mouth it's okay, chew two more mouths hit the hard core.
Japanese cars now is calculating, while the core hasn't bit the tooth, hurry up to nibble a few more mouths, but the core will bite sooner or later, just don't know which day.
Epilogue
Japanese cars this trip to India, not go for tourism, is go to make a living.
Chinese and Southeast Asian dining tables are more crowded, production and transportation costs have risen. Looking around the world, only this pot in India is still steaming, even if what is boiling inside is curry-flavored stones, have to bite hard and chew down.
Japanese car companies want to expand market, India wants to pull economy, solve employment, both sides have their own thoughts.
As for the ending is Japanese cars in India regain their glory, or like past competitors shamefully walk away, then is not known.
But no matter how, this play just started, we slowly watch is okay.
Anyway India's story, never bored.
Have you ever seen the roads in India?
I've seen them online.
The scene is usually like this: a sedan blocked behind a cow, motorcycles running wild nearby, even milk tea vendors nearby, so "clean and hygienic".
However, in a place where many feel physically uncomfortable after watching, Toyota, Suzuki, Honda and other Japanese car companies decided to bet on India.
According to the Indian "Brand Quality Foundation" website, the three car companies will invest nearly $11 billion to build factories, increase capacity, and develop exports in India.
Some netizens commented: Did the three Japanese car companies have too much money?
In fact, they didn't have endless money to spend, nor were they bewildered by Indian curry. These Japanese car executives are much clearer than us.
Current Japanese car revenue and market share are declining. Raw material costs are soaring. Looking at the world map, finding a market that can accommodate capacity, expand share, and has gentle competition is not easy.
So, it wasn't that Japanese car companies chose India, but because they had no choice.
The Pain of Japanese Car Companies
Past Japanese cars were truly the envy of others.
Ask old drivers who drove Japanese cars over ten years ago, talking about Japanese cars, almost no one doesn't give a thumbs up, cheap price, fuel saving, durable...
Even many Japanese cars needed to be bought at a markup, but who would think this iron fortress would be beaten out of sight in a few short years.
With the wave of new energy vehicles coming, electrification and intelligence became the goal for many domestic car companies to "leapfrog". Relying on China's strong new energy vehicle industry chain advantages and car companies' own persistence on R&D and technology, Chinese independent brands quickly achieved "leapfrogging".
Domestic cars once criticized are now becoming more and more common on the roads, even surpassing joint ventures in share.
According to CPCA data, in April 2026, the share of independent brands reached as high as 62.5%, far exceeding Japan's 13.1%.
You need to know, the Chinese car market is the largest car market in the world. Losing speed in the Chinese market is like losing a huge piece of cake.
Meanwhile, the main theme of the Chinese market in recent years is still price wars. Racing on configuration, price, and service has become a normal state, which also had a huge impact on Japanese cars' profits.
Apart from China, Japanese cars are also not doing well in the US.
On January 20, 2025, Trump swore in as the 47th US President, starting a series of chaotic operations, including imposing additional car tariffs in the name of national security, causing the tariff rate for imported Japanese cars to reach as high as 27.5% at one point. Although it decreased later, it was still far higher than the initial tax rate.
This operation directly led to a tariff loss of over 2 trillion yen for seven Japanese car companies in fiscal year 2025.
Looking at Japan itself, it is actually not easy either.
Middle East geopolitical conflicts blocked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, transportation costs and raw material costs soared, Japanese car companies also had to suffer in silence.
Executives looking at the reports, their backs went cold, only to find a new growth curve.
So, Japanese car companies didn't fall in love with India, there was nowhere else to go.
Deep Thought on Choosing India
So, what magic does India have, to make Japanese car companies invest heavily?
The first advantage is big. In 2025, the Indian car market achieved 5.517 million new car sales, up 6% year-on-year, breaking the historical record, ranking as the third largest car market in the world, exceeding Japan for four consecutive years, second only to China and the United States.
The value of this doesn't need me to say much. India achieved this result mainly because India has been promoting tax reduction policies to promote consumption, which led to a significant increase in domestic consumption willingness.
The second advantage is close, meaning it is close to places where Japanese cars sell well, such as Africa.
So, India for Japanese car companies is more like a convenience store built in the center of a crossroad. You don't need to ship cars to eight countries separately, just build well at this stop in India, then unload ship by ship, and you can save a lot of costs.
The Nikkei also believes that India is expected to become its global car supply center.
The third advantage is stability. You know, Japanese cars' advantage is fuel cars, after all, the three major components of engines, gearboxes, and chassis, they have played for many years, technology accumulation is number one in the world.
But the Chinese car market has fully promoted electrification and intelligence development, leading to Japanese cars' advantage becoming weaker and weaker, impossible to play out. But India is different, it has the characteristics of few charging piles and slow electrification process. Indian old people buying cars still look for cheap, fuel saving, easy to fix, and these three points are exactly Japanese cars' old trade.
Especially Suzuki, always been India's car market evergreen, almost always sitting on the best-selling model throne, reputation of being worry-free, better than any advertisement.
So, Japanese car companies' vigorous layout of the Indian market is obviously carefully considered.
But, is the Indian market really that easy to mix?
The Hard-to-Bite Indian Market
Of course, India is not perfect like a hot commodity, its disadvantages are as obvious as its advantages, and every one is enough for Japanese car companies to face a hard time.
First talk about electrification. Yes, right now India has few charging piles and electric cars don't sell well, it is indeed a shelter for Japanese fuel cars. But you have to think, how long can this "shelter" avoid?
India previously shouted the slogan of 30% of new cars being electric vehicles by 2030. Although it sounds like bragging, but can't help but they really give subsidies, really build charging stations.
Imagine, what if one day India suddenly wakes up, starts vigorously promoting electrification, doing infrastructure, charging piles popping out like mushrooms after rain, then Japanese cars will be dumbfounded?
Isn't this a version of the Thai market?
Back then Japanese cars in Thailand won easily. The entire Southeast Asian market was called Japanese cars' backyard. Result Thailand took the lead in promoting electrification. Chinese electric vehicles came in, directly became a hot commodity. Look at Japanese cars again, share in Thailand falling down rapidly.
If India accelerates electrification, history will likely repeat, and this time, Japanese cars don't even have a place to flee, how to prevent will become the first problem for Japanese car companies.
Next talk about policy. India's policy is like a pot of curry, you never know if you will eat chicken or potato next time.
This magical country, today low tariff encourages building factories, tomorrow may fine you a huge amount. What's more annoying is mandatory joint venture. Foreign car companies want to sell cars in India, have to find local partners to partner up. When your factory is built, supply chain is done, India directly backstabs you. At that time whether adding money or withdrawing capital, what you get is heartache.
So you see, this market like India is like a mango that looks very sweet, bite the first mouth it's okay, chew two more mouths hit the hard core.
Japanese cars now is calculating, while the core hasn't bit the tooth, hurry up to nibble a few more mouths, but the core will bite sooner or later, just don't know which day.
Epilogue
Japanese cars this trip to India, not go for tourism, is go to make a living.
Chinese and Southeast Asian dining tables are more crowded, production and transportation costs have risen. Looking around the world, only this pot in India is still steaming, even if what is boiling inside is curry-flavored stones, have to bite hard and chew down.
Japanese car companies want to expand market, India wants to pull economy, solve employment, both sides have their own thoughts.
As for the ending is Japanese cars in India regain their glory, or like past competitors shamefully walk away, then is not known.
But no matter how, this play just started, we slowly watch is okay.
Anyway India's story, never bored.
