People don’t say it out loud, but I think Malaysia’s second automaker, Perodua, is now more Malaysian than Proton, the country’s national car brand. But today’s story has nothing to do with company ownership. Instead, it is about an interesting development from Perodua.
At the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2026 (June 12 to 21, 2026), Perodua revealed its vision for electrification by way of a concept called C2.
I have to talk about it because, damn, this thing looks straight out of The Fifth Element—except it does not fly.
The C2, or Chapter 2, has styling you would never imagine coming from this traditionally conservative brand. Not going to lie. I like it, a lot.
Anyhoo, the C2 is a B-segment prototype that boasts AI driving-assist features, including real-time navigation, charging station locations, traffic updates, enhanced anti-theft features, and assisted parking. The car further touts P-Circle super app integration, which will allow owners to access features such as a secure e-wallet app, priority genuine-parts delivery, and more.
The C2 is the second EV from the marque following the QV-E launched last December, hence the name Chapter 2.
Nothing is known about the vehicle’s specifications. For now, it is just a bold vision.
As far as design goes, our source pointed out the incorporation of the bunga pecah lapan element, which is literally an “eight-petalled flower,” a traditional geometric motif deeply rooted in Malay art and visual culture. The presence of this beautiful motif can be seen in the lighting and even the wheel covers.
I kind of like the idea. Asia, in this case Malaysia, should have its cultural elements incorporated, giving products a unique character. It surprises me that Japan, being the leading country in Asia when it comes to making cars, has never infused Japanese cultural identity into its automobiles.
Then again, I am not surprised. Those old-school marketers still hold on to the concept of blending into target markets, which is most evident in car model naming. Remember Fit and Jazz? Vezel and HR-V?
I mean, in the age of the Internet—which has been around for more than two decades—many lines have blurred, including some perceived cultural differences.
Back to the C2, we will be waiting eagerly to see if the eventual production car will look anything like this.
Images: paultan.org/Perodua.
Story via paultan.org
