RM39,999 Neta V: Bargain or Red Flag?

When a fully electric car that once launched at nearly RM100,000 is suddenly offered brand new and unregistered for RM39,999, the discount alone is enough to grab attention.

But when that same deal comes with just six months or 15,000km of coverage on the battery, motor and key components — and no clearly stated vehicle warranty — the questions become unavoidable.

This is the situation now surrounding Neta Auto Malaysia, with its sole remaining dealer at Careplus Mall, Seremban, openly advertising what appears to be a stock-clearing exercise. Limited units, ultra-low pricing, sharply reduced warranty coverage and a refund clause if repairs cannot be carried out all point to urgency rather than confidence.

Just a year ago, the picture looked very different. Throughout 2025, Neta repeatedly revised pricing for the Neta V, cutting it from its original RM100,000 positioning to as low as RM55,000 for low-mileage units, while still offering long-term warranties. Even then, the aggressive discounts hinted at weak demand.

What is happening now goes much further.

These are not demo or used cars, but new 2024 units being pushed out below RM40,000, with buyers effectively asked to accept minimal post-sale support. This stands in stark contrast to earlier promises of up to eight years or 180,000km for the battery and motor, and a 10-year body warranty. 

Warranties are declarations of confidence, and their sudden contraction sends a clear signal.

Neta has previously described the closure of its Glenmarie showroom as part of a restructuring exercise, reiterating its commitment to after-sales support. However, the brand’s physical footprint has since shrunk dramatically, leaving it without a meaningful presence in the Klang Valley.

The product itself has not helped. The Neta V’s zero-star ASEAN NCAP rating remains a major handicap in an increasingly safety-conscious market which has not been handled by the distributor. 

For buyers, the dilemma is clear. RM39,999 for a new EV is tempting, but what happens after six months? If parts support or brand representation weakens beyond that point, owners could be left exposed.

The uncertainty also affects existing customers. In 2025 alone, 99 units of the Neta V and 71 units of the Neta X were sold locally under the promise of long-term warranty support. Any erosion of that support risks undermining confidence not just among new buyers, but among early adopters as well.

For now, the optics surrounding Neta Auto Malaysia suggest not a brand positioning for growth, but one focused on survival. The discounts may be real — but so is the risk. For consumers, caution — not impulse — may be the wiser response.