Google 2011 Zeitgeist list: Perodua Myvi tops car searches

Google has released its annual Zeitgeist list for Malaysia, which ranks 2011’s hottest search terms on google.com.my. Zeitgeist, which is German for “the spirit of the times”, offers a glimpse at the significant whats and whos in the eyes of Malaysians. Since we’re an automotive site, let’s focus on the car list. The top 10 fastest rising car brand searches on google.com.my in 2011 are:

1. Myvi/Perodua Myvi
2. Mercedes
3. Volkswagen
4. Honda Insight
5. Peugeot
6. Lexus
7. Perodua
8. Ford Fiesta
9. Audi
10. Lamborghini

This is a “fastest rising” list, search terms that have seen the largest increase in search volume over the year. Not to be confused with “most popular”, which indicates terms that are most frequently searched.

It’s no surprise that the Perodua Myvi is at the top – it’s Malaysia’s best selling car, and people want to read up before they buy. Also, the new Myvi was introduced last year, before the more powerful SE and Extreme came in September, further adding interest.

Mercedes-Benz came in second, so perhaps it’s the brand most Malaysians aspire to. Continental cars are getting more popular by the day, gaining a foothold in the Japanese dominated non-national segment, so it’s no surprise to see VW and Peugeot in the top 5.

Hybrids are “in” too, thanks to tax breaks, and the sub RM100k Honda Insight is popular both on urban streets and in Google. Another “hot car” is the Ford Fiesta, the stylish B-segment hatch that single handedly revived the Ford brand in Malaysia. A surprise for me is Lamborghini at number 10 – everyone wants a bull as their wallpaper perhaps?

Away from what we all love, here is the overall fastest rising searches in 2011:

1. Facebook
2. Angry Birds
3. Maharaja Lawak
4. iPhone 5
5. Samsung Galaxy
6. iPad2
7. Jawatan kosong
8. Android
9. Tonton
10. Aishiteru

Agree or disagree? Discuss and leave your two cents below!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Thu, 12 Jan 12 10:07:50 +0000.

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