The Kancil is named after the mouse deer, a native animal related to Malay fable [2] and commonly found in Malaysian jungle.

Subsequent Kancils were only rejuvenated cosmetically as Perodua maintained the monocoque structure and tweaked its engines.

[4] At launch two variants were on offered: EX and GX both powered by a 660 cc engine and both paired to a manual transmission.

It came with an automatic transmission and in addition to the existing equipment on the GX variant, there was colored bumpers, gear lock, side protector molding, hazard sign and the first-aid kit for metallic and mica models only.

Changes included new design for the larger front grille, rear garnish, rounded indicator lights, clear rear signal lenses (amber in pre-facelift) and different wheel caps designs, new cabin upholstery with the use of improved seat fabric and 2 front washer nozzles.

The Kancil 850 cc series, got new white faced metres and adjustable head rest.

Lastly, a centre console with storage area and coin slots replaced a simple rubber boot.

[9] In 2000, the car was given another slight facelift consisting of body-coloured side mouldings, a new grille and reprofiled front bumper with larger indicators, and electrical adjustable side mirrors were equipped for 850cc models.This facelift was available with three variants: 660 EX, 850 EX and 850 EZ.

Its interior features a flushed dashboard with the combination instrumentation panel placed in the middle similar to that of the Toyota Yaris.

It was priced at just over £5,000 (cut to £4,999 in 1999) it was the cheapest new car on sale there until it was replaced by the Perodua Kelisa four years later.

The Ceria, meaning "happy" or "cheerful" in Malay/Indonesian, was introduced at the 11th Gaikindo Auto Expo in Jakarta in July 2001.

[28] It had been preceded the year before by the Daihatsu KX-P "concept car" - a standard Kancil equipped with a leather and wood interior.

[29] The Ceria was only available with the larger 850 cc engine with a carburettor and 37 PS (27 kW), in two equipment levels: the base model KL and the more extra-spec KX, which received a chromed grille.