Perodua's first half-year sales rises 4% to 96,900 units

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua's first half-year sales this year increased four per cent to 96,900 units from 92,900 units in the same period of 2012, driven by the introduction of the S-Series in March.

Perodua's president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said based on the estimated total industry volume of 312,800 vehicles for the first six months, Perodua's market share now stood at 31 per cent.

On a quarter-to quarter comparison, sales were up 4.1 per cent to 50,200 units compared with 48,200 units in the second quarter of 2012.

The S-Series.

However, Aminar said sales in June slowed by 3.7 per cent to 15,800 units from 16,400 units in the same month last year, due to speculation on the reduction of car prices and a tougher market.

"The S-Series has contributed significantly to our sales volume this year to date. The value proposition of these variants is the result of an extensive cost management exercise that began in 2011.

"In terms of total production, as of end-June this year, we produced approximately 102,000 vehicles. We hope to produce 206,700 units by year-end," he told a media briefing here, Wednesday.

Meanwhile, on Perodua's after sales business, Aminar said the compact car company saw 924,000 vehicles frequent its service centres for the first half of the year, up three per cent from the 896,000 intake, in the same period of 2012.

He said Perodua's revenue for the parts and accessories business jumped by 40.2 per cent to RM152.8 million during the period from RM112.6 million previously.

"We believe that once our new parts warehouse in Rawang is fully operational this August, we will be able to further increase our parts distribution capabilities, and thus serve our customers better," he added.

For the second half of the year, Aminar said that Perodua would continue its aggressive marketing strategy and leverage on the popularity of the S-Series to maintain the compact carmaker's sales momentum.

"Baring any unforeseen circumstances, we believe we can achieve the earlier target of 194,000 units by year-end," he added. – Bernama

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Perodua expects more competitive auto business environment

KUALA LUMPUR: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) expects a more challenging business environment with stiffer competition in the country.

“We are maintaining our sales target of 194,000 this year, and whoever takes the top position is irrelevant,” president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said in response to a question of Proton being a threat to Perodua.

Up to the end of last month, Perodua had sold about 82,000 units, up 6.5% from 77,000 units in 2012.

Aminar: ‘Competition is good and it pushes everyone to outperform each other.

“This is already post-election, I hope this won't get politicised. If Proton is able to sell more, it will raise the total industrial volume.

“Competition is good and it pushes everyone to outperform each other,” he told a press conference which was called following confusion in the market that Perodua had reduced its on-the-road car prices.

The second national carmaker had clarified that it had reduced the total cost of car ownership for consumers, instead of cutting its retail price directly.

He said the reduced car ownership cost was done with the launch of its S-Series variant across its product range.

“The monetary value we give to our customers for both increased specifications as well as the three-year free service package is worth between RM4,500 and RM5,600,” he said.

“The price reduction was correct but it's not the on-the-road price that was mentioned,” he said.

He said with the new S-Series variant, Perodua had reduced the price by RM2,000, compared to the old variant.

“You should not just look at the reduction but also the total car ownership cost arising from savings from the three-year warranty, and in increase of specifications,” he said.

He said Perodua had achieved an overall reduction in cost of 12%, which was still below its 15% targeted by end of this year.

“This is done via cost reduction activities carried through the entire supply chain including improving efficiency and eliminating wastages,” he said.

Ultimately, he said, Perodua intended to bring its cost down by 30% by 2016.

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Perodua opens second body and paint hub

SERI KEMBANGAN: Perodua has opened its second body and paint hub (B&P hub) in Balakong, Seri Kembangan - after the Subang hub - to better serve its customers in the Southern part of the Klang valley .

“With the inception of centres such as these, customers are provided with an avenue to repair and restore their vehicles," said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh at the recent opening ceremony of the B&P hub in Balakong.

The RM2.2 million Perodua B&P Hub is a specialised facility offering heavy repair works for its vehicles as well as paint services for those who want a brand new coat for their Perodua vehicles, particularly for vehicles involved in collisions.

Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh (centre), G. Balasundram who is Perodua Balakong B&P manager (right), and Perodua assistant regional manager of service operations Muhd Nazrin Muhd Nor observing a mechanic polishing a customer's car.

The new B&P hub is equipped with four bays, which can repair up to 130 Perodua cars each month.

The hub also has three specialised 'ovens' that can service 130 paint jobs per month.

"The Perodua Balakong B&P Hub is another milestone for Perodua because the new centre is a testament to our commitment to give a holistic service to our customers, which ranges from manufacturing to major repairs and paint services," said Aminar.

He added that aside from quality workmanship, the Perodua B&P hub also offers genuine spare parts.

Aminar said the compact car company was also looking at setting up more B&P Hubs at other locations, to better serve its customers.


Perodua has sold over 2.2 million vehicles since its inception in 1993.

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Perodua sees growth spurt

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua is on track to achieve its target sales of 194,000 cars this year, following strong sales growth in the first four months of 2013.

The company's president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said about 64,400 Perodua cars were sold from January till end-April, which translated into a 9% year-on-year sales increase.

"Barring unforeseen circumstances, we are cautiously optimistic about achieving our 2013 sales target. The automotive market is still strong, and the country's total automotive industry volume (TIV) should hit 640,000 units this year, as per the forecast by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)," said Aminar at the Royale Chulan Hotel.

Aminar (standing fourth from left) with Perodua management and representatives from the institutions of higher learning at the mock cheque presentation ceremony for the fifth edition of the Perodua Eco-Challenge.

Aminar was attending a mock cheque presentation ceremony for the fifth edition of the Perodua Eco-Challenge, where students from selected institutions of higher learning are challenged in applying their knowledge and skills in the arenas of automotive engineering and marketing.

Aminar noted that before the recently held General Election, car buyers had adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

In a statement, he also said Perodua had given its inputs for the revision of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) which is expected to be announced in the near future.

“As one of the largest local carmakers, Perodua sees great value in a gradual liberalisation and this will also help us in being prepared for when the market fully opens,” said Aminar.

According to Perodua, it has developed and given business opportunities to about 109 local vendors 272 local sales as well as service dealers and other service providers.

“The result of this extended eco-system - Perodua has sold some 2.2 million vehicles over our 20-year history,” said Aminar.

He added that local automotive vendors also benefit, as Perodua is buying RM4bil in parts this year.

On Perodua’s efforts to further reduce its prices, Aminar said that the recently launched S Series was a good example of how the company would bring down the cost of ownership for its customers.

“We are not only repositioning the price downwards, we added more features and give a three-year free service to not just the S-series but to all our models. The value we bring to the customers ranges from RM4,500 to RM5,600,” he said.

“We will continue to produce and market affordable vehicles with quality taking into consideration the total cost of ownership. Our most affordable variant is priced at RM25,000 - the lowest in the country,” said Aminar.

Meanwhile, the total prize money in the Perodua Eco-Challenge 2013 has been increased to RM127,000 compared with RM103,000 last year.

Institutions participating in this year's Eco-Challenge include Universiti Selangor, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Politeknik Ungku Omar.

Participating teams will need to redesign a Perodua Myvi, for body styling enhancements and better fuel efficiency.

The categories include "Long Distance", "Engineering", "Time Attack", "Marketing Challenge" and "Overall Champion".

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Perodua tailors package for teachers

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua is introducing a package tailored for teachers in ts effort to boost sales.

It is offering a rebate of RM1,000, a personal accident insurance plan worth RM20,000, and hire purchase rates from as low as 2.7 per cent from participating banks.

In a statement on Monday, Perodua said the  "Terima Kasih, Cikgu" package is effective from May 16-Nov 15 and valid for all Perodua variants, including the S series.

Teacher's Day falls on May 16.

Perodua said the package is open to all teachers and lecturers from both public and private institutions of learning.

"Early birds who book their vehicles between May 16 and May 31 are entitled to a RM200 petrol gift card," said Perodua president and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

 -Bernama

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Perodua promises global standards when new plant opens

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua says its new factory in Rawang will start production by mid-2014.

The RM790mil plant is expected to have annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles on a single shift, said managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh in a statement.

"So far, everything is on schedule and Perodua will start hiring 1,200 people soon.

"With the completion of the plant, the entire group would be poised to improve its quality, efficiency, productivity and cost management to global standards," he said.

He said the plant would house the country's most advanced automation, robotics, machinery and equipment as well as human capital development system.

"With the support of our partner Daihatsu Motor Co, the plant will be a role model for the entire Perodua group in terms of overall operation and approach," said Aminar Rashid.

He said in line with its vision to become a global company, the group is set to spend RM2.3bil in capital expenditure up to 2018 to upgrade all its operations.

The new plant, the second for Perodua, has a built-up area of 65,000 sq m and a paid-up capital of RM200mil with an authorised capital of RM500mil.

 -Bernama

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