No recall on new Myvi, says Perodua boss

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no recall on the new Perodua Myvi or any of our other models, says Perodua president/chief executive officer, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh. In a statement today, Aminar Rashid said the news reports were not true. "There was a suspension in operations for one day at our plant on Aug 26, 2013, as we found some portions of the vehicle did not meet the standards we specified during our normal testing process. "We have resumed our operations the next day after successfully rectifying the issue," he said. Aminar Rashid said the reports saying that Perodua stopped production for three days for this reason were inaccurate. Perodua also higlighted that the plant was on a scheduled shutdown for the company's 20th Anniversary...

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Perodua to introduce cheapest model next year, says PM

RAWANG: Perodua will produce a new model next year that will be the cheapest in the market, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He said the new model will enable Malaysians to own a car which will have sophisticated and strong safety features. He said Perodua has invested RM1.3 billion to build a new factory which would be ready next October to produce the new model that would be competitive. "I hope the factory will help Perodua export more cars, especially to neighbouring countries. Currently, Perodua exported 10,000 units a year and I hope the figure can be increase further," he said at Perodua's Gala Raya, held in conjunction with its 20th anniversary here Saturday. Najib said Perodua's strategy all along has...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 S...

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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...

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Perodua launches value-for-money S-Series

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua today launched its value-for-money "S-Series" with three new variants for Viva, Myvi and Alza. Its managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the group aimed to achieve sales of 7,500 units of the S-Series monthly in the domestic market. "We need to produce more value-added products in order to remain relevant in the market and the introduction of the S-Series will further boost our sales," he told reporters before the launch of the S-Series today. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin later launched the S-Series after laying the first foundation stone for Perodua's new RM790 million factory. Aminar Rashid said the launch of the new variants would contribute towards achieving the car maker's 194,000...

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Keep rates attractive, Perodua urges banks

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua, which aims to sell 194,000 cars this year, hopes that the overnight policy rate (OPR), currently at three per cent, will continue to be maintained. Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said people could afford to buy a vehicle if the OPR were to remain at the current level. "We still need the support of the banks and we hope they will continue to support us," he said here today. Aminar Rashid was asked whether Perodua has plan to set up a financial unit to cater to the needs of its customers at the company's Chinese New Year luncheon. He said he was not aware of the vendor-sharing programme by the government involving two other carmakers. A local daily, citing sources, said the government would discuss...

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74,000 new Myvis recalled to fix power steering issue

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua is undertaking a preventive measure campaign to replace the electronic power steering column (EPS) in 74,000 new Myvi variants produced between March 2011 and March 2012. The compact car maker said this was to ensure that owners of the new Myvi enjoy optimum performance from their vehicle. Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the campaign was necessary as the car’s performance may not be at its best and could partially compromise the driver’s response time at low speeds. “Based on studies conducted by Perodua, the problem could be detected when the EPS indicator is alight, after which, the driver could feel a slight heaviness at speeds of between 30 and 40 km per hour. “This can be temporarily fixed...

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Perodua retains forte but mum on sedan rumours

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua will retain its compact car segment based on its strength, said managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh. “Whether it’s within or outside the country, the demand for compact cars is still high due to fuel-efficiency and low-carbon emissions in view of the high fuel price and efforts to promote a better environment,” he said. The Myvi remains Perodua's bestseller. On integrating hybrid technology into its new vehicles, Aminar Rashid said Perodua was not on that path because it was costly. Cost would be an issue to Perodua and potential customers and the company would lose its “affordable-to-own” edge, he said, adding: “The existing internal combustion engine of our compact cars can compete and even be better...

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Perodua plans to fast track overseas presence

Being number one is not easy. Because when you're at the top, there's only one way to go down! In the case of local car manufacturer Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), it has fought hard to maintain its number one position at the top of the total industry volume (TIV) heap for quite some time now. But as its managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said last week during a media briefing, the car company has to do more than just being a jaguh kampung (village champion). Aminar says Perodua has a five-year roadmap that  will boost the company's competitiveness. This is especially pertinent with the Government's call to liberalise the local automotive sector. With various policies and initiatives in place, especially...

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