Perodua: Malaysian Auto Industry Set To Rebound In 2008
December 26, 2007 14:04 PM
By Tengku Noor Shamsiah
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is optimistic that the current momentum in car sales will continue through next year, with its cars at the leading edge of this drive.
Managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the turnaround in total industry volume (TIV) in terms of sales that began in the middle of 2007 is expected to continue well into next year.
From the 2005 record high of 551,000 units, the TIV had dropped 11 percent to 490,000 units in 2006.
"Up to the first half of this year, the TIV had looked set for a second consecutive year of beating, as the first half TIV was 12 percent below that of the first half of 2006," he told Bernama here.
But the strong showing by Proton, Perodua and Toyota, Syed Hafiz said, prompted the TIV to stage a strong rebound in the second half of 2007 with every month's sale higher than that for the same month in 2006.
The average monthly sales stood at 40,000 units and year-to-date TIV is only 2.3 percent lower than in 2006, he added.
According to Syed Hafiz, the same percentage is expected for the full year with TIV forecast at 480,000 units for the whole of 2007.
"TIV for next year is in turn forecast to be 510,000 units from 480,000 units this year," he added.
He said Perodua expects to close 2007 sales at 160,800 units, three percent higher than the 2006 figure of 155,400 units.
"This is due to continued strong support for Myvi plus strong showing by the new Viva," he said, anticipating the number of Myvi cars on Malaysian roads to hit 200,000 units by year end.
Since its May 2007 launch, the Perodua chief said, Viva registration is expected to reach 45,000 units by year-end.
Perodua has reached its maximum annual manufacturing capacity of 250,000 units and further expansion is in the pipeline as the local car maker plans to double its exports to 10,000 units annually from 2010.
-- BERNAMA
Full Version: PERODUA Cars
Perodua to undertake rebranding exercise
PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), Malaysia's top carmaker, intends to maintain its lead in the domestic market for the third year in a row by pushing up sales, introducing at least one improved model and rebranding the company.
Rebranding will take place this year, aimed at making the company's name more visible.
"For some time and until today, our product brands such as Kancil and MyVi stand out more prominently than our corporate name, Perodua. We intend to change that situation," Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar told Business Times via e-mail.
The rebranding, which will coincide with its 15th anniversary, will begin in June this year and is due to run until next year. Changes will revolve around Perodua's new brand vision and tag line, "Fresh Thinking To Move Malaysia".
"A strong brand is a powerful tool to help us find and keep the best employees. This will help us maintain our leadership position," Syed Abdull Hafiz added.
Perodua dethroned Proton Holdings Bhd as the country's top carmaker in 2005, with an overall share of 40 per cent of the passenger car market.
"Our focus this year is to retain our pole position in the domestic car market for the third consecutive year," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
Perodua expects a marginal increase of 1.8 per cent in car sales to 165,000 units this year from 162,152 units in 2007, on the back of a highly competitive and saturated domestic car market.
This will account for 32 per cent of the total industry volume, which Perodua projects to grow to 510,000 units, compared with a 33.3 per cent share of the 487,000 units sold in 2007.
Apart from banking on existing models to drive its sales, Perodua has plans to launch a new four-wheel drive Kembara replacement model later this year, with much higher specifications.
Perodua's last put out a new model in May 2007, when it unveiled the Viva, a compact 1.0-litre car that sells from RM28,400. The Viva was Perodua's first new model in two years when it was released.
As at December 2007, Perodua sold some 50,000 units of the Viva and more than 200,000 units of the Myvi.
"Our plan is to launch one new model every year, starting with the MyVi in 2005. However, the strong demand and long waiting period (for MyVi) had temporarily derailed our plans in 2006," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
"Our plan is now back on track and we are working towards launching a new model each year over the next three years," he said.
Perodua is also expecting an increase in its after-sales business this year. It targets to service 1.3 million Perodua cars this year, up from 1.12 million in 2007.
The group's plant in Sg Choh, Rawang, has the capacity to make 240,000 cars per year, which Syed Abdull said will be sufficient to meet the demand up to 2011.
The company also assembles Toyota's Avanza model and the Daihatsu Sirion, meant for the Indonesian market.
On its partnership with Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd and Mitsui & Co Ltd of Japan, Syed Abdull Hafiz said it has "proven that such partnership can work if both parties have mutual respect and trust as well as set out clear goals from the beginning".
On another front, Syed Abdull Hafiz said the challenges for Perodua and other local automotive players include the intense competition in the market, spiralling crude oil prices and volatile foreign exchange.
He said more companies will launch competitively-priced cars. "For Perodua, we will continue to focus on building quality compact cars that are competitively priced," he said, adding that the US economy and its subprime lending crisis, and fear of recession could also affect the domestic car market.
On the positive side, the higher pump prices for fuel could benefit Perodua as car buyers opt for more fuel-efficient and economical car to maintain," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
- Business Times -
PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), Malaysia's top carmaker, intends to maintain its lead in the domestic market for the third year in a row by pushing up sales, introducing at least one improved model and rebranding the company.
Rebranding will take place this year, aimed at making the company's name more visible.
"For some time and until today, our product brands such as Kancil and MyVi stand out more prominently than our corporate name, Perodua. We intend to change that situation," Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar told Business Times via e-mail.
The rebranding, which will coincide with its 15th anniversary, will begin in June this year and is due to run until next year. Changes will revolve around Perodua's new brand vision and tag line, "Fresh Thinking To Move Malaysia".
"A strong brand is a powerful tool to help us find and keep the best employees. This will help us maintain our leadership position," Syed Abdull Hafiz added.
Perodua dethroned Proton Holdings Bhd as the country's top carmaker in 2005, with an overall share of 40 per cent of the passenger car market.
"Our focus this year is to retain our pole position in the domestic car market for the third consecutive year," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
Perodua expects a marginal increase of 1.8 per cent in car sales to 165,000 units this year from 162,152 units in 2007, on the back of a highly competitive and saturated domestic car market.
This will account for 32 per cent of the total industry volume, which Perodua projects to grow to 510,000 units, compared with a 33.3 per cent share of the 487,000 units sold in 2007.
Apart from banking on existing models to drive its sales, Perodua has plans to launch a new four-wheel drive Kembara replacement model later this year, with much higher specifications.
Perodua's last put out a new model in May 2007, when it unveiled the Viva, a compact 1.0-litre car that sells from RM28,400. The Viva was Perodua's first new model in two years when it was released.
As at December 2007, Perodua sold some 50,000 units of the Viva and more than 200,000 units of the Myvi.
"Our plan is to launch one new model every year, starting with the MyVi in 2005. However, the strong demand and long waiting period (for MyVi) had temporarily derailed our plans in 2006," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
"Our plan is now back on track and we are working towards launching a new model each year over the next three years," he said.
Perodua is also expecting an increase in its after-sales business this year. It targets to service 1.3 million Perodua cars this year, up from 1.12 million in 2007.
The group's plant in Sg Choh, Rawang, has the capacity to make 240,000 cars per year, which Syed Abdull said will be sufficient to meet the demand up to 2011.
The company also assembles Toyota's Avanza model and the Daihatsu Sirion, meant for the Indonesian market.
On its partnership with Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd and Mitsui & Co Ltd of Japan, Syed Abdull Hafiz said it has "proven that such partnership can work if both parties have mutual respect and trust as well as set out clear goals from the beginning".
On another front, Syed Abdull Hafiz said the challenges for Perodua and other local automotive players include the intense competition in the market, spiralling crude oil prices and volatile foreign exchange.
He said more companies will launch competitively-priced cars. "For Perodua, we will continue to focus on building quality compact cars that are competitively priced," he said, adding that the US economy and its subprime lending crisis, and fear of recession could also affect the domestic car market.
On the positive side, the higher pump prices for fuel could benefit Perodua as car buyers opt for more fuel-efficient and economical car to maintain," said Syed Abdull Hafiz.
- Business Times -
Malaysia: AP Interview: Malaysia's Biggest Carmaker To Unveil New 4WD And Multipurpose Vehicle
2008-04-02 10:21
RAWANG, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's biggest carmaker Perodua plans to roll out a new four-wheel-drive model in May and its first multipurpose vehicle in 2009 as part of efforts to maintain its market leader status, a top company executive said Tuesday (1 Apr).
The two new compact vehicles will have 1.5 liter engines, said Managing Director Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar. These will be Perodua's first 1.5 liter cars. Currently all its vehicles have engines of between 0.6 and 1.3 liter.
The four-wheel-drive model will be the cheapest in the Malaysian market, priced under 100,000 ringgit (US$31,000), Syed Hafiz said. The company doesn't expect large sale volumes, he said.
However, it has high expectations from the compact multipurpose vehicle, a passenger car with three rows of seats to carry up to 8 people, set to be released in 2009, he told The Associated Press in an interview.
"We are looking at 1.3 and 1.5 liter engines because that is where the biggest market segment is. We are definitely focused on staying No. 1," he said.
Perodua, officially known as Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd., is partly owned by Japanese mini-car maker Daihatsu Motor Corp.
Perodua dethroned national carmaker Proton for the first time in 2006 to become the top selling car brand in Malaysia following the successful launch of its 1.3 liter Myvi in 2005.
Sales hit 162,152 units last year, giving it a 33% share in Malaysia, Southeast Asia's largest passenger car market. Proton followed with a 24% market share.
Despite intensifying competition, Hafiz said the company aims to keep its pole position for a third straight year in 2008 with sales expected to rise 5% to 170,000 units this year.
This will help it maintain its market share as new auto sales are forecast to rise to 510,000 units this year.
Proton in January launched a 1.3 liter sedan that is priced competitively to the Myvi , but Hafiz said it has not hurt Perodua's sales which hit 27,000 units in the first two months this year as high oil prices boosted demand for small fuel-efficient cars.
To mark its 15th anniversary in June, Perodua will launch a new logo to strengthen its brand name, he said.
Although production cost has crept up due to rising prices of steel and other component parts, as well as volatile foreign exchange rates, Hafiz said there are no plans to raise car prices.
Instead, Perodua is boosting production capacity and increasing operational efficiency with higher automation to improve economies of scale, he said.
Hafiz said Perodua will focus on the local market before expanding its exports, which now make up less than 5% of sales.
Despite a free trade pact in Southeast Asia that lowers export tariffs for cars, he said the region still has cumbersome local regulations and red tape which are stumbling blocks.
"We want to be a local hero first. We want to anchor ourselves firmly in Malaysia before moving out. From 2010 we do have a strategy to export but only when markets are fully opened," he said.
There is a huge potential in Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia and Thailand given their big population and low rate of auto ownership, he added.
(By EILEEN NG/ AP)
2008-04-02 10:21
RAWANG, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's biggest carmaker Perodua plans to roll out a new four-wheel-drive model in May and its first multipurpose vehicle in 2009 as part of efforts to maintain its market leader status, a top company executive said Tuesday (1 Apr).
The two new compact vehicles will have 1.5 liter engines, said Managing Director Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar. These will be Perodua's first 1.5 liter cars. Currently all its vehicles have engines of between 0.6 and 1.3 liter.
The four-wheel-drive model will be the cheapest in the Malaysian market, priced under 100,000 ringgit (US$31,000), Syed Hafiz said. The company doesn't expect large sale volumes, he said.
However, it has high expectations from the compact multipurpose vehicle, a passenger car with three rows of seats to carry up to 8 people, set to be released in 2009, he told The Associated Press in an interview.
"We are looking at 1.3 and 1.5 liter engines because that is where the biggest market segment is. We are definitely focused on staying No. 1," he said.
Perodua, officially known as Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd., is partly owned by Japanese mini-car maker Daihatsu Motor Corp.
Perodua dethroned national carmaker Proton for the first time in 2006 to become the top selling car brand in Malaysia following the successful launch of its 1.3 liter Myvi in 2005.
Sales hit 162,152 units last year, giving it a 33% share in Malaysia, Southeast Asia's largest passenger car market. Proton followed with a 24% market share.
Despite intensifying competition, Hafiz said the company aims to keep its pole position for a third straight year in 2008 with sales expected to rise 5% to 170,000 units this year.
This will help it maintain its market share as new auto sales are forecast to rise to 510,000 units this year.
Proton in January launched a 1.3 liter sedan that is priced competitively to the Myvi , but Hafiz said it has not hurt Perodua's sales which hit 27,000 units in the first two months this year as high oil prices boosted demand for small fuel-efficient cars.
To mark its 15th anniversary in June, Perodua will launch a new logo to strengthen its brand name, he said.
Although production cost has crept up due to rising prices of steel and other component parts, as well as volatile foreign exchange rates, Hafiz said there are no plans to raise car prices.
Instead, Perodua is boosting production capacity and increasing operational efficiency with higher automation to improve economies of scale, he said.
Hafiz said Perodua will focus on the local market before expanding its exports, which now make up less than 5% of sales.
Despite a free trade pact in Southeast Asia that lowers export tariffs for cars, he said the region still has cumbersome local regulations and red tape which are stumbling blocks.
"We want to be a local hero first. We want to anchor ourselves firmly in Malaysia before moving out. From 2010 we do have a strategy to export but only when markets are fully opened," he said.
There is a huge potential in Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia and Thailand given their big population and low rate of auto ownership, he added.
(By EILEEN NG/ AP)
Perodua, Proton market share expected to hit 65pc
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2008/04/21
THE country's top two carmakers may strengthen their grip on the market by making up two thirds of all vehicles sold domestically this year, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said.
Perodua and Proton Holdings Bhd, Hafiz said, are expected to raise their combined market share to 65 per cent this year from 57 per cent in 2007.
The two national carmakers have seen their collective share of the market hovering between 55 per cent and 58 per cent since 2005. In 2006, their share stood at 55.3 per cent, slightly lower than the 55.6 per cent registered in 2005.
Strong sales through models such as Perodua Myvi and Viva and Proton Persona and Saga suggest that the all-time high of 77 per cent market share in recent history could be closer than ever by 2010.
"In the first two months, Perodua and Proton accounted for 58 per cent of the total sales. This year, the national cars should control 65 per cent market share," Hafiz told the New Straits Times group of newspapers in an interview at his office in Sungai Choh in Rawang, Selangor on Tuesday.
Industry sales volume in the first two months stood at 84,415 units, up from 66,331 units in the corresponding period in 2007, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association.
Perodua alone sold about 14,000 units in January and some 12,000 in February.
MAA had in January forecast a 4.7 per cent growth in industry sales to 510,000 units this year, after a 0.7 per cent contraction in 2007 of 487,176 units.
Perodua, the country's number one carmaker in sales terms since 2006, may have lost a bit of its market share this year, albeit on a slightly higher volume.
"Our share should be reduced to around 31 per cent, down from 33.3 per cent in 2007, although the sales volume should slightly increase to about 170,000 units in 2008," Hafiz said.
Proton is expected to improve its volume and market share this year through a line-up of good models introduced in recent months, he added.
Sales of the Myvi and Viva, Hafiz said, remain robust with the two models making up about 90 per cent of Perodua's total sales.
The Myvi, launched in May 2005, accounts for just over half of the company's total sales.
"The Myvi is celebrating its third birthday next month. There are 225,000 units of the Myvi on the road now."
He added that of the 170,000 Perodua cars expected to be sold for 2008, about 65,000 units would be the Viva.
Perodua plans to launch a Kembara replacement model next month but Hafiz does not expect it to be a volume-driven model.
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2008/04/21
THE country's top two carmakers may strengthen their grip on the market by making up two thirds of all vehicles sold domestically this year, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said.
Perodua and Proton Holdings Bhd, Hafiz said, are expected to raise their combined market share to 65 per cent this year from 57 per cent in 2007.
The two national carmakers have seen their collective share of the market hovering between 55 per cent and 58 per cent since 2005. In 2006, their share stood at 55.3 per cent, slightly lower than the 55.6 per cent registered in 2005.
Strong sales through models such as Perodua Myvi and Viva and Proton Persona and Saga suggest that the all-time high of 77 per cent market share in recent history could be closer than ever by 2010.
"In the first two months, Perodua and Proton accounted for 58 per cent of the total sales. This year, the national cars should control 65 per cent market share," Hafiz told the New Straits Times group of newspapers in an interview at his office in Sungai Choh in Rawang, Selangor on Tuesday.
Industry sales volume in the first two months stood at 84,415 units, up from 66,331 units in the corresponding period in 2007, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association.
Perodua alone sold about 14,000 units in January and some 12,000 in February.
MAA had in January forecast a 4.7 per cent growth in industry sales to 510,000 units this year, after a 0.7 per cent contraction in 2007 of 487,176 units.
Perodua, the country's number one carmaker in sales terms since 2006, may have lost a bit of its market share this year, albeit on a slightly higher volume.
"Our share should be reduced to around 31 per cent, down from 33.3 per cent in 2007, although the sales volume should slightly increase to about 170,000 units in 2008," Hafiz said.
Proton is expected to improve its volume and market share this year through a line-up of good models introduced in recent months, he added.
Sales of the Myvi and Viva, Hafiz said, remain robust with the two models making up about 90 per cent of Perodua's total sales.
The Myvi, launched in May 2005, accounts for just over half of the company's total sales.
"The Myvi is celebrating its third birthday next month. There are 225,000 units of the Myvi on the road now."
He added that of the 170,000 Perodua cars expected to be sold for 2008, about 65,000 units would be the Viva.
Perodua plans to launch a Kembara replacement model next month but Hafiz does not expect it to be a volume-driven model.
It’s Perodua Nautica 4WD
PETALING JAYA: Perodua has announced the name of its latest vehicle, the Perodua Nautica 4WD, which will be launched in May.
The Perodua Nautica is an urban compact SUV with a 1.5litre engine, automatic transmission and comes in either Medallion Grey or Majestic Black.
Those interested can place their bookings from May 10 onwards at any Perodua showrooms.
- The Star -
PETALING JAYA: Perodua has announced the name of its latest vehicle, the Perodua Nautica 4WD, which will be launched in May.
The Perodua Nautica is an urban compact SUV with a 1.5litre engine, automatic transmission and comes in either Medallion Grey or Majestic Black.
Those interested can place their bookings from May 10 onwards at any Perodua showrooms.
- The Star -
New Perodua MPV coming in September 2009
An interview with Perodua managing director Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar in The Edge Weekly has revealed some plans about Perodua this year. For one, Perodua will be undergoing a rebranding sometime in the middle of the year, which will coincide with the launch of the new Perodua Kembara. The rebranding exercise will also give Perodua a new logo, which will be more of a restyled evolution of the current one rather than something new.
The new Perodua Kembara will come with a 1.5 liter engine (likely the 3SZ-VE) and will have four-wheel drive. It will not be assembled locally by Perodua but will be a CBU import from Japan. It will be a low volume product, and the expected price tag is likely to be more than the Toyota Rush because of its higher specs (the 4WD drivetrain) and Japan sourcing. It will be targetted at the urban, upper-middle income group. Expect the new Perodua Kembara to be based on the short wheel base Daihatsu Terios with a May 2008 launch date.
Another surprise revealed in the article is Perodua’s plans for 2009. Perodua will launch a new three row 6-seater MPV in September 2009. Datuk Hafiz likened it to a Toyota Wish, but a smaller version. I wonder what could this be based on. Can’t really think of any compact 6-seaters from Daihatsu/Toyota other than the Daihatsu Gran Max, but that’s more of a Rusa-like van.
If you read this article by Xinhua News Agency posted on the 5th of March 2008. it is revealed that Toyota and Daihatsu is developing a new MPV in Indonesia. The MPV is set to be launched in 2009. This model is could be the one that the new 2009 Perodua MPV will be based on.
Anyway whatever it is, it’s something to look forward to next year. 2009 seems to be the year of the MPVs.
An interview with Perodua managing director Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar in The Edge Weekly has revealed some plans about Perodua this year. For one, Perodua will be undergoing a rebranding sometime in the middle of the year, which will coincide with the launch of the new Perodua Kembara. The rebranding exercise will also give Perodua a new logo, which will be more of a restyled evolution of the current one rather than something new.
The new Perodua Kembara will come with a 1.5 liter engine (likely the 3SZ-VE) and will have four-wheel drive. It will not be assembled locally by Perodua but will be a CBU import from Japan. It will be a low volume product, and the expected price tag is likely to be more than the Toyota Rush because of its higher specs (the 4WD drivetrain) and Japan sourcing. It will be targetted at the urban, upper-middle income group. Expect the new Perodua Kembara to be based on the short wheel base Daihatsu Terios with a May 2008 launch date.
Another surprise revealed in the article is Perodua’s plans for 2009. Perodua will launch a new three row 6-seater MPV in September 2009. Datuk Hafiz likened it to a Toyota Wish, but a smaller version. I wonder what could this be based on. Can’t really think of any compact 6-seaters from Daihatsu/Toyota other than the Daihatsu Gran Max, but that’s more of a Rusa-like van.
If you read this article by Xinhua News Agency posted on the 5th of March 2008. it is revealed that Toyota and Daihatsu is developing a new MPV in Indonesia. The MPV is set to be launched in 2009. This model is could be the one that the new 2009 Perodua MPV will be based on.
Anyway whatever it is, it’s something to look forward to next year. 2009 seems to be the year of the MPVs.
Perodua Nautica
10th May, 2008
If you have been used to Peroduas costing less than RM50,000, the new Nautica compact SUV’s price will surprise you as it is around RM90,000. This is a big jump from the price of the Kembara, which the Nautica is supposed to be the successor of. But there are valid reasons for the high price, one of them being that the model is imported is built in Japan at a Daihatsu factory and shipped to Malaysia in completely built-up (CBU) form. Only the bumpers and grille are installed locally.
As the Nautica is a CBU model, it is subject to high import duties which push the price up – the same as what is imposed on models of other brands imported from Japan. Though Perodua is a Malaysian company and has special tax privileges given to it for its locally-built models like the Myvi and Viva, it is not entitled to any such privileges if it chooses to import a model. This demonstrates that the government does not simply give privileges to the Malaysian car companies if it is not justified.
The reason why Perodua has chosen to import a model rather than build it in at its own plant in Selangor is because the potential volume is small. Though the Kembara was very popular in the late 1990s, accounting for about 60% of SUV sales, the SUV segment has contracted significantly. As such, Perodua does not expect to have enough volume to justify local manufacture.
“We are no longer an assembly operation as our capacity has grown to almost a quarter million units annually,” said Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz bin Syed Abu Bakar, Managing Director of Perodua. “We are now a manufacturing operation and it is not cost-effective to produce models in small quantities.” He estimates that demand for the Nautica will be about 200 units a month so it’s under 3,000 units a year, a big difference from the Myvi which is produced at a rate of about 7,500 units a month.
The Perodua MD stressed that the company is not changing its mission as a national car company and will continue to manufacture high-volume models locally, offer them at affordable prices and also strive to bring in new technologies as time goes on.
As for the Nautica, launched in KL yesterday, the drivetrain is like that of the Kembara, ie full-time 4WD. However, it has a larger 1.5-litre DVVT engine which produces 108.8 bhp and 141 Nm of torque. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission is available.
Just like the Kembara, the Nautica also has a centre differential lock which will be useful in very difficult conditions. At the press of a button, torque distribution between the front and rear axles is equalized so that every wheel has power to pull the vehicle out of a difficult situation. The chassis and bodyshell of the Nautica is a tough and rigid with suspension by means of MacPherson struts in front and a 5-link rigid axle at the rear using coil springs.
The styling of the Nautica has some elements of the previous Kembara but is bigger in all respects. However, you may also notice that it has some similarity to the Toyota Rush and this is because of the shared development by Daihatsu and Toyota (Daihatsu is part of the Toyota Group). However, a big difference is that the Nautica is a shorter version in keeping with Perodua’s speciality in compact models.
The shorter dimensions mean that it has only two rows of seats instead of three like the Rush. Thus it is aimed at a slightly different target group of customers, perhaps younger and do not need space for seven persons.
The cabin of the Nautica is as modern as you’d expect a SUV to be. Being imported from Japan has allowed Perodua to include a number of features since it is cheaper when they are sourced in Japan where the factory makes tens of thousands of the same model which is sold as a Daihatsu Terios/BeGo. One such feature is an information display panel in the speedometer which tells such things as remaining range for fuel in the tank, air temperature and average fuel consumption.
Cargo capacity is, of course, very good and flexible too. With the rear backrests up, there is enough space for two suitcases and when more is needed, half or both the backrests can be folded down. Pictures by Perodua show that even a small racing bicycle can be carried (but it has to be positioned diagonally across the floor).
A full complement of safety features come with the Nautica – ABS + EBD, two front airbags and there is even consideration for pedestrians who hit the front of the vehicle. As a specialist in compact vehicles, Daihatsu has long experience in engineering crash-resistant structures and the Nautica has ample protection for its occupants.
I drove the Nautica in a hill resort area last week and was impressed by the handling. It has a nimble feel and has a firm ride which is not uncomfortable though.
The new 1.5-litre engine was a bit tight as it was still new but what I noticed was that the transmission gets through the gears smoothly, something that is not always the case. This was all the more impressive on slopes as shifts can be jerky but with the Nautica, there was no jerkiness.
I am sure that Perodua will find enough customers for the Nautica even though its price is way higher than any Perodua ever offered before. The brand image of the company has grown in its 15 years and many Malaysians who have had a good experience with earlier models have become loyal. Now there is a model which they can upgrade to and though they pay more money, they are getting very high quality and that should make the difference.
- Sabah Times -
10th May, 2008
If you have been used to Peroduas costing less than RM50,000, the new Nautica compact SUV’s price will surprise you as it is around RM90,000. This is a big jump from the price of the Kembara, which the Nautica is supposed to be the successor of. But there are valid reasons for the high price, one of them being that the model is imported is built in Japan at a Daihatsu factory and shipped to Malaysia in completely built-up (CBU) form. Only the bumpers and grille are installed locally.
As the Nautica is a CBU model, it is subject to high import duties which push the price up – the same as what is imposed on models of other brands imported from Japan. Though Perodua is a Malaysian company and has special tax privileges given to it for its locally-built models like the Myvi and Viva, it is not entitled to any such privileges if it chooses to import a model. This demonstrates that the government does not simply give privileges to the Malaysian car companies if it is not justified.
The reason why Perodua has chosen to import a model rather than build it in at its own plant in Selangor is because the potential volume is small. Though the Kembara was very popular in the late 1990s, accounting for about 60% of SUV sales, the SUV segment has contracted significantly. As such, Perodua does not expect to have enough volume to justify local manufacture.
“We are no longer an assembly operation as our capacity has grown to almost a quarter million units annually,” said Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz bin Syed Abu Bakar, Managing Director of Perodua. “We are now a manufacturing operation and it is not cost-effective to produce models in small quantities.” He estimates that demand for the Nautica will be about 200 units a month so it’s under 3,000 units a year, a big difference from the Myvi which is produced at a rate of about 7,500 units a month.
The Perodua MD stressed that the company is not changing its mission as a national car company and will continue to manufacture high-volume models locally, offer them at affordable prices and also strive to bring in new technologies as time goes on.
As for the Nautica, launched in KL yesterday, the drivetrain is like that of the Kembara, ie full-time 4WD. However, it has a larger 1.5-litre DVVT engine which produces 108.8 bhp and 141 Nm of torque. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission is available.
Just like the Kembara, the Nautica also has a centre differential lock which will be useful in very difficult conditions. At the press of a button, torque distribution between the front and rear axles is equalized so that every wheel has power to pull the vehicle out of a difficult situation. The chassis and bodyshell of the Nautica is a tough and rigid with suspension by means of MacPherson struts in front and a 5-link rigid axle at the rear using coil springs.
The styling of the Nautica has some elements of the previous Kembara but is bigger in all respects. However, you may also notice that it has some similarity to the Toyota Rush and this is because of the shared development by Daihatsu and Toyota (Daihatsu is part of the Toyota Group). However, a big difference is that the Nautica is a shorter version in keeping with Perodua’s speciality in compact models.
The shorter dimensions mean that it has only two rows of seats instead of three like the Rush. Thus it is aimed at a slightly different target group of customers, perhaps younger and do not need space for seven persons.
The cabin of the Nautica is as modern as you’d expect a SUV to be. Being imported from Japan has allowed Perodua to include a number of features since it is cheaper when they are sourced in Japan where the factory makes tens of thousands of the same model which is sold as a Daihatsu Terios/BeGo. One such feature is an information display panel in the speedometer which tells such things as remaining range for fuel in the tank, air temperature and average fuel consumption.
Cargo capacity is, of course, very good and flexible too. With the rear backrests up, there is enough space for two suitcases and when more is needed, half or both the backrests can be folded down. Pictures by Perodua show that even a small racing bicycle can be carried (but it has to be positioned diagonally across the floor).
A full complement of safety features come with the Nautica – ABS + EBD, two front airbags and there is even consideration for pedestrians who hit the front of the vehicle. As a specialist in compact vehicles, Daihatsu has long experience in engineering crash-resistant structures and the Nautica has ample protection for its occupants.
I drove the Nautica in a hill resort area last week and was impressed by the handling. It has a nimble feel and has a firm ride which is not uncomfortable though.
The new 1.5-litre engine was a bit tight as it was still new but what I noticed was that the transmission gets through the gears smoothly, something that is not always the case. This was all the more impressive on slopes as shifts can be jerky but with the Nautica, there was no jerkiness.
I am sure that Perodua will find enough customers for the Nautica even though its price is way higher than any Perodua ever offered before. The brand image of the company has grown in its 15 years and many Malaysians who have had a good experience with earlier models have become loyal. Now there is a model which they can upgrade to and though they pay more money, they are getting very high quality and that should make the difference.
- Sabah Times -
Ingress gets Perodua MPV supply contract
Ingress Technologies Sdn Bhd was recently awarded the contract for the supply of 6 modules for a new Perodua model, which includes the reinforcement roof child part, door child part, rocker panel assembly, fuel lid assembly, lower back assembly and under rear sub-assembly. This will make ITSB a Tier-1 supplier.
Supply will start in the third quarter of the financial year ending January 31 2010. As this would mean sometime in the second half of 2009, this news confirms the circa-September 2009 launch date of the new Perodua MPV mentioned recently by Perodua head Datuk Hafiz.
- Paul Tan -
Ingress Technologies Sdn Bhd was recently awarded the contract for the supply of 6 modules for a new Perodua model, which includes the reinforcement roof child part, door child part, rocker panel assembly, fuel lid assembly, lower back assembly and under rear sub-assembly. This will make ITSB a Tier-1 supplier.
Supply will start in the third quarter of the financial year ending January 31 2010. As this would mean sometime in the second half of 2009, this news confirms the circa-September 2009 launch date of the new Perodua MPV mentioned recently by Perodua head Datuk Hafiz.
- Paul Tan -
Perodua to install rear seatbelts for existing Perodua cars for free in 2009
Perodua will spend RM41.8 million to install rear seat belts for a total of 431,262 Perodua cars consisting of the Kancil, Kenari, Kembara, Kelisa and Rusa models. The exercise will begin in 2009 and installation will be conducted at Perodua service centers.
- Paul Tan -
Perodua will spend RM41.8 million to install rear seat belts for a total of 431,262 Perodua cars consisting of the Kancil, Kenari, Kembara, Kelisa and Rusa models. The exercise will begin in 2009 and installation will be conducted at Perodua service centers.
- Paul Tan -
Perodua sees 8pc rise in car sales this year
By Zuraimi Abdullah Published: 2008/08/23
DOMESTIC car sales should expand eight per cent to 530,000 units this year, said the top executive of the country's largest car company by sales.
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the company itself is expected to get nearly 32 per cent of the market.
This is slightly down from the 33 per cent share Perodua captured in 2007. Still, the expected Perodua volume for 2008 at some 170,000 units would be higher than about 160,000 units last year.
Malaysian Automotive Association has forecast a 4.7 per cent expansion to 510,000 units from 487,176 last year.
Total sales for the first seven months stood at 331,957 units compared with 265,665 units previously, with passenger cars making up 303,053 units.
"We have sold about 100,000 cars in the first seven months," Hafiz said at the launch of the enhanced Perodua Myvi compact car in Kuala Lumpur.
The Myvi accounted for 52,724 units of the 100,000 units. So far, more than 250,000 units of the Myvi, which comes in one-litre and 1.3-litre forms, had been sold since its launch in May 2005.
Hafiz said July 2008 was the best month in the history of the company with total sales of more than 17,000. The Myvi, the country's number one car model in the past three years, had its best ever monthly sales in July at about 8,500 units.
The enhanced Myvi is expected to continue the model's dominance.
"When we launched the Myvi in 2005, the average monthly sales was 5,500 units before rising to 6,600 units in 2007 and 7,500 units in 2007," Hafiz said.
Prices of the enhanced Myvi are from RM39,000 to RM51,000, not much different from its predecessor.
The enhanced Myvi has fresh exterior look with new fog lamps, front grille and emblem. The interior boasts new fabric, trimmed centre cluster and meter combi.
The car also has devices like MP3/WMA, USB ports and Bluetooth.
Hafiz expects 3,300 units of new Myvi to hit the roads from now till the end of the month.
- Business Times -
By Zuraimi Abdullah Published: 2008/08/23
DOMESTIC car sales should expand eight per cent to 530,000 units this year, said the top executive of the country's largest car company by sales.
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the company itself is expected to get nearly 32 per cent of the market.
This is slightly down from the 33 per cent share Perodua captured in 2007. Still, the expected Perodua volume for 2008 at some 170,000 units would be higher than about 160,000 units last year.
Malaysian Automotive Association has forecast a 4.7 per cent expansion to 510,000 units from 487,176 last year.
Total sales for the first seven months stood at 331,957 units compared with 265,665 units previously, with passenger cars making up 303,053 units.
"We have sold about 100,000 cars in the first seven months," Hafiz said at the launch of the enhanced Perodua Myvi compact car in Kuala Lumpur.
The Myvi accounted for 52,724 units of the 100,000 units. So far, more than 250,000 units of the Myvi, which comes in one-litre and 1.3-litre forms, had been sold since its launch in May 2005.
Hafiz said July 2008 was the best month in the history of the company with total sales of more than 17,000. The Myvi, the country's number one car model in the past three years, had its best ever monthly sales in July at about 8,500 units.
The enhanced Myvi is expected to continue the model's dominance.
"When we launched the Myvi in 2005, the average monthly sales was 5,500 units before rising to 6,600 units in 2007 and 7,500 units in 2007," Hafiz said.
Prices of the enhanced Myvi are from RM39,000 to RM51,000, not much different from its predecessor.
The enhanced Myvi has fresh exterior look with new fog lamps, front grille and emblem. The interior boasts new fabric, trimmed centre cluster and meter combi.
The car also has devices like MP3/WMA, USB ports and Bluetooth.
Hafiz expects 3,300 units of new Myvi to hit the roads from now till the end of the month.
- Business Times -
Perodua buat persiapan akhir lancar MPV pertama
Oleh Ahmad Farizal Hajat
ahmadfarizal@bharian.com.my
PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) yang sedang dalam persiapan akhir melancarkan kenderaan pelbagai guna (MPV) pertamanya, yakin dapat memberikan cabaran dalam segmen kenderaan berkenaan di negara ini kerana MPV yang akan ditawarkannya adalah bermutu dengan harga berdaya saing.
Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, (gambar) berkata MPV yang bakal dilancarkan pada suku keempat tahun ini, akan dijana enjin 1.5 liter dan memenuhi keperluan pengangkutan sebuah keluarga.
Beliau berkata, dengan mempunyai tujuh tempat duduk dan ruang dalaman luas, MPV Perodua yang akan dihasilkan di kilangnya di Rawang, Selangor itu, menjadi MPV kompak paling berprestasi tinggi dan menjimatkan minyak.
“Kami prihatin ramai keluarga Malaysia mengeluh kerana susah memiliki sebuah MPV yang bermutu pada harga berpatutan.
“Justeru, untuk kenderaan MPV Perodua ini, selain mempunyai pelbagai ciri hiburan dan teknologi keselamatan terkini serta canggih, kami akan pastikan yang ia mampu dimiliki dan kami tidak akan sesekali berkompromi dengan mutunya walaupun harga MPV itu lebih berdaya saing jika dibandingkan dengan MPV lain,” katanya kepada Berita Harian dalam satu temubual di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Syed Hafiz berkata, meskipun Perodua sedang mengemaskini dan menganalisis kos pembuatan kenderaan itu dalam usaha memuktamadkan harga, ia dijangkakan ditawarkan pada harga tidak melebihi RM70,000.
Katanya, Perodua mampu menawarkan harga sedemikian kerana model itu menggunakan sehingga 90 peratus komponen tempatan.
Syed Hafiz berkata, pelancaran MPV itu sejajar matlamat Perodua untuk sentiasa memperkenalkan satu model baru setiap tahun.
“Seperti pada 2005, Perodua memperkenalkan Myvi, 2007, Viva dan tahun ini model kenderaan yang agak besar,” katanya.
Syed Hafiz berkata, bagi memastikan orang ramai merasai kehangatan kenderaan MPV itu, Perodua akan mengadakan pelbagai promosi seawal bulan depan.
“Promosi akan bermula pada April ini dengan Minggu Amanah Saham di Johor bakal menjadi platform pertama promosi dan kita akan tunjuk bahagian dalaman atau rangka model kenderaan MPV kami supaya orang ramai boleh bayangkan bagaimana rupa dan keunikan model MPV Perodua,” katanya.
Syed Hafiz berkata, sebagai pengenalan, Perodua akan menyediakan stok kenderaan MPV itu sehingga 3,000 unit bagi mengelak masalah dari segi masa menunggu dan sebagainya.
- Berita Harian -
Oleh Ahmad Farizal Hajat
ahmadfarizal@bharian.com.my
PERUSAHAAN Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) yang sedang dalam persiapan akhir melancarkan kenderaan pelbagai guna (MPV) pertamanya, yakin dapat memberikan cabaran dalam segmen kenderaan berkenaan di negara ini kerana MPV yang akan ditawarkannya adalah bermutu dengan harga berdaya saing.
Pengarah Urusannya, Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, (gambar) berkata MPV yang bakal dilancarkan pada suku keempat tahun ini, akan dijana enjin 1.5 liter dan memenuhi keperluan pengangkutan sebuah keluarga.
Beliau berkata, dengan mempunyai tujuh tempat duduk dan ruang dalaman luas, MPV Perodua yang akan dihasilkan di kilangnya di Rawang, Selangor itu, menjadi MPV kompak paling berprestasi tinggi dan menjimatkan minyak.
“Kami prihatin ramai keluarga Malaysia mengeluh kerana susah memiliki sebuah MPV yang bermutu pada harga berpatutan.
“Justeru, untuk kenderaan MPV Perodua ini, selain mempunyai pelbagai ciri hiburan dan teknologi keselamatan terkini serta canggih, kami akan pastikan yang ia mampu dimiliki dan kami tidak akan sesekali berkompromi dengan mutunya walaupun harga MPV itu lebih berdaya saing jika dibandingkan dengan MPV lain,” katanya kepada Berita Harian dalam satu temubual di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Syed Hafiz berkata, meskipun Perodua sedang mengemaskini dan menganalisis kos pembuatan kenderaan itu dalam usaha memuktamadkan harga, ia dijangkakan ditawarkan pada harga tidak melebihi RM70,000.
Katanya, Perodua mampu menawarkan harga sedemikian kerana model itu menggunakan sehingga 90 peratus komponen tempatan.
Syed Hafiz berkata, pelancaran MPV itu sejajar matlamat Perodua untuk sentiasa memperkenalkan satu model baru setiap tahun.
“Seperti pada 2005, Perodua memperkenalkan Myvi, 2007, Viva dan tahun ini model kenderaan yang agak besar,” katanya.
Syed Hafiz berkata, bagi memastikan orang ramai merasai kehangatan kenderaan MPV itu, Perodua akan mengadakan pelbagai promosi seawal bulan depan.
“Promosi akan bermula pada April ini dengan Minggu Amanah Saham di Johor bakal menjadi platform pertama promosi dan kita akan tunjuk bahagian dalaman atau rangka model kenderaan MPV kami supaya orang ramai boleh bayangkan bagaimana rupa dan keunikan model MPV Perodua,” katanya.
Syed Hafiz berkata, sebagai pengenalan, Perodua akan menyediakan stok kenderaan MPV itu sehingga 3,000 unit bagi mengelak masalah dari segi masa menunggu dan sebagainya.
- Berita Harian -
RM5,000 to get car sales back in high gear
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2009/03/11
THE RM5,000 scrapping incentive can put motor vehicle sales in the country back in high gear, with the two national carmakers being direct beneficiaries.
New car sales fell by a fifth to some 37,000 units in the first two months, industry executives said.
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) and Proton Holdings Bhd believe the measure can revive sales.
“In Germany, car sales went up in January after the government introduced a scrapping incentive of ?2,500 (RM11,725) for small cars at least nine years old.
“We hope a similar thing happens here,” Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said when contacted yesterday.
The incentive is part of the RM60 billion mini-Budget announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.
It is learnt that the government will pay for half of the amount, with Proton or Perodua making up the rest.
Hafiz explained that the discount only applies to owners who trade in their cars that are at least 10 years old, regardless of brand, for a new Perodua or Proton car.
“There are some 4.8 million cars at least 10 years old on the road at the moment. Out of this, about 1.2 million are Perodua or Proton (cars),” he said.
“As an industry, we need every bit of help from the government during this difficult period to ensure survival as close to 200,000 people are directly or indirectly linked to the automotive industry,” Proton chairman Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said.
Two other initiatives were also introduced to support the industry.
Another RM200 million has been added to the Automotive Development Fund in addition the proposed setting up of the Automotive Institute of Malaysia.
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2009/03/11
THE RM5,000 scrapping incentive can put motor vehicle sales in the country back in high gear, with the two national carmakers being direct beneficiaries.
New car sales fell by a fifth to some 37,000 units in the first two months, industry executives said.
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) and Proton Holdings Bhd believe the measure can revive sales.
“In Germany, car sales went up in January after the government introduced a scrapping incentive of ?2,500 (RM11,725) for small cars at least nine years old.
“We hope a similar thing happens here,” Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said when contacted yesterday.
The incentive is part of the RM60 billion mini-Budget announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.
It is learnt that the government will pay for half of the amount, with Proton or Perodua making up the rest.
Hafiz explained that the discount only applies to owners who trade in their cars that are at least 10 years old, regardless of brand, for a new Perodua or Proton car.
“There are some 4.8 million cars at least 10 years old on the road at the moment. Out of this, about 1.2 million are Perodua or Proton (cars),” he said.
“As an industry, we need every bit of help from the government during this difficult period to ensure survival as close to 200,000 people are directly or indirectly linked to the automotive industry,” Proton chairman Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said.
Two other initiatives were also introduced to support the industry.
Another RM200 million has been added to the Automotive Development Fund in addition the proposed setting up of the Automotive Institute of Malaysia.
Perodua Getting Ready To Offer Scrapping Incentive
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Customers who want to purchase a new Perodua vehicle by taking advantage of the RM5,000 acrapping incentive, can do so at any Perodua sales outlets nationwide from April 1, 2009.
Perodua's managing director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the company was in the midst of finalising the details of the scrapping incentive and would be announced it by end of this month.
"We want to thank the government for introducing the scrapping incentive and the RM200 million Automotive Development Fund for the automotive sector. This is the stimulus the industry needs," he said in a statement today.
According to him, the scrapping incentive will help to boost the industry as well as Perodua's sales.
Perodua estimated that there are about 4.8 million cars aged between 10 years and above on the road at present, of which some 300,000 are Perodua vehicles comprising Kancil, Rusa and Kembara registered from 1994 to 1999.
Established in 1993, Perodua is Malaysia's leading compact car maker.
- Bernama -
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Customers who want to purchase a new Perodua vehicle by taking advantage of the RM5,000 acrapping incentive, can do so at any Perodua sales outlets nationwide from April 1, 2009.
Perodua's managing director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said the company was in the midst of finalising the details of the scrapping incentive and would be announced it by end of this month.
"We want to thank the government for introducing the scrapping incentive and the RM200 million Automotive Development Fund for the automotive sector. This is the stimulus the industry needs," he said in a statement today.
According to him, the scrapping incentive will help to boost the industry as well as Perodua's sales.
Perodua estimated that there are about 4.8 million cars aged between 10 years and above on the road at present, of which some 300,000 are Perodua vehicles comprising Kancil, Rusa and Kembara registered from 1994 to 1999.
Established in 1993, Perodua is Malaysia's leading compact car maker.
- Bernama -
Perodua to take orders from April 1
PETALING JAYA: Owners of cars over 10 years old who want to take advantage of the RM5,000 discount to buy new Perodua cars can do so at any Perodua sales outlet starting April 1.
In a press statement yesterday, Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Abdul Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said that they were in the midst of finalising the details that would be announced in the final week of this month.
He also said the incentive announced in the mini Budget on Tuesday would help boost the industry and Perodua sales.
“We want to thank the Government for this incentive and the RM200mil Automotive Development Fund as well, because this is the stimulus the industry needs,” Syed Abdul Hafiz said.
There is an estimated 4.8 million cars that are 10 years and above, of which some 300,000 are Perodua vehicles registered from 1994 to 1999.
PETALING JAYA: Owners of cars over 10 years old who want to take advantage of the RM5,000 discount to buy new Perodua cars can do so at any Perodua sales outlet starting April 1.
In a press statement yesterday, Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Abdul Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said that they were in the midst of finalising the details that would be announced in the final week of this month.
He also said the incentive announced in the mini Budget on Tuesday would help boost the industry and Perodua sales.
“We want to thank the Government for this incentive and the RM200mil Automotive Development Fund as well, because this is the stimulus the industry needs,” Syed Abdul Hafiz said.
There is an estimated 4.8 million cars that are 10 years and above, of which some 300,000 are Perodua vehicles registered from 1994 to 1999.
2007 Perdoua Myvi 1.6 4WD (Perodua M5 Racing Team)
Driver : P.Nandakumar
Event : 2007 FELDA AAM Malaysian Rally Championship
Driver : P.Nandakumar
Event : 2007 FELDA AAM Malaysian Rally Championship
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