Perodua Archives

Workforce of the two Malaysian carmakers vaccinated via PIKAS

PIKAS (Program Imunisasi Industri COVID-19 Kerjasama Awam-Swasta), the public-private partnership immunisation program for employees in the manufacturing sector, has been helping speed up vaccination of the Malaysian population. The large workforces of both Malaysian carmakers – Perodua and Proton – as well as those in businesses associated with them have receive vaccinations over the past weeks.

Proton reports that, following the second round of vaccinations last week, over 86% of its 8,486 employees are now fully vaccinated for protection against COVID-19 infection. The number is expected to increase over the coming weeks as 98% have already received their first dose, in line with the company’s aim to achieve herd immunity in its chain of operations.

As with the first round of vaccinations, the sports complex at the company’s Tanjung Malim plant in Perak was repurposed as an industry vaccine dispensing centre, catering for staff and vendors in the area, while those based in Shah Alam went to the Shah Alam Convention Centre in Selangor.

“PROTON is pleased to announce our PIKAS vaccination programme has been a resounding success. There are more than 60,000 people in our business ecosystem, including staff from vendors and dealers, so we are thankful to MITI, MOSTI and the Ministry of Health for their guidance to coordinate such a mammoth task and ensuring everyone registered on MySejahtera has been given the vaccine,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

80% already received one dose
“We estimate more than 80% of our operations chain would have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of August and this helps to ensure Proton is able to hit the ground running once the automotive industry is given the greenlight to resume operations nationwide,” he added.

To prepare for resumption of business activities, the carmaker has relooked at its business procedures to reduce the likelihood of infections being spread. Procedures at retail operations have been further tightened to protect customers and staff alike while production processes at all the plants have been scrutinised for any possible risk of infection to both downstream and upstream operations.

“Proton is committed to helping Malaysia lower the number of COVID-19 infections to quickly achieve the milestones in the National Recovery Plan. We have created new processes in all areas, from our production lines to our corporate offices, ensuring a new and safer work environment. It also means strict new rules will be enforced throughout the company and measures such as virtual meetings and splitting work between home and the office will be the norm for the near future,” Dr. Li said.

Perodua employees and suppliers vaccinated
At Perodua too, PIKAS has been used to organise a vaccination exercise for the employees and suppliers. Some 13,000 Perodua employees and suppliers have received the first dose of the vaccine at the Perodua Vaccination Centre since the end of July.

The vaccination facility is within the Perodua manufacturing complex in Sg. Choh, Selangor. Besides maintaining a high level of hygienic cleanliness by daily sanitization, there are also strict security checks at the main entrance to control movements so that there is no crowding.

Perodua’s initiative will not only prepare its workforce for the time when operations are allowed to resume but also contribute to ensuring protection against COVID-19 infection for a large proportion of the people in the Hulu Selangor district where the carmaker’s headquarters and factories are located.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings organises in-house vaccination programme for employees

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.

Perodua provides two cars for shuttle services at MAEPS quarantine centre

The War on COVID-19 involves everyone – in fact, it is a global fight – and many companies are helping in various ways. Those with resources like factories have used their manufacturing facilities to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instead of their usual products. Carmakers, with lots of cars available, have also provided vehicles for use by healthcare personnel to get around and do their important work.

Recently, Perodua provided an Aruz and a Bezza to the Pusat Kuarantin dan Rawatan COVID-19 Berisiko Rendah 2.0 (PKRC) at MAEPS, Serdang in Selangor. The facility is presently used as a quarantine centre for those infected with COVID-19. The cars were provided through Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Malaysia (NADMA) which is responsible for emergency management. They will be used to transport essential items sent by families or friends of those who are in quarantine.

Together with the cars, RM300 per month of petrol vouchers have been provided and the Malaysian carmaker also contributed 5 laptops for NADMA’s use.

Various other forms of support

This support follows many other contributions made to key public institutions nationwide, especially the frontliners. The contributions have been in cash and supplies to help in fighting the pandemic. For example, last month, Perodua contributed an additional RM80,000 worth of medical supplies to Hospital Sungai Buloh, a key medical facility that handles a large number of COVID-19 cases.

Perodua has also supplied face shields, manufactured by an associate company, to various organisations in Malaysia over the past year. The recipients have been schools, clinics, local government offices and councils, and even hawkers at markets in Perodua’s surrounding community.

*Perodua was among the companies that made a contribution to the NADMA COVID-19 Fund as the pandemic began in 2020.*

East Malaysia not forgotten

While a large proportion of Perodua’s sales are in Peninsular Malaysia, the carmaker does not also forget that the East Malaysian markets have also contribute to its ascent to being the No. 1 brand in the country. And like a good corporate citizen, the company has been giving back to the local community there.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities last year, it provided the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital with a portable flexible videoscope set, while 250 underprivileged paediatric patients received contributions ranging from school supplies to prescription glasses. These contributions were a follow-up from an earlier initiative in 2018 which saw the contribution of two laryngoscope blade sets and 40 bed pillows, and toys for some 250 child patients.

Perodua contributes face shields to Hulu Selangor schools

Perodua sees sales numbers from a different perspective, but expects to meet 2021 target

As some car companies report their sales figures for May, significantly higher numbers are evident this year compared to a year ago. But the second quarter of 2020 was a very unusual period, even unprecedented for the car industry as sales and production in one month fell to almost zero. So when you are comparing to almost rock bottom, any number this year will look better.

This was acknowledged by Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, who said: “While Perodua’s year-to-date May sales of 96,281 units is 82% more than the 52,920 units sold in the same period last year, this achievement is distorted as the first Movement Control Order was in place from March to May last year.”

*All sales outlets nationwide will be closed for the duration of the FMCO.*

Compare to 2019 instead

He explained that a fairer comparison would be against 2019, when Perodua sold 105,745 units in the first 5 months – 8.9% more than it did in the same period this year. This perspective takes into account not just the impact of the pandemic but also the semiconductor shortage that has affected carmakers globally. “It can be seen in the 12% sales reduction from April’s 20,399 units to May’s 17,973 units,” noted Dato’ Zainal Abidin.

“Despite these challenges and barring further uncertainties moving forward, we believe we will be able to meet our 240,000-unit sales target for 2021 as demand remains strong for all of our models,” he added.

Service operations

As required by the FMCO, all showrooms must be closed but for service centre operation during the lockdown period, Dato’ Zainal advises Perodua owners to contact their nearest service outlet for the latest information. The contact numbers of the authorised service centres nationwide can be found at www.perodua.com.my/locate.html.

Lower-priced childseat now offered by Perodua

RM80,000 of medical supplies from Perodua for Hospital Sg. Buloh

The war on COVID-19 has not ended and our dedicated frontliners continue the fight to protect us and save those who are infected. The hospitals continue to need medical supplies, a large portion of which has to be disposed daily as they are part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) personnel must wear. At the same time, the hospitals also require other equipment for patients who may be undergoing intensive care or recovering.

Support for war on COVID-19
Perodua has always been supporting key public institutions nationwide in various ways, more so in the past year when it made major contributions in cash and supplies to help in fighting the pandemic. Recently, the Malaysian carmaker contributed an additional RM80,000 worth of medical supplies to Hospital Sungai Buloh, a key medical facility that handles a large number of COVID-19 cases.

The medical supplies included 5,000 face shields, wheelchairs equipped with safety belts, commode chairs, transfer boards, bed railings, rehabilitation chairs, walking frames, walking sticks and a therapy tilt table.

35,000 faceshields donated nationwide
The face shields, manufactured by an associate company of Perodua, were also contributed to various organisations in Malaysia over the past year. The latest contribution brings the total number to 35,000 pieces. Recipients of the face shields have been schools, clinics, local government offices and councils, and even hawkers at markets in Perodua’s surrounding community.

“We will continue to communicate with key public institutions to see where Perodua may contribute strategically in supporting the nation. We thank and salute our brave men and women who work tirelessly to serve us all,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

To know more about Perodua’s CSR activities, visit www.perodua.com.my .

Perodua expands on public protection initiative

2021 Perodua Aruz gets updates without any Price increases

Every Perodua model is selling well, with models like the Ativa having a long waiting list of customers. The carmaker could probably get away with not making changes or improving the products and the demand would still be there. However, adhering to the Japanese philosophy of kaizen passed on from their partner, Daihatsu Motor, Perodua constantly improves its products.

So, for the Aruz, Malaysia’s best-selling 7-seater SUV, updating has taken place – but without any price changes. The Aruz X is still RM68,526, while the Aruz AV remains at RM73,226, excluding insurance and with full sales tax exemption (until June 30, 2021).

Making products incrementally better
“With well over 60,000 units sold since its 2019 birth, the Perodua Aruz was already the nation’s best-selling SUV in 2019 and 2020, but, true to the principles of kaizen, we believe there are always ways we can make our products incrementally better,” said Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & CEO of Perodua.

“This incremental adaptation of the Aruz is in line with the Perodua Smart Build blueprint; another example of our symbiotic collaboration with our suppliers to customise our products to better suit Malaysian needs and wants, and through this, developing further the capabilities of our suppliers towards true self-reliance,” he said.

The improvements are in the form of additional features such as side steps below the door sills. With the extra ground clearance of the Aruz, the sill is a bit higher than in a passenger car so for some people, especially elderly folks or little ones, getting in and out may not be easy. The side steps will therefore help and make movement safer and more convenient.

*Custom-designed side-steps have been added below the door sills. They are thoughtfully designed with no gap that could trap feet, and two areas moulded with studs to make the surface less slippery.*

Added safety feature + new colour
An added safety feature for 2021 is automatic door-locking; when the vehicle’s speed exceeds 20 km/h, the doors will lock automatically. This is a safety precaution, especially for those who may forget to do so. In the event of a severe collision that sensors will detect, the locking system will automatically unlock all doors so that the occupants can get out or rescuers can open the doors to help extract them.

Those who like red cars will be happy to know that Perodua now offers this colour, known as Passion Red, exclusively for the Aruz AV. Other colours choices are Granite Grey, Electric Blue, Glittering Silver and Ivory White.

“Perodua expresses our gratitude to all our valued customers, whose feedback helped us tweak the Aruz to better satisfy the real needs and wants of the majority of Malaysians,” added Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Technical specs remain the same
Other specifications and features remain the same, with the continued use of the all-aluminium 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine and an electronically-controlled automatic transmission. With Eco Idle activated, the fuel consumption can be as good as 15.6 kms/litre, it is claimed.

The Aruz is also tops in safety as it has the maximum 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. Six airbags and Vehicle Stability Control are standard, and the AV variant has Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 to help the driver avoid accidents.

To locate a showroom to check out the Aruz and other Perodua models, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Lower-priced childseat now offered by Perodua

Lower-priced childseat now offered by Perodua

If you have a chance to watch a video of what happens to the occupants during a severe frontal collision, you will see how a child at the back who is not retrained will fly through the air, forward into the front seat or up onto the ceiling. They use dummies in crash tests but imagine if it is a real child…serious injuries and even death could occur.

For this reason, authorities in many countries have made use of childseats a mandatory requirement and in Malaysia, the same applies. While carmakers are not in the business of making childseats, some do try to help their customers by offering such items – referred to as Child Restraint Systems (CRS) – as accessories.

Lower-priced models from Perodua
Perodua has been offering childseats for many years now and recently introduced its Care Seat, a lower-priced new childseat suitable for both infants and toddlers. Priced at RM680 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM695 in East Malaysia, the Care Seat is suitable for children of all ages up to 12 (or weighing up to 36 kgs), replacing Perodua’s previous GearUp Infant and Toddler seats, which cost RM785 and RM975, respectively.

Even when restrained in a childseat, the child can be subjected to violent forces during an accident (above) and if unrestrained, can literally fly about the cabin (below). Pictures from crash tests by EuroNCAP.

“The Perodua Care Seat forms part of our continuous drive for higher road safety as a caring, People First company, in line with the government’s aspirations,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“It bears repeating that all children should be properly secured in child seats in moving vehicles for their safety. In encouraging this, Perodua is bringing out a product that is durable, adaptable, comfortable, affordable and meets safety standards,” he added.

Meets international safety standards
The Care Seat complies with ECE R44/04 standards and can be rotated to face forward or backward (backwards is recommended by safety experts). It has 6 recline angles as well as a harness that self-adjusts according to headrest position.

It also has ISOFIX connectors which make it easy to install the seat and ensure it is secure. ISOFIX points are provided in the back seat area of all Perodua models.

*ISOFIX points are usually indicated by a tab or label on the rear seat. All Perodua models have ISOFIX points provided, including the Axia (below).*

“The Perodua Care Seat is more cost-effective as the same seat can be used for the child throughout, without needing to change from an infant to a toddler seat as the child gets older,” said Dato’ Zainal.

“Perodua will continue to spread awareness, educate and advocate the use of child seats amongst our customers. We hope the use of childseats in Malaysia will become commonplace one day – this would go a long way in reducing road injuries and fatalities, especially of our precious young ones,” he added.

Cost can be included H-P loan
Available in grey or blue, the Perodua Care Seat comes with a 1-year warranty which is double the warranty period of the outgoing GearUp Infant and Toddler seats. Parents who buy the Care Seat when purchasing their new Perodua vehicle can include it in the Hire-Purchase loan as it is an official accessory from the manufacturer.

Alternatively, if they wish to buy one separately, it is available at all authorised Perodua outlets nationwide. To locate an outlet near you, visit www.perodua.com.my.

‘Perodua Smart Build’ launched as carmaker’s first sustainable blueprint

Ativa SUV accounts for 22% of all new Peroduas sold

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

After the first four months of 2021, Perodua’s total sales volume has passed the 78,000 mark, with April contributing 20,399 units to the number. A big contributor has been the Ativa SUV which accounted for over 22% of the figure (4,624 units). Since its launch in March this year, the carmaker has delivered almost 9,000 units of the Ativa, with around 290 new customers placing bookings daily. The strong demand has stretched the waiting period for customers which, as always, Perodua tries to shorten.

2 – 4 months waiting period
“The waiting period for the Ativa is currently between 2 and 4 months, depending on the desired colour and variant. We advise our valued customers to speak to our authorised sales advisors for accurate and up-to-date delivery times of the various variant-colour combinations of the Ativa,” advised Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Perodua remains committed towards timely deliveries, aided by our economies of scale. We thank our valued customers very much for their patience. We are doing all we can to deliver as many cars as possible before the expected expiry of the government’s sales tax exemption at the end of June,” he said.

Semiconductor chip shortage
On a month-to-month comparison, sales dipped by 16.5% to 20,399 units from 24,431 units, mainly due to the semiconductor chip shortage, which is affecting multiple industries globally.

“The chip shortage is our top priority at present and we are deploying all our resources to deal with it, including working closely with the government and our business partners for viable solutions,” Dato’ Zainal said. “Despite the global semiconductor chip shortage, Perodua managed to produce 20,278 vehicles in April 2021, pushing our year-to-date production to 80,661 units,”

*In 2021, Perodua will purchase up to RM6.5 billion worth of parts from suppliers in Malaysia. These include transmissions made at a factory in Negeri Sembilan.*

Perodua is maintaining its 2021 sales target at 240,000 units for now. The target represents a 9% increase from the 220,163 units sold last year. The increased volume will also see Perodua making a record purchase of RM6.5 billion worth of locally-sourced components this year. Production is also set to be increased to 272,000 units, 23% more than the output in 2020.

Visit www.perodua.com.my to know more about the models available and where to view, test-drive or purchase them.

Perodua aims for 9% increase in sales volume to 240,000 units in 2021

Singapore is first export market for Perodua Aruz

Singapore is the first export market for the Perodua Aruz, joining the Myvi and the Bezza in the island republic. Imported and sold by Perocom Auto Pte, Ltd., Perodua’s distributor since 1997, the Aruz is priced at S$92,999 (equivalent to RM286,409), inclusive of Goods and Services Tax and a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

First Perodua 7-seater in Singapore
As the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in Singapore (the Alza has not been sold there), the Aruz offers three rows of seats and the second and third rows can be folded and set in various configurations. This will provide extra flexibility in carrying cargo and people.

Standard equipment for the version exported to Singapore (Aruz X) includes LED headlamps, 17-inch 2-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start, and an infotainment system with a touchscreen which also doubles up as a display for the rearview camera.

As in Malaysia, the Aruz sold in Singapore has an all-aluminium 4-cylinder engine with a 1.5-litre displacement and Dual VVT-i in the 16-valve cylinder head. With Eco Idle and a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, the fuel consumption is claimed to be up to 15.6 kms/litre.

5 stars from ASEAN NCAP
The Aruz has been evaluated by ASEAN NCAP and was rated at the maximum of 5 stars. Vehicle Stability Control, 6 airbags and ISOFIX points are among the safety features. [Click here for ASEAN NCAP’s full report]

“The arrival of the Aruz in Singapore marks the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in the island nation,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “With nearly 58,000 units sold in Malaysia since its debut in 2019, the Perodua Aruz was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV overall in 2019 and 2020. We are looking forward to sharing the Aruz’s space, safety, versatility, durability, practicality and fuel efficiency with our southern neighbours.”

Perocom Auto also imports the Myvi and Bezza and previously sold models such as the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, Viva, Axia and earlier generations of the Myvi.

Perodua’s export markets
Besides Singapore, Perodua also exports to Brunei, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Fiji. Its vehicles are also exported to Indonesia where they are sold under the Daihatsu brand and the model name of Sirion. This is significant as it means that the Japanese carmaker considers Malaysian-made quality as being of a standard high enough to put its own badge on the car.

*The Myvi made in Malaysia is sold as a Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia.*

To know more about the Aruz and other Perodua models in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Perodua aims for 9% increase in sales volume to 240,000 units in 2021

Perodua sales up 29% in the first quarter of 2021

Although sales in the first month of this year began on a low note with the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicles registered being 51% lower than the TIV in December, the market gradually improved and most companies had increasing sales in the two months that followed.

Perodua sold an estimated 57,911 vehicles in the first quarter of 2021 (Q1) which was 29% greater than the 44,977 units it sold in the same period last year. Of course, it must also be remembered that March last year was a short business month as the Movement Control Order (MCO) began and no sales activities could be carried out at all.

Month-on-month, Perodua’s registrations jumped by 47.3% to 24,433 units in March 2021 compared to February 2021’s 16,583 units. A big contributor was the new Ativa SUV (below) which was launched in early March, with 4,345 units delivered during the month.

14,574 bookings for Ativa
“March saw a jump in our sales numbers to an estimated 24,433 units, underpinned by strong demand, particularly for the Ativa, which has collected 14,574 bookings since we began order-taking on 19 February,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“This makes the Perodua Ativa the best-selling compact SUV in the country in the month of March. We are glad that the Perodua Ativa has gotten off to such a strong start, and that we well surpassed our 3,000-unit monthly delivery target in the first month,” he said.

“We thank Malaysians for their support and trust. On our end, we are committed towards timely deliveries of every order made,” Dato’ Zainal said, adding that production has increased not just for this new model but also for all of Perodua’s models.

*A shipment of newly built Perodua vehicles on the way to dealers.*

Shortage of semiconductor chips
During Q1 2021, Perodua manufactured 60,383 vehicles – 23% more than the 49,280 units produced in the same period in 2020. However, like other carmakers, the company has been facing the challenge of shortage of the semiconductor chips needed for the many electronic systems.

“We are working with our partners to find alternative supply while at the same time monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure continued operation of our production lines,” Dato’ Zainal Abidin said. He is confident that, despite the semiconductor issue, Perodua will still be able to meet its initial 2021 sales target of 240,000 units.

The 2021 sales target represents a 9% increase from the 220,163 units sold in 2020, and is expected to lead to a record purchase of RM6.5 billion worth of locally-sourced components this year.

Perodua aims for 9% increase in sales volume to 240,000 units in 2021

Perodua alerts customers of scams detected in connection with new Ativa SUV

It’s often the case that when a model is in great demand, there will be people trying to use scams to mislead people who are eager to get the new vehicle quickly. According to Perodua, two scams have been detected since the launch of its new Ativa SUV on March 3.

“We have discovered at least two fraudulent rebate offers online for the newly-launched Perodua Ativa,” said Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, confirming that the promotions did not originate from Perodua or any of its outlets or authorised dealers nationwide.

According to Dato’ Zainal, some scammers have posed as Perodua sales advisors before and lured potential victims into placing their new car purchase deposits into personal bank accounts. Obviously, when making any payments, you should never pay to an individual’s account and always make payment to a company account. If you are suspicious, it is worth calling up the company to confirm the bank account details.

Perodua urges both existing and potential customers to only deal with its authorised sales advisors to avoid being deceived by scams. The company offers this list of Do’s and Don’ts for customers:

All-new Perodua Ativa SUV launched with three variants, priced from RM61,500

Piston.my

Perodua

Workforce of the two Malaysian carmakers vaccinated via PIKAS

Perodua provides two cars for shuttle services at MAEPS quarantine centre

Perodua sees sales numbers from a different perspective, but expects to meet 2021 target

RM80,000 of medical supplies from Perodua for Hospital Sg. Buloh

2021 Perodua Aruz gets updates without any Price increases

Lower-priced childseat now offered by Perodua

Ativa SUV accounts for 22% of all new Peroduas sold

Singapore is first export market for Perodua Aruz

Perodua sales up 29% in the first quarter of 2021

Perodua alerts customers of scams detected in connection with new Ativa SUV

Workforce of the two Malaysian carmakers vaccinated via PIKAS

Perodua provides two cars for shuttle services at MAEPS quarantine centre

Perodua sees sales numbers from a different perspective, but expects to meet 2021 target

RM80,000 of medical supplies from Perodua for Hospital Sg. Buloh

2021 Perodua Aruz gets updates without any Price increases

Lower-priced childseat now offered by Perodua

Ativa SUV accounts for 22% of all new Peroduas sold

Singapore is first export market for Perodua Aruz

Perodua sales up 29% in the first quarter of 2021

Perodua alerts customers of scams detected in connection with new Ativa SUV

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