PERODUA

Riding over advertisy.

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:19:00 +0000

IT'S ALWAYS A TIME OF CRISIS at Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua). And they wouldn't have it any other way.

`It's an internal philosophy,' says Perodua managing director Datuk Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar. `We must have the sense of crisis moving forward.'

The country's second automaker has made great strides over the years. It had capitalised on the low-end compact car segment and, in 2006, dethroned its big brother Proton as the leading automaker in the country.

Both its reputation and sales are on the upward trend. Its strategic tie-up with Toyota, acclaimed as one of the world's best automakers, ensures it a bright future.

So why the sense of crisis?

`We want to keep the car prices low but our cost is increasing everyday. Three years ago we had what we call Vision 333. One of the `3s' is the 30% market share, which we achieved in 2006 and became No.1 since then.

`But the second `3', to reduce costs by 30%, is an ever-moving target! By the time we are halfway there, the forex hits us; so we regroup and move forward again. Then by the time we get three- quarters of the way, fuel prices go up, affecting among others plastic and rubber parts. Unless we operate with a sense of crisis, there is no way we can meet the challenges,' he explains.

The number `3' seems pretty significant to Syed Hafiz (even his car plate is numbered `333') and Perodua: last year's market share was 33.3%; its bestselling model Myvi was birthed from a three-way Toyota-Daihatsu- Perodua partnership; Myvi's current stockholding is three days; some 30,000 units of vehicles it produces are as a contract manufacturer.

And of course, this: `We must stay as market leader for at least three years to raise public perception and second-hand car value of Perodua cars,' Syed Hafiz says.

Perodua's first car, the minuscule Kancil, was a hit and still relatively popular. However, it had a non-flattering image: Small equals cheap and low quality, as Syed Hafiz puts it.

Changing perceptions with the Myvi

All that has changed, though. Public perception of Perodua, as well as its consumer base, radically improved with the launch of the Myvi in 2005.

`Before Myvi, 70% of our customers were Malays, probably below 32 years old. Since Myvi, 51% of the buyers are non-Malays and 51% are ladies. About 35% of Myvi owners belong to the more than RM40,000 (annual household income) bracket. It brought a different perspective to us,' Syed Hafiz exclaims.

Finance companies, too, `are fighting to finance Myvi buyers', for the simple reason that the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of Myvi owners is less than 1%, comparable to Toyota owners.

When the Viva was launched last year, the expectation was that it would be another Myvi. `There is always the challenge post-Myvi to keep up the tempo and bring something similar, along those lines,' Syed Hafiz says.

Indeed, the Myvi has been the top-selling car model in the country last year and so far this year, while the Viva was second last year and still enjoying good sales.

How about competition with the other national carmaker Proton? Syed Hafiz says Perodua's attitude is to beat its own best, not compare itself with others.

`It is not important to be first or second. We want people to buy our cars because they want to, not because we are the cheapest. If we are number one in sales but not in the hearts and minds of the consumers, they will go elsewhere as soon as a cheaper alternative comes by. The public's perception of us must change and that has to begin internally,' he says emphatically.

Eyebrows were raised when Perodua launched the Nautica four- wheel-drive (4WD) in early May. Coming at a price tag of RM89,900, it was certainly way above the normal Perodua range. One could buy three Kancils with that kind of money. Is Perodua going high-end?

Syed Hafiz says the Nautica is just to fill the void in the line- up; having just the Myvi and Viva in the showrooms was somehow `lonely'.

`We have the small Kancil, the new Viva, and a mid-sized family car, Myvi. We needed something to replace the Kembara (an earlier 4WD model). The Nautica is not something that is supposed to sell like hot cakes. I'm hoping for 100-150 a month. I'm not going to push for more,' he says.

The second, and perhaps more pertinent reason, is to test the market. `With market liberalisation, I wanted to do a test: if I put the Perodua badge on a RM90,000 car when the public's perception is that we are "small, cheap and plenty", can the brand take the RM90,000 price tag?' he queries.

`If we had brought in the Nautica before the Myvi, people might have laughed at us! But since the Myvi, the public's perception of Perodua has changed a lot,' he says.

The Nautica is also Perodua's first 1.5-litre vehicle. `This is the first opportunity for our service boys to handle 1.5-litre engines,' he quips.

Incidentally, the Nautica is made and fully assembled in Japan, which may account for its higher price. It is a Perodua-badged version of the short-wheelbase Daihatsu Terios/Toyota Rush.

Proton overtakes Perodua in total sales

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:27:00 +0000

Proton Holdings Bhd has overtaken Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) in total sales for the first time in three years by selling more vehicles in June.

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said Proton’s sales surged by 1,523 units in June over the previous month to regain market leadership as a result of more deliveries of its new Exora.

The gap between the two national carmakers in recent months had been narrow and Proton leaped over Perodua, thanks to combination of higher sales of its Exora and the stopping of the sale and production of Perodua’s Kancil in June.

For June, MAA said total sales were 45,211 units, a decline of 7.7% from 48,990 posted a year ago. Production fell 12.5% in June from a year ago.

Sales, however, rose 2.9% from May. Passenger car sales in June fell to 41,109 units from 44,637 units sold in June 2008.

On the outlook for July, MAA said sales volume was likely to improve.

It expects production of cars to increase to reduce the waiting period for buyers.

MAA added that orders for popular models had increased as the current positive environment had improved consumer confidence.

Viva Perodua!

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:04:00 +0000

PERODUA, the second national car, appears to have the knack for building cars that Malaysians want. Sensing that the Kancil was getting too long in the tooth, it has just launched a bolder entry- level compact car with three engine options under the one-litre capacity and has given it a rousingly-apt name; the Viva. It chose Viva because in the original Latin, it is used as an exclamation to indicate salutation and applause.

Indeed, there's much to applaud Perodua. Not only it daringly discontinued the Kelisa line for this entrant, but it also priced it above the Kancil. This ensures that the Kancil remains affordably priced, while remaining the mainstay of the entry-level segment.

Indeed, the Viva's specifications make it more expensive than the Kancil and just a little cheaper than the MyVi. This top-of-the- range one-litre manual transmission variant - the Viva SXi - has been specified with features one would rightly expect in sedans twice more expensive.

An interesting feature announced during its launch was that this Viva has 90% local content. Now that would raise the heckles of a few skeptics but consider this; manufacturing in this age of globalisation means sourcing for parts from all corners of the globe, putting it together in the cheapest-wage location and sticking a label on it to show its hybrid origin. Going by that measure, we can proudly say the Perodua Viva is put together in the Perodua plant in the town of Ulu Choh in the district of Rawang in the state of Selangor and is made, therefore, in Malaysia!

NEW VIVA ESTABLISHED

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:39:00 +0000

The last unit of the Perodua Kancil rolled off Perodua’s production line today. It will be replaced from Thursday onwards by a new baseline variant of the Perodua Viva called the Viva 660 BX manual. The following are the specifications (or rather lack of specifications) of the new Perodua Viva 660 BX:

660cc DVVT engine 47hp @ 7,200rpm, 58Nm @ 4,400rpm
No power steering
No power windows
No central locking
No radio
No reverse sensors
Unpainted bumpers
Manual transmission only
Only available in Ivory White, Ebony Black and Glittering Silver

The cost? RM25,300.00 from Thursday onwards. Also watch out for another update on the Perodua Viva later this week called the Perodua Viva Elite.

AMAZING OF PERODUA VIVA

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Perodua Viva 1.0 SXi (M) Features

Safety features

Number of airbags

ABS

Yes

Traction control

Driver's features

Controls on steering wheel

Auto headlights

Rain sensing wipers

Electrical retractable side mirrors

Yes

Cruise control

Security features

Remote alarm

Yes

Immobiliser

Smart key

Remote boot release

Exterior features

HID headlights

Side mirror indicators

Yes

Front fog lamps

Sport rims

Yes, 14"

Reverse sensors

Yes

Sunroof / moonroof / skyroof

Interior features

Auto climate control aircon

Rear aircon

Audio system

Yes

Driver's electric seat

Passenger's electric seat

Driver's memory seat

Passenger's memory seat

Knockdown rear seats

Yes

ViVA Elite EZi = RM44,900

ViVA Elite A/T = RM40,900

ViVA Elite M/T = RM37,900

ViVA 1.0 AT = RM36,900

ViVA 850 MT = RM32,900

ViVA 660 EX MT = RM28,900

ViVA 660 BX MT = RM25,300

ADVANTAGES

The rear part of viva elite is like following the design of first edition of Myvi SE rear bumper.. With a black area at the center that put a sporty looks on the viva elite and the red rear reflector with new bumper design and rear spoiler.
the new 14 inch sport rim design
rear spoiler like myvi Ezi spoiler
the LED electronic side mirror
chrome finishing door handle
4 door power window function
The same engine fitted in the Perodua Viva Elite and you can see the chrome grille top part in front of the engine
Radio with Bluetooth function the the center dashboar

NEW PERODUA VIVA THE EFFICIENT CAR EVER

noreply@blogger.com (Arms Simple) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:37:00 +0000

The Perodua Viva is a city car manufactured by Malaysian automaker Perodua since May 10, 2007. It was originally planned to be the replacement of Perodua's current city cars - the Perodua Kancil and the Perodua Kelisa. Once launched, Perodua decided to market it as a Kelisa replacement only, and will continue to sell the Kancil. The Perodua Viva is based on the 6th generation Daihatsu Mira. All of the Perodua Viva models uses Daihatsu DVVT engines. Only the Premium version comes with dual airbag and ABS.

SPECIFICATION

The Perodua Viva was initially launched with 6 models. They are 660EX manual, 850EX manual, 1.0SX Standard manual, 1.0SXi Premium manual, 1.0EZ Standard automatic and the 1.0EZi Premium automatic. The range was later updated on the 23rd of July 2009 with the Viva Elite manual, Viva Elite automatic and the Viva Elite EZi.

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCES

Viva comes with 3-cylinder engine choices: 660 cc, 850 cc and 1000 cc. They are familiar engines but updated with modern technology such as DVVT (Dynamic Variable Valve Timing) and EFI, and they all have twin overhead camshafts to provide even stronger low-speed pulling power, resulting in fewer gearchanges, yet also manages to increase top end power. Other innovations include a resin port intake manifold and a head cover incorporating an air-cleaner casing.

EF-VE 660 (659 cc) – 37 kW (50 PS; 50 bhp) at 7200 rpm, 58 N·m (43 lb·ft) at 4400 rpm also used in Daihatsu Hijet
ED-VE 850 (847 cc) – 39 kW (53 PS; 52 bhp) at 6000 rpm, 76 N·m (56 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm which is developed from the engine that powered the Daihatsu Move
EJ-VE 1000 (989 cc) – 45 kW (61 PS; 60 bhp) at 6000 rpm, 90 N·m (66 lb·ft) at 3600 rpm also used in some versions of Daihatsu Sirion and Perodua Myvi

Fuel economy varies from 15.1 km/l (42.6 mpg (imp)) for the fully loaded 1000 cc auto version to the very thrifty 18.7 km/l (53 mpg) for the basic 660 cc model. For the 1000 cc manual the 0-100 km/h time is about 12.80 seconds. The engine torque band is not peaky and timing it takes to hit 70 km/h (43 mph) is good. It may be pushed to 130 km/h (81 mph) without much effort. However the engine drones at such speeds. Top speed is around 160 km/h (99 mph).

Manufacturer	Perodua
Production	2007–present
Class	City car
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	EF-VE (659 cc), ED-VE (847cc), EJ-VE (989 cc) DVVT petrol engine, water-cooled, in-line 3-cylinder, 4-cycle, DOHC.
Wheelbase	2390 mm (94.1 in)
Length	3575 mm (140.7 in)
Width	1475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1530 mm (60.2 in)
Curb weight	660 cc - 755 kg (1664 lb) 850 cc - 765 kg (1687 lb) 1000 cc Standard SX - 785 kg (1731 lb) EZ - 790 kg (1742 lb) 1000 cc Premium SXi - 795 kg (1753 lb) EZi - 800 kg (1764 lb)
Fuel capacity	36 L (10 US gal; 8 imp gal)

PERODUA VIVA ELITE NOW AVAILABLE

Viva Elite features new bonnet, replete protruding centre hood and front grille with a new complete bodykit. Its front bumper features fog lamps, rear bumper comes with reflectors, and side skirts. Viva Elitealso adds up with chore door handles and new 14-inch 12-spoke alloy wheels. Also new to the version is all-round UV-cut glass.

Interior of Viva Elite, complete with new seat fabric in both colour/material and new matching door trim fabric with painted centre cluster. The car also features a revised stereo head unit that is MP3/WMA-ready.

Five colours are available, the Ivory White, Ebony Black, Glittering Silver, Pearl Jade and Midnight Blue. Viva Elite comes in three versions which are Viva Elite manual (RM37,900), Viva Elite automatic (RM40,900) and the range-topping Viva Elite EZi auto (RM44,900. All prices on-the-road with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia.

Perodua Viva 660cc BX (Manual): from RM24,900

Perodua Viva 660cc EX (Manual): from RM28,500

Perodua Viva 850cc (Manual) from RM32,500

Perodua Viva 1.0L (Auto) from RM36,500