Perodua to reduce operating costs by up to 30% by 2016

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is committed to reducing its operating costs by up to 30 per cent by 2016 to offer greater added-value for customers.

Its president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the company had achieved a 12 per cent reduction in operating costs by offering a three-year free service package and increased specifications worth between RM4,500 and RM5,600.

"This is done via cost reduction activities carried out throughout the entire supply chain, including improving efficiency and eliminating wastage, over the past two-and-a-half years," he added.

He said this at a media briefing here today after attending a session to clarify the issue of a reduction in Perodua car prices.

Aminar Rashid clarified that the reduction mentioned in a news daily on June 10, referred to the reduction in the cost of ownership, as well as improving the value proposition for customers with the introduction of the S-Series, as well as the three-year free service package for all Perodua vehicles.

Meanwhile, Perodua has engaged the government, through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Malaysia Automotive Institute, over the past three years ago, to provide input on further improving the yet to be announced, revised National Automotive Policy (NAP).

Commenting on Perodua's performance up to May this year, Aminar Rashid said the company had sold 82,000 units, or 6.5 per cent higher that the 77,000 units in 2012.

"Since launching the S-Series in mid-March this year, we received bookings of 45,000 units, 30,000 units of which have been registered and delivered to customers," he added.

Aminar Rashid said Perodua was cautiously optimistic of achieving the 2013 target of selling 194,000 cars, up three per cent from last year's 189,000, if the current momentum continues and no major challenges surface.