Perodua to launch new EEV model in 2H

by **Cals** Fri 11 Apr 2014, 14:33

Business & Markets 2014

Written by Levina Lim of theedgemalaysia.com

Friday, 11 April 2014 10:08

KUALA LUMPUR: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) will launch a new model that will meet the government’s energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) criteria in the second half of this year, according to its president and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

“As far as the EEV is concerned, the new model that we are going to produce and market in the second half of the year will be EEV compliant in terms of fuel efficiency,” he said during the launch of the company’s new Myvi XT variant and the What’s Up! Graduate marketing scheme.

Aminar Rashid said Perodua is in the midst of preparing a wish list to the government with regard to the incentives made available to EEV manufacturers. As stipulated under the new National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2014, these incentives could range from duty exemptions or other non-tax benefits or forms of support.

He added that the group is applying for incentives for its manufacturing plant as well as the EEV model. “We are hoping for incentives in two forms — one is for the plant itself, because our plant utilises modern, green technology; another is for the product itself.”

On the rise in the hire purchase interest rate to finance car purchases, Aminar Rashid said Perodua felt some impact on its sales last month when the rate rose. “We have seen some decrease [in sales volume] since last month.

“Our appeal to the banks and to our business partners [banks] is to not increase it too drastically … as it might have a huge impact. However, it is still too early to tell and we are monitoring the situation.”

The Edge Financial Daily reported last week that interest rates for hire purchase schemes had started to rise by about 40 basis points since mid-March.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on Aprill 11, 2014.