Perodua joins hands with Japanese partner to start feasibility study

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Perodua has joined hands with its Japanese partner to start a feasibility study to realise the compact car maker's aspiration to produce sedan models.

Managing Director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said Perodua had plans to produce sedan cars for a long time and its Japanese partner, Daihatsu, has now agreed for the feasibility study.

He, however, declined to divulge details on the study and the timeline.

"I've expressed the intention to produce sedan cars to Perodua's top management and our partners. We've now started the feasibility study.

"I've seen the demand in the sedan segment and I thought why Perodua cannot do it (sedan cars)," he told a media briefing today.

Aminar Rashid also quashed market talk that Perodua would manufacture sedan cars in collaboration with UMW Holdings Bhd, saying "it's a fresh news to me."

Incepted in 1993, Perodua is an established compact car maker in Malaysia, while national car company, Proton Holdings Bhd, manufactures sedan cars.

Perodua sold 180,000 passenger cars last year, capturing 30 per cent of the total industry volume in 2011.

The second national car maker maintained its No. 1 sales position among other car companies for the sixth consecutive year last year.

Source: MOLE