This is despite Perodua grappling with the ongoing pandemic and semiconductor shortage.
Perodua has recently reiterated its commitment to meet its sales target of 240,000 vehicles this year. This is despite the ongoing pandemic and semiconductor shortage, which has somewhat scuppered the Malaysian automaker’s supply line thus far.
Coming amidst the announcement that Perodua has sold 17,973 cars in the month of May 2021, the top-selling auto marque locally remains optimistic that its 240,000 unit sales target set at the beginning of this year is still within reach. Particularly when the automaker has already achieved just over 40% of that goal already, with cumulative sales in the first five months of the year standing at 96,281 vehicles.
Having said that however, Perodua sales have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels yet. Though doing significantly better than the 52,920 cars sold during the first 5 months of last year, the automaker admits that sales are still down by nearly 9% from 2019, when it managed to sell 105,745 units from January to May.
To add to that, Perodua also admits that the double whammy of the semiconductor shortage and the resurgence of the pandemic has seen sales dip slightly in recent times. Such is evidenced by the fact that its April sales of 20,399 units are 12% higher than what was achieved in May.
The automaker is nevertheless hopeful though that demand will remain strong for its models moving forward. Demand which Perodua aims to be turbocharged thanks to the recently announced extension of the sales tax exemption till the end of 2021.
In the meantime however, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad wishes to thank customers for their understanding and patience in waiting for their new cars to be delivered when showrooms are eventually allowed to open after this period of nationwide lockdown is over. He also advises existing owners to contact their nearest service outlet for the latest information regarding its operation during this time.
“We understand that the measures taken by the government to contain the pandemic are necessary to ensure the people’s health and safety, and we, along with our suppliers and dealers, will cooperate fully with the government to flatten the curve,” he added.
PRESS RELEASE: Perodua, which sold 96,281 vehicles in the first five months of 2021, maintains its 240,000-unit sales target for the year despite the ongoing pandemic and the semiconductor shortage.
“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,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
He explained that a fairer comparison would be against 2019, when Perodua sold 105,745 units in the first five months – 8.9% more than it did in the same period this year.
“The impact of the pandemic and the semiconductor shortage can be seen in the 12% sales reduction from April’s 20,399 units to May’s 17,973 units.
“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,” said Dato’ Zainal.
“We thank the government for extending the sales tax exemption to end-2021, which will bolster our strong demand, encourage economic activity and help sustain the Malaysian automotive ecosystem.
“We understand that the measures taken by the government to contain the pandemic are necessary to ensure the people’s health and safety, and we, along with our suppliers and dealers, will cooperate fully with the government to flatten the curve,” he added.
On service centre operation during the lockdown period, Dato’ Zainal advises Perodua’s valued customers to contact their nearest service outlet for the latest information.
“On new vehicle deliveries, we wish to thank our valued customers for their understanding and patience in waiting for their Perodua vehicles,” he added.
Perodua manufactured 18,283 units in May, boosting its year-to-date production tally to 98,944 units.
