KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysian compact car maker Perodua said Wednesday that sales surged 13 percent in 2010 to a record high, helping it to retain its leadership in the industry for the fifth straight year.
Perodua, which is partly owned by Japanese mini-car maker Daihatsu Motor Corp., said it sold 188,600 vehicles last year to give it a 31.2 percent share in Southeast Asia's largest passenger car market.
Managing Director Aminar Rashid Salleh said the company plans to launch a new model this year and aims to increase sales to 195,000 vehicles but declined to elaborate.
Perodua's 1.3 liter Myvi, launched in 2005, was the country's top selling car last year while its seven-seat 1.5 liter Alza, which debuted in late 2009, was the best selling multipurpose vehicle, he said.
The Alza is Perodua's biggest vehicle. Its other cars have engines of between 0.6 and 1.3 liters.
"Last year's sales were driven by the strong demand for affordable compact cars ... our order books remains healthy and we are confident of maintaining this momentum this year," Aminar said in a statement.
Perodua overtook national carmaker Proton as the top selling car brand in Malaysia in 2006.
Perodua, which is partly owned by Japanese mini-car maker Daihatsu Motor Corp., said it sold 188,600 vehicles last year to give it a 31.2 percent share in Southeast Asia's largest passenger car market.
Managing Director Aminar Rashid Salleh said the company plans to launch a new model this year and aims to increase sales to 195,000 vehicles but declined to elaborate.
Perodua's 1.3 liter Myvi, launched in 2005, was the country's top selling car last year while its seven-seat 1.5 liter Alza, which debuted in late 2009, was the best selling multipurpose vehicle, he said.
The Alza is Perodua's biggest vehicle. Its other cars have engines of between 0.6 and 1.3 liters.
"Last year's sales were driven by the strong demand for affordable compact cars ... our order books remains healthy and we are confident of maintaining this momentum this year," Aminar said in a statement.
Perodua overtook national carmaker Proton as the top selling car brand in Malaysia in 2006.
