Perodua confident of retaining position in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh expects total industry volume in the automotive sector to grow between 2.5% and 3% this year.

“This belief is supported by two main factors. The first is the Government's efforts to spur economic growth and the second is the launch of new models by various players.

“We believe that the automotive sector would benefit from these investments as historically the total industry volume sales trend has always tracked the country's economic performance,” he told StarBiz.

Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad had predicted that vehicle sales for 2011 would reach 605,000 units.

Top seller: The 1.5-litre Myvi SE beside Aminar Rashid

Electric Pickup Truck to Debut at 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Via Motors will introduce a new electric-powered full-size pickup truck, 4x4 SUV and cargo van at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 10. Making the introuduction will be Bob Lutz, former vice president of GM and called by some as the father of the Chevy Volt.

The powertrain in the new Via eREV (which stands for extended-range electric vehicle) will work similarly to the Volt's system. Lithium-ion batteries power the wheels for a full electric range of around 40 miles. When the batteries are low, a small onboard gas engine will start up and provide extended-range capability for the batteries, up to 400 miles using the onboard generator, averaging up to 100 mpg.

Japan Supply Chains Still Hampered by Thai Flooding

A poll shows 81 percent of production bases still producing less now than before floods
Many Japanese companies are still feeling the pinch of heavy flooding in Thailand because of supply chain disruptions, according to an emergency survey conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Nidec to cut reliance on Thai factories

Japanese motor maker Nidec Corp will reduce its reliance on Thai factories for hard-disk-drive motors by diversifying production bases to China and the Philippines, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Honda ditches flooded cars

The recent widespread flooding hit Honda especially hard, as both its plants in Ayutthaya were inundated.

Speculation has been rife that the flood-damaged cars may be repaired and sold locally or abroad as brand new.

The fear has been that the Japan-based manufacturer would send these cars back to the line for replacement of damaged parts, after which they would be delivered to customers.

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