KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) has delivered 52% or 13,000 of orders for its Aruz sports utility vehicle (SUV) of the total 25,000 orders thus far.

“We have managed to increase Perodua Aruz deliveries to an average of 110 units daily, from 100 previously,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad in a statement.

“We are continuing to work closely with our suppliers to further shrink the gap between orders and deliveries,” he added.

Zainal also said that the group is doing all it can to meet the demand for the SUV and reduce wait times for buyers, particularly for the upcoming festive season.

Pending an official tally from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), the group on its own count, sold 22,943 vehicles in May, the statement added.

During January to May 2019, Perodua car sales increased 8.5% to 105,743 cars, from 97,487 cars sold in the corresponding period last year.

Zainal noted that over 90% of all components used in its cars, are made locally.

The Aruz is the group’s seven-seater SUV and is a certified energy-efficient vehicle (EEV). The car boasts the maximum five-star NCAP safety rating.