KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3): Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) sold 6,988 vehicles in August, compared with only 655 units in July, as the automaker’s manufacturing and sales arms gradually resumed their operations after the nationwide lockdown was lifted on Aug 16.

In a statement today, Perodua president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the company would see the production and registration numbers multiply in September as the situation normalises.

All of Perodua’s operations were halted in accordance with the national lockdown introduced on June 1 to control the spread of Covid-19.

Year to date (YTD), Perodua registered 104,933 vehicles sold or a 12.5% drop compared with 119,977 units between January and August last year. 

Zainal said Perodua is working on closing this gap by further increasing its manufacturing output as well as improving the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety of its workers and customers.

“Based on the time and resources available, we are reducing our sales target by 10.8% to 214,000 units this year from our earlier target of 240,000.

“Our main concern now is to ensure that the automotive industry will be able to sustain itself this year as Covid-19 and the semiconductor supply shortage continue to haunt manufacturers both domestically and globally,” he said.

On the semiconductor chip shortage, Zainal said that Perodua was able to secure enough to ensure that production would resume smoothly this year and that most of Perodua’s outstanding orders would be met within the year.

“For now, the semiconductor chip supply is still a global issue, and we are working with our partners and suppliers to limit any disruption it may cause,” he said.