Friday December 10, 2010
KATHMANDU: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) aims to grab a bigger slice of the motor vehicle market in Nepal, despite the congested market which is largely dominated by Indian and Japanese makers.
Mihika Dhakhwa, managing director of Nemlink International Traders Pvt Ltd, the sole distributor of Perodua vehicles in Nepal, said regardless of the slow-paced economy and sluggish motor vehicle sector growth, demand was steadily rising.
“Next year will be better compared with 2010.
“We sold about 300 units of all Perodua models last year and hope to sell 400 units next year,” she told Bernama yesterday.
Mihika said the market was competitive and it was not easy to sell a third (brand) car.
“People did not have confidence in Malaysian cars earlier. But after nearly five years, we saw a major breakthrough. We rolled out about 100 units in 2006,” she said.
Though Nepal is grappling under a shaky government and a weak economy, it’s largely surviving on inflow of billion-dollar remittances from its nationals working overseas.
Its economy is growing at about 4.5% annually.
Ironically, car sales had shot up tremendously in recent years.
According to the Nepal Automobile Dealers Association, only 6,850 units (in the car/jeep/van category) were sold last year, but figures had easily doubled in 2010, touching nearly 12,268 units.
Mihika said overall, the car sector was growing in Nepal and more cars were on the road these days. “Now people are also confident of Malaysian cars.
“The customers are satisfied because of our after-sales service and Perodua’s maintenance cost is about 40% cheaper than the others,” she said.
Perodua models, such as Viva and MyVi, are gaining popularity in the Himalayan state, as these slick and economical vehicles best suit city driving. — Bernama
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