Perodua Bezza enters Sri Lanka

THURSDAY, JULY 21: KUALA LUMPUR- Perodua holds a press conference at Bezza launch event 1700 (0900 GMT), KUALA LUMPUR- Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak opens 2016 Pacific and Asian Communication Association Convention 0930 (0130 GMT) KUALA LUMPUR- Prime Minister Najib Razak attends Felda/FGV's Hari Raya open house 1600 (0800 GMT) KUALA LUMPUR- International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed addressing ministerial session at ASEAN-India Business Leadership Conclave 1200 (0400 GMT)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bezza 1.0L (automatic transmission) made its debut in Sri Lanka on Tuesday at a launch organised by Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd's (Perodua) official distributor, Unimo Enterprises Ltd.

Perodua said in a statement that Sri Lanka is its largest export market and that 14,000 units have been sold between 1997 and 2017 (as at end May).

Currently, Unimo imports the Perodua Axia, which saw sales of 1,400 units last year and now the Bezza.

Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh said Perodua is still relatively small in Sri Lanka, but the automotive company sees a lot of potential as the country''s economy expands.

"Starting this year, we are seriously looking at further expanding our current export markets and studying new ones, as we work to realise our vision of becoming a regional player," he added.

Since 1997, Perodua exported five models to Sri Lanka, namely, the Perodua Kancil, Kenari, Kelisa, Viva and Bezza.

"Since starting our export programme, we have exported 75,000 vehicles. At its height, we exported to 21 different countries," Aminar said. - Bernama