KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua is studying the possibility of producing sedan cars in the near future, Managing Director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said today.
He said the second national car maker was currently studying the idea.
Aminar however did not give details.
"This is my aspiration. If there is opportunity and allowed by our partners and shareholders, this is what we would like to do," he told a press conference after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
and UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd.
It is believed that Perodua might joint venture with UMW Holdings Bhd to manufacture sedan models.
Aminar however said Perodua was not keen to invest to produce hybrid or electric cars.
"It's expensive to build these cars and we don’t have the technology and research and development facilities," he added.
Under the MoU, Perodua is acquiring 25.6 hectres (64 acres) of land in Serendah from UMW Corporation worth RM16.7 million for the construction of new facilities and for expansion of existing infrastructures.
The facilities are a mosque, a child care centre, a mini gymnasium, additional parking space and utilities infrastructures.
"The plans we have in place for this land will be a great boost to our staff welfare and is part and parcel of our promise to place people first in whatever we do," he said.
The facilities will be completed towards the second half of next year, he said, adding that the gross development value still cannot be quantified.
On expansion, Perodua is planning to spend RM1.2 billion to RM1.5 billion in the next three years to expand current facilities.
It will include plant upgrade, network expansion, research and development, new model development and staff training.
Present at the event was UMW Corporation President and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Syed Hisyam Syed Wazir.-- BERNAMA
