Perodua

Brand Overview

Perodua is Malaysia's largest automaker. Its full name, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd, means "Second Automobile Manufacturer Private Limited." The company is headquartered in Sungai Chua, Rawang, Selangor. Perodua was established in 1993 as a joint venture between the Malaysian government, Japan's Daihatsu, and several private companies. The goal was to create Malaysia's second national car brand—after Proton—focused on building affordable, fuel‑efficient small cars. The brand identity is light and modern, reflecting its mission to provide practical, high‑value mobility solutions for everyday people.

In Malaysia's competitive auto market, Perodua holds an unshakable leadership position. Since 2006, it has been the country's new car sales champion year after year. In 2025, Perodua sold 359,904 new cars—surpassing 300,000 for the third straight year and setting another all‑time high. During the same period, it produced 370,370 vehicles, also a brand record. According to 2025 new car registration data from Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ), Perodua led the market with a 43.9% share—accounting for nearly half of all new cars sold in the country that year and more than double the sales of second‑place Proton.

Development History

Perodua was born out of Malaysia's push to build a localized automotive industry. A decade after Proton was established, the government set out to create a second national car brand—hoping to spark more competition in the auto sector and give lower‑ and middle‑income Malaysians more mobility options.

In 1993, Perodua was officially incorporated with a diverse ownership structure that brought together both local and international players. UMW Group held a controlling stake of 38%, while Daihatsu took 25% and provided crucial technology and vehicle platforms. MBM Resources held 20%, with the rest shared among other local companies and government investment arms. This mix of government, private, and foreign capital laid a solid foundation—technically, financially, and policy‑wise—for the brand's early growth.

In 1994, Perodua's Sungai Chua plant in Rawang went into production, and the first model, the Kancil, rolled off the line. Based on the Daihatsu Mira, this small car won over local buyers with its low price and excellent fuel economy, helping Perodua get a firm foothold in the market.

In 1998, Perodua introduced its second model, the Kembara, marking its first step into the small SUV segment. As the new century began, the brand picked up the pace. In 2005, it launched the Myvi—its first independently designed model—which became a massive success. The Myvi went on to become one of Malaysia's best‑selling cars ever, reshaping the local market and cementing Perodua's status as a true national brand.

Over the following years, Perodua rolled out the Alza in 2010, the Axia in 2014, and the Bezza in 2016, steadily expanding its lineup and growing its market share. On the technology front, Perodua fully embraced the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) concept, becoming Malaysia's first and largest EEV manufacturer. Through a mix of Daihatsu‑led technical collaboration and its own R&D, Perodua built a strong brand moat around high value for money and low running costs.

Product Portfolio

Perodua's current lineup spans A‑segment sedans, hatchbacks, small MPVs, and a range of SUVs. The brand's vehicles are built around fuel efficiency, strong value for money, and reliability—core strengths that hit the sweet spot for the mass market. As of April 2026, Perodua offers eight main models in Malaysia, with prices ranging from RM 22,000 to RM 82,000 (on‑the‑road, excluding insurance).

The Axia and Bezza are Perodua's two mainstays in the A‑segment market, covering entry‑level buyers with hatchback and sedan body styles respectively. The Axia has gone through several generations—the latest rides on the DNGA platform—and is known for class‑leading space efficiency and fuel‑savvy small‑displacement engines. The Bezza sold 100,488 units in 2025, breaking the 100,000 mark for the second year in a row.

The Myvi is Perodua's most iconic model. Since its launch in 2005, it has earned a reputation for strong powertrain performance, sharp chassis dynamics, and remarkably low failure rates, making it one of the most popular cars in Malaysia for years. In 2025, the Myvi moved 72,724 units, landing third on the annual sales chart.

The Alza has long dominated the seven‑seat small MPV segment. Its second‑generation model, based on the DNGA platform, rolled out in 2022 and has kept up strong monthly sales thanks to generous space and great value for money.

The Ativa is an A‑segment SUV powered by a 1.0L three‑cylinder turbo engine, paired with refined chassis tuning. It was among the first locally produced models to adopt the DNGA platform.

The Aruz offers a seven‑seat layout and is Perodua's answer to buyers looking for a larger crossover. In November 2025, it posted monthly sales of 2,264 units, a new high for the year.

Two new cars launched in December 2025 carry major strategic weight. The Perodua QV‑E is the brand's first self‑developed pure electric model, priced at just RM 80,000 (under a battery‑leasing model / car price excluding battery). It focuses on building a locally scalable EV ecosystem. Following close behind is the Perodua Traz (internal code D66B), a B‑segment SUV that echoes the Toyota model.

Market Performance

According to 2025 new car registration data from Malaysia's JPJ, Perodua sold 359,904 vehicles, a 0.5% increase from 358,102 units in 2024. During the same fiscal year, production reached 370,370 units, up 0.6% year‑on‑year.

2025 Malaysia Market – Major Brand Sales

#1 Perodua: 359,904 units (+0.5%) – holding the top spot

#2 Proton: 151,561 units (+2.7%) – roughly half of Perodua's volume

#3 Toyota: 129,085 units (+1.5%)

#4 Honda: 75,599 units (-11.3%)

(Source: JPJ, December 2025)

The Bezza led as Malaysia's best‑selling single model in 2025 with 100,488 units, followed by the Axia at 84,291 units. The Myvi, with 72,724 units, continued to anchor the brand in the compact hatchback segment. These three models locked in the top three positions on the annual sales chart. In a climate of intense price competition, the Aruz saw a November surge to 2,264 units.

On a broader scale, Malaysia's total new car sales in 2025 are expected to reach 820,000 units, slightly above the previous year's 816,747. That puts Malaysia ahead of Indonesia for the first time as Southeast Asia's largest automotive market. Perodua captured a 43.9% share of the total.

Meanwhile, Perodua's cumulative sales from January to October 2025 reached 289,200 units, surpassing its full‑year target of 345,000 ahead of schedule. From 2022 through 2025, Perodua posted record sales and production for four consecutive years, steadily building on its scale advantage.

Core Technology

Perodua's technological core is closely tied to its strategic partners Daihatsu and Toyota. Its key strength lies in the efficient use of mature, low‑cost, and highly modular platform technologies.

DNGA Platform: Modular Efficiency and Performance Gains

The DNGA is a new global architecture led by Daihatsu, effectively a lower‑cost, streamlined version of the Toyota Group's TNGA platform, tailored for Southeast Asian and Oceanian markets. By optimizing the use of high‑tensile steel (over 40%), the platform delivers significantly improved body rigidity, is about 80 kg lighter than the previous generation, and features a lower center of gravity for better handling and fuel efficiency. Perodua's next‑gen models—including the Ativa (2021), Alza (2022), Axia (2023), and Traz (2025)—were built on the DNGA‑B and DNGA‑A architectures. The Traz (D66B) was co‑developed with the 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross for Thai and Indonesian markets.

EEV Strategy and Fuel Efficiency

Perodua is Malaysia's sole and largest Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) manufacturer. All its models are fine‑tuned in power calibration, lightweight construction, and aerodynamic design. The third‑generation Myvi, with its 1.5L engine and CVT, returns about 22.9 km/L. The new Traz consumes just 4.7L per 100 km (MDC standard).

Powertrain: High Commonality and Reliability

Perodua widely adopts Daihatsu's NR and NR‑VE series engines (1.0L, 1.3L, and 1.5L four‑cylinder naturally aspirated units), paired with D‑CVT continuously variable transmissions—known for stable, reliable performance. The 2NR‑VE engine, shared by the Traz, Alza, and Myvi, has technology origins in the local Toyota Vios, helping to keep after‑market maintenance costs low.

Widespread Adoption of Advanced Driving Assistance (ASA)

Perodua has rolled out its ASA intelligent driving assistance package across key models. The system integrates pre‑collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lead vehicle departure alert, and pedal misoperation control. It is available as an option on multiple refreshed and facelifted models, including the Ativa, Alza, and third‑generation Myvi.

Breakthrough in Self‑Developed EV Technology: QV‑E

Partnering with local R&D resources, Perodua invested RM 800 million over 28 months to develop its first self‑developed pure electric SUV, the QV‑E. It is equipped with a 48.28 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, offering an NEDC range of up to 445 km. With 201 horsepower and 285 N·m of torque, it achieves a 0‑100 km/h time of just 7.5 seconds.

Global Presence

Compared to its dominance at home, Perodua's overseas business is more measured. The brand typically approaches international markets through direct product exports, setting up joint venture distribution companies with local partners, or supplying vehicles to its technical alliance partners.

Vehicle Exports: Entering Bangladesh First: In 2024, Perodua began exporting the Axia, Myvi, Bezza, and Aruz to Bangladesh via CBU (completely built‑up) shipments. Plans are in place to introduce additional models like the Ativa and Alza to reach a wider local consumer base.

Exploring Used Car Exports to Developing Countries: To help ease congestion from Malaysia's high vehicle density, Perodua launched an innovative export initiative in October 2025. Used cars from the local market are refurbished, tested to standard, and packaged for export—starting with Bangladesh, followed by Kenya, Mozambique, and other African countries.

Indonesia and India Region: Perodua previously entered Indonesia through technical collaboration, with the Myvi rebadged as the "Daihatsu Sirion." Given Indonesia's highly competitive landscape, Perodua is now reassessing the Sirion's market positioning and its overall strategic fit in the country. In earlier years, Perodua also sold the Kancil in markets such as Sri Lanka.

Global Supply Chain and Capacity: Perodua's two factories in Rawang have a combined annual capacity of about 320,000 vehicles and also support right‑hand drive markets close to Malaysia.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Perodua's strategy is clear: deepen its dominance in Malaysia's auto industry through core model updates, electrification, and intelligent upgrades, while playing a bigger role in the region.

Perodua management confirmed in late 2025 and early 2026 that the next‑generation Myvi and Bezza are already in development. The new Myvi is expected to arrive in 2027, equipped with a hybrid system. Its launch will mark a key step in the brand's tech‑wide rollout. For the Bezza, Perodua has said the current generation will stay in production until 2030, helping to spread out R&D costs on the existing platform.

On the electrification front, the QV‑E is just the start of Perodua's new energy push. The company has teamed up with telecom giant Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) for strategic collaboration, jointly developing next‑gen pure electric and intelligent connected technologies.

Southeast Asia's auto market is currently riding a wave of strong sales, but new energy penetration still faces cost hurdles. Perodua aims for electric and hybrid vehicles to make up around 20% of its annual sales by 2030. Its "Perodua Smart Build" sustainability blueprint connects local suppliers, R&D, and EV technology development.

From commanding nearly half the domestic market, to the simple mission of building an affordable car for everyone, from the QV‑E leading the charge into a new era, to the Myvi's hybrid update set for 2027—Perodua is writing its next chapter with steady, independent, and pragmatic resolve.