Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua (Perodua) expects to sell 190,000 cars next year with the introduction of new ViVa variant - ViVa Elite Exclusive Edition - on November 11th.

Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the group was targeting sales of 185,000 Perodua cars this year and, given the good response it had received for the sales and bookings so far, the new model would boost sales further next year.

"The new variant is aimed at the female market and those who earn RM30,000 (US$ 9,700) to RM35,000. We are aiming to sell 600 units a month for this new variant and it will complement the range of ViVa variants currently under our lineup," he told reporters yesterday after the official opening of Perodua Puchong Service Centre and the launch of the new variant.

The ViVa Elite Exclusive Edition is priced from RM41,600, including insurance, to RM42,000 per unit.

Aminar said a total of 240,000 units of ViVa had been sold since it was first launched in 2007 and the ViVa Elite was the best selling variant, consisting of 41.4% (24,000 units) from a total of 58,000 units of the ViVa sold in the first 10 months of the year. "That is an average of 2,400 ViVa Elite units per month this year," he said, adding that the group planned to open nine more sales outlets nationwide next year.

For 2011, he said, Perodua had allocated RM200 million to RM220 million for capital expenditure from RM120 million this year for continuous enhancements and in preparation for new models at its manufacturing plants.

Later, Aminar told reporters that the group would remain focused on boosting exports under its five-year plan based on the National Automotive Policy (NAP) and to prepare for the liberalisation of the industry despite rumours of a possible merger with Proton Holdings. This included boosting exports of up to 10% of domestic sales (20,000 cars) from 2-3% currently, he said, adding that the company way eyeing Thailand, South Africa and Asean countries.

"We have given our input to the Malaysian Automotive Institute to prepare feasibility studies on the consolidation but are not aware of the final recommendations. We will wait for the announcement," he said. He added that the group's partnership with Daihatsu had been very successful for the past 17 years and Perodua was looking forward to another 17 years and more fruitful partnership.

On a separate issue, Aminar said Perodua would assist flood victims - who are also Perodua customers - in Kedah, Perlis and some parts of Kelantan by giving them a 25% discount for the bills and absorbing the towing costs of up to RM100.