Malaysian compact car manufacturer Perodua has announced earlier today that their longest-serving President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, 58 is set to retire after nine years of running what can be said as the most successful car company in Malaysia today. It is under his leadership that Perodua not only expanded its market share from 31.2% in 2010 to above 37% share as of year-to-date 2018. As CEO, he also also started the company's transformation programme within the Perodua Group which has made the company what it is today.
Datuk Aminar (pictured above) will be remembered as the one who made Perodua into how it is seen today. According to the people of Perodua, their transformation initiative ensured the success of the company. After-sales improved significantly, as well as cost efficiency, quality and delivery. Under the transformation programme, Perodua also embarked on a RM1.3 billion investment to build Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd. This was, is Malaysia’s first Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) plant as certified by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
According to the official press blurb by Perodua, Datuk (Dr) Aminar is to be succeeded by Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad (above). Dato' Zainal was previously Vice-President of Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd and also is a veteran with Perodua. He is expected to continue the game plan that Perodua is currently ongoing and will ensure more improvements in efficiency and competitiveness, with the aim of expanding Perodua’s export business.
According to Perodua Chairman, Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin (photo below), “To this end, the Perodua Board of Directors looks to Dato’ Zainal to lead the charge as he has the capability in managing Perodua as well as its vendors, suppliers and dealers to become regional players,” Tan Sri Asmat said.
“Taking Perodua regional requires someone that can not only lead but who can also effectively engage the government and together navigate the ever-challenging automotive industry.“
Tan Sri Asmat also added that aside from being a familiar face in the automotive industry and in Perodua, Dato’ Zainal has also proven his ability to work well with all shareholders, including Daihatsu Motor Company of Japan in bringing new technology to Perodua and encouraging investment within the country. Dato' Zainal will be a continuing and familiar face with Perodua's foreign partners and it seems that Daihatsu has given him their blessings from the looks of it.
“With the manufacturing knowledge shared by Daihatsu, we were able to stay competitive domestically, and with their guidance, we are looking to further grow our business beyond Malaysia,” added Tan Sri Asmat.
Datuk (Dr) Aminar’s tenure as Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer ends 31 December 2018, and Dato’ Zainal will take the helm from 1 January 2019.
We here wish Datuk Aminar all the best in his future undertakings. He has done both Perodua and the nation proud by taking Perodua to heights never before imagined in a Malaysian manufacturing company.
We also wish Dato' Zainal congratulations and hope that he will continue Perodua to even greater heights. We hope that their target to start pushing for Perodua exports will be achievable under his leadership. What is interesting in this little bit of news is the subtle announcement that Perodua intends to push for more exports of their cars abroad.
We think it is time that Perodua spread their wings to major markets across the region (as a first step). May we suggest Australia as a nice country to try kicking off things as a major export market? Daihatsu? Could you please allow Perodua to do so?
Dato' Zainal Abidin's Biodata
Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, 52, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Accounting from the Pacific Lutheran University, Washington, USA. He began his career in Perodua in 1995 in the cost control department, and was directly involved in creating Perodua’s manufacturing cost structure.
Dato’ Zainal will be the first President and Chief Executive Officer selected from within Perodua. He participated in the formulation of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) and is working closely with the government through the various bodies under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to further improve the policy.
Dato’ Zainal was also instrumental in establishing the Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan powertrain hub, which incorporates Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (opened 2016) and transmission plant Akashi Kikai Sdn Bhd (opened in 2015).
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