Perodua Enters Bangladesh With PHP Motors, Will Establish CKD Too

It appears that national carmaker Perodua has expanded its export markets portfolio to include Bangladesh now.

Earlier this morning, CariCarz.com learnt through Bangladesh-based online business title The Business Standard that national carmaker Perodua has entered said South Asian nation’s market. A quick check online also revealed that an official Perodua Bangladesh Facebook page was established too.

From the latter, we also learnt that a launch ceremony was held yesterday in the country’s capital of Dhaka, organised by the brand’s local partner – a firm called PHP Motors. If the name sounds familiar, you might have heard of them prior when they were distributing Proton cars there instead.

A grand launch event was held by partners PHP Motors in Dhaka yesterday. On display too were the Aruz and Bezza models. (Source: Facebook)

From The Business Standard’s report, it appears that PHP Motor only recently terminated its partnership agreement with Proton last month. Around the same time, Proton had relaunched in Bangladesh with new partners RANCON Holdings Limited.

Evidently, PHP Motors has made a switch and partnered up with Perodua now. At the grand launch event mentioned, PHP Motors’ Managing Director Mohammed Akhtar Parvez confirmed in his opening remarks that the firm will also locally assemble (CKD) Perodua models in Bangladesh soon.

Key models set to be localised (CKD) by PHP Motors in Bangladesh reportedly include the Axia, Bezza, Aruz, and Myvi.

Though the exec didn’t mentioned any specific models, he did note that PHP Motors seeks to CKD “the full range of Perodua models to Bangladesh.” The firm says it will reveal the full list of Perodua models it intends to localise and market in Bangladesh by the end of this month.

However, in his interview with The Business Standard, Mohammed revealed that PHP Motors will utilise its factory in Chattogram to assemble four models initially – the Aruz 7-seat crossover SUV, the Bezza compact sedan, the Myvi hatchback, as well as the Axia supermini.

Though not mentioned, PHP Motors are also expected to CKD the Ativa and Alza models too, and this is based on their initial commitment to localise Perodua's entire line-up.

Of the four, only the Aruz and Bezza models were displayed during PHP Motor’s launch ceremony. Given Mohammed’s statement earlier, PHP Motors is expected to induct other models like the Ativa compact crossover, and perhaps the Alza 7-seat MPV, later on. 

Whilst Perodua hasn’t issued a statement to confirm this, it does align with what it stated earlier this week. As a refresher, the national carmaker is aiming to boost its export efforts by 79% this year. Its most recent overseas effort saw it launch the new Axia and Alza in neighbouring Brunei.