KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26): Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sendirian Bhd's (Perodua) Bezza has become the best-selling new sub-1.0 litre sedan in Sri Lanka.

In a statement today, Perodua said as of the first seven months of 2019, the Bezza leads the sub-1.0 litre class in Sri Lanka in terms of new vehicle sales, across all bodystyles.

The carmaker said the car, priced at Rs 3.69 million (about RM86,200) upon its launch in June 2017, has found some 1,500 Sri Lankan buyers to date.

The company said this places the Bezza among the fastest-selling models Perodua has ever offered there, together with the Perodua Axia, which has sold some 3,000 units since 2015.

Sri Lanka is the Perodua brand's biggest overseas market, where local distributor Unimo Enterprises has sold over 15,600 Perodua cars since 1997, said Perodua.

Perodua cars in Sri Lanka are marketed by Unimo Enterprises.

Perodua president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the company will continue to support its overseas distributors as the company looks to expand in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We work very closely with Unimo to provide product knowledge and technical training for their sales and service staff, so our valued Sri Lankan customers can rest assured knowing that their Bezzas and Axias are always in the best of hands," said Zainal.

The sole Bezza variant on sale in Sri Lanka comes with an aluminium-block 998 cc VVT-i engine and a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission, allowing a rated fuel efficiency of above 21 km/l.

Meanwhile, Unimo Enterprises CEO and executive director Mahesh Gunathilake said the Bezza has successfully introduced the compact sedan segment to Sri Lanka, a market long dominated by hatchbacks.

"Our customers really appreciate the bodystyle, increased comfort and cavernous 508-litre boot. The Perodua Bezza can take five people in comfort and their luggage too, making it very ideal for family journeys," he said.

Perodua aims to export 3,270 cars this year — a considerable 50% more than last year's 2,184 units. Over 80,000 Perodua vehicles have been sold outside Malaysia to date.