Posted on 30 Jan 2008
Sales of motor vehicles in Malaysia are expected to increase by 4.7% to 510,000 units this year after a 0.7% decline to 487,176 units in 2006, according to Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.
"The positive sales trend since June 2007 will continue and spill over into 2008 as market conditions and consumer sentiments are favourable.
"The introduction of new models, particularly in the lower engine capacity range, will sustain the current buying interest," she told a press briefing on MAA's Market Review for 2007 and 2008 Outlook yesterday.
Aishah said Proton Holdings Bhd's new Saga would help spur sales this year.
"The pay increase for civil servants will lead to higher car sales," she said, adding that as global inflation accelerated, consumers were likely to choose smaller and cheaper cars that consumed less fuel.
She also noted that last year,
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) retained its position as the top vehicle seller in
Proton came in second with sales of 118,134 vehicles and market share of 24% while
On the luxury car segment, Aishah said it was relatively unchanged. She expected the trend to remain the same as luxury cars catered to a different market segment.
She said owing to the broad increase in prices for such things as toll and a potential rise in petrol prices, buyers might opt for a more economical car.
The total production volume last year fell 12.2% to 441,678 units against 503,048 in 2006.
"The drop in the production volume was due to cutbacks in vehicle production in 2007 by MAA members as many members were caught with high inventory levels in early 2007," Aishah said.
In December 2007 alone, vehicle sales rose 15.4% to 42,244 against 36,608 units a year earlier. The month's sales volume, however, was 1,539 units or 3.5% lower than in November.
MAA forecast vehicle sales may reach 530,000 in 2009 and hit 550,000 in 2010.
