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Thomas Huong

The Star

Publication Date : 24-01-2013

New auto sales in Malaysia grew 4.6 per cent to hit a record high last year, with total industry volume (TIV) at 627,753 units.

It was also the third consecutive year that the TIV had breached the 600,000-unit level, according to data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Last year, passenger vehicle sales increased 3.2 per cent year-on-year to 552,189 units, while commercial vehicle sales jumped 16.2 per cent to 75,564 units.

MAA president Aishah Ahmad (pic) said the record new vehicle sales in 2012 was due to factors such as strong economic growth, the implementation of infrastructure projects under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), increased consumer spending and consumption due to stable employment and rising disposable income, introduction of new models at competitive prices as well as aggressive sales campaigns by car companies.

Aishah also said the Malaysian auto industry had performed well last year despite challenges in the early part of 2012 such as the aftermath of the Thailand floods, which impacted the automotive supply chain, and the implementation of Bank Negara's responsible lending guidelines.

Aishah also noted that in 2012, sales of hybrid cars had jumped 84 per cent to 15,355 units (compared with 8,334 units in 2011).

The hybrid car sales came from four marques, namely, Toyota (5,653 units), Lexus (979 units), Honda (8,712 units) and Porsche (11 units).

Aishah also pointed out that Malaysia's automotive TIV growth was in tandem with increased new vehicle sales in other parts of the Asean region.

According to MAA data, for the first 11 months of 2012, Thailand and Indonesia had recorded significant 75 per cent and 26 per cent jumps in TIV to 1.29 million and 1.03 million units, respectively.

Meanwhile, MAA has forecast the TIV to grow to 640,000 units this year.

Aishah said MAA's forecast accounted for factors such as an expected economic growth of 5.6 per cent in 2013 (based on a survey by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research), a stable interest rate environment, multiplier effects from the ETP, stability in the employment market, concerns about the fragility of the global economy, introduction of new models to generate buying interest and promotion campaigns by car companies.

“We also expect more than 200 new car models and variants to be introduced in the Malaysian market this year, further stirring buying interest,” she said.

The MAA is also organising the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) in November, which is expected to provide a further boost to the auto industry.

KLIMS13 is due to be held from November 15 to 24, 2013, at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The motor show is expected to be a bigger event this year, as the response from automotive players has been strong, with 93 per cent of the exhibition space booked.

Themed “Efficiency in Motion”, KLIMS13 is expected to occupy close to 30,000 sq m of gross exhibition floor, with more than 150 exhibitors set to attract over 330,000 visitors.