Malaysia Light-Vehicle Sales Retreat 1.3% in August

Malaysian new-vehicle sales eased 1.3% year-on-year in August to 51,104 units, but the industry predicts deliveries will recover this month.

The Malaysian Automotive Assn. reports car deliveries dipped 1.3% to 45,052 units, while commercials vehicle slowed a similar 1.3% to 6,052.

The government’s Bernama news agency reports the latest result was down 25% from July.

“However, total industry volume for the period between January and August was 5% higher than the similar period last year, due to the short working month in August 2013,” the MAA says.

The industry group says August production fell 4.6% to 37,548 units, with cars down 5.0% to 33,759 and CVs off fractionally to 3,789 from year-ago’s 3,804.

MAA predicts sales this month will bounce back from August because of the introduction of new models and positive consumer sentiment.

Among individual auto makers, Honda Malaysia says government incentives are driving its hybrid-car sales higher. Managing Director and CEO Yoichiro Ueno says year-to-date hybrid sales have reached 5,375 units, compared with 8,712 for all of last year.

“There is increasing interest in our hybrid models in the Malaysian market due to their affordable prices as well as efficient fuel-consumption advantage, and we are committed to grow this segment further," Yoichiro tells reporters at the local launch of Honda's ninth-generation Accord.

The Business Times quotes him as saying, “We hope that the government will at least consider extending the incentive for complete-knocked-down hybrid units.”

Yoichiro says Honda has started producing its locally assembled hybrid units at its Pegoh plant in Malacca.

The government granted full import-duty and excise-duty exemptions for hybrid and electric cars and motorcycles two years ago. The concession is set to end Dec 31.