Malaysian LV Sales Post Double-Digit Drop in October

Malaysia’s long slide in new-vehicle sales continued in October with deliveries falling 14.2% year-on-year to 47,879 units.

The Malaysian Automotive Assn. says cars were off 13.4% at 42,522 units and commercial vehicles down 19.9% at 5,357.

The result left the year-to-date total down 13.9% at 466,208 units, with car deliveries slipping 14.0% to 413,393 and CVs falling 12.5% to 52,815.

“Sales volume for November is expected to be slightly better than October due to continuation of aggressive sales and marketing campaigns by car companies,” the association says in a statement.

The latest results came as Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan tells Parliament that Malaysian automaker Proton is expected to sign a strategic partnership agreement with an original-equipment manufacturer March 31.

“This will help spur Proton’s research and development, enabling it to become a viable and competitive car maker at the international level,” Ahmad says.

The government’s Bernama news agency quotes Ahmad as saying Proton launched the search for a strategic partner in June by sending requests for proposals to 14 OEMs.

The New Straits Times newspaper quotes Maslan as saying based on responses to the RFP letters and initial evaluation by Proton, discussions will continue with five OEMs deemed to have the potential to develop a partnership with the Malaysian automaker.

 “After the scrutiny, Proton will shortlist between two and three companies for further discussion,” he says.

Association data shows that in line with the falling sales, domestic production fell 4.9% in October to 53,084 units, leaving the year-to-date output down 15.2% at 440,049.

The new-car build for the month was down a slight 2.4% to 49,747 units, while CV production tumbled 30.6% to 3,337.

After 10 months, new-car production was down 15.2% at 404,518 units, while the CV build dropped 15.8% to 35,531.