Malaysia LV Deliveries Show 2.2% Uptick in February

Malaysian light-vehicle sales edged up 2.2% year-on-year in February to 44,976 units despite a working month shortened by the Chinese New Year holidays.

The Malaysian Automotive Assn. says the result left year-to-date sales up 17.8% to 100,042 units.

New-car deliveries rose 4.0% year-on-year to 40,407 units, more than enough to offset an 11.2% drop in commercial-vehicle sales to 4,569.

Still, the February result was 15,081 units, or 18%, lower than in January.

After two months, car sales were up 17.7% to 89,127 units, while CV deliveries had improved 18.3% to 10,915.

The short month also saw domestic production ease 7.2% to 40,785 units, with car output falling 7.9% to 36,040 and the CV build off 1.3% to 4,745.

Production in the first two months of the year was up 1.7% to 97,017 units, with car output increasing 1.4% to 86,607 and CV builds climbing 4.8% to 10,410.

The MAA predicts March sales will surpass February’s because of a longer working month and strength of consumer confidence.

One likely distraction is a general election expected to be called for mid-April. Some analysts say Malaysia’s political uncertainty may see some people delay vehicle-buying decisions until the vote has been held.

But others contend the likelihood of a change of government is remote as the ruling National Front coalition, an alliance of 14 parties, has won all 12 previous general elections.