August 2016 New Vehicle Sales – Some Improvements Seen

After the massive washout experienced in July, where Malaysia’s new car sales dropped by 26 percent month-on-month, August’s numbers offered some respite, recovering most of the lost ground by registering a 23.2 percent increase in sales.

The improvement is welcomed, but offers little reasons to celebrate as the improved performance is due to a return to normalcy following the short working month in July due to Hari Raya celebrations.

Cumulative sales over the last eight months stands at 370,242 units, still 14.8 percent lower than the same eight-month period in 2015.

The figures would have been a lot lower had it not for the contributions by the Perodua Bezza. Between July 21 and the end of August, Perodua had delivered 10,000 units of the Perodua Bezza to customers.

Highlights:

Perodua recoded slightly over 40 percent increase in sales month-on-month, no doubt boosted by the recently launched Bezza. As of 30^th August, Perodua says it has received over 25,000 orders for the Bezza, which was launched on 21^st July.

Toyota also saw big improvements, growing by 30.5 percent month-on-month, majority of the growth contributed by increased deliveries of Hilux, Fortuner, as well as the recently launched Sienta.

Mazda too has regained its footing, growing by over 50 percent from July, following reduced registrations last month due a near two-month long shutdown at its vehicle assembly facility in Kulim, Kedah to facilitate upgrading works to its paint shop.

Honda registered slower pace of recovery (it dropped 15.4 percent on July) in August due to phasing out of the Accord. The new Accord facelift, whose range topping 2.4 VTi-L model is now RM5,000 cheaper than before, was launched on September 7^th.