car-sales-january

Sales of automobiles for the month of January 2015 recorded only a one percent increase - or 329 units - compared to the same period last year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). A total of 50,602 units were sold - 44,697 passenger vehicles and 5,905 commercial vehicles.

In comparison, January 2014 saw a total of 44,702 passenger vehicles being sold, though the retail figures for commercial vehicles were lower, at 5,571 units, making for a total of 50,273 units sold in the first month of 2014.

In terms of production, total vehicle build for for January 2015 was 56,654 (52,387 passenger vehicles, 4,267 commercial vehicles), an increase of 1,513 units for PVs and a drop of 362 units for CVs over the same period last year.

The sales volume for the month of January 2015 slumped by 22% compared to December 2014, however, no doubt aided by "excessive year end offers given by car companies," according to MAA. The organisation also added that "the announcement that car prices would be lower once the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is implemented has caused consumers to hold back purchases," further contributing to the drop in sales figures.

Things aren't looking too rosy for the month of February, either. The MAA has forecasted that due to the Chinese New Year celebrations and the short working month, the total sales volume is expected to be lower than that of January.