MOTOR VEHICLE SALES BREACH ALL-TIME HIGH OF 605,156 UNITS LAST YEAR

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Motor vehicle sales
breached an all-time high of 605,156 units, up 12.7 per cent or 68,251 units
last year vis-a-vis 536,905 units in 2009, said Malaysian Automotive Association
(MAA) president Aishah Ahmad.

The 2010 Total Industry Volume (TIV) surpassed the 2009 record of 552,316 units
achieved in 2005, she told reporters after releasing the 2010 production and
sales figures and outlook for 2011.

Of the total sales volume, passenger vehicles accounted for 543,594 units and
commercial vehicles 61,562 units compared with 486,342 units and 50,563 units,
respectively, sold in 2009, she said.

Aishah attributed the all-time high performance to a slew of new and bold plans
and programmes launched by the government last year such as the Government
Transformation Programme; Economic Transformation Programme; New Economic Model;
and 10th Malaysia Plan which resulted in higher consumer and business
confidence.

Other contributory factors are innovative and attractive offers and schemes for
new car buyers such as low hire purchase interest rates; longer repayment
period; extended warranty period; and free gifts, she said.

Aggressive sales campaigns by car companies and introduction of several new
models at competitive prices also complemented to higher sales, he said.

The industry produced 567,715 units last year from 489,269 units in 2009, of
which 522,568 units were passenger vehicles and 45,147 commercial vehicles.

In December 2010, motor vehicle sales registered a strong recovery to reach
54,765 units, 22 per cent higher than the previous month and 15 per cent higher
than the same month in 2009.

Aishah said the increase stemmed mainly from the positive market response to the
new Proton Exora and Perodua Alza.

In December last year, car sales registered a strong recovery to clinch 54,765
units, 22 per cent higher than in November and 15 per cent higher than the same
month in 2009.

Aishah said sales volume is expected to remain strong this month as market
conditions remain favourable.
-- BERNAMA