23-03-2007: Vehicle sales fell 14.1% to 31,284 in February

Total vehicle sales fell 14.1% to 31,284 units in February, 2007 from 36,439 a year ago, due to the shorter working month and also rumours of duties on cars would be reduced, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

It said on March 23 that of the 31,284 units, passenger vehicles accounted for 28,439 and commercial vehicles stood at 2,854.

Year-to-date, total vehicle sales fell 14.6% to 66,331 units from 77,646 units in the previous corresponding period. Of the 66,331, it said that 60,417 were passenger vehicles and the remaining 5,914 commercial vehicles.

However, MAA is optimistic that sales should pick up in March as it was a full working month. The slight easing of hire purchase financing, the launch of new models for Perodua MyVi and also attractive Proton Iswara pricing should help too.

Production recorded a 46.1% decline in February to only 25,686 units compared with the 47,647 a year ago. Of the 25,686 units, MAA said that 23,336 were cars and 2,350 were commercial vehicles.

The MAA said since January 2007, passenger-carrying vehicles included cars, four-wheel drive, sports utility vehicles, window vans and multi-purpose vehicles.

Commercial vehicles were also reclassified and they included trucks, prime movers, pick-up trucks, panel vans, buses and others.