pr auto price

Pakatan Rakyat has released its manifesto for the upcoming 2013 general election. In it, the promise that began last year with the Turunkan Harga Kereta campaign to make cars cheaper continues.

The following are excerpts of auto-related points covered in the manifesto, led by what is termed “Restructuring the automotive policy to reduce the people’s burden.”

“The ratio of car prices in Malaysia to average household income is one of the highest in the world. The lack of effective public transport facilities gives the people no choice but to buy their own cars.

As a result, car debts are the main financial burden incurred by every household. Every month a large portion of their income goes to servicing their car loan installments.

To reduce the people’s burden and increase their disposable income, Pakatan Rakyat will restructure automotive policy as follows:

ABOLISH EXCISE DUTY
Car excise tax that is currently being levied is at an excessive 70%, resulting in high car prices.

Car excise prices will be lowered in stages with the intention of abolishing it in five years’ time in order that car prices can be more competitive.

PRICES AS LOW AS RM25,000
Liberalising the national automotive industry will increase its competitiveness and add value for people.

Pakatan Rakyat believes that a truly competitive automotive industry can produce cars priced as low as RM 25,000.

As a point of reference, currently, the Perodua Viva 660 BX manual is probably the only car in the market to dip under the RM25k pricing mark, at RM24,912 (solid). The automatic version goes for RM28,512.

Meanwhile, to give an idea of what it would be like if excise duty is abolished, the Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2 GS auto is priced at RM63,120 in the Peninsular, while the Langkawi selling price is RM46,790, both on-the-road without insurance. According to industry sources, the difference includes excise duty as well as import tax, so it probably isn’t a direct pricing conversion with the removal of excise duty.

The manifesto doesn’t detail just how all this will be achieved, nor flesh out other auto-related points covered in it. This includes eliminating AES and revoking AES summonses.

“Pakatan Rakyat will immediately stop the concessions for and implementation of the AES system that has endangered the people’s lives on the road and enriched cronies. Any summonses issued will be rescinded.

Road safety steps will emphasise safer road infrastructure, educating road users and warning measures instead of the current economically punitive approach.”

PR also stated that it would take over the highways in stages for the purpose of abolishing tolls.

“As promised in the Orange Book (Buku Jingga), Pakatan Rakyat will take over the highways with the intention of gradually abolishing tolls.

The financing of the highway operations will be accommodated by using the RM5 billion fund that has been paid as compensation to the concessionaires. Abolishing tolls will help to reduce the price of goods.”

Lastly, the manifesto mentions that petrol and diesel prices will be lowered.

“Revenue from rising crude oil prices, reaching an average of RM300 per barrel will raise the national oil revenue income.

Pakatan Rakyat believes that the windfall from oil revenue should be shared with the people to ease their burdens.

Therefore, Pakatan Rakyat will distribute gains from the extra oil revenue profit by lowering petrol and diesel prices.”