Hybrid car sales plummet by 44.5% in January-June 2015 compared to the same period in 2014

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At the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) market review and conference for the first half of 2015, it was revealed that sales of hybrid passenger vehicles in Malaysia have fallen by a total of 44.5% compared to the same period in 2014. Premium marques like Audi, BMW and Lexus suffered the biggest hits with Audi charting zero sales as opposed to a total of 90 units in 2014.

Likewise, BMW failed to sell a single hybrid unit while Lexus managed to move only seven hybrid cars, a 93-unit loss from the 100 it sold in 2014. Curiously, hybrid sales figures for another German heavyweight, Mercedes-Benz, were not disclosed at the briefing.

As for Japanese brands, Honda registered the largest drop in hybrid vehicle sales – the brand moved only two hybrid vehicles in the first half of 2015 compared to a total of 4,235 units in 2014. When queried, MAA president, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, clarified that the steep drop can be attributed to the removal of tax incentives for CBU hybrid vehicles – only CKD hybrid vehicles stand to enjoy the benefits now.

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On a more positive note, Nissan and Toyota saw sales of its hybrid models soar with the former recording an increase of 249 units while the latter, 1,494 units – a figure undoubtedly buoyed by the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. All in all, total hybrid vehicle sales for the first half of 2015 were recorded at 3,333 units compared to 2014’s total of 6,007 units in the same period – an overall slump of 2,674 units.

Sales figures for electric vehicles (EVs), on the other hand, fared marginally better. Total vehicle sales were recorded at 32 units for the first half of 2015 compared to 24 and 17 units from 2014 and 2013, respectively. However, the overall figures do not necessarily represent an improvement for the whole segment as only Renault saw a steady increase throughout the years.

From Jan to June 2015, Renault sold a total of 26 EVs, up from 13 the year before and a measly two from 2013 – a figure probably achieved via the introduction of its Twizy and Zoe models. Order books for the French duo were opened in April this year with estimated prices beginning at RM70k for the Twizy and RM140k for the Zoe – figures which bettered the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (RM136k) and Nissan Leaf (RM169k).

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Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • CarmenTung on Jul 28, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Most hybrid car is so overpriced so who want to buy meh ?…in US, celebrities buy them for go green show off only..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
    • Same L0rrrr on Jul 28, 2015 at 4:17 pm

      Everyone drop while Toyota achieved 298% growth. Bravo.

      As I always say, you won’t go wrong with sushi car, especially Toyota.

      All toyota hybrids come with 8 years warranty on the hybrid batteries. So the basher no need bullshit talkok anymore here.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 24
      • Because New Camry Hybrid enjoyed free Tax. That’s why. Not because Toyota.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
        • Same L0rrrr on Jul 29, 2015 at 11:54 am

          You ask Hyundai/Proton sell their hybrids and see. No one would dare to touch them.

          As long as it is Toyota hybrids, everyone (in the world) love it.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Much of the drop was due to Honda. When their cars were tax exempted they were quite affordable. But HM din go further to CKD these popular models (Insight, CityH, CivicH) fast enough. Especially no Insight CKD. Now they regret too late.

    That was the only bad move by HM this year.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 9
    • Obviously (Member) on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      Yet, their surge of sales on non-hybrid vehicles is remarkable this year with strong reception on the HR-V, new City and Jazz. Has it ever occurred to you that they just might not want to invest in the local hybrid assembly because, in the long run, the returns might not be worth the investment? Currently, the tax exemption for CKD hybrids expires when 2016 comes around…with no plans for extension.

      http://paultan.org/2015/01/30/no-plans-extend-ckd-hybrid-tax-exemption-yet/

      I don’t think it is a bad move. It’s a rather conservative move to focus on volume sellers they’re sure to sell. Hybrid uptake in Malaysia is still not good enough.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
      • I am actually speaking in the context of the article and in terms of the figures above. Some will say its due to the end of hybrid exemptions, Gov useless, BN useless, bla bla bla, which is true but other brands tempered the exemptions with the CKD assembly.

        Honda did not and consequently suffered. Like you said, they concentrated on conventional cars. What a pity cuz its Honda that made hybrids affordable in the first place with the Insight.

        Thats why I said among all the decisions HM did this year, the disinterest to CKD the Insight was an oversight.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
        • Obviously (Member) on Jul 28, 2015 at 7:50 pm

          One cannot look at business in just one fraction of the market (the hybrid market is quite small still) and when you said HM made a bad move, you’ve already gone out of the context of the article because HM does not operate solely as a distributor of Honda hybrid vehicles.

          Honda only suffered in the hybrid market in Malaysia, which is set to suffer even more once even the tax exemption for locally assembled hybrids gets done away. This is no fault of Honda and, in my opinion, it was a wise business decision to focus on conventional vehicles. On the year the original hybrid/EV tax exemption was expiring, the government refrained from giving any information regarding its continuity or cancellation or whatever plans will take its stead. It was quite a gamble for every carmaker operating in Malaysia to plan local assembly of their hybrids. One notable casualty was Mitsubishi who seemed to be intent on bringing their Outlander PHEV here to be assembled but the current situation definitely threw a wrench into their plans.

          Plus, the Insight is set to be discontinued globally, being unable to compete with Toyota’s Prius. Should they invest in local Insight assembly here just for roughly 1 year’s domestic consumption? The Insight isn’t doing very well elsewhere either, so I don’t think exports are feasible. Bottom line: they would not gain much if they can gain at all; net loss could be more probable. Perhaps their other hybrids might have been more feasible but my above 2 paragraphs still stand.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
        • carlies on Jul 28, 2015 at 10:37 pm

          Exactly. Seems like Honda is playing too safe and they are in fact narrowing the market they supposed to explore.

          Looking at the Hybrid technology, Toyota is far ahead of other brands as well as the newest fuel cell vehicle technology.

          Looking at the higher range of the family car or MPV, Alphard, Vellfire and Aeras are also far ahead popular compared with Elysion, Odyssey world wide. Remember all these types of vehicle are obviously more money-making model than the B and C segment Honda sells here. Not to mention the commercial vehicle that Toyota monopolised world wide.

          I’m not a Toyota fan but the fact is these are the reasons why Toyota still stand steadily on the top of the world.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Will die off coming years… as for the exixt owners pls don’t cry when they trade in as dealer ask for another 5K drop on used Hybrid battery

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10
    • tinmilo on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:30 pm

      well, it could go both ways..
      What happen if the petrol price increase to RM3.50 a litre in the coming years? The demand for second hybrid higher?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • tinmilo on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Why is Mercedes not in the list? The S-Class and E Class hybrid are hot sellers…

    BMW 0? I thought I saw a i8 on the road the other day. Maybe registered July..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • hy-BIRD on Jul 28, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    something wrong with the calculation. negative variance capped at -100% but there is not limit for positive.
    the outcome should be worse than this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Jul 28, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • seancorr (Member) on Jul 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    No shit Sherlock, this was to be expected no thanks to the gov’t.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano (Member) on Jul 28, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    I would take it with a pinch of salt.

    Where is MBM’s numbers?

    And well, for the case of the BMW, the main reason why it is still 0 is because the first shipment of BMW i8s are only arriving in the end of the year. For a car to be reported to MAA, it must be retailed (that is, the car must be registered, and all monies must be collected by the distributor/dealer).

    Audi, well no hybrid left so… But for Honda, what happened to the Jazz Hybrid? Or has that ended production..?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Obviously (Member) on Jul 29, 2015 at 6:51 am

      I checked the Honda Malaysia website and, indeed, the Jazz Hybrid is no longer listed in their range of products. What ever has happened to it happened quietly.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Gibson on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:42 am

    The future lies in plug in hybrids

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Max291 on Sep 22, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    Isnt Honda Jazz CKD in Melacca? or is it complete bullcrap? Mercedes is acting like our governmnt nowadays – hiding or giving misleading info.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • where can i get the latest statistic for hybrid car sold in malaysia for 2016 and 2017? can anyone helps?
    tq

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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