Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, Q1 2018 versus Q1 2017 – a look at the winners and losers thus far

Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, Q1 2018 versus Q1 2017 – a look at the winners and losers thus far

With the first three months of the year done and dusted, it’s time to see how the local automotive market has performed so far in terms of numbers, utilising sales data compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) for the first quarter of 2018 (Q1 2018).

The total industry volume (TIV) saw a drop in Q1 2018, with 135,140 units shifted compared to the 140,839 units sold in the same period for 2017. This represents a decrease of 4.05% or 5,699 units less than that managed in Q1 2017.

Perodua led the market again for the first three months of the year, its 55,568 units a 10.55% or 5,303 unit increase from Q1 2017. Its market share grew in Q1 2018, and its 41.1% market share is its highest ever slice of the pie.

As was the case last year, Honda continues being the second highest contributor to TIV and the number one non-national brand on the list, even though its sales numbers fell. The company shifted 24,182 units in Q1 2018, 11.37% less than it managed last year when it sold 27,283 units. Its market share also fell to 17.9% from the 19.4% registered in Q1 2017.

Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, Q1 2018 versus Q1 2017 – a look at the winners and losers thus far

National automaker Proton also suffered a slump in overall numbers, with 12,843 units recorded in Q1 this year. That’s 6,533 units less than the year before, representing a 33.72% drop in volume. Its market share also dropped from 13.8% to 9.5% for the first quarter.

The next two on the list, Toyota and Nissan, also saw a drop in sales numbers. Toyota managed 12,683 units, which is 3,820 units or 23.15% less than the 16,503 vehicles it sold in 2017. Nissan also sold fewer cars in Q1 this year, 5,310 units as opposed to the 5,989 it did in 2017. This represented a 11.34% reduction, and its market share also contracted to 3.9% from the 4.3% it had last year.

Other Japanese brands such as Mazda and Mitsubishi fared better, with both having a better Q1 this year. Mazda managed 3,439 units, a 65.18% jump from the 2,082 vehicles it shifted in Q1 2017. As for Mitsubishi, it sold 2,521 vehicles in the first quarter, making for a 15.75% increase over the 2017 volume. Both companies saw their market share grow, albeit slightly.

Moving on to European marques, Mercedes-Benz was again the highest placed of the particular lot, with sales amounting to 3,395 units. This is a 13.62% increase over the previous year, in which 2,988 units were moved in Q1, making for a 2.5% share of the market.

Meanwhile, BMW also gained ground in terms of market growth – it sold 2,520 vehicles this year compared to 2,138 last year, a 17.87% improvement. Volvo also gained traction with an increase in sales by shifting 226 units, up by 18.32% to the 191 units from 2017. Its market share climbed to 0.2% from 0.1%.

Other brands which saw growth include Volkswagen (up 36.96% to 1,497 units), Subaru (up 13.33% to 995 units) and Peugeot (up 59.33% to 615 units). Things weren’t as rosy for Isuzu (down 15.78% to 2,194 units), Hyundai (down 33.18% to 868 units) and Audi (down 48% to 65 units).

Click on the table below to view an enlarged version.

Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, Q1 2018 versus Q1 2017 – a look at the winners and losers thus far

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 224
    • johnissohai on May 03, 2018 at 6:46 pm

      didnt bother to comment on ur beloved proton sales drop?..oh..it’s normal anyway

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • With Malaysian monthly household income rises to RM5,228. Foreign car sales to continue Booming!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Operation Manager on May 03, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      Tanjung Malim on standby 3 daily shift, 24X7.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Yasmin on May 03, 2018 at 10:38 am

    Wow Proton market share dipped to 9.5% from a high 80% 30 years ago. Well done Perodua for making Malaysians proud. I guess John is having a massive pay cut due to heavy declining sales and has to continue driving his 20 years old Iswara to work everyday including PH and weekends. At least he has even more time to reply negative comments on Paultan from now on.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  • Not Toyota Fan on May 03, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Perodua biggest winner !!!! Congratulations. Keep it up.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
  • syabas and tahniah to baoteng people for continuing to shiok sendiri.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • takNakP1 on May 03, 2018 at 10:55 am

    the common brands like Honda, Toyota & Nissan has decline where as the niche market & luxury brands increase.
    Is this sign of the average citizen is become poorer and the rich is richer? Or Malaysian has become smarter?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • stastasta on May 07, 2018 at 1:23 pm

      uhh since when honda is declining ? they are recording increasing sales every year, and have overtaken toyota and proton in the current decade. until their service centers are chock full of cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Andrew Philip on May 03, 2018 at 11:17 am

    “National carmaker Proton also suffered a slump in overall numbers, with 12,843 units recorded in Q1 this year. That’s 6,533 units less than the year before, representing a 33.72% drop in volume. Its market share also dropped from 13.8% to 9.5% for the first quarter”

    OMG OMG OMG. What is happening now? For sure another bailout is needed. Another RM1.5 billion of taxpayers money down the drain again. Again!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Ariff on May 03, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Perodua + Toyota + Daihatsu group wrested 50.6% Market share. Welcoming the unstoppable wind of change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • 12yrsold john on May 03, 2018 at 11:27 am

    Once upon a time, proton was the leader by far. Now, P1 can’t even hold on to 2nd spot. The worst part is Honda cars are much more expensive & yet they outsold P1 by a mile. How did it degenerated to this state ?!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • PT reader on May 03, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Wiht new myvi, Perodua is untouchable right now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • I still see 10 year old Myvi, Vios, City, Camry, Civic, Avanza, Altis on the road.. thanks to reliability of these car.. Asal boleh pakai, Tak payah tukar..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • deal breaker on May 04, 2018 at 10:48 am

      All cars above have many probs surface even when goes out from showroom, how leh?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Driver on May 03, 2018 at 11:56 am

    Proton digging its own grave. Keep on digging

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Fugitive on May 04, 2018 at 4:11 am

      Proton is already a deadman walking with all those bailouts from the goverment

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Boyue Dream on May 03, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 125
  • Proton will look for Toyota to bash because Perodua will be to much for them to handle.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Johnny on May 03, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    Bravo Perodua Honda & Toyota. Keep it up. Proton? Come on! I believe Proton can achieve yhe new record of proton sales 250k units with the new Proton Boyue!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • Too many Intelligent Dead In Our Team

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • Darwin on May 04, 2018 at 4:18 am

      Maybe there are also too many
      Coalition Of Really Really Useful People Together

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Passionate driver on May 03, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    All the p1 losers talk about the Boyue SUV. Let’s remind them of fate of Haval SUVs and many other so called top selling chinese cars in Malaysia, they all failed . Even Suzuki retina and perdana total failure how a Chinese made car can sell under the least popular car in Malaysia? All the hype is just wind . World did not end in 2012, proton world needed in 2012 when they cancer DRB came in. In the chart here can see the other Chinese cars that sell few a month.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • abang johan on May 03, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    CEO Li. Please wake up.
    P1 sales dwindling and how are you gonna turnaround this ailing company with an overbloated staff?
    Bayou X7 and improvement in customer service will get you no where when consumers are fed up with the same boring lineup with nothing to look forward to. Punch + Vvti disaster.
    Unless Mr. CEO does something drastic, P1 will see zero improvements in its sales figures.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Ahmoi on May 03, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    Oh my! proton come on. Another rm1.5b to bailout to save proton. And education budget will cut to cover it.. proton kasi tutup kedai saja!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • LugiaMCG on May 03, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    Perodua sales increased – signs of poor people getting richer

    BMW Merc VW sales increased – signs of rich people getting richer

    Toyota Honda Nissan sales dropped – middle income people are screwed…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on May 04, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    Just 2000 units between Kia and Hyundai.. but seem like so many on KL roads..

    Must be because Myvi, Vios, Axia, City are just so regular and boring that they become invisible in the gray asphalt. Even BMW 5 F90 seems invisible. The 3 and 4 still look good.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Middle Age Driver (Member) on May 04, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    Time to remove the Tongkat for Proton. Let the vendor companies learn how to really sell cars & compete with others on aftersales merits. Sales can’t be worst than what it is now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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