Vehicle sales in the country dipped last month compared to that achieved in April – a total of 42,983 units were registered in May, and the total was 4,106 units, or 9% less, than the previous month.
The slow movement was attributed to the government’s announcement to set the goods and services tax (GST) rate at 0% in mid-May, resulting in customers holding back on their purchase due to uncertainty.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how most brands performed in May. There were not many gainers, but market leader Perodua (+10.2%), Honda (+4.4%), Proton (+2.3%) and Nissan (+29.8%) were brands that showed positive movement. Based on Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) figures, Perodua’s share of the market 51.1% for May, and its closest competitor was Honda, which had 18.7% of the pie.
Notably, with last month’s numbers, national automaker Proton is now back in third spot in terms of year-to-date numbers, edging in front of Toyota – Proton’s market share is just under 10%. Elsewhere, Kia was also one of those ending up with a green arrow, though the gain was marginal, by just one unit more than that it managed in April.
Meanwhile, brands that saw a decline in sales were Toyota (-63.3%), Mazda (-45.3%), Ford (-45.9%), Mitsubishi (-59.2%), Subaru (-53.9%), Volkswagen (-68.2%), Hyundai (-56.9%) and Peugeot (-56.2%).
As expected with the 0% GST announcement, sales of premium vehicles went out the window in May, with Mercedes-Benz (-26.5%), BMW (-40%), Mini (-36.4%), Volvo (-78.2%), Audi (-86.4%) and Lexus (-92.5%) all recording a slump in numbers. Jaguar ended May having shifted zero cars, from nine the previous month.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments show mixed reactions to the Malaysian vehicle sales data for May 2018. Perodua's market dominance is appreciated, with many noting its affordability and market share exceeding Proton and Toyota. Some express concern over declining sales of brands like Toyota (-63%) and Volvo (-78%), viewing these drops as signs of outdated engineering ("dinosaur" models) or poor management. Nissan's sales increase is seen positively, highlighting its improved customer experience and technology, with some calling it the new market leader. There is criticism of luxury and expensive brands, with sales drops seen as a result of higher prices and outdated models. Overall, users discuss brand perceptions, market shifts, and the impact of economic factors like GST changes, with many supporting national brands like Proton and Perodua.