Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, 1H 2019 versus 1H 2018 – find out which brand improved or declined

Just like that, a full six months have passed, and it’s now time for a report card on the automotive industry for the first half of 2019. With the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) having released full sales data for the month of June, we have an accurate barometer on how each brand is faring, and how they are performing relative to the same period last year.

Overall, the total industry volume (TIV) has grown to 296,334 units, up 2.29% from the 289,714 units sold in 2018. That’s encouraging for the sector as a whole, as MAA seeks to achieve its full-year target of 600,000 units. It should be pointed out, however, that a more subdued second half is expected – especially compared to last year, during which the industry enjoyed a lucrative three-month tax holiday.

Perodua continues its reign at the top of the table, registering a respectable 4% jump from 117,098 to 121,782 units, buoyed by sales of its new Aruz SUV. It also secured a 41.1% market share, up slightly from 40.4% in 2018. By contrast, Honda’s numbers have fallen some 13.81% from 51,354 to 44,260 units, and its market share has also contracted from 17.7% to 14.9%.

One big beneficiary of all this is Proton. Bolstered by a renewed lineup and the strong-selling X70 SUV, the national carmaker’s sales have shot up a massive 60.55% from 27,106 to 43,518 units. That’s allowed it to leapfrog Toyota and come within touching distance of Honda, sitting just 742 units behind in the overall stakes. Its market share has also swelled from 9.4% to 14.7%.

Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, 1H 2019 versus 1H 2018 – find out which brand improved or declined

Meanwhile, Toyota’s sales have pretty much held station, losing only 458 units or 1.44% to 31,251 units. Against the growing TIV, however, its market share has dropped from 10.9% to 10.5%. Fifth-placed Nissan has also seen its sales dip by 12.94% to 10,383 units, with a market share shrinking from 4.1% to 3.5%.

In the premium segment, Mercedes-Benz continues to best BMW, but not by much – just 614 units separate the two, the former at 5,649 units, the latter at 5,035. Both companies sold fewer cars this year, but out of the two it was Stuttgart that suffered the most with a 18.72% drop. Market shares stand at 1.9% for Mercedes (down from 2.4%) and 1.7% for BMW (down from 1.8%).

Elsewhere, it’s been a good first half for Volvo (+60.56% in sales), Renault (+41.59%) and MINI (+4.36%), but not so good for Subaru (-42.41%), Lexus (-36%) and Hyundai (-31.57%).

Vehicle sales performance in Malaysia, 1H 2019 versus 1H 2018 – find out which brand improved or declined

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