Yesterday, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) revealed that it was changing the manner in how it is providing vehicle sales data to subscribers, reporting numbers on a quarterly basis instead of monthly as it has done previously.
The change comes following a directive by the MAA council in order to align with the latest practices of its members, the association said in a statement. Among the companies that have switched to reporting sales figures on a quarterly basis are BMW, MINI and Mercedes-Benz.
Interestingly, for the second quarter culminating in the first half of 2020, there was no reporting of Mercedes numbers, and we were told by the association that none had been furnished. Curious as to why, we reached out to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) for a comment on the matter. The company responded by saying that there is a reason for that omission, because it would like to see a more accurate reporting of numbers than that presently in place.
Under existing practice, the numbers released by the MAA are all declared/reported numbers from manufacturers, and may not reflect actual numbers of vehicle registration as carried out by the JPJ, something MBM feels should be corrected to reflect a more accurate picture.
“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is an active supporter of MAA and its activities to develop the automotive industry in Malaysia. While proactive reporting of sales figures by brands to MAA is an easy option, we believe a more accurate way of assessing total industry volume (TIV) is to have it based on total cars registered under the road transport department (JPJ),” said MBM president and CEO Claus Weidner.
“We have shared this point of view with MAA and are happy to collaborate to ensure we consider the actual JPJ registration figures for TIV,” he added in his written response.
Many other markets use actual registration numbers for their TIV, which of course is the most accurate measure, but whether such a practice will be adopted here remains to be seen. As far as the new format goes, there will no longer be any provision to report on the sales breakdown by brand in a monthly fashion – the belated June report received yesterday is the last of its kind. The next will be that from the bundled Q3 set, expected in October.
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Accuracy and precision is most important. Just like the Mercedes engineering in their world champion F1
P2 actual sales 20k only, but reported 200k..
This makes total sense. Why are the figures not based on JPJ registration already?
Plenty of car sales turnover between car dealers, those new car ownership changed hands registered on the road yet? Internal sales?
MBM is right, and it’s plain to see. If we’re talking sales, then JPJ records are most accurate. If we’re talking production, it would be manufacturer’s data. Both sets of data can also be combined to show efficiency of the industry as a whole.
what’s the point of feeding Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA)
So, who has been cheating the sales figure now?
Mercedes Benz? Or other? Hmmmm
If based on JPJ registration it mean all pre-reg car are being counted but those cars are actually still sitting in dealer’s showroom rather than actual consumer. If not mistaken Merc is one of the brand having highest pre-reg number. This isn’t reflect the actual sales number.
That’s an interesting perspective….
Yeah, that’s what I thought of when I read the article, especially when it says Mercedes is the one saying that. I was told by an anonymous (for obvious reason) source that merc pre register a lot of cars just to have nice numbers, and I’ve seen more than a few pre reg bmw and volvo for sale. They even do it in the shopping mall.
So, basically it’s just an effort in manipulating the system to benefit you more. Normal people do it too.
So MBM wanted MAA to report the figures to their benefit. What a shocker!
or maybe it is an advice from their accountant for creative accounting work on business tax?
MBM dont seem to have any issues previously when they were shouting about being the top luxury brand month after month. So now the figures are way below their expectations, they are complaining about how the data was collected? Lmao! Maybe Proton should also complain how Perodua sales figure are mainly from driving schools and ride-hailers!
Feels like we’re being cheated by those figures all these years. Thought those are the numbers of new cars on the road.
It is in a way, don’t you notice the every bigger and longer traffic jams as each year passes?
MB is right. Seems like MAA is just taking gaji buta, and being redundant and irelevant (for too long).
Front load the figures as pre-reg cars then sell them off as pre-owned. Pandai le tu.
JPJ registration is confirmed purchased and owned.
Manufacturer figures are intent purchase from potential buyers. With 30% loan rejection you know who make the most false numbers.
So MAA, shame on for not differenting the fact vs myth. Germans like precision, no nonsense figures.
meaning perodua a.k.a burukdua sales figure is bullshit since mostly reject by the loaning bank?
Agree with MB, monthly reporting should only include those vehicles with JPJ registration thus the issue too me is twerking not the overall validity of the monthly/quarterly REPORTING.
Agree with MB, monthly reporting should only include those vehicles with JPJ registration thus the issue too me is to “enhance” the monthly reporting.
…and suddenly the MAA guys thought “why didnt I think of that ?” hahaha…
MAA is really a redundant organisation. With current IT technology, there should be a software functionality in JPJ system to sort all registered cars either by new or recond or 2nd hand etc etc…or if there isn’t, then the MAA guys can do that on a spreadsheet.
MAA should better be balancing the number of vehicles on the road, much like what LTA is doing in Singapore. Again, this country is too proud to learn from others and then every one is complaining why the heck is there traffic jam !