2023 Malaysia car sales data by brand vs 2022 – take a look at last year’s biggest winners and losers

2023 Malaysia car sales data by brand vs 2022 – take a look at last year’s biggest winners and losers

It was another record year for the Malaysian automotive industry, with sales reaching an astounding 799,731 vehicles in 2023. That’s a massive 11% increase over the previous year, so there are bound to be some big winners amongst the key players.

But just how big? We’ve now gotten the full breakdown of sales for each brand, and some of the results will raise more than a few eyebrows. To no surprise to anyone, Perodua continues to lead the market, but its sales didn’t just go up a little bit – it smashed the 300,000 mark by delivering 330,325 vehicles last year. That’s an increase of 48,306 units (more than what fifth-placed Mitsubishi sold all year) or 17.1%.

Second-placed Proton also had a comparatively good year, selling 150,975 vehicles (up 14,949 units or 11%) – finally reaching its 150,000 target (albeit a year late). Together, the two national carmakers captured a 66.9% market share, the highest since 2002.

2023 Malaysia car sales data by brand vs 2022 – take a look at last year’s biggest winners and losers

Click to enlarge

Toyota remained the closest non-national challenger, reporting a marginal increase of 6,165 units (+6.2%) to 106,206 units. Behind it, Honda’s sales remained virtually flat at 80,027 units (down 263 units or 0.3%), while Mitsubishi sold 2,298 fewer vehicles at 21,719 units (-9.6%). Nipping at the diamond brand’s heels was Mazda, sales of which shot up an impressive 30.6% to 19,124 units (up 4,480 units).

Elsewhere, the continued momentum of the new Ranger and Everest enabled Ford to post a 51.8% increase in sales to 8,858 units (up 3,021 units). A big loser last year was Nissan, sales of which fell 27.5% to a round 10,000 units (down 3,785 units), but this was eclipsed by even bigger losses from Volkswagen (down 1,200 units or 31.5% to 2,612 units) and Subaru (down 714 units or 28.4% to 1,801 units).

In the premium segment, BMW also posted flat sales of 11,973 units (just three fewer vehicles sold), while Mercedes-Benz’s sales dipped below the 10,000 mark with 9,315 units sold (down 696 units or 7%). The slightly underwhelming performance of the big two has allowed bit players to post huge gains, including Lexus (nearly doubling its sales to 1,901 units), MINI (up 595 units or 49.1% to 1,808 units) and Porsche (up 631 units or 70.5% to 1,526 units, the latter beating even Hyundai).

2023 Malaysia car sales data by brand vs 2022 – take a look at last year’s biggest winners and losers

An underlying theme last year was the continued rise in electric vehicles sales, led by newbie BYD. It entered the market in a respectable 14th place with 3,728 vehicles sold, although the fact it only barely edged out BMW’s much more expensive EVs (over 3,600 units delivered) is probably an even bigger story. Ahead of it was Chery, which sold 4,493 units – despite deliveries only starting in September.

We should point out that Peugeot and Kia – both franchises held by Bermaz – have stopped reporting their numbers to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which is why their sales no longer figure on this table. Also missing is Tesla, which is not a member of the association.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Rakyat Malaysia on Feb 02, 2024 at 4:57 pm

    Everyone buying car before Price Hike in SST and later more Price Hike with insurance increase, and even more Price Hike with HVGT coming, and if not enough taxes collected the rotting PMX & PH will levy further Price Hikes via Taxing the Rakyat Malaysia Until Poor Tax.

    In the past we see how empires fall & revolution begins; the American revolution. It is time we have our own revolution against these PH Tax Collectors & Sherriff of Nottingham.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 28
    • Brahim on Feb 02, 2024 at 11:36 pm

      those PAS towelheads still bootlicking Dr madey the SST Car AP maharajah who started the rot. LOL shame to us browns

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 23
      • Ex PH Supporter on Feb 03, 2024 at 3:40 pm

        I thought the current government’s manifesto would reduce car prices. now increase the car price. WTH… are we stupid to vote for all this clown?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 5
        • Need New Bersih/Reformasi on Feb 04, 2024 at 11:27 am

          All PH supporter seems like they all been fooled with broken promises. Car prices are way higher now. Kudos to all who vote for this clown gov and ruin all car lovers.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
        • No more PN PAS.. on Feb 05, 2024 at 4:13 am

          Rakyat voted for tax the rich. Feed the Poors

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
          • Crony on Feb 05, 2024 at 11:03 am

            The rich voted for PH. The poor voted for PN. But now PH wants to tax everyone.

            DOWN WITH PH!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Ramesh on Feb 02, 2024 at 4:57 pm

    Congratulations to Top4!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • YB Kinte Kunta on Feb 02, 2024 at 9:03 pm

      For each car that Protong sells,Perodua can sell 2.So the 150000 difference in sales …means P1 will play catch up for the next 5 years,assuming P2 sales remain at 300,000 units annually and P1 can add 30,000 units incremental sales per year.
      A look at Tan Chong..omg..Mazda has double its sales.
      A car distributor since Merdeka ,ETCM may even be gobbled up by fast rising Chery by Christmas.Pathetic and Jurassic Tan Chong.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
      • Nonsense on Feb 03, 2024 at 1:16 pm

        Selling B40 stuff to the largest income group with next to 0 direct competitor. Sure, P2 da best in sale figure only…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
        • Malaysian are poor,

          Why do many brands go naik harga and overpriced?
          Dulu Naza Ria RM99k+ saja altough makan minyak.
          Naza Citra pun RM64k+ with 2,0L.

          Banyak lagi, like Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, etc.
          Atos and Matrix dulu reasonably laku also.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • PH janji kereta murah mana? on Feb 03, 2024 at 5:28 pm

        As above

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
        • Bossku no jail ar! on Feb 05, 2024 at 10:22 am

          Got! Perodua Axia Kosong! No radio one…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
          • Manade! Semue dah mahal laa!
            Dulu Kancil kosong bole dapat harge 10k. Skarang Axia kosong muntah darah 30k.
            Padahal gaji manade naik 3x ganda!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Bossku no jail ar! on Feb 02, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    Looks like a semi-high income nation like Malaysia is still firmly stuck in BolehLand (no relationship to LegoLand) branded kereta. It’s almost like Perutdua/Potong is the default choice and most people will aim for sushi cars when they can achieve a breakthrough in their salaries. Soooo saaad…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 26
    • merzwan on Feb 02, 2024 at 7:11 pm

      Better to spend money at fresh nasi lemak or sushi than to waste it on strudel and sausages that spoil way before their expiry date.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 5
  • Basically Hyundai and Kia can tapau from Malaysia as they are replaced by Chinese brands. BTW Korean are exiting Chinese market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 5
  • 4GR-FSE on Feb 02, 2024 at 7:00 pm

    Kudos Toyota..
    Honda will kao beh kao buu say they are number#1 in non-national car because Toyota must exclude hailat as Honda don’t have hailat… >o<

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Grandaft on Feb 02, 2024 at 7:09 pm

    Porsche 70% increase?! Malaysia manyak kaya woh!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
    • Rich Malaysian on Feb 03, 2024 at 9:45 am

      Now only you know? Malaysian voted top 3 riches citizen in the world. But all ACT poor infront of each other.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Daim-ler on Feb 02, 2024 at 10:56 pm

    Welcome back Jonathan!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • GWM also did not report their numbers? Or is it lumped up under some other name? I’m keen to see how sales of the Ora Good Cat fared.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Perodua on Feb 03, 2024 at 7:06 am

    For perodua, myvi or bezza had the highest sale? No more myvi king i think

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Perodua myvi on Feb 03, 2024 at 7:07 am

    For perodua, myvi or bezza had the highest sale? No more myvi king i think

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Peppa on Feb 03, 2024 at 3:19 pm

    Nissan has the potential to catch up with Toyota let alone Mazda. But the son of a bitch tan chong is just too dumb to compete. Whoever the ceo of etcm need to be drown in klang river. Sorry not sorry

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • There should be a RM column to indicate how much each brands made.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • it’s time for government to set up policy only vehicles less than 7 years/10 years is allowed on the road otherwise traffic will become congested

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • @NotBruceWayne on Feb 05, 2024 at 9:58 am

    Hyundai & Kia lost their market. High priced & unattractive design for our market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Nissan gonna out of business in Malaysia. bye bye

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • WP Ng on Feb 11, 2024 at 10:25 pm

    Cars in Malaysia are expensive, though a necessity due to poor public transport. So long as demand and sales of new cars are getting higher each month, the government will take it as the economy is doing well. Everyone is buying something expensive, some even owned a few cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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