Trump’s tariffs may increase car prices in Malaysia via impacting parts both imported and exported – MAA

Trump’s tariffs may increase car prices in Malaysia via impacting parts both imported and exported – MAA

US president Donald Trump’s tariffs may lead to car prices in Malaysia going up, indirectly through impacting automotive parts both imported and exported, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has said.

“As far as [CBU] exports are concerned, 2024 is only about US$142k (RM603k), so it’s very small. Our concerns in terms of tariffs are more on the motor vehicle parts, accessories, where it’s [worth] almost US$100 million (RM425 million) – this is about 80% of our total vehicle, other than railway, exports to the US,” president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain said.

“So the concerns are more on the imported CKD parts which could have been hit with US tariffs coming from multiple countries, so this impact may reverse back to us as the parts may have a slight cost impact. We haven’t felt the impact yet, it’ll only be felt maybe after six months,” he added.

Trump’s tariffs may increase car prices in Malaysia via impacting parts both imported and exported – MAA

This essentially means it’s a two-fold effect. CKD parts that Malaysia imports from heavily-tariffed countries may cost more, and Malaysian parts suppliers (apart from semiconductors, which are tariff-exempted) may get fewer orders, which would increase costs that may then be transferred to parts supplied locally too.

Trump recently reimposed 25% tariffs on Malaysian-made goods to the US. While Malaysia generally does not export cars to the US, it is a global player in the supply of automotive components, particularly semiconductors. Thankfully, semiconductors are tariff-free, at least for now.

So if car prices in Malaysia do go up next year, some of the blame may fall on Trump’s tariffs, other than the larger OMV/402 excise duty revision that we will face very soon.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Langsung Tak Logic on Jul 16, 2025 at 3:46 pm

    Alasan untuk Naik Harga cepat Kaya

    Malaysia export kena 25% Tariff
    Semua barang kena naik harga ker Tak?

    Monkey President

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • bersyukur? on Jul 16, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    aiya.. want raise price then direct raise la.. dont say this say that many excuse for “maybe” raise price due to blablabla…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Kenny Gan on Jul 16, 2025 at 4:41 pm

    How do CKD parts imported into Malaysia from other countries (not the US) be affected by US tariffs? This is between Malaysia and the exporting country, nothing to do with US tariffs. Seems like car manufacturers are groping for any excuse to increase price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Kea Was on Jul 16, 2025 at 4:47 pm

    Well no thanks to the investment guy who claims negotiation went so well when he is an ex-banker talking to an ex-businessman when the need to protect our own industry at all cost especially to protect AP cronies as mention they can import EV cars here in Malaysia safe when the NetaV got 0-Star NCAP safety how wonderful.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Easy life for me,hard life for peasant on Jul 16, 2025 at 4:54 pm

    Lol everything go up, like got no gravity

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Tin Kosong on Jul 16, 2025 at 5:33 pm

    stop buying USA product… let the USA feel the pinched.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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