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Motor
sales to rise 21% to 350,000 units (by S. Kalei Joethi)
SunBiz, The Sun
PETALING JAYA: Motor Vehicle sales which surged
76% to reach 288,547 units last year, will continue to expand strongly
to reach 350,000 units this year for a 21% growth. President of the Malaysian
Automotive Association (MAA), Aishah Ahmad, said the factors contributing
to this bullish projection are the speedy economic recovery, the bullish
performance of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange and improved activities
in the industrial sectors. She told a press conference yesterday that
in coming out with the projection, MAA took into consideration each motor
trader's projected growth and other factors such as lower interest rates
and the easier credit policy.
Aishah said the government's assistance in ensuring the availability of
financing greatly fuelled the recovery of the ailing industry last year.
She said figures compiled by the MAA, previously known as Malaysian Motor
Traders Association showed that in 1999, the industry recorded an increase
of 76% with sales of 288,547 units, compared to a drop of 60% totalling
163,851 units in 1998.
Passenger cars took the lion's share of the total market but this was
1% lower than the 84% it enjoyed in 1998. In the passenger car segment,
national cars recorded sales of 222,219 units and garnered 93% of total
industry volume (92% or 126,410 units in 1998). The sale of Proton cars,
inclusive of Satria and Tiara, was 155,720 units in 1999, showing a marginal
increase in market share to 65% compared with a market share of 63.5%
previously. Perodua reported sales of 66,499 units in 1999, maintaining
its 28% market share.
Aishah said Proton sales did well as people were buying cars based on
their means and Proton fits the bill. However, as the economy has picked
up and people now have more cash, the industry expects sales of non-national
passenger cars to show stronger growth this year, she said. Aishah also
told the press that the KL International Motor Show 2000, scheduled from
Nov 25 to Dec 4 and co-organised by MAA and TradeLink Exhibition Services,
has chalked up record breaking entries.
The motorshow is said to be the biggest ever held in Malaysia and MAA
is confident that the show will also be the largest ever in Southeast
Asia. The event, to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre, will be a
10-day spectacular automotive showcase and will incorporate a gigantic,
fun-filled carnival for all motoring enthusiasts.
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