Proton overtakes Perodua in sales in H1

Proton Holdings Bhd has pipped Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) to the top spot in car sales for the first half of this year with 74,519 units sold against Perodua's 62,584.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), in its market review released today, said Proton increased its sales from 65,918 seen in the same period of last year but Perodua saw a decline in its sales from 71,375 previously.

As for sales among the non-national car segment, Toyota was number one with 21,653 units sold in the first half year although this was a decrease from 25,697 units sold previously, followed by Honda with sales of 15,807 units compared with 18,796 units.

Total passenger vehicle sales in June was also 4,255 units or 9.2 per cent lower than the previous month.

Among the factors cited for the lower performance included the impact the March earthquake and tsunami had on supply from Japan as well as the implementation of the amended Hire Purchase Act 1967.

MAA said the Act had resulted in a longer leadtime for completion of sales process, causing some slowdown in new vehicle registrations.

However, the association has projected sales to be better in the second half of this year with production expected to pick up to normal levels from August onwards as well as with the introduction of new models.

MAA nevertheless has revised downwards the vehicle industry sales forecast for this year to 608,000 units, from an earlier estimate of 618,000. Last year, the total industry sales was at 605,156 units. -- Bernama