New vehicle sales jump 19pc in September

Malaysia's automotive industry witnessed a significant increase in new vehicle sales in September 2026, with a 19% rise year-on-year to 69,609 units, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). However, consumer demand softened slightly compared to the previous month, as buyers adopted a cautious approach ahead of the anticipated 2027 Budget announcement. The drop in sales was observed in both passenger and commercial vehicle segments, with passenger vehicle sales declining by 2.5% from 71,428 units in August.

Passenger vehicle sales experienced a substantial surge of 21.5%, climbing from 53,352 units in September 2025 to 64,835 units in September 2026. In contrast, commercial vehicle sales decreased by 7.1%, falling from 5,138 units to 4,774 units during the same period. For the first nine months of 2026, the industry's total volume expanded by 4% to 602,633 units, compared to 579,336 units in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The production numbers also saw an upward trend, with total vehicle output increasing by 10% year-on-year to 64,482 units in September 2026, up from 58,413 units in the same month of the previous year. Passenger vehicle production climbed by 12% to 61,134 units, while commercial vehicle output decreased by 9% to 3,348 units. Cumulatively, the production figures for the January-to-September period grew by 2% to 562,207 units, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The MAA anticipates a recovery in vehicle sales in October, propelled by year-end promotions.