KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): Malaysia’s vehicle sales dropped 4.42% or 1,877 units to 40,578 units in February, compared with 42,455 units a year ago, driven by a short working month due to the Chinese New Year festive holidays.

In a statement today, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said on a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, the sales volume was 9% or 3,997 units lower than in January 2018.

Out of the total vehicles sold, 36,623 units were passenger vehicles, while the remaining 3,955 units were commercial vehicles.

Meanwhile, on the production, the association said the number decreased to 38,416 vehicles in February 2018, against 43,127 vehicles in the similar corresponding month the year before.

Out of that total, the passenger vehicles' production stood at 35,220 units, while commercial vehicles accounted for 3,196 units. 

On outlook, MAA expects sales volume for March to be slightly better than in February 2018, underpinned by a longer working month and rush for deliveries by companies with financial years ending March 31, 2018 (FY18).