KUALA LUMPUR (May 20): A combination of chip and component shortages as well as shipment delays resulted in a 23.23% slip in total vehicle sales or total industry volume for April compared with the prior month, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

In a statement on Friday (May 20), the MAA said 56,213 total vehicle sales were logged in April compared with the 73,222 units in March.

These comprised a 24.41% drop in month-on-month (m-o–m) sales of passenger vehicles to 49,815 units in April from 65,902 in March, and a 12.6% drop in commercial vehicle sales to 6,398 units from 7,320 units.

The association attributed the drop to some automotive companies being affected by shortages of chips and components as well as shipment delays.

"Much of the sales had been fulfilled by companies having their financial year ended on March 31, 2022," it noted.

In terms of year-on-year (y-o-y), the MAA said total vehicle sales dipped 3.63% from 58,329 in April 2021.

Passenger vehicle sales slipped 6% y-o-y to 49,815 units in April this year from 52,992 units in the same month last year, while commercial vehicle sales increased 19.88% to 6,398 units from 5,337 units.

The association noted that year-to-date sales stood at 215,965 units, a 7.96% increase from the 200,043 units recorded in the same corresponding period a year ago.

The MAA said that for the month of May, sales volume is expected to be at similar levels seen in April given the shortages of chips and components, shipment delays, and the nature of May being a short working month due to festive holidays.