KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): A total of 62,649 vehicles were sold in February throughout Malaysia, up 39% from the 45,062 units sold in the same month a year earlier, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

The increase was due to the delivery of backlog orders, MAA said in a statement Monday (March 20). February's total industry volume (TIV) comprised 55,555  passenger vehicles (up from 40,119 last year), and 7,094 commercial vehicles (up from 4,943 previously).

February's TIV was also 27% more than January's 49,479 units.

This raised year-to-date TIV to 112,128 units, 29.49% more than 86,595 in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, total vehicle production rose 24.38% year-on-year to 63,798 units in February this year, from 51,291 units in February 2022. YTD production climbed to 122,325, 29.79% more from 94,252 in the previous year's corresponding period.

On outlook, MAA expects Malaysia’s car sales in March to trend higher than February, on account on the rush for deliveries by companies having their financial year ending on March 31, 2023.

Also boosting sales will be the Hari Raya festive season promotional campaigns and the fulfilment of bookings made during the sales exemption period.