New models set to crank up car sales Teamcar - Motor vehicle sales for the first half of the year were down but that is not stopping the car industry from wrenching up marketing efforts to boost sales.

Several new models are slated for launch and the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is hopeful this would lift vehicle sales by the year-end.

Vehicle sales are projected to dip 6% from 551,042 units sold last year, reversing the previous eight consecutive years of sales growth.

Industry observers say there could be four to six models launched before the end of the year, but it would depend on the strategies adopted by the motor players.

“Some auto players are adopting a 'wait and see' approach and might possibly hold back their model launches depending on their competitors' strategies,” an observer said.

Perodua was expected to roll out its Kancil replacement model in the first or second quarter next year, an analysts said, adding that Proton might possibly have lined up some replacement models. And UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd is expected to bring in the Lexus by year-end.

The analyst viewed this period as consumers adopting a “wait and see” stance, possibly expecting value of vehicles to rise. “But once they accept the reality of the situation, they will return to their regular buying patterns,” he said. (The Star)  ¶ 3:43 PM