THE latest set of statistics from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) for September presents a stark - if concerning - contrast in the health of our automotive landscape.
While the industry celebrates total industry volume (TIV) comfortably clearing the 600,000- unit mark during the first nine months, growing four per cent year-on-year, a worrying trend is developing in the commercial vehicle market, it is shrinking.
Passenger vehicle sales rose sharply by 22 per cent year-on-year in September while commercial vehicle sales contracted by seven per cent for the month, dragging year-to-date performance down by a staggering 13 per cent to just 37,714 units.
The MAA attributed the slight month-on-month cooling to a "wait-and-see" approach ahead of the National Budget announcement.
