The giant won't move, Toyota and Perodua now control over 54 percent of Malaysia's new car sales

As of August 2023, the UMW Group saw a 16.3 percent increase in the combined, year-to-date sales of Toyota, Lexus, and Perodua vehicles in Malaysia, with 271,515 units vehicles registered. In August alone, 41,386 vehicles were registered, up 12.5 percent from July 2023.

Toyota contributed deliveried of 10,275 units in August, up 23.1 percent from July. Cumulative sales from January to August totalled 67,283 units, up 9.2 percent from the same 8-month period in 2022.

Toyota’s market share now stands at 13.4% for UMWT in the year-to-date of August 2023. The top-selling models included the all-new AC100 generation Toyota Vios, Hilux, and Corolla Cross.

Last month, UMW Toyota Motor also launched an improved 2023 Toyota Corolla, which includes a new Toyota Corolla GR Sport variant. Both variants are powered by the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and CVT-type automatic combo, with the GR Sport variant benefiting from GR Sport-tuned suspension and GR Sport styling upgrades.

Prices of the imported-from-Thailand (CBU) 2023 Toyota Corolla (Altis) are as follows:

• Corolla 1.8E: RM 139,800
• Corolla 1.8G: RM 147,800
• Corolla 1.8 GR Sport: RM 152,800

UMW Toyota Motor’s Lexus division also launched a new 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport variant in August, complementing the Lexus RX 350 launched in May 2023. Both RX variants are powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The hybrid RX 500h variant adds a two-motor all-wheel drive hybrid drivetrain, bumping up the power output from 275 hp / 430 Nm to 366 hp / 460 Nm.

Prices of the imported-from-Thailand (CBU) 2023 Lexus RX are as follows:

• RX 350 Luxury: RM 468,888
• RX 500h F Sport: RM 498,888

Moving to UMW’s associate company Perodua, the second national carmaker registered 31,111 units in August, up 9.4 percent from July 2023.

UMW says the growth is due to improvement in supply chain, enhanced production capabilities, and optimized sales operations, a very significant 18.9 percent increase from the same 8-month period in 2022.

The best-selling models for Perodua included the Bezza, followed closely by the Myvi and Axia.

Perodua’s market share now stands at 40.7 percent. Together with Toyota, the UMW Group now controls 54.1 percent of the Malaysian car market.

UMW Holdings Berhad President and Group CEO, Dato’ Sri Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said, “We are encouraged by the sustained strong sales registered by both UMWT and Perodua in August 2023. Year-to-date August 2023, both companies registered higher sales compared with the same period of 2022. The strong sales achieved was driven by the introduction of competitive and exciting new models as well as attractive sales promotions. Based on the outstanding bookings, we are confident that both companies will achieve their sales targets for 2023. We would like to extend our appreciation to our customers for their continued support of our products and services.”

Regarding the impending takover by Sime Darby Motors, UMW have yet to give any comment, but the latest analyst report by RHB Investment Bank says UMW has yet to engage with its principals, which includes not just Daihatsu and Toyota, but also Komatsu.

RHB says UMW’s management will only engage with its principals once shareholders approve the sale of the remaining 38.8 percent of the company, a decision that is expected to be made by January or February 2024.

Also read: Post-takeover of UMW by Sime Darby, Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger to be frienemies under one group