KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): A total of 43,722 vehicles were sold in February throughout Malaysia, up 8% from the 40,581 units that were sold in January, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

In a statement Thursday (March 17), MAA said the increase in the total industry volume was due to auto companies ramping up production to fulfill backlog orders. Compared to the same month last year, the vehicle sales figure was up a marginal 1.01% from 43,448 units previously.

This brings the total industry volume for the first two months of 2022 to 84,303 units, about 10% more than the 76,840 units sold during the same period last year.

The association projects that sales volume in March will increase further, as auto retailers, particularly those whose financial year ends on March 31, make a year-end push for higher sales.

The longer working month in March is also expected to help lift the sales figure, it added.