KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): Malaysia’s new vehicle sales hit a 2025 high in October, driven by a rush for imported electric vehicles before tax incentives end and aggressive year-end promotions, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Total industry volume (TIV) in October 2025 reached 75,992 units, up 7% from last year and 30% higher than September’s 58,940 units, marking the strongest month of 2025.

MAA said the sharp increase was due to consumers bringing forward purchases of completely built-up battery electric vehicles before import and excise duty exemptions end in December.

Passenger vehicle sales climbed 7.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 70,321 units for the month, up from 65,453 units in October 2024, while commercial vehicle sales rose 2% to 5,671 units, compared with 5,569 units previously.

“The current sales momentum is expected to continue in November 2025,” MAA said in a statement.

For the first 10 months of 2025, industry sales slipped 2% to 655,328 units, versus 666,905 units in the same period last year. Passenger vehicle sales eased 1% to 606,443 units, while commercial vehicle demand fell 13% to 48,885 units.

On the production front, output remained weak. Total vehicle production dropped 9% to 65,226 units in October from 71,878 units a year ago.

Passenger vehicle output fell to 61,192 units from 67,588 units, while commercial vehicle production slipped to 4,034 units from 4,290 units.

Cumulatively, January-October production contracted 7% to 617,355 units, compared with 664,923 units for the same period last year.