KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): Malaysia’s new vehicle registration rose in July amid a jump in sales of diesel-powered pickup trucks.

Total industry volume was 73,615 units in July, an increase of 5% year-on-year and 8% month-on-month, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association. The trade body, also known as the MAA, noted that production volume was also the highest since January 2024 thanks to national marques.

Pickup trucks, in particular, saw a 30% rise in sales compared to June 2026 on the back of Budi Diesel subsidy announcement on July 1, the MAA said, noting that sales also benefitted from July being a full working month.

“Sales is expected to maintain its current momentum into August 2026, supported [by] aggressive promotion,” the MAA said.

The MAA represents more than a dozen domestic and foreign brands, assemblers, distributors and retailers.

Sales of passenger vehicles were up 7% year-on-year to 68,900 units, while that of commercial vehicles dropped 16% to 4,715 units. For the first seven months of 2026, total industry volume was 458,968 units, an increase of 3% when compared to the same period last year.

Production, meanwhile, was 5% higher on a year-on-year basis at 75,490 units, as output of passenger vehicles offset the contraction in commercial vehicles assembly. For the January-July period, production edged up 2% to 432,436 units.