Taking into account seasonality of the market, there is always a great demand in 1Q, especially during
the CNY period

By RAHIMI YUNUS / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM) forecasts a conservative growth for the sales of passenger vehicles, with only 530,000 units this year.

“I believe the automotive market for passenger cars will be around 530,000 units. There is a slight growth, but it is not going to be a dynamic growth,” MBM sales and marketing VP Mark Raine told The Malaysian Reserve, on the sidelines of the company’s media briefing on 2017 performance yesterday.

The expectation is 10,000 units less than Frost & Sullivan’s prediction of 540,000 units this year, a growth of 2.5% than 2.3% in 2017, based on its latest automotive market outlook briefed recently.

As it is, MBM hit another record sales last year, with 12,045 vehicles sold, up 2.3% from 11,779 units in 2016.

This is the fourth conservative record year for MBM, allowing the company to maintain its leading position in the premium market segment for passenger cars, with a market share of 2.3%.

The German marque performance was driven by the locally produced limousines with 7,041 units sold, and the C-Class being the best-seller model.

This was followed closely by the SUV sub-segment with 2,599 units boosted by locally produced GLC 200 and GLC 250 SUVs.

Compact cars registered a total of 2,031 units sold, while brand shaper dream cars delivered a total of 374 units last year.

MBM said 17 new models were launched last year.

In 2018, Raine expects the 14th General Election (GE14) to impact the auto market.

“My personal expectation is that GE14 to be happening in a later part of March. Taking into account seasonality of the market, there is always a great demand in the first quarter (1Q) or six weeks of the year, during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period.”

Meanwhile, new launches usually come at the end of 1Q or at the start of 2Q.

This will coincide with the election period and would have effects on each other,” Raine explained.

Nonetheless, he said the government has played a vital role in the success of the industry, armed with the right strategies to support the sector’s growth.

To date, MBM has invested over RM1 billion in Malaysia, one-third of it is for its Pekan production plant and training academy in Puchong.

Meanwhile, national squash record-holder Datuk Nicol Ann David is chosen as MBM’s newest brand ambassador.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MBM) forecasts a conservative growth for the sales of passenger vehicles, with only 530,000 units this year.

“I believe the automotive market for passenger cars will be around 530,000 units. There is a slight growth, but it is not going to be a dynamic growth,” MBM sales and marketing VP Mark Raine told The Malaysian Reserve, on the sidelines of the company’s media briefing on 2017 performance yesterday.

The expectation is 10,000 units less than Frost & Sullivan’s prediction of 540,000 units this year, a growth of 2.5% than 2.3% in 2017, based on its latest automotive market outlook briefed recently.

As it is, MBM hit another record sales last year, with 12,045 vehicles sold, up 2.3% from 11,779 units in 2016.

This is the fourth conservative record year for MBM, allowing the company to maintain its leading position in the premium market segment for passenger cars, with a market share of 2.3%.

The German marque performance was driven by the locally produced limousines with 7,041 units sold, and the C-Class being the best-seller model.

This was followed closely by the SUV sub-segment with 2,599 units boosted by locally produced GLC 200 and GLC 250 SUVs.

Compact cars registered a total of 2,031 units sold, while brand shaper dream cars delivered a total of 374 units last year.

MBM said 17 new models were launched last year.

In 2018, Raine expects the 14th General Election (GE14) to impact the auto market.

“My personal expectation is that GE14 to be happening in a later part of March. Taking into account seasonality of the market, there is always a great demand in the first quarter (1Q) or six weeks of the year, during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period.”

Meanwhile, new launches usually come at the end of 1Q or at the start of 2Q.

This will coincide with the election period and would have effects on each other,” Raine explained.

Nonetheless, he said the government has played a vital role in the success of the industry, armed with the right strategies to support the sector’s growth.

To date, MBM has invested over RM1 billion in Malaysia, one-third of it is for its Pekan production plant and training academy in Puchong.

Meanwhile, national squash record-holder Datuk Nicol Ann David is chosen as MBM’s newest brand ambassador.