By SHAZNI ONG / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE total sales of passenger and commercial vehicles in October rose 14% to 53,870 units, compared to 47,273 units in the previous year’s corresponding month.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said in a statement yesterday that the passenger vehicle segment grew by 15.63% to 48,987 units from 42,364 units.

However, the commercial vehicle segment sold 26 fewer units, or 0.53%, to 4,883 units from 4,909 units in the same month last year.

On a month-on-month basis, the MAA said the sales volume in October was 21% or 9,204 units higher than September, due to a longer working month and year-end promotional campaigns.

“Sales volume for November 2019 is expected to be maintained at October 2019 levels,” the association said in the statement.

Year-to-date, vehicle sales fell 1.04% to 496,861 units from 502,128 units in the previous corresponding period.

To date, the industry has sold 496,861 vehicles or 82.81% of MAA’s total industry volume (TIV) forecast of 600,000 units for 2019.

Local carmakers would have to deliver 103,139 vehicles in the final two months of the year for the target to be achieved.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Proton Holdings Bhd’s sales in the first 10 months of 2019 grew 46% to 79,833 vehicles, including both domestic and export units, despite a lower TIV of 1.3%.

The national carmaker recorded 9,503 sales in October with its current market share of about 16%, recording a 5.2% increase over the previous year.

The achievement has placed Proton in the second position in the overall local automotive sales market. Proton said it is confident of maintaining its position till the end of 2019.

Proton’s first SUV, the X70, has continued to be the best-selling premium and executive model for a 10th consecutive month.

Over 24,000 units have been delivered thus far, making it Malaysia’s fastest-selling C-segment SUV with healthy demand from consumers.

Meanwhile, Proton Saga achieved a 51-month sales high with over 28,000 bookings having been received thus far.

The Saga recorded sales of 4,273 units in October this year with a total 30,331 units delivered in the first 10 months, a 26% increase over the same period a year ago.

Similarly, the Exora, Iriz and Persona have also shown an increase in sales. Sales for the trio along with the Saga have increased 21% this year, accounting for 78% of Proton’s total sales in October.