Malaysia January 2019: New Aruz lifts Perodua up 13.7% in solid market up 8.5%

The all-new Aruz SUV helps Perodua up 13.7% this month.

The Malaysian new car market is up a sturdy 8.5% year-on-year in January to 48.450 units, and brand leader Perodua (+13.7%) outpaces this growth to reach a very imposing 41.5% share, the third time in the past 4 months that the brand crosses the symbolic 40% share mark. Whereas data by models hasn’t officially been available in Malaysia for a few months now, in January Perodua was kind enough to share its sales in detail. 1.025 units of the all-new Aruz – which is a rebadged Toyota Rush – were registered on the very last day of January after collecting 8.000 booking. The Myvi leads the brand’s sales – and the overall Malaysian market – with over 8.400 units sold, followed by the Axia (5.500), Bezza (3.400) and Alza (1.600).

If Honda (-7.6%) is weak in 2nd place, Proton (+43.5%) shows unusual resolve this month in third place with 14.2% vs. just 10.8% over the Full Year 2018, selling well over double as much as Toyota (-12.1%) at a paltry 6.5%, and Mazda (+23.5%) is also extremely strong in the remainder of the Top 10. Mercedes (-14%), Isuzu (-10.7%), BMW (-4.8%) and Mitsubishi (-2.5%) all struggle. Further down, Lexus (+155%), Land Rover (+142.9%), Volvo (+95.7%), Kia (+82.8%), Daihatsu (+46.4%), Mini (+40.8%), Volkswagen (+37.6%) and Ford (+37.5%) all post spectacular gains.

Previous post: Malaysia Full Year 2018: Perodua breaks volume and share records in market boosted by tax holiday

One year ago: Malaysia January 2018: Perodua soars 25% to tease 40% share

Full January 2019 Top 43 All-brands ranking below.