KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Group, which comprises UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) and associate company Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), recorded a 48% month-on-month increase in sales to 35,246 units last month.

       UMW Group said it continued to ramp-up production to fulfil its encouraging outstanding order book.

       “UMWT’s sales surged by 32% to 8,487 units in March compared with the 6,432 units registered in the preceding month.

       “In the first quarter of 2022, UMWT sold 22,447 units, 31% higher than the 17,151 units sold in the corresponding period of 2021,” it said in a statement.

       UMW Group said UMWT’s top-selling models in the first quarter of this year were the Hilux, Vios, Corolla Cross and Yaris.

       “In its efforts to further strengthen the Toyota brand in Malaysia, UMWT had recently launched season five of the Toyota Gazoo racing festival in March.”

       Meanwhile, Perodua’s sales increased to 26,759 units in March, which was 54% higher than the 17,421 units registered in the previous month.

       “In the first quarter of this year, Perodua sold 61,624 units, 6% higher than the 57,909 units registered in the same period of 2021.

       “As a result, Perodua has achieved 25% of its sales target for the year of 247,800 units,” said UMW Group.

       Perodua’s top selling models for the first quarter of the year were the recently facelifted Myvi, followed by the Axia and Bezza.

       “While the Covid-19 pandemic and component supply issues continue to linger, Perodua is working closely with its suppliers and dealers to minimise the impact to its customers,” said UMW Group.

       In the same statement, UMW Holdings Bhd president and group chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said he was pleased with the improved sales registered by both UMWT and Perodua in March.

       “Supported by the strong order book, both companies are on track to achieve their sales target for the year and are ramping-up production based on the available capacity to expedite the delivery of vehicles to our customers.

       “Furthermore, both companies plan to introduce several all-new and facelift models this year to drive sales and achieve their targets. We wish to express our appreciation to our customers for their strong support of our products and services,” he said.

       UMWT is the assembler, marketer and exclusive distributor of the Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia.

       The company sold a total of 72,394 units of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in 2021, giving the company a 14.2% market share of the total industry volume.

       The sales performance last year also helped UMWT regain its leadership of the non-national car segment.

       For 2022, UMWT is targeting to sell 73,000 vehicles, on the back of improved economic conditions and the extended vehicle sales tax exemption.

       Meanwhile, Perodua sold 190,291 vehicles in 2021, which was 13.6% lower than the 220,163 units it registered in 2020.

       Its best seller was the Myvi with 47,525 units sold; followed by the Axia (43,080 units), Bezza (42,698 units), Ativa (26,874 units), Aruz (15,313 units) and the Alza (14,828 units).

       Perodua’s sales target of 247,800 units for 2022, if achieved, would be a record high for the company.