IT has been about two years since the start of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, whose effects reverberated across all sectors of the economy, including the automotive industry.
Fortunately, things look to be on the upswing as the industry expects to see sales boosted by the extended SST exemption until June 30 of this year.
The automotive industry also expects a general economic recovery this year, as vaccination and booster rates continue to rise. The reopening of borders will also be a boon to the economy as a whole.
Despite the difficulties of recent years, Toyota managed to reclaim the number one spot for non-national automotive brands in Malaysia, overtaking Honda which held the position for the previous six years. Vios is Toyota’s bestselling car and Hilux is the bestselling pick-up truck in Malaysia, a distinction it has held since 2005.
In 2021, UMW Toyota Motor achieved a total sales volume of 72,394, breaking its 2020 total sales volume record of 59,320 by 22%. Total sales for December also showed a growth of 0.5% from the same period last year.
“We would like to thank Malaysians and our loyal customers for their continuous support towards our brand and choosing Toyota as their preferred road companion. We are driven by their love and passion towards our brand.
"Despite most of 2021 being a rather challenging year for most sectors, including automotive, the team at Toyota showed resilience by continuously innovating to offer only the best mobility solutions to our customers who are eager to get back on the road upon the lifting of the lockdown in August,” said UMW Toyota Motor president Ravindran K.
The automotive industry will evolve further in the near future, as Toyota introduces sustainable mobility through the recent launch of the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the first locally manufactured hybrid electric vehicle with Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA).
Before Malaysia can make any leap into fully electric vehicles on a mainstream level, it first has to transition to hybrid vehicles, given the country’s current infrastructure.
It is an essential step to bridge the gap between current fuel-powered vehicles and an electric-based future, with carbon neutrality and zero emissions somewhere in the future.
Demand for sustainable vehicles has been on the rise globally and in Malaysia, supported by the government’s tax exemptions for electric vehicles.
The year 2022 promises to be another step in that direction, with the acceleration of advanced technology as we move towards a sustainable and greener future. – The Vibes, February 14, 2022
