KUALA LUMPUR (July 17): The UMW Group posted a 12% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in vehicle sales to 193,349 units in the first half of 2023 (1H2023), from 173,254 units previously.

In a statement on Monday (July 17), the group said both UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) and UMW’s associate company Perodua, recorded encouraging automotive sales for June 2023, with the registration of 31,222 vehicles.

It said that year-to-date in June 2023, UMWT registered 48,659 units, recording a 6% growth compared with the 45,911 units registered in the corresponding period of 2022.

It said the all-new Toyota Vios, which was launched in March this year, followed by the Corolla Cross and Hilux, were the top-selling models in the first half of 2023.

UMW Holdings Bhd president and group CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali (Filepix credit: UMW Holdings Bhd)

Meanwhile, UMW said that Perodua registered 22,553 units in June 2023, 9% lower compared with the 24,699 units delivered in May 2023, as its manufacturing plant was closed for one week for the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.

Year-to-date in June 2023, Perodua’s sales surged to 144,690 units, 14% higher than the 127,343 units delivered in the same period of 2022.

For the first half of 2023, Perodua’s top selling models were the Bezza, followed by the Myvi and Axia.

UMW Holdings Bhd president and group CEO Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said for the first six months of 2023, both companies had also registered higher sales compared with the same period of 2022.

“The introduction of competitive and exciting new models, helped to drive sales in the first half of 2023.

“We are confident that both companies will achieve their sales targets for 2023, based on the outstanding bookings,” he said.

At the time of writing, UMW Holdings Bhd shares dipped 0.98% or four sen to RM4.04, with 185,100 shares done.