KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): UMW Group's automotive sales increased by 18% in August 2023 with 41,386 units delivered as both UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) and UMW’s associate Perodua make good their outstanding orders.

The group’s auto sales rose by 16% to 271,515 units for the first eight months of 2023 against 233,367 units registered in the same period last year, it said in a statement.

UMWT registered stronger August sales with the delivery of 10,275 units, 13% higher than the 9,091 delivered in August 2022.

Year-to-date (YTD) August 2023, UMWT registered 67,283 units, recording a 9% growth versus 61,639 units in 2022’s corresponding period, representing a 13.4% market share.

The top sellers were Toyota Vios, Hilux and Corolla Cross. UMWT introduced the improved 2023 Toyota Corolla and the Corolla GR Sport variant. It also unveiled the 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport variant and launched the all-new Lexus RX350 in May 2023, UMW Group said.

Meanwhile, Perodua registered 31,111 units in August 2023, 19% higher than the 26,039 units delivered in August 2022, mainly due to improving supply chain and enhanced production and sales operations.

YTD August 2023, Perodua’s sales surged to 204,232 units, 19% higher than the 171,728 delivered in the same period in 2022.

“Accordingly, Perodua achieved a 40.7% market share YTD August 2023 with top selling models [being] the Bezza, followed by Myvi and Axia,” it said.

UMW Holdings Bhd president and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said YTD August 2023, both companies registered higher sales versus the same period a year ago, driven by competitive and exciting new models and promotions.

“Based on the outstanding bookings, we are confident that both companies will achieve their 2023 sales targets,” he added.