Perodua appreciates registration period extension for SST-exempted cars; reveals Jan-May sales numbers

KUALA LUMPUR: At last, the sales and service tax exemption will end on June 30, 2022, as planned. First announced in June 2020 to revive the country’s fledgling auto sector, the rebate has cost the government RM 4.7 billion in revenue with a total of 868,422 vehicles sold during the tax holiday period.

The decision seems to be true as the automotive sector has now returned to its full operations. However, a huge demand that cannot be met because of a shortage of semiconductor microchips and disruption in the global supply chain required some sort of relief. So, the government has made an allowance for the SST exemption to be applied for all the vehicles booked up to June 30, 2022 and registered on or before March 31, 2023. 

The provision of this grace period is really commendable as it balances the interests of consumers and tax revenue. 

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the country’s biggest car brand Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, also lauded this decision and thanked the government. He said, “We sincerely thank the government for this announcement as it gives the industry and the market breathing room to meet consumers demand while at the same time giving the players time to overcome various issues that are affecting the industry.”

While pointing out the component and manpower shortages as a lingering impact of Covid-19, he added, “These issues are currently being addressed as Perodua and our suppliers are finding solutions and this registration extension will give us much needed room to overcome these issues.”

“To date, we have significant outstanding orders which we are working to fulfil. We appreciate our customers’ patience in this regard,” Dato’ Zainal concluded.

Perodua Sales 2022

The automaker also revealed its sales numbers acquired in the first five months of 2022. It sold a total of 106,179 cars, with a 10% jump over the same period last year. This seems to be in line with the brand’s yearly sales target of selling 247,800 cars.

Model-wise, the “king of Malaysian roads”, Myvi continues to be Perodua’s best-selling model, with 31,689 units registered between January and May. It is followed by the Axia and the Bezza with 24,024 and 23,336 units, respectively. 

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