KUALA LUMPUR: Motor vehicle sales in Malaysia improved in July, recording 10.2% increase or 4,994 units compared with the previous month, backed by good sales for compact cars from Proton and Perodua.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), in releasing the figures yesterday, said judging by the current consumer trend towards compact cars, it would see continued growth for cars with smaller engines this month.

Sales of vehicles also increased to 53,984 units in July this year compared with 44,926 units in the same month last year.

Year-to-date, MAA said vehicle sales went up to 331,957 units from 265,665 in the previous corresponding period.

In July 2008, total industry production rose to 51,531 units from 40,149 a year ago, MAA said.

Of these, passenger cars accounted for 46,676 units while 4,855 units were commercial vehicles.

Total production in the first seven months of this year was higher at 314,753 units as against 247,975 units in the same period last year.

Of the number, passenger cars comprised 287,248 units and the remaining 27,505 units were commercial vehicles. – Bernama