Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd will be launching two new models in the second half in a bid to increase its share of the Malaysian automotive market.
Executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said the first model to be introduced in the next few months would be a mid-sized executive passenger car priced from RM110,000 to RM120,000.
However, he declined to confirm if it would be the Nissan Sylphy, which was unveiled during Nissan Motor Co Ltd president and CEO Carlos Ghosn's visit to Tan Chong Motors' assembly plant in Serendah in March.
Dr Ang said Edaran Tan Chong Motor intended to capture a substantial share in the 2.0-litre segment with the introduction of the new model.
“This will be our re-entry into the 2-litre passenger segment, where we have been absent for a while,” he told Starbiz.
With the launch of the new model, Edaran Tan Chong Motor hopes to capitalise on the better-than-expected performance of the automotive industry, which in the first three months of this year, recorded better-than-forecast sales.
“MAA (Malaysia Automotive Association) has forecast sales of 510,000 units this year,” said Dr Ang, who is also vice-president of the association.
“The results from January to March have been more than the MAA forecast. The actual figure was 43,000 units per month,” he said.
Tan Chong posted strong sales last year for the Latio and Grand Livina, which were launched in June and December respectively.
“The Grand Livina has captured 47.5% of the non-national car segment for the 1.5- to 1.8-litre MPV segment, and the waiting list for it is more than one month,'' Dr Ang said.
He added that the second half would be more challenging for the automotive industry given the rising cost of petrol, the political uncertainty and the slowdown in the US economy.
“People may hold back purchases but whether the market is good or bad, people will still buy cars. We have two strong models now and the introduction of the two new models in the second half will make the challenges easier,”
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