Abang Khalid (second left) entertains his guests during his Raya open house.
KUCHING: Member companies of Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia (Pekema) Sarawak recorded a drop in sales due to the economic slowdown.
Its chairman Tan Sri Dato Sri Abang Khalid Marzuki said the sales volume nowadays was no where like those recorded in the ‘good old days’ of 10 years ago.
Despite the lower sales volume, he was confident that Pekema member companies in Sarawak can still persevere as long as there is demand for imported vehicles.
“The current prices may remain until the end of this year, or even go higher. Even in Japan, the prices of automobiles are not getting cheaper but more expensive. But I believe Pekema member companies can still survive in this situation,” he said when met at his Hari Raya open house here yesterday.
Abang Khalid, who is also vice president of Pekema main body, said the ‘wait and see’ approach of customers amid the economic slowdown was among the reasons for the slow sales.
He disclosed that sales of imported vehicles can be as low as five units and as high as 10 units per month under the current situation.
“The economic slowdown is not just happening in our country but also globally. Those of us who are involved in the business are still moving as usual, but not as good as what we achieved 10 years ago.
“Maybe the buyers are not rushing to make a purchase. Maybe they choose to wait and see in view of the situation,” he added.
When asked on the ongoing China-United States trade war, he said it would not affect the automobile business.
Abang Khalid said this was because the trade war between the two big powers are more over smart technology and thus will not affect vehicle sales.
“When you talk about trade war, it is more about telecommunications and 5G technology. Well, China is very advanced in that and the US is not happy. It has nothing to do with us and will not affect car business,” he said.