Nazari (left) presents a mock contribution cheque to a representative of the Laila Taib Welfare Complex, witnessed by Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
KUCHING (Sept 21): Malaysia’s reconditioned vehicle importers are diversifying into electric vehicle (EV) distribution as rising competition and changing consumer preferences reshape the automotive market.
The Association of Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders of Malaysia (Pekema) is encouraging its approximately 400 members to tap into the EV segment while maintaining their existing reconditioned vehicle businesses.
Pekema Malaysia president and Yayasan Pekema Malaysia chairman Datuk Mohamed Nazari Noordin said the reconditioned vehicle market remained stable, with members recording annual sales of between 45,000 and 47,000 units.
“The sales of vehicles brought in by Pekema members remain more or less the same. Every year, we sell in the range of 45,000 to 47,000 units.
“Our imports are also within the same range, with no changes,” he said when met at the Pekema EVFly Run 2026 at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) grounds yesterday. However,
Despite stable sales, Nazari said the competitive landscape was changing the entry of more automotive brands, particularly from China, and a shift in consumer preference from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs.
“We see that challenges will become greater due to the presence of new brands from China and the shift in consumer preference from ICE cars to EVs.
“Therefore, Pekema welcomes our members to get involved in EV distribution alongside their existing businesses,” he said.
Nazari said overall vehicle demand in Malaysia remained strong, with the country’s total industry volume (TIV) at around 800,000 units annually.
In Sarawak, Pekema Sarawak President Datuk Ismail Abang Saufi said members imported about 4,000 to 4,500 reconditioned vehicles annually, with more than 3,000 units sold within the state and the remainder marketed in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
He said sales had remained relatively stable compared with last year, in line with the broader national trend.