Malaysian consumers hold back on big-ticket items such as cars

Lower sales: Besides residential properties, cars will be the most expensive purchase the consumers will make in their lifetime. This explains why economists look to car sales to gauge the country’s economic performance.

PETALING JAYA: Sales of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd’s (Perodua) fell for the first-quarter ended March 31 as consumers responded to the weak economic sentiments and held off buying big-ticket items.

In a crisis, Perodua achieved one of its best sales ever. During the financial crisis of 2007/2008, the company achieved the most bookings in its 15-year history in July 2008.