Vehicle sales this year to match last year's

BARRING major surprises in the government's automotive policy statement or detailed plans for the sector's entry into the Asean free trade area (Afta) in 2005, total vehicle sales this year should match if not marginally outstrip last year's 435,000 units, according to industry observers.  

A motor analyst who is neutral on the automotive sector says it is a difficult call to make on vehicle sales, but expects things to be clearer in the months ahead.