‘No transfers or changes’

PETALING JAYA: Most car companies will not entertain requests to transfer bookings made before the sales tax exempt deadline of June 30.

Major car dealerships said this was barred in the name of fairness and to prevent abuse.

National carmakers Proton and Perodua are among the car companies that have decided on such a policy, with both not accepting a change in the vehicle specs and model, too.

“This is to avoid any possible unfair outcome for genuine buyers and also to reduce the likelihood of speculators looking to profit from such practices,” Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah told The Star.

A Perodua spokesperson also confirmed that any change in the order would not be allowed after a booking was finalised on or before June 30.

“This is because the booking information is submitted to the Finance Ministry for the sales tax exemption. Our sales advisers made it a point to remind buyers before they placed the bookings. So there will be no changes allowed,” he said.

Bermaz Auto director Datuk Wong Kin Foo confirmed that a name change for any booked Mazda model was not possible to “avoid speculation and profiteering”.

He said there had been a rise in Mazda orders during the last two weeks of June with about 2,000 units booked.

However, with the current disruption in the supply chain and production capacity constraints, he said it was unlikely that all outstanding orders could be fulfilled by March next year.

Mazda sales adviser Annison Francis said the condition was in compliance with government regulations, with all information submitted for tax exemption.

“However, one can ask for a change in colour or model but do not expect the vehicle to be allocated soon,” he said, adding that his company allowed this as not many models were available in June for buyers to see or test drive.

Asked what would happen if the customer’s bank loan was rejected, he said a full refund of the booking fee would be granted.

Teoh SP, a Honda sales adviser based in Klang, also said any transfer in the booking was not allowed.

Eve Lee, a Toyota sales adviser based in Rawang, however, said a name change would only be considered in special circumstances.

“We don’t encourage it but sometimes it happens. For example, when a customer’s car loan is rejected, then we will consider transferring the booking to the spouse or other family members,” she said.

However, she said a change of model or specs “is not advisable”.

“Customers who have booked their vehicles are waiting anxiously. Such changes will be unfair to them. Those who change their specs or models at the last-minute may not be entitled to the sales tax exemption,” she added.