Orders exceed expectations

New owner: Nurfiras Norzaidi (right), 26, in his new Perodua Ativa waving to the salesman Hairi Hafiz, 35, upon leaving the showroom in Petaling Jaya yesterday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

PETALING JAYA: As the March 31 deadline looms for carmakers to deliver units ordered by customers to enjoy sales tax exemption under Penjana last year, analysts estimate that the total current backlog of orders across the top key brands is above 300,000 units.

Perodua’s suppliers and dealers have been in overdrive mode as the year-to-date production is up by 32.95% to 51,134 units from 38,460 units.