As outlined in the 13th general election of the Barisan Nasional manifesto, Mustapa said the government had promised to trim car prices between 20 per cent and 30 per cent over five years.
“Infact, since October last year, the price of 10 popular models in the country have come down an average 7.3 per cent,” he told reporters yesterday after attending the ministry’s monthly gathering, the first after Mustapa was re-appointed to the Cabinet.
He said the price reduction was part of the market process as a result of more efficient and competitive players in the automotive industry.
Mustapa said the price reduction exercise should be done in an orderly manner so as not to affect the industry’s growth and existing jobs in the automotive and related industries.
“As such, we have had discussions with automotive manufacturers and they are aware of ongoing negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement which would be implemented soon,” he said.
JF Apex Securities in its research note on Monday said the ruling coalition will likely take some time to implement car price reduction considering the potential outcome which would dampen the national carmaker, Proton’s market share.
The research house said that a feasibility study needed to be done on the overall impact so as to avoid disruptions to the automotive ecosystem.
“We do not foresee changes for months to come while awaiting update from the revised National Automotive Policy,” said JF Apex.
In the meantime, Mustapa said industry players must now be ready to step up their competitiveness edge in tandem with the industry which was becoming more competitive in Malaysia and abroad.
Besides bringing down car prices, the government was also reducing traffic congestion by setting up a more efficient transport system in the country, he added. — Bernama
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