Oct 2025 Vehicle Sales Up 30%, xEV Share at 8.7%

Malaysia’s car market rebounded in Oct 2025 with 81,413 new vehicles registered, marking a marking a strong 30% increase from Sept’s 62,598 units, based on data from data.gov.my. This brings year-to-date registrations to 695,481 units, reinforcing the market’s steady performance heading into the final quarter.

Petrol-powered vehicles remained dominant, accounting for 85.3% of total registrations with 69,463 units, up 32.7% from Sept’s 52,309. The Perodua Bezza continued its reign as Malaysia’s top seller with 9,990 units, followed by the Proton Saga (7,825), Perodua Axia (7,668), and Myvi (6,978).

Diesel registrations climbed to 4,801 units, a 10.1% increase from Sept’s 4,359. The Toyota Hilux remained the segment leader with 2,678 units, ahead of the Isuzu D-Max (612), Mitsubishi Triton (529), and Ford Ranger (241).

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) maintained their upward momentum with 4,345 registrations, a 23% month-on-month gain from Sept’s 3,532. The Proton e.MAS 7 led again with 742 units, followed by the BYD Atto 3 (464) and BYD Sealion (433). The BYD Seal 6 (386) and BYD Atto 2 (325) rounded out the top five with BYD leading in terms of volume shifted.

Hybrid models also posted gains, reaching 2,804 registrations in Oct, a 17% rise from Sept’s 2,398. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid held its top spot with 622 units, trailed by the GWM Haval H6 (499) and Chery Tiggo (323).

With total volumes improving in Oct, the market continues to show resilience. Petrol remains the mainstay, diesel demand stays consistent, and electrified vehicles (BEVs + hybrids) together represented 8.7% of total registrations, slightly lower in share but higher in volume compared to Sept’s 9.5%.

Despite a healthy rise in xEV registrations — especially EVs — we at Carz.com.my believe EV growth remains below expectations, given the tax holiday nearing its end. This is evident from the surge in EV roadshows and discounts aimed at stimulating demand.

Two factors likely explain this softer-than-expected performance. First, several major brands have confirmed CKD EV production from next year, prompting many buyers to delay purchases in anticipation of lower-priced local models. Second, MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul’s remarks about potential new incentives have led consumers to adopt a wait-and-see stance ahead of a possible Dec announcement.

Without a clear transition plan, ending the current tax exemptions could stall Malaysia’s EV momentum, especially as volumes remain far from the levels required to meet the 20% xEV adoption target by 2030.