Car Prices In Malaysia

Oleh : Alif H'ng

BMW 535i* sells for *RM178,000 in the US*

In the United States of America (a developed country which we are also
aspiring to become by the year 2020) a 2009 model BMW 535i Sedan is
selling for about USD50,367.00. This is only RM178,000 – about the
price of a Toyota Camry 2.4L here in Malaysia . *The same BMW sells in
Malaysia for about RM450,000.*

*
BMW 328i* sells for *RM155,000 in the US*

The 2009 model BMW 328i 2 door Convertible sells for USD44,014 or
RM155,369.00 in the US . *In Malaysia the same car sells for over
RM460,000.* This is an untenable situation.

*
Audi A4 2.0T Cabriolet Convertible* sells for *RM142,000 in the US*

The 2009 model Audi A4 2 Door 2.0T Cabriolet Convertible sells in the
US for USD40,328.00 or RM142,357. *In Malaysia the same car would sell
for about RM265,000.*

*
VW GTI 2.0T* sells for *RM85,000 in the US*

In the US the 2009 model Volkswagen GTI 2.0T sells for USD 24,039 or
RM85,000 only. *In China* the same car will cost around *RM60,000*. *Over
here the same VW car sells for about RM200,000.*

And the 2010 model *Toyota Camry 2.4L* *sells in the US for USD 19,659.00*
or *RM69,396* *In Malaysia the 2008 Toyota Camry 2.4L sells for
RM170,000. *Toyota Camry 2.4L, 2010 model. RM69,000 in the US
*

Car prices in Malaysia are about three times higher than the prices in
the United States .* We are a developing nation. Our land and labour
costs are so much cheaper than the US . Why are our cars so expensive?
It does not make any sense. Tak masuk akal.

Then here are some car prices from our neighbour Indonesia . The*
Toyota Altis* sells *in Indonesia* for about *RM46,000*. *The same car sells
here for around RM 112,000.* Again we are three times more expensive
than Indonesia .*

The Honda Jazz sells here for RM108,000*.. *In Indonesia* the Jazz sells
for *RM 36,000*. Three times more expensive.

We are paying ridiculously high prices (and actually impoverishing the
Malays – who are the largest buyers of cars in Malaysia) to support an
out of date, out of touch with reality motor car policy.

We are paying the highest car prices in the world to support the
Proton and other locally made cars as well as support a mind boggling
AP policy which only benefits a relatively few rich Malays. A
disproportionately large number of Malays and other Malaysians are
being impoverished to subsidise the wealth of a few inefficient rich.


26 million Malaysians have to pay three times more for their cars just
to support Proton and 120,000 people who are directly and indirectly
involved in the motor sector in Malaysia and the AP holders. That is a
ratio of 216:1.

This ratio of 216:1 is too skewed. 26.0 million happier people can
contribute many more votes than 120,000 members of an inefficient
motor industry. 26 million unhappy people can change a Government.
(The maths is not really difficult here)

And this outdated policy is impoverishing the Malays more than anyone else.

Here is some news from our DPM Tan Sri Muhyudin Yassin about our car
policy. This is truncated:

Muhyiddin assures govt support for automotive parts and component sector

1. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The deputy prime minister said special focus
will be given to “facilitate and encourage” the development of the
automotive parts and component sector despite the current global and
regional economic downturn.

2. “Under the CEPT and Asean Trade in Goods Agreements, Malaysia has
agreed to eliminate import duties on all products in the Normal Track
on January 1, 2010. This includes motor vehicles, auto parts and
components,” he said.

3. He pointed out that . . . the motor vehicle sub sector in Malaysia
will not be directly impacted because of its heavy dependence on the
domestic market.

4. “The Malaysian government recognises the contribution of the
domestic automotive industry towards the development of the country.”


Para 2 sounds promising but then Para 3 and 4 basically says that the
Malaysian motor car industry will continue to be protected. This means
we will continue paying the highest car prices in the world for
automobiles.


Cuba kita kira : kalau kereta Honda Jazz di jual dengan harga yang
sebenarnya (lebih kurang RM36,000 saja) dan bukan pada harga sekarang
(RM108,000) maksudnya bayaran bulanan pembeli kereta akan jadi kurang,
mungkin sepertiga sahaja daripada bayaran bulanan sekarang.


Jika sekarang orang bayar RM1,500 sebulan untuk beli Honda Jazz, kalau
harga kereta lebih menepati harga pasaran dunia, orang kita perlu
bayar sekitar RM500 saja sebulan.


Maksudnya tanpa Kerajaan perlu membuat apa pun (merangsang ekonomi,
belanja berpuluh billion Ringgit duit rakyat untuk stimulus dan
sebagainya) setiap rakyat Malaysia yang membeli kereta yang seharga
dengan Honda Jazz akan dapat menjimatkan sehingga RM1,000 sebulan
daripada kos sara hidup bulanannya.


This is like giving the car buyer an RM1000 pay rise without incurring
any extra costs for the taxpayer, the Government or the economy. It
will greatly reduce the cost of living in Malaysia and spur greater
economic growth too.


*Tapi sekarang, yang menjadi mangsa dulu dan yang menjadi miskin dulu
orang Melayu juga. Orang Melayu yang paling ramai sekali menjadi
pembeli kereta dalam negara kita. Orang Melayu kebanyakannya makan
gaji – tiap bulan dapat gaji tetap. Bila harga kereta naik gila, yang
menjadi miskin di saf depan sekali adalah orang Melayu juga.
*

In absolute numbers, the Malays are suffering the most because they
are the most in number among the fixed income people who also buy
cars.

Some folks said the other day that Proton has 150 major component
suppliers, dealers, distributors and about 500 other parts suppliers
too. Of the 150 major component suppliers, about 15 of them are listed
companies. In total they employ about 120,000 people. The Proton
supply chain is a mix of bumiputras and non bumiputras. *But here is a
sad fact : none of them are operating at their level best efficiency.
*

*Our motor car policy is forcing Malaysians to subsidise Proton so that
Proton can sustain major inefficiencies in the Malaysian economy. This
is not a good thing at all.*
*

We have to unwind this situation. Set a target of 18 months from now
to unwind all protection for our motor industry. Remove the
impoverishing AP policy also in 18 months. Let Malaysian car prices
reflect world market prices for the same makes of cars.


If a BMW 535 sells for RM178,000 in America , it should sell for a
little less here in Malaysia (our rentals and salaries are cheaper).


The Ministers continue making pronouncements about the car industry as
though nothing has happened. I hope everyone will please wake up. The
Government has a real chance of getting thrown out of office in about
three years. The people will not accept inept answers anymore.*

*
The ridiculous car prices in Malaysia is an issue that is just
beginning to get more attention and publicity. It is going to become a
really big issue in the near future. Be forewarned.*


Posted by Syed Akbar Ali at 5:49:00 PM 11 comments

*P/S : **China's Chery 2.4L now selling at RM77,000 only, lebihkurang harga Waja 1.5L ajer .. **