Construction industry boosts demand for commercial vehicles in 2008

Driven by strong demand, the Malaysian heavy vehicle sector saw high growth in 2008. While sales of buses, panel and window vans declined, prime movers saw their sales volume doubled year on year compared with 2007 due to a need for heavy-duty transport in the construction industry. Mercedes-Benz was boosted by its 11,946 cc 2640LS/33 model that accounted for more than 66% of its total sales volume, while MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group revenues owed a rise to the 10,518 cc TGA 33.400 model, which was 80.8% of its total sales. Hino Motors Ltd. relied on sales of its 10,520 cc SG2 PDPA. Other companies such as Volvo AB, Scania AB and Nissan Motor Co. also performed well, media reports said. (March 1, 2009)