MAA: We don’t need third national car and every car company should pay equal duties

The Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) feels that the country does not need a third national car as the existing two are enough.

MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad told The Edge, “From the industry’s standpoint, we already have two national cars — that’s already too many. To have a third national car? I don’t think we need it.”

She also did not comment on Perodua’s intention to be involved in the third national car project as MAA does not have details of the plan.

Datuk Aishah also said that every car company in Malaysia should be paying equal amount of duties, “We have highlighted many times to the government that duties on automobiles in Malaysia are very high and that they should relook at this, but it always falls on deaf ears.”

Well, considering that the automotive sector contributes well over RM 10 billion in taxes every year (before the pandemic happened), there is no way the government is able to reduce excise duties to lower car prices. It can only happen if and when the gap in tax revenue can be plugged.