Reduction of imported car prices up to 30% on track

KUALA LUMPUR - The Government is committed to ensure that prices of imported cars particularly those in the mid-range engine capacity will be reduced by up to 30%, said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri on Thursday.

"The Government will keep its promise of reducing prices of imported cars between 20% and 30% within the next five years,” Hamim said this when answering a question by Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan) in the Dewan Rakyat.

However, he said the reduction of prices does does not include imported luxury cars.

He agreed with Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) that the price reduction of imported cars could not be done immediately as it would have a negative impact on the industry.

Hamim noted that such a drastic move would leave the secondhand car dealership industry in a lurch.

"What will happen is that consumers will focus on getting new vehicles and will no longer want to buy secondhand cars,” he added.

Earlier, Hamim told lawmakers that RM10bil was generated from excise duties for imported cars.

He said RM3.37bil was collected in 2011, RM3.44bil in 2012 and RM3.19bil in 2013.