New vehicle sales, or total industry volume (TIV), in Malaysia are expected to soften in 2024 amid a lack of catalysts, following a strong finish for the country's automotive industry in 2023, where TIV hit a record high of 799,731 units, up 11% year-on-year. Kenanga Research projects that TIV this year will soften to 710,000 units, while RHB Research forecasts an even lower TIV of 625,000 units for 2024. The projections were lower than the industry forecast of 740,000 units by the Malaysian Automotive Association. Kenanga Research expects the impending fuel-subsidy rationalisation to weigh on demand for mid-market models, but sales of affordable vehicles should remain good. Meanwhile, excitement is building in the electric vehicle (EV) segment with the new launches of BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 and the expected introduction of the first locally made national EVs (by Perodua and Proton) in 2025.