New vehicle sales in Malaysia rose by 3.3% year-on-year in September to 45,872 units, from 44,407 units in the same month last year, according to data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Passenger car sales rose by just 1.5% to 40,232 units in the month, from 39,628 units, while commercial vehicle sales rose by 18% to 5,640 units, from 4,779 units.

Total vehicle sales for the January-September period were up by just 1.8% at 458,447 units, from 450,244 units a year earlier.