KUALA LUMPUR: The total industry volume of motor vehicles sold in the country in the first six months rose 20% to 219,141 units, compared with the 182,222 a year ago, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said yesterday.

In the passenger car segment for the first six months, car sales rose 21% to 182,706 as at June 30, compared with the 150,557 units a year ago.

National cars recorded sales of 167,492 units in the first six months, achieving a 92% share of the total passenger car industry compared with the 93% or 139,303 units last year, the association said in a report on the industry.

Proton's car sales rose during the first six months, but its market share was eroded by Perodua.

The former's car sales were at 113,680 units for the first six months, which represent a slightly lower 62% share of total passenger car sales compared with the 97,000 or 64% share a year ago.

Perodua sold 53,812 cars, which saw its market share rising to 30% compared with the 42,303 units or 28% in the first half of 2001.

Sales of non-national cars increased 35% to 15,214 units versus the 11,254 a year ago.

The market share of non-national cars increased to 8.0% against 7.0% a year ago.