MCO drives up demand for Daihatsu Gran Max panel vans in Malaysia

By daryl, 01 February 2021

Here's some interesting news from the commercial vehicle sector, in which Daihatsu is still alive, for a change.

The Japanese brand once synonymous with compact cars enjoyed a positive 2020 despite the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing Movement Control Order (MCO), with its annual sales tally of 1,410 vehicles exceeding initial expectations by five percent. This uptick was in full swing during the Recovery MCO (RMCO) months between July and September 2020, with a 10-percent year-on-year growth recorded in corporate sales, particularly in the e-commerce, delivery and logistics sectors. 

Of all its products, it was the Daihatsu Gran Max panel van that flourished, with a growth of 26 percent in sales from 2019; a significant figure for any product given the circumstances. Malaysians are shopping online and ordering in more frequently during lockdown after all, and the demand for last-mile carriers, be it from courier fleets or independent services, naturally follows that trend. 

So, the next time you receive a parcel from Shopee or have someone over to service your air-con, try having a closer look at the vehicle that pulls up at your door (or lobby). There's a good chance it might be a Daihatsu Gran Max.