KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended at its intraday low on Thursday as investor sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing foreign outflows, although the recent weakness may present bargain-hunting opportunities in fundamentally sound blue-chip counters. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 9.33 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 1,708.36, from yesterday’s close of 1,717.69. The benchmark index, which opened 3.74 points higher at 1,721.43, hit an intraday high of 1,722.50 in early trade before losing momentum for the rest of the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing gainers 656 to 508, while 565 counters were unchanged, 989 untraded and 32 suspended. Turnover fell to 3.49 billion units worth RM3.70 billion compared with 4.15 billion units worth RM4.29 billion on Wednesday.
Quick Summary
Europe’s new car registrations fell 3.5% in January
France and Germany led the decline
EV sales rose 14%, plug-in hybrids jumped nearly 30%
Chinese brands now account for ~11% of electrified car sales
Overall Market: Growth Streak Ends
European new-vehicle registrations dropped to 961,382 units in January, breaking a six-month growth streak, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.
Biggest drags:
Germany (Europe’s largest car market, ~22% share)
France
Meanwhile:
Sales rose in the UK and Italy
Weak consumer confidence, high car prices and rising unemployment — especially in Germany — are weighing on demand.
EVs Remain the Bright Spot
Despite the broader decline, electrified vehicles continued gaining traction:
Fully electric vehicles (EVs): +14% YoY
Plug-in hybrids: +~30% YoY
EV sales grew strongly in:
Germany
Italy
Spain
France
In the UK, hybrid sales surged nearly 50%, though battery-only EVs remained flat.
Key takeaway: Electrification is cushioning the downturn in overall auto demand.
Policy Tailwinds & Chinese Competition
Germany introduced a €3 billion EV subsidy program targeting low- and middle-income buyers, potentially boosting demand further.
The scheme is open to all manufacturers — including Chinese brands such as:
BYD Co.
MG (SAIC-owned)
Chinese automakers now account for nearly 11% of electrified sales in Europe, and analysts expect their market share to rise as China exports excess production capacity.
Automakers Adjust EV Strategy
European carmakers are recalibrating aggressive EV plans:
Stellantis NV booked €22.2 billion in writedowns tied to unprofitable EV projects
Volkswagen AG and Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG pivoted toward expanding plug-in hybrid lineups
Audi plans a new entry-level electric hatchback launch later this year
Automakers are balancing:
EV transition costs
Consumer affordability
Competitive pressure from China
Market Leaders in Focus
Major European automakers affected include:
Volkswagen AG
Stellantis NV
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG
Bottom Line
Europe’s auto market is cooling — but electrification is preventing a sharper fall.
While traditional car sales struggle amid economic uncertainty, EV and hybrid growth continues to reshape the competitive landscape — especially with Chinese brands accelerating their push into Europe.
Key Takeaways
Overall sales down 3.5%, ending growth streak
EVs and hybrids remain strong growth drivers
Germany’s subsidy may boost demand further
Chinese brands gaining share in electrified segment
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