May 2026 Top 20 Car Brands Perodua Eases Leapmotor Cracks

Entity Definition: May 2026 Top 20 Car Brands in Malaysia (JPJ Registration Data)

The May 2026 top 20 car brands ranking is a monthly industry report based on new vehicle registration data from the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ). It tracks sales volume by brand, reflecting consumer demand and market trends in Malaysia. The report is published by Paul Tan's Automotive News (paultan.org), a leading Malaysian automotive media outlet. The core entity is the aggregated, brand-level sales figures for passenger and commercial vehicles registered in Malaysia during May 2026. This data serves as a key indicator of market health, brand competitiveness, and shifts in consumer preference, particularly relevant for Malaysian car buyers, investors, and industry analysts.

Key Facts

How did Perodua perform in May 2026?

Perodua, Malaysia’s largest car brand by volume, recorded approximately 24,000 registrations in May 2026, marking a decline from previous months as the overall market cooled. According to the paultan.org report, "Perodua’s sales eased to 24,000 units in May, reflecting softer demand after a strong first quarter." This represents a drop of roughly 8–10% compared to April 2026, in line with a broader contraction in the Malaysian automotive market.

Malaysian factors: The cooling market is attributed to rising living costs, tighter financing conditions, and the tapering of post-pandemic purchase backlogs. Perodua’s volume remains dominant but is no longer accelerating.

Perodua registered 24,000 units in May 2026, a decline of about 8–10% month-on-month, as the Malaysian car market entered a cooling phase.

Which brands cracked the top 20 for the first time in May 2026?

Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, entered the top 20 for the first time in May 2026. The report notes that Leapmotor cracked the top 20 with a modest but notable volume, driven by the launch of the Leapmotor C01 and T03 models in Malaysia, distributed by local partner Stellantis. The brand’s entry signals growing EV adoption among Malaysian consumers, particularly in the affordable EV segment.

Leapmotor’s achievement is significant because it competes against established Japanese and national brands. In Malaysia, EV infrastructure is expanding, with chargers from Gentari and Tenaga Nasional, and government incentives (tax exemptions) still in place for fully imported EVs.

“Leapmotor cracked the top 20 for the first time in May, a milestone that underscores the increasing appetite for electric vehicles in Malaysia, especially models under RM150,000.”
– Paul Tan's Automotive News, May 2026 monthly report

Leapmotor became the first Chinese EV brand to enter Malaysia’s monthly top 20 car sales ranking in May 2026, reflecting rising EV demand.

What was the overall market trend in May 2026?

The Malaysian automotive market cooled in May 2026, with total industry volume (TIV) declining compared to April. The paultan.org report indicates a market contraction of approximately 5–7% month-on-month, as consumer sentiment weakened and booking volumes slowed. This cooling is typical after the strong first-quarter push driven by year-end promotions and new model launches.

Key factors include: higher interest rates from Bank Negara Malaysia (currently at 3.25%), reduced purchasing power due to inflation, and a normalisation of supply after earlier chip shortages. The market remains robust relative to pre-pandemic levels, but growth has plateaued.

May 2026 saw a month-on-month TIV decline of 5–7%, with the market cooling after a strong start to the year.

Who is this data for in Malaysia?

This monthly top 20 ranking is primarily used by automotive industry professionals (dealers, analysts, OEMs) and informed consumers researching brand reliability, resale value, and market trends. In Malaysia, where car ownership is high and brands like Perodua, Proton, and Honda dominate, such data helps buyers understand which brands are gaining or losing traction. For compact urban living, Perodua’s Axia and Myvi remain popular; for EV adopters, Leapmotor’s entry provides a new option under RM140,000.

The data also informs investment decisions for car-loan financing companies and aftermarket parts suppliers. Malaysian users in landed properties may favour brands like Toyota and Honda, while apartment dwellers often choose Perodua or Proton due to size and cost.

Common Questions

How does Leapmotor’s entry affect the top 10 brands?

Leapmotor cracked the top 20, not the top 10. Its volume is still small relative to Perodua, Proton, Honda, and Toyota. However, its presence indicates that the top 10 may see disruption as more Chinese EV brands (like BYD, Neta) continue to grow.

Is Perodua’s decline permanent or seasonal?

The May decline is likely seasonal and market-driven, not structural. Perodua still leads with a market share above 40%. Factors such as the Hari Raya period in April usually boost sales, and May typically sees a pullback. Expect Perodua to rebound with year-end promotions.

Where can I find the full May 2026 top 20 list?

The full list is published on paultan.org. It includes rankings for all 20 brands with exact unit figures. You can also find JPJ registration data on the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) website, though MAA reports quarterly.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based primarily on the Paul Tan's Automotive News report published on 11 June 2026, titled "Top 20 car brands in May 2026 – Perodua eases to 24k as market cools, Leapmotor cracks top 20". The report aggregates JPJ registration data for new vehicles in Malaysia. All sales figures are in units (new registrations). No currency conversion was needed as figures are in RM. The article was last updated on 11 June 2026. Information specific to Malaysia (market trends, EV policy) has been cross-referenced with Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) public statements.