New vehicle sales in Malaysia rose 2.2% to 44,407 units in September, compared with 43,433 units sold a year earlier, according to data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Passenger car sales were 2.2% higher at 39,628 units, while commercial vehicle sales were up by 2.1% at 4,779 units.

Cumulative sales in the first nine months of 2011 were down slightly at 450,244 units, compared with 453,249 units a year earlier.