Malaysia auto sales drop 99% on coronavirus lockdown

SINGAPORE -- Malaysia recorded just 141 sales of new automobiles in April, down 99.7% on the year in a sign of how deeply the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the economy.

Business activities have largely resumed after authorities eased social distancing rules on May 4, but car sales continue to slump. Customers have been slow to return, and banks are applying stricter credit checks to auto loans.