Subang Jaya, October 4, 2023 – Malaysian car manufacturer PROTON is celebrating a significant surge in sales as it enters the final quarter of 2023. In September alone, PROTON recorded the sale of an additional 12,230 units, both domestically and for export, driving its year-to-date (YTD) sales to an impressive 116,832 units. This marks a remarkable 14.1% increase compared to the same period in 2022 and positions the company for a strong push in the fourth quarter to surpass the previous year’s total sales of 141,432 units.
While sales in September dipped by 1,725 units compared to August, it’s noteworthy that the total industry volume (TIV) also declined below the 70,000-unit threshold. Nevertheless, PROTON’s sales growth remains ahead of the overall industry growth by over 3.7%. The company’s market share has also expanded, currently standing at 20.5%, an increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year.
Strong Demand for PIES Models Powers Sales Growth
PROTON’s impressive sales growth is driven by its lineup of models, particularly the Proton Persona, which ended September as the second most popular B-segment sedan, with 2,053 units sold. It maintains its YTD market leadership with total sales of 18,614 units, reflecting a substantial 72.6% increase compared to last year.
The Proton X90, the company’s newest model, is attracting buyers looking for a premium family SUV with mild-hybrid technology. Despite a minor production delay due to a service update, 491 units were delivered in September. With 3,435 units sold so far, the X90 continues to lead the D-segment SUV market.
Two more PROTON segment leaders are the Proton X50 and the Proton Exora. The former garnered 2,210 sales in September, remaining the best-selling B-segment SUV, while the Proton Exora maintains its undisputed leadership in the MPV segment, with 367 units sold in September and a total of 3,517 units sold this year.
The Proton Saga retains its position as the second best-selling A-segment sedan and the second most popular vehicle in Malaysia, with 5,648 units sold in September. Its YTD figure stands at a remarkable 51,484 units, reflecting a substantial 26.8% increase over the previous year. The Proton Iriz has seen an even more significant increase, with 682 units sold and a YTD total of 6,044 units, an improvement of 44.8%. The Proton X70, with sales of 779 units in September and a cumulative total of 8,778 units, returned to second place in the C-segment sedan class.
“September was a quieter month for the automotive industry due to the anticipation of the 2024 national budget. However, PROTON’s sales remain strong, thanks to the winning combination of technology and value offered by our models,” said Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar. “These achievements provide a robust foundation as we head into 2024 with a pipeline of updates and new model introductions, aiming to be among the leading automotive brands in the region.”
About PROTON
PROTON Holdings Bhd, founded as Malaysia’s first national car project, is on a mission to accelerate Malaysia’s economic development and lay the foundations for the local automotive industry. In 2017, PROTON embarked on its journey to become a modern and global automotive brand through a partnership between its two principals, DRB-HICOM and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Today, PROTON continues to delight its customers with cars anchored on its brand promise of Inspiring Connections and founded on its core values of always delivering Innovative Technology, Reliability, and International standards.