KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd’s sales crossed the 100,000-unit mark for a fifth consecutive year in August, a month earlier than doing so in 2022.
“With 13,955 units (domestic + export) delivered last month, year-to-date (YTD) sales for 2023 now stand at 104,602 units, 19.6% or 17,121 units more than the volume recorded for the first eight months of the previous year,” the carmaker said in a statement.
With total industry volume (TIV) for the month estimated to be at 74,200 units, Proton’s market share is projected to be at 18.8% for August, with a YTD market share figure of 20.8%.
The company’s volume growth however remains ahead of TIV, which is now estimated as 12.2% for 2023.
Proton said its newest addition, X90 lead the monthly and YTD sales for D-segment SUVs with the addition of 719 units in August and a cumulative total of 2,944 units thus far, despite having only three full months of sales under its belt.
The X50 also continue to head the B-segment SUV market with 2,558 units last month contributing to a YTD figure of 22,750 units.
It said Exora continued to set the standard for C-segment MPV sales as 409 units sold in August has led to YTD sales of 3,150 units.
The Persona meanwhile achieved sales of more 2,000 units for the sixth time in 2023 with 2,028 units driving off delivered last month and although it did not lead sales in its segment, its YTD figure of 16,561 units is 72% more than in 2022 and still places it at the head of the B-segment sedan category.
Proton said the Saga was the best-selling Proton in August, achieving its highest monthly figure of 2023 with 6,585 units, placing it second overall for sales in Malaysia for a third consecutive month.
In the first eight months, 45,836 units have been delivered, which is an increase of 34.2% over the same period in 2022.
It sold 654 units of Iriz in August places it fourth in its segment but with 5,362 units delivered in 2023, YTD sales are 50.3% ahead of the previous year.
The X70 ended the month with 1,002 units sold, pushing its YTD sales to 7,999 units.
Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said that after setting a new volume record the previous year, Malaysia’s automotive industry is on a trajectory to reset the record books again in 2023 as Proton and other brands continue to compete for sales.
“The buoyant mood of buyers is reflected in the high number of new products introduced, and with many more models making their debut before the end of December, we expect market conditions to remain highly competitive,” he said.
Roslan said the sales growth was a reflection of how the company’s focus on delivering better quality products paired with a premium experience delivered by the 154 3S/4S dealerships in its network, have a positive effect on customers.
“Going forward, these efforts towards better products and services will continue and be boosted by the recent announcement of Proton Test Labs receiving ISO 17025 accreditation as well as the company’s impending entry into the EV (electric vehicle) space with smart Malaysia,” he said.
