In a remarkable feat, national carmaker Proton has achieved its highest cumulative sales numbers since 2012, marking a successful first half of 2023. The company sold a total of 77,321 units, an impressive 28.6% increase compared to the previous year, outpacing the industry’s total sales growth by more than three times.
With 14,351 units sold in June alone, Proton’s market share is estimated to be 23.2% for the month, while the year-to-date market share has risen to 21.3%, reflecting a significant improvement of 3.2% over the corresponding period in 2022. Notably, Proton’s growth figure is the highest among the top five brands in Malaysia’s automotive market, which experienced a 9.4% growth in the first half of the year.
Proton’s success in June can be attributed to the outstanding performance of its models across various market segments. The Proton Saga, a popular A-segment sedan, reclaimed its position as the segment leader by selling 6,111 units in June, surpassing the 6,000-unit threshold for the third time this year. The model has achieved its best performance since 2012, with a cumulative sales figure of 33,325 units.
The introduction of Proton’s first new energy vehicle (NEV), the Proton X90, has been exceptionally successful. In June, the model recorded an astounding increase of more than four times in deliveries, with 1,082 units sold. This achievement propelled the Proton X90 to the top of the D-segment SUV category, solidifying its position as a leading player
Another standout performer for Proton is the Proton Persona, which led the B-segment sedan market by selling 2,254 units in June. Despite facing newer and more expensive rivals from other brands, the Persona has retained its position as the overall segment leader for six consecutive months. Notably, the model has witnessed remarkable individual sales growth, with an impressive increase of 79.4% this year.
Maintaining its dominance, the Proton X50 continues to lead the B-segment SUV market, solidifying its status as the most popular SUV in Malaysia since its launch in October 2020. The model sold 2,449 units in June, contributing to a cumulative increase of 9.9% over 2022, reinforcing its stronghold in the market.
The Proton Exora, Proton’s C-segment MPV, remains unrivalled in its market segment, with 368 units sold in June and a cumulative sales increase of 21.5%. In the same vein, the Proton Iriz achieved 842 units in June, securing the third-best position in its segment, while overall sales have experienced a significant jump of 58.6% this year. Finally, the Proton X70 performed admirably with 1,245 units sold in June, marking its second-best performance for the year.
