Proton has sustained its upward trajectory in sales performance, marking a promising start to the year. In February alone, Proton reported a total of 13,602 units sold, encompassing both domestic and export markets. This achievement brings the total sales for the initial two months of the year to 26,484 units, reflecting a notable 3% increase compared to the same period last year. Such success is particularly noteworthy given the usual post-holiday slowdown in automotive sales at the beginning of the year following the year-end sales surge in December.
The broader automotive industry has also experienced a robust growth trend in the year-to-date figures, with total-industry-volume estimated to have surged by 13.8% to 129,353 units. This growth is attributed to the introduction of new brands launching both traditional and electric vehicle (EV) models, which has sparked significant consumer interest. Proton, maintaining its strong foothold in the market, is anticipated to capture a market share of 20.5%, securing its position comfortably in second place in the national automotive sales ranking.
The recent introduction of the Proton S70, the newest addition to the Proton lineup launched in November 2023, has generated substantial demand both domestically and internationally. Sales of the Proton S70 surged by an impressive 60.5% in February, reaching 2,314 units, solidifying its status as the leading C-segment sedan in Malaysia. Boasting dynamic performance from a 1.5T engine and 7DCT gearbox, alongside advanced connectivity and comprehensive safety features, the Proton S70 has garnered sales across diverse customer segments. With the upcoming festive seasons of Ramadan and Hari Raya, continued strong performance is anticipated both in Malaysia and its primary export market, Brunei.
Meanwhile, the Proton Saga, approaching its 39th year of continuous production, remains a compelling choice for car buyers, blending features, drivability, and value. February sales exceeded 6,000 units for the fifth consecutive month, with a total of 12,341 units sold in the first two months of 2024, reflecting a 10.9% year-on-year increase and reaffirming its status as a cornerstone model for Proton.
In addition to the Proton S70 and Saga, other models have also demonstrated strong sales performance in their respective segments. The Proton Persona, a B-segment sedan, and the flagship SUV, the Proton X90, maintained their dominance in their categories, with the Persona selling 1,859 units and the X90 experiencing a 2.5% increase to 374 units compared to the previous month.
Despite stiff competition, the Proton X50 secured a healthy sales volume of 1,816 units, positioning it as the second-best-selling B-segment SUV. Furthermore, the Proton X70 witnessed a notable uptick of 19.6% to 445 units, while the Proton Iriz, a B-segment hatchback, closed at 543 units, marking a 3.8% increase.
Even though production has ceased for the Proton Exora, 39 units were sold in February, bringing the total sales to over 194,250 units, solidifying its position as the most successful C-segment MPV in Malaysia’s automotive history.
Importantly, the growth in export sales has been instrumental in bolstering Proton’s overall sales figures. Export sales surged by an impressive 223% to 346 units in February compared to January, with year-to-date export growth standing at 50.5%, reflecting a total of 453 units sold to overseas markets so far.
