Proton has continued its strong sales momentum into the final quarter of 2026, recording 19,465 vehicles in September and taking its year-to-date (YTD) sales to 160,886 units. The result marks the earliest point since 2002 that Proton has crossed the 150,000-unit milestone. More significantly, the national automotive brand has already surpassed its full-year 2025 sales total of 157,976 units with three months of 2026 still remaining.

September sales were also 45% higher than the same month last year, contributing to a 40.8% increase in YTD sales. Proton’s estimated market share stood at 28.9% for September, while its YTD market share has risen to 26.9%. The company also recorded its strongest third-quarter performance since 2009, with 60,540 vehicles sold during Q3. This represents another milestone for the Proton-Geely partnership, which began in 2017.

Leading Proton’s performance is the Saga, which reclaimed its position as Malaysia’s best-selling vehicle in September after 8,701 units were delivered during the month. The latest-generation Saga, launched on 27 November 2025, has continued to build momentum throughout the year. Its strong start was evident as early as January, when 10,285 units were sold in a single month. By the end of September, Saga YTD sales had reached 68,237 units, representing a 34.5% improvement over the corresponding period last year.

The S70 also maintained its upward trajectory, following its first-ever 3,000-unit month before recording another 2,756 units in September. Its YTD volume now stands at 20,709 units, already exceeding its entire 2025 sales performance. With the recently introduced S70 1.5 i-GT variant adding another option to the range, Proton expects the sedan’s sales momentum to continue through the final quarter.

Meanwhile, the X50 remains the YTD leader in Malaysia’s B-segment SUV category, with 20,163 units sold through September following another 1,995 units during the month. The larger X90 continues to lead the seven-seat D-segment SUV category. September deliveries of 430 units brought its YTD total to 3,250 units, representing a substantial 69.8% improvement over the same period last year. The X90 has also already exceeded its full-year 2025 sales, helped by the introduction of its updated version in March.

Proton’s electrified vehicle business is also contributing an increasingly significant share of the company’s overall sales. Through PRO-NET, the Proton e.MAS range has now reached 40,000 units delivered in Malaysia just 20 months after sales began. The achievement places e.MAS among the country’s fastest-growing xEV brands, with the range holding more than 60% of the local xEV market according to Proton.

The e.MAS 5 remains a key driver of this growth, having surpassed 20,000 units delivered to Malaysian customers. Electrified models now account for 19.3% of PROTON’s overall sales. According to PRO-NET Chief Executive Officer Zhang Qiang, this puts the company close to the Malaysian government’s 2030 aspiration for xEVs to make up 20% of automotive sales. The rapid growth of the e.MAS range also gives Proton a growing electrified presence alongside its established internal-combustion engine lineup.

Proton’s growth is not limited to the domestic market, with exports continuing to build throughout 2026. A total of 1,311 Proton and Geely vehicles were shipped from the Tanjong Malim plant in September, following the company’s strongest export month of the year in August. The additional shipments lifted total exports for 2026 to 7,370 units, with demand coming from Proton’s existing overseas markets as well as increased sourcing from Geely markets.

Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa said the company intends to further establish Malaysia as a production base for regional and global markets, supported by investments in manufacturing capacity, workforce development and technology. The company’s plans also include greater utilisation of the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), which Proton expects to contribute further to its export ambitions.

Despite already exceeding its entire 2025 sales volume, PROTON is not slowing down for the remainder of 2026. The company says at least two more model launches are planned before the end of the year, while further expansion of its export business is expected to add to demand for both Proton- and Geely-badged vehicles produced in Malaysia.