KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Proton Holdings Bhd reported on Monday its car sales rose by 17.1% to 11,025 vehicles in April (including domestic and exports) compared to the 9,415 units sold last year. 

In a statement, the national automaker said that sales for the first four months of 2024 closed stronger with 50,175 units, surpassing the 49,702 units sold from January to April 2023.

It added that the total industry volume (TIV) for the Malaysian automotive market also saw growth over the same period, reaching an estimated 59,100 units, with a cumulative total of 261,345 units for the year.

In terms of market share, Proton estimates it held around 18.7% in April alone. The year-to-date market share is forecast to be at 19.2%, maintaining its second position in the overall national automotive sales ranking.

According to Proton, its best-selling model, the Proton Saga, registered 5,031 units in April. Year-to-date sales are up 8.8% to 23,278 units, making it an attractive proposition to car buyers due to its blend of features, driveability, and value.

Meanwhile, sales for the Proton X70 reached 552 units. The company’s B-segment sedan, the Proton Persona, and the flagship SUV registered sales of 1,429 units, while the Proton X90 stood at 312 units.

Additionally, Proton’s B-segment hatchback, the Proton Iriz, added 424 units to its April sales volume, bringing the total sales to date to 1,958 units.

Proton Edar’s chief executive officer, Roslan Abdullah said the sustained demand for Proton models is bolstered by ongoing efforts in quality improvement, with better Global Customer Product Audit (GCPA) scores since 2019, instilling greater confidence among drivers.

On the export market, Proton highlighted that export sales remain a key driver for the company’s performance, having soared 38.5% from 603 units to 835 units year-to-date in April.

Roslan emphasised that export sales remain a vital pillar to Proton’s long-term goals. With the Proton S70 ramping up its sales in both the domestic and export markets, he expressed confidence in achieving sustainable export sales growth this year and increasing the contribution of export sales to their annual sales volume.

Year to date, Proton’s export sales volume has surged 38.5% to 835 units, compared to 603 units registered in the same period last year.

Leading the pack in terms of exports is the Proton Saga, with 427 units sold year-to-date, an increase of 16% from 368 units from the same period last year.

The Proton X50 came in second with 176 units sold, while the Proton S70 recorded 89 units in its only export market—Brunei, for the first four months of the year.

“This year, we have added Trinidad and Tobago to our export portfolio and reestablished our foothold in Bangladesh. Proton is confident of the market rebounding in the short to medium term as there is still a lot of demand from car buyers,” Roslan added.