KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): Proton Holdings Bhd said it sold 13,395 vehicles (including domestic and export) in September 2025, pushing its year-to-date (YTD) sales to 114,297 units.

"The achievement coincides with total industry volume (TIV) shrinking in September by approximately 21.7% to an estimated 57,169 units, one month after reaching its high point for 2025," the company noted in a statement on Friday.

The September tally, which includes exports, is 18.9% higher than the 11,369 units sold in the same month last year, but down 12% compared with 15,228 units in August.

The company's YTD sales of 114,297 units represents a 0.9% increase from last year.

This gives Proton a market share of 19.9% YTD, which it noted is its best figure for the year "as the company strives for more than 20% of automotive sales in 2025 against increasingly stiff competition".

"Proton’s sales performance in September shows we continue to excite the market with our offerings. 3Q of 2025 has been exceptionally good for the company and we plan to carry this momentum into the final three months of the year to both meet our volume target and act as a springboard for 2026,” said Proton Edar deputy executive officer Zhang Qiang in the statement.

Proton, owned 50.1% by DRB-Hicom Bhd (KL:DRBHCOM) and  49.9% by China's Geely, said three of its internal combustion engine (ICE) models — Proton X50, Proton S70 and Proton X90 — continued to lead their respective market segments in September.  

The company delivered 3,438 units of X50 to customers in September, while the X90 sold 194 units and the S70 sold 979 units.

Proton Saga sold more than 6,000 units cars for the third straight month, Proton Persona achieved sales of 1,161, and Proton Iriz sold 278 units in September.

As for Proton e.Mas 7, the EV model achieved 845 unit of sales in September and bring its YTD sales to 6,656 units, making its most popular EV in the country.

Proton added that with the impending arrival of the Proton e.MAS 5 and the commencement of local assembly at Proton’s new EV plant in Tanjong Malim, the stage is set for a significant increase in the company’s EV sales in 2026.

On exports, Proton said it achieved best sales month in September with 815 units sold. This brings YTD export sales to 3,959 units, 56% ahead of the previous year and placing Proton as the top automotive export brand from Malaysia.

The growth is attributed to the Proton X50, with export volume growing by 220%. Proton Saga also made a major contribution with volume growth of 14% while Proton e.Mas 7 exported 443 units so far in 2025.

“With Singapore becoming the third country to receive Proton’s first EV in September and Mauritius due to join the list later this month, expectations for EV sales growth in export markets are high,” said Proton.