Proton sold 14,989 cars in March 2021 – 26.2% more than Feb; Saga remains top seller; 23.5% market share

Proton sold 14,989 cars in March 2021 – 26.2% more than Feb; Saga remains top seller; 23.5% market share

Proton has announced it sales performance for March 2021, which saw the national carmaker achieve its best result since 2013 with 14,989 units (domestic and export) delivered. The figure represents an increase of 3,116 units, or 26.2%, from February, giving the company an estimated market share of 23.5%.

For the first quarter of the year, Proton has achieved a cumulative sales total of 32,826 units, which is its highest quarterly result since March 2012.

The company’s two SUV models saw an increase in deliveries thanks to an increase in output at its Tanjung Malim production line. Last month saw 3,513 units of the X50 making its way to customers, which was marginally higher than the 3,345 units delivered in February. Meanwhile, deliveries of the X70 climbed 58.4% to 2,337 units from the 1,475 units recorded for the second month of 2021.

While the SUVs collectively contributed 5,850 units to the March overall total, it was the Saga that continued to be the company’s best seller with 5,589 units delivered – a 32.5% increase from the 4,217 units in February.

Proton sold 14,989 cars in March 2021 – 26.2% more than Feb; Saga remains top seller; 23.5% market share

The company added that the Persona (2,151 units) and Iriz (810 units) were the third best-selling model in the B-segment sedan and hatchback class for March. Lastly, the Exora’s 584 units allowed it to remain the best-selling C-segment MPV last month.

“After a soft start to the year, Malaysia’s automotive industry has finally hit its stride for 2021. We estimate TIV to be over 63,000 units, suggesting all brands will post their best numbers for the year. For Proton, March was a very good sales month as we achieved our highest figure in 90 months but our sense of achievement is tempered by the fact that it could have been even better if we were able to produce more units,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“As things stand, we still have a large order bank to fulfil so over the next few months, Proton will strive to increase production while maintaining our focus on delivering high quality products. We are also mindful that PENJANA incentives are currently due to expire by the end June, so we aim to ensure as many customers as possible are able to enjoy the tax holiday given by the government,” he added.

Beyond the sales figures, the company also noted that its in-house auto-financing subsidiary – Proton Commerce – experienced an increase in vehicle financing. Within the first three months of 2021, nearly 4,000 loans were disbursed, which was 141% over 2020. From that amount, 1,700 loans were disbursed in March alone – a 122% growth over February.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • dong gor on Apr 02, 2021 at 10:13 am

    A plague on Proton for so long and the previous management couldn’t do anything about it (or ignoring it). Just replaced the shitty punch CVT and look at the sales number now! that is what ‘working’ means

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
    • Celup King on Apr 02, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      PIE still uses Punch CVT and they are not that far behind. Besides, Geely also used the same CVT and thru collaboration both R&D teams have worked out the kinks with the CVT and implemented in their respective Proton & Geely models. Saga naturally sells the most since it is cheapest of the lot. Same lah like Axia is volume seller for Perodua.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 21
      • sup gearbox on Apr 02, 2021 at 5:46 pm

        Geely also used the same Punch CVT?
        Actually Geely is a customer of the Hyundai 4AT which replaced the CVT in the Saga since the model’s 2019 facelift.
        https://paultan.org/2019/08/06/2019-proton-saga-facelift-launched-hyundai-4at-replaces-cvt-lowered-prices-start-from-rm32800/

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 4
        • Celup King on Apr 03, 2021 at 8:57 am

          Read excerpt: The company said that it has retuned the CVT for improved fuel consumption with the assistance of Geely, which utilises the same Punch unit in some of its vehicles.

          Proton claimed that it has incorporated the learnings of both companies, and while we were limited to just a few rounds on its high-speed oval, the improvement in drivability of the CVT model was obvious
          https://paultan.org/2019/04/16/driven-2019-proton-persona-facelift-a-quick-sample/

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
          • sup gearbox on Apr 05, 2021 at 1:35 pm

            If Punch can’t do a good enough job on their own CVTs, could Geely be expected to do better? 2 months later, it was obvious that they could only do so much for the CVT when it was replaced with the 4AT on the Saga, and after a while, the sales for Saga improved. So may be, the CVTs for the Iriz and the Persona will be next.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Well done P1. Great product planning with superb value proposition is their recipe of success. As for P2, despite their numbers, still has a long way to go.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 56
    • RM70k above category Proton no far behind Toyota and Honda. RM70k below category Proton unable beat Perodua numbers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 8
      • Celup King on Apr 02, 2021 at 12:08 pm

        Proton sells quality not quantity. A durian seller won’t compare him superior products with cheapo rambutans sales numbers.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 23
        • Your durian rambutan logic doesn’t apply to Proton. Proton is like a lizard looking at a mirror and thought he sees a dragon.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 8
          • Lets See on Apr 02, 2021 at 4:40 pm

            Lizards have good eyesight and what it sees in mirror is your P2 lalat waiting to be eaten by the lizard.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 11
          • Many people who bought Ativa have never seen the X50. In fact, as long as they park the Ativa next to the X50, they will find that buying a durian at RM10 is cheaper than a rambutan at RM7.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • With P1 its not a numbers game.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Casual reader on Apr 02, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      It is an improved showing but my view after testing x50, it still a cheap car and lacks the luxury refinement that im used to with my own cars. Not buying it for sure. Nonetheless without proton and perodua existence, my luxury rides would have cost me a lot lower today.
      Side note: funny how proton fanboys here arent as obnoxious as those on the other side. Tells a lot about the maturity gap between both sets of fanboys.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 29
    • Give a try on Apr 02, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      Yes proton has long long long way to go to catch up with perodua sales. Proton should fo back to mitsubishi engine to boost up sales. Imagine saga using 4A91 1.5 mivec engine, i gerenti will sell like hotcake.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 15
      • Copy Paste on Apr 02, 2021 at 3:44 pm

        Copy paste: “Proton sells quality not quantity. A durian seller won’t compare him superior products with cheapo rambutans sales numbers.”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 13
  • Celup King on Apr 02, 2021 at 10:38 am

    Nearly 15k delivered in March. This is how people work. Not by blaming the virus for own failure.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 22
    • Celup Queen on Apr 02, 2021 at 1:44 pm

      While p2 sold 24K cars last month and always 10K ahead everytime.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 12
      • Lets See on Apr 02, 2021 at 3:47 pm

        https://paultan.org/2021/03/25/malaysian-vehicle-sales-data-for-feb-2021-by-brand-proton-up-by-96-honda-rebounds-with-a-201-jump/
        P1 is only 5k behind now. What happen to your 4X sales? P1 is catching up FAST!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 11
      • 24k biji rambutans vs 15k biji durians?
        Even if there rambutans are more than 100k biji, i don’t think there is anything to show off.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 78
  • J M Keynes on Apr 02, 2021 at 11:46 am

    I guess the news of an economic slow down has been greatly exaggerated.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Terbaik proton. Tp rsnye tukarla iriz tu, teruk sgt sales dia sebulan dlm 800 je.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • X70 Buyer on Apr 02, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    x50…the brutal blockbuster B segment SUV…kipidap P1.
    Good job P1… not like P2.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 12
  • Burnt DVD Disc on Apr 02, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    Malaysia economy strong like young bull. Rakyat buy new cars sampai pecah record. Rakyat has money and spending power. COVID19 pandemic has not dampened the economy at all.

    Bank meratorium can be withdrawn now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • window shopper on Apr 02, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      I noticed that more shop lots at the malls & shophouses which I usually go to, have been vacated & shuttered (closed down). May be the rakyat’s spending was ‘too much’ for them.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
      • Spin Too Much on Apr 02, 2021 at 8:58 pm

        Old ones gone, new ones pop up. Shopping malls now overflowing with patrons and businesses. Donki has 2 hour waiting with people can’t wait to spend money

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
        • jimat cermat on Apr 03, 2021 at 10:42 am

          That’s because there are people who already received money from the government’s assistance & permitted EPF withdrawals. They’re supposed to control spending on necessities & save the rest for unforeseen difficult times. Those money will not last for long. May be they’re thinking the government will again provide assistance/hand-outs and allow more EPF withdrawals when the money runs out.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • Tahniah P1

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • PlainBS on Apr 02, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    Firstly, tell me what’s the ratio of sales vs delivery.

    Then, we’ll see how efficient is Proton.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Lets See on Apr 02, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      https://paultan.org/2021/03/30/maa-says-reporting-of-sales-numbers-now-backed-up-with-jpj-registration-figures-mercedes-set-to-return/
      P1 figures as genuine backed by JPJ regs.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Aura89 on Apr 02, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      Its funny seeing all those P2 fanboys here claiming P1 is lying… P2 is “bending” the numbers every time and after every Car launch the sales shows it… Usually P1 delivers exactly what it promises, you can love or hate it but thats the truth…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 6
  • Proper sedan on Apr 03, 2021 at 12:39 am

    Make a practical sedan like the first gen vios 2003 and sell it rm50k. With 4at and timing chain 1.6na engine. No need useless fancy features like abc or xyz.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
    • Everyman on Apr 03, 2021 at 10:50 am

      With automobile manufacturers offering all sorts of fancy accessories, features, gadgets, ‘bells & whistles’ with their products, we sometimes forget that we actually don’t necessarily need them, because a car is basically a tool that carries us from point A to point B.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • Made a practical B segment sedan like BYD Han outlook and sold it for RM50k. Equipped with 7CT or manual transmission, timing belt, 1.5T engine with 180hp, 240Nm. Minor service cost RM250, Major service cost RM500.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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