Proton has announced its sales performance for the month of March as well as during the first quarter of 2023. Last month saw the carmaker sell a total of 14,573 cars (including exports), which represents a 3.8% increase over February and 11.9% more than same month in 2022.
This brings the company’s total year-to-date sales ending Q1 2023 to 40,287 units, which is 50.9% more than the same period last year. In terms of market share, Proton estimated based on its internal data that it reached 18.7% for the month of March, allowing it to maintain second place in the rankings.
It also estimated its market share to be 21.2% for the quarter, making it the biggest gainer compared to Q1 2022 with a 4.5% growth. Proton expects total industry volume (TIV) for the month of to hit a record high of 78,000 units, breaking the previous high of 76,657 units set in December 2022.
This is likely because March 31 was the deadline for cars to be registered in order to benefit from the sales tax exemption, provided the booking was made during the exemption period that ended on June 30, 2022.
In terms of models, the Saga once again remained the company’s best-seller with 6,313 units sold in March and a total of 17,446 units in Q1, the latter being an 84.6% increase from last year. Deliveries of the larger Persona reached 2,421 units in March, which is enough for it to lead the B-segment sedan market – the model’s Q1 sales reached 6,773 units.
Another leader in its segment is the X50 that saw 3,429 units delivered in March and 9,668 units in Q1 (+34.7% compared to the same period in 2022), allowing to remain as the highest volume B-segment SUV and overall best-selling SUV in the country. The Exora also retained its title of best-selling C-segment MPV with 426 units in March and 1,094 units in Q1.
As for other models, 712 units of the Iriz were delivered last month for a total Q1 figure of 2,120 units, while the X70 notched up 1,272 deliveries that contributed to the 3,186 units tallied during the first three months of 2023.
“The first quarter of 2023 has been exceptionally good for Proton and our achievement of over 40,000 units sold is something we are justifiably proud of. However, we must consider that sales for the first three months were inflated because brands were rushing to deliver cars for bookings made during the Penjana incentive period. This is especially true for this month as the deadline to deliver those bookings was March 31, 2023, helping to explain the record estimated TIV number of 78,000 units, said Roslan Abdullah, deputy CEO of Proton.
“A better reflection of market sentiment would emerge by the end of Q2, but we remain confident of maintaining our sales momentum. We will be launching the Proton X90 soon and will also have more additions to the range later in the year,” he continued.
“At the same time, we recently announced our commitment to expanding our future New Energy Vehicle (NEV) offerings and this will take the brand into new market segments as we seek out long-term growth to fulfill our ten-year plan. Yes, the runway to Malaysia being a hub for next generation vehicles is still long but Proton is excited to lead the automotive industry to new horizons in the future,” he ended.
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Congratulations to PROTON.
Highest volume B-segment SUV and overall best-selling SUV in the country. Aik what happen to P2 Ativa? Kena tapau balik Indon by superior value X50 kah? Kah kah kah kah!
Ativa is a segment suv
Not according to PaulTan and P2 sales pitch.
Give your source to back your claim.
Just 50% Perodua volume
Long-way to regain #No.1
That is what they rambutan seller keeps saying to the Musang King seller. But everyone know who has the better and more desired product.
LOLZ The more P2 fanbois hentam, the more sales P1 gets!
Thank you, Geely. You are the saviour. And not forgetting Najib for selling Proton to them.
No choice.
I like that how Proton always say Exora with Halogen Bulb is class leading sales.
Well done Marketing team.
Actually it’s the pricing that’s entice the consumer. Imagine half of the price of its competitors. Proton please update/upgrade the Exora.
1st option for proton to update the exora transmission like Iriz/persona received and slightly upgrade the dashboard/grill/bumper redesign like Iriz/persona.
2nd option exora going extensive upgrade like (saga FLX ➡ saga VVT) using existing engine/transmission combo but upgraded like Iriz/persona or go for Ricardo engine or use X50 standard engine/transmission combo.
Do Option 1 or 2 and Exora can sell 10 times the current volume and give back the 4 Airbags.
But proton does not seem interested to complement Geely in A-B segments (plus mpv) as this is where Geely is lacking and proton is excel in.
Even the Xpander with 99k price tag and only 2 Airbags can top the chart before new alza/veloz appearance. Imagine exora with only RM80k and bigger interior with keyless entry & option 1/2 upgrade. ♂️
The day Najib sold Proton was the day a giant millstone was removed from hanging on the latter’s neck. It is now free to do what a carmaker is suppose to do i.e. make money.
Actually that was not entirely true also since Proton was sold by Kazanah back in 2012 during his time also but look at what happened still come back to our tax payers money for bailout – its so nice being a support group of special companies in Malaysia.
I choosen exora over the new alza because no needed of those eco idle, auto brake, steering hantu etc…What’s wrong with halogen lamp?? at least burned can change bulb rather than replace whole lamp.
I feel like they could’ve retain the Exora + updated the front lamp, interior, 1.5L 3-cylinder+turbocharger, safety easily can compromise Alza sales.
Exora Persona Saga bukan kete tofu macam model baru baru ini
Congrats Proton, to all Malaysians thanks for the support, keep it up