Proton sales hit 13,268 units in May, up 35pc year-on-year

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Proton Holdings Bhd sold 13,268 vehicles (domestic + export) in May 2023, an increase of 40.9 per cent over April and an increase of 35.5 per cent over May last year.

The national carmaker said its increase in sales was due to a total industry volume (TIV) rebound, after a slow start to the second quarter in April.

“Sales for the first five months of the year stand at 62,970 units, a year-on-year increase of 38.9 per cent, the highest for any brand in the Malaysian automotive sales table.

“Meanwhile, the total industry volume (TIV) is estimated to have rebounded by 32.2 per cent in May, closing at 61,600 units.

“As a result, Proton’s market share is calculated as 21.5 per cent for the month and 20.9 per cent for the year,” Proton said in a statement today.

Proton added that the brand had also entered a new export market in May, its first market for this year and 12th overall, when it debuted on May 24 in Mozambique.

Aside from entering a new market, Proton said May was also the best month for export sales thus far in 2023 with 217 units sold, led by the Proton Saga model.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said May was a memorable month not just in terms of sales achievement, but also because it launched the Proton X90 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in the same month.

“We are humbled by the numbers posted and a 40 per cent increase in sales is a just reward for our efforts, but there are still seven months left in 2023 and the company is hungry for more.

“As for the performance of our newest model, demand for the Proton X90 has been strong as customers take advantage of our early bird package that offered accessories, a Proton X-Watch, a data package with 4GB free for five years and enhanced insurance benefits,” he said.

Roslan said the company will also have more new product launches and introduce updates to its existing range while making its debut in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

He said this was done via Proton’s subsidiary Pro-Net, promising a lot of activities on the horizon for the remainder of 2023.