PROTON Saw 162% Growth In January 2023

PROTON had achieved a 162.3% year-on-year growth in the month of January, putting it on a positive footing going into the 2023 fiscal year. Recording a turnover of 11,681 vehicles last month (for both domestic and export segments), PROTON estimates that its market share in Malaysia is 22.9% in January, putting it in 2nd spot in the sales table. This is the company’s best start to a year since 2013. It is comparatively better than its market share in January 2022, and the 19.6% market share it had for all of 2022. The TIV (total industry volume) in January 2023 is estimated to be around 51,000 vehicles.

The gain in turnover is consolation for the company which had endured production disruptions in 2022 due to component supply shortages and natural calamities. For instance, sales of the Proton Persona were badly affected by a shortage of chips. With supply having stabilised, its numbers have rebounded resulting in the model reclaiming top spot in the B-segment sedan category. PROTON sold 2,039 units of the Persona last month, marking the 2nd consecutive month the model has finished above the 2,000-unit threshold.

Meanwhile, the Proton X50, which was the country’s most popular SUV last year, continues to perform well for the brand. With 2,992 units sold in January, it remains at the top of the B-segment, and overall SUV, sales charts. Further, the company sold 993 units of the larger Proton X70, putting it 2nd in its segment.

The brand’s best-seller, the Saga, hit 4,788 units in January 2023, while sales of the Iriz hatchback grew by 111% year-on-year to end the month with 597 units sold. The Proton Exora continues to lead in the C-segment MPV with 332 vehicles sold.

“PROTON has enjoyed a good start to 2023 and while the growth over January 2022 is exaggerated by the poor opening month number last year, it should not be overlooked this is our best January since 2013. We expect this trend to continue for the first quarter of the year as we must fulfill outstanding orders exempt from SST (sales & services tax) by 31 March,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.

“Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, while the market outlook is for TIV to recede from the record numbers last year, PROTON remains optimistic of a 5th consecutive year of growth. With new facilities due to come online at our plant in Tanjung Malim, continued expansion of our dealer network, investments in the EV charging infrastructure as well as the addition of new conventional and EV models to our range, we are confident of being able to end the year with a positive result,” he added.

Earlier, Roslan had revealed that PROTON will update the powertrain of several of its current models and also introduce brand new models to the market, while it prepare for the introduction of electrified ones.