With Malaysia undergoing a strict lock down to lower Covid-19 infections, retail operations of automotive companies have been curtailed with showrooms required to remain shut. This will affect Total-Industry-Volume (TIV) for the next few months, but PROTON remains optimistic due to the recent performance of its international sales division.

Following two consecutive months of strong sales, where Total Industry Volume (TIV) averaged over 60,000 units, Malaysia’s automotive industry receded by approximately 20% in May as issues such as chip shortages and a national movement control order took effect. PROTON sold 9,440 units (domestic + export) last month, a reduction of approximately 37.1% compared to April, resulting in a market share of 20.3%. Up to the end of May, total volume stands at 57,283 units with a year-to-date market share of 23.5%, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year.

PROTON continued its sales momentum 2021 by posting a third consecutive month of growth in April. The company sold 15,017 units (domestic+export) to kick off the second quarter of the year, which was an increase of 1.8% over the previous month and equivalent to an estimated market share of 26.7%. Overall, PROTON continued to strengthen its hold on second position in the sales rankings table with market share for the year estimated at 24.4% while overall volume now stands at 47,843 units after the first four months of the year.

PROTON has recorded a bright start to 2021. Cumulative sales in the first quarter of the year were the highest since March 2012, pointing towards a healthy order book and strong interest in the company’s range of offerings. This has created a knock-on effect and for Proton Commerce Sdn. Bhd. (Proton Commerce) it could lead to a record number of loan disbursements.

PROTON today began work on a further addition to their Tanjung Malim plant. The company performed a groundbreaking ceremony for a new stamping facility that will complement the existing lines. This expansion will house a new Superlarge press machine to further enhance stamping abilities. More significantly, it is part of PROTON’s overarching plan to increase levels of localisation, both for current and future models.

PROTON added another international market to the current Proton Saga’s portfolio when the company’s best-seller made its debut in Pakistan earlier this month. With the addition of the fifth most populous nation the Saga, which received a significant update in 2019, is now available in eight international markets - Brunei, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal and Pakistan.

PROTON’s strong start to 2021 continued in March as the company posted not only a new high point for the year but also achieved its best sales month since September 2013. 14,989 units (domestic + export) were sold last month, equivalent to a 26.2% increase over February and an estimated market share of 23.5%.

February was a productive month for PROTON as the Malaysian automotive brand reached market highs that had not been experienced for several years. By delivering 11,873 units (domestic + export), PROTON had its best February in over a decade equivalent to an estimated market share of 27.1%, the highest for the company since September 2013.

PROTON launched four Special Edition models which it unveiled simultaneously during the company’s third virtual launch. The limited production models have been given the moniker Black Edition (Persona and Exora) and R3 Limited Edition (Iriz and Saga); and were designed to
broaden the appeal of each model while offering more choice to customers.

As Malaysians live through a second Movement Control Order (MCO) to help bring Covid-19 infection rates down, the economic effect on various industries are being seen. Malaysia’s automotive sales for January is forecast to be slightly above 32,000 units, corresponding with a major drop in volume for most major players.