Proton begins 2023 with 162% growth in sales 

Twelve months after flood related supply issues suppressed sales at the  beginning of 2022, national carmaker PROTON enjoyed its best start to a year since 2013. With 11,681 units  (domestic and export) sold in January 2023, sales have grown by 162.3% year-on-year, resulting in the company  comfortably retaining second place in the sales table.  

PROTON’s market share for the month is estimated to be 22.9%, an improvement of more than 12% year-on year and over 3% better than its market share figure of 19.6% for the whole of 2022. Total-industry-volume for  January is estimated to be 51,000 units, which would translate to an increase of 22.8% in vehicle sales.  

Three models lead respective segments as Persona returns to the top 

Component supply shortages affected car manufacturers in 2022 and for PROTON, sales for the Proton Persona  were badly affected by a shortage of chips. With chip supplies now more stable, its numbers have rebounded  resulting in the model reclaiming top spot for B-segment sedan sales. A total of 2,039 units were sold in January, marking the second consecutive month the model has finished above the 2,000-unit threshold.  

The Proton X50 was the country’s most popular SUV last year and the model is continuing that trend to start the  new year. With 2,992 units sold in January, it remains at the top of the B-segment and overall SUV sales charts,  which is a testament to its enduring popularity more than two years after its launch. The Proton X70 meanwhile  racked up 993 units last month, placing it second in its segment.  
As for other Proton models, the Proton Saga was the brand’s best-seller with 4,788 units while sales for the  Proton Iriz jumped by 111% year-on-year to end the month at 597 units. The Proton Exora retained its leadership  of C-segment MPVs as 332 units were sold last month.  

“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 fulfil outstanding orders exempt from SST by 31  March.  

“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 fifth 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 ” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.