Proton Exora records impressive 11.5% sales surge in its final year, bids farewell after nearly 200k units
CY Foong · Nov 6, 2023 10:05 AM
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Unlike our neighbours Indonesia, Malaysians largely only accepted MPVs around the mid-2000s. When Proton launched the country’s first homegrown MPV, the Proton Exora in 2009, the MPV sales boom was at its peak.
14 years later, most of the MPVs introduced during that period were discontinued (Nissan Grand Livina), entered the next generation (Perodua Alza), or grew into a crossover (Toyota Innova Zenix). Yet, the Proton Exora remained in continuous demand but its chapter has closed with production ended in October.
196,583 units of the Proton Exora have been built at the Malaysian Thundercat’s Shah Alam plant with the spacious design remaining unchanged over nearly a decade and a half. The Exora saw minor changes throughout its 14-year life cycle with the most recent being introduced in 2022 with the placement of the current Thundercat roundel badge.
Initially introduced with only a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre CamPro CPS engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission across 2 variants, the Exora was later given a 5-speed manual transmission, a CVT automatic transmission, and a turbocharged CamPro CFE engine over the course of the next few years.
The Exora RC2 (running change 2) that was introduced last year is only available with 2 variants – Executive and Premium with prices ranging from RM 62,800 to RM 69,800.
Despite its age, demand for the Exora continues during its last month of production with the MPV bowing out as the undoubted C-segment MPV sales champion. With 393 units sold in October, the total number of Exora sold in 2023 so far to 3,910 units.
Plenty of space for days
The combination of practical features, performance, and value for money are some of the attributes of the increase in demand for the Exora which saw 2023 sales rise 11.5% so far. The Exora has grown from a family hauler to a darling for commercial transport and ferrying passengers.
For now, the Exora will not have a direct successor with plans for one based on the Geely Jiaji MPV scrapped. Instead, the Proton X90 serves as P1’s sole 3-row model which makes it an indirect successor to Malaysia’s first homegrown MPV.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
