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 (TIV) 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.

Also read: Review: 2022 Proton Persona facelift – Is the jerky CVT finally fixed?

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.

Also read: Review: New 2022 Proton X70 MC - Now with the X50's 1.5 Turbo, is it better?

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.

Also read: Proton X90 likely to be Proton's first-ever hybrid, MHEV already teased in COE