since 1976
since 1976
National automotive company PROTON has posted strong sales results in March, bringing total sales for the first quarter (Q1) to a 22-year high point and its highest level since 2022.
A total of 15,706 vehicles were sold by the company last month encompassing, ICE, EV and PHEV sales – marking a 15.4% increase over February and 12.8% ahead of March 2025. This brings total sales for Q1 to 49,140 units, equivalent to a year-to-date (YTD) growth of 40.1%, and bucking the current automotive sales trend in Malaysia as Total-Industry-Volume (TIV) is estimated to have shrunk by 4.9% during the same period.
As a result, PROTON’s market share for March is expected to be 25.1% while its YTD percentage of the market is forecast to be 27.4%, which is another high point for the company since 2017.
Proton e.MAS models power brand to segment sales lead
PROTON’s new energy brand, Proton e.MAS, ended 2025 as the second most popular EV brand while the Proton e.MAS 7 was the highest volume EV model in Malaysia. With the introduction of the Proton e.MAS 5 and the recent launch of the Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV, sales have taken off to new levels.
For March, 3,023 units were sold, led by the Proton e.MAS 5 with 2,071 units. Its YTD sales for Q1 are 6,701 units, easily making it Malaysia’s most popular EV model. Meanwhile, 646 units of the Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV were sold in March, its first full month of sales, while volume for the Proton e.MAS 7 EV climbed for a second consecutive month to 306 units.
Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer PRO-NET, said, “We are humbled by the warm reception Malaysians have given Proton e.MAS since the brand was launched in 2024. Our community outreach programme to expose Malaysians to EV technology and our products as well as build trust in our efforts to support customers with a dealer comprehensive network and easily accessible charging infrastructure are now paying dividends. The proof is in the sales numbers achieved and our target is to make Proton e.MAS the number one new energy vehicle brand in 2026. “
New Proton ICE models show strong sales growth
With three new model launches in Q1, PROTON’s range of ICE vehicles has been heavily updated with models now featuring new engines and technology to deliver even better value to customers. Introduced in February, the Proton S70 has been popular with younger customers who seek a sporty and spacious family sedan. 2,254 units were sold in March, its best performance since February 2024, to easily allow it to hold on to the title of best-selling C-segment sedan. Its sales volume was also higher in March than smaller B-segment rivals, an important milestone for the model.
Launched during Ramadan this year and touted as a “True 7-seater comfort SUV”, the Proton X90 had a resurgent March achieving its highest sales volume in over 12 months. Despite not benefitting from a full month of sales efforts, 323 units were sold last month, making it best-selling 7-seater D-segment SUV. This recognition looks likely to remain as the strong booking numbers indicate volume is set to rise in the coming months.
Launched in November 2025, the new Proton Saga remains the lynchpin of PROTON’s ICE range. Sales of 5,438 units in March brings total Q1 sales to 21,770 units – or over 7,256 units per month and represents a 38% increase in volume over the previous year. Meanwhile, the Proton X50 easily retains its title as the leader for B-segment SUVs. 3,265 units were sold in March to bring the Q1 total to 7,571 units, an increase of 48% over sales from 2025.
“PROTON’s Q1 sales performance is the result of the investments the company has put into its technology, dealer network and after sales service, which in turn has built customer confidence in our products and services. These investments also include various localisation and assembly programmes that results in better value for customers while creating a multiplier effect for the country’s automotive ecosystem.
“Our ICE models are undergoing a sales resurgence across the board, but PROTON remains mindful we also need to consider the needs of car buyers if fuel prices increase. That is why our updated models are more fuel efficient and lower maintenance, and through Proton e.MAS, we offer buyers an easy path to EV and PHEV technology should they want to make the switch,” said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Chief Executive Officer, Proton EDAR.
