since 1976
since 1976
PROTON closed its sales ledger for May with 13,328 units sold (domestic, export, smart, Proton e.MAS), 6.1% ahead of May 2024 and marking a third consecutive month of growth. For the last three months (Mar-May), year-on-year figures have grown by 10% to drive year to date (YTD) sales to 61,087 units. Market share is forecast to be 19.2% from an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 69,495 units with the forecast YTD market share also expected to land at 19.2%.
Individual volume drivers this year include the Proton X50 and Proton X70, which have sold strongly since the introduction of their updated variants last year. Export sales have also been strong, now 36.6% ahead of 2024, while the Proton e.MAS 7 led EV sales for a fifth consecutive month in May while breaking through the 900-unit sales barrier for the very first time.
Strong individual model performances lead to second best sales month for 2025
PROTON’s sales numbers this month were punctuated by stand-out performances from all models as buyers responded positively to promotional efforts held nationwide. In growth terms, the biggest gainer was the Proton X70, which added 44% to end the month at 982 units. As a result, the C-segment SUV now sits 53.1% ahead of its YTD sales from 2024, a figure that is expected to be maintained and even grow over the rest of 2025.
Not to be outdone, the Proton X50 added a further 2,198 units to boost its YTD total to 9,704 units, placing it at the top of the B-segment SUV class and 14.3% ahead of its total from last year. The situation is replicated with the Proton X90 as the premium D-segment SUV grew its sales by 15.5% to 224 units to reinforce its position at the head of its market niche.
Meanwhile, sales numbers for Proton’s trio of sedan offerings rose in tandem with its SUV counterparts. Sales of the A-segment Proton Saga closed at 5,513 units in May an increase of 5.8% over April. The B-segment Proton Persona achieved 1,385 units in May, an improvement of 4.3%, and finally, the C-segment leading Proton S70 grew its numbers by 2.7% to 1,763 units. The final ICE model, the Proton Iriz, grew its sales in May by 14.1% to 331 units to maintain its standing as the fourth most popular B-segment hatchback in Malaysia.
As for the EV segment, the Proton e.MAS 7 achieved a new highpoint to bolster its position as the best-selling EV in Malaysia. 916 units of the premium C-segment EV SUV were sold in domestic and international markets, marking the first time sales have exceeded 900 units and boosting YTD sales to 3,632 units.
“After a slow start to 2025, sales of Proton vehicles have shown an upward trend over the last three months. This is a direct result of our promotion efforts as well as the strong attraction car buyers have to our range that offers stylish, technology driven products sold via an industry leading network of 3S/4S outlets. Going into the second half of 2025, PROTON is confident we can maintain our momentum as we initiate a flurry of events and model introductions in line with the next phase of our overall business plan,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.
Exports sales continue to grow on the back of new model introductions
With new vehicle sales in Malaysia approaching a natural saturation point, PROTON is pouring resources into improving its presence in overseas markets. 2025 has seen multiple events promoting its overseas presence, kicking off with the launch of the CKD Proton Saga in LHD form for the Egyptian market and two e.MAS 7 focussed activities in Nepal and Singapore.
June will see the introduction of the company’s EV in Trinidad & Tobago, its second export market after Nepal, which is expected to increase its numbers beyond the 233 units exported thus far. The top export model is the Proton Saga with 710 units followed by the Proton X50, which has grown its YTD export sales by 360% to 694 units.
“The increased focus placed on growing export sales is paying short term dividends as we see an immediate uptick in volume. Penetrating and being successful in overseas markets requires long-term commitment and PROTON is confident we can achieve our goals with a structured plan to manage our expansion,” added Li Chunrong.
