KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd sold 12,772 units in October, pushing its year to date (YTD) figure to 129,604 units, equivalent to a 12.3 per cent increase over the previous year.
Compared to the previous month, the October sales grew 4.4 per cent as total industry volume (TIV) is forecast to have exceeded the 70,000-unit barrier for the third time in 2023.
Proton's overall market share is estimated to be 20.1 per cent as YTD volume for the entire automotive industry has exceeded 645,000 units and is on track to break the all-time record set in 2022.
"Following a relatively quiet September, automotive sales surged again in October as the market posted its second-best sales month for the year.
"With two full calendar months remaining, it is guaranteed the industry will set a new TIV record for the second year in a row, which reflects not only customer demand but also the amount of liquidity in the market," said Proton Edar chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah.
He said the carmaker benefited from these market conditions and as its sales have gone up by 12.3 per cent this year, it continues to outpace TIV growth.
"This is despite some of the recent challenges faced, which were countered by quick and decisive action taken by the company.
"Heading in to the final two months of 2023, we are optimistic of exceeding our targets as we prepare to introduce more new models to position the company for a great start to 2024," said Roslan.
A total of 2,021 units of the Proton X50 were sold in October to position it as the market leader and cumulatively.
Since its launch on Oct 27 2020, the country's most popular B-segment SUV has achieved 100,210 units sold.
Proton noted that this was the shortest time it has taken for any SUV to achieve the benchmark in Malaysia, which is a testament to its popularity with SUV buyers.
The Persona ended October as the third most popular B-segment sedan but with 2,041 units sold, it exceeded the 2,000-unit barrier for the eighth time this year and remains the market leader with YTD total sales of 20,655 units.
Compared to 2022, total sales are now 65.5 per more and the model is on track to have one of its best sales years.
Sales for the X90, remained strong as the model continues to lead D-segment SUV sales with 479 units were sold last month as Proton approaches completion of its product update initiative for the model.
Cumulatively, 3,914 units have been sold this year and there is expected to be an uptick in demand in the coming months as orders start coming in from export markets following the overseas roll-out of Proton's first mild hybrid offering.
Meanwhile, the Exora is bowing out as the undoubted C-segment MPV sales champion.
"Production has come to an end after 196,583 units were built at Proton's Shah Alam plant and in October, 393 units were sold to bring the YTD number up to 3,910 units.
"Despite being in its final year of production, demand for the Proton Exora is up by 11.5 per cent in 2023, proving that its combination of practical features and performance remain relevant to many customers," state the company.
The most popular model remains the Proton Saga with 6,322 units sold, which has increased YTD sales to 57,806 units.
The model surpassed its volume from the whole of 2022 as a result of a 26 per cent increase in demand for the popular A-segment sedan.